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Alan Nixon has dropped an extremely promising update regarding a potential takeover of Derby County.

What’s the latest?

In response to a fan asking whether the American businessman, Chris Kirchner – who has been heavily linked with a takeover of the Rams – is indeed a serious contender to purchase the club from Mel Morris, The Sun journalist suggested that Kirchner is very much interested in a deal, as well as claiming the businessman wants to tie-up his purchase of the club as quickly as possible.

In a six-word post on Twitter, Nixon revealed: “Wants the club. Wants it ASAP.”

Fans will be buzzing

There has not been much for Derby County fans to get excited about so far this season, with the club being entered into administration and docked 12 points for doing so, as well as being docked a further nine points after admitting they had broken Football League accounting rules on Tuesday.

That has left the club rooted to the foot of the Championship table which means the news that Kirchner is a serious candidate to purchase the club will undoubtedly leave fans buzzing and relieved.

Indeed, with relegation appearing to be all but a certainty following the club’s latest points penalty, there was rather understandably a great deal of concern that any interested parties may well be put off by the fact they would essentially be buying a League One side.

However, following Nixon’s latest update, despite the rather bleak outlook for the Rams on the pitch, it would nevertheless seem as if Kirchner is extremely interested in securing a deal to purchase Derby, and would like to do so as quickly and efficiently as possible – something which will provide fans of the club with a great sense of comfort.

So, while things will more than likely get worse before they get better at Pride Park, there now appears to be hope on the horizon for the Rams, an outcome that did not appear overly likely only a matter of weeks ago.

Celtic are in talks concerning a deal to bring Cameron Carter-Vickers to Parkhead on a permanent basis.

What’s the talk?

That’s according to a report by Sky Sports, who claim that Ange Postecoglou’s side have now started negotiations with Tottenham Hotspur regarding the centre-back’s full-time switch to Glasgow – with Celtic possessing a £6m option to buy clause for the defender.

The report goes on to state that the discussions between the two clubs concern the structure of this £6m fee, rather than the overall price of the transfer – as it is understood that there is no wiggle-room over the total cost for the USA international.

An update Celtic supporters will love

With Carter-Vickers having gone on to establish himself as a key part of Postecoglou’s first-team side this season, the claim that Celtic are now in talks to secure the permanent signing of the 24-year-old is sure to be an update the Parkhead faithful love.

Indeed, over his 26 Premiership outings this term, the £2.7m-rated centre-back has been in imperious form in the heart of the Celtic backline, helping his side keep 14 clean sheets, as well as making an average of 1.2 interceptions, 0.9 tackles, 4.2 clearances and winning 5.9 duels – at a success rate of 68% – per game.

The £22k-per-week defender has also impressed going forwards, scoring three goals and providing his teammates with one assist, in addition to taking an average of 0.5 shots and making 0.3 key passes per fixture.

These metrics have seen the player who Keith Costigan dubbed a “monster” average a rather remarkable SofaScore match rating of 7.35, ranking him as the fifth-best player in the top flight of Scottish football.

As such, should Celtic go on to seal a deal for the American sensation this summer, it would undoubtedly come as a huge boost to Postecoglou and his side, as Carter-Vickers could well prove to be the rock that the Hoops’ defence is built upon for many a year to come.

AND in other news: The Scotsman drop huge 14-word Celtic update, unforgivable error may be inbound

Newcastle United want to sign both Sven Botman and Diego Carlos during the January transfer window, according to The Athletic’s Chris Waugh. 

The lowdown

Waugh’s colleague David Ornstein has written that Newcastle have as much as £100m available to spend this month, and they’ve only used £12m of that so far to sign Kieran Trippier from Atletico Madrid.

A double swoop for Lille’s Botman and Sevilla’s Carlos could end up consuming the vast majority of that budget, though, with The Daily Mail’s Simon Jones claiming that the duo could cost up to £70m.

The latest

In The Athletic’s matchday discussion on Saturday, a supporter asked Waugh if it was ‘likely to be one or the other’ of Botman or Carlos to be signed.

The journalist replied: “The plan seems to be both, Ben – which surprised me. I thought it would be one of the other, but they’d ideally like two signings.”

The verdict

How surprising is it that Newcastle are willing to plough so much money into their defence? Not very.

As per Understat, they have the joint-worst record in the Premier League in terms of goals conceded and the outright worst in terms of expected goals against. They are currently on course to concede a whopping 84, which would be only five short of the all-time record for a 20-team season in the league’s 30-year history.

The hope would be that Botman, who has been eyed by ‘an array of top clubs’, and Carlos, himself a former target of Liverpool and Manchester United, could turn a porous backline into a solid foundation. Waugh’s comments suggest that the Magpies mean business in trying to get at least one of them to Tyneside by the end of the month

In other news, Luke Edwards reveals Newcastle’s interest in this attacking talent

Aston Villa will be going into the transfer window with the view to strengthen their side after a slow start to their season with Steven Gerrard replacing Dean Smith in November in a bid to change the direction steering them into a relegation battle.

Now 12th in the Premier League, Gerrard has put the club in a much stronger position going into the second half of the season, but with the transfer window opening in the next 72 hours, the new manager could be about to lose his first player from the squad.

What’s the word?

According to reports from Tuttomercatoweb, Napoli will make a decision on a move in the next 48 hours for Axel Tuanzebe, who is currently on a season long loan with Aston Villa from Manchester United.

The reports suggest that the deal is close, but the only part missing is an agreement on how much the 24 year old will cost Napoli, which is expected to be negotiated in the next few days.

Fabrizio Romano has also added fuel to the fire, tweeting this morning to confirm further information about a potential move for the Villa loanee;

“Napoli are in contact with Manchester United through intermediaries to discuss potential loan fee and buy option for Axel Tuanzebe. The centre back is appreciated but price tag will be key to proceed in negotiations. Blue circle #MUFC #Napoli”

“Aston Villa are waiting – nothing agreed yet.”

Last season, Tuanzebe made a glittering performance against PSG in the Champions League that lead Manchester United team mate, David De Gea, to hail the young defender “unbelievable”

In the post match MUTV interview De Gea said;

“He has been unbelievable today.”

“He played against two of the best players in the world in Neymar and Mbappe so he did really, really well.”

Tuanzebe has made nine appearances out of a possible 18 for Aston Villa this season in the Premier League, but has only played eight minutes of football in the last seven games since the former Liverpool midfielder has taken over management of the side.

Gerrard will be fuming

Despite a lack of game time since Dean Smith departed almost two months ago, the £48K-a-week earning gem’s arrival in the summer was always a risky choice when a dynamic and blossoming centre back partnership was already forming in Ezri Konsa and Tyrone Mings.

The risk didn’t pay off after Gerrard’s arrival, where he mostly uses a formation of 4-3-2-1, in which he favours the experienced partnership of Konsa and Mings.

However with the Villa captain picking up a suspension after receiving his fifth booking of the season, Tuanzebe would be the likely replacement for the game against Brentford on Sunday.

Gerrard will be fuming that the young defender could go into the important game distracted by the thought of a potential move away to Napoli, with the clash away from home their first opportunity to pick up points after a home defeat to title challengers, Chelsea, on Boxing Day.

They then had a postponement of their game against Leeds United due to virus outbreaks, that has now set the side back in their pursuit in challenging for a spot in the top half of the table.

The Villa boss will be hoping to take all three points on Sunday and if selected, Tuanzebe could use the opportunity to showcase his ability to Napoli, if a deal hasn’t already been agreed by then.

This is a distraction that Gerrard really could have done without.

In other news: Steven Gerrard must axe Trezeguet

With Everton once again on the hunt for another permanent manager after the Merseyside club sacked Rafa Benitez as a result of a poor run of form in the Premier League that capitulated with a 2-1 defeat against relegation struggler Norwich City at the weekend, numerous names have been thrown around as potential candidates to take the reins at Goodison Park.

One name that has been mentioned with the position is one that will be very familiar to not just Premier League followers, but specifically Everton fans.

What’s the latest?

Speaking on a recent live Sky Sports programme, journalist Kaveh Solhekol revealed that if Everton were to offer the manager’s role to current Derby County boss Wayne Rooney, the former Toffees star would find it difficult to turn down.

He said: “The information we have that is although Wayne Rooney is focused and working hard at Derby County, if he was offered the opportunity to return to Everton, he would find it very very difficult to say no.

“If he was to return to Everton, you are talking about somebody that is footballing royalty.

“Other players, current players respect him so much.”

He’d raise the roof

In his playing days, Rooney made a total of 117 appearances for the Toffees across all competitions, scoring 28 goals and providing four assists along the way.

As a manager, the 36-year-old has taken charge of 64 games for Derby as their caretaker and permanent manager, winning 19 games, drawing 19 and losing 26 in the process.

Given the financial situation the Midlands club have found themselves in that have led to points deductions as well as transfer and contract issues with players, the former striker has been able to show his mettle in the dugout at Pride Park this season by guiding his team to eight wins and 11 draws.

With Rooney’s connections at Goodison and his knowledge of the Premier League having played 491 games in the top division, he has the ability to raise not only the mood at Everton but the standards as well, especially if he’d be able to get a positive run of results under his belt and get a big reaction from the fans as well; something he’s already achieved at Derby.

With Rooney previously sharing his intent on staying at Derby regardless of how their current campaign ends whether it be in the Championship or as a League One side next season, it seems that even if the Toffees do approach their former striker with a job offer to replace Benitez, he wouldn’t want to leave halfway through what could be a great achievement for him and the club in keeping them in the second tier.

With that in mind, it could be worth Everton targeting a manager that isn’t currently employed that would be able to make a quick move to Goodison Park and get to work on getting their season back on track.

In other news: “As things stand”: Fabrizio Romano drops fresh EFC manager claim, fans surely relieved – opinion

Wolverhampton Wanderers left-back Rayan Ait Nouri is attracting increasing interest ahead of the January transfer window.

What’s the talk?

That’s according to a report by French media outlet Jeunes Footeux (via Sport Witness), who claim that both Newcastle United and Crystal Palace are keeping a very close eye on the situation of the 20-year-old Wolves defender ahead of a potential move in the winter market.

The report goes on to state that an offer of somewhere in the region of €25-30m (£21-26m) would be required for Jeff Shi to consider the proposal, while Crystal Palace manager Patrick Vieira is believed to have already informed his transfer team at Selhurst Park that he wants to land the France U21 international.

Shi must avoid disaster with Ait Nouri

Considering the sheer amount of potential that Ait Nouri quite clearly possesses, it is undeniable that losing the services of the left-back just six months after signing the 20-year-old would be something of a disaster for Jeff Shi and Wolves, even if it is for a considerable profit.

Indeed, since being handed his first Premier League start of the season against Leeds United back in October, the £16.2m-rated man has been in extremely impressive form for Bruno Lage’s side, registering one assist and creating one big chance for his teammates, as well as making an average 0.9 key passes and taking 0.8 shots per game.

The player who Liam Kenn dubbed a “superb” talent has also impressed in metrics more typical of his position, making an average of 0.6 interceptions, 3.9 tackles – the most of any player in the top flight – 0.9 clearances and winning a whopping 7.4 duels per game.

These returns have seen the £33k-per-week youngster average a SofaScore match rating of 6.97, ranking him as Wolves’ eighth-best performer in the league so far this season.

Couple that with Jonny and Marcal’s repeated injury problems and losing the man who Keen claimed “gets the crowd on their feet” in January would undoubtedly come as a major blow to Lage’s hopes of securing European football at Molineux next season – both of which are outcomes that would leave fans of the club gutted.

In other news: “I think…”: Journalist drops fresh Wolves transfer claim, Shi simply must act

Giovanni van Bronckhorst’s Glasgow Rangers side head into Sunday’s Premiership clash knowing that they simply must secure all three points if they are to give themselves any chance of retaining their domestic crown this season.

Indeed, with their Glasgow arch-rivals currently leading by nine points in the league, the Light Blues cannot afford any slip-ups if they are to push the table-toppers as far as possible over the remaining five games of the 2021/22 campaign after today’s clash.

As such, while a trip to Stephen Robinson’s 10th-placed St Mirren should not cause the Europa League quarter-finalists too many problems, Van Bronckhorst must nevertheless ensure that he gets his team selection spot-on against the Buddies in order to secure victory.

While it is true Leon Balogun had something of a shocker in the 1-0 defeat to Sporting Braga last time out, it would appear as if Fashion Sakala is the most likely candidate for the chop on Sunday afternoon, as the 25-year-old well and truly fluffed his big chance leading the line for Rangers on Thursday.

Van Bronckhorst must axe Sakala

Indeed, over his 62 minutes on the pitch in Portugal, the centre-forward cost his side dearly through his wastefulness in front of goal and extremely poor hold-up play. The £3.6m-rated striker missed the target with both of his shots at goal – one of which was deemed a big chance – completed just three of his seven attempted passes and enjoyed just 20 touches of the ball.

The £10k-per-week forward also lost all 10 of his duels, committed two fouls, was flagged offside once and lost possession 11 times, meaning he gave the ball away with every 1.8 touches. These returns saw the 25-year-old earn a hugely disappointing SofaScore match rating of just 6.1.

Furthermore, the Daily Record’s Andrew Newport also awarded the Zambia international a five in his own player ratings, stating of the centre-forward’s display: “Given the unenviable task of filling Alfredo Morelos’ boots but missed two huge chances to give Rangers the lead. Hold-up play was hopeless.”

As such, with Rangers needing to ensure that they take their chances on Sunday afternoon, Van Bronckhorst simply must axe Sakala from his starting XI, as the player who Tom Stoltman claimed “doesn’t cut it” could very well end up costing his side their Premiership crown against St Mirren.

AND in other news: Van Bronckhorst can axe £10k-p/w liability as Rangers eye “frightening” £8.4k-p/w “bag of tricks”

After failing to secure a win away at Shrewsbury Town in midweek, Sunderland are back in League One action this weekend with a clash against Cambridge Town as they aim to win promotion back to the Championship.

On the chalkboard

In terms of which players Lee Johnson could select to be in his starting XI to take on Cambridge at the weekend, one figure that did not feature in the 1-1 draw at Shrewsbury that we think should definitely be in the team on this occasion is Elliot Embleton.

After managing to score two goals and provide three assists in the first seven league games of the season, Embleton, who is currently earning a weekly wage of £5.3k-per-week according to Salary Sport, has found regular minutes in the team hard to come by in recent weeks.

The 22-year-old has not managed to score a goal or provide an assist in the league since their 2-2 draw against Fleetwood back in September where he assisted Ross Stewart’s opening goal, which suggests why he’s been in and out of the team since then.

However, if the midfielder, who has been labelled as “terrific” by former Black Cats manager Jack Ross, gets a consistent run of games under his belt, this could be exactly what he needs to add more goals and assists to his game.

Looking at the match against Cambridge, with Alex Pritchard managing to get on the scoresheet and put in an impressive performance against Shrewsbury at the weekend, this could make it hard for Embleton to get back in the team and make the attacking-midfield role his own again.

With that in mind, it would be in Johnson’s best interest if he were to tinker with his team or formation slightly to incorporate both players if he thinks that could be the best way forward for the team to get some positive results.

If Johnson were to take a chance on Embleton and he was then able to get back to the impressive form that he was in at the start of the season, this could be exactly what the Wearside club need to push them towards promotion by the end of the campaign.

In other news: KLD can solve Johnson’s latest SAFC crisis by signing “phenomenal” £450k-rated beast – opinion

Newcastle United will reportedly now ‘try again’ to sign Sven Botman in the January transfer window.

The Lowdown: Centre-back wanted

Given that the St. James’ Park faithful have been linked with the likes of James Tarkowski, Abdou Diallo and Nico Schlotterbeck in recent days, it is clear that they are now after a new central defender.

They have conceded no fewer than 42 goals in the Premier League so far this term, the joint-highest in the top flight along with bottom-placed Norwich City, and so a new centre-back to come in and help shore up the defence would be ideal for Eddie Howe as he looks to keep his team up.

The Latest: Botman bid

As per Fabrizio Romano, Lille have now ‘turned down’ a bid worth €35m (£29.2m) from the North East club to sign Botman, and they are planning to keep him, despite their ‘difficult’ financial situation.

However, the Italian football journalist and transfer expert has also revealed that the Tyneside outfit will ‘try again’ to sign him, although AC Milan are also interested in his signature.

The Verdict: Get it done

Given the Magpies’ defensive woes, it is imperative that they bring a new centre-half in, and fast.

Dubbed as a ‘machine’ who ‘doesn’t make mistakes’ by Lille teammate Jose Fonte, Botman could well be the answer, and given that he has played at the highest level, winning the Ligue 1 title last season and playing in the UEFA Champions League this term he would certainly elevate the quality in the side.

Nonetheless, at just 21 years of age, the Netherlands international has the world at his feet, and so he would be a real coup for the Magpies.

In other news, find out which ‘quality’ colossus NUFC are now eyeing here!

Many Everton fans have been left flocking to some manager news on Kasper Hjulmand.

As per Danish news outlet B.T., the Goodison Park faithful have now enquired about the Denmark national team coach, and are doing ‘concrete research’ on him in the view of him potentially succeeding Rafa Benitez.

The Spaniard is under pressure following their 4-1 loss at home to bitter rivals Liverpool in midweek, which has now seen them without a win eight games in the Premier League ahead of their visit of Arsenal on Monday night.

The poor run of form will reportedly see some supporters of the Merseyside club walk out during the 27th minute of the match in protest, due to it being 27 years now without a major trophy to their name.

Nonetheless, Hjulmand is one name on the shortlist due to his success with Denmark, in where he guided them to the semi-final of Euro 2020, as his team also became the third side to qualify for the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar.

He also guided them to ninth spot in the official World Rankings in the process.

However, his record as a club manager is nowhere near as impressive, as he lasted just 21 games in his mist high-profile job at Mainz, and has no other experience of managing in any other major European league (Transfermarkt).

Of course, managing at club level is a lot different to the international stage, and so Toffees supporters seem split on his potential appointment.

Everton fans on Hjulmand news

These Blues flocked to the news as it was shared on Twitter:

“Don’t know much about him but he’s taken an about average Denmark team and put them in a good position. International footy is different, look at Southgate, but think it’s a decent shout.”

Credit: @1878_Shirts

“This would be amazing. Gets the best out of average players. We have a lot of average players”

Credit: @adam_drage

“Please”

Credit: @Shot_Stopper24

“Doesn’t look great on paper….. Biggest club gig was Mainz where he didn’t even last a season, started ok in the league then 1 win in 13. Lampard for me”

Credit: @keepitreal_82

“Another disaster”

Credit: @iamawayrightnow

“His record as a domestic manager is awful”

Credit: @AlmightyLard

In other news, find out what Marcel Brands news has Evertonians erupting here!