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Everton are showing a ‘serious interest’ in AS Monaco midfielder Aleksandr Golovin, according to Russian outlet Championat. 

The lowdown

Golovin joined Monaco back in July 2018 off the back of the World Cup, where he helped host nation Russia reach the last eight, and former Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger had identified him as a ‘fantastic’ player during his time at CSKA Moscow.

The 25-year-old has predominantly been used as an attacking midfielder but can also occupy a deeper role and operate from the left wing. Partly as a result of injury and suspension, he has only started four Ligue 1 games so far this season.

Golovin’s contract at the Stade Louis II runs until June 2024, and he is valued at £25.2m by Transfermarkt.

The latest

A source ‘familiar with the situation’ has told Championat that Everton want to sign Golovin and are ‘showing serious interest’.

However, it should be stressed that ‘everything is at an initial stage’ right now, according to a source for the Russian outlet.

The verdict

Because of his limited involvement so far this term, it’s probably best to look at last season for indication of Golovin’s talents.

A hamstring injury sidelined him from September until December, but he went on to record 14 goal involvements in just 12 league starts. He created an average of 1.7 chances per 90 minutes, on par with James Rodriguez, who led the way for Everton in that regard in 2020/21.

If the Russia playmaker can overcome his evident fitness issues, he could be an excellent acquisition for the Toffees if they manage to secure his services.

In other news, this transfer update left many Everton fans fuming

Leeds United striker Joe Gelhardt has withdrawn from England U20 duty due to injury…

What’s the latest?

That’s according to a report from LeedsLive, who have revealed that the 19-year-old has returned to Thorp Arch in a bid to aid his recovery ahead of the Whites’ trip to north London to face Tottenham Hotspur next weekend.

The young frontman missed their 1-1 draw with Leicester City at the weekend with an unknown injury and it seems as if it is bad enough to keep him out of the internationals this break.

Gelhardt was originally named in Andy Edwards’ squad alongside Elland Road teammates Sam Greenwood, Lewis Bate and Cody Drameh.

Short up top

This has to be a massive cause for concern for Marcelo Bielsa as he has been light on options in attack, with first-choice striker Patrick Bamford also facing time on the treatment table in recent weeks.

Indeed, the senior England international has missed each of Leeds’ last six league outings and without Gelhardt on Sunday, the Argentine boss only had Rodrigo, who is more of a second striker or a no.10 at his disposal.

Even Jack Harrison has led the line on the odd occasion, which goes to show just how bad Bielsa and his side have been suffering without Bamford.

Gelhardt has only featured in 124 minutes of action for the first team this season but he played a starring role from the bench in winning a late penalty against Wolves last month, in which the aforementioned Spaniard equalised from the spot to clinch a point.

The former Wigan Athletic graduate has been touted for big, big things in the past, with LeedsLive journalist Beren Cross once suggesting he could be Leeds’ best-ever business.

“As I’m sure we’ll find out in the years ahead, Gelhardt may well be the best bit of business the club has done in the last 20 years, if not ever, because he just looks absolutely outrageous, very, very good player,” he claimed.

With 17 goals in 23 appearances at U23 level, the teenager would be an interesting prospect to fill the void left behind by Bamford, so this latest blow comes at the very worst time for him.

As that’s another option off the table for the time being, you could forgive Bielsa if he was absolutely reeling back in Yorkshire.

AND in other news, Leeds eyeing January swoop for £110k-p/w “liability”, it would be one huge Orta howler…

An update has emerged on Lille centre-forward Jonathan David, regarding Newcastle United’s pursuit of the gem.

What’s the talk?

According to Le10 Sport, the Magpies are following the attacker and have made their interest known to the French giants.

The report claims that PSG, Milan and Inter are also keen on the striker and that a deal could be likely at the end of the season.

Bye-bye Joelinton

Although there could be work to do in other areas of the pitch, David could be Howe’s final, currently missing, piece at the top end of the pitch. If the ex-Cherries boss wants to line up with a front three then he could have Allan Saint-Maximin, Callum Wilson and David, with the Lille man replacing the misfiring Joelinton.

[snack-amp-story url= “https://www.footballfancast.com/web-stories/check-out-the-latest-newcastle-howe-ter-stegen” title= “Read the latest Newcastle news!”]

The 25-year-old ex-Hoffenheim man has zero goals and one assist in ten appearances for the Magpies in the Premier League this season. This comes after he scored a measly six times in 55 starts across his first two campaigns with the club.

Saint-Maximin, meanwhile, has averaged a superb WhoScored rating of 7.24 this season with two goals and three assists to his name. Wilson has found the back of the net four times in seven games and ended last term with 12 league strikes, showing his prowess.

David, who was once dubbed a “phenomenon” by former coach Hein Vanhaezebrouck, could replace Joelinton and complete the front three alongside Saint-Maximin and Wilson. In Ligue 1 this season, the Canada international has scored eight goals in ten starts, whilst also netting once in the Champions League. This comes after he notched 13 strikes in the league last term, proving that he score on a consistent basis.

He is a versatile forward, capable of playing up front on his own or in a slightly deeper attacking midfield role and this could help him link up with Wilson and Saint-Maximin. For example, Howe could deploy a system with David and Saint-Maximin in two floating positions behind Wilson, allowing them to be fluid in the final third and cause constant problems for defences with their movement around the ex-Bournemouth centre-forward.

Therefore, by signing the £31.5m-rated forward Newcastle could have a deadly front three under Howe, one that finally sees Joelinton axed. This is why PIF must ensure that they can get a deal over the line for the 21-year-old, whether it comes in January or at the end of the season.

AND in other news, Howe must ruthlessly axe £32k-p/w NUFC dud who Shearer once accused of “cheating”…

Demarai Gray has become the latest addition to Everton’s injury list following Sunday’s trip to Manchester City. 

The 25-year-old was forced off after just 17 minutes at the Etihad Stadium, suffering with what appeared to be a groin issue.

He has been one of Everton’s star players this season, with only Abdoulaye Doucoure (six) boasting more goal involvements than his five contributions. In his absence, the visitors fell to a 3-0 defeat against the Premier League champions, which leaves them 11th in the Premier League table.

Who else is out for Everton?

Gray joins Dominic Calvert-Lewin, who is struggling with a thigh problem, on the treatment table at Finch Farm. The England striker is expected to be out for another two or three weeks, but Doucoure and Yerry Mina appear to be closing in on comebacks. Midfielders Tom Davies and Andre Gomes complete the injury list.

After the match on Sunday, Benitez said: “We will see how Demarai is. Injuries are a problem for us, but we have to deal with that”.

The club’s official Twitter channel relayed those comments, and here’s what some fans had to say in reply.

Everton fans bemoan Gray injury

“Injuries are more than just a problem, their training needs looking at. As well as team tactics, yet another match where the midfield sat so deep they got in the way of their own defense. No out ball and Richarlison totally isolated.”

Credit: @FastnloudUK

“It has to be poor training! Our players seem to drop like flies! Ugh”

Credit: @NerdMan82

“Injuries are a big issue for us and maybe they need to look at training methods ?”

Credit: @wigman57

“Swear if we bought Messi tomorrow, his leg would have fallen off by Thursday”

Credit: @Minimesiter1878

“This team must have some curse”

Credit: @000Lovelyz

“Pain”

Credit: @KRay1878

In other news, some Everton fans slammed this man’s performance at the Etihad Stadium.

Rangers manager Giovanni van Bronckhorst was officially unveiled at Ibrox earlier this week and will now be getting stuck into the job instantly.

Whilst the upcoming fixtures will be an immediate focus for the Dutchman, he may also start to think about his plans for the January and summer transfer windows to shape the squad to his will.

The Athletic have reported that replacing soon-to-be 37-year-old Steven Davis will be high on the manager’s priority list in the coming weeks and months, with the veteran midfielder out of contract at the end of the season.

Solution

Van Bronckhorst could find a solution to this Davis problem by landing Blackburn Rovers midfielder Joe Rothwell in January or next summer. It was reported last month that Rangers are closing in on a pre-contract deal for the English Championship player and he could be exactly what the ex-Feyenoord boss is looking for.

Davis, who is on £13k-per-week, cannot be expected to play forever and there must come a time when he is naturally moved on, which could come next summer, according to The Athletic. He has averaged a WhoScored rating of 6.79 and 2.1 tackles and interceptions per game in the Premiership this season, whilst also making 1.1 key passes per match.

Rothwell has averaged a WhoScored rating of 6.92 and 2.1 tackles and interceptions per game in the Championship for Blackburn, whilst also making 1.2 key passes per match. These statistics suggest that they are similar in play styles, although the 26-year-old has been able to perform consistently to a higher level, albeit in a different league.

Rovers boss Tony Mowbray once heaped praise on the midfielder’s speed as he urged him to get closer to goal, saying: “He’s an exciting talent, he’s exceedingly fast, he keeps the ball really tight. We want him running towards the opposition goal rather than across the pitch.”

This suggests that he has the potential to make an impact in the final third, along with his similar defensive statistics to Davis. Rothwell has one goal and four assists in the second tier of English football this season, whilst the 36-year-old has zero goals and one assist in Scotland.

Therefore, the Rovers beast, who is 10 years younger than the Northern Ireland international, could be a long-term successor to Davis. Van Bronckhorst must ensure that a deal gets over the line for him in January to bolster his squad and replace the veteran midfielder, who is out of contract next summer.

AND in other news, Van Bronckhorst can find his next Van Persie at Rangers in £33k-p/w gem who’s “like a jungle cat”…

Many Glasgow Rangers fans have been left buzzing as an official announcement emerged from the club.

As per the Gers’ official website, the Premiership champions have now hired a new Customer Service Manager to oversee and modernise customer service at the club.

David Milburn has joined to help increase customer service levels and spearhead the newly-formed customer service division at Ibrox.

The new customer service team will work across all club supporter-facing functions, including ticketing, matchday experience, MyGers membership, hospitality, RangersTV and retail, as well as working in close collaboration with the existing units and Supporter Liaison Officer Greg Marshall.

This comes after the announcement of Dave Vos as the new assistant manager to Giovanni van Bronckhorst, as it seems that Rangers are changing a lot behind the scenes since the departure of Steven Gerrard to Aston Villa earlier in the month.

Anything to help the supporters will surely be welcomed, and it seems that a lot of Gers fans have been left delighted by this appointment.

Rangers fans on Milburn’s appointment

These Rangers fans expressed their delight as the appointment of Milburn to Customer Service Manager was revealed on Twitter:

“What a signing tbf”

Credit: @nathanlawrie3

“#RangersFC are delighted to announce…” That’s all I see these days and I love it”

Credit: @GamesMurray

“Very much needed, hopefully another top appointment.”

Credit: @paddytrainer

“Been crying out for this for about 30 years!”

Credit: @AllanBeattie88

“About time!”

Credit: @ColinMacLellan1

“Much needed. Hopefully another great appointment”

Credit: @OhItsSteely

In other news, find out whose display against Sparta Prague was slammed by some Gers fans

A crushing Rangers transfer update has emerged, regarding the future of midfielder Joe Aribo…

What’s the talk?

According to AllNigeriaSoccer, the ex-Charlton man has informed the club of his unwillingness to put pen to paper on a contract extension.

The report claims the Gers opened talks with him over a new deal before being told that he does not want to extend his stay in Glasgow.

Premier League sides Brentford, Crystal Palace, and Watford are all reportedly interested in signing the playmaker ahead of the January window.

Gutting

This report will surely leave Rangers fans gutted as it opens the door to the possibility of Aribo leaving Ibrox in the coming transfer windows.

The Nigeria international has been in fine form of late and his exit would be a major blow to Gio van Bronckhorst’s squad, which is why this is a crushing update. He has been crucial to the club’s success over the past 18 months and his decision not to extend his contract could force the Dutch head coach into making a very difficult decision.

Aribo’s current deal expires in the summer of 2023 and van Bronckhorst may need to weigh up whether or not it is worth cashing in on him in January to get maximum value or to keep him at the club and run the risk of him leaving for a cut-price fee or for nothing. It is a tricky situation for the 43-year-old and Ross Wilson to manage, but they have little choice if the midfielder is refusing to play ball in negotiations.

His former Charlton teammate Ezri Konsa previously lauded him as ‘unique’ and compared him to Yaya Toure in quotes that sum up his importance to the Gers. He said: “Having Gerrard as his manager at Rangers, that has made him go up another level.

“Joe’s style is unique. When I was with him at Charlton he did remind me for a while of a left-footed Yaya Toure. But you don’t get a lot of midfielders like Joe, there aren’t many around.

“Like Toure, for a tall guy he’s got such great feet. But that languid style he’s got is actually fairly unique in the game.”

The 25-year-old beast averaged a WhoScored rating of 7.40 last season in the Premiership, scoring six goals and providing four assists in 26 appearances. This term, he has averaged a score of 7.38 and managed five goals and two assists in 16 games, highlighting his consistency and quality at this level, which is why fans will be gutted that he appears set on a move away from the club.

Losing a player who is able to perform to such a high standard, consistently, over an 18-month period could be a big blow for the Gers and fans will be fuming that he does not want to extend his stay at Ibrox. It could now be an interesting January window for Aribo if clubs act on their interest in him.

AND in other news, 64x possession lost: GVB must work his magic on £5.6k-p/w Rangers dud with 0 assists…

An update has emerged on Newcastle United’s pursuit of Benfica centre-forward Darwin Nunez…

What’s the talk?

According to Mais Futebol, via Sport Witness, the Magpies have held talks with Rui Costa, the Portuguese club’s president, over a potential deal for the Uruguayan forward.

The report claims that Benfica want a fee in the region of £42.7m (€50m) and want to keep him until the end of the season.

Get it done

PIF must ensure that they complete a deal to sign Nunez to bolster Eddie Howe’s Newcastle squad, whether that comes in January or at the end of the season.

He has been in prolific form for Benfica this term and could be a terrific addition to the Magpies both in the short- and long-term. In the immediate future, the predator could be an excellent signing as he has shown that he can score at an impressive rate, with 11 goals in 17 games across Liga Bwin and the Champions League, whilst also providing two assists.

This suggests that he has the quality to find the net regularly at the top level, with three goals in six games in Europe’s premier cup competition, and could improve Newcastle’s attack by coming in and scoring the goals to either keep them up this season or fire them up the table next term, depending on when (or if) he joins.

In the long-term, he has the potential to develop even further. His manager Jorge Jesus once claimed that the attacker will go on to become an elite striker, stating: “All this decision-making ability, finishing and speed… He was Benfica’s most expensive purchase, and when there is no pandemic, he will be the most expensive sale. He will be a world-class player. Unfortunately for me, maybe I will lose him in a short time.”

At the age of 22, Nunez still has plenty of years left to grow and improve, and Newcastle could be buying him for his current quality as well as the prospect of what he could become. Despite his young age, he is already showing consistency with his form in front of goal for Benfica this season and that provides a glimpse at the player the Magpies could be getting.

Therefore, PIF must make sure that they can secure a deal for his services within the next two transfer windows to hand Howe the tools he needs to take the club forward.

AND in other news, “My information is”: Journalist drops major NUFC transfer claim which will leave fans buzzing…

Aston Villa midfielder Marevlous Nakamba may miss the rest of the season through injury.

That’s according to The Athletic’s Gregg Evans, which, as to be expected, has had plenty of Villa fans talking on social media.

Nakamba had started every game under Steven Gerrard prior to going off against Liverpool with a knee injury.

The 27-year-old was also set to represent Zimbabwe at the Africa Cup of Nations in the New Year, however, it seems as if he may be out for the rest of the current campaign.

Evans shared news on Tuesday afternoon, suggesting Villa will decide over the next 48 hours if the defensive midfielder requires surgery on the problem. As a result of Nakamba’s injury, Villa will look to sign a new midfielder in the January transfer window.

Villa fans react

This is what these Villa fans had to say in reply to Evans’ Twitter post regarding Nakamba, with one labelling it as a ‘massive shame’.

“This is the worst Christmas present ever”

Credit: @BWC_19

“Day ruined. Sadness achieved.”

Credit: @SusaninSports

“Massive shame for him if it’s the worst case scenario as he really started to look like he was getting there. It feels like typical Villa this, every time someone gets on a good run of form, then the injury hits. New midfielder should be a priority now in January.”

Credit: @BradMorris_96

“Damn that’s heart breaking news especially after his form lately.”

Credit: @Boutthatpaper

“Actually so upset about this, can’t even imagine what’s going through his head.”

Credit: @marathesayu

“Horrible news for a player who was nailing that position down as his own. Get well soon Marv”

Credit: @AvfcU

In other news: ‘Excellent’ ace thinks his Villa career ‘is over’; he’s now eyeing a permanent exit. 

A major development has emerged on Newcastle United’s search for a director of football…

What’s the talk?

The Athletic’s David Ornstein has revealed that the Magpies are prime for talks with a candidate over taking up the position to assist Eddie Howe moving forward.

He Tweeted: “Brighton have given Newcastle permission to speak with Dan Ashworth over director of football role. #BHAFC want 50yo to stay but won’t block talks. Ashworth on rolling contract so #NUFC would need to agree settlement if situation develops.”

Buzzing

Newcastle fans will surely be buzzing with this news for multiple reasons. Firstly, it suggests that PIF are finally closing in on an appointment that could be key for the club in the years to come, as the person entrusted with this role will be making major decisions and, essentially, sculpting the future of the side.

Ashworth, if he now takes the job, will be tasked with dealing with managers and transfers and that means that the on-field results will be directly linked to how well he performs. He needs to get the best coaches/staff in place along with as many top players, by Premier League standards, as he can to give the side the greatest chance of achieving success and that is why this appointment is pivotal.

Fans will also be delighted because the chief has an impressive track record. The 50-year-old worked with The FA for six years and was a key cog in the recent successes of England at senior and youth level. Current Three Lions boss Gareth Southgate previously lauded the impact he had, saying:

“I told Dan (Ashworth) as we walked in that he should feel really proud. The last time we came to one of these it was in St Petersburg three years ago but this time we walked in as world champions at U17 and U20 and we’ve been to a seniors’ semi-final, so we deserve our place at the table.

“That is a great credit to everyone involved, the backing the FA has given us in building St George’s Park and investing in the teams, to the work being done in youth development and to Dan in particular for putting those plans in place, which we have seen pay off for Spain, Germany and France. It’s up to us now to continue the work that’s been started.”

Since joining Brighton in 2019, the Seagulls have finished 16th and 15th in the Premier League and they are currently 13th in the table. This shows that he has been able to oversee a steady top-flight team without any major relegation scares, amassing more than 40 points in both campaigns.

This, along with his excellent work with England, shows why fans will be buzzing with this update from Ornstein on Newcastle’s pursuit of his services.

AND in other news, Forget Clark: £44k-p/w NUFC liability who was dribbled past 3x was shocking v Man City…