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West Ham United are reportedly weighing up a January move for Australia’s World Cup star Harry Souttar, with his club Stoke City willing to discuss a deal for the right price…

What’s the word?

Souttar recently returned from the sidelines, having been sidelined due to an ACL injury which consequently threw his World Cup hopes into jeopardy.

Making a resounding return, the 24-year-old was the defensive focal point, and is now at the centre of heated interest from a host of Premier League outfits, according to TEAMtalk.

Although, following his successful ventures with his nation in Qatar, The Sun have reported that the Potters have slapped a £25m price tag on their coveted centre-back.

Wolverhampton Wanderers are allegedly frontrunners, with new head coach Julen Lopetgeui searching to inject his essence into the Molineux, but Hammers boss David Moyes is also desperately seeking a remedy to ail their toiling campaign, and instilling a sturdy defensive rock could pave the way for future success.

Can revive the Hammers’ poor season

Many of the Hammers faithful must hold a certain sense of incredulity when staring at their team’s landslide of a decline, despite the lucrative summer spending and star-studded quality littered across every department of the pitch.

Indeed, after two momentous years under Moyes’ sagely wing, West Ham now perch precariously in 16th place after 16 matches, one point above 18th-placed Wolves and currently enduring a four-match losing skid. 

With ten losses already in the league this season, not even at the midpoint – last term, the Irons suffered 14 defeats – a revitalised presence in the mould of Souttar could in turn breathe fresh life into the squad, provide some solidarity in defence and rekindle the resilience that has seemingly evaporated over the past months.

Making just the four appearances this term in the Championship, due to his extensive layoff, the 24-year-old has yet to taste defeat, winning twice and drawing the other two.

Recording an average rating of 6.8, steadily acclimatising back to the relentless life within English football, making 1.5 tackles and forging an incredible 8.5 clearances per outing for the Potters.

As per Sofascore, the 6 foot 6 titan was immense in Qatar, etching a rating of 6.97 into the system as his assurance and physical presence at the back secured second place from the group phase, with the nation losing valiantly to eventual champions Argentina. 

He completed 83% of his passes while making 1.5 interceptions, 1.0 tackles and 5.5 clearances per game – his sweeping approach is evident, and the Irons owners – David Gold and David Sullivan with Karren Brady (GSB), would reap the rewards at the London Stadium in rebuffing the offensive advances of Premier League opposition.

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During the World Cup, Pat Nevin, commentating for BBC 5 Live (via the Stoke Sentinel) lauded the colossus for having “a magnet in his head,” and he will certainly enjoy success as a repelling force in front of the West Ham goal, bolstering the side at both ends of the pitch and thus helping to steer the ship back on its course.

Glasgow Rangers face their toughest test under Michael Beale this afternoon when the Light Blues welcome their fiercest rivals to Ibrox for the second Old Firm match of the campaign.

Beale has led the club to four straight victories since the resumption of the Premiership season following the World Cup hiatus, but Celtic will be a massive test, especially considering the blistering domestic form they are in this season, losing just once.

Three points are absolutely vital if the Ibrox side wishes to remain in a title challenge this term, anything less and Beale could say bye-bye to the league championship.

There were no new injury concerns following their last match, a routine 3-0 victory over Motherwell, and we at Football FanCast have predicted the Rangers starting XI ahead of today’s massive derby…

Allan McGregor will keep his place in goal after recording just his fourth clean sheet of the league season against Motherwell.

The back four will remain unchanged from the win last week, with James Tavernier, Ben Davies, Connor Goldson, and Borna Barisic taking their places in a back four that should become the usual defensive line-up for the rest of the campaign barring any injuries.

Beale will start with John Lundstram and Glen Kamara as his midfield axis, while 30-year-old Ryan Jack – dubbed “outstanding” by Jordan Campbell – will drop to the bench to accommodate the Finnish midfielder.

Fashion Sakala could return to a right-wing role having already scored twice and registered an assist under Beale in just four matches. Malik Tillman should operate in the number ten role just behind the striker and Ryan Kent will take his usual position on the left wing, aiming to add to his tally of two goals scored against Celtic.

Beale’s big dilemma ahead of the tie will be who to start as the lone striker; Alfredo Morelos, or Antonio Colak. However, considering the Croatian has yet to play under the Englishman, Morelos should be the one to lead the line.

The £33k-per-week Colombian “nightmare” – as dubbed by an unknown former Premiership player – has netted twice under Beale and looks rejuvenated. Thus, he will be aiming to make a difference having missed the first Old Firm tie of the campaign.

The Ibrox faithful will be hoping he is at his “lethal” best – as previously described by Jordan Campbell – during the match as the club’s hopes could rest firmly on his shoulders.

Liverpool are open to selling Roberto Firmino amid interest from Saudi Arabia, claims Luke Edwards.

The Lowdown: Firmino situation

Firmino’s time at Anfield could be set to come to an end soon with the 31-year-old’s contract set expiring at the end of the season and no agreement upon an extension has been reached.

The Daily Mail reported on Thursday that the Premier League winner has admirers in Saudi Arabia although it’s thought at this stage he’d prefer to sign a new deal with talks from the Gulf State not advanced.

Firmino has enjoyed a successful campaign back in Jurgen Klopp’s starting 11 where he’s featured 11 times out of the 13 he’s played in the Premier League.

The Latest: Edwards’ comments

With the interest from Saudi coming at the same time as the Brazilian’s contract is set to expire, The Daily Telegraph’s Edwards told the Transfer Gossip Daily that it’s all too convenient to potentially carry much weight.

“I think this is a classic ploy of player in contract talks, seeing another high profile football player go to Saudi Arabia for ridiculous money, let’s just throw the name in there.

“I wouldn’t be surprised if Liverpool let Firmino go, I’m going to put that out there now because I think they’ve got a bit of a problem with an ageing squad at the moment.

“Do they really want another striker in his 30s tied down to a long-term deal eating up money out of their wage budget?

“So I think this is more of a negotiation ploy and if he wants to go to Saudi Arabia, nobody goes there for other reasons than money.”

The Verdict: On the move?

Despite a resurgence this season that’s seen him bag seven goals and three assists in just league 13 games this season, compared to five goals and four assists last campaign, it still seems as though Firmino’s days are numbered.

Liverpool have recently signed Cody Gakpo and have both Diogo Jota and Luis Diaz to welcome back to an attacking line-up that currently boasts Mo Salah and Darwin Nunez, leaving the Brazilian at a loss when everyone’s fit.

The Reds’ squad an ageing one with nine players currently aged 30 or older, Jurgen Klopp will want to refresh his attacking options which he has done with Gakpo.

The 31-year-old’s chances look severely limited at Liverpool when everyone’s fit and firing and the links to Saudi Arabia do look a desperate ploy from his agent to persuade the Reds to change their mind, but if the links are true, there’s no way Liverpool will match the numbers on a proposed contract.

BBC pundit Chris Sutton has claimed that Everton will not be able to sign a striker as good as Dominic Calvert-Lewin in the January transfer market.

What’s the word?

With the Toffees now stuck down at the bottom of the Premier League table, only one place from the very root of the table due to superior goal difference, it’s little wonder they are rumoured to want some new signings.

For instance, the Sunday Mirror (via The Boot Room) have reported that Everton are in talks to sign Duvan Zapata on loan, which could include the option to buy for £15m.

However, while speaking on the BBC Radio Show 606, Sutton insisted that no good striker would want to join the club as they are in ‘disarray’ at the moment.

He explained (1:06:34): “You’re going to need Dominic Calvert-Lewin. Let me tell you, there is little chance of Everton signing a striker as good as Dominic Calvert-Lewin in January.

“Because you are a club, you’re currently in the relegation zone, it’s a club in disarray. And you know, if Everton do go in for players, you know, players will be looking at the situation thinking: ‘Why would I want to sign for this club at this moment in time?’

“It has a great history but it’s a club which has lost this way. So you cannot tell me that top, top players are out they’re desperate to sign for Everton when they can go somewhere else and have an easy life.”

DCL or bust?

Perhaps backing up Sutton’s claim, the Sun journalist Alan Nixon has claimed that Danny Ings is ‘happy’ to continue to work hard to fight for his place at Aston Villa amid loan interest from the Toffees.

And when you consider that Everton are winless in their last nine outings across all competitions – with their last win coming against Crystal Palace in October –  it’s hard to see why anyone would be that keen to join Frank Lampard’s project.

As for Calvert-Lewin, injuries have prevented him from making any real impact this season but when he was fully fit for the 2020/21 campaign, he managed to net 16 league goals.

And so, the club may well just have to hope the Englishman can keep himself healthy over the coming months if they are to have a hope in this relegation fight they are caught in.

Azzedine Ounahi would be a great third January signing for Leeds United, according to journalist Pete O’Rourke.

The Premier League side have been heavily linked with a move for the Angers SCO midfielder since the World Cup but are yet to get a deal over the line, despite an initial bid.

Express transfer expert Ryan Taylor told GIVEMESPORT that the Whites had offered the Ligue 1 outfit around £17.5m but other reports suggest that they are holding out for a little more at around €25m (£22m).

And O’Rourke believes it would be a signal of intent in backing under-fire manager Jesse Marsch if the club were to land his signature, following the additions of Max Wober (£11m) and club-record signing Georginio Rutter (£35.5m) already this window.

Speaking to Football FanCast, he said:

“If Leeds can get in Ounahi as well, then I think it would be a great deal for the club.

“I think the club have definitely backed Jesse Marsch in this market with signings and they’ll be hoping that’s enough to keep them up.”

Indeed, Morocco’s World Cup “revelation” – as described by scout Jacek Kulig – would be a considerable option to have available for the engine room as he’s an atypical Marsch-like machine, also being dubbed “progressive,” “fast” and “dynamic” too.

His dribbling ability (2.54 completed per 90), which sees him rank inside the top 1% of all midfielders across Europe’s elite divisions over the last year, and ball retention has seen him compared to the likes of Frenkie de Jong and Gavi in terms of statistical profile, via FBref, which only adds to the furore over his potential at just 22.

Once lauded as a little “protege” by former coach Corentin Bouchard, Ounahi hit the headlines in Qatar with his “absolutely incredible” displays, as described by none other than Jose Mourinho.

If there is only a few million difference in valuation between the two sides, then director of football Victor Orta ought to just pay up to sign their clear midfield target, especially after the exit of Mateusz Klich to the MLS as he leaves behind a big void in engine room depth.

AND in other news, Radrizzani could face De Ketelaere repeat at Leeds with “incredible” £22m target..

Tottenham Hotspur chairman Daniel Levy could be about to repeat one of his worst transfer mistakes in recent times…

What’s the word?

It’s well known that Sporting CP right wing-back Pedro Porro is a key “priority” for the north London outfit this month, as revealed by transfer guru Fabrizio Romano.

Newspaper reports in Portugal (via Sport Witness) have since emerged suggesting that Spurs are some way off matching the Eagles’ demands, which is thought to be his release clause of €45m (£40m).

It remains to be seen what the Lilywhites hierarchy have been offering behind the scenes but they face competition from Premier League rivals Chelsea and are running out of time with as little as two weeks left in the window.

Bruno Fernandes all over again

A few years ago, Tottenham were faced with a similar scenario with the same club, one that has since proven to be a total disaster.

In the summer of 2019. Spurs were rivalling Manchester United for the signature of Bruno Fernandes but Levy and co only offered €45m (£40m) upfront with €20m (£18m) coming in the form of unrealistic add-ons that would only be triggered if they won the Premier League and Champions League.

Sporting president Frederico Varandas led the talks then, just as he is now, and commented on the absurd offer from the Lilywhites (via Sport Witness).

“The only serious proposal, which was still only verbal, was a €45m bid from Tottenham for Bruno Fernandes, plus €20m in goals.

“Twenty million in goals which were about Tottenham becoming the Premier League winners, which they never were, and winning the Champions League, which has also never happened. So I found these goals extremely imposs…. difficult to accomplish. And I understood not to sell Bruno.”

Since then, we’ve seen what the Portuguese playmaker can do in the Premier League and in Europe, having provided 54 goals and 44 assists across 152 appearances for the Red Devils – after they agreed on a deal worth £68m.

This time, it seems as if Spurs are toying with a much lesser fee, which would be a rather disappointing decision as Porro would undoubtedly transform a key role for Conte.

Once described as a “special talent” by journalist Zach Lowry, the former Manchester City gem is an attacking machine, ranking inside the top 1% for all wing-backs in FBref’s ‘next eight’ divisions for total shots, assists, shot-creating actions and touches in the opposition box.

With Emerson Royal and Matt Doherty clearly unfancied in the long-term by the Italian head coach, understandably so given they cannot match such numbers, it’s perhaps little surprise to see Romano laud the Sporting star as “perfect” for Conte and his system.

As such, Levy must use the Fernandes saga as a cold reminder of his past blunders and subsequently sanction what Sporting are asking for, which isn’t a lot in the modern market.

AND in other news, Spurs eye Conte’s perfect Deki alternative in £52m “generational talent”…

An update has emerged on Everton and their attempts to improve their options out wide before the January transfer window slams shut next week…

What’s the talk?

Journalist Ryan Taylor has revealed that the Toffees have an interest in signing Stade Rennes attacker Kamaldeen Sulemana in the coming days after missing out on a deal for Arnaut Danjuma.

Tottenham have swooped in to sign the Villarreal dynamo on loan at the last minute after the Netherlands international had already completed his medical tests with the Merseyside club, as per Fabrizio Romano, and Farhad Moshiri has now identified a potential alternative.

Taylor Tweeted: “Everton still prioritising a winger after being snubbed by Arnaut Danjuma. Could target two if Anthony Gordon joins Newcastle. Kamaldeen Sulemana remains of strong interest. Told Bamba Dieng not an option at this stage despite talks in summer. #EFC.”

Forget Danjuma

As a loan signing until the end of the season, Danjuma – who scored ten goals in LaLiga for Villarreal last season – could have been an excellent short-term addition to the Everton squad.

The 25-year-old, who turns 26 next week, could have provided an injection of quality and helped the team to avoid the drop down to the Championship before moving back to Spain or signing for a club elsewhere at the end of his loan spell.

Whereas, signing Sulemana on a permanent basis could help the Toffees in the short and long-term, which is why he could be a better signing than the Dutch gem.

The Ghana international, who is reportedly valued at £40m by his club, could come in as a prospect with the potential to improve over time, whilst also providing an attacking boost to the squad in the immediate future.

Sulemana has only started 13 Ligue 1 matches for Rennes since the start of last season but has scored five goals and produced two assists, whilst creating seven ‘big chances’ for his teammates, in that time.

Prior to joining the French side, the 20-year-old plundered an impressive 14 goals and eight assists in 43 first-team outings for Danish side FC Nordsjaelland, which shows that the gem does have the scope to provide goals and assists on a semi-regular basis when at his best.

At the age of 20, the winger, who was once dubbed an “enormous talent” by scout Jacek Kulig, has plenty of time left on his hands to develop his craft and increase his output in the final third. This means that he could be a long-term asset for Everton and someone whose value could be increased with the help of a new head coach.

Moshiri must now swoop to sign the young attacker so that Everton, and their supporters, can completely forget about the disappointing Danjuma saga…

Wolves look set to confirm the signing of Flamengo midfielder Joao Gomes in the coming days and the Brazilian’s arrival at Molineux could see sporting director Matt Hobbs amend his summer mistake with Enzo Fernandez.

Recent reports have suggested that the 21-year-old will sign for Wolves in a £15m deal after he rejected Lyon, with a medical planned for early next week.

Despite his age, Gomes already has 117 appearances under his belt for Flamengo and it seems likely that he will arrive as a first-team option for Julen Lopetegui as he looks to keep the Old Gold in the Premier League this season.

With the transfer likely to be wrapped up in plenty of time before Tuesday’s deadline, it is a possibility that the young midfielder could be ready to face Liverpool next weekend and if he can live up to his obvious potential at Molineux, it could prove to be something of a masterstroke signing by Hobbs.

Football talent scout Jacek Kulig certainly rates Gomes highly, as he sang his praises on Twitter in 2021.

He wrote: “João Gomes is such a unique player. Fantastic mix of midfield destroyer, deep-lying playmaker and box-to-box midfielder. Tireless runner, amazing work rate and tenacity mixed with really good technique and playmaking skills. He always gives 100% on the pitch. Warrior.”

Gomes’ all-round ability suggests that he could be a superb box-to-box midfielder in the future, which Wolves were clearly in the market for last summer under Bruno Lage, with a move for River Plate midfielder Fernandez seemingly on the cards.

Hobbs even flew to South America to try and complete a deal for the young star but in the end, he would sign for Benfica, where he has been able to establish himself as one of the top prospects in the world after his performances in Portugal, while he also caught the eye with World Cup winners Argentina in Qatar.

Having won the young player of the tournament, it was no surprise to see Fernandez linked with some of the world’s top sides this month, although Benfica look set to hold strong on their €120m (£105m) asking price for the 22-year-old.

It was undoubtedly a huge mistake by Hobbs that he couldn’t seal a deal for the Argentine midfielder last summer but he could amend that with his latest signing from South America, with Wolves fans hoping that Gomes can follow in the footsteps of Fernandez at Molineux.

Arsenal have a medical booked in for Chelsea midfielder Jorginho and the player has even said goodbye to his teammates, according to journalist Simon Phillips.

The Lowdown: Deal agreed

The Gunners have agreed a deal to sign Jorginho for an initial fee of £10m, with an additional £2m in add ons, as confirmed on Twitter by transfer guru Fabrizio Romano.

While Mikel Arteta will be delighted to finally bring in a new central midfielder, Arsenal may not be done there, as there have been reports that they could still look to bring in Moises Caicedo before the close of play.

And while supporters will likely have an anxious wait right up until 11pm to find out Caicedo’s fate, it seems Jorginho’s future is to be decided much sooner.

The Latest: Phillips’ update

In an interview this morning with GIVEMESPORT, Phillips confirmed that a deal could be done very soon, saying: “Jorginho expects to join Arsenal now. I’m told he even said his goodbyes yesterday at Cobham to the rest of the Chelsea players and the staff. Medical due any minute now.”

The Verdict: Shrewd signing

The fact that Arsenal could make two additions in the engine room today is great news, as the Italian would provide them with some additional depth and a proven track record in the Premier League, making 143 appearances in the competition for Chelsea.

An average of 1.63 interceptions per 90 over the past year is indicative of the maestro’s defensive qualities, while he also has something to offer on the front foot, given that he ranks in the 91st percentile for progressive passes compared to his positional peers, with an average of 5.44.

Granit Xhaka ranks in the 80th percentile for progressive passes while Thomas Partey sits in the 84th, so moving the ball forward quickly from those deep midfield positions is clearly vital to Arteta’s system, and it’s an area Jorginho excels in.

Given that he is approaching the twilight of his career at 31, the manager should still try to bring in a younger option like Caicedo, but if it is not possible, then the Brazil-born ace will still be able to hold his own until the end of the season.

All three of Arsenal’s winter signings are expected to be on the bench for their trip to Everton, journalist Charles Watts has claimed.

What’s the word?

The Gunners face a potential banana-skin as they travel to Goodison Park to face an Everton side under their newly appointed manager Sean Dyche for the first time.

The league leaders lost the same fixture last season, but know that they can further extend their gap at the top with a victory.

Jorginho, Leandro Trossard and Jakub Kiwior all arrived to strengthen the squad in the January window, but Watts believes that none will start against the team in 19th place.

Speaking on his YouTube channel, Watts claimed that Arteta is likely to stick with his preferred XI, which hardly ever changes, and that whilst all three arrivals could feature, none will be in the starting XI.

He said: “I think we know the team. Jorginho’s obviously arrived since the last Premier League game, and I imagine he’ll certainly be involved at the weekend, he’ll be in the squad.

“He might well make his debut, but I imagine if he does, it will be from the bench.

“I’d be very very surprised if Jorginho goes straight into the starting XI. I imagine he will be on the bench, same as Kiwior and probably Trossard as well.

“So all three new January signings, I expect will probably start the game on the bench because if everyone’s fit and no one’s got any injuries we know about – and most importantly, Thomas Partey is okay to play in this one having gone off against Manchester City in the FA Cup – then I think we know what the team’s going to be.”

Necessary depth

Even if all three signings don’t start in the Premier League for the time being, all three could prove to be necessary and useful additions.

With Arsenal in the title race, every game is now crucial, and rotation may be key, particularly when the Europa League returns.

Kiwior and Jorginho can provide cover for Gabriel and Partey respectively, who are arguably two of Arsenal’s most important players, whilst Trossard can provide extra firepower from the bench, and extra competition for the entire front three.

Arsenal have been excellent as they fired their way to top spot, but there were question marks about their depth within the squad, particularly after their 0-0 draw with Newcastle where they were unable to make any attacking changes.

Trossard in particular, can provide a strong option off the bench when Arsenal are chasing a goal, as shown when he played an important part in their comeback victory against Manchester United on his debut for the club as a substitute.