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West Bromwich Albion manager Valerien Ismael has dropped an update on the condition of both Daryl Dike and Matt Phillips ahead of the Baggies’ upcoming Championship clash.

What’s the latest?

In recent comments cited by the Express & Star, the 46-year-old Albion manager revealed that, following his £7m move from Orlando City earlier this month, the 21-year-old centre-forward is progressing well in his four-week fitness programme, and should be available for the trip to Queens Park Rangers on Saturday.

Speaking about the current condition of the USA international, Ismael said: “At the minute Daryl Dike is on his own programme – we have a four-week plan for him. This week he is training with the team with the purpose of building him up for the game at QPR. He’s at a good level. He played with consistency last year and last season.”

The Frenchman also went on to state that Phillips, who had been out of action with a muscle problem picked up back in November until the club’s FA Cup loss to Brighton & Hove Albion last weekend, will once again be available for selection against QPR.

Concerning the 30-year-old winger, Ismael said: “We saw against Brighton that the last five weeks without him, it was very difficult to get something special from the front three. He can keep the ball in the front three. He is able to combine with teammates and he has quality. It’s another player who has come back and has given us more options.”

Ismael will be buzzing

Considering the fact that West Brom have somewhat struggled for goals in their last five outings, finding the back of the net just four times in this run of games, the news that both Dike and Phillips look to be available for selection against Mark Warburton’s impressive QPR side this weekend is sure to have left Ismael buzzing.

Indeed, Dike certainly looks to be a player who knows where the back of the net is, with the £9m-rated striker scoring 11 goals, registering one assist and creating two big chances over his 19 MLS appearances last season, as well as taking an average of 1.8 shots per game.

These returns saw the 21-year-old earn a seasonal SofaScore match rating of 7.08, ranking him as Orlando’s third-best performer in the league last time out.

Meanwhile, over Phillips’ 19 Championship fixtures in the current campaign, the £2.7m-rated man has bagged three goals, provided two assists and created two big chances for his teammates, with these metrics seeing the Scotland international average a SofaScore match rating of 6.88.

As such, the availability of both players will undoubtedly provide West Brom’s chances of picking up all three points against their promotion rivals with a significant boost this weekend, something that will certainly be a very pleasing outcome for Ismael.

In other news: Val can finally axe £36k-p/w flop with WBA swoop for 22 y/o dubbed “one of the best”

Writing on his Patreon, reliable club insider ExWHUemployee has shared news on head of recruitment Rob Newman as he makes a ‘positive’ move behind-the-scenes at West Ham.

The Lowdown: Newman era begins…

At the beginning of October, West Ham announced a new era for the club in terms of transfers with former chief Manchester City scout Rob Newman taking on their head of recruitment role (whufc.com).

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The 57-year-old, credited with playing a part in some marquee City transfers, like the signing of defender Aymeric Laporte (The Athletic), has been tasked to help manager David Moyes bring in both senior additions and top talent for the future.

As such, Newman is beginning to re-shape the scouting department in his own image behind-the-scenes as club source and insider ExWHUemployee shares what he’s just done.

The Latest: Newman makes ‘positive’ move…

Taking to Patreon, Ex has revealed that the West Ham chief is expanding his scouting team and has just taken on former Premier League forward Grant Holt – who is set to leave his similar scouting role at Norwich City.

Describing this as a ‘positive move for the club’ after concerns surrounding their lack of scout staff, the insider also claims that Newman is set for ‘other appointments’ in this regard which are ‘expected to be announced soon’.

The Verdict: Making his mark…

As Newman makes his mark at Rush Green in a scouting staff overhaul, we believe West Ham fans should certainly be encouraged by this development.

The ex-Man City employee’s wealth of experience at Eastlands, working alongside well-known City officials like their current sporting director Txiki Begiristain (The Athletic), indicates he has the right knowledge to transform West Ham’s scouting department in a major boost for the club.

Newman has also been described as hard-working and active with a bulging contacts book by those within City (The Athletic), as well as popular among the scouts and a real people person (The Athletic).

The fact he is now making his mark behind the scenes should certainly come as amazing news and the club may have pulled off an off-field coup with his appointment.

In other news: Journalist hints West Ham may be in pole position to sign ‘world class’ striker for Moyes, find out more here.

As per Italian newspaper Corriere Torino, via Sport Witness, a Tottenham Hotspur transfer update has come to light involving Juventus winger Dejan Kulusevski.

The Lowdown: Tottenham in frame…

The Sweden international is said to be on the agenda of Spurs ahead of January as managing director Fabio Paratici looks to bolster Antonio Conte’s attacking options.

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Both men are apparently admirers of Kulusevski with a report from TUTTOmercatoWEB explaining that they share the same ‘esteem’ and believe he is a gem with huge potential.

Other sources, like reporter Daniele Longo, even say there have already been contacts for the player ahead of January

The Latest: Spurs eye January bid…

As per CT, via Sport Witness, Tottenham and Arsenal are in contention for his signing with Kulusevski himself thought to be open to moving in search of more game time.

Is it is believed that Spurs and their bitter rivals ‘have indicated their intention to sink the blow in January in case the right conditions arise’ – presumably meaning they’re weighing a bid.

Paratici is personally the youngster’s ‘number one fan’ according to this report with Spurs’ transfer chief well and truly eyeing a move.

The Verdict: Get it done?

Lauded as an ‘explosive’ attacker by former Sweden striker Marcus Allback, the pundit also claims that Kulusevski is hard-working and tracks back to defend (The Sun) – surely an endearing quality for Spurs supporters and for Conte.

The only caveat may be his alleged €35 million (£29.6m) asking price with Juventus apparently refusing to budge on that price tag.

Amid Tottenham’s financial troubles as they also aim to sign a centre-half and in-demand striker Dusan Vlahovic, Kulusevski perhaps should be put on Paratici’s back burner.

In other news: Conte ready to axe Tottenham player as agents begin work behind the scenes, find out more here.

West Ham are interested in signing Sevilla and Morocco striker Youssef En-Nesyri in the January transfer window, according to a new report from Fichajes.

The Lowdown: Potential January reinforcements

The Hammers are enjoying an excellent season so far but squad additions in the winter could help take them to another level. David Moyes’ side will hope to continue challenging for a top-four finish, but that could be a struggle without changes to the current squad.

An exciting new report has emerged regarding El-Nesyri, who scored an impressive 18 goals in La Liga last season and a further six in the Champions League and has been given the nickname ‘Hurricane Youssef’.

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The Latest: En-Nesyri linked with West Ham move

According to Fichajes, West Ham are eyeing up a move for the 24-year-old, who could be available for €50m (£42m), which would almost break the club’s record transfer fee set by £45m man Sebastien Haller.

Daniel Kretinsky’s investment in the Hammers means that funds could be available to snap up the Moroccan, who has scored 11 goals in 39 caps for his country and was the subject of an unsuccessful €35m (£29.5m) bid from the east London club during the summer transfer window.

The Verdict: Perfect mid-season addition

This is the kind of signing which would feel like a statement of intent by West Ham at a time when they are looking to complete with the most successful teams in the country.

En-Nesyri is a proven striker who has delivered in La Liga for a number of seasons now and he could provide strong competition for Michail Antonio in attack, something which is sorely lacking at the moment.

With both domestic and Europa League commitments for the Hammers over the winter and into the New Year, it could also allow Moyes to shuffle his pack more regularly. It’s hard to feel that a move for En-Nesyri wouldn’t make perfect sense.

In other news, some West Ham fans are excited about another transfer rumour. Read more here.

Flocking to Twitter, many Liverpool fans have erupted with their verdicts as a transfer claim emerged involving Barcelona gem Ronald Araujo.

The 22-year-old, who is currently a regular in the Catalans’ backline, has already impressed his new boss Xavi with his ‘excellent character’ and positivity in training (Heavy).

Indeed, Araujo’s form over this past year has also garnered praise from club legends like Gerard Pique, with the World Cup-winning defender saying that the Barcelona youngster will be a top centre-half for the next ’10 or 15 years’.

Steadily earning a name for himself in La Liga, his performances have also attracted attention from some of the Premier League’s biggest names, including Liverpool. According to ESPN correspondents Moisés Llorens and Samuel Marsden, the Reds and FSG have sent representatives in an approach to the player amid his contract dispute at the Camp Nou.

His current deal expires in 2023 and Barcelona apparently see Araujo as ‘key to the future’ of their club, but they are aware the ‘greats of the Premier League’ pose a real transfer threat. This is where Liverpool and Chelsea come in, with both clubs said to be ‘on the prowl’.

Liverpool fans erupt…

As FSG make their first move for Aruajo by sending emissaries to Catalonia, it’s little wonder this news has prompted many Liverpool fans to erupt on Twitter.

The Uruguay international, who Pique also called ‘physically strong, fast and powerful’, is a valuable commodity with plenty of sell-on value and a winding-down contract.

Liverpool’s stance in potential negotiations is strengthened by his precarious situation, and Barca could feasibly be put under a bit of pressure to sell if he continues to delay a renewal.

Lauded as a centre-back who ‘has everything’ by Pique, Araujo would surely strengthen Liverpool’s backline.

Here’s what these Reds supporters thought of this development:

“Ello, Ello, here we go.”

Credit: @SportsEnthusi17

“ain’t no way lol.”

Credit: @zak_tyrese

“Only watched him a handful of times but I’ve been impressed ngl.”

Credit: @AdxmLFC

“Uhm yes please”

Credit: @calcio_danny

“OMDSSSS please make it happen”

Credit: @Affanisntalive

“If it happens I’ll be madly happy!! Liverpool needs Uruguayans again!!”

Credit: @AndresStein05

“I’d have this guy over Gomez any day of the week. Gomez is good but he’s older and injury prone. Araujo would be an insane option”

Credit: @LFCDunc

In other news: This transfer claim also had numerous Liverpool fans excited

With their 5-0 thrashing of Manchester United now behind them, Liverpool are on the road again this evening with a Carabao Cup clash against Championship side Preston North End.

Ahead of the match, Liverpool assistant manager Pep Lijnders revealed that there are a number of injury concerns at the Merseyside club at the moment, especially in midfield with the likes of Naby Keita, James Milner, Fabinho, Thiago Alcantara and Harvey Elliott all expected to miss the match at Deepdale.

On the chalkboard

Taking this into account, one senior midfield option that Klopp should turn to tonight to help his side get through to the next stage of the competition is Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain.

In Liverpool’s previous Carabao Cup match that saw them beat fellow Premier League side Norwich City 3-0, Oxlade-Chamberlain started and played the full 90 minutes of the game and managed to grab one assist, make two key passes, block two shots, complete two successful dribbles, make one interception and one tackle in the process.

This season as a whole has seen the Englishman make eight appearances for the Reds across all competitions, starting just two of them, making him somewhat of an outcast at the moment.

His latest appearance saw Oxlade-Chamberlain come on as a substitute in the second half of the match at Old Trafford at the weekend in which he managed to complete 90% of his passes, complete 100% of the long balls he attempted, win both of the ground duels he was involved in, have one shot at goal and make one interception and two tackles, ultimately earning himself a very good overall match rating of 7.1/10 according to SofaScore.

The Merseyside club signed Oxlade-Chamberlain back in the 2017 summer transfer window from fellow Premier League side Arsenal in a deal worth a reported fee of £35m.

Since then, the midfielder, who is currently valued at £16.2m according to Transfermarkt, has made 112 appearances for Liverpool across all competitions in which he has managed to score 14 goals and provide 12 assists along the way.

Looking ahead to the Preston game, given the number of injury issues Liverpool currently have in midfield at the moment and the fact that it has been reported that Oxlade-Chamberlain is apparently concerned about his lack of game time at the Merseyside club, he could be what the team needs right now and that this is a great time for him to play another 90 minutes to show Klopp what he has to offer the side.

In other news: Klopp could save LFC millions by unleashing 21 y/o “leader”, he’s VVD’s heir apparent – opinion

As West Ham United continue to impress on the field, it appears Hammers supporters have something else to celebrate as the club confirm some ‘great news’ off it.

David Moyes’ men have started 2021/2022 in sublime fashion as they currently sit fourth in the Premier League table whilst topping their Europa League group.

They also knocked English champions Man City out of the Carabao Cup in the last 16 on Wednesday, a competition which the Sky Blues had previously dominated for nearly half a decade.

It is truly a wonderful time to be a West Ham fan and the club may have given supporters something more to celebrate as they confirm an off-field development.

Indeed, as now officially announced, the Irons have been granted planning permission to increase the London Stadium’s capacity to 62,500 – with an extra 2,500 to be released once the ‘safety certificate application has been completed’ (whufc.com).

Once the work is completed, it will take the London Stadium’s capacity past the likes of Tottenham and Arsenal’s grounds – officially making it the biggest club arena in the English capital.

Taking this into account, not to mention the increased capacity allowing more Irons supporters to attend, it’s little wonder many supporters have gone wild for this news on Twitter.

Find all of their excited verdicts down below.

West Ham fans go wild for stadium news…

“Higher up the table than Spurs and Arsenal, and now a bigger stadium too”

Credit: @nathanneilburns

“oh wow niceee”

Credit: @whujoe

“Biggest stadium in London”

Credit: @escobardini

“Finally”

Credit: @emfharding

“We’re actually so massive it’s terrifying”

Credit: @charlie6ower

“We are huge and massive and always bigger than average irons!”

Credit: @Noble16Fake

“YESSSSS”

Credit: @WestHamUniteed

“Wow”

Credit: @MaxBushell8

“Great news. Hope the new upgrade will be closer to the pitch”

Credit: @MarkEmms4

In other news: ‘Already going on’…Major West Ham update dropped as ‘preliminary talks’ emerge, find out more here.

Manchester United are reportedly monitoring the situation of Napoli striker Victor Osimhen after identifying him as a possible alternative to Erling Haaland.

What’s the story?

According to Italian outlet Gazzetta dello Sport (as relayed by Sport Witness), the Red Devils are amongst a host of club’s interested in securing the 22-year-old’s services next summer.

The report claims that fellow Premier League sides Chelsea and Manchester City are also keen on Osimhen’s signature, while Spanish giants Real Madrid are also listed as potential suitors.

It’s stated that Napoli would demand no less than £100 million for their prized asset given they stumped up a fee which could rise to £70m to prize him away from Lille back in 2020.

With the Nigeria international’s current contract at the Diego Armando Maradona Stadium next expiring until 2025, owner Aurelio De Laurentiis is under no pressure to sell, meaning this could be a tricky deal to complete.

Solskjaer would love him

Several of European football’s heavyweights have been linked with a move for Borussia Dortmund striker Haaland thanks to his £65 million release clause coming into play in 12 months’ time.

However, only one side will be able to snap up the outstanding Norway international, possibly leaving the likes of United searching for alternative options.

And it’s easy to see why the club’s recruitment department are believed to have identified Osimhen as a potential future star given his recent exploits for Napoli, both in the Europa League and Serie A.

After injuries limited the 6ft 1 beast to just 10 goals in 24 league starts last term, the former Wolfsburg ace has started the current campaign in emphatic fashion.

Osimhen has bagged six goals and provided one assist in just six outings in all competitions in the opening weeks of 2021/22, earning praise from Cagliari coach Walter Mazzarri.

“Osimhen is phenomenal because he runs alone at five players and gets through,” Mazzarri told DAZN (as quoted by Football Italia). “If you look at genuine scoring opportunities, compared to the number Napoli created lately, I didn’t see that many.

“We intentionally kept a deep defensive line, because if we pushed higher like the other teams, we’d concede four or five like they did with Osimhen able to run into space.

“Obviously, Napoli had more possession and attacked more, but this was an intentional approach.”

Osimhen’s effort helped the Azzurri to a 2-0 victory over Mazzarri’s charges on Sunday in another display of his incredible finishing ability, power and pace.

The youngster’s room for improvement makes him an extremely exciting and tempting target for football’s top teams, meaning United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer would surely love to have him at his disposal.

Therefore, football director John Murtough must sanction a swoop for the Osimhen if the Red Devils miss out on Haaland, providing Solskjaer with a long-term successor to the ageing pair of Cristiano Ronaldo and Edinson Cavani.

And, in other news…Imagine him and Pogba: Man Utd must complete swoop for £60m beast, he’s a big upgrade 

Rumoured Leeds United transfer target Noa Lang could leave Club Brugge in the January transfer window, according to a fresh report.

The Lowdown: Leeds linked with Lang move

Lang, who has been likened to Neymar due to his close control and finishing, was linked with a move to Elland Road a number of times during the summer, but he ended up staying put at Brugge.

The 22-year-old has made a superb start to the 2021/22 season, already chipping in with three goals and four assists in the Jupiler Pro League, while winning the man of the match award in a 1-1 draw against PSG in the Champions League group stages.

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The Latest: Fresh update emerges

Leeds have been boosted in their potential efforts to sign Lang, with Voetbal International [via Sport Witness] claiming that he could move on in January.

Brugge are thought to be ‘realistic’ about the interest in the attacker, with the report adding that he could leave ‘as early as this winter’.

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The Verdict: Ideal attacking addition

Lang is a player with a huge amount of promise, having been described as a ‘phenomenon’ by Belgian sports journalist Peter Vandenbempt in the past.

His start to this season shows how much attacking quality he could bring to Leeds’ team, giving them extra guile in central areas but also capable of thriving out wide.

If the Whites managed to snap up the young Dutchman in January, it could give the squad a much-needed injection of class midway through the campaign.

In other news, Leeds could make a move for a defender, according to one report. Read more here.

Taking to Twitter and sharing his piece from The Athletic, Roshane Thomas has lifted the lid on an exciting unseen West Ham United talent in attacker Sonny Perkins.

The Lowdown: West Ham talents emerging…

It is no secret to supporters that West Ham’s academy is currently booming with a fine generation of upcoming talents.

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Following on from superstar Declan Rice, many young players have followed suit into the fringes of the first team, including Conor Coventry, Jamal Baptiste and Ademipo Odubeko to name a few.

There are plenty more just behind them, with Thomas now lifting the lid on one exciting talent who yet to make a senior competitive appearance under Moyes (Transfermarkt).

The Latest: Journalist lifts lid on Perkins…

According to Thomas, the West Ham manager could have to keep a watchful eye on academy starlet Perkins, who is apparently turning more heads at the club.

As explained by the journalist on Twitter, the 17-year-old is a player who ‘supporters need to know about’ with this era being a ‘positive time’ for the Hammers’ youth setup.

Perkins has scored hat-tricks for club and country and aspires to deputise at the London Stadium for West Ham’s first team. Already, the Irons under-18s starlet looks set to better his goal tally from last season and, as per Thomas, and it shouldn’t be long before we see another talent coming through at Rush Green.

The Verdict: Exciting times…

As well as Perkins, West Ham have also looked at outside resources to bolster their academy, signing the likes of Armstrong Oko-Flex, Pierre Ekwah Elimby and Thierry Nevers in the summer transfer window.

We believe that Moyes should have one very watchful eye on his youngsters, with seemingly no shortage of them coming through in east London. If Thomas is to be taken at his word, Perkins appears to be one of the brightest young jewels of them all.

In other news: ‘Offered nothing’, ‘Had a shocker’…These West Ham fans slam ‘poor’ player who lost the ball 16 times against Southampton, find out more here.