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Crystal Palace posted footage of Eberechi Eze joining in with first team training on Saturday.

As to be expected, it didn’t take long until a number of Eagles fans went wild at the official club update on social media.

The attacking midfielder has been sidelined since May following a freak Achilles injury in training but he appears to be edging closer to a Palace return.

Reports back in August suggested that Eze was well ahead of schedule with his recovery, and it appears as if he could return before the year is out.

He is yet to feature under Patrick Vieira, but after posting an individual drill on his personal Twitter profile last week, he has now joined in with group training.

The 23-year-old was all smiles and participated in a passing drill, which was shared on Palace’s official Twitter channel.

Palace fans react

Here is what these Eagles supporters had to say in reply, with many sharing their excitement over the footage.

“Best day of my life icl”

Credit: @CPFCMax9

“Tears in my eyes”

Credit: @BludOnTheLeaves

“oh my days”

Credit: @MATTT046

“Oh myyyyy”

Credit: @Phillyconcarne

“Can’t even begin to describe how happy this makes me.”

Credit: @pnm1979

“Oh man I can’t wait for this young man to be back balling.”

Credit: @Scrivum

In other news: Palace keen on midfield prodigy with 35 goals and 24 assists at youth level. 

Newcastle could make a move for Liverpool’s Nat Phillips in the remaining days of the transfer window, according to The Athletic’s Chris Waugh. 

The lowdown

Newcastle are hopeful of signing a centre-back in a bid to address their woeful defensive record – they have the poorest expected goals against (xGA) tally in the entire Premier League.

Their top target is Sevilla’s Diego Carlos, and while he would like to join the Magpies, negotiations with Sevilla are proving difficult.

Phillips was heavily involved at Liverpool last season, helping the Reds to secure a top-four finish in the absences of Virgil van Dijk, Joel Matip and Joe Gomez. However, with that trio back fit and Ibrahima Konate signed during the summer, the 24-year-old centre-back has only made four appearances this season.

The latest

Waugh wrote for The Athletic that Newcastle are beginning to pursue ‘back-up options’ in case they can’t strike a deal for Carlos.

They are ‘debating’ whether to bring in ‘domestic defenders’, and Phillips is one of the England-based options named.

The verdict

When you see that Phillips ranks in the 99th percentile among positional peers for clearances and successful aerial duels, you might assume that he’s an ‘old-fashioned’ centre-back (via FBRef). Indeed, that’s how one former team-mate in Andy Lonergan described him, adding that “he’d head a brick wall if he could”.

While Newcastle fans may love that battling spirit, it might be something of a mischaracterisation. Phillips is also reasonably comfortably on the ball, slotting into the 85th percentile for progressive passes.

Liverpool are said to value Phillips at £15m, so this deal could be a lot simpler than their pursuit of Carlos.

In other news, this one-time superstar could land at St James’ Park

Crystal Palace are weighing up a move for Celtic striker Odsonne Edouard, according to The Telegraph.

However, Ed Aarons of The Guardian claimed on Tuesday evening that the Hoops are yet to receive a “serious offer” for the forward, which has led to a number of Palace fans reacting to the update on social media.

Edouard, who was described as ‘magnificent’ by Neil Lennon last season, is still working on a Celtic Park exit this summer.

He is into the final 12 months of his Hoops contract and Palace are thought to be interested in the 23-year-old’s services.

They, or any other club, are yet to make a bid that has tested Celtic’s resolve, though, according to Aarons.

Palace want to sign a midfielder and two forwards for Patrick Vieira before the window slams shut at the end of the month.

Palace fans react

Aarons’ Twitter post regarding Edouard had these Eagles supporters talking, with a few now urging Palace to make their move.

“Make it happen. Only needed a new striker for 3 years”Credit: @GuehiSzn”GET ON IT!”Credit: @Andy_F2020_”Should be all over this”Credit: @MDJones82″Throw in Jach for free and call it a day.”Credit: @RomfordRoger”Dougie Lowball to see if it can be dropped any lower. Don’t think we need to worry.”Credit: @DrizzyCPFC”I doubt Palace will.”Credit: @cpfcjude

In other news: ‘Get him on deadline day’, ‘Will be fuming’ – Lots of CPFC fans react as transfer news emerges. 

Speaking exclusively to Football FanCast, former Premier League striker Dean Windass has his doubts about Ollie Watkins playing out wide for Aston Villa.

Watkins was Villa’s first-choice No.9 last season and impressed in that position, scoring 14 goals in 37 league outings.

However, that could now change following Danny Ings’ arrival, with the 29-year-old currently leading the line for Villa.

He has already scored twice while Watkins remained on the sidelines due to injury.

It leaves Dean Smith with a decision to make once Watkins returns to full fitness, with the Villa manager perhaps needing to move the England international out wide in order to accommodate his new signing.

Windass, though, is unsure about such a move. He told FFC:

“I’m not too sure that Ollie Watkins would like to play wide left, but obviously I’m not telling Dean how to manage. He knows the best formation.”

Smith stated last month that he did not bring Watkins to Villa Park to play out wide. However, given his experience there and the form of Ings, maybe it is something he has to consider later down the line.

It is a dilemma, but it is certainly a good one to have.

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 

According to Football Insider, Tottenham Hotspur youngster Dennis Cirkin has already arrived at Sunderland to complete his north London exit after an agreement was reached over the weekend – with the Lilywhites accepting a six-figure bid.

The Lowdown: Cirkin on the move…

Reliable reports indicate that the promising starlet is indeed on his way out of Tottenham this summer.

Journalist Charlie Eccleshare of the Athletic backed Football Insider’s first claim that a Sunderland move was on the horizon, taking to Twitter last week and saying that the exit is ‘expected to go through’.

Alasdair Gold also believes that the 19-year-old is on his way out, as explained on his YouTube channel, with the journalist stating that Cirkin ‘looks like he’s going to move on permanently’.

The Latest: Cirkin exit imminent…

As per FI, bringing an update, they claim that the defender has arrived on Wearside to complete his move from Spurs to Sunderland.

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Indeed, they say Cirkin is now joining the Black Cats after Tottenham accepted a six-figure bid for his services – with talks having progressed and an agreement reached over the weekend.

Personal terms have also been agreed on a four-year deal at the Stadium of Light with a Sunderland source explaining that Cirkin was even there yesterday for a medical and to put the finishing touches on his move – coming after he rejected the offer of a new deal at Spurs.

The Verdict: Real shame…

Spurs may be about to lose an exciting prodigy in the left-back area and one who was garnered real praise in the past.

Former Lilywhites boss Jose Mourinho described Cirkin as a player with ‘a lot of quality’ almost immediately after his arrival at Tottenham to succeed Mauricio Pochettino (The Metro).

As he prepares to seal his move away from north London, supporters could be somewhat dejected at this transfer, but it is arguably understandable given the amount of competition in Cirkin’s position.

Sergio Reguilon, Ryan Sessegnon, Ben Davies and Japhet Tanganga can all play at left-back, leaving Cirkin’s first team chances under new boss Nuno Espirito Santo slightly limited.

In other news: ‘Yes yes yes’, ‘Buzzing’, ‘Game changer’…Many Tottenham fans erupt as ‘beautiful’ news confirmed, find out more here.

After an impressive run of seven league games unbeaten, Crystal Palace now finds themselves on the back of three consecutive defeats in the Premier League going into their home clash against Everton on Sunday afternoon.

It appears as though Patrick Vieira will need to make some alterations to his side in order to refind the solidity that saw the Eagles go two months without defeat.

Here is how Football FanCast believes the South London side will line up against the Toffees.

In defence, Palace fans will be delighted to see the return of right-back Joel Ward after suspension, who will take the place of second-choice Nathaniel Clyne who started against Manchester United last Sunday. As for the rest of the backline, it’s the same faces.

There’s no change in the midfield, despite Jeff Schlupp’s lacklustre performance at Old Trafford last weekend, completing just nine passes at a success rate of 54%. That is down to the fact that midfielder James McArthur is still unavailable with a thigh injury.

The Eagles have really missed the services of the 34-year-old, failing to win any of their last four games, all of which the Scotsman has missed.

As expected, Conor Gallagher and Cheikhou Kouyaté lineup alongside each other yet again in the middle of the park, with the midfielders racking up a combined 27 league appearances so far this term.

In attack, there’s a second change from the defeat to United, with Odsonne Edouard replacing Jordan Ayew. The £7.2m-rated Ghanaian is yet to score this season and has been labelled a “liability” by some of the Palace faithful.

Edouard is naturally a striker but has been deployed out wide in a front-three before by Vieira this season and his three league goals so far this term should add extra firepower to the Palace frontline.

Wilfried Zaha and Christian Benteke have both looked sharp at times this campaign, both having four league goals to their name thus far and will be the men Palace look upon to win the game.

Celtic supporters should ‘love’ the fact that shareholder Dermot Desmond is a lifelong Hoops fan, according to finance expert Doctor Dan Plumley.

The Lowdown: Desmond a lifelong fan

The 71-year-old has been hugely involved at Parkhead since 1995, having also owned part of Manchester United before the Glazer family’s takeover in the 2000s.

Desmond recently stressed that he wouldn’t sell his stake in the club even if he offered ‘three or four times the share price’, such is his love for Celtic.

While billionaires aren’t always universally loved by supporters, Plumley believes the situation is different with Desmond.

The Latest: Expert provides thoughts on billionaire

Speaking to Football Insider, the ‘finance guru’ stressed that the Irishman’s Celtic roots should be something that supporters admire in their shareholders:

“There are good and bad aspects to this. Most fans would argue that it is a good thing to have a genuine supporter of the club in charge.

“Business investment probably takes on a slightly different form as a fan. But the flip side is that if somebody did offer three or four times the share price, they might have the potential to grow the club even further.

“That is a very hypothetical situation, but you can see the good and bad here. However, in general, most fans would love to keep an owner who is passionate and personally invested in the club.”

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The Verdict: Makes a fair point

While Plumley’s comments could be divisive due to Desmond not necessarily always pleasing Celtic supporters, he does make a fair point.

If you know you have a fellow fan in charge high up, it instantly suggests that big decisions made will be in the best interests of the club, rather than by billionaires who care more about their wealth.

The Hoops could certainly have worse majority shareholders than Desmond and it could be a case of only fully appreciating him when he eventually moves on.

In other news, Celtic have been backed to seal the signing of one player. Find out who it is 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.

Aston Villa have shown over the past few years that they are not shy when it comes to spending significant amounts of money on new players.

The previous summer and winter transfer windows saw the Midlands club spend money on faces such as Emi Buendia, Leon Bailey, Danny Ings and Lucas Digne to help strengthen their squad and push forward in the Premier League.

Looking ahead to the upcoming summer transfer window, it seems as though the Villans could aim to bring in another familiar face to Villa Park for a substantial fee.

What’s the news?

According to a recent report from the Daily Mirror, Villa manager Steven Gerrard will try and launch a summer move for Liverpool defender Joe Gomez.

The Villans were linked with the £85k-per-week Englishman during the previous winter window but ended up signing Calum Chambers from Arsenal on a free transfer instead.

Gomez is a rare talent

Since joining the Merseyside club back in the 2015 summer transfer window from Charlton Athletic in a deal worth a reported fee of £3.5m, the centre-back has made 138 appearances for the Reds across all competitions.

In those appearances, the 24-year-old has managed to provide five assists and pick up a Premier League and Champions League title along the way.

Praised for a “mesmerising” assist for Diogo Jota during Liverpool’s recent 2-0 win over Watford in the Premier League, Gomez has also been labelled as a “rare talent” by BBC pundit Garth Crooks.

Having only started two of the six league games he’s appeared in this season, a potential move away from Anfield to a club like Villa where he may get more regular football under the management of Gerrard could be rather tempting for the Liverpool figure.

With a combined total of 195 league minutes to his name in this current campaign, the centre-back has managed to rack up a total of three tackles, four clearances and eight interceptions.

Also, taking into account how Villa have conceded nine goals in their past four league games, perhaps adding a player like Gomez could be just what Gerrard needs to make his side stronger at the back.

With Liverpool reportedly placing a £23m price tag on the defender, making a summer swoop for him should definitely be in Villa’s mind once the season comes to an end.

In other news: Klopp can axe £180k-p/w Liverpool dud with move for “tenacious” £36m-rated “monster”