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Leeds United winger Jack Harrison will sign a new contract ‘if the right terms are put in front of him’, journalist Pete O’Rourke has told GiveMeSport.

The lowdown

The 25-year-old, who is under contract at Elland Road until the end of next season, is attracting some covetous glances.

As per The Athletic’s David Ornstein, Newcastle made two bids for the Englishman during the summer transfer window, the second of which was worth more than £20m.

Scott Wilson of The Northern Echo reported late last month that, with the Magpies expected to return for the winger in January, Leeds are hopeful of extending Harrison’s deal before the year is out.

The latest

O’Rourke says that Leeds are determined to fend off any interest in Harrison and secure his commitment, and he believes that the player will be receptive to the club’s proposal, provided they make a suitable offer to him.

The journalist told GiveMeSport: “They don’t want to sell and they want to tie him down to a new contract, so they are showing their faith in the player as well.

“Jack Harrison does seem to be quite happy at Leeds United and, if the right terms are put in front of him, I’m sure he would be happy to sign them.”

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The verdict

There were a couple of big-name departures from Elland Road last summer, with Raphinha and Kalvin Phillips joining Barcelona and Manchester City respectively for a combined £100m.

In light of those exits, it will surely be a relief for Leeds fans to hear optimism around the possibility of Harrison staying put.

As per FBRef, Harrison is only earning £15,000 per week in Yorkshire right now, which leaves him well outside the club’s top bracket. He arguably deserves to be among the highest-paid players at Leeds, having been directly involved in 29 goals (scoring 17 and setting up 12) in 78 Premier League matches since they were promoted.

Leeds YouTuber Connor McGilligan says that the winger has been ‘absolutely superb’ this season, stepping up following the exit of Raphinha, so the Whites ought to reward him with a contract offer which suitably reflects his contribution to the team.

Derby County have ruled out a move to sign Middlesbrough defender Darnell Fisher.

The Lowdown: Fisher links

Paul Warne didn’t take charge at Pride Park until the start of October, meaning that the January transfer window will be his first opportunity to get some of his own signings through the door.

The 28-year-old Fisher is just one of several players to have been linked with a switch to League One, with the Riverside outfit open to letting him leave in the New Year, though any hopes of a move have now been firmly shut down.

The Latest: Warne’s update

Speaking to Derbyshire Live (via Football League World), Warne denied all claims of interest in Fisher and revealed that a future deal is not on the cards.

“January is a great opportunity but whether we get the players we want we will have to see. But every day is like a press day. Everyone asks what’s happening.

“I got told the other day that I had been linked with Darnell Fisher. There is zero truth in that. I know Darnell really well. If I want him I’d just phone him. So there is zero truth in that. It was said it was off a good source, but there is no better source than me.”

The Verdict: One to avoid

Fisher was once dubbed a ‘fantastic’ potential signing by sports journalist Josh Bunting, but making the decision not to pursue a deal is the correct one.

The right-back hasn’t featured since sustaining a serious knee injury in a freak accident last summer and offers little threat from full-back, scoring just three goals in 210 career appearances.

The Rams need to be targeting players who are fully fit and could come in and make an instant impact, and Warne appears to know exactly who, and what, he wants from the upcoming window.

Manchester City have been praised for their capture of ‘top talent’ Emilio Lawrence as journalist Fabrizio Romano shares the details.

The Lowdown: City starlets shine…

The City Football Group have witnessed a plethora of young rising stars come through their state-of-the-art academy set up in recent years.

Most notably, big name England international youngsters Phil Foden and Jadon Sancho, with the latter eventually leaving Eastlands, perhaps come as their highest-profile homegrown graduates.

There are many more turning heads, though, with the likes of Cole Palmer, Josh Wilson-Esbrand and Rico Lewis featuring under Pep Guardiola recently.

Portuguese teenager Carlos Borges is also currently making waves with the elite development squad, even earning comparisons to Foden after his phenomenal start to the 2022/2023 youth campaign.

The Latest: Romano praises ‘big’ Emilio Lawrence signing…

While the Etihad Campus is already producing waves of top-tier talent, City are still maintaining their mission of bringing in some of Britain’s brightest from outside the club.

Former Scotland Under-17 international Lawrence is now one of them, as shared by Romano, with the 17-year-old now completing his move to City.

The Premier League champions have been praised by Romano for their capture of the attacking midfielder as the journalist explains (via Twitter):

“Manchester City have finally signed top talent Emilio Lawrence after long negotiations. It’s done — as deal has been signed, medical completed.

Lawrence joins City from #EFC, he was also part of the U23 team last season. Big statement by City to sign more top talents.”

The Verdict: Exciting…

Adding another teenage sensation to City’s ranks will come as exciting news for supporters.

Lawrence in particular his hugely promising, having already played Under-23’s football at such a young age, and CFG will have been watching his 21/22 season with real interest.

The attacker made a brilliant nine goal contributions over 18 appearances for most recent club’s Under-18s last season, but now, he could transfer his dazzling displays to Manchester.

Renowned Glasgow Rangers podcasters Heart & Hand were left stunned by the early injury suffered by Ridvan Yilmaz in the first half this afternoon.

The Lowdown: Off after eight minutes…

Given a start by Giovanni van Bronckhorst ahead of Borna Barisic, Yilmaz was forced off through injury after just eight minutes of their game against Aberdeen at Ibrox in the Scottish Premiership.

It was just his second start in the division since his move from Besiktas in the summer, and now it looks as if he could be facing an extended spell on the sidelines.

The Latest: Heart & Hand stunned

Taking to Twitter after Yilmaz was substituted off for Barisic, Heart & Hand were left stunned, labelling the number of injuries that the Gers are picking up as ‘absolutely unbelievable’:

“Ridvan off injured. Absolutely unbelievable our injuries right now.”

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The Verdict: Rotten luck…

The Light Blues are really having some rotten luck with their injury situation right now, and it was not helped by the fact that Ben Davies had to go off injured at half-time as well.

This comes after Van Bronckhorst confirmed in his pre-game press conference that Kemar Roofe has suffered a setback in his recovery from a knee injury.

The injury list keeps on growing for the Teddy Bears, who also have the likes of Connor Goldson, Filip Helander, John Souttar, Tom Lawrence and Ianis Hagi out for the long-term.

Nonetheless, they simply cannot afford any more from now until the FIFA World Cup.

Aston Villa might be in line to bolster their front line already, with one eye on a player who could star at the World Cup…

What’s the latest?

Having nearly signed Ismaila Sarr in the summer, recent claims from journalist Ed Aarons seem to suggest they could be prepared to reignite their interest.

Speaking to GIVEMESPORT, responding to a question about whether the Midlands side will scout him this winter, he said: ”Yeah, I would definitely say so. I know Crystal Palace have had a lot of interest in him, and obviously, Man United a couple of years ago tried to get him on loan on transfer deadline day. 

“So, I wouldn’t be surprised if he is in the sights of other clubs, bigger clubs as well, eventually, if the price comes down. 

“But maybe it’ll be a move to a smaller club in the Premier League first and then to a bigger club, but I honestly think that he’s good enough to play for one of the top clubs.”

Back in the summer, the Senegalese talent was valued at an eye-catching £25m.

He could be Danjuma 2.0

At his previous club Villarreal, Unai Emery was well known for his shrewd recruitment and ability to really get the best out of his players.

Spotting Arnaut Danjuma from Bournemouth, fresh off the back of his Supporters’ Player of the Year award, he negotiated a deal to sign the 24-year-old for just £21.3m.

This came when Villa themselves reportedly showed an interest in the Dutchman too.

His debut season in Spain then saw him lauded as a sensation, with an impressive haul of 16 goals and four assists across La Liga and the Champions League.

It marked a great transfer success for the Yellow Submarine, who also stormed to an unlikely semi-final of Europe’s elite competition.

Now, with Sarr, Emery could repeat this feat with a winger that shares striking similarities.

Blessed with frightening pace, quick feet and an eye for goal, the two have both torn up the Championship on separate occasions.

The Senegalese flyer has this season scored five and assisted three already, but during the 2020/21 campaign, scored 13 and assisted ten on their way back to the Premier League.

His exploits have led teammate Kiko Femenia to succinctly sum him up by claiming: “Ismaila is very fast and has a lot of power.”

After 11 months of Steven Gerrard’s narrow formations and convoluted tactics for the wingers, Sarr would be a breath of fresh air as the speedster looks to return the side to a play style they excel in.

Aaron Danks needed to only afford the wingers some freedom to thrash Brentford 4-0.

Already boasting experience in the top flight, and having a proven track record of being a reliable goal threat, Emery could repeat his Danjuma masterclass at Villarreal with his first signing in the Midlands.

Tony Mowbray has said that Niall Huggins ‘will be on the coach’ as Sunderland take on Birmingham City in the Championship tonight.

The Lowdown: Injury problems

The 21-year-old has suffered from some really unfortunate injury problems since arriving at the Stadium of Light, restricting him to a mere four senior appearances for the Wearside club.

The right-back made his return to the pitch for the under-21s last month and has played three games in total for Graeme Murty’s team so far this season.

The Latest: Huggins in the squad

Speaking to the media in his pre-game press conference ahead of Sunderland’s match at Birmingham tonight, Mowbray has confirmed that Huggins is back training with the first team and ‘will be on the coach’ to the ground with the rest of the squad.

The 58-year-old stated that Huggins “is fully back in with the first team and he will be on the coach travelling with us to Birmingham”.

The Verdict: Timely boost for Sunderland

After Mowbray admitted that his side have ‘lots’ of injuries going into tonight’s clash, having Huggins back in the first team – having made no senior appearances so far in this campaign – is no doubt a timely boost for Sunderland.

There was a lot of promise for Huggins when he first arrived from Leeds United, with the Black Cats’ manager at the time Lee Johnson praising his versatility, physicality and speed.

Equally as comfortable at playing both right-back and left-back, the youngster’s extra versatility will also be welcomed by Mowbray, especially if the Sunderland boss has a number of players unavailable in the full-back positions.

Southampton midfielder, Romeo Lavia, has been praised by journalist Jacob Tanswell following the Saints’ Premier League defeat against Liverpool. 

The Lowdown: Nathan Jones’ first game in charge of Southampton

The south coast club travelled to Anfield on Saturday only to lose 3-1 in what was Nathan Jones’ first game in charge of the Saints.

Che Adams managed to grab an equaliser in the ninth minute of the game after Roberto Firmino’s early opener, only then for Darwin Nunez to score a brace before halftime.

Despite the disappointing result, one Southampton player found himself on the end of some hefty praise from Tanswell.

The Latest: Praise for Lavia

During the game, Tanswell took to Twitter to share this comment about Lavia, who played 82 minutes of the game at Anfield.

He said: “Lavia has gone down injured with what hopefully looks to be cramp. Has reminded everyone how good he is, if anyone forgot, today.”

The Verdict: A bright spark for Southampton

Since arriving at St. Mary’s back in July from Manchester City in a deal worth up to a reported fee of £14m, the Belgian has made seven appearances for Southampton in the Premier League.

Across those seven games, the 18-year-old has racked up the highest percentage of successful passes (88.3%) at the club out of players that have attempted more than 30 passes this season.

With only three other players at the club having made more passes into the final third of the pitch than Lavia (30), who missed eight games earlier in the season with a hamstring injury, this highlights just how much of an effective midfield figure he is for Jones’ side.

Looking at the Liverpool game, Hampshire Live said in their player ratings article that the Saints looked better when Lavia was involved in the game, further showcasing how much of an impact he has when in the team.

West Bromwich Albion have enjoyed a fine turnaround under Carlos Corberan, leaving Steve Bruce’s miserable tenure well and truly in the past.

Before the enforced World Cup break, the Baggies had won their last three Championship games, having kept clean sheets in all of them.

The Spaniard’s new regime is clearly built upon solidity, but this is a decision likely based on necessity rather than preference, given his underperforming front line.

Karlan Grant has just three goals in the league this season, and summer signing Brandon Thomas-Asante has only mustered the same tally too.

The latter was arguably an emergency addition to cope with the injury of Daryl Dike, who was signed by Bruce in January.

The American was coming off the back of a fine loan spell at Barnsley where he had scored nine in 19 and previously had ten goals in 18 MLS games.

He clearly boasts a prolific skillset, and his return for the U23s will have been a huge boost for everyone at the club. Not to mention the fact that he scored too, before being brought off at halftime.

There will be hope that he can maintain fitness over the month-long rest, returning with a bang come the 12th of December.

Despite his injury woes, there has been an undeniable rise through the ranks for the 22-year-old.

Only in August of 2020 was he valued at just €100k (£86k), and in two shorts years has catapulted to an outstanding €7m (£6m).

This marks a sensational 6876% increase, and in such a short time, this is indicative of just how impressive Dike has been over this period.

The £32k-per-week talent was expected to be a star for the Midlands outfit, and whilst a consistent run for the side has had to be postponed, he could now help the Baggies push themselves up the table in the second half of the season.

Having earned praise from football coach Nigel Quashie in the summer, fans can finally rejoice that the man who looked “a beast” will be fit once again.

Transfer expert Dean Jones claims that Jordan Pickford and Alex Iwobi may ‘think twice’ about signing new contracts at Everton.

The Lowdown: Contracts running out…

Both Pickford and Iwobi have contracts at Goodison Park that are set to expire in 2024, meaning that they will only have a year left on them come the end of the season.

The latter is reportedly in the frame for a new deal, but nothing is guaranteed at this stage, especially given the Merseyside club’s poor start to the season which sees them lingering in 17th place in the Premier League table.

The Latest: May ‘think twice’

Speaking to GiveMeSport, Jones has claimed that Pickford and Iwobi may ‘think twice’ about committing their long-term futures to the Toffees, given the situation around the club:

“For these two players, you would have to think twice about committing at the moment.

“They’ve both had pretty good campaigns, but they also both seem to get picked apart when things don’t go especially well.”

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The Verdict: Worrying

Pickford and Iwobi are two of Frank Lampard’s key players in his squad, having racked up over 2500 minutes between them in the Premier League so far this season, and ranking in the top five best performers for the Blues per WhoScored.

Pickford is already attracting interest elsewhere ahead of the January transfer window, and Everton may have to consider selling for reasonable fees if there are no signs of a new contract being signed.

Nonetheless, the Toffees will still be hoping that both players commit their futures to the club, and a turnaround on the pitch in the second part of the campaign.

Newcastle United could well be set to wrap up another deal in the New Year, amid reports that West Ham United youngster Harrison Ashby is destined for a move to St James’ Park.

What’s the word?

That’s according to Hammers insider, Claret and Hugh, who suggested that the 21-year-old now ‘looks certain’ to join Eddie Howe’s side in 2023, with the switch either set to take place in the January window or when his contract expires at the end of the season.

The promising right-back has seemingly informed those at the London Stadium that he is keen to join the northeast side, with there seemingly ‘no chance’ of the Scotland youth international staying with the Irons.

The Milton Keynes-born gem had previously been heavily linked with the Tynesiders on deadline day over the summer, while more recent reports have also suggested that the defender is still a target for sporting director Dan Ashworth, alongside Leeds United’s Cody Drameh.

‘Fearless’ talent

Newcastle have already wrapped up one deal ahead of the upcoming winter window, with Australian teenager Garang Kuol having completed his switch from A-League side Central Coast Mariners back in September.

That move for the 18-year-old – who is currently representing his country at the World Cup – comes amid what appears to be a push to recruit up-and-coming talent, with the aforementioned Ashworth having previously stated:

“Our philosophy is to invest in our Academy and in exciting young players for the future, as well as in players required to make an immediate impact in the first team.”

In the case of Ashby, the emerging ace could well be someone who is both a player for the long-term, but can also make an impact at senior level straight away, with Howe seemingly in need of a better fit to provide quality backup for first-choice pick, Kieran Trippier.

Sweden international Emil Krafth is currently still on the treatment table after suffering an ACL injury, while Javier Manquillo has seemingly been surplus to requirements of late, with the Spaniard making just two appearances in league and cup so far this term.

That has ensured that the West Ham gem could well take the place as Trippier’s understudy and potentially replace the experienced Englishman in the coming years, with the “fearless” talent – as described by podcaster Sam Delaney – seemingly set for a bright future in the game.

While the 5 foot 10 ace has made only seven appearances at first-team level for David Moyes’ side, he has more than made his mark at U21 level of late, recording an impressive return of three goals and ten assists in 41 games at that age group.

The one-time Chelsea youth product could well be the type of talent that Howe is able to nurture over the next few years, with the Magpies seemingly in need of a younger fit in the squad at right-back.

For all the importance of signing high-profile, established names to bolster the starting XI, securing highly-rated and fearless prospects such as Kuol and Ashby could well be just as important for Newcastle’s long-term project.