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West Ham United fought back from having conceded an early goal to emerge as 3-1 winners over struggling Fulham at the London Stadium on Friday. 

Goals from Javier Hernandez, Issa Diop and Michail Antonio cancelled out Ryan Babel’s opening strike. Whilst the Hammers generally performed well and deserved all three points, Manuel Pellegrini will be concerned by how poorly his side defended in the opening exchanges. Plenty of poor marking led to Babel’s goal, but centre-back Angelo Ogbonna was particularly culpable for failing to track his man.

However, after this early error, the 30-year-old proceeded to produce an assured, disciplined performance. With Fabian Balbuena still out with injury, the 13-cap Italy international has been handed a run in the starting XI in east London and is generally impressing. When Balbuena returns to full fitness he may even find it a struggle to get straight back into the team.

After the match on Friday, plenty of Irons fans took to Twitter to discuss Ogbonna’s contribution…

Fabrizio Romano has revealed that Newcastle United have now ‘started’ contacts over a potential move for Jesse Lingard in the January transfer window.

The Lowdown: Developing story…

The Times claimed last week that the St James’ Park club have offered a record deal to the 28-year-old would make him the highest earner in their history and have duly made the Manchester United midfielder their priority signing next month.

His current contract at Old Trafford is set to expire in the summer, meaning that he can leave as a free agent in just a few months’ time.

As such, January may present the perfect opportunity for the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) consortium to pounce, as the Red Devils will surely want to cash in at the risk of losing him for nothing.

The Latest: Contacts have ‘started’

As per Italian football journalist and transfer expert Romano, contacts have now ‘started’ with Newcastle over a potential move for Lingard, although ‘nothing’ has been agreed as of yet.

They are ‘seriously interested’ in bringing him to Tyneside, although it is an ‘open race’ for his signature.

The Verdict: Get it done

The fact that Lingard can leave for free in the summer means that the Magpies could get him on the cheap in the winter window, and he could seriously help in their push to avoid relegation from the Premier League.

Described in complimentary fashion as a ‘joke’ and a player who ‘has four lungs’ by former United youngster Angel Gomes recently, his energy and work rate would be much appreciated among the Toon Army as they bid to avoid the drop. The 28-year-old has also shown his quality on the ball, with nine goals and a further five assists during a very successful loan spell at West Ham United last season (Transfermarkt).

With Newcastle needing to get out of trouble and Lingard not getting much of a look-in at Old Trafford, failing to start a Premier League game this season, it seems like a move which would suit all parties involved.

In other news, find out which Premier League ‘huge talent’ NUFC are eyeing

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…

Manchester United were ‘offered’ the chance to sign Marseille midfielder Boubacar Kamara last month, according to Fabrizio Romano.

The Lowdown: Kamara talks

Kamara, primarily a defensive midfielder who can also play as a centre-back, is a soon-to-be free agent with his deal with Marseille set to expire at the end of June.

That means United could look to secure a pre-contract agreement right now ahead of a summer move, with reports suggesting United have spoken to Kamara’s agent.

The Red Devils were thought to be leading the race for the Frenchman’s services in January, but it seems as if they declined the chance to bring him to Old Trafford for a bargain fee last month.

The Latest: Romano’s post

Romano took to Twitter on Wednesday evening to provide an update on Kamara’s situation.

He revealed that United were ‘offered’ the chance to sign Kamara with Marseille no doubt keen to make at least some money from his departure.

Denis Zakaria and Julian Alvarez are mentioned too, but also declined due to the club’s managerial situation.

“Manchester United were offered the chance to sign Boubacar Kamara, after Denis Zakaria and Julian Alvarez – turned down because of new manager plans in the summer. Buy options not included in Donny and Martial deal for the same reason.”

The Verdict: Strange

Interim boss Ralf Rangnick is set to move into a consultancy role in the summer until 2024, so you’d expect he’d have a say when it comes to possible signings over the next two years.

Therefore, it seems strange that United declined the chance to sign Kamara last month and seem happy to wait until a new boss is in place – the young midfielder completes roughly 90% of his passes and makes nearly two tackles per game, drawing praise as a ‘phenomenon’ by former teammate Rolando.

By the summer, Kamara may already have a different move tied up on a pre-contract deal, leaving United on the search for a new central midfielder going into the 2022/23 campaign instead of securing a £22.5m-rated player for a cut-price fee last month.

According to journalist Adam White (via Give Me Sport), Lille attacker Jonathan David would be a ‘statement signing’ for West Ham if they are able to secure his signature in the January window.

The Lowdown: Hammers interested in David

Reliable source ExWHUemployee previously claimed that West Ham are interested in the signing of prolific Ligue 1 striker David, who has netted 12 league goals in 19 appearances this season.

However, he further downplayed this rumour by stating that the likes of Real Madrid, Barcelona and Liverpool are also interested in the player.

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Despite this, the Mail on Sunday have reported renewed interest in the signing, which came to excite a lot of Hammers fans, with many having tipped the club to sign another striker to rival Michail Antonio.

The Latest: White thrilled by links

Considering the European giants who are reportedly interested in David, White thinks it would be extremely impressive if the Hammers were to pull off the signing.

Speaking to Give Me Sport, White claimed: “It would be a huge statement signing given the clubs that are interested.”

This arises after Jeunes Footeux have revealed that a move for David would cost £45million; the same fee that the Irons paid for current Ajax star Sebastien Haller.

The Verdict: Incredible but unlikely?

Whilst he was playing in the Belgian league, former Gent manager Hein Vanhaezebrouck described David as ‘a phenomenon’ and further claimed that he was ‘the best player in the country’.

The striker is Lille’s top scorer by some margin this season, having netted eight more than second place Burak Yilmaz. He is as equally prolific on the international stage, having totalled 18 goals in 24 appearances for the Canadian national team.

David’s qualities are evidently clear. However, this has never been a debate for the Hammers. What David Moyes will be worried about is whether they can compete with the European giants, as they set to battle it out for the player’s signature.

Even if they can convince the promising young forward to join, then comes the price tag – can we really expect GSB to shell out another fee similar to the one they spent on Haller after how that went?

In other news, West Ham allegedly have their eyes on a player who Zinedine Zidane rates extremely highly…

An exciting Rangers transfer update has emerged, regarding the Glasgow giants’ plans for the January transfer window…

What’s the talk?

Gers reporter Jordan Campbell has claimed that the club are looking to sign a winger to nail down a starting position in the team.

The journalist has named Francis Amuzu, Bright Osayi-Samuel and Andreas Skov Olsen as examples of players they could target to bolster the squad.

He stated in his Athletic fan Q&A:

“That is a position that I understand they are looking at. Ianis Hagi looks limited when played wide while Fashion Sakala and Scott Wright have done well there at different points but it still feels like they lack a clear first choice.

“Van Bronckhorst likes direct players and it is no surprise that a player like Anderlecht’s Francis Amuzu has been linked as that profile would provide a similar option to Kent on the left. Bright Osayi-Samuel was one they looked at last winter but he started playing regularly again for Fenerbache.

“A player like Skov Olsen is also a possibility style-wise, however, as Steven Berghuis at Feyenoord was recruited and provided a terrific blend cutting in off the right under Van Bronckhorst. “

Excitement

Rangers fans will surely be excited by this update as it brings with it the prospect of the club bringing a new attacker to the club.

Forward players are the ones who provide the most excitement as they are the ones tasked with scoring and creating goals in the final third. Whether that is Ryan Kent dribbling past four players and smashing a shot into the top corner or Alfredo Morelos taking a clever touch and drilling a low strike past the goalkeeper, fans get off their seats when attackers do something special.

Take Skov Olsen as an example; the Danish international has six goals in 15 games for his country and once scored 19 goals in 26 league matches for FC Nordsjaelland.

He has two goals and five assists in the Serie A for Bologna since the start of last season, showing that he can chip in with contribution at the top level in Italy, although it is impossible to accurately judge how much of a step up that is from the Premiership.

Irrespective of whether or not Olsen, in particular, would be able to thrive in Scotland, these statistics highlight why fans can get excited at the prospect of a new winger arriving at Ibrox.

They could have a fresh wing wizard to enjoy watching in Glasgow in the second half of the campaign, with it now being down to van Bronckhorst and Ross Wilson to find one who can be effective and win matches for the side.

AND in other news, GVB could ruin Rangers’ title charge with major January gamble, fans would be livid… 

Celtic have been dealt a blow in their bid to bring John Souttar to Parkhead in the January transfer window.

What’s the talk?

That’s according to a report by the Daily Record, who claim that, despite Celtic’s interest in the Heart of Midlothian centre-back, the 25-year-old’s preference is a move south of the border, with the likes of Stoke City, Blackburn Rovers, Millwall, Luton Town, Middlesbrough, Queens Park Rangers, Birmingham City, Blackpool and Preston North End all reported to be keen on the 25-year-old.

The report goes on to state that Hearts are continuing contract negotiations with the defender in an attempt to convince him to extend his stay at Tynecastle, with the Scotland international’s current deal set to expire at the end of the season.

Postecoglou will be furious

Considering just how impressive Souttar has been for Hearts this season, the news that the centre-back would rather secure a move to England than make a switch to Parkhead this winter is sure to have left Ange Postecoglou fuming.

Indeed, over his 12 Scottish Premiership appearances this term, the £720k-rated man has helped his side keep two clean sheets and scored three goals, as well as making an average of two interceptions – the most of any defender in the top flight – 0.7 tackles, 44.9 passes and winning a whopping 6.3 duels per game.

These returns have seen the £3.1k-per-week defender average a SofaScore match rating of 7.39, ranking him as the sixth-best performer in the top flight of Scottish football so far this season.

As such, it is clear to see that Souttar would make an excellent addition to Postecoglou’s options in the heart of defence, something which is exactly the reason why the news the 25-year-old would prefer a move to a Championship side ahead of playing European football and fighting for the league title with Celtic is sure to come as a major blow to the 56-year-old manager.

In other news: Postecoglou in grave danger of big Celtic blunder over “outstanding” £7.6k-p/w flop

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’

West Ham United are still in discussions to get a deadline day deal over the line for Darwin Nunez.

What’s the talk?

That’s according to a claim made by Sky Sports reporter Valentina Fass, who revealed live on Sky Sports News (11:55) that the Italian transfer insider Gianluca di Marzio has suggested that West Ham are rushing to get a €50m (£41.5m) deal over the line for the 22-year-old Benfica centre-forward prior to Monday evening’s transfer deadline.

Speaking about the Hammers’ move for Nunez, Fass said: “Gianluca di Marzio just told me there’s a rush to try and close the deal by this evening. It will be quite a big deal, €50m deal, they are dealing now with Benfica.”

Fans will love Fass’ update

With contrasting reports about West Ham’s deal for Nunez breaking with each passing hour, it is slightly hard to keep track of whether the Irons’ move for the striker is indeed still on or off.

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However, Fass’ latest update is undoubtedly one that the London Stadium faithful will love, as, at present, it would appear as if West Ham’s move for the Uruguay international is very much alive – although it looks as if the transfer will go right down to the wire.

Indeed, if Moyes can convince both Benfica and Nunez to put pen to paper regarding the striker’s switch to East London, the 22-year-old’s signing will be a huge coup for the Hammers – who are very much in need of attacking reinforcements in their bid to secure a top-four finish in the league this season.

So, while there is still a long way to go on deadline day, as things currently stand, it seems the Irons are still in talks with Nunez, something that will delight everyone involved with the club.

In other news: ExWHUemployee drops gutting deadline day update, it’s not “what the fans want to hear”

Leeds United have plans to sign a new centre-forward in the upcoming summer transfer window according to the latest reports…

What’s the story?

Jesse Marsch’s side of course suffered a huge blow earlier this month when it was confirmed that their one senior option up front in Patrick Bamford has been ruled out yet again with an injury, this time for a minimum of six weeks.

It’s an injury that has once again raised questions about the Whites’ lack of depth in that number nine role, and TEAMtalk’s James Marshment has indicated it’s an issue that will look to be addressed come the summer.

In replying to a fan about the need for a new striker, Marshment noted: “It’s on the agenda this summer.”

Much-needed for Marsch

Speaking earlier this month, former Leeds goalkeeper Paddy Kenny delivered his verdict on the need for a new centre-forward this summer.

He said: “Why didn’t they sign a striker in January? We have been saying this since before January. Even if Bamford is fit he’s the only one who looks like scoring regularly.

“They need to put this right because another injury to Bamford is a big blow to them. They need to go out and spend £20million or something like that on a striker as soon as the window opens. This can’t happen again next season. If they stay up then they have to inevest in a new striker.”

In Bamford’s absence, Leeds’ attack has pretty much failed to click all season, bagging just 34 goals in their 30 Premier League games thus far – to put that into context, last year in their debut campaign back in the top-flight under Marcelo Bielsa, they managed a whopping 62, even above the likes of Arsenal and Chelsea.

While the Whites will be hoping the worst of Bamford’s injury woes will be behind him come the start of the new season in the summer, it is absolutely imperative that they bring in some genuine cover and competition for the England international.

It would be a tragic mistake on the part of Victor Orta to once again go a transfer window without signing a new number nine, and one could that have disastrous consequences.

But, the fact it’s “on the agenda” and the club are seemingly actively on the look-out for a striker, is sure to have Marsch excited heading into the transfer window.

AND in other news – Sold at £8m, now worth triple: Leeds had a nightmare over “fearless” 5 ft 9 magician