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Newcastle United have reportedly made a proposal to sign Andrea Belotti from Torino.

The Lowdown: Striker needed

With Callum Wilson unfortunately picking up a bad injury in the 1-1 draw against Manchester United at St James’ Park earlier in the week, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) consortium are now in a desperate hunt to bring in a new striker once the January transfer window opens.

They have already been linked with a move for Gabriel Barbosa, but clearly other targets have not been ruled out either.

The Latest: Belotti proposal

As per Tuttosport (via Sport Witness), Newcastle have now made a ‘very interesting’ proposal to Belotti’s entourage ‘in the last few hours’, although it is not made clear whether the offer is for January or in the summer.

Belotti only has six months left remaining on his current deal at Torino, so he could be sold next month at the risk of losing him on a free transfer. However, the Tyneside club may face competition from both AC Milan and Toronto FC for his signature.

The Verdict: No-brainer

Given Wilson’s injury, it is a no-brainer for the new owners at St James’ Park to try and snap up Belotti, so long as they can get him in January. With his contract situation, he is likely to come on the cheap, and at 28 years of age, he is now in his prime.

Described as ‘unique’ by former Torino manager Davide Nicola, the Italy international has been a goalscorer wherever he has played, with more than 150 at club level and 12 for the senior national side (Transfermarkt).

He is certainly more then capable of getting the goals to fire the Magpies up the table in Wilson’s absence, so they must do everything that they can in order to get him though the door next month.

In other news, find out who Nick Hammond is now closing in on signing

West Ham United are interested in a deal to bring Lucas Digne to the London Stadium in the January transfer window.

What’s the talk?

That’s according to a report by the Daily Mail, who claim that David Moyes’ side are the latest team to join the race to sign the Everton left-back, with both Chelsea and Newcastle United also believed to be interested in a move for the 28-year-old this month.

The report goes on to state that West Ham are in continued negotiations with the Toffees regarding a deal for the France international, although it is suggested that the defender’s £100k-per-week wages could prove something of a stumbling block for the Hammers.

Finally, it is claimed that Everton would be willing to part with Digne in the current transfer window, as the left-back has fallen out of favour under the management of Rafael Benitez at Goodison Park, with further reports suggesting that an offer of £30m should be enough to get a deal over the line for the former Barcelona man.

Digne would solve a major problem

With Moyes recently stating that he is unaware when first-choice left-back Aaron Cresswell will recover from his back injury, the left-hand side of the West Ham backline is undoubtedly an area of the pitch the 58-year-old must strengthen in the January transfer window if his side are to have any chance of securing a top-four finish this season.

Indeed, while Arthur Masuaku has impressed in spells while filling in for the stricken 32-year-old – scoring against Chelsea – the DR Congo international’s consistency has always been something of a problem for West Ham. Meanwhile, Ben Johnson – who has also been fielded at left-back this season – is much better suited to playing on the right of a back four.

As such, it would appear a very wise move for Moyes to bring in greater depth in the position this winter, with Digne looking to be an extremely impressive candidate for the role.

Indeed, over his 30 Premier League appearances last season, the £27m-rated man helped his side keep nine clean sheets, provided seven assists and created an enormous 11 big chances for his teammates, as well as making an average of 1.6 key passes per game.

The 28-year-old who Noel Whelan dubbed an “exceptional” player also impressed in metrics more typical of his position, making an average of one interception, 2.1 tackles, 2.4 clearances and winning 6.5 duels per fixture.

These returns saw the Frenchman earn a seasonal SofaScore match rating of 7.13, ranking him as Everton’s second-best performer in the league last time out.

As such, Moyes’ issues at left-back would very much appear to be solved with the signing of the Everton outcast, leading us to believe that the West Ham board simply must pay the left-back his wage demands in order to get a deal over the line this January.

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

Rangers have fielded an approach from Newcastle United for striker Alfredo Morelos, according to 90min. 

The lowdown

The Gers have already lost one player to an English Premier League club this month, with Nathan Patterson sealing a £16m move to Everton; while Morelos said publicly back in September that he hoped he would ‘soon’ be given the ‘opportunity’ to take the next step in his career.

The Colombian is into the final 18 months of his £33,000-per-week contract and is valued at £11.7m by Transfermarkt.

The latest

The report from 90min states that Morelos is one of the names Newcastle who have ‘asked about’, with Magpies manager Eddie Howe potentially looking to bring in two forwards this month.

Other targets include Liverpool’s Divock Origi, Manchester United’s Anthony Martial and Flamengo’s Gabriel Barbosa.

The verdict

Rangers might not want to part with Morelos midway through the campaign. If they sell him in the summer, they would at least have more time to find a replacement for him, and the new man would also have more time to bed in during the off-season.

Cashing in at the end of the campaign could be wise, though. Based on those comments from September, the 25-year-old is unlikely to sign a new contract at Ibrox, and as the expiry date of his current deal draws nearer, Rangers’ negotiating position becomes weaker.

Moreover, across his Ibrox career, Morelos has scored once every 1.97 games, but this season that has dropped to one goal every 2.2 matches.

He has been dubbed a ‘genius’ by the Heart & Hand podcast, but you can understand why Sky Sports reporter Michael Bridge argued that he’s not the ‘ultimate must-stay’ anymore, given the Colombian’s decline in form this season.

In other news, Rangers have received a boost in this transfer chase

Giovanni van Bronckhorst has endured a busy start to his first transfer window in charge of Rangers, with two deals already having been completed.

The Gers have brought in James Sands on an 18-month loan from MLS side New York City FC, but they have also raked in a club-record fee for Nathan Patterson, with the defender joining Premier League club Everton earlier this month.

It remains to be seen what will happen between now and the end of January, with continuing speculation over players leaving and joining the club.

Bye-bye Morelos

One player who could be on his way out of Ibrox to follow Patterson to England is centre-forward Alfredo Morelos. Leicester, Everton and Newcastle have all been touted with an interest in the striker and could make a move for him this month if reports are to be believed, with a £20m price tag placed on his head.

If the Gers do end up waving goodbye to the Colombian striker, they could find an ideal replacement in his fellow countryman Frank Castaneda. Rangers have been linked with a swoop for the forward, who is a free agent as it stands, and he could come in to fill the vacant berth at the top of the pitch which would be left by Morelos’ exit.

Castaneda has an impressive scoring record throughout his career that suggests he could be an excellent signing for the club. He managed 42 goals in 73 games for Sheriff Tiraspol during his time there, averaging a goal every 1.7 games for the club. This included an incredible 33 goals and 18 assists in the 2020/21 campaign, showing that he can score and create goals at an exceptional rate.

Meanwhile, Morelos has scored 107 goals in 211 matches for Rangers, averaging a goal every 1.97 matches. This suggests that Castaneda could come in and provide goals on a similar level to his fellow countryman if he is able to translate his form over to Scotland, although it is difficult to gauge the difference in quality between the Premiership and the Moldovan top-flight, in which the 27-year-old most recently plied his trade.

Castaneda produced two goals and three assists in seven Champions League qualifiers for Sheriff and played in their historic 2-1 win away to Real Madrid in the group stage, showing that he can perform at the level in which Rangers aspire to compete next season.

Therefore, he could come in as an ideal candidate to replace Morelos should the latter end up leaving to join Patterson in the Premier League this month.

AND in other news, Report delivers Rangers January transfer update which will get fans excited…

A number of Wolves fans have been hailing the brilliance of Jose Sa after the club’s official Twitter account posted a video showing his top ten saves.

Bruno Lage’s side are enjoying an increasingly excellent season in the Premier League, looking like genuine contenders to finish in the European places.

The 1-0 win at Manchester United felt like a big moment in Wolves’ campaign and they backed that up with a solid 3-1 victory at home to Southampton last weekend.

One player who has been a key man for Wanderers is Sa, who has performed magnificently between the sticks and easily taken on the difficult task of replacing Rui Patricio, starting all 20 league games and conceding just 15 goals.

On Monday, Wolves’ Twitter account shared footage of the Portuguese’s ten best saves this season, outlining what a superb signing he has been.

Wolves fans hail Sa footage

These Wanderers fans took to Twitter to hail their new hero in goal.

“Been lucky enough to see some great keepers down the Wolves in my years. If he carries on like this, he’ll be the best I’ve seen”

Credit: @Beds72

“Quality, absolutely quality”

Credit: @JayClemo

“Outstanding talent. Let’s put some respect on Big Tone’s name as well, clearly doing an excellent job. Decent, indeed.”

Credit: @darbayit

“Loved Rui but this man is on another level”

Credit: @Harry_G1996

“Best in the world”

Credit: @JHayess8

“What a keeper we have, he is unbelievable”

Credit: @NathanFlipEvans

In other news, one player is still wanted by Wolves, according to one journalist. Find out who it is here.

Pete O’Rourke has dropped some big transfer news involving Newcastle United and Dele Alli.

The Lowdown: Lingard alternative?

According to 90min journalist Graeme Bailey, the St James’ Park club are now readying a ‘huge offer’ to sign Jesse Lingard, and Manchester United are ‘likely to accept’ their approach for the midfielder.

However, it is not clear if the 29-year-old himself wants to leave in the January transfer window or wait until the summer when his contract at Old Trafford expires.

Therefore, the Magpies may need to look at alternatives between now and the end of the month, in case a deal for him falls through.

The Latest: Alli move

As per O’Rourke on Twittter, Newcastle are now readying a move for Alli as an alternative to Lingard. He tweeted:

“Hearing Newcastle are ready to move for Tottenham midfielder Dele Alli as an alternative to their pursuit of Jesse Lingard after being frustrated so far in their attempts to land the Manchester United man.”

The Verdict: Avoid

While there is no doubt that Alli has talent – Rio Ferdinand claimed that the 25-year-old was a ‘machine’ earlier in the season – he is simply not consistent enough and is a player who Eddie Howe and co should avoid trying to sign.

He has gone off the boil for a good couple of seasons now, recording just five goals and six assists across all competitions since the start of 2020/21, nowhere near the kind of numbers he was producing before then (Transfermarkt).

At least Lingard has shown more recently what he can offer during his fruitful loan spell at West Ham United last term, so if it is a choice between the two, the Magpies should go all-out for him instead of Alli.

In other news, Fabrizio Romano provides the latest on NUFC’s pursuit of Diego Carlos

Pete O’Rourke has said that it would be a shock if Danny Ings left Aston Villa this summer amid reported interest from Brighton and Hove Albion. 

The lowdown

Villa paid a reported £25m to land the striker from Southampton during last summer’s transfer window, making him the fifth-biggest signing in their history.

The Englishman, who has been dubbed a ‘special’ player by Sky Sports pundit Paul Merson, signed a three-year contract worth £120,000 per week, the highest salary on the club’s books.

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After 23 appearances for Villa, Ings has only managed to score five goals, although he has also provided five assists.

Nonetheless, he is on course to finish on his lowest goal tally in the top flight since the 2018/19 season, and Football Insider reported earlier in March that Brighton were hopeful of capturing him in a few months’ time.

The latest

Speaking to GiveMeSport, O’Rourke admitted that he would be somewhat stunned if Steven Gerrard were to sanction Ings’ exit from Villa so quickly.

The journalist said: “It would come as a surprise because Danny Ings arrived last year as a real secret deal. Nobody saw it coming.”

The verdict

Would it really be all that much of a surprise if Ings were to be jettisoned after only a year at Villa Park? There are other strikers in the equation here.

According to The Athletic’s Gregg Evans, Gerrard has his eye on Luis Suarez, who is likely to be available on a free transfer following the expiry of his Atletico Madrid contract in the summer.

There is also 19-year-old Cameron Archer, who has underlined his potential this season with four goals in the Carabao Cup for Villa and five in the Championship during his loan spell at Preston North End.

There may not be a way to accommodate all of these players, and perhaps the £19.8m-rated Ings, who is three years older than Ollie Watkins and has scored two fewer goals this season, will be the casualty.

In other news, Villa have opened talks over this potential transfer

Former Premier League marksman Kevin Phillips has given his reaction to transfer news involving Manchester United and Tammy Abraham. 

The lowdown: Abraham linked with Man United

Since joining Jose Mourinho at AS Roma from Chelsea last year, the 24-year-old has enjoyed a stellar campaign in Italy.

With the futures of Marcus Rashford, Edinson Cavani and Cristiano Ronaldo at Old Trafford all uncertain, the Red Devils were linked with a move for the former Blues ace by Italian news outlet Corriere della Sera.

The report claimed that United would be willing to spend €90m (£75m) on the England international, although Phillips doesn’t believe that it would be a wise move.

The latest: Phillips unsure on Abraham move

Speaking to Football Insider, the 2000 European Golden Shoe winner was asked whether spending big on Abraham at this juncture is a viable option.

Perhaps unsurprisingly, Phillips warned against the expenditure, saying: “I’m not sure for that sort of money.

“Credit to the player for going over to Italy and take the challenge on. He is doing well and is scoring goals.

“We saw Lukaku do something similar when he left Man United to go to Inter Milan. He came back as a £100million player but that has not worked. That has not been the great success that we all thought it would be.

“I fear it would be a similar scenario with Abraham, to be honest. The football over there is nowhere near as competitive or as good as it is in the Premier League.

“Tammy found it hard at times when he was here. I’d be very cautious to spend that kind of money on him.”

The verdict: Heed the warning

Whilst the 10-cap England striker has enjoyed a career renaissance in Rome, one swallow doesn’t make a summer and United would be taking a huge risk with this deal.

So far this season, Abraham has scored 23 times and provided four assists. That is an even better tally than the Red Devils’ top scorer Ronaldo, who has 18 goals and three assists to his name in 2021/22.

However, signing the £40.5m-valued Abraham – who is under contract until 2026 (Transfermarkt) and therefore has a very secure future from Roma’s perspective – for the mooted £75m fee would undoubtedly be too big a stretch.

In other news: Man Utd closing in on new manager appointment. Read more here.

Newcastle United are reportedly now set to snatch Robert Sanchez from Brighton and Hove Albion.

The Lowdown: Goalkeeper wanted

As per The Athletic, the St. James’ Park faithful are now weighing up moves for Manchester United’s Dean Henderson and Chelsea’s Kepa Arrizabalaga.

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This suggests that they are looking for a new goalkeeper in the summer to take over from Martin Dubravka as number one, with the new owners surely set to flex some financial muscle once again when the transfer window opens.

The Latest: Sanchez move

According to The Sun, the North East club are now ‘set to snatch’ Sanchez from the Seagulls, and are ‘lining up’ a £20m offer for the Spain international.

Eddie Howe’s scouts have been ‘tracking’ him, and insiders have revealed that he is Howe’s first choice.

The Verdict: Sign

With Dubravka getting on now at 33 years of age, Sanchez is an exciting shot-stopper that has a much higher ceiling at just 24.

Described as having ‘amazing’ ability and a player who can be ‘anything he wants’ by his manager Graham Potter (Sky Sports), Sanchez certainly has a lot of potential, and could be a mainstay in the Tyneside outfit’s side for years to come.

Despite a dip in Brighton’s form of late, he has still managed to keep five teams in the top flight have conceded fewer goals than them.

Nonetheless, at £20m, he could be a bit of a steal.

In other news, find out what fresh NUFC update this transfer insider has now dropped here!

According to German news outlet Sport Bild, Liverpool are interested in signing Red Bull Salzburg midfielder Luka Sucic. 

The lowdown: Liverpool’s Red Bull links

The Reds have developed a penchant for signing players with ties to the Red Bull franchise in recent years, landing ex-Salzburg stars Sadio Mane, Naby Keita and Takumi Minamino before Ibrahima Konate arrived from RB Leipzig.

Now as Jurgen Klopp and soon-to-be new sporting director Julian Ward set about rejuvenating the Anfield squad, another talented Red Bull ace could be on the radar.

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The latest: Sucic an ‘ideal candidate’

As per the report from Sport Bild, Liverpool could view 19-year-old Red Bull Salzburg sensation Sucic as the ‘ideal candidate’ to bolster their midfield.

Despite the seemingly imminent arrivals of Fulham starlet Fabio Carvalho and Celtic teenager Ben Doak, it’s claimed that there is a ‘need for further reinforcements’ in the summer transfer window as Jordan Henderson and Thiago both hit 31 this year.

Furthermore, it is stated that Serie A powerhouses Juventus and AC Milan have also shown an interest in the four-cap Croatia under-21 international.

The verdict: Liverpool planning ahead

Recent captures such as Harvey Elliott, Kaide Gordon and Bobby Clark have underpinned a determination to secure the future success of Liverpool whilst still competing at the top table in the present.

So far this season, Sucic has scored seven times and provided three assists from 37 appearances across all competitions, also making a senior bow for the senior Croatian national side in November 2021.

Recently described as a ‘gem’ in the list of the 50 most exciting teenagers in world football (FourFourTwo), signing the attack-minded midfielder – who has ‘big potential’ according to Leeds United manager Jesse Marsch –  would be another example of planning ahead, also giving Klopp an opportunity to integrate a fresh face into the Anfield ranks.

In other news, Liverpool striker has ‘green light’ to leave this summer. Read more here.