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Leeds United are now facing a stern transfer battle to sign Basel striker Arthur Cabral amid a recent update.

What’s the story?

Reports in recent weeks had suggested that Marcelo Bielsa’s side were one of several Premier League clubs interested in signing the £13.5m-rated star, and there was a significant development surrounding his future at Basel.

Italian publication Corriere dello Sport claimed that Cabral has called off talks with Basel over a potential new contract, with his existing deal with the Swiss club coming to an end in less than two years time.

And now, UOL claim that a number of other sides have been alerted to the striker’s performances, and that Leeds now face competition from the likes of Bayer Leverkusen, Benfica, Porto, Southampton and Fiorentina.

Fans would love him

One of the big concerns for Leeds fans this season has of course surrounded their worrying lack of depth up front, especially with Patrick Bamford being out injured for a number of weeks now.

The England international was their chief goal-scorer last term with 17 in the Premier League alone, and his injury this season has seen the Whites’ offensive threat take a real hit – they’ve scored just 11 goals in 11 top-flight games thus far.

In Cabral, those striking worries would be eased considerably.

FocusonLeeds said of the 6 foot 1 centre-forward: “His ability to find space and shoot with power and accuracy is really impressive. He really comes alive in the box and a calmness about him when in goal scoring positions. At 6ft 1 he also provides an aerial threat with 6 off his 18 goals coming from headers.

“Arthur isn’t overly quick in terms of his speed however, he also isn’t slow. Due to his movement in and around the box, he still finds himself in shooting positions a lot. If you combine this with his dribbling ability and quick feet, this helps him work room to gets shots off at goal.”

Indeed, earlier this season, the “relentless” Cabral made a piece of history, becoming the first player in the history of the Swiss Super League to score nine goals in the first seven games, surpassing the record of Christian Gimenez back in 2003/2004.

The man with 72 goals over his entire club career thus far would provide exceptional cover to Bamford while he’s out, and provide genuine competition for him when he’s back too.

Given the kind of prolific striker that he is, Leeds fans would surely love him at Elland Road.

Meanwhile, Leeds must finally sell this first-team star…

West Brom’s Championship woes have continued even past the sacking of Valerien Ismail, dropping points in three of the club’s last five and winning just three games since the turn of the year.

Just seven teams in the entire division have scored less than their total of 42 goals for the season – a terrible return for a club expected to bounce straight back up to the Premier League after being relegated at the end of the last season.

To make matters worse, Baggies academy graduate Tyler Roberts looks like he could remain in the top flight for another season with Leeds, after joining the club from West Brom back in 2018 for £2.5m – once again proving to them that they shouldn’t have sold him for so little.

Now worth £7.2m according to Transfermarkt, the Wales International remained part of Leeds’ plans under new manager Jesse Marsch, until he suffered an injury earlier in the month which ruled him out for the rest of the season.

He is also being tipped for a summer exit by the likes of journalist Dean Jones, who said: “You do get the feeling that his position is one of those that will be targeted in the summer to be strengthened.”

Despite that update, he could still be a valuable asset to a newly promoted Premier League team, and still has plenty of talent left to offer to his next club – which will likely not be West Brom due to their poor standing in the Championship right now.

The 23-year-old has previously been name-dropped by Spain manager Luis Enrique as one of Wales’ biggest threats, saying: “They have good, young players, like Tyler Roberts, and we know it will not be easy.”

Among midfielders in Europe’s top five leagues and continental competitions, Roberts ranks in the top 4% for pressures in the attacking third per 90 (5.75), top 1% for touches in the attacking penalty area per 90 (4.06) and top 6% for carries into the penalty area per 90 (0.55) – evidence that he can still compete in the top flight and be a solid option for teams in the lower half of the top-flight.

With great energy, work rate and attitude, the 19-time Wales international could have been a star at Albion, if they gave him more of a chance and a larger role within the squad – and now they are suffering the consequences while Roberts has become a Premier League level player.

In other news: Disaster: Ismael could now inflict even more misery on West Brom this summer

Everton have now officially sold Lucas Digne to Aston Villa, and in return are set to take one of their players off their hands and a fresh update on the move has been revealed.

What’s the word?

Fabrizio Romano has revealed an update on Everton’s signing of Anwar El Ghazi.

The Italian transfer insider tweeted in the early hours of this morning:

“Anwar El Ghazi has signed his contract as new Everton player, deal sealed and here-we-go confirmed. Medical completed, official announcement will be today.

“El Ghazi joins on loan from Aston Villa. Buy option clause [not mandatory] is also included in the deal.”

Fans will be furious

The move for El Ghazi to Everton is one that will come tinged with negativity, as he is signing at the cost of fan favourite, Digne, and when you look at Everton’s team, the signing of a winger doesn’t seem to be a priority position to fill in the team.

After all, they already have the likes of Andros Townsend, Demarai Gray, Anthony Gordon and Alex Iwobi at their disposal in that area of the pitch.

Toffees fans have taken to social media to share their thoughts and their confusion on the signing of the Dutch attacker, with one fan exclaiming:

“We’re wasting money to replace players who don’t get a game then? El Ghazi to replace our 5th choice winger? Clearly the priority should have been a CDM/CM to replace Allan, one of our best players, essential to breaking up play, who Rafa seems determined to drive out next.”

Another furious fan tweeted:

“Gone from Carlo, James, Digne to Rafa, Rondon, El Ghazi. Biggest downgrade in history.”

Indeed, it’s easy to see why they’re so angry about proceedings. The club seems to have not learned their lesson about wasting money on players that they don’t need, with owner Farhad Moshiri making a large number of signings in his time as owner of the club.

He has spent over £500m without the Toffees progressing or winning any trophies in the process, and as a consequence, they now that they sit 15th in the Premier League, just six points off relegation.

Therefore, the idea of signing a player who isn’t even a regular at one of their league rivals is a puzzling one as it’s unlikely to take them to the next level at all.

It will be interesting to see how Benitez will fit the Villa man into his line-up and whether he will become a first-team player, replacing a starter already in the side.

In other news: Everton should land Dele Alli

According to a report by Craig Hope in the Daily Mail, Newcastle United are set to face an injury crisis; Callum Wilson has suffered a torn calf and will be sidelined for months, while Allan Saint-Maximin and Ryan Fraser have picked up muscle injuries as well.

The Lowdown: Defensive injuries already a nightmare

The Magpies have already suffered a number of injuries this season and many of which have exacerbated their defensive issues. This has led to the worst defensive record in the league, as Newcastle have conceded a staggering 42 goals in 19 games this season – three more than second place Norwich City.

The longest of these defensive omissions has seen left-back Paul Dummett sustain a serious calf problem that has meant he has missed a total of 20 matches to this date.

More recently, centre-back Federico Fernandez and left-back Jamal Lewis have suffered thigh problems and hamstring injuries respectively, leaving manager Eddie Howe very light in his defensive options.

The Latest: Magpies face more trouble

According to a report by Hope in the Daily Mail, Newcastle fear that Wilson has suffered a torn calf muscle and he will be sidelined for a number of months. This comes as a big blow to Howe, who will now miss his top goal-scorer throughout the hectic winter schedule.

Hope understands that the injury Saint-Maximin picked up, also in the Magpies’ 1-1 clash with Manchester United on Monday, was calf related as well. Fraser, meanwhile, has sustained a different muscle problem.

Hope shared the news to Twitter, saying: “Understand Callum Wilson’s injury is torn calf muscle & fears are period of months sidelined. Allan Saint-Maximin injury is also calf related, while Ryan Fraser has picked up a hamstring problem.”

The Verdict: Newcastle need additions desperately

Howe was unsure after the game as to the extent of the injuries sustained by Wilson and Saint-Maximin. However, he will now be devastated if Hope’s reports are accurate.

Without his top goal-scorer, the boss will be wondering where his goals are going to come from. This issue is further exacerbated by Saint-Maximin’s injury, as he is the only other Newcastle player to score more than one goal this season, having scored on four occasions.

This makes it imperative that the Magpies spend big in the January transfer window, as they look set to fight a relegation battle, which, if victorious, could see them begin a huge rebuild over the summer.

Glasgow Rangers are reportedly now in a ‘strong position’ to sign Danilho Doekhi in the January transfer window.

The Lowdown: Souttar in

It has now been confirmed that John Souttar has signed a pre-contract agreement with the Ibrox faithful from Hearts, and he may even be able to play from this month if a further agreement can be made.

A few central defenders for the Teddy Bears are facing uncertain futures, and so bringing in a new centre-back was vital.

In truth, they could do with another one as well, given that both Connor Goldson and Leon Balogun’s contracts are up in the summer, with no sign of them renewing as of yet.

The Latest: Doekhi next?

As per The Athletic journalist Jordan Campbell, the Light Blues are now in a ‘strong position’ to sign Doekhi, after confirming Souttar’s signing.

The Dutchman is also a player whose contract is up in the summer, and so he could also be very attainable this month.

The Verdict: No-brainer

Assuming both Goldson and Balogun leave, it would be a no-brainer to sign Doekhi up alongside Souttar.

He has been described as having ‘all the ingredients’ for a good centre-half by Dutch football agent Freddy van der Hoorn, as he is ‘aggressive’ being six-foot-three, but also ‘very comfortable’ on the ball as well (Rangers Review).

Doekhi has also hinted himself that he would like the move, claiming that he is ‘flattered’ by the Gers’ interest, and that they are a ‘very beautiful’ club (de Gelderlander).

Nonetheless, to play under Dutch legend Giovanni van Bronckhorst could well be a match made in heaven.

In other news, find out what transfer update has Gers buzzing here!

West Ham United fans will love the latest hint from Pablo Fornals about his long-term future at the club…

What’s the word?

The Spaniard is a bit of a fan-favourite around the London Stadium as he has emerged as a crucial player for the Irons in recent times, and his performances have even earned him a place back in the Spain squad, as a result.

Fornals was signed in a £24m deal from Villarreal by former manager Manuel Pellegrini back in June 2019 but it’s under the Scotsman where his best displays have come, regularly featuring for the side.

80 of his now 100 appearances have come under Moyes.

However, until recently, he had started all of their first 14 league games this campaign but he has found himself on the bench in his last two outings but Hammers fans should have no fears after he dropped a five-word update to social media this week.

The club’s official Twitter account recently celebrated his 100th appearance by saying “Congratulations on 100 West Ham United appearances, @pablofornals!, to which he responded:

“Hope many more to enjoy.”

Here to stay?

It would be natural, in this day and age, to have some doubts and worries about the £18m-rated playmaker with the January transfer window around the corner, so it will certainly be encouraging to much of the Hammers’ faithful that he’s keen to remain in the claret and blue going forward.

After all, you could forgive him if he wanted to return to his home county, especially given that the manager who signed him departed very quickly and then the country was hit by a pandemic, something that still lingers to this day.

However, back in September, the 25-year-old dynamo expressed his love for the club in an interview with the Guardian.

When asked if he knew much about the Irons before signing, he said: “If I’m honest, no. I knew of them, I’d seen them play, but I wasn’t a fan the way I am now.” Now he says he has “completely” fallen in love with them: “The songs, this sign when they see you in the street, the bubbles: it’s something you don’t experience anywhere else.”

It’s no wonder he has emerged as a popular player amongst supporters and one that has been hugely influential to Moyes.

After five goals and four assists in the Premier League last term, Fornals now ranks as West Ham’s fifth-best performer, as per WhoScored ratings, which is an improvement on 20/21.

Only Michail Antonio (six) has scored more goals this season than the Spaniard (four), whilst he is also second for key passes per game (1.4) and isn’t far behind for tackles (1.6 per game) either, via WhoScored, which goes to show he’s a bustling and industrious presence in the engine room.

“He’s done unbelievable,” claimed Irons legend Trevor Sinclair to talkSPORT.

Even though he has not been linked with an exit, fans at the club will be absolutely buzzing to see such comments from the popular star as he certainly remains committed to playing for the Hammers for the foreseeable future.

AND in other news, Fewer touches than Fabianski: £70k-p/w West Ham lightweight badly let Moyes down again vs Burnley…

Bill Young was critical of the build-up play from Glasgow Rangers despite their 4-0 away win in the Scottish Premiership on Sunday.

The Lowdown: Convincing win for Rangers

It was a convincing win for Giovanni van Bronckhorst’s team in the end, which ensured that they kept up the pace with their Glasgow arch-rivals at the top of the Premiership table.

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Unfortunately for them, the Hoops won even more convincingly, thumping St Johnstone 7-0 at home on Saturday, and in this kind of form they look very difficult to catch right now.

The Latest: Young unhappy with build-up play

Taking to Twitter, Scottish football journalist Young was critical of Rangers’ general build-up play during the game against St Mirren, despite going 2-0 up at half-time through a brace from Kemar Roofe.

The reporter stated: “Rangers 2 up through Roofe, Rangers have dominated the ball but not the game.

“The midfield is MIA and the build-up play is nothing short of ponderous which allows St. Mirren to get men behind the ball.

“Distribution has been poor and it’s all becoming a bit too predictable sadly.”

The Verdict: Win is a win

After winning 4-0 in the end, many Light Blues supporters will not be too worried about how well they played, as getting the three points was the most important thing.

However, for all of the possession that Rangers had (71% in total) they only mustered eight shots on target from 22, around 36% (SofaScore). They actually lost the ball more than the hosts as well, implying that their passing was not always clean and crisp.

Nonetheless, getting the three points was all that mattered, but the Gers will want to play better in their crucial second leg against Braga at Ibrox in the Europa League quarter-final on Thursday night.

In other news, Rangers have been hit by an injury setback

Ashley Young will replace Emiliano Buendia in Aston Villa’s starting line-up for their Premier League clash with Crystal Palace, The Birmingham Mail’s Ashley Preece has predicted.

The lowdown

Villa travel to south London on Saturday looking to make it back-to-back wins at the start of Steven Gerrard’s reign. Young came off the bench to set up an 84-minute Ollie Watkins goal which broke the deadlock in the 2-0 win over Brighton last weekend.

The 36-year-old, who joined from Inter Milan on a free transfer in the summer, has only made one league start since August.

The Athletic’s Gregg Evans wrote earlier this week that Gerrard had been so impressed by Young in training that he strongly considered starting him in the number 10 position against the Seagulls. The new manager said that the £50,000-per-week veteran had been ‘absolutely outstanding since we walked through the door’.

The latest

Off the back of his ‘strong cameo’ against Brighton, Preece reckons that Gerrard will select Young in the line-up. That would mean making the ‘ruthless call’ to drop Buendia to the substitutes’ bench when he’s ‘desperately trying to spark into some kind of form’.

Elsewhere, Preece thinks that Aston Villa will be unchanged. Douglas Luiz is back fit again, but ‘it’d be hard to see’ Marvelous Nakamba, John McGinn or Jacob Ramsey making way.

The verdict

Would it be harsh to drop Buendia? The statistics suggest that he didn’t make a particularly glowing first impression on Gerrard.

He managed only one shot (which was blocked) against Brighton and he didn’t produce any key passes. He won only two of his six ground duels and all of his crosses were inaccurate (via SofaScore).

As ex-Villan Gabriel Agbonlahor has said, perhaps it’s best for the ‘struggling’ Argentine to sit this one out and be given the incentive to ‘win his place back’.

In other news, many Villa fans react to this piece of pre-Palace news.

West Ham could sign Flamengo striker Gabigol in an exciting initial loan deal in the January transfer window, according to journalist Pete O’Rourke.

The Lowdown: Gabigol shines in Brazil

The 25-year-old has enjoyed a hugely impressive career in his homeland of Brazil, being lauded by one of his country’s all-time great players, Zico, who claimed the striker has ‘everything to be the greatest striker in Flamengo’s history’.

Gabigol has scored 84 goals in just 124 appearances for Flamengo, not to mention netting five times in 17 caps for Brazil.

West Ham have been linked with an audacious January move for the striker with Sky Sports even claiming talks have started, and a fresh update has now emerged regarding their pursuit of him.

The Latest: Journalist backs move

Speaking to Give Me Sport, O’Rourke hinted at a potential temporary move then becoming permanent in the summer:

“I’m sure they’re talking to Flamengo to see if they could try and work out a deal where it’s an initial loan with an obligation to buy.”

The Verdict: Hugely exciting target

Gabigol could feel like a significant signing for the Hammers, considering his stature in the game and his aforementioned success at Flamengo.

Granted, he has already had two failed spells in Europe – he scored just one goal apiece during short stints at Inter Milan and Benfica – but he has since matured as a player and could be ready for a new challenge.

It is vital that West Ham sign someone to ease the burden on Michail Antonio between now and January, ensuring genuine top-four and Europa League challenges are mounted.

In other news, some West Ham fans are excited about another transfer claim. Read more here.

Celtic are back in action this weekend with one of their biggest games of the season in the latest Old Firm derby.

A win for the Hoops will see them open a six-point gap at the top of the Premiership, putting them in a good position to secure the title under Ange Postecoglou.

Looking ahead to Sunday’s clash at Ibrox, it seems as though the Bhoys have been handed a major boost regarding the fitness of one of their key players.

What’s the news?

Speaking ahead of the showdown against Rangers in his latest press conference, Hoops boss Ange Postecoglou revealed that striker Kyogo Furuhashi will be available to play after being out of action since December with a hamstring injury.

Since arriving at Parkhead from Vissel Kobe last summer, the 27-year-old has made 26 appearances for the Hoops across all competitions, scoring 16 goals and providing five assists in the process.

To further highlight the Japanese star’s attacking prowess, out of the 31 shots he has had on goal in the Premiership, 17 of them have been on target, with a shot-on-target average of 54.8%, higher than any other Celtic player to have had more than one attempt at goal.

Taking this into account, it’s safe to say that having the attacker back available will not only be a massive boost for Postecoglou and his chances of seeing his side beat Rangers, but also carry on and pick up more wins in the league to potentially fire them to the title.

While it will be great to have Furuhashi back, the 56-year-old will have a decision to make over whether or not the striker gets any minutes on Sunday.

Given how long he has been out of action, it would seem risky to play the Japan international from the start in such a big game against opponents who will be desperate to stop the Hoops from having any sort of grip on the match.

Therefore, it could be wise for Postecoglou to keep Furuhashi on the bench for starters and then potentially bring him on at some point in the second half if he is needed, so as to not risk him picking up another injury.

Either way, the Hoops boss must be buzzing to have this decision to make for Sunday’s pivotal clash.

In other news: Celtic will rue call on £25k-p/w gem whose value has rocketed 400% since Parkhead exit