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Liverpool will be hoping to gain an advantage during the second leg of the Champions League round of 16, whilst also continuing their fine league performances in the upcoming weeks.

It appears that within the next month or so, those adoring Liverpool fans will have a far clearer picture of whether silverware will be returning to Anfield this summer or not.

With a number of critical games coming up, this will be a massive test for Jurgen Klopp and his players.

As hard as it is to concentrate on anything else, Liverpool must also consider the bigger picture and the fact that they still need to recruit in the summer, whether they win anything or not.

Despite how brilliant they have been, all their title rivals will strengthen in the summer and Liverpool then have to ensure they do as well.

A weakness in the Reds side could arguably be up-front, where they have little in terms of quality back-up for Roberto Firmino.

In a bid to solve that, Liverpool must look at recruiting Bayer Leverkusen forward Kevin Volland.

Volland, (who is valued at £22.5 million on Transfermarkt) has been very consistent for Bayer Leverkusen this season and his side are reaping the rewards because of it.

With Europa League football again in sight, they have Kevin Volland’s goal contribution to thank for that especially, seeing as the German forward has so far accumulated nine goals and ten assists in all competitions.

At 26, Volland is set to reach his prime years in the game and as a versatile back-up in the forward department, playing anywhere from wide to the main man up-front, he would be a fine option for Jurgen Klopp’s side.

Do you agree… Let us know!

A number of Manchester United supporters are unhappy at a transfer rumour claiming that Marcus Rashford could potentially join Barcelona.

The 24-year-old has already enjoyed a hugely successful career at Old Trafford, scoring 91 goals in 283 appearances for the Red Devils.

Admittedly, Rashford’s season hasn’t quite got going this time around, with only six league starts and three goals in all competitions partly due to injury, but he remains a key figure moving forward, especially given his long-term potential.

[freshpress-poll id=“378953″]

It seems unlikely that United will be planning to sell the England international any time soon, but according to EFE [via Manchester Evening News and Man United News on Twitter], Barcelona are ‘confident’ that they could acquire his signature.

Rashford’s current United deal doesn’t expire until the summer of 2023 and there is an option to extend that by a further year.

Man United fans react to Rashford claim

These United fans have taken to Twitter to laugh off the rumours of the £180,000-per-week striker moving to financially-stricken Barcelona.

“Why would Rashford go to Spain?”

Credit: @randomdisgust

“Martial is leaving, Cavani might leave too, Ronaldo is nearing retirement, Greenwood also wanna leave… We sell Rashy and we are dead”

Credit: @ndamu_mufc

“Next joke please”

Credit: @pombs5

“This dude is going nowhere”

Credit: @isongsmith

“They can’t even pay salaries”

Credit: @football__guru

“Sign him on FIFA? Or Football Manager? Because it def isn’t in real life”

Credit: @DiiPo

In other news, some United fans are happy with another exit rumour. Read more here.

Antonio Conte may have to turn to Ryan Sessegnon as his Tottenham Hotspur side return to Premier League action this evening…

What’s the word?

The north London outfit have seen their last two matches postponed following an outbreak of the virus at the club’s training base last week but the Italian’s depleted squad have been back in training since Sunday in preparation for this game.

It remains to be seen who is available but one player that isn’t expected to feature is Sergio Reguilon, who according to football.london’s Alasdair Gold is still out injured.

“I am told that Sergio Reguilon is not fully training yet after that one (his injury against Norwich City), he is on his way back but I just wonder if Thursday might come too soon,” he revealed to his YouTube channel this week.

Sessegnon chance

It leaves Conte light on options, especially as he utilises Ben Davies as a left-sided centre-back, so it’s likely that Sessegnon is gifted a rare chance to shine – he must take it.

The 21-year-old dynamo has played only 17 times since joining from Fulham in a £25m deal back in the summer of 2019 and was sent off in his first start under the Italian but here he has a chance at redemption.

Once dubbed a “big, big talent” by former Cottagers teammate Stefan Johansen, the young dynamo has the attributes to thrive in Conte’s system as he can contribute at either end of the pitch, as seen during his loan stint at Hoffenheim last season.

As per WhoScored, he provided two goals and three assists, whilst averaging two tackles, 1.3 interceptions and 0.7 key passes per game in the German top-flight.

The £16.2m-rated must fill the void left behind by Reguilon, who leads the squad for creativity, managing three assists and one key pass per game.

In replacing the former Real Madrid star in the win over Norwich last time out, Conte urged Sessegnon to do better. He told reporters (via football.london):

“I’m sure that he can do much better and he has quality. He has quality as a player with great power, he’s strong physically and he needs to take confidence. He needs to take confidence from the atmosphere and the stadium. Sess is a young player but if you stay in the Tottenham squad it means that you deserve to be here and you have to deserve this. He played a good game but he has to improve, like the other players.”

Conte must give him another chance to impress now.

AND in other news, Journalist drops exciting behind-the-scenes Antonio Conte claim…

An update has emerged regarding Newcastle United’s pursuit of Montpellier forward Stephy Mavididi…

What’s the talk?

According to the Daily Mail, the Magpies are among the clubs interested in a deal to sign the former Arsenal attacker this month.

The report claims that Brighton and Crystal Palace are also monitoring his progress, with a fee in the region of £15m being touted.

Imagine him & Wood

Imagine a strike force of Wood and Mavididi lining up for Newcastle in the Premier League in the coming weeks with Callum Wilson out injured!

If Howe can secure a deal for the 23-year-old, he could be an ideal player to slot in alongside the New Zealand marksman due to his style of play and physique. The 5 foot 9 forward is in a similar mould to Wilson in the sense that he is more likely to cause problems with his pace and footwork than physically or in the air, which could complement Wood brilliantly.

Former Charlton boss Lee Bowyer once compared Mavididi to a greyhound because of his electric pace, saying: “There was one time we broke and we had Stephy and Sullay (Kaikai) breaking and it was like two greyhounds in a race – look at how quick they are.

“We’re very fortunate, we’ve got these types of players at the club., if we can get them right and get them all fit for the remaining eight games, it’s going to be exciting times.”

This suggests that the 23-year-old could be the perfect partner for Wood if Howe wants to play a 4-4-2 system, as he could be the one to make runs in behind and play off of the former Burnley man. The 6 foot 2 New Zealand international has won 5.5 aerial battles per game in the Premier League this season, which suggests that Mavididi could have numerous chances per match to run in behind and create chances from Wood’s flick-ons.

Karl Robinson, a former manager of his during a loan spell at Charlton, previously claimed that the young striker has a “bright future” , and this mooted transfer could be an investment for the future as well as one to make an immediate difference. At the age of 23, Mavididi has plenty of scope for development left in him, and he could be a player with whom Howe works over time to improve his game.

He is capable of playing through the middle or out wide and has been in fine form this season, with six goals and three assists in Ligue 1, after scoring nine goals last term, suggesting that he could have the end product to make the most of his prospective partnership with Wood.

That tantalising propsect means that Newcastle must do everything in their power to try and lure Mavididi back to England.

AND in other news, Player keen: Howe must seal NUFC deal to land “world-class” maestro, he’s Cabaye 2.0…

2022 has some incredible potential to be an extraordinary year for football.

Not only are there a plethora of highly-anticipated tournaments waiting for us just around the corner, but there are also a few rumours of some truly insane transfers that we may see in the near future.

There is some impeccable talent playing within the EPL at the moment, and as you will see, some teams are fighting tooth and nail to try and get their hands on said talent before it’s too late.

In this article, we will be telling you about three potential EPL transfers we may see in 2022 that are going to blow your mind, as well as giving a brief explanation as to why each player is so in-demand.

Duvan Zapata – Newcastle £25M

This transfer is one that has been brewing for a while.

It was only a matter of time until another team attempted to grab Duvan Zapata, and it looks as though this fateful day has finally arrived.

Newcastle has put a bid in for Duvan Zapata for £25 million, and if the rumours are true, it looks as though this deal is as good as closed.

There’s no doubt that Duvan will be able to do wonders at Newcastle, and many people believe he is a natural fit for their side.

Moreover, we all know just how much of an impact a new player can have when they join a squad, and this point is even more applicable when we are talking of someone of the calibre of Duvan Zapata.

Of course, it’s completely possible for Duvan to turn down this bid. However, this is extremely unlikely, and it is likely only a matter of time until we hear news about him joining Newcastle.

£25 million seems like more than a fair price for Duvan, and in reality, that is probably right around what he is worth as things stand now.

Milinkovic Savic – Man Utd £60M

Up next, coming in at £60 million, we have Milinkovic Savic who may end up going to Man Utd.

If you have tried your hand at premier league betting, you likely already know how successful of a team Manchester United are. It makes perfect sense for them to try and get a talented player like Milinkovic Savic, and there is no doubt that he will have exactly the effect that Man Utd are hoping he will have.

£60 million is an incredibly high fee, there is no debating that. However, for a team like Man Utd, this is something that they are able to afford.

Still, they must really think that Milinkovic is something special to offer this large of a sum, and if they have been willing to spend this much to grab Savic, then you can bet that they are willing to fight tooth and nail to get him into their ranks.

 Manchester United are trying to sign Milinkovic Savic as we speak, and it wouldn’t be a surprise to hear an announcement from either side stating that a deal has been made in the near future.

John McGinn – Man Utd £40M

Manchester United really are spending the big bucks at the moment.

As well as Milinkovic Savic for £60 million, it seems as though they are also trying to get John McGinn for a whopping £40 million.

Just this fact alone goes to show that Man Utd truly are a team that put performance above all else, and it is no wonder that they find themselves winning more games than any other team in the EPL.

John McGinn would be an excellent fit for Manchester United, and it seems as though many believe he was destined to end up at said team at one point or another.

John would be a fantastic addition for the legendary side, and it is only a matter of time until we find out whether or not it is meant to be.

If you are looking to bet on premier league at 10bet, you can rest assured knowing that Manchester United is still going to remain the top choice.

With their new additions of Milinkovic Savic and John McGinn, they are going to be truly unstoppable.

If any of the transfers we mentioned in this article end up taking place, you can bet it’s going to be massive news.

Moreover, from what we have heard from the rumours so far, it seems as though they are almost guaranteed to happen.

The EPL has just got so much on offer right now, and there has never been a better time to be a fan of football.

Have fun.

Image Source: Pixabay

West Brom confirmed on Thursday morning that young wing-back Taylor Gardner-Hickman has signed a new four-and-a-half-year contract.

And, as to be expected, a number of Baggies supporters have been reacting to the news on social media.

Gardner-Hickman made his senior debut against Arsenal in the EFL Cup earlier this season and has gone on to make five Championship appearances.

The wing-back, who was named Man of the Match against Coventry, has played in three different positions in four second-tier starts.

His previous contract at The Hawthorns was set to expire in 18 months time, with manager Valerien Ismael delighted at securing Gardner-Hickman’s services until 2026.

Baggies fans react

He turned 20 on Thursday, with the Baggies revealing the news on their official Twitter page.

This is what these West Brom fans had to say in reply to the contract news, with many going wild at the update and one labelling it as ‘massive’.

“Val’s done it again”

Credit: @KipreSun

“Finally a massive slice of great news.”

Credit: @Baggiephil

“COME ONNNN. TGH 2026. BRILLIANT NEWS.”

Credit: @StevoSmith0

“Now that’s some signing!”

Credit: @Albionwestand

“Massive”

Credit: @PhaseVisuals

“BIG WWWWWWWW!!! Cleary next admin?”

Credit: @__Hashar9

In other news: ‘Lost the plot’ – Many West Brom fans fume at ‘laughable’ official post. 

Crystal Palace have received a potentially significant injury boost over key defender Joachim Andersen after he picked up a thigh problem.

What’s the word?

The 25-year-old has quickly established himself as a key player for the Eagles following his arrival over the summer, starting 11 Premier League games in a row before his fitness struggle kept him out of the weekend’s defeat against Aston Villa.

However, Andersen was forced to watch on from the sidelines as Palace’s seven-game unbeaten run came to an end at Selhurst Park.

But The Athletic’s Matt Woosnam was able to provide a positive update over the centre-back’s condition, providing hope that he will be able to make his return to first-team action sooner rather than later.

Following Saturday’s result, he tweeted: “Andersen’s absence with a hamstring problem not thought to be serious was a significant contribution to this defeat”.

Woosnam then added in a separate tweet: “Palace hopeful that Andersen will be back soon from what is understood to be a minor issue.”

Patrick Vieira will be buzzing

News that the Denmark international is not expected to be consigned to the treatment table for an extensive period of time will leave Patrick Vieira buzzing with relief.

Andersen’s partnership with Marc Guehi in the heart of defence has been pivotal to the south London outfit’s success this season, and his underlying numbers indicate why.

As per WhoScored, Andersen has averaged 1.5 interceptions per league game throughout 2021/22, 2.9 clearances and a whopping 6.3 long balls, placing him in the top three for each metric when compared to his teammates.

With the hectic festive schedule fast approaching, Vieira will be desperate to have his star defender back on the pitch as soon as possible, meaning Woosnam’s latest revelation will be warmly welcomed.

And, in other news…Palace “lining up” swoop for “complete” £12.6m-rated gem, Vieira surely buzzing

Newcastle United have reportedly now made ‘official enquiries’ over Mitchel Bakker ahead of a potential move before the January transfer window shuts.

The Lowdown: Defence needs work

The St. James’ Park faithful did well to bring in Kieran Trippier from Atletico Madrid earlier on in the window to fill the right-back position, but now they need to strengthen in the centre of defence and at left-back.

They have conceded no fewer than 43 goals in the Premier League so far this season, the second-most behind Norwich City, and so the defence needs to be tightened if they have any hopes of avoiding relegation down to the Championship.

Bakker is a player who is comfortable at centre-back and left-back, and so it is no surprise to see the North East club strongly linked with him.

The Latest: Bakker enquiries

Craig Hope reported this week that a deal looks ‘unlikely’, but according to De Telegraaf (via Sport Witness), the Tyneside outfit have now made ‘official enquiries’ with regards to a potential move for Bakker, and he has ‘been informed’ of their interest.

Bayer Leverkusen are apparently asking for a price of €12m (£10m) to let him go, lower than the £16m tag first reported by Hope, and if a deal is agreed, this report claims the player would be ‘willing’ to discuss terms with Eddie Howe and the Magpies.

The Verdict: Bargain

If the new owners can get Bakker in for just £10m, then it would certainly be a bargain.

He is playing at a high level in the Bundesliga, having also played for established European clubs in PSG and Ajax, and at 21 years of age, he still has so much potential left to fulfil.

Described as someone who has ‘pace and strength’ as well as ‘footballing ability’ (via The Chronicle) by Leverkusen sporting director Rudi Voller, Bakker has everything needed already for a modern day full-back, and the fact that he can play at centre-half too makes the deal a no-brainer for the Toon, who are in desperate need of both.

In other news, find out what big transfer twist involving two NUFC targets has emerged here!

Everton are eying a move for Ukraine international Mykola Matvienko, who could be the perfect replacement for Michael Keane.

What’s the story?

According to reports from 90min.com, Everton are one of several clubs interested in the 25-year-old who currently plays in his homeland for Shakhtar Donetsk. However, due to the ongoing war in Ukraine, the league is currently suspended.

He is capable of playing at left-back and centre back and is rated at £9.9m, so could be available for a good price.

The Toffees will have to fend off interest from other Premier League clubs such as Brentford and West Ham who could also make the player a good offer.

He’s better than Keane

Everton have the fifth worst defensive record in the Premier League this season and as a result it has left them in a fight to stay up.

One of the players at the heart of that is Michael Keane. He has been described as a “liability” in the Everton backline and it’s about time they replaced him.

The £65k-a-week earning Keane simply hasn’t been the answer to Frank Lampard’s team’s defensive issues.

Signing Matvienko could be the perfect answer to their problems and could provide the club with much needed defensive reinforcements heading into next season.

The centre-back already has 47 appearances for his nation so is an experienced international. His versatility could also benefit the Toffees massively.

When you compare his defensive record directly to Keane’s he comes out on top. In his last full season Matvienko conceded an average of 0.68 goals per game compared to the Englishman’s 1.2.

The Ukrainian also has experience playing in the Europa League and Champions League which can only be a plus. He also kept 13 clean sheets in 29 appearances for his club last season.

Given the interest the player is attracting and has had in the past, it would be a coup for Everton if they were able to secure his services.

Their defence this season has been described as “championship level” by Sky Sports pundit Jamie Carragher, and given their record it’s hard to disagree.

If they do manage to retain their Premier League status then they’ll need to make improvements, and bringing Matvienko to Goodison Park would be a good start.

IN other news: Everton: Lampard can replace Richarlison with Luka Jovic…

To coin a classic phrase, Manchester United have made their top-four challenge a mountain out of a molehill.

The Red Devils are a far cry from the side that dominated so fiercely under the tutelage of a certain Sir Alex Ferguson but one particular signing could help steer them along the right path again.

What’s the word?

Man United have long been in the market for a holding midfield player and it would appear that won’t change heading into the summer.

That’s the word of transfer guru Fabriano Romano who commented on their transfer plans this summer.

Speaking to Hammers Chat, the Italian reporter said:

“He is top of the list for Man United since a long time. Man Utd dream of Declan Rice, they consider him the perfect player for their approach for the new season. Man United will sign a defensive midfield and Declan Rice is the player they want.”

Rice heading to United?

Acquiring the West Ham titan this summer would be a monumental sign of intent from the Red Devils.

First of all, it’s evidently clear that Ralf Rangnick’s midfield is not the greatest when it comes to complete overall quality. Secondly, with Paul Pogba seemingly destined to leave, bringing in Rice makes total sense.

The Irons gem could be freed from the shackles of the bubbles that surround the London Stadium in 2022 to offer whoever the new manager is at Old Trafford talents that very few reign more supreme in throughout the continent.

For instance, as per FB Ref, the England international ranks in the top 30% for every single passing metric barring key passes, expected assists and progressive passes.

However, what Rice makes up for in a lack of forwardness with his passing, he certainly makes up for when driving with the ball instead.

The West Ham bulldozer ranks in the top 6% in Europe’s top leagues for progressive carries per 90 (7.01) and in the top 2% for both total carrying distance and progressive carry distance per 90 (178.76).

Also ranking in the top 5% in Europe for interceptions per 90 (2.76) and the best 5% again for a percentage of aerial duels won (65.3%) per 90 minutes, it’s clear to see that Rice would offer a great deal to United particularly when it comes to dribbling and doing the dirty work.

If a deal is there to be done, they simply have to swoop. It’s a deal, considering his qualities, that would leave supporters absolutely elated.

AND in other news, “Bad news..” – Fabrizio Romano update is worrying for Manchester United…