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Aston Villa must ruthlessly sell Marvelous Nakamba in the upcoming transfer window amid Newcastle United’s reported interest in him.

What’s the story?

The £55k-a-week ace was linked with a potential exit back in the January transfer window earlier this year, with rumours that Galatasaray were keen on signing him after their initial interest the previous summer.

Now, Football Insider claim that the now money-rich Newcastle have set their sights on Nakamba, with strengthening their midfield one of their top priorities under their new owners.

The report adds that the Zimbabwe international’s energy and drive is something the Magpies are keen on, and that it is expected to take a fee in the region of £15m to prise him away from Villa Park.

He’s not good enough for Villa

While nobody can question Nakamba’s work ethic and energy, you do feel that Dean Smith could really do with an upgrade in that all-important anchor man role in midfield.

The Zimbabwean has never averaged more than two tackles and 1.5 interceptions per game in the Premier League in his time at Villa Park, while his start to the current campaign has been particularly below-par to say the least.

He’s averaged just 0.4 tackles and 0.4 interceptions per match, which to put into context, is considerably lower than even the likes of Anwar El Ghazi and Ashley Young respectively.

If Villa are to take that next step and really break into the top half of the table, let alone the European places given their indifferent start this season, signing a top-class holding midfielder should surely be on the agenda.

Nakamba has served them well up til now, but getting rid of him and bringing in a genuine upgrade on him could hold the key to ensuring Villa go up another level.

If Newcastle do come in with a £15m bid, then Nakamba’s time at Villa Park simply has to be up.

Meanwhile, Villa have been handed a transfer update on this winger…

A finance expert has now dropped an exciting Everton revelation involving Farhad Moshiri and the Bramley Moore stadium project.

The Lowdown: American interest

As per The Daily Mail, the Goodison Park faithful have now attracted interest from American bidders willing to pay £350m to buy them.

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Moshiri is looking for outside investment to help fund the Bramley Moore project, after investing more than £500m in the Merseyside club since his arrival.

The Latest: Maguire reacts

Speaking to Football Insider, finance expert Kieran Maguire has now given his reaction to the reported interest, revealing that Moshiri thinks that the Bramley Moore project will ‘turn things around financially’:

“If the £350m means Moshiri writing off his debt then they would be getting it at a discount.

“Moshiri effectively bought them for £175m. Since then, he has added to the club by lending it large sums of money.

“He would end up having to take cut in terms of the total he has invested into Everton. A lot will depend on how he feels on a long-term basis.

“The noises I’ve heard from Everton are that he is committed and believes the Bramley Moore project will turn things around financially.

“That will coincide with things improving on the pitch as well because the more resources you have coming in, the more you can spend on new signings.

“As far as new owners would be concerned, they’d have to fund the stadium. So, it’s £350m plus the £400m to £500m that the stadium is going to cost.“

The Verdict: Exciting

Given the concern for the Toffees in terms of the losses recorded in their financial accounts, the fact that the Bramley Moore project could ‘turn things around financially’ is certainly exciting.

Of course, new investment would help with that, whether that is Moshiri continuing to show his commitment or the American businessmen coming in.

The stadium is going to cost a lot of money in itself, but the Blues would hope that the money generated from its initial construction would surpass that, and so they could find themselves in a better financial position, while the supporters get to enjoy the new stadium.

Nonetheless, the club need a boost after what has happened to them on the pitch this season, and the new stadium should go some way in providing that.

In other news, find out which ‘real leader’ has now emerged as an EFC target here!

West Ham United are set to launch a bid for Adam Hlozek this winter transfer window as they look to finally end their long search for a new striker…

What’s the word?

That’s according to trustworthy Irons insider ExWHUemployee, who delivered a fresh update on their pursuit of the Sparta Prague forward to his ‘The West Ham Way’ podcast this week.

“We have held an interest in the Czech Sparta Prague forward Adam Hlozek for some time, as previously reported by Ex. However, this has ramped up significantly in recent weeks.

“With Kretinsky now on board and being Chairman of Sparta Prague, we are very much set to place a concrete offer for his services this January.”

It remains to be seen how much the 19-year-old sensation would command, with Transfermarkt currently valuing him at just £15.3m.

Two years and counting

By the time January swings around, it will have been two years since manager David Moyes sanctioned the departure of Sebastien Haller to Ajax. Surprisingly, in that time, he is still yet to be replaced, meaning the Scot only has one senior centre-forward in Michail Antonio.

And the 31-year-old has dealt with numerous injuries over the last few seasons, so if that trend continues, it’ll leave the Hammers light up top. The likes of winger Jarrod Bowen and outcast Andriy Yarmolenko have had to cover for him whenever absent.

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Hlozek’s versatility in being able to play wide or upfront, as well as his undoubted potential as a teenager, makes him a very solid candidate to provide that perfect foil to the Irons talisman.

Despite his age, he has already racked up over 100 appearances for the Czech giants, whilst last season alone, he provided 15 goals and 11 assists in just 19 league appearances, that form that has continued into the current campaign as he’s delivered four goals and seven assists, per Transfermarkt.

The young dynamo has been dubbed an “extraordinary talent” by his agent Pavel Paska, who also has Tomas Soucek on his books.

All in all, fans around the London Stadium could be hugely excited by this latest claim from one of the most reliable sources when it comes to West Ham.

The fact that the club are prepared to launch a concrete offer for such a hugely promising talent is massively encouraging and it should have supporters buzzing that a major problem could soon be fixed, as early as next month.

AND in other news, Forget Antonio: West Ham disaster who lost ball every 2.5 touches badly failed Moyes…

With Newcastle United’s new owners still searching to appoint a director of football after having Michael Emenalo reportedly turn down an offer from the club, the latest name on their list is apparently Dan Ashworth, who is currently working as Brighton & Hove Albion’s technical director.

Earlier this week, Sky Sports confirmed that Ashworth is of interest for the director’s role at Newcastle, claiming that the Tyneside club have granted permission to speak to the 50-year-old about the position.

Speaking to GIVEMESPORT about the current situation, journalist Keith Downie had this to say on the matter.

He said: “They’re trying to keep their cards close to their chest. I spoke to the consortium yesterday who said they were giving no comment on the Dan Ashworth story.”

Although this update doesn’t reveal much, it should nonetheless be a positive for the Newcastle fans who will no doubt be thrilled after the club’s very public move to hire Unai Emery as Steve Bruce’s successor before appointing Eddie Howe collapsed at the last minute.

Thus, making a more measured and low-key approach to hiring a director of football such as Ashworth would potentially be more beneficial for the club as a whole.

After hiring former Celtic and Reading director Nick Hammond on a short-term deal as a transfer consultant, if Newcastle were able to appoint a full-time director of football before the January transfer window closes, this would surely give the club a big boost in terms of finalising shrewd deals to strengthen Howe’s squad.

Given how Newcastle have only managed to win one of their 18 Premier League games so far this season, drawing seven and losing 10, conceding a total of 41 goals in the process, it’s safe to say Newcastle could do with adding some quality players to their squad as soon as possible, particularly in the defensive areas if they’re going to have any chance of avoiding relegation and having to spend a season in the Championship next year.

If Newcastle don’t end up securing the appointment of Ashworth or any other potential director before the end of January, the pressure will be on the likes of Hammond to do all he can to bring the right players in that he can as well as pressure being on Howe to keep the team in the Premier League.

Unlike their chase of Emery, however, they are at least doing things in the right fashion now. This is a steep learning curve for Amanda Staveley and co but they have clearly taken previous lessons into account. This should leave supporters seeking a brighter future for the football club absolutely thrilled.

In other news: Hammond could save NUFC’s season with “colossal” £24k-p/w beast, “nothing fazes him” – opinion

Former Everton manager Rafael Benitez believes ‘some players are scared’ of the club’s fans, The Athletic’s Gregg O’Keeffe has reported.

The lowdown

The Spaniard was sacked at the weekend following Everton’s 2-1 defeat at Norwich City, who are in the Premier League relegation zone.

The former Liverpool boss, who was only appointed at Goodison Park in July, oversaw just 22 games – seven wins (32%), four draws and 11 defeats.

Since they beat Burnley 3-1 in their fourth game of the season, Everton are bottom of the Premier League form table with only nine points from a possible 45 in that time (via Transfermarkt).

The latest

As per The Athletic, O’Keeffe wrote that, in Benitez’s eyes, some members of the team ‘buckle under the expectations of the fanbase’. The journalist added in a tweet accompanying that article that “Benitez felt Moshiri listened too much to agents”.

The Spaniard is said to be surprised by the timing of his dismissal, which came ‘just days’ after he was backed in his decision to sell Lucas Digne to Aston Villa.

The verdict

It was clear that Benitez’s tenure couldn’t go on. During Saturday’s defeat at Carrow Road, an incensed Everton supporter even tried to run across the pitch to confront him in the dugout

However, prior to last weekend, he seemed to have Moshiri’s full support. The Iranian had just last month claimed that Everton’s struggles were ‘largely’ down to injuries and insisted that Benitez would be supported in the transfer market.

Whoever’s to blame for things unravelling, the Toffees find themselves looking for a seventh different manager in less than six years. That suggests that there are some deep-rooted issues to be resolved at Goodison Park.

In other news, many fans flock to reports that a club legend could return to Everton

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Swansea City are currently in talks with Lille over Leroy Fer, as covered by Sky Sports and BBC Sport.

Fer, 29, has been impressive for Swansea this season, having stayed with the club following their relegation from the Premier League last term.

The midfielder’s contract will expire at the end of this season, however, and the above sources have claimed that Lille could sign him before the end of the week.

Who are the best away fans in the Championship? Pl>ymaker FC’s Thogden gives his top 10 in the video below…

There is absolutely no question that his exit at this stage would be a blow.

And the Swansea fans have been on social media urging their club to keep hold of the Netherlands international.

Indeed, Swansea are only six points off the playoff positions in the Championship.

If the Welsh outfit are to challenge for the top six this term then surely they need to keep hold of their captain beyond the end of the January window.

A selection of the Twitter reaction from the Swansea fans can be seen below:

Pundit Paul Robinson has been reacting to Tottenham’s interest in Wolves winger Adama Traore, Football Insider report.

The Lowdown: Long-term target

Traore has been on Tottenham’s radar for some time now, with the club coming close to landing the speedster over the summer.

That was when Nuno Espirito Santo was in charge, but, as we know, a move never materialised, with Wolves cancelling a summer deal.

Since then, Traore has continued to struggle in the final third at Molineux and is still awaiting his first goal contribution of 2021/22. As a result, it appears as if Antonio Conte has fresh plans for the 25-year-old, similar to what he did with Victor Moses at Chelsea.

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The Latest: Robinson reacts to update

According to The Athletic, Conte and Fabio Paratici are still keen on Traore and would look to turn him into a right wing-back in north London, with journalist Sami Mokbel also reporting a £20m move is in the works.

Robinson, who features on Sky Sports, was talking to Football Insider regarding Traore. This is what he had to say to the update, labelling the Wolves man as ‘devastating’ and a ‘great addition’ for any side, however, he had his reservations regarding the Spaniard as a right wing-back.

“If Wolves are going to cash in on him it’s going to be soon because he is not going to sign another contract. He has been touted about heavily in recent windows.

“I cannot see him playing as a right wing-back in that system for Spurs. Defensively, I don’t think he gives Conte enough.

“Going forward he is devastating. He is a player I admire and that I like but as a winger, not a wing-back.

“He would be a great addition to any side but I don’t think he’s got the defensive capabilities to play on the right-hand side of a back five.

“I see him as part of a front three and Spurs have a lot of options in that area. I don’t think Spurs need him.”

The Verdict: Moses 2.0?

Moses heaped praise on Conte for the influence he had on his career, with the Nigerian playing a key role as the Blues won the Premier League in the Italian’s first season at Stamford Bridge.

And it now seems as if Traore’s career could turn around by moving to Spurs. The right-winger has scored just 10 times in 151 appearances for Wolves, so moving back into a deeper wing-back role could actually benefit him in the long run.

He’s got the athletic attributes and directness already, and was even labelled as ‘unplayable’ back in 2020 by Jurgen Klopp, while Pep Guardiola felt that no one can ‘handle’ his speed.

Conte clearly has a highly-rated target who he feels he can make better, and should he replicate what he did with Moses with Traore, it could be a frightening prospect.

In other news: Spurs now take next steps to sign ‘one of the best’ from PL rivals; Conte personally wants him. 

Wolves could reportedly face competition from Serie A giants AC Milan for the signing of Lille and Portugal midfielder Renato Sanches.

The Lowdown: Wolves linked with Sanches move

The Portugal international was linked with a move to Elland Road earlier in the year but a transfer failed to come to fruition.

Instead, Sanches stayed put at reigning Ligue 1 champions Lille, where he has made five Ligue 1 appearances so far this season, starting three times.

The £27million-rated midfielder’s current deal expires in 2023 and it could be that Lille look to receive a fee for him before he can leave for free.

The Latest: New rumour emerges

A fresh update has now emerged regarding Sanches’ future, with Calciomercato confirming Wolves’ interest but also mentioning Milan as potential suitors.

He has been compared (Bundesliga – official) to Netherlands legend Clarence Seedorf in the past, which highlights his potential as an all-action midfield general.

The Verdict: A risk worth taking?

Sanches’ talent is undeniable – he was superb at Euro 2020 for Portugal, for example, completing 91.6% of his passes – but the one main question mark against him is injuries.

The Portuguese has been plagued by fitness issues throughout his career and he was limited to just 14 league starts for Lille in their title-winning season.

Wolves could be wise to take a punt on Sanches, given his ability, but they would do it knowing that there is a risk element behind it.

In other news, some Wolves fans are fuming after a revelation emerged regarding one player. Read more here.

Newcastle United will be looking to end their run of two straight defeats in the Premier League as they face Tottenham today.

The Magpies lost 1-0 to both Chelsea and Everton away from home in their last two top-flight outings prior to the international break and now face the prospect of a third successive loss.

They were beaten by an Alex Iwobi goal last time out as they struggled at Goodison Park in a game marred by a pitch invader locking himself to a goal post.

How many changes will Howe make to his team from that clash? Here is our predicted XI…

Martin Dubravka; Javier Manquillo, Fabian Schar, Dan Burn, Matt Targett; Jonjo Shelvey, Bruno Guimaraes, Joelinton; Ryan Fraser, Chris Wood, Allan Saint-Maximin (4-3-3)

We are predicting that the head coach will make three alterations to the side, with Shelvey, Manquillo and Saint-Maximin all coming back in.

Starting off in the defence, Emil Krafth may find himself on the bench in favour of his Spanish colleague. The Sweden international has been a lightweight throughout the campaign, losing 53% of his duels and 63% of his aerial battles, and could be exposed against the talent of Heung-Min Son.

Whilst Manquillo has not been sensational in the Premier League, he has won a solid 64% of his overall duels in the top-flight – winning 59% of his aerial battles. This suggests that he is the stronger option, defensively, out of the two and that is why he may start at right-back.

In midfield, Joe Willock could be axed in favour of Shelvey. Matt Ritchie previously dubbed the ex-Liverpool man as “unbelievable” and his form in the Premier League this season for the Magpies has justified his praise. The gem has averaged a SofaScore rating of 6.91 throughout the campaign, showing that he has consistently delivered on the pitch.

Willock, who Freddie Ljungberg previously dubbed as “passive”, has averaged an underwhelming score of 6.73. As per SofaScore, the dud was dribbled past twice, failed to complete any of his attempted dribbles and completed 68% of his passes in the 1-0 defeat to Everton, which is why he may now find himself on the bench.

Finally, we are predicting that French forward Saint-Maximin will take up Miguel Almiron’s place. FFC published an article explaining why he should start and he should come in for the Paraguay international.

The ex-MLS star has been nowhere near good enough for the Toon this season. In 22 Premier League appearances, he has failed to produce a single goal or assist whilst averaging a dismal SofaScore rating of 6.60, which is why he should be dropped to the bench in favour of the former Nice man.

AND in other news, Howe must finally unleash “breathtaking” £93k-p/w Newcastle gem, he’s what they need…

Liverpool are set to complete the signing of highly-rated Celtic midfielder Ben Doak, according to Football Insider.

What’s the story?

According to their sources, now that the Reds have agreed the signing of Fulham’s Fabio Carvalho, they are close to agreeing on a deal for the Celtic teenager who has already been pictured holding a Liverpool shirt.

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The 16-year old is set to sign an initial three-year deal with Liverpool paying around £600k in compensation to the Scottish club. It’s understood that to begin with he will play for the club’s development side.

More exciting than Carvalho

Fabio Carvalho has lit up the Championship this season, with 14 goal contributions in 29 appearances, so we know an awful lot about how good he is.

However, the fact we know less about Doak, and that Liverpool are signing the youngster for such a fee for his age, makes this one more exciting and intriguing.

He has already made two senior appearances for the Hoops, one of which was as a late substitute in an Old Firm game which shows just how highly thought of he is in Scotland.

Where he has excelled is at youth level for his country. Doak has made six appearances for Scotland U17’s scoring four times, which included a hat-trick in a 6-1 rout against Georgia last month.

He’s been described in glowing terms as a “generational” talent by Bhoys Analytics and will be looking to the likes of his fellow countryman Andy Robertson when judging how successful a move to Anfield can be.

Doak rejected a professional contract from Celtic to move south of the border and sign for Jurgen Klopp’s side. Whilst this may seem like a bold decision, it’s not every day that you get offered the chance to sign for one of the best teams in Europe.

He is a wide player with the ability to play on the wing and in the full-back position, adding a further string to his bow, with Hoops manager Ange Postecoglou describing him as a “fantastic kid” who is “composed” for his age.

It was reported by The Athletic that Leeds were also interested in signing the teenager but Liverpool managed to seal the deal first.

Overall it’s an extremely exciting signing, he may not feature in the first team straight away but with a lot of clubs interested, he must be special. We’ll definitely be keeping an eye on how he progresses through a Liverpool set-up that is known for developing great players.

IN other news: Fewer touches than Alisson: Liverpool gem who won just 16.6% duels let his side down