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Aston Villa could make a move for Jason Denayer after their cruel injury blow to Diego Carlos…

What’s the word?

That is according to reports in Spain, the Belgian free-agent – formerly of Ligue 1 outfit Lyon – has emerged as a last-ditch target for Steven Gerrard and co.

The 27-year-old is still without a team following his release at the end of last season and despite being linked to several teams, including LaLiga side Valencia, he hasn’t signed anywhere just yet.

Carlos, who ruptured his Achilles in the win over Everton at the weekend, is set to be sidelined for the next six months, at least, so there’s a growing need for further defensive reinforcements before the 11pm transfer deadline on September 1st.

Lange masterclass

It is perhaps quite surprising to see Denayer without a club as football gets back underway right across Europe as he has plenty of experience to offer.

Indeed, the versatile 6-foot colossus has racked up 35 caps for Belgium, including appearances at Euro 2016 and 2020, as well as 24 appearances in the Premier League for Sunderland back in 2016/17 and played 139 times for Lyon across the French top-flight and both the Champions League and Europa League, as per Transfermarkt.

Despite a lack of minutes last season, Denayer was still a solid option – when compared to his positional peers in Europe, the Belgium star still ranked within the top 9% for blocks (2.25 per 90) and the top 1% for pass completion (94.2%), per FBref, who also liken his statistical profile to that of Carlos.

That would make him a solid candidate to fill the Brazilian’s void over the rest of the year – and potentially beyond – so if sporting director Johan Lange can seal a move for him, then it could be a masterclass from the Danish supremo.

His one-time partnership with Virgil Van Dijk at Celtic saw Denayer lauded as a “rock” by then-teammate Gary Mackay-Steven, whilst former Belgium boss Marc Wilmots once likened him to winger Eden Hazard.

“Jason is like Eden Hazard,” he said. “Always calm. I’ve never seen him nervous; he has a lot of confidence and there will be someone with experience standing next to him.”

With Villa needing further depth at the back, it would make sense for Lange to swoop for Denayer as he wouldn’t cost the club’s owners, Nassef Sawiris Wes Edens (NSWE), a penny in terms of a transfer fee, thus minimising the risk upon Carlos’ return.

The former Celtic man can also play at full-back and in midfield, so his use to Gerrard could still be beneficial in the long run and as such, he’d make a pretty fine signing at this stage of the window.

AND in other news, Gregg Evans claims Villa are “advancing” contract talks with £52k-p/w talent…

Nottingham Forest have been heavily pursuing a deal for Morgan Gibbs-White with three bids rejected, however, a reliable source has given a promising new update that could finally see the player join the Reds.

What’s the latest?

According to The Athletic’s football correspondent David Ornstein, Nottingham Forest have finally reached an agreement for the Wolverhampton Wanderers midfielder.

Ornstein tweeted this afternoon: “Nottingham Forest have reached an agreement with Wolverhampton Wanderers to sign top target Morgan Gibbs-Whites. Deal worth £44.5m including addons & 22yo England youth midfielder is scheduled to undergo medical this afternoon.”

Ornstein followed up with more details on the deal:

“Final numbers for Morgan Gibbs-White transfer from Wolverhampton Wanderers to Nottingham Forest: £25m payment up front & guaranteed £7-10m to follow in likely add-ons. The remainder is more difficult to achieve but can rise up to maximum of £42.5m.”

Cooper should be thrilled

There is no doubt that Steve Cooper should be thrilled with the deal finally going through for Gibbs-White as the midfielder will be a fantastic addition to the team over their Premier League challenge.

It has been one of the biggest ‘will they? won’t they?’ transfer stories of the window, with Nottingham Forest having several bids rejected for the young player, but now it seems that Forest have been able to tempt Wolves to part with their rising star.

The 22-year-old was a stand-out performer whilst on loan with Sheffield United over last season, scoring nine goals, delivering 11 assists and creating a whopping 16 big chances for the Blades, finishing up the season as his loan club’s Player of the Year.

Indeed, the Forest boss is no stranger to Gibbs-White as he managed the player to a World Cup victory with England U17s and took him on a six-month loan whilst managing Swansea City, so will surely be able to use his experience with the player to slot him seamlessly into the team this season.

Forest have already signed a number of midfielders this summer with Lewis O’Brien, Orel Mangala, Jesse Lingard, Remo Freuler, Brandon Aguilera and Cheikhou Kouyate joining the side, so it will be interesting to see just how Cooper fits Gibbs-White into his team and if he starts every week.

With that being said, the signing of the young midfielder is a big addition for Forest in their pursuit to retain their Premier League status over the course of the season ahead, and with Gibbs-White becoming incoming transfer number 16, could there be more players coming into the City Ground over the next few weeks?

Either way, the manager will be delighted that he’s been able to secure one of his number one targets.

Leeds United look set to seal a deal to make Rory Mahady their ninth new addition at Elland Road in the summer window.

What’s the talk?

That’s according to a report by Football Insider, who claim that, despite the interest of Manchester City, Victor Orta has now reached a full agreement on personal terms with the 16-year-old Celtic goalkeeper – who is set to join the Whites on an initial scholarship deal that will become a professional contract upon his 17th birthday in August 2023.

The report goes on to state that the teenager could have signed professional terms with the reigning Scottish champions earlier this month, however, the shot-stopper has now decided against penning a deal at Parkhead in favour of a move south of the border – and specifically to Thorp Arch.

Orta masterclass

Considering just how much time, effort and money Orta has put into signing some of the most exciting young talents to develop in the Whites’ youth sides over the course of his five-year spell as the director of football at Elland Road, the reported deal for Mahady is just the latest transfer masterclass the Spaniard has pulled off regarding the signing of future Leeds stars.

Indeed, the 43-year-old is the man responsible for the signings of players such as Pascal Struijk, Sam Greenwood, Joe Gelhardt, Crysencio Summerville, Cody Drameh, Lewis Bate, Leo Hjelde, Sonny Perkins, Illan Meslier and Darko Gyabi – all of whom were teenagers upon their arrival at Thorp Arch and have already played some sort of role in first-team football for the club.

As such, it is clear to see that Orta has an incredibly sharp eye when it comes to identifying talents for the future, something that will not only benefit Jesse Marsch’s playing squad in the long-term but also the Whites’ accounts, as it would appear extremely likely that a number of the aforementioned youngsters will attract admiring glances from bigger clubs further down the line – as evidenced by Manchester United’s recent interest in a move for Meslier.

And, considering the amount of hype surrounding the highly-rated Mahady – with the Scotland U17 international having been dubbed a “starlet” by Football Scotland’s Mark Hendry, not to mention being talented enough to reportedly catch the eye of both Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City and Antonio Conte’s Tottenham Hotspur – it would seem as if Orta has sealed another masterclass in convincing the 16-year-old of a move to Leeds this summer.

Indeed, while only time will tell as to whether Mahady has what it takes to become the Whites’ number one in the future, one thing is for sure – the Spanish director of football has once again tempted one of the United Kingdom’s most exciting talents to LS11 ahead of some of the biggest clubs going, a quite astonishing feat.

Leeds United could spend up to £20m on Wolves forward Hwang Hee-chan, according to TEAMtalk.

The Lowdown: Leeds linked with Hwang

The Whites have been heavily linked with a move for the South Korea international over the past seven days.

Hailed by pundit Ian Wright as a player who has “got everything”, Hwang is even thought to be open to the idea of moving to Elland Road.

Wolves could now be willing to part ways with the 26-year-old, who has scored 76 goals for club and country, after they agreed on a deal to sign Stuttgart striker Sasa Kalajdzic, and it appears as if Leeds have set their limit.

The Latest: £20m…

TEAMtalk provided an update regarding Leeds and Hwang on Monday, citing an update from Phil Hay, who said that Andrea Radrizzani and co won’t pay over the odds for the player.

However, they claim that Leeds could spend up to £20m on the South Korean if Wolves make him available in the final days of the transfer window.

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The Verdict: Stick or twist…

Hwang starred under Jesse Marsch at both Red Bull Salzburg and RB Leipzig, contributing to 40 goals in 43 games, so you can see why a move may make sense.

However, the player has struggled in England, netting just five times in 36 games for Wolves, who paid just over £15m for his services.

Therefore, a potential £20m deal appears to be a gamble, but it may well be one that Leeds feel they must take, with Patrick Bamford’s fitness concerns of recent months continuing into this season.

West Bromwich Albion could be without defender Semi Ajayi for several weeks and he is touch and go to make it back before the World Cup in Qatar.

The Lowdown: Bruce worries…

Baggies boss Steve Bruce is looking to guide his side out of the Championship by the end of this 2022/2023 campaign as they seek to make it back to England’s top flight.

However, the former Newcastle manager has been dealt a few injury concerns – most notably surrounding striker Daryl Dike, Kean Bryan and Ajayi.

West Brom are unbeaten in their last five second tier matches but it isn’t all good news with four of them being draws and Bruce having only come away with one victory over that period.

The Latest: Ajayi update…

Birmingham Live estimate that Ajayi could be out for ‘weeks’ and it’s hit and miss whether he will be available again before Qatar.

Sharing the West Brom manager’s comments , Bruce also stated:

“He’s twisted his ankle badly. These things happen. It’s him now and Dike.

“The games are coming thick and fast and there lies another one – we’ve unfortunately lost a big player. His knee is okay. Whether it was nerve damage from the ankle, we’ve scanned them both. He’s gonna be a few weeks. It’s ligament damage.”

The Verdict: Big blow…

A colossal defensive presence, Ajayi started every game this season under Bruce before his latest problem.

As per WhoScored, the 28-year-old comes as a crucial asset at the back, having won more aerial duels per 90 than any West Brom player this season on average.

Ajayi has also managed their second-highest rate of clearances per game, and if they don’t get him back before the World Cup this winter, he’ll certainly be a sore miss.

Bruce has also lavished the defender for his pace. calling him ‘quick’ and ‘powerful’, and these physical traits are a seriously useful asset in such a physically competitive division.

Newcastle United ended the summer window having brought in four new faces – plus the recent addition of free agent Loris Karius – although one man who failed to arrive at St James’ Park was Leicester City playmaker, James Maddison.

The Englishman had seemingly emerged as a leading target for the Magpies in their quest to bolster manager Eddie Howe’s midfield ranks, with the club believed to have submitted two bids in an attempt to strike a deal, the second of which totalled a reported £50m.

Despite that sizeable offer for a player who has just under two years left to run on his existing deal at the King Power Stadium, the Foxes appeared in no mood to sell their prize possession, with reports suggesting that Brendan Rodgers and co were demanding more than £60m were he to depart.

That failure to strike an agreement would no doubt have been a huge source of frustration for those on Tyneside, as well as potentially the player himself, with pundit Ian Wright suggesting that the one-cap, England international would have “wanted” to make the move.

The 25-year-old had warranted such interest after recording an impressive haul of 20 goal contributions in the Premier League last term, with Allan Saint-Maximin, for example, having led the way for Newcastle with just ten goal involvements across all competitions in the 2021/22 campaign.

Unsurprisingly, recent speculation has suggested that PIF could make another move for Maddison in the New Year, having previously enjoyed success in the winter window last season, following the arrivals of the likes of Dan Burn, Kieran Trippier and Bruno Guimaraes.

With any move likely to come at a rather hefty cost, however, the northeast side could well find an ideal, potentially cheaper alternative in the form of Celtic midfielder, Matt O’Riley, with the 21-year-old having sparkled at Parkhead this calendar year.

The former MK Dons man – who arrived in Glasgow on £1.5m deal back in January – is believed to be attracting interest from top club’s across Europe, with the Magpies said to have been one of those who were considering a late bid over the summer.

The belief is that the Denmark U21 international could well cost in the region of £15m-£20m were he to depart in the near future, with the player himself having recently admitted that there was interest in his services, notably namedropping Newcastle as a potential suitor.

Like Maddison, the London-born star operates as a dynamic link between midfield and attack in Ange Postecoglou’s side, with his devastating creative threat showcased by his haul of four goals and seven assists in just 27 games for the Hoops to date.

That tally includes five assists in just six league games thus far this term, having laid on two goals in brilliant fashion in the 4-0 thrashing of Old Firm foes Rangers, teeing up teammate Jota with a defence-splitting pass in that clash.

Lauded as “immense” by talent scout Jacek Kulig, the one-time Fulham youth product also caught the eye in the recent Champions League encounter with Real Madrid, with journalist Guillem Balague suggesting that the youngster will go on to enjoy “bigger highs” such is his undoubted talent.

A hugely exciting prospect who is beginning to deliver on the wider European stage, the 6 foot 2 “magician” – as also dubbed by Kulig – should well be a target to consider as the market re-opens in January, particularly should the aforementioned Leicester man prove too difficult or too expensive to prise from the Midlands.

West Bromwich Albion are a side languishing in the Championship despite aspirations of a promotion push this season.

Sitting 20th in the division, with just one win from ten, Steve Bruce will be left scratching his head over the international break, desperate to find a solution to solve his woes.

With the club seemingly hamstrung financially, and the window now slammed shut, it seems that the only natural place to go for an injection of fresh energy would be the academy.

His attack may be faltering, but the solution he could find might be in defence. Alex Williams is a 17-year-old right-back who could come in and use his youthful exuberance to push his side further up the pitch to create chances for their toothless attack.

The Baggies have scored just 15 goals this season in ten league games, with five of them coming in one game.

Despite his youth, Williams seems to be taking to his step up from U18s football to the Premier League 2 with ease.

Last season he made five appearances, and this season he has featured in two of their opening five fixtures too.

He does only have two assists in his young career in the U18s league.

Richard Beale, the man who oversees the progression from the academy into the first team, did name-drop the defender in a crop of what he described as “encouraging” academy players, however.

Perhaps with his capability to cope with the strains older age groups might offer, a run in the first team could be just around the corner.

It would not be difficult for the youngster to match the levels that Darnell Furlong is currently reaching, as the full-back has scored just once and assisted none in his first eight appearances this season.

He is also dribbled past 0.8 times per game, whilst only winning back possession a horrendous 0.1 times a game.

Even if it is not for energy to push West Brom further up the field, surely the young Williams can improve upon this with his impressive one-on-one defending. 

The Welshman is not a full-back who will set the world alight with his bombing runs forward and numerous assists but offers more of a solid skillset akin to Cesar Azpilicueta. The Spaniard only has 57 assists in an astound 483 appearances for Chelsea.

Perhaps this kind of security is exactly what Bruce needs to stabilise his side and ensure a steady rise up the table. The exuberance of youth has proven to be the key for many other managers; perhaps Bruce should trust in that too.

Derby County are thought to be interested in a move for Northampton Town forward Sam Hoskins.

The Lowdown: Hoskins profiled

Hoskins has made an impressive 306 appearances for Northampton after joining back in 2015. Primarily a right-winger, the 29-year-old has made 10 or more appearances in seven positions during his career.

The Englishman has begun the current campaign in career-best form, already scoring 11 league goals in just 10 games. That form appears to have caught the eye of Derby, with Paul Warne now the new man in charge at Pride Park.

The Latest: Derby interest

According to Football League World, Derby are one of six EFL sides looking at a January move for Hoskins.

As well as the Rams, League One rivals Barnsley, Portsmouth and Sheffield Wednesday are also interested in the forward.

The Verdict: Shrewd move?

Hoskins appears to be at the peak of his powers following an excellent start to the season, and his versatility could come in extremely handy under Warne.

He knows where the back of the net is after taking his senior club tally to 72 goals, something which could prove invaluable in the second half of the season as Derby look to return to the Championship at the first time of asking.

However, given his current form, array of suitors and the fact Hoskins’ deal doesn’t expire until 2024 – the Rams may have to invest significantly or win a potential auction to seal the winger’s signature.

That being said, a move for the Northampton star may well be worth the effort based off his current trajectory.

Tottenham Hotspur will be looking to end their post-break slump when they travel to the south coast to face Brighton and Hove Albion in the Premier League this evening.

Antonio Conte’s side were held to a goalless draw by Bundesliga side Eintracht Frankfurt in the Champions League on Tuesday night, just a few days after their 3-1 defeat to arch-rivals Arsenal.

The Italian’s frontline has faltered with Heung-min Son, in particular, struggling to refind his form of 2021/22.

Aside from a hat-trick cameo from the bench in the whitewash of then-basement boys Leicester City, the South Korean international has only provided one assist in his other ten appearances, via Transfermarkt.

That’s one direct contribution every 211 minutes, well below his more-impressive career average at the club of a goal or assist every 110 minutes.

Son was arguably Conte’s most important player last season, having delivered 23 goals and nine assists across 35 league appearances, which was six more contributions than Harry Kane as he outranked the Englishman in both regards.

There’s no denying that the 29-year-old – who was once dubbed a “machine” by one former teammate – has been out of sorts for much of the season so far, as evident by his WhoScored ratings of 6.31 vs Chelsea, 6.46 vs Nottingham Forest, 5.92 vs West Ham United and 6.3 against the Gunners.

It now leaves Conte with a conundrum as Son is the sort of player that can usually turn it on at any moment, though we’ve only really seen it once in 11 outings.

The 53-year-old hinted at a tweak in the system during a recent press conference and if fellow wide man Dejan Kulusevski isn’t back from injury, then it would make sense to go to a 3-5-2 and for Son to be axed.

As ruthless as it would be – after all the £22m man has been a shining light over many, many years – Conte must be bold and drop the struggling South Korean if he’s to turn their attacking fortunes around against the Seagulls at the Amex Stadium tonight.

If anything, it could ignite a flame just as it did in the triumph over the Foxes right before the international break.

AND in other news, Conte’s “important” £30m “non-stop machine” is proving to be his next Hazard…

Tottenham Hotspur insider John Wenham fears Lucas Moura’s most recent injury setback is a ‘massive’ blow for Antonio Conte and Spurs.

The Lowdown: Moura’s injury

The Brazilian is currently suffering from a calf injury which he sustained in mid-August, having last played for the Lilywhites against Chelsea in the Premier League nearly two months ago.

Prior to the injury, the 30-year-old had played just 12 minutes of football for Tottenham this season, having fallen down the pecking order at Hotspur Way following the January arrival of Dejan Kulusevski and the summer arrival of Richarlison.

However, as quoted by Spurs Play after the Lilywhites’ disappointing 3-1 loss to Arsenal on Saturday, Conte admitted: “Moura, I’m really worried because he’s really far to recover”.

The Latest: Another setback

With Spurs’ schedule set to become all-the-more hectic in the coming months, Wenham, an insider who breaks news on his Lilywhite Rose social channels, worries Conte’s squad options will be too thin with Moura’s injury absence.

Speaking with Football Insider, the N17 pundit said:

“Conte seemed very, very worried about Moura’s latest knock.

“I was surprised he wasn’t in the squad yesterday because he has been back in training for the last weekend and a half.

“It seems like he has picked up a knock in the final session before the Arsenal game. People might say to me that Lucas Moura doesn’t start anyway.

“We have so many games coming up until the World Cup, we need all of our options. The fact is that against Arsenal the only attacking option we could have brought on was Bryan Gil.

“Conte has made it abundantly clear that he is not fit for Premier League football. It shows we need Lucas back desperately, it’s a massive blow that he is unavailable.

“I hope it’s weeks rather than months.”

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The Verdict: Major blow

When looking at Moura’s underlying stats, it is easy to see where Wenham is coming from, with numerous figures illustrating his ability to perform at the top level.

As per FBRef, compared with positional peers across Europe over the past year, the winger ranks in the 95th percentile for assists and aerials won per 90, in the 92nd percentile for expected goals assisted and in the 85th percentile for clearances made, offering a good mixture of creativity and defensive work rate.

With current injuries/suspensions to Kulusevski and Emerson Royal, Moura would have been an incredibly useful option for Conte to have at his disposal, as he could be utilised in either position due to his varied skill set.

Spurs will be hoping the rest of their wide players can stay fit; otherwise, they could be in serious trouble.