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Patrick Vieira, who was appointed in the summer to succeed Roy Hodgson, spent his first transfer window pinpointing the ageing nature of the squad he inherited, and in his second window he is now speculated to add another young player to his squad, who currently sit 11th in the Premier League.

What’s the word?

Football Scotland has reported today that they understand Crystal Palace are interested in signing Dundee United wonderkid, Kerr Smith, to link up with their U23’s squad.

Palace already snapped up former Dundee academy player, Scott Banks, in the 2020 winter transfer window and are now reportedly set to pay a fee to secure the signing of the 17-year-old defender, hailed “fantastic” by his teammate, Mark Connolly, who is currently on loan to Dunfermline.

Despite Football Scotland reporting that the south London club want to add Smith to their U23’s, the youngster has experience playing first-team football for his Scottish Premiership side, with seven appearances including two in the league cup so far this season.

Thus, it could give him an advantage when it comes to featuring and integrating into Vieira’s first team side.

James McArthur 2.0

If Smith could continue to progress, he could follow in the footsteps of fellow Scotsman and legendary Crystal Palace midfielder, James McArthur, who joined the side back in 2014, back when the young Dundee player was only 10 years old.

McArthur has cemented himself as a fan favourite at the London club, with the 34-year-old offering 238 appearances, 19 goals and 24 assists from his central midfield position over the last seven years.

Smith will surely be hoping to have a career that could match or even exceed that of his Scottish peer and signing for Crystal Palace this January could give the teenager the path to progress and put him in the right direction to reach his potential in top-flight football playing south of the border in the Premier League.

It is clear that Vieira is focused on bringing the average age down in his squad, with the club becoming officially the oldest team in the Premier League just six months ago with an average age of 29.9 years.

However since the Frenchman’s arrival, and his work during the summer transfer window, he has managed to bring it down to 28 years moving them from first into the sixth oldest out of the 20 clubs in the league, thanks to the signings of Michael Olise, Marc Guehi, Conor Gallagher and Odsonne Edouard.

The addition of Smith would only improve this, providing them with a promising option who could be their next McArthur.

In other news: Will Hughes solving Vieira’s big conundrum

After only a few days since the club announced they had struck a deal for the loan signing of Philippe Coutinho from Barcelona, it seems as though Aston Villa have set their eyes on another incoming transfer target this month which would surely please a lot of fans.

What’s the latest?

After it was recently revealed that Villa were leading the race to sign Everton defender Lucas Digne, in a recent Twitter post from journalist and transfer expert Fabrizio Romano, he claimed that “new direct contacts will take place between Aston Villa and Everton to discuss fee on [a] permanent move” this week.

Romano also added that Digne’s “understood to be attracted by Villa” but that it’s not yet fully agreed between the two clubs.

Fans buzzing

Since joining Everton back in the 2018 summer transfer window from Barcelona in a deal worth a reported fee of £18m, the Frenchman has gone on to make 127 appearances for the Toffees across all competitions.

In the process, he’s scored six goals and provided 20 assists along the way, showing how much of an attacking asset he could be for Steven Gerrard’s side if he does make the move to Villa Park this month.

This season, despite not managing to score a goal or provide an assist in the league for Rafa Benitez’s side, his performances in the 13 appearances he’s made have earned him an overall rating of 6.8/10, making him Everton’s fifth-highest rated player to have played in more than four league games according to WhoScored, which would only leave four current Villa players with a higher rating, showing he has the quality to be a standout figure for the Villans.

As a consequence, fans would surely be buzzing knowing that a reliable top-flight performer would be joining their ranks.

Putting aside his quality on the pitch, with reports of an apparent behind-the-scenes falling out with Benitez last month which has presumably been why he has been linked with a move away from Goodison Park, perhaps his attitude may have to be something that Villa take into account when discussing a potential deal for him and make sure the same doesn’t happen with Gerrard.

With all of that said, if Villa can secure Digne’s signature in the coming days and get him to deliver for them on the pitch, this would be another excellent piece of transfer business from the Midlands club and show that they are serious about improving their squad and progressing under Gerrard.

Having already signed Coutinho, this is an incredibly exciting time to be a Villan.

In other news: Aston Villa interested in highly-rated midfielder

According to a report by El Nacional, there has been another update on Tottenham Hotspur’s pursuit of Barcelona attacker Philippe Coutinho.

The Lowdown: Coutinho would chose Spurs…

In recent days, links between the Brazil international and Spurs have been heating up as Premier League clubs make approaches to sign the 29-year-old – with reliable reporter Fabrizio Romano confirming that he is indeed ‘open and prepared to leave Barça’ (Twitter).

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While Romano namedrops Aston Villa as suitors specifically, there are also three unnamed English top flight sides in the mix (Twitter) and Tottenham have been linked through other sources.

Mundo Deportivo recently threw both Newcastle and the Lilywhites into the mix for Coutinho’s signature and it is believed the attacker ‘would choose’ Tottenham over the North East outfit.

The Latest: El Nacional share update…

According to El Nacional, it is believed that Tottenham are prepared to make a €20 million (£16.7m) offer to sign the former Bayern Munich man this month.

This comes as manager Antonio Conte personally plots to ‘get him out’ of Barca as Catalans president Joan Laporta is ‘forced to negotiate with Tottenham’.

In an enticing claim, the report also says that Barcelona’s chief will have ‘no choice but to accept’ Tottenham’s proposal given that no side wants to pay their original demand of €40m.

The Verdict: Encouraging update…

As Barcelona seek to rid themselves of Coutinho’s £380,000-per-week salary and shave their sky high wage bill, news of Tottenham having the most leeway in negotiations comes as encouraging.

The former Liverpool star is a proven player in England’s top flight and an experienced international with 63-caps for Brazil, marking him out as someone who could inject real creativity into Conte’s side.

His ex-Anfield teammate, Glen Johnson, speaking via The Sport Bible, lavished the midfield ace as a ‘sensational player’ and ‘unbelievable’ recently – all whilst claiming Coutinho possesses ‘one of the best football brains you’ll see’.

He could be exactly what Spurs need in the final third as Conte aims to guide his new team to a top four finish.

In other news: ‘Expect an announcement’…Insider hopeful of big Tottenham news in ‘the next few days’, find out more here.

Crystal Palace confirmed on Saturday morning that youngster Adler Nascimento has signed professional terms with the club.

As to be expected, a number of Eagles fans have been reacting to the off-field news on social media.

Nascimento arrived at the club’s academy ranks over the summer from Championship side Peterborough United, where he made his professional debut at the age of 16 last May.

The Eagles reportedly forked out an initial £531,000 for his services, with the Portuguese teenager already making nine appearances for Palace’s under-18 side this season.

Nascimento has seemingly done enough to catch the eye in those games, despite starting on only three occasions, and he has penned professional terms at Selhurst Park.

Palace fans react

The Eagles’ official Twitter channel retweeted the club’s academy post regarding Nascimento’s contract on Saturday.

Here is what these Palace supporters had to say in reply, with one labelling it as ‘class news’ and another calling him an ‘absolute beast’.

“Bout time”

Credit: @James_cpfc06

“We must rate him big time”

Credit: @liamb0117

“This guy on Football Manager is an absolute beast”

Credit: @Wheddsta

“Class news but wouldn’t been worried if he didn’t after signing for £500k ”

Credit: @CPFC_Cal

“Well done”

Credit: @keithwhitfieldk

“That’s class”

Credit: @cpfc_sean

In other news: ‘Outrage’ – Many Crystal Palace fans react to club’s ‘pathetic’ update

Leeds United continue to be interested in Brenden Aaronson ahead of January 31st…

What’s the word?

That’s according to the Daily Mail, who claim that the Yorkshire giants are preparing another bid for the RB Salzburg midfielder after having a £15m bid knocked back by the Austrian champions.

The 21-year-old has only been at the club for a year but his impressive performances have caught the eye of many across Europe, though it is the Premier League that he dreams of playing in one day.

Aaronson’s running stats are amongst the highest around the continent, so it’s no wonder Marcelo Bielsa is hugely keen on securing him.

Shades of Gallagher

Leeds have long been looking for a central midfielder capable of driving the team forward in the final third, especially as it has now been four years since they signed someone in the role, that being Adam Forshaw from Middlesbrough in January 2018.

The Whites failed with their attempts to sign promising Chelsea starlet Conor Gallagher during the summer after his impressive loan stint at West Brom, with the England U21 dynamo opting for top-flight rivals Crystal Palace instead.

However, there are shades of the 21-year-old Eagles loanee in the 15-cap American sensation.

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“Typically an attacking midfielder, Aaronson is best described as a half-winger, capable of playing out wide or centrally in the third line of Salzburg’s 4-2-2-2 formation. During games, Aaronson is expected to cover ground in central spaces, as well as supporting attacks via the channels,” claimed journalist Joe Donnohue to LeedsLive recently.

Indeed, the bustling Salzburg gem ranks amongst the top 1% of midfielders in Europe for pressures, having averaged 27.84 pressures per 90 and he also forces the opposition into losing the ball 8.55 times per 90, with those figures coming in the Champions League, via FBRef.

This is right up Bielsa’s street as he loves a player who can press high up the pitch, just as Gallagher has proven to do during his time at the Hawthorns and Selhurst Park.

Nicknamed the ‘Medford Messi’, Aaronson has been dubbed “highly talented” by talent scout Jacek Kulig and “silky” by ex-USMNT international DeMarcus Beasley.

His returns of ten goals and 12 assists from only 51 appearances in Austria make him a very exciting young talent indeed. As such, Victor Orta and co must push ahead with plans to sign him as soon as possible.

Bielsa could finally be getting his Gallagher-like midfield presence.

AND in other news, Journalist drops huge Leeds United transfer claim ahead of deadline day…

An exciting transfer update has emerged at Tottenham Hotspur this week…

What’s the word?

According to Sky Sports reporter Paul Gilmour, the north London outfit have opened talks with FC Porto over a move for their star winger Luis Diaz, who is valued in the region of €60m (£50m).

“Tottenham and Porto in talks over Luis Diaz. Sources in Portugal have told us Spurs willing to pay €45m plus €10m in add ons. Porto holding out for €60m,” he tweeted.

The highly-rated 25-year-old has also been linked with Premier League rivals Liverpool and Manchester United in the past.

Get it done!

What an incredible signing and statement of intent this would be from the Lilywhites.

Diaz is one of the hottest talents in Europe right now and it’s easy to see why from just looking at his goal record – as per Transfermarkt, he has found the net 16 times from 24 appearances across the Primeira Liga and the Champions League, all from left-midfield.

The 31-time Colombian international would be a solid addition under a manager like Antonio Conte, who is desperate for quality additions this month and whilst a new winger wasn’t on his priority list, the Italian coach should not turn his nose up at a talent like Diaz.

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During the summer, he finished alongside Lionel Messi as the joint-top goalscorer at the Copa America, whilst the 5 foot 10 dynamo’s ability was summed up perfectly by Portuguese football expert Marino Peixoto after he bagged an absolute screamer against Marcus Edwards’ Vitoria Guimaraes.

“The rate at which Luís Diaz is churning out otherworldly performances coupled with his ability to score screamers like this on a consistent basis is genuinely frightening. Only a matter of time before somebody pays an astronomical fee for him,” he claimed.

Elsewhere, presenter Manas Singh described Diaz as a “livewire” in the final third, only bolstering the hype around his potential signature.

The £36m-rated sensation is also said to be hugely keen on a move to England, where he can perhaps best showcase his skills and show of his undoubted talent, if not at least test himself amongst the very best.

Therefore, Spurs should make sure it’s them who secures the Porto star as they will not want to line up against him, having held talks over signing him this month.

If the Lilywhites can secure him, then you’d imagine Conte would be a very happy man as he’ll be getting a top-quality addition to his struggling, lacklustre squad.

With less than a week to go, if Spurs can pull this over the line, it would be a real statement indeed.

AND in other news, Spurs could secure their next Dembele in swoop for “unbeatable” £22.5m-rated “machine”…

A big Newcastle United transfer update has emerged as the club look to bolster their squad on deadline day…

What’s the talk?

Journalist Keith Downie has provided a tantalising claim on a mysterious target for the Magpies, with a deal for a player potentially being influenced by the move for Hugo Ekitike.

Speaking live on Sky Sports News (14:20), the reporter said:

“The decision that Ekitike has not yet made has ramifications as to another big name player and a potential arrival. We can tell you that this afternoon Newcastle are pushing to bring Jesse Lingard in from Manchester United. We know that they have been in talks with Manchester United.

“It had reached an impasse but with Ekitike hanging in the balance, Newcastle United are beginning to look elsewhere. As we understand, Newcastle very keen to bring him in and are pushing hard to do so this transfer deadline day.”

Elated

The Toon Army will surely be elated with this news for several reasons.

Firstly, the idea of another ‘big name player’ being targeted will excite the supporters. Not only does it suggest that a high-profile name could be on their way to St. James’ Park on deadline day and that could leave fans delighted as it is, but it also provides an air of mystery around it that could leave them on the edge of their seats.

They will be buzzing with the prospect of another major addition to the squad, as Eddie Howe’s team is in dire need of reinforcements. The Magpies are 18th in the Premier League table and have only won two matches all season, which suggests that the current crop of players are not good enough to avoid the drop. That is why bringing in a ‘big name’ player could bolster their chances of survival.

The potential arrival of Jesse Lingard would also leave fans elated as he is a proven Premier League player who could come in and make an impact.

Last season, he produced nine goals and four assists in the top-flight on loan to West Ham, which shows that he has the quality to be a match-winner with his clinical edge in the final third.

He could, therefore, be a player who is able to improve Howe’s XI and help the team to pick up more wins and points to help them avoid relegation down to the second tier, which is another reason why fans will be buzzing with this news.

AND in other news, Huge blow: Newcastle suffer major deadline day setback, Howe will be seriously gutted…

Despite managing to secure permanent deals for on-loan striker Jean-Philippe Mateta and Luke Plange from Derby County, one deal that Crystal Palace were not able to secure during the recent January transfer window was one for Manchester United midfielder Donny Van de Beek.

After being linked with a move for the Dutchman last month, it was Everton who managed to secure his signature on deadline day on a loan move until the end of the season.

While this may have been a disappointment for some at Selhurst Park, there’s an argument to be made that a move for the United figure may not have been particularly necessary due to the presence of another midfielder that is already at Palace on loan from one of the Premier League’s top clubs – Conor Gallagher.

Having made the short journey from Chelsea to Palace back in the previous summer transfer window on a loan deal until the end of the season, the 21-year-old has become an important figure for Vieira’s side in this campaign.

With only four outfield players racking up more minutes in the Premier League than the Englishman so far this season, Gallagher has managed to score more goals (7) than any other Palace player as well as providing three assists along the way.

As well as his impressive record in front of goal this season, the £19.8m-rated ace, who has been likened to legendary Premier League midfielder Frank Lampard in the past by Vieira, has managed to rack up an overall performance rating of 7.36/10, comfortably making him Palace’s highest-rated player according to WhoScored.

This not only shows how crucial the player has been for the team this season, it also shows what a great bit of business it was from the club to get him in the first place and why they should now be thinking about trying to sign him permanently when the summer transfer window opens.

With that in mind, it’s hardly a surprise that well-known Palace expert HLTCO, wrote on Twitter: “Conor Gallagher has been a truly transformative force in the Palace midfield since joining the club.”

If the Eagles are able to sign the England international on a permanent basis in the summer, this would give him a great of developing and improving his game even further as well as giving Vieira the chance to continue unearthing what could become one of the best midfield players in the Premier League and put Van de Beek behind them.

In other news: Palace remain interested in 22-y/o striker, he can save their season

Newcastle have been handed a major injury boost ahead of their clash with Aston Villa today…

What’s the latest?

Magpies boss Eddie Howe has revealed a relief for Dan Burn as the former Brighton centre-back is available to be named in the starting XI at St James’ Park.

Matt Targett is ineligible to face his parent club and this has opened up a spot in the team for the ex-Seagulls man to potentially fill.

When asked about who could start at left-back, Howe told The Chronicle: “Dan Burn is an option for us and it’s great that I’ve got a couple of options in that position. Manquillo has done really well at left-back – he came on against Leeds and made a huge impact.”

This comes after the giant defender did not make his Magpies debut against Everton, with the head coach citing a toe injury as the reason behind that decision.

Buzzing

Newcastle fans will surely be buzzing, as this update from Howe indicates that Burn’s issue with his toe is resolved and that he will be able to play from the start against Villa today. He was unable to make the starting XI against the Toffees, which ultimately meant that the Toon Army did not get to see him in action for the first time.

Therefore, they will be delighted by the prospect of seeing him line up in the team this afternoon, albeit in place of Targett at left-back instead of in his more natural central defensive position. He is a proven Premier League performer and his reputation could get fans excited about watching him play.

In the top flight this season, he has averaged a SofaScore rating of 6.96. Allan Saint-Maximin and Kieran Trippier are the only Magpies players who can better that score, which suggests that he could be one of the club’s top performers if he is able to replicate his Brighton form on Tyneside.

He does have experience playing at left-back, with 46 appearances in that position throughout his career. Graham Potter opted to utilise him a left wing-back at times despite his two-metre frame, and this means the 29-year-old could be a viable option for Howe in that role in place of Targett.

Whilst fans may have to wait to see him towering above strikers at centre-back, they could still enjoy watching him maraud down the flank to support the Newcastle attack.

It is a major boost for Howe as he has Targett, Matt Ritchie and Paul Dummett all unavailable, alongside Jamal Lewis, who was left out of the 25-man squad. This means that Burn’s availability has come at a crucial moment for the Toon.

AND in other news, £32m down the drain: Shocking Newcastle flop has been rinsing the club for 158 weeks…

As Wolves aim to secure European football by the end of their first season under the management of Bruno Lage, it seems as though the 45-year-old could be set to welcome some key players back into his squad in the near future.

What’s the news?

According to a recent article from Birmingham Live, Wolves trio Pedro Neto, Willy Boly and Yerson Mosquera have recently been involved in some training sessions based on recent images from Crompton Park after all three had struggled with injury issues.

Having previously mentioned how threadbare his squad had been in the centre-back positions as a result of Boly and Mosquera’s absences, it will undoubtedly be a big relief for everyone at the club to have the duo back available before the end of the season.

However, with Wolves boasting an impressive defensive record this season with Conor Coady, Max Kilman and Romain Saiss at the back for the majority of the campaign, it would seem difficult for either Boly or Mosquera to immediately get back into the team when fully fit again.

As for Neto, considering how he ended last season at Molineux as the club’s joint-highest rated player with an overall performance rating of 7.11/10 from WhoScored and a combined total of 11 goals and assists in the league, he could find it easier to get back into the side when he recovers from his knee injury.

Now that Adama Traore has made the move back to Barcelona on loan, and with summer arrival Francisco Trincao failing to register even one goal or assist in 19 league appearances in a Wolves shirt this season, Lage could be relying on Neto to come into the fold and get some goal contributions to ensure a strong finish to the season for his team.

All in all, Lage and the Wolves fan base will surely be delighted to eventually see the injured trio back in the squad again to add some more depth ahead of the final third of the campaign as they strive towards a European finish.

In other news – Signed for £12m, now worth £27m: Wolves struck dream deal for £75k-p/w “big character”