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Arsenal are one of several teams keeping tabs on Youssoufa Moukoko’s situation at Borussia Dortmund…

What’s the word?

That’s according to 90min, who claim that the Bundesliga outfit are struggling to tie the 18-year-old down to a new contract, meaning he is increasingly likely to leave in the summer.

It’s thought that the teenage forward is after a deal worth €200k-per-week (£176k) but Dortmund have offered around half of that in what would be similar terms to summer signing Karem Adeyemi.

Moukoko’s agents are also after a release clause – just as the club did with Erling Haaland – but the two parties aren’t close on reaching a number.

As such, Chelsea and Newcastle United have held talks with his representatives, whilst the Gunners and arch-rivals Tottenham Hotspur, along with Liverpool and Manchester United, are all keeping a close eye on the situation, as per the report.

A big Nketiah upgrade

Whether this situation could open up a move before the January 31st deadline remains to be seen but in Moukoko, Arsenal sporting director Edu Gaspar could find a serious upgrade to Eddie Nketiah.

The Hale End graduate has been in fine form in 2023, scoring four goals in four starts since manager Mikel Arteta lost his key man Gabriel Jesus to a long-term injury but that shouldn’t stop the club from adding further quality to the frontline.

The 23-year-old has bagged 30 goals across 115 appearances for his boyhood club, which isn’t really a talismanic record, though to his credit, he has rarely started.

However, still in his teens, Moukoko has already been capped by Germany at senior level and has found the net 11 times in 59 outings. Similar to Nketiah, the 18-year-old has been an absolute goal-machine at youth level, having produced 127 goals and 26 assists in just 84 appearances in all competitions for BVB at youth level.

Compared to Samuel Eto’o by Bundesliga.com, the German sensation has also been lauded by the aforementioned Haaland, once a teammate of his.

“Moukoko’s much better than I was at his age,” he said. “I’ve never seen such a good 15-year-old in my life. The advantage for him is that he’s already playing for Dortmund at the age of 15. At his age, I was still playing for my home town of Bryne.”

Also dubbed a “massive talent” by journalist Richard Cusack, Moukoko has actually been likened to Arsenal’s current frontman in terms of statistical profile by FBref, as well as ex-Gunners star Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.

The Dortmund wonderkid also ranks inside the top 6% for non-penalty expected goals and the top 7% for assists per 90, when compared to fellow strikers across Europe’s leading five divisions, which is pretty good going for an 18-year-old. Nketiah, meanwhile, sits back in the top 17% and 79% for the same statistics.

As such, Edu could well find Arteta a real star of the future in Moukoko, seeing as he appears to be a far greater talent than his in-form bagsman, so whether it’s now or in the summer, Arsenal should look to sign him at all costs.

AND in other news, Arsenal can bag bargain Mudryk alternative in £10m “phenomenon” who’s “a Messi clone”…

Tottenham Hotspur’s reported target, Leandro Trossard, could potentially make a sensational return to Brighton & Hove Albion amid the current drama surrounding his future.

What’s the latest?

According to reports, the Lilywhites are showing a serious interest in potentially bringing the Belgian forward to north London this month.

And there has even been some suggestion that the Lilywhites have already had a verbal offer in the region of £12m knocked back by the Seagulls for the 28-year-old.

However, despite the player’s agent releasing a statement on Friday claiming the best solution would be for the player to leave, Roberto De Zerbi has refused to rule out a future on the south coast for the Belgian:

“It’s not a bad situation, it’s a great situation because if we learn, if we improve what will be our way, we can only improve,” the Italian recently said.

And these comments have left Sky Sports reporter Dharmesh Sheth stunned as the journalist spoke on the latest episode of the Transfer Talk podcast:

“This is extraordinary, this story, actually. Because if you go back pre-World Cup, everything was fine, wasn’t it? He was scoring a hat-trick at Liverpool, playing fantastically well. And then post-World Cup, huge issues.

“It should be said though, that De Zerbi thinks there is a way back for Trossard and that their relationship might actually end up being stronger because of the issues that they’ve had.”

A potential blow for Spurs

Given there has been such a contrast between the comments from De Zerbi and the statement from Trossard’s agent, this could make for an interesting week in the Belgian’s future.

Perhaps the comments from his current manager could help to de-escalate the situation and potentially convince Trossard to see out the season on the south coast.

After all, the Belgian has enjoyed recent success playing for Brighton with an impressive return of seven goals in the Premier League this season.

Given his form this season, the forward could potentially provide Spurs with a much-needed boost up top with Son Heung-min’s struggling immensely this season.

However, it was a strong statement from Trossard’s camp and it would take some backtracking from the Belgian if he was to return to the Brighton camp.

It has been reported that he has since left the country and made his way back to Belgium which makes this transfer saga even more dramatic amid his current omission from De Zerbi’s matchday squad.

There will potentially be an aspect of whether Spurs actually want to sign a player who is capable of creating such a divide in a team – despite his talent on the pitch.

And given how far he has gone out of his way to send the message to Brighton that he would like to leave, it would certainly make for a sensational U-turn if he was to return to playing for the Seagulls at some point this season.

Glasgow Rangers will be hoping to add a couple of fresh faces to their squad this month, and there is hope that Michael Beale might not be far away from making his first signing at Ibrox in the January transfer window.

According to Sky Sports, the Light Blues have held positive talks over a possible move for Todd Cantwell, who is reportedly in favour of a move to the Premiership giants.

Beale will surely be especially keen on securing moves for a couple of midfielders this year, especially with Scott Arfield, Steven Davis, and Ryan Jack all out of contract at the end of the campaign.

Another player who has been linked with a move to Ibrox since Beale took charge is Fulham midfielder Josh Onomah, and Rangers could repeat their Steven Davis masterclass by luring the 25-year-old to Glasgow this month.

Rangers have actually completed a Davis masterclass on two occasions, signing him for the club in January 2008 from Fulham and again 11 years later from Southampton, with both moves proving to be extremely popular with many supporters.

His first spell at the club saw the Northern Irishman win six trophies before he left Ibrox to join the Saints. Fast forward to 2019, when Steven Gerrard managed to secure his services as he made the move to Glasgow in January once again and became an integral part of the team which won the club’s first league title in a decade in 2021.

His influence has perhaps waned this season, though, starting just three times in the Premiership campaign up to this point.

Onomah could also secure a move to Rangers during January and, like Davis, he is a central midfielder who has struggled for game-time in recent months, playing just 13 minutes of Premier League football this season.

Last season was a different story, though, with the player living up to Mauricio Pochettino’s praise, his former Tottenham manager having previously dubbed him “a special player”.

Indeed, he registered four goal contributions in 20 Championship matches as Fulham won promotion to the Premier League. He made 0.6 key passes and 1.3 tackles per game while also being successful with 67% of his attempted dribbles, showing his class in numerous aspects.

Beale could secure his services on the cheap considering that Onomah is out of contract in the summer, and there seems little doubt that he could be a shrewd mid-season recruit in the mould of Davis by coming to Ibrox.

Glasgow Rangers are close to completing the signing of Nicolas Raskin, according to reports on Saturday.

The Lowdown: Rangers’ pursuit of Raskin

The Ibrox giants have been linked with a move for the 21-year-old since last summer, with the Premiership club said to be locked in talks with Standard Liege at the end of August. However, no agreement was reached, as the Light Blues wanted the Belgian club to lower their expectations about the size of the bid.

In recent days, it has emerged that Rangers are ‘serious’ about signing the midfielder ‘in the next few days’, and the deal is now believed to be edging towards completion.

The Latest: Deal close…

According to a report from Glasgow Live, Rangers boss Michael Beale is close to bringing in the 21-year-old, who could be available on a cut-price deal, given that his contract expires at the end of the season.

The Light Blues’ manager has been keen to bolster his midfield options this month, with the report also claiming that Todd Cantwell is set to be unveiled as a Rangers player next week after a deal was agreed with Norwich.

The Verdict: Make it happen

Journalist Bob Faesen has hailed Raskin as ‘technically gifted’, while he also praised the 21-year-old’s versatility, stating that he is able to ‘play in every position in the middle of the park’.

During the 2022/23 campaign, the Belgian has not featured further forward than central midfield, playing in a more defensive role on five occasions. He has still managed to display his playmaking talents, though, weighing in with four assists in the Jupiler Pro League.

With Steven Davis on the treatment table for the remainder of the season, Rangers could do with another option in the midfield engine room. Raskin would be a viable long-term replacement for the Northern Ireland veteran, capable of offering attacking contributions but also able to chip in defensively when necessary.

He has notably averaged 3.3 tackles per game this season, which far outstrips the averages of every Rangers player in that regard, so Beale needs to try and make this deal happen before the transfer window closes in nine days’ time.

Chelsea are reportedly set to join the race to sign Wolverhampton Wanderers midfielder, Matheus Nunes, this summer, with the Portugal international currently attracting hefty interest.

What’s the word?

According to the Telegraph, the Blues are seemingly set to rival Premier League rivals Liverpool for the 24-year-old’s signature at the end of the season, with manager Graham Potter seemingly keen to strengthen his midfield ranks.

As the report outlines, the centre of the park is an area that could well be prioritised ‘over the next two windows’, with Jorginho seemingly in line to depart this summer, while fellow veteran N’Golo Kante has spent much of the current campaign on the treatment table.

Previous reports have suggested that if those at Molineux are to part ways with Nunes any time soon, they could well be looking for a fee of more than £50m, after only bringing the 11-cap gem to England on a £42.2m deal during the previous window.

Dream Gallagher upgrade

The former Sporting Lisbon sensation has warranted such interest as a result of his standout displays in recent times, with the “special” talent, as lauded by former coach Ruben Franco, having averaged 1.7 tackles per game from his 17 league outings this term, while also winning a solid 50% of his ground duels.

Previously described as “one of the best players in the world today” by Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola, the £85k-per-week maestro could well prove a notable upgrade on current Stamford Bridge asset, Conor Gallagher, with the latter man averaging just 1.4 tackles per game and winning only 48% of his ground duels this season from his 18 top-flight appearances.

The dynamic Englishman – who has been linked with a move to Newcastle United of late – has endured a difficult return to the first-team in west London, after previously racking up 11 goal involvements in the league during his spell on loan at Crystal Palace last season.

The Epsom-born machine has only started nine top-flight games this time around after failing to secure a regular role under Potter, with the club’s rampant desire to strengthen in midfield seemingly illustrating that they aren’t content with the current options, such as Gallagher.

Potter and co could well replace the youngster in the side by turning to the aforementioned Nunes in the near future, with the Portuguese dynamo arguably offering more in a creative sense as he ranks in the top 5% among his European peers for progressive passes received, while the current Chelsea man ranks in just the top 7% in that regard.

Although it may appear something of a loss to lose Gallagher’s box-to-box presence in the side – as evidenced by the fact that the 22-year-old ranks in the top 13% for touches in the attacking penalty area – the Wolves ace can match that attacking thrust as he also ranks in the top 13% for the same metric.

That should indicate that turning to Nunes could well represent the dream upgrade that the Blues are seemingly craving.

Leeds United are keeping tabs on Southampton striker Che Adams in the final hours of the January transfer window, according to reporter Alex Crook.

The Lowdown: Three in

The Whites have been very productive so far in January, with Weston McKennie becoming the third first-team addition of the month under Andrea Radrizzani and Victor Orta.

The USA midfielder has joined defender Max Wober and forward Georginio Rutter at Elland Road, with Leeds officials bolstering a number of areas of the pitch for Jesse Marsch. It seems as if the club could be open to further business, though, as they have been named in an update on Adams.

The Latest: Adams speculation

Crook shared a story for talkSPORT on Monday, looking at Adams’ future. He said that Leeds are keeping tabs on his situation and Everton are also long-term admirers of the forward.

However, the reporter claims that Southampton will not entertain any bids for the Scotland international before tonight’s 11pm deadline.

The Verdict: Things can change…

As we know, anything can happen between now and 11pm, so there could be a chance that Leeds test Southampton’s resolve with an offer for Adams, who Ralph Hasenhuttl has hailed for having a ‘fantastic’ attitude.

The 26-year-old appears to be at the top of his game with a career-high €22m (£19.3m) Transfermarkt valuation and can play anywhere across the front three. He also has plenty of Premier League experience under his belt, contributing to 37 goals in 115 appearances in the top flight.

He has been heavily linked with a move to Elland Road over the last 12 months, so if the Whites decide to sell Jack Harrison – as has been speculated – perhaps Adams could be viewed as his replacement, making this possibly one to watch.

Arsenal are showing an interest in potentially landing Declan Rice in the summer and they could possibly acquire him for as little as £75m.

What’s the latest?

The Gunners were believed to have been eyeing a new midfielder over the course of the January window but failed in their attempts to sign Moises Caicedo.

It was reported Arsenal saw two big-money bids rejected by Brighton & Hove Albion in the latter stages of the window which saw the Gunners move their attention to Jorginho.

And sign Jorginho exactly what Edu Gaspar has done but there is still the expectation that Arsenal will pursue the likes of Rice in the summer transfer window.

Speaking to The Athletic, journalist David Ornstein has shone some light on Rice’s situation at West Ham United and has suggested the player is unlikely to cost over the £100m mark:

(10:20) “I think it’s more of a contractual situation it’s their last chance to reap a massive transfer fee for him.

“But I think compared to last year when West Ham had no intention or need to sell and the valuation if there was one was said to be in excess of £100m.

“The word that I’m hearing from around the industry is that £75m/£80m/£85m is a more realistic figure that can Rice this coming summer.”

Gettable in the summer

Rice’s contract situation at West Ham has become somewhat of a sticky situation for the hammers with the midfielder having rejected three fresh proposals to extend his stay at the London Stadium.

However, last year, manager David Moyes suggested it would take £150m to prise the Irons’ prized asset away over the course of the summer window.

Now months on from this, Rice has just over one year remaining on his deal with West Ham meaning this summer is the final opportunity for the Hammers to cash in on him for a significant price.

But it does seem as if the huge £150m price tag put on his head by Moyes could be halved in the coming months which could prove a seriously attractive deal for many clubs.

It is apparent the money is there for Arsenal to spend in the summer given they are believed to have lodged a second bid for Caicedo which was also worth in the region of £70m.

But in Rice, Arsenal could potentially add a homegrown player which is important for clubs playing in the Champions League as they have specific quotas to meet.

And given he has now 187 Premier League appearances to his name and is at home in London, it could be a deal which would make a lot of sense for the 24-year-old.

BBC Sport journalist Phil McNulty has labelled Everton’s lack of spending in January as a ‘catastrophic failure’ from the board. 

The Lowdown: No new signings

Sean Dyche’s side were unable to bring any new players through the door this month, with the returns of Ellis Simms and Niels Nkounkou from their respective loan moves the only form of new arrivals at Goodison Park this month.

Late on deadline day, the club were linked with a move for Andre Ayew according to L’Equipe, but Sky Sports reporter Vinny O’Connor claimed there was ‘nothing’ in the link when speaking to the Premier League club.

The Latest: McNulty slams Everton board

McNulty took to Twitter and lambasted the lack of transfer activity from Everton, pointing fingers at the owner and director of football Kevin Thelwell.

He tweeted: “Everton’s failure to sign a player in January is a catastrophic failure by the owner, the board and director of football Kevin Thelwell. This is the club that boasted about a ‘strategic review’ and ended the window weaker than when it started while lying in the relegation zone.”

The Verdict: The pressure’s on

We believe the lack of spending in January puts huge pressure on the Everton players and new manager Dyche for the remainder of the season.

The board has come under immense criticism in recent times, with pundit Tam McManus tearing into them earlier this month, claiming ‘the ownership doesn’t listen to the fans’.

McManus also criticised the club’s poor recruitment and claimed that the current players simply ‘aren’t good enough’ when speaking to Football Insider.

Our view is that Everton’s current batch of players got them into the situation they’re in, so they needed to add quality to the squad by bringing in new players.

Dyche arrived at Goodison Park late into the transfer window, but the club should’ve had a list of potential candidates for him to assess.

We see it as sheer negligence from the Toffees hierarchy and they’re the ones who will have a lot to answer for should they be relegated, having failed to bring in multiple targets in January such as Kamaldeen Sulemana and Conor Gallagher.

Everton are plotting an out-of-window move for Chelsea striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, according to Football Insider.

The Lowdown: Champions League axe

The Toffees failed to sign a single player in January so they are now only able to target the free agent market, and it appears that they might be considering an approach for the 33-year-old.

The Gabon international made his return to the Premier League last year following a brief spell at Barcelona but has fallen out of favour under Graham Potter after surprisingly being axed from Chelsea’s 25-man Champions League squad for the knockout rounds.

Reports claim that the forward is ‘shocked and disappointed’ by the decision, with Fabrizio Romano suggesting that Aubameyang will be on his way out of Stamford Bridge in the summer.

The Latest: Everton ‘eyeing’ Aubameyang

According to Football Insider, Everton are ‘eyeing’ an out-of-window deal for Aubameyang, with the Goodison Park club ‘keen’ to bring in an attacker on a free transfer.

Chelsea ‘could look to terminate’ the veteran’s contract early, and he has now ‘emerged’ onto the Merseysiders’ radar as a result.

However, the Blues would have to pay off the final 17 months of his deal to make him a free agent and therefore able to find a new club outside of the two yearly transfer windows.

The Verdict: Potential massive coup

Aubameyang already has an abundance of experience in England, having made 139 top-flight appearances, and it would be a massive coup if Sean Dyche could convince him to join Everton.

The Nike-sponsored star clocked up 113 goal contributions in 163 appearances during his time at Arsenal and would bring leadership qualities to the Toffees, having previously been captain of the Gunners.

The Gabon striker has also been hailed as ‘phenomenal’ by his former manager Mikel Arteta despite the pair eventually falling out, and he would almost certainly be able to make a positive impact in the final third at Goodison Park.

His goalscoring abilities would be greatly appreciated in a team with the joint-second fewest goals of anyone in the Premier League at this stage of the season (16 in 21 games).

Rangers goalkeeper Robby McCrorie has been tipped to break into the first team at the end of the season.

The Lowdown: Goalkeepers at Ibrox

Under both Giovanni van Bronckhorst and Michael Beale this season Rangers have decided to rotate their goalkeeper between Allan McGregor and Jon McLaughlin, with the former’s contract at the club set to expire in the summer.

McGregor has appeared 23 times with McLaughlin featuring 16 times whilst third-choice goalkeeper McCrorie has yet to play despite 14 substitute appearances.

With the uncertainty surrounding the key number one jersey, the SPFL giants are expected to enter the market for potentially a new number one.

The Latest: Clifford’s comments

Speaking on The Rangers Review, journalist Stevie Clifford suggested that McCrorie could be in line to make his first start of the season against Partick Thistle in the Scottish FA Cup on the weekend but said a chance should come his way at the end of the campaign, saying:

“I think that Robby McCrorie will get the games after the split. I think that’s a perfect way – you’ve got an Old Firm in there, which will definitely happen, so you’ve got an Old Firm, you’ve also got potentially Aberdeen, the likes of Hibs, maybe Livi, so these are all big games.

“If Robby McCrorie comes in and does well in these five games, I think you might see him go from potentially third to second-choice.”

The Verdict: Get his chance?

With Rangers currently nine points behind runaway league leaders Celtic and destined to finish second with a 19-point gap to third placed Hearts currently, the end of the season when the league title is potentially out of sight seems a good chance for McCrorie.

Amid the rotation in between the sticks and Jonny McFarlane previously claiming Rangers should sign a new goalkeeper following McLaughlin’s errors in the SPFL win against Ross County last Saturday, it can only be a matter of time before McCrorie gets his chance.

He’s been with Rangers since the youth ranks and boasts SPFL experience through a loan spell at Livingston but has just two Gers appearances to his name to date, as Clifford said, even if he proves he’s capable of being number two next season, it could relieve Beale of a headache of potentially overhauling the keeping department.