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Newcastle United are reportedly now ‘exploring’ the possibility of signing Nicolas Tagliafico once the January transfer window opens in just a couple of days.

The Lowdown: Defenders needed

With no fewer than 42 goals conceded in the Premier League so far this term, the most along with bottom-of-the-table Norwich City, it is clear that the defence needs strengthening at St. James’ Park.

Kieran Trippier and Sven Botman have both already been strongly linked with a move to the North East, and so it seems as if the Tyneside outfit are looking at bringing in a new right-back and a central defender, as well as potentially a left-back in Tagliafico.

The Latest: Tagliafico move explored

As per journalist Matteo Moretto, who works for Sky Sports in Italy, both the Magpies and Chelsea are ‘exploring’ the potential signing of Tagliafico next month.

However, there currently have not been any club-to-club contacts as of yet between Ajax and the Toon.

Chelsea may be a serious competitor too, given their injuries in the full-back department, as Reece James joined Ben Chilwell on the treatment table this week.

The Verdict: Sign

Described as a ‘big-name’ player by former top-flight full-back Alan Hutton back in April, Tagliafico is certainly someone who would elevate the quality in Eddie Howe’s squad, at least offensively.

He is currently averaging more shots, dribbles and a higher pass accuracy than both Jamal Lewis and Matt Ritchie in their respective domestic leagues so far this campaign, and has a goal in the Eredivisie despite seven of his appearances coming from the bench (WhoScored).

The Argentina international has also played in the UEFA Champions League no fewer than 24 times, including twice this season (Transfermarkt), showing that he is more than capable of playing at the highest level, and could well make a big difference in NUFC being relegated down to the Championship or staying up.

In other news, find out which 149-goal poacher Newcastle are now targeting here!

Leeds United enjoyed a fine first season back in the top-flight last term as Marcelo Bielsa guided the side to a top-half finish in the Premier League.

They have not found it as simple this time around, however, as they sit 16th and five points off relegation with 18 matches played, although that gap could shorten with Watford and Burnley both having games in-hand over them.

Their struggles could lead to Bielsa looking to improve his squad in the January transfer window and one player who has been touted with a switch to Elland Road is Huddersfield gladiator Lewis O’Brien. Journalist Pete O’Rourke has claimed that he would be interested in the move, telling GIVEMESPORT:

“He signed a new contract at Huddersfield but I’m sure if the opportunity came to go to Leeds, it would be something that he would jump at.”

Bye-bye Klich?

By signing the English battler, Bielsa can finally axe Polish international Mateusz Klich.

The £34k-per-week Leeds dud has struggled badly this season and the arrival of another player in his position could lead to him either leaving the club or being a regular on the bench instead of starting matches.

He has started 10 Premier League games this season and averaged a dismal WhoScored rating of 6.37, ranking him 15th in the squad. This shows that he is consistently delivering sub-par performances for Bielsa and that is why he must be axed from the team and replaced by O’Brien in January.

The Huddersfield man has caught the eye in the second tier with a string of fine displays. He has averaged a WhoScored rating of 7.01, whilst making 3.7 tackles and interceptions per game – showing that he will fight hard for the team in midfield.

Terriers boss Carlos Corberan previously hailed the gladiator, saying:

“He’s an example of the players we have as a club. We want our academy players to have an impact on the first team.

“(Head of football operations) Leigh Bromby is very focused on the academy and we want to develop the young players because we know how important they are going to be for this club and to see how O’Brien works every single day, how he competes every time is very good.

“He can play well or he can play badly but it is very difficult to find a game where O’Brien doesn’t compete well. Sometimes how you play can depend on the opponent, the shape, the structure, your team-mates, but how you compete is down to you.”

He reportedly has a £10m release clause in his contract with the Championship side and Victor Orta must now activate it to bring him to the Premier League next month. The Lillywhites must snap him up and offer him the chance to displace Klich, who needs to be axed by Bielsa.

AND in other news, Leeds could sell “shocking” Christiansen flop by signing “wonderful” £9m-rated star…

Leeds United have been linked with a move for Boubacar Kamara this month and he’d be a magnificent, and much-needed, addition to Marcelo Bielsa’s engine room.

According to the Daily Mail, the Marseille star is a player that the Yorkshire giants like, whilst podcaster Conor McGilligan has claimed that the young powerhouse is very attainable.

“Aside from wages, it looks like Leeds United might be able to get this deal done for a very good price. He’s out of contract in the summer, but there would be a whole host of suitors in the summer. But in January, Leeds could get that one done,” he said (via YouTube).

The addition of a new midfielder is perhaps one of the biggest priorities for the Whites’ recruitment team during the January transfer window – just last month, The Athletic’s Phil Hay said:

“As for recruitment, I said last week that some business in January would make sense. It doesn’t have to be [a] huge amount or hideously expensive but it’s been pretty comprehensively shown, for example, that without [Patrick] Bamford it’s not clear who should be at nine. And they do need another [in] midfield. That’s blindingly obvious.”

Since then, Bielsa has suffered from a devastating setback in losing anchorman Kalvin Phillips for the foreseeable future, so the need to bolster the heart of the pitch has increased tenfold.

Some of the Argentine’s longest-serving players have criminally let him down, too, such as Mateusz Klich, who has looked a little out of his depth in the Premier League this season.

WhoScored rank him as United’s second lowest-rated central option, which only highlights how poor he has been. During Bielsa’s first two seasons at the club, the Polish international had missed only one game, so it’s rather telling.

Kamara would be a serious upgrade on the 31-year-old, especially as he has experience in some of Europe’s biggest competitions.

Valued at £22.5m by Transfermarkt, the France U21 international is an absolute beast in midfield. He has already racked up over 110 appearances in Ligue 1 and has featured 21 times across the Champions and Europa League. This is a calibre of player that is perhaps lacking from Bielsa’s engine room.

He has earned glowing reviews on his ability and potential in the past, including a particularly exciting one from ex-Marseille teammate Rolando.

“This kid is a phenomenon,” he claimed. “When he started training with us, he was 15 years old. And from day one, I said, no, but this little one is going to be a great player.”

Since making his debut for Marseille, Kamara has averaged a whopping 2.3 tackles, 1.3 interceptions and 1.8 aerial duels won per game, via WhoScored, which suggests he’s a very strong physical presence and with Klich failing to match these numbers since Leeds’ promotion, it would be wise for Victor Orta and co to try and secure him this month.

For a reported £10m asking price, the Spanish director of football could land quite the bargain upgrade, should he push ahead with their interest before Deadline Day.

AND in other news, Leeds eye record-breaking swoop for 6 ft 1 “extraordinary talent”, Bielsa needs him…

West Ham United goalkeeper Lukasz Fabianski looks set to sign a new contract at the London Stadium.

What’s the talk?

That’s according to a report by The Sun, who claim that the 34-year-old goalkeeper is set to be rewarded for his fine form over the past four seasons with a new one-year deal in East London, which will see the shot-stopper remain with West Ham until the summer of 2023.

The report goes on to mention the fact that the former Poland international’s current contract is set to expire at the end of the current campaign, however, an agreement between David Moyes’ side and the player regarding an extension is expected to be reached in the coming days.

Moyes will be delighted

Considering just how important a part of the West Ham side Fabianski has become since his £7m move from Swansea City back in 2018, the news that the goalkeeper looks set to remain a fixture of Moyes’ first-team squad beyond the end of the current campaign is sure to have left the 58-year-old manager delighted.

Indeed, the £900k-rated man has continually been a rock between the West Ham sticks over his three and a half years in East London, earning seasonal SofaScore ratings of 6.94, 6.76 and 6.84 in 2018/19, 2019/20 and 2020/21 respectively, as well as averaging a SofaScore match rating of 6.90 over his 21 Premier League appearances in the current campaign.

The £65k-per-week ‘keeper has also kept 31 clean sheets over his 123 appearances in all competitions for the Hammers, a rather impressive feat considering the club’s turbulent period prior to Moyes’ return to the London Stadium in December of 2020.

As such, the news that the shot-stopper is set to put pen to paper on a new deal with the Irons is undoubtedly positive for everyone involved with the club, as, despite his advancing years, Fabianski has demonstrated this season that he still has much to offer at the very top level of the English game.

In other news: Big twist emerges on £42k-p/w ace after ExWHUemployee claim, WHU fans will be fuming

A number of Liverpool supporters are excited after journalist James Pearce claimed that four key players would be available for the Reds’ next Premier League game.

Jurgen Klopp’s men picked up a victory on Sunday afternoon, battling their way to a 3-1 triumph away to Crystal Palace.

The Merseysiders weren’t always at their best at Selhurst Park but they dug deep and ensured that they made up two points on Manchester City over the weekend. The result leaves them nine points adrift of the leaders, but with one game in hand at home to 15th-placed Leeds.

[freshpress-quiz id=“375258″]

Liverpool have done well in the absence of Mohamed Salah, Sadio Mane and Naby Keita in January, winning each of their league games and reaching the Carabao Cup final, and the trio will return for the Reds next month after their involvement at the Africa Cup of Nations.

According to The Athletic’s Pearce [via Anfield Watch on Twitter], all three players – as well as Thiago back from injury – should be available for the next Premier League game at home to Leicester on February 10th, acting as a major boost when the Reds’ top-flight campaign resumes.

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Liverpool fans hail Pearce update

These Liverpool fans reacted to the update in positive fashion on Twitter, which is no surprise given that the quartet have 38 goals between them already this season.

“HERE WE COME”

Credit: @Alex_AMS96

“So glad that at the end of the day, we didn’t miss them for the games we played in their absence. Their return would be a big boost to the team”

Credit: @Drgroundzero17

“City we are coming for you”

Credit: @sean3648

“Liverpool PRIME is back!”

Credit: @fcel17

“Good news”

Credit: @iraguhajackson2

“THEY AIN’T READY FOR THE SMOKE BLUD”

Credit: @shush29344954

In other news, some Liverpool fans are fuming over one transfer update. Read more here.

Taking to Twitter, reliable BBC reporter Simon Stone has made a West Ham United transfer claim involving long-time target and Manchester United midfielder Jesse Lingard.

The Lowdown: West Ham eye top target…

It is no secret that manager David Moyes has been wanting to bring the England international back to London after his impressive 2020/21 loan spell at the Hammers.

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Reliable sources like ExWHUemployee and Jack Rosser of The Evening Standard have both stated that Lingard remains a target for West Ham as transfer chief Rob Newman aims to bolster Moyes’ options before transfer deadline day.

The 29-year-old has also attracted interest from the likes of Newcastle United and Tottenham Hotspur after he refused to pen a new deal at Old Trafford.

As a result, Lingard will leave as a free agent later this year, with the Hammers apparently keen to sway Man United into doing some mid-season business.

The Latest: BBC reporter makes Lingard offer claim…

Taking to Twitter, BBC journalist Stone has shared news on West Ham’s attempts at a January move whilst lifting the lid on a bid from Moyes’ side.

According to his sources, the Irons have made a ‘loan offer’ to sign Lingard from Man United, but it was swiftly turned down by the Red Devils. This is apparently due to the fact that Ralf Rangnick’s side view the east Londoners as a direct top-four challenger and are duly refusing to do business.

The Verdict: Blow for Moyes…

Tipped as one of West Ham’s top transfer targets, it remains to be seen whether the club try again to sign Lingard, with his current club reluctant to enter talks.

He certainly comes with merit, as Premier League legend Rio Ferdinand called the 29-year-old ‘amazing’ following his impact at West Ham over the second half of last season (FIVE). Even Man United believe that Lingard is a ‘£50m’ player according to Guardian correspondent Jamie Jackson (Twitter), highlighting just how much they rate the playmaker.

If they continue to rebuff attempts like this one, Newman and co have no time to waste, so then they simply must move on to other targets or even potential alternatives.

A striker and centre-half are arguably still needed at Rush Green, and Moyes has precious little time remaining to strike an agreement before the transfer deadline on Monday.

We believe that a striker should definitely be made a priority, especially considering West Ham’s potentially congested fixture calendar, their lack of options on this front and Michail Antonio’s concerning injury history.

In other news: West Ham set for talks as they chase eleventh hour agreement for ‘quality’ 25 y/o, find out more here.

Backing big transfer news out of Tottenham Hotspur, Alasdair Gold has shared some news on Twitter involving Juventus forward Dejan Kulusevski.

The Lowdown: Spurs ‘hit the panic button’…

After missing out on two targets in less than a week with both winger Adama Traore and forward Luis Diaz now looking off the table, Spurs and transfer chief Fabio Paratici are set for a pivotal last few days of the winter window.

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There has even been talk from sources of Spurs hitting the ‘panic button’ in north London with a ‘massive’ last hurdle approaching and ‘fears’ that manager Antonio Conte could walk (Telegraph reporter Matt Law).

Tottenham look set to be busy behind-the-scenes as they attempt to orchestrate both incomings an outgoings before Monday’s deadline, with midfielders Tanguy Ndombele and Dele Alli also still unable to seal moves away despite a willingness to let them leave.

Sharing more news out of N17, backing a claim from The Athletic and journalist David Ornstein, football.london correspondent Gold has dropped his own update on Twitter.

The Latest: Gold shares Kulusevski news…

As relayed by the reliable reporter, Tottenham and Paratici have now entered last minute talks for Sweden international Kulusevski.

Spurs’ managing director apparently has ‘high hopes’ for the 21-year-old personally as he turns to potentially signing the former Parma star as a Diaz alternative.

“Fabio Paratici is in talks for another name on his list in Dejan Kulusevski after the Diaz disappointment,” Gold explained on Twitter.

“He has high hopes for the versatile 21-year-old Swede even if he’s not the statement signing the Colombian was.”

The Verdict: Boom or bust?

The Scandinavian rising star will be a name familiar to most Spurs supporters given their club have long been linked with a move.

TUTTOmercatoWEB even claimed before the new year that both Paratici and Conte see Juve’s attacker as a ‘gem’ who possesses huge potential – thereby prompting the Italian duo to add Kulusevski to their list of transfer targets.

Gold reiterates that Spurs are looking to secure a loan deal with the option to make his move permanent, and if Juve green-light those conditions, Kulusevski could actually come as a shrewd purchase.

Over his best Serie A season for ex-club Parma in 2019/2020, the winger averaged a brilliant 2.2 key passes per 90 – a number exceeding that of any Spurs player in the Premier League this campaign (WhoScored).

He’s also highly versatile, able to play on the wing, further forward or even as an advanced playmaker – plugging many holes in Conte’s side.

Lauded as an ‘athletic phenomenon’ by football talent scout Jacek Kulig, Kulusevski comes with bags of potential and it could be very interesting to see how he fares in England if Tottenham can seal an agreement.

In other news: Spurs now also preparing marquee eleventh hour bid to sign ‘special’ forward for Conte, find out more here.

Fabrizio Romano has now revealed some significant Everton transfer news involving Donny van de Beek.

The Lowdown: van de Beek signs

The Goodison Park faithful confirmed the signing of van de Beek on loan from Manchester United on Transfer Deadline Day, in where they also signed Dele Alli on a permanent deal from Tottenham Hotspur.

They also confirmed the appointment of Frank Lampard as their new manager, in what was a very exciting day indeed for fans of the Merseyside club.

The Latest: No buy option

As per Italian football journalist and transfer expert Romano, the Toffees were ‘trying’ to insert a buy option when they loaned in van de Beek on deadline day, but Man Utd did not want one:

“Everton were trying to include a buy option clause – Man United said no way.”

The Verdict: Shame

It is a shame that the Toffees could not get a buy option for van de Beek, as he is certainly a player that can help them not just this season, but in the future as well.

There is no doubt that the Netherlands international has talent despite his poor spell at United, as he showed on many occasions at Ajax, scoring no fewer than 41 goals and making a further 34 assists in 175 games in total over all competitions from the middle of the park (Transfermarkt).

However, he has simply not been utilised enough at Old Trafford, and so the Red Devils have not seen what he is capable of.

Nonetheless, a buy option would have ideal for the Blues, and should van de Beek perform well from now until the end of the campaign, perhaps that is something they will look to revisit in the summer.

In other news, find out who EFC have held talks with over a coaching role here!

Rangers have had a number of success stories in recent years in the transfer window as they have brought some terrific talent to Ibrox.

The likes of Alfredo Morelos, Ryan Kent, Joe Aribo and Glen Kamara are all first-team stars who were signed from elsewhere to improve the squad and played pivotal roles in securing the Premiership title last season.

Unfortunately, some players simply do not make the grade in Glasgow. Not every transfer is a success and some fall by the wayside instead of becoming a star like Kent.

Not good enough

One player who falls into the unfortunate category is striker Cedric Itten. Based on the evidence of his Gers career so far, the £10k-a-week earning ace is not good enough for Rangers and Van Bronckhorst must finally wield his axe in the summer – allowing him to leave on a permanent basis.

The Dutch head coach recalled him from his loan spell with Greuther Furth in January and claimed that he offered something “different” at the top end of the pitch. However, the biggest difference between him and Morelos is their respective quality in the final third.

In the Premiership this season, Itten has zero goals and zero assists in four appearances, whilst he has also lost a whopping 73% of his individual duels. This suggests that he is a lightweight off the ball who also offers no cutting edge. His Colombian teammate, meanwhile, has 11 goals and five assists in 20 starts as he has hit a rich vein of form this term.

Itten was given the nod to start against Livingston and Ross County but failed to contribute directly to a goal in either match. Van Bronckhorst handed him a huge opportunity to show that he is a viable option for the Gers in the Premiership as an alternative to Morelos but the drop-off in quality, as shown by the statistics, is far too steep.

This came after his previous spell in the side under Steven Gerrard where he scored four goals in 30 Premiership outings. He is simply not at the level Rangers require their first-team strikers to be and he must be sold at the end of the campaign. The club must cash in on him ahead of next season and look to bring in a replacement who could put more pressure on El Bufalo throughout the campaign or at least do a respectable job when filling in for him at times.

AND in other news, Big flop: £3.1k-p/w Rangers lightweight has been draining Wilson’s budget for 54 weeks…

Newcastle would make a ‘huge statement’ to the rest of the Premier League by signing Kalvin Phillips, Pete O’Rourke has told GiveMeSport. 

The lowdown

A report from 90min last week revealed that the Magpies were one of the clubs ‘keeping a close eye’ on the midfielder’s situation at Leeds, along with Manchester United, Liverpool, Arsenal and Chelsea.

Leeds apparently held talks with Phillips’ representatives about a new contract in 2021 but failed to agree terms, and conversations have yet to resume.

The England international, who last signed a new deal in 2019, is under contract for another two-and-a-half years, and Transfermarkt value the 26-year-old at £36m.

The latest

O’Rourke has said the credentials that Phillips possesses would make him a blockbuster signing for Newcastle.

The journalist told GiveMeSport: “Signing somebody like a Kalvin Phillips, an England international, a top Premier League player, would be a huge statement from Newcastle.”

The verdict

This would be a doubly significant signing for Eddie Howe’s side. Not only would they fend off competition from some of Europe’s biggest clubs, they would be getting their hands on a top-drawer midfielder in Phillips.

The 26-year-old demonstrated his class at last summer’s European Championship, starting every game as England made it all the way to the final. The Guardian included him in their official team of the tournament alongside Pedri and Jorginho in midfield.

Phillips has been nicknamed ‘The Yorkshire Pirlo’ and the Italian legend himself has described the Leeds player as a ‘rock’ in midfield. That’s quite a reference to have on your CV, and he would be quite a player for Newcastle to add to their squad.

As O’Rourke says, it would represent a significant statement if the Magpies were to sign such a highly-regarded player from a team who are close to them in the Premier League table.

In other news, Newcastle will soon ‘be calling’ about this potential deal