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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 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”

With a loan deal in place and a reported medical completed for Philippe Coutinho with apparent negotiations set to begin for the potential signing of Everton left-back Lucas Digne, Aston Villa have been very busy in the 2022 January transfer window so far.

Looking ahead to the rest of the window, it seems as though Villa have their eyes on signing yet another player this month that also has experience of playing in the Premier League which some Villa fans will be pleased to hear.

What’s the news?

According to Sky Sports journalist Dharmesh Sheth, Villa are “in talks” to sign a back-up ‘keeper during the winter window.

Speaking live on Sky Sports News on Monday, he said: “We’re told they’re in talks to sign the West Ham United goalkeeper, Darren Randolph.”

Sheth also revealed that if a deal can be struck for Randolph this month, Villa could then allow current goalkeeper Jed Steer to leave on loan so he can get regular game time.

Randolph originally joined West Ham back in the 2015 summer window from Birmingham City on a free transfer. The Hammers then sold him to Middlesbrough in the summer of 2017 before buying him back in the 2020 January window.

Smart work from Villa

Overall, the 34-year-old, who is currently valued at £900k according to Transfermarkt, has made a total of 52 appearances for the east London club, keeping 15 clean sheets in the process.

With 34 Premier League appearances under his belt, it would be smart work from Villa to have a back-up option for Emi Martinez, who has played in all but one of their 19 league games so far this season. And when considering the experience of the top-flight that Randolph possesses, he very much fits the bill.

He’s made no appearances in any competition for David Moyes’ side so far this season with Lukasz Fabianski and Alphonse Areola ahead of him in the pecking order, but a move to Villa could give Randolph more of a chance to get some games under his belt should anything happen to Martinez.

If Villa do manage to secure a deal for the Irons stopper and then manage to get Steer, who filled in for Martinez in Villa’s 3-0 defeat against Chelsea back in September, out on loan and get some regular minutes, this could end up being a solid and fairly low-risk deal for the Midlands club to make.

In other news: Imagine him & McGinn: Gerrard could form deadly AVFC duo with “intelligent” 91 G/A ace – opinion

An update has emerged on Aston Villa midfielder Marvelous Nakamba, regarding Newcastle’s interest in his services.

What’s the talk?

According to Football Insider, the Magpies are lining up a January swoop to sign the midfielder as they look to strengthen their options in the middle of the park.

The report claims that he could cost a fee in the region of £15m, with Newcastle believing that he can add energy to their team.

Fans would love him

PIF must ensure that they are able to secure a deal for Nakamba in the January transfer window. They must splash out the £15m required to sign him in order to strengthen the squad, with the defensive midfielder a potentially excellent addition to the side.

Nakamba is a hard-working player who the Newcastle fans would love to watch in action in their midfield. He puts himself about and chips in with important defensive interventions, averaging an impressive 4.5 tackles and interceptions combined per match throughout his career.

Along with his fine defensive statistics, he has also completed 90% of his passes in the Premier League this season after averaging a success rate of 84.2% across his first two campaigns in the division. This shows that he is able to retain the ball after winning it back off the opposition.

Dean Smith’s comments on Nakamba upon his arrival at Villa Park highlight this. The manager hailed him being impressive with the ball at his feet, saying:

“Marvelous fits the criteria of the type of player we were looking for.

“He’s very mobile, he’s very good in possession and he will fit in with our style of play.”

Therefore, supporters would love the £34k-per-week beast as he has shown that he can play to a decent level in the top-flight and be a reliable operator. At £15m, he could be a bargain addition to the team and add some steel to the midfield, improving Newcastle’s defence whilst still having a player in the engine room who is capable of passing the ball efficiently.

This is why PIF must secure a swoop for the midfielder in January. The fans could be buzzing with this shrewd piece of business, with this deal potentially getting the ball rolling as the new owners attempt to bolster the entire squad in the next window.

AND in other news,  PIF must avoid first NUFC blunder over £20m “mentality monster”, fans would be fuming…

Manchester United will be aiming to extend Manchester City’s wait for the Premier League title as they take on Liverpool at Old Trafford today.

Pep Guardiola’s men will be crowned as champions if the Red Devils fall to defeat against their great rivals so there is even more motivation for them to claim victory against the Reds.

Considering that then, how many changes could United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer be tempted to make from the 6-2 thumping of AS Roma in Europa League action midweek?

We are expecting just two changes from the Norwegian for the clash – neither of them being much of a surprise.

Dean Henderson should be recalled to take his place between the sticks having seen David De Gea start on Thursday evening. The former Sheffield United loanee has started each of the last seven Premier League matches for the Red Devils.

Elsewhere, he should be shielded by an unchanged back four of Luke Shaw, Harry Maguire, Victor Lindelof and Aaron Wan-Bissaka.

There should also not be any changes from the defensive midfield pairing of Fred and Scott McTominay.

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After his two goals against AS Roma, Bruno Fernandes is once again sure to take his place in a slightly more advanced position.

Meanwhile, there should be a slight tweek to the attack. Edinson Cavani is sure to start after his two goal and three assist haul in midweek and will once again be supported by Marcus Rashford.

Mason Greenwood should come into the starting line-up though at the expense of the £54m-rated Paul Pogba.

The 19-year-old appears back to his best form having hit six goals since the start of March in all competitions for Manchester United.

AND in more news, take a look at why Mason Greenwood simply must start for the Red Devils against Liverpool today…

Celtic were linked with Aston Villa midfield prospect Aaron Ramsey back in the January window.

According to the Daily Mail, the Hoops, along with Dutch giants Ajax, were showing a serious interest in the England Under-17 international in the New Year.

However, it doesn’t look like the 18-year-old will be making a cut-price move to Parkhead this summer after Villa announced on Tuesday that the central midfielder has signed professional terms with the club.

Ramsey’s initial deal was set to expire in the summer, but it appears as if he’ll now be looking to follow in the footsteps of older brother Jacob in breaking into Dean Smith’s first-team plans.

Transfer Tavern take

Ramsey appeared to fit one of the club’s transfer strategies at the time of being a UK-based prospect with high upside potential available either on a pre-contract, or for a nominal fee.

The Hoops have signed Sheffield Wednesday teenager Liam Shaw on a pre-contract deal and appear to be lining up young forward Kyle Joseph from Wigan Athletic as their next target of that ilk.

However, a move for Ramsey seems to be off the cards for now following his first professional contract in the Midlands.

In other news: Celtic keen on 18-goal forward who could become club’s third-most expensive signing, find out more here. 

Rob Lee has dropped a quite worrying claim on Newcastle United involving the Premier League’s decision to aim to have fans in the stadiums this season.

The top flight are hoping that fans will be allowed back into St. James’ Park for the North East club’s final home game of the 2020/21 term against Sheffield United.

Speaking to Football FanCast, Lee has claimed that having supporters back inside the stadium ‘could go either way’, but also admitted that it could be ‘detrimental’ to the Tyneside club’s players as the Blades will know that they can go there and quieten the crowd:

“I think it could go either way but the fans will 100% be behind the team from kick-off. However, Sheffield United will know if they go there and can quieten the crowd then it could be detrimental to the Newcastle players.

“Kevin Keegan used to say to us in the first 10-15 minutes go out and entertain the crowd and get them on your side and then they’ll be behind you for the entire match.

“That’s what Newcastle fans want to see right from the off their team flying into players, pressing the opposition and creating chances and then they’ll get behind you.”

Fans need to get behind Newcastle

If fans are to be allowed back into the ground for that match, every single Magpie will need to get behind the team as it could well turn out to be a vital moment in their season.

The Toon are currently in a relegation battle, and no matter what fans think of Steve Bruce, projecting that frustration onto the players could prove costly.

As Lee points out,  the Toon Army can have a huge impact one way or the other, and it is indeed worrying to think what could happen if it goes the wrong way.

In other news, find out which Newcastle ace ‘will leave this summer’ according to one pundit here!

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.

According to Sunday World’s Kevin Palmer, Liverpool are likely to revive their interest in Lille centre-back Sven Botman following the injuries to Joel Matip and Fabinho, which could leaves Klopp with no senior centre-back options ahead of the weekend’s game with West Ham.

What’s the word?

Liverpool’s need to sign a centre-back has been clear to fans, and most likely Jurgen Klopp, for some time now but following the injuries suffered by Fabinho and Matip recently, the Reds must bring in a defender before the transfer deadline, otherwise, they risk providing a feeble title defence.

Matip was forced off at half-time in the 3-1 win against Tottenham Hotspur on Thursday night after damaging his ankle ligaments, and the early suggestions are that it could be a long absence for the Cameroonian international.

Fabinho, meanwhile, missed the game at Spurs with a minor muscle injury, but there is currently no timescale for when he might return to action.

It was no surprise, therefore, that after the final whistle, links to Lille centre-back Sven Botman resurfaced, with the young defender having been heavily linked with a move to Anfield earlier in the window.

Should LFC sign him?

Botman’s reputation in France is quickly growing after impressing with his performances for the Ligue 1 side following his summer arrival from Ajax.

In 21 appearances in the French top-flight, the Dutch centre-back has averaged an excellent 7.07 rating, which ranks him as Lille’s fourth-best performer so far this season.

He has also helped Les Dogues to an impressive 10 clean sheets so far this season and on an episode of the Transfer Window podcast, journalist Duncan Castles relayed the thoughts of his centre-back partner Jose Fonte:

“Fonte has played with an array of top-class centre-backs in his career including Virgil van Dijk, Toby Alderweireld, Pepe in the Portuguese national team and Gabriel last season who is now at Arsenal.

“From what I understand of Fonte’s impression of Botman, he thinks he’s the best of all of them.

“He describes him as a machine and a man who doesn’t make mistakes and also indicates that for a young player playing alongside an experienced professional, he’s very open to learning and taking instruction and improving his game.”

If Fonte is rating Botman higher than Van Dijk, with whom he played with at Southampton, then he would surely prove to be an excellent signing for the Reds.

Botman has won 3.6 aerials per game on average so far this season, which is more than any of Van Dijk, Gomez, Matip or Fabinho, which suggests that he would be a useful addition to Klopp’s squad this month.

As he is just 21-years-old, he certainly wouldn’t be a panic buy and could be an excellent long-term option for the Reds to have, so it seems as if the £22.5 million-rated defender could well be the man to solve the defensive crisis in Klopp’s squad if he is brought to Anfield by Michael Edwards this month.

And, in other news… Forget Trent: LFC “machine” who played four key passes was Klopp’s star vs Spurs

Many Glasgow Rangers fans were livid with comments from Scottish National Party staffer Rosa Zambonini following their Premiership title celebrations.

The Gers fans and players certainly enjoyed themselves this past weekend. The Ibrox outfit won 4-0 at home against Aberdeen on Saturday to complete their unbeaten Premiership season (BBC) and they were awarded the trophy after the game.

As such, thousands of Gers fans took to the streets to celebrate. While there was some trouble – 20 people were arrested (firstpost.com) – the celebrations were generally peaceful.

The players also let their hair down after what has been a long season. A video was shared online of the squad celebrating at a bar – something which enraged Zambonini.

She suggested that it was a slap in the face to the hospitality industry as the Gers were able to attend a drinking establishment while weddings, funerals and birthdays remain restricted. What she appears to have conveniently overlooked is that the video was taken inside Ibrox, and all of these players are part of the same bubble.

She shared her comments on Twitter and, as you can imagine, she attracted the wrath of many Gers supporters.

Let’s see what these fans had to say about the comments from Zambonini

“This smacks of utter desperation! Grasping at ANYTHING to be Anti Rangers. This is at Ibrox where these players have been eating and drinking together since the start of the season. They have also done exactly the same on our European away fixtures.”

Credit: @carolstrach

“Get it up ye”

Credit: @RangersCentral3

“Get a grip”

Credit: @donzcop

“Bitter.”

Credit: @TheWorthingRed

“The pain is glorious”

Credit: @Sneddon0472

“I look forward to an apology from the SNP for poor planning and creating a lawless society over the last decade. Shameful.”

Credit: @camtrublue

In other news, Steven Gerrard teases this transfer update.