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Southampton are in talks regarding a deal which would see Mario Lemina leave St Mary’s this summer.

What’s the talk?

That’s according to a report by French media outlet Le10 Sport (via Sport Witness), who claimed that, following a €4m (£3.5m) offer from Nice being rejected by Southampton, talks are ongoing between the two clubs regarding the midfielder’s potential sale in the summer transfer window.

The report added that, while there is still ground to be made up between the two clubs’ respective valuations of the 27-year-old, talks this weekend could see a breakthrough which may all but secure his switch to the south of France ahead of next season.

Fans surely buzzing

Having cost Southampton €20m (£18.1m) to sign from Serie A outfit Juventus four years ago, it is an easy argument to make that Lemina has not proven fantastic value for money for the south coast club.

Indeed, having featured just 52 times for Saints during his time at the club, as well as being sent out on loan for the last two seasons, it is evident that the £64,000-per-week midfielder is not a key part of Ralph Hasenhuttl’s plans at Saint Mary’s.

The Gabon international has not exactly flopped when given the opportunity in a Southampton shirt, earning an impressive seasonal SofaScore match rating of 6.98 and 6.89 in his first two seasons at the club respectively. However, if the 53-year-old Saints manager has no intention of playing the £9m-rated midfielder, it would indeed seem wise to move him on while he is still under contract with the club.

Furthermore, should Nice pay a fee for the man Garth Crooks dubbed a “powerhouse”, this money – plus whatever is saved on Lemina’s considerable wages – could easily be put towards improving Southampton’s squad ahead of next season. That possibility would surely have fans of the club buzzing.

In other news: Tom Leach delivers update on £60k-p/w Southampton outcast, fans will be buzzing

Taking to Twitter, reliable club insider ExWHUemployee has backed a development in West Ham United’s pursuit of Manchester United star and top target Jesse Lingard.

The Lowdown: West Ham ready to pay fee…

It is no secret that the 29-year-old is on manager David Moyes’ radar as he seeks to bolster his side’s options and give them a fighting chance of qualifying for the Champions League next season.

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After his sensational spell on loan in east London over the second half of 2020/2021, West Ham, Moyes and recruitment chief Rob Newman have been targeting Lingard as his current deal at Old Trafford looks set to expire at the end of this season.

The England international, as a result, can either wait until the summer and leave for free or opt to join a new club in January if any suitors table a bid before deadline day.

Recent reports say West Ham are indeed willing to do just that with the Irons now apparently ready to pay a £3million fee to seal Lingard’s signing.

The Latest: ExWHUemployee backs Lingard development…

Taking to social media, reliable Hammers source Ex backed this development in the Lingard transfer saga.

Whilst stating ‘yes’ in reply to a supporter who asked if there is any truth to the £3m bid rumours, the insider did also provide a degree of caution – going on to claim West Ham’s willingness to pay doesn’t necessarily mean the player wants to make the move.

The Verdict: Get it done…

While the £75,000-per-week ace’s current stance on a move to West Ham remains the last major hurdle, if his mind is swayed, signing him would be a big boost for Moyes.

Scoring nine goals and assisting four others in 16 Premier League starts last season on a temporary spell, Lingard is a proven player under the Irons boss and could gift the club a different dimension going forward.

Taking into account his 2021 numbers at West Ham, with talkSPORT pundit Adrian Durham calling him ‘absolutely phenomenal’, £3m seems like a real bargain.

Hammers supporters may be hoping that there is a development on Lingard’s side that favours him joining West Ham permanently before January 31.

In other news: ‘Please please please’, ‘Baller’, ‘Perfect’ – Many West Ham fans rave as GSB eye ‘fantastic signing’…find out more here.

Newcastle United have reportedly now ‘made’ a club-record ‘offer’ to sign Darwin Nunez in the summer.

The Lowdown: ‘Marquee’ signing

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) consortium’s Public Investment Fund (PIF) reportedly want to make a ‘marquee’ signing this summer, and Nunez tops that list.

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Described as an ‘absolute beast’ by Liverpool podcaster Hari Sethi after an impressive performance in the UEFA Champions League against the Reds, the six-foot-two starlet has notched up no fewer than 32 goals in just 37 games in total over all competitions so far this season (Transfermarkt), and will no doubt be on a lot of club’s radars come the transfer window.

The Latest: Offer made

As per transfer insider Santi Aouna, the St. James’ Park faithful have now ‘made an offer’ for Nunez ‘in recent weeks’, but ‘several’ clubs in Europe are ‘trying’ to sign him from Benfica.

He expanded in his article for Foot Mercato that the North East club have offered ‘more than’ €60m (£49.6m) for his signature, but face competition from PSG, FC Barcelona, Chelsea, Manchester United, Manchester City and Atletico Madrid.

The Verdict: Unlikely

Given the calibre of clubs interested, and off of the back of the season that he is having, it seems highly unlikely that the Magpies would be able to persuade Nunez to move to Tyneside.

They would not be able to offer him any European football, and so it is too early in their project to be going for names currently being chased by what seems like half of the big teams in Europe.

However, he is only 22 years of age, and so the Uruguay international could be one that they look to target in the future, once the PIF project is fully firing.

In other news, find out which Van Dijk-like colossus NUFC have now sent scouts to watch here!

After completing his loan spell in the Championship with Blackburn Rovers last season, where he managed to score seven goals and provide 11 assists in 42 appearances, Liverpool winger Harvey Elliott broke into Jurgen Klopp’s side at the start of this season, starting three out of their first four league games of the campaign.

Unfortunately for the 18-year-old, he suffered a serious ankle injury during the 3-0 win over Leeds United back in September which has kept him out of action ever since.

Despite this setback, though, it now seems as though there is light at the end of the tunnel for the youngster.

What’s the latest?

On Monday, Elliott completed some exercises on Liverpool’s outside training pitches for the first time since undergoing surgery on his ankle, which will surely leave a lot of Reds fans buzzing.

Given how the Merseysiders have had some other injury issues in recent weeks with the likes of Naby Keita, James Milner and Roberto Firmino, it’s safe to say that this update on the teenager will be a welcome slice of good news for Kopites.

While there may still be a way to go before he recovers fully and is able to get back in matchday action with the rest of his Liverpool teammates, this is still a big step forward for Elliott and his overall recovery given the severity of his injury.

In the four league games he played for Liverpool before sustaining his injury, the teenager – who is currently valued at £13.5m according to Transfermarkt – racked up an average of 1.8 shots and 1.3 key passes per game, proving to be as a real attacking threat for Klopp’s side even though he hadn’t scored or set up a goal.

Moving forward, if Elliott can proceed with the rest of his recovery with success, he has shown that he definitely has what it takes to get himself back in the team and continue being a useful attacking midfield option for the Reds. That could ultimately make him an important part of Liverpool’s push for the Premier League title by the end of the campaign, especially if he can add some goals and assists to his locker.

In other news: Liverpool gem who’s “out of this world” has just shown in 122 touches why he’s Klopp’s hero

A huge Rangers transfer claim has emerged over Ibrox central midfielder Joe Aribo…

What’s the talk?

According to Football Insider, a recruitment source has revealed that an English team sent a scout to watch the Gers machine last week.

The report claims that the insider has told them that Crystal Palace are stepping up their interest in the midfielder ahead of the summer, with other – unnamed – Premier League teams also keen on him.

He is out of contract in the summer of 2023 but it remains to be seen whether or not he will be willing to put pen to paper on an extension in Glasgow.

Supporters will be fuming

This update will surely leave the fans fuming as it suggests that Rangers are going to be under fierce pressure to sell the midfielder this summer.

Palace are pressing ahead with plans to snap him up and the Gers may be left with no choice but to cash in on him if they cannot negotiate a new contract. It is not worth the risk of losing him for nothing if they can recoup a sizeable fee for him ahead of the 2022/23 campaign, as the money the English side pay for him can then be used to source a replacement.

Whilst this means that a deal would make sense from a financial standpoint, that does not mean that the fans will be happy to see the back of him.

The midfielder has popped up with some big moments for the Gers throughout the campaign as he has chipped in with vital goals and assists – including two against Braga last week.

Earlier this season, van Bronckhorst lavished Aribo with praise as he said: “He’s played his role really well and I’m really happy with his performances.

“When you have a midfield player who is dangerous with his runs, with his off-ball movement, you create more danger from different areas. I think Joe is playing really well at this time. I’m happy with his performances.”

These comments highlight how much the head coach rates the gem and suggest that he would be gutted to lose him to Palace in the summer.

It is easy to see why the supporters and head coach will want him to stay when you look at his statistics this season so far. In the Premiership, he has scored eight goals and provided five assists in 31 matches – averaging a superb SofaScore rating of 7.11.

He has been for the Gers in the league as he has been able to deliver quality end product in the final third and it will now be a nervous few months as the fans await a verdict on his future at Ibrox…

AND in other news, Huge blow: Rangers hit with fresh injury concern that’ll infuriate Gvb…

It’s not about talent, or natural ability. Becoming a professional footballer is all about how hard you work and the choices that you make during your career. It’s also about who you know! If there are people in your life with connections – like coaches, scouts, agents- then use them to get ahead of the competition. Because it takes more than just skill to become a professional football player these days; it takes drive and determination too!

What qualifications do you need to be a professional footballer?

To play professionally, the most important qualification is that you’re good enough. All players who want to earn money from football can’t be considered for playing in any league or team without meeting all the requirements set out by the individual teams. That means an ability to read and write English well, as well as being able to speak comfortably on behalf of yourself and your teammates. 

The rules vary among countries but they usually involve having no criminal record either in England or abroad, no history of drug or casino abuse (such as no deposit free spins) and medical certificates confirming that there are no conditions preventing you from working.

What are the chances of becoming a professional football player?

Your chances of becoming a professional footballer depend on many different factors. Where you live, the team that you play for, and if you have any sort of connection to a coach or scout all have an effect on your chances. At the end of the day, it is up to you to put in the hard work and dedication necessary to become a professional footballer.

Top tips for becoming a professional footballer Be willing to relocate for the right opportunity: Moving to a new town or country can be difficult, but it is sometimes necessary to give yourself the best possible chance of success. Get as much experience as you can: The more matches and training sessions you play in then the better your chance of being noticed by scouts and coaches. Play well with others: Competition for places is tough at professional clubs so if you want to get noticed than demonstrating your ability and willingness to work hard for your teammates is important too. Learn English: With so many foreign players in the Premier League, it’s crucial that young players understand English so they can speak confidently with their coaches and teammates. Have a back-up plan: All footballers get injured sometimes; if you’re lucky, it will be a minor injury and you’ll only miss a few games. But what about times when injuries can end your career? If that happens then having a solid education could save you from financial hardship in the future. Take up an active hobby: Given how much time football players spend on the field practicing, clubs prefer to sign those who have healthy interests such as horse riding or outdoor sports to help them recover from injury and maintain good mental health. Be coachable: When young players reach professional level, they often find themselves working under managers and coaches with decades of experience playing the game at the highest level. Sometimes younger players don’t feel confident in challenging a coach or manager’s decisions during a match. However, if you demonstrate faith in your colleagues and authority figures then they’ll be more likely to take you seriously on the pitch too. Develop good personal habits: Eating well, getting enough sleep each night and keeping healthy are all important factors in ensuring that players stay motivated and achieve their best performance levels on the football pitch. If you’re not taking care of yourself properly then it will be harder for coaches to trust you with a place in the team. Watch matches closely: Sometimes when watching a football match it can be easy to get caught up in what is happening elsewhere on the field rather than concentrating on your own role within the game. Keeping an eye on what other players are doing lets you learn from their good and bad play. Don’t give up: If you truly want to become a professional footballer then make sure that nothing gets in the way of achieving your dreams. Bad luck, injuries and lack of opportunities can all put talented players off going for their dream, but if that’s what you really want then persistence is key! Moving to a new town or country can be difficult, but it is sometimes necessary to give yourself the best possible chance of success.

The more matches and training sessions you play in then the better your chance of being noticed by scouts and coaches.

Having faith in your colleagues and authority figures then they’ll be more likely to take you seriously on the pitch too.

If you truly want to become a professional footballer then make sure that nothing gets in the way of achieving your dreams.

Conclusion

It’s not impossible to become a professional football player, but it is difficult. You need to be willing and able to relocate in order for your skillset to reach its full potential. It will also take time, effort, and dedication on your part.

Tottenham Hotspur have reportedly offered midfielder Moussa Sissoko in part exchange in an attempt to sign Juventus ace Weston McKennie [Tuttosport via Sportlens].

The Lowdown: Spurs continue squad re-structure as window nears an end

As 2021/22 starts to take shape, recently appointed Spurs manager Nuno Espirito Santo will be keen to continue re-structuring his squad as he eyes a push towards Champions League qualification this campaign.

Thus far, the Portuguese coach has managed to complete three additions in the form of Pierluigi Gollini, Cristian Romero and Bryan Gil [Transfermarkt].

Now, could it be a case of one in and one out at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium following recent developments.

The Latest: Spurs offer Sissoko in attempt to sign McKennie; Ndombele was initially offered

Tottenham were originally said to have offered former Lyon anchor man Tanguy Ndombele as a carrot in their pursuit to sign USA international McKennie this window [Sportslens].

However, his Italian employers refused the proposal, leading Spurs to present 32-year-old Sissoko as an alternative swap-plus-cash in order to acquire McKennie.

The Frenchman is one of the biggest earners at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on around £79,000-p/w [Salary Sport], but isn’t considered to hold precedence within their plans this season.

The Verdict: McKennie would be an inspired addition for Spurs this summer

Needing fresh blood in the middle of the park, McKennie would be an inspired signing by the Tottenham Hotspur hierarchy due to his tenacious nature and abundance of energy.

In 2020/21, the American showed his quality in attack, registering nine goal contributions in 46 appearances; six goals and three assists [Transfermarkt].

Furthermore, his ability and composure within the midfield came to the surface last term, with McKennie managing to record a passing accuracy of 85.4% in Serie A across the piece [WhoScored].

Once labelled as ‘outstanding’ by former Schalke executive manager Christian Heidel, Spurs should look to close a deal before the window concludes [Schalke 04 Official].

In other news, Tottenham Hotspur eye a La Liga star. Find out who here

Leeds United have no new injury problems ahead of their trip to Manchester City on Tuesday night, according to reliable journalist Phil Hay.

The Lowdown: Leeds preparing for City clash

The Whites were beaten 3-2 away to Chelsea on Saturday, conceding a late penalty to lose in heartbreaking fashion at Stamford Bridge.

It doesn’t get any easier for Marcelo Bielsa’s side, with reigning Premier League champions City welcoming them to the Etihad Stadium on Tuesday.

Leeds also have numerous injury problems to contend with at the moment, but a fitness update from the manager at least indicated that the situation hasn’t worsened.

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The Latest: Hay gives injury update

Taking to Twitter on Monday afternoon, Hay confirmed that Bielsa doesn’t have any new injuries in his squad, but nor is he expecting anyone who is sidelined to return for the Manchester City clash.

The journalist tweeted: “From Bielsa’s pre-City presser: no fresh injuries ahead of tomorrow but none of the players who were absent at Chelsea are ready to return. That would mean Bamford, Phillips, Cooper, Struijk, Koch still unavailable.”

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The Verdict: Huge task ahead

This is arguably going to be Leeds’ toughest game of the season so far, as they look to take down a City side who have won their last six league matches in a row and currently sit top of the table.

It is difficult enough beating them when everyone is fit – the Whites famously triumphed at the Etihad last season – but seeing off Pep Guardiola’s star-studded team without the likes of Patrick Bamford, Kalvin Phillips and Liam Cooper is even harder.

Anything other than a defeat would feel like a huge bonus for Leeds, although they have at least shown that they can cause the big teams problems since their return to the top flight, as highlighted by their valiant efforts at Chelsea on Saturday.

In other news, David Ornstein has provided an important update on one Leeds player. Find out who it is here.

As per Football Insider, an update has emerged on Tottenham Hotspur midfielder Tanguy Ndombele’s future at the club and what manager Antonio Conte intends in January.

The Lowdown: Future up in the air…

The club record signing, brought in from Lyon two years ago (BBC), has been at the centre of reports linking him with a move away since the summer window.

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Ndombele allegedly informed Tottenham chiefs of his desire to leave north London before August, but after a move failed to materialise, the 24-year-old has been in and out the team.

Conte’s arrival gifted the Frenchman yet another new start after the sackings of Mauricio Pochettino, Jose Mourinho and Nuno Espirito Santo but Spurs’ latest manager has already called out his work ethic.

Now, in an update on his future, FI have shared some news on Conte’s sale stance.

The Latest: Conte wants him gone…

As per their information, the Italian ‘wants Ndombele out if a deal can be done’ with Spurs now aware of interest from Italian giants Juventus, the former club of transfer chief Fabio Paratici.

Football Insider also reiterate that Conte has already told Spurs chiefs to offload the midfielder in January, and while a permanent sale isn’t ruled out, an obligation-to-buy loan or standard temporary deal are more realistic options.

The Verdict: Time to go?

We believe cutting ties with Ndombele could be the only way forward at this point, even despite his obvious ability, with the former Ligue 1 sensation finishing 2020/2021 as Tottenham’s best dribbler on average with 2.2 completed take-ons per 90 in the Premier League (WhoScored).

He’s also been described as ‘unplayable’ by former Spurs keeper Joe Hart during his time in north London (Rio Ferdinand to BT via Spurs Web), but Ndombele’s quality is marred by a consistent lack of application.

Chairman Daniel Levy famously sat down with the £200,000-per-week ace to discuss his future during Amazon’s fly-on-the-wall documentary ‘All or Nothing’, and that was in his first season at Hotspur Way.

Having played under three new managers since Pochettino first brought him to Spurs, now may be time to consider parting ways.

In other news: Spurs in pole position to sign ‘perfect’ player for Conte as price tags drops by nearly half, find out more here.

Fulham midfielder Fabio Carvalho has emerged as a transfer target for Leeds United this summer, according to the Daily Mail.

The lowdown

Carvalho made six appearances for the Cottagers in the second half of the 2020/21 season, scoring against Southampton back in May.

The midfielder certainly didn’t look out of place in senior football, having made the move to Fulham from Balham in 2014, having previously been on the books with Benfica. He started their match against Middlesbrough at the weekend, registering two shots and completing four dribbles for Marco Silva’s team (WhoScored).

Former Fulham boss Scott Parker has previously sung the 18-year-old’s praises. Speaking after his goal against the Saints three months ago, the now-Bournemouth manager said of Carvalho: “Massive positive for us because he’s the one who’s going to be here, he’s a player that is really bright and can bring something to this team.”

The latest

It appears as though Carvalho’s impressive showings haven’t gone unnoticed, with Leeds United registering their interest in signing the midfielder.

However, they aren’t the only club believed to be keen on signing the 18-year-old, with the Daily Mail claiming that Norwich City, West Ham United and FC Porto are also interested in signing Carvalho.

The report added that Fulham face a ‘battle’ on their hands to keep him at Craven Cottage in the future, with his contract situation reaching an impasse after he turned down the club’s offer of a new deal, having entered the final year of his current contract.

The verdict

Carvalho has shown real promise for the Cottagers in the early stages of his senior career. As evidenced by his dribbling figures from Sunday, he’s showing no fear when playing in their first team, which is refreshing to see from a young talent.

Leeds could potentially be the ideal move for him as well, as Marcelo Bielsa has already shown that there is a clear pathway through to their first team for young prospects, with the likes of Pascal Struijk and Illan Meslier (both 21) featuring regularly under the Argentine in the Premier League last term.

Carvalho could be the next player to follow in their footsteps, but Leeds will face a battle on their hands to land his signature on a permanent basis, with a number of other clubs reportedly keen on signing him. Given the competition for the youngster, it would seem quite a coup if the Whites can come up trumps in this frenetic transfer race.

In other news, David Norris has made a plea to Marcelo Bielsa regarding these two Leeds players