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Bristol City midfielder Alex Scott has been showered with immense praise amid interest from Wolverhampton Wanderers over a summer transfer.

What's the latest on Alex Scott to Wolves?

O’Rourke has spoken in glowing terms about the 19-year-old, who has established himself as one of the Championship’s most elite prospects and has been tipped to continue on this frightening trajectory in the top flight.

Speaking to GIVEMESPORT about a possible transfer to the Midlands, he said:

“It would be a huge coup. I think he's going to be one of the most in-demand young players in the summer. Probably regarded as one of the best young players outside of the Premier League right now.

"Obviously, he did come in for a lot of praise from Pep Guardiola following Man City's FA Cup clash with Bristol City. A young, English player with huge potential. If Wolves can steal a march on their rivals and get a deal done for Scott, it could be a big fillip for them."

Why is Scott so highly rated?

Although Bristol City were comfortably defeated 3-0 by the reigning Premier League Champions, the playmaker still produced an encouraging and memorable performance that generated much acclaim from this esteemed opposition.

Guardiola described the prodigy as an “unbelievable player” and City winger Jack Grealish seconded this view, and labelled Scott as a “top, top talent.”

This was particularly special for the playmaker, who has been nicknamed as the “Guernsey Grealish”, due to his adoration for the former Aston Villa captain when he was growing up.

Considering all of that praise, he would be quite the coup for a side like Wolves, with Lopetegui frantically trying to bring one of English football's top talents to a team that reside at the bottom of the table.

Indeed, he has already shone against elite opposition and has immense potential with some impressive statistics that back up the eye test of Guardiola and co.

Indeed, since signing his first professional contract with Bristol City in March 2021, the 2022 UEFA European U19 Championship winner has made 87 senior appearances and registered 16 goal contributions.

One of his most attractive qualities is his boundless versatility, something that would be invaluable to Wolves, popping up as a defensive pivot, an attacking midfielder, and occasionally on the wing.

His ball recovery, close control, accurate passing, and astonishing work rate mean the engine has emerged as one of the accomplished forces within English football, who looks more than ready for a step up to the Premier League.

Thanks to his array of consistent displays, the coveted talent has seen his value skyrocket from £700k in May 2022 to £12m at the time of writing, according to Transfermarkt.

With rumours continuing to circulate regarding the uncertain futures of Portuguese pair Ruben Neves and Matheus Nunes, the signing of Scott, with his endless energy and limitless potential, could be quite the coup when it comes to sourcing a potential replacement.

Chelsea will reportedly look to sign a new first-choice goalkeeper at the end of the season, with a host of names in the conversation, including Jan Oblak.

The Lowdown: Goalkeeping issues at Chelsea

The Blues have endured a season to forget so far, sitting 10th in the Premier League in late March, which seemed unfathomable at the start of the campaign.

There have been many reasons for Chelsea’s struggles, from injuries to poor form all over the pitch, but goalkeepers Kepa Arrizabalaga and Edouard Mendy have been disappointing.

The former has ousted the latter as Graham Potter’s first-choice option between the sticks, but he still hasn’t exactly looked like a world-class stopper, being criticised after the 2-1 defeat to Fulham earlier this year and in the win at Leicester.

Recent reports have suggested that Chelsea will listen to offers for Mendy during the summer transfer window but that’s not to say that Kepa’s place in the team is safe, by any means.

In fact, a fresh claim hints at the Spaniard taking his teammate’s current place on the substitutes’ bench next season.

The Latest: New No.1 being looked at

According to Football Inisder‘s Pete O’Rourke, Chelsea are ‘in the market’ to sign a new first-choice ‘keeper this summer, with Manchester United and Tottenham also in the same boat.

A host of names of mentioned in the report as early targets, with the Blues thought to be ‘admirers’ of Brighton’s Robert Sanchez, whose form has ‘alerted a lot of clubs’.

Brentford’s David Raya is also seen as an option, as is Atletico Madrid’s world-renowned Oblak, who has been considered one of the best on the planet in his position for a number of years now.

Gregor Kobel and Illan Meslier, of Borussia Dortmund and Leeds United respectively, are the other names mentioned.

The Verdict: Vital area of the pitch

It seems clear that Potter doesn’t fully trust Kepa or Mendy as his No.1 ‘keeper moving forward, so it makes perfect sense to bring in a top-class replacement this summer, given the importance of the position.

In terms of playing style, Sanchez would actually make more sense than Oblak, even though the latter is probably the most impressive out-and-out goalkeeper, in terms of positional sense and shot-stopping.

The Slovenian lacks the Brighton man’s ball-playing ability from the back, which Potter wants in all of his players, averaging a 62.1% pass completion rate in La Liga this season, compared to Sanchez’s 73.6% in the league.

Sanchez is also five years younger, giving him more time to improve further, so could be the most logical option for Chelsea come the end of the season.

Journalist Pete O’Rourke says that Mikel Arteta leaving would ‘be a massive blow’ for Arsenal after reacting to some recent exit links.

The Lowdown: Wanted in Spain

It was reported by Spanish news outlet Sport back in November that FC Barcelona would be interested in hiring Arteta as their next manager, while he is also thought to be an option to eventually replace Pep Guardiola at Manchester City, after previously being his assistant at the Etihad Stadium.

More recently, the Spaniard has also been linked with taking over from Carlo Ancelotti at Real Madrid, as his superb season is being noticed by some of Europe’s top clubs.

Indeed, his Arsenal side were five points clear of City in second at the top of the table in the Premier League, before the visit of Crystal Palace to the Emirates Stadium earlier this afternoon.

The Latest: ‘Massive blow’ if Arteta leaves

Speaking to GiveMeSport, O’Rourke has claimed that it would ‘be a massive blow’ if the Gunners were to lose Arteta, but added that he does not think that there is any ‘real fear’ that he will leave anytime soon:

“It’d be a massive blow to lose him but it’s no surprise to see Arteta attracting interest from other clubs.

“There was talk of Barcelona not long ago – I would take it as a compliment for the work that he’s doing.

“I don’t think there’s any real fear for Arsenal fans to think Arteta might leave the club right now. He’s in this project.”

The Verdict: Keep him!

The North London club simply need to keep Arteta at all costs, as he is headlining their project at the Emirates Stadium.

The 40-year-old has turned his team from top-four hopefuls at the end of last season, where they missed out on a UEFA Champions League place to bitter rivals Tottenham Hotspur, to title challengers within the space of less than a year, showing his outstanding coaching skills in getting his players to move up to the next level.

It must not be forgotten that Arteta also won a trophy in his first season at Arsenal, winning the FA Cup at the end of the 2019/20 season, while he also won the Community Shield in the following campaign.

Nonetheless, the Gunners will no doubt want to keep him for as long as they can, with recent links to the likes of Real Madrid a testament to the job that he is doing.

Newcastle United have no doubt carried out some astute business since the change in ownership back in late 2021, with the arrival of PIF having seen the Magpies pull off notable deals in the transfer market in recent times, including the bargain signings of the likes of Kieran Trippier and Dan Burn – the pair joining for just £12m and £13m, respectively.

Such dealings were not always commonplace during the Mike Ashley regime, however, with the example of one-time loanee Loic Remy showcasing the failings of the much-maligned businessman.

Why did Remy not join Newcastle permanently?

The Tynesiders had seemingly first shown an interest in the prolific Frenchman back in 2013, with the 6 foot 1 hotshot having bagged 30 goals in just 75 games during his time at Nice, as well as a further 42 goals in 111 games for Ligue 1 giants, Marseille.

It was, however, Queen’s Park Rangers who were ultimately able to secure the striker’s services on an £8m deal ahead of the St James’ Park outfit in January 2013, with the London side’s hefty wage offer seemingly doing the trick in helping to tempt the player to join in their relegation fight.

After scoring six goals in only 16 games at the tail-end of that season at Loftus Road, the one-time Lyon ace then belatedly opted to seal a loan switch to the northeast later that year, joining a host of French talent to have been snapped up by Alan Pardew at the time.

The “high class” machine – as lauded by Pardew – would prove an instant hit on Tyneside after scoring 14 goals in just 26 Premier League games during the 2013/14 campaign, albeit with only two of those coming after the turn of the year as injury curtailed his progress.

Despite that setback, however, Remy was clearly a popular figure at the club as he was even named the Player of the Year by the Newcastle Supporters Trust, having also notably earned comparisons to compatriot – and footballing icon – Thierry Henry after netting against Cardiff City in October 2013.

The player himself stated at the time: “The guys in the changing room said to me it was like a Thierry Henry goal, so that made me smile. I am often compared with Thierry Henry and it is nice to hear that from people because it means I am doing something right.”

That likeness was also noted by ex-Newcastle man Mick Quinn, with the pundit writing in his Chronicle column that the club should do all they can to strike a permanent agreement:

‘We have money. Quite a bit of it. Let’s spend some of it on a player who I believe is going to be as good as Thierry Henry. And I don’t say that lightly. It’s how much I admire the guy.

‘Henry was one of the greatest I have ever seen playing in English football. Remy is getting close to his level and at 27 is just about to enter the best years of his career.

‘He could be as important for Newcastle as Henry was for Arsenal – which was very important.’

As it proved, however, the Magpies were unable to tempt the 30-cap forward to agree to a deal as he ultimately spurned their advances – as QPR owner Tony Fernandes revealed – going on to join top-flight rivals Chelsea in the summer of 2014 for a fee of around £10.5m.

After ultimately struggling to fire at Stamford Bridge – where he scored just 12 goals in 47 games – Remy was then linked with a return to St James’ Park in 2016, albeit before ultimately joining Crystal Palace on loan.

There may well be a feeling that Ashley and co should have done more to tie the striker down when they had the chance, with it no doubt a case of what might have been had the Henry-esque star stayed put for the long term.

Now 37, Remy has gone on to feature for clubs in Turkey – where he scored six times in his first ten outings for Caykur Rizespor to maintain that ‘high-class’ output – before arriving in Spain and then his native France, having notably joined Stade Brest at the start of last month.

One man who has largely been a bystander to proceedings at Manchester United in recent times is academy graduate Anthony Elanga, with the explosive Swede having slipped down the attacking pecking order under Erik ten Hag.

Just under a year on from his composed finish in the draw away to Atletico Madrid in the Champions League, the 20-year-old has failed to truly kick on since the change in the dugout, having benefitted from the faith of interim boss Ralf Rangnick last season.

The youngster’s woes are emphasised by the fact that his standout moment at the Wanda Metropolitano remains the last time that the 5 foot 10 dud managed to get on the scoresheet for the Red Devils, having contributed just two assists in 21 games in all competitions this season.

Those struggles have come amid limited chances to impress for the former Malmo asset in the current campaign, as the nine-cap speedster has failed to start a Premier League game since the win over Fulham in November.

In fact, the dynamic wide man has only featured once off the bench in the club’s last six top-flight outings, with that rare appearance coming as a brief cameo in last weekend’s triumph over Leeds United at Elland Road.

Amid that inability to force his way into the side – even amid Antony’s recent injury and with Jadon Sancho having only just returned to action – there may well be some questioning just why the emerging prospect was not allowed to depart last month, amid hefty interest in his services.

As journalist Fabrizio Romano outlined, United were said to have received as many as ten proposals during the January transfer window to take the winger on loan, with Everton one of those eyeing up an initial temporary swoop.

Although Elanga ultimately stayed put at the Theatre of Dreams, there may well be wisdom in sanctioning his exit come the summer, either on a loan move or a permanent deal.

How much is Elanga worth?

Should Ten Hag opt for the latter option and allow the former youth starlet to exit permanently, it could well represent good business for the club, with Football Transfers suggesting that the 20-year-old’s expected transfer value is around €31m (£27m).

That would prove an immense profit on a player who has cost the club nothing in transfer fees after rising up through the academy ranks, with there likely to be a consideration as to the benefit of seeling Elanga in the near future, particularly as he has been dubbed “not good enough” by talkSPORT pundit Gabby Agbonlahor.

For all of the Swede’s promise last season – having been described as a “breath of fresh air” by club legend Denis Irwin – he does now appear to be “suffering” as a result of being propelled into the first-time so soon, according to journalist Muhammad Butt.

Having now been overtaken in the attacking pecking order by 18-year-old Alejandro Garnacho – who scored in the win over Leeds – and with Facundo Pellistri also enjoying a more prominent role of late, it is hard to see just where Elanga fits into Ten Hag’s plans moving forward.

Therefore, while it may be a rather ruthless decision, it could be time that United’s breakout star of 2021/22 is shown the door.

Rangers attacking midfielder Malik Tillman has been lauded as the Gers’ “player of the year so far” by Ibrox reporter Jordan Campbell.

The Lowdown: Beale hails Tillman

The Gers signed Tillman on a season-long loan from Bayern Munich in the summer, with the deal including an exclusive option to buy subject to international clearance.

This is clearly something that Michael Beale wants the club to take up, recently stating: “Malik’s a no-brainer for me. I would like Malik to be here for a number of years. He’s an excellent young player and he’s enjoying his football here. Again, that’s for the people above me to organise.”

The Latest: Campbell reacts

Campbell has also lauded the midfielder, taking to Twitter to praise the development he has undergone since Beale shifted him deeper into midfield.

The journalist said: “Beale trusting Tillman in a midfield containing Cantwell was testament to how much progress he’s made in the transition to a No8. He’s worked on his reactions off the ball & is matching the intensity of games now. Rangers’ player of the year so far.”

The Verdict: Make it permanentHailed as a ‘superb’ talent by scout Jacek Kulig, the 20-year-old has been one of the Gers’ main threats on the front foot this season, scoring seven goals and registering four assists in the Scottish Premiership.After netting on just one occasion in his first six league outings, the maestro has now scored four in his last six, indicating the development that he has already made in a Rangers shirt, and given his age, he is likely only going to get even better.It was very savvy of the Rangers hierarchy to initially include the option to buy in the loan deal, and it is important that they activate it before other clubs start showing an interest in the starlet.Capable of playing several positions, he is showing all the signs that he could become a top player in the next few years.

Leeds United continue to be linked with additions to bolster their midfield, with Victor Orta actively seeking out improvements in the engine room…

What’s the latest?

That’s according to Sport Italia, who claim that a number of European clubs, including those from the Premier League, are interested in Salernitana maestro Lassana Coulibaly.

Having made early advances towards the 26-year-old, Nottingham Forest have already seen a bid dismissed in December. The Serie A club will reportedly hold out for a fee of around £8.5m, as they hope to keep hold of their player.

Repeat of Adams masterclass?

Having struggled this season domestically, Coulibaly retains a constant level of quality in one area – his defensive statistics.

Averaging a 6.75 Sofascore rating in the current Serie A campaign, this somewhat masks what benefits he can offer to a team when they play to his strengths.

Boasting the ability to break up play and set his team on the counter with a threaded pass, a deal here would bear many similarities with Leeds’ summer move to sign Tyler Adams from RB Leipzig.

The American has taken to Premier League football with ease due to his aggression, tenacity and immense quality. However, his final season in the Bundesliga was not too dissimilar from Coulibaly’s current campaign.

The then-Leipzig midfielder only averaged a 6.68 rating from Sofascore in 2021/22, and making just one tackle per match, it seemed unclear just what tempted the Yorkshire outfit to splash out £20m on the 23-year-old.

However, with an average Sofascore rating of 7.01 and a mammoth 4.2 tackles per game in the current Premier League season, the Whites’ decision is starting to bear fruit.

With Mali international Coulibaly, it could be argued that an even stronger foundation is in place to succeed at this level. He is averaging 3.1 tackles alongside 0.7 key passes per 90 this season, supplemented by an 85% pass accuracy.

The basic principles to be a successful midfielder at Elland Road are already in place, with his time at Ibrox on loan in 2018/19 having had a lasting impact on then-Rangers boss Steven Gerrard.

The 42-year-old praised Coulibaly, stating: “He (Lassana) is a machine, he’s exactly what this football club needed in terms of that enforcer in the middle of the park. He enjoys getting after people, biting into tackles and doing the ugly side of the game. He loves it and is only going to get better, there is more to come.”

If the gegenpress-loving Jesse Marsch could describe his quintessential player, many of the qualities listed by Gerrard would likely crop up. The Salernitana ace bears striking similarities with Adams, and should he be half as shrewd as the summer 2022 signing has been so far at Leeds, it would mark a fine deal by Orta and co.

Newcastle United are interested in a deal to bring Rafael Leao to the Premier League.

What’s the talk?

That’s according to a report by Italian publication La Repubblica (via Sempre Milan), who claim that, despite AC Milan having offered the winger a new deal worth €7m (£6.2m) net per season – roughly £120k-per-week – difficulties remain for the Serie A side due to a €19.5m (£17m) fine owed to Sporting Lisbon regarding the forward’s termination of his contract in 2018.

The report goes on to state that, should the Rossoneri fail to tie the Portugal international down to a new contract at the San Siro, Stefano Pioli’s side could look to cash in on the trickster at the end of the current campaign – with his current deal with the reigning Italian champions set to expire in the summer of 2024.

Were this to be the case, La Repubblica suggest that Newcastle would very much be a club in the race for the €150m (£133m) valued attacker this summer, while Real Madrid and Chelsea are also believed to be keeping a close eye on the situation of Leao ahead of making their own potential move for the winger at the end of the season.

Howe’s own Mbappe

Considering just how impressive Leao has been for AC Milan in recent seasons, it is not difficult to understand why Eddie Howe would be interested in a deal to bring the forward to St. James’ Park ahead of the 2023/24 campaign.

Indeed, over his 34 Serie A appearances last time out, the £62m-rated talent played a key role in the Rossoneri’s title-winning campaign, scoring 11 goals, registering 10 assists and creating six big chances for his teammates, as well as taking an average of 2.9 shots – 1.1 of which were on target – making 1.7 key passes and completing 2.9 dribbles per game – the most in the league.

These returns saw the player who former Ivory Coast sporting director Fabio Cordella dubbed a “phenomenon” average a breathtaking Sofascore match rating of 7.19, not only ranking him as Pioli’s third-best player in the league but also as the 22nd-best player in the Italian top flight as a whole – while the winger also sealed the Serie A Most Valuable Player for 2021/22.

The £30k-per-week flanker – who can also operate as a number nine – has continued this fine form over his 21 appearances so far this season, having already bagged eight goals – seven in the league and one in the Champions League – and provided a further nine assists – five in Serie A and four in Europe – in all competitions.

As such, considering just how much of a threat Leao evidently poses in the final third, it is easy to see why the 23-year-old has been dubbed “the Portuguese Mbappe” – the Paris Saint-Germain star who has already scored a sensational 191 goals and registered a remarkable 93 assists over 239 appearances for Les Parisiens.

Indeed, should Newcastle manage to beat off the competition for the “unreal” in the words of journalist Ryan Harber – Leao’s signature this summer, Howe could very well have landed his own Kylian Mbappe-esque talent on the left wing – a prospect that sure to be incredibly tantalising for all involved with the Magpies.

Scottish champions Celtic could well be facing the prospect of losing another promising academy asset, amid reports of significant interest in teenage playmaker, Rocco Vata.

What’s the word?

According to Italian outlet, Tuttomercatoweb (via Milan Live), the 17-year-old gem is believed to have caught the eye of a host of Europe’s top clubs, with the likes of Bayern Munich, AC Milan, Atletico Madrid, Borussia Dortmund and Juventus all said to be tracking his progress at present.

This follows a previous report from back in October which also named Premier League sides Manchester City and Arsenal as potential suitors, with the Republic of Ireland youth international having only 18 months left on his existing deal at Parkhead.

This worrying news comes amid recent claims that fellow youth stars Ewan Otoo and Bosun Lawal are also the subject of hefty interest, with the Old Firm giants having only recently seen young Scotsman, Ben Doak poached by Liverpool.

Forget Juranovic

At first-team level, the major talking point with regard to outgoings has been centred around Josip Juranovic, with the Croatian international appearing likely to depart next month after contract negotiations hit an impasse.

While the 27-year-old has been a regular fixture under manager Ange Postecoglou over the past year or so – featuring 50 times since his £2.5m arrival last summer – the loss of the right-back may not represent too great a blow, with the Hoops having already moved to secure Canadian international Alistair Johnston as a suitable replacement.

With academy graduate Anthony Ralston also currently thriving at full-back, with three assists to his name this season, the loss of Juranovic can seemingly be accommodated for should he move on in the New Year.

In the case of Vata, however, there will be undoubted fears at losing such a promising talent who is only just beginning to take his first steps at senior level, with the teenager having made his debut off the bench in the recent win over Hibernian.

The “impressive” talent – as lauded by youth coach Darren O’Dea – had been part of the club’s recent trip to Sydney during the World Cup break, after also earning a place in the travelling party for the pre-season trip to Austria.

That involvement in the first-team squad is an indication of just how highly thought of the 5 foot 9 gem is at Paradise, having also been described as a figure who could well go right “to the top” in the game, according to O’Dea.

Such quality has been evident in the youth ranks in recent times with Vata – whose father, Rudi, previously played for the Bhoys – having scored ten goals in 23 games in all competitions this term, including eight goals in just 14 Lowland League games for the club’s ‘B’ team.

Hopefully, he can go on to build on his recent senior bow and establish himself in the side over the coming months, although the concern will be that one of those multiple interested parties looks to pounce sooner rather than later.

While cashing in on Juranovic may be an astute move, Celtic must do all they can to avoid losing Vata.

West Bromwich Albion continued their magnificent form despite the month-long break last night, as they battled from behind to defeat a spirited Sunderland.

Having won their last three Championship games before the domestic hiatus, there were questions about whether Carlos Corberan could continue their hot streak against a side who too had won three of their last four.

It was a tale of which side could maintain their form, and when Amad Diallo slotted home from the spot after 19 minutes things looked bleak for the Spaniard.

However, it was his substitutions that turned the game on its head and helped mastermind a sensational comeback.

Whilst Daryl Dike will likely earn the plaudits for his goal and assist from the bench, it was in fact another substitute in Tom Rogic who truly kickstarted the comeback with his goal in the 70th minute.

Having held off the man, his American teammate laid the ball off and with the outside of his left boot, the 29-year-old stroked the ball into the corner.

His classy strike was imperative in their late comeback, which Dike sealed with eight minutes to go.

That was not all the Australian contributed in midfield, as his relentlessness and energy from the bench added electricity the travelling side needed to force the issue.

In just 32 minutes he would make a mammoth six tackles, have 26 touches and win seven of his nine duels at a 77% success rate.

He would also record an 85% pass accuracy and only lost possession five times, outlining his quality on the ball to add to his work rate. It was a display rather appropriately dubbed “absolutely irresistible” by The Athletic’s Elias Burke.

Rogic’s introduction changed the game and has surely merited a starting place for their game on Saturday against Rotherham United.

Last night’s victory has soared West Brom up to 17th in the league with a game in hand on many around them, suggesting that should they continue this imperious form the sky really is the limit.

They will have aspirations of a play-off finish and at just eight points off, there’s no reason to suggest they couldn’t make it.