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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’. 

Marco Silva’s reign at Craven Cottage has so far got off to a fine start, with the 44-year-old’s Fulham side remaining unbeaten in the Championship after three games played and the Cottagers having secured a number of impressive signings in the summer transfer window.

Having said that, it would be naive to ignore the fact that there is still a considerable amount of interest reported in a couple of Fulham’s biggest stars – none more so than Andre-Frank Zambo Anguissa, who was absent from the Portuguese manager’s matchday squad on the first day of the season as a result of his reported desire to leave west London.

However, with Silva revealing that he has no intention of sanctioning the sale of the 25-year-old this summer, and subsequently reintroducing the midfielder to his side in the form of two substitute appearances against Huddersfield Town and Millwall, today’s clash with Hull City would appear to be the perfect opportunity for the 44-year-old to unleash the Cameroon international from the off.

With Josh Onomah picking up an injury in Tuesday’s win at The Den, there is a spot which needs filling in Fulham’s midfield. Considering how well Anguissa performed in place of the 24-year-old, it would seem advisable for Silva to stick with the 25-year-old against Hull.

Indeed, over his 45 minutes on the pitch last time out, the £22.5m-rated man completed 95% of his attempted passes, created one big chance, completed five of his seven attempted dribbles, made one key pass and won six of his nine duels.

These returns saw the man who Scott Parker dubbed a “superb” talent earn a highly impressive SofaScore match rating of 7.4, ranking him as Silva’s third-best player to feature in the match.

As such, from this performance it would certainly appear as if Anguissa’s focus is back on doing all he can to ensure that Fulham have the best chance of securing an immediate return to the Premier League this season, with the midfielder’s commitment to the cause potentially being a real game-changer not only in the Hull clash but also for the Cottagers’ campaign as a whole.

In other news: Peter Rutzler drops major Fulham development which will leave fans absolutely buzzing

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 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

A significant update has emerged regarding Crystal Palace’s prolonged pursuit of Schalke 04 defender Ozan Kabak.

What’s the story?

According to German outlet Bild (as relayed by Sport Witness), the Eagles have ‘offered €8m so far’ for the Turkey international, although fellow Premier League side Leicester City have reportedly matched their £6.78m bid.

Schalke are desperate to offload Kabak this summer after suffering relegation from the German top flight in 2020/21 and are said to be demanding a ‘double-digit million amount’ for their prized asset.

The report added that Bundesliga giants RB Leipzig have turned their attention to the 21-year-old after being priced out of a move for Maxence Lacroix, so Palace chairman Steve Parish may need to move quickly in order to secure the youngster’s services.

Steve Parish must swoop

Kabak enjoyed a relatively successful loan spell at Liverpool in the second half of last season, helping Jurgen Klopp’s charges to a third-place finish in the Premier League after they suffered an injury crisis.

He achieved a respectable 6.72 WhoScored rating from his nine top-flight appearances and impressed Reds assistant manager Pep Lijnders with his solid performances.

“Ozan is a big talent, so much progression is still possible. He adapted fantastically inside our club from a context like Schalke and had an immediate impact with Liverpool FC,” Lijnders told the Merseysiders’ official website.

However, the Anfield outfit decided not to make Kabak’s stay on Merseyside a permanent one, turning down the opportunity to buy the youngster for £18m earlier in the window.

That has left the door open for other clubs to swoop for the 6 foot 1 centre-back, and Parish must attempt to complete a deal for Kabak this summer.

Although Palace have already significantly strengthened their central defensive options following the arrivals of Marc Guehi and Joachim Andersen, the 21-year-old’s price tag makes him a very attractive option.

While signing a striker and right-winger should arguably take priority over another centre-back, the south Londoners could rue missing out on the Schalke ace should he move to another suitor.

His arrival at Selhurst Park would add genuine strength in depth to Patrick Vieira’s squad and provide the new manager with a selection headache that all bosses crave.

In other news… Parish eyes Crystal Palace move for “top class” 14-cap dynamo, Vieira needs him 

Crystal Palace would take former Everton attacker Joshua King “all day long”, claims former Premier League striker Dean Windass.

Everton signed King on a short-term deal from Bournemouth at the beginning of February and had an option to extend it.

However, the Merseyside club have opted against doing so and he will now leave Goodison Park at the end of the month.

It leaves the 29-year-old now needing to find a new team, and Windass believes he would be welcomed warmly at a side like Crystal Palace.

Speaking exclusively to TT about the player’s future, the ex-Hull City star said:

“Crystal Palace would take him all day long, but he needs to be playing, he needs to be proving he’s a goalscorer.

“Listen, it’s hard when you’ve done ever so well for Bournemouth and you’re scoring goals, you get a move and you hardly play. And then people think you’re a bad player overnight.

“It doesn’t work like that. You need to be playing week in, week out to be scoring goals.”

Indeed, it was hard for King to get any sort of real rhythm last season at Everton, with the Norway international receiving limited minutes.

In contrast, during his time at Bournemouth, King did play when fit and delivered. While he was not at his best in the Cherries’ last Premier League season, he did manage to score 16 goals in the 2016/17 campaign before hitting double digits again in the 2018/19 campaign.

So, on a free transfer, perhaps it is something worth exploring for Palace’s new manager.

If you were looking through the Leeds United squad right now, and were asked to pick out the best bargain, who would you pick?

Perhaps Raphinha would feature prominently in your thoughts after arriving for just £17m for French side Rennes last summer, and then going on to enjoy an impressive debut campaign in the Premier League for Marcelo Bielsa’s side.

And while the Brazilian, or someone like Illan Meslier, would definitely be stand-out contenders for that award, Pascal Struijk may be the best of the lot.

The Dutchman arrived from Ajax on a free transfer back in January 2018 after the Dutch giants decided not to offer him a new contract, initially taking him on trial before handing him a three-year contract to join up at Elland Road.

The fact Struijk was let go spoke volumes of how little Ajax really valued him, and Dutch journalist, Jan Spaans, said: “You never thought Struijk was going to be a first-team player at Ajax. Ajax’s academy is famous and you hear all the time about the best players in it but they didn’t speak about him so much or have any high hopes.”

Since then however, Struijk has developed into a Premier League regular under Bielsa, playing in holding midfield as well as further back in central defence.

The 6 foot 3 star has started all three of Leeds United’s games in the top-flight this season, while he played 27 times in the league the previous campaign – a sure sign of the trust Bielsa has in him.

And, after a particularly impressive display against Manchester United last season, former Leeds man Noel Whelan waxed lyrical about the young starlet.

He said: “I thought he was phenomenal at the back. I can’t tell you how impressed I am with this kid. He went through a stage of playing in Kalvin’s role but that was the wrong choice by Bielsa for me. He is a centre-half all day long. You can see him growing in that position.”

Former Leeds ace Dominic Matteo is also a big fan of him, saying: “He reads the game a lot better than he’s credited for. He’ll get even better too. Struijk is one to look out for.

“There’s plenty of work to be done but, with the size of him, his physicality, his passing, he’s got it all and can step into midfield. He looks very calm on the ball, players who are a bit erratic are not for me but he looks comfortable in possession.”

Now, CIES have him valued at an impressive £17m, and that’s a real testament to the work that he’s done himself in improving every day, and the coaching ability of Bielsa at Elland Road.

The Whites struck absolute gold by landing Struijk on a free, and he’s proving why he could be one of the best steals of the modern era for the Yorkshire club.

Meanwhile, Victor Orta delivered a Leeds masterclass…

Pundit Joe Wainman insists that he was hoping Leeds United could qualify for Europe this season before the start of the transfer window, but has since downgraded his expectations.

Marcelo Bielsa’s side had a relatively quiet window.

Across the first few months of the window, they signed Junior Firpo from Barcelona, Jack Harrison from Manchester City, and Kristoffer Klaesson from Valerenga.

At the back-end of the window, though, Leeds secured the signature of Daniel James from Manchester United, with reports claiming that they paid £25m for his services.

Still, Wainman remains relatively unconvinced by the window in general, and thinks that the club have to temper their expectations in terms of attempting to qualify for Europe.

The former All Leeds TV presenter said: “Before the window opened, I’m going Europe. We can maybe get Europe, top 10.

“Now that the club have tempered expectations, the window wasn’t as huge as we’d like. I’m more relaxed about where we’ll be. Of course, as a fanbase you want to progress year on year, but when you’re in the Premier League, it’s not really realistic, because by that means we’d be winning the league in a couple of seasons and it’s not realistic, so it is what it is.”

Leeds have endured a terrible start to the season and have yet to win a game, losing 5-1 to Manchester United on the opening day and drawing with both Everton and Burnley.

Newcastle United boss Steve Bruce could sign his club’s new Papiss Cisse in Arsenal striker Eddie Nketiah.

What’s the story?

Reports in recent weeks have already suggested that the Magpies won’t have too much money to spend in the transfer window, and The Shields Gazette’s Liam Kennedy has delivered an update on who the Premier League club might look to target this summer.

In a Q&A, he said: “I think United will choose to keep what they have and box clever in the market, looking for loan deals, free transfers and squeezing as much value as they can out of their reduced summer budget. Players like Kristoffer Ajer are on the list. While deals for the likes of Josh King, Hamza Choudhury, Rob Dickie, Ross Barkley and Eddie Nketiah may also be explored.”

Newcastle’s new Cisse

In a truly electric spell at St James’ Park, Cisse arrived on Tyneside to partner Demba Ba, and the two proved crucial in the Magpies finishing in fifth place in the 2011/2012 Premier League season.

The Senegalese hot-shot bagged 13 goals in his first 14 top-flight games for the club, and of course, will be remembered for that iconic swerving strike at Stamford Bridge against Chelsea.

But that goal wasn’t really typical of what Cisse actually did best for Newcastle.

The centre-forward was a predator inside the box, and his instinctive finishes and superb movement, particularly coming onto the near post, made him a superb foil for Ba and someone who could ease the goal-scoring burden on his strike partner – as per Understat, all 14 of Cisse’s last goals for the Magpies in the league came inside the box, while five came within the width of the six-yard area.

And in Nketiah, they could get someone incredibly similar.

Former Leeds striker Noel Whelan has waxed lyrical about Nketiah, claiming that his style of play is very much reminiscent of Jermain Defoe. He said: “He reminds me of another Jermaine Defoe and look at how well he did at West Ham. He’s very much that similar sort of player. He plays off the shoulder, very dangerous in the box. He’s a player you can’t take your eyes off because his movement’s so good.”

His boss at Arsenal, Mikel Arteta, has also raved about the kind of impact he has made at the Emirates, saying after a 3-0 defeat to Manchester City: “I want him to keep doing what he’s doing. The way he played last night against those players, in those difficult conditions, for me is extraordinary at his age.

“He has an immense personality to play, confidence, he’s powerful and is developing in every area I think. I have a lot of faith in him.”

[snack-amp-story url=”https://www.footballfancast.com/web-stories/newcastle-united-steve-bruce-premier-league-magpies-transfer-gossip-rumours-news-st-james-park-mike-ashley-takeover-pif” title=”Read the latest Newcastle transfer rumours and news!”]

The £17m-rated Nketiah would offer Bruce that real poacher who does his best work inside the box, and either give the Newcastle boss a rotation option with Callum Wilson or perhaps even someone for the former Bournemouth man to play alongside.

Meanwhile, Steve Bruce is eyeing a move for this 6 ft 4 powerhouse…

Aston Villa are set to face a battle against numerous other clubs to secure the permanent signing for loanee Philippe Coutinho with the Brazilian set to leave Barcelona for good this summer.

What’s the latest?

According to Birmingham Live, Villa have an option to buy Coutinho for £33m at the end of the season, although the deal is believed to be more complicated than that.

On the situation, manager Steven Gerrard said last month: “It’s more complicated than people think… the option is there. If it was my money, I think you know the answer.”

However, the Mirror claim that Barcelona have doubts over the West Midlands club’s ability to provide the necessary funds to take on the 29-year-old permanently.

It is also believed that Premier League rivals Arsenal and Newcastle United are keen, with the latter “ready” to pay the winger’s £425,000k-per-week salary, according to the Mirror.

Villa must secure permanent Coutinho deal

Already the effects of having Coutinho in Gerrard’s side are evident, with the Brazilian scoring four goals and registering three assists in 12 Premier League appearances for the Villans.

To put that into context, the 29-year-old is already the West Midlands club’s joint-fourth top goalscorer this term having joined in early January.

Premier League fans were already aware of the winger’s brilliance after his spell at Liverpool whilst also featuring regularly for Brazil.

Across club and country, Coutinho has netted a whopping 125 career strikes and has received a plethora of praise from numerous names over the years with former Liverpool and current Brazil teammate Roberto Firmino labelling the Villa loanee as “phenomenal” and insisting that “he has magical powers.”

Villa’s season has been somewhat of a disappointment, with Gerrard’s men currently 15th in the Premier League, although they do have two games in hand on some sides, there will undoubtedly be plans for an ambitious transfer window.

The West Midlands outfit have already been linked with the likes of Yves Bissouma and Kalvin Phillips and are set to spend big this summer.

Having already lured Coutinho to Villa Park on a temporary basis, there shouldn’t be any issue convincing the 29-year-old to stay permanently after an excellent start to life in claret and blue.

Moreover, contrary to reports, a £33m fee seems a bargain and one that isn’t out of the question for Villa, having spent a club-record £38m on Emi Buendia last summer.

Granted, there will be more attractive propositions for the Brazilian and therefore Gerrard and NSWE must do whatever they can to secure a permanent stay for the Villa star.

AND in other news: Cost £0, now worth £19.8m: Villa struck gold on £15k-p/w gem who “demands attention”