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Aston Villa defender Axel Tuanzebe will not retain his spot in Dean Smith’s starting line-up for today’s game with Tottenham Hotspur, according to Kevin Campbell.

The Lowdown: Hause the matchwinner

The 23-year-old, who is on loan from Manchester United for the second time in his career, started three consecutive games in a row against Brentford, Chelsea and Everton before missing last week’s win at Old Trafford as he was ineligible to face his parent club.

Kortney Hause filled the vacancy in Smith’s side and scored his first goal since Boxing Day with an 88th-minute header to earn Villa their first win at United since 2009.

Ahead of today’s Premier League game with Tottenham, Smith now has a decision to make on who to start alongside Tyrone Mings and Ezri Konsa in defence.

The Latest: Bench only for Tuanzebe

Speaking to Football Insider, former Arsenal striker and occasional Sky Sports pundit Campbell has explained why he believes Tuanzebe will only make the bench this afternoon.

He said: “It’s a big call. What a great problem for Dean Smith to have though.

“I think it would be very difficult for him to drop Hause after he scored the winner against United. For that reason I think Hause will start ahead of Tuanzebe. I really think he will be the one who gets the nod with Mings and Konsa.”

Campbell continued: “As a unit, Villa player brilliantly against United and Hause was one of the star players. I think Smith will go with an unchanged side if he can. How can you drop anyone from a side that just beat Man United at Old Trafford?”

The Verdict: Kane on form

Whoever Smith decides to start with at the back at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, they must be at their best to stop Harry Kane from adding to his Thursday hat-trick in the Europa Conference League.

Against United, Hause completed 23 of his 30 passes, won all of his aerial duels and had two blocks and two interceptions (Sofascore) as Villa kept Cristiano Ronaldo quiet throughout the game.

Tuanzebe may count himself unlucky if he is dropped to the bench, but after a goal and clean sheet at Old Trafford, starting Hause makes sense for Smith. We’re with Campbell on this one.

In other news, these Villa fans have reacted to a journalist update on the upcoming international break. Find out more here.

Everton haven’t had much to shout about throughout their latest Premier League season, having won just eight of the 30 games that they’ve played.

They have only scored 33 goals along the way and conceded 52, with far from ideal tallies for either metric.

Even though there are still some critical games left to play for the Toffees until the season ends and the summer transfer window opens, it seems as though an update has emerged which will have everyone at Finch Farm concerned.

What’s the news?

According to a recent tweet from an Italian journalist, Richarlison’s new agent Frank Trimboli will look to secure a move away from Everton for the Brazilian in the upcoming summer transfer window.

Since arriving at Goodison Park back in 2018 in a deal worth a reported £50m, the Brazilian has gone on to make 145 appearances across all competitions for the Toffees. In that time, the 24-year-old has scored 49 goals and provided 13 assists along the way, showing just how important he is to the team in the final third of the pitch.

Fans will be sweating

With 23 league appearances made in the current campaign, the Brazilian has provided more goal contributions than any other Everton player, with six goals and four assists to his name.

In addition to his incredibly useful goals and assists, Richarlison’s overall performances have earned him a season rating of 6.87/10 from WhoScored, making him the highest-rated player in Frank Lampard’s squad.

To highlight how much of a nuisance the Brazil international is for opponents, no other Everton player has enjoyed as many touches in the attacking penalty area (110) or drawn as many fouls (65) as Richarlison.

Taking all this into account, having the attacker’s agent reportedly looking to move him out of the Merseyside club in the summer will be a massive issue for the Toffees, especially if they end up waving goodbye to him when the transfer window opens.

This could surely have a number of Everton supporters sweating, and given how they will already be worried about whether or not their team will avoid relegation, it will only be another concern for them in this difficult period for the club.

In other news: Everton must launch move for “outstanding” 25-year-old “Wolverine” as insider claim emerges

Flocking to Twitter, plenty of Manchester City supporters have absolutely erupted over the latest on their chase to sign Fiorentina sensation Dusan Vlahovic.

Pep Guardiola has shared that his team’s player availability ’emergency’ is officially over, with Ferran Torres now the only man unavailable as the Sky Blues travel to Watford this evening (The Daily Mail).

[web_stories_embed url=”https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/web-stories/man-city-latest/” title=”Man City latest!” poster=”” width=”360″ height=”600″ align=”none”]

City are seeking to maintain their impressive winning run since losing 2-0 at home to Crystal Palace in late October, a hot streak of victories which includes triumphs over bitter rivals Manchester United and European powerhouses Paris-Saint Germain (mancity.com).

As January looms, however, sporting director Txiki Begiristain has been tipped to target a natural striking option and heir to club legend Sergio Aguero, coming after he failed to land one for Guardiola in the summer.

Corriere dello Sport (via Sport Witness) have shared an exciting update on their quest, with the Italian source claiming that Tottenham are slipping away in the race for Vlahovic and City now emerging as favourites.

As Begiristain and the Citizens gather ‘more and more information’ on the 21-year-old ahead of the winter window, it is believed that a ‘shower of millions’ in the form of a Man City bid could now be tabled.

Man City fans ‘buzzing’…

Amid their heavy links to Borussia Dortmund superstar Erling Haaland, Fiorentina’s star man could come as an ideal alternative, leaving little wonder as to why plenty of City fans are excited by this latest claim from Italy.

Likened to Haaland himself, the striker has been in hot form for La Viola over 2021/22, scoring 12 goals and setting up two others in just 15 Serie A starts (WhoScored).

He also averaged a killer 3.4 shots on goal per match in that time – more than any Man City player has under Guardiola in the Premier League so far this campaign.

Unsurprisingly, a fair few City supporters want to see him make the move to Eastlands, as they took to Twitter with excited reactions:

“Buzzing, some good news.”

Credit: @SumonM21

“Please let this be true”

Credit: @Jacob4rmstrong

“No way”

Credit: @Mantus_G

“Music to me ears”

Credit: @vhoooosh

“Siuuuuuuuuuuuuuuu”

Credit: @Weezy_ef

“Finally a striker. Please just sign one lads”

Credit: @BernardoTouch

“LESSS GOOOOOOOO”

Credit: @King_Kevin100

In other news: ‘Aaaah’, ‘Siuuu’, ‘Finally’…Many Man City fans go wild as ‘perfect’ £53.9m claim emerges, find out more here.

An update has emerged on Newcastle United’s interest in West Ham centre-back Issa Diop…

What’s the talk?

According to Foot Mercato journalist Santi Aouna, the Magpies have ‘established contacts’ with the Hammers over a potential deal for the defender.

The reporter has claimed that Watford are also in the race for his signature, whilst Paris Saint-Germain colossus Abdou Diallo is another player on the radar of the Toon Army.

Philippe Albert 2.0

In Diop, Howe can find Newcastle’s Philippe Albert 2.0 by signing a defensive “monster” who can lead from the back for the Magpies.

Albert played 137 times for the club, including 97 games in the Premier League and matches in Europe, and was capped 41 times by Belgium throughout his career.

The centre-back, who has been dubbed a club legend by The Chronicle, enjoyed a fantastic spell on Tyneside and Diop could follow in his footsteps by arriving in January and excelling in the side – going on to match or better Albert’s run at St. James’ Park.

In just over three years in England, the 24-year-old has made 88 appearances in the Premier League and played 108 games for West Ham. He has also made five appearances in the Europa League this season, showing that he – like Albert – has experience of playing European football as well as in the English top-flight.

Jose Mourinho previously lauded the West Ham recruitment staff for their work in landing the centre-back, saying: “Congratulations to the scout who found Diop, a monster who dictated everything.”

Diop has averaged a WhoScored rating of 7.16 in the Europa League, making 3.0 tackles and interceptions per game from centre-back. In his first Premier League campaign for West Ham, he averaged a score of 6.89 and made 4.0 tackles and interceptions per game, showing that he has the potential to be a top-quality performer at this level for Howe if he can get him playing at his best.

Therefore, Newcastle must ensure that they are able to get a deal over the line for the £10.8m-rated gem as he could end up being a reliable, consistent, option at centre-back and end up playing many games in the top-flight for the Magpies. Albert was a European defender who managed that feat in his time at the club and Howe can find the next one on the production line by landing Diop in January.

AND in other news, “Decision has been made”: Romano drops major transfer update that’ll delight NUFC fans…

West Ham have approached Aston Villa over a move for centre-back Kortney Hause, according to Football Insider.

The Lowdown: El Ghazi interest

The 26-year-old isn’t the first Villa player with whom the Hammers have been linked during the January transfer window. David Moyes is also thought to be keen on signing Anwar El Ghazi, with the Irons manager viewing the Dutchman as a versatile attacking option at the London Stadium.

Villa are willing to part ways with the Netherlands international and would prefer a permanent sale, and it now seems as if Hause is also a player of interest.

The Latest: Source shares Hause update

Football Insider, who were informed by a West Ham source, shared a story on Saturday morning regarding Hause.

They claimed that the Hammers have approached Villa over a possible deal, but Steven Gerrard’s side have the option to extend the defender’s stay in the Midlands by a further 12 months.

The report added that, should Villa activate the clause, it would enable them to secure a significantly higher fee for Hause, with his manager open to moving him on if the club can bring in a replacement.

The Verdict: New addition needed first

Villa recently lost Axel Tuanzebe’s services after he cut short his season-long loan spell to join Italian side Napoli. That has left Gerrard with Hause, Tyrone Mings and Ezri Konsa as first team options in the centre of defence, so Villa certainly need one and possibly two additions at the back if they are to part ways with the 26-year-old.

The £25,000-a-week earner, who journalist Pat Rowe called a defender who ‘dominates players’, made his first start under Gerrard in the recent 2-1 defeat to Brentford, with a number of fans criticising his performance that day.

Incomings are needed at Villa Park before possibly letting Hause leave, but it seems as if a move to the capital could have legs, making it a transfer rumour to watch.

In other news: ‘Heartbroken’ – Many Villa fans react to Gregg Evans’ big transfer development

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Bradford City announced on Friday that striker Alex Jones has joined Cambridge United on loan for the remainder of the 2018/19 campaign.

Jones joined Bradford from Birmingham City in 2017 and has scored 10 times in 30 appearances for his current club in all competitions (Transfermarkt).

The 24-year-old has actually only made two League One appearances this term though, with his last coming against Coventry City at the end of October.

Pl>ymaker FC’s Matchday with Max caught up with Jamaica’s women’s team. See what happened when he met the history makers in the video below…

Injuries have harmed Jones since arriving at Bradford, but it still seems strange that the club are allowing him to leave considering their problems.

Indeed, Bradford are currently 23rd in League One and were thumped 4-0 by Southend United last weekend.

The Bradford fans have been on social media offering their views on the loan, which is Jones’ third following previous spells at Grimsby Town and Port Vale.

And it would be fair to say that there was a mixed reaction from the supporters overall.

Indeed, whilst some believe that it was the right time to allow Jones to leave, others are finding it difficult to understand why the decision has been made with Bradford facing the possibility of dropping into League Two for the 2019/20 campaign.

A selection of the Twitter reaction can be seen below:

Liverpool managed to increase their impressive goals record in the Premier League so far this season after beating Watford 5-0 at Vicarage Road over the weekend, taking their total to 22 goals scored in just eight league games, higher than any other club in the top flight.

Jurgen Klopp’s side are now set to take on Atletico Madrid in the Champions League this evening to see if they can continue their impressive start to the season.

On the chalkboard

Taking the focus away from Liverpool’s impressive attacking power, one player that we think should be in the starting XI to face Diego Simeone’s side is Reds defender Joel Matip, who has recently been described as being a “top-class” player by Sky Sports pundit and former Liverpool centre-back Jamie Carragher.

Speaking about him on MNF this week, the ex-defender continued: “He has actually probably been better than Virgil van Dijk this season.”

Matip joined Liverpool on a free transfer from German club Schalke back in the 2016 summer window. Since then, the 30-year-old, who is earns a weekly salary of £125k-per-week according to Spotrac, has made a total of 132 appearances for the Reds across all competitions in which he has managed to chip in with six goals and three assists.

So far this season, Matip has played in all but one of Liverpool’s Premier League games, proving himself to be an important figure for the Reds.

In Liverpool’s 2-2 draw against Manchester City, Matip once again proved how much of a defensive unit he is for the club after making four interceptions, three tackles, blocked two shots and made one clearance. That ultimately earned himself an impressive overall match rating of 7.5/10, higher than any other Liverpool defender on the day according to SofaScore.

Taking all of this into account, we feel that Matip should definitely start against Atletico as he has shown he has what it takes to be a tough defensive opponent against high-class opposition. Keeping in mind his form this term, the Cameroon international could bully some of Atletico’s attacking players such as Luis Suarez, Antoine Griezmann and Joao Felix among others.

However, with Liverpool having a big clash against Manchester United in the Premier League at the weekend, there’s every possibility that Klopp could save Matip for that game and give him a rest in midweek. After all, they do have summer signing Ibrahima Konate in their ranks. However, we think the former should definitely be in the starting XI this evening; he may be decisive.

In other news: Liverpool dealt big injury blow ahead of Atletico clash, Klopp will be gutted – opinion

Frank Lampard and Everton must do everything in their power to keep Dominic Calvert-Lewin at Goodison Park, with interest said to be high this summer.

What’s the latest?

The Everton striker has been heavily linked with a move to Mikel Arteta’s resurged Arsenal side, with reports suggesting that Calvert-Lewin could in fact leave in the summer to help the Merseyside club with the £373m losses suffered over the last few seasons.

The rules surrounding financial fair play allow for maximum combined losses of £105m over three years, with Everton looking as though they will be forced to sell one of their big-name players in order to comply with FFP.

Former Tottenham and Aston Villa striker Darren Bent has suggested that the 25-year-old England forward would be better placed at West Ham United:

“I think for Calvert-Lewin, West Ham. They need another centre-forward, they cross the ball.”

Though Bent also added that Everton would have to lower their reported asking price of £60m if they wanted to attract viable suitors for the 25-year-old.

“If Everton ask for £60m no one’s buying him for that.” When prompted on Calvert-Lewin’s worth, Bent said: “£35m-£40m”

No DCL, No Party

With the pressures of FFP surrounding them, Everton will need to offload one of either Calvert-Lewin or Richarlison in order to relieve some pressure and reach a more confident position when it comes to balancing their books.

Of course, if the Toffees are to suffer relegation to the Championship this season, both would likely depart.

Having featured just 11 times for Everton this season, scoring on just three occasions, Calvert-Lewin’s goals have been a big miss for the Toffees and it is no coincidence that the Merseyside blues find themselves in the precarious position of 17th, having played their fair share of games without the star man.

It’s easy to forget that the £72k-per-week forward netted a solid 16 Premier League goals just last season and 13 the season prior, which showcases how big a disaster it would be to lose him permanently.

Calvert-Lewin has been a big miss for the Toffees and his importance has been evidenced this season, as Lampard’s side are battling to avoid what would be a catastrophic relegation to the second-tier.

The Toffees faithful will be hoping that Calvert-Lewin can return to his goalscoring ways before the end of the season.

In other news – Forget Keane: “Embarrassing” Everton dud who lost 100% duels let Lampard down…

Now that the 2022 January transfer window has opened, the next few weeks could see a number of Premier League clubs dip into the market to make some changes to their squads.With four wins and four defeats since Steven Gerrard was appointed as Villa’s manager, it seems likely that he will want to use the current transfer window to improve his squad and end the season on a high note.However, it seems as though the Villans will have to be careful to not lose one of their current squad members as well as potentially looking at bringing in some new players.What’s the word?

In a recent club-by-club transfer guide from the Daily Mail, they have claimed that Villa defender Kortney Hause is of interest to fellow Premier League club Watford this month.

Villa originally signed Hause from fellow Premier League club Wolves on a loan deal back in the 2019 January transfer window before securing him on a permanent deal in the following summer window.

Overall, the 26-year-old, who is currently picking up a weekly wage of £25k-per-week according to Salary Sport, has made a total of 53 appearances for Villa across all competitions, chipping in with four goals along the way.

Having been labelled in the past as a figure that “dominates players” on the pitch by Pat Rowe, Hause’s previous performance for Villa in their recent 2-1 defeat against Brentford showed just that with the defender winning four of the five duels he was involved in.

In terms of his overall performances in the league for Villa this season, WhoScored have him listed as their joint-seventh highest rated player alongside fellow centre-back Tyrone Mings, showing how capable he is of playing at a good level for Villa in the Premier League.

With this in mind and the fact that Axel Tuanzebe is reportedly close to leaving Villa Park for another loan deal to Italian club Napoli, it would be a disaster if Villa were to see Hause leave as well this month if the club aren’t able to bring in another defender to replace the duo.

Moving forward, Villa and Gerrard should be doing all they can to keep hold of Hause this month and beyond given how useful he’s been for the team this season.

In other news: Lange could solve Gerrard’s big AVFC issue with swoop for “complete” £24.3m-rated gem – opinion

Some Wolves supporters would be happy to see Adama Traore leave the club after he was linked with a move to La Liga side Valencia.

It has been a solid start to the season for Bruno Lage’s team, who are eighth in the Premier League as we head into the final international break of the year.

The 45-year-old has done well as manager since coming in during the summer, but Traore hasn’t necessarily clicked with the Portuguese at the helm.

The Spain winger is still waiting to register a goal or an assist in the Premier League in 2021/22 and he has found himself left out of the starting line-up recently, while he has been questioned over his lack of end product in the final third.

According to journalist Ekrem Konur on Twitter, Valencia are preparing an offer for the 25-year-old as they eye up a possible move for him.

Wolves fans happy for Traore to leave

These Wolves fans reacted to the news on Twitter, admitting that they would have no complaints if the club decided to sell the out-of-form Traore to Valencia.

“Send Guedes the other way”

Credit: @Zack24296570

“I’m gonna be totally honest, I’d sell him if it would mean Botman and Sanches”

Credit: @wwfcBrendan

“If he is refusing to sign contract then sell”

Credit: @Sandhurstwolf

“If we can get £35m-£40m I wouldn’t be against it tbh. Would help us get Botman and Sanches”

Credit: @GeorgeTheStud

“Can see him going back to Spain. Ain’t done any good in England up to date”

Credit: @Shaunthegreat41

“Can’t help thinking that this will be for the best”

Credit: @TurnerA7x

In other news, a journalist has talked up the idea of Wolves signing one player. Find out who it is here.