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A number of Liverpool supporters are fuming after James Pearce claimed the Reds are unlikely to sign anyone in the January transfer window.

Jurgen Klopp had a quiet time of things in the summer, with Ibrahima Konate the only player coming in and the likes of Gini Wijnaldum and Xherdan Shaqiri leaving the club.

There may be the need for January reinforcements to come in, though, especially with Naby Keita, Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane departing to the Africa Cup of Nations.

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Next month could be a pivotal one in Liverpool’s season and whether or not they do any transfer business may end up proving key to their success.

According to The Athletic‘s Pearce [via Anfield Watch on Twitter], however, the Reds are unlikely to make any new signings in January, ‘barring an injury crisis or a change of heart’.

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Liverpool fans fume at James Pearce claim

It isn’t an update that has gone down well with some Liverpool fans on Twitter, with these supporters providing their thoughts.

“Tell us something we DON’T know James”

Credit: @andrefening

“Seriously, I love klopp and wouldn’t change him for any other manager but he cannot moan about congestion fixtures and then not sign any players”

Credit: @braham_shay

“Sorry can’t do this”

Credit: @StartJoeGomez

“Is this ever going to end?”

Credit: @jono1018

“Wow, what a shock. Come early Feb we will be linked with players again….. At least it wont be Sancho again lol”

Credit: @jayellcee7791

“The article on February 1st… ‘Liverpool are gearing up for a very expensive summer where they look to spend £200m+’…. The article on September 1st… ‘The new Anny Road development has gone over budget that’s why reinforcements could not be bought in!'”

Credit: @sjlfc2005

In other news, some Liverpool fans have flocked to an exciting transfer update. Read more here.

Liverpool have entered the race to sign striker Alexander Isak from Real Sociedad, according to the print edition of Spanish newspaper AS (via Sport Witness).

The lowdown

The 21-year-old frontman scored 17 La Liga goals in 30 starts for Sociedad last season. His finest run of form came shortly after the turn of the year, when he netted nine goals in six matches, including a hat-trick against Alaves.

Isak is currently on Euro 2020 duty with Sweden, who have reached the round of 16. He has earned plaudits for his performances at the tournament, with Gary Lineker describing him as an ‘exceptional talent’.

Borussia Dortmund had a €30m (£25.8m) buyback option but, according to Marca, Sociedad reached an agreement with the Bundesliga outfit to remove that clause.

The latest

The report from AS claimed that the Premier League is ‘going crazy’ for Isak, with Liverpool, Arsenal and Chelsea all in the frame for his signature.

It seems that the Reds have yet to formalise their interest, though, and Sociedad are expected to demand that a €70m (£60.2m) release clause be paid in full.

Having secured Europa League football for the second consecutive season, the San Sebastian club are not thought to be under pressure to sell.

The verdict

Isak has been a joy to watch at the Euros, showcasing a delicate touch as he manoeuvres his way through challenges at will. It’s no surprise that he’s attracting interest, and Liverpool need a number nine to succeed Robert Firmino.

However, it’s very difficult to see them shelling out more than £60m on the Swedish prospect when another exciting talent in the form of PSV’s Donyell Malen may be available for less than half that price.

In other news, read James Pearce’s update on the latest Reds rumour. 

Crysencio Summerville is ‘pushing for a place in the matchday squad’ for Leeds’ Saturday lunchtime Premier League clash with Tottenham Hotspur, BBC Radio Leeds journalist Adam Pope reported this morning.

The lowdown

Leeds signed teenage right-winger Summerville from Eredivisie giants Feyenoord last summer on a three-year contract.

And he’s contributed six goals and six assists in 12 appearances for the Leeds Under-23 side that took the Premier League 2 Division 2 title – he’s averaged a goal or assist every 71 minutes at that level.

Summerville was called-up to the senior squad for the visit of Manchester United at the end of April.

He watched on from the bench as the sides played out a 0-0 draw.

The latest

Pope reports just hours before the match (via BBC, 08:32) that Summerville is in contention once again given his strong form at under-23 level and the injuries to those further up the pecking order.

Senior right-winger Raphinha is ‘still a doubt’ and the same can be said for midfielder Kalvin Phillips.

Raphinha has missed the last two matches after hobbling off late on against Manchester City, while Phillips was sidelined for the trip to Brighton with a knee complaint.

The verdict

The final few games seem to give Bielsa an ideal opportunity to hand first-team minutes to the likes of Summerville and striker Joe Gelhardt, also 19, given that Leeds are sat so comfortably in mid-table.

He’s erred on the side of caution with youngsters so far this season, with Gelhardt also waiting for his first minutes and 21-year-old Ian Poveda still always featuring as a substitute.

Leeds finish the season against Southampton, Burnley and West Brom – all teams in the bottom five. Perhaps those games are more realistic targets for Summerville and co. than Saturday’s demanding clash with European chasers Spurs.

In other news, read this incredible stat about Luke Ayling.

Wolves are reportedly interested in a move for Stade de Reims forward Hugo Ekitke, according to The Telegraph. 

The lowdown: Rising stock

The 19-year-old spent the second half of the 2020/21 season on loan at Danish side Vejle BK, scoring three times and registering two assists in 11 outings before returning to France.

Since then, the speedy frontman has enjoyed a breakthrough campaign in Ligue 1 and has been linked with a move to a host of Premier League clubs, including the likes of Liverpool and Manchester United.

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Newcastle United were believed to be close to landing Ekitike in January but the move failed to materialise and now the Wanderers could be about to throw their name into the mix ahead of the summer window…

The latest: The Telegraph makes claim

As per the report from journalist for The Telegraph, John Percy, Wolves are the latest club to ‘show interest’ in the teenage sensation.

It’s claimed that officials from Molineux have been ‘scouting’ the France Under 20 international whose running style has been likened to that of compatriot and Paris Saint-Germain superstar Kylian Mbappe.

The report states that Wolves will face ‘serious competition’ for the two-cap youth international in the summer as Bruno Lage attempts to bolster the attacking options at his disposal in the Midlands.

The verdict: An exciting prospect

Described as ‘very special’ by manager Oscar Garcia, Ekitike has scored ten and provided another four assists in 24 appearances across all competitions this season playing as both a centre-forward and a left-winger, with transfer insider Graeme Bailey even reporting that many in France believe he is the ‘next Mbappe’ and would be a ‘huge signing’ in the Premier League.

Per FBref, the young Frenchman is actually a close match to Wolves star Raul Jimenez stylistically and it’s no surprise that Lage would look towards the ace to arrive as an understudy.

Standing at 6 foot 2, Ekitike possesses the necessary physical attributes to handle the rigours of the Premier League, something that until now Fabio Silva has struggled to cope with, and can therefore be considered as a realistic target to add to the ranks this summer.

In other news, Wolves are reportedly eyeing up a move for an exciting player. Find out who it is here.

Miguel Almiron has dropped a quite worrying claim on his future at Newcastle United.

Speaking to Paraguayan radio station ABC Cardinal, the attacking midfield player said: “I would like to play in a team that fights more”.

Newcastle should be worried about Almiron

The fact that Almiron has suggested that the Magpies team does not fight enough should be a very big worry for the St. James’ Park faithful.

With the North East club lurking toward the bottom of the table in the Premier League and in serious danger of finding themselves relegated down to the EFL Championship, the least that the players can do is show some sort of fight to stay up.

If this continues to be the case, then the Paraguay international may want to look elsewhere for a new club, which would no doubt be detrimental to Steve Bruce’s side.

Almiron has scored five goals and made a further three assists in 30 games in total over all competitions across the 2020/21 term so far (Transfermarkt), and is certainly one of the Tyneside club’s better players going forward.

Alan Shearer even went as far to claim that the 27-year-old was ‘magnificent’ in a 3-2 home win over Southampton in the top flight back in February.

Nonetheless, the Toon Army will surely be worried by his latest comments.

In other news, find out what big double injury boost NUFC have received here!

Wolves fans were often bored watching their team last season with a lack of threat in the final third, so Bruno Lage must implement an attacking style of play as he did at Benfica. To do that, he’s got to keep Adama Traore according to Wolves legend, Steve Bull.

Lage has been well known for his attacking style of play which saw his Benfica side score a mesmerising 85 goals in just 27 matches, winning 18 of their 19 league fixtues as they romped to the Liga Nos title. Someone who could help implement that at Molineux is Traore, but Lage could have a battle on his hands to keep the linked-away winger.

The former assistant coach at both Swansea City and Sheffield Wednesday is sure to bring about a more front-foot approach, something that would appear to suit Wolves as they boast attacking options such as Pedro Neto, Traore, Daniel Podence and Raul Jimenez, although those four players only managed to score a combined total of 14 goals in the Premier League last season.

If Wolves are to play a more attacking style of football going forward then Traore must be part of it with his raw pace and strength a huge asset to Lage, if he wishes to start the winger or bring him on as an impact sub, something Bull spoke exclusively to Transfer Tavern about:

“If Lage wants to play 4-4-2 then he should keep Traore and put him on the right or the left and have one of Podence or Neto on the other side of Jimenez and that would be a good front three.

“I think if he wants to play attacking football then he’s got to keep him.”

Traore is by far and away one of the most difficult players to come up against as he is relentless and last season was no different as he attempted 214 dribbles in the league which was 50 more than Sadio Mane who attempted the second-most so, Lage would be mad to try and move him on and not to deploy him in a more attacking system.

Sheffield Wednesday have been dealt a blow in their quest to sign Matthew Olosunde from Rotherham United, with Preston North End swopping in instead.

The Lowdown: Owls linked with Olosunde move

The right-back made 32 appearances in the Championship for Rotherham last season, ultimately failing to keep them in the Championship.

Wednesday have been linked with a move for Olosunde as Darren Moore eyes up new signings ahead of life in League One, but the boss will have to look elsewhere for a new full-back.

The Latest: Preston set to sign target

Unfortunately, the Owls’ hopes of signing the 23-year-old American have been scuppered, with Preston confirming that he has joined the club.

Olosunde’s contract with Rotherham has expired, allowing the Championship club to snap him up for free and meaning Wednesday will now have to start over in the hunt for defensive reinforcements.

The Verdict: Blow for Wednesday

This is an undoubted blow for the Owls, but the harsh reality is that a free agent is more likely to join a Championship club over one in League One.

Patience may be required from Moore in the transfer market, as the manager looks to bring in exactly the players he wants to fit his system, in order to mastermind his team’s return to the second tier.

Liam Palmer still has a year left on his current deal, and will hopefully remain Wednesday’s first-choice right-back, which would soften the blow of missing out on Olosunde, but the Owls are clearly on the hunt for a younger player in that spot.

In other news, Sheff Wed are reportedly eyeing up a summer signing – find out who the player in question is here.

Former Newcastle United midfielder Steve Howey has exclusively told Football FanCast that Ole Gunnar Solskjaer shouldn’t be sacked if Manchester United fail to win a trophy this season.

The United manager is on the verge of leading the Red Devils into the Champions League for the second consecutive season, but needs to win the Europa League to avoid another campaign without silverware.

Solskjaer’s team have a favourable quarter-final tie against La Liga outfit Granada, but the Norwegian has lost in each of his four previous semi-finals as United boss, including last season’s Europa League against Sevilla and the Carabao Cup last-four tie against Manchester City back in January.

United topped the Premier League earlier in the campaign, but four draws in a five-game period in February allowed City to move comfortably clear at the summit and on the verge of winning the title back.

It means that United’s hopes of a successful season lie in Europe, but does Howey think that Solskjaer’s job should rest on that outcome?

“No! They were top of the league at one stage this season,” he Football FanCast. “I have seen them a few times and they’ve been absolutely dire and I’ve seen them a few times and they’ve been devastatingly good.

“They’ve had some poor results this season, but have gone on a ridiculous away run. He seems to be really struggling and massively under pressure, and he gets a result out of nowhere.”

As announced by the Hammers on Tuesday, promising young forward Thierry Nevers will now join West Ham United when the transfer window opens on 9 June – prompting many Hammers fans to buzz over this news.

Nevers, who has bagged nine goals in 25 Premier League 2 appearances overall, will now leave Reading after spending nine years in their academy system.

The 19-year-old is seen as a talented prospect and certainly one for the future with West Ham now moving to complete his signing.

Nevers will join the Irons on a three-year contract with the option to extend for an additional year and is described by the official club website as ‘quick’ and skilful’ whilst possessing a ‘razor-sharp’ eye for goal.

The teenage attacker can play both on the wing and through the middle and takes inspiration from footballing superstars Cristiano Ronaldo and Neymar.

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Flocking to the official announcement that he will join West Ham, Irons supporters appear over the moon as they flock to social media – find all of their best verdicts down below.

West Ham fans buzz over Nevers announcement

“Let’s gooo!”

Credit: @9thCodebreaker

“SHEEEEESH”

Credit: @whuabi

“Welcome to the mad house Thierry”

Credit: @whufc40

“baller tbf, v v happy with this”

Credit: @BennnWHU

“Excited to see you in the claret and blue!”

Credit: @Abs_Singh_1

“Great start”

Credit: @Tommb22

“Welcome Thierry Henry”

Credit: @TalkinWestHam

“Love to see it, welcome Nevers”

Credit: @EmersonWHUFC

In other news: West Ham leading race for this potentially ‘perfect signing’, find out more here.

Speaking exclusively to Football FanCast, former Premier League striker Dean Windass has his doubts about Ollie Watkins playing out wide for Aston Villa.

Watkins was Villa’s first-choice No.9 last season and impressed in that position, scoring 14 goals in 37 league outings.

However, that could now change following Danny Ings’ arrival, with the 29-year-old currently leading the line for Villa.

He has already scored twice while Watkins remained on the sidelines due to injury.

It leaves Dean Smith with a decision to make once Watkins returns to full fitness, with the Villa manager perhaps needing to move the England international out wide in order to accommodate his new signing.

Windass, though, is unsure about such a move. He told FFC:

“I’m not too sure that Ollie Watkins would like to play wide left, but obviously I’m not telling Dean how to manage. He knows the best formation.”

Smith stated last month that he did not bring Watkins to Villa Park to play out wide. However, given his experience there and the form of Ings, maybe it is something he has to consider later down the line.

It is a dilemma, but it is certainly a good one to have.