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Aston Villa manager Unai Emery is reportedly eyeing a move for Marseille midfielder Matteo Guendouzi.

The Lowdown: History under Emery

The 23-year-old is primarily a central midfielder but can also line out in holding or attacking midfield roles if required.

He sealed a permanent move to Marseille in the summer but has actually made more appearances under Emery than any other manager, with the Spaniard having signed him for Arsenal in 2018.

A reunion between the pair in the Premier League could be on the cards, with a transfer update emerging over the last 24 hours.

The Latest: Emery’s exchange with Guendouzi

Foot Mercato shared a story on Wednesday morning regarding Emery and Guendouzi, claiming that the Villa manager ‘adores’ the French midfielder.

The report says that a Villa Park offer could soon arrive and added that ‘Emery very recently exchanged with Guendouzi’ and ‘explained to him that he wanted to recruit him as a priority this winter’, hinting that contact may have already been held over a potential transfer.

The Verdict: One to watch?

It looks as if Emery is the one personally driving a potential swoop for Guendouzi, who has impressed back in his native country with Marseille.

He was the club’s sixth-best performer in Ligue 1 last season with an average match rating of 7.00 – a better score than Douglas Luiz and Jacob Ramsey during the previous campaign. [SofaScore]

Emery will know all about the player’s qualities and what the Frenchman could bring to the Midlands, so this may well be another link to keep an eye on over the coming weeks.

Leeds United cruised into the FA Cup fourth round with a 5-2 victory over Cardiff City at Elland Road on Wednesday evening.

Jesse Marsch’s side atoned for the first encounter nearly two weeks ago which saw the Whites need a second-half comeback to even grasp a replay, with a rampant showing in west Yorkshire – led by summer signing Wilfried Gnonto.

The young Italian’s wonderstrike after just 26 seconds set the tone for the night as he went onto notch a brace, with fellow forwards Rodrigo and Patrick Bamford also getting on the scoresheet.

In fact, it was the first sign that the latter had shaken off his frustrating injury problems in what was a striker’s masterclass up top. Indeed, he put in an absolute clinic in the 45 minutes he was on the pitch, having been subbed on at the break.

After replacing the aforementioned Spaniard, Bamford bagged a five-minute brace, starting in the 71st minute when he evaded the Bluebirds’ offside trap to slot home an impressive left-footed volley.

With club-record signing Georginio Rutter watching on in the stands, the England international then bagged an outside-of-the-boot effort after playing a neat one-two with Joe Gelhardt, who had come on in place of undoubted ‘Man of the Match’, Gnonto.

What was most remarkable was the fact that was seemingly business as usual for Bamford, who has missed so much game time over the past 18 months.

As per Sofascore, he had just 20 touches of the ball, in which he made nine accurate passes and had three shots. Both of his two attempts on target found the net.

Clinical.

Whilst Gnonto’s audacious effort and stunning display will be talked about for weeks – if not for the ages – the return of Bamford in this light is certainly a reasonable source of excitement as he has just proven that he still has a lot to give in Marsch’s frontline and in this system.

In the words of LeedsLive reporter Beren Cross, the 29-year-old talisman was “teasing what might be ahead” if he can remain fit and available.

Also lauded in the past as a “goal machine” by ex-Guardian journalist Charlie Phillips, both Marsch and the Whites faithful will be hoping that the 17-goal Bamford from the 2020/21 season is on his way back and Wednesday night was a little glimpse at exactly that.

AND in other news, Orta must land “exciting” Harrison upgrade in Leeds move for “unstoppable” 27 y/o…

Glasgow Rangers have been handed a boost in their pursuit of Morgan Whittaker, according to reports on Saturday.

The Lowdown: Rangers chasing Whittaker

The Ibrox giants have made their interest in the midfielder very clear, given that they have recently had a £1.5m bid turned down.

Swansea City manager Russell Martin said: “We have had bids, we’ve rejected bids, they are quite a way from the club’s valuation of Morgan.”

Rangers boss Michael Beale has confirmed that Whittaker is on his radar, describing him as a ‘good player’ that the Premiership club ‘know and like’, and it appears as though the player himself would be interested in the move.

The Latest: Move back on?

As reported by Glasgow Live, the 22-year-old was left out of the Swansea squad which took on Queens Park Rangers at the weekend, which is crucial for the Light Blues as it means that a January move is still possible.

If the Englishman had featured for the Swans, it would have meant that he could not play for Beale’s side this season, with players unable to line out for more than two clubs during one campaign (Whittaker was on loan at Plymouth Argyle earlier in the campaign), and the report also claims that the youngster is keen on signing for Rangers.

In a further boost for Beale and co, Swansea don’t play again until next month, nullifying any danger of him featuring prior to the transfer deadline.

The Verdict: Get it done?

Hailed as ‘superb’ by journalist Chris Errington, the former Derby County man emerged as one of the key players for promotion-chasing Argyle earlier this season, netting nine goals and bagging seven assists in 25 League One appearances.

The playmaker was recalled by Swansea at the start of January, but he still ranks joint-third in League One for the amount of goals that he set up, and no Plymouth player has scored more than him, despite the fact that he mainly featured as an attacking midfielder.

At just 22, Whittaker still has a lot of time to develop even further, and a move to Rangers would appear to be the perfect next step, so Beale should prioritise his signature heading into the final few days of the January transfer window.

West Ham United goalkeeper Darren Randolph is ‘in talks’ to join fellow Premier League side Bournemouth, according to Sky Sports reporter Dharmesh Sheth.

The Lowdown: Out of contract

The Republic of Ireland international first arrived at the London Stadium back in January 2020 where he’s since gone on to make 52 appearances for the Irons.

The 6 foot 2 shot-stopper, however, will be out of contract at the end of the season and hasn’t been offered an extension.

TalkSPORT reporter Alex Crook claimed that an exit was imminent on Tuesday, and following a further update, he now looks certain to depart before the end of the month.

The Latest: Randolph to Bournemouth?

Taking to Twitter, Sheth revealed that Randolph has officially entered discussions with Bournemouth ahead of a potential move to the south coast.

“Bournemouth in talks with West Ham United over the permanent signing of keeper Darren Randolph. Randolph has entered [the] final 6 months of his contract & will provide competition for Mark Travers & Neto.”

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The Verdict: Best for both parties

Randolph has previously been dubbed ‘class’ by journalist Josh Bunting, but letting him leave this window would be completely the right decision.

The 35-year-old has made zero appearances across all competitions this season and has only been named on the bench eight times in the top flight (Transfermarkt).

David Moyes is happy with Lukasz Fabianski as his number one and it’s clear that the veteran doesn’t have any part to play in the boss’ long-term plans.

With Randolph in need of more game time and the Hammers being given the opportunity to free up some space on their books, this is a move that’s best for both parties.

Manchester United duo Harry Maguire and Scott McTominay won’t be leaving the club in the January transfer window, according to Dharmesh Sheth.

The Lowdown: United pair out of favour

Erik ten Hag has made an impressive start to life as United manager, but Maguire and McTominay have had to settle for squad roles during the campaign. They have only made 11 starts between them in the Premier League in 2022/23, with the likes of Raphael Varane, Lisandro Martinez, Casemiro and Christian Eriksen often being preferred.

Both Maguire and McTominay have been linked with exits from Old Trafford, but a telling update has emerged regarding their respective futures.

The Latest: Duo set to stay put

Speaking to GiveMeSport, Sheth claimed that the United duo would be staying put this month.

The Sky Sports reporter stated:

“I know there’s been lots of talk about Harry Maguire and Scott McTominay being interesting to other clubs. The information I have is that they will both be staying.”

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The Verdict: Summer exits would make sense

Keeping hold of Maguire and McTominay in January makes complete sense for United in terms of retaining squad depth as they battle across four different competitions.

That being said, a summer exit for the British duo – who have a combined weekly wage of £250,000 – would be the correct decision, with the Red Devils going up a gear this season while that pair have been mostly on the periphery.

Both Maguire and McTominay could continue to enjoy impressive careers elsewhere – they have a combined 89 caps for England and Scotland respectively – but their sparsity of starts in recent months would suggest that they are seen as squad players at best at Old Trafford.

Ten Hag’s sparing use of them this season indicates that they are not quite up to the level required at United now, and it is difficult to see that changing before the summer.

Sheffield Wednesday attacker Callum Paterson is ‘staying’ put at the club for the rest of the season, according to journalist Ricky Charlesworth.

The Lowdown: Paterson exit rumour

The Scot has been linked with a move away from Hillsborough in recent weeks, as he looks to potentially earn more playing time elsewhere this season.

Paterson has struggled to be a key man for Wednesday in 2022/23, starting only eight games in League One, with the likes of Josh Windass and Michael Smith often preferred in attack.

A key update has now emerged regarding the 28-year-old future, having been tipped to join Hearts.

The Latest: Attacker staying put

Taking to Twitter on Tuesday night, Charlesworth claimed that a move to Scotland would not be going through and that Paterson is ‘staying’ with the Owls:

“Understand Hearts are done in terms of their January business. Meaning that unless there is an 11th hour approach for him from elsewhere, Callum Paterson is staying at #swfc.”

The Verdict: Good news for Owls

Paterson can be a divisive figure at Wednesday at times, having scored just twice in the league this season, but keeping him is better than letting him go without time to find a replacement.

The experienced attacker is a handy squad player to have around for Darren Moore, especially as his versatility allows him to play at centre-back, wing-back or across the attack.

Moore has described Paterson as an ‘important member’ of his team and there is every chance that he can make some key contributions to the Owls’ promotion push.

Liverpool have enjoyed enormous success since Jurgen Klopp assumed the managerial role in 2015, and despite their recent struggles they have clinched major silverware across almost every available front with the German at the helm.

While the lion’s share of Liverpool’s transfer strategy in that time has been brilliantly executed, there is one particular missed opportunity which stands out as a major ‘what if?’.

According to The Athletic’s James Pearce (when he wrote for the Liverpool Echo), Liverpool were interested in a move for Dele Alli before the attacking midfielder completed an initial £5m transfer to Tottenham Hotspur from MK Dons in 2015, when he was only 18.

Alli went on to make 269 appearances for the Lilywhites, scoring 67 goals and supplying 61 assists, with the majority of his success coming in the earlier stages of his Spurs career before a spluttering finish to his time in north London resulted in a move to Everton after being pushed for an exit from N17.

Alli, who former Tottenham boss Jose Mourinho once backed to become “one of the world’s best”, plundered 37 goals and 29 assists across his first three Premier League campaigns, leaving pundits and fans waxing lyrical over the prodigious rate of goal contributions for a midfielder of such a tender age.

This season is a different story, though. Having been shipped out on loan to Turkish Super Lig outfit Besiktas by the Toffees, the 26-year-old has scored just three goals from 16 appearances, with a return to prominence on football’s biggest stages appearing an increasingly distant possibility.

For a once budding talent with the world at his feet and a ceiling stretching far beyond most up-and-comings prospects within English football, Alli’s plummet from prominence might seem inexplicable. However, an illuminating past report from The Athletic lays bare his regression, highlighting his stark decline in output and technical deficiencies as key components behind his fall from grace.

There were also question marks over his attitude and application, something that Mourinho infamously called out in one of his first training sessions as Spurs manager in November 2019.

Had he joined Liverpool in the summer of 2015, with the Merseyside outfit soon to appoint Klopp in the managerial role and duly opening the door to an illustrious period in the club’s history where Premier League and Champions League trophies were gleaned, it all might have been so different for the playmaker.

Klopp’s high-octane counter-pressing system, heaping emphasis on full-backs Andy Robertson and Trent Alexander-Arnold to serve as devastating, overlapping creative focal points, has been a largely unrelenting and formidable strategy.

With Alli receiving such superlative service in the form of precise looping crosses and swift, aggressive movements up the pitch, playing under the German could have given him the platform to truly cement an enduring stature as one of Europe’s most effective threats behind the frontline.

Alli’s downfall is largely down to his failure to adapt and maintain standards of performance for someone of his calibre, but if a demanding coach like Klopp could have had the chance to put his faith in the 37-cap Englishman’s abilities, he could have provided him the confidence needed to flourish at the top of his game for longer, rather than spiking so young before an alarming drop-off.

Alli’s early exploits with Tottenham serve as evidence that there is a player of immensely talented capabilities still laying dormant within, and despite his subsequent fall from grace, the 26-year-old boasts one of the most resounding entrances to the Premier League of any English starlet in the division.

Indeed, Klopp has previous when it comes to nurturing bright English talents, promoting Alexander-Arnold from the Reds’ academy and honing his talents to help the 24-year-old become one of the best right-backs in the world at his prime.

If only Alli fallen into Liverpool’s clutches around the time that Klopp came to Anfield, it all could have been so different for him; just imagine the impact that Klopp might have made had the club beaten Tottenham to the punch for this rough diamond eight years ago…

Five other starlets from the Glasgow Rangers Academy – alongside Cameron Scott – are reportedly set to sign new deals at Ibrox on Sunday.

The Lowdown: Scott deal agreed

It was reported this morning that Scott is set to sign his first professional contract at Rangers, despite rejecting an initial offer from the club.

He is set to sign terms on a three-year deal, and is viewed as an ‘extremely exciting prospect with first-team potential’ after snubbing interest from Premier League Southampton.

The Latest: Five more to sign

According to Football Insider, five other rising stars from the Academy are also set to sign new professional contracts on Sunday alongside Scott.

Christopher Eadie, Lewis Stewart, Alfie Halliwell, Joshua Gentles and Lancelot Pollard have all committed their future to the Gers, as the club look to invest in a new crop of promising youngsters.

The Verdict: Exciting future

The future certainly looks bright for Michael Beale’s side, as they look to tie down talents that could eventually break into the first team.

Eadie and Stewart in particular have received high praise in the past, while the others will also look to make their mark in the Academy.

The Light Blues had only handed out five professional contracts in the last two years before signing these six up, showing how much faith they have in them to impress, and their new deals should bring a sense of excitement to the supporters and around the club.

Newcastle United are reportedly eyeing up a possible summer move for soon-to-be free agent Marcus Thuram.

The Lowdown: Goal-shy Magpies

Despite managing to keep an impressive four clean sheets in their last five Premier League games, Newcastle have only managed to score twice in those matches.

That defence has not been an issue at all, having conceded the fewest goals in the league with 12, but their shyness in front of goal means that the likes of Tottenham Hotspur are slowly creeping up to them in the race to finish in a UEFA Champions League spot.

Thus, the St. James’ Park outfit may look for a new poacher in the summer, in order to help take them to the next level.

The Latest: Thuram interest

According to Spanish news publication Sport, the Tynesiders are just one of a number of clubs interested in signing Thuram this summer.

The long queue includes Bayern Munich, Borussia Dortmund, Inter Milan, Real Madrid, Atletico Madrid, Sevilla, Chelsea, Arsenal, Aston Villa and FC Barcelona.

He is out of contract at Borussia Monchengladbach in the summer, meaning that he can leave as a free agent at the end of the season.

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The Verdict: Get it done

Thuram would further elevate the quality of the North East club’s frontline following the signing of winger Anthony Gordon from Everton in the January transfer window.

Hailed as ‘world class’ on his day by Wolfsburg sporting director Marcel Schafer, and an ‘absolute beast’ by football talent scout Jacek Kulig after an impressive performance against Real Madrid in 2020, the six-foot-four striker has scored a total of 41 goals and made a further 26 assists in 122 games for Gladbach, with 17 goal contributions coming so far this season (Transfermarkt).

With plenty of European pedigree as well, Thuram would be an ideal signing for the Toon as they aim to fight on four fronts next season.

Glen Kamara reportedly has ‘question marks’ over his long-term future at Glasgow Rangers.

The Lowdown: Not always a starter

Kamara has not always been a guaranteed starter under Michael Beale, starting seven of ten games under him in the Scottish Premiership and being an unused substitute in one of them.

The manager also claimed that Kamara would be fighting for a starting place with new January signing Nicolas Raskin, and so his minutes could be reduced even further going forward.

The Latest: ‘Question marks’ over future

As per Football Insider, ‘sources’ with knowledge of Kamara’s situation say that there are ‘question marks’ over his future at Ibrox, and that there is a ‘strong’ possibility that he will depart in the summer.

There is thought to be interest in the central midfielder from a number of clubs in the Premier League, and so the Gers could look to cash in on a player who cost them just £50,000.

The Verdict: Cash in

The summer presents a good opportunity for the Light Blues to cash in on Kamara, and potentially gain a huge profit given interest from the Premier League.

Hailed as a ‘big player’ for the club by Beale, and one that he ‘really likes’ by journalist Dean Jones, they will not let go of him easily, but with the signing of Raskin coupled up with midfielder Todd Cantwell also joining in January, his game time will likely become more limited.

Nonetheless, the Teddy Bears will feel like they have sufficient cover in the middle of the park, should they decide to let Kamara go.