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Newcastle United are reportedly now an option for Dean Henderson in the January transfer window.

The Lowdown: Fallen away

The 24-year-old has fallen away a little bit since his remarkable loan spell at Sheffield United, where he managed to keep 13 clean sheets and conceded just 33 goals in the 2019/20 Premier League as the Blades finished a respectable ninth for a newly-promoted team (Sky Sports).

St James’ Park legend Alan Shearer included him in his Premier League Team of the Season so far back in April 2020, even going as far as to claim that the ‘keeper is a ‘star in the making’ (Yorkshire Live).

However, Henderson has been used sporadically by Manchester United ever since his return, with just one game played so far this season (one year on from his senior debut under Gareth Southgate.

The Latest: Newcastle option

As per The Daily Mail, Newcastle are now understood to be ‘one of the options’ for Henderson in January, as he reportedly wants to leave the Red Devils at the end of the campaign if he cannot nudge David de Gea out of the number one spot between the posts.

The goalkeeper ‘would consider’ leaving in the winter window, but it is ‘unlikely’ that the Old Trafford club would allow him to depart midway through the season.

The Verdict: Do not prioritise

There is no doubt that Henderson could be a good option for the Magpies, as he will be hungry to rekindle his career and get back into the England squad, with former Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho citing an ‘arrogance’ in him back in June.

Nonetheless, at 24 years of age, Henderson has the potential to be Newcastle’s main goalkeeper for years to come, providing that they can agree a reasonable transfer fee.

However, the Tyneside outfit already have Martin Dubravka, Karl Darlow and Freddie Woodman at their disposal, so signing another ‘keeper should not be a priority, unless one or more of their current options were to leave.

In other news, Newcastle are ‘leading the chase’ to sign this Premier League midfielder

Aston Villa are preparing to offer striker Ollie Watkins a new contract to fend off interest from Arsenal, according to Football Insider.

The Lowdown: New deals

Steven Gerard appears to be making preparations ahead of his first full season in charge at Villa Park, with a number of key men penning fresh terms in the Midlands.

Emiliano Martinez, Matty Cash and Kortney Hause have all signed new contracts at Villa in 2022, with reports recently suggesting Gerrard could move on eight players this summer.

It looks as if Watkins could follow Martinez, Cash and Hause in extending his Villa Park stay after missing just one game since Gerrard took over in November.

The Latest: Source shares update

Football Insider shared an update regarding Watkins on Tuesday morning after being informed by a recruitment source.

They claimed that Arsenal are interested in the England international, and, as a result, Villa are preparing a new bumper deal which would see Watkins become one of the club’s top earners.

The Verdict: Shrewd move?

Watkins has been the club’s best-performing attacker this season, as per WhoScored, and is the top scorer with eight goals.

He is also Villa’s joint-highest valued player according to Transfermarkt at £31.5m, so a new contract appears to be a smart call from Villa chiefs.

Gerrard hailed Watkins back in December, describing him as a player who has ‘got the lot’, so he could be key under the Villa boss next season, providing he remains at the club beyond the summer.

In other news: Source: Villa now open to selling 2022 star this summer despite Gerrard being a big fan. 

Having gone through October and November without a win in the Premier League and with just one victory under their belt from four league games so far this month, Everton have been going through a rather rough patch in their season, leading to public fan unrest and the departure of Marcel Brands from his role at as their director of football.

One factor that has contributed to Everton’s poor form this season is the fact that Toffees striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin hasn’t played a game since August as a result of a fractured toe.

Taking into account how he managed to score a goal in all three of Everton’s opening games of the campaign that he played in, this shows just how important he is to the team in an attacking sense and why their results have dipped since he’s been out of action.

Despite his injury, Calvert-Lewin has still managed to be linked with a move away from Goodison Park with fellow Premier League club Arsenal interested in signing him in the future.

Given how important he’s proved himself to be for Everton this season alone, it would be nothing short of an unforgiveable disaster for the club and Rafa Benitez if he left anytime soon.

Since making his senior debut for the Toffees back in December 2016, the 24-year-old, who is currently valued at £40.5m according to Transfermarkt, has gone on to score 56 goals and provide 16 assists in 176 appearances across all competitions.

Having been praised by former Everton boss Carlo Ancelotti for being “cold” in front of goal, it’s safe to say that Everton would be in a better position than the one they’re currently in had Calvert-Lewin been available for the entire campaign.

With all of this in mind, Benitez will undoubtedly be hoping that not only will the England international be able to make a full recovery as soon as possible but also that he doesn’t get tempted with a move away from the club to somewhere like Arsenal. An eventuality like that surely wouldn’t improve the relationship between the Everton fans and Benitez.

On a more positive note, the fact that Calvert-Lewin’s contract at the Merseyside club isn’t set to expire until the summer of 2025 should put to bed any concerns that some Everton fans may have that he will be leaving anytime soon.

That said, with a torrid run of form, seeing their best player head for pastures new would only exacerbate their problems and the pressure on the manager’s shoulders. Considering his relationship with the fans already, selling him could have disastrous consequences.

In other news: Benitez should brutally axe £110k-p/w “nightmare” who’s thrown his Everton career away – opinion

Wolves have rejected Tottenham’s £15million bid for Adama Traore, according to reliable journalist John Percy.

The Lowdown: Constant Traore exit rumour

The 25-year-old has been continually linked with an exit from Molineux in recent weeks, whether it be for the January transfer window or this summer.

Bruno Lage seemingly doesn’t see Traore as part of his plans moving forward, with some reports even suggesting the manager has green-lighted an exit, so it feels inevitable that he will leave the club in the near future.

Spurs are clearly the front-runners to snap up the Spaniard and a key update has now emerged regarding their pursuit of him.

The Latest: Wolves turn down £15m bid

According to The Telegraph‘s Percy, Wolves have turned down a £15million bid for Traore from the north Londoners, as the journalist claimed it is “becoming a bit of a saga” on Twitter.

Wanderers value the wide man at £20million and won’t budge until that amount is met.

The Verdict: Up the offer, Spurs

Spurs know what they have to do in order to get their man and it would benefit all parties if they simply up their offer and get a deal completed.

Traore himself is likely to jump at the chance of a fresh challenge – he has only managed ten starts in the Premier League this season – and Wolves can hopefully then use the money on a new signing this month.

While the Spain international has done good things in a Wolves shirt, his tendency to flatter to deceive means it is time for him to move on, with just 11 goals to his name in 153 appearances for the club.

In other news, some Wolves fans have reacted to a transfer exit rumour. Read more here.

Having signed for Everton last month for a fee believed to be around £16m, there is certainly a lot of hope for young right-back Nathan Patterson.

The Scotsman is yet to make a first-team appearance for the Toffees since his move from Scottish champions Rangers having played once for the U23s, however, it’ll only be a matter of time before the youngster is given an opportunity…or at least it should be.

On the chalkboard

With first-choice right-back Seamus Coleman now 33-years-old and in his 13th season at Goodison Park, there is little doubt that the loyal servant will have to step down in the near future.

Although the Irishman appears to be new manager Frank Lampard’s preferred option too, having started the 4-1 FA Cup win over Brentford, there will surely be a chance for Patterson to show the new manager what he can do before the end of the season.

Patterson has been highly rated up in Scotland over recent seasons, particularly at an international level, having made his senior Scotland debut in June, just before the start of the European Championships, in which the right-back played six minutes.

Recently, the 20-year-old was subject to serious praise from Scotland teammate Che Adams, who described the Scotsman as “fantastic” after scoring his first goal and assisting the Southampton striker in a World Cup Qualifier against Moldova in November.

Moreover, former Rangers manager Steven Gerrard directed plenty of praise towards the youngster, saying after another impressive Scotland performance: “It was certainly no surprise. You’re talking about a kid who is really hungry, he’s full of desire and commitment. I think you could see that in his performances.

“It was really good for me to see him playing with other top players like Andy Robertson and Billy Gilmour, these type of players.”

However, whilst in charge at Ibrox, Gerrard didn’t give Patterson as many opportunities as his price tag would’ve suggested, with the right-back making just five appearances in the Premiership as the Gers secured their first league title in ten years.

The Scotsman did make 14 appearances in total in all competitions last term and also scored a goal against Royal Antwerp in the Europa League.

This campaign, prior to the move to Merseyside, the right-back got slightly more of a look in, making six league appearances as well as two in the Europa League, two in the League Cup and one in the Europa League Qualifiers.

There’s little doubt that the Everton hierarchy signed Patterson thinking that he could certainly be the long-term heir to Seamus Coleman’s throne. However, the 20-year-old will need to be trusted by Lampard and given opportunities to prove that he has what it takes.

In other news: Lampard drops worrying injury update that’ll have Everton fans sweating

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Loads of Tottenham fans have been reacting to their defeat at Burnley, and they’re fuming with at Moussa Sissoko for falling back into his old tricks.

Spurs were rightfully beaten by Sean Dyche’s Clarets on Saturday, not so much because the hosts were good but rather because Mauricio Pochettino’s side were incredibly poor.

After a superb performance to thrash Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League, only the returning Harry Kane showed any sort of life for the Lilywhites, as the other ten players just seemed to let the game pass them by.

Chris Wood put Burnley in front in the second half with a wonderful header that came down off the crossbar, before Kane equalised with a smartly taken low finish.

Ashley Barnes won it for the Turf Moor outfit though, tapping in from close range after the ball rather luckily found its way to the Austrian in the box.

Pochettino will be furious with most of his side after such a woeful performance, but Sissoko was particularly poor, a huge concern given how crucial he has been over the past few months.

If the inconsistent French international reverts to the all-action but no substance player he was at the beginning of this season then the midfield is going to become a major problem for Pochettino, given the constant injury problems for Eric Dier and Victor Wanyama.

You can find some of the best Twitter reactions down below…

Celtic have been hit with a fresh injury setback over defender Josip Juranovic after the Old Firm clash on Sunday…

What’s the latest?

The Hoops full-back was forced off in the 67th minute of the game as he hobbled off with what appeared to be a hamstring strain and was replaced by Anthony Ralston.

Bhoys boss Ange Postecoglou did not comment on his situation after the match and Celtic now face a nervous wait to find out the severity of the injury in the coming days.

Supporters will be gutted

This news will surely leave Celtic supporters gutted as it will be a big blow to lose him for any period of time between now and the end of the season. Depending on how bad of a strain it is, he could be out for days, weeks, or months and that is why the supporters will be anxious to hear more about him.

After he came off, Ralston struggled against Ryan Kent for the rest off the game. Athletic journalist Jordan Campbell noted that the Gers were “getting joy” against the Scot and this highlights Juranovic’s importance to the team and the impact his loss will have in the coming weeks if he is missing.

The difference between Celtic when he was off and on the pitch in the Scottish Cup semi-final clash was obvious, as illustrated by Campbell’s comment. They struggled defensively after he went off as Ralston was unable to cope with the Gers and this suggests that it would be a disaster if the Croatian is now absent for a number of games.

In the Premiership this season, he has averaged a SofaScore rating of 7.21 across 27 appearances. He has helped the Hoops to keep 11 clean sheets in the league, making 2.2 tackles and interceptions per game whilst winning 56% of his duels.

This shows that he has been strong defensively and a key part of Postecoglou’s resilient back line in the division throughout the campaign. However, he has also caught the eye going the other way with 1.4 key passes per game and three goals, showing that he can find the back of the net himself and create openings for his teammates to score from.

Therefore, he has been crucial for the Hoops this season with his flying play down the flank. He has been able to impress in attack whilst remaining consistent and reliable at the back and the fans will be gutted by this injury blow.

AND in other news, AND in other news, Signed for 7 figures, left for peanuts: Celtic had a mare on “unplayable” £15k-p/w dud…

Southampton have yet another away clash on their hands today against Liverpool after losing 2-1 to Norwich City at Carrow Road last weekend.

Speaking ahead of the clash against Jurgen Klopp’s side in his latest press conference, Saints manager Ralph Hasenhuttl revealed that Moussa Djenepo and Nathan Redmond will be available for the match at Anfield after missing the Norwich defeat. The Austrian added that Jack Stephens and Stuart Armstrong will be unavailable through injury.

With this in mind, here’s how we feel the Saints could line up against Liverpool this afternoon, with two changes from the loss to the Canaries.

Having played in every league game so far this season, we can see Hasenhuttl sticking with Alex McCarthy in goal, despite conceding twice to a struggling Norwich side.

Similarly to McCarthy, even though he had a shaky performance last weekend, we think the Austrian will keep Valentino Livramento in the team at right-back given how he’s played in every league game for Southampton so far.

As for the two centre-backs, we think Jan Bednarek and Mohammed Salisu will partner each other again to see if they can stop Liverpool’s attacking players from running riot.

In the left-back position, we reckon Hasenhuttl could axe Kyle Walker-Peters – who is currently earning a  wage of £50k-per-week according to Salary Sport – after he failed to impress against Norwich, to see if Romain Perraud would have a better chance of keeping Mohamed Salah quiet.

In midfield, we think the Saints boss will stick with his trusty duo of Oriol Romeu and James Ward-Prowse in the central roles and keep Ibrahima Diallo in on the right-hand side to see if he can give some extra defensive stability to the team.

On the left, however, we can see Hasenhuttl putting Redmond back in the starting XI ahead of Mohamed Elyounoussi to see if he can pose more of an attacking threat. Worryingly, the Norwegian has gone nine league matches with a goal contribution, while the English winger comes back into contention following the birth of his child a few days ago.

Up top, we think Che Adams and Adam Armstrong will start together once again to try and cause some issues for Liverpool’s defence.

Whatever team Hasenhuttl picks today, Southampton will need to ensure they stay strong defensively if they are to have any chance of coming away with a positive result, given how Liverpool have scored more league goals (35) than any other team in the league.

In other news: Hasenhuttl can unearth Southampton’s new Van Dijk in £9m-rated tank, he’s a “big talent”

A transfer update has emerged on Sunderland and their interest in Tottenham winger Jack Clarke…

What’s the talk?

According to Football Insider, the Black Cats are eyeing up a potential swoop to sign the attacker before the window slams shut next week.

The report claims that Spurs have given him the green light to head out on loan and Sunderland are one of a number of teams showing interest in his services, having made an approach to bring him in.

McGeady 2.0

Lee Johnson could land a new wing wizard by securing a loan deal for Clarke in the coming days as he could be a fine addition to the squad.

The 21-year-old has not been able to kick on since joining Spurs from Leeds and a move to League One could be his chance to make a breakthrough at senior level and impress on a regular basis. He has the raw qualities to be an excellent player for the Black Cats and could be the next Aiden McGeady on the wing.

He has been restricted to youth team outings of late, with four goals and two assists in his last eight academy matches for Spurs. This is after he made played 14 times in the Championship on loan to Stoke last season, joining Spurs after making 25 appearances for the Lillywhites in the second tier.

Former Leeds man Noel Whelan was effusive in his praise of Clarke prior to the player’s move to Tottenham, saying:

“He’s quite a player, he really is. At the minute I would say he’s better as an impact player, coming off the bench second half when teams are a little bit tired.

“He has got a great ability to glide past players. I don’t think I’ve seen a winger really as talented as that, where it looks effortless, just to take somebody on and he really does get you on the edge of your seat, he’s one of those exciting players.

“He’s only going to get better but once again a player we can only enjoy if we go into the Premier League because there’s teams sniffing around him.”

This provides an insight into the type of player he is as he likes to beat defenders and make things happen. McGeady is a player who has a similar style, with the Irishman holding a career average of 3.1 key passes and dribbles per game, whilst he also has his own signature skill move – the McGeady spin.

Therefore, Clarke could come in and be the club’s McGeady 2.0 if he is able to find his feet and fulfil his potential under Johnson’s management. The Black Cats must now work hard to ensure that they are able to win the race for the wing wizard’s signature.

AND in other news, 13 duels won: Sunderland beast with six tackles was Johnson’s shining light vs Pompey…

A crushing injury update has been delivered on Rangers midfielder Ryan Jack…

What’s the latest?

Gers boss Giovanni van Bronckhorst has revealed that the 29-year-old is waiting on a diagnosis after suffering an injury in training prior to the 1-1 draw with Lyon in the Europa League, although he is unsure as to the extent of the blow.

Football Scotland quote the Dutchman as saying: “I don’t know. We will have to wait and see, he’s getting the diagnosis in the next few days. We have to wait and I can’t say anything about his injury yet, but I hope we will be able to do so.”

Frustration

This news will come as a body blow to Rangers and leave supporters frustrated given the timing of the knock. Jack has only played three competitive matches since his return from a long-term injury, coming off the bench in games against Hibernian, Dundee and Ross County.

His last appearance prior to that little spell came all the way back in February against Dundee United, with more than eight months separating his time in the team due to injury. This highlights how long he has had to wait to be given a chance to get back out on the pitch and that is why this knock will be a particularly frustrating one for him and the fans to deal with.

Supporters surely want to see him back out on the pitch as he has shown in the past that he can be a top performer at this level. Last season, he averaged an excellent SofaScore rating of 7.14 in the Premiership as he made 19 appearances on the way to the Gers’ title triumph. He completed an impressive 90% of his passes and made 2.2 tackles and interceptions per game, whilst chipping in with two goals and one assist.

This shows the quality that Jack can provide on the pitch, which is why it is a crushing blow for the Gers that he has suffered such a quick setback in his recovery. Although it remains to be seen how bad this fresh knock will be, fans may be praying that it is only a minor injury from which he will be able to recover quickly before getting back into the team in the coming weeks.

AND in other news, Fewer touches than McLaughlin: Rangers dud with 56% pass accuracy let GvB down badly…