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A claim has emerged on Newcastle United and their plans to strengthen their squad in the summer transfer window…

What’s the latest on Marcus Thuram to Newcastle?

According to Spanish outlet Sport, the Magpies are one of a number of teams interested in signing Borussia Monchengladbach centre-forward Marcus Thuram as Eddie Howe eyes up a possible summer swoop.

The report claims that the Bundesliga outfit appear to have already given up any hope they had of securing a new contract for the French international, whose deal is due to expire at the end of the campaign.

His potential availability as a free agent in the summer has alerted a number of clubs, including the likes of Barcelona, Aston Villa, Chelsea, and Arsenal, alongside Newcastle.

Is Thuram a good successor to Callum Wilson?

The Magpies could now land the long-term heir to Callum Wilson’s place in the squad by signing the £54k-per-week marksman on a free transfer.

In the Premier League this season, the current Toon forward has provided seven goals and three assists in 14 starts for Howe’s side and has been a reliable option at the top end of the pitch.

However, the England international turns 31 later this month and has missed 32 competitive matches, through injury or illness, since the start of last term.

This suggests that Newcastle may want to start thinking about what life will look like past the ex-Bournemouth man’s time at the club and Thuram could come in as the heir to his throne – to compete for a place in the side with Alexander Isak.

The French international, who was once described as “clinical” by journalist Raj Chohan, has been on fire in the Bundesliga this season with ten goals and three assists in 18 appearances – averaging a Sofascore rating of 7.09.

Gladbach’s centre-forward also ranks in the top 12% of strikers in Europe’s top five leagues over the last 365 days for non-penalty xG, whilst Wilson is also in the top 12%, and this shows that the 25-year-old gets into superb positions to accrue high-value chances based on xG.

These statistics show that the marksman, who assisted two goals in five substitute appearances at the World Cup, has the quality to be a regular, consistent, goalscorer in a major European league.

He has not proven himself in the Premier League, yet, but his exceptional form for Gladbach in Germany indicates that the forward has the potential to be an excellent addition to Newcastle’s attacking ranks.

At the age of 25, Thuram is also five years younger than Wilson and could offer more to the club in the long term as a player Howe can work with on the training pitch to develop over the course of a number of seasons.

Therefore, sporting director Dan Ashworth and the Toon head coach could land the eventual heir to the English striker by snapping the Frenchman up on a free transfer in the summer.

West Brom have ‘jumped to the front of the queue’ to sign Nottingham Forest midfielder Lewis O’Brien, according to reliable journalist Elias Burke.

The Lowdown: Baggies linked with O’Brien move

The Baggies are seemingly still looking to complete some late transfer business in January in order to boost their promotion push in the Championship this season.

One player who has been linked with a move to West Brom is O’Brien, who has struggled to make an impact at Forest this season, starting just six Premier League games.

Now, a new update suggests that Carlos Corberan could get a deal over the line for the 24-year-old this month.

The Latest: Favourites to sign him

According to The Athletic‘s Burke, West Brom are now seen as the front-runners to sign O’Brien before deadline day ends on Tuesday.

They are believed to be ‘in talks’ with the player over the transfer happening, even though Forest manager Steve Cooper has ‘played down’ his departure.

The Verdict: Would be a great signing

O’Brien could prove to be a really astute signing by West Brom in January, bolstering their midfield options at a critical point in the season, as they look to battle their way into the playoff places.

The former Huddersfield Town man has made 123 appearances in the Championship, so he knows the division well, and he was described as ‘exceptional’ by Corberan during their time together with the Terriers.

The fact that the Baggies boss knows O’Brien so well as a player is another key reason for signing him and it is hard to see him being anything other than a success, having averaged 2.1 tackles and dribbles apiece in the league for Huddersfield last season, showing quality on both sides of the ball.

Granted, O’Brien hasn’t yet done it in the Premier League but he is still a young player who could excel alongside Okay Yokuslu, combining a cultured left foot on the ball with tenacity off it.

Arsenal have had a lot to worry about at the World Cup in Qatar…

Back in England, the Gunners top the Premier League standings after an emphatic first half to the 2022/23 campaign and as a result, several of their star players were called up to their respective national teams for the biggest tournament they’ll ever play in.

What’s the latest?

The likes of Granit Xhaka, Thomas Partey, Matt Turner and Bukayo Saka have all started games but not everything has gone to plan. In Brazil’s recent outing, Gabriel Jesus was struck with an injury that has ended his time in the Middle East.

However, after this devastating blow, Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has been handed some encouraging news – according to injury expert Ben Dinnery, Takehiro Tomiyasu should be close to full fitness after his recent setback.

“He returned from his own problematic hamstring injury – he is yet to start a game. In his first appearance of the World Cup, he tweaked that hamstring,” he told Premier FPL Injuries YouTube channel.

“We’re hoping – fingers crossed – that he managed to come through last night’s games without any kind of reaction or setback.

“If he can get some good minutes under his belt and come through that unscathed, then that will be a positive for Mikel Arteta for when the domestic season resumes again, because we know he came into that tournament, again, after another heavily disrupted spell on the sidelines.”

Arteta delight

Indeed, the versatile Japan star has struggled for regular minutes this term, featuring in just 770 minutes of action across 17 appearances in the Premier League and Europa League, of which just eight have been starts, via Transfermarkt.

It’s not the first time that the right-back has suffered from injuries as he also missed time during his maiden Gunners season with a calf problem.

However, whenever he has been fit and available, he’s been one of the standout and most consistent performers under the Spaniard; particularly impressing with his ability to play on the right, in the middle and on the left of the backline.

When compared to his positional peers across Europe over the last year, Tomiyasu ranks inside the top 3% for aerial duels won (2.05), the top 10% for interceptions (1.63) and the top 17% for progressive passes (3.98), pass completion (84%) and clearances (2.65) per 90, via FBref.

That level of consistency saw him rank as Arteta’s fifth-best performer in the Premier League last campaign, whilst only two other defenders have a better average WhoScored rating in the Europa League this term.

Once described as a “warrior” by former teammate Mitchell Dijks, this update on Tomiyasu will surely leave Arteta delighted after the worrying news to Jesus. Perhaps the Gunners will be able to return to domestic action with a near fully-fit squad, barring the likely absence of the Brazilian frontman.

AND in other news, Imagine him & Partey: Edu eyes Arsenal raid for the World Cup’s £15m “special talent”…

Newcastle United are likely using this current halt to proceedings to plot potential new recruits ahead of the upcoming January transfer window, with Eddie Howe’s side hoping to further enhance their chances of Champions League qualification with a handful of quality additions.

One area that may well be something of a “priority” – in the words of journalist Craig Hope – is the central midfield berth, with the Magpies arguably in need of more strength in depth to help ease the burden of Brazilian sensation, Bruno Guimaraes.

The Tynesiders could well find a potential solution to that problem in the form of Benfica starlet, Enzo Fernandez, with the 21-year-old currently showcasing his talent for Argentina at the World Cup in Qatar.

Reports earlier this month suggested that the playmaker had been a target for the St James’ Park outfit over the summer prior to his move to Lisbon, with the exciting talent having departed former club River Plate for an initial fee of around £8.6m.

Such has been the youngster’s early impact during his time in Portugal, recent reports have now claimed that the five-cap gem – who is also attracting interest from Manchester United – could now command a far higher price, with his release clause set to stand at around €120m (£103m).

That cost may well have been warranted such has been the player’s impact for the Primeira Liga outfit in the early months of the new campaign, having scored three goals and laid on five assists in all competitions thus far, after previously netting ten times and chipping in with seven assists in his homeland last term.

A truly dynamic midfield presence, Fernandez notably ranks in the top 1% for progressive passes, as per FBref, as well as in the top 1% for attempted passes as a marker of his desire to initiate attacks for his side.

That quality has now been replicated at international level as the 5 foot 10 sensation “announced himself on the world stage” – in the words of journalist Casey Evans – during his nation’s triumph over Mexico on Saturday evening, having scored a “ridiculous” goal to seal the win on the night, according to Alexandre Gangue-Ruzic.

The creative gem produced a stunning, curling finish late on to wrap up a vital three points for the South American nation, having more than made his mark off the bench to help bolster his side’s chances of progression.

Not only was it his goal that caught the eye, however, with the San Martin-born ace having showcased his all-round talent after entering the fray early in the second half, notably winning three of his five ground duels having helped give his side a ‘foothold’ in the game, according to the Evening Standard’s Nizaar Kinsella.

Such a showing has only further illustrated just why Howe and co were keeping tabs on his services previously, with it perhaps wise for Newcastle to firm up their interest in the New Year.

Leeds United shareholders, 49ers Enterprises, are readying a full takeover at Elland Road, according to The Times.

The Lowdown: Option to buy

The 49ers Enterprises currently hold a 44% stake in the Yorkshire outfit after Andrea Radrizzani initially sold them a 10% stake back in 2018.

A full takeover has been on the cards, though, with the 49ers having the option to take full control from the Italian in a deal worth in excess of £400m. The American giants have until January 2024 to exercise that agreement.

The Latest: Takeover update

Chief sports reporter for The Times, Martyn Ziegler, took to Twitter on Wednesday evening to provide a significant takeover update.

He said that the 49ers Enterprises are gearing up for a full Leeds takeover and ‘US banking sources say’ that investment is now in place after movement in recent weeks.

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The Verdict: Exciting

Some Leeds supporters would have been hoping for an update on a potential takeover, especially as there has been unrest with the current setup in recent weeks.

Time is ticking in regards to the 49ers exercising their agreement, but it looks as if there has been recent movement over buying out Radrizzani.

Leeds fans will be hoping that the American investors can take the club to the next level, and providing the Whites remain in the Premier League for the 2023/24 season, it seems as if they may enter a fourth successive top-flight campaign with new owners.

Manchester United have been boosted by the news that the injury suffered by Raphael Varane against Chelsea is less serious than originally feared.

The Lowdown: Varane forced off against Chelsea

The Red Devils battled their way to a 1-1 draw in west London in their Premier League clash on Saturday evening, with Casemiro’s last-gasp equaliser earning the visitors a point.

There was a worrying moment on the hour mark at Stamford Bridge, though, with Varane having to be replaced by Victor Lindelof because of a hamstring problem.

Given the nature of the injury, there was concern that the 29-year-old would be out for a significant period, but a fresh update suggests otherwise.

The Latest: Varane injury boost

Taking to Twitter, injury analyst Ben Dinnery relayed the news that Varane’s problem isn’t a serious one.

He outlined:

“Reports from France suggest the hamstring injury suffered by Raphael Varane was ‘less serious than feared’ after the United centre-back was forced off during Saturday’s game at Stamford Bridge.”

The Verdict: Huge positive for United

This is an enormous boost for United, with Varane so far being a regular first-choice pick under Erik ten Hag at Old Trafford and being hailed as ‘magnificent’ by Mark Goldbridge last year.

These reports that he should only be missing for a short period of time, if indeed at all, will come as a great relief to him and the Red Devils, and he is going to be such a key figure in the  top-four battle.

Boasting a formidable CV at both club and international level, Varane has shown his worth to United this term by ranking among their top three players for both clearances and successful aerial duels per game, and his blossoming partnership with Lisandro Martinez has the makings of being a strong one for a few years.

Crystal Palace will be looking to build on their impressive 2-1 win over Leeds United last weekend when they travel to the King Power Stadium to take on Leicester City on Saturday.

Patrick Vieira’s side put some important distance between themselves and the bottom three with a second win of the season last weekend and will be targeting another three points against the struggling Foxes.

Leicester sit rock bottom after winning just once in the top flight so far this season, with Brendan Rodgers under pressure after seeing his side lose 2-1 against Bournemouth last time out.

Here is how Football FanCast expects Vieira to line his side up against Leicester, with two changes from the side which started against Leeds last time out.

Vicente Guaita looks likely to keep his place in goal for the time being, although Sam Johnstone will surely be pushing hard to establish himself as number one at Selhurst Park.

There is one change in defence, as Tyrick Mitchell returns in place of Jeffrey Schlupp. The youngster is more defensive-minded than his Ghanaian teammate, who Roy Hodgson described as “incredible” during his time with the Eagles.

Marc Guehi and Joachim Andersen continue their partnership at the heart of defence, while Nathaniel Clyne’s injury means that Joel Ward is likely to start again at right-back.

After impressive performances from all three last weekend, Vieira looks likely to select the same midfield trio, with Eberechi Eze and Michael Olise looking promising in their deeper roles alongside Cheick Doucoure.

There is one change in attack, as Vieira can look to take advantage of Leicester’s defensive vulnerabilities by starting Jean-Philippe Mateta ahead of Jordan Ayew.

The Foxes have shipped five goals from set-piece situations so far this season and Mateta’s physicality makes him a preferable option to Ayew on this occasion, while he can alternate with Odsonne Edouard and Wilfried Zaha in Palace’s front three on Saturday.

Rangers have certainly had a chequered recruitment record in recent years, although one Ibrox addition that has proven a real masterstroke is that of Ryan Kent, with the flying winger having gone on to become a crucial figure for the Old Firm outfit.

The former Liverpool youth product had been signed on an initial loan deal from Anfield by then-Gers boss Steven Gerrard in 2018, with the former England international subsequently sanctioning a £7m permanent swoop for the player the following summer.

While the Oldham-born ace has gone on to sparkle for the Glasgow side, not everyone had seemingly seen the wisdom in securing the deal at the time, with pundit – and ex-Celtic striker – Chris Sutton voicing his scepticism regarding the switch.

The one-time Chelsea flop suggested the capture of the Englishman on that £7m deal was a result of Gerrard and co “panic buying”, with the move coming late in the day in the 2019 summer window following a defeat in the Old Firm derby.

In full, the pundit commented: “He’s rattled, they’re panic buying. Today, £7m!

“How many wingers have Rangers got? Thye signed Ojo, they signed Hastie, they signed Jones, I know Jones has an injury. They’ve got Arfield, Aribo.

“They are rattled, they are shaken by it all.”

Sutton then went on to suggest that Rangers supporters were somewhat ‘hysterical’ in hoping that the youngster would be the man to change their fortunes with regards to challenging for the title, amid their rivals’ ongoing dominance.

Kent has seemingly proved that assessment wrong, thus leaving the pundit extremely red-faced having gone on to play a pivotal role in the club’s Scottish Premiership triumph the following season, scoring 13 goals and registering 15 assists in all competitions in that glorious 2020/21 campaign.

The “sensational” asset – as dubbed by Gerrard – had scored eight goals and registered four assists in the 2019/20 campaign the year prior following that permanent swoop, having proven himself a real potent threat in the final third.

Now seemingly the Ibrox outfit’s “chief creator” – according to journalist Jordan Campbell – the £15.75m-rated ace notably laid on a staggering haul of 19 assists in all competitions last term, while he has begun the new campaign brightly with three assists so far.

Such has been his form in recent years, there has even been hefty interest in the winger from the Premier League, with both Leeds United and Aston Villa having been tipped to bring the player south of the border.

In truth, Kent has more than made Sutton eat his words over the past three years, with the £18k-per-week man having truly proven himself a real dynamic, attacking threat, both domestically and in Europe.

Wolves have joined the race to sign talented PSV Eindhoven winger Cody Gakpo before Thursday’s deadline, according to reports in the player’s homeland.

The Lowdown: Gakpo a wanted man

The 23-year-old has been linked with moves to various Premier League clubs in recent months, with Liverpool and Manchester United among those believed to be interested.

Gakpo has been one of PSV’s most influential players in recent years, scoring 12 goals and registering 13 assists in the Eredivisie last season, labelled as ‘incredible’ and ‘fantastic’ by football talent scout Jacek Kulig.

With Wolves looking for attacking reinforcements by the end of deadline day on Thursday, it looks as though they are in the mix to snap up the Dutchman.

The Latest: Wolves keen on winger

According to Einhovens Dagblad [via Molineux News], Wanderers have been eyeing up a move for Gakpo for a number of weeks and he is happy to leave PSV this summer if the ‘whole picture is right’ for him.

The winger’s current deal doesn’t expire until 2026, however, and his current club are expected to demand €50million (£43m) for his services.

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The Verdict: Statement of intent

Gakpo is a hugely exciting prospect who has already matured into a formidable attacking player, so Wolves’ rumoured interest is extremely encouraging.

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Admittedly, it could mean that Pedro Neto is set to leave Molineux in the coming days, but ideally, one of them on either wing would make Wanderers so much more of a threat in the final third. It could also be that he is seen as a replacement for Hwang Hee-chan instead, which makes more sense given the January arrival’s links to Leeds.

Gakpo’s aforementioned end product last season speaks for itself and there is no reason why his speed and unpredictability out wide can’t be similarly influential in the Premier League, with the Dutchman also hoping to star for the Netherlands at the upcoming World Cup.

Celtic are set to complete the signing of Rubin Kazan winger Sead Haksabanovic in the next 48 hours, according to Sky Sports journalist Anthony Joseph.

The Lowdown: Haksabanovic deal agreed

The Montenegro international has been a long-term target of the Hoops, having missed out on him last year before he made his big-money move to the Russian First League.

However, due to the ongoing invasion of Ukraine, the Scottish Premiership side have another chance to seal a move, with a fee allegedly already agreed upon.

The 23-year-old has already been in Glasgow for the past few days to finalise his transfer, with Ange Postecoglou admitting last weekend that the contract was ‘getting close’.

The Latest: Celtic set to announce Haksabanovic

Taking to Twitter, Joseph revealed that Haksabanovic is likely to be unveiled as a new Celtic player before Dundee United.

Asked by a fan whether there was any news on the deal, he wrote:

“All but done. Should be completed this week.”

The Verdict: Star in the making

The Bhoys have already made seven new signings this summer and it looks like that number is about to become eight with Haksabanovic, and what a fantastic addition he will be.

The Sweden-born talent is naturally a left-sided player, having recorded an outstanding 40 goal contributions in just 56 appearances down that flank, but offers plenty of versatility and can play on either wing, as well as anywhere in midfield and as a second striker.

Haksabanovic is at that age where he’ll have a point to prove, and having Postecoglou as his manager will only allow him to flourish and fulfil his potential at Celtic Park for many years to come.