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Manchester City appear to have won the race for long-term Aston Villa transfer target Julian Alvarez.

That’s according to transfer expert Fabrizio Romano, and a number of Villa fans have been giving their thoughts to the news on social media.

Villa have been linked with the River Plate attacker since the summer, with the player’s agent Fernando Hidalgo reportedly planning to speak to the Midlands club over a potential move. However, it is Pep Guardiola’s side who look set to announce an €18.5m (£15.43m) transfer for the 21-year-old, who scored 24 goals and registered 18 assists in 2021.

Romano revealed on Tuesday evening that an agreement has been reached with the Premier League champions, and Alvarez will pen a five-year deal at the Etihad Stadium before returning to River Plate on loan until the summer.

Villa fans react

Here is what these Villa supporters had to say in reply to Romano’s post regarding Alvarez, with many of them not exactly thrilled and some thinking it could be a mistake not landing him over the summer.

“Being violently sick right now.”

Credit: @AVFCFaithful_

“Nothing to be said, we bottled it. Now we must get Aaron Hickey in the summer before City do.”

Credit: @ZM_AVFC

“Made a big mistake signing others over him”

Credit: @Jamie_UTV

“I hope it’s because he was never going to sign for us. Otherwise, yeah. Nauseating.”

Credit: @nallivdam

“He won the Ballon D’or for us in my FIFA 21 Villa career. I thought it was a sign when we were linked to him.. clearly not”

Credit: @charliepowellm1

“We had a chance and bottled it.”

Credit: @MogarFinley

In other news: ‘Yessss’ – Many Villa fans buzzing as John Percy shares ‘amazing’ transfer news

West Ham will have to spend around £11m on FC Copenhagen striker Jonas Wind if they want to sign him in the January transfer window.

The Lowdown: Wind linked with West Ham move

The Hammers may be flourishing in the Premier League currently but that doesn’t mean that new signings aren’t needed to take the team forward.

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David Moyes’ side have been linked with signing Wind in recent times, with the 22-year-old scoring four times in 12 caps for Denmark at senior level and reportedly impressing West Ham scouts.

Copenhagen are clearly keen to keep hold of one of their most prized assets, however, and a fresh update has emerged regarding his future.

The Latest: Hammers learn Wind asking price

According to Ekstra Bladet [via Sport Witness], West Ham ‘will probably have to go up close to DKK 90-100 million’ to sign Wind, which equates to approximately £11m.

Only Premier League clubs are thought to be able to afford that amount in January, and although a mid-season move is possible, a summer exit looks more likely.

Wind’s current Copenhagen deal expires at the end of the 2024/25 season.

The Verdict: Much-needed attacking depth

At 22, Wind is someone who could come in as a squad player at West Ham initially – he has scored 45 goals and chipped in with 25 assists in 111 appearances for Copenhagen – and eventually become a more pivotal figure over time.

He has matched Antonio’s tally of six league goals so far this season and he has 10 goals in all competitions, further highlighting his pedigree.

Moyes’s team sit fourth in the league at the moment, but in order to remain in the thick of the Champions League race, another striker could do with being signed, especially one as prolific as the Danish youngster.

That would help ease the burden on sole centre-forward Michail Antonio, especially with the Hammers battling in the Europa League as well, making for a hectic schedule in the early months of next year.

In other news, a journalist has dropped an exit rumour regarding one West Ham player. Find out who it is here.

Flocking to Twitter, some Liverpool fans were left unimpressed with the performance of Takumi Minamino against FC Porto on Wednesday night.

Jurgen Klopp’s side made it five wins out of five in the Champions League as they continued their dominance over Group B, and some rarely-selected Reds were handed a chance to impress.

Liverpool’s teenage midfielder Tyler Morton, making his European debut against the Portuguese giants, was one of a few players to be gifted a rare nod by Klopp.

Despite their rotated team in parts, the Merseysiders ran out out 2-0 winners on the night courtesy of second half goals from Thiago Alcantara and Mohamed Salah.

One man who also got a chance was Minamino, who has started just three games in all competitions since coming back from a loan spell at Southampton last season.

Liverpool fans unimpressed…

Upon the Japan forward’s return to the starting XI, it’s safe to say that many Liverpool fans don’t think he grasped his opportunity, criticising his performance on social media.

According to SofaScore, the largely anonymous 26-year-old took just 33 touches all game, considerably fewer than goalkeeper Alisson managed (51) over the 90 minutes. Also, out of every Liverpool starter on the night, Minamino ranked as SofaScore’s lowest-rated Red with a 6.7/10 score, highlighting his relatively ineffective display.

Having zero shots on goal and winning none of his aerial duels, it’s understandable why numerous Liverpool supporters believe he didn’t have the best of nights, with one Kopite describing him as “average”.

Check out some of their Twitter verdicts below:

“Chamberlain, Origi, Minamino add nothing to that Liverpool team, need to sell quick, Thiago goal something else though”

Credit: @barry_mckeever

“Tsimikas should be the starting LB, Matip is comfortably our 2nd best CB, Morton held his own in a big game, Salah can still score even whilst playing bad, Thiago is world class, Minamino is average”

Credit: @lfcd25

“The last 10 mins with Minamino and Origi is telling me that January is going to be very long without Salah and Mane”

Credit: @adzz_s

“Disasterclass”

Credit: @LFCDan92

“Only real negative was Minamino, thought the lad was horrific and we are in trouble if we have to rely on him when Salah and Mane are away at AFCON”

Credit: @Corballyred

“Minamino needs to be given away on a free, not half the player that made VVD sit”

Credit: @Ernray

In other news: ‘If he leaves, I riot’ – Fabrizio Romano’s tweet about one ‘magnificent’ LFC star gets a lot of fans talking

When faced with extreme and severe adversity, this Everton squad seem to have responded this term.

The Toffees have only won once since the back end of September but they have now claimed an impressive four points against teams in the top four of the Premier League throughout their last three fixtures.

Just hours after Marcel Brands had left the club, Rafa Benitez steered his side to a win over Arsenal and despite having a number of their key players out on Thursday, they still drew 1-1 with the European Champions.

To add to injury woes to Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Yerry Mina this week, Lucas Digne was once again unavailable for selection.

Seamus Coleman, Andros Townsend and Richarlison were all absent through injury too as a particularly young side was fielded against Chelsea.

But, for the most part, they did their team justice in midweek. Jarrad Branthwaite popped up with an incredibly rare goal while fellow academy graduates Ellis Simms, Jonjoe Kenny and Anthony Gordon all got opportunities to show their true colours too.

However, it was one of their longer serving players in Mason Holgate who let his manager down.

He picked up a yellow card early in the game and even if the Merseyside outfit only conceded once to one of the best teams in the country, it was a shoddy display from the centre-half who was turned all too easily by those in Chelsea’s forward line.

The raw stats also don’t paint a very bright picture of his display on Thursday evening.

Holgate had 28 fewer touches than goalkeeper Jordan Pickford and registered a quite abysmal tally of three passes in the entire match.

Of course, a defender shouldn’t be judged entirely on his ability in possession but the fact that he was so scarcely involved should be a cause for concern.

After all, in defensive situations, he was far from convincing. The 25-year-old is now at an age where he should be starting to blossom but this performance was yet more evidence of a player who still looks like he’s in the infancy of his career.

Mistakes are too often and he is a lightweight in physical battles. At Stamford Bridge, the Englishman only won 50% of his duels and gave away two fouls as one error led to a shot on goal from the Chelsea attack.

With Mina out injured, he will simply have to improve in the coming weeks because at the moment, Benitez is left with very little choice but to keep playing him.

AND in other news, Imagine him & DCL: Benitez must seal Everton swoop for “unbelievable” 52-goal animal…

Kevin Phillips has exclusively told Football FanCast that Southampton striker Danny Ings should decide against joining Tottenham this summer if the opportunity arises.

Having entered the final 18 months of his contract, Ings has been linked with a move away from Southampton, with Jose Mourinho’s team one of the sides reportedly pushing hard to sign the former Liverpool frontman at the end of the season.

Spurs currently have on-loan Benfica man Carlos Vinicius as Harry Kane’s back-up, but the Brazilian striker has started just one Premier League game since his arrival, with Mourinho opting for the likes of Heung-Min Son and Lucas Moura in Kane’s injured absence last month.

Signing for Tottenham would give Ings an opportunity to play European football once again, but Phillips has advised the Saints number nine to consider somewhere that guarantees more regular first-team football.

He told Football FanCast: “Whenever I get asked that question, I always put myself in Danny’s shoes. Why would I want to go to Tottenham to sit on the bench and play cup games, it’s as simple as that. At his stage of his career, why would you not want to play football week in, week out?

“Tottenham probably would take him because as long as he’s happy to sit on the bench they know they’ve got a quality striker sitting there waiting. But from the player’s point of view, I don’t see why you would want to go and compete with Harry Kane, because you know you’re not playing because he’s the world’s best centre-forward in my eyes.”

Whilst signing for Tottenham would be a progressive move for Ings’ career, and possibly enhance his England chances, anyone playing in the same squad as Kane is most likely going to get limited opportunities as shown by the likes of Fernando Llorente, Vincent Janssen and Vinicius, so Ings might want to consider his options if Spurs do come calling.

Gary Mabbutt has exclusively told Football FanCast that Dane Scarlett is good enough to compete in Tottenham’s first-team next season.

Scarlett, who doesn’t turn 17 until later this month, burst on the scene following a number of outstanding performances for Spurs’ youth sides, which have caught the attention of Jose Mourinho.

The teenager striker’s 22 goals in 18 matches led to him being called into the senior squad by Mourinho, where he made his Tottenham debut in the Europa League against Ludogorets back in November.

Following more excellent form for the U18s, including five goals in a single FA Youth Cup match against Newport, Scarlett was handed further senior appearances, one of which was his Premier League debut against West Brom last month.

Scarlett was an unused substitute at Aston Villa on Sunday, and with Carlos Vinicius’ loan spell expiring this summer, Mabbutt says that the youngster has the potential to make the step up into the first-team.

The former Tottenham captain told Football FanCast:

“We have a lot of excellent youngsters out on loan – Oliver Skipp is doing well.

“We have a lot that have the ability to step up to the first-team, and Dane is exactly the same. He has got the potential and seems to be taking it all in his stride.

“If he’s comparing himself to Harry Kane, who did find it difficult to break through and went out on loan on a number of occasions, Dane will be a player that will be learning from that. If he continues to improve and continues to have the attitude that he has at the moment, he could be an amazing player for the future.

“Will he be there to challenge Kane next season? Of course, he will be one of those wanting to.”

Scarlett’s played just 17 minutes for Tottenham’s first-team, so it’s almost impossible to judge him. But even in that short amount of time playing with the seniors, he’s almost scored, assisted Vinicius against Wolfsberger, and despite his age, would appear one for the Spurs faithful to get excited over.

Leeds United are ‘stepping up their interest’ in colossal FC Koln defender Timo Hubers, according to Football Insider.

The Lowdown: Leeds links

The Whites are thought to be planning a defensive overhaul this summer ahead of Jesse Marsch’s first full season in charge after conceding 68 times in 32 Premier League games.

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Robin Koch has been linked with an Elland Road departure, while Hubers has been name-checked as a potential target.

Leeds are one of five Premier League sides who are thought to be tracking the 25-year-old, who is at the top of his game with a career-high £2.7m Transfermarkt valuation, and it looks as if Victor Orta and co are increasing their interest.

The Latest: Source shares update

FI shared a story on Sunday morning regarding Leeds and Hubers after being informed by a recruitment source.

They claimed that Leeds officials watched the 6ft 3 defender in action for Koln on Saturday, scouting who Hubers has a £6.3m release clause in his current deal.

The Verdict: Whites possibly left impressed

Hubers actually scored an own goal in a 3-1 win for Koln, however, as per SofaScore, he was the best-rated defender on the pitch.

The German, labelled as an ‘exemplary’ professional by Hannover 96’s sporting director Gerhard Zuber, won seven duels, made five clearances, three interceptions and blocked two shots.

He also had more touches than any other player on the pitch, so Leeds scouts could have left Germany impressed with Hubers ahead of a possible £6.3m summer swoop.

In other news: Phil Hay: Marsch now eyeing Leeds move for ‘quality’ rising star alongside Aaronson. 

Steve Bruce should urge Newcastle United to return with an improved offer for Matheus Nunes after Sporting CP turned down the Premier League side’s initial loan-to-buy bid.

What’s the word?

According to O Jogo, the Toon have made an official approach to sign Nunes on loan in the January transfer window in a deal featuring a £10m obligation to buy at the end of the season.

Sporting are said to have immediately rejected the proposal as they are unwilling to do business in the winter market. The Jose Alvalade Stadium natives also feel the sum tabled did not reflect the true value of the 22-year-old.

Bruce is widely known to be in the market for a new box-to-box midfielder this month, with Leicester City’s Hamza Choudhury linked amid claims United currently lack options who can offer the energy needed in the role.

The Magpies are having to look closely at the loan market to find the missing pieces to Bruce’s squad, with Mike Ashley said to be against sanctioning any major outlays as he continues in attempts to sell the St. James’ Park outfit.

Nunes is not a guaranteed starter under Sporting head coach Ruben Amorim, but has been given frequent minutes across all competitions this season to now be considered a key piece of the Leoes squad after a year spent in the Under 23s following his arrival in 2019.

Should Newcastle sign Nunes?

Bruce has a wealth of options to choose from as his holding midfielder at St. James’ Park in Jonjo Shelvey, Isaac Hayden, Matty Longstaff, Jeff Hendrick and Sean Longstaff and has, at times, chosen to field Miguel Almiron in a deeper role in his search for a permanent solution.

Yet the United boss is clearly not as fond of some of his options as he is with others, but is running out of time to sign a winter addition that can rival for minutes with the clock fast ticking down toward the February 1st 23:00 deadline.

Nunes may not have started frequently for Sporting this season, but has shown glimpses of his potential to demonstrate why Newcastle have allegedly bid to sign the £1,900-per-week prospect on loan with a £10m obligation to buy in the summer.

The 6ft Rio de Janeiro-born talent, who holds dual nationality for being in Portugal since he was a child, has brought a physical presence to Amorim’s midfield when fielded, be it in an advanced role or as the deep-lying option, but has also shown plenty of quality on the ball.

Nunes’ pass accuracy rating in Liga NOS fixtures this term has been at a higher level than Bruce has seen from all of his central midfielders in the Premier League, and offers a presence at the top of the pitch with a fair share of shots and chances created.

Defensively, the 22-year-old stands strong, too, with a high tackle success rate and a raft of interceptions, as he breaks up opposition play to set Sporting up on the right foot but with the ability to break from the back with it rare that Nunes loses possession when attempting a dribble, per WhoScored.

Nunes not being afraid to bring the ball up the field or get back to defend would suggest he has the legs to offer Bruce what the United boss is said to be looking for in the engine room.

He also scored his first senior goal in Sporting’s 2-0 win over rivals SC Braga earlier this month to help the Leoes contend for the Liga NOS title, while winning his first title in the 2020/21 Portuguese League Cup.

Sporting may be reluctant to lose Nunes this month, but that should not stop Bruce from urging Newcastle to return to Portugal with an improved offer as the GDU Ericeirense product may be an ideal solution for the Toon’s midfield issues.

AND in other news, Steve Bruce must axe an £8m-rated total dud holding Newcastle back…

Dean Windass has exclusively told Football FanCast that he expects Roy Hodgson to take a break from football after his Crystal Palace departure, following reports from The Sun that he could be a contender to replace Sam Allardyce at West Bromwich Albion.

Following just under four years in the Selhurst Park dugout, the 73-year-old made the decision to stand down from his role at his boyhood club earlier this week.

Palace have endured a poor end to Hodgson’s reign, winning just three times in their final 11 Premier League games, and whilst they could finish as low as 16th depending on final-day results, he’s continued the good work from those before him to make the Eagles an established top-flight club.

They never finished lower than 14th in Hodgson’s, showing that he’s clearly still more than good enough to manage at Premier League level despite this being his 45th year as a manager.

Hodgson’s previous club job before Palace was West Brom, with Jeremy Peace labelling him as “outstanding” following his appointment in the west Midlands in 2011. And following the departure of Sam Allardyce, does Windass believe he could make a sensational return to the Hawthorns?

He told Football FanCast:

“I think he needs to take a break; he’s getting on now. I’m aware that he’s hands on, on the training ground, but take a bit of time out, do a bit of media work, watch a lot of games.

“I think he will sit off now, enjoy your life. He’s been remarkable. I’ve never met him but he looks like a gentleman, but I think he will walk away.”

Tottenham Hotspur legend Graham Roberts has hit out at Steve Hitchen’s record at the club in an exclusive interview with Football FanCast.

Hitchen was previously the chief scout at Spurs and is now the club’s Head of Recruitment, meaning that he heads up the search for new signings in north London.

However, Spurs have struggled in recent transfer windows and have failed to bring in a multitude of targets.

The club have been linked with the likes of Bruno Fernandes, Ruben Dias, and Milan Skriniar, with Hitchen actually pictured in Italy negotiating for the latter.

Fernandes and Dias moved to Manchester United and Manchester City, while Skriniar is still at Inter Milan.

Last summer, for example, there was something of a mixed bag of a transfer window, as Spurs brought Giovani Lo Celso, Sergio Reguilon, Matt Doherty, Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg, Joe Rodon, Carlos Vinicius, Joe Hart and Gareth Bale to the club.

It is arguable that none of those players have been complete successes, and Roberts believes that Hitchen should be held to account for his work.

He told FFC: “Our recruitment has not been the best.

“It’s not been the best.

“And Steve Hitchen has a lot to answer for really, to be fair.”