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West Ham have leapfrogged Aston Villa in the race to sign Chelsea striker Tammy Abraham, according to Football Insider.

The Lowdown: Villa links

Villa have been name-checked with an interest in the Blues forward in recent months. ESPN reported at the end of April that Chelsea were willing to part ways with the 23-year-old this summer, with Villa, the Hammers and Newcastle all keen on him.

The Mirror then revealed last month that Villa were willing to spend up to £40m on Abraham, with Crystal Palace also credited with an interest.

However, it appears as if David Moyes’ side are now at the front of the queue for the forward, who Villans assistant head coach John Terry hailed as “incredible” during his Villa Park loan spell in 2019.

The Latest: Source shares interest

According to Football Insider, who were informed by a recruitment source, West Ham are the current frontrunners when it comes to Abraham’s next destination.

The report suggests that an initial £30m could be enough to clinch a deal for the striker, with the Irons wanting cover and competition for Michail Antonio.

The Verdict: Wesley holds the key?

Dean Smith currently has Ollie Watkins, Keinan Davis and Wesley as central attacking options, with the latter linked with a move away from Villa Park.

Reports in March claimed that Villa would listen to offers for the Brazilian this summer, and should he leave, Smith may well be in need of another high-profile forward to challenge Watkins.

Abraham could be the perfect addition as he knows the club well and already has Premier League, Champions League and international experience under his belt. However, it seems as if Villa may need to act fast if they wish to sign him, or else risk missing out to top-flight rivals West Ham.

In other news: Reliable reporter shares just how much Aston Villa offered for Kalvin Phillips, find out more here. 

Arsenal are lining up a shock move for Youri Tielemans this month, according to reports…

What’s the word?

Goal journalist Charles Watts delivered an exciting update to supporters on Twitter this week, claiming that the Gunners’ are ramping up their plans to sign a new midfielder before deadline day.

“Arsenal and their search for a midfielder:

– Contact made over Arthur

– All sides open to a loan

– Tielemans a long-term target

– Talks have taken place with his agent at London Colney,” he tweeted alongside an accompanying article.

The reliable reporter went on to explain how the north London giants have already held talks with the 24-year-old’s agents about a potential switch from league rivals Leicester City.

Outstanding addition

What an incredible signing this would be for Arsenal and as surprising as it would be, it has to be realistic considering their form under Mikel Arteta this campaign.

On the cusp of the top four, the Gunners are some ten points clear of the Foxes, who finished above them last season. The prospect of offering the Belgian dynamo Champions League football is becoming increasingly possible each game.

The need for a new midfielder is paramount to those chances, so landing Tielemans could come hand-in-hand.

Thomas Partey and Mohamed Elneny have gone to the Africa Cup of Nations and are unavailable for selection for the rest of the month, whilst Ainsley Maitland-Niles has been shipped to AS Roma on loan.

Meanwhile, Arteta is thought to be missing the likes of Emile Smith Rowe and Martin Odegaard ahead of tonight’s Carabao Cup clash with Liverpool, so there’s somewhat of a big engine room crisis going on at London Colney at the minute.

After securing the FA Cup last season, Tielemans won Leicester’s ‘ Player of the Year’ award, by both the fans and his peers.

He is capable of providing goals from midfield, having bagged five times this season but he also offers attributes in the defensive third too. He has averaged 1.9 tackles and 1.5 clearances per game, via WhoScored.

On the above evidence, Arsenal fans will surely be absolutely buzzing by this transfer bombshell.

AND in other news, David Ornstein drops huge transfer update on the Gunners’ striker search…

Newcastle United must prepare for the departure of star man Allan Saint-Maximin this summer – and may need to take a risk on his replacement.

What’s the word?

According to a report by the Daily Mail, Newcastle’s star forward is expected to be sold this summer, with the fee received expected to be pumped back into Eddie Howe’s squad.

Among the Frenchman’s mooted replacements are Nottingham Forest’s Brennan Johnson and Bayer Leverkusen’s Moussa Diaby, while Arsenal’s Nicolas Pepe has also been linked with a switch to St. James’ Park this season.

However, in a recent interview with Football Insider, Ex Leeds United forward Noel Whelan claimed that a move for the Gunners attacker would be something of a risk.

Speaking about the Magpies’ potential interest in the 26-year-old, Whelan said: “A loan move may be something that Newcastle might fancy. These are the sort of players they will be targeting. He could turn his career around and end up being that big-ticket player. But right now, it’s a gamble.”

Bye-bye Saint-Maximin

Saint-Maximin has yet again proved his importance this season in more ways than one.

His five goals and three assists have been imperative in Newcastle’s bid to secure Premier League survival, though it’s his dribbling and ball carrying ability that have been the biggest positive for the Magpies.

It comes as no surprise that the 25-year-old ranks top of the Newcastle squad for successful dribbles per match with 4.3. Quite simply, his ability on the ball is often the catalyst for his side’s counterattacks, with the £28.8m-rated forward by far and away being the most efficient carrier of the ball.

However, while losing a player of Saint-Maximin’s calibre would certainly come as a huge blow to the Magpies, they could employ a like-for-like replacement in Nicolas Pepe – the Arsenal winger who has struggled to live up to his enormous transfer fee since signing from Lille in 2019.

Although he has faced scrutiny, he has not exactly been a flop in England thus far. The potential has always been there, with his end product on display for all to see just last season – when he bagged an impressive 10 goals over just 29 appearances for the Gunners.

Indeed, his £72m fee has arguably been his biggest enemy during his time in England, but a move to Newcastle for a rumoured fee of £25m could release the reins for the 26-year-old Ivory Coast international.

Pepe is a technical player, just like Saint-Maximin, who thrives in possession, more specifically within the attacking third. With around 35 touches in the attacking third per 90, he ranks in the 93rd percentile amongst positionally similar players within Europe’s top 5 leagues over the past 365 days.

For context, Saint-Maximin is ranked within the 81st percentile with around 23 touches in the attacking third per 90.

In this aspect, the £140k-per-week Pepe who Joe Cole claimed “makes things happen” would serve as an upgrade for his composure in the final third.

He may be a risk to some, but the underlying stats suggest that the Arsenal winger has everything it takes to replace Allan Saint-Maximin at Newcastle United – leading us to believe that PIF must take a chance on Pepe this summer.

In other news: Fee agreed: NUFC now already set to seal 1st summer signing, Howe surely over the moon

Many Everton fans have been reacting to a revelation involving Carlo Ancelotti.

As per AS (via Sport Witness), the Goodison Park club made a ‘measly’ €5m (£4.3m) from his move to Real Madrid due to a clause in his contract.

The Italian even forked out a ‘significant amount of money’ in order to make the move happen, as he ‘gave everything’ to go back to his old club.

Given that the Toffees only spent £1.8m in the summer transfer window, any penny squeezed out of Ancelotti’s departure would have no doubt been useful, but it seems as if the board did not get as much as they should have from his exit to Madrid.

Everton have not won in their last five games in the Premier League under Rafael Benitez, suggesting that the lack of spending is beginning to take its toll.

Everton fans on Ancelotti revelation

These Toffees fans reacted to the revelation as it was shared on Twitter, with one supporter describing the claim as ‘incredible’ and others lamenting a ‘blunder’ from the club’s board, which has come in for criticism from some quarters recently:

“Gets in touch with them over transfers, ends up offering them his services. Incredible.”

Credit: @PatricRidge

“Not so much under hand, as right under our royal blue noses”

Credit: @rodgerarmstrong

“Last gentlemen in football, remember”

Credit: @Vicaz22

“Another board blunder, who agrees to a contract clause like that?!”

Credit: @rob_fisher_efc

“What players was he hoping to sign from Madrid with his £1.7 million war chest?”

Credit: @PaulDevine70

“Legged it once Bill & Moshiri told him he had £2mil to spend”

Credit: @bluetom77

In other news, find out whose punditry had many Evertonians erupting

Newcastle United striker Chris Wood cut an anonymous figure as the northeast giants secured a dramatic, last-gasp 2-1 victory over Leicester City on Sunday afternoon.

The Magpies’ winter signing Bruno Guimaraes headed home a fortune cross from Joe Willock in stoppage time to move further clear of the drop zone and it was his second of the game as he cancelled out Ademola Lookman’s opener on the half-hour mark.

Barring any late collapse, Eddie Howe’s side are surely safe and secure, but for all of the positives at St James’ Park, the performance from the New Zealand talisman is surely cause for concern as his barren spell in front of goal continued.

After United splashed out on his £20m release clause, the 30-year-old has scored only two goals across 13 appearances and the Foxes win was another reminder of his ineffectiveness when not playing to his strengths.

As per SofaScore, Wood registered the fewest touches of any starting member of either team, managing only 16 across 69 minutes on the pitch – even goalkeepers Martin Dubravka (31) and Kasper Schmeichel (36) managed more.

His lack of involvement as the Magpies’ lowest-rated player on the day meant that he saw just one shot all game and it was off target. By comparison, match-winner Guimaraes had four shots on target by himself.

Wood also managed only five passes from his 12 attempts, meaning he misplaced the ball 58% of this time, on top of losing possession eight times (50% of his touches), which is rather appalling.

Newcastle World described the frontman as having a “quiet afternoon” in their post-match ratings column, whilst The Sheids Gazette claimed he “failed to threaten in front of goal.”

The £72k-per-week striker, who has previously been described as “frightening” in training by former teammate Scott Malone, was anything but that against the Foxes on Sunday – Howe should be concerned.

AND in other news, Newcastle could finally axe shocking £55k-p/w liability with £40.5m-rated “tank”…

As Crystal Palace took on Newcastle United at Selhurst Park today, many Eagles supporters were left blown away by the performance of striker Christian Benteke.

Patrick Vieira’s side, looking to gain some momentum after a fairly inconsistent start to the season, met the Magpies in London this afternoon in what was a fairly entertaining encounter.

The travelling side, fresh off their headline-grabbing takeover, were given a run for their money by Palace who constantly threatened and provided real problems.

One major vocal point of the attack was Benteke, and despite missing some big chances across the 90 minutes, hitting the woodwork twice, his goal summed up just how threatening he actually was.

According to SofaScore, the Belgian had six shots on goal in total and won the vast majority of his duels up against Newcastle – prompting supporters to praise Benteke on social media, who was unlucky to have a second strike ruled out by VAR too.

Find all of their best verdicts down below.

Palace fans blown away by Benteke…

“This is one of the best Benteke performances I can remember. He’s been excellent”

Credit: @TalkCPFC

“Forget the goal, Benteke has been absurdly good in hold-up today”

Credit: @jack_jsteele

“If you cross the ball, Benteke becomes almost unplayable.”

Credit: @CroydonExile1

“Benteke has much more confidence under Vieira”

Credit: @Dave_Winbod

“I can’t believe my eyes benteke back in form??”

Credit: @GhostKingUK

“wow our own benteke”

Credit: @AendeLaw

Sheffield United have been dealt a blow in their bid to bring Robin Olsen to Bramall Lane this summer.

What’s the talk?

That’s according to a report by Italian media outlet Calciomercato, who claim that the AS Roma goalkeeper is stalling over a potential move to the Blades, in the hope that a Premier League side firm up their interest in his services.

It had previously been reported that Slavisa Jokanovic’s side had identified the 31-year-old shot-stopper as their number one candidate to replace the recently departed Aaron Ramsdale, and were locked in discussions with the Sweden international – whom Jose Mourinho is believed to be open to parting with this summer.

Jokanovic will be livid

With it being all well and good that Oslen is stalling over his potential move to Bramall Lane due to his desire to play Premier League football, the goalkeeper’s indecision will nevertheless have left Jokanovic livid.

Indeed, with time running out for the 53-year-old to bring in a new first-choice ‘keeper in the summer transfer window, should a top-flight side indeed chose to make a move for the Roma man in the coming days, it would leave the Serbian with very little time to source another player in the position.

Furthermore, Olsen would very much appear to be a fantastic signing for a Championship club to make, as the 31-year-old highly impressed for both Everton and Sweden last season.

Indeed, over his seven Premier League appearances for the Toffees last term, the £2.7m-rated man kept two clean sheets, as well as conceding an average of just 1.3 goals and making three saves per game.

These returns saw the player Alexander Isak dubbed an “incredible” talent earn an average SofaScore match rating of 6.87, ranking him as the Toffees’ 12th-best performer in the league.

This fine form continued while on international duty, with the £14k-per-week shot-stopper conceding just four goals and keeping two clean sheets over his four appearances at Euro 2020 – with these metrics seeing the ‘keeper earn a highly impressive average SofaScore match rating of 7.05.

As such, while losing Ramsalde will have undoubtedly come as a blow for Jokanovic, if the Blades boss were to replace the youngster with Olsen this summer, it would certainly soften the hit – although, whether or not the Roma man ends up in Sheffield appears rather uncertain at present.

In other news: Jokanovic heading for his biggest SUFC transfer mistake to date, fans will be livid

Many Everton fans have been left buzzing over an official social media post from club ahead of their game at Crystal Palace later today.

As per the  Toffees’ official Twitter channel, Dominic Calvert-Lewin is now back on the pitch doing individual training as he continues to recover from his injury setback, which has kept him out of action since August.

The match at Selhurst Park this evening may come too soon for him, but it is such a boost to see the striker back in training, meaning that he should be ready to return soon.

Calvert-Lewin scored three goals in his first three appearances of the season prior to his injury (Transfermarkt) and was their top scorer in 2020/21 with 21 goals, showing just how crucial he is to the team, so his return will very much be welcomed by Rafael Benitez and Everton supporters.

Everton fans on Calvert-Lewin’s return to training

These Toffees fans buzzed as the images of the 24-year-old in training were shared on Twitter:

“Things you love to see”

Credit: @___MC88

“He’s back.”

Credit: @_adamefc_

“SIUUU”

Credit: @efcdoyley

“WWWWWWWW”

Credit: @pwefc1

“Great to see”

Credit: @StacyMu78345188

“Yeah!”

Credit: @JoAschoolHR

In other news, find out what latest Lucas Digne news has had these Evertonians talking

Speaking to Football Insider, Sky Sports pundit Kevin Campbell has been left thrilled by a Tottenham Hotspur transfer development involving Antonio Conte.

The Lowdown: Conte pushing for ‘proven’ signing…

As per the same outlet, it appears Tottenham fans could be set for an ‘unprecedented’ January transfer window as Fabio Paratici and Conte lay the groundwork for a mass spending spree.

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Among Conte’s personal transfer demands for the winter window is apparently a ‘proven’ centre-back signing with the Italian ‘ ‘pushing’ to sign someone who can come in and marshal their backline alongside the in-form Eric Dier and Cristian Romero, when the latter returns from injury.

The Latest: Campbell heaps praise on Tottenham

After this development, Campbell has heaped praise on Conte and Spurs for targeting that area, calling it a ‘smart move’.

“They’ve got a lot of weapons going forward, so that backline has to be a real priority for Conte and Spurs,” he told Football Insider.

“With Romero injured there’s a gap at the back. Conte is a very experienced manager, and he knows that for all the attacking flair they have, if they are leaking goals – it will not end well for Tottenham.

“It’s a smart move to be targeting that marquee centre-back in January.”

The Verdict: Get it done…

Dier has impressed under Conte since the 52-year-old took over at Spurs but the Englishman’s presence without Romero arguably isn’t enough for Spurs to potentially get European qualification out of this campaign.

A marquee centre-half signing should certainly be top of the agenda for Tottenham and it’s little surprise Conte is pushing the club to sign one, with there being many links in recent months.

The likes of Stefan de Vrij, Alessio Romagnoli and even Juventus star Matthijs de Ligt have been linked from Serie A and any one of these big name defenders would gift Spurs an upgrade.

It remains to be seen who Conte and Paratici opt to bring to north London, but amid their current COVID crisis, supporters could do with some good news.

In other news: Conte wants player out in January as final decision made, Spurs chiefs already told to sell…find out more here.

Tottenham Hotspur are on the verge of sealing their third signing of the summer…

What’s the word?

According to Sky Sports’ Lyall Thomas, Atalanta centre-back Cristian Romero is set to fly to England to complete his move to Spurs after a deal was fully agreed with the Serie A outfit.

He tweeted:

“Cristian Romero is to fly to London to complete his move to #Tottenham after the deal was fully agreed with #Atalanta and they secured loan deal for Merih Demiral.”

It’s thought that the 23-year-old Argentina international will arrive in London in the next 24 hours to finalise the move, with the Lilywhites paying around a total of £47m for his services.

Romero is expected to sign a five-year deal after Atalanta secured Merih Demiral as his replacement.

Signing no.3

Spurs fans have had to endure a lot over the past 18 months.

Jose Mourinho’s tumultuous reign came to an early conclusion after they were knocked out of the Champions League prematurely. The North Londoners failed to make either of UEFA’s top two tournaments, were defeated in yet another major final and recorded their worst league finish in over a decade.

That’s not to mention the currently emerging saga surrounding star striker Harry Kane after he failed to return to pre-season training after his holidays. It’s well-known that he would like to join defending Premier League champions Manchester City so that he can achieve his trophy ambitions but nobody could’ve expected him to act like this.

However, the arrival of a marquee centre-back gives the Lilywhites faithful something to look forward to and shout about.

[snack-amp-story url= “https://www.footballfancast.com/web-stories/spurs-latest-team-news-transfer-rumours-gossip-and-much-more-copy” title= “Read the latest Spurs news, transfer rumours, gossip and much more!”]

They have already secured a new backup goalkeeper in Romero’s former teammate Pierluigi Gollini, formerly of Aston Villa, and a new winger for the future in Byran Gil, a swoop that saw Erik Lamela finally depart in the other direction.

A lot of Spurs’ problems throughout 2020/21 came down to their troubles in defence. None of the other traditional ‘big six’ leaked more goals, not even Arsenal, who finished one place behind in eighth.

Now that Toby Alderweireld has left the club, Nuno Santo is left with only three central defenders, in which two – Davinson Sanchez and Eric Dier – have been publicly slammed as “one of the worst partnerships” in the Premier League.

The latter, especially, is cause for concern as he started more games than any other centre-back last term.

In Romero, the Portuguese coach will be getting an instant fix as he was named the Serie A’s ‘Defender of the Year’ after an impressive campaign in the heart of Atalanta’s defence.

The £45m-rated Argentine recorded more interceptions per game (3.1) than any other player in the division and was lauded as “phenomenal” by Serie A expert Conor Clancy to This is Futbol.

If he performs to the same level, then Spurs will certainly be getting a defensive animal fit to fill that glaring void. The fanbase is surely buzzing as Fabio Paratici closes in on signing number three at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

AND in other news, Spurs open talks to sign £18m-rated “leader” who “Nuno likes”, he’s a big Dier upgrade…