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Transfer expert Dean Jones says that Newcastle United are ‘more keen’ than Manchester United to sign Borussia Monchengladbach striker Marcus Thuram.

The Lowdown: Plenty of interest

The St. James’ Park outfit are just one of a number of clubs that are reportedly interested in signing Thuram in this window.

Man Utd have also been strongly linked with a January move, and with his contract up in the summer, he will be available for a cut-price, which should attract plenty of other suitors.

The Latest: Newcastle ‘more keen’

Speaking to GiveMeSport, Jones says that the North East club are ‘more keen’ than United to sign Thuram, although he is still a ‘feasible option’ for the Red Devils:

“From United’s point of view, he’s one feasible option currently out there. At the moment, the other option he would have in England is Newcastle, and they do seem more keen on this than Man United.”

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The Verdict: Get it done

To sign a player of Thuram’s quality for a cut-price will not come along often, and so the Tynesiders need to take full advantage of this situation.

Hailed as ‘world class’ by Wolfsburg sporting director Marcel Schafer, and ‘a little crazy‘ by former team-mate Denis Zakaria, now at fellow Premier League rivals Chelsea, Thuram ranks in the top 5% for non-penalty xG, top 7% for dribbles completed and top 8% for shots of all strikers in Europe’s top five leagues over the past year (FBRef).

The six-foot-four colossus boasts an impressive 13 goals and four assists in his opening 17 games for Gladbach in total over all competitions this term (Transfermarkt), and if the Magpies can beat their top-four rivals United to his signature, it will seem like a real coup for them.

Southampton are interested in signing Celtic attacker Daizen Maeda in the January transfer window, according to a new transfer rumour.

The Lowdown: Maeda excels for Celtic

The Japanese has enjoyed a solid season for the Hoops, scoring five goals and registering four assists in 12 Scottish Premiership starts.

Maeda netted a well-taken strike in the 2-2 draw away to Rangers earlier this week and struck once on 2022 World Cup duty with Japan, with Rio Ferdinand describing him as ‘fantastic’ and a ‘live wire’.

It looks as though the 25-year-old’s performances have caught the eye of possible suitors, with a move to England now potentially on the cards.

The Latest: Saints eye up move

According to Football Scotland, Southampton are interested in signing Maeda this month and will watch him in Viaplay Cup semi-final action next weekend.

The Celtic is believed to be on Saints’ shortlist of attacking options to bring in, with his performances in Qatar noted as a reason for their interest.

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The Verdict: Will his head be turned?

Losing Maeda would undoubtedly be a blow for the Hoops, especially midway through the season, with his goals and impressive performances both important to Ange Postecoglou.

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The lure of the Premier League can be great for any footballer, however, so there is always the threat that his head could be turned by Saints’ interest.

Should Maeda move on, it is imperative that Celtic look to sign a tailor-made replacement – someone who can chip in with consistent end product but also press tirelessly.

Manchester City are reportedly eyeing a swoop for Sevilla goalkeeper Yassine Bounou, who caught the eye on the world’s stage in Qatar with his performances for Morocco at the World Cup.

What’s the word?

According to reports from Spain, City have approached Sevilla regarding the availability of their first-choice shot-stopper, with City’s reserve option Stefan Ortega in the public eye after his questionable positioning for Southampton’s second goal in the Carabao Cup on Wednesday evening.

Any deal for the experienced shot-stopper is likely to cost around €30m (£26m), with his stock undeniably high after his displays in Qatar.

Ederson is still only 29 so it seems unlikely that the Moroccan would arrive as the Brazilian’s replacement, although he could add some fierce competition in between the sticks for Pep Guardiola, when considering his recent displays for both club and country.

Guardiola would love him

Guardiola has long preferred to use a goalkeeper who is comfortable with the ball at his feet, with Joe Hart making way for Claudio Bravo and Ederson in his time at City, while Manuel Neuer and Victor Valdes both excelled in that part of the game during the Spanish manager’s time with Bayern Munich and Barcelona.

It is easy to see why he might be interested in Bounou therefore, as the 31-year-old scores impressively with regard to number of touches and goal-kicks according to FBref, while WhoScored also shows that he has registered a 78% pass success rate in the Champions League this season, which would only improve should he become accustomed to Guardiola’s set up at City.

Moroccan teammate and former Wolverhampton Wanderers ace Romain Saiss was full of praise for his ‘keeper after he starred in their penalty shootout win over Spain at the World Cup.

He said:

“It is amazing for him. He had a heroic game today, not only during the penalties. He just wanted to show why he was named best La Liga goalkeeper last season. He is a great keeper, he proved it against Spain. We owe him a lot today.”

Bounou was also praised for some “monster” saves against Manchester United in the Europa League in 2020, which will already serve him well in the eyes of City fans.

While City are unlikely to make a knee-jerk decision and get rid of Ortega after one mistake, it is easy to see why Citizens director of football Txiki Begiristain might be interested in signing a top-quality goalkeeper such as ‘Bono’.

Everton have been linked with a move for Arnaut Danjuma this month and now a new update has emerged on the club’s pursuit of the player over the second half of the winter transfer window.

What’s the latest?

According to Sky Sports, various Premier League clubs are set for talks with the Villarreal winger as he returns to England today to continue his interest in making a move to the Premier League.

The news outlet reported on their live Transfer Centre (17/01/2023 – 13.46) that Danjuma will not feature in his current club’s clash with Real Madrid on Thursday with Everton, Nottingham Forest and Bournemouth all keen on signing the player on a loan deal until the end of the season.

He could save their season

There is no doubt that the Toffees have found themselves in a sticky situation as they look to battle once again to retain their Premier League status over the second half of the season following a disappointing and poor campaign so far.

Everton are currently 19th in the league table, matching their bottom three competitors for just 15 points collected over their first 19 outings, as well as crashing out of both the Carabao Cup and FA Cup and tallying up the joint-second worst goal record in the entire top flight so far with just 15 scored so far.

As a result, the signing of Danjuma could save Everton’s season if he could bring some consistency and creativity in front of goal for Frank Lampard over the remainder of the campaign, as an increase in goals could hugely boost the club’s chances of securing crucial points in order to climb the table.

Over 217 career appearances, the talented 25-year-old Dutchman – dubbed “exceptional” by Jonathan Woodgate – has scored 73 goals and registered 36 assists with a goal contribution every 128 minutes, proving that he is a reliable and consistent performer who could be a valuable asset to the Everton boss over the next few months.

Not only is Danjuma clearly a prolific goal-scorer, but he is also an outstanding creative player who comfortably outperformed his positional peers at Goodison Park, Demarai Gray and Anthony Gordon, over last season for goals scored (10), shots on target rate (42.4%), goal-creating actions (6), dribbles completed (54.1%) and pass completion (73.2%).

With that being said, if the powerbrokers on the blue side of Merseyside could land the signing of Danjuma this month he could be the catalyst needed to save their season as they go in search of drastically improving the attacking threat.

Crystal Palace are reportedly interested in re-signing Chelsea midfielder Conor Gallagher this month and his potential arrival at Selhurst Park could allow Patrick Vieira to get rid of Will Hughes.

According to The Sun, the Eagles will launch a fresh move for the midfielder having made enquiries into re-signing him last summer, while the Metro claims that the England international is currently valued at £30m by his boyhood club.

Vieira is understandably keen to reunite with the 22-year-old after his starring performances on loan at Selhurst Park last season, with Gallagher notching eight goals and three assists in 34 Premier League appearances, averaging a 7.09 rating from WhoScored for his performances.

This campaign has been a disappointing one for the young midfielder at Stamford Bridge, as he has managed just one goal and one assist in 17 league appearances, earning a far-less-impressive 6.53 rating from WhoScored.

The report from The Sun claims that Gallagher is still committed to making it at Chelsea but if Graham Potter brings in more midfielders under the free-spending Todd Boehly, then the academy graduate might find his opportunities limited and could look to rediscover his best form at Selhurst Park.

Vieira was full of praise for the Englishman last season after he scored twice in a 3-1 win over Everton.

He said:

“Conor has this passion for the game when he is on the field like a Ray Parlour, but I would say he has maybe the quality finishing of a Frank Lampard.

“It is a manager’s dream to have a player like Conor because when he is on the field, he will give everything.”

The French manager undoubtedly needs another all-round midfield option to play alongside Cheick Doucoure at Palace, with Will Hughes having sadly failed to cut it since his arrival from Watford in the summer of 2021.

The former Derby County man has made just 35 appearances since then, contributing one goal and one assist, while he has been limited to just 129 minutes of action in the Premier League so far this campaign.

Considering the different impacts the two midfielders have had in their time at Palace, it seems clear who Vieira would prefer to have in his side and adding Gallagher this month would surely allow the French manager to get rid of Hughes for good.

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp must consider an unlikely swoop for veteran Chelsea defender Thiago Silva as the Brazilian titan approaches the conclusion of his contract at Stamford Bridge, according to one talkSPORT host…

What’s the talk?

Speaking on his talkSPORT Weekend Sports Breakfast show, former Chelsea striker Tony Cascarino has waxed lyrical about Silva,  and commented that Blues boss Graham Potter would be wise to tie down the titan before the likes of Liverpool take interest in his contractual situation, and make an imminent move.

Cascarino said: “Thiago Silva’s performance was just extraordinary at the back. I just laugh at someone who is 38, gets in a one-on-one with Nunez, who is lightning quick and, ok, might catch half-a-yard but he doesn’t get away from Thiago Silva, which is extraordinary. Just brilliant defending.

“He was outstanding again for Chelsea, Thiago Silva. He’s got [Paolo] Maldini in him. [He could] play until 40 quite comfortably. If Chelsea didn’t offer a contract to him at the end of the season there will be plenty that would, without a doubt. I would if I was in a management position.”

Then, when asked if he’d take the centre-back at Anfield, he responded: “Yeah, if I could get him for nothing and get him in, absolutely.”

Imagine him & Van Dijk

When the Blues landed the now 38-year-old Silva on a free transfer in 2020 following the conclusion of his contract with Paris Saint-Germain, the expectation was an experienced figure would enter the fold and provide the blueprint for teammates to follow and nurture their own game.

While the 113-cap colossus is undoubtedly one of the greatest centre-backs of his era, little would the Blues faithful have imagined that he would emerge as the most consistent and formidable asset at their club’s disposal.

Having forged 105 appearances for his prestigious west London outfit, scoring five goals and assists apiece, the £110k-per-week phenom has monumentally won the Champions League and the UEFA Super Cup.

And this season, his remarkable Sofascore rating of 7.35 in the Premier League – the highest of any outfield player bar Benoit Badiashile, who has played two matches since his £35m switch from AS Monaco – is a testament to the supreme standing he still erects at the base of his side,  making 1.7 tackles and 1.4 interceptions and 4.4 clearances per outing, keeping five clean sheets.

Should he indeed join the ranks at Anfield, he could forge a deadly bond with Liverpool’s £75m centre-back Virgil van Dijk, who has been integral in his side’s success since arriving at the beginning of 2018.

With Van Dijk’s assurance and prowess as a ball-playing maestro from the backline partnering Silva’s resilience and tenacity, Klopp could finally reinstall the cohesion that has evaded the ninth-place strugglers this season.

Bearing this in mind, Klopp simply must throw the kitchen sink at the legendary stalwart; amid the misty uncertainty of Liverpool’s position at the forefront of European football, Silva would instil composure and strengthen the collective efforts of the squad, and the partnership with Van Dijk is indeed positively tantalising.

He’s already showered in success after being written off at Stamford Bridge; he can do so again on Merseyside.

Wolves winger Adama Traore is likely to stay put at the club this month and then leave during the summer, according to journalist Alex Crook.

The Lowdown: Traore in and out of the team

The Spaniard has had an up-and-down career at the club, finding himself loaned out to Barcelona last season and not always managing to be a regular starter at Molineux.

This season, Traore has only started seven of Wolves’ 20 Premier League matches, scoring just once in that time and registering no assists – a far cry from the 2019/20 campaign in which he started 27 top-flight games and helped himself to 13 goal contributions.

There has been speculation this month surrounding the 27-year-old’s future, although one observer feels that Wolves may be happy to take a loss on the £18m that they paid for him in 2018, with his contract set to expire in June.

The Latest: Summer exit predicted

Speaking to GiveMeSport, Crook claimed that Traore would remain at Wolves for now but then leave at the end of the season, rather than the club cashing in on him this month in order to avoid losing him on a free transfer.

The talkSPORT presenter said:

“You’ve got Adama Traore, who a lot of people, including myself, thought that Wolves might sell last summer and again, this window.

“I think they’re more keen, say, rather than getting a nominal fee for him in January, actually keeping him; he can play a bit of a part in them staying up and then be allowed to leave on a free transfer.”

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The Verdict: Right time to leave

This seems like the perfect scenario for Wolves, retaining Traore’s services for the remainder of the season, and therefore keeping squad depth in their battle to avoid relegation.

It then makes complete sense to let him leave, though, with the £55,000-per-week winger now 27 and still the same hit-and-miss player, scoring only 13 times in 177 appearances in total for the club.

While Traore’s pace and power can render him unplayable on his day  – Andy Townsend has described him as ‘devastating’ – Julen Lopetegui is seemingly another manager who doesn’t fully trust him, considering his aforementioned lack of starts.

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Newcastle United could well be eyeing a late move for Chelsea midfielder Conor Gallagher, according to the latest reports.

What’s the word?

As per Keith Downie, the Magpies are said to still be keen on the 22-year-old, with the England international – who has been a long-time target for the Tyneside club – a potential replacement for Nottingham Forest-bound Jonjo Shelvey.

Writing on Twitter regarding that interest, the Sky Sports reporter stated: “Newcastle remain interested in Conor Gallagher, despite being rebuffed previously. Chelsea need to offload players before deadline, but it remains to be seen if one is Gallagher, or indeed if Chelsea change tact & want to deal with #NUFC. Gallagher understood to be happy at #CFC”.

Downie then added: “Eddie Howe wants to bring in a loan midfielder to replace Jonjo Shelvey – but knows it’ll be difficult with just over a day to go. Sander Berge a more likely option. The club are trying – but may have to go with what they have #NUFC”.

This comes amid claims that relegation strugglers Everton have lodged an offer of around £40m for the Chelsea playmaker, albeit with the player seemingly not interested in a move to Goodison Park.

Dan Burn 2.0

The Blues may well have reservations about helping to bolster Eddie Howe’s push for the top four by agreeing to a loan exit for Gallagher, but if a move can be secured, it would represent yet another January masterclass for the Tynesiders.

It was only a year ago that Newcastle – aided by the club’s change in ownership – enjoyed a hectic end to the winter transfer window, having notably secured the deadline day signing of Dan Burn from Brighton and Hove Albion for a fee of around £13m.

That deal has since proved a real bargain as far as the St James’ Park outfit are concerned, with the towering centre-back having already racked up 36 Premier League appearances in that time. He initially proved vital in staving off the drop in the second half of last season, before playing an integral role in Newcastle’s surge for Champions League qualification this time around.

The Blyth-born powerhouse has started 19 of the Magpies’ 20 league games this season as a marker of his importance to the team, having helped to form part of a simply impenetrable backline which has shipped just 11 league goals in the current campaign past the halfway point.

Howe and co notably saw the benefit of bringing in a January arrival who was well accustomed to the Premier League and could make an instant impact, with the hope being that Gallagher could follow in Burn’s footsteps and swiftly cement himself in the team at St James’ Park.

The dynamic Chelsea “monster” – as described by journalist Tom Dutton – would add a real energetic and relentless spark to the Magpies’ midfield, showcased by his ranking in the top 14% in Europe among those in his position for dribbles completed, as well as in the top 7% for progressive passes received.

Those eye-catching statistics indicate that the former Crystal Palace loanee – who scored eight goals and provided three assists in the league during his time at Selhurst Park last season – is a player who can drive his team forward with an incisive pass or a surging run from deep.

While he has only scored once and provided one assist back at Stamford Bridge so far this term, the Epsom-born gem has struggled for a consistent run in the side after starting just nine league games, hence the potential need to secure a move to pastures new.

Whether St James’ Park is his next destination remains to be seen, but if he can prove as influential as the aforementioned Burn, then Howe and PIF will be onto a winner.

Manchester United defeated Nottingham Forest 2-0 in midweek to seal a place in the Carabao Cup final, leaving them just one step away from lifting a first trophy since Jose Mourinho led them to Europa League glory back in 2017.

Erik ten Hag will be hoping to end the Red Devils’ six-year trophy drought and continue his impressive rejuvenation at the club, with that hopefully being just the first of many pieces of silverware coming to Old Trafford under the 53-year-old.

Despite the straightforward victory, there were a few players who underperformed against Forest in midweek. Alejandro Garnacho was given a rare start but failed to take his chance to impress, succeeding with just two dribble attempts and taking only one shot as he recorded the team’s joint-lowest Sofascore rating.

However, it was January signing Wout Weghorst who was perhaps the poorest United player on the night, and Ten Hag should consider ditching him against Crystal Palace today.

United signed the Dutchman on a six-month loan from Burnley during the January transfer window, and the move was surprising to say the least, echoing that of the deal to sign Odion Ighalo on loan until the end of the 2019/20 season.

The 30-year-old has hardly set the world alight during his first five appearances for the Red Devils, scoring just once, despite netting nine goals for Besiktas during the first half of the campaign.

The £40k-per-week frontman was statistically United’s worst performer during the second leg against Forest, earning a rating of just 6.4/10 via Sofascore.

During his 63 minutes on the pitch, he had just one shot (which was blocked), missed a big chance and hit the woodwork, all while taking just 16 touches as he couldn’t get himself into the game.

The Dutchman lost possession three times, was also dribbled past once and won only four duels from nine. It was a night to forget for him, and one former United captain didn’t hold back when it came to analysing his performance after the game…

Roy Keane was offering his post-match thoughts on Sky Sports (via The Sun) regarding Weghorst’s miss after he headed against the post when it seemed easier to score, saying: “He has to score, I don’t know what he was thinking. He was brought in for his aerial ability.”

Ten Hag faces a big decision ahead of today’s clash against Palace, and with the 30-year-old struggling, the manager may have to make a few changes in personnel. Dropping Weghorst should be one of them.

Everton’s talks about signing Isco are well underway and a new meeting is planned between the relevant parties, according to journalist Rudy Galetti.

The Lowdown: Isco an option for Everton

The 30-year-old is a free agent, having had his contract terminated by Sevilla earlier this season, and it has recently been reported that Goodison Park is a potential destination, with the Spaniard able to sign for a new club outside of the transfer window.

While it has been claimed that the midfielder prefers a move to the MLS, casting doubt on whether he would be open to joining Everton, a new update appears to indicate that a deal could be struck with the Premier League club.

The Latest: Isco talks underway

According to Rudy Galetti, writing for Tribal Football, talks are well underway regarding a possible move to Everton for Isco, and a new meeting is scheduled with the aim of advancing the negotiations.

It is claimed that a possible move to Union Berlin broke down earlier in the January transfer window after the player was told that he would not be included in the Europa League squad list, but no MLS teams are explicitly named as interested parties.

The Verdict: Get it done?

In truth, the 30-year-old has not been at his best for many years, last recording more than four goal contributions across a single league season in 2017/18, after showing such promising signs at Real Madrid earlier in his career.

That said, the Toffees are at a point where they need to take a gamble, considering that they failed to strengthen Sean Dyche’s squad at the end of the January transfer window, even missing out on Andre Ayew, who joined Nottingham Forest.

Signing Isco would be a risk given his decline in form, but he can still make an impact at a high level, scoring and assisting in the Champions League this season. He has also been hailed as a ‘magician’ by football scout Jacek Kulig in the past.

A fresh start in a new league could be exactly what the playmaker needs in order to reignite his career, and Everton should take the plunge on him, at least on a short-term deal until the end of the season.