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West Ham might fancy a busy transfer deadline day after securing the future of Marko Arnautovic.

Speculation has raged on all month long with the Austrian international subject to significant interest from China. An unnamed club were believed to have offered upwards of £35m for the former Stoke man and his future seemed unclear. However, the forward eventually committed his long-term future to the Hammers by penning a new contract.

Arnautovic’s renewal is massive for Manuel Pellegrini who is hoping for a late charge for Europe in his remaining fixtures. Adding some more quality to the squad could prove to be vital in bringing European nights to the London Stadium.

One man Pellegrini could target is Schalke utility man – Daniel Caligiuri. Valued at £6.75m by Transfermarkt, the Italian has been one of the most consistent performers in the Bundesliga during recent seasons. Once again, the 31-year-old has been in fine form for his side, he has been a shining light in a dismal Bundesliga campaign so far.

Caligiuri would prove to be a useful option for the former Manchester City boss to have at his disposal. The former Wolfsburg man is comfortable at right-back or right wing back as well as the right of midfield. The German-born winger has helped his side’s cause with two goals and four assists so far this season and would be the ideal long-term replacement for Pablo Zabaleta on the right flank.

Luring the versatile defender to London on deadline day could prove to be a wise move by the Hammers.

West Ham fans, thoughts?

With Liverpool set to take on Arsenal when the Premier League returns this weekend, it seems as though the Reds could be without left-back Andy Robertson for the upcoming clash after journalist James Pearce revealed that there is a 50/50 chance the defender will be fit enough to play after picking up a hamstring issue while away with Scotland on international duty.

Taking this into account, if Robertson ends up not being fit enough to start against Mikel Arteta’s side, who are currently just two points below Liverpool in the league table, Liverpool have the ideal replacement for him at the ready that Klopp must turn to this weekend.

On the chalkboard

Even though Robertson has played 12 games across all competitions so far this season, providing two assists in the process, Kostas Tsimikas has shown that he is capable of filling in for Robertson when called upon by providing two assists in eight appearances this season.

Tsimikas’ previous appearance for Liverpool in their 2-0 win over Atletico Madrid in the Champions League saw the 25-year-old, who is currently valued at £9m according to Transfermarkt, put in an impressive display and show Klopp what he’s capable of.

From an attacking point of view, Tsimikas managed to make four key passes, create three big chances, complete four accurate crosses and one successful dribble.

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The full-back also didn’t shirk away from his defensive duties in the match against Diego Simeone’s side by making one tackle, one clearance and winning five of the ten duels he was involved in.

Overall, this performance earned Tsimikas, who Klopp has praised for the “quality” the defender has, a solid overall match rating of 8/10 according to SofaScore, showing that he has what it takes to step up to the plate when given the chance to do so.

Looking ahead to the Arsenal match, if Robertson doesn’t end up being 100% fit in time, then Klopp should have no issue in picking Tsimikas in his starting XI and the Liverpool fans should have no concerns that the Greek international won’t be able to put in a good shift for the Reds.

Either way, with Liverpool picking up their first defeat of the season in their previous league game in the 3-2 loss against West Ham United before the international break and the fact that Arsenal have the chance of leapfrogging Liverpool in the table if they manage to secure a win at Anfield, this will certainly be a big match for Klopp that they will not want to lose.

In other news: FSG could seal Klopp’s dream transfer with swoop for “undefendable” £27m-rated machine – opinion

Flocking to Twitter, some Liverpool fans were left unimpressed with the performance of Takumi Minamino against FC Porto on Wednesday night.

Jurgen Klopp’s side made it five wins out of five in the Champions League as they continued their dominance over Group B, and some rarely-selected Reds were handed a chance to impress.

Liverpool’s teenage midfielder Tyler Morton, making his European debut against the Portuguese giants, was one of a few players to be gifted a rare nod by Klopp.

Despite their rotated team in parts, the Merseysiders ran out out 2-0 winners on the night courtesy of second half goals from Thiago Alcantara and Mohamed Salah.

One man who also got a chance was Minamino, who has started just three games in all competitions since coming back from a loan spell at Southampton last season.

Liverpool fans unimpressed…

Upon the Japan forward’s return to the starting XI, it’s safe to say that many Liverpool fans don’t think he grasped his opportunity, criticising his performance on social media.

According to SofaScore, the largely anonymous 26-year-old took just 33 touches all game, considerably fewer than goalkeeper Alisson managed (51) over the 90 minutes. Also, out of every Liverpool starter on the night, Minamino ranked as SofaScore’s lowest-rated Red with a 6.7/10 score, highlighting his relatively ineffective display.

Having zero shots on goal and winning none of his aerial duels, it’s understandable why numerous Liverpool supporters believe he didn’t have the best of nights, with one Kopite describing him as “average”.

Check out some of their Twitter verdicts below:

“Chamberlain, Origi, Minamino add nothing to that Liverpool team, need to sell quick, Thiago goal something else though”

Credit: @barry_mckeever

“Tsimikas should be the starting LB, Matip is comfortably our 2nd best CB, Morton held his own in a big game, Salah can still score even whilst playing bad, Thiago is world class, Minamino is average”

Credit: @lfcd25

“The last 10 mins with Minamino and Origi is telling me that January is going to be very long without Salah and Mane”

Credit: @adzz_s

“Disasterclass”

Credit: @LFCDan92

“Only real negative was Minamino, thought the lad was horrific and we are in trouble if we have to rely on him when Salah and Mane are away at AFCON”

Credit: @Corballyred

“Minamino needs to be given away on a free, not half the player that made VVD sit”

Credit: @Ernray

In other news: ‘If he leaves, I riot’ – Fabrizio Romano’s tweet about one ‘magnificent’ LFC star gets a lot of fans talking

Celtic are in talks with KV Oostende and Hellas Verona over a move for defender Osaze Urhoghide, according to The Scotsman.

The Lowdown: Urhoghide’s struggles

Urhoghide was actually the club’s first signing under Ange Postecoglou, with the Hoops boss labelling the youngster as ‘ambitious’ after he penned Parkhead terms.

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However, the 21-year-old has made just one senior Celtic appearance this season, coming in a Europa League dead rubber against Real Betis.

He was last involved in a Scottish Premiership match-day squad back in September, and it seems as if a temporary exit could now be on the cards before Monday’s deadline.

The Latest: Oostende and Verona talks

The Scotsman shared a report on Urhoghide on Tuesday lunchtime, revealing that talks have been opened with both Oostende and Verona over a loan deal.

The Hoops don’t want to move the defender on permanently, with Verona currently ninth in Serie A and Oostende battling to avoid relegation in the Belgian Pro League.

The Verdict: Good move?

Celtic clearly have high hopes for Urhoghide, otherwise, they’d be open to permanent offers, so sending him out on loan for the remainder of the campaign could be a shrewd call.

Urhoghide will obviously have a say on his next move, and hopefully, both interested parties are willing to offer him regular first-team football.

We’ve seen in the past with Jack Hendry that a move to Oostende can do wonders for a Hoops centre-back, so perhaps that will come into consideration over the next few days.

In other news: Print newspaper shares significant Celtic transfer update as Michael Nicholson digs in his heels. 

Newcastle United return to action in the Premier League tonight as they face off against Manchester United at St. James’ Park.

The Magpies head into this match off the back of three straight defeats in the division, conceding four apiece to Manchester City and Leicester and three to Liverpool.

Eddie Howe’s team lost 4-0 to City in their last outing, with the Premier League leaders easing their way past them with relative comfort.

How many changes will Howe make to the side? Here is our predicted XI…

We are predicting that he will make three alterations to the team, with Fabian Schar, Sean Longstaff and Allan Saint-Maximin coming in.

Starting off in the defence, Schar could come in for Ciaran Clark. The £42k-per-week dud was abysmal against Manchester City and should now be axed from the XI for this match. He only won one duel in the entire game against Pep Guardiola’s side and gifted them the opener as he allowed a cross to go over his head as he ducked and Ruben Dias was on hand to nod into the back of the net.

This catastrophic error may now lead to him being kicked out of the team, which opens the door for Schar to return alongside Jamaal Lascelles. The Switzerland international has averaged a dismal SofaScore rating of 6.59 this season but Howe’s options are limited and it could be a chance for the defender to turn his campaign around.

In midfield, Isaac Hayden is suspended and will need to be replaced. The ex-Arsenal man has averaged 3.0 tackles and interceptions per game, which highlights the defensive hole that his absence will leave.

Longstaff, however, could fill that void as he has averaged 3.1 tackles and interceptions per game, showing that he has the ability to win the ball back for his side, much like Hayden does.

Finally, we are predicting that Allan Saint-Maximin will come in for Ryan Fraser on the left. He has averaged a WhoScored rating of 7.11 (highest in the squad) this season and produced three goals and three assists from out wide for the Magpies.

This shows the threat he can provide to the team, whereas Fraser has zero goals and one assist – which is why the Frenchman should be brought back into the fold.

AND in other news, NUFC must sign new Steven Taylor in £64k-p/w gem who Shearer dubbed “outstanding”…

West Ham United boss David Moyes must keep the faith in Manuel Lanzini when his side travel to Turf Moor to face Burnley this afternoon.

The Irons bounced back in the Premier League with a stunning 3-2 victory over rivals Chelsea last weekend, having witnessed defeats to Manchester City and Wolverhampton Wanderers beforehand.

Moyes named a heavily-rotated starting XI for their final Europa League group game as a youthful-looking Hammers outfit were narrowly beaten 1-0 by Dinamo Zagreb.

The Scot now has several dilemmas to consider heading into today’s kick-off, not at least in the attack, where he could well bring Said Benrahma back into the fold after his axe against the Blues.

However, with Lanzini in much better form right now, the West Ham manager must stick with the Argentine against the Clarets.

His 40th-minute penalty was his second goal in three games, which is even more impressive considering his appearance at the London Stadium last Sunday was his first league start of the 21/22 campaign.

It’s now three direct goal contributions in his last five appearances and that is much better returns than the Algerian winger, who will be off on Africa Cup of Nations duty next month anyway. It could be wise for Moyes to find his replacement, sooner rather than later.

After starting the season on fire, contributing a pair of goals and assists in the Irons’ opening two games, Benrahma has now gone ten games without scoring a goal, in which he has provided just the one assist.

He has failed to register a WhoScored rating above 6.9 in any of his last eight outings either, with his performances in those two aforementioned defeats drawing his lowest two ratings of the season, a 6.04 against City and a 6.15 against Wolves.

There will be a temptation to bring him back into the fold as on his day, he can be a nightmare for the opposition but Sean Dyche’s side are a tough outfit and the 26-year-old lightweight could be exposed in the current form he’s in.

Instead, Moyes should start Lanzini for the second successive game. Last weekend, he was described as “West Ham’s main creative spark” by The Athletic’s Roshane Thomas, whilst in the past ex-Hammers boss Slaven Bilic likened him to Luka Modric.

Therefore, the £70k-per-week player, who was also dubbed a “top player” with “wonderful feet” by Darren Bent, must start against Burnley – and over Benrahma – this afternoon. It could be another game-changing call from Moyes if so.

AND in other news, Newman can seal West Ham’s biggest signing since Payet in “complete” £24.3m-rated gem…

Steven Gerrard has urged Aston Villa chiefs to land Rangers duo Glen Kamara and Nathan Patterson in January, 90min report.

The Lowdown: Huge January transfer kitty

Gerrard completed a move to Villa Park last Thursday, days after Dean Smith was relieved of his duties in the Midlands.

Prior to the 41-year-old’s switch being made official, though, reports believed that Gerrard has been promised a huge transfer kitty by billionaire owners Nassef Sawiris and Wes Edens for the upcoming January window.

And it now appears as if Gerrard may well have two main targets in mind from his former employers in Glasgow.

The Latest: Gerrard urges NSWE…

90min shared a story on Sunday, with sources from both sides informing the site that approaches for several Ibrox stars are expected.

Within their report, they suggested that Gerrard has told Villa chiefs not to miss out on either Kamara or Patterson, believing they are both attainable in the New Year in a double deal that would cost more than £30m.

The Verdict: Solid targets…

Patterson can play as a right-back, left-back or even as a right-midfielder and has been watched by the likes of Atletico Madrid, Bayern Munich and Paris Saint-Germain recently, so pipping the European giants in the race for the 20-year-old could be a shrewd move in the long run.

Even if the Villans lose him to a ‘bigger’ club in the future, they would surely make a hefty profit given the teams mentioned as suitors.

Meanwhile, it seems as if Villa are fairly short of central midfield options with four senior options alongside two academy graduates, so Kamara could bolster that area of the pitch considerably.

The Finland international can play as a box-to-box or defensive midfielder and was already on Villa’s radar prior to Gerrard’s arrival, so a double deal over the coming months could be a wise move.

Kamara cost the Gers just £50,000 when he moved to Glasgow, so perhaps the chance to make an exponential profit could appeal to Ibrox chiefs.

In other news: ‘Surely we can do better?’ – Many Villa fans urge club not to pursue £12.6m-rated Gerrard target. 

As per an update by Spanish source Fichajes, a significant update has emerged on the future of Tottenham Hotspur midfielder Giovani Lo Celso.

The Lowdown: Spurs winter exodus?

As widely reported, Spurs fans could potentially see as many outgoings as incomings this January transfer window as many players see their futures linked elsewhere.

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Homegrown ace Dele Alli could be on the move, with Sky Sports claiming Tottenham are open to offers, whilst the same outlet says that club record signing Tanguy Ndombele may leave.

Meanwhile, Ajax are chasing winger Steven Bergwijn and have submitted an official bid – though nothing is advanced according to reliable reporter Fabrizio Romano.

Sharing another exit update, Fichajes have brought an interesting development.

The Latest: Lo Celso exit ‘seems to be imminent’..,

According to the Spanish news outlet, Lo Celso’s name is one that ‘appears on Tottenham’s transfer list’ because he ‘does not fit’ into manager Antonio Conte’s plans.

They go on to claim his departure ‘seems to be imminent’ with Lo Celso yearning for regular minutes as the 2022 World Cup looms later this year.

Due to his recent form and lack of opportunities, the 25-year-old’s valuation has dropped ‘considerably’, with there even being a ‘possibility’ that Spurs, and by extension chairman Daniel Levy, will let him leave for half of what they paid to sign him from Real Betis.

Tottenham secured Lo Celso back in 2020 for a fee of around €32 million (£26.6m).

The Verdict: Time to move on?

Taking a 50 per cent loss on the international ace would represent a terrible bit of business for Levy and sporting director Fabio Paratici, especially considering how well he performs for Argentina boss Lionel Scaloni.

The 36-cap gem has even been called the ‘one of the best in the world’ by Scaloni for his exploits but it appears Lo Celso has struggled to transfer that international form to club level with Spurs.

That being said, his Argentina exploits clearly display the player’s ability and the fact he is still only in his mid-20s means Tottenham and Levy could demand far more than £13.3m.

We believe Spurs should dig their heels in negotiations with a potential 50 per cent loss coming only as a very last resort.

In other news: ‘Hotting up’…Tottenham set for imminent ‘formal bid’ as reporter shares Conte’s ‘cunning plan’, find out more here.

Aston Villa, Arsenal and Newcastle are all keen on midfielder Yves Bissouma, with Brighton recently rejecting a £30m bid.

That’s according to French journalist and commentator Fabrice Hawkins, and, as to be expected, a number of Villa fans have been reacting to the news on social media.

Villa are after a new defensive midfielder this month following the injury to Marvelous Nakamba and have been linked with a £40m move for Bissouma.

Sam Wallace of The Telegraph labelled a move for the Seagulls star as a difficult and potentially expensive one but not impossible.

Hawkins took to Twitter on Tuesday evening, claiming Brighton have rejected a £30m offer. He doesn’t name where the offer came from, but Villa, Arsenal and Newcastle are all name-checked with an interest.

Villa fans react

The AVFC Faithful relayed Hawkins’ claim regarding Bissouma on social media. This is what these Villa supporters had to say in reply, with a few urging the club to get a move over the line and another labelling the midfielder as a potential ‘superstar’.

“Make it happen!”

Credit: @mooneyavfc

“Give them what they want boys!!!”

Credit: @AvfcRegan

“Stump up the £45m lads. Suarez and Bissouma + CB and we can get 7th imo”

Credit: @Neaarii

“Smart anchor bid, now Make it £35m as a final offer.”

Credit: @Daevion44070743

“I think £40m plus add ons gets him”

Credit: @hutchingss81

“£50m get it done. Exactly what we need and potential to become a superstar.”

Credit: @Muskehound01

In other news: ‘We’ve actually broken Lange’ – Many Villa fans ‘excited’ as more transfer news is now confirmed. 

Journalist Pete O’Rourke has claimed that Everton manager Frank Lampard will be fearful of the sack even if the Toffees retain their Premier League status.

The Lowdown: Lampard’s results at Everton…

Since arriving at Goodison Park, the 43-year-old has struggled to make a positive impact. In his first seven Premier League matches in charge, the former Chelsea boss has won just twice, having lost the other five games.

As a result, the Toffees sit dangerously close to the relegation zone, just three points clear of Watford in 18th. Whilst Everton have two games in hand over the Hornets, their upcoming fixture list – including the likes of Liverpool, Chelsea and Arsenal – looks rather daunting.

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The Latest: O’Rourke’s claim on Lampard

O’Rourke believes that Lampard will be disappointed with his lack of impact upon taking over from Rafael Benitez and will be fearful for his future at Everton.

Speaking with GiveMeSport, the transfer insider was questioned over whether Toffees owner Farhad Moshiri could look to exercise the break clause in Lampard’s contract, whereby they could relieve the 43-year-old of his duties at Goodison Park at the season’s end without needing to pay any compensation.

In response, O’Rourke claimed: “It will be a real worry for Frank Lampard. It hasn’t worked out as he probably hoped when he took over in January from Rafa Benitez.”

The Verdict: Could be gone

Lampard was over the moon when his team beat a much-improved Newcastle side recently. However, any hope that it would spark an upturn in form quickly dissipated as the Toffees bowed out of the FA Cup last weekend after suffering a 4-0 drubbing at the hands of Crystal Palace.

With such poor results, it would not be surprising to see the Merseyside club part ways with their manager, despite only appointing him in January. Whilst the situation may have been different if Lampard had been in charge from the start of the season, Moshiri could be hesitant to place his trust in the 43-year-old once again, even if he manages to keep them up this season.

Having already gone through six managers (excluding caretakers) since David Moyes’ departure in 2013, the Everton chief is not slow to pull the trigger when he feels it is necessary, which could be a worry for Lampard.

In other news: Noel Whelan drops Richarlison transfer claim