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Wolverhampton Wanderers are closing in on making their first January signing under Gary O'Neil and are in the advanced stages of tying up a deal for a talented gem, according to transfer insider Fabrizio Romano.

Wolves eyeing January deals

Wolves have enjoyed an encouraging Premier League campaign despite initial doubts from som over their capabilities at the beginning of this term and will now break off from English top-flight duty to face Brentford in the FA Cup third round on Friday evening.

Nevertheless, incomings and outgoings will be on the mind of O'Neil and his counterparts at Molineux as the 40-year-old looks to trim some areas of his squad in order to add quality reinforcements.

Of course, Portuguese outcast Fabio Silva has already left the building this month and will spend the rest of the season on loan at Scottish Premiership side Rangers, and could be joined in his departure by fellow striker Sasa Kalajdzic, who is being courted by Bundesliga side Eintracht Frankfurt.

Most fans will be concerned more with where shiny new arrivals may arrive from over the course of January and West Ham United star Said Benrahma is said to be a target for the Old Gold; however, Fulham and Olympique Lyon are also keen to sign the Algeria international, as provided by Foot Mercato.

Arnaut Danjuma is also believed to be of interest to the latter and it remains to be seen whether their move for the Everton loanee would rule them out of a move for Benrahma. Nevertheless, the Old Gold now look to be close to making their first signing of the January window, according to new developments detailed by Romano.

Noha Lemina update

Taking to social media platform X, transfer guru Romano has shared that Wolves are now close to signing Paris Saint-Germain youngster Noha Lemina, brother of current player Mario, on loan for the rest of the campaign, with a deal now in the advanced stages.

The 18-year-old is currently on loan at Sampdoria and his spell there will be terminated in order to facilitate a move to Molineux, while the Old Gold are also likely to have an option to buy him outright, potentially prolonging his stay in the West Midlands if things go well.

Gabon-born former France Under-17 international Lemina didn't make a single first-team appearance during his time at Sampdoria; nevertheless, featured ten times in total across various underage competitions, scoring twice in the process (Lemina statistics – Transfermarkt).

Despite his youthful complexion, the prodigious talent could now have an opportunity to stake his claim for regular minutes at Molineux and potentially win himself a permanent move to England.

It is believed that a Chelsea player is ready to quit the club in January despite his love for the west Londoners, and two sides have been offered his signing.

Chelsea undergoing quiet January

Despite reports indicating that Maurico Pochettino is very keen to add a striker to his ranks, there has been little in the way of genuine activity as we go over the half halfway point of this January transfer window.

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So far, the only business Chelsea have conducted is allowing both left-back Ian Maatsen and striker David Datro Fofana go out on loan in search of more game time – with time running out for the club to make necessary additions.

A new forward is particularly needed at the club, with Pochettino's side still among the Premier League top ten's lowest goalscoring sides.

Chelsea have been heavily linked to signing Napoli star Victor Osimhen, though that potential swoop is more likely to gather pace in the summer. They do have alternatives to the Nigerian, with red-hot AZ Alkmaar striker Vangelis Pavlidis among the names offered to Chelsea this month.

It will be interesting to see if Pochettino does get his desired new number nine before January 31, but for now, Chelsea could be looking to trim more unwanted players off his squad to raise funds and make room. The west Londoners, according to recent reports, have even been considering a shock sale of star midfielder Conor Gallagher in an attempt to bolster Pochettino's transfer kitty.

One player they'll be more happy to part company with, though, is midfielder Trevoh Chalobah.

Chalobah ready to quit and offered to Serie A

The versatile ace, who is said to "love" Chelsea (Fabrizio Romano), will also cast emotions aside in search of more minutes on the field.

He is now surplus to requirement under Pochettino, and as a result, Chalobah is ready to quit Chelsea this month. That is according to an Italian journalist, who claims the Englishman has been offered out to both AC Milan and Napoli by intermediaries.

Milan in particular are in desperate need of another central defender, so it will be interesting to see if they advance any further in pursuit of Chalobah. The 24-year-old was a regular under Graham Potter and Frank Lampard, with the former singing his praises as an "impressive" character.

"Very professional, very determined. He’s an impressive character, very focused on his football," said Potter last year to the Chelsea website.

"He’s a bit of a soldier. He’s played in all the games, we’re having some problems in terms of availability for players, but he’s stood up, stood in and he’s performing at a really good level."

Meanwhile, Lampard has said Chalobah is actually a "delight" in training: “He’s a delight to train with every day because he comes in with an enthusiasm, low maintenance, and when you talk about the things you want, he tries to do them on the pitch, which is a great thing."

Netherlands signed off before Euro 2024 with a comprehensive friendly win over Iceland in Rotterdam.

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• Netherlands play final Euro 2024 warm-up
• Simons, Van Dijk, Malen & Weghorst score
• Face Poland in Group D on June 16

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  TELL ME MORE

  With the Dutch ranked seventh in the world and Iceland ranked 72nd, the mismatch was pretty clear from the early stages. Xavi Simons put Oranje into a deserved lead midway through the first half, turning in from close-range after Denzel Dumfries headed the ball across the face of goal. It was clear that Iceland had little left in the tank after inflicting a shock defeat on England and Virgil van Dijk scored the second from a corner straight after half-time, although the visitors wound up hitting the post from distance via the fingertips of Bart Verbruggen. There was no danger of any sort if comeback when Memphis brilliantly found substitute Donyell Malen with a pass over the top, while Memphis had a would-be fourth ruled out by VAR for a handball earlier in the move. Wout Weghorst had the ball in the net in stoppage time that was initially flagged offside, but VAR came to the rescue this time and overturned the decision in favour of a goal.

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• THE MVP

  Memphis Depay didn't have a great end to the club season with Atletico Madrid, playing only sparingly after a muscle injury ruled him out for several games across April and into May. There was a big hope that he'd be able to get a full 90 minutes in his legs before the Euros, after an hour against Canada last time out. And while that wasn't quite the case, he still played 84 minutes and looked the most consistent source of danger, well worth his assist and probably deserved a goal.

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  THE BIG LOSER

  Teun Koopmeiners is coming into the Euros off the back of an outstanding club season with Atalanta, finally primed to play a significant role after not getting off the bench at the last continental championship and limited to bit-part status at the 2022 World Cup. But a groin injury suffered during the warm-up here, forcing him to drop out of the lineup before kick-off, was not the way he would have wanted to prepare.

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• WHAT COMES NEXT?

  Keen to improve on a disappointing last 16 exit at Euro 2020, failing to qualify for Euro 2016 and going home at the Euro 2012 group stage, the Dutch begin their 2024 campaign against Poland in just six days' time. The lineup Ronald Koeman chose on Monday was probably just two players shy of his strongest team, bearing in mind Koopmeiners' late withdrawal and Frenkie de Jong's ongoing battle to be fit.

Since signing Fabio Silva on loan from Wolverhampton Wanderers at the start of the month, Rangers have endured a fairly quiet January transfer window. However, that hasn't stopped the transfer rumours from pouring in, with the Gers looking to add even more attacking reinforcements to Philippe Clement's squad.

Rangers transfer news

Throughout the month, Rangers have been linked with a number of new forwards, from Michy Batshuayi all the way to Hearts forward Lawrence Shankland. With just seven days left in the January transfer window, however, it remains Silva and Silva only to have walked through the door at Ibrox.

That could be set to change soon though, and not with the arrival of Shankland or, indeed, Batshuayi. Instead, reports indicate that Nordsjaelland midfielder Mohamed Diomande is set to undergo a medical ahead of signing for Rangers this month.

Diomande looks set to complete a move worth a reported £4.5m in what could provide Clement a major boost in pursuit of Celtic at the top of the Scottish Premiership. The Gers may not be done after Diomande, either. According to transfer expert Fabrizio Romano, Rangers are still working on more names.

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Romano told GiveMeSport: “I think Rangers will look at some opportunities. They are working on some names, so, obviously, now it's time to enter into concrete stages of negotiations. I expect them to try to make something happen in the window's final days.”

With that said, it could prove to be a busy week for Rangers as they look to end the January transfer window in style. Whether that results in a fresh face to lead the line alongside Silva remains to be seen, but an offensive addition would certainly be welcome at Ibrox, that's for sure.

Where Rangers must improve

Well aware that his side still need further additions, Clement recently spoke about the chance that Rangers complete more January business, saying via Rangers News: "Everybody’s aligned about that, that we need a few more in certain positions. And everybody in the club who is involved in that is working day and night about that, I know.

“So I am waiting and I am focused on the players who are here, beside all the talks that we have with other players and looking at other players. So that’s my job to do in January. That’s why for every manager, when it’s the first of February, we are always very happy that this hectic period can stop.”

When looking at the current Rangers squad, even after the arrival of Silva, they could still do with an out-and-out goalscorer to lead the line. Sam Lammers' loan exit also raises the need to welcome a fresh face and that, alongside Abdallah Sima's lengthy injury blow, has potentially left the Gers with no choice but to return to the market this month.

Eagle-eaged football fans have spotted a host of star names, including Christian Pulisic and Bukayo Saka, featured on TV show The Boys.

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• The Boys back for Season Four
• Fans spot host of football references
• Star names in abundance in episode three

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  Superhero television show The Boys has returned to screens with a new fourth series that has fans talking football on social media. Eagle-eyed supporters have managed to spot a host of star names from all over the world in the set design, suggesting that some staff on The Boys are serious football fans. Superstar names such as USMNT forward Pulisic, Spain legend Sergio Busquets and England talisman Saka appear along with apparent references to lesser lights including Ireland's Sammie Szmodics, Wales stars Chris Mepham and Will Vaulks and even Sheffield United's Oli McBurnie.

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• THE BIGGER PICTURE

  USMNT stars such as Gio Reyna and Yunus Musah appear to be referenced along with England players Ivan Toney, Ben Chilwell and Jordan Pickford. Close inspection also reveals a fondness for Italy legends Marco Verratti and Ciro Immobile, Spain stars Sergi Roberto, Dani Olmo and Marco Asensio as well as NY Red Bulls attacker Emil Forsberg. There's also a mention for Ireland's Jayson Molumby and Festy Ebosele as well as Mexico legend Jared Borgetti.

• DID YOU KNOW

  The Boys star Jack Quaid has declared himself a lifelong fan of Brazilian side Palmeiras after the cast took a trip to the club to watch the team in Copa Libertadoes action. He wrote on Instagram: "Last night was a blast! Thank you Palmeiras for a wonderful time and an AMAZING game. I’m a fan for life now."

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  WHAT NEXT

  The world's top footballers are currently starring on screens around the world during a busy summer of sport. England stars are at Euro 2024 and preparing for a group game against Denmark on Thursday, while the USMNT are set to start their Copa America campaign on Sunday against Bolivia.

Arthur Okonkwo snubbed “offers from a higher level” to rejoin Wrexham, with Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney completing a “statement signing”.

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• Keeper starred during loan spell
• Left Arsenal as a free agent
• Signed for Dragons on permanent deal

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  The Red Dragons always believed that they could get a deal done for the 22-year-old goalkeeper, having seen him help them to promotion out of League Two in 2023-24. He bought into that project, while being unfazed by the Welcome to Wrexham documentary cameras, and opted to return to North Wales when reaching the end of his contract at Arsenal and becoming a free agent.

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  WHAT PARKINSON SAID

  Wrexham boss Phil Parkinson has told of landing a top transfer target: "We are pleased Arthur has joined us permanently. It is a great signing for us. We know what he is capable of with the season he had last year. His profile as a goalkeeper, inevitably there was going to be a lot of interest in him in the summer and there was a lot of hard work behind the scenes to secure Arthur's signing. Credit to everybody getting the deal done.

  "It is important that we work hard to secure the players we really feel can make a difference. We feel that Arthur is one of those who is going to keep improving. He is still young for a goalkeeper. He has had a couple of seasons now at first-team level and he is a really good character as well. We wanted him to stay with us in the long-term. I am delighted he had joined us and it is a statement signing."

• THE BIGGER PICTURE

  Okonkwo’s stock had soared to the point that clubs higher up football’s food chain than Wrexham were keen on securing his signature, with Parkinson adding on winning that race: “Arthur was a player in all the staffs mind that we really wanted to get on board as soon as the season finished because he is a really good goalkeeper. It is a key signing for us and we are pleased to get it done. It's taken a bit of time but as I've said before, sometimes signings do for a variety of reasons. But we were able to secure the signature and I was pleased to get it done before pre-season starts. There were offers for him to go to a higher level but I think Arthur's experience here was a very positive one. I am sure supporters will be excited about the signing and hopefully there will be a few more key additions before the season starts.”

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  WHAT NEXT?

  Wrexham, with Hollywood co-owners Reynolds and McElhenney providing the funds, are now pursuing other additions. They know their League One schedule for 2024-25, with that campaign kicking off against Wycombe on August 10, while they are also set to be reunited with Sheffield United in the Carabao Cup first round and have another pre-season tour of North America to take in.

After a quiet January transfer window, Liverpool can now focus on handing Jurgen Klopp the Anfield swansong that he deserves, as they sit top of the Premier League and in the hunt for a historic quadruple this season. When the German leaves, many problems could yet arise, however, including some unexpected exits.

Liverpool transfer news

Just over a week after Klopp's emotional announcement Liverpool captain, Virgil van Dijk has already been forced to clarify his comments when asked if he sees himself as part of the post-Klopp era, to which he said via Metro: "That’s a big question. Well, I don’t know."

Easing the nerves of those around Anfield, the Dutchman quickly assured his commitment to the club:

With that said, it's set to be a long few months full of speculation over the future of certain Liverpool stars, as we find out just who will be at the heart of a new era on Merseyside. There are no guarantees with any player, either, and that even includes academy graduates this summer.

According to Sami Mokbel of the Daily Mail, Liverpool could yet face a battle to keep Curtis Jones after he has attracted the interest of fellow Premier League sides. Mokbel said: "Curtis Jones heading into the summer. Again, another really very good player, but his performances are catching the attention of a number of clubs, I'm told.

"But again, you know, he is a player who will probably be central to Liverpool's future when Jürgen Klopp goes. But I think if there's any sense that he is available or obtainable, I think there'll be some clubs who would take advantage of that situation."

"Special" Jones finally has Liverpool role

For some time, it was easy to question whether Jones had a role to play in Liverpool's present or, indeed, their future. Fast-forward to the current day, however, and it could be argued that he's been one of the Reds' most important players in a season that could end with a Premier League title. Jones' stats suggest as much, too.

It's no surprise that Klopp has been so full of praise for the midfielder, saying via 90min after Liverpool's 4-2 win over Newcastle United earlier this year: "Special game. Special game from Curtis, to be honest: his high-press, his counter-press.

"We all know how good a player Curtis is, he is technically incredibly skilled, but he finds more and more direction in his dribbling, he gets better out of situations and his pressing and counter-pressing is meanwhile…he sets the level actually, how it should look. Really happy with that. He keeps every player in the game."

With long-term target Connor Roberts now looking like a certainty to be joining Leeds United this Deadline Day, Daniel Farke's men could well now accelerate their business further by signing another full-back before the transfer window officially closes.

This new addition could well push Junior Firpo all the way for a starting spot on his arrival to west Yorkshire, alongside softening the blow of the Whites not being able to land Ben Davies from Tottenham Hotspur at the death.

Leeds' hunt for a brand-new left-back

A report from Football Insider today has revealed that Leeds are interested in signing Newcastle United stalwart Paul Dummett before the 11pm deadline comes into play, but Farke's men aren't alone in their last-gasp pursuit of the Magpies left-back.

Ipswich Town are also being touted as a party interested in landing a deal for Dummett on Deadline Day according to the report, an intriguing transfer battle potentially emerging as a result between the Tractor Boys and the Whites.

Although Dummett might not first appear the flashiest signing a promotion chaser could make with the clock ticking down, the 32-year-old would be a reliable defender Farke could depend on between now and the end of the 46-game campaign when games become nervier.

Dummett could well even be preferred in the German manager's starting lineup over Firpo if a move is finalised in time, with the ex-Barcelona man prone to a crisis in confidence across his Leeds career to date even after coming good again.

How Paul Dummett fits into the Leeds team

Making 209 appearances for the Newcastle first team since coming through the youth ranks at St James' Park, it would be a shock to see Dummett leave behind his boyhood club for pastures new.

However, with his game-time limited in Tyneside to just four appearances in all competitions this season, the time could well be right for the Welshman to surprisingly uproot and join Leeds on Deadline Day.

Although there are obvious signs of rust present in Dummett's game at 32 years of age, he hasn't looked out of place playing in the Magpies set-up this season when called upon to do a job.

The ageing defender starred in Newcastle's 3-0 EFL Cup win over Manchester United in November, winning all but one of his duels in the humbling loss Eddie Howe's men inflicted on the lacklustre Red Devils that night alongside squandering possession just four times.

Firpo, on the contrary, can be wildly unpredictable with his performance levels despite picking up four assists in 2024 to date.

During Leeds' relegation season, Firpo was a constant liability in a leaky Whites defence – only picking up a solitary clean sheet for his efforts when played 19 times during that disastrous campaign.

Therefore, it could well be troubling Farke at the back of his mind that there's a lack of cover for Firpo if his form does fall of a cliff with Dummett being targeted as a result.

Once described as being "outstanding" by Howe when stepping up to plate at centre-back for the Magpies – meaning Leeds could also land another body who can play at the heart of defence – this feels like a sensible buy to make by Farke with the cut-off to make signings worryingly getting closer and closer.

Manchester United captain Katie Zelem could be following Mary Earps out of the club as the Red Devils are yet to trigger her contract extension.

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• Earps leaving Man Utd for PSG
• Zelem out of contract at United next month
• Contract extension not triggered yet

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  Sports journalist Amanda Zaza claims United are yet to trigger midfielder Zelem's contract extension and that the 28-year-old is looking at other clubs, with her current deal expiring at the end of this month.

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• THE BIGGER PICTURE

  The England international joined United from Juventus in 2018 and since then has made 161 appearances and scored 32 goals for the Women's Super League side. But, it could be the end of an era for her at the Red Devils – who are about to lose goalkeeper Mary Earps to Paris Saint-Germain on a free transfer.

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  DID YOU KNOW?

  It looks like it could be a summer of change at United, with Lucia Garcia set to join Mexican champions Monterey. The Red Devils are, however, reportedly trying to sign Brighton forward Elisabeth Terland on a free transfer in the coming weeks. A big season lies ahead for Marc Skinner's team.

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• WHAT NEXT?

  United's players, who won the FA Cup last term but finished a disappointing fifth in the WSL, are currently enjoying their summer breaks after the 2023-24 season, but they will return for pre-season in the coming months.

Newcastle United have endured a tough season this campaign, with the club sitting four places and 12 points off the Champions League spots after suffering ten defeats in 25 outings.

However, the campaign has allowed boss Eddie Howe to give vital first-team minutes to multiple young players – subsequently allowing them to develop their game.

Midfielder Lewis Miley has been the main beneficiary with the 17-year-old making 14 appearances for his boyhood club after injuries and suspensions to players such as Joelinton and Sandro Tonali.

The tough campaign for the Magpies has seen some more senior players fail to match their performances of last season, however, with local hero Dan Burn one of those who has received criticism for his form – albeit while still being defended by his manager.

The towering asset endured another 'tough afternoon' last time out against Bournemouth – as per the Chronicle's Lee Ryder – with it perhaps time to consider replacing the Englishman at left-back…

Alex Murphy could be a Burn replacement

After putting his trust in Miley, Magpies boss Howe should also hand talented youngster Alex Murphy a run in the first-team before the end of the current Premier League campaign, amid Burn's woes.

The 19-year-old joined the club from Irish side Galway United during the summer of 2022, with Murphy joining Newcastle's academy side upon his arrival.

Murphy, who can play left-back and centre-back, has made five appearances for Newcastle's U21 side in the Premier League 2 this season, before travelling with the first team for their warm-weather training camp in Saudi Arabia in December 2022.

The "impressive" defender, as branded by Newcastle Chronicle writer Mark Carruthers, has made nine appearances for Ireland's U18 and 19s squad, while often taking the armband – an indication of his importance to his nation.

His good form for Newcastle's youth sides saw the teenager be handed his first start for Howe's side during the 2-0 Sela Cup win against Fiorentina in August 2023, with the defender keeping a clean sheet in front of over 30,000 fans.

In The Pipeline

Football FanCast's In the Pipeline series aims to uncover the very best youth players in world football.

Murphy has featured on the bench numerous times for Howe's side this season, with the defender only making one substitute appearance – coming in the 4-1 win over Chelsea at St James' Park.

Sven Botman on the impressive Alex Murphy

Newcastle centre-back Sven Botman has been crucial to the Magpies since his £32m transfer from Lille in January 2022, with the Dutch international also impressed by Murphy's ability.

Speaking after the win over Fiorentina in pre-season, the defender hailed Murphy, saying: "Alex is getting better every day and he is training well. Against Fiorentina, he proved again he is on the right track and he has to continue like this then see what happens."

After Burn's recent performances, Murphy should be given an opportunity towards the tail end of the campaign – staking his claim for a permanent first-team spot.

Although Burn ranks within the top 1% and 5% for aerials won and clearances respectively, among his peers across the Premier League, his lack of pace and energy down the left-hand side is a worry for Howe when faced with quick wingers, as demonstrated up against Nottingham Forest's Anthony Elanga…

With journalist Steven Railston having stated as early as last March that it was "time for a change" at left-back, Howe should put more trust in another youngster, allowing Murphy to potentially flourish in England's top flight.