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Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain could form a ‘formidable’ partnership with Philippe Coutinho at Aston Villa, Frank McAvennie has told Football Insider.

The lowdown

Transfer insider Dean Jones told GiveMeSport on Sunday that the 28-year-old is ‘of interest’ at Villa Park.

The £14.4m-rated midfielder is approaching the final year of his £120,000-per-week contract at Liverpool, while he watched virtually the Reds’ entire run-in from the sidelines last season, with his most recent appearance coming in an FA Cup win over Nottingham Forest on 20 March.

Oxlade-Chamberlain’s overall senior club career record stands at 373 appearances, 47 goals and 56 assists.

The latest

McAvennie thinks that a move to Villa will appeal to Oxlade-Chamberlain on the basis that Steven Gerrard should be able to hand him significantly greater game-time than Jurgen Klopp has done on Merseyside.

The former Villans striker told Football Insider: “I think that is a good bit of business.

“I like him as a player. You can tell he wants to get out and play, some players are happy to sit on the bench and not play. He would love to stay at Liverpool and he would love to be in the first team, but he’s not.

“The reality is, he can go and play for Aston Villa every week. I can understand him wanting to go and play and he would be a really good signing for Villa.”

McAvennie believes that, alongside a fellow goalscoring midfielder in Coutinho, with whom Oxlade-Chamberlain briefly played at Liverpool in 2017, the Englishman could electrify Villa Park.

The 62-year-old said: “Him and Coutinho, that’s not bad, formidable. The two of them have goals in them. It would be great for the fans as well because those players play the game the way it should be played.”

The verdict

Villa may be reliant on Liverpool’s stance changing if they want to get this move done.

As it stands, the Reds do not intend to sign another midfield option this summer. As a consequence, it has been suggested that Jurgen Klopp could be eager to keep Oxlade-Chamberlain at Anfield to preserve the depth that the German currently has.

Another year of frustration may potentially be in store for the Englishman before the end of his contract on Merseyside.

Still, it’s still very much early days in the market, and there’s plenty of time for Liverpool to reassess their stance on the 28-year-old Villa target.

In other news, this superstar has a ‘decent chance’ of joining Villa

Tottenham Hotspur could reportedly have been handed a boost in their hopes of signing Leicester City midfielder Youri Tielemans…

What’s the word?

Speaking to GIVEMESPORT, talkSPORT reporter Alex Crook has revealed that Spurs remain in the mix to sign the Belgian, with arch-rivals Arsenal having seen their position weaken due to their top-four failure.

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Amid reports that the 25-year-old could be on his way to the Emirates Stadium, the transfer insider has revealed that, while the Gunners remain in pole position, that lack of Champions League football could come back to bite them.

Crook said: “I think Tottenham are lurking in the background as well, and I think even Leicester are willing to offer him a new contract to keep him there. So, maybe Arsenal isn’t as attractive a proposition as it was, but he was definitely in the building in January, his agent was anyway, holding talks.

“I would still make them the frontrunners, but their position has definitely been weakened by the fact that they’re not in the Champions League.”

That could put Antonio Conte and co firmly back in the race for the 51-cap international’s signature, having been linked with the playmaker in recent weeks, with any deal reportedly set to cost in the region of £25m.

“One of the best”

With just one year remaining on his current Leicester contract, it could prove to be a vital summer for the former Monaco man, with clubs unsurprisingly lining up to try and land “arguably one of the best midfielders in the Premier League”, as he has been dubbed by Emile Heskey.

Tielemans’ statistics would seemingly corroborate that claim, as even amid an up-and-down campaign for the Foxes as a whole, the £49.5m-rated man still chipped in with six goals and four assists in 32 Premier League appearances, an impressive return for a player who largely operates in a deeper midfield role.

That quality in the final third and with the ball at his feet (he also ranks in the top 12% for progressive passes for those in his position across Europe’s top five leagues) is coupled with a dogged defensive ability, with the £120k-per-week machine also averaging 2.3 tackles and 1.1 clearances per game in the top flight last term.

A silky, composed player in possession, the “special” talent – as he has been described by occasional Sky Sports analyst Statman Dave – would seemingly be able to slot straight in to Conte’s midfield, offering additional competition to a squad which is already set to be bolstered by the impending arrival of Brighton’s Yves Bissouma.

Such quality, Premier League-ready additions could help fire the Lilywhites back into contention for big prizes, both domestically and in Europe, with it hard to turn down such an immense signing for what would likely be a relative bargain price.

IN other news, Paratici has “genuine interest” in sealing “magic” £47m Spurs deal, he’s Robben 2.0

Everton are in desperate need of a shake up at Goodison Park following a difficult Premier League season, and now a new update has emerged about a player’s future ahead of the summer transfer window.

What’s the latest?

According to Football Insider, West Ham United have registered their interest in Toffees defender Michael Keane.

As per the report, a source from West Ham has revealed to the publication that the club have enquired about Keane, following their pursuit of James Tarkowski looking to be unsuccessful.

It was reported by The Athletic yesterday that Tarkowski was having a medical with Everton on Merseyside on Wednesday with the view that the club could complete the signing of the recently-relegated Burnley defender.

Lampard can brutally axe Keane

The Toffees struggled the entire season in the top flight and found themselves battling to remain in the Premier League at the bottom of the table, something that was made difficult at both ends of the pitch and Keane was heavily involved in the plight that the side found themselves in.

Keane who was dubbed “clumsy” by Samuel Luckhurst has had an inconsistent season for Everton, despite glimpses of quality this has been overshadowed by constant mistakes that have cost his team on numerous occasions throughout.

The £30m defender scored three goals and contributed two assists, winning 62% of his ground and aerial duels combined and was successful in 88% of his dribbles over his 32 league appearances this term, but his decision making in crucial moments has been atrocious.

Keane has made two errors leading to goals and received a red card back in April against West Ham United in one of the most crucial stages of Everton’s survival. They were due to play relegation rivals Burnley in the following match and Everton lost both games, dropping six points.

With that being said, the Toffees could now be in a great position to move on from the defender by not only making some money should West Ham extend their interest but they are close to getting a free replacement in Tarkowski.

The 29-year-old defender who was hailed as “outstanding” by Sean Dyche, has been impressive this season despite his current club being relegated to the Championship with the player winning the large majority of his duels (68%), making 1.8 tackles, 1.4 interceptions and 5.2 clearances on average per game.

Ultimately, it would be a big coup and offer improvement to Everton’s team next season if they can successfully secure the deal for Tarkowski and earn some money to add to their transfer budget during the upcoming transfer window.

AND in other news: Lampard must now brutally axe Everton’s £22m “walking red card”, he’s Klaassen 2.0

Wolverhampton Wanderers have been handed a boost in their race to sign Sporting CP midfielder Joao Palhinha this summer.

What’s the word?

According to Portuguese newspaper A Bola (via Sport Witness) Wolves face tough competition from Bayer Leverkusen and Sevilla for his signature.

However, there’s good news as Leverkusen seem unable to pay the asking price that Sporting have set for the player. The report states that the club will only be willing to let the player leave for a fee of €20m (£17m) or €25m (£21.2m).

This will be a boost to the Old Gold as they could outbid the other contenders and land the highly-rated midfielder.

He’s Paul Ince 2.0

Former footballer Paul Ince was a key player for Wolves during a four year spell at the West Midlands club between 2002 and 2006. He made 127 appearances in that time and directly contributed to 15 goals.

It might have been towards the end of his career but he brought great experience and quality with him. He was noted for being a ‘powerful’ character who ‘got the best’ out of others and wasn’t scared of getting stuck in.

Also described as an ‘enforcer’ who was adept both in a defensive and offensive capacity, the same can very much be said for Palhinha, and in signing him, Wolves can repeat their capture of Ince all those years ago.

If you look at his stats compared to his positional peers in Europe’s top five leagues over the past year, he ranks in the top 4% for tackles in the midfield third.

This shows how he aggressive he can be which is similar to Ince in many ways. He also ranks in the top 1% for pressures in the midfield third which proves that he gives his opponent hardly any time on the ball which Bruno Lage will love.

With that in mind, it’s hardly a surprise that he’s been described as “special” by Sporting manager Ruben Amorim.

If Jeff Shi and co can capture him then it will massively improve their options in the middle of the park. He offers something different, more old-school compared to the fancy intricate displays we see from many midfielders nowadays.

They’ll face tough competition, and rightly so given how good Palhinha is, but it will be worth every penny if they can pull it off.

IN other news: Lage must now brutally sell Wolves’ £20m “catalyst”, he won’t make it at Molineux…

Alasdair Gold has dropped an update on reported Tottenham Hotspur transfer target Paulo Dybala.

What’s the latest?

In a recent video posted on his YouTube channel, the football.london journalist revealed that, despite widespread reports suggesting otherwise, he has been informed that Antonio Conte and Fabio Paratici are not pursuing a deal for the out-of-contract Juventus forward this summer – as the sporting director is not believed to be a fan of the Argentina international.

Concerning Spurs’ reported interest in the 28-year-old, Gold shared the following twist: “I know there are lots of Paulo Dybala links as there always are, but I’m told that’s not currently one that Spurs are currently looking at.

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“It’s interesting because you’ve also got to factor in that I don’t think Paratici is the biggest fan of Dybala, and I understand that he was one of the ones who were looking to move Dybala on from Juventus back in 2019 when Spurs were trying to sign him. So, I don’t see that as something that is likely to happen.”

Supporters will be gutted

Considering the quite extraordinary form Dybala has been in for Juventus this season, in addition to Tottenham supporters revealing in a recent poll ran by Football FanCast that they believe the attacker would be a fantastic signing for Spurs this summer, Gold’s suggestion that Paratici is not currently pursuing a deal for the Argentine is sure to come as gutting news to the club’s fanbase.

Indeed, over his 29 Serie A appearances this term, the £36m-rated talent was one of the standout performers in the league, scoring ten goals, registering five assists and creating 11 big chances for his teammates, as well as taking an average of 3.4 shots, making 1.3 key passes and completing 1.6 dribbles per game.

These returns saw the £220k-per-week forward average a simply sensational SofaScore match rating of 7.43, not only ranking him as the Bianconeri’s best performer in the Italian top flight but also as the joint fourth-best player in the division as a whole.

As such, it is clear to see just how exciting an addition Dybala would be to Conte’s current options in attack, however, following Gold’s latest update, it would now appear as if a Tottenham move for the 28-year-old sensation looks extremely unlikely this summer.

AND in other news: Conte could land his next Kante as Paratici plots Spurs bid for “unreal” £60m signing

Alasdair Gold has dropped an update on the backing of Tottenham Hotspur manager Antonio Conte in the summer transfer window.

What’s the talk?

In a recent post on Twitter, the football.london journalist revealed that the Tottenham owners, ENIC, have now made an extra £150m available this summer, in order for the 52-year-old manager and Fabio Paratici to pursue a number of their top targets in the transfer market.

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In his tweet, Gold said: “Big news at Spurs as ENIC pumps £150m into the club to help ‘further invest on and off the pitch’. There’s that Antonio Conte backing I was talking about.”

Supporters will be buzzing

With it being widely reported that Conte’s future at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium heading into 2022/23 very much depended on whether or not Daniel Levy and the Spurs board would match his ambition in the transfer market, Gold’s update revealing that the club have made it abundantly clear that they will be financing the Italian is sure to have left supporters buzzing.

Indeed, not only does this news mean that Tottenham will more than likely be one of the serious players in the summer window, with Paratici now looking to have free reign to go after some of Conte’s biggest transfer targets, but it would also appear to suggest that the 52-year-old will remain in charge of the club next season.

And, when considering the quite astonishing job the former Inter Milan boss has done at Tottenham thus far – taking the Lilywhites from ninth to fourth in the Premier League standings, picking up a remarkable 56 points from a possible 84 – it is clear for all to see that Conte remaining in north London next season greatly increases Spurs’ chances of success in 2022/23 – a prospect that will undoubtedly delight the club’s supporters.

AND in other news: Conte now plotting offer for “frightening” £50m Spurs target, he’s Salah 2.0

The signing of James Tarkowski is reportedly a priority for Newcastle United and Eddie Howe this summer. 

The lowdown

The 29-year-old is available on a free transfer having reached the end of his contract at Burnley, who suffered relegation to the Championship after their 2-1 defeat to the Magpies on the final day. Indeed, journalist Mark Douglas said that the defender’s post-match lap of honour at Turf Moor looked ‘suspiciously like a farewell’.

Newcastle did sign a centre-back in January, paying Brighton £13m to acquire Dan Burn.

While the Magpies finished 11th in the Premier League table, they were in the bottom six for both expected goals against (62.71) and actual goals against (62).

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The latest

Football Insider reported that Newcastle have made Tarkowski a ‘top target’ ahead of the summer transfer window, although they do face competition for his signature.

Sources have told the publication that Everton have already gone as far as submitting an offer worth £120,000 per week as they look to win the race for the 29-year-old.

Meanwhile, West Ham United are also said to be watching developments ‘closely’.

The verdict

You can see why Newcastle view this as a big opportunity.

Tarkowski, who has made nearly 200 Premier League appearances and earned two caps for England, is valued at £19.8m by Transfermarkt but is available on a Bosman deal.

Journalist Jonny Bentley has described him as ‘gritty’ and ‘physical’ and expressed confidence that the Mancunian could deliver ‘for most clubs in the Premier League’.

The Magpies may have to match Everton’s £120,000-a-week offer, though, and that could make the 29-year-old their highest-paid player  – ahead of £100,000-per-week duo Chris Wood and Kieran Trippier, plus another January arrival in £90,000-a-week Bruno Guimaraes.

In other news, Paddy Kenny has been left stunned by these Newcastle developments

Steven Gerrard has the chance to lead Aston Villa to a top-half finish in the Premier League if they can end the season strongly.

With matches against Crystal Palace, Burnley, and Manchester City remaining, six points out of nine should be their realistic target from that trio of fixtures.

It has been a mixed season for Gerrard at Villa Park since his arrival from Rangers in mid-November. They started brightly under his tenure but have been inconsistent in 2022, winning 10 matches under the 41-year-old so far but also losing 11.

What’s the news?

With the manager perhaps looking to rejig the playing squad and bring his own players in, there will likely be plenty of outgoings during the summer transfer window, and Gerrard has been discussing what will happen with his fringe players.

As per Birmingham Live on Friday, he said: “If it’s better to go and play elsewhere because they’re guaranteed more game time, then we’re certainly open to conversations with one or two of them. In terms of naming names, I don’t think that’s professional.”

He could be referring to numerous players with this message, and supporters may well be glad to see the back of some fringe members of the Villa squad who have been eating up the wage bill.

One player who looks set to leave is Morgan Sanson, while wingers Anwar El Ghazi and Trezeguet have been sent out on loan to Everton and İstanbul Başakşehir respectively, so it seems unlikely that they will feature at all for Villa next season.

The 41-year-old landed his top target in Philippe Coutinho on a permanent deal this week in a bargain £17m deal until 2026, and these are the types of players Gerrard needs to be signing in order to take the next step with the club and lead them into the European places.

Getting rid of the deadwood is a tough task, but the former Rangers boss seems to be handling it with the utmost professionalism so far, particularly with his refusal to namecheck any players he may be considering for an exit.

AND in other news, Gerrard can land his own Pogba as Villa plot bid for “impressive” £107k-p/w machine

Leeds United are in a great position to bring Brennan Johnson to Elland Road in the summer transfer window.

What’s the talk?

That’s according to Dean Jones, with the transfer insider and journalist revealing in a recent interview with GIVEMESPORT that, should Leeds go on to secure their status as a Premier League side this season, coupled with Nottingham Forest failing to secure promotion to the top flight in the Championship play-offs, Victor Orta will be in a fantastic position to land his reported £20m transfer target this summer.

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Regarding the Whites’ interest in the 20-year-old attacking midfielder, Jones said: “They should make him their number one target, 100%. They are in a great position to sign Brennan Johnson if they do stay up and Forest don’t manage to get promoted.”

Supporters will be buzzing

While it is undeniable that Leeds’ place in the Premier League next season appears extremely uncertain following the weekend’s results, should the Whites go on to secure survival, the prospect of landing a player as talented as Johnson is undoubtedly something that will leave the Elland Road faithful buzzing.

Indeed, over his 46 Championship appearances this season, the £900k-rated forward has been a revelation in Steve Cooper’s attack, scoring 16 goals, registering ten assists and creating 15 big chances for his teammates, as well as taking an average of 1.9 shots, making 1.3 key passes and completing 1.2 dribbles per game.

These metrics have seen the £2.5k-per-week Wales international average a quite breathtaking SofaScore match rating of 7.10, ranking him as Nottingham Forest’s fourth-best outfielder in the second tier – with the 20-year-old playing a starring role in the Reds’ widely unexpected securing of a top-six finish in the league.

As such, the suggestion that – as long as Leeds stay up and Forest remain in the Championship – Orta is in a great position to secure the signing of Johnson this summer is undoubtedly incredibly exciting for everyone involved with the Whites.

However, with Jesse Marsch’s side currently sitting 18th in the Premier League standings, it would appear a wise move for Leeds to hold off on printing shirts donning the attacking midfielder’s name just yet.

AND in other news: “Very possible…”: Phil Hay drops big Leeds injury update, supporters will be buzzing

Newcastle United have successfully been able to turn their latest Premier League season around after being in and around the relegation zone for the first half of the campaign.

Since January, the Magpies have only lost four games in the league, winning 10 and drawing two.

The January transfer window has turned out to have been a crucial period for the Toon as they brought in a number of new players to help get their campaign back on track.

Now that the summer transfer window is on the horizon, this could give the Tyneside club the opportunity to once again make some changes to their squad that they deem necessary ahead of their first full season with PIF in charge.

One figure with whom the Toon have been linked and who could be a vast upgrade on one of their current squad members is Brighton midfielder Yves Bissouma.

According to a recent report from The Mirror, the Mali international is on a list of potential summer transfer targets for the Toon.

In terms of what he could offer Howe’s side in comparison to current Magpies midfielder Jonjo Shelvey, the Brighton monster would be a big upgrade in terms of his defensive talents.

With the pair both playing more than 30 games for their respective clubs in the current league campaign, Bissouma has more tackles, pressures, interceptions, blocks and clearances than the Newcastle man.

On the ball, the 25-year-old has made more passes and racked up a higher pass completion percentage (89.7%) than Shelvey (80.2%).

To further highlight the Brighton star’s capabilities on the ball, he has successfully completed 29 dribbles compared to Shelvey’s nine.

Back in September, Bissouma earned hefty praise from Leicester manager Brendan Rodgers, who said of the midfield maestro: “I think he is a top player he does a great job defensively, he can press the game, he is aggressive, he intercepts, he blocks, he tries to get them on the front foot.

“Physically he has good physicality, he gets around the pitch, he is mobile, agile and tactically he looks strong around the game.

“He utilises empty space and technically he is very good, he touches the ball, he passes it, and has good awareness of space.”

Taking all this into account, securing a deal for the £29k-per-week Brighton ace should be at the top of Newcastle’s priorities for the summer transfer window.

In other news: Newcastle eyeing swoop for “cold” £60m machine, he’d be “fabulous” for Howe