Liverpool manager Arne Slot has now identified a £50m star as a prime target, and they are well-positioned to win the race for his signature, according to a report.

Reds keen on a left-back

It would be fair to say that Andy Robertson has not been at his best this season, and Jamie Carragher believes the Scotland international needs to be replaced in the January transfer window.

At the beginning of the month, Carragher said: “I just think Andy Robertson, who is an absolute legend, is just hanging on in every game.

“I don’t think Kostas Tsimikas is quite of the standard to come in and replace him. I think if Liverpool could get a left-back in January, I think that’d put Liverpool in a really strong position to win the league.”

Liverpool now leading race for "unpredictable" £10m forward who Slot loves

The Reds are in close contact with the 22-year-old’s entourage.

ByDominic Lund Jan 22, 2025

A number of left-backs have been linked with moves to Anfield, including Alphonso Davies, but with the Canadian set to sign a new contract to remain at Bayern Munich, Slot is turning his attentions to an option from closer to home.

According to a report from GiveMeSport, the Liverpool boss has now identified Bournemouth’s Milos Kerkez as his prime target after links emerged last week, with the Cherries believed to be looking for a fee of £50m to sanction the left-back’s departure.

Manchester United are also interested in signing Kerkez, but his preference is to move to Anfield, although any deal will have to wait until the end of the campaign, as Bournemouth unwilling to let him leave mid-season.

Waiting until the summer transfer window suits Slot, as the Reds manager does not feel additions to his squad are necessary before the transfer window closes on February 3rd, according to this report.

Kerkez could be the perfect Robertson heir

Robertson has been a fantastic servant to Liverpool, but with his performances this season not up to his usual standard, it’s a good decision to start looking at potential replacements for the summer.

The 30-year-old has always combined solid defensive work with attacking contributions, chalking up 10 assists in the Premier League in the 2021-22 campaign, and there are signs that Kerkez could be similarly effective going forward.

The Hungarian has two goals and three assists to his name for Bournemouth in the Premier League this season, while he also showcased his defensive aptitude in the 2023-24 campaign, averaging 9.85 defensive actions per 90, the highest of any U23 Premier League left-back.

Kerkez’s performances for the Cherries indicate he could be the perfect replacement for Robertson this summer, so it is exciting news that Slot has identified him as a major target and Liverpool are in a good position to get a deal done.

Manchester United’s owners, INEOS, are reportedly working on a sensational deal to bring one of world football’s most sought-after stars to Old Trafford, who is now said to be keen on moving to Old Trafford.

Man Utd latest news

Ruben Amorim recorded one of the best results of his so far disappointing career as Manchester United manager on Sunday as his side held Premier League leaders Liverpool to a 2-2 draw at Anfield.

Defender Lisandro Martinez gave United the lead just after the break, before a fine, right-footed strike from Cody Gakpo and a penalty from Mohamed Salah put Liverpool in the driving seat.

With 10 minutes to play, Amad Diallo, so often United’s hero this season, then hit home Diogo Dalot’s deflected low cross to rescue an unlikely point for the Red Devils.

Speaking to BBC’s Match of the Day about the result, Amorim said: “When we are focused, when we fight for every ball, when we suffer and when we are tired when the game is finished, we are a good team.

“If we don’t do that all the time, then we are going to lose games. That is clear to everybody,” he added. “Everybody thinks the same thing. We have to start being consistent someday, not in the way we play but in how we face the competition, so let’s start today.”

INEOS and Man Utd working on Osimhen deal

If United do want to kick on from the weekend’s draw with Liverpool, they will no doubt need to use the January transfer market to bolster their squad, which is both lacking in quality and hampered by injuries. Fortunately, according to a new report from Nigeria, United’s owners, INEOS, are already on the case.

Business Day Nigeria claim that Sir Jim Ratcliffe and co have already made “preliminary moves” to sign Galatasaray striker Victor Osimhen, and that the striker, who came close to joining Chelsea in the summer, is now ‘keen’ and ‘determined’ to move to Old Trafford this month.

Osimhen is halfway through a season-long loan with Galatasaray from Napoli, but the Nigerian publication reports that his spell in Turkey could be cut short if a permanent buyer can be found.

The report states that Napoli has inserted a £75 million release clause into Osimhen’s contract, £8 million of which will be given to Galatasaray if he leaves early. However, with Napoli keen to sell the 26-year-old while his value remains high, that clause could be dropped to £62 million to facilitate a move to United.

Osimhen has been thriving since his move to Rams Park in the summer, scoring 13 goals and registering five assists in just 16 games for Okan Buruk’s side. Speaking to the media after scoring twice in a 3-2 win against Tottenham in November, Osimhen said that he “will not leave” Galatasaray in January, but that may have changed going off the latest update.

“I am at Galatasaray until the end of the season. I do not know what Galatasaray and Napoli are talking about afterwards, but if they come to me, we will talk. Galatasaray is a nice club that I like very much. I am very happy at Galatasaray.”

Jos Buttler, England’s captain, says that a lack of training time amid a tight schedule has hindered the progression of the white-ball team, after the final ODI of the summer, against South Africa, was abandoned.Only 27.4 overs of play were possible on Sunday at Headingley as rain washed out the rest of the day, resulting in an underwhelming climax and a series tied at one-all. The result means England have won just two ODI matches out of six in the last two weeks.With the 50-over World Cup taking place in October 2023, there is still plenty of time to fine-tune England’s plans – and plenty of fine-tuning to be done. However Buttler, along with white-ball coach Matthew Mott had hoped to use the last two weeks, during which time they have been able to call upon a full-strength batting line-up, to fashion their own ethos following the departure of the charismatic Eoin Morgan as captain last month.Unfortunately, a period of 12 T20I and ODI matches in 24 days – this being the ninth of that stretch – has allowed little opportunity between games to put that into practice. In the last week, England have had just one training session, the day before the second ODI at Emirates Old Trafford, something which Buttler described as a “frustration” and a contributory factor to what have been indifferent performances at the start of his tenure.”I think those training days are really important for that team cohesion, the energy within the group, the fielding drills, the camaraderie around the guys without the pressure of a game,” Buttler said on Sunday evening. “And they’re really vital to high performance. When you miss that chance as well, there’s a frustration. It is how it is, and that’s sort of the way this month has panned out. If we find those situations again, we just have to, I think, just find a way… even if you can’t give 100%, can you give 90% of 90? That’s a bit of a learning.””It’s tough, a lot of the time around training is when you do your best work, away from the pressures of the game, having good conversations and having a feel for where the group is at. And not just always in game mode, preparing for guys on the day. To get the highest standard of cricket possible, you need to prepare properly. Hopefully that’s something we can look at going forward. As a new captain, just having that time to bed in and do that work around your players and with your coaches. That’s been a frustration to be truthfully honest – it would be nice to have that time to do the work. But we don’t, so you just have to adapt and find the best way. It’s been a good challenge. “South Africa were no doubt the ones to feel the most aggrieved by the washout, having got to a healthy 159 for 2 with little more than half their overs gone, and with a chance even to exceed their 333 for 5 in the first ODI, their highest total in England. Quinton de Kock found his touch after two false starts of 19 and five in the first two ODIs, and peeled off a near-perfect 92 not out that looked nailed on for century number 18.The two wickets taken – David Willey removing Janneman Malan and Adil Rashid accounting for Rassie van der Dussen – were the only joy for the hosts, and both dismissals were at odds with an otherwise comfortable start from the Proteas. There was a degree of inevitability about England’s approach in the field, given how sharp the turnover was coming into this fixture. Victory in Manchester to square the series came on Friday, before the team travelled to Leeds on Saturday, arriving in the afternoon ahead of the 11am start on Sunday.Nevertheless, Buttler was critical of what he perceived as a lack of enthusiasm on the field, and challenged his players to give more of themselves, even amid the packed fixture list.Related

• Sam Curran's small steps prove a giant leap as England seek to fill the Ben Stokes void

• Quinton de Kock sparkles before the rain as series ends in washout

• Who should open with Quinton de Kock? Dwaine Pretorius, the first-choice allrounder?

• Quinton de Kock: 'It's going to start being tough for players – three formats is a lot'

“I only just said to the guys, I thought we didn’t have quite the same intensity we had on Friday night,” he said. ” And I know it’s easy to say that when you get wickets and everyone’s up and about, but I thought we didn’t quite have the same intent and energy… maybe only for the first 10 overs of that 20 overs.”I thought there was a clear difference when we do have it, so just to encourage us to always try and find that as a team. Take the result out of winning or losing, to make sure we’re always competing at our best and highest intensity.”In theory it sounds easy: it’s one-all and you’re playing a series decider. But there’s no getting past the schedule does make that tough.”Next up is the T20I series against South Africa which begins on Wednesday in Bristol, the first of three matches in five days. It will be the final action for England’s limited-overs team this summer before a seven-T20I tour of Pakistan ahead of the World Cup in the format, which begins in Australia in October. Though conditions will not be reflective of what is to come, given how bowler-friendly the one-day surfaces have been this summer, Buttler hopes players will be revived by the opportunity to put a marker down for the 15-man squad, and show what they are capable of in order to secure what would be his first series win as skipper.”These are the games we want to be working towards, finding out our best combination, having in mind Australian conditions. We might not get those in these next few games, but it’s important to have in the back of your mind, exposing people to certain situations or give opportunities in certain areas which may not look right on the day, but in three to four months’ time it may have a bearing.”It would be great to get out there and play some of our best cricket, which we have been short on so far. Just that level of intensity, knowing there’s a World Cup around the corner, guys trying to put themselves forward for a starting XI in a World Cup – which is exciting.”

A reliable journalist has revealed that an £80,000-a-week international may run down his contract and sign for Leeds United as a free agent.

Leeds United transfer news

Leeds supporters will be hoping their side are rather active in this transfer window, despite the fact they are sitting pretty at the top of the Championship. However, given the fact that Daniel Farke said he isn’t “expecting much” in terms of incomings, it could be a quiet month for the Yorkshire side.

Leeds now eyeing January move to sign "real deal" £15m attacker for Farke

Daniel Farke has his eye on signing a striker Leeds know very well.

2 ByBrett Worthington Jan 8, 2025

Farke’s comments have not stopped the transfer rumours, as the Whites are already being linked with a move for Andrew Omobamidele. Leeds are said to have opened talks to sign the Nottingham Forest defender this month, as he looks for regular football after falling out of favour under Nuno.

As well as looking at Omobamidele, the Whites are also interested in signing striker Mergim Berisha, who is not unknown to the Championship side, as they were linked with a move for the player during his time at Fenerbahçe.

Berisha is not the only striker on Leeds’ radar, as Patrick Bamford could leave Elland Road this month, so signing a replacement may become a priority. It has emerged that Leeds are considering a bid to sign Emmanuel Latte Lath from Middlesbrough. The Boro man is considered a player that the Whites like, but they are not alone in their pursuit, as West Ham, Leicester City and Ipswich Town are also chasing the striker.

Spurs defender Davies may run down his contract for Leeds

Tottenham Hotspur’s Ben Davies is a player who has been on Leeds’ radar for a while now, and according to journalist Ben Jacobs, Davies could run down his contract with Spurs and then sign for Leeds in the summer.

The 31-year-old, who has won 92 caps for his national team, Wales, has been at Tottenham since July 2014, when he joined from Swansea City. The Welshman has been a key player for the Premier League side under different managers, but in this 2024/25 season, he has fallen out of favour under Ange Postecoglou, only playing when injuries occur.

Davies, who earns £80,000 a week at Spurs, has played just 11 games this season, five of which have come in the Europa League, and with his contract now entering the final six months, his future is being talked about. Leeds have been linked with a move for Davies in the past, and Jacobs has now revealed that Leeds remain keen on the defender, and Davies could look to run his contract down and then sign for the Yorkshire side, but it could also be a deal to watch in the “coming weeks”.

Apps

341

Goals

9

Assists

23

Jacobs told the Last Word on Spurs podcast, relayed by Football League World: “With Ben Davies, I think that he will also be gone. And the same for Fraser Foster as well. With Davies, the natural thing is to run down the contract. Leeds United remain interested. So that could be one to watch in the coming weeks.”

Ange Postecoglou bemoaned his team's luck in front of goal after seeing Tottenham held to a 1-1 draw by Eintracht Frankfurt in the Europa League.

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Postecoglou rues Tottenham drawSpurs wasted chances to beat FrankfurtMust now win in Germany to progressFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?

Tottenham came from a goal down to draw with Frankfurt in the first leg of their quarter-final tie on Thursday but were guilty of missing chances that would have seen Spurs take a strong result to Germany for the return fixture. Lucas Begvall and Rodrigo Bentancur both hit the woodwork, while Frankfurt goalkeeper Kaua Santos was in good form and denied Micky van de Ven from grabbing a late winner in stoppage time.

AdvertisementGetty Images SportTHE BIGGER PICTURE

The result means Tottenham must win in Germany to progress to the last four of the competition and provides more frustration for Spurs fans during what has been a difficult season. Postecoglou, whose future at the club has come under scrutiny due to the team's form and lowly Premier League position, remains confident his team can progress but feels the footballing gods on not on their side this season.

WHAT POSTECOGLOU SAID

He told reporters: "I'm resigned to the fact that the football gods have got their eyes elsewhere this year. They're obviously busy with other clubs and other managers so whatever we get, we're going to have to do it without them this year.

“If we can repeat that next week, and there’s no reason we can’t, we’ll give ourselves a good chance. I really felt like we overwhelmed them with our football, with our running and with our press. It wasn’t just the chances we created, but the chances we almost created. It’s going to be that sort of season. Nothing is going to come to us easy. We’re going to have to go there and fight now to get what I thought we deserved tonight and that’s what we’ll try to do.”

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(C)Getty ImagesWHAT NEXT FOR TOTTENHAM

Tottenham head to Wolves on Sunday before jetting out to Germany for the second leg of their Frankfurt tie. The winners of their quarter-final tie will go on to play Bodo/Glimt or Lazio for a place in the final.

MatériaMais Notícias

Autor do segundo gol da vitória que classificou o São Paulo para as oitavas de final da Copa do Brasil, Igor Vinícius falou sobre o desempenho da equipe contra o Juventude.

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GALERIA
> ATUAÇÕES: Com gol e assistência, Igor Vinícius é o destaque na vitória do São Paulo

TABELA
> Veja tabela da Copa do Brasil

As equipes se enfrentaram na Arena Barueri nesta quinta-feira (12). Um dos melhores em campo, o camisa 2 destacou o trabalho de Rogério Ceni no Tricolor paulista.

-Rogério Ceni sabe o que faz, fico muito feliz de dar assistência, fazer o gol. Me cobro muito, treino bastante. O professor sabe bem que está preparado para jogar. Esse revezamento ajuda a dar gás pro time. Acho que o planejamento não muda, sabemos onde a gente deve chegar. Não perdemos confiança. Nos últimos jogos perdemos duas partidas. A gente sempre joga para vencer, vamos fazer de tudo para conseguir o resultado fora de casa também – disse Igor Vinícius.

Agora nas oitavas, o São Paulo recebeu a premiação de R$ 3 milhões e mira em conquistar título inédito na história do clube.

Agora, o São Paulo volta a campo no próximo domingo (15), contra o Cuiabá. O confronto será às 16h pelo Brasileirão 2022.

تشهد الأيام المقبلة صدامًا مرتقبًا بين نادي ليفربول الإنجليزي وريال مدريد الإسباني، بسبب ترينت ألكسندر أرنولد.

وينتهي عقد أرنولد مع ليفربول، يوم 30 يونيو المقبل، وقد أعلن رحيله عن الفريق، ولم يكشف عن وجهته القادمة.

ومن المنتظر انضمام أرنولد إلى ريال مدريد، حيث توصل اللاعب بالفعل لاتفاق مع النادي الإسباني، لكن لم يعلن بعد عن الصفقة بصفة رسمية.

وتذكر صحيفة “ماركا” الإسبانية أنه سيتم حسم المواجهة الأولى بين ليفربول وريال مدريد حول ألكسندر أرنولد في الأيام المقبلة.

ريال مدريد يرغب في ضم أرنولد قبل انتهاء عقده، من أجل التواجد مع الفريق للمشاركة في كأس العالم للأندية.

وتنطلق بطولة كأس العالم للأندية يوم 14 يونيو القادم، في الولايات المتحدة الأمريكية، وتستمر حتى 13 يوليو المقبل.

اقرأ أيضًا | لاعب ميلان يشعل منافسة بين ريال مدريد ومانشستر سيتي

وتشير “ماركا” إلى أنه مع اقتراب بطولة كأس العالم للأندية، فإن رغبة اللاعب وريال مدريد من جهة وليفربول من جهة أخرى ستؤدي إلى مفاوضات ثلاثية متوقفة حاليًا بعد الاتصالات الأولية الأسبوع الماضي.

ليفربول لن يُسهل على ألكسندر أرنولد الرحيل حتى يتمكن من اللعب في مونديال الأندية، ولن يترك اللاعب يغادر مجانًا.

ويذكر التقرير أن ليفربول متألم لخسارة أرنولد مجانًا، وسيحرصون على ألا يحصل عليه ريال مدريد بسهولة في كأس العالم للأندية دون دفع أي مبلغ.

ولم يتلق ليفربول أي عرض من ريال مدريد، وأوضح الأسبوع الماضي أنه لن يسمح للاعب بالرحيل في يونيو إلا في حالة الحصول على تعويض مالي، ومن المنتظر أن يتم حل القضية في الأيام المقبلة.

Newcastle United will be hoping that their recent excellent run of form ensures they have the best chance possible of finishing in the top four of the Premier League.

After missing out on the Champions League via their league finish during 2023/24, Eddie Howe won’t want that to happen again, especially after tasting what Europe’s premier club competition has to offer.

In order to achieve this, Howe will need to bulk out his squad with a few reinforcements this month.

One area that is a priority is the attacking department. Alexander Isak is enjoying a wonderful campaign thus far, scoring 17 goals and grabbing five assists at the time of writing in all competitions.

Should he suffer an injury, however, Howe doesn’t have many options to call upon, suggesting another striker is imperative.

Elsewhere, signing a defender or two would also be a massive boost to Howe’s chances of leading the club back into the promised land of the Champions League.

Several targets have been identified of late. The question is, will any of them secure a move to St James’ Park before the transfer window closes in a couple of weeks?

Newcastle United’s January transfer targets

In recent days, Newcastle have sent scouts to watch Parma goalkeeper Zion Suzuki with regard to making a move to bring him to the North east this month.

Additionally, the Toon sent chief scout Steve Nickson to watch Brentford winger Bryan Mbeumo in action against Manchester City during the 2-2 draw that took place midweek.

The Bees are demanding a fee of around £50m for any club to secure his signature, but they won’t be entertaining bids this month.

With Lloyd Kelly emerging as a key transfer target for José Mourinho’s Fenerbahçe of late, could Howe cash in on a player who only joined the club last summer? Making a solid profit in the process.

Player

Club signed from

Year

Anthony Gordon

Everton

2023

Harrison Ashby

West Ham

2023

Bruno Guimaraes

Lyon

2022

Chris Wood

Burnley

2022

Dan Burn

Brighton

2022

Via Transfermarkt

If so, he will need to add another centre-back to his squad before the end of the window. Could he turn to Portugal to find the perfect replacement?

Newcastle have scouted Sporting defender

Ousmane Diomande is a name familiar with the Newcastle support. The club tried to sign the centre-back during the summer transfer window, but his £67m release clause proved to be too much, especially with PSR rules.

Could they make it second time lucky, however? According to Portuguese outlet A Bola (via Flashscore), the Magpies have sent scouts to monitor his performances for Sporting of late.

Howe could face plenty of competition for the Ivorian international, as Bayern Munich, Liverpool, Chelsea and Manchester United are all linked with a move.

Despite his high release clause, a bid of between €50-60m (£42m – £50m) could well be accepted by the Portuguese side, either now or during the summer transfer window.

Howe may have to offload a player or two in order to make a move for Diomande happen, but given how impressive he has been for Sporting, it could be money well spent indeed.

Ousmane Diomande’s season in numbers for Sporting CP

The 21-year-old defender has made a total of 25 appearances for his club this season, missing just one league game in the process.

In the top flight this season, Diomande holds a 94% pass success rate, while he has also averaged 1.1 tackles, 1.2 interceptions and wins 64% of his total duels contested per game, showcasing his defensive abilities and wonderful passing skill.

Diomande also loses possession just 4.7 times per game for the club domestically, which speaks to his ability to retain the ball for his side under pressure.

Adding this sort of quality to the Newcastle team would undoubtedly bolster their chances of securing a top four finish, no doubt about that.

Still to hit his peak, Diomande is already showing the characteristics of a world-class centre-back, and he could shine in the Premier League for the Magpies.

Not only that, but his attributes are fairly similar to an Arsenal defender who has arguably been one of the finest centre-backs in the English top flight over the previous couple of seasons – William Saliba.

Ousmane Diomande can be Howe’s own Saliba

The Frenchman has been a rock for Arsenal over the years. This term in the Premier League, he has won 61% of his total ground duels along with losing possession just 5.1 times on average.

Analyst Ben Mattinson lauded Diomande last year after he was linked with a move to Arsenal and Chelsea, saying: “As big of a no brainer as you can get. There’s other CB’s out there I like but like many I love Diomande.

“The thing I like about Diomande is in many ways he’s a hybrid between Gabriel and Saliba. If you allow him learn from them he could become a monster in no time.”

According to FBref, Saliba is the third-most comparable player to the Ivorian in the Champions League this season, proving that the pair are similar in terms of attributes and playing style.

Indeed, the pair have also registered similar statistics across a range of metrics in Europe’s premier club competition this season, including pass completion percentage (95% vs 93%), clearances (13 vs 20), touches in the defensive third (145 vs 181), percentage of aerial duels won (75% vs 81.8%) and carries (239 vs 216).

These statistics clearly show that both players play the game in the same way. Diomande is already displaying qualities which could see him rise to the upper echelons of the game.

A move to Newcastle would give him a platform to showcase these talents in the Premier League and could be one of the final parts of the jigsaw for Howe as he seeks a return to Europe for next term.

Much will depend on how much the manager has to spend this month, but these are the sort of transfers the club needs to make in order to progress to the next level.

The next couple of weeks could be interesting indeed.

Newcastle send high-ranking scout to watch "unplayable" £45,000-a-week star

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Mohammed Siraj had visitors in trouble, claiming 4-54 on his Warwickshire debut

ECB Reporters Network12-Sep-2022

Lewis Gregory led Somerset’s recovery from 82 for 7•Getty Images

Lewis Gregory’s defiant half-century underpinned Somerset’s dogged fightback on a weather-affected opening day of their LV=Insurance County Championship relegation battle with Warwickshire at Edgbaston.After choosing to bat on a slow, turning pitch, the visitors closed on 182 for 8 with Gregory unbeaten on 60 from 93 balls, having supervised an impressive recovery from a parlous 82 for 7.Somerset were in deep trouble after India fast bowler Mohammed Siraj got among the wickets in style on his Warwickshire debut, claiming 4 for 54. But Gregory batted with great determination and nous to add 58 with Josh Davey for the eighth wicket and an unbroken 42 with Sajid Khan for the ninth.His work meant that this crucial match between the two sides currently straddling the Division One relegation line ended a truncated first day, in which 40 overs were lost to rain and bad light, pretty much even.The game opened with a compelling tussle as Siraj bowled to Imam-ul-Haq, who edged a waft to wicketkeeper Michael Burgess. Olly Hannon-Dalby then hit Tom Abell’s off stump with the second ball after a rain-enforced early lunch.Tom Lammonby and George Bartlett took Somerset to 46 for 2 before three wickets fell in six balls to leave them 46 for 5. Lammonby’s ill-advised charge at debutant Jayant Yadav saw him comfortably stumped, then Bartlett gloved a pull at Siraj and James Rew fell lbw first ball.After Siraj went off to graze with figures of 13-5-25-3, Henry Brookes maintained the pressure with two wickets in his first four overs as Lewis Goldsworthy and Kasey Aldridge were lbw to rapid inswingers.Somerset were in deep trouble at 82 for 7 but Gregory played with great vigilance, interspersed with one spectacular burst of aggression when he lifted Danny Briggs for three successive sixes just before tea.In the final session, Gregory and Davey added 58 in 14 overs before Siraj won another lbw decision to oust Davey. Warwickshire’s hopes of briskly lopping off the tail were foiled by Gregory’s continued doggedness with assertive support from Khan, who was 31 not out from 33 balls at the close.

Newcastle United have now been offered the chance to sign a “magnificent” forward who they once submitted a £32m bid for, according to journalist Gianluigi Longari.

Newcastle pushing for the Champions League

Newcastle are faring well in their bid to qualify for the Champions League for the second time under the helm of Eddie Howe, sitting level on points with fourth-placed Manchester City as we approach the start of February.

10 wins out of the last 11 in all competitions is perhaps an indication Howe doesn’t need to tinker with his squad too much in the January transfer window, and it has been a quiet month up to this point.

However, one position the Magpies are definitely keen to strengthen is on the wing, amid Miguel Almiron’s imminent departure, and they have identified a number of targets.

Newcastle now desperate to beat Spurs to the signing of "amazing" £55m star

Eddie Howe is a big fan of the winger.

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Howe is determined to beat Tottenham Hotspur to the signing of Southampton’s Tyler Dibling, as the manager is a big admirer of the 18-year-old, while there have also been links to versatile Besiktas forward Semih Kilicsoy.

There is also a possibility a new option could enter the frame, with journalist Gianluigi Longari reporting Newcastle have now been offered the chance to sign two AC Milan players.

Samuel Chukwueze and Noah Okafor have been proposed to the Magpies, having fallen out of favour at the San Siro, with the latter player well-known to the scouting department at St. James’ Park. Okafor has stated Newcastle submitted a €38m (£32m) offer for his services while he was at previous club RB Salzburg in 2022, and they have now been handed a second opportunity to sign the forward.

Okafor struggling to adapt to life in Italy

It would be fair to say the AC Milan ace hasn’t exactly taken to life in the Serie A, having fallen down the pecking order this season, although there were signs of promise in his debut campaign last term.

The 24-year-old scored six goals and registered two assists in the Serie A, while he has performed well in the Champions League in the past, netting six times in the competition during his time with RB Salzburg.

The Switzerland international has also impressed at international level, with his coach at U21 level, Mauro Lustrinelli, lauding him for his “magnificent technical qualities, speed and power”.

It is clear the winger needs a fresh start, having failed to adapt to life in Italy, but he is still relatively young, and he could be better suited to a different league.

Given that Milan consider the former RB Salzburg man surplus to requirements, he may be available for a knock-down price, so Newcastle should definitely keep him in mind as a back-up option.

However, Howe has a number of more in-form players on his transfer shortlist, so he should only consider a move for Okafor as a last resort if he is available for a low fee.