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Manuel Pellegrini is surely expected to strengthen his options at right-back during the summer transfer window.

The Hammers signed Ryan Fredericks from Fulham in the summer but the Englishman has struggled to adapt to life in the Premier League. Instead, Pellegrini has used Pablo Zabaleta on the right flank for the majority of the season. However, his long-term future at the club remains unclear with the ex-Manchester City man fast approaching the end of his career.

The 34-year-old has reportedly (as per Claret and Hugh via City Watch) been offered a coaching role at the London Stadium but is yet to confirm whether he will retire from the professional game. Nevertheless, Pellegrini must bolster his options on the right side of defence. Reports from the Daily Mail suggest West Ham are lining up Manchester United veteran Antonio Valencia on a free transfer.

Instead, the Hammers should make a move for Strasbourg flyer – Kenny Lala. Valued at £10.8m by Transfermarkt, the 27-year-old has proved to be a fantastic addition since signing on a free from Lens in the summer of 2017. Lala has been one of the most consistent performers in Ligue 1 this season which should make the West Ham scouts sit up and take notice.

The Frenchman has been a constant threat from the back, scoring an impressive four goals as well as registering nine assists from defence. His blistering pace and dribbling ability make him a nightmare to deal with and would cause plenty of headaches for Premier League defenders. Not only does Lala excel offensively, he doesn’t neglect his defensive duties, averaging an impressive 2.5 tackles per game in Ligue 1 this season (WhoScored).

With his contract set to expire in the summer, West Ham should grab themselves a bargain.

West Ham fans, thoughts?

Flocking to Twitter, these Liverpool fans have voiced their opinions as a fresh update emerges on their pursuit of Barcelona star Frenkie de Jong.

The Catalans maestro has been linked with a move to Anfield recently with the club, and by extension owners Fenway Sports Group, seemingly eyeing moves to bolster Jurgen Klopp’s options in the middle of the park.

Borussia Dortmund sensation Jude Bellingham is another midfielder to have been mentioned alongside the Reds but it’s news on de Jong which now has some Liverpool fans talking on Twitter.

Indeed, according to Spanish media outlet Sport, the 24-year-old is not happy at his current club and there are ‘several’ clubs, including Liverpool, who are ‘crazy’ about signing him.

However, as his future hangs in the balance, it will depend on the player himself with Barcelona under some pressure to convince him that their project will eventually be a winning one.

Liverpool fans react…

Reacting to news that their club are ‘crazy’ for the £81 million-valued man, while there are those who doubt whether Liverpool can afford his lofty estimated price tag, others would simply love him at Anfield.

Going by his statistics, it’s not hard to see why, with the defensive midfield sensation proving to be an adept, assuring presence.

According to WhoScored, whilst averaging an impressive 91.4% pass accuracy so far this season, he’s also completed more dribbles per 90 (2.4) than any Liverpool player – including superstars Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane.

Taking this into account, it’s little wonder some supporters believe he would come as an ‘insane signing’ for the right price – find all of their reactions down below:

“Would be an insane signing if we could get for around 60m ish. If they want 80m though, I’d rather spend it on Bellingham ngl“

Credit: @LewYNWA

“I’d do anything for this transfer pleasseeeeee”

Credit: @DiogoJotaFC20

“Be a good signing this if it happens”

Credit: @garth_23

“Pleaseeeee”

Credit: @97HassanM

“He ain’t coming to Liverpool would cost too much”

Credit: @andy_shirlaw

“Think he suits a Klopp system tbf”

Credit: @BenHatcher19

In other news: ‘Yesssss’, ‘It’s time’, ‘Finally’ – Many Liverpool fans go wild for club’s teasing two-word message, find out more here.

Wolves enjoyed a 1-0 away at Brighton and Hove Albion in the Premier League on Wednesday night thanks to a goal from Romain Saiss.

It was a lovely curling ball by Ruben Neves to put him through, and a delicate touch from the Morocco international to give the Midlands club all three points against the Seagulls.

However, Neves was one of a few WWFC players who may not have been best pleased with their overall individual performance, as The Transfer Tavern have used statistical experts SofaScore to analyse who the three worst players (to have played at least 45 minutes) were for Bruno Lage’s team on the night.

With the transfer window coming up and injured players like Pedro Neto not far off a return, underperforming players may well be looking over their shoulder as the competition for places heats up…

Ruben Neves

The 6.9 rating given by SofaScore given to Neves seems very harsh considering his immaculate assist, but other aspects of his game means he ranks third here.

The central midfielder lost out on all six of his duels – hardly ideal for a combative midfielder – while he also failed to record a dribble, clearance, interception or tackle in the middle of the park.

He also lost possession of the ball on 15 separate occasions, the fourth-most out of any of his teammates.

Nelson Semedo

Despite being given the same rating (6.9) by SofaScore, Semedo ranks in second because of Neves’ assist.

The Portuguese international lost six duels, the same as Neves, and also made no interceptions, key passes, accurate crosses or long balls from the right wing-back position.

Semedo gave the ball away 17 times in total, the most out of any Wanderers player, and his lack of good deliveries into the box was extremely disappointing.

Francisco Trincao

Trincao was rated as the worst player for the Molineux faithful by SofaScore (6.4), and even the fans were particularly critical of his performance.

The winger lost four of his duels, while he was also unsuccessful with three of his dribble attempts, and never produced a key pass, accurate cross or long ball.

Trincao lost the ball 16 times, the joint-second most out of his teammates, which pretty much summed up his night.

In other news, find out what injury news has been bemoaned by Wanderers here!

With the halfway point in the 2022 January transfer window approaching, the only incoming transfer deal that Wolves have managed to pull off is a move for Japanese midfielder Hayao Kawabe.

However, he is apparently going to spend the remainder of the season on loan back at the club Wolves signed him from, Grasshopper Club Zurich.

Though, it seems as though the Midlands club could be about to get involved in another January deal that would not only see a new player come in but see a current one leave Molineux at the same time.

It has recently been reported by Spanish outlet Sport (via Daily Express) that Barcelona are willing to make a swap deal for Wolves winger Adama Traore that would see Ousmane Dembele make the move to Molineux this month.

Before joining Barcelona back in the 2017 summer transfer window from Borussia Dortmund in a deal worth a reported fee of £135.5m, the winger had racked up ten goals and 22 assists in 50 appearances for the German club.

During his time in Spain, the 24-year-old has made 129 appearances for Barcelona across all competitions in which he has managed to score 31 goals and provide 23 assists along the way.

With previous reports of Traore’s unhappiness at Wolves and reluctance to sign a new deal at the club, perhaps making this reported swap deal with Barcelona would be a good way of not only getting the Spaniard out of the club but also getting an immediate replacement for him as well.

Furthermore, it would keep him out of the hands of another Premier League team like Tottenham Hotspur who are reportedly interested in him too.

However, with Dembele’s significant injury record during his time at Barcelona, this will have to be taken into account by Wolves if they are willing to discuss a potential swap deal between the £27m-rated Frenchman and their flying winger before deciding whether or not it would be beneficial to have him in Bruno Lage’s squad.

Previously labelled as a player that “offers something different” to the team by former Barcelona coach Ronald Koeman, Dembele’s potential move to Molineux could blow the Wolves fans away.

A major plus point would be an immediate Traore replacement but promisingly, he’d also surely be an upgrade. After all, Joan Laporta once said: “For me, Dembele excites me, he is better than Mbappe.”

Pep Bartomeu, meanwhile, added: “Dembele is better than Neymar. He’s at Barca and he is better.”

Considering the France international’s knack for scoring and creating goals, he could certainly more than the current Wolves winger who hasn’t been particularly consistent during his time at the club with just ten goals and 18 assists in 152 appearances.

In other news: Wolves “interested in” signing “strong” £14.4m-rated beast, Lage would be thrilled – opinion

Paul Robinson has now dropped a big Newcastle United claim involving Ciaran Clark.

The Lowdown: Clark’s indiscipline

The Irishman has come under the spotlight recently due to his indiscipline, as footage shared last month showed him punching an opponent in a friendly against Al-Ittihad, which resulted in him being sent off.

This comes after he was given a red card just nine minutes into their 1-1 draw at home to Norwich City in the Premier League in November, and with the signing of Dan Burn from Brighton on Transfer Deadline Day, the 32-year-old’s future at St James’ Park will have to be questioned.

The Latest: Robinson reacts

Speaking to Football Insider, Robinson – who regularly appears on Sky Sports – has now claimed that Clark may have even played his last game for Newcastle, saying:

“You don’t know what has gone on behind the scenes but that was the perfect example of how not to perform in an audition in front of your new bosses.

“You don’t get sent off in a friendly game in front of your new owners when you’re on a training camp.

“He has played in quite a few games this season. If the manager sees him as surplus to requirements I’m surprised we didn’t see him move on before the deadline.

“Given his recent disciplinary record, this could be the end for him at Newcastle.”

The Verdict: Get rid

Following the arrival of Burn on Tyneside, Newcastle can now afford to get Clark off of their books.

The Republic of Ireland international is currently ranked as the fifth-worst player in the top flight at the moment, and the worst out of his teammates (WhoScored), so he would not be a big loss should the Magpies decide to get rid.

Nonetheless, he should at least be frozen out by Eddie Howe for his indiscipline until such time that a suitable buyer comes in for him.

In other news, NUFC are interested in this £83.3m-rated ‘engine’

A big update has emerged on Newcastle United’s efforts to land a director of football…

What’s the talk?

According to The Athletic’s Brighton reporter Andy Naylor, the Magpies have held talks with Brighton’s technical director Dan Ashworth over a move to St. James’ Park.

The report claims that a decision is not believed to be imminent on his future, whilst mentioning that the Seagulls gave permission to Newcastle to speak with him.

Buzzing

Newcastle fans will surely be buzzing with this news as it suggests that they are inching closer to landing a director of football. Whilst it may not be happening in the immediate future, it shows that the wheels have been set in motion and PIF are looking to the future in terms of where they want to go with the club.

Ashworth could be the man to come in and sculpt the side moving forward with decisions on matters on and off the pitch, whilst working alongside Howe to create a successful team. That is why this is such an important move for the new owners and why supporters will be delighted that they are making progress in their efforts to bring the Brighton man in.

Seagulls reporter Aden-Jay Wood previously Tweeted: “If Dan Ashworth goes (which I think he will), it will be a huge shame. Ashworth has almost singlehandedly changed Brighton’s approach both on and off the field and would be very, very difficult to replace.”

This suggests that he is the right man for PIF to appoint as he has managed to achieve success in turning a club around with Brighton, and that is yet a further reason why the Toon Army will be pleased with this news.

Nick Hammond has already been appointed to oversee the January window, which means that there is no rush for a deal to be completed for Ashworth. The ex-Reading chief has arrived on a short-term basis to assist the manager this month as the Magpies attempt to bolster their squad and he has got off to the best possible start.

Kieran Trippier is poised to sign on a permanent transfer from La Liga champions Atletico Madrid, six months after starring for England as they reached the final of the European Championships. The former Tottenham full-back averaged a WhoScored rating of 7.20 and provided six assists in the league last term for the Spanish side, showing the quality he possesses as a right-back.

This shows that Hammond is doing a fine job, so far, and Newcastle don’t need to rush Ashworth’s appointment and can, therefore, bide their time with him. Whether this means that he remains on the south coast until the end of the campaign or joins the Toon at the end of the window remains to be seen, but the fact that there have already been talks between the two parties will surely excite the supporters.

AND in other news, “Under discussion..”: Luke Edwards drops big NUFC transfer claim that’ll excite fans…

Taking to Twitter, many West Ham United fans slammed the performance of winger Jarrod Bowen as they dropped yet more points in the top four race.

David Moyes’ men took to the London Stadium against Brighton aiming to put two losses on the trot behind them and get back to winning ways, but it didn’t quite pan out that way despite a promising start.

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Tomas Soucek opened the scoring just five minutes into the contest but West Ham couldn’t put the game to bed, spurning a plethora of chances throughout the 90 minutes before Neal Maupay equalised for the visitors late on.

As a result, London rivals Arsenal could leapfrog West Ham if they beat Manchester United at Old Trafford tomorrow, and Moyes will be ruing a missed opportunity to strengthen their grip on fourth spot.

West Ham fans slam Bowen…

One man who attracted criticism for his performance in parts was Bowen, with the Englishman showing a threat but also spurning opportunities to extend West Ham’s lead.

As per SofaScore, the 24-year-old missed one big chance and was also wasteful in possession, giving the ball away 18 times in total on the night.

Losing more than half of his ground duels, winning just one battle in the air and ranking in as joint-lowest rated West Ham starter with a 6.5 (SofaScore), it’s safe to say that Bowen had a game to forget.

Here’s how these Irons fans reacted to his display:

“Bowen’s finishing recently has been abysmal, we don’t deserve to win this game. Such a joke, yet again. Brighton must love playing us.”

Credit: @_thejacobbc_

“I think Bowen is allergic to goals.”

Credit: @veryupsetfan

“Bowen is the most frustrating player to watch”

Credit: @_theanne

“Bowen finishing is atrocious at times. Another game where Lingard would shine Matty.”

Credit: @Joe_BM6

“Bowen can’t hit a barn door”

Credit: @GoanWHU

“Is Bowen even playing @westham, so far very invisible”

Credit: @WHU_AD

“One point from nine. Nowhere near good enough. Conceding at the end of the game against 10 men, utter joke. Diop for Dawson and Lanzini for Benrahma are NEEDED for Saturday or Moyes has lost it. Also, why is Bowen such a terrible finisher now? He’s been so wasteful.”

Credit: @AndrewKane221

In other news: ‘Wow’, ‘Tears’, ‘Siuuuu’ – West Ham fans rave over ‘massive news’, find out more here.

Aston Villa have made a late offer for Bologna left-back Aaron Hickey.

That’s according to Italian outlet Il Resto Del Carlino, and as to be expected, a number of Villa supporters have flocked to the update on social media.

Hickey was linked with a move to Villa Park earlier this month, with Gregg Evans believing that a swoop for the highly-rated Scottish teenager was more likely in the summer.

However, it seems as if NSWE and club CEO Christian Purslow have decided to launch a formal bid for the 19-year-old late in the winter window, possibly due to the fact that Matt Targett is set to join Newcastle until the end of the campaign.

Il Resto Del Carlino revealed that Bologna have turned down a €10m (£8.3m) offer from Villa which included a 20% sell-on clause.

Villa fans react

The AVFC Faithful on Twitter relayed the claims of a move late bid for Hickey on deadline day. Here is what these Villa fans had to say in reply…

“Anyone actually watched him on a consistent basis? Numbers look good mind. Would make the Targett deal make sense.”

Credit: @Hiddenvillian93

“Oh my, say it again faithful”

Credit: @AvfcTalkTime

“So that’s why Targett can leave… Makes some sense. Come on Purslow, pay up.”

Credit: @villaman12345

“GET IT DONE”

Credit: @KishinJay

“Double it boys, idc”

Credit: @AlexPickworth1

“Bro make it happen. Send a 15 mil bid in”

Credit: @ZM_AVFC

In other news: ‘Hats off to the board’ – Sky Sports pundit purrs at ‘amazing’ out-of-the-blue Villa transfer news

As per Fanatik, an update has come to light on Tottenham Hotspur’s transfer plans involving Fenerbache defender Kim Min-jae.

The Lowdown: Tottenham target centre-half…

The Athletic recently revealed that Spurs and manager Antonio Conte have a new central defender in their sights this summer with a number of key targets already shortlisted.

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According to their information, Joško Gvardiol, Alessandro Bastoni, Sven Botman and Nico Schlotterbeck have all been identified for possible attempts this summer as club chief Fabio Paratici gets to work on the 2022/2023 campaign.

Now, with news emerging on another defensive candidate out of Turkey, it appears Conte has personally approved a move for Kim.

The Latest: Conte green-lights move…

According to Fanatik, Tottenham and Everton have ‘taken action’ over Kim with Lilywhites officials scouting the player and recommending him to Conte.

Subsequently, the Italian has now personally approved a move for the South Korea international defender by giving the ‘green-light’.

The Verdict: Right call?

The 52-year-old wants to see new additions at N17 over the summer as he seeks to improve Tottenham further over his first full season in charge next year.

Kim, who could cost around €23 million (£19m), certainly comes as an affordable alternative to fellow targets on the list with the defender also being called a ‘monster’ in his homeland.

The 6 foot 3 powerhouse, branded one of the stars of the transfer window this summer by Fanatik, may well be one to watch out for if Spurs can’t offload players like Tanguy Ndombele for a profit.

In other news: Tottenham official dispatched as Conte identifies ’emerging superstar’ signing, find out more here.

West Ham are one of the clubs ‘most interested’ in signing winger Khvicha Kvaratskhelia this summer, according to a new transfer update.

The Lowdown: Productive season for Kvaratskhelia

The 21-year-old has enjoyed an impressive spell for club and country, catching the eye with his performances for Rubin Kazan and Georgia, respectively.

Kvaratskhelia scored two goals and registered four assists for Kazan in the Russian Premier League this season before joining Dinamo Batumi, due to the ongoing situation in Russia.

West Ham have been linked with a move for the youngster in the past and their interest doesn’t appear to be going away, as a new link popped up on Friday.

The Latest: West Ham keen on move

According to Il Mattino, the Hammers are one of those ‘most interested’ in acquiring Kvaratskhelia’s signature, should he make a quick-fire exit from his current club.

The level he is playing at is a significant step down, due to returning to his homeland after his Kazan contract was terminated, so he could jump at the chance of moving to the Premier League.

Leeds United and Napoli are two of the clubs also thought to be in the mix.

The Verdict: Exciting wide addition

Kvaratskhelia is an exciting prospect who is already impressing for Georgia, scoring five times in 13 caps, and he could be a great option for David Moyes to bring in this summer.

Predominantly a left-sided player, he could provide stiff competition for Said Benrahma in that position, potentially even coming in as an upgrade on him. He averaged four dribbles per game for Georgia in World Cup qualifying, showing what a direct and skilful player he is. To put that into context, his total dribbles per game for club and country combined comes in and three, which is more than double Benrahma’s 1.3.

Kvaratskhelias’ situation means he could even be available for free, with his stay at Batumi ending in June, meaning there is less risk in taking a punt on him, too.

In other news, one former West Ham player could return to the club this summer. Find out who it is here.