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Journalist Liam Kennedy has claimed Newcastle United winger Allan Saint-Maximin may not be happy enough to remain at the club without regular starts.

What’s the word?

After he was left out of the Magpies’ 2-1 FA Cup loss to Sheffield Wednesday on the weekend, there were some concerns amongst certain sections of the fanbase that perhaps the player could have fallen out with manager Eddie Howe.

However, fears of a possible consequential transfer exit, have since been eased as the club made clear there was no great issue at hand and Saint-Maximin only missed the game due to an illness.

On top of that, the player also weighed in on the rumours, taking to Instagram to quell the doubts. Indeed, he said: “Always behind you guys, I will be back very soon. ”

And while Kennedy suggested that everything is probably fine for the short term, there could still be issues long term as the player struggles for regular minutes at Newcastle.

Speaking on NUFC Matters, he said: “I think Saint-Maximin has probably proven in his Instagram posts that things are okay.

“That doesn’t mean everything is going swimmingly with regards Allan Saint-Maximin and the football club. I think his lack of selection in key games probably proves that.

“But I do think there’s a future for him. Whether he’s willing to accept that future, I’m not sure. That’s the other question about this.”

Kennedy did conclude, however: “He said unequivocally to me that this is his home. ‘I’ve never felt the way I feel about a football club as to what I feel now’.”

Exit on the cards?

As much as it’s clear Saint-Maximin seems to be fond of the club, he may soon lose patience with the bit-part role offered to him this season by Eddie Howe.

After all, he has started just four Premier League games this term and in all competitions has tallied up just 537 minutes of playing time – although this is partly due to injury issues picked up throughout the campaign.

Regardless, he is not likely to start many games as things stand and so he may need to seek pastures new if he wants to keep his career from potentially stagnating.

Interestingly enough, former Arsenal man Emmanuel Petit told reporters Mikel Arteta should try and sign the French winger January transfer window (via the Express). But no concrete rumours have come up at this stage.

Celtic striker Giorgos Giakoumakis should feel incredibly fortunate not to have conceded a penalty on the weekend in the semi-final at Hampden, according to Dermot Gallagher.

What’s the latest?

Ange Postecoglou’s side have booked themselves a spot in the final of the Scottish League Cup following their 2-0 victory over Kilmarnock on Saturday.

Goals from the Greek striker and Daizen Maeda proved to be the difference between the two sides at Hampden with the Bhoys set to face their city rivals in the final.

However, there have been some suggestions that Kilmarnock could have been awarded a penalty for a clumsy challenge from the Celtic striker.

And although it was not given, speaking on Sky Sports’ Ref Watch, the former referee, Gallagher, has suggested the striker did shove Joe Wright to the ground unfairly:

“I think the clue here for me is where is the ball. Where’s the ball? There’s no ball in the picture. Still not there. Still not there. Still not there. There it goes. So I think he’s taken a massive risk and he’s got lucky. You know, I think it should be a penalty.”

Big let-off

When you consider the ball is nowhere near either of the players as the striker forces the Kilmarnock man to the ground, it is not difficult to see where Gallagher is coming from.

It does look like a really clumsy challenge from a striker who is not used to defending inside of his own area.

And we have to agree with Gallagher, that on this occasion, the Hoops have seriously been let off the hook by Willie Collum and the official operating VAR.

Had Collum just missed the incident live then there could have been understanding as to why it was not given, however, with VAR introduced there is no excuse for incidents like this not to be given.

And given the teams were only separated by one goal at the time, Giakoumakis could have landed his side in real bother with the momentum potentially taking a swing against them.

However, Celtic will feel as if they have been owed a decision back by VAR this season with a number of contentious calls going against them.

One was the handball against Matt O’Riley in the victory over Ross County late last year in which the midfielder was somehow deemed to have deliberately handled the ball inside his own box.

Celtic have seemingly been let off with one here, but it appears as if that could well have been one of Giakoumakis’ final games in a Hoops jersey on Saturday so he will be grateful his time at Parkhead has potentially ended on a goal and not a penalty against them.

Tottenham Hotspur have reportedly made a move to sign Roma midfielder, Nicolo Zaniolo, as sporting director Fabio Paratici once again looks set to turn to the Italian market for potential recruits.

What’s the word?

According to the Daily Mail, the Lilywhites are believed to have made a bid to sign the 23-year-old on loan this month, with the Serie A giants said to be willing to sanction a temporary exit so long as the deal includes an obligation to buy.

The report adds that the north Londoners are currently working with a ‘limited budget’ hence the desire to pursue a loan agreement, with the Italy international valued at around £35m by Jose Mourinho’s side.

This follows previous speculation during the summer window which claimed that Antonio Conte’s side were interested in the 11-cap dynamo, with both the serial-winning coach and compatriot Paratici seemingly keen admirers of the playmaker.

Lamela 2.0

The Tottenham hierarchy notably enjoyed great success with the signings of Rodrigo Bentancur and Dejan Kulusevski from Italian giants Juventus a year ago, with the hope being that Zaniolo can also aid in securing a top-four finish for Conte and co this time around.

Bringing in the 6 foot 3 sensation from the Giallorossi may well evoke memories of another man to have arrived at Spurs from Rome in the form of Erik Lamela, with the Argentine forward joining as part of the post-Gareth Bale signings back in 2013.

The current Sevilla man went on to spend the next eight years in English football, eventually racking up 37 goals and 47 assists in 257 games in all competitions in that time.

That lengthy stint saw the 5 foot 11 maestro undoubtedly produce notable moments of magic but also flatter to deceive in equal measure, with his time at the club perhaps encapsulated by his derby display in March 2021, as the one-time River Plate man scored a stunning ‘rabona’, only to then somewhat sour his performance by getting sent off.

Another somewhat frustrating feature of the creative gem’s spell at N17 was his inability to stay injury-free for a consistent period, having regularly endured bouts on the treatment table over the years.

Zaniolo could follow in Lamela’s footsteps in being something of a mercurial talent for Spurs, with the towering ace having also been regularly struck down by injury in his career to date.

The former Inter Milan asset is undoubtedly a “special player” – in the words of journalist Carlo Garganese – although that has not always translated into an end product, as he has just five goals and assists to his name in 17 games this season.

The £79k-per-week menace did, however, chip in with 17 goal involvements during the previous campaign, with it perhaps hard to determine just what to expect from the Italian on a consistent basis.

As such, there could well be a feeling that Tottenham would be landing Lamela 2.0 if they are to bring Zaniolo to England before the end of the window.

Journalist Florian Plettenberg has been speaking about Leeds United’s interest in Weston McKennie live on Sky Sports.

The Lowdown: Midfield looking to be improved

After the departure of Mateusz Klich for D.C. United, it appeared that Leeds were in need of a new midfield body to ensure Jesse Marsch had sufficient depth heading into the second half of the season.

Now it looks as though things are starting to kick into gear with less than a week left of the transfer window, as reports have started to emerge around a potential deal for Juventus’ McKennie.

The Italian giants are facing mounting off-field issues which could see McKennie search for a mid-season exit, and given the strong American contingent already at Elland Road, it would likely be an appealing move for the midfielder.

The Latest: McKennie open to joining Leeds

Speaking live on The Transfer Show, German football expert Plettenberg claimed that McKennie is ready for the next step in his career amid Leeds’ interest.

He said: “He is a transfer target of Leeds and he is open to joining Leeds, he is open to making the next step – and maybe you know – he has the same agency as Aaronson has and Aaronson is a player of Leeds United.

“We hear a price tag of around €30-40m [that] Juventus is demanding for Weston McKennie.”

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The Verdict: Marsch to receive further backing

It would certainly be a major coup for Leeds if they could attract someone who’s been playing in the Champions League this season and played every single game for his nation at the World Cup earlier in the winter.

Especially given that Leeds are in the thick of a relegation battle, it would be a statement of intent from the board to lure someone such as McKennie to Elland Road and may well hint at the 49ers edging closer to their takeover of the club by bringing in yet another American.

McKennie has been hailed as ‘dangerous’ by American legend Clint Dempsey after he netted in the Champions League for Juventus earlier this season, showing he can perform on the big stage, and with Fabrizio Romano claiming personal terms wouldn’t be an issue, it’s a potentially exciting deal for Leeds.

AC Milan have reportedly held talks with Allan Saint-Maximin’s entourage over a potential loan move away from Newcastle United and could make an offer.

The Lowdown: Gordon in?

It has recently been reported that Everton ‘look ready to accept’ Newcastle’s bid for winger Anthony Gordon, which could push Saint-Maximin further down the pecking order at St. James’ Park.

The Frenchman has only started five games in total across all competitions so far this season, although was hampered by injuries earlier on in the campaign (Transfermarkt).

The Latest: Saint-Maximin out?

As per GOAL France, Saint-Maximin wants to play elsewhere considering his lack of game-time, although he rejected offers from both Sevilla and Villarreal earlier this month.

His entourage have had ‘exchanges’ with Milan over a potential move, though, which could lead to the European giants making a loan offer with an option-to-buy for him ‘in the coming hours’:

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The Verdict: Keep him!

Even if Gordon does arrive on Tyneside, Newcastle must look to keep Saint-Maximin for added squad depth.

Hailed as ‘electric’ by Eddie Howe after a mesmerising performance against reigning Premier League champions Manchester City earlier this season, the 25-year-old is capable of changing a game for the Magpies.

That was evident when he came on as a substitute in the win at Southampton in the Carabao Cup on Tuesday night with the score at 0-0 and dazzled the Saints defence, winning all three of his individual duels and completing both of his dribble attempts (Sofascore).

Saint-Maximin seems to have fully recovered from his injuries now, so Howe needs to put an arm around him and use him more often from now until the end of the campaign, as he has shown on multiple occasions that he still possesses a big threat.

Chelsea see Vitoria Guimaraes midfielder Ibrahima Bamba as an alternative signing if the deal for Enzo Fernandez collapses on deadline day, journalist Jacque Talbot has claimed.

The Lowdown: Enzo the main target

The Blues clearly see Fernandez as their main midfield transfer target in January, with various reports saying they are trying to sign the Argentina World Cup winner.

Benfica have held firm for much of this month, however, and there is no guarantee that Chelsea will end up getting their man before the end of deadline day, even with reports of a medical taking place in Lisbon as we speak.

Now, it looks as though another target is being kept in the back pocket as an emergency option.

The Latest: Bamba an alternative

Taking to Twitter, Talbot said that the Italian-born Bamba is considered an alternative to Fernandez if things go awry before the 11pm cutoff on Tuesday:

“Chelsea looking at Ibrahima Bamba if they can’t get Enzo Fernadez done.”

The Verdict: Feels unlikely

In truth, it would now be a big surprise if Bamba became a Chelsea player this month, with Fernandez seemingly edging closer to signing on the dotted line.

That being said, the Vitoria Guimaraes man could be a decent option if the move falls apart at the 11th hour, having averaged 2.6 tackles per game in the Primeira Liga this season.

The 20-year-old isn’t out of contract at his current club until the summer of 2026 but he would be seen as a long-term addition, adding much-needed youthful exuberance in the middle of the park.