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West Bromwich Albion appear to have been dealt a setback in their bid to bring Vedat Muriqi to The Hawthorns in the January transfer window.

What’s the talk?

That’s according to a claim made by Fabrizio Romano, with the transfer insider relaying the quotes of Lazio director Igli Tare on Twitter, who seemed to suggest that the 27-year-old centre-forward will not be leaving the Serie A side in the current market.

In his tweet, Romano said: “Vedat Muriqi won’t join CSKA Moscow, Lazio director Igli Tare says: “It was fake news. He’s not joining CSKA Moscow.”

Aside from CSKA Moscow, previous reports had also suggested that Valerien Ismael’s Albion side were interested in a move for the Kosovo international this month, while both Leeds United and Hull City have also been credited with an interest in Muriqi.

However, with Tare stating quite intently that news of the club’s striker potentially leaving Rome is ‘fake’, a move elsewhere could now also be off the cards, including to the Hawthorns.

Fans will be buzzing

While it is undeniable that Muriqi’s return of goals during his seven and a half year spell in Turkey was impressive, considering how poor the striker has been since making a big-money move to Lazio back in the summer of 2020, the news that the Kosovan looks unlikely to be leaving Italy this month is sure to have left Baggies fans buzzing.

Indeed, over his 246 appearances for the likes of Giresunspor, Genclerbirligi Ankara, Caykur Rizespor, Fenerbahce, KF Teuta and KS Besa Kavaje, the £12.5m-rated man scored 81 goals and registered 23 assists – not far off making a direct goal contribution every other game.

However, since his £17.93m move to Lazio, the £52k-per-week striker has failed to hit anywhere near these heights, having bagged just two goals and provided two assists over his 49 appearances in all competitions for I Biancocelesti.

As such, when taking into account Muriqi’s extremely hefty weekly wage, in addition to the fact that the 27-year-old has proven he does not have what it takes to make it in one of Europe’s big five leagues, the news that the Kosovan will not be leaving Italy for The Hawthorns this winter is undoubtedly fantastic news for everyone involved with the Baggies.

In other news: Sky Sports pundit drops worrying WBA January claim, it’d be a “huge blow” for Ismael

A Newcastle transfer update has emerged, regarding Lille’s Sven Botman and Manchester United’s Jesse Lingard as PIF aim to seal the first signings of their era with the club.

What’s the talk?

According to Fabrizio Romano in The Guardian, the Magpies are hoping to land both players in January to bolster their squad in a bid to avoid relegation.

The report claims that Botman could cost them a fee in the region of £30m-£40m, whilst they are open to signing Lingard on loan or permanently.

Delight

Newcastle fans will surely be elated by this update from Romano as it shows that the club are making serious plans to strengthen Eddie Howe’s squad in the market.

They have identified two players with recent experience of thriving at the top level and both of them could come in and make a positive impact on the team. Transfermarkt value Lingard at £19.8m and Botman at £25.2m, which means that the club could bring in a £45m-rated duo to improve their side midway through the campaign.

The Magpies have conceded the most goals in the Premier League this season and the signing of a defender could be crucial in their efforts to remain in the division. Botman helped Lille to keep an outstanding 20 clean sheets in Ligue 1 last term as he averaged a SofaScore rating of 7.08, showing that he has the talent required to keep shutouts as part of an organised defensive set-up.

Fans would surely be buzzing to see a defender with an impressive, recent, record of performing consistently as a centre-back in Ligue 1. He has helped Lille to multiple clean sheets in France and he could now head to England to do the same for Newcastle, which the supporters – and Howe – would love to see if it helps them to pick up more points.

Last season, Lingard produced nine goals and six assists in 16 Premier League appearances. He averaged 1.1 key passes per game as he showed that he has the quality to produce consistent end product in the final third during his loan spell with the Hammers.

Therefore, he could potentially come in and be a match-winner for Newcastle as he has proven that he can score and create goals at this level. His finishing and playmaking could be the difference for Howe’s side in tight games and that is why fans would be delighted with his arrival too.

Overall, these two players would appear to be high-class potential additions and Newcastle simply must swoop.

AND in other news, Possession lost 110x: Howe must brutally axe “fantastic” NUFC dud with 66% pass rate…

Everton haven’t played a game of football in over a fortnight, going back to their last game in December, against Chelsea where they snatched a draw with an extremely weakened team that saw seven key players missing.

Despite fixture postponements killing the opportunity for the Toffees to add points on the board, it has been a blessing in disguise for Rafa Benitez who has had a squad plagued with injuries and virus outbreaks over the last month, with fixture cancellations offering a break for Everton to rest and regain fitness in key areas of their team.

With that being said, here is the predicted starting XI Football FanCast expects to see at Goodison Park against Brighton this afternoon.

We expect to see five changes to Benitez’s side with one particular player back in the side that will come as a surprise to fans as Lucas Digne is predicted to be included in the starting line-up against the Seagulls.

The £110k-per-week left-back has been out of favour in the side since his last appearance against Liverpool in the Merseyside derby over a month ago, with a rumoured feud with the Everton manager over tactics being blamed for his absence.

However, after being spotted back in first-team training this week, it’s an opportunity for the manager and player to put their differences aside, as Benitez will be desperate to get his first win in three.

One addition that fans will be thrilled to see is the inclusion of Dominic Calvert-Lewin for the first time since September. The star striker has been teasing a long-awaited return from a quadriceps injury that has taken a long time to repair, with the 28-year-old suffering a setback in October.

Calvert-Lewin can certainly add more creativity and a better attacking threat that will intimidate the Brighton defence today, scoring three goals in his only three outings this term, which will be especially welcome due to the absence of Richarlison through injury.

The three other additions to the team are Everton’s joint top goal scorer Demarai Gray, Toffees captain, Seamus Coleman and Brazilian midfielder, Allan.

Benitez will need to do everything he can to seize the home advantage opportunity at Goodison Park today against Brighton, with a three-point win crucial to the side’s Premier League campaign.

A victory could put the side ahead of Southampton in 13th and should put the Toffees well clear of the relegation zone if results go their way.

In other news: Benitez could be set for error over plans to sell Lucas Digne

Newcastle United have made a ‘request for information’ about Lille’s Renato Sanches, according to Calciomercato. 

The lowdown

The 24-year-old helped Lille to see off Paris Saint-Germain to the Ligue 1 title last season, but they have struggled so far this term. With just four games to go until the halfway point of the season, they find themselves down in 13th place, placing their hopes of European qualification in serious doubt.

The Portuguese maestro missed seven of the first eight games through a meniscal injury and has been limited to four league starts so far in 2021/22 (via Transfermarkt).

Another Premier League club in Wolves actually tried to sign the midfielder on loan in the final hours of the summer transfer window (via The Athletic).

The latest

According to Calciomercato, Sanches’ agent Jorge Mendes apparently wants to arrange a move away from Lille as soon as January. The Ligue 1 champions have set his asking price at €35m, which equates to about £29.8m.

Serie A giants AC Milan have identified the 24-year-old as a potential replacement for Franck Kessie, but Newcastle, who have made enquiries over the past few weeks, can offer him a significantly larger pay packet thanks to PIF’s lucrative takeover.

The verdict

Sanches would be quite a coup for Newcastle. He may be remembered on these shores as a Swansea City flop, but he’s come a long way since that ignominious spell in south Wales back in 2017/18.

He was hailed as ‘terrific’ for his performance against reigning world champions France at Euro 2020 and has continued to shine on the biggest stages.

Tutto Mercato Web (via Sempre Milan) showed him with praise following his display in last week’s Champions League victory over RB Salzburg, dubbing him a “giant” who was “physically and technically perfect”.

However, the worry for Newcastle is his alarming injury record, and that ought to make them think twice about a near-£30m move for the Portugal midfielder.

In other news, this £9m-valued ace could leave St James’ Park in January

Aston Villa are one of several clubs to have been approached by Georginio Wijnaldum’s representatives over a possible January move, 90min report.

The Lowdown: Wijnaldum’s PSG struggles

The Netherlands international, who Mauricio Pochettino has described as ‘aggressive’, hasn’t exactly had the best of starts to life at Paris Saint-Germain after leaving Liverpool to join on a free transfer over the summer.

Wijnaldum is thought to be on a salary worth over £300,000-a-week at the Parc des Princes, however, just 10 of his 20 appearances this season have come as a starter.

It now seems as if a return to the Premier League could be on the cards at the start of 2022, and Villa have been name-checked as a possible destination.

The Latest: Villa yet to say no…

90min shared a story on Thursday regarding Wijnaldum’s future, with the player’s representatives sounding out a number of Premier League clubs over a winter window transfer.

Arsenal, Everton, Leicester City, Newcastle United, Tottenham and West Ham have all been approached regarding a move for Wijnaldum along with Villa and are yet to dismiss the idea of a potential loan transfer.

The Verdict: Avoid…

Steven Gerrard is thought to be after a defensive midfielder in the New Year, so Wijnaldum ticks that box, as well as being able to turn out in a central and attacking midfield role.

However, his extortionate salary could be enough to put Johan Lange and co off any temporary move, despite having plenty of Premier League experience.

Villa may possibly be better off looking at the bigger picture under Gerrard and therefore snubbing a move for Wijnaldum in favour of a permanent signing who isn’t the wrong side of 30.

Someone like Glen Kamara could be a more realistic transfer, with the Rangers man linked with a move to the Midlands to reunite with Gerrard.

In other news: ‘Can’t say no to the Villa’ – Many AVFC fans buzz as ‘massive’ January update emerges. 

Celtic reporter Kieran Devlin has been reacting to the likelihood of the Hoops signing Henrik Larsson’s son, Jordan, in January.

The Lowdown: Jordan Larsson profiled; Celtic links

Larsson is just 24 years of age but has already scored 64 senior goals and currently plies his trade with Spartak Moscow, where he is under contract until 2023.

The centre-forward, who can also play as an attacking midfielder or as a right-winger, is valued at £12.6m by Transfermarkt and was linked with a move to Parkhead in the summer.

As we know, a move never materialised, with Celtic bringing in Kyogo Furuhashi, Jota, Liel Abada and Giorgos Giakoumakis to bolster their attacking ranks.

However, Devlin has now responded to the possibility of the Hoops making a winter window switch for Larsson.

The Latest: Devlin’s response

Devlin shared a story on The Athletic on Wednesday, looking at which areas Celtic could look to add to in January.

He stated his claim for Celtic to bring in two midfielders and a left-back in the New Year and asked fans for their thoughts.

One supporter name-checked summer target, midfielder Patrick Berg, along with Larsson.

This is what Devlin had to say in reply, claiming a number of Premier League sides are monitoring the forward and so the Bhoys could well miss out.

“Like Berg but think the boat might have been missed on him after his performance against Roma. Larsson almost certainly outside of Celtic’s budget I imagine, a number of EPL sides monitoring him I understand.”

The Verdict: Other areas need bolstering first…

Larsson, described as a ‘great player’, could be a brilliant signing for Celtic with his family connections and impressive form for Moscow last season, however, the Hoops have other areas they need to add to first before they can think about spending big on another forward.

As Devlin mentions, at least one midfielder appears to be needed, with Callum McGregor, Tom Rogic and David Turnbull playing a lot of football under Ange Postecoglou.

They could also do with sorting out their left-back ranks with a number of players featuring in that position due to Greg Taylor’s absence, so a big-money attacking addition may not be the best idea at this moment in time.

In other news: ‘Brilliant’ 25 y/o ‘leader’ drops Celtic transfer hint; he was recently in the Parkhead stands. 

Aston Villa have made an enquiry regarding Graham Potter’s availability.

What’s the talk?

That’s according to a report by the Express & Star, who claim that Nassef Sawiris and Wes Edens (NSWE) have made an informal approach for the Brighton & Hove Albion manager in the club’s bid to appoint Dean Smith’s successor at Villa Park.

However, the report goes on to state that the possibility of Aston Villa being able to prise the 46-year-old away from the South Coast club is not believed to be overly strong.

He’d be perfect for Villa

While recent reports would appear to suggest that Steven Gerrard is very much the front runner for the vacant managerial post at Villa Park, it would be a difficult argument to make that the Rangers boss would be a better appointment than Potter.

In the space of seven years, he’s led Ostersunds FK from the third tier of Swedish football to a fifth-place finish in the top flight, has won the Swedish Cup and defeated Arsenal 2-1 at the Emirates in the knockout stages of the Europa League – although losing the tie 4-2 on aggregate. Thus, it has been clear for a while that Potter is an extremely talented coach.

Indeed, these accomplishments convinced Swansea City to take a chance on the 46-year-old, where Potter would spend one season, securing a 10th place Championship finish with the Swans, before continuing his remarkable rise with a move to Premier League side Brighton.

And, after two identical campaigns of nine wins, 14 draws and 15 losses in his first two seasons on the South Coast, things look as if they have really started to click for the 41-year-old this term, with Brighton having picked up an impressive 17 points over their opening 11 fixtures of the season – leaving the Seagulls flying high in seventh place.

Aside from his track record of results, Potter has also drawn praise for his progressive and attacking style of play, with Jurgen Klopp stating his belief that the Solihull-born manager’s Brighton team “mirrors his ability,” as well as claiming that the coach “obviously a clear idea about football” and is “doing a brilliant job” at the American Express Community Stadium.

Furthermore, Pep Guardiola has also suggested that Potter is currently “the best English manager” in the game, something that it would be hard to disagree with.

As such, while Gerrard is undoubtedly a talented boss, when comparing the former Liverpool captain’s experience to that of Potter, there is a very clear winner – with the latter’s history of improving struggling sides and his desire to play attacking football looking to make the 41-year-old something of a perfect fit for Villa.

In other news: 73% win rate: NSWE could revive Villa with “remarkable” 51 y/o Gerrard alternative 

Many Everton fans have been left reacting to some transfer news on Aaron Ramsey.

As per Calciomercato, it now seems ‘increasingly likely’ that the central midfield player will sign for the Goodison Park faithful in the January window.

Of course, Ramsey is very experienced in the Premier League, having scored no fewer than 40 goals and made a further 51 assists in 262 games in total (Transfermarkt), but he is 30 years of age now, and so past his peak.

The Juventus ace has also had injury problems throughout his career, and so signing him would be a bit of a risk, but one that could well turn out to be worth it at least in the short term.

Everton fans on Ramsey transfer news

These supporters of the Merseyside club gave some fairly mixed reactions as the transfer news was shared on Twitter, with one Toffee going on to claim that Ramsey is a ‘quality’ player:

“What a signing this would be! Him, Doucoure and Allan would be a fantastic midfield”

Credit: @CursedToffees

“As a Welshman I may be biased but when fit Ramsey is quality. He would be an asset, works hard just has had bad luck with injuries. I can understand people’s dislike of the signing though because of age, wages and injury history – but If Rafa wants him then I would trust!”

Credit: @Zatherton3

“Pay as you play contract I’m hoping!!”

Credit: @ToffeeTipp74

“It would be really stupid if we went down this road again”

Credit: @efc_ke

“Don’t the club ever learn?”

Credit: @Twoblue68

“No thanks. Too old, too injury prone and would want a huge salary. Let him leach off NUFC”

Credit: @TomFox87

In other news, find out what ‘unbelievable deal’ EFC could pull off here!

Sunderland travel to the Kiyan Prince Foundation Stadium as they face Championship side QPR in the fourth round of the Carabao Cup tonight.

The Black Cats head into the match off the back of a 1-0 home defeat to Charlton in League One at the weekend, with Lee Johnson’s side looking to bounce back with a positive result in the cup competition.

Jayden Stockley scored the only goal of the game as the Addicks were able to end Sunderland’s four-match winning run in all competitions.

How many changes will Johnson make to his side? Here is our predicted XI…

We are predicting that he will make four changes from Saturday, with Corry Evans, Bailey Wright, Lynden Gooch and Leon Dajaku coming into the team.

Sunderland are up against a team from the division above them and this could cause Johnson to make minimal tweaks rather than going with an almost fully-changed XI despite it being a Carabao Cup match. Therefore, the goalkeeper and three of the back four could remain the same, with the only switch coming in the form of Wright for Callum Doyle.

The teenager, who is on loan from Manchester City, could be given a rest ahead of a return to League One action next weekend. Wright has the experience of 130 matches at Championship level and is a reliable option to come in and do a job alongside Tom Flanagan at the back.

Speaking of experience, we are predicting that veteran Evans will come in for young Dan Neil in central midfield. The Northern Irishman has 267 Championship appearances to his name in his career and could have the nous to put in a solid display against QPR in the middle of the park.

In the number 10 position, Gooch could make his return to the starting line-up. He came off the bench against the Addicks to make his first appearance since 18 September and could come in for Alex Pritchard.

We published an article explaining why the £30k-per-week dud should be axed from the team tonight. He put in a disappointing performance against Charlton at the weekend, with Gooch now having a chance to rediscover his match fitness.

The final change we are predicting is German winger Dajaku starting out wide on the right in place of Aiden O’Brien. Johnson could axe the Irish forward after he failed with four of his five attempted dribbles and created zero chances against Charlton, allowing the Union Berlin loanee to start and show his manager that he is deserving of more minutes in League One.

AND in other news,  85.7% duels lost: Johnson must ruthlessly axe Sunderland liability ahead of QPR clash…

Aston Villa’s Ollie Watkins features on Tottenham Hotspur’s list of transfer targets, according to Spanish outlet Fichajes.

The lowdown

Villa paid what was a club-record fee of £28million to sign Watkins from Brentford in September 2020 (via BBC Sport).

He’s gone on to score 16 goals in his first 44 appearances for Dean Smith’s side (via Transfermarkt).

Match of the Day pundit Alan Shearer, who knows a thing or two about sticking the ball in the back of the net, has described the Englishman as ‘magnificent’.

He still has four years left on the £75,000-per-week contract he signed upon his arrival in the Midlands.

The latest

Spurs are said to be in the process of a devising a ‘template’ to turn the team into title contenders from next season.

They see a need for reinforcements at the top end of the pitch, either as support or a replacement for Harry Kane.

Watkins is on their ‘list of options’ because his profile ‘fits perfectly with the sporting plan that the team has’.

Villa, though, are described as ‘a complicated club to negotiate with’ and will demand a hefty fee.

The verdict

Watkins is a 25-year-old, excellent all-round striker with multiple years to run on his deal. Villa should be slapping a price-tag of more than £50million on his head.

It’s also worth noting that he probably wouldn’t view Spurs as much of an upgrade right now. After a run of three straight defeats, they look in a bad way, while there’s a sense of an upward trajectory at Villa Park.

In other news, this three-word message saw Villa fans erupt.