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An update has emerged on Newcastle United and their interest in Callum Hudson-Odoi in the summer transfer window… 

What’s the talk?

Journalist Ben Jacobs has revealed that the Magpies are weighing up a potential swoop to sign the English winger in the coming weeks.

Amanda Staveley was pictured with Chelsea chiefs at Stamford Bridge in their 2-2 draw with Tottenham and the reporter has added that the Toon are looking at two Blues players. 

He Tweeted: “Newcastle’s owners also being hosted by Behdad Egbali. NUFC interested in Conor Gallagher and considering Callum Hudson-Odoi.”

Imagine him & Allan Saint-Maximin

By striking a deal to sign the youngster, Eddie Howe could form an exciting wing pairing with Hudson-Odoi and Allan Saint-Maximin this season.

Both players are impressive dribblers with the quality to make things happen in the final third and they could get fans off their seats at St. James’ Park.

In the top-flight last term, Saint-Maximin completed 62% of his dribble attempts and created 1.4 chances per match for the Magpies. Matt Ritchie, who only started 14 matches, was the only player with more key passes (1.6) per game for the club, which shows how important the Frenchman was to the attack as he provided creativity on the wing.

Meanwhile, talent scout Jacek Kulig once claimed that Hudson-Odoi has “huge potential” and his career to date suggests that is a fair comment.

The 21-year-old has already racked up 126 appearances for Chelsea and been capped three times by England, winning the Europa League and the Champions League with his club in that time. He has scored 16 goals and registered 22 assists for their first team, including 12 assists in 72 Premier League outings.

In the 2021/22 top-flight campaign, he created 1.7 chances per game and completed 62% of his attempted dribbles – playing 15 times in total. This shows that he has the ability to skip past defenders more often than not and he has the end product to make something happen at the top end of the pitch when he gets into good positions.

These statistics would have made the £120k-per-week gem the most creative player in the Newcastle team last term and he was on par with Saint-Maximin in terms of the efficiency of his dribbling.

Now, imagine both of them running down the wings and committing defenders with their trickery before creating chances for their teammates with their ability on the ball. It is an exciting prospect and one that the club should look to make a reality as they consider swooping for him.

Tottenham Hotspur correspondent Alasdair Gold has delivered an update on Antonio Conte’s pursuit of Lyon midfielder Lucas Paqueta.

The Lowdown: North London showdown

Football.London reported back in June that Fabio Paratici holds a strong interest in the 24-year-old, but that the Lilywhites were set to face competition for his services from fellow Premier League rivals Arsenal.

French outlet L’Equipe (via Football.London) even claimed that the north London outfit had an official bid for the maestro turned down during the January window, but state that the player would favour a move to Spurs over the Gunners in the future.

The Latest: Gold’s Paqueta update

Asked for an update on Tottenham’s interest in Paqueta during a fan Q&A for Football.London, Gold said:

“Spurs have been tracking Lyon’s Brazil international Lucas Paqueta for a while.

“There’s plenty of interest in Paqueta with Newcastle and Arsenal among those linked to him and again as I said below Spurs want to get players out of the door first before they can move for anyone on a big deal.

“The Brazilian’s price tag, with three years left on his contract, has gone all over the place this summer with talk of a £68m one to a lower £33m one in recent days but Lyon owner Jean-Michel Aulas is not a man to let anyone go on the cheap.

“I just wonder whether if Paqueta were to leave the Ligue 1 side this summer then he would want to go somewhere he can start every week rather than a club like Spurs where the competition now for those attacking spots is intense.

“Conte has raised the standards in N17 and even the bench this week against Chelsea is going to be jam-packed with stars and many who can’t even get into the match-day squad.”

The Verdict: Financial concerns

There’s no doubt that Paqueta’s versatility to play centrally, on either flank or up top would fit the profile of player that Conte is looking to sign, also marking him out as the perfect alternative to Nicolò Zaniolo.

However, the boss has recently admitted that he isn’t likely to splash the cash on anyone suddenly.

The fact that Lyon keep changing their mind over how much they value their man at suggests that any team attempting to buy the 33-cap international could be taken to the cleaners and end up paying a lot more than required.

As ‘top class’ as Paqueta is, in the words of sports journalist Josh Bunting, an expensive move for a player who wouldn’t be a guaranteed starter in the Italian’s match-day squad every week isn’t one that they should be pursuing at this moment in time.

Fulham are closing in on a deal to sign AS Roma forward Justin Kluivert this summer, according to the Daily Mail. 

The lowdown: Destined for greatness

Son of Dutch legend Patrick, Kluivert was seemingly always destined for a reasonable level of attainment in the game after joining the richly acclaimed Ajax youth system.

The 23-year-old Holland international directly contributed to 23 goals in 56 appearances for the Eredivisie giants before being sold to Roma in 2018.

Since then, Kluivert has spent time on loan at RB Leipzig as well as OGC Nice and could well be on the move once again before the window closes…

The latest: Personal terms done, clubs in talks

As per the Daily Mail, Fulham are believed to be ‘in talks’ with Roma regarding a move for the two-cap starlet.

It’s claimed that the ‘clubs are discussing an initial loan deal with a £10m option to buy’ as Marco Silva attempts to further bolster the attacking ranks at Craven Cottage.

The report also states that ‘terms between the player and the Cottagers have been agreed’ and it’s now up to Roma and Fulham to agree on a transfer for the attacker hailed for his ‘ice-cold composure’ by the Bundesliga’s official Twitter account.

The verdict: Get it done

Signing a player of Kluivert’s ilk would be a sensational piece of business, particularly in light of Harry Wilson and Manor Solomon’s long-term injury setbacks.

Last season, the £13.5million valued ace scored six times and provided seven assists in 31 outings across all competitions, earning a 6.87 Sofascore rating whilst winning 3.8 duels, successfully completing 1.5 dribbles and making 1.3 key passes on average per Ligue 1 outing.

Sharing similar stylistic traits to Premier League players like Lucas Moura and Demarai Gray (FBref), Kluivert has a wealth of talent and impressive attributes that would endear themselves to the Premier League.

Capable of operating on either wing and in central areas, the Dutchman is ideally suited to bolstering the attacking ranks at Fulham and for £10million, makes an abundance of sense.

West Ham United are in ‘ongoing’ talks to sign South American starlet Lazaro for manager David Moyes, according to reports.

The Lowdown: Moyes keeping busy…

Signing from Chelsea, left-back and Italy international Emerson Palmieri has become the Premier League side’s latest summer acquisition.

The 28-year-old becomes West Ham’s seventh summer capture after the east Londoners also completed deals for Nayef Aguerd, Flynn Downes, Alphonse Areola, Gianluca Scamcca, Maxwel Cornet and Thilo Kehrer.

These may not be the sum of their business, either, with reports suggesting West Ham could be set for a late ‘flurry’ after sealing a move for Emerson.

Club Brugge attacker Hans Vanaken is thought to be on the agenda with news now emerging on another target in Lazaro.

The Latest: West Ham in ‘ongoing’ Lazaro talks…

According to reports, West Ham are still trying to sign the 20-year-old from Flamengo.

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UOL claim the Irons ‘try to hire’ Lazaro and ‘conversations are ongoing’ over his signature – coming after West Ham tabled a £5 million bid for the attacking midfielder.

It’s added that the player is contracted until 2025, potentially gifting Flamengo plenty of breathing room in terms of negotiation and relieving them of pressure to sell.

The Verdict: Seal a move?

For the right price, Lazaro could be a very astute purchase as one to watch for the future.

Football Talent Scout Jacek Kulig has called the Brazilian ‘versatile’ and ‘creative’, not to mention in a ‘similar’ ilk to Borussia Dortmund legend Marco Reus (Twitter).

Lazaro would come to the London Stadium with a glowing reputation, and in the next few seasons, could inject a real degree of class if the player keeps improving.

Southampton are reportedly interested in making a late move for PSV Eindhoven winger Cody Gakpo and his arrival could finally allow Ralph Hasenhuttl to axe Nathan Redmond.

Reports have suggested that the Saints have already seen a bid rejected for the Netherlands international, who starred in the Eredivisie last season, contributing 12 goals and 13 assists in just 27 league appearances, averaging a superb 7.79 rating from WhoScored for his performances.

He has shown no signs of slowing down this season either, registering three goals and three assists in his first three Eredivisie appearances, so it is clear the quality he could add to Hasenhuttl’s side.

Considering none of Southampton’s wingers would manage more than six goals and assists combined in the Premier League last season, you could definitely argue that the Austrian manager needs more from his wide men, and Gakpo could add that quality in the final third for the Saints.

Former Dutch midfielder Theo Janssen sang Gakpo’s praises last season, saying:

“That boy (Gakpo) has everything. Fine feeling for the ball, a good through ball, dribbles and is strong between the lines.”

While reports have claimed that he would cost any suitor as much as £38m this summer, he could be a great long-term investment for the future and could be the catalyst for finally ousting Nathan Redmond.

The former Norwich City man has endured a tough few years at St Mary’s, contributing just one goal in 27 Premier League appearances last season, while he would only manage two in the season previous.

So far this season, he has made just one brief appearance from the bench, so it seems clear that he isn’t in Hasenhuttl’s plans, and Gakpo’s potential arrival would only push him further down the pecking order.

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Reports have suggested that the £60k per week Saints winger is attracting interest from Turkey, so if Hasenhuttl can get Redmond off the wage books and get some money in the bank, it could free up some more money for Gakpo.

Last season’s statistics, as well as Gakpo being just 23, emphasise that he is a far better prospect than Redmond, so Hasenhuttl will be hoping that he can improve Southampton’s squad further by bringing in the Dutchman and potentially selling the English winger as a result.

Celtic head into what is arguably their most glamourous fixture of the last five years tonight, with Real Madrid visiting Glasgow for the first Champions League fixture at Parkhead since the 2017/18 campaign.

Ange Postecoglou’s side could not head into the match in better form, with the Bhoys having won all seven of their fixtures in all competitions so far this season – scoring 29 goals and conceding just two along the way.

The club’s latest victory was undoubtedly their most impressive yet, with the Hoops blowing away 2021/22 Europa League finalists and Old Firm rivals Rangers in a 4-0 demolition at Parkhead – a result which saw Celtic move five points clear at the top of the Premiership table.

Will Postecoglou make any changes to the starting XI which stunned their fiercest rivals last time out? Here’s how we think the Hoops could line up against Los Blancos tonight, alongside the latest team and injury news…

With Postecoglou revealing in his pre-match press conference that Carl Starfelt will be unavailable for selection due to a knee injury, while also claiming that Kyogo Furuhashi will be fit to feature after recovering from a shoulder injury picked up on Saturday, we predict that the 57-year-old will make two changes from his starting line-up against Rangers.

The first alteration comes in the back five, with summer arrival Moritz Jenz – who has been dubbed “dominant” by Celtic Analysis – coming in for the injured Starfelt at centre-back, while Joe Hart, Greg Taylor, Cameron Carter-Vickers and Josip Juranovic all retain their starting berths from the weekend.

The second change comes in the midfield three, with the “outrageous” (in the words of John McGinn) Reo Hatate making way for David Turnbull, while Callum McGregor and Matt O’Riley – who was sensational against Gers – keeping their starting spots.

In the front three, Jota and Liel Abada line up on the left and right flank respectively; while despite being withdrawn after just four minutes in the Old Firm victory on Saturday due to injury, the £52.5k-per-week Kyogo makes an immediate return to the starting XI at centre-forward. That means Giorgos Giakoumakis has to make do with a spot on the bench.

Leeds United have been handed a big boost ahead of their Premier League meeting with Aston Villa in October.

What’s the latest?

That’s according to injury expert Ben Dinnery, who revealed in a recent interview with Football Insider that, after being withdrawn in the first half of Villa’s 1-0 win over Southampton last week, Boubacar Kamara appears to have sustained a medial collateral ligament injury – a setback that would certainly rule him out of contention for the trip to Elland Road in 11 days’ time.

Regarding the Frenchman’s injury, Dinnery said: “This one looks to be an MCL problem. I didn’t pick up anything initially when I was first watching the game, but he pointed to the inside of his right knee. That suggests it’s that medial collateral ligament.

“There are varying degrees of severity with this. You hope there are no secondary issues, like the meniscus. The MCL responds really well to conservative treatment. The worst-case would be surgery, in which case you’re looking at around three months or possibly even a little bit longer. But you hope that it is more towards the lesser end of the scale.”

Big boost for Marsch

Considering just how important a part of Steven Gerrard’s side Kamara has already become following his move to Villa Park this summer, Dinnery’s suggestion that the 22-year-old now looks certain to be unavailable for the Elland Road meeting on October 2 will undoubtedly have come as a big boost to Jesse Marsch and his side.

Indeed, over his seven Premier League appearances – all of which have come as starts – so far this season, the £22.5m-rated talent has been in exceptional form, enjoying an average of 62.1 touches of the ball, as well as completing 42 passes – at a success rate of 84% – making 3.3 tackles – the joint ninth-most in the division – and winning 6.0 duels – at a success rate of 51% – per game.

These returns have seen the £150k-per-week Frenchman average an extremely impressive SofaScore match rating of 6.86, ranking him as Gerrard’s ninth-best performer in the top flight of English football thus far in the 2022/23 campaign.

As such, should the former Olympique de Marseille man indeed be ruled out of Villa’s meeting with Leeds next month, it is clear to see that his absence would provide the Whites’ chances of sealing all three points with a considerable boost – something that, while it is never nice to see a player sustain a serious injury, will certainly delight Marsch.

West Ham United are one of the most famous clubs in English football, but do you know which celebrities and sportsmen you’re likely to spot at 3pm on a Saturday at the London Stadium?

The Hammers have not got off to the start that they would have hoped for heading into the 2022/23 Premier League season.

After seven matches, David Moyes’ side are in the relegation zone in 18th place; a hugely disappointing start to the campaign given their £163.8m summer spend, which saw the likes of Lucas Paqueta and Gianluca Scamacca arrive in east London.

The international break gives the Irons the chance to reset and recharge as they look to make a resurgence in the league after an underwhelming start to the campaign. Fans will be hoping to see their new signings fit and firing when club football returns to E15 on October 1 – if Moyes does end up putting his trust in the new faces at Rush Green.

In the meantime, why not procrastinate with a little test? It’s simple! All you have to do is tell us which celebrities are really West Ham fans in the quiz below!

The Athletic’s Everton correspondent Patrick Boyland has revealed that Reece Welch is close to signing a new contract at Goodison Park.

The Lowdown: Prospect

Welch is certainly a prospect on Merseyside, having made two senior appearances for Frank Lampard’s team by the age of just 19, including in the 1-0 win at Fleetwood Town in the Carabao Cup earlier this season (Transfermarkt).

At youth level, he has played 68 games in all competitions across the last four campaigns, scoring five goals and supplying one assist (Transfermarkt).

The Latest: New contract?

Taking to Twitter, Boyland has revealed that Welch is ‘set to’ commit his long-term future to Everton in what he describes as ‘another positive step’ for the Kevin Thelwell regime at Goodison Park.

The reporter tweeted: “Defender Reece Welch latest #EFC prospect set to commit future to club long-term after Mills, Dobbin etc. Another positive step for Kevin Thelwell’s new regime.”

Expanding in his article for The Athletic, the journalist adds that the deal is now ‘close’, coming after Welch attracted interest from fellow Premier League rivals Brentford in the summer.

His current deal is set to expire at the end of the season, so the Toffees are hopeful that he will follow fellow prospects Stanley Mills and Lewis Dobbin in committing his future to the club.

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The Verdict: Great move

It is certainly a great move for Everton to tie down their young prospects to long-term deals, with Welch set to be the latest to do so.

The defender recently featured for the England under-2os during the international break, so he is clearly a talent on the international stage as well.

Welch will now be hoping that he can get more chances in the first-team squad at Goodison Park, after showing that he is fully committed to the club.

Sheffield Wednesday correspondent Joe Crann believes Plymouth Argyle captain Joe Edwards was lucky to avoid a red card on Tuesday evening.

The Lowdown: Injury-time heartbreak

The Owls made the long trip back from Home Park empty-handed after an injury-time goal from Sam Cosgrove gave the hosts all three points.

Liam Palmer cancelled out Ryan Hardie’s opener in the first half in a lively top-of-the-table encounter, with Darren Moore bringing off Barry Bannan and Josh Windass with 20 minutes remaining – a decision that puzzled some.

The result leaves Wednesday four points off the automatic places and five off table toppers Plymouth in League One.

The Latest: Edwards tackle

Reece James was on the receiving end of a challenge from Edwards just before half time, with the Plymouth man shown a yellow card.

However, taking to Twitter, Crann said that it ‘looked REALLY bad on the replay’, believing the player may have seen red if VAR was in use.

The Verdict: Not good

James was forced off at half time for Dominic Iorfa as a result of Edwards’ challenge, and it seems as if the Plymouth man was lucky to avoid a red.

Wednesday impressed at Home Park and on another evening would have come away with three vital points, however, attention may turn to Moore’s substitute decisions and the failure to take chances.

Hopefully, the Owls will get back to winning ways against Cheltenham on Saturday and James can make a swift recovery.