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In-form Aston Villa striker Ollie Watkins is wanted by a big Premier League club in the summer transfer window, according to journalist Dean Jones.

Is Watkins thriving for Villa this season?

The Englishman has been a massive player for the Villans all season long, thriving even more since Unai Emery replaced Steven Gerrard as manager. This campaign, he has scored 14 goals in 32 Premier League starts, also registering six assists to prove that he is the all-round attacking package.

Watkins' performances have caught the eye hugely, to the point that he could earn an England recall, and there could even be clubs hovering for his signature this summer. His current Villa deal expires in 2025, but the hope is that an extension is signed in the near future, both retaining his services but also protecting his value.

Could Watkins leave this summer?

Speaking to Give Me Sport, Jones dropped a worrying update regarding Watkins' future, admitting he is wanted by a big English club:

"Villa won’t welcome speculation around him because Emery will want a settled side going into next season – and if I am totally honest I would be surprised if Watkins looked to get out right now.

"Sometimes when a player gets momentum like he’s found, you just have to accept that this environment is working for you and ride that wave. There are many ups and downs in the career of a striker, so you have to make the most of moments when goals are flowing.

"I think the only reason he would look to leave is if one of the big six made a play for him, it’s hard not to have your head turned in moments like that. I have heard whispers about a big club in England looking at him recently so we will have to see if anything comes of that and who it is.

"Arsenal have been linked with him before so there could be something in that as we get towards the summer, but in his mind all the focus will be on making sure he keeps scoring all the way into the last game of the season."

This is a concerning update considering what an influential performer Watkins has become for Villa, with journalist Ashley Preece once hailing his prolific finishing as "incredible". It is absolutely vital that the club tie him down to a new contract and keep him at the club for years to come, making him a focal point under Emery and building the attack around him.

The lure of a move to a big club could be too much to turn down – a switch to Arsenal could appeal, for example, given their success this season – but the hope is that he sees something special happening at Villa Park and want to be a major part of it.

A tally of 42 goals in 112 appearances is an excellent return, but this is hopefully only the start for him, with many more to come in the future, as he looks to become a true modern great at Villa.

Rangers are believed to be one of the clubs going into the summer transfer window with the Ecuadorian midfielder Jose Cifuentes on their radar.

Who is Jose Cifuentes?

Michael Beale's arrival at Ibrox was seemingly too late to change Rangers' fate in the race for the Scottish title with their city rivals looking set to retain the crown.

However, attention is seemingly already turning onto the summer transfer window as they look to close the gap to the league leaders ahead of the new campaign.

And one player who has seemingly caught their attention is the Los Angeles FC midfielder Cifuentes who has been playing his football in the United States for just over three years now.

The 24-year-old was included in Ecuador's World Cup squad over the winter, however, his game time was minimal as he played just 58 minutes over two substitute appearances (via Transfermarkt).

However, his role in the MLS squad has been much more significant having started three of his six appearances in the earl stages of the new campaign.

And speaking on his Here We Go podcast, Fabrizio Romano has claimed the Gers are one of the sides who are interested in bringing him to Europe over the summer:

(14:30) "Also I wanted to mention Jose Cifuentes. This midfielder playing for LA FC out of contract in December, from what I understand, in the summer, he has a chance to leave because European clubs want him.

"Brighton have been tracking him in the last few months. But also Rangers want him. So keep an eye on Cifuentes."

Would Cifuentes provide Rangers a big upgrade?

The 24-year-old has been hailed as "ridiculous" by Alexandre Gangue-Ruzic and it is clear to see why when he ranks inside the top third percentile for successful take-ons (via FBref).

Cifuentes also has provided LA FC with an average of 7.78 progressive passes per game which has him ranked inside the top 10th percentile.

However, Rangers may find it difficult to land the £5.6k-per-week ace with a reported interest coming from the Premier League ahead of the summer.

The interest from south of the border could potentially see his price rise over the coming weeks/months and this may leave Rangers with a decision to make.

If the price was to rise significantly it could leave Rangers with a decision to make of whether to go all out for the Ecuadorian or whether to focus their attention elsewhere.

And perhaps the question to be asked is whether the potential signing of Cifuentes would provide them with enough to close the gap on their city rivals.

Given the likely departure of Alfredo Morelos, Beale is expected to have more than one position to address over the summer and, therefore, will have to manage his budget wisely.

Chelsea managerial target Jose Mourinho “will push” to stage a return if approached for the managerial vacancy at Stamford Bridge, according to journalist Santi Aouna.

What's the latest manager news at Chelsea?

Following Frank Lampard being appointed as interim boss until the end of the season, Todd Boehly can now focus his attention on working behind the scenes to identify his long-term successor, with a view to starting at the beginning of the 2023/24 term.

Former Bayern Munich coach Julian Nagelsmann and Spain's ex-boss Luis Enrique are currently believed to be the two leading candidates for the job having both held positive meetings with the hierarchy, but Mourinho's name has cropped up in the background.

The AS Roma boss isn’t out of contract at the Stadio Olimpico until next summer, so the 60-year-old won’t be a free agent for over another 12 months but it’s been reported that the Serie A giants would be open to sanctioning his exit before then should they receive a “hefty compensation package”.

Taking to Twitter, Aouna revealed that Mourinho would indeed be keen to stage his comeback in the dugout at Chelsea. However, he will need to be contacted by the board first instead of instigating a move himself. The journalist wrote:

“Info: Jose Mourinho. The Special One is ready to leave Roma only for certain clubs including Chelsea / PSG. If the Blues make an offer, Mourinho will push to go. Mourinho is not interested in Saudi Arabia. Roma is open to the departure of its coach.”

Should Chelsea make another move for Mourinho?

Mourinho has been lauded as a managerial “legend” by talent scout Jacek Kulig for what he’s achieved on the sidelines throughout his career, and Chelsea bringing him back for another spell should be a no-brainer of a decision considering how successful he was during his previous spells in SW6.

The Portuguese, who shares the same agent as Joao Felix, won 204, drew 65 and lost just 51 of his 320 games in the capital, whilst averaging 2.21 points per match (via Transfermarkt) – form which saw him guide the team to nine trophies before departing the Bridge for a second time in 2015.

Over the course of his managerial career, Mourinho has secured 39 trophies, which shows that he’s in no way a one-trick pony and can be successful wherever he is appointed, having proven himself to be a consistent and reliable boss across the years. However, he did fail to win silverware when in charge at London rivals, Tottenham Hotspur.

But the level of success he enjoyed at Chelsea means the Blues are clearly close to Mourinho's heart, and this latest claim certainly looks to put him in the running for the permanent job for a third time.

YouTuber Conor McGilligan has slammed Leeds United manager Javi Gracia for bringing on Rasmus Kristensen at left-back in the club's most recent game.

What's the latest on Leeds and Javi Gracia?

With the threat of relegation looming large, the Whites were hoping for a big performance at Elland Road on Easter Sunday.

However, they really failed to do that as they were humiliated by Crystal Palace in front of their own fans as they suffered a 5-1 Premier League defeat.

Patrick Bamford actually gave Leeds the lead but goals from Marc Guehi, Eberechi Eze, Odsonne Edouard, and a brace from Jordan Ayew saw the Eagles pick up all three points with ease.

Not long after going 3-1 down, Gracia tried to change things up as he subbed off Junior Firpo and brought on Kristensen.

This seemed to baffle McGilligan, who questioned why the right-back came on when the 52-year-old manager had more natural options at left-back

When talking on the One Leeds Fan Channel, he said (5:19): “Rasmus came on at left-back which I mean was almost hilarious in itself. Rasmus hasn't got a left foot.

"I was wondering why [Liam] Cooper didn't come on, then [Pascal] Struijk was put out to left-back. Don't really know why Rasmus is going on at left-back.

"But seriously, seriously worrying times."

Can Rasmus Kristensen play left-back?

As you can see from his WhoScored profile, Kristensen hasn't played any football at left-back this term. What's more, his passing is noted as a weakness, so to put him in a position where he will be using his weak foot to try and build attacking play and mount a comeback certainly isn't the best plan in theory.

In addition, as McGilligan mentions, Struijk could have moved across to left-back seeing as the 23-year-old has played there 20 times this season already.

In the end, it's safe to say Gracia's plan didn't work out at all as Palace went on to score two more goals in the final stages of the game with Kristensen playing out of position as club captain Cooper sat on the bench as an unused defensive option.

In the LeedsLive player ratings, Beren Cross also noted just how badly Kristensen played after coming on for the final half-an-hour of the game.

Indeed, the journalist handed the 25-year-old Denmark international a three out of ten. He also wrote: "Switched off when the centre-backs stepped up to play Ayew onside for the fifth goal. Caught badly out of position by [Michael] Olise at left-back several times."

Newcastle United are closely monitoring Bayer Leverkusen midfielder Kerem Demirbay for a summer transfer swoop, according to a report from Sky Sports.

Will Newcastle sign a new central midfielder?

Newcastle's current central midfield options have been performing very well, with both Bruno Guimaraes and Joelinton ranked among the best-performing players in the squad by Sofascore, but Eddie Howe is eager to strengthen further this summer.

The Magpies have made contact with Lazio midfielder Sergej Milinkovic-Savic, who is likely to be available for a cut-price fee at the end of the season, while Manchester United's Scott McTominay has been of interest for quite some time.

Having been targeted by Liverpool in the past, Newcastle have also now joined the race for Demirbay, and signing the midfielder would not break the bank, according to a new report from Sky Sports.

The 29-year-old could cost as little as £3.5m this summer, and he is likely to be leaving Bayer Leverkusen at the end of the season, amid interest from a number of clubs across Europe.

There may be an option to remain in Germany, as Hertha BSC have been named as potential suitors, while Fiorentina were also interested in the Leverkusen ace in the January transfer window.

Given that the £83k-per-week earner's contract expires in 2024, he is set to be available for a reduced amount this summer, as it will be Leverkusen's last opportunity to cash in, and Newcastle are closely monitoring the situation.

Should Newcastle sign Kerem Demirbay?

The German has shown a keen eye for goal over the course of the past year, ranking in the 92nd percentile for non-penalty goals per 90, when compared to other players in his position, also placed in the 83rd percentile for assists.

Hailed as having a "super left foot" by members of the media, the maestro has also averaged more tackles and blocks per 90 than Sean Longstaff in the same timeframe, indicating he could be an upgrade on the 25-year-old defensively.

Given the performances of Joelinton and Guimaraes this season, Demirbay is unlikely to be able to dislodge them in the starting XI, despite enjoying another solid Bundesliga campaign, in which he has weighed in with three goals and three assists.

However, the two-time Germany international's availability for such a low price makes him a low-risk signing, and there is evidence that he would definitely be an upgrade on Longstaff, who has not been as impressive as the Magpies' other midfielders this season.

How Chelsea could have done with a forward of Armando Broja's abilities in front of goal as their offensive woes continued on Saturday after falling to a disappointing 2-0 home defeat against Aston Villa.

What are Armando Broja's statistics?

The Blues mustered 27 shots on goal but failed to find the back of the net once again, with a lack of clinical finishing a significant factor behind their bottom half standing in the Premier League.

Therefore, It is unfortunate that young forward Armando Broja suffered a season-ending injury during the World Cup break, as he could have been a big player for the west London outfit in the remainder of the campaign.

However, there is no doubt that the Albania international could be influential again under a new manager if he can rediscover the form that he showed out on loan at Southampton in the 2021/22 season, where he managed eight goals in all competitions.

Although he managed just one goal for the Blues in the first half of the campaign, he is still only 21 and looks set for a bright future, whether that be at Stamford Bridge or elsewhere.

Fortunately for Todd Boehly, if he ever opts to cash in on the young striker, he looks certain to make a significant profit, as the young striker, who earns £40k-per-week, would join the club at U9 level.

How much is Armando Broja worth now?

Unsurprisingly, Broja's impressive form out on loan in his first taste of senior football in England, as well as the new long-term contract that he signed earlier this season, have seen his market value shoot up in recent years.

According to Football Transfers, the former Vitesse loanee is now valued at €33.9m (£30m), which represents an impressive rise given he was valued at less than €10m (£9m) only a year ago.

The disappointing form of Kai Havertz, which has returned just seven league goals this season, as well as the ostracisation of Pierre Emerick-Aubameyang, suggests that any new appointment could still look towards Broja as the long-term goalscoring solution in the side when he returns from injury.

The young forward was notably praised by Albanian coach Sergio Porrini last season, saying:

"He's grown a lot since last year and he's exploded at Southampton. His greatest qualities are in his progression, especially ball and chain.

"With the necessary comparisons, he's somewhat reminiscent of [Rafael] Leao in how unstoppable he becomes if he stretches the ball into space On the other hand, he is less good with his back to goal, in the construction of the action, but in the spaces he is devastating."

Thus, if he can live up to his obvious potential at Stamford Bridge, then his market value will only continue to rocket, which emphasises that the club well and truly struck gold by unearthing such a promising young player from their academy.

Everton have a steady and rich flow of talent cascading from Finch Farm academy and could have their latest gem in homegrown centre-back Jack Tierney.

Notably, Anthony Gordon rose from the youth ranks and recently played a starring role in Everton's past several seasons, subject to a £45m transfer to Newcastle United last January.

Similarly, Ross Barkley was heralded for his early performances on Merseyside before completing a £15m transfer to Chelsea in 2018, while a certain former star named Wayne Rooney also commenced his illustrious career at Goodison Park.

The club might be floundering at present, two points and two places above the Premier League relegation zone after avoiding the drop in the closing weeks last season, but the assurance of further talent continually cropping up provides manager Sean Dyche with comfort that he can craft a team capable of flourishing higher up the table over the coming years.

Dyche is renowned for his defensive organisation and structured managerial approach, and as such he will be paying close attention to the exploits of Tierney, who will be pushing for an increase in his role at the club as he continues his development.

Who is Jack Tierney?

The 18-year-old Tierney has made 12 appearances for the U18 outfit this term to continue from an impressive preceding breakout year that saw him forge 16 outings, scoring one goal and wearing the captain's armband on two occasions.

According to Everton's official website, Tierney is a "commanding" defender and a lifelong Evertonian, hailing former Toffees captain Phil Jagielka as his footballing inspiration.

Such a 'commanding' approach will be one of the main attractions in the eyes of Dyche, who recently explained to the Coaches Voice the principles of his philosophy and provided insight into his man-management and prowess in tactical awareness from a defensive standpoint.

Effectively, there are scant few managers an aspiring centre-back would wish to kickstart their career under, and Tierney must absorb the fruits of his boss' labour to set himself in good stead to flourish among the seniors at Everton when the time comes.

Praised by reporter Jack Beesley for his "crucial" reading of the game earlier this season, Tierney has the tools for a successful Blues career, and as the cogs fall into place he could even surpass the expectations of Everton centre-back Jarrard Branthwaite, who is flourishing out on loan with PSV Eindhoven.

Signing for the Toffees in January 2020 for just £1m from Carlisle, the 20-year-old has made 13 appearances for his outfit, scoring one goal, before being loaned out to the Eredivisie last summer, where he has enjoyed a fruitful spell and forged 29 displays thus far, scoring four goals and registering an assist.

Hailed by former manager Carlo Ancelotti as a "really skilful defender with a lot of ability", Branthwaite will be pushing for a role in Dyche's set-up next season, and while he looks to be a genuine prospect, Tierney could surpass his potential by harnessing his 'commanding' leadership skills and becoming the centrepiece of the Everton project.

Tottenham Hotspur's search for a new manager has been a strange one, considering how Antonio Conte remains in his post as the season nears its climax.

The Lilywhites still have plenty to play for in the Premier League, but can feel aggrieved in the way in which they exited all three knockout competitions as they fell to teams that on paper they should have beaten.

That has been a theme of the Italian's side, often stumbling when the road ahead seems so clear. It is likely why the likes of Daniel Levy are seemingly keen to find his successor, as his future remains up in the air after a string of recent comments.

After their frustrating Champions League exit, he spoke to the Italian media (via The Guardian) and claimed:

"I’m under contract at Tottenham, then we will decide at the end of the season with the club. My contract expires in June, we will see – they might sack me even before the end of the season. Perhaps the expectations were higher and they may be disappointed?"

Although since claiming this to be a joke, fans and the media are sceptical about whether the ex-Chelsea boss remains committed to his role. That could explain the list of replacements that have been drawn up, according to The Athletic, with Sporting CP's Ruben Amorim one of the standout names.

What kind of football does Ruben Amorim play?

The Portuguese boss might just be the perfect man to replace Conte, given how his style contrasts the often dull brand fans have been subjected to without altering the structure too much.

He also favours a three-at-the-back system, which allowed the likes of Pedro Porro to thrive under his stewardship. This reunion could be imperative in future successes that the north London outfit might earn.

But it is not a philosophy that sits off and watches the game go by; the 38-year-old has forged one of the most intense teams in Portugal, with an emphasis on pressing high to cause chaos in the opponent's attacking third. In this vein, his ideals are very much aligned with former Spurs favourite Mauricio Pochettino, whose style captured the imagination upon first joining.

The similarities between these two are extended to their potential youth at the time of joining the club, thus making them somewhat more progressive than older coaches who might be stuck in their ways.

Writer and podcaster Nicolas Vilas Boas did suggest that Amorim's teams are always made in his image, noting "intelligent" as an outstanding characteristic for the manager and his Sporting side.

Not only is his style thrilling, but he boasts tangible success to boot. He has won five major honours across his short time in management and has most recently knocked high-flying Arsenal out of the Europa League at the Emirates.

His style is bold and brave and could revolutionise a club that has recently stalled under Conte's management.

Manchester United have reportedly met with the agent of Borussia Dortmund goalkeeper Gregor Kobel, according to reporter Patrick Berger.

The Lowdown: Kobel profiled

Kobel is 25 years of age and made the move to Dortmund from Stuttgart in 2021. Since then, the Switzerland international has made 65 appearances for Dortmund, keeping 23 clean sheets.

He is valued at a career-high €25m Transfermarkt valuation and is under contract with the Bundesliga side until 2026. Kobel has also come in for praise from Dortmund goalkeeping coach Matthias Kleinsteiber, who said:

“I think the fans realised very quickly that he’s a really good goalkeeper. But he still has a lot of room for improvement, he can improve in all areas.”

“Gregor can handle the pressure, I’ve seen that with him. In Augsburg, he had real pressure on the kettle, as it was about staying in the Bundesliga, and also with Stuttgart as the next step, he didn’t have it easy.”

The Latest: United interest

Berger, chief reporter for German outlet Sport1, took to Twitter in the last 48 hours to provide an update on Kobel. He said that both the Red Devils and Premier League rivals Chelsea ‘have met with an agent of the Swiss goalkeeper’.

However, Berger added that Kobel ‘wants to stay at least one more year with BVB’ and that ‘the Bundesliga side has no intention to sell.’

The Verdict: Good to see

It is good to see that United are making moves ahead of the summer window, looking to build on the overall success during Erik ten Hag’s first season at Old Trafford.

A new striker and midfielder appear to be the main priority over the coming months, but a new goalkeeper could also be beneficial to rival David de Gea.

Dean Henderson is ‘unlikely to be welcomed back to Old Trafford when his loan at Nottingham Forest expires after criticising Ten Hag’, with Brentford’s David Raya another keeper linked with a move to Manchester.

Kobel could be a name to keep a close eye on following this update of a meeting held between United and the player’s agent, however, the club may find it tricky given his current stance.

As a result, the Red Devils may need to look elsewhere for another high-quality ‘keeper to challenge De Gea next season, potentially Raya who is waiting for a ‘big move’ in the summer.

Tottenham Hotspur could ‘look at’ Roberto De Zerbi to replace Antonio Conte as manager, Sky Sports reporter Michael Bridge recently told GiveMeSport.

The Lowdown: De Zerbi targeted

Last month, Football Insider reported that Tottenham are ‘hugely impressed’ by De Zerbi as a result of the excellent impression he has made as Brighton & Hove Albion manager since replacing Graham Potter earlier this season.

The Seagulls boss could be a man in demand, with pundit Robbie Mustoe recently tipping West Ham United to make a move, although the Hammers’ current position in the Premier League table may deter him.

Prior to Potter’s recent turnaround at Chelsea, the Blues were also linked with the Italian, which goes to show just how well he has done during his very limited time managing in the Premier League.

The Latest: One to watch

In an interview with GiveMeSport, Bridge provided an update on who the Spurs hierarchy may target to replace Conte at the end of the season.

The reporter said:

“I personally had Brentford down for relegation this year when Christian Eriksen decided not to stay.

“I thought they were going to miss him, but they’ve been phenomenal this year. There will come a time when Frank will get an offer or an opportunity, whether it’s Tottenham though, I’m not so sure.

“I think if we’re looking at managers of a club of that size, I think Spurs will look more towards De Zerbi. Obviously, I think every so called Big Six club admires what Brighton do.

“You only have to look at Newcastle and who they’ve recruited from Brighton. They’re a club people really are aspiring to be, so I think maybe De Zerbi would be one to look at.”

The Verdict: Exciting news

Since his arrival in England, the 43-year-old coach has not been short of compliments from his peers, with Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola lauding him for his ‘incredible’ style of play.

In the Brighton dugout, the Brescia-born tactician, who favours a 4-2-3-1 formation, has averaged 1.65 points per match to lead his side up to seventh in the Premier League table, while they are also through to the quarter-final stage of the FA Cup.

After building up his resume with the Seagulls, De Zerbi has proven he is ready to take the next step by moving to a club vying for the Champions League places, and he should be near the top of Fabio Paratici’s list of targets at the end of the season.