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Crystal Palace must revive their interest in PSV Eindhoven winger Noni Madueke over the coming months after missing out on him in the previous window.

What’s the story?

The Eagles were one of several Premier League sides heavily linked with a move for the highly-rated 19-year-old in the summer after he enjoyed a breakout campaign in 2020/21.

However, Madueke decided to turn down interest from his homeland and sign a new contract at the Philips Stadion, committing his future to the Eredivisie giants until 2025.

Despite the teenager putting pen to paper on fresh terms with PSV, the Dutch outfit are a selling club, and their prized assets are always available for the right price, meaning Palace would be wise to resurrect their interest in the England U21 international.

Crystal Palace must revive interest

After leaving Tottenham Hotspur back in 2018 in search of regular first-team minutes, Madueke, who is valued at £16.2m, has established himself as one of Dutch football’s most exciting prospects.

The London-born attacker contributed nine goals and eight assists in 32 appearances for them last term, catching the eye of several impressed onlookers, including his former national team manager Aidy Boothroyd.

“He’s certainly a very talented young man, really excited to be called up by the Under 21s, and a little bit like Phil (Foden) last time, nobody had really heard of him until he came and played in the tournament,” said Boothroyd ahead of the European Championships.

“They knew a little bit about him, but that set him off on a trajectory, and we’re hoping Noni can create even more positive attention for the way that they play. He’s got a lovely infectious character that comes out even over the phone.”

And he appears to have elevated his game to new heights this time around. In just 14 appearances for Roger Schmidt’s side, Madueke has bagged six goals and provided one assist, highlighting his incredible potential and ruthlessness in attack.

With Palace’s squad lacking a natural right-winger following the departure of Andros Townsend, chairman Steve Parish must swoop for Madueke over the next couple of transfer windows, providing Patrick Vieira with a balanced attack.

And, in other news…75% duels won, 96 touches: Palace monster shines on the international stage 

Liverpool are looking to snap up versatile Celtic youngster Ben Doak, according to The Daily Record’s Scott Burns.

The Lowdown: Doak profiled

Doak is just 16 years of age and was recently on the bench for Ange Postecoglou’s first team against St Johnstone prior to the winter break.

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Transfermarkt have him classified as a midfielder, FlashScore as a forward and The Glasgow Evening Times as a full-back or a winger, making Doak an extremely versatile player.

He is yet to pen professional terms at Parkhead, though, and it seems as if he could be the latest Hoops starlet to move on before making a senior Celtic debut.

The Latest: Burns’ claim

Burns shared an update regarding Doak for the Daily Record on Saturday afternoon, claiming that the Reds are looking at a compensation deal for the 16-year-old.

However, Celtic are trying to stop a move to Merseyside and are aiming to convince the teenager to agree a long-term contract in Glasgow.

The Verdict: Not ideal

The Hoops have lost a number of talented youngsters over the years, with Leo Hjelde a recent example of a player to depart without making a senior appearance for Celtic before going on to make a first team breakthrough for Leeds United.

Mitchel Frame is another Parkhead academy starlet who has been linked with a Premier League switch, and it seems as if Doak could also now leave.

The pull of the Premier League appears to be too much for these young talents to resist, but hopefully CEO Michael Nicholson and Postecoglou can persuade Doak to commit his future to Celtic.

In other news: £12m Celtic trio now set to leave Parkhead over the next 7 days, journalist claims.  

Sky Sports reporter Michael Bridge has told Football FanCast there have been murmurings about a possible late deadline day move to Everton for Matt Doherty.

Doherty joined Tottenham from Wolves last summer in a £15m deal, but failed to show the kind of form that made him one of the best attacking full-backs in the Premier League at Molineux.

He did make 13 starts in the league last season but has already slipped behind Japhet Tanganga in the right-back pecking order despite reuniting with Nuno Espirito Santo following his appointment in north London.

Doherty hasn’t started a league game this season, playing just seven minutes overall, with the Conference League likely to be his best pathway for regular minutes.

Emerson Royal’s arrival is expected to reduce Doherty’s chances even further of breaking into Santo’s side, and therefore Bridge revealed that a shock move to Everton could be on the cards.

He told Football FanCast:

“I’ve not heard anything yet, but there have been murmurings of Everton, but I don’t know if there’s anything in it. But I do wonder if he’s been touted about, and a club might go ‘well give him a go’.”

Pedro Porro looks set to be the next player to leave Manchester City on a permanent deal, with the right-back reportedly close to signing for Sporting Lisbon, which could prove to be a huge mistake by the Citizens in the future.

What’s the word?

City are clearly trying to move on a large number of fringe players in order to afford a move for Tottenham Hotspur striker Harry Kane this summer, and it seems as if Porro will be the next out of the door.

The Spanish defender spent last season on loan with Sporting Lisbon and was hugely impressive, so it is no surprise that the Liga NOS champions are close to signing him permanently, with Portuguese news outlet Record claiming (via Sport Witness) that everything is agreed for Porro to sign on a deal until 2025.

Did Man City let Porro down?

Porro was signed for £11m by Manchester City in 2019 but hasn’t made a single appearance for the club during his time at the Etihad Stadium, spending each of the last two seasons out on loan.

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The 21-year-old suggested recently that Pep Guardiola has not spoken to him once during his two years as a City player, so it is no surprise that he is being cashed in on this summer; and you could definitely argue that City have failed to properly accommodate the youngster following his move from Girona.

Selling him could also prove to be a huge mistake in the future, as Porro was a key player for Sporting Lisbon last season as they won the title, making 30 appearances in the Portuguese top flight. He contributed three goals and three assists, averaging an impressive 7.17 rating from WhoScored for his performances.

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Although Guardiola has Kyle Walker and Joao Cancelo available to him as right-back options, the former is 31 now, and Porro could perhaps have been the long-term replacement for the Englishman at the Etihad. You could definitely argue that Txiki Begiristain is making a mistake in letting the youngster leave permanently.

In other news… Man City could unleash their next Sane in “incredible” academy talent

Frank McAvennie has now dropped a big claim on the potential takeover of Newcastle United following the Competition Appeal Tribunal (CAT) hearing.

The Lowdown: CAT case underway

The CAT case between the St. James’ Park faithful and the Premier League over the stalled takeover deal with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) consortium got underway on Wednesday morning.

In a revelation cited by The Daily Telegraph, the North East club were threatened with expulsion from the top flight, and their separate arbitration case will now take place on 3rd January.

The Latest: McAvennie on takeover

Speaking to Football Insider, former Celtic and West Ham United striker McAvennie, 61, has claimed that the takeover will go through, as the Premier League have been put under too much pressure:

“Ashley has done everything.

“He gave a price, he got the price, he’s ready to sell. It’s just the Premier League now.

“I’m sure they will get it done now. There is too much pressure on the league now.

“I think the takeover will go through and that will be really exciting for Newcastle fans, they deserve it.

“They have agreed to sell the club, who are the Premier League to interject in that?”

The Verdict: Arbitration key

There is no doubt that the arbitration hearing is now key for the direction of where the takeover is heading.

The top flight certainly seem to be feeling the heat after threatening the Tyneside outfit with expulsion, and so it makes the proceedings next year more interesting.

Nonetheless, the whole takeover saga has been going on for far too long now, and so a swift conclusion is needed for all of the parties involved in the deal, which should come after the arbitration process has finished.

In other news, find out what an inside source has revealed about Steve Bruce’s future here!

Wolverhampton Wanderers skipper Conor Coady came under fire during his side’s season opener away to Leicester City. 

It was Bruno Lage’s first competitive game in charge of Wolves after he succeeded Nuno Espirito Santo in the dugout during the summer.

He set out his team in a 3-4-3 formation, with Coady at the heart of the back three, flanked by Max Kilman on the right and Romain Saiss on the left.

Could Coady have prevented Leicester’s opener?

Wolves fell behind just four minutes before half-time as Jamie Vardy opened his account for the season.

Ricardo Pereira, near the corner flag on the right-hand side, fired in a low cross and Vardy was able to get across the front of Coady and divert the ball into the roof of the net on the volley.

The 28-year-old Woles captain earned a SofaScore rating of 6.7 out of 10 for his performance at the King Power Stadium. He played all 90 minutes, recorded 45 touches and lost possession six times.

These Wolves fans slam Coady

A number of Wolves man on Twitter were not happy with the skipper’s display, with one irate fan saying that the defender was “stood in concrete” during the first half.

“Fuming man. Adama absolutely has to score and Coady is a disgrace”

Credit: @adenwwfc_

“Coady stood in concrete as per, BUY A CB JEFF”

Credit: @kylecoyle_

“Coady just let his man run across him for that goal, absolute schoolboy defending”

Credit: @FurlongOisin

“How are Coady and Saiss anywhere near this squad – oh wait, we need to sign some players”

Credit: @craigwwfc35

“Coady has to go man. And stop with these inverted wingers, they don’t work”

Credit: @GeorgeTheStud

“If Mosquera doesn’t bench Coady I will lose all hope for this team”

Credit: @capzwwfc

In other news, Wolves have held talks over a deal for this midfielder. 

Everton have been linked with a move for Feyenoord midfielder Guus Til ahead of the upcoming January transfer window as manager Rafa Benitez looks to bolster his threadbare forward line.

What’s the story?

According to TEAMtalk, the Toffees are weighing up a move for the 23-year-old, although they’re set to face extensive competition for his signature, with Wolves, West Ham United, Southampton, Crystal Palace, Brighton, Brentford and Watford also listed as potential suitors.

Til moved to Feyenoord on loan from Spartak Moscow in the summer, and although the Russian outfit have a recall clause in Til’s loan deal, Arne Slot’s charges are desperate not to lose him halfway through the campaign.

Imagine him and Calvert-Lewin

After rising through the ranks at boyhood club AZ Alkmaar, Til became one of the hottest properties in Dutch football, prompting Spartak to splash £15m on the attacker back in 2019.

However, things didn’t go to plan for the 6 foot 1 dynamo during his time at the capital club.

In his 23 appearances for Spartak throughout his maiden campaign at the Otkritie Bank Arena, Til managed just two goals and four assists, prompting a season-long loan move to Freiburg next term.

But his spell in the Bundesliga also ended in major disappointment after he failed to establish himself in the first-team squad, making just seven league outings during 2020/21.

Nevertheless, a return to his homeland has allowed the Netherlands international to recapture his best form and showcase his true potential on a regular basis once again.

Til has proved his doubters wrong by notching up a remarkable 15 strikes and three assists in 28 games for Feyenoord, playing a pivotal part in their rise to third in the Eredivisie table.

He bagged a brace in an enthralling 5-3 victory over NEC Nijmegen earlier in the campaign, and his second was a stunning strike following a trademark burst into the penalty area, earning praise from several impressed onlookers.

“I knew in advance he was capable of scoring goals but what he mainly brings is an unbelievable willpower and running ability when the opponent has the ball,” said Slot (as relayed by Rijnmond).

Despite his eye-catching exploits, the Feyenoord hierarchy have already resigned themselves to losing the Til in the near future as they’re unable to match the creative talent’s wage demands.

“(Til) will eventually go back to Moscow, that’s what has been agreed between the three parties involved,” adds director Frank Arnesen. “He has a salary in Moscow that Feyenoord can’t come close to. He deserved that.”

And the £4.5m-rated gem could form a formidable partnership with Everton striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin, should he make the switch to Merseyside this winter. After all, this is a player who has scored 52 times in his senior career to date.

Calvert-Lewin has become the Blues’ star striker in recent years, notching up 39 goals in his last 83 appearances, and the added creativity and firepower that Til would bring may see that strike rate increase even further.

Therefore, Benitez must swoop for Til in January, potentially securing the extra quality he needs to turn Everton’s disappointing season around.

And, in other news…“What I’m hearing…”: Greg O’Keeffe drops big Everton update, fans surely buzzing

Nottingham Forest have reportedly reignited their interest in Blackpool winger Josh Bowler with the 23-year-old subject to Premier League interest too.

What’s the latest?

According to Football League World, the Reds are ready to make a fresh attempt to lure the Englishman away from Bloomfield Road after a failed attempt in January with Leicester, Burnley and Fulham also apparently interested.

The winger has scored seven goals in 40 Championship matches for Neil Critchley’s side this term who currently sit 16th in the second tier having won the League One playoffs last season.

Bowler was a summer addition for the Tangerines having been released by Everton after four years in the U23 set-up with a loan spell at Hull City in the 2019/20 season proving uneventful.

However, the 23-year-old only signed a one year contract last summer, although Blackpool will almost certainly take up the option in his contract to extend his stay by another year.

Forest should swoop for Bowler

There was always going to be some risk for Blackpool by taking on Bowler after a stagnant start to his career. However, the winger has been a revelation on the seaside.

With eight goals in all competitions, this season has seen the attacker make excellent progress hence the interest from Premier League clubs as well as Forest.

Steve Cooper has arguably the Championship’s best winger in Brennan Johnson who has netted 14 goals and registered seven assists in the second tier this term. Although, if the Reds fail to secure promotion it may be hard to keep him at the club.

If that is to be the case, then the East Midlands outfit should undoubtedly swoop to sign the wide man who has already shown that he has become accustomed to the Championship.

Moreover, the £810k-rated Englishman will be available for a bargain fee given his short-term contract.

Having started his career in the QPR youth ranks, Bowler was handed one first-team appearance for the Hoops under former manager Ian Holloway before making the move to Everton in 2017.

Speaking on Quest about the winger, Holloway said: “I gave him his debut as a young man at QPR, unfortunately he played half a game for me and then got sold.

“We got £1.5m for him and his mum and dad needed him to go but he’s only played 35 Championship starts in his career and he’s 23.

“I would pay to watch him myself.”

There’s certainly plenty of excitement surrounding Bowler which may prove to be an obstacle for Forest in their pursuit of the 23-year-old. However, it’s certainly a race worth participating in.

In other news: Imagine him & Johnson: Cooper can unearth a gem in NFFC’s “lovely” rarely-seen 21 y/o

Having joined Celtic in what was a £4.5m deal back in the summer of 2020, the general opinion at Parkhead was that the Bhoys had signed their number one goalkeeper for, at the very least, the length of the 27-year-old’s four-year contract.

Indeed, upon Vasilis Barkas’ arrival in Glasgow, The Athletic’s Celtic correspondent, Kieran Devlin, wrote an article suggesting that the Greece international was the solution to Celtic’s goalkeeping crisis, with the journalist dubbing the shot-stopper “calm, commanding, tall – a complete keeper.”

Devlin was not the only person who appeared convinced of the £20k-per-week man’s ability, with Antonis Oikonomidis stating that Barkas’ best traits are “his flexibility and his calmness.”

The Greek journalist continued: “He’s quick to save with his hands, and knows how to save with his feet, how to catch crosses and corners, how to command his defence. He’s strong, he’s tall [6ft5], he’s a good all-round keeper – a complete keeper.

“But his calmness is his best quality, how stressful the occasion doesn’t matter and he is always very calm. He knows how to handle pressure. He never looks worried even in big games.”

However, after making just 23 appearances in all competitions for Celtic to date, only one of which has come under the management of Ange Postecoglou this season, recent reports have suggested that the Hoops are ready to cut their losses on the shot-stopper, with a January departure looking increasingly likely for the 27-year-old.

It is not difficult to see why Postecoglou is looking to move the £2.52m-rated ‘keeper on, as, over his 15 appearances that came in the Scottish Premiership last season, Barkas made just one save and conceded 0.7 goals on average per fixture – with these returns seeing him earn a seasonal SofaScore rating of just 6.79, ranking him as the club’s joint ninth-worst performer in the league.

And, with summer signing Joe Hart now being Celtic’s undisputed number one, the club’s nightmare regarding Barkas’ signing has only been highlighted further, with it appearing incredibly unlikely that the Hoops will recoup their £4.5m outlay, or even his current Transfermarkt value, upon his potential sale this winter.

However, when taking into account the player who Tam McManus dubbed as “horrendous” has also cost Celtic around £1.4m in wages since his arrival at the club – bringing the total amount of money spent on the shot-stopper to a whopping £5.9m – it would very much appear a good idea to get the 27-year-old’s wages off of the club’s books in January, even if it means giving him away for peanuts.

In other news: Celtic handed major boost ahead of Bayer Leverkusen clash, Postecoglou will be buzzing

Journalist Paul Brown has now dropped some fresh Everton transfer news involving Newcastle United winger Allan Saint-Maximin, claiming a deal for the winger is ‘out of reach’.

The Lowdown: £50m claim

As per The Daily Mail, the Magpies are now willing to listen to offers of around £50m for Saint-Maximin in the summer, as Eddie Howe looks to freshen up his squad ahead of the new season.

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The Goodison Park faithful are reportedly just one of a number of clubs who are interested in his signature, but that is assuming that they manage to avoid relegation from the Premier League.

The Latest: Brown update

Speaking to GiveMeSport, Brown has now claimed that a move for Saint-Maximin to the Merseyside club ‘looks out of reach at the moment’, but admitted that he would have been an ‘ideal’ signing under former manager Rafa Benitez:

“It looks out of reach at the moment. I’ve thought since last summer, when we found out that Rafael Benitez wanted to play quick, counter-attacking football with wingers, that Saint-Maximin was ideal for that kind of role.”

The Verdict: Unlikely

It just seems very unlikely that Saint-Maximin would leave the long-term project at St. James’ Park for a club currently entrenched even further in the relegation dogfight.

He is clearly a key player for the Magpies, having averaged more shots and dribbles per match in the division than any of his teammates, while no Toon player has come close to his six man-of-the-match awards.

Nonetheless, it is very difficult to see the Toffees paying anything close to £50m for the Frenchman anyway, given their financial troubles.

In other news, find out which Ronaldo-like star the Blues are now eyeing here!