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Manchester United have been scouting Bayer Leverkusen right-back Jeremie Frimpong but will face competition for his signature, according to reports.

The Lowdown: Frimpong profiled

Frimpong made the move to Leverkusen from Celtic last year and has gone from strength to strength in Germany.

The 21-year-old has made 62 appearances for his current employers and appears to be at the peak of his powers, with the Dutchman currently posting a career-high £22.5m Transfermarkt valuation.

Frimpong is under contract until 2025 and has been mainly playing as a right-midfielder this season, and it looks as if he is catching the eye of United officials.

The Latest: Romano’s post

Romano took to Twitter on Monday morning to provide the latest regarding Frimpong, following a recent update from Sky Germany’s Florian Plettenberg revealing United’s interest.

The Italian journalist said that ‘there are lot of clubs interested’ after he scored again at the weekend, with the ex-Man City ace still having over two years left on his current deal. According to Plettenberg, one of those interested clubs is indeed United.

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The Verdict: Wan-Bissaka replacement?

Erik ten Hag has Diogo Dalot and Aaron Wan-Bissaka as right-back options at Old Trafford, with the latter of the two playing just four minutes of action all season.

Reports in the summer suggested that Wan-Bissaka would be allowed to leave the club, but as we know, a move away failed to materialise. He seems surplus to requirements under Ten Hag, so Frimpong could potentially be viewed as a replacement for the right-back.

Frimpong has contributed to seven goals in 15 appearances this season and can play in a back four or further forward as a wing-back – something that could interest United – making this one to watch heading into 2023.

Everton were heavily linked with a move for Armando Broja in the summer but nothing materialised before Deadline Day, however, it looks like Frank Lampard hasn’t given up on his opportunity to sign the player as a new update emerges.

What’s the latest?

According to CBS reporter Ben Jacobs, Everton are “monitoring” the Chelsea striker’s situation at Stamford Bridge, with the view to loaning the player.

Jacobs tweeted: “Broja getting minutes under Potter. Everton and Newcastle still monitoring in case a loan (with no option) does become available. But it’s not something Potter or Chelsea are planning for right now even if other attackers come in.”

Lampard already loves him

There is no doubt that Lampard would be thrilled with a possible opportunity to sign Broja in the new year, as the former Chelsea boss not only worked with the player before and gave him his Premier League debut but is also a huge admirer too.

The 45-year-old Everton boss sang the praises of the Chelsea youngster when the Toffees met with Southampton last season, where Broja was on loan at the time:

“He’s a very nice, very good lad and a very talented young boy.

“He’s fast, strong, has a real eye for goal and he’s a very, very good young player so I’m very aware of his strengths.”

This season the Albanian striker has only made four Premier League appearances, averaging at just 21 minutes per game, and due to the inconsistency of his game time hasn’t been able to build up a run of form or score a goal as of yet.

Broja’s performances this season are not a clear reflection of what he is capable of when he gets regular first-team football and consistent game time in a team, something he proved whilst out on loan last season.

Hailed as “devastating” by national team assistant, Sergio Porrini, the £50m-valued machine has scored nine goals and delivered one assist over 38 appearances for Southampton and has scored 42 career goals whilst registering nine assists too over 140 appearances, with a goal contribution every 155 minutes played so far.

With that being said, if Everton are continuing to pursue Broja after being knocked back in the summer it is clear that Lampard sees something in the striker that could be game-changing for his current team.

Therefore, if it becomes a possibility in the new year the powers at Goodison Park must not pass up on the opportunity, even if it is just a temporary six-month stint.

Sheffield Wednesday starlet Rio Shipston has entered talks to sign his first professional contract with the League One club, according to journalist Joe Crann.

The Lowdown: Shipston profiled

The midfielder has been at Hillsborough ever since the age of just seven and has worked his way up through the ranks to become an integral member of the club’s youth setup.

The Owls ace turned 18 on Monday, meaning that he is now eligible to turn his scholarship deal into a professional one, and it sounds like it won’t be long before he puts pen to paper in Yorkshire.

The Latest: Crann shares Shipston update

Taking to Twitter on Monday in sharing a corresponding article for The Star, Crann revealed that Shipston and Wednesday are now in direct negotiations over professional terms.

He wrote: “Understand that #SWFC have opened up talks with Rio Shipston regarding his first professional contract at the club…

“The midfielder – who turns 18 today – has been with the Owls since he was seven-years-old.”

The Verdict: Fully deserved

Darren Moore handed Shipston his senior debut in the Papa John’s Trophy last month, and after his recent impressive display in the FA Youth Cup over the weekend, a deal would be nothing less than he deserves.

The Sheffield-born talent coolly converted his penalty in the 5-4 shootout victory over Burton Albion, and being able to handle himself on a big occasion is just one sign that he is likely ready to make the step up to senior football.

Bailey Cadamarteri and Pierce Charles have already committed themselves to the Owls, and Shipston appears to be the next to follow in their footsteps in the weeks ahead.

New Wolves manager Julen Lopetegui is reportedly keen on signing Cadiz defender Mamadou Mbaye in January, in a deal which could prove to be the Spaniard’s first big mistake in charge of the Old Gold.

What’s the word?

According to reports from Senegal, for whom Mbaye is yet to earn a senior cap, Brighton, Southampton, Leeds and Wolves are all keen on signing the 24-year-old after the World Cup break.

The report claims that, while the centre-back has just three appearances for Cadiz to his name this season, those came against tough opposition in Barcelona, Atletico Madrid and Real Betis, and his impressive performances were enough to attract Premier League interest.

While Mbaye is said to be currently sidelined with an adductor injury, a January transfer is definitely on the cards for the young defender, despite him being set to miss the World Cup later this month.

A big Lopetegui error?

It is easy to see why Lopetegui would want to sign a centre-back at Wolves given their defensive woes so far this season.

After looking so strong at the back for a large proportion of 2021/22, the exits of Conor Coady and Romain Saiss during the summer have left the Old Gold looking very vulnerable and short of options in defence.

Nathan Collins was brought in to partner Max Kilman but Lopetegui currently has just inexperienced options in Toti and Yerson Mosquera available as back-ups.

This was emphasised when Bruno Lage opted to play Ruben Neves in defence in his final game in charge, after Collins’ red card against Manchester City ruled him out for three games.

Therefore, signing a centre-back should be a priority for the incoming manager, but he needs a far more experienced option than Mbaye.

Before his three appearances for Cadiz in La Liga this season, he had made just one previous senior appearance in the Copa del Rey in the 2020/21 campaign, with the vast majority of his outings coming in youth football.

The 6 foot 3 defender’s three appearances throughout 2022/23 have also returned a less-than-impressive 6.43 average rating from WhoScored, so there is little to suggest that he would be a hit in the Premier League, certainly immediately.

If Wolves are to get out of the mess they find themselves in this season, they need experienced defenders who can keep a level head during a relegation battle, rather than untried youngsters with just a handful of senior appearances to their name.

Mbaye might prove to be a solid Premier League defender in the future, but Lopetegui should steer clear of him at the moment given the situation Wolves are in.

Liverpool director Mike Gordon is quitting his role at the club after a successful and influential stint at Anfield, according to reliable journalist Chris Bascombe.

The Lowdown: Gordon excels at Anfield

Since Fenway Sports Group (FSG) took over the Reds back in 2010, Gordon has been a prominent figure at the club, proving to be a hands-on individual.

He has played his part in a glorious period in Liverpool’s history which has seen Jurgen Klopp appointed as manager, as well as Champions League and Premier League glory coming their way. He is credited with implementing the Moneyball principles of John W. Henry and had a key role in contract and transfer negotiations behind the scenes, as well as striking the deal which saw Klopp appointed in 2015.

A big change is now happening upstairs at Anfield, though, following a new update.

The Latest: Stepping down from his role

According to Bascombe for The Telegraph, Gordon is ‘stepping back’ from his role at Liverpool, in what is described as a ‘significant power shift’.

He is described in the report as one of the ‘major architects’ of the Reds’ recent success, and club CEO Billy Hogan will now take on more responsibility.

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The Verdict: Deserves huge praise

Gordon may not always have been the poster boy for this era at Liverpool, with Klopp, the players, Michael Edwards and Henry taking on that mantle instead.

His influence has been huge, though, and his Moneyball approach alongside Edwards has seen the Reds execute some outstanding transfer business, bringing in players who have become modern-day legends.

This update further suggests that big changes are happening regarding Liverpool’s ownership, as FSG potentially look to sell up in the coming months.

Wolves are eyeing a move for Real Madrid defender Nacho and the club’s new manager Julen Lopetegui could be a factor, according to reports.

The Lowdown: Lopetegui enters Molineux…

After sacking former boss Bruno Lage in October, the Premier League side have now sealed the appointment of ex-Sevilla manager Lopetegui in an exciting move by the Old Gold.

Wolves’ head coach boasts an impressive CV with his former La Liga side, including a Europa League crown in 2020, and also has ample experience in the Champions League.

Lopetegui is a name which could excite Old Gold supporters as they hope that club owners Fosun can start to deliver more success on the field.

The 56-year-old will need transfer backing to shape this Wolves side in his own image, with news emerging on Nacho.

The Latest: Wolves eye Nacho move…

According to reports from Spain on Friday (via Sport Witness), Lopetegui’s presence could be a factor in potentially helping Wolves to sign the Galacticos defender.

However, Wolves aren’t the only team interested in Nacho, with AC Milan, AS Roma and a host of unnamed MLS clubs all taking note of the 32-year-old’s exploits at the Bernabeu.

The Verdict: Get it done?

Nacho could bring an elite winning mentality to Wolves, and it’s safe to say that the Old Gold need it as the Premier League’s current bottom club.

The Spain international has five Champions League winner’s medals and three La Liga titles to his name and can also stand out as a solid ball-playing central defender (Transfermarkt).

Indeed, he has averaged a remarkable 97.1% pass accuracy over the 141 league minutes that he has played this season, but if Fosun wish to acquire Nacho, they may need to negotiate a lower salary than his current £133,000-per-week wages at Real Madrid.

Unai Emery has not been at Aston Villa for long, but there are already arising concerns over tension with a star player, with his long-term future at the outfit consequently destabilised.

What’s the word?

Football Insider has revealed that sources have detailed a rift between Villa’s number one shot-stopper Emiliano Martinez and the new manager, with the pair reported to have been embroiled in conflict when both were at Arsenal. 

The news comes as a bitter surprise to the Villa faithful, who are enamoured with their goalkeeper after he has emerged as one of the Premier League’s finest between the sticks since signing from Arsenal for £17m in 2020.

And with the winter transfer window looming, the mill is indeed grinding, hinting that Emery has already identified a replacement for the unsettled ace. 

Swoop for Bounou

In a report from Football Insider stemming one week prior to the Martinez revelations, it was established that the Claret and Blue have been keeping tabs on Europa League winner Yassine Bounou.

Considered a late bloomer, even for a goalkeeper, Bounou spent much of his early career on the periphery, failing to break into Atletico Madrid’s first-team and spending multiple terms on loan in the Spanish Segunda division. 

However, the 31-year-old has since risen to prominence with Sevilla, winning the Europa League and serving as the ‘keeper for Morocco during the ongoing 2022 World Cup, where he has brilliantly kept clean sheets against Croatia and Belgium thus far. 

The Spanish Emery, who managed Sevilla several seasons ago, winning three consecutive Europa League trophies, is believed to hold admiration for the £26m-rated Moroccan and could attempt to strike a deal in the coming months, looking to instil a winning mentality and replacing an unsteady relationship with the current starter in Martinez.

Despite his late start, Bounou, who was labelled a “monster” by journalist Ives Galarcep has become an integral part of the Sevilla team having made 120 appearances across all competitions since his arrival in 2019 on an initial loan deal; a pivotal cog in the 2019/20 Europa League triumph, he certainly fits the mould of player that Emery is looking to bring to Villa Park. 

The deal is complicated by Villa’s current Argentinian shot-stopper signing a new five-year deal in January, with the hierarchy and previous manager Steven Gerrard looking to ward away interest from circling clubs. 

And indeed the 21-cap Martinez, who himself was instrumental in Argentina’s monumental Copa America Triumph last year, subsequently heralded as “one of the best goalkeepers in the world” by compatriot Lionel Messi, will likely wish to remain with the club that has offered him the chance to flourish with regularity. 

Emery is a coach who is a proven winner, and he has already offered glimpses of excellence at Villa despite his recent arrival, and the board will likely grant his reasonable wishes to steer the ship in the direction of his choosing.

Whether this is enough to uproot the established goalkeeper is obscure, but with a prospective replacement already identified and tensions bubbling at the surface, there could indeed be a new figure at the bedrock of Aston Villa, as Emery tinkers away at his team. 

Former Glasgow Rangers defender and BBC Radio 5 Live pundit Alan Hutton has claimed that the English Premier League is a ‘massive draw’ for Jack Wylie.

The Lowdown: Wylie attracting interest

As per Football Insider, the Ibrox outfit are ‘pulling out all the stops’ to try and keep Wylie, who has ‘caught the eye’ of scouts from some of the biggest clubs in the Premier League.

He is not eligible to sign professional forms with the Gers until he turns 16 in January, raising concerns that he could be lured away.

They do not want to lose another of their young stars to the English top-flight, having lost Billy Gilmour to Chelsea and Rory Wilson to Aston Villa in recent years respectively,

The Light Blues are ‘rolling out the red carpet’ to try and convince Wylie that it is best to continue his development at the club, but Manchester United, Arsenal and Leeds United are all thought to be interested in his signature.

The Latest: Premier League ‘massive draw’

Speaking to Football Insider, Hutton has claimed that the Premier League will be a ‘massive draw’ for Wylie, and admitted that it will be ‘difficult’ to keep hold of him:

“Of course it will be difficult. We have seen it in the past with other players that have moved down south at an early age. Rangers will be desperate to tie him down to a long-term deal.

“It is not for the first team at this moment in time but the potential is there to reach that level.

“The draw of going to one of the top leagues, playing with some of the best managers and players around, you feel that that could possibly be the helping hand you need to progress in your career.

“I hope that he signs with Rangers because the potential is there. He has a better chance of breaking into the first team there than going to Man United and things but the draw is massive. It is going to come down to where he sees his future.“

The Verdict: Good as gone

Unfortunately for Teddy Bears supporters, Wylie looks as good as gone with the Premier League interest lurking in the background.

Gilmour and Wilson have followed the same path to the English top flight at a young age, while a more senior player in Joe Aribo was persuaded by a move to Southampton in the summer transfer window.

Hailed as a ‘top talent’ and a ‘wonderkid’ by transfer expert and Italian football journalist Fabrizio Romano, Wylie has a big future ahead of him at just 15 years of age, but it will be hard for Rangers to persuade him to stay put when a move to the Premier League beckons.

Despite Arsenal’s strong start to the season, Mikel Arteta will no doubt be looking to bolster his squad ahead of the second half of the campaign.

A midfielder and winger are thought to be high on the list for the Spaniard and with the World Cup in full swing, there is one name that has stood out more than the rest, Cody Gakpo.

The Dutchman was linked with the Gunners during the summer, with a fee of £34m being touted, however, his exploits in Qatar may have given PSV Eindhoven plenty of reason to increase that figure in January.

Arteta’s own Robin van Persie

Gakpo has emerged as one of the continent’s most in-demand youngsters due to his impressive run of form since the beginning of last season. He has scored 34 goals and registered 32 assists in that time period and it is perhaps no surprise he is shining on the biggest stage of them all at the World Cup.

The Netherlands have been solid rather than unspectacular, but it has been Gakpo who has breathed life into Louis Van Gaal’s side. the 23-year-old has scored three times in three group-stage matches to help steer the team into the last 16.

These performances, not just in Qatar, but for PSV also, have led to comparisons with Robin van Persie, with Gakpo saying:

“He’s a legendary player in the Netherlands and in the whole world. It’s an honour for me to be compared to him but at the end of the day, I’m my own player. I have to prove myself and do my best.”

Van Persie is now retired, however, he was once an icon for the Netherlands, scoring 50 goals for his country while representing them at three World Cup tournaments during his career and the former Arsenal forward even dubbed Gakpo as “dangerous”, high praise indeed from the Premier League legend.

Like Van Persie, Gakpo can either play out wide or in a more central role and this versatility would be an added bonus for Arteta.

The 39-year-old moved from the Eredivisie to England back in 2004 and although it took a few seasons to hit the ground running, he eventually finished his career with 144 Premier League goals in 280 matches, a fantastic return.

Having played alongside Van Persie for a season in 2011/12, the Spaniard will be keen on bringing a player who has a similar style to the club and this could be the catalyst that guides them to their first league title in 19 years.

Wolverhampton Wanderers manager Julen Lopetegui could make a shock move to sign former player Isco.

The Lowdown: Lopetegui targeting midfielder

Wolves have emerged as potential suitors for the midfielder as a result of Lopetegui’s previous history of working with him, signing him for Sevilla back in the summer upon expiration of his Real Madrid contract.

What is clear is that the Spaniard needs some reinforcements to start providing more service for the likes of Diego Costa and Hee-Chan Hwang, with the Wanderers creating the second least chances of any side in the league, above only Nottingham Forest.

Isco could fit the bill, given his distinguished career at the very top level, winning the Champions League five times and racking up an outrageous 19 senior trophies in total.

The Latest: Isco in Lopetegui’s sights

As per Marca, Sevilla are trying to accelerate a sale for the 30-year-old in the January transfer window amid an issue relating to discipline, opening the door for a move to Molineux.

Despite wanting the £29k-per-week earner out of the club, the La Liga side are still holding out for a transfer fee though, as he is currently contracted until 2024.

Once holding a release clause of £592m while at Real Madrid, it is unclear how much Sevilla would require to part ways with the playmaker.

The Verdict: Worth it?

Lopetegui clearly trusts the playmaker, if he is willing to once again bring him to a new club, and so hopefully he would be able to repay this faith by rediscovering some of his old form.

Andres Iniesta has previously described his compatriot as ‘incredible’, but that was more than five years ago, and in truth, he has failed to live up to his potential after a fantastic 2016-17 season, in which he recorded 18 goal contributions in 30 La Liga games for Madrid.

There is some cause for optimism, as the maestro has racked up four goals and assists this term, more than he has managed in a single season since the 2018-19 campaign, but Sevilla would surely have to accept a much lower price than expected for this to be worth it.