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Aston Villa’s Ollie Watkins features on Tottenham Hotspur’s list of transfer targets, according to Spanish outlet Fichajes.

The lowdown

Villa paid what was a club-record fee of £28million to sign Watkins from Brentford in September 2020 (via BBC Sport).

He’s gone on to score 16 goals in his first 44 appearances for Dean Smith’s side (via Transfermarkt).

Match of the Day pundit Alan Shearer, who knows a thing or two about sticking the ball in the back of the net, has described the Englishman as ‘magnificent’.

He still has four years left on the £75,000-per-week contract he signed upon his arrival in the Midlands.

The latest

Spurs are said to be in the process of a devising a ‘template’ to turn the team into title contenders from next season.

They see a need for reinforcements at the top end of the pitch, either as support or a replacement for Harry Kane.

Watkins is on their ‘list of options’ because his profile ‘fits perfectly with the sporting plan that the team has’.

Villa, though, are described as ‘a complicated club to negotiate with’ and will demand a hefty fee.

The verdict

Watkins is a 25-year-old, excellent all-round striker with multiple years to run on his deal. Villa should be slapping a price-tag of more than £50million on his head.

It’s also worth noting that he probably wouldn’t view Spurs as much of an upgrade right now. After a run of three straight defeats, they look in a bad way, while there’s a sense of an upward trajectory at Villa Park.

In other news, this three-word message saw Villa fans erupt. 

A number of West Brom supporters are excited about the prospect of striker Daryl Dike potentially joining the Baggies this summer.

Valerien Ismael got his West Brom reign underway on Friday night, watching his side draw 2-2 away to Bournemouth in an entertaining Championship encounter.

The Baggies are already one of the favourites to be promoted to the Premier League this season, but that doesn’t mean new signings aren’t required to further enhance the squad.

According to the Express & Star, West Brom are eyeing up a move for American attacker Dike, who currently plays for Orlando City.

The 21-year-old impressed hugely during a loan spell with Barnsley last season, scoring nine goals in 21 league appearances and helping the Tykes reach the Championship playoffs.

West Brom fans excited about potential Dike signing

News of West Brom’s rumoured interest in Dike has gone down well with these Baggies fans on Twitter, who provided their positive thoughts on the update.

“The more I see and read of this Daryl Dike, the more I’m impressed. Nine goals in 19 games for Barnsley, 2 player of the month awards in a 5-month loan spell, looks a right handful in the videos from last season. Get him in”

Credit: @danwba27891

“Daryl Dike looks like exactly the player we need. Power, strength, decent in the air and with a good touch. Yes please”

Credit: @uber_foods

“Sounds like Dike is feasible if we could get him in that would be ideal and then we really do need to look into midfielders”

Credit: @_Simonian

“Dike. One in 2 for Barnsley. Knows the system. Very little time for him to get up to speed. No brainer”

Credit: @JWba1996

“We won’t lose a game this year if we sign Dike”

Credit: @FreddyG1011

“Dike is a better signing for WBA than Delap for numerous reasons; 1) experienced at this level already. 2) knows the current manager and how he works. 3) we can get a long-term recruit. Loan to buy. Which isn’t an option with Delap”

Credit: @beechyboy90

In other news, a pundit has given an update on the future of one West Brom player. Find out who it is here.

Aston Villa’s owners Nassef Sawiris and Wes Edens (NSWE) have promised new manager Steven Gerrard a huge January transfer budget, according to The Daily Record.

As to be expected, a number of Villa fans have been reacting to the news on social media.

Villa confirmed on Thursday morning that Gerrard has made the move to the Midlands, four days after the club parted company with Dean Smith.

Before the 41-year-old was officially appointed, The Daily Record shared a story claiming that Gerrard was set to become the best-paid manager in Villa’s history.

The report went on to add that Sawiris and Edens have guaranteed the new manager funds for the winter window despite the fact that Villa have spent more than £324m in the past two-and-a-half seasons following their return to the Premier League.

Villa fans react

@villareport shared the claims regarding Gerrard becoming the highest-paid Villa boss along with the January transfer kitty.

Here is what these Villa supporters had to say in reply, with many excited about NSWE’s budgetary promise.

“We are absolutely massive”

Credit: @tom_av1

“So excited to see who Gerrard brings in…”

Credit: @LordMillman29

“January window will be an exciting one.”

Credit: @LennanTomlins

“NEWCASTLE WHO???!!!!! STEP OUTSIDE”

Credit: @WazeUTV

“what a club”

Credit: @catrinavfc

“yessss”

Credit: @SadAVFC

“HERE COMES THE MONEY”

Credit: @avbiIly

In other news: Many Villa fans go wild over one man Gerrard could bring to Villa Park

While Wolverhampton Wanderers very much appear to be a side on the up under the leadership of Bruno Lage, having picked up 13 points from a possible 18 over their last six Premier League fixtures, there are nevertheless a number of issues facing the 45-year-old manager that will be causing him something of a headache.

One such problem is at centre-back, with the Portuguese boss currently only having Conor Coady, Willy Boly, Romain Saiss and Max Kilman available for selection to fill out his three-man defence, with summer signing Yerson Mosquera ruled out until 2022 due to a hamstring injury.

And, with both Boly and Saiss looking likely to miss a number of Wolves’ fixtures in January as a result of their potential participation in the Africa Cup of Nations, Lage is facing the very real possibility of having only two centre-backs available during one of the busiest periods of the Premier League season.

However, in an apparent attempt to soften this blow, it was recently reported that the 45-year-old is considering the option of bringing one of the club’s brightest defensive talents back to Molineux in the winter market, in the shape of Dion Sanderson.

And, considering the sheer amount of potential the 21-year-old quite clearly possesses, this would indeed appear to be a very wise move for Lage to make.

Sanderson could save Wolves millions

Having highly impressed during a loan spell with League One side Sunderland last season, with the centre-back picking up the club’s Supporters Young Player of the Year award, Sanderson was subsequently awarded a new four-year contract at Wolves upon his return to the club this summer, before once again being sent out on loan for the 2021/22 campaign – this time to Birmingham City.

And, over his eight Championship appearances for Lee Bowyer’s side, predominantly playing on the right of a back-three, the £135k-rated man has once again turned heads, helping the Blues keep three clean sheets, as well as making an average of 1.5 interceptions, 1.3 tackles, 4.5 clearances and winning 4.1 duels per game.

Not only have these returns seen the youngster average a SofaScore match rating of 6.84, ranking him as Birmingham’s joint 10th-best performer in the league, they have also drawn the 21-year-old a considerable amount of praise, none less so than from his current manager.

Speaking about Sanderson’s potential, Bowyer said: “He is a young lad, and he will improve. He needs to improve on certain things which is why he is here. He is another good lad and wants to improve as a player. He will go as far as he wants to go.”

The centre-back has also been the recipient of kind words from former Sunderland centre-forward Stephen Elliot, who said: “Dion Sanderson has a huge future in the game. [He’s the] best on loan player I’ve seen at [Sunderland] since Johnny Evans. Wise beyond his years on the pitch.”

As such, considering his ability, his suitability to Wolves’ system and Lage’s chronic shortage of options at the back, to say it would be a no brainer for the 45-year-old to recall Sanderson this winter would be something of an understatement.

It is clear for all to see that the defender is more than ready to make the step up to Premier League football, as well as bringing the added bonus of saving Fosun millions of pounds in January transfer fees.

In other news: Lage drops exciting January transfer claim which is sure to have Wolves fans buzzing

Aston Villa boss Dean Smith could sign his club’s new Tony Daley in Bayer Leverkusen flier Leon Bailey.

What’s the story?

Reports in recent days have suggested that the Jamaica international is now very much a target for the Midlands club as they look to strengthen their attacking options ahead of the new Premier League season.

The Birmingham Mail’s Ashley Preece claimed that with Villa having moved on from their pursuit of Arsenal’s Emile Smith Rowe, Bailey is firmly on the club’s radar now.

Villa’s new Daley

The Jamaican winger enjoyed a superb campaign in the Bundesliga last season – he scored 15 times and provided another 11 assists, which when compared to Villa’s current squad favours very well (only Ollie Watkins scored more with 16, and only Jack Grealish set up more with 12).

The £43m-rated Bailey can play on either flank, and what really makes him a true successor to Daley is his speed and incredible dribbling.

Ajax’s former youth coach, Ronald de Boer, once said of Bailey: “He’s so fast it’s not normal. His speed, combined with his technique, is very rare. Exceptional. He has no weak points.”

And, after helping to bring him to the club, Leverkusen’s sporting director, Rudi Voller, added: “He’s got extraordinary pace, he’s very skilful with the ball, and he will give further impetus to our attacking department.”

That pace and trickery is what made Daley an absolute nightmare for opposition defences back in the mid 80s and 90s for Villa.

A profile done by The Birmingham Mail on some of the most exciting wingers in Villa’s history, said of him: “It was not just the tarantula-esque haircuts that frightened defenders. The eight legs of many a back four struggled to contend with Tony Daley.

“Injuries and inconsistency probably prevented the softly-spoken Brummie from becoming a true turbo-boosted claret and blue legend. But the wing wonder certainly provided entertainment for the Villa Park faithful, down both flanks, between his debut in 1985 and his departure in 1994.

“The pick of Daley’s 38 goals in 298 appearances for his boyhood club was arguably his scorching solo effort in a 2-0 home win over Luton in March 1990, when he span sharply near the half-way line and darted past the Hatters defence, before scoring from an impossible angle.”

That “turbo-boost” and ability to beat players for fun and then deliver a vicious strike at goal is everything that Bailey brings to the table, and exactly why Smith could deliver a throwback to Villa’s past by landing the Jamaican this summer.

Meanwhile, this Aston Villa target now has his heart set on Villa Park…

A major update has emerged on Jacob Murphy and it could lead to a transfer masterclass from Southampton CEO Martin Semmens.

What’s the talk?

According to The Sun, the Saints are among a number of clubs interested in a deal to sign the 26-year-old from Newcastle this summer. The report claims that Leeds, Burnley, Galatasaray, Porto and Bayer Leverkusen are also keen on the former Norwich man.

Murphy is out of contract at the end of next season and could soon be available on a free transfer if he opts against signing an extension at Newcastle. Steve Bruce is said to be keen to keep him at the club and Newcastle are working hard to tie him down to a new deal amid interest from elsewhere.

Back in October 2020, Bruce praised the “matured” 26-year-old, highlighting his physical development in recent years. He told the Shropshire Star: “I never contemplated it (a loan move) from the first week he was back. He was a different player. Certainly physically he’s come back in really good condition.

“We all know he’s a good athlete and he certainly looks like he’s matured. He had been practicing free-kicks on Thursday in training and I was thinking ‘let’s see if he can do it again’.”

Semmens masterstroke

Southampton CEO Semmens could be about to pull off a masterstroke if he can land Murphy.

The Daily Mail reported earlier this week that Saints boss Ralph Hasenhuttl wants to sign a right-back to challenge Kyle Walker-Peters this summer and Murphy could be the perfect addition to the squad to fill that role. He is capable of playing at right-back as well as on the wing and could be a cheap, versatile option for Southampton to bring in.

Interestingly, he posted better statistics in the Premier League at right-back for Newcastle than Walker-Peters did for the Saints. Murphy averaged an impressive WhoScored rating of 6.9 in 13 starts in that role, scoring twice and setting up another goal. Walker-Peters averaged a slightly lower score of 6.84 in 30 starts, failing to score a goal but setting up two for his team-mates.

This suggests that Murphy is on a par with Walker-Peters, if not slightly better, and could provide him with some excellent competition next season.

The two could battle it out for the starting spot at right-back in Hasenhuttl’s team and help each other raise their game in the process. Competition for places is important to avoid complacency and Murphy could keep the Saints full-back on his toes if he arrives at St Mary’s.

The £25,000-per-week dynamo can also play on the wing and he hit 17 Championship goals across two separate campaigns for Sheffield Wednesday and Norwich whilst playing in a forward position. This means that Hasenhuttl could also utilise him in a more advanced position if he is unable to break into the team at right-back.

Murphy could be a superb signing for Southampton and Semmens could pull off a masterstroke by bringing him in.

AND in other news, Semmens masterclass: News emerges on “unfortunate” £10m flop, Saints fans will love it…

The dying embers of a summer transfer window are always carnage and for Wolverhampton Wanderers, they will find that out in the coming days.

The Old Gold still have a number of deals to complete before the market slams shut next Tuesday.

What’s the word?

Wolves are interested in signing a plethora of players before the deadline with a central defender topping their list.

Sven Botman, Duje Caleta-Car and Tosin Adarabioyo have all been linked for instance.

Also at the height of their agenda will be keeping Ruben Neves at the club. The midfielder has been linked with the exit door for the vast majority of the summer but Bruno Lage now anticipates him to stay.

However, they may have to fight off late interest from Juventus. That’s according to Gazzetta dello Sport who suggest they want to do a swap deal involving Aaron Ramsey.

Should they do it?

If Wolves swapped an injury-prone 30-year-old for a midfielder who is still yet to reach his prime then questions would have to be asked of Jeff Shi and co.

That being said, there would be worse deals the Old Gold could negotiate this summer.

After all, Ramsey seems to fit the bill when it comes to replacing Joao Moutinho in the Wolves ranks.

The Portuguese maestro is now 34 and past his best but he gave us a timely reminder of his immense qualities when the Molineux outfit dispatched Nottingham Forest 4-0 in midweek.

Though, he has already been tipped to start winding down his football with Tim Spiers suggesting last term that it would be his last as a regular in the side.

As such, luring Ramsey to the club does make a degree of sense. Capped 67 times by Wales, the former Arsenal man has Premier League experience in abundance and has been described as “outstanding” by Martin Keown.

He also offers similar qualities to Moutinho. Despite having more energy in his younger legs, the Welshman offers creativity in the final third but a protective screening in front of the back four.

Famed for scoring 16 goals in a single campaign when Arsenal ended their trophy drought, it was in Arsene Wenger’s final season that he became more disciplined in the middle of the park.

During the 2017/18 campaign, he won 1.5 tackles per game in the top-flight and 2.2 tackles per match in European competition.

Compare that to Moutinho and the similarities are clear. He was successful with 2.3 challenges per game in the Premier League last term.

With Moutinho ageing and Ramsey having plenty of experience in his locker, he wouldn’t be the worst signing. They would, however, be mad to swap him for Neves.

AND in other news, Lage could complete Wolves’ summer business by signing “electric” £36m-rated dynamo…

Barcelona are reportedly keen on signing Aymeric Laporte on loan from Manchester City this summer – but it would be a huge mistake by Pep Guardiola to let him go.

What’s the word?

According to Spanish news outlet Sport (via Sport Witness), the centre-back wants to leave the Etihad Stadium this summer after a lack of first team opportunities last season, and despite the current financial issues at the Catalan club, Barcelona has been touted as a potential option.

The Nou Camp outfit are currently in a huge amount of debt, which has cast doubt over their ability to register new signings, whilst they also had to release club legend Lionel Messi after failing to agree a new deal with the Argentine icon.

Could Laporte sign for Barcelona?

Therefore, it seems difficult to see why Laporte would want to switch Manchester for Barcelona this summer, even if it meant guaranteed first team football.

[snack-amp-story url=”https://www.footballfancast.com/web-stories/read-the-latest-manchester-city-transfer-rumours-and-news” title=”Read the latest Manchester City transfer rumours and news!”]

It would also be difficult to see why Manchester City would let him leave on loan, for although Ruben Dias and John Stones solidified their positions as the first-choice centre-backs last season, Laporte is still an immensely talented player and is very much appreciated by Guardiola.

Due to the Englishman’s lack of fitness, the Spain international started next to Dias for City’s 5-0 thrashing of Norwich City last weekend, scoring a goal and producing a near-perfect display which led Guardiola to sing his praises after the game, dubbing him the best left-footed centre-back in the world.

It is not the first time the City manager has made that claim, as he also suggested it in January 2020 whilst hailing the “incredible” impact the 27-year-old has made at the club, so it seems very unlikely that he would want to let him leave, especially on loan.

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Given all the factors involved, it would be extraordinary if we saw Laporte join Barcelona on loan this summer, and it would be a huge mistake by Txiki Begiristain if he lets a player of such quality leave the Etihad.

In other news… Offer made: Man City make approach for “very strong” starlet

Everton came into their clash with Manchester City on the final day needing to win in order to present themselves with the best possible opportunity of qualifying for Europe.

It was always going to be an arduous task against the new Premier League champions but few would have predicted the mess the Toffees got themselves into.

They were 2-0 down after 14 minutes and it got even worse as time went on, with them eventually losing 5-0.

It was a wretched end to the campaign but it just about summed up the inconsistencies that have plagued both Carlo Ancelotti and his players.

They were absolutely taken to the cleaners by City at the Etihad on Sunday as Sergio Aguero ended his Premier League career in supreme style by scoring twice.

Everton were hopeless defensively, ruing a mistake from Michael Keane early on and then some uncommitted work from Mason Holgate in the second period.

He was turned inside out by Aguero who then fired home expertly for their fourth goal.

However, the centre-back wouldn’t have been embarrassed in that style if Tom Davies hadn’t been dispossessed with a poor piece of play.

The midfielder was particularly abject and the way he was bullied off the ball summed up his lightweight day at the office.

He was weak and feeble in the middle of the park, winning just one of his five defensive duels during the course of the match. That meant Davies lost a whopping 80% against a rampant Manchester City midfield.

[snack-amp-story url= “https://www.footballfancast.com/web-stories/read-the-latest-everton-transfer-news-lukaku-leao-bissouma-berge-antony” title=”Read the latest Everton transfer news!”]

The £32k-per-week Everton man won just a solitary tackle and was dribbled past on two separate occasions.

Davies has been inconsistent this season but this was arguably one his worst displays. Only Michael Keane (0%), lost a higher number of duels in the entire contest.

Ancelotti hasn’t selected a trio of midfielders in his starting XI very often this season but after the way they were brushed aside on Sunday, it’s unlikely he’ll try it again in 2021/22.

This was a horrendous end to the season for not only Davies, but everyone associated with the Merseyside outfit.

They will have to dust themselves off and go again next season. A few additions in the transfer market and they shouldn’t be far off the top six.

AND in other news, Brands must complete Everton swoop for £20m-rated “diamond”, he’s like a “Rolls-Royce”…

Eddie Howe enjoyed a fantastic January transfer window with Newcastle United as he brought in a number of quality additions to his side.

Kieran Trippier, Dan Burn, Matt Targett, Chris Wood and Bruno Guimaraes all came through the door and have played a part in the club’s sensational form since the turn of the year.

Since the 1st of January, Liverpool are the only team with more Premier League points than the Magpies and this highlights the phenomenal impact their work in the market has had on the team – along with Howe’s coaching on the training pitch.

With survival almost secured, as they sit 15 points clear of the drop with five games left, focus can start to turn to next season and what the head coach will want to do in the next window.

One player the club have already been linked with a swoop for is Lyon’s central midfielder Lucas Paqueta, as the Toon are reportedly set to battle Arsenal for his signature.

Imagine him & Bruno

PIF and Howe must ensure that they can get this deal over the line as they can seal a terrifying midfield duo by reuniting Paqueta and Bruno Guimaraes.

The pair have played together 47 times for Lyon and Brazil in their careers to date and this shows that they would already have a relationship on the pitch. They would not need time to adjust to each other’s style of play and would be able to instantly connect at the start of 2022/23, which will allow them to hit the ground running as a first-choice pairing for Howe.

Paqueta’s form in Ligue 1 this season suggests that he will be able to make a huge impact on the team. Talent scout Jacek Kulig went as far as to describe him as a “pure joy to watch” earlier this year and his statistics back that up as he has averaged a SofaScore rating of 7.12 in Ligue 1 – scoring eight goals and providing five assists from midfield.

Meanwhile, Magpies fans already know what a joy Guimaraes is to watch as he has been in fantastic form since arriving in England. He has averaged a sublime SofaScore rating of 7.16 in the Premier League as he has produced three goals and one assist in six starts for Howe.

Now, imagine both of them consistently turning in exciting, brilliant, displays in the middle of the park together as they score and assist goals! It is a mouth-watering prospect for the Toon faithful and a terrifying one for any opposition team…

AND in other news: Howe can unearth his own Ginola in Newcastle’s rarely-seen 19 y/o “bright talent”