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Sky Sports’ Nubaid Haroon has backed Wilfried Zaha to make a shock U-turn and stay at Crystal Palace live on air.

The Lowdown: Future looks to be away from Selhurst Park

It has been widely reported that Zaha has no interest in signing a new deal at Selhurst Park as the winger looks to make one more big move during his career before it enters its twilight years.

Of course, Zaha has already made a big move but that came a decade ago when he joined Manchester United, where he was only ever afforded two Premier League appearances under David Moyes.

However, he hasn’t let that hold him back, having gone on to become Palace’s all-time top scorer in the Premier League, while he is now also a threat through the middle under Patrick Vieira, netting 21 goals since the Frenchman took over.

The Latest: Zaha into his final six months

Despite being into the final six months of his contract, David Ornstein has reported Zaha won’t leave this month – and that’s prompted Haroon to suggest the winger could now stay with the Eagles.

He said: “If you follow Zaha on his Instagram, on his social media, he very much loves being in South London – that’s his community, that’s where he’s from and that is him.

“So I do wonder if, say, Dortmund come calling, whether he goes, ‘I might get a couple of years at Dortmund, but then I kind of want to stay here as well’.

“If Palace have the money to keep him, I think in the end, he’ll probably end up staying.”

The Verdict: Palace would struggle to replace Zaha

Zaha will certainly go down as a Palace legend for the role he played in getting them to the Premier League with his memorable goals against bitter rivals Brighton in the Championship play-offs and what he has managed to achieve in the division by keeping the club in the top flight since then.

The Ivory Coast international has been Palace’s top scorer for the last two seasons and looks on course to repeat that feat with six goals to his name already, so it’s no surprise that he still wishes to challenge himself at a higher level.

From Palace’s point of view, it will be difficult to find one player that can do what Zaha has done for them over the years, so they could look to sign a few players instead and try to spread the workload across the squad should he depart.

Sunderland are currently sitting in 10th place in the Championship table after a 3-1 defeat to Swansea at the Stadium of Light in the division on Saturday.

The Black Cats are three points off the top six and a whopping 16 points off the automatic promotion places as it stands, which suggests that the play-offs are a realistic target for the club to set heading into the last 19 matches of the campaign.

Tony Mowbray and Kristjaan Speakman may now work together to strengthen the squad in the final two weeks of the January transfer window in order to improve their chances of sneaking into contention for promotion by the end of the season.

One player the club have been linked with an interest in is Leeds United attacker Joe Gelhardt. It was recently reported that the gem could be loaned out if the Premier League side signed Georginio Rutter and the Hoffenheim winger has since completed a move to Elland Road, which could open the door for Sunderland to swoop for the English youngster.

The Black Cats must attempt to snap up the former Wigan dynamo on loan until the end of the season as he has the potential to be an excellent addition to the squad.

Football talent scout Jacek Kulig once described him as “one of the most talented” youngsters in England and dubbed the forward the “new Wayne Rooney”.

This is hefty praise for Gelhardt as Rooney racked up 53 goals for England alongside 208 goals and 114 assists in 491 Premier League appearances throughout his career.

Like the Manchester United legend, the 20-year-old Leeds forward predominantly plays as a centre-forward but can also play as a second striker with his build, as he is not a typical 6-foot plus number nine at 5-foot-10, suiting a deeper role.

Gelhardt has shown plenty of signs of promise since joining the Whites and his form at youth and senior level indicates that he could be Sunderland’s own mini-Rooney in the Championship.

The 20-year-old attacker scored 20 goals and provided six assists in 31 appearances for Leeds’ under-21 side and has showcased his talent in the first-team with two goals and six assists in six Premier League starts – making 35 appearances in total.

Gelhardt – who Kulig once hailed as being “too good” – could thrive by dropping down into the Championship as he has already shown that he can produce, in limited minutes, quality moments in the top flight.

Now, imagine him arriving at the Stadium of Light and making a huge impact by scoring and assisting goals on a regular basis up front alongside Ross Stewart as Mowbray’s own version of Rooney…

Chelsea have signed Wesley Fofana from Leicester City for £75m, Kalidou Koulibaly from Napoli for £33m and Benoit Badiashile from AS Monaco for £35m since Todd Boehly assumed the ownership role at the club last year, but could find the catalyst for defensive security in homegrown talent Levi Colwill.

Indeed, the precocious rising star is thriving out on loan at fellow Premier League outfit Brighton & Hove Albion, undoubtedly gifted to the Seagulls on a temporary basis to pave the foundation for a successful career in the English top-flight, with eventual plans to incorporate the 19-year-old into the first-team fold at Stamford Bridge.

If weaselling his way into contention on the South Coast was the test, Colwill passed with flying colours.

With the 2022/23 season roughly at its midpoint, the ace has made 12 appearances across all competitions, initially playing a peripheral role before indeed earning the trust of Roberto de Zerbi and starting the past five league fixtures.

The “rising talent” – as hailed by The Athletic’s Simon Johnson – has completed 90% of his passes in the Premier League for Brighton, as per Sofascore, while also making 0.9 interceptions and 2.0 clearances per game, and appears to be cementing his stature as a regular name on the team-sheet.

Arguably his most impressive performance came in his last outing, where the outfit monumentally dispatched Liverpool 3-0 at the AMEX Stadium.

Recording a match rating of 7.5, Colwill was integral in rebuffing the flimsy Reds attack, completing 93% of his passes, making two clearances and winning three of his four duels, also displaying a creative sheen to his arsenal that will leave Potter impressed, creating one big chance.

With Chelsea’s perilous position in the Premier League this term, having plummeted to tenth place and fallen to defeat across seven of the past 11 matches across all competitions, Colwill is demonstrating his aptitude with a Brighton side that actually perch above the Blues in the table, sitting within European contention in seventh place and having previously drubbed Chelsea 4-1 in what was Potter’s managerial debut for the west London outfit after departing from Brighton, who exacted revenge in devastating fashion.

And as per FBref, he ranks among the top 3% of centre-backs for attempted passes, the top 12% for aerials won and the top 19% for shot-creating actions when compared to those plying their trade within Europe’s big five leagues, despite his inexperience.

He is comparable to Arsenal’s rising star William Saliba, who ranks among the top 3% of defenders for pass completion and the top 6% for dribbles completed.

With the French Saliba earning plaudits for his role in Arsenal’s brilliance this season – the Gunners perch atop the Premier League table and look the most arresting outfit in the season, regarding the slick, seamless style of their play – Colwill can continue to rise into his own with the Seagulls, perhaps earning a shot at Stamford Bridge in the future and biding his time, much like his peer across London in Saliba.

While certain members of the Chelsea fanbase might yearn for an exciting young star such as Colwill at present, allowing him to continue his development at Brighton is a move that will bear eventual fruit; Chelsea are rebuilding with a wealth of fresh faces, and while targeting high-profile names often works out, it would be a travesty to ignore a burgeoning teenage talent such as Colwill, who must one day be allowed to don the Chelsea shirt and cement his legacy at the club.

Liverpool’s issues have been laid bare this season, and the formerly imperious outfit have fallen from grace like a rock from a cliff this term, losing all sense of stability and style, consequently languishing in ninth place in the Premier League.

While the decline in points is indeed alarming, it is the lack of tenacity and unrelenting passion that will leave Klopp with his gravest concerns, and fresh faces are paramount in order to ensure future success.

A plethora of names have been touted with a move to Merseyside, most notably that of Jude Bellingham, but the latest ace to find themselves linked with a transfer is Chelsea star, Mason Mount.

That would be a most compelling deal if Liverpool’s technical director Julian Ward is to distance himself from the Dortmund star and chase a player closer to home instead.

The news comes courtesy of The Guardian, who claim that Chelsea could be set to lose one of their most coveted assets if they cannot tie him down to a new deal, and Liverpool could indeed pounce.

With Thiago Alcantara the only senior centre-midfielder to sign for the Reds since 2019, a deal of Mount’s ilk could represent a major shift in momentum that could stabilise the ship once again.

Klopp’s own KDB

Since emerging from the Cobham youth academy, and bursting onto the scene with a successful loan spell at Derby County in the Championship in 2019/20, Mount has become one of the standout stars in a Chelsea team that has clinched the Champions League and UEFA Super Cup with him as a centrepiece.

Over his 187 appearances, the 24-year-old has scored 33 goals and provided 37 assists, and would bring a layer of creativity and flair that has been sorely lacking among Klopp’s current crop.

By bringing this “world-class” sensation to Anfield – as dubbed by former Chelsea reporter Sam Inkersole – Liverpool would utilise a midfielder who ranks among the top 4% of midfielders in Europe’s top divisions for rate of assists and the top 6% for shot-creating actions.

With those numbers in mind, it is hardly a surprise to see Manchester City phenom Kevin De Bruyne listed as a comparable player to the Chelsea gem, as per FBref. As such, the Reds manager could mould Mount into a premium midfielder of his own creation, with De Bruyne having starred for the Cityzens since signing for £55m in 2015.

Having made 333 appearances for his current club – scoring 89 goals and registering 138 assists – the Belgian sensation has won four Premier League titles and a wealth of further honours in Sky Blue colours, and the £70m-rated Mount could indeed ascend to the next level under Klopp’s wing, emulating his superlative positional peer.

As such, Liverpool must consider upping the interest in Chelsea’s dynamic maestro, his work-rate and ball-playing prowess would prove to be a match made in heaven to inject the vitality and energy needed to recharge the batteries of Jurgen Klopp’s high-octane system.

Tottenham Hotspur are unwilling to match Bayer Leverkusen’s £80m valuation of defender Piero Hincapie.

The Lowdown: Hincapie targeted

It was reported at the end of December that Antonio Conte had spoken to the Spurs hierarchy and personally requested the Ecuador centre-back, with rumours of a move to north London persisting throughout this month’s transfer window.

Sky Sports reporter Dharmesh Sheth confirmed that Tottenham were looking at signing the 21-year-old at the start of January, while Christian Falk has more recently detailed that the Premier League club have continued to keep an eye on him.

The Latest: Huge valuation

According to The Sun, the Lilywhites are exploring a deal for the centre-back, with Conte placing him high on his shortlist of targets, although a January deal is not looking likely.

The 21-year-old is said to be happy at his current club, where he is still learning his trade, and Leverkusen have set a valuation of £80m, which Spurs are unwilling to match.

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The Verdict: Worth the money?

Football scout Jacek Kulig has gushed over the Ecuadorian, hailing him as a ‘top, top, player’, while also claiming that he could go on to be a ‘future legend’, and it is clear to see why the youngster has received such high praise.

The starlet is very assured in possession, as indicated by his ranking in the 96th percentile for dribbles per 90 compared to other defenders in Europe’s top five leagues over the past year, and his defensive qualities are also up to scratch.

An average of 2.15 tackles per 90 in the same timeframe places him in the 87th percentile, with this figure also far higher than those amassed by Eric Dier and Ben Davies, which indicates that he could be a real upgrade to Spurs’ backline if they take the plunge on him.

However, an £80m price tag is far too high for a player who is still relatively inexperienced, with 2022/23 being just Hincapie’s second season playing at a high level in Europe, and Tottenham should look to either negotiate a lower transfer fee or turn their focus towards alternative targets.

West Brom won’t be completing the signing of Fulham midfielder Nathaniel Chalobah in the January transfer window, according to journalist Lewis Cox.

The Lowdown: Chalobah linked with Baggies move

The 28-year-old barely played a part in the Cottagers’ Premier League campaign since their return to the top flight, starting just one match in the competition this season.

Chalobah has been strongly linked with a move to West Brom recently, with Carlos Corberan seemingly seeing him as someone who could aid their Championship promotion push.

With the January window closing next Tuesday, though, an emphatic update has emerged regarding the player’s future.

The Latest: Transfer won’t be happening

Taking to Twitter, The Express & Star‘s Cox claimed contrary to the rumours that Chalobah would be going nowhere this month:

“Nathaniel Chalobah has been of interest to #wba this month but I’m told this morning he is unavailable and reports he is set for The Hawthorns are wide of (the) mark.”

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The Verdict: Would’ve great a strong signing

This is a blow for West Brom, considering Chalobah could have been someone who added experience and class to the midfield, averaging 1.6 tackles and 1.4 interceptions per game in his last full season with Watford, also scoring three goals.

The now Fulham outcast also has a senior England cap to his name, not to mention winning a whopping 40 caps for the Under-21s and being called ‘incredible’ by journalist Paul Taylor during his younger days.

Instead, it could be wise for the Baggies to turn to an alternative in the coming days, with that extra injection of quality of midfield something that could make or break their hopes of returning to the Premier League.

ESPN journalist Mark Ogden has addressed the recent Manchester City transfer rumours linking them to defender Antonee Robinson.

The Lowdown: Summer plans

According to The Sun, Pep Guardiola’s side are lining up a summer bid for the Premier League left-back as they look to replace Joao Cancelo.

The Portuguese full-back hasn’t left on a permanent just yet, but his loan move to Bayern Munich does have the option to buy that will cost the Bundesliga outfit £61.5m.

Nathan Ake and Rico Lewis have been used by the Man City boss in their most recent games in the league and FA Cup.

The Latest: Ogden on Robinson pursuit

Despite the reports, Ogden told ESPN that he had spoken to people within the club about their interest in Robinson, who said he wasn’t on their list of candidates.

He stated: “It wasn’t close in this window. I spoke to somebody at City today [Friday] just to get a check on this before I came on the show, and they said, look, they’d heard the rumours, as far as they were concerned, the senior figures at the club are saying he wasn’t on their list. But, I was also told that anything can happen, and it can.

“Antonee Robinson’s had a good season at Fulham, he’s had a better than a good season. He’s a talented player.

“I’d be surprised if he goes to City, but because there aren’t many top left-backs around, and that City need one, it’s not the most outlandish prospect.

“But the likelihood of it happening, I think, right now is slim. And it definitely wasn’t a goer during the window.”

The Verdict: Question marks

We would be taken aback if Robinson ended up joining Manchester City in the summer, as we’re not sure if he’s ready for the step up.

The American has only played two seasons of Premier League football, suffering relegation in one of them with Fulham.

This time around, his second league campaign in England has been going a lot better with the Cottagers, while pundit Noel Whelan labelled the player as ‘excellent’ when discussing his abilities with Football Insider.

Whilst we may have reservations about Robinson, Guardiola signing him would be a massive statement, in our view.

Being wanted by a manager who’s managed world-class talent like Lionel Messi, Xavi and Manuel Neuer says a lot about what he sees in terms of his potential, and we would be intrigued to see if City reignite their reported interest in the summer.

An update has emerged on Aston Villa and their attempts to strengthen their squad during the previous transfer window…

What’s the talk?

According to Spanish outlet Marca, Real Madrid central midfielder Dani Ceballos rejected the chance to sign for Unai Emery’s Villans last month.

The report claims that the Spain international turned down offers from Villa and reigning Serie A champions AC Milan in order to remain with his current club, despite his contract expiring at the end of the campaign.

It is stated that the player is not interested in a return to playing in the Premier League, where he worked with Emery at Arsenal, as the gem would like to stay in Spain.

John McGinn upgrade

Being rejected by Ceballos was a big blow for Emery and Johan Lange during the January transfer window as the dynamo could have been a big upgrade on current midfielder John McGinn.

The £53k-per-week Real maestro is a technical wizard who combines quality in possession with hard graft and defensive contributions off the ball.

As per FBref, the 26-year-old ranks in the top 1% for take-ons and progressive passes while also sitting in the top 10% for overall passes and pass competition percentage per 90 over the last 365 days.

This suggests that the former Arsenal loanee has been one of the best central midfielders on the continent for building up play from the middle of the park, by either dribbling past opposition players or taking them out of the game with line-splitting passes to get his team up the pitch.

McGinn, on the other hand, only ranks higher than the top 49% of players in take-ons per 90 and is in the bottom 17% for pass completion percentage, which suggests that the Real Madrid gem would be a significant upgrade on the Scotland international in terms of what he offers in possession.

Along with that, Ceballos, who was once hailed as “ludicrously graceful” by journalist James Benge, ranks in the top 9% of midfielders for blocks and interceptions per 90, which shows that the Spaniard does not shy away from his defensive responsibility.

McGinn, meanwhile, ranks in the top 10% for tackles and interceptions, although he does not crack the top 40% for blocks per 90, numbers that indicate they are both very active defenders for their sides.

Therefore, Ceballos would have been an upgrade on the Villa skipper in midfield due to their similar defensive contributions and the massive gap in quality in what they offer in possession.

Celtic manager Ange Postecoglou has confirmed that the rumours linking him to the Leeds United vacancy are nothing more than ‘noise’.

The Lowdown: Leeds target Ange

The Whites relieved Jesse Marsch of his duties earlier this month, and to find his replacement, the hierarchy turned their attention towards the Scottish Premiership.

The Greek-Australian quickly emerged as one of the favourites to take over at Elland Road having previously been linked to the likes of Brighton and Leicester City who are also in the Premier League.

The Hoops boss’ contract is set to expire at the end of the season which hasn’t helped speculation, though the 57-year-old now appears to have firmly shut down the chances of an exit.

The Latest: Postecoglou’s comments

Speaking after the Scottish Cup victory over St. Mirren, Postecoglou was asked to deliver a message to Celtic supporters regarding his future at Parkhead. As quoted by Sky Sports, he said:

“I don’t think I need to say anything to them.

“I think what the supporters want is to make sure I’m focused on preparing the team every week to win games of football and to play football that’s going to excite them and make them proud. That’s my responsibility.

“I get the excitement round things like that. If I had a player in a similar boat I’d just tell him, ‘keep playing your football and don’t worry about anything else, all those kinds of things are just noise’.

“I take my own advice on stuff like that. I’ve been around the game long enough to know how quickly it changes.

“If anyone thinks for the last seven days I’ve thought about anything but preparing the team to play today then obviously they haven’t got a clear idea of what I’m about.”

The Verdict: New contract deserved

Postecoglou has had an astonishingly positive impact since arriving in Glasgow and rewarding his efforts with a new deal would be nothing less than he deserves.

The Bhoys coach has won an incredible 70 of his 96 games in charge, drawing ten and losing just 16, where he’s averaging 2.29 points per match (Transfermarkt).

Postecoglou is also on course to secure his second consecutive league title, and the green and whites will be sure to enjoy much more success in years to come should the boss remain at the helm.

Leeds United have reportedly approached Al-Gharafa manager Pedro Martins ahead of a potential move to Elland Road.

The Lowdown: Martins profiled

Martins, who is best known for his four-year stint in charge of Olympiacos, has only been with Al-Gharafa since November, taking just five games with the Saudi side.

The 52-year-old likes to play a 4-2-3-1 formation and has a huge 558 games of experience as a manager, winning 277 of those. He has wins over Mikel Arteta, Sean Dyche and Nuno Espirito Santo on his CV, and it looks as if Leeds are keen on his services.

The Latest: Leeds update

Journalist Pedro Jorge da Cunha shared a story for Zero Zero on Tuesday evening regarding Martins and Leeds.

He said that an informal approach has been made, with talks set to resume between the two parties in the coming days, and Martins is keen on a move to England.

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The Verdict: Finally?

The Whites have been dealt a number of setbacks when it comes to finding Jesse Marsch’s successor, but it seems as if they may well be onto something with Martins, who appears to be keen on a move to the Premier League.

A move could be a gamble, though, due to his lack of experience in a top European league. Martins did average 2.13 points per game with Olympiacos and won four major honours in Greece, so hopefully, should he move to Yorkshire, he’ll adapt to coaching in England relatively quickly, especially with Leeds in another relegation battle.