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Everton shelled out a huge fee when they bought Richarlison from Watford back in the summer, parting with an initial sum of around £35m to bring the Brazilian international to Goodison Park – as reported by the BBC, clauses in the deal could take the fee to around £50m, which would eclipse the club-record £45m spent on Gylfi Sigurdsson.

How has he done so far?

The 21-year-old started his Premier League career with the Hornets in impressive fashion, quickly introducing himself as a typically skilful Brazilian flair player, but with the ability to turn his mercurial talents into goals and assists.

However, after Marco Silva was sacked, Richarlison’s form nosedived, and he finished the 2017/18 campaign with just five goals and four assists to his name at Vicarage Road, as seen on his Whoscored page.

Check out Neymar’s controversial new haircut for 2019 and Xherdan Shaqiri as you’ve never seen him before in the video below…

There seems to be a good relationship between Silva and the former Fluminense forward, with that suggestion further reinforced when the Portuguese manager convinced his new bosses to splash the cash to bring his favourite to Merseyside.

It mustn’t be forgotten that Richarlison is a very young player, and arrived on these shores as a youngster who had never played his football outside of Brazil, so his debut season can be forgiven. This term, however, he has looked far more mature in a central role for the Toffees, scoring nine league goals in 20 starts, as per Whoscored, and proving to be far more efficient and consistent in his movement and end product.

The Verdict

At such a young age, and taking the state of the current market into account, the deal for Richarlison could be considered a snip in a few years if he continues his upwards curve.

It is encouraging to see that he has almost doubled his tally for goals from last season just over halfway through the current campaign, and most importantly, he is playing under a manager who trusts him and will give him sufficient game time to develop.

One stat which also catches the eye is the amount of aerial duels that he has won. The 21-year-old averages 2.3 aerial duels won per game in the league, as per Whoscored, which suggests that he is learning how to use his broad frame more effective in the physical English game.

He has been an astute signing who has impressed hugely, and so long as Silva is at the helm, he should continue his rapid rise as a footballer which has seen him score three times in his six appearances for Brazil – his form has also attracted glances from the Camp Nou, with Barcelona keeping tabs on his progress according to The Daily Star in December.

As per journalist Ryan Taylor of The Daily Express, amid all the rumours surrounding Erling Haaland, it appears Man City have their eyes on another player as news emerges on Benfica star Darwin Nunez.

The Lowdown: Sky Blues in striker search…

Pep Guardiola seems set to target a world class centre-forward in the summer window after failing to sign Spurs star Harry Kane last summer.

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Haaland, who appears to be dominating the headlines where City are concerned, has been very heavily linked with a move to Eastlands since The Mail broke news of a deal even allegedly being in place.

However, the Norway star isn’t the only man reportedly on Guardiola’s radar, with Benfica’s big name attacker Nunez also a target according to reports.

Sharing an update, Taylor now has some news for City supporters as Eastlands officials travel abroad this week.

The Latest: City officials travel…

According to his information, Sky Blues officials were in attendance to run the rule over Nunez during Benfica’s clash with Liverpool in the Champions League on Tuesday.

It is believed that scouts from Man United, Tottenham, Arsenal, West Ham and Arsenal were also at the Estádio do Sport Lisboa e Benfica in midweek.

The Verdict: Ideal Haaland alternative?

If City can’t seal an agreement for their top target this summer, Nunez arguably stands out as as perfect alternative.

Scoring 28 goals already this season, the starlet attacker could leave for around £60 million this summer, but the amount of competition could mean sporting director Txiki Begiristain faces a summer transfer battle.

Lauded as an ‘absolute beast’ by Anfield Index podcaster Hari Sethi after that clash with Liverpool, one of the most in-form frontmen in Europe could raise a real bidding war and it will be interesting to see whether the Sky Blues could be part of it.

In other news: ‘Man City close to finalising’…Insider shares major player development out of Eastlands, find out more here.

Leeds United are in danger of losing some of their key performers when the transfer window opens, an eventuality that could leave Jesse Marsch rather crestfallen.

Raphinha is constantly linked with the exit door while there are also worries concerning Kalvin Phillips.

What’s the word?

On Thursday afternoon Manchester United’s interest in Phillips became a little more concrete with the Manchester Evening News’ reporter, Samuel Luckhurst revealing on Twitter that a deal is being worked on.

However, journalist Jacque Talbot has since shared that the England international may well be keen on staying at Elland Road.

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He said: “The way I’ve been told is that Kalvin Phillips is not seeking a move away from LUFC and will be signing a long-term extension with the club in the summer once the club’s Premier League status is secured. The midfielder loves Leeds so chance of a move to a close rival is scarce.”

Exciting news

The idea that Phillips could stay in Yorkshire beyond this summer should come as a hugely exciting piece of news for the Leeds faithful.

After all, this is a player who is improving rapidly and is now also an important cog in the wheel of Gareth Southgate’s England side.

He featured in every match on route to the European Championship final last summer and even if he has spent large portions of the current campaign out injured, he is still hugely vital to their cause.

Only one midfielder, Adam Forshaw, has made more than his 2.2 tackles per match in the Premier League throughout 2021/22, while Phillips also ranks among Europe’s elite in some key areas of the game.

In comparison to players in the same position across the continent’s top five leagues, he is in the top 1% of midfielders for pressures per 90 with 30.49, a statistic that demonstrates how equipped he is to deal with the demand of modern tactics.

Meanwhile, the 26-year-old ranks in the top 3% for blocks, the top 7% for long passes completed and the top 9% for tackles completed, making him the perfect deep-lying midfielder.

As a result, the thought that he won’t push for a move is likely to delight everyone associated with Leeds.

AND in other news, Orta can now axe “awful” £55k-p/w flop as Leeds eye “underrated” £12.5m-rated “threat”…

Tottenham must swoop for Roma winger Nicolo Zaniolo this summer as manager Antonio Conte looks to bolster his squad in his first summer transfer window in charge of the north London club.

What’s the talk?

Reports from Italy have suggested that Spurs are following the 22-year-old closely, with Corriere della Sella (via Sport Witness) suggesting that the Italian knows that ‘decision time is approaching.’

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The Roma star’s contract expires in 2024 and is yet to renew, meaning that the Serie A outfit may have to sell this summer, with a fee being quoted at around €80m (£66m).

Manager Antonio Conte is believed to be a big fan of the 22-year-old, having assessed the winger during his time as Inter Milan manager, as is Spurs managing director Fabio Paratici.

Tottenham must sign Zaniolo

Despite a season that has seen a managerial change, an early exit from the Europa Conference League and yet another campaign without silverware, Tottenham’s season could end with success with the Lilywhites still firmly in contention for a top-four spot.

Conte’s side are fourth with six games to go in the Premier League and will undoubtedly be a more attractive proposition for Zaniolo and other potential targets if they can offer Champions League football.

The 22-year-old has netted seven goals and assisted another eight in 35 appearances across all competitions this term whilst averaging a 7.31 match rating in the Europa Conference League.

In Serie A, the Italian’s rating is lower at 6.7, with the winger averaging a 78% passing accuracy whilst completing just under half of his dribbles at 49%. Moreover, Zaniolo likes to get forward, producing 2.6 shots a game.

Moreover, the 22-year-old has been integrated into the senior Italy set-up, earning nine caps and scoring two goals for the Azzuri.

There is plenty of excitement in Italy regarding the Roma starlet, with club legend Francesco Totti praising the winger back in 2018 by saying: “Zaniolo is explosive and he plays with an unusual ease. If he continues this way he could become a great player.”

With the Italian a right-sided winger, Zaniolo could complement the left-sided Heung-Min Son perfectly.

The South Korean has netted a whopping 17 Premier League goals this term as well as registering seven assists in the top-flight, numbers that Spurs will hope the 22-year-old can one day reach should he swap Rome for London.

Granted, £66m will be a significant fee for Spurs to pay to secure Zaniolo’s services, however, with Conte a big fan, the deal could prove to be well worth it in the long run.

AND in other news: Lost the ball every 2.6 touches: “Quiet” 9-pass THFC passenger let Conte down vs BHAFC

Manchester City have received ‘enquiries’ from Barcelona and Juventus for striker Gabriel Jesus, ahead of a potential exodus from the club this summer.

The Lowdown: Jesus to follow Sterling?

The Brazilian has struggled to force his way into being a regular part of Pep Guardiola’s plans this season, often finding himself on the substitutes’ bench.

Jesus has only started 16 out of 32 Premier League games, as well as forcing his way into the starting lineup just once in the Champions League to date.

With Erling Haaland looking likely to join City this summer, it could be that their current No.9 is deemed surplus to requirements, following reports that Raheem Sterling could leave, too.

According to the Italian press, Sterling could join AC Milan because he is ‘no longer on good terms’ with Guardiola.

The Latest: Contact made

As per a report from Lance [via Sport Witness], both Barca and Juve have made ‘enquiries’ about Jesus, while it is claimed that he is ‘likely’ to be at another club next season.

The 25-year-old’s current deal expires at the end of next season, which increases the chance of him leaving this summer, in order for City to receive a fee before the risk of losing him as a free agent next year.

The Verdict: Time to move on

Jesus’ City career has been a curious one in many ways, with the Brazil international showing immense talent but never quite managing to kick on and become the true heir to Sergio Aguero.

While 89 goals in 229 appearances is not to be sniffed at, it is damning that Guardiola has often opted to play with someone like Phil Foden as a false nine instead, suggesting he doesn’t think his striker is good enough.

It feels like the right time for Jesus to move on and enjoy a fresh challenge, with a move to Barca allowing him to follow in the footsteps of Brazilian greats such as Ronaldo and Ronaldinho.

In other news, a journalist has shared a major City transfer breakthrough. Read more here.

Tottenham are still interested in signing Wolves winger Adama Traore in the January transfer window, according to journalist Fabrizio Romano.

The Lowdown: Traore linked with Wolves exit

The 25-year-old may have scored his first goal of the season last weekend but his Wanderers career looks likely to reach its conclusion at some point this year.

Traore has been strongly tipped to move away from Molineux this month, with the likes of Liverpool and Tottenham thought to be interested in signing him.

While it has been claimed that the winger will be staying put in January, a new update may suggest otherwise.

The Latest: Romano makes fresh Traore claim

Taking to Twitter on Tuesday, Romano confirmed that Spurs are still eyeing up a move, as Antonio Conte looks to bring in a new wide man:

“Tottenham are still trying to sign Adama Traore in January. Wolves manager Bruno Lage’s pushing to keep him until the end of the season – Spurs want to give Conte a new winger as he asked.”

The Verdict: Matter of time

It does feel as though Traore will be moving on in either January or the summer, with Bruno Lage seemingly not considering him a key part of his plans, with the winger having been in and out of the starting line-up throughout the season.

In truth, it makes sense for Wolves to get as much as they can for the Spaniard, using the money to bring in players who the manager believes would suit his style of play.

For all Traore’s entertainment value, he continues to be a player who flatters to deceive – one goal contribution by the middle of January is not good enough for a senior attacker – and it is time for the Old Gold to cut ties with him.

The only reason he should stay this month is if Wolves are unable to find a suitable replacement in time, with squad depth affected by losing him and signing nobody.

In other news, Wolves are reportedly ‘very interested’ in signing one player. Find out who it is here.

Celtic still have some important games left to play in the SPFL before the season draws to an end and the next summer transfer window opens for business.

However, it seems as though one potential deal has emerged as something the Bhoys could look to complete before their next campaign gets underway.

What’s the news?

According to the Daily Mail (via Daily Record), Bodo/Glimt star Ola Solbakken is a potential summer transfer target for the Hoops if they are unable to strike a permanent deal for current loan star Jota.

Since joining the Norwegian club back in the 2020 January transfer window, the 23-year-old has gone on to make 71 appearances for his side across all competitions.

In those appearances, the winger has managed to score 17 goals and provide 18 assists along the way.

This highlights just how much of an attacking threat he can be.

Postecoglou would love him

Throughout his career, the attacker has been deployed on the left and right wings, delivering goal contributions from both sides, showing just how versatile he is on the pitch.

In comparison to Solbakken, the Portuguese attacker has scored 11 goals and provided 12 assists in 35 appearances for the Bhoys across all competitions since his arrival from Benfica on loan last summer.

The Hoops will be very familiar with what sort of player Solbakken is, as he scored a goal and provided an assist during the two meetings between the clubs in the UEFA Europa Conference League earlier this season.

Currently valued at £1.8m according to Transfermarkt, the Norway international has been likened to former Bayern Munich, Chelsea and Real Madrid winger Arjen Robben in terms of his attacking moves on the pitch. Moreover, he’s been likened to a certain Norwegian forward too with BT Sport describing one of his goals in Europe as having “serious Haaland vibes.”

Taking all of this into account, it’s safe to suggest that Postecoglou would be delighted to have a player like the Norwegian in his squad that is capable of scoring and creating goals as well as playing in numerous positions.

Moving forward, while securing a permanent deal for Jota should undeniably be their first port of call for the summer, having Solbakken as a potential backup option is not a bad one to have given his attacking talents.

In other news: Sold for £2.5m, now worth £8.1m: 27 y/o could’ve been Celtic’s “player of the season”

Arsenal are interested in a deal to bring Luis Sinisterra to the Emirates in the summer transfer window.

What’s the talk?

That’s according to a report by Italian publication Corriere dello Sport (via Sport Witness), who claim that Richard Garlick has now submitted an offer for the Feyenoord winger in an attempt to secure the signing of the 22-year-old at the end of the current campaign.

However, the report goes on to state that both Atletico Madrid and Bayer Leverkusen have also launched an offensive for the Colombia international, for whom the Eredivisie side are believed to be demanding a figure of around €15m (£13m) in order to part with this summer.

Arteta can axe Pepe with Sinisterra

Considering just how impressive Sinisterra has been for Feyenoord this season, in addition to how disappointing Nicolas Pepe has proven to be for Arsenal since his club-record £72m move back in 2019, it is not difficult to see why Mikel Arteta would be interested in a move for the Colombian attacker this summer.

Indeed, over his 24 Eredivisie appearances this term, the £16.2m-rated forward has been in sensational form for Arne Slot’s side, scoring ten goals, registering five assists and creating seven big chances for his teammates, as well as taking an average of 2.7 shots and making 2.2 key passes per game.

These returns have seen the £10k-per-week forward who Nico Cantor dubbed a “crafty, quick and sneaky” player average a quite breathtaking SofaScore match rating of 7.53, ranking him as the fifth-best player in the top flight of Dutch football.

In comparison, things have gone rather less well for Pepe over his 15 Premier League outings for Arsenal this season, with the £27m-rated Ivory Coast international scoring one goal, providing one assist and creating one big chance for his teammates, in addition to taking an average of 1.3 shots and making 0.7 key passes per fixture.

These returns have seen the £140k-per-week flop who The Short Fuse dubbed a “practice dummy” average an extremely disappointing SofaScore match rating of just 6.67, ranking him as Arteta’s joint seventh-worst player in the top flight.

As such, it is not surprising to learn that the 26-year-old and the Gunners are reportedly open to parting ways this summer, nor is it difficult to see why Garlick is targeting the 22-year-old as the Ivorian’s replacement – as selling Pepe and signing the much more exciting Sinisterra would represent fantastic business for the north London side.

AND in other news: Arteta can unearth the new Haaland as AFC plot bid for “world-class” 23-goal “diamond”

Aston Villa enjoyed their first win in three away from home at Goodison Park on Saturday, which has now put the side into the top half of the Premier League table, with the team climbing six places and earning 16 points since Steven Gerrard was appointed just over two months ago.

Gerrard is now taking on his first transfer window in charge, and with two star signings already made in Lucas Digne and Philippe Coutinho, he could be on his way to making his third marquee addition of the month.

What’s the word?

Sky Sports journalist, Rob Dorsett, has confirmed that Aston Villa have made an approach for Juventus player, Rodrigo Bentancur.

Dorsett tweeted; “EXCL: #avfc have made an approach to #Juve for defensive midfielder Rodrigo Bentancur.”

“Steven Gerrard believes the 24yr-old would offer good competition for Douglas Luiz. Negotiations between the two clubs are ongoing. It’s thought Juve value the Uruguay international at £16m.”

Fans will be buzzing

With Marvelous Nakamba sustaining a serious injury and the defensive midfield position being a thin area of the squad, fans will be buzzing to hear that the club have made moves for Bentancur to join the squad at Villa Park in January, with many already taking to social media to give their thoughts on the potential signing.

One fan tweeted: “Not even bothered about getting Bissouma now, Bentancur is an unbelievable footballer.”

The 24-year-old has made 25 appearances so far this season, with 17 of those in the starting line-up, bagging three assists across all competitions from his defensive role in midfield.

He is not short of praise either from Juventus legends who have played with him, with Gianluigi Buffon claiming the midfielder has “something different to everyone else” and added that he is “reliable tactically, technically and psychologically.”

Bentancur’s experience of winning seven trophies, including three league titles over his four and a half years at the Serie A club, whilst competing at the highest level in the Champions League, playing alongside the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo and Giorgio Chiellini, will definitely be an influence Gerrard wants to add into his team to inspire his current players to push on and compete for European football.

As a result, he would very much appear to be a perfect addition as Villa look to capitalise on the lure Digne and Coutinho have added to playing for Villa.

In other news: Aston Villa eyeing potential transfer move for Jesse Lingard

Rangers were left frustrated as they returned to Premiership action but failed to pick up all three points on Tuesday night as Giovanni van Bronckhorst’s men returned from the break in an uninspiring fashion.

The Gers were held to a 1-1 draw by Aberdeen away from home, with the hosts coming from behind to secure a point. Ianis Hagi handed Gers the lead in the first-half as he converted from close range after a delicious cross into the six-yard box from Ryan Kent.

Aberdeen then equalised in the 73rd minute as Lewis Ferguson calmly slotted away a penalty. Alfredo Morelos was penalised for a handball in the area and the Dons midfielder made the most of his opportunity to level the scores.

Kent was sent off in the final ten minutes as he was shown a second yellow card for a soft foul on former Celtic man Scott Brown.

Although the ex-Liverpool man was given his marching orders, forget him, it was Morelos who let van Bronckhorst down badly in the match.

The Colombian striker let a lot to be desired as he put in a disappointing performance, struggling with his all-round game and in the final third.

As per SofaScore, he lost a whopping 11 individual duels, out of 18 in total, and only had 47 touches of the ball in his 89 minutes on the pitch. This shows that he was far too weak against the Aberdeen centre-back and allowed himself to be taken out of the game too easily.

He also failed with five of his six attempted dribbles and did not manage a single key pass, as per SofaScore. In the first-half, he ignored Scott Wright in an excellent position in the first half as he swiveled and scuffed a shot at the goalkeeper.

Ex-Gers forward Jermain Defoe recently said of the attacker: “Alfredo is someone who loves scoring goals.

“If we win 8-0 and he hasn’t scored, he’s not happy. I was the same when I was younger.”

Morelos failed to score and cost the Gers the win for his error as he gave away the penalty, so “not happy” may be an understatement in this particular situation. Although, it is seemingly the bare minimum emotion that the striker will now be dealing with, according to a man who worked with him for some time.

Therefore, the dud let himself and van Bronckhorst down and all parties will be frustrated by his performance on Tuesday night. It is now down to the centre-forward to ensure that he gets back on the scoresheet in the next match and make amends for his mistake against the Dons.

AND in other news, GvB could find Rangers their next Patterson in machine who’s tipped for a “big career”…