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Everton fans hail Kean transfer update

Many Everton fans have been left to hail a transfer update on Moise Kean as Calciomercato have reported that PSG are already in talks to sign him.

As per the news outlet, the Goodison Park faithful are demanding a transfer fee of at least €50m (£42.9m) to let him go, with Paris Saint Germain keen to buy the Italy international on a permanent deal.

It would mean that the Merseyside club would be able to make a tidy profit on a player that did not really show his talents while he was there, scoring a mere four goals in 37 games in total over all competitions across the last two terms for the Toffees (Transfermarkt).

Nonetheless, the quite large chunk of money could be used to invest in another striker when the summer window comes along.

Everton fan reaction to Kean transfer update

These Toffees hailed the transfer update on the 21-year-old on Twitter, with one Blues supporter even going as far as to claim that it was ‘lovely’:

“Lovely, double our money.”

Credit: @jackph21

“Even that though I’d be happy with mate getting anything like that for someone who won’t want to be here is a yes from me”

Credit: @jamie_byrom

“If we can get over £40m for him then we’ve done well! Put a sell in percentage in the deal and it’s a good deal. I’m sure we would get a decent striker for half that”

Credit: @AidyDews

“Can this week get any better?”

Credit: @DaveMcEFC

“€50m snap their hands off”

Credit: @DMass1990

“Take it”

Credit: @blueray1978

In other news, find out what Paul Joyce update has been lauded by EFC fans here!

Wolves: Romain Saiss was poor on Saturday

If anything summed up Wolves’ season, it would be the last couple of weeks.

Throughout February, the Old Gold were brilliant as they bounced back from some relegation talk to go through the month unbeaten.

Nuno Santo has been nominated for the Manager of the Month award while Ruben Neves is in the conversation to be crowned Player of the Month.

However, the cracks are starting to appear in Wolves’ armoury again. They are now winless in three successive outings with their performance against Aston Villa on Saturday providing very few positives.

Nuno’s men drew 0-0 as they lacked ruthlessness in front of goal. It has been the same story in their last two matches, drawing 1-1 with Newcastle and being battered 4-1 by Manchester City.

It has been a poor week for the Midlands outfit and nothing typifies that more than their ability or lack of it rather, to find the net.

Willian Jose is still yet to score in a Wolves shirt while Adama Traore’s goal drought goes on. It would seem that they’re beginning to rely on their defenders to score the goals.

Conor Coady netted in midweek, while he and Romain Saiss had their best chances against Villa on Saturday.

Pedro Neto whipped in a mean ball from the right during the second half which found its way to Coady at the back stick. He hit the post and then with the goal at his mercy, Saiss somehow missed an open goal from a matter of yards.

Tim Spiers claimed the effort “defied the laws of physics” and it’s hard to argue with that point. The Moroccan just needed to tap the ball home but instead skied it miles over the bar. It was a moment that ultimately cost Wolves the game and left every Old Gold player in the camera shot with their head in their hands.

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It was a bewildering miss, one that might just go down as the worst of the Premier League season. Though, it was an incident that just about summed up a woeful night for Saiss; a player who never got going at Villa Park.

The £22k-per-week defender has been inconsistent this term and his display on Saturday evening proved that very point. Nuno likes his defenders to be able to play out from the back but he failed in that department, achieving a pass success rate of just 70%.

That tally happened to be the worst of any Wolves outfield player. It was also a number that was 12% worse than his seasonal average of 82% this term.

The Express & Star were rather damning in their assessment of the defender at full-time, saying; “Headed the ball with authority, however, his passing was inconsistent throughout. But it’s the miss of the season that will cause the Moroccan international some sleepless nights.”

Saiss was kept busy by the likes of Trezeguet and Ollie Watkins but he often came out second best, winning just a solitary tackle in the entire match. In addition, the centre-back surrendered possession on 15 occasions.

It was an uncharacteristically poor performance from Saiss, someone who should now be wary of his place in the team.

With Willy Boly back among the substitutes, Nuno must consider wielding the axe on his place in the starting XI and replacing him with a more reliable defender. Boly is certainly that.

AND in other news, Wolves gem who made just 23 passes let Nuno down a lot, Spiers said he “offered nowt”…

Amoruso eager for Gers return

Former Glasgow Rangers player Lorenzo Amoruso has suggested he would like to return to Ibrox to work with the 55-time Scottish champions.

Amoruso wants Gers return

Amoruso spent six years with the Gers between 1997 and 2003, helping them win three league titles along the way.

Speaking to Inside Futbol, the Italian has revealed he would like to work with his former club again. He said:

Sure and I hope [I can work with Rangers again]!

I often talk to the club, I have always told them that if they need a person in Italy, I am there.

I have always tried to advise on some players.

“I have three teams in my heart: Bari, Fiorentina and Rangers.”

Clear affinity

Given his comments here, it is clear Amoruso shares an affinity with the Gers. After six years there, it would be hard not to leave with some kind of connection. It seems he is not officially working with any club at the moment, which means he would be available if the Gers were eager to sign him up.

Having someone on the ground in Italy could be very advantageous. It is a footballing hotbed, after all, and Amoruso would be in a position to point up some hidden gems that would otherwise remain off the Gers’ radar. It remains to be seen whether Ross Wilson and co act on the 49-year-old’s wishes.

In other news, Kris Boyd demands new deals for this Rangers duo.

Why West Brom need Sawyers out, McCarthy in

West Brom are thought to be one of the teams eyeing a move for out-of-contract Crystal Palace ace James McCarthy.

According to the Daily Mail last week, the 42-time Republic of Ireland international is a target for the Baggies with the south Londoners yet to begin talks over a new deal.

The Athletic added further weight to the story just a few days ago, claiming that unpaid fees surrounding Nathan Ferguson’s move from the Hawthorns to Selhurst Park could aid Albion’s pursuit of McCarthy.

They claim that ‘experience in the centre of midfield is attractive to [Sam] Allardyce’ but the prospect of a relegation battle may not swing the cause in their favour, meaning he could assess his options in the summer.

This is where West Brom need to step in and tempt him into a move, even if short-term as his qualities are vastly needed right now.

And on just £50k-per-week at the Eagles, he could fit in their wage bracket quite handsomely as Kamil Grosicki has been linked with cancelling his £50k-per-week contract early while Charlie Austin and his £55k-per-week deal has been shipped onto QPR for the time being.

The 30-year-old veteran has played 263 times in the Premier League, a figure that eclipses Albion’s whole midfield in one, so he’d be a welcome addition.

On Tuesday night, we once again witnessed a calamitous display from Romaine Sawyers – the 29-year-old ranks as the Baggies’ worst regular starter (seven or more appearances) with an average WhoScored rating of 6.13.

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Against Pep Guardiola’s men he was so out of his depth, recording a squad-low 5.5 ratings as he looked lightweight in his battles, winning only two of eight duels (25%), while he was also dribbled past three times by the class Ilkay Gundogan and Phil Foden and he committed an error leading to a goal, per SofaScore.

In the Premier League, this has become a frequent occurrence as seen by his abysmal average rating. There are no easy games in the top-flight, so by bringing in McCarthy, Allardyce could finally be handed a reason to finally axe Sawyers from his starting XI.

He’s simply only playing there due to the lack of options at his disposal.

McCarthy’s experience in the big time would also aid their survival bid massively as he’s played against the very best consistently every season.

Former Albion boss, now in charge of Palace, Roy Hodgson dubbed the Irish brute a “class act” and a “class player” just last season, a campaign which saw him manage 2.5 tackles and a 77.8% passing success rate, per WhoScored.

Enough is enough.

Allardyce must push to sign McCarthy before Monday’s transfer deadline. The Baggies cannot head into the coming months without addition midfield options.

If they do, then they may as well prepare for the Championship. At least Sawyers would feel back at home at a level where he’ll have the time and space needed to play his best.

AND in other news, Exclusive: Pundit claims forgotten 28 y/o could help big West Brom issue… 

Musa having WBA medical

According to Football Insider, Ahmed Musa is having a medical at West Bromwich Albion ahead of a move to the Hawthorns.

Musa having medical

Musa is a free agent, meaning that a deal does not need to be done before the deadline. However, that hasn’t stopped the Baggies making a move on the final day of the window.

This latest report says he is having a medical with the club and is putting the finish touches to a move to the Midlands.

Another attacking option

Sam Allardyce has already captured one striker this window, with Mbaye Diagne joining on loan from Galatasaray (wba.co.uk). Now, though, it appears another forward will be moving to the club. Musa has scored 88 goals throughout his career (Transfermarkt), and has impressed particularly at World Cups, scoring four goals across two tournaments.

Valued at £5.4m (Transfermarkt), Musa did have a failed spell at Leicester City, but he is clearly a player with plenty of talent. If Allardyce can get the most out of the Nigeria international, he could be hugely important in the battle for Premier League survival.

In other news, West Brom failed in a bid for this Turkey international.

Manchester United’s interest in Fiorentina defender Nikola Milenkovic spells trouble for Victor Lindelof

It seems Ole Gunnar Solskjaer wants to fix Manchester United’s defensive issues in the January transfer window…

What’s the word?

According to CalcioMercato, the Red Devils are among a host of clubs eyeing a move for Fiorentina versatile defender Nikola Milenkovic next month and the Serie A outfit are open to offloading him if they receive an offer in the region of €35m-40m (£35m).

It’s claimed they could become embroiled in a bidding war for the centre-half as he has also attracted interest from AC Milan, Inter and Premier League rivals Tottenham Hotspur.

Milenkovic has established himself as one of the best defenders in Europe, providing two goals and one assist in Serie A this season so far, via WhoScored.

Bye-bye Victor Lindelof

With United linked with a move for the Serbia international, Victor Lindelof could find himself heading for the Old Trafford exit.

The Swede has become somewhat of a marmite figure amongst the fan base as he has suffered from an inconsistent run of form in recent years.

Harry Maguire is Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s first-choice at the back but questions still remain over who should partner him in the heart of the defence.

Lindelof has assumed the role as part of Solskjaer’s preferred defensive pairing, having played 12  games in the Premier League so far this season, via Transfermarkt.

But that’s primarily due to a lack of other options rather than anything else as his performances at the back have been shaky at best to say the least.

Bringing in Milenkovic, who plays in a similar position, would undoubtedly push him one step closer to the exit.

Diehard United fans may be well acquainted with the Serbian after he kept Cristiano Ronaldo in his back pocket during the 3-0 victory over Juventus before the Christmas break. As per SofaScore, he blocked two shots, made two clearances and two interceptions to ensure Fiorentina kept their first clean sheet in Serie A since the draw with Parma at the Ennio Tardini Stadium.

Per WhoScored, he is averaging 1.6 tackles, 1.6 interceptions and 3.1 clearances per game in the Italian top flight so far this season, so perhaps he could fill the void United have arguably failed to fill ever since Rio Ferdinand left the club.

He has also been likened to club legend and his fellow countryman Nemanja Vidic, which is certainly high praise indeed, and suggests he is exactly the calibre of player United need to shore up their leaky defence, having conceded more goals than Premier League rivals Arsenal and Chelsea this season so far.

AND in other news, former Hull City striker Dean Windass has told Solskjaer to sell a Manchester United “liability”…

Ogbonna was West Ham’s best vs Burnley

Angelo Ogbonna was the true star of the show as West Ham United beat Burnley 1-0 on Saturday thanks to a dream return to the starting line-up for Michail Antonio.

The Hammers sealed all three points through Antonio’s fourth goal of the season and first since October, when the 30-year-old met Pablo Fornals’ teasing delivery unchallenged at the back post to poke home past Nick Pope in the ninth minute.

David Moyes’ side continually proved to be the greater attacking threat and come close to doubling their advantage when Ogbonna’s header crashed back off the woodwork late in the first half.

Ogbonna has scored twice already this season with goals against Aston Villa and Leeds United, and would have sealed his most productive Premier League campaign had his 18th-minute header not also missed the target after connecting well with Jarrod Bowen’s corner.

Ogbonna proved a relentless titan in the air during Saturday’s 1-0 win over Burnley, with the Clarets finding the Italian an imposing colossus to conquer alongside Craig Dawson as the pair helped West Ham to keep a fourth-straight clean sheet across all competitions.

Moyes is seeing Ogbonna regularly set the tone at the London Stadium nowadays, and would have taken great confidence in the £4.5m-rated brute also carrying possession out from the back well with a smart run down the left-flank early in the second period.

Saturday’s appearance was Ogbonna’s 18th start in the Premier League this season, in which the 32-year-old has now played a key role in six clean sheets with a consistent high-level to his performances.

Ogbonna was the sole member of Moyes’ backline to register a successful tackle against Burnley, having seen Aaron Cresswell, Dawson and Vladimir Coufal each fail to offer a single attempt. The Italian also recorded a joint-game high eight clearances with Tomas Soucek, along with one interception, per WhoScored.

He further protected Lukasz Fabianski’s goal with a team-high six defensive aerial contests which, combined with Ogbonna’s two offensive headers, resulted in a 50% success rate to take his season averages to 2.5 duels won from 4.1 contests per Premier League outing.

Moyes got what he will have come to expect in terms of Ogbonna’s defending, with the 32-year-old on average winning 0.9 of 1.2 tackles and offering 1.0 interceptions and 4.8 clearances, and will hope to see more from the centre-half when West Ham take to the pitch against West Bromwich Albion on Tuesday night with the Italian a firm star of the West Ham show.

AND in other news, West Ham may be targeting a new Modibo Maiga in their search of Sebastien Haller’s replacement

Moussa Sissoko opens door for Tottenham’s Harry Winks after Man City display

Moussa Sissoko may have just opened the door for Harry Winks to steal his place in the Tottenham Hotspur midfield after struggling at home to Manchester City on Saturday.

Jose Mourinho has trusted Sissoko with being a key part of his plans in north London this season, but failed to see that faith repaid as the Frenchman boisterously frolicked around the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium without leaving an authoritative impression.

It was the sort of backs-to-the-wall display against Pep Guardiola’s Sky Blues that should have seen Sissoko impose himself more commandingly than he managed, having proven himself as a “big and powerful” unit since joining the Premier League and proving opinions wrong since joining Spurs.

“People look at him and think, ‘Wow he’s big and powerful’ and he looks so serious sometimes – but underneath it, he’s a big softie, really,” Sissoko’s former Newcastle United teammate James Perch told The Athletic.

“I knew he had lots of ability, but I didn’t see a top club buying him. Since he’s gone there, he’s surprised everyone, really.”

Saturday’s 2-0 win over Manchester City was Sissoko’s 12th appearance across all competitions this term, having now started six of Tottenham’s eight Premier League games, featured in two of their three Europa League Group Stage ties and started September’s EFL Cup win over London rivals Chelsea.

Mourinho’s preference to start Sissoko has come at the expense of Spurs product Winks, who has been shunned to the fringes and left feeding off scraps with just 17-minutes of top-flight action to his name since the start of October.

Winks also found himself omitted from Mourinho’s matchday squad for a third time in Tottenham’s last four Premier League fixtures this weekend, just days after telling Sky Sports that he finds it “difficult” being an outcast and reports surfacing that he could request a January transfer.

Spurs, however, will demand £40million should the Premier League title contenders look to sell the midfielder who Mauricio Pochettino once backed to be England’s Andres Iniesta.

“Harry has the profile of the perfect midfield player,” Pochettino said, via quotes by the Evening Standard. “His characteristics are perfect. When we talk about midfielders like [Spain greats] Xavi and Iniesta, he’s like this type of player. He has this capacity.”

Sissoko may have just opened the door for Winks to prove himself to Mourinho, as the £80,000-per-week enforcer could only win two of his four ground duels and one of three aerial contests on route to SofaScore’s lowest match rating for a starting Spurs player at 6.5 out of 10.

He further lost possession eight times, committed one foul, misplaced 30% of his 23 attempted passes, offered no key balls or shots on goal and made just one dribble.

Mourinho saw little defensive impact, either, as Sissoko could only register two clearances, one interception and one successful tackle despite City enjoying 67% of the possession, which they turned into 22 shots.

AND in other news, Daniel Levy risked a mammoth blunder by accepting a low-ball offer for a 63-cap Tottenham man this summer.

Glasgow Rangers chief Ross Wilson must deliver Billy Gilmour or face consequences

Glasgow Rangers want to secure the services of Chelsea midfielder Billy Gilmour on loan next month and now the pressure is on Ross Wilson to deliver in the winter transfer market.

What’s the word?

According to The Sun’s Fraser Mackie, Chelsea are open to loaning the teenager back to the 54-time Scottish champions for the rest of the season.

Gilmour made a rare start against FC Krasnodar in the Champions League on Tuesday night after recovering from knee surgery that ended his breakthrough season with the Blues.

Frank Lampard admitted he has high hopes for the youngster after Chelsea drew 1-1 with Krasnodar in their Champions League dead rubber, as he said: “I thought Billy was outstanding. The way he played and how he trains, I see him growing with us. He’s going to be a Chelsea player so it’s just about making sure the pathway is right for him.”

But the 19-year-old has fallen down the pecking order after the arrival of Kai Havertz in the summer and Rangers have reignited their interest in their former academy player with the transfer window set to open in just a few weeks’ time.

Get it done, Gers

Leaving it so late is setting Wilson up for failure as it will only put him under pressure if he fails to deliver the goods.

Rangers are on a remarkable run of form, as they are currently unbeaten in all competitions, but a minor injury crisis in the midfield could somewhat curtail their strong start to the season.

Scott Arfield and Steven Davis are arguably entering the twilight of their careers, which means they could be more susceptible to injury problems, whilst Ryan Jack has struggled with injuries so far this season and there are doubts over Glen Kamara’s future at the club amid links abroad.

To continue with just Bongani Zungu, who himself has had his fair share of injury concerns, and Joe Aribo, who is predominantly an attacking midfielder by trade, would just be plain stupid as the season starts to heat up.

This phrase gets bandied about a bit too much for our liking but it’s as clear as day that Gilmour is a generational talent.

Despite his age, the Scotland starlet has already made 13 appearances for Chelsea – per SofaScore, he took 97 touches of the ball and clearly made all of that possession count, as he made 3 key passes, took one shot on target, provided 74 out of 83 passes (89%) and was fouled once, which suggests that he was a real menace throughout the game against Krasnodar.

By comparison, Aribo failed to register a single shot or record a key pass against Ross County in the Scottish Premiership last weekend, via SofaScore.

If they fail to regain the title for the first time since the 2010-11 season, Gerrard cannot entirely be held accountable, as Wilson will have to share some of the blame as well.

AND in other news,  Rangers boss Steven Gerrard must unleash Bongani Zungu against Lech Poznan in the Europa League…

Spurs were right to give up on Tim Sherwood favourite Nabil Bentaleb

Tottenham Hotspur’s youth academy is arguably in the best place it’s ever been at the minute.

The two Harry’s, Kane and Winks, are the best two examples of Spurs success stories right now but in recent times, the likes of Japhet Tanganga and Oliver Skipp have also broken through.

But it’s not always been the case as some players have failed to live up to the hype – none more so than Nabil Bentaleb, who went from being a favourite of Tim Sherwood’s to a forgotten man under Mauricio Pochettino.

“I think he’s been great. I know Bentaleb, I know what he possesses. He trains like every day is the last day in the world and that’s a great trait to have for a young kid,” once explained Sherwood.

He wasn’t the only one to tout his potential though, Michael Cox, who is now The Athletic’s tactical guru, once likened him to a legendary defensive midfielder, he said: “Bentaleb is happy to push up the pitch and make quick interceptions to recover the ball immediately, in a manner reminiscent of Sergio Busquets.”

Having played 29 times for Sherwood, Bentaleb could only muster up another 46 appearances, primarily in cups rather than the Premier League, under Pochettino, who would quickly send him out on loan to Schalke 04.

Where is Bentaleb now?

After enjoying a successful stint on loan, the Bundesliga outfit sanctioned a permanent move for the Algerian powerhouse with Spurs raking in a whopping £17m, all of which is profit as he came through the ranks at Hotspur Way.

It has to be said, Daniel Levy played a blinder with that deal.

The 25-year-old has twice been dropped from their first-team squad due to disciplinary issues.

According to Bild reporter Marc Siekmann, the midfielder has a problem with leadership from above and often ignored the demands of his manager.

Such problems led to a loan move back to the Premier League during the January transfer window where he joined Newcastle United, playing alongside Danny Rose again for the second half of the campaign.

The fact that the Magpies didn’t turn that deal into a permanent one speaks volumes – per WhoScored, Bentaleb averaged 1.6 fouls, 1.9 tackles and only 0.7 key passes per game from his 12 league appearances.

Now valued at a miserable £3.6m by Transfermarkt, Spurs have clearly been the winners in this deal. A true masterclass from the tough-negotiator, Mr Levy.

AND in other news, Spurs can land Jose Mourinho his new Nemanja Matic next summer…

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