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Journalist Simon Phillips says that ‘sources do expect’ Jordan Pickford to leave Everton in the summer, as opposed to the January transfer window.

The Lowdown: Pickford linked with Everton exit

Tottenham Hotspur, Manchester United and Chelsea are among a number of clubs who have been credited with an interest in the goalkeeper from the summer until now, with his contract at Goodison Park set to expire in 2024.

With no trophies to his name at 28 years of age, the Merseyside club may not be able to match his ambitions in the future, as they sit just outside of the relegation zone and in danger of another battle to stay in the Premier League.

The Latest: Summer departure?

Speaking to GiveMeSport, Phillips has said that, although there is ‘still a chance’ that Pickford signs a new deal at Everton, ‘sources’ expect him to leave in the summer.

The journalist stated: “There’s still a chance he signs a new deal. (Frank)  Lampard will try and do the same as what he did with (Anthony) Gordon and try and convince him to stay. Again, the players respect Lampard a lot, so there is that element involved.

“But I think Pickford will probably be weighing up his options now and seeing where he can go. A lot of sources do expect him to be leaving probably in the summer rather than January.”

The Verdict: Inevitable

It just seems inevitable that Pickford will leave Everton over the next year, which will come as a worry to Frank Lampard and his team as the goalkeeper would be very difficult to replace.

Hailed as a ‘real leader’ with ‘world class’ distribution by sport SEO editor Nick Emms, he has been Everton’s Player of the Year twice, including last season as he helped to keep them in the top flight.

At the World Cup in Qatar, Pickford kept three clean sheets in a row for England as he helped them to reach the quarter-finals, where they were knocked out by eventual finalists France.

He has shown on many occasions that he deserves to be playing at the highest level, and a move away from Goodison Park may be needed in order to match his ambitions.

West Ham have been urged to sign Manchester United defender Harry Maguire in the January transfer window and the centre-back could be the ideal man to replace Craig Dawson in David Moyes’ squad.

Speaking on talkSPORT’s breakfast show, former West Ham man Stuart Pearce declared that the England international would be a quality addition to Moyes’ side, as the Scottish manager looks to rectify their woeful recent form and keep them in the Premier League.

He said: “If I was West Ham, if I was Newcastle, if I was Aston Villa, I’d be all over trying to get Harry Maguire out of there. I’d be asking the question whether he’s available. He’d be a brilliant addition to a football club.

“He’s the right age, the right stature, right experience. He might just need another challenge now as he’s not getting regular football.”

Maguire has lost his regular spot in United’s side this season, with new manager Erik ten Hag preferring a centre-back duo of Raphael Varane and Lisandro Martinez, but on his recent appearances in the Premier League, he has done fairly well, helping the Red Devils to clean sheets and wins against Bournemouth and West Ham.

Paul Pogba was full of praise for the defender, who earns £190k-per-week at Old Trafford, in 2019.

He said: “I call him ‘The Beast’. Honestly, as you saw, he was really impressive. He is a leader. He fit right in with us in training.”

Considering Lukasz Fabianski has managed just three clean sheets in the Premier League this season, it seems clear that defensive additions are required if the Hammers are going to push themselves back up the table in the new year.

They may need a replacement for Dawson, who was widely expected to leave in the summer transfer window as he sought a move to a club in the north of England, with the experienced defender expected to fall down the pecking order with the summer additions of Thilo Kehrer and Nayef Aguerd.

Like Maguire, Dawson was much-maligned by his own fans during his time at Watford and while it didn’t seem like an attractive signing at the time, he has gone on to establish himself as a cult hero at the London Stadium, earning the nickname ‘Ballon D’awson’ after his incredible performances in the run to the Europa League semi-final last season.

Both Dawson and Maguire excel at aerial duels and the Manchester United man could certainly replace the former Rochdale man’s dominance from set-pieces should he move to the London Stadium this month.

Indeed, the Hammer has scored a whopping 53 goals in his career compared to the England stalwart’s 28 strikes and 24 assists, demonstrating their offensive prowess.

If the Hammers do lose the English defender to another Premier League side in the transfer window, then Maguire looks to be the ideal replacement and given enough support by fans, there seems no reason why he couldn’t reignite his career in London and have a similar impact to Dawson in the Hammers’ defence.

Tottenham Hotspur have now been offered the opportunity to sign Eintracht Frankfurt defender Evan Ndicka, according to a new report.

The Lowdown: Tottenham’s Ndicka interest

It was recently reported that Tottenham manager Antonio Conte wants to bolster his options with a left-footed centre-back, in light of only having Ben Davies and Clement Lenglet to choose from in that area at present.

As such, Ndicka has emerged as an option for Spurs, however a deal would be likely to be on a pre-contract agreement, given that his current deal expires at the end of the season, while there would also be competition from the likes of Arsenal, who’ve previously been linked.

The Latest: Ndicka offered

According to Frankfurter Rundschau (via Sport Witness), the Frenchman’s agents have now offered the player to both Tottenham and Arsenal, but despite the signing being a free transfer, he will not come cheap.

Spurs’ pursuit of the 23-year-old could be scuppered by the fact that his agents are asking for a five-year deal worth around £44m in total, a huge outlay for the player that is being offered to clubs all over Europe.

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The Verdict: Get it done?

There is no doubt that the defender has bags of talent, being lauded as ‘towering’ by football correspondent Jacque Talbot, and he would be a huge improvement on Lenglet, averaging more clearances, blocks and aerials won per 90 than his compatriot over the past year.

However, it is important that Spurs are not held to ransom by the agents of the former Auxerre man, as the outlay that is currently being requested is far too high, with the proposed £8.8m per year being more than the amount Cristian Romero earns.

The 6 foot 3 colossus has Champions League experience, starting in all six of Frankfurt’s games in the competition this season, so he is the pedigree of signing that Daniel Levy needs to be looking at, but he should continue to monitor the situation until the price falls.

Glasgow Celtic head into Saturday’s Premiership clash against Kilmarnock in an excellent run of form, with Ange Postecoglou’s side currently unbeaten in 12 league fixtures.

Indeed, Monday’s 2-2 draw against their Old Firm rivals ensured that the Bhoys remained nine points clear at the top of the table, with the Premiership crown very much being the Hoops’ to lose at present.

As such, the Celtic manager will undoubtedly be hoping that his side can continue their remarkable run against Derek McInnes’ ninth-placed Kilmarnock outfit at Parkhead this afternoon.

However, with a number of injury concerns to deal with ahead of the fixture, Postecoglou may well be forced into something of a shakeup in his starting XI against Killie.

How many changes will the 57-year-old make to the team which started at Ibrox last time out? Here’s how we at Football FanCast think Celtic could line up, as well as the latest team and injury news.

Predicted Celtic XI: Hart; Johnston, Carter-Vickers, Starfelt, Bernabei; McGregor, Mooy, Hatate; Abada, Kyogo, Jota.

With Sead Haksabanovic, Stephen Welsh, James McCarthy and Greg Taylor all ruled out as a result of injury, we predict that Postecoglou will make four changes to the side which lined up against Rangers last Monday.

The first of these alterations come at the back, with the aforementioned Taylor dropping out of the XI as a result of a hamstring strain picked up against the Light Blues, and the “exciting” – in the manager’s own words – £3.75m summer signing Alexandro Bernabei being handed just his sixth Premiership start at left-back.

The rest of the back five remains unchanged, with Joe Hart starting in goal, Alistair Johnston retaining his place at right-back and Cameron Carter-Vickers and Carl Starfelt being given the nod in the heart of the Hoops’ defence.

In the middle of the park, despite having featured in every league game so far this season, after a couple of below-par performances in recent weeks, Matt O’Riley – dubbed the “best player in Scotland” by one Celtic source – drops out of the XI, with Aaron Mooy being handed an opportunity to impress alongside Callum McGregor and Reo Hatate in the midfield three.

The final two changes come in the attacking trio, with both James Forrest – who was rather quiet against Rangers – and Daizen Maeda making way, while Liel Abada and Jota return to the starting XI, with Kyogo Furuhashi keeping his place up top.

Tottenham Hotspur are plotting a move for Leandro Trossard…

What’s the word?

That’s according to the Daily Mail, who claim that Spurs are accelerating their interest in the Brighton and Hove Albion winger as manager Antonio Conte eyes attacking reinforcements before deadline day.

The 28-year-old is a likely candidate to leave the Amex Stadium this month and whilst a deal is not imminent, it could be expected to happen later in the window.

It also remains to be seen how much the Seagulls would want to let him depart, especially considering he was not involved in their FA Cup win over Middlesbrough last weekend.

Conte’s next Hazard

With the Italian head coach looking for strength up front, it would make sense to launch a move for a tried-and-tested Premier League talent and perhaps the Belgium international is ready to make that step up to a perceived ‘bigger club.’

Across 16 appearances this term, Trossard has found the net seven times, whilst also averaging 1.4 key chances created per game, which builds on his eight-goal and three-assist return last season, via WhoScored.

The former Genk gem is not only capable of playing on the flanks but can also be deployed through the middle as either a no.10 or a secondary striker.

That sort of versatility is exactly what Conte will be looking for because he already has the likes of Richarlison, Dejan Kulusevski, Lucas Moura, Harry Kane and Heung-min Son in the attack – it’s just that three of the five have been out with injury in recent weeks.

In some ways, Trossard could well be the manager’s next Eden Hazard, a key player during his time at Chelsea, where he won a league title and an FA Cup.

Both have been Belgium internationals, are short in stature with a low centre of gravity, and like to cut inside to contribute, which is very much the same case for FBref’s most similar players in terms of statistical profile, with Wilfried Zaha and Gabriel Martinelli listed.

Once lauded as a “wizard” by journalist Charlie Haffenden and a “game-changer” by BBC’s Phil McNulty, Trossard could be a very valuable and worthwhile addition to Spurs’ squad this month, so sporting director Fabio Paratici must look to secure a deal for the £18m-rated talent.

AND in other news, Paratici closing in on £66m double deal at Spurs, it could be “unbelievable” business…

Journalist Ryan Taylor has claimed that Wolves will now likely miss out on a January move for Aaron Wan-Bissaka despite recent transfer links.

What’s the word?

The Manchester United defender has been linked with a possible move to Molineux this winter and exit talk has surrounded the player for some time due to his stagnating career.

However, the 25-year-old has suddenly breathed new life into his time with the Red Devils and issued a reminder of his quality with a superb performance over the weekend in the Manchester derby.

Consequently, it now looks as though Wan-Bissaka may be staying with United for the remained of the season after all. Taylor suggested as much when speaking on YouTube recently.

The journalist explained: “A right-back is also of interest to Wolves, not least Aaron Wan-Bissaka, who’s the top target.

“But I envisage him staying at Manchester United now. He’s having a real run of games in the side with Diogo Dalot experiencing injury problems since the World Cup – and look at the run United are on, it speaks for itself, really.

“Wan-Bissaka has shown a great attitude to hang in there and basically take his chance when he’s got it, he’s playing really well.”

Transfer options

With Wolves struggling down towards the bottom end of the Premier League – currently just two points and two places above the relegation zone – it’s no shock that they are looking to add quality to their ranks in the market.

In fact, they’ve already made some notable moves this winter, bringing in the likes of Mario Lemina and Matheus Cunha, while Pablo Sarabia of PSG is very close to joining too.

Despite all that, with Taylor stating the club are definitely in the market for a right-back too, it will come as a big blow if they are to miss out on Wan-Bissaka. Indeed, his recent form suggests he would have been a fine addition to the Wolves team.

Dawson, on the other hand, seems very open to the move for the reasons stated above. What’s more, with his contract set to expire this summer, he should come fairly cheap.

Manchester United finally fell to a Premier League loss after a remarkable purple patch that saw the club go undefeated for ten matches, with Arsenal victorious at the Emirates Stadium after a thoroughly captivating affair.

Losing 3-2 on the afternoon, Red Devils boss Erik ten Hag would do well to take the positives after pushing the high-flying table-toppers to the limit, striking twice through the in-form Marcus Rashford’s marvellous effort and Lisandro Martinez’s first goal for the club since his £56.7m summer arrival.

United can take solace from the fact that the well-oiled, fluid and high-octane machine that powers the club at present bears no semblance to the rusty and wayward outfit that struggled for form last season, missing out on Champions League football with a sixth-place finish in the English top-flight.

United fought valiantly, but will be disappointed with the way that the Gunners dictated the flow of the lion-share of the encounter; the home side held 58% of the possession and unleashed a remarkable 25 shots to United’s six – although Arsenal’s five shots on target were only slightly higher than the away side’s four.

The defeat does stretch Mikel Arteta’s outfit 11 points clear of their rivals, and with a game in hand, and while goalkeeper David De Gea was largely at fault after shipping three goals and making just two saves, Man United left-back Luke Shaw will hold himself accountable for the damaging result after a display that left little to be admired.

Recording an average match rating of 6.8, as per Sofascore, the former Southampton defender was given a torrid time by the wizardry of Arsenal’s Bukayo Saka, who scored a brilliant goal from Shaw’s left-side and produced an all-encompassing display for his victorious outfit, clinching a match-best rating of 8.1.

Shaw lost possession 17 times and picked up a yellow card as he haplessly fought to contain his flourishing foe, and was remarked to have been “destroyed” out wide by prominent fan writer Hesham Bilal-Hafiz.

Only winning three of his eight ground duels – as opposed to Saka’s six successful take-ons from eight attempts – the £170k-per-week ace was run ragged, also failing to effectively contribute offensively having failed in his solitary dribble attempt and missing the mark with all five of his attempted crosses.

Although Shaw has impressed under Ten Hag’s tutelage this season, he will need to swallow the bitter pill of defeat and analyse his shortcomings, with United still fighting for major honours across every possible front this season.

Ten Hag will take to take the reins and galvanise his squad, who will undoubtedly be nursing their wounds following a fixture that could have put the club firmly in title contention had the late goal fallen to a Red Devil.

However, with plenty of football still to come, including the forthcoming FA Cup tie against second-tier side Reading, a return to winning ways is paramount to ensure the setback does not shape the impending period for a club undeniably on the rise.

An update has emerged on Arsenal and their chances of landing a deal to sign Amadou Onana in the January transfer window…

What’s the talk?

Speaking on 90min’s Talking Transfers podcast, journalist Graeme Bailey revealed that any clubs hoping to sign the Belgian international would have to part ways with at least £50m.

This came shortly before The Evening Standard reported on Tuesday night that the Gunners have placed the Everton central midfielder on their radar heading into the final week of the window.

Fellow Premier League club Chelsea are also said to be interested in signing the 21-year-old, who joined the Toffees from Lille for £33m last summer.

Upgrade in midfield

Edu could land Mikel Arteta an upgrade on current Arsenal midfielder Albert Sambi Lokonga by matching Everton’s £50m valuation of Onana to sign the gem this month, or in the summer.

Granit Xhaka and Thomas Partey have nailed down the starting spots in the middle of the park in the Premier League this season and Lokonga has been unable to force his way into the team.

The 23-year-old gem has only started twice in the top-flight so far this term, playing six times in total, and has averaged a Sofascore rating of 6.75, whilst making 1.0 tackles and interceptions per game, after playing 19 matches in the division in 2021/22 – making 1.9 tackles and interceptions per outing.

Arsenal could now land an upgrade on the midfielder and, in turn, find real competition for Xhaka and Partey by swooping for Onana as the 21-year-old has caught the eye in the Premier League this season.

Despite playing in a struggling team, who are 19th in the table, the gem has averaged a Sofascore rating of 6.94 across 18 appearances in the division, which immediately indicates that he could offer more than Lokonga in terms of his average performance level – based on their respective displays in 2022/23.

Talent scout Jacek Kulig once hailed Onana as “dominant” and a “one-man army” and this praise is backed up by his statistics for Everton as the Belgian international has made 3.5 tackles and interceptions per match and won 61% of his ground duels in the Premier League.

Only Partey (3.5) can match the Toffees gem’s number of defensive actions per game this season and this suggests that the youngster could provide an injection of steel to Arteta’s options in the middle of the park, which is something that Lokonga has been unable to do.

Therefore, Arsenal could land an upgrade on their current Belgian midfielder by signing his compatriot from Everton before the window slams shut, as Onana’s performance levels and his defensive contributions indicate that he would offer more to the Gunners.

Sunderland have been hit with a huge injury blow following the club’s 1-1 draw with Premier League side Fulham in the fourth round of the FA Cup…

What’s the talk?

Black Cats boss Tony Mowbray has confirmed that striker Ross Stewart is potentially facing a lengthy spell on the sidelines after damaging his Achilles in the match on Saturday.

Speaking to BBC Radio Newcastle, the boss said: “First thoughts is it’s pretty bad. If it’s an Achilles – we’ve discussed whether it’s ruptured, but it’s a bad injury.

“Hopefully it’s just strained and it’s not so bad, but let’s wait and see. It’s no good me telling you it’s really bad or it’s not so bad, let’s wait and see what the scan shows, but we know he’s got a protective boot on his foot.”

Time for Joe Gelhardt

Mowbray must react to this devastating injury to his star striker by throwing new signing Joe Gelhardt, who joined the club on loan from Premier League side Leeds United earlier this week, in at the deep end in the coming weeks.

The talented youngster is on loan at the Stadium of Light until the end of the season and must not be given excessive time to settle into life on Wearside as Stewart’s absence now requires the 20-year-old to immediately step up.

Sunderland’s Scotland international was enjoying a phenomenal campaign in the Championship and his injury comes as a big blow to the Black Cats as he had plundered ten goals and three assists in 13 appearances in the division.

Gelhardt, who was once praised as being “absolutely outrageous” by Whites reporter Beren Cross, has showcased his potential as a goalscorer and a creator at youth and senior level for Leeds.

In the academy set-up at Elland Road, the forward smashed in 20 goals and provided six assists in 31 U21 matches – including 11 goals in 16 Premier League 2 outings in the 2020/21 campaign.

The gem has also caught the eye at first-team level with two goals and six assists in half a dozen Premier League starts for the Whites since the start of last season, which shows that the talented youngster has the quality to make an impact at the very top level.

These statistics suggest that the dynamo has the potential, if he can combine his form at youth and senior level for Leeds, to be the goalscorer and creator that Sunderland had in Stewart, which is why Mowbray must throw him into the thick of Championship action straight away following this latest injury blow.

Chelsea are interested in a move for Juventus’ Dusan Vlahovic, who has been persistently linked with a move away from Turin this season.

The club have been churning out signings with the force of an unabating storm, with over £400m spent since American businessman Todd Boehly assumed ownership of the club last year, but one area largely neglected is the centre-forward deployment.

According to prominent Italian outlet CalcioMercato, the Serbian sensation Vlahovic could indeed find himself spearheading the Blues’ charge in short time, with Boehly and Christopher Vivell allegedly willing to sweeten a deal for the striker with the offering of Romelu Lukaku within the package.

And with Chelsea’s current centre-forward Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, who is now 33 years old and has scored just three times since his summer arrival from Barcelona, unlikely to be the beacon to light the way over the coming seasons, the Old Lady’s 23-year-old marksman could strike home at Stamford Bridge.

Chelsea’s own Haaland

Erling Haaland’s introduction to the Premier League has resulted in cataclysmic consequences for his opposition, with the monstrous 22-year-old having scored a ridiculous 25 times from his first 19 appearances in the competition.

The £51m Manchester City phenomenon is a once-in-a-generation talent, a forward with an innate goal-scoring sense not dissimilar to an animal’s primal instincts; while replicating the former Borussia Dortmund sensation might be fruitless, completing an acquisition with semblance to someone of his ilk could bear fruit for an outfit such as Chelsea.

Vlahovic, who has been a steady presence at the Allianz Stadium since arriving from divisional rivals Fiorentina in a £66.6m deal a year ago, despite Juventus’ internal strife, has chalked up 16 goals from 37 appearances for his current team, following an exceptional spell with la Viola, plundering 49 goals from only 108 appearances during his maiden professional period, to announce himself to European football in resounding fashion.

The “monster” – as dubbed by reporter Carlo Garganese – possesses such a devastating calibre that he has actually been likened to the aforementioned Haaland, with Serbian FA president, Nenad Bjekovic. saying that the 19-cap gem is “better and more complete than Haaland”.

While such an argument can only be made while wading through turbulent waters, it does speak volumes for Vlahovic’s knack at finding the back of the net, and with an expansive pool of talent only growing further in west London, the Juventus talisman could find himself at the front of a machine charged with the finest of oil.

And as per FBref, with the ace residing within the top 14% of forwards in Europe’s top five leagues for progressive passes received and the top 17% for total shots, he can harness a poaching prowess and level up at Chelsea.

City’s Haaland is a striker scarcely seen before, such is the inconceivable power of his goal-scoring prowess, but with Vlahovic indeed lauded for boasting a ‘more complete’ skill set to the imperious Norwegian prodigy, he could be the offensive outlet Chelsea need in order to forge an immediate future littered in footballing superiority.