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Manchester United are now reportedly expecting negotiations to advance to hire one of their managerial candidates to replace Ruben Amorim.

Man Utd set managerial timeline

Despite his constant struggles at Old Trafford, it always seemed unlikely that Man United would rush into any decision around Amorim. He very much looked to be their man. But that’s when everything imploded between the 40-year-old and Director of Football Jason Wilcox, who asked Amorim to change his system.

This reportedly left the manager unhappy, who felt like he wasn’t being backed by the Old Trafford hierarchy and from there his exit was inevitable.

Now, the Red Devils find themselves back to square one and have already set a reported timeline for when their next manager could arrive, having appointed Darren Fletcher on an interim basis.

If INEOS do wait until the summer to make their decision, then that’s when the likes of Oliver Glasner and Kieran McKenna could become serious options.

The former is set to leave Crystal Palace at the end of the season when his contract comes to an end, unless there are any last-ditch changes, and Man United could make their move.

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Glasner may well go down as the best manager in Crystal Palace history by the time next summer arrives, having won the FA Cup and qualified for the Europa Conference League last season, but a big move could be waiting for him.

However, the Austrian isn’t the only option. According to reports in Spain, Man United are now expecting negotiations to advance with Xavi Hernandez.

Man Utd expecting negotiations to advance with Xavi

The Barcelona legend has been out of a job since leaving the Spanish club in 2024. Although he hasn’t been without offers, the 45-year-old has simply been waiting for the right opportunity to emerge and the Man United job could be exactly that.

Whilst his time at Barcelona ended on a difficult note, it’s worth remembering that Xavi won La Liga during a turbulent time at the Nou Camp and introduced several key academy stars, including Lamine Yamal.

Amorim, by some contrast, often took aim at academy stars and arguably halted the progress of impressive midfielder Kobbie Mainoo. If anyone was to benefit from the arrival of Xavi, it would be the Carrington graduate.

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Another issue with Amorim was his system. His 3-4-2-1 system split opinion at Old Trafford, but that’s where Xavi could thrive. The Spaniard would instantly change to a 4-3-3 attacking formation and bring entertainment back to the club.

There’s no denying that it would be a bold step, of course. Alas, it would far from be Xavi’s first rodeo. The former midfielder rode the wave of chaos at Barcelona and could do the same at Man United.

For the second year running, frustrations bubbling from the summer transfer window have threatened to slam the brakes on Eddie Howe’s project. But Newcastle United are made of sterner stuff.

Blunted by the absence of Alexander Isak at Villa Park last weekend, Newcastle kept a clean sheet and played well, albeit shaking hands with Unai Emery’s Aston Villa after failing to move forward from parity. But there was much to like, the visitors showing signs of eliteness maintained.

Tougher tests lie ahead – not least the clash with Premier League champions Liverpool at St. James’ Park on Monday night – but there’s every reason that the Tynesiders will find success once again in their travels this season.

As Arne Slot’s side continue to pursue the wantaway Isak, so too does PIF’s resolve remain taut. We’ve only a week until the transfer window slams mercifully shut, but whether the Sweden international remains on Tyneside is anyone’s guess.

The latest on Isak's Newcastle future

Isak’s incendiary comments last week put to rest any confusion or hopes regarding his stance: he is desperate to leave Newcastle and sign for Liverpool.

But ‘I want’ does not always get. The 25-year-old is contracted for three more years, and while he believes it had been intimated that he could leave for a new challenge this year, external forces have made that difficult, and he has little power from which to leverage his position.

While Isak will not play a part against Liverpool, a fixture seemingly dated by fate, all things considered, Howe is firm in his belief that Isak can still be reintegrated, if and when.

And PIF? Their stance has not changed: Isak isn’t for sale. Many figures have been bandied about, but it truly seems like an offer in the region of £150m is required if Newcastle are to part with their prized piece.

But the transfer market is a vicious beast, and every eventuality remains on the cards. With this in mind, Newcastle continue to push for new recruits at number nine.

Newcastle's search for a striker

The protracted bid for Yoane Wissa still hasn’t come to a head. There are parallels to Isak’s situation, for sure, with the DR Congo forward desperate to leave Brentford and join Newcastle within the week.

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However, Isak’s future at Newcastle and the prospect of Wissa joining are not mutually exclusive; Callum Wilson left the Toon at the end of his contract last season, and so two strikers must be signed for Isak to leave.

And in the dreaded event of that happening, Italian outlet Tuttosport have claimed – via Sport Witness – that Newcastle have made a late approach for Paris Saint-Germain star Randal Kolo Muani, who has been slated to join Juventus after his recent loan spell.

Differences between French and Italian terms have proved a sticking point, with PSG looking for €70m (£61m), and if a breakthrough cannot be found, Newcastle could swoop in, having already made an official approach, along with an unnamed Saudi club.

What Randal Kolo Muani would bring to Newcastle

Newcastle need a striker. Kolo Muani would be a fantastic buy in replacing Isak, especially if welcomed along with Wissa, who is far less dynamic and athletic, yet a reliable marksman in front of goal.

In September 2023, Kolo Muani left his rich career at Eintracht Frankfurt and signed for PSG in a £76m deal, but his time back in his homeland has been disappointing, posting only 11 goals and seven assists over 54 matches.

However, a short-term move to Juventus in January has built the 26-year-old back up, eight goals scored in Serie A, 13 goal involvements racked up in all competitions, just 22 matches played.

The Les Bleus star’s big move to PSG hasn’t worked out, but that’s okay. He’s still one of the most dangerous strikers around, proven across other divisions, hailed as a “superstar” by German legend Lothar Matthaus during his Frankfurt days.

With Wissa adopting a more straightforward role in Howe’s system, Kolo Muani could step into Isak’s boots, taking the veritable form of the £120k-per-week sensation and preserving his presence, that style of play which has served United so well.

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Nick Pope once described Isak as being “like a wizard” after setting up that goal against Everton, but Kolo Muani has a similarly creative slant to his game.

Across his 13 matches in the Serie A last year, the Frenchman averaged 1.1 key passes per game, as per Sofascore, and regularly sparked chances when taking on his man, beating him.

Actually, looking at Kolo Muani’s metrics across the past year in comparison to Isak’s, Newcastle’s interest becomes clearer. He’s the real deal, all right, and has the mobility and roundedness to replace the Swede, should he leave.

Kolo Muani vs Isak (past 365 days)

Stats (per 90)

Kolo Muani

Isak

Goals scored

0.48

0.78

Assists

0.11

0.17

Shots taken

2.45

3.21

Touches (att pen)

6.28

6.31

Shot-creating actions

2.34

3.04

Pass completion

70.2%

75.3%

Progressive passes

1.49

2.94

Progressive carries

1.54

2.80

Successful take-ons

1.54

1.42

Ball recoveries

2.24

1.79

Tackles + interceptions

1.28

0.44

Data via FBref

These are centre-forwards with skill beyond that of merely scoring goals, complete strikers both. While Isak is clearly the more confident and productive man, it’s worth noting that Kolo Muani spent the first half of the 2024/25 campaign languishing in Paris, scoring twice and assisting once across ten Ligue 1 games.

Would Kolo Muani replicate Isak’s output? Perhaps not. Isak scored 27 goals and assisted six more across all competitions last season, with his clinical edge a large part behind his billing as England’s record-breaking man, should Liverpool sign him.

But Kolo Muani would be a more than adequate replacement, retaining some of the Scandinavian star’s same style. With Wissa joining too, it could be a fantastic deal for Howe’s side.

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Chelsea are now willing to make a £20m offer for a “genius” attacker, but there could be competition for his signature from Manchester United, according to a report.

Blues set to bolster attacking options after Ipswich draw

The burden of scoring goals and creating chances has largely fallen on Cole Palmer this season, with the attacking midfielder amassing 21 goal contributions in all competitions, by far the highest number of any player in the squad.

It has been another impressive season for Palmer, but the overreliance on the England international means the Blues can struggle when he isn’t firing on all cylinders, having now lost four Premier League games in 2025, while also stumbling to a 2-2 draw against Ipswich Town.

As such, Enzo Maresca is keen to bolster his attacking options this summer, with a new winger of interest, and David Ornstein has revealed that Borussia Dortmund’s Jamie Gittens is set to be one of the targets, having been on the shortlist since January.

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The west Londoners have also entered the race for AC Milan star Rafael Leao, but the Portugal international will not come cheap, given that he has been valued at £150m by the Italian club in the past.

Consequently, it could make sense for Chelsea to pursue a cheaper alternative, and a report from Spain has now revealed they are willing to make a £20m bid for Lyon’s Rayan Cherki, with the attacking midfielder seriously impressing in Ligue 1 this season.

The £20m price tag is no issue for the Blues, who have been monitoring Cherki’s performances closely this season, but there could be competition for his signature, with Man United also willing to make an offer.

There is a belief the 21-year-old would be a great addition to Maresca’s squad, and previous reports have revealed Lyon could be willing to cash-in this summer, given that they need to raise funds.

"Genius" Cherki could be fantastic signing for Chelsea

The Frenchman’s performances this season indicate a £20m deal could be an absolute steal, having amassed an extraordinary 11 goals and 18 assists in 38 matches for Lyon, which places him in the top 1% of attacking midfielders for assists per 90 over the past year.

Statistic

Average per 90

Assists

0.64 (99th percentile)

Shot-creating actions

6.94 (99th percentile)

Progressive passes

9.27 (99th percentile)

Journalist Julien Laurens has been a long-term admirer of the Lyon star, having lauded him as a “genius” in the past, and his performances this season indicate he could be ready to make a move to one of Europe’s top clubs.

The signing of Cherki would go some way to providing support for Palmer, who largely carries the burden of creating chances at the moment, and the young Frenchman’s availability for an extremely low fee is an added bonus for Chelsea.

Everton managed to reveal a layer of attacking quality in midweek, defeating Wolverhampton Wanderers 4-0 in the Premier League.

It was the perfect fuel for Sean Dyche’s side to send the Toffees fanbase into rapture, with Liverpool travelling the less-than-a-mile distance from Anfield for the final Merseyside derby at Goodison Park.

Storm Darragh had other plans. Howling winds and lashing rain precluded the match from taking place, with Saturday morning bringing about the dreaded news that the contest had indeed been called off.

It’s certainly frustrating, for Everton have entered a good moment and were ready to take on a Liverpool side contending with a host of injuries. Dyche was given a glimpse of attacking quality that has scarcely been on show throughout the term.

To be sure, the Blue Merseysiders need more from their frontal members.

Everton's attacking failures

Dyche has got a task on his hands to overturn the misery that has threatened his place in the Everton dugout. The Toffees might have earned a reprieve through their statement victory against Wolves but consistency has been lacking and that needs to change.

Premier League 24/25 – Big Chances Created

Rank

Team

Stat

14th

Ipswich Town

23

14=

Newcastle United

23

14=

Nottingham Forest

23

14=

Nottingham Forest

23

18th

West Ham United

22

19th

Southampton

20

20th

Everton

19

Stats via Premier League

While it’s true that Dyche has been let down by his forwards, namely Dominic Calvert-Lewin, who has failed to register a direct goal contribution across his past nine Premier League outings, creativity has been negligible, with the Blues indeed the division’s bottom-placed side when it comes to creating chances.

Pretty damning – let’s hope the Wolves victory doesn’t prove to be a lonely outlier. Whether the club will have the financial power to strengthen in January remains to be seen, but they could certainly do with the booster.

Hindsight’s a wonderful thing, but it’s also a useless thing. Even so, it’s a real shame, in hindsight, that Everton allowed Ademola Lookman to leave at the start of his career.

His dynamic qualities would be perfect for Dyche’s team.

Why Everton sold Ademola Lookman

Everton were the team that gave Lookman his first opportunity at the highest level, signing him from Charlton Athletic for an £11m fee in January 2017, when he was aged only 19.

Though he is now regarded as a top-class player, the versatile winger failed to establish himself with the Toffees, totalling just four goals across 48 appearances before being sold to RB Leipzig in 2019 in a deal worth £22.5m.

While Everton succeeded in turning a profit for their fringe prospect, it’s rather poignant to watch him do so well now, having finished 14th on the Men’s Ballon d’Or rankings after an incredible year with Serie A side Atalanta.

Aged 27, Lookman is established and ensconced in the prime of his career, and given that Atalanta wanted €70m (£59m) for their dynamic star this summer when high-ranked outfits such as Arsenal and Paris Saint-Germain were circling, Farhad Moshiri and co must surely feel a little bit rueful, having let a potential blinder slip through their fingers.

Ademola Lookman's performances in 2024/25

Lookman achieved continental acclaim at the final stage of the 2023/24 campaign, blasting in a hat-trick against Bayer Leverkusen to claim the Europa League crown.

He’s continued to make headway this year, having posted ten goals and five assists across 17 matches in all competitions, very much backing up the praise that he is Piero Gian Gasperini’s “superstar” – so journalist Sean Walsh has said.

As per FBref, Lookman ranks among the top 1% of positional peers across Europe’s top five leagues over the past year for goals scored, the top 7% for assists and shot-creating actions and the top 16% for progressive carries per 90, denoting elite-level potency and an effective ball-carrying quality that shapes him into the complete package.

As you can see, he’s not just a one-trick pony, emerging to spearhead Atalanta’s trophy-lifting triumph. No, Lookman has found a stunning vein of consistency in the final third over the past several years and is now reaping the rewards of his hard labours.

FBref record the Nigeria international to be an exceptionally prolific force, but perhaps more curious is the fact that he has been compared to the likes of Bukayo Saka and Jamal Musiala as a result.

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Two heavyweights, Saka and Musiala set the gold standard in the Premier League and Bundesliga respectively, with the pairing considered to be among the most valuable players in the world, as per the CIES Football Observatory.

Statistical Breakdown: Lookman vs Saka vs Musiala (past 365 days)

Stats (per 90)

Lookman

Saka

Musiala

Goals scored

0.76

0.49

0.45

Assists

0.38

0.36

0.18

Shots taken

3.32

3.39

3.49

Shot-creating actions

5.71

5.68

5.57

Progressive passes

3.98

3.70

5.45

Progressive carries

5.09

4.98

5.15

Successful take-ons

1.97

1.62

3.91

Ball recoveries

4.08

4.37

4.24

All stats via FBref

Whether Lookman is actually at the same level as a player such as Saka is debatable; the Arsenal sensation is arguably the best right winger in the world right now, barring maybe Mohamed Salah and Barcelona’s Raphinha.

But it’s still a mark of his prowess and a frustrating reminder to Everton that they let him go before he had time to nurture his natural-born talents and bloom.

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While a player like Lookman would be a welcome addition to Dyche’s cause right now, let’s hope that the Toffees have learnt from their past mistakes and ensure that the up-and-coming stars of the present day are allowed to rise to the fore over the coming years.

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West Ham United are ready to make an offer for yet another player this summer as they look to continue their transfer blitz ahead of the upcoming Premier League season.

West Ham busy in transfer market

Julen Lopetegui's side for the first game of the new season is set to look very different to that which David Moyes oversaw in 2023-24, with West Ham having agreed a whole host of new signings this summer.

The east Londoners had already confirmed the arrivals of Wolves captain Max Kilman and Brazilian teenage talent Luis Guilherme in deals worth close to £70m this summer, as well as the signing of Wes Foderingham from relegated Sheffield United on a free transfer.

But they have gone into overdrive in recent days; Crysencio Summerville has arrived from Leeds United in a deal believed to be worth in excess of £25m, with the Championship player of the year penning a five year deal at the London Stadium.

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Meanwhile, two more new faces are expected to be confirmed on Monday. The first of those is Borussia Dortmund striker Niclas Fullkrug, who has already completed his medical ahead of a switch to east London in a move that is expected to set the Hammers back a fee of 32m euros (£27m).

The second of those is free agent Guido Rodriguez, who saw his time with Real Betis come to a close this summer and is now set to pen a two year deal at the London Stadium to bolster their midfield ranks. Now, they have been linked with a move for another midfielder.

West Ham chase goalscoring midfielder

That comes as Caught Offside reveal that the Hammers have joined the race for in-demand midfielder Matt O'Riley. The Celtic man enjoyed an excellent 2023-24 campaign, grabbing 19 goals and 18 assists in all competitions as he helped fire Celtic to a domestic double.

Matt O'Rileys 23/24 season

Appearances

49

Goals

19

Assists

18

Minutes per goal/assist

116

He continued that form in the Scottish Premiership opener, grabbing an assist as his side thrashed Kilmarnock 4-0. And his form was hailed by Brendan Rodgers at the end of the 2023-24 season, with the ex-Liverpool boss dubbing him "phenomenal".

“He has been absolutely phenomenal really in his consistency. I think if we lacked anything as a team, it was probably that," Rodgers explained. "It’s huge testament to himself because the work he puts in, the focus he puts in every single day at training to improve and be better, that’s clearly been rewarded by his team-mates and everyone else. It’s very well deserved."

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So far, Atalanta have seen three bids for the 23-year-old turned down, while Chelsea and Southampton are also thought to be monitoring the situation.

So too are West Ham, with the report claiming that Lopetegui's side "have shown strong interest" and "are prepared to make a move" for O'Riley, with the Hammers "ready to enter negotiations" over signing the Danish international.

However, they are "hesitant" to pay the £25m asking price for O'Riley, the report continues, which could leave the door open for another club to sneak in and snatch their target if they are not careful.

West Ham United will meet Newcastle United on Tyneside to kick off the last phase of Premier League action, with the term's final international break now concluded.

David Moyes' side are seventh in the standings but are trailed by a host of heel-snapping rivals who wish to usurp their hold on European qualification, with Newcastle very much in that mix, four points behind with a game in hand.

Injuries might have ravaged the Magpies but West Ham certainly have their own issues to deal with. Edson Alvarez is suspended and Mohammed Kudus appears to have picked up a knock with Ghana, so some shuffling will be necessary at St. James' Park.

Why Edson Alvarez is so important

Alvarez signed for West Ham from Ajax in a £35m transfer last summer with the impossible task of replacing Declan Rice. Despite this, his tough-tackling and commanding performances have led The Athletic's Roshane Thomas to describe him as West Ham's "best summer signing."

His loss is big. Very big. Across the four Premier League matches he has not featured in this term, the Hammers have failed to win, drawing twice and losing twice.

As per Sofascore, the Mexican has completed 86% of his passes in the top flight this season, also averaging 2.6 tackles. 5.5 ball recoveries, 2.5 clearances and 4.9 successful duels per game.

No one offers the qualities he brings to the same table, not in the same way, not with the same prowess and steel. Kalvin Phillips was brought in to add some depth and mettle to the engine room, but he has quite remarkably struggled to succeed thus far.

Kalvin Phillips: PL Match Ratings at West Ham

Fixture

Result

Player rating

vs Bournemouth (H)

1-1 draw

4/10

vs Manchester United (A)

3-0 loss

4/10

vs Arsenal (H)

6-0 loss

4/10

vs Nottingham Forest (A)

2-0 loss

3/10

vs Everton (A)

3-1 win

6/10

vs Burnley (H)

2-2 draw

3/10

Sourced via The Evening Standard

As you can see above, he's not exactly been great across his Premier League appearances in a United shirt. Mistakes, lack of movement and rustiness have been prominent parts of a stuttering season for the England international, who has almost certainly lost his Three Lions' place ahead of the summer's European Championship.

He's won just 40% of his ground duels and averaged 1.1 tackles, 2.8 recoveries and 0.4 clearances per fixture in the Premier League this season too. Compared to Alvarez, it's pretty dire, accentuating his motionless efforts.

So then. Who should replace him? Indirectly, Ben Johnson's the man.

Why Ben Johnson must be unleashed vs Newcastle

At the risk of things getting a touch convoluted, 5 foot 9 Johnson must be chosen for a starting berth ahead of Phillips this afternoon, with the versatile wideman earning a place in the line-up as a knock-on from Kudus' likely absence.

With Kudus, lightning-sharp down the wing, missing out on his nation's recent matches with a shoulder injury sustained against Aston Villa, he may well start from the bench, meaning usual full-back Johnson could make his third display of the campaign further up the pitch, having started just four times in the Premier League in total.

Admittedly, these appearances both came during chastening defeats against Manchester United and Arsenal in February, but he produced a particularly eye-catching performance against the Red Devils, completing 94% of his passes, winning five ground duels and taking three shots, as per Sofascore.

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Unleashing the fleet-footed Johnson, who has been described as a "wonderful professional" by Stuart Pearce, would hand West Ham a semblance of the style that Kudus brings, with James Ward-Prowse coming in to partner Tomas Soucek in the centre of the park, Lucas Paqueta assuming the No. 10 spot.

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It's not ideal, but West Ham have weathered harsher storms and will be buoyed by the emphatic advance to the Europa League quarter-finals before the break, also well worth their money during a recent Premier League draw against Aston Villa.

It's not quite crunch time, but the stakes have been raised and Moyes will need to ensure he gets team selection right at this crucial stage.

Leeds United have found their groove since being relegated from the Premier League as Daniel Farke's tactical blueprint continues to propel them closer to the automatic promotion places.

With eight points currently separating them from their ultimate aim, the Whites have a lot of work to do in the second half of the season to achieve it and the January transfer window could play a pivotal role.

Although several names have been linked with a move to Elland Road, including Wimbledon striker Ali Al-Hamadi, speculation continues to surround Wilfried Gnonto's future in Yorkshire.

The latest on Wilfried Gnonto's future

Last month, TEAMtalk reported that Roma, Lazio, and Everton are all weighing up a possible swoop to sign the Italy international at the turn of the year, with a price tag of £25m placed on the Italian.

With only one goal and one assist to his name in ten Championship appearances this term, it remains to be seen whether his inconsistent returns in front of goal will put any potential buyers off in January.

If he does depart the club, Leeds could save millions by looking to their academy for a replacement, with 16-year-old sharpshooter Lewis Pirie making a strong case for a future first-team berth.

Lewis Pirie's statistics in 23/24

Pirie was captured from Scottish Premiership side Aberdeen in the summer for a fee in the region of £200k.

The teenage sensation was highly thought of by the Dons and chief executive Alan Burrows revealed he did "everything we could" to keep hold of him.

He said: “We are obviously disappointed to be losing Lewis as he is one we had high hopes for, but at the same time we wish him all the best for the future.

“We did everything we possibly could to convince Lewis and his family to stay with Aberdeen, but he has decided to go to Leeds."

Since arriving at Thorp Arch, Pirie has shown why he was held in such high regard north of the border, beginning life at his new home in exceptional fashion.

Despite relocating miles away from home, he's took no time to settle in, scoring three goals and supplying one assist in five matches in the U18's Premier League.

Such form isn't out of the ordinary for a player who was labelled by his former manager Jim Goodwin as an "exciting prospect" and the early signs suggest he could reach the ceiling of his potential, although he has the unenviable task of dislodging the talismanic Georginio Rutter for a place in the senior team.

Georginio Rutter's season in numbers

The French forward has been in phenomenal form for the Whites this term but has lacked that clinical edge in the final third to reward his efforts.

In 15 Championship appearances, Rutter has only found the back of the net three times, making up for those measly goalscoring numbers by showcasing his creative prowess.

Georginio Rutter's creative statistics in 23/24

Statistic

Figure

Assists

5

Big chances created

15

Key passes per game

2.6

Touches per game

39.7

All stats via Sofascore

.

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Having created 15 big chances and supplied five assists term, as highlighted by the table above, the Leeds star has shown he's able to consistently split open defences with his exceptional passing range, allowing the likes of Crysencio Summerville and Dan James to thrive on the wings.

Although it isn't a major concern given how well he's performing, if Rutter can find his goal-scoring touch to go alongside his invention, Farke will have an unstoppable force capable of firing the Whites to promotion in 2024.

In the long-term, however, the former Hoffenheim man could find his place in the side threatened by the emerging Pirie.

With the 2023/24 campaign fast approaching, few Premier League outfits could hold as much excitement and anticipation as Newcastle United, who return to the Champions League after two decades away and hope to retain their spot in the top four.

Manager Eddie Howe and technical director Dan Ashworth have combined to cultivate the perfect formula for success at St. James's Park, with the astute and diligent work on the transfer front implemented aptly on the pitch, and the results are discernible for all.

Sandro Tonali and Harvey Barnes have already arrived at Tyneside to take the club's summer spending just shy of £100m, but with Conor Gallagher ostensibly available Howe might be inclined to delve back into the market and procure the services of a robust and reliable England international.

Are Newcastle going to sign Conor Gallagher?

i news reports that the Magpies are hoping to sign a further two players this summer, and the midfield could see its completion with Gallagher's arrival.

Indeed, the Guardian claims that following West Ham United's rejected £37m plus add-ons offer for the 23-year-old, Chelsea are now welcoming bids for the England ace, though he will cost in excess of £40m.

Newcastle have been confirmed as admirers, though there is an expectation that a sale will have to be made to accommodate the box-to-box ace.

How good is Conor Gallagher?

An energetic midfielder with a "relentless" work rate – as he has been praised for by analysis Patrick Rowe – Gallagher would take like a duck to water on Tyneside if provided the stage.

Last season with Chelsea, he was among the throngs of players to underperform and indeed failed to stop the prestigious London outfit from plummeting to an embarrassing 12th-placed Premier League finish.

However, the season prior, while on loan at Crystal Palace, Gallagher exhibited his skills with aplomb, with Sofascore recording his average rating at 7.08 after an impressive breakout campaign, scoring eight goals, completing 81% of his passes and averaging two tackles per match.

Such a high-octane presence would be welcomed by Howe, who has already maximised the abilities of Bruno Guimaraes at the core of the flourishing project, with the Brazil international heralded as "world-class" by teammate Dan Burn following his £40m move from Lyon in January 2022.

And despite the tough campaign with the Blues, Gallagher still ranks among the top 19% for progressive carries, the top 21% for successful take-ons and the top 4% for blocks per 90, as per FBref, which illustrates his defensive application and driving nature on the ball.

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The £50k-per-week star would certainly complement Guimaraes' own exploits, with the all-encompassing midfield conductor pulling the strings from the very centre of the midfield, ranking among the top 13% of midfielders for shot-creating actions, progressive passes and successful take-ons per 90.

By driving the ball forward and playing a similar role to Joelinton – who is Gallagher's most comparable player on FBref – Guimaraes would have a fluid and cohesive pair of workhorses astride him.

There is no doubt that the Blues livewire would be a "fantastic" acquisition – as he has been dubbed by former Chelsea boss Graham Potter – for a burgeoning outfit, and if Howe and co succeed in shifting a player on, Gallagher is the midfielder who must be signed to complete the construction of a budding superpower.

Newcastle United are interested in completing the signing of Manchester United midfielder Scott McTominay this summer, according to journalist Dean Jones.

Will McTominay leave this summer?

The Magpies are thriving at the moment, with Eddie Howe's side getting over the disappointment of missing out on EFL Cup glory by strengthening their top-four chances in the Premier League. Wednesday's superb 5-1 win away to West Ham United was arguably one of their biggest statement victories of the campaign so far, with a return to the Champions League edging closer by the week.

Once the summer transfer window arrives, Newcastle will again hopefully be delving into the market and looking to make a number of key additions across the pitch. Midfield is one area that could arguably do with extra depth having seen departures in the winter window – and McTominay has recently been linked with a move to St James' Park.

The Scot has often found playing time hard to come by at United this season, with Casemiro and Christian Eriksen's respective arrivals playing a part in him starting just nine league games in 2022/23.

Could McTominay join Newcastle?

Speaking to GiveMeSport, Jones talked up Newcastle making a move for McTominay at the end of the season:

"Newcastle like Scott McTominay, but it's not because of his goal-scoring, but because they believe he’d be a really effective squad player.

"They're looking to build this team towards becoming something that can hold themselves not just in the Premier League, but also start to establish themselves in Europe.

"McTominay is a good player and he does turn in some good performances, but I still don't think we should get too excited because he scored a few goals."

This could be a really shrewd piece of business by Newcastle, with McTominay not necessarily an elite, world-class midfielder, but someone who can be a key cog in the machine. His performances for Scotland have also highlighted his technical ability, with two goals against Spain last month inspiring his country to a famous 2-0 win.

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At 26, the United man should be coming into his prime and he has been hailed as "unbelievable" by Statman Dave in the past, while his box-to-box energy could provide Newcastle with an upgrade in the middle of the park. McTominay is averaging 2.1 clearances and 1.5 tackles per game in the league this season, whereas Sean Longstaff posts 0.8 and 1.3 in those respective departments.

Therefore, we think the fact that the Magpies are fans of the Scot should be met with positivity among the Toon fanbase.

Manchester United are interested in dynamic AS Roma forward Nicolo Zaniolo, and could make a move for the gem this winter as Erik ten Hag looks to continue the club’s resurgence.

The Premier League giants have been in fine form under their Dutch manager, but could look to cement the offensive cohesion with an additional injection of firepower, and Zaniolo indeed fits the bill.

According to a report from Area Napoli in the last few days, the Italian ace has been offered to Man United and Paris Saint-Germain, with Tottenham also in the picture with the view to signing the player on loan.

However, there is also competition from Newcastle who have been linked with a €35m (£31m) move per other reports in Italy.

Imagine him & Rashford

Zaniolo scored the winning goal in the UEFA Conference League final last season, but now appears to be considered very much expendable by his Serie A outfit, with Roma general manager Tiago Pinto stating that Zaniolo’s intrigue in the transfer speculation surrounding his name has had a detrimental impact on his career in Rome.

Pinto said: “Someone tried putting individual interests ahead of those of the team.

“Perhaps I’ve gotten it wrong sometimes, but from the very first day I got here until my last one the interests of the team will always come first before individuals.”

Last season, the £76k-per-week “talent” – as hailed by CBS Sports reporter Ben Jacobs – won the Europa Conference League and plundered eight goals and nine assists from 42 appearances; this year, he has only found two goals and three assists from 17 outings, hinting that his head might indeed be elsewhere amid the ever-intensifying speculation regarding his future.

As per FBref, he ranks among the top 4% for shots and the top 12% for progressive passes received among his positional peers in Europe’s top five leagues, which illustrates the direct impact he could have on Ten Hag’s team; despite the fact he hasn’t quite found his shooting boots of late, when the cogs fall into place he could be a menace at the forefront of the Premier League pack.

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And with the Red Devils’ Marcus Rashford the second most comparable player to the gem on the statistical site, the pair could meld their skill sets to add a fearsome extra dimension to the Old Trafford attack, with the Mancunian gem among the very hottest talents in world football at present.

Having scored only five goals last season, the “lethal” 25-year-old – as lauded by journalist Zach Lowy – has discarded the cobwebs in the most emphatic of manners this time out, scoring an eye-catching 17 g0als and registering a further six assists from just 28 appearances, ranking among the top 13% of positional peers for rate of non-penalty goals.

Bearing this in mind, Zaniolo could continue his development at the Theatre of Dreams to great effect, unleashing the full tank of his potential and forming a lethal partnership with Rashford, spearheading the assault on silverware once again.