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An update has emerged on PSG striker Mauro Icardi, regarding the chances of him signing for Newcastle in January…

What’s the talk?

According to Foot Mercato, the Argentine striker has been offered to the Magpies, along with Barcelona, Tottenham and Juventus as he attempts to leave the Ligue 1 outfit.

The report claims that he would like to find a ‘quieter’ club where he can be an important player for the side, rather than being a small fish in a big pond in France.

Complete Howe’s attack

The signing of Icardi could complete Howe’s attack by allowing him to deploy his favoured 4-4-2 formation. At the moment, the Magpies do not have two natural strikers who can effectively play alongside each other at the top end of the pitch, with Joelinton finding more success elsewhere and Allan Saint-Maximin at his best out wide.

Callum Wilson could find a dream partner in the Argentine striker, who has proven that he can score goals at the top level. In 296 games for Inter and PSG, he has scored a whopping 160 goals and provided 39 assists – showing his quality as a finisher.

Juventus and Italy centre-back Giorgio Chiellini lauded the Argentine in his autobiography, comparing him to French icon David Trezeguet. He said:

“Among the great attackers I have faced, I highly value Icardi, who inside the area is almost impossible to mark. Mauro against Juve has often scored, it hurt me.

“He’s a world-class centre-forward, even if he lacks something in the collective game, he’s a Trezeguet but with different characteristics, lethal in the aerial game but perfectible outside the surface.”

Trezeguet scored 34 goals in 71 caps for France and 171 goals in 320 games for Juventus during his playing days as a striker, which emphasises how highly Chiellini rates the Argentina international as he has been willing to compare him to such a legend of the Turin club.

This, along with his statistics for Inter and PSG, shows why the £31.5m-rated beast could be able to complete Howe’s attack at St. James’ Park.

Having a lethal finisher with a proven track record of scoring goals could take some of the pressure off Wilson and allow him to thrive, with defenders potentially offering him more space as they pay attention to Icardi. It would also leave Saint-Maximin and Joelinton to play out wide in midfield, with Ryan Fraser and Miguel Almiron also pushing to start.

Therefore, Howe must ensure that Newcastle are able to get a deal over the line for Icardi in January to bolster their striking options and complete his attack heading into the second half of the season.

AND in other news, Discussions underway: NUFC must land £100k-p/w beast compared to “Ballack” and “Gazza”…

According to Portuguese television broadcaster SIC Noticias TV, as relayed by O Jogo, Sport Witness and Goal Point, there has been a big transfer update out of Tottenham involving FC Porto forward Luis Diaz.

The Lowdown: Spurs eyeing frontmen…

As explained by reliable sources, Tottenham transfer chief Fabio Paratici and manager Antonio Conte have their eyes on new forward additions this January transfer window.

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Indeed, the likes of Fiorentina striker Dusan Vlahovic and Paris-Saint Germain star Mauro Icardi have been linked in recent months as well as more obscure names like Genk striker Paul Onuachu.

It is believed that a striker is among Conte’s priority signings for Spurs as he seeks an alternative to star frontman Harry Kane, with broadcast network SIC Noticias now sharing a big development in their hunt.

The Latest: Spurs table bid…

According to the Portuguese broadcaster, as relayed by O Jogo, Sport Witness and Goal Point, Tottenham have tabled a €60 million (£50.1m) offer to sign Porto star Diaz.

Indeed, this is apparently the only ‘formal offer’ they have received so far for their attacker, with the club swiftly rejecting Paratici’s advances.

If the Primeira Liga giants are to consider selling Diaz, it is claimed that it will take a bid closer to the player’s €80million (£66.8m) release clause to reach an agreement.

The Verdict: Big claim…

Diaz is turning heads all over Europe with his sensational form for Porto this season, attracting serious interest from the Premier League also as Liverpool are repeatedly linked.

It’s not hard to see why Tottenham have taken a serious interest either as they allegedly make an offer.

According to WhoScored, he’s outscored every Spurs player in terms of league strikes so far this season – finding the net 12 times for Porto whilst averaging an impressive 3.1 attempts per 90.

This is more than any Lilywhites man, including the likes of Harry Kane and Son Heung-min (WhoScored), with Diaz’s teammate, Sergio Oliveira, calling him ‘extraordinary’.

It’s little wonder the Colombian is a sought-after player, but it appears Tottenham will have to smash their transfer record if they wish to seal a sensational January move.

In other news: Tottenham ‘working strongly’ for ‘phenomenal signing’ as reporter drops Twitter claim, find out more here.

According to a recent report, Tottenham Hotspur are interested in the signing of VfB Stuttgart centre-forward, Sasa Kalajdzic, as a replacement for Spurs’ loanee striker, Carlos Vinicius, this summer.

The report by the Daily Mail claims that, upon the expiry of his season-long loan at Tottenham, Vinicius is set to make a return to Benfica, as Daniel Levy is unwilling to pay the £36 million option to buy clause in the 26-year-old’s contract.

As a result of Vinicius’ impending departure from north London, it is then claimed that Jose Mourinho is searching for replacements for the Brazilian, with Kalajdzic believed to be one of the 58-year-old’s targets.

Last month, a report by Kicker (via Sport Witness) claimed that West Ham United are also interested in the 6 foot 5 Stuttgart forward, for whom the Bundesliga side are thought to be demanding a fee of between €20-25 million (£17.4-21.75 million) to part with this summer.

Transfer Tavern Take

With Vinicius starting just three Premier League fixtures during his loan spell at Spurs so far, with the striker only managing one goal over his total of nine top-flight appearances, it is hardly surprising that the club are unwilling to pay a substantial amount of money for the Brazilian this summer.

And, with Kalajdzic having scored 14 goals and provided four assists over his 27 Bundesliga appearances for Stuttgart this season, as well as the fact the 23-year-old is reportedly available for much less than it would cost to sign Vinicius, it is easy to see why Tottenham may feel that the Austria international would be much better value for money.

In other news: ‘It may be’ – Spurs target drops huge hint on transfer; Mourinho fascinated by ‘remarkable’ star – find out more here!

Tottenham Hotspur could also sell an ‘important’ player who manager Antonio Conte ‘raves about’, according to journalist Alasdair Gold.

The Lowdown: Lilywhites exodus?

This upcoming Spurs transfer window looks set to be the most interesting one in quite some time.

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Lilywhites transfer chief Fabio Paratici and chairman Daniel Levy, tasked with backing Conte ahead of the 2022/2023 Premier League season, are reportedly going to sit down with the Italian as he eyes six major signings (The Telegraph).

However, amid their financial complications off the pitch, with club debt mounting to around £706 million, it is imperative that the club offload surplus players to balance the books and bolster Conte’s transfer kitty.

Their homegrown quota also presents a complication with reliable journalist Matt Law recently claiming that, if Spurs want to sign an overseas forward this summer, one of Steven Bergwijn or Lucas Moura may have to be offloaded.

The Latest: Gold backs possible Bergwijn exit…

Writing for football.london in the last 24 hours, another credible source in Tottenham correspondent Gold has now backed that Bergwijn could also leave north London amid consistent exit links surrounding other players.

This is despite the fact Conte ‘raves about’ his Dutch winger, even calling him an ‘important’ player, with Gold adding that Bergwijn is unlikely to want to stay for 22/23 amid his lack of minutes.

The Verdict: Stick or twist?

The Netherlands international has proven to be a useful option for Conte over this campaign.

His added time brace to clinch a dramatic 3-2 win at Leicester City in late January is evidence of the player’s impact and quality when given an opportunity, and could even be the moment that secures Champions League football come the end of the campaign.

Bergwijn’s versatility as an attacking outlet from the wide positions and further forward is another incentive for Spurs to keep hold of the former PSV Eindhoven star.

Despite his quality, though, a mooted move back to the Eredivisie with footballing giants Ajax could be too enticing to ignore – and if the 24-year-old pushes for a move – Spurs may well need to consider a sale depending on their possible offer.

In other news: Source: Tottenham edge closer to ‘top signing’, he really wants to join Conte! Find out more here.

Rangers took another huge step towards title glory with a comfortable 3-0 win against St Mirren at Ibrox on Saturday afternoon, with Steven Gerrard’s side superb once again to extend their unbeaten run.

Goals from Ryan Kent, Alfredo Morelos and Ianis Hagi secured the win for the Gers, who were rarely troubled by Jim Goodwin’s side.

The result means that, should Rangers’ Old Firm rivals drop points away at Dundee United on Sunday, Gerrard’s side will be crowned champions for the first time in 10 years.

Whilst there were plenty of standout performers at Ibrox, including Kent for his superb goal and overall display, Connor Goldson produced another near-perfect performance.

As per SofaScore, the former Brighton man earned an impressive 8.3 rating for his display, with only Kent earning higher and getting the man of the match award as he was rated 8.7/10 for his performance.

Goldson was superb from a defensive point of view, as he contributed three tackles, three interceptions, two clearances and one blocked shot during the 90 minutes, as per SofaScore.

For context, the centre-back has averaged 1.2 tackles, 1.1 interceptions, 2.9 clearances and 0.5 blocked shots per game in the Premiership this season, which emphasises that he really raised his game on Saturday to help bring Gerrard’s side one step closer.

It was not just his defending which was excellent on Saturday however, as he also completed 72 of his 80 passes during his time on the pitch, resulting in an impressive 90% pass accuracy – which again is an improvement on the 84.1% he has averaged in the Scottish top-flight so far this season.

One of those passes found Kent for the opening goal, as the 28-year-old earned his second assist of the campaign at Ibrox.

Goldson also won nine of his 13 duels during the game, resulting in a 70% success rate, whilst St Mirren striker Colin Quaner failed to win any of his aerial duels during the game, which demonstrates just how well the Rangers defence were able to shackle the Buddies target man.

Therefore, whilst Kent might have stolen the show for his goal, it was arguably Goldson who was the star performer at Ibrox for Gerrard’s side.

And, in other news… Rangers’ “big talent” is proving he can challenge in Gerrard’s side next season

Pundit Noel Whelan has suggested that Steve Bruce will be on the phone to Arsenal immediately to try and sign Joe Willock, following Alan Nixon’s £50 million war-chest update [Football Insider].

The Lowdown: Newcastle prepare for the 2021/22 Premier League season

As Newcastle United look to improve on their 12th placed Premier League finish last time out [BBC], Bruce hasn’t dipped his toes into the transfer market water just yet.

The Toon have been linked with moves for the likes of Kristoffer Ajer and Matt Grimes respectively [Shields Gazette], but Whelan reckons that the Magpies hierarchy will be focusing their attentions on an alternative reported target.

The Latest: Whelan tips Newcastle United to pull off stunning signing

Speaking in an interview with Football Insider, the former Leeds United striker indicated that the Toon will be pulling out all the stops to acquire Arsenal midfielder Joe Willock, after journalist Alan Nixon indicated the North East side would have around £50 million to spend this summer [Sportslens].

Discussing that claim, the pundit said: “If that’s accurate, that’s Bruce’s first phone call.

“They need fresh faces and hungry players. He’s definitely one of them. He’s shown that appetite to go out from Arsenal.

“He’s shown Arsenal what they are missing and showing Newcastle what they could have.

“He’s got energy, he can get goals, he’s always positive. But they need more than that.”

The Verdict: Willock would be a quality addition to the Newcastle United fold

Of course, Newcastle United fans already have a flavour of the 21-year-old’s quality after his major impact on loan at the club during 2020/21 [SB Nation].

Becoming a star man in his temporary stint, the midfielder notched an impressive eight goals from 14 fixtures for Bruce’s men [Transfermarkt].

Unbelievably, this goal barrage led him to finish as second-top goal-scorer for the Magpies behind only Callum Wilson [WhoScored]. Clearly supremely talented, he would be a coup for the club if they were to secure his services on a permanent deal.

Already reported to have been courted by Newcastle United who are ‘increasingly confident’ about acquiring him ahead of 2021/22 [Chronicle], the St James’ Park faithful will be desperate to get a deal done, just as Whelan suggests.

In other news, Newcastle United are interested in a Premier League defender.

Reports that Tottenham Hotspur right-back Serge Aurier will imminently return to Paris Saint-Germain are wide of the mark, according to Football London journalist Alasdair Gold, but the Lilywhites are plotting to replace him immediately if he departs.

The lowdown

Italian journalist Rudy Galetti claimed on Sunday night that Aurier ‘will be a new PSG player’ after Spurs received an offer of €20million.

Aurier is said to be keen to leave North London this summer, four years on from his arrival.

The Ivorian has played 110 games for the club, scoring eight times and providing 17 assists.

Jamie Carragher was scathing in his criticism of Aurier after Spurs were beaten in the Carabao Cup final, calling him ‘one of the biggest liabilities in Premier League football’ given his penchant for ‘crazy’ decisions.

The latest

While a switch to PSG is not thought to be on the immediate horizon, Aurier wants the move and Spurs won’t stand in his way if a suitable bid arrives, claims Gold.

The club would then ‘quickly put plans in motion’ to recruit a replacement full-back.

Aurier is one of the players who’s been told that he can move on, and his agent has been instructed to help arrange a move, but nothing is ready to go yet.

The verdict

This is nothing but sensible from Spurs. Aurier frankly isn’t a player they can rely on, and it seems his heart lies elsewhere anyway.

Equally, though, they will need to bring in a quality replacement, because Matt Doherty isn’t an inspiring alternative. It sounds like they’re ready to move on shortlisted targets, but selling Aurier first tells and club they want to shop at to drive the price up.

One of those targets may be Lille’s title-winner Zeki Celik, who would be a great addition. Spurs’ aim should be to raise enough funds through Aurier’s sale that they don’t need to eat into their existing budget to snap up the Turkey international.

In other news, Noel Whelan reacted to a potentially ‘desperate’ move from Spurs. 

West Ham United are increasingly confident that Angelo Ogbonna will return from injury shortly after the international break.

That’s according to Claret & Hugh, who claim that the Italian is expected to be available to David Moyes for next month’s clash with top-four rivals Leicester City or the following trip to Newcastle United.

Ogbonna has missed the Hammers’ last six Premier League games after sustaining a high ankle sprain in the FA Cup fifth-round defeat to Manchester United on February 9.

West Ham’s medical team and backroom staff have been pleased with the progress seen from Ogbonna in recent weeks, to believe he is now only one or two games from a return.

Moyes had confirmed that Ogbonna was closing in on a return to fitness ahead of last weekend’s 3-3 draw with Arsenal, but poured cold on an imminent appearance.

“We’ve got just about everybody the same [as against Manchester United],” Moyes said last Friday. “Pablo Fornals is improving, and, on the injury front, Angelo Ogbonna is closing in and getting much closer to fitness but he’s a wee bit away.”

West Ham’s increasing confidence in Ogbonna’s recovery will hand Moyes a huge boost coming out of the international break next week, with Pablo Fornals expected to be made available for the trip to Wolverhampton Wanderers on Monday, April 5th.

Fornals missed the Gunners’ visit to the London Stadium with a groin injury but should be included in the travelling squad at Molineux, along with Arthur Masuaku (knee) and Andriy Yarmolenko (knee), per Claret & Hugh.

Having the quartet all available should soon see the numbers in the Irons’ treatment room reduce drastically, with Ryan Fredericks (groin) the sole additional name Moyes mentioned when speaking to the media last week.

West Ham expecting Ogbonna to be passed fit to face Leicester on April 11th or Newcastle six days later may be a boost for Moyes, but it comes as a problem for Issa Diop.

The Frenchman has stood in for Ogbonna beside Craig Dawson in each Premier League game that the Italian has missed so far, in a reprieve after Moyes had only awarded Diop 117 minutes of top-flight action between mid-September and February.

Diop made himself the Hammers’ hero against Sheffield United on his return to action by producing a resolute showing at home to the Bramall Lane natives, yet his performances have dropped off in more recent weeks.

The £67,000-per-week centre-half was often indecisive against Manchester United and left West Ham woefully exposed midway through the second half when caught on the ball, allowing the Red Devils to break four-on-two.

He was not without fault in the draw with Arsenal last time out, either, as the Irons seemed to try to stand off after the break which invited the Gunners to attack.

“West Ham came and pressed them, they tried to win the ball high up and Arsenal just didn’t get it right,” Paul Merson wrote in his column for Sky Sports.

“For the players, as soon as the shackles are off and they have nothing to lose, they can play. But at the same time, I think West Ham helped with that because they sat back so deep, that they invited Arsenal onto them. And if you give them that much time and defend on the edge of your box, they will open you up by the end of the game.”

Diop’s positioning was a fault labelled at him toward the end of last season by football.london, as well, who claimed he had regressed to look shaky in possession, unsure where to stand and was ‘lucky’ to have Ogbonna beside him.

Another performance from Diop like those he produced against Arsenal and Man United could be all the evidence Moyes needs to bring Ogbonna back against Leicester, making next month’s trip to Wolves potentially Diop’s final chance to impress.

AND in other news, a West Ham ace who joined at the “perfect moment” has seen his market value of crash by £16.5m…

Former Leeds United defender Danny Mills believes the Whites should copy Liverpool and sign a proper left-back this summer, as they did with Andy Robertson.

The Lowdown: Alioski set to leave

Marcelo Bielsa will need to be on the lookout for a new left-back in the next transfer window, with Ezgjan Alioski almost certain to leave Elland Road.

The 28-year-old isn’t a natural in that position, however, filling in admirably but not always looking completely comfortably there.

Former Leeds midfielder James Milner played at left-back for Liverpool for a full season before Jurgen Klopp brought in Robertson from Hull City, making a huge difference to the Reds with his attacking prowess.

The Latest: Mills calls for established left-back to arrive

Speaking to Football Insider, Mills has called for Leeds to adopt the same approach, signing an out-and-out left-back who can help take the Whites up another level:

“He’s (Alioski) done incredibly well to fill in, I would say. He’s been fantastic for social media and he seems like a fantastic guy who’s done a very good job for Leeds.

“But if you’re looking to go to the next level…

“Go back to Liverpool, they tried it with James Milner, they tried it with other players at full-back and it didn’t work. They then get in Trent [Alexander-Arnold] and Robertson and they go to a whole new level. It’s their position, it’s what they are used to doing.

“Players can only fill in for so long before they get found out. If it’s not natural, against the better teams you start to get found out and that’s where it becomes a bit of an issue.”

[web_stories_embed url=”https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/web-stories/latest-leeds-united-news/” title=”Latest Leeds United news!” poster=”” width=”360″ height=”600″ align=”none”] The Verdict: Copy Liverpool’s approach

There is only so long that a player can thrive in an auxiliary role, and while Alioski has been a fantastic servant for Leeds, it would be nice to see a proper left-back come in at Elland Road.

Someone like Whites-linked Ajax defender Nicolas Tagliafico seems perfect, in that respect, possessing a wealth of experience at club and international level, winning 27 caps for Argentina and being valued at £22.5m by Transfermarkt.

Robertson showed the difference it can make, giving Liverpool more natural balance down the left flank, and a new signing in that role could do the same for Leeds.

In other news, a pundit has hinted at an attacking Leeds player leaving the club this summer. Find out who it is here.

Former Premier League striker Nigel Jemson believes there is some “friction” between Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane at Liverpool.

The pair have formed part of a fabled front three at Anfield, along with Roberto Firmino.

Salah has been with the club since 2017, when he joined from Roma, while Mane joined in 2016.

The pair have gone on to have unbelievable careers at Anfield; Salah has scored 126 goals in 205 games for the club, while Mane has netted 98 times in 220 games.

They both played key roles in Liverpool winning the Premier League last season, but Jemson believes that each player wants to be the key man on Merseyside under Jurgen Klopp.

Both remain vital members of Liverpool’s squad, and they both have a goal to their name already this season; Salah scored against Norwich City, while Mane netted against Burnley as the Reds won each game.

Jemson, who is a Liverpool fan, told Football FanCast exclusively: “Salah is bang on form again.

“If Mane and Salah play together, because sometimes you look at them and there’s a bit of friction there, I think, because he wants to be the main man, but if they can play together as a partnership, they’re as good as anybody in the Premier League.”