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West Ham United have now held talks about the signing of FC Lorient striker Terem Moffi, according to a new report.

The Lowdown: Interest in Moffi

There are said to be several Premier League teams interested in signing Moffi, with Everton considering an approach, although Southampton were recently considered the favourites for his signature.

However, the Saints have had a £15m bid rejected for the striker, meaning that West Ham could still hijack the move, if David Moyes is willing to table a higher offer.

The Latest: West Ham hold talks

According to a report from 90min, the Hammers have now held talks over the signing of the Nigeria international, and they are currently in the process of exploring whether a deal is possible.

The 23-year-old is not the only target outlined in the report, however, as it also details that the Irons have made contact with Sevilla about Youssef En-Nesyri.

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The Verdict: Make it happen?

En-Nesyri is clearly a quality player, far more dominant in the air, as indicated by winning an average of 3.15 aerials per 90 over the past year, compared to a figure of just 1.16 from the Lorient man, but West Ham need goals quickly, which Moffi would be able to provide.

The Nigerian has scored ten times in 16 Ligue 1 appearances this term, following up an impressive 2021/22 season, in which he netted eight goals and four assists in the French top flight, being lauded as ‘incredible’ by football scout Jacek Kulig for his efforts.

With Gianluca Scamacca struggling to find the back of the net, scoring just three in the Premier League this season, Moyes needs a new source of goals from somewhere, and there is every indication that Moffi has the talent to be a long-term success at the London Stadium, especially given that he is still at a young age.

Arsenal stand to receive some money if Matteo Guendouzi moves to Aston Villa from Marseille, Charles Watts has claimed.

What’s the word?

Guendouzi left Arsenal permanently in 2022 after a few loan spells away, after he was exiled from the squad by Mikel Arteta towards the end of the 2019-20 season.

He has since thrived at Marseille, earning a call-up to the France World Cup squad, and has now been linked to Aston Villa, which would reunite him with Unai Emery.

Speaking on his YouTube channel, Watts explained that as Arsenal inserted a sell-on clause as part of the deal to take the Frenchman to Marseille, they stand to claim a percentage of the transfer fee Villa would pay to the Ligue 1 side.

“For Arsenal it’d be beneficial, they do have a sell-on clause for Guendouzi,” he stated.

“I’m not exactly sure it’s what it is, but there is a sell-on clause included in that deal they had with Marseille, so if they do sign him for £30m or £40m, whatever it is, then Arsenal would get a percentage of that.

“Obviously financially it’d be good thing for Arsenal, but it’d be interesting to see Guendouzi back in the Premier League, it always felt like it was something that was going to happen at some stage, because he just feels like a Premier League player.”

Smart business?

Guendouzi joined Marseille for around £9m, a relatively low figure when compared to other deals for promising young talent, but it was clear that he had no future at the club under Arteta.

The sell-on clause was smart, given that despite his problems in North London, he was a talented player who could thrive elsewhere, and a windfall now could be very useful for the club.

He was a key figure under Emery, who initially brought him to England, and it will be intriguing to see how he gets on if he returns to the League as a more mature midfielder.

Nottingham Forest are thought to be seriously interested in signing Dinamo Zagreb goalkeeper Dominik Livakovic.

The Lowdown: Livakovic profiled

Livakovic is 28 years of age and has been with Dinamo Zagreb since 2015, where he has made 262 appearances, keeping 122 clean sheets in the process.

The Croatia international impressed at last year’s World Cup in his country’s run to the semi-finals and was dubbed a “hero” by Sacha Pisani as a result. Pete O’Rourke also described his displays in Qatar as ‘outstanding’, and it looks as if he is of interest to City Ground officials as he enters the final 18 months of his Zagreb deal.

The Latest: Forest keen

Sports Witness relayed an update from Germanijak regarding Livakovic on Thursday.

They claimed that Forest are seriously interested in a deal for the goalkeeper worth around €7-8m. However, the report adds that Zagreb are ‘determined’ to get at least €10m.

The Verdict: Makes sense?

Steve Cooper has relied heavily on loanee Dean Henderson this season, with the Englishman featuring in every eligible Premier League fixture for Forest.

However, he is set to be out through injury for four to five weeks and is only on loan from Manchester United until the end of the season, so looking at a move for Livakovic could be a smart move in the long run, especially following his fine displays on the biggest stage.

Livakovic also shares the same agent as Henderson and Moussa Niakhate, so if a fee can be agreed upon, sorting the finer details of a possible transfer could be relatively simple due to the club’s recent relationship with the CAA Stellar agency.

Liverpool have been linked with a score of midfielders over the past year, and Inter Milan’s Marcelo Brozovic is the latest star to enter the rumour mill this winter. 

While certain high-profile names such as Jude Bellingham have been at the centre of the debate, it might be that the Reds opt to travel a shrewder route during the January transfer market, and could indeed move for the likes of Brozovic.

That’s according to CalcioMercatoWeb, who claim that the Croatian ace has been distinguished as an option to replace the likely outgoing Naby Keita, who has been riddled with injury issues and is out of contract at the end of the season. 

With Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp having already forked out an initial £35m for prolific forward Cody Gakpo several weeks ago, touting the likes of Bellingham, who has been valued at €150m (£130m), appears implausible, and the industrious Brozovic, who is reportedly available for €35m (£31m), could be the more prudent avenue for the club. 

Partey 2.0

Inter signed Brozovic on an initial two-year loan deal from Dinamo Zagreb in 2015 before cementing the ace on a permanent transfer; he has since made a remarkable 302 appearances, scoring 30 goals and providing 37 assists.

With the substance and significance of his time in the Italian Serie A, serving as a robust central figure and winning several major honours such as the league title and the Coppa Italia, the 30-year-old could indeed be enticed by forging a path for success down another road, and Liverpool are indeed desperate for someone of his ilk.

As per WhoScored, the machine has maintained an average match rating of 7.00 across the entirety of his professional career, which illustrates the assurance and consistency of his performances at the heart of his outfits. 

And with an average passing accuracy of 88%, 1.3 key passes, and 2.1 tackles per outing, the “irreplaceable” nature – as per ex-Inter star Gianfranco Matteoli – of his sweeping presence and the energy that he would instil into the Reds’ fold is crystal-clear.

Liverpool currently languish in tenth place in the Premier League, an alarming ten points off Newcastle United in fourth and having tasted defeat on the past two occasions against Brentford and Brighton & Hove Albion, but it is the manner of the losses, and the limp and lifeless levels that present the gravest cause for concern.

Something needs to change, and with Brozovic ranking among the top 14% of midfielders for goals and the top 7% for pass completion, as per FBref, he could thread the cohesion and provide an additional dimension in attack. 

When using the sites ‘similar players’ list, Brozovic bears a semblance to table-toppers Arsenal’s Thomas Partey, who has been a revelation this season. 

As per Sofascore, Partey has recorded an impressive average league rating of 7.17 this season, completing 87% of his passes, making 2.3 tackles and 1.3 clearances per display. 

It is this standard of all-encompassing midfield work, recycling possession and anchoring the centre, that has been so integral in the Gunners’ endeavours, and Klopp must indeed look to emulate if he is to stabilise the red ship in Merseyside. 

Bearing this in mind, it would be ludicrous for Liverpool to fail to even attempt in a bid to sign such a distinguished and adroit technician; the club’s season might be smeared in obscurity, but a well-placed signing could bolster the squad and get Anfield rocking once again.

Newcastle United are receiving interest from AC Milan for French winger Allan Saint-Maximin amid the ongoing reports surrounding Anthony Gordon.

What’s the latest?

It has been strongly reported that the Magpies hold an interest in Everton winger Gordon, with the two clubs discussing a potential deal.

And it has now been claimed the 21-year-old has once again skipped Everton training on Thursday amid the stories circulating around his future.

And with a new winger potentially coming through the doors at St. James’ Park, it seems as if one could possibly be heading for a departure with AC Milan showing interest in Saint-Maximin.

However, speaking on Sky Sports News, reporter David Reed has claimed the Toon are not particularly interested in selling Saint-Maximin this month:

He said: “A few stories around Allan Saint-Maximin – his situation, from what we know, is that AC Milan have been considering him as a potential alternative to Nicolo Zaniolo.

“The fee, though, that Newcastle would ask for Saint-Maximin is significant. And the feeling is that AC Milan would struggle to reach that figure. Add to that, the fact that Newcastle don’t want to sell.”

Surplus to requirements?

Wingers certainly feels like a position Newcastle have in good supply with the likes of Miguel Almiron, Saint-Maximin, Alexander Isak and even Joelitnon at the disposal of Eddie Howe.

But it is believed the Toon are optimistic they can land Gordon this month despite the previous £60m valuation on the youngster from the summer window.

There is certainly no harm in having a strong squad when Howe is looking to secure his side a spot in the Champions League for next season.

And the likes of Isak have already shown they are not necessarily the most reliable in terms of their fitness with the Swedish forward already missing a lot of games during his short spell on Tyneside through injury.

However, if Gordon does arrive in the final days of this January window, you do have to question where Saint-Maximin would sit in the pecking order.

It has been a difficult campaign for the Frenchman who has seen his game time from the starting XI seriously decrease with just four starts in the Premier League to his name.

However, he has still returned four goal involvements in his limited Premier League game time which is more than what Gordon has returned for Everton – albeit the 21-year-old has scored more goals.

But given Newcastle’s dreadful injury record over the last year – especially with the likes of Callum Wilson – there shouldn’t be any real pressure on them to sell Saint-Maximin this month.

Newcastle United are reportedly ‘in talks’ to sign Leicester City attacking midfielder James Maddison.

The Lowdown: More incomings?

It seems as if the Magpies are not yet done in the transfer market, having captured the signing of Anthony Gordon from Everton.

They have also reportedly agreed a £3m fee with West Ham United to sign right-back Harrison Ashby, who is ‘expected’ to travel to Tyneside for a medical.

Even though they look solid as ever defensively, having kept eight clean sheets in nine games since the season resumed after the World Cup in Qatar, they are almost as parsimonious in attack, with just nine goals scored in the same number of matches (Sky Sports).

With Eddie Howe’s side chasing down a Champions League place for next season, they will not want to see their goals dry up too much over the next few months, so they could seek additional firepower this month in order to help them get over the line.

The Latest: Maddison ‘talks’

Taking to Twitter, transfer expert Rudy Galetti says that Newcastle are ‘in talks’ with Leicester over the potential signing of Maddison and are ‘ready’ to make a first offer of around £45m for him.

However, the Foxes want at least £55m, and if no agreement can be reached, then he will remain a target for the Tyneside club in the summer.

Galetti tweeted: “#Newcastle are in talks with #Leicester for #Maddison. #NUFC are ready to make the first offer for the AM of around £45m. #LCFC want at least £55m (£40m upfront). In case of no agreement, the player will remain a target in the summer.”

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The Verdict: Get it done now!

If Newcastle have an opportunity to sign Maddison now, then they must get it done.

The 26-year-old is sure to attract plenty of suitors in the summer, given that he would have only one year remaining on his contract at the King Power Stadium and Leicester are struggling near the bottom of the Premier League table, sitting just one point above the relegation zone.

Before an injury that he picked up in December, Maddison was on fire in the league despite his team’s struggles, racking up seven goals and four assists in 14 games (Transfermarkt).

Hailed by BBC writer Raj Chohan for his ‘unbelievable’ vision and ability to score with both feet, the Englishman ranks in the 94th percentile of all attacking midfielders and wingers in Europe’s top five leagues over the past year for non-penalty goals. He is also in the 91st percentile for assists (FBref), showing that he is not just one of the star players in the Premier League, but in Europe as well.

Maddison could well make the difference for the Magpies in terms of securing a Champions League spot for 2023/24, if they can strike a deal to sign him before Tuesday’s transfer deadline.

Tottenham Hotspur are notoriously hesitant when it comes to transfer negotiations, with Daniel Levy often drawing criticism for his frugality getting in the way of a deal.

This occurred all throughout January, as their pursuit of Pedro Porro was drawn out until he eventually signed towards the end of deadline day.

Their interest in the Spaniard was well-documented, so to see them struggle to complete the move must have been hard for fans to watch. Had another club been interested, it might not have ended as well as it did for the north Londoners.

However, this painstaking process often leads to the Lilywhites avoiding high-profile transfer missteps, with a few outstanding examples aside.

Whilst other clubs in their position might have jumped when an asset like Nicolo Zaniolo became available, Levy and Fabio Paratici’s hesitancy actually proved fruitful on this occasion.

It was suggested that they might make a deadline day move for the Italian, for whom Bournemouth saw a €35m (£31m) bid accepted before contract talks broke down, before Spurs seemingly opted against reuniting him with compatriots Antonio Conte and Fabio Paratici.

Signing a 23-year-old European talent with a glowing reputation may seem an attractive proposition on paper, but just one goal in Serie A this season tells a different story, his campaign instead standing out for being ostracised by his manager Jose Mourinho and the subject of defamatory banners from some Roma supporters.

Even last term, which was comfortably his best year personally, his return of eight goals and nine assists in all competitions papered over another league campaign with just two goals.

He may be a skilful asset who can be exciting to watch, but without any tangible impact, he has little to offer Spurs. The fact that he ranks in the top 4% for total shots when compared to attacking midfielders in Europe’s top five leagues over the past 12 months outlines him as a goal threat, but could also highlight a lack of proficiency.

Nonetheless, his rise through the ranks has been impressive to watch and is deserving of the “insane” description from journalist Siavoush Fallahi in 2018. Another media figure in Zach Lowy was even more glowing with his praise of the Italian, who he dubbed a “lethal playmaker” in 2019.

Zaniolo may well have continued that upwards trajectory had he moved to north London, but for the fee which was being touted and his current lack of goal output, along with a horrendous injury record, he would have represented poor value.

For once, Levy’s parsimony could have paid off for Tottenham.

Football transfer fees have been on the rise for decades, with some of the most expensive transfers in history taking place in recent years.

The most expensive football transfers

The most expensive football transfers of all time include Neymar’s move from Barcelona to Paris Saint-Germain in 2017 for a reported €222 million, Philippe Coutinho’s transfer from Liverpool to Barcelona in 2018 for €160 million, and Ousmane Dembélé’s move from Borussia Dortmund to Barcelona in 2017 for €105 million. Other notable transfers include Cristiano Ronaldo’s move from Manchester United to Real Madrid in 2009 for €94 million, Gareth Bale’s transfer from Tottenham Hotspur to Real Madrid in 2013 for €91 million, and Paul Pogba’s return to Manchester United from Juventus in 2016 for a reported fee of €105 million. Now you can even bet on how much will be the transfer fee, and you can find some options at 50 free spins no deposit casinos and sportsbooks.

The evolution of football transfer fees over time

The evolution of football transfer fees can be traced back to the early 20th century when clubs began to pay players for their services. At first, these payments were relatively small and only covered basic expenses such as travel and accommodation. However, as football became more popular and lucrative, clubs began to invest more money into signing players from other teams. This led to an increase in transfer fees which continued throughout the 20th century and into the 21st century. In recent years, transfer fees have skyrocketed due to increased competition between clubs for top talent and a greater willingness by owners to invest large sums of money into their teams. As a result, some of the most expensive transfers ever have taken place in recent years with players such as Neymar Jr., Paul Pogba, Cristiano Ronaldo and Gareth Bale all commanding huge transfer fees when they moved clubs.

Factors that affect the cost of a football transfer

The cost of a football transfer is determined by several factors, including the player’s age, experience level, and current market value. The age of the player is important because younger players tend to have more potential for growth and development than older players. Experience level also plays a role in determining the cost of a transfer as more experienced players are usually more expensive due to their proven track record. Other factors that may affect the cost of a football transfer include any bonuses or incentives offered by either team, any existing contracts between clubs or agents, and any additional fees associated with international transfers.

Football transfers can be big business, with some of the world’s top players switching teams for large sums of money.

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Rayo Vallecano manager Andoni Iraola has turned down a move to Leeds United, according to journalist Raul Granado.

The Lowdown: Iraola speculation

Iraola emerged on the Elland Road radar earlier in the week, with Fabrizio Romano then claiming that the Spaniard had been the ‘favourite candidate’ to replace Jesse Marsch.

Reports even suggested that sporting director Victor Orta travelled to Spain to hold talks with the La Liga club over a potential deal for the 40-year-old, but it doesn’t look as if the Rayo Vallecano boss is keen on a move to Yorkshire at this moment in time.

The Latest: Leeds snubbed by Iraola

Granado took to Twitter on Wednesday evening, shortly before Leeds’ 2-2 draw against Manchester United at Old Trafford.

He claimed that ‘Iraola says no to the offer from Leeds and stays at Rayo Vallecano to fulfil his contract’.

The Verdict: Not the first refusal…

Iraola isn’t the first managerial candidate to turn down Leeds’ advances, with two other Spanish coaches rejecting the Elland Road vacancy. Raul and Carlos Corberan have also snubbed the Whites in recent days, so it looks as if Orta is getting desperate in the club’s search for a new manager.

Iraola could have been a smart option, having played under Leeds idol Marcelo Bielsa at Athletic Bilbao and led Rayo Vallecano to fifth in La Liga this season, mainly playing a 4-2-3-1 system.

Where Leeds go from here remains to be seen, but the longer their search goes on, the more likely it could be that Michael Skubala, Chris Armas and Paco Gallardo remain in temporary charge for the return fixture against Manchester United this weekend.

Liverpool host their local rivals on Monday night when they meet Everton in the Premier League for the 242nd Merseyside derby at Anfield, and a new injury update has emerged which will come as a huge blow for Jurgen Klopp ahead of that clash.

What’s the latest Liverpool injury news?

According to The Times’ northern football correspondent Paul Joyce, Thiago Alcantara is struggling with a hip injury, which could make him a doubt to feature.

Joyce revealed via Twitter on Friday: “Thiago Alcantara struggling with a hip injury for Liverpool ahead of Merseyside derby.”

Klopp surely frustrated

The latest blow to the Liverpool squad will be massively frustrating for Klopp, as his side has been plagued with injuries to key players throughout the campaign, which has ultimately contributed to their poor performances and inconsistency so far.

The Reds are currently tenth in the Premier League table after 20 games, with only one victory in in their last five top-flight games (against Leicester in late December), a run of form which has left them 11 points adrift of a Champions League qualifying place inside the top four.

In terms of injuries, Luis Diaz, Arthur Melo, Roberto Firmino and Virgil van Dijk all remain unavailable for the clash against Everton on Monday, alongside the news of the concern surrounding Thiago’s fitness.

The German detailed in his pre-match press conference: “Thiago has some problems. I know the problems, but I have to ask the medical department what I am allowed to say about it. The hip flexor, stuff like this, that’s it pretty much. He wasn’t able to train.”

There is a silver lining for the Liverpool boss as Fabinho and Diogo Jota are in line for a return to action, with the latter expected to undergo a late fitness test following his return to team training after recovering from a long-term injury.

Due to the nature of the injury to Thiago, who has endured multiple knocks during his two-and-a-half years at Anfield, it wouldn’t be a bad idea for the Spaniard to be rested in the Merseyside derby. Klopp could deploy Jordan Henderson in the middle of the park instead, as the daunting Champions League clash against Real Madrid in ten days’ time looms ever larger.

The Liverpool boss will be feeling the pressure for his team to perform when Sean Dyche’s side visit on Monday, as another defeat could leave them in the bottom half of the table depending on Aston Villa’s result against Manchester City on Sunday.