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Everton are set for a battle to keep hold of star striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin over the coming months after Real Madrid reportedly entered the race for his signature.

What’s the story?

The highly-rated 24-year-old has been linked with a move to fellow Premier League outfit Arsenal in recent weeks as they search for Alexandre Lacazette’s successor.

According to Italian outlet Calciomercato, Los Blancos are also now reportedly eager to secure Calvert-Lewin’s services as former Everton manager Carlo Ancelotti plots a reunion with the forward.

The report stated: “Arsenal is not alone in the footsteps of Dominic Calvert-Lewin. The 24-year-old Everton striker is also liked by Ancelotti’s Real Madrid.”

It will take a substantial fee to prise the England international away from Goodison Park, though, after he signed a contract extension until 2025 just last year, so a substantial payday could be on the horizon for the Blues.

Hammer blow inbound?

Calvert-Lewin enjoyed the most productive season of his career under Ancelotti last term, finishing as Everton’s top scorer in the Premier League with 16 goals, so reports of a potential exit will surely have the club’s supporters feeling incredibly worried.

His impressive performances for the Merseyside club drew eye-catching praise from his former manager, who even compared him to former AC Milan legend Filippo Inzaghi.

Speaking on Rio Ferdinand’s show ‘Between the Lines’, which airs on BT Sport’s YouTube channel, Ancelotti said: “Calvert-Lewin is improving a lot. I don’t want to say ‘has improved’, he is improving because I think he didn’t reach his best level in my opinion.

“I don’t see Inzaghi in him because he has a different structure and different characteristics. Calvert-Lewin is faster. Calvert-Lewin is better with the head. Calvert-Lewin is stronger than him. If Inzaghi listens to this he will kill me!

“But I have to say, Inzaghi in the box was the best striker that I ever had. I think this is natural instinct. He can be dangerous like Inzaghi in the box, for sure. He is faster than any defender, he jumps higher than any defender.

“It is a question of movement and details. He has to be focused, and he is. He is focused in the box,” Ancelotti concluded.

Under new boss Rafa Benitez, Calvert-Lewin began the current campaign in a similarly emphatic fashion, scoring in each of his opening three top-flight encounters in 2021/22. However, a fractured toe has sidelined the forward ever since.

His departure would be a hammer blow and an almighty setback in Benitez’s future plans for the Toffees, and the Spaniard will be hoping that the 6 foot 2 gem stays put for the foreseeable future. His goals are simply too important to lose.

In other news… Brands must sanction Everton swoop for “incredible” £19.8m-rated gem, Benitez needs him 

Tottenham Hotspur are interested in a deal to bring Christian Eriksen back to north London in the summer transfer window.

What’s the talk?

That’s according to a claim made by Fabrizio Romano, with the Italian journalist and transfer insider revealing in a recent episode of the Here We Go podcast that, despite there currently being no talks between the 30-year-old and Tottenham, a move for the midfielder is something Antonio Conte and Fabio Paratici will consider at the end of the season.

[snack-amp-story url= “https://www.footballfancast.com/web-stories/read-the-latest-spurs-news-transfer-rumours-gossip-levy-conte-paratici-thfc” title= “Read the latest Spurs news!”]

Speaking about Spurs’ links with the Denmark international: “The answer I’m always receiving on Eriksen’s side is: ‘He’s not deciding in April, he’s not deciding in May. He wants to wait until the end of the season to meet with Brentford and speak with them – as a matter of respect – and then he will make a decision on his future.’

“But we have rumours of Tottenham because of Antonio Conte. The relationship with Conte was terrible two years ago and then it changed, it completely changed in the second half of the last season with Inter Milan. So, this is why we have rumours. It is not something close, but it is something Tottenham could consider after the meeting with Brentford.”

Conte would love him

While it is true that, following his £24.3m move to Inter back in January 2020, Eriksen initially struggled for game time under the 52-year-old manager, the Dane eventually worked his way into the Italian’s starting XI, before becoming a key player for the Nerazzurri last season.

Indeed, over his 27 Serie A appearances last time out, the £13.5m-rated midfield maestro highly impressed in Inter’s title-winning campaign, scoring three goals and creating two big chances for his teammates, as well as taking an average of 1.2 shots and making 1.2 key passes per game.

These returns saw the £23k-per-week playmaker average a very respectable SofaScore match rating of 7.02, ranking him as Conte’s 11th-best player in the Italian top-flight.

This is form that the 111-time capped international has continued following his switch to Brentford in the January transfer window, with the player who Thomas Frank dubbed “world-class” very much proving he is still exactly as his manager claims.

Indeed, over his six Premier League fixtures for the Bees, the 30-year-old has already bagged one goal, provided two assists and created three big chances for his teammates, as well as made an average of 1.8 key passes and taken 1.7 shots per game.

These returns have seen the Dane average a quite extraordinary SofaScore match rating of 7.47, not only ranking him as Brentford’s best performer in the league but also as the fourth-best player in the division as a whole.

As such, Romano’s claim that Tottenham will consider a move to bring Eriksen back to north London this summer is hardly surprising, as it is clear that the midfielder is a player Conte would love to have in his side next season.

AND in other news: Spurs plotting £58m bid for “perfect” target who “Paratici loves”, he’s Conte’s dream

Craig Hope has dropped some injury news for Newcastle United ahead of their game away at Liverpool in the Premier League tonight.

The Lowdown: Defensive crisis

After the four goals that were shipped away at Leicester City last weekend, it is fair to say that the St. James’ Park faithful have a bit of a defensive crisis on their hands.

They have conceded no fewer than 34 goals in the Premier League so far this season, the joint-most in the division along with bottom-placed Norwich City, which is simply too much if they want to avoid relegation down to the Championship.

The January transfer window may help solve that, given recent links to the likes of defenders Sven Botman and Kieran Trippier, but ultimately Eddie Howe needs to try and get the best out of the squad that he has now.

The Latest: Fernandez injury

As per The Daily Mail journalist Hope, Federico Fernandez is now ‘set to miss’ the match at Liverpool as well as the ‘majority’ of other festive fixtures with a ‘thigh strain’, in what is a ‘blow’ for the North East club.

Hope claims that he is the one player that fans and observers believe could come in to aid the defensive issues that they have, but they are now set to be without him for the next few games at least.

The Verdict: Blow

It certainly is a blow to lose Fernandez, especially with the busy Christmas period coming up.

The Argentine has averaged the most blocks (1.4) out of his teammates in the top flight this term, and also ranks highly in terms of average clearances (3.9) and pass success (87.4%) (WhoScored).

The Tyneside outfit have conceded 22 goals in the nine Premier League games that he has not played in, while they have only let in 12 in the seven that he has featured (Transfermarkt), suggesting that they are a better defensive unit with him in the team.

Nonetheless, the Magpies will now have to find a way to pick up points without the 32-year-old, as they look to climb out of the relegation zone.

In other news, find out which ‘sensational’ signing NUFC are now ‘closing in’ on here!

Taking to Twitter, a number of West Ham fans have slammed the rumours suggesting that Andy Carroll could return to the club, following the news that he was pictured at the Hammers’ Rush Green training ground.

Shared by WestHamFans.org (via Claret & Hugh), images of former Hammers player Carroll at West Ham’s training ground have recently emerged, sparking rumours that he could be making a shock return to the club.

The 6 foot 3 striker made 142 appearances for the Hammers, scoring 34 goals during his tenure at the East London side.

In November last year, the 32-year-old joined Reading on a short-term contract. However, this contract has now expired, and the former Newcastle man is without a club. As a result, it remains to be seen what lies in the player’s imminent footballing future.

These West Ham fans react to the Carroll news

Club insider ExWHUemployee downplayed the rumours of Carroll’s return on Twitter, claiming that he has ‘been told the deal isn’t on’, further stating that he was ‘not sure why this Carroll rumour has so much legs’.

However, this still doesn’t explain why the player was pictured at the club’s training ground.

Consequently, fans flocked to the comments to share their disbelief, many slamming the club for entertaining such a prospect.

Here’s what some of them had to say:

“It’s baffling he is playing in the championship for a reason IMO even if we were in the bottom 4 it’s the wrong move and there are better options out there.”

Credit: @AshBarton70

“Don’t need to sign him ( we do need a striker). That’s a step backwards for us . Leave him in our history & move on .”

Credit: @SkeltonTony

“We’re desperate. That’s why hahahahaha”

Credit: @breggertelli

“Think it’s more about just how low our expectations still are!”

Credit: @richards_shaun

“Would be my last day as a West Ham fan”

Credit: @altgram

“Why on earth would they even consider it, are our fans deluded or something???”

Credit: @BKhammer1

Leeds United have made a late approach for Nantes forward Moses Simon, GFFN report.

The Lowdown: Simon profiled

Simon is 26 years of age and has been with the French side for 18 months since arriving in a £4.5m move from Spanish outfit Levante after a successful loan spell.

Primarily a left-winger who can also play as a centre-forward and on the right, Simon has scored 61 goals for club and country during his career.

The Nigerian appears to be at the peak of his powers with a career-high Transfermarkt valuation of £8.1m and seems to be attracting interest from Leeds.

The Latest: Approach made

According to journalist Ignazio Genuardi, via Get French Football News, the Whites are among the clubs to have made an approach for Simon.

There have been no major developments since this was reported on Saturday, so it seems as if Leeds could be biding their time before a possible deadline day move for the versatile forward.

The Verdict: Unlikely

The report claims that it could take an offer in the region of €20m (£16.6m) for Nantes to part ways with Simon this month, a fee which would be double his Transfermarkt valuation and be a costly one for Andrea Radrizzani and the 49ers Enterprises.

Should Crysencio Summerville leave for Hamburg following recent rumours, then it looks as if Liverpool’s Takumi Minamino could be a serious target to replace the youngster.

Who knows, Simon could also be on the list, but Victor Orta and co may simply run out of time to push a deadline day move through, with Minamino a closer option geographically at Anfield. A deal for the Japan star will potentially have less complications in the negotiating room too if Liverpool opt to loan him out after the capture of Luis Diaz.

In other news, Leeds have been boosted in their quest to sign a Premier League player. Find out who it is here.

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Leeds fans have taken to Twitter to react after it was revealed on the club’s official website that Kemar Roofe will spend a period on the sidelines after damaging knee ligaments in the recent win over Swansea.

The news will come as a big blow to promotion chasing Leeds, who will now be without their top scorer for the bulk of the run-in – 2-goal Patrick Bamford will most likely step in to cover the English striker.

Roofe has scored 14 goals in 26 Championship starts this season, so his absence will be a huge blow to Marcelo Bielsa who currently has his side sat in third and just two points off the top, along with a game in hand.

It is yet to be revealed just how long Roofe will be out for, but with such little striking depth in reserve who can match the 26-year-old’s output, Leeds supporters on Twitter are understandably worried about their chances of promotion following the crippling news…

A number of Sunderland fans have hit out at winger Lynden Gooch for his display in the 3-0 defeat to Sheffield Wednesday on Tuesday evening.

Gooch earned a first league start since September to make his 11th appearance of the season in all competitions. However, he couldn’t help the Black Cats suffer a third straight League One defeat.

The USA international failed to spot Theo Corbeanu unmarked out wide in the early stages and reacted too late as the Owls man opened the scoring at Hillsborough.

As per Sofa Score, Gooch, who was withdrawn after 72 minutes, failed to have a single shot on goal, lost the ball on 13 occasions and lost seven of his 12 duels.

It was a night to forget for all of Lee Johnson’s men, but these Sunderland supporters singled out Gooch for criticism.

Sunderland fans react

This is what some had to say about the 25-year-old, with one labelling him as ‘abysmal’, whereas another called him ‘Wednesday’s man of the match’.

“Can he be sold?”

Credit: @brownh1989

“GOOCH SHOULD HAVE BEEN DRAGGED OFF DURING THE FIRST HALF… ABSOLUTELY ABYSMAL…”

Credit: @Casual7Observer

“Sheffield Wednesday’s man of the match so far: Lynden Gooch”

Credit: @AdamJamesRoper

“Gooch is a complete waste of a shirt. To the point he actually makes us worse. O’Brien can’t do anything quickly, Doyle all over the place at the back. Too many passengers.”

Credit: @Powell_Matthew

“Gooch is abysmal. He should not be coming out for the second half…its like playing with 10”

Credit: @Muggins1025

“That first half was an embarrassment. I don’t think I ever want to see Lyndon Gooch in a Sunderland shirt ever again. Couple others too!”

Credit: @e_sunderland

Transfer insider Dean Jones has now revealed some exciting Newcastle United news involving three striker targets.

The Lowdown: New striker wanted?

Given recent links to the likes of Memphis Depay and Hugo Ekitike, it seems as if the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) consortium want to bring in another striker to St. James’ Park in the summer.

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Chris Wood was bought from Burnley in the January transfer window, but has only managed injury problems this season, and so bringing in another forward may be a smart bit of business.

The Latest: Three options

When asked if the Tyneside outfit will bring in the likes of Dominic Calvert-Lewin, Patrick Schick or Darwin Nunez to play ahead of or with Wilson next term, Jones told GiveMeSport:

“They’ll bring in somebody ahead of him as their go-to guy for goals. And, those three are all on the list.”

The Verdict: Exciting

It is certainly exciting for the Toon Army to be linked with all of these big-name players.

Calvert-Lewin is perhaps the one that they would be most familiar with, and if Everton get relegated from the Premier League, then he could become available on the cheap.

Nunez meanwhile is having a standout season at Benfica, as his recent goal in the UEFA Champions League against Liverpool was his 28th in total over all competitions so far.

Schick is perhaps more well-known on the international stage, where he averages roughly a goal every two games for Czech Republic, as his five strikes in Euro 2020 helped them get to the quarter-final stage of the competition (Transfermarkt).

Nonetheless, even bringing in one of these elite finishers will elevate the quality in Eddie Howe’s squad for the next campaign.

In other news, find out who will also miss Wolves alongside Joe Willock here!

Everton could create a formidable attacking partnership by partnering Dele Alli with Dominic Calvert-Lewin…

What’s the story?

Reports in recent days have suggested that the Toffees have got their sights set on the Spurs star, and that Rafa Benitez’s side could well make a move for the England international later on in the January transfer window.

Imagine him and Calvert-Lewin

While Alli hasn’t enjoyed the greatest of times at Spurs in the past couple of seasons, his partnership with Harry Kane when the duo were in full flight was something to behold.

In fact, as per Transfermarkt, the duo have combined for a whopping 33 goals between them ie. directly setting each other up for goal – which is by far the highest of any teammate Alli has had in his career thus far.

His ability to break into the box and get on the end of things is what led former Spurs man Darren Anderton to previously suggest that Alli was comparable to the likes of Steven Gerrard and Paul Scholes in terms of his talent.

He said: “I’ve got to say that I loved Stevie G as a player and Scholesy but Dele Alli for his age is just a freak of a talent. I love his arrogance on the pitch, how clever he is in finding the positions that he does and his willingness to try everything. He is a real joy to watch.”

And, more recently, former Scotland boss Alex McLeish tipped him to enjoy a renaissance, saying: “In those days he was looking like an absolute wonderkid then all of a sudden it plateaued and then dipped. Hopefully, he’s coming back up the hill again. Back in the day, I thought he was a kid of enormous talent and was going to be an absolute superstar.

“That’s not quite happened yet but there’s still a chance for him to resurrect his career and be that superstar. His recent form with Tottenham has been excellent.”

With another leading England striker in the ranks on Merseyside in Calvert-Lewin, Alli could thrive in that support striker role that saw him flourish alongside Kane.

Calvert-Lewin and Alli could work off each other both with their ability in the air, and their movement inside the box – the kind of double act that could fire Everton up the table.

The £100k-a-week earning star could well replicate his old partnership with Kane at Spurs, by teaming up with Calvert-Lewin at Goodison Park.

Meanwhile, Everton are considering a swoop for this Premier League outcast…

It appears increasingly likely that Ole Gunnar Solskjaer will be relieved of his duties as Manchester United manager, with Brendan Rodgers reportedly the frontrunner to replace him.

According to Manchester Evening News reporter Samuel Luckhurst, “key figures at United have privately accepted a change of manager is required” following their dismal start to the campaign.

Crushing defeats to local rivals Manchester City and Liverpool are believed to have played a key role in the Red Devils’ hierarchy’s thinking, although Solskjaer could see out the season while they line up a replacement.

Luckhurst claims that Rodgers is at the top of the Old Trafford outfit’s wishlist, while Ajax boss Erik ten Hag and Spain’s Luis Enrique are also greatly admired.

However, it’s hard to imagine Rodgers turning down the opportunity to take control one of British football’s biggest clubs once again.

With that in mind, here’s how Football FanCast expects the Northern Irishman to lineup should he take charge of the Red Devils in the coming months…

In goal, David de Gea’s recent return to form should be enough to maintain his place between the sticks ahead of Dean Henderson, although the Englishman certainly has the potential to reclaim the No.1 spot.

Ahead of the 31-year-old would likely be a familiar back four, but with one major addition at right-back in the shape of Max Aarons.

The highly-rated youngster has been linked with a £35m move to United and would offer a far more attacking alternative to Aaron Wan-Bissaka. Luke Shaw, Harry Maguire and Raphael Varane would complete the defensive unit.

But it’s in midfield where Rodgers would likely wring the changes. Paul Pogba’s future is far from certain, and the opportunity to sign Franck Kessie on a free transfer could be too good to turn down.

West Ham United’s Declan Rice is believed to be a top target for the Red Devils despite his £100m price tag, and the defensive-minded duo could switch between the No.6 and No.8 roles, providing a solid foundation for Bruno Fernandes.

And the forward line may also encounter some surprising decisions. Rodgers’ preference for a pressing style means Cristiano Ronaldo could find his game time limited, allowing a mobile trio of Marcus Rashford, Mason Greenwood and Jadon Sancho to thrive.

And, in other news…Journo shares what MUFC “figures” have “privately accepted” on OGS, fans surely elated