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Transfer insider Dean Jones has dropped some interesting news regarding Leeds United and their pursuit of Red Bull Salzburg attacking midfielder Brenden Aaronson. 

The lowdown: Reunion on the cards?

The Whites have been linked with a move for the 21 year old for some time now, dating back to when Marcelo Bielsa was still at the helm at Elland Road.

According to The Athletic, Leeds had an initial £15m bid rejected for the USA international during the January transfer window.

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However, following the appointment of Jesse Marsch – who selected his compatriot on 25 occasions whilst at Salzburg – Leeds are expected to reignite their interest in Aaronson this summer.

The latest: Kent or Aaronson?

Speaking to GiveMeSport, Jones has revealed that the Yorkshire club are inclined to prioritise a move for the American over a possible swoop for Rangers winger Ryan Kent, who has also been linked with a switch to Elland Road of late.

The journalist claimed: “Brenden Aaronson is (still high up in Leeds’ summer plans), so I think that one is still more likely.”

The verdict: Get it done

Having joined the Austrian giants from Philadelphia Union in 2021 for just over £4.9m (Transfermarkt), Aaronson has enjoyed a superb start to life in Europe.

With 12 goals and 15 assists in 60 appearances for Salzburg, the versatile midfielder would be a welcome addition to the Leeds ranks, and he should have no issue settling into life in Yorkshire having previously worked with Marsch to good effect.

So far this season, the American youngster – who was once dubbed ‘unbelievable’ by Thierry Henry – has scored five times and provided 10 assists in 35 appearances across all competitions, all whilst earning invaluable Champions League experience.

Four years younger than Kent, it would come as no surprise if the Leeds board opt to move for the 18-cap USA starlet ahead of the Rangers forward.

In other news: Leeds have been linked with one La Liga striker. Find out who it is here!

Liverpool have come a long way since solely relying on Mo Salah last year and their development in every department has been telling of Jurgen Klopp’s admirable work.

Not only has he improved his side’s defensive state exponentially, but he’s also helped his attackers take things up a notch as a collective unit.

Sadio Mane (who now has a Transfermarkt rating of £67.5m), for one, has capitalized from this change in tact impressively. After scoring a fantastic brace against Watford, which included an outrageous back-heel finish to send the Kop into raptures, he put an end to their goal drought. While Mohamed Salah is struggling to keep up the heat, Mane’s continued to be Liverpool’s torch-bearer in the attack and looks every inch a title-winning attacker.

The Senegalese winger’s style is different from Salah, but he’s also brought similar lethality into his game-play. Despite his ability, Mane’s talents have sometimes been undermined because of Salah’s incredible goal-scoring run, acting as more of a foil for the Egyptian.

However, now that his team-mate is somewhat struggling at the moment, people are finally recognizing his importance.

Largely known for being the tricky winger at Southampton, Mane’s grown into a much more clinical, decisive player. He’s already scored 14 league goals this season, four more than last campaign. Indeed, he’s scored only three goals less than Salah, despite having played almost 200 minutes less than him and has emerged as Liverpool’s go-to man over the course of his side’s excellent campaign.

He’s blossomed from being an inconsistent winger into a nightmare to defend against. Mane’s not only a pacy, skilful player capable of dazzling fans with his footwork, but the unpredictability he’s inherited to produce brilliant goal-scoring moments is making everyone realize his talent being on par with the mighty Egyptian’s.

Everton may team Wayne Rooney up with an interim manager, according to The Mirror’s David Maddock. 

The lowdown

The 36-year-old is currently in charge at Derby County, who have been hit a combined 21-point deduction after entering administration and admitting breaches of accounting rules (via BBC Sport).

The Englishman began his playing career at Goodison Park, scoring 15 Premier League goals as a teenager before joining Manchester United in a £27m deal in 2004. He then returned to the Toffees for a single season in 2017 after his Old Trafford career came to an end.

The latest

According to The Mirror, Rooney is on Everton’s list of managerial options, but his limited experience is a concern given the Toffees’ predicament in terms of sitting just four points above the Premier League relegation zone.

They’ve been looking at potential interim candidates, ‘pursuing a similar idea to Manchester United’, who have given Ralf Rangnick the reins until the end of the season. There is a possibility that Rooney could work ‘alongside an interim with an appropriate CV’.

The verdict

Rooney has done a commendable job in hugely difficult circumstances at Derby, hauling them off the foot of the Championship table earlier this month. Without those points deductions, they’d actually be knocking on the door of the top half.

Everton’s hesitation is understandable – he has never managed in the Premier League before and they’re uncomfortably close to the relegation zone – but he has had to cope with mighty adversity at Pride Park.

With a more experienced hand to offer guidance at first, giving him the job might not be the worst idea, even if it would be a unique arrangement in the English top flight.

In other news, many Everton fans fumed over links to this manager

Tottenham Hotspur have submitted an offer in a bid to bring Memphis Depay to north London in the summer transfer window.

What’s the talk?

That’s according to a report by Spanish publication Mundo Deportivo (via The Express), who claim that Fabio Paratici has now made Barcelona an offer for the 28-year-old, with the LaLiga side currently weighing up Tottenham’s bid.

The report goes on to state that the likes of AC Milan, Juventus, Inter Milan, Napoli and Lyon – as well as several unnamed English clubs – are also considering a move for the centre-forward, while Barcelona are believed to be open to the sale of the Netherlands international in order to help ease their financial difficulties.

“Can be as good as Ronaldo”

While it is true that, following his move to Barcelona last summer, Depay has somewhat struggled for game time at Camp Nou, it is undeniable that the forward would make an exceptional addition to Antonio Conte’s current attacking options.

Indeed, despite starting just 15 LaLiga fixtures this season – making a further five appearances from the bench – the £42m-rated hitman has still bagged ten goals, registered two assists and created five big chances for his teammates, as well as taking an average of 2.4 shots and making 1.8 key passes per game.

These returns have seen the £158k-per-week dynamo who Marco van Basten dubbed a “special talent” and Leroy Fer claimed “can be as good as Ronaldo” average a quite breathtaking SofaScore match rating of 7.33, ranking him as Xavi’s fifth-best player in the top flight of Spanish football.

As such, should Depay go on to secure a switch to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium this summer, and is subsequently able to refind this level of form in the Premier League next term, the potential of the 28-year-old adding to the current 12-goal haul of Harry Kane and the 13 goals of Son Heung-min is sure to be an incredibly frightening prospect for defenders up and down the country.

AND in other news: Conte can now axe “out of form” £91k-p/w dud as Spurs plot bid for 22 y/o “phenomenon”

According to a report from The Daily Mail, Aston Villa are interested in signing Newcastle United winger Allan Saint-Maximin. 

The lowdown: Explosive start

The 25-year-old has been a revelation since arriving in England from Ligue 1 club Nice and is a fan favourite at St James’ Park.

Since making the £16.5m switch (BBC), the mercurial Frenchman has scored 12 times and provided 14 assists in 85 appearances for the Tyneside club. However, the Magpies could be ready to sell their prized asset, and Villa are watching on with intent…

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The latest: Villa interest

As per the Daily Mail, the Villans are believed to be ‘monitoring developments’ surrounding the skilful left winger.

Despite only signing an improved six-year deal at Newcastle in October 2020, it is claimed that the Magpies are ‘willing to cash in’ on Saint-Maximin in order to boost their own transfer budget.

The report stated that Newcastle will ‘listen to offers’ of £50m for the former seven-cap France under-21 ace.

The verdict: Money well spent?

As Steven Gerrard attempts to put his own stamp on the Villa squad, adding a player with the flair and natural ability of Saint-Maximin would be a superb piece of business.

Albeit often flattering to deceive when it comes to end product, as borne out by providing just eight direct goal contributions this season having completed the most successful dribbles per game (4.3) in the entire top-flight (Sofascore), the dazzling Frenchman would be a welcome addition to the Villa ranks.

Predominantly a left winger, the man once hailed as ‘unplayable’ by Rob Lee would likely act as an alternative option to Leon Bailey, who has endured an injury-ravaged first campaign in the Midlands.

In other news: Journalist drops updates on the pursuit of multiple summer deals. Read more here!

Sky Sports reporter Michael Bridge has now backed some big transfer news out of Tottenham Hotspur involving playmaker and former hero Christian Eriksen.

The Lowdown: Conte in the mix…

In recent weeks, a major Spurs update has come to light as the Lilywhites and manager Antonio Conte eye a ‘stunning’ return for Eriksen nearly two and a half years after his exit to Inter Milan.

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The Dane is currently enjoying a fairy-tale Premier League stint at Brentford after suffering a cardiac arrest on the pitch at Euro 2020 – with his brilliant form prompting interest from all over England.

90min claim that a host of clubs, including Tottenham, are interested in snapping up the 30-year-old on a Bosman when his Bees contract expires this summer.

The Times also say that transfer chief Fabio Paratici and the club are indeed weighing a move for Eriksen with Sky journalist Bridge now joining in.

The Latest: Bridge backs big Eriksen news…

Speaking to GiveMeSport, the reporter now backs that Tottenham will indeed be in the mix, adding that Brentford boss Thomas Frank will find it very hard to keep the midfielder.

He explained: “Spurs will be keeping tabs on him, that’s for sure. I think Brentford will find it very hard to keep him. I know people might say, ‘Well, doesn’t he owe Brentford another year?’ But it doesn’t really work like that.”

The Verdict: Make a move?

Following his phenomenal return to action, an inspirational story in it’s own right, there is little denying Eriksen would inject real creativity into Conte’s midfield – especially on a free deal.

According to WhoScored, only sensational January signing Dejan Kulusevski (1.9) and star forward Son Heung-min (1.7) have averaged the same or more key passes per 90 than the ex-Spurs man (1.7) in the Premier League this season.

Paratici is reportedly eyeing up quality players on dwindling contracts to bolster Conte’s options this summer (The Daily Mail) and we believe Eriksen stands out as one of their most proven options in this bracket.

Conte, as per The Telegraph, also wants two new midfielders with his former Nerazzurri man coming as an extremely shrewd option.

In other news: Big name source: Tottenham in pole position to sign ‘unreal’ 6 ft 3 powerhouse for Conte! Find out more here.

Ange Postecoglou has dropped a promising injury update concerning Celtic left-back Greg Taylor.

What’s the latest?

In recent comments cited by The Herald, the 56-year-old Bhoys boss revealed that, despite being brought off with a knock in Celtic’s 2-1 victory over Rangers last weekend, the defender does not look to have sustained a serious injury – with his withdrawal coming as a result of cramp.

Speaking about the condition of the 24-year-old, the Greek-Australian manager said: “Greg was just cramp.”

Supporters will be buzzing

Considering how important a part of the Celtic side Taylor has become under the management of Postecoglou, the news that the left-back has not picked up a long-term injury is sure to have left the Parkhead faithful buzzing.

Indeed, over his 18 Premiership appearances this season, the £1.58m-rated defender has highly impressed on the left of the Hoops backline, helping his side keep seven clean sheets, registering one assist and creating two big chances for his teammates.

The Scotland international has also impressed in metrics more typical of his position, making an average of 1.2 key passes, one interception, 1.6 tackles, 1.1 clearances and winning 4.3 duels per fixture, with these returns seeing the £15.5k-per-week full-back average a SofaScore match rating of 6.92.

And, while last weekend’s Old Firm victory has afforded Celtic some breathing room at the top of the Premiership table, Postecoglou will be well aware that his side cannot afford to let themselves believe the job is already done in their bid to reclaim their Scottish crown this season.

As such, the news that the club’s first-choice left-back does not look as if he will miss any of the club’s upcoming fixtures is undoubtedly a major boost for the 56-year-old and his side, as well as being relieving for the Bhoys supporters.

AND in other news: Sources: Celtic now in talks over “important” Lennoxtown deal, Ange will be buzzing

Everton have comfortably progressed in the FA Cup, beating Brentford 4-1 at Goodison Park in Frank Lampard’s first game as manager, in a team performance the Toffees haven’t enjoyed for a while.

Yerry Mina, Richarlison, Mason Holgate and Andros Townsend all found the net in an attacking masterclass from Lampard’s team which saw them play much more offensively than they ever did under Rafael Benitez.

Brentford were incapable of breaking down the Toffees, with only two shots on target throughout the game, but were gifted a penalty by Jordan Pickford when the goalkeeper made a late challenge on Ivan Toney.

The former Chelsea boss set up his team with a back three, playing a 3-4-3 formation, and early in the first half there was another blow to the injury-ridden squad with Ben Godfrey sustaining what looked to be a calf injury in the first 12 minutes, so Lampard was duly forced to replace the defender with Mina.

The £120k-p/w machine missed out on the starting line-up, but he made sure he would use his opportunity to prove his new manager wrong on that decision by becoming an absolute force throughout the game both offensively and defensively in his position.

Mina opened the scoring for Everton. rising the highest when the ball was whipped in from the corner to find the back of the net just 16 minutes after he came off the bench, and he delivered a man of the match performance in his defensive position in the back three.

According to SofaScore, the 27 year old was the highest-rated player on the pitch this afternoon (7.70), winning 86% of his duels and completing 91% of his passes despite having fewer touches than his fellow defenders, proving that Lampard should think twice about leaving him on the bench in the future.

The 43-year-old will have plenty to take away from that performance, and Everton fans will surely be delighted that they got to watch an enjoyable game after a series of poor performances and protests throughout the season so far. Mina today went a long way towards proving a point to his manager and putting a smile back on Evertonian faces.

In other news: Everton suffered an injury blow prior to today’s match

Rumoured Wolves transfer target Aaron Ramsey could still leave Juventus in the January transfer window, according to journalist Fabrizio Romano.

The Lowdown: Wolves linked with Ramsey move

The Welshman has struggled during his time in Italy, making just 70 appearances for the Serie A giants since signing in 2019 and often struggling with injuries.

Wolves have been linked with a move for Ramsey, with Bruno Lage potentially seeing him as someone who could bolster his options in midfield.

Indeed, according to reports last week, Wolves, Crystal Palace, Newcastle United and Burnley are all in the race to snap up the former Arsenal star.

With time running out in the current transfer window, a fresh update has now emerged from the reliable Romano.

The Latest: Romano gives update

Taking to Twitter on Saturday, the Italian transfer guru confirmed that Juve are still looking to sell Ramsey before Monday’s deadline, with Burnley looking like contenders to sign him:

“Juventus will try to find a solution for Aaron Ramsey before Monday – Burnley want to sign him immediately but there’s no green light on player side as of now.”

The Verdict: Exciting but unlikely?

Ramsey could be an exciting signing for Wolves, considering the impact he made in England during his Arsenal days, registering 65 goals and assists apiece in 371 appearances.

It looks unlikely that the 31-year-old will head to Molineux given the limited time left in the window however, and his probable high wage demands may prove to be an issue if signing for any club outside the traditional ‘big six’ – the Wales international currently earns £175k-per-week.

And, for all his ability – he has been described as ‘world-class by Wales teammate Joe Allen – Ramsey has also been an injury-prone figure in recent years, too, so he could be a risky signing if the Wanderers or one of the other interested parties do take the plunge.

In other news, one journalist has given a key Wolves transfer update. Read more here.

Celtic have been rather active in the transfer market over the past few years in their constant search for silverware and success.

Throughout the past few transfer windows, the Hoops have spent a significant amount of money to bring new players to Celtic Park.

However, as happens with a lot of clubs, not every transfer deal that takes place ends up being successful.

One prime example of a player that the Hoops and Nick Hammond spent money on that ended up being a waste of time for all parties is Patryk Klimala.

Back in the 2020 January transfer window, the Bhoys secured a £3.5m deal to sign the striker from Jagiellonia Bialystok.

After making just 28 appearances for the Hoops across all competitions, the 23-year-old ended up getting moved onto New York Red Bulls in the previous summer transfer window.

In those 28 appearances, the Polish centre-forward could only find the back of the net on three occasions, meaning that he cost the club over £1.1m per goal.

As well as his lack of regular goals, the attacker’s overall performances in the league were rather uninspiring as well.

With 17 SPFL appearances to his name last season, the striker picked up an overall rating of 6.36/10 from WhoScored, making him the lowest-rated player to start more than one league game.

This shows just how unsuited he was at playing in Scotland.

To further highlight how disappointing the centre-forward was, he ended the 2020/21 campaign with the lowest average of passes per game (3.7) than any other player to feature for Celtic in that season.

Taking all of this into account, it’s hard to deny that Celtic’s move for Klimala was anything other than a mistake for all involved.

Speaking about the move, Hoops journalist Kieran Devlin had this to say on the matter.

He said: “Klimala was always a strange one from the start, underlying reports were never that impressive. Seemed a bizarre move to sanction for that money.”

Moving forward, with the way Ange Postecoglou’s side have been scoring goals for fun throughout this season, it’s safe to say that not many supporters will have been giving much thought to the former Hoops dud since he left.

In other news: “Understand that…”: Journalist drops big transfer update, it’s bad news for Celtic