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As per Football Insider journalist Wayne Veysey, some news has emerged on West Ham United’s transfer plans for January with a new forward on the agenda in Rubin Kazan forward Khvicha Kvaratskhelia.

The Lowdown: Moyes eyeing January…

The Irons are still competing on all fronts with manager David Moyes aiming to bolster his squad in the January transfer window and cope with the increasingly congested fixture calendar.

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Injuries to Angelo Ogbonna and Kurt Zouma have prompted them to also hunt for an emergency centre-half but that hasn’t stopped them being linked to forward options.

Jesse Lingard is thought to be on the agenda, for example, while Moyes and recruitment chief Rob Newman also seek out a centre-forward as back up for Michail Antonio.

Now, some news has emerged on another attacker West Ham are now eyeing.

The Latest: West Ham ‘plotting’ Kvaratskhelia move…

As per Football Insider’s Veysey, West Ham and Everton are ‘plotting moves’ for Russian Premier League winger Kvaratskhelia as the Irons cast their net far and wide.

It is believed the Georgia international, a very highly rated prospect, now has concrete interest from West Ham as Newman and Moyes eye a swoop.

Kvaratskhelia has apparently caught the eye of Hammers scouts after a stellar performance for the Georgians in their 2-0 World Cup qualifying win over Sweden last month.

The Verdict: Exciting option?

Targeted by the likes of Tottenham before, it is clear that the 20-year-old certainly has bags of ability – with journalist Fabrizio Romano taking to his Twitch stream earlier this year and explaining that he is ‘incredible’ (via HITC).

He had many suitors in the summer window also, including Borussia Dortmund, with Sky Sports reporter Max Bielefeld saying that Kvaratskhelia is considered a ‘very interesting, but expensive’ player with a price tag that could reach €20 million (£16.9m).

The Kazan ace has also been dubbed ‘The Georgian Messi’, such is his stellar reputation, but we believe West Ham are better placed prioritising an out-and-out striker right now given Antonio’s poor run of form.

Their central defensive crisis also takes precedent, but a swoop for Kvaratskhelia certainly shouldn’t be ruled out for the future.

In other news: ‘We are back’, ‘What I wanted to hear’…ExWHUemployee’s ‘best news’ has many West Ham fans buzzing, find out more here.

Tottenham insider John Wenham believes defender Joe Rodon could seal a north London exit in the final days on the January window, Football Insider report.

The Lowdown: Rodon under Conte

Rodon is one of five senior centre-backs on the books in north London but has hardly featured under Antonio Conte.

The 24-year-old has made just one appearance under the Italian, coming against Morecambe in the FA Cup earlier this month. He’s been a regular in Conte’s Premier League matchday squads but hasn’t managed to make a cameo off the bench.

Leeds were name-checked with an interest in Rodon ahead of the January window, with reports suggesting that Spurs were likely to give the green light to a temporary exit. However, Alasdair Gold recently admitted that Spurs are yet to receive any official offers for the Wales international.

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The Latest: Wenham’s comments

Wenham was talking to Football Insider regarding Rodon and a possible exit this month.

Here’s what he had to say, labelling it a ‘surprise’ that no offers have come in but backing Rodon to seal an exit ‘in the last days of the window’.

“It is a surprise there have been no offers.

“He might not have played much this season but he did really well at the Euros, clubs must know how good he is.

“A lot of clubs should be looking for a centre-back with plenty of Premier League experience, is capable of playing in a two or three at the back and a full international.

“It does surprise me that it has been reported there have been no offers. I think this is one of those things that might ramp up in the last days of the window.

“Maybe it’s one where clubs will look to sign him after they have been snubbed by their preferred targets.

“I still expect him to leave.”

The Verdict: Will Conte need him?

If Rodon doesn’t seal a Spurs exit before the end of the month, it may not be the end of the world for Conte. That’s because the Spurs boss could be down to the bare bones at the back with Cristian Romero and Eric Dier injured and Japhet Tanganga linked with a move to AC Milan.

Should the latter of the three depart and no defensive reinforcements arrive, Rodon would be one of two fit centre-backs available, meaning the Italian may be forced to use him over the coming weeks.

Things could change between now and the end of the month of course, so the Welshman’s future could be one to keep an eye on.

In other news: Spurs make 11th-hour attempt to dramatically scupper rivals’ move for £40.5m-rated ‘beast’. 

Over the last few years, Nuno Santo and Jeff Shi have completely changed the face of Wolverhampton Wanderers.

They were taken from a middle of the road Championship club to one competing in the Europa League.

The way they’ve fallen away this season, therefore, has been completely out of turn with the high standards that they’ve set themselves.

They currently sit in the bottom half of the table and memories of European football have slipped away very quickly.

It’s been a difficult term to analyse. Without injuries, Wolves may well occupy a place in the top half still.

Raul Jimenez has been missing since November while he recovers from a fractured skull and during that time frame, the club’s out and out strikers have scored just four goals between them.

Fabio Silva has struggled to live up to his price tag, netting three times and Willian Jose only has one goal since penning terms in January.

It’s evident that Wolves need more firepower, especially with Pedro Neto now out for six months with a knee injury.

They could find that by targeting Tammy Abraham. According to Football Insider, Wolves are in the race to sign the Chelsea striker, alongside Aston Villa.

The 23-year-old has been bumped down the pecking order at Stamford Bridge this term but over the last 18 months he is their top scorer, netting more than Timo Werner this season.

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Abraham netted 15 league strikes in 2019/20 and has six in 21 this term. That might not be the best tally but he’s still racked up an impressive 30 goals in Chelsea colours.

He is a particularly tricky forward to deal with, combining pace with brutal physicality and height that can blow away the opposition.

Throughout his career, he has won 2.2 aerial duels per match. Compare that to Jimenez and he’s ahead by 0.5. Thus, the Old Gold could find a very different offensive proposition by luring him to Molineux this summer.

They’d have more pace in behind and they’d also have a better target to aim for when delivering balls into the penalty area.

Dubbed “phenomenal” by Alex McLeish, Abraham is the type of player who could take Wolves back to Europe.

At the age of 23, he has a high ceiling and potential that could grow higher than Jimenez. The Mexican has been a great servant in the last couple of seasons but Wolves need further options to really take them to the next level.

Abraham has shown he can score goals on a regular basis at the highest level and would surely prosper under Nuno’s counter-attacking system.

Just imagine what he could do with the likes of Neto and Adama Traore running riot next to him.

AND in other news, Wolves could unearth their very own Ruben Dias in “outstanding” rarely-seen 18 y/o…

The Athletic’s David Ornstein, a reliable source, has revealed that Manchester City striker Gabriel Jesus is a target for Arsenal ahead of the upcoming summer transfer window. 

The lowdown: Doubts emerge?

Signed for £27million from Palmeiras in 2016 (Sky Sports), the Brazilian has scored 93 times in 230 outings for the Citizens.

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Despite the impressive return the Brazilian has struggled to hold down a regular place in Pep Guardiola’s first team and as such has only started on 22 occasions in 35 outings across all competitions this season.

Jesus put on a Man of the Match display at Eastlands on Saturday afternoon with a remarkable four-goals and one assist in a 5-1 demolition of Watford – but his long term future at the Etihad is in question…

The latest: Ornstein makes transfer claim

Taking to Twitter on Friday, journalist Ornstein of The Athletic stated: “Arsenal exploring possibility of signing Gabriel Jesus from Man City. Clubs yet to speak but talks between Edu + reps for months. 25yo open to idea, #AFC current favourites. Calvert-Lewin among options @TheAthleticUK #MCFC #EFC 1st reported @jorgenicola.”

Out of contract in 2023 (Transfermarkt), Arsenal are billed as the ‘current favourites’ to sign the man hailed as an ‘unsung hero’ by Guardiola back in March 2021 following a brace against Wolves.

The verdict: No deal

This shouldn’t even be under consideration for City as Jesus’ astonishing form, when given the opportunity by Guardiola, has backed just how useful he can be for the Sky Blues – as evident by his ridiculous performance yesterday.

So far this term the versatile forward has scored 11 times and provided 12 assists, importantly proving to possess the Midas touch when it comes to big game showdowns with Liverpool.

Even with the potential arrival of Haaland, Jesus has proven to be a top-level operator for the Sky Blues and should be kept on in rotation with or as an understudy for the Norwegian. Albeit Arsenal would be an attractive proposition for the player and a palatable one for Guardiola given the links to Mikel Arteta, selling to a Premier League rival must be out of the question.

In other news: Pep falls out with ‘world class’ Man City star behind-the-scenes, he could now leave…find out more here.

Darren Bent has says he would resign ‘for health reasons’ if he were in Steve Bruce’s position at Newcastle. 

According to a poll conducted by the Shields Gazette at the beginning of March, a whopping 97.5% of fans ‘strongly disagree’ with the notion that Bruce is the right man to lead Newcastle forward – and that was before they went down 3-0 at Brighton, leaving the mood at the club the ‘lowest it’s been’, according to Ryan Fraser (via ESPN).

There are, of course, no fans in attendance at St James’ Park these days to offer a hostile reception, and Bruce said back in October that he doesn’t read online criticism.

Nevertheless, Bent – capped 12 times by England – reckons the atmosphere around the club will still be taking its toll.

“For Steve himself, what he’s had to endure in terms of the people hammering him from outside, if it was me, I’d have to resign just for health reasons,” he said on talkSPORT on Tuesday morning.

“The fact he’s taken so much stick – it’s difficult. For me, he’s done an okay job.”

Transfer Tavern verdict

The pain Newcastle fans feel at their club’s fortunes is entirely understandable, but while there are long-term fundamental issues clearly at play, Bruce is still partially culpable for their slide toward potential relegation. Based on their lifeless display in their six-pointer against Brighton, he has lost the dressing room.

What’s important, however – and the vast majority of Newcastle fans will likely recognise this – is that the criticism stays focused on Bruce’s sporting decisions, and does not become unduly personal.

In other news, journalists explain why Bruce retains the backing of Mike Ashley.

Everton arguably have one of the best left-backs in the Premier League, especially in the final third with Lucas Digne’s crossing second to none, however links suggesting that they could move for Marcelo this summer is a concern for former defender, Michael Ball.

Digne is hugely effective for the Toffees in the final third with his seven assists last season proving to be the most in the entire squad, and five of those came from crosses into the box – something that he has become well renowned for since joining from Barcelona.

Despite Digne being so important for Everton and more specifically, Dominic Calvert-Lewin, the Toffees are being linked with Marcelo who could see his game time severely limited next season with Ferland Mendy performing very well for Real Madrid last season at left-back.

Marcelo is still a very good left-back despite being in the twilight years of his career now but it would not be a signing that seems necessary unless Digne was to leave this summer, something that concerns Ball, who spoke exclusively to Football FanCast:

“The Marcelo links surprised me and also concerns me. Obviously, he’s 33 and was a fantastic full-back in his prime and I could probably see that happening if Ancelotti was still the manager.

“It concerns me because does it mean that Digne could be on his way out and ready to move on? So that concerns me about Marcelo because why bring him in if you’ve got Digne and two young left-backs in the squad who are ready to pounce if Digne’s not available.”

There is no doubting that Marcelo is a top-class full-back and his trophy cabinet speaks for itself really but if Everton are to get anywhere near the top seven and qualify for Europe, a 33-year old left-back is not the way to go about it.

With fresh reports suggesting that Rafa Benitez is no longer going to be in the dugout for Everton next season, their search for a new manager continues and thus, new signings will be put on the back burner.

Tottenham Hotspur have been told exactly how much it’ll cost to land mooted summer transfer target Mikkel Damsgaard…

What’s the word?

“Did you see that Damsgaard goal? I’ll tell you [his] fair price, today at least 30 million but if he scores again he will reach 40,” claimed Sampdoria president Massimo Ferrero to Italian newspaper Il Secolo XIX (via Calciomercato).

Spurs have been linked with the 20-year-old gem regularly over the past few months and, just last week, Club Doria 46 reported that their interest was ‘strong’, although the north Londoners face competition from their Premier League rivals West Ham and Leeds.

Moura upgrade?

If the Denmark international continues to excel at Euro 2020, that asking price could genuinely increase, just as his club’s president says.

Damsgaard has emerged as a potential Danish star of the future in the absence of former Tottenham playmaker Christian Eriksen. His wonderstrike kickstarted a 4-1 rout over Russia to seal their place in the knockout stages of the competition.

The Sampdoria attacker received the ball from current Spurs midfielder Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg and, on the half-turn, he shifted the ball onto his stronger right foot before curling a phenomenal strike into the top corner.

As per SofaScore, Damsgaard is among the best-performing attackers in the competition right now. He has recorded six successful dribbles, four shots and two key passes, earning a 7.25 average rating on top of his wonder goal.

Considering it was on such a big stage, it was the first real glimpse of the young 5 foot 11 dynamo living up to his hype. It’s no surprise that his former manager Claudio Ranieri, who won the Premier League at Leicester, dubbed him a “child prodigy” with a “big future.”

These performances at Euro 2020 merely build on his impressive domestic form from the 2020/21 campaign, where he registered two goals and four assists, but those numbers do not do his performances justice as the £11.7m-rated Dane proved to be an exciting and versatile talent, displaying immense levels of work rate.

Damsgaard played in no fewer than seven different positions across 37 appearances in all competitions and averaged 1.2 tackles and 1.5 successful dribbles per game in the Italian top flight.

With the future of current Spurs winger Lucas Moura in doubt, the “magical” and “dynamic” gem could well be a perfect long-term upgrade for whoever takes the dugout in north London next season.

Last season, the long-serving Brazilian managed only 1.1 successful dribbles per game, whilst he isn’t as industrious as Damsgaard either, having averaged a lower 1.1 attempted tackles each league outing, as per WhoScored.

Between September and February, the first-choice winger only delivered one goal in the Premier League, which emphasises his inconsistencies in a Spurs shirt.

Fabio Paratici must look to sign Damsgaard now that his asking price has been revealed and, in the process, the north Londoners can move on from the faltering Moura.

AND in other news, Paratici can seal Spurs’ dream Kane replacement in “complete” £36m-rated goal machine…

Carlo Ancelotti must boot Nathan Broadhead out of Goodison Park for the last time when his Everton contract expires this summer.

What’s the word?

According to the Liverpool Echo, the Toffees are expected to release Broadhead on a free transfer once his terms lapse in June.

The 23-year-old has been training with Ancelotti’s first-team fold and has featured on the bench this season, but has seemingly failed to earn new terms.

Ancelotti has listed the former Wales youth international among his backup options for five Premier League fixtures to date, plus March’s FA Cup defeat to Manchester City.

But his last senior minutes came in December 2017, when handed his debut and sole first-team appearance as an 82nd-minute substitute against Apollon Limassol during a Europa League Group Stage tie.

Broadhead is now one of 13 senior and Under 23 players facing the end of their spells at Goodison Park, as Director of football Marcel Brands continues his efforts driving down an inflated wage bill.

Brands is also working on lowering the age of David Unsworth’s U23s, for whom Broadhead has featured 14 times this season – scoring eight goals, providing two assists and captaining the side twice – in the Premier League 2.

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Everton’s U23s are noted to have boasted an average age of 21 on the opening day of the 2020/21 season, but have reduced that number to just over 19 for their last junior game.

Should Everton retain Broadhead?

Broadhead has been on the books at Goodison Park for a number of years, having joined Everton in his youth following spells with local side Bangor City and Wrexham AFC.

Brands cannot show any sentimentality to the forward, however, as the 18-cap Wales U21 international will not merit another contract having seemingly failed to impress Ancelotti while working closely with the Italian this term.

Ancelotti would likely have awarded the 23-year-old his second Everton outing – and first in more than three years – during one of his appearances on the bench if he felt confident in the potential impact Broadhead could provide.

That is clearly not the case and was often fictitious during a loan spell with Burton Albion in League One during the 2019/20 season, when the forward offered two goals and two assists over 19 third-tier fixtures.

Each of his goals also came during the second of Broadhead’s league outings under Nigel Clough, who had lauded the Toffees’ 2018/19 U23 Player of the Season as “an exciting signing” for the Brewers.

But as the Toffees have not seen Broadhead emerge as an exciting first-team player under Ancelotti since his return last summer – or under the managers that went before the Italian – this summer must mark the end for his spell in royal blue, as he’s clearly unfit for Everton.

But with no first-team appearances in over three years since his debut in December 2017, it’s time for the Toffees boss to offload the 23-year-old outcast this summer.

AND in other news, Everton have eyes on a “very good” £3.5m-rated forward available on a free transfer…

West Brom are set to hold talks with Chris Wilder following the news that Sam Allardyce will leave the club this summer…

What’s the word?

According to The Telegraph’s John Percy, the former Sheffield United manager is high on the Baggies’ shortlist to replace the departing 66-year-old and is believed to have already been approached.

The Midlands outfit will be back in the Championship next season but do not want to splash out compensation on a manager who is already in a job as it would damage their transfer budget, meaning that former Albion player and coach Michael Appleton – currently in charge of Lincoln – is effectively ruled out.

Wilder is said to be an increasingly attractive option for The Hawthorns gig.

Dowling must strike

If sporting director Luke Dowling and the West Brom hierarchy are wanting an out-of-work coach that has vast experience in the lower leagues, then there will not be a better candidate out there than Wilder. The 53-year-old is largely responsible for the Blades’ phenomenal rise in recent years, going from League One to the Premier League, all whilst on a tight budget.

Slaven Bilic’s reign was tarnished by a lack of spending power in the transfer market, so appointing someone with past experience in improving teams with as little money as possible is a hugely attractive factor.

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You only have to listen to Martin Keown’s glowing praise to understand just how good a job Wilder did at Bramall Lane, as he told Match of the Day (via Daily Express): “[He is] Their Messiah. Their Alex Ferguson. When you think of what he’s done for that football club. He’s their leader.”

Aside from playing an intriguing tactical system, one which includes overlapping centre-backs, the former Sheffield United boss could fix a big problem in the Midlands – conceding goals.

Yes, they may have finished rock bottom this campaign, but last season, the Blades were among the most solid teams in the top-flight. They conceded only 39 goals, better than the likes of Arsenal, Spurs, Chelsea and Leicester City, who all finished above them in the table.

By contrast, no Premier League team has leaked more goals than West Brom this year (73), not even the rock-bottom Blades.

Wilder has drawn further acclaim from his peers over the last few years, too. Jurgen Klopp described their tactics as “special” and also lauded the 53-year-old’s “exceptional” work, via Liverpool ECHO, whilst Pep Guardiola suggested that had Wilder been in charge of a team like City, he would be challenging for the title rather than facing relegation, as per Goal.

All in all, if Dowling and co want to revive the Baggies from their woeful exploits this term, then there will not be a better candidate than Wilder out there. They need someone with experience and know-how in one of the toughest divisions in England, and the former Blades chief is surely that man.

Albion must secure him as soon as possible.

AND in other news, 0 tackles, 33% duels won: West Brom disaster badly let the Hawthorns crowd down vs West Ham…

Liverpool and both Manchester clubs are reportedly interested in making a move for Borussia Dortmund superstar Erling Haaland next summer.

The Lowdown: Haaland emerges as world star

Few footballers in the world are currently more highly-rated than the Norwegian predator, with the 21-year-old producing outrageous numbers for Dortmund.

The £117m-rated striker has scored 63 goals in just 64 appearances for the Bundesliga giants, also netting eight times in 13 caps for Norway. Indeed, only Kylian Mbappe is valued at a higher amount by Transfermarkt, an indication of Haaland’s standing in the global game.

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The Latest: Liverpool tipped to make move

The 21-year-old has remained at Dortmund for the time being, but according to Diario Madridsta, Liverpool, Manchester United and Manchester City could all be willing to rival Real Madrid for his signature.

Haaland’s current deal doesn’t expire until the summer of 2024, so a huge fee would likely be required to snap him up next summer, especially with his exceptional goal tallies.

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The Verdict: Highly unlikely

In truth, it is extremely difficult to see Liverpool signing Haaland, given his probable wage demands (he is already on £141,000 per week) and the amount he would cost.

The Reds simply don’t have the same financial clout as the two Manchester clubs, both of whom spent big this summer, and unless someone like Mohamed Salah was to move on and free up funds and a place in Jurgen Klopp’s team, it is hard to see this move happening.

This summer has shown Liverpool’s limitations in the transfer market, buying in only one player for £36m, and how their rivals can pay huge wages, and it is difficult to see the situation changing any time soon.

In other news, some Liverpool fans are unhappy about a transfer rumour that has emerged. Read more here.