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Reliable reporter Fabrizio Romano shared updates on Manchester United trio Bruno Fernandes, Luke Shaw and Paul Pogba on Sunday afternoon.

As to be expected, his social media post received plenty of interaction from a number of United fans.

According to Romano, Fernandes has been United’s ‘priority’ since last July when it comes to offering contract extensions to members of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s squad.

His current deal, which is worth £180,000 per week, runs until 2025, but United are in talks with the 27-year-old’s representatives over an improved salary and possible length of a new contract.

Romano added that Shaw is also on the club’s renewals list, while the Red Devils are also waiting on a response from Pogba over a fresh Old Trafford contract.

The Englishman’s contract has just under two years to run, whereas Pogba could leave for nothing at the end of the season should his situation remain the same.

United fans react

Here is what these Manchester United fans had to say on Twitter in response to Romano’s post, with one labelling it as ‘important news’ as all three are regulars in Solskjaer’s first XI.

“SIUUUUU”

Credit: @Deafeatist

“The brilliant journalism we all needed now”

Credit: @AliInqiad

“Yesss”

Credit: @lmRashford

“Important news”

Credit: @stretford_end

“VIVAAAAA BRUNO”

Credit: @cultrahull

“Couldn’t care less about Pogba. Get Bruno’s and Luke’s sorted @ManUtd”

Credit: @C_Keshav

In other news: ‘Yeeeessss’ – Lots of MUFC fans buzzing over Romano’s update on Amad Diallo

Crystal Palace are being considered as a potential option by Arsenal striker Eddie Nketiah.

What’s the story?

That’s according to a report by The Times, who claim that the Eagles, as well as Bundesliga outfit Borussia Monchengladbach, are being considered as potential destinations by the 22-year-old.

The Englishman is set to depart The Emirates this summer upon the expiration of his contract, with the forward still yet to extend his stay with the Gunners, and therefore looks set to be able to join a new club on a free transfer.

Palace had been keen on signing Nketiah during the January transfer window, with Sky Sports reporting that the south London club had multiple bids rejected.

Palace should sign Nketiah

Although his goal tally isn’t seriously impressive, there is certainly plenty of talent and potential in the boots of Nketiah.

Prior to Wednesday evening, the 22-year-old hadn’t found the back of the net in the Premier League, with all five of his goals for the Gunners this term coming in the EFL Cup.

However, the £9m-rated striker sensationally scored twice away at Chelsea as Arsenal got their top-four push back on track with a 4-2 victory at Stamford Bridge.

Despite limited game time this term, the Englishman has been subject to praise from manager Mikel Arteta in the past who has previously labelled the forward as “incredible” as well as being “extraordinary at his age.”

Palace have managed to find goals in their team this term, having scored 43 in 32 matches thus far. However, 11 of those have come from winger Wilfried Zaha, who has equalled his best-ever season in front of goal to date.

In terms of strikers, however, Patrick Vieira has chopped and changed with Jean-Philippe Mateta, Odsonne Edouard, Jordan Ayew and Christian Benteke all having spells in the side up front.

Edouard and Mateta have both scored six times in all competitions, whilst Benteke (four) and Ayew (two) have struggled in front of goal.

However, Edouard has recently fallen out of favour, starting just one of the Eagles’ last ten matches and hasn’t managed to get off of the bench in five of those, including Palace’s 2-0 FA Cup semi-final defeat to Chelsea.

Mateta is currently the favoured option, however, the south London outfit could certainly do with more prolific options in the final third, with Nketiah potentially being that man.

On a free transfer, there is little risk signing the Englishman who, at 22, has bags of potential which could make him a very shrewd acquisition for Vieira’s men.

AND in other news: Contact made: Palace now in talks for “incredible” £15m “priority”, he “fits the bill”

After an impressive start to life as Aston Villa manager, former Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard returned to Anfield on Saturday, looking to build on his side’s recent run of three league wins from four.

Despite a battling performance, the Villans left Merseyside empty-handed as Mo Salah’s 67th-minute penalty separated the two teams.

With the Reds the league’s top scorers with 44 goals prior to the match, the Midlands club were always going to need their front men to perform if they were to come away with a result, particularly Ollie Watkins. However, the striker had a quiet afternoon at Anfield.

Starting in a front three alongside Ashley Young and Jacob Ramsey, Watkins struggled to make any sort of impact, with the centre-forward failing to get a single shot away.

Furthermore, according to SofaScore, the 25-year-old lost possession 14 times alongside making just 36 touches, meaning that he lost the ball every 2.57 touches. There was a lack of physical presence up front from Villa’s talisman too as Watkins lost 75% of his duels.

The £44k-p/w forward has made a good start to life under Gerrard, scoring against Brighton and Manchester City under the 41-year-old since he replaced Dean Smith, and there is still little doubt that Watkins is the club’s best striker, his four league goals the most of anyone in Villa’s squad so far this season.

However, fellow forward Danny Ings returned from injury on Saturday, having not played for three games, which will increase competition in the attacking department once again. The two started alongside each other in Gerrard’s first game against Brighton, with Ings playing as a centre-forward and Watkins playing on the left of a front three.

It’s plausible that this could happen again, but if both were to purely play in their preferred centre-forward role, then one would have to miss out. This must be used as an incentive for Watkins has his place in the starting line-up is at greater risk after today’s soporific performance, especially with the renewed availability of Ings.

In other news: Aston Villa can start January with a bang by signing “unbeatable” £27m-rated machine

Manchester United have had a rollercoaster season so far, appointing Ralf Rangnick to steady the ship in late November, with the expectation that he would offload those that were not up to scratch in the squad, and replace them with better-placed footballers, however it looks like these expectations won’t be met in January.

What’s the word?

Fabrizio Romano did a YouTube interview on Tuesday with popular Manchester United fan group, The United Stand, and revealed more about the intentions of the club during this transfer window in particular:

“I am told that the focus of Manchester United is for summer, and not for January. At the moment there is no priority target for January, but if they do something it will be a midfielder.

“Let me say, the focus of Manchester United is on summer, not January. This is what Man United are planning to do.”

Fans will be furious

This fresh blow to the potential transfer plans of the club will leave fans furious, especially after their 1-0 loss to Wolverhampton Wanderers at Old Trafford on Monday night.

Rio Ferdinand claimed that the side are “lacking confidence” and with that being said, it would surely be ideal for the side to gain new additions to address the current issues and inspire a change in direction for their current Premier League season.

Rangnick’s side are currently involved in the knock out stages of the Champions League, FA Cup and a Premier League campaign where they are currently four points adrift from the top four in 7th competing with West Ham, Arsenal and Tottenham, all above them in contention for a spot to qualify for Champions League football next season.

Therefore, it will be surprising to not see players added to the squad to compete with strength across the competitions.

Fans are keen to see new additions to address the clear midfield issues that has seen the current players losing possession hundreds of times per game, with possession lost an overall 167 times alone in their clash with Newcastle United last week, in which the game ended in a draw.

One Red Devils fan Tweeted;

“It’s been 4 days since the transfer window opened and we not close to signing a DM… This club will kill us @ManUtd.”

United will come up against Steven Gerrard’s Aston Villa in the FA Cup on Monday, and the German coach will be hoping to put the disappointing result from this week in the league behind him and give the fans something to be happy about with the potential of a good domestic cup run.

However, after this reveal from Romano, their hopes for the rest of the campaign look rather unhappy. They simply have to sign a few players.

In other news: Rangnick could axe Martial by signing Dembele

Leeds United fans will love Phil Hay’s latest claim…

What’s the word?

The Athletic reporter dropped an exciting 12-word update on the contractual situation of Raphinha to Twitter earlier this week.

“Leeds United are increasingly confident of finalising a new contract with Raphinha,” he said before going on to discuss his performance against West Ham United on Sunday in an accompanying column for the website.

Hay described his display as a “creative masterclass” as Jack Harrison’s hat-trick secured an impressive 3-2 win over the Irons at the London Stadium.

A matter of time?

It is surely only a matter of time before we hear official news from the club on this front as all the noises around Elland Road are positive – the fact that one of the most reliable sources associated with Leeds is saying so is massively encouraging.

Indeed, Sunday’s performance was another damning reminder of how important the Brazilian is to Marcelo Bielsa and the squad.

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As per SofaScore, he registered a whopping eight key passes, including an assist for one of Harrison’s three goals. He also accurately delivered 100% of his crosses, registered two dribbles and attempted three shots but could not add to his eight goals.

Before the weekend, he was the only player to have scored more than twice. He also tops the charts for average rating (7.27) by quite some margin, leading the way for key passes (2.1 per game) and dribbles (2.3 per game), via WhoScored.

‘Leeds have no interest in listening to bids for Raphinha in the present transfer window,’ Hay added in his piece for The Athletic. ‘They have received no offers so far and when it was reported in his native Brazil on Christmas Eve that Bayern Munich would sign him before the end of the month, Leeds poured water on the story quickly.’

Raphinha has been a real star for the Yorkshire giants ever since his £17m move from Stade Rennes in October 2020 – now valued at £36m by Transfermarkt, it has looked every bit like an incredible deal for the club.

Of course, United should be resigned to losing him at some point but him being around for the foreseeable future, thanks to an extension to his current £63k-per-week deal is surely going to leave the Elland Road faithful absolutely buzzing.

AND in other news, “This week”: Journo drops big Leeds transfer claim live on air, fans will be buzzing…

According to a recent report from The Daily Telegraph, Stoke City are one side eyeing up a January move for Charlie Austin. The 29-year-old currently plays his football at Premier League outfit Southampton and has done so since leaving Queens Park Rangers three years ago, only for the arrival of Ralph Hasenhuttl as the new Saints boss seeing him fall down the striking pecking order at St Mary’s.

And a recent report from The Daily Telegraph suggests that the Englishman could be set for a move away from the South Coast outfit this month in a bid for regular first team football, with Nathan Jones’ Stoke one side reportedly (as per The Daily Telegraph) keen on 29-year-old.

And with the Potters having proven to be pretty goal-shy in the second tier this season, luring the Premier League ace away from Southampton would go some way to significantly benefiting Jones’ side ahead of the remainder of the season.

The Breakdown

Ultimately, there was much expectation around the bet365 Stadium during the summer following the appointment of Gary Rowett as the new Potters boss, with the Englishman tasked with turning the relegated side into one challenging at the right end of the Championship this time round.

However, the former Birmingham City and Derby County chief lost his job at the Staffordshire-based outfit earlier this month given his side’s indifferent start to the campaign, with part of their problem their struggle to put the ball in the back of the net – as of now, Stoke have managed to score on just 33 occasions so far this term, which is fewer than all but one side (Middlesbrough) currently ahead of them in the division.

And with Benik Afobe the club’s leading goal-scorer with only eight so far this term, and just three others reaching five in all competitions, it’s pretty clear that striking reinforcements are necessary this month if Jones is to take the club forward in 2019 – after all, they are only eight points adrift of the top six.

And a move for Southampton striker Austin would go some way to seriously benefiting the Potters in the final third of the pitch.

The Englishman may have been playing at Premier League level for much of the last few years, but the 29-year-old has certainly excelled in the second tier throughout his career in spells at Burnley and QPR.

Be it 41 goals in just 82 games for the former between 2011 and 2013, in which time he helped the Clarets record successive mid-table finishes in the Championship, or indeed his 27 goals in 47 second tier matches for QPR between 2013 and 2016, Austin’s record at Championship level is quite extraordinary – there aren’t many strikers like him available at this time of year.

Yes, injuries have somewhat stunted his progress at Southampton, appearing just 72 times for the Saints in the last three years, but it’s clear that when fully fit and firing, the Englishman could be a huge asset to Jones in the second tier – he has the predatory instincts in the penalty area to turn many chances into goals.

And with Stoke seemingly crying out for someone like Austin to lead their line in the second half of the season, a raid on Southampton for the linked-away ace would go some way to strengthening Jones’ side in their quest to mount a Championship promotion push.

Stoke fans… what do you think? Let us know!

According to Fichajes, Sevilla are interested in signing Tanguy Ndombele from Tottenham Hotspur.

The Lowdown: Record breaker

Ndombele, of course, is Spurs’ record signing (£54m) since making the move to north London from Lyon in 2019.

However, he has struggled to make an impact at the club. He was heavily criticised by former Spurs manager Jose Mourinho for not being fit enough and his lack of commitment (via The Metro), and his future at the club remains uncertain after requests to leave in the summer.

The Latest: Sevilla want Ndombele

As per this latest report from Spain, the La Liga outfit are interested in signing the midfielder in 2022.

It adds that the north London outfit are looking for a fee between €35m (£29.5m) and €45m (£37.9m) if they are to part ways with the France international.

The two clubs have a relationship already of course after the transfer of Bryan Gil, so Daniel Levy will know what to expect in negotiations.

The Verdict: Good money

Ndombele has just not made the impact many expected from him. In 82 games, he has managed ten goals (Transfermarkt), but the criticisms directed at him have certainly damaged his reputation. For the money they paid to acquire him from France, he simply hasn’t cut it.

At this point, it seems as good a time as any to consider any bid for Ndombele and, while this reported interest from Sevilla is not yet concrete, a €45m (£37.9m) fee would not represent that big a loss for Levy ( and co. It remains to be seen whether an official bid comes in soon.

In other news, this man has been blamed for Spurs’ struggles.

Since emerging as Leeds United’s number one goalkeeper, Illan Meslier has shown exactly why many at the club believe him to be an integral part of their future.

Speaking on The Inside Elland Road Podcast just over a year ago, The Yorkshire Evening Post’s Graham Smyth said: “He’s been great, hasn’t he? For a 20-year-old, for £5m, I mean Victor Orta – it feels almost illegal what he’s done getting a player of that quality at that age for £5m, remarkable business.”

The towering Frenchman joined from Lorient, and after usurping Kiko Casilla to become the Whites’ first-choice shot-stopper, has become one of the Premier League’s most promising goalkeepers, if not the most.

Still only 22, Meslier has racked up considerable top-flight experience by playing week-in and week-out, and enjoyed a superb debut campaign at the highest level last season.

With a total of 11 clean sheets to his name in the Premier League, Meslier ranked joint-fifth among all goalkeepers in the division, and that despite playing for a side who have come to be known for their more attacking style of play and committing men forward.

Aside from his shot-stopping though, the young Frenchman’s ability with his feet has always been one of his standout attributes, with former Whites striker Jermaine Beckford raving: “The kid is incredible. I was watching the game (against Everton) and there were a couple of moments, (Dominic) Calvert-Lewin, Richarlison and James (Rodriguez) had chances, but Meslier stood in their way. His distribution is one of the best in the Premier League.”

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Indeed, Meslier’s willingness to come for crosses and take the pressure of his defenders has also been raved about by former England goalkeeper David James, who said earlier this calendar year: “Meslier – I love him. I went on social media, I was watching a game and he went for about 10 crosses (v Burnley), he carried on coming for crosses.

“The commentators were battering him. I was thinking ‘the guy is still coming’, and as soon as the whistle went, the camera was panning but you could see all the defenders going up to him. That is quality.”

His performances in the Premier League have now seen his value shoot up, with CIES now rating him at a mammoth £40m – an increase of eight times his initial fee.

There’s no questioning that Victor Orta struck a dream deal by landing a goalkeeper for both the present and the future, for so cheap.

AND in other news – Sold for under £1m, now a PL winner: Leeds suffered embarrassment with “special” star

‘Newcastle United are very interested’ in Borussia Dortmund midfielder Mahmoud Dahoud, according to SPORT1’s Patrick Berger. 

The lowdown

Newcastle have used up only £12m from a January transfer budget which may be as high as £100m, having brought in Kieran Trippier from Atletico Madrid.

Dahoud, who is into the final 18 months of his contract at Dortmund, is valued at £16.2m by Transfermarkt. He has started 11 of their 18 Bundesliga matches this season, although it’s worth noting he was sidelined for five of those with a twisted knee.

The latest

After Dahoud netted the winning goal for Dortmund against Eintracht Frankfurt on Saturday, Berger took to Twitter to update fans on his future, saying that the midfielder is ‘wanted by some Premier League clubs, especially Newcastle’.

The 26-year-old is very much ‘on the NUFC wishlist’ but he’s not thought to be ‘interested in a winter move’ and, for the moment, ‘he’s happy’ at Marco Rose’s side.

The verdict

You can see why Newcastle and PIF would be interested in Dahoud. Comparison data from FBRef shows that he is an exceptionally well-rounded midfielder. He ranks in the 70th percentile or better for goals, expected assists, progressive passing, dribbling and tackles.

It’s therefore no surprise to see that Bundesliga expert Raphael Honigstein labelled him Dortmund’s ‘most influential midfielder’ last year and called him ‘absolutely brilliant’.

However, from the player’s perspective, you can understand the reluctance to move. His team have closed to within six points of league leaders Bayern Munich and will still harbour dreams of winning the title – a scenario which seems a distant dream for relegation-threatened Newcastle.

In other news, Newcastle are also in talks over this potential deal

A number of Wolves supporters have urged the club to sign Hwang Hee-chan on a permanent deal, following interest from Liverpool and Manchester City.

The South Korean moved to Molineux in the summer transfer window, joining on loan from RB Leipzig and looking to make his mark in the Premier League.

Hwang has done exactly that, scoring four goals in six starts to date and adding substantial firepower to the attack alongside Raul Jimenez.

The hope is that the 25-year-old’s move will become a permanent one but Wolves will be wary of interest from both Liverpool and Man City.

The Mirror claimed [via Talking Wolves on Twitter] that both Premier League heavyweights see Hwang as someone who could further bolster their already impressive attacking options.

Wolves fans want permanent Hwang move sorted

These Wolves fans took to Twitter to urge Wolves to sort out the striker’s future as soon as possible.

“Get it done @Wolves”

Credit: @Spicer_Liam

“Sign him up. No dragging it out. And get our targets in quickly instead of wasting time. If Lage wants a player get him that player Jeff”

Credit: @JamesSa36443478

“We need him…cracking player”

Credit: @Terry55672207

“Omg….. they better not.. think he wants to stay here “

Credit: @emilyy8x

“Hope we sign him up”

Credit: @xEz_Acex

“We’d surely have 1st choice on him anyway being as though we have the option to buy in the loan so no need to panic”

Credit: @mark_spruce

In other news, a Championship player has been linked with a move to Wolves. Find out who it is here.