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Aston Villa are seemingly eyeing a January swoop for Borussia Mönchengladbach striker Marcus Thuram, according to recent reports.

What’s the latest?

As per Sky Sports Germany (via Sport Witness), the Midlands outfit are reportedly ready to move for the Frenchman in the coming window after news that the German club are faltering financially.

With the 25-year-old’s contract due to expire in the summer, this represents the final opportunity to garner a fee for their star man, who was reportedly available for €40m (£35m) in the summer of 2021. This fee will surely have diminished now given their ever-worsening financial situation.

With clubs such as Arsenal and Crystal Palace also named as interested parties, Unai Emery will want to act quickly to secure this signing which would prove a sensational coup.

Emery’s new Martinelli

Whilst manager of the Gunners, the Spaniard was involved in plenty of transfers which have gone on to earn success at the Emirates.

One such name who could draw comparisons to this ongoing deal for the Villans is Gabriel Martinelli, who similarly to Thuram, can feature on both the left wing and up front.

The Brazilian youngster seems to now have grown into the player Emery clearly thought he could become, with five goals and two assists already this season.

Both boasting blistering speed and quick feet, Martinelli ranks in the top 18% and Thuram in the top 8% respectively for dribbles completed of attacking midfielders and wingers in Europe’s big five leagues over the last 365 days.

However, what they more importantly share is a keen eye for goal, despite the French forward appearing to be more of a finished article than the 21-year-old was when he brought first arrived in north London.

This is exemplified by his sensational start to the Bundesliga season, where he has already scored 13 goals and registered four assists in 17 games in all competitions.

Not only is he clearly more proficient than Martinelli, but physically he is near-unstoppable. The Parma-born marksman pairs his pace with a 6 foot 3 frame, with French coach Herve Renard seeing fit to label him a “physical monster”.

To tempt him to Villa Park would mark a sensational piece of business, and talent as “phenomenal” as he is – as dubbed by former teammate Denis Zakaria – are sure to take the club to the next level.

They must pounce on this opportunity, as few as lucrative as this will appear again for a long time.

Tottenham Hotspur are interested in a deal to bring Dennis Cirkin back to north London in the January transfer window.

What’s the talk?

That’s according to a report by The Sun, who claim that, despite having sold the left-back to Sunderland as recently as the summer of 2021, Fabio Paratici is now interested in activating a £6m clause to bring the 20-year-old back to north London.

The report goes on to state that Brentford are also tracking the England U20 international, as Thomas Frank believes the full-back could be a long-term replacement for Rico Henry – should the 25-year-old defender leave the Gtech Community Stadium.

Paratici can amend Nuno’s mistake

Considering just how highly rated Cirkin was at Tottenham prior to his sale under the management of Nuno Espirito Santo last year – with Jose Mourinho stating his belief that the 20-year-old was a “kid with a lot of quality” during his time in charge at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium – it is not difficult to see why Paratici would be keen to bring the left-back home.

Indeed, the £1.8m-rated defender highly impressed over his 37 League One appearances in 2021/22, helping his side keep nine clean sheets, providing two assists and creating two big chances, as well as making an average of 1.8 tackles, one interception, 2.5 clearances and winning 58% of his duels per game – playing a key role in the Black Cats’ promotion to the Championship.

The £3.4k-per-week talent has continued this fine form over his nine second-tier fixtures so far this season, having already scored one goal, registered one assist, created one big chance and helped his side keep two clean sheets, in addition to making an average of 1.6 interceptions, 1.4 tackles, 2.7 clearances and winning 5.8 duels – at a success rate of 56% – per game.

These returns have seen the player who Josh Bunting dubbed “immense” average an extremely impressive SofaScore match rating of 6.92, currently ranking him as Tony Mowbray’s ninth-best performer in the Championship – with the defender helping the ninth-placed Mackems get off to a fantastic start to life back in the second-tier.

As such, while it is true that Antonio Conte currently has the options of Ryan Sessegnon and Ivan Perisic at left-wing back, as well as Destiny Udogie joining the club at the end of the season after the completion of his loan spell at Udinese, it is nevertheless clear for all to see that Cirkin would be well worth bringing back to the club for a figure of just £6m.

Indeed, even if the England youth international would not go on to become a first-team regular under the 53-year-old Italian, should he continue his fine form in the Championship this season, Paratici would more than likely be able to move the full-back on for a considerably larger fee than £6m – something that would amend Nuno’s big mistake in moving Cirkin on.

Southampton’s academy has produced untold amounts of talent, many of which were siphoned off to bigger clubs.

It is almost like a circle of life now with how they continue to churn out stars only to have them poached, where they almost always go on to achieve bigger and better things.

One such example is Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, who did not go straight to Liverpool, but eventually made his way there as many from St Mary’s often do.

Sold for £15m to Arsenal in 2011, this marked a sensational fee for a 17-year-old.

However, the fact that he had ten goals and ten assists in 43 games for the Saints at that age suggested that he was truly destined for greatness.

Although many might argue he never properly fulfilled his star-bound potential, he achieved some pretty special feats across his career.

He scored 20 times in nearly 200 appearances for the Gunners, ending up with three FA Cups for his troubles.

It was not a sensational return but was certainly solid enough to denote the move as a success.

However, his transfer to Liverpool is what will really leave fans on the south coast somewhat regretting the decision all those years ago to sanction his departure.

The Reds forked out what seemed like an astronomical £35m fee for his services, and although injuries again halted his Anfield career, he has won nearly every trophy available to him now including a Premier League and Champions League.

Again a return of 17 goals and 15 assists is nothing special across 133 appearances, but his trophy cabinet is indicative of a fine player with the quality to contribute to all of these titles.

Journalist and avid Liverpool supporter Ben Webb predicted an “explosive” season for the 29-year-old back in 2019, just before they would go on to win their first league title since 1990.

He certainly was an explosive player, with his ability to pick the ball up and drive from midfield likely the reason he was so sought after.

Whilst he never seemed to recapture his form as a teenager at Southampton, his mere presence in these exceptional sides has meant that he will retire one day wholly satisfied with his extensive list of silverware.

He also featured 35 times for England, scoring seven times, including a famous goal at the Maracana against Brazil.

It is a shame he never did fulfil his touted potential, although for Saints fans it might have added insult to injury, as he has gone on to achieve insane amounts of triumph whilst his former club have been largely marooned in mid-table.

Celtic were left to reflect on what might have been on Wednesday evening, as the Parkhead outfit were held to a 1-1 draw with Shakhtar Donetsk in what was a lively Champions League group stage encounter.

Although Ange Postecoglou’s side were finally able to get a point on the board after having slipped to a 3-0 defeat at home to 14-time champions Real Madrid last week, the overriding feeling will have been one of frustration, with the Hoops once again coming up short in front of goal.

As was the case against Los Blancos, last night’s clash in Warsaw saw the Old Firm side spurn a number of clearcut chances to surge ahead, after the explosive Mykhaylo Mudryk had cancelled out an early own goal from Artem Bondarenko.

Both Daizen Maeda and Giorgos Giakoumakis inexplicably fired wide late on with the Glasgow side having firmly taken control of proceedings, as the ‘visitors’ were ultimately forced to settle for a point against the Ukrainian outfit.

The aftermath of that stalemate has seen skipper Callum McGregor criticised for his “terrible decision” to chase the ball in the build-up to Shakhtar’s equaliser – in the words of Chris Sutton – although one man who also somewhat underwhelmed was usual talisman, Jota.

While the Portuguese magician did offer a typically devastating threat off the flanks, the 23-year-old was arguably far more wasteful in possession than usual, notably squandering possession on 20 occasions in his 90-minute outing – the most of any player on the night.

Arguably the most “infuriating” element of his performance, however – according to journalist Sam Tabuteau – was the former Benfica man’s failure to “pull the trigger” despite having a clear sight on goal, having twice fashioned a brilliant opening for himself.

In two almost identical scenarios, the fleet-footed gem had majestically weaved his way into the opposition box, only to then belatedly decide to shoot after seemingly doing too much to try and deceive the opposition.

While it may be somewhat harsh to criticise a player who has sparkled for the Hoops to date – with 35 goal contributions in just 48 games thus far – the £6.75m-rated man appears to still have a way to go to truly become the finished article.

Tottenham Hotspur negotiations are ‘underway’ as they chase a late move for Chelsea winger Hakim Ziyech, according to reports.

The Lowdown: Spurs eye late move…

It’s been a summer to remember for Spurs supporters as their club make a plethora of signings and back manager Antonio Conte after his Champions League qualification last campaign.

The Premier League side have added Ivan Perisic, Fraser Forster, Yves Bissouma, Richarlison, Clement Lenglet, Djed Spence and Destiny Udogie to their squad whilst also completing the permanent signing of defender Cristian Romero recently.

As Deadline Day begins, they have one last chance to add another name or two to the squad and further strengthen Conte’s options, with news emerging on Ziyech.

The Latest: Ziyech negotiations begin…

Indeed, according to reports, it appears that the north Londoners have their sights on Chelsea’s international forward.

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Relevo claim that the Moroccan is attracting late interest from Fabio Paratici and co, with ‘negotiations underway’ to sign Ziyech before the deadline.

Tottenham are allegedly chasing a move for the 29-year-old, and ‘conditions with the player’  are ‘already on track’.

The Verdict: Get it done?

As Conte and Paratici seemingly chase a right-sided winger before the deadline, Ziyech could fit the bill.

The £100,000-per-week star, who has been called a ‘real handful’ on his day by former Leeds striker Noel Whelan, actually attempted Chelsea’s second highest rate of attempts at goal per 90 last season, with only Mason Mount managing a higher number (WhoScored).

Despite starting just 14 league games in 2021/22, he still chipped in with a respectable haul of four goals and three assists in the top flight (WhoScored).

It’s clear that Ziyech can pose a real threat when available and given the opportunity, leaving little surprise Spurs are eyeing a late move.

Wolves are reportedly interested in signing Chelsea’s Ethan Ampadu this summer, and the Wales international could be the ideal man to replace Conor Coady at Molineux.

What’s the word?

According to reports from Italy, a number of Serie A clubs are interested in taking the former Exeter City man on loan, while he has also attracted the interest of Wolves.

However, they suggest that Ampadu is keen on a permanent move away from Stamford Bridge as he seeks regular first-team football, which looks unlikely at Stamford Bridge following the signing of Kalidou Koulibaly and the potential addition of Wesley Fofana.

Ideal Coady heir?

Wolves made the somewhat surprising decision to loan out their captain to Premier League rivals Everton earlier this month, with Bruno Lage seemingly set to favour a four-at-the-back formation this season.

While Nathan Collins has arrived from Wolves, partnering Max Kilman in the heart of Lage’s defence, you could argue that more cover is needed in that position before the transfer window shuts.

Lage does have Willy Boly available too but the Ivorian’s form last season, when he was ranked as one of Wolves’ worst performers in the Premier League, suggests that he won’t be featuring too much this season.

The Portuguese boss also has young options in Yerson Mosquera and Toti, but neither have much Premier League experience, so Ampadu could definitely be a shrewd acquisition when you consider his experience and versatility.

The Welshman, despite being just 21, has been a regular in each of the last two seasons with Sheffield United and Venezia respectively, so will undoubtedly be looking for another season of first-team football.

Ampadu is also capable of playing in defensive midfield, which is where Coady started his career at Liverpool before adopting the centre-back role during his time at Molineux.

The Chelsea youngster, who was dubbed “versatile” by his Wales manager Rob Page, earned a lot of praise from Sheffield United boss Paul Heckingbottom during his time at Bramall Lane.

He said: “The biggest thing with Ethan is his application and his love of the game and his professionalism to be as good as he can be. That’s a real bonus of him if you like, and he’ll fulfil his potential, wherever that may be.

“He’s been used in a number of positions cos he’s got a good brain and he knows the roles. But he’s also keen to find a position that he can become a master in and that’s something I’ve encouraged with Ethan.

“It can be an attribute that you can fill all the gaps. But I think Ethan has aspirations to be a top player at the top teams and at international level, so I think to become a master in one position will help him with that.”

Considering Ampadu is still only young, he could definitely adjust to whatever role Lage wanted to utilise him in, and the Welshman could prove to be the ideal man to replace Coady in Wolves’ squad this summer.

Journalist Josh Bunting has shared his verdict on the news linking Sunderland with a double swoop for strikers Nathan Broadhead and Troy Parrott.

The Lowdown: Need a striker

The Black Cats’ lack of options up front were highlighted on Tuesday night as Ross Stewart was rested for the 2-0 defeat pre-season to Bradford City.

Speaking after the game, Sunderland manager Alex Neil said: “I’m naturally concerned by the fact that we’ve currently got one centre-forward in the building.

“There is a lot of work going on behind the scenes to try to make sure we remedy that. That situation hasn’t changed over the last few weeks.

“I don’t want to do my business on the last day in August – I want to get my business done as quickly as possible. But as I say, the simple fact, unfortunately for us, is that we’re not on control of that.”

The Latest: Bunting’s verdict

According to The Shields Gazette, two forwards that Sunderland have been monitoring are Everton’s Broadhead and Tottenham’s Parrott.

Weighing in on the Wearside club’s striker rumours, Bunting took to Twitter to share his verdict.

The Sunderland-supporting journalist claimed: “If we get Nathan Broadhead I think we need Troy Parrott as well, adds that competition up front and doesn’t only do that it will be key for squad rotation. Really hope we do manage to get both in the door, Parrott is very intelligent with his link up play so that will be key #SAFC”

The Verdict: They’d be good signings

With just one forward remaining at the Stadium of Light, it is imperative that Sunderland bring in at least one extra body to add depth up top this summer.

With the greater physicality and higher standard of the Championship, Neil should be doing all that he can to bring in a couple of additions to the final third.

The likes of Broadhead and Parrott would add two talented youngsters, who have been receiving Premier League-level training on a daily basis, to the Black Cats’ squad. They could use the opportunity to show their parent clubs what they can do when playing first-team football, while for Sunderland they would provide alternative attacking outlets for tactical selections.

Whether these arrivals join on permanent contracts or loan deals is irrelevant; the focus is on securing new strikers ahead of the 2022/23 season at the Stadium of Light.

Crystal Palace look to be closing in on Swansea’s young midfielder Flynn Downes.

What’s the word?

That’s according to Football.London, who notes that Patrick Vieira seems to have beaten out the competition to secure his signature.

Both Wolves and Southampton are referenced as potential suitors, but Palace was the only option.

They had tried to sign him back when he played for Ipswich, noting their long-time interest in the player. Swansea are reportedly demanding £12m for the player.

Vieira will love him

Vieira appears to be crafting quite the versatile midfield, having already secured the signing of Cheick Doucoure, and constantly linked to several other midfielders all with different profiles.

However, with Downes, he is guaranteed a workmanlike midfielder who can graft alongside another of his new signings.

One benefit to signing this Swansea youngster is his reliability, as he featured in 37 Championship games last season. Despite being more of a ball-winning midfielder, he still managed to chip in with a goal and two assists.

This led to his solid SofaScore rating of 6.83, which given the context of his long season and Swansea’s sub-par 15th placed finish, is not bad at all.

Both fans and manager alike have been quick to praise his intelligence and hard work, with Russell Martin claiming: “Flynn was incredible, it’s difficult to single people out, but he does the dirty work perfectly well”, after a man of the match display early in the season.

This dirty work and his overall play is best exemplified in his defensive actions, where he averages 1.3 tackles, 1.1 interceptions and 1.1 clearances per game.

Downes is everywhere on the pitch, and in his quest to cover every blade of grass he loves to get stuck into opposition attackers.

With him, Vieira can further bolster his options as the new Premier League season draws near.

After what was a surprisingly impressive season last year, the French boss will want to continue moving forward, and signing young hungry Championship talent is a move proven to work for this club.

He will love it if they can tie down the midfielder and have a repeat of their previous successes.

AND, in other news: Vieira can unearth his next Gallagher as Palace plot bid for “sensational” £20m talent.

Rangers could potentially have the edge in the race to bring a young striker to Ibrox this summer according to one journalist.

What’s the word?

Speaking to GIVEMESPORT, Pete O’Rourke suggested that there is hope Giovanni van Bronckhorst can bring Cameron Archer to Rangers this summer.

The respected insider hinted that the Ibrox side’s connection with Aston Villa boss Steven Gerrard could aid them in their bid to sign the 20-year-old, should the Midlands outfit sanction a departure this summer.

Amid reports linking the Old Firm giants with the striker, O’Rourke outlined the role Gerrard could play: “It would definitely give them maybe increased hope that they could agree a deal between both clubs.

“There will be a relationship obviously between Gerrard and Rangers, so maybe he might be more inclined to send Cameron Archer up to Ibrox if it does come down to that, knowing what Rangers can offer the striker as well.”

That connection with their former boss could prove vital in helping to fend off rival interest – notably from Watford – although The Athletic report that the former Liverpool skipper will take a closer look at the academy product this summer, before deciding whether or not to sanction a temporary exit.

GvB will love him

That claim will be music to the ears of manager van Bronckhorst, with the Dutchman seemingly keen on the promising forward, amid the club’s search for new attacking recruits.

With Cedric Itten having joined BSC Young Boys on a permanent deal and with Alfredo Morelos tipped for a departure – with just 12 months left on his current deal – the need to bolster the forward ranks has become a top priority.

In Archer, the Glasgow side have identified a talent who is seemingly only going to get better in the coming years, having begun to earn wider acclaim after a real standout campaign for both club and country.

Having joined Preston North End in a six-month loan deal in January, the £5.4m-rated gem went on to score an impressive seven goals and provide one assist in just 20 Championship outings at Deepdale, with manager Ryan Lowe left in awe by his “abundance of talent”.

The £2.4k-per-week starlet followed up that eye-catching loan stint with a stunning burst of form for the England U21 side, netting four times in just four games for the Three Lions, with such form seeing him dubbed a “goal machine” by Ty Bracey.

Equally, while his role back at his parent club has been limited thus far, the Walsall-born ace has still managed to net a remarkable four goals in just six games for Villa at senior level, notably scoring a terrific header in a 1-1 draw with Chelsea at Stamford Bridge in the Carabao Cup back in September.

It would seem then that the lethal marksman is set to kick on even more if handed regular game time next season, with Van Bronckhorst and co potentially able to offer valuable minutes at a top-level club, as they juggle European and domestic duties.

As for the former Feyenoord boss – who replaced Gerrard in the dugout back in November – having such an exciting weapon in his arsenal such as Archer can only be a positive.

AND in other news, “Rangers will…”: Jordan Campbell drops big transfer update, supporters will be livid…

Wolves are finally on the cusp of signing Sporting CP midfielder Joao Palhinha, having been linked with him countless times in the past six months.

The Lowdown: Palhinha a long-time target

Wanderers are expected to make a number of new signings in the summer transfer window but no player has been tipped to move to Molineux more often than Palhinha.

Links dating all the way back to last June have suggested that Bruno Lage would make a move for the 26-year-old, eyeing him up as Ruben Neves’ natural replacement in Wolves’ midfield.

Now, the deal looks like it is closer than ever to going through, after transfer reporter Pete O’Rourke confirmed earlier this week the midfielder is a ‘long term target’.

The Latest: Transfer set to go through?

According to Correio da Manha on Thursday evening, Palhinha will be a Wolves player next season, with the transfer on the verge of being completed.

An agreement is believed to have been reached over a €20million (£17m) move, with another €5m (£4.2m) in achievable add-ons.

Wolves have already secured their first summer signing in the permanent capture of Hwang Hee-chan, so Palhinha looks set to become addition number two.

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The Verdict: Perfect Neves replacement

Neves is clearly going to leave a gaping hole in Wolves’ team if he goes, but this update is hugely exciting, with Palhinha appearing to be a tailor-made replacement, having been hailed as a ‘very good’ player by Jorge Jesus.

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Classy with the ball at his feet, the Sporting CP man enjoyed an 87.8% pass completion rate this season in both the Primeira Liga last season and in World Cup qualifying for Portugal, which is actually higher than Neves’ in England.

A hugely impressive average of 4.5 tackles per game at Euro 2020 last summer also proves that he is tenacious off the ball, so Wolves are getting themselves a strong all-round package.

In other news, a transfer insider has made a key Wolves claim. Read more here.