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This article is part of Football FanCast’s Transfer Focus series, which provides opinion and analysis on recent transfer news…

According to Italian publication Corriere dello Sport (via Sport Witness), AS Roma are interested in making Chris Smalling’s loan move from Manchester United, permanent.

What’s the word?

The England international was the big casualty of the Red Devils’ summer pursuit of Harry Maguire, and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer revealed it was in the centre-back’s own interests to seek out first-team football elsewhere.

Since joining Roma, the 29-year-old has featured in four Serie A games, helping his team keep two clean sheets in the process, and averaging an impressive 1.8 tackles and 1.5 interceptions per game in the league. Now, Corriere dello Sport claim the Italian club’s hierarchy “have already communicated they are interested in making the loan a permanent one”.

How much money could you make busking for a week as a freestyle footballer? Find out in the video below…

The report adds however that the “door hasn’t been closed” from a United perspective, although it remains to be seen whether the Englishman does have a long-term future at Old Trafford.

End of the chapter

After joining from Fulham back in 2010 in a reported £7m deal, Smalling wasn’t entirely convincing at the back for United. The 29-year-old’s time at the club was littered with high-profile mistakes and stinging criticism, and it was unsurprising to see him being the one to make way for Maguire’s big-money arrival in the summer.

Watch Manchester United Live Streams With StreamFootball.tv Below

Jose Mourinho’s damning verdict on Smalling’s inability to play out from the back has defined his career, with England manager Gareth Southgate even revealing he had dropped him from the Three Lions squad due to that specific reason. For two of his high-profile managers to come out and say that in public really put the nail in the coffin.

So whilst United may be keeping a close eye on the 6 foot 4 man’s progress over in Italy, there really shouldn’t be any way back for him at Old Trafford. The Red Devils simply have to move on, and close a chapter that started almost a decade ago.

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Some Wolves fans have taken to Twitter to heap praise on Pedro Neto, after he impressed against Watford on what was his first ever start in the Premier League.

The 19-year-old – signed on a five-year contract back in the summer – had only made four Premier League appearances prior to the visit of the Hornets on Saturday, but he impressed on his first showing from the first whistle.

Neto grabbed the assist for Matt Doherty’s goal to help open the scoring, while he also made two key passes before being withdrawn in the 56th minute – he also managed to get his only shot of the game on target.

The No.7 caused chaos in attack, with one fan below saying that the teenager looked very good and confident, whereas another said that the Portuguese forward is a talent in the making.

Let’s take a look at some more of the Twitter reaction from some Wolves fans…

This article is part of Football FanCast’s The Chalkboard series, which provides a tactical insight into teams, players, managers, potential signings and more…

Antoine Griezmann was Barcelona’s big summer signing and one that seemed set to finally dethrone Luis Suarez. But so far, that hasn’t happened and with the recent reports from AS suggesting the Blaugrana are on a hunt for a new striker, the Frenchman’s role in the squad might be brought into question.

On the chalkboard

Suarez is already 32 years of age and for all his brilliance and undeniable pedigree, he will need replacing sooner rather than later.

And with the summer incorporation of Griezmann, a player who was scoring goals for fun back with Atletico Madrid, that problem seemed to have been solved entirely.

Watch Spanish Football Live Streams With StreamFootball.tv Below

After all, in the 257 games the Frenchman played for Rojiblancos, he managed to score 133 goals and assist further 50 in the process. But the more important piece of information lies in the actual position he was scoring those goals in.

For all the 257 games Transfermarkt actually have in their database for the 28-year-old, Griezmann played 121 as the team’s centre-forward, scoring 73 goals along the way.

By all standards, he looks like the perfect choice to replace Suarez, and yet, according to reports from AS, Barcelona are still hunting for a new striker.

A worrying sign

So far, Griezmann has played a total of nine games for Barcelona since arriving from Atletico in the summer.

He has scored three goals and assisted two across all competitions in the 2019/20 campaign.

Those numbers are decent but the problem is actually in the way the Frenchman is currently being utilised. When we take a closer look at the position Ernesto Valverde seems to prefer Griezmann at, we realise he’s actually being played as a left-winger.

Watch Lionel Messi and Gareth Bale answer the internet’s weirdest questions in the video below…

According to Transfermarkt, in those nine games they have in their database for the 28-year-old, he was actually a winger in six of those games, scoring one goal in the process.

And completely unsurprisingly, he’s performed better in the three games he actually played as a centre-forward, scoring twice and assisting twice as well.

Just that sample of games is proof Valverde might want to transform Griezmann into a winger and the reported interest in a new striker could also solidify that statement.

If that turns out to be true, it could cast a huge doubt over his transfer in the first place since his tally across different positions clearly suggests the Frenchman doesn’t really prefer that wide role.

Let’s wait and see if he can adapt to the situation and overcome this challenge.

For his sake and the club’s, let’s hope that he can.

Willems hasn’t messed about when it comes to getting back to work.

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He posted the snap pretty much as soon as his team got back into training, and his message was loud and clear.

The caption is pretty much everything a Newcastle fan would want to hear at this point. The player hasn’t got caught up on the past fortnight, which would be easy to do after two big wins for the Netherlands, rather he’s completely focused on the task at hand.

And that task is a big one as well. The Magpies have to face Liverpool this weekend, and with the Reds winning all of their Premier League games so far it will be a huge challenge to get anything against Jurgen Klopp’s side.

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Rangers face Livingston in the Scottish League Cup on Wednesday night as they look to make it into the semi-finals with a win.

The Gers have started this season well, winning five league games out of six and also kicking off their Europa League group campaign with a victory over Dutch side Feyenoord.

Good foundations, then, to what could be a productive season and Steven Gerrard will know that, in all honesty, this is the year where he needs to bring home a trophy.

The Scottish League Cup represents his first chance to do so and ahead of the game, the Gers have been put through their paces in training as they look for a victory on Wednesday night.

Indeed, the Glasgow club has provided this selection of photos from training on their Instagram feed with the players certainly looking ready to get going:

/B2zKCLSF-qq/

Who Steven Gerrard opts to play on Wednesday evening remains to be seen, but it looks as though the squad is pushing on in order to be up for selection.

Nottingham Forest will be hoping to strengthen their play-off bid during the January transfer window.

Having endured a rollercoaster last month or so, Forest will hope to restore some calmness around the City Ground in hope of getting their promotion bid back on track.

It will be a tough ask but Nottingham Forest are a historic club and still currently have players good enough to get the club back up into the Premier League.

Yet their main problem as of late has been scoring goals, an issue generally easy to solve. With the right man brought in, the goals could start flowing again, like their promotion dream.

It would be considered a gamble but given his impeccable form for the Manchester United U18’s, Mason Greenwood should be a genuine target for Nottingham Forest.

Greenwood, just 17-years-old, has been scoring for fun in a Manchester United shirt this season, hence why he has also been seen on the first-team bench on occasion this season.

United fans are, rightly, very excited about Greenwood’s potential and so they should be. With a staggering 22 goals in just 19 games, Mason Greenwood has been in superb form that could even be an asset to a Championship side like Nottingham Forest.

The City Ground side do have a number of goalscorers in their team but none are really doing the business at the moment, hence why Forest could do with another.

Youngster Mason Greenwood must be hungry for a first-team opportunity, which Nottingham Forest could expose him to and both parties could prosper from this deal, especially if he continues to thrive in front of goal.

Do you agree… Let us know!

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This article is part of Football FanCast’s In The Pipeline series, which takes a look at some of the most promising young talent either linked with clubs or emerging from their academies…

After Slaven Bilic joined the club as manager in the summer, there was a glimmer of optimism that the club may utilise its promising youth academy more often.

Within a month, one of their prospects Louie Barry was poached by Barcelona, which left a bitter taste to the mouth whilst Morgan Rogers also left for Manchester City.

But then when the season started, both Kyle Edwards and Nathan Ferguson were handed starts – live on TV against Midlands rivals Nottingham Forest.

Some way to begin and make up for those who have gone.

Both have more than played their part already this season, making five or more Championship appearances, per WhoScored.

Players like Sam Field and Jonathan Leko have gone elsewhere to develop this season, but if they perform well enough then that recall clause will become rather handy.

Then there is Rekeem Harper, who appears to be in limbo as he remains at the club, but is yet to feature for longer than six minutes.

Having signed three wingers on deadline day, on top of Matt Phillips and Edwards, you’d think any young winger at the club has little-to-no chance of transitioning into the first-team setup.

Though, Grady Diangana has only joined on loan and is able to be recalled in January, which is certainly a possibility should his performances continue – he’s scored three goals in just two starts, per WhoScored.

So it may be wise to dip into the academy – step forward Nick Clayton-Richards.

The young winger has had a taste in the men’s game whilst on loan at Kidderminster Harriers in a league that provides a physical test.

He’s also very versatile, being able to play anywhere in midfield and has frequently garnered goals and assists.

The 19-year-old netted seven goals in 17 appearances for the Under-18s before continuing that trend for the Under-23s, where he has scored and assisted four – including one strike already this season.

West Brom’s wing position is the most hotly contested area of the pitch, but long-term they may well have the answer right under their nose.

Considering Rogers’ and Barry’s exits, Clayton-Richards is someone who might well be able to make up for it.

For now, the focus in a wide position is on Diangana, but it may not be too long before it’s on one of Albion’s younger faces.

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Tottenham Hotspur lead the race to sign Franck Kessie after a huge claim emerged this week…

What’s the word?

According to Sky Sports reporter Michael Bridge, Spurs have the best chance of sealing the AC Milan midfielder at the end of his current contract this summer.

“As I say, going back to my colleague Di Marzio, he said on our transfer show last week that Tottenham will lead the way in the summer, which is exciting,” he revealed to GIVEMESPORT. “The only thing with everything in life, and it’s like presents, you want everything now.”

The north London outfit have long been linked with a move for the Ivory Coast international, who is currently away on international duty at the Africa Cup of Nations, thus making a switch this month a little complicated.

Kessie has turned down a new deal at the San Siro and will be free to leave the Italian giants in the summer.

Antonio Conte is said to have requested his signature during the current window but there is competition from Premier League rivals Manchester United and Liverpool, among others across Europe.

Summer bargain

Whether the Lilywhites can secure Kessie now or in the summer remains to be seen but whenever he arrives, he will be an incredible signing for the club – even more so as he won’t cost a penny in terms of a transfer fee despite being valued at €30m (£26m).

The 6-foot powerhouse is capable of contributing at both ends of the pitch with his phenomenal box-to-box qualities.

Last season, he was Milan’s second-highest goalscorer in the league as he finished on 13 goals, just a couple behind Zlatan Ibrahimovic, and he’s since found the net five times this campaign.

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Also per WhoScored, Kessie has averaged 1.3 tackles, 1.1 key passes and 0.9 dribbles per game in 21/22, which only goes to show his ball-winning capabilities and his evident threat inside the final third.

His playing style has been likened to that of Yaya Toure and it’s easy to see why on the above evidence, seeing as he can drive the ball forward, defend and score goals.

“I want Kessie in my team, he scores, he assists, he has personality, he has quality, he doesn’t lose the ball, he’s intelligent. I’m watching him carefully, with Roma it was devastating,” ex-Milan striker Antonio Cassano told Bobo TV (via MilanLive). “It reminds me of the Yaya Toure of the best times. He is a different player, but in terms of impact. He is holding Milan’s midfield alone.”

It’s not the first time that the bustling midfield beast has been lauded around the San Siro. His former coach Vincenzo Montella once hailed him as an “extraordinary player” with “sublime intelligence.”

Conte’s engine room may be rammed full of players right now but Kessie offers him something that very few of his current options do, not to mention the dubious futures of Tanguy Ndombele and Dele Alli, who could both depart N17 before January 31st.

If the Italian has actually requested the Ivorian’s signature, then he will surely be delighted to learn that Spurs are leading the race to sign him ahead of next season.

On the above evidence, with his encouraging statistics and lofty praise, Kessie would be a fantastic addition at Hotspur Way.

AND in other news, Forget Tanganga: £26m-rated Spurs calamity who won 33% duels proved Conte right again…

To coin a classic phrase, Manchester United have made their top-four challenge a mountain out of a molehill.

The Red Devils are a far cry from the side that dominated so fiercely under the tutelage of a certain Sir Alex Ferguson but one particular signing could help steer them along the right path again.

What’s the word?

Man United have long been in the market for a holding midfield player and it would appear that won’t change heading into the summer.

That’s the word of transfer guru Fabriano Romano who commented on their transfer plans this summer.

Speaking to Hammers Chat, the Italian reporter said:

“He is top of the list for Man United since a long time. Man Utd dream of Declan Rice, they consider him the perfect player for their approach for the new season. Man United will sign a defensive midfield and Declan Rice is the player they want.”

Rice heading to United?

Acquiring the West Ham titan this summer would be a monumental sign of intent from the Red Devils.

First of all, it’s evidently clear that Ralf Rangnick’s midfield is not the greatest when it comes to complete overall quality. Secondly, with Paul Pogba seemingly destined to leave, bringing in Rice makes total sense.

The Irons gem could be freed from the shackles of the bubbles that surround the London Stadium in 2022 to offer whoever the new manager is at Old Trafford talents that very few reign more supreme in throughout the continent.

For instance, as per FB Ref, the England international ranks in the top 30% for every single passing metric barring key passes, expected assists and progressive passes.

However, what Rice makes up for in a lack of forwardness with his passing, he certainly makes up for when driving with the ball instead.

The West Ham bulldozer ranks in the top 6% in Europe’s top leagues for progressive carries per 90 (7.01) and in the top 2% for both total carrying distance and progressive carry distance per 90 (178.76).

Also ranking in the top 5% in Europe for interceptions per 90 (2.76) and the best 5% again for a percentage of aerial duels won (65.3%) per 90 minutes, it’s clear to see that Rice would offer a great deal to United particularly when it comes to dribbling and doing the dirty work.

If a deal is there to be done, they simply have to swoop. It’s a deal, considering his qualities, that would leave supporters absolutely elated.

AND in other news, “Bad news..” – Fabrizio Romano update is worrying for Manchester United…

Celtic are considering offers for Osaze Urhoghide in the January transfer window.

What’s the talk?

That’s according to a report by The Scottish Sun, who claim that Ange Postecoglou is weighing up a number of offers for the 21-year-old centre-back this month, with several clubs believed to be interested in taking the defender on loan for the remainder of the season.

However, while it is reported that the 56-year-old Bhoys boss would be more than happy to sanction the temporary departure of the former Sheffield Wednesday starlet this month, it is also stated that the Greek-Australian coach will consult with the youngster before making a final decision on his short-term future.

Disaster for Celtic

While it is true that Urhoghide has not exactly been a first-team regular since his £207k switch to Glasgow last summer, the 21-year-old’s undoubted potential, in addition to his impressive positional versatility, are just two reasons as to why letting him leave the club this winter would be something of a disaster for the Bhoys.

Indeed, the defender has already proven that he has what it takes to feature regularly in professional football, making 16 Championship appearances for Sheffield Wednesday last season, over which he helped the Owls keep three clean sheets, as well as making an average of 1.6 interceptions, 1.8 tackles, 2.7 clearances and winning 5.8 duels per game.

Furthermore, in his single appearance under the management of Postecoglou, the youngster also highly impressed, being deployed at right-back against Real Betis in the Hoops’ 3-2 Europa League win back in December.

In this fixture, the £3.8k-per-week defender enjoyed 65 touches of the ball, completed 30 passes – one of which was key – made five tackles, three clearances, one interception and won nine of his 15 duels.

These returns saw the Englishman earn a very respectable SofaScore match rating of 6.9 on his debut for the club, while Football Scotland also awarded the 21-year-old an eight in their own player ratings for the match.

As such, it would very much appear as if the youngster who Darren Moore dubbed “immense” is an extremely valuable member of the first-team squad at Parkhead, and would seem to be more than ready for a greater share of first-team football in the second half of the campaign – leading us to believe that Postecoglou simply must keep the youngster at Parkhead this winter.

In other news: “I spoke to..”: Ange urged to seal £118k-p/w Jan signing, he’d be “perfect” for Celtic