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Crystal Palace are having a quiet transfer window so far, as Patrick Vieira’s side have enjoyed a comfortable start to their season, currently 11th in the Premier League, but with three weeks to go there is one player that has been repeatedly linked to signing for the side in January.

What’s the word?

Journalist, Pete O’Rourke, added new claims to the ongoing speculation surrounding the potential signing of Eddie Nketiah, confirming that other clubs are interested in the Gunners forward.

O’Rourke told GIVEMESPORT:

“There’s other clubs interested in Nketiah,” he began.

“The likes of Brighton have been mentioned but Crystal Palace have held a long-term interest in Nketiah. They tried to get him in the summer but it didn’t happen in the end.”

With Brighton speculated to be in hot pursuit of the 22-year-old too, Vieira will need to make a decision on whether he wants to sign the player or not, as he could be beaten to securing his signature by another Premier League club, especially now that he is in the final six months of his contract with Arsenal.

Fans will be buzzing

Nketiah would be a great addition to the youth revolution that Patrick Vieira has imposed since being appointed by the London club in summer last year, and has the potential to become a fantastic player if his current form is anything to go by.

As a result, fans will surely be elated to see another young player in Nketiah becoming part of the future that the Palace manager is already building, with many taking to social media to discuss the potential signing.

One fan Tweeted: “Palace need to bag Nketiah, imagine the front 4 of Nketiah, Olise, Eze and Gallagher.”

The Arsenal striker has not been in Mikel Arteta’s favour for too many Premier League starts, with just three appearances so far, but has been able to prove his worth and showcase his talents in the EFL Cup.

In that competition, he has scored five goals in three games, leading the Gunners to a semi final that is important for the club this season, as they can only compete in domestic competitions due to failing to qualify for European football for the first time since 1995.

Crystal Palace could lose one of their strikers this January, as Jean-Philippe Mateta is strongly linked to a move away from the club, ending his loan and joining Saint Etienne, and if this was the case, Vieira could swoop to secure the signing of Nketiah in the next few weeks to fill the hole that his current striker would leave.

In other news: Mateta likely to leave the club in January

Aston Villa have admiration for Rangers duo Joe Aribo and Glen Kamara.

That’s according to The Athletic’s David Ornstein, which, as to be expected, has had a number of Villa fans talking on social media.

Gerrard was promised a huge January kitty when discussing a move to the Midlands back in November, and it didn’t take long for links to Aribo and Kamara to emerge following his Ibrox departure.

Villa are after a midfielder this month following Marvelous Nakamba’s serious knee injury towards the end of 2021. According to Ornstein, Villa are interested in the Rangers duo, players who Gerrard know well from his time in Scotland.

Philippe Coutinho has already arrived on loan, with the club now after a midfielder, full-back and back-up goalkeeper before the deadline slams shut.

Villa fans react

The AVFC Faithful shared the news regarding Aribo and Kamara on social media. This is what these fans had to say in reply, with a selection of responses available to view below.

“The first one. Called it a week after Gerrard arrived. He’d be a great acquisition”

Credit: @amc89avfc

“I’m going to bed.”

Credit: @Jord210993

“don’t want either”

Credit: @IB2511FC

“Buy Bissouma or Van De Beek instead”

Credit: @CoutinhoProp

“Wouldn’t be completely against Aribo but don’t really care for Kamara. Think we could do better than both but we do need the mids this window”

Credit: @KishinJay

“Bring me Aribo”

Credit: @only_avfc

In other news: ‘This is a shock’ – Many Villa fans ‘buzzing’ as club confirm ‘big’ news. 

Glasgow Rangers have been dealt a potentially huge injury blow regarding Ianis Hagi.

What’s the latest?

In recent comments cited by Football Scotland, Giovanni van Bronckhorst dropped an update on the injury picked up by the 23-year-old in the 13th minute of Rangers’ 4-0 Scottish Cup win over Stirling Albion on Friday night, with the forward appearing to take a knock to his knee in a collision with Jordan McGregor.

Speaking about the condition of the Romania international, the 46-year-old said: “He’s okay, he had a problem so we have to wait to see what he actually has but so far I can’t say anything about the injury.”

Fans will be fuming

With one of Rangers’ biggest games of the season coming up on February 2, namely the Old Firm derby, the Ibrox faitful will be fuming if Hagi is ruled out of that game as a result of an injury picked up against Scottish League Two side Stirling.

Indeed, the £6.3m-rated winger has been one of the Gers’ best performers over his 15 Premiership appearances so far this season, having already scored two goals and created two big chances for his side, as well as taking 2.4 shots and making 1.5 key passes per game.

These returns have seen the £21k-per-week Romanian average a SofaScore match rating of 7.10, ranking him as Van Bronckhorst’s seventh-best performer in the Scottish top flight.

As such, it is clear for all to see that Rangers are a much weaker side without Hagi, with the absence of the 23-year-old from the Gers’ upcoming trip to Parkhead potentially reducing their chances of taking all three points back across the city. Such an outcome could well have disastrous consequences in the Light Blues’ bid to retain their Premiership title this season, so the fan base won’t be pleased to hear of him being injured in a one-sided cup clash so close to the derby.

In other news: Van Bronckhorst must avoid a Rangers repeat of Pena disaster with South American dud, fans would be fuming

According to Info Blaugrana, Tottenham Hotspur have entered a last-gasp transfer battle to sign Barcelona forward Ousmane Dembele.

The Lowdown: Lilywhites linked…

The France international has been linked with a move to north London before, with his Barca contract running out at the end of the 2021/22 season. Xavi’s side need to sell before the 11pm deadline tonight or else risk losing him for free in the summer as clubs become tipped to make a move.

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Tottenham have had Dembele on their radar, with Spanish sources previously claiming that transfer chief Fabio Paratici earmarked the player as a target.

The 24-year-old is set to be a wanted man today as Paris-Saint Germain also enter the fray according to reports, but it is Info Blaugrana who mention Spurs.

The Latest: Spurs ‘match’ Man United bid…

According to their information, Tottenham have now ‘matched’ an offer from Man United for Dembele as they table a €20m (£16.6m) bid.

The report stated that Antonio Conte’s side and the Red Devils are two Premier League candidates to sign the winger, with ‘intense hours’ on the horizon today.

The Verdict: Right move?

The former Borussia Dortmund ace would come with both pros and cons.

While Dembele has drawn comparisons with fellow French star Kylian Mbappe, his torrid injury record and sky-high salary could be a real point of contention despite the fact that he could leave for a cut-price fee before the transfer deadline.

Chelsea manager Thomas Tuchel has called the attacker a ‘crazy’ and ‘incredible’ player, having worked with him at Dortmund, but with Spurs looking to add to Conte’s ranks with last-minute moves, they should also weigh up their next one carefully.

In other news: Spurs move for ‘exciting’ £40m man on the cards as Conte plans another deadline day swoop, find out more here.

Sky Sports have revealed live on air that Leeds United are ‘keen’ on Marseille midfielder Boubacar Kamara.

The Lowdown: Aaronson a key target for Leeds

The Whites have made RB Salzburg’s Brenden Aaronson their key January target and have already made two bids for the American.

However, they are yet to make a breakthrough with just days remaining of the transfer window, and they could end up with fewer options than at the start of the month following Cody Drameh’s loan move to Cardiff City.

Another player linked with a move to Elland Road this month has been defensive midfielder Kamara, and Sky Sports have now confirmed Leeds’ interest with Monday’s deadline fast approaching.

The Latest: Sky Sports claim on Kamara

A Manchester United fan was giving his thoughts regarding a move to Old Trafford for Kamara on Sky Sports’ Good Morning Transfers show.

However, before that supporter shared his opinion, presenter Jo Wilson revealed that ‘we know’ Roma and Leeds are also ‘keen’ on the Frenchman.

The Verdict: No-brainer

Victor Orta was after a defensive and attacking midfielder ahead of the January transfer window, and he could secure both with moves for Aaronson and Kamara.

The Marseille player, who can also provide cover at centre-back, is valued at £22.5m by Transfermarkt and is reportedly available for just £10m this month due to being out of contract in the summer.

Leeds have reportedly spoken to the player’s agent, and still just 22 years of age, Kamara could be an ideal long-term acquisition who could possibly end up replacing Kalvin Phillips, who continues to be linked with a move away from Elland Road. Therefore, it seems like a no-brainer for the Whites to keep pushing for the Frenchman’s signature.

In other news: Leeds now open to offloading this centre-forward with ‘fast feet’ just days before January transfer window shuts

Taking to Twitter, journalist Jason Burt of The Telegraph has made a Tottenham Hotspur claim involving Atletico Madrid star Yannick Carrasco.

The Lowdown: Spurs eye late Jan move?

On deadline day, reports emerged from France of Spurs holding an interest in the Belgium forward as transfer chief Fabio Paratici eyed last gasp moves after sealing both Dejan Kulusevski and Rodrigo Bentancur from Juventus.

The 28-year-old, who holds a €60million (£50million) release clause, was apparently at the centre of last gasp Spurs discussions amid Lilywhites talks for other targets.

However, the move appeared to eventually break down, with Telegraph reporter Burt sharing what he knows.

The Latest: Tottenham ‘failed in an attempt’…

According to his sources, Tottenham failed with a deadline day swoop for Carrasco as his club took a hard-line stance selling so late on.

“Understand Tottenham Hotspur have failed in an attempt to sign Yannick Carrasco. Atletico Madrid insist the Belgium international is not for sale today,” said the reporter.

The Verdict: Missed out?

As Spurs have to settle for just two new signings, missing out on top targets Adama Traore and Luiz Diaz, news of another failed capture won’t exactly be welcome news.

Manager Antonio Conte reportedly asked for three new additions at N17 but the Lilywhites fell short of his transfer demand (The Telegraph), with the Italian now having to guide Spurs to a Champions League spot without his desired backing.

Carrasco certainly would’ve been a viable candidate, especially going by his attacking versatility and ability to play across the forward line.

In other news: Tottenham also held deadline day talks over signing 176-goal attacker, find out more here.

Liverpool continued their run of perfect form in the Premier League winning their fourth game on the bounce against Burnley this afternoon at Turf Moor – but it wasn’t the usual comfortable performance we are used to seeing from the Merseyside giants.

Jurgen Klopp reunited his infamous front three of Sadio Mane, Bobby Firmino and Mo Salah in the starting line up, however none of them were able to find the back of the net in a tight game for the travelling side.

The player who did manage to secure the three points for the side was Fabinho, who found the back of the net late into the first half.

However this particular game was less about the attacking presence and much more focused on the defensive attributes of this Liverpool side, as the performance was less than inspiring from an offensive perspective, with the Reds registering less shots on targets than Burnley.

One player who was integral to holding off a very physical Burnley from taking anything away from the game, was Joel Matip, who put on a phenomenal defensive performance and was Klopp’s real hero.

According to SofaScore, Matip was the highest rated outfield player (7.4), only beaten by his goalkeeper, Alisson Becker (8.8) – and for good reason too. The defender won 100% of his ground duels, made 5 clearances, 2 tackles and one interception as well as having a massive 85 touches of the ball, proving he was getting thoroughly stuck into the game against Burnley and determined to not let them equalise.

In fact, the £140k-p/w monster made more touches, more tackles and won more duels than his much heralded centre back partner, Virgil van Dijk, and in turn, was crucial to the side in a difficult game away from home.

Despite a less than comfortable win that Liverpool fans are used to enjoying, a 1-0 win keeps Klopp’s side in contention to catch Manchester City.

But with Pep Guardiola’s side in fine form, Klopp and his squad will know they need to keep it as tight as possible with no room for error to have any chance in catching the league leaders.

In other news: Jacob Ramsey attracting interest from Liverpool

Alasdair Gold has ‘spotted’ some exciting Tottenham news from Hotspur Way, as Alfie Devine could soon get his chance in the Premier League under Antonio Conte.

The Lowdown: Conte’s complaint

Conte’s explosive interview with Sky Italy this week has drawn plenty of attention, with the manager correctly pointing out that his squad is actually weaker in terms of numbers now than it was prior to the January transfer window.

However, that weakness may grant opportunities to some of the younger players on the fringes of the Italian’s squad, like Dane Scarlett, who is effectively the only other out and out striker at the club after Harry Kane.

Another player who may benefit is 17 year-old Devine, who is yet to be seen in a Premier League fixture for Tottenham, appearing just once for the club in the 5-0 FA Cup win at Marine FC back in January of last year.

The Latest: Devine may get his chance

According to Gold, writing for Football London, Devine, the youngest player to ever turn out for Spurs’ senior side, ‘could find himself getting more chances to impress Conte’ ahead of Saturday’s clash with Manchester City.

Devine has been involved in the first team training sessions before the visit to the champions, and the departures of Tanguy Ndombele, Giovani Lo Celso, Dele Alli and Bryan Gil could now open the door for a Premier League debut.

The Verdict: Exciting for Spurs fans

While the teenager actually made his only appearance for the first-team up front against Marine, his natural position is indeed somewhere Conte is lacking in his current squad.

Devine has made ten of his 16 appearances for the youth sides at N17 from an attacking midfield position this season, scoring seven goals and providing one assist.

Goals from midfield has been a huge issue for not just Conte but also Nuno Espirito Santo this term, with no Lilywhites player outside of Kane and Son Heung-min scoring more than twice in the league.

Whether 17 year-old Devine is ready for the rough and tumble of regular senior football yet is unclear, but Gold’s report details how he is taking part in the strength and conditioning training, so it shouldn’t come as too much of a surprise if Conte unleashes the youngster between now and the end of the campaign.

Alasdair Gold drops worrying injury news…

Speaking to GiveMeSport, journalist Michael Bridge of Sky Sports has raved over Tottenham Hotspur defender Eric Dier for his general form this season.

The Lowdown: Dier impressing for Spurs…

Overall, it has hard to make the argument against the 28-year-old being one of Spurs’ best players in the current campaign.

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Indeed, the Englishman may have seemingly fired himself back into international contention in time for the Three Lions’ 2022 World Cup campaign in Qatar later this year.

Speaking earlier this season, Spurs legend Glenn Hoddle explained his disbelief over how ‘different’ Dier looks under Antonio Conte, whilst also praising the Italian for ‘getting a tune’ out of the 28-year-old.

The Latest: Bridge praises Dier…

Speaking to GiveMeSport, Sky Sports reporter Bridge has now made his own claim on Dier’s general form throughout 2021/22, calling him the Lilywhites’ ‘most improved’ player under the 52-year-old.

When asked about the centre-back, the journalist replied: “I think he’s Tottenham’s most improved player under Conte.”

The Verdict: Deserved praise…

Often criticised for his performances last season, Dier’s rejuvenation under Conte has arguably been one of the standout Spurs success stories of the current campaign.

Bridge and Hoddle aren’t the only members of the media to single out the 28-year-old’s impressive form, with another reporter in Paul Brown calling the player and his passing ‘underrated’ (GiveMeSport).

Gareth Southgate could well be watching on ahead of the World Cup in November, and it’s safe to say that Dier should be a contender to earn his place back in an England squad for a major tournament for the first time since 2018.

In other news: ‘Wow’, ‘One to watch’…Media blown away by ‘stunning’ development at Tottenham, find out more here.

Everton could be tempted to sell Tom Davies if a ‘decent offer’ arrives, journalist Paul Brown has told GiveMeSport. 

The lowdown

Davies came through the youth ranks at Everton, making his senior debut for the club in 2016. He has since gone on to reach 158 appearances for the Toffees at the age of 23, but he is now into the final 18 months of his £25,000-per-week contract at Goodison Park.

He has not yet had the opportunity to impress new manager Frank Lampard, having injured his knee in November and then damaged his hamstring while on the road to recovery. Indeed, the player is not expecting to be back on the pitch until next season (via Daily Mail).

The latest

Brown pointed out that Everton’s precarious Financial Fair Play (FFP) situation could play a part in their thinking when it comes to Davies’ future, believing that if the Blues are receptive to offers for the 23-year-old, then it’s possible that he has already played his last game for the club.

The journalist told GiveMeSport: “The problem for him, and the club, is that because of their FFP situation, and him being a homegrown player, I think if ever there was a decent offer to come in for Tom Davies, they’d realise a lot of profit on him because he’s come through the ranks there.

“They haven’t had to pay a fee. So, I think his future is a bit uncertain, really.”

The verdict

Everton’s issues with FFP last summer were well documented. Their spending was ‘very much constrained’ by the rules after years of ‘significant losses’ (in the words of football finance expert Kieran Maguire), and based on what Brown is saying here, those problems haven’t gone away just yet.

Sacrificing Davies, valued at €18m (about £15m) by Transfermarkt, could therefore be a smart move from a business perspective.

Furthermore, Everton have other options in the middle of the park in the likes of Abdoulaye Doucoure, Allan, Fabian Delph and January signing Dele Alli. They could also potentially try to make Donny van de Beek’s loan move permanent come the summer, strengthening their midfield depth further and duly making Davies more dispensable.

In other news, these were Everton’s three worst players v Man City