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According to reports in The Sun, Liverpool are in danger of losing England U17 World Cup star Rhian Brewster to Borussia Dortmund or Juventus, who are also targeting Emre Can, after contract talks between the two parties stalled over a wage cap.

What’s the word, then?

Well, the 17-year-old won the Golden Boot after scoring eight goals at the U17 World Cup as England lifted the trophy, and The Sun says the Merseyside outfit are trying to tie the teenager down to his first professional contract after impressing Jurgen Klopp.

However, The Sun says there has been no breakthrough in discussions about a new deal between the club and Brewster, who joined the Reds two years ago after leaving Chelsea.

Juve and Dortmund, who signed England U17 teammate Jadon Sancho from Manchester City earlier this year, are both keen, with the latter looking to sign up the best British talent.

With Sancho already appearing for the first team on two occasions this term, it could prove to be a popular pathway for fellow young players struggling for game time at English clubs.

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What makes Brewster so good?

His back-to-back hat-tricks for the young Three Lions in the quarter-finals and the semi-finals at the World Cup showcased his strengths and the talent he has, and even though he is only 17 he already has great anticipation and is great at finding room in the penalty area.

Of course, the eight goals in total also show that he is a lethal finisher, but a wealth of attacking options for Klopp mean that he is yet to get a look in for the Liverpool first team this season, although he did make the substitutes’ bench last term.

Will he go?

It’s difficult to say.

With attacking players like Roberto Firmino, Sadio Mane, Mohamed Salah, Daniel Sturridge and Philippe Coutinho at the club it is difficult to see someone like Brewster breaking through, and he could decide that he could develop and play more regularly if he joined someone like Dortmund.

If Sancho is an influential player then he could certainly persuade the 17-year-old to make the move to Germany, but Liverpool will hope that he wants to fight for his place at Anfield instead and become a Reds star in the future.

Since confirming Sam Allardyce as their new manager, Everton have kept two clean sheets – their first two of the Premier League season.

But whether or not you can credit their new manager with either is up for debate: he wasn’t officially in charge yet for the victory over West Ham, and Saturday’s 2-0 victory over Huddersfield perhaps came slightly too soon for any real material changes to have been made. And yet, there has been a mentality shift.

When Allardyce comes into any club, the first thing you’d expect to find would be a new-found solidity in defence. And with Everton’s squad, that might not be the most difficult job the former Crystal Palace and Sunderland manager has ever had. He’s already had an impact on one particular player already.

Since his arrival at the club, Ashley Williams has struggled somewhat with life at Goodison Park. What looked like a very shrewd move from the Toffees two summers ago turned into something of a disaster as the Wales captain couldn’t replicate the sort of form which saw him make his name in the Premier League at Swansea, and beyond that at Euro 2016. This season, he has been part of one of the leakiest defences in the league.

But after scoring against West Ham last midweek before facing Huddersfield at the weekend, Williams has seen something of an upturn in form. His 13 clearances was a higher tally than any other player on the pitch, whilst he showed something approaching the aerial prowess he was known for in south Wales, winning nine aerial duels. Only Dominic Calvert-Lewin won more – which, in itself, may well be another hint as to the difference Allardyce will make at Everton.

Indeed, Williams’ own pass accuracy dropped from a season-average of over 85% before the Huddersfield game to just 79% during it, which is surely down to managerial instructions rather than anything else.

Williams’ game has always been on the more muscular side of the centre-back spectrum, but with pronounced stats which quite clearly focus on winning duels and clearing the ball over holding positions and making interceptions, Allardyce is taking a safety-first approach. It might not be the worst idea in the world, especially during a season which has already gone pear-shaped.

The Everton fans gathered inside the Transfer Tavern are excited for the new season to start under Marco Silva, a manager they have desired for months and months now. 

So far a lack of transfer activity has happened in and out of the club as the Toffees wait for their players to arrive back from the World Cup. However, Marco Silva will quickly look to make his mark and improve Everton fans’ confidence even more as they build a stronger team that could push for Europe. A player that would definitely help achieve that ambition is RB Leipzig star Emil Forsberg, (valued at £22.5 million on Transfermarkt) and our punters are desperate for Everton to do all they can to bring him to England.

The Swedish star is currently on duty at the World Cup and having scored the winner in their round of 16 clash with Switzerland, fans are hoping that Everton launch an audacious move for the 26-year-old. The RB Leipzig stars season was largely halted by injuries but still, he managed 5 goals and four assists in all competitions.

Whether the Toffees sign him or not should be based on the form he showed the season prior, as Forsberg notched up 8 goals and a staggering 22 assists. The Toffees are well aware that their midfield and creative forward options could be improved and that’s exactly what the Swede would bring to the club. As well as a poor defence, Everton could improve their attacking play wisely with the signing of Emil Forsberg, which would certainly be considered as a great move.

Thoughts… Let us know!

According to reports by Catalan outlet Sport, via Sport Witness, Liverpool have been boosted in their pursuit of Lazio centre-back Stefan de Vrij after Barcelona pulled out of the race to sign him.

Sport, via Sport Witness, says that concerns over his injury record have put the La Liga giants off, which may leave Jurgen Klopp with a clear run at bringing the Dutchman to Anfield.

The Reds boss seems certain to target bringing in a new central defender during the January transfer window following some disappointing displays at the back already this term, and while he would like to get Virgil van Dijk from Southampton a move for his Netherlands teammate may be more realistic.

De Vrij only has six months left on his contract and will be free to talk to other clubs in the New Year, and even though reports in Italy have suggested that he is willing to sign a new deal if it includes a €25m (approximately £22m) release clause, that is still yet to happen.

Meanwhile, Tottenham Hotspur look unlikely to compete for the Premier League title for the third season running following a disappointing start to the campaign from a personal point of view, and Manchester City’s incredible run of form.

However, they will face Juventus in the knockout stages of the Champions League and manager Mauricio Pochettino may be thinking about possible additions he could make in the New Year.

Rivalling Liverpool for de Vrij could certainly prove to be a shrewd move for the north London outfit.

Here are three reasons Tottenham should hijack the Merseyside outfit’s bid to sign the defender…

Future centre-back options

If Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino intends to play three at the back in the future, then he may need to start thinking ahead to the future.

While Jan Vertonghen and Toby Alderweireld have been a brilliant partnership for Spurs over the course of the last two-and-a-half seasons, the former will be 31 in April while the latter is no closer to agreeing a deal to stay with the north London outfit.

Summer addition Davinson Sanchez is likely to a long-term fixture in the backline, but Pochettino may feel he is one centre-back short – especially if Alderweireld does end up leaving either next summer or in 2019.

Eric Dier is probably more suited to a defensive midfield role than a centre-back spot, and Spurs should certainly be keeping a close eye on the developments involving de Vrij over the course of the next few weeks.

His qualities

While his time at Lazio has sometimes been hampered by injury, de Vrij is currently enjoying his best spell of form in the starting XI.

The Netherlands international has made 19 appearances in all competitions for the Serie A outfit this term, and as well as his defensive capabilities he has shown the effect he can have at the other end of the pitch too with three goals.

According to Squawka, the 25-year-old has won 13 aerial duels and made 66 clearances and 35 interceptions in 15 Serie A outings this term.

His ability on the ball is there for all to see too – something that Pochettino will admire – and he currently has a pass accuracy of 93%, while he has shown how comfortable he is in possession and at beating his opponents after successfully completing all four of the take-ons he has attempted.

Price tag

We all know that Tottenham like to get good value for money when they sign a new player, and whether de Vrij puts pen to paper on a new Lazio contract or not, he should be available for a fee well in Spurs’ price range.

The 25-year-old will be free to talk to the north London outfit about a pre-contract agreement in January unless he agrees terms with the Serie A club before then, while they could make an offer to try and bring him to England in the New Year.

Even if he does sign a new deal that includes a release clause worth around £22m, that fee could prove to be a bargain for a club like Tottenham as they look to push on and try and win the Premier League in the future.

Do you agree, Spurs fans? Let us know below.

According to reports in The Mirror, West Ham United are ready to make a second bid for Newcastle United centre-back Jamaal Lascelles having seen one offer rejected, but their London rivals Tottenham Hotspur must hijack any move.

What’s the word, then?

Well, The Mirror says that the Irons are ready to step up their bid to bring the Magpies captain to the London Stadium having already seen a £25m offer turned down.

It is no surprise that Manuel Pellegrini wants to strengthen his centre-back options given the east London club had the joint-worst defensive record in the Premier League last term, and Lascelles would be a potential partner at the back for the likes of Issa Diop and Angelo Ogbonna during the 2018/19 campaign.

The Mirror add that Newcastle have insisted that the 24-year-old is not for sale, but a giant offer may be too much for Mike Ashley to turn down if it allows Benitez to strengthen all areas of his squad.

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Why should Tottenham hijack a move?

While Spurs do have Jan Vertonghen and Davinson Sanchez at the heart of their defence, the doubts over the future of Toby Alderweireld should mean that Mauricio Pochettino, who should make a shock swoop for an England ace if Liverpool sign a Paris Saint-Germain midfielder, makes bringing a new centre-back to the club a priority this summer.

Lascelles proved for Newcastle last year what a good defender and leader he is, and there seems little doubt that he could be a huge player already for one of the top clubs in the Premier League because of the attributes that he has.

With Alderweireld seemingly not wanting to stay in north London, Pochettino should sell the Belgian and go all out to bring the former Nottingham Forest man to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, as he would be the perfect long-term replacement for Vertonghen alongside Sanchez in the future.

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Marco Silva has been brought to Everton primarily to overhaul the club’s playing style and usher in a new era of excitement at Goodison Park.

However, one of his more pressing concerns is an ageing defence, with Phil Jagielka, Ashley Williams and Leighton Baines all in need of phasing out in the not so distant future.

The likes of Michael Keane and Mason Holgate may be able to assist at centre-half, but if Silva is tempted to dip into the transfer market and spend some of Everton’s newly-acquired millions on a long-term replacement for Baines, the World Cup may have provided a major pointer.

Uruguay’s Diego Laxalt enjoyed a quietly impressive tournament and it is little surprise that the Toffees have already been linked with an £18m swoop for the Genoa left-back on the back of that.

Oscar Tabarez’s side boasted one of the most water-tight defences on show out in Russia and Laxalt’s energy was a key part of that, which is why Everton are not the only side reportedly showing an interest.

Manuel Pellegrini is overseeing quite the revolution at West Ham, spending big as he also seeks to move towards a more adventurous style of play.

The Hammers have also been linked with the Uruguay international, although his need is not quite as pressing as he has inherited Aaron Cresswell and Arthur Masuaku.

However, both men have looked comfortable away from left-back. Cresswell ably deputised as a left-side centre-half under David Moyes last season and there is an outside chance he could move inside permanently.

Masuaku looks more comfortable operating as a left-winger, and could offer the pace and trickery that Pellegrini needs as he seeks to overhaul Moyes’ dour style.

Laxalt combines the solidity that Tabarez demands of his defenders with the endeavour that modern full-backs have to possess and that makes him an ideal fit for both clubs.

Crystal Palace managed to avoid relegation after a disastrous start to last season but have stalled in the transfer market, hampering Roy Hodgson’s attempts to construct a squad that can climb the division.

Talisman Wilfried Zaha also reportedly wants to leave, and it is impossible to understate the Ivory Coast international’s importance to the Eagles.

Meanwhile, Ruben Loftus-Cheek departed the club after his breakthrough loan spell and his World Cup cameo appearances have raised his profile to the extent that he may well have set his sights higher than the lower reaches of the top flight.

Hodgson’s need for new arrivals is acute, and a failure to replace Loftus-Cheek’s midfield power would be a substantial blow to the former England manager’s bid to keep his boyhood club in the Premier League.

So we asked Eagles fans who – out of 6ft 4in Manchester United man Scott McTominay, England international Jake Livermore and fellow relegated midfielder Badou Ndiaye – would be the best replacement.

The result was fairly clear, 51 per cent of them want the towering United ace to boost Palace’s midfield physicality, as you can see from the poll results below…

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Tottenham remain the only team alongside Burnley not to have signed a single player thus far this window, something which is making the fans very anxious indeed. 

Manager Mauricio Pochettino has a great starting 11 to be able to field but apart from that, squad depth is a concern and something that needs to be improved if Tottenham want to at least qualify for the Champions League every season.

Harry Kane is Tottenham’s talisman and always will be so long as they can keep him but he has never been challenged by another top striker, someone like Willian Jose.

Willian Jose, for those who don’t know, is a Brazilian striker that plays for Real Sociedad and has done ever since 2016. Last season, the 26-year-old scored 15 goals in La Liga, a record that proves that he could be a top challenger for Harry Kane and a player who can feature largely in cup competitions, taking the pressure off the Englishman to be the goalscorer in every single game.

Jose is improving his goal-tally every season making this the perfect time for Tottenham to invest in such a striker. The Brazilian is an influential target man that is lethal in the air but is also good with his feet, allowing other team-mates to join attacks with him. Considering his valuation at £22.5 million on Transfermarkt, Willian Jose’s recent performances suggest he could prove great value for that kind of fee, a fee that is very accessible for Tottenham to spend.

Tottenham have a great set of players available to them but with the added pressure in playing in many cup competitions including the highly competitive Champions League, Willian Jose could be the top level striker to play as a back-up to Harry Kane.

Do you agree… Let us know!

According to French media outlet France Football, West Ham United are considering making a move for Lille right-back Kevin Malcuit, but their Premier League rivals Southampton must hijack any potential deal.

What’s the word, then?

Well, France Football report that the Irons, along with fellow top-flight side Fulham, are keen on the 26-year-old, although they could face competition for the Frenchman’s signature from Inter Milan, Valencia and Celta Vigo.

Malcuit certainly made a huge impression for the Ligue 1 outfit on the right flank as the club narrowly avoided relegation to Ligue 2, forming a strong partnership with winger Nicolas Pepe.

The defender still has four years left on his contract having only signed last summer and could come at a price, but that doesn’t appear to have put Manuel Pellegrini off even though he already has Ryan Fredericks and Pablo Zabaleta to choose from at right-back.

Why must Southampton hijack any move?

Well, while Saints have a Euro 2016 winner in Cedric Soares in their ranks, the departure of Jeremy Pied following the expiry of his contract this summer has left the south coast outfit short of depth in the right wing-back position.

Academy graduate Harrison Reed and James Ward-Prowse have both featured there in pre-season in Cedric’s absence following the World Cup, but it seems clear they need another option.

The Portugal international didn’t enjoy his best 2017/18 campaign where he sometimes struggled defensively – as well as his crossing often letting him down in the final third – and there is no reason why a new addition couldn’t oust him from the starting XI.

Malcuit proved with five assists in 23 Ligue 1 appearances last term that he has the ability to do exactly that, and now Mark Hughes, who should be looking to sign a 21-year-old striker dubbed ‘the new Luis Suarez’, must bring him to St Mary’s.

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Tottenham still haven’t made a signing in the summer transfer window.

While their rivals have strengthened significantly, Spurs have had no incomings or outgoings. Instead, Daniel Levy has focused on keeping his squad together, tying a number of key players to new contracts. Mauricio Pochettino, Harry Kane and Christian Eriksen all committed their future to the club.

Keeping their best players at the club is great, but Tottenham need to spend before the window slams shut in less than ten days time. Speculation continues to surround the future of Mousa Dembele who has been linked with a move to the Serie A. Should the Belgian depart, Pochettino needs to sign a new midfielder.

An excellent option could be former West Ham playmaker – Dimitri Payet. Valued at £19.8m by Transfermarkt, Marseille are reportedly willing to sell their prized asset just 18 months after bringing him back to France. West Ham were offered the chance to resign their former hero earlier this month ad he’d be a strong addition for pretty much any Premier League side.

Payet enjoyed a spectacular season in Ligue 1, scoring ten goals and notching 24 assists in all competitions. He was expected to travel to Russia as part of France’s World Cup squad before an injury ruled him out of contention.

The 31-year-old is no stranger to life in England and was nominated for the PFA Player of the Year award for his exceptional showings back in 2016. If his form continues, Tottenham will have made one of the signings of the summer.

Tottenham fans, thoughts?