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Liverpool have been linked with a move for Enzo Fernandez and now a new update has emerged on the club’s pursuit of the player ahead of the January transfer window.

What’s the latest?

According to Argentinian news outlet La Capital, Liverpool have reached an agreement in principle with Benfica to sign Fernandez in 2023.

As per the report, the Merseyside club accelerated their interest in the talented midfielder and it is claimed they are close to finalising a deal for Fernandez to join Liverpool in June 2023.

Klopp needs him

There is no doubt that a youth injection is desperately needed at Anfield and a rebuild in the centre of the pitch could be the exact investment that gets Liverpool back to the top of the table and competing on all fronts.

The Reds are currently sixth in the Premier League table after the club’s worst start to a season in a decade and the side are already 15 points adrift of Arsenal at the top of the tree.

The key area of concern in the squad is the midfield especially over the next six months with so many players coming to the end of their contracts in the summer including Naby Keita, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and James Milner.

As a result, the signing of Fernandez would be a huge addition for Jurgen Klopp as he clearly needs to start rebuilding the next generation of his successful team at Anfield.

The talented Argentine midfielder has been lighting up Qatar at the World Cup and has been key in his national team’s progression to the semi-finals with influential performances throughout.

Prior to this evening’s clash with Croatia, the £100m-valued dynamo – who was hailed “spectacular” by teammate Lionel Messi – had scored one goal, registered one assist and successfully completed 100% of his dribbles, as well as averaging 75.4 touches, 58.2 accurate passes, 1.6 tackles, 1.2 clearances and five duels won per game.

Not only that, the Benfica talent ranks in the top 4% of his positional peers over the top five European leagues for shots on goal, shot-creating actions and progressive passes, as well as the top 15% for touches, pass completion and assists, proving that Fernandez is one of the hottest midfield prospects right now.

Indeed, it shows that the young 21-year-old is a multi-faceted player capable of taking on a wide array of roles in the middle of the park. Whether it’s finding the net, progressing or breaking up the play, Fernandez can seemingly do it.

With that being said, if the reports are true that Liverpool have agreed a deal with Benfica, then the manager and supporters are clearly in for a treat when he finally pulls on the famous red shirt in 2023.

Chelsea are reportedly targeting a talented starlet who was subject to a failed summer bid with additions looking to be made in the forthcoming weeks. 

What’s the talk?

According to journalist Simon Phillips, Blues boss Graham Potter is enamoured with the club’s former target Romeo Lavia, who was the subject of an audacious £50m summer swoop having signed for Southampton from Manchester City in the very same transfer window. 

Speaking to GIVEMESPORT, Phillips said: “I think Lavia is probably going to be more likely than Álvarez because Chelsea did push and try and sign him on deadline day with a late offer. So, he’s the one to watch rather than Álvarez, I would say.”

With Chelsea indeed bidding £43m – unsuccessfully – for Edson Alvarez at the end of summer Lavia now seems to be the name ahead on the shopping list, and at just 18-years-old with Premier League experience under his belt, it’s perhaps warranted that he is attracting greater intrigue at Stamford Bridge.  

Chelsea’s own Amrabat

There is a similar script for each passing World Cup, with football’s most coveted competition birthing stars into prominence each and every time. 

Sofyan Amrabat is one of the latest names to shine on the major stage, playing an integral and industrious role for a historic Morocco team that finished fourth at the 2022 edition in Qatar – becoming the first African nation to ever reach the semi-finals of the international tournament.

Alvarez also impressed for a subpar Mexico side, with Sofascore recording his average rating at 6.95 in Qatar, but a shrewder approach for Lavia’s name could sow the seed for later rewards for Chelsea. 

Lavia, who has made eight appearances for Saints since his summer arrival, emerged as a resounding success, instantly slotting into the starting line-up and impressing with a tenacity and assurance that belies his inexperience at professional level. 

Having picked up a hamstring injury during his side’s 2-1 victory over Chelsea in the Premier League in September, the midfielder’s progress was put on hold; the Belgian star managed just two showings before the midseason break for the World Cup. 

The “technically excellent” 18-year-old – as dubbed by Saints reporter Alfie House – scored a stellar strike in that match, stinging the Blues and bitterly reminding them of the talent that they so earnestly desire. 

The teen has completed 88% of his passes thus far in England’s top-flight, making 1.7 interceptions, 1.6 tackles and winning 53% of his total duels – impressive statistics for a young star just starting out on the professional scene. 

Those are numbers that are rather similar to the Morocco star, with the 26-year-old making 0.8 interceptions per game and 1.2 tackles in Serie A. They are battle-hardened from a defensive point of view while offering an element of composure and silkiness on the ball.

That’s precisely what would make either one of them a good signing at the Bridge.

However, with Amrabat the talk of the town, Chelsea might be wise to steer clear of that avenue and maintain their interest in the £21.8m-rated maestro, having evidently thoroughly scouted the player.

If eventually successful in the pursuit, Potter would yield one of the division’s most promising young midfielders, a star already impressing for Southampton and capable of staking his claim for a starring role in west London for the distinguished outfit’s next chapter.

Southampton’s plans for the January window have now been detailed by transfer insider Dean Jones.

The Lowdown: Southampton’s poor start

Nathan Jones’ side currently sit bottom of the Premier League table, having acquired just 12 points from their opening 16 games, and much of this can be put down to their woes in front of goal.

The Saints have only managed to muster up 13 goals, with current centre-forward options Che Adams and Adam Armstrong not being clinical enough up to this point.

As such, their manager is now looking to make some additions in forward areas during the January transfer window…

The Latest: Dean Jones’ comments

Speaking to GIVEMESPORT, Jones revealed what areas Southampton will be aiming to strengthen in the upcoming market.

He outlined: “We know Southampton are in the market for two players and one will be wide and one will be a central figure of attack. Ultimately, he needs a bagsman, doesn’t he? He needs somebody that can be relied on in the box.

“They don’t have that guy. They don’t have a Mitrovic, an Ivan Toney, and that’s what they’re looking for. You’ve got to have somebody that you can turn to week in, week out for goals, and Southampton just haven’t had it.”

The Verdict: Reinforcements needed

Southampton’s success in the January transfer window is likely to shape their season, as they are really lacking a dependable goalscorer on whom they can rely to regularly find the net – only Adams (four) has scored more than two league goals for them in 2022/23.

As pointed out by Jones, other teams who may have been predicted to struggle before the season started both have strikers who frequently contribute to their attacking output, with Brentford’s Toney having a remarkable 11 goals in 15 Premier League games to his name this season.

With ten goals in 12 league games, Aleksandar Mitrovic has also been a difference maker for Fulham, who sit level on points with Brentford in the top half, whereas they could have been in a relegation dogfight of their own if they did not have him to call upon.

As such, Jones needs to ensure that he identifies a suitable player of a similar ilk in January, or Southampton could well find themselves sweating on their top-flight status right up to the end of the campaign.

Tottenham Hotspur have been linked with a move to bring Memphis Depay to north London in the January transfer window.

That’s according to a report by the Daily Mail, who claim that Barcelona have offered Fabio Paratici the chance to sign the centre-forward this winter, with an earlier report by Spanish publication AS (via Sport Witness) claiming that the LaLiga side would be willing to let the 28-year-old leave the club for as a little as €5m (£4.4m).

This is because of the Catalan side’s dire financial situation, with Barca needing to first offload players in order to bring in new signings of their own in the January market, with Chelsea also reported to be considering a move for the Netherlands international – whose current contract is set to expire next summer – in the coming weeks.

On Depay’s side, after refusing to leave the Camp Nou in the summer, it is suggested that the striker is now more open to the idea of a move away from Barcelona this winter, something that could potentially open the door for Paratici to finally make a concrete move for the Dutchman ahead of the second half of the 2022/23 Premier League campaign.

Absolute steal

While it is true that Depay has somewhat fallen down Xavi Hernández’s attacking pecking order at Barcelona this season – having started just two games in all competitions thus far in 2022/23 – it is nevertheless undeniable that, should Paratici get a £4.4m deal over the line for the 28-year-old in January, it would represent an absolute steal for the Italian sporting director.

Indeed, over his 28 LaLiga appearances last term, the £17.5m-rated talent was in sensational form going forwards, bagging 12 goals, providing two assists and creating five big chances for his teammates, in addition to taking an average of 2.2 shots, making 1.6 key passes and completing 1.6 dribbles per game.

These returns saw the £172k-per-week attacker who Liam Canning labelled “unreal” average an exceptional Sofascore match rating of 7.26, not only ranking him as Barcelona’s fourth-best performer in the league but also as the joint 10th-best player in the Spanish top-flight as a whole.

Furthermore, with the 86-cap international boasting extremely impressive positional versatility – being able to operate from attacking midfield, as a support striker, on either wing and as an out-and-out centre-forward – Depay would quite easily fit into either of Antonio Conte’s preferred 3-4-3 or 3-5-2 tactical set-ups at Spurs.

As such, considering his deadly ability in the final third, his ability to play in a number of different roles and the fact he looks to be available for a fee that is roughly £13m under his current market valuation, it would indeed appear as if Paratici’s potential capture of the 28-year-old would represent a real steal for the 50-year-old and Tottenham this winter.

Journalist Ross Gregory has claimed that Newcastle United will be in the market to sign a backup for Kieran Trippier this January.

What’s the word?

At the moment, the Magpies are flying. Indeed, they currently sit third in the league having just picked up a point away from home against table-toppers Arsenal.

With that in mind, Eddie Howe won’t want anything to disrupt his team’s momentum and it sounds as though the club are keen to bring in some fresh faces this winter.

While talking about it all on NUFC Matters, Gregory claimed that the club are looking to target ‘two or three positions’ with a new right-back one of those areas to strengthen.

He said: “My understanding, from people that I’ve spoken to, is that there are two or three positions that they have identified.

“And one is a backup right-back to Kieran Trippier. Javier Manquillo, I don’t think, is in favour, and obviously Emil Krafth’s got a bit of an injury situation.

“Then there’s the defensive midfield position, which we’ve talked about, and then there’s another forward attacking player.”

Squad depth

Obviously, seeing as Trippier has worn the captain’s armband on 17 of 18 Premier League starts this season, the Magpies aren’t looking to replace him.

However, should he get injured they could be in a bit of trouble. After all, Manquillo has just ten minutes of league football to his name this term and so clearly isn’t rated that highly by Howe. On top of that, as mentioned by Gregory, Krafth is out with a long-term injury and so won’t be ready to play any time soon.

Interestingly enough, Sky Sports have recently reported that the club are considering signing right-back Ivan Fresneda from Real Valladolid, having watched him on multiple occasions of late.

At the tender age of 18, the teen could be a good fit to come in and learn his trade under 32-year-old Trippier over the next few seasons.

Newcastle United are monitoring the situation of Brighton star Leandro Trossard, Alex Crook has claimed.

What’s the word?

The Brighton winger has been sensational this season, with seven goals and three assists in 17 games, and has scored 25 goals for Brighton in 121 appearances overall.

The club have activated an extension in his contract which will keep him at the club until the summer of 2024 and could yet tie him down to a longer-term deal.

However, should he leave, Newcastle and Chelsea are monitoring his situation with a view to a move.

Speaking on TalkSPORT, Crook explained that the two clubs are keeping an eye as he could become available within the next year.

“This is quite important because his contract was due to expire next summer,” he said of the extension.

“I think Brighton were always going to take out this extra year’s option. I think they’re also in talks about a longer-term deal, but what it does mean is if we do get to a situation next summer where he does only have a year left on his contract, they can still demand quite a decent fee.

“Newcastle and Chelsea are the two clubs I’m told to keep an eye on.”

A statement signing

If Newcastle do recruit Trossard from a fellow Premier League side who are performing well, it would be a huge statement that they are ready to compete with the league’s best.

Although they already have Allan Saint-Maximin and Miguel Almiron on the wings, with Joelinton also taking up a wide role in recent months, extra quality depth would be welcomed and Trossard would arrive as a Premier League experienced attacker.

Newcastle look set to qualify for Europe, and will need additional players to compete with the extra fixtures, and the Belgium international could be an ideal signing to pad the squad with quality.

As with any transfer window, rumours always persist surrounding the future of Harry Kane at Tottenham Hotspur.

The England talisman is starved of the silverware that his goalscoring exploits and talismanic nature deserves but he’s a Lilywhite at heart.

That said, no one would ever blame him for leaving, should that day ever arrive – and he’s got plenty of suitors.

CBS Sports reporter Ben Jacobs recently provided a huge update on the situation to Caught Offside.

Bayern Munich and Real Madrid are two interested parties from abroad but there’s a belief that the 29-year-old will want to remain in the Premier League, to which the reliable journalist said:

“I think at the moment he does want to re-sign with Spurs. But if that changes, I think Manchester United and Chelsea could come into the conversation.

“The Chelsea ownership are huge admirers of Harry Kane, but that doesn’t mean he’ll be bought or sold.”

If Kane were ever to leave north London, then it doesn’t appear as if Spurs would be well prepared. However, there is a young striker making waves in the youth setup in Will Lankshear.

Despite being only 17 and potentially behind Troy Parrott and Dane Scarlett in the pecking order, the free-scoring forward could well be Kane’s heir apparent instead.

Indeed, the former Sheffield United gem has been called up by manager Antonio Conte to first-team training on a few occasions, so the Italian head coach has clearly already been impressed by his potential.

After being prolific for the youth setup at Bramall Lane, the promising teenager has already found the net seven times across 11 appearances, including a hat-trick against West Ham U18s and a goal against Sporting CP in the UEFA Youth League.

Such form has seen him dubbed a “complete finisher” and “phenomenal” by insider John Wenham to Football Insider.

The “highly-rated” Lankshear – in the words of Sky Sports reporter Lyall Thomas – could therefore be the heir to Kane’s throne at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium and given the fact that he’s already here, having cost as little as £2.5m, he’ll save chairman Daniel Levy millions in future transfer windows.

It’s surely only a matter of time before the “hotshot” – as described by journalist Nathan Hemmingham – is in and around Kane on a daily basis as his advice could be invaluable as Spurs look to find his true long-term successor.

AND in other news, Conte could finally land his £48m “Rolls-Royce” by ditching £62k-p/w Spurs “liability”…

Journalist Craig Hope has claimed that Scott McTominay is keen on a move to Newcastle United and the club will try and sign him if he becomes available.

What’s the word?

While it is certainly good news that key midfielder Bruno Guimaraes looks set to only miss a few weeks out with injury, when it had been feared that he could be sidelined for months, it has served as a reminded of just how badly the Magpies could do with some more depth in that position.

With that in mind, Manchester United midfielder McTominay could be an exciting option for Eddie Howe this winter. However, according to Hope, while the 26-year-old is up for a switch, the Red Devils are less sure about letting him go.

While speaking about it all on the True Faith podcast, the journalist explained his understanding of the situation, saying: “The player is keen, we’re told. And if for whatever reason, Man United turned around and said, ‘Okay, there’s a deal to be done with Scott McTominay’, I 100% would expect Newcastle United to act on it.”

Winter switch on the cards?

While Newcastle are known to be extremely wealthy, they are yet to spend big this winter on any new players. This does mean they should still have the funds to splash out on McTominay if he becomes available.

The Scotland international, who was hailed as “immense” by BBC journalist Bill Rice, has only started six times in the league so far this term for Man United and so it’s not hard to see why he would be happy to leave.

What’s more, with 113 appearances in the English top flight, it probably wouldn’t take him long to adapt to his new environment. Still, Erik ten Hag is probably key here and if the Dutchman doesn’t want to let McTominay go, Newcastle will have to shop elsewhere.

Should that change, however, all the ingredients are there to potentially make this a pretty quick transfer.

Everton have been handed a potential transfer blow by Fabrizio Romano with the journalist suggesting Anthony Elanga would favour a move to Borussia Dortmund.

What’s the latest?

The Toffees are believed to be on the lookout for attacking options this month and one of the names to have emerged as a potential target is Elanga.

As a result of their struggles against the FFP regulations, there is the belief that the Toffees will be operating on a shoestring budget this month with loan deals more likely.

And the Swedish winger is a player who is believed to potentially be available this month for a temporary departure from Manchester United.

But despite the interest coming from Goodison Park over a short-term switch to Merseyside, Romano has said on his Here We Go podcast that the winger is leaning towards a move to the Westfalenstadion:

“There is Everton, but also Borussia Dortmund. Borussia Dortmund are pushing for Anthony Elanga on loan and the player is really keen on the move to Borussia Dortmund, from what I’m told. So now Man United have to decide what they want to do if [they] let him leave or not.”

A difficult sell

Elanga has made 13 appearances in the Premier League this season under Erik ten Hag, however, the issue comes in those appearances have only provided the 20-year-old with 392 minutes of action (via Transfermarkt).

And a young prospect like Elanga will be hoping for as much time as possible on the pitch to develop his talents in a bid to become a regular at Old Trafford.

But this does not seem as if it is on the cards at Old Trafford with the prospect of a loan move away seemingly a real possibility.

A loan move to another Premier League side could prove a really smart move for the youngster if he is looking to make a future for himself at United.

His game time in the Premier League has been limited under Ten Hag and so the opportunity to develop elsewhere in the league could prove a real success.

However, when the decision could come between Everton and Dortmund, there is unlikely to be much of a choice for the youngster.

Everton are obviously struggling massively this season as they find themselves battling a relegation fight – which could offer Elanga the chance to become a hero at Goodison if he was to shine and save them from the drop.

But when a club the size of Dortmund’s size are interested it will be hard to turn them down.

Especially when they are able to boast a number of success stories from their conveyor belt of young talents with Jude Bellingham seemingly the latest off the line.

Liverpool transfer target Jude Bellingham remains the club’s ‘top priority’ in the market, according to Fabrizio Romano.

The Lowdown: Liverpool’s midfield issues

Jurgen Klopp is tasked with reshaping the Reds’ midfield, with several player’s contracts set to expire in the summer. Meanwhile, captain Jordan Henderson is now 32, and a suitable long-term replacement will be needed.

A recent report from The Athletic details that a move for Bellingham may hinge upon Fenway Sports Group selling a minority stake and the new investors injecting large sums of money into the club, with a deal currently considered difficult to pull off.

The Latest: Bellingham is Liverpool’s “priority”

Speaking to GIVEMESPORT, Romano claimed that a number of clubs could still win the race for the Borussia Dortmund star’s signature, which is very much “open”.

He outlined: “We know the top priority for Liverpool is Jude Bellingham. But Real Madrid and Manchester City are also there, so the race is absolutely open. Nothing will be decided in a few hours or days for Bellingham. It takes time.”

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The Verdict: Champions League football needed

The Reds’ pursuit of the 19-year-old is another example of just how vital it is to secure Champions League football, as a player of his calibre would unlikely be willing to settle for anything less than playing in the continent’s elite club competition.

Hailed as ‘sensational’ by Gary Lineker for his performances at the 2022 World Cup and runner-up in the Kopa Trophy the previous year, the starlet can be considered a generational talent. He is ranked by Sofascore as Borussia Dortmund’s best performer in the Bundesliga this season, boasting an average match rating of 7.43.

The midfielder particularly specialises in his ability to get on the ball and drive at opposition defences, as indicated by an average of 1.7 dribbles completed per 90 over the past year, ranking him in the 96th percentile compared to his positional peers in Europe’s top five leagues.

Liverpool have a real uphill battle in the race for the Premier League top four, given that they are ten points adrift of Manchester United, but if they do manage to bridge that gap in the second half of the season, Bellingham would be an unbelievable summer signing to pursue.