In our weekly talk cock sessions, we look at the latest transfer news, gossips, and highlights that have football fans all over the world buzzing with excitement.
Zouma’s cat abuse drama
West Ham manager David Moyes is in the spotlight ahead of his side’s trip to Leicester, with the build-up overshadowed by the fallout from a video showing defender Kurt Zouma physically abusing his cat. But Moyes’ decision to play Zouma in Tuesday’s 1-0 win over Watford, just hours after a video emerged of the Frenchman kicking and slapping his pet, was seen by many as a misjudgement. West Ham have fined the 27-year-old France international “the maximum amount possible”, understood to be about £250,000 (US$340,000), but the incident has been damaging, with the London club losing sponsors. Moyes’ decision to play Zouma on Tuesday has been fiercely criticised by prominent sporting and political figures.
Mbappe replacement plan at PSG
Paris Saint-Germain could sign all three of Erling Haaland, Paul Pogba and Lucas Paqueta if Kylian Mbappe joins Real Madrid this summer. Paris Saint-Germain are planning to spend big to deal with the loss of Kylian Mbappe, reports Spanish newspaper Marca. Mbappe is expected to join Real Madrid on a free, and they will spend between 75 million and 90 million euros to secure Erling Haaland from Borussia Dortmund. They will spend another 80m on Lucas Paqueta of Lyon, and perhaps add Paul Pogba on a free. Pogba appears to have missed his chance to move to Real but a homecoming to PSG would make commercial and footballing sense. A happier player would produce his best football, Leonard would hope, but Haaland would almost certainly be a huge success, and Paqueta has impressed. At just 24, he has time to improve as well.
Tottenham look set to lose out to Newcastle to sign Botman
Spurs have been linked with the defender in recent days as they look to bolster their defence in the summer to further support Antonio Conte’s revolution at the club. However, the appeal of Conte and European football may not be enough to secure his services. The 22-year-old was targeted by Newcastle in January, with a £46m price tag being set on his head. A fee Newcastle were ultimately unwilling to match before they turned their efforts towards signing Sevilla’s Diego Carlos and then Brighton’s Dan Burn. Newcastle were taken over by a Saudi-backed Public Investment Fund earlier in the season who took a controlling 80% stake in the club along with half of the remaining 20% going to Amanda Staveley and the Reuben Brothers in an equal split. The new owners showed their commitment to Newcastle in January, bringing in five players for an outlay worth roughly £85m.
Tielemans will not be renewing with the Foxes
His contract at Leicester is running out in the summer of 2023, meaning he will have just 12 months left on his contract this summer. Tielemans has made his contract decision at Leicester, and will not be renewing with the Foxes. This has opened the door for the likes of Manchester United or Arsenal to make a move in the summer. Both clubs are in need of centre midfielders. Arsenal need him to improve the options present in The Gunners midfield, with only Thomas Partey really being of any genuine top four quality. Manchester United’s reasons are a bit more pressing. A complete overhaul of the centre midfield is needed, and with the likes of Paul Pogba likely to be on the way out this summer, potentially along with Nemanja Matic if they can find a suitor for him, United will need some new recruits who can also improve the current starting crop. Leicester will be hoping they can fetch something in the region of his current market value (£49.5m), and the interested clubs should be tempted considering the 24-year-olds quality.
De Gea’s theory on Man Utd’s trophy drought
Since Ralf Rangnick has taken over, he’s presided over an early FA Cup upset against Middlesbrough at Old Trafford, and unless United win the Premier League or the Champions League, both of which are unlikely, it will be another season without trophies. Goalkeeper, David de Gea, has a strange belief as to why that may be. The custodian believes that the Red Devils are cursed. Many will argue it’s simply because the team aren’t good enough or decisive enough in the big moments. The Spaniard has been with the club long enough now to note that the make up of the side isn’t quite as good as it was a few years ago. To suggest some sort of hoodoo is involved is a little odd to say the least.
Barcelona interested to sign Meslier from Leeds
Currently 15th in the table and just six points above relegation, Marcelo Bielsa and his Leeds United side have it all to do to remain in the English top-flight. After breezing into the Premier League last season, the Elland Road outfit were like a breath of fresh air. No matter the opposition, the Argentinian wouldn’t appear to tailor his tactics to suit. Whether they’re sent down or not, Barcelona are circling for one of their best players, and if they firm up their interest, it’s hard to imagine the player staying on in Yorkshire. The Catalans are looking at a high-quality back-up for their first-choice goalkeeper, Marc-Andre ter Stegen. Neto clearly hasn’t been close to achieving a regular first-team berth unless the German is injured.
