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Southampton are reportedly looking to get a deal done ‘quickly’ to sign Lorient striker Terem Moffi ahead of the January transfer window.

The Lowdown: Striker needed

The Saints were pretty toothless in attack in their 3-1 loss at home to Brighton and Hove Albion in the Premier League on Boxing Day, a result that left them sitting at the bottom of the table.

They have only managed to score a mere 14 goals in their opening 16 games, the fifth-fewest in the division, and their top scorer is Che Adams with four goals.

The Latest: Moffi interest

Co-writing in his latest piece for 90min, transfer expert Graeme Bailey has revealed that Nathan Jones’ side are ‘looking to get a deal done quickly’ for Moffi ahead of January, and are actively ‘pursuing’ a deal.

They have ‘taken a liking’ to Moffi, as Jones has made finding a reliable source of goals a top priority.

The Verdict: Get it done

The St. Mary’s outfit are in desperate need of a goalscorer to get them out of trouble, and Moffi certainly fits the bill.

Hailed as a ‘ridiculously good’ striker by journalist Zach Lowy, he boasts ten goals in his opening 15 Ligue 1 games this season, and has previously managed 22 in the division over the last two campaigns (Transfermarkt).

Moffi is currently out-performing any Southampton player in their respective domestic leagues (Whoscored), and is also averaging more shots and dribbles per match than any Saints star.

Nonetheless, at 23 years of age, the Nigeria international still has a high ceiling, and the Saints would do well to secure his services for the next few seasons.

Leeds United have been handed another chance to move in for a summer transfer target…

What’s the latest?

As per CBS Sports journalist Ben Jacobs, the Whites might look to move in for Charles De Ketelaere, as they remain keen on bringing him to Elland Road despite having lost out to AC Milan in the summer.

Speaking to GIVEMESPORT, Jacobs claimed:

“There is a feeling at Leeds’ end that they want to be kept abreast of the situation because there is a feeling that perhaps, from Milan’s point of view, he isn’t enjoying things there.

“That might give Leeds an opportunity – potentially only on a loan – to get back inside De Ketelaere’s head and do something in January.

“Paolo Maldini at Milan has said many times that it’s a shame about the situation because he’s suffered since the move. It’s a new environment, it’s different kinds of pressures. He’s there on a five-year contract and he’s only been there a few months.

“So, we have to wait and see whether there’s a window of opportunity for Leeds United to perhaps give De Ketelaere something to think about.”

Ideal scenario

During their summer pursuit, it seemed like a huge blow to miss out on a man who had just scored 18 times and assisted ten for Club Brugge.

However, since his move to the Italian capital, his form has taken a huge nosedive.

Yet to score at his new club, his performances have earned scathing criticism despite his youth. Journalist James Marshment even went as far as to claim that Jesse Marsch had “dodged a bullet”.

Despite this, he is still averaging 1.2 key passes per game and although he has created four big chances, he has only been credited with one assist.

This poor form could have created the perfect scenario for Leeds however, who could still get their man on loan to essentially test out whether he is cut out for the Premier League.

If he succeeds then they can reignite their interest, and if not, then they saved themselves the €35m (£30m) transfer fee and £46k-per-week wages.

Clearly boasting immense talent for a 21-year-old, which spurred Gert Verheyen to describe him as someone who “combines efficiency with beautiful football”, things arguably could not have worked out better for Marsch should they sign him this January.

The 2022/23 Premier League campaign has so far been a tightly packed one in England and with the season drawing to a paused close the other week to enable the first ever winter World Cup out in Qatar to take place, for very understandable reasons the vast majority of football fans across Europe are focused on the tournament, and not their own domestic game.

Manchester United fans were somewhat otherwise occupied given Cristiano Ronaldo’s rather explosive interview with Piers Morgan as he seemingly tried to engineer a move out of Old Trafford given the fact his second spell has not really gone to plan, and with significant issues this season – missing a portion of pre season training, refusing to come on as a substitute and so on – with the World Cup now underway and Ronaldo’s attentions on Portugal, he has ultimately got what he wanted having agreed a mutual termination of his contract with the Red Devil’s.

This episode though does not diminish the kind of player he has been across his career nor does it change his commitment and focus for all the clubs he has played for prior to this latest move – so for very clear reasons fans will understand why Betway Insider continued to name Ronaldo in their top five of the potential World Cup greatest of all time (G.O.A.T) list.

Fans will certainly have their own preferences for such a list and there are a whole host of players who have lit up the biggest stage in football and would deservedly warrant their place on an extended World Cup G.O.A.T list, but with Ronaldo (who will now have feelers out for a new club) followed by Lionel Messi, Pele, Diego Maradona and Zinedine Zidane, I think the vast majority of fans would agree that they each deserve their spot in top five – the greatest of them all though is certainly very much open for debate.

As Betway explained their choice, for Ronaldo they offered.

“His versatility on the pitch, goalscoring prowess and cheetah-like speed on the ball undoubtedly place Ronaldo among the best players ever. His hat-trick against Spain in 2018 is undeniably one of the greatest World Cup performances off all time, as he scored a flawless free-kick in the 88th minute to earn a point in a 3-3 draw and become the oldest player to ever score a World Cup treble.”

Picking out a particular World Cup memory or performance from the past to justify why the other four are also on the list, they went on to explain.

Messi:

“For Messi’s greatest World Cup moment, we’ve gone with his performance in Brazil in 2014. Not only was he top scorer for Argentina – which included a corker of a strike to send Iran packing, and netting a free-kick with pinpoint accuracy against Nigeria – he was also named the best player of the tournament and won the Golden Ball award.”

Zidane:

“You can’t speak of Zidane without mentioning his heroic performance in the 1998 World Cup final, scoring two headers against Brazil and winning the tournament for France for the first time ever. His graceful display as he floated past defenders with ease and set up his teammates for victory is certainly one for the history books.”

Maradona:

“His single best World Cup moment? There’s only one we could go with. From the deftest of touches to receive the ball and the single-handed demolition of England’s defence, to sliding past Peter Shilton under pressure. It’s a moment still referred to as the goal of the century. God-like, we’d say.”

Pele:

“If we had to pick Pelé’s greatest moment, it would have to be winning Brazil’s first World Cup against Sweden in 1958 at just 17 years old, making him the youngest scorer in World Cup history. During the final, Pelé scored one of the greatest goals ever, effortlessly flicking the ball over the defender and volleying into the back of the net.”

They each deserve their place on the list, but I could not tell you who deserved to be top.

Photo by Unsplash

Tottenham Hotspur have been dealt a potentially huge injury blow regarding Son Heung-min.

What’s the latest?

Speaking in the post-match press conference following Spurs’ victory over Olympique de Marseille last night (via the Evening Standard), assistant manager Cristian Stellini revealed that the forward – who was withdrawn in the first half after a clash of heads with Chancel Mbemba – may have suffered a concussion at the Orange Vélodrome.

Regarding the 30-year-old’s injury, the Italian coach said: “In this moment, we don’t know [the extent of Son’s injury]. We have to wait for a medical assessment, and we have to wait until tomorrow [Wednesday].

“Sonny feels better now. I saw him in the dressing room. He celebrated with us. So we will wait for tomorrow. We are not sure [if he was concussed]. It is his face. His eye is a bit swollen.”

Huge blow

Considering just how dazed Son looked when leaving the pitch on Tuesday night, it would appear incredibly likely that the 30-year-old had indeed suffered a concussion – something that, due to the concussion protocol, would see the attacker ruled out of action for at least six days, resulting in the South Korean missing Spurs’ Premier League meeting with Liverpool on Sunday.

And, considering the fact that both Dejan Kulusevski and Richarlison are also injury doubts for the visit of the Reds this weekend, the additional absence of Son would certainly come as a huge blow to Antonio Conte and his side.

Indeed, while the £43m-rated talent has not always been at his free-flowing best over his 13 Premier League appearances this season, he has still highly impressed, scoring three goals, registering two assists and creating two big chances, as well as taking an average of 2.8 shots – 1.3 of which have hit the target – making 2.2 key passes and completing 0.7 dribbles per game.

These returns have seen the £190k-per-week attacker average an extremely impressive SofaScore match rating of 7.23, not only ranking him as Spurs’ third-best player in the league but also as the joint 30th-best player in the top flight of English football as a whole this term.

That comes after a campaign in with the forward was simply mesmerising in the final third, romping to the Premier League Golden Boot, scoring a huge haul of 23 goals in the top flight.

As such, it is evident that Son’s loss would come as a huge blow to Tottenham’s chances of picking up a positive result against Liverpool on Sunday, especially if both Kulusevski and Richarlison remain out.

Leeds United head into Thursday evening’s Premier League meeting with Leicester City in a disappointing run of form, as, after winning three of their opening four fixtures in all competitions in 2022/23, Jesse Marsch’s side are now without a win in their last six games.

Although, despite the 1-0 loss to Arsenal last weekend, the Whites’ performance against the table-toppers will have given the 48-year-old manager a great deal of confidence heading into tonight’s meeting with the bottom-of-the-table Foxes.

Indeed, following Patrick Bamford’s introduction at half-time against the Gunners, Leeds were incredibly unlucky to leave the game with nothing, as the striker saw an equaliser ruled out for a push on Gabriel Magalhaes, missed a penalty and initially looked to have another opportunity to draw his team level from the spot before VAR overturned the decision to award a penalty.

However, while the 29-year-old ultimately failed to pull his side level, the England international’s second-half display represented a stark contrast from the one turned in by Rodrigo in the first 45-minutes of the match – with the 31-year-old offering his side very little during his time on the pitch.

Indeed, the Spaniard saw all three of his attempts at goal blocked, completed a total of just 14 passes and lost possession of the ball on six occasions, while the £58k-per-week forward was also at fault for what proved to be the visitor’s winner – with his crossfield switch to Pascal Struijk being intercepted by Martin Odegaard, who then set up Bukayo Saka to give Arsenal the lead.

Following this display, Leeds Live journalist Beren Cross awarded the attacker a four in his player ratings – the worst given to any of the Leeds side on the day – as well as stating of the £6m-rated forward’s performance:

“What started out as a promising display turned into one of the worst errors of the season with a bizarre, pitch-wide cross from right to left, backwards into Struijk, which ultimately put the Leeds goal in harm’s way. Confidence was shattered from there on and a half-time hook seemed inevitable.”

As such, considering the Spain international’s “shocker” – in the words of Cross – against the Gunners, coupled with Bamford’s electric introduction at half-time, it would very much appear as if Marsch simply must drop Rodrigo at the King Power Stadium this evening, as the striker could well cost his side dearly in a fixture the Whites cannot afford to lose.

Salomon Rondon could now leave Everton before Tuesday, as Sharjah FC from the United Arab Emirates (UAE) have reportedly made an offer.

The Lowdown: Rondon told he can leave

It was reported earlier this week that the Goodison Park outfit have told the 33-year-old that he can still leave, despite the Premier League’s transfer window closing a month ago.

The UAE’s domestic transfer window does not end until Tuesday, so there is still a possibility that he could secure a move away from Merseyside before that deadline.

The Latest: Sharjah make offer for Rondon

As per Goodison News [via The Mirror], Sharjah have now made an offer for Rondon, and Everton are willing to offload him, just like they did with Allan when he joined Al Wahda recently.

The Venezuela international has been deemed ‘surplus to requirements’ by Frank Lampard, and seems to be behind both Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Neal Maupay in the pecking order.

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The Verdict: Get rid

If there is a deal to be done, then Everton should be looking to get rid of Rondon before Tuesday’s deadline.

The striker has just three goals and one assist in 28 games over the course of his Toffees career (Transfermarkt), leaving no wonder as to why former Premier League striker Gabby Agbonlahor has claimed that the Venezuelan is “not good enough” for this level.

Earning just over £20,000 per week, selling him would clear a decent chunk of money from the wage bill as well, giving the Merseyside club even more incentive to let him go.

Nottingham Forest have seen a significant number of new players coming to the club during this summer’s transfer window.

However, they still haven’t been able to sign every player that they have reportedly been chasing.

One recent example of this is Lucas Paqueta, who after being linked with a move to the City Ground ended up joining fellow Premier League outfit West Ham United from Lyon for a club-record fee of £51m.

With less than 48 hours left until the transfer window closes, one other player who has also been linked with a move to Forest and who could be their dream alternative to the Brazilian is another Lyon star in the shape of Houssem Aouar.

In 243 appearances for the French club across their senior and youth teams, the 24-year-old has found the net 47 times and supplied 36 assists along the way.

To highlight the attacking attributes that both he and Paqueta have, last season saw the £17m-valued player top Lyon’s list for successful dribbles (75) alongside the new West Ham recruit. In fact, Paqueta (117) was the only player at the Groupama Stadium to record more shot-creating actions than the Frenchman (102) last term.

However, Aouar made more carries into the final third of the pitch (77) than any of his team-mates, showing the attacking threat that he has in and what he’d be able to offer Steve Cooper’s side.

He also attempted more dribbles (136) than any other Lyon player in the league last season, which shows just how keen he is to get on the ball and take on his opponents to get his team up the pitch.

Taking all this into account, having obviously missed out on signing the Brazil international, the next best thing could be bringing his former Lyon team-mate to England instead.

Hailed as a “technically outstanding” player by journalist Adam White, Aouar would undoubtedly help Cooper’s side to create goalscoring opportunities, which is something that Forest could do with as they currently have the joint-lowest number of goal-creating actions (two) in the Premier League so far this season.

With time running out before the transfer deadline hits, if Forest want to end their staggering summer period of business on a high note, securing the Lyon gem’s signature would not only give them a new talent for Cooper to use in his team, but also help them to forget about missing out on Paqueta.

Wolverhampton Wanderers could be set to lose highly-rated forward Pedro Neto before the September transfer deadline, with the Portugal international attracting interest from clubs across the Premier League.

What’s the word?

As per 90min, the Old Gold could see the 22-year-old depart in the coming weeks, with a handful of the division’s top clubs having been alerted to his ‘potential availability’.

The report suggests that the likes of Manchester United, Chelsea and Arsenal are all in the mix to potentially make a late swoop for the former Braga man, having been informed that he could be on the market for the ‘right price’.

The 5 foot 8 speedster – who arrived at Molineux in the summer of 2019 – still has five years remaining on his existing deal, having only recently signed a contract extension in March.

Summer disaster

As alluded to above, those potential suitors appear to have been given hope that a deal could be done before the transfer window closes, with it somewhat of a surprise that the forward could potentially be available if the right offer is tabled.

An exit for Neto – particularly so late in the summer – would no doubt represent something of a disaster for Wolves manager Bruno Lage, with the three-cap gem arguably one of the most exciting talents that the 46-year-old has at his disposal.

The £28.8m-rated man scored just one league goal last term, having being absent for more than 10 months after fracturing his kneecap, but prior to that he had been in impressive form, notably scoring five goals and providing six assists during the 2020/21 campaign.

In a team which is already struggling in an attacking sense – having scored at a rate of just a goal a game last season – it would appear foolish to lose such a menacing attacking threat, particularly with the one-time Lazio loanee offering the ability to play on either flank and through the middle.

His talents were previously lauded by Arsenal icon Thierry Henry, with the Frenchman stating last year: “What I like is he’s not scared to beat people on the outside. I like it. He can cross with his right, finish with his left.

“He’s always looking to have a go and attack the defender – always on the front foot. It’s not easy to do this at such a young age, in a team where you’re not often in possession and dominating games. I think he’s performed extremely well.”

Such a glowing assessment is a marker of just how highly the “huge talent” – as dubbed by Alan Shearer – is regarded by those in the game, with it no surprise to see some of the top-flight’s leading clubs clamouring for his signature.

While the arrival of compatriot and fellow forward Goncalo Guedes may have altered the Old Gold’s thinking – as well as their inability to cash in on contract rebel Ruben Neves – it would still represent a significant error to part ways with the £50k-per-week Neto, particularly with so little time to replace him.

Respected football journalist Pete O’Rourke has shared his excitement after Arsenal were linked to AC Milan midfielder Sandro Tonali recently. 

The lowdown: Gunners linked

Last week, Italian journalist Enrico Camelio told CalcioMercato on TvPlay that the Gunners had met the Serie A club and ‘talked about’ Tonali as a possible target this summer.

The 22-year-old Italy international has become an established member of the first team in Milan following a switch from Brescia as a teenager, amassing 82 senior outings that stretch across an initial loan spell.

Upon hearing about the speculation, one well-informed onlooker has delivered his verdict on the possibility of Tonali arriving at the Emirates Stadium…

The latest: ‘Very talented’

Speaking to Give Me Sport, O’Rourke suggested that whilst the 11-cap star would be a superb capture, there are concerns over the pace of the Premier League.

He said: “Tonali’s a very talented midfielder, very highly-rated in Italy. I think he’s got real potential to be a top-class player in the future.

“Maybe the concern would be about the pace of the football, would it suit Tonali in the Premier League? But there’s no doubt he’s a quality player.”

The verdict: Icing on the cake

Although the summer business already carried out by Edu and Mikel Arteta should be commended, adding a midfielder would be regarded as the final piece of the transfer jigsaw on this occasion.

Perennially linked with a move for Youri Tielemans to bolster a midfield department comprising of Granit Xhaka, Thomas Partey, Mohamed Elneny and the unproven Albert Sambi Lokonga, opting to go for Tonali instead would be an impressive move from the Arsenal hierarchy.

Holding an estimated market value of £45million and under contract until 2026 (Transfermarkt), signing the cultured Italian would be an expensive venture for the north Londoners but one that would certainly be worthwhile.

A big Aston Villa claim has emerged regarding Carney Chukwuemeka and his future at the club as the summer transfer window rumbles on.

What’s the talk?

Sky Sports journalist Rob Dorsett has revealed that the midfielder is not willing to discuss putting pen to paper on fresh terms with the Midlands club.

The 18-year-old’s current deal is due to expire next summer and Villa risk losing him for nothing if they do not act before January, when he can sign a pre-contract with foreign clubs.

Dorsett tweeted: “Carney Chukwuemeka not interested in talking contracts with #avfc currently, as he decides future. Still part of Gerrard’s plans, but 18yr old wants more guaranteed 1st team football. Dortmund interest has waned, which Carney was keen on. Plenty of others still keen.”

Steven Gerrard will be gutted

This claim from the reporter will surely leave the Villa head coach gutted, as losing Chukwuemeka would be a major blow for the club.

His contract expiring next summer is a huge concern, as it means that the current transfer window may be their last chance to rake in a significant transfer fee for his services. In January, he will be able to pen a pre-contract with teams outside of England, and he will be free to sign for any club after his contract expires at the end of June next year.

This leaves Villa in a difficult situation in the present, as they must decide whether they want to cash in on him now and use the money to reinvest in the squad, or keep him and run the risk of losing him for a tribunal fee if they are unable to convince him to stay.

Whilst losing him would not make a significant impact on the team in the immediate future, as he has only made two Premier League starts, it could be a major blow for the future.

At the age of 18, he has the scope to become a great player, as he has been able to break into the Villa first team at such a young age. He has made 14 top-flight appearances in total and recently caught the eye for England at the European Under-19 Championships, scoring three goals in four games as they won the tournament.

Therefore, Gerrard will be gutted by the prospect of him leaving in the current transfer window or next summer, as he might not be able to help the gem to fulfill his potential.

AND in other news, Aston Villa handed big advantage in race to sign “relentless” £50m ace, Lange must act…