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As per reliable reporter Alasdair Gold, writing for football.london, there has been an update on Tottenham Hotspur’s pursuit of yet another Juventus player in USA international Weston McKennie.

The Lowdown: Tottenham’s Serie A shopping spree?

Over these final days of what has been a dramatic January transfer window at Spurs, it appears transfer chief Fabio Paratici has set his sights on raiding former club Juve.

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The Lilywhites are apparently in advanced talks over moves for both Dejan Kulusevski and Rodrigo Bentancur, meanwhile the Old Lady’s on loan striker Alvaro Morata has also been linked with a north London move.

Tottenham boss Antonio Conte is running out of time to improve his squad and make necessary adjustments as he aims to propel his new side back into the Champions League.

As such, Gold has now shared news on another Juve man who Paratici has made contact for.

The Latest: Tottenham talks held for McKennie…

According to the football.london journalist, the Spurs managing director has ‘also held talks’ in January with the entourage of their midfield maestro McKennie.

However, as explained by Gold, this potential move is deemed ‘unlikely’ despite Paratici being a ‘huge admirer’.

Turin boss Massimiliano Allegri is believed to be resistant over losing McKennie, who has starred for the Old Lady this season.

The Verdict: Blow for Spurs?

McKennie would have undoubtedly been a shrewd addition with the versatile 23-year-old possessing an abundance of desirable traits.

The Texas-born ace can play in a variety of roles across midfield including defensive, box-to-box, on either flank and even at centre-half – killing many birds with one stone.

It’s little wonder Juve reportedly value McKennie at around £35m, and if his plaudits are anything to go by, you could argue they’re within their rights to demand a greater fee.

Called an ‘outstanding talent’ by former Huddersfield Town boss David Wagner, who managed the player at Schalke, McKennie also lifted the lid on how his old coach in the States branded him a ‘little tank’.

Perhaps he is one for Spurs to revisit in future, but with the window nearing it’s closure, it appears the starlet is out of bounds for now.

In other news: Romano shares late Saturday night development as Spurs table ‘official’ bid for another player, find out more here.

Manchester City appear to have won the race for long-term Aston Villa transfer target Julian Alvarez.

That’s according to transfer expert Fabrizio Romano, and a number of Villa fans have been giving their thoughts to the news on social media.

Villa have been linked with the River Plate attacker since the summer, with the player’s agent Fernando Hidalgo reportedly planning to speak to the Midlands club over a potential move. However, it is Pep Guardiola’s side who look set to announce an €18.5m (£15.43m) transfer for the 21-year-old, who scored 24 goals and registered 18 assists in 2021.

Romano revealed on Tuesday evening that an agreement has been reached with the Premier League champions, and Alvarez will pen a five-year deal at the Etihad Stadium before returning to River Plate on loan until the summer.

Villa fans react

Here is what these Villa supporters had to say in reply to Romano’s post regarding Alvarez, with many of them not exactly thrilled and some thinking it could be a mistake not landing him over the summer.

“Being violently sick right now.”

Credit: @AVFCFaithful_

“Nothing to be said, we bottled it. Now we must get Aaron Hickey in the summer before City do.”

Credit: @ZM_AVFC

“Made a big mistake signing others over him”

Credit: @Jamie_UTV

“I hope it’s because he was never going to sign for us. Otherwise, yeah. Nauseating.”

Credit: @nallivdam

“He won the Ballon D’or for us in my FIFA 21 Villa career. I thought it was a sign when we were linked to him.. clearly not”

Credit: @charliepowellm1

“We had a chance and bottled it.”

Credit: @MogarFinley

In other news: ‘Yessss’ – Many Villa fans buzzing as John Percy shares ‘amazing’ transfer news

MatériaMais Notícias

A Fifa estendeu a suspensão do atacante Paolo Guerrero por mais dez dias. Um dos advogados do atleta, Bichara Neto, informou que a entidade máxima do futebol pode anunciar a decisão sobre o caso do peruano até o fim desta semana. O camisa 9 está fora do primeiro jogo da final da Copa Sul-Americana, entre Independiente x Flamengo, mas a presença dele não está totalmente descartada no segundo duelo da decisão, no dia 13, no Maracanã.

Um exame antidoping realizado na partida entre Peru x Argentina, no dia 5 de outubro, pelas Eliminatórias da Copa do Mundo, acusou o uso de um estimulante por parte do peruano. A substância encontrada foi a benzoilecgonina, que é um metabólico da cocaína, mas que também pode ser encontrada no chá da folha de coca.

Paolo Guerrero e a sua defesa ficaram otimistas após a audiência no Tribunal Disciplinar da Fifa, em Zurique, na Suíça, realizada na última quinta-feira.Os advogados valorizaram o fato de que ficou provado diante da corte que, apesar da substância benzoilecgonina ter sido encontrada no organismo do jogador, não houve uso de cocaína. O arcabouço de provas contou, inclusive, com um exame do cabelo do atacante. A versão de Guerrero é que a ingestão se deu via um chá de coca, consumido antes do jogo contra a Argentina, pelas Eliminatórias.

– A Fifa descartou o uso de cocaína. Isso não conta mais. Agora só falta a decisão – disse o atacante após a audiência na última semana.

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MatériaMais Notícias

Contornar a crise, superar a tensão eleitoral, vaga na Libertadores…tudo isso é objetivo do Botafogo nesta reta final de Campeonato Brasileiro. Mas, mesmo que discretamente, o Alvinegro também trabalha por outra meta: a liderança do returno, um título simbólico, que mesmo as três derrotas seguidas em casa deixam o Glorioso firme nesta briga.

O time de Jair Ventura está em terceiro na segunda metade do Brasileirão, com 26 pontos. Os líderes são Palmeiras e Cruzeiro, com 28. Curiosamente, são as equipes que o Botafogo enfrenta nas duas últimas rodadas. Primeiro, o Palmeiras fora e depois a Raposa no Nilton Santos.

O G4 do returno ainda tem o Bahia, com 26 pontos, mas empatado com São Paulo e Vasco. O Tricolor Paulista, por sinal, é o adversário do Alvinegro deste domingo, às 16h, no Pacaembu. O curioso é que São Paulo, Palmeiras e Cruzeiro têm poucas ambições na competição. A primeira equipes está libre do rebaixamento e com poucas chances de Libertadores, torneio que Palmeiras e Cruzeiro, sem chances de título brasileiro, já se garantiram.

Por isso, o técnico Jair Ventura até questiona:houve uma queda de rendimento? Como um time entre os quatro melhores pode ser tão cobrado?

– A gente não conversou sobre isso, mas é um assunto legal (chance de título simbólico do returno). Nosso companheiro (outro repórter) perguntou se o Botafogo estava pressionado no Brasileirão. Como o vice-líder do returno está pressionado? É estranho. Como cai de rendimento se somos o segundo melhor do país no returno? A situação não é tão crítica assim. Precisamos sempre vencer, mas não é nada desesperador. Espero conseguir o título do returno, que não significa nada, mas é um campeão virtual. – comentou o treinador na última quarta-feira, quando o Alvinegro ainda estava em segundo.

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ضمن ثنائي المنتخب الإنجليزي ومانشستر يونايتد، لوك شاو وهاري ماجواير، التواجد في قائمة الأسود الثلاثة لبطولة كأس العالم 2022 في قطر.

يستمر ساوثجيت في الحفاظ على ثقته في المدافع هاري ماجواير، على الرغم من استبعاده من التشكيل الأساسي لفريقه تحت قيادة المدرب إريك تين هاج خلال الفترة الأخيرة.

طالع أيضًا | جماهير إنجلترا تهاجم ماجواير بقوة خلال مباراة ألمانيا

أمام ألمانيا مساء أمس الأثنين، أهدى ماجواير ركلة جزاء للمانشافت، افتتح بها إلكاي جندوجان النتيجة ليجعلها 1/0 للضيوف، كما مرر بالخطأ في الهدف الثاني الذي سجله كاي هافيرتز. أهداف مباراة إنجلترا وألمانيا في دوري الأمم الأوروبية

ورغم ذلك، إلا أن تصريحات ساوثجيت الذي تعرض لانتقادات شديدة لدعمه لـ ماجواير تؤكد أنه مستمر مع المنتخب الإنجليزي.

وقال ساوثجيت في تصريحات نقلتها صحيفة “ديلي بوست” البريطانية: “أعلم أن الجميع سيركز على هاري، ولكن كانت هناك بعض اللحظات المهمة للغاية التي قدمها خلال المباراتين، ومستواه كان جيدًا”.

وأضاف: “كان لوك شاو مثالًا آخر لشخص لم يلعب مع ناديه لكنه كان يقدم مستويات رائعة معنا، وهو لاعب كرة قدم مميز”.

وأشار: “ماذا نفعل الآن؟ هل نقرر استبعاد لوك شاو من كأس العالم لأنه لم يلعب دقائق كافية مع ناديه، أم نختار لاعبًا يقدم مستوى جيدا مع منتخب بلاده كما رأيتم جميعًا، كذلك الحال بالنسبة لـ ماجواير”.

واختتم: “ماجواير ولوك شاو ثنائي مميز، سيؤدي هذا دائمًا إلى إثارة الجدل، ولكن أعتقد أنه في اللحظات هذه يجب أن ندعم أفضل لاعبينا وأكثرهم خبرة”.

Leeds United could seal a dream deal after being linked with a move for Real Madrid striker Mariano Diaz ahead of the January transfer window.

What’s the story?

According to Leeds Live (who cite Spanish outlet Fichajes), the Whites are considering a move for the 28-year-old over the coming months as manager Marcelo Bielsa looks to bolster his forward line.

Diaz is reportedly desperate for more minutes on the pitch between now and the end of the season after struggling for regular game-time, so a move to Elland Road could be on the cards.

Victor Orta could seal a dream transfer

Enticing the Real Madrid forward to west Yorkshire over the winter window would represent a dream transfer for Leeds’ director of football Victor Orta, given the 28-year-old’s previous exploits.

After rising through the ranks with the capital club, Diaz departed the Santiago Bernabeu in 2017 after finding the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo and Karin Benzema impenetrable ahead of him in the pecking order.

The Dominican Republic ace joined Lyon in a £7.2m deal and proved to be an instant hit at the Ligue 1 giants. In 45 appearances in all competitions, Diaz bagged an impressive 21 goals, providing a further six assists for his grateful teammates, earning the praise of assistant manager Gerald Baticle.

“He’s a real goalscorer,” said Baticle to Eurosport (as relayed by Goal). “When others might want to make a pass, his first idea is to find an angle to shoot towards goal. All his play is in the centre towards goal.

“Of course, with his first touch, he has to raise his head more often to take in more information and make better choices. But in individual raids, he’s good because he’s capable of piercing the lines.”

His success in French football saw Real Madrid exercise their £33m buyback clause after a single season away from Los Blancos, but Diaz has struggled to replicate his best form back in Spain.

Since the beginning of 2018/19, the £9m-rated hitman has only started nine La Liga fixtures, receiving just one of those under new manager Carlo Ancelotti in the current campaign. However, his proven track record of finding the back of the net on a regular basis could make him the ideal signing for Bielsa’s struggling side.

With star striker Patrick Bamford out injured for most of the campaign so far, Leeds have only scored 13 goals in 14 Premier League games, an issue that Diaz could certainly help to address.

In other news…”It’s likely..”: Leeds handed major injury boost vs Brentford, Bielsa will be buzzing

Aston Villa shared updated matchday regulations on their official Twitter page on Wednesday afternoon.

And a number of Villa supporters have been giving their thoughts to the news as a result.

Villa look set to take on Burnley on Saturday afternoon, with Steven Gerrard looking to make it five wins from seven as manager. The Clarets have had two of their last five Premier League games called off, one of which has been due to Covid.

Fans attending the game will now have to provide NHS Covid-19 certification, whether that be proof of double vaccination or a negative lateral flow test.

Villa have advised fans to pre-register their Covid status online, with supporters possibly being refused entry if the required proof isn’t provided.

Villa fans react

This is what these Villa fans had to say in reply to the club’s social media update regarding the matchday regulations, with many not happy and one labelling it as ‘laughable’.

“Disgusting”

Credit: @poipinbandearg

“No-one can get phone reception near Villa Park, so showing proof on arrival is going to be tricky. The replies are already a bin fire. ~10k will show up at 2.50pm. And then you have to watch Burnley. Saturday will be terrible.”

Credit: @craigfots

“Laughable so the vaccinated will be the ones spreading it? Us unvaccinated have to do a test so if we are negative it cant be us who will they blame then?”

Credit: @webbyavfc

“Shambles lads”

Credit: @villa_utv

“Disgusting”

Credit: @tombrush1982

“3 hour long queue Saturday then can’t wait”

Credit: @JamesMayyyy

In other news: ‘Unbelievable’ – Lots of Villa fans flock to John Percy’s exit rumour

يستمتع ستيفن جيرارد مدرب أستون فيلا بالتحدي المتمثل في مواجهة مانشستر سيتي مساء السبت على الرغم من البداية المخيبة للآمال للنادي في موسم الدوري الإنجليزي الممتاز.

بعد السقوط أمام آرسنال مساء الأربعاء الماضي، خسر أستون فيلا الآن أربع مباريات من أصل خمس في الموسم، بما في ذلك آخر مباراة له في فيلا بارك أمام وست هام يونايتد.

ويحل مانشستر سيتي ضيفًأ ثقيلًا على أستون فيلا، مساء اليوم السبت، في الجولة السادسة من الدوري الإنجليزي الممتاز.

وردا على سؤال حول محاولة قلب النتائج الأخيرة ضد بطل الدوري الإنجليزي الممتاز، قال جيرارد: “هذا هو التحدي، أعتقد أنه من نافلة القول أنك تلعب ضد أحد أفضل الفرق في العالم، هم يمتلكون نجومًا عالميين، يمكن القول أن لديهم أفضل مدرب”.

وأضاف في تصريحات نشرتها شبكة “برمنجهام ميل” الإنجليزية: “لقد كنا ننافس مانشستر سيتي في كلتا المباراتين اللتين واجهنا فيها هذا الخصم، الموسم الماضي، وستكون الخطة مرة أخرى لجعل الأمر صعبًا للغاية عليهم ومحاولة نقلهم إلى حيث لا يريدون”.

وواصل: “لا نريد خوض المباراة فقط، بسبب ما حدث حتى الآن هذا الموسم، مع أي خوف، أريد أن يذهب اللاعبون ولديهم الإيمان والثقة ومحاولة جعل الأمر صعبًا قدر الإمكان عليهم، وعندما يحين الوقت علينا إظهار جودتنا كما فعلنا هنا ضد مانشستر سيتي العام الماضي”.

اقرأ أيضًا.. جوارديولا يوضح حالة جريليش وثلاثي مانشستر سيتي المُصاب قبل مباراة أستون فيلا

وأكد: “كان مانشستر سيتي قلقًا للغاية لمدة 76/77 دقيقة خلال مباراتنا السابقة، نحن نعلم أنه يمكننا إيذاء هذا الفريق، وأنا أتطلع حقًا إلى مواجهته”.

وفاز مانشستر سيتي على أستون فيلا، في مباراة الدور الأول من الموسم الماضي من الدوري، على ملعب “فيلا بارك” بهدفين مقابل هدف.

أما في مباراة الدور الثاني، والتي استضافها ملعب “الاتحاد” وكانت الأخيرة في موسم الدوري، فقد حقق مانشستر سيتي ريمونتادا مثيرة وفاز بنتيجة 3-2 وحافظ بذلك على لقب البطولة للموسم الثاني على التوالي أمام أنظار ليفربول.

Southampton fans were far from happy with Ralph Hasenhuttl’s quotes following the Saints’ exit at the hands of Chelsea in the League Cup.

The Saints travelled to Stamford Bridge on Tuesday to face the Blues in the fourth round of the League Cup. The hosts went ahead when Kai Havertz headed in, but Che Adams was able to take the game to penalties. In the end, the European champions progressed, but it was a display full of positives from the St. Mary’s Stadium outfit.

Hasenhuttl spoke to the media after the match, and was clearly happy with what his side produced against the current Premier League leaders. He claimed that his side were the “Pride of London” because of their showing – even though they were unable to progress to the next round.

The comments were shared on Twitter by @SaintsExtra, and it attracted plenty of attention from the supporters. They took to the social media platform to share their thoughts.

Let’s see what the fans had to say about the Hasenhuttl comments below

“Play the same team against Watford. I dare you”

Credit: @TheBig_Borowski

“We lost Ralph”

Credit: @Eliassfc2

“Class! We didn’t win… again.”

Credit: @OllieSoton

“Going out of the cup is amazing. Sack him immediately”

Credit: @cleetus_van

“Yeh, I’d still rather we had played crap and scabbed a 1-0 win. Really had enough of heroic failure”

Credit: @rmbyres

“Still lost though.”

Credit: @SouthernMan7

In other news, Southampton fans were far from happy with this man against Chelsea.

A product of the highly impressive Celtic academy, Scott Robertson is very much a player to keep an eye on at Parkhead in the coming years.

Indeed, while the central midfielder has made just one senior appearance for the Bhoys – rather unfortunately coming in a 2-0 Europa League loss against CFR Cluj back in 2019 – the 20-year-old has been quietly developing himself as a footballer over three loan spells south of the border.

The first of these came during the first half of last season, in the form of a four-month stint at Gillingham, where the midfielder would go on to make 19 appearances for the Gills, providing two assists for his teammates along the way.

Upon his return to Parkhead in January, the youngster was almost immediately snapped back up by another League One side, Doncaster Rovers, with Robertson subsequently featuring 15 times for Richie Wellens’ side, registering one assist during his time with the Dons.

As a result of his impressive displays for two separate League One sides last time out, Crewe Alexandra decided to take the 20-year-old on a season-long this summer, where the midfielder has continued his impressive development in the third tier of English football.

Indeed, over his eight League One appearances in the current campaign, Robertson has already bagged one goal, as well as taking an average of one shot and making 0.9 key passes per game.

The youngster has also impressed in metrics more typical of his position, making an average of 0.5 interceptions, 2.9 tackles, 1.5 clearances and winning a whopping seven duels per fixture.

These returns have seen the Celtic loanee earn an average SofaScore match rating of 6.88, ranking him as Crewe’s fourth-best performer in the league.

Indeed, the 20-year-old’s consistent level of performance has also led to the praise of his manager, David Artell, who claimed back in September that the midfielder was the club’s best player at that particular moment.

On Robertson’s displays, Artell said: “Scott’s character is bang on. He listens intently and he looks at you and you know he is taking it all in. There is no noise going on in his head when you speak to him. He wants to listen and learn and when you are like that then you are only going to get better.

“He was terrific again [against Burton Albion]. Really, really good and he was absolutely shattered in those last five minutes because he had run himself into the ground. He has probably been our best performer in the last three games but he knows that has to continue. He knows he has to maintain those levels but he has come here, taken things on board and his attitude to the work is first class… we have a real gem of a player on our hands.”

As such, with another season of regular game time, not to mention a collection of impressive performances, under his belt, upon Robertson’s return to Parkhead, the 20-year-old could take one step closer to emulating his academy predecessor in central midfield, Callum McGregor, and could well cause Ange Postecoglou something of a selection headache in the middle of the park next season.

In other news: Forget Jota: “Lively” £9k-p/w Celtic dynamo who made 8 passes finally proved his worth