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Journalist Ben Jacobs has confirmed that Newcastle United are interested in signing Youri Tielemans this month.

The Lowdown: Interest in Tielemans

Due to the injury sustained by Jonjo Shelvey, it has been reported that Newcastle are going to be active in the market as they go in search of a new central midfielder to fill the void.

Reports have suggested that Tielemans is on the shortlist and Craig Hope has admitted on the True Faith podcast that Howe is indeed a fan of the midfielder, having been linked with him in 2022.

Tielemans arriving at Newcastle would potentially unleash Bruno Guimaraes to play further forward and try to rediscover his goalscoring form from last season.

The Latest: Howe keen on signing Belgium star

Jacobs spoke on The Done Deal Show about the genuine interest Newcastle hold in Tielemans as they look to push for the top four during the second half of this season.

He said: “Now we’re hearing Newcastle United again – and there’s no smoke without fire, here. Newcastle are looking at Youri Tielemans as an option, and they have other options as well, but they want somebody that is [good] value – and Tielemans is because his contract is ticking down.

“And their January strategy has changed, really, because of how good they’ve been, and they need that depth and quality to try and solidify their place in a Champions League football spot.”

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The Verdict: Newcastle should go for Tielemans

It’s no surprise that Newcastle are keen on landing Tielemans given he’s been called ‘top class’ by his current manager Brendan Rodgers, although he was benched for their last game against Liverpool.

Given that Newcastle reportedly don’t want to spend heavily during the transfer window, going for someone like Tielemans who will soon become a free agent would surely be a smart way to recruit.

It would be a statement of intent if Newcastle could land Tielemans to help beef up their midfield department as he’s also been linked with a move to league leaders Arsenal over the previous months, so to beat them to his signature could be huge.

Liverpool are now monitoring Valencia midfielder Yunus Musah ahead of a potential move, according to reports.

The Lowdown: World Cup standout

The American was one of the standout performers for his nation at the World Cup last year, despite Gregg Berhalter’s side getting knocked out in their last 16 game against the Netherlands.

The 20-year-old’s contract at the Mestalla Stadium isn’t set to expire until 2026 but it sounds like he’s attracting plenty of interest from the Premier League, in particular Anfield.

The Latest: Liverpool eyeing Musah

According to Spanish reports (via Liverpool Echo), the Reds are ‘following’ the progress of Musah and are joined in the race for his signature by their top-flight rivals Chelsea and Arsenal.

Jurgen Klopp is claimed to have personally made the New York native a ‘new request’ to the board in a bid to ‘reinforce’ his options in the middle of the park.

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The Verdict: Perfect for the press

Liverpool have held a long-standing interest in Borussia Dortmund star Jude Bellingham, and should they be able to complete a deal for him at some point later this year, Musah could be perfect short-term alternative to arrive this month.

The La Liga maestro is creative in the final third, having made eight goal contributions at Valencia, and is a versatile player with the ability to operate in three different positions (Transfermarkt).

However, his most important trait is his pressing ability, which is exactly what Klopp needs given the lack of energy in his midfield department currently.

Musah has been praised as an ‘elite engine, vertical, hardworking, strong and quick’ by scout Jacek Kulig, and these are all traits which could reignite the Reds’ famed gegenpressing.

Reliable journalist Jordan Campbell believes Glasgow Rangers could still potentially sign midfielder Todd Cantwell during the January transfer window.

The Lowdown: Cantwell linked with Rangers move

Michael Beale will want to bring in his own signings in this window, the first of his tenure as Gers manager.

One player who has been heavily linked with a move to Ibrox is Cantwell, who has been limited to just nine starts for Norwich in the Championship this season.

A fresh update suggests that the 24-year-old could arrive at Rangers this month.

The Latest: January switch could happen

Taking to Twitter, Campbell claimed that Beale could look to sign a player who is out of contract this summer in January, mentioning Cantwell’s name in the process:

“Beale says that if an out-of-contract player is available to bring in early it is something he would look to do to help them adapt. Cantwell fits that bill.”

The Verdict: Great option for Beale

Cantwell would have the potential to be a superb signing for Rangers, bringing a combination of endless running and technical quality in midfield areas. He won two tackles and made three interceptions in his one EFL Cup outing this season, against Bournemouth, and has an 82.6% pass completion rate in the league.

The Englishman has 45 appearances to his name in the Premier League, as well as scoring six goals, and that experience at the highest level shows that he can be a hit at Ibrox.

Granted, his stock appears to have fallen a little at Norwich with his recent lack of game time, but a new challenge at Rangers, under a manager who he could thrive under, makes this an exciting potential signing, having been lauded for his ‘God-given’ talent by former coach Gary Cockaday.

Arsenal could throw their hat into the ring in the race to sign Jude Bellingham from Borussia Dortmund this summer given their impressive form this season, believes pundit Ally McCoist.

What’s the word?

The Englishman looks set to leave the club this summer amid major interest from Real Madrid and Liverpool, with a reported price tag of €150m (£130m) being mooted.

The decision may rest with the player as he chooses a club with a sporting project best suited to him, and the league leaders may yet fancy their chances of landing him.

Mikel Arteta’s side are currently eight points clear at the top of the Premier League, and with one of the youngest average sides in the division, it is a club that can help young stars thrive.

Speaking on talkSPORT, McCoist suggested that Arsenal’s excellent form this season, as well as the excellent progress made by Arteta, could make the Emirates Stadium an attractive destination for Bellingham.

He said: “Arsenal have got to come into the equation, because of the team, because of the manager, because of the way the club is going, the ages of the squad.

“Arsenal would obviously come int0 it, as would Manchester City. So he’s got a couple of decisions to make.”

Not a priority

With recent reports suggesting that Arsenal may move for Declan Rice at the end of the season, signing another central midfielder may not be on the agenda for Arsenal beyond that.

Granit Xhaka and Martin Odegaard have been excellent as the two advanced central midfielders in the Arsenal side this season in the position which Bellingham would occupy, while they also have Emile Smith Rowe and Fabio Vieira as capable cover there.

Although they may love to sign someone with Bellingham’s quality, it would be a costly transfer in a position which may not need immediate strengthening, so it may be a surprise if they do move for the teenager.

Liverpool have been heavily linked with a move for Moises Caicedo since the summer and now a new update has emerged from a reliable source on the player’s future.

What’s the latest?

According to The Times reporter Duncan Castles, Brighton and Hove Albion have slapped a huge £100m price tag on the midfielder after Chelsea made a £55m proposal to sign Caicedo this week – which was rejected.

As per the report, the popular Ecuadorian talent has been capturing the attention of a number of clubs and it is claimed that the south-coast club have told Graham Potter’s side they will need to meet the huge price tag in order to sign Caicedo in the summer.

Forget about Bellingham

It has been widely reported that Liverpool are monitoring Caicedo’s situation since he changed his agent this month and there is no doubt he would be the perfect signing in the club’s pursuit to rebuild the midfield at Anfield in 2023.

Naby Keita, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and James Milner are all out of contract at the end of the current campaign which would allow for the powerbrokers at the Merseyside club to spark a youthful revolution in the centre of the pitch, thus bringing Liverpool back to life next season.

The Reds are struggling to maintain their dominance in the Premier League and due to a number of inconsistent performances have found themselves falling into ninth in the table at the halfway point, now ten points adrift from the Champions League qualifying spots inside the top four.

As a result, the signing of Caicedo this summer would be a great piece of business for Liverpool with the midfielder proving over his short career so far that he is a huge talent.

Indeed, the “world-class” talent – as hailed by Ecuador head coach Gustavo Alfaro – has been hugely impressive over 18 league appearances so far this season.

The 21-year-old has scored one goal and tallied up an impressive 88% pass completion rate, showing a security in possession of the ball. On top of that, the Brighton ace has averaged 1.1 key passes, 1.4 interceptions, 2.9 tackles and won 5.8 duels per game, a marker of his all-round game.

Not only that, but Caicedo ranks in the top 30% of his positional peers across the top five European leagues for pass completion, tackles, interceptions and aerial duels won, displaying huge potential in his output that could be a massively valuable asset to Jurgen Klopp next season.

As a result, he could well be the perfect player to help Liverpool forget about Borussia Dortmund wonderkid Jude Bellingham this summer, with a move having been mooted a great deal in the last few months.

Perhaps more so than Caicedo, the Englishman is renowned for his talent as an all-rounder, and injecting at least one of the energetic youngsters into the middle third at Anfield could set up the next generation of success perfectly.

Remarkably, however, it is the Seagulls star who comes in cheaper, with Bellingham’s price tag touted at a jaw-dropping £130m, a fee that would make him the most expensive Three Lion of all time.

It won’t be easy for the Reds to capture the services of Caicedo with Chelsea keen to also improve their midfield, however, if FSG can make a tempting offer by giving the youngster a starring role in the team it could be enough to beat competitors.

Chelsea have Brighton & Hove Albion goalkeeper Robert Sanchez ‘high up on the list’ of potential signings, according to journalist Simon Phillips.

The Lowdown: Chelsea’s goalkeeper issues

Since the arrival of Graham Potter in September, Kepa Arrizabalaga has been the preferred choice between the sticks for Chelsea, with the Spaniard starting 12 of his team’s last 14 games in the Premier League, although he has received criticism for some of his recent displays.

The 28-year-old was slammed by Peter Crouch on BT Sport for making a ‘massive error’ against Fulham (via Daily Mail), while Edouard Mendy, the Blues’ other senior option in goal, has been criticised by Shay Given for a ‘terrible mistake’ against Leeds United earlier this season.

The Latest: Sanchez targeted by Chelsea

Speaking to GIVEMESPORT, Phillips claimed that Sanchez is one of the players being considered by Chelsea to come in as the new first-choice goalkeeper, with Brentford’s David Raya also reportedly being targeted.

The journalist said: “David Raya definitely isn’t the only one. There’s probably a good handful on the shortlist of goalkeepers that could come in.

“High up on the list is Robert Sanchez from Brighton as well. He’s another one Chelsea are taking a closer look at.”

The Verdict: Get it done

Potter knows that he can trust Sanchez given his previous history of working with him at Brighton, during which time he described the 25-year-old as a “monster” who’s “got everything to be a top goalkeeper”.

The Spaniard is particularly adept at stopping crosses, ranking in the 94th percentile in this area compared to his positional peers in Europe’s top five leagues over the past 12 months. He also weighs in with some vital saves, recently making three from inside the box in Albion’s 3-1 win at Southampton a month ago.

While it appeared as though Chelsea had found a top goalkeeper in Mendy, his recent performances have left a lot to be desired. He ranked as the worst player on the pitch in Senegal’s World Cup meeting against England with a 5.8 SofaScore rating, and Sanchez would appear to be a discernible upgrade for Potter between the sticks.

A major update has emerged regarding Sunderland’s attempts to bolster their squad during the January transfer window…

What’s the talk?

According to journalist Alan Nixon’s Patreon, the Black Cats are closing in on the signing of Lille forward Isaac Lihadji before next week’s transfer deadline.

The report claims that the 20-year-old is poised to become the latest signing for Tony Mowbray’s side, following the arrival of Pierre Ekwah from West Ham United earlier this week, although it remains unclear as to whether he will link up with the squad immediately or in the summer.

French outlet La Voix Du Nord has backed this up by stating that the two clubs are in negotiations, adding that Sunderland are not set to pay any compensation to the Ligue 1 outfit as the forward’s contract is set to expire at the end of the campaign.

Jack Clarke 2.0

Kristjaan Speakman could unearth another gem on the wings by finalising this prospective deal to bring Lihadji to the Stadium of Light either this month or in the summer.

The Black Cats chief bolstered the squad last summer by striking a permanent deal to sign Jack Clarke from Premier League side Tottenham, and the 22-year-old has been in fine form this season.

In the current Championship campaign, the Englishman has produced four goals and six assists in 26 starts for Sunderland, creating 1.6 chances per match from out wide.

Clarke – who has explosive pace on the left flank – has proven himself to be a constant threat in the second tier, and Speakman could find the right-sided version of the gem in the form of Lihadji.

A left-footed right winger, the Lille attacker has fallen out of favour at Lille this season, but his form in Ligue 1 last term suggests that he has the potential to be an excellent signing for Sunderland.

Lihadji scored one goal and set up four for his team-mates in 13 appearances in the French top flight in 2021/22. That was despite starting just two matches and playing 227 minutes in total, which means that he played the equivalent of approximately 2.5 full games.

Therefore, the 20-year-old averaged a goal contribution every 45 minutes in Ligue 1, a stunning return for a player who does not turn 21 until April.

The dynamo, who talent scout Jacek Kulig previously hailed as “explosive”, has showcased his talent in a major European league, which indicates that there is a quality player in there who Mowbray could unlock in the coming months and potentially years.

Like Clarke, Lihadji has shown that he has the talent to produce goals and assists from out wide, and the Frenchman could be Sunderland’s next wing wizard to illuminate the Stadium of Light.

Aston Villa are thought to be one of numerous Premier League clubs keen on signing Conor Gallagher before the January transfer window closes tonight, according to The Athletic’s Chelsea reporter Liam Twomey.

The Lowdown: Gallagher profiled

The 22-year-old appears to be at the top of his game with a career-high €32m (£28m) Transfermarkt valuation. Capable of playing as a holding, central or attacking midfielder, he has made 25 appearances in all competitions at Stamford Bridge this season.

Described as “outrageous” by Crystal Palace podcaster Dan Cook following a goal during a loan spell at Selhurst Park last term, the England international is reportedly ‘one of the most sought-after players heading into the final hours of the transfer window’.

The Latest: Villa interested in Gallagher

Twomey took to Twitter on Monday, claiming that he can’t see Gallagher joining Everton following a reported offer.

The Athletic’s Chelsea correspondent said that the player is ‘expected to have better PL options’, with Villa one of four clubs named alongside Crystal Palace, Newcastle United and West Ham.

The Verdict: Get it done

Unai Emery has wanted to bring in a new midfielder this month after already signing defender Alex Moreno and forward Jhon Duran, so winning the race for Gallagher’s services could prove to be a major coup for Villa.

Still just 22 years of age, the Chelsea gem has gone from strength to strength in recent years, winning Crystal Palace’s Player of the Season prize after contributing to 39 appearances last season.

Gallagher would offer plenty of versatility at Villa Park, something which could come in handy with Emery tinkering between a 4-4-2 and 4-2-3-1 system since taking over in the Midlands. Gallagher could play in defensive, central or attacking midfield roles in those formations, so a late move appears to be a no-brainer.

Liverpool defender Joel Matip has been blasted for his ‘shaky’ performance during the Premier League game vs Wolverhampton Wanderers by journalist James Pearce.

The Lowdown: Bad day at the office

The Reds were the visitors at Molineux Stadium this afternoon where they suffered a 3-0 defeat at the hands of Julen Lopetegui’s side, and it was a bad day at the office for one man in particular.

The Merseyside outfit’s centre-back attempted to block a cutback by Hwang Hee-chan, but instead of closing him down, the ball deflected off his trailing leg and found the back of net, meaning that an own goal was scored with just five minutes on the clock.

The Latest: Pearce’s reaction

Taking to Twitter, Pearce reacted to Matip’s defensive error and couldn’t believe how he failed to clear the ball away from his box. He wrote:

“Just absolute basics. No idea why Matip [was] so slow to spot that danger. He’s looked so shaky in these opening stages.”

The Verdict: Needs to be removed

Liverpool have both Virgil Van Dijk and Ibrahima Konate out of action leaving Joe Gomez and Matip the only senior centre-back options available, but the latter has not given the best account of himself since returning to the side.

The 6 foot 4 colossus had a nightmare in the 3-0 defeat to Brighton back in January and today he delivered a very similar nervy display at the heart of the backline.

The Bochum native received a match rating of just 6.0 against the Old Gold, the lowest in the whole of the Reds squad, which just about says it all.

Van Dijk is reportedly edging closer to a comeback, and it should be a no-brainer of a decision for Jurgen Klopp to take Matip out of the team and replace him with the Dutch wall.

Newcastle United will be hoping to maintain their place in the Champions League spots this weekend as they come up against AFC Bournemouth in the Premier League.

The Magpies are one point ahead of Tottenham Hotspur, who play Leicester this afternoon, in the table and could head into this evening’s fixture in fifth if Antonio Conte’s men come away with a win.

This means that the pressure could be on Eddie Howe’s side to pick up all three points against the Cherries, after drawing their last outing in the division with West Ham United.

Should Elliot Anderson start for Newcastle?

Scoring goals has been a significant issue for the Magpies in the Premier League of late and the Toon head coach may be plotting ways to spark his team into life heading into the final few months of the campaign.

Newcastle have scored twice in their last five outings in the English top-flight, including three 0-0 draws, and Howe could make a few alterations to his starting XI to turn their fortunes around in front of goal.

One player the Magpies boss must consider unleashing is academy graduate Elliot Anderson as the 20-year-old midfielder has the potential to be a difference-maker in attack.

The Scotland under-21 international is yet to start a match in the Premier League and this clash with Bournemouth could be his chance to finally shine and show that he can be the missing spark in the middle of the park, with Bruno Guimaraes currently suspended.

Howe recently stated that the gem is “ready to start” matches for the club, from a physical perspective, and this indicates that the manager is willing to offer the youngster an opportunity to impress.

Anderson’s form for Bristol Rovers on loan last term caught the eye as the 5 foot 10 gem produced seven goals and six assists, whilst creating 1.9 chances per match, in 20 starts.

His contributions in League Two came after the gem scored 16 goals and provided three assists in 32 appearances for the Newcastle U21 side, which shows that the midfielder has proven himself to be a reliable attacking threat at senior and youth level.

However, the dynamo, who ex-Toon scout Graham Carr once dubbed “classy” and “like Peter Beardsley”, is yet to prove himself at Premier League level, with nine substitute outings, but providing him with the opportunity to showcase his talent from the start could spark his top-flight career and Newcastle’s attack into life.

Anderson is a midfielder who likes to make things happen in the final third, as shown by his impressive goalscoring and creative output for the 21s and Rovers, and his quality in possession could help the Magpies to end their difficult run in front of goal.