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Crystal Palace could be set to make a move for Arsenal striker Eddie Nketiah.

What’s the story?

According to The Sun, new Eagles boss Patrick Vieira is keen to strengthen his attacking options after taking control of the south London outfit and he may return to his former side to do just that.

Nketiah is set to depart the Emirates Stadium this summer in search of regular game time, with a £20 million price tag reportedly placed on his head.

Vieira will be buzzing

With Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Alexandre Lacazette ahead of him in the pecking order at Arsenal, Nketiah found first-team minutes hard to come by last season.

The former England Under-21 international was limited to just four Premier League starts throughout 2020/21, although he still managed to impress Gunners boss Mikel Arteta with his performances.

“I want him to keep doing what he’s doing. The way he played last night against those players, in those difficult conditions, for me is extraordinary at his age,” claimed Arteta after he caught the eye against Manchester City.

“He has an immense personality to play, confidence, he’s powerful and is developing in every area, I think. I have a lot of faith in him.”

Nevertheless, Nketiah may have played his last game for the north London outfit, and a short move across the capital could occur over the coming months.

It’s set to be an important summer for Palace, with Vieira needing to bring in several new recruits ahead of the upcoming campaign after multiple departures.

Replacing Michy Batshuayi at the top end of the pitch is likely to be a top priority of the former Nice tactician after the striker returned to parent club Chelsea, and Nketiah could be the man to do just that.

A return of 13 goals in 65 Arsenal appearances is a respectable record for the youngster, and Vieira is likely to be buzzing at the prospect of the dynamic forward coming in to bolster his attacking options.

And, in other news…Imagine him & Zaha: Parish must sanction Palace swoop for “special” £19.8m-rated gem 

Newcastle United are reportedly now ‘trying’ to sign Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang in the January transfer window.

The Lowdown: Out of favour

Ever since Aubameyang was stripped of the captaincy by Mikel Arteta last month, he has not featured at all for Arsenal in the Premier League.

In that time, the Gunners have picked up a few convincing wins and scored a lot of goals – 15 in five games to be exact (Transfermarkt) – suggesting that the Gabon international would not be missed all that much if he left and perhaps paving the way for an immediate exit.

He is now at the African Cup of Nations (AFCON), although has recently tested positive for COVID-19, and it seems he may not be a Gooner on his return if the latest reports are anything to go by.

The Latest: In contact

As per Italian football journalist Rudy Galetti, the St. James’ Park faithful are now ‘trying’ to sign Aubameyang, and are already ‘in contact’ with the Emirates Stadium faithful about a potential loan move.

The striker ‘would like’ a switch to the North East, and so this is a saga to keep an eye on throughout the window.

The Verdict: Avoid

There is no doubt that ‘Auba’ has been a top player throughout his career, scoring over 300 goals at both club and international level combined.

However, he has Whoscored).

Coupled up with his mammoth £250,000-per-week wages and less than spotless injury record, he is a player that the Tyneside outfit should be avoiding, as they look to build the project for the future.

In other news, find out which 154-goal title-winner NUFC are now eyeing here!

Aston Villa are considering a cut-price move for Brentford midfielder Christian Eriksen, according to 90min.

The Lowdown: Eriksen’s record against Villa

The Danish playmaker made a return to English football in the New Year, signing for the Bees until the end of the season. He has helped Thomas Frank’s side to pull away from the relegation zone, with Brentford winning all four games in which Eriksen has played 90 minutes.

The 30-year-old is yet to face Steven Gerrard’s men since his return to the Premier League, with the attacking midfielder previously playing six games against Villa for Tottenham, resulting in five wins.

The Latest: Villa interest in Eriksen

According to 90min, Villa are among a number of clubs who are looking into offering Eriksen a contract.

Crystal Palace, Everton, Newcastle United and West Ham are also considering moves, while Spurs are another side credited with an interest.

Eriksen wants to remain in the Premier League and isn’t thought to be demanding a six-figure wage.

The Verdict: Shrewd move?

Gerrard doesn’t have an out-and-out attacking midfielder on the books at Villa Park at this moment in time, with both Philippe Coutinho and Emiliano Buendia labelled as wingers by Transfermarkt.

On that basis, bringing in Eriksen – who has been labelled a ‘superstar’ by Graeme Bailey – could be a shrewd move on a free transfer.

He has bundles of Premier League experience, contributing to 120 goals in 231 games, so that could be most useful as Gerrard looks to take Villa to the next level in his first full season in charge in the Midlands.

In other news: Sky Sports journalist reveals that Villa ‘officials’ have now moved for new target who ‘Gerrard wants’

Crystal Palace shared images of defender Nathan Ferguson on their official Twitter page on Thursday.

And, as to be expected, a number of Eagles fans were quick to react to the update on social media.

Ferguson was brought to Selhurst Park back in July 2020 after his deal with West Brom expired.

It has since been revealed that Palace have to pay just £900,000 in compensation to the Baggies, however, the 21-year-old is still yet to turn out in red and blue.

The defender has suffered multiple injuries during his time with Palace, with the latest coming back in May when he tore his achilles, but it seems as if Ferguson may well be close to finally making his Eagles debut after being pictured on the training ground.

Unsurprisingly, fans are extremely excited to see what will certainly feel like a new signing finally donning the Palace shirt.

Palace fans react

This is what these CPFC supporters had to say in reply to the club’s official post regarding Ferguson, with many happy and one labelling it as ‘fantastic’.

“Oh I’m emotional”

Credit: @Kevbartleyy

“OMG Today is a good day”

Credit: @DrizzyCPFC

“Fantastic to see – keep going Nathan”

Credit: @LukeRemnant

“Omggggggggg barclays ain’t ready”

Credit: @CPFC_Ollie_

“Things you love to see”

Credit: @SWPalace

“This makes me so happy to see! What a journey!”

Credit: @Tolcheey17

“Comeback SZN!”

Credit: @DeePalace_

In other news: ‘Would be mad’ – Many CPFC fans stunned as ‘stupid’ transfer news emerges.

Flocking to Twitter, many West Ham United fans have been left delighted following an update on Adam Hlozek from reliable club insider ExWHUemployee.

The Czech Republic international has been on David Moyes’ radar since the summer transfer window and reports have suggested in recent weeks that they could make an offer to sign him in January (90min).

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Czech billionaire Daniel Kretinsky’s purchase of a 27% stake in the club has only heightened reports that West Ham could make a move, especially considering the magnate’s ties to Hlozek’s current club Sparta Prague.

The striker, who bagged 15 goals and 11 assists in just 19 Fortuna Liga appearances last term, has emerged as one of the most in-form young players in Europe as Ex drops an exciting transfer claim. According to his sources (via The West Ham Way), the Irons are set to make a ‘concrete offer’ for him in January, with interest ramping up significantly in recent weeks.

West Ham fans excited…

Taking into account the player’s prolific goalscoring record and young age, it’s little wonder so many Irons supporters are excited at the prospect of a concrete offer, with one fan calling this news ‘massive’.

Check out some of their best reactions below:

“YESSSSSS”

Credit: @morgzwhu

“Finally”

Credit: @adambrown93

“Massive”

Credit: @FPLFella

“Time for me to get excited at strikers we’re linked to again! Please let this one end up differently than all the disappointment my hopes have been met with in the past!”

Credit: @TheWestHamYank

“Definitely the one striker I want us to sign”

Credit: @robson261009

“Get him on board, coyi”

Credit: @Petercrowe12

“this bloke is elite”

Credit: @stephenlott

“Great news!”

Credit: @brdv2137

In other news: Newman also eyeing West Ham bid to sign 129-goal ‘big name’ striker in January, find out more here.

The Athletic’s Phil Hay has delivered his verdict on Leeds United boss Marcelo Bielsa and the side’s struggles this season in the Premier League.

What’s the story?

The Whites fell to yet another disappointing defeat in the top-flight at the weekend, this time slipping to a 1-0 loss against Southampton, and Hay has now commented on some of the key issues facing the club.

He said: “The bench is incredibly young. With the exception of Forshaw, one Premier League start between them. I can understand why, despite the past three years, that still worries people. You’re looking for proven options and there are very few.

“We’ve asked him about squad depth or written about it so many times. He always has the same answer which is to say that it’s how he wants it and it’s how it’s going to be. It’s worked for him up until now but looking at that bench today, you just couldn’t see where the impact was going to come from. Fully fit there are decent options but it has to be said that this squad is rarely fully fit.

“I don’t think they’re confused. I think people can just see that it hasn’t worked in the same way so far. And because Leeds are so drilled and have such a defined way of playing, when it doesn’t work it’s going to cause concern. Because you know Bielsa will stick to his plan.”

Worrying times for Leeds

Just as much as the result, the performance is what really would have caused Leeds fans to worry about their team going forward over these next few weeks in the Premier League.

The Whites could only muster three shots on goal in the entire game against Ralph Hasenhuttl’s side, while they also made significantly less tackles and won fewer duels too – an all-round abject display.

As Hay touched upon, strength in depth has been a glaring problem at Elland Road under Bielsa, with the Leeds boss preferring a tight-knit squad with little room for manoeuvre if things go wrong.

The big problem for him, is that anything that could go wrong, has gone wrong for him in these early weeks of the Premier League campaign.

Whether it be injuries, illnesses or the dreaded consequences of the international break, Leeds have been without a number of key first-team players for a good period of time, including the likes of Kalvin Phillips, Raphinha and Patrick Bamford.

By not really strengthening the squad of the summer, and instead choosing to stick to his guns, Bielsa decided to play with fire. And everything that has come since has hardly been surprising. It’s sure to worry Leeds fans.

Meanwhile, Leeds are eyeing this La Liga starlet…

Crystal Palace could finally replace instrumental midfielder Yohan Cabaye this summer, three years after he departed the club.

What’s the story?

According to French outlet Homme du Match, the Eagles are preparing a £7m offer for the Scotland international Callum McGregor as new manager Patrick Vieira looks to add some class to his engine room options.

The Celtic captain has cultivated an enviable reputation for himself after winning 14 major trophies in his homeland, and he could be the perfect complement to Palace’s current options in the middle of the pitch.

Patrick Vieira would love him

After arriving at Selhurst Park in July 2015, Cabaye quickly became the heartbeat of a successful Palace side, dictating the tempo of their play with his quick thinking and precise passes, attributes which McGregor also possesses.

At the peak of his powers in south London during his first season with the capital club, the Frenchman averaged an impressive two shots per league game, 1.5 key passes and 0.4 dribbles, recording a passing accuracy of 82.6%, as per WhoScored.

McGregor’s comparative figures for last term outline the obvious similarities between the pair, with the 28-year-old managing 1.6 shots per game, 1.6 key passes and 0.8 dribbles.

While the likes of James McArthur, Luka Milivojevic and Cheikhou Kouyate have done an admirable job in the Palace midfielder since Cabaye’s departure, the trio are more industrious and pragmatic than their elegant predecessor.

Applying a touch of finesse to proceedings is something McGregor has been doing in Glasgow for a number of years now, and his impressive displays have earned many plaudits down the years, including former Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers.

“He controls the tempo of the game,” said Rodgers. “He is a boy that takes the ball, so clever in his movements, and we ask him to go into certain area of the pitch to offer support. He has a dream of a touch that allows him to go forward.

“His feet are nice and soft, he doesn’t play backwards so much, and he has a great range of passes, and he has the personality now to play those passes, not just one that is secure to keep the ball, he can break a line with a pass and open up and split up the game for us.

“He has been absolutely exceptional in that role, but I say that everywhere he plays.”

Therefore, Vieira would surely love to sign McGregor this summer, taking another significant step in his mission to overhaul the decaying squad Roy Hodgson left behind.

And, in other news…Fabrizio Romano drops exciting Palace transfer update that’ll leave fans buzzing 

Leeds United youngster Charlie Cresswell was set to face Arsenal on Saturday before a shoulder injury ruled him out of the match, according to journalist Phil Hay.

The Lowdown: Leeds thrashed by Arsenal

The Whites suffered another dispiriting Premier League outing on Saturday, losing 4-1 to the Gunners at Elland Road. Marcelo Bielsa is having to tackle an injury crisis and it is showing on the pitch, with Leeds now sitting a worrying 16th in the table.

A relegation battle looks increasingly on the cards and a huge amount of resolve will need to be shown in the coming weeks, with signings required in the January transfer window.

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The Latest: Cresswell suffers injury

Writing in a Q&A for The Athletic after the Arsenal game, Hay confirmed that youngster Cresswell was set to start before he picked up an injury of his own.

The journalist stated: “Cresswell was injured in training – shoulder problem. Was due to start today.”

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The Verdict: More minutes coming his way?

Considering Leeds’ current injury woes, it may be that Cresswell soon gets another chance to shine, assuming he recovers from his shoulder issue.

The 19-year-old has already made four Premier League appearances this season (starting once) and he has shown he can compete at this level, earning a 7.93 rating from WhoScored in the Carabao Cup penalty shootout win over Fulham back in September.

Granted, it would be better not having to throw a teenage centre-back into the team, but it could end up proving to be invaluable experience further down the line. Indeed, going by how poorly Leeds defended against the Gunners, it’s not outlandish to suggest that Bielsa could have done with the teenager on Saturday.

In other news, three Leeds players struggled in the defeat to Arsenal. Find out who they are.

Newcastle United transfer target Ousmane Dembele has informed Xavi of his intention to leave FC Barcelona, according to El Chiringuito (via Sport Witness).

The lowdown

Spanish outlet Mundo Deportivo reported last month that Newcastle are in ‘pole position’ to land France international Dembele.

He’s valued at £45million by Transfermarkt, but The Magpies could potentially bring him in on a free transfer because his contract is up at the end of the season.

That’s not to say it’d be a cheap deal. Dembele’s £287,000-per-week wages make him the second-highest earner at Barcelona, behind only Philippe Coutinho (£380,000).

The latest

El Chiringuito’s Jota Jordi revealed that Dembele is lining up his exit from the Camp Nou after a lucrative offer from the Premier League.

“Dembele has told Xavi not to count on him for next year,” he said. “He has an offer from England of a lot of money, with a transfer bonus because he would go free.”

The translation from Sport Witness mentions Newcastle United by name, although it is not clear from Jordi’s comments if they are the ones who have made that offer.

The verdict

This would be an exciting, if risky, signing for Newcastle. Dembele, a former Young Player of the Year in both Ligue 1 and the Bundesliga, is one of the four most expensive players in football’s history.

The great Lionel Messi once dubbed him a ‘phenomenon’, backing him to break into the world’s elite, so there is no questions he is a player with immense natural talent.

But the big concern is his injury record. Since he joined Barcelona in that blockbuster deal in 2017, he’s missed a whopping 100 games through a relentless series of problems.

Ability counts for little without availability, especially if you’re shelling out massive wages for the player in question.

In other news, there’s been a key update on another NUFC target at Barcelona.

Many Everton fans have been left unhappy as a transfer update emerged on Matheus Nunes.

As per A Bola, the Goodison Park faithful have had a proposed swap deal involving Andre Gomes rejected by Sporting Lisbon, as manager Ruben Amorim was not keen on the offer.

Playing in 31 games in Liga NOS in the 2020/21 term, scoring three goals and supplying a further two assists (Transfermarkt), Nunes was a key player in Sporting’s first domestic title win since 2002.

On the other hand, Gomes came under a lot of criticism from some supporters of the Merseyside club for some of his poor performances over the course of last season, and so a swap deal may have suited the Toffees going into the new campaign.

Nonetheless, it looks as if Rafa Benitez’s team will have to try a different approach if they are to sign Nunes.

Everton fans on Nunes transfer update

These Blues were unhappy as the transfer update was shared on Twitter:

“We literally can’t spend a penny can we. Sad times.”

Credit: @rlfansSaddened

“Every time I read Everton transfer news after other teams have completed major business. My mind automatically prefixes this stuff with “..meanwhile in La La Land””

Credit: @CeejayNightwing

“That’s not very nice…”

Credit: @WattyWattDogg

“Embarrassing”

Credit: @JBradshawPhotos

“It’s all getting a bit silly now”

Credit: @Roundhouse1878

“We’re truly skint / cannot spend aren’t we”

Credit: @PaulChute

In other news, find out what transfer update has Evertonians fuming here!