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Leeds United are the latest team to be linked with a move for Daryl Dike ahead of the January transfer window…

What’s the word?

According to TEAMtalk, the Yorkshire giants are among the sides mulling over a bid for the Orlando City SC talisman next month and it’s thought that the San Fransisco 49ers group, who have a stake in the club, are keen to bring him to Elland Road.

Premier League rivals West Ham United, Newcastle United and Brighton and Hove Albion are also mooted, as are former Championship foes West Bromwich Albion.

It remains to be seen exactly how much the eight-cap USMNT international would command with him in fine form this season, though Transfermarkt value him at just £9m.

Bye-bye Roberts?

Leeds boss Marcelo Bielsa certainly needs another striker in his ranks and not just because of Patrick Bamford’s seemingly persistent injury troubles this campaign.

His other options just aren’t good enough, so you’d imagine that he would be delighted if the club were able to secure Dike next month.

One player that is surely at risk with any move for a new striker is Tyler Roberts, who has struggled in abundance for consistency, particularly in the Premier League.

The Yorkshire Evening Post claimed only last month that the Welshman could be shipped out on loan in January, whilst Bielsa himself has hinted that he wouldn’t stand in his way if he wanted to go.

Dike would be an exciting upgrade to the Argentian’s attacking department, that’s for sure.

After nine goals in 22 appearances during a loan spell at Barnsley last season, the American has continued his fine form in the MLS, where he has found the net ten times from 18 games, as per Transfermarkt.

The physical 6 foot 2 powerhouse has drawn comparisons to Romelu Lukaku, which is certainly encouraging given his record across the Premier League and Serie A in recent times.

Dike has also been dubbed a “revelation” by former Salford City manager Richie Wellens and a “relentless competitor” by former college coach George Gelnovatch to ESPN.

Meanwhile, Whites journalist Connor McGilligan believes he’s a “monster”.

So Victor Orta and co must wave goodbye to Roberts and look to replace him with the former Tykes loanee at all costs this January. He’s got a taste for Yorkshire and a proven – and prolific – goalscoring record to boot.

He’s surely a player that Bielsa would love to have at Elland Road.

AND in other news, Bielsa could save Radrizzani millions by unleashing United’s “fabulous” U23 gem…

Manchester United are yet to make any moves in the transfer window so far, despite a number of players being linked to the club due to Ralf Rangnick’s recent appointment at Old Trafford, but it looks like one of the rumoured targets has been taken off the table.

What’s the word?

Popular transfer insider, Fabrizio Romano, has taken to his Twitter account this afternoon to confirm that Manchester United are not in the process of signing, River Plate winger, Julian Alvarez.

The Italian journalist Tweeted:

“Julián Álvarez. Manchester United are currently not in the process to sign him in January. Rangnick staff monitored Álvarez at Lokomotiv and Man Utd sent scouts – there’s nothing else as of now.”

“His agent’s gonna meet with many clubs.”

The 21-year-old has been heavily linked with a move to Old Trafford over the last few day, but they could now lose out to another interested Premier League club, if they are cooling off from their approach, as Newcastle United have also been linked with the young player this week according to Italian news outlet, Gazzetta della Sport (via Sport Witness).

Fans will be gutted

Manchester United fans will be gutted that the club hasn’t started to nail down some new signings, especially after the 1-0 defeat to Wolves this week that would have been disappointing scenes for fans.

One fan Tweeted the club directly to express their desire to see the club make some signings:

“Speaking of signings can you sign some players who want to put effort into their work?”

Argentine winger, Alvarez, has managed to get on the radar of Premier League clubs, all the way from South America, thanks to his impressive output this season.

According to SofaScore, the 21-year-old has netted least every 88 minutes, with 18 goals in 21 games for River Plate, and has bagged six assists so far, despite averaging at just 76 minutes per game on the pitch, starting 17 of the 21 games he has played this season.

This kind of attacking threat and prolific finishing would be a welcome addition to United, who are struggling to finish their chances with just a 12% goal conversion rate this season in the league. As a result, supporters will be increasingly sad to see Alvarez not arriving.

Rangnick needs to find solutions in key areas that can make a positive impact on the current side that is “lacking confidence” according to former Red Devils defender, Rio Ferdinand.

Manchester United will have the chance to redeem themselves after a poor performance in the Premier League, by taking advantage of a good run in the FA Cup, they will host Aston Villa at Old Trafford on Monday night.

In other news: Manchester United eye Kamara & Neves deals

In a story that feels as if it has now been rumbling on for the best part of a year, Ange Postecoglou’s Celtic side have once again been linked with a move to bring Lee Buchanan to Parkhead in the January transfer window.

Indeed, Derbyshire Live reported on Sunday that the Bhoys – alongside the likes of Nottingham Forest and West Ham United – have renewed their interest in the Derby County left-back, while Watford and other unnamed English sides are also believed to be tracking the 20-year-old ahead of a potential move this month.

It is easy to see why Postecoglou would be interested in securing a deal for the England U20 international this January, as Buchanan is undoubtedly a player who boasts a significant amount of potential, and would appear to be available on something of a cut-price deal – considering the fact his current contract at Pride Park expires at the end of the season, in addition to Derby’s rather dire financial situation.

Furthermore, left-back is an area of the Hoops squad that lacks any real strength in depth, as, behind first-choice Greg Taylor, the Greek-Australian manager has only the options of 19-year-old Adam Montgomery and the outcasted 26-year-old Boli Bolingoli.

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And, with the latter of this trio being linked with a move away from Parkhead this month, a January swoop for Buchanan could well prove to be the final nail in the coffin for the £16k-per-week dud who Neil Lennon once dubbed “selfish.”

Indeed, the Derby defender is undoubtedly a player who has a much higher ceiling than the former Belgium U16 international, with Wayne Rooney stating of the 20-year-old: “He’s a top, top player. I’d argue he’s one of the best young left-backs in the country. And he can go to another level as well. He’s a real top player.”

It is not difficult to see why the former England captain feels this way, as, despite his tender age, the £2.25m-rated full-back has already gone on to make 60 first-team appearances for the Rams – 35 of which came in the Championship last time out, when Buchanan played a key role in helping his side survive relegation to League One on the final day of the season.

As such, when taking into account all of the above, it would indeed appear a very wise move for Postecoglou to finally axe Bolingoli this month, before reinvesting the Belgian’s wages and potential transfer funds into a move for the Derby starlet.

In other news: Fee agreed: Celtic close in on £5.7k-p/w gem with “amazing feet”, Ange will be buzzing

Tottenham are ‘considering’ a move for RB Salzburg striker Benjamin Sesko, according to Gianluigi Longari.

The Lowdown: Sesko profiled

Sesko is just 18 years of age and is an out and out centre-forward who already has seven caps for Slovenia.

Valued at £7.2m by Transfermarkt, Sesko is his agency’s most valuable asset and has contributed to 13 goals in 24 Salzburg appearances in what has been a breakthrough 2021/22 campaign for the young prodigy.

The 6 foot 3 striker still has over four years remaining on his contract with the Austrian giants, but it seems as if Spurs and Fabio Paratici are weighing up a move.

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The Latest: Longari’s post

Longari took to Twitter on Thursday to reveal Spurs’ interest in Sesko. He claimed that Tottenham are considering a move for the teenager, with a number of other clubs also making enquiries.

“Tottenham are also considering the young striker Benjamin Sesko from Salzburg. Nothing advanced for the moment. Other clubs have made enquiries about him.”

The Verdict: Vlahovic alternative?

Antonio Conte seems to be keen on bolstering his centre forward ranks, with the club keen on Fiorentina star Dusan Vlahovic. However, Arsenal appear to be leading the race for the Serbian, so Sesko could be viewed as a possible alternative to Vlahovic.

Harry Kane is Tottenham’s only recognised centre-forward available to Conte, so bringing in someone like Sesko could be a smart move.

He appears to be a future star and could be the latest to leave Salzburg for the Premier League, so this could be a transfer to keep a close eye on over the coming weeks, if not months.

In other news: Spurs make 11th-hour attempt to dramatically scupper rivals’ move for £40.5m-rated ‘beast’. 

Many Everton fans have been left raging over some manager news that has emerged on Fabio Cannavaro.

As per The Daily Telegraph journalist Jason Burt, he may now be one of just three managerial candidates alongside Wayne Rooney or Frank Lampard that could take the permanent job at Goodison Park, following the temporary appointment of Duncan Ferguson.

Burt also revealed that Cannavaro’s interview with the Merseyside club went ‘well’, and that he speaks ‘good English’.

The legendary Italian central defender is currently out of work having left Guangzhou FC back in September, after winning both the Chinese Super League and Super Cup with them.

He has over 200 games of managerial experience under his belt, but has never managed in a top European league before, let alone the Premier League.

Thus, one can understand Toffees fans’ frustrations if they were to appoint him.

Everton fans on Cannavaro manager news

These Blues supporters raged as the manager news was shared on Twitter, with one even going as far as to claim that it is ‘crazy’:

“Just relegate us”

Credit: @leads

“If it’s Cannavaro I’m done.”

Credit: @WAJG_96

“Absolute shambles we are. Moshiri needs to go he hasn’t got a clue”

Credit: @Henryblt2

“Laughable.”

Credit: @alstrstrac

“Liquidate us”

Credit: @Darren1878nsno

“Crazy. Learned from a sum total of zero mistakes. Right man or not, Ferguson isn’t even on the shortlist? Kovac? Just Fabio fresh from China”

Credit: @robr7373

In other news, find out what other manager update has Evertonians fuming here!

ExWHUemployee has dropped a late injury update ahead of West Ham’s upcoming Premier League fixture.

What’s the latest?

In a recent post on The West Ham Way, the Hammers insider revealed that, despite earlier reports suggesting that Kurt Zouma could be in line for a return to first-team action against Manchester United on Saturday afternoon, David Moyes is leaving the decision as to whether or not to include the France international in his matchday squad today until the very last minute.

Speaking about the centre-back, Ex said: “The manager also is going to make a late decision as to whether he includes Kurt Zouma too following his injury and period out with [the pandemic].”

Fans will be sweating

Considering just how important Zouma has been to West Ham since joining the club last summer, the news that the defender is touch-and-go for today’s trip to Old Trafford is sure to have left the London Stadium faithful sweating.

Indeed, of the 10 games that the £28.8m-rated colossus has missed due to injury and illness, the Irons’ record stands at five losses, four wins and one draw, conceding 14 goals in the same period.

In comparison, over the 12 fixtures that West Ham have played with the £120k-per-week defender in the side, the Hammers’ record is four losses, seven wins and one draw, with the team conceding just 13 goals over those dozen matches.

As such, it is evident that the Frenchman is already an integral part of Moyes’ side, with his potential absence against Manchester United potentially reducing West Ham’s chances of leaving Old Trafford with three points this afternoon. That could well have costly consequences in terms of the club’s hopes of securing a top-four finish in the Premier League come the end of the season.

In other news: West Ham remain in the race for “crazy” January transfer, he’d be a huge upgrade

Arsenal will compete with Aston Villa for the signature of Philippe Coutinho, according to Spanish reports (via Sport Witness). 

The lowdown

Villa loaned in Coutinho from FC Barcelona in January and negotiated an option to buy for £33million in the summer.

They will, however, still have to agree a contract with the player, who will reportedly need to take a pay cut to move to Villa Park permanently.

Villa have already opened talks with the Spanish giants, 90Min claim, presumably over the precise structure of the deal.

The latest

The report from Spain states that Coutinho’s performances in claret and blue have ‘aroused the interest’ of other teams, and Arsenal are among them.

The Gunners have ‘already been in contact’ with the Brazilian’s entourage to make their admiration known.

Coutinho is expected to make a decision on where he’ll be playing his football in May.

The verdict

Coutinho has been fantastic for Villa so far, with Steven Gerrard hailing him as a ‘joy to watch’.

He’s scored four times and provided three assists in his 10 appearances, directly contributing to a goal every 111 minutes.

His average WhoScored rating of 7.28/10 is the highest in the Villa squad, ahead of the likes of John McGinn (7.17) and Matty Cash (6.98).

But who would he choose if it came down to Villa or Arsenal?

Well, Arsenal may be able to offer him a larger salary. Their current wage ceiling (£200,000 per week) is significantly larger than that of Villa (£120,000).

But, on the other hand, Coutinho knows that he’s likely to have a starting role nailed down at Villa (Gerrard has selected him for the last nine).

And at Arsenal, he’d be competing with Martin Odegaard, currently ‘in the form of his life’ (in the words of Sky Sports’ Micah Richards).

In other news, links to a Manchester United have emerged.

According to a report from 90min, Wolves are interested in signing Newcastle United winger Allan Saint-Maximin in the summer transfer window. 

The lowdown: Eye-catching impact

Since arriving in England from Ligue 1 side Nice for £16.5m in 2019 (Sky Sports), the 25-year-old has been a revelation in the northeast. The Frenchman has scored 12 times and provided 14 assists for the St James’ Park outfit, becoming a fan favourite in the process.

However, the Toon Army could be set to lose their flamboyant talent as Premier League clubs look on with intent…

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The latest: Wolves keen on Saint-Maximin

As per the report from 90min journalist Graeme Bailey, Wolves are believed to be among the clubs interested in signing the 25-year-old monster.

It’s claimed that Newcastle would be ‘open’ to the possibility of a sale as Everton and indeed the Old Gold look on at the £28.8m-valued Saint-Maximin (Transfermarkt).

The report added that Bruno Lage is looking to ‘replace’ Adama Traore, who has ‘no future’ at Molineux regardless of what happens regarding an ongoing loan switch at Barcelona.

The verdict: An improvement on Traore?

Under contract until 2026, prising the mercurial former France under-21 star away from Newcastle may prove an expensive venture for the Midlands club.

However, should adequate funds come in from the sale of Traore, who had attracted January interest from Tottenham Hotspur, a move for the man once hailed as ‘breathtaking’ by Gary Neville could become a reality as Lage attempts to further improve the Wolves squad.

So far this season, Saint-Maximin has registered eight direct goal contributions in 27 league outings, all whilst producing a Premier League high of 4.3 successful dribbles per game (Sofascore) – ahead of Traore in second with 4.2, with the Spain international contributing just one goal and zero assists in the English top flight prior to his mid-season loan move.

Therefore, it seems that the Newcastle maestro would be an upgrade on the 26-year-old, if that’s the transition which comes about at Molineux.

In other news, Journalist claims key Wolves player could be staying put. Read more here.

Liverpool have a decent number of young players in their squad across different positions on the pitch such as Curtis Jones, Ibrahima Konate and Caoimhin Kelleher, among others.

However, their youngest senior squad member is 19-year-old Harvey Elliott, who the Reds signed from Fulham in the 2019 summer transfer window.

Since then, the teenager has gone on to make 40 appearances for Liverpool’s senior and youth teams combined, scoring five goals and providing 12 assists in the process.

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With an average of 1.4 shots and 1.2 key passes per game in the Premier League this season, this shows what a creative and attacking talent the Liverpool youngster is for Jurgen Klopp’s side.

Moving forward, it seems that the Merseyside club have their eye on snapping up another teenage prodigy to add to their ranks as a potential future star.

According to a recent report from Turkish media outlet Fanatik (via TEAMtalk), Liverpool and fellow Premier League giants Arsenal are keeping tabs on Fenerbahce starlet Arda Guler.

Since joining the Istanbul club’s youth ranks in 2019, the 17-year-old attacking midfielder has made 42 appearances across their senior and youth teams, delivering a combined total of 27 goals and assists.

With eight senior league appearances to his name this season, the teenager has earned himself a performance rating of 6.98/10, making him the third-highest rated player in Fenerbahce’s squad according to WhoScored. This shows just how capable the youngster is at playing regular senior football at such a young age.

Labelled a “special” player by youth coach Erol Tokgozler, Guler certainly has what it takes to follow in the footsteps of Elliott and become a potential first-team figure for the Reds.

With that in mind, this could give FSG the chance to replicate the same sort of transfer masterclass they pulled off when they secured a deal for the former Fulham starlet three years ago.

If Fenerbahce’s teenage prodigy ends the season with a few more impressive performances and more goal contributions, Liverpool and FSG should definitely have a move for Guler in their sights by the time the summer transfer window opens for business.

In other news: Liverpool eyeing swoop for “powerful” £18k-p/w machine, he’s their new Matip

Portuguese transfer journalist Bruno Andrade, who contributes for CNN and UOL Esporte, has now shared a big pre-summer update involving Tottenham Hotspur and Everton striker Richarlison.

The Lowdown: Conte eyes new forward?

The Lilywhites, who arguably lack sufficient back-up for star man Harry Kane, have been tipped to add an alternative striker to their ranks in recent months amid their lack of depth in that position.

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Most recently, the likes of Darwin Nunez (Benfica) and Paulo Dybala (Juventus) have been linked with a move to Tottenham as transfer chief Fabio Paratici aims to back Antonio Conte in the summer market.

Talks have also been held over the likes of Alvaro Morata, according to Football Insider in late January, with news now coming to light on a surprise new target in Toffees star Richarlison.

The Latest: Tottenham ‘already’ make first move…

According to Andrade, Spurs and Paratici ‘above all’ have ‘already taken polls’ to sign the 24-year-old – allegedly making contact with Everton as they make their first move pre-summer.

The reporter adds that Richarlison himself ‘prepares transfer within the Premier League’ as Frank Lampard’s prize asset eyes a Merseyside exit.

The Verdict: Ambitious move

The Goodison Park club, amid a scrap against relegation, are also hampered by financial trouble off the field as they face the biggest losses out of any English team in the past three years (The Times).

This could mean Everton simply have to sell this summer in a bid to balance the books, especially if they drop down to the Championship, and it’s little surprise Tottenham are allegedly thinking to take advantage.

The £110,000-per-week forward has been a key player for Everton over these last few seasons, topping their Premier League charts over 2021/2022 too with the most goals and assists combined (WhoScored).

He also ranks in as the Blues’ best performer this season going by average match rating per 90 (6.87) with the proven top flight attacker coming as a logical Tottenham target.

In other news: In recent weeks: Tottenham step up chase to sign ‘incredible’ player as club brace for their bid! Find out more here.