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Eddie Nketiah’s being recalled by Arsenal has left Leeds in dire need of a striker.

The Whites have had a number of targets in mind, but they’ve received blows in their pursuits of three different attacking options.

What’s the story then?

This time last week there was an air of excitement around the fanbase as Leeds were being linked with Che Adams, Billy Sharp and Rhian Brewster, but just seven days later it seems unlikely that any are going to sign.

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Ralph Hasenhuttl has said that it’d be difficult for him to let Adams go out on loan, while Chris Wilder has completely written off any speculation surrounding Sharp leaving the club.

The Whites still had hopes that Brewster could have signed for them, but now it seems that he’s on his way to Swansea City.

One reporter suggested that the deal would be announced early this week after the clubs had agreed a deal.

Back to square one

This transfer window has just been blow after blow for Leeds United.

First it was Sharp, then it was Adams and now it’s Brewster.

The Yorkshire club’s hunt for a striker has hit a brick wall once again, and now Leeds are pretty much back to square one, seemingly missing out on three of their early targets.

We’ve been over this before on FFC, but Leeds need to replace Nketiah quickly as they simply don’t have any depth up top, and if anything were to happen to Patrick Bamford, the Whites would be forced to play a youngster such as Ryan Edmondson as a starter. With his lack of first-team experience that would be a huge risk.

Leeds may be back to where they started, but they need to figure this out as quickly as possible so that they’re not left short up top.

In other news, Marcelo Bielsa’s recent revelation may mean that Leeds may have a way around FFP.

Leeds United had one of their most high-profile games of the season on Monday evening as they played Arsenal at the Emirates in the third round of the FA Cup.

However, everyone’s focus wasn’t solely on matters on the pitch as a former fan favourite was spotted supporting his old side at the Emirates prior to kick off.

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Indeed, Graham Smyth tweeted that Pontus Jansson was at Arsenal’s ground to watch his old teammates play against the Gunners.

Jansson was a fan favourite at Elland Road during his time at the club with supporters creating one of the most iconic chants the stadium has heard in the past decade to pay tribute to the Swede.

He may not be a Leeds player anymore, but fans seemingly still have fond memories of him as they tweeted positive messages about the Brentford defender.

Others missed Jansson so much to the point that they urged the club to re-sign their former man.

It’s hard to see the 28-year-old ending up back at Elland Road anytime soon as he was reportedly sold due to the fact he was a bad influence in the dressing room, so unless he’s sorted out those issues it’s hard to imagine that Marcelo Bielsa would want him back.

In other news, one of Leeds’ striker targets is worse than Patrick Bamford in one crucial area.

According to Phil Hay at The Athletic, Sheffield Wednesday hold interest in Garry Monk’s former talisman, Che Adams as the striker struggles continue at Southampton.

What’s the word?

It is believed that despite Ralph Hasenhuttl’s public backing of Adams, the hierarchy at the club would be willing to let him go for a loan fee of £1m plus an obligation to buy for more than £10m.

Leeds United, who the Owls defeated at the weekend, appear ready to pay such a deal as they look to replace Eddie Nketiah, another reported target of Monk’s, at Elland Road.

The 23-year-old came off the bench to assist Danny Ings’ winner at Leicester City at the weekend, so for now, Hasenhuttl’s comments appear to be correct.

Wednesday’s apparent interest could throw a spanner in the works due to the previous relationship Monk and Adams held at their former club, Birmingham City.

Monk’s man

If their desire is indeed true, then the 40-year-old should be straight on the phone to try and convince him to reunite at Hillsborough.

The Saints chiefs may be willing to part ways with the player so soon after joining despite their manager’s wish to keep him, but there could be a solution to benefit all involved – a temporary switch to Wednesday.

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It would mean that the south coast outfit gets to have another look at him in the summer ahead of next season, rather than losing him permanently to a team like Leeds, who could quite easily become a league rival next term.

Monk’s previous exploits led to Adams netting 22 goals in 46 league appearances in the Championship, maybe such a reconciliation – of sorts – could reignite that form and help Southampton long-term.

In the immediate future, it would greatly help the Owls in a time of need with top goalscorer Steven Fletcher out injured for the foreseeable future.

How much do you remember about football in 2019? Our quiz will test your knowledge…

The former Blues “sharp-shooter” has also been compared to Jermaine Defoe and even Ronaldo in the past by people who have worked with him, as per the Guardian.

He would be a very nice bit of business for the south Yorkshiremen this month.

Meanwhile, Garry Monk has provided a clue into how he sees the January transfer window panning out…

The transfer window is slowing drawing towards a close and at the current rate Leeds are operating it seems that they may be unable to bring players in, with new names constantly being linked.

Britt Assombalonga is the latest striker to be linked with the club, according to The Mirror, with the 27-year-old having 18 months left to run on his contract.

He has been out of action since early December and has only scored six goals this season, less than Patrick Bamford, the man they may be looking to improve upon.

As such, there is a lot of opposition to targeting the Middlesbrough forward, with claims that he wouldn’t be ready to play for the Whites straight away and isn’t even an improvement on those already at the club.

Added to those concerns should be questions about how much Assombalonga would cost. He was signed for £15m by Boro in 2017 and although he has declined a little since then with 37 goals in 114 games at the Riverside, they would still likely demand a lot for their main striker.

It seems that Leeds can’t win at the moment no matter who they target to come in, as they were previously turned away by Southampton in their pursuit of Che Adams.

Having scored one goal in their previous four games it is clear the West Yorkshire outfit need more firepower to come in, and bringing in a player with a lot of Championship experience could serve them well.

Call yourself a Leeds expert? How much did each of these January signings cost?

Some supporters certainly feel Assombalonga could produce if he came to the club, and they have backed the interest that has reportedly been shown in him thus far.

Meanwhile, fans have responded in a very clear way to another target being linked with the club over the last few days.

According to Gareth Bale’s agent Jonathan Barnett, as relayed by Sky Sports, the Welshman won’t be leaving for the Premier League on loan and is set to see out his contract at Real Madrid.

What’s the word, then?

Speculation over Bale’s future has been growing as of late, and with El Chiringuito TV claiming Daniel Levy has met with Real Madrid president Florentino Perez to discuss the Welshman, a January move seemed possible.

Can you remember how much each of these transfer icons cost? Only experts will get 100% on our quiz…

But Barnett has quickly dismissed these claims, even calling a potential loan to England “ridiculous” when talking at the Association of Football Agents meeting in north London – as quoted by Sky Sports:

“He’s got another two-and-a-half years left on his contract, and he’s fine. He will be there, everything will be fine. He’s one of the best players on earth, why would he go somewhere on loan? That’s ridiculous.”

It seems that Los Blancos are set to keep their star who has somewhat fallen from grace in recent times.

Verdict

While the potential departure of the Welshman to one of the Premier League clubs could’ve been beneficial for all parties involved, if he’s not leaving this month then we may as well focus on the positives of him staying.

Bale hasn’t been that involved throughout 2019/20, only managing to tally 990 minutes across 15 games played in all competition for the Galacticos – scoring three and assisting two in the process.

But when he’s fit and firing on all cylinders – which can be a rarity with his continuous fitness issues – he’s still a quality player.

That much was seen in Real Madrid’s Copa del Rey clash against Unionistas CF when the Welshman scored one of Real Madrid’s three goals. And of course, looking back through the years, there’s the famous Champions League bicycle kick and the cup final goals of the 2013/14 season.

He’s not so much a flagship talent these days, but he can certainly still give something to the squad – a super sub, a man for big occasions, a rotation option for when Real Madrid simply need to get the job done.

Perhaps this isn’t the ideal outcome for Real Madrid considering how sparingly he’s been used this season, but having Bale around is by no means a bad thing.

Elsewhere, AC Milan are reportedly plotting a shock move for a player that’s still down in the Championship…

According to The Athletic’s David Ornstein, Arsenal have agreed a deal with Flamengo to sign Pablo Mari on loan, with an option to buy.

What’s the word?

After injuries to the likes of Shkodran Mustafi and Calum Chambers in recent days and weeks, the Gunners have naturally been linked with a whole host of centre-backs, including Mari and Shakhtar Donetsk defender Mykola Matviyenko.

It was previously suggested Mari was in London to undertake his medical, with the Spaniard being seen arriving at Heathrow a few days ago with Arsenal’s technical director Edu. However, reports later claimed the move was hanging in the balance after the Gunners had seemingly changed the terms of the deal.

Quickfire Quiz: How much do you know about Arsenal’s history in the January transfer window?

Now, Ornstein has revealed the north London side have made a huge breakthrough in negotiations by agreeing a deal with Flamengo to sign Mari on loan until the end of the season, with an option to buy in the summer. The journalist further adds the signing fulfils Mikel Arteta’s request for a left-footed centre-back.

Breakthrough

So the roller-coaster ride that has been Mari’s proposed switch to the Emirates may finally be coming to an end. The Gunners’ aforementioned injury crisis at the back means defensive reinforcements were much-needed, and the Flamengo ace’s impending arrival goes a long way to solving that.

It gives Arteta a valuable, experienced option in central defence, with Mari being a part of a Flamengo side that became champions of South America when they won the Copa Libertadores back in November. And as a loan with an option to buy, it gives Arsenal an escape clause if things don’t pan out as they would have liked. It’s great business all around, and something the Gunners board should take a lot of credit for.

Meanwhile, Arsenal fans have lauded this ace who was “playing like prime Cesc”.

Sheffield Wednesday may have just been given a boost in their pursuit of signing Connor Wickham on loan before tomorrow night’s deadline as Owls boss Garry Monk desperately chases a striker addition.

The south Yorkshire outfit have been trying to bolster the 40-year-old’s attacking ranks all month, but they face a race against time to get anything done with just over 24 hours remaining.

Earlier on Thursday afternoon, Roy Hodgson held his pre-game press conference ahead of their Premier League tie with Sheffield United and the veteran manager was asked about Wickham’s future.

He said:

“We would love to see Connor Wickham playing regular football but to do that a club would have to come in and want to take him and we would need to be in a situation ourselves where we could afford to make that decision.”

Roy Hodgson, Crystal Palace manager.

Well, if reports are to be believed, Wednesday are wanting to take him and can give him reasonable game time as they face an extended period without top goalscorer Steven Fletcher through long-term injury.

He may not be the ideal like-for-like replacement as the Eagles frontman has only played 48 times in the past four years as injuries have blighted his career, but it’s ultimately a move that the club needs to take to soften the blow to Fletcher.

Calling all transfer experts! How much did each of these Deadline Day signings cost?

The 26-year-old enjoyed a fairly goal-laden spell at Hillsborough in the past – netting nine goals in 17 appearances – so they’ll be hoping he can have a similar impact on their quest to make the Championship playoffs.

And in other news, Sheffield Wednesday’s striker saga takes a new twist says Alan Nixon

Plenty of Everton fans on Twitter have been reacting after a hilarious clip of striker Moise Kean at the club’s USM Finch Farm training base emerged on the social media platform.

The Portuguese-speaking quartet of Andre Gomes, Yerry Mina, Bernard and Richarlison were seen sharing a joke and laughing on their way out onto the training ground, with Kean following closely behind them.

The 19-year-old then produced a laugh mocking the others as he passed the camera.

It certainly hasn’t been the easiest of starts to the Italian’s career in the Premier League after it took him 18 matches to score his first goal for the Merseyside outfit, but he now has that strike against Newcastle United and a winning assist – in the 3-2 triumph against Watford last weekend – to his name in his previous two top-flight outings.

Still, he had to come off of the substitutes’ bench to grab that one against the Hornets, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Richarlison firmly it seems established as Carlo Ancelotti’s first-choice front two.

Some Everton supporters gave a simple response to the video calling it “boss” and “class”, as you can see below.

Other supporters chose to focus on what a good “character” he seems to be, and it is something to be admired.

After all he is still a teenager and has moved to a new country, and there were always going to be a few question marks as to how he would settle.

Did he really play for us?! No Everton fan has managed to name all of these obscure Toffees players….

One fan already believes “the man is a cult hero” despite his short time at Goodison Park, while another said Kean ‘reminds him of a young Romelu Lukaku’, with the now Inter Milan striker generally up for a laugh during his time as an Everton player.

Both the supporters and Ancelotti will be hoping there are more goals on the way from the former Juventus man.

In other Everton news, loads of Toffees fans have said exactly the same thing after an image from Liverpool city centre emerged…

According to The Guardian’s Fabrizio Romano, Paul Pogba’s chances of leaving Manchester United this summer are being affected by the club’s asking price.

What’s the word?

The France World Cup winner has been the subject of great speculation over the past few months, and there were suggestions last summer that the likes of Juventus and Real Madrid were interested in luring him away from Old Trafford.

Now, Romano claims that whilst Pogba is still intent on leaving United, his “chances of securing a swift exit are likely to be hampered by the club setting an asking price of around €100m (£83m)”.

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It’s further suggested the midfielder’s agent, Mino Raiola, will try to convince the Manchester side to lower their demands, “especially as Pogba will have only one year remaining on his contract after this season”.

Cutting their losses

Having arrived from Juventus back in the summer of 2016 for a deal reportedly worth £89m, it perhaps doesn’t make the most business sense for United to set an asking price lower than what they initially re-signed him for.

But in truth, the Red Devils should simply think about their cutting their losses on the Frenchman and just moving on. Pogba’s name has dominated the topic of conversation even whilst he has been out injured, with Raiola coming out a couple of times now to speak on behalf of his client. It’s the kind of drama and attention that the Manchester side desperately don’t need, particularly when they are fighting for Champions League qualification next season.

What could’ve been… Can you name the clubs these football legends almost joined?

It wouldn’t be the greatest look on the face of it for Ed Woodward to sanction a sale for Pogba that didn’t generate the club any profit. However, it is certainly the kind of brave decision that the executive vice-chairman has to make.

United are reportedly eager to sign younger and more exciting players that fit the long-term vision of the club. Pogba simply doesn’t fit into that profile of player, and getting rid of him would allow them to better focus their rebuild. The Red Devils need a squad who are willing to play for the shirt, and want to put the team first. So whilst it may not make the most business to make a loss on the Frenchman, it does make the most footballing sense for Woodward to lower their demands.

Meanwhile, Man Utd fans react to European interest in their loanee.

The January transfer window may have just slammed shut but that hasn’t stopped the endless supply of speculation involving Manchester United.

In fact, the Red Devils have already been linked with so many players since the close of the summer transfer window that we have the opportunity to speculate what their starting XI could well look like once the summer window has come to an end.

With a contract that could continue until 2024, it seems unlikely David De Gea will be going anywhere in the summer unless he manages to force an exit.

Likewise, United invested big money in Harry Maguire and Aaron Wan-Bissaka last summer. Barring a huge change of heart from Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, they’ll likely be starting XI regulars again in 2020/21.

However, there could be some other changes amongst the backline. First and foremost, Manchester United have been mooted as the front runners to land Napoli centre-back Kalidou Koulibaly. However, it’s alleged he could cost as much as £127m.

Meanwhile, having broken into the first team picture this season to make 20 senior appearances, Brandon Williams could well overtake Luke Shaw as United’s first-choice left-back considering his continuous injury problems.

Midfield is where we are likely to see the biggest changes though. According to The Daily Star, United are ready to sell Paul Pogba, with James Maddison, Jack Grealish and Jadon Sancho all on their radar.

Purely because Manchester Evening News are reporting that he wants a move to Old Trafford, we’ve opted to include Maddison over Grealish in this XI. The Leicester City star has bagged six goals and three assists in the Premier League this season, also averaging 2.3 key passes per game.

Sancho, meanwhile, slots right into the team on the right wing. According to Whoscored, no player to have started there more than three times for United this season has averaged a performance rating of better than 6.7.

That tells it’s own story, especially when compared to Sancho’s return of seven goals and nine assists when operating on that flank.

Eric Dier has also been mooted as a potential summer recruit for United and although the England international can play in a variety of positions, a defensive midfield role seems the most likely in light of United’s other suggested signings.

And Ed Woodward has reportedly been given the green light to swoop for former Celtic striker Moussa Dembele, now of Lyon. He’s scored 19 goals across all competitions this season and the Frenchman’s arrival could well see Marcus Rashford become a near-permanence on the left in stead of up front.

Rashford has actually featured 19 times on the left this season compared to 10 times as a centre-forward, so clearly Solskjaer views him as a wide forward as much as an out-and-out striker.

Overall then, that’s five new signings, a revised role for Rashford and a major sale in the form of Pogba. United could well look much different once we come to the end of the next transfer window.