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There is ‘serious interest’ in Liverpool defender Sepp van den Berg ahead of a potential loan move this summer, according to reliable journalist James Pearce.

The Lowdown: Injury crisis

The Dutchman is back at Anfield after impressing on loan at Preston last season, where he started 43 of his side’s 46 Championship matches.

Virgil van Dijk, Joel Matip, Ibrahima Konate and Joe Gomez are all ahead of Van den Berg in the pecking order, but the Reds have been hit hard by pre and early season injuries.

Indeed, the likes of Konate, Diogo Jota and Thiago Alcantara feature on a lengthy list of concerns for Jurgen Klopp and Julian Ward, but it appears they are still happy to allow one piece of depth depart.

The Latest: Pearce makes fresh claim

Taking to Twitter on Monday, The Athletic‘s Pearce claims that there is lots of interest in Van den Berg ahead of a potential temporary exit, namely from Burnley:

“Burnley want Sepp van den Berg on loan but there’s also serious interest from Germany. Player weighing up his options.”

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The Verdict: Right move for everyone

This makes complete sense for everyone concerned, allowing Van den Berg a chance to continue his development and enjoy regular playing time away from Liverpool.

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With Nat Phillips now expected to stay put after Konate’s recent injury, Klopp will of course be praying no more issues force him to keep the young Dutchman around in a similar fashion.

Van den Berg can still be a future squad player for Liverpool, given his age, so he should be considered a long-term prospect who needs regular playing time to fulfil his potential, though perhaps Klopp and Ward should consider a recall clause for January in case the injuries really mount up.

A journalist has shared an update on one Wolverhampton Wanderers transfer target, and it could be good news for Bruno Lage.

What’s the news?

Portuguese journalist Pedro Sepulveda took to Twitter to explain that Wolves target Andre Almeida is keen on a move to the Premier League, saying: “Andre Almeida is interested in FC Porto and Wolves but both teams consider the price that Vitoria SC set high.”

Portuguese outlet A Bola have claimed that the fee being demanded for the player is €10m (£8.5m), which appears to be too high for Wolves to make a move just yet.

Another midfield option after Nunes?

The club recently secured the signing of Sporting Lisbon midfielder Matheus Nunes for a club-record fee of £42.2m in what is a massive statement of intent for the Molineux outfit.

Lage could further dip his toes into the Portuguese market by bringing Almeida to the club, and he could be another excellent signing at a fraction of what Nunes cost.

The 22-year-old played 31 times in the league last season, making 0.6 key passes and winning 1.4 tackles per match whilst also winning 56% of his duels, outlining him a solid operator in the middle of the park, and Lage will surely be eager to bring in players who can control a game.

Almeida has been capped seven times for the Portugal under-21 side, scoring once, and his performances have led Zach Lowy to describe him as a “good young talent”. Lage could be looking to reduce the average age of his squad while at the same time adding high-quality potential, and Almeida fits the bill on both counts.

He could certainly learn from the likes of Ruben Neves and Nunes at the heart of the Wolves midfield, and a move to the Premier League could be the catalyst which is required for him to take the next step in his development.

With Almeida only having one year left on his contract, Lage will be aiming to secure the player on a cut-price deal, and economically this would make perfect sense. Failing that, Wolves could potentially secure him on a pre-contract agreement in January.

Despite a poor opening couple of matches to the Premier League campaign, the signing of Nunes may have given the Molineux faithful hope that their team will jolt into life sooner rather than later. The Old Gold fan base may also be increasingly hopeful of seeing him paired with Almeida, given the latest update from Sepulveda.

Everton are reportedly ‘keen’ on signing Manchester United midfielder Scott McTominay, according to 90min. 

The lowdown: Rise to prominence

A product of the youth academy in Manchester, the 25-year-old made 30 appearances at youth level before getting his senior bow in 2017.

The Scotland international has since amassed 172 outings for the Red Devils, directly contributing to 20 goals in the process.

However, following the capture of Casemiro from Real Madrid, question marks have been raised over McTominay’s future, and it appears as though Everton could be among those interested in discovering the answers…

The latest: Everton ‘keen’ on McTominay

As per 90min, the Toffees, along with Newcastle, West Ham, Southampton and Leicester, are all ‘keen’ on the 34-cap midfielder.

It’s claimed that suitors in Italy and Germany are also interested in McTominay, who has been hailed as ‘absolutely unbelievable’ and a potential future captain by Old Trafford legend Sammy McIlroy.

The report also states that any departure ‘would likely be on loan’ should it happen before the transfer deadline passes on September 1.

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The verdict: Go for it

While the arrival of Amadou Onana has undoubtedly strengthened the midfield options at Goodison Park, there remains room for at least one more arrival to the ranks.

Also being linked with former Celtic ace Tom Rogic, Everton are clearly in the market for another option in that department, and the powerful United midfielder is an ideal candidate.

Last season, McTominay earned an impressive 6.91 average SofaScore rating whilst winning 6.7 duels, completing 1.2 dribbles and making two clearances per Premier League game , highlighting a superb all-round ability to perform at the top level.

Sharing similar stylistic traits to Declan Rice, Etienne Capoue and Oriol Romeu (FBRef), the 25-year-old warrior would appear to be a fine addition to Frank Lampard’s squad, and one that the Goodison Park hierarchy should be working hard to make a reality.

Everton have reportedly made another approach to try and sign Wolves winger Adama Traore.

The Lowdown: Revisiting an old deal?

Football Insider reported back in June that the Goodison Park outfit had registered their interest in Traore, and were ‘keeping tabs’ on his situation at Molineux.

Director of Football Kevin Thelwell is thought to be a ‘big admirer’ of the Spain international, believing that he could add a ‘new dimension’ to Frank Lampard’s attack with his speed.

£20m was the quoted fee to secure his signature, although it was thought that the Wanderers could accept less.

The Latest: Approach made

Football Insider are now reporting that the Merseyside club have made a new approach over the possibility of signing Traore, and are working on signing a pacy forward capable of playing out wide or through the middle in case Anthony Gordon goes to Chelsea.

Traore is now in the final year of his contract, so it is thought that Bruno Lage’s side may look to cash in on him now, rather than risking losing him on a free transfer at the end of the season.

The Verdict: Avoid

While a move for Traore may seem exciting on paper – after all he has been hailed as ‘devastating’ when at his best by pundit Andy Townsend – unfortunately he is just far too inconsistent.

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The attacker has only managed a mere 12 goals and 18 assists in 157 games in total for Wolves over the last five seasons (Transfermarkt), not numbers to be proud of.

With Dominic Calvert-Lewin’s injury, the Toffees need their other attacking players to be chipping in with goals and assists, and Traore has not shown consistently enough that he can provide that.

The football season has just started again. And the recent Champions League draw has had fans on the edge of their seats. But the main football event of the year is just around the corner. The upcoming FIFA World Cup will be underway from November 20 to December 18, leaving supporters worldwide to prepare for an unusual winter tournament. So, who will emerge victorious in Qatar? We look at five teams that might make it to the top.

France

The French head into the competition as the defending champions. Coached by Didier Deschamps, who already led Les Bleus to victory in 2018, France appears ready to repeat the feat. However, no nation has claimed back-to-back titles at the World Cup since the Brazilian squad in 1958 and 62. Still, the French squad looks threatening enough to pull it off. While some of the 2018 champions have been out of form lately, such as midfielders Paul Pogba and N’Golo Kanté, the attacking line boasts two of the most prolific players at the moment. Thus, PSG star Kylian Mbappé will undoubtedly shine alongside Real Madrid forward Karim Benzema.

Argentina

Argentina has already won the World Cup twice in the past century. But a final triumph keeps eluding the Albiceleste for decades. The Argentinian team tasted victory again in 2021 with a narrow win over Brazil at the Copa America. In 2022, Messi and his co-stars beat Italy in the first-ever Finalissima. What’s more, the squad managed by Lionel Scalani hasn’t lost a single international game since 2019. So, could it be Argentina’s lucky year? With a blend of experienced players like Ángel Di Maria and young talents like Lisandro Martínez, the Albiceleste can aim for the title. And it would only be fitting for Lionel Messi to land, at last, the only prize yet missing in his trophy cabinet.

England

England came close to securing the European title in 2021. At the Russia World Cup in 2018, English fans buoyed their national squad all the way to the semi-finals. But the Three Lions failed to reach the top and end an ongoing trophy drought since their first and only World Cup win back in 1966. Still, the English national squad is up in arms to bring a 56-year wait to a much-anticipated close. On top of seasoned players such as Harry Kane and Kyle Walker, the Three Lions boast promising young talents like Phil Foden and Jack Grealish. And in a pool comprising Iran, Wales, and the United States, England should find a fairly straightforward way to the knock-out stages. So, has Gareth Southgate’s squad what it takes to bring it back home? English fans certainly hope so.

Brazil

Vinicius Jr., Neymar, Lucas Paquetá, Gabriel Jesus. The skills and creativity among the Brazilian squad are unparalleled. And the defending line-up is proving more solid than ever, with players such as Marquinhos and Thiago Silva gaining maturity over the years. Brazil is heading to Qatar in dazzling form as they haven’t lost a match since their Copa America final. Twenty years after their last triumph, the Seleção could knock a sixth World Cup title. And bookmakers have made it clear the Brazilian squad was one to watch out. So, from South America to Asia, punters can place their bets on the best football betting sites in 2022. Even in countries where gambling is illegal, such as Vietnam, football fans can find the perfect platform online. Experts have scoured the internet to single out the most favourable odds on a range of reputable betting sites. Better yet, newcomers and seasoned punters alike may claim hefty bonuses to keep their bankroll in the green.

Belgium

Keen football observers already knew of the tremendous potential of the Belgian squad. Still, Belgium appeared as the surprise team of the 2018 FIFA World Cup. Bested by France in the semi-finals, and again during the 2021 League of Nations, Belgium is yet to secure any international title. But the Red Devils are looking to make history at the upcoming tournament. From Kevin De Bruyne to Romelu Lukaku and Eden Hazard, their golden generation is going strong, still. And while they slipped to second place in the world FIFA rankings, the Belgian squad could prove hard to beat, anyway.

Photo by Unsplash

Wolves winger Adama Traore missed his side’s weekend 3-0 defeat to Manchester City with an adductor injury, reliable journalist Liam Keen has confirmed.

The Lowdown: Wolves beaten with ease

Bruno Lage’s side were soundly beaten by the reigning Premier League champions on Saturday as their disappointing start to the season continues.

Jack Grealish’s goal inside the first minute was an early blow and Nathan Collins’ first-half red card effectively ended any hopes the home side had of getting a result.

One player who has troubled City in the past is Traore, scoring three times against Pep Guardiola’s side during the 2019/20 season, but he was unavailable at the weekend, missing out through injury.

The Latest: Traore injury

Taking to Twitter, Keen confirmed in a two-word response why the Spanish winger did not feature on Saturday.

When asked by a Wolves supporter why the 26-year-old wasn’t playing against Man City, the journalist simply replied: “Adductor injury”.

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The Verdict: Missed off the bench

It seems fairly clear that Lage doesn’t consider Traore indispensable – he wouldn’t have sent him on loan to Barcelona last season or handed him a mere 10 top-flight starts otherwise – but his presence is still missed from the substitutes’ bench.

The 26-year-old has been clocked as one of the fastest players in the league and his combination of pace, power and quick feet can make him a nightmare for opposition players, with Jurgen Klopp describing him as ‘undefendable’ in the past.

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The hope is that Traore is back available soon in order to bolster Wolves’ attacking options, with just three goals in seven league games so far this season and already shorn of forwards Raul Jimenez and Sasa Kalajdzic through injuries of their own.

Wolverhampton Wanderers are plotting a move to sign Dynamo Kyiv winger Viktor Tsygankov, according to reports in the last 48 hours.

The Lowdown: Attracting interest

The 24-year-old has now entered the final 12 months of his deal with the Ukrainian giants, meaning that he needs to be sold in January should his club want to cash in at the final opportunity.

This contract situation appears to have caught the attention of several Premier League clubs, who know that a cut-price transfer could become available, and the Old Gold have been name-checked as a potential suitor.

The Latest: Wolves monitoring Tsygankov

According to French outlet Jeunes Footeux (via Sport Witness), Wolves, alongside West Ham and Newcastle, are all ‘keeping an eye’ on Tsygankov.

It’s stated that the attacker ‘isn’t lacking suitors’, with the trio of clubs believed to be ‘lurking’ on the off chance a future deal could be struck.

The player could be available ‘either on a free or a reduced fee in January’, with a cut-price switch being a very attractive proposition for the Wanderers.

The Verdict: Get it done…

Bruno Lage already has the likes of Daniel Podence and Adama Traore at his disposal so a new winger won’t be a priority, but if the chance to sign Tsygankov comes up, it’s surely an offer the boss couldn’t refuse.

The ‘outrageous’ talent, as dubbed by football talent scout Jacek Kulig, has made a remarkable 147 goal contributions for Dynamo (87 goals and 60 assists), and is off to a flying start this season, racking up four contributions in six across all competitions.

This cutting edge in the final third is something that Wolves have been lacking for quite some time, and Tsygankov would be the perfect man to come in and fix that.

A worrying Glasgow Rangers injury update has emerged on Ibrox central defender Leon King this week…

What’s the latest?

According to Football Scotland, the teenage talent was forced to miss his country’s U21 clash with Northern Ireland due to an injury.

Scotland’s under-21’s won the match 3-1 and the centre-back was nowhere to be seen in the matchday squad, with it now being revealed that he has picked up a knock.

However, it has not been specified how serious the injury is and whether or not he will now miss any matches for the Light Blues in the coming weeks.

Frustration for Gio van Bronckhorst

This update could leave the Ibrox head coach frustrated as he is already dealing with a host of issues with his centre-backs heading into the club’s October schedule.

Filip Helander and John Souttar are both currently ruled out due to their respective injuries, James Sands is suspended for the next Champions League match against Liverpool due to being sent off against Napoli, and Ben Davies is still working his way to full fitness.

When asked about why King was starting over Davies earlier this month, van Bronckhorst said:

“He has been injured. He’s just back in training and I put players in who I think will be ready to play and that’s why I put Leon in first.

“He’s developing really well and played really well in the second half against Ajax and that’s why I put him in. That’s why Ben didn’t start.”

These comments suggest that he currently favours the Ibrox academy gem to the summer arrival from Liverpool, with the youngster repaying the faith placed on him in the recent win over Dundee United.

King was handed a start in their last Premiership outing and put in a solid display at the heart of the defence. As per SofaScore, he won three of his four ground duels and completed 97% of his passes as he showcased his composure on the ball and his strength out of possession.

The 18-year-old has also been brought off the bench in both of the club’s Champions League group stage matches this season, showing how much van Bronckhorst trusts the youngster to perform at the highest level.

Therefore, losing him for any period of time would be a big blow for the Gers, due to the quality he can provide and the other problems that the manager has to deal with in that position in October – with a whopping nine competitive matches to play.

Van Bronckhorst will be fuming by this latest blow and will now be hoping that the defender is able to return to full fitness before the end of the international break or else he could be in a tricky position when it comes to naming his starting XI with Sands, Souttar, and Helander set to miss the Liverpool match.

Everton made many changes to Frank Lampard’s first team over the summer, signing eight players and letting go of 13 members of last season’s squad, but there was one player in particular who was a huge loss for the Toffees.

Brazilian forward Richarlison made a £60m move to Tottenham Hotspur early into the transfer window, and losing last season’s top goal-scorer would’ve undoubtedly been a blow for Lampard when planning for the new season ahead – especially following a relegation scrap last time out.

The talented attacker tallied up 152 appearances, 53 goals and 14 assists for the Toffees, becoming a fan favourite at the club.

However, the club didn’t sign a direct replacement to step into the shoes of the Brazil international following his departure from Merseyside.

The powers at Goodison Park did acquire the services of Neal Maupay and Dwight McNeil, however, Maupay was brought in to add depth behind Dominic Calvert-Lewin following another injury problem for the striker, while McNeil is not renowned for his goal contributions out wide – with no goals scored for his former club Burnley last season.

As a result, there is still an opportunity to land a dream Richarlison heir at the club and the winter transfer window could be the perfect opportunity to do so, with an update revealed by journalist Jacque Talbot on a target Everton were eyeing up this summer.

Talbot tweeted: “Hear Man United, Southampton and Everton remain keen on PSV forward Cody Gakpo and a move is likely during the January transfer window. Club reps will keep tabs over World Cup. Dutch side want club-record fee.”

Gakpo was a popular player over the summer transfer window, and Everton will still need to compete with Manchester United and Southampton to secure his signature in January, however, he could become an important player for Lampard over the second half of the season if he does make the move to Goodison Park.

The 23-year-old, who was lauded as an “enormous talent” by Telegraaf journalist Wierd Duk, has scored 52 goals and delivered a whopping 42 assists over 148 appearances for his boyhood club PSV Eindhoven – a goal contribution every 100 minutes of football played – and has shown no signs of slowing down this season, quickly becoming a stand-out performer in European football.

Over seven appearances, Gakpo has scored eight goals, delivered six assists and created eight big chances, as well as made 4.4 key passes and taken 2.6 shots on target per game. The forward has also won 58% of his duels and completed 56% of his dribbles, while he currently ranks as the top goal-scorer in the Eredivisie – boasting a shot accuracy of 67%.

With that being said, he would be the perfect player to not only replace Richarlison but is also a forward who could form a deadly attacking duo with Calvert-Lewin if he joined the Toffees in January. However, it won’t be easy with many other clubs vying for the £35m player’s signature.

Arsenal have opened contract talks with William Saliba in a bid to extend the centre-back’s stay at The Emirates.

What’s the talk?

In recent comments cited by GOAL, the defender revealed – shortly after the 3-1 victory over Tottenham Hotspur on Saturday afternoon – that the club have held preliminary talks regarding the extension of his current deal in north London.

When asked whether there would be news on a new contract soon, the 21-year-old said: “We will see. They talk a little bit. We will see.”

Saliba then added: “I waited a long time for my first north London derby. I enjoyed it since the first minute to the end, and I am so happy. It’s a derby, a big game, where all the fans and the players want to win. I like to play big games like this.”

Edu hit the jackpot

Considering the revelation Saliba has been in the Arsenal backline so far this season, Edu’s decision to splash £27m on the defender back in the summer of 2019 very much looks to have been something of a masterstroke by the Gunners’ technical director.

After being sent on three separate loans over the last three seasons – to Saint-Etienne, OGC Nice and Marseille respectively – the 21-year-old finally managed to secure a regular spot in Mikel Arteta’s starting XI in pre-season, and his impact on the Spaniard’s side so far this term has been remarkable.

The King of North London! Honour his most famous goal with this awesome t-shirt! – Click here to buy…

Indeed, starting all eight of Arsenal’s Premier League fixtures this season, the £52.5m-rated talent has been in astonishing form, helping his side keep three clean sheets, in addition to making an average of 1.6 tackles, 0.5 interceptions, 3.1 clearances and winning 3.4 duels – at a success rate of 56% – per game.

The France international has also impressed going forwards, having scored two goals, registered one assist and created one big chance for his teammates, as well as completing an average of 61.5 passes – at a success rate of 94% – and 2.8 long balls per game.

These returns have seen the £40k-per-week sensation who Fabrizio Romano dubbed “untouchable” average an exceptional SofaScore match rating of 7.13, currently ranking him as Arteta’s sixth-best performer in the top flight of English football.

Furthermore, as a result of his remarkable returns on the pitch, the 21-year-old starlet now boasts a market valuation that is already £25.5m greater than the £27m Arsenal paid for his services just three years ago – an astonishing 94% increase.

As such, it is clear to see that Edu well and truly hit the jackpot when bringing Salbia to the club back in the summer of 2019, as not only has the defender become a key part of Arteta’s starting XI but he is also an extremely valuable financial asset for the Gunners – with a new deal for the Frenchman now appearing to be an absolute must for the club in the coming weeks.