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In the 2017/18 season, West Ham had a particularly evident goalkeeping issue in terms of selection.

The Hammers had Spanish goalkeeper Adrian on the books, along with Joe Hart on loan from Manchester City, with the pair battling it out for the number one shirt in intriguing fashion – amazingly, the pair made 19 Premier League starts each last season, meaning they both had a half of the season each in between the sticks (per Whoscored).

What’s changed?

Now, however, there is only one man in contention for the role at the London Stadium – summer signing Lukasz Fabianski, who arrived from Swansea for just £7m (per BBC) in a deal which can easily be debated as one of the signings of the season.

Who should replace Marko Arnautovic if he leaves West Ham? FFC’s James Jones has the answer! Check out the video below to find out…

The Polish international has picked up where he left off at the Liberty Stadium, helping Manuel Pellegrini’s side to tenth in the table as things stand in impressive fashion, having allowed everyone else a head-start with four losses from their first four games.

Impressively, the 33-year-old keeper has managed to save a penalty already for his new club, on his way to keeping four clean sheets from 23 league games and making 86 saves as he has fast become a fans’ favourite in east London.

The former Arsenal man has conceded 34 goals for the Irons in his 23 league starts, and has provided a solid foundation behind the formidable Issa Diop and Fabian Balbuena that has allowed the flair players, such as Felipe Anderson, to perform so admirably.

The Verdict 

West Ham needed a settled number one, and they got one. It is always commendable when a club goes out and actively solves a problem position in the side to great, and immediate effect, so the Hammers have to be commended for their proactive approach – for such a minimal fee in today’s market as well, there can be no complaints.

The deal should also have a fair bit of sustainability about it as well, as Fabianski appears to be getting better with age and should still have at least three years left in him as a quality Premier League keeper – as aforementioned, this has to be mentioned in any conversation debating the best signing of the season.

As Jesse Marsch looks to rebuild this Leeds United squad in his image over the summer transfer window, one man to whom he will surely say goodbye is Laurens de Bock.

The Belgian was signed for £3m by Thomas Christiansen back in January 2018, becoming the then-Leeds manager’s third arrival of the winter transfer window.a

However, following his move, things just didn’t go to plan for the £15k-a-week earning full-back, who struggled to really make much of an impact at Elland Road.

The 29-year-old would go on to play just seven times for the Yorkshire club before eventually losing his first-team place to a teenage Tom Pearce.

After finding himself out of the picture, De Bock was quickly shipped out on loan – indeed, he has since had four different spells at the likes of Oostende, Sunderland, ADO Den Haag and finally Zulte Waregem, where he has been since the summer of 2020.

Back in his native Belgium, the 29-year-old has seemingly find a more natural home, becoming a first-team regular for Zulte and making 28 appearances in all competitions this season.

With his contract at Leeds expiring this summer, now is the perfect chance for both sides to finally wave goodbye on a permanent basis, something that former Whites goalkeeper Paul Robinson has backed to happen.

The Englishman said: “He’ll obviously be well-informed about the player and know exactly where he is, how many games he’s played and what level he’s at. It’s a decision for Jesse Marsch to look at and decide what he wants going forward.

“If they saw it fit to loan him out this season, with his contract ending, it was the last chance for him to either be put in the shop window to look for other employment or sign a new contract at Leeds. But if they see it fit to let De Bock go and let Junior Firpo stay, it’s an area they’re going to have to look at in the summer.”

Leeds’ forgotten man is finally set for a more permanent exit this summer, having not played for the club since 10 March 2018.

AND in other news – Leeds could unleash Thorp Arch’s breakout star in “fiery” 18 y/o who’s “got an edge”

Aston Villa are in talks with Galatasaray over a potential exit for Trezeguet, according to Turkish outlet Fanatik (via Sport Witness).

The lowdown

The Super Lig outfit will be familiar with Trezeguet, who played for Kasimpasa before he joined Villa in a £9million deal in 2019.

Villa have already allowed one wide player to leave the club this month, with Anwar El-Ghazi joining Everton on loan. That agreement additionally includes an option to buy at the end of the season.

Egyptian international Trezeguet is currently representing his country at the Africa Cup of Nations, and it’s unclear if that might delay any transfer.

The latest

The report states that there are ‘hot developments’ coming out of the Istanbul-based club.

They’ve begun negotiations with Villa as they look to land 27-year-old Trezeguet.

But there’s a need to ‘raise funds’ before any deal can be completed.

The verdict

It’s hard to say how much Gerrard values Trezeguet because he only returned from a long-term knee injury last month.

Since then, he’s played just 10 Premier League minutes, but Villa may be managing his return to action very carefully.

Gerrard’s 4-3-2-1 system, described as a ‘Christmas tree’ formation, may not be the best-suited to traditional wingers because it involves a relatively narrow front three.

So from that point of view it may be wise to cash in on Trezeguet, who retains his £9million value after 14 direct goal involvements in 64 appearances.

In other news, could this be a potential CB signing for Villa?

With the news of Theo Corbeanu’s departure from Sheffield Wednesday after he was recalled by his parent club Wolves and then sent back out on loan to MK Dons now confirmed, it seems as though there has been a claim made regarding the future of another figure at the Yorkshire club which will interest a lot of Owls fans.

What’s the news?

In a recent Q&A on the Yorkshire Live website, Wednesday journalist Dom Howson was asked if he thinks Josh Windass will still be at the club by the time the January transfer window closes after being linked with numerous Championship clubs in recent weeks.

In response, Howson had this to say on the matter: “Yes, but things can change quickly in football. If a big offer comes in for Windass or another player between now and January 31, then Wednesday would be foolish not to consider it. But Windass is under contract until next summer and is seen as a key component of what Moore is trying to build at Wednesday.”

Windass originally joined Wednesday on a loan deal from Wigan Athletic back in January 2020 before signing for the Owls on a permanent deal the following September.

Overall, the 27-year-old – who is currently valued at £1.8m by Transfermarkt – has made 57 appearances for Wednesday across all competitions, chipping in with 15 goals and seven assists along the way.

Despite only making three appearances for Darren Moore’s team this season in League One, mainly due to injury issues, Windass has still managed to show how useful he can be for the team by scoring two goals and providing one assist.

With this in mind, it’s easy to see why Howson has said that the 27-year-old is seen as a “key component” for Wednesday, and why fans will be delighted to hear that the journalist thinks the player will still be at the club beyond this transfer window.

Moving forward, if Windass can maintain his fitness for the remainder of the season, he could well help the Owls to push for a promotion place if they can go on a run of positive results, which in turn should ultimately improve their chances of keeping hold of the player if they can get back to the Championship next season.

In other news: Howson has dropped another exciting transfer claim at Hillsborough which will surely have fans buzzing

When Steven Gerrard was appointed as manager of Aston Villa, plenty of eyebrows were raised around the country.

The Liverpudlian is clearly a very talented and highly-rated coach but rightly or wrongly, there is always an element of scepticism attached to those arriving on English shores from Scottish football.

What he achieved north of the border was tremendous, as he guided Rangers to the Premiership title last term, doing so in unbeaten fashion.

That was the biggest boon attached to his CV upon arriving at Villa Park but we have quickly discovered there is another hugely appreciated bonus that he brings with him; that of attracting footballers to come and play for him.

The signings of Philippe Coutinho and Lucas Digne prove that, as two impressive regular internationals joined the club, marking a set of acquisitions that were some of the most impressive in the club’s recent history.

However, there could be arrivals before the window is closed with Johan Lange and Gerrard targeting a certain Luis Suarez no less.

It appears as if the Uruguayan is enthralled by the idea of working with somebody he respects highly from when the ex-midfielder was still a player, and what a signing he’d be.

Boasting 241 goals in Europe’s top five leagues, he is a generational talent, someone who has found the net throughout his career with jaw-dropping consistency.

Yet, he isn’t the only offensive name that could still put pen to paper at Bodymoor Heath before January 31st.

Another player who has been linked with a move is Swedish winger Dejan Kulusevski.

The Juventus star has been touted with switches to the likes of Tottenham Hotspur in recent times but it’s Villa who must secure his services.

After all, the £27m-rated gem could create a destructive and compelling partnership alongside both Coutinho and Suarez in the forward line.

Described as “explosive” by former Villa and Sweden striker Marcus Allback, Kulusevski has attributes in his locker that could scare opposing defenders up and down the country.

Capable of playing all across the front line, he has scored nine times and registered ten assists for Juve, but it was at Atalanta where he was most prolific.

He beat the goalkeeper on 17 occasions while proving himself to be a creative marvel, racking up 26 assists.

Indeed, with that kind of service for Suarez, they’d have the potential to create an awe-inspiring attack under Gerrard.

Admittedly, bringing both of them to the Midlands this winter seems unlikely, but supporters can always dream.

AND in other news, Grealish 2.0: Gerrard must avoid transfer howler on AVFC’s “selfless” £31.5m-rated gem…

West Ham United have been linked with a move for  Sparta Prague striker Adam Hlozek, with the Irons in need of added squad depth in January. David Moyes’ side are still in four competitions and will need further options if they are to juggle all four successfully.

What’s the story?

According to Football Insider, the Hammers have made an enquiry to sign the 19-year-old, with a fee of around £16m to £20m believed to be enough to lure the youngster away from the Czech capital.

The young striker enjoyed a prolific campaign in 2020/21, scoring 15 goals and registering eight assists in 19 league appearances, whilst this season has seen him contribute six goals and 11 assists in 23 appearances across the league and Europe.

West Ham should swoop for Hlozek

Given Hlozek’s young age, it would certainly be a signing for the future. However, the youngster has already been dubbed an “extraordinary talent” by his agent and could prove to be a bargain.

The Hammers have enjoyed an impressive start to the season and sit fifth in the Premier League, although David Moyes’ side have experienced a blip of late, winning just one of their last six league games.

Michail Antonio’s early form was a major catalyst for the Irons’ strong start, scoring six goals in eight league appearances. However, the Jamaica international has failed to score in his last nine appearances across both the league and Europe.

As a result, Moyes is in need of some extra firepower up front, and a move for the Czech Republic international could prove sensible, particularly for the long-term.

At 31 years of age, Antonio won’t be able to replicate the scoring efforts of the season’s early stages and the Hammers will need a reliable source of goals which will be sustainable and last for the long-term; Hlozek could provide that. Indeed, imagine what the two of them could be like if they get the chance to play together.

In other news: West Ham could spark top-four push with move for £16.2m-rated beast likened to Ribery

Newcastle United have reportedly now joined the transfer race to sign Dusan Vlahovic.

The Lowdown: A man in demand

With the likes of Arsenal, Tottenham Hotspur, Manchester City and Juventus all reportedly keeping a close eye on Vlahovic, it is clear that the Serbia international is a man in high demand.

He has scored no fewer than 12 goals in just 14 games in total over all competitions so far this season, and has even chipped in with three assists (Transfermarkt).

The crazy thing is that Vlahovic is only 21 years of age, and so promised to become one of the hottest strikers in Europe over the next few years.

The Latest: Newcastle in race

As per Corriere Fiorentino (via Sport Witness), the St. James’ Park faithful have now joined the race to sign Vlahovic, although it will not be easy for them to meet Fiorentina’s demands.

The Serie A club currently reportedly want a transfer fee of €80m (£67.1m) for his signature, which could even be a stretch for their new mega-rich owners.

The Verdict: Get it done

The North East club may have to do a lot to sell Vlahovic the long-term vision on Tyneside, given that they currently find themselves in a relegation battle.

However, if a deal is to be done, then the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) consortium must be the first ones to pounce, given his high demand.

Described as ‘really crazy’ by former Manchester City striker Valeri Bojinov back in March, Vlahovic is a player with fire in his belly, and so would surely be hungry for success in the Premier League.

His six-foot-three frame makes him a beast in both boxes, as emphasised by him winning 2.2 of his aerial duels per match in the Serie A so far this campaign (WhoScored).

Nonetheless, Vlahovic would certainly be a statement signing by the Magpies, that could then help attract other big names to the club.

In other news, find out which enforcer in the mould of Fabinho could sign for NUFC here!

Tottenham Hotspur have been dealt a blow in their bid to bring Josko Gvardiol to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium this summer.

What’s the talk?

That’s according to a report by German media outlet RB Live (via Sport Witness), who claim that, despite The Athletic recently revealing that the RB Leipzig centre-back is the first name on Fabio Paratici’s list of targets ahead of the summer transfer window, the chances of the 20-year-old linking up with Antonio Conte’s side this summer are extremely thin.

[snack-amp-story url= “https://www.footballfancast.com/web-stories/read-the-latest-spurs-news-transfer-rumours-gossip-martinez-dybala-spence-conte-2” title= “Read the latest Spurs news!”]

The report goes on to state that the Croatia international has himself ruled out a departure from the Red Bull Arena at the end of the current campaign, while it is also claimed that the defender is likely to have a release clause written into his contract that is much higher than the €50m (£42m) figure mentioned as the potential cost of his transfer.

Paratici must act

Considering just how impressive Gvardiol has been following his €16m (£13m) move to RB Leipzig back in the summer of 2020, in addition to Antonio Conte’s well-documented desire to add a top left-sided centre-back to his Spurs side this summer, Paratici simply must do everything in his power to seal the 20-year-old’s signing.

Indeed, over his 27 Bundesliga appearances this season, the £100m-rated Croatian has been imperious in the heart of the Leipzig defence, helping his side keep six clean sheets, as well as making an average of 1.7 interceptions, 1.7 tackles, two clearances and winning 6.1 duels – at a success rate of 58% – per game.

The £21k-per-week centre-back has also contributed in an attacking capacity, scoring two goals, providing two assists and creating four big chances for his teammates, in addition to making an average of 60.1 passes, 3.5 long balls and taking 0.9 shots per fixture.

These returns have seen the player who Ivica Olic dubbed “extraordinary” and claimed “everyone is talking about” average a rather breathtaking SofaScore match rating of 7.12, ranking him as Domenico Tedesco’s joint third-best player in the top flight of German football.

As such, it is clear for all to see that Gvardiol would make an excellent addition to Conte’s current options in his Tottenham backline, leading us to believe that Paratici simply must do all he can to land the 20-year-old prodigy this summer – even if it means breaking Tottenham’s current incoming transfer record of £54m.

AND in other news: Conte can finally axe £55m “disaster” as Spurs plot £60m bid for “unbelievable” talent

Graeme Bailey has revealed that Eddie Howe is now personally pushing to sign Hugo Ekitike for Newcastle United.

The Lowdown: Progressing…

Newcastle’s January business has started in impressive fashion, securing deals for two experienced internationals in the shape of Kieran Trippier and Chris Wood, but there are still over two weeks left to make more additions.

Bailey reported earlier this week that the St. James’ Park faithful are in ‘advanced talks’ to sign Ekitike, and even with the arrival of Wood it seems like the Magpies will push ahead for a deal.

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) consortium clearly feel the impact of the injury to Callum Wilson cannot be offset by just one arrival, and the latest update on the Reims forward sounds extremely promising.

The Latest: Howe wants him

As per Bailey, Howe is now pushing to sign Ekitike, and ideally wanted him to be signed before they play Watford at home in the Premier League on Saturday afternoon:

“Told that Eddie Howe is pushing Newcastle hard to get the deal for Reims highly-rated forward Hugo Ekitike done.

“Howe wants the teenager to be signed in time to feature against Watford on Saturday along with Chris Wood.”

The Verdict: Get it done

Ekitike would now not be registered in time to face the Hornets even if talks progress quickly, as the top flight game-week kicks off on Friday night when Brighton take on Crystal Palace.

That said, the North East club can still sign him in time for when they play Leeds United away from home next week, another big game at the bottom of the table.

With Wilson still out injured, Ekitike and Wood should be able to provide sufficient cover for him until he gets back, and the former is perhaps more of a signing for the long-term anyway.

Bailey has claimed himself that Ekitike is an ‘outstanding talent’, and cited that many people in French football believe that he could be the ‘next Mbappe’.

High praise indeed for the 19-year-old, who seems to have the world at his feet.

Nonetheless, with Wood offering the immediate injection of top-flight experience, Ekitike could be signed with less risk and pressure, and he certainly could be an exciting player to watch for the Toon Army, having bagged eight goals in just ten Ligue 1 starts this term.

In other news, find out which ‘powerful’ beast NUFC are now eyeing here!

West Ham United were denied a victory by Brighton and Hove Albion late on at the London Stadium on Wednesday night, making it three games without a win in the Premier League.

The Irons took an early lead through Tomas Soucek after the towering Czech colossus headed home an inswinging corner from Pablo Fornals and they looked to be heading towards all three points until Neal Maupay bagged a sensational bicycle kick in the 89th minute.

David Moyes must now be concerned by his side’s form, having not picked up a win since their stunning 3-2 triumph of Liverpool before the international break.

Several members of his starting XI have underperformed substantially across their last three outings and it could well be time for a shake-up, and one player who has looked rather poor, particularly against the Seagulls is veteran Craig Dawson.

The 31-year-old has only been brought in due to Angelo Ogbonna’s season-ending injury blow, so it can’t be too much of a coincidence that the Hammers are winless in the Italian’s absence.

Dawson just isn’t good enough to replace him long-term and he once again proved that in front of Moyes this week.

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Per SofaScore, the former West Brom and Watford colossus was West Ham’s second lowest-rated player (6.4) and that’s hardly a surprise considering he lost a whopping 84% of his six duels. To lose four of five aerial battles is certainly shocking for a 6 foot 2 central defender.

He was at fault for the visitor’s equaliser, being too soft in allowing Maupay the time and space to pull off the spectacular, and he was lucky to have not allowed Adam Lallana to score earlier in the second half.

‘Poor on the ball,’ is how the Evening Standard’s Jack Rosser went on to describe Dawson before mentioning his two mistakes. Indeed, he made just seven passes all game, losing possession four times from his 19 touches.

The vastly-experienced defender, thought to be earning around £52k-per-week in east London, just isn’t good enough to be Moyes’ no.1 choice alongside Kurt Zouma.

Perhaps it’s no surprise that a new centre-back is said to be on the agenda this January.

AND in other news, Newman could seal bargain West Ham swoop for £12m-rated “monster” who silenced Antonio…