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According to reports by UOL Deportes in Brazil (as relayed by Sport Witness), Ajax have rejected a £12.5m bid for reported Everton transfer target David Neres as they seek a valuation of £16.7m.

Despite this, it is ‘expected’ that the 24-year-old will be sold during the January transfer window.

The Lowdown: Neres in poor form

The winger has seen his productivity decline in recent times. During the 2017/18 league campaign, the Brazilian produced an emphatic 14 goals and 14 assists in 32 appearances for the Amsterdam club.

However, this electric form seems to have dried up for Neres since then, who has scored three goals and set up another two in 15 Eredivisie games this season, although three of those goal contributions came in Ajax’s 9-0 win over Cambuur.

This poor recent form has led to the 24-year-old being dropped from the starting line-up, and he was an unused substitute in two of the last three league games. Shockingly, Neres is ranked 18th in the Ajax squad for shots averaged per game (0.6), an extremely poor indictment for an attacking player.

The Latest: Everton interested in Neres

Previous reports have linked Everton with the Brazil international, with claims that the club are ‘interested’ in the player arising as former director of football Marcel Brands was a keen admirer of the Dutch league.

According to reports by UOL Deportes in Brazil (as relayed by Sport Witness), Ajax have rejected a €15m (£12.5m) bid from Shakhtar for Neres. The Dutch champions are said to value the attacker at a minimum of €20m (£16.7m), and it is ‘now expected’ that Neres will be sold this month, with the player being ‘kept on Ajax’s negotiable list’ for now.

Everton will need to move swiftly if they are to bring the winger to Goodison Park, as Shakhtar are set to go back in with another bid to try and get their man.

The Verdict: Transfer could be hit or miss

Neres has made an impression across Europe, with the prolific winger netting 47 goals in 180 appearances for Ajax. Indeed, Jose Mourinho previously awarded him the highest of compliments, saying: “As far as I am concerned, David Neres fully reflects what a Brazilian footballer stands for. For me he is the best of this new generation.”

With Everton keen on bringing in a new right winger to the club, the 24-year-old’s relatively cheap price-tag could prove to be a gamble worth taking, if they are to get the player that Ajax originally signed.

However, if he produces the kind of form we’ve seen this season, it could be a move to earn unwanted comparison with that of Davy Klaassen, who flopped on Merseyside after moving from the Amsterdam giants for £23.6m in 2017. It’s hard to predict which way a potential Everton move for Neres would go.

In other news: Goodison Park exit could beckon for Everton ace dubbed ‘one of the best in Europe’

After narrowly missing out on securing three points in their previous Premier League match against Watford at St James’ Park last weekend, when a late goal from Joao Pedro snatched a point for the away side, Newcastle United are back in action today with an away clash against Leeds United. 

Ahead of the clash at Elland Road against Marcelo Bielsa’s side,  Magpies boss Eddie Howe revealed that Newcastle will still be without Callum Wilson, Federico Fernandez and Isaac Hayden through injury, as well as potentially Matt Ritchie. Howe added in his pre-match press conference that Jeff Hendrick and Dwight Gayle returned to training this week. 

With that in mind, here’s how we feel Newcastle could line up to take on Leeds this afternoon, with two changes anticipated from the XI which started against Watford a week ago.

In goal, we think Howe will stick with Martin Dubravka after the Slovakian made four saves against Watford.

For the defence, we think the Newcastle boss will stick with the same back four which started against the Hornets, with Kieran Trippier at right-back, Paul Dummett on the left, and Fabian Schar and Jamaal Lascelles occupying the centre-back positions.

In midfield, we can see Howe sticking with Jonjo Shelvey and Joelinton, but Joe Willock comes back in to see if he can pull off something special as Sean Longstaff drops out. The ex-Arsenal youngster hasn’t hit the heights of last season this time around, but with Longstaff offering little attacking threat last week, he could be the fall guy for Willock today.

In attack, it would be hard to not see Allan Saint-Maximin occupying his usual left-wing position to see if he can wreak havoc on Leeds’ defence and potentially add some goals or assists to his record for the season and, more importantly, secure a win for his team. 

With Wilson still out, it would seem likely that Howe will stick with January signing Chris Wood to see if he can also cause the Whites some problems at the back and haunt his former club. 

On the right, we think Howe will put Miguel Almiron back into the team, with Ryan Fraser – who is currently picking up £63k-per-week according to Salary Sport – dropping out to freshen up the attack. The Scot pays the price for going 17 games without a goal so far this season.

Whether or not Howe goes with the starting XI that we have suggested, this will still be a big game in terms of their hopes of avoiding relegation this season, and one they might be capable of winning given Leeds’ less than stellar results so far in this campaign. 

In other news – Terms agreed: NUFC could land masterstroke with gem whose “shorts look like underwear”…

David Moyes has confirmed that Jesse Lingard will be available to start when West Ham United host Chelsea on Saturday evening.

The Manchester United loanee was a potential doubt for the visit of Thomas Tuchel’s Blues to the London Stadium, having been taken off with cramp against Newcastle last weekend.

Lingard opened the action at St. James’ Park but was unable to help the Irons avoid a 3-2 defeat, despite thumping home a second-half penalty to continue his incredible run of form in claret and blue.

No West Ham player has been involved in as many Premier League goals since Lingard’s arrival in east London, with the 28-year-old striking home a now joint team-high nine times in just 10 appearances while offering three assists.

Moyes would have feared facing top-four rivals Chelsea without Lingard as he strives to put West Ham back on track for a European berth, with Michail Antonio one of four players he is due to be without.

“Jesse had a bit of cramp at Newcastle, which at the time we didn’t see as being too big a problem and he’s fine,” Moyes said on Friday.

“I’m hoping that somewhere along the line we can get Micky, Declan [Rice], Aaron Cresswell and Arthur [Masuaku] back in amongst it because they’ve been important players for us throughout the year.

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“We’re aware that if we can get them back it would help us. Aaron is getting closer, we’ll monitor it, see how he feels tomorrow [Saturday] and see how we think.”

Lingard has only failed to feature once for West Ham since his arrival on a half-season loan from Manchester United during the January transfer window, when eligible to face his parent side in the Hammers’ 1-0 loss at Old Trafford last month.

The 27-cap England international has also only failed to have a direct influence on the scoring twice, coming in the second and third of his Irons appearances as West Ham were held to a goalless draw with Fulham and a 3-0 win over Sheffield United when he won the penalty for the opener.

Moyes will no doubt be buzzing to have such an influential weapon available for Chelsea’s visit to the London Stadium, the team he has faced more than any other in his managerial career (41) but only beaten on six occasions – losing 23.

Lingard’s influence has also stemmed beyond his end product, with the £13.5m-rated maestro – who Glenn Hoddle believes has been “playing exceedingly well” – ranking first among the West Ham squad for shots taken per game with an average of three.

He exceeded that average at Newcastle last weekend with four efforts on Martin Dubravka’s net plus February’s 2-1 defeat at Manchester City, hit six on debut against Aston Villa and five against Sheffield United, while matching it during the Irons’ 3-2 win over Leicester City and 2-0 win at home to Leeds United, per WhoScored.

With Antonio – who ranks second with 2.4 shots per game – unavailable due to his hamstring injury, Lingard will likely have to step up once again to potentially fire West Ham to victory in the London derby this Saturday.

AND in other news, a £34.5m West Ham target has confirmed clubs are in contact with his agent over a summer switch…

Former Manchester United man Keith Gillespie has told Football FanCast that he hopes Paul Pogba remains at the club next season as they look to challenge Manchester City.

The France international was in sublime form against Tottenham Hotspur earlier in April, laying on two superb assists, though only one counted after Edinson Cavani’s first goal was ruled out after Son Heung-Min was adjudged to have been fouled by Scott McTominay.

Pogba also registered an assist in games against Brighton & Hove Albion and Burnley, but there are some concerns over his future, with his contract expiring.

Pogba’s deal ends at the end of next season and that means he could be set to leave for nothing at the end of the 2022/23 season.

He has been linked away, with Italian newspaper TuttoSport, via The Sun, linking him with a potential return to Juventus, the club he joined United from.

Gillespie, though, believes that Pogba needs to stay if United are to have any chance of challenging City for the Premier League title next season.

He hopes that the 28-year-old can remain fit for the duration of the season, having missed six matches with a hamstring injury prior to the clash with Brighton.

Gillespie told FFC: “I’d like to see him stay at Man United. You think about a fully fit Paul Pogba.

“You know, he’s had his injury problems that season, but if Paul Pogba was fully fit for a season and was playing at the top of this game, gosh, that’s going to really help any club.”

Gillespie also thinks that United need a striker if they are to complete their squad, with United currently 10 points behind Pep Guardiola’s side with five games of the campaign remaining.

He added: “You add in them maybe signing that striker that they do need, then they look a really, really good side, with a few tweaks here and there, defensively, and then you think, well, now’s the time maybe they may be able to come up against Man City, who for me are still way out in front of anybody else at the minute.”

Taking to Twitter, 90min journalist Sean Walsh has made a claim involving Tottenham Hotspur and a possible move for Brentford attacking midfielder Christian Eriksen. 

The lowdown: A joint reunion…

Having made a superb return following a cardiac arrest at Euro 2020, Eriksen could already be eyeing the next step as the summer transfer window approaches.

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Out of contract at the end of the season (Transfermarkt), the 30-year-old has already been linked with a sensational move back to N17 to rejoin Spurs and in turn, reunite with Antonio Conte who he starred under at Inter Milan.

Sharing news on social media, Walsh has suggested that the move could now be edging closer than ever…

The latest: Walsh drops update

As per his information, the Brentford and Tottenham reporter claims that the north London club are now ‘confident’ of signing Eriksen this summer.

Walsh explained in a Tweet that the move could be dependent on whether Conte remains at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium and whether the Lilywhites reach the UEFA Champions League.

The verdict: Get it done

This is a no-brainer for Spurs as transfer chief Fabio Paratici attempts to strengthen the squad in the summer transfer window.

The 111-cap Denmark international has been nothing short of a revelation since joining Brentford and has directly contributed to three goals in seven Premier League outings for a side that was floundering in February.

Overall, the man hailed as a ‘very special player’ by Spurs insider John Wenham, has earned an outstanding 7.49 average rating since returning to the English top-flight, creating three big chances, making 2.1 key passes per game and taking 1.9 shots a match (Sofascore).

These statistics bear out the star’s continued class and given the perceived stylistic similarities with Manchester City ace Kevin De Bruyne (Fbref), Tottenham should be desperate to land Eriksen.

In other news: Source: Tottenham edge closer to ‘top signing’, he now really wants to join Conte! Find out more here.

Numerous fans of Manchester City have been reacting to a post on Twitter which relayed a report that claims City are interested in signing Danny Ings this summer.

According to the report by Sky Sports, with Sergio Aguero’s future at City being a “major doubt” due to the 32-year-old’s contract expiring at the end of the season, identifying the Argentine’s replacement has become one of Pep Guardiola’s “top priorities” prior to the summer transfer window.

As a result, the Premier League leaders have been linked with Borussia Dortmund centre-forward Erling Haaland. However, with clubs such as Real Madrid, Manchester United and Chelsea also thought to be keen on a move for the 20-year-old, Sky Sports claimed that City have identified Ings as a “more attainable” option.

After City Xtra relayed this report on Twitter, many fans of Manchester City flocked to have their say on the matter, with plenty seeming furious at the prospect of their club targeting the Southampton striker instead of Haaland.

So, what exactly did these Manchester City fans have to say in reaction to the report regarding their club’s interest in Danny Ings?

“Typical Txiki. We will not sign Haaland with that kind of mentality. Remember Boateng, Toure, Silva, Aguero and co. – it was Gary Cooks who did that. Txiki doesn’t have the skill, except paying the release clause on signing players from that statue. Yeah, we will get Ings.”

@Achillaes

“Pain.”

@KAgueroooooo

“No please, if we can’t get Haaland then go get Daka.”

@obialo_

“If Ings is what we bring in to replace Aguero I’m done.”

@MattHarl42

“No offence to Ings, but please tell me this is a joke.”

@Kellyite786

“This is a joke.”

@Reaganholness8

“This is a serious joke, right? How old is Haaland? Do we need to pool old guards, like really?”

@KatsandeA

“Get in the bin.”

@Reckers88Gaming

In other news: these Manchester City fans were left ecstatic by Sam Lee’s transfer update – find out more here!

Tottenham Hotspur’s Ben Davies is a potential left-back target for Napoli, according to Ciro Venerato.

RAI journalist Venerato dropped the news while speaking on Radio Kiss Kiss (via Napoli Magazine).

The lowdown

Davies, who has been with Spurs since 2014 when he joined from Swansea, made 14 Premier League starts last season.

Sergio Reguilon, a summer signing from Real Madrid, was favoured in the left-back position.

The Welshman, who has helped his country progress to the Round of 16 at the European Championships, still has three years left on his Spurs contract.

His sale could net Spurs a healthy fee, given that contract situation and Transfermarkt valuing him at £14.4million.

The latest

Venerato reports that Chelsea’s Emerson Palmieri remains Napoli’s primary left-back target.

But if they fail to land the Italian, they are expected to turn their attention to Davies.

Napoli are tipped to use their ‘good relations’ with Fabio Paratici, Tottenham’s new director of football, to ‘snatch’ the 28-year-old.

The verdict

Spurs shouldn’t sell Davies because of his versatility. He played as a centre-back on six occasions last season and is well suited to the role on the left of a three. In fact, the Euro 2020 star can play anywhere on the left side of defence from centre-back to left-midfield, making him tailor-made for Paratici.

Paratici’s preference is thought to be a back three system, so much so he ‘changed course’ in negotiations with Paulo Fonseca when he learned of the Portuguese’s intention to play 4-2-3-1.

It would make little sense to sell a ready-made option for this new shape, even if a reasonable bid arrived, especially while the Lilywhites do not even know who their new manager will be – a boss who is on the same page as Paratici will surely see the benefit in keeping the versatile Davies around.

In other news, Spurs have struck an agreement with this Liga NOS outfit.

Football Insider pundit Paddy Kenny believes Ashley Young will be a ‘massive’ signing for Aston Villa both on and off the pitch.

The Lowdown: How Smith will use Young…

Young sealed a return to the Midlands earlier this month on a free transfer from Inter Milan.

The 35-year-old, who left Villa for Manchester United back in 2011, signed a one-year contract at Villa Park.

He spoke with Watford and Burnley but decided to return to Villa, where Dean Smith will reportedly use him in two different positions.

According to The Athletic’s Villa correspondent Gregg Evans, Smith sees Young as cover for left-back Matt Targett and right-back Matty Cash.

The Latest: Kenny’s claim

Kenny, 43, was talking to Football Insider and had this to say about Young, believing he will be a great influence on the Villa dressing room.

“I’ve heard in the game he comes across as the sort of bloke who’ll be great to have in the dressing room.

“He’s experienced and you can’t beat experience. He’s still got the legs, that physicality, and he can still run too.

“He’s gone to Inter Milan and won the title so what a signing that is to get him back after so long.

“I’m sure he’ll be a massive addition to their squad. They are looking ambitious and Dean Smith could have a really good season with them.”

The Verdict: A shrewd signing by Villa

Young knows just what it takes to turn out in front of the Villa faithful, and his versatility on a free transfer could prove to be an extremely shrewd signing by Smith.

The Englishman mainly played as a left-midfielder for Inter Milan last season but has turned out as a full-back on over 100 occasions throughout his career.

He’ll be able to serve as backup to both Targett and Cash, and who knows, should Smith be short of wide attacking options, he could well decide to play Young further forward.

Villa are thought to be after two wide forwards this summer and have already signed one in Emiliano Buendia. If they don’t add to their attacking ranks, they may rely on Young in even more ways than expected.

In other news: ‘Please don’t’, ‘There’ll be riots’ – Many AVFC fans say the same thing after club post, find out more here. 

Southampton were one of the sides interested in signing Andre Silva from AC Milan in 2019 but reportedly saw a bid rejected, and he is now starring in the Bundesliga with Eintracht Frankfurt, so it will undoubtedly be a cause of frustration for Ralph Hasenhuttl that the Saints couldn’t complete the deal.

According to reports from Italy, Southampton made a loan-to-buy offer for the Portuguese international nearly two years ago but it was rejected by the Serie A side, as they valued him at around €25m (£21m), whereas the South Coast club had reportedly offered just €18m (£15m).

He was subsequently sent on loan to Eintracht Frankfurt for the 2019/20 season and despite the former Porto man scoring 16 goals in all competitions, Milan were more than willing to cash in on him last summer, with Ante Rebic going the other way after spending the season on loan with I Rossoneri.

Silva has since established himself as one of the best strikers in Germany, as he has 23 goals to his name this season, and sits behind just Robert Lewandowski in the Bundesliga scoring charts.

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The striker’s incredible 7.54 average rating across the season so far is enough to see him rated as the sixth-best player in the Bundesliga so far this campaign, whilst it would comfortably rank him as Southampton’s best performer if he had produced the same numbers with the South Coast club this season.

As a Portuguese international, Silva has drawn high praise from Cristiano Ronaldo in the past. The former Man Utd superstar claimed his fellow countryman was doing a “phenomenal job” and that it wasn’t just down to his ability to score – so clearly, he offers far more than just goals.

His market value has understandably shot up in that time, with Transfermarkt now valuing the 25-year-old frontman at a career-high £37.8m, whilst Manchester City have also been linked with him in recent weeks.

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Therefore, given his performances in the last two seasons in Germany, it definitely seems fair to suggest that Hasenhuttl would have loved to have a player such as Silva in his side at Southampton, especially with the South Coast club in danger of losing star striker Danny Ings this summer.

And, in other news… Saints must swoop for £26m-rated “Rolls Royce” who is rotting away at a PL rival

The Birmingham Mail’s Ashley Preece has dropped an update on Aston Villa starlet Carney Chukwuemeka.

What’s the story?

In the end, transfer deadline day was a bit of a quiet one for Dean Smith’s side, with the only notable incoming or outgoing seeing Frederic Guilbert return to Ligue 1 to join Strasbourg on loan.

However, Preece did reveal that the Midlands club have still got a significant deal to do, and even delivered a timeframe on it…

And, writing on Twitter, he said: “Frederic Guilbert has passed his Strasbourg medical & pens a loan move back to Ligue 1, announcement soon. Still 1/2 loans out to be completed re #avfc U23s. A big deal will happen on Oct 20 when Chukwuemeka signs new long-term contract on 18th birthday.”

Fans will be buzzing

Make no mistake about it, getting the talented Chukwuemeka to put pen to paper on a new long-term contract when he turns 18 will be a major boost to Villa.

This is the same teenager who was being linked with the likes of Bayern Munich and Manchester United just earlier this year – a real indication of the kind of potential he possesses and how some of the biggest and high-profile clubs around Europe are all sitting up and taking notice.

The 17-year-old was handed his senior debut in the Premier League towards the end of last season by Smith, making some late cameos against the likes of Spurs and Chelsea.

The Athletic’s Gregg Evans then delivered some exciting news on the plans for Chukwuemeka heading into this campaign, saying: “Carney Chukwuemeka is the one teenager who will definitely be a part of the first team. He’s starting to fill out and will soon be ready for the demands of Premier League football.”

After seeing their club keep their powder dry on deadline day, the biggest and best news to come out of it is surely that one of their club’s brightest young academy talents, and a part of their FA Youth Cup winning side last season, is set to stay at Villa Park for the long-term.

Fans will be absolutely buzzing at the news Preece has just dropped.