West Brom remain keen on January transfer target Ozan Tufan, according to emerging reports…

What’s the word?

Turkish news outlet Sabah Spor claim that the Baggies are ‘closely interested’ in signing the 26-year-old midfielder ahead of the summer window, with Premier League rivals Crystal Palace also mooted.

Tufan is said to have a €20m (£17m) release clause and it is thought that Fenerbahce will only sell their star at this price.

Another factor could be Albion’s likely relegation as the Turkey international would love to play in the Premier League in the near future.

Shades of Mulumbu

Currently valued at just £8.55m by Transfermarkt, Tufan would be an intriguing option to have at the Hawthorns as he’s able to contribute offensively despite often playing in a deeper position.

His playing style has drawn comparisons to that of Yaya Toure, and it’s easy to see why – this season alone, the 58-cap dynamo has provided five goals and six assists in the Super Lig.

Toure was renowned for his ability to pick up the ball and travel with it, as well as arriving late in the box to score, too. In some ways, that is also similar to an ex-West Brom legend in Youssouf Mulumbu.

As Chris Brunt recently told the Express & Star: “He would always keep the ball and get you up the pitch.”

This is what Tufan could bring to the current Baggies set-up. The 26-year-old box-to-box enforcer has also supplemented his attacking returns with resolute defending – as per WhoScored, he’s averaged 1.6 tackles and 1.1 interceptions per outing in the Turkish top-flight this campaign.

And a near 60% success rate in the tackle suggests that more often than not, he’s a hard man to get past, whilst his ability to read the danger and subsequently act on it is another attractive attribute.

Mulumbu was hardly known for his goalscoring ability, considering he often played an anchorman role alongside Claudio Yacob, but in his first season in the Premier League, the DR Congo powerhouse managed to score six times, and in the following three top-flight seasons, contributed to at least four goals, as per Transfermarkt.

Industrious would be a good word to describe the former Baggies midfielder, and the same goes for the “quality” Tufan.

Whether or not West Brom chief Luke Dowling can convince him to come to the Midlands remains to be seen, but if he can, then Albion could well unearth their next Mulumbu.

Pair him with Celta Vigo loanee Okay Yokuslu, then perhaps it’ll be Yacob and Mulumbu 2.0 at the Hawthorns next term. That’s a mouthwatering prospect.

AND in other news, Dowling can make amends for Bilic blunder with swoop for 27-goal “leader”…

MatériaMais Notícias

Mesmo com desfalques, o São Paulo conseguiu ensaiar uma de suas melhores apresentações sob o comando de Ricardo Gomes nesta quarta-feira. As opções do técnico para a 29ª rodada do Campeonato Brasileiro tiveram bom desempenho no primeiro tempo e fizeram o Tricolor largar na frente. O problema é que o “espetáculo” da vez na Ilha do Retiro foi do gênero dramático para os paulistas, que deram o empate em 1 a 1 de presente para o Sport.

Carlinhos e Michel Bastos precisavam ser os protagonistas da peça que Ricardo esperava armar contra Oswaldo de Oliveira. O primeiro tinha o texto decorado, com ótima movimentação, personalidade e habilidade para criar as principais chances do time. O segundo, apegado aos velhos e grandes momentos da carreira na trupe são-paulina, preferiu atuar à mercê da inspiração e de improvisos.

Assim, deu bom passe, o sétimo para gol na temporada, para Thiago Mendes abrir o placar. Palmas tímidas da torcida visitante e apreensão para os locais. O ritmo da peça era alto, sem deixar a plateia se distrair, até que os tricolores resolveram cadenciar as falas. Toques curtos, calma, marasmo. Quase um monólogo cansativo para fazer o primeiro tempo acabar.

Eis que uma dos atores mais inexperientes de Ricardo Gomes se sentiu confortável demais e errou cena básica, simples. Hudson, um dos pontos de segurança do elenco, quis resolver de qualquer maneira e se afobou. Diego Souza, astro perto dos meros coadjuvantes, colocou a arte em voleio fulminante na pequena área e empatou.

Aplausos de pé para o golaço. Cabelos em pé durante todo o segundo tempo. Drama e terror lado a lado no teatro da Ilha. Um empate insistente e insuficiente para as duas trupes. A mais esfacelada era a do São Paulo, sempre sem fôlego e força para o segundo ato. Sem nervos para reagir e só com Denis para evitar final ainda mais desastroso. A diferença para o Sport segue em dois pontos (36 a 34), mas pode cair para a mesma quantidade em relação à zona de rebaixamento ao fim da rodada.

FICHA TÉCNICA
SPORT 1 X 1 SÃO PAULO
Local: Ilha do Retiro, Recife (PE)
Data-Hora: 5/10/2016 – 21h45
Árbitro: Rafael Traci (PR)
Auxiliares: Kleber Lucio Gil (Fifa-SC) e Luciano Roggenbaum (PR)
Público/renda: 11.424 torcedores/R$ 181.170,00
Cartões amarelos: (SPT), Buffarini, Michel Bastos (SAO)
Cartões vermelhos: –
Gols: Thiago Mendes (25’/1ºT) (0-1), Diego Souza (42’/1ºT) (1-1)

SPORT: Magrão; Samuel Xavier, Matheus Ferraz, Ronaldo Alves e Renê; Rithely, Paulo Roberto, Gabriel Xavier (Vinicius Araújo, no intervalo), Everton Felipe (Apodi, aos 13’/2ºT) e Diego Souza; Rogério (Edmílson, aos 32’/2ºT). Técnico: Oswaldo de Oliveira.

SÃO PAULO: Denis; Bruno, Maicon, Rodrigo Caio e Matheus Reis (Buffarini, no intervalo); Hudson; Kelvin (Jean Carlos, aos 19’/2ºT), Thiago Mendes (João Schmidt, aos 30’/2ºT), Michel Bastos e Carlinhos; Chavez. Técnico: Ricardo Gomes.

Speaking exclusively to Transfer Tavern, Peterborough director of football Barry Fry believes the rebuild job needed at Celtic may be putting off Eddie Howe.

Celtic fell miles behind rivals Rangers in the Scottish Premiership title race this season and crashed out of the Europa League in extremely disappointing fashion.

Captain Scott Brown, who has played a big part in the Bhoys’ dominance of Scottish football, is also set to leave the club this summer to join Aberdeen in a player-coach role after spending 14 years at Celtic Park.

It points to Celtic needing a massive revamp and someone to obviously oversee it, which is where Howe comes in. According to BBC Sport, the opportunity to be Neil Lennon’s permanent successor is his if he wants it.

However, the former Bournemouth manager is yet to make a decision, leading Fry to believe that the work that needs to be done at the Glasgow club is detracting him.

On Howe leaving Celtic waiting, the Peterborough director of football told TT:

“He’ll have to do a lot of work, because Celtic on and off the field are in a little bit of disarray at the minute. You know what I mean? There’s a lot of players unhappy. I think there’ll be a lot of comings and goings at Celtic in the summer and I’m not sure that’s Eddie Howe’s thing. I think he’ll want a Premier League job to be quite honest.”

As well as Celtic, Crystal Palace are also said to be interested in hiring Howe this summer, with Roy Hodgson’s contract set to expire.

قد لا يكون لدى جاريث بيل الكثير ليبتسم له في ريال مدريد، ولكن لا يزال بإمكانه أن يجد متعة على حساب إيدن هازارد، حيث تم إقصاء الميرنجي من بطولة كأس الملك.

سقط ريال مدريد في ربع النهائي بخسارة 1-0 أمام أتلتيك بلباو يوم الخميس، في نتيجة مخيبة للآمال وصفت بأنها واحدة من أسوأ نتائج كارلو أنشيلوتي على الإطلاق.

تحمل أنشيلوتي الكثير من اللوم في الهزيمة، بعد أن قرر اللعب مع فينيسيوس جونيور ورودريجو على الرغم من اللعب للبرازيل في اليوم السابق، بينما تم تجاهل لوكا يوفيتش رغم غياب كريم بنزيما، حيث تم الاعتماد على ماركو أسينسيو كمهاجم وهمي.

غضبت الجماهير بعد أن قرر المدرب ترك يوفيتش وبيل وهازارد على مقاعد البدلاء طوال المباراة.

ولكن من المحتمل أن تكون القاعدة الجماهيرية الشهيرة لريال مدريد غاضبة بنفس القدر مع المشاهد التي رأوها على مقاعد البدلاء، مع مزاح بيل وهازارد خلال المباراة.

تم تصوير المهاجم الويلزي بيل وهو يضحك عندما طُلب من اللاعب البلجيكي، الذي قضى وقتًا طويلاً في الإحماء على خط التماس في الشوط الثاني وهو يستعد على ما يبدو للذهاب إلى أرض الملعب، أن يجلس مرة أخرى.

📹 Gareth Bale laughing at Hazard after he’s asked to sit on the bench after warming up in the second half. @elchiringuitotv pic.twitter.com/K032VlzRDD — Infinite Madrid (@InfiniteMadrid) February 4, 2022

لخص الموقف فترة هازارد في إسبانيا، الذي فشل في تلبية التوقعات منذ انتقاله البالغ 88 مليون جنيه إسترليني من البلوز في عام 2019.

اقرأ أيضًا.. تصرف أنشيلوتي يحبط هازارد بعد الهزيمة أمام أتلتيك بلباو

منعت سلسلة من الإصابات البلجيكي من إظهار الشكل الذي جعله لاعبًا مخيفًا في الدوري الإنجليزي الممتاز، مما أدى الآن إلى جلوسه لتدفئة مقاعد البدلاء أكثر من ترويع المدافعين.

وبالتأكيد لا يوجد لاعب يستمتع بكونه بديلًا ويبقى جالسًا على مقاعد البدلاء، لكن بيل وجد على الأقل بعض السعادة في الجلوس بديلًا، حتى لو كان على حساب زميله في الفريق.

كلاهما ظل هناك لنهاية المباراة، حيث خرج الميرنجي من البطولة بفضل هدف في الدقيقة 89 من الجناح الإسباني أليخاندرو بيرينجير ريميرو.

Pundit Noel Whelan has made it clear that John Kennedy should be kept by Celtic ahead of the potential arrival of Eddie Howe.

It has been suggested that, while Howe has agreed to manage Celtic in principle, he has made certain demands to the club’s board before he takes over.

Celtic urged to keep Kennedy at Parkhead

Whelan was recently talking to Football Insider and he gave his opinion about Kennedy’s position at the club. The pundit believes that perhaps Neil Lennon holds Kennedy in high regard and maybe the current interim boss doesn’t even want the job permanently, instead being happy to work in the background.

Whelan feels that Howe would need Kennedy’s insight about the club because the 37-year-old has been at Parkhead for many years now. The pundit also made it clear that it would be a mistake for the Hoops to get rid of a coach like Kennedy.

The ex-Aberdeen striker said: “The assistant manager (Kennedy) has been there for a long, long, long, long time. As much as Neil Lennon’s been there, I would probably imagine that Lennon found his work and insight absolutely invaluable.

“When you’re coming into a new club, it’s so important you keep some of these people. He’s been there for a number of years. He will know his role that he was only a stand-in appointment as manager.

“He probably doesn’t even want the job permanently. He’s more than happy just being in the background, helping along as much as he possibly can.

“I think Eddie Howe is really going to need that kind of insight, knowledge and experience. He’s a man that has been at the football club for many, many years.

“It’d be the wrong decision to get rid of people and have a complete overhaul of coaches. Players need it as well, they need a familiar face.”

Kennedy has held multiple roles at Parkhead in the past and has previously managed the club’s under-19s side and has been the assistant manager of the under-20s. He also played for the Hoops in the 2000s (Transfermarkt).

Keeping Kennedy will be important for Celtic

The Hoops are set to lose Scott Brown in the summer as he is set to join Aberdeen on a player-coach basis. Peter Lawwell is also set to depart, with Dominic McKay due to take over later this month as well. The Bhoys are also looking to bring in a new director of football, with Fergal Harkin being eyed for the role.

In a situation like that, the new manager might need someone at the club who knows the place well. Kennedy has been at Parkhead for many years and, as Whelan has hinted, his continuity could be vital at a time of considerable upheaval around Celtic.

In other news, one pundit has highlighted a ‘worry’ for Celtic fans over Eddie Howe – read more here.

The Times journalist Paul Forsyth has revealed Glasgow Rangers will not be invited to join the European Super League if it goes ahead, and thus miss out on a potential £89m-£310m boost (Give Me Sport).

Forsyth makes Rangers claim

The announcement of a European Super League has shocked the footballing world over the last few days (BBC) as 12 of the continent’s leading clubs have decided to form a breakaway organisation to satisfy their greed.

Chelsea, Manchester City and Atletico Madrid have reportedly started talks to pull out amid huge backlash from fans, players and media alike.

And Forsyth has revealed that, despite the worldwide pull of the Old Firm, they will not be invited to join the league if it does go ahead.

Good!

Some may laugh at the idea of Rangers rubbing shoulders with these footballing heavyweights, but it is far from a preposterous idea. The Gers have supporters around the world, a fanbase which is incredibly loyal, and they have enjoyed success on a regular basis, albeit in a less competitive league. The same could of course be said of their Glasgow neighbours.

Fortunately, though, it seems the Gers will never have a decision to make. This small group of owners have decided to not associate themselves with the great unwashed, which includes Rangers.

This development may actually provide a boost to the Gers – while they would be missing out on a reported payment of between £89m and £310m to join (via Give Me Sport), they get to hold on to their soul, and they may well now have a better of chance of performing in the Champions League against plenty of sides with great quality.

In other news, another bid is set to be made for this Rangers star.

MatériaMais Notícias

Na tarde desta sexta-feira, o ABC, semifinalista da Série C, anunciou uma parceria com o aplicativo de transportes privados, Uber. O alvinegro de Natal é o primeiro do Nordeste a fazer um acordo com a empresa.

A partir do jogo do próximo domingo, contra o Guarani, válido pela fase de ida da semifinal da Série C, no Frasqueirão, às 20h, quem for ao jogo com o aplicativo, terá uma área exclusiva para embarque e desembarque. A promoção é válida para jogos somente no Frasqueirão e permanecerá depois do término da competição.

Além disso, os novos usuários do aplicativo têm direito a um desconto de até R$ 20 na primeira viagem. Para isso, é necessário inserir o código ” OMAISQUERIDO”. O desconto virá automaticamente. Mas, atenção: a promoção é válida até o dia de de novembro. O sócio-torcedor do clube terá um desconto ainda maior, de R$30. O código de acesso, porém, será enviado por e-mail

Por fim, os torcedores que utilizarem o Uber para ir ao jogo contra o Guarani poderão comparecer à Central de Atendimento ao Sócio, no Frasqueirão, e ganhar uma mensalidade grátis para novas adesões ao programa de sócio torcedor do clube.

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Leeds United youngster Mateusz Bogusz is reportedly keen to seal another loan move away from Elland Road next season in order to earn regular playing time.

The 19-year-old joined the Whites back in January 2019, with the club viewing him as an exciting young player. However, Bogusz has appeared just once for Leeds this season, playing in the Carabao Cup clash with Hull City, which Marcelo Bielsa’s side eventually lost on penalties.

The midfielder subsequently joined Spanish Segunda Division team Logrones on loan for the rest of the season, where he has made 18 league appearances.

[freshpress-quiz id=“351040″]

Bogusz eyes up another move from Leeds

According to Meczyki [via Sport Witness], Bogusz is ‘preparing for another transfer’, with Legia Warsaw keen on snapping him up on a temporary basis.

It is even stated that ‘advanced talks are already underway’ with regards to a move there, with a permanent transfer seemingly not completely ruled out.

Transfer Tavern take

It makes perfect sense for Bogusz to head elsewhere again next season, considering the midfield depth ahead of him at Leeds.

Staying put and not playing would be a risk in terms of the youngster growing stagnant and not maturing as a footballer, which is of no benefit to anyone.

Bogusz’s current deal doesn’t expire until 2023, so a decision regarding his long-term future doesn’t need to be made yet, so a loan exit makes the most sense for the time being.

In other news, Leeds are reportedly interested in signing a player who appeared four times at the 2018 World Cup. Read more here.

After Tottenham Hotspur dropped points in their last Premier League outing away to relegation battlers Newcastle United, pundit and BBC regular has hammered defender Davinson Sanchez for his ‘shocking’ performance.

Sanchez, who got the lowest SofaScore rating by far out of the entire Lilywhites side at St. James’ Park (5.9), with the Colombian’s miss-hit clearance eventually gifting Newcastle a chance to score the opening goal.

Whelan slams Sanchez

He also won just one ground duel all match and lost the ball 20 times, and Whelan believes manager Jose Mourinho will be livid and ‘tearing his hair out’ due to some of Tottenham’s defending.

Taking particular aim at Sanchez, the pundit branded him a ‘schoolboy’ and ‘shocking’.

“Sanchez hasn’t looked great for a while now,” he explained to Football Insider.

“We’re talking about fine margins and you look back on goals they concede when he’s in the side and it’s always little mistakes that cost them.

“Jose Mourinho will have been very disappointed to have kept giving Newcastle that hope. That’s not what you need when you’re meant to be going for Europe, is it?

“He’ll be tearing his hair out when he watches the goals they conceded. Schoolboy mistakes, especially from Sanchez. Shocking stuff.”

Transfer Tavern take

Sanchez has been touted through the media as one Tottenham player who could make way to fund new additions this summer.

If he keeps putting in performances reminiscent of his outing on Tyneside, the 24-year-old may well be even more at risk for the axe.

In other news: Tottenham turn to this ‘very talented’ youngster after blow, find out more here.

Many Sunderland fans are absolutely delighted at a video the club shared on their Twitter page on Monday.

At the start of this week, the Black Cats launched their season ticket campaign for the 2021/22 season. This term, fans have been unable to attend stadia across the country due to the global pandemic, but given the United Kingdom’s vaccination drive, it is likely that supporters will be able to return grounds by next term.

It is currently an exciting time for the Wearside club – they have recently been purchased by Kyril Louis-Dreyfus and are third in the League One table, three points behind leaders Hull City with two games in hand (BBC). As such, next season could be played in the Championship, and the club are trying to convince supporters to renew their season tickets.

As part of the marketing campaign for that purpose, they shared a video on their official Twitter account which has delighted many supporters. These fans took to the social media platform to share their thoughts on the “amazing” footage.

Let’s see what the Sunderland fans had to say about the video below

“Reduced me to tears. Excellent.”

Credit: @ColdwellAnn

“Got goosebumps watching this video one club”

Credit: @Emma0929

“Actual tears , amazing work”

Credit: @brettd1981

“Ah man, you’ve brought a tear to my eye. H’away Sunderland.”

Credit: @gotthegistofit

“this is amazing,”

Credit: @brownh1989

“Brilliant brought it a tear to my eye. I have been going for over 50 years never been so excited for the future since the early 70’s.”

Credit: @FtmWhitburn

In other news, some Sunderland fans slammed this man’s performance against Bristol Rovers.