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Aston Villa manager Unai Emery is keen on signing Real Madrid centre-back Nacho Fernández, with the club thought to be ‘very attentive’ to his current situation.

The Lowdown: Nacho on the move?

The 32-year-old has found himself on the periphery of things at Madrid in recent times, failing to earn regular playing time at the heart of their defence.

Nacho has only started once in La Liga so far this season, and with his current contract expiring at the end of this season, a fresh challenge could come his way.

It looks as though Villa could be in the mix to snap up the experienced Spaniard, following a new update.

The Latest: Emery keen on signing

According to reports in Spain [via Sport Witness], Emery has ‘always liked’ Nacho as a player, dating back to his time as Arsenal manager, and Villa are ‘very attentive’ to him.

Madrid are happy for him to leave at the end of the season, given his squad role at the club.

It’s perhaps no surprise the Villa boss is a big fan, as Nacho helped keep his Villarreal side out last season in two 0-0 draws.

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The Verdict: Great option for Villa

Nacho could be a really shrewd signing by Villa, as they look to add options at centre-back, following patchy performances by Tyrone Mings and a serious injury to Diego Carlos.

Granted, the Madrid man’s best days now may be behind him, but he is still young enough to enjoy a few years in the Premier League and his versatility is impressive, actually playing at full-back in both of those stalemates against Emery last season.

He has picked up a winning mentality during his time at Madrid, winning an incredible five Champions League titles, and that could rub off on Villa’s players, acting as another reason to sign him.

Chelsea boss Graham Potter is eyeing the future of the club with ravenous ambition, and has identified one of the sport’s most touted stars to potentially replace a current option who is attracting interest from Italy. 

What’s the word?

Mason Mount has become a fan favourite at Stamford Bridge; a boyhood Blue, he has been an integral cog in the machine since his ascension to the first-team several years ago.

But with contract talks on pause, Mount finds himself earnestly observed by Italian giants Juventus, withCalciomercatowebreporting that Old Lady boss Massimiliano Allegri is even willing to sell up to three players to make room for the England star. 

Chelsea would undoubtedly be reserved over parting with their ace, who has already proved invaluable for the club, winning the2020/21Champions League, but his departure could turn the page to a deal of truly seismic proportions. 

Space cleared to swoop

Mount would likely garner a lucrative fee, and while many surrounding Chelsea would resent the deal to see their star boy depart, his exit could indeed shift attention to the signing of Jude Bellingham, with a marked increase in confidence over the completion of the deal sure to follow.

Bellingham, still only 19-years-old, is valued at£129mand has become one of football’s most talented young prospects, labelled a “prodigy” and playing with the maturity and leadership of an established midfield powerhouse at the top of the game, with an abundance of experience. 

Lauded as “powerful” and a “superstar” by Premier League legendRoy Keane, Bellingham has recently found himself at the centre of heavyinterestfrom the likes of Chelsea, Liverpool, Manchester City and Real Madrid.

However, despite intrigue from the world’s most distinguished outfits, Chelsea might feel they hold an advantage should Mount depart, with the hefty fee required and the newfound slot in the team factors that point towards a deal closing on completion. 

And with reports stemming from South Americastatingthat Liverpool have agreed a deal from summer 2023 for Argentina’s 21-year-old World Cup phenom Enzo Fernandez, the door is well and truly paved open.

Whether Chelsea choose to depart Mount, who is viewed by many as a natural leader and a prospective future captain at the club, will remain to be seen, but his 32 goals and 37 assists across181appearances have been crucial to the Blues’ success over the past few years.

AndFBrefranks him within the top 19% of midfielders for assists, the top 15% for progressive passes received and the top 11% for tackles, across Europe’s big five leagues over the past year, and his robust presence at the beating heart of the Chelsea project will need to be meticulously assessed, if the club are indeed going to decide to part with him. 

Though, in Bellingham they’d have a perfect replacement, with Mount’s England teammate comparatively ranking in the top 14% for assists, best 6% for progressive passes receives and the top 35% for tackles.

Transfer expert Dean Jones says that Arsenal ‘really like’ FC Barcelona winger Ferran Torres, and ‘inquired’ about him over the summer.

The Lowdown: Mudryk alternative?

The Gunners have been strongly linked with a move for Shakhtar Donetsk winger Mykhaylo Mudryk in the January transfer window, but the Ukrainian club so far have not budged on their extortionate €100m (£87.7m) asking price.

Edu is expected to try and negotiate that price down, but if a deal is deemed too expensive to do, then the North Londoners could look at alternative targets, as they seek cover in the forward line for the injured Gabriel Jesus.

The Latest: Torres liked

Speaking to GiveMeSport, Jones says that the Emirates Stadium outfit also ‘really like’ Torres, and could make a move for him instead having ‘inquired’ about him in the summer:

“They really like Ferran Torres, and they clearly believe he might become available because they inquired about him in the summer as well.

“So, if they’re sniffing around him again now, they sense that something’s up.”

The Verdict: Great back-up option

If a deal for Mudryk fails to materialise, then Torres is a great back-up option for Mikel Arteta and his side.

Footballing legend and Barca manager Xavi rates his player very highly, claiming that he is ‘world-class’ after signing him last January:

“He’s a player on another level, he’s spectacular: how he understands the space, links play, doesn’t lose the ball, his defensive work… he’s world-class. He’s a great signing, one I wanted, and a wonderful footballer.”

Having won a Premier League title with Manchester City, Torres’ move to Barcelona has seen him score 12 goals and make seven assists in 44 games in total over all competitions for the Catalan giants (94th percentile for shots and progressive passes received per game of all wingers in Europe’s top five leagues over the past year.

At just 22 years of age, he still has a very high ceiling, and this would be a smart deal to do for Arsenal if they cannot land Mudryk.

Tottenham Hotspur remain interested in one of Europe’s hottest young talents…

What’s the latest?

That’s according to ESPN, who note the Lilywhites’ various top targets for the upcoming January transfer window.

At the end of their segment on the north London outfit, they claim that Cody Gakpo has been scouted by the club amongst others.

Having been one of the many clubs linked with the winger since the summer, they could reignite their interest in this winter window and secure a sensational new signing. Although, it is expected to cost them at least £50m.

However, with Lucas Moura having been rumoured to exit for some time now, this move would definitely spell the end of his Spurs career.

Bye-bye Lucas Moura

Although he has impressed since signing in 2018, he has admittedly never truly hit the heights that were expected of him as he moved from Paris Saint-Germain.

Despite this, his crowning moment will always remain his sensational late hat trick in the Champions League semi-final against Ajax, which fired them into the final.

His first full season yielded a ten-goal league haul, but he admittedly struggled to hit a goal contributions tally over eight for the following campaigns.

It seems that they would not have this problem with Gakpo, who is one of the hottest goal-scorers in Europe at the moment.

Despite having only played 24 games across all competitions this season, the 23-year-old boasts 13 goals and 17 assists.

He is following up last season’s 21-goal and 15-assist success with an even more devastating year, and he truly is “at the top of his game”, as former West Ham United striker Dean Ashton claimed.

Sofascore has recognised his talents by handing him an average rating of 8.33 in the Eredivisie, form that Statman Dave could only describe as “unstoppable”

Gakpo would translate this proficiency into World Cup success, as he would score in each of their group stage matches before crashing out at the hands of eventual winners Argentina.

It has been a monstrous first half of the season for the wide man, and should Spurs win this transfer race, they will acquire a sensational talent to make fans forget they ever had Moura.

Ross Stewart made it three goals in three games since his return from injury against Wigan Athletic on Thursday night but Sunderland fans may be concerned that his strong form will only increase the interest being shown in him ahead of next month’s transfer window.

The Scottish striker was instrumental in the Black Cats’ return to the second tier last season as he hit 26 goals en route to promotion from League One, and he would start the new season in similarly impressive form.

In just seven appearances in the Championship, the former Ross County man would contribute a superb five goals and three assists, while he has added another three to his tally in recent appearances against Hull City, Blackburn Rovers and Wigan.

It was a huge blow for Tony Mowbray to lose the striker through injury in recent months but it seems as if he is getting back to his best just in time for the January window, with a number of Premier League and Scottish Premiership clubs understandably keen on recruiting the 26-year-old forward.

Sky Sports reporter Keith Downie wrote on Twitter:

“Middlesbrough are showing the strongest interest from a clutch of clubs wanting to sign Sunderland striker Ross Stewart. Stewart could leave in January with Blackburn & Stoke among a number of Champ clubs – plus Rangers – keen. PL duo Crystal Palace & Brentford also monitoring.”

Therefore, with Stewart’s contract at the Stadium of Light set to expire at the end of this season, albeit with an option for a one-year extension, it may not be long until the Black Cats are searching for a replacement for the talismanic striker.

Fortunately for Mowbray, he could already have an ideal candidate in 20-year-old academy talent, Max Thompson.

The young striker arrived from Burnley in the summer, having featured in the Premier League for the Clarets under former manager Sean Dyche, but he is yet to make a senior appearance for the Black Cats.

Upon his arrival at the Stadium of Light, Thompson said:

“It feels a long time coming to sign here, as I came close back in January. I would describe myself as a goalscorer and a direct player. I’m eager to learn from all the coaching staff and make serious progress here.”

The young forward enjoyed a strong spell in Burnley’s academy, hitting 17 goals in 41 appearances for the U21’s and he has continued that prolific form with his new side, boasting five goals and one assist in seven Premier League 2 appearances.

Thompson certainly seems to know where the back of the net is, and if Sunderland do lose Stewart in 2023, Mowbray could do a lot worse than handing the 20-year-old an opportunity as his replacement.

Liverpool defeated Leicester City 2-1 at Anfield to record their fourth straight Premier League victory and give Jurgen Klopp a major confidence boost heading into 2023.

It wasn’t a comfortable evening for the home side, however, with some terrible defending giving Leicester the lead courtesy of Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall in the fourth minute of the match.

Defender Wout Faes became just the fourth player to score two own goals in Premier League history as Liverpool went into the interval leading 2-1.

The second half saw the Anfield side register 12 shots in total but fail to extend their advantage, however, it was a hard-earned three points from Klopp’s men and takes them to sixth spot in the table, just two points outside of a Champions League place.

Darwin Nunez could have scored a couple of goals and having hit the woodwork once and taking a total of seven shots, Klopp will be expecting him to improve ahead of the next match.

The club’s best player on the night was Thiago, with the Spaniard controlling the midfield throughout the match, taking 112 touches in total.

He made 81 passes, completed two key passes, succeeded with 11 of his 15 long ball attempts, and had his only shot blocked, but his passing ability was excellent throughout and was integral to Liverpool maintaining their narrow advantage.

Defensively, the 30-year-old was outstanding, making four tackles, three interceptions, blocking a shot, and winning 12 out of his 16 duels – a success rate of 75% – proving that when he is in the mood, he can be Liverpool’s best player in the side.

The Anfield Watch declared Thiago as “the best player on the pitch tonight” and judging by his statistics, it’s hard to argue with the praise.

Liverpool are coming into some solid league form just when it is beginning to matter and with a run of fixtures next that include matches against Brentford, Wolverhampton Wanderers, and Brighton and Hove Albion, Klopp will be eyeing a top-four spot by the end of January.

Liverpool defender Virgil van Dijk’s injury will be a ‘real worry’ for the Premier League club, according to talkSPORT pundit Gabby Agbonlahor.

The Lowdown: Initial fears confirmed

The Reds suffered a 3-1 defeat at the hands of Brentford on Monday, and unfortunately for Jurgen Klopp, the result wasn’t the only negative from that game.

The Netherlands international was substituted at the interval after sustaining a hamstring injury in the first half, and it has since been revealed that the body blow is worse than initially feared, meaning that he is set to face a lengthy spell on the sidelines.

The Latest: Agbonlahor’s comments

Speaking to Football Insider, Agbonlahor claimed that Van Dijk has been underperforming of late and suggested that, in years to come, the Dutchman may not be able to continue at the level that people would expect of the one-time PFA Player of the Year.

The former Aston Villa striker said: “I’m hoping it’s just a bad spell for him. But when I’m watching him, he doesn’t look himself.

“We’ve seen Mbeumo run in behind him, and he wasn’t catching him. The Van Dijk of old would have been all over it, but he looked laboured.

“Maybe there is an underlying injury, but not everyone can play at the top level until 37 or 38. It could be that his legs have gone.

“It happens – even to the best players – and that will be a real worry for Liverpool.”

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The Verdict: Blow for Klopp

Whilst Van Dijk hasn’t been at his best this season, as reflected in his WhoScored career ratings, it will still come as a massive blow for Liverpool to learn that they will be without him for the foreseeable future.

The 6 foot 3 colossus has been a rock at the heart of the Reds’ backline, making 4.1 clearances and winning 2.6 aerial duels per league game in the current campaign, along with scoring two goals (WhoScored).

Liverpool still have the likes of Joel Matip and Ibrahima Konate available so there’s no need to panic about a lack of reliable centre-back options, but the club will nonetheless be hoping to have Van Dijk return as quickly as possible.

Chelsea must complete a January move for one of their most touted attacking targets following a recent boost in their pursuit of him.

Borussia Monchengladbach’s Marcus Thuram has been in red-hot form this season, and with his contract up for expiry in just a matter of months, the Blues have indeed been linked with a move. Indeed, transfer guru Fabrizio Romano has even claimed that “negotiations will continue” despite the £9.7m loan signing of Joao Felix.

According to prominent German journalist Christian Falk, writing in his Caught Offside column on Friday, Blues manager Graham Potter could prove successful in his pursuit of the Frenchman by offering just €10m (£9m) in the ongoing transfer window.

With Thuram’s electric pace and imposing physicality, partnered with his prolific output this season, Chelsea would inject a cutting edge and added dimension to the flagging forward line.

The Blues have been well below par this season, currently languishing in tenth place in the Premier League, ten points behind Manchester United in fourth – who have a game in hand – and out of both domestic cup competitions after defeats to Manchester City.

With seven defeats from the past ten matches across all competitions, with just seven goals scored in this period, the need for change is evident.

Felix has indeed arrived at Stamford Bridge but has been beset with the ignominy of a red card on his debut, with the Blues losing 2-1 to local rivals Fulham on Thursday. In Thuram, the fluidity and potency of the frontline could be rekindled.

Having been plagued by injuries last year, the 25-year-old has bounced back into prominence with a resounding start to the season, netting 13 goals and providing four assists from just 17 matches for Gladbach from his dynamic role as his team’s talisman.

Not quite the traditional centre-forward, the nine-cap Frenchman relies on his physical attributes to terrorise defences and carry the ball into dangerous areas, unleashing deadly strikes with aplomb.

As per FBref, over the last 12 months, he ranks within the top 7% of forwards in the big five European leagues for rate of goals, top 8% for total shots, top 6% for dribbles completed and top 13% for touches in the opposition’s penalty area.

With this level of clinical prowess and evident brilliance in direct frontal assaults, drifting past defenders and finding space in promising positions, he could be the very cog that Chelsea need in order to get the Blues machine whirring once again.

The overarching gloom seeping into Chelsea’s core can be swiftly eradicated with several well-placed actions to get firmly back on track, and Thuram could be the catalyst to instigate the initial change.

Christopher Nkunku’s summer transfer to Stamford Bridge is reportedly completed, which could be a partnership in itself, as Football FanCast recently outlined.

In the present, Thuram could provide the “world-class” pedigree – as once lauded by Wolfsburg director Marcel Schafer – to save Chelsea’s ailing season and give Potter the killer ingredient that he has been missing in attack.

Leeds United were fairly clinical in their pursuit of Max Wober and Georginio Rutter as they tied up deals for both with minimal fuss.

In quick succession, director of football Victor Orta had bolstered both the attack and the defence, leaving only the midfield untouched thus far.

With a solid foundation already in place with Tyler Adams and Marc Roca, it seemed somewhat foolish to break up a partnership that was blossoming with each passing game week.

As such, it seems like the only position worth strengthening remains in attacking midfield, especially given how Brenden Aaronson has struggled to acclimatise to the English game.

Despite showing flashes of brilliance, his 6.57 average Sofascore rating is admittedly not at the level required for Jesse Marsch to achieve success. It was clearly a transfer of his choosing, given their shared nationality and time worked together at Red Bull Salzburg.

Therefore, it is a move that he will bear the brunt of any backlash he receives.

The American boss may have already admitted defeat on his £24.7m summer signing, as reports are circling that link the Whites with a move for wantaway AS Roma maestro Nicolo Zaniolo.

A number of Premier League clubs have been put on high alert by this news, with the Italian outfit demanding a fee of around €40m (£35m) to sanction his exit.

Should the Yorkshire outfit secure this deal, not only would it mark a huge coup for a club languishing towards the wrong end of the table, but it would finally offer a viable alternative that could see Aaronson benched for his poor performances.

Once described as a “frightening talent” by journalist Ben Jacobs, across his short career to date, the 23-year-old has offered glimpses into the star he might become.

His five goal contributions this season somewhat downplay his talents, as it was only last season that he scored eight and assisted nine across a campaign.

As a consistent offensive threat, the Italian ranks in the top 4% for total shots per 90 when compared to other attacking midfielders across Europe, and last season married this with 1.0 key passes per game too.

Meanwhile, Aaronson’s only real outstanding attribute is his defensive qualities, which make him a useful asset for the high-pressing structure employed by his manager, but somewhat useless elsewhere.

The 22-year-old ranks in the top 4% for blocks when compared to the same group as Zaniolo.

It is clear the two are specialised and very different midfielders, but it is clear that the experiment with the American maestro is failing.

Perhaps an injection of European flair could spark him into form, or see him ditched in favour of a big upgrade.

Manchester United could be brought ‘into play’ to compete for the signing of Tottenham Hotspur striker Harry Kane, according to transfer expert Graeme Bailey.

The Lowdown: Weghorst successor needed

The Premier League giants recently signed Wout Weghorst from Burnley on loan until the end of the season, but will need a permanent attacking replacement when he departs.

The Lilywhites striker has just 18 months remaining on his contract in N17, and having not yet signed a new deal, would reportedly make an ideal target for the Red Devils.

The Latest: Bailey’s comments

Speaking to TEAMtalk, Bailey suggested that United would be an attractive prospect to Kane should they secure Champions League football, but they will face stiff competition from Bayern Munich.

“Bayern Munich are huge confirmed fans of the player. They believe he would be an ideal signing for them and could be the natural replacement for Lewandowski. Kane still isn’t 30 and the chance to play for one of Europe’s top teams and a team who challenges for the Champions League title could be a huge lure for him.

“There are other options also set to be available. And another to watch would be Manchester United. If they can finish top four and land Champions League football, that could bring them into play.

“We also know that Ten Hag wants a proper No 9 – we have seen that from the signing of Wout Weghorst on a short-term deal – and there are few better in world football than Kane.

“The next six months will be key to Kane’s future, and whether that is at Tottenham…or not.”

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The Verdict: Splash the cash

Kane is one of the world’s best strikers having been dubbed a ‘monster’ by teammate Heung-Min Son, and whilst his price tag is unknown, United should absolutely splash the cash to sign him this summer.

The Nike-sponsored talisman has recorded an unbelievable 327 goal contributions in 413 appearances in the capital, highlighting the huge impact he has in the final third.

The Red Devils’ aim over the next few years will be to get their hands on some silverware, and the acquisition of Kane would majorly increase their chances of that happening.

He ranks in the top 21 percent in all major attacking metrics, per FBRef, drawing a likeness with Karim Benzema, Sadio Mane and Robert Lewandowski – this is a world class player and one who could be the difference between Ten Hag bringing true success back to United or not.