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Manchester United have not come to an agreement with Aston Villa over a potential deal for the England defender Harry Maguire.

What’s the latest?

There have been some reports to emerge over the weekend suggesting the 29-year-old centre-back was on the verge of leaving Old Trafford for Villa Park.

This comes amid the defender’s predicament under Erik ten Hag which has seen his game time dramatically decrease over recent months following the Dutchman’s arrival.

A lack of first-team action has seen Maguire urged by some pundits to get out of Manchester to reignite his career, with some suggesting Tottenham Hotspur as a potential suitor.

However, speaking on his YouTube channel, Romano has shut down any talk of Maguire being exit-bound at Old Trafford with his sources claiming a move to Villa is not currently on the cards:

“What I’m told in the last few minutes is that, at the moment, Manchester United have not agreed any deal with any club for Harry Maguire.

“Also on player’s side, they are denying any agreement. So let’s see how it will follow in the next days if something really happened, but at the moment, I don’t have any confirmation on this story. And also expectation is for Harry Maguire to stay and to be the captain of Manchester United.”

Here to stay

Perhaps the reports of Maguire’s potential move to Villa were ignited after a fan supposedly spotted (via Daily Mail) the central defender in a restaurant not too far away from Villa’s training complex.

Although Romano has suggested a move is not currently an option for Maguire, we feel this is something which the defender probably should be pushing for this month.

Before Ten hag’s arrival, the Englishman had been handed the captain’s armband at Old Trafford and was playing regular football for the Red Devils.

However, he now finds himself not starting and even struggling to earn some minutes in the third round of the FA Cup with just a seven-minute cameo against Everton on Friday night (via Transfermarkt).

And United are progressing well under Ten Hag. They find themselves in the next round of the FA Cup, fourth in the league and have a quarter-final tie to play in the Carabao Cup.

So with the established pairing of Lisandro Martinez and Raphael Varane, it is difficult to see where Maguire will be able to pick up an opportunity unless there is an injury to either of these players.

But, unless Ten Hag was to bring in another defender, it is difficult to imagine the Dutchman would be open to allowing Maguire to move this month and potentially leaving his side short of depth at the back.

Although Maguire has not played much football for United this season, three of his seven appearances in the league have come from the bench – including two of their last three league outings (via Transfermarkt).

And he did show he could be a useful player for Ten Hag during the Qatar World Cup with some impressive displays despite a rocky spell leading up to the tournament at Old Trafford.

Manchester United defender Aaron Wan-Bissaka ‘could now be set’ for a switch to Wolves, according to reports.

The Lowdown: Old Gold eye move…

Despite really impressing for ex-club Crystal Palace, prompting the Red Devils to sign him for £50 million in 2019, the Englishman has struggled for game time under manager Erik ten Hag this season.

Wan-Bissaka has made just one Premier League appearance which totalled four minutes and it’s clear the right-back could actually depart Old Trafford in the January transfer window.

Wolves have apparently taken an interest in the 25-year-old alongside Crystal Palace, West Ham and Leeds – yet a pretty encouraging update has now come to light on manager Julen Lopetegui’s chances of signing him.

The Latest: Wolves lead Wan-Bissaka race…

According to reporter Graeme Bailey, writing on Twitter and for 90min, Wan-Bissaka ‘could now be set for switch to Molineux’ as Fosun International ‘look to land him’.

It’s claimed in the report that Wolves, above their league contenders, are ‘leading the chase’ for United’s out-of-favour star as Lopetegui makes the signing of a right-back one of his top priorities.

In a further boost for the Old Gold, 90min also claim that ten Hag is happy to green-light Wan-Bissaka’s exit next month.

The Verdict: Get it done?

Having been called a ‘monster’ by members of the media, United’s £100,000-per-week outcast arguably has real ability in his locker going by past performances.

Wan-Bissaka’s pace and power down the right flank could also be a real asset for Lopetegui as the Spaniard seeks to really provide strength in depth for Wolves next month.

United would also be willing to let the player leave on loan with a view to a permanent deal, making this move slightly more attainable financially.

Manchester United are reportedly eyeing a move for Napoli defender Kim Min-jae as manager Erik ten Hag looks to bolster his backline in 2023.

What’s the word?

According to journalist Sean Walsh, the Red Devils are among a handful of Premier League clubs who are interested in signing the South Korea international, albeit with the Serie A side looking to agree a new deal in order to increase the 26-year-old’s €45m (£39m) release clause.

The transfer insider stated on Twitter: “Tottenham remain interested in Kim Min-jae. Man Utd also keen and Real Madrid have been keeping an eye on him. But Napoli are confident he’ll stay and sign new contract with release clause roughly double his current one of €45m.”

In the attached piece for 90min, it also states that Luciano Spalletti and co are ‘confident’ of tying down the centre-back to a contract extension before the end of the season, having only signed the former Fenerbahce man on a £16m deal over the summer.

This follows a recent report from The Mirror which also noted United’s interest, with the Old Trafford outfit said to have snubbed the chance to land the 6 foot 3 titan for just £3m in the summer of 2021.

Maguire upgrade

Ten Hag’s apparent interest in signing a new centre-back comes amid reports that club captain Harry Maguire could well be jettisoned at the end of the season, with the £80m man having slipped down the pecking order in recent months.

The former Leicester City star has started just three top-flight games for United so far this term, having been something of a bystander to proceedings since the debacle at Brentford in August, losing his place to summer signing Lisandro Martinez.

While the England international has yet again impressed for his country – having started all five games for the Three Lions at the World Cup and recorded a 7.34 average match rating, as per SofaScore – the 29-year-old has struggled to replicate such form at the Theatre of Dreams, with pundit Jamie Carragher suggesting that it is now “too late” for Maguire to save his United career.

Turning to Kim as a potential replacement could well see Ten Hag secure a big upgrade for the club, with the 46-cap menace currently thriving in Italy for the league leaders, conceding just 12 goals in 15 league games this season.

Dubbed an “iron barrel” by team-mate Khvicha Kvaratskhelia due to his rock-solid presence in the backline, the former Beijing Guoan ace is a truly dominant force. He ranks in the top 11% in Europe for aerial duels won among those in his position, while Maguire ranks in just the top 19% in that same metric.

Equally, while the latter ranks in just the top 40% in terms of pass completion, it is Kim who appears far more accomplished in possession, ranking in the top 20% in that regard.

The emerging Napoli colossus also thrived for his country in Qatar after notably winning 93% of his total duels – including 100% of his aerial duels – during his three outings. Meanwhile, the current United skipper won just 68% of his total duels and only 61% of his aerial duels at the World Cup.

As such, if the Red Devils hierarchy snap up Kim in 2023 it would seemingly provide a better quality fit than that of the struggling Maguire, with the Sheffield-born dud having simply looked bereft of confidence and form in the red jersey of late.

Manchester United headed into the World Cup break on a high on Sunday evening with victory over Fulham, with Erik ten Hag’s leaving it late to secure all three points following what was an entertaining encounter at Craven Cottage.

The visitors had got off to the perfect start as Christian Eriksen poked home for his first goal for the club since his free transfer arrival in the summer, although the Red Devils’ recent attacking woes were laid bare as they again missed a spate of chances to extend their lead, with the returning Anthony Martial notably squandering a handful of inviting openings.

That profligacy was ultimately punished just past the hour mark as substitute Daniel James inevitably got himself on the scoresheet against his former club, with the Welshman tapping in at the back post after United had been caught out on the counter.

Even without their talisman Aleksandar Mitrovic, Marcos Silva’s men still posed a real threat to what was something of a makeshift United backline, with USA international Tim Ream notably heading over from close range, while the impressive Joao Palhinha saw an audacious overhead kick beaten away by a stubborn David De Gea.

It had looked as if it may be the Cottagers who would go on to snatch the points to continue their fine return to the Premier League, only for the away side’s emerging hero, Alejandro Garnacho, to steal the headlines after slotting in at the death.

Fresh from his starring role off the bench in the midweek win over Aston Villa – in which he laid on two assists – the devastating 18-year-old again proved the difference maker after entering the fray in the closing stages, with the young Argentine having perhaps staked his claim for a more prominent role when club action resumes at the end of next month.

While the post-match talk will rightly be centred on the teenage starlet, it was the forward’s compatriot Lisandro Martinez who arguably stole the show from his defensive berth, with the diminutive centre-back having once again showcased his growing importance to the Old Trafford outfit.

Amid the initial doubts over his place in English football – namely from Sky Sports pundit Jamie Carragher – the former Ajax man has arguably become the first-choice pick at the heart of the defence, with skipper Harry Maguire resigned to the substitutes bench.

On a night in which the visitors’ backline was tested, the 24-year-old was more than up to the task, notably winning seven of his ten total duels, while also recording a staggering haul of eight clearances having dealt with much that arrived in his own penalty area.

Aside from losing one foot race with the lively James late on, the nine-cap sensation hardly put a foot wrong once again, having been simply “superb” in the words of Manchester Evening News journalist Samuel Luckhurst.

What was arguably most impressive about the defender’s display was his typically reliable quality in possession, having become almost like an extra playmaker for his side with his ability to pick out teammates from deep, notably teeing up Martial with a lofted pass in the first half with one of his eight final third passes.

The 5 foot 9 colossus has arguably been the club’s “player of the season” so far – according to Luckhurst – with his £56.7m capture from Amsterdam seemingly becoming a more astute purchase with each passing week.

Leeds United have reportedly handed Jesse Marsch a huge show of faith, with the World Cup break now in full flow…

What’s the latest?

As per Dean Jones, it seems as though the Whites will be keeping the American as their manager for the foreseeable future, despite claims suggesting he might have been sacked circulating at the end of October.

His recent form has seemingly changed opinions, and the transfer insider had the following to say on reports coming out of Thorp Arch, speaking to GIVEMESPORT: “I still think it’s unlikely that they get rid of him, the talk a few weeks ago was like he’s got until the World Cup break and then they’ll assess things.

“But we also know that Leeds really want to stick by Marsch, and since they sent out those messages about him, Leeds have been more entertaining, they’ve scored more goals.”

It’s good news

In what has been a tumultuous season thus far for fans at Elland Road, it seems that in recent weeks Marsch finally began to inspire some good performances from his side.

Having started the season well, winning two and earning a point on the road in their opening three Premier League fixtures, it seemed like the hefty turnover in the transfer window might instantly pay dividends.

However, a seven-match winless run, including four straight losses, unsurprisingly brought about pressure.

It therefore made their incredible victory away at Liverpool even more special, as they scored late to snatch their first win since they had massacred Chelsea in August.

Marsch’s side then backed that up with another good result, battling from 3-1 down to secure a famous win at Bournemouth.

Despite their narrow loss to Tottenham Hotspur just before the break, they still denoted a spirit unforeseen throughout the season beforehand.

To spark such a sensational turnaround is indicative of a manager still boasting the full backing of his squad, even if they are looking somewhat leaky at the back.

Historically, it has always been the sides who struggle to score that end up in a relegation battle.

But with seven goals scored in their last two games, and a big break and transfer window looming, there can only be improvements that should help steer them from another miserable campaign.

Newcastle United will reportedly listen to offers for Jamaal Lascelles in the January transfer window.

The Lowdown: Out of favour

The 28-year-old has fallen out of favour under Eddie Howe this season, having started just two games in all competitions and featured five times in total (Transfermarkt).

Having signed Sven Botman in the summer, on top of Dan Burn joining in January, the Magpies captain seems to have fallen down the pecking order at St James’ Park, putting his long-term future at the club in doubt.

The Latest: Newcastle will consider offers

As per Football Insider, Newcastle are set to entertain offers for Lascelles in January, with his current deal expiring in 2024.

There is a ‘small possibility’ that he could leave in the winter, and if not the Tynesiders will continue to consider offers over the next few transfer windows.

A price tag of £10m has been put on him, which would accelerate the need for the Magpies to find a replacement.

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The Verdict: Sell

There is no doubt that Lascelles has been a great servant at St James’ Park – after all, Howe himself has recently hailed his ‘exemplary’ work-rate and training standards despite not being a regular starter.

However, given his lack of playing time, and the fact that Newcastle have brought in other centre-backs, it does seem silly not to cash in on a player who’s earning £40,000 per week to mainly sit on the bench.

It will be sad to see the club captain go, but Lascelles needs to be playing regularly as he turns 29 next week, so January offers an ideal window of opportunity for him and the Magpies to part ways.

MatériaMais Notícias

A reta final da Série B se aproxima e a Ponte Preta vê o G4 cada vez mais longe. Com 34 partidas, a Macaca está na 8ª colocação, com 48 pontos, quatro a menos que o CSA, primeiro time do grupo de acesso.

+ CONFIRA A CLASSIFICAÇÃO DA SÉRIE B

Publicamente, o técnico Fabio Moreno não acredita mais no acesso, porém, os números ainda deixam a Ponte viva na briga por uma das vagas.

Neste fim de semana, o primeiro adversário é o Náutico, time que luta para sobreviver na Série B. Em caso de vitória, a Macaca pode se aproximar do G4.

+Nomes de peso! Veja cinco opções por posição para montar seu time na 30ª rodada no Cartola

Na sequência, a equipe de Campinas fecha a sua participação no torneio nacional contra a Chapecoense (fora), CRB (casa) e Figueirense (fora).

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Sunderland return to action in the Championship this afternoon as they travel away to face recently-relegated Watford at Vicarage Road.

The Black Cats are currently sixth in the table and will be hoping to retain their position in the play-off spots heading into the first international break of the campaign.

They are currently one point ahead of Watford heading into the match and five points behind Norwich in second-place, the first automatic promotion spot.

Tony Mowbray has won two of his first three games in charge of the club since taking over from Alex Neil, beating Rotherham and Reading 3-0 each, and will be hoping to continue the strong start to his reign.

Sunderland smashed the Royals away from home in their last outing but did come away from the game with a concern as Ellis Simms came off injured in the first-half.

The manager has since confirmed that he has a minor injury and could be involved against Watford this weekend, although he may have to wait until the other side of the break if he is not deemed 100% ready to play.

Keeping this in mind, Mowbray must now unleash attacking midfielder Elliot Embleton from the start in place of Simms at Vicarage Road.

The Englishman came off the bench to replace the striker against Reading and caught the eye with a sublime display. He assisted two of Sunderland’s three goals and completed 90% of his attempted passes, which shows that he was reliable in possession whilst still providing quality in the final third.

Journalist Josh Bunting claimed that he is “energetic” and provides a “spark” on the pitch, which was backed up by his creativity in the win in midweek.

Last season, he was a regular contributor at the top end of the pitch as he chipped in with nine goals and six assists from midfield in League One – including a strike in the play-off final to help secure promotion to the Championship.

The 23-year-old midfielder should now come in to form a fluid front three alongside Alex Pritchard and Patrick Roberts. They are all diminutive playmakers who can rotate across the frontline during games to cause constant problems for the opposition, leaving defenders unsure about who they should be marking.

This would give Embleton the chance to build on his performance against Reading whilst affording Simms the opportunity to rest, on the bench or until the other side of the break, which is why Mowbray must start the £5.3k-per-week magician.

Wolverhampton Wanderers have made an offer to sign Chelsea striker Michy Batshuayi as Bruno Lage looks to add more firepower to his squad.

What’s the news?

That’s according to 90min, who claimed that Wolves have made an offer for the Stamford Bridge frontman, but Everton are also interested in securing a deal for the player.

No fee is mentioned on a proposed transfer, although the Blues are unlikely to get anything near the £33m that they shelled out on the Belgian six years ago.

With just one year left on his Chelsea contract, a cut-price fee seems more realistic, and Lage should be working hard to get the deal done.

Lage could bolster his attacking options

Wolves haven’t exactly been frenzied in the summer transfer window, with only four signings completed so far, although the last couple of weeks has seen two promising arrivals land at Molineux.

Goncalo Guedes joined from Valencia before Lage made what could be one of the signings of the summer in Mathues Nunes from Sporting Lisbon.

There is still a lack of depth in the club’s frontline, though. With Guedes not an out-and-out striker, they have been relying on winger Hee-Chan Hwang to provide the firepower.

Having finished last season with only 38 Premier League goals, there is an urgent need for Wolves to improve in this department, or else they could find themselves in trouble.

Batshuayi could well be the answer to Lage’s problems. Although he has only netted 15 times in the Premier League for Chelsea and Crystal Palace, his lack of regular game-time has had a detrimental effect.

He scored 23 goals in all competitions for Marseille in the season before he moved to London, which led GOAL to describe him as the “new Drogba”, and the two strikers’ playing styles are certainly alike.

Both Batshuayi and Drogba are strong, powerful and combative forwards with a keen eye for goal, while also delivering a sharp all-round game which can benefit the team. The former demonstrated this last season when he was sent on loan to Besiktas for the campaign.

He contributed 14 goals and five assists as he proved that he can still perform at the highest level, averaging three shots per game, missing 14 big chances and scoring once every 173 minutes for the Istanbul club. There is no doubt that he has the hunger to score goals, and a change of scenery obviously worked wonders for the Belgian.

A move to Wolves could reinvigorate the £90k-p/w marksman, and with the World Cup looming on the horizon in three months’ time, regular playing time could be advantageous as the 28-year-old aims for a spot in the Belgium squad.

There is a ‘strong possibility’ that Arsenal could make a ‘late push’ to try and sign Leicester City midfielder Youri Tielemans, according to transfer insider Dean Jones.

The Lowdown: Tielemans’ contract

The 25-year-old has now entered the final 11 months of his contract at the King Power Stadium, duly raising questions over his long-term future.

The Gunners have regularly been touted with a move for the Belgium international, although they have thus far failed to meet the Foxes’ £40m valuation of the player.

Leicester boss Brendan Rodgers has said that he would like to resolve Tielemans’ future as soon as possible, with the plausibility of the midfielder’s exit still looming large.

The Latest: Jones’ claim

Jones believes that Arsenal could wait until later on in the transfer window to make a move for the Leicester star.

Speaking with GiveMeSport, the transfer insider claimed: “I think Arsenal’s priority has been to get a few fringe players out of the squad to open up space and room on the wage bill and then I think they will try and sign another midfielder.

“I would be surprised if it was James Maddison, but there’s a strong possibility they might make a late push for Tielemans.”

The Verdict: Adds good squad depth

Considering his attacking statistics, the arrival of Tielemans at the Emirates Stadium would provide Mikel Arteta with strong depth going forward, allowing the likes of Martin Odegaard to be rotated when necessary.

As per FBRef, compared with positional peers across Europe’s top five leagues over the past year, the 25-year-old Belgian ranks in the 95th percentile for shots taken, the 89th percentile for progressive passes and the 88th percentile for expected assists.

Previously hailed a ‘top class player’ by Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola, Tielemans is a tried-and-tested Premier League midfielder, playing 121 times in the division.

Therefore, if Arsenal do decide to make a move for him, they would have a fairly good idea what calibre of player they would be getting before he arrives in north London.