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According to a recent report from The Sun, Newcastle goalkeeper Karl Darlow is a January transfer target for both Leeds United and Aston Villa, and he could represent a bargain if Whites boss Marcelo Bielsa was to sanction a move.

What’s the story?

The Sun are reporting that Darlow is looking for a winter move away from St James’ Park after losing his number one spot to Martin Dubravka, who initially joined on loan in January this year before completing a permanent deal during the summer.

The Slovakian international has been hugely impressive for the Magpies, but his form has meant that Darlow has made only one appearance so far this season – in the Carabao Cup loss to Nottingham Forest.

However, this could mean that he is available for a relatively small fee given the state of the current transfer market. The Sun claim that Villa and Leeds are interested in a £4m deal for the 28-year-old, who is still in his prime for a goalkeeper.

Competition for places

Leeds manager Bielsa should certainly look to beat Villa to Darlow’s signature. The Whites will need to bring in a senior stopper during January after loanee Jamal Blackman broke his leg in an U23 game and returned to his parent club Chelsea for treatment.

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This has left the Argentine boss with just 20-year-old Will Huffer as back-up for Bailey Peacock-Farrell, but if he truly wants to push the Elland Road outfit for promotion to the Premier League then increasing the competition for places is a must.

Darlow would certainly do this, and with 140 Championship appearances to his name it is clear that he has the experience to help with a promotion push.

So, Leeds fans, would you back a move for the current Newcastle man? Have your say by voting in the poll below.

According to the Italian outlet TMW, Leeds sent scouts to watch Serie B outfit Foggia’s teenage striker Francesco Paolo Clemente recently. 

Manager Marcelo Bielsa has remained coy in recent weeks as to who the club are planning to sign in January, and has generally insisted that The Whites will not be too extravagant in the January transfer window. However, this is a clear sign that the club are targeting a striker, in a move that makes sense.

The knee injury to striker Patrick Bamford earlier in the season left the Yorkshire club looking very thin on the ground when it comes to strikers, with Kemar Roofe being their only experienced striker. An injury to Roofe spelled disaster for The Whites, but they were able to manage with teenager Tyler Roberts stepping up for the club.

However, with Bamford recently admitting to the Yorkshire Evening Post that it is likely that he will be playing through pain over the next few months, Leeds will not want to find themselves in another crisis again. While Bamford may play, he is unlikely to be fully fit for a while, and the club will try and limit his workload. In order to do so, they will need depth in this department, and Clemente will provide that.

Of course, Clemente is unlikely to rival Roofe for a place, or even Roberts for that matter, but it just adds that extra bit of depth in their squad, as well as being a huge investment for the future of the club.

Everton are on their third full-time manager in little over a year, following the axing of Ronald Koeman and Sam Allardyce before the hiring of Marco Silva, but do you fancy making it four?

Taking charge of the Toffees on Football Manager 2019 is not a job to take lightly, even if the demands are not too taxing, as the blue half of Merseyside need success following a heavy summer transfer window and plans for a new stadium, even if not all the pieces of the puzzle are currently in place.

The board’s expectations

Take the Goodison Park job and expect a reasonably relaxed board when it comes to their demands, where only the Premier League and FA Cup are prioritised.

Even then, the minimum expectation is only a top half finish, along with an FA Cup fifth round appearance, meaning you don’t have to qualify for Europe to stay in the job.

The transfer war chest

As the Toffees are heavily in debt, with a balance due exceeding £50million, the transfer budget is barely there at £4.3m.

A wage allocation of £70,000 does leave some room to re-allocate funds, but as the league and FA Cup are the only important competitions to the board, you can get away with a thinner squad in your first season.

Three players to buy

Ramiro

Without a great deal to spend, you will be forced to look at cheaper options if you wish to improve your side.

One of the key areas the club would like you to improve is in attack, as the current crop are not rated too highly for their work off the ball or their end product.

A solid contender to add is Ramiro, who, with a value of £1.7million, has an off the ball rating of 15, 14 anticipation and 12 crossing.

Gustavo Bou

As Cenk Tosun is a serious contender to start, you’ll want to play Richarlison out on the wing, but that would leave you weak up top, meaning you must sign another striker to support your attack.

Racing Club’s Gustavo Bou is a superb budget option to strengthen your strike force, as the 28-year-old harbours 16 finishing, 15 anticipation and 15 technique.

Another possible candidate is David Villa, who may be 35, but would be an excellent addition for a year with his clinical finishing and a value of just £200k.

Frank Fabra

Leighton Baines would serve as an adequate understudy to Lucas Digne, but with the former first-team regular now 33, a younger alternative should be brought in for the long-term.

Colombian full-back Frank Fabra would easily be acquirable within the limited budget as the 27-year-old is valued at £2.8million. His £5,500-a-week wage demand would also free funds from that department for other areas of your squad.

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Three players to sell

Morgan Schneiderlin

The Everton midfield ranks are not packed with talent, leaving Morgan Schneiderlin’s presence very questionable given he earns £100,000-a-week.

At 28, he should generate interest from potential suitors but at Everton, he would not challenge Idrissa Gueye for the starting defensive role, and Tom Davies presents a stronger back-up as he has the same ability level and great potential.

James McCarthy

Along with Schneiderlin, James McCarthy, who also has a similar starting rating to the rivals for his position, is another high earner who just isn’t good enough.

His injury at the start would make his departure tricky, but you should attempt to cash in on his £16.75million valuation, as he will not rival for a starting spot.

Oumar Niasse

Altogether, Everton have five options up front, but Oumar Niasse is the clear final resort thanks to a two and a half star rating in comparison to the rest of your squad.

It leaves the 28-year-old miles behind Cenk Tosun or Richarlison in the pecking order, yet he is valued at £11m.

Three for the future

Ademola Lookman

Ademola Lookman is by far the best youth player in the Toffees’ squad. The 20-year-old has attributes that make you consider starting the winger in your first-team, and he can develop into a top player in the Premier League.

Nikola Vlasic

Twenty-year-old Nikola Vlasic is the ideal creative midfielder in the Everton ranks to develop, as he can become a top player who could one day replace Gylfi Sigurdsson.

You’ll have to watch his progress from afar in the first year, however, as the Croatian is away on loan with Russian Premier League side CSKA Moscow.

Lewis Gibson

Seventeen-year-old left-back Lewis Gibson is a great teenager to have around the squad for the early cup rounds, as well as on the the bench should Lucas Digne or Leighton Baines pick up any injuries.

Unfortunately, he’ll never become a first-team star at Goodison Park but he does provide solid back-up.

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Manchester United own-goal merchant Phil Jones is set to be out of contract at Old Trafford in the summer, and there has been no news as of yet regarding whether or not the Premier League giants will extend his deal.

The 26-year-old was tipped for big things when he joined the Red Devils from Blackburn back in 2011 for around £17m, and looked likely to fulfil his potential under Sir Alex Ferguson.

Since the Scotsman’s departure, however, Jones hasn’t been the same commanding presence that he once was, and has been the source of mockery for many fans as a result of the faces he pulls and his comical own-goals.

He has made just three Premier League starts this season and doesn’t appear to have a future in Manchester, so perhaps he should start looking for a new club.

In that respect, maybe Newcastle should take the England international on the cheap and cash in on Jamaal Lascelles – it definitely sounds tempting if your name is Mike Ashley.

Should the Magpies sign Jones? Have your say down below…

According to a recent report from The Daily Mail, James McCarthy could be set for a move away in the January transfer window. The 28-year-old currently plays his football at Premier League outfit Everton and has done so since leaving Wigan Athletic back in 2013, although a lack of game time under new Toffees manager Marco Silva this season has plunged his future at the club into doubt.

And reports suggest that Fulham, West Brom, and West Ham are eyeing up a January move for the Republic of Ireland international, as should Celtic boss Brendan Rodgers as he seeks to improve his squad ahead of what looks set to be a tough Scottish Premiership title race in the second half of the season.

The Breakdown

Ultimately, Rangers’ victory over their Old Firm rivals brought Steven Gerrard’s men level on points with the Bhoys at the summit of the Scottish top-flight, and while Rodgers’ side do still have a game in hand on the Gers, it does suggest that things are going to be a lot closer this time round.

Yes, one would probably still have Celtic as favourites to win an eighth straight league title and thus continue their overall domination of football north of the border, but there is little doubting, especially after a summer of relative inactivity, that Rodgers will need to strengthen his squad this month to fend off the threat posed by Gerrard’s Rangers.

And boyhood fan McCarthy appears to be exactly the sort of addition needed to bring greater quality in the Celtic midfield for the second half of the campaign.

The Irishman has struggled hugely with injuries in recent years but has produced several decent displays in between those injury problems, with his ability both on and indeed off the ball sure to be of keen interest to Rodgers as he seeks to develop his midfield options.

The 28-year-old is extremely good on the ball in showing calmness and composure when under pressure to keep the ball moving and thus transition from defence into attack, while he is also very tenacious off the ball in breaking up play and making several crucial blocks and interceptions – there’s a reason he has played over 200 times in the Premier League.

And given he supported Celtic as a boy, very few will know better how much it would mean to the Bhoys faithful to hold off a spirited Rangers side to win the league this term – it would arguably be Rodgers’ biggest achievement in what has already been an illustrious time at Parkhead.

However, time is very much of the essence given the reported interest from the likes of Fulham, West Brom, and West Ham – Celtic hold an ace in being the club McCarthy supported as a boy, but that must be backed up with a genuine willingness to get a deal done as soon as possible.

And given how much he’d add to Rodgers’ Celtic team, it’s a deal the Northern Irishman simply has to get done to enhance his side’s hopes of making it eight league titles in a row.

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

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Moussa Sissoko will have to stand up and be counted against Manchester United on Sunday, with an incredible statistic showing 45% of the Red Devils’ play comes from the left-wing.

On the chalkboard

Even in a mostly dire season, Manchester United are trendsetters in the Premier League, with the Red Devils joint-leaders in the top flight for the percentage of play to come down the left-wing.

The only other side to play as heavily in that third of the pitch is Crystal Palace, with United flop Wilfried Zaha their best and often only chance at gaining favourable results.

WhoScored statistics show 45% of United’s play comes from the left-flank, compared to a league-low 30% on the right and a further 26% from the middle of the park.

As for Tottenham Hotspur, Mauricio Pochettino’s side spread the ball an even amount, with 37% of the game spent on either wing and 26% in the centre.

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How does this affect Sissoko?

Since establishing his name as one of the first on Pochettino’s team sheet, Sissoko has featured 13 times as either a central or defensive midfielder, and is expected to line up once more on the right of a diamond on Sunday.

Should that be the case, the 29-year-old will be pivotal to his side’s success as he will have to support whoever is fielded at right-back, with Ole Gunnar Solskjaer likely to continue favouring the left wing against the Lilywhites.

He’ll also need to adapt his individual game plan, as the former Newcastle midfielder will not be able to push forward as much as he may like, and be prepared to quickly snatch possession back when he’s dragged out wide.

Changing opinions

It’s safe to say that Sissoko has been a divisive figure since moving to North London in 2016, but the 55-cap France international is beginning to change opinions with the performances he is consistently delivering.

In his combined 16 appearances in the Premier League this season, only two of which have been as a substitute, the 6 foot 2 midfielder has regularly delivered a WhoScored match rating in excess of 7.0, and only once dipped below a 6.0.

Sissoko has also contributed 18 tackles, ten interceptions, and 738 passes in the Premier League for Spurs this season. It’s been a remarkable turnaround for a player who most fans wanted out of the club at the start of last summer.

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Tottenham’s midfield suddenly looks very thin after the injury sustained by Moussa Sissoko against Manchester United on Sunday.

The France international limped off with a muscle problem after pulling up unchallenged. With Mousa Dembele also about to leave the club, a move for Abdoulaye Doucoure would make sense, and go a long way to rectifying the issues plaguing the club’s midfield.

What’s the word?

Doucoure has expressed his desire to leave Watford in the January transfer window, as he bids to play in the Champions League.

A technically-accomplished, clever midfield player, the 26-year-old has been ever-present for the Hornets thus far this season, playing in all 22 of the club’s Premier League games. He has scored three goals, and also provided five assists.

Speaking to Canal+, per The Independent, he said: “Yes, I think I will leave Watford.

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“The club are aware of my ambitions and want to help me go up a level. So if it doesn’t happen this winter we’ll have a look at things this summer and the possibilities available.

“The most important thing for me is to continue improving, so obviously through my performances I can reach a club playing at European level.

“I think I will reach a new level by signing for another club, who are playing in European competitions.”

Doucoure has yet to play for France, and clearly sees playing for a marquee side as a perfect route into the squad.

A match made in heaven

Tottenham are currently lacking a midfield. The injury sustained by Sissoko against United leaves the club with only Harry Winks and 18-year-old Oliver Skipp as the fully-fit options available to Mauricio Pochettino in the centre of the pitch.

Dembele, of course, is poised to complete an £11million move to China, per Football.London.

Such is the dearth of depth right now, Pochettino opted to replace Sissoko with winger Erik Lamela on Sunday, facilitating a change in formation.

Doucoure, then, represents the perfect investment.

For a start, the Watford midfielder is able to stay fit for a long period of time, something which cannot be said of either Victor Wanyama or Eric Dier.

Doucoure is also excellent on the ball, capable of playing vertically, and retains possession well.

Add to that the fact that he has Premier League experience, and is desperate to play in the Champions League, and the move should sell itself to Pochettino and chairman Daniel Levy.

The latter, however, appears to be single-minded in his refusal to invest in the squad.

Injuries may have altered that stance, and if they have, a move for Doucoure now would make sense; Spurs should strike while the iron is hot, in order to avoid a potential bidding war with other, wealthier, Premier League clubs.

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Newcastle fans have taken to Twitter after Paul Merson made a quite ridiculous statement on Magpies boss Rafa Benitez, as the pundit compared him to Cardiff manager Neil Warnock.

The Sky Sports pundit said in his ‘weekly predictions’ column: “Rafa Benitez couldn’t have done what Neil Warnock has done at Cardiff though. No chance. Warnock is pulling up trees. He’s an unbelievable manager.”

Warnock guided the Bluebirds to an incredible promotion from the Championship last year, and has worked wonders so far this season, gaining 19 points from 22 games, one more than Newcastle have managed in the same timeframe.

However, Benitez guided the Magpies to a promotional campaign of their own two years ago, and managed to secure a top-10 finish last season against all odds.

The Spaniard has also won numerous European honours and has twice been named UEFA Manager of the Year, so Merson’s comments haven’t gone down too well with the St. James’ faithful…

According to The Sunderland Echo, The Black Cats’ striker Charlie Wyke has said that he needs to add more goals to his game this season. 

The former Bradford City striker has only featured nine times in League One this season since arriving in the summer with a knee injury. Another injury during the season has curtailed his chance of replicating his good form he showed with the Yorkshire club last season.

Fortunately for manager Jack Ross, Wyke’s absence has not affected the club as much as first feared as Josh Maja has hit some major form this season, managing 15 goals in 25 games in the league. However, with speculation surrounding the 20-year-old’s future, and Sunderland showing a dip in form, Ross will surely need Wyke to find his form quickly.

Wyke has only managed one league goal this season, which is a poor return for a striker. Although there is the caveat that he is recovering from injury, The Black Cats cannot throw their season away as they wait for Wyke to find form. Of course, the 26-year-old is a different type of striker to his counterpart Maja. At 6ft 2, his is more of a physical presence deployed to hold the ball up, whereas Maja is perhaps a more natural goal scorer.

But with Sunderland without a win in their last three league matches, Wyke may be the key to Sunderland snapping this poor run of form. In third place in League One, The Black Cats are out of the automatic qualification spot that they would have expected this season, and it is time that some of their big players stood up.

Leeds United supporters are expecting one deal and one deal only on transfer deadline day: the permanent transfer of Swansea City’s Daniel James.

With the rumour mill refusing to throw up any other reason for Leeds fans to feel expectant on deadline day, all eyes are on James’ potential move from south Wales to Yorkshire.

Can Leeds get a deal over the line? Tell will tell but murmurs emerging from both clubs suggest that it’s one which is set to go right down to the wire.

Interest in James has arrived during a month in which Bielsa has clearly felt the need to strengthen in wide areas following the departure of Samu Saiz, with Pablo Hernandez expected to play a key role at number ten for the remainder of the season.

But the 21-year-old winger was relatively unheard of until just a few months ago, so why exactly did Bielsa decide to put all his eggs in one basket and launch a transfer mission to secure his signature?

Well, Yorkshire Evening Post reporter Phil Hay has shed some light on the matter, citing Leeds scout Craig Dean as the man who introduced James to Bielsa with a series of video clips.

‘James is understood to have been picked out first by Craig Dean, a scout who once worked for Oxford United and is Leeds’ head of emerging talent for players between the age of 17 and 21 (James turned 21 in November).

‘The video clips shown to Bielsa appealed to him. James was quick, direct and minded to go past full-backs, providing crosses for players arriving in the box as Kemar Roofe and Mateusz Klich like to do.’

If Leeds are ultimately successful in their endeavour to sign James, Bielsa will be desperately hoping that his crosses do indeed find their way to the likes of Klich and Roofe in the final months of the season.

Craig Dean, who left Oxford United for Leeds in October 2017, may well have been a focal figure in identifying Polish teenager Mateusz Bogusz as a player for Bielsa to bring in, but his decision to recommend James is the one which could really make or break Leeds’ season.

While football supporters appreciate that scouts are working behind the scenes to identify players worth signing, it’s intriguing to get this level of specific inside information from Hay on a proposed deal which has been in the media spotlight for the best part of 7-10 days.

Dean has done his part; Bielsa has taken the advice and given the green light; now it’s down to Victor Orta to conclude the deal before the 11PM deadline.

Leeds fans – thoughts? Let us know below!