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Everton have entered the race for a defensive rising star…

What’s the latest?

That’s according to AS (via Sport Witness), who claim the Toffees and Newcastle United are among a host of sides chasing Real Valladolid youngster Ivan Fresneda.

The 18-year-old has earned himself a growing list of admirers and is considered “one of the most promising young talents” as noted by the report.

However, boasting a €30m (£26m) release clause, that could rise to €45m (£39m) should he continue playing games for the senior side.

As such, Kevin Thelwell will either want to act immediately or not at all.

Coleman masterclass

Although the price tag might be a far cry, this deal could draw similarities with their masterclass deal to bring in Seamus Coleman, with another promising young full-back arriving.

Signed for just £60k in 2009, sparking his infamous song, he has featured 393 times for the Merseyside outfit and remains the club captain having arrived as a plucky 20-year-old.

During this time he announced himself as one of the league’s best full-backs, with his combined performance with Leighton Baines during the 2013/14 season earning particular praise.

Across that campaign the now 34-year-old would score six times and assist twice, helping his side achieve an unprecedented fifth-place finish.

Although Fresneda only has nine senior appearances for his club, there is a belief that the teenage sensation, who is only two years younger than Coleman when he joined, could be the next big thing coming out of Spain.

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Despite his youth, he is averaging a 7.02 Sofascore rating alongside an impressive 1.5 key passes per game.

He pairs this with 1.3 interceptions, 2.5 tackles and 2.8 clearances per game too (via Sofascore).

It is clear that there is a phenomenal player just waiting to be nurtured, which is supported by the fact that Josse van Bakel labelled him a “great talent”.

With Nathan Patterson having already impressed in the place of their Irish captain, they will soon need someone to replace the ageing defender completely when he confirms his retirement.

In Fresneda, the Toffees could form one of the best young right-back pairings in the league, ensuring the future remains bright even if their talismanic leader departs.

Crystal Palace are preparing to make an offer for Galatasaray defender Sacha Boey in January, according to reports.

The Lowdown: Attracting interest

The Frenchman still has three years remaining on his deal in the Super Lig but his recent performances under Okan Buruk have seen him attracting interest ahead of the winter market.

Patrick Vieira has the ageing Joel Ward and Nathaniel Clyne as options at right-back and it appears that he’s looking for a new first-choice, as the 22-year-old has been identified as an ideal candidate for the Premier League outfit.

The Latest: Palace ready to bid

According to French outlet Jeunes Footeux (via Sport Witness), Palace are ‘ready’ to put €16m (£14m) ‘on the table’ in an attempt to land Boey in the New Year.

The Eagles boss ‘isn’t convinced’ by Clyne and is keen to ‘prepare the succession’ of Ward, with his side ‘especially’ interested in bringing their target to Selhurst Park.

This won’t be easy though as Liverpool are also monitoring him, creating stiff competition in the race for his services.

The Verdict: Ward replacement

Ward isn’t getting any younger (33), and with his contract set to expire at the end of the season, Boey would be the perfect long-term replacement.

The Montreuil native currently averages 3.2 tackles, 1.6 aerial wins and 1.2 dribbles per league game with an assist also to his name, highlighting the impact he can have both defensively and offensively (WhoScored).

Boey has been dubbed a ‘talented’ footballer by Zach Lowy, and whilst his valuation remains to be seen, Palace should be all over this if the price is right.

Tottenham Hotspur supporters, can you round off a very Merry Christmas by getting 100% right in our Spurs-related quiz in 2022?

The north Londoners have endured a mixed bag this year – there have been some highs, such as beating arch-rivals Arsenal to a top-four finish in the Premier League but also some lows, such as being knocked out of both the FA Cup prematurely by lower-league opposition.

Can you remember everything that has happened over the last 365 days? Do you know your transfer fees from your club records? What about goals, bookings and much, much more?

We at Football FanCast have put together the toughest of tests with this 20-question quiz on all things to do with the Lilywhites this Christmas, so how well do you know your club?

Only die-hard supporters will even sniff at 60% on this. You think you can beat that? We bet you can’t… go on, give it a go…

West Ham United have distinguished one of the Premier League’s most industrious presences to replace a likely outgoing phenom…

What’s the word?

Signing for Manchester City from boyhood club Leeds United last summer, Kalvin Phillips has been hampered by injury during his stay with the Sky Blues, and has been at the epicentre of claims that boss Pep Guardiola branded him “overweight” upon returning from World Cup duty with England.

And now, Football Insider state that sources have confirmed the Hammers’ interest; with coveted midfielder Declan Rice likely to depart at the end of the campaign, the 27-year-old Cityzen could be the player to adopt the role his compatriot has held so well in east London.

Phillips arrived at the Etihad Stadium in a £45m deal last year, and he would certainly not come cheap even if City were prepared to grant a departure, but the funds garnered from Rice’s prospective sale would free up space to make a move for someone of his ilk.

Perfect Rice replacement 

Since rising through the youth ranks at the Irons academy, Rice has cruised towards Premier League eminence, and is now being touted for a move to one of the country’s top outfits.

Indeed, with the likes of Chelsea, Liverpool and Manchester United among the clubs that might make a swoop for a player out of contract at the end of next season and showing no sign of agreeing a new deal, cashing in for a lucrative fee might be the best option for West Ham boss David Moyes.

In Phillips, the veteran Scottish manager would boast a robust and all-encompassing central figure to take the baton from Rice, and ensure that the stability and charge that his counterpart has created does not waver.

Granted, the east London outfit have been beset with a stark decline this term, miserably above the drop-zone on just goal difference following two European-clinching seasons in-and-amongst the elite of the Premier League, but the abundance of quality and affluence underpinning the efforts on the pitch should steer the club in the right direction once again.

As per FBref, Rice ranks within the top 4% for pass completion and the top 7% for interceptions when compared to positional peers in Europe’s top five leagues over the last year, while Phillips, despite lacking the same level of ball-playing assurance, ranks within the top 1% of players for tackles, the top 14% for interceptions and the top 4% for blocks.

There is a clear prowess in the anchored position of the pitch, also flourishing as a pivot when called upon, instigating positive transitions by timing challenges with pinpoint precision.

And with Phillips’ City career thus far blighted by injury, Sofascore record his rating in the Premier League last year at a solid 6.84, earning the transfer to the division’s champions by displaying his stellar consistency in a Leeds team that battled to stave off relegation last term.

Hailed as a “destroyer” by ex-England manager Steve McClaren, who waxed lyrical about the ace to Sky Sports News (via Leeds Live), Phillips might be wise to depart from Guardiola’s City, where he will likely struggle for consistent game-time, and flourish with the Hammers, who can return on course and challenge for Europe once again with a Rice replacement every bit as formidable as their current gem.

Leeds United could now turn their attention to Everton defender Mason Holgate after singing Max Wober.

The Lowdown: First arrival

The Whites have been quick to act in the January transfer window, bringing in Wober from RB Salzburg. The Austrian will provide competition at centre-back and left-back in Yorkshire, with Jesse Marsch landing a third player from Salzburg after Rasmus Kristensen and Brenden Aaronson.

Further additions could be on the cards in Yorkshire, though, with the club linked with a number of players, one of which being Holgate.

The Latest: Holgate speculation

Reports last month claimed that the Whites have already made an approach over a move for Holgate, with Everton looking to raise transfer funds.

The Sun then shared a story following Leeds’ swoop for Wober on Tuesday morning, saying the club could now turn their attention to other targets, once again name-checking Holgate. They also brought up a previous in-house update on youngster Mateo Joseph, suggesting he is in line for a fresh Elland Road contract.

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The Verdict: Not needed

Holgate, labelled as “absolutely superb” by Liverpool ECHO reporter Sam Carroll, has plenty of Premier League experience and can play in a number of defensive positions.

However, Leeds look fairly well-stocked at the back now after signing Wober and handing out new deals to Pascal Struijk and Diego Llorente.

Therefore, their priority should be on bringing in an attacker, especially with Patrick Bamford reportedly suffering an injury setback.

Rodrigo is Jesse Marsch’s only fit senior centre-forward option as a result, so someone like Southampton’s Che Adams, who has been linked, could be a better target than Holgate.

Tottenham Hotspur could make a move for Mateus Tete towards the end of the January transfer window…

What’s the word?

That’s according to transfer insider Dean Jones, who delivered a fresh update on Spurs’ hunt for attacking reinforcements to GIVEMESPORT.

“Tete could be an option towards the back end of the window, he might offer some value,” he said.

The Lyon wide man – who is on loan from Shakhtar Donetsk – could be a realistic target, with the likes of Harvey Barnes and Ismaila Sarr more unlikely options, as per Jones.

90min, meanwhile, recently claimed that the 22-year-old had been offered to several Premier League teams, including the Lilywhites, West Ham United, Arsenal and Newcastle United.

Perfect foil for Kulusevski

It’s no secret that manager Antonio Conte needs an alternative to Dejan Kulusevski, who has proven to be one of the more influential members of the squad since his arrival last year.

After arriving on deadline day in January 2021, the Swede has gone onto provide six goals and 13 assists in 33 appearances. Meanwhile, his last four outings for Spurs in the Premier League all drew Sofascore ratings of 7.0 or better.

Despite his prolonged absence over the last month or so, Kulusevski remains the most-creative and consistent player in the squad, topping the WhoScored charts for assists (five) and key passes (1.9) per game, whilst he sits fifth for average rating.

Tete could provide the perfect foil, given the quality he has shown for both Lyon and Shakhtar.

He’s already delivered nine goal contributions from 15 outings this campaign, leading to talent scout Jacek Kulig to suggest that he’s “on fire,” whilst FBref rank him inside the top 11% of all wingers in Europe’s top-five divisions for assists per 90 and the top 15% for successful dribbles per 90, too.

The same site also likens his statistical profile to that of multi-title-winner and Manchester City star Phil Foden, which surely bodes well for his ability to cut it in the Premier League.

Once dubbed as a “real hurricane” in the past due to his pace and skill on the ball, Tete could provide Conte with the perfect foil to Kulusevski, who has very little cover behind him.

He was previously touted at around £21m by some outlets, so sporting director Fabio Paratici wouldn’t be taking too much of a big chunk out of the transfer budget if he were to be available at a similar price.

As such, the Italian supremo could land Spurs their very own Foden and a player that could be an ideal alternative to Kulusevski.

AND in other news, Spence 2.0: Spurs “looking at” £12m move for “unbelievable” teen, Conte could ruin him…

Newcastle United are seemingly intent on hoovering up some of the globe’s hottest young talent, having already secured a deal for Australian teenager, Garang Kuol, in recent months.

Speaking at the time of that capture, Magpies sporting director Dan Ashworth confirmed that the club’s “philosophy is to invest in our Academy and in exciting young players for the future”, with it looking as if PIF are concerned with more than just short-term success.

That trend of targetting up-and-coming prospects looks set to continue if recent reports are to be believed, with GOAL reporting that Athletico Paranaense sensation, Vitor Roque, is also a player of interest to those at St James’ Park.

The report suggests that the Tynesiders – as well as the likes of Barcelona and Chelsea – have all made enquiries regarding a move for the 17-year-old wonderkid, with Europe’s elite clubs seemingly intent on snapping up the forward this summer.

The teenage Brazilian will likely not come cheap, however, with the piece also outlining that the exciting asset has a release clause of around €60m (£53m), with his existing deal set to run until 2027.

Despite the prospect of having to splash the cash to land the 5 foot 8 dynamo, such a move could well prove worth it for Eddie Howe’s side, with Roque having been dubbed “one of the most talented Brazilian players of his generation” by talent scout Jacek Kulig.

Also lauded as a player of “crazy potential” by Kulig, the former Cruzeiro ace has been in scintillating form in his homeland of late, having scored seven goals and provided three assists in just 36 games for his current side, after bagging six goals and one assist in just 16 games for his previous employers.

Although there may be doubts about signing a player who is still in the infancy of his senior career, Newcastle can well look to Arsenal’s success with the signing of Gabriel Martinelli as a reason to be encouraged.

Like his young compatriot, Martinelli also started out life in Brazil with lower division side Ituano, before being snapped up by the Gunners on a £6m deal back in the summer of 2019, at the tender age of just 18.

Despite that move having been potentially something of a gamble due to the winger’s inexperience at first-team level, the fleet-footed speedster has gone on to dazzle since then, with 41 goal involvements in 108 games for the north Londoners to date.

The 21-year-old has been particularly impressive in this season’s title charge under Mikel Arteta, having scored seven goals and laid on two assists in 17 Premier League games, with such form ensuring that he is now valued at around £88m, as per CIES Football Observatory.

The league leaders have clearly struck gold with their bold move to bring the young Martinelli to the club, with Newcastle seemingly hoping to repeat that feat by snapping up another promising young forward in the form of Roque.

Chelsea have distinguished the prospect of swooping for Juventus and USMNT midfielder Weston McKennie as an avenue to delve down when considering the best approach to bolster the midfield this month…

What’s the latest?

Blues boss Graham Potter is eyeing a lunge for McKennie, who has been a central figure in a resurgent Juventus team this season that currently perches in third place in the Italian Serie A with four wins from their past five matches.

According to Corriere dello Sport, Aston Villa, who have been heavily interested in the 24-year-old, have been dealt a blow as the player wishes to hold out until Chelsea act on their intrigue, with Tottenham Hotspur and Borussia Dortmund also reported to view a deal feasible this month.

And with Calciomercato previously stating the Old Lady value their dynamic midfield presence at €30m (£26m), Stamford Bridge’s affluent owner might be required to dig deeper into his pockets in order to craft a squad capable of matching his ambitious schemes.

Ramires 2.0

Having already signed Mykhaylo Mudryk for £88.5m from Shakhtar Donetsk and Joao Felix on a £9.7m loan deal until the end of the term from Atletico Madrid, Chelsea are now interested in providing fortification to the central ranks to steer the club back in the right direction after a woeful campaign thus far.

Chelsea have been knocked out of both the FA Cup and the Carabao Cup to the hand of Manchester City, and currently languish in tenth place in the Premier League after 19 matches despite clinching victory against Crystal Palace last time out. 

In order to stabilise the ship, the club must return to their roots and re-establish stability, grit and tenacity in their endeavours, both offensively and defensively, and the robust presence that is McKennie fits the bill.

His versatility and physicality should allow him to take to English football like a duck to water, with his exploits in Italy and the Champions League a telling indication of his calibre. 

Over the entirety of his career, the “monster” – as lauded by CBS Sports reporter Wes Rucker – has averaged 1.2 tackles, 1.1 interceptions and 1.1 clearances, illustrating his defensive prowess and a consistency in his efforts to repel attacks and recycle possession, as per Whoscored.

And over the past year, he ranks among the top 14% of midfielders in Europe’s top five leagues for rate of non-penalty goals, the top 11% for touches in the offensive box and the top 14% for progressive passes received, which demonstrates his capability of an offensive outlet from the centre.

His dynamic skills could make him a good fit to emulate Ramires’ success at Stamford Bridge, with the Brazilian midfielder making 251 appearances for the west London outfit during his illustrious stay, winning the Premier League and the Champions League.

Since Whoscored started recording statistics with consistency in 2010, Ramires chalked up an impressive average of 2.5 tackles, 1.3 interceptions and 0.9 clearances, numbers similar to that of the American. Indeed, McKennie could well bask in similar success by following this particular blueprint.

As such, Chelsea must move for the ace swiftly, beating rivals to his signature and strengthening the foundation of their new system; the club’s fortunes this season have been full of woe, but with the “extraordinary” McKennie’s introduction – as once hailed by Schalke head coach Domenico Tedesco – a new dawn could finally offer some sense of light.

Arsenal are among a host of clubs who have ‘made enquiries’ into the possibility of signing Leeds United winger Jack Harrison, journalist Ben Jacobs has claimed.

The Lowdown: Harrison linked with Leeds exit

The future of the 26-year-old has been a main talking point at Elland Road recently, with numerous reports linking him with a move away in January after Newcastle tried their luck last summer.

Harrison has struggled to match past performances for Leeds this season, scoring just once in a total of 17 Premier League appearances, which isn’t too impressive for a winger who managed eight league strikes in each of the previous two campaigns.

It remains to be seen if the Englishman will still be a Whites player next month, but there certainly appears to be plenty of interest from other clubs.

The Latest: Arsenal in the mix?

Speaking to Give Me Sport, Jacobs name-checked Arsenal as potential suitors for Harrison, revealing they ‘made enquiries’, though the Gunners may now be onto bigger and better things:

“Jack Harrison is another long-standing target (for Arsenal). With Harrison, I think it’s a slightly different situation now compared to the summer. Arsenal were not the only club that considered a move for Harrison, although they didn’t move in any sort of significant way necessarily.

“They certainly made enquiries, as did Newcastle United. I think that now on the Harrison front, it’s perhaps a level of clubs slightly below where Arsenal are, that are looking at the player.”

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The Verdict: Hard to turn down currently

In an ideal world, Leeds would keep hold of Harrison for the rest of this season before possibly moving him on in the summer, with selling him at this point weakening Jesse Marsch’s squad.

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That being said, the lure of Arsenal could be great for the £50,000-a-week attacker, considering they are the current Premier League leaders and playing some scintillating football. Any player would likely want to be a part of a team so high on confidence and featuring the likes of Martin Odegaard, Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli.

It may be that the Gunners don’t actually make a bid, in which case Harrison would be wise to stay put at Leeds, playing a key role until the summer and looking to add to his 57 goal contributions (29 goals and 28 assists) for the club.

The Whites man has been described as ‘brilliant’ by journalist Phil Hay in the past and he can make big contributions in the relegation battle, as he did last season, including that dramatic late winner away to Brentford on the final day.

Newcastle United’s reported January target, Anthony Gordon, could be made available this month for a lot cheaper than he was in the summer.

What’s the latest?

There have been some reports to emerge over the last few days suggesting the Magpies are showing an interest in the Everton youngster.

This is a player who has been heavily linked with a potential exit from Goodison Park just a matter of months ago with Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur said to be interested.

But speaking on his YouTube channel, journalist Craig Hope has suggested the player may not necessarily cost the £60m suggested back in the summer:

“That interest is real. I’ve had that confirmed to me. There’s a feeling that Everton might demand a fee that is prohibitive. Now, if you speak to people closer to it on Merseyside, they don’t necessarily think that will be the case as it was in the summer.”

“He is one I would expect them to be, if they haven’t already, having conversations with Everton and testing the waters.”

Cut-price deal?

The money put on Gordon over the summer was huge considering he has a fairly low return in the Premier League with just seven goals in his 65 appearances.

And in addition to that, the 21-year-old has only provided three assists on top of those goals in the English top flight.

So it is apparent the investment in Gordon will be in hope of developing him into a top talent with other young prospects in the Premier League, the likes of Bukayo Saka, showing a lot more at the moment.

Newcastle have shown they are not scared of spending big on players they want with the Magpies parting with a club-record £63m on Alexander Isak in the summer.

However, it is apparent they would only be willing to pay that type of money on a player who they are convinced will prove to be a success on Tyneside.

And it seems they may have been correct in spending big on Isak with the Swede already scoring the same number of goals as Gordon this season but in 11 fewer appearances.

Now, it seems as if Gordon, who has been hailed as an “absolute beast”, could be made available for less than the asking price in the summer, but there is a reason for that with the 21-year-old having an underwhelming start to the campaign for the Toffees.

The local lad has since been subjected to frustration from the Everton fans and is clearly open to a career outside of Merseyside with the winger believed to be interested in a move last summer.

Perhaps Dan Ashworth will see this as a deal Newcastle can pounce upon, but with his current output in front of goal, it does feel as if it could be a risk signing.