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Aston Villa boss Dean Smith has delivered a late update on the status of Argentina duo Emi Martinez and Emi Buendia before his side’s Premier League clash against Everton later on Saturday afternoon.

What’s the story?

The pair opted to quarantine in Croatia in order to keep training, and having missed the last game against Chelsea last week, look set to be involved in some capacity against the Toffees today.

Speaking in his pre-match press conference, the Villa boss said: “We are expecting them to join us tomorrow (Saturday) morning and I’ll assess it then and decide if they’ll be involved or not. We have got their numbers of what they have been doing each day. That gets sent straight to the performance department and passed onto the coaches.

“They are in a good place physically which is what we need to know. I’ll assess that in the morning and wait until tomorrow.”

Fans will be buzzing

Make no mistake about it, missing both Martinez and Buendia last week in the 3-0 defeat to Chelsea was a major blow to Villa, and their absences proved too much to cope with at Stamford Bridge.

Having them back for today’s clash against would be a huge boost to Villa’s chances of picking up all three points, while here on FFC, we’ve already called on Smith to start Martinez.

Whether Smith opts to start Buendia – an outfield player with no match practice for these past ten days – is another question, but even if he doesn’t make the starting line-up, having the former Norwich City star on the bench could be a game-changer in the closing stages of the game.

After the disappointment of last week, Villa fans will surely be buzzing at Smith’s latest update on both Martinez and Buendia.

Meanwhile, Villa could have their new John Carew in this starlet…

A major update has emerged on Newcastle United’s pursuit of Burnley central defender James Tarkowski…

What’s the talk?

Telegraph reporter Luke Edwards has claimed that the defender is keen on a switch to the club, but there is still a stumbling block in the club’s path.

He Tweeted: “I wouldn’t get Trippier printed on the back of any #nufc shirts just yet but this looks like a goodbye to me. As for Tarkowski, he’a not exactly playing his best games for Burnley at the moment. I’m told he also wants to come to #nufc but Burnley very reluctant to sell.”

Buzzing

Newcastle fans will surely be buzzing with this claim from Edwards irrespective of the Clarets’ desire to keep him this month.

The news that he is keen to join the Magpies will get the fans excited as it shows that there is an interest from the player and he is out of contract in the summer, which means that he could join on a free if he does not arrive in the next few weeks for a transfer fee.

They will also be delighted as he could be an excellent signing for the side. In the past four full Premier League seasons, he has averaged a WhoScored rating of 7.02 or higher, showing that he has performed to a high standard in the top-flight over a long period of time.

Meanwhile, no Newcastle centre-back has averaged a score higher than 6.42. This suggests that Tarkowski could vastly improve the standard of Eddie Howe’s options in that position.

His teammate Ben Mee previously lauded his professionalism, saying:

“Obviously there was a lot of talk around Tarky. I’ve said to him, ‘I’m glad you’ve stayed.’ He focused really well and he showed that on Saturday.

“He had the attitude of what will be, will be. He never once stepped out of line. You see other players at other clubs, you hear about something and they can go a bit off the rails. He’s stuck to it and trained really well and stuck with the group. He’s fully focused on playing for us.”

This suggests that he is a player who is able to cope with the speculation over his future, which is good news for Newcastle as it means that he could have a seamless transition into playing for the Magpies. He will not allow a big move to get to his head and will be able to come straight in and perform well.

The key question is whether or not he will join now or at the end of the season. Either way, Edwards’ update provides the exciting prospect of him joining the club and fans will be buzzing with it, regardless of when it happens.

AND in other news, Contact made: NUFC can kickstart PIF era with a bang in £20m deal for “phenomenal” gem…

Wolves are building towards an extremely exciting summer transfer window if reports of late are to be believed.

The likes of Lucas Ocampos and Allan Saint-Maximin have both been touted with making a switch to Molineux but will Bruno Lage be able to secure them?

What’s the word?

Unfortunately, it looks as though their hopes of securing a deal for Saint-Maximin may have been quashed.

That comes courtesy of Fabrizio Romano who claimed there is nothing concrete in rumours linking the Frenchman with a move away from Newcastle United.

He said on the Que Golazo YouTube channel: “So at the moment, for Saint-Maximin, still nothing concrete, but let’s see in the coming weeks what happens.”

90min had initially suggested that Wolves and Everton were both interested in securing his services.

Supporters surely gutted

Considering just exciting Saint-Maximin can be, this news is unlikely to please much of the Molineux fanbase.

After all, there is plenty of uncertainty surrounding their forward line ahead of the summer so it is absolutely imperative they have some targets lined up.

Adama Traore could still move to Barcelona while Wolves have a deal in place, should they choose to utilise it, to sign Trincao from the Catalan giants on a permanent basis.

However, judging by the fact that both players have contributed to a combined haul of just two goals in the Premier League this term, neither should be long-term options.

Yet, in Saint-Maximin, they’d find a player capable of not only excelling in areas where Traore thrives – pace and dribbling – but also someone who is capable of providing more end product in the final third.

The 25-year-old livewire has racked up a supremely impressive haul of 4.3 dribbles per match in 2021/22, a number that actually eclipses that of Traore who has managed 4.2 in comparison.

His five goals and three assists are also a better tally than the energetic Spaniard, proving he’d be a superb acquisition this summer.

Sadly, if you believe Romano, a deal now looks unlikely. Wolves supporters will have every right to be gutted as a result.

AND in other news, Jota 2.0: Wolves plot bid to sign “electric” £58m gem who terrorised Doherty in 2020…

Newcastle United are lining up a move for rumoured Wolves transfer target Lorenzo Insigne as they look to make the most of their new-found fortune.

The Lowdown: Wolves linked with Insigne

The 30-year-old has been a legendary figure for Napoli, scoring 114 goals in 411 appearances for the Serie A giants and being hailed as ‘crucial’ by former Azzurri manager Rafa Benitez in the past.

Wolves have been linked with an audacious move for Insigne over the autumn, with the Italy international’s current deal expiring at the end of this season. That could allow Bruno Lage to snap him up on a free transfer, either in advance in January or next summer instead.

The Latest: Newcastle emerge as suitors

Wolves have been handed a potential blow in their efforts to sign Insigne, though, with Rai radio claiming [via Sport Witness] that Newcastle are front-runners for his signature.

The Magpies are thought to be ‘ready to shower him with gold’, which suggests that they could blow competitors out of the water by offering him huge wages after their recent takeover.

The Verdict: Seems unlikely

Insigne could be an ideal signing for Wolves with Pedro Neto injured, doubts remaining over Adama Traore’s future and Francisco Trincao only on loan from Barcelona until the end of the season, but it still feels unlikely.

The Italy winger could demand huge weekly wages – something Wolves are unlikely to guarantee, with Joao Moutinho the current highest earner on £100,000 per week, compared to the Italian’s weekly wage of £140,000.

It is far easier to envisage Insigne in a Newcastle shirt than an Old Gold one as the Magpies look to bring in high-profile signings and begin their climb up the Premier League placings over the next few years.

In other news, an in-form midfielder has been linked with a move to Wolves. Find out who it is here.

A number of Liverpool supporters are excited after journalist James Pearce claimed that four key players would be available for the Reds’ next Premier League game.

Jurgen Klopp’s men picked up a victory on Sunday afternoon, battling their way to a 3-1 triumph away to Crystal Palace.

The Merseysiders weren’t always at their best at Selhurst Park but they dug deep and ensured that they made up two points on Manchester City over the weekend. The result leaves them nine points adrift of the leaders, but with one game in hand at home to 15th-placed Leeds.

[freshpress-quiz id=“375258″]

Liverpool have done well in the absence of Mohamed Salah, Sadio Mane and Naby Keita in January, winning each of their league games and reaching the Carabao Cup final, and the trio will return for the Reds next month after their involvement at the Africa Cup of Nations.

According to The Athletic’s Pearce [via Anfield Watch on Twitter], all three players – as well as Thiago back from injury – should be available for the next Premier League game at home to Leicester on February 10th, acting as a major boost when the Reds’ top-flight campaign resumes.

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Liverpool fans hail Pearce update

These Liverpool fans reacted to the update in positive fashion on Twitter, which is no surprise given that the quartet have 38 goals between them already this season.

“HERE WE COME”

Credit: @Alex_AMS96

“So glad that at the end of the day, we didn’t miss them for the games we played in their absence. Their return would be a big boost to the team”

Credit: @Drgroundzero17

“City we are coming for you”

Credit: @sean3648

“Liverpool PRIME is back!”

Credit: @fcel17

“Good news”

Credit: @iraguhajackson2

“THEY AIN’T READY FOR THE SMOKE BLUD”

Credit: @shush29344954

In other news, some Liverpool fans are fuming over one transfer update. Read more here.

If there could be any positives to take from another dismal performance, then perhaps those around Tottenham Hotspur can take refuge with the display from Emerson Royal.

The Brazilian right-back was the only shining light as Spurs were defeated 3-0 by Manchester United in their own backyard.

Cristiano Ronaldo opened the scoring six minutes before half-time with a sublime far-post volley, having already had one ruled out. He then piled more misery on Nuno Santo and his men as he turned provider, slotting in Edinson Cavani to double the advantage midway through the second half.

Then super-sub Marcus Rashford sent the home crowd into an anger-filled frenzy with a cool and collected finish past Hugo Lloris four minutes from time.

Truth be told, there was nothing encouraging about the performance and for the second game running, the Lilywhites failed to register a single attempt on goal.

However, Emerson was one player that looked like he was trying to make things happen, particularly as he enjoyed more time on the ball than any other player on the pitch. He registered a whopping 119 touches, 20 more than Spurs’ next best and 38 more than United’s best, as per SofaScore.

And with this influence, he certainly made an effort to try and change their fortunes.

The £26m-rated dynamo was successful in all four of his dribbling attempts (100%) along the right flank, whilst he attempted seven crosses and created one key chance.

Elsewhere, the 22-year-old summer signing from Barcelona won a whopping ten of his 12 ground duels (83%), meaning he dealt with the threat of wing-back Luke Shaw to good effect and often had the better of him, whilst he also registered four interceptions and four tackles, leading the match in both regards once again.

Nuno’s right-back also earned the side two free-kicks, so it’s no surprise to see that his opposite number received a yellow card for his troubles too.

According to football.london reporter Alasdair Gold, the Brazilian defender has left many around the training ground really impressed.

“Those I spoke to in and around Tottenham have said that the feeling they have got about him is that he is athletically superb, his fitness levels are incredible, he’s going to motor up and down that side,” he told his YouTube channel.

On the above evidence, Emerson was quite the defensive beast and nuisance in the attack for Spurs, so he was maybe the one shining light from another shocking performance under Nuno.

AND in other news, Worse than Harry Kane: Shocking Spurs lightweight who lost 80% duels endured a nightmare against United…

A new name has been put forward in the Newcastle United manager hunt in the form of Rudi Garcia.

The Lowdown: So many names…

As per The Daily Mail, there have been countless names mentioned as potential successors to Steve Bruce after he left his role at St. James’ Park on Wednesday morning.

Unai Emery, Roberto Martinez, Steven Gerrard and Paulo Fonseca have all been linked with the job, according to the publication.

The Latest: Garcia emerges

The Daily Mail has now revealed that Garcia is the newest name to have been put forward for the vacant post, having been out of work since leaving Lyon this summer.

Journalist and transfer insider Pedro Almeida has recently fuelled speculation that a Frenchman is set to be the next manager in the North East, and of course, Garcia would fit that bill.

The Verdict: Wait for someone better

With the kind of names that have been linked with the job on Tyneside in recent days, the Magpies are better off waiting for someone better to become available than Garcia.

He has an impressive overall win rate as a manager at 48.5%, but has only won a mere two major trophies in his managerial career, both of whom came over a decade ago with Lille (Transfermarkt).

The fact that the biggest transfer fee that he has played for a player is £26.37m for Dimitri Payet also suggests that he may be overwhelmed by the abundance of riches that the new owners will likely give their manager to spend, and so Garcia should not be a priority for them as of now.

In other news, find out which Champions League and Premier League winner is keen on the NUFC job here!

Ange Postecoglou still wants to add more options at centre-back, according to The Daily Record’s Liam Bryce.

The Lowdown: Four in

Dominic McKay brought in four centre-backs for Postecoglou this summer at a combined cost of £5.25m.

Carl Starfelt was the marquee addition from Rubin Kazan at a cost of £4.5m, with Liam Scales and Osaze Urhoghide also penning permanent Parkhead terms.

Celtic then secured the services of Cameron Carter-Vickers on loan from Tottenham on deadline day with just minutes remaining of the window.

The Latest: Bryce’s claim

Bryce shared a story on Friday morning, looking at Celtic’s squad depth now the window has shut.

When it came to centre-back, he claimed that it is a position Postecoglou would like to add further options too, labelling a move for Carter-Vickers as vital.

The Verdict: January moves?

With Postecoglou still after more options at the heart of the defence, McKay could already be on the hunt for New Year additions in that department.

Christopher Julien is out for the foreseeable future, and if he isn’t back playing before the January window opens, that could make a centre-back signing even more important.

However, should new signings Scales and Carter-Vickers impress when selected, who knows, Postecoglou could have a change in thought, but as of now, it appears as if he wants more.

In other news: 35-goal free agent Ange spoke about signing for Celtic now on verge of surprise move to new club.

Celtic ended their Europa League campaign with an impressive 3-2 win over Real Betis on Thursday evening.

Ange Postecoglou rang the changes to his side, however, he still ended up with more injuries to deal with, most notably Kyogo Furuhashi.

Stephen Welsh, Ewan Henderson and David Turnbull grabbed the goals for the Hoops, who will now head into the Europa Conference League in the New Year.

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Opinions may differ, but here at The Transfer Tavern, we’ve looked into the three worst-rated Celtic players as per statistical specialists SofaScore, with players required to feature for at least 45 minutes for ranking.

Liam Scales 6.2/10

Scales was Celtic’s worst-rated player on the night, ending with a score of 6.2/10. The left-back lost the ball a whopping 18 times – more than any Celtic player.

The Irishman also lost six of his eight duels, failed to complete a cross or a dribble and committed two fouls.

Adam Montgomery 6.3/10

Montgomery is next on the list, playing ahead of Scales on the left-wing. The 19-year-old ended with a score of 6.3/10 in what was just his sixth start of the campaign.

He lost possession on 15 occasions in his 65-minute display and failed to complete a successful dribble.

The youngster didn’t attempt a cross or make a key pass and lost nine of his 14 duels overall.

Ismaila Soro 6.6/10

Soro completes the list with a slightly better score of 6.6/10. The holding midfielder was in a three-man midfield alongside James McCarthy and Liam Shaw for his sixth start of the season.

The Ivorian was booked, lost six of his 10 duels, gave possession away seven times and was dribbled past twice.

Soro didn’t have any impact going forward either and completed just 16 passes, making just 32 touches in his display before being replaced.

In other news: BBC Radio 5 Live man reacts as Celtic eye a second Spurs player alongside Carter-Vickers. 

Legia Warsaw right-back Josip Juranovic is keen on a move to Celtic Park, according to Sky Sports.

The Lowdown: Right-back issues in the market

Celtic have made seven signings this summer, however, they are yet to add to their right-back ranks.

Anthony Ralston has been the man used in that position by Ange Postecoglou, scoring twice in his first five games of the season.

It appeared as if Royal Antwerp’s Aurelio Buta would be the right-back to arrive in Glasgow, with a £3m deal reportedly agreed at the end of July.

However, a move is yet to go through, with Everton now in the race for the Portuguese defender.

The Latest: Juranovic update

Sky Sports shared an on-air transfer claim regarding Celtic and Juranovic towards the end of July.

They have now provided an update on a potential move, claiming the title-winning full-back is keen to join the Hoops.

The report claims that Juranovic is expected to be Celtic’s next target after Buta and would be available for around £2.5m.

The Verdict: Sign

Even though Ralston has begun the campaign in strong style, a new right-back is needed to bolster Postecoglou’s options in that area.

Juranovic is a Croatia international who has over 200 games of senior experience at just 25 years of age, a level of experience far beyond Ralston.

He can also play as a right-midfielder and appears to be at the top of his game with a career high Transfermarkt valuation of £2.25m, so a £2.5m move could be a shrewd piece of business by the Hoops.

In other news: Celtic submit offer to sign 6 ft 3 powerhouse for Ange, claims journalist.