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Everton could be well on their way to making their third signing at the club, a signing that reunites Rafa Benitez with a familiar face whilst offloading a problem for the Spanish manager.

What’s the word?

Sky Sports have reported that Everton have made an offer to sign Newcastle midfielder Sean Longstaff this winter.

However, the Magpies are keen to hold onto the player, despite the 24-year-old being out of contract in the summer.

That said, according to Keith Downie, Lucas Digne could be used in the deal as a sweetener.

Everton manager, Benitez, worked with the Geordie midfielder when he was managing Newcastle United from 2016 until 2019 when his contract expired with the North East club.

Benitez would love him

Benitez had always been full of praise for Longstaff when he worked with him, hailing the player “humble” when talking about him during his time in the toon:

“He is somebody who will continue to get better because he listens to you and works hard. He’s very humble.”

“My understanding is that his family and the people around him are focused and will give him the right advice.”

The Spanish manager will be hoping the £23k-per-week gem is given the right advice to join Everton this January, with the deal rumoured to include left-back, Digne, who has been frozen out of the side after a training ground argument with the manager about tactics.

Longstaff has made 14 appearances for Newcastle with one goal and one assist this season so far, and just over a month ago, OptaJoe released a statistic on Twitter that the Magpies midfielder had applied the most pressure to his opposition in the Premier League.

Everton are not short of midfielders, so it will be interesting to see how Benitez will fit Longstaff into his line-up’s for Everton or who he will drop out to accommodate the new addition if he does make the move to Goodison Park this month.

Either way, he is certainly a player the Spaniard would love to be reunited with judging by his previous comments.

In other news: Rafa can axe Seamus Coleman after securing new signing

Antonio Conte has been dealt a further injury setback ahead of Tottenham Hotspur’s clash with NS Mura in the Europa Conference League this evening…

What’s the latest?

The Italian will be without three players after delivering a fresh update to reporters during his pre-game press conference over in Slovenia.

“[Dane] Scarlett in this moment is not available. During the international break he had a problem in his ankle and is not available. He’s injured in the same way like Cristian Romero and Giovani Lo Celso,” he revealed (via football.london).

But to make matters worse, it appears the injury to the Atalanta loanee is a lot worse than first feared, handing the 52-year-old a crushing long-term blow.

On Romero’s absence, he then added: “We are waiting for another scan. I think his injury is a bit serious and we have to wait. It’s an injury that is more serious that Lo Celso and Scarlett.”

So not only will Conte be without Romero for the foreseeable future but he is also without two players that would’ve most likely earned some minutes on the pitch in an encounter like this one in young striker Dane Scarlett and attacking midfielder. Lo Celso.

Devastating setback

This update will surely leave the Spurs boss absolutely gutted, if not slightly annoyed and frustrated by the international break because three members of his first-team squad are now on the treatment table.

And one of his key starters in Romero is now facing a serious stint out.

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Indeed, the Argentina international started both of Conte’s first two games in charge, making 12 starts across all competitions this term but now the manager is going to be light on options in defence – a big worry because of his three-at-the-back system.

The fact that Conte believes it is ‘more serious’ is a huge cause for concern right now.

Meanwhile, Lo Celso has found it hard to pick up regular minutes for the club this campaign but has featured regularly in Europe, starting four times when fit. He would have certainly been in line to lessen the burden on some of the usual starters, who will be feeling the effects of Conte’s fitness work in recent weeks.

Similarly, Scarlett is really the only alternative to Harry Kane upfront, so the England talisman may no longer be able to be rested with the teenager out injured, thus for all of the reasons mentioned above, it makes it a very frustrating and significant blow to Conte ahead of kick-off.

He’ll need to be a little wary with team selection as his side face a tough trip to Burnley on Sunday afternoon but with three players missing, that task isn’t going to be an easy one.

AND in other news, Conte could repeat Cesc Fabregas trick with “unplayable” Spurs dynamo…

Liverpool are interested in making a move for Barcelona and Netherlands midfielder Frenkie de Jong, according to reports in Spain.

The Lowdown: De Jong is a huge talent

The 24-year-old has stood out as possibly one of Europe’s most gifted young central midfielders in recent years, having emerged from Ajax’s youth system.

While Barca are struggling badly as a club, exiting the Champions League in midweek, De Jong has been a silver lining in the squad, starting 11 La Liga games this season and averaging a remarkable 91.7 pass completion rate in the competition.

Xavi has hailed De Jong as an ‘extraordinary’ player in the past but it could be that the Dutchman feels his future lies away from Barca if these reports are to be believed.

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The Latest: Liverpool linked with move

According to Sport [via Sport Witness], both Liverpool and Bayern Munich are eyeing up the midfielder, with the report stating that they are ‘crazy to sign him’.

There are concerns at Barca that De Jong isn’t happy and there are ‘important offers on the table’ for his services, even though it is not known whether the Reds have made a concrete bid.

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The Verdict: Magnificent summer signing

De Jong is an outstanding footballer and he could be the perfect summer addition at Liverpool next year, at a point where some fresh blood will be needed in the middle of the park.

The likes of James Milner, Jordan Henderson and Thiago are all in their 30s – Fabinho and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain are 28, too – so De Jong could be a brilliant young option to address the long-term future in the heart of Jurgen Klopp’s side.

Not only is he a class act on the ball, averaging 1.5 key passes and 2.4 dribbles per game, but also works hard off it, making 1.7 tackles per match – more than Thiago (1.6), Milner (1.5), Fabinho (1.4) and Henderson (1.1).

In other news, Liverpool are still believed to be monitoring a rumoured signing. Find out who it is here.

With Dean Smith the front runner to become the new Norwich City head coach, there are many questions on how he could develop the talent brewing at Carrow Road.

The Canaries are currently struggling to pick up points in the league, and after their first win away to Brentford, the board pulled the plug on head coach, Daniel Farke, after four seasons. The decision came after a number of poor performances, that has seen some popular players dropped from the team this season, including local talent, Todd Cantwell.

It isn’t completely clear why Cantwell has been dropped to the U23’s as of late, but there have been many rumours surrounding his removal from the first team.

Farke did briefly speak out about Cantwell’s absence after the 7-0 loss to Chelsea.

The German coach said: “The rules are clear for each player. You have to be physically and mentally prepared and show consistency in training and be available. The standards and the levels are the same for every player.”

Meanwhile, the young gem’s former coach Gary Cockaday noticed his ability from a young age, he told The Athletic: “He did things every week that were just special. It was God-given. No one taught it.”

Cantwell reportedly impressed a number of Premier League established clubs in his previous season in the top flight, and has often been the topic of transfer rumours to Arsenal, but nothing materialised, with Norwich not happy to sell for less than £30m.

The 23-year-old midfielder, was previously linked to Villa under Smith after Jack Grealish made his move to Manchester City in the Summer. Speculation suggested that the Villians were poised to make a move for the Norwich star, but after signing his teammate, Emiliano Buendia, for £38M, interest died off.

Dean Smith’s work at Aston Villa with their very own local talent, Grealish, is one of his most famous accomplishments. Guiding the Championship playing teenager into becoming a £100m Premier League player, who is now a household name and starter in the England and Manchester City team.

The £19.8m-rated dynamo displays similar capabilities and positioning attributes to the former Villa coaches prodigy, but has failed to reach his full potential under Farke.

The appointment of Smith at Norwich would surely be of huge advantage to Cantwell, who earns £25k-per-week, with the opportunity to work under a coach who clearly understands how to tap into the potential of a young attacking midfielder needing structure and guidance to elevate their performance and career.

The Canaries are yet to announce their new manager, but are expected to make a decision before the end of the international break.

AND in other news, ex-PL man now the front-runner for Norwich City job…

A concerning update has emerged regarding the possibility of a permanent move to Wolves for Hwang Hee-chan, with an attacking player needing to be sold for it to happen.

The Lowdown: Hwang impressing for Wolves

The 25-year-old joined Wanderers on loan from RB Leipzig during the summer transfer window in order to add depth to Bruno Lage’s squad. Hwang has made an instant impression at Molineux, scoring four Premier League goals and thriving in both a left-sided and central attacking role.

The South Korean has been linked with joining Wolves permanently but a fresh rumour has now emerged which could present an obstacle to such a move.

The Latest: Permanent move thrown into doubt

According to Football Insider, Wolves may need to sell one of their prized assets for ‘big money’ in order for the move to happen.

That could potentially apply to Adama Traore, who has been tipped to leave Molineux and linked with an exit, but either way, the club may not be able to fund it without outgoing business happening.

Wolves have the option to sign Hwang for £13m next summer as part of the loan arrangement but another club could swoop for him in January.

The Verdict: Tie him down, Wolves

Hwang has shown what a huge asset he can be for Wolves in the space of a few short months, so it makes complete sense to sign him permanently.

Furthermore, with Traore seemingly out of favour under Lage – his last start came against Leeds United on October 23 – his exit could help fund a permanent deal for the South Korea ace.

Hwang has already looked in sync with fellow Wolves forward Raul Jimenez, with Rio Ferdinand describing their combination as ‘beautiful’, and it would be good to see them continuing to flourish together beyond next summer. If selling someone like Traore is what it takes to get the Korean in permanently, so be it.

In other news, one rumoured Wolves target has hinted at a move to the Premier League. Find out who it is here.

Many Glasgow Rangers fans have been slamming the display of Alfredo Morelos in their game at home to Hearts in the Premiership this afternoon.

It was not the Colombia international’s best day as he was guilty of missing several decent chances to make the match more comfortable for Steven Gerrard’s men, after John Lundstram had given his team the lead late in the first half at Ibrox.

The striker was also guilty of giving the ball away far too cheaply and far too often throughout the match in an overall performance which would have disappointed his manager considering what Morelos can produce.

Nonetheless, he must now put this performance behind him and try to make amends in the Europa League in midweek.

Rangers fans on Morelos display

These Rangers fans slammed Morelos’ performance on Twitter, with one even going as far as to claim that he was ‘rotten’:

“Morelos looks miles off it. Again.”

Credit: @BMCRangersRants

“Not alone. Morelos has been rotten”

Credit: @Grove1969

“Announce the 2019/20 Morelos please”

Credit: @johnbucky81

“Get that Morelos off!!!!”

Credit: @RFC5572

“Hook Morelos. Please”

Credit: @FinlayV3

“If Morelos could finish game would be over”

Credit: @Dp1973Dp

In other news, find out what Michael Stewart comments have left these Gers fans raging

A frustrating update has emerged over mooted Tottenham Hotspur target Dusan Vlahovic this week which is sure to leave supporters gutted…

What’s the word?

The Serbian striker is expected to leave Fiorentina after rejecting a new contract extension which would have made him their highest-paid player ever, but it seems his price tag may be out of reach for many teams across Europe.

Italian journalist Enrico Camelio told Calciomercato.it TV: “To date, Fiorentina is asking for off-market figures.

“In addition to what we read, no team is actually on the player. La Viola want to sell him, even if not in January. Vlahovic’s representatives are very happy with this situation because they too are shooting high. The teams concerned all fled when they heard these figures. We are over 70m euros.”

Fans surely gutted

Spurs are in need of attacking reinforcements in 2022 as Harry Kane currently does not have a senior backup, and as we saw on Thursday night, it’s asking an awful lot to expect 17-year-old gem Dane Scarlett to step up and fill that void in the short-term.

Back in September, fellow Italian publication Calciomercato.com revealed that Vlahovic was Fabio Paratici’s number one priority heading into the winter transfer window.

That’s hardly a surprise as the 21-year-old forward scored 21 goals from 37 Serie A appearances last season and has continued that form into 2021/22 by finding the net six times across all competitions already, as per Transfermarkt.

At 6 foot 3, Vlahovic has earned comparisons to Zlatan Ibrahimovic and even been described as being ‘up there’ with Kylian Mbappe and Erling Haaland as one of the next young strikers to make their mark on Europe.

On that evidence alone, with his goalscoring record and touted potential, he’s a prospective signing who would have much of the Lilywhites faithful absolutely excited, but there seems very little chance that the club can afford a fee in the region of £60m – especially for a backup striker.

Also dubbed a “complete number nine” by Serie A expert Conor Clancy to This is Futbol, it seems as if the Spurs fanbase will be left a little gutted by this latest development.

Nuno Santo needs alternatives in attack as he is playing a risky game if Kane picks up an injury in the near future, but considering the financial factors involved in a potential swoop for the £45m-rated Fiorentina sensation, it doesn’t seem likely that Vlahovic is the answer.

AND in other news, £27m-rated “freak of a talent” facing fight to save Spurs career amid latest Nuno call…

Taking to Twitter, Fichajes reporter Ekrem Konur has made a interesting Tottenham Hotspur transfer claim involving Fiorentina striker Dusan Vlahovic.

The Lowdown: Vlahovic chased by Spurs…

Towards the end of the summer transfer window, reports indicated that La Viola’s star forward was very much a wanted man at Spurs.

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Indeed, talks were apparently held over a move for the Serbian powerhouse and there are claims that a bid was even made to bring him to north London by managing director Fabio Paratici.

Now, Konur has shared some news on Vlahovic in another update involving Tottenham.

The Latest: Konur drops interesting Spurs transfer claim…

Taking to his social media, the Fichajes journalist has made an interesting out-of-window claim with Spurs ‘preparing’ an offer to sign him.

The Turkish reporter says that the Lilywhites and Paratici are currently plotting an eight-figure bid of £30 million for Vlahovic despite some reports indicating he could cost over double that amount (Calciomercato.it).

It appears Spurs are planning to play low ball with the 21-year-old still yet to officially extend his stay with Fiorentina.

The Verdict: Certain rejection…

If Tottenham do submit an opening bid that low, we believe it is almost certain to get rejected considering how well he performed in Italy last year.

Vlahovic bagged 21 goals in Serie A alone over 2020/2021, with Italian football expert Conor Clancy calling him a ‘really exciting player’ when he spoke exclusively to The Transfer Tavern.

£30m is an optimistic first offer to say the very least for one of Europe’s hottest young strikers.

In other news: Spurs now want ‘outstanding’ 29 y/o who Pochettino wanted to make one of his highest earners, find out more here.

The previous summer transfer window saw Southampton sell striker Danny Ings to fellow Premier League club Aston Villa after the Englishman managed to score 46 goals in 100 appearances for the Saints.

Unsurprisingly, Southampton have been struggling in front of goal so far this season with just five goals scored in their opening seven Premier League games.

Although things aren’t looking too positive at Southampton at the moment, there is one player at the club that Hasenhuttl should consider giving a chance to play in the first team to help fix their attacking output.

16-year-old attacking-midfielder Kamari Doyle has been showing his talents in Southampton’s youth teams in recent weeks.

Back in August, Doyle made three appearances for Southampton’s U18 side in the U18 Premier League where he managed to score five goals and provide one assist with all five strikes incredibly coming in their 7-2 win over Birmingham City.

Since then, the teenager has been involved with Southampton’s U23 team, playing in numerous positions as a second striker, central-midfielder and a right-winger, which shows just how skilled he is at just 16-years-old.

In addition to this, the fact that Doyle was recently named in The Guardian’s Next Generation 2021 list of the 20 best young talents across the Premier League clubs, proves how impressive he has been in Southampton’s youth ranks and how big his future at the club could be.

Taking all of this into account, we feel that it could well be worth Hasenhuttl giving Doyle a chance to show what he can do in the Premier League with the rest of the senior team, even at such a young age.

With current Southampton midfielder James Ward-Prowse set to begin serving a three-match ban after the current international break following a red card during the club’s previous clash with Chelsea, it could open the door for Doyle to make his senior debut from the bench.

Looking further down the line, we feel that there’s every chance that Doyle could potentially replace Ward-Prowse and be Southampton’s next academy star to come through the ranks and impress. He has the goal-scoring prowess to do so which combines nicely with his tidy ability on the ball. Doyle’s versatility is also a trait that compares well with the club’s skipper.

In our view, whether Hasenhuttl chooses to give Doyle a shot in their upcoming Premier League matches, the Saints could really do with getting their first win of the season as soon as they can to move away from the relegation zone.

In other news: Ralph could solve Southampton’s JWP problem instantly after big injury boost – opinion

Celtic are no strangers to player departures, especially when it involves their star players.

You only need to cast your mind back a few weeks ago when the deadline closed with the Hoops losing three of their key men.

Odsonne Edouard, Kristoffer Ajer and Ryan Christie all headed to England as they became the latest in a long list of names to move south of the border after shining in Glasgow.

However, the Premier League and Championship isn’t the only league that’s come calling in recent years.

MLS has also become a home for a few of Celtic’s former players. Patryk Klimala joined New York Red Bulls in January, joining Lewis Morgan in the United States.

Morgan only featured on 31 occasions for the Hoops in a two-year spell after being signed by Brendan Rodgers from St Mirren.

The tricky winger scored two goals during his stay at Parkhead but never really saw his career take off.

However, at the age of 24, the Scot is showing what they’re missing and is staking a claim for a regular berth in Steve Clarke’s national side.

The USA is often seen as a retirement home for some of the greats of the game but that notion has changed in recent years with many clubs actually exploiting the MLS to prise young talent away.

Based on Morgan’s rise over the last two years, it wouldn’t be a surprise if we saw him back in the United Kingdom before too long.

He moved stateside in a deal worth just £360k but such were his good performances that he is now valued at £3.6m via Transfermarkt. That’s a meteoric elevation of 900% in transfer estimation.

But why has that happened? Well, the £6k-per-week earner has emerged as a key player at David Beckham’s team, Inter Miami.

Coached by Phil Neville, he won the club’s MVP for 2020 after finishing as their top scorer on five goals. He was also a creative marvel for the Herons.

Morgan featured in every match last term, topping the MLS charts for big chances created on 14. The forward was also second for total chances created (65) and expected assists (7.93).

What’s most appealing about the forward’s style of play is his ability to play with both feet. That quality was discussed by Miami themselves: “It’s also important to note a very unique trait in Morgan’s skill set as he’s ambidextrous, meaning that he’s able to hit the ball with both feet.

“It is common to find players who control and pass the ball, but it’s rare to witness a player who can take set-pieces and whip in crosses comfortably with both feet.”

Hailed by Rodgers as a “dynamic” player during his time at Parkhead, it’s evident Celtic let a vastly talented player slip through their ranks here.

How they could do with his chance creation right now.

AND in other news, Desmond could land dream McKay successor at Celtic in “respected” 58 y/o CEO…