West Ham are reportedly close to completing a deal for 21 year-old defender Issa Diop, and fans are absolutely loving the news.
According to Sky Sports, the Hammers are closing in on a £22m deal for Diop, who captains the France U23 side.
The towering defender has been pursued by Monaco, Marseille, Red Bull Leipzig and Sevilla, but the Sky report claims the race is all but over, as the Hammers have “agreed a deal in principle” with his club Toulouse.
Diop is only 21, but made 37 appearances for the French club last season, and is one of the most highly sought after young defenders in Europe.
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He scored three times last season, and boasts some impressive defensive statistics, averaging over two interceptions and nearly four clearances per game.
The 6 ft 3 youngster is good with the ball for such a colossal defender, and should help Manuel Pellegrini bring a new brand of football to the London Stadium.
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Alfie Mawson is another name that’s been linked with the Hammers, and fans are loving the prospect of also adding the Swansea man to make a young, powerful duo.
You can find some of the best Twitter reactions down below…
Newcastle travel to the south coast tomorrow knowing that they are only two points off the relegation zone, and facing a Bournemouth side who are on something of a hot streak at the moment – having gone seven games unbeaten prior to losing to Huddersfield 12 days ago.
The Magpies will be looking to build on their heroic 1-0 victory over Manchester United before the FA Cup break, but will be daunted by the fact that they haven’t won back-to-back games since September.
Newcastle will be hoping that Ciaran Clark’s knee will be ready to take to the pitch tomorrow, while Bournemouth will be waiting to find out whether Jermaine Defoe will return from a foot injury.
Here is what our writers think will happen at the Vitality Stadium tomorrow…
Christy Malyan
A score draw. Bournemouth always seem to do well against the sides near or below them in the table lack the defensive quality to resist their flowing football and I think Newcastle will struggle at the Vitality Stadium this weekend.
That being said, Rafa Benitez’s side need to pick up points more than the Cherries and there’s a new sense of optimism surrounding Newcastle following their late January business. Bournemouth will control the game but Newcastle will get a goal and hold tight. 1-1.
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Chris McMullan
Draw. Bournemouth will probably be safe, but they still need to keep their points tally ticking over. Newcastle, however are only two points above the relegation places and are in need of points. Given anyone can beat anyone else outside of the top six, this could go either way, but on the basis that both teams would take a point, shared spoils is my prediction.
Charlie Coe
Newcastle win. The Magpies need this win badly given the narrow gap between them and the drop, and with Ciaran Clark looking like he may make it into the starting XI in his return from injury, it looks like the Tyneside club will be as defensively rigid as they were in their victory over Manchester United two weeks ago.
We’re now midway through the summer and the World Cup is over, so attention can officially switch to the new Premier League season! The transfer window, like or loathe it, brings excitement and opportunity, which teams across the division are sure to exploit in search of all important upgrades.
From big money signings, to clever under the radar arrivals, there are many ways to take advantage of the situation, and there are some clubs that will need to make more use of it than others.
Here are five outfits we at FFC believe will be looking for much-needed upgrades in the coming weeks.
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Tottenham
Although they ended the season in sixth, hopes were much higher at White Hart Lane heading into last season. Okay Gareth Bale had been sold, but with £110m having been spent on talent from across Europe, there was a genuine belief in the white half of north London that the top four and maybe even a trophy was possible.
However, managerial disruption and arrivals failing to settle saw the Lilywhites’ campaign end in disappointment, which was amplified by massive defeats at the hands of top four clubs and Liverpool – dubbed as direct rivals for a Champions League spot – taking the title battle to the final day.
Pochettino has been brought in as an upgrade to the much-maligned Sherwood, and there is a lot of talk of new signings heading to ‘The Lane’. Bony or Lukaku would be a cut above Soldado up top, while Davies of Swansea is seen as an upgrade on Rose at left-back.
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Manchester United
The Moyes reign ended in an absolute farce, with the Scot seemingly dismissed via Internet rumours as he barely touched the sides of Sir Alex Ferguson’s large boots at Manchester United.
Signings are already through the door at Old Trafford in the shape of Ander Herrera and Luke Shaw, who should be able to provide the upgrades needed in their respective roles.
Vidal, Hummels and di Maria are said to be the next targets, which would certainly hint at a better season at the Theatre of Dreams for 2014/15 and maybe even a title push.
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Arsenal
Arsenal did what Arsenal do last season, started well with a title push before slipping away to a fourth place battle… which they won. As well as this they ended a nine-year trophy drought with the FA Cup, but there is still a feeling that a few upgrades could be the key to better times.
Sanchez is through the door and looks to be the real deal, while Debuchy will fill the Sagna-shaped hole at right-back, however there are more upgrades needed, chiefly in central midfield, where Arteta’s best days are behind him. Bender of Leverkusen is being talked about, but the ultimate upgrade would be Vidal, who could be the man Arsenal have missed since Vieira’s exit.
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West Ham
West Ham were pretty difficult to watch last season. Allardyce’s brand of direct football may always be enough to ensure safety, but the Irons’ fans are beginning to dream of more after watching the likes of Swansea make inroads at the upper end of the Premier League in recent years.
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Zarate should add more flair but to play better football, many new players will be needed across the pitch. Upgrades on the likes of Nolan, Jarvis and Downing would almost guarantee that Carroll gets the service he needs, with the big man boasting a proven record of scoring goals with both his head and his feet.
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Swansea City
The burden of Europa League football was a big one for Swansea last season, as they slipped from upper mid-table to relegation fodder. The Swans play attractive football, but sometimes a soft underbelly can be exploited by more savvy sides, which could be addressed with a few upgrades.
A new midfielder and a top class partner for Williams at the back – Chico can be a liability – would bulk out the core, while a fresh winger with a little more end product could help to maximise Bony’s output.
have suffered an injury blow with the news that Lukasz Fabianski could face another three months on the sidelines, according to The Daily Mail.
The Polish stopper has been unavailable for the north London club since February due to a shoulder injury, but it is thought that the stopper went over on an ankle in training on Tuesday.
This could well keep the stopper out of action until the new year, with initial reports stating that Fabianski could be unavailable for as long as three weeks.
First-choice goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny is still on the sidelines also with injury, as an ankle knock has kept him out of consideration for the Gunners over recent weeks.
It is believed that Szczesny is still at least three weeks off making a return, with rehabilitation ongoing on his injured ankle.
In the meantime young Italian goalkeeper Vito Mannone has been deputising between the sticks for Arsene Wenger’s men, but the inexperienced stopper has shown some nerves whilst playing in big games in the Premier League and Champions League.
Arsenal have a frantic fixture list upcoming over the next month, with Norwich, Schalke, Tottenham and Fulham are ready to take advantage of any weakness in the north London club’s backline.
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At the moment the only other options for Arsenal in goal are Damian Martinez and James Shea, who have yet to make a first-team appearance for the Emirates Stadium side, and Wenger would prefer to continue to assess the pair rather than throw one of them into the dead end.
In terms of strengthening, Liverpool’s attack is not an area that is in desperate need of attention.
Mohamed Salah, Roberto Firmino and Sadio Mane set the Premier League alight last season by terrorising defences with their pace and clinical touch.
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However, if the Reds want to take that next step and become consistent title and trophy challengers, then they need strength in depth in all sections of the pitch.
Fatigue and injuries are a major reason why a squad needs bodies to bring in if needed.
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RB Leipzig striker Timo Werner had an impressive season in the 2017-18 campaign, scoring 21 goals and creating nine assists in all competitions.
Despite being just 22 years of age, the forward has been selected to lead the line for Germany at the World Cup in Russia.
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His first outing was on Sunday in the reigning world champions’ Group F opener against Mexico, but it was a disappointing afternoon as Joachim Low’s team were beaten 1-0.
If Werner thrives during the tournament, plenty of suitors will probably have their eye on the forward, so we asked you if Liverpool should make a move, and the overwhelming majority are keen on the idea.
As reported by the Manchester Evening News, Manchester United are looking to sign Bayern Munich’s star midfielder Arturo Vidal this summer.
What’s the story?
There have again been question marks about United’s midfield in games against elite teams this season with a lack of defensive discipline in the middle of the park proving to be a real issue for Jose Mourinho’s side, notably seen recently in their defeat to Tottenham Hotspur.
In order to help solve that problem, Jose Mourinho is looking to one of European football’s best midfielders – Bayern Munich stalwart Arturo Vidal.
That’s according to the Manchester Evening News, who say that United are ready to test Bayern’s desire to keep hold of the Chilean international, with his contract due to expire in 2019.
Can the club reunite him with Paul Pogba after their successful partnership at Juventus?
What can he offer Mourinho’s midfield?
With Paul Pogba seemingly desperate to have an impact on the game in the final third, it has left United’s midfield exposed and overrun up against more organised outfits this season.
Rated at £31.5m by Transfermarkt, Vidal can help solve that by bringing his tenacious all-round game to the middle of the park and at 30 years of age, with over ten seasons worth of experience at the top level, has the experience to bring more composure in that area too.
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With Pogba, he was part of one of the most respected midfields in the world at Juventus and reuniting the pair this summer could be a masterstroke on Mourinho’s part.
As much as Manchester United needed to sack David Moyes after the disaster of this season, it couldn’t have happened in a worse year.
There’s no getting around the idea that last summer was the time to appoint a top manager. Carlo Ancelotti, who may yet be moved on from Real Madrid, though increasingly unlikely after his side’s performance over two legs against Bayern Munich in the Champions League, was there for the taking. Similarly, Jose Mourinho, bringer of ‘anti-football’ though successful nevertheless, couldn’t hide his interest in Alex Ferguson’s job. Laurent Blanc was up for grabs, too, if United were after a manager who knew the club. Importantly, United weren’t burdened with the feeling of trepidation at having made a recent mistake on the managerial front.
This time, they must get it right. They must restore order and a winning mentality. The charitable nature of United at Old Trafford this season needs to be done away with and teams need to genuinely fear the current reigning champions. Crucially, the players need to fear and respect the man chosen to replace David Moyes.
Ryan Giggs is the sentimental choice, but the wrong one. There’s an ease and familiarity about what may come with the Welshman in the dugout, but this isn’t a time for gambles of that nature.
Instead, Louis van Gaal looks the most likely candidate. United were ambiguous in their statement on the weekend that nothing was signed between the club and the Dutchman. Nothing has been signed, OK, but there may be an agreement? Talk of Patrick Kluivert assisting the current Netherlands coach allows us to assume so.
But van Gaal will be caught up in the World Cup, unavailable until sometime in July and seemingly a world away in Brazil. The mistakes of the short-lived Moyes Era was that the club dithered, looked lost, missed out on excellent players in the market, particularly in midfield, and ended up with something they certainly didn’t need and likely didn’t want.
This summer, the overhaul is set to be huge. At the very least, United need three defenders. The fact that they’ve only scored 60 goals in the league at this stage (Liverpool have 96, Manchester City have 93) more than suggests added firepower is needed. But where is the figure to lead that campaign in the market?
Van Gaal knows the market, he knows what he likes and where to find them. If he is set to become United manager, he’ll more than likely lean on the rich-in-talent German market. But if left to him, United may only get their first major piece of business done by August. Clubs know this is a team who are desperate and willing to spend. There’ll be no easy ride.
The positive, though a small one, is the expertise at securing Juan Mata from Chelsea in January. Reportedly, United’s communications with Chelsea was kept at a distance and indirect, thus avoiding a discussion on Wayne Rooney. Ed Woodward, equally culpable for the tone-setting summer last year, may be learning the ropes quickly if we look to the signing of Mata, but the difficulty of this summer’s operation will dwarf that of landing the Spanish midfielder.
Do United need a director of football? It wouldn’t go amiss. This may be a club who end up appointing a small handful of managers over the next few years before they land on one who is set to be a mainstay in the United dugout for a prolonged spell – and that’s only if we accept United’s ideal of wanting consistency and stability; modern football may not allow for it.
A director of football – maybe Woodward, the title isn’t as important as effectiveness in the role – will allow the club to buy and sell without having to rely on a manager. This summer, it would be extremely useful. Develop a dialogue with van Gaal while he’s in Brazil; you’d assume the club wouldn’t be so naïve as to hold off on first contact until after the tournament. So gather an understanding of what the manager wants and needs.
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In all of this, you really struggle to ignore the negligence of allowing both Ferguson and David Gill to move on without one bedding in the other’s successor.
But for now the worry is that United still look leaderless on that front. It’s not just in finding an individual to take on the job, it’s in finding an individual who is capable of getting the job done and avoiding humiliations that led to no-goes with both Cesc Fabregas and Ander Herrera.
With the sight of Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini generously handing out fruit pastels just after half time during the City game, it made me wonder not just about why Mancini has a fondness for the sweets, but about the other traits managers have become famous for over the years.
Of course we are all used to seeing managers of just about every level getting irate and swearing on the touchline – even getting sent to the stands on occasion, with their job just about the most pressurised one in football. Every substitution is analysed and focused on, every word spoken in a press conference, so is it really any wonder that from time to time a manger loses it or does something slightly out of the ordinary on the side-lines?
Here is a look at the top ten traits of a manager – from ones so recognised they should be copyrighted by the manager who originated them to ones that all manager have been guilty of from time to time.
Click on Rafa Benitez below to unveil the 10
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According to Sky Sports, Manchester City are lining up a move for Southampton midfielder Mario Lemina, rated at £13.5m by Transfermarkt, if they miss out on Napoli’s Jorginho, and their arch-rivals Manchester United, whose fans don’t want Jose Mourinho to complete a big £40m deal this summer, should be watching developments closely.
What’s the word, then?
Well, Sky Sports says that City manager Pep Guardiola has lined up alternative targets for the Italy international even though the Premier League champions remain in advanced talks to bring the 26-year-old to the Etihad Stadium.
Lemina and Real Madrid midfielder Mateo Kovacic are both on the Spaniard’s shortlist, although any interest will depend on the Citizens giving up on a player who was their top summer transfer target, as per Sky Sports.
Should they fail to get Jorginho and they do prise Lemina away from Saints, the Gabon international would be fighting the likes of Kevin De Bruyne, David Silva, Fernandinho and Ilkay Gundogan for a midfield spot.
Why should Man United be monitoring the situation?
Well, Jose Mourinho may have already strengthened his midfield with the addition of Fred from Shakhtar Donetsk, but further links to a move for £100m-rated Paris Saint-Germain star Marco Verratti suggest he isn’t yet satisfied with his options in the centre of the park.
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With Michael Carrick retiring and Marouane Fellaini seemingly leaving when his contract expires at the end of the month, the Portuguese boss may well want another body in there – especially with club-record signing Paul Pogba still often flattering to deceive.
While Lemina was involved in a relegation battle with Southampton during the 2017/18 campaign, he often showed the ability that he has in his locker in terms of keeping possession, bringing the ball forward and taking on opponents – he also enhanced his reputation of being a dribbling king by successfully completing 55 of the 62 dribbles he attempted in 25 Premier League appearances, as per WhoScored.com.
West Ham United star Manuel Lanzini is expected to be on the sidelines for a month with a hamstring injury, according to The Mirror.
What happened?
Manager David Moyes expressed concern for the playmaker following the Argentine’s substitution against Bournemouth on Saturday.
The 24-year-old lasted 64 minutes before he was hauled off with a suspected hamstring strain.
The Mirror reports that the extent of the problem is now known, and Moyes will be without Lanzini for the next four weeks.
The former River Plate player is expected to miss the FA Cup fourth-round tie against Wigan Athletic, as well as Premier League matches against Crystal Palace, Brighton and Watford.
Lanzini will hope to be back in action for the trip to Anfield to face Liverpool on February 24.
Can West Ham cope?
The injury setback is bad timing considering that the team are on a strong run of form, and Lanzini has been a major part of that.
The playmaker has scored twice and produced four assists in his last nine outings in all competitions.
Lanzini and Marko Arnautovic have, in particular, linked up well in recent matches, but this injury blow means that the pair’s fluidity will now be absent from upcoming fixtures.
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On top of that, The Mirror claims that striker Andy Carroll will be sidelined for three months with a hairline fracture in his foot.
Being without Carroll is nothing new to West Ham, but Lanzini’s absence could stop short the team’s seven-game unbeaten run.