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A report from 90min at the beginning of the month claimed Everton had joined the race for Zenit St.Petersburg forward Sardar Azmoun, with the 26-year-old set to be available for free next summer.

However, with the January window now just days away, it would be a good idea for the Toffees to further their interest next month.

Dubbed previously as ‘the Iranian Messi’, the £22.5m-rated forward has scored ten goals in 21 appearances across all competitions for Zenit so far this campaign, including a goal against Chelsea in the Champions League recently.

Furthermore, having joined Zenit from Rubin Kazan three years ago, Azmoun has a prolific record of 62 goals and 23 assists in 104 appearances for the Russian giants. A goal contribution every 1.2 games.

The Iranian has reportedly attracted interest from Everton owner Farhad Moshiri, who is of Iranian decent, and, according to a previous coach of Azmoun, Moshiri previously contacted him and “tried to negotiate a transfer.”

The Russian Premier League side may have no choice but to sell the 26-year-old next month in order to receive a fee, with his contract set to expire in just seven months time.

The Toffees have appeared stuck all season, sitting in an underwhelming 14th place in the Premier League and are in desperate need of some extra firepower to propel them up the table in order to avoid any nervy moments in the second half of the campaign.

Luckily, signings that initially received a mixed reaction from fans in the summer have exceeded expectations with Demarai Gray (five goals) and Andros Townsend (three goals) helping to fill the void left by star striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin.

Moreover, with the lack of goals from Rondon who has netted only once, Rafa Benitez’s side’s attacking output could’ve been much worse.

Alas, extra options in that department will be welcomed with open arms by the Everton faithful, and a possible deal for Azmoun would be shrewd business given his goals record for Zenit.

The only doubt would be the fact that the Iranian hasn’t played professional football outside of Russia, and therefore the jump up to the Premier League may prove a tricky one…at least initially.

AND in other news, Time to go: Benitez should axe EFC’s “reckless” £18m-rated dud, he’s not good enough…

As explained in the Athletic’s scout report for Euro 2020, West Ham United are now one of the teams interested in signing VFL Wolfsburg striker Wout Weghorst this summer.

The Lowdown: West Ham in the striker hunt…

Manager David Moyes reportedly has three priorities for West Ham this summer in a new central defender, permanent deal for Jesse Lingard and a fresh centre-forward (Claret & Hugh).

Striker Michail Antonio suffered his fair share of injury problems over 2020/2021 and the Hammers are on the look out for fresh additions to their forward line.

West Ham have been linked with a host of attackers as another name now enters the fray.

The Latest: West Ham want Weghorst…

As explained by the Athletic in their scouting guide for Euro 2020, Weghorst is now attracting interest from West Ham.

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There is also an understanding that he will be allowed to leave if ‘certain conditions’ are met, namely his €30 million (£25.9m) price tag.

Wolfsburg are expecting concrete offers for their talismanic striker this summer, and with such a reasonable price tag, a move to the Premier League could beckon, as explained in the report.

The Verdict: A must…

Scoring a fantastic 25 goals in all competitions last season for the Bundesliga side, all while assisting nine of his teammates, it’s safe to say Weghorst is a monster up front.

Austrian tactician Oliver Glasner, who coached the 28-year-old last season, lauded him as the ‘most dangerous player in front of goal’ he has ever coached (Bundesliga).

Meanwhile, in an interview with FootballFanCast, Get German Football News editor-in-chief Daniel Pinder explained how he is ‘similar’ to legendary Premier League forward Ruud van Nistelrooy.

At around £25m, he could be a real steal for the Hammers.

In other news: Barry Fry makes claim on potentially ‘great news for West Ham fans’…find out more here.

Former Aston Villa midfielder Lee Hendrie has told Football FanCast in an exclusive interview that he expects Steve Bruce to remain at Newcastle United.

With the Magpies having found themselves in a relegation battle this season, some supporters have called for the 60-year-old to be sacked.

They have managed to find some form of late, though, picking up good results against Tottenham, Burnley and West Ham and no longer look to be in danger of going down – especially after Fulham failed to hold onto their 1-0 lead away at Arsenal.

Some fans may still not be happy, but Hendrie cannot see a change in the St. James’ Park dugout happening anytime soon.

Speaking exclusively to FFC about Bruce’s future, the ex-Villa player said:

“I don’t actually think Steve Bruce will go if I’m being quite honest. From sources that I know and speak to, they’ve got no thought of changing him at this current time.”

While Bruce’s short-term future at the club looks safe as Newcastle continue to remain out of the drop zone, it will be interesting to see what happens in the summer.

Talk of a takeover continues to rumble on. If one eventually does happen, the new regime may want a new man in the dugout.

Liverpool are looking to open contract talks with defender Neco Williams this summer.

What’s the word?

That’s according to a report by the Liverpool Echo, who claim that the Reds are planning to hold talks with Williams at the end of the season, before making a final decision on the defender’s future at Anfield.

With the club making the 21-year-old available for around £10m last year, it has been a remarkable turnaround for the player.

There were no bids for Williams in the summer and this led to him joining Fulham on loan in January, where he has excelled.

Jurgen Klopp sees progress

The Welshman’s form in the Championship with Fulham – who were recently promoted back to the Premier League – has convinced Klopp to see what the future holds for the defender at Liverpool.

The £10m rated defender has played 14 times for his adopted side in all competitions and registered an impressive two goals and two assists during that time. A solid return for a right-back and this will surely have impressed a watching Klopp.

The manager is clearly a massive admirer of the defender, explaining that he “trained like a machine” with further compliments also coming from his international boss, Rob Page.

Page stated that Williams “had to be brave” to join Fulham from Liverpool in January, moving away from what could be a historic achievement if they win the quadruple and training with world-class players on a daily basis.

This move seems like it has paid dividends, however, with the news that Klopp could want the player – who Page also claimed is a “recipe for success” – to remain at Anfield after the summer transfer window.

There is no doubt there he is a talented player, his success already proves this, plus the fact he has been capped for Wales 18 times at such a young age.

And, should Williams continue his impressive form at Anfield next season, the right-back could well begin to challenge Trent Alexander-Arnold for his place in the Reds starting XI, something that would undoubtedly please Klopp greatly.

Indeed, with more competition for a starting role, the England international will need to be at his absolute best in order to remain as the German’s number one in the position – something that is only likely to improve Liverpool further next season, meaning Williams could indeed be Klopp’s recipe for success.

AND in other news: Liverpool now plot £67m bid for “sensational” 76k-p/w “winner”, imagine him and Salah.

Pundit Kevin Campbell has issued criticism for West Bromwich Albion’s creative midfielder Matheus Pereira.

Campbell believes that while Pereira had a great campaign in the Championship last season, he has endured a rather disappointing Premier League campaign, failing to live up to the hype.

Pereira hasn’t stepped up

Speaking to Football Insider, Campbell made it clear that he does rate striker Mbaye Diagne, but the striker isn’t getting enough service from the likes of Pereira. Campbell feels that West Brom’s better players should’ve stepped up in the Premier League, but Pereira hasn’t done that.

He said: “I think the football club expected Pereira to have a hell of a season because he took the Championship by storm. They thought they had a match-winner in him because he can score and create goals.

“Let’s be honest though, he has been pretty disappointing. You need your better players to step up, especially at the top end of the pitch and we haven’t seen him do that.

“There has been flashes here and there but the Premier League is different from Championship, it is where you earn you name. He has not stepped up.

“I really like Mbaye Diagne up front but he does not get enough service. He is battling the whole back four but he does not get any service – that is the problem. If you are going to get him in you have to provide for him.”

The 24-year-old Pereira had joined West Brom on loan from Sporting Lisbon originally, but the move was made permanent in the summer of 2020.

Currently valued at £11.70m, Pereira had impressed in the Championship while contributing to 28 goals in all competitions. In the current season though, he has contributed to just eight Premier League goals.

Pereira hasn’t had a bad season

Pereira has picked up a rating of 6.74 in the Premier League this season and only four West Brom players have picked up better ratings than the Brazilian. He is still the club’s highest goalscorer and the highest assister. He has also played the highest number of key passes per game for the side (as per Whoscored).

With all due respect, there are other players in the team who deserve more criticism than the player leading the way in both goal threat and creativity.

In other news, many West Brom fans are angry at a news about a midfielder – read more here.

Rangers are reportedly interested in signing Rijeka midfielder Ivan Lepinjica this summer and should he join Steven Gerrard’s side at Ibrox ahead of next season, it could prove to be a repeat of two superb signings made by former Gers sporting director Mark Allen.

Reports from Croatia claim that Gerrard’s side are keen on the in-demand midfielder, who has attracted interest from Chelsea in the past, and could look to bring him in on a loan-to-buy deal this summer.

Rangers have enjoyed a lot of success in signing from the Croatian league in the past, with both Borna Barisic and Nikola Katic having impressed at Ibrox since their arrivals from NK Osijek and Slaven Belupo respectively.

Barisic joined in 2018 after impressing Gerrard with his performances for Osijek against Rangers in a Europa League tie and has gone on to make 112 appearances for the Teddy Bears, contributing an impressive seven goals and 32 assists, whilst he was instrumental in the unbeaten league campaign last season.

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Katic, meanwhile, joined in 2018 and has gone on to make 59 appearances for Gerrard’s side, contributing six goals and three assists from centre-back and surely would have had a big part to play last season had he not been ruled out with a cruciate ligament injury.

Both have earned caps for the Croatian national side and Lepinjica therefore will perhaps feel that a move to Rangers could help him establish himself in Zlatko Dalić’s side in the near future should he have a similarly impressive impact at Ibrox.

The 21-year-old has been a regular in Rijeka’s side in the past few seasons, making 70 appearances in total, in which he has contributed two goals and two assists.

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Therefore, signing the £450k-rated youngster on a loan-to-buy deal could prove to be a very smart piece of business by Ross Wilson this summer. if he is anywhere near as good as Katic or Barisic, then he would surely be appreciated by Gerrard, and it could even prove to be a repeat of the superb deals negotiated by Wilson’s predecessor Mark Allen.

And, in other news… Rangers may already have their Davis heir in never-before-seen “mountain”

Aston Villa are reportedly interested in a big money swoop for Sheffield United midfielder Sander Berge, as claimed by Birmingham Live.

The Lowdown: Aston Villa gear up for 2021/22

As the Villans gear up for the 2021/22 Premier League season, much attention will be paid to how Dean Smith’s men improve upon their impressive 11th-placed finish last time out. Already active in the transfer market, Villa have acquired Emiliano Buendia from Norwich for a club record fee, along with a return for Ashley Young on a free transfer from Inter Milan [Transfermarkt].

One crucial element of the Buendia deal was Villa fending off interest from Arsenal for his signature [Mirror]. Could the same thing happen regarding their pursuit of Berge?

The Latest: Villa said to be monitoring Berge

Aston Villa are said to be monitoring Norway international Berge as they prepare for the new season [Birmingham Live].

Familiar foes Arsenal are also said to be courting his services, but have recently flinched at his price tag of £35m, which could leave the Gunners susceptible to counter-bids [Sheffield Star].

Although it is not clear how much Aston Villa would be willing to pay, they could well challenge their divisional rivals for the 23-year-old as they strive to build a team capable of challenging for continental qualification [Birmingham Live].

The Verdict: Berge would be a good addition

Undoubtedly, Berge would add quality and energy to an already well-stocked Aston Villa midfield. He suffered an injury-hit 2020/21 campaign for the Blades, only making 16 appearances as he scored once and set up another goal [Transfermarkt].

Once labelled as having a ‘brilliant attitude’ by former Sheffield United boss Chris Wilder [Sheffield Star], there is every chance that he could become an established Premier League midfielder for years to come should any move materialize.

Berge has already featured 24 times for the Norwegian international side, scoring on one occasion [Transfermarkt]. Having already proven capable of holding his own at an elite level, Villa should do everything in their power to get this deal over the line, especially with Arsenal baulking at his valuation.

In other news, these Aston Villa fans react to one player’s exit from the club.

Speaking exclusively to Football FanCast, former Newcastle United midfielder Keith Gillespie has said that Liverpool’s Harvey Elliott isn’t far off becoming a regular first-teamer at Anfield.

Elliott first caught the eye when he became Fulham’s youngster player in an EFL Cup tie against Millwall back in 2018 prior to his move to Anfield 10 months later.

The winger’s first campaign at Anfield ended in Premier League glory, with the teenager making eight appearances in all competitions before the Reds opted to send him out on loan to Blackburn this season to continue his development.

And the highly-rated attacker has performed impressively for the Ewood Park outfit this term, scoring five times, whilst laying on 10 assists for his teammates, bettered only by Norwich City’s Emiliano Buendia (12).

Elliott will return to Anfield at the end of the season, and whilst Gillespie believes that another year out on loan might benefit the 17-year-old, the former Northern Ireland midfielder is confident that he’ll eventually become a key part at Anfield.

He told Football FanCast:

“I’ve got friends who are Blackburn fans, and have been very impressed with him. He looks to have an incredible future ahead of him.

“He’s a young lad, he’s not going to play every game should he come back to Liverpool and stay next season. Even send him out for another season just to give him that little more experience, and then he comes back and then it’s like ‘right, you’re ready to come into the Liverpool first-team on a regular basis’.

“He looks nailed on to be a Liverpool regular for many years.”

Whilst Blackburn have failed to live up to their tag as pre-season promotion favourites, Elliott has done his reputation no harm, meaning should Liverpool be keen for another loan, there should be plenty of interest.

According to a report by Italian news outlet TuttoMercatoWeb, Tottenham Hotspur are now the favourites to appoint out-of-work manager Maurizio Sarri ahead of north London rivals Arsenal.

The Lowdown: Sarri saga rages on…

The 62-year-old has been left without a job since being unceremoniously sacked by Juventus last season despite winning the Scudetto. Indeed, he was given his marching orders just two weeks after helping to guide the Old Lady to their ninth Serie A title in a row (Goal).

Now, as he searches for a new managerial role, Tottenham have been extensively linked with him alongside their London neighbours.

The Latest: Spurs now favourites for Sarri…

As explained by TuttoMercatoWeb, Spurs are now the favourites to appoint Sarri ahead of Arsenal as chairman Daniel Levy continues to scour the market for his successor to Jose Mourinho in N17.

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Despite sources closer to home denying Tottenham’s managerial raid of Italy (football.london), reports continue to surface regarding the future of Sarri. According to this report, Spurs is the ‘hottest possibility’ for the former Chelsea coach, despite the suggestion that he would ‘marry best’ with Arsenal due to their style of play.

The Verdict: Exciting contender…

Sarri doesn’t fit into the mould of a young and dynamic manager allegedly wanted by Tottenham’s technical performance director Steve Hitchen (Daily Mail), but we have reiterated before that his footballing philosophy more than makes up for that.

Implementing an attacking, high-press style conventionally nicknamed ‘Sarri-ball’, players who have worked under his tutelage appear to shower the Italian with nothing but praise.

Ronaldo Vanin, who featured under Sarri as a right-back for Sorrento, lauded him as a ‘perfectionist’ and a ‘marvellous person’ off the pitch in an interview with The Guardian. Meanwhile, Juventus and former Manchester City defender Danilo drew comparisons between the 62-year-old and Pep Guardiola and branded the two managers as ‘very similar’.

Indeed, we urge Spurs supporters not to discount the Italian as a credible option as Mourinho’s successor.

In other news: Levy in pole position to sign this ‘absolutely sensational’ powerhouse for Spurs, find out more here.

Crystal Palace are one of the clubs interested in a late move for Manchester United winger Daniel James, according to Alan Nixon of The Sun.

And a number of Palace supporters have been reacting to the links on social media.

Phil Hay admitted on Sunday morning that Leeds have a long-standing interest in James and Nixon added that Leeds, Palace, Brighton and Everton are in the hunt for the Wales international.

The Eagles and Whites have of course already gone head to head once this summer in the race for Conor Gallagher.

James, on £52,000-a-week at Old Trafford, is thought to be free to leave after Cristiano Ronaldo re-joined the Red Devils.

The 23-year-old was in line to receive a new United contract earlier in the window but could now depart on loan or on a permanent, should the right approach come in.

Palace are in the market for a winger who can operate from the right, a position James has featured in on 61 occasions, but the Eagles will need to pip a number of fellow top-flight sides, should they wish to bring him to London.

Palace fans react

@CPFCtransfersHQ shared Nixon’s claims regarding James on Twitter. This is what these Palace fans had to say in reply, with many wanting the club to act.

“Cancel Mateta’s loan. Bring in Edouard and Nketiah. Bring in Dan James. 10/10 window.”

Credit: @liamb0117

“Would love it if we could land him”

Credit: @BoyceDrew

“Get him”

Credit: @cpfcboiling

“Yes please”

Credit: @StewFuller82

“I’ll take this 100%”

Credit: @BRL__18

“I’d Deffo Take Him ”

Credit: @Djamel__1997

In other news: Many Palace fans buzz at links to Paris Saint-Germain ace.