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Bayern Munich are lining up a summer bid for RB Leipzig striker Timo Werner, according to the print edition of Sport Bild (via Bayern Strikes).

The speedy striker has scored 13 goals in all competitions thus far this season, per Transfermarkt, and Bayern are keen to reinforce their attack with the signing of the 22-year-old.

It is reported that the German side want to pay roughly €40million (£35m) to secure Werner’s signature and that has led to raised eyebrows among certain fanbases in England.

Indeed, Everton, who currently lack a pure centre-forward under manager Marco Silva, could certainly do with a striker of the pedigree of Werner.

Former Wigan & Fulham man, Jimmy Bullard recently showed that he’s still got it! Check out the video below…

The striker has 23 caps for Germany and nine goals, and Toffees fans, who saw the club spend £45m on Gylfi Sigurdsson, have called on the club to get involved in the bidding and attempt to gazump the Bavarian giants to the striker.

According to West Ham United insiders Claret & Hugh, there is a general belief that Declan Rice will remain at the club for at least another year.

The Lowdown: Rice exit rumours

The 23-year-old has been at the centre of abundant transfer speculation emerging from all over the globe this season. According to The Telegraph, he rejected two new contract offers from the east London club last summer.

Following this year’s disappointing January transfer window, Eurosport reported that Manchester City, Chelsea and Manchester United were all interested in signing the midfielder in the summer.

Whilst it was widely accepted that it would take a £100m bid to secure the England international’s services, the Irons reportedly raised the asking price to a staggering £120m.

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The Latest: Claret & Hugh’s major update

Over the past week, West Ham have further increased Rice’s price tag, which is now reported to be a sensational £150m, and club insiders Claret & Hugh have now shared the latest news on the whole situation.

They have reported that there is a general belief that the Hammers vice-captain will remain in east London for another year at least.

By upping the asking price to £150m, West Ham will now offer Rice a new deal at the end of the season in order to keep him at the club for as long as possible.

The Verdict: Crucial to the Irons

At just 23 years of age, Rice has already amassed 183 appearances for the Hammers, putting himself in the frame to achieve club legend status.

Using statistical analysis, SofaScore have rated the midfielder as West Ham’s best player this season as he has averaged a brilliant 7.19 rating in the league, starting all but two top-flight matches.

This is further illustrated by his underlying stats. Over the past year, Rice has ranked in the 95th percentile for interceptions and the 94th percentile for pass completion rate and progressive carries (via FB Ref).

Therefore, with his importance to David Moyes’ side beyond doubt, getting the England midfielder to sign a new deal with the club would be a massive piece of business.

In other news: West Ham United: Irons have edge in Joe Worrall transfer race

Speaking to GiveMeSport, reporter Pete O’Rourke has shared his Tottenham Hotspur transfer belief involving Real Madrid playmaker Isco.

The Lowdown: Isco linked to Spurs…

Over these last few weeks, there has been a report linking the Spaniard with a move to north London as Tottenham reportedly chase attacking midfielders this month.

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The likes of Dejan Kulusevski and Jesse Lingard, who can both operate as playmakers, have been mentioned alongside Spurs, with Galacticos ace Isco also among the names.

Indeed, The Sunday Mirror recently claimed (via The Express) that Tottenham will be offered the chance to sign the 29-year-old if he decides against a contract extension at the Bernabeu.

The Latest: O’Rourke makes Isco claim…

Speaking to GiveMeSport, O’Rourke has backed this transfer claim coming out of Spurs, sharing his belief that Isco may have in fact been ‘put to Tottenham’.

He explained: “Isco, a talented playmaker and seemingly on the market at Real Madrid. I’m sure he’s probably been put to Tottenham.”

The Verdict: Avoid…

At 29 years of age and having started just 10 La Liga matches in total for Real Madrid since the beginning of 2020/21, we advise Spurs and their manager Antonio Conte to give Isco a miss.

He has cut a bit-part figure in the Spanish capital recently and targets such as Kulusevski, who is far younger and more versatile, represent better value in the long-term.

Earning a reported £200,000 per week – the same as Spurs’ leading earner Harry Kane – Isco’s wage demands could also be too much financially, with the negatives far outweighing the positives over a move.

Former Tottenham favourite Raphael van der Vaart once branded the 38-cap man as ‘the best player in the world’ (Marca), but it is clear that he may not suit the north Londoners.

In other news: ‘Real possibility’…Tottenham can now meet asking price to sign ‘world-beater’, find out more here.

Wolves are more likely to sign Lille’s Renato Sanches than Manchester United’s Donny van de Beek next summer, according to journalist Luke Hatfield.

The Lowdown: Wolves linked with midfield duo

Bruno Lage will likely be eyeing up new signings next month and in the summer as he looks to take his squad to the next level.

Wolves have been linked with moves for both Sanches and Van de Beek, with midfield reinforcements seemingly at the top of the manager’s wish list.

A fresh update has now emerged regarding the two players, perhaps making the situation a little clearer.

The Latest: Hatfield provides Sanches update

Speaking to Give Me Sport, Hatfield claimed a deal for Lille midfielder Sanches appears more likely than Van de Deek at the moment:

“I still think someone like Renato Sanches is going to be probably higher on the list for Wolves this winter or next summer.

“He offers a little bit more of an all-round game. But, I suppose, if they miss out on him or decide to look elsewhere then van de Beek could be a really good option for them.”

The Verdict: Too injury-prone?

Sanches is a wonderfully talented footballer, as highlighted by him winning the European Golden Boy award back in 2016, but injuries have since plagued his career.

That’s the main thing working against the Euro 2016 winner joining Wolves, with the 24-year-old never starting more than 16 league games in a season.

It could be that Van de Beek is a better option in that respect, having started more than 20 league matches three times in a campaign already in his fledgling career and enjoying a superior fitness record.

In other news, Wolves are reportedly still interested in signing one player. Find out who it is here.

As if the transfer window hasn’t already been an exciting state of affairs for Aston Villa, it could yet end with even triumph and satisfaction for Steven Gerrard and the club’s supporters.

Philippe Coutinho and Lucas Digne have already arrived but a major name from within the game is now being closely linked to Villa.

What’s the word?

Reports emerged late on Tuesday evening that the Villans had tabled an offer to bring Suarez back to England and as a result of Gerrard, they were ahead of a number of Brazilian clubs in the race to secure his signature.

Now, the Villa boss and Johan Lange have been given further hope of concluding a deal by Spanish football expert, Alvaro Montero, who was speaking live on Sky Sports on Wednesday.

He claimed that Suarez was looking to leave his current employers, Atletico Madrid, and in a captivating four-word claim, suggested that Villa “could be an option” for the veteran striker.

The Uruguayan’s contract expires at the end of the season so there is a chance that the Midlands outfit could sign for free in the summer.

Fans surely buzzing

After the signings of Digne and Coutinho, fans will have rightfully been on cloud nine given their international experience and previous exploits in the game.

However, if you combine that with the potential for Suarez to arrive at Bodymoor Heath in the next six months, supporters will simply be ecstatic.

Of course, the forward is now 34 years of age now and is no spring chicken, but there is no escaping from the fact that he is still a wonderful goalscorer.

He has regularly beaten the goalkeeper throughout his career and at the top level no less, scoring 69 Premier League goals, while also racking up a phenomenal 195 strikes during his stay with Barcelona.

Furthermore, Suarez is an incredibly decorated player. This is someone who has won the Spanish top-flight on five occasions, an individual who has won Copa del Rey four times and has also taken home both the Champions League and Club World Cup.

That is quite the honours list and based on experience alone, he’d be a wonderful player to have in the dressing room.

On top of that, his superb ability to make something extraordinary happen out of nothing is almost second to none. He has terrorised English defences before and there is every chance he could do the same in the claret and blue of Villa.

A move still feels unlikely but what a coup he’d be if they could get a deal across the line. Coutinho was a landmark signing but this would surely blow that out of the water, consequently leaving supporters elated with their recruitment team.

AND in other news, Sky Sports journo drops exciting AVFC transfer update on live TV, fans surely buzzing…

Steven Bergwijn could leave Tottenham Hotspur this January…

What’s the word?

That’s according to reliable Sky Sports reporter Michael Bridge, who recently dropped an intriguing claim about the Dutch winger to GIVEMESPORT.

“I know he’s maybe going to Ajax in January, I don’t know, has someone said something? Very good sources in Holland are saying that Ajax will look to get him in January or does Conte genuinely see something in him?” he said.

It comes after reports emerged earlier this week linking the 24-year-old, who cost Spurs around £25m from Ajax’s rivals PSV Eindhoven in January 2020, to the Eredivisie champions.

Out of favour

It’s no secret that Bergwijn is heavily out of favour under manager Antonio Conte, having played only 13 minutes since the Italian’s arrival at Tottenham last month.

There were even claims at one stage that the 52-year-old had barely spoken to the £19.8m-rated winger, suggesting that he just isn’t the man for the new Lilywhites boss.

“That interest in Bergwijn has been made known. Conte does not see it in him at all,” claimed journalist Mike Verweij on De Telegraaf’s football podcast (via Sport Witness). “Conte is also the one who opposed Bergwijn’s transfer from PSV to Italy. Inter were an interested club at the time, but Conte did not need him. “Conte has only said two words to Bergwijn in two weeks at Tottenham Hotspur.”

If Ajax do hold a genuine interest, then Conte could be buzzing as he would be able to offload a player that he simply does not want, and at the same time help boost the club’s finances to bring in his own targets.

Truth be told, it has never gone to plan for Bergwijn in north London – across 62 appearances, he has only scored four goals and provided nine assists, meaning he averages a direct contribution once every 244 minutes, via Transfermarkt. That isn’t great.

Only last month, club insider John Wenham blasted the Netherlands international for being “terrible all season”, whilst his introduction from the bench against Manchester United even drew boos from the Spurs faithful.

If Bridge’s claim is true, then Conte and many around N17 will surely be delighted.

AND in other news, Bye-bye Ndombele: Conte eyes “devastating” £25m-rated beast, won’t cost Spurs a penny…

The agent of reported Aston Villa January transfer target, Julian Alvarez, has recently visited England.

What’s been said?

In a recent interview with Argentinian media outlet Ole, the River Plate vice-president, Jorge Brito, revealed that the 21-year-old’s representatives recently travelled to England amid the striker’s links with a move to Aston Villa.

Indeed, a recent report by the same publication revealed that Villa have been monitoring the situation of the Argentina international ahead of the January transfer window, while the likes of AC Milan, Napoli, Bayer Leverkusen, Borussia Dortmund and Tottenham Hotspur are also believed to hold an interest in the striker – who is thought to have a £21.5m release clause in his River Plate contract.

Speaking about the interest surrounding Alvarez, Brito said: “The objective, now his representatives have returned from England, is to talk to reach a good agreement and that Julian stays.”

Gerrard’s next Morelos

It is easy to see why Villa, as well as a number of Europe’s other leading clubs, are keeping a very close eye on Alvarez, as the centre-forward has been in remarkable form for River Plate so far this season.

Indeed, over his 16 Liga Profesional appearances in the current campaign, the £18m-rated man has scored a whopping 15 goals, registered five assists and created eight big chances for his teammates – averaging a rather incredible 1.25 direct goal contributions per game.

These returns have seen the player who Golazo Argentino dubbed a “phenomenon” average an extraordinary SofaScore match rating of 7.84, ranking him by far and away as the best performer in the top flight of Argentine football.

Furthermore, Steven Gerrard has already proven he can get the best out of a South American centre-forward in the UK, with Colombia international Alfredo Morelos scoring 83 goals and registering 37 assists over his 158 appearances – an average of 0.76 direct goal contributions per game – under the 41-year-old at Rangers.

As such, it would appear highly advisable for Christian Purslow to do all he can to secure the signing of Alvarez this January, as the 21-year-old very much appears to possess the potential to become Gerrard’s next Morelos at Villa Park.

In other news: Gerrard can become an instant hit at Villa by axing “unstoppable” £11.7m-rated flop

Leeds United selling Illan Meslier would be ‘very silly’, former Whites goalkeeper Paul Robinson says. 

The lowdown

The Daily Mail’s Simon Jones reported last week that Leeds are ‘braced for bids’ for Meslier during the summer transfer window.

As for interested parties, The Daily Star believe Manchester United are intense admirers of the Frenchman, while Mundo Deportivo claim that Barcelona could even make a move.

Leeds signed Meslier from FC Lorient for £5.85million in the summer of 2020 following a successful loan move.

He’s made 81 appearances for the club in total, conceding 128 goals and keeping 23 clean sheets.

The latest

Speaking to MOT Leeds News, Robinson said he couldn’t ‘see the sense’ in sanctioning the move, which he believes would force Leeds into the market for a ‘top’ replacement.

“They’d have to find a top, number one goalkeeper so to sell Meslier for whatever they sell him for, they’d have to pay that to replace him,” he said.

“It would seem to be a very silly situation to let him go.

“In all honesty, I can’t see the sense in letting him go.”

The verdict

If Leeds were to sell Meslier, then they could be in for a considerable profit. Transfermarkt value him at £18million, more than three times what they paid in 2018.

He has struggled this season from a shot-stopping perspective, conceding 8.3 goals more than would be ‘expected’ (based on post-shot xG). That’s the worst record in the division by a considerable margin.

But he starred for the Whites in their first season back in the Premier League, winning their Young Player of the Year award, and so they know how good he can be when on form and full of confidence.

Indeed, fellow PL ‘keeper Aaron Ramsdale has named him as his toughest opponent, while Sky Sports pundit Micah Richards has dubbed him ‘excellent’.

In other news, Adam Pope has shared details on Leeds transfer discussions.  

With recent reports suggesting that Aston Villa’s owners will provide sufficient financial backing for Steven Gerrard to do with as he sees fit to improve his squad at the Midlands club during the January transfer window, it seems as though the former Rangers boss has his eye on one player that could add some quality to his side.

According to a recent club-by-club transfer guide from the Daily Mail, Villa are interested in signing Bayer Leverkusen attacker Florian Wirtz this month.

Since joining Leverkusen’s U19 side back in the 2020 January transfer window, the 18-year-old has gone on to score two goals and provide three assists in four U19 appearances before becoming a fully-fledged member of their senior team.

In 68 senior appearances with the German club, Wirtz has managed to bag 17 times and provide 19 assists along the way, showing just how much of an attacking talent he is.

In 20 appearances across the Bundesliga and Europa League so far this season, the teenager has chipped in with eight strikes and 11 assists, which goes to show how valuable he is to Leverkusen and why it could be difficult to secure a deal for him in January.

Labelled as a player that has the “total package” in terms of his playing ability by Germany head coach Hansi Flick, Wirtz, who is currently valued at £63m according to Transfermarkt, has four senior international appearances under his belt, showing how highly thought of he is at such a young age.

Clearly a talented young player, Wirtz is also supremely versatile, with the teenager having played in a number of different midfield and attacking positions during his short career so far.

Taking all of this into account, Villa’s owners Nassef Sawiris and Wes Edens should definitely explore the possibility of securing a deal for Wirtz this month. It’s a move, given his valuation, that would surely blow the Villa faithful away.

With reports suggesting that Villa could look to move on the likes of Trezeguet, Bertrand Traore and Anwar El Ghazi, if either of those players were to leave Villa Park either this month or during the next summer transfer window, this could pave the way for Wirtz to join Gerrard’s side and potentially make his mark in the Premier League.

In other news: Gerrard can finally axe “frustrating” £47k-p/w dud who must never play for AVFC again – opinion

Steven Gerrard is intent on reuniting with Rangers left-back Borna Barisic at Aston Villa, according to The Mirror (via Daily Record).

The lowdown

According to WhoScored, the 29-year-old has been Rangers’ fourth-best performer this season, averaging a rating of 7.16/10.

He has 2.3 chances per 90 minutes in the Scottish Premiership, second only to full-back colleague James Tavernier (3.9) at Ibrox. He exceeds every Aston Villa player for that metric, with Douglas Luiz leading the way in the Midlands with 1.6 key passes per game.

Croatia team-mate Josip Brekalo has hailed Barisic’s performances as ‘excellent’, describing him as a ‘high-quality player’.

He isn’t the only Gers player with whom Villa have been linked since Gerrard took over, with Glen Kamara also reported to be a target if the 41-year-old chooses to raid his former club.

The latest

The Mirror claimed (via Daily Record) that Gerrard would like to improve upon his existing options at left-back.

Barisic has emerged as a target, with an £8m move potentially on the cards when the January transfer window opens.

The verdict

What’s interesting is that incumbent left-back Matt Targett seemed to make a positive first impression in Gerrard’s first game against Brighton on Saturday.

He was the SofaScore man of the match after an 8.1/10 display which saw him win 80% of his ground duels (and 75% overall), make seven tackles and create three chances.

However, the new manager still feels the need to strengthen that area of the squad, suggesting that Targett may need to keep producing top performances if he is to retain his place.

In other news, this Villa trio struggled on Gerrard’s managerial debut