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Newcastle United have been offered the chance to sign Paris Saint-Germain’s Abdou Diallo during the January transfer window, journalist Liam Kennedy has told Give Me Sport. 

The lowdown

The Senegal international, who can operate as both a central defender and a left-back, joined PSG from Borussia Dortmund in July 2019. He has since gone on to make 72 appearances for the French club, collecting seven trophies (including two Ligue 1 titles) along the way.

The 25-year-old is valued at £22.5m by Transfermarkt and has two-and-a-half years left to run on his £92,000-per-week contract.

The latest

Kennedy has said that the option of signing Diallo is on the table for Newcastle, but warned that he may not be available for a month because of his Africa Cup of Nations commitments.

He told Give Me Sport: “Another name in there, Abdou Diallo, plays for PSG, is a player I believe has been offered to Newcastle United.

“The one sticking point, and there seems to be caveats in all of these deals, it shows how difficult January can be; the caveat with that deal would be that he’s likely to go to AFCON if that goes ahead.

“Everyone is suggesting that will go ahead so he’ll be away with Senegal. Senegal got to the final of the last Africa Cup of Nations; if they did the same, he’d be out of action until the first week of February.”

The verdict

It’s clear that Newcastle need defensive reinforcements in January, as they are currently on course to concede 84 goals – a truly dreadful record. The signing of Kieran Trippier looks likely, but that alone may be not enough.

Diallo, who European football journalist Alex Barker has urged European champions Chelsea to sign, would represent another significant upgrade on Eddie Howe’s current options – his WhoScored seasonal performance rating of 7.11 far outstrips all of Newcastle’s defenders.

Unfortunately, patience may not be an option for the Magpies, who are 19th in the table at the halfway stage of the campaign as the spectre of relegation begins to loom worryingly close.

In other news, the door is also open for Newcastle to make this attacking signing

An update has emerged on Rangers dud Jack Simpson, regarding his future at Ibrox under Gio van Bronckhorst…

What’s the talk?

According to the Scottish Sun, English Championship side Middlesbrough are preparing a swoop for the Gers defender, with Chris Wilder said to be a fan of his.

The report claims that van Bronckhorst will allow the centre-back to leave the club in the January transfer window and Boro are hoping to snap him up.

Time’s up

Simpson’s time in Glasgow appears to be up and the Dutch head coach must ruthlessly axe him this month. Although Middlesbrough are said to be keen on a loan deal for him, a permanent solution could also work for the Gers as he has struggled to make his mark in Scotland.

Danilho Doekhi and John Souttar have both been touted with moves to the club and that could lessen Simpson’s chances of being able to come back in the summer and win his place in the team.

The potential incoming pair could replace Connor Goldson, with Nikola Katic to return from his loan and Filip Helander due to return from injury in the coming months, leaving the ex-Bournemouth defender in a difficult and vulnerable position.

Therefore, van Bronckhorst must axe him on a permanent basis as his time is up. He has not featured in a single match since Steven Gerrard left the club and was dubbed a ‘weak link’ earlier in the season.

Former Scotland international Frank McAvennie criticised the central defender and suggested that he could be targeted by teams, saying:

“It depends on the opposition. They have a big game on Sunday against Hibs. That’s a massive game, absolutely massive.

“Hibs are on fire and they really know what they are doing. They will fancy their chances. They know Simpson is the weak link. You expect he will start with the Goldson issue.

“He’s not had a great time of it so far, he barely played last season. We’ll see what happens but I expect Boyle will run rings around him.”

The £900k-rated liability has only played 11 times for Rangers since joining in January 2020 and this suggests that he is not a serious first-team contender.

He was sparsely used under Gerrard and is yet to play a single match under the new management team, which shows that two managers in a row have not rated him highly enough to give him regular minutes, which is why he must now be brutally axed from the club.

AND in other news, Deal considered: Rangers must seal swoop for 105 G/A predator who won’t cost a penny…

In recent days, Aston Villa have been linked with a transfer move for West Ham United goalkeeper Darren Randolph, only for Hammers manager David Moyes to come out and say that they have no intention of letting him leave this month.

With that in mind, it seems as though this has not stopped the Midlands club in their search for another goalkeeper to add to their squad.

What’s the latest?

In a recent Twitter post from journalist Matteo Moretto, Villa have “in the last hours,” approached Paris Saint-Germain with an offer to sign goalkeeper Sergio Rico, who apparently wants to play regularly, on loan with an option to buy.

He said: “Sergio Rico’s priority is to play regularly and that is why he prioritizes signing for Mallorca. In the last hours Aston Villa appeared, who contacted PSG offering a loan with an option to buy, but the English team already has Martínez as the owner of the project.”

Given how PSG have the likes of Gianluigi Donnarumma and Keylor Navas in their squad that has made a total of 20 Ligue 1 appearances between them this season, it’s easy to see why he would be willing to go elsewhere to get regular game time.

Gerrard would be delighted

Even though Villa have Emi Martinez in their squad who has played in all but one of their Premier League games so far this season, it’s safe to say that Rico would be closer to regular game time at the Midlands club rather than at Paris where a potential injury or ban for Martinez would presumably open the door for Rico to come in.

The 28-year-old originally joined the French club on a loan deal from Sevilla back in September 2019 before joining on a permanent basis a year later.

Overall, the Spaniard has only made 24 appearances for Mauricio Pochettino’s side across all competitions, highlighting his lack of regular game time.

However, in those 24 appearances, Rico has managed to concede just 16 goals and keep 14 clean sheets in the process, showing his capabilities in goal and demonstrating why Villa have made a move to sign him.

With this in mind, if the Villans were able to secure a deal for Rico this month, it would surely delight Gerrard who is very much in need of finding a quality back-up with Jed Steer still currently playing second fiddle.

Therefore, to have an experienced and capable backup goalkeeper to Martinez, or one that could even compete with the Argentine for his place in the team would be incredibly pleasing for the Liverpudlian.

It would put an end to the club’s search for a shot-stopper so they can then focus on other potential areas in the squad they may feel the need to strengthen in.

In other news: Gregg Evans drops exciting AVFC update, Gerrard could soon break transfer records – opinion

Celtic have enjoyed an absolutely sensational transfer window with Ange Postecoglou delving deep into his box of tricks to bring some extra quality to his Hoops side from foreign soil.

He has looked to replicate the success of Kyogo Furuhashi’s move to Parkhead by luring Daizen Maeda, Reo Hatate and Yosuke Ideguchi to the club.

Matt O’Riley has also penned terms with the Bhoys in what has been a hugely exciting time for everyone associated with Celtic.

However, a move that would leave everyone at Paradise bouncing is still yet to be completed.

That’s a deal to bring Portuguese sensation Jota to Celtic on a permanent basis. A fee has been agreed according to Mark Guidi but if a deal ends up being off the table, an alternative will need to be sourced.

One player who’s been linked with a move in the early stages of this year is Iran international Mehdi Ghayedi.

This rumour has become a saga in itself with one claim suggesting interest was fake but one report this week suggested it would take Celtic as much as £3.5m to secure his services.

Should they decide to splash the cash on the 21-year-old, he’d be a phenomenal capture. Boasting 41 senior goals to his name, he is cut from a similar cloth as Jota, possessing the ability to dazzle defenders and beat the goalkeeper on a regular basis.

In fact, Bhoys Analytics on Twitter recently dubbed the forward as a “Jota-type trickster,” which makes for a hugely exciting comparison.

However, by luring the Iranian hotshot to Celtic this year, it could finally give Postecoglou and the club’s transfer strategists the opportunity to axe Mikey Johnston from the squad.

A move to Hibernian has been talked about but feels unlikely at this point. Yet, the addition of a winger, specifically one as impressive as Ghayedi could all but seal the Scot’s fate.

Once described by Chris Sutton as the “new Ryan Christie,” it’s sadly not quite happened for Johnston at Parkhead.

He’s endured injury hell over the last few years and as a result, has missed 68 matches and 557 days since 2019.

The 22-year-old has featured 18 times this term but is yet to score for his side, registering just the solitary assist in Celtic colours.

With that in mind, it’s particularly evident that he is not of the quality or fitness to make a big impact for Postecoglou. Consequently, he would be the prime candidate to be shown the exit door if Ghayedi arrives.

AND in other news, “Fee is already agreed”: Guidi drops big Celtic transfer update, fans will be buzzing…

Sevilla are determined to sign Anthony Martial from Manchester United, Foot Mercato journalist Santi Aouna reports.

Aouna tweeted on Friday morning that Martial ‘remains Sevilla FC’s number choice’ as the January transfer window nears its final week.

Julen Lopetegui has made it his top ‘priority to strengthen his attack’ before trading ceases.

Sevilla are currently 2nd in La Liga, four points adrift of leaders Real Madrid.

But their tally of 32 goals in 21 matches is the lowest of any of the sides in the top four.

What’s Martial’s situation at Old Trafford?

Martial has only managed to find the net once in what’s been an injury-disrupted 2021/22 campaign.

He’s made 268 appearances in all for United since his £36million move from AS Monaco in 2015, scoring 79 goals and assisting 50 more.

The Frenchman has recently been at the centre of a dispute with interim manager Ralf Rangnick.

Rangnick claimed that Martial had refused to play against Aston Villa, prompting him to take to Instagram and issue a firm denial (via Manchester Evening News).

Fan feed Utd Report relayed Aouna’s claims, and here’s what supporters made of them.

These Man United fans desperate for Martial move to go through

“Just let it happen”

Credit: @amonmrk

“Great, best for all parties, United make this happen”

Credit: @S1234567_617

“Get it done so Martial can have a title charge.”

Credit: @Prometheus12122

“Please”

Credit: @YoungKingFavou2

“This is gonna be good”

Credit: @isa__42

“If we actually get shut of Martial and Lingard AND WOODWARD this month, and Pogba in the summer, things are definitely getting better”

Credit: @joggy21

In other news, fans react to reported interest in this defender.

Celtic have been dealt a huge injury setback ahead of their upcoming Premiership fixture.

What’s the latest?

In recent comments made on The Go Radio Football Show (via Vital Celtic), The Celtic Exchange podcaster known as Tino revealed that Callum McGregor will miss at least Saturday’s clash with Dundee United and Wednesday’s Old Firm derby as a result of the facial injury the 28-year-old picked up against Alloa Athletic.

Speaking about the condition of the central midfielder, the podcaster said: “I’ve heard that Callum McGregor picked up a concussion and I believe there’s a ruling in place that you need to wait something like 12 days [before being able to play again].

“So, I’m not sure exactly how that plays out, maybe someone can tell us on that. I think he numerically could be ruled out of [the Dundee United and Rangers fixtures]. I don’t think there’s any fracture to his jaw from what I’ve heard.”

Ange will be livid

Considering just how integral a part of the Celtic side McGregor is, the fact that the Scotland international looks set to miss out on both the Dundee United and Rangers games as a result of an injury picked up against League One Alloa Athletic is sure to have left Ange Postecoglou livid.

[snack-amp-story url=”https://www.footballfancast.com/web-stories/check-out-the-latest-celtic-news-2″ title=”Check out the latest Celtic news”]

Indeed, over his 18 Premiership appearances this season, the £6.75m-rated midfielder has been in impeccable form for the Bhoys, scoring one goal, registering two assists and creating three big chances for his teammates, as well as making an average of 1.9 key passes, 0.6 interceptions, 1.4 tackles, 72.7 total passes and winning 53% of his duels per game.

These returns have seen the £30k-per-week man average a SofaScore match rating of 7.31, ranking the 28-year-old as the seventh-best player in the entirety of the Scottish top flight.

As such, it is clear for all to see that being without McGregor for both the Dundee United and Rangers fixtures will severely reduce the Bhoys’ chances of picking up maximum points in the games – with anything but six points from the next two outings potentially having disastrous consequences in the Hoops’ bid to reclaim their Premiership crown this season.

In other news: Ange must now axe “arrogant” £15k-p/w Celtic flop by landing “incredible” £5k-p/w gem

Newcastle are currently 18th in the Premier League table, and one of the biggest reasons behind their struggles has been their lack of quality in defence.

Only Norwich (45) have conceded more goals than the Magpies (43) in the top flight, which highlights how poor they have been at the back this season.

One of their defenders who has struggled on and off the pitch is Federico Fernandez. The £45k-per-week dud has only started five Premier League matches this term and has been unable to catch the eye when he has played, which is a far cry from where he was at the start of his career on Tyneside.

In December 2018, Transfermarkt valued him at £7.2m. This came after his final season for Swansea and the first half of his debut campaign at St. James’ Park, with the centre-back averaging a solid WhoScored rating of 6.76 in the top flight with the Welsh outfit.

He then averaged a score of 6.73 with Newcastle in the Premier League in the 2019/20 campaign as he proved to be a reliable performer during that time. However, his displays have taken a nosedive since then, averaging a score of 6.64 last term and a dismal 6.37 this season. This suggests that he has been regressing over time and is not the same player he was two or three years ago.

Fernandez has also had availability issues to go along with his lack of form. He has had six separate injury or illness absences for Newcastle, with the latest one having kept him out for eight matches so far.

He missed nine games last term and it remains to be seen when he will return during the current campaign. This shows that he is now an unreliable player for Howe, both in terms of his performances on the pitch and his fitness.

It could now be time for the ex-Bournemouth boss to brutally axe Fernandez from the squad by cashing in on him at the end of the campaign. This would allow the Magpies to replace the 32-year-old ahead of the start of the 2022/23 season, with Newcastle getting rid of a player at the back end of his career.

At the time of writing (05/02/22), Transfermarkt value the Argentine at £1.8m. This is a £5.4m plummet in the space of just over three years and shows that his career may be winding down as he heads towards his mid-30s.

He is currently under contract until 2023, with an option to extend it a further 12 months, but Howe must cash in on him in the summer instead of allowing him to leave on a free transfer the following year. The end of this season could be the club’s last chance to recoup some money for the defender and, for the aforementioned reasons, they should act upon that opportunity.

AND in other news, “I believe”: Luke Edwards delivers big Newcastle update which will leave Howe buzzing…

Celtic right-back Josip Juranovic is attracting significant interest ahead of the summer transfer window.

What’s the talk?

That’s according to a claim made by Fabrizio Romano, who revealed on a recent episode of the Here We Go podcast that Brendan Rodgers’ Leicester City, as well as a host of other clubs, are keeping a very close eye on the 26-year-old ahead of a potential move for the defender at the end of the current campaign.

The transfer insider went on to state that Celtic would demand a fee of between €10m-€15m (£8.5m-£12.5m) in order to part with the Croatia international this summer.

Speaking about the interest in Juranovic, Romano said: “Juranovic is a very interesting name to keep an eye on. Leicester, but not only Leicester [are interested]. This is the right-back playing for Celtic. His price will be around €10m-€15m.

“But this boy is doing great with Celtic. He’s performing at the top level. I have a feeling that in the summer he will have a chance to move. I’m told many clubs are exploring this opportunity.”

Disaster

Considering just how impressive Juranovic has been for Celtic since his £2.5m move to Parkhead last summer, should the Bhoys indeed go on to lose the right-back after just one season in Glasgow, especially for a fee as little as £8.5m, it would undoubtedly be a disaster for Ange Postecoglou and his side.

Indeed, over his 20 Premiership appearances in the current campaign, the £3.6m-rated defender has been in remarkable form for the Hoops, helping his side keep eight clean sheets, scoring two goals and creating four big chances for his teammates, as well as making an average of 1.4 key passes, one interception, 1.6 tackles, 1.5 clearances and winning 3.1 duels – at a success rate of 60% – per game.

These returns have seen the 26-year-old who Ally McCoist dubbed “outstanding” average a quite astonishing SofaScore match rating of 7.25, ranking the £16k-per-week full-back as the 12th-best player in the entirety of the Scottish top flight.

As such, it is clear for all to see that losing the services of Juranovic so soon into his Celtic career would come as a major blow to the 56-year-old Bhoys boss, especially if the club were to only receive an £8.5m fee for the Croatian dynamo.

In other news: Ange must keep faith in Celtic’s £8.2k-p/w “absolute nuisance”, he’d bully Aberdeen

After securing a top-half finish in the Premier League last season in their first campaign back in the top division after a lengthy 16-year absence, Leeds United have struggled to reach the same heights they were at previously this time around.

With 23 games played, Leeds have only managed to win five games, draw eight and lose ten, leaving them in 15th place with 23 points on the board.

One potential factor that should be taken into account regarding the Whites’ poor season is the absence of midfield Kalvin Phillips, who has been out of action since December with a hamstring injury.

As a product of Leeds’ youth academy, the 26-year-old has racked up a total of 227 appearances for the Yorkshire club’s U23 and senior sides across all competitions, chipping in with 14 goals and 14 assists in the process.

Back in September 2016, Transfermarkt had the England international’s market value listed as £225k, whereas it now stands at £36m, which is a massive increase based on what he’s delivered on the pitch for Leeds over the years.

Labelled as a “perfect” player for Leeds by former manager Neil Redfearn, Phillips is certainly an example for any young player working their way through the youth ranks at a club that they can have a chance of becoming an important figure for their side.

With Marcelo Bielsa’s side having conceded 24 goals in the league since the midfield maestro picked up his injury, this shows just how important he is to the team in a defensive capacity.

Moving forward, if the Englishman, who is currently picking up a weekly wage of £38k-per-week according to Salary Sport, can make a full recovery before the end of the season and keep his fitness up, he will provide a massive boost for Leeds’ chances of avoiding relegation.

Looking beyond that, having been linked with a transfer move away from Elland Road, with fellow Premier League club West Ham United apparently making an approach for him during the recent January transfer window, it would be worth the hierarchy at Leeds attempting to get Phillips to extend his current deal at the club to ward off any future interest that may arise from other teams.

In other news: “It’s pretty clear”: Journalist drops worrying Leeds claim that’ll leave fans sweating – opinion

Leeds United have long lacked depth in the striker department and this season, it’s been a huge area of concern.

After a 17-goal campaign in 2020/21, leading talisman Patrick Bamford has missed the bulk of the current campaign due to injury and as Marcelo Bielsa’s only senior striker, that’s worrying.

Indeed, the England international has made only six league appearances, which includes just one 22-minute cameo since mid-September. He has missed 17 of their last 18 outings, as per Transfermarkt.

Meanwhile, during the January transfer window, as the Yorkshire giants failed to make any additions, one of their former forwards made a multi-million-pound switch to one of their relegation rivals.

Chris Wood joined Newcastle United for £25m after the Saudi-backed Magpies activated his release clause at Burnley, where he had been since his £15m exit from Elland Road back in 2017.

Where’s is Wood now?

It was perhaps a mark of desperation in the fact that Eddie Howe needed a new striker and time was running out but it goes to show just how big an opportunity the Yorkshiremen missed at the time.

Thomas Christiansen was the manager to sanction his departure – considering he was valued at £5.4m by Transfermarkt at the time, it looked to be a decent decision.

However, the pressing need for frontline depth and his subsequent form away from the club will surely raise question marks as to why they let him go so soon.

Of course, the appeal of a Premier League side was always going to be tricky to combat but make no mistake, the Whites are a much bigger club than the Clarets and eventually, they would become a top-flight team once again.

The 30-year-old marksman has hit double figures in every season since his Leeds departure, with a career-best of 14 goals from 29 starts coming in the 2019/20 campaign, as per WhoScored.

Over the course of his career now, he has bagged a total of 154 goals, proving to be a prolific marksman indeed.

Former teammate of Wood at Millwall, Scott Malone, once described the New Zealand international as “frightening” on the training pitch (via Sky Sports), whilst Magpies legend Alan Shearer believes he’s a “focal point” up top.

Oh how Bielsa could do with someone of this ilk, so in hindsight, Christiansen made a massive mistake in selling Wood back in the day.

AND in other news, Journalist drops worrying Leeds summer transfer claim…