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Liverpool have been handed a boost in their ongoing pursuit to bring Kylian Mbappe to Anfield.

What’s the talk?

That’s arising from a report by French publication RMC Sport (via Sport Witness), who claimed that Paris Saint-Germain are growing increasingly concerned about the possibility of losing the 22-year-old on a free transfer next season.

The report states that the centre-forward currently has no intention of renewing his contract with the  Ligue 1 runners-up, with the player’s dialogue with PSG sporting director Leonardo thought to have broken down.

RMC Sport name both Liverpool and Real Madrid as potential destinations for the France international should he leave the Parc des Princes next summer, although it is claimed that neither would be able to afford a move for Mbappe this year.

Klopp will be buzzing

It goes without saying that Mbappe is one of the most exciting talents in world football, so if the possibility of signing him on a free transfer next summer is indeed accurate, Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp will surely be buzzing.

Indeed, having scored a breathtaking 132 goals and provided a whopping 61 assists in just 171 appearances for PSG, the £144m-rated maestro would be a magnificent addition to any team in world football.

Also, with both Sadio Mane and Mohamed Salah edging close to their 30s, Klopp will undoubtedly be starting to consider replacements for the Liverpool stars, both of whom have already been linked with potential moves away from Anfield.

If either of the dynamic duo were to leave the club either this summer or next, then a move for the man David Connolly dubbed “unplayable” could well become a priority for Klopp, with not many better options to replace the goals and assists lost from the potential departure of either Salah or Mane than the PSG star.

For now, speculation regarding Mbappe’s future is very much all ifs and buts, although this latest report does appear to give the Reds hope that a deal could be done for the French forward next summer.

In other news: Forget Wijnaldum: Liverpool begin talks over £60m-rated “warrior” who Klopp would love

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”…

Wolverhampton Wanderers have been dealt an injury blow ahead of their upcoming Premier League fixture.

What’s the latest?

In recent comments cited by Birmingham Live, Bruno Lage revealed that centre-back Willy Boly has picked up a training ground injury and has subsequently been ruled out of the trip to Leeds United this afternoon.

Speaking about the Ivory Coast international, who picked up an injury in pre-season and has yet to feature in this season’s Premier League, the 45-year-old said: “One guy will be out of the game for sure. Boly has stayed all week out with some problems, so he’s not going to be involved in the game.”

However, in better news for Wolves, Lage went on to reveal that Francisco Trincao will be available for selection this weekend after the winger completed his quarantine period after falling ill while on international duty with Portugal.

On the condition of the Barcelona loanee, the manager said: “Trincao has started with the team, he’s been training all week so that’s good news for us.”

Major blow

While the news of Trincao’s likely return to Wolves’ matchday squad is undoubtedly good for the club, the fact that Boly will be unable to play a part this afternoon will likely have left the Portuguese boss feeling gutted.

Indeed, with summer centre-back signing Yerson Mosquera having been ruled out of action for up to five months after sustaining a hamstring injury in September, Lage had already been left incredibly short of options for his three-man defensive lineup.

Prior to Boly’s injury, the 45-year-old had four players capable of operating in the position, a number which has now been reduced to three after the 30-year-old’s latest knock. Therefore, another injury or a suspension picked up by one of his centre-backs against Leeds will cause Lage a major problem in the heart of his defence, both this weekend and over the coming fixtures.

Also, Boly’s influence is evident from his squad-high match average of 2.7 headers won throughout last season, while only two players bettered his average of 1.5 interceptions per game, figures which showcase how vital a figure he can be at the back.

While Wolves are currently enjoying a fantastic run of form in the league, having picked up 12 points from a possible 15 over their last five fixtures, this could quite quickly come to an end should the worst happen at Elland Road on Saturday.

In other news: Wolves’ £6.3m-rated “breath of fresh air” could cause Lage a major problem next season

Crystal Palace are looking into a deal for Brentford midfielder Christian Eriksen, according to 90min.

The Lowdown: Eriksen’s Premier League return

The 30-year-old returned to England during the January transfer window, penning a short-term deal with the Bees until the end of the season.

Eriksen has scored once and provided an assist in his four Premier League starts, with Brentford winning every game in which the attacking midfielder has played 90 minutes.

He is out of contract at the end of June, although it looks as if he won’t be short of offers over the coming months.

The Latest: Palace interest in Eriksen

90min shared a story on Tuesday regarding Eriksen, claiming that Brentford have a huge battle on their hands to keep the Denmark international at the club beyond the summer.

The report added that Palace, along with Aston Villa, Everton, Newcastle and West Ham, are looking into offering Eriksen a contract. His former club Tottenham have also been credited with an interest in the midfielder, who wants to remain in England.

The Verdict: Tough ask

Palace could be in need of midfield reinforcements over the summer, with Conor Gallagher set to return to Chelsea following his season-long loan spell.

Eriksen, who Graeme Bailey labelled a ‘superstar’, would be a shrewd signing on a free transfer and isn’t seeking a six-figure wage.

He has contributed to 120 Premier League goals in 231 games, but with plenty of top-flight clubs keen on the player, Eagles boss Patrick Vieira could find it tough to persuade Eriksen over a move to Selhurst Park.

In other news: Vieira now handed another Palace injury worry pre-Chelsea as journalist drops news on ‘popular’ star

Leeds United are preparing another offer for top transfer target Brenden Aaronson…

What’s the word?

That’s according to the ever-reliable Phil Hay of The Athletic.

“Leeds United considering upping their bid for Brenden Aaronson to £20m. The club want him in this window, although if RB Salzburg dig their heels in, it’s one which could wait until the summer. Leeds rate him very highly,” he tweeted with an accompanying article.

Earlier this week, the Yorkshire outfit had a £15m bid rejected by the Austrian champions as they remain intent on keeping their star midfielder.

The Yorkshire outfit are said to have sent director of football Victor Orta to Salzburg to try and thrash out a deal, whilst it is believed that they do not want to offload any player this month due to their upcoming Champions League clash with Bayern Munich.

Keep trying!

Indeed, much of the talk suggests that it’s a losing race as the Austrian outfit simply will not sell one of Matthias Jaissle’s key players. However, history would tell us otherwise.

In the past, the club have cashed in on the likes of Erling Haaland (£18m to Borussia Dortmund), Dominik Szoboszlai (£18m t0 RB Leipzig) and Sadio Mane (£10m to Southampton).

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That suggests that for the right offer, historically, Salzburg have sold. They are ultimately a selling club as they always have young talents being developed.

Therefore, supporters and even manager Marcelo Bielsa should be encouraged by Hay’s latest report as there’s a chance the Austrians cave in, no matter what other claims are telling us.

Aaronson would be a hugely exciting signing for Leeds, too. He very much fits the profile that the Argentinian head coach desires – hard-working, bundles of energy and very, very versatile.

He has delivered ten goals and 12 assists in 51 appearances for Salzburg, via Transfermarkt, whilst American reporters have likened him to both Yossi Benayoun and Clint Dempsey, who both have had an impact in the Premier League in the past.

It appears as if Leeds aren’t giving up, so those around Elland Road must be buzzing by this latest update.

AND in other news, Journalist drops huge Leeds United transfer claim ahead of deadline day…

Rangers managed to reclaim their spot at the top of the Scottish Premiership table as they beat Hibernian 2-1 on Sunday.

Kevin Nisbet headed Hibs in front in the opening 10 minutes before Ryan Porteous was sent off in the 30th minute for a poor challenge on Joe Aribo.

The Gers were able to find the leveller in the 60th minute as Nathan Patterson put the ball on a plate for Kemar Roofe to nod home at the back post. Alfredo Morelos then won the match with his goal, assisted by Borna Barisic, in the 78th minute.

Roofe and Morelos may steal the headlines with their goals, but one player who was an unsung hero in the midfield was summer signing John Lundstram. He found a balance between defensive ballast and impressive play in possession to put in an all-around brilliant display.

Defensively, he was almost faultless for Rangers. Per SofaScore, he made four tackles, three interceptions and one block. He also won 62.5% of his duels on the pitch in the game, winning five of his eight 50/50 battles against Hibernian players.

This shows that he was able to snuff out Hibernian attacks with his defensive awareness and strength. He did not allow the opposition to pass by him easily, which allowed Rangers to dominate the game – contributing to the final result.

On the ball, he was composed and assured in possession to maintain the dominance. Per SofaScore, he had an eye-catching 118 touches of the ball – completing 99 of his 104 attempted passes (95%) and only giving the ball away six times from all of those touches.

Lundstram was efficient with his passing and did not give the ball away on a regular basis. Not only did this stop Hibernian from gaining the ball, but it also allowed Rangers to pile the pressure on the opposition goal and tire the midfield, which then created space for the Gers to work with.

Therefore, the midfield beast was Gerrard’s unsung hero in the match as he did the dirty work so that the forward players could shine in possession of the ball.

Hopefully, the summer arrival from Sheffield United will continue to perform to these standards and maintain his place in the starting XI to improve Gerrard’s side, which is – presumably – why he was brought to the club.

AND in other news, Gerrard masterclass: Rangers beast has seen his value soar 33.3% in less than 2 years…

Forza Italian Football editor Conor Clancy believes Cagliari defender Sebastian Walukiewicz is not ready for a move to Liverpool.

The 21-year-old centre-back made 21 appearances for Serie A side Cagliari last season and has already claimed three international caps with Poland.

According to Italian outlet Calcio Mercato, Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp is monitoring Walukiewicz and mulling over whether to make a move before the transfer window closes at the end of the month.

The report claims the Merseysiders’ Premier League rivals Manchester United and Chelsea are also keeping tabs on the talented youngster.

Liverpool’s interest comes despite being handed the boost of Virgil van Dijk and Joe Gomez returning to the fold following lengthy spells on the sidelines.

Dutchman van Dijk was on the treatment table for nine months after suffering anterior cruciate ligament damage and Gomez was out of action for eight months thanks to sustaining a knee injury while on international duty with England.

Serie A expert Clancy believes a move to Liverpool would come too soon in Walukiewicz’s career.

He told Football FanCast: “Playing centre-back for Liverpool is obviously quite a specialised role. You saw last season that once van Dijk was out, it went to pot a little bit.

“Going from Cagliari to Liverpool is a big jump and I would be cautious about anybody who were to make that step. I wouldn’t be so sure.”

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

After saying goodbye to Georginio Wijnaldum at the end of last season, Liverpool didn’t sign a replacement for the Dutchman who joined French club Paris Saint-Germain on a free transfer after making a total of 237 appearances across all competitions.

One midfield player, however, that has been linked with a move to the Merseyside club that could be a potential heir for Wijnaldum is LOSC Lille star Renato Sanches.

Recently, the Portuguese international has made a claim that could excite a lot of Liverpool fans that may be hoping to see him in a Reds shirt in the near future.

What’s the latest?

In a recent interview with French media outlet L’Equipe (via Liverpool Echo), Sanches revealed that he feels ready to join a big club again after admitting that he was too young to join Bayern Munich when he did back in 2016.

During his time in Germany, Sanches made 53 appearances for Bayern across all competitions in which he also had a loan spell at Swansea City where he made just 15 appearances before eventually arriving at Lille in 2019.

Since joining the French club, the 24-year-old, who is currently valued at £27m according to Transfermarkt, has managed to score five goal and provide six assists in 67 appearances in all competitions.

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In the recent Euro 2020 tournament over the summer, Sanches’ performance in Portugal’s 2-2 draw against France earned him a lot of praise from pundit Jermaine Jenas who said that the midfielder has got “a lot of character.”

That performance, in particular, highlighted just how impressive Sanches can be on the big stage as an all-round midfielder, a role Wijnladum thrived in at Anfield.

In the 88 minutes he was on the pitch for, Sanches managed to complete 69 of the 74 passes he attempted, had one shot on target, made one key pass, won nine ground duels, made three tackles and completed all of the three dribbles he attempted, ultimately earning himself a solid overall match rating of 7.1/10 according to SofaScore.

Consequently, this would be an excellent piece of business from the Merseyside club if they can sign him for a relatively low fee considering how his current contract at Lille is set to expire in the summer of 2023. Certainly, it would give them a potential long-term replacement for Wijnaldum given his age and ability in the middle of the pitch.

In other news: FSG may be heading for a big Liverpool disaster in January on “outstanding” 26 y/o ace – opinion

Leeds United are now said to be interested in former Chelsea starlet Jeremie Boga as they look to strengthen Marcelo Bielsa’s forward options.

What’s the story?

The Whites have only made two significant first-team signings this summer, bringing in Junior Firpo from Barcelona and finally securing Jack Harrison on a permanent deal from Manchester City.

Now, The Daily Mail claim that the Yorkshire club have shown an interest in signing Sassuolo forward Boga, who was previously on the books at Stamford Bridge.

The report adds that Serie A side Atalanta have made an offer for the Ivory Coast international, while Leeds’ fellow Premier League teams Everton and Crystal Palace are also said to be keen.

Bye-bye Helder Costa

Amid an impressive season for the club as a whole, one man who really struggled to live up to expectations, was Helder Costa.

The Portugal international just didn’t seem to find his feet at Premier League level, managing just three goals in 22 games in the competition.

That has seen reports now linking him with a move away, with claims that the Whites are ready to cash in on the winger in order to raise some funds for a new signing.

And, after reports emerged of his potential departure, Gabby Agbolahor said: “Costa did not do enough to stay at Leeds. They definitely need another winger. Costa’s had his chance and he’ll be definitely moved on.”

Well, in Boga, they could get that Costa replacement.

Speaking about him before, former Chelsea coach Michael Beale said: “The most unique talent and I’m talking in a window of being 13/14 and he just beat the other team possibly on his own is a young boy called Jeremie Boga.

“He just beat teams on his own, such a lovely boy. I thought wow, this boy is a supreme talent. he can stop and go and over three or four yards, he can just drift past you.”

As per WhoScored, last season saw Boga triple the number of dribbles the Portuguese made per game, while he also averaged more shots and made the exact amount of key passes too – an indication of the kind of directness and fearlessness with which the Sassuolo man plays.

Given that not only can he play on the left, but also on the right too, the Ivorian would add greater strength in depth and quality to the wide options that Bielsa has, and further push Costa down the pecking order.

The £18m-rated Boga’s arrival would surely spell the end for Costa at Elland Road.

Meanwhile, Leeds United have reignited their interest in this star…