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West Ham United have opened talks concerning a deal to bring Patrik Schick to the London Stadium in the January transfer window.

What’s the talk?

That’s according to a report by Italian media outlet Calcio Mercato (via London World), who claim that David Moyes’ side have entered into negotiations with Bayer Leverkusen regarding a £40m deal for the 25-year-old centre-forward.

The report goes on to state that the 58-year-old manager is keen to bring in attacking reinforcements into his side this month, as, since the sale of Sebastien Haller to Ajax in January last year, the Scot has had to make do with only Michail Antonio as an out and out centre-forward.

Moyes can finally replace Haller

Considering just how impressive Schick has been in Germany so far this season, in addition to the fact that the 6 foot 3 Czech international resembles the 6 foot 2 Haller in physical stature, should Moyes be able to get a deal over the line for the Leverkusen striker this month, he could well have finally replaced the Ivory Coast international at the London Stadium.

Indeed, over his 16 Bundesliga appearances in the current campaign, the £36m-rated man has been in devastating form, having already bagged an astonishing 18 goals, provided one assist and created one big chance for his teammates, as well as taking an average of 3.6 shots and making 0.6 key passes per game.

These returns have seen the £82k-per-week hitman who Bayer manager Gerardo Seoane dubbed an “incredible” talent average a quite remarkable SofaScore match rating of 7.33, ranking him as the ninth-best performer in the top flight of German football.

As such, should Schick be able to replicate this level of form following a potential switch to East London this winter, the 25-year-old would not only fill the Haller shaped hole in Moyes’ West Ham squad, but he could well go on to take Antonio’s starting spot leading the Irons’ attack.

In other news: Moyes must now launch WHU bid for £46k-p/w “phenomenon” as key transfer twist emerges

West Ham sealed their place in the Europa League knockout stage after a 2-2 draw with Genk on Thursday evening, and the Irons’ electric midfield dynamo Said Benrahma absolutely ran the show in Belgium.

In what was David Moyes’ 1,000th game in management, the Algerian winger bagged himself a brace and was far more deserving of just the solitary point in return.

The 26-year-old pulled a goal back after the Hammers went behind inside four minutes, meeting Vladimir Coufal’s pull-back just before the hour mark, and he then gave the east Londoners the lead with a sublime solo effort eight minutes from time.

That appeared to be enough for victory until, five minutes later, Tomas Soucek unfortunately turned the ball in past his own goalkeeper, Alphonse Areola.

Despite losing their 100% win and clean sheet record, there was one major positive for West Ham and that was Benrahma, who arguably had his best-ever performance in claret and blue.

As per SofaScore, he led the way with a 9.5 rating, which was beyond clear of the next best, Aaron Cresswell with 7.6.

On top of scoring two goals, the £22.5m-rated wizard was always on the ball looking to create things as he registered three key passes and a whopping seven successful dribbles, via SofaScore, whilst he also fired off a total of five shots, so he could’ve had more goals to his name on another night.

Elsewhere, Benrahma was productive in his work rate and defensive duties, registering two tackles and winning a total of 12 duels, as well as achieving a 93% passing accuracy, further emphasising how much of an influence he had on the game for Moyes.

[snack-amp-story url= “https://www.footballfancast.com/web-stories/read-the-latest-west-ham-news-transfer-rumours-the-latest-gossip-and-much-much-more-3” title= “Read the latest West Ham news, transfer rumours, gossip and much more!”]

Only Cresswell (82 touches) and Declan Rice (81) saw the ball more than the Algerian wide man (68) on the night.

“Tonight at times he was unplayable,” claimed former West Ham midfielder Joe Cole after full-time on BT Sport (Thursday November 4th, 19:48, via Hammers News). “Fantastic, that’s how good he is, as soon as he saw the defender and squared him up, he knew he was in control of the situation. The finish was exquisite.”

What a goal his second was and what a performance. Moyes will certainly need a repeat of that at the weekend when West Ham face Liverpool in the Premier League.

It’s no wonder the 26-year-old was once dubbed a “true magician.” Benrahma stole the show at the Luminus Arena on Thursday.

AND in other news, Forget Soucek: West Ham lightweight who lost possession 21x badly let Moyes down…

Former Premier League midfielder Jamie O’Hara believes there is no chance that Manchester United will allow Jesse Lingard to return to West Ham.

The Lowdown: Lingard excels at West Ham

The Hammers enjoyed an excellent 2020/21 season and Lingard ended up being one of their star men, despite only arriving on loan in January. The midfielder scored nine goals and registered four assists in just 16 Premier League appearances, becoming an instant crowd favourite in the process.

The 28-year-old returned to United at the end of the campaign, but he has again struggled for playing time at Old Trafford, failing to start a single league game in 2021/22.

The Latest: O’Hara has his doubts

Despite rumours linking Lingard with a return to West Ham, O’Hara doesn’t see it happening for a second time.

Speaking on talkSPORT Breakfast on Monday [via Read West Ham], the 35-year-old insisted that Manchester United wouldn’t sell to the Hammers now that they are a direct rival. He said:

“As if Man United are going to allow Jesse Lingard to go to West Ham – they are above them in the table. That’s not going to happen, that’s competition.

“There is no way they are going to allow a top player, who was brilliant for West Ham when he went there. They aren’t going to allow him to go on loan there this season when they are in direct competition. That’s never going to happen.”

The Verdict: Ideal January arrival

David Moyes’ Irons are on fire at the moment, sitting third in the table and having the strongest group of players at the club in years. If Lingard were to come back in January, it would arguably feel like the icing on the cake, giving West Ham even more quality in midfield and attacking areas.

It is sad to see him getting so little game-time at Manchester United, with the 28-year-old someone who should be starting regularly for a top-flight club based off his performances at the start of 2021. He has been described as ‘brilliant’ by Red Devils boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer despite the Norwegian continually overlooking him from his team selection.

However, as O’Hara says, it would be a surprise if Lingard were to return to the London Stadium this season considering that the Hammers are in a top-four battle with Manchester United.

In other news, some West Ham fans love a recent update on a key Hammers player. Find out who it is here.

Leeds United have received a triple injury boost ahead of their Premier League clash with Brentford at Elland Road this afternoon.

What’s the word?

In Friday’s press conference, Marcelo Bielsa confirmed Patrick Bamford, Luke Ayling and Pascal Struijk will be available for selection once again over the weekend following their respective fitness woes.

“It’s likely Patrick and Luke [Ayling] will be available on Sunday. Pascal [Struijk] has a knock around his hip, but we think he’ll also be available,” Bielsa revealed to reporters during his pre-game press conference.

Marcelo Bielsa will be delighted

News that all of Bamford, Ayling and Struijk could return to the matchday squad against the Bees will leave Bielsa feeling absolutely delighted, given their importance to the first-team squad.

Leeds have a great opportunity to secure consecutive victories in the Premier League for the first time this season when they take on Thomas Franks’s newly-promoted charges over the weekend.

Raphinha’s injury-time penalty last time out snatched all three points against Crystal Palace, but their performance level still left significant room for improvement.

Therefore, Bielsa will be relieved that the returning trio will once again be at his disposal.

Last term, Bamford finished as the west Yorkshire outfit’s top scorer with a hugely impressive 17 strikes in the Premier League, while Ayling and Struijk also played a pivotal part in their success. ,

As per Whoscored, Ayling averaged 2.8 tackles per league game throughout 2020/21, bettering all of his teammates tallies, and Strujik notched up 3.1 clearances, also outperforming all of his colleagues.

With Leeds currently just three places and five points above the relegation zone having played a game more than 18th-placed Burnley, securing a positive result against Brentford could be crucial to the Whites’ season, meaning Bielsa will warmly welcome the trio’s comebacks.

And, in other news…Bielsa could repeat Gelhardt masterclass with Leeds swoop for 20 y/o “manager’s dream”

Glasgow Rangers fans have been reacting to the news that Joachim Low will leave his job as Germany manager after the Euros, which they believe could have an effect on the future of Steven Gerrard.

After 15 years with Die Mannschaft, Low will leave his post after this season’s European Championships, the DFB has confirmed. During his time in the role, he has led the side to a World Cup victory, a European Championships semi-final and two other major tournament semis.

There have been rumours in recent weeks that Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp may take over, and as such, Gerrard has been linked with the Reds job (The Mirror). The Gers have just clinched their 55th Premiership title, their first in 10 years, in dominant fashion – it would be disappointing to lose the man who has presided over that.

The fans have been reacting to this news in their droves, and they have taken to social media platform Twitter to share their thoughts, believing a chain reaction could now be set off that ends with Gerrard going back to Anfield.

Let’s see what the fans had to say about the Low news below

“Headline: Joachim Low to leave. Me: This is the end. Klopp will go to Germany, Gerrard will go to Liverpool , And we’ll end up with McInnes I genuinely live in fear of him leaving us daily”

Credit: @LeighhKirsty

“Klopp to Germany and then Gerrard to Liverpool? Don’t think I’m ready for him to leave us just yet!”

Credit: @Ryan17ward

“Maybe I’m wrong, but I honestly don’t believe SG would leave now. Even if Klopp goes, I don’t think Gerrard is one to leave unfinished business midway through a contract. He’ll end up there eventually, but I think he’ll be with us to defend the title and have a crack at the CL.”

Credit: @easyluckyfree84

“Day ruined.”

Credit: @Clark97

“There may be trouble ahead…..”

Credit: @EmpireFF

“If Gerrard is offered the Liverpool job over the Summer I would be gutted but if he chose to leave I would thank him for the job he has done for us the man is now a legend for us and the only way he could improve on that is by winning a European competition.”

Credit: @55WillCome

In other news, Rangers fans laud this key figure.

Aston Villa have shown over recent years that they are not reluctant to spend big amounts of money to bring new players to the Midlands club.

The previous summer transfer window saw the Villa Park outfit splash the cash on players such as Danny Ings, Emi Buendia and Leon Bailey.

Now that the next summer window is on the horizon, it seems as though the Villans have been mentioned with another potential big-money deal.

What’s the news?

After being mentioned with a summer transfer move for Atletico Madrid midfielder Geoffrey Kondogbia, a recent report from TEAMtalk has claimed that the player will stay with the Spanish club unless Villa come in with an above-the-market offer.

Since joining Diego Simeone’s side back in November 2020, the defensive-midfielder has gone on to make 61 appearances for the club across all competitions.

To highlight what an important figure he is for the reigning La Liga champions, no other player in their squad has been able to match the combined total of tackles and interceptions (103) that Kondogbia has racked up in the league this season.

Also, out of the ten La Liga games that the 29-year-old has missed this season, his side have only been able to keep three clean sheets, showing just how important he is for them in a defensive sense.

Gerrard’s very own Pogba?

With Villa on the hunt for a defensive midfielder back in January but failing to sign one after having a bid rejected for Yves Bissouma, it’s easy to see why the club have their eyes set on the Atletico figure.

Having previously been compared to current Premier League midfielder Paul Pogba, Kondogbia could be Steven Gerrard’s own version of the Frenchman if the club do go in with a hefty transfer bid for him this summer.

Speaking previously, Raymond Domenech told La Gazzette dello Sport: “Pogba is still the superior player at this stage….but both Kondogbia and Imbula have the potential to reach his level. Kondogbia in particular.”

Praised for his “impressive” display in the Champions League against Manchester City earlier this season by Statman Dave on Twitter, the Atletico titan could be just what Villa need to fix up their side defensively after having conceded 46 goals in 32 league games this season.

Moving forward, even if it could take a significant amount of money to get him out of the Spanish capital, launching a summer move for the £107k-per-week midfielder should be in the thinking of Villa’s hierarchy once the transfer window opens.

In other news: “Villa are…” – Insider drops exciting behind-scenes claim that’ll leave fans ecstatic

Tottenham Hotspur, for the time being, are back in Premier League action this evening and Jose Mourinho’s side are in dire need of a victory after a recent slump in form.

Last time out, the north Londoners seemed to be heading for a 1-0 victory over Wolves before Romain Saiss headed home from an 86th-minute corner.

It means Spurs have not won any of their last four outings in the top-flight, so changes should be afoot – none more so than in defence where their frailties were exposed at Molineux.

Mourinho must make the easy decision to recall Toby Alderweireld…

On the Chalkboard

There will be many clamouring for Dele Alli to start this match tonight as there was an obvious creative void behind Harry Kane and Heung-min Son, and maybe, the 24-year-old should be handed a rare opportunity.

However, the game confirmed to everyone that Davinson Sanchez is pretty much done in a Spurs shirt as he struggled to make his mark against, what was effectively, a strikerless Wolves outfit.

WhoScored graded him as their second-worst player with a 6.5 rating, which is hardly surprising as the enigma that is Pedro Neto rang rings around him all evening.

The simple solution is bringing the Belgian colossus, valued at €30m (£26.5m), back into the starting XI. It was rather baffling that he was dropped, even if it was merely a rest for these upcoming fixtures.

Alderweireld has been a crucial part of the lineup which saw impressive clean sheets against Man City, Arsenal and Chelsea in recent months. He is also recording a squad-high 5.3 interceptions and is conceding the second-fewest fouls per game, as per WhoScored.

Speaking after the City win, former PL shot-stopper Paul Robinson waxed lyrical over the 31-year-old titan to Football Insider, he said:

“I have always said that Alderweireld is the best defender at the club and he should play every week. Over the past three games, he has proved that. He is a leader on the pitch and he should start every game between now and the end of the season.”

Indeed, it’s time for the ‘Special One’ to listen to these exact words – Spurs are far weaker without him. Alli may well need to start this match for attacking purposes, but Alderweireld’s presence is far more game-changing.

He can guide them to victory should the game go ahead.

AND in other news, Jose Mourinho suffers HUGE untimely blow to his Tottenham Hotspur squad…

Tottenham Hotspur were given another timely reminder to why they should be signing Bayer Leverkusen sensation Leon Bailey this transfer window.

According to the Daily Mail, Spurs sent scouts to watch him in action for their Europa League clash against Slavia Prague.

In a quickfire first-half, the tricky winger nabbed himself a brace from three shots and recorded seven dribbles, via WhoScored.

The report also claimed that the Bundesliga outfit valued Bailey at around £36m, which is starting to look rather tempting as he’s just delivered a masterclass yet again.

Leverkusen could only draw 1-1 with Werder Bremen to keep their place among the top three in the division, but the 23-year-old graded out as their best player with a 7.4 rating, per SofaScore.

Bailey delivered four successful dribbles, two key passes and had a whopping 81 touches, proving to be the main focal point for Peter Bosz’s squad.

He also lost possession 28 times, but that is a mere consequence of his blistering pace (once clocked at a top speed of 21.4mph) and the ability to cut inside to create chances rather than take on his man to the by-line.

Although the Jamaican winger couldn’t add a goal or assist, he has managed to score nine and assist seven in all competitions this term, whilst he is averaging 2.2 shots, 1.7 dribbles and 1.4 key passes per appearance in the Bundesliga and Europa League combined, per WhoScored.

Again, the Leverkusen sensation is proving why he’d be every bit of an upgrade on struggling Spurs star Lucas Moura, who has scored just once in the Premier League since December 2019.

That’s is an abhorrent record for a player that has already only played 13 fewer times for Jose Mourinho than Mauricio Pochettino.

Moura has never managed a better average than 1.6 shots and one key pass per game in the Premier League since his £25m arrival from Paris Saint-Germain, only adding further fuel to Bailey being the far better option.

Interestingly, the Leverkusen man has been likened to one of Mourinho’s former players in Arjen Robben, so perhaps it is no surprise to see the Special One want to scout him profusely.

The explosive speed demon has been dubbed a “very rare” and “exceptional” talent by ex-Ajax coach Ronald de Boer, whilst Total Football Analysis claim he is a “nightmare for every defence.”

After another masterclass, Spurs chairman Daniel Levy must be on alert. He could hand Mourinho the perfect Moura upgrade, all for just £36m.

AND in other news, Exclusive: Gary Mabbutt blown away by THIS Spurs teenager…

Sheffield Wednesday midfielder Barry Bannan has revealed the one positive to come from the Owls’ catastrophic season.

What’s been said?

In a statement written by the Wednesday club captain following the club’s relegation to the third tier of English football, the 31-year-old looked back on the Owls’ disastrous Championship campaign, before suggesting that Darren Moore will be key to ensuring the club bounces straight back next season.

He said: “It’s been a hard few days, nobody wants to get relegated, especially a big club like this. We gave our all but we came up short, and that’s been the story of the season, to be honest. There’s no doubt about the commitment side of things, but the quality has let us down during parts of the season when we needed it.

“I think it’s a massive boost for the club to have Darren Moore as manager. If there are any positives to take from this season, he would probably be the biggest one. His staff have been unbelievable too, they’ve been one of the best sets of managers and coaches I’ve worked with. Their ideas and how they want to go about things are second to none and it’s a big positive for the club moving forward.”

Fans will be buzzing

With fans of Wednesday having to endure a miserable season following the club, the words of Bannan regarding Moore are likely to give the Hillsborough faithful some hope for the future.

Indeed, since the 47-year-old arrived at the club back on 1 March, Wednesday went on to win three, draw four and lose six of their 13 fixtures under the manager, picking up 13 points – results which left the club in 19th place in the Championship standings over this specific time frame.

This is even more impressive when taking into account that Moore was absent for a large spell of his short time at the club due to being seriously ill, with his assistant Jamie Smith leading the side in his absence.

And, with something of a clearout looking likely for Wednesday ahead of their League One campaign, as a number of players will become out of contract in the coming weeks, Moore should be afforded a considerable amount of wage budget to play with in order to help build a team in his image this summer.

This would indeed appear to be a positive step for the Owls, as, as Bannon suggests, Moore looks to have been a highly astute appointment for the club, with the manager’s ideas and obvious coaching talent giving him a great chance of being the man who can finally turn Wednesday’s fortunes around.

As such, despite the club’s disappointing 2020/21 campaign, with a squad Moore helped to shape and a full pre-season behind them, in addition to Bannan’s beliefs regarding the manager, things could start to get better very quickly at Hillsborough, something that would undoubtedly delight fans of the club.

In other news: Chansiri heading for another grave Sheffield Wednesday mistake, fans will be furious – opinion

Dean Windass has exclusively told Football FanCast that Jamie Vardy is suffering without James Maddison, but has still tipped Leicester to finish second.

Vardy has scored 14 goals in all competitions this season, but hasn’t found the net since Maddison suffered a hip problem against Aston Villa last month.

Leicester themselves have picked up just four points from their three Premier League games since winning at Villa Park, and were dumped out of the Europa League by Slavia Prague.

Their injury problems went from bad to worse when both Jonny Evans and Harvey Barnes were forced off against Arsenal earlier this month – with the latter expected to be ruled out for at least six weeks following knee surgery.

But Windass believes that Leicester, who lie in third just one point below Manchester United, will avoid a repeat of last season when they collapsed post-lockdown to finish fifth.

He told Football FanCast:

“We’re talking about Vardy, Maddison and Barnes. Two out of the three are injured. Yes, Iheanacho scored a wonderful goal against Burnley, but is he going to get you another six or seven goals? I’m not so sure. Maddison is a big miss for Vardy.

“I always had a midfield player or a winger that if they didn’t play, I didn’t get as many chances, and I think that Jamie Vardy will be thinking, ‘come on Maddo, get fit please, quickly’. Nine times out of ten, Vardy’s goals come from Maddison.

“But it’s a definite that they’ll get in the top-four, I actually think they’ll get in the top-two.”

Maddison and Vardy have struck up an excellent partnership since the former joined from Norwich almost three years ago, and as Windass says, the striker isn’t the same without Maddison behind him.

The pair have combined on a number occasions in recent years, and the quicker Maddison returns, the better Leicester’s chances are of finishing in the top-four.