West Ham United are expected to submit an imminent bid for Paris Saint Germain’s Hugo Ekitike, and a new report has revealed the price it will take to bring him to the Premier League.
Are West Ham signing Hugo Ekitike?
Standing at 6 foot 2, Ekitike only completed the permanent move to the Parc des Princes last month following a successful loan spell from Stade Reims, as per Transfermarkt, where he’s made a total of 33 appearances to date, but there’s a strong possibility that he could be on the move before the end of the ongoing summer transfer window.
Despite still having another four years to run on his contract, Luis Enrique’s side are reportedly ready to cash in on the 21-year-old striker in order to fund new signings of their own, and should he depart, he’s got a potential suitor waiting for him in the form of David Moyes in E20.
RMC Sport previously revealed that the Irons had expressed an initial interest in the Frenchman, whilst Sport Zone have since claimed that the London Stadium outfit have stepped up their pursuit of the centre-forward following the departure of Gianluca Scamacca who has left the club to join Atalanta in the Serie A.
Paris Saint-Germain striker Hugo Ekitike.
According to L’Equipe (via Sport Witness), West Ham are in “direct contact” regarding a summer swoop for Ekitike and are set to “quickly make an offer” of a loan with an option to buy for a fee in the region of €35m (£29m).
Should PSG’s star make the permanent move to the top-flight, it’s stated that the requirements needed to trigger that option would be “very easily attainable”, and with Moyes appearing “confident” that his target has the necessary qualities to succeed, this could be one to keep a close eye on in the final weeks of the market.
How many goals has Hugo Ekitike scored?
Since the start of his career, Ekitike has posted 35 goal contributions (24 goals and 11 assists) in 87 appearances which has seen him dubbed a “revelation” by football talent scout Jacek Kulig, so should he put pen to paper, it could be a massive coup for West Ham.
The Reims native also recorded 34 shots over the course of the previous campaign which was the fourth-highest number throughout the whole of his squad, via FBRef, which is pretty good going when you consider that he had to compete with the likes of Lionel Messi, Kylian Mbappe and Neymar.
Read The Latest West Ham Transfer News HERE…
PSG’s attacker additionally has experience competing in the Champions League and will know what it takes to be successful at the top level having been crowned Ligue 1 winners for 2022/23, so could bring a welcome winning mentality to the capital.
Furthermore, Ekitike has the versatility to operate out wide on the left wing as well as in his usual role through the middle so he could be a great option for the boss to have in the building should any unexpected injuries occur, making this a no-brainer of a deal to complete and one to keep an eye on before the deadline.
Leeds United striker Patrick Bamford's future at Elland Road is up in the air at the moment, and there has been a key update regarding it.
Is Patrick Bamford going to leave Leeds?
There was a point when the 29-year-old was one of the first names on the team sheet at Elland Road, scoring 17 Premier League goals in the 2020/21 season. He was arguably one of the most in-form attacking players in the country, but he has dropped off significantly since then.
A string of injury problems have stunted Bamford's growth, limiting him to only 18 starts out of 38 in the league last season, and he has increasingly felt like an expendable figure.
He is yet to make a competitive appearance in 2023/24, with Joel Piroe arriving as an exciting signing from Swansea City while Bamford has been out with another injury he sustained in pre season.
Now, a key update has emerged regarding Bamford's future with the Whites – one that suggests that his time at Elland Road could come to an end sooner rather than later.
What's the latest on Patrick Bamford's Leeds future?
According to Football League Paper journalist Chris Dunlavy [via MOT Leeds News], Bamford could well leave Leeds in the January transfer window, with the 49ers Enterprises possibly open to the idea of selling him, highlighting his big £30,000-a-week wage.
"Now the club has a new striker in Joel Piroe, the question must be asked – does Bamford have a future at Elland Road? Piroe is the undisputed first choice. Not only did the Dutchman cost £10m from Swansea, he has scored 44 Championship goals in two seasons. That cannot be ignored.
"Georginio Rutter is also guaranteed to start when fit, if only to justify the eye-watering £30m fee that Leeds paid Hoffenheim in January. With Willy Gnonto also capable of playing up front, that leaves Bamford as – at best – third-choice. Can a man who played for England really stomach that?
"More to the point, Bamford signed a £70,000-a-week [contract] that does not expire until 2026. Financially, it makes very little sense to keep a £30,000-a-week substitute on your balance sheet, and it would be highly surprising if Leeds did not actively invite offers in January."
In truth, it was almost a surprise that Bamford wasn't sold during the summer transfer window, considering how much he has struggled to make an impact in recent times, both because of injuries and ineffective performances – scoring just four times last season.
Read the latest Leeds transfer news HERE…
Having the Englishman still in the squad certainly isn't a bad thing, considering he possesses quality when he is on top of his game – Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp once called him "exceptional" during his aforementioned run of good form a couple of years ago – but if a chance to sell him in January arises, Leeds could be wise to accept an offer for his services.
Bamford's current Whites contract doesn't expire until the summer of 2026, meaning they are still in a fairly strong bargaining position to demand good money for his signature, and it is unlikely that he will reach his former heights again, as his 30th birthday approaches later this year.
Liverpool may be impressing on the pitch at the moment, but an "embarrassing" incident has occurred away from the pitch, according to a fresh update.
What's the latest news at Liverpool?
Going into the new Premier League season, Jurgen Klopp's side felt like something of an unknown entity, having disappointed so much last time around, finishing fifth after originally being seen as title challengers.
Huge changes have happened within Liverpool's squad since the end of 2022/23, with Alexis Mac Allister, Dominik Szoboszlai, Wataru Endo and Ryan Gravenberch all added to the midfield, with the likes of Fabinho and Jordan Henderson moving on, as well as several others.
It has been a strong opening to the campaign for the Reds, however, who have won three and drawn one of their first four fixtures, having already made trips to Chelsea and Newcastle United.
Later this month, Liverpool will also get their Europa League campaign underway, and while they would much rather be plying their trade in the Champions League this season, it is still a good chance of sealing yet more silverware under Klopp – a Dublin final next year makes it even more inviting.
One of the sides who the Reds will come up against in their group is Austrian outfit LASK, who may not be a world-renowned team, but still have the potential to cause them problems if they are not fully switched on. Unfortunately, a new update suggests that a big error from Liverpool could hurt relations between the two club before they meet on September 21st.
What off-field error have Liverpool made?
According to Austrian newspaper Kronen Zeitung [via Sport Witness], the Reds have been made to look "weak and embarrassing" because of numerous mistakes made on the club's official website when it came to providing a report on LASK, including saying they were in the last 16 of the UEFA Europa Conference League last season, when in fact it was the year before.
It is claimed that "false information" was posted regarding them – including the "nonsense of listing former players who never actually played for them – which is seen as unforgivable given the "huge PR and media department" that Liverpool have. It is even angrily stated that LASK will beat Klopp's side in both group stage meetings in the Europa League should they show a similar level of incompetence on the pitch.
This is not a good look for Liverpool, who have largely been seen as such a well-run club since Klopp arrived at Anfield in October 2015, with everyone pulling the same direction and doing their jobs impressively.
LASK have every right to feel disrespected by the Reds, at a time when they will be looking forward to coming up against one of world football's most famous names, and while mistakes are only human, to have the official club website make such an amateur error is not a good look for the club at all.
The hope is that apologies have been made to the right people and that the relationship is not damaged too much before the two sides meet later this month, but this isn't an incident that anyone of a Liverpool persuasion will feel particularly proud of.
The mooted takeover of Everton Football Club has dominated the headlines at the club of late, and now a significant and worrying update has emerged.
What's happening at Everton?
It's fair to say that it is a rocky period for the Blues at the moment, with issues going on both on the pitch and away from the action at Goodison Park. Last Sunday's 1-0 defeat home to Arsenal means that Sean Dyche's side have picked up just one point from their first five Premier League matches this season, leading to concerns that a third consecutive relegation battle could be coming their way.
Off the field, the hope is that Everton are purchased by 777 Partners, with an agreement with Farhad Moshiri confirmed to be in place, but financial issues are holding back the deal at the moment.
Should it go through, it could represent the start of a more promising era at Goodison, prior to them leaving for a new stadium at the end of the current campaign, but a new update suggests there is still plenty of work to be done.
Goodison Park awaits a Premier League game for Everton amid their financial issues.
What's the latest news on the Everton takeover?
According to Football Insider, MSP Sports Capital could withdraw their loan offering if they don't see 777 Partners as the right owners moving forward, which would leave the new investors short of the necessary cash:
"MSP Sports Capital can recall their £100million loan to Everton if they do not approve of the club’s new owners, sources have told Football Insider. The Toffees received a £100million loan from the US investment group this month despite talks of a majority takeover collapsing. It is understood that the £100million was needed by Everton to help finance the construction of the Bramley Moore Dock Stadium as well as keep up with monthly bills."
The report continues: "Football Insider has been told that the MSP loan has a ‘recall clause’ that allows them to request repayment of all funds if they don’t approve of the club’s new ownership.
"It is unclear whether 777 Partners would have the finances to both pay off Everton’s recalled loans and keep up with the club’s monthly payments and stadium costs."
This is a clear concern for anyone of an Everton persuasion, with the situation seemingly becoming murkier by the day, at a time when a smooth transition from Moshiri to 777 would do the club the world of good.
The fact that MSP Sports Capital have doubts about the potential incoming owners has to be seen as a worry, and while many supporters want a deal to be struck as soon as possible, the club must be extremely careful that this next era is with the right people in charge.
The hope is that this issue simply blows over and that MSP's stance changes, but the longer the saga goes on, the more it feels as though an agreement could possibly fall through, leaving Everton back to square one and looking for different owners.
It is indicative of how poorly run the Blues seem to be in general currently, and if they don't get out of this malaise quickly, they could find themselves in the Championship next season.
Joel Matip haplessly scooped the ball into his own net with but moments until the final whistle, but Liverpool will condemn mistakes of a far greater weight as Jurgen Klopp's side rue the ineptitude of officials in defeat against Tottenham Hotspur.
The Reds have started the 2023/24 campaign with the strength and solidarity that has been intrinsic to the success of this squad since Klopp's appointment way back when, and while a seven-match winning streak across all competitions and an unbeaten start to the term has been cruelly snapped, there are positives to be recovered from the grimy debris of an inconsolable evening.
Liverpool remain in fourth place in the Premier League and just two points off leaders Manchester City, who lost to Wolverhampton Wanderers earlier in the day, and indeed, the spirit on display was reminiscent of the formidable outfit that swept the whole gamut of silverware under Klopp's leadership.
Once again, were it not for the heroic shot-stopping efforts of Alisson, Liverpool might not be nursing such a profound sense of injustice, with the Brazilian undisputably the "the best" between the sticks right now, as was said by 90min's Scott Saunders.
How did Alisson perform against Tottenham?
In London, he made a whopping eight saves – including wondrous stretching stops from a curling effort from James Maddison and an instinctive hand from the free-scoring Heung-min Son.
Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson.
Signed from Roma for £67m in 2018 – a world record for a goalkeeper at the time – the 30-year-old certainly didn't come cheap, but are there truly many Premier League acquisitions for such a lofty fee to have eclipsed the impact he has had behind the rearguard of the Merseyside club's defence.
When the wounds inflicted on a dreary night against the Lilywhites – who continue their resounding revival under Ange Postecoglou – are healed, the Reds will be emboldened in their pursuit of silverware, and with Alisson in goal, they truly boast the armour to achieve such ambitious goals.
While Alisson deservedly received praise for his efforts, the return to full strength of Virgil van Dijk must not go under the radar; after several years of ebbing and flowing from his best for different reasons, the Dutchman looks a dominant force in central defence again.
How is Virgil van Dijk playing this season?
That's not to say he was ever awful, rather, a detrimental injury suffered against Everton in 2020 had hindered his relentless presence at the back, and now, Van Dijk really does look to have hit his zenith again.
Spurs, despite having a two-man advantage for around 25 minutes, failed to truly exert their dominance on proceedings, rebuffed by a resolute Reds defence that simply refused to give up.
Virgil Van Dijk Liverpool
Recording a joint-match-high Sofascore rating of 8.4 – alongside Spurs' Pedro Porro – the £220k-per-week colossus made eight clearances, blocked six shots and committed two tackles and interceptions apiece, also winning 100% of his duels and completing 95% of his passes.
On top of his defensive brilliance, the 32-year-old expertly nodded down the ball on the stroke of half-time to hand Liverpool a deserved equaliser after a pivoting strike from Cody Gakpo, who injured himself in the process.
Sustaining such supreme showings, the "world-class" defender, as has been said by pundit Darren Bent, could yet inspire a return to glory for his club this season.
While the bitter defeat hurts, Liverpool have displayed their glittering credentials in the most courageous and stoical of performances, and the sun will shine on Anfield again with this crop of players plying their trade under Klopp's management.
Everton are hoping to offer one of their first-team squad members a new contract, according to what one reliable journalist has heard from Goodison Park.
What's the latest transfer news at Everton?
According to TEAMtalk, Sean Dyche has set his sights on signing Shakhtar Donetsk defender Mykola Matviyenko in January, but he is set to face stiff competition when it comes to securing his services from Premier League rivals West Ham, Crystal Palace, Burnley and Sheffield United who are also interested in a swoop.
Alongside him, Sevilla forward Adnan Januzaj and Manchester United’s Harry Maguire have also been linked with moves at the start of the new year, and whilst there is plenty of work going on to bring fresh faces in, it appears that Goodison chiefs are also keen to focus on the contract situations of players who are already on Merseyside.
One of those that they have turned their attention towards is Jarrad Branthwaite who, after returning to the club following two loans at Blackburn Rovers and most recently PSV Eindhoven, has established himself as the boss’ overall second best-performing player so far this season with a WhoScored match rating of 6.98.
Over the summer, England’s youth international was the subject of a surprise enquiry from Erik ten Hag’s side at Old Trafford, but a deal failed to come to fruition before the deadline, likely as a result of his £25m price tag, so following the previous attention, the centre-back is wanted to commit his future in L4.
Is Jarrad Branthwaite signing a new contract at Everton?
Taking to X, The Athletic’s Patrick Boyland revealed that Everton are set to table Branthwaite an improved contract which would see him extend his stay at Goodison Park. He wrote:
“'He’s got everything to go to the very top'. Jarrad Branthwaite is starting to fulfil his vast potential. Yet to be dribbled past this season & fifth in PL for both interceptions + recoveries. 2 years + 1 left but Everton keen to tie him to [a] new deal.”
Everton defender Jarrad Branthwaite.
How tall is Jarrad Branthwaite?
Standing at a staggering 6 foot 5, Branthwaite provides an excellent physical presence at the heart of the backline, and he’s been a rock so far this season having averaged 4.3 clearances and three aerial wins per top-flight game for Everton, via WhoScored, which Dyche will love to see.
The Carlisle-born talent, who pockets £15k-per-week, is also capable of making a positive impact at the opposite end of the pitch having posted nine involvements (seven goals and two assists) in 88 appearances since the start of his career, which has seen him hailed a “terrific” footballer by his former manager Steven Pressley.
Furthermore, whilst the 21-year-old’s natural role is at centre-back, he even has the versatility to play out wide at left-back, so this is another attribute that will no doubt be attractive to the boss and one that makes him a fantastic option to keep in the building, therefore, the hierarchy need to do everything they can to fend off interest and get him to put pen to paper.
Aston Villa are on the path to glory under Unai Emery, with the Spaniard initiating a host of changes at Villa Park following his arrival in October 2022.
The former Arsenal boss took charge from Steven Gerrard when the Villans were sat in 16th in the Premier League table, and ended his first campaign in seventh and with a spot in the Europa Conference League.
Despite only being in the Midlands for under a year, Emery has inspired the squad to new heights, succeeding on and off the pitch, as highlighted this summer in the transfer market.
Joined by Monchi as President of Football Operations, the four-time Europa League winner conducted an impressive window of business, welcoming five new faces to Villa Park.
Aston Villa managerUnaiEmery
The captures of Youri Tielemans, Moussa Diaby, Nicolo Zaniolo, Pau Torres and Clement Lenglet have added strength in a number of positions, with their quality signalling an additional pull that the manager has given Villa to attract top talent.
While the new additions have been welcomed with open arms to Emery’s squad, the Spaniard wasn’t able to seal the deal on all the players he was suspected to have targeted this summer.
From Joao Felix to Marco Asensio, Villa were linked with a host of talent, however the Villans were taught a lesson by one of their rumoured targets just last weekend.
Did Aston Villa nearly sign Hwang Hee-chan?
According to the Mirror, Villa were one of the sides interested in Wolverhampton Wanderers star Hwang Hee-chan this summer.
The report dated back to May claimed that the Villans were joined by Tottenham Hotspur, Newcastle United and Roma as those eyeing a potential move for the South Korean speedster.
It was added that Emery’s side had ‘registered interest’ in the forward, who arrived in Wolverhampton on a permanent basis last summer for a fee of £14m after impressing on an initial season-long loan from RB Leipzig.
Nicknamed “the bull” throughout his playing career, the versatile forward has come to life at Molineux, making Villa’s reported interest understandable as he continues to impress in the Premier League.
What is Hwang Hee-chan’s market value?
As per CIES Football Observatory, the 27-year-old has a current market value of €15m (£13m), suggesting that the price Wolves paid for his services last summer was a fair estimation with regard to his quality.
Not only does his value indicate that the Old Gold secured the forward in a strong piece of business, but also that the Villans could have snatched his talents for a slim price if further interest was identified this summer.
How many goals has Hwang Hee-chan scored?
Deployable on either wing and as a centre-forward, Hwang has contributed to a total of 125 goals in 279 domestic appearances so far in his career, scoring 78 and assisting 47 representing a host of clubs.
From his early playing days in South Korea, the dynamic forward has flourished in Austria, Germany and England, donning the shirts of FC Liefering, RB Salzburg, Hamburg, RB Leipzig and of course, the Old Gold of Wolves.
Hwang Hee-chan domestic scoring record
Club
Apps
Goals
Assists
FC Liefering
29
3
4
Hamburg
21
2
2
RB Salzburg
126
45
29
RB Leipzig
29
3
4
Wolves
72
15
4
All figures via Transfermarkt
The Korean made quite the noise in Austria the season prior to his move to Germany, as he scored 16 goals and registered a monstrous 22 assists in all competitions for Salzburg in 2019/20.
That campaign, Hwang recorded eight goal contributions in just six Champions League appearances for his club, highlighting just how dangerous the forward can be at the highest level of domestic football in Europe.
The success of that term saw the winger move to the Bundesliga with RB Leipzig, however his streak of having a hand in goals was not fully translated, as he recorded just one assist and no goals in 18 Bundesliga appearances.
At Wolves, the 27-year-old seems to have rediscovered his form, with his direct nature of play and strength on the ball seeming to be an ideal fit for the physicality and demand of playing in the English top-flight.
What is Hwang Hee-chan doing now?
Last season marked Hwang’s first as a Wolves player, with his first spell at Molineux coming as a loan in which he scored five league goals in 30 appearances in 2021/22.
It was a tough year for all associated with the Midlands club, who were threatened by relegation, as well as having the playing styles altered by three different managers during the 2022/23 campaign.
Steve Davis took charge of the squad between the sacking of Bruno Lage and the arrival of Julen Lopetegui, as Wolves weathered the storm between relegation and survival.
hwang-hee-chan-wolves
Subsequently, Hwang’s form was a shadow of what it had been in the past and what it has become this term, with him netting just three goals in 27 Premier League appearances, where he started just 12 games.
Under Gary O’Neil, things seem to have clicked instantaneously for the £14m man, with him being full of praise for his new manager whom he called “amazing” and “very calm”, relaying that the squad have full trust in him, via Express and Star.
The praise has been reciprocated by the former Bournemouth manager, who lauded his forward as an “intelligent” asset to have in his team, supported by his flying start to the 2023/24 season at Molineux.
So far in the Premier League this term, Hwang has scored five goals in eight games, contributing to over half of Wolves goals and sitting at joint-third in the top-scorer chart so far this term level with Jarrod Bowen and Mohamed Salah.
What could Hwang Hee-chan have offered to Villa?
With reference to how life could have been if Hwang was pursued by Aston Villa this summer, the Villans could have added a stellar forward to their ranks as they know first-hand the danger he can cause.
Last time out for Emery’s side, the Korean was at the heart of Wolves’ 1-1 draw with Villa, opening the scoring after 53 minutes of play.
While the Spaniard recruited well this summer, there is still a long way to go in terms of calculating the extent of depth that the squad will require going forward, with talents in Hwang’s position such as Leon Bailey already missing game time due to injury.
The worry for Villa is the lack of quality to replace first-team absences, areas that could have been eased by the Korean, based on players currently at the club that are lesser performers than him.
One player who could have been offloaded to allow Hwang to come into the plans at Villa Park is Bertrand Traore, who was shipped on loan last term to Turkish outfit Basaksehir in a bid to rediscover his form.
Aston Villa's Bertrand Traore.
You’d have to go back to the 2020/21 campaign to revise when Traore last played consistently for the Villans, with the former Chelsea man averaging a rate of 54% successful dribbles per game and scoring a high of seven goals, via Sofascore.
This term, Hwang has averaged 67% successful dribbles per game for Wolves in the Premier League, as well as already netting five goals, just two shy of Traore’s best-ever tally in England.
In signing their rivals' star man, Emery could’ve added a significant upgrade to his depth, in a move that could have benefitted the Villans to a similar effect that he has aided his club so far this term.
Watching Newcastle United's eventual Saudi takeover via social media was strange. It didn't quite feel real. You can imagine that sensation transferred to the fans too; as more money, pull, and steady progress under Eddie Howe has been rewarded with an already-dramatic Champions League journey.
Although the Magpies have found themselves as media darlings, it's not been the typical aspects that have caught my eye. It's not been Jason Tindall popping up like a gormless, grinning 'Where's Wally?', or big Dan Burn dancing like an arm flailing inflatable on a car dealership forecourt. It's been in the midfield that attention has strayed. Amidst the furore, it's always been about Sandro Tonali.
Where did Sandro Tonali come from?
Since the very early knockings of his career, it's seemed that Tonali was destined for Italian midfield greatness. After starting at the same club that maestro Andrea Pirlo began life at in Brescia – Tonali kicked off his career a fresh-faced 17-year-old with a tenacious skill beyond his years.
A regista, the long-haired deep lying controller drew comparisons to Pirlo quickly, especially after presenting a standout 2019-20 campaign. Brescia ultimately got relegated from Serie A, yet one of few bright spots, Tonali amassed a goal and seven assists – taking on the weight that perhaps a more senior player should've carried.
Tonali stayed true to Brescia until his inner boyhood fan couldn't resist. AC Milan came calling and signed Tonali on a fruitful loan spell in 2020/21 before making the permanent €14.5m (£12.5m) switch the season after. The midfielder even took a pay cut to sign for the team he supported, as he wanted to fulfil a fantasy akin to his childhood idol, Gennaro Gattuso.
Soccer Football – Serie A – Hellas Verona v AC Milan – Stadio Marc’Antonio Bentegodi, Verona, Italy – May 8, 2022 AC Milan’s Sandro Tonali celebrates scoring their second goal REUTERS/Alessandro Garofalo
How good was Sandro Tonali at AC Milan?
In an overall three seasons at Milan, Tonali developed into a leader on the pitch. A deep-lying threat who could both put the graft in as well as pop with an important goal, debatably without him in the system – the Rossoneri would've missed out on a lot of goals. In 97 Serie A games, Tonali provided 10 assists and scored seven times.
Notably in Milan's Scudetto winning season of 2021/22, the midfielder bagged a crucial goal against Lazio to seal a late 2-1 comeback win. The goal featured below signalled a huge three points that sent San Siro's residents to the Serie A summit with just four games to go. It was some highlight to ultimately bow out on after the following season's Napoli resurgence.
What's gone wrong at Newcastle?
After consistent Milanese heroics, Tonali was linked heavily to a move to England as Arsenal, Newcastle and even Chelsea were involved. Ultimately, freshly-moneyed Newcastle prevailed in July 2023 as the Italian signed a £120k-per-week five-year-deal for a huge €70m (£60.4m) fee.
He was, yet again, a landmark signing in his young career and some followers pointed parallels to cult icons of the past. Newcastle content creator and fan, Peter Davey suggested Tonali showed similarities to a certain French midfielder.
When comparing Yohan Cabaye and Sandro Tonali, via Fbref, it's an intriguing prospect to look at their most impactful seasons before Newcastle. Do the Magpies have another influential midfielder in the works? You'd hope so considering what they paid…
In the left column, sits Cabaye's stats from Lille's Ligue 1 title victory (2010-11). On the right, is Tonali's title-winning term for Milan (2021-22).
Goals
2
5
Assists
9
2
90s played
34.2
28.9
Mins per match
86
72
Clearly, Tonali was a sign of Newcastle's Premier League and continental intentions and with a strong profile in comparison to a midfielder that would've typically played further forward, Newcastle could yet get the best out of him. However, as the English top tier is often deemed the pinnacle of world football, Tonali has struggled to adapt at times.
In a recent interview, the Italian international underlined the harsh reality of Premier League life. As Tonali has negotiated the struggles, his time on Tyneside is sure to improve. Getting a draw at San Siro against his old club in the Champions League before rampantly destroying Kylian Mbappé's PSG must serve as more than enough worthy inspiration.
Aston Villa are believed to be keen on signing a midfielder in January who would be open to leaving his current club, according to recent reports.
Aston Villa updates: Zaniolo meeting, Vissel Kobe partnership, Williams blow
In a recent Aston Villa news update, the West Midlands-based club have confirmed on their official website that Italy international Nicolo Zaniolo is cooperating with the Italian Football Federation's investigation into alleged illegal betting activity in the country. Having also met with club officials at Aston Villa, Zaniolo remains available for selection under Unai Emery and no further comment will be made by the Premier League side on the matter.
Strengthening their reach across the globe, Aston Villa have also confirmed a strategic partnership with Japanese side Vissel Kobe as they aim to establish a platform for young players from Japan to have further pathways to further their career in Europe and potentially one day turn out at Villa Park. The J1 League side will send a delegation of individuals over to Birmingham at the end of November to formalise the partnership and two of their Under-16 players will train with Aston Villa's academy side as part of their visit to England.
Athletic Club winger Nico Williams is a transfer target for Aston Villa, with reports claiming that his current employers will look to put a new deal on the table to try and prevent the youngster from leaving in 2024. Barcelona have also been touted as a potential destination for the Spain international; however, he could now commit his future to Athletic Club and diminish any chance of Emery being able to tempt him to Villa Park.
Nico Williams statistics – 2023/24 (Transfermarkt)
Appearances, goals and assists in all competitions
Appearances: 6
Goals: 0
Assists: 4
Aston Villa transfer update – Carlos Soler
According to an Aston Villa transfer update from Le Parisien, the Villans, and by extension president of football operations Monchi, are also believed to be keen on Paris Saint-Germain midfielder Carlos Soler, who is open to departing the Parc des Princes in the January transfer window. Brighton & Hove Albion, alongside La Liga side Valencia, are interested in the Spain international, who has been on the periphery at his current employers this term.
Carlos Soler
In 2023/24, Soler has featured on seven occasions for Paris Saint-Germain and has struggled to become a regular feature of Luis Enrique's plans, registering one goal and a solitary assist (Soler statistics – Transfermarkt).
Described as a "majestic and complete footballer" by Breaking The Lines in an analysis piece on his abilities during his time at Valencia, Soler has managed to record a pass success rate of 89.1% in Ligue 1 this term for Paris Saint-Germain and is a tidy presence in the midfield who can be relied upon to distribute possession efficiently, as per WhoScored.
Aston Villa find themselves in a position where they need to juggle both domestic and European footballing endeavours and bringing in someone such as Soler would serve to further bolster Emery's depth in the engine room.
New Sheffield Wednesday manager Danny Rohl is looking to make his mark at the club, and he wants a new addition to boost his backroom team, according to an update from reliable journalist Joe Crann.
Watford 1-0 Sheffield Wednesday
The Owls have come crashing back down to reality this season after their memorable League One campaign last time around, which saw them promoted to the Championship after a dramatic win over Barnsley in the playoff final.
Xisco Munoz came in as manager during the summer, following the surprise exit of Darren Moore after overseeing a great season, but his time in charge proved to be disastrous, failing to pick up a single win.
He was recently sacked and replaced by Danny Rohl, who is an exciting young manager most well-known for being assistant manager for Germany and Bayern Munich in the past. The 34-year-old's first game in charge of Wednesday came away to Watford on Saturday afternoon, but despite battling bravely at Vicarage Road, they were beaten 1-0 late in the day, meaning they continue to be rooted to the bottom of the Championship table.
It is clear that Rohl will need to be able to bring in the players he wants, in order to do the best possible job, and exactly the same applies to his backroom team away from the playing squad.
Danny Rohl wants Sheff Wed signing
Taking to X on Monday morning, Crann dropped a new Sheffield Wednesday update, claiming that Rohl is keen on bringing in a goalkeeping coach of his choice, even though Nicky Weaver is impressing in the role:
"Danny Rohl is very happy with the work done by Nicky Weaver with SWFC's goalkeepers, but has confirmed that he is looking to bring in his own man for the role."
Rohl has clearly hinted at a new Sheffield Wednesday signing as well, saying:
“I’m trying, but we’ll speak about this position also in the next few days. At the moment we have Nicky and he is doing very well. But I have to decide in the next few days about this position.”
While this may sound harsh on Weaver, football is a ruthless business and Rohl will have his own ideas on exactly who he wants in a department that has caused plenty of fuss at Middlewood Road – let's not forget the club had just one 'keeper on the books in Cameron Dawson earlier this year.
In order for the Owls to battle their way out of the Championship relegation zone, they need everyone at the club to be pulling in the same direction, which is why Rohl being trusted to make the right appointments is the only way forward.
Danny Rohl
2023-
Xisco Munoz
2023-2023
Darren Moore
2021-2023
Tony Pulis
2020-2020
Garry Monk
2019-2020
Steve Bruce
2019-2019
Jos Luhukay
2018-2018
Carlos Carvalhal
2015-2017
Stuart Gray
2013-2015
Dave Jones
2012-2013
Wednesday have a huge battle on their hands to avoid a quickfire return to League One – they are already nine points adrift of Plymouth Argyle in 21st place – but Rohl does feel like an exciting appointment who will bring fresh ideas to the team.
Even if results aren't good to begin with, patience is required with him, and that may even still apply if the Owls are relegated at the end of this season.