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Newcastle fans have taken to Twitter in panicked fashion after Rafa Benitez’s £6m ‘shackle’ clause at the club expired, meaning that he could leave the club with no consequences, as reported by The Daily Mail.

The Spaniard previously would have had to pay a £6m fee to the Magpies if he wanted to leave before the end of his contract, but now that clause has expired, fans are worried that the former Liverpool boss has had enough of Mike Ashley’s nonsense.

When quizzed on if he would walk if Newcastle failed to sign anyone before Thursday’s deadline, Benitez simply said, as quoted by The Daily Mail: “‘We will wait until Thursday and see what happens.”

Pretty ambiguous stuff, it must be said – although Newcastle are now closing in on a deal for Miguel Almiron, per BBC Sport.

The subject of Benitez’s future resurfaced in his press conference after the Magpies’ win over Manchester City, and while he seemed keen to quash rumours of an abrupt exit, he didn’t completely rule out the notion either. As quoted by The Chronicle (22:28), he said; “I didn’t say I will leave. I said I am a professional and I have my principles and I will do my job until the last minute.”

Check out Neymar’s controversial new haircut for 2019 and Xherdan Shaqiri as you’ve never seen him before in the video below…

With the club from Tyneside already sat precariously above the drop zone, their survival hopes would be hanging by a thread if Benitez were to walk away from St James’ Park.

Understandably, fans of the club are petrified if their reactions on Twitter are anything to go by…

Sunderland have been handed a huge double boost over Alex Pritchard and Nathan Broadhead…

What’s the latest?

Alex Neil has revealed that both players are ahead of schedule and closing in on returns from their respective injuries.

The Scottish head coach has admitted that they are still a doubt for the match against Gillingham, however, as they have only just made their way back to training.

He told the club website: “We were concerned that both would be long-term issues, but they have recovered quicker than anticipated.

“That’s great and both have been out on the grass this week, so we have hopefully seen flashes that they are coming back.

“Whether they will be back for this weekend’s game against Gillingham, I’m not quite sure, but they certainly aren’t far away.”

Cloud nine

This news will surely leave the Black Cats boss on cloud nine for multiple reasons.

Firstly, he will be delighted that both players are set to come back earlier than expected. He was seemingly worried that he would be without them for a longer period of time and that would have been a huge blow to the club’s promotion hopes.

Therefore, he will be pleased with how they have worked to recover from their respective blows. It shows that they have been putting in the hard work behind the scenes to ensure that they are back as quickly as possible and Neil will be impressed with their progress.

The ex-Preston coach will also be delighted because of what their returns mean to Sunderland. Having them back will be a major boost to the side as they have both proven themselves to be quality options at League One level this season.

Pritchard has averaged an excellent SofaScore rating of 7.08, scoring four goals and providing seven assists from midfield. He has created an impressive two chances per game for the Mackems and his dynamic play in the middle of the park will bolster Neil’s attacking options.

Broadhead, meanwhile, has seven strikes in his last ten appearances for Sunderland in all competitions. He has also scored five times in nine third division starts, which shows that he knows how to find the back of the net on a regular basis at this level.

Therefore, Neil will be buzzing to have both of them back and available in the upcoming matches as they both have an abundance of talent to offer in the final third.

AND in other news, Speakman heading for SAFC shocker on £2.7k-p/w gem who’s the best “in the division”…

Journalist Pete O’Rourke has revealed that Leeds United have been watching RB Salzburg midfielder Brenden Aaronson, Give Me Sport report.

The Lowdown: Aaronson links

Victor Orta is thought to be after two midfield additions before the month is out, with Aaronson an attacking midfielder who can also turn out on the wing.

Journalist Tom Begert revealed shortly before Christmas that Leeds were seriously interested in the 21-year-old, who shares the same agents as Adam Forshaw.

Reports then claimed before the New Year that a January swoop was unlikely due to RB Salzburg’s qualification into the last 16 of the Champions League, but it appears as if the American is still on the radar at Elland Road.

The Latest: O’Rourke confirms interest

O’Rourke was talking to Give Me Sport regarding Aaronson and Leeds’ pursuit of a midfielder.

This is what he had to say, revealing the Whites have had scouts watching Aaronson in action.

“With Aaronson at RB Salzburg, I know Leeds scouts have been watching him.”

The Verdict: Defensive midfielder a priority

Marcelo Bielsa is without Kalvin Phillips until March, so it could be a wise move for the club to sign a more defensive-minded midfielder first.

Leeds have been hit hard with injuries this season and are now also short of attacking midfielders, however, you could argue that the likes of Forshaw, Stuart Dallas and Mateusz Klich could occupy two number eight roles with the likes of Rodrigo and Tyler Roberts sidelined.

On that basis, an out-and-out defensive midfielder to cover for Phillips could be more beneficial before targeting someone like Aaronson, but it seems as if Leeds are keen.

In other news: ‘This is huge’ – BBC pundit reacts to ‘massive’ Leeds news he’s heard from Elland Road. 

Aston Villa and Leeds have both approached West Ham over a possible move for Manuel Lanzini, according to TEAMtalk.

The Lowdown: Gerrard’s huge January kitty

Steven Gerrard looks set to be a busy man in the New Year in what will be his first transfer window as Villa boss.

A new centre-back and a defensive midfielder are reportedly his main priorities, with Marvelous Nakamba suffering a serious knee injury in recent weeks.

He’s been promised a huge transfer kitty by NSWE, and it appears as if attacking midfielder Lanzini is a player of interest to Gerrard and sporting director Johan Lange.

The Latest: Villa’s enquiry

TEAMtalk shared a story on Wednesday evening suggesting both Villa and Leeds made it clear to the Hammers they are keen on the Argentine.

West Ham were open to an exit earlier in the season, but they have rebuffed approaches regarding a January transfer involving Lanzini.

The 28-year-old, labelled as a ‘top player’ by Darren Bent, has made 20 appearances in all competitions this season, with his three league starts coming in the last three fixtures.

The Verdict: Priorities

Gerrard and Lange’s main focus should be on a holding midfielder in January, so their failed approach for Lanzini shouldn’t be viewed as a disaster at this moment in time.

The club have just Douglas Luiz as the only available senior defensive midfield option following Nakamba’s injury. Should they get one in early next month, then perhaps a move for an attacking midfielder could be of use, with Jacob Ramsey the club’s only out and out attacking midfielder.

However, Gerrard has plenty of wide attacking talent on the books who could adapt to a central role, but losing Luiz alongside Nakamba and not bringing in a replacement could be extremely worrying.

In other news: ‘Disgrace’ – Lots of Villa fans fume as ‘ridiculous’ pre-Chelsea update emerges. 

Lots of Everton fans have been left buzzing over some injury news that has emerged ahead of their game away at Norwich City in the Premier League.

As per The Athletic journalist Patrick Boyland, Dominic Calvert-Lewin, Richarlison and Yerry Mina are all now back in training for the Goodison Park faithful, meaning that they could all feature against the Canaries if deemed fit enough.

All three of them rank among the Merseyside club’s ten best players so far this season, according to WhoScored, with Calvert-Lewin number one.

The striker has scored three goals in the four matches that he has played in the Premier League this term, and having him back with Richarlison will certainly give Rafa Benitez’s team more of a goal threat, while Mina provides another solid option defensively.

Everton fans on injury news

These Toffees buzzed as the injury news was shared on Twitter, with one Blues supporter even going as far as to claim that it was a ‘huge boost’:

“Good news Boyland at the back post!!!”

Credit: @EFCMatt1

“Huge boost for weekend hopefully”

Credit: @GraemeMcV

“Yesssssss”

Credit: @Foxy0580

“Cracking news this”

Credit: @Byrdsman75

“Brilliant. Start all 3 on Saturday imo”

Credit: @CBobblers1878

“Things you love to see”

Credit: @JGreenway8

In other news, find out which EFC ace’s claim has fans speculating here!

Marcelo Bielsa’s Leeds United side head into Saturday afternoon’s Premier League fixture in rather dire straits, having picked up just one win in their last five league outings, as well as being in the midst of a considerable injury crisis.

Indeed, all of Rodrigo, Robin Koch, Patrick Bamford, Kalvin Phillips and Liam Cooper look set to miss the trip to Chelsea due to various knocks, leaving the Whites manager with a threadbare squad to face Thomas Tuchel’s third-placed Blues.

How will the Argentine line up his team at Stamford Bridge this afternoon? Here’s how we think the Leeds starting XI could look.

With the Whites’ aforementioned injury woes somewhat forcing Bielsa’s hand today, we predict that the 66-year-old will make three changes to the team which started the 2-2 draw against Brentford last time out.

In the back four, 22-year-old Pascal Struijk is thrown straight back into the side following his own recovery from injury, taking the place of Cooper alongside Diego Llorente at centre-back, while Junior Firpo and Luke Ayling start at left-back and right-back respectively.

The middle of the park also sees one change, with the stricken Phillips making way, Adam Forshaw dropping back into the England international’s usual role in front of the back four and Mateusz Klich coming into the side alongside Stuart Dallas in the central midfield two.

In attack, Daniel James and Raphinha retain their places on the left and right flanks, while Tyler Roberts is replaced by Joe Gelhardt up front, with Bielsa dubbing the 19-year-old a “human wrecking ball” who can do serious “damage” in the opposition penalty area. Those traits will almost certainly be needed if Leeds are to have any chance of securing a result at Stamford Bridge.

In other news – He’s ready: Bielsa must unleash “outrageous” Leeds beast today, he can terrify Chelsea

Many Glasgow Rangers fans have been left buzzing as managerial news emerged on Giovanni van Bronckhorst and Derek McInnes.

As per The Athletic, the former is now a ‘strong contender’ to replace Steven Gerrard at Ibrox and has ‘expressed his desire’ to rejoin his former club. On the other hand, McInnes – who ‘turned down’ the vacancy at the Light Blues in 2017 – is ‘not understood to be in the running’.

Van Bronckhorst has an impressive managerial CV, having guided Feyenoord to their first Eredivisie title in 18 years back in the 2016/17 season (BBC), while he also won four other major trophies with the Rotterdam club. Of course, he is also a two-time Premiership winner as a player with the Light Blues.

Meanwhile, McInnes’ CV is less convincing, with just two trophies to his name, and he has only managed St Johnstone, Bristol City and Aberdeen before.

Therefore, it is not a surprise to see so many Gers fans leaning towards the appointment of Van Bronckhorst over McInnes.

Rangers fans on Van Bronckhorst and McInnes manager news

These Rangers supporters were left buzzing as the managerial news was shared on Twitter:

“McInnes not in the frame was all I needed to hear”

Credit: @IK_1987

“Your last sentence has made me very happy”

Credit: @woods_al

“I hope you’re right”

Credit: @MintyRod

“This is better than Gerrard, bring him home”

Credit: @Lisa____xx

“Love to see it”

Credit: @cameron56689617

“DRINKS ON ME”

Credit: @heyitsk_stew

In other news, find out which two other managerial candidates have emerged

Everton manager Frank Lampard has revealed a massive team news boost ahead of the Toffees’ clash against West Ham on Sunday.

What’s the latest?

Taking to Friday’s press conference ahead of the clash at the London Stadium, the 43-year-old provided an update on Dominic Calvert-Lewin which will be music to Evertonian ears.

Speaking to the club’s official website about the 25-year-old, Lampard said: “He’s in a really good place. The break has been positive for Dominic (Calvert-Lewin).

“We’ve worked well, really closely with him over the past couple of weeks. Without putting unnecessary pressure on him, because it’s tough to be a striker with expectation. He’s in a really good place.”

Huge boost for Everton

Lampard’s latest update regarding Calvert-Lewin comes as a huge boost for Everton. The Toffees have often struggled in front of goal this season and, with just 29 goals in the Premier League, find themselves ranked as the joint-fourth lowest scorers in the top flight.

It is clear that Everton have missed their 25-year-old talisman this season, as indeed any team would be badly affected if they had to do without a player who netted 16 goals in his most recent league campaign and began this term with three in as many matches before injury struck.

Extra clarification of how poor Everton’s goalscoring numbers have been this season comes in the form of Liverpool superstar; Mohamed Salah. So far this season, the Egyptian has 30 goal contributions to his name, in the form of 20 goals and 10 assists. In other words, he has been involved in more goals on his own than Everton have scored as a team this season, a stat which will no doubt infuriate Toffees fans.

Lampard’s side find themselves in a precarious position in the table and will need all help they can get if they are to avoid relegation to the Championship.

Calvert-Lewin’s return also adds some enhancements which cannot be quantified, such as his ability to act as a focal point and create space for a team-mate, or his ability to hold up the ball in the attacking third; giving his team-mates the chance to make runs out wide. Whilst his end product should certainly aid Everton in their hunt for Premier League survival, his playing style as an out-and-out physical striker could indeed prove to be the difference between staying up and going down for the Toffees.

His impending return is undoubtedly a huge boost for Everton and will eave Lampard ecstatic ahead of a testing fixture this weekend against Europa League quarter-finalists West Ham.

In other news – Everton must finally unleash £19.8m “freak of a talent” who has been “destroyed”

Celtic look set to announce the signing of striker Johnny Kenny by Thursday evening, The Irish Independent report.

The Lowdown: Kenny profiled

Kenny, described as a ‘really important’ signing by Sligo Rovers boss Liam Buckley last year, is 18 years of age and is an out-and-out centre-forward.

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He was first linked with a move to Celtic Park back in September and has been involved in 14 goals in 34 appearances for his current employers.

Kenny now looks set to become the third Irish addition under Ange Postecoglou after James McCarthy and Liam Scales, with a transfer seemingly close.

The Latest: Fee agreed

The Irish Independent shared a story on Wednesday evening regarding Kenny, claiming a move is set to be announced in the next 24 hours, meaning we are really counting down the minutes as of Thursday afternoon.

The Hoops and Sligo Rovers have agreed on a €150,000 (£125,000) fee, with further a six-figure add-on added, should Kenny make a set number of Celtic first-team appearances.

A sell-on clause has also been included thought to be in the region of 10-15%.

The Verdict: B team addition?

Celtic have seemingly pipped Hibernian in the race for Kenny, and at an initial fee of £125,000, it seems to be a low-risk signing.

He clearly appears to be an exciting talent with his impressive goal record at senior level, and you’d think he could slot into Celtic’s B team to start with.

Should he continue his impressive form in front of goal for the Hoops’ B team, then you’d expect that Postecoglou could be tempted to integrate Kenny into the first team sooner than planned.

In other news: Celtic may now sign £4.5m-rated man on loan; would ‘separate’ Nicholson from Lawwell. 

Tottenham Hotspur may swoop for AS Roma’s Nicolo Zaniolo in next summer’s transfer window, according to Calciomercato. 

The lowdown

The attacking midfielder was heavily involved for Roma at the start of the season but has not started either of their last two matches (via Transfermarkt), while there was apparently some light ‘bickering’ with his manager, former Spurs boss Jose Mourinho, in training last week.

Zaniolo is yet to register a goal or an assist this season but he is certainly a highly-rated talent. Roma legend Daniele de Rossi marvelled at the 22-year-old’s ‘incredible natural physique’ and backed him to become ‘a great player’.

According to FBRef, he boasts a similar statistical profile to Wolves’ Adama Traore, Brighton’s Leandro Trossard and in particular Crystal Palace’s Wilfried Zaha.

The latest

With Zaniolo an unused substitute for Roma’s 2-0 victory over Genoa on Sunday, alarm bells are ringing and his future is in doubt.

As per Calciomercato, there have apparently been ‘several’ approaches already, ‘especially’ from Juventus.

The report noted that Zaniolo’s contract runs until 2024 and revealed that he’s currently valued at around €40m, equating to £33.5m. That’s a sum which could well ‘intrigue’ Tottenham.

The verdict

What made Mourinho’s snub all the more significant was that he turned to 18-year-old Felix Afena Gyan rather than Zaniolo when assessing his options. In fairness, the teenager did go on to score two goals, but that doesn’t mean it wasn’t a damning decision without the benefit of hindsight.

He continues to pose a threat in the final third, averaging 2.2 shots and 2.2 successful dribbles per game in Serie A. Those returns would put him third and second in Tottenham’s squad respectively, highlighting how transformative he could be to their attack.

Indeed, now might actually be a good time to invest in Serie A’s one-time Young Player of the Year. He might not be on top form, but he has just returned from a serious injury and he may soon remind the footballing world of his abilities, considerably increasing his price tag in the process.

In other news, read Fabrizio Romano’s claim regarding Antonio Conte