Newcastle United signed Kenedy on loan from Chelsea during the January transfer window, and the 22-year-old, who earns £25,000-a-week with the Blues according to a report in the Daily Star, has made a big impression.
The Brazilian has scored two goals – both in the 3-0 win against Southampton – and provided a further two assists from the left side of midfield, to help the Magpies preserve their Premier League status for at least another season.
The versatile left-sided player – who can play as a midfielder, wing-back or full-back – may well be a summer target for Toon manager Rafa Benitez, who was also linked with a move for Saints defender Ryan Bertrand by The Sun on April 11.
It seems likely that the Tyneside outfit would only sign one out of the two, so we asked Newcastle fans to vote on our poll for which player they would prefer this summer, with a whopping 89% voting in favour of getting Kenedy over Bertrand.
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Given how the 22-year-old has impressed and how the England international could be part of a relegated side, that result is hardly surprising, and it will certainly be interesting to see what develops during the summer.
According to reports in The Telegraph, Newcastle United manager Rafa Benitez’s talks over extending his contract with the club have stalled over owner Mike Ashley’s plans for the Tyneside outfit, and West Ham United fans have urged their board to act to bring the 58-year-old to St James’ Park.
The Telegraph says the Spaniard is keen to extend his deal with the Magpies, but he isn’t willing to do unless he receives assurances from Ashley about the direction they are going in – something that evidently hasn’t happened as of yet.
Meanwhile, West Ham preserved their Premier League status for at least another year following their 2-0 win against Leicester City on Saturday – coupled with other results going their way – but their boss David Moyes hasn’t been overly popular with the London Stadium faithful on Twitter in recent times.
West Ham supporters were quick to have their say on the latest on Benitez’s situation, and while one said “you need to act now David Gold and Karren Brady”, another said “get him now”.
Manchester United are set to battle Real Madrid in a big-money tussle for the signature of Neymar this summer, according to the Daily Mirror.
United constantly do this; claim to be in the hunt for superstar names, but they will not get them and the club should focus more energy on players they will actually get.
What’s the story, then?
The report states that Neymar – who is valued at an already astronomical £162m by Transfermarkt – will cost £200m and £30m per year in wages but United are willing to match that valuation.
It goes on to say that Real Madrid are also in the hunt and believe that they are front runners but United’s hopes rest on Neymar’s father.
It says that he is a United fan and would love for his son to wear the famous red of the Old Trafford club at some point in his career.
Neymar isn’t coming to United
This is clearly engineered by Ed Woodward; to ensure that the club snap up column inches and Twitter characters by being in the hunt for a player who will never come to the club.
It is an insult to the fans who want to see their team improve after another shapeless season to claim that they will sign players that they clearly will not.
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Madrid are on course for their third Champions League in a row; they’re operating on a different plane to United right now and it would be no surprise if they made a statement post-World Cup and snared the former Barcelona man.
Mauricio Pochettino will step up his attempts to sign wonderkid Ryan Sessegnon from Fulham after signing a new five-year contract at Tottenham, according to the Daily Mirror.
Pochettino is the best manager in the country at nurturing young talent, especially players from England, and Sessegnon – who has also attracted interest from PSG – is good enough to take Tottenham’s bid for silverware to another level.
What’s the story, then?
The Mirror report that Pochettino signed his new deal after being satisfied with assurances from Spurs over a summer of spending and has set his sights on three players.
They say Sessegnon – valued at £22.5m by Transfermarkt – is among that trio, alongside Ajax prodigy Matthijs de Ligt and Manchester United forward Anthony Martial.
The report also says that Pochettino is ready to make major surgery on a squad that has as yet failed to end Tottenham’s ten-year wait for major silverware.
Sessegnon is good enough to shine now
It remains to be seen whether Pochettino sees Sessegnon as a left-back, where he broke into the Fulham team, or as a winger, where he has shone this season, elevating his game to another level.
With Danny Rose reportedly close to the exit door, the temptation may be to use Sessegnon as a direct replacement at full-back but the reason PSG reportedly want him isn’t his defensive ability.
The French giants know he is a superstar going forward, thanks to his remarkable efficiency and maturity in attacking areas, reminiscent of Gareth Bale.
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Tottenham need greater depth in order to challenge on multiple fronts and Sessegnon is capable of coming in right now and making a major impact in the Premier League as Pochettino chases that elusive trophy.
25-year-old left-back Juan Bernat is one of four Bayern Munich players for whom the German champions are willing to listen to offers this summer, according to the Daily Mail, and he would be a perfect replacement for Danny Rose at Tottenham.
What’s the story, then?
The report claims that the German champions are willing to sell the Spaniard as they seek to trim the squad ahead of Niko Kovac’s first season in charge at the Allianz Arena.
Along with countryman Thiago, fellow defender Jerome Boateng and box-to-box midfielder Arturo Vidal, Bernat is one of a quartet of players the Bavarians are willing to let go in the transfer window.
The former Valencia man is valued at just £10.8m by Transfermarkt and Tottenham left-back Danny Rose has been linked with a move away this summer so the deals could marry up well.
Bernat would replace Rose and save Spurs money
If a deal can be done for around Bernat’s market value, and Rose goes to Manchester United for a similar amount of money Daniel Levy managed to get out of their city rivals for Kyle Walker, then it could be a very profitable summer in North London.
In a similar way to how Serge Aurier came in to give title-winning experience at a cheaper price than the one Walker left for, Bernat – who is a much more reliable defender than Aurier – would be a profitable and shrewd replacement for Rose.
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As reported by The Mirror, Tottenham Hotspur are interested in signing Watford attacker Richarlison this summer, should they fail in their attempts to sign Wilfried Zaha.
What’s the story?
After signing a new long-term contract at Spurs, Mauricio Pochettino has given the club the stability they need to push on and challenge the likes of Manchester City and Liverpool for major silverware in England over the next few seasons.
To do that though, they need strong summer recruitment and fans are expecting the club to back Pochettino in the transfer market over the next couple of months.
One player on the club’s radar is Watford attacker Richarlison.
That’s according to The Mirror, who say the club could make a move for him if they are unable to convince Crystal Palace and Wilfried Zaha of a transfer this summer.
The paper say that Watford rate the Brazilian youth international at £40m.
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Would he be a good signing?
At just 21 years of age, there is no doubt that Richarlison holds significant potential and at Tottenham Hotspur under Pochettino his game could improve massively.
The inconsistency of youth was apparent in his 2017/18 season however, showing incredible form in the first half of the season before struggling alongside his teammates from January onward.
The left-sided forward scored five goals and assisted four times between August and mid-December for the Hornets before failing to record another direct goal contribution for the rest of the season.
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At the reported £40m, it would be something of a risk for Spurs to invest so heavily in a fairly unproven talent, although his powerful physicality and eye for goal would add a different dimension to their attack next term.
Tottenham Hotspur are yet to secure any new signings this summer, but they have been linked to a handful of wingers.
Mauricio Pochettino is blessed up front given that he has Harry Kane leading the way.
In addition, the left side of the midfield and attack is in safe hands, but there are questions regarding the other side of the pitch.
Erik Lamela had a torrid year-long spell on the sidelines with hip problems, eventually making his comeback in October 2017.
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The Argentine – valued at £18m by Transfermarkt – went on to feature 33 times in all competitions, but he started just seven Premier League matches.
Lucas Moura was bought by Pochettino in January from Paris Saint-Germain, but he is yet to establish himself as a regular member of the team having been included in the first XI only five times in all competitions.
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Lamela has received support from plenty of Tottenham fans over the course of his comeback, but in order for the club to progress, should they be recruiting a new winger?
According to reports in The Times, Chelsea are keen to sign Bayern Munich striker Robert Lewandowski, rated at £81m by Transfermarkt, this summer but their failure to make a decision on Antonio Conte’s future is holding any potential deal up, and Newcastle United should be watching developments closely.
What’s the word, then?
Well, The Times says that while the Blues are targeting a summer move for Lewandowski, the Poland international – who is currently away with his country at the 2018 World Cup – has expressed reservations about making a move to Stamford Bridge while the west London outfit’s managerial situation is unclear.
The Times says that while the club are expected to sack Antonio Conte following a miserable defence of their 2017 Premier League title that saw them miss out on Champions League qualification, they have yet to agree a severance package with the Italian that could cost them over £10m if the 48-year-old fails to take another job in the following 12 months.
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The report adds that Napoli are also demanding compensation for Chelsea’s top managerial target Maurizio Sarri, which has held up any potential negotiations over a deal for Lewandowski, who scored 41 goals in 48 appearances in all competitions for Bayern last term.
Why should Newcastle be monitoring developments?
Well, Magpies manager Rafa Benitez will surely have made bringing a new striker to St James’ Park this summer a priority with his team netting just 39 goals in their 38 Premier League fixtures during the 2017/18 campaign, with Aleksandar Mitrovic expected to leave and Joselu and Dwight Gayle often failing to fire.
One of his top targets if Chelsea sign Lewandowski could well be Michy Batshuayi, who would surely drop even further down the pecking order if the Polish marksman arrived at Stamford Bridge.
Conte certainly hasn’t fancied the Belgian and sent him on loan to Borussia Dortmund in the second-half of last season, where he showed the quality he has with nine goals in 14 appearances for the Bundesliga outfit, taking his tally for the season to 21.
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The centre-forward would be a brilliant signing for the Tyneside outfit and the fans, who have been quick to react on Twitter to a possible return to St James’ Park for a former attacker, and would help them improve upon their impressive 10th-place finish last time out.
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It would be no big surprise if Daniel Sturridge leaves Liverpool this summer.
The striker has dropped down the pecking order over the last few seasons.
That has been in part due to injury problems and also because he does not naturally fit into Jurgen Klopp’s system.
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The 28-year-old was sent on loan to West Bromwich Albion for the second half of last season, but he failed to revive his career due to another injury blow.
Sturridge has since returned to Anfield, but not many envisage that he will be at the Merseyside outfit for much longer.
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In truth, the striker could do with a change of scenery in a bid to force his way into regular contention, and also to get his England career back up and running.
The hitman has earned 26 caps for his country, but he failed to make it into Gareth Southgate’s squad for Russia 2018.
A report from Goal.com has claimed that Liverpool have not yet received any formal offers for Sturridge, whose price tag is set at £15m.
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Reds fans have been giving their thoughts on the situation via Reddit.
Comment from discussion No offers yet for Daniel Sturridge with most clubs not willing to pay £15m price-tag..Comment from discussion No offers yet for Daniel Sturridge with most clubs not willing to pay £15m price-tag..Comment from discussion No offers yet for Daniel Sturridge with most clubs not willing to pay £15m price-tag..Comment from discussion No offers yet for Daniel Sturridge with most clubs not willing to pay £15m price-tag..Comment from discussion No offers yet for Daniel Sturridge with most clubs not willing to pay £15m price-tag..Comment from discussion No offers yet for Daniel Sturridge with most clubs not willing to pay £15m price-tag..Comment from discussion No offers yet for Daniel Sturridge with most clubs not willing to pay £15m price-tag..Comment from discussion No offers yet for Daniel Sturridge with most clubs not willing to pay £15m price-tag..Comment from discussion No offers yet for Daniel Sturridge with most clubs not willing to pay £15m price-tag..
According to ESPN, Southampton are one of the clubs interested in signing Aaron Mooy this summer, alongside Everton, West Ham and former employers Manchester City.
The 27-year-old midfielder impressed in the Premier League for Huddersfield last season and although Australia failed to escape the Group Stages, some of his World Cup performances have caught the eye as well.
Combining the abilities to both make and break play, the 37-cap international – who Transfermarkt value at just £9million – seems like a smart signing for the south coast outfit, who will hope next season isn’t another overshadowed by the threat of relegation.
But could there be unforeseen repercussions? Football FanCast take a look at three potential consequences of a summer swoop for Mooy…
Saints cash in on Mario Lemina
Soccer Football – Premier League – West Bromwich Albion vs Southampton – The Hawthorns, West Bromwich, Britain – February 3, 2018 Southampton’s Mario Lemina celebrates scoring their first goal with Nathan Redmond REUTERS/Peter Powell EDITORIAL USE ONLY. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or “live” services. Online in-match use limited to 75 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications. Ple
There’s been plenty of Premier League interest in Lemina following an impressive debut season at St. Mary’s, with Manchester City even linked earlier this month, and it shouldn’t be forgotten that Southampton’s transfer model still largely revolves around adding value to talented young players before moving them on for a handsome profit.
So if Saints can get a deal for Mooy over the line, at relatively modest cost, that might just convince them to cash in on the Gabon international – injecting a significant sum into Mark Hughes’ transfer budget to improve other areas of the team. Mooy doesn’t have the same potential as Lemina, whose delicate touch, mobility and dribbling ability in central areas made him look like a future world-beater at times last season, but he’s a talented replacement nonetheless and with Oriol Romeu and Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg already at the club, Hughes certainly won’t be left short of solid midfield options.
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Path is blocked for Harrison Reed
The club’s reported interest in another midfielder suggests Reed didn’t do quite enough on loan at Norwich last season to force him into the first team picture this time around. The red-head midfielder probably hasn’t progressed as expected since making his first-team debut way back under Mauricio Pochettino, but Canaries fans were left largely impressed with his form over the course of 2018/19.
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For Southampton too, it’s important that their academy players get first-team chances. That approach took Saints back to the Premier League and was a key part of their early success after returning to the top flight, with players like Adam Lallana and Calum Chambers coming through. Hughes though, appears more keen to work with finished articles such as the Australian international.
Output added to midfield
Mooy’s Premier League return of four goals and three assists last season might not seem like much, but that represented a contribution to 25% of Huddersfield’s 28 top flight goals, finishing up as the division’s joint-lowest scorers.
Southampton weren’t too far ahead of them with just 37 and while much of the blame for that was attributed to an out-of-sorts strike-force, there wasn’t much help from the midfield either – aside from Dusan Tadic, no midfielder scored more than thrice for Saints in the Premier League or bettered Mooy’s return for setups.
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The Serbian international has now completed a move to Ajax, so it’s vital Hughes brings some more ammunition to the midfield this summer. It’s not explicitly what Mooy’s been targeted for – he’s better suited to deep-lying roles that highlight his tenacity and ability to dictate play with the ball – but that extra output is a key bonus for Saints after a goal-shy campaign. He’s a dab hand from the penalty spot, too.