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After a summer in which it looked like Folarin Balogun would be leaving Arsenal, a backroom shake-up may just have turned the tide on seeing the talented starlet now staying at the Emirates.

A stand-off on a potential new contract threatened to see the 19-year-old walk away, with Sky Sports even reporting that Championship Brentford were keen on signing him.

But with the changes behind the scenes, and Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta handing him his debut in the Europa League last week against Dundalk, things may be beginning to turn around.

And Arteta can really seize the initiative by starting Balogun against Molde on Thursday night. The Spaniard already knows what fellow young striker Eddie Nketiah can bring to the table given that he is already the Gunners’ second-choice striker behind Alexandre Lacazette, so giving him another run-out against Europa League opposition may not see him learn too much more.

However, giving Balogun an opportunity to impress does two important things. One, it shows the teenager that the club now has the faith in him to potentially become a first-team regular, and two, it gives Arteta the chance to work out whether this is a striker that could conceivably be a long-term asset to the club.

Described as someone who is “cold-blooded in front of goal” and an “incredibly natural finisher” by now The Athletic journalist Art De Roche, Balogun looks like he has all the tools to become a leading marksman for Arsenal.

In the cameo against Dundalk, his movement and intelligence of runs showed a glimpse of his undoubted talents. Arteta must surely jump on the bandwagon and start his young striker on Thursday.

For the first time in ten years, it feels like Celtic are in a slump.

This season was supposed to be about ten SPFL crowns in a row but very rarely does football follow the script.

Instead, Rangers have surged ahead at the summit of Scotland’s pyramid and are 11 points clear of their arch-rivals. The Hoops may have two games in hand but things are looking unlikely for another successive title.

It’s difficult to suggest that Celtic have things rough. They have won treble after treble and are enjoying one of the most successful periods in their history.

It’s remarkable, therefore, that Neil Lennon could receive the boot.

After their 2-2 draw with Hibernian last weekend, the pressure ramped up even more on Lennon. Reports claim he won’t leave and that he still has the support of the club’s board, which includes CEO Peter Lawwell.

Of course, it would be incredibly drastic to sack a manager after a few bad results in a league where the team have won numerous back to back titles, but it sums up the ruthless and cutthroat nature of football.

Naturally, various replacements are being touted to replace Lennon. One was former Celtic boss Martin O’Neill and the other was a certain Eddie Howe.

The ex-Bournemouth manager was relegated with the Cherries last term and consequently left his beloved south-coast side behind. However, he is highly thought of in the British game, being hailed as “special” by Brett Pitman, and would surely relish the opportunity to manage such a big club.

A young head coach, there are similarities to be drawn between him and Brendan Rodgers.

First and foremost, they both have an emphasis on vibrant possession-based counter-attacking football.

In 2018/19, a season where Bournemouth finished 14th, they amassed the 11th greatest pass success rate in the Premier League. Most importantly, though, was their league-high nine goals that were scored on the counter-attack. The team behind them, coincidentally, was Rodgers’ Leicester side.

Of course, performances dwindled last season under Howe but he also has a track record of nurturing young players – something Rodgers did to brilliant effect at Parkhead.

Take the likes of Aaron Ramsdale, Jordan Ibe, Dominic Solanke, Ryan Fraser and David Brooks – all players that Howe brought to the club when he was at the Vitality Stadium.

It needs to be said that Howe is still inexperienced but crucially, he is a coach, rather than a man manager – he’d be the polar opposite to Lennon. That can only be a good thing in their pursuit of ten titles in a row.

In other news, Celtic can find their IDEAL Scott Brown heir by signing the following target…

When Tom Cairney left Leeds as a 16-year-old back in 2007, few at the Yorkshire club would have expected the midfielder to go on to establish himself as a Premier League captain.

The Scottish midfielder was with Leeds between 1998-2007, when he was released, before joining Hull City (per Transfermarkt).

A move to Blackburn Rovers followed in 2014, where he would spend just one season, before completing a move to Fulham the summer of 2015 for an undisclosed fee.

Since then, he has established himself as a crucial part of the Cottagers’ side, having made 215 appearances for the West London side in his five years with the club, in which he has contributed 37 goals and 28 assists.

He has proved himself to be a creative force in England’s top two divisions since leaving Leeds United, having contributed 51 goals and 55 assists across his time with Hull, Blackburn and Fulham.

The Scotsman was made Fulham captain ahead of the 2017/18 campaign and since then, he has helped the Cottagers to two promotions to the Premier League, scoring in their play-off final win against Aston Villa in 2018 (per Fulham).

Cairney has also made a promising start to the 2020/21 campaign in the Premier League, having averaged a 7.01 rating across his eight appearances in the top-flight so far (per WhoScored).

If he were to replicate that form in the Leeds United squad, it would see him rated as the Whites’ third-best player in the top-flight, ahead of every midfielder in Marcelo Bielsa’s squad, so it could definitely be argued that he would have been a good player to have at Leeds.

Earlier this year, Scott Parker was full of praise for the midfielder after his goal against Bristol City in the Championship, saying:

“Tom Cairney took his goal superbly and was outstanding throughout the game. I thought he was head and shoulder above every other player.

“We all know his quality on the ball, but in the last three games he has showed much more than that and today it was a complete performance.” (per FourFourTwo)

Therefore, it definitely seems as if Leeds made a mistake in letting him go for nothing all the way back in 2007, as although it is impossible to predict whether he would have enjoyed the same success if he had stayed with the Yorkshire club, there is no doubting his talent as a footballer.

And, in other news, Leeds may already have the heir to Kalvin Phillips’ throne in teenage prodigy wanted by PSG…

David Moyes must unleash Manuel Lanzini over West Ham United’s hectic festive schedule to afford the Argentine midfielder one final chance to save his London Stadium career.

What’s the word?

According to Claret and Hugh, the Hammers are yet to receive any offers for Lanzini ahead of the January transfer window despite putting the 27-year-old up for sale.

Lanzini is among an array of unwanted players the Irons are looking to move on in the winter market as they look to raise funds for a pursuit of AFC Bournemouth striker Joshua King.

West Ham had hoped to offload Lanzini in the summer but also received no offers for the £70,000-per-week playmaker, who has found himself shunned to the fringes thus far this term.

Moyes has afforded the five-cap international just 332 minutes of game time across all competitions and is yet to hand Lanzini a start outside of the Carabao Cup, with his longest Premier League appearance of the campaign lasting only 18 minutes.

The Irons boss had backed Lanzini to re-establish himself at the London Stadium earlier in the year, noting how the serious knee injury that ruled the £12.6m-rated maestro out of the 2018 World Cup could be seen as nothing but a blip in his career.

“When I had him the first time, he was terrific. No doubt, the injury has had an impact on where he is in different ways, but I don’t see it as a reason for him not to get back to those levels. His training has been improving and he’s got competition and he realises that. He’s not the number-one pick,” Moyes said in October.

Last chance saloon

While Moyes was echoing belief in Lanzini only two months ago, the midfielder remains no closer to re-establishing himself in the first-team with the 27-year-old’s game-saving wonder goal against Tottenham Hotspur the only highlight he can recall.

Moyes stated West Ham were “really crying out for Manuel Lanzini” back in January, but that is far from the case now with the Scottish coach overlooking the Argentine for any involvement in seven Premier League fixtures including last Friday’s win at Leeds United.

Instead, Said Benrahma was drafted in to play in behind striker Sebastien Haller after a late injury for Arthur Masuaku forced Moyes to deviate away from the five-man defence West Ham had begun to favour.

Lanzini would have seen his hopes of featuring smashed with Benrahma excelling at Elland Road, but Moyes must look fondly on the Argentine in the coming weeks with West Ham set to play five games in the next 18 days, including London Derbies with Crystal Palace and Chelsea plus a trip to Everton.

It will prove to be Lanzini’s final window to impress Moyes and verify why he still deserves a future in claret and blue, while even mediocre displays will put him firmly in the shop window ahead of the winter market.

AND in other news, West Ham have been dealt a massive blow in pursuit of the January answer to David Moyes’ “worst nightmare”.

Leeds United have been handed a major boost in their chase for Michael Olise, after Reading manager Velko Paunovic admitted the midfielder could leave the club in the January transfer window.

What’s the story?

Reports in recent weeks have suggested that the likes of Marcelo Bielsa’s side and fellow Premier League outfit Crystal Palace are eyeing up a move for the 19-year-old starlet, and when speaking about him having a £8m release clause in his contract, the Reading boss opened up on his player’s future.

Speaking to The Reading Chronicle, Paunovic said: “I’m not aware of it. The most important thing for Michael is that he has found a place where he is being protected, supported, playing games more than ever and is being given opportunities.  I am confident. But, I’m also confident to tell you that you never know.

“Every single player is exposed to the market and to the teams that have needs so somebody may pull the trigger. Are we going to be affected by that? It is possible, but I am confident and I am working with him long-term.”

Orta must pounce

With a supposed £8m release clause, and now his own manager admitting that he could be on the move in the January window, it’s surely the perfect time for Victor Orta to pounce.

Olise has been a revelation for the Royals this season especially, playing in a variety of positions all across midfield, and adding a real end product to his game too.

In just 20 games in the Championship, he’s bagged four goals and provided an impressive seven assists, and it’s no surprise that he’s already receiving plenty of rave reviews for his performances.

Described as being “super talented” by his manager, teammate Sam Baldock added: “Michael is a real talent, he’ll get on the ball in any situation. He’s fearless, if you ask him today I’ll guarantee that he had no nerves. He’s a lively character and one who I’ve noticed a real change in the last couple of months.

“He’s knuckled down and realised that he’ll have to win the respect of his teammates by working hard. We saw both sides of his game today.”

If Leeds are looking for an absolute bargain to come in and add a different dimension to Bielsa’s side for the second-half of the season, then Olise can be that man.

Glasgow Rangers dodged a massive bullet by not signing Sheffield United striker Rhian Brewster this summer after Rangers emerged as one of several clubs who were said to be battling to secure the services of the former Liverpool academy graduate.

What was the story?

According to The Sun, Ross Wilson sought to bolster Steven Gerrard’s firepower in the summer with a raid on Anfield for Brewster after he scored 11 goals in 22 games across all competitions whilst on loan at Swansea City last season.

Jurgen Klopp admitted it wasn’t an easy decision to sell the highly-coveted 20-year-old after he left the club due to doubts about the amount of game time he would get at Anfield.

His heroics at the Liberty Stadium saw him courted by some plenty of clubs in the summer, including Premier League sides like Aston Villa, Brighton, Crystal Palace and Sheffield United.

It’s fair to say that Rangers would have faced a tough task trying to acquire his services as he had made it clear that he wanted to play Premier League football, but they appear to have dodged a bullet given his obvious struggles so far this season.

Dodged a bullet

The England U21 international was previously described as a “nightmare” in training by Liverpool first-team assistant goalkeeping coach Jack Robinson, with John Achterberg’s assistant saying: “You sort of get an idea for how good they are, but then you put them into the environment that they’ve had with Vitor and the first team, and with the finishing sessions that Pep and Pete put on as well, they are a nightmare.”

However, Brewster has found goals hard to come by in the current campaign, as he has failed to find the back of the net in 11 appearances across all competitions, having started just four games in the Premier League so far.

It’s believed that Sheff United signed him from Liverpool for £23.5m on a five-year contract, according to the BBC.

United boss Chris Wilder has even been open to benching the club’s record signing on a regular basis as well, with the youngster absent from the first four matchday squads in a row and coming off the bench as the Blades pushed for an equaliser against Manchester United at Bramall Lane last time out.

In fact, his start at Brighton was his first since the 4-1 defeat to Chelsea at Stamford Bridge back in November, while he is averaging just 0.7 shots per game in the league, via WhoScored, all of which will give the Gers plenty of reasons to see why they should count their lucky stars that they decided against pursuing a deal for the misfiring centre-forward.

AND in other news, Glasgow Rangers must cash in on Greg Stewart in January…

Glasgow Rangers fans appear to be expecting the arrival of Aberdeen’s Lewis Ferguson following his tweet to celebrate the New Year, which some fans called a ‘cryptic hint’ while others claimed he must be ‘Rangers bound’.

Ferguson, whose uncle Barry and father Derek both played for the Ibrox outfit, has been linked with a move to the 54-time Scottish champions. He has been in very good form so far this campaign, scoring eight goals and providing three assists in 16 appearances from midfield, which takes his tally to 20 and 21 respectively in 102 games throughout his career for the Dons.

On New Year’s Eve, he tweeted “Happy New Year everyone let’s go”. The phrase “Let’s go” has been regularly used by Steven Gerrard and by new Gers signings after completing a move to Ibrox, and as such, many Gers supporters appear to be believe that the 21-year-old will be making a move to the blue side of Glasgow.

Let’s see what the fans had to say about Ferguson below

“He’s signing for rangers”

Credit: @SteveGsRightPeg

“Scenes in Jan as he comes in for #55”

Credit: @MacGerrard_

“Welcome.”

Credit: @BradMacPherson

“Let’s Go? Hmmm must be heading home soon”

Credit: @dandon4life

“Soooooo, rangers bound lad”

Credit: @Mrcrazy140693

“”Lets Go”, a phrase used by Gerrard on taking up the #RangersFC job, and the phrase used by some Rangers players after signing for the club. Is that a cryptic hint Lewis?”

Credit: @ArgyllWarrior

In other news, Steven Gerrard has confirmed the absence of this man against Celtic.

David Moyes is facing a selection dilemma ahead of hosting Burnley at the London Stadium on Saturday with West Ham United goalkeeper Lukasz Fabianski due a late fitness test.

The Poland international missed the Irons’ last two matches with a thigh injury, which saw Darren Randolph step in to help the Hammers go unbeaten in their last four fixtures across all competitions thanks to back-to-back wins over Everton and Stockport County.

Victory on Saturday over Sean Dyche’s Clarets will see West Ham claim a third-straight win for only the second time this season, but face doing so against a side they have lost to in each of their previous three meetings with an aggregate score of 6-0.

Moyes is likely to introduce a handful of changes to the side which beat Stockport in the FA Cup in hopes of a first win over Burnley since November 2018. So, with that in mind, here’s a potential XI the Scottish coach could favour…

Fabianski facing a late fitness test before the visit of Burnley would suggest West Ham are not yet convinced the Poland international has overcome his thigh injury, allowing for Randolph to chase a third-straight clean sheet across all competitions after taking his record to 15 shut outs in 50 appearances at Stockport on Monday night.

Vladimir Coufal, Craig Dawson and Angelo Ogbonna all started the FA Cup affair at Edgeley Park as the trio continue to build a strong partnership together, and will expect to be reunited with Aaron Cresswell on Saturday after the left-back was initially rested against Jim Gannon’s side.

Dawson has helped West Ham to keep clean sheets in all three of his appearances since making his debut at Southampton last month, and provided the winning goal against Stockport to cap off a performance that featured a game-high six aerial duels won.

Mark Noble returned to partner Declan Rice in the engine room against Stockport but is likely to move aside for Tomas Soucek to return, with the 25-year-old West Ham’s top-scorer in the Premier League to date with five goals in 17 games.

Andriy Yarmolenko and Manuel Lanzini failed to impress at Edgeley Park, so will likely move aside for Jarrod Bowen to return and Said Benrahma to move in centrally having been fielded in the role for each of his three Premier League starts thus far this season.

£24m man Pablo Fornals was also rested in the FA Cup having earned his 16th start of the top-flight campaign at Everton on New Year’s Day, with the £16m-rated Spaniard the clear favourite of Moyes among his options for the left-wing role at the London Stadium.

Moyes is void of options in attack after Sebastien Haller’s £20m move to AFC Ajax, leaving Michail Antonio to start his first league fixture since November when taken off at the break after developing a second hamstring injury.

Antonio returned to the fold in last month’s 0-0 draw with Southampton and played half an hour at Everton before starting in the FA Cup, but failed to score in either of his three outings to remain on three for the season.

Additionally, Moyes has hinted at a role for academy sensation Mipo Odubeko in his matchday squad against Burnley, after handing the 18-year-old his senior debut as a late substitute at Edgeley park.

“Mipo is somebody we’re looking forward to working with,” he noted. “We have big hopes for him. He’s just back from a long-term hamstring injury too, but we like him a lot and we’ll try to bring him along at the right time and when we think we need him.”

AND in other news, West Ham may be targeting a new Modibo Maiga in their search of Sebastien Haller’s replacement…

Steve Bruce has confirmed Newcastle United defender Paul Dummett has been ruled out of Saturday’s Premier League trip to Aston Villa with yet another injury.

According to The Shields Gazette, the let-back has returned to the treatment room and faces a spell back on the sidelines after being withdrawn in the closing stages of the Magpies’ 1-0 defeat at Sheffield United earlier this month.

Bruce put the 29-year-old’s exit down to fatigue at the time but has now offered clarification on Dummett’s situation, adding that he had sought to be more cautious with his return from a serious hamstring injury.

Dummett missed most of 2020 after sustaining a hamstring injury during the Toon’s FA Cup third round replay with Rochdale last January, only returning to action in December’s 1-1 draw at home to Fulham.

The defender later played the full 120 minutes of this month’s FA Cup loss at Arsenal before featuring for 74 minutes against Sheffield United in the space of three days, but has now been ruled out of action ahead of Newcastle’s visit to Aston Villa this weekend.

“He’s not right for the weekend,” Bruce said. “Unfortunately, Paul’s had an awful time because of injuries and hamstrings and this, that and the other.

“Against Arsenal, in the cup, I tried to take him off, but other people were flagging before he was. Unfortunately, he stayed on the pitch a bit too long. It’s been difficult for him. He’s not fit.”

Newcastle travel to Aston Villa on Saturday night looking to end a nine-game winless streak across all competitions, against a side the Magpies have only beaten in one of their last six encounters.

Bruce confirming yet another injury blow for Dummett could now force the Newcastle head coach into late transfer activity, having as yet finalised a deal for a new left-back to move to St. James’ Park despite frequent speculation.

The Toon are seen to be in the market for a new left-sided full-back this month due to a sense that £15m summer signing Jamal Lewis has struggled to settle (19/1 – 1:42pm) in the north-east after his move from Norwich City.

United were claimed to have reached a preliminary agreement to sign Manchester United full-back Brandon Williams on loan earlier in the January market but, despite continued links, have yet to acquire the Red Devils product.

Newcastle have also been touted as a potential destination for Juventus prospect Radu Dragusin, though the Serie A outfit are optimistic over their chances of retaining the Magpies, Tottenham Hotspur and RB Leipzig target with a new contract.

If Dummett’s injury leads to a lengthy absence for the Wales international, and no alternatives are acquired, Bruce may be forced to rely on midfielder Matt Ritchie once again. The former Scotland international has featured more often at left-back than he has in any other position so far this term.

AND in other news, Newcastle face a fight to sign a £7m-rated target who “destroys” danger.

Wolves are unlikely to be too busy during transfer deadline day but if one move was on the cards, it’s now unlikely to happen.

What’s the word?

Wolves’ sole signing in the winter window has been to bring Willian Jose to the Midlands from Real Sociedad on loan.

Though, another rumour that surfaced in the last week came from reports in Spain (via The Mirror). It stated that Nuno Santo’s men were one of a number of Premier League sides interested in signing Chelsea midfielder Billy Gilmour on loan.

The report claimed that West Ham, West Brom, Aston Villa and Crystal Palace were all eyeing a move but David Ornstein has quashed those claims on Deadline Day.

He posted on The Athletic that Gilmour was set to stay at Stamford Bridge and fight for his place under new manager Thomas Tuchel.

Nuno needs him

This should come as a huge blow to Wolves, a team who are in desperate need of signing a new midfield player.

We’ve already discussed the £43.2k-per-week earner on FFC and identified the areas where he could improve the club.

[snack-amp-story url=”https://www.footballfancast.com/web-stories/read-the-latest-wolves-transfer-news” title=”Read the latest Wolves transfer news”]

This has been tipped as Joao Moutinho’s final campaign as a regular in Nuno’s XI but judging by his recent performances, Wolves should already be preparing his throne for a successor.

He hasn’t scored or assisted this season and he showed how off the pace he was during the 1-0 defeat against Crystal Palace.

Moutinho was given a torrid afternoon by Ebere Eze as the Portuguese international was dribbled past on four occasions.

On top of that, he failed to provide a key pass or attempt a solitary dribble. That’s why a player of Gilmour’s quality must be signed. His performance against Krasnodar in the Champions League this term showed as much. He attempted four dribbles and played five progressive passes towards goal and with no Raul Jimenez to carry the load, Wolves need to be more creative.

Gilmour is an astute midfielder, one that could improve Wolves’ transition between defence and attack but it looks like he won’t be arriving at Molineux today.

AND in other news, Wolves must revisit swoop for £25.2m-rated Mendes client, he’s shades of Seedorf…