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Crystal Palace are monitoring Middlesborough forward Chuba Akpom ahead of a potential move, according to The Daily Mail.

The Lowdown: Fine form

Akpom, sponsored by Nike, has been on the books at the Riverside Stadium since 2020 and has made 60 appearances for the Championship side.

He has been enjoying one of his best seasons in front of goal in the second tier, netting 13 times in 19 appearances – more than any other player in the league.

The former Arsenal forward now has 59 senior career goals to his name and is out of contract in the summer, and it looks as if Steve Parish and Dougie Freedman could be interested in a move.

The Latest: Palace interest

The Daily Mail shared a story on Monday regarding Akpom and a possible January transfer, with the player now in-demand.

They said that Palace, along with Premier League rivals Everton and Southampton, are monitoring the 27-year-old following his impressive displays under Michael Carrick.

The Verdict: New forward needed?

Palace are currently the lowest scorers in the top 15 sides in the Premier League, scoring just 17 times in 16 games. Wilfried Zaha is the only player to score more than five goals, however, his future is up in the air with his Selhurst Park contract set to expire in the summer.

Therefore, bringing in a new forward for Patrick Vieira this month could be a wise idea, and someone like Akpom could be a name to watch.

Chelsea have recently been dealt a rather detrimental transfer blow, with touted winter target Enzo Fernandez looking increasingly likely to remain at Benfica for the remainder of the season following a stumble in negotiations.

With the deal going astray, Blues manager Graham Potter might be inclined to turn his head and reassess previous targets, with Southampton’s Romeo Lavia one such prospect who could emerge from the situation in Chelsea colours.

Transfer guru Fabrizio Romano confirmed in September that the Blues had attempted to bring the Belgian starlet to Stamford Bridge in the summer by offering £50m, despite the Saints having signed him from Manchester City just a couple of months prior.

Any audacious efforts to ensnare their target were indeed rebuffed by the south coast club, but Chelsea’s intrigue in the player’s services has stretched into the winter months, and a move might just be forthcoming following the recent developments in the Fernandez transfer saga.

Conversing with talkSPORT, Alex Crook stated that he believes Chelsea could return for previous targets now that the Fernandez deal is fading, and Lavia could be at the centre of the forthcoming attention.

Crook said: “For Chelsea it’s back to the drawing board. I do have a potential alternative target as it’s pretty clear they’re looking to strengthen that midfield area.

“Romeo Lavia was a player at Southampton they came in for late in the last transfer window despite the fact Southampton only signed him last summer.

“I was told yesterday that interest could well be reignited. Southampton on their part would be loathed to sell Lavia, but certainly keep your eye on Chelsea potentially testing their resolve with a big-money bid.”

The 19-year-old has made ten appearances for the Saints since arriving in the summer in a £14m move from City, scoring one goal – ironically against Chelsea – and captivating supporters with his maturity and confidence from the middle of the park.

As per Sofascore, he has recorded an impressive rating of 6.81 in the Premier League despite his tender age and inexperience within professional competitive football and has completed 88% of his passes, also making 1.7 tackles and 1.4 interceptions per game.

Southampton correspondent Alfie House has waxed lyrical about Lavia, calling him a player who “sets the tempo”; and with Chelsea in dire need of midfield reinforcements, sitting tenth in the league table and with established central figures N’Golo Kante and Jorginho both set to depart when their current deals expire at the end of the term, Potter can quickly move on from Fernandez by pouncing for the Belgian teenager instead.

Manchester United could well turn to Benfica sensation Goncalo Ramos as a potential centre-forward option this summer, with manager Erik ten Hag seemingly seeking a long-term fit in that role despite the latest interest in Wout Weghorst.

What’s the word?

According to journalist Samuel Luckhurst – speaking in a Q&A for Manchester Evening News – the 21-year-old is said to be a player that the United boss “does like”, with any move for the Portugal international said to be more “attainable” than pursuing other targets, such as Napoli’s Victor Osimhen and England captain, Harry Kane.

Asked about potentially moving for that latter duo, Luckhurst stated: “Both are of interest to United. United are certainly not going to come out and say ‘we’re not signing Harry Kane’. That would be ill-advised.

“They could be outpriced for both of those strikers. Ten Hag does like Benfica’s Goncalo Ramos and Mohammed Kudus at Ajax. They are both more attainable.”

As mentioned above, the Red Devils appear to be intent on signing the aforementioned Weghorst on a loan deal until the end of the season, albeit with that move likely to merely help ‘bridge a gap’ before a more permanent recruit can be secured over the summer, as per ESPN.

This follows a previous report from The Athletic’s Andy Mitten that named Ramos as a player on the Old Trafford outfit’s wishlist, albeit with the in-form marksman having a release clause of around €120m (£106m).

Man United’s own Nunez

United could well follow their Premier League rivals Liverpool in snapping up a striker from the Lisbon outfit, with the Merseysiders having forked out £85m to bring Uruguayan hotshot Darwin Nunez to Anfield over the summer.

Despite some potentially expected teething problems – with the 23-year-old having already missed 15 big chances in the top-flight this season – the 6 foot 2 speedster is beginning to make his mark under Jurgen Klopp, having bagged ten goals and three assists in 23 appearances for the club to date.

The Reds are beginning to reap the rewards of having splashed the cash on a player who was rather inexperienced at first-team level prior to the switch, with the 2021/22 campaign having been a real breakthrough season as the former Penarol man netted 34 goals in just 41 games across all fronts.

That should well prove encouraging if Ten Hag and co do turn to Nunez’s former striker partner, Ramos, with the “remarkable” talent – as lauded by pundit Gary Lineker – currently blossoming in what is his first, standout season at the Estadio da Luz.

Although the 6 foot 1 starlet did score eight goals across all fronts last term alongside Nunez, he has since stepped out of his ex-teammate’s shadow to truly steal the limelight this time around, having already scored 15 goals and provided seven assists in just 24 games this term.

Not only a clinical figure at club level, Ramos has also scored four times in just five appearances for his country at senior level – including a hat-trick in the World Cup triumph over Switzerland – after previously netted 14 goals in 18 games for Portugal’s U21 side.

A player who appears to have a golden touch in front of goal, the Olhao-born machine could well be the long-term fit that those at the Theatre of Dreams have been craving to lead the line in recent times.

While any move may require a period of adaptation – as has been shown with Nunez – Ramos certainly looks like a talent who could spearhead Ten Hag’s attack for years to come.

Aston Villa appear to be keen on signing Olympique Lyon forward Moussa Dembele, potentially during the January transfer window.

The Lowdown: Ings exit…

It looks as if Unai Emery is set to lose Danny Ings this month, with the Englishman seemingly on his way to West Ham in a deal worth £15m.

That will leave Ollie Watkins as the only recognised senior centre-forward available to Emery, although the club have reached an agreement to sign teenage forward Jhon Duran, and it looks as if another attacking addition could be on the cards.

The Latest: Dembele links

Foot Mercato shared a story on Thursday afternoon, claiming that Villa are thinking of moving for Dembele due to Ings’ pending exit.

The report states a January move hasn’t been ruled out, although Villa are ideally keen on a summer move where the French forward could become a free agent.

The Verdict: One to watch?

It’ll be interesting to see if Villa look to sign another forward or if Emery is happy with Watkins and Duran for the second half of the campaign, especially with the manager tending to go with a 4-4-2 system in the Midlands.

Dembele, sponsored by Adidas, has plenty of experience for the likes of Fulham, Celtic and Lyon, scoring 139 senior goals during his career and is an out-and-out centre-forward.

He is now 26 years of age and was once described as ‘the new Didier Drogba’ by talent scout Jacek Kulig, so a cut-price move now or free transfer in the summer could be a smart one by Villa, making it one to watch in 2023.

The Athletic’s Greg O’Keeffe believes that Everton appointing Marcelo Bielsa would only end in tears.

The Lowdown: Hunt for a new manager is now on

After inevitably sacking Frank Lampard following a shocking run of just one win in their last 14 games across all competitions, Everton are now in the thick of an important search for a new manager.

The early reports have suggested that Bielsa is seen as the preferred candidate for Farhad Moshiri, although that will likely be met with trepidation given some of the managers he’s hired in the past.

Bielsa has now been out of a job for just under a year after he was sacked by Leeds United after suffering a series of heavy defeats in the Premier League himself, but he is now said to be open to the idea of joining the Toffees.

The Latest: Bielsa not everyone’s favourite

Despite what he did with Leeds in getting them promoted and securing a ninth-place finish in the 2020/21 Premier League season, O’Keeffe has issued caution over his potential appointment while speaking on the All Together Now podcast.

He said: “Marcelo Bielsa does not strike me as a character who would be happy with the amount of interference at various levels at Everton that Frank Lampard had to deal with.

“So, for me, it’s one that is probably not a good fit, and if I’m being ultra-pessimistic, I could even see it ending in tears with him walking away after a short while.”

The Verdict: Moshiri must get this appointment right

If Moshiri has his heart set on Bielsa, Evertonians could be set for a rollercoaster because of the intense demands the former Leeds boss puts on his players, as was highlighted during his time at Elland Road.

However, given how poorly things ended at Leeds, many may well question if he’s the right man to bring in for a relegation scrap, or whether Everton need someone such as Sean Dyche, who has more proven experience at the bottom of the league.

One more wrong appointment could indeed be the final nail in the coffin for Everton and seal their fate, which would mean relegation into the Championship and knocking off some of the value in the club – something that would be a blow for Moshiri as he looks to sell up.

Arsenal have reportedly agreed a £13.1m deal with Real Valladolid to sign right-back Ivan Fresneda, who is set to choose between the Gunners and Borussia Dortmund today.

The Lowdown: Arsenal’s pursuit of Fresneda

It was recently reported by Fabrizio Romano that Arsenal had started talks with Fresneda’s agent about a move to the Emirates Stadium, and they now appear to have taken that interest one step further by lodging an official bid for the 18-year-old.

In doing so, Mikel Arteta’s side have moved ahead of a whole host of other Premier League clubs in the race for the youngster’s signature, with the likes of Tottenham Hotspur, Chelsea and Newcastle all previously being named as potential suitors.

The Latest: Deal agreed…

According to The Athletic reporter Guillermo Rai on Monday morning, Arsenal have struck a £13.1m agreement of terms with Valladolid for the Spaniard. However, Dortmund have also tabled the same offer, and the 18-year-old is set to decide between the two clubs at some point today.

Regardless of whichever club he chooses, he is set to be loaned back to Valladolid for the rest of the season in order to continue his development.

The Verdict: Fantastic news

Given that Arsenal are currently top of the Premier League table, five points clear of Manchester City, a move to the Emirates must be an attractive proposition for the right-back, who has already shown that he is a fantastic prospect.

Matt Clark of the La Liga Lowdown has hailed the teenager as ‘remarkably complete’ with a ‘coveted combination of physicality and technical ability’, adding that he is ‘strong in the tackle’. That attribute is indicated by an average of 3.39 tackles per 90 in the past year, placing in the 98th percentile compared to other right-backs in Europe’s top five leagues.

With Ben White making the right-back spot his own this season, featuring 23 times in that area of the pitch, Arteta does not badly need a new option at present. That is why it would be a smart move to allow Fresneda to continue his development with Valladolid, where he has been able to make consistent first-team appearances.

Sky Sports reporter Dharmesh Sheth has claimed that it’s unlikely West Ham United will sign any more players in the January transfer window.

The Lowdown: Two new signings

David Moyes has brought in two new additions this month in the form of Brazilian defender Luizao and Danny Ings from fellow Premier League side Aston Villa.

Ings sustained an injury not long after his arrival in east London, but Moyes said recently that the forward won’t miss many games.

The Irons boss also said that he was not looking to sell Michail Antonio this month, following reports claiming that Wolves were interested in the player.

The Latest: No more signings

Sheth claimed that West Ham won’t be signing any more players in January when speaking to GiveMeSport, but that could change if someone becomes available.

He stated, “I just can’t see how West Ham would consider that just now. Funnier things have happened; if a player suddenly becomes available and they think we can bring him in, we can allow Antonio to go; we know Ings and Scamacca are coming back, then maybe,

“But there’s so little time now to be able to do a couple of deals of that magnitude that it looks like that West Ham are going to carry on with the squad that they’ve got.”

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The Verdict: Depth still needed

We believe that West Ham are in need of new recruits late on in January, as they simply haven’t improved all the areas of their squad.

Former Hammers star Frank McAvennie was baffled that Moyes didn’t look to sign Josip Juranovic, who joined Union Berlin earlier this month.

When talking to West Ham Zone, the ex-striker said that the Croatian would’ve been the ‘ideal’ for the club.

McAvennie’s concerns are certainly justified as it’s an area where West Ham have very few options – Ben Johnson and Vladimir Coufal are the only traditional options in that position.

Earlier this month, it was claimed by Sky Sports that Coufal was growing frustrated at West Ham and was labelled as ‘one to watch’ on a potential exit.

Johnson is still very much on the club’s fringes and has made very few appearances far this season for the Irons.

In our view, it’s a big mistake for West Ham not to address their lack of options at right-back, particularly given Coufal could well leave in the near future and Johnson is clearly not in Moyes’ plans on a consistent basis.

Journalist Fabrizio Romano says that Fulham are set to cover Cedric Soares’ full salary during his loan spell from Arsenal.

The Lowdown: Cedric leaves

Arsenal confirmed after the deadline on Tuesday night that Cedric has left to join Fulham on loan for the rest of the season.

The right-back was suffering from a lack of game time at the Emirates Stadium, having only made four appearances in total this term before his move.

The Latest: Fulham to cover full salary

Taking to Twitter before the deal was officially announced, Romano revealed that Fulham would be paying Cedric’s full salary while on loan, which is reportedly £100,000-per-week:

“Understand Fulham will cover Cedric’s full salary until the end of the season — it’s a loan deal.”

The Verdict: Tidy windfall

By Fulham paying all of Cedric’s wages from now until the end of May, the Gunners are set to save around £1.6m by letting him go.

This is a tidy amount for a player who has hardly featured at all this campaign, and needed considering that he is one of the highest earners in the squad

Nonetheless, Mikel Arteta will not miss Cedric too much, given that Ben White and Takehiro Tomiyasu can already play in the right-back position, and if the Portuguese ace performs well at Fulham, then the North Londoners could look to sell him on for a handy sum in the summer, as he would be sure to attract suitors.

Journalist Fabrizio Romano has revealed that Chelsea still plan to let Hakim Ziyech leave as a “priority” next summer after his failed January exit.

What’s the word?

In the very latest stages of transfer deadline day, it looked as though the Moroccan was set for a loan switch to PSG. However, that transfer failed at the last moment as some issues behind the scenes meant the correct paperwork wasn’t completed in time.

After all that drama, there were reports about how Ziyech was “devastated” that the deal fell through – while the Ligue 1 side were also understandably angered by the whole situation.

Despite that, in the Blues’ first game after the window had closed, the attacking midfielder was trusted to start the game as he played 60 minutes in a 0-0 draw against rivals Fulham.

While talking about it all on his YouTube channel, Romano explained that this is to help protect the player after his recent disappointment but the plan is still to let him leave at the end of the season.

The journalist said: “Ziyech, he was one step away from joining PSG, the deal was done, then not completed because of the document drama.

“Then what’s going on right now is that Graham Potter is helping the player, the coaching staff are helping the player. He was playing in the last game with Fulham.”So they’re still protecting Hakim Ziyech. But in the summer, the priority will be to find another solution as Ziyech wants to be a regular starter for his future.” Fantasy football

It’s certainly interesting that Ziyech was trusted to play in the Premier League after that huge disappointment he had suffered just a matter of days before the Fulham draw.

In the game, he delivered a few good moments – providing one key pass and creating one big chance – that served as a reminder of his quality. However, it wasn’t enough to help Chelsea pick up the win and he was subbed off on the hour mark.

Seeing as Potter now has so many options to choose from with the likes of Joao Felix, Mykhailo Mudryk, and Noni Madueke arriving this winter, it remains to be seen just how many more starts Ziyech gets from now until the end of the season.

Barring a sharp turnaround in form, however, it seems that he is destined for the exit door this summer regardless of what happens over the coming months.

Former Scotland footballer Peter Grant believes Rangers should axe Alfredo Morelos following his “disgraceful”  previous behaviour at the club.

The Lowdown: Morelos on the move?

Morelos’ situation at Ibrox has been well-documented, with the Colombian’s £33k-per-week deal expiring in the summer (via Salary Sport) and no extension in the works.

Despite the SPFL transfer window closing last month, Turkish side Konyaspor have been linked with a move for the 26-year-old according to reports in Turkey (as per The Scottish Sun), and with the Super Lig window still open, it could mean Morelos is on the verge of an exit this month should a deal be struck.

The Latest: Grant’s rant

Speaking on The Go Radio Football Show, former Celtic man Grant urged Rangers to consider bids that come in for their striker after claiming his behaviour in regard to his contract saga do not merit another chance to remain at Ibrox next season.

He said: “I wouldn’t be giving him a new contract, not for the way he’s carried on when you’re going to play the last four months of the season. Sorry, that’s not enough when you’re playing at a club that’s supposed to be challenging and trying to win things. And the way he went on with the last manager, which was disgraceful.

“So all of a sudden you think two or three good games offers you that, and I said to you before, I said that’s my concern coming into the season, bangs a few goals in, you get sucked in again thinking, well, he’s changed, he’s turned the corner because he works really well with a manager.

“He’s done it too often. They say a leopard never changes its spots, and I’m all for giving guys another chance, but he’s had so many chances.”

The Verdict: Sell now?

With potential interest from Konyaspor, Rangers could avoid Morelos’ contract saga rumbling on any longer, with the side eighth in Turkey’s top flight desperate for goalscoring options given they’ve picked up just one point from their last five games.

It’s not a certainty that the Colombian will leave Glasgow, but the Daily Record’s report last month that his agent had offered his services to Inter perhaps shows where his preference lies.

An imminent move does seem unlikely given his nine starts in 11 games under Michael Beale potentially show his importance at Rangers, and with Antonio Colak still easing his way back to fitness and Kemar Roofe playing just 82 minutes of football all season, his place is key right now.

However, we would not be surprised if Grant’s view is one that resonates with sections of the Rangers faithful who may have had enough of Morelos’ attitude and behaviour during his time at Ibrox.