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Wolves are firmly in the race to sign Sporting Lisbon midfielder Joao Palhinha in the upcoming summer transfer window with the futures of midfield duo Ruben Neves and Joao Moutinho in serious doubt.

What’s the latest?

According to transfer insider Dean Jones, the West Midlands club are in the hunt for Palhinha’s signature.

Speaking to GIVEMESPORT, the journalist said: “Wolves are definitely in the hunt for people like that, and I think Tottenham were interested in Palhinha. But I would imagine that Wolves would probably have the jump on them for a player like that, to be honest.”

The Athletic’s David Ornstein had confirmed that Bruno Lage’s side are interested in Palhinha as well as Matheus Luiz Nunes last week with Neves and Moutinho’s respective futures in doubt.

Now, it seems that the Black Country outfit could have the upper hand in the race to sign the 26-year-old midfielder.

Lage must swoop for Palhinha

Already there’s an argument that Wolves need to add to their midfield but if Neves and Moutinho are both to depart then it will be absolutely vital to recruit in the middle of the park.

The latter’s contract is set to expire in June whilst the former has been heavily linked with a move to Manchester United and there is an understanding that the 25-year-old will be allowed to depart for a bigger club after five years of excellent service if a suitable offer comes in.

At 26, Palhinha is at an excellent age to be a long-term replacement for either figure with the Sporting star regularly impressing on the European stage.

In fact, manager Ruben Amorim labelled the Portuguese as a “special player” amid links to Manchester United last season.

The £23.4m-rated defensive midfielder has 16 caps for Portugal as well as 212 senior appearances at club level but has never left his native Portugal.

According to SofaScore, the 26-year-old has averaged an impressive 7.14 match rating in the Primeira Liga, completing 87% of his passes and maintaining a 58% dribble accuracy.

From a defensive aspect, Palhinha has been excellent, chipping in with an average of 3.1 tackles per game as well as one interception and one clearance.

Compared to Neves, the current Wolves player slightly edges his fellow countryman in the Premier League, averaging a 7.2 rating whilst having a slightly lower passing accuracy at 84%.

Moreover, the 25-year-old is currently contributing 1.3 interceptions, 2.3 tackles and 1.4 clearances.

However, this shows that if Neves is to depart and Palhinha is the man to replace the loyal servant, Wolves’ midfield will still be in excellent hands.

In other news: Forget Trincao: Wolves can save millions with 18 y/o gem who is already a “top player”

Leeds United are battling fellow Premier League side West Ham in the race to sign Anderlecht midfielder Josh Cullen this summer.

What’s the story?

According to TEAMtalk, Jesse Marsch’s side are in contention with a number of other clubs including the Hammers in the chase to land the 25-year-old, with the Republic of Ireland international’s deal currently expiring in the summer of 2023.

Leeds’ successor to Klich

With Mateusz Klich soon to turn 32 in just a couple of months time, it’s high-time Leeds consider slowly easing the Poland international out of the first-team picture and bringing in a more youthful and dynamic star in the middle of the park.

And in Cullen, they could find someone who fits that exact bill of being hard-working, and extremely durable, just like Klich.

Speaking just last year, Anderlecht boss Vincent Kompany said: “He is never called the Man of the Match, but he is the most popular in the squad. Those who admire him the most for his work are his teammates. He has only one thing in mind: the team. His own person comes after, in the background. If the team wins, it’s because he did a lot of jobs that the others couldn’t do.

“An anecdote: against Genk, he hit his head and they put a bandage on him. As I know he is of Irish descent and tough as iron, I slapped him on his bandage and said with a laugh: ‘Are you okay? Come on, run then, and stop making excuses.’ The same against Charleroi: he took a big tackle on the ankle, but I knew he would continue, even if his leg was cut in half.”

Klich has much of the same never-say-die attitude characteristics, but his form over the past 12 months or so has certainly come under question amid the Whites’ return to the Premier League.

Speaking just last summer after a particularly anonymous display in a 2-0 defeat against Brighton, former Leeds man Noel Whelan questioned where things had gone wrong for the midfielder.

He said: “What is wrong with him at the minute? I don’t know. He is not the same player he was a year ago though. It is quite bizarre. I’m struggling to get my head round how his form has dipped so badly.

“It is another reason why we need to go into the market this summer. We need more offensive midfielders. Klich’s performance against Brighton was the perfect example why. He is so ineffective in the midfield. He did not run past the defence, he hardly touched the ball, he did not make anything happen.”

While Cullen has been less used as a dynamic goal-scoring midfielder in his time at Anderlecht – he’s yet to score this season – his time in West Ham’s U23s and with Charlton indicate he has got the ability to break into the box and deliver a genuine end product.

He managed eight goals and seven assists in 38 U23s games, while his 66 appearances for Charlton saw him come up with ten total goal contributions.

The 12-cap machine could well be the ideal successor to Klich in the Leeds engine room.

AND in other news – Leeds could unleash Thorp Arch’s breakout star in “fiery” 18 y/o who’s “got an edge”

Newcastle United are still in with a chance of landing Diego Carlos in the January transfer window.

What’s the talk?

That’s according to a claim made by Kaveh Solhekol, with the Sky Sports journalist revealing on a recent episode of The Transfer Show that, despite Monchi recently suggesting that the Magpies’ move for the centre-back was all but over, there is actually the slim possibility of PIF managing to strike a deal for the 28-year-old this month.

Speaking about Newcastle’s interest in Diego Carlos, Solhekol said: “Sevilla [are] playing hardball. They don’t want to sell him to Newcastle for less than €45m, we’ve been told. It looked like that deal was not going to happen.

“The Sevilla sporting director, Monchi, came out yesterday and said: ‘It’s not happening. We saw their offer, it’s not enough. The player is going to stay with us. There isn’t enough time for us to sign a replacement.’

“But, I was told earlier this morning that there is still a small, small chance that this could happen. Somebody involved in the deal said: “Don’t say it’s impossible, don’t say it’s finished. The window is still open, so there is a possibility.’

“I don’t want to get anyone’s hopes up because I still think it’s unlikely that it will happen, but, behind the scenes, people are still working to try and make it happen.”

Fans will be buzzing

Considering just how talented a defender Diego Carlos quite clearly is, should Solhekol’s latest update regarding Newcastle’s interest in the Brazil international prove to be correct, the St. James’ Park faithful will be buzzing.

Indeed, over his 21 LaLiga appearances so far this season, the £40.5m-rated centre-back has been in remarkable form for Sevilla, helping his side keep 10 clean sheets and scoring two goals, in addition to making an average of 0.8 interceptions, one tackle, 3.6 clearances, 60.3 passes and winning 63% of his duels per game.

These returns have seen the £40k-per-week defender average a SofaScore match rating of 7.13, ranking him as Julen Lopetegui’s third-best performer in the top flight of Spanish football – a highly impressive feat considering the 28-year-old is part of a side currently sitting just four points off first place in the league table.

As such, it is clear for all to see that, should a deal remain on the table for Carlos prior to the closure of the transfer window on Monday evening, PIF must do all they can to bring the centre-back into the club – as his signing would undoubtedly provide the Magpies’ survival chances this season with a substantial boost.

In other news: Luke Edwards drops major update on late Newcastle transfers, PIF finally mean business

Leeds United could soon have another teenage goal machine on their hands…

What’s the word?

According to the Daily Star, the Yorkshire side are among a number of Premier League teams taking a keen interest in Rangers prodigy Rory Wilson, who is regarded as one of the brightest prospects in Europe.

Both Manchester clubs, Liverpool and Newcastle United are also thought to be monitoring his progress with scouts from City and United watching him in action for Scotland U17s this week, where he bagged two goals against the Czech Republic.

He has featured for the Gers’ youth team in both the Lowland League and in the UEFA Youth League.

Any club that signs him will have to pay compensation, likely to be in the region of £300k, as per the report.

Forget Gelhardt

The Whites have a track record in signing young, promising starlets, especially those of an attacking persuasion and Wilson could be the next to follow in the footsteps of Sam Greenwood and Joe Gelhardt.

Much like the latter, there seems to be plenty of hype surrounding the Rangers gem, who has bagged an astounding 40 goals for the Scottish club this campaign.

Scotland has recently become a hotbed for young talent for some of Europe’s biggest clubs – Celtic youngster Ben Doak is the latest name to head south after clinching a move to Liverpool, whilst the likes of Calvin Ramsey and Kerr Smith have attracted interest in recent windows.

What bolsters Leeds’ chances of adding this goalscoring talent to their youth squad is the fact that Wilson has reportedly rejected Rangers’ offers of his first professional contract – in a bid to follow Billy Gilmour into the Premier League.

You’d imagine that his arrival would put competition at Gelhardt’s door, especially as he has struggled to start matches despite the injuries to Patrick Bamford.

Even though he’s bagged two goals from the bench in 13 appearances this season, the former Wigan prospect has been restricted to two starts, neither of which have come under new manager Jesse Marsch, who didn’t even introduce him during their 3-2 win over Wolves before the international break.

Wilson is clearly a very talented youngster with bags of potential and the Yorkshire giants must ensure they win the race to sign him, rather than letting one of their rivals get a boost towards their future.

For six figures, it’s a low-risk bargain with the potential of high rewards.

AND in other news, Fabrizio Romano reveals fresh Raphinha development…

Rangers have had a pretty eventful season this time around after cruising to the SPFL title in their previous campaign.

Giovanni van Bronckhorst’s side currently find themselves in the semi-finals of the Europa League and set to take on Hearts in the Scottish Cup final.

One player that has been a particularly important player for the Gers this season is midfielder Joe Aribo.

With 31 league appearances to his name in this campaign, only Connor Goldson and James Tavernier have played more minutes than Aribo.

Across all competitions, the 25-year-old has now made 50 appearances for his side.

In those appearances, the midfielder has shown with his eight goals and ten assists just how important he is for the team.

Regarding Aribo’s future at Ibrox, not only has he been linked with a range of Premier League clubs during the previous January transfer window, but he will also be entering the final year of his contract in the summer.

With that in mind, it could be worth Van Bronckhorst having a player in mind that could be a potential replacement for the Nigerian should he end up leaving Ibrox in the near future.

One figure already at Rangers that could fit that particular bill is 18-year-old Alex Lowry.

As a product of the club’s youth system, the midfielder has made 13 appearances across their senior and reserve sides.

Having found the back of the net three times and delivered two assists, the teenager has shown what an attacking and creative danger he can be, just like Aribo.

Described as a player that is “unlike anyone else at Rangers” by his former academy coach Graeme Murty, Lowry has also scored two goals in five games for the Scotland U19 side.

Murty also praised the starlet’s “technical ability, the range of passing that he sees and executes” and his “individual ability to go past people.”

Taking all of this into account, it’s safe to say that the Gers have a very exciting young prospect in their ranks that could well go on to become a big player for them in the first team.

Moving forward, while Van Bronckhorst would presumably prefer to keep hold of Aribo for as long as possible, it should be a relief for him and the Rangers fans to know they have a player like Lowry that can be relied upon to make the step up if needed.

In other news: Wilson could land a new £13m talent as Rangers plot bid for £180k-rated sensation

Roberto Firmino may consider leaving Liverpool this summer due to Sadio Mane’s shift into the middle, says former top flight manager Alex McLeish.

The Lowdown: Firmino down the pecking order

The Brazilian has become an undisputed Reds legend since joining from Hoffenheim back in 2015, winning the Premier League and Champions League, not to mention leading the line superbly.

Firmino finds himself down the attacking pecking order these days, however, with Mohamed Salah, Mane, Luis Diaz and Diogo Jota all arguably seen as stronger options by Jurgen Klopp, especially since Mane moved to a central role after Diaz’s arrival in January.

The 30-year-old’s current Liverpool deal runs out at the end of next season and the idea of him leaving this summer hasn’t been completely ruled out.

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The Latest: Pundit casts doubt over future

Speaking to Football Insider, McLeish admitted that he could see Firmino moving on due to the shift Klopp has made in recent weeks with Mane, moving Firmino further down the striker pecking order.

Ultimately, he says, the decision will be up to the player himself:

“I think he’s still making an impact. You see him in games coming on and getting a couple of goals and assists. He’s still, I think, very integral to their success this season.

“Like everybody else, he will want to maybe play more football at the end. Who knows, maybe it suits him, the way it is just now. One thing’s for sure, Liverpool are a great club and will do the right thing by their players.

“They will do whatever Firmino wants to do, I would think. Maybe keep him on and keep doing his cameo. Or does the guy want to play more football? I think that would be in Firmino’s hands.”

The Verdict: Don’t leave, Bobby

While it would be understandable if Firmino decided to enjoy a fresh challenge this summer, the hope with the vast majority of Liverpool fans is that he stays put.

At 30, he still has a huge amount to offer, even if his best days are behind him, and he is a perfect foil for different styles of players around him in attack. If he is content being a squad player, the matter should be settled immediately.

Firmino isn’t a player who is reliant on pace, which further highlights why he can be a force for years to come, and the idea of such a popular player leaving doesn’t bear thinking about.

In other news, an exciting Liverpool transfer update has emerged. Read more here.

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West Ham United midfielder Edimilson Fernandes is currently on loan at Fiorentina, having seemed surplus to requirements by Manuel Pellegrini ahead of this season.

The 22-year-old has made 48 appearances for West Ham, whilst he has been a regular for Fiorentina this term, scoring twice in 21 Serie A games.

Fernandes was on the scoresheet in Fiorentina’s 4-1 win over SPAL on Sunday night, which led to a number of West Ham fans discussing the midfielder.

One particular Twitter account claimed that the Hammers should recall Fernandes, which led to an interesting debate.

It would be fair to say that the majority were struggling to agree, however, when it comes to the Switzerland international.

Pl>ymaker FC’s Matchday with Max caught up with Jamaica’s women’s team. See what happened when he met the history makers in the video below…

Indeed, there were those calling for the midfielder to return, but others feel that he has already proved that he is not good enough to turn out for the Hammers on a regular basis.

A selection of the Twitter reaction from the West Ham supporters can be seen below:

Paul Joyce has now revealed some exciting Everton news involving Ashley Cole.

The Lowdown: Cole talks

Sky Sports have reported (via Football Daily) that the Goodison Park faithful have now started talks to reunite Frank Lampard with his former Chelsea and England international teammate Cole as part of his backroom staff, with a decision set to be made soon.

Of course, the retired left-back also played under Lampard at Derby County, and so it is no surprise that the new Toffees manager is looking for Cole to join him on Merseyside.

The Latest: Everton ‘confident’

Taking to Twitter, The Times journalist Joyce has revealed that the Blues are now ‘confident’ that Cole will join Lampard as part of his backroom team:

“Everton confident Ashley Cole will join Frank Lampard’s backroom team.”

The Verdict: Exciting

These are certainly exciting times ahead for Evertonians, as with the deadline day signings of Dele Alli and Donny van de Beek from Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester United respectively, they now look set to bring in Cole to work alongside Lampard.

Aside from his playing career, the 41-year-old has earned his coaching merits with Chelsea’s youth side and England’s U21s. Sky Sports pundit Jamie O’Hara, who did his UEFA coaching badges with Cole, claimed that he was ‘fantastic’.

Nonetheless, if Lampard was not a big name to get excited about already, EFC fans can now add Cole into that mix.

In other news, find out what big Everton transfer update Fabrizio Romano has revealed here!

Former Tottenham goalkeeper Paul Robinson believes that Leeds United winger Jack Harrison could play as a wing-back for the north London club.

The Lowdown: Good season for Harrison

The 25-year-old has enjoyed a decent campaign since being unveiled as a permanent Leeds player, having initially joined the club on loan in 2018.

The winger has gone on to establish himself as a mainstay in Jesse Marsch’s team, having featured in the starting XI in five of the new manager’s six games in charge. Moreover, he has made a telling impact under the American at Elland Road, netting three goals in his last three matches.

As a result, The Telegraph’s Mike McGrath has reported that Tottenham are interested in signing Harrison in the summer transfer window.

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The Latest: Robinson’s claim on Harrison…

Robinson, who regularly features as a pundit for Sky Sports, believes that whilst Harrison could perform as a wing-back for Antonio Conte at Tottenham, the 25-year-old would be better off remaining at Elland Road.

Speaking with Football Insider, the ex-Spurs goalkeeper claimed: “He is capable of playing that role, 100 per cent.

“The question is, would he want to? I’m sure he sees himself more as a goalscoring winger or midfielder.

“When you look at him, you ask the question – is he of the level required for Spurs? They want to push on and compete with the top four. Would Jack fit into that?

“Would he play week in, week out? I don’t think so. He is better off where he is if you ask me. He is building his career at Leeds and is playing every week. I question whether he would be a starter at Spurs.”

The Verdict: Difficult decision

If Harrison is offered the chance to join Tottenham, this could prove a difficult decision to make. With Spurs making a strong late push for a top-four finish, the Englishman could see himself playing in the Champions League next season with a move to north London.

Everton manager Frank Lampard clearly believes that the 25-year-old is up to the task, having hailed him as “one of the best wingers in the league”.

However, whether he can perform at the same level as a wing-back is yet to be seen. In 225 career club appearances, Harrison has only played in defence once, so this prospective transfer could be a gamble for both him and Spurs.

In other news: Fabrizio Romano drops Dejan Kulusevski transfer claim

Crystal Palace have not made any signings to improve their squad over the January transfer window, but they could still be in a position to do some business this month with just under a week to go.

It has now been revealed that they could make a last attempt to sign a player they have been strongly linked to.

What’s the word?

Journalist, Sami Mokbel, believes that there is still a chance that Arsenal forward Eddie Nketiah could become a Crystal Palace player.

Mokbel told GIVEMESPORT:

“Yes, they’re keen on signing Eddie Nketiah, for sure. It’s a deal Palace are definitely interested in.”

Crystal Palace have been linked to the Gunners star for months, with rumours circulating that the move could happen this month, but nothing yet has materialised, especially since Mikel Arteta spoke out to quash the chances by claiming that Nketiah would stay at the club.

However, his contract ends at the North London club this summer.

A perfect fit

The 22-year-old striker was named as a player the club has been interested in “for a number of years let alone months” by Roy Hodgson earlier this month, and it’s not hard to see why he continues to be touted with a move across London.

That’s thanks to Patrick Vieira’s progress in developing younger players, something we have already seen this season with the likes of Conor Gallagher and Odsonne Edouard thriving under the Frenchman.

Gallagher has already been involved in ten Premier League goals this term while Edouard has nine involvements himself.

Thus, Nketiah is the perfect fit for Vieira’s youth revolution that he began in the summer transfer window by bringing in a number of younger players to fill positions in the team, and the additions have proven to make a positive impact on the side.

However, when you look at Palace’s season so far they have gained over almost as many draws as they have wins, so adding a striker with potential who can add goals to inspire more victories for the side could make a real difference in their pursuit of another top half finish this season.

The £9m-rated forward, Nketiah, who has scored five goals in 11 appearances, could be the answer.

The Eagles have lost three of their last five Premier League games, and Vieira will surely be hoping that the club can come back after the winter break and get back to consistent form by securing more points and climbing the table during the last few months of the season.

In other news: Vieira could be close to signing Aaron Ramsey