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According to a recent report from The Daily Mirror, Newcastle United are interested in a move for winger Yannick Bolasie before the close of the transfer window on Thursday. The 29-year-old currently plays his football at Premier League outfit Everton and has done so since leaving Crystal Palace back in the summer of 2016, although struggles for regular game time under new Toffees manager Marco Silva, hence he was shipped out on loan earlier this season, has plunged his future at Goodison Park into doubt.

And a recent report from The Daily Mirror suggests that Rafa Benitez’s Newcastle, as well as a whole host of other Premier League clubs, are eyeing up a move for the linked-away ace, whose arrival at St James’ Park would go some way to giving the Magpies a huge upgrade on awful Kenedy.

The Breakdown

Ultimately, the acquisition of Brazilian star Kenedy back in the summer was met with widespread optimism given just how effective the 22-year-old was for the North East giants last season – arguably, his arrival 12 months ago helped inspire the Magpies to a tenth place finish.

However, the winger has looked a shadow of that player this time round in netting just once and laying on only one assist for Benitez’s side, to the point that he hasn’t featured in three of their last four Premier League matches to underline just how out of form the 22-year-old really is.

Ultimately, while he only actually scored twice for the club last term, his overall impact was clear for all to see as he injected some impetus and dynamism into the Newcastle attack – quite simply, that hasn’t been seen this time round.

And with the Magpies reportedly (as per The Daily Mirror) interested in Everton’s Bolasie this month, the DR Congo international would go some way to giving Benitez an upgrade on the Brazilian.

The 29-year-old has struggled for form pretty much ever since returning from a year out with injury at the rear end of 2017, with the winger bagging just once in the second half of last season for the Toffees as they finished eighth under Sam Allardyce.

Yet the former Crystal Palace man was shipped out on loan by new boss Silva at the start of the season to underline just how far down the pecking order he was at Goodison Park, and returning early after a testing spell at Championship side Aston Villa doesn’t appear to have aided his cause in getting back into the Everton fold.

However, one mustn’t forget just how effective and impactful Bolasie can be when he is somewhere near his best, what with the winger netting 13 times and laying on 30 assists in 144 games for Palace between 2012 and 2016, before starting well at Everton with a goal and four assists in 13 league games prior to injury – clearly, there is a seriously talented Premier League winger in the 29-year-old.

And in a Newcastle side crying out for greater flair and creativity in the final third of the field, and someone to try and replicate what Kenedy did 12 months ago by giving them an injection of energy going forward, Bolasie could seriously flourish.

Yes, the Magpies will either have to strike a permanent deal for the 29-year-old or let one of Kenedy or Salomon Rondon return to their parent clubs, such are the loan rules, but either way it’s a deal Benitez and the club’s hierarchy simply must seek to strike, as doing so would give the Spaniard a huge upgrade on the out-of-form Brazilian star.

Newcastle fans… what do you think? Let us know!

Everton podcaster Lee McClean has been left slamming Jonjoe Kenny after they lost 2-1 away at West Ham United in the Premier League this afternoon.

The Lowdown: Damaging defeat

It was yet another damaging defeat for the Goodison Park faithful, after Mason Holgate’s equaliser was cancelled out by Jarrod Bowen.

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Aaron Cresswell gave the hosts the lead in the first half with a stunning free-kick, and when the Merseyside club had some hope after Holgate scored, it was very quickly taken away from them as Bowen’s goal was followed by a second yellow card for Michael Keane.

The Latest: McClean slams Kenny

Taking to Twitter, McClean, founding member and co-host of renowned Toffees podcast A View From The Bullens, took aim at Kenny in particular after his performance with a brutally simple summary: “Kenny isn’t very good at football.”

The Verdict: Very poor

Kenny was beyond poor against the Hammers, losing out on all three of his duels, while he also failed to record any successful dribbles, tackles or accurate long balls (SofaScore).

The right-back was also guilty of giving possession away no fewer than 13 times, the joint-most out of any of his teammates, and may now be looking over his shoulder for a consistent starting place under Frank Lampard.

Seamus Coleman (illness) and Nathan Patterson (injury) both missed out this afternoon, but will be looking to hold the right-back spot ahead of Kenny for the relegation battle ahead.

In other news, find out what ‘staggering’ Blues update has now left this former BBC man stunned here!

Manchester United’s new interim manager Ralf Rangnick is reportedly eyeing up a move for Barcelona midfielder Frenkie de Jong ahead of the upcoming January transfer window.

What’s the story?

According to Spanish outlet El Nacional (as relayed by the Daily Star), the Red Devils are interested in securing the highly-rated 24-year-old’s services as he perfectly fits the profile of player with whom their new manager likes to work.

United are reportedly willing to offer £47m in order to prise De Jong away from Camp Nou, but Barca are set to demand a much higher fee for their prized asset.

Xavi Hernandez has previously outlined the Dutch international’s importance to his future plans after taking up the Blaugrana hot seat, yet with the club in such financial turmoil, they may not be able to turn down a significant bid.

Ralf Rangnick eyes Man Utd move

After rising through the ranks at boyhood club Ajax, De Jong soon established himself as one of European football’s most exciting and promising talents.

The technically gifted maestro scored five goals and provided 13 assists in 89 appearances for the Amsterdam club, claiming a domestic double in 2018/19 while playing a pivotal part in their run to the Champions League semi-finals.

De Jong’s impressive exploits at the Johan Cruyff ArenA earned him a big-money move to Barcelona back in July 2019, and despite the club’s troubles both on and off the pitch, he has continued to shine.

A Copa del Rey success last season added to the midfielder’s silverware collection, but it’s his performances which have really caught the eye.

“He’s an extraordinary footballer,” said Xavi about De Jong before he was appointed as Ronald Koeman’s successor. “A midfielder that is not afraid to receive the ball in difficult areas, I’ll repeat it, he’s a very good player.”

His former coach Jos Bogers gave an insight into why the youngster has had such a promising start to his career, saying: “De Jong always wants to improve. When he has played a great game he always wants to play better. And this is what makes him special, he is a top player.”

With Paul Pogba, Juan Mata and Jesse Lingard all out of contract at United next summer, Rangnick may be forced to strengthen his engine room options over the next couple of transfer windows.

Only time will tell if the 63-year-old backs up his apparent interest in De Jong with a concrete offer, but the Dutchman certainly seems like someone who could take the 20-time English champions back towards their former glories.

In other news… Rangnick can seal dream Man Utd deal with “outstanding” £50m gem who’s “got everything” 

An update has emerged on Newcastle United’s plans that will cause concern for Dan Burn…

What’s the talk?

Sky Sports reporter Keith Downie has warned the Englishman that he is likely to face stiff competition for his place next season.

The journalist has claimed that the Magpies may sign as many as two central defenders in the next transfer window, leaving his spot in the team in a vulnerable position.

He told GIVEMESPORT: “I don’t think what he’s done will have any impact at all on Newcastle’s plans for the summer. I still expect them to spend big, and I expect them to bring in at least one, if not two international centre-backs, even with Dan Burn there.”

Disasterclass

PIF must avoid a Darsley Park disaster this summer because instantly replacing Burn would be a huge mistake by the owners.

Firstly, he has been excellent in the Premier League this season and there is little need to find an immediate upgrade in his position.

Steven Taylor dubbed him a “perfect” signing for the club and Toon legend Alan Shearer admitted that he was shocked by his performances, saying: “I looked at him at Brighton and I saw a good Premier League player, who is reliable. I have got to be honest. I didn’t realise how good he was, in terms of what he has brought to this Newcastle team, the leadership.

“Watch the way he’s looking around and trying to organise different players, then taking up his position to do his bit defensively. He has been a leader in that back four, ever since he has put that black and white shirt on.”

He has averaged a superb SofaScore rating of 7.03 for Brighton and Newcastle combined, making 3.1 tackles and interceptions per game. The £20k-per-week machine has shown that he can consistently deliver in the top-flight and that is one reason why it would be a mistake to replace him this summer.

Another reason why it would be a mistake from PIF is that it would surely put some players off from wanting to join the club.

Seeing that they are willing to wield their axe with Burn, in the sense of replacing him in the starting XI, after just a few months in which he has been delivering quality performances would cause targets to think twice about whether or not it is the best move for their career.

Why would a player be interested in signing for the Magpies if they know that they can put in excellent displays and help the team massively and still be potentially pushed aside within weeks or months?

Therefore, the Magpies must add one centre-back to their squad this summer to compete with the likes of Schar and Dan Burn, instead of signing a completely new defensive pairing.

AND in other news, Sold at £108k, now worth £10.8m: NUFC had howler on gem who proved Benitez “all wrong”…

Leeds United and Southampton have been linked with a move for Blackburn Rovers right-back Ryan Nyambe, The 72 report.

The Lowdown: Nyambe profiled

Nyambe, described as a player with ‘great acceleration’, is 24 years of age and has progressed through the academy at Ewood Park.

The Namibia international is primarily a right-back who can also turn out at centre-back and has made 190 appearances for the club – 21 of which have come this season.

His current deal is set to expire at the end of June, with Nyambe sharing the same agency as Leeds duo Adam Forshaw and Charlie Cresswell.

The Latest: Leeds keen

The 72 shared a story on Wednesday afternoon, revealing Rovers could cash in on Nyambe this month, with Elland Road and St Mary’s named as possible destinations.

Rovers would want £3m for the defender, a fee surely affordable to Andrea Radrizzani and the 49ers group, while Leeds are also linked with a move for striker Ben Brereton-Diaz.

The Verdict: Not needed

Marcelo Bielsa has Luke Ayling, Stuart Dallas, youngster Cody Drameh and even Jamie Shackleton as right-back options at Elland Road, so a fifth choice doesn’t seem pivotal this month.

Leeds have other transfer issues to address more urgently too, with Victor Orta after two midfielders over the coming weeks following Kalvin Phillips’ long-term hamstring injury.

Should they get two in, then perhaps a cut-price move for the versatile Nyambe could be looked at, but for now, Radrizzani and co have bigger fish to fry in order to bolster their chances of Premier League survival.

In other news: Orta now eyeing Leeds move for 6 ft 3 beast who stopped Ronaldo; he’s keen on a January switch.

According to Rai journalist Filippo Grassia, speaking to Italian outlet Passione Inter [via Inside Futbol], Newcastle United have lodged a bid of around €100m (£85m) for Fiorentina striker Dusan Vlahovic.

What’s the latest?

Newcastle’s new owners are fast approaching their first transfer window since taking over from previous owner Mike Ashley, with high expectations regarding the amount of money which could be spent.

An array of top talents across Europe have been linked with a move to the northeast, with the latest being Fiorentina striker Dusan Vlahovic.

The Serbian’s name has circulated the English media for a number of months now, with the likes of Tottenham, Arsenal, Manchester United and now Newcastle linked with a potential swoop for the forward.

At just 21 years of age, he is currently the top scorer in Serie A, netting 15 goals and registering two assists in 17 league games this term, duly making him one of Europe’s most sought-after players. Moreover, it is believed that the striker has recently rejected a new deal at the Italian club, pricking up the ears of interested potential suitors.

Vlahovic would enter the final 18 months of his contract at Fiorentina next summer if he doesn’t leave in January, but with an £85m bid from Newcastle being reported, it appears that La Viola may be forced to sell.

The Toon Army will be buzzing

If Newcastle are able to sign a player ahead of the likes of Arsenal, Tottenham and Manchester United for the significant amount of money being reported, it would be a major statement of intent.

The Magpies are currently 19th in the Premier League table, having won just once in the top flight this season, and they will need reinforcements in January to boost their survival bid.

Callum Wilson is currently their top scorer with six goals in 13 games, but only Allan Saint-Maximin has also scored more than once in the league so far this term, with three goals to his name.

Newcastle have netted 18 goals so far in the league, but they have the top flight’s worst defence, conceding 37 goals in 17 matches.

Furthermore, Wilson has scored a third of the Magpies’ goals, so an injury to the 29-yer-old could have detrimental consequences if it occurs, hence the need to purchase a striker in January.

It will always prove a huge task to follow in the footsteps of Newcastle legend Alan Shearer, who netted 206 goals for the Magpies, making him their all-time leading scorer. However, in the hugely prolific Vlahovic, they could find their best attempt at replacing the Geordie legend since he ended his playing career 15 years ago.

Still very young and without Premier League experience, it could be argued that spending such a vast amount of money on Vlahovic is risky, particularly with survival in the balance. However, it would be a major statement of intent, and the gamble could prove to have remarkable consequences should it pay off.

In other news: Eddie Howe outlines potential Newcastle injury setback, fans could be gutted

Newcastle’s difficult start to the Premier League season continued at the weekend as they were held to a 3-3 draw by Brentford at St James’ Park.

They are rooted to the bottom of the table on six points and are the only team in the division who are yet to win a single match.

One player who had an eventful game against the Bees was centre-back and captain Jamaal Lascelles, as he scored a goal at the right end and the wrong end…

Dream deal by Newcastle

The towering centre-back has been one of the few bright sparks for the Magpies this season. He has averaged a SofaScore rating of 6.81, which only Callum Wilson and Allan Saint-Maximin have been able to beat.

As per SofaScore, he has won 62% of his duels in the Premier League and made a whopping 5.8 clearances per game on average. This shows that, despite Newcastle’s struggles, Lascelles has been putting in some strong performances and doing his part in trying to lift the team out of trouble.

He has been a dream signing for the club since they landed him from Nottingham Forest in 2014. They reportedly paid £7m to sign Lascelles in a deal which also included goalkeeper Karl Darlow, with Transfermarkt estimating that just over half of that figure was used to pay for the defender. However, even if the full £7m was spent on him, Newcastle have still pulled off a blinder with him over the years.

At the time of writing (24/11/21), Transfermarkt value him at £11.7m. This means that his value has risen since arriving at St James’ Park and he has been able to maintain a high level of consistency over the past seven years on Tyneside, with Alan Shearer once claiming that he “gives everything”.

He was sent back out on loan to Nottingham Forest for the 2014/15 campaign and then played just 18 times in the Premier League during his first full year on Tyneside. However, he was made club captain at the start of the 2016/17 campaign, wearing the armband under Rafael Benitez, Steve Bruce and now Eddie Howe.

Lascelles has since gone on to play 197 times for Newcastle in the subsequent years, including 135 times in the Premier League, and he has won a Championship title with the club. Along with his captaincy and increase in value, this shows that he has been a terrific signing and the Magpies have extracted plenty from the £7m they paid in 2014.

AND in other news, Journalist drops Newcastle transfer update on £10.8m-rated “monster” which will leave fans gutted…

Celtic forward Leigh Griffiths is wanted by Dundee in a permanent deal, The Herald report.

The Lowdown: Soon-to-be free agent

Recent reports have suggested that the Hoops have terminated the 31-year-old’s contract at Parkhead, however, the club are yet to confirm this.

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As things stand, Griffiths, labelled as ‘amazing’ by Alex McLeish, is still technically a Celtic player, with his deal set to expire in the summer.

He’s been on loan at Dundee during the 2021/22 campaign, scoring twice in 14 games, and it seems as if he is wanted on a permanent deal at Dens Park.

The Latest: Full-time move

According to The Herald, Dundee manager James McPake is determined to keep Griffiths until the end of the season.

Parkhead chiefs have spoken to Griffiths and agreed that they will cancel his contract early, with a permanent move to Dundee as a free agent on the cards at the end of the month.

The Verdict: Good decision

Even though Griffiths penned fresh terms after Ange Postecoglou arrived, things have quickly changed and he is no longer needed at Parkhead, so cutting ties is the right call.

The Hoops have brought in Kyogo Furuhashi, Giorgos Giakoumakis, Daizen Maeda and youngster Johnny Kenny as central attacking options after Griffiths extended his stay, so they have more than enough without the Scot.

He’s been a great servant to the club, scoring 123 goals in green and white in 262 appearances and winning 14 major honours, but now is the time to move on for good and look to the future.

In other news: Source claims Celtic closing in on £5m transfer; talkSPORT man says it will ‘definitely’ happen.  

According to reports by The Mirror (as relayed by football.london), former Tottenham striker Dimitar Berbatov fears that Harry Kane will once again try to force a move away from Spurs if Antonio Conte fails to win a trophy or qualify for the Champions League.

The Lowdown: Harry Kane’s transfer saga

Kane was at the heart of a messy transfer saga during last summer’s transfer window. The England captain was Pep Guardiola’s priority target as Manchester City looked to bring in a top-quality striker. Spurs rejected City’s sensational £125m bid for the player, who had his mind set on the move after winning last season’s Premier League Golden Boot.

Kane tried to force his way out of the north London club by failing to turn up to training. However, these attempts proved unsuccessful, and the 28-year-old took to social media to confirm that he would remain at his boyhood club.

Despite Spurs’ retention of the striker, he has been relatively poor this season, having transfer market valuation drop from a peak of £135m to its current value of £90m.

The Latest: Berbatov issues Kane transfer warning

Berbatov now fears that Kane will try again to leave the club if Tottenham fail to deliver silverware or a top-four finish this season.

Speaking to The Mirror, the Bulgarian said: “In my opinion, I think we are going to see a similar situation with Harry Kane to last year.

“I am not convinced that the thought of moving to a top club to win trophies is completely out of Harry’s head.

“Yes, Conte has said that Harry is a key guy and that the team must evolve around him. But at the same time, I think that temptation is still there – and that we will see the same drama next summer.

“The only way that won’t happen is if Spurs win something or qualify for the Champions League. That’s where Kane wants to be – so let’s see if Spurs can surprise a few people by doing it.”

The Verdict: Pressure on Spurs to keep Kane

With Berbatov believing that Kane holds mixed feelings over his future at Tottenham, there is huge pressure on Conte to guide the team to a successful season in the form of a trophy or Champions League qualification. Otherwise, the England international could once again seek to leave the club.

He would be a monumental loss for Spurs. Kane has played 364 times for the Lilywhites, scoring an incredible 233 goals. Levy will not only be feeling the pressure to keep the fan favourite at the club, he might also be worrying about whether Conte will follow suit in leaving if the England captain is eventually granted a departure from N17.

With the FA Cup still to fight for, and sitting just four points off the top four with several games in hand, Tottenham still have every chance of salvaging tangible success from this season. Kane’s future at the club could depend on it.

In other news – ‘Conte is confident’: Spurs business ‘expected to be tied up very soon’ amid exit rumour

Eddie Howe has requested that a centre-back and full-back be signed in January amid Newcastle United’s defensive struggles. 

That’s according to Chris Waugh, the club’s correspondent for The Athletic.

The lowdown

Newcastle find themselves rock bottom of the Premier League after suffering a seventh defeat in 13 matches on Saturday.

Their tally of 15 goals scored is actually better than seven teams, including Wolves and Tottenham in sixth and seventh positions respectively. However, it’s their league-worst defensive record which is costing them – they’ve shipped 29 goals so far, an average of more than 2.2 per game.

Continue at the current rate, and they could concede 85 before the end of the season. For context, Derby County’s 11-point side in 2007/08, statistically the worst in Premier League history, shipped 89.

The latest

In tweeting a link to his article for The Athletic outlining the Newcastle manager’s transfer wishes, Waugh said that “Howe wants defenders in January” but fears that it “could be too late by then” to fix a “porous, ageing & error prone defence”.

A further tweet from the journalist claimed that centre-backs and full-backs are ‘being scouted’ heavily by the club’s recruitment staff, with Howe regarding these reinforcements as crucial.

Waugh added that scouts have been scanning Europe for players entering the last six, or last 18, months of their contracts, while the manager also has some British-based targets in mind.

The verdict

It’s hard to argue with Howe’s assessment, but who could Newcastle actually end up signing?

The club are said to be ‘reasonably confident’ of striking a deal for Burnley’s James Tarkowski, who has failed to agree a new deal at Turf Moor. The Clarets defender is valued at £22.5m by Transfermarkt, while one potential full-back target in Kieran Trippier is rated at £18m.

Tarkowski featured in the WhoScored Premier League team of the season for 2020/21, while the Atletico Madrid right-back has been capped 35 times by England.

The duo also boast plenty of English top-flight experience, with 171 and 107 appearances respectively in the division, so both could be ideal recruits for January if Newcastle can persuade them to join the Howe revolution.

In other news, this Newcastle trio struggled against Arsenal