All posts by z3u9t.icu

Arsenal have decided that they will look to sell a “high level” player who has the quality to “play at Real Madrid”, with manager Mikel Arteta ultimately deciding that there isn’t a place for him in the squad long-term.

Arsenal players who Mikel Arteta could let go next year

The January and summer transfer windows are big talking points at the Emirates right now, as a few big names in Arteta’s team face pretty uncertain futures.

Arsenal now prepared to bid for "standout" £17m Martin Odegaard alternative

Arteta is after a foil to the Norway star.

ByEmilio Galantini Dec 6, 2024

Thomas Partey and Jorginho are both out of contract at the end of this Premier League season, with Emirates Stadium officials facing crucial decisions on the pair.

The Gunners could opt to sell for a small profit in January, which wouldn’t exactly be ideal considering just how useful they’ve been for Arteta so far, or agree contract extensions to keep them beyond 24/25.

Fulham (away)

December 8

Everton (home)

December 14

Crystal Palace (away)

December 21

Ipswich Town (home)

December 27

Brentford (away)

January 1

There is also the possibility of Arsenal letting both of them leave for nothing after many years of faithful service, and it is believed that Turkish Süper Lig side Besiktas have been attempting to lure Jorginho away from N5.

Meanwhile, despite his presence as a solid back-up for Gabriel Magalhaes in the heart of Arteta’s defence, Sky Sports journalist Luca Marchetti reported on radio broadcast this week that Arsenal are in negotiations with Napoli over selling Jakub Kiwior.

Kiwior deputised for the injured Gabriel against Man United, helping them to keep a clean sheet, but Arsenal are said to be willing to sell him outright in the winter, with Antonio Conte looking to reinforce his central defensive options in the midst of their Serie A title challenge.

Uncertainty surrounds the likes of Oleksandr Zinchenko and Gabriel Jesus, who are both on the fringes of Arteta’s starting elevens more often than not, while Arsenal are almost certain to sell Kieran Tierney – who hasn’t played a single competitive match for them since their 2023 Community Shield final against Man City.

Arsenal will look to sell Nuno Tavares at the end of the season

There is also the matter of their current crop out on loan, with left-back Nuno Tavares enjoying the form of his life on a temporary spell at Lazio right now.

The Portuguese boasts eight assists from 10 total appearances under Marco Baroni this season, but his excellent run hasn’t changed Arsenal’s stance on letting him go.

Lazio have an obligation to buy him if certain conditions are met, but regardless of whether he seals a move to the Rome side or not, Arsenal will look to sell Tavares who’s been told he’s not part of Arteta’s plans.

That is according to The Daily Mail, via The Express, who also claim that Marquinhos and Fabio Vieira find themselves in similar situations to Tavares.

“He is a boy who is still young. He played two days ago with Portugal U21. He has high level physical qualities. He has extraordinary explosiveness,” said former Marseille boss Igor Tudor about Tavares.

“He could play at Real Madrid, Barca or Manchester City. There are other things he needs to improve. He must progress, we often talk. There’s always room for improvement, we’re here to help. We make him see concrete things to improve. He scored 5, 6 goals, I don’t know. He has always been important to us even if he has not had continuity. He is still participating, he is an important player for us. As I always say, we hope he will help us in the last ten games. He is a player who, when he is in good shape, can change things. He can make a difference.”

Crystal Palace are now keen on signing a “brilliant” attacker who is available on a free transfer, according to a report.

Palace improving

After a concerning start to their Premier League campaign, Palace’s results have picked up in recent weeks, collecting eight points from their last four outings.

Most recently, the Eagles played out a 2-2 draw with reigning champions Manchester City, indicating they have turned the corner under the helm of Oliver Glasner. However, the manager may still be keen to strengthen his squad this January.

As it stands, Glasner’s side are only just above the bottom three, meaning their improved form will need to continue if they are to avoid being dragged into a relegation battle towards the back end of the season.

Crystal Palace in talks to sign "talented" Championship ace in Eze repeat

The Eagles are looking to repeat their transfer genius.

1 ByTom Cunningham Dec 6, 2024

To make sure they avoid the dreaded drop, Palace have started to run the rule over potential January signings, and it was recently reported that they believe Man City’s James McAtee will be available this winter, most likely for a fee of around £20m.

McAtee is not the only player on the shortlist, as the Eagles are said to have made an approach to sign Chesterfield striker James Berry-McNally, who is valued at around £5m by his current employers.

Brighton (a)

December 15

Arsenal (h)

December 22

Bournemouth (a)

December 27

Southampton (h)

December 30

Chelsea (h)

January 5

Palace targeting Ryan Kent

It is clear that Glasner is looking to strengthen his attacking options this winter, and another target has now entered the frame, with reports from Spain detailing that Palace are among the teams interested in signing free agent Ryan Kent.

However, there is set to be stiff competition for Kent’s signature, as Ipswich Town and Leicester City are also said to be keen on the winger, who most recently played for Fenerbahce.

Given the Englishman’s contract status, he is available on a free transfer, which makes him an attractive option for the three Premier League clubs, who are all looking to add depth to their squads.

The 28-year-old is also well-liked due to his versatility in attack, which allows him to play on the wing and in more central roles.

It is fair to say the winger was unimpressive during his time in Turkey, picking up just one goal and two assists in 19 appearances in all competitions, but he could yet be a decent signing for Palace.

The former Rangers man was exceptional during his time north of the border, weighing in with 33 goals and 56 assists in 218 appearances, so if he is able to get back to that level, he will almost certainly improve the Eagles.

Once hailed as “brilliant” by journalist Josh Bunting, Kent has proven he is capable of making the step up to the Premier League in the past, so it is exciting news that Palace are in the race for his signature, particularly considering it is a low-risk move.

Aston Villa suffered a disappointing defeat at the hands of Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday afternoon. The Villans, who could have moved into the top four with a win in North London, suffered a calamitous 4-1 loss, and are now sixth in the Premier League with 18 points to their name, one point off the Champions League spots.

Surprisingly, despite domination from the home side in the first 45 minutes, it was Unai Emery’s men who took the lead. In-form Morgan Rogers got himself on the scoresheet, firing home a loose ball to give the Villans a lead at halftime.

Ange Postecoglou’s side bounced back almost immediately into the second period. Wales international Brennan Johnson, who has been in sparkling form of late, scored again, getting on the end of a teasing cross from captain Son Heung-min.

Spurs’ second and third both came from summer signing Dominic Solanke. The England international scored his first with a cute chip over Emiliano Martinez after a smart run in behind the Spurs defence, and his second from six yards out, tapping it into an open net. James Maddison added a fourth late on for the Lilywhites.

It was a devastating collapse from the Villans who had the lead despite a lack of control of the game. There were several frustrating performers, including Pau Torres, who struggled at the heart of defence.

Pau Torres’ stats vs. Spurs

It was a bad day at the office for Spanish defender Torres against the Lilywhites on Sunday afternoon. Normally so calm and composed, he made a critical error on the ball and struggled defensively against Solanke.

Indeed, he received a rating of just 4/10 from John Townley, Villa correspondent for Birmingham Mail. The journalist explained that Torres had a ‘difficult afternoon’, noting he ‘gave possession away when trying to play out from the back’, an action that led to Spurs’ third goal of the day.

His stats on Sofascore show just how tough of an afternoon it was for the 27-year-old. He made one error that led to a shot, and one error that led to a goal. Normally so safe in possession, Torres lost the ball ten times and had a pass accuracy of just 82%. It was certainly not the best performance.

Despite the fact Villa’s number 14 is such a trusted player for Emery, someone he also coached at Villarreal, he may well decide to drop him ahead of their next game. The Midlands side faces Club Brugge in the Champions League later today, and after a poor performance, he could certainly be on the chopping block.

That pressure is increased more after one player’s excellent outing in the Carabao Cup last week, and he could prove to be a perfect replacement.

The Aston Villa star who could replace Torres

The player in question here is England international Tyrone Mings. It has been a long road to recovery from an anterior cruciate ligament injury, but in his first game back – which remains his only appearance of the season – the 31-year-old impressed against Crystal Palace in the cup.

Townley was certainly impressed with the defender’s efforts against the Eagles last week. He gave him an 8/10, explaining he ‘looked sharp’ and praising a ‘really promising performance’ on his return.

The “dominant” defender, as football statistician Statman Dave once described him, certainly had good stats on Sofascore. He won seven out of eight aerial duels and made five clearances, completing 57 of 71 attempted passes along the way.

Stat

Number

Touches

86

Pass accuracy

80%

Passes completed

57/71

Aerial duels won

7/8

Clearances

5

Blocks

4

Key passes

1

Mings is certainly a candidate to replace Torres in the starting lineup against the Belgian side. Not only is the Spaniard coming off the back of a poor performance, but the Englishman – who is still waiting to make his debut in Europe’s premier competition – must surely be feeling confident after a commanding showing following his long spell on the sidelines.

It certainly leaves the Villans boss with a selection headache ahead of a critical Champions League clash, but it might be hard to ignore Mings’ impressive form, especially after Torres’ disappointing effort last weekend.

As bad as Watkins: Emery must drop 4/10 Aston Villa star after Spurs

Aston Villa suffered an almighty collapse on the road against Tottenham Hotspur.

1 ByKelan Sarson Nov 3, 2024

It’s been an interesting start to the Premier League season for Ipswich Town this year.

Before a ball was kicked, fans and pundits alike were fearful that the club would be in for an extraordinarily tough campaign, as just two years ago, they were still fighting to get out of League One.

However, we are now ten games into the season, and the good news is that Kieran McKenna’s side have only been on the losing side five times, but the bad news is that they are still without their first win.

It’s too early to say with any certainty whether Ipswich will be able to beat the drop come May, but with young stars like Liam Delap in the side, anything is possible.

1

Liverpool

2-0 Defeat

2

Manchester City

4-1 Defeat

3

Fulham

1-1 Draw

4

Brighton & Hove Albion

0-0 Draw

5

Southampton

1-1 Draw

6

Aston Villa

2-2 Draw

7

West Ham United

4-1 Defeat

8

Everton

2-0 Defeat

9

Brentford

4-3 Defeat

10

Leicester City

1-1 Draw

Moreover, the 21-year-old’s sensational form makes the club’s decision to sign him over another striker they were interested in this year look even better.

Liam Delap's form this season

Ipswich opted to hand Manchester City around £20m for Delap’s services in July and to say he’s proven to be an excellent signing in the months since would be an enormous understatement.

The Englishman has played in all ten league games for the Tractor Boys so far, and while he scored just once in his first five games, he now has five goals to his name.

This utterly brilliant form in front of goal means he currently has as many goals as far more established Premier League stars such as Ollie Watkins and Luis Diaz.

Moreover, with his brace against Aston Villa, which secured his side an unlikely point, he’s shown that big games are not an issue for him and that he does, in fact, have the mentality to make it at the highest level.

In all, signing Delap in the summer was a masterstroke from Ipswich, especially when they were supposedly interested in another striker who has looked entirely out of his depth in the top flight this season.

The failing striker Ipswich could've signed

Before Ipswich got their hands on Delap in July, they were linked to another striker who had just enjoyed a relatively successful six-month stint in the Premier League with Sheffield United: Ben Brereton Diaz.

Yes, following a disastrous switch to La Liga side Villarreal in the summer of 2023, which saw the Chile international fail to score a single goal in 20 appearances, he moved to the relegation-threatened Blades in January, where he proceeded to score six goals and provide one assist in 14 top-flight appearances.

Now, considering the “extraordinary” marksman, as dubbed by former manager Tony Mowbray, averaged a goal involvement every other game in the Premier League last season, the Blues’ interest in him made sense, but given how he’s played for Southampton so far this year, it’s safe to say they dodged a bullet.

Since his £7m move to St Mary’s, the former Blackburn Rovers star has failed to score a single goal for the club in eight appearances across the league and League Cup, and worse yet, the south coast side’s only win in the league so far this season came when he wasn’t in the squad.

Ultimately, the Stoke-on-Trent striker might still be a talented forward in a bad run of form, but as things stand, his transfer has to be considered a flop, and considering how well Delap has done at Portman Road, Ipswich undoubtedly made the correct decision over the summer.

Signed by Keane: Ipswich loan ace who left in 2010 is struggling in Turkey

The veteran attacker had a short stint with Ipswich Town.

ByJack Salveson Holmes Nov 8, 2024

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.

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.

Back-to-back wins for Tottenham Hotspur. What is this? Yes, we know, shock horror, right?

Thomas Frank’s time in charge of the Lilywhites has not been smooth sailing so far and prior to Spurs’ win over Brentford last weekend, they had not won a game of football since the end of October.

November was a horror month for Frank, one that already raised questions about his future. However, the north Londoners are now on the right track again and they have Xavi Simons to thank for two inspirational displays in the last two games.

Xavi Simons' Spurs turnaround

While Simons’ goal against Slavia Prague in their 3-0 win on Tuesday came from the penalty spot, this has been a much-improved few days for the Dutchman who appears to be coming good in Spurs colours at long last.

Simons also found the net in the win over Brentford on Saturday and appears to be a lot happier with how things are going now.

Speaking after the game, the Netherlands international said: “It is really nice to score the goals, but feeling great on the pitch, that is the most important for me and I’m enjoying it. So, really happy to be in this moment.”

Also making an appearance at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Tuesday was club legend, Son Heung-min.

The South Korean left Spurs behind in the summer for a new adventure with LAFC in MLS and he was back in England this week to finally wave goodbye to fans after a decade of service.

Simons commented: “I didn’t meet Son (before) personally and now a little bit. He is a big legend for the club and it’s a real pleasure for me to take this number and build my own legacy, so really happy to meet him.”

Son waves farewell to Spurs

Son scored 173 goals in 454 appearances for Spurs, with his final competitive appearance in the historic Europa League triumph over Manchester United back in May.

The South Korean paraded the trophy around the stadium days after that victory in Bilbao, but left in pre-season to sign for LAFC. Thus, he did not have the chance to say goodbye until this week.

An emotional evening started with Son’s mural being unveiled on the High Road before he spoke to the crowd and promised, “I will always be Spurs.”

Speaking to Korean media after, he stated: “First of all, I’m happy to be back in a place where I spent my youth and is like a home. I’m so grateful that so many fans welcomed me and cheered for me. It was a little hard (on Monday) because the flight time was longer than I thought, but I had a really happy day. Thank you so much.”

Mathys Tel, who was only drafted into Spurs’ Champions League squad this week as a replacement for the injured Dominic Solanke, was delighted to see Son.

Tel added: “Sonny is like my big brother. He is always texting me, his support is always behind me, so back in the Champions League, we won and Sonny was there… a lot of good things. Sonny is a big legend at Tottenham, so when a guy like Sonny comes after he did everything, you give everything for him.”

Spurs star showed why he could become a "future £100m" player vs Slavia

Tottenham Hotspur have yet another gem on their hands after the victory over Slavia Prague.

ByEthan Lamb 2 days ago

Something about Arsenal feels different this season.

Mikel Arteta’s side have now tried and failed to win the Premier League for three years on the bounce, and so it does feel like this time, it’s do or die.

Fortunately, the North Londoners seem to have taken this added pressure in their stride, as they currently sit atop the league with three wins from three in the Champions League.

Moreover, while they are more fluid in attack than many have given them credit for, they’re utterly incredible at the back, and one player in particular is performing so well that he could help Bukayo Saka do even better.

Arsenal's world-class defence

While there is plenty of debate over which teams have the best attack and midfield in the Premier League and Europe, it’s becoming increasingly difficult to deny that Arsenal have the best defence around.

For example, on the domestic front this season, the Gunners have played eight games in the league and one in the League Cup.

In the former, they have scored 15 goals and conceded just three, and then in the latter, they haven’t conceded any.

Arsenal

4.7

Newcastle

5.7

Man City

8.2

Leeds

8.3

Spurs

9.0

Liverpool

9.2

Sunderland

9.5

Wolves

10.0

Brentford

10.0

Brighton

10.5

Moreover, according to FBref, the North Londoners have only given up a grand total of 4.70 expected goals against in the league, and faced 18 shots on target, both comfortably the lowest in the competition.

What about the Champions League, then?

Well, it’s a similar story, with them keeping three clean sheets in three games and conceding an average of 0.50 expected goals against per 90, which, again, is the lowest in the competition.

What makes the Gunners’ outrageous defensive record even more impressive is the fact that they have conceded just a single shot on target across the last three games, courtesy of Atletico Madrid’s Thiago Almada in the 77th minute on Tuesday night, when his team were already 4-0 down.

In short, it’s impossible to deny that, as things stand, Arsenal have the best defence, not just in England, but Europe, and now one of the back four looks like he could even help get more out of Saka going the other way.

The Arsenal defender who could help make Saka even more dangerous

While there are certainly arguments to be made for Riccardo Calafiori and Gabriel, the defender doing the most to help Saka offensively this season is Jurrien Timber.

Chalkboard

Football FanCast’s Chalkboard series presents a tactical discussion from around the global game.

Often seen as an elite lockdown full-back with mediocre attacking abilities in the past, the former Ajax star is seemingly doing everything in his power this season to prove he’s unreal in all phases.

Whether Arteta has given him the license to roam up the pitch more this season, or he’s simply more comfortable doing so, the Dutchman has become a genuine outlet for the Gunners on the right.

While his passing range has improved slightly so far, his close control and movement have taken the most significant step forward this year, with performances against Newcastle United and Atleti being the best examples.

For example, against the Toon, he attempted six dribbles, completed three, took three shots and ended the game with a combined expected goal and assist figure of 0.74.

Then, against the Madrid outfit on Tuesday night, the 24-year-old monster, who analyst Ben Mattinson has described as “one of the best Emirates-era signings,” completed another dribble, played two key passes, and took a shot.

The Utrecht-born titan’s reward for his newfound attacking prowess this season currently stands at two goals and two assists in 11 games, but with all that said, why is this good news for Saka?

Well, simply put, a more dangerous Timber just behind him, or to his right on occasion, should lead to a bit more space for him to operate in.

After all, as teams become more familiar with the attacking talents of the Dutchman, they won’t be able to leave him unmarked in their own third.

Moreover, his improved technique and better understanding of attacking situations could lead to him creating more goal-scoring opportunities for the Englishman or finishing those created by the Hale Ender.

Ultimately, Arsenal have a truly world-class defence, and now Timber’s improved attacking ability could help make Saka into even more of a monster than he already is.

"Phenomenal" – Merson blown away as Arsenal do what "no one" ever does to Atletico

Merson believes Arsenal sent a serious message to the rest of Europe on Tuesday.

ByBen Goodwin Oct 22, 2025

As Manchester United shift their focus towards their new manager’s first batch of reinforcements, Ruben Amorim has reportedly approved the potential return of a £25m player in 2025.

Man Utd transfer news

There’s work to be done at Old Trafford, as Amorim may see for himself against Ipswich Town this weekend. The Red Devils are struggling in the Premier League’s bottom half and looked devoid of confidence under Erik ten Hag before Ruud van Nistelrooy at least restored some confidence in a short interim spell. Now, as the new manager looks to make his mark, the Ipswich game has become all the more interesting.

Whether it’s the beginning of another false dawn or finally the appointment that breaks the trend and replaces Sir Alex Ferguson at least remains to be seen, but INEOS certainly seem ready to back Amorim.

Recent rumours have already linked the Manchester club to the likes of Lautaro Martinez as of late and now reports suggest that they could chase the signature of an impressive midfielder.

According to The Sun, Amorim has given the green light for Manchester United to sign Angel Gomes from Lille. The former Sporting Club boss is reportedly a long-term admirer of the £25m-rated ace and now wants to bring the midfielder back to Old Trafford four years on from his initial departure.

Dan Ashworth and Jason Wilcox believe Gomes can be a crucial part of new boss Amorim’s masterplan and he is actually set to be out of contract at the end of the season.

Ten Hag's Man Utd flop is now outscoring Zirkzee & Hojlund after leaving

The former Manchester United player has recaptured his form away from Old Trafford.

1 ByEthan Lamb Nov 22, 2024

The 24-year-old has stolen the headlines in recent months, having been handed his England debut by Lee Carsley and impressed whilst doing so. Now, as Manchester United look to replace Casemiro and hand both Manuel Ugarte and Kobbie Mainoo their missing link in midfield, Gomes could be an ideal arrival.

"Intelligent" Gomes can earn Man Utd redemption

Whilst things didn’t work out in a more advanced role at Manchester United, Gomes has since discovered his best form in an unexpected deeper role, so much so that he may just get a second chance at Old Trafford. It must be said that Carrington would deserve a fair bit of praise if Amorim was able to form a midfield which includes not one but two academy graduates in Mainoo and Gomes, who could form quite the partnership.

Progressive Carries

13

5

Progressive Passes

35

24

Tackles Won

4

13

Ball Recoveries

15

33

Where Gomes’ best work has come on the ball throughout the current campaign, Mainoo’s has come away from possession in what would undoubtedly help to compliment his fellow academy graduate.

It’s no surprise that the Manchester United target has earned plenty of praise in France, including from former Lille manager Paulo Fonseca who told BBC Sport via Get Football News France: “Angel is maybe the most intelligent player I have in my team. He understands faster than the others everything about the game; he loves the game. He loves to learn and he is a player with big skills, big technique.”

Aston Villa scouts are being put through their paces ahead of the January window and may now have found a player worth pursuing in PSV Eindhoven midfielder Ismael Saibari.

The Villans struggled for goals in the early part of the campaign, and it is fair to say that their efforts to hit the target need to improve, given they are one of the lowest-scoring sides in the Premier League table.

Yet to hit double figures on that front, at the time of writing, much has been made of Ollie Watkins’ poor form at Aston Villa this season. The England international has hit the target in just one of 13 this campaign, failing to repeat the stellar form he showed in 2024/25.

Undoubtedly, January will be a time where finding potency will be prioritised. Hoffenheim striker Fisnik Asllani is on the Villans’ radar and may be pursued, with Unai Emery set on achieving even loftier goals than the accomplishments he has met during his three years in the West Midlands.

He said before the clash with Liverpool: “Still work to do, still objectives to set and work hard to achieve those objectives – collectively and myself as well, individually.

“One of them is some titles, but of course the title only is winning one, Premier League, the cups in England, and Europe, is the target we can set through to achieve some titles, and we are in this way.”

PSR may force Aston Villa’s hand as Liverpool plot a move for Ezri Konsa. Even then, there will be room to recruit more additions to offer Emery a greater sense of potency in his side’s hunt for continental qualification, something he may now find in his latest target.

Aston Villa scouts blown away by Ismael Saibari

According to TBR in conversation with Graeme Bailey, Aston Villa scouts were blown away by PSV midfielder Ismael Saibari after watching him in action against Feyenoord last weekend, where he scored a hat-trick.

Bailey said: “Saibari is attracting a lot of attention and his treble last week was special. He is one to keep an eye on for January, getting goals in January is something Premier League clubs especially are looking for and he could offer that.”

With ten goals and an assist to his name this term, the engine room operator is also wanted by Leeds United, West Ham United, Everton, Fulham and Brighton & Hove Albion.

Aston Villa eyeing Joshua Zirkzee to fill attacking void

Versatility is a key part of his game, something that could potentially signal several arrivals are imminent, given Saibari can feature as a ten, in central midfield or in a role shielding the back four.

Nevertheless, PSV hold the cards in negotiations due to having the Morocco international under contract until 2029. Aston Villa may need to shell out a premium to land his services, though could now be tempted by the prospect of a January bid.

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.

"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.

PIF very interested in signing "extraordinary" new player for Newcastle

He has won five times against the Magpies.

ByHenry Jackson Jan 7, 2024

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.