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Celtic defender Christopher Jullien isn’t expected to make his return from injury this month, according to Football Insider.

The Lowdown: Postecoglou’s hopes

The 28-year-old hasn’t featured for the Hoops in 2021 after suffering an injury when blocking a shot against Dundee United last December.

Ange Postecoglou revealed towards the end of September that he was hoping Jullien would be back in training at the beginning of October.

However, that hasn’t come to fruition, and it seems as if Celtic supporters will have to wait longer to see the defender in action.

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The Latest: Source shares update

Football Insider shared a story on Sunday evening where Frank McAvennie was giving his thoughts on the French defender and his return.

Within the report, they shared information from a Celtic source, who claimed that Jullien isn’t expected to return before the end of the month.

The Verdict: Frustration

If Jullien returned to training at the beginning of the month, who knows, he may have featured for the first time under Postecoglou before October came to an end.

Celtic still have five fixtures to play before November comes around, so it is frustrating that the wait to see the centre-back will continue beyond Halloween.

Hopefully the 28-year-old will make his return before the year is out and can establish himself as first choice at the back once again, just like he was before that fateful injury.

In other news: Former Celtic player thinks Ange may land ‘exciting’ ace in cut-price deal who has the same agency as Ronaldo

Trezeguet may leave Aston Villa on loan before the end of the transfer window, according to The Athletic’s Gregg Evans. 

The lowdown

The Egyptian joined Aston Villa ahead of the 2019/20 season in an £8.75m move from Kasimpasa. He has since made 64 appearances for the club, although he spent much of 2021 sidelined by a serious knee injury and has played just 10 top-flight minutes since recovering from that setback.

His current goal tally stands at nine, while he has also served up five assists during his time with the Midlands outfit. His £32.5k-per-week contract still has 18 months left to run.

Trezeguet is currently away with Egypt at the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), and it’s unclear if that will complicate any potential transfer. They are due to meet Ivory Coast for a round of 16 tie on Wednesday, just five days before the January deadline.

The latest

During The Athletic’s matchday discussion on Saturday, Evans was asked whether time was ‘up’ for wingers Bertrand Traore or Trezeguet given Gerrard’s preference for a narrow 4-3-2-1 formation.

The journalist replied: “Traore, I feel, will be back up now. Maybe an impact player? Trezeguet is going to struggle for minutes so he may go on loan.”

The verdict

Where might Trezeguet end up?

It was reported earlier this month that Galatasaray were keen to take him back to the Turkish Super Lig and had initiated talks with Villa.

Steven Gerrard has already allowed Anwar El-Ghazi to leave this month, but in Philippe Coutinho, Emiliano Buendia, Leon Bailey and Bertrand Traore, he will have ample options in the wide attacking areas even if he lets Trezeguet go too.

Some Villa fans may be sad to see the 27-year-old go, because his commitment has never really been in doubt. For instance, his former manager Dean Smith described his ‘running numbers’ as ‘incredible’; while former Villa defender Alan Hutton hailed his willingness to close people down, even if he did look like a ‘headless chicken’ at times.

At least a loan move could enable Trezeguet to reinvigorate his career while still maintaining ties with the club so that they aren’t just barging him out the door unceremoniously.

In other news, lots of Villa fans flock to links with this Serie A maestro

Speaking exclusively to The Transfer Tavern, former Nottingham Forest goalkeeper Mark Crossley believes his old side should be turning to Chelsea or another Premier League outfit for a striker.

Forest’s forwards have not been firing in this early stage of the season, with Lyle Taylor the only No.9 in the Reds’ squad to have scored in the Championship so far, with his sole goal coming in the opening weekend of the new campaign.

Chris Hughton’s team as a whole have not been good enough in front of goal and in the league overall. They currently sit bottom of the table with just one point, while only Sheffield United have found the back of the net on fewer occasions (via WhoScored).

Considering all of that, Crossley has called for his former club to bring in a new centre-forward and believes Chelsea could be a good place to start looking.

“Look to the Premier League for a loan spell,” the ex-Forest star said to TT. “Chelsea loan a lot of players out. Whether it’s a loan or permanent, it’s always better to get a permanent in, but if it’s a loan from a Premier League club, I think there’s a handful.”

Without a doubt, this goalscoring issue is something Hughton needs to address or else it is going to be a long season for Forest.

Crystal Palace have suffered a potentially significant blow in their pursuit of Huddersfield Town midfielder Lewis O’Brien.

What’s the story?

The Eagles have been linked to the highly-rated 22-year-old in recent weeks as new manager Patrick Vieira looks to strengthen his engine room options.

O’Brien has entered the final year of his current contract at the John Smiths Stadium, although the Terriers do have the option to extend that by a further 12 months.

However, fellow Premier League side Leeds United appear to have won the race for O’Brien’s signature after agreeing a £7m fee for the player, according to The Telegraph.

Patrick Vieira will be gutted

After rising through the ranks at his boyhood club, O’Brien has established himself as one of Huddersfield’s most promising midfielders, scoring five goals and providing seven assists in 83 appearances for the Yorkshire outfit.

Vieira has already bolstered his midfield engine room options in the shape of Conor Gallagher on loan, but with James McCarthy departing and Cheikhou Kouyate linked with an imminent exit, the former Nice boss may need added reinforcements for the upcoming campaign.

However, it’s looking increasingly unlikely that O’Brien will be the man to solve the south London outfit’s conundrum in the middle of the park.

After missing the opening two matches of the Championship season due to COVID-19, the Englishman returned to action for their 1-0 victory over Preston North End on Tuesday night, putting in a solid display on his comeback.

Palace have been targeting young, exciting acquisitions in the current window, changing the landscape at Selhurst Park in the process, and O’Brien would certainly fit into the makeup of the new-look side.

Therefore, news that Leeds are closing in on his signature will surely leave Vieira feeling gutted. The capital club have also been heavily linked with a move for Watford ace Will Hughes, but reportedly saw an opening offer of £5m turned down by the Hornets.

It leaves the former Nice boss in a rather tricky situation as both of his top midfielder targets are seemingly out of his reach at this moment in time.

With just a couple of weeks remaining before the transfer window shuts, Vieira will be desperate to add the final touches to what’s been a successful summer so far.

And, in other news…Crystal Palace submit bid for “clever” £12m maestro, he’s a big upgrade on Riedewald 

Tottenham Hotspur’s games as of late have been filled with thrills and last-minute drama. Despite missing key players in Harry Kane and Dele Alli, they’ve shown unrelenting spirit to dig out victories in the dying moments. Spurs have won their last three bouts in dramatic fashion, displaying unmatched resolve into finding the winner late into the games.

Following the frustrating loss to Manchester United at home, Mauricio Pochettino’s been reinvigorated into reigniting the players’ belief. They might be missing their captain, but Spurs always have an encouraging manager whose urging his players forward even when games feel finished.

The Argentine manager’s ability to reinvigorate his players’ never-say-die attitude has been exemplified in the last couple of weeks. Spurs snatched victories from the jaws of dropped points, maintaining their discreet surge towards an unlikely title challenge.

Be it a very late winner at Craven Cottage, an inspired come-back against a resolute Watford or carving open an impenetrable Newcastle at home, Pochettino’s side has won their last three games after the 80th-minute mark. Late goals are their new favourite thing.

Be it inspired substitutions or moments of brilliance from talented individuals the recent victories have truly brought to light Pochettino’s motivational ability. If not anything, he’s proven that it’s not only the Kanes’ or Alli’s who can come up with goals.

Having etched a must win at all cause attitude into every single player, irrelevant or crucial, it seems the Argentine’s coming up with his own version of “Fergie Time”. Indeed, perhaps he could have added yet another string to his bow and the most important time possible, helping Tottenham to really challenge for the title.

An update has emerged on Getafe midfielder John Patrick, regarding Leeds’ interest in his services.

What’s the talk?

According to TEAMtalk, Leeds are one of a number of clubs interested in signing the midfielder in January on a pre-contract deal.

The report claims that the 6 foot 4 teenager is out of contract at the end of the season, with Manchester United, Everton, Burnley and Leeds all eyeing up a potential swoop.

Imagine him and Phillips

Leeds chief Victor Orta must move for John and get a deal done for the youngster to bolster Marcelo Bielsa’s squad in the January transfer window. The 18-year-old is a promising young player who could develop under the Argentine’s watchful eye and be a key part of the future at Elland Road alongside Kalvin Phillips in midfield.

He became the youngest player to play for Getafe in their history last season, at the age of 17 years and 42 days, against Sevilla. Patrick is also an international at youth level for Ireland, having snubbed England and Spain to play for his mother’s country of birth.

The midfield enforcer made five more La Liga appearances for Getafe in the 2020/21 campaign after becoming their youngest player, although they all came as a substitute. This suggests that he was catching the eye in training and proved to the manager that he was ready to play at senior level, despite his incredibly young age.

An Irish journalist hailed him an “exciting” player with high technical quality as he lauded the prospect on The Jack McDonald Show on YouTube (24/03/21). He went on to say that Patrick is still finding his way as a young player and can look lost at times, despite possessing considerable ability on the ball.

This suggests that he could be a project for Bielsa to work on in the coming seasons. He could help develop him into becoming a midfield enforcer, given his height and hyped-up technical quality, alongside the already impressive Phillips.

The Leeds-born beast averaged a WhoScored rating of 7.01 in the Premier League last term, making 4.2 tackles and interceptions per game. This shows that Phillips has been able to impose his strength on the opposition in the top-flight, regularly winning the ball back and performing to a high standard.

If Bielsa could develop Patrick to a similar level then it could be a masterstroke by him and Orta to seal a deal in January. Patrick has the physical and technical aspects to his game that mirror Phillips. The experience and know-how may be lacking but that’s something Bielsa could offer him on the training pitch.

Imagine a midfield consisting of Phillips, who loves a tackle, and the colossal figure of Patrick for Leeds in the Premier League. Opposition teams would fear having to battle against them on the pitch and that could give the Whites a significant mental edge in matches.

AND in other news, Leeds must sanction swoop for £8.5m gem with “crazy technique”, he’s Raphinha 2.0…

As per Spanish news source Mundo Deportivo (via Sport Witness), an update has emerged on Tottenham Hotspur’s transfer plans for Barcelona forward Ousmane Dembele.

The Lowdown: Spurs offer made for Dembele…

The same outlet recently revealed (via Sport Witness) that Fabio Paratici and co have already made an offer to sign the France international as his contract winds down.

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Free to leave as a free agent in 2022, Dembele can negotiate a pre-contract move in January with Spurs apparently swooping in with an offer for the player to his entourage.

Paratici apparently plans to gift manager Antonio Conte ‘quality players at zero cost’ with an update emerging on their hunt for the former Borussia Dortmund sensation.

The Latest: Spurs in hunt…

According to Mundo’s sources (via SW), Tottenham are in the race to sign Dembele and are considered ‘posh suitors’ for his signature.

It is believed that the 24-year-old, as things stand, is in favour of extending his stay in Catalonia but representatives are taking too long to give a concrete answer as they stall given interest from other clubs including Spurs.

The Verdict: Ideal signing?

Chelsea boss Thomas Tuchel, branding Dembele ‘a little crazy’ and an ‘incredible player’, certainly highlights that the £45 million-valued man has bags of ability.

Barca agreed an initial £96.8m move to sign the attacker in a deal potentially rising to £135.5m (BBC), backing just how highly-rated he was at the time, but a plethora of injury issues have followed since despite spells of good form.

For this reason, a swoop for Dembele, even on a possible free deal, could be risky from Tottenham’s perspective.

That said, if Conte can get the best out of the young starlet and somehow resolve his fitness issues, what an ideal signing to excite fans for a new era in north London.

In other news: Levy now open to another big name exit as Conte tells Spurs to sell ‘magnificent’ man, find out more here.

Manchester United lost 1-0 to Everton at Goodison Park this afternoon, leaving their chances of a top four finish and Champions League football next season in serious doubt.

The Toffees are currently the fourth-most out-of-form in the Premier League over the last six matchdays, and after today’s defeat the Red Devils have become the seventh-most out-of-form, losing their eighth top-flight game of the season.

Despite having 67% possession, more shots on target and over twice as many passes completed today, United could not take anything from their clash on Merseyside, with players such as Alex Telles summing up their wastefulness on the ball, losing possession a team-high 28 times.

The Toffees took the lead in the 27th minute when Anthony Gordon’s shot deflected off Harry Maguire into the back of the net behind David de Gea. The visitors had more than hour to redeem themselves but failed to impose themselves successfully on Frank Lampard’s resilient Everton side.

One player who put in yet another nightmare performance for the Red Devils was Marcus Rashford, who failed to make a sufficient impact in the game, perhaps becoming more of a hindrance than a help.

According to SofaScore, United’s golden boy – who Gary Neville called “terrible” – was the worst-rated player on the pitch (5.9) and for good reason, losing all seven of his ground duels and 87.5% of his duels overall.

The forward also lost possession of the ball every 2.7 touches and failed to complete any of his three dribbles before he was hooked by Rangnick in the 64th minute, being replaced by Anthony Elanga.

It has been reported that the 24-year-old is intending to leave Old Trafford this summer after coming through the club’s academy and breaking through into the first team; and when you consider the season he is having, it would be no surprise if his desire to leave the club will be heard and delivered by United.

Rangnick will need to hope that the teams immediately ahead of them suffer the same fate during their fixtures this weekend to give his side a slight chance of redemption to keep their Champions League chances intact. One thing is for sure; Rashford did not do United’s top-four push too many favours today.

In other news – “Erik ten Hag has..”: Romano drops exciting Man Utd update this morning, it’s great news

This January could be an almighty one for Newcastle United as they enter the transfer market for the first time under the guidance of PIF, their oil-rich new owners.

Trying to push any cash from Mike Ashley’s wallet in recent years was a strenuous task but it’s thought the club’s Saudi investors will be far more lapse with their finances.

What’s the word?

That could certainly be the case after an exciting new update from journalist Duncan Castles.

The reporter was speaking on his Transfer Window Podcast this week and told listeners to expect something pretty big from the Magpies in January after PIF decided to change their strategy just a few weeks after being in the northeast.

He said: “Initially, the idea was to be conservative in the January window, they didn’t want to do deals then.

“They were conscious that it’s hard to do deals then, the prices can be high and availability is limited, but they now feel that they have to use the window to its maximum potential.

“I’m hearing talk of maybe five or six players coming in.”

Fans buzzing

This is a piece of news that Newcastle supporters will have simply been dying to hear.

For so long the Toon Army have been starved of a lack of ambition at St James’ Park but Castles’ new claim seems to suggest that the Magpies will launch quite an offensive strategy in the January transfer market.

It remains to be seen who those five or six players are but it wouldn’t be a surprise if a few of them are marquee acquisitions.

Talented forward players like Mauro Icardi, Nicolas Pepe and Dusan Vlahovic have all been linked while the twinkle-toed Donny van de Beek is an option and the bulldozer that is Stefan de Vrij has popped up on their radar too.

Of course, it would be wise of Amanda Staveley and co to pull off a few shrewder deals too, gently balancing out the squad before truly flexing their financial muscles in the summer of 2022.

Either way, the idea of signing a whole new crop of players will surely leave supporters delighted, especially when you consider the considerable rebuild that Eddie Howe needs to pull off.

He has walked into a mess in the northeast with the Magpies sitting towards the foot of the table and in danger of relegation.

Therefore, any further help in January would be appreciated, let alone from half a dozen potential new recruits.

The buzz has died down a little since the initial period of being taken over but this is something that will no doubt create more hype around the club.

AND in other news, Howe could find his new Ake if Newcastle swoop for “very intelligent” £26.8m beast…

According to The Daily Express, there has been a major development in West Ham United’s hunt to sign Manchester United star Jesse Lingard in January.

The Lowdown: West Ham eye Lingard deal…

Numerous reliable sources have backed that manager David Moyes has identified the signing of Lingard on a permanent deal as one of West Ham’s major priorities this month.

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Club insider ExWHUemployee claimed recently that the Irons are set to make a move early this window while reliable reporter Jack Rosser of The Evening Standard reiterates that Moyes is still very much eager.

This comes as Lingard’s current deal at Old Trafford expires in the summer with no sign of fresh terms as The Express now share a major update involving West Ham.

The Latest: West Ham ‘at the front of the queue’…

As per the outlet, West Ham are ‘at the front of the queue’ to sign United’s attacker as they enter pole position for his January signing.

It is believed the Irons are now ‘ready to table’ another bid to sign Lingard as he remains Moyes’ top target, with West Ham’s manager personally ‘working on a package’ to tempt him behind-the-scenes.

The Verdict: Exciting…

Given Moyes’ is currently readying an offer for the 29-year-old as he aims to seal his permanent signing, this update comes as an exciting one with West Ham now favourites.

Lauded as ‘absolutely phenomenal’ and the best player in the Premier League on form at one stage last season (Adrian Durham, talkSPORT), Moyes himself has been very public in his praise for Lingard.

The Scotsman waxed lyrical over England’s international ace, calling him ‘incredible’ for his performances on loan at the London Stadium over 2020/2021.

He bagged a brilliant nine goals and four assists in just 16 English top flight starts, leaving little wonder Moyes wants a return, and Hammers supporters may be hoping he gets his wish before January 31.

In other news: West Ham source: Newman eyeing bid for brand new forward target as club greenlight January sale, find out more here.