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Transfer insider Dean Jones has issued an Everton transfer claim that will interest supporters…

What’s the word?

Speaking to GIVEMESPORT, he noted the interest Anthony Gordon has generated over the summer and how a move away from Goodison Park might be received by the Toffees faithful.

He claimed: “Gordon isn’t really someone that Everton can afford to let go at any cost at the moment. They can’t afford upsetting their fanbase any more than they already have in recent times, so I personally don’t think that transfer will come too much now.”

Newcastle United have held an interest in the winger for most of the summer.

Lampard loves him

Frank Lampard has been vocal in his praise for Gordon since he took over from Rafa Benitez at Everton, featuring in 35 Premier League games last season.

Earlier in the summer, he issued the statement: “He gives everything and is going nowhere. He is our player and we want to build with him.”

A statement of intent, but one which fans around Goodison Park have heard all too often before the likes of Ross Barkley, John Stones, Romelu Lukaku and more all departed.

Four goals and two assists do make for a respectable return from last season, and at just 21 years old he still has so much room left to grow.

The Merseyside-born “beast” has a keen affiliation with Evertonians, which would make his departure all the more angering for them should he leave.

However, it is his incredible work rate that is what has truly endeared him to Lampard and their fans.

He ranks in the top 5% for pressures per 90 – a figure which is integral for any player wishing to gain widespread support at the club – and also in the top 4% for tackles over the last 365 days.

In a time when the Toffees needed a star, this “electric” talent emerged with lightning speed and a wonderful work ethic.

Evertonians do not ask for much, but hard-working players throughout the years have always earned their respect and unrivalled backing.

The potential exit of Gordon from Goodison will give flashbacks to the Wayne Rooney exit back in 2004, as a promising young scouser leaves before he realises his potential at the club.

Lampard has already issued his thoughts on the matter, but what the £2.5k-per-week star means to the fans is worth far more than what could offer on the pitch. He cannot be allowed to leave.

Wolverhampton Wanderers are trying to sign a striker ‘before the next game’ against Tottenham, according to transfer insider Dean Jones. 

The lowdown: Depleted

Having already allowed misfiring youngster Fabio Silva to join Anderlecht on a season-long loan, Wolves were already in need of attacking reinforcements prior to Raul Jimenez’s injury setback.

In the absence of the duo, Bruno Lage has called upon Hwang Hee-chan to lead the line in the opening two Premier League fixtures, with no recognised centre-forward alternative on what has been an inexperienced bench.

Therefore, somewhat unsurprisingly the Molineux hierarchy have been expected to dip into the transfer market and one well-informed insider has predicted a new attacking option could now be imminent…

The latest: ‘Before the next game’

Speaking to Give Me Sport, Jones – a journalist for Eurosport – claimed that the Old Gold ‘will look to’ sign a much-needed frontman along with Matheus Nunes before Lage’s side face Tottenham this weekend.

He said: “Undoubtedly, they’ve got to get a striker in. This has to happen; it is a case of urgency for Wolves.

“They’re still a good side, they’re just lacking that cutting edge in the final third. And I think that is something that they will look to fix before the next game.”

The verdict: Options

Linked to the likes of Blackburn Rovers hotshot Ben Brereton Diaz, Benfica starlet Goncalo Ramos and perennial Chelsea loanee Michy Batshuayi in recent weeks, there are certainly a number of avenues for the Midlands club to explore.

However, whether Jeff Shi has the wherewithal to get a deal over the line between now and a lunchtime kick-off on Saturday which is just 72 hours away remains to be seen, although it would be a welcome boost to Lage’s match-day ranks.

As things stand, Hwang is likely to start as the focal point of an attack backed up by Daniel Podence, Morgan Gibbs-White, new signing Goncalo Guedes and Pedro Neto – who himself has been heavily linked with a move away from Molineux overnight.

Steven Gerrard led Aston Villa to a big win at the weekend, defeating Everton 2-1 in what he will hope is a result that breathes life into his side.

A disappointing Premier league finish last season saw the club undertake a highly impressive transfer window, and with less than three weeks remaining, there is still time to add more faces to his squad.

With Diego Carlos, Boubacar Kamara, and Philippe Coutinho all adding that extra dimension to the Villa side, Gerrard has big ambitions this season, even if the former is now set to be sidelined for a considerable period of time through injury.

The 42-year-old isn’t done in the market, however, as he looks to find the final pieces of his jigsaw, with Tottenham Hotspur’s Tanguy Ndombele reportedly linked with the club courtesy of reports in France.

If Gerrard is to bring a couple of new bodies into Villa, then there will surely be departures, with Morgan Sanson one of the first that the manager should be looking to ship out, especially as Ndombele could be a big upgrade on the Villa player.

Last season, Ndombele generated 2.20 shot-creating actions per match, compared to a measly 0.76 for Sanson and the Spurs midfielder offered a greater threat going forward, scoring once and registering three assists, with Sanson having zero goal contributions.

It isn’t just in an attacking sense that Ndombele is better, defensively, the 25-year-old has so much more to offer.

He won more tackles (29 to eight), a higher percentage of aerial duels (52.9% to 40%), and made pressures (252 to 135) than the fringe Villa man.

The 120k-per-week star could be the final piece of the Villa side, with defensive and offensive qualities in abundance, he is the type of player that Gerrard now needs to take Villa to the next level and move towards the European spots.

Former Tottenham manager Joes Mourinho once described him as “absolutely phenomenal” following a performance in 2019 and when one of the finest managers of the previous 25 years lavishes praise like this on a player, it’s clear they are extremely gifted.

Johan Lange has so far backed Gerrard in the transfer market, but signing Ndombele could send out another statement of intent that they are in the league to challenge for the European places, not just make up the numbers.

Newcastle United manager Eddie Howe has dropped a double injury update ahead of the Magpies’ Premier League clash against Manchester City on Sunday.

What’s the news?

Speaking in his latest press conference ahead of the Magpies’ home match against the reigning champions, the 44-year-old gave an update on the current fitness situations surrounding Ryan Fraser and Matt Targett.

On the ex-Bournemouth winger, Howe said: “Ryan we hope will be fit and available. He had a back spasm last week, so he was a late withdrawal from the Brighton game.”

Speaking about Targett, the Newcastle boss said that they will make a “very late decision” on whether the left-back will be able to play after he picked up a hamstring issue earlier this month which kept him out of last weekend’s clash against Brighton & Hove Albion.

A big worry for Newcastle

With Howe unable to give a definitive answer as to whether either of those two will be fit enough to take part in tomorrow’s clash at St James’ Park, this will surely be a worry for everyone connected with the club.

The Magpies haven’t conceded a goal in the league this term, but Pep Guardiola’s side not only scored more goals (99) than any other team in the division last season, they also had the joint-highest number of goals in the league prior to this weekend’s round of fixtures.

Therefore, having Targett available would surely be a big positive for Newcastle, especially with only two other defenders posting a higher combined total of tackles and interceptions than the Englishman (75) in the league last season at St James’ Park.

Meanwhile, Fraser ended the previous league campaign with a higher rate for goal-creating actions per 90 minutes (0.37) than any other player at the club. This shows how he could be a danger in terms of creating problems for City’s defence, which has yet to be breached so far in the current Premier League campaign.

If both players are fit enough to be available for selection tomorrow afternoon, this should give Howe a better chance of being able to cause damage to the Citizens and potentially see them drop points for the first time this season.

However, with the manager’s update on the two players being laced with caution, worry could be the predominant feeling among Howe, his coaching staff and the Toon Army until the match kicks off.

Tottenham Hotspur manager Antonio Conte has green-lit the signing of Atalanta midfielder Ruslan Malinovskyi, according to reputable journalist Ryan Taylor. 

The lowdown: Spurs linked

Spurs have been heavily linked with a move for Malinovskyi in recent days as Fabio Paratici attempts to wrap up what has been a significant summer in the transfer window already.

The 29-year-old Ukraine international has also been linked to Nottingham Forest this summer, however, the Lilywhites are believed to be frontrunners and willing to match a £15million valuation.

Now, one well-informed onlooker has had his say on the potential deal and it’s certainly positive news for the north Londoners…

The latest: Conte green lights move

Speaking to Give Me Sport, Taylor – a journalist for the Daily Express – has claimed that Conte is on board with the deal.

“I believe Ruslan Malinovskyi wants to join Tottenham and Conte is open to signing him.

“But Atalanta would like a permanent deal, whereas I don’t think Spurs are entirely set on that at the moment. He is 29 and there’s also been talks with Marseille.”

This hasn’t always been the case with transfers this summer, as Djed Spence was signed without the manager’s consent.

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The verdict: One out, one in

Tottenham’s preference for a loan move is most likely down to a combination of the success of the transfer of Dejan Kulesevski, Malinovskyi’s unproven Premier League status and the likelihood of Bryan Gil also leaving Hotspur Way on a temporary basis before the window shuts.

Hailed for a ‘stunning’ left foot by Serie A commentator Matteo Bonetti in March, the talented Ukrainian’s ability to operate on either wing, in central midfield areas and even as a centre-forward would make him a superb addition to the Spurs ranks.

Boasting 57 direct goal contributions (30 goals and 27 assists) in 130 appearances for Atalanta, Malinovskyi has a definite eye for creating in the final third that would be welcomed by the likes of Harry Kane and Son Heung-min.

As such, Paratici and Conte will be pushing hard to make a deal for the £25.2million valued man happen, ideally on loan.

Celtic manager Ange Postecoglou’s head could end up being turned by a move to the Premier League, according to former Leeds United striker Noel Whelan.

The Lowdown: Sutton makes Postecoglou claim

The 57-year-old is doing a magnificent job at Parkhead, not only getting great results and playing good football but also carrying himself with real dignity and winning the Premiership title in his first season in charge.

Earlier this week, former Celtic striker Chris Sutton admitted that he could see the Australian moving south of the border to manage a Premier League club, given his current stature in the game.

That sentiment has now been echoed elsewhere, at a time when Brighton are currently without a manager after Graham Potter’s move to Chelsea

The Latest: Whelan feels the same way

Speaking to Football Insider, Whelan admitted that Postecoglou could find the lure of England’s world-famous top flight too good to turn down in the near future, given his success at Celtic.

The ex-Aberdeen striker said of the current Hoops boss:

“He’ll find it difficult to leave Celtic right now. He’s got them back into the Champions League and enjoying success, but I think you can safely say that he’ll find it hard to turn it down.

“Going to the Premier League would be a step up. Celtic are a massive club – and he’s won trophies, assembled a fantastic team, brought in a great style of play.

“His style probably suits Brighton. It’s very hard to see him turning that opportunity down if it does come about. I’m sure he wants to test himself against the best, and it is the best league in the world.”

The Verdict: Potential massive blow

Postecoglou has been an incredible appointment by Celtic, guiding the Hoops to title glory last season and getting them back into the Champions League group stage, playing some magnificent football along the way.

He is adored by many Hoops fans because of the way he connects with them and gets the most out of his players, so the idea of him moving on is hugely worrying, given the negative effect that it could have on the entire club.

Indeed, it’s a road that the Bhoys have been down before, having seen Brendan Rodgers up sticks to Leicester in the middle of the 2018/19 season after the manager’s job became available at the Premier League club.

It would be ironic if Celtic went and lost their current managerial hero to Brighton, at a time when their recent idol Potter has moved to the briefly vacant job Chelsea. The hope is that Postecoglou is still just getting started at Parkhead, though.

Glasgow Rangers have been surprisingly linked with a former Premier League midfielder who has 20 international caps for England…

What’s the word?

That’s according to a report by Football League World, who claim that Rangers are interested in signing former Everton midfielder Fabian Delph on a free transfer following his summer release from the top-flight club.

There are a host of Championship sides clambering for his signature, amongst them Sunderland, West Bromwich Albion, and Sheffield United.

Signing Delph would be a big mistake

Rangers have struggled recently, losing three successive matches in the Premiership and Champions League, shipping 11 goals and scoring zero.

Despite their apparent struggles, all over the pitch not just in the midfield area, manager Giovanni van Bronckhorst would be making a big mistake bringing Delph to Ibrox.

Firstly, he would command a high wage, despite being 32 and this could be invested in someone a lot younger and who could offer much more in the future.

He only made 11 appearances for Everton last season, helping Frank Lampard’s men avoid relegation by the skin of their teeth

The Englishman ranked 12th in the Everton squad last season with a WhoScored rating of just 6.61 and this would have placed him at 21st position in the Rangers squad last season, proving that he wouldn’t justify the high wages he would inevitably demand.

All in all, due to a series of injuries, he has featured just 41 times since making the move from Manchester City in 2019.

Not only would he fail to improve the starting XI at the Ibrox side, but it would also be a big blow in confidence for the academy talents who are seemingly so close to breaking through at the club.

The likes of Alex Lowry and Charlie McCann are incredible talents and with more game time being awarded to them this season, they can significantly improve their development.

Even though sporting director Ross Wilson has had previous failings in the transfer market, a move for Delph will hopefully not materialise in the coming days, otherwise, it could just alienate the fanbase even more.

This surprise move could be the latest in a string of big decisions that the chief has mismeasured in recent times.

Aston Villa chief Christian Purslow appears to be backing manager Steven Gerrard, according to Ashley Preece.

The Lowdown: Gerrard rumours

Villa haven’t had the best of starts to the season and have lacked quality in the final third with just four goals in their opening seven games.

That led to speculation regarding Gerrard’s future at the club, with reports suggesting that NSWE wouldn’t be afraid to pull the plug on his time in the Midlands, name-checking Mauricio Pochettino as a potential replacement.

A much-needed win over Southampton prior to the international break took the club into 15th place with seven points, and it looks as if Gerrard’s potion is safe for now.

The Latest: Preece’s comments

Talking to GiveMeSport, Preece said that he thinks Purslow is ‘backing’ Gerrard, who is ‘learning on the job’ in the Premier League at Villa Park, saying that could ‘frustrating’ for the Villa faithful.

“I think he’s got a strong relationship with the man that brought him to Villa Park, Christian Purslow. I think he’s backing him. He’s a rookie Premier League manager. He hasn’t been in the job a year yet, so he’s learning on the job. I know that’d be frustrating to hear for Villa fans. But that’s the realisation. He’s learning on the job. He’s admitted to making mistakes, this season and last season.”

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The Verdict: Huge October

Rumoured target Pochettino is thought to be open to the idea of possibly replacing Gerrard, so it could be crucial for the Villa boss to have a solid start to October.

Villa have six Premier League fixtures next month, starting at Elland Road against Leeds, but they won’t be able to call upon Boubacar Kamara due to injury.

Kamara has suffered knee ligament damage while Lucas Digne has reportedly suffered a possible stress fracture to his ankle on international duty, potentially making Gerrard’s task even harder.

Nottingham Forest made 22 signings over the summer, building an almost entirely new squad upon their return to the Premier League after 23 years away from the top flight, but it hasn’t been the best start for the Tricky Trees.

Steve Cooper’s newly-constructed side have struggled to pick up points over their first seven league outings with just four points leaving them 19th in the table after losing their last four games on the bounce.

The Garibaldi will be hoping that an extended break throughout September, as well as playing the last game of this round of fixtures on Monday against Leicester City, will see them come back refreshed and should have given them enough time to rebuild their confidence to make a fresh start.

Evangelos Marinakis certainly showed his ambition with the huge amount of transfer business delivered over the summer, but there was one player that Forest missed out on that could’ve been a real force in the centre of the pitch.

Tiémoué Bakayoko was a transfer target that the powers at The City Ground were in talks with during the transfer window. However, the club failed to secure his signature, before he made a loan move back to AC Milan from his parent club Chelsea, and it could be a decision Marinakis will regret.

The 28-year-old midfielder – who was hailed a “monster” – has many attributes that saw him outperform Nottingham Forest’s Remo Freuler last season. As a result, it appears he could have been a better prospect than the 30-year-old Swiss ace.

Despite only making 14 appearances for Milan, Bakayoko boasted a better pass completion rate (88.5% v 85.8%), won more aerial duels (70.8% v 54%) and has also ranked higher than Freuler amongst his positional peers in the top five European leagues too over the last 12 months.

The £93k-per-week ace ranked in the top 5% for tackles, pressures and aerial duels won, whilst Freuler ranked in the bottom 35% for aerial duels and the top 40% for pressures and tackles.

With that being said, in terms of getting better defensive performances out of his team, Cooper could have had a much more reliable player in Bakayoko, but will now have to hope that Freuler can up his game in the centre of the pitch when Forest return to action on Monday.

David Moyes led West Ham United to just their second Premier League win of the season with a 2-0 victory over Wolverhampton Wanderers on Saturday evening.

It was a solid performance by Moyes’ team and should give them confidence going forward into a busy October.

One player in particular that stood out for West Ham, even more so considering he was playing at right-back instead of his usual centre-back spot, was summer arrival Thilo Kehrer, and he could well be one of the best signings of the transfer window.

West Ham have struck gold

The German defender was excellent against Wolves, making five tackles, four clearances, and winning five out of his eight duels as the Old Gold couldn’t find a way beyond the solid West Ham backline.

Since joining the club from PSG in the summer for a fee of just £10.1m, which was described by Roshane Thomas as a “brilliant addition” to the team, he has settled in extremely well.

Kehrer ranks third in the West Ham side for pass success rate (87.2%) and he has taken on average, 54.3 touches per match, proving he is always keen to get involved and keep the ball circulating. That element of composure is hugely important to Moyes who will no doubt value calm build up play from the back.

In the West Ham squad, Kehrer also ranks second for clearances per game (3.7), proving he he can also be no-nonsense in his approach. He ranks fourth for interceptions (1.5), and seventh for tackles per game (1.2), suggesting that he has eased into Premier League life and is adding some quality to Moyes’ backline.

With those numbers in mind, it’s hardly a surprise that Hansi Flick dubbed the versatile ace a “complete” player.

Further praise was forthcoming after the Europa Conference League win against Silkeborg, with writer Craig Morrison lavishing praise upon Kehrer, claiming he “is going to prove the bargain of the year”. Certainly, with his initial performances, this prophecy could well be spot on by the end of the season.

Indeed, the German defender is already valued at a whopping £26m by Football Observatory, a 157% increase on their initial investment.

The most remarkable thing about the move for the German, however, was Moyes selling Issa Diop for £15m and bringing the 26-year-old in as a replacement while still having the best part of £5m in the bank.

Getting rid of a player whose contract was set to expire next season and then signing a proven Germany international, is simply excellent business by Moyes and it could well be the deal of the summer.