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Aston Villa have been in excellent form in the Premier League since Unai Emery’s side returned from the break for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.

The Villans have won three of their six matches in the division since coming back to action in December – beating Tottenham Hotspur, Leeds United, and Southampton, whilst also drawing with Wolves.

One player who returned to the club high on confidence after the winter competition was goalkeeper Emi Martinez as the former Arsenal man came back to Villa Park with a World Cup medal.

The 30-year-old won the tournament with Argentina and played a significant role in his country’s success by saving a penalty in the shootout win over France in the final.

He has also caught the eye with his performances in the Premier League this season as the ‘keeper has averaged a Sofascore rating of 6.87 across 19 appearances – placing him fifth in the squad – and kept four cleans sheets in total.

In December, The Sun reported that noises had been coming out from the shot-stopper’s camp about interest from a number of other clubs and Bayern Munich were named as one of the teams who could have made a move for him, although they have since signed Yann Sommer.

Martinez, who journalist Callum Altimas once hailed as a “mad man”, could be a player the club may need to replace in one of the upcoming transfer windows if that interest from the unnamed teams becomes serious and tempts him into wanting to depart from Villa Park.

If the £120k-per-week titan does depart, whether that is this summer or in a future window, then Villa could already have his heir at the club in the form of U21 goalkeeper Oliwier Zych.

The 18-year-old colossus, who stands at 6 foot 3, has already played 16 times for the 21s after racking up 20 appearances – keeping five clean sheets – for the U18s.

This season, the teenager has kept two clean sheets and conceded just two goals in three Premier League 2 outings and has earned himself a place in Poland’s U19 set-up.

Zych had already been called up at U14, U15, U16, and U18 level by his country prior to the current campaign but is now the number-one choice for the 19s – starting and captaining Poland in a clash with the Czech Republic on Wednesday.

Martinez is reportedly viewed as one of the leaders in the Villa squad and has donned the armband at times this season and this suggests that the club would lose one of the big voices on the pitch and in the dressing room with his departure.

Therefore, Zych being the captain of his country’s youth side is a big plus in his favour as it indicates that the gem has the potential to take on the leadership responsibilities that the current first-team number one has.

That, along with the 18-year-old’s form for the youth side this campaign and his experience with the youth sides, is why the Polish stopper could be the long-term heir to Martinez’s position if Emery can unearth his talent in the years to come.

Chelsea are ‘speaking to people close’ to West Ham United midfielder Declan Rice ahead of a potential move this summer, according to journalist Simon Phillips.

The Lowdown: Uncertain future

The Irons captain has now entered the final 18 months of his contract at the London Stadium and is currently facing an uncertain future having not yet committed to extending his stay.

Alongside the Blues, Premier League giants Arsenal, Liverpool, Manchester City and Manchester United are all monitoring the 24-year-old who has rejected multiple new contract offers.

David Moyes has claimed that the England international will be a ‘British transfer record’ whenever he departs, and with reports suggesting that they could look at Kalvin Phillips as a replacement, Graham Potter will be hoping to capitalise on this opportunity.

The Latest: Phillips’ comments

Speaking to GiveMeSport, Phillips revealed that Rice is Chelsea’s primary target this summer, with Todd Boehly already in contact with the player’s representatives regarding a potential deal. He said:

“Declan Rice still tops the list, as far as I’ve been told. But with Declan Rice, they’re putting down the groundwork foundations. They are speaking to people close to him letting him know they’re there and that they are going to be making a move for him in the summer.”

The Verdict: Get it done…

Rice has been dubbed a midfield ‘controller’ and ‘dominator’ by talent scout Jacek Kulig, and Chelsea need to act fast to ensure they get a deal for him over the line before their fellow competitors.

The Adidas-sponsored star is naturally stronger in the defensive aspect of his game where he’s currently averaging 2.3 tackles per league 90 minutes but can be a threat in the final third having posted 23 senior goal contributions during his time at the London Stadium.

The Kingston upon Thames-born talent would also offer plenty of versatility with the ability to operate in central midfield and at centre-back, making him a useful option to have in the building.

Furthermore, Rice shares the same agent as Cesar Azpilicueta, Mason Mount, Raheem Sterling and Christian Pulisic, so this could give them the advantage in the race to bring him to Stamford Bridge.

Arsenal could reportedly lose Kieran Tierney to Newcastle United as their Premier League rival eye up a potential move for him this summer.

The Lowdown: Tierney out of favour

The Scotland defender has largely been out of favour under Mikel Arteta so far this season, with the Spaniard often preferring to use Oleksandr Zinchenko and even Takehiro Tomiyasu at times at left-back.

The 25-year-old has only started four Premier League games and has played just one minute in the last five matches in the top flight, coming on as an injury-time substitute in the 4-2 win at Aston Villa last Saturday (Transfermarkt).

Therefore, Tierney may look to move on this summer in search of more regular first-team football.

The Latest: Newcastle interested in Tierney

As per Football Insider, Newcastle are ‘closely monitoring’ Tierney’s situation at the Emirates Stadium ahead of a potential move this summer.

The Scotland international is thought to be valued at around £30m as the Magpies chase a new left-back who can slot straight into their starting line-up.

The Verdict: Sell him?

The Gunners have a conundrum on their hands as to whether or not to let go of Tierney this summer.

Lauded by Arsenal legend Ashley Cole as a ‘warrior’ and a ‘leader’, the 25-year-old seemingly gives everything on the pitch when he is fit, and his character has also been lauded on numerous occasions.

However, staying fit has been his problem, having missed 48 games already in his Arsenal career through injury.

At £30m, it would give the north Londoners the chance to make a profit – albeit a small one – on the £25m that they paid for Tierney to sign him from Celtic, and it would also get his £110,000-per-week wages off the club’s books.

Arteta also has Nuno Tavares to welcome back from his loan spell at Marseille, so one of him or Tierney will likely need to be sold this summer.

Chelsea have retained an interest in budding Russian talent Arsen Zakharyan and could look to issue a concrete transfer move this summer for a player who was previously missed in a transfer swoop…

What’s the latest on Chelsea’s interest in Arsen Zakharyan?

Last summer, Chelsea agreed to a £12.6m deal for the teenage prodigy, according to the Evening Standard, but due to unforeseen sanctions imposed on Russia and their athletes due to the invasion of Ukraine, the deal dropped by the wayside.

However, as now revealed by transfer guru Fabrizio Romano via his CaughtOffside column, Blues owner Todd Boehly ‘remains interested’ in signing the gem, who is expected to depart from Dinamo Moscow in the summer.

Previously speaking to Sport24, Zakharyan said:

“I immediately discovered that I wanted to go.

“I do not dismiss the option of returning [to Dynamo] on loan but at least I would try myself [at Chelsea], then I’ll be back. Maybe it would be possible to start playing there right away.”

Dinamo will now only accept bids of at least €25m (£22m) for the precocious starlet, but given Boehly’s expenditure in excess of £550m since his arrival last year, a move certainly could be forthcoming as the script continues to be rewritten in west London.

Should Potter ditch Mason Mount for Zakharyan?

If Chelsea were to forge ahead with a move for a player that has already been scouted extensively, it might be that the board forgo the option of a loan, and instead look for manager Graham Potter to integrate the Russian sensation into the fold immediately.

And given the contractual uncertainty surrounding Mason Mount’s position at the heart of the Stamford Bridge-based team, the cogs might fall kindly for Zakharyan, who has been steadily growing into his skin in his homeland.

Indeed, Champions League winner Mount is reportedly desired by the likes of Liverpool ahead of the expiry of his contract at the end of next season, with Chelsea set to cash in this summer if a resolution is not clinched.

Much like the 24-year-old English ace, Zakharyan thrives among a melange of positions in-and-around the centre of the midfield, and it is this dynamic scope that could tantalise Chelsea into making a move.

As per Sofascore, the six-cap Russian has recorded an exemplary average Premier Liga rating of 7.33 this term, scoring two goals and serving five assists, making 2.7 key passes per match and averaging 1.3 shots – illustrating his offensive skill set that appears tailor-made to take the baton from Mount, should he indeed depart from his boyhood club.

And with Mount scoring 33 goals and supplying 37 assists for the Blues, averaging 1.8 shots and 0.9 key passes per match, as per WhoScored, the hype surrounding the robust Zakharyan, hailed for his “exciting potential” by Ben Bocsak, is only heightened, given the striking similarities in potency.

Ditching Mount for a relatively untested commodity in Zakharyan would be a bold move from Potter indeed, but every indication that Boehly offers thus far during his reign over Chelsea suggests he is a bold man who will pull no punches in pursuing a deal that is believed to enhance the squad.

And if Mount does leave, no better option than the 19-year-old machine, who can be nurtured and developed into a devastating midfield force, and stands ready at an affordable price at present.

Arsenal made it successive victories in the Premier League after securing a dogged three points against Leicester City at the King Power Stadium today, diverging from the recent wobble which threatened to derail their title charge.

It was a vintage display of grit and verve from Mikel Arteta’s men, and it stretched the advantage over second-placed Manchester City to five points prior to their clash at Bournemouth this evening.

Gabriel Martinelli, who Football FanCast predicted could have a telling impact on the game, scored the solitary goal after a well-worked move and some scintillating build-up play from Leandro Trossard.

The Belgian was signed for £27m last month from Brighton & Hove Albion to bolster the offensive ranks and provide some respite from the lofty goal contribution workload that Martinelli and Bukayo Saka have burdened for much of the campaign.

Once again Trossard popped up with the goods, creating the goal shortly after half-time and painstakingly seeing his emphatic first-half strike ruled out due to an infringement in the build-up from Ben White.

Was Trossard Arsenal’s real hero today?

While Martinelli will earn the headlines for finishing the move, it was Trossard’s “absolute filth” of a nutmeg – as lauded by Alistair Coleman – leading to the pass which was the most impressive aspect of the decisive goal.

Given that his previous key moment – seeing his goal ruled out – was the Gunners’ only other strike to bulge the back of the net, the 28-year-old’s impact on this title-chasing team may be surpassing the expectations of even Arteta and co.

The “incredible” assist was a “beauty”, in the words of The Athletic’s Bob Sturm. It was Trossard’s fourth of the campaign and the first for Arsenal, with eight goals from just 18 Premier League starts to match, and he certainly appears to be the perfect figure to elevate the Gunners’ collective attacking drive.

As per Sofascore, no player on the pitch surpassed the 24-cap Belgian’s 7.5, with his assist complemented by a 100% dribble success rate, along with winning one tackle and seven of his 11 ground duels, illustrating the robust and vibrant presence that he injected into the fold today.

According to analyst Statman Dave, who dubbed him “effective”, the 28-year-old now has four goals and two assists from his appearances as a false nine this season. That bodes well for his future inclusion in the absence of the brilliantly dynamic Gabriel Jesus, who is still sidelined after injuring his knee at the 2022 World Cup with Brazil.

While the title race is far from over, the signing of Trossard appears to have been a shrewd and prudent move indeed, especially given that Arsenal were in pursuit of Mykhailo Mudryk, who was swiped from under their noses by Chelsea at the 11th hour. The £88.5m Ukrainian is yet to register a direct contribution from five outings for the Blues.

Arsenal needed immediate firepower, and that’s what they have received from Trossard. After plying his trade impressively with the Seagulls, the £40k-per-week ace now looks set to play a big part in his new team’s surge towards potential Premier League glory; and with more performances like his display against the Foxes, such silverware might just be procured.

Phil Hay has admitted he would be tempted to hand Rodrigo the chance to extend his Leeds United stay.

The Lowdown: Finally found his feet and form

Rodrigo had struggled for form and to justify his £26 million price tag prior to this season managing just 13 league goals for Leeds, but this season under Jesse Marsch was totally different for the Spaniard.

The forward is the club’s top scorer with 12 goals to his name in all competitions but has been plagued by injury as of late having not stepped onto the pitch since January 28, so is yet to work with new boss Javi Gracia.

However, given the lack of goals and good performances from the likes of Patrick Bamford and Georginio Rutter during his short stint at Elland Road so far, Leeds are very dependent on Rodrigo’s goals.

The Latest: Rodrigo could sign a new contract

Hay has claimed on The Phil Hay Show that Leeds could well look to offer Rodrigo a new deal if he does manage to refind his form post-injury under Gracia as he’s been dependable this term.

He said: (47:15) “I think he would even say himself that he’s been better this season than he has been in the previous two and at this stage, he’s starting to get into the latter stages of his contract.

“I actually think I’d be quite tempted to extend it if he carries on playing like this.”

The Verdict: New contract must be on sensible terms

Given that Rodrigo is set to turn 32 later this month and pushing on into the twilight years of his career, a new deal could be tricky to negotiate as Leeds wouldn’t want to be trapped into a long-term contract, whereas the striker would likely want reassurances which would be understandable as he’d want a final big payday and also because he’s been ‘excellent’ this term.

Rodrigo has indeed been Leeds’ best player this season with 12 goals across all competitions and the Whites have certainly become dependent on him as they’ve won just one game when he hasn’t been starting.

The Spaniard may be keen to extend his stay if Gracia is afforded the job on a long-term basis and also if Leeds maintain their top-flight status because if they drop into the Championship there will be next to no chance that he’s eager on playing in the second-tier of English football.

Newcastle United are reportedly eyeing up a potential move for Inter Milan right-back Denzel Dumfries this summer.

The Lowdown: January interest

It was reported that Newcastle were interested in signing Dumfries in the January transfer window, and even spoke to his agent over a potential move.

Inter were demanding a fee of up to €50m (£44.5m) to sell, with both Manchester United and Chelsea also thought to be interested.

The Latest: Summer move?

As per La Repubblica (via Sport Witness), the St. James’ Park outfit are still ‘on’ Dumfries along with Chelsea, with Inter looking at Juventus right-back Juan Cuadrado as a potential replacement.

They also mention that Sven Botman could welcome him to the North East and play a part in the deal, given that they are international teammates with the Netherlands.

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The Verdict: Get it done?

The Tynesiders already have four right-backs in the senior squad, and so will have to get rid of at least a couple of them in order to make room for Dumfries.

That would likely be Emil Krafth and Javier Manquillo, with Kieran Trippier remaining and Harrison Ashby only being signed in January as an academy addition.

Hailed as a ‘monster’ by journalist Alan Rzepa, the six-foot-two colossus has impressed at a high level for both club and country, recording seven goals and 12 assists in 75 games for Inter from right-back, including contributions in the coveted UEFA Champions League (Transfermarkt).

At the FIFA World Cup in Qatar, Dumfries played every single minute for the Netherlands on route to the quarter-finals, and produced a ‘world class’ finish to help defeat USA in the last-16.

At 26 years of age, he is about to enter his prime, and could be an ideal long-term replacement for 32-year-old Trippier.

Newcastle United may feel as if they should’ve been playing against 10 men last night after a challenge on Fabian Schar went unpunished.

The Lowdown: VAR at the centre of attention once again

The Magpies showed impressive mental toughness on Friday night as they came from behind to pick up three points for the first time this season thanks to a stoppage-time Alexander Isak penalty after a freak handball incident.

However, the three points certainly didn’t come without controversy as VAR ruled out what would’ve been Elliot Anderson’s first-ever senior goal for his boyhood club for an apparent offside infringement from Sean Longstaff, which left several people confused.

It seemed as though Forest’s gameplan was to ruffle a few feathers within the Newcastle team as they committed 17 fouls and picked up five yellow cards, and it could’ve been a lot worse had VAR intervened and looked at Andre Ayew’s first-half challenge on Schar.

The Latest: Newcastle may feel aggrieved by the latest VAR decision

While many Newcastle fans will be angered by the decision that cost Anderson his special moment in front of the fans, this foul on Schar should arguably be getting more attention given how dangerous it could’ve been.

Ghana international Ayew slid in from behind with a scissoring motion that caught Schar on the ankle and got nowhere near the ball. However, it didn’t even warrant a yellow card from referee Paul Tierney, and VAR didn’t believe it was dangerous play, either.

The Verdict: Off-field controversy overshadowing victory

It seemed as though it was going to be one of those nights for Newcastle as they crashed efforts off the bar twice in the first half and saw Keylor Navas pull off stunning saves in the second period.

The fact that Tierney didn’t even believe this challenge warranted a stronger punishment perhaps sums up what many fans may think of his own performance at the City Ground last night, as this tackle could’ve ended awfully.

Schar did well to somehow get his ankle out of danger, as the Switzerland international could well have been looking at several weeks on the sidelines on another day.

YouTuber Mark Goldbridge has claimed "electic" striker Randal Kolo Muani could be an "interesting" alternative to Victor Osimhen for the right price amid transfer links to Manchester United.

What's the latest on the Randal Kolo Muani links to Man Utd?

At the end of the season, it seems more than likely that the Red Devils look to find an upgrade on loan player Wout Weghorst with a new signing in the summer transfer market.

At the moment, two of the biggest names linked with Man Utd look to be Osimhen and Harry Kane. Indeed, the duo seem to perpetually be tipped as priority targets but it remains to be seen who Erik ten Hag really wants.

In the end, it could be neither of them. Along that line of thinking, as per BILD's Christian Falk (via Manchester Evening News), the Red Devils could look to sign Kolo Muani, with €120m (roughly £105m) touted as the required price needed to land the Eintracht Frankfurt star.

When speaking on The United Stand, Goldbridge explained why Ten Hag might prefer the Frenchman but also claimed he wouldn't be worth the price currently being suggested.

He said (2:44): “I think in many ways he would be good for Manchester United because he's a former winger playing up front. He's got electric speed, he's got dribbling, he's got movement, he's got finishing.

"So if you want a number nine that's going to play on the last line, then Muani fits that. You know, quick striker in behind, movement in the box, skillful player. If that's what we're looking for, can score goals, then Muani would be very, very interesting.

“The interesting thing is, what is Ten Hag looking for? Because I think Victor Osimhen gives you a lot more than Muani, in the sense that I think he's better. And I think that he gives you more build-up play, gives you more presence, and I just think he's an overall different level striker, Osimhen.

And so I'm not sure why you'd spend anything over £70m on Muani, when you could probably get Osimhen for just over £100m. So I don't see £100m for Muani, I don't see that. That's my bottom line. I just do not see that price tag being realistic."

Should Man Utd sign Osimhen or Kolo Muani?

Up to this point in the campaign, Kolo Muani has 16 goals and 14 assists in 35 outings across all competitions for Frankfurt. Interestingly enough, his 30 goals involvements is the exact same figure Osimhen has at Napoli. Indeed, the Serie A star has 25 goals and five assists in total but has played six games fewer than the Frenchman.

With that in mind, when it comes to pure goal scoring, it's clear that Osimhen is a more natural goalscorer but if Ten Hag wants someone who can mix things up and play the provider too, then Kolo Muani could perhaps be his man.

It will certainly be fascinating to see who is targeted this summer and how much money United are willing to spend.

Dan Cook has urged Crystal Palace and Steve Parish to not bring back Roy Hodgson.

The Lowdown: Palace still searching for a Vieira replacement

Crystal Palace will have been hoping for a sort of bounce when they sacked Patrick Vieira and put Paddy McCarthy in temporary charge against Arsenal, however, the complete opposite happened as they shipped more than two goals in a game for the first time since the start of January.

Following the shock decision to sack Vieira, reports started to emerge about a sensational return for former manager and now retiree Roy Hodgson, who is said to be open about taking charge until the end of the season.

However, given that Vieira was appointed as this young and forward-thinking coach as well as being allowed to overhaul the squad by losing veteran players and bringing in more youthful talents he could help develop, going back to Hodgson is a bizarre move.

The Latest: Parish must avoid managerial mishap

Following the defeat against Arsenal and talk of Hodgson returning to Palace, Cook has urged Parish to not return to the veteran manager while speaking on the HLTCO podcast.

He said: (3:15) “In this particular instance, I’m going to nail my colours to the mast, I don’t see what bringing Roy Hodgson back to this football club achieves in the short term or the long term.

“I understand that maybe the Patrick Vieira experiment and the dynamic behind the scenes had shifted dramatically post-the decision to relieve Shaun Derry of his duties as one of his coaching staff.

“But, if the upshot of a break in the relationship between the ownership and Patrick Vieira is to get rid of him and bring Roy Hodgson back to the football club, then I just don’t see what purpose it serves, I can’t understand the decision making.”

The Verdict: Hodgson is not the answer for Palace

Bringing in Hodgson could be a panic appointment from Parish and the Palace board, the logic would be sound as he’s been there and done it at Selhurst Park managing to keep the Eagles in the top flight during his previous tenure.

However, given his age and the fact he willingly retired in 2022 should suggest that going back to the Englishman would be a poor decision and only show Palace to be going one way and that’s backwards.

Palace looked to be moving in the right direction by signing young exciting players such as Michael Olise, Marc Guehi and Joachim Andersen, but calling a manager out of retirement just for short-term gain would signal that parish may well have lost vision of what he wants the Eagles to be like as a club.