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West Ham United are believed to have made contact regarding a deal for Chelsea midfielder Conor Gallagher, with Premier League clubs desperate to land the Englishman this summer.

What’s the word?

That’s according to journalist Simon Phillips – speaking to GIVEMESPORT – who revealed that the Hammers have “made an enquiry” for the 22-year-old, with an exit from Stamford Bridge still potentially on the cards as the end of the window approaches.

He stated: “Crystal Palace are very interested, West Ham made an enquiry in the last week or so about taking Gallagher as well. I think he could get his head turned in the last few weeks and there might be another decision and another conversation that needs to happen.”

The east Londoners have previously been linked with the Blues academy graduate – as well as other top-flight rivals – with the four-cap gem potentially set to cost in the region of £50m.

Moyes’ own Kante

A midfield addition has become something of a priority for manager David Moyes having seen Mark Noble call it quits on his playing career, while loan flop Alex Kral departed after failing to earn a permanent deal.

That fact – as well as the failure to land new Everton arrival Amadou Onana – has left the former Toffees boss distinctly short of options in the centre of the park, even after having signed boyhood fan Flynn Downes from Swansea City.

In Gallagher, the Irons would be gaining a player who shone on loan at Crystal Palace last season, scoring eight goals and providing three assists in 34 top-flight games for the Eagles, with that form unsurprisingly catching the eye of Three Lions boss, Gareth Southgate.

Something of a midfield throwback as a genuine “box to box midfielder” – as per Zach Lowy – the all-action gem has proven himself to be hugely impactful at both ends of the pitch, notably ranking in the top 7% for pressures made among those in his position across Europe’s top five leagues.

That impressive record has unsurprisingly seen him dubbed a “pressing machine” by Mark Duffy, while it also ensures he ranks far higher than the current West Ham midfield duo of Declan Rice and Tomas Soucek, with the pair only in the top bottom 10% and 11%, respectively, for pressures made.

Clearly a front-footed and relentless midfield presence, Gallagher has also been likened to current Chelsea teammate N’Golo Kante by talkSPORT pundit Tony Cascarino, with that a huge claim indeed considering that the diminutive Frenchman has been the “outstanding” player in his position in the Premier League over the last decade or so – as per Joe Cole.

That comparison is corroborated by their similar statistical record of late, with Kante ranking in the top 7% for dribbles completed and the top 9% for progressive passes received, while his younger teammate is only slightly behind as he ranks in the top 8% and the top 12% in the same two metrics.

That fact illustrates that both have the dribbling ability to drive their side up the pitch from their central berth, as well as sparking attacks with progressive, forward passes, proving an invaluable link between midfield and attack.

Although it could take a sizeable offer to do, Moyes would surely love to have his own Kante figure in tow if he can sign Gallagher before the September deadline.

Fulham have brought in a number of players during this summer’s transfer window who have either come from abroad or from fellow English clubs.

With just under two weeks left before the window closes, this gives the Cottagers the opportunity to add some extra strength and depth to their attack.

One man who has been mentioned with a move to Craven Cottage who would not only add some cover at centre-forward, but also give Marco Silva the opportunity to unearth the next version of a former Premier League star who had west London as his stomping ground, is Marseille striker Bamba Dieng.

In 42 senior appearances for the French club, the 22-year-old has nine goals and three assists under his belt.

Having made 25 Ligue 1 appearances last season, the striker had 37 shots at goal in total, with 18 of those on target, giving him the highest percentage for shots on target (48.6%) at the club.This highlights his clear eye for goal and shows why he would be a useful asset for the Cottagers. He is what they could have done with during their recent 0-0 draw against Wolves, when Silva’s team had just three shots on target.In terms of being the new version of a well-known Premier League star from the past, Dieng has been likened to former Chelsea striker Didier Drogba by El Hadji Diouf.The former Senegal forward said of the young Marseille attacker: “He’s a striker, a Didier Drogba. All he can do is score goals. He is a young person with a future. All I have to say is keep his head on his shoulders, keep working. He is an attacker who ends up in the box.”Bearing in mind how the Ivorian scored 104 goals in 254 league appearances in England and earned himself a place in the Premier League Hall of Fame as a result, the prospect of seeing Fulham have their own version of the former Chelsea star – who scored four goals and provided five assists in 15 games against the Cottagers – would surely be a mouth-watering prospect for Silva.Hailed as an “explosive” player by his former Marseille boss Jorge Sampaoli, Dieng has a reported price tag of €15m (£12.6m), which could be an investment worth making for Fulham for a player who not only could be a useful figure for them this season, but also become a long-term star for the club further down the line.

Sky Sports journalist Dharmesh Sheth has revealed that a Newcastle United move for Joao Pedro has still not been ‘ruled out’.

The Lowdown: ‘Progress’ made

It was reported last week that ‘progress’ had been made on a deal to take Pedro from Watford to St. James’ Park.

However, with the arrival of striker Alexander Isak from Real Sociedad, that move could now be in doubt with just a few days left of the transfer window remaining.

The Latest: Not ‘ruled out’

Speaking on Sky Sports’ The Transfer Show on Friday evening, Sheth revealed that while Isak has now been signed, a move for Pedro as well has not been ‘ruled out’:

“The Isak deal came out of the blue a little bit, and up to that point Newcastle were in discussions with Watford about Joao Pedro.

“Since Isak has signed, the big question has been whether anyone else will come in. Eddie Howe certainly hopes so.

“I’m told it’s gone quiet with Joao Pedro, but also that it’s not been ruled out. Newcastle’s bid was worth £30m, with £25m guaranteed. It was the structure of the add-ons which was still under discussion.

“Now Isak is in, I wonder if Newcastle go back and try to sort out those add-ons? Yes, they do want to bring in players – let’s see if one will be Joao Pedro.”

The Verdict: Exciting

These are exciting times indeed for the Toon Army, as they could potentially get both Isak and Pedro in through the doors before the deadline.

Hailed as ‘sensational’ by journalist Josh Bunting after scoring a stunning counter-attack goal in the Hornets’ opening Championship game at home to Sheffield United, the Brazilian has scored 14 goals in total for his club at the tender age of 20.

Nonetheless, his ability to play in any position across the frontline would please Eddie Howe in particular, as he could shift Pedro out to the wing if he wanted to accommodate both him and Isak in the same team.

Everton are considering a move for Wolverhampton Wanderers striker Hwang Hee-chan, according to The Athletic’s David Ornstein.

The Lowdown: Goalscorers wanted

As widely reported this summer, the Toffees are keen to add firepower to Frank Lampard’s squad following the £60m departure of Richarlison to Tottenham Hotspur.

The Brazil international ended the last Premier League season as the Blues’ top scorer with ten goals in 30 appearances.

Without Richarlison, goals are expected to come from Everton number nine Dominic Calvert-Lewin. However, with the England international’s history of injury, he is not always the most reliable striker to base a team around.

For example, the 25-year-old played just 17 league games last season, contributing on a minimal five occasions.

The Latest: Interest in Hwang Hee-chan

According to Ornstein’s most recent report for The Athletic, Everton are considering Hwang as a potential addition at striker.

The 26-year-old has also been receiving strong interest from Premier League rivals Leeds United.

It is also claimed however that a Toffees move may require Conor Coady’s loan at Goodison Park to be made permanent, possibly throwing this proposition in doubt.

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The Verdict: Risky move?

Despite having scored 76 senior goals throughout his career, including eight for the South Korea national team, Hwang has netted just five times in 36 appearances for Wolves.

This could prove to be worrying for Everton fans as it appears the 26-year-old hasn’t adapted well to life in the Premier League.

Whilst playing for Red Bull Salzburg, the versatile forward bagged an impressive 45 goals and 29 assists in 126 games.

As a result, former Salzburg head coach Peter Zeidler sung his praises, having exclaimed: “He’s exceptional, has a brutal dynamism. I’ve rarely seen anything like it.”

If Lampard can get him back firing like he used to in Austria, this could be a strong addition to the Toffees’ squad, but it certainly feels like a risky one.

Wolves striker Raul Jimenez has a potential groin injury, which is why he didn’t feature against Southampton, according to reliable journalist Liam Keen.

The Lowdown: Jimenez misses Wolves win

Bruno Lage’s men secured a 1-0 win at home to Saints in the Premier League on Saturday afternoon, with Daniel Podence’s first-half strike proving to be the difference between the two sides.

However, Jimenez didn’t feature in the squad at Molineux due to fitness concerns, but new big-money striker Sasa Kalajdzic led the line for the hosts.

In a cruel twist, the towering striker picked up an injury which has since been confirmed as ACL damage, meaning that he could be out for the rest of the season.

The Latest: Jimenez injury blow

Taking to Twitter on Sunday, Keen confirmed that a groin problem kept Jimenez out of proceedings, in what is an added blow after Kalajdzic’s setback.

The journalist relayed:

“Wolves have confirmed that new signing Sasa Kalajdzic has suffered an ACL injury to his knee on his debut. He will now see a specialist. Also said Raul Jimenez felt some pain his groin and they didn’t want to risk him.”

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The Verdict: Must sign a striker

This is a horribly unfortunate situation for Lage, spending lots of money on Kalajdzic only to lose him to long-term injury immediately. The hope is that the Austrian will be able to return to his best form once he recovers, given the severity of the issue.

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Jimenez has had fitness worries of his own in recent weeks and months, too, so it is absolutely imperative that Wolves sign a new striker who can bring some much-needed firepower.

The transfer window is closed, of course, meaning that only free agents can come in. However, a move for Diego Costa has been mooted, and while it might not seem the most ideal scenario, it could be a clever stop-gap swoop.

Newcastle United are reportedly considering loan offers for Niall Brookwell ahead of the January transfer window.

The Lowdown: U21 captain

Brookwell recently captained the U21 side in their 2-0 loss away at League One Barnsley in the Papa John’s Trophy, and was rated as their best performer by SofaScore.

The 20-year-old won six of his duels in total, the joint-most of any of his teammates, while he also recorded a team-high five clearances, two tackles and one interception in a spirited individual display.

The Latest: Offers considered

As per Newcastle World, the St. James’ Park outfit are considering loaning out Brookwell in January, with many EFL, National League and Scottish Championship clubs thought to be lining up offers.

He penned a one-year extension to his initial two-year deal last summer, but will be out of contract at the end of the season, so the North East club now need to decide whether to extend his deal again or let him go.

The Verdict: Loan needed

Brookwell needs to be tested in senior football in order to help the Tynesiders decide whether they should extend his contract.

The Englishman has been a mainstay in the U21 side, and the fact that he captained the team recently shows his character and leadership qualities.

However, at 20 years of age, this is a crucial point in Brookwell’s career in terms of his development, and so the Magpies must decide whether he is good enough to stay in the hope that he will eventually break into the first-team squad, or whether it is time to let him leave for good.

Incidentally, he shares the same agent as Kieran Trippier and Chris Wood, who both secured moves to the Toon last January, so this could help him find the right club to go out on loan to, and hopefully impress enough to be called back by Eddie Howe.

Journalist Pete O’Rourke has dropped a promising contract claim involving Glasgow Rangers midfielder Ryan Jack.

The Lowdown: Contract expiring

The 30-year-old’s contract at Ibrox is to set to expire in the summer, meaning that he can leave as a free agent.

He still remains a key squad player for Giovanni van Bronckhorst, with nine appearances across all competitions so far this season before they played Hearts in the Premiership this afternoon (withdrawn at half-time.

The Latest: O’Rourke on Jack’s contract

Speaking to GiveMeSport, O’Rourke has claimed that ‘something can be resolved’ in terms of Jack’s contract situation, adding that the player will be ‘hoping’ that he can stay at Rangers.

The reporter stated: “I’m sure Ryan Jack will be hoping to stay at Rangers. If both parties can agree, I’m sure something can be resolved here.”

The Verdict: Promising

It is certainly promising for Rangers supporters to hear that Jack could still be given a new contract before the summer.

He has been a loyal servant to the Light Blues, playing more than 160 games for the club across the last six seasons, helping them to win the Scottish Cup last term, and of course wrestling the Premiership title back from bitter rivals Celtic in the 2020/21 campaign.

Jack has had his injury problems during his time at Ibrox, but the 30-year-old will be hoping to put those behind him now, and The Athletic journalist Jordan Campbell even thought that the Gers midfielder looked ‘a lot sharper’ when on international duty with the Scotland national team recently.

Tottenham Hotspur return to action this lunchtime as they make the short trip to the Emirates Stadium to face arch-rivals Arsenal in the Premier League.

Just one point separates the two teams heading into kick-off with the Gunners just taking the edge as the division’s leaders after seven matches.

The north London derby is usually a fiery affair packed full of goals, so it will be interesting to see what sort of lineup manager Antonio Conte opts for as he looks to get another win over the club’s biggest nemesis.

There has been a lot of doubt over the fitness of club captain and no.1 shot-stopper Hugo Lloris after he pulled out of international duty but the Italian said during his pre-game press conference that he hoped “to see him on Saturday.”

He should, therefore, be fit to feature in what will be a late and big decision.

One player who won’t, however, is likely to be Ben Davies, meaning Barcelona loanee Clement Lenglet is set to continue in his place alongside England international Eric Dier and Cristian Romero.

There’s a choice to make at wing-back as, perhaps intriguingly, Conte started both Ivan Perisic and Ryan Sessegnon last time out, with the former starting on the right. This time, though, the Croatian veteran could be on the left as Emerson Royal returns to the fold.

The 22-year-old, once dubbed a “big talent” by former Fulham teammate Stefan Johansen, will be dropped, as a result.

In midfield, Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg and Rodrigo Bentancur have been mainstays, so it’s hard to envisage either of Oliver Skipp or summer signing Yves Bissouma breaking that trend, whilst in the attack, another doubt has emerged.

Nice one, Son! Show your love for Heung-min Son with this awesome t-shirt! Click here to buy…

Dejan Kulusevski, who started in the 6-2 demolition of basement boys Leicester City, could be absent, so it would make sense for hat-trick hero Heung-min Son to come straight back into the starting XI, having bagged all three of his goals from the bench against the Foxes.

He would be the second and final change to the side.

Predicted Spurs XI (3-4-3): Lloris; Lenglet, Dier, Romero; Perisic, Hojbjerg, Bentancur, Emerson; Son, Richarlison, Kane.

AND in other news, Spurs dealt injury worry ahead of Arsenal…

Recent reports linking Leeds United manager Jesse Marsch with the Southampton job are ‘fanciful’, according to an update from talkSPORT journalist Alex Crook.

The Lowdown: Marsch linked with Southampton

Ralph Hasenhuttl finds himself under increasing pressure as Saints boss, with the south coast club reportedly weighing up the idea of sacking him in the near future.

Marsch has emerged as a contender to replace the Austrian at St Mary’s, with Nottingham Forest manager Steve Cooper also mentioned as an alternative. The latter has since signed a new deal at the City Ground, though, putting him out of the running.

The Latest: Journalist shrugs off rumour

However, taking to Twitter in light of the speculation, Crook has downplayed the possibility of Marsch leaving Leeds, saying that a move to Southampton looks highly unlikely.

The reporter stated:

“Steve Cooper to #SaintsFC was shortlived! Never looked likely as Ralph’s biggest strength is developing young players. Also told the Jesse Marsch links are fanciful.”

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The Verdict: Would be a blow

Marsch is performing well as Leeds manager, regrouping the team after a rocky end to Marcelo Bielsa’s spell and doing well to keep them in the Premier League. His 20 matches in charge so far have yielded a respectable total of seven wins and six draws.

To lose him now as he continues to get his ideas across and bring in his own players, such as Brenden Aaronson and Luis Sinisterra, would be a big blow for the Whites. Indeed, he has been described as ‘incredible’ by American radio host Jason Davis, highlighting his reputation in his homeland.

Thankfully, it doesn’t appear as though there is much truth in the rumours regarding Marsch and Southampton, and this is hopefully still just the start of a glorious period under him at Elland Road.

Leeds United have to offer Jack Harrison a significant new contract to reflect his role in the team, transfer reporter Dean Jones reports.

The Lowdown: Harrison rumours ongoing

The winger has been an influential performer for the Whites over a sustained period of time now, scoring 29 goals in 174 appearances to date.

Harrison’s current deal expires at the end of next season, however, and he has been linked with a move to other Premier League clubs, including Newcastle United.

There has been no great sign of Leeds extending the 25-year-old’s stay at Elland Road yet, making the current situation a concerning one.

The Latest: Insider says Leeds must up their offer

Speaking to Give Me Sport, Jones says that the 49ers group and Andrea Radrizzani must give Harrison a new deal with a significant improvement on his current salary:

“He has been pursued by a host of clubs this year and Leeds have remained adamant he would not be leaving.

“With that in mind, they have no choice but to reflect that sentiment by paying him more handsomely. He is seen as a really important player in the squad.”

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The Verdict: Get it sorted?

Whether or not Leeds are desperate to retain Harrison’s services beyond 2024 remains to be seen, but the ball is clearly in their court at this point.

There are other clubs ready to swoop, most likely next summer, and if the Englishman doesn’t feel wanted, he could end up being persuaded to enjoy a fresh challenge.

Harrison has done more than enough to suggest that he represents the future at Leeds, though – he has been hailed as ‘fantastic’ by Conor McGilligan – and at 25, his peak may still be around the corner.