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Calling Newcastle United’s 2021 a rollercoaster of emotions would be underplaying the 12 months the club has gone through this year.

From achieving survival in the Premier League thanks to Joe Willock’s sublime form on loan from Arsenal last season under Steve Bruce to PIF taking over from Mike Ashley and Eddie Howe becoming the new manager, Magpies fans have had a lot to deal with.

Newcastle are currently 19th in the Premier League table and appear on course to head down to the Championship next year, although the January transfer window is on the way and the prospect of PIF splashing the cash may be one that excites the fans.

It remains to be seen what will happen in the market next month or whether or not they will avoid the drop down to the second division, so why don’t we focus on what has already happened?

Take our huge, bumper, Newcastle quiz of 2021 and see if you can get 100% – only real fans will!

Roshane Thomas has dropped an update on West Ham United’s failed move for Duvan Zapata on transfer deadline day.

What’s the talk?

In a recent article for The Athletic, the West Ham correspondent shed further light on the Hammers’ late move for the Atalanta centre-forward, with it being said that David Moyes’ side had agreed to initially take the 30-year-old on loan – paying a £4m fee to do so – with an option to make the deal permanent at the end of the season.

However, Thomas went on to state that, despite the Serie A side agreeing to these demands and the Irons submitting a deal sheet to the Premier League, the move ultimately proved to be too late in the day to get the transfer over the line prior to Monday evening’s deadline.

West Ham must act this summer

With no new centre-forward arriving at the London Stadium in the January transfer window – despite a £58m bid for Benfica’s Darwin Nunez – West Ham are still desperately lacking any real strength in depth up top – with Michail Antonio currently being the East London side’s only recognised striker.

And, while this will undoubtedly come as a huge blow to the Hammers’ chances of securing a top-four finish in the league this season, should Zapata once again be available next summer, it would very much appear as if Moyes must do all he can to get a deal over the line for the Colombia international – as the 30-year-old looks to be the perfect match for Antonio.

Indeed, the £29.7m-rated forward has been a revelation for Atalanta since joining the club from SSC Napoli back in 2018, scoring 78 goals and registering 38 assists over his 152 appearances for the Bergamo club.

This season, the £57k-per-week striker has once again been in breathtaking form for Gian Piero Gasperini’s outfit, having already bagged nine goals, registered four assists and created three big chances over his 16 Serie A appearances – returns which have seen him average a highly impressive SofaScore match rating of 6.98.

And, with finding the back of the net clearly not being an issue, the 6 foot 2 Colombian’s physical stature is also similar to that of West Ham’s main man in attack, with Papu Gomez previously stating of the centre-forward: “Zapata’s shorts look like underwear, he is so big.

“Sometimes I don’t even want to get close to him in a match because he’s a beast and it hurts. When he is feeling good he’s like a train – you throw the ball forward and ‘ciao!'”

As such, while it was certainly a huge blow to not land the 30-year-old this winter, should a move still be on the table come the end of the season, Moyes could finally find the answer to his centre-forward woes in a move for the Atalanta hitman.

In other news: Moyes can unearth WHU’s perfect DCC alternative with 21 y/o prodigy, he’s “gold dust”

Tottenham’s search for a new manager appears to have taken yet another major twist.

The reliable Fabrizio Romano claimed on Wednesday evening that Spurs scheduled a ‘direct meeting’ with Erik ten Hag, coming after several twists and turns which have seen Brendan Rodgers rule himself out of the running and Julian Nagelsmann agree to join Bayern Munich.

Romano revealed that the Ajax boss was among the candidates to become the new Spurs boss, with the 51-year-old thought to be open to leaving his current club in the summer.

However, Ajax revealed on Friday morning that ten Hag has now signed a one-year extension to his deal, keeping him in the Netherlands until 2023.

Romano has now claimed (via Twitter) that the new deal does not mean Tottenham are out of the race and the boss has not turned Spurs down, but they have taken a step back for now and will review other candidates.

Ten Hag has been in charge of the Dutch giants since December 2017, winning three major honours during that time.

Transfer Tavern take

Spurs fans will know ten Hag well following the club’s memorable Champions League semi-final with Ajax back in 2019.

He loves to use a 4-3-3 system (Transfermarkt), a formation that could have been of great effect in north London with the attacking talent Spurs have to offer, and a much-needed change from Jose Mourinho’s rigid 4-2-3-1.

Daniel Levy is thought to be looking for an attack-minded coach, and you only have to go back to Ajax’s free-scoring European run in 2019 to see that ten Hag could have been an ideal fit.

They knocked out Real Madrid and Juventus on their way to the last four two years ago, but it doesn’t look like ten Hag will succeed Mourinho following this latest development.

In other news: Spurs working on deal for Southampton star, find out more here. 

Tottenham Hotspur are now eyeing a move for Inter Milan right wing-back Denzel Dumfries, according to a report by Sport Mediaset (via SportWitness).

The Lowdown: Conte’s search for a RWB

It was heavily reported that Spurs boss Antonio Conte wanted to bring in a new right wing-back in January.

Fabio Paratici was initially negotiating with Adama Traore over the proposition of playing in the position, having come close to agreeing a £20m fee with Wolves.

However, Spanish giants Barcelona swooped in at the last minute, snatching the 26-year-old out of Conte’s grasp.

As a result, the Lilywhites manager has been left with just Emerson Royal, following the season-ending injury sustained by Matt Doherty.

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The Latest: Dumfries rumours

According to a report by Sport Mediaset (translated by SportWitness), Inter may need to sell players to manage the books this summer. Therefore, Dumfries could be an option which would make significant money.

It is claimed that Bayern Munich and Tottenham would be “in the front row” for a summer transfer, as both sides are “watching him very carefully”.

Sport Mediaset further report that it would take in the region between £29.5m and £33.7m to secure the Dutchman’s services.

The Verdict: Good signing

After a shaky start to his Serie A career, Dumfries has gone on to earn comparisons with that of Inter legend Maicon, after a string of “brilliant” performances.

The Netherlands international’s underlying stats certainly illustrate this; he ranks in the 99th percentile in his position for non-penalty expected goals, non-penalty expected goals plus expected assists, touches in the attacking penalty area and progressive passes received (Europe’s top five leagues via FB Ref).

His attacking threat would complement Conte’s play-style perfectly, as he would slot in as an overlapping wing-back in Spurs’ back five.

If Paratici can get this deal across the line, we feel this would be a perfect signing for Conte.

In other news: Tottenham Hotspur: Sky Sports man drops Steven Bergwijn claim

According to reports, Leeds could make a big-money move for Sevilla winger Lucas Ocampos in this upcoming summer transfer window.

What’s the story?

Football Insider claimed that Marcelo Bielsa’s side are keeping tabs on the Argentina international, with a number of Premier League clubs also said to be interested.

The report added that the Whites are assessing Ocampos’ situation at Sevilla, and is a player regarded as lighting up English football.

Another Raphinha

One of the standout signings of the last summer is Raphinha, who has enjoyed a superb debut campaign in the Premier League with Leeds.

The Brazilian has bagged six goals and provided a further five assists in the top flight alone, and has combined pace and trickery with an impressive work ethic – exactly the kind of description which fits Ocampos as well.

The Sevilla star has scored four goals and four assists in 24 La Liga games, while his attacking numbers are all fairly similar to Leeds’ wing wizard.

As per Whoscored, Ocampos averages slightly fewer shots per game than Raphinha at 1.9 per game compared to the latter’s 2.1, but actually manages more dribbles than the Leeds man with 2.2 to 1.8.

He also wins more tackles than Raphinha, averaging 1.3 per game in La Liga compared to the Brazilian’s one, and that desire to match his attacking instincts with hard work should go down a treat with Bielsa.

Dubbed as an “absolute ace”, journalist Mohammed Ali waxed lyrical about the £60m-rated winger to La Liga Lowdown, saying: “Lopetegui is giving him more of a free rein in a squad with a higher attacking IQ than Marseille, so now he’s strutting his stuff.”

If Victor Orta is looking to land a Raphinha-esque player in this summer transfer window for Leeds, then he should look no further than Ocampos.

Meanwhile, Leeds must surely regret selling this goal-scoring star…

Rui Patricio was a surprise signing in 2018 as Wolves were set to embark on their first season back in the Premier League but after three years and under a new manager, there could be a new face between the posts at Molineux with the Portuguese international linked with a move away. Wolves legend Steve Bull wants it to be Sam Johnstone, of fierce rivals West Bromwich Albion.

Johnstone impressed at Wolves’ arch-enemies last season making the most saves in the Premier League which also earned him his first England call up and a debut, and he is now the number two behind Jordan Pickford.

Wolves fans may not be excited about links suggesting they are interested in Johnstone considering he has been with their rivals for three seasons, but he would certainly bring a trusted pair of hands considering he faced 228 shots lasts season with a save percentage of 70.6% – considering how poor the Baggies were, that will make for pleasant reading.

They have been linked with a move for Danny Ward but despite the 28-year old impressing at the Euros, it should be someone much closer to home that Wolves should be targeting as Bull wants to see his former club bring in Johnstone this summer, as he told Transfer Tavern:

“I know Wolves fans won’t like me saying this, but I’d go for Johnstone from West Brom because he was making all sorts of saves and is in the England squad now and once he gets in the starting line-up they won’t get him out.

“He’s young, energetic and when he makes a save he gets back up for the second shot and it doesn’t take him an hour to get back on his feet.”

Johnstone will certainly have a lot of interest after the season he had for the Baggies and he also did himself no harm during his England debut when he made a stunning save against Romania before the Euros kicked off.

Wolves would have a battle on their hands to sign the shot-stopper though as it has been reported that West Ham are interested in signing him and the Hammers would be able to offer him European football, something that Wolves have failed to qualify for in the previous two seasons.

Tottenham’s Director of Football Fabio Paratici has jetted into England to hold talks with former Wolves boss Nuno Espirito Santo about becoming the club’s new manager, according to Fabrizio Romano. 

THE LOWDOWN: SPURS SET SIGHTS ON 47-YEAR-OLD AS MOURINHO’S SUCCESSOR

Spurs have already been turned down by nine managers already this summer, with Ryan Mason remaining in temporary charge of the club at this moment in time.

The Telegraph have reported that Spurs are closing in on appointing Nuno Espirito Santo as their new manager, with the 47-year-old leaving Wolves at the end of the 2020/21 season.

Spurs finished seventh in the Premier League last term, and will be eager to push for a top-four finish next term, regardless of who they’re managed by moving forwards.

THE LATEST: KEY FIGURE JETS IN FOR FURTHER TALKS….

Journalist Fabrizio Romano has revealed that Tottenham’s Director of Football Paratici has flown into England to hold further talks with Nuno and his representatives over a move to the club.

It seems as though the former Wolves boss is Spurs’ main target heading into the new league campaign now, as they look to find Jose Mourinho’s permanent successor.

“Tottenham director of football Fabio Paratici arrived in London in the last hours. Talks on with Nuno Espirito Santo and his representatives,” Romano tweeted.

With The Telegraph reporting that an agreement is close as well, it seems as though Spurs might have got their main in Espirito Santo.

THE VERDICT: HE COULD BE A SHREWD APPOINTMENT BY SPURS….

This could turn out to be a smart appointment by Spurs, but you can’t help but feel that he wasn’t their first-choice target this summer.

The approaches to other manages like Antonio Conte and Mauricio Pochettino will have been hugely frustrating for both Daniel Levy and the club’s supporters.

Spurs need stability moving forwards though, and Espirito Santo could be the manager that can do just that, having impressed with Wolves over the years, finishing 7th in consecutive seasons before injuries took their toll this term.

If the club can give him time to build a long-term project at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, then it wouldn’t come as a surprise to see Spurs challenging higher up the Premier League table in the future.

Roberto Martinez dropped a huge clanger with Everton’s capture of Muhamed Besic, as Reading now line up a potential transfer for the summer free agent.

What’s the word?

According to The Telegraph, Reading are weighing up a move for Besic to head to the Madejski Stadium once his Toffees terms expire in June.

It is felt that his impending exit from Goodison Park will help ease negotiations after the Royals failed to conclude a deal during the winter market.

Reading were believed to have explored a deal for the Bosnia and Herzegovina international in the final hours of Deadline Day, as head coach Veljko Paunovic is a fan of the midfielder.

But no official approach was lodged, and Besic – who was keen to work with Veljko – had to remain on Merseyside, where he has been training with Everton’s Under 23s this season.

Besic was frozen out of the senior picture at Goodison Park after boss Carlo Ancelotti chose to omit the 28-year-old from his 25-man Premier League squad, and has remained on the fringes despite being added following the mid-season window.

The 45-cap international has not featured for the Blues since 2017, after which he sealed two loan spells with Middlesbrough in the Championship and joined Sheffield United for the 2019/20 Premier League campaign.

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Chris Wilder had appeared keen to retain Besic for a further 12-months following his temporary spell at Bramall Lane, but hinted that a deal was not possible due to his agent chasing a more lucrative contract than the Blades could afford.

A clanger by Martinez

Besic’s future has long appeared to be away from Everton with Ancelotti even opting against offering the midfielder a seat on the bench this term, so will no doubt be hopeful of securing a move to Reading where he is more likely to have the backing of the head coach.

The Berlin-born Bosnian would also bring a heap of Premier League and Championship experience to the Madejski Stadium, where top-flight football for next season cannot yet be ruled out with the Royals only five points outside of the Play-Off places.

But Besic is unlikely to be missed at Goodison Park, having faded massively from the player Martinez considered to be “a phenomenal asset” of his Toffees side having only ever proven to be a regular under the Spaniard.

Injuries ravished his 2015/16 season and kept the £2m-rated midfielder sidelined for almost the entirety of the ‘16/17 term, before being given fleeting appearances under Ronald Koeman and later accepting his first spell away from Merseyside with Middlesbrough.

Everton were at least able to get Boro and Sheffield United to cover his wages, saving the Toffees from having to pay £30,000-per-week to a player they awarded a pay rise to in February 2016 only to rarely see on the field after that.

But the weeks that Besic will have spent in the wilderness this season, the years on Merseyside before joining Middlesbrough and time spent before moving to Sheffield United will have seen Everton pay out a total of £7.6m in wages on a player they spent £4m to sign in 2014.

Little of that £11.6m will have not been wasted when Besic departs Everton at the end of his contract on June 30, which can surely not come soon enough for both the player and the club.

AND in other news, Marcel Brands could hand Carlo Ancelotti his own Dayot Upamecano with £7m Everton transfer…

A number of Liverpool supporters having been hailing Dejan Lovren following a tweet in which he mocked Manchester City’s Champions League final defeat.

The Reds’ season may have ended last weekend, but there was still one huge game to complete the 2020/21 campaign on Saturday night. City took on Chelsea in club football’s biggest match, with the Londoners prevailing 1-0 in Porto thanks to Kai Havertz’s first half goal.

It was yet another European failure for Pep Guardiola and his City side, with Liverpool’s increasingly fierce rivals still yet to win the competition despite spending vast sums of money down the years.

Someone who seemed to take an element of delight in City losing was Lovren, who joked on Twitter that their lack of a Croatian player proved costly. The former Liverpool man pointed out that the last nine Champions League winners have all contained at least one player from his homeland, with Mateo Kovacic the latest example.

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Liverpool fans react to Lovren’s tweet

These Liverpool fans took to Twitter to revel in Lovren’s tweet, in which he said that City “should buy some Croatian players” [sic] and added “Congratulations Chelsea!”.

“That is actually a brilliant tweet”

Credit: @GagsTandon

“Would have him back at LFC only for this.”

Credit: @thescousefoodie

“My guyyyy”

Credit: @the_2nd_born

“Hahahahaa I love you man!”

Credit: @Nizamkarmal

“Give Deggs some medal!!!!!”

Credit: @im_your_gent

“Ahahahah, you’re amazing @Dejan06Lovren. YNWA”

Credit: @_lottiemilyy

In other news, Liverpool have reportedly confirmed the valuation of one Reds player this summer. Find out who it is here.

According to a report by journalist Jack Rosser of The Evening Standard, as shared on his Twitter, West Ham United manager David Moyes hasn’t ruled out yet another attempt for Man United ace Jesse Lingard.

The Lowdown: West Ham in Lingard chase…

As reported in the summer, Lingard was firmly on manager Moyes’ radar as an attacking target following his very impressive 2020/2021 loan stint at the London Stadium.

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The England international bagged a brilliant nine goals and four assists in 16 Premier League starts over the second half of last campaign (WhoScored) – leading West Ham to aim for his permanent re-signing.

Alas, when Lingard opted against a return to east London, West Ham instead moved to sign Croatian ace Nikola Vlasic from CSKA Moscow on deadline day.

As attention already turns to January, with the Irons thought to be already eyeing Adam Hlozek of Sparta Prague, news has emerged on another attacker in Lingard.

The Latest: Moyes not done with Lingard?

As per Rosser, sharing an article on his Twitter, West Ham may not be done with the 28-year-old just yet despite signing Vlasic.

It is believed that Moyes ‘has considered another move in January’ for the player dependent on his chances at Old Trafford and how Vlasic takes to life in the Premier League.

“As per Paul Hirst, Jesse Lingard has rejected a new deal at Manchester United,” he explained on social media.

“David Moyes has considered another move in January dependent on Lingard’s game time and how Vlasic settles.”

The Verdict: Move on…

While Lingard has been dubbed ‘absolutely phenomenal’ in recent months (Adrian Durham, talkSPORT), we believe West Ham should move on and prioritise signing an out-and-out striker.

Moyes already has three great attacking midfield options in Vlasic, Pablo Fornals and Said Benrahma, yet no alternative to Michail Antonio up front.

This is where the Scotsman should be prioritising, not yet another Lingard attempt.

In other news: ‘Absolutely buzzing’, ‘Here we go’…West Ham fans flock to official announcement, find out more here.