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West Ham United have landed a potential boost in their aspirations of signing Andre Silva following reports Eintracht Frankfurt are willing to sell the striker in the summer.

What’s the word?

According to Bild, La Liga leaders Atletico Madrid plus Wolverhampton Wanderers are eyeing a move to snap up Silva at the end of the season following his sublime efforts in Germany this term.

Silva took his tally to 18 goals in 21 games across all competitions on Sunday when he fired home in Die Adler’s 3-1 win over TSG 1899 Hoffenheim, following back-to-back braces in Bundesliga victories over Arminia Bielefeld and Hertha BSC.

Only Bayern Munich’s UEFA Men’s Player of the Year winner Robert Lewandowski (24) has scored more often in the German top-flight this term than Silva (17), while the duo each account for 41% of their respective side’s goals for the division’s third-highest rate.

Silva’s impressive efforts have caught the attention of Atletico, who are now said to be planning on bidding for the 25-year-old in the summer, but face offering in excess of €30m (£26.5m) to open negotiations with Eintracht for the forward once lauded by Cristiano Ronaldo for his “phenomenal” record.

The chances of the 37-cap Portugal international leaving Frankfurt at the end of the season are expected to increase should Adi Hutter fail to secure the Deutsche Bank Park natives European football, though Die Adler are currently fifth in the Bundesliga table and a point outside the Champions League places.

West Ham were linked with Silva during the recent mid-season market with David Moyes said to have considered the former AC Milan flop as an option to replace Sebastien Haller.

Should Silva be an option for the summer?

With Moyes eventually opting against signing a striker to replace Haller in the winter transfer window, West Ham will have to be in the market for a new centre-forward to help support Michail Antonio in the summer.

And Silva should absolutely be an option the Irons explore, given how he has turned his career around with a €9m (£8m) move to Germany on the back of scoring just 10 goals in 41 games with AC Milan.

Silva also seems to thrive on competition having netted six of his 18 goals for the season since Luka Jovic returned to Frankfurt on loan on January 14, and even welcomed the return of the Real Madrid striker.

“I spoke to Andre and he said that it’s very, very important for him to have competition for places, that we have quality in the side,” Hutter said, via quotes by Bundesliga.com.

“That doesn’t bother him at all. Andre’s played at AC Milan and Sevilla, so it’s not like he’s not used to it, and we’ll see in the next few weeks that he’s able to cope with the competition.”

Silva would not be guaranteed a starting role at West Ham with Antonio the firm first-choice of Moyes, who the buck for the decision not to sign a striker in January stops at, as the West Ham boss was adamant that his side would not waste the £20m made from Haller’s sale.

“We didn’t get one, but we were looking, and we wanted to try and pick correctly. We had money to spend, we sold Seb earlier in the window so we had that,” the Hammers boss said, via quotes by the Evening Express.

“But we are trying to do things different at West Ham and we’re not going to follow the same path we have been following before. I chose to keep my money and hopefully we can start another rebuild come the summer.”

It remains to be seen if West Ham can sign Silva in the summer, but Moyes should absolutely urge the Irons to swoop in and test the waters in his eventual striker search, as the Frankfurt star can prove his decision not sign a Haller replacement in January was a masterclass and not a mistake.

AND in other news, West Ham failed to offload a £70k-p/w outcast in January despite a manager’s intent efforts…

Steve Bruce should urge the Newcastle United hierarchy to agree on a new contract with Fabian Schar before this summer’s Euros amid widespread interest in the Swiss defender.

What’s the word?

According to Chronicle Live, Schar may turn down another year at St. James’ Park and look to leave the Magpies as a free agent this summer.

The 29-year-old is out of contract at the end of the season, but has the option to extend his current £40k-per-week terms by a further 12-months.

Interest has already started to build in the 48-cap international, with clubs across Europe – including from Italy’s Serie A and Spain’s La Liga – already being contacted to discuss any potential offers.

Schar may also hold off on putting pen to paper on new terms until after this summer’s postponed UEFA European Championship, knowing that a strong tournament would improve his chances of securing a more lucrative contract or a move away from Newcastle.

Bruce expects the defender will do all that he can to be fit to feature for Switzerland at Euro 2020, with Schar currently sidelined after sustaining knee ligament damage in the Magpies’ 3-2 win over Southampton earlier this month.

“He has an operation on his ligament and knee. He will try everything to get fit for the Euros. He had the op on Tuesday, and it is eight weeks,” Bruce said, via quotes by the Mirror, after the surgery.

The Southampton contest was Schar’s 13th start in 16 Premier League appearances, having missed the start of the season with a shoulder injury and later contracted coronavirus.

Should Newcastle retain Schar?

While Schar is likely to miss a majority of the remainder of the 2020/21 season through injury, if not all, Bruce should be pushing the Newcastle hierarchy to wrap up negotiations to retain Schar as soon as possible.

United can ill-afford to go into the summer window without having Schar’s services locked down with the centre-half one of several soon-to-be free-agents, while Bruce also expects to have little – if any – funds to work with in the next transfer market.

The £12m-rated Switzerland star, who the Toon signed from La Liga outfit Deportivo de La Coruna in 2018 after activating his £3m release clause, had also begun to prove his place in Bruce’s backline again in the weeks before his injury.

Schar averaged a 6.9 WhoScored match rating over his last three injury-free appearances, above a 6.44 average for the season, thanks to a 7.29 rating in January’s 2-0 win at Everton and a 7.26 in defeat to Leeds United.

Only once before the Whites visited St. James’ Park had the 29-year-old scored above 7.0, coming in December’s draw with Liverpool, when he earned a 7.53 after helping to hold the defending Premier League champions to a scoreless result.

He further registered single-game highs for the season with three successful tackles against Southampton, 12 clearances against Liverpool and five interceptions against both Manchester clubs.

Isaac Hayden boasts the best per game average for Newcastle players fielded at centre-back this term for successful tackles (2.8) and interceptions (2) – with Schar (1.6) second – while Federico Fernandez tops the charts for clearances (5.6) and holds a superior WhoScored rating at 6.57 for the season.

Fernandez is also one of the other options whose contracts are up in the summer, making it vital that Newcastle do not let their centre-back depth dwindle by waiting too long to secure Schar’s future.

AND in other news, Newcastle are facing a dilemma over the future of a £40k-p/w ace set to be the subject of a tempting offer…

According to Mundo Deportivo, Arsenal are interested in signing Manchester City starlet Eric Garcia.

What’s the story?

The Spaniard’s contract with Pep Guardiola’s side comes to an end in the summer, with the City boss himself confirming recently that he doesn’t think the centre-back will sign a new deal at the Etihad.

Despite suggestions that Garcia might be on his way to La Liga giants Barcelona, Spanish publication Mundo Deportivo claim that Arsenal and PSG have approached the 20-year-old over a potential summer switch.

Bye-bye Mustafi

With reports suggesting that Arsenal could be set to terminate Shkodran Mustafi’s contract during this January transfer window – the German’s deal expires in the summer – it’s no surprise that the north London side are after another defender in Garcia.

Guardiola hailed Garcia someone who plays at an “incredibly high level” and who “doesn’t make mistakes”, and given Mustafi’s error-prone career at Arsenal (who can ever forget his Crystal Palace disaster at the Emirates?), that would be very much welcomed at the Emirates.

The Spaniard is someone who is extremely comfortable on the ball, with his impressive 93.1% pass accuracy last season in the Premier League, only bettered by John Stones among his City teammates. Compare that to Arsenal’s players though, and it’s far better than every one of them, with the closest being Matteo Guendouzi who averaged 88.4%.

And given that Arteta worked as Guardiola’s assistant at City, he will know all about Garcia, and what his strengths and weakness are. The 20-year-old would be a perfect fit for the Gunners given his Premier League experience, and the centre-back himself likely wouldn’t take too long to get to grips with his former coach’s way of working.

On a free transfer, at just 20-years-old, and having worked with Arteta before, Garcia ticks all the boxes for Edu.

Meanwhile, Arsenal could sign their next Ashley Cole in this starlet…

In an exclusive interview with Football FanCast, former West Brom and England midfielder Carlton Palmer has backed the Midlands outfit to secure the signing of Christian Benteke before Monday’s transfer deadline.

According to The Sun’s Alan Nixon, the Baggies are closing in on a move for the Crystal Palace frontman, despite the arrival of Galatasaray striker Mbaye Diagne last week.

It’s claimed that the 30-year-old has been told his playing time at the Eagles will be limited so a temporary spell at the Hawthorns could be beneficial as it would put him in the shop window ahead of the summer window when he will be out-of-contract.

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Albion boss Sam Allardyce has managed Benteke before at Palace and revealed earlier this month that he would be keen should the Belgian be available, he said to Sky Sports:

“If he is available, I’d be interested because we all know I’m looking for a front-man if at all possible.”

And when asked if a deal could happen before the 11 pm deadline on Monday, Palmer told FFC:

“Benteke’s contract is up at the end of the season. If they take him now, they might have a deal with him.

“If they had a deal, and said ‘We’ll take him until the end of the season, and we can split the wages’ then Benteke might do that. And then [West Brom] might promise Benteke ‘if you keep us up, we’ll give you a year’s contract.’

“I think there’s a deal to be done there [before deadline day].”

Benteke, who is valued at £8.1m by Transfermarkt, enjoyed a fruitful spell under Big Sam at Palace during the 2016/17 season where he scored nine goals in 22 appearances.

It led to the 66-year-old lauding the 6 foot 3 colossus a “big catalyst” towards their survival bid, and he’d surely be hoping that history can repeat itself should the former Villa man swap south London for the Midlands before tomorrow night.

Albion only have one domestic loan space left to fill, and given they are among the lowest scorers in the division, Benteke could be a welcome addition to their cause.

AND in other news, Baggies can seal “major coup” in £35k-p/w diamond dubbed a “Rolls-Royce of a player”…

James Pearce, The Athletic’s Liverpool correspondent, seems to have dropped a huge hint regarding Liverpool and their transfer plans this month.

Pearce shows Reds’ hand?

The Reds have been heavily linked with a move for Lille defender Sven Botman in recent weeks, in light of their catastrophic injury crisis at the heart of their backline.

Both Virgil van Dijk and Joe Gomez were ruled out for a significant amount of time before the turn of the year with serious knee injuries, and Botman himself kicked off the cryptic Instagram hints this week.

Pearce has now added fuel to the fire, using his Instagram to follow both Botman and his agency, Muy Manero, which could be an indication that Liverpool are indeed in serious talks with the Dutch colossus and Pearce is getting in the loop (via The Anfield Buzz).

This comes after Muy Manero, a Dutch agency who also played a role in Takumi Minamino’s move to Anfield, was tagged in a video from Botman, in which the defender was sitting in their offices, posting a red heart and a handshake emoji. The agency themselves then ‘liked’ multiple posts from fans linking him with the Anfield move (via LFC Transfer Room).

Botman, 20, moved to Lille last summer from Ajax and has featured in every Ligue 1 game so far this season, averaging a match rating of 7.13 per game, winning 3.8 aerial duels and making 2.9 clearances per game (Whoscored).

Transfer Tavern Verdict

This will be an eye-opener for Liverpool fans. After hearing so many conflicting rumours about their January transfer plans, Pearce’s activity could suggest a deal is on the cards.

The Reds certainly need to sign a defender, with Joel Matip having been ruled out with an adductor injury after their goalless draw to Newcastle.

If Liverpool want to keep their Premier League title hopes alive, a fresh face in the defence would be a huge development, such is the dire situation Jurgen Klopp has been dealt with injuries.

In other news, Behind the scenes footage containing Klopp star sent many Liverpool fans wild.

West Brom have been linked with a surprise solution to their striking woes ahead of the upcoming transfer window…

What’s the word?

According to the Daily Mail, the Baggies are one of several teams keeping a close eye on Crawley Town marksman Max Watters.

It’s claimed that Watford and clubs from League One and Belgium are also keen on signing the in-form 21-year-old, who is valued at around £1m by the League Two outfit.

Calculated risk

Albion are among the lowest scorers in the Premier League having bagged just eight goals in 11 appearances. The only two teams that have managed fewer are either side of them in the relegation zone.

That tells you all you need to know right now.

Their pursuit of Karlan Grant finally came to an end in the summer with the club splashing out £2m in six instalments, but so far, his arrival hasn’t gone to plan.

He’s scored just once in seven starts whilst an average rating of 6.48 is hardly going to inspire anyone just yet.

It’s time for desperate measures, so a calculated risk on a young player that’s worth only £1m could be right up Guochuan Lai’s penny-pinching street, Watters could well turn out to be a bargain.

Just look at how Jamie Vardy’s career turned out in the end.

The 21-year-old has scored a whopping 12 goals in 14 appearances in all competitions, meaning he is averaging one goal every 75 minutes on the pitch, via Transfermarkt.

Even former Baggies boss Darren Moore has backed him for success as the young striker was originally on the books of Doncaster Rovers before making the permanent switch south.

Speaking to Doncaster Free Press, Moore told of his disappointment over not keeping the 5 foot 11 talisman at the Keepmoat and praised his ability, he said:

“He’s got all the attributes. He’s a powerful man, he can play in a variety of positions in that front line. He boasts tremendous speed. He’s got an eye for goal and gets in the right places. He’s got wonderful attributes.”

Whilst he’s no proven Premier League player, it can’t hurt to have an unknown quantity in the ranks, one that can push Grant to do better.

AND in other news, Exclusive: Pundit questions West Brom’s potential £150m takeover

Everton’s spending under Carlo Ancelotti looks set to continue this January and it seems as if a new wide man is in order…

What’s the word?

According to Spanish newspaper La Razon, the Toffees are one of several top-flight teams eyeing a move for rising Villarreal star, Samuel Chukwueze.

It’s claimed that the 21-year-old has a massive €80m (£71.5m) release clause, though CIES Football Observatory currently rate his value at just €50m (£45m).

Much of Europe’s elite appear to be in for his signature too with Real Madrid, Manchester United, Liverpool and Chelsea all mooted with interest.

Shades of Robben?

Ancelotti’s need for a new winger is evidently clear as he’s been deploying Colombian no.10, James Rodriguez, on the right-flank over the likes of Bernard and Alex Iwobi.

Last season, the pair combined for just four goals and two assists, which simply isn’t good enough.

Whilst his faith in young academy graduate Anthony Gordon has wavered since his breakthrough post-lockdown. Perhaps the Italian is going to forget about his progress if he can clinch a deal for Chukwueze.

It’s easy to see why he’d be keen to do so as the Nigerian international has been likened to one of Ancelotti’s former stars, Arjen Robben. This is due to his speed, skill and his wand of a left foot, as a right-winger, he’s almost his exact prototype.

In Europe this season alone, the young sensation has been averaging a whopping four dribbles and 3.5 shots per game whilst in all competitions, he has provided three goals, via WhoScored.

Perhaps it is no surprise to see many wax lyrical about his abilities.

Ex-Barcelona striker Samuel Eto’o has lauded the Villarreal dynamo as an “incredible player” whilst La Liga ambassador Mutiu Adepoju once claimed that “he’s going to explode if he continues that way,” also dubbing him “exciting” in an interview earlier this year.

Marcel Brands must deliver Chukwueze in 2021 if he’s to truly upgrade Ancelotti’s wing options.

AND in other news, Forget Isco: Everton should land this ex-Liverpool FLOP…

A political development in the Middle East may excite Newcastle United fans amid speculation that the proposed £300m takeover of the St. James’ Park faithful by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) consortium may still happen.

As per NBC News, the KSA and Qatar are expected to reach an agreement within a matter of days that will help ease a standoff between the latter and other countries in the Gulf region, which has existed since 2017.

The Chronicle have highlighted its potential relevance to the prospective deal between Mike Ashley and the KSA group, tweeting that the possible rapprochement is ‘being watched by takeover observers’.

In their corresponding article, the news outlet also highlighted the political dispute between the two countries involved added an extra element to the takeover debate, given that the Qatari broadcaster BeIN Sports were heavily against any KSA involvement with the Premier League.

The KSA consortium are also reportedly keeping their own eye on the political developments in the Middle East, and what it could mean for their chances of taking over the Tyneside club.

What does this mean for the Newcastle takeover?

This latest development may well excite members of the Toon Army given that the two countries seemingly have softened their disputes with each other, and this latest agreement could play a part as to whether the takeover of the Magpies could still go ahead, assuming that there are still any piracy issues that still need to be settled.

In other news, find out why takeover hopes have been boosted here!

With Celtic considerably off the pace in the SPFL at the moment, perhaps the transfer window is approaching at just the right time.

We are now only five weeks away from seeing the window open its doors but will Neil Lennon even be in charge then? Time will tell.

What’s the word?

If Lennon is still at the helm then he’ll have a lot of work to do in order to presumably bridge what will still be a big gap between Celtic and their arch-rivals Rangers.

We’ve seen players like Siriki Dembele linked with a move to the club but a fresh story revolves around someone already in Glasgow; Diego Laxalt.

The left-back signed on loan for the 2020/21 season in the summer but there is a strong possibility that he could complete a permanent switch to Parkhead.

AC Milan currently owns the Uruguayan but according to Italian outlet PianetaMilan, he could be Celtic’s man on one condition.

They suggest that Milan will look to use Laxalt as a bargaining chip in order to lure Kristoffer Ajer to the San Siro in a swap deal.

Reportedly, Celtic’s relationship with the Serie A giants is healthy so a deal could well be pursued.

Long-term Tierney successor

Judging by Celtic’s defensive record this season Ajer won’t be as great a loss as we first envisaged when rumours of a move to Milan first start swirling last summer.

The 22-year-old has played 13 times in the SPFL this term but has conceded 13 goals in the process – that’s ten more than Rangers.

Thus, selling him to Milan and getting Laxalt in return would be a phenomenal piece of business.

Since Kieran Tierney left for Arsenal in 2019, the Bhoys haven’t really found a natural successor on the left-hand side.

However, their current option in that third of the pitch offers so much to the side and shares great similarities with Tierney.

The Scot was always a pillar of consistency, combining speed and energy with an unrelenting attitude. Does that sound familiar? Of course it does – you only need to look at Laxalt.

The Uruguay international is quick and has demonstrated excellent ability both defensively and offensively this season.

“I like him a lot. He gets about and puts a tackle in and I like that. He has that never-say-die attitude which is a very good sign. It looks like he will prove to be a great signing,” Frank McAvennie said earlier this year.

The plaudits have been continuous for the 27-year-old. Lennon commented: “Diego has been an excellent addition, a superb asset to the squad. He’s very fit and he’s a great defender. He gives us good balance on the left. He’s aggressive in his play and in his passing.”

Aggressive and never-say-die are the exact qualities that Tierney displayed in the famous green and white.

Laxalt really does feel like the natural successor Celtic have been crying out for.

In other news, Celtic could FINALLY find their replacement for Scott Sinclair…

Neil Lennon’s Celtic are struggling to find their feet again after a loss against Rangers rocked their form. The Old Firm derby saw the Hoops defeated on home soil, which has heavily impacted the team’s performance.

Celtic are currently being hammered left, right and centre by injury blows and positive cases of coronavirus. The latter has seen the likes of Odsonne Edouard ruled out of action, but he made a much-anticipated return during their clash against Lille in the Europa League.

Focus now shifts once again to Aberdeen, who held the Hoops to a 3-3 draw in the league last Sunday. The two sides will meet again tomorrow in the Scottish Cup and Lennon will be back at the drawing board and considering his options.

Leigh Griffiths looking to make changes

Due to injury and also more than likely the poor form, the manager has been chopping and changing his lineups heavily recently. Lennon has switched between a back three to a back four, and a front three to a double strike force. Star player Edouard was on the bench last time out, limited to less than half an hour of action in France.

One man who he could turn to though is Leigh Griffiths, although it will mean he will need to serve a generous plate of humble pie.

After the Hoops disappointed Lennon with a draw in their opening Veolia Trophy fixture, he let loose on the striker, who hadn’t travelled with the team.

“I’m not happy,” he told talkSPORT. “I think that’s fairly obvious by the fact that we’ve left him [Griffiths] behind. He’s come back out of condition and overweight. Any physical work we asked him to do he was coming out of saying he was injured. That’s going to be the case because he’s out of condition. So it would have been absolutely pointless bringing him with us. He wouldn’t have been fit to play.”

But Griffiths is on a mission to change the gaffer’s perspective of him. Despite making just three league appearances for Celtic this season, he has scored twice – both times from off the bench (via Transfermarkt).

Lennon is currently switching up his attack in desperate search for a winning combination. The £15,000 per week forward’s attitude is just short of waving his hands and the air and calling for his attention.

Griffiths expressed his desire to edge himself into the club’s top 20 highest scorers in a recent interview with the Glasgow Times.

This burning desire could be enough to transform the Hoops’ season and change Lennon’s mind. He will be hoping that he is given a chance to prove himself against Aberdeen tomorrow.

In other news, Diego Laxalt stood out for Celtic against Lille with impressive defensive display…