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This article forms part of our The Ones That Got Away feature series, which is where Football Transfer Tavern take a look back at players linked with moves in the past, and see how they would have made an impact had they signed for the interested side.

Marco Silva has stated that Everton will be looking into possible January signings to mend his ailing backline after failing to land a centre-half in the summer (Liverpool Echo), and has since been linked with numerous options, such as Athletic Bilbao’s Unai Nunez (Daily Mail).

A move for Nunez could set the Toffees back as much as £30million and go toe-to-toe with Arsenal, with both sides said to be contemplating moves for the European U21 Championship winner.

The Toffees could have saved themselves from the situation they now face, though, as Silva’s side were said to be tracking Gianluca Mancini ahead of this summer’s Euro U21 Championship (Mirror), after being left impressed by the Italian’s efforts in the Serie A last season.

Mancini featured in 30 league games for Atalanta in 2018/19, as he stepped out of the shadows to cement a role for himself after a bit-part role in the previous campaign (WhoScored), and spark interest from Inter Milan and AS Roma.

Everton ultimately focused their attentions on trying to turn Kurt Zouma’s loan spell from Chelsea into a permanent arrangement (BBC), while Roma snatched Mancini in a deal worth up to £20.7m (Reuters) with the defender moving to the Italian capital on an initial season-long loan deal.

Mancini, capped thrice by Italy’s senior squad, has been a regular of the Rome line-up this season, with six league outings from a possible seven, only sitting out the visit of his former side Atalanta to the Stadio Olimpico in September.

Among his 499 minutes of Italian top-flight action this term, Mancini has penned a higher tackle success rate than he achieved last season, with only one of his eleven attempted tackles failing to snatch possession in his side’s favour.

He is also recording a career-high rate of 3.3 clearances per ninety minutes and 4.4 successful aerial duels from 5.9 battles in the current campaign, as his career continues on an upward trajectory.

Mancini made his Italy debut as a makeshift right-back in a Euro 2020 qualifier against Liechtenstein in March, and was fielded there again against Bosnia & Herzegovina in June, but earned his first outing for Roberto Mancini’s Gil Azzurri in his natural position on Tuesday night in a 5-0 win away to Liechtenstein.

If Mancini’s career continues to thrive in the manner it is, as Roma look to build on their current fifth-place standing in the Serie A, then Everton will rue not making advances to sign the 23-year-old in a deal worth around £20m when they had the chance.

Everton fans, would you have taken Mancini for £20.7m? Let us know in the comments below…

Some Tottenham Hotspur fans on Twitter have managed to find player to praise following their humiliating 7-2 defeat at home to Bayern Munich in the Champions League on Tuesday night – midfielder Tanguy Ndombele.

Spurs would have known they were in for a tough battle against the Bundesliga giants, and they looked to have a decent chance of taking at least a point from the encounter when they were trailing 2-1 at half-time.

In fact, club-record buy Ndombele had a decent chance to score a second for the hosts in the opening 45 minutes, although he wasn’t able to take it.

Watch Tottenham Hotspur Live Streams With StreamFootball.tv Below

We all know what happened next as the north London outfit completely collapsed, although the scoreline was only 4-2 when the Frenchman was replaced by Christian Eriksen in the 64th minute.

The 22-year-old certainly impressed from an attacking point of view especially in the first half, and he was successful with both of the dribbles he attempted during his time on the pitch, according to SofaScore.

Tottenham supporters seemed to be impressed with what they saw from the former Lyon man, with one individual describing him as the “only positive from last night”, and another saying “what a player”.

Here is just a selection of the Twitter reaction…

BBC Sport pundit Chris Sutton has slammed Miguel Almiron for his play-acting after the Paraguayan was shown a second yellow card for simulation while representing his country in a friendly with Serbia last week.

What’s he said?

Almiron was handed a role in midfield against Serbia by manager Eduardo Berizzo last Thursday, as Paraguay went in search of only their second win in any competition since before this summer’s Copa America.

Paraguay were held to two draws and two defeats at this summer’s competition, before being beaten by Japan and Jordan during the September international break.

Their run of results did not change against Serbia, either, and the 1-0 defeat was followed by a 1-1 draw with Slovakia on Sunday night – without Almiron in the squad.

Almiron was suspended for the friendly encounter with Slovakia after receiving two yellow cards against Serbia, the second of which came after referee Nejc Kajtazovic deemed the 25-year-old to have simulated contact 11 minutes after first showing the 22-cap ace a yellow card.

It was the second sending off of Almiron’s international career, and came in the fourth straight international game in which he has failed to score or assist a goal.

The Asuncion-born playmaker has not scored or assisted a goal in any of his 18 Newcastle outings to date, either, and former Blackburn Rovers striker Sutton has slated Almiron for his record and apparent diving.

Speaking on BBC 606 on Sunday, October 13, one-time England international Sutton said:

“Miguel Almiron has more dives than goals this season. He’s not scored. He goes top of the table [for dives]. You are better than that Almiron.

“What’s going on with players? What’s going on with [the] country? They’re not listening. You are better than that, Almiron! Let’s see goals, let’s see goals! Let’s not see dives! Let’s not see the simulation.”

Frustrations are well placed

Sutton’s frustrations with Almiron’s antics are very much well placed.

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Despite arriving at Newcastle mid-way through the 2018/19 campaign, Almiron ended the term ninth for key passes among the United squad with 13 and tenth for shots with 19, per data collected by WhoScored, but none led to a goal.

His story in Black and White has continued this season, as well, with Almiron yet to score or assist, while he ranks 11th for key passes among the squad and 18th for passing accuracy.

His diving, of course, has grabbed headlines and Sutton is right; he needs to hit the goal trail soon, or his play acting will continue to be the centre of attention.

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This article is part of Football FanCast’s In The Pipeline series, which takes a look at some of the most promising young talent either linked with clubs or emerging from their academies…

The developing Thorp Arch academy continues to provide Leeds with first-team players.

Leif Davis, initially signed from Morecambe before learning further with the Whites, has made two first-team appearances this season whilst other youngsters like Jamie Shackleton and Alfie McCalmont are also making great strides.

The latter earned his international debut for Northern Ireland last week which was a glowing indication of the promise he’s shown in the early weeks of the season for Leeds.

Marcelo Bielsa has been keen to hand opportunities to those coming through the academy and by January 2019, he’d handed out debuts to ten players below the age of 21.

Although it may be too soon to throw him into the first-team fold permanently, Nohan Kenneh is another name to keep an eye on over the next few years.

Like McCalmont, he was also in international action over the break, as were a host of young individuals residing within the Leeds ranks.

Featuring for England U17s, the defensive midfielder started as they defeated Poland and consequently won the Syrenka Cup.

He was brought off after 69 minutes but it was a promising display from the Young Three Lions who were victorious on penalties.

Success like that is sure to breed confidence for a 16-year-old and Leeds must build on moments like this.

After all, they may have been fortunate to keep Kenneh this summer.

Rather remarkably he was linked with Champions League giants PSG during the summer. A report from French outlet Soccer Link claimed they were trying to chase his signature on professional terms ahead of the Whites.

They were unsuccessful and Bielsa’s men were able to hold onto their academy product. If a huge European club has had prior interest then Leeds must produce him with a pathway to the first team to show him he can develop.

That could be difficult given the number of young midfielders in their ranks but it’s certainly better than losing one of their brightest prospects.

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Leeds saw a former Academy Player of the Year in Callum Nicell leave last week and they must avoid a repeat scenario.

Kenneh won a place on the bench versus Tadcaster Albion before showing his class in attacking situations with a superb effort for the U18s against Coventry.

If the teenager continues to make similar noises then he could become another young debutant to add to Bielsa’s collection.

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This article is part of Football FanCast’s In The Pipeline series, which takes a look at some of the most promising young talent either linked with clubs or emerging from their academies…

Dapo Mebude made his Rangers debut on the last day of the season against Kilmarnock in the 2-1 defeat, coming on for Daniel Candeais.

Now that the 18-year-old has tasted first-team football, what can fans expect in the future?

Well, if manager Steven Gerrard turns out to be right, supporters could be in for a treat.

Per Rangers TV via insidefutbol, he said: “I think he deserves that with his play for the 18s, the 19s, the reserves and what he’s shown in first-team training.

“Dapo’s got a bright future. He needs to keep working hard now and pushing and hopefully, that can be the first of many.”

Fellow academy graduate Ross McCrorie also believes that Mebude is the “one to watch” when asked by The Daily Record who he thinks will be next to make the step up.

He said: “Dapo Mebude is one to watch. He’s done well for the Scotland Under-17s, is very quick and has a few tricks. Dapo has a real chance if he keeps working hard.”

Mebude signed a new contract with the Ibrox club in December of 2018, committing his future to the club until 2021.

Their Head of Academy, Craig Mulholland, announced via the official Rangers website: “We are delighted to extend Dapo’s contract. He has made great progress in the last few years having been named in a first-team squad and playing up a year at international level”.

Mebude is a regular in the Scotland U19s with three goals in eight games and will be looking to make the step up over the next couple of seasons.

Watch Rangers Live Streams With StreamFootball.tv Below

As Mebude himself said in a recent interview with The Evening Times, he is well aware of the quality of the players in front of him. Indeed, Jermain Defoe and Alfredo Morelos are both ahead of him in Gerrard’s pecking order.

He said: “They are two top-class strikers and Jermain has done everything I would want to do.

“He has scored goals and played in the Premier League and done it all. Alfredo is showing what he can do and they are both class strikers that I can learn from.”

A loan move in January could be the best option in the immediate future to see how he copes with the physicality of senior football on a regular basis.

He has already played in the Challenge Cup, scoring in a 2-1 win over Berwick Rangers, but it remains to be seen if he can hit the back of the net on a consistent basis for the first-team.

According to Sky Sports, Liverpool defender Virgil van Dijk is a doubt for tomorrow’s Premier League clash with Leicester at Anfield. 

This is perhaps the worst possible news that The Reds could have been dealt this season, as the Dutchman has been truly monumental for Jürgen Klopp’s men.

With Dejan Lovren and Trent Alexander-Arnold expected to be out, James Milner serving a ban and Joe Gomez completely ruled out, Liverpool look to be extremely stretched for the visit from The Foxes.

Claude Puel’s men do not promise to be the stiffest competition for The Reds, but that just heaps more pressure on them to get a result- anything less and it’s a major slip-up in their title race. What will probably be more concerning for Klopp is that his team travel to West Ham next Monday.

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The Hammers have been largely erratic this season, but can boast that they have beaten Arsenal and Man United, as well as drawing with Chelsea at the London Stadium this term. It is certainly not a walkover in east London for any visiting side. With the returning Marko Arnautović, they will be a handful for anyone at the moment.

That is why Liverpool fans and players alike will be desperate that van Dijk makes a return for Monday, as, in truth, they must earn six points out of six over the coming week. With a slender four-point margin ahead of second-place Man City, any slip-up could prove to be vital come the end of the spring.

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This article is part of Football FanCast’s Transfer Focus series, which provides opinion and analysis on recent transfer news…

Real Madrid are reportedly interested in signing Virgil van Dijk, according to Italian journalist Nicolo Schira.

What’s the word?

Rumours were sparked over the weekend that the Reds had agreed terms of a new six-year contract for the defender.

Those claims have since been dismissed by Liverpool Echo journalist Paul Gorst, but it has been suggested that the Spanish giants have taken an interest in the Netherlands skipper.

Los Blancos would likely be able to provide van Dijk with an improvement on his current weekly wage, which is reportedly £125,000 a week, but despite that it is thought that he has no interest in leaving Liverpool.

Since arriving at Anfield his performances have proven him to be not only one of the best defenders in the world, but one of the best players – with a Champions League medal and the award for UEFA Men’s Player of the Year to boast of.

Added to that, he still has four years remaining on his current deal and with Liverpool edging closer towards their first Premier League title, it is likely a project he wants to remain a part of.

Liverpool legacy

It is not often that Liverpool have one of the best players in the world amongst their ranks. Michael Owen was the last when he won the Ballon d’Or in 2001, and therefore van Dijk has the potential to create a long-lasting impact on the club.

In the 18 months since he joined he has helped to turn around a defence which shipped 42 goals in 2016/17, leading the team to Champions League glory with his calming effect whilst dominating opposition strikers – ruthlessly quashing the threat posed by Harry Kane and Son Heung-Min in the final.

He also helped the Reds to their highest ever Premier League points total and therefore it would take an astronomical bid for Liverpool to even consider a sale.

The Dutchman could very well see out his current contract and given the position the club is in now, more trophies – including the Premier League – look a real possibility, and winning that would cement his place in Anfield folklore.

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An update has emerged on Sunderland’s pursuit of Preston North End gem Jordan Storey…

What’s the talk?

According to the Lancashire Evening Post, the Black Cats are one of three clubs to have enquired about a potential deal for the defender.

The report claims that Preston are yet to receive an acceptable offer for him as they want a prospective suitor to take on the majority of his wages as part of any potential loan.

Get it done

Lee Johnson must ensure that Sunderland win the race for Storey’s signature, as he could be an excellent addition to the squad.

He is a proven Championship performer and this suggests that he could thrive in League One, as he would be dropping down to a lower standard of football. In the second tier this season, he has averaged a SofaScore rating of 6.92, having achieved a score of 6.93 last term.

Storey has won 61% of his duels and made an impressive 3.4 tackles and interceptions per game in 17 matches this term.

In a recent Q&A with Yorkshire Live, Preston reporter George Hodgson outlined the centre-back’s standout attributes, saying: “When in charge at North End, Alex Neil described Storey as having all the raw tools to succeed. It’s always been about consistency with Storey and really putting his game together.

“He’s an athletic lad who likes to defend and does have the ability to bring the ball out from the back, when he’s at it. Storey is by no means soft but you do feel he is a player who needs to feel appreciated, otherwise his confidence can easily dip on the pitch.”

In League One this season, Tom Flanagan (7.12) is the only Sunderland centre-back who has averaged a higher SofaScore rating than Storey has in the Championship, which is a higher level. This suggests that the 24-year-old could come in and be an instant starter for Johnson’s side.

Therefore, the Black Cats must do everything in their power to bring the £3.1k-per-week gem to the Stadium of Light before the end of the month. He has shown that he can produce consistent displays in the second tier, and his strong performances could help the Wearsiders to push for promotion in the remainder of the campaign if he can improve their defence.

AND in other news, Johnson could get Stadium of Light rocking with Sunderland deal for “wonderful” 220-goal predator…

Ange Postecoglou’s Celtic side have been dealt a fresh injury setback concerning Stephen Welsh ahead of their Scottish Premiership meeting with Old Firm rivals Rangers this weekend.

What’s the latest?

That’s according to a report by the Daily Record, who revealed that the centre-back was withdrawn shortly after half-time in Scotland U21’s 2-2 draw with Kazakhstan on Tuesday afternoon, with the 22-year-old looking to be holding his groin upon his substitution.

Postecoglou will be fuming

While it would appear unlikely that Welsh would have been handed a starting berth at Ibrox this Sunday, considering just how impressive the youngster has been so far this season, the news that the defender looks to have sustained an injury on international duty that could well rule him out of contention for the Old Firm fixture is sure to have left Postecoglou fuming nonetheless.

Indeed, over his nine Premiership appearances this term, the £1.35m-rated academy graduate has been rock solid for the Bhoys, helping his side keep three clean sheets, as well as making an average of 1.6 interceptions, 0.8 tackles, 2.2 clearances, 85.9 passes and winning 5.1 duels – at a success rate of 59% – per game.

These returns have seen the £10.5k-per-week starlet average an extremely impressive SofaScore match rating of 7.11, ranking him as Postecoglou’s joint 11th-best player in the top flight of Scottish football.

As such, while the 56-year-old manager’s first-choice pairing of Carl Starfelt and Cameron Carter-Vickers are both more than likely to be selected in the XI on Sunday, should either player pick up a knock in the run-up to the fixture, or even in the game itself, the loss of an incredibly reliable backup option in Welsh is sure to hit Celtic hard.

Indeed, with the chance of leaving Ibrox six points ahead of Rangers in the league standings – something that would all but confirm Celtic’s reclamation of the Premiership title – it is certain that the Greek-Australian manager will be hoping to have as many as his first-team squad fit and firing by the time Sunday rolls around.

AND in other news: £10.5m and counting: £23.5k-p/w “monster” should have played his final game for Celtic

An update has emerged on Newcastle United’s interest in Freiburg centre-back Nico Schlotterbeck…

What’s the talk?

According to reporter Dharmesh Sheth on Sky Sports’ transfer show, via Bavarian Football Works, the Magpies are looking at the defender as a possible alternative to Lille’s Sven Botman as the Ligue 1 side are demanding £60m for the Dutchman this month.

The report claims that German giants Bayern Munich also have Schlotterbeck on their radar and could compete with the Toon for his signature.

Treat

Eddie Howe could seal an “absolute treat” for Newcastle by bringing Schlotterbeck to the club this month as he could be an excellent signing for the club.

The 22-year-old German has averaged a SofaScore rating of 7.31 in the Bundesliga this season, showing that he is capable of delivering consistently high-quality performances on the pitch. This could make him a dream signing for the Magpies as they have conceded the most goals (42) in the Premier League this term and are in need of defensive improvements.

Writer Jacque Talbot has commented on the defender’s statistics this season, comparing him to a German legend in the process. He Tweeted: “The absolute state of Nico Schlotterbeck. Some Franz Beckenbauer level attacking percentiles. Newcastle would be in for an absolute treat if they can persuade Freiburg to let him go.”

Talbot accompanied his Tweet with a screenshot of the Freiburg man’s percentile ranks in a number of statistical categories across Europe’s top five leagues, per FB REF. He is in the 92nd percentile or higher in dribbles completed, progressive passes and touches for centre-backs, whilst he is in the 91st and 92nd percentile for tackles and interceptions respectively.

He is also naturally left-footed. This means that he can add balance to Newcastle’s possession game by being able to comfortably play on the left side, opening up more options on the ball instead of needing to shift it to his right foot before playing out from the back.

Therefore, the monster could be a sublime addition to Howe’s team as he has the quality in defending to improve the team whilst his capabilities on the ball could help the side to play more expansive football to entertain the fans.

The ex-Bournemouth boss must now ensure that he can get a deal over the line for Schlotterbeck before Bayern are able to make their move, if they are to make one at all.

AND in other news, Howe can brutally axe £40k-p/w NUFC dud by signing “deceptive” gem who’s a “nightmare”…