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Leeds United and Newcastle United are two of the clubs who have been linked with a move for Derby County midfielder Jason Knight, as per a report from Football League World.

The Lowdown: Knight profiled

Knight is a Republic of Ireland international who is primarily a central midfielder but can also play on the right or in an attacking role.

The 20-year-old was labelled a ‘manager’s dream’ by Wayne Rooney and has been a regular for the Rams in recent months in a variety of positions. He has made 93 senior appearances for Derby in total, scoring on 11 occasions, but it seems as if he could be one player set to leave Pride Park, with multiple clubs interested in his services.

The Latest: January move on the cards?

Football League World shared a story on Wednesday regarding a number of Derby youngsters possibly leaving due to the club’s financial issues.

When it came to Knight, they claimed that Leeds, Burnley, Crystal Palace, Everton, Leicester City, Newcastle and Wolves are all keen, with the midfielder the prime contender to depart.

The Verdict: Similar to Gelhardt?

Leeds pounced on Wigan’s financial issues last year by bringing Joe Gelhardt to the club in a deal worth just £900,000. The youngster has gone on to star for the club’s under-23s and is now starting to get a chance in Marcelo Bielsa’s first team, so Victor Orta could well strike gold again when it comes to Knight.

He is capable of playing in multiple midfield positions so he could appeal to Bielsa, who is quite short of midfielders at this moment in time.

Knight already has plenty of experience in the Championship, especially for his age, and you’d expect that he’ll only get better, so a cut-price move could be another Leeds masterclass should they win the race.

In other news: The stats show that these were Leeds’ three worst players against Crystal Palace

West Ham United will not look to secure a deal to bring Alex Kral to the London Stadium on a permanent basis.

What’s the talk?

That’s according to a claim made by Claret & Hugh, with the club insider revealing that David Moyes will not look to take up the £12m option-to-buy clause for the defensive midfielder. Indeed, they may even look to terminate the 23-year-old’s loan deal before the end of the January transfer window.

In the update, Claret & Hugh said: “West Ham look likely to allow Alex Kral back to Spartak Moscow after the midfielder has been found himself unable to make any impact at the London Stadium so far this season.”

They later added: “The Hammers organised a loan with a permanent deal option at around £12m but given his shortage of any real action, one wonders why the boss agreed to such a move in the first place. Now it looks likely that he could even be back in Russia before the current season comes to an end.”

Fans will be buzzing

Considering how little impact Kral has made at West Ham since making his temporary switch from Spartak Moscow last year, the news that Moyes is not planning to sign him on a permanent basis is sure to have left the London Stadium faithful buzzing.

Indeed, so far this season, the £7.2m-rated Czech international has made just one Premier League appearance – coming on for the final minute of the 4-1 win over Watford – in the current campaign, as well as making three appearances in the Europa League and one in the Carabao Cup.

It is not difficult to see why Moyes is so reluctant to afford the 23-year-old more regularly game-time, as, over his three European outings, the £24k-per-week midfielder has averaged a disappointing SofaScore match rating of just 6.63 – ranking him as the Hammers’ joint fifth-worst performer in the competition.

As such, it is clear to see that the player who Moyes claimed has “bags of energy” is simply not of the standard required to be a first-team regular at the London Stadium. That leads us to believe that the 58-year-old simply must send the Czech Republic midfielder back to his parent club this month.

In other news: Moyes could finally replace Haller as West Ham plot bid for “complete” £13.5m-rated machine

Tottenham Hotspur are looking for a new manager for the first time in 17 months and one interesting name has emerged this week…

What’s the word?

Daniel Levy sacked Jose Mourinho on Monday, just six days before their Carabao Cup final with Manchester City, and has put former midfielder Ryan Mason in caretaker charge until the end of the season.

Several managers have been linked with the newly-vacant post, including mooted top target Julian Nagelsmann, but also according to the Daily Mail, Brighton and Hove Albion boss Graham Potter is someone who could be considered by Spurs.

Fellow Premier League chiefs Brendan Rodgers (Leicester City), Nuno Santo (Wolves), and Scott Parker (Fulham) are all also mentioned as potential options.

Next Poch?

If Levy were to make a move for the Seagulls gem, then he could be going back to his recent roots of appointing a young up-and-comer from within the same league, very much like when he poached Mauricio Pochettino from Southampton in 2014.

In his first full season in charge on the south coast, the Argentine led the Saints to a best-ever finish of eighth, also recording their highest-ever points finish since the Premier League began in 1992.

He had impressed with a fluid, attacking and free-flowing brand of football and that ultimately attracted Levy to him later that summer, and is an attribute he’s searching for in Mourinho’s successor, according to the Guardian’s Dave Hytner.

[snack-amp-story url=https://www.footballfancast.com/web-stories/read-the-latest-spurs-news-transfer-rumours-and-recent-gossip” title=”Read this week’s Spurs news, latest transfer rumours and more!]

In Potter, Spurs could repeat this masterstroke. Yes, it can be argued that the Seagulls are far from a club that you’d want your next manager to be from, given they have been embroiled in a relegation battle all season but they have been rather unlucky.

At one stage this season, they were vastly below their xG record and led the division for expected points at home. At the turn of the month, Brighton should have scored close to 27 (26.9 xGF) goals at home, but have managed just 12.

As you can see from the above graph, they should actually have a ten-point better home record than Spurs, yet it’s the north Londoners who are five points adrift of the top four and Brighton who are eight points above the drop zone.

After a meeting with Sunday’s opposition back in January, Pep Guardiola was left in awe at Potter, telling reporters that his side “were in front of the best English manager right now.”

“You have to be a top side to play that way,” he added, via the Brighton and Hove Independent. “As a spectator, I like to watch these teams. I like watching Brighton play. I recognise it. When I was a football player, I would love to play in this team.”

That’s one hell of an endorsement from one of the world’s best managers, and one that should have Levy rather tempted.

The 45-year-old won’t be on top of many people’s lists come to the end of the current campaign but he’s certainly an intriguing option to consider. Spurs could well have their next Pochettino, should they make a move for him.

AND in other news, Bale, Alli, Winks return: Spurs’ XI under Ryan Mason…

Leeds United sent scouts to watch Timo Hubers in action this weekend, according to reports…

What’s the word?

Football Insider claim that the Yorkshire giants were in attendance as FC Koln defeated Arminia Bielefeld in the Bundesliga on Saturday afternoon.

The 25-year-old centre-back played the full game but conceded an own goal in their 3-1 win, though he seemingly impressed. He registered five clearances and three interceptions, whilst he also won seven duels, per SofaScore.

United are in the market for a new central defender and the club have stepped up their interest in the 6 foot 3 German colossus, who is also believed to have a £6.7m release clause at the RheinEnergieStadion.

[snack-amp-story url=”https://www.footballfancast.com/web-stories/read-the-latest-leeds-news-transfer-rumours-gossip-marsch-raphinha-dest-philhay” title=”Read the latest Leeds news!”]

Marsch mission

After the weekend’s Premier League fixtures, only rock-bottom Norwich City (69) have leaked more goals than the Whites (68), so it’s abundantly clear that manager Jesse Marsch needs to bolster his backline heading into next season.

Their fortunes defensively have gradually improved but he is still light on solid and reliable options, so Hubers represents a cheap but viable option.

Indeed, journalist Pete O’Rourke believes he’d be an ideal signing for the former RB Leipzig boss. He told GIVEMESPORT:

“He’s a talented young player from Koln as well, so he definitely fits the bill for Leeds United because they’ve been forced to have a bit of a makeshift central defence this season.”

Hubers has been Steffen Baumgart’s standout player with Koln on the cusp of qualifying for a place in Europe, having averaged a squad-high average WhoScored rating of 7.09.

Only one other player is winning more aerial duels per game than the 25-year-old (2.5), whilst he leads the way for interceptions (2.7 per game) and isn’t far behind for tackles either (2.1 per game).

Once lauded for being an “exemplary” professional by Hannover 96’s sporting director Gerhard Zuber, it certainly appears as if Hubers would be a player that Marsch would love to sign heading into next season, one that wouldn’t take too much out of the transfer kitty.

After sending scouts to watch him excel, it seems only right that the German titan is amongst their top targets this summer.

AND in other news, Orta had a Leeds disasterclass on “outrageous” £50m dynamo, he’s better than Rodrigo…

Celtic are reportedly monitoring Hibernian goalkeeper Ofir Marciano ahead of the summer window.

There has been a key development regarding his future, with Hibernian manager Jack Ross confirming that the 31-year-old has turned down a new contract at Easter Road.

Premier League ambitions

Marciano, who has made 145 appearances for Hibernian and has turned out 23 times for Israel, will now leave the club at the end of the season when his current deal expires.

Celtic aren’t the only side who have been linked with the shot-stopper. Hapoel Be’er Sheva are another club thought to be keen on Marciano, who has Premier League ambitions.

Transfer Tavern take

It remains to be seen what Celtic’s goalkeeping plans are for the 2021/22 campaign, but statistically a move for Marciano could be a shrewd one.

He has kept 12 clean sheets in the Premiership this season, the same number as Scott Bain and more than Vasilis Barkas (10).

Performance-wise, Marciano leads the way among the trio, as per WhoScored. The Israeli averages a Premiership match rating of 6.73, up on Barkas’ score of 6.49 and Bain’s 6.62.

Conor Hazard recently penned new Parkhead terms, so you’d expect that either Barkas or Bain would have to make way in order for Marciano to come in.

In other news: Celtic are keen to talk to teenage ace who attracted interest from Bayern Munich and Juventus last year, find out more here.

Michael Ball insists Everton only want players who are fully committed to the cause following Carlo Ancelotti’s shock exit from Goodison Park.

The Italian decided to walk out on the Merseyside club after Real Madrid expressed their interest in appointing him.

Zinedine Zidane, of course, walked out on Real and, as a result, a vacancy was opened up in Spain, which Ancelotti filled once more.

He previously spent two years at the club, between 2013 and 2015, and won the Champions League in his first spell at the Santiago Bernabeu.

Ball, though, believes that Toffees fans are growing tired of both managers and players deciding to leave the club as soon as a big offer is tabled, and has urged the club to only bring people to the club who are completely committed to being a success on Merseyside.

Reports suggest that Nuno Espirito Santo, the former Wolves boss, is likely to be appointed as Ancelotti’s successor.

Speaking exclusively to Football FanCast, he said: “I think Everton fans are sick and tired of hearing the same stuff from the board and the players. That as soon as an opportunity comes, they’re off.

“If they don’t want to be here, if their head’s not right, they don’t want to be 100% dedicated to the football club next season, I’m more than happy for them to let them go and bring in someone who has got the right desire and right belief to be a club legend and get Everton to complete this project that we’re on right now.”

A Dutch journalist has dropped an interesting update on Everton’s pursuit to try and sign Denzel Dumfries in the summer transfer window.

The Lowdown: Coleman not getting younger

Given that Seamus Coleman is now 32, and will turn 33 years of age in October, the Merseyside club seriously need to start thinking about replacing him at right-back for the long-term.

Being the character that the Goodison skipper is, he will want someone to push him for his starting spot, and Dumfries could well be the answer.

The Latest: Dumfries update

Speaking on Dutch outlet Algemeen Dagblad’s podcast (via Sport Witness), journalist Mikos Gouna has claimed that Goodison Park faithful now face serious competition from Inter Milan to sign Dumfries, and also made a bold prediction with regards to the ace set to star for the Netherlands at Euro 2020:

“This boy will, of course, make a top transfer.

“I understand that Inter, for example, is also interested.

“He cost 5.5 million for PSV. Well, they will double that. They have already promised him that they will cooperate.”

The Verdict: Sign him

Dumfries scored a highly impressive four goals and supplied a further nine assists in 41 matches in total across all competitions in the 2020/21 season (Transfremarkt), showing just how much of an attacking threat he is, and at 25 years of age, is a lot younger then Coleman, and thus has a lot more time to continue to develop.

He is also the captain of his current club in PSV, similar to the Republic of Ireland international, meaning that leadership both on and off the pitch would not be lost if he took his starting place.

Marcel Brands is thought to be a big fan of his, which should give them even more of an incentive to sign him up.

In other news, find out what manager update has left Toffees buzzing here!

Fans of Sunderland have been reacting to a post on Twitter, in which the club relayed footage of a spectacular Chris Maguire strike in a recent U23 fixture.

So far this season, Maguire has been in decent form over his 29 League One appearances for Lee Johnson’s side, with the 32-year-old scoring four goals and providing five assists, as well as averaging a WhoScored match rating of 6.71 – ranking him as the Black Cats’ 16th-best performer in the third tier.

However, having not started a league fixture for Sunderland since the beginning of December, it would appear as if Johnson felt the £315k-rated winger could do with a run out for the club’s U23 side against Burnley U23s on Tuesday, and Maguire did not disappoint, scoring a thunderous drive from the edge of the box in the Premier League 2 fixture.

And, after Sunderland relayed footage of the winger’s goal on Twitter, fans of the club flocked to have their say on the matter, with many questioning why the 32-year-old was involved in the youth fixture, while others simply heaped praise on Maguire for his strike.

So, what exactly did these Sunderland fans have to say in reaction to the footage of Chris Maguire’s goal?

“Should be starting in the first team.”

@GateshillRobbie

“Too good to be playing for the U23s. Really hope he gets more first-team opportunities.”

@AlexWil38702190

“Needs game time. There aren’t many Sunderland players who can do what Maguire can do – game-changer.”

@paulbasnett10

“Oh my God.”

@ChrissSAFC

“Pick that one out.”

@Tog41

“Stonker.”

@grahaml35342400

“Things you love to see.”

@DanielLPCQI

“Wow.”

@mattythompson95

In other news: loads of Sunderland fans were buzzing after these ‘exciting’ comments emerged – find out more here!

Kevin Phillips has urged Jonson Clarke-Harris to move to Glasgow Rangers this summer ahead of other clubs with interest in his services.

The Lowdown: Gers eye Clarke-Harris

The 26-year-old has enjoyed a fantastic campaign at Peterborough, scoring 33 goals in all competitions as Posh were promoted to the English Championship (Transfermarkt).

The Gers have been linked with a move for the striker (Bristol Post), but West Brom and Sheffield United are also said to be in pursuit.

The Latest: Phillips urges Ibrox move

Speaking to Football Insider, Phillips believes that Clarke-Harris should make the move to Ibrox rather than joining an English Championship club. He said:

“I did the EFL coverage last week and I see him quite a lot.

“My opinion is if he gets the chance to go to Rangers from the Championship you don’t turn that down. 

“It’s different if you have just been promoted to the Premier League because I’d say the player would stay there. 

“But he’s got that chance to go to Rangers and play European football. He’s coming off the back of a brilliant season and he’s only going to get better.

“I’m sure Peterborough fans don’t want to hear that but he’s 26, is that big move going to come around again? 

“It’s a tough decision for him but it’s also tough to turn down.”

The Verdict: Rangers still in the market?

Clarke-Harris is clearly a striker who knows where the back of the net is – he even ended this campaign as League One’s top goalscorer (BBC) – but Rangers may have already completed their business up front. They recently confirmed the signing of Fashion Sakala on a free transfer from Oostende (rangers.co.uk).

That means that Steven Gerrard now has five strikers at his disposal. For the signing of Clarke-Harris to make sense, the Gers would surely need to move on two forwards, and is there any guarantee he would perform better than Alfredo Morelos, Kemar Roofe, Cedric Itten or Jermain Defoe?

The ship may have already sailed on this one, despite Phillips’ endorsement of a potential deal for the Peterborough marksman.

In other news, many Rangers fans laud this man’s performance against Aberdeen.

Tottenham Hotspur have been left frustrated in their attempts to bolster Nuno Santo’s playing squad before tonight’s transfer deadline…

What’s the word?

That’s according to football.london reporter Alasdair Gold, who delivered an update on Spurs’ plans ahead of the final day of the transfer window on Monday.

He wrote:

“Coming in the door has been the big new defender signing in Romero, a potential Hugo Lloris successor in Pierluigi Gollini, one of Spain’s brightest young prospects in Bryan Gil and one of Ligue 1’s top young talents in Pape Matar Sarr, who has been loaned back to Metz to continue his rapid development.

“However, more needs to be done and the problem for Tottenham is that many of their moves in recent days have hit dead ends or are dependent on players leaving.

“Paratici has had a busy weekend, having spent time in Barcelona trying to find some bargains to be had amid the Catalan giant’s financial chaos before flying back for the match against Watford.”

Fans won’t be happy

Indeed, the north London outfit have struggled to get a couple of deals over the line in recent weeks, namely the potential signing of Barcelona wonderkid Ilaix Moriba and Danny Ings, who The Telegraph claimed was Nuno’s top target to partner Harry Kane.

On the other hand, new sporting director Fabio Paratici has completed some decent bits of business, ranging from a new marquee centre-back in Cristian Romero from Atalanta and rising Spanish prodigy Bryan Gil, but it appears that this isn’t enough for the Lilywhites’ faithful.

As relayed by This is Futbol, many were far from happy with this latest update from Gold.

Some suggested that the Italian supremo was a “fraud” and that it was time to show he was “worth the hype”, whilst others believe this is the exact reason why Kane wanted to move to Manchester City, as well as others throwing the blame at chairman Daniel Levy, a notoriously tough negotiator.

Whether Spurs can bring in at least one more name remains to be seen, with reports suggesting that right-back Emerson Royal could join from Barcelona, though it may depend on whether or not Serge Aurier can be moved on, otherwise Nuno will have as many as four options in the role.

Just as Gold says, a lot of their negotiations have come to dead ends in recent days and very much depend on whether or not Paratici can move on more players from the previous eras.

Only time will tell as the deadline approaches, but on the above evidence, there aren’t many pleased in north London right now.

AND in other news, Paratici could find Spurs their next Dembele in late swoop for £40m “wonderful talent”…