Despite Newcastle United's January transfer window focusing largely around potential departures, the Magpies could yet welcome two reinforcements in last-gasp moves. With just a matter of hours until the deadline, those at St James' Park will have to act quickly to secure their second Premier League gem of the day after Alfie Harrison signed earlier.
Newcastle transfer news
The headlines surrounding Newcastle in the transfer window have all been about their need to sell players. Newcastle's loss reportedly stands at £155m over the last three seasons and, therefore, over the Premier League's allowance of £105m. The fact that investment into the women's side, academy and charity foundation does not count towards that figure should keep the Magpies within the rules, but they're certainly walking a tightrope.
The news of their financial losses has seen the likes of Callum Wilson, Miguel Almiron and Kieran Trippier all linked with moves away from St James' Park this month, albeit without any of those exits coming to fruition. Now, as the window edges closer and closer to slamming shut, Eddie Howe and co are finally getting some business done, focusing on cheaper additions that can help them long term, confirming the arrival of Harrison from Man City earlier on Thursday.
Newcastle striker Callum Wilson.
Now, according to The Daily Mail, via The Boot Room, Newcastle are also eyeing a "last minute" move for Oliver Arblaster from Sheffield United ahead of the deadline. The midfielder spent the first-half of the season on loan at Port Vale before being recalled by the Blades, attracting the interest of Newcastle, Brighton & Hove Albion and Brentford.
It remains to be seen whether a move will take place this late in the winter window or whether Newcastle and others will now wait until the summer to make their move. Arblaster, still only 19-years-old, could prove to be a future star at the heart of Howe's Newcastle midfield.
"Brilliant" Arblaster is one for the future
It hasn't exactly been the most exciting month for Newcastle when it comes to the transfer window, but that doesn't take away from how wise the addition of Arblaster would be. The teenager is one who will only likely get better and better, meaning that now could be the best time for the Magpies to strike given their need to avoid big spending. And if they plan on staying among the European places for years to come, then investing in the future may well be their best bet, starting with two special talents.
Earning plenty of praise at the Blades, Sheffield United Head of Player Development Jack Lester had nothing but good things to say about Arblaster on X, posting:
Keeping hold of key players could take priority at St James' Park in the remaining hours of the window, but once they complete that task, they should turn their attention towards a future gem in the form of Arblaster, who managed four goal involvements from midfield whilst on loan at Port Vale in the first half of the campaign.
Glasgow Rangers were defeated 1-0 by German outfit Hertha Berlin in a mid-season friendly over the weekend as their stay in La Manga ended in disappointment.
Of course, it was a chance for the players to build up their match fitness after two weeks without a game, but the performance was underwhelming to say the least.
Philippe Clement stated that he deliberately worked the players harder in the build-up to the clash in order to see them playing with “really heavy legs” but they couldn’t pull off a win.
They return to domestic action this Saturday in the Scottish Cup and an improved performance could set the tone for the next few months ahead.
Before then, however, the Belgian will be aiming to bring in another player during the January transfer window, with a few new names recently linked with a move.
Rangers’ search for a left-back
While Clement needs to improve a few areas of his senior squad, it is the left-back area which is proving to be rather problematic at the moment.
Ridvan Yilmaz appears to be on his way out of Ibrox this month, but the Gers have recently rejected a loan-to-buy offer from Galatasaray for the young fullback.
Add to that Borna Barisic’s contract situation – he has entered into the final few months of his current deal – and it is evident that the 49-year-old coach needs to sign at least one left-sided defender this month.
Dutchman Gijs Smal has been linked with a move to Scotland, while Josh Doig was even mentioned as a potential player Clement wanted to sign this month, although this looks like it won’t happen now.
Journalist Alan Nixon has given a recent update on their chase for a new defender, saying: “Rangers chase Pring”, which is in reference to Bristol City full-back Cameron Pring.
The defender is currently under contract until 2026 and this suggests that City are under no pressure to move on one of their finest players this month, but could Clement make a concrete offer in the next few days?
The Englishman can also operate at centre-back and this versatility will be of huge importance to Clement as he aims to strengthen his squad.
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Dinamo Zagreb are showing interest in bringing Barisic back to his homeland amid rumours they will offer him a pre-contract deal, and it is beginning to look like the next few months will be his last in Glasgow.
Pring could be a more than able replacement for the Croatian, especially judging by his displays this term.
What Borna Barisic offers Rangers
Since joining the Light Blues in the summer of 2018 for a transfer fee in the region of £2m, it is fair to say that the club have gotten their money's worth out of the defender.
Across the previous five and a half years, the 31-year-old has made 224 appearances for the Premiership outfit, and it has been his attacking qualities which have shone brightest during his stint with the Gers.
Indeed, over these 224 games, Barisic has registered 62 goal contributions – nine goals and 53 assists – which works out as a goal involvement every 3.6 matches, an impressive stat for a defender.
Rangers defender Borna Barisic.
This season, Barisic currently ranks fourth for assists (two) in the top flight and second for key passes per game (2.2), yet he only ranks seventh for interceptions per game (0.9) and ranks second for possession lost per game (17), which showcases exactly where his strengths lie.
Looking to the future, Clement will be looking to bring in a player who can not only push forward as well as Barisic but be an improvement defensively.
Could Pring be the ideal candidate to take over the reign of the Croatian gem?
How Cameron Pring compares to Borna Barisic
For starters, the Englishman is six years younger than Barisic, meaning the Gers will get much longer service out of him should he make the move north of the border this month.
For the Robins this term, Pring currently ranks second among the squad for assists in the Championship (two), along with ranking fourth for key passes per game (0.8) and second for successful dribbles per game (one), demonstrating his attacking qualities in the second tier.
More importantly, however, is his defensive performances. Pring not only ranks second in the squad for tackles per game (2.2), but he also ranks second for interceptions per game (1.4), while ranking first for possession lost per game (21.2).
Like Barisic, Pring clearly gets up and down the left side of the field often, which means he is at more risk of losing possession, and it is clear that the 25-year-old offers a solid defensive ability to go with his desire to push into the final third.
These statistics certainly suggest he would fit into the starting XI fairly well, being able to take over Barisic’s responsibilities with ease, especially considering he has outperformed him on various metrics.
Writer Kai Watson – founder of the informative and insightful Rangers Journal – lauded Pring when analysing the defender on X, saying:
“The first thing to note about Pring is that he’s an absolute unit. 6’1, very strong and powerful. The unusual thing about this link, compared to the other left backs, is that he excels in the defensive areas of the game. He’s not the chance creator the likes of Barisic and Tavernier are as the usual full back options.”
The 6 foot 1 brute looks like he has all the necessary requirements to fill the slot which could soon be vacated by Barisic and, while he might not offer such large attacking contributions, his defensive acumen will more than make up for this.
Accurate passes per game
33.1
29.8
Key passes per game
2.2
0.8
Big chances created
1
1
Tackles per game
1.6
2.2
Total duels won per game
4.4
6.4
It remains to be seen just how much City value their defender amid the recent links to Rangers, and it could be interesting to see just how much the former Club Brugge coach is willing to pay to strengthen a key area of the squad.
Will he make a move this month? Or perhaps wait until the summer, when he has more time? There are far too many questions at the current moment in time and the supporters will have to place their trust in the manager to do what is right for the team.
The January transfer window opened for business last week and Tottenham Hotspur appear to be on the verge of their first signing of the month.
RB Leipzig forward Timo Werner is reportedly set to arrive on loan until the end of the 2023/24 campaign, with an option to make it permanent in the summer.
The 27-year-old forward arrives as a tried and proven option for Ange Postecoglou, having produced 23 goals and 21 assists in 89 matches for Chelsea earlier in his career.
Werner is a player with the quality to hit the ground running in North London but Spurs could also snap up a signing for the future in the forward areas by landing Jonathan Rowe from Norwich – a player The Daily Mail claim is on their radar.
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The England U21 international is an impressive young talent who could be unearthed as Postecoglou's next version of Heung-min Son in the years to come.
Heung-min Son's season in numbers
The South Korean winger is a right-footed forward who is often deployed on the left of the attack, if not through the middle, and has proven himself as a clinical finisher.
Son has been in typically impressive form during the 2023/24 Premier League campaign so far with an exceptional return of 12 goals from 7.12 xG (Expected Goals) in 20 appearances.
Including the current season, the 31-year-old has outperformed his xG in each of the last eight top-flight terms for Spurs, which illustrates how ruthless he is in the final third.
2016/17
7.77
14
2017/18
11.02
12
2018/19
8.36
12
2019/20
9.70
11
2020/21
11.02
17
2021/22
16.99
23
2022/23
9.60
Ten
The veteran attacker has also showcased his creativity with five assists for Tottenham in the league this term, to go along with his sublime scoring quality.
The statistics that show why Rowe could be Son 2.0
Meanwhile, Rowe has caught the eye with his superb displays on the left wing for Norwich in his first full season at senior level at the age of 20.
The talented youngster had produced one assist in 13 Premier League appearances as a substitute during the 2021/22 campaign before suffering with injuries throughout the following season.
He has finally enjoyed an injury-free year, so far, and has showcased his quality on a regular basis for the Canaries under David Wagner, with his national team boss Lee Carsley describing him as being "in form" earlier this term.
First-team
45
11
Four
U23s
31
11
Seven
U18s
31
12
Three
Rowe, who was described as a "menace" by Southampton reporter Alfie House, has been ruthless in front of goal with a return of ten goals from 4.25 xG.
This means that the England U21 international has outperformed his xG by a staggering 5.75, whereas Son has outscored his by 4.88 in the Premier League.
Norwich forward Jonathan Rowe.
These statistics suggest that Rowe, who has also provided two assists for his teammates in the Championship, is similar to the Spurs captain in that he is also a right-footed left winger who does not need many opportunities in front of goal to find the back of the net.
There is no guarantee that he will be able to translate that over to the top-flight, though, and this move would, therefore, be a gamble for Spurs.
However, it is one with the potential for a high reward if Postecoglou can unearth the next version of Son in the 20-year-old Norwich starlet.
An encouraging update has emerged regarding Newcastle United's pursuit of a "superb" player this month, courtesy of renowned journalist Fabrizio Romano.
Newcastle need midfield reinforcements The Magpies have been linked with so many midfielders ahead of the the January transfer window, butKalvin Phillipshas arguably stood out as one of the main targets, most often the name popping up in conversations between fans and media alike.
The 28-year-old has continually been backed to complete a move to St James' Park, with Sandro Tonali's 10-month ban for breaching betting rules heightening the need for a new midfielder to arrive, not to mention the constant injuries that have affected the depth within Eddie Howe's squad, with Joe Willock never really finding full fitness this term.
Phillips has endured a really disappointing spell at Manchester City, admittedly winning the treble last season, but ultimately playing little part in the success, invariably either being injured or on the substitutes' bench.
With Euro 2024 taking place later this year, the former Leeds United man will know the importance of regular playing time leading up to the tournament, in order to force his way into the England team – something that may be difficult, given the form of Declan Rice, Jude Bellingham and Trent Alexander-Arnold currently.
It looks as though a move to Newcastle could still very much be on the cards for Phillips, with a recent update giving them a boost in their quest to sign him.
Kalvin Phillips update
Taking to X on Sunday, Romano claimed that Newcastle are still interested in signing Kalvin Phillips, adding that Juventus have no intention of bringing him in this month, with the Turin outfit previously thought to be rivalling the Magpies for a deal.
Manchester City midfielder Kalvin Phillips.
"Juventus have no intention to proceed for Kalvin Phillips deal at current conditions after talks with Man City on loan fee/salary coverage. Newcastle remain interested in Kalvin Phillips, race open to more clubs."
Newcastle signing Phillips looks a piece of business that makes complete sense for all parties, with so few negatives on show surrounding it. For City, it would get a fringe player off their books – it remains to be seen if the transfer would be a temporary or permanent one – and for the Magpies, it would mean acquiring the signature of a proven Premier League player who has also shone greatly at international level. In fact, Phillips impressed so much for England at Euro 2020 that Spain and Barcelona legend Xavi had this to say about him:
"I have also been hugely impressed by the two midfielders, Declan Rice and Kalvin Phillips. I did not know them that well, but they were superb."
A loan move until the end of the season would arguably make the most sense, just in case Phillips fails to impress, but he will be desperate to do so, and could therefore add a huge amount of energy and ability to Newcastle's midfield.
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Should that happen, a permanent switch in the summer could then be ideal, allowing him to rebuild his career and ensure that the Magpies have the services of a top-level player.
Newcastle boss Eddie Howe will already have one eye on the summer transfer window with one Premier League game left in the campaign.
PIF have shown that they are willing to dip into their pockets to strengthen his squad as they brought in Bruno Guimaraes, Matt Targett, Dan Burn, Chris Wood and Kieran Trippier.
They may now look to invest again to take the club to the next level and they already have targets in mind if reports are to be believed.
One player the Magpies have been linked with a swoop for is Bologna left-back Aaron Hickey, with Brentford, Napoli, and Arsenal also eyeing up the gem – who Fabrizio Romano claimed is valued at up to £20m.
The club are reportedly wanting to sign Targett on a permanent deal and already have Trippier at right-back and this may cause fans to wonder why there is an interest in the Serie A gem.
Imagine him & Bruno
Well… that is because his future may not be at left-back. Scottish coach Austin MacPhee once compared the defender to a Barcelona defensive midfielder, saying: “He’s so young he could play a lot of positions. He could end up being like Busquets.
“Right now he reminds me of Jonny Evans, who I’ve seen in training with Northern Ireland. It’s the way he defends, moves and always wants the ball as a defender.”
Former Hearts boss Daniel Stendel dubbed him an “extraordinary talent” and backed up MacPhee’s claim as he said:
“Aaron as a player is like Philipp Lahm. For me at Hearts, he played as a full-back. He not only runs up and down the line, but looks for attacking moves like Lahm once did. And Aaron can also play in the central midfield.”
These quotes suggest that he is a player Howe can develop into being a dream midfield partner for Bruno Guimaraes at Newcastle.
The Scot’s statistics for Bologna in the Serie A at the age of 19 indicate that he has the potential to make it at the top level and two of his coaches have backed him to transition into midfield. In the Italian top-flight this term, he has averaged a solid SofaScore rating of 6.85 – making 2.1 tackles and interceptions per game.
He can provide a defensive, assured, presence at the base of the midfield and provide Guimaraes with a platform to break forward and work his magic in the final third. The Brazilian has registered five goals and one assist in ten starts for the Magpies in the Premier League and this shows that he has the quality to have a big impact in attack.
Therefore, they can work well as a pairing as Hickey sits deeper and protects the back four whilst the ex-Lyon man joins in with attacks and attempts to be a match-winner. This is why PIF must now seal this deal in the coming weeks or months.
AND in other news, Howe can get SJP rocking with NUFC swoop for £21m predator with the “scoring nose”…
Nottingham Forest striker Keinan Davis is fit for his side’s Championship playoff clash with Sheffield United, coming as a late boost after he was initially ruled out.
The Lowdown: Promotion showdown
Steve Cooper’s side face their biggest game of the season to date on Saturday, as they host the Blades in the first leg of their semi-final clash.
A long-awaited return to the Premier League is now within touching distance for Forest, who are arguably the favourites to seal promotion at this point, given their form to end the campaign.
On Friday, Nottinghamshire Live reported direct from Cooper’s pre-game press conference that Davis would miss the clash with United through injury, but a twist emerged late on Friday evening.
The Latest: Journalist drops Davis claim
Taking to Twitter, Midlands reporter and commentator Trent Hutson claimed that the youngster is now available for the game:
“I’m told Keinan Davis is fit and will travel to be a part of NFFC’s 18-man squad against SUFC.”
The Verdict: Huge boost for Forest
The 24-year-old, hailed as ‘incredible’ by EFL pundit George Elek, has scored five goals in 15 appearances in 2021/22 to date and he could be a key weapon from the substitutes’ bench if he doesn’t start proceedings.
According to Sofascore, Davis racks up two shots per game and creates over one chance per game, so his availability adds yet another potent weapon to Cooper’s arsenal.
Squad depth is going to be vital in these two legs against the Blades, and hopefully the final, and Davis is someone who could play a massive part in the next few weeks.
It is fair to say that Celtic’s actions on deadline day at the end of the summer transfer window did not go down very well amongst a large section of the fanbase.
Such was the reaction to the club’s work on deadline day, the Scottish Premiership champions felt they needed to release a statement explaining their processes and why they failed to bring in any strikers before the window slammed shut.
One interesting line to pick out from the statement is the following: “The Club plans our recruitment and player trading strategy responsibly and consistently, ensuring the squad can be strengthened for the short, medium and long term, while also seeking to ensure the development and progression of our Academy players. Our objective is to create Champions League players.”
This is an interesting line to pick out because the Hoops opted to cash in on Adam Idah on deadline day, despite the fact that they had failed to sign a high-calibre number nine to that point.
Celtic then had to dip into the free agent market to sign Kelechi Iheanacho the day after deadline day because they were unable to sign a replacement for Idah before the window closed.
These decisions have left the Hoops in a position where their squad looks much weaker in the short-term than it did at this point last summer, which brings the aforementioned part of the statement into question.
Why Celtic have a problem in the number nine position
Celtic have sold Idah and Kyogo Furuhashi in 2025, raking in up to £17m in the process, but have only spent £1.5m on striker signings in that time.
Shin Yamada was brought in from Kawasaki Frontale for a fee of £1.5m this summer as the only senior striker who was not signed on a free transfer by the club in 2025.
The Japanese centre-forward scored two goals in 21 matches in the J1 League in 2025 before his move to Celtic, which shows that the club did not sign a player who was in form and ready to hit the ground running.
That has proven to be the case. Yamada has failed to score in five appearances for the Scottish giants in all competitions so far this season, per Sofascore.
Appearances
16
23
10
Goals
2
2
2
Big chances missed
2
10
3
Big chances created
0
2
1
Assists
2
1
1
As you can see in the table above, all three of Celtic’s natural number nine options have struggled for league goals in 2025, as all of them have failed to score more than two goals and missed more ‘big chances’ than they have scored goals.
These statistics show that the Hoops have a clear problem in the centre-forward position in the short-term, at least, after they allowed Kyogo and Idah to depart without replacing them with ‘Champions League players’.
Kenny, who scored his first goal for the club against Aberdeen, has shown promise with two goals in ten appearances and one start in the Premiership to date, but he was an unused substitute in both games against Kairat, which suggests that Brendan Rodgers does not fully trust him yet.
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Looking back, therefore, Celtic may regret their decision to sell Hyeon-gyu Oh to Genk in the summer of 2024, because his current form suggests that he would have been an upgrade on Idah and could have solved their attacking woes at Parkhead.
Why Celtic should have kept Hyeon-gyu Oh
Rodgers sanctioned a deal to sell the number nine to Genk for a fee of £2.3m in order to facilitate the permanent signing of Idah from Norwich City for £9.5m.
As you can see in the graphic above, the Ireland international was unable to replicate his prolific loan spell during his time as a permanent player at Parkhead, which led to him being sold to Swansea for a deal that could reach £7m.
That immediately suggests that Rodgers and Celtic made the wrong call to sign Idah on a permanent deal, particularly for the finances involved, because they were then willing to take a loss on him after just 12 months.
Oh’s form since moving on from the Hoops last summer only adds further evidence to that case, as he has been a huge success in Belgium with Genk, and caught the eye for his country.
The 24-year-old marksman delivered a goal and an assist for South Korea in a 2-2 draw with Mexico during the international break. That led to Korean football account Fighting Stripes Football claiming that Oh “has the potential to be Korea’s best ever striker” because of his technical qualities and his top-class mentality.
It is now down to the striker to go on and fulfill that potential, but a goal and an assist against a very respectable footballing nation in Mexico is a good way to start.
Oh’s form in Belgium for Genk also shows that the striker has been on fire since his move away from Celtic, and that he could have been an upgrade on Idah if the Hoops had kept him in Glasgow.
xG
1.03
0.71
xG on target
1.31
0.86
Goals
1.33
0.68
Shots on target
3.10
1.90
xA
0.18
0.14
Assists
0.30
0.00
As you can see in the table above, the South Korea international delivered more goals, more shots on target, more xA, and more assists per 90 than Idah at league level in the 2024/25 campaign.
Oh scored nine goals from 6.95 xG in 684 minutes of football for Genk in the Pro League, per Sofascore, which shows that he was incredibly clinical in front of goal and more than made the most of the minutes that he got on the pitch.
Such was the impressive nature of his performances for Genk, Stuttgart were reportedly set to clinch a £24m deal for the striker, before they backed out of a move after the medical brought up a red flag over an old ACL injury.
Whilst the move did not go through, the fact that Stuttgart were willing to pay £24m for a player who was let go by Celtic for £2.3m last year shows that the club made a mistake when they cashed in on him in 2024.
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Therefore, Celtic messed up by selling Oh last year because he could have offered more to the team than Idah and been the striker that Rodgers is now sorely lacking.
Arsenal sporting director Andrea Berta has a key decision to make about the future of a big-name player this summer, with Premier League rivals now looking at tempting him with a move away.
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Berta’s key priority right now, according to Fabrizio Romano, is sealing some outgoings to balance the books – having already spent over £200 million on new additions this window.
Gyokeres is their latest official capture after he sealed a long-awaited £64 million move from Sporting CP last weekend, joining Kepa Arrizabalaga, Martin Zubimendi, Christian Norgaard, Noni Madueke and Cristhian Mosquera.
Eze would be a fine addition to this already-impressive crop of exceptional new talent, and Arsenal are believed to have already held initial talks with Crystal Palace. However, going by Romano’s update, exits will be necessary before they can formally bid.
Leandro Trossard faces a reported uncertain future at Arsenal given the Belgian has now entered the final 12 months of his contract. According to recent reports, Arsenal could sell Trossard this summer, rather than lose him for free in 2026.
The winger has offers to leave England with Borussia Dortmund keen (Florian Plettenberg), and Trossard isn’t the only forward who could quit before deadline day.
Reports earlier this month, specifically from talkSPORT, claimed Cristiano Ronaldo’s Al-Nassr hold a serious interest in Gabriel Martinelli and were considering a £73 million bid, which would double Arsenal’s club-record sale of Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain to Liverpool in 2017.
£265,000-per-week striker Gabriel Jesus is another nominee for Berta’s chopping block, especially following Gyokeres’ arrival.
Arsenal poised to accept Gabriel Jesus offer as Premier League rivals line up
Jesus has attracted serious interest from Flamengo, according to recent reports from Brazil, with the 28-year-old also open to leaving the Emirates.
Right now, Jesus is in recovery from a crippling ACL rupture which ended his 2024/2025 season, and that potentially makes finding an outright buyer pretty difficult.
Nevertheless, according to well-connected former chief scout Mick Brown, who worked at Man United during their most successful period, top flight rivals are keen on signing Jesus from Arsenal.
“Arsenal are going to accept an offer for Jesus if their price is met.
“I think his best days are behind him, but he was still a reliable squad player at Arsenal until now. He hasn’t pulled up any trees, but he’s done alright. I think the thing for Arsenal has been that they need better than ‘alright’ and that’s why they’ve now gone out and spent all that money on Gyokeres.
“With him and Havertz there, it’s difficult to see where Jesus would fit in their plans.
“I hear there’s interest from a few teams in the Premier League, so that would be a good option. From his point of view, he’s going to want to go somewhere he can play at a high level but also play regular football, because he won’t get that at Arsenal.
“And from the club’s point of view, if they can make good money from him, they can spend it elsewhere. It’s the type of deal I think could work for all parties.”
The former Man City star signed for around £45 million on a long-term deal back in 2022, but has struggled to become that ’25 goal per season’ striker despite periods of excellent form.
Jesus enjoyed a real purple patch just last season, but that was immediately followed by his long-term injury in what was real bad luck for the ex-Palmeiras sensation. With just two years remaining on his deal, now could be the right time to sell Jesus if any suitor is prepared to take the plunge.
Nottingham Forest have been handed a boost in their bid to sign Aberdeen defender Luke Turner.
What’s the word?
That is according to a report from Nottingham Forest News that the Scottish Premiership side will not be offering the Irish defender a new contract, meaning that he will become a free agent.
Speaking to the Press and Journal, Aberdeen manager Jim Goodwin said: “Luke has had a really good loan period over in the Northern Ireland and has done particularly well. We just believe it’s a little bit short for what we’re looking for in that area.
“We’ve got another one of two good young centre-backs coming through the system and you’re always wary of blocking that pathway.”
The next Scott McKenna
With Turner set to go on trial at Forest, if the 19-year-old is to earn himself a deal with the club, then Cooper will be hoping that he can replicate the progression shown by Scott McKenna, who is also an Aberdeen youth product.
The 25-year-old has been immense for Forest and has played a key part in helping the club achieve their ambition of reaching the Championship play-offs.
If Turner – who has been dubbed “outstanding” – is to win a contract at the City Ground, then the starlet will certainly have a role model on whom to base his game and aid his development.
However, it is also important to not get too far ahead, with the teenager’s experience of first team football limited to the Northern Ireland top flight and Republic of Ireland second tier.
Having been told that his contract at Aberdeen will not be renewed, the 19-year-old is set to leave without making a senior appearance for the Dons, yet more evidence towards the notion that the club do not rate him.
A particular comment made by Goodwin came across as harsh when he said: “We’ve got another one of two good young centre-backs coming through the system and you’re always wary of blocking that pathway.”
Cooper will be hoping that Turner can prove his doubters wrong and earn himself a career at Forest. After all, with the Reds’ history with youth products, it bodes well that they are interested in signing him.
In other news –Imagine him & Johnson: Cooper must seal Forest swoop for “magic” 20-goal livewire
Sunderland continue to make progress in the market and could now move closer to bringing a star who is following in the footsteps of Lucas Bergvall to the Stadium of Light, according to a report.
Sunderland close in on statement Granit Xhaka deal
The Black Cats have wasted absolutely no time on transfers as they prepare for a return to the Premier League, bringing no fewer than six new bodies to help Regis Le Bris in his survival mission.
Now, Sunderland are set to wrap up a deal to sign Granit Xhaka from Bayer Leverkusen for a starting fee of £13 million, topped off by around £4.3 million paid in add-ons.
Bayer Leverkusen's GranitXhakaand Jeremie Frimpong celebrate after Emiliano Buendia scores their first goal
Signing a three-year contract at the Stadium of Light, the Switzerland international agreed personal terms last week and is now set for a medical.
Taking their pursuit of firepower to new heights, Sunderland are reported to have submitted an offer for free agent Jamie Vardy after he left Leicester City at the end of last term under freedom of contract.
Making a frank admission, Le Bris has admitted the Black Cats are also still in the market for a goalkeeper after missing out on Marcin Bulka, as he stated: “I think we probably still need to sign a goalkeeper. The market is still open, although the market is unpredictable and it is always like that.
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“At the minute, we are focused on the squad we have – that is always the case, but obviously we will also be trying to reinforce the squad. We don’t know when, and we don’t know how exactly, but we are working hard behind the scenes.”
Continuing their aggressive pursuit of incomings, Sunderland could now be set to enter the race for a talented midfielder, per recent developments.
Sunderland eyeing move for Matias Siltanen
According to On The Minute, Sunderland are interested in signing Djurgarden midfielder Matias Siltanen, who is also said to be on the radar of Leicester City, Bournemouth, Manchester City, Rennes, PAOK and Bundesliga sides.
Making his debut at only 15 years of age, the 18-year-old is valued at around £2.59 million and could follow Lucas Bergvall’s footsteps by making the jump from Djurgarden to the Premier League.
Matias Siltanen in 2024/25 – all competitions
Appearances
23
Goals
0
Assists
1
Operating primarily as a defensive midfielder, Siltanen has won 82 duels and made 88 recoveries in Sweden’s top-flight. Meanwhile, he also racked up 27 successful tackles.
Currently a Finland Under-19 international, he has already helped former outfit KuPS to a league and cup double before crossing the Swedish border in January.
While Siltanen would likely be one for the future, taking a futuristic approach is never a bad thing from a Sunderland perspective, especially given the Kuopio-born man can play in various engine room roles.
Nevertheless, competition for his signature is fierce, emphasising that there is work to be done before any move to the Stadium of Light can officially materialise.