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Leeds have the perfect opportunity to revisit their interest in Paris Saint Germain’s Julian Draxler, as he nears the end of his current contract in the France capital. The 27-year-old had an irregular 2019/20 season after missing a total of 14 matches through injury and illness and being dropped for a further 13 matches (via Transfermarkt).

Draxler’s four year deal with the Parisians is trickling down and it seems as though the Ligue 1 giants have settled on the idea of allowing him to leave as a free agent. This in itself is odd, considering the fact that they bought the midfielder for a respectable £35.5million. However, their ideology could boil down to the fact that Kylian Mbappe continues to be linked to a move away, which will bring in mega money.

Huge transfer boost for Leeds

For Leeds though, this is an almost ideal situation. Recent talks of attacking midfielder Tyler Roberts potentially leaving on loan could open up a spot in the squad for a player like Draxler. He would challenge Pablo Hernandez, who has disappointed Marcelo Bielsa with his recent outburst during the Leicester game.

Snapping up a worldwide known talent like the 27-year-old would be a huge coup for the Whites, especially signing him on a free contract. The only issue would be his wages, which are a reported £125,000 per week. However, with new signing Rodrigo being given a lucrative deal worth an apparent £120,000 per week, it indicates that Andrea Radrizzani is happy to splash the cash on players he sees potential in.

Draxler should certainly be one of these players. Despite being limited to just six appearances so far this season, he has found the back of the net twice, with his goal against Metz proving to be the difference between a draw and a win for PSG. The former sporting director at Draxler’s former team Schalke lauded him as an “extraordinary talent” whilst he was rising through the ranks of the club.

His numbers have been solid during his time in France, especially for a midfielder. Bielsa is crying out for a creative player who can help Patrick Bamford in front of goal. At the moment, Leeds are relying solely on the striker, which won’t be enough to see them stay in the Premier League for long. Adding Draxler to the ranks could give the Whites a much-needed injection of creativity and fire in the engine room.

In other news, This January loan links put Leeds in worrying position…

When Raul Jimenez went down against Arsenal last weekend, everyone feared the worst.

The noise that erupted around an empty Emirates Stadium after he clashed heads with David Luiz was horrendous, but thankfully, the Mexican is set to make a full recovery.

Jimenez will be out for a period of time with a fractured skull and as a result, Fabio Silva – the club’s record signing – could be set for an extended run in the side.

It would mark the first occasion he’s had the opportunity to really prove himself to Nuno Santo, but is a new striker already in Wolves’ crosshairs?

Last summer it was reported that Nuno Santo’s side were interested in signing Braga forward Paulinho.

A move didn’t materialise but their manager Carlos Carvalhal has recently admitted that he could be on his way to England as soon as next summer.

Speaking to A Bola about several players, including Paulinho, he said: “I believe at the end of the season they will move. Who knows, maybe to England.”

Wolves ears will surely be pricked by hearing that news, especially with Jimenez currently out injured and being linked with a move away so relentlessly.

Signing Paulinho as his potential successor would certainly be a good idea. He has already torn English opposition to shreds this year and has all the attributes needed to thrive in Wolves’ attack.

Against Leicester in this season’s Europa League he had four shots and scored one goal. His tricky nature led to him being fouled on four occasions, while he also completed an accurate cross despite playing down the middle.

He caused the likes of Jonny Evans plenty of problems, and judging by Carvalhal’s assessment, it’s clear why.

“It was the one who surprised me the most. I was expecting a good Paulinho player, that’s the image I have to play against him: a player with the ability to connect, attack space, technical ability, finish, more with his left foot than with his right but with both feet, and also the head game.”

The ability to connect and attack pace is something that Wolves’ dynamic attack is so good at. Just think of the way Daniel Podence and Pedro Neto linked up against Arsenal on Sunday.

A combative presence, Paulinho is also good at holding the ball up like Jimenez and uses his frame to win more aerial duels than the Mexico international.

So far this term, he 28-year-old has managed to win 2.1 headed battles a game in the league compared to Jimenez’s record of 1.5 per match.

If Paulinho is destined for England as his manager hints, Wolves would be an ideal destination.

Meanwhile, check out who STOLE the show besides Pedro Neto v Arsenal…

Gylfi Sigurdsson offered Carlo Ancelotti plenty of positives in Everton’s 2-0 win over Leicester City on Wednesday night, despite failing to win any of his duels.

Ancelotti awarded the Iceland international his sixth start of the Premier League season after a match-winning display at home to Chelsea at the weekend, believing Sigurdsson could build on his efforts from the Goodison Park affair.

Everton edged a 1-0 win at home to Frank Lampard’s Blues thanks to a Sigurdsson penalty but offered an all-round positive performance, and brought his improving form to the King Power Stadium where victory over the Foxes promoted the Toffees to fifth in the table and a point above the Stamford Bridge natives.

Ancelotti was full of praise for Sigurdsson’s game at home to Chelsea when speaking ahead of visiting Leicester for the midweek clash, yet still thought there was room left on the table for refined improvements.

“I agree he did really well, supported the team offensively and defensively,” the Italian said, via quotes by the Liverpool Echo.

“He hasn’t started a lot of games, but he has played a lot of parts of games. I am satisfied.

“He can improve his level. But in this moment, he is ok.”

The space left on the table for Sigurdsson to improve was significantly reduced at the King Power Stadium on Wednesday night, where the £16.2million-rated maestro offered plenty of positives while the headlines went elsewhere.

He may not have won any of his five ground duels and turned over possession 16 times, yet Sigurdsson brought his touch of creativity to the pitch with a team-high three key passes – only Leicester’s James Maddison ended the match with more (4), per SofaScore.

Sigurdsson covered nearly every blade of grass in the East Midlands, too, with his 49 touches spread across all four corners of the field and in both boxes, offering the dual-threat Ancelotti was pleased with against Chelsea in committed fashion.

The 78-cap international did not just stand around, either, with a shot on Kasper Schmeichel’s goal at one end and a clearance at the other. He further made two interceptions, two attempted dribbles, never committed a foul and delivered eight crosses, of which three found teammates.

Everton had a clear set-piece threat with Sigurdsson on the pitch, with the 31-year-old delivering all six of his side’s corner kicks and seeing one result in Mason Holgate prodding the ball home for his first goal of the season to double the Toffees’ advantage.

Ancelotti would struggle to find a reason to bench Sigurdsson after two back-to-back top-draw displays when Everton host Mikel Arteta’s struggling Arsenal on Saturday.

AND in other news, Everton enter a four-way battle to sign a gritty 21-goal marksman in January.

According to an update by reliable correspondent Alasdair Gold, Tottenham youngster Alfie Devine has made a ‘real impression’ on the coaches at Spurs – with the 16-year-old apparently wowing Jose Mourinho and his fellow staff. 

Devine, who was snapped up from Wigan Athletic in the summer after they fell into administration, became Spurs’ first summer signing of what was to be a very fruitful window.

Mourinho blown away by Devine

Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg, Joe Hart, Matt Doherty, Sergio Reguilon, Gareth Bale, Carlos Vinicius and Joe Rodon all eventually followed in his wake – with Devine going somewhat under the radar by comparison.

Listed in the Guardian’s next generation 2020, Devine hasn’t featured for the Spurs first team yet, with the unseen ace quietly going about his business in the youth ranks.

However, as reported by Gold, Devine featured in first tram training over this week as the Lilywhites gear up to take on Leicester City on Sunday afternoon.

Transfer Tavern take

While it is unlikely he will be named as part of the matchday squad, it is claimed Devine has been wowing Spurs staff behind the scenes – with the youngster so far making a ‘real impression’.

Described as ‘top class’ by Sky Sports pundit Jamie Carragher, lofty praise from a Premier League icon, the box-to-box midfield player could have a glittering future ahead of him if he carries on in this vain.

Brought to north London for a reported fee of £500,000, Spurs fans will be hoping that’s eventually looked back on as chump change.

In other news: Tottenham have been tipped to land this ‘crazy’ beast in January, find out more here.

In an exclusive interview with Football FanCast, former footballer and current pundit Carlton Palmer has been speaking about Liverpool centre-back Virgil van Dijk.

The Dutch international, who has established himself as one of the best defenders in the world during his time on Merseyside, has missed much of this season through injury.

The former Southampton man damaged his ACL in the Reds’ draw with Everton earlier this season after a horror tackle from Jordan Pickford and has been on the road to recovery since his successful surgery.

Van Dijk has been sharing progress videos on social media and looks to be ahead of schedule, and Palmer has suggested that he could potentially make a return before the end of the season.

Here’s what he had to say about the 29-year-old when speaking exclusively to FFC:

“From what I’m seeing from him, he’s on the bike now and he’s started to jog a bit. If he’s into straight-line running, you would think in the next month to two months (he could be back) – he’s an exceptional athlete and a consummate pro.

“If you look, in the past at Alan Shearer having a cruciate [injury], I think Shearer was back in record time because he looks after himself and keeps himself fit, players like that do recover quicker from injury.

“You say the season at the time was written off for him, I wouldn’t be surprised to see him back maybe at the back end of February, beginning of March. If that’s the case, there’s no need for them to go into the transfer market and pay money for someone they don’t really want.”

If Liverpool could welcome Van Dijk back into their side in the next two months or so, it would certainly mean that thee Reds are less likely to bring in a centre-back this month as Palmer suggests, and with Jurgen Klopp confirming recently that it was unlikely that they would sign anyone, perhaps this is the case.

Considering the serious lack of defensive options in Klopp’s side at the moment, he will no doubt be desperate to welcome back Van Dijk as soon as he is back to full fitness.

Of course, Liverpool are keeping most details of Van Dijk’s recovery to themselves, but Palmer suggests that from his experience in the game, players who are doing the work that the Dutchman is now doing, as we’ve seen on social media, are often back a fee months later.

If that’s the case for Van Dijk, then Liverpool fans should be absolutely delighted.

And, in other news… Liverpool handed transfer blow with “incredible” teen, he could’ve replaced Origi

According to Spanish outlet AS, Jose Mourinho has personally shortlisted Real Madrid outcast Eder Militao as a potential January reinforcement – with the Tottenham boss still keen to add a star centre-half after falling short in the summer. 

Militao, who has been largely out-of-favour under Zinedine Zidane this campaign, with the £104,000-per-week titan reduced to very minimal playing time, is now being eyed by Spurs and Mourinho as they seek to reinforce the Lilywhites back four.

Militao shortlisted in defender search for Spurs

Indeed, as claimed in this report, the Tottenham boss is eager to bolster his defensive options given his lack of depth – with the out of favour Davinson Sanchez and inexperienced Joe Rodon the only options if key starters like Toby Alderweireld suffer injuries.

Chief scout Steve Hitchen flew out to Italy last summer in a bid to sign Milan Skriniar, but negotiations fell flat and Spurs had to settle on not bringing in a star-studded centre-half option.

Now, Mourinho is eyeing a potential return for Militao after shortlisting him among a list of candidates – coming after the Portuguese was eager to bring him to Spurs last season.

El Desmarque reported in 2020 that Mourinho personally phoned Madrid president Florentino Perez in an effort to sign Militao for the Lilywhites, but it eventually came to nothing.

Transfer Tavern take

Described as ‘excellent’ by Steve McManaman, despite only playing one Champions League game this season for the Galacticos, he averaged a head-turning 96% pass accuracy – numbers that would impress any coach looking for a ball-playing centre-half.

Whether or not Spurs act on Mourinho’s interest remains to be seen, but he would be a good alternative in an otherwise difficult January market.

Glasgow Rangers may struggle to offload George Edmundson in the January transfer window after Steven Gerrard confirmed the defender has suffered an injury.

Edmundson and Jordan Jones were hit with a seven-game ban by the SFA for breaching regulations after they were caught attending a private gathering with people “outside their household.”

Reports have emerged over the past week that the club are subsequently considering sending both players out on loan.

Once hailed as a “faultless” defender by Gerrard, Edmundson has only made one appearance across all competitions this season, while Jones has played four games, and they have yet to feature for the first team since serving their suspension.

The Daily Record revealed the duo have been deemed surplus to requirements by Gerrard and could be heading for the Ibrox exit amid interest from several English Championship and League One clubs.

However it seems like the Light Blues may struggle to offload the injured Edmundson which means Gerrard could be forced to keep the Manchester-born centre-back for the time being at least.

“Jordan Jones has a calf issue and should be back next week,” Gerrard said.

“George Edmundson is off to see a specialist as he has an issue with his hip area.”

There’s no doubt the news will be a devastating blow for Ross Wilson, who had given the green light for the duo to go out and get some minutes under their belts between now and the end of the season.

The double blow is bad news for Gerrard with time starting to run out in the winter transfer market, after football finance expert Kieran Maguire claimed the Gers may have to sanction the sales of players to compete on the same playing field as Celtic.

Getting rid of Edmundson albeit on a temporary basis would have at least helped to alleviate some of the financial pressures of their colossal wage bill, as he reportedly earns around £4,200-per-week at Ibrox.

However, they may have to rule out a loan move after his latest setback. Whether this will remove any doubts about his long-term future at Ibrox remains to be seen.

AND in other news, Rangers target John Lundstram produced one of his worst performances in the FA Cup…

Liverpool striker Divock Origi is reportedly attracting interest from RB Leipzig this month, and Jurgen Klopp must axe him following his less than impressive performances this season.

What’s the word?

According to German news outlet Sport Bild (via Daily Mail), Julian Nagelsmann’s side are interested in one of Origi, Kelechi Iheanacho or Kasper Dolberg, as they look to add to their attacking options.

It is suggested that it would initially be a loan move until the summer, which would suit Liverpool, as it would likely mean he would be unavailable for next month’s Champions League tie against Die Roten Bullen, whilst if he is able to rediscover his form in Germany, he could perhaps return to Anfield a different player.

Should Klopp axe him?

After his heroics in the Champions League during the 2018/19 season, it was perhaps hoped that Origi could push on and become much more of a regular in this Liverpool side, but his performances over the past two seasons have been far from good enough.

Last season saw the Belgian international average a poor 6.42 average rating for his performances in the Premier League, managing just four goals and one assist in 28 appearances.

However, this season has been even worse, as in his five appearances in the Premier League, he has managed a shocking 6.20 average rating, which is the worst of any outfield Liverpool player this season.

The 25-year-old, who earns £60k per week at Liverpool, was handed his first Premier League start of the season in Thursday’s game against Burnley but squandered a golden opportunity to give Klopp’s side the lead in the first half, as he inexplicably fired against the crossbar when clean through on goal – the match ended in defeat with the club’s 68-match unbeaten home run in the English top flight coming to an end.

After his disastrous performances in the Champions League earlier in the season, you could argue that this was Origi’s last opportunity to impress Klopp from the start of a game, something he certainly failed to do.

Therefore, it seems clear that the former Wolfsburg man is not the solution to Klopp’s goalscoring issues at Liverpool at the moment and is unlikely to ever be a regular starter, so sporting director Michael Edwards should axe him this month if Leipzig do make an offer.

And, in other news… Forget Origi: £99m-rated LFC star who lost possession 39x badly betrayed Klopp

Celtic midfielder Olivier Ntcham has been linked to a loan move to the Premier League as Newcastle show interest in his services. According to Sky Sports’ Keith Downie, the Magpies are looking to get a deal over the line to acquire the Frenchman before the January transfer window slams shut.

Steve Bruce is looking to bolster his options in midfield and out of favour Ntcham is seemingly one of his top targets.

Although they are only looking to sign him temporarily, it could foreshadow the 24-year-old’s future, which looks like it will be away from Celtic Park.

Olivier Ntcham’s Celtic days numbered

Ntcham currently has just 18 months left on his current contract with the Bhoys and heading out on loan this month could suggest that a permanent move is on the horizon.

The France youth international has slipped down the pecking order this season after Neil Lennon took a punt on promoting Ismaila Soro to the first team. Along with David Turnbull, the midfielder has seriously impressed since he was given his chance, even usurping Scott Brown on more than one occasion.

According to Transfermarkt, Ntcham has missed out on Celtic’s last eight Premiership fixtures. Although he missed two matches through self-isolation, Lennon has dropped him from his usual role in the team.

As a midfielder who can sit back but also contribute to the attack, he should be one of the first names on the team-sheet. However, his 2020/21 season has left a lot to be desired.

Ntcham has just one goal and two assists across competitions so far. Even in games where Lennon deployed him as a centre-forward, he has struggled to make an impact.

Should he move to Newcastle for the last half of the season, Ntcham will likely be gaining a lot more game time than he is right now.

As he continues to stay out favour under Lennon, a permanent transfer could become a priority for him. Although the boss has waxed lyrical about the midfield man – recently lauding him as one “hell of a player” – Ntcham’s lack of game time is a glaring hint that he could end up moving on from Celtic in the very near future.

In other news, Exclusive: Rob Lee dismisses idea of Frank Lampard to Celtic…

West Ham United defender Ryan Fredericks was David Moyes’ only silver lining of Tuesday’s FA Cup loss to Manchester United after upstaging Jarrod Bowen at Old Trafford.

Scott McTominay saw that the Irons exited the competition when the substitute dispatched a volley into Lukasz Fabianski’s net seven minutes into extra-time, to break the visitors’ resilience after soldiering one despite two centre-halves sustaining injuries.

The enforced withdrawals of Angelo Ogbonna and the Italian’s replacement Issa Diop saw Moyes introduce Fredericks and Ben Johnson from the bench, with a switch in formation to suit with the Irons forced into a back three that actually improved their performance.

Bowen was the one to make way for Fredericks, who has been a fringe man having made just six starts in all competitions for the Irons this term, to enter the action after providing a quiet opening 45 minutes. The withdrawn attacker rarely had an opportunity to break forward and threaten Alex Telles and was instead forced to help Vladimir Coufal in defence.

But Fredericks made an instant impact, with his injection of pace and willingness to adventure further up the pitch often forcing Telles to retreat into positions where the £3.5m-rated dynamo could deliver crosses into Dean Henderson’s box.

Moyes only saw Bowen attempt one cross into the Red Devils’ penalty area, per SofaScore, and take a mere six touches inside the host’s territory before his exit after 45 minutes, per WhoScored, while frequently pocketed by Telles, Marcus Rashford and Nemanja Matic on the Hammers’ right-flank.

That was rarely the case for Fredericks, who recorded four crosses and 33 touches in United’s half, compared to 14 in West Ham’s.

He additionally won six of his seven ground duels on the side of the pitch that saw Bowen lose two of his three, to see that Telles could not boast a perfect record when he was withdrawn after 90 minutes with success in three of seven challenges.

The former Fulham full-back was even successful with each of his two attempted dribbles after Bowen had failed to drag possession up the field even once in the first-half, having performed below his usual standards of 1.1 successful runs a game with a 60% success rate in the Premier League this term.

Fredericks’ efforts further came from only 30 minutes extra than Bowen and eclipsed the former Hull City winger’s seasonal league average for ground duels won, with the 24-year-old having won 3.0 a game over his 23 outings in the top-flight to date.

The only silver lining Bowen could take from Fredericks’ efforts was that his accuracy from crosses was on par with his seasonal score of 1.0 accurate deliveries with a 26% success rate in the league. But Moyes can overlook that, as Fredericks’ positives far outweighed the negatives.

AND in other news, West Ham will have to pay in excess of £26.5m to land a prolific 18 goal striker in the summer…