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Fabrizio Romano has revealed that Newcastle United are one of the teams interested in signing Bologna defender Aaron Hickey.

What’s the story?

Posting on Twitter, Romano claimed: “Newcastle are interested in signing Bologna fullback Aaron Hickey. Potential fee £15-20m not an issue, he’s considered a top talent – but other clubs monitoring closely. #NUFC Hickey has played more minutes than any other teenager in Europe’s top five leagues this season.”

Part of Newcastle’s future

Able to play anywhere across the back-line, the £13.5m-rated Hickey has already shown incredible versatility, and it’s something that Eddie Howe would surely embrace.

The 19-year-old has been a regular presence for Bologna, making 27 appearances in Serie A, scoring four goals and providing one assist.

With stints at left-back, left-midfield, right-back and right-midfield, Hickey is getting a footballing education in Italy, and it’s no surprise that he has been tipped to transition into midfield more permanently in the future.

Craig Levein, the man who gave the teenager his senior debut, pointed out: “He’s got really good defensive qualities but I don’t know if he’ll end up being a full-back, he might end up going back into midfield. He could be a fantastic holding midfielder with his great awareness of danger and his ability to get out of tight situations with the ball at his feet.”

With a passing accuracy of 84.1% in Serie A (the fourth-best of any Bologna player to have started more than ten games this season), and averaging 1.4 tackles per game (again, the fourth-best among his teammates), he certainly has the ball-playing skills and reading of the game to thrive in central midfield in the future.

At just 19, Hickey is already building up considerable experience in playing at the highest level for a side competing Italian football’s top-tier, while he should find it easier to acclimatise to the Premier League given his stint in Scotland.

The teenager’s arrival would surely have supporters excited.

AND in other news – Sold for £36.9m, now worth £720k: Newcastle enjoyed a blinder with “unplayable” flop

According to Irons insider Claret & Hugh, there has been a promising West Ham United transfer update involving long-time David Moyes target Jesse Lingard.

The Lowdown: Moyes attempts move…

Over the past two windows, a reoccurring theme of West Ham’s transfer activity has been their determination to sign Man United playmaker Lingard on a permanent deal.

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West Ham attempted to seal an agreement both last summer and in the most recent winter window but those attempts at a breakthrough eventually failed to come to fruition.

As Lingard runs down his contract, which is set to expire in June this year, the 29-year-old could now join the Hammers on a Bosman – with Red Devils boss Ralf Rangnick green-lighting the player’s exit.

It is believed that the attacker has had it ‘made clear’ that an Old Trafford extension is unlikely due to a ‘plan set in place’ by Rangnick.

The Latest: Lingard has preference…

According to C&H, as Lingard weighs his next move, it is believed the Englishman is ‘set to turn his back on Newcastle for West Ham’ due to his belief that Moyes is more likely to play him regularly than Magpies boss Eddie Howe.

The forward is apparently still a serious option for West Ham and their manager ahead of this summer window with their interest very much maintained.

The Verdict: Get it done…

Valued at around £18 million by Transfermarkt, West Ham could bypass this fee completely and seal an established Premier League creative force for nothing.

Taking this into account, a move for Lingard on the eve of his contract expiry should at the very least be considered, especially going by the player’s personal stance.

The Three Lions ace will be looking to work his way back into Gareth Southgate’s England squad ahead of the World Cup in Qatar later this year and a move to West Ham could well be his best option.

One of Lingard’s best seasons in the English top flight came on loan at the London Stadium last year and it isn’t inconceivable to believe he could re-discover that form for 2022/2023.

In other news: West Ham surprise on the cards with GSB in mix to sign ‘big name’ once valued at £100m, find out more here.

Everton have been interviewing candidates to replace recently sacked Rafa Benitez at Everton over the last week, with no official offers being made so far and now there has been a further development for the next candidate to enter talks with the owner and the board at Goodison Park.

What’s the word?

Everton insider, Alan Myers, has revealed on Twitter that Frank Lampard will hold talks with Everton this week to see if the position is something he would be interested in and whether he would be the right man for the job.

Myers tweeted on Tuesday afternoon “Lampard to discuss role this week.”

There are several key pieces of information in the tweet Myers has posted, with it confirming that Pereira will continue talks with the club as well and no contact had yet been made with fan favourite Wayne Rooney.

Fans will be delighted

Lampard is a manager that has been thrown into the mix several times this season when positions have become available at Premier League clubs, with the Chelsea legend reportedly close to taking the Norwich job back in November before Dean Smith was appointed at Carrow Road, and Everton fans have already taken to social media to share their delight in Lampard’s potential for taking the job in Merseyside.

One fan tweeted: “Moshiri and Everton should give the fans Lampard, if it doesn’t work it will be on us. But he must give him the best environment to be successful.”

There is no doubt that the 43-year-old Premier League legend would add something different to the Everton job with his success as a player and winning mentality representing something that would be a huge positive influence in a dressing room that lacks confidence after a series of poor performances from the Toffees this season so far.

He would also attract quality players to the team due to his connections at Chelsea, which could help get the deal for Malang Sarr over the line in time for Deadline Day next week, a player that Everton have been linked with over the last week.

In terms of Lampard’s managerial career, he definitely has what it takes to put up a fight, with Derby County knocking Manchester United out of the Carabao Cup on penalties during his tenure and leading the Championship side to the play-off finals against Aston Villa, but was unfortunately unable to get the club promoted.

He then moved onto Chelsea during their transfer ban season, developing young players like Mason Mount into the regular starter and England star he has become today.

Overall, the former midfielder would not necessarily be the worst choice that Moshiri could make in hiring a new manager, he can offer a fresh perspective on the current problems at Everton, something that could potentially inspire a U-turn in the Toffees campaign by developing a positive mindset in the players that could help them win games and climb back into safety in the Premier League.

In other news: Insider reveals update on Duncan Ferguson’s position

Glasgow Rangers are reportedly now behind in the race to sign Josh Stones this summer.

The Lowdown: Plotting move

It has previously been reported that the Teddy Bears are plotting a move to bring Stones to Ibrox, but face competition for his signature.

The striker is impressing at National League North side Guiseley, where he was scoring goals for fun earlier this term, while he also plays for England at youth level, and put in an ‘excellent‘ performance against Crystal Palace Academy last month after scoring in a 1-1 draw.

The Latest: Wigan ahead

As per Football Insider, Wigan Athletic are now leading the race to sign Stones ahead of Giovanni van Bronckhorst’s team, Sunderland and Blackburn Rovers.

A recruitment source has revealed that the Latics are in ‘pole position’, and are ‘favourites’ to agree a deal.

Stones ‘impressed’ during a training stint there, and the English League One club are now ‘keen’ to offer him a contract.

The Verdict: Blow

It is certainly a blow for the Teddy Bears that they now look set to miss out on Stones.

At just 18 years of age, he is clearly one for the future going by his plaudits so far and the intense interest in his services, and has already shown a lot of promise at youth level.

Stones was rewarded with a place on the bench in Guiseley’s FA Cup first-round game against League One side AFC Wimbledon back in November, who play three divisions above them, and so he is clearly destined for a good career in senior football.

Nonetheless, the Gers will now be hoping that it is not too late to persuade him to play in Scotland instead.

In other news, find out which RFC star could now be sold to the English Premier League here!

Manchester United have certainly had a season of two halves this year.

Looking like the laughing stock of the league before Christmas with players seemingly falling out with then manager Jose Mourinho and the club falling further behind the top 4, it looked as though the fans were in for a dismal season.

However, since the change of guard and newly united under the stewardship of Old Trafford legend Ole Gunnar Solksjaer, they are unbeaten in the league since his arrival and have only suffered one defeat in all competitions.

Still, it’s not as if everyone has been magically reworked by the Norwegian, though that may not be his fault.

Indeed, with all the change a couple of players have still struggled to perform under the Norwegian, here we will have a look at them.

Alexis Sanchez

Alexis Sanchez arrived at United with such high expectations, however, since he arrived he has brought nothing to the table for United and is a shadow of his former Arsenal self.

Even under the new manager, the Chilean has failed to impress and has only managed to provide 1 assist in the Premier League since Solkjaer’s arrival.

Such poor performances have led to fans wanting the 30-year-old to step up or get out of the way for talented youth to find their place in the side.

At this point, the player will surely be feeling that a move away from the Manchester club may help his confidence and redeem the reputation he had earlier on in his career.

Fred

The big money signing from Shaktar moved to Old Trafford and brought a huge expectation with him. The Brazilian playmaker was bought in by Jose Mourinho and was meant to be the man that would unlock the creativity that was lacking in the midfield.

However, even under Mourinho, the midfielder struggled to make an impact, only scoring one goal and providing no assists in the Premier League this season.

Fred most recently played in United’s 1-3 away win against Crystal Palace, but it’s not hard to feel that, had United had all of their players fit, the 25-year-old would have found himself on the bench again.

If the midfielders season is to continue in the same fashion and have game after game on the bench, he will surely be looking for a move away from the Premier League and build his way back up to good form elsewhere.

Speaking to Max Statman, Italian journalist and Juventus correspondent Romeo Agresti of Goal.com has shared a Tottenham Hotspur transfer update involving striker Paulo Dybala.

The Lowdown: Spurs eye Nunez move?

In recent weeks, there has been plenty of noise surrounding Tottenham and their hunt for a new forward, with links to some pretty big names having come out of the woodwork.

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Perhaps most notably, in-demand Benfica striker Darwin Nunez has been repeatedly and heavily tipped with Spurs interest.

90min claimed recently that Tottenham made contact with the 22-year-old’s representatives to find out the conditions of a potential transfer.

The Daily Express, meanwhile, revealed earlier this week that Lilywhites officials were sent on a scouting mission over Nunez – with club staff running the rule during Benfica’s loss to Liverpool in the Champions League.

Now, amid these claims, it appears Spurs have also made contact for another forward.

The Latest: Agresti shares Dybala update…

Speaking to Max Statman, Juve correspondent Agresti claims Tottenham are one of the clubs who have had ‘some contacts’ over signing soon-to-be free agent Dybala – though he claims nothing is advanced.

As well as the Lilywhites, it is believed both Inter and Atletico Madrid have also been in touch with the Serie A giants.

He explained: “Regarding Paulo Dybalaʼs next destination, to be fair I don’t know. But I think he hasn’t find a club yet. There were some contacts with Inter, something with Atletico Madrid and Tottenham, but I think he’s taking his time to decide his next club. There are nothing advanced yet.”

The Verdict: Take it further?

Valued at an estimated £36 million by Transfermarkt, Spurs transfer chief Fabio Paratici could bypass that fee entirely and sign him on a free deal given his dwindling contract situation.

Set to leave on a Bosman transfer as things stand, Tottenham could back manager Antonio Conte with a proven attacking threat at zero cost.

Scoring 13 goals and assisting six others in all competitions this season, Dybala has also been lavished by members of the English press, with ex-Arsenal striker Kevin Campbell calling the Argentine ‘clinical’ and ‘quick-thinking’ between the lines (Football Insider).

Dybala may well be one to watch more and more as we approach the summer.

In other news: In recent weeks: Tottenham step up chase to sign ‘incredible’ player as club brace for their bid! Find out more here.

Celtic are back in SPFL action this afternoon with an away match against Ross County.

The Hoops will be looking to put last weekend’s defeat against Rangers in the Scottish Cup semi-final behind them and add some more league points to their tally to take a step closer to securing the title.

On the chalkboard

One player that started in the defeat at Hampden Park that should not be in the team on this occasion is midfielder Reo Hatate.

Celtic signed the 24-year-old during the previous January transfer window in a deal worth £1.4m from Japanese club Kawasaki Frontale.

Since then, the midfielder has made 17 appearances for the Bhoys across all competitions, scoring four goals and providing three assists along the way.

Despite his efforts in front of goal, his display last weekend was not up to scratch and arguably cost his side a place in the Scottish Cup final.

According to the Daily Record, Hatate was “too often second best in 50-50 challenges and dominated by Jack and Lundstram for long spells,” in addition to his “lack of authority in [the] engine room.”

As well as his defensive shakiness, his attacking output was rather lacking as well, with The Herald saying that he “never really threatened in the final third.”

With this in mind and the fact that Celtic will be looking to pick up all three points before coming face to face with Rangers again in the SPFL next weekend, Postecoglou can’t risk seeing the midfielder put in another performance as he did last time out.

Therefore, it could be worth taking Hatate out of the starting XI on this occasion to see if he would be better off being used as a potential substitute if needed.

Having been slammed for a “nasty” tackle he committed back in March by former top referee Steve Conroy, the £14.5k-per-week midfielder has racked up seven fouls in total in the league.

Moving forward, when it comes to putting his starting XI together to take on County, Postecoglou’s best plan of action could be to leave Hatate out this time unless he’s convinced the Hoops boss in training that his dire display last weekend was just a one-off.

In other news: Sold for £2m, now worth £540k: Celtic struck gold on £17k-p/w dud who “had issues”

Everton manager Frank Lampard has revealed that Dominic Calvert-Lewin will be missing for the club’s FA Cup clash against Brentford.

What’s the story?

Speaking in his pre-match press conference ahead of the game against the Bees in the FA Cup fourth round on Saturday, the new Toffees boss revealed: “DCL picked up a small knock so he won’t be available. We hope he can be back for the games coming up.”

Lampard will be gutted

The striker has only managed just six appearances in the Premier League all season, scoring three goals, with all three of those strikes coming in his opening three matches back in August.

In fact, even despite those injury troubles seeing him miss such a large chunk of the season, Calvert-Lewin actually somehow remains fourth-top scorer, and only three behind the men in first, Demarai Gray and Andros Townsend.

Back in May, former Toffees boss Carlo Ancelotti waxed lyrical about the striker after watching him score the winner away against West Ham, saying: “The goal he scored today is a goal of a top striker.

“It’s a goal where the striker prepares his movement and moves at the right time with a lot of speed and then he was cold in front of the goalkeeper. He hasn’t scored a lot of goals like this. He’s scored most of his goals from crosses or with one touch in the box. This is a goal of a top striker.”

Lampard no doubt would have been desperate to see Everton’s most potent goal-scorer and leader up front to be available for his first game in charge, not least for a cup match that could eventually see the new Toffees boss lift his first trophy.

It’s exactly why the update on Calvert-Lewin is likely to leave him absolutely gutted.

Meanwhile, Everton facing a Rafa Benitez-esque howler…

Liverpool are in for a potentially busy transfer deadline day with several transfers possibly materialising, according to reliable journalist Neil Jones.

The Lowdown: Productive January at Anfield

The Reds have had an excellent January both on and off the pitch, shining without Mohamed Salah, Sadio Mane and Naby Keita around and winning all their Premier League games.

Furthermore, Luis Diaz has arrived as a big-money signing from Porto, with the Colombian set to make Liverpool’s attack even more potent.

It could be that plenty of transfer business is conducted at Anfield on deadline day, both in terms of incomings and outgoings.

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The Latest: Jones gives key update

Taking to Twitter on Monday morning, Jones claimed that Fabio Carvalho could still join from Fulham, while the likes of Neco Williams, Nat Phillips, Takumi Minamino and Divock Origi could head the other way.

He outlined: “Plenty happening at Liverpool on #deadlineday. Talks ongoing over Fabio Carvalho from Fulham – would be loaned back until summer if signed. Bournemouth likely to get Neco Williams on loan, Nat Phillips future still TBC. Minamino wants to stay, possible Origi bids?”

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The Verdict: Lots of positives

It is great to see Liverpool looking so busy in the transfer market, especially following some fairly barren recent windows, leading to criticism of FSG from some fans.

Carvalho could be a superb long-term signing if he makes the move, having scored seven goals and registered four assists in the Championship this season, potentially being a Harvey Elliott-like addition in midfield as the Reds potentially raid Fulham again.

Meanwhile, the largely inactive Williams would benefit from a loan spell elsewhere, and receiving good money for fringe players in Phillips, Minamino and Origi is a no-brainer, should the right offer come along. None of those look set to be stalwarts of the future at Anfield.

In other news, some Liverpool fans are happy after an update on one player emerged. Read more here.

West Ham United are back in action tonight with their second-leg quarter-final clash against Olympique Lyon in the Europa League.

The first leg ended in a 1-1 draw at the London Stadium as Tanguy Ndombele scored an equaliser for the Ligue 1 side after Jarrod Bowen put the hosts ahead.

Heading into this clash, the Hammers took a blow over the weekend as they fell to a 2-0 defeat against Brentford in the Premier League.

 On the chalkboard

One player who featured against Brentford and should also be in the team on this occasion is Vladimir Coufal, who made his return to action at the weekend after being out with an injury for the past few weeks.

Despite the poor result, the Czechia international still managed to show what he’s capable of delivering for his team on the pitch.

On the ball, the 29-year-old completed 59 passes in total, with one key pass, one cross and one long ball, along with completing both dribbles that he attempted. From a defensive point of view, the full-back made four clearances and three tackles, won five of his six ground duels and wasn’t dribbled past once.

This display earned Coufal an overall match rating of 7.1/10 from SofaScore, making him the Irons’ second-highest rated outfield player on the day behind Declan Rice. This is particularly impressive given how long he’d been out of action as a result of his injury, showing that it didn’t take him long to get back into the swing of things.

To highlight how solid he is at the back for the Hammers, no other defender in David Moyes’ squad has racked up a higher total of tackles and interceptions combined (69) in the Premier League this season than the £27k-per-week machine.

Labelled a “hardworking” player and a “warrior” by his former Slovan Liberec teammate Radoslav Kovac, Coufal could be a terrifying prospect for Lyon to come up against tonight.

If the £10.8m-rated defender is fit enough to play tonight, then Moyes should definitely have him in the West Ham starting XI.

In other news: Moyes can form “dangerous” duo as GSB plot bid for £25m gem who could “explode” at West Ham