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Brighton are reportedly closing in on the signing of teenage Wigan prospect Jensen Weir, who had also attracted transfer interest from Tottenham.

Daily Mail reporter Mike Keegan tweeted (via @MikeKeegan_DM) that a deal which could take the 18-year-old to the Amex Stadium is “very close” as negotiations between the clubs continue. He added that Spurs had been interested in the youngster but the Londoners now looks set to miss out on him.

The teenager is the son of David Weir, the former Scotland defender who now works as a scout at Brighton.

Capable of playing in central midfield or on the right wing, he has six caps for England at under-18 level and has made four senior appearances at Wigan, albeit with only one of those in the Championship. [via TransferMarkt]

If the Seagulls complete the signing of Jensen Weir, he would likely be regarded as a future prospect rather than a ready-made first team player, given his inexperience at senior level. However, Graham Potter has not been reluctant to give youth its fling at the Amex Stadium.

Tariq Lamptey only had a handful of senior appearances for Chelsea before breaking into Brighton’s first team recently, while the manager has also thrown Aaron Connolly and Alexis Mac Allister into the fray during the season, with the Irish striker scoring twice on his first Premier League start against Tottenham last October.

Although Weir remains largely untested in senior football, that Brighton look likely to see off a club like Tottenham, Champions League finalists just 13 months ago, to his signature should be a real feather in the Seagulls’ cap.

Also, with Wigan going into administration last week and facing a very uncertain future, they will almost certainly need to sell key assets and promising youngsters, so there seems a very strong chance of Brighton getting the deal done and having another prodigious young talent on their books to go along with the likes of Lamptey and Connolly.

Brighton fans, do you think Weir will break into the first team next season if the Seagulls sign him this summer? Share your views in the comments section below!

Manchester United are holding talks with Inter Milan over a potential transfer for Ivan Perisic this summer, reports say. 

Man United have been interested in signing Perisic for a while, long before Ole Gunnar Solskjaer took charge at Old Trafford.

According to Fichajes.com, as cited by the Daily Express, United are negotiating an exchange with Inter which would see Alexis Sanchez head in the other direction on a permanent basis. The Spanish publication claimed that the Red Devils are close to completing a swap deal for the Croatian.

Perisic, who is valued at £15.75m by Transfermarkt, has spent the past season on loan at Bayern Munich but the Bundesliga champions declined to activate a permanent deal for the midfielder, which has paved the way for Ed Woodward to make a move instead.

Bayern were only interested in extending his loan deal for another year, which didn’t go down well with his parent club.

Recent reports had suggested that Tottenham Hotspur were in talks with Inter, but United appear to have stolen a march on their Premier League rivals.

After arriving at the Allianz Arena last year, Perisic has scored four goals and supplied three assists in the Bundesliga this season, taking 1.9 shots per game (via WhoScored).

Although the 31-year-old suffered an ankle injury which ruled him out of several games prior to football’s suspension, he turned out to be a reliable asset for Bayern, as he made 31 appearances in all competitions.

Meanwhile, Sanchez is arguably one of Woodward’s biggest mistakes, as he currently earns £400,000-a-week, even though he has only scored five times in 45 games for the Red Devils.

A straight swap for Perisic is surely a no-brainer for United, as Solskjaer is desperate to get Sanchez off the wage bill as soon as possible. However, whether or not Inter will be willing to pay his hefty wages is another matter altogether.

United fans, should Woodward swap Sanchez for Perisic in the summer? Let us know your thoughts by commenting below!

According to The Daily Mail, Leeds United face competition from Fulham for the signing of Benfica starlet Florentino Luis.

What’s the word?

The 20-year-old has previously reported to have been tracked by the likes of Manchester United and Manchester City, but it appears two of the Premier League’s new boys are firmly in the running to sign him.

The Daily Mail claim that Leeds have asked about the Portuguese midfielder, although Fulham’s club scouts have also identified him as a potential target.

Is it Haaland Snr or David Hopkins? Your Leeds knowledge will be put to the test with this quiz…



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The report adds that Luis’ side have made him available for £2.5m for a season-long loan, but with a £40m fee attached at the end of the season to buy him on a permanent basis.

Marcelo Bielsa could transform him

After initially starting all four of Benfica’s opening league games last season, Luis fell out of favour for the rest of the campaign, with a meniscal injury not helping his cause either.

But whilst he may have only played 18 times, his talent is still undoubted, and is a young prospect who just needs a coach like Marcelo Bielsa to help him realise his potential. Luis’ former coach, Joao Tralhao, said of him: “(He has) an exceptional talent and physical qualities totally in line with his footballing qualities. (He) has a very similar profile to Casemiro. From very early on, we realised that Florentino was on his way to becoming an elite player.”

The midfielder has been lauded for his N’Golo Kante-like abilities to cover a lot of ground in the engine room, and for his impressive reading of the game despite his age. Andre David, a coach in Portugal, remarked: “He has incredible space-covering capacity, he’s very intelligent at anticipating and recovering the ball.”

At just 20, Luis has age on his side, and if Victor Orta can land him this summer, then he could be a player who Bielsa can help transform into a superstar at Elland Road.

Ryan Fraser has arrived in Newcastle ahead of talks over a possible transfer to St. James’ Park in the summer window, according to Sky Sports.

As per the outlet, the Scottish international is a free agent after he let his previous contract with AFC Bournemouth run down, but he has apparently not yet decided where his immediate future lies and no agreement has been made with Newcastle United as of yet.

However, it is understood that Fraser would be keen on a move to the North East if a suitable deal can take place between all of the parties involved.

Indeed, Fraser may well provide a relatively low-risk option to the Toon should they be able to get his signature over the dotted line.

Proven at Premier League level, the £15.75 million-valued ace has scored 16 goals and made a further 29 assists in 120 matches in England’s highest division over the last four seasons, including the 2018/19 term in which he racked up no fewer than 14 assists (via Transfermarkt).

Comparing his stats in the 2019/20 top-flight campaign to those of fellow attacking midfield players Allan Saint-Maximin, Christian Atsu and Miguel Almiron, Fraser averaged more key passes, crosses and long balls per match than the Magpies trio (per WhoScored).

At 26 years of age as well, Fraser is still at a relatively good age in his footballing career, and so signing up the winger on a free transfer seems like a no-brainer for NUFC.

However, they will have to reach an agreement with the player first before fans can start to get excited about the prospect of him signing.

Geordies, would Fraser be a good signing? Comment below!

According to The Daily Mirror, Wolves are interested in signing Liverpool star Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain in this summer transfer window.

What’s the word?

Nuno Espirito Santo’s side have already done business with the Reds in recent days, with Diogo Jota making the big-money to Anfield.

Now, The Daily Mirror claim that the Reds’ capture of Bayern Munich midfielder Thiago could force Oxlade-Chamberlain into a move away from Merseyside, and that Wolves hope to convince him.

Spot the fact from the fib: Are these Premier League records true or false?

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The report further adds Jurgen Klopp’s side will look to recoup much of the £25m they paid Arsenal to initially sign him back in the summer of 2017 if they are to sell the England international.

Nuno’s dream signing

Much like one of their earlier summer transfer targets, Ainsley Maitland-Niles, Oxlade-Chamberlain is equally as versatile, but crucially, has been playing in a side that has been competing for every possible major honour in European football in his time at Liverpool.

Able to play in central midfield, as well as even as a wing-back, full-back or winger, the 27-year-old would bring a wealth of experience and give Wolves another string to their bow.

Nuno could better rotate his squad having someone like Oxlade-Chamberlain in his ranks, and he has got all the physical attributes to be a real force for the Molineux side.

Speaking back in October after his goal-scoring display against Genk in the Champions League, Rio Ferdinand said: “You can tell Klopp loves him and he’s desperate to get him in the team somehow. He offers something totally different to the likes of Milner, Wijnaldum, Fabinho and Henderson. He can dribble past people which is hard for a midfielder. It’s great to see him get back in. I like the way that he gets into those positions.

“Once he gets into those pockets in behind the opposition’s midfield he can dribble and shoot. He’s a fantastic footballer and it’s all about decision making there. He offers something totally different in the midfield for Liverpool.”

If Wolves can convince Liverpool to sell Oxlade-Chamberlain, then they would be getting a major coup.

Having sealed a stunning swoop for Real Madrid star James Rodriguez, it looks like Everton aren’t done with luring more South American talent to Merseyside in this summer transfer window.

Colombian radio station Caracol (via Sport Witness) have claimed that Carlo Ancelotti’s side are finally set to make a bid for James’ international teammate, Santiago Arias, in the coming hours.

How big of an Everton fan are you? Can you spot Mikel Arteta from Graham Stuart? This quiz will test your knowledge, try it if you’re brave enough…



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It’s suggested that the 28-year-old seems destined for a move to the Premier League, and that the Toffees are likely to face competition from the likes of Newcastle and Wolves.

With James and Yerry Mina already in the ranks, adding Arias would further boost Everton’s Colombian contingent, and the full-back’s wealth of experience at club and international level certainly makes him a shrewd potential signing.

Arias has played 53 times for his country, whilst he is also a very familiar name to Marcel Brands, who signed the defender for PSV back in 2013. Then, after the 28-year-old signed a new contract with the Dutch giants a couple of years later, he said: “He is the perfect model of the modern defender: pacy, powerful and attack-minded. There are not many players with such qualities.”

It’s no surprise then that Everton are putting a plan in motion to reunite Arias with Brands at Goodison Park.

Manchester United may spring several surprises in the transfer market to solve their problems sooner rather than later…

Edinson Cavani and Alex Telles are expected to be confirmed as Man United players by the end of Deadline Day while the Red Devils remain locked in negotiations with Barcelona over a loan move for Ousmane Dembele.

What’s the word?

According to Italian transfer guru Fabrizio Romano, the Red Devils will complete the signing of the ex-Paris Saint-Germain striker on a free transfer later today.

It is claimed that the club believe Cavani, 33, can replicate the recent success of his former teammate Zlatan Ibrahimovic.

After arriving at Old Trafford from the Parc des Princes in 2016, Ibrahimovic scored 29 goals in 53 games across all competitions, winning the Europa League and League Cup along the way, via Transfermarkt.

Following a falling out with Neymar, Cavani, the 116-cap Uruguay international, has been out of contract ever since he left PSG, but he feels he still has more to give to European football.

Another Falcao?

As far as United are concerned, the board believe that Cavani can become a leader in the dressing room, and he is reportedly ready to receive a two-year deal with wages worth £210,000-a-week.

For every Ibrahimovic, there has been a Radamel Falcao, which suggests United should tread very carefully indeed.

Despite the fact he hasn’t played since March, the Uruguayan will still find himself in line with Marcus Rashford’s salary, which will certainly raise some eyebrows.

Cavani only managed to score four goals and supply one assist in 14 games in Ligue 1 last term, taking two shots, whilst completing fewer than one key pass and one dribble per game, via WhoScored.

And the 89-cap Colombia international could only muster the same amount of goals in his one-and-only season at Old Trafford.

However, Falcao was 29 at the time of his arrival and had only just recovered from rupturing his ACL, while Cavani has recently spent a significant amount of time on the bench, making seven appearances as a substitute.

Contrary to popular belief, Solskjaer’s problems lie at the bottom of the pitch, rather than at the top.

Victor Lindelof has never looked particularly convincing alongside Harry Maguire while the club captain has hardly done himself any favours whatsoever after a string of errors during the 6-1 home defeat to Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday.

It seems as though the money may have been better spent on a new centre-back to partner Maguire instead and it is safe to say that Solskjaer is hardly short of options in attack as Anthony Martial, Marcus Rashford and Mason Greenwood can all play centrally if called upon.

And that’s without even mentioning Odion Ighalo, although perhaps the least said about him, the better!

Even so, Cavani seems to contradict all of the recent signings United have made so far, like Bruno Fernandes and Donny van de Beek, who have fallen within the 23-38 age bracket.

AND in other news, Manchester United signing Alex Telles won’t solve all of Solskjaer’s problems…

Michael Keane must look to use his remaining time with the England national side to take a lesson in leadership from Conor Coady, after the Wolverhampton Wanderers captain upstaged the Everton defender against Wales on Thursday.

Three Lions boss Gareth Southgate opted to tackle the international friendly against rivals Wales at Wembley Stadium with Keane and Coady partnered by Liverpool’s Joe Gomez in a three-man backline, which kept Ryan Giggs’ visitors scoreless in a 3-0 win.

Coady provided the second of England’s three goals with a perfectly timed volley at the back post to meet Kieran Trippier’s free-kick unchallenged, in what was only the 27-year-old’s second international match following his debut against Denmark in August.

Keane, likewise, has one goal to his name for England but from 11 senior appearances dating back to his debut in 2017, but cannot let his greater experience cloud his judgment and ought to use his time wisely to benefit from Coady’s greater qualities.

Keane found himself upstaged on Thursday as Coady led from the back against Wales, barking instructions to his teammates throughout the affair to keep England in check – something the Everton man has often been at fault for at Goodison Park by not organising a difunctional line.

Coady, on the other hand, has often been lauded for his worthiness as Wolves’ captain since the Molineux outfit were promoted to the Premier League, with the Liverpool-born ace’s voice a constant echo being heard around the Black Country whenever Nuno Espirito Santo’s side take to the field.

Teammates and staff repeatedly praise Coady for his organisation and leadership as one of the only voices constantly communicating messages on the pitch, keeping his colleagues in check to ensure no one is left red-faced and opposition attacks are quickly snuffed out.

Coady knows when to push the team forward and when to drop back, he is a true field general in ways Keane can only imagine. But working alongside the Wolves captain can guide the £65,000-per-week 27-year-old to one day take on greater responsibilities under Carlo Ancelotti in a side that has previously been compared to a puppy rolling over and asking for its belly to be tickled.

If Everton are to capitalise on their unbeaten start to the 2020/21 Premier League season and secure their return to a UEFA competition for the first time since the 2017/18 Europa League Group Stage, keeping a solid defence in check over the full campaign will be crucial.

AND in other news, Everton are in need of drastic action with a forgotten player after failing to deal with his situation over the summer.

West Brom broke their club-record transfer fee this summer, bringing loan sensation Grady Diangana back to the Hawthorns after an impressive temporary stint last season.

But the Baggies haven’t always had great success with their big-money signings – £13m signing Nacer Chadli failed to back up his price tag before being quickly moved on whilst Oliver Burke’s arrival was arguably the worst piece of business they have ever done.

Although, it’s now Albion who are having the last laugh on the matter.

At the time, he became the most expensive Scottish player in history as Tony Pulis brought him to the Hawthorns from RB Leipzig for a whopping £15m.

The 23-year-old winger would go onto play just 24 times for the Midlands outfit, contributing only one goal and three assists, via Transfermarkt.

During the past two seasons alone, he was sent out on loan to both Celtic and La Liga strugglers Alaves, though neither side wanted to take a punt in signing him permanently.

Instead, it was top-flight rivals Sheffield United who took that on that burden this summer, paying an “undisclosed fee” as well as sending versatile forward Callum Robinson, who also enjoyed a successful spell at the Baggies during their promotion-winning campaign, the other way.

However, The Star claim that Albion paid £3m plus Burke to secure the Irishman.

And so far, it’s turned out to be a masterstroke from Luke Dowling and co as Burke has failed to prove his credentials for the Blades this campaign.

Per WhoScored, the 6 foot 2 Scotsman has averaged just one key pass, 0.7 shots and 0.3 dribbles per game. He’s even managed a shocking 57.6% pass success rate, which ranks him third-worst in the entire league for any outfield player to start three or more matches.

In contrast, Robinson has already delivered two goals for Slaven Bilic – against Chelsea too – and is averaging more shots and dribbles than the former Pulis flop.

Considering Burke was raking in £30k-per-week at the club, Albion have done wonders in getting him off the wage bill and have delivered an outrageous coup in getting Robinson too.

The Baggies may have lost over £20m on him through fees, swaps and wages, but he’s now United’s problem meaning Bilic and Dowling have had the last laugh here.

AND in other news, West Brom may have uncovered their next Harvey Barnes, even if it’s a BAD sign…

Leeds United should have “gone and signed” Ben Foster this summer, according to former Wednesday goalkeeper Chris Kirkland, who has been speaking exclusively to Football FanCast.

The Whites gained promotion from the Championship to feature in the top-flight for the first time in 16 years and signed no fewer than five new additions during the summer, splashing a club-record £26m on Rodrigo from Valencia as well as bringing back Jack Harrison on loan from Manchester City.

Victor Orta also secured the permanent signature of Illan Meslier, who quickly established himself as Marcelo Bielsa’s no.1 between the sticks following Kiko Casilla’s eight-game ban last season.

Despite the 20-year-old joining the club from Lorient, Kirkland believes that the Watford veteran would’ve been exactly what the Yorkshire giants needed for a fair crack at the big time.

He told FFC:

“I’d have gone and signed Ben Foster, all day long. When you come up to the Premier League you need somebody that’s got an experience at a big club, and Leeds are a huge club.

“Listen, I’ve not seen the Leeds keepers too much. But again, if you’re asking me would I sign Ben Foster over them? Yeah. I don’t need to know much about them.

“Because unless they’re Alisson, which they’re not, then I would say go and sign Ben Foster 100%.”

The 37-year-old has had a wealth of experience in the Premier League, playing a total of 364 times where he has kept 90 clean sheets and conceded 521 goals for the likes of Manchester United, Birmingham City, West Brom and of course, the Hornets.

Neither Meslier until this season, nor Casilla have featured in the English top-flight, so a move for the 6 foot 4 glovesman would’ve made sense.

Foster is only on around £32.5k-per-week at Vicarage Road and has continued to be their main man in goal, keeping four clean sheets in ten Championship outings.

Whether it’s something Bielsa and Orta want to revisit in January or next summer very much remains to be seen.

AND in other news, Marcelo Bielsa needs to be ruthless over Leeds’ £23.5k-p/w “special” weapon…