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Liverpool have reportedly made contact over the potential signing of Inter Milan defender Milan Skriniar.

The Lowdown: Leaky defence

With 15 goals conceded in 12 games, Jurgen Klopp’s team have one of the leakiest defences out of the top 10 teams in the Premier League, which has seen them slump down to ninth in the table.

Joel Matip is out injured at the moment, while Ibrahima Konate has also faced a spell on the sidelines this season, so the Reds could look to sign another centre-back if their injury problems continue.

The Latest: Skriniar interest

Writing in his latest piece for 90min on Friday morning, transfer expert Graeme Bailey has revealed that Liverpool are ‘huge admirers’ of Skriniar and have been ‘in contact’ with his representatives in recent weeks to address his situation at Inter.

The Slovakia captain is out of contract at the San Siro in the summer, so he can sign a pre-contract agreement with a non-Italian club in the January transfer window ahead of moving to them on a free transfer.

If he does not end up signing a new deal, then the Reds could look to pounce, but they face competition from Arsenal, Chelsea, Manchester City, Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur for his signature.

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The Verdict: Get it done

Signing a player of Skriniar’s quality for free is surely a no-brainer for Liverpool.

Hailed as an ‘absolutely top-class’ player both on and off the pitch by Inter CEO Beppe Marotta, and a ‘monster’ by Italian football journalist Carlo Garganese, the 27-year-old is clearly rated very highly, and he could slot straight into the heart of the Reds’ defence alongside Virgil van Dijk.

Skriniar ranks in the 97th percentile for pass completion and 88th for progressive passes received out of all centre-backs in Europe’s top five leagues over the past year (FBRef), highlighting how comfortable he is at playing out from the back, and there is every reason to believe that he could thrive in the Premier League.

Wolves are reportedly interested in signing Martin Terrier in January and the Frenchman could be Julen Lopetegui’s own version of Sadio Mane at Molineux.

According to 90min, Wolves are one of a number of Premier League clubs taking an interest in the Stade Rennais star, with Arsenal, Manchester United, Newcastle United, Leeds United, Leicester City and Aston Villa having all reportedly scouted him this season.

The Old Gold sit bottom of the Premier League ahead of the World Cup break and are the lowest scorers in the division, so Lopetegui is in desperate need of attacking additions if he wants to keep his new side in the Premier League.

Terrier could be the ideal candidate, as he has 11 goals and four assists in all competitions this season and has averaged an incredible 7.76 rating from WhoScored for his performances, which is significantly better than any player in Wolves’ squad.

According to FBRef, the fifth-most similar winger to Terrier in terms of style of play is Bayern Munich’s world-class forward Sadio Mane.

Considering the Senegal international hit over 100 goals in the Premier League during his time with Liverpool and Southampton, this is certainly not a bad comparison for the Rennes’ ace to have, and it suggests that he could be a big hit in Lopetegui’s side should he join in January.

The two players have registered extremely similar numbers this campaign with regard to goals scored per 90 minutes (both 0.60), shots on target per 90 minutes (1.73 vs 1.69) and progressive passes received (104 vs 105).

This emphasises how dangerous both players are in the final third, with the two attackers putting themselves in areas of the pitch where the more creative talents can find them.

Therefore, given Wolves’ attacking woes so far this term, Lopetegui would surely love to have a player like Terrier in his side in the new year.

The 25-year-old, who was dubbed “phenomenal” by European football writer Tim Williams, will no doubt have plenty of suitors in January but if can arrive at Molineux and have a similar impact to Mane in the Premier League, he could just be the man to keep Wolves in the Premier League.

Glasgow Rangers somewhat eased the pressure on manager Giovanni van Bronckhorst with a vital victory over Hearts on Wednesday evening, with Malik Tillman’s second-half strike sealing all three points for the home side at Ibrox.

The scrutiny on the Dutchman’s position has become intense of late following the shock weekend defeat to St Johnstone – as well as the Old Firm outfit’s miserable European form – with yesterday’s result having been crucial to stopping the recent rot.

One man who particularly impressed in that hard-fought triumph was substitute, Scott Arfield, with the veteran playmaker having proven his worth to his manager with an impactful display off the bench in the second period.

The former Canada international – who netted the club’s first Champions League goal in over a decade against Liverpool last month – has made just ten starts from his 22 appearances in all competitions this season, although the 34-year-old showcased just why he should assume a more prominent role moving forward.

The 19-cap menace was introduced in place of James Sands at the break and quickly set about attempting to rally his teammates into action, with The Athletic’s Jordan Campbell notably stating: “Scott Arfield has added a lot of personality to the team since coming on. Cajoling teammates, pressing with intensity, trying to link things. Leadership has been one of the biggest misses with likes of Goldson & Jack absent.”

In a squad full of young talent – including the likes of Leon King, Rabbi Matondo and the aforementioned Sands – it is seemingly vital to have such an experienced asset at Van Bronckhorst’s disposal, with the Glasgow side in need of leaders amid this current tough spell.

Arfield’s impact was also lauded by Rangers Review’s Derek Clark, with the journalist writing that the ageing gem ‘added a bit more intensity and energy. He was visibly demanding more from his teammates and it paid off with a much-needed win’.

Although the former Burnley man’s actual on-the-ball role was somewhat limited – making just 26 touches in his 45-minute outing – his calming presence seemingly had the desired effect, having notably completed 17 of his 20 passes and laid on one key pass.

Amid the current doom and gloom, Arfield’s experience could well be what is needed to help steady the ship for the Scottish giants, with the Livingston-born ace having been a great servant to the club over the years, with 39 goals and 19 assists in 212 games in all competitions.

With Rangers’ final game prior to the World Cup break to come away to St Mirren this weekend, having the midfielder in the side from the start could well be key for Van Bronckhorst.

Liverpool are interested in making a move for exciting young Athletic Bilbao winger Nico Williams, according to a new transfer report.

The Lowdown: Williams shining for Bilbao

The 20-year-old is the younger brother of club-mate Inaki Williams and he is now forging an impressive career of his own.

He has chipped in with three goals and three assists in La Liga this season, also being described as ‘incredible’ by his older brother.

The youngster’s current Athletic Bilbao deal expires at the end of next season, so it is no surprise to see other clubs monitoring the situation.

The Latest: Liverpool keen on Williams

According to a report from Spain [via Sport Witness], Liverpool are ‘one of the main interested parties’ in signing Williams in the near future.

Jurgen Klopp is thought to be keen on bringing in an ‘unbalancing winger’ in the January transfer window, and the Reds now ‘take the lead’ in the race to snap up the Athletic Bilbao starlet, having sent scouts to the World Cup to watch the youngster in action first-hand for Spain.

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The Verdict: Exciting long-term option

It is vital that Klopp continues to rebuild his squad moving forward, not allowing it to grow old together, and Williams could be an ideal prospective long-term acquisition.

At 20, he is already an important squad figure for an established La Liga club and he is also making his mark at international level, winning three caps and scoring once for Spain.

Most prominent on the right flank, Williams could come in as a backup to Mohamed Salah, learning from the Egyptian and potentially acting as his long-term replacement.

Sheffield Wednesday will be looking to book their spot in the FA Cup third round on Saturday afternoon as they take on Mansfield Town at Hillsborough.

Darren Moore’s side earned their place in the second round with a 2-0 win over Morecambe and will be confident once again this weekend as they take on lower-league opposition after some strong recent displays.

The Owls may well be prioritising an automatic promotion push in League One but this represents an excellent opportunity for a potentially money-spinning cup run, so Moore should pick a strong side against The Stags.

Here is how Football FanCast expects the Owls to line up at Hillsborough this weekend, with five changes from the team that started last weekend’s 1-0 win over Shrewsbury Town.

Sheffield Wednesday XI (4-3-3): Dawson, Palmer, Ihiekwe, McGuinness, James, Vaulks, Bakinson, Bannan, Mighten, Wilks, Gregory

After missing the first round with a concussion, second-choice goalkeeper Cameron Dawson should be given an opportunity to start on Saturday, with David Stockdale dropping to the bench.

Dominic Iorfa limped off against Shrewsbury Town so the “man mountain” isn’t risked despite some strong recent form at right-back, with Liam Palmer replacing him.

The rest of the back four remains the same after the Owls’ resolute defence kept yet another clean sheet against the Shrews last time out.

There is one change in midfield, as Will Vaulks comes back into the team alongside Barry Bannan and Tyreeq Bakinson, with Fisayo Dele-Bashiru dropping out.

Alex Mighten’s strong recent form sees him keep his place on the wing, with Malik Wilks earning a rare start on the other side in the likely absence of Josh Windass, who also limped off last time out.

They support Lee Gregory up front, as the veteran striker replaces Michael Smith after being on the bench for recent fixtures.

Everton are now monitoring Salernitana forward Boulaye Dia ahead of January, according to reports from Italy.

The Lowdown: Dia selected by Senegal

The Senegal attacker, who was named in Aliou Cisse’s 26-man squad to represent his country at the World Cup, is currently on loan at the Arechi Stadium from Villarreal, with an option to buy included for £10m.

Premier League clubs West Ham and Leeds have both previously been credited with an interest in the striker following an impressive start to the season, and it now looks like two more English top-flight teams have entered the race for his signature.

The Latest: Everton eyeing Dia

According to Italian outlet Tutto Salernitana (via Sport Witness), Everton and Leicester have both now ‘joined’ the chase for Dia and have ‘expressed interest’ in signing him.

The Merseyside outfit have the 26-year-old in their ‘sights’, and whilst Salernitana chief Danilo Iervolino would ‘try to resist’ approaches, he is aware that it ‘won’t be an easy task’ to keep hold of Dia should a club in European competition come forward for him.

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The Verdict: Get it done…

Dia’s valuation is likely to increase given his recent performances in Qatar, but having been dubbed ‘magic’ by Usher Komugisha, this is a deal that Everton shouldn’t think twice about trying to complete.

Born in France, the attacker already has six goals and two assists to his name in just 14 league appearances this season, and he opened his account at the World Cup against Qatar last Friday.

Frank Lampard’s side are just one point above relegation zone, so attacking additions should certainly be a priority in the winter market, and Dia would appear to be the perfect candidate to make Everton a deadlier outfit with a greater capability of securing vital wins.

Rumoured Leeds United transfer target Boulaye Dia is someone who could excel in the Premier League, according to reliable journalist Ed Aarons.

The Lowdown: Dia linked with Leeds move

In recent times, the 26-year-old has been linked with a move to the Whites, having scored once in four appearances for Senegal at the 2022 World Cup.

Dia is currently plying his trade on loan at Salernitana on loan from Villarreal, where he is in form, netting six times in just 10 Serie A starts so far this season.

A move to England now feels likely, however, and Leeds will certainly be hopeful – with La Gazzetta dello Sport (via Sport Witness) recently claiming Jesse Marsch’s side are in the running to sign him.

The Latest: Attacker backed to excel in PL

Speaking to Give Me Sport, Aarons, reacting to Leeds’ recent contention for the player, claimed that Dia could take to English football like a duck to water – further adding credence to the idea of him moving to Elland Road:

“He’s on loan in Serie A this season with Salernitana from Villarreal.

“And he made a bit of an impression in Spain last year as well, but I think he’s the sort of player that could do well in the Premier League. He’s 26 now, perhaps it’s time for him to make the move.”

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The Verdict: Exactly what Whites need

Dia has been predominantly used as a centre forward this season and that is an area where Leeds have looked weak, with Patrick Bamford struggling with injuries and Joe Gelhardt still a raw footballer.

The Senegalese could be a brilliant signing to add quality and depth in attack for the Whites, with Sadio Mane once saying he was ‘really impressed’ by his compatriot.

It’s also very worth noting that the former Ligue 1 star has broken records at club level, becoming former side Reims’ record top flight goalscorer this century back in 2020.

Dia’s record of 24 goals in 78 games in France in the past shows he can do it in a top European league, and if Leeds could beat others to his signature, it would feel like a coup.

Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag is reportedly at wits end with starting shot-stopper David de Gea, with a host of options being assessed ahead of the January transfer window.

What’s the word?

According to reports from Spain, the Red Devils are eyeing Morocco’s World Cup hero Yassine Bounou, commonly known as Bono, as a possible replacement for their beleaguered goalkeeper. 

The likes of Yann Sommer and Jan Oblak have also been touted for a move to Manchester, but Bono might emerge as the frontrunner after a string of impressive performances at the World Cup in Qatar. 

The Red Devils would be facing heated competition for the 31-year-old’s signature, however, with Aston Villa boss Unai Emery also looking to forge a deal for the ace after expressing a long-time interest in him, as per Football Insider.

It’s thought that Sevilla would only sell their no.1 for a fee in the region of £26m.

Ditch De Gea

De Gea has been a loyal servant for the Red Devils for over a decade, winning the Premier League, Europa League, FA Cup and Carabao Cup during his time between the sticks at the Theatre of Dreams. 

And winning the club’s Player of the Season award on four occasions – including last year – the Spaniard has basked in his fair share of success, almost moving to Real Madrid in a lucrative deal before a collapse at the eleventh hour. 

However, recent years have left the 45-cap international scraping for form, earning criticism on numerous occasions for his mistakes and “woeful” displays.

Which is why a transfer away from the club might be the best avenue for all parties, with De Gea offered a clean slate and United freeing the lofty reported wage of £375k-per-week.

Keeping three clean sheets in four World Cup matches, against the likes of Belgium, Croatia, and Spain, Morocco have exceeded expectations and risen from the ground in Qatar to perch alongside some of the most esteemed nations on the globe, on the very biggest stage.

And now with a tantalising quarter-final showdown against Portugal awaiting, Bono could see his stock rise even further with a good performance against the European giants.

As per Sofascore, Bono has recorded a rating of 7.2 at the World Cup, providing assurance and precise distribution from the back, allowing his teammates to push forward and search for openings.

With an average save percentage of 67% and a formidable performance in the last-16, where the 31-year-old saved three penalties as the nation sank Spain in a shootout after a valiant 0-0 draw, Bono is emerging as a figure of the utmost standing. 

And with FBref reporting that the “monster” – in the words of broadcaster Ives Galarcep – ranks within the top 16% for goal kicks and 23% for touches when compared to goalkeepers across Europe’s big five leagues, his knack for getting on the ball and distributing forward is something that will leave him in good stead with Ten Hag and his ball-playing philosophy.

Whether United make a move will remain to be seen, but with his level of performance recently and his reported wage of just £15k-per-week, Bono could be a prudent and viable option to replace De Gea.

Aston Villa are reportedly set to announce an annual profit for the first time in years, helped in part by the sale of Jack Grealish to Manchester City.

The Lowdown: Tough period

These past few years have undoubtedly been tough in football, with Covid-19 having a huge impact on revenues across the board following almost an entire season behind closed doors in 2020/21.

It has been a period that has understandably seen profits take a hit up and down the country, as clubs try to navigate a minefield the likes of which we have simply never seen in English football.

Villa were affected like everyone, but a fresh update reveals that they have bounced back impressively under NSWE.

The Latest: Villa in the green

According to Football Insider, the Villans are set to announce an “unprecedented” profit for the financial year 2021/22 – the first time that has been the case under NSWE’s ownership.

Grealish’s £100million move to City has played a significant role in this, generating a huge amount of money, and it helped alleviate the cost of paying off former manager Dean Smith.

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The Verdict: Things heading in the right direction

This is great news for Villa, at a time when financial stability is so important, and it suggests that things are going in the right direction both on and off the pitch.

In Unai Emery, the club have a proven elite manager in charge – he has won four Europa League titles during his managerial career – and he has a strong squad at his disposal that will hopefully now be strengthened further in the coming transfer windows.

Villa are a huge club who belong in the top half of the Premier League, and this mix of financial power and a top manager means they have a great chance of achieving that goal in the next few years.

Manchester United have something of a conundrum in the goalkeeping department, and might be inclined to solve their issue through swooping for Borussia Monchengladbach’s Yann Sommer.

What’s the word?

Sommer is out of contract at the end of the campaign, and according to Sport BILD, Man United are joined by the likes of Bayern Munich in gunning for the colossus’ signature, with Bavarian ‘keeper Manuel Neuer ruled out for the rest of the season following a skiing accident that resulted in a leg break.

While the idea of adopting a central position between the sticks at the dominant German Champions is enticing, BILD reports that playing in the Premier League is a lifelong dream for the Switzerland No. 1. 

And with uncertainty clouding over the scrutinised David de Gea’s future at Old Trafford, a move might yet materialise with the January transfer window merely weeks away. 

Out with De Gea 

The report from Germany remarks that should Gladbach receive an offer of around €5m (£4.4m) for their 34-year-old shot-stopper, his club might be unwilling to let such a sum slip away, especially considering he will depart for nothing should he reach the end of the campaign at the BORUSSIA-PARK.

Such a small fee is certainly within United boss Erik ten Hag’s capabilities, and it could ail the woes that De Gea is seemingly unable to counter at present.

United’s Spanish stopper has recorded a Sofascore rating of just 6.79 in the Premier League this term, languishing below the 6.0 mark on three occasions thus far: versus Brentford (5.3), Manchester City (5.2) and Aston Villa (5.8).

He has saved just 66% of his total shots faced and conceded 20 goals from 14 outings at a rate of 1.4 per contest.

And the poor performances of the “liability” – as slandered by BBC Sport’s Phil McNulty – are nothing new; in 2020, Evening Standard sport writer Dominic Booth branded the 32-year-old as “woeful” for a mistake against RB Leipzig, continuing to lament the ace by saying “a good goalkeeper smothers that and gets rid” in a detrimental 3-2 Champions League defeat that dumped United out of the Champions League.

Should a deal for Sommer be forged, Old Trafford could welcome a star with more assurance and greater calibre in one-to-one situations.

Via FBref, the 80-cap Swiss “monster” – as described by journalist Okon Nya – ranks within the top 18% of goalkeepers for save percentage across Europe’s big five leagues this last year – De Gea, in retrospect, ranks within the bottom 45% – also ranking in the top percentile for touches.

Sommer has also been excellent in the German Bundesliga this term, with Sofascore recording his average rating at an impressive 7.4, a veritable wall with a 77% save percentage and a remarkable level of distribution illustrated by an 81% passing accuracy.

His particular skill set fits the modern, ball-playing approach that Ten Hag seeks to implement on the United squad, and with De Gea on a reported £375k-per-week, a cost-effective swoop appears to be a no-brainer.