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The deadline for the January transfer window passed on Tuesday night and Aston Villa allowed it to slam shut without getting involved in any last-minute mayhem.

Unai Emery and Johan Lange opted against any moves on the final day of the window after bringing in left-back Alex Moreno and striker Jhon Duran earlier in the month, but the two signings they did make were not the only acquisitions on their wishlist.

One player the club failed to get a deal over the line for was Athletic Bilbao forward Nico Williams. Villa were reportedly ready to pay the gem’s £45m release clause but the 20-year-old opted to remain in Spain for the time being, instead of making a mid-season switch away from his home country.

Italian journalist Fabrizio Romano has now revealed that the attacker could be on the move at the end of the season, telling GIVEMESPORT: “The expectation of those close to Nico Williams is for the player to leave, possibly in the summer. So at the moment, the situation is still complicated.”

This claim from Romano indicates that Villa could get a second chance with the Spain international heading into the 2023/24 campaign. He may not have wanted to depart from Bilbao midway through the season and Emery could have more luck in convincing the dynamo to make the switch to Villa Park in the next transfer window.

The Spanish head coach could strike gold by securing a swoop for Williams in the summer as the talented youngster has immense potential and could be a fantastic long-term signing for the Villans.

Despite not turning 21 until July, the winger has already played 66 times for Bilbao’s first team and has been capped seven times by Spain at international level – notching once for his country.

The 20-year-old talent has caught the eye in LaLiga this season with three goals and four assists in 18 starts for Bilbao – creating 1.2 chances per game for his teammates – with scout Jacek Kulig hailing him as being “on fire”.

He has also produced three goals and one assist in five Copa Del Rey appearances this term and these statistics show that the youngster already has the maturity and quality to make a big impact in the final third at senior level.

His form this season comes after just two goals and one assist in 38 outings in LaLiga and the Copa Del Rey in 2021/22 which shows the Spaniard has developed and improved his game as he has gained more experience at the top level.

Now, imagine how good the forward could be with a number of Premier League seasons and Emery’s coaching under his belt.

Signing Williams could be a terrific long-term investment by the club with the youngster having showcased quality and scope to develop in his short career to date and that is why the Villans boss could strike gold by bringing him in during the summer window.

Insider ExWHUemployee has claimed that he expects West Ham United midfielder Manuel Lanzini to leave in the summer when his contract is set to expire.

What’s the word?

The 29-year-old has struggled to make much of an impact for David Moyes so far this term, having played just five times in the Premier League for a total of 122 minutes.

What’s more, he has recently been linked with a move away from the club after Spanish media linked Lanzini with a move back home to Argentine side River Plate.

Seeing as the player’s contract is set to expire this summer and he isn’t exactly a regular in the West Ham team right now, it wouldn’t be a shock to see him leave.

Indeed, Ex made this point while speaking on The West Ham Way podcast, noting that the club probably won’t bother to trigger an extension clause they have available.

He said: “His contract is up. West Ham do have an option to trigger further years.

“But I think with the fact that in terms of the pecking order at the moment, he’s obviously behind Rice, Soucek, Paqueta, Downes probably, and he’s on a hefty wage, I don’t think it’s been confirmed either way what West Ham want to do, but it wouldn’t surprise me if he’s released in the summer.”

Time to move on

Lanzini joined West Ham permanently back in 2016, having been there on loan initially, and has gone on to play over 200 games in all competitions for the club.

However, as Ex points out, he has fallen way down in the pecking order of late, and currently has fewer minutes than other midfielders such as Declan Rice, Tomas Soucek, Lucas Paqueta and Flynn Downes.

Amid all this uncertainty over his future, the player’s father has even recently gone on the record to say how nice it would be to see his son playing back in Argentina with River Plate.

He said (via CaughtOffside): “We are all River fans and partners. The whole family. Sitting there and seeing Manu would be a pride, to share it again even with my oldest grandson.

“Then here there is a problem that is social, of living in a difficult country with economic problems and insecurity, but that he puts on River’s shirt again is a dream of the whole family.”

One priority position for Manchester United heading into the January transfer window was at right-back, with manager Erik ten Hag having been searching for a quality alternative to usual starter Diogo Dalot in that role.

While the subsequent resurgence of Aaron Wan-Bissaka – who has started the last seven league games – seemingly halted the need for a mid-season addition, the fact that the Englishman had only recently been tipped for an exit could well suggest that the full-back berth is still on the agenda heading into the summer window.

Amid that continued hunt for a suitable option on the right side of the defence, the Red Devils may well be regretting their failure to sign current Newcastle United skipper Kieran Trippier back in the summer of 2021, with the 32-year-old having been a “revelation” for the Magpies of late, as per talkSPORT pundit Simon Jordan.

The Old Trafford outfit had seemingly been keen to prise the England international from Atletico Madrid 18 months ago, with reports at the time suggesting that the one-time Manchester City man had been hopeful that a deal could be agreed.

As it proved, the La Liga side’s reported valuation of around £34m seemingly proved something of a sticking point, with the Premier League giants reluctant to fork out such a hefty fee for a player who was entering the final year of his deal.

Despite Trippier himself revealing that a move had been close, the Bury-born defender ultimately stayed put in the Spanish capital that summer, before joining the Magpies for a knock-down fee of just £12m in January 2022.

That move has swiftly come to look like something of a “bargain”, in the words of journalist Josh Bunting, with the one-time Tottenham Hotspur man having since been instrumental in keeping Eddie Howe’s side in the division last term, before playing a vital role in the club’s remarkable top four push this time around.

A “defensive animal” – according to Three Lions boss Gareth Southgate – the £100k-per-week ace has averaged 2.1 tackles and 1.5 games from his 21 league outings this term, having kept 12 clean sheets and conceded just 12 goals in that time.

It is the experienced asset’s quality going forward that has particularly caught the eye, however, as he has already created 17 big chances this season – the second most of any player in the division – while he has averaged 3.0 key passes per game, a record far higher than that of Dalot (1.5) and Wan-Bissaka (0.8).

To have such creative brilliance come from the flanks would no doubt have been a real lift for United had they snapped up Trippier at the time, with the 40-cap rock also offering the benefit of being a “leader” in the words of journalist Henry Winter.

Having been a “game-changer” for the northeast side, according to Alan Shearer, Trippier is now bidding to help the club end their lengthy trophy drought ahead of the upcoming Carabao Cup final, with Ten Hag’s side awaiting in the showpiece.

With it likely to already smart that the Red Devils didn’t snap up the defender when they had the chance, it could well hurt even more if he thwarts them at Wembley in just a few weeks’ time.

Chelsea’s contract talks with midfielder N’Golo Kante now ‘look positive’, according to reliable reporter Simon Phillips.

The Lowdown: Kante’s future at Chelsea

The 31-year-old’s future with the Blues has been in doubt in recent months, with his current contract set to expire at the end of the season.

At one point, the midfielder was said to be in advanced negotiations with Barcelona. However, a move did not transpire, with Phillips later reporting that the player himself was ‘hoping to find an agreement’ to remain at Stamford Bridge.

The Latest: Progress made

Speaking to GIVEMESPORT, Phillips has now given a promising update regarding the discussions which have been held.

The journalist stated: “Kante’s contract talks definitely look positive. To start with in the summer, it was very far away. But it looks like from what I’m hearing that Kante’s people have been more prepared to meet Chelsea’s demands.

“There’s no agreement yet. But it has got a lot closer in the last two or three weeks.”

The Verdict: Good news?

Graham Potter strengthened his squad considerably in the January transfer window, bringing in Enzo Fernandez on deadline day in a British-record £106.8m deal, so questions may be asked about whether they need to extend Kante’s contract.

The French midfielder has only made two appearances in the Premier League this season, owing to a hamstring injury which has cause him to miss 31 games since then, but the former Leicester City tank could play a huge part in the rest of the campaign once he is back to full fitness.

Hailed as an ‘unreal player’ by presenter Abbie McCarthy, Kante excels in so many different areas of the game. His dribbling ability is showcased by him ranking in the 98th percentile for progressive carries per 90 over the past year, also placing in the 85th percentile for tackles and the 86th for interceptions compared to other midfielders in Europe’s top five leagues.

As such, it is encouraging to heare that talks between Chelsea and Kante are progressing, as he still has so much to offer at Stamford Bridge.

A positive development has emerged regarding the fitness of Sunderland defender Niall Huggins as he recovers from a minor knock…

What’s the latest on Niall Huggins’ injury?

Black Cats manager Tony Mowbray has revealed that the full-back is back on the training pitch but will not be rushed back into action as the team prepares to play Bristol City in the Championship this weekend.

Speaking at his press conference, the Sunderland boss said: “We’re trying to manage the players’ workload at the minute and assessing a few – it’s about getting the balance right. Niall Huggins was back on the grass, but we’ll be easing him back in with a week’s training.”

Mowbray then provided an update on the rest of the squad, saying: “Lynden Gooch will hopefully be ready in another couple of weeks – he’s still in the treatment room, but fingers crossed it won’t be too long before he’s back involved.

“We have the longer-term absentees in Corry Evans, Elliot Embleton and Ross Stewart, but apart from that everyone seems okay.”

Big boost for Sunderland

The return of Huggins in the coming days and weeks is set to be a big boost for Sunderland, as the 22-year-old is a quality versatile option for Mowbray to call upon in the final three months of the campaign.

With the likes of Gooch, Dennis Cirkin and Aji Alese all missing for periods through injury this season, it is important for the club to have depth in the full-back positions, and the Welshman can play on either side of the pitch.

In his short career so far, the youngster has played an equal number of matches at left-back and right-back, demonstrating has the versatility to play on either flank, which means that he can cover multiple positions for the manager.

The Wales under-21 international, who made his Premier League debut for Leeds in 2020/21, played at left-back in the Black Cats’ 2-1 win over Birmingham earlier this season and caught the eye with four clearances, one interception and two tackles. In two games in League One last term, the defender averaged 2.5 tackles and interceptions per match and completed 80% of his attempted passes.

Huggins also showcased his attacking quality in the Carabao Cup last season by creating three chances and setting up one goal in two appearances, whilst also making 3.5 tackles and interceptions per game.

These statistics show that. when fit, the 22-year-old has the ability to offer plenty to the team both offensively and defensively, and that is why the dynamo’s return will be a big boost for Mowbray.

The Sunderland boss will surely be pleased to have a player as versatile as Huggins in order to provide strong competition for places, while it also means that an injury or two to the current first-choice options would not overly derail the team.

Newcastle United midfielder Joelinton ‘will be fine’ for the Carabao Cup final vs Manchester United on Sunday, according to Sky Sports reporter Keith Downie.

The Lowdown: Injury concerns

The Brazilian was forced off the pitch during the 2-0 Premier League defeat to Liverpool last weekend after receiving treatment from the medical team, but the extent of the damage was unknown as he limped off feeling the back of his leg.

Eddie Howe was hopeful regarding the 26-year-old’s situation when asked during the club’s media day, but suggested that he would be assessed later with the game still being several days away.

However, a positive update has now emerged which supporters will be happy to hear…

The Latest: Joelinton fitness update

Taking to Twitter, Downie was asked by a Newcastle fan whether Joelinton had been participating in training and would be fit for the game, to which the reporter simply replied:

“Yes Joelinton will be fine.”

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The Verdict: Boost for Howe

Joelinton has featured in 53 of Howe’s 57 games since taking charge at Newcastle, showing how much of an integral member of the squad he is, so it’ll be a huge boost for the boss to have him available for Sunday’s silverware showdown.

The Magpies star has scored two goals and registered one assist in six EFL Cup appearances, showing the impact he’s made in helping his side get to Wembley (Transfermarkt).

The Alianca native also currently ranks in the 96th percentile for most touches in the attacking penalty area by midfielders, highlighting the threat he provides in the final third.

Joelinton has been labelled Newcastle’s ‘enforcer’ by journalist Josh Bunting and he will no doubt have yet another significant role to play in his side’s last push for the trophy this weekend.

Chelsea have made contact with Mauricio Pochettino regarding taking over at Stamford Bridge, according to reports.

The Lowdown: Potter under pressure

The Telegraph’s Matt Law has claimed that Graham Potter could be sacked should he not pick up results over the next two games, with the 51-year-old Argentine allegedly on the list of potential successors.

The former Spurs boss reportedly actually turned down an approach from Todd Boehly despite being keen on a return to the Premier League, but an update has now emerged to the contrary.

The Latest: Chelsea hold talks

According to Football Insider, Chelsea have ‘made contact’ with Pochettino as they consider a change in the dugout.

The Blues have ‘spoken’ to the out-of-work boss, and it’s now believed that he would be ‘interested’ in accepting the job should it become available, in what FI’s report describes as a ‘twist’.

Talks ‘at this point’ haven’t yet turned into anything more serious, but with him still owning a home in London, this could be one to watch.

The Verdict: Perfect candidate

Pochettino has been dubbed a ‘world-class’ manager by pundit Jamie O’Hara and he would be the perfect candidate for Chelsea.

The Murphy native will already be used to the style of play in England from his time at Tottenham, where he won 160, drew 60 and lost just 73 of his 293 games in charge.

Spurs’ former coach has a preferred 4-3-3 attacking formation and knows what it takes to be successful at a club with huge expectations like the Blues, having secured three trophies during his spell at Paris Saint-Germain.

Pochettino is also currently a free agent so the Stamford Bridge higher-ups wouldn’t have to pay any compensation to secure his services, making this a move suitable for both parties.

Tottenham Hotspur’s latest victory over London rivals Chelsea proved a particularly impressive day for the club’s academy setup, with Harry Kane and Oliver Skipp – both of whom are products of the Lilywhites’ youth system – getting themselves on the scoresheet in that 2-0 triumph.

While the sight of the England skipper putting the ball in the net was no surprise to anyone, with the 29-year-old now boasting 268 goals for the north Londoners to date, it was far more of a shock to his young compatriot break the deadlock, with Skipp’s stunning long-range effort having been his first senior goal for the club.

The 22-year-old midfielder – who made his senior debut for the north Londoners back in 2018 in a Carabao Cup win over West Ham United – showed no signs of a player who had yet to break his duck for the club, having lashed in from range to give Antonio Conte’s side the lead just after half-time.

That long-awaited goal was just reward for the youngster’s patience in recent times, with the England U21 international having bided his time for a regular role in the Spurs team, only to more than take his chance following Rodrigo Bentancur’s injury blow.

As assistant coach Cristian Stellini stated post-match on Sunday, the impact of the former Norwich City loanee – as well as Kane – will be something of an “example” to those in the youth ranks who are hoping to make their mark in the years to come, with the 5 foot 9 gem a clear illustration that there is a pathway to the first-team in N17.

The aim now will be to identify just who could be the next Skipp to emerge in the near future, with Conte and co needing to keep the door open for Spurs’ emerging stars to be able to flourish at first-team level.

Who could be Spurs’ next Skipp?

If the serial-winning coach is keen to identify the next potential midfield star from the Tottenham academy, he should well look no further than promising playmaker Matthew Craig, with the 19-year-old sensation – whose identical twin Michael is also at the club – having been on the cusp of the first-team in recent times.

The versatile starlet – who can also feature at centre-back or full-back – has been seen training with Conte’s squad earlier this season, having previously featured on the bench in both the Premier League and the Europa Conference League last term.

Although a senior bow is yet to emerge, the Scotland youth international has showcased his talent with his displays across the age groups of late, notably providing three assists in 17 games at Premier League 2 level this season.

The deep-lying gem – who has captained the U21 side on numerous occasions so far this term – has previously outlined his admiration for both Skipp and another of Spurs’ midfield assets in Harry Winks, with the aim no doubt to try and emulate that pairing.

Like Skipp – who has averaged one tackle per game in the Premier League this season – Craig is also able to provide a ball-winning presence at the heart of the midfield, having averaged 1.5 tackles per game from his two EFL Trophy outings earlier in the campaign.

While it is yet to be seen if the teenage sensation will be able to make the step up to the first-team any time soon, Spurs’ weekend win over Chelsea has provided a glaring example of the benefits of promoting from within, hence the need for Conte to hand the Scotsman his chance to impress.

Glasgow Rangers have been dealt an injury blow before they play Hibernian as Michael Beale has confirmed that Alex Lowry is out for four more weeks.

The Lowdown: Injury problems

Lowry has been suffering with injury problems throughout the season so far, and has been limited to just four senior games and 81 minutes of football.

He made a brief Scottish Premiership in early February, but has not featured in the last two league squads.

The Latest: Four weeks out

Speaking to the media after their 3-1 win against Kilmarnock at Ibrox over the weekend (via Heart & Hand), Michael Beale has confirmed that Lowry is facing ‘another four weeks’ out with injury:

“MB also updated on Alex Lowry – out for another four weeks.”

The Verdict: Gutting

It is certainly a blow for Beale to lose Lowry for the next set of fixtures, especially considering all of the other injuries that he has in the squad.

Rangers have as many as six other first-team players out through injury, making it harder for Beale to put a full squad out.

Lowry has deserved his opportunities given his impressive performances for the Gers’ B team, where he has scored ten goals and made one assist in 11 matches in total so far this term (Transfermarkt).

His former academy manager Graeme Murty claims that the 19-year-old is ‘unlike anyone else’ at the club, lauding his ‘technical ability’, ‘range of passing’ and ‘remarkable self-confidence’.

Nonetheless, the Light Blues will be hoping that Lowry recovers in time for the crunch match against bitter rivals Celtic in early April.

Greg O’Keeffe has claimed that Vitalii Mykolenko is not guaranteed to play for Everton this weekend.

The Lowdown: Dyche to make tough selection decisions

Everton failed to pick up a positive result in their battle against the drop last weekend, so their home game against an in-form Brentford side has taken on more importance.

The Toffees will know that this weekend’s clash will be one of the toughest of the season given the contrasting forms of the two teams, but Sean Dyche must make Goodison Park an intimidating place to play after their last home defeat.

Dyche will need to ensure he gets his team selection is spot on, as Thomas Frank has not done much wrong of late, as his Bees side are unbeaten in 12 Premier League games, so some changes could well be in the offing for the Toffees this weekend.

The Latest: Mykolenko could miss Everton’s crucial home clash

Alongside Dominic Calvert-Lewin, O’Keeffe has insisted on the All Together Now podcast that Mykolenko is touch-and-go as to whether or not he will start for the Toffees against Brentford.

He said: “Really, really tough games against sides that we’ve got no dice on recently at all. Brentford not exactly much easier, but it’s at Goodison, like you said at the top of this podcast, it’s in front of the Goodison faithful. We all know what’s at stake, and by hook or by crook, by 1-0, by a set piece, we need the points here.

“Speaking about set pieces, there might be a few tweaks as well. I think it’s touch-and-go with Vitalii Mykolenko, isn’t it?”

The Verdict: Everton must win this weekend

No matter if the likes of Mykolenko and Calvert-Lewin miss out, Dyche can’t be feeling sorry for himself as they simply must win this weekend, or they could easily slip into the bottom three.

If Everton were to beat Brentford this weekend, taking four points from their previous two games will be seen as a minor success for Dyche, and looking at their upcoming fixtures, it could be well-needed.

After playing Brentford, Everton face successive matches against Chelsea, Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester United, so those three games will be tough and could easily yield zero points, so taking the maximum from this weekend is a must, no matter how difficult it may be.