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Rafael Benitez should be lining up a new left-back when the summer transfer window opens in a few months time.

The Spaniard was desperate to bolster his options on the left flank back in January with Paul Dummett the only recognised left-sided defender at the club. After watching a move for Jordan Lukaku collapse, Newcastle eventually signed Antonio Barreca on loan from Monaco. However, recent reports from the Chronicle suggest the Italian was low on Benitez’s list of potential targets which makes a permanent move in the summer unlikely.

While Matt Ritchie has performed admirably at left wing-back, it’s clear the former Liverpool boss needs to sign a natural left defender in the summer. Staying in the Premier League will be crucial to Newcastle’s summer transfer plans. Benitez will be hoping the sale of the club is also concluded so transfer funds are made available.

One man the ex-Real Madrid manager should be keeping tabs on is Banfield wonderkid – Claudio Bravo. Valued at just £525k by Transfermarkt, the left-back has been one of the most consistent performers in the Argentina Primera Division this season after breaking into the first-team. Bravo has been ever-present during his 12 appearances this season, earning plenty of praise for his excellent showings.

First and foremost, the 21-year-old is an excellent defender who would add some much-needed stability to the Magpies’ back four. Remarkably, Bravo has averaged an incredible 5.9 tackles per game in Argentina – more than any other player in all of Europe’s top five leagues this season.

Despite his young age, Bravo also reads the game superbly, making 3.7 interceptions per game, again no player in Europe’s top five leagues has averaged more. Not only does the youngster excel defensively, he also loves to get forward to help out the attack, averaging an impressive 2.2 successful dribbles and 1.3 key passes per game (WhoScored).

Bravo has the potential to be special and could be Newcastle’s long-term solution to their left-back dilemma.

Newcastle fans, thoughts?

Manchester United are leading Everton and two other Premier League clubs in the race to sign Blackburn Rovers centre-back Ashley Phillips, according to Football Insider.

The Lowdown: Phillips profiled

Phillips is just 16 years of age and has been labelled as ‘phenomenal’ and ‘the future’ by Rovers boss Tony Mowbray.

Already standing at 6 foot 4, Phillips is an England Under-17 international and is under contract at Ewood Park until 2023.

He was recently included on the bench for Blackburn in an FA Cup defeat to Wigan Athletic, and it seems as if United officials are keeping a close eye on the teenager.

The Latest: Source shares update

As reported by Football Insider on Thursday evening, United are in pole position to sign Phillips ahead of Chelsea, Everton and Tottenham.

A recruitment source informed the site that United are desperate to win the race for Phillips as they see the defender as a star of the future.

It is no surprise to see the Toffees in the race too, with Frank Lampard no doubt keen to keep up his reputation of developing young English players.

The Verdict: Smart move

Although United failed to make a senior signing during the January transfer window, it is good to see that they are looking to bolster their academy ranks ahead of the summer.

The club were poised to sign young centre-back Josh Feeney back in the summer but were pipped by Aston Villa to his services.

United officials may well be fearing a repeat of that move when it comes to Phillips, especially with three other clubs keen and Everton no doubt desperate to add depth at centre-back given their injury crisis in that position.

Hopefully, the Red Devils can land the Blackburn man and develop him in the club’s academy over the coming years.

In other news: Man Utd may now launch move for ‘fantastic’ Pochettino favourite who’s just left Spurs. 

Having signed Hayao Kawabe earlier in the month, only for him to be loaned back out, followed by the arrival of Chiquinho who recently played in an U23s game, Wolves have not done much to fully strengthen Bruno Lage’s senior squad just yet.

With only a few days to go until the January transfer window closes, it seems as though the fans can forget about one reported target making his way to Molineux for the time being.

What’s the latest?

In a recent transfer report from the Birmingham Mail, journalist Alex Dicken had this to say about the possibility of Wolves signing Lille midfielder Renato Sanches, who has been previously linked with a move to Molineux.

“Wolves have added another winger to Lage’s squad in the form of Chiquinho, but the club are still light in defence and midfield.

“As mentioned above, a new centre-back signing before Monday is now unlikely, and there have been very few genuine links to midfielders other than Renato Sanches.

“The Sanches ship seems to have sailed, meaning Lage might have to muddle through with Ruben Neves, Joao Moutinho, Leander Dendoncker and rookie Bruno Jordao – although the latter could still be loaned out.”

Shi is heading for a big mistake

With 182 senior club appearances under his belt across all competitions, Sanches has had spells in his home country with Benfica, a short stint in the Premier League with Swansea City as well as time in Germany with Bayern Munich before joining Lille.

This highlights the experience the 24-year-old has while playing with some big clubs and having some knowledge of what it’s like to play in England’s top division, which shows why it would be disappointing, particularly for Lage to not have the Portuguese international in his squad for the remainder of the season.

While it may be enough for Wolves to see out the rest of the season with the trio of Neves, Moutinho and Dendoncker as their main senior central-midfielders if they avoid getting injured, thinking on a long-term basis, it could be a big mistake for Jeff Shi to not bring the former Swansea man in when the summer transfer window opens.

With Moutinho’s contract set to expire at the end of the current campaign and previous transfer rumours linking Neves with a move away from the club, bringing in Sanches as a fairly young but experienced midfield option should be at the top of Wolves’ priority list.

So, while the ship may have sailed this month to bring him to Molineux according to Dicken, Wolves should definitely do all they can to get him in the summer.

In other news: Talks on: Fabrizio Romano drops big Wolves transfer update, Lage surely sweating – opinion

Many Everton fans have been left fuming over some transfer news that has emerged on Allan.

As per Il Messaggero, Lazio are now interested in signing the central midfield player in the January transfer window, as he has been made available for loan.

It seems very strange that the Merseyside club would let him go in the middle of the season, especially on loan, given that he has been a mainstay in the team under Rafa Benitez.

Allan has been a key player for the Toffees this term, averaging the most tackles (2.8) per game in the Premier League out of his teammates, while he also ranks highly in terms of average dribbles (0.9) and passes (36.9), and has supplied two assists (WhoScored).

Nonetheless, it is no surprise to see so many Blues raging after they read the news, especially considering they may already be unhappy about the departure of Lucas Digne, who is expected to agree personal terms with Aston Villa today (Sky Sports).

Everton fans on Allan transfer news

These EFC supporters fumed as the transfer news was shared on Twitter, with one Evertonian even going as far as to claim that it is ‘bizarre’:

“You cannot be serious”

Credit: @_Alxstxir_

“We really are preparing for life in the Championship”

Credit: @O__Damn

“Really? Sounds bizarre to me”

Credit: @trueblue265

“This can’t be true surely?”

Credit: @Gwyn_HughesEFC

“Whaaaat? This is insane”

Credit: @andyat80

“Has to be a joke”

Credit: @danield9898

In other news, find out who Everton are now eyeing as James Rodriguez’s replacement here!

Jordan Campbell has now revealed the latest on a potential Glasgow Rangers exit for Jack Simpson.

The Lowdown: Simpson rumours

There have been rumours going around that the Ibrox faithful have accepted a bid from QPR for Simpson, while both Middlesbrough and Swansea City have also been linked with a move for the former Bournemouth man.

He is not getting much game time at all for the Gers, having only played in five matches across all competitions so far this season, so an exit on Transfer Deadline Day does look likely at this stage.

The Latest: Campbell update

As per The Athletic journalist Campbell, reports linking Simpson with a move to QPR are ‘untrue’, and while both Swansea and Middlesbrough have made enquiries over a potential loan deal, Rangers would prefer to sell him on a permanent transfer. Campbell revealed:

“Understand that reports Jack Simpson is heading to QPR are untrue. “Swansea and Middlesbrough among the teams to have enquired about a loan deal but it’s believed Rangers will only consider a permanent transfer.” The Verdict: Sell

If the Gers can negotiate a permanent exit for Simpson, then they must do at all costs. He is simply not playing enough and would not be a big loss to Giovanni van Bronckhorst and his squad.

When he has played, he has often been criticised by both journalists and fans alike, and in truth, his move to Scottish football has not quite worked out.

Thus, given that he is 25 years of age, they could still get a decent transfer fee for him should they be able to sell.

In other news, find out what contract update has RFC supporters buzzing here!

Wolves remain interested in signing towering Lille centre-back Sven Botman in the January transfer window, according to a fresh report.

The Lowdown: Botman a past Wolves target

Wanderers have been linked with the Dutchman in the recent past as Bruno Lage eyes up January and summer reinforcements. The 21-year-old may still be a very young player but he is already a hugely important figure for Lille, making 12 starts in Ligue 1 so far this season.

It looks as though Botman could still be on the move next month, though, with an encouraging update provided from a Wolves perspective.

The Latest: Interest in defender remains

According to Tuttomercatoweb, Wanderers and Roma are both interested in acquiring Botman’s signature and they continue to track the 21-year-old, with AC Milan and Newcastle also now joining the race for his services.

However, the Lille defender’s current deal with the reigning French champions doesn’t expire until the summer of 2025, so a hefty free may be required to prise him away.

The Verdict: Fantastic potential signing

While centre-backs Max Kilman, Conor Coady and Romain Saiss have all impressed for Wolves this season, the opportunity to sign Botman should not be dismissed. The monstrous defender has averaged 2.3 successful headers and 4.6 clearances per game in the league in 2021/22, with only Saiss (2.6) averaging more aerial duels won among those in Lage’s squad.

The Moroccan is also the only Wanderers player to outdo Botman in terms of clearances (5.2), highlighting how good a signing the Dutchman could be in making competition for places even stronger at Molineux.

In other news, some Wolves fans have fumed over a transfer update. Read more here.

Everton could repeat their Romelu Lukaku trick over the upcoming January transfer window by reviving their interest in Manchester United forward Jesse Lingard.

What’s the story?

The 28-year-old was first linked with a move to Goodison Park back in October after rejecting the offer of a new contract due to his lack of game time under former United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.

And now, according to the Daily Mail, Lingard is set to exit his boyhood on loan over the winter window before departing on a permanent basis in the summer when he becomes a free agent.

The report states that: “Jesse Lingard wants to leave Manchester United in January after abandoning contract talks with the club.

“Lingard would prefer to go out on loan again in January – having enjoyed a successful spell at West Ham in the second half of last season – and then end a 22-year association with United when his contract runs out at the end of June.”

Benitez needs him

If Everton can secure Lingard’s services on loan over the coming months and then snap him up on a permanent basis in the summer, the scenario would draw several parallels to Lukaku’s path many years ago.

The Belgium international joined the Toffees on a 12-month deal from Chelsea back in 2013, going on to bag 16 goals and lay on a further eight assists in 35 appearances, prompting the hierarchy to splash out £28m on the striker at the end of the campaign.

With Rafa Benitez’s charges currently without a win in five Premier League fixtures, the 61-year-old tactician needs to pull off a similar deal this time around.

According to the Liverpool ECHO, Everton are understood to be looking for two new additions particularly in January, with a winger and a box-to-box midfielder at the top of their wishlist.

Last season, Lingard was labelled “exceptional” by West Ham United manager David Moyes after he played a pivotal part in the Hammers sealing Europa League qualification, having delivered nine goals and five assists across 16 outings.

Therefore, Benitez would hugely benefit from Lingard’s arrival at the halfway stage of the campaign, and the opportunity to then secure his services long-term in the summer makes the English playmaker an extremely enticing option.

The attacking midfielder would have to go some distance to live up to Lukaku’s record at Goodison but he showed last season just how useful he can be in the offensive areas of play.

And, in other news…Huge blow: Everton suffer big injury setback, Benitez will be gutted 

According to Portuguese newspaper A Bola, via Sport Witness, some major Man City transfer news has emerged involving Sporting Lisbon star Matheus Nunes.

The Lowdown: Guardiola blown away…

After Pep Guardiola’s side hammered Sporting 5-0 away in the first leg of their Round of 16 Champions League Round tie, one opposition player who seemingly blew away City’s boss was in fact Nunes.

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Speaking to media afterwards, the Sky Blues head coach lavished praise on Sporting’s in-demand midfielder, even going on to claim he is ‘one of the best players in the world today’.

Guardiola’s rave review of the 23-year-old has prompted links to signing him in the summer window with A Bola (via SW) now sharing a promising transfer development out of Eastlands.

The Latest: Man City hold discussions…

According to their sources, City chiefs have apparently held ‘informal’ discussions with Sporting over a transfer for Nunes.

In perhaps the most exciting part of this story, the player himself is very keen on moving to Manchester, with there even being suggestions he ‘dreams’ of signing for Guardiola.

It’s also pointed that both Sporting and City’s ‘privileged relationship’ could boost them further in an attempt to land Nunes.

The Verdict: Make a move?

The Premier League champions already have a wealth of talent at their disposal in midfield, but given they could sign him for just €40 million (£33m), it appears there is little financial risk for City.

Called ‘unbelievable’ by former teammate Goncalo Santos, the player’s WhoScored stats point to someone who could actually be of use in Guardiola’s unique false-nine system.

A superb ball-carrier, Nunes completes more dribbles per 90 on average domestically than any City star has in the Premier League – backing why they’re allegedly interested.

Given his quality and fairly cheap potential sum, the Sky Blues should at the very least consider a transfer this summer.

In other news: Man City officials sent to club as Pep now eyes ‘absolute beast’ alongside Haaland! Find out more here.

Napoli have been offered the chance to sign Tottenham midfielder Tanguy Ndombele, according to Calciomercato.com.

The Lowdown: On-air Sky Sports claim

Sky Sports recently provided an on-air update regarding Tottenham’s club-record signing.

They suggested that Ndombele would ‘consider’ a move elsewhere during the January transfer window, however, they described a possible exit as ‘complex’ due to his contract situation.

Italian and Spanish clubs have held talks regarding a swoop for the 25-year-old, and it seems as if Fabio Paratici has now offered Ndombele, who Jose Mourinho labelled as ‘magnificent’, to a specific Serie A side.

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The Latest: Napoli link

Calciomercato.com shared a story on Thursday lunchtime, revealing Ndombele isn’t part of Antonio Conte’s plans.

As a result, Spurs have offered the Frenchman’s services to Napoli, however, Ndombele’s salary is ‘definitely’ out of reach for the Serie A side.

The Verdict: Sell

Ndombele was open to an exit over the summer, and his view seemingly hasn’t changed in 2022, so Paratici should be looking to sell over the coming weeks.

The central midfielder has started just ten games in all competitions this season, with just one of those coming under Conte in the Premier League.

He’s picking up a whopping £200,000-a-week in north London – the joint-most at the club – and hasn’t been a key player under Conte, and if the Italian is willing to sell, that’s what should happen before the month is out.

In other news: Alasdair Gold drops ‘positive update’ as Tottenham close in on first piece of major Jan business.

Benfica are willing to allow Jota to complete a permanent move to Celtic in the January transfer window, according to A Bola, as relayed by Sport Witness.

The Lowdown: Sky Sports claim

Sky Sports shared plenty of Celtic-related transfer updates on Monday afternoon, with the Hoops targeting moves for Japanese trio Daizen Maeda, Reo Hatate and Yosuke Ideguchi.

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Within their report, they claimed that Ange Postecoglou’s side are expected to trigger the option-to-buy clause, which is worth around £6.5m, in Jota’s loan deal.

The 22-year-old, who has been called ‘explosive’ by Alan Hutton, is currently out injured with a hamstring issue and has been involved in 14 goals in 18 appearances in green and white.

The Latest: Jota latest

Sport Witness shared a snippet from A Bola’s Tuesday print edition, revealing that the former European Cup winners would be open to receiving the fee sooner than expected to help their financial situation.

His success at Celtic has come as a surprise to the Portuguese media, and it appears as if everything may soon be in place ahead of a permanent move in January.

The Verdict: Time to get the ball rolling…

With both clubs seemingly happy over finalising a New Year move, all that may be left to sort now is specific details with Jota. Celtic may well take advantage of the 22-year-old’s time on the injury table to get everything in order, such as specific details of his permanent Parkhead contract.

Doing that now would leave Michael Nicholson with one less thing to worry about in the January transfer window, which may allow him to focus on swoops for Maeda, Hatate and Ideguchi.

In other news: Sky Sports share more Celtic news with £20k-p/w colossus now ‘open’ to Parkhead exit