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Everton have been linked with a move for Juventus midfielder Aaron Ramsey as manager Rafael Benitez looks to bolster his engine room options at Goodison Park.

What’s the story?

According to Italian outlet Calciomercato, the Toffees are interested in securing the 30-year-old’s services in the January window, with fellow Premier League club West Ham United also listed as potential suitors.

The report claimed that both Everton and the Hammers are weighing up a move for Ramsey as the Serie A giants are eager to offload his sizeable wages as soon as possible.

Ramsey’s current contract doesn’t expire until the summer of 2023, but rumours suggest the Italian giants are eager to get the former Arsenal man off their books much sooner due to his lack of output on the pitch.

Marcel Brands must sanction Everton swoop

Everton’s director of football Marcel Brands must sanction a swoop for the £12.6m-rated Ramsey over the winter window, adding some class and technical ability to Benitez’s industrial midfield.

The Wales international has bags of Premier League experience under his belt from his time at Arsenal, where he continually impressed throughout his seven-year stay. Ramsey scored 65 goals and laid on a further 65 assists in 371 appearances for the Gunners, winning three FA Cups along the way and earning praise from several impressed onlookers, including Martin Keown.

“He continues to mature as a player and develop. He’s a real leader now in this Arsenal team,” the Gunners legend claimed back in 2019.

“Playing in a deeper role, as he did under Arsene Wenger – I think that’s the best role for him. If you want Ozil and him in the same team. He’s so important to everything Arsenal do. It’s the energy – the box-to-box energy. He’s become an outstanding technician.”

However, following a contract dispute, Ramsey departed the north London outfit on a free transfer ahead of the 2019/20 campaign, joining Juventus in a search for silverware.

Although he has claimed a Scudetto and a Coppa Italia during his time in Turin, the creative talent has only started 25 league games to date for the Bianconeri, highlighting his peripheral role within the first team squad.

Therefore, a move back to English shores appears likely over the coming months, and Everton’s hierarchy must make Goodison Park Ramsey’s next destination, aiding their push for a top six finish.

In other news… Everton could find their new Marouane Fellaini by signing “exciting” 6 foot 4 weapon 

Leeds United are making ‘contingency plans’ regarding Marcelo Bielsa’s successor as manager, in case he decides to leave at the end of the season.

The Lowdown: Bielsa’s future unclear

The 66-year-old is arguably experiencing his toughest spell as Whites boss at the moment, with his side languishing towards the bottom of the Premier League.

Not only that, but injuries are affecting the team’s performances badly and there is a niggling feeling that the Argentine could be coming to the end of his time at Elland Road. Bielsa signed a one-year extension last summer but is yet to commit his future beyond that point, with The Athletic’s Phil Hay having a ‘hunch’ that there will be a changing of the guard in 2022.

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The Latest: Journalist makes Bielsa claim

Speaking to GIVEMESPORT, journalist Pete O’Rourke claimed that plans are in place to find a potential replacement for the 66-year-old. He outlined:

“We all know he only signs one-year deals at Leeds when he does his contract, so that’s not great for Leeds and planning ahead.

“That’s why maybe Victor Orta’s making contingency plans for the end of the season to maybe bring in a new man.”

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The Verdict: Will he stay on?

Bielsa is a tough man to second-guess, so it is hard to know whether or not he will stay put beyond next summer. It may be that he feels he has taken Leeds as far as he can, in which he might step down and allow somebody else to take the club forward.

That being said, despite the Whites’ current struggles, it would be preferable to see him stay put, given his reputation as one of the most influential managers of his generation.

Granted, his very best days may be behind him, but he remains a revered figure who can hopefully revive Leeds’ season once the spate of injuries subsides and he’s back working with a full-strength squad.

In other news, Leeds have received a potential transfer boost. Read more here.

Tomas Soucek’s long-term future at West Ham is in doubt following contract talks being put on halt by David Moyes.

What’s the talk?

That’s according to a report by 90min, who claim that Soucek’s contract talks have been stalled by Moyes in what could potentially be a bold move with regards to the player’s long-term future at the Hammers.

New contract discussions had begun to motor ahead during the January transfer window, with Moyes and West Ham looking at rewarding the player for his excellent form during his spell so far at the club.

The report by 90min also states that there are two Premier League sides interested in the midfielder, although the clubs are not named.

West Ham would rue not extending Soucek’s contract

The Czech international has scored six times this season, a steady return for a defensive midfielder.

His performances alongside Declan Rice have transformed the Hammers’ fortunes over the previous 18 months and they would be hard-pressed to find another player with his quality for a respectable fee.

The midfielder has played 45 matches for the Premier League side this season as they have exceeded all expectations, closing in on a top-six place and also being through to the Europa League semi-finals.

Moyes may be aiming to persuade players of higher stature to the side following their European success, but this may be detrimental to their finances.

With the 27-year-old being valued at £40.5m and being in the peak years of his career, West Ham could make an exceptional profit on the measly £14.58m fee they paid Slavia Prague for his services two years ago.

However, considering just how important Soucek has proven to be for West Ham since his arrival at the club back in 2020, the argument that losing the services of the midfielder this summer would be a disaster for Moyes and his side is an easy one to make – leading us to believe that West Ham must do everything they can to tie the £47k-per-week man down to a new deal.

Indeed, waving goodbye to the player who Kevin Phillips dubbed a “great asset” at the end of the current campaign is sure to be an outcome that would leave the London Stadium faithful fuming.

AND in other news: Moyes now plotting £21m West Ham offer for 18-goal “unicorn”, imagine him & Antonio

Leeds United will need to pay a club-record fee if they are to secure Ben Brereton Diaz this month…

What’s the word?

That’s according to TEAMtalk, who claim that Blackburn Rovers want to see more than £30m before they would even consider selling their leading talisman.

The 22-year-old only has six months to run on his current contract but it’s believed the Lancashire outfit have an option to trigger a one-year extension.

Several teams have enquired over the possibility of signing the Chile international before the January 31st deadline, including the Yorkshire giants, West Ham United, Brighton and Hove Albion and Wolverhampton Wanderers.

United paid a record £30m to Manchester United for Daniel James in the summer. Meanwhile, only three players have commanded a larger fee when transferring out of the Championship – Nathan Ake (£41m), Ollie Watkins (£33m) and Moussa Sissoko (£30m).

Bielsa needs him

Given the fact that Rovers can keep him until the summer of 2023 without any fuss, it seems likely that Leeds will need to spend big bucks to land a player that Bielsa is noted to be really keen on.

And ultimately, he’s someone that the Argentinian head coach badly needs.

As we’ve seen throughout the bulk of the 2021/22 campaign, Bielsa and his squad have sorely missed top goalscorer Patrick Bamford, with the England international regularly facing time on the sideline through injury.

Only five other teams in the Premier League have scored fewer goals than United this season and no player aside from Raphina (eight) has found the net more than twice.

Diaz, meanwhile, is having a standout and breakthrough year for Blackburn. He has bagged a whopping 20 goals in just 25 appearances in the Championship this campaign, adding to his seven goals and five assists last term.

As a result of his fine form, the 6 foot 1 frontman has been dubbed a “goal machine” by The Sun journalist Alan Nixon, whilst his manager Tony Mowbray has regularly waxed lyrical about his star at Ewood Park.

“Brereton with the ball at his feet is an extraordinary talent,” he once told reporters (via LancsLive). “He’s a wonderful footballer who can dribble with both feet, take people out of the game.”

In another interview, this time with the club’s official website, he said: “Brereton’s like a beast now, and he can score goals. I see it every day in training. He’s a brilliant lad and all our lads absolutely love him.”

On the above evidence, it could be a wise and shrewd investment, even if it’ll cost chairman Andrea Radrizzani another club-record fee

AND in other news, Orta could save Bielsa millions with Leeds’ rarely-seen £8.4k-p/w “runaway train”…

Transfers expert Fabrizio Romano has revealed the latest information regarding Wolverhampton Wanderers’ pursuit of signing young Portuguese forward Chiquinho.

What’s the story?

According to Romano, Wolves are close to making the 21-year-old winger their second signing of the January transfer window.

The transfers expert tweeted: “Wolves are closing on Chiquinho deal with Estoril, final details to be completed next week. Portuguese striker’s set to join on a permanent move for €3.5m fee plus €1.5m add ons.”

Valued at £900k by Transfermarkt, is set to depart Primeira Liga side Estoril, who are flying in the Portuguese top-flight this campaign as they currently sit sixth, and join up with his fellow countryman Bruno Lage at Molineux.

The Portuguese youngster has scored four goals and provided six assists in 18 appearances across all competitions in what has been his breakthrough campaign in top-flight football after Estoril were promoted last season.

According to The Athletic, the 21-year-old is set to be part of Wolves’ first-team group. Moreover, the West Midlands club have done business with Estoril before, signing defender Toti Gomes from the Portuguese outfit in September 2020 who was handed a shock debut on Saturday in the 3-1 win over Southampton.

Wolves fans will be buzzing

Although not a household name, Chiquinho offers a great deal of potential and, for a small fee in today’s market, the deal appears low risk, something that will no doubt delight supporters.

Wolves have become a hub for Portuguese talent with the likes of Ruben Neves, Joao Moutinho, Jose Sa and Nelson Semedo some of the names who hail from Portugal that have been lured to Molineux in recent years as well as former manager Nuno Espirito Santo and current boss Bruno Lage.

The 21-year-old mainly operates as a left-winger but is flexible and can also play on the right-hand side of a front-three, ideal for Wolves who tend to operate with a 3-4-3 setup.

Compared to the other wingers in Lage’s squad, Chiquinho would boast the most league goals so far this season, although the Premier League is a significant step up from the Portuguese top-flight. Currently, Adama Traore is the only wide man to have netted in the league this campaign.

There have been murmurs of the Spaniard departing Molineux in the near future and therefore the Portugal U21 international could prove to be a long-term replacement.

Moreover, Lage is yet to welcome back the injured Pedro Neto, who has been out since April with a serious knee injury.

He may be an unknown name, however, the stats back up the suggestion that Chiquinho could be an exciting prospect for Wolves. Seeing a Portuguese talent excel at Molineux isn’t unheard of.

In other news – £33k-p/w Wolves gem, who created two big chances, stars in victory over Southampton

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Crystal Palace fans have taken to Twitter to react after The Sun revealed that Gary Cahill is being considered as a late loan target for the Eagles, as Fulham eye a centre-back of their own in Scott Dann.

Dann has made just one appearance this season, playing 90 minutes in the FA Cup against Grimsby having made a full recovery from a serious knee injury suffered against Manchester City last season, although he is now struggling to dislodge James Tomkins and Mamadou Sakho from the starting lineup.

Fulham were keen on a deal for Cahill originally, as the 33-year-old is seemingly surplus to requirements at Chelsea under Maurizio Sarri, but the England international was not keen on a move to Craven Cottage.

No one is safe from the Playmaker FC’s American Soccer Fan. Check out what happened when he watched West Ham v Crystal Palace on Saturday in the video below…

Roy Hodgson’s Palace are supposedly eyeing a loan move with the potential to make the deal permanent in the summer, however eyebrows have been raised at the news of their interest as they are still in desperate need of a striker.

The south London-based side have seen just three goals scored between their senior striking options this season in Jordan Ayew, Christian Benteke and Connor Wickham – the former has two, Benteke none, and Wickham one.

Understandably, Palace fans aren’t too happy about the club’s reported interest in Cahill…

Leeds United winger Jack Harrison’s inconsistent form has been affected by a recent rib injury, according to reliable journalist Phil Hay.

The Lowdown: Harrison struggling for form

While deprived of several important players through injury, the Whites still couldn’t get their second Premier League win of the season on Saturday but their 1-1 draw at home to Wolves felt like a positive following Rodrigo’s last-gasp penalty.

Harrison struggled to make an impact at Elland Road, though, and he has now played seven league games this season and not registered a goal or an assist.

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The Latest: Hay reveals injury news

While the winger’s form has been disappointing compared to last season, when he got eight top-flight goals and assists apiece, there could be a good reason for the drop-off.

According to The Athletic’s Hay, the 24-year-old has been playing with a rib injury which has affected his performance level. The journalist stated: “Harrison has had a rib injury recently. Very little been made of it and I don’t know how much of a factor it is but he is struggling for form.”

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The Verdict: Pressure to perform

Harrison now finds himself under more pressure than ever to keep his place, with Raphinha and Dan James also representing strong wide options.

Last season, he and Raphinha were the undisputed go-to starters in those positions, but the Welshman’s arrival from Manchester United has increased the competition significantly.

All three actually played against Wolves, but Marcelo Bielsa may not always be that bold and Harrison will need to improve if he wants to keep starting regularly. Hopefully he overcomes his current injury and produces his best form again in the near future. Leeds could certainly do with it right now.

In other news, one Leeds player has given a key update on his injury progress. Read more here.

After an impressive run of seven games without defeat, Crystal Palace find themselves in a blip, having lost their last three in the Premier League.

Next up for Patrick Vieira’s side is a home game against Everton, who go into the contest fresh from their first win in ten against Arsenal on Monday night.

The Eagles have scored 19 league goals in 15 games this term, but the goals have appeared to dry out recently, netting just once in their last three outings.

The regular inclusion of Jordan Ayew hasn’t helped, with some Palace fans labelling the Ghanaian a “liability” having not scored yet this season.

It’s time for Vieira to tinker with his frontline and the return of 23-year-old winger Eberechi Eze after a lengthy spell on the sidelines could prove exactly what the South London side needs.

On the Chalkboard

The winger signed from QPR in the summer of 2020 and impressed instantly last season, scoring four goals and registering six assists in 36 top-flight appearances.

However, Eze suffered a “freak” training ground incident in May, suffering serious damage to his Achilles. However, the £18m-rated forward made his return to first-team action last month as he was included on the bench against Burnley and has made cameos against Aston Villa and Manchester United since.

Now fit, the Englishman could offer his manager a much-needed alternative out wide with the Eagles set to play six league games in under three weeks.

Described as “ridiculous” and a “star boy” by sections of the Palace fanbase, Eze can play on the left, but has also been deployed as a “creative, dynamic” number ten which could offer Vieira versatility should the Frenchman opt to set up with an alternative to his much-used 4-3-3.

Supporters aren’t the only ones who have waxed lyrical about the young forward with Steve McLaren hailing his “great talent” and Gary Cahill calling him “phenomenal.”

Furthermore, the 23-year-old is an impressive set-piece taker, scoring a free-kick against Leeds United last season and delivering quality balls for his teammates on occasion. That would supply Vieira with yet more armoury and further reason to select him against Everton on Sunday.

In the past, there have been concerns about the average age of Crystal Palace’s squad, suggesting it’s too old. However, the South Londoners now have a handful of bright, young talents and Eze is certainly one of them; he deserves a chance.

AND in other news, Vieira must seal Palace swoop for “crazy” £10.8m-rated beast likened to “LeBron James”…

According to reliable Tottenham Hotspur journalist Dan Kilpatrick of The Evening Standard, manager Antonio Conte has now made a player decision ahead of this summer’s transfer window.

The Lowdown: Big summer ahead…

The Lilywhites, currently chasing Champions League qualification, also face a big looming summer transfer window as Conte gears up for his first full season in charge.

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Tottenham have set their sights on a number of top transfer targets already, mainly in defence according to The Athletic, but they may need to offload certain players to boost their kitty.

One of those stars, club record signing and Lyon loanee Tanguy Ndombele, now looks like one Tottenham asset who could be up for grabs as Spurs’ head coach makes a pre-summer decision.

The Latest: Conte makes Ndombele call…

According to Kilpatrick, Conte has no faith in the 25-year-old with his future at Spurs now ‘uncertain’.

Indeed, Tottenham’s manager allegedly ‘sees no future’ for Ndombele at the club, with Lyon also not expected to exercise an option to sign permanently.

The hope now for Spurs and chairman Daniel Levy is his end-of-season performances attract interest from other clubs.

The Verdict: Time to go?

Ndombele, who shined under ex-boss Jose Mourinho at points last season, clearly has bags of ability and Spurs may well be able to attract a fairly substantial sum for his services.

Lauded as ‘underrated’ by pundit Martin Keown last season, West Ham star Declan Rice also revealed that some Lilywhites players believe the France international can be ‘unbelievable’.

The only question marks, as ever, will be centred around his attitude and application and that could prove a major sticking point for clubs interested in making a move.

Ndombele’s possible exit may well be one of the talking points of Tottenham’s summer transfer window and it will be interesting to see if Spurs manage to offload for a decent fee.

In other news: Tottenham eye agreement ‘in the coming weeks’ as they make offer for exciting midfielder, find out more here.

An update has emerged on Rangers defender Borna Barisic, regarding interest from an English team…

What’s the talk?

According to 90min, Steven Gerrard is eyeing the Croatian international as a potential January target for his new Aston Villa side.

The report claims that the ex-Liverpool man is not afraid of raiding the Gers for some of their top players, as he believes they are good enough to play in the Premier League.

Instant stitch-up

The club are reportedly closing in on the appointment of Dutch boss Gio van Bronckhorst to replace Gerrard and Rangers chief Ross Wilson must avoid stitching him up instantly. It would be a difficult situation for the 46-year-old to deal with if one of the better players in his squad is taken away from him half-way through the campaign.

Rangers are fighting for the Scottish Premiership title and will need their top performers to be available week-in-week-out to give themselves the best chance of pipping Celtic to the crown. Therefore, selling one of them could dampen their chances and leave van Bronckhorst with a harder job than it would be otherwise.

Barisic has averaged a terrific SofaScore rating of 7.18 in the Premiership this season, providing two assists from the left-back position. This is after he averaged a score of 7.40 last term, as he produced one goal and six assists for the club.

Former Gers player Alex Rae previously hailed the Croatian’s ‘terrific quality’ on the ball, saying:

“He performs at good level week-in, week-out and has terrific quality in the final third of the park.”

Mark Wilson added: “He’s the best left-back in the country. He’s improved his defending and supplies assists and is a threat at set pieces.”

This shows that he has the ability to be a top player by Premiership standards and could be a vital cog in the machine van Bronckhorst wants to build at Ibrox.

Therefore, Wilson cannot allow him to leave in the January window as the club are in the midst of a title challenge. It could disrupt their plans and leave the Dutch coach stitched up and left scrambling to solve a problem position.

Worst comes to worst, Rangers should attempt to see out the season with Barisic in the side before allowing him to leave, should he want to, at the end of the campaign. This would then give van Bronckhorst and Wilson the entire summer to source a replacement and prepare them for the 2022/23 season.

AND in other news, Behind-the-scenes: Report delivers Rangers manager detail that’ll leave fans buzzing…