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Rangers have received a big boost regarding their current injury situation, with Light Blues boss Philippe Clement providing a key update on a 23-year-old “fighter”.

Injury problems hampering Rangers

The Gers return to Scottish Premiership action on Sunday lunchtime, making the trip to Kilmarnock ahead of what feels like a must-win clash for Clement’s side.

It has been an adequate start to the season for Rangers, but a far from perfect one, allowing Celtic and Aberdeen to gain an advantage at the top of the league table, while Champions League elimination at the hands of Dynamo Kyiv has already come their way.

One thing that has played a part in the Scottish giants not always hitting top gear is injuries, with Clement having to make do with numerous key players throughout this season. The likes of Ridvan Yilmaz, Rabbi Matondo and Ross McCausland are among those struggling with fitness issues.

Having a fully fit squad could make such a difference for Rangers, handing them stability while also giving them more opportunities to rotate – and a positive update has now emerged about the situation.

Rangers given injury boost

Speaking ahead of the weekend clash with Kilmarnock, Rangers manager Clement said that Yilmaz should return to training “next week”, also giving an update on other players:

“Hagi is suspended. Cortes will be out for several weeks. Ridvan I expect back in training next week, Matondo later on next week or the following week. Danilo is back training with the squad – we will see how fit he is for the weekend.”

This is welcome news regarding Yilmaz, and others for that matter, with the left-back limited to just two starts in the Scottish Premiership so far this season. His last appearance came against Dynamo Kyiv back in August, with his two-month absence a big blow for Clement.

His 2023/24 stats for Rangers show that he averaged 1.5 key passes and 1.3 dribbles per game across 26 league appearances last season – ranking third and first respectively within the Gers squad – showing his attacking quality.

The £12,000-a-week Turkey international has been hailed as a “fighter” by Clement, while Barry Ferguson said of him last season: “The little man has made a huge impression ever since the winter break and has nailed down the left-back berth for himself.”

However, it is important that Yilmaz is eased back into the fold rather than rushed back in, with his lengthy absence potentially meaning he may take time to get back to his sharpest form.

If he can get fully fit and back in the team by the end of the month, it will be fantastic news for Rangers, providing Clement with more depth and giving sterner competition to the likes of Jefte and Dujon Sterling.

Clement could move on from Hagi by unleashing "exciting" Rangers teen

Rangers will be without the Romania international for their next three Premiership games.

ByDan Emery Oct 19, 2024

Yilmaz is still a young player with so much to offer for the Gers, so the hope is that this latest absence is his last injury setback for a while, allowing him to excel as his side’s first-choice left-back.

Newcastle United are one of a number of Premier League clubs keen on signing a “high-profile” player in the January transfer window, according to a fresh transfer update.

Newcastle transfer news

Transfer rumours continue to emerge regarding the Magpies, with Bournemouth attacker Antoine Semenyo strongly linked with sealing a switch to St James’ Park. A recent report has even suggested that they are in advanced talks to secure the signing of the 24-year-old, who has scored three times in the Premier League so far this season.

Marc Guehi also remains a top option for Newcastle, and they could even reportedly smash their transfer record by signing him for as much as £80m in January. The England international was constantly linked with a move during the summer but ended up staying at Selhurst Park for the time being.

Meanwhile, the agents of Paris Saint-Germain striker Randal Kolo Muani are said to have reached out to the Magpies, among numerous other top clubs, with the France international deemed surplus to requirements by manager Luis Enrique, following a disappointing spell with the Ligue 1 giants.

Another exciting rumoured option for Newcastle is Bayern Munich winger Leroy Sane, with Arsenal and Manchester United also in the mix to acquire his signature. It remains to be seen what the future holds for the German, but he is out of contract at the end of this season.

Newcastle eyeing "high-profile" £29m ace

According to a new claim from Caught Offside, Newcastle are “keen” on signing RB Salzburg starlet Oscar Gloukh in January, with the player himself liking the idea of a move to the Premier League. Meanwhile, his current club are believed to be “open” to selling him midway through the season, entertaining offers of £29m in the process.

Gloukh is a special young talent with such a bright future, so the idea of Newcastle snapping him up ahead of some of their rivals is undoubtedly exciting. The 20-year-old has already registered 39 goal contributions (16 goals and 23 assists) in 71 appearances for Salzburg, despite still being such a young player learning his trade, and he has three goals in 14 caps for Israel.

Gloukh has also been lauded by Gerhard Struber: “He presents a great learning curve. He’s a high-profile player and he understands how he’s supposed to play without the ball. We’re very pleased with his development.”

While at his best in an attacking midfield role, the Israeli ace can also thrive in a deeper position, with his versatility likely to appeal to Eddie Howe. There is also still so much more to come from him, with his peak years a long way ahead of him, so Newcastle would be signing a player who could grow into a genuine superstar at St James’.

Newcastle in advanced talks for "very intelligent" player in £50m transfer

He could be a massive upgrade for Eddie Howe’s side.

ByBen Browning Oct 20, 2024

Given the fact that Salzburg also aren’t demanding big money for Gloukh means he could be a steal, too, so there are almost no negatives to the Magpies making a move for him.

It was practically the perfect return to Premier League football for Tottenham Hotspur on the weekend, as while they conceded an early goal to West Ham United and looked a little lacklustre in the first half, they eventually ran out 4-1 winners.

In fact, Ange Postecoglou’s men were so dominant in the second half that they could have won by more, and while there are still a few minor issues that need to be ironed out, the Lilywhites are starting to look like a genuinely excellent team.

However, tonight brings another challenge, as the North Londoners host Dutch side AZ Alkmaar in the Europa League, a competition the club have a real chance of winning this season.

That said, with the fixtures starting to pile up once more, Postecoglou should look to make some changes to the side that won on the weekend, including dropping one rather underwhelming starter: James Maddison.

Why James Maddison should be dropped

Okay, so there is one primary reason why Postecoglou should drop Maddison back to the bench for tonight’s clash with AZ and another minor one.

The first is that while the team put in a pretty impressive display against the Hammers on Saturday, the Englishman did not and was subsequently hooked at half-time, being replaced by Pape Matar Sarr, who looked good in the second 45.

Now, it might sound harsh, but it’s an opinion shared by The Standard’s Dom Smith, who awarded the former Leicester City star a 5/10 on the day, writing that while he was ‘decent in possession’ his ‘decision-making was safe’, which feels like the antithesis of what Postecoglou wants from his creative midfielders, so he should miss out tonight.

The second more minor reason the midfield maestro should sit out tonight is that while he was poor against West Ham, he is undoubtedly one of the club’s most important players and, therefore, must be rested here and there, and given the level of opposition, tonight might be the best opportunity for that to happen for some time.

Moreover, while AZ are no pushovers, Postecoglou has more than enough talent in his team to come away with all three points, and there is one hungry youngster who deserves to start in place of Maddison, a youngster who has been compared to Jude Bellingham in the past, and has a very bright future ahead of him.

Why Lucas Bergvall should start tonight

The youngster in question is the sensationally talented Lucas Bergvall, who signed for Spurs for around £8.5m in February this year from Swedish side Djurgarden before joining up with the squad in the summer.

Now, the first thing to address is this comparison to the incredible Bellingham.

It stems primarily from respected analyst Ben Mattinson, who claimed that it was the Swede’s “raw & technical ability to adapt to any role” that made him “similar to Bellingham”, and by looking at his career to date, it’s easy to see where Mattinson is coming from.

For example, in his 67 appearances to date, the 18-year-old phenom has made 16 appearances in central midfield, 15 in attacking midfield, eight in defensive midfield, and he has even played a game as a centre-forward and one game in left-midfield, really lending credence to Mattinson’s claim that the youngster “does it all”.

However, it’s not just his versatility that makes the “super creative” midfielder, as dubbed by Mattinson, so exciting and deserving of another start this evening, but also his output.

Appearances

19

Goals

6

Assists

5

Goal Involvements per Match

0.57

In just 19 games last season, he scored six goals and provided five assists, meaning he averaged a goal involvement once every 1.72 games despite being so young.

Ultimately, a lacklustre performance on the weekend and the need to rest him should see Maddison removed from the starting lineup for this evening, which in turn should allow Bergvall to make another start for the first team, as the more he plays, the better he will become, and he looks like he could be exceptional in a few years.

Levy wasted £21m on Spurs flop who was just a "poor man's Soldado"

Spurs have wasted a lot of money on forwards over the years, but this striker might have been the most disappointing of the lot.

ByJack Salveson Holmes Oct 24, 2024

Liverpool are believed to have “registered their interest” in signing a “fantastic” player who is enjoying a stunning season, according to a new transfer development.

Liverpool transfer news

The January transfer window isn’t a million miles away, and it is expected that the centre of Liverpool’s defence will be looked at when the winter shopping rolls around. Jarell Quansah is seemingly not favoured by Arne Slot, with Frenchman Loic Bade emerging as a rumoured target. The Sevilla defender is also reportedly wanted by Newcastle United and has been likened to France World Cup winner Raphael Varane.

The future of Trent Alexander-Arnold at Liverpool is a major talking point, with a move to Real Madrid next summer not completely out of the question. Achraf Hakimi is seen as a potential replacement, with the Paris Saint-Germain ace considered one of Europe’s standout right-backs in recent years.

Young Barcelona midfielder Fermin Lopez has also been linked with a move to Liverpool, with the Spaniard making his first La Liga start of the season last weekend, helping his side seal a famous 4-0 win at the Santiago Bernabeu.

Liverpool register interest in "fantastic" player

According to SportBILD [via Sport Witness], Liverpool have now officially “registered their interest” in Omar Marmoush, having initially wanted to sign him during the summer transfer window, deciding against it because of their current depth.

With Mohamed Salah’s future now unknown, the 25-year-old is viewed as a possible replacement for him, and he is valued at just over £33m by Frankfurt.

It does feel as though Marmoush is standing out as a primary target for Liverpool, should Salah move on to pastures new next summer, which is a scenario most supporters will be dreading.

The Frankfurt star is seven years the Liverpool legend’s junior, however, and he is having a remarkable 2024/25 season to date, registering 13 goal contributions (nine goals and four assists) in just eight Bundesliga appearances, leading to him winning the Player of the Month award for October.

His current manager, Dino Toppmoller, knows how invaluable he is: “Omar is a fantastic boy who always gives maximum effort in addition to his blistering pace. I’m very impressed with his development in the final third, as he’s now a lot more calmer on the ball, he’s really good at runs from behind as well. He’s really taken a huge step in his development, especially with the way he’s played in the past few games.”

Marmoush should be considered a priority target for Liverpool at this point, given his incredible end product and ability to shine in both a central and wide attacking role.

Newcastle now battling Liverpool to sign "complete" star likened to Varane

He’s be an alternative to Marc Guehi…

ByTom Cunningham Oct 31, 2024

At 25, there is so much more to come from him, too, and they should be looking to strike a deal for him regardless of what ends up happening with Salah in the coming months.

Manchester United are already working on a £10 million January deal for Ruben Amorim that they are confident will get done, according to a new report.

January presents the first opportunity for INEOS to make changes to their squad under the management of Amorim. The Red Devils are not expected to be busy, but they appear to have their eye on one or two deals.

Man Utd willing to offer £105k-p/w ace plus cash in swap deal for Gyokeres

INEOS could be ready to cut their losses on one individual signed under Ten Hag.

ByBrett Worthington Nov 14, 2024 Man Utd transfer news

It has already emerged this week that United have made early transfer moves to understand where certain players lie with their future. It started with the Red Devils making an enquiry to Chelsea over the availability of Christopher Nkunku, a player who is unhappy with his situation at Stamford Bridge.

It was then claimed that United have also made an enquiry over the possibility of signing Geovany Quenda from Sporting. The 17-year-old is very highly rated and obviously has a connection to Amorim, but this may be one that waits until the summer, as Amorim made it clear he would not be signing any Sporting players in the New Year.

Now Amorim’s new side is prepared to offer Joshua Zirkzee in exchange for star striker Viktor Gyokeres. The Swede continues to impress this season, and it looks as though a move at the end of the campaign is likely, and United are trying to get ahead of the rest by offering one of their own players as part of the transfer. But it could be a £10 million transfer that is United’s first piece of business in the New Year.

Man Utd chiefs confidently working on £10m youngster deal

According to TBR Football, Manchester United are working on a deal to sign Sverre Nypan from Rosenborg in January. The 17-year-old midfielder is regarded as one of the hottest properties in football and emerged on many clubs’ radars after his performances last season.

Nypan has scored seven goals and recorded seven assists in 26 Eliteserien appearances this season, as well as grabbing three assists in three Europa Conference League qualifiers. This report states that United, who have had an interest in the youngster for some time, are confident of getting a deal over the line, as Rosenborg have told him to begin choosing his next club once their season finishes in December.

Apps

58

Goals

12

Assists

11

Nypan is said to be available for £10 million this January, but the deal could go up to £20 million after add-ons are added. The Red Devils are aware of this and are set to sit down with Nypan and his representatives to discuss their options.

The Premier League side have been tracking Nypan from a young age, and coming up against him during pre-season will have allowed them to take a closer look at his ability. If United are keen to wrap up a deal, they will need to be quick, as teams such as Arsenal, Liverpool, Newcastle, and Aston Villa are also interested and have made contact with his agents in recent months.

With the final international break of the year now out of the way, Arsenal can get their Premier League campaign back underway.

However, with no wins in their last four games and a nine-point gap to current leaders Liverpool, things aren’t exactly going to plan for Mikel Arteta.

Moreover, the Spaniard has had to deal with an avalanche of injuries over the last few months, and while several players are now back, some are not, such as Ben White.

So, with a home game against Nottingham Forest to come this afternoon, the manager will have to make some changes to the lineup, although by handing someone their first league start, he could solve the White issue and potentially get Gabriel Martinelli firing again.

Gabriel Martinelli's season so far

It’s been a rough year and a half for Martinelli, as following the conclusion of the 22/23 season, in which he racked up a sensational haul of 21 goal involvements in 46 appearances, there was an expectation that he’d do just as well last year.

Unfortunately, that was not the case, and by the end of the campaign, he could only muster up eight goals and five assists in 44 games, meaning his average dropped from a goal involvement every 2.19 games to every 3.38 games, respectively.

Worse yet, the former Ituano gem started this season in much the same way, providing just a single assist in his first five league games.

Appearances

191

Goals

44

Assists

27

Goal Involvements per Match

0.37

Fortunately, things have gotten a little better since, as he now has three goals and three assists to his name, but it’s clear that he’s still struggling somewhat, and the answer to solving that for this afternoon’s game could also provide the solution to the White problem.

The Arsenal gem who could get Martinelli firing again

So, let’s cut straight to the point: the player Arteta should hand his first Premier League start this afternoon is Myles Lewis-Skelly.

Now, there is a chance that the manager could go with Riccardo Calafiori, as in his pre-match press conference yesterday afternoon, he confirmed that the Italian has now trained with the first team, but given his injury history, it would seem unwise to rush him back into the lineup.

Moreover, in his short cameos so far, Lewis-Skelly has shown himself to be more than capable of handling big games and dealing with the same responsibility as any other first-teamer.

For example, he came on against Liverpool, Paris Saint-Germain and Manchester City while starting in the League Cup clash against Bolton Wanderers as well.

In fact, it was his performance in that game that suggested he’d be able to get more out of Martinelli, as in the lead-up to Ethan Nwaneri’s first goal, he played a sublime ball from the middle of the park right into Raheem Sterling’s feet that made the whole thing possible.

It’s this incredible ability with the ball at his feet, and the fact he’s naturally left-footed that could help create more chances for the Brazilian, and more chances for him could be what he needs to increase his goal tally and confidence in front of goal.

Moreover, by starting the “unplayable” Hale Ender, as dubbed by Jack Wilshere, on the left, Arteta can then start Jurrien Timber in place of White on the right, where he has looked substantially better and can hopefully have more of an impact on proceedings.

Ultimately, while Lewis-Skelly is still incredibly raw and probably shouldn’t be asked to start too many games, this afternoon’s encounter seems like the perfect opportunity to hand him that first start.

After all, if you’re good enough, you’re old enough.

Arsenal must finally sell £32m dud who Odegaard thinks is a "great player"

The talented international is no longer needed at Arsenal.

1 ByJack Salveson Holmes Nov 22, 2024

Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers will be elated with the way that his team have started the 2024/25 Scottish Premiership campaign, with 14 wins from 15 matches.

The Hoops have been almost faultess in the top-flight and are on course to win the title for the second season in succession since the Northern Irish head coach returned to replace Ange Postecoglou last year.

Celtic’s board backed Rodgers throughout the recent summer transfer window, with the likes of Arne Engels, Paulo Bernardo, Kasper Schmeichel, Adam Idah, and Auston Trusty, among others, brought in.

The players the former Liverpool and Leicester City manager snapped up in his first summer transfer window at the club, however, have had mixed success.

Celtic's summer 2023 signings

Celtic brought in ten new players to bolster their squad after Rodgers entered the dugout for the second time; Nat Phillips, Hyun-jun Yang, Hyeok-kyu Kwon, Paulo Bernardo, Luis Palma, Maik Nawrocki, Gustaf Lagerbielke, Marco Tilio, Tomoki Iwata and Odin Thiago Holm.

Of those ten players, only Bernardo – who signed permanently this year after his loan last term, and Yang have featured in at least five Premiership matches this season.

Phillips returned to Liverpool in January and Kwon, Lagerbielke, and Tilio are all currently out on loan, whilst Iwata was sold to Birmingham in the summer.

Nawrocki was hailed as “very highly-rated” by Rodgers, who described him as a “great” signing, after his reported £4.3m move from Polish side Legia Warsaw.

The defender, as shown in the video above, was also excited to get going at Parkhead and believed that he would be a good fit in Glasgow.

With the January transfer window less than a month away, however, the Northern Irishm manager must finally cash in on the Hoops flop, who has failed to live up to the hype that his manager created with those comments last year.

Why Maik Nawrocki should be sold

The Polish central defender was signed for a relatively big fee, of £4.3m, and has ended up way down the pecking order at Parkhead, behind Cameron Carter-Vickers, Trusty, Liam Scales, and Stephen Welsh.

First Impressions

What did pundits and fans alike think about their new star signing when they arrived? Football FanCast's 'First Impressions' series has everything you need.

For the money spent, including his reported £12k-per-week wages, Nawrocki has, simply, not offered enough on the pitch for the Hoops, as Rodgers has not deemed him to be above the other players in his position.

He has been an unused substitute on seven occasions and made one appearance, as a substitute in the League Cup against Falkirk, in all competitions so far this season.

Appearances

10

Starts

7

Pass accuracy

88%

Ground duel success rate

69%

Aerial duel success rate

50%

As you can see in the table above, Nawrocki did feature in ten league games during the 2023/24 campaign but failed to nail down a regular starting spot.

The fact that he lost half of his aerial contests with opposition players may have played a part in that, as the 23-year-old flop was unable to dominate forwards in the air from set-pieces and open play.

Nawrocki has not made a single appearance in the Premiership this season and has not made a matchday squad in the division since October, despite being fit and available – as he has been on the bench for every Champions League game.

Imagine him & Kuhn: Celtic lining up "phenomenal" big-money transfer

Celtic are reportedly interested in a deal to sign the impressive marksman in January.

2 ByDan Emery Dec 2, 2024

Therefore, Rodgers must ruthlessly cash in on the centre-back, who has not proven to be a ‘great’ signing as of yet, due to his lack of importance to the team for the money spent on him.

Ruben Amorim has been an instant hit during the opening few matches of his Manchester United tenure, winning two of his first three outings in all competitions.

His 3-4-2-1 system has quickly been taken on board by the first team, leading to their upturn in results over the last couple of weeks.

The 39-year-old’s tactical tweaks have allowed many players to reignite their careers at Old Trafford, with the side looking a completely different proposition to what they did under former boss Erik ten Hag.

Bruno Fernandes has been operating in a more advanced number 10 role behind the lone striker, a shift that has benefitted his goal combinations dramatically already.

The Portuguese has starred under his compatriot, registering two assists in the recent win over Everton, taking his tally to two goals and five assists in the Premier League.

However, it’s the form of one player who has dramatically improved, now looking to be a bargain at his price tag after failing to gain a consistent run of matches under the former regime.

Amad Diallo’s stats since Amorim’s appointment

Ivorian winger Amad Diallo joined United in a £37m deal way back in 2021 but has had to bide his time before making an impact on the first team at Old Trafford.

He’s been on two separate loan spells to Rangers and Championship side Sunderland, before returning last season – with his most memorable moment coming in the FA Cup clash with rivals Liverpool, scoring the winner in extra time.

The now 22-year-old has only made three league starts this season, but two of which have come since the appointment of Amorim in matches against Ipswich Town and Everton.

However, the new manager’s trust in Diallo has been massively rewarded, with the youngster taking to his new right wing-back role like a duck to water.

In his first two matches in the aforementioned position, he’s registered three assists, taking his tally of goal contributions to eight in all competitions – with Fernandes only achieving a higher tally to date.

Minutes played

90

Touches

71

Accurate passes

42/49 (86%)

Key passes

3

Assists

2

Shots

2

Successful dribbles

4/4

Ground duels won

11/14

Aerial duels won

1/3

Fouled

3x

His ability to work tirelessly down the flank has made him the perfect fit for the new boss’ philosophy, as demonstrated with his pressure leading to Joshua Zirkzee’s second strike at the weekend.

However, there’s another reason to be excited for the supporters, especially considering the club have another talent in their academy who can emulate Amad’s rapid rise under Amorim.

Man United's next Amad Diallo

Striker Chido Obi-Martin has caught the eye in recent months for his goalscoring talents after his move from Arsenal in the summer.

The 17-year-old has starred for the club’s U18 side despite his tender age, dominating opposition defenders and causing havoc, helping the Red Devils youngsters sit top of their division.

He registered a total of 32 goals in 18 matches for the Gunners last season, before scoring a hat-trick on his debut for United against Nottingham Forest a couple of weeks ago.

1) Chido Obi Martin

23

37

45

2) Ellis Simms

38

36

79

3) Folarin Balogun

33

34

80

4) Reo Griffiths

34

34

82

5) Oakley Cannoier

34

32

77

Obi-Martin has since added two more goals, with his latest against Stoke City breaking the record for the most goals scored by a player in the U18s Premier League, previously held by Ellis Simms.

However, the form of teammate James Scanlon has seen him already outscore the impressive Obi Martin this season, despite operating in a wide role rather than a central position.

The winger, who’s previously been dubbed as “terrific” by journalist George Smith, has already notched ten goals and four assists in his nine U18 outings – five more than Obi-Martin – which has seen him earn an international call-up.

Scanlon, who’s made 10 appearances for Gibraltar despite being just 18, has showcased excellent talents in attacking areas, similar to that for Diallo before his shift in position to a wing-back role.

Given the form of Fernandes in the central attacking position, should he be given the opportunity to star in the first team, he could feature in a wide role and follow in the footsteps of the Ivorian.

The youngster’s versatility in being able to feature on either wing, coupled with his ability with both feet could make him a valuable option for Amorim in the years to come.

A left-sided role has been a problem position for various managers at Old Trafford, but instead of dipping into the transfer market, they could delve into their youth system with Scanlon having the tools to make a positive impression on the side.

The teenager may have to make his first impression count should he make the jump, but given his impressive form since his transfer from Derby County in 2021, he could well be ready to star in the Premier League in the near future.

Man Utd have unearthed £50m + star in the making who's a "10/10 every game"

Man Utd have struck gold with one notable signing in recent times

ByRobbie Walls Nov 30, 2024

Newcastle United are now interested in signing a “clinical finisher” who could be available in the January transfer window, according to a report.

Newcastle transfer news

Although Eddie Howe may feel he needs to make some additions in January, in light of his side’s disappointing campaign up to this point, the manager’s transfer policy continues to be limited by the Premier League’s financial rules.

When asked about an alleged £65m bid for Crystal Palace defender Marc Guehi, the manager said: “Firstly, I don’t think any bid (for Guehi) reached that level (£65m). That is far in excess of what the reality was. Secondly, with PSR, there is no pot of money that we have sitting there waiting to be spent.”

As such, Newcastle fans may be best advised not to have their expectations too high this January, despite the club’s continual links to some top players in the Premier League and beyond. The Magpies will be all too aware of Bryan Mbeumo’s abilities after his goal in the 4-2 defeat against Brentford last week, and there have been reports that a huge offer could be on the way, with Howe prioritising the signing of a right-winger.

As the uncertainty surrounding Alexander Isak’s future continues to mount, the manager may also be tasked with bringing in a new striker, and there have now been reports linking Corinthians’ Yuri Alberto with a move to St. James’ Park.

According to The Boot Room, Alberto is on Newcastle’s radar, but they may face competition for his signature from a number of other Premier League clubs, with Everton and Nottingham Forest also named as potential suitors.

The forward has admitted he has a “dream” of playing in the Premier League, while also saying there is a 50/50 chance he leaves Corinthians in January, meaning he could be available sooner rather than later.

Should the Brazilian club sanction his departure this winter, they would be looking to receive a fee of around £17m, having turned down a £14m bid from West Ham United over a year ago.

Newcastle leading the race to sign £16.5m gem with a "magical" left foot

The Magpies are in pole position.

1 ByHenry Jackson Dec 9, 2024 Alberto impressing in front of goal

The Brazilian has been capped for his national side on one occasion, and he poses a very impressive goal and assist record throughout his career so far.

Club

Games played

Goals

Assists

Santos

25

3

1

Internacional

85

31

5

Zenit

15

6

4

Corinthians

148

57

18

Football talent scout Jacek Kulig has also been very complimentary of the 23-year-old in the past, saying he’s a “complete forward” and praising his finishing in particular.

Of course, Newcastle’s main priority should be to keep hold of Isak amid interest from a number of top clubs, but Alberto could be a brilliant acquisition this January, particularly considering he may be available for the relatively low price of just £17m.

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has personally compiled a list of top contenders to reinforce the club’s forward ranks in January, with the Gunners widely tipped to move for new attacking options once we reach 2025.

Arsenal prepare for Ipswich Town after 5-1 win over Crystal Palace

Arsenal’s convincing 5-1 win at Crystal Palace was unfortunately overshadowed by star winger Bukayo Saka’s hamstring injury, and news then emerged that alternative option Raheem Sterling sustained a knee problem, which will also keep him out for weeks.

Arsenal in "positive" talks with £46m Barcelona forward's reps ahead of January

The Gunners are in dire need of a new attacking option.

1 ByEmilio Galantini Dec 24, 2024

As a result, Arteta is now facing a real selection headache as he prepares to host struggling Ipswich Town in the Premier League tomorrow.

Gabriel Jesus, who’s recently returned to form with five goals in his last two games, is able to play out wide in place of Saka, as is Kai Havertz, while exciting youngster Ethan Nwaneri could even be deployed in that position.

Ipswich Town (home)

December 27

Brentford (away)

January 1

Brighton (away)

January 4

Tottenham (home)

January 15

Aston Villa (home)

January 18

There are a few options at Arteta’s disposal, but Saka will be an extremely sore miss for the north Londoners given just how imperative he is.

The England international, who was also sidelined for a short period earlier in the campaign, boasts an incredible 13 assists in all competitions already with nine goals to boot – and that will be near-impossible to replace.

It will be very intriguing to see how Arteta decides to field his Arsenal team against Ipswich in the 24-year-old’s absence, and the Spaniard has indirectly challenged his squad to step up while their key star is sidelined.

“I cannot be too specific because I don’t know, but it will be many weeks,” said Arteta on Saka’s lay-off.

“Obviously he’s a big player for us. You just have to see the impact that he has on the team, but it’s going to be a really good exercise for all of us to think about ways to overcome another challenge, because we’ve already had a lot in the season.

“We have to look internally at what we have and be creative, do a very good exercise again. How can we mould the squad? How can we adapt to the circumstances and be different? We cannot pretend to be the same. We’re going to have to be different and try to find the best way to do it and be very competitive and win a lot of games.”

While Arsenal reportedly contemplate signing a Saka alternative in January, reports suggest that a new striker is also firmly on the club’s to-do list ahead of the winter transfer window.

Inter Milan striker Marcus Thuram a "main candidate" to join Arsenal in January

Indeed, a report from Spain has claimed that Arteta has personally compiled a list of “main candidates” to join Arsenal in January – and one of them is Inter Milan star Marcus Thuram.

The Frenchman boasts 13 goals and six assists in 21 appearances across all competitions so far this season, which has apparently garnered interest from Arteta, who’s earmarked Thuram as one of his top three striker targets alongside Bundesliga duo Benjamin Sesko and Victor Boniface.

The 27-year-old won’t come cheap, though, as it is estimated he’ll cost around £83 million to prise away from the San Siro.

It is very debatable whether Arsenal will part with that sort of money mid-season, regardless of Arteta’s fondness for Thuram, with both Sesko and Boniface also commanding lower price tags.