Celtic: Hoops linked with Jed Wallace

Celtic have been linked with a January move for Millwall winger Jed Wallace, Football League World report.  

The Lowdown: Wallace profiled

Wallace is 27 years of age and is primarily a right-winger who can also play in an attacking midfield role.

He appears to be at the peak of his powers with his career-high £6.3m Transfermarkt valuation and is out of contract at The Den next summer.

Wallace, on £12,500-a-week, has made over 350 senior appearances during his career, 227 of which have come for his current employers.

Football League World shared a story from their sources on Friday, with numerous clubs eyeing a January move for the Englishman.

Five Premier League teams, Championship side West Brom and both Glasgow clubs were all name-checked with an interest in Wallace.

Millwall want to tie the winger down to a new contract, however, sources informed the site that it is looking difficult.

The Verdict: Sign?

Wallace has netted double figures in the last two Championship campaigns and has already netted three times in five games this season.

On that basis, a pre-contract agreement could be a wise move by the Hoops, who currently have James Forrest, Liel Abada and Karamoko Dembele as right-sided options.

The Millwall man can also move into a central position if required and is clearly a player in demand, but Celtic may have an advantage over English clubs due to cross border rules, meaning the Hoops can discuss a pre-contract move in the New Year, should his situation remain the same.

In other news: ‘First class’ £56k-p/w Premier League man was previously wanted at Celtic, manager confirms. 

Celtic may have a new Turnbull in Moffat

In the early stages of the season, it looked as though Celtic midfielder David Turnbull was already running on empty.

The Hoops star was a near ever-present figure in the side after signing last season and then didn’t have much time off during the summer after travelling to Euro 2020 with Scotland.

Turnbull didn’t play a single minute for Steve Clarke’s side but his form in recent weeks is proving that he’s surely not far off a regular place in the national team.

He has gone from a tired and lapse figure to the heartbeat of the team again in a matter of weeks. Pundits and supporters are running out of superlatives for the magician who is scoring goals and assisting them on a regular basis.

The Scot found the net ten times last term but he’s already closing in on that number after just nine games of the new campaign.

His form has been simply mesmeric and a first senior hat-trick against St Mirren last weekend capped things off.

That means that Turnbull now has five goals and an assist in his last four appearances.

At the age of just 22, the attacking midfielder has a rather large ceiling and if he keeps performing like this, teams from south of the border will no doubt start dialling the phone.

Fortunately, Celtic have a like-minded player in their Colts team at the moment.

That happens to be 19-year-old Owen Moffat, a teenager who earned minutes in pre-season and is now starring in the Lowland League for Celtic B.

Like Turnbull, Moffat is a tricky goalscoring midfielder. He caught the eye during Ange Postecoglou’s first few weeks in charge and the Australian will no doubt be keeping a close watch on the youngster.

After all, Hoops skipper Callum McGregor already loves what he sees from the curly-haired assassin.

Speaking a few months back after he scored in a friendly, McGregor said: “A mention for young Moffat – his attitude has been first class. I remember watching him at the end of last season, training on the astro himself. Every day they would do finishing and I remember thinking: ‘He’s got a finish on him’.

“I wasn’t surprised when the ball dropped and he half-volleyed it into the net.”

His confidence has soared this season and he’s been finding the net on a regular basis for the B team. The midfielder has performed to such a high level that he bagged five goals in one game when they defeated Vale of Leithen 10-0.

He started the clash on the left-hand side where he scored once but was then moved into a central role and scored four more, dominating the defence in remarkable fashion.

“It was a good performance from the team. In the first half, it was a good five goals and when we went in at half-time Tommy and Darren just told us to keep going, we had to be relentless, and that’s what we did,” Moffat remarked at full-time.

That kind of relentless attitude is bound to fit in with Postecoglou’s style of play. After all, the senior side have been keen to score as many as possible in recent weeks.

They’ve beaten the goalkeeper on 24 occasions in their last six matches and have had a mighty 72 attempts at goal in their last two domestic ties.

Therefore, Moffat would surely make a seamless transition to first-team life once the manager decides to unleash him.

Like Turnbull, the teen has wonderful technical ability and he knows where the back of the net is. He’s certainly one to watch out for in the next few years.

AND in other news, Fabrizio Romano delivers 10-word Celtic transfer update, fans surely concerned…

Spurs look to offload Aurier by 11pm

Tottenham Hotspur are looking to move Serge Aurier on before tonight’s deadline…

What’s the word?

According to the Sky Sports Transfer Centre (30th August, 15:37), the north London outfit are trying to find the 66-cap Ivory Coast right-back a new home so that they can sign Emerson Royal from Barcelona.

Italian outfit Genoa are the latest side to become interested in the 28-year-old, whilst Lille and the aforementioned La Liga side have also been mooted in the report.

It remains to be seen if Aurier will depart the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium today – and for how much – with Transfermarkt currently valuing him at £18m, some four years on (to the day) from a £23m move from Paris Saint-Germain.

Paratici masterclass

This is a move that should have new sporting director Fabio Paratici absolutely lauded from the hilltops and it is one that will undoubtedly leave many buzzing in north London.

The Italian has only been at the Lilywhites for a couple of months now but he’s already identified Spurs’ problems and has looked to rectify them – out has gone several of the club’s long-serving players that have frequently let them down, such as the injury-prone Erik Lamela and the regressing Moussa Sissoko, among others.

[snack-amp-story url= “https://www.footballfancast.com/web-stories/read-the-latest-spurs-news-transfer-rumours-gossip-more” title= “Read the latest Spurs team and injury news, transfer rumours, gossip and much, much more!”]

Aurier would be the next obvious candidate to face the chopping block and so he should after his revelation earlier in the window.

He told French publication L’Equipe of his intentions to leave Spurs this window, claiming: “Everyone knows that if I wanted to extend my contract at Tottenham, I’d have already done so. I’m not going to do that in six months’ time. I’ve experienced the Premier League and a Champions League final. I’ve reached the end of a cycle and it’s time to look elsewhere.”

On that evidence, it’s clear that Aurier does not want to be at the club, which is perhaps the reason why he is yet to feature for Nuno Santo this season.

Not that he warrants a place in the starting XI anymore, with Japhet Tanganga impressing in the role in recent matches.

Furthermore, the Mauricio Pochettino signing has regularly been lambasted for his performances on the pitch – for example, after defeat to Man City in the Carabao Cup final, Jamie Carragher described him as “one of the biggest liabilities in Premier League football.”

Indeed, it’s not the first time that the full-back has come in for criticism over his calamitous ways – former Spurs midfielder Jamie O’Hara once brandished him “an absolute liability” on Twitter.

Spurs have since defeated the defending champions in his absence and whilst that may only be a coincidence, it’s a struggle to think he would’ve helped Nuno’s side at all.

Therefore, if Paratici can move him on before tonight’s deadline, then it’ll be a great move for all parties. This update from Sky Sports should leave many in north London thrilled.

AND in other news, Paratici dealt Spurs transfer blow over £22.5m-rated “young Pogba”, fans surely gutted…

West Ham fans react to ExWHU update

Many West Ham United fans have been reacting to the news that have been exploring the market for France-based defenders and forwards.

The Hammers have enjoyed a stupendous start to the campaign, winning both of their matches in the Premier League so far this term (whufc.com). That follows on from the previous campaign, when they finished sixth in the top flight to qualify for the Europa League.

However, they have only signed one new player so far this summer in goalkeeper Alphonse Areola. They have been heavily linked with Kurt Zouma (The Athletic), and it now seems they are exploring the market in his home country – reliable West Ham insider ExWHUemployee has revealed that the club are looking at a number of Ligue 1 players as they look to get their squad ready for the rest of the campaign.

The news was shared on Twitter by @central_louis, and it attracted plenty of attention from Irons supporters. These fans took to the social media platform to share their thoughts,

Let’s see what these fans had to say about the update from Ex

“Got more chance exploring Romford Market…”

Credit: @ADAMArchitectUK

“I wonder where our one scout has been looking?”

Credit: @tannerman1uk

“Explored Fc”

Credit: @Callumharvey92

“Shame as I feel we are going to miss out on #Belotti due to Moyes & GSB looking at cheaper options in Ligue 1 or loan options possibly. Trust Moyes but can’t help to imagine what might have been with #Belotti up front in the years to come”

Credit: @DJTiale

“Literally because of the financial scenario, we’ll never progress with this lot in charge.”

Credit: @funkycoolers

“This could have been done months ago, they know exactly when the transfer window opens and shuts. It’ll be easier to say we’re not signing anyone. It’s the disappointment that kills you”

Credit: @gsbout2

In other news, many West Ham fans want the club to sign this winger.

West Ham plotting new Duje Caleta-Car bid

West Ham are planning to make a new offer for Marseille defender Duje Caleta-Car, according to Turkish journalist Ekrem Konur.

The Lowdown: Caleta-Car profiled

Caleta-Car is 24 years of age and has been with the French club since 2018. The Croatia international, who stands at 6 foot 3, has made 91 appearances for Marseille in all competitions, scoring on three occasions.

He’s never been valued higher than his current £22.5m Transfermarkt valuation and is represented by the same agency as Jack Grealish and Mason Mount.

Konur claims that the Hammers have had a £12m bid rejected for the centre-back, but it doesn’t seem as if they have given up hope of securing his services this summer.

The Latest: New bid

According to Konur, the Irons are planning to hold further talks with Marseille over a deal for the centre-back.

He took to Twitter on Saturday morning to share the news, with Caleta-Car possibly becoming the club’s first big-money signing of the summer.

The journalist outlined: “West Ham are planning to raise their offer and hold talks with Marseille again.”

The Verdict: Need to get a move on

The Hammers could be way off with their opening £12m offer for Caleta-Car, especially when you take into his consideration his Transfermarkt valuation.

Time is ticking, and with the new season just days away, West Ham now need to start getting deals over the line.

Securing a new centre-back for David Moyes, potentially Caleta-Car, may turn out to be a solid start and could then allow the club to focus on a new centre-forward, with Michail Antonio currently the only recognised striker at the London Stadium.

In other news: Many West Ham fans flock to official club announcement, find out more

Sunderland: Black Cats keen on Jamie Robson

Sunderland are reportedly interested in a deal to sign Dundee United defender Jamie Robson, according to The Daily Record. 

The lowdown

Robson has been with Dundee United since 2011, and has made 170 appearances for the club’s senior team, which includes their season opener against Aberdeen last weekend.

The defender has one year remaining on his contract with the Scottish side, although it remains to be seen as to whether he’ll see out that deal with Dundee United, amid interest from other clubs.

League One side Lincoln City had previously been keen on striking a deal to sign Robson this summer, with the Imps having a six-figure bid rejected for Robson’s services.

The latest

Sunderland are rumoured to have joined Lincoln City in the race to sign Robson this summer, as Lee Johnson looks to strengthen his defensive options ahead of the new League One campaign.

The Black Cats are yet to make a formal offer for Robson’s services, but they’re keeping a close eye on the defender, with under a month to go in the summer transfer window.

The Daily Record reports that Lincoln City are attempting to raise additional funds to sign Robson, but they’re likely to be hassled by Sunderland’s interest in signing the 23-year-old.

The verdict

This is a smart move by Sunderland this summer – defensive reinforcements are certainly needed in the near future as their season opener against Wigan Athletic edges closer.

With Callum McFadzean departing the club at the end of the 2020/21 season, additional strength in depth is needed at left-back, and Robson would provide Johnson’s side with just that.

Robson has been a useful option for Dundee United, and has seemingly adjusted well to the demands of senior football with the Scottish side.

Dundee United head coach Thomas Courts is clearly keen to keep hold of Robson for the foreseeable future, with the 39-year-old labelling his performances as ‘outstanding’, whilst also admitting that there was interest from other clubs in the defender’s services.

“There was some talk about Robson at the tail end of last week and there wasn’t a lot of detail because we were preparing for this game.

“He’s attracting interest and don’t know where we’re up to from club perspective but he was outstanding and he showed up well.

“It’s frustrating because when the window is open things don’t happen as quickly as you’d like. I’ve got total respect for the quality we have and I leave here feeling that. But within our dressing room there’s interest from other clubs. I still feel optimistic.”

Spurs eye Martinez as Kane replacement

Tottenham Hotspur could make a move for Lautaro Martinez in this summer’s transfer window…

What’s the word?

According to The Athletic, Spurs have an interest in the Inter Milan striker if Harry Kane were to depart North London before this month’s deadline.

The Lilywhites will have stiff competition from their arch-rivals Arsenal, who are exploring the opportunity to sign Martinez, with the Serie A outfit looking to sort out their financial problems.

Inter need to sell players this summer and the 23-year-old is someone who could garner plenty of funds, although it remains to be seen how much would tempt them into a sale.

Transfermarkt currently value him at a whopping £72m, whilst his wages are thought to be around €2.5m-per-year – around €52k-per-week (£45k-per-week).

Life after Kane?

If Spurs are trying to plan for life without the England talisman, then Martinez is a pretty outstanding contingency plan and one man who they should absolutely push to sign.

Kane’s future is in doubt right now, with fresh reports from the Telegraph suggesting that the 28-year-old will insist on joining Jack Grealish in a move to Manchester City.

The long-serving youth product has made no secret of his desire to add silverware to his glistening goalscoring record, and with Spurs’ barren run without a trophy stretching back to 2008, it’s no wonder he wants to leave now.

New sporting director Fabio Paratici will know first-hand the credentials of Martinez, who has excelled for Juventus’ rivals in recent seasons.

On Inter’s way to their first league title in 11 years, the 28-cap Argentina international provided 19 goals and 11 assists, averaging a direct contribution every 108 minutes, as per Transfermarkt.

This is similar to the sort of importance that Kane carries in North London, having provided 54.4% of all their league goals scored last term, whilst he averages a goal or assist every 98 minutes throughout his whole Spurs career.

Barcelona superstar Lionel Messi is a big fan of his fellow countryman as he once described him as “an impressive forward” to Mundo Deportivo, before adding: “He’s spectacular. He has impressive qualities. You could tell he was going to be a great player, and he is showing that. He’s very strong, really good one on one, scores a lot of goals, and in the area he fights with anyone, holds it up, he can turn, scrap to win it all on his own. He has a lot of quality. He’s very complete.”

That final word is one you’d very much associate with Kane, as the Englishman offers so much more than just goals. He can drop back and find any player with his impressive range of passing, so the pair are in a similar mould.

If the 28-year-old does leave N17 in this window, then Spurs should absolutely launch a swoop for the Inter Milan sensation. He’d be a dream replacement, whatever the costs.

AND in other news, Nuno dealt huge Spurs blow as worrying transfer report emerges, fans will be furious…

’Nothing but love’ – Christian Pulisic sends message to AC Milan ‘family’ as USMNT talisman receives death threats by Lazio fans following fiery Serie A victory

Christian Pulisic says he feels "nothing but love" to AC Milan after receiving death threats from Lazio fans following Friday's fiery Serie A victory.

Article continues below

Article continues below

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  • Pulisic got two Lazio players sent off
  • Milan snatched a 1-0 victory
  • USMNT forward sends love to Rossoneri family
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    WHAT HAPPENED?

    Noah Okafor might have won the match for Milan but it was Pulisic who was responsible for getting two of the three players sent off on Friday evening that opened up spaces in defence. The American midfielder's clash with Luca Pellegrini resulted in the Roma star's dismissal, while a late altercation with Matteo Guendouzi saw the former Arsenal man receive his marching orders as well.

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  • THE BIGGER PICTURE

    Following the game, Pulisic received death threats and vile messages from Lazio supporters, prompting concerns about the player's safety. However, the USMNT player has kept his composure and sent out a message of "love" for his teammates and the fans amid a difficult situation.

  • WHAT PULISIC SAID

    In an Instagram post, Pulisic said: "Nothing but love for this squad and the entire Rossoneri family ❤️🖤"

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    WHAT NEXT?

    Pulisic has been in inspirational form in Serie A with seven goals and six assists in 25 appearances. He will now look to perform in the same vein in the Europa League when the Rossoneri welcome Czech club Slavia Pragu, to San Siro for the first leg of the last-16 tie on Thursday.

Pundit says Tottenham should keep Giovani Lo Celso - Exclusive

Several departures are expected at Tottenham this summer, but Paul Stewart exclusively told Football FanCast that he doesn’t believe Giovani Lo Celso should be on that list.

Following two disappointing league finishes in the last two seasons, Nuno Espirito Santo, along with director of football Fabio Paratici, are currently dealing with the “painful rebuild” that Mauricio Pochettino said was necessary in 2019.

Juan Foyth was the first through the exit door and has been joined by Erik Lamela going to Sevilla, with Toby Alderweireld are expected to leave for Qatari outfit Al-Duhail.

However, those three won’t be the last to be moved on, with plenty of interest in Santo’s squad.

One of those is Argentine Lo Celso, who’s on Barcelona’s radar having failed to settle in north London since signing from Real Betis on loan and then permanently four months later.

Lo Celso has shown glimpses, but his role at Tottenham has never quite been apparent despite making 65 appearances since moving from Spain.

However, Stewart has seen enough to suggest that Lo Celso could still make the grade in N17.

He told Football FanCast:

“I’d keep him because I think he could come good. It takes time to settle sometimes.

“He’s shown enough when I’ve seen him on the pitch to suggest he could become a really good player for Spurs, so I would be looking at keeping him for at least another season.”

Diogo Dalot exclusive: Man Utd’s in-form defender on living up to Jose Mourinho’s bold claim, English fans loving his slide tackles & INEOS’ impact at Old Trafford

The right-back speaks to GOAL about his role in Erik ten Hag's side's stunning revival and his desire to bring the glory days back to Old Trafford

Diogo Dalot grew up supporting Porto, so naturally Jose Mourinho always held a special place in his heart. The Manchester United right-back was only five years old when Mourinho led his boyhood club to win the Champions League, just two months on from his iconic knee slide celebration at Old Trafford after knocking the Red Devils out.

Fourteen years after that unforgettable triumph and having just broken into the Porto team himself, Dalot got the call to go and play for 'The Special One' at United in the summer of 2018. And despite the fact he had only made seven senior appearances, Mourinho gave the then-19-year-old the mother of all endorsements by calling him "the best full-back in Europe in his age group".

"It brought me more responsibility," Dalot tells GOAL in an exclusive interview. "Coming from Mourinho, a legend of the game, makes it even more special. The relationship that we had was something good for me, to have a manager that supported me like he did. Those words brought me more responsibility and I'm trying to fulfil that in my career."

It might not have been the smoothest of rides, but Dalot is now well on his way to fulfilling Mourinho's prophecy. Mourinho was sacked by United just six months after Dalot's arrival and the full-back went out on loan to AC Milan two years later. When he returned, United had signed Aaron Wan-Bissaka for £50 million ($63m), putting another obstacle in between Dalot and a regular starting berth.

But now the Portugal international is demonstrating the potential Mourinhho saw in him, locking down his place as Ten Hag's first choice right-back and playing a key role in the club's resurgence during the second half of the season.

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    Crunching tackles

    Dalot has been at the forefront of United's revival in 2024, with the Red Devils winning six out of seven matches in all competitions while remaining unbeaten. He has started in every match since the turn of the year, scoring a magnificent curler against Wigan in the FA Cup and providing assists against Newport and Aston Villa. His sumptuous first-time cross at Villa Park allowed Scott McTominay to head home an 86th-minute winner which galvanised United's hopes of finishing in the top four and returning to the Champions League next season.

    He has also honed the defensive side of his game, delighting United fans with his thunderous slide tackles, such as when he chased down Jarrod Bowen in the recent 3-0 win over West Ham.

    “It was really quick, I just tried to reach him as fast as I could because I knew he was in a good position to score. I was fortunate enough to win the tackle and get the ball,” Dalot recalls, smiling at the enthusiasm in England for full-blooded slide tackles.

    “Yes, more than in other countries. The grass helps, it's good for sliding tackles and for moves like that. Obviously the fans loved it, they always get a little bit more excited when you do something like that.”

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    Need for speed

    The tackle on Bowen and the thrilling sprint back that made it possible also exhibited Dalot’s searing pace. According to he has recorded the fastest top speed of any United player in the Premier League this season.

    That is why he is excited to have signed with PUMA this week and to wear the ULTRA, described as the world’s fastest football boot. “Speed is massively important in the modern game, especially in my position, where everything is high intensity, really high speed over distances, so I'm happy that the Ultra will help me to get even more speed,” he says.

    Dalot joins a legendary line of players to have worn PUMA boots in the past, including Johan Cruyff, Diego Maradona and Portugal icon Eusebio. The current crop of Puma players includes Antoine Griezmann, Neymar, Jack Grealish and Dalot’s United team-mate Antony.

    “That's one of the reasons why I joined them, the amount of players that they represented in the past and in the present. It's a brand that's growing even more, so I'm really excited to make this partnership with them," he adds.

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    Step forward

    Dalot readily admits he is in the form of his life, but he will not be truly satisfied until United are back where their fans believe they should be. It has been a testing season for the Red Devils, who lost nine of their first 18 matches and suffered a surprise early exit from the Champions League.

    "Probably it's my best time individually, but it doesn't fulfil that spot on my goals because collectively I want to be good and I want the team to be successful. So when we combine that, I think I'll be even happier," he says.

    United are definitely on the way back to the top and the arrival of minority shareholder Sir Jim Ratcliffe and his INEOS team has helped lift the mood around the club, their arrival coinciding with the upturn in results. Dalot, however, knows there is still a long way to go.

    And he does not mean to get back to the standards United set under Ten Hag last season, when they finished third, reached the FA Cup final and won the Carabao Cup. He means United getting their hands back on the Premier League title, which they used to win routinely when Dalot was growing up.

    "Last season we had a good year, we finished well with the trophy, fighting for the FA Cup and being in the Champions League spots. It's not an aim for the club, but it's a step forward," he says. "This season, hopefully we can finish with one trophy and be in the Champions League, that would be also a step forward in my opinion when we didn't start the way we wanted."

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    'Mentality we need'

    "The standard will always be fighting for the Premier League, the Champions League and all the trophies that we are in. So I think we can be in the right direction to go there. The club hasn't won the Premier League in a lot of years. Eleven years. So the fans have been waiting a long time.

    "This is now, we have to win now. For them it doesn't matter if we won the Carabao Cup last season, in the next one we just have to win two trophies, win the Premier League. Every year you start the Premier League with expectations that you can win it.

    "This is the type of mentality that we need in the club. It's the normal standard for the club. It's up to us as players, as a club, as staff to show it and to do it on the pitch."

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