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According to a report by Football Insider, West Ham and GSB are ‘willing to pay £20million-plus’ for powerhouse midfielder Alex Kral as they enter advanced talks for his signing.

The Lowdown: West Ham and Kral…

Kral is said to be heavily on the Hammers radar, with club insider ExWHUemployee recently saying that the club hope to get a deal for him done before the European Championships start (West Ham Way Podcast).

Before that, Sky Sports also claimed that the Hammers have held discussions with his representatives alongside four other Premier League sides.

If the club can complete an agreement for Kral, he will become another member of West Ham’s contingent from the Czech Republic alongside 2020 summer signings Tomas Soucek and Vladimir Coufal.

The Latest: Hammers enter advanced talks…

Now, bringing a development, Football Insider claim that West Ham are in advanced talks to sign the player although, contrary to other reports, a deal is not yet done.

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To complete an agreement, GSB are said to be willing to pay over £20m – with negotiations progressing well behind the scenes.

Indeed, the fee is yet to be agreed upon completely with Spartak Moscow as well as the payment structure – but discussions are apparently at an advanced stage as West Ham aim to make a third Czech international signing after Soucek and Coufal.

The Verdict: Promising update…

Kral impressed in the Russian Premier League over 2020/2021, averaging as many interceptions per 90 (1.8) in midfield as Declan Rice did for West Ham last season (WhoScored).

Indeed, the 6 foot 1 defensive midfielder also managed to get forward on occasion – supplying five assists for his teammates and standing out as one of Spartak’s key players.

Rice missed a portion of West Ham’s run-in at the end of last campaign through injury and having a capable alternative like Kral may supply manager David Moyes with some much needed strength in depth.

Therefore, this update should come as a promising one for supporters as their side gear up for what should be a very interesting 2021/2022 campaign.

In other news: ExWHUemployee’s ‘refreshing’ update has these Irons talking, find out more here.

Tottenham Hotspur are among the clubs keen on signing Emi Buendia this summer…

What’s the word?

That’s according to Sky Sports, who claimed that several top-flight clubs are eyeing up a swoop for the Norwich City sensation ahead of the upcoming transfer window.

It’s thought that enquires have been made for the 24-year-old midfielder, with Aston Villa and Spurs’ arch-rivals Arsenal also mooted with interest in the report.

Buendia will not come cheap, though, as the promoted Canaries value him in the region of £35m to £40m, a claim which has been backed up by The Athletic’s David Ornstein.

Writing in his usual Monday column, the ever-reliable journalist claimed that the Norfolk outfit are expected to lose the Argentine this summer but will not accept less than £40m for him.

Eriksen-like playmaker

Despite the eye-watering price tag, this is a move that Daniel Levy absolutely must make, regardless of who is taking charge in the dugout next season. A player of Buendia’s quality could be paramount, with the Lilywhites’ next boss likely having to navigate through a squad overhaul.

Truth be told, Spurs have been lacking in the number 10 role for well over a year now, with none of Tanguy Ndombele, Giovani Lo Celso or Dele Alli adequately stepping up to fill the void left behind by Christian Eriksen.

For example, this Premier League season alone, the trio have combined for a paltry four goals and four assists, as per WhoScored.

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By comparison, Eriksen delivered at least six goals and eight assists in all but one of his six full top-flight campaigns in north London. The same goes for key passes per game, with the Dane managing an average of 2.2 per game in all but one season.

The best from Spurs’ three current number 10 options is Lo Celso (0.8), with Heung-min Son (two) topping the charts, so that speaks volumes.

This is where Buendia could be the ideal fix, off the back of what has been a career year for the midfielder. As per Transfermarkt, he registered a whopping 15 goals and 17 assists, returns which have seen him win the Championship’s Player of the Season award.

Furthermore, the Argentine maestro averaged 3.1 key passes per game, more than the Spurs trio of Ndombele, Lo Celso and Alli combined, so there’s no denying that he’s a major source of creativity behind the striker.

It is no wonder that Norwich teammate Ben Gibson once lauded him as a “very special talent,” whilst Buendia’s manager Daniel Farke believes he is a “game-changer.”

His experience in the Premier League is an added bonus, as he’s done it before in the big time, delivering seven assists in Norwich’s relegation side in 2019/20.

If there’s one signing Levy needs to make this summer, it’s Buendia.

AND in other news, Forget Ten Hag: Fresh twist emerges in Spurs manager hunt, Levy can right big mistake…

Sachin Tendulkar hammered 199 and added 225 runs for the third wicketwith Vinod Kambli (105 not out) as West Zone went on a run spree onthe opening day of their Duleep Trophy match against East Zone at theNehru stadium in Pune on Thursday. Riding on the form shown by thegifted duo, West Zone rattled up 384 for four wickets off 90 overs atclose of play.It was a good toss that Tendulkar won but Wasim Jaffer was perhaps atrifle unfortunate to be out to the first ball of the match, edgingDebasish Mohanty to Deep Dasgupta. The home team suffered anotherearly blow when the other opening bowler J Zaman had Nayan Mongiacaught by Sukhbinder Singh for seven runs.Tendulkar joined Hrishikesh Kanitkar at this stage and at once therewas a change in the tempo of the match. The hunter suddenly became thehunted. Even as Kanitkar held on firmly, Tendulkar blazed away withthrilling strokes. The third wicket partnership added 127 runs off25.2 overs before Kanitkar was leg before to Sukhbinder Singh. For his42, the former Indian player batted almost three hours, content toplay second fiddle to Tendulkar. He faced 121 balls and hit eightfours.Kambli replaced Kanitkar at the crease and thanks to some splendidbatting by him and Tendulkar, West Zone quickly went into a positionof ascendency. Tendulkar and Kambli did pretty much what they likedwith the bowling. East Zone captain Shiv Sundar Das tried sevenbowlers in all but the runs kept coming at a fast clip. Tendulkar tookonly 39 balls to reach his first 50, in which there were eleven fours.His second fifty came off 73 balls with nine hits to the boundary. Inthe third 50, which came off 52 balls, there were five fours and twosixes. Just when a double century beckoned, Tendulkar was caught bysubstitute M Gupta off Sanjay Raul. Tendulkar batted five fours, faced214 balls and hit 20 fours and four sixes. He had come in during the12th over and was out to the last ball of the 79th over.Joined by Jacob Martin, Kambli reached his hundred. By close he hadfaced 151 balls and hit 12 fours and three sixes. Martin who made asedate start (two off 36 balls) was with him at stumps.

Andy Carroll is set to leave the club as a free agent this summer and despite managing to score just one goal in two seasons on Tyneside, former Newcastle United defender Steve Howey wants to see the academy graduate remain at the club.

After managing to finish the season in an unexpected, yet very respectable 12th in the Premier League, Steve Bruce will be looking to improve his squad this summer, despite reports suggesting he has just £12 million to spend.

If Bruce’s budget is set to be extremely limited and he still wants to sign Joe Willock, then he may look to offer extensions to several players who are set to become free agents when their current deals expire this summer.

Carroll has managed to keep himself relatively fit this season having missed just 19 days through injury, and Howey believes that Newcastle could do worse than offering him a new deal, he spoke exclusively to Football FanCast:

“I’m surprised that Carroll will be out of contract because me personally, I would keep him for another year, I really would. He’s been fit this season but just hasn’t been given the opportunity to play so that’s not his fault.

“It’s not his fault that he’s not played, that’s the manager’s fault because all Carroll can do is be fit. I still think he’s a threat and that centre backs still won’t like playing against him.”

The striker has experienced a frustrating season on Tyneside having been handed just four Premier League starts as well as an embarrassing 30-second cameo appearance against West Brom earlier in the year.

The Magpies are set to lose both Dwight Gayle and Carroll this summer which would leave Bruce with just Callum Wilson and Joelinton as options in the strikers’ department heading into next season.

After coming off the bench to make a couple of promising cameos in recent weeks, it’s surely time for Leeds manager Marcelo Bielsa to unleash Ian Poveda in the Premier League.

The Whites take on Brighton away from home on Saturday afternoon, and Bielsa will have some big calls to make, not least between Poveda and Helder Costa.

The latter has been in shocking form for a few weeks now, and his blank against Manchester United last time out saw him extend his run of games without a goal in the top flight to eight.

In fact, after seeing what Poveda produced after coming on as a substitute for Costa against Liverpool, former Leeds striker Noel Whelan made it clear that the young winger must “come before” the 27-year-old now.

He told Football Insider: “There is something there that is not right because Poveda came on and did more in that short time than Costa did in the 60 minutes he was on the field.

“He is fourth in the pecking order in terms of wingers for me. Poveda has to come before him now. He is direct, exciting and wants to take people on. He wants to do his job as a winger and Costa does not. He plays it safe and he’s negative. At least Poveda runs at people. He is positive and that is what a winger should do. Costa has been a massive flop. A real disappointment again.”

Paul Robinson added to the £10,000-a-week forward’s admirers, saying last year: “I think we’re going to see Poveda come through next season. Leeds have signed him for a reason, Bielsa knows he’s a top, top player.”

As Whelan says, Poveda’s directness could be exactly what Leeds need to unlock Brighton’s defence, and if he is given a rare opportunity to start from the off, would surely want to make his mark. Indeed, all 12 of his league appearances this term have been from the bench.

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Bielsa just needs to give him a chance to shine, and a clash against Brighton would offer him exactly that. He could well be Leeds’ game-changer on the day.

Meanwhile, Leeds can finally bin this “liability”…

According to a report by 90min, Tottenham Hotspur still have Fulham manager Scott Parker very much under consideration for the managerial role despite Brendan Rodgers being their top target.

The Lowdown: Parker on managerial shortlist

Parker has been sporadically linked with the Lilywhites job since Jose Mourinho was dismissed last month, with Football Insider recently reporting that the 40-year-old is emerging as a real contender.

Having been praised for his attacking style at Fulham, the former Spurs midfielder also falls into the category of  a ‘young’ and ‘dynamic’ manager allegedly wanted by technical performance director Steve Hitchen (Daily Mail).

The Latest: Very much a contender…

Backing reports of Parker being on the manager’s list, 90min claimed that he is still very much under consideration despite Rodgers being a prime candidate for the role.

The Fulham boss, alongside Gian Piero Gasperini, Maurizio Sarri and Graham Potter, remain shortlisted as the search for a new manager continues.

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The report added that Tottenham and Levy have been approached by intermediaries of up to 20 top managers regarding the vacancy in north London.

Whether or not Parker is one of those gaffers remains to be seen, but Spurs are still allegedly interested in him.

The Verdict: Outside contender, nothing more…

Parker has garnered no shortage of praise for his style of management and even has an admirer in Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola, who praised his courageous brand of football (mancity.com).

Former Fulham player Jim Hicks, who taught Parker through his coaching licence, emphatically claimed that he is one of the most ‘exceptional’ coaches to ever work under his tutelage (The Athletic).

The £75,000-per-week manager blew Gareth Bale away as a player too, with the Welshman hailing him as ‘unbelievable’ during their time together at Tottenham, but that may not transcend into him being an equally unbelievable manager.

Parker is relatively inexperienced, having notched just one full season in the Premier League so far, and Tottenham could need a coach with a more extensive background in managing at the top level.

In other news: many Tottenham fans slammed this ace during the defeat to Leeds, find out more here.

Manchester City made it four Carabao Cup wins in a row as they edged Tottenham Hotspur 1-0 at Wembley on Sunday afternoon. Here are our City player ratings from the game:

Starting XI

Zack Steffen: 6/10

Had nothing to do in the first half. Tipped a Lo Celso effort around the post early on in the second 45 and that proved to be the only real save he had to make.

Kyle Walker: 6/10

Barely touched the ball in the first half as City dominated but attacked down the left. Did well to get back and cover when Hojbjerg was found in the box after a quick Spurs counter.

Ruben Dias: 7/10

Great tackle on Kane to stop a Spurs counter-attack, although it was somehow given as a foul. Kane and Son barely had a sniff, although the Portuguese defender looked comfortable, he was dominant in everything he needed to do.

Aymeric Laporte: 7/10

Fortunate to not get an early booking after losing the ball to Lucas Moura and dragging him down when he could have countered. Eventually was shown a yellow card for scything down Moura again when he was running forward dangerously. Opened the scoring with a great header from De Bruyne’s cross, which proved to be the winner.

Joao Cancelo: 7/10

A lot of City’s play was going down the left-hand side in the first half and the Portuguese international was heavily involved. Denied by a flying save from Lloris after being found by Mahrez on the edge of the box. Did well to tackle Kane when he threatened to break into the box before picking out Foden to kick start a counter. Defended really well when he had to and looked excellent going forward.

Fernandinho: 6/10

Lovely through ball to set up Sterling but his clipped shot went wide. Picked up a Fernandinho-esque booking for stopping Hojbjerg on the counter. Headed straight at Lloris after a great ball into the box. Replaced by Rodri with 10 minutes remaining.

Ilkay Gundogan: 6/10

Helped to dictate play in the first 45 but didn’t get forward as much as we’re used to seeing him do. Couldn’t quite get enough contact on a cross from Mahrez and headed over the bar. Volleyed well wide after being found in the box by Sterling.

Kevin De Bruyne: 7/10

A superb pass was inches away from finding Sterling, the Belgian was regularly found in excellent positions in the first half and his crosses were as dangerous as ever. Surprisingly wasteful when found in the area by Mahrez early in the second half. Great ball in from a free-kick for Laporte to score the opening goal. Replaced by Bernardo Silva late on.

Phil Foden: 8/10

Turned Sterling’s cross just wide, did well to rob Alderweireld to set up an early chance. Good quick thinking to set up Sterling for a great chance, but his effort was blocked. Came very close to opening the scoring when his shot was blocked onto the post by Alderweireld. Involved in so many of the good things that City did at Wembley and the £63m-rated “superstar” was a thorn in Spurs’ side throughout.

Riyad Mahrez: 7/10

So close to opening the scoring after a delightful touch from Cancelo’s cross-field pass with his curled effort only just wide of Lloris’ goal. Hits another great effort inches over just a few minutes later. A superb run and shot saw him denied by Lloris.

Raheem Sterling: 5/10

Had a great early opportunity after a loose pass from Son but was slow to get a shot away and was tackled by Aurier. Did well to set up an early chance for Foden after turning Aurier inside the area. Had another great chance to open the scoring but saw his shot blocked by Dier. Perhaps a little too greedy late on as he regularly tried to get a goal rather than passing to his teammates. Played better than in recent weeks but once again, he lacked the finishing touch.

Subs

Rodri: 6/10

Helped to see the game out late on.

Bernardo Silva: 6/10

Had a lot of touches despite only playing the last few minutes, he helped City to secure their win.

And, in other news… Guardiola dealt huge blow as “genius” superstar edges closer to agreement 

According to Asist Analiz (via Sussex Live), West Bromwich Albion are interested in signing Trabzonspor goalkeeper Ugurcan Cakir.

Baggies eye Cakir

Cakir is currently on international duty with Turkey and has played an important part in his nation’s early 2022 World Cup qualifying success – they have won their first two matches and the 24-year-old saved a Memphis Depay penalty to help Turkey defeat Netherlands 4-2 earlier this week.

The report from Asist Analiz claimed that The Hawthorns outfit are interested in the shot-stopper, as are Brighton and Liverpool.

Too ambitious

It is at least a positive from West Brom’s perspective that they are linked with an in-demand, up-and-coming talent. Cakir was called “one of the best goalkeepers I have seen” by Leicester City’s head of recruitment Lee Congerton last year (Karadeniz Gazete) and he has been in impressive form for Trabzonspor this term – only Fernando Muslera (81%) has a higher save percentage rate than Cakir’s 79.5% in the Super Lig (fbref.com).

With Sam Johnstone being heavily linked with a move to Tottenham (Football Insider), West Brom could well need a new goalkeeper next term. Unfortunately, £14.4m-valued Cakir is likely to be out of their reach – the Baggies are currently 10 points from safety in the Premier League and look like they will be playing in the Championship next season.

Given the Turkey international’s ability, it is hard to see him making a move to the English second tier, so the Midlands side’s move for him could well depend on their ability to stave off relegation.

In other news, many West Brom fans were delighted with this club update.

MatériaMais Notícias

Um ponto separa Palmeiras e Flamengo na classificação geral do Brasileirão. A diferença no returno é exatamente a mesma, só que com o Flamengo na ponta.

Após a vitória no Fla-Flu, o Rubro-Negro assumiu a liderança do returno do Brasileiro com 26 pontos, contra 25 do Palmeiras e 24 do Botafogo, que derrotou o Inter por 1 a 0.

A vitória por 4 a 2 sobre o Santa Cruz deixou o Corinthians fora do grupo dos quatro piores do segundo turno, que tem agora Santa Cruz, América-MG, São Paulo e Sport.

MatériaMais Notícias

Apesar de atuar com o apoio de sua torcida, o Rubro não obteve um bom resultado nesta quarta. Até então invicto na Copa Rio, o América perdeu para o São Gonçalo por 2 a 1 no Estádio Giulite Coutinho, em Mesquita. Na próxima rodada do torneio o América enfrenta o Itaboraí no Alzirão. O embate vai ser disputado às 15h de quinta, em Itaboraí.

O JOGO

Durante os primeiros 20 minutos, as chances mais claras de gol foram do America. Gabriel – aos sete – e Marlon – aos oito – tentaram abrir o placar em remates cruzados, ambos defendidos pelo goleiro Diego. Após a parada técnica, no entanto, o São Gonçalo Esporte respondeu com um gol, aos 23. Depois de Felipe salvar o chute cara a cara com Luiz Felipe, Márcio Carioca aproveitou a sequência do lance e empurrou para as redes.

Depois do lance o América passou a pressionar o rival, mas insistia em bolas alçadas na área, que, constantemente, eram aliviadas pela defesa rival. Perto do fim da etapa, Marlon resolveu arriscar de fora da área e quase marcou. Quando o relógio marcava 42 minutos, o atacante disparou um forte chute de fora da área e viu a bola bater no travessão, para o lamento da torcida americana.

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Já na segunda etapa, Felipe, que fez algumas defesas importantes no primeiro tempo, acabou sendo superado por um chute indefensável de Wellington Batista. O camisa 7 do São Gonçalo arriscou de fora da área aos dois minutos e colocou a bola no ângulo direito do arqueiro. Em desvantagem por dois gols, o América praticamente não deixou mais o adversário passar do meio de campo.

Com muita posse de bola, o Rubro viu o goleiro Diego fazer duas defesas incríveis com os pés, nos chutes de Gabriel, aos 10, e Muniz, aos 16, impedindo o primeiro gol americano. Na única investida dos visitantes, Felipe defendeu o remate cara a cara com Walber, aos 26. A pressão surtiu efeito aos 34 e o Mecão descontou. Accioli cobrou canto da direita e a defesa afastou para a entrada da área. Nivaldo ficou com a bola, ajeitou para a perna esquerda e bateu colocado. A bola entrou no canto direito do goleiro, fazendo a festa dos torcedores americanos.

Nos minutos que se seguiram a torcida incentivou o time, que chegou perto de empatar nos minutos finais. Marlon, de bicicleta, obrigou Diego a fazer uma boa defesa, já aos 47. No minuto seguinte o América teve sua última chance de empatar em uma cobrança de falta da esquerda. Wagner Diniz achou Daniel na área, que cabeceou para trás. Para a infelicidade do atacante, Diego voltou a fazer uma boa defesa, mantendo o placar em 2 a 1.