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Former Manchester City defender Michael Ball can see Aston Villa’s Jack Grealish and Kevin De Bruyne being deployed together under Pep Guardiola and has compared it to playing FIFA.

£58.5m-rated Grealish is currently being linked with a move away from Villa Park and the Etihad looks to be the most likely destination if he is to leave this summer.

According to Sky Sports, City will make a formal offer for the player once Euro 2020 has concluded.

The Premier League champions already have a wealth of attacking options like De Bruyne, but Ball believes Guardiola can make room to get both of them in the team.

When asked by TT can he imagine Grealish and De Bruyne playing in the same side, the former City full-back said:

“It would just be like FIFA, like playing FIFA against my son and getting battered! Yeah, I can see it. There’s no shadow of a doubt Jack’s got the ability to play in that Manchester City side. Pep will demand a lot more from Jack.

“With Manchester City, he’s going to have world-class players all around and that will project Jack to be an even better player.”

It would be interesting to see how Guardiola would fit all of these attacking options into the team.

Given that he could cost £100m, according to some reports, you would expect Grealish to be one of the first names on the teamsheet, though.

An update has emerged on Everton’s pursuit of Scotland international right-back Nathan Patterson…

What’s the talk?

According to The Guardian, the Toffees are set to go back in for the Rangers defender in January to bolster Rafa Benitez’s squad.

The report claims that the Blues had a £9m offer rejected for the full-back in the summer and are now set to make another attempt at signing him.

Axe him

Everton boss Benitez can finally axe £68k-per-week defender Seamus Coleman from the starting XI by landing a deal for Patterson in January.

The 33-year-old, who was recently blasted for a “disaster” against Liverpool by Ally McCoist, has been in poor form this season and the timing could be right for him to be eased out of the team. He has averaged a dismal WhoScored rating of 6.51 in the Premier League, after averaging an unimpressive score of 6.65 last term too.

Unfortunately, Jonjoe Kenny has not been good enough when given a chance to show that he can be the long-term successor to the Irishman. The 24-year-old averaged a score of 6.04 in the top-flight last season and has played twice this term – scoring 6.15 and 6.28.

This is where Patterson may come in. If Everton can secure a deal for the right-back then he could replace Coleman in the XI and allow the veteran to play a supporting role in the squad, rather than being someone who is relied upon week-in-week-out.

Celtic midfielder Callum McGregor once heaped praise on the 20-year-old Rangers gem, saying: “He’s been absolutely first class. You can tell he’s a real talent – even from the first day he trained with us in the summer.

“You could see his quality, his athleticism. And it’s great to see him make such a big impact, getting off the mark with a goal. He needs to just keep his head down and keep working hard. Other experienced boys will keep him on the right track, keep him honest.”

Patterson has averaged a WhoScored rating of 6.87 for Scotland in their World Cup qualifiers, producing one goal and one assist from full-back in four matches. He also averaged a rating of 6.94 in the Europa League for the Gers last term, scoring once in four outings.

Whilst this is not a wealth of data to bank on, he has plenty of room to develop – at the age of 20 – and these statistics are promising signs of the player the beast could become. Therefore, he could be an exciting signing for Everton as he has potential to improve and could compete for the right-back spot, allowing Benitez to finally axe Coleman from his place as a first-team regular.

AND in other news, “I can see that happening”: Exciting transfer claim should leave Everton fans buzzing…

Leeds have recently been linked with Nottingham Forest loanee James Garner, and his performance against Coventry City on Wednesday evening will certainly have caught Victor Orta’s eye.

This forms part of our Transfer Watch series, where we react to a performance from a current transfer target.

The Lowdown: Leeds links

Garner, who is on loan at the City Ground from Manchester United, has been linked with a move to Elland Road in recent weeks.

Leeds, and therefore Victor Orta, are thought to be monitoring the 21-year-old closely ahead of a possible summer swoop.

[web_stories_embed url=”https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/web-stories/latest-leeds-united-news-41/” title=”Latest Leeds United news!” poster=”https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/cropped-2022-04-02T155252Z_391313781_UP1EI421841M9_RTRMADP_3_SOCCER-ENGLAND-LEE-SOU-REPORT.jpg” width=”360″ height=”600″ align=”none”]

Manchester United may consider a permanent sale over the coming months, with Jesse Marsch looking to bolster his midfield options ahead of his first full season in charge.

The Latest: Stunning display

Forest recorded a fourth successive Championship win on Wednesday to consolidate their place in the playoffs, defeating Coventry City 2-0. Garner was man of the match, as per SofaScore, recording a rating of 8.4/10.

The central midfielder scored Forest’s second on the hour mark and also registered five key passes (the most in the match), made four interceptions (second-most) and three tackles (third-most).

The Verdict: Sign

You’d expect that Garner’s display will have caught the eye of Orta given the recent transfer links, and should Forest fail in their push for promotion, a move for the Manchester United man over the summer could be a shrewd call.

Of course, the Red Devils will need to be willing to part ways with Garner on a permanent basis, and if they are, a move to Elland Road looks to make sense for all parties, banking the parent club a profit on a player far down the pecking order and granting the player first-team football in the top flight.

Marsch meanwhile has just four senior midfield options at this moment in time, with Garner able to turn out as a defensive, central or attacking midfielder.

He could be the perfect partner for Kalvin Phillips in a double pivot next season, with also Garner showing an impressive eye for goal with his goal contributions now up to nine in a Forest shirt.

In other news: ‘Leeds fans won’t be happy…’ – Sky Sports man reacts to major update emerging from Elland Road

With 17 games played in the Championship so far this season, only three outfield players have played more minutes than West Brom captain Jake Livermore, who has appeared in all but two of their league games in this campaign.

During those appearances, the 31-year-old, who is currently valued at £2.25m according to Transfermarkt, has played in the central-midfield and defensive-midfield positions, as well as grabbing an assist in their 1-0 win over Birmingham City back in October.

Despite being a regular figure for Ismael this season, Livermore is one of West Brom’s oldest players and has a contract that’s set to expire in the summer, which says to us that his time at the Midlands club could be coming to an end sooner rather than later.

With this in mind, the Baggies could already have their ideal long-term replacement for the veteran who has made a total of 172 appearances for the club, with 19-year-old midfielder Aurio Teixeira.

As a product of West Brom’s youth academy, Teixeira has made 23 appearances and scored one goal for their U18 side and 12 appearances for their U23 side with one assist under his belt.

So far this season, Teixeira has made seven league appearances for West Brom’s U23 side, playing as a central-midfielder, right-midfielder and as a right-back on occasions, highlighting his versatility.

Also, Teixeira has been described as being a “very intelligent footballer with a high football IQ”, as well as being “tenacious in his game and another combative midfield player who uses his body well” by U18s manager Peter Gilbert, which should be very exciting for the Baggies fans to have a player such as Teixeira with those attributes in their youth ranks.

This could also make him a solid long-term replacement for Livermore given how the senior West Brom midfielder has had no issue showing his tenacity on the pitch, racking up a total of 33 yellow cards during his time at The Hawthorns as well as making an average of 1.9 tackles per game in the league this season.

Moving forward, if Teixeira can keep playing regularly for West Brom’s U23 side, he definitely has the potential to start knocking on Ismael’s door to get some minutes in the senior side to give himself the chance to show he has what it takes to play alongside the senior players and potentially go on to become Livermore’s long-term heir.

In other news: Massive blow: West Brom dealt injury setback that will leave fans absolutely gutted – opinion

Newcastle United remain interested in a deal to sign Sevilla defender Diego Carlos this summer…

What’s the story?

Reports during the January transfer window revealed that the Magpies saw a couple of bids for the Brazil international turned down by the La Liga side, with Eddie Howe then turning his attentions towards Brighton’s Dan Burn to bolster his defence.

However, according to The Chronicle, Carlos is still of interest to the Tyneside club, who could head back to the negotiating table this summer in order to finally lure him to St James’ Park.

Could be bye-bye Lascelles

With Fabian Schar and Burn the preferred centre-back partnership in recent weeks, club captain Jamaal Lascelles has found himself sidelined, and that’s no surprise given his general performances this season.

Some Newcastle fans took to Twitter to criticise the defender for his display against Watford, when he lost his battle in the air to allow Joao Pedro to score the equaliser.

That followed on from a particularly disastrous game against Arsenal, and his role in allowing Bukayo Saka to score the opening goal, with Magpies legend Alan Shearer venting: “He has got to realise that Saka is the problem, he has got to engage, he has got to come over a second earlier and do that rather than stand there and do nothing with his hands in the air. It’s terrible defending.”

Indeed, with an average WhoScored match rating of just 6.49, Lascelles is Newcastle’s second-worst performing centre-back to have started more than ten games this season, with only Ciaran Clark behind him.

In Carlos, the Magpies would get the chance to bring in a man of real quality and European pedigree from his time in Spain.

The 29-year-old would give the Magpies a monstrous defensive presence were he to join, boasting an impressive 4.1 duels won per game at a success rate of 62%. to put that into context, Liverpool’s Virgil van Dijk has won 4.4 duels per match in the Premier League with a 73% success rate.

In addition, Spanish football expert Domagoj Kostanjšak said of Carlos: “He’s a really physical player – he’s built like a tank and they don’t call him ‘The Beast’ for no reason. He’s really good in the air and he’s decent on the ball as well – you have to be under Julen Lopetegui. He’s been a bit of a revelation.”

Valued at £40.5m by Transfermarkt, Carlos could allow Newcastle to move on from the £55k-a-week earning Lascelles.

AND in other news – Sold for just £100k, now a two-time title winner: NUFC flop has delivered huge payback

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!

Ross Barkley would revive his career if he reunites with David Moyes at West Ham United, according to Rob Lee.

The midfielder’s Chelsea career appears to be over after being left without a squad number for the new season.

Barkley was also omitted from the Blues’ matchday squad for their opening weekend win over Crystal Palace and had to make do with action in a friendly against non-league Weymouth at the weekend.

It comes after the England international spent last season on loan at Aston Villa, where he made 24 appearances but saw his opportunities hampered by a hamstring injury.

Reports suggest West Ham could end Barkley’s time at Chelsea by making a move for the 27-year-old, although the Hammers face competition from Premier League rivals Everton and Newcastle United.

West Ham boss David Moyes worked closely with Barkley during their time together at Everton and former Hammers midfielder Lee believes a reunion could be in the offing.

Speaking exclusively to Football FanCast, Lee said: “Ross Barkley has to get that hunger back.

“With certain players, if they feel loved, they’re the top man and the manager mollycoddles them a little bit, they’re a different animal and play totally differently.

“Players always want to be loved and they have this ego you have to stroke, unfortunately. That’s what managers have to do to get the best out of their players and great managers know how to do that. David Moyes knows how to handle him.”

Wolves have suffered a blow in their quest to sign Lille centre-back Sven Botman, with Newcastle United linked with a move for the Dutchman.

The Lowdown: Wolves keen on Botman signing

Bruno Lage’s side are still stinging after Saturday’s late 1-0 defeat at home to Liverpool but they must ensure it doesn’t derail their season.

The hope is that new signings are made in the January transfer window and Botman is someone who has been linked with a move to Molineux.

The 21-year-old has started 10 Ligue 1 games for Lille so far this season and is considered a hugely promising young defender, being described as ‘brilliant’ by journalist Robin Bairner earlier this year.

The Latest: Newcastle emerge as contenders

Wolves now face competition in the race to sign Botman, however, with The Athletic‘s David Ornstein confirming on Twitter that Newcastle are ‘exploring the possibility’ of signing the nine-time capped Netherlands international in January.

Lille want to keep hold of the youngster until next summer but their head may be turned if an ‘exceptional’ offer arrives before then – surely worrying news for the likes of Wolves given the riches at Newcastle’s disposal.

[freshpress-quiz id=“375704”]

The Verdict: Potential big blow

In past circumstances, this news may not have been too big a blow for Wolves, with Newcastle not necessarily a more exciting proposition than them.

The Magpies have of course been taken over and are now extremely wealthy, though, so they may be able to offer Botman far higher wages than Fosun and co would even want to.

It would be a big blow to lose out on someone who appears to be a primary transfer target – the player himself even confirmed the interested – with the Lille man averaging an impressive 2.5 aerial duel wins per game in both the Champions League and Ligue 1 this season.

He has also completed 91.3% of his passes in Europe’s top competition, showing that he is strong in the air and talented on the ball.

In other news, a pundit is unsure about one rumoured Wolves transfer happening. Read more here.

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

Leicester City suffered a devastating blow during Tuesday night’s game against Villarreal.

What’s the story?

Highly-rated centre-back Wesley Fofana suffered a broken leg following a horrific challenge from Fernando Nino, with the 20-year-old confirming his injury from a hospital bed on Twitter.

The youngster’s fractured fibula is likely to keep him sidelined for the majority of the upcoming campaign, meaning Leicester manager Brendan Rodgers must sign a replacement over the coming weeks.

With former club captain Wes Morgan retiring after 2020/21, the Foxes had already been heavily linked with Schalke defender Ozan Kabak in the current window and the Turkey international’s arrival at the King Power Stadium would certainly soften the blow of Fofana’s recent setback.

Ozan Kabak can soften the injury blow

Kabak already has experience of playing in the Premier League following a fairly successful loan spell at Liverpool in the second half of last season, where he made 13 appearances in all competitions.

The Reds turned to the youngster to solve their injury crisis in the January window, and his impressive performances saw Jurgen Klopp label the £22.5m-rated gem a “big prospect”.

However, his solid displays weren’t enough to persuade the Anfield outfit to make his move to Merseyside permanent, opting to sign Ibrahima Konate from RB Leipzig instead.

While Kabak was enjoying himself on English shores, though, his parent club Schalke suffered relegation from the Bundesliga in dramatic fashion.

The German outfit’s perils mean they’re desperate to offload one of their highest earners in order to balance the books before the transfer window shuts, with a recent report even claiming they could even release their prized asset if a suitable buyer doesn’t come forward.

Therefore, with Fofana’s injury setback leaving Leicester with just two recognised central defenders in their first-team squad in the shape of Jonny Evans and Caglar Soyuncu, Rodgers surely has to swoop for Kabak.

He’s young, full of potential, has Premier League experience, and will be available for a bargain price. It’s a transfer that makes sense for multiple reasons, but it remains to be seen whether the FA Cup holders make their move.

And, in other news…Leicester handed potential transfer boost over 11-goal “genius”, fans surely buzzing