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Aston Villa are interested in signing Stoke City defender Moritz Bauer before the end of the week, according to the Birmingham Mail.

Bauer, 27, has already been linked with a move to Wolverhampton Wanderers this month.

The Austrian made 15 Premier League appearances for Stoke in the second half of last season, as per Transfermarkt.

Who are the best away fans in the Championship? Pl>ymaker FC’s Thogden gives his top 10 in the video below…

The right-back was effectively frozen out by Gary Rowett in the first half of the 2018-19 campaign, but has been recalled to the starting XI under new boss Nathan Jones.

There remains huge uncertainty surrounding the defender’s future, however, and according to the Birmingham Mail, Villa want a deal this week.

The Villa Park faithful have been offering their views on the situation.

And it would be fair to say that the majority are struggling to agree whether it would be a good move by the club, who are still hoping to secure a top-six position this season.

A selection of the Twitter reaction can be seen below:

After ending Dean Smith’s reign at Aston Villa with a 1-0 win over the Midlands club prior to the international break, Southampton have the chance to get his time at Norwich City off to a bad start when they travel to Carrow Road this weekend for their latest Premier League match.

In terms of which players Saints manager Ralph Hasenhuttl could pick to face the Canaries on Saturday afternoon, one man who we think deserves to be in the starting XI on this occasion is centre-back Lyanco.

Why Lyanco must start for Saints

Since joining the south coast club back in August on a four-year deal from Torino in Serie A, the Brazilian has only started two games for Southampton, which both came in the Carabao Cup.

the defender, who has been labelled as a “fantastic character” by Hasenhuttl, made his Premier League debut when he came on as a late substitute during their 1-0 win over Watford before playing the last 34 minutes of their 1-0 victory against Villa.

During his time on the pitch against Smith’s former employers, Lyanco showed what a useful defensive unite he can be for the Saints by blocking two shots and making one tackle, one interception and one clearance, whilst winning three of his four duels. He ultimately earned himself a solid overall match rating of 7/10 from SofaScore, despite only playing just over half an hour.

With this in mind, and Hasenhuttl recently revealing that he will be making changes to his team and giving some fringe players the chance to prove themselves in the coming weeks and months, the game against Norwich could be a great opportunity to give Lyanco his first start in the Premier League against a side who have only scored five goals in 11 games.

In terms of who the 24-year-old could replace in the starting XI, he could come in ahead of someone like Jan Bednarek, who played the full 90 minutes in Poland’s recent 2-1 defeat against Hungary earlier in the week and could arguably need a rest. He has also played every minute of league action for Southampton since their 0-0 draw against Manchester City in September.

If Hasenhuttl does start Lyanco against the Canaries and the Brazilian manages to put in another solid performance throughout the full game, he could well cement his place in the team for the time being and prove why the club were right to bring him to St Mary’s.

In other news: Southampton handed huge fitness boost ahead of Norwich clash, fans will be buzzing

Leeds United winger Raphinha could leave the Whites and forge a ‘devastating’ partnership with Mohamed Salah at Liverpool, according to journalist Emmet Gates.

The Lowdown: Raphinha Leeds’ star man?

The Brazilian has been a revelation since moving to Elland Road from Rennes in 2020, scoring 11 goals and registering nine assists in 41 appearances.

Raphinha has also taken his club form with him to the international stage, already scoring twice in his first five caps for the South American giants.

There is a strong argument to say that he is Leeds’ best player, along with Kalvin Phillips, and it is no great surprise that he has been linked with a move elsewhere.

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The Latest: Journalist makes worrying claim

Speaking to Give Me Sport, Gates has talked up the idea of Raphinha moving to Liverpool and wreaking havoc alongside Reds superstar Salah:

“I think they’ve also been linked with Leeds’ winger Raphinha, again who also players in Salah’s position but if you could put him on the opposite flank, that would be a devastating duo.”

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The Verdict: Inevitable exit soon

Raphinha is a priceless player for Leeds, and ideally, he would stay put for many years to come, but it is hard to see that happening currently.

The 24-year-old has announced himself on the international arena and may want to test himself in the Champions League – something the Whites simply can’t offer at this moment in time.

It could be that Raphinha moves on at the end of the season, especially if Leeds get relegated, but the one bonus would be the huge fee the club would likely receive for him, with his current deal not expiring until 2024.

Should he depart, the Whites may then spend the cash they receive on both a suitable replacement and bolstering other areas of the squad.

In other news, Leeds are reportedly plotting a bid for one player. Find out who it is here.

Leeds United ambassador Noel Whelan has backed Diego Llorente and Robin Koch to start at centre-back together against Burnley this weekend.

The Lowdown: Leeds host Burnley

The Whites get their 2022 action underway on Sunday afternoon, with the Clarets making the trip to Elland Road. It is a crucial game at the bottom of the table as Marcelo Bielsa’s side desperately look to find some form and pull themselves clear of danger.

Leeds have been injury-plagued at centre-back throughout the season but Llorente and Koch are both fit for the weekend showdown, with the pair in contention to start.

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The Latest: Duo backed to start at centre-back

Speaking to Football Insider, Whelan backed the duo to face the Clarets on Sunday in the absence of the injured Liam Cooper, saying:

“This is what we bought them for. We bought these players to be our regular centre-halves.

“It’s only due to injuries when they first came into Leeds United. You’ve had Struijk who came into some really good form and started pushing and competing for these places.

“I would love to see the two of them start together. I think a lot of the fans will love to see that partnership try and develop over a space of time, especially when you’ve got Liam Cooper out.

“You can get yourself Luke Ayling back to the right wing-back role, which is fantastic. That’s where he’s got all the energy. Then pop Dallas back into that central midfield area, where we know he loves to play in that position.

“I think you’ve got to look at those two. You’ve got to stop putting round pegs in square holes here and play two quality, international centre-halves together.”

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The Verdict: Form a partnership

Having a settled centre-back pairing is crucial to any team’s success, laying the foundations and allowing two players to build a strong on-pitch relationship.

Llorente and Koch may well be tasked with doing that in the coming months, with Cooper expected to be out until March, and Sunday could be the first test of their credentials.

Both players have suffered injuries of their own this season – they have only started 15 league games between them – but now is the time for them to show their worth, hopefully playing their part in Leeds rising up the table.

In other news, Leeds have suffered another big injury blow. Read more here.

Speaking to GiveMeSport, journalist Dean Jones of Eurosport has dropped a big update on Tottenham Hotspur’s pursuit of Chelsea defender Antonio Rudiger.

The Lowdown: Spurs working on agreement?

As per reports in the media over these last few weeks, Tottenham are very much in contention to sign the Germany international as a free agent despite him plying his trade across London for one of their biggest rivals.

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Rudiger’s current contract at Stamford Bridge expires this year with no extension in sight as things stand, alerting some of Europe’s top clubs alongside Spurs.

The likes of Bayern Munich, Real Madrid, Paris-Saint Germain and Barcelona are all in the race to sign Chelsea’s star defender, according to Sky, and the fact that overseas clubs can formally secure him to a pre-contract this month puts Antonio Conte’s side at a disadvantage.

Nevertheless, Spurs transfer chief Fabio Paratici has apparently been in constant contact with Rudiger’s entourage as he attempts to seal an agreement for the player ahead of next summer (Football Insider).

Sharing news on the situation, Jones has dropped a significant update.

The Latest: Jones drops big Rudiger to Spurs update…

According to the reporter’s sources, Tottenham are making a ‘very attractive’ offer which has ‘definitely’ turned the 28-year-old’s head.

Speaking to GiveMeSport, he explained: “From a financial standing, the offer Spurs are making to Rudiger is very attractive. It has definitely turned his head but he has to be convinced of the football side of things.”

The Verdict: Promising…

With half the job seemingly done in terms of convincing Rudiger with their wage package, Spurs fans will be hoping that the player could decide to join Conte and be part of the Lilywhites’ rebuild.

Currently in his prime and playing well, signing the centre-back would come as one of Paratici’s best possible coups if he can manage to convince the 28-year-old to make the move across London.

Former Leeds United striker Noel Whelan certainly agrees, going as far as to claim he would be ‘one of the biggest signings ever’ if he joined Tottenham (Football Insider). Ex-Sunderland front man Kevin Phillips is also a big fan, stating that Rudiger has been ‘amazing for a number of years’ and any club would be ‘lucky to have him’ (Football Insider).

Bypassing his £31.5m valuation and signing him for nothing would be nothing short of a Paratici masterstroke, and perhaps Conte’s ‘big-name’ manager status could further tempt Rudiger.

In other news: Bid made: TV broadcaster shares news as Spurs lodge offer to sign ‘extraordinary’ £66.8m man, find out more here.

Many Glasgow Rangers fans have been left flocking to a claim from Scott Arfield on his current contract.

His deal at Ibrox expires at the end of the season, but he is keen to stay with the Teddy Bears (Sky Sports).

When asked about his situation in the Light Blues’ pre-game press conference ahead of their match away at Hearts in the Scottish Premiership at Sunday lunchtime, Arfield claimed (via Sky Sports): “It’s going to take its own natural course, to be honest.

“I’m happy here and everybody knows I’m happy here.

“As it goes on into May, June or July when you’re out of contract, that’s five or six months down the line.”

Arfield has shown already that he is still a key member of the squad, scoring three goals in 20 games in total over all competitions so far this season (Transfermarkt), and at 33 years of age, has the experience that is so useful to the younger members of the team.

Nonetheless, giving him a new deal, even if it is just for an extra year, would be a smart move by the Gers.

Rangers fans on Arfield claim

These RFC supporters urged the club to give him a new contract as his claim was shared on Twitter, with one even going as far as to claim that he is still a ‘quality’ player:

“Announce 5-year deal”

Credit: @chr1sbett

“Give him a new deal pronto nobody does what he does in our squad!”

Credit: @kerrscott1872

“Would be so happy at a one year extension for him, loved him since he came here”

Credit: @JadeSinclair4

“Get a new 1-year deal on the next table. Deserves it”

Credit: @d3r3ksmith

“Get it offered. He’s quality”

Credit: @mingbit

“Deserves another deal, gives us something different from the midfield”

Credit: @home_F1_Rangers

In other news, find out which ‘irreplaceable’ ace will now ‘miss out’ against Hearts here!

An update has emerged regarding transfer interest from Newcastle United in Argentina international Giovanni Simeone.

What’s the talk?

According to L’Arena, via Tutto Hellas Verona, the Magpies and fellow Premier League side West Ham are keen on a deal for the Argentine.

The report claims that Hellas Verona have a £10m (€12m) option to sign Simeone permanently from Cagliari, but it remains to be seen whether Newcastle would sign him directly from his parent club or wait for them to exercise their option before making another offer.

Callum Wilson 2.0

Eddie Howe must secure a deal to sign the forward in January as he could prove to be Callum Wilson 2.0 and become a goalscoring sensation for the Tyneside club.

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Outside of Wilson, Newcastle are desperately lacking in goal threats. The Englishman is the only player with more than two league goals for the club this term and was the only one to hit double figures in the 2020/21 campaign for the Magpies.

He has scored 16 goals in 30 top-flight starts since the start of last season, and Simeone’s statistics for Verona suggest that he could have a similar impact. The son of Atletico Madrid boss Diego Simeone has nine goals and two assists in 11 appearances in the Serie A this season, with an average SofaScore rating of 7.25, after six goals in 19 starts for Cagliari last term.

This shows that he has the quality to score on a consistent basis at the top level, which suggests that he could arrive at St James’ Park and alleviate some of the goalscoring burden from Wilson’s shoulders. Howe could find another striking sensation and potentially play both of them in a front two to put fear into opposition defenders.

Simeone’s potential arrival could also take pressure off the likes of Joe Willock, Allan Saint-Maximin and Joelinton to provide goals from wide and deeper areas of the pitch. This could unlock other areas of their game, instead of worrying about always getting into the box and getting shots off.

For example, instead of needing to go on individual solo runs, Saint-Maximin could look to feed service into Simeone as he knows he has two players – Wilson included – in front of him who can routinely find the back of the net. This could increase his creative influence in the final third, as it would provide him with more link-up options instead of feeling the need to do it on his own, as the current aforementioned goalscoring statistics at the club suggest that he does not have that luxury at the moment.

AND in other news, “They’re not..” – Journalist makes Newcastle transfer claim which will surely leave fans worried…

Patrick Bamford missed Leeds United’s FA Cup defeat to West Ham with a fresh hip problem, according to reliable journalist Phil Hay.

The Lowdown: Leeds dumped out of FA Cup

The Whites were beaten 2-0 away to the Hammers on Sunday afternoon, exiting the cup at the third round stage.

A weakened Leeds team never really got going at the London Stadium and their focus turns solely to Premier League commitments between now and May.

Bamford was one of numerous key players not present in east London, but it turns out that he was due to feature until a late setback emerged.

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The Latest: Fresh Bamford injury

Taking to Twitter after the game, Hay confirmed that the striker was in line to face West Ham after another injury absence, only to be ruled out with a hip problem. The severity of the injury remains unknown, so Bamford could be set for yet more time on the sidelines.

The journalist revealed: “Bamford was due to start today but had a problem around his hip. Bielsa still waiting to find out the full extent of it.”

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The Verdict: Potential big blow

Bamford has been an enormous loss for Leeds for much of this season, with the entire attack blunted without him leading the line and proving to be a reliable source of goals and assists, like he was last term.

The 28-year-old has been limited to just five starts in the current Premier League campaign and Marcelo Bielsa desperately needs him back as his side look to pull clear of the relegation zone.

Aside from Raphinha, the Whites have been rather short on reliable scorers this season, so if Bamford’s latest injury is a long-term one, Leeds must look to bring in a striker in the January transfer window. Otherwise, they risk getting themselves into real trouble in the league.

In other news, Leeds are reportedly eyeing up a move for a young British player. Find out who it is here.

Jack Pitt-Brooke has revealed that Tottenham Hotspur are now eyeing four major signings this summer.

The Lowdown: Champions League uncertainty

Spurs are not guaranteed to finish in the UEFA Champions League places this season, given that they are currently three points behind fourth-placed Arsenal, who have a game in hand on their North London rivals.

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It would be more difficult to attract the calibre of player that they would want should they miss out, and they could also potentially lose some of their best players, with the likes of Harry Kane now being linked to big-spenders Newcastle United.

The Latest: Four signings eyed

Writing in his latest piece for The Athletic, Lilywhites journalist Pitt-Brooke has revealed that Antonio Conte’s team are now looking to make four major signings in the summer.

They reportedly want to bring in a new left-sided central defender, two wing-backs, and a back-up to Kane.

The Verdict: Exciting

It is certainly exciting for THFC fans that they seem to be looking to go on a spending spree this summer.

The likes of Omar Marmoush and Lautaro Martinez have been linked as striker options, while Ben Davies could become more of a squad member next season, meaning that a more natural centre-back will likely take his position on the left of a three-man defence.

Djed Spence has been strongly linked with filling in the right wing-back position at Tottenham, while at left wing-back, Sergio Reguilon has not always been in favour under Conte.

Nonetheless, it could be a new-look Spurs side built in Conte’s image by the end of the summer transfer window, which should surely excite the Lilywhites faithful.

In other news, find out who THFC have now held talks over signing here!

West Ham United appear to have an edge in the race to sign Nottingham Forest defender Joe Worrall, according to club insiders Claret & Hugh.

The Lowdown: Worrall’s season

The 25-year-old has played an instrumental part in Forest’s recent defensive success. Having played in 29 Championship games this season, missing the other seven matches due to a fractured rib and a calf problem, the Reds have kept 12 clean sheets to date – an average of one every three games.

The defender leads his team in interceptions, averaging two per game, and also in the number of passes he makes, with 55.1 per league match (via WhoScored).

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The Latest: Claret & Hugh’s update

According to West Ham insiders Claret & Hugh, the Irons have a small edge in the race to sign Worrall, with the chase now heating up.

It is understood that Forest are yet to open contract talks with the player, despite his current deal expiring in just over two years’ time.

Favourably for the Hammers, Forest manager Steve Cooper remains keen on Irons academy left-back Emmanuel Longelo, who can thus be used to negotiate a potential deal between the two clubs.

The Verdict: Defenders needed

West Ham have been left extremely short at centre-back at times this season. With the season-ending blow sustained by Angelo Ogbonna and the hamstring injury which sidelined Kurt Zouma for six weeks, David Moyes was left with just Craig Dawson and Issa Diop for a period of time.

Therefore, it is imperative that the Irons rectify this issue in the summer.

During Worrall’s loan stay at Rangers in 2018/19, then-Ibrox manager Steven Gerrard tipped the defender to “be a captain of whatever team he plays for”. More recently, England centre-back legend John Terry praised the 25-year-old’s performance against Liverpool in the FA Cup last week.

As a result, it seems clear that the Forest colossus can play at the highest level, and he could be a very good option for Moyes’ squad in a position which badly needs addressing.

In other news: Danny Mills has been discussing another West Ham transfer target