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An exciting update has emerged on Newcastle United and their pursuit of Tottenham midfielder Dele Alli…

What’s the talk?

Chronicle reporter Lee Ryder has claimed that the Magpies are in negotiations over a deal for the England international, but it remains to be seen whether or not he will be willing to sign for the club.

He Tweeted: “Dele Alli isn’t short on options after being made available by Spurs for loan. Will be interesting to see if he is up for the challenge at #nufc – talks on a deal have been ongoing throughout January. Notably, Alli is represented by the same agency as Trippier and Wood.”

Howe will love it

Newcastle boss Eddie Howe will surely love this update as Alli could be a superb signing for the Magpies on loan until the end of the campaign.

He is a proven top-flight performer who could come in and make a major impact in the final third, potentially winning games for the club. The ex-MK Dons man has shown his quality at this level over the years and could thrive as a key member of Howe’s squad.

In 181 Premier League matches, he has scored 51 goals and provided 37 assists. Throughout his entire Spurs career, he has 67 goals and 61 assists in 269 games in all competitions, showing that he can score and create goals at the top end of the pitch as he has done so on a regular basis over the course of a number of years in London.

This suggests that he could come in and be a fantastic signing for the club if they are able to get this move over the line, which is why Howe will love the news that they are in talks with Spurs to get it done.

He would surely be buzzing to have a player of Alli’s pedigree and quality to select in the coming month as it could improve his starting XI.

The move would also be an ideal one for the club as it would mean that they avoid the financial burden of keeping him on in the Championship if they fail to avoid the drop.

Newcastle are 18th in the Premier League table and relegation to the second tier would result in a major loss in income, which could make it difficult to afford Alli’s reported £100k-per-week wages.

AND in other news, Newcastle could get SJP rocking by signing “top class” £50m beast who has “everything”…

Leeds United boss Marcelo Bielsa could fix his side’s summer howler by signing Chelsea starlet Billy Gilmour on loan.

What’s the story?

The Whites were linked with a number of midfielders in the transfer window, including Huddersfield Town’s Lewis O’Brien, but failed to get a deal done for any of them.

Now, amid speculation suggesting that Chelsea boss Thomas Tuchel is considering recalling Gilmour from his loan spell at Norwich City, Kevin Phillips has touted Bielsa’s side as the perfect destination for the Scotland international.

He said: “He should go back out on loan to somewhere like Leeds. Bielsa plays good football, they aren’t rooted to the bottom of the Premier League, and he will probably get more game time.

“Leeds play more of the type of football Gilmour is suited to, so it would be a great move for him. We’ve seen Bielsa get the best out of some youngsters and there’s no reason why he couldn’t do that with Gilmour.”

Forget Forshaw

While Andrea Radrizzani pointed towards Adam Forshaw as the man Leeds could turn to as their midfield saviour, the Whites simply cannot afford to rely upon someone who has spent so long out with injury and could, by all means, break down again.

In Gilmour, they could get someone with some Premier League experience already and has been widely lauded by a number of people for the amount of potential he has.

Aston Villa and Scotland compatriot John McGinn hailed his fellow midfielder as a “world-class player”, and added: “He’s going through a rough patch at Norwich and is frustrated not to be playing. But when he’s in the Scotland jersey, he’s always at the top of his game.”

And, speaking after Scotland’s 0-0 draw with England earlier this year, Sky Sports pundit Graeme Souness said: “He’s a fabulous little football player and when you factor in that last season he only made five starts in the Premier League for Chelsea, he’s not played a lot of football and he came into what was a hothouse of a game – high tempo, loads of pressing – and he managed to stay there.

“He’s just got that all round awareness of where people are all of the time and his first touch is generally away from the man who is marking him. He creates space for himself.”

The Whites’ inability to sign a new midfielder in the summer transfer window left them desperately short in that department, and early season injuries to the likes of Kalvin Phillips just went to expose that glaring lack of depth.

The £13.5m-rated Gilmour can be the ideal midfield cover Victor Orta looks to sign in January were he to become available.

Meanwhile, Leeds are battling to sign this striker…

An update has emerged on Newcastle United’s pursuit of Barcelona attacker Ousmane Dembele…

What’s the talk?

According to Spanish outlet Sport, the Frenchman is not interested in signing for the Magpies due to their current position at the bottom of the Premier League.

The report claims that the €15m-per-season (£12.7m) contract offer on the table from Newcastle is not enough to tempt Dembele to risk relegation to the Championship, with the forward set to explore other options.

Fans will be fuming

Newcastle fans will surely be fuming with this update as it appears to rule out any chance of Dembele arriving at St James’ Park in January.

It highlights how damaging the early part of this season under Steve Bruce has been for the Magpies, with Eddie Howe inheriting a team in a terrible position in the Premier League. They are bottom of the division and the only team without a single win in the league, having picked up just six points from their 13 games.

This means that it could be difficult to attract players in January as they may not want to be involved in a scrap against relegation, irrespective of the takeover by PIF. Dembele’s apparent objection to making the switch highlights this and will bring to light an issue which will leave fans all the more frustrated with the club’s start to the campaign.

They might also be furious because Dembele could have been an excellent addition to the side. His former Barcelona team-mate Lionel Messi once dubbed him a ‘phenonemon’, with the Argentine saying: “On the pitch he’s a phenomenon. It’s up to him where he ends up, he could be one of the best. He’s young and he is adapting.”

The £45m-rated dynamo has 30 goals and 21 assists in 121 appearances for Barcelona, having managed 10 goals and 22 assists in 50 games for Borussia Dortmund earlier in his career. This shows that he has the quality to provide goals and assists at the top level, which is why he could have been a superb signing for Newcastle.

He could have arrived in England and made key contributions in the final third to help the Magpies stave off relegation. Instead, he looks set to reject the Tyneside club’s advances and either stay with Barcelona or else join another side to progress his career.

AND in other news, Howe could save NUFC’s season with “beautiful” 27-goal beast, he loves St James’ Park…

Leeds United boss Marcelo Bielsa has dropped a worrying transfer update ahead of the January window.

What’s the story?

The Whites find themselves in a difficult position in the Premier League heading into the busy Christmas period, with their mid-week drubbing at the hands of Manchester City placing a lot of scrutiny on the club’s growing injury list and potential transfer plans.

And now, Bielsa has delivered an update on where things currently stand, and it’s not great news for Leeds fans.

He said: “It’s a question that I’ve answered various times, I don’t have a different answer than what I’ve given up until now. Of course I’m losing authority in the position I defend because every game presents new difficulties. The question you ask me leaves me defenceless to defend my ideas.

“It’s also important to leave clear what I’ve said about this subject previously. The capacity for an institution to fortify their squad has a limit due to their budget. In that sense the president, the club have acted in a more than sufficient manner. But this is not the moment for me to explain anything.”

Fans will be worried

Having been at the hands of a 7-0 thrashing against City, and a clash against a resurgent Arsenal at the weekend, Leeds can ill afford any more big slip-ups in terms of results, and injuries too.

Bielsa has had desperate misfortune with missing the likes of Kalvin Phillips, Raphinha and Patrick Bamford for extended periods of time and it has placed a lot of question marks over his reluctance to strengthen his squad.

Phillips is now out for the best part of two months and the fact that they’ve not won a single game this term when he’s not featured suggests they need more bodies in the team.

The Argentine has been known to favour a tight-knit group that he can rely on, but what the injuries and illnesses have caused and exposed is a glaring lack of depth, especially in key areas.

His comments that new signings may not be on the table due to budget concerns should leave fans very worried, particularly with the prospect of a real relegation battle looming for the second half of the season.

Meanwhile, Phil Hay has delivered a Leeds United transfer update…

West Ham defender Arthur Masuaku has sent a teasing message on Twitter regarding his fitness after undergoing knee surgery for reoccurring pain in that area, with the Congolese international declaring he is ‘almost’ back as many Irons fans buzz over the ‘brilliant news’. 

Masuaku, who was a mainstay for David Moyes before deciding to go under the knife, starting 10 Premier League matches before his lengthy absence, is now nearing a return.

Even though the 27-year-old remained cryptic over his recovery time, he has dropped an enticing hint that his return to action could be imminent for the Hammers, explaining he is ‘almost’ back.

Since his absence, Moyes has been forced to improvise without his first-choice attacking left wing-back, but the revelation that Masuaku could be close to a Hammers return does potentially come as ‘brilliant news’ given their chase for a top four finish.

West Ham may benefit from having him back as an option, and these supporters are certainly excited by his message on social media – find some of the best verdicts down below.

West Ham fans buzz over ‘brilliant’ Masuaku news

“Yessssss!!!”

Credit: @RealHammers

“LETS GOOOOO KING ARTHUR”

Credit: @Dylan_Rudisill_

“Brilliant news, what exactly was wrong with your knee?”

Credit: @Christophercol

“Boom. I can’t wait to see you tearing it up in claret and blue, very soon. COYI”

Credit: @DJBazMati

“That’s it. The treble is wrapped up.”

Credit: @WHUspencer

“Come onnnnnnnnnn”

Credit: @joelitt78828048

“Naaaaaaa Prem ain’t ready”

Credit: @WesthamDeku_

In other news: West Ham are reportedly in talks to sign this defender, find out more here.

In an exclusive interview with Football FanCast, Kevin Phillips thinks that Southampton will stay in the Premier League, but has warned his former side not to get complacent.

Saints topped the Premier League in November, but since beating Liverpool in their first game of 2021, have endured a horrible run of results – with their defeat to South Coast rivals Brighton on Sunday their 10th in their previous 12 matches.

Ralph Hasenhuttl’s men appeared to be keeping at arm’s length from the relegation-zone following victory over Sheffield United earlier this month, but Fulham’s win at Anfield the same weekend kept the Saints in touch with the bottom-three.

Southampton are currently seven points above Scott Parker’s team, although with the St Mary’s outfit in FA Cup action this weekend, that gap could be cut to just four by the time they return to Premier League action after the international break, with Fulham hosting Leeds and Brighton and Newcastle facing off.

Despite his concerns, Phillips doesn’t believe his former side will get relegated, but has warned Southampton to be wary of a “very good” Fulham outfit.

He told Football FanCast: “I did an interview a couple of weeks ago, and I said that I can’t see them getting dragged in, but football changes so quickly – the emergence of how Fulham are playing and that result up at Anfield would have done them the world of good.

“Will they get sucked in? I’m going to put my head on the block and say no, I think they’re always liable to pick up a result when you’re least expecting it.

“But saying that, they can’t be complacent. They need to get some more points on the board, and the nearer we get to the end of the season the closer you are to the bottom of that league, and I know I’ve been there with Southampton being relegated, the pressure builds and players start not performing and making mistakes. Fulham are a very good side.”

Tottenham Hotspur are interested in a deal to bring Leandro Paredes to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in the summer transfer window.

What’s the talk?

That’s according to a report by Italian media outlet Calciomercato (via Sport Witness), who claim that both Tottenham and Inter Milan are keen on a deal for the Paris Saint-Germain midfielder – whom the Ligue 1 side would be willing to part with for a figure of around €25m (£21m) this summer.

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The report goes on to state that the Argentina international is both a favourite of Fabio Paratici and Antonio Conte, with it being said that the 52-year-old manager would gladly welcome the arrival of Paredes at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium ahead of Spurs’ 2022/23 campaign.

Paratici’s next Bentancur

While it is true that Conte currently possesses a number of solid options in the middle of the park – with Oliver Skipp, Harry Winks, Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg and Rodrigo Bentancur all capable of playing in the Italian’s midfield two – the signing of Paredes would certainly provide the 52-year-old with greater quality in the position.

Indeed, over his 15 Ligue 1 appearances this season, the £18m-rated Argentine has highly impressed for Mauricio Pochettino’s PSG side, scoring one goal and registering two assists, as well as making an average of 0.7 interceptions, 1.5 tackles, 0.5 key passes and winning 2.8 duels – at a success rate of 61% – per game.

These returns have seen the £148k-per-week talent average a very respectable SofaScore match rating of 7.01 – however, perhaps the French top flight is not the best barometer on which to judge the defensive midfielder.

Indeed, it was over Paredes’ 27 Serie A outings for Roma in 2016/17 when the 44-time capped international proved his ability, with the 27-year-old scoring three goals, providing one assist and creating five big chances for his teammates, as well as making an average of 1.4 interceptions, 1.8 tackles, 1.7 key passes and winning 3.7 duels – at a success rate of 58% – per fixture.

These metrics saw the former Boca Juniors starlet average a quite extraordinary SofaScore match rating of 7.27, ranking him as the Giallorossi’s eighth-best player in the Italian top-flight – playing a crucial role in his side’s capture of a second-place finish in the league.

It was this level of form that led to Paredes establishing a reputation as one of Europe’s most exciting talents, with the former PSG midfielder, Fabrice Pancrate, previously stating of the Argentine: “He’s smart, technical, aggressive in a good way, and he’s not just a nasty gamer. He is also beautiful to watch. His tempo is perfect.”

As such, should Conte believe he can help the 27-year-old get back to his best, Paredes would undoubtedly make a fantastic addition to the Italian’s midfield – leading us to believe that his £21m summer signing could well see Paratici repeat his January capture of the increasingly impressive and previously underrated Bentancur from Juventus.

AND in other news: Paratici must seal Spurs deal for £350k-p/w “monster” who would “go to war” for Conte

Wolverhampton Wanderers transfer target Diego Costa is “absolutely unbelievable” but there are concerns about his potential salat and and his general attitude.

Howey has much love for Costa

Those were the words of the former Newcastle and Manchester City defender Steve Howey, who was speaking on the back of the Black Country club’s links with the former Chelsea striker.

Costa was recently released by Atletico Madrid by mutual consent and was earning a salary of £265k-per-week, according to Salary Sport. This is 165% more than Wolves’ top-earner Joao Moutinho takes home, as Spotrac believe his £100k-per-week wages tops the books.

Despite this, the former Spain international has scored a total of 181 goals with eight different clubs – 58 of those were at Chelsea in what was a memorable spell due to his aggressive style of play and no-nonsense character.

Speaking exclusively to The Transfer Tavern about Costa potentially retiring to the Premier League, Howey was full of praise for Costa but he admitted that he did have his own anxieties about the player.

“I think most managers would want him,” he said. “I think the difficult thing is trying to contain him because he has got that flip switch, and then you’re wasting your time, so you need a strong manager. He is a player to lead the line and take responsibility and to ruffle feathers, he’s absolutely unbelievable. He’s perfect for any club really, who wouldn’t want him?

“(However) there are two concerns. First of all, the money and, of course, his temperament, and I think that worries managers. Can you afford to take a chance on somebody that, on his day, is excellent, but (you’re unsure) about what he’s going to be like in training, is he going to be a nightmare off the field?”

“The vast majority of managers would take him in a heartbeat, but you’ve got to weigh up all the different issues that you have with him.”

Transfer Tavern Verdict

If Wolves captured Costa, it would send a huge statement to the teams around them that Nuno’s side are not here to make up the numbers.

With the player having a close relationship  with super agent Jorge Mendes, the man behind plenty of Wolves transfers in the past, it might play into Wolves’ hands, but his huge salary may be a step too far for them to get a deal done.

Time will tell whether Wolves will make the move for the two-time Premier League winner, as their search for a replacement for the injured Raul Jimenez continues.

In other news, Ex-referee Mark Halsey flags up incident that Wolves were ‘unlucky’ to lose out on.

Rangers have been linked with a move for Nimes winger Zinedine Ferhat recently and if he were to make the move to Ibrox this summer, it could be bad news for the future of Scott Arfield in Steven Gerrard’s side.

According to Foot Mercato (via Daily Record), Rangers are keen on adding the Algerian to their squad ahead of next season’s Champions League qualifiers, after his superb season in Ligue 1.

Despite playing for relegation candidates, the 28-year-old currently sits joint-top of the assist chart in Ligue 1, setting up 10 goals for his teammates, whilst he has also scored six times, which is his best ever season from a goalscoring perspective.

The £7.8m-rated star is predominantly deployed on the right-wing by Nimes but has played in a number of positions in his career, suggesting that he could be a really versatile option in Gerrard’s squad next season.

Assuming that Ferhat would be a starter at Rangers next season should he join this summer, his signing would likely be bad news for Arfield, who has already lost his status as a guaranteed starter this season, making just 11 starts in the Premiership, with the majority of his appearances in Gerrard’s side coming from the bench.

When the former Burnley man first joined Rangers he was often utilised as a winger but has moved more centrally as he has got older and perhaps lost a yard of pace, but unfortunately for him, Ferhat has been utilised centrally and out wide throughout his career, so would perhaps get the nod ahead of him next season.

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Gerrard is a big fan of the 32-year-old, and was full of praise for him back in 2018, saying:

“Scott has been superb. He is a great professional and a great lad who is growing each way and contributing really well. He is a really important player and that is the reason we were desperate to get him in the door.”

[freshpress-quiz id=“593776″]

However, Arfield’s influence has clearly declined this season and the addition of a quality, versatile winger such as Ferhat could well be the final nail in the coffin for the Canadian’s time as a regular starter at Ibrox.

And, in other news… Wilson should seal Rangers swoop for £8m-rated beast, he’s “had a fantastic season”

West Brom’s plight in the Premier League isn’t getting any easier, and it will take an awful lot for Sam Allardyce to find the answer to stopping Manchester United and their enigmatic playmaker Bruno Fernandes.

Although the 66-year-old may have one ace up his sleeve in the form of winter signing Okay Yoksulu, who arrived for the remainder of the season on loan from La Liga outfit Celta Vigo.

After a cameo role during the Baggies’ defeat to Spurs last weekend, it’s time for Big Sam to unleash him from the off, now that he’s gotten to train uninterrupted with his new team…

On the Chalkboard

Despite crumbling to yet another defeat in north London, the Turkish international gave a positive debut from the bench. As per SofaScore ratings, he actually graded as West Brom’s best player with a rating of 7.1.

In just 12 minutes of action, Yokuslu recorded three tackles, won 83.3% of his duels and made 75% of his passes – only showing a glimpse of what he has to offer.

Albion sporting and technical director Luke Dowling gave a glowing endorsement of the 26-year-old upon his arrival. He told the official website:

“It is testament to Okay that he has also made the decision to commit himself to that challenge. Okay is a battling midfielder who wears his heart on his sleeve.”

Indeed, we saw that in just a fraction of playing time.

Not since the likes of Claudio Yacob and Youssef Mulumbu have West Brom had a proper industrious warrior at the base of midfield – someone capable of disrupting the opposition and their rhythm.

There will potentially be no bigger test than Fernandes, an absolute creative sensation who has contributed towards a whopping 50 goals in only 56 appearances, via Transfermarkt.

But as Albion’s relegation rivals Sheffield United showed only a few weeks ago, he’s not completely unstoppable, and that’s something Allardyce needs to replicate at the Hawthorns this afternoon if he’s to stand a chance of stopping the Red Devils.

The Blades’ Oliver Norwood put in a performance to stop the Portuguese magician from having any significant influence – he failed to score or provide an assist as Chris Wilder’s men ran out 2-1 victors, and that was thanks to the 29-year-old, who made five tackles and one interception, via SofaScore.

Yokuslu must take up the position as a shield for the backline, the last line of defence.

As per SmarterScout (via The Athletic), the 6 foot 3 beast rates out at 88/99 for ball recoveries and interceptions, which suggests a knack of not only reading the game well but also acting swiftly to benefit his side.

He is not shy to dig deep and battle with the opposition either, grading out at 88/99 for aerial duels too.

By no means will he be a shoo-in to thwart the attacking exploits of United’s key man, but at the very least, he can offer some defensive stability that they have otherwise lacked all season – after all, they have leaked 15 more goals than any other Premier League side as well as across Europe’s elite divisions.

Allardyce must take inspiration from Sheffield United’s win and deploy Yokuslu as a defensive midfielder this afternoon. He could be their biggest game-changer against one of the division’s most lethal players.

AND in other news, West Brom could have another Kevin Phillips right under their nose