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Taking into account the plethora of domestic trophies that Manchester City have managed to win and records they’ve broken over the past few years, it’s safe to say the club have their fair share of elite players in the squad.

Additionally, with a total market value of £969.57m, City have the most valuable squad out of any Premier League club at the moment according to Transfermarkt.

Away from their senior squad, one player that the Manchester club have in their youth ranks that we feel has the capability of becoming a future first-team star for them is 18-year-old attacking-midfielder James McAtee, who has recently been described as being an “intelligent player” by the City U23s manager Brian Barry-Murphy.

As a product of City’s youth system, McAtee has made 34 appearances for their U18 side, scoring 15 goals and nine assists as well as making 35 appearances for their U23 side in which he has managed to score 19 goals and provide 14 assists in the process, showing just how much of an impressive attacking outlet he has been.

McAtee has also made one appearance for City’s senior side which came during the club’s 6-1 win over Wycombe Wanderers in the Carabao Cup last month where he came on as a substitute in the second half.

Recently, it was reported that the Manchester club rejected an £8m bid from fellow Premier League club Brighton & Hove Albion for McAtee, with Crystal Palace and West Ham also apparently keeping tabs on the teenager, which just goes to show how eye-catching he has been in terms of what he’s been doing on the pitch.

Looking ahead to the future, we feel that McAtee, who is currently valued at £450k according to Transfermarkt, definitely has the ability to continue his development at City and become a regular player in the senior team.

With the number of goals and assists McAtee has managed to provide City’s youth teams, as well as being able to play in the central-midfield and centre-forward positions, we feel that the Englishman could well be a decent future replacement for Kevin De Bruyne. He has shown how much of an attacking threat he is for the club after scoring 69 goals and providing 107 assists in 269 games for City across all competitions, whilst also being able to play in similar positions as McAtee.

However, with De Bruyne’s current contract at City not set to expire until 2025, perhaps McAtee will have to make do with some sporadic first-team appearances for the time being, following a similar path as Phil Foden has done in terms of gradually making more first-team appearances as time goes on.

In other news: Man City handed double injury blow ahead of Liverpool clash, Guardiola will be gutted – opinion

Steven Gerrard is a ‘massive fan’ of Rangers star Ryan Kent and could potentially look to sign him for Aston Villa, according to journalist Pete O’Rourke.

The Lowdown: Kent continues to shine

The 25-year-old has been an excellent servant for the Gers, scoring 29 goals and registering 34 assists in 147 appearances for the club. The winger has been a little muted so far this season, netting just twice in the Premiership, but he remains an undisputed key player at Ibrox.

Kent’s current deal expires in the summer of 2023, however, so Rangers are running out of time to possibly receive a fee for his services.

The Latest: Journalist confirms Gerrard’s admiration

The 25-year-old has been linked with a move to Villa to join up with his former manager Gerrard, and speaking to GIVEMESPORT, O’Rourke reckons that the 41-year-old is very keen to try and reunite with the ex-Liverpool winger.

The journalist outlined: “Steven Gerrard is a massive fan of him, he’s spoken very highly of him during his time at Rangers. And Gerrard did get the best out of Ryan Kent, it’s fair to say, while he was up in charge of Rangers as well.”

The Verdict: Potential big blow

Losing Kent could be a hammer blow for Rangers, especially midway through the season, hampering their title defence in the process. The 25-year-old’s quality and end product out wide has been so influential for a number of years and he would be a tricky man for Giovanni van Bronckhorst to replace.

It is easy to see the appeal from Gerrard’s perspective, with Kent having excelled under him – he enjoyed 15 goal involvements in the league last season and was hailed as a “game changer” by his former boss – and he has now matured to an extent that he could be a force in the Premier League.

Judging by O’Rourke’s comments, don’t expect the links with Villa to subside any time soon.

In other news, some Rangers fans have gushed over one player’s claim. Read more here.

Tottenham Hotspur have been handed a boost in their bid to bring Stefan de Vrij to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in the summer transfer window.

What’s the talk?

That’s according to a claim made by Italian journalist Alfredo Pedulla (via Sport Witness), who revealed that, with Inter Milan pursuing a deal for Torino centre-back Gleison Bremer, the Serie A side have decided they would be willing to part with De Vrij at the end of the season.

Pedulla goes on to state that the centre-back himself has also come to the conclusion that he will not renew his current deal at the San Siro, something that is sure to come as a huge boost to Antonio Conte – who is reported to have requested the 30-year-old’s signing this summer.

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Speaking about the future of the Netherlands international, the journalist said: “In January, [Bremer] gave his word to Inter; there is a fictitious and unpublicised clause for the transfer at €25m-€30m (£21m-£25m). In my opinion, it should cost at least €40m (£33m) or more.

“I don’t know if there will be any quid pro quo, but the choice has been made, as has the transfer with De Vrij. There have been evaluations, and Inter have chosen Bremer. De Vrij will not renew his contract; we’ll see if he has requests from Tottenham or other teams.”

Conte’s dream Spurs signing

Considering the amount of success Conte enjoyed with De Vrij in the heart of his Inter Milan defence, the argument that the centre-back’s signing would be a dream deal for Fabio Paratici to get over the line this summer is a rather easy one to make.

Indeed, over his 32 Serie A appearances under the 52-year-old manager last season, the €30m (£25m) Dutchman was a key player within Inter’s title-winning side, helping the Nerazzurri keep 11 clean sheets, in addition to making an average of 1.3 interceptions, 0.9 tackles, 2.9 clearances, 57.4 passes and winning 3.3 duels – at a success rate of 60% – per game.

These metrics saw the £116k-per-week man who journalist Deep Dastardly dubbed a defender “in the Vertonghen mould” average a very impressive SofaScore match rating of 7.03, ranking him as Conte’s 10th-best player in the Italian top flight last time out.

And, with it being reported that a left-sided centre-back – the position in which De Vrij featured for the Spurs coach at Inter – will be Paratici’s priority in the summer transfer window, the suggestion that the 30-year-old will be available to sign is undoubtedly fantastic news for everyone involved with Spurs – not least Conte himself.

AND in other news: Time’s up: Gold drops update on “embarrassing” £115m Spurs talent, Conte must now act

Sunderland have now been gifted a double boost before they play Doncaster Rovers at home in League One this afternoon.

The Lowdown: Busy deadline day

The Stadium of Light faithful signed both Jermain Defoe and Jay Matete on Transfer Deadline Day in the hope that they will help them push for automatic promotion up to the Championship.

Their last outing was quite frankly an abysmal one, getting thumped 6-0 away from home by Bolton Wanderers, which ultimately resulted in Lee Johnson losing his job.

Mike Dodds will now take charge of the game against Doncaster, as the board continue their search for a permanent replacement.

The Latest: Defoe and Matete in squad

Speaking in his pre-game press conference ahead of the match, Dodds has now revealed that both Defoe and Matete will be in the squad for the clash:

“Both will be in the squad this weekend.

“Jay oozes quality and class and he will give us a different dimension in midfield, so he is a fantastic addition for the football club.

“It’s a big move for Jay and I have felt a little sorry for him because his arrival has been somewhat overshadowed by Jermain’s return, but I think he’s a very clever signing.

“We don’t really need to talk about Jermain’s quality, but the thing that has struck me, which shouldn’t surprise you but often does, is his human qualities.

“He’s come into the club with Under-23 staff overseeing the first team and treated everyone with the upmost respect – he has a real charisma in the way he holds and conducts himself.

“We know he will have big moments for the football club on the pitch throughout the remainder of the season.”

The Verdict: Double boost

To have both signings available straight away is certainly a double boost for Dodds and his team.

The qualities that Defoe possesses speaks for itself, having scored 37 goals in 93 matches over all competitions across three campaigns for the Black Cats in his previous spell (Transfermarkt), including a memorable winner at home to North East rivals Newcastle United in the Premier League in 2015.

Dodds also spoke very highly of Matete, who comes from fellow League One side Fleetwood Town, having made no fewer than 25 appearances for them in all competitions this term, scoring twice (Transfermarkt).

Nonetheless, both will no doubt strengthen the squad, and will be itching to make an instant impact this afternoon.

In other news, find out when SAFC fans can expect a manager announcement here!

Lots of Everton fans have been left gushing over some transfer news that has emerged on Bruno Guimaraes.

As per Football.London journalist Chris Wheatley, the Goodison Park faithful, as well as both Newcastle United and Arsenal, are now ‘monitoring’ the Brazil international ahead of a potential move in the January transfer window, although a summer exit from Lyon is ‘more likely’.

Guimaraes has been a mainstay in the Lyon team for the past two seasons, and has recently been adding assists to his game (call-ups to the Brazil squad.

Comparing his stats to both Abdoulaye Doucoure and Allan in their respective domestic leagues this term, Guimaraes is currently averaging more dribbles and key passes at a higher success rate (WhoScored), suggesting that he would be an upgrade for the Merseyside club in the middle of the park, at least in attacking sense.

Everton fans on Guimaraes transfer news

These Toffees supporters gushed as the transfer news was shared on Twitter, with one Blue saying they are ‘really excited’ by the news, while another said that he would be a ‘top signing’:

“Would be a top signing if we cant sort it”

Credit: @evertonfanatic

“Much needed”

Credit: @Rixzuh

“Now this would get me really excited very talented player indeed”

Credit: @toffee18781

“Ahhh about time we want one of Kia’s good clients. He’d be an excellent buy and would work perfectly alongside Allan and Doucoure in a 3.”

Credit: @siewakes20

“What a signing that’ll be”

Credit: @maxhornby14

“Now this player is superb.”

Credit: @BT_1878

In other news, find out what transfer update has Evertonians buzzing here!

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Kelsey Mooney could be the next player to make his way into the Aston Villa first-team.

The 20-year-old is back in the fold at Villa Park after returning from a loan spell with Cheltenham Town and will be out to make his way into Dean Smith’s plans.

A striker who can also play on the left wing, Mooney played nine times for Cheltenham in League Two, and scored once, while also providing an assist.

He has been in electric form for Villa’s youth team, too, scoring a total of 14 goals in 29 games for the Under-18s before making the step up to the Under-23s.

Even there, he has been hitting the back of the net, scoring five times in 27 outings, including a strike in a 5-1 thumping of Manchester United.

It should not be a surprise that Mooney is attempting to break through and make it as a striker, given that he is the son of Tommy Mooney.

Mooney Sr started off at Villa before embarking on something of a nomadic career where he played for the likes of Watford – for over seven years –  Swindon Town, Oxford United and UD Marbella.

He ended his career in 2008, having scored 185 professional goals, and his son admits that he was always likely to follow in his father’s footsteps.

Speaking to Gloucestershire Live in September, he said: “Yes, 100 per cent. I used to go and watch all of his games, for many years, so watching it day in, day out and even going to training with him sometimes, it just had to happen.”

His father is now loans manager at Villa and will have had significant input into Mooney’s move to Cheltenham, where he scored his first senior goal.

He will surely not be getting any favours as he looks to rise through the ranks for Villa but his goalscoring record is such that Mooney may not need them.

Villa have a long track record of promoting from within, with the likes of Jack Grealish and Andre Green two academy graduates currently playing for the first-team.

As Villa’s season progresses, and the club looks to lighten the load on Tammy Abraham, the current top scorer with 20 goals, don’t be surprised to see Mooney called into the first-team squad.

After all, goals are in his blood.

Queens Park Rangers will be hoping to get back to winning ways when they welcome Nottingham Forest to Loftus Road for their Championship clash this evening.

The Hoops are without a victory in their last two outings in all competitions after a last-minute defeat against Peterborough United was followed by a penalty shoot-out loss at the hands of Sunderland last time out.

Misses from Charlie Austin, Ilias Chair and Yoann Barbet saw the capital club get knocked out of the Carabao Cup last-16 in midweek after their League One opponents held them to a goalless draw in the 90 minutes.

Manager Mark Warburton made several alterations for the Tuesday night encounter, though, and the experienced tactician is likely to recall multiple key names for the visit of Forest.

With that in mind, here’s how Football FanCast expects the 59-year-old to line up in a few hours’ time, with six changes from the side that started against the Black Cats…

In goal, first-choice shot-stopper Seny Dieng is set to keep his place between the sticks despite keeping just four clean sheets in his 16 appearances this season.

Ahead of the Senegal international is likely to be a familiar back three, with Barbet and Rob Dickie partnering the returning Jimmy Dunne to complete QPR’s defensive unit.

However, Warburton is expected the wring the changes in the midfield. He handed out chances to Osman Kakay and Luke Amos against Sunderland, while Moses Odubajo also featured from the off.

But the trio are set to be replaced by Dominic Ball, Albert Adomah and Sam McCallum, with club captain Stefan Johansen completing the engine room.

The promising Chris Willock is also set to take a place on the bench, allowing Ilias Chair to return to his preferred No.10 position, and the £3.6m-rated Andre Gray is set to follow suit, allowing Scotland international Lyndon Dykes to partner Charlie Austin up front.

And, in other news…Lost possession 22x: QPR lightweight who won 0 duels let Warburton down vs Sunderland 

As per football.london’s Alasdair Gold, Antonio Conte is now personally working to convince Hugo Lloris to remain at the club beyond next summer.

The Lowdown: Lloris’ contract expiry

Since arriving at Spurs in 2012, goalkeeper Hugo Lloris has played 388 matches for the club, keeping 132 clean sheets. The Frenchman is considered to be to be having one of his greatest seasons yet, having conceded just 17 goals in 14 Premier League games for Tottenham despite some patches of perilous form from the team as a whole.

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However, the club captain has just over six months remaining on his contract. This means he will be able to speak to foreign clubs in January about free transfer in the summer.

As the skipper is turning 35 later this year, it is not hard to imagine why Daniel Levy and co. may want to refrain from handing out another deal.

The Latest: Conte working on it

As per football.london, Conte has been a fan of the shot-stopper since arriving at Tottenham and so hopes that the France international will stay put.

It has been reported that it is Conte who has spoken directly with Lloris about the contract situation, as he looks to sort a solution with the player.

Behind the scenes, the Italian manager has made it clear that he is keen to keep the 34-year-old beyond next summer, and Spurs are hopeful that the ‘Conte effect’ will convince Lloris to come to a reasonable agreement.

The Verdict: Lloris crucial to Spurs

Conte has not been in charge long but he clearly already knows that Lloris is crucial to the team – as a captain and as a player. The World Cup winner was previously hailed as ‘fantastic’ by former manager Mauricio Pochettino, and it seems Conte has the same opinion.

Lloris has previously stated that he wishes to spend his final years playing back in France, whilst the player has also been linked with a move to the MLS. However, after seemingly winning over everyone at Hotspur Way, Conte will hopefully be able to do so with Lloris.

The club captain doesn’t appear to be anywhere near past his best, says Gold’s report, and the last thing the Lilywhites need is more uncertainty and disruption in defence by losing such an experienced figure.

Glasgow Rangers have been dealt a potentially huge injury blow regarding Ianis Hagi.

What’s the latest?

In recent comments cited by Football Scotland, Giovanni van Bronckhorst dropped an update on the injury picked up by the 23-year-old in the 13th minute of Rangers’ 4-0 Scottish Cup win over Stirling Albion on Friday night, with the forward appearing to take a knock to his knee in a collision with Jordan McGregor.

Speaking about the condition of the Romania international, the 46-year-old said: “He’s okay, he had a problem so we have to wait to see what he actually has but so far I can’t say anything about the injury.”

Fans will be fuming

With one of Rangers’ biggest games of the season coming up on February 2, namely the Old Firm derby, the Ibrox faitful will be fuming if Hagi is ruled out of that game as a result of an injury picked up against Scottish League Two side Stirling.

Indeed, the £6.3m-rated winger has been one of the Gers’ best performers over his 15 Premiership appearances so far this season, having already scored two goals and created two big chances for his side, as well as taking 2.4 shots and making 1.5 key passes per game.

These returns have seen the £21k-per-week Romanian average a SofaScore match rating of 7.10, ranking him as Van Bronckhorst’s seventh-best performer in the Scottish top flight.

As such, it is clear for all to see that Rangers are a much weaker side without Hagi, with the absence of the 23-year-old from the Gers’ upcoming trip to Parkhead potentially reducing their chances of taking all three points back across the city. Such an outcome could well have disastrous consequences in the Light Blues’ bid to retain their Premiership title this season, so the fan base won’t be pleased to hear of him being injured in a one-sided cup clash so close to the derby.

In other news: Van Bronckhorst must avoid a Rangers repeat of Pena disaster with South American dud, fans would be fuming

Leeds United have big plans for the summer transfer window…

What’s the word?

That’s according to Eurosport transfer insider Dean Jones, who delivered a pretty big bombshell to GIVEMESPORT this week, where he revealed:

“They have huge ambition and they’re going to be big hitters – they feel – in the transfer market, maybe from the summer.

“They certainly will be by this time next year.

“They think they can be going for some big names, but they couldn’t really buy those players in January.”

Time will tell

It remains to be seen exactly who the Yorkshire giants could target heading into next season, especially with uncertainty in the dugout. Marcelo Bielsa’s contract is set to expire and there is yet to be any indication whether he will stay or leave.

That makes recruitment somewhat harder for Victor Orta as he’ll need to sign the right players for whoever is in charge of the Whites.

One name that seems certain to join is RB Salzburg midfielder Brenden Aaronson as the club looks to tap into the American market with a hugely promising midfielder. TEAMtalk believe Leeds are confident of tying up a deal despite having two bids rejected in January.

That influence from across the pond from the San Francisco 49ers Enterprises could play a big part in the aforementioned transfer plans as they have the financial clout to make substantial moves in the transfer market, whereas current chairman Andrea Radrizzani doesn’t.

As of November 2021, the group have increased their share of the club to 44%, so it’s only a matter of time before they take over fully from the Italian supremo.

Either way, you’d have to say it’s an exciting time to be a Leeds supporter right now and this “huge” claim from Jones is only going to raise expectations and enthusiasm heading into the rest of 2022.

The Elland Road faithful must be thrilled by this update.

AND in other news, Lifeline: Bielsa’s £34k-p/w Leeds passenger a big winner from January transfer window…