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Paddy Kenny has given his reaction to some transfer news involving Newcastle United and Kieran Trippier.

The Lowdown: Trippier targeted

As per AS, the Atletico Madrid right-back is now a transfer target for the St James’ Park club following the completed takeover by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) consortium.

Journalist and La Liga expert Guillem Balague revealed earlier this month that the Tyneside club have already ‘started negotiations’ with Tripper’s representatives over a potential move, as they are ‘really interested’ in signing him.

It is unclear whether the new owners will target the 31-year-old in the January transfer window or whether they will wait until the end of the season, depending on what their fate is in terms of potential relegation from the Premier League.

The Latest: Kenny reacts

Speaking to Football Insider, former Premier League goalkeeper Kenny has since given his reaction to the transfer news, claiming that it would be ‘big’ for Newcastle if they were to sign Trippier. The 43-year-old said:

“This is big for Newcastle if they can get away with it.

“He has been linked with a move back to England a couple of times now. He’s been away for a couple of seasons and he’s done really well in Spain.

“Obviously, he won the title and he seems to have impressed a lot of the fans over there. It’s no surprise really because he’s a top talent.

“I really like him, always have. His crossing is top-drawer, and his free kicks are amazing too. He’s a proper specialist when it comes to those two.”

The Verdict: No-brainer

There is little doubt that Trippier would elevate the quality of the squad that Eddie Howe currently has at his disposal at St James’ Park, given that he helped win the La Liga title with Atletico Madrid ahead of the likes of Real Madrid and Barcelona last season.

As Kenny mentions, the defender also offers a threat from crosses and free kicks, which would be a very handy weapon to have in Howe’s armoury.

The Newcastle boss is fond of the England international from his time managing him at Burnley and claimed that the 31-year-old is ‘one of the best crossers of the ball’ that he has ever worked with (The Bournemouth Echo).

Trippier had a great relationship with Howe back then too, expressing his admiration for his former boss by claiming that he is a ‘great manager’ who helped him personally (The Burnley Express).

This relationship could work wonders on the pitch if the Magpies bring him in, so it seems a bit of a no-brainer to get a deal done.

In other news, NUFC are ‘keeping a close eye’ on this Champions League gem ahead of a potential transfer

Ben Dinnery has now dropped a shock Everton injury claim involving Andros Townsend.

The Lowdown: Out for the season

The Goodison Park faithful confirmed in March that Townsend will be out for the rest of the season, after sustaining an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury during their 4-0 loss away at Crystal Palace in the FA Cup.

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A scan on his knee revealed that he will have to now undergo surgery, before starting his rehab with the medical staff at Finch Farm.

The Latest: Dinnery claim

Speaking to Football Insider, Dinnery, a medical expert who runs the Premier Injuries site and has a background in both medicine and data analysis, has claimed that Townsend may not be able to get back to his pre-injury levels until the 2023/24 campaign:

“Whether a surgery has been successful or not comes down to the definition of success.

“Is success a full return to play and pre-injury levels? If so, we won’t know for up to nine months, maybe even longer.

“Surgeons these days are well-versed in carrying out these procedures. There are very, very high success rates.

“In terms of the injury, I’d be fairly confident that it will all go as planned. But it will be several months before we know how Townsend has responded.

“It could be early 2023 before we see him back in contention. Then it might even be 2023-24 before we see him back to his pre-injury levels.”

The Verdict: Shock

It may come as a shock to some fans of the Merseyside club just how long it could be until Townsend fully recovers.

By the 2023/24 term, he would be 32 years of age, and so there would have to be question marks over how long he could still perform at the highest level.

Townsend has ranked as one of the Toffees’ best players in the Premier League, and has contributed three goals and two assists (WhoScored), so losing him for such a long time will come as a big blow to Frank Lampard and the supporters.

In other news, find out which ‘excellent’ brute Kevin Thelwell is now plotting a move for here!

Wayne Rooney’s Derby County are among the clubs hoping to take Manchester United’s Amad Diallo on loan, according to The Telegraph’s James Ducker. 

The Red Devils are set to send the 19-year-old out on loan, and the club’s record goalscorer is hopeful that his connections at Old Trafford will prove to be a decisive advantage, as the Rams are facing competition from fellow second tier sides Barnsley and Birmingham City.

Ducker said that Diallo was ‘supposed’ to join Eredivisie outfit Feyenoord in the summer, only for the move to be called off after an injury.

Why are United loaning Diallo out?

The Ivorian winger, who joined the Old Trafford club 12 months ago in a £19m move from Atalanta, has only played 68 minutes of senior football this season. That came in United’s final Champions League group stage fixture against Young Boys, while he has only once made the matchday squad for a Premier League fixture, the 3-2 win over Arsenal in early December.

Fan feed Utd Report relayed Ducker’s update, and here’s how supporters reacted, with many Red Devils fans believing that a loan move to play under Rooney at Derby would be perfect for the “starboy”.

Many MUFC fans erupt over Amad news

“GIVE HIM TO WAYNE!! PAY ALL HIS SALARY. GIVE ROONEY WHATEVER HE NEEDS”

Credit: @utd_chi

“Amad managed by Rooney and unshackled from the chains of benchball should be illegal”

Credit: @initiaxion

“Yesssssssss, my starboy will get game time”

Credit: @theutdcode

“Need this to happen. For both parties”

Credit: @MedullaryRed

“Perfect move”

Credit: @ishraqutd

“Please make it happen”

Credit: @KenAzrain

In other news, lots of United fans flocked to this big news about Cavani

Rangers are battling a number of Premier League sides in the race to sign West Brom star Sam Johnstone in the upcoming January transfer window.

What’s the story?

According to TEAMtalk, Giovanni van Bronckhorst has got his sights set on the England international as the man to bolster his goalkeeping options, but he won’t be an easy target to get.

It’s claimed that Spurs, Newcastle and West Ham are all also interested in the 6 foot 3 shot-stopper, whose contract at the Hawthorns comes to an end in the summer.

The report adds that Rangers “could even offer a pre-contract in January in view of next season and beyond.”

A new era at Rangers

While Allan McGregor has served Rangers incredibly well with a whopping 416 games to his name, his performances this campaign have just reinforced the idea that his best days are well and truly behind him.

In fact, McGregor has a save percentage of just 50% in the Scottish Premiership for the Gers, which is the joint-lowest in the division, and at 39, should surely be out of Van Bronckhorst’s plans at Ibrox.

And, the Dutchman could kickstart that new era by making a swoop for the 28-year-old Johnstone.

His former boss Steve Bruce labelled the shot-stopper a “diamond”, and given the kind of shift he has had to put in last season at The Hawthorns, it’s no surprise why he has earned such praise.

No goalkeeper in the Premier League faced more shots on target (228) than Johnstone, while no goalkeeper has made as many saves as him either (161) – it was no surprise then that he earned rave reviews for his performances, with Micah Richards hailing his former teammate as “exceptional” last year.

Despite the fact the Baggies were relegated from the Premier League, Gareth Southgate called Johnstone up for the England squad back in September for the Three Lions’ World Cup qualifiers – an indication that the level he’s playing at right now isn’t quite where his actual ability lies.

If Van Bronckhorst is keen to go with the whole ‘out with the old, and in with the new’, then swapping an ageing and declining veteran in McGregor, for someone much younger and skilled in Johnstone, could well be the way to go.

Meanwhile, Rangers are battling to sign this star…

Crystal Palace have joined Brentford in the race to sign free agent Christian Eriksen.

That’s according to 90min, and their claim has had a number of Eagles fans talking on social media.

Eriksen is currently without a club after leaving Inter Milan last month and has been offered a return to the Premier League with Brentford.

The Bees have tabled an initial six-month contract with the option of a further year for the 29-year-old, however, Palace are also circling.

90min suggest that the Eagles and Championship leaders Fulham have also made contact with the attacking midfielder, who has made 226 appearances in the Premier League, scoring 51 times and providing 67 assists.

Eriksen left Tottenham in 2020, but it seems as if a return to England is on the cards with multiple clubs keen on his services.

Palace fans react

@CPFCtransfersHQ shared the update regarding Palace’s interest in Eriksen on Twitter. This is what these Eagles supporters have had to say in reply, with many surprised at the links.

“Please @CPFC”

Credit: @joshstoneham03

“Maybe Eriksen is coming? Seems interesting”

Credit: @byson_matrix

“I’m going to pretend this is happening and have a fantastic Monday night”

Credit: @erictwigs

“Let’s get him!”

Credit: @SidViscous9

“Beautiful player, who I would LOVE to see in red n blue, BUT – can he really be allowed on a pitch after his last appearance? There’s a reason why his last contract was annulled…”

Credit: @Promo_man

“Erm”

Credit: @matthew_poole30

In other news: Crystal Palace now move for Celtic defender with transfer on the cards – journalist. 

Transfer insider Dean Jones has been reacting to some transfer news from Everton involving Jannik Vestergaard.

The Lowdown: Vestergaard swoop?

It has previously been reported from a Football Insider source that managing director Kevin Thelwell is now plotting a move to bring Vestergaard to Goodison Park in the summer.

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A senior scout from the Merseyside club watched the Leicester City central defender play for Denmark during the international break, and the recruitment team want to prioritise signing a ‘dominating’ centre-back like him.

The Latest: Jones reacts

Speaking to GiveMeSport, Jones has now given his reaction to the news, claiming that the potential deal is ‘not one that’s been mentioned’ to him as being ‘likely’ to happen:

“It’s not one that I’ve heard. He’s not one that’s been mentioned to me as one that is likely.”

The Verdict: Needed

The Toffees certainly need a new presence in the backline, and Vestergaard could be just that.

Described as a ‘real threat‘ in both boxes by journalist Luke Hatfield, the 29-year-old stands at a mammoth six-foot-six-inches tall, winning 2.1 of his aerial duels per match on average this season.

Jamie Carragher previously called the Blues’ defence a ‘Championship back four’ just last month, and given his Premier League experience, Vestergaard could be an ideal signing should they avoid relegation.

Nonetheless, Frank Lampard will have to make-do with what he has got for now, and could look to the big Dane this summer.

In other news, find out the latest on Lampard’s future here!

Manchester United’s contact with former Barcelona manager Ernesto Valverde may have just hampered their chances of landing Mauricio Pochettino on an immediate basis…

What’s the story?

According to a BBC Sport report by Simon Stone, the Red Devils’ hierarchy have been in touch with the 57-year-old Spanish manager regarding the role of interim manager until the end of the current campaign.

Yet, in a big twist to what had originally been reported, BBC followed that up with the following claim: “They [Man United] feel recruiting Paris St-Germain coach Mauricio Pochettino immediately may not be as straightforward as has been suggested.” Man Utd fans will be concerned

The Spanish tactician is a proven winner who boasts an impressive CV, including two La Liga titles and a Copa del Rey during his two-and-a-half-year spell at the Camp Nou, as well as three Greek titles and two Greek Cup victories with Olympiacos.

However, despite Valverde’s credentials, large sections of the United fanbase are likely to be concerned that the Glazers and co. are pressing ahead with their plans for an interim manager instead of chasing hard for a certain Pochettino who looks less likely to exit PSG now.

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By doing that, it may be seen as essentially writing a season off by many associated with the 20-time English champions, and with a squad as stacked with talent as theirs is, that is a bold call to make.

Previous reports indicated that Pochettino would be available after becoming unhappy with life in Paris, providing hope that the former Tottenham Hotspur boss would fill the Old Trafford hot seat at the second time of asking.

But now in a fresh twist, it seems as though United may have to wait until the summer to get their man, with the delay potentially causing their season to fall into disarray. Considering the Argentine’s expertise of getting into the top four with Spurs, not being able to prise him away from Paris is a significant blow to the rest of their chances this term.

It remains to be seen who replaces Solskjaer in both the short and long-term, but United fans will want a quick solution to what could easily become a rather messy and embarrassing situation. Sadly, this doesn’t look like the case.

And, in other news…Forget Sancho: Man United tank who won 100% duels already looks reborn under Carrick

Richarlison was ‘hugely disrespectful’ to the travelling Everton supporters following Sunday’s defeat against West Ham United.

That’s according to BBC Radio 5 Live pundit Jonathan Woodgate, speaking live on air.

The lowdown

Everton lost 2-1 at the London Stadium to deepen their relegation fears ahead of Wednesday’s crunch encounter with Burnley.

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Aaron Cresswell and Jarrod Bowen scored either side of a deflected Mason Holgate effort to give the Hammers victory against Frank Lampard’s side, who were reduced to 10 men with 25 minutes left when Michael Keane picked up a second yellow card.

Richarlison started on the left of Frank Lampard’s front three, joining Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Demarai Gray in the attack, and completed the full 90 minutes.

However, Woodgate spotted the Brazilian walking straight down the tunnel following the full-time whistle rather than going over to acknowledge the travelling fans.

The latest

Woodgate said that Richarlison really ought to ‘go and clap’ the fans after the game, many of whom would have made a 200+ mile journey from Merseyside.

He accused the 24-year-old of immaturity, claiming that he was effectively throwing his ‘toys out the pram’.

The verdict

Perhaps Richarlison’s frustration got the better of him. He had chances to score what could have been a crucial goal, but two of shots were off target, and the other three were blocked.

Journalist James Nalton wrote that the 24-year-old ‘should have done better’ with the opportunities he was given, picking out instances where he could have teed up Vitaliy Mykolenko or finished a chance created for him by Alex Iwobi.

It has been a difficult season for the £90,000-per-week forward in general, as reflected by his tally of just four goals. For comparison, in each of his first two years at Everton, he struck 13 times in the Premier League (via Transfermarkt).

If some Toffees supporters are upset with Richarlison, then maybe he will be able to redeem himself by tucking a chance away at Turf Moor in midweek.

In other news, Everton are ready to axe this midfielder in the summer

Arsenal may have felt very aggrieved to have lost 2-1 at home to Manchester City in Saturday’s Premier League encounter.

They were playing so well against the reigning champions at the Emirates Stadium – going a goal up through Bukayo Saka before Granit Xhaka gave away a penalty for Riyad Mahrez to equalise – until Gabriel found himself sent off for two quick yellow cards which turned the game on its head, as Rodri bundled in the winner in injury time.

Using statistical experts SofaScore, The Transfer Tavern have now analysed who the three worst performers (to have played at least 45 minutes) for the Gunners were on the day:

Aaron Ramsdale (6.0)

Perhaps unlucky to come in third-worst, as he could do nothing really for both goals, Ramsdale was given a overall rating of 6.0 by SofaScore.

Admittedly, the goalkeeper failed to make any saves and also gave the ball away on 22 separate occasions from his 38 touches, the most out of any player on the pitch.

Granit Xhaka (5.8)

While given the joint-worst rating (5.8) among the Arsenal line-up by SofaScore, Xhaka is second on our list through other factors.

Although he gave away the penalty for a foul on Bernardo Silva, he looked fairly solid up until that point.

However, the Switzerland international lost out on seven of his duels in total and failed to register a shot, successful dribble, key pass, cross or accurate long ball. He actually recorded fewer touches than Ramsdale (35) and also lost possession twice.

Gabriel (5.8)

Perhaps unsurprisingly, Gabriel was rated as the Gunners’ joint-worst player as SofaScore gave him a 5.8 rating along with Xhaka.

His two yellow cards were silly to say the least, and it ended up swinging the match in City’s favour. The 24-year-old also lost two duels and failed to block any shots or make any interceptions, losing the ball three times.

In addition, he only had 19 touches in total, the fewest out of any Arsenal player to have started the match.

In other news, find out whose display against City was slammed by many Gooners

Celtic have been linked with a winter window move for Stade Brestois striker Jeremy Le Douaron, Homme du Match report.

The Lowdown: Le Douaron profiled

Le Douaron is 23 years of age and is primarily a centre-forward who can also play as a left or right midfielder.

The 6ft 2’ French forward has been with his current employers since July 2020 and has scored seven times in 46 appearances, three of which have come in his last three Ligue 1 appearances.

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He appears to be at the peak of his powers with his career-high £1.08m Transfermarkt valuation, and it seems as if he could be on Ange Postecoglou’s 2022 radar.

The Latest: Hoops links

Homme du Match shared a story on Wednesday, suggesting Celtic are ‘desperate’ to add to their attacking ranks in the January market.

Celtic have ‘ticked’ Le Douaron’s name when it comes to attacking targets, with the forward valued at €2m (£1.7m).

The Verdict: Avoid?

Even though Le Douaron could cost less than Josip Juranovic’s £2.7m move in the summer, it could make sense for the Hoops to look elsewhere.

He hasn’t exactly been prolific in France, with Giorgos Giakoumakis 26 Eredivisie goals last season.

A player like Daizen Maeda, who Celtic are thought to be confident of signing, could be a smarter option in January as he is a player who Postecoglou will know from his time in Japan.

Maeda has netted 22 times in 2021, considerably more than Le Douaron, so perhaps Michael Nicholson should avoid moving for the Stade Brestois man.

In other news: Possession lost 43x, 70% of duels lost, only 3 tackles: Celtic’s worst 3 players in Hearts win.