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Wolves manager Bruno Lage is confident that Hwang Hee-chan’s current injury won’t scupper a permanent move happening in the January transfer window.

The Lowdown: Hwang impresses on loan

The 25-year-old joined Wanderers on loan during the summer, making the move from Bundesliga side RB Leipzig.

Hwang has impressed in the first half of the season, scoring four goals in 11 Premier League starts and forging a good understanding with Raul Jimenez.

Wolves have the chance to sign the South Korean on a permanent deal in the summer but they may need to seal a deal in January, with other clubs able to strike an agreement.

The Latest: Lage gives Hwang update

Speaking on Friday [via Express & Star], Lage said that Hwang’s current hamstring injury keeping him out until February is unlikely to throw a permanent transfer into doubt.

When asked if the body blow would scupper the club’s chances of signing him outright, the manager succinctly replied: “In my opinion, no.”

The Verdict: No-brainer for Wolves

Hwang may have had a slight dip in form, not scoring since October, but he has shown enough in his short Wolves career to suggest he would be an excellent permanent signing for the club. At 25, he should still have the peak years of his career ahead of him, and his versatility means that he can thrive both in a left-sided and central attacking role.

While Hwang’s quality in front of goal has stood out, he has also averaged 0.9 tackles and 1.4 fouls won per league game this season, showing he has a good team ethic and is willing to muck in defensively.

Frankly, a move to try and sign him outright is a no-brainer from an Old Gold perspective, given how he has performed under Lage so far.

In other news, some Wolves fans were enraptured by an image which appeared on social media. Read more here.

Aston Villa duo Ollie Watkins and Douglas Luiz have both been linked with moves to fellow Premier League outfit Arsenal in the January transfer window.

What’s the story?

According to ESPN, Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta is a fan of both players, particularly the striker, who he has personally identified as a possible replacement for Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.

The Gabonese striker has recently been stripped of the captaincy by Arteta after a disciplinary breach and could well be on his way out of the club this month, meaning that a replacement could come through the door during January.

Watkins joined Villa from Brentford in summer 2020 for a fee believed to be around £27.7m and has scored 21 goals in 56 appearances for the Midlands club.

Arteta is reportedly keen on the player’s flexibility in attack and, while a deal seems unlikely, the 26-year-old has admitted in the past to growing up as an Arsenal fan and has a dream of one day playing for the Gunners.

As for Luiz, the north London club are also looking to add a holding midfielder to their ranks, with the Brazilian named as a potential target.

The 23-year-old was one of Aston Villa’s first signings after securing promotion back to the Premier League in 2019 and has been a key player since his move to Birmingham. As per WhoScored, he is the club’s second-best performer so far during the current campaign.

Gerrard would be making a terrible mistake

There is no doubt that the sale of Watkins and Luiz would generate serious funds for spending, but their presence in the Villa side for the remainder of the campaign would likely prove more valuable than selling them in order to purchase new players.

Firstly, Steven Gerrard would have to find suitable replacements for both players, which could immediately wipe out any income made from parting with the duo. Also, they are both of immense importance to the team, with both Luiz and Watkins featuring in every game under the 41-year-old thus far.

Moreover, selling them to a Premier League rival midway through the season would surely anger the fans and would be a terrible mistake from the manager, particularly with the club eyeing a push for European qualification alongside the Gunners.

In other news – “See that one being done…” Journalist drops teasing Villa claim which will delight the fans

Leeds United remain interested in signing long-term transfer target and Norwich City midfielder Todd Cantwell, according to journalist Pete O’Rourke.

The Lowdown: Cantwell linked with Leeds move

The 23-year-old has been an impressive performer at Carrow Road over a number of years, although he has been limited to just five Premier League starts so far this season.

Cantwell has been linked with a move to Leeds and could be available in the January transfer window, with the Canaries seemingly willing to sell him.

The midfielder’s contract expires this summer with the option for it to be extended by a year, but Norwich could jump at the chance to receive a fee now.

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The Latest: O’Rourke on Leeds’ Cantwell interest

Speaking to Give Me Sport, O’Rourke talked up the idea of the prospective move happening, adding that Cantwell has been a target for Leeds for some time.

He stated: “Todd Cantwell’s an interesting one. Leeds were very keen on him last summer and maybe the window before that as well, he is someone who’s been on their radar for a long time.”

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The Verdict: Exciting long-term option

The Whites are badly in need of squad depth, particularly in midfield, with Kalvin Phillips still out injured for a while and Adam Forshaw needing to be monitored carefully after such a long absence.

Cantwell is someone who could add a huge amount of guile in the middle of the park, having been hailed as ‘incredible’ by ex-Norwich striker Dean Ashton in the past. At 23, he is also someone who should only improve in the coming years, while also having the experience of 45 Premier League games behind him.

His tally of 14 goals and 12 assists in 110 appearances for Norwich shows that he could add creativity in Leeds’ midfield, providing the attack with more ammunition moving forward. It’s just what Marcelo Bielsa might need, considering that his side are among the top-flight’s lowest scorers this term.

In other news, Phil Hay has provided a key Leeds transfer update. Read more here.

Celtic target Hannes Wolf could be on the move ‘in the next few days’, according to Borussia Monchengladbach chief Max Eberl.

The Lowdown: Ange a fan

The Hoops have already brought in two midfielders this month in Reo Hatate and Yosuke Ideguchi, however, they are seemingly after more.

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Riley McGree almost made the move to Parkhead before a deal fell through, with Wolf another player who has been linked alongside MK Dons’ Matt O’Riley.

Ange Postecoglou is thought to be a ‘big’ admirer of the Monchengladbach man, who has been a ‘long-term target’ for the Hoops, and it now seems as if the 22-year-old could be on the move.

The Latest: Eberl’s comments

As reported by Fohlen Hautnah, Eberl had this to say on Wolf, claiming that he may be on the move over the coming days, not ruling out a temporary or permanent exit.

“Something might happen to him in the next few days. We’ll see whether it’s a loan or a sale when the time comes.”

The Verdict: Hoops to pounce?

Tom Rogic is the club’s only recognised attacking midfielder on the books, as per Transfermarkt. David Turnbull has also played in that role but is currently out injured, so bringing in Wolf on loan could be a shrewd move.

Things haven’t worked out for Wolf in Germany, however, if he can replicate his form for former employers RB Salzburg, where he contributed to 44 goals in 89 appearances, a transfer to Glasgow could be a smart one.

A possible option to buy included in a temporary deal, as they have with Jota and Cameron Carter-Vickers, could also be of benefit to the Hoops, so it could be one to keep a close eye on ahead of the weekend.

In other news: Mikael Lustig buzzing as Celtic confirm more January news on ace who ‘makes it look easy’. 

Many Liverpool fans have been criticising the performance of Diogo Jota despite their 3-0 win at home to Brentford in the Premier League this afternoon.

It was a comfortable game in the end for Jurgen Klopp’s team at Anfield, with goals from Fabinho, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Takumi Minamino more than enough to give them the three points.

However, while there were some great performances in a Reds shirt, Jota may not have been pleased with his own display, as he squandered a couple of very good opportunities to score.

The former Wolves ace failed to find the back of the net with any of his six shots, while he also lost out on nine of his duels and failed to record a single successful dribble, key pass, accurate cross or long ball (SofaScore).

The 25-year-old also gave the ball away 13 times, the joint-fifth most out of his teammates, in what was a below-par performance by his standards. He is now without a goal in four matches, having scored in each of his last three before Christmas, as per Transfermarkt.

Liverpool fans slam Jota

These Liverpool fans slammed Jota’s display on Twitter, with one Kopite going as far as to claim that the forward was ‘non-existent’ this afternoon:

“#LFC so 1 dimensional yet again. Jota and Firmino non-existent”

Credit: @Jabbs2Jamie

“Jota is so not focused”

Credit: @I_am_aMarvel

“Jota been totally bad”

Credit: @Galjundi

“Jota DISASTERCLASS”

Credit: @burhan7i

“Get Jota off”

Credit: @Vinny_lopez89

“Jota.. you cannot be finishing like that.. just cannot.”

Credit: @Ituralde

In other news, Liverpool are now willing to pay big money to sign this midfield beast

Speaking to Hammers News, Nathaniel Kay of the Chelsea Chronicle claimed that there is a ‘strong possibility’ that West Ham target Armando Broja will be sold by his parent club.

The Lowdown: West Ham need a striker

David Moyes has fared very well considering he has just one first-team striker at his disposal in Michail Antonio. However, the Jamaica international has struggled for consistent goalscoring form this season. He emphatically scored four goals in the Hammers’ opening three Premier League matches, but has only been able to add four more in his following 19 games.

However, winger Jarrod Bowen has stepped up to the plate by scoring six times, filling the Hammers’ void as their main threat in the final third. This has allowed the club to push on, with the Irons holding on to a place inside the top five.

Nonetheless, it is clear that West Ham need to bring in an extra striker to challenge Antonio, or even to start ahead of him when he’s struggling for form. This need has been exacerbated by the Hammers’ bid for automatic Champions League qualification as they fight for a place in the top four.

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The Latest: Broja is a ‘strong possibility’ for West Ham

According to Chelsea Chronicle reporter Kay, there is a ‘strong possibility’ that West Ham target Broja will be sold by the Blues, rather than being loaned out again.

The journalist told Hammers News: “I think there is a pretty strong possibility of selling him. Chelsea are clearly not lacking in attacking players and Thomas Tuchel will want to get the best out of those who have generally struggled (Werner, Havertz, Lukaku).

“The board are usually pretty good at sniffing out a good deal. If they can get £20m plus for a player they raised through the academy, that will be seen as decent business. Plus, they’ve sold to West Ham already this season with Kurt Zouma, so it wouldn’t be entirely surprising if they did so again.

“I think the performances of the likes of Lukaku, Werner and Havertz will play a massive part in this potential move .. [and] if they can all get 10-15 goals or more before the campaign concludes, then Broja may be viewed as a spare part.

“After succeeding with Southampton, he won’t want to play back up to Chelsea’s current crop of forwards. With the Hammers in Europe – and if they get into Europe again – the thought of changing capital city allegiance would be even more enticing.”

The Verdict: Broja could be the perfect solution

The Albanian striker has proved that he is clinical in the final third, having scored five Premier League goals this season, plus a further two strikes in two Carabao Cup games, making him Southampton’s top scorer.

Moyes has been on the hunt for a new striker for the last two years, with his search being made all the more critical when the club sold Sebastien Haller to Ajax in last year’s January transfer window.

The “dangerous” Southampton loanee, as his manager Ralph Hasenhuttl recently described him, could prove to be the man to solve Moyes’ attacking dilemma, and at just 20 years of age, he could be the solution to West Ham’s centre-forward shortage for many years to come.

In other news: Contract talks are now underway for this West Ham stalwart

It’s time for Leeds United to move on from Tyler Roberts this summer.

Even in the absence of leading talisman Patrick Bamford, the Wales international has struggled for minutes – even academy duo Joe Gelhardt and Sam Greenwood appear to sit ahead of him in the pecking order under American boss Jesse Marsch.

But that should hardly come as a surprise, given the form of the 23-year-old since the Yorkshire giants returned to the promised land of the Premier League.

Although, overall, a record of nine goals and ten assists across 108 appearances is not good reading for a forward.

Just two of those direct contributions have come this season, where he has featured in 23 top-flight games, as per Transfermarkt. Roberts has not started a game for the Whites since the 3-1 win over Burnley back in January – a game in which he failed to score.

Leeds actually looked the better side and found the net twice after his early bath on the hour mark, which is rather telling.

He has now been absent from Marsch’s matchday squad in three straight games due to injury and has made only four substitute appearances in 2022.

According to talkSPORT and Football Insider pundit Gabby Agbonlahor, Roberts will “be in the Championship” next season as “he’s not a Premier League player.”

Also slammed by the former Villa frontman for being “shocking” and “not good enough”, the former West Bromwich Albion youth product is surely nearing the exit door in this new era at Elland Road.

Thought to be earning wages in the region of £45k-per-week, Roberts has been absolutely stealing a living from the club.

When you factor in the initial £2.5m it cost to prise him away from the Baggies in January 2018, the Welshman has cost chairman Andrea Radrizzani and the club’s coffers in excess of £12m – and that’s only going to rise as he’s under contract until the summer of 2024.

Signed a year after the Italian’s arrival at Leeds, it’s fair to suggest that Roberts has been one of the worst signings under his leadership. He’s certainly not someone that Marsch should persist with past the summer.

Amid links to RB Salzburg midfielder Brenden Aaronson, it could only be a matter of time before the 23-year-old is moved on, justifiably so, too.

AND in other news, Forget Joffy: Leeds must seal bargain swoop for teen prodigy with 40 goals this season…

Newcastle United have been handed a key relief over Paraguay international Miguel Almiron this week…

What’s the latest?

Magpies boss Eddie Howe has allayed fears that the attacking midfielder has suffered an injury, with the 28-year-old missing the 5-1 defeat to Tottenham due to an illness.

The former Atlanta United star was absent from the matchday squad and his omission may have left fans wondering whether or not he suffered a blow in training during the week.

Lee Ryder Tweeted: “Eddie Howe confirms that Almiron was ill today.”

Delight

This news will surely leave the Toon head coach delighted as it means that the midfielder has not been hit with a knock that will keep him out of action for a number of weeks/months. Instead, he is dealing with an illness and will, hopefully, be able to overcome it sooner rather than later.

It is a big boost for the head coach as he is not blessed with options at the top end of the pitch. In terms of wide players, Ryan Fraser, Allan Saint-Maximin, Jacob Murphy and Almiron are the only natural candidates to play in those areas, although Joelinton and Matt Ritchie are capable of playing there if desperately needed.

Whilst the winger has been unproductive in front of goal this term, with zero goals in 22 appearances, he always works his socks off for the team.

He is a reliable player for Howe in terms of the defensive output he gets from him on the wing, with an impressive 2.1 tackles and interceptions per game as a forward. Almiron has won 3.3 duels per game and completed 80% of his attempted passes, which further goes to show that he is a steady player who will put in a solid shift for the side.

This is why Howe will be delighted that he has not suffered a nasty injury blow, as he will want to be able to call upon the midfielder to do a job when needed between now and the end of the season.

The supporters may see it differently, though, as he lacks the quality to make things happen in the final third. He has zero goals and zero assists in the top-flight and has only created 0.6 chances per game – creating one ‘big chance’ in his 22 outings.

However, Howe does not have much in the way of alternatives and his defensive nous makes him a valuable asset in games where they are expected to be under pressure and defending for the majority of the game.

AND in other news, Less touches than Dubravka: “Struggling” NUFC flop with 6 passes was useless yesterday…

Liverpool currently have the deadliest attack in the Premier League, with 77 goals scored in 30 games.

One man who has contributed plenty to this impressive statistic is Sadio Mane, who has found the net 12 times and provided two assists in 27 league appearances.

Despite the Senegal star’s importance to the team, it seems as though the Reds could have their eye on securing a player who could be a potential long-term replacement for the £72m-rated attacker.

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According to a recent report from Milan Live (via TEAMtalk) Liverpool are keen on signing Watford winger Ismaila Sarr, alongside fellow Premier League side Newcastle United.

In the 2019 summer transfer window, the Hornets signed the winger for a club-record fee believed to be £40m. Since then, the 24-year-old has scored 24 goals and provided 17 assists in 87 appearances across all competitions.

While the current Liverpool star has eclipsed Sarr in terms of attacking statistics such as goals, shots on target, big chances created and key passes, this could be partly to do with the Reds being a far superior side to Watford, as the league table highlights.

However, the Hornets winger has still shown how tricky an attacking threat he can be in the Premier League by completing 31 of the 57 dribbles he has attempted this season.

Labelled a “freak” by his team-mate Ben Foster in terms of his talent, which the veteran goalkeeper also described as being “scary,” the £24.3m-rated attacker could be a frightening prospect for Jurgen Klopp’s side to have if they do end up signing him.

With Mane turning 30 on Sunday and his current contract at Anfield set to expire in the summer of 2023, Sarr could be an ideal long-term replacement for the Reds star if his fellow countryman end up leaving Merseyside anytime soon.

However, with the likes of Diogo Jota and Luis Diaz providing a combined total of 16 league goals between them in the league this season, these are the players against whom Sarr may have to compete if he does end up making a move to Liverpool in the near future.

In other news: Liverpool now plot bid for “unbelievable” £45m-rated dynamo, just imagine him & Salah

Sunderland are no stranger to a transfer mistake, as they have made a number of blunders over the years in the market.

Some of them were out there for all to see as the Netflix documentary illustrated their deal for Will Grigg – which flopped badly – in all of its glory.

However, they have all had howlers in the sense that they have not been able to land a player who has subsequently gone on to shine elsewhere.

One such player was left-back Marcos Alonso in 2014. He spent the second half of the 2013/14 campaign on loan at the club from Fiorentina and enjoyed his spell on Wearside, playing 20 matches, including a League Cup final defeat to Manchester City.

Speaking about his time at Sunderland, Alonso said in 2020: “I had six very happy months at Sunderland.

“When I went there we were bottom of the table but we ended up safe from relegation and there was also the League Cup final. That was special even if we could not win. That day at Wembley will always be good memories for me.

“The fans they enjoyed that day so much. I think even more so than we did. We lost in the end, but their support was amazing – much better than the City fans – and for me, that was very special.”

Despite the success of the loan move, the Black Cats were unable to strike a permanent deal for the defender, who was valued at £1.8m by Transfermarkt at the time.

He stayed with the Italian outfit for two more seasons before sealing a transfer to Chelsea in 2016, and that is where his career took off.

The Spaniard caught the eye in his first two campaigns at Stamford Bridge as he racked up 13 goals and five assists in two Premier League seasons for the Blues, winning the title in 2016/17 under Antonio Conte.

In 2018, then-Chelsea boss Maurizio Sarri lavished the full-back with praise as he said: “Alonso, at the moment, this position at left-back is maybe the best in Europe. Physical qualities at a top level, I think. He’s doing very well in the offensive phase.”

His market value backs up Sarri’s comments, as Transfermarkt valued him at a whopping £40m in 2018. This is a staggering increase from the £1.8m at which he was valued in 2014 and shows that he fulfilled his potential as a player, having been able to kick on after his loan spell at the Stadium of Light.

Therefore, the club made a big howler that year, as they would have benefitted from his immense talent over the years had they been able to sign him on a permanent basis.

AND in other news, Speakman must avoid embarrassing Sunderland error over “sublime” gem who “can change a game”…