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Frank McAvennie has been left fuming at what he has now heard from Newcastle United’s recent takeover case.

The Lowdown: Newcastle threatened

As cited by The Daily Telegraph, the St. James’ Park faithful were threatened with expulsion from the Premier League during the Competition Appeal Tribunal (CAT) hearing on Wednesday.

This is one of two legal battles Mike Ashley is fighting the top flight over, as the separate arbitration case between the two parties over the stalled takeover deal with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) consortium is now set to take place on January 3rd.

The Latest: McAvennie on threat

Speaking to Football Insider, former Celtic and West Ham United striker McAvennie, 61, has now expressed his fume at the division after hearing about their threat to the North East club:

“It’s ridiculous they would say that.

“Why would they clamp down that hard on that? They can’t just kick clubs out of the league. They can’t do that.

“I’m sure they can threaten it but there is so much legality in kicking someone out. I don’t know if they can.

“I’m glad it sounds like this will all be done soon because the Newcastle fans need answers.

“We need to know what happened and why this has taken so long. It’s a disgrace from the Premier League.”

The Verdict: Pressure mounting

For the Premier League to threaten the Tyneside outfit with expulsion suggests that the pressure is now mounting on them as the takeover saga develops.

It is a threat that was and is certainly not needed going into the arbitration process next year, as the two parties need to come to an agreement over the direction of where the bid is likely to be heading.

Nonetheless, if the top flight were to go through with their threat, then there would no doubt be yet another legal battle brewing between them and the Magpies, as tensions are seemingly never going to stop rising.

In other news, find out what ‘positive news’ on arbitration emerged here!

Sampdoria are bracing themselves for a Newcastle United approach for defender Maya Yoshida, according to TuttoMercatoWeb. 

The lowdown

The Japanese defender is probably best known on these shores for his eight-year stint at Southampton, during which he made 154 Premier League appearances and helped the Saints reach the final of the 2016/17 EFL Cup. The Athletic’s Carl Anka wrote that he had been a ‘superb’ servant at St Mary’s.

Now 33, the Japan international is a regular under Roberto D’Aversa at Sampdoria, having started 14 of their 18 Serie A matches so far this season.

Newcastle, who have comfortably the worst defensive record in the Premier League with 41 goals conceded, may well be in the market for a new centre-back in January. Indeed, they have already been linked with Burnley duo James Tarkowski and Ben Mee.

The latest

The report from TuttoMercatoWeb stated that Yoshida is one of many Sampdoria players who are in demand, with fellow centre-back Omar Colley, midfielder Morten Thorsby and right-back Bartosz Bereszinsky also attracting interest from prospective suitors.

The expectation is that Newcastle, and by extension their new transfer consultant Nick Hammond, will make an enquiry about signing Yoshida.

The verdict

It’s perhaps surprising to see Yoshida’s emerge in the Newcastle transfer conversation. He will turn 34 at the start of next season, putting him well beyond the average footballer’s peak years.

He should come quite cheap, though – he’s valued at just £2.88m by Transfermarkt and is approaching the final six months of his contract at Sampdoria. Intriguingly, according to FBRef, he’s stylistically very similar to fellow Magpies target Tarkowski.

He’s still performing reasonably well, winning 60% of his duels overall and 70% of his aerial battles, and he ticks a key box for Eddie Howe in that he is proven in the English top flight. He could be a shrewd cut-price acquisition, not least given Newcastle’s awful defensive record this term.

In other news, this Premier League ace has emerged as a potential target for Newcastle

Former Tottenham Hotspur goalkeeper Paul Robinson has urged Antonio Conte to make a big call over Villarreal loanee and Lilywhites outcast Giovani Lo Celso.

The lowdown: Wanted man

The 26-year-old midfielder joined La Liga side, Villarreal, in January on loan until the end of the season and has since played a part in helping Unai Emery’s men reach the UEFA Champions League semi-finals.

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Lo Celso featured in all 180 minutes of the quarter-final triumph over Bayern Munich and has reportedly already done enough to earn a permanent switch to El Madrigal.

However, despite the murmurings of a potential swap deal involving Pau Torres, one ex-Spurs favourite still believes that the Argentinian has a career as a Lilywhite…

The latest: ‘More to give’

Robinson, who regularly features as a pundit for Sky Sports, has urged Conte to bring Lo Celso back to N17.

Speaking to Football Insider, he stated: “It is difficult when a manager doesn’t fancy you and then lets you go two or three weeks into his time there.

“Lo Celso is a player that I like. He has shown that he has defensive as well as attacking qualities. He isn’t afraid to stick a foot in and can play as a holding midfielder.

“I’m a big fan of his. You have to give Conte full control over his squad. He has been brought in to do a job. If he wants to move on Lo Celso you cannot question him.

“But I think he is a top player who has a lot more to give. For that reason, I’d like to see him get given another chance at Spurs.”

The verdict: Time up?

Signed for £27.2million from Real Betis (BBC), Lo Celso has flattered to deceive since joining Tottenham, scoring eight times and registering six assists in 84 appearances for the club whilst never truly nailing down a starting spot under Nuno Espirito Santo or Conte.

As the Italian manager and recruitment chief, Fabio Paratici, begin preparations for the summer window – it seems unlikely that the 38-cap Argentina ace is part of the long term plans moving forwards at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium having been cast aside in January.

Lo Celso’s mid-season departure made room for the arrival and subsequent impact of Rodrigo Bentancur from Juventus as the Uruguayan has already eclipsed the nine Premier League outings managed by his fellow South American predecessor this term.

In other news: Tottenham legend lauds current Spurs regular, find out more here.

According to La Gazzetta dello Sport, there has been a development in Tottenham Hotspur’s chase to sign Juventus forward Dejan Kulusevski ahead of the January transfer window.

The Lowdown: Spurs in Kulusevski chase…

The Lilywhites and manager Antonio Conte have been linked with a swoop for the Sweden international over these past few months amid his lack of starts in Turin.

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There have been suggestions of contact from Tottenham as Juve are reportedly willing to offload their attacker next month.

This comes amid Spurs’ search for reinforcements in an effort to bolster Conte’s options as transfer chief Fabio Paratici apparently sets his sights on one of his former signings at Juve.

The Latest: Conte green lights move…

As per La Gazzetta, Tottenham’s managing director Paratici ‘could take’ Kulusevski to north London and he now has Conte’s ‘full esteem’ to make a move in January.

Meanwhile, it is claimed that the Old Lady are open to selling the 21-year-old, but from a starting point of €35 million-€40 million (£29.3m-£33.5m) – unwilling to negotiate any ‘poorly rewarding loans’ or other conditions.

The Verdict: Get it done?

Still young and arguably possessing bags of potential, Kulusevski is a promising attacker and can even operate as an advanced playmaker – gifting Conte an option through the middle as well as on the wing.

His versatility going forward is one incentive for Paratici to move, even despite Juve’s unwillingness to negotiate a temporary deal, and his Serie A numbers for ex-club Parma over 2019/2020 point to a pretty dangerous threat in the final third.

The Swede bagged a brilliant ten goals and eight assists over 33 starts that season whilst also completing an impressive average of 2.2 key passes per 90 (WhoScored).

By comparison to Tottenham’s squad this campaign under Conte, that’s more key passes than any Lilywhites player has managed so far.

Labelled a ‘phenomenon’ by football talent scout Jacek Kulig (Twitter), it is clear that Kulusevski can really devastate going forward when given the opportunity, with the only question being whether Paratici can win the race and give him a chance in the Premier League.

In other news: ‘Wow’, ‘Statement’…Tottenham pundit thrilled as Paratici eyes ‘big signing’, find out more here.

Leeds United have moved into pole position in the race to sign Lazio striker Vedat Muriqi, as Hull City have reportedly pulled out of the fight to sign him.

The Lowdown: Leeds linked with Muriqi move

The Whites are yet to make any additions in the January transfer window, and although money is relatively tight, at least one new face is surely required given the injury crisis running through the squad.

Muriqi is one player who has been linked with a move to Elland Road, as Marcelo Bielsa looks to add more firepower to ease the burden on Patrick Bamford, who himself has missed time with ankle and hamstring issues this season.

The towering 6 foot 4 striker has scored 18 goals in just 37 caps for Kosovo, not to mention being compared to legendary attacker Robert Lewandowski, too.

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The Latest: Positive update emerges

According to Corriere dello Sport [via Sport Witness], Hull have dropped out of the race to sign Muriqi, heightening the chances of Leeds acquiring his signature.

It is claimed that the Whites ‘remain standing’ in the battle, with Championship side West Brom also showing an interest.

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The Verdict: Worth a gamble?

In truth, Muriqi has had a tough time of things at Lazio, failing to score or assist in 15 appearances in all competitions this season.

Despite those obvious struggles, the Kosovan’s international record shows what he is capable of, not to mention the aforementioned comparisons with the world-class Lewandowski.

He once produced a stunning display for his nation in a 5-3 defeat to England, scoring once and assisting the other two goals, winning three aerial duels and completing two dribbles, earning a team-high 9.11 match rating (Whoscored).

If Leeds managed to bring him in on loan this month, or potentially sign him permanently on the cheap, it would provide Bielsa with a much-needed extra option, filling the void left by Bamford and taking pressure off the young shoulders of Joe Gelhardt.

In other news, Leeds have also been linked with another signing – find out who it is here.

Everton supporters have become accustomed to rumours linking Idrissa Gueye with a move away from the club, but PSG’s decision to sign Leandro Paredes should have eased their fears somewhat with less than 48 hours to go until the deadline passes. 

Rumours concerning Gueye’s future have persisted despite PSG’s deal to sign Paredes, but the Senegal international’s paramount importance to the club should force the hierarchy to resist any forthcoming offers in the final hours.

Indeed, it is incredibly difficult to find a defensive midfielder who can protect the defence and contribute to the possession-based game as well as Gueye, and his value to this Everton side is comparable to that of Wilfried Zaha at Crystal Palace, according to Sky Sports journalist Dharmesh Sheth.

Indeed, while speaking on Sky Sports’ Transfer Talk podcast, Sheth suggested that the Toffees were absolutely spot on to reject a recent £21.5 million offer from PSG for Gueye, using Zaha’s comparative importance at Palace to illuminate his point.

“Comparing it to Zaha at Crystal Palace: Some people might say right £50 million wow, that’s amazing, but to Palace he might be worth more than £50 million because of the role he plays for that club, you could say the same for Gueye as well.

“£21.5 million for a 29-year-old on the face of it yes, but what will he take out of Everton? How important is he to Everton?”

Sheth is absolutely spot on in his verdict. While it must be considered that Gueye will never command the same extortionate value as Zaha due to the position he plays and his lack of goal scoring prowess, his importance to the way Everton operate is similar to that of the electric Ivorian.

Losing Gueye mid-season would be a bitter blow for the club and leave them short of a focal point in midfield. Everton have been struggling with Gueye in the side, so removing him from the equation would certainly leave Marco Silva in a precarious situation with pressure already beginning to mount on his shoulders.

It’s unlikely that Everton will be able to resist the advances of Europe’s biggest clubs if they come calling in the summer window, but Gueye’s importance to the club has put the hierarchy in a position to command far more than £21.5 million for his signature.

Zaha, meanwhile, will continue to attract a markedly higher transfer fee due to his talent in the final-third, but that is not to say that the difference in price equates to a difference in importance to Gueye.

Both players are indispensable in their own right and Everton and Palace would be foolish to allow their star players to leave for anything other than a premium price.

Everton fans – thoughts? Let us know below!

Newcastle United should look to sign Wolves centre-back Conor Coady in January, according to former Leeds United striker Noel Whelan.

The Lowdown: Coady shines at Wolves

Coady has been a fantastic servant for Wolves, making 286 appearances for the club and fully deserving his role as captain.

The 28-year-old’s leadership has shone through at Molineux and he has been a model of consistency at the heart of the defence, both in the Championship and the Premier League.

The Latest: Captain tipped for January exit

With Newcastle receiving an influx of money after their recent takeover, however, they could be looking at signing various players in January.

Speaking to Football Insider, Whelan claimed Coady would be an ideal addition to the Magpies’ squad:

“He’s a brilliant defender and consistency is what you will get from him.

“Newcastle have struggled defensively for a number of years now, so getting a defender like him into the spine of that side will be massive.

“That’s the first place I’d be looking. You have Wilson, Saint-Maximin and Almiron in the attack, so you have enough there but the frailties are at the back and at centre-half, for me.

“Conor Coady is a player you would be more than happy with at your football club. He’s got the leadership qualities, he’s an England international now and he is a very consistent performer for Wolves.”

The Verdict: Potential huge blow

Coady might not necessarily be the most athletically gifted footballer around, but he has a huge influence at Wolves, both on and off the pitch.

For that reason, the thought of losing him doesn’t bear thinking about, with the Englishman very much the heart of the squad and almost a second manager on the pitch.

It remains to be seen if Newcastle will make a bid, but Wolves should demand huge money if they do.

In other news, some Wolves fans love a tweet about a Premier League landmark. Read more here.

Many Sunderland fans were left slamming the display of Lynden Gooch in their 1-1 draw at home to Oxford United in League One on Saturday afternoon.

The winger made an error that led to Matty Taylor levelling the score later on in the first half, after Leon Dajaku had given the hosts an early lead.

Overall, it was a frustrating afternoon for Gooch, who failed to record a single shot on target, and was inaccurate with five of his crosses and nine of his long balls throughout the game (SofaScore).

He also gave the ball away on no fewer than on 28 separate occasions in the match, the second-most times out of any player on the pitch (SofaScore), and so it is no surprise that the Stadium of Light faithful turned on him.

Sunderland fans on Gooch display

These Black Cats slammed his performance on Twitter, with one SAFC supporter even going as far as to claim that he is a ‘liability’:

“Lynden Gooch liability, that’s pathetic”

Credit: @1996SAR_

“We play Gooch regularly and we don’t get promoted.”

Credit: @Fieldo100

“I seem to think like this every week. How is Gooch a professional footballer?”

Credit: @RyanC2408

“A new low for Lynden Gooch. Awful footballer.”

Credit: @stustuy

“Gooch has been our worst player, weak for their goal, goes down too easy. Canny goal from Dajaku.”

Credit: @markmarshall17

“Embarrassing Gooch”

Credit: @Sunlunfan

In other news, find out whose display against Oldham Athletic was slammed here!

Newcastle United’s January transfer window proved to be an enormous lift for Eddie Howe’s side, and it was no surprise to see the club finally pick up the kind of form needed to escape from the Premier League’s relegation clutches.

The likes of Kieran Trippier and Chris Wood added some much-needed battle-hardened top-flight experience, while Bruno Guimaraes came in from Lyon having garnered a real reputation as a bona-fide star in French football.

But while a number of the Magpies’ January signings have played their part in leading the Tyneside club out of trouble, they may look back a little ruefully at one name they didn’t manage to sign: Luis Diaz.

According to A Bola (via Sport Witness), the Magpies were one of the clubs interested in signing the Colombia international in the January window before it was later claimed that the Howe’s side had actually sent scouts to watch Porto’s 1-0 win over SC Braga to see the 24-year-old in action – the winger would end up scoring the winner.

Despite seeing him shine in person and having had interest in him for a number of months, perhaps even longer, Newcastle opted not to act on it, and instead watched Spurs, then Liverpool make big-money bids for him towards the closing stages of January.

In the end, it was Jurgen Klopp’s side who came out victorious in the race to sign him, snapping him up for a reported fee of £37.5m – just slightly more than the initial amount they paid to sign Guimaraes.

And when you look at how Diaz has performed this season, both for Porto and now for Liverpool, not getting him in January seems like a real missed opportunity.

The 31-cap Colombia international was in scintillating form for his former side Porto this season, registering a very impressive 16 goals and six assists in only 29 appearances for the Liga NOS giants.

Following the switch to Anfield, Diaz has netted a further three goals and provided one assist, including nodding across for Sadio Mane in the recent Champions League victory over Benfica in the quarter-finals.

Now valued at £60m by CIES, the 5 foot 10 star has been dubbed a “livewire” and as being “phenomenal” by Portuguese football expert Alex Goncalves

Missing out on Diaz is made all the more difficult given how reports have recently emerged saying Newcastle would be willing to let one of their star men and fellow wide-man Allan Saint-Maximin leave in the summer transfer window.

If that is to be the case, then bringing in Diaz would have off-set that potential departure considerably.

The man with 64 career goals to his name would have been an outstanding signing for the Magpies had they pushed for him before Liverpool came in.

AND in other news, Wood upgrade: PIF will be having NUFC nightmares after missing out on £20m “cult hero”…

Aston Villa winger Jaden Philogene-Bidace has impressed in the Championship thus far after joining Stoke City on loan in January for the rest of the season.

The 20-year-old has scored once in nine league appearances for a Potters side that have seen their form dramatically dip whilst the Englishman has been at the Bet365 Stadium, winning just three of their last 17 league matches.

However, according to SofaScore, the winger is currently averaging a 6.79 rating, a solid figure for the youngster’s first taste of regular first-team football.

Philogene-Bidace has experienced some first-team football for Villa this season though, receiving a brief cameo in the 2-0 Premier League win over Newcastle earlier this season whilst also appearing twice in the EFL Cup and briefly against Manchester United in the FA Cup.

There’s no doubt that manager Steven Gerrard rates the young winger and a strong end to the Championship season with Stoke could see the Englishman involved more frequently with the first-team next season.

In the Pipeline

Having spent heavily on forwards Danny Ings (£25m), Leon Bailey (£25m) and Emi Buendia (£38m) last summer, Aston Villa are still waiting to see any justification for these transfer fees.

Ings has netted five goals in what’s been a mixed campaign for the Englishman whilst wingers Bailey and Buendia have scored a combined three goals with the former facing numerous injury-related setbacks.

The Jamaica international has managed just four Premier League starts in claret and blue since his move from Bundesliga outfit Bayer Leverkusen, giving the 24-year-old more of an excuse for his slow start to life at Villa Park.

As for Buendia, the Argentinian has made 28 appearances in all competitions, scoring just twice whilst registering four assists, making each goal contribution worth £6.33m.

The addition of Philippe Coutinho on loan from Barcelona has made an instant impact, with the Brazilian scoring four goals and providing three assists in ten appearances and could make his stay permanent with the West Midlands club reportedly in talks with the Spanish giants.

However, with a lack of output in the final third from both Bailey and Buendia, there could certainly be a squad role available for Philogene-Bidace next term.

The youngster, who scored a staggering eight goals in six U23 appearances before his loan move, has previously been labelled as “the real deal” by reporters when playing for Villa’s youth setup.

Moreover, former coach Ahmed Abdulla explained: “He’s a right footer but he plays off the left. He can come inside or go on the outside. The model winger.

“He hugs the touchline and can beat his man. (He’s) Very confident and very light on his feet and skips past tackles, not one of them that gets hit and goes down. He bounces off tackles.”

There’s plenty of excitement surrounding Philogene-Bidace right now and there’s no doubt that Gerrard will be keeping a very close eye on the 20-year-old winger during pre-season this summer.

In other news: Gerrard may already have his Ings upgrade in Aston Villa gem who’s “some finisher”