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An update has emerged on Aston Villa and their pursuit of MLS centre-forward Jhon Duran ahead of the January transfer window…

What’s the talk?

According to Calciomercato journalist Raffaele Amato, NSWE are providing the biggest challenge to Benfica in the race to land the £18m-rated striker’s signature.

Adding to his article from earlier this month, in which he claimed the Liga Portugal outfit made an offer of €15m to sign the forward, the reporter tweeted:

“Liverpool are also making concrete moves for #Duran, but the current offer is lower than Benfica’s. The biggest pitfall for the Portuguese is represented by Aston Villa. Chicago are aiming to collect 20 million euros.”

Imagine him and Emiliano Buendia

Unai Emery must secure a swoop to sign the Colombian centre-forward in the coming weeks as he could form a devastating link-up with current Villans star Emi Buendia.

Throughout his club career, the Argentine playmaker has created 1.9 chances per game on average and provided 42 assists – including a whopping 28 assists in two Championship campaigns for Norwich.

In the 2021/22 Premier League season, the 26-year-old scored four goals and assisted six, whilst creating eight ‘big chances’ for his teammates in the top-flight and averaging a Sofascore rating of 6.95.

This came after he plundered a stunning 15 goals and 16 assists, creating 3.1 chances per match, in 39 appearances for the Canaries in the second tier.

These statistics show that Buendia has the potential to be a regular provider for Villa if Emery can get him back to playing his best football, which means that he could be the perfect foil for Duran to work with at the top end of the pitch.

The Chicago Fire frontman has fired in eight goals, whilst also managing three assists, in 14 MLS starts this season and produced nine strikes in 46 appearances for Envigado FC in his home country prior to making the move to America.

Duran, who only turned 19 earlier this month, was once hailed as a “complete forward” who offers an “aerial threat” and “is fast, powerful & confident with the ball at his feet” by football talent scout Jacek Kulig, which provides an insight into the type of forward he is.

The youngster is now showcasing his potential as a goalscorer in the MLS and Villa could now take a gamble on the dynamo in the hope that he is able to continue his development in the Premier League.

Playing him alongside a creative magician like Buendia, who has proven throughout his career that he can be a striker’s best friend, could give him plenty of opportunities in front of goal to show what he is made of in England.

Chelsea are languishing down in tenth place in the Premier League after wayward form and detrimental injuries have hampered their season, and reinforcements are needed…

What’s the word?

Arsenal have been the favourites to sign Shakhtar Donetsk flanker Mykhaylo Mudryk this season, with transfer guru Fabrizio Romano recently confirming news that the Ukrainian giants’ director Darijo Srna was in England to discuss avenues with both the Gunners and Chelsea.

And now, according to The Guardian, Blues boss Graham Potter is ‘hopeful’ that a deal can be forged in the coming weeks, with Stamford Bridge in dire need of a saving grace to steer them away from mid-table obscurity and back towards the peak of the Premier League mountain. 

Mudryk is one of the hottest talents on the pitch right now, but with Shakhtar rejecting Arsenal’s first two transfer bids for their phenom’s services, it’s becoming increasingly apparent that a mammoth move is needed to pull him away from his outfit this January.

He’s a “special talent”

Since emerging into prominence last season, the 22-year-old Mudryk has since been burgeoning into his own, now a wily winger capable of devastating any defence erected in front of him.

His ten goals and eight assists from just 18 appearances this season certainly take the highlight reel, but his marvellous blend of breezing runs and direct take-ons against his opponents have raised eyebrows in adulation, with his style deemed perfect to flourish on English soil with a title-challenging club. 

And with five direct contributions in this year’s Champions League edition – including two strikes against Celtic – his influence is expanding by the match. 

Complementing his dazzling goal record, FBref ranks the “baller”, as lauded by Sacha Pisani, within the top 3% for attacking midfielders and wingers for dribbles completed, the top 7% for touches in the attacking penalty area and the top 8% for progressive passes received. 

This indicates that his prolific displays are no fluke; with onus on laughing up the pitch and getting into dangerous positions with regularity, Mudryk is a consistent threat in and around the box, a thorn piercing his enemy’s sides with his multi-faceted blend of striking and creativity. 

His blossoming abilities on the pitch would be bolstered further if the Blues’ technical director Christopher Vivell succeeds in the pursuit of fellow January target Enzo Fernandez, who has been at the centre of intense transfer speculation regarding a move to west London.

Crowned the Best Young Player at the 2022 World Cup, Fernandez recorded an average Sofascore rating of 7.10 in Qatar, completing 89% of his passes and making 0.9 key chances per match as he clinched world glory with Argentina.

His assurance as the engine in the middle, and eye for instigating a promising forward transition, would serve Mudryk well indeed, and with both players tending to occupy the left side of the pitch, the partnership could thread together without seam.

While Donetsk are reportedly holding out for £85m, persistence in negotiations might persuade the club to cash in on their player for a lucrative fee, and Chelsea boast the affluence to complete such a deal. 

 Last year, presenter Joe Flemons hailed the ace as a “very special talent”, and it’s abundantly clear that he is indeed a prodigy capable of ascending to the very top of the game, and Chelsea would be an excellent stomping ground to nurture his skill-set.

Manchester United could well turn to Benfica sensation Goncalo Ramos as a potential centre-forward option this summer, with manager Erik ten Hag seemingly seeking a long-term fit in that role despite the latest interest in Wout Weghorst.

What’s the word?

According to journalist Samuel Luckhurst – speaking in a Q&A for Manchester Evening News – the 21-year-old is said to be a player that the United boss “does like”, with any move for the Portugal international said to be more “attainable” than pursuing other targets, such as Napoli’s Victor Osimhen and England captain, Harry Kane.

Asked about potentially moving for that latter duo, Luckhurst stated: “Both are of interest to United. United are certainly not going to come out and say ‘we’re not signing Harry Kane’. That would be ill-advised.

“They could be outpriced for both of those strikers. Ten Hag does like Benfica’s Goncalo Ramos and Mohammed Kudus at Ajax. They are both more attainable.”

As mentioned above, the Red Devils appear to be intent on signing the aforementioned Weghorst on a loan deal until the end of the season, albeit with that move likely to merely help ‘bridge a gap’ before a more permanent recruit can be secured over the summer, as per ESPN.

This follows a previous report from The Athletic’s Andy Mitten that named Ramos as a player on the Old Trafford outfit’s wishlist, albeit with the in-form marksman having a release clause of around €120m (£106m).

Man United’s own Nunez

United could well follow their Premier League rivals Liverpool in snapping up a striker from the Lisbon outfit, with the Merseysiders having forked out £85m to bring Uruguayan hotshot Darwin Nunez to Anfield over the summer.

Despite some potentially expected teething problems – with the 23-year-old having already missed 15 big chances in the top-flight this season – the 6 foot 2 speedster is beginning to make his mark under Jurgen Klopp, having bagged ten goals and three assists in 23 appearances for the club to date.

The Reds are beginning to reap the rewards of having splashed the cash on a player who was rather inexperienced at first-team level prior to the switch, with the 2021/22 campaign having been a real breakthrough season as the former Penarol man netted 34 goals in just 41 games across all fronts.

That should well prove encouraging if Ten Hag and co do turn to Nunez’s former striker partner, Ramos, with the “remarkable” talent – as lauded by pundit Gary Lineker – currently blossoming in what is his first, standout season at the Estadio da Luz.

Although the 6 foot 1 starlet did score eight goals across all fronts last term alongside Nunez, he has since stepped out of his ex-teammate’s shadow to truly steal the limelight this time around, having already scored 15 goals and provided seven assists in just 24 games this term.

Not only a clinical figure at club level, Ramos has also scored four times in just five appearances for his country at senior level – including a hat-trick in the World Cup triumph over Switzerland – after previously netted 14 goals in 18 games for Portugal’s U21 side.

A player who appears to have a golden touch in front of goal, the Olhao-born machine could well be the long-term fit that those at the Theatre of Dreams have been craving to lead the line in recent times.

While any move may require a period of adaptation – as has been shown with Nunez – Ramos certainly looks like a talent who could spearhead Ten Hag’s attack for years to come.

Leeds United have enjoyed a fine start to the transfer window despite their less-than-stellar form since the World Cup ended. As such, they have found themselves slipping to within just one point of rock bottom.

That could therefore explain Victor Orta’s urgency with the deals to add Max Wober and Georginio Rutter, who have bolstered two key areas in quick succession.

However, as rumours have continued to swirl since the window opened, the Whites clearly still want another midfielder.

Azzedine Ounahi seemed like the top target given the numerous sources that quote their interest, but it was just last week that 90min reported their interest in Scott McTominay despite the rebuttal from Manchester United.

They should not remain downhearted about this apparent rejection, as it could be seen as a tactic to increase whatever fee they might demand for the £60k-per-week stopper.

The Scottish international often bears the brunt of some unwarranted criticisms despite his flaws, as during his time at Old Trafford he has been a dependable stalwart in the engine room for various managers.

As such, there is cause to believe that this move could see some of the pressure lifted as he joins an environment unburdened by the expectation of playing for one of the top clubs in the world.

Having seen his play time dwindle in the Premier League since the arrival of Casemiro and Christian Eriksen, outlined in his five league starts, perhaps in his short time alongside him McTominay will have learnt a few things from the Brazilian that could help him elevate his game at Elland Road.

There were flashes during the 2020/21 season that suggest he could operate in a similar role and at a level necessary to put the two in the same bracket, as he maintained a 7.08 average rating across the campaign. That is not far from the 7.31 his teammate is averaging, but it is unlikely many can live up to the levels he sets.

The 30-year-old is maintaining 3.1 tackles and 1.2 interceptions per game, which he has paired with three assists and two goals thus far (via Sofascore).

That is not wholly dissimilar from that aforementioned McTominay season, where he made 1.6 tackles and 1.3 clearances per game whilst recording five goal contributions.

Obviously a much lower-level version of the five times Champions League winner, he retained a level close enough to be worthy of the comparison.

That year would see him praised doubly by his manager Ole Gunnar Solksjaer, as he first lauded him after signing a new contract: “He’s such a humble, hard-working boy with the Manchester United DNA, and he’s a leader on the pitch.”

He would follow that up again mid-way through the following season, noting: “He’s a physical monster. He does all his work every day. Never shirks anything + he gets his rewards.”

Perhaps a move to Leeds could free him up to fulfil this potential and get those rewards on a more regular basis. Both player and club could benefit if they could only work out an agreement. Casemiro’s level might be a loft ambition to reach, but there is no reason to believe that he can’t.

Journalist Ben Jacobs has said that AS Roma is considering loaning out Leeds United-linked star Nicolo Zaniolo, with Tottenham Hotspur also interested.

The Lowdown: Leeds make Zaniolo approach

Italian outlet Calciomercato has reported that Jesse Marsch’s side has approached Roma with an enquiry about the player’s services.

The 23-year-old has played 17 times for the Serie A side in all competitions, finding the back of the net twice and assisting on three occasions.

Zaniolo has even been called up to the Italian national squad where he’s been given 11 caps for his nation, his best season in terms of league output for Roma was in the 2019/20 season where he amassed eight goal contributions.

The Latest: Roma would consider loan move

Speaking to the ‘JustJoe Football Show’ on YouTube, Jacobs said that Roma would be open to loaning out the player this month, but they face Premier League competition from Tottenham Hotspur.

He stated (17:04), “The valuation on Zaniolo has dropped somewhere between 30 and 35 million, which might seem like a large outlay, but he’s a risk-reward type signing with a huge amount of potential.

“And then there’s a feeling at the Roma end that they might be open to a loan with either an option or an obligation to buy. Which allows you to bring somebody in and then deal with the situation based upon how he fairs in the Premier League, at least if it’s an option to buy.

“Spurs at the moment are the ones that are more seriously at the table. And the reason for that is because Antonio Conte has looked at Zaniolo for quite some time. And when Tottenham played Roma in a friendly over the summer, they began talks but the price was too high.”

The Verdict: Zaniolo could be out of reach

Whilst the possibility of a loan may be more attractive to Leeds, it would be difficult to land the player with Spurs also sniffing around.

The possibility of playing under Antonio Conte is certainly a more of an enticing opportunity than Jesse Marsch, the Italian has won a Premier League title, the Serie A four times, an FA Cup trophy and two Italian Super Cups.

Another factor that could lure Zaniolo to north London over Yorkshire is the current Premier League standings, Leeds are 14th but only two points above the relegation zone and Tottenham are fifth with five points separating them and fourth place.

It would come as no surprise if the player was potentially put off by the prospect of competing in a relegation dogfight, so Leeds fans might have to temper their expectations when it comes to this deal happening.

Glasgow Rangers appear to be close to reaching an agreement to sign a long-term target as Michael Beale ramps up his efforts to improve his squad before the transfer window shuts…

What’s the news?

Belgian journalist Sacha Tavolieri tweeted regarding Standard Liege midfielder Nicolas Raskin and the fact Rangers appear to have held discussions with him, saying:

“Things are moving for Nicolas #Raskin ! Concrete interest and advanced discussions with #RangersFC . More info and details in the next few days…”

The Ibrox side were first linked with Raskin during the summer, however no move ever materialised with the Belgian outfit demanding a fee of €5.5m (£4.8m), yet with his contract set to expire at the end of the campaign, Beale might be able to secure his signature for a bargain fee this month.

A dream signing for Beale

There could be a mass exodus of midfielders come the end of the current campaign, with Scott Arfield, Steven Davis, and Ryan Jack all out of contract, while Malik Tillman and James Sands set to return to their parent clubs, therefore adding a few players this month will be crucial for Beale.

With Todd Cantwell also close to securing a deal with the Light Blues subject to a medical, one or two more midfielders wouldn’t be a bad thing and Raskin could prove to be an excellent signing.

The 21-year-old Belgian has an average rating of 7.01 across his 16 appearances for Liege this season and underlining his creative attributes by grabbing four assists, creating four big chances, and making 1.1 key passes per match and these performances rank him as the club’s sixth best performer in the squad this term.

It’s clear he has an attacking edge about him, but his defensive skillset is also extremely strong and he is similar to Ryan Jack in the way he operates on the pitch, a determined and combative player who likes to get stuck in, and by averaging 3.3 tackles per game, there is no shortage of fear in his game.

Raskin – who is a “box-to-box” and versatile “pitbull”, in the words of journalist Bob Faesen – could very well become a dream signing for Beale, adding some quality to the middle of the pitch, and giving the Englishman another option to choose from.

It looks increasingly likely that there will be outgoings, whether it is this month or the summer, but luring Raskin to Glasgow now would certainly allow him to bed into the manager’s philosophy and could give the side a big advantage heading into next season.

Chelsea are going to “have to look at” Barcelona midfielder Franck Kessie as the club continues to remould the clay at Stamford Bridge, according to transfer insider Dean Jones.

What’s the word?

According to prominent Spanish outlet Sport, Blues owner Todd Boehly is preparing an offer for Ivory Coast international Kessie, who only arrived in Catalonia on a free transfer last summer.

Formerly of AC Milan, Kessie’s Barcelona dream has not quite gone according to plan, with the midfielder only starting two La Liga fixtures since his arrival, and he could look for a swift change of scenery in order to prevent his career from stagnating.

Discussing the speculation with Football FanCast, Jones revealed that the Blues would indeed monitor the situation, with a concrete offer possibly forthcoming before the close of the winter transfer window.

The journalist said: “These are the sorts of players, McKennie and Kessie, that at least have the potential to be available in this market. I think that’s one thing that’s going to be key for Chelsea now. They both showed an interest in playing in the Premier League at some stage, that’s also something I think that Chelsea are going to have to look at.”

Kante clone

The 26-year-old Kessie has played 19 times for his current outfit since his summer switch, but with just seven starts across all competitions, he might consider his options with the attractive offer of joining the fold at Chelsea becomes a more plausible possibility.

As per FBref, the industrious Ivorian ranks among the top 4% of midfielders in Europe’s top five leagues for touches in the attacking box, the top 19% for blocks, and the top 20% for total shots, illustrating a dynamic scope of talent that will bolster the Blues’ midfield and then some.

And with Jorginho and N’Golo Kante both out of contract at the end of the campaign, there is a genuine chance to earn a place within Blues boss Graham Potter’s plans.

The latter of the two, Kante, could see his superlative skills emulated by Kessie, who could place his pivoting presence at the heart of the Chelsea midfield and leave observers waxing lyrical.

Last season, in Serie A for Milan, the £44m-rated Kessie recorded an impressive average rating of 7.07, as per Sofascore, scoring six goals, completing 88% of his passes and making 1.3 tackles per outing en route to the league title.

And with Kante ranking among the top 6% of positional peers for shot-creating actions and the top 15% for tackles and interceptions, the semblance between the pair would leave Kessie in good stead should he indeed find himself donning Chelsea blue.

Indeed, the duo are clearly willing runners who don’t only possess a robust physicality to their play but they have the technical ability and athleticism to make an impact at the opposite end of the pitch too, making them incredibly dangerous midfield propositions.

Just because the “beast” – as dubbed by writer Sacha Pisani – has not quite found his feet in Spain, his superb skill set should not be forgotten, and he could make an excellent impact on an ambitious Chelsea side looking to reassert their authority at the forefront of European football.

Indeed, the maestro would be a dream for Boehly and co, and moves must be made to continue the rebuild in west London with his inclusion. 

Leeds United could make a late and surprising move for Ayoze Perez…

What’s the word?

That’s according to CBS Sports reporter Ben Jacobs, who provided GIVEMESPORT with an update on the Whites’ transfer plans heading into the final few days of the January window.

“I think that one name to keep an eye on, potentially, could be Ayoze Perez,” he said.

“He hasn’t done well at Leicester but proved that, if given a run of form, he could be valuable to a Premier League club from his Newcastle days.”

It remains to be seen whether the Foxes would be open to selling their £30m man, and for how much. The Spaniard is currently valued at around €7.6m (£6.6m) by FootballTransfers.

Better than Aaronson

Whilst it is true that Perez has faltered in recent times at the King Power Stadium, his charges wouldn’t have been helped by the form of players such as James Maddison and Youri Tielemans, so he could finally come out of the shadow under the stewardship of Jesse Marsch.

Between 2014 and 2020, the 29-year-old delivered Premier League, largely with the Magpies but that does include his maiden campaign in the Midlands.

A goal or assist every 221 minutes in the top-flight are pretty respectable returns, especially when playing in a multitude of roles, ranging from the no.10 to out on both flanks, whilst he has even played as a centre-forward too.

Even despite his lack of game time this season, Perez has caught the eye with creative cameos, ones that put him performing at a better level than Leeds’ summer signing Brenden Aaronson.

Per FBref, the Foxes outcast is outranking the American dynamo for goal-creating actions (0.47 vs 0.29), progressive passes (3.33 vs 2.13) and expected goals and assists (0.62 vs 0.32) per 90.

The former RB Salzburg sensation looked to be an exciting signing in the early stages of the season but in the last 17 appearances in both league and cup action, he has provided just one assist. Perez, meanwhile, has provided one assist from just 379 minutes of action all campaign.

Once upon a time, the Spanish playmaker was earning lofty comparisons to Lionel Messi – at least in the eyes of ex-Magpies boss Rafa Benitez – whilst Alan Pardew once dubbed him a “special talent” via The Athletic’s Chris Waugh.

With the need to find further creativity and goal threat besides Rodrigo, it could make the world of sense for director of football Victor Orta to launch a late move for the Premier League-proven Perez.

Marsch’s blind faith in his fellow countryman isn’t going to help Leeds’ quest to stay in the big-time, so a move for the Leicester ace could force his hand and in turn, help the squad in the final third.

AND in other news, Forget Bamford: Leeds’ “clinical” 95-touch machine proved everyone wrong vs Accrington…

Nottingham Forest have reportedly been offered the chance to sign forward Andre Ayew, who is now a free agent.

The Lowdown: Ayew available

Former Premier League striker Ayew is available as a free agent after leaving Qatar side Al Sadd earlier in January.

During two spells at Swansea City and two years at West Ham United the Ghanaian international played 89 times in the top-flight, scoring 21 and assisting 12.

Most important to any deal with Forest is that the 33-year-old played 94 times under current Tricky Trees boss Steve Cooper whilst at Swansea as they reached the 2019/20 play-offs and the 2020/21 play-off final together.

The Latest: Agent pushing

After leaving Wales in 2021 to join Al Sadd, it seems as though Ayew wants to make one last go of it in England with a move to the Premier League being pushed by his agent.

Sky Sports reported on their deadline day coverage that Forest had been offered the chance to complete a move that could be completed after the 11pm deadline due to him being a free agent – though appeared to suggest the Reds were an unlikely destination.

The report stated: “Free agent Andre Ayew and his representatives will be in the UK on Wednesday to find a new club.

“The 33-year-old is being offered to a number of Premier League sides after leaving Al Sadd earlier this month.

“The Ghanaian has been offered to both Everton and Nottingham Forest, but as much as Forest boss Steve Cooper likes Ayew, having managed him at Swansea, the club currently do not have enough room in their squad to accommodate him.”

The Verdict: Potential bargain?

At 33 and playing outside of Europe for the past 18 months, it’s hard to judge whether Ayew can still replicate the levels he produced whilst in the Premier League and under Cooper during his time at Swansea City.

With him bagging 22 goals in 39 games out in Qatar, there’s obviously still belief on the player’s behalf that he can still offer a top-flight side the firepower to survive this season, with fellow suitors Everton currently two points from safety.

Despite Forest being four points clear of the drop, their points tally of 21 definitely will not be enough for them to relax with 18 games still to play.

Cooper’s side have scored the third-least in the league, but following Chris Wood’s arrival at the City Ground on an initial loan with an option to buy of £15m (via Sky Sports) and a raft of potential arrivals this deadline day, it’s hard to see where Ayew would fit into the side.

An update has emerged on Aston Villa and their interest in Nico Williams ahead of the upcoming summer transfer window…

What’s the talk?

According to Spanish outlet AS, via Sport Witness, the Villans are one of two Premier League clubs who are interested in signing the Athletic Bilbao forward at the end of the season.

The report claims that Unai Emery’s side and Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool have both tested the ground ahead of a possible swoop to sign the Spain international ahead of the 2023/24 campaign.

It is stated that the flanker has a €50m (£45m) release clause in his contract, which expires in 2024, and that the attacker has been ‘loyal’ to his current club so far.

Leon Bailey upgrade

Emery could land an upgrade on current Villa winger Leon Bailey by beating the Reds to the signing of the Bilbao star in the summer window.

The Jamaican has been a regular starter for the club in the Premier League this season but has struggled to deliver consistently impressive performances out wide.

In 17 top-flight starts, the attacker has delivered four goals and two assists and averaged a Sofascore rating of 6.68, which places him 16th in the squad.

Bailey has been far from one of Villa’s top performers in the division this term and has not done enough in the final third to prove that he can be a consistent threat in the final third.

Williams, however, who is five years younger than the Villans forward, has enjoyed a better campaign in LaLiga with Athletic Bilbao as the 20-year-old has averaged a Sofascore rating of 6.82 and provided three goals and five assists, whilst also scoring three times and assisting one in five cup appearances.

This means that the gem, whose “phenomenal” form was hailed by talent scout Jacek Kulig earlier this term, has racked up six goals and six assists in 25 appearances – compared to Bailey’s five goals and two assists in 23 games for Villa in all competitions – and could offer a greater attacking threat for Emery’s side.

The Spanish dynamo has also averaged more progressive carries, successful take-ons, and progressive passes per 90 than Bailey over the last 365 days, proving he is an incredibly direct individual.

It also suggests that the Bilbao man could offer more to Villa’s build-up play by getting the ball up the pitch from deeper positions, dribbling past players or breaking lines to find teammates in promising areas.

Therefore, Williams could be an upgrade on the former Bayer Leverkusen man, both in terms of his role in the build-up and his consistency in the final third, whilst also having five more years of development to go through, which is why Emery must sign the forward this summer.