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According to reports in the Daily Mail, Everton are one of the Premier League clubs considering making a summer move for Aston Villa midfielder Jack Grealish, who is valued at £40m by the Championship outfit according to Sky Sports.

The Daily Mail says that Villa need to sell players this summer in order to stay in line with FFP regulations having been beaten by Fulham in the play-off final at Wembley last weekend, and the 22-year-old is one of their most valuable assets.

The report says that the Toffees, along with Leicester City and West Ham United, are all keen on the England U21 international, who scored three goals and provided a further five assists in 27 league games to help Villa secure a top-six finish.

The arrival of Grealish, who usually played in the centre and provided runs from deep but can also play wide on the left, at Goodison Park would certainly have plenty of consequences in terms of new manager Marco Silva, the formation, their current players and the fans, who don’t believe the club need to sign a Euro 2016 winner this summer.

Here are three things that will definitely happen if Everton seal the huge £40m deal…

The new Toffees boss proved with the likes of Richarlison, Nathaniel Chalobah and Will Hughes during his time with Watford that he can get the best out of young and promising individuals, and there is no reason why the same won’t happen in Grealish arrives at Goodison Park.

The 22-year-old has a similar playing style to Hughes as he is cultured on the ball and capable of making those strong forward runs from a deep-lying position in the middle of the park, and Silva will know exactly how to make sure he thrives for the Merseyside outfit.

While Everton will hope to get Grealish for less than £40m if they do push ahead with a move to sign him, it seems certain that he will be in starting XI at the beginning of next season if he does arrive on Merseyside in a big-money deal.

The England U21 international would obviously need to prove himself in pre-season and would have plenty of competition from the likes of Gylfi Sigurdsson, Tom Davies and Yannick Bolasie, but the fact that he can play in a range of different positions should ensure he is named on the team-sheet when the new campaign gets underway on the weekend of August 9-12.

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The 2017 summer signing from Ajax may well have been hoping for a second chance to impress under Silva next season following a disastrous debut campaign at Goodison Park where he found himself largely excluded from proceedings by Ronald Koeman, David Unsworth and Sam Allardyce.

However, the arrival of Grealish, who primarily plays in a similar position to the Dutchman, would surely seal his fate once and for all, and bring an end to what has been a nightmare spell on Merseyside for the 25-year-old who arrived with such promise and potential.

Do you agree, Everton fans? Let us know below.

Everyone’s linked to Malcom.

Arsenal’s seeming Euro-dabble of choice to replace Alexis Sanchez perhaps puts them at the front of the queue this week, whilst Tottenham and Liverpool have been linked, too.

In such a situation, you could envisage a scenario where all were interested in his signature, but wanted to wait until the summer to make a move. With Arsenal’s current pressing need to replace the Chilean winger who looks set to depart, either they’re now in pole position, or they’ve forced the hand of their top six rivals to act as soon as possible.

Either way, it’s a lot of fuss about a player not many people in England will have paid much attention to, barring a few mentions in gossip columns and a passing glance at Ligue 1 for most. That’s a shame, though. Because Malcom deserves a closer look. We might well get one this month, but whatever happens this is a player with some potential.

Only 20 years old, he signed for Bordeaux from Corinthians two years ago where he had already amassed dozens of senior appearances. Since then, he’s been growing in stature and since the end of last season, he’s been playing a crucial role for his team.

He’s pacey, direct and tricky, as you might expect from a Brazilian attacker who’s making the headlines around Europe. As a result, any one of the top six teams might be willing to take a punt on him given it’s not quite as risky as it would be were he, say, a centre back.

From the Brazilian’s point of view, though, there’s much to consider. When your name seems to be linked with all the big clubs, making the right choice is vital – so many have failed in that one small matter over the years.

Do you join Arsenal, the club who may be the most willing to take your immediately? They’re the lowest ranked of the top six and are currently stagnating. On the other hand, that might give you the chance not only to make an instant impact, but to become a fan favourite overnight.

Indeed, if this is to be Arsene Wenger’s final season in charge, who knows what might happen at the club next season. It could – on a very optimistic reading – be the perfect time to rock up at the Emirates.

Liverpool, too, would seem to be a good bet for minutes. Despite being just 20 years old himself, Dominic Solanke has already made 14 Premier League appearances for Jurgen Klopp’s side this season even if most are from the bench and the cumulative minutes on the pitch is just a little over 300.

But that’s all down to the extreme squad rotation that Klopp has employed so far this season. As competitions like the Champions League and FA Cup take precedence over the league – where the Reds will still have to make sure of Champions League qualification – that might be a chance to really get into the team despite the form of Roberto Firmino, Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane.

And then there’s Tottenham. If you’re looking for a club who will develop youth, you could do far worse than find a club with Mauricio Pochettino in charge. And, indeed, Spurs could be doing with a pacey player with a bit of flair about him. That’s arguably the final piece of the Tottenham jigsaw.

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So what do you do when you’re just a lowly wonderkid with the world at his feet? Which path do you choose? It’s clear that he’ll add something to each of the three sides who are said to be after his signature, and all he’ll have to do, then, is shine once he gets there.

If it’s a three-way battle, do you gamble that Arsenal is a club suffering at the moment but with potential very soon? Do you attempt to break into a front three he’d fit very well but might not be able to dislodge for the biggest games at Liverpool? Or do you go with Tottenham hoping that Mauricio Pochettino develops you just like he did with Dele Alli, and not like Clinton N’Jie or Georges-Kevin N’Koudou?

Doom and gloom seems to very much be the order of the day when talking about England’s World Cup hopes recently. Injury to Theo Walcott in the recent North London derby was for some the final straw, and has left many with little hope going into a pivotal year on the international stage.

I don’t contest that the injury to the Arsenal winger was anything but a major blow, but given the plethora of young talent looking to break through isn’t this a huge opportunity?

The name on everyone’s lips following a series of sensational recent performances is that of Raheem Sterling. The talented 19 year old has been on the cusp of breaking through with just the sole full international cap to date, but if recent form is anything to go by this could all be about to change.

Sterling has been an integral part of the Liverpool title charge, and it is his pace and cutting edge that have seen the ‘Reds’ tear apart opposition in the blink of an eye. At 19 he is clearly a player that needs nurturing, but on merit his inclusion on the plane to Rio is a must.

His club captain Steven Gerrard echoed this sentiment in a recent Telegraph interview:

“He’s in top form at a fantastic time,” Gerrard said. “I’m obviously disappointed for Theo with his injury but I’m sure Roy Hodgson is looking out for who is going to replace him and Raheem’s performances of late have been sensational.

“There are many candidates. Aaron Lennon’s playing well. There is Andros Townsend and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain’s back, but if you are looking at like-for-like – pace down the wing and someone who can make, score and create – then Raheem has got a fantastic chance.”

If there were a squad announcement next week, it would be hard for Hodgson not to select the precocious Sterling. With his near rivals only just returning form injury, it has been the Liverpool based winger who has shone and staked him claim. But the problem for Sterling in what has so far been a short career has always been consistency. Dogged by off-field dramas throughout, it is unsurprising that Rodgers has treated his development with caution. Yet ever since his dropping back down to the U21’s we have seen a totally different side to Sterling, especially in domestic football.

His 16 Premier League appearances this term have returned 3 goals with a remarkable 24 clear-cut chances created. Rather than the volatility of old, we are starting to see the young Englishman turn in performances week in and week out. With the likes of Lennon and Townsend still struggling for regular game time as well as failing to produce on weekly basis this could be the time for Sterling to nail down a place.

Gerrard was again quick to underline the way in which Sterling is beginning to deal with his meteoric rise to stardom a little better:

“You’ve got to understand his age. He’s learning the game. He’s got a fantastic manager to help him through that,” he said.

“He’s only 19 and you are going to suffer a dip in form. Who doesn’t have a dip at 19 years of age? But the mark of a good player and how good any player is going to be is how they come back from that. Can he react? To come back the way he has, he’s been one of our most consistent players in the last couple of months. He’s been brilliant.

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“I think he knows what the situation is. I said to him after the Stoke game ‘if you keep your performance at that level and you are going to make it very difficult for Roy Hodgson not to take you’.”

Sterling clear has the talent to be a star for club and country, but as he finally starts to knuckle down under the excellent tutelage at Liverpool is it finally time he gets that regular call from England?

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When Liverpool take on Udinese in the Europa League tonight at Anfield, one Italian desperate to impress will be Liverpool’s new striker Fabio Borini.

The 21-year-old became Brendan Rodgers first signing in the summer, but goals have been hard to come by thus far, netting just once in a Europa League qualifier against Belursian side FC Gomel in August.

Liverpool fans are not quite sure what to make of their new number 29, unsure whether he has been bought as a wide man or a central striker.

It seems Brendan Rodgers and perhaps even Borini himself also remain unsure.

He has been in and out of the side since his summer move, most often featuring on the right of a front three. During Liverpool’s recent draw with Sunderland he started as the central striker, and gave arguably his best performance since his summer move, looking a constant threat and only being denied his first Premier League goal by some fine goalkeeping.

During Liverpool’s recent 5-3 victory over Young Boys, he tipped the balance of play in Liverpool’s favour. With his side trailing 3-2, he came off the bench to play in that central striker role, and his hard work and movement caused all sorts of problems. Liverpool ran out 5-3 winners.

But when featuring in the wide positions Borini has struggled. In the home matches against Manchester City, Arsenal and Manchester United he was virtually anonymous, and was let down by his final ball or finish when in decent positions.

What you can say for the Italian is that he does not lack passion or confidence. He has been seeing geeing up the crowd at every available opportunity, and celebrates each goal his side score as if its the winner in a World Cup final.

He has come out this week and said he is confident his goal drought will end sooner rather than later, saying : “it is just a matter of time”.

Brendan Rodgers is convinced Liverpool have got themselves a top player who is only going to improve.

“He is a young player I know very well and over time he will only get better and better,” Rodgers said.

“He is a good kid who wants to work and there is no doubt over the coming years he will prove to be a very good player for the club.”

It will be interesting to see if Borini features in his favourite position as a central striker tonight, as Rodgers will look to shuffle his pack once more.

The pressure is on for Liverpool’s strikers to fire following the departure of Andy Carroll, with Luis Suarez currently thriving in his role as Liverpool’s main man.

However Borini needs to start chipping in sooner rather than later. Let us not forget he is only 21 years of age, and started slowly at Roma last season, before firing ten league goals in the second half of the campaign.

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Rodgers needs to do all he can to help his young forward and give him a run in the side playing as a central striker. A first Premier League goal could open the floodgates, but it is unlikely to come soon if he is continues to be shafted out wide.

The Europa League campaign could be seen as a chance to really show what he can do, playing in his favoured position.

Playing against European teams without the physicality of a Premier League side could be the opportunity he needs to score some goals and gain further confidence.

There have been some encouraging signs to suggest Liverpool have got themselves a decent player for the future, which is what he should be seen as at present. Goals are what’s missing to prove they have a decent player for the present.

What do you think of Fabio Borini? Follow me on Twitter @LukeGreenwood89 and let me know your thoughts. 

It is safe to say that Moussa Sissoko is not the most loved figure at Tottenham Hotspur.

The midfielder was under immediate pressure when he signed for the club from Newcastle United on deadline day in the summer of 2016 for a £30m fee.

However, he was unable to impress and struggled to hold down a place in Mauricio Pochettino’s team.

When he did venture out onto the field, he struggled to win over the fans with his performances.

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This season, the 28-year-old started 15 Premier League games and came off the bench in a further 18.

Sissoko has often been criticised by the fans for not making an impact when on the pitch, so it did not come as a huge surprise that he was not selected to represent France at the World Cup.

The former Newcastle United player has, though, been included on the reserve list for the tournament.

Once Didier Deschamps announced his squad for Russia, Tottenham fans posted sarcastic and playful comments regarding Sissoko’s axe.

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As reported by The Daily Mail, Southampton are interested in signing Arsenal forward Theo Walcott in the January transfer window.

What’s the story?

Southampton are perilously close to the relegation zone in the English Premier League and at the heart of their problems is a lack of edge in attacking, having scored just 21 times in 22 league matches so far this season.

In order to help solve that, Saints are lining up a move for a former player, Arsenal attacker Theo Walcott.

That’s according to The Daily Mail, who say Arsenal rate the soon to be out-of-contract player at a staggering £25m.

While that may be too rich for Southampton, even in the wake of Virgil van Dijk’s move to Liverpool, the paper say that Saints are hoping to negotiate that price down to one that will suit all parties.

Is he the answer to Southampton’s troubles?

Quality addition

It’s been almost 12 years since Walcott made his high profile move from Southampton to Arsenal and since then he’s had his fair share of ups and downs at the Gunners, ultimately becoming a fringe player in Arsene Wenger’s squad.

He’s featured little this season, making just five Premier League appearances, all of which have come from the bench.

Nonetheless he has still contributed when called upon and in the UEFA Europa League has three goals and five assists to his name this season in just five appearances, highlighting he still has an attacking quality that could enhance the Southampton starting eleven. Last season he scored 19 goals for his side and at 28 years of age is far from finished.

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If he could produce that kind of contribution at St Mary’s, it could be the difference between relegation and staying up, making him an attractive proposition this January whatever the cost.

Arsene Wenger’s one-year contract policy for player’s over thirty used to be criticised, often fiercely. Some were of the view that Wenger was neglecting the value of experience, especially in the post-Highbury youth project.

Though it would be wrong to say Wenger always got it wrong, in fact more often than not he was right. There are exceptions: Gilberto Silva had a lot more to offer the club when he was moved on 2008, and not just because he was one of three defensive midfielders the team lost that year. But the positive about Wenger is that he seems to know when players are declining, even if it isn’t obvious to everyone else.

You could almost forget that Bacary Sagna is 30, and by the time his current contract runs out he’ll be 31. There has been a dip in form over the past year, but that was indicative of the injury problems Sagna has suffered and not of his advancing years. He provides stability, both in defence and away from the pitch in the dressing room. He’s a model pro, staying quiet and on form while the exodus of major stars took place. He’s the type of figure almost every club would value, and it’s clear, as even at his age, the powers in France are showing an interest.

But it’s not just that. The value of a player is told by his relationship with the supporters. There is still an immense bond between Sagna and the Arsenal fan base. There would have been little said had he received the captain’s armband following Robin van Persie’s departure. Retaining such a figure will only help to maintain the good feeling at the club.

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The thing is, Wenger works by what he feels is right, and not by outside pressures. There would be a lot of frustration if the club fails to offer Sagna an extension of more than just a year, and many will be mindful of the fact that Carl Jenkinson isn’t quite up to standard to be a regular in the XI, regardless of his promising performances.

From a footballing perspective, it makes sense to keep Sagna as long as possible. With very little else in the way of players coming through the academy, it can’t be said that Sagna is blocking the development of others, while even Jenkinson will experience a safer and less troublesome journey over the next few years with Sagna as the veteran figure ahead of him.

But as has been said, Wenger knows when the time is right. There are no comparisons to be made between those who have been sold prior to reaching their peak years, but rather the older heads who were either past their prime or flat out declining. Following Thierry Henry’s departure, the rest of the team were liberated and produced some of the best football under Wenger. With the case of the right-back position, Arsenal are known to have been tracking Sime Vrsaljko, who came up through the academy at Dinamo Zagreb but moved to Genoa in the summer.

It may not be the most popular decision if the club do decide that Sagna’s services are no longer required, but with Wenger and his team, there has to be faith that there is something in the works. When it comes to outgoing transfers, Wenger rarely gets it wrong.

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Should fans have faith in Wenger’s decision?

Join the debate below

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Alan Pardew believes there is no issue between himself and Demba Ba, despite his decision to drop the striker against Everton seemingly sparked a public fall-out.

Newcastle boss, Pardew claims Ba’a agent was misquoted in the row and all is fine on Tyneside as the Senegalese frontman scored in the Geordies’ 1-0 win over Norwich.

Stories broke last week that Ba’s agent Alex Gontran had claimed his client would leave Newcastle if not regularly starting, but the ex West Ham boss claims this is untrue. The 51 year old said to The Journal, “Demba lead from start to finish, not just his goal, in the dressing room.

“Everything about him was top drawer. There has been so much nonsense written about it. I spoke to his agent, who sent me an email saying he got misquoted and I actually believe him. I’m not usually one to believe agents that much, but I do on this occasion.

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“I think Demba’s anger has been generated in the right way to improve for Newcastle United and there’s no way Demba can play every game for Newcastle United this season.”

Wayne Rooney’s, expected move to MLS side, D.C. United is reportedly on hold after Everton sacked manager Sam Allardyce, according to The Sun.

Rooney spent the season with boy-hood club Everton, scoring 11 goals for the club and finishing as the team’s top scorer in the league.

However the ex-United striker struggled to find the net in the second half of the season amid rumours that he had a poor relationship with Allardyce – who was brought in mid-season to replace Ronald Koeman.

But with Allardyce out of the picture, Rooney reportedly wants to wait to speak to the new manager before deciding on his future, with D.C United rumoured to be ready to offer the Everton man a £300,000 a week contract.

Rooney showed with his performances that he still has the pedigree to offer value and goals in the Premier League and the five time Premier League winner could yet still stay with Everton.

Everton supporters have been reacting to the news all day on social media. Here is a selection of some of the best reactions…

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Celtic supporters have taken to social media to display the delight following the news that former defender Virgil van Dijk has agreed a £75m move to Liverpool.

The Scotsman is reporting that Celtic instituted a sell-on clause when they allowed the Dutchman to join Southampton in 2015, and now they stand to earn around £7.5m following Wednesday’s announcement.

Celtic are expected to use the funds attained from the clause to reinvest in their squad in the forthcoming January transfer window. The Glasgow giants have won the league for the previous six seasons in succession, and they’re vying to extend that record to seven consecutive titles.

They’re currently positioned at the top of the Scottish Premiership, ten points ahead of their nearest rivals, Aberdeen.

The Celtic faithful have turned towards Twitter to express their delight at the news that the club will be receiving a sizeable amount of money in light of the Van Dijk sale…