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Former Wolverhampton Wanderers target Hirving Lozano looks as if he will be available to sign in the summer transfer window.

What’s the talk?

That’s according to a report by Italian publication La Gazzetta dello Sport (via Get Italian Football News), who claimed that, with Napoli on course to sign Dinamo Batumi winger Khvicha Kvaratskhelia this summer, the Mexico international could be put up for sale by the Serie A title challengers.

This could see Jeff Shi reignite his interest in the 26-year-old, with Calciomercato reporting back in the March 2020 that Wolves were one of three Premier League clubs – alongside West Ham United and Everton – contemplating a move for the former PSV Eindhoven starlet.

Furthermore, Lozano himself appears to be open to a move away from the Diego Armando Maradona Stadium this summer, with the forward revealing in November: “The truth is that I would like to go and play in another club, bigger.”

Better than Ocampos

With Bruno Lage looking as if he could experience something of a mass exodus in the wide attacking positions of his Wolves squad at the end of the current campaign, it would appear a very wise move for Shi to revisit the possibility of signing Lozano this summer.

Indeed, with Francisco Trincao recently revealing that he does not want to remain at Molineux beyond the completion of his season-long loan deal, Adama Traore looking certain to move onto pastures new this summer and Paris Saint-Germain plotting a move for Pedro Neto, Lage could well be left with only Daniel Podence and Hwang Hee-chan as options on the flanks ahead of next season.

While it is true that Lozano has somewhat struggled to live up to his club-record €42m (£35m) transfer fee over his two-and-a-half year spell in Naples, the Mexican has nevertheless shown in flashes that he is still a player who boasts a huge amount of talent.

Indeed, over his 32 Serie A appearances last season, the £31.5m-rated winger was in deadly form for Gli Azzurri, bagging 11 goals, registering four assists and creating 10 big chances for his teammates, along with taking 1.8 shots and making 1.1 key passes per game.

These returns saw the £112k-per-week attacker, who journalist Bolarinwa Olajide dubbed a “sensation”, average a highly impressive SofaScore match rating of 7.04, ranking him as his club’s seventh-best player in the Italian top flight.

As such, with the futures of Trincao, Traore and Neto all appearing to be somewhat up in the air at present, and with goalscoring being something of an issue for Wolves this season – with Lage’s side finding the net just 33 times in the Premier League – a swoop for Lozano could well be the answer to the Old Gold’s problems.

Furthermore, with Sevilla reportedly demanding an eye-watering €90m (£75m) in order to part ways with Wolves’ target Lucas Ocampos this summer – a player who has registered one direct goal contribution for every 208 minutes of football played for Sevilla, compared to Lozano’s record of one direct goal contribution every 160 minutes at Napoli – it is clear to see that the Mexican would be a signing who represents much better value for money.

AND in other news: Lage could unearth Wolves’ next £100m talent as Fosun plot offer for 19-year-old “missile”

A journalist has revealed what top sources close to Mike Ashley have now said about the future of Steve Bruce at Newcastle United.

The Lowdown: Poor start

After the 2-1 loss at Wolves in the Premier League on Saturday, the Magpies sit 19th in the table, having picked up no wins and a mere three points from their first seven games (Premier League).

Of course, Bruce has been in a similar position before and managed to avoid relegation in the end, but it is not a guarantee that he can do so again.

The Latest: Bruce’s future

Writing in his latest piece for The Sun, Alan Nixon has revealed what top sources close to both Bruce and Ashley have said about the manager’s future at St James’ Park.

Ashley will not pull the trigger on Bruce despite the recent poor run of results, as his priority remains finding a buyer and trying to push through the proposed takeover from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) consortium.

The chief executive of Sports Direct also knows that it would take £3m out of his bank account to sack Bruce, plus more to get rid of his backroom staff, while hiring a replacement also takes that bill higher than what he is willing to pay.

The Verdict: Worth the risk

If results carry on like this, then Newcastle will find themselves in a relegation battle once more under Bruce, who is far from a popular figure among the fan base. Therefore, it is time for Ashley to bite the bullet and bring a new coach in order to offer some fresh ideas and hopefully give a new manager bounce.

The chances of the takeover going through are far from certain, so the owner must act now before it is too late in terms of their top-flight future.

In other news, find out what controversial beIN reveal has been dropped on the takeover

Thierry Small has terminated his scholarship with Everton, according to the Liverpool Echo. 

The Blues offered Small a professional deal, but he’s rebuffed their overtures and is intent on leaving Goodison Park.

Small went as far as refusing to turn up for training earlier in the summer.

In more positive news, Everton will receive compensation when the player leaves.

The exact figure will be decided by a tribunal, but Football Insider report that it could be as much as £5million.

They also say that Southampton have become the first side to make an approach to Small in light of the developments.

Left-back Small became Everton’s youngest-ever player back in January when he came on as a substitute in an FA Cup fourth round tie against Sheffield Wednesday.

He also made 13 appearances for David Unsworth’s Under-23s last season.

Fan feed Toffee TV relayed the Echo’s report, and here’s what supporters made of it.

These Everton fans unfazed by impending Small exit

“3 years time he’ll be on one of the where are they now lists and you’ll find he’s playing for some obscure non league team”

Credit: @hugodrax0077

“The ballad of Royston Drenthe”

Credit: @RayMazen

“Got promised bayern and arsenal, clubs linked leeds and southampton”

Credit: @CragOnTour

“He will soon find out the grass isnt always greener elsewhere and you have to earn your place by hardwork”

Credit: @DJC1953

“That’s fine… see if you can get better than Everton”

Credit: @Layliffe1878

“I’m sure we’ll survive”

Credit: @leecoalbourne

In other news, Kevin Phillips has urged Everton to make this move.

After Tottenham Hotspur agreed a new contract for star forward Son Heung-min in July, it appears that another key player in Harry Kane is now ‘ready to talk’ as 90min reporter Graeme Bailey backs news out of N17.

The Lowdown: New deal for Kane?

Indeed, with Son now tied down at Tottenham until 2025, the club have also been linked with securing a new deal for superstar forward Kane, despite his heavy links with a move away in the summer.

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Manchester City courted the England international, even lodging a £100m bid, but Spurs chairman Daniel Levy refused to budge on his £150m valuation of the player.

Reports from Eurosport and TEAMtalk have claimed that a new contract could be on the cards for Kane, with 90min journalist Bailey now backing this news with his own update.

The Latest: Bailey backs Kane development…

As per Bailey for 90min, Kane is ‘ready to talk’ again about a new deal at Spurs after he swiftly rebuffed the offer of fresh terms just after Euro 2020.

He apparently wants a pay rise of around £500,000 and has a ‘number of demands’ which need to be met before he will sign, but Spurs definitely will not bend to a release clause.

The forward’s entourage have apparently proposed the idea of performance-related clauses but the club have no intention of agreeing, despite being open to offering Kane a new contract.

The Verdict: Interesting weeks ahead…

Given the 28-year-old’s apparent lack of options going forward, with City now rumoured not to be in for him next summer, it appears that Kane’s future could now be more dependent on fresh terms.

He is contracted until the summer of 2024 and it is clear to see why he is looking to strike a contract which could allow him to leave Spurs with less hassle in future.

However, with Levy seemingly holding all the cards, it remains to be seen if the ‘phenomenal’ Kane, as he was called by England manager Gareth Southgate, will get his wish.

In other news: ‘Wow’, ‘A lot of money’…BBC pundit stunned by exit news out of Spurs, find out more here.

Everton’s record in the transfer window has left a lot to be desired in recent years and one club has benefitted more than most from their haphazard spending.

The Toffees signed Alex Ixobi from Arsenal for £34m in the summer of 2019, but not before they splashed out £20m to secure the services of a 28-year-old Theo Walcott just six months prior.

At first glance, it appeared to be a sensible transfer for the Goodison Park outfit. Director of football Marcel Brands had secured an England international who had scored over 100 goals for the Gunners and was still in his prime years.

However, Walcott’s three-and-a-half-year stay on Merseyside proved to be somewhat of a nightmare for Everton and the player.

The flying winger made a fast start to in a Blue shirt, scoring three goals and providing a further three assists in his first 14 Premier League games for the club, but his promising form failed to carry over into 2018/19.

During his second campaign as an Everton player, Walcott only added a further eight goal contributions despite making 40 appearances in all competitions.

And things got even worse for the now 32-year-old in 2019/20. The Southampton academy graduate scored just two goals and laid on four assists, condemning the forward to one of his least productive campaigns in many years.

It led to Walcott re-joining his boyhood club on a season-long loan last term before making the move permanent following the expiration of his contract over the summer, ending an underwhelming with the Toffees.

He exited Everton with 20 goal contributions in 85 outings for the club and will go down as another expensive dud who promised so much.

And, in other news…Everton increasingly likely to sign £187k-p/w gem, fans surely buzzing 

Speaking to Football Insider, Sky Sports pundit Kevin Campbell has made a claim after hearing Tanguy Ndombele has told Tottenham Hotspur chiefs he wants leave.

The Lowdown: Ndombele out the door?

Daily Star reporter Paul Brown first reported that Ndombele’s future is up in the air with the player now considering his options this summer.

Following this development, Football Insider went one step further and claimed that the Frenchman has now told club chiefs that he wants to leave Spurs before August 31.

Indeed, it appears another Lilywhites star is now seeking the exit door amid all the unrest surrounding Harry Kane.

Reacting to this FI claim on Ndombele, Campbell has now made his feelings known to the same outlet.

The Latest: Campbell makes claim

Speaking to Football Insider in reaction to this update that Ndombele is now looking to leave north London, Campbell believes that the exit could ‘100%’ happen and the ‘writing is on the wall’.

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“It could happen, 100%,” the pundit explained.

“Ndombele had problems with Mourinho, didn’t he? Maybe he isn’t the player Nuno wants.

“The fact of the matter is when he’s not even involved, the writing is on the wall.

“He wants to play football, he’s a talented boy and the record signing. He’s not going to hang around and sit in the stands watching everyone else.

“He’ll ask to leave if he doesn’t play. A move will probably do him good. It’s never good when you aren’t even making the squad.”

The Verdict: Blow for Nuno?

Lauded as an ‘incredible’ player by former Spurs boss Jose Mourinho and ‘unplayable’ on his day by Joe Hart, losing Tottenham’s club record signing would come as somewhat of a blow.

On his day, the 24-year-old can really turn it on and his ability is there for all to see.

According to WhoScored, no Spurs player completed more successful dribbles per 90 last season than Ndombele (2.2) and he can often prove difficult to dispossess.

That being said, question marks remain surrounding his application and it may be best for both parties to entertain considerable offers before deadline day.

In other news: Offer pending: Levy readying Spurs bid to sign ‘amazing’ player who Nuno personally wants, find out more here.

Celtic have initiated talks regarding a deal to bring Cameron Carter-Vickers to Parkhead on a permanent basis.

What’s the talk?

According to recent reports (via The Celtic Bhoys), Ange Postecoglou’s side have started talks with Tottenham Hotspur about making the centre-back’s season-long loan switch a permanent move ahead of the January transfer window.

A previous report by the Daily Record revealed that Celtic have an option-to-buy clause in the 23-year-old’s temporary contract at Parkhead, with £10m reported as the figure that the Bhoys would need to shell out in order to sign the USA international permanently.

However, Sky Sports journalist Anthony Joseph then claimed in a post on Twitter that the Hoops’ clause to purchase Carter-Vickers is actually £6m.

“Great move”

Considering just how impressive Carter-Vickers has been since his arrival in Glasgow earlier this year, reports that Celtic have initiated talks to sign the defender on a permanent basis are sure to have left Hoops fans buzzing.

Indeed, over his 15 Premiership appearances so far this season, the £1.8m-rated centre-back has helped his side to keep seven clean sheets, scored two goals and provided his teammates with one assist. He has also averaged 1.4 interceptions, 0.7 tackles and 85.2 passes per match – the second-most of any player in the league for the latter – and won 71% of his duels.

These returns have seen the £20k-per-week loanee, who former Spurs team-mate Jan Vertonghen dubbed an “absolute beast”, average a tremendous SofaScore match rating of 7.45, ranking him as the fourth-best performer in the Scottish top flight.

As such, it would very much seem as if Postecoglou’s claim that Celtic’s signing of the defender was a “great move” by the club is bang on the money, while the addition of the 23-year-old on a permanent basis in January would undoubtedly be a very positive one for the future of the Bhoys based on how his loan spell has gone so far.

In other news: Postecoglou drops four-word injury update which will delight Celtic fans

West Ham didn’t add any new signings to their side in January but David Moyes will surely be hoping to make up for it this summer as the Hammers push on again for a place in European football as news of a potential transfer target emerges.

What’s the word?

According to The Telegraph, West Ham are plotting a bid for Mainz captain Moussa Niakhate and could snap up the centre-back for just £8m in the summer.

Mainz reportedly do not want to lose the 26-year-old on a free transfer when his contract expires in 2023, so would be interested in accepting a lower fee this summer to cash in on him.

The East London club joins two other Premier League clubs in the pursuit for the Frenchman’s signature, as Newcastle United and Everton are also linked in the report.

Diop replacement

West Ham supporters will surely be delighted that the club is linked with a new player to freshen up the defensive line after an abject season from Issa Diop, and they will be even more thrilled about replacing their current defender with Niakhate when you compare their output this season.

According to Squawka, the 26-year-old defender, who was hailed “ambitious” by Mainz manager Bo Svensson, has also been highly effective in offensive play with three more goals and ten more chances created than the current West Ham centre-back who was labelled “poor” by Ian Wright this season.

It’s also evident that he is well-oiled machine in defence, registering numbers that eclipse far and away what Diop can produce.

With the Europa League trophy and an outside chance of stealing the fourth spot in the Premier League table to qualify for Champions League still in sight, it was thought Moyes might have added some depth to his squad in the winter transfer window, but clearly the club felt that they could progress without new additions.

The recent success for West Ham in finishing higher in the league, and their continued efforts to become a force in the Europa League will surely mean that adding to and upgrading on their current options will be a priority this summer, and Niakhate could be a great place to start for the side.

In other news: WHU may end up signing “electric” £50m gem this summer, he can finally replace Haller

According to The Athletic, West Ham United manager David Moyes may have been handed a boost in his pursuit of Burnley defender James Tarkowski.

The Lowdown: West Ham re-join Tarkowski race…

Since Angelo Ogbonna sustained an anterior cruciate ligament injury in the 3-2 win over Liverpool last weekend, West Ham have been tipped to add a new centre-half to their ranks in January.

Indeed, a reliable report from The Evening Standard claimed that Moyes will be backed to sign a central defender as cover for Ogbonna alongside the possible additions of a striker and Manchester United’s Jesse Lingard.

Rob Dickie and Dael Fry, two standout performers in the Championship, have been linked with the Irons, while West Ham have also reignited their interest in Tarkowski. The 28-year-old was subject to two failed Hammers bids in the last few seasons but The Evening Standard reported that he is back on the Londoners’ radar.

Football Insider also believe that Moyes is personally eyeing the Burnley defender, with Tarkowski himself ‘very keen’ to join him.

The Latest: The Athletic share update…

As per The Athletic reporter Andy Jones, Burnley’s mainstay has ‘made his position clear’ in regards to leaving and ‘wants a new challenge’. Tarkowski is also set for an ‘imminent departure’ and only ‘extreme circumstances’ would change this, despite remaining ‘committed to the club’ this season.

The 28-year-old’s current deal expires in 2022, meaning that he can leave as a free agent at the end of this season, and he is currently one of many Burnley players with their long-term futures in question.

The Verdict: Boost for Moyes?

As West Ham eye defensive reinforcements, news that Tarkowski is almost certain to leave Turf Moor could come as a boost for Moyes and co. Depending on developments, the Irons and transfer chief Rob Newman could theoretically put pressure on Burnley to sell at a cheaper rate in January so as not to lose him for nothing next summer.

He would certainly be an astute addition too when looking at Tarkowski’s defensive statistics when compared with West Ham’s current crop.

According to WhoScored, he has averaged more clearances per 90 in the Premier League this season (5.1) than any Hammers player bar summer signing Kurt Zouma (5.3). Furthermore, Tarkowski beats everyone in Moyes’ squad in terms of aerial duels won in that time – dominating his opponents a colossal four times per match (WhoScored).

If West Ham can take advantage of the defender’s desire to leave Lancashire, he would come as a brilliant coup.

In other news: Italian source leaks transfer news out of West Ham involving ‘extraordinary’ £22.5 million-valued beast, find out more here.

James Milner could still be playing for Liverpool in 2024, Frank McAvennie has told Football Insider.

The lowdown: Klopp confirms talks

Milner, 36, joined Liverpool in 2015 on a free transfer after leaving Manchester City – his £140,000-per-week contract is due to expire at the end of the 2021/22 season

But manager Jurgen Klopp confirmed in February that ‘the club is in talks’ with the midfielder over a potential renewal.

He’s played 283 matches for the club, scoring 26 goals and providing 44 assists, and helped them win the 2018/19 UEFA Champions League and the 2019/20 Premier League.

Milner ranks fourth on the all-time PL appearance list (584), 69 short of leader Gareth Barry.

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The latest: McAvennie reacts

McAvennie hailed the attitude of the ‘remarkable’ veteran and believes Klopp will appreciate him both on and off the pitch. He thinks Milner could remain part of the squad until he’s 38.

“It’s great to see Milner playing, oh my god he’s older than me,” the 62-year-old joked to FI.

“He still has it as well. Long may it continue because you are so long retired.

“I don’t blame him for keeping going but to be his age and getting games for this Liverpool side is remarkable.

“He puts such a shift in every time he plays even if he isn’t starting every week.

“That’s the personality Klopp really likes. I imagine Milner is a big influence behind the scenes.

“It wouldn’t surprise me if he was still there in a couple of years. Maybe he has one more contract in him.”

The verdict: Good decision?

McAvennie certainly has a point about Milner’s work-rate. Data from FBRef shows that the Englishman ranks in the 90th percentile or better among midfielders in the top five leagues when it comes to tackles, blocks and clearances.

However, while he was selected in the second leg of Liverpool’s Champions League quarterfinal against Benfica in midweek, he hasn’t started a PL match since the 2-2 draw with Chelsea back on 2 January.

Klopp appears more inclined to bring him off the substitutes’ bench late on in a bid to close out matches.

So the question is not only whether Liverpool offer him a deal, it’s also whether Milner will accept limited involvement, when he could theoretically have the chance to play more regularly elsewhere.

In other news, Liverpool have another Primeira Liga target after Diaz.