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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

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.

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.

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).

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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.

With the end of the season very quickly approaching, Celtic supporters will be able to breathe a huge sigh of relief. Neil Lennon is finally gone and, with that, they’ll be able to reset ahead of a new campaign.

They are on the verge of losing the Premiership crown to their biggest rivals and thus, a significant change could be on the cards.

Lennon and Peter Lawwell will have departed but their club captain, Scott Brown, may also be heading through the exit door.

The 35-year-old is an icon at Parkhead but his contract is expiring in the summer. We’re yet to receive word about whether he could renew his terms but it’s looking increasingly unlikely.

It could well come down to whoever the new manager is. One man who reportedly wants the job is former Huddersfield boss David Wagner.

Given the style of football the 49-year-old plays, it wouldn’t exactly be ideal for the current skipper. That’s because not only does the ex-Schalke manager like free-flowing offensive football, but he also likes his team to press relentlessly.

Brown has recently enjoyed a mini-revival in the Celtic side. He was superb in the 4-0 win over Kilmarnock last month, scoring and assisting. He also rolled back the years with a commanding display in another 4-0 victory over St Mirren.

Yet, it’s clear that Brown’s overall qualities have diminished somewhat. He has looked sluggish for the most part this season and has been guilty of a number of errors. As the Hoops were battered and bruised in Prague last autumn, the Scot was arguably one of their main culprits.

He was given the runaround in midfield and then reacted far too slowly for the opening goal, failing to clear his lines from a corner. His red card after being on the pitch for just five minutes against Livingston was also a low point.

[snack-amp-story url=”https://www.footballfancast.com/web-stories/latest-celtic-manager-hunt-stories-wagner-marsch-martinez-lennon-news” title=”The last stories on Celtic’s hunt for a new manager!”]

Judging by his age and indeed some of his performances this term, he would surely struggle under Wagner’s style of play. The German likes his teams to play at breakneck speed, hassling and pressing opponents relentlessly.

It’s a style he has used to his advantage on British shores before, achieving a “phenomenal thing” according to Don Goodman on Sky Sports’ match coverage of Huddersfield a few years ago. Indeed, he managed to get the Yorkshire side promoted from the Championship to the Premier League.

He is bred from the Ralf Rangnick school of football, basing his philosophy on the modern-day press. That requires players to hunt in packs to win the ball back within a matter of seconds of losing it.

For Brown, a man now in his mid-30s, this wouldn’t be perfect. The veteran has already lost a yard of pace and to expect him to play at full throttle each week would be near impossible.

With that in mind, hiring Wagner could finally give the Bhoys the armoury to wave farewell to his playing days.

AND in other news, Celtic gem makes big U-turn on his future, it’s good news for the Hoops…

According to a report from Milan Live.it, as also translated and relayed by Sport Witness, West Ham United have always shown interest in AC Milan star Franck Kessie alongside London rivals Arsenal and Tottenham – coming as the Rossoneri reportedly plot a new deal for the Ivory Coast international.

Indeed, as per the Italian outlet, Kessie has attracted fondness from the east Londoners as a player that marries ‘perfectly’ with the Premier League – even despite the brilliant form of both Tomas Soucek and Declan Rice in Kessie’s position.

West Ham interest in Kessie revealed

Alongside West Ham, both Spurs and Arsenal have also displayed their fondness for the 44-cap star – but a deal could be hard to pull off given Milan have ‘no intention’ of letting one of the most important players leave the San Siro.

As well as this, Stefano Pioli’s side could apparently demand €50 million (£42.8 million) for the midfield enforcer who is apparently valued at that sky high price.

Lauded as a ‘devastating’ player by former Italy international Antonio Cassano (Bobo TV via Milan Live), he has also been dubbed ‘sublime’ in the past by former Milan boss Vincenzo Montella (Goal).

Transfer Tavern take

He has absolutely no shortage of plaudits, with this Milan Live report hailing him as Milan’s ‘undisputed leader’ and pillar of the Serie A side.

However, given his lofty valuation and Milan’s stance on a sale, a West Ham deal for Kessie could be difficult despite GSB showing an interest in him for Moyes.

Time will tell whether their fondness for Kessie develops into a potential offer, but the signs suggest it would be a very surprising feat.

In other news: West Ham fans erupted at these links to a ‘perfect’ signing, find out more here.

Glasgow Rangers are reportedly now following Brazilian youngster Antony as Giovanni van Bronckhorst targets his first signing of the summer transfer window.

The Lowdown: Busy summer?

In his first summer transfer window at Ibrox, van Bronckhorst will want to put his own stamp on the squad, and so there should be expected to be plenty of incomings and outgoings before the new season starts.

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The Teddy Bears have recently been linked with a loan move for Billy Gilmour, but the likes of Alex Lowry, Joe Aribo and Filip Helander are reportedly attracting interest from the Premier League.

The Latest: Rangers following

As per A Bola, the Light Blues, as well as Basel, are now following young forward Antony ahead of a potential move in the summer.

Described as an ‘offensive weapon’, the Gers have ‘collected some notes’ on the versatile talent as they look to start their business straight away.

The Verdict: Exciting

It certainly is exciting for the supporters that the club seem to be looking at summer recruitment already, despite the season not being over.

A Brazilian who is just 20 years of age, Antony is an interesting albeit relatively unknown prospect, having scored two goals while on loan at Arouca in the Portuguese top flight from Corinthians.

Capable of playing virtually anywhere in the attack, from second striker to both wings, RFC will be hoping to add more depth to the squad once the window officially opens, and perhaps the young South American could be a good start.

In other news, find out what ‘disappointing’ Rangers update has now emerged here!

Celtic must finally complete a move for Preston North End defender Ben Davies, with reports claiming Neil Lennon’s side are in an intense battle to sign him in this January transfer window.

What’s the story?

Reports over the summer suggested that the Hoops were considering signing Davies as a potential replacement for Kristoffer Ajer, but a deal failed to materialise before the end of the deadline, with the Norway international ending up staying at Celtic Park.

Now, Football Insider claim that Celtic are battling Genk for both Davies and Philadelphia Union centre-back Mark McKenzie.

The report adds that with the former’s contract at Preston coming to an end this season, the Deepdale side “will consider bids in the region of £5m this January as the club come to terms with the possibility of losing the defender for nothing in the summer”.

Bye-bye Shane Duffy

When Celtic snapped up Brighton’s Shane Duffy on a season-long loan back in the summer, Lennon couldn’t hide his excitement at bringing in the Premier League veteran.

He said: “He is leader and a warrior – someone with real ability and who will also give us that great physical presence.” Sadly for the Hoops, the 29-year-old just hasn’t been the answer at centre-back, and it’s been telling that he’s started just once in the past seven Scottish Premiership games.

In Davies, Celtic could snap up an absolute bargain, and someone who would offer them the kind of centre-back option suited to the modern game.

His manager at Preston, Alex Neill said: “Once I had looked at Ben, assessed the whole squad and seen him for a couple of weeks I thought to myself that we have a really good player on our hands.

“Ben has got a good left foot and he should really have more confidence in it than he actually has. He is better with it than he gives himself credit for. The lad has really good pace, which for a centre-back is rare. He reads the game well and has the determination to get better.”

Left-footed and with a bit of pace? Peter Lawwell surely has to dip into his pockets and find that £5m to sign him.

Former Everton star Michael Ball has told Football FanCast that the club need more players like James Rodriguez if they are to be successful.

The Toffees managed to sign the Colombia international from Real Madrid last summer.

BBC Sport reported at the time that they paid around £12m to sign the playmaker and he has gone on to enjoy an excellent season for Carlo Ancelotti’s men.

James has scored six goals and laid on nine assists in 25 games in all competitions, even though he has struggled with injuries.

Ball has enjoyed watching the former Bayern Munich star play for the Toffees but he is acutely aware that he cannot be relied upon to play 38 games a season in the Premier League.

As such, he has urged Everton to try to bring in more players of the same quality as Rodriguez as they look to take the next step and potentially qualify for Europe next season.

The Toffees’ loss to Aston Villa at the weekend, a game Rodriguez missed, has left them nine points behind fourth-placed Chelsea.

Speaking exclusively to FFC, Ball said: “We know we can’t rely on James, who’s only been playing 60-70 minutes and he’s missed a lot of football games. So we need players like him to come to the football club if we want to start being successful.

“At the end of the day, it does cost a lot of money to bring these top quality players in.

“Yes, you’d like to bring your youth in as well but that does take time and I feel with Carlo coming to the football club, he wants to be winning yesterday, he wants players to come in straight away and to be successful.”

Blackburn Rovers manager Tony Mowbray has invited ‘ridiculous’ offers for former Newcastle United striker Adam Armstrong this summer.

The lowdown

The 24-year-old finished the season with two hat-tricks in three games to post a tally of 28 league goals for the campaign. That left him second in the Championship scoring charts, just three adrift of another former Newcastle player in Ivan Toney.

Armstrong made the permanent switch to Ewood Park in 2018, having racked up 21 appearances in black and white without getting on the scoresheet.

However, Newcastle inserted a 40% sell-on clause into their agreement with Rovers, and Armstrong is now valued at £14.4m by Transfermarkt, even though he is about to enter the final year of his contract.

Intriguingly, it has also been reported that the Magpies are considering an attempt to bring him back to St James’ Park.

The latest

After Blackburn’s 5-2 victory over Birmingham City on Saturday, Mowbray sent a message to Armstrong’s suitors.

“They’re not doing their job if they’re not looking at Adam Armstrong,” he told the Lancashire Telegraph.

“That’s out of my control. For Adam’s sake, let’s hope the phone rings and someone offers us a ridiculous amount of money, we shake him by the hand and we say go bang in loads of goals in the Premier League.

“We’ll use some of that money in the team and can find another striker who can bang loads of goals in.”

The verdict

According to The Athletic, Newcastle have discussed the possibility of signing Tammy Abraham this summer but have been put off to Chelsea’s £40m price tag.

If that’s an indication that they’re after a striker, Armstrong would be a far cheaper, but still prolific, option.

You could argue that it’s a win-win situation anyway. If they don’t pursue the move, they could still net somewhere around £5.76m (40% of £14.4m) from a sale to another Premier League club due to the aforementioned sell-on clause.

In hindsight, it was a clever piece of business they struck with Blackburn three years ago.

In other news, this Newcastle youngster has reportedly been offered to Premier League rivals.