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Celtic trio Albian Ajeti, Vasilis Barkas and Boli Bolingoli all look set to leave the club this month, according to The Daily Record’s Gabriel McKay.

The Lowdown: Exits needed

The Hoops have been extremely busy when it comes to incomings this month, with Michael Nicholson finalising five signings for Ange Postecoglou’s squad in January. Midfielder Matt O’Riley was the latest to move to Parkhead, penning a deal until 2026 from MK Dons.

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It seems as if Celtic’s focus now is on moving players out of Glasgow in the final days of the window, with three Neil Lennon acquisitions in line to leave the club.

The Latest: McKay’s claim

McKay shared a transfer news recap on The Daily Record on Saturday evening.

Within his report, he said that Ajeti, Barkas and Bolingoli all ‘look set to go in the opposite direction and follow Leigh Griffiths out of Celtic Park’.

The Verdict: Flops

Celtic paid £4.5m for both Ajeti and Barkas and £3m for Bolingoli. That has proven to be £12m not well spent, with the trio hardly featuring under Postecoglou this season.

Hopefully the Hoops can recoup the majority of the £12m they spent on those three players, but that could be a big ask for CEO Nicholson with only a few days remaining in the transfer window.

If you use Transfermarkt’s valuations, for example, the Hoops could land just £4.95m, as Ajeti’s value has dropped from £4.05m to £2.25m as a Celtic player, Barkas’ going from £4.5m to £1.35m and Bolingoli’s falling from £2.7m to £1.35m.

In other news: ‘Absolute travesty’ – Journalist reacts as Celtic swoop for Jota now in ‘doubt’

Crystal Palace announced on Thursday that the club’s fixture with Watford has been postponed.

And, as to be expected, a number of Eagles fans were quick to give their thoughts to the news on social media.

Patrick Vieira’s side were set to travel to Vicarage Road on Saturday, looking to extend their two-match unbeaten run after picking up four points against Everton and Southampton.

However, the match will no longer go ahead due to The Hornets’ ongoing Covid-19 outbreak and therefore do not have enough first-team players available to fulfil the fixture. [CPFC]

Further details on when the match will be re-scheduled will be shared at the earliest opportunity, the club confirmed, with Palace’s next game set for Boxing Day against Tottenham, who have also had numerous games postponed in recent weeks.

Palace fans react

Palace posted the confirmation on their official Twitter page. This is what these Eagles supporters had to say in reply, with one labelling it as ‘wild’, while others worried about the disadvantage of fixtures piling up in the future.

“Here we go”

Credit: @mandyswagsta

“Should be a forfeit but oh well January is going to be insane”

Credit: @erictwigs

“Wild. Gutting.”

Credit: @ZG3II

“Gutted but not surprised”

Credit: @jackstacpfc

“mad how we’re being disadvantaged for something that we didn’t even do”

Credit: @bentekefan0

“Thank the lord. Might have a chance of getting a ticket for the next one”

Credit: @rayraybanks86

In other news: ‘Scam’ – Many CPFC fans react as Woosnam shares info on Selhurst protest. 

With 19 games played in the Premier League so far this season, Leeds United have only managed to win three of them, drawing seven and losing eight in the process.

In addition to this, Marcelo Bielsa’s side have only scored 21 goals, which is 11 fewer than they had managed to score last season with 19 league games played.

With this in mind and the fact that the January transfer window has now opened, the Yorkshire club could use this time to acquire some attacking players to help them put the ball in the back of the net throughout the remainder of the season and climb away from the relegation zone.

According to a recent club-by-club January transfer guide from the Daily Mail, Leeds are interested in signing Norwich City’s Todd Cantwell to add another attacking figure to their squad.

As a product of Norwich’s youth system, Cantwell has made a total of 153 appearances for the club across their youth and senior sides, scoring 21 goals and providing 17 assists along the way.

Labelled as a player that has a “fighting spirit” by Kevin Hofland who was assistant manager at Fortuna Sittard during Cantwell’s loan spell there in 2018, this season has been a rather uninspiring one for the 23-year-old so far with 11 appearances and five starts under his belt in the Premier League with no goals or assists.

However, his lack of form could potentially be put down to the fact that he’s been deployed in a number of different positions across the midfield and attack this season and has failed to have any sort of consistency under Dean Smith since he arrived at the club back in November.

While this could put some clubs off making a move for him this month, if Cantwell was able to get some regular playing time under Bielsa’s guidance, this could give him the opportunity to get his season back on track and potentially avoid relegation, which seems to be where Norwich are heading towards with just 10 points on the board.

With Leeds having been linked with a move for the £18m-rated man since 2020, it could be a dream for Bielsa to finally have the player at Elland Road, replicating their long-winded hunt of Dan James across a number of years.

Leeds and Victor Orta should definitely approach Norwich this month to see if they would be willing to cash in and part ways with Cantwell, who could then revive his season and start a new chapter in his career with Leeds. Considering their own inconsistencies, they could do with a player of his talents to improve the squad.

In other news: Orta could unearth Leeds’ next Phillips with swoop for £22.5m-rated “phenomenon” – opinion

Aston Villa have been dealt a huge injury setback ahead of their upcoming Premier League fixture.

What’s the latest?

Speaking in his pre-match press conference, Steven Gerrard revealed that Danny Ings, who has played just 66 minutes of Premier League football over Villa’s last four fixtures due to a hamstring strain, will once again be unavailable for selection for the visit of Manchester City on Wednesday evening.

Speaking about the current condition of the centre-forward, the 41-year-old said: “Danny Ings unfortunately won’t make tomorrow – he’s had a setback.”

Gerrard will be gutted

Considering that Aston Villa spent a substantial £25m on bringing Danny Ings to Villa Park this summer, the fact that the striker will have hardly featured over Steven Gerrard’s first three games in charge of the club will undoubtedly leave fans gutted.

Indeed, while the 29-year-old is undoubtedly yet to truly find his feet for his new side, he has nevertheless impressed over his 10 Premier League appearances for Villa, scoring three goals and providing his teammates with two assists, as well as taking an average of 1.2 shots and making 0.2 key passes per game.

These returns have seen the £120k-per-week England international average a SofaScore match rating of 6.82, ranking him as Aston Villa’s joint 10th-best performer in the top flight of English football.

As such, being without Ings – who has scored one goal and registered two assists over his seven fixtures against City – for the visit of Pep Guardiola’s side on Wednesday will undoubtedly come as a huge blow to Gerrard’s chances of continuing his 100% record as Aston Villa manager – with the breaking of this record being something that would leave the 41-year-old gutted.

In other news: “I’m sure”: Journo drops Jan update on 24 G/A “phenomenon”, Villa fans will be buzzing

Aston Villa have been offered the chance to sign Paris Saint-Germain star Georginio Wijnaldum on loan in the upcoming January transfer window.

What’s the story?

According to 90min, Steven Gerrard’s side are among a number of Premier League clubs to whom the Netherlands international has been offered, and it’s been suggested that Villa have not yet dismissed the idea.

The report added: “Wijnaldum’s representatives are now set to continue talks with PSG about the prospect of getting him out of the Parc des Princes in the new year, although the final decision will rest with the French giants.”

Proven Premier League quality

With a number of years spent in the Premier League with the likes of Newcastle and Liverpool, Wijnaldum would arrive at Villa Park as someone who should be able to hit the ground running.

He played 217 times in the division, scoring 27 goals and providing 16 assists, and while those don’t seem like the most remarkable of numbers, he did come up with some big contributions, particularly for the Reds – you only have to look at his two goals against Barcelona in Liverpool’s Champions League semi-final comeback in 2019 to see that.

He has a big fan in current Reds boss Jurgen Klopp, who declared: “Is he the perfect midfielder? From the skillset 100 per cent. He has all the things you need. There was his header against Barcelona too. He is not the tallest, but he is good in the air. He is a good jumper with good timing, all that stuff. It all makes him a pretty good footballer.

“That is how it should be. It is not my fault if he goes under the radar. You cannot ask me why he goes under the radar. I don’t set the radar!”

Former Liverpool ace Ryan Babel has been equally effusive in his praise of compatriot Wijnaldum, saying: “I have no words for Gini’s performances and quality. He’s an incredible person. His energy is incredible, he has lungs for days. You can tell when he has the confidence, he’s really unbeatable and very hard to play against.”

The £27m-rated Dutch star could bring some proven Premier League quality to this Villa side and ensure that the club start off January with a bang.

Meanwhile, Ashley Preece has dropped an encouraging Aston Villa update…

A number of West Ham supporters have hailed Said Benrahma’s superb solo effort in his side’s 2-2 draw with Genk in the Europa League.

David Moyes had a milestone evening to enjoy on Thursday night, taking charge of the 1000th game of his managerial career.

The Hammers failed to give their manager a win in Belgium, however, with Tomas Soucek’s last-gasp own goal giving the hosts a point.

It was still a positive night, however, as West Ham reached the knockout stages of the Europa League, continuing to go from strength to strength.

Benrahma was a star performer for the Hammers, scoring both of his side’s goals, with the club’s official Twitter account sharing a video of his brilliant solo strike that put the visitors 2-1 late on.

West Ham fans laud Benrahma footage

These West Ham fans took to Twitter to laud the attacker’s moment of magic in response to the club’s post.

“Oh Said you baller”

Credit: @CBearne17

“Said has really come into form this season! Expect even more of this as he’s only getting better”

Credit: @TheWestHamYank

“He was unbelievable tonight”

Credit: @1bbyWHU

“The confidence of this team just rises when we have both Soucek and Rice in the midfield. What an unreal goal that was Benrahma”

Credit: @RockyWhu

“Benrahma oh my god”

Credit: @WHUFCallum_

“Said Benrahma is incredible”

Credit: @eligrphx

In other news, some West Ham fans have lambasted one player’s performance against Genk. Find out who it is here.

Tottenham Hotspur have been handed an encouraging injury boost ahead of their return to Premier League action this weekend…

What’s the latest?

According to Sky Sports reporter Lyall Thomas, versatile winger Ryan Sessegnon has returned to full-time training at Hotspur Way following a pretty lengthy spell on the sidelines.

The 21-year-old, who can play anywhere along the left flank, has been out since the September international break with a hamstring injury.

Spurs face Leeds United on Sunday afternoon where new manager Antonio Conte will be looking to maintain his unbeaten record in charge of the north Londoners.

“Excl. Ryan Sessegnon will return to full training this week from the hamstring problem suffered in September and could be available for #Leeds clash on Sunday,” he tweeted.

“Sessegnon returns to training to hand Conte a selection boost, as he searches for his best #Tottenham team.”

Big boost to Conte

On the face of it, this isn’t so much of a ‘boost’ to the Italian, given the fact that the England U21 international has only played 14 times since his £25m move from Fulham in August 2019.

However, as Thomas goes on to explain in his series of updates on social media, Sessegnon hands Conte a new weapon and one that seems like a perfect fit for his wing-back system.

“Sessegnon has the potential to be just the sort of player that could be rejuvenated by Antonio Conte. His system is set up just right for his profile, off the left of a 3-4-3. Has a way to go to reach the level but still just 21 y/o,” he added.

Indeed, when fit, the young £18m-rated dynamo has bags of potential – something that we are yet to see in N17. His loan stint at Bundesliga outfit Hoffenheim was largely a success.

He featured in 29 matches across all competitions, in which he provided two goals and three assists, via Transfermarkt, whilst per WhoScored, he averaged two tackles, 1.3 interceptions and 0.7 key passes per match at an elite level, which suggests he’s capable of contributing at either end of the pitch.

Sessegnon was once dubbed a “big, big talent” with a “very bright” future by former teammate Stefan Johansen. Meanwhile, his pace and acceleration have also been noted by Bundesliga.com, who went as far as comparing him to Alphonso Davies – arguably one of the best in the world at left wing-back.

The rarely-seen Spurs gem could be in line for a career boost under Conte and that’s why this encouraging development from the club’s training ground should leave the Italian and his staff absolutely delighted heading into the weekend.

He could well thrive under his new manager.

AND in other news, 100 touches, 3 shots: “Intelligent” Spurs beast just proved his immense worth to Conte…

German journalist Christian Falk has claimed that Newcastle have ‘seriously discussed’ a move for Barcelona’s Philippe Coutinho.

The Lowdown: Coutinho rumours

Spanish outlet Sport claimed last week that the Magpies, under new owners PIF, are eyeing a possible swoop for the Brazilian in January.

Reports suggested that Barcelona would want at least €50m (£42.5m) for his services, with the 29-year-old happy about the possibility of returning to England.

Coutinho, on £383,000-a-week last year, has just over 18 months remaining on his Nou Camp deal, and Falk has weighed in with his knowledge of a potential New Year transfer.

The Latest: Falk’s tweet

Falk, head of football at Bild, took to Twitter on Wednesday morning to address the rumours of Coutinho moving to St James’ Park.

He labelled them ‘true’, adding that a transfer has been ‘seriously discussed’.

The Verdict: Look elsewhere

Even though money appears to be the least of the worries for Newcastle’s new owners, they still need to spend it wisely.

Coughing up a fee over £40m for a player whose market valuation has plummeted from £135m to £18m in three years might not be the best idea to kick off their tenure in charge.

Coutinho has also contributed to just four league goals since the start of the 2020/21 season, so Newcastle might be better off looking elsewhere for a marquee signing.

In other news: Offer pending: Newcastle now make contact to sign £36m-rated beast Rodgers dubbed ‘colossal’. 

Lots of West Brom fans have been left raging as some early team news emerged ahead of their game away at Fulham in the EFL Championship on Saturday.

As per The Express & Star and WBA journalist Joseph Masi, following on from Valerien Ismael’s latest pre-game press conference, it is ‘likely’ that Jake Livermore will start the match against Marco Silva’s team, even though the manager was ‘delighted’ with both Robert Snodgrass and Jayson Molumby after their performances against Bristol City.

Molumby won eight of his duels in that game, the joint-most out of any Albion player, and also successfully completed all of his dribble attempts, while Snodgrass made two key passes and had 68 touches of the ball in total, the most out of any player on the pitch (SofaScore).

Thus, it would be very harsh to drop either of them, especially for a player in Livermore who has recorded no goals and just one assist in 13 appearances in the league so far this season (Transfermarkt).

West Brom fans on Livermore news

These Baggies raged as the team news was shared on Twitter:

“As always got to bring captain Jake back in for his “leadership”, How you can drop either one of Molumby or Snodgrass after last weekend is beyond me”

Credit: @WBAvlogs

“Livermore?!”

Credit: @gavin_poulton

“Sorry but what does Livermore bring to this team what Snodgrass and Molumby don’t other than giving away fouls and treating a football like it’s hot potato”

Credit: @lewis_botfield

“Livermore starts I’m Val out”

Credit: @wbaIiam

“Can’t we just bin Livermore off I’m tired of this guy donning the famous stripes”

Credit: @Rondxnn

“That’s an awful call if Livermore starts”

Credit: @wba_mitch

In other news, find out whose display against Bristol City was slammed here!

Aston Villa crashed out of the Carabao Cup after a penalty shootout defeat to Chelsea on Wednesday evening.

And a number of Villa supporters hit out at Anwar El Ghazi on social media during the match for his display at Stamford Bridge.

The 26-year-old, who impressed in the previous round against Barrow, returned to the side for his fifth start of the campaign.

Villa managed to take the tie to penalties after youngster Cameron Archer cancelled out Timo Werner’s opener in the second half.

El Ghazi netted Villa’s first penalty, with Ashley Young and Marvelous Nakamba missing, but struggled in normal time, losing possession on 13 occasions. [Sofa Score]

The Dutchman also completed just 62% of his passes in London and failed to make a successful cross or long ball. [Sofa Score]

Villa fans react

His poor display resulted in a number of Villa fans taking to social media to talk about the winger, with one labelling him ‘a mess’.

“El Ghazi is clearly the worst player at our football club, the man lives off the penalty spot, such a wimp”

Credit: @matty__jeff

“El ghazi passenger, shock”

Credit: @tom_mills06

“El Ghazi a mess, Buendia giving the ball away too much, Sanson injured again, Traoré ouchy…need to tighten it up at halftime.”

Credit: @ConnorMcBride

“El Ghazi has been terrible”

Credit: @kconners10

“No bigger bottle job in world football than el ghazi when it comes to putting a foot in, Buendia clearly not impressed with him either”

Credit: @AmbitiousVillan

“If someone wanted him I’d happily let him go, just nowhere near consistent enough, seems to have an odd attitude, that’s the impression you get anyway”

Credit: @NeilPugh5

In other news: ‘Magical’, ‘Love to see it’ – Lots of Villa fans react as Sky Sports share ‘excellent news’.