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Manchester United could reignite their interest in previous transfer target Saul Niguez in the summer.

The Spanish midfielder has been linked with the Red Devils on numerous occasions in the past, with a move yet to come to fruition.

However, reports from Cadena Ser indicate that he could leave Atletico Madrid in the summer, with Ole Gunnar Solskjaer once again waiting in the wings.

This time, the Red Devils must get their man.

Since breaking through into the Atletico first team, the 26-year-old has gone on to become one of the most complete midfield players in Europe.

In 326 appearances for Los Rojiblancos, he has scored 43 goals and notched 18 assists. For a player only just reaching his peak years, that is quite a considerable and impressive record.

His experience in Europe would hugely benefit the Red Devils, with Saul having racked up 59 appearances in the Champions League, reaching two finals as well as lifting the Europa League.

The 19-cap Spanish international thrives in a box-to-box role, not only getting forwards but also being extremely reliable when defending.

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According to WhoScored, Saul averages 1.5 tackles, 0.9 interceptions and one clearance per game in all competitions.

Whilst this does not take him above Fred in the pecking order of United’s current midfielders, these defensive statistics rate him above Donny van de Beek and Nemanja Matic for those respective metrics.

That crucial role in a midfield trio with the Brazilian would allow Paul Pogba to push further forwards and support Bruno Fernandes in the Red Devils’ attacking play.

Whilst Saul is valued at £49.5m by Transfermarkt having over five years left on his current contract at the Wanda Metropolitano, the reports that Atletico would allow him to leave in the upcoming transfer window could see that asking price lowered.

Now that he is seemingly available, United have to go back and finally get their man at the second time of asking.

AND in more news, read about which current Man Utd star Ed Woodward has to commit to a new contract…

The hunt for Celtic’s new manager has been sprinkled with some extra spice over the last week or so. The Hoops hierarchy are still no closer to announcing Neil Lennon’s successor but they are discovering more about their options.

It has now been three weeks since Lennon left his post and the Bhoys are busy chipping away at their list.

Early speculation claimed it could be Rafa Benitez who takes on the job but the search for the Northern Irishman’s successor has taken many twists and turns since.

Last week, RB Salzburg manager Jesse Marsch revealed it was an honour to be linked with the hot seat. However, just a day later, German reporter Christian Falk said the following: “He will not be available in the summer for the job in Glasgow.”

Considering all he’s brought to Salzburg, this was a monumental blow to Celtic’s hopes.

What this twist has allowed, though, is for Celtic to get their priorities straight. One of the names linked in recent weeks has been Chris Wilder.

The 53-year-old left his role as manager of Sheffield United with the Blades sat rock bottom of the English Premier League. That may not bring much joy to Hoops supporters but his achievements prior to that are incredible.

Martin Keown described Wilder as the “messiah” of Bramall Lane, taking them from League One to the Premier League and nearly achieving a miracle in earning them European football.

Sheffield United ultimately finished ninth in the table last term, just two points behind Arsenal. This season may be one to forget but for everything he achieved previously, he must be top of Celtic’s wishlist.

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Wilder worked on a shoestring budget and importantly for the Hoops, he is pretty adept defensively.

The Blades conceded just 39 goals last term, fewer than Tottenham, Arsenal, Chelsea and Leicester City. For a Celtic side who have been so lacklustre in that part of their game this term, he could be game-changing.

The Glaswegians have shipped 14 more goals than Rangers in the league while they somehow let in 19 strikes during their six Europa League group games.

If there is any area they need to desperately improve in ahead of next season, it’s at the back.

Combine Wilder’s ability to work with minimal funds and achieve things above his station and it makes for an eye-catching appointment.

The likes of Roberto Martinez and Ralf Rangnick might be more appealing, but Wilder stands as the more realistic option.

AND in other news, Bankier missed Celtic’s next Van Dijk in £46k-p/w beast who “rarely makes mistakes”…

Noel Whelan believes Glasgow Rangers midfielder Glen Kamara may not get too many more opportunities to make a move from Ibrox to the Premier League.

Whelan discusses Kamara

Leeds have been linked with a move for the Gers man (TEAMtalk), although there appears to have been no concrete approach as of yet.

Speaking to Football Insider, former Elland Road man Whelan has suggested the Finland international may not get many more opportunities to move to a big Premier League club. He said:

“He’d definitely add something to Leeds United but it depends on whether they’re going to allow him to leave. That’s the problem. 

“When you’ve got a Champions League side in Rangers, would a player want to leave or would he want to give it a shot there? It’s difficult because how far they are going to make it in the Champions League we’re not so sure.

“To come and play for a big club like Leeds in the Premier League, those opportunities don’t come around too often.

“He’s an absolutely fantastic player and we know Steven Gerrard wanted him to sign a new contract. That’s not happened as of yet.

“We need to strengthen in that department. There is gonna be an abundance of players who Leeds are on the lookout for in the summer.”

Champions League is the Gers’ joker

Indeed, a move to the Premier League is probably the dream of a number of players at Rangers, and Kamara is towards the front of the list in terms of those who have earned a move south of the border. With 44 appearances in all competitions this term (Transfermarkt), he has more than played his part in what has been a successful campaign for the Gers as they have clinched the Premiership title.

As Whelan suggests though, the possibility of playing in the Champions League next season may be enough to keep him at Ibrox for another 12 months. In fact, some impressive performances in that competition may even convince clubs higher up the English top flight to make a move for the 24-year-old. Either way, Ross Wilson and co are likely to be fielding plenty of enquiries for the former Dundee man this summer.

In other news, Rangers fans are livid at this broadcaster’s comments.

After being held to a damaging 1-1 draw against Burnley in the Premier League at the weekend, Arsenal return to action when they take on Olympiacos in the first leg of their Europa League clash on Thursday night.

Mikel Arteta’s side were of course knocked out by the Greek giants last year in this same competition, with a late goal from the visitors seeing their European hopes go up in smokes at the Emirates.

The Gunners boss also has to contend with the small task of a north London derby against Tottenham on Sunday afternoon, but there’s no questioning that he will look to go as strong as possible with his starting line-up tonight.

And, with that in mind, below is a look at how Arsenal might line up when they make the trip to face Olympiacos.

In goal, Bernd Leno will be looking to keep a clean sheet after his involvement in the Gunners’ defensive howler against Burnley last time out.

The back-four could see one significant change with Hector Bellerin returning at right-back after Calum Chambers was drafted in at Turf Moor, perhaps to deal with the physical and aerial threat of the Clarets.

In midfield, Thomas Partey and Granit Xhaka should continue their partnership in the engine room, with the former surely hoping to get to full speed as quick as possible after recently returning from injury.

Further forward, the £36m-rated Nicolas Pepe is surely in line for a return to the starting line-up after his lively cameo against Burnley – the Ivorian missed a glorious opportunity to score, before being involved in two controversial penalty incidents that failed to go Arsenal’s way.

Given Willian’s last Europa League display against Benfica, in which he helped inspire the Gunners’ comeback by assisting Kieran Tierney, it would be a big call from Arteta to drop him.

Up front, it’s a far easier decision, with Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang once again leading the line.

Predicted XI: Leno; Bellerin, Luiz, Mari, Tierney; Partey, Xhaka; Saka, Odegaard, Pepe; Aubameyang.

There are just couple of hours of the winter transfer window left and Southampton are still yet to bring anyone in.

Ralph Hasenhuttl’s side have struggled with injuries in recent weeks, with key players such as Jannik Vestergaard and Oriol Romeu having been sidelined, which has led to a downturn in form for the Saints.

Although the likes of Romeu, Nathan Redmond and Moussa Djenepo recently returned to fitness, a lack of squad depth looks to be a real problem at the South Coast club, which has been exposed in their defeats against Arsenal and Aston Villa.

Hasenhuttl’s side are looking particularly threadbare at full-back, with no senior left-backs available other than Ryan Bertrand, whilst the Austrian has just Yan Valery available as back-up to Kyle Walker-Peters at right-back.

In the former Tottenham Hotspur man’s absence against Villa, Hasenhuttl selected James Ward-Prowse and Djenepo ahead of Valery at right-back, which emphasises that the Frenchman is out of favour, and that the Austrian is clearly desperate for some defensive reinforcements.

However, BBC Radio Solent journalist Adam Blackmore has claimed on Twitter that Southampton are “working on” bringing someone in before the 11 pm deadline, suggesting that the South Coast club are still hopeful of signings, despite failed attempts to bring in Ainsley Maitland-Niles and Japhet Tanganga.

Certainly, if reinforcements aren’t brought in, it looks as if Southampton will continue to fall away from the top six positions, with their impressive early-season form undone by poor results over the past two months, with injuries having taken their toll on Hasenhuttl’s squad.

Hopefully, for Saints fans, Blackmore’s update is accurate, and Martin Semmens will be able to deliver some new signings before this evening’s deadline.

And, in other news… David Ornstein’s Southampton update another kick in the teeth for Ralph Hasenhuttl

According to reports, Leeds are interested in signing Bournemouth’s teenage sensation, Ajani Burchall.

What’s the story?

The 16-year-old has broken onto the scene at the Vitality Stadium this season, making his first-team debut at the back end of December when he came on as a second-half substitute in a 5-0 win over Huddersfield. The occasion was even marked by former Premier League striker Shaun Goater, who lauded his fellow Bermudan, calling him “the future”.

Now, Football Insider claim that with Burchall having rejected a scholarship deal with the Cherries, Leeds have registered their interest in signing him this summer.

The report adds that Leeds are not alone in their chase for the left-winger, with the likes of West Ham and Arsenal also said to be keeping an eye on his situation.

Next Sam Greenwood

It’s been one of the features of Andrea Radrizzani and Victor Orta’s regime at Elland Road over the past few seasons, that Leeds have looked to snap up a number of exciting young talents to boost the club’s academy.

The likes of Cody Drameh, Joe Gelhardt and Sam Greenwood have all arrived from other Premier League and Championship clubs, with the latter in particular making arguably the biggest impression thus far by making his first-team debut in the FA Cup clash against Crawley Town earlier this year.

Burchall, while he may be just 16, could follow in Greenwood’s footsteps as another exciting, attacking talent, who seemingly bears some of the same characteristics that has marked the former Sunderland youngster out as a promising player.

Bournemouth’s official club website has written that Burchall is “predominantly plays wide and is an exciting forward player who likes to take opponents on and has an eye for goal, while also being a hard-working, tough-tackling winger” – not too dissimilar to Greenwood.

Meanwhile, Burchall’s teammate at the Cherries, Steve Cook, said after his debut: “You could see how special a player he is. His first involvement was checked his shoulder, cut across a player and won his foul. For a 16-year-old, that awareness, that knowhow, I think the club have produced a really good player.

“On Saturday we had a few players who have come through the youth system, so it’s terrific. The club’s been known for that and I think Ajani has got great talent. He obviously can’t train with us day-to-day because he’s at school! But I’m sure he’s got a very good future and a very proud moment for his family.”

Orta could very well land Leeds’ next Greenwood by signing Burchall this summer.

According to a report by club insiders Claret & Hugh, via West Ham Central, defender Craig Dawson will sign for West Ham United once he makes just two more appearances for the club – a fee which will apparently total £2.2 million. 

Manager David Moyes also confirmed in a press conference that Dawson is ‘very close’ to becoming a permanent player as the club near his obligation to buy clause over the amount of matches featured (football.london).

Now, Claret & Hugh claim that the exact number of appearances needed is two – with the transfer fee paid to parent club Watford amounting to around £2.2m when the clause is triggered.

Flocking to this claim, plenty of Hammers were in full reaction as one supporter called it the ‘best news I have heard all day’.

Given the unexpected impact Dawson has made at the London Stadium, keeping the likes of Fabian Balbuena and Issa Diop out the team at points this season, it’s hardly surprising some supporters are excited.

Find all of their verdicts down below.

West Ham fans flock to Dawson claim

“Great business he is a decent solid pro”

Credit: @StuartPiner

“Best news I have heard all day”

Credit: @Lydgate1

“7.2 million for Coufal and Dawson… Ridiculously good business. Quite rare for us.”

Credit: @ConCroucher

“What a bargain”

Credit: @mattw00druf

“Wow we need to wrap him up in cotton wool and hope he don’t get injured and be out for the rest of the season, which would normally be our luck (just hope he actually wants to stay)”

Credit: @Ludders59

“Absolute bargain”

Credit: @DazzaG77

“unbelievable signing”

Credit: @Tynam76161269

In other news: West Ham are eyeing this 44-cap star, find out more here.

Sunderland fans have been reacting to an update from James Hunter on George Dobson, who is reportedly looking to move on from the Stadium of Light due to a lack of playing time.

Dobson made a move to Wearside in July of 2019 and made 29 appearances in League One during his first campaign at the club (Transfermarkt). However, he has played just five times in the league so far this season, and it looks as though he is not in manager Lee Johnson’s plans.

Hunter, who is a Sunderland reporter, took to Twitter to share an article that he’d written about Dobson in which he reveals that the 23-year-old is frustrated at a lack of playing time and that he could be on the move in January. However, he is already said to have turned down a couple of offers.

These Sunderland fans, it seems, would be eager to see him depart. They took to the social media platform to share their thoughts.

Let’s see what the Sunderland fans had to say about Dobson below

“Please go.”

Credit: @CrazyMackem23

“Get rid of him, he’s offered absolutely nothing since arriving.”

Credit: @19Ross86

“An absolute terrible footballer makes Rodwell look like Ronaldinho”

Credit: @chrissafc1972

“I’m frustrated when he plays. Absolute garbage”

Credit: @liammcm54994114

“WHAT? Why? He’s so poor. Dan Neil should have had his shirt by October. Hope he leaves soon”

Credit: @JustBrowsingTa

“Bye”

Credit: @Dave41safc

In other news, Sunderland fans are worried by Lee Johnson’s comments.

When last season’s SPFL was curtailed because of the ongoing pandemic, there was one narrative; Celtic would win ten titles in a row.

Indeed, it was easy to see why.

Steven Gerrard’s Rangers had fallen off dramatically towards the back end of the 2019/20 campaign and Celtic have been beyond dominant in the last decade.

However, fast forward to the present day and the script hasn’t been followed. It rarely does in football but this issued a timely reminder that the Scottish game does have its drama.

This season has been a fascinating one to watch. The frontrunners for the first time in what feels like forever are the Gers.

Celtic are now 11 points behind their arch-rivals, but if we are looking for positives, they have two games in hand.

Odsonne Edouard is still finding the net with great regularity – five goals in nine league outings – but it’s the rest of the forward line and indeed the defence that need to lend greater assistance.

Nir Bitton has looked out of his depth and with Christopher Jullien out injured, they are lacking one of the core members of their title-winning team last season.

However, much of their failure this term can be accredited to Peter Lawwell, Nick Hammond and the rest of Celtic’s recruitment team. Why? Because they ignored Ivan Toney and decided to sign Albian Ajeti instead.

Now, the latter started his career at Parkhead in blistering form. The former West Ham striker netted five in his opening six games but like Celtic, his form has dropped off a cliff in the last few months.

The Swiss has now failed to score in his last eight appearances and looked a very isolated figure against Hibernian last weekend. According to WhoScored, in two of his last three matches, Ajeti has dropped an average rating below 6.1.

That is disastrous, especially when you consider Hammond could have spent that £4.5m elsewhere more wisely.

Toney was someone the club were linked with in the summer but Celtic preferred other options and as such, Brentford signed him for £5m rising to £10m.

It’s fair to say this was a catastrophic blunder. Toney has found the back of the net ten times in just 14 games in the English Championship this season and is proving to be a prolific entity.

This shouldn’t be a surprise either. Peterborough owner Barry Fry commented in the summer: “Toney would be a revelation for Celtic, he’d be a star, for definite. He’d score 30 to 40 goals up there, he really would.”

Steve Evans, meanwhile, noted his proficiency a number of years ago: “Ivan is a dream for a manager. His goals record is brilliant, but his work rate is phenomenal,” he said:

With Celtic now in real danger of not winning the title for the first time in ten years, it’s hard to suggest that he wouldn’t have made a difference.

This was a season-defining decision and by not meeting Peterborough’s asking price, they made a fatal error.

It is coming back to bite them.

Meanwhile, this was the ONLY positive from Celtic’s draw against Hibs…

Sunderland’s season is going from bad to worse at the moment. Without a win in their last four league outings, they are in danger of failing to get promoted for a third consecutive season in League One.

It’s a troublesome time for the Mackems, but there could be a light at the end of the tunnel. At present, Stewart Donald is locked in talks with Juan Sartori and Kyril Louis-Dreyfus over a takeover so new faces could walk through the door very soon.

On top of that, they are also in the hunt for a new manager.

Before their draw with Burton on Tuesday, the club took the decision to sack Phil Parkinson and as a result, Andy Taylor has taken caretaker charge.

There are a number of replacements lined up including Lee Johnson and Danny Cowley. Although that will be their first priority, it’s thought that Dreyfus and co want to broaden the club’s pool of staff by hiring a sporting director.

The man who may be tasked with that role is former Sunderland midfielder Stefan Schwarz.

Speaking on the What the Falk podcast, Sky Sports presenter Tom White said: “The obvious choice would be Stefan Schwarz. I’ve no idea there’s any truth but it would make sense as they’ve said in interviews it’s someone English and Scandinavian.”

Of course, whether Schwarz is genuinely interesting Sunderland is merely speculation at this point but bringing him to the north-east wouldn’t be the best of ideas, certainly judging by his track record in the transfer market.

The 50-year-old’s latest job was with Augsburg in Germany where he spent a total of £12.7m across the two seasons he spent as the club’s technical director.

Before that, he was the chief scout and helped to bring players like Martin Hinteregger to attention but when he was the lead man, it wasn’t a particularly successful operation.

Writer Robert Goetz revealed in 2017: “The flops category includes players such as Daniel Opare, Nikola Djurdijc, Mathias Fetsch and Raphael Holzhauser. The currently loaned striker trio Tim Matavz, Shawn Parker (both Nuremberg) and Albian Ajeti (FC St. Gallen) are among the wrong purchases for some of the FCA fans.”

One of the main problems for Schwarz, however, was that transfers took a long time to complete, meaning they had to pay some pretty hefty fees in the process. Hinteregger, for example, was an estimated £7m.

Though, he didn’t just have issues at Augsburg – he also experienced them at 1860 Munich and Hoffenheim when he was a scout. “From a celebrated scout to a bogeyman, it goes quickly on the Munich boulevard. “Suddenly he wasn’t there, but nobody noticed,” was one of the headlines,” wrote Goetz.

That doesn’t exactly bode well for someone Sunderland could charge with leading their recruitment and negotiations.

Speaking about his time at Hoffenheim, Schwarz previously said: “In Hoffenheim we worked with a large scouting department. But sometimes too many cooks spoil the broth. As a result, some transfers were also broken.”

Again, this isn’t a great omen for the Black Cats, a club who could have plenty of cooks in the kitchen once the takeover is done.

Sartori and Dreyfus will be joint owners while Donald is set to maintain at least a 15% stake. Add the various scouts and a new manager into the equation and all of a sudden, you have plenty of minds all potentially offering varying opinions.

Perhaps Sunderland ought to look elsewhere in pursuit of a sporting director.

In other news, someone other than Max Power stood out for Sunderland on Tuesday…