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Liverpool manager Arne Slot faces mounting scrutiny despite a 10-game unbeaten run stretching back to November, as the defending Premier League champions prepare to welcome League One side Barnsley to Anfield for their FA Cup third round clash.

That being said, the 47-year-old has publicly admitted the title race is over, with his side sitting fourth in the table and 14 points behind leaders Arsenal.

Slot conceded to the press earlier this week that the last thing Liverpool should be talking about at this moment is the title race.

The Dutchman emphasised that his focus has shifted entirely toward securing Champions League qualification, acknowledging it would take something unprecedented for Liverpool to retain their crown.

Even though they haven’t lost a single game since that 4-1 defeat to PSV Eindhoven in the Champions League, the pressure surrounding Slot has still intensified following successive draws against Leeds United, Fulham and Arsenal.

Related Liverpool think "genius" coach is perfect to replace Slot with talks ongoing for weeks

The Reds have been underwhelming this season to put it lightly.

Posts ByEmilio Galantini

Sky Sports pundit Alan Smith warned that the Liverpool boss could lose his job if things continue as they are, describing the recent performances as underwhelming despite the unbeaten run.

Former Arsenal striker Smith insisted Slot will remain under pressure regardless of winning the league last year, with speculation linking Real Madrid’s Xabi Alonso as a potential replacement.

Monday’s FA Cup tie against Barnsley represents an opportunity for Liverpool to reset and rebuild momentum quietly. The match carries added weight given last season’s embarrassing fourth round exit to Plymouth Argyle, when Liverpool failed to score against the Championship’s bottom club.

Barnsley won on their last visit to Anfield back in February 2008, though that upset did not cost Rafael Benitez his job.

Slot is expected to rotate heavily following the physically demanding draw at Arsenal on Thursday. The upcoming fixture offers breathing space away from league pressures, but off the field, Liverpool chiefs are making contingency plans in the event they decide to hand Slot his P45.

Liverpool now eyeing 'top' Man United manager target Oliver Glasner

According to TEAMtalk this week, Liverpool have identified Crystal Palace boss Oliver Glasner as one of four managers on their shortlist should they sack Slot.

The Premier League giants have no immediate plans to let him go, but TT sources close to the club reveal a comprehensive review is planned at the season’s end to assess Slot’s long-term suitability.

Glasner has also apparently impressed Liverpool’s hierarchy with his counter-attacking style at Palace.

The Austrian turned the Eagles into a resilient unit despite limited resources and most notably led them to FA Cup glory last term, establishing himself as one of the Premier League’s most highly-rated coaches outside the traditional elite.

Liverpool face serious competition for his signature, though.

Arch rivals Manchester United have identified Glasner as their ‘top target’ to become their next permanent manager during the summer, adding another layer of intrigue to the race for his services.

United are said to view the former Eintracht Frankfurt boss as the ideal candidate to rebuild their struggling squad following Ruben Amorik’s dismissal.

Glasner’s proven Premier League experience represents a significant advantage over other candidates. He understands the physical demands of English football and has demonstrated his ability to improve players while working within financial constraints, qualities that will appeal strongly to Liverpool’s model under FSG.

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The Austrian joins three other names on Liverpool’s radar. Marseille boss Roberto De Zerbi, previously at Brighton, is admired for his possession-based, fluid football, while Bournemouth’s Andoni Iraola has serious admiration from the board too.

FC Porto’s Francesco Farioli completes the list, with the young Italian catching attention through his innovative tactics.

Glasner has made history at Palace since his appointment at Selhurst in 2024, and he’s now genuinely perhaps their best ever manager.

The tactician would be an exceptional candidate, and with his contract expiring this summer, Glasner is well and truly up for grabs.

Related Liverpool reach full agreement for second signing of January transfer window

The Reds have now snapped up two young talents this month.

Posts ByBen Goodwin

Newcastle United striker Alexander Isak has been involved in one the biggest transfer sagas of the summer, refusing to play for the Magpies as he looked to push for a move to Liverpool.

The Swedish striker has been training on his own for the majority of the summer transfer window, with the Reds having a £110m bid rejected for Isak’s services.

Under contract at St James’ Park, Isak has refused to play for Newcastle, but isn’t the first Premier League star to do so.

10 Premier League stars who refused to play for their clubs 10 Cristiano Ronaldo Man Utd

Cristiano Ronaldo’s return to Man Utd in 2021 didn’t exactly go to plan, as 18 months later he signed for Saudi Pro League side Al-Nassr.

In the final days of Ronaldo’s second stint at Old Trafford, he was an unused substitute at home to Tottenham Hotspur. It later emerged that the Portuguese superstar refused to come on under Erik ten Hag and was demoted to train with the youth side.

9 Raheem Sterling Liverpool

After coming through Liverpool’s academy and impressing at Anfield for the first team, Raheem Sterling wanted to leave the Reds in 2015.

Manchester City wanted to sign the winger and eventually did so for close to £50m, but it took Sterling to refuse to go and play for Liverpool in their pre-season tour. Sterling turned down numerous contract offers to stay with Liverpool and would go on to win four Premier League titles with City.

8 Paul Scholes Man Utd

Paul Scholes has gone down as a Man Utd legend, however, the former Red Devils midfielder actually refused to play a game under Sir Alex Ferguson.

He was dropped for a clash with Liverpool in 2001 but was set to play the next match, a League Cup fixture against Arsenal. Scholes refused to show up, though, and was fined heavily by those at Old Trafford.

7 William Gallas Chelsea

William Gallas didn’t just refuse to play for Chelsea when he was looking to leave Stamford Bridge, he also threatened to score an own goal, get himself sent off, or make deliberate mistakes if he was forced to play.

After five years with the Blues, the French defender was eventually sold to rivals Arsenal, although Chelsea did end up signing star left-back Ashley Cole from the Gunners.

6 Riyad Mahrez Leicester City

Riyad Mahrez signed for Man City from Leicester City in the summer of 2018, but in the January, the winger went on strike and refused to play for the Foxes as he pushed for a move to the Etihad.

The Algerian was fined by Leicester but did eventually return after going on strike and was welcomed back by both team-mates and supporters.

Riyad Mahrez Premier League stats

Leicester City

Man City

Games

139

145

Goals

39

43

Assists

26

37

Titles

1

4

5 Dimitar Berbatov Tottenham

Man Utd eventually signed Dimitar Berbatov from Tottenham on deadline day in 2008, however, the move wasn’t without controversy.

The Bulgarian striker got wind of Man Utd’s interest, however Spurs chairman Daniel Levy didn’t want to sell which ended up with Berbatov not playing for Tottenham against rivals Chelsea.

Levy and co complained about Man Utd’s move for the forward, but Ferguson got his man for £30m.

4 Dimitri Payet West Ham

After starring at Euro 2016, West Ham rewarded Dimitri Payet with a new contract and Irons supporters loved him during his time at Upton Park.

That was until the beginning of 2017 when Payet refused to play for West Ham as he tried to force a move back to Marseille. He got his wish, with the Hammers bringing in £25m, but his West Ham mural was quickly removed.

3 Kieron Dyer Newcastle

During his time at Newcastle, Kieron Dyer was involved in numerous controversies, including refusing to play under iconic manager Sir Bobby Robson.

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Dyer didn’t play on the right side of midfield against Middlesbrough in 2004 and Robson was sacked by the Magpies weeks later. Dyer has since called that decision his “greatest regret” and admitted he “let Bobby Robson down”.

2 Carlos Tevez Man City

After swapping Man Utd for Man City, Carlos Tevez would win the Premier League at the Etihad, however, it wasn’t without drama.

He refused to come on in September 2011 against Bayern Munich in the Champions League, with Roberto Mancini banishing him from the squad. Tevez did return months later and helped City win their first ever Premier League title.

1 Leonardo Ulloa Leicester City

Shortly after winning the Premier League with Leicester City, Leonardo Ulloa refused to play for the Foxes again under Claudio Ranieri and felt “betrayed” by the Italian.

Ulloa was desperate to join Sunderland but didn’t get his wish, and after Leicester sacked Ranieri a month later in February 2017, the forward would return to the squad, even signing a new contract that summer.

Chelsea’s attack could do with somewhat of a boost if their last Premier League clash is anything to go by with Enzo Maresca’s Blues limping over the line to a slim 1-0 win over Everton.

Nicolas Jackson was thankfully the crucial difference-maker on the day from a Chelsea perspective, with the ex-Villarreal striker ending a barren run of 13 games without a goal when powering a first-half effort past a hard-to-beat Jordan Pickford.

But, it’s clear that the Blues need an injection of something fresh in the attacking areas at Stamford Bridge regardless, with a wide array of new forward players being incessantly linked with a switch to West London.

Chelsea want to sign Serie A star this summer

Despite the arrival of talented Brazilian Estevao Willian – a winger by trade – the Blues are still on the lookout for new wingers with Borussia Dortmund’s Jamie Gittens reportedly on their radar, alongside Juventus hotshot Kenan Yildiz.

Transfer Focus

Mega money deals, controversial moves and big-name flops. This is the home of transfer news and opinion across Football FanCast.

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However, the shortlist doesn’t end there with a former Premier League wide man also being looked at.

Indeed, as per a report from Caught Offside, Chelsea are planning to enter talks with one of Atalanta’s standout performers in Ademola Lookman, but are not alone in their interest of the former Everton attacker, now valued at around £55m.

Indeed, the report further goes on to name Manchester United, Liverpool, Newcastle United and Arsenal as other parties from England keeping close tabs on Lookman’s situation with the clubs in question poised to begin talks soon with the explosive Nigerian.

With a £55m price-tag reportedly above the attacker’s head, Chelsea would show they mean business in the market once more by landing the in-demand 27-year-old.

How Lookman compares to Jamie Gittens

Described as a “world-class” player by BBC Sport’s John Bennett, a move to bring the Atalanta star to the Premier League could see Chelsea land an upgrade on the exciting Gittens.

Whilst Dortmund’s English sensation has regularly stunned Bundesliga defences this season with his trickery and his goals and assists to boot, Lookman has lots more experience on his side to be a success in the here and now over the Reading-born attacker.

After all, the one-time Goodison Park flop has now notched up 115 appearances for his Italian employers since his move to Bergamo in 2022, with a very healthy return of 50 strikes and 24 assists coming his way.

Gittens has impressively already reached 103 senior appearances for the Black and Yellow despite still being a tender 20 years of age, but his numbers fall flat in comparison to Lookman’s, both overall with a lesser 31 goal contributions tallied up, but also when glancing at their head-to-head statistics over the current unfolding campaign.

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The Nigeria international boasts a sizeable 18 goals and seven assists for Atalanta across 37 games this season, whilst his English counterpart has an inferior 12 strikes and five assists from eight more contests across the same time span.

Lookman’s career G/A record by position

Position played

Games

Goals

Assists

LW

100

29

7

SS

79

29

11

RW

62

10

11

CF

38

14

9

AM

16

2

3

LM

2

0

0

Sourced by Transfermarkt

Away from being an upgrade in terms of output, Lookman has also proven across his varied career to date that he can excite supporters watching on all across the attacking positions.

Amazingly, the former Charlton wonderkid turned Serie A superstar can boast a sturdy 14 career goals from 38 games playing as an out-and-out centre-forward, meaning he could be great competition to the likes of an inconsistent Jackson away from lighting up Stamford Bridge on the left wing.

Similar to the likes of Arsenal ace Bukayo Saka too according to stats-led website FBref, Chelsea could be on to real winner if talks with Lookman escalate to being serious and a move is put is on the table, with the Blues attack undoubtedly better off with the 27-year-old available for selection.

Related Their next Eden Hazard: Chelsea pushing hard to sign "magic" £87m star

Chelsea are ready to improve Maresca’s attacking options in the transfer market this summer.

Posts ByAngus Sinclair

A penny for Marcus Rashford’s thoughts, please? This week has been all about him off the field but that issue must now be put to one side for Ruben Amorim’s honeymoon period in charge of Manchester United is well and truly over.

This was never going to be an overnight fix, of course it wasn’t, but the Red Devils have endured a terrible few days and can’t seem to stop conceding.

Against Tottenham in the Carabao Cup, Amorim’s men fell to a 4-3 defeat and they shipped plenty again at Old Trafford on Sunday.

It’s remarkable how football works, isn’t it? A year ago Bournemouth came away to Man United and beat them 3-0. The score this time? Well, the Cherries were dancing away having won 3-0 again.

There was no Erik ten Hag but the performance was worthy of the Dutch manager with Amorim surely wishing he could hide behind the sofa at some of the individual displays he was witnessing from his team.

The Portuguese is clearly a good coach but even he is struggling to get a tune out of this United side.

What went wrong for Man United against Bournemouth

Corners. Those damned corners. After letting Cherries centre-back Dean Huijsen open the scoring in the first half from an unmarked corner, it was the ninth set-piece goal they have shipped this term, the second-highest in the entire Premier League. Not great reading at all.

Most set-piece goals conceded – PL

#1 Wolves

14

#2 Man United

9

#3 Southampton

8

#4 West Ham

7

#5 Leicester

5

Stats via WhoScored.

Away from those woes, it was a set of defensive mistakes that led to the further concession of goals with Noussair Mazraoui, so often seen as one of Ten Hag’s rare wins in the transfer window, gave away a penalty.

The Moroccan slid in on Justin Kluivert who got up, brushed himself down and converted the resultant spot-kick.

Things then went from bad to worse when Antoine Semenyo, already a scorer against Manchester City this term, condemned United’s woes by firing home just after the hour mark.

In truth, a whole host of players in red deserved flack after this one. Joshua Zirkzee only completed six passes and Kobbie Mainoo was guilty of giving away the ball that led to Semenyo’s strike.

Performance in Numbers

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Still, we have surely now seen the last of Tyrell Malacia as a United player.

Tyrell Malacia's performance in numbers

Last season the young Dutch left-back became a bit of a laughing stock due to his persistent injury problems.

He didn’t kick a single ball in 2023/24, which led to some wondering whether he’d totally disappeared off the face of the earth. It may sound harsh, but some supporters may well be wishing he was still frozen out in the cold.

That’s because since Amorim has taken charge, his reemergence as a first-team figure has not gone too well.

Malacia was hooked at half-time in the defeat to Arsenal a few weeks ago and against Bodo/Glimt in the Europa League. Well, he was given the same treatment after a particularly rough time against Semenyo this Sunday too.

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So, what went wrong? Well, as MEN’s Samuel Luckhurst pointed out when giving the wing-back a dismal 3/10 match rating, he was ‘not at it from the start and clumsily conceded the free kick Bournemouth scored from’.

Malacia vs Bournemouth

Minutes played

45

Touches

34

Accurate passes

20/24 (83%)

Key passes

1

Crosses

0/1

Long balls

2/3

Shots

0

Dribbles

0

Duels won

1/5

Possession lost

7x

Fouls

2

Stats via Sofascore.

To make matters worse, he only won one of his five duels and lost possession seven times from his 34 touches, meaning he actually left the pitch having held possession on fewer occasions than goalkeeper Onana.

Malacia did provide one key pass during the first half but he well and truly failed to deliver the type of qualities Amorim lusts after in his wing-backs, failing to complete a single cross or attempt a dribble.

With the January transfer window fast approaching, the new manager will need to go out and buy players that not only offer more quality but suit his system.

It’s clear the Ten Hag signing isn’t up to the job and it would not be a surprise if this was the last we saw of him in a United jersey. Whether a January exit beckons remains to be seen, but one thing is clear, they need to sign a left wing-back.

Related Barca really want to sign him: Man Utd set for Beckham repeat with £35m ace

Barcelona are reportedly interested in signing a player from Manchester United.

Posts ByMatt Dawson

Aston Villa manager Unai Emery is still trying to strengthen his squad despite signing eight players already this summer.

Qualifying for the Champions League has given the club a major boost with regard to the type of players they could lure to Villa Park and Emery is taking full advantage of this.

Amadou Onana and Ian Maatsen are the two signings which have stood out the most this summer, but could the Spaniard make another statement signing by luring a Dutch defender to the Midlands?

Aston Villa advancing in talks with Eredivisie star

Fabrizio Romano provided an update on Villa’s interest in right-back Lutsharel Geertruida when speaking with GIVEMESPORT, saying: "It's ongoing [Geertruida negotiations], it's not that close yet, it's well advanced on the player's side, because the player is keen on the move to the Premier League and to the Champions League.

"Also in this case, with Aston Villa, he's really attracted by the project of Unai Emery. But with Feyenoord it's always complicated to negotiate for Geertruida.

“He's a really important player for them and every time important clubs try to approach Feyenoord in recent years, Leipzig last year, PSG at the beginning of this summer transfer window, it has always been a tough story.”

This suggests that Villa are closing in on the defender, despite a lack of an agreement with his club as of yet, due to the positive talks with the player's side of the deal.

Lutsharel Geertruida’s season in numbers

The defender, who could be available for £27m this summer, enjoyed a stunning season in the Dutch top flight during 2023/24.

Across 47 matches in all competitions, the 24-year-old scored an impressive nine times from right-back, along with chipping in with five assists, demonstrating his attacking prowess down the right flank.

Lutsharel Geertruida's Eredivisie stats during 2023/24

Goals

8

Assists

5

Key passes per game

1.2

Big chances created

7

Successful dribbles per game

0.7

Total duels won per game

3.6

Via Sofascore

With Leon Bailey likely to be operating on the right-wing this term, new signing Jaden Philogene could slot in on the opposite flank. While Geertruida and Philogene won't play on the same side, they could both offer Villa a solid attacking threat going forwards from both sides of the pitch.

Philogene scored 12 goals and registered six assists for Hull last term. Can he replicate this in the Premier League during 2024/25?

He is certainly a wonderful option to call upon and so will Geertruida should he make the move to Villa this summer.

When compared to his positional peers in the men’s next 14 competitions, the Dutchman ranked in the top 1% for non-penalty goals and progressive passes per 90, along with ranking in the top 15% for shot-creating actions and the top 14% for touches in the opposition box, clearly indicating how impressive he was at bursting forward from the defence.

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With Philogene doing the same from the opposite flank, albeit from a more advanced position, the pair could create plenty of chances for the club next season, while chipping in with plenty of goals.

U23 scout Antonio Mango hailed the defender for his “sublime tactical nous” late last year, and it is clear this is a trait which could stand Emery in good stead ahead of the new season.

Related £68m release clause: Aston Villa want "superstar" Joao Felix upgrade

Unai Emery is ‘insisting’ on completing this statement deal.

Posts ByAngus Sinclair

West Ham United's season is best described as a mixed bag. Another strong outing in Europe has been juxtaposed by a string of embarrassing results in the league. Eager to rectify these issues, David Sullivan looks set to shore up the Hammers' defence this summer.

West Ham's defensive struggles

Despite sitting seventh in the Premier League table, it has been something of a campaign to forget for West Ham at the back. The Hammers have conceded the eighth-most goals in the division this season, over twice the number of league leaders Arsenal.

Related West Ham now eyeing £35 million leader to replace Lucas Paqueta

The Hammers are making succession plans for their midfield star.

Posts ByEmilio Galantini

A particularly embarrassing moment for the Hammers' defence was their 6-0 home defeat to the Gunners back in February. Conceding four times in the first half, many West Ham fans opted to make an early exit from the London Stadium, a damning indictment of the Hammers' frailties at the back.

David Moyes' quest to fix his backline has seen West Ham pursue a deal for Man United and England star Harry Maguire. Whilst bringing the 31-year-old to east London would ease the Hammers' struggles in the heart of defence, it appears that West Ham are now in the market for a new full-back.

Hammers eye move for international full-back

As relayed by Sport Witness, the local press in Italy is claiming that West Ham have become the latest side to show an interest in Torino defender Raoul Bellanova. The outlet suggests that fellow Premier League outfits Man United and Aston Villa have already watched the player and that "the Hammers had a scout watch him closely against Udinese last weekend".

The 23-year-old had spent the previous season on loan at Inter, where the defender came off the bench in the Nerazzurri's 1-0 loss to Manchester City in the Champions League final. Recently receiving his first call-up to the Italian national team, Bellanova may not be overly eager to pursue a move away from his home country.

Joining Torino this summer in a £6m deal from parent club Cagliari, Bellanova has gone on to make 30 appearances this season, contributing one goal and five assists. It is suggested that Torino would demand at least £22m to part ways with Bellanova this summer, with Il Toro eager to make a sizeable profit on their investment from last season.

Raoul Bellanova Serie A Stats 2023/24

Total per 90

Percentile*

Assists

0.20

85th percentile

Successful Take-ons

1.37

91st percentile

Progressive Carries

4.22

95th percentile

Touches

2.03

75th percentile

Aerials Won

1.17

73rd percentile

*compared to other full-backs in comparable leagues

A full-back with an eye for a cross, Bellanova would be an excellent addition to a West Ham side that thrives on balls into the box and goals from set pieces.

With the deals of current right-backs Vladimir Coufal and Ben Johnson expiring this summer, signing a young defender who can slot straight into the starting XI would be a smart bit of business from the Hammers.

Manchester City have deployed chiefs to watch a new forward live in action as they consider bringing him to the Premier League, according to a reliable journalist.

Man City's season so far

The Sky Blues have made a fantastic start to the new campaign having won nine, drawn one and lost just two of their opening 12 games, meaning that they currently find themselves at the top of the table during the international break.

Whilst Pep Guardiola will be happy with his side’s form and confident that they can go on to achieve big things this term like last season, that may not stop him from assessing his options in the market to see if he could bolster his ranks with players who will improve the squad.

Ahead of January, Napoli’s left-winger Khvicha Kvaratskhelia has been identified as a potential target having established himself as Walter Mazzarri’s overall best-performing player so far this season with a match rating of 7.50 (WhoScored – Napoli statistics).

The Georgia international still has another four years remaining on his deal at the Diego Armando Maradona Stadium (Napoli contracts), but regardless of his situation, the 22-year-old has been brought onto the radar of the hierarchy at the Etihad Stadium.

Man City send scouts to assess Khvicha Kvaratskhelia

Taking to X, reporter Graeme Bailey confirmed that Man City deployed representatives to watch Kvaratskhelia during Georgia's 3-1 defeat to Spain on Sunday, with the forward scoring in a 3-1 defeat.

He wrote: "Chelsea, Man City, Man Utd and Newcastle make Khvicha Kvaratskhelia scouting trip. Kvaratskhelia is one of Europe's most intriguing and in-demand talents. Napoli are hopeful of finalising new deal with the Georgian."

However, expanding in his column for 90min, the reporter revealed that the forward is in talks to extend his contract with his current club by a further 12 months which will include a significant pay rise, so any potential suitors may have to act fast should they want to tempt him into starting a new adventure elsewhere in January.

Kvaratskhelia is a real "magician" in the final third

Since putting pen to paper at Napoli, Kvaratskhelia has posted 39 contributions, 22 assists and 17 goals, in 58 appearances which shows just how extremely prolific he can be in the opposition’s penalty area (Transfermarkt – Kvaratskhelia stats).

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Sponsored by Nike, the two-footed talent has also recorded 41 shots over the course of the current campaign which is more than any other of his fellow teammates (FBRef – Napoli stats), representing his constant desire to hit the back of the net.

Kvaratskhelia's Main Strengths

Kvaratskhelia's Style Of Play

Key passes

Likes to cut inside

Finishing

Likes to dribble

Dribbling

Likes to do layoffs

Through balls

Passing

The Serie A “magician”, as dubbed by football talent scout Jacek Kulig, even has the versatility to operate in five different positions over the grass, including everywhere across the frontline alongside as an attacking midfielder, so it could be a deal to watch ahead of 2024.

Everton are interested in signing young Sheffield United striker Daniel Jebbison before the end of the summer transfer window, according to an update from journalist Alan Nixon.

Who is Daniel Jebbison?

The 20-year-old has been a highly-rated young striker for some time now, making 34 appearances for the Blades already, and scoring three goals in that time.

In fact, Everton have some history with Jebbison that goes back to the 2020/21 season, when the teenager became the youngest player in Premier League history to score on his first start in the competition, finding the net in a 1-0 victory at Goodison Park.

Read the latest Everton transfer news HERE…

The young attacker has enjoyed loan spells with Chorley and Burton Albion, in order to pick up some more regular playing time, and he represented England at Under-18, Under-19 and Under-20 level, prior to changing his allegiance to Canada at senior level, where he is yet to be capped.

Jebbison may struggle to feature regularly for United this season, following their promotion to the Premier League last season, but Everton have continually been linked with a move for him, seeing him as someone who can add firepower to a struggling attack.

Now, a new update has emerged regarding his future, suggesting the Merseysiders' interest isn't going away, with the Blades man's current deal expiring at the end of next season.

Will Everton sign Daniel Jebbison?

According to Nixon on Patreon [via Goodison News], United are willing to cash in on Jebbison this summer, rather than lose him for free this time next year. Sean Dyche wants an "extra threat" in the attacking third and sees him as someone who could come in as a good option moving forward.

The hope is that Demarai Gray seals a move to Fulham in the coming days, which will subsequently generate more funds for new signings, allowing the Blues to bring in Jebbison as a replacement and continue their rebuild.

Signing young emerging talent is always paramount at Everton, rather than simply focusing on the present, and the United striker is someone who could come in as an immediate squad option, but more importantly, be a potential long-term star at Goodison Park for years to come.

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Blades coach Jack Lester recently hailed the "fantastic physical attributes" that Jebbison possesses as a player, as well as saying he has a "really bright future", which outlines the type of player the Blues could be acquiring.

Granted, he is still a raw young footballer who is relatively unproven at the highest level, but he has showed what he is capable of with his record-breaking goal against Everton a couple of years ago, and in Dyche, they have a manager who can get the very best out of him.

Jebbison alone may not be enough for the Blues in attack this summer, however, with a more experienced head also needed to come in and hit the ground running from the off. Goals have come at a premium of late at the club and that simply has to change if yet another Premier League relegation battle is to be avoided in 2023/24.

Tottenham Hotspur chairman Daniel Levy "has to take a lot of the blame" for the club's failure this season, according to journalist Kevin Palmer.

Will Tottenham Hotspur finish in the top four?

After a shocking 3-2 defeat at home to Bournemouth on Saturday, Tottenham now have a lot of work to do if they are to stand any chance of finishing in the top four, currently sitting three points behind fourth-place Manchester United, having played two more games.

Not only have Spurs struggled in the Premier League, but they have also failed to compete in any of the cup competitions this season, crashing out of the FA Cup against Sheffield United, and losing in the Champions League round of 16 against AC Milan.

Interim head coach Cristian Stellini has stated individual errors have been the cause of the Lilywhites' problems in recent weeks, but the club's chairman has also come into the firing line for some of his key decisions.

Taking to Twitter, Kevin Palmer made it clear that he thinks a lot of Spurs' issues this season have been caused by Levy's decision-making.

The journalist said: "Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy had a chance to revive their season and bring in a new manager… Instead, he saved a few quid, left a novice coach in charge and now their season is over. Not for the first time, Levy has to take a lot of the blame for their latest failure."

Is Daniel Levy to blame for Tottenham's problems?

In fairness to the Tottenham chairman, Julian Nagelsmann, who is believed to be the club's top manager target, does not want to accept another job until the end of the season, and it's understandable he would rather wait for the right coach, rather than rushing in.

That said, it was a strange decision to keep Stellini at the club, with journalist Hunter Godson stating: "I’m not sure what Levy was expecting to happen by keeping Stellini and playing the exact same style of football that got Conte sacked. Maybe this is what he wanted? Maybe this is good?"

It would have made more sense to give Ryan Mason the job until the end of the season, as he is said to be close to Harry Kane, well-respected in the dressing room, and regarded as a potential future manager.

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Levy's poor decision-making has almost certainly cost Spurs Champions League football, and it is now vital he gets the next appointment right in the summer.

Azzedine Ounahi remains a “top target” for Leeds United heading into the final few days of the January transfer window…

What’s the word?

That’s according to journalist and transfer insider Dean Jones, who provided a recent update on the Whites’ pursuit of the Angers SCO midfielder to GIVEMESPORT.

“Ounahi is still a top target for Leeds,” he said.

“From what I hear, they are still trying to persuade Angers to let him out but, at the moment, it’s hard to tell whether it’ll happen.”

It’s thought that the Ligue 1 outfit is asking for around €30m (£26m) to let the Morocco international this month, with some reports suggesting that the Yorkshire giants had offered only €25m (£22m).

Forget Wober

If director of football Victor Orta wants to end Leeds’ winter window with a bang, then he ought to get a move for Ounahi over the line.

It’s all good adding some much-needed quality to the backline, bringing in the versatile Max Wober, but it means very little if they aren’t getting the right protection in front.

Without Kalvin Phillips, the Whites perhaps lack that defensive midfield enforcer and whilst Tyler Adams and Marc Roca are regular starters after their switch to Elland Road in the summer, their partnership still leaves the side exposed at times.

Last weekend’s 0-0 draw to Brentford ended a run of four successive games in which the side have leaked two or more goals, and it was also just their third shutout since early October.

Ounahi would offer that solid protection as the 22-year-old averaged 1.3 tackles and one interception per game on the biggest stage, the World Cup. He’s certainly consistent as he has offered his side the same returns domestically this season.

It’s just his performances in Qatar that heightened his qualities best, with former Premier League-winning boss Jose Mourinho lauding him as “absolutely incredible,” whilst scout Jacek Kulig dubbed him a “revelation” for his country.

The talent-spotter’s glowing review of the “box-to-box” machine should also help alleviate fears that he wouldn’t flop after such global hype, suggesting that the 22-year-old is “fast and dynamic,” has “excellent technique, touch and close control” and is defensively reliable.

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FBref liken his statistical profile to that of Frenkie de Jong and Gavi, which bodes well for his long-term potential in the game and whilst neither are defensive animals, he is also compared to Matteo Guendouzi and Seko Fofana, who are workhorses in their own right.

Ounahi ranks inside the top 1% of all midfielders across Europe for dribbles completed per 90 over the last year, which highlights just how impressive his ball retention is – an asset that would be beneficial to manager Jesse Marsch as he looks to protect his backline with more reinforcements.

The Angers man may be no Phillips but he’s certainly an unreal player that would add a lot to this Leeds squad. As such, he could be the best bit of business Orta makes this week.

AND in other news, “Interesting” – BBC man accuses Jesse Marsch of false comment after Leeds draw…