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Nottingham Forest have reportedly been offered the chance to sign forward Andre Ayew, who is now a free agent.

The Lowdown: Ayew available

Former Premier League striker Ayew is available as a free agent after leaving Qatar side Al Sadd earlier in January.

During two spells at Swansea City and two years at West Ham United the Ghanaian international played 89 times in the top-flight, scoring 21 and assisting 12.

Most important to any deal with Forest is that the 33-year-old played 94 times under current Tricky Trees boss Steve Cooper whilst at Swansea as they reached the 2019/20 play-offs and the 2020/21 play-off final together.

The Latest: Agent pushing

After leaving Wales in 2021 to join Al Sadd, it seems as though Ayew wants to make one last go of it in England with a move to the Premier League being pushed by his agent.

Sky Sports reported on their deadline day coverage that Forest had been offered the chance to complete a move that could be completed after the 11pm deadline due to him being a free agent – though appeared to suggest the Reds were an unlikely destination.

The report stated: “Free agent Andre Ayew and his representatives will be in the UK on Wednesday to find a new club.

“The 33-year-old is being offered to a number of Premier League sides after leaving Al Sadd earlier this month.

“The Ghanaian has been offered to both Everton and Nottingham Forest, but as much as Forest boss Steve Cooper likes Ayew, having managed him at Swansea, the club currently do not have enough room in their squad to accommodate him.”

The Verdict: Potential bargain?

At 33 and playing outside of Europe for the past 18 months, it’s hard to judge whether Ayew can still replicate the levels he produced whilst in the Premier League and under Cooper during his time at Swansea City.

With him bagging 22 goals in 39 games out in Qatar, there’s obviously still belief on the player’s behalf that he can still offer a top-flight side the firepower to survive this season, with fellow suitors Everton currently two points from safety.

Despite Forest being four points clear of the drop, their points tally of 21 definitely will not be enough for them to relax with 18 games still to play.

Cooper’s side have scored the third-least in the league, but following Chris Wood’s arrival at the City Ground on an initial loan with an option to buy of £15m (via Sky Sports) and a raft of potential arrivals this deadline day, it’s hard to see where Ayew would fit into the side.

Aston Villa manager Unai Emery wants to make three more additions to his squad before Tuesday’s deadline. 

The Lowdown: Ins and outs

Villa Park officials have already brought in two players for the Spaniard in Alex Moreno and Jhon Duran. The club have spent around €30m on the pair, however, Emery has lost the services of Danny Ings and Frederic Guilbert, with the former moving to West Ham in a deal worth €12m.

Cameron Archer and Morgan Sanson have also been loaned out, while Jan Bednarek has been recalled by parent club Southampton.

The Latest: More to arrive?

Villa reporter John Townley shared a story for Birmingham Live on Wednesday, looking at speculation over a potential move for Chelsea’s Hakim Ziyech.

He said that the Morocco international could be a target and that Emery wants a new striker, winger and midfielder in before the end of the month, although the club will remain patient to secure their top targets.

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The Verdict: Exciting…

It could well be a frantic final few days for NSWE and Johan Lange, with Emery seemingly wanting multiple more players through the door. This claim may excite some Villa supporters, and you could argue that strengthening in the final third should be a priority.

Duran has come in for Ings, however, the teenager and Ollie Watkins are the only centre-forward options available to Emery, so another versatile forward would be of use in the second half of the season.

Ings was also the club’s top scorer before leaving for London and with Duran fairly inexperienced, replacing the goals they lost in the Englishman could be vital.

Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag has already bolstered his squad this month with the loan signings of Jack Butland and Wout Weghorst, although there have been reports that the Dutchman could be eyeing further recruits before the end of the window.

According to reports in Spain at the start of January, the Red Devils are believed to have made an offer to sign RB Leipzig sensation, Dani Olmo, with the 24-year-old also said to be attracting interest from Bundesliga giants, Bayern Munich.

Journalist Christian Falk – speaking to GIVEMESPORT – has now provided an update on that reported interest, with the German football expert revealing that United are closely monitoring the 29-cap maestro at present.

The transfer insider stated: “Yeah, Manchester United are still watching him, of course. Leipzig are hopeful to get Olmo on a new contract. He didn’t sign now, so they’re getting a little bit nervous because he could want to change leagues.”

The 5 foot 10 dynamo – who is valued at around £31m according to CIES Football Observatory – is facing an uncertain future at his current side, with just 18 months to run on his existing deal.

That fact has likely alerted the Old Trafford outfit – and others – with the former Dinamo Zagreb starlet having also caught the eye due to his standout form of late, with 41 goal involvements in 106 games across all competitions for Leipzig.

That follows what was a stunning stint in Croatia in which the playmaker provided 34 goals and 28 assists in 124 games in total, having been described as an “outstanding footballer” by former boss Julian Nagelsmann.

As such, the “magic” gem – as lauded by talent scout Jacek Kulig – could well prove a dream heir for compatriot Juan Mata at the Theatre of Dreams, with the veteran midfielder having also been lauded as a “little magician” by former teammate Michael Carrick in the past.

The diminutive maestro – who left the Manchester outfit over the summer after eight-and-a-half years at the club – was a reliable attacking presence during that lengthy stint with the Red Devils, scoring 51 goals and providing 47 assists in 285 games in all competitions.

Much like Olmo, the current Galatasaray man was able to operate in an attacking midfield berth or on the flanks, having possessed a knack for being able to create something out of nothing, as evidenced by his stunning overhead kick at Anfield in 2015, for instance.

Although the 34-year-old did fall down the pecking order in his final years with United – making just 12 appearances last term – he was still able to offer a solid alternative to Bruno Fernandes in the side, with Ten Hag currently lacking a playmaking option to rival the Portugal international following Donny van de Beek’s season-ending injury.

As such, snapping up the promising Olmo in the near future could prove to be the ideal successor to Mata for the Red Devils.

Chelsea are ‘seriously’ targeting Juventus striker Dusan Vlahovic, with contact already made over the player, according to CBS Sports reporter Ben Jacobs.

The Lowdown: Boehly busy…

Backed by American business tycoon Todd Boehly, the Blues have been seriously busy in terms of transfer activity recently.

The Premier League giants are thought to be closing in on deals for both Vasco de Gama wonderkid Andrey Santos and Molde’s rising star David Datro Fofana.

Graham Potter’s side are also being repeatedly linked with marquee players like Josko Gvardiol of RB Leipzig, and amid their search for a star striker, it appears that Serie A sensation Vlahovic is very much on their radar.

The Latest: Chelsea make Vlahovic contact…

Speaking to GIVEMESPORT, Jacobs has claimed that Boehly and co have made ‘inquiries’ over signing the Serbia international for Chelsea and are ‘seriously’ targeting him.

He explained: “It’s actually Chelsea, from a Premier League point of view, making the inquiries at this point, and we know that they need a striker as well.

“But I think everybody chasing Vlahovic needs to understand, is January possible, first and foremost, and then if it isn’t, what do they need to do to persuade him to move to the Premier League in January? And what can clubs learn from the Arsenal situation?

“And also, what is his injury situation? Because right now, if you get him in January, he’s got a groin problem that is still under investigation. But Chelsea are looking a bit more seriously at him and obviously a number of other strikers because of the Armando Broja situation.”

The Verdict: Pursue further?

When fit and available, the £215,000-per-week forward has continued his fine form at Juventus since his marquee move from Fiorentina earlier this year.

As per WhoScored, he averages more attempts at goal per 90 than any of his team-mates and ranks in the Turin club’s top five players for overall performance. He is also their highest Serie A goalscorer with six in 10 league starts, backing media claims that he is a ‘sensational’ striker.

However, having only signed for Juventus earlier this year, it may be a difficult move for Chelsea to pull off, and Vlahovic’s current groin injury could also come as a bit of a roadblock.

Former Aston Villa striker Gabby Agbonlahor has been giving his thoughts on a possible Villa Park move for Crystal Palace star Wilfried Zaha.

The Lowdown: Zaha linked with Villa

Unai Emery is after a new A-list attacker in the New Year who can play anywhere across the front three, with Zaha’s name being floated around in recent weeks.

The 30-year-old has been linked with a move to the Midlands, with Villa Park thought to be the most likely next destination for the Ivorian at this moment in time.

Ashley Preece also recently teased a potential move for the Ivory Coast forward, telling Villa supporters to ‘keep an eye on Zaha’ when it comes to possible arrivals in the Midlands.

The Latest: Agbonlahor reacts to Zaha rumours

Speaking to Football Insider regarding a possible move to Villa Park for Zaha, the club’s former captain Agbonlahor seemed excited, saying that it ‘would be a great signing’ and calling the Palace forward a ‘top player’.

The talkSPORT pundit gushed: “Wilfried Zaha is a top player. Any club in the Premier League would love to have him.

“If Villa can get him on a free transfer it would be a great signing. He is what we are missing on that left side.”

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The Verdict: Why not…

Zaha can play anywhere across the front three, so heseems to fit the mould when it comes to Emery’s attacking requirements.

He also has plenty of experience in the Premier League, contributing to 110 goals in the top flight in 291 games in the division.

Therefore, a winter swoop could be a smart idea by Villa, or else they may decide to hold out until the summer, possibly hoping to sign Zaha for free when his contract at Selhurst Park expires, making this prospective move indeed one to watch going into January 2023.

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.

This season has left little to be desired so far for West Ham United, as they sit just one point from the looming threat of relegation as the World Cup is set to commence.

Whether it has been the addition of Europa Conference League games or simply just poor form, domestically David Moyes seems clueless about how to get consistency out of a team he had led to back-to-back top-seven finishes the two seasons prior.

The break comes at a good time, and with only a handful of Hammers selected to represent their countries, perhaps it could be used as an exercise to recharge and relearn some of the basic principles that allowed them to earn such success.

One player who is suffering, in particular, is Jarrod Bowen, with the English winger yet to come close to the blistering form of his 18-goal and 13-assist campaign last year.

He has just two goals in the Premier League, offering little threat at all from the right flank.

The 25-year-old was subsequently not selected for England because of this form, which could add fuel for the wide man to up his performance and prove why he should have been on that plane.

Another factor that could spark him back to life is the potential introduction of a new winger in January, with reports circling in recent months that link Noa Lang with a move to the London Stadium.

The Dutchman plays off the left but enjoys cutting in onto his favoured right foot, the converse of Bowen, but actually boasts many similarities.

He is a fine goalscorer, and despite a slow start to this season with Club Brugge, has earned a place with the Netherlands to travel to Qatar.

This is likely birthed from his form last campaign, where he scored nine and assisted 15 in all competitions including the Champions League.

It was this form in front of goal that led Football Talent Scout Jacek Kulig to label him “unstoppable”.

Across that campaign, despite getting 12 of his assists in the Belgian Pro League, he actually created 19 big chances whilst averaging 1.9 key passes a game, via SofaScore.

With his introduction to east London, it could alleviate some of the goalscoring burden that Bowen carries from the wide areas, whilst revitalising a team that has scored just 12 times in 15 games in the league.

Lang truly is the “phenomenon” that Belgium journalist Peter Vandenbempt dubbed him, and given his price tag sat as high as just €25m (£22m) in the summer it could mark a sensational coup for Moyes that could get his team firing once again.

Adding to the injuries sustained by Reds duo Luis Diaz and Trent Alexander-Arnold, Liverpool centre-back Joel Matip is also now sidelined, reports The Athletic’s James Pearce.

The Lowdown: Diaz and Trent hurt at Arsenal

After just 42 minutes of play in the 3-2 loss to Arsenal on Sunday, Diaz was forced off the pitch after sustaining a knee injury.

According to Sky Sports, the 25-year-old is expected to be out of action until after the World Cup, although a scan revealed a welcome boost as the Colombian will not require surgery.

During the same game, Alexander-Arnold was substituted at half-time having suffered an ankle injury accidentally inflicted by Gunners winger Gabriel Martinelli, and the full-back will miss around two weeks.

The Latest: Matip out

Adding to an already decimated Liverpool back-line, Pearce has now revealed another injury blow for Jurgen Klopp’s men.

Taking to Twitter, The Athletic journalist said:

“Liverpool’s injury problems have deepened with Joel Matip expected to be sidelined for around two weeks by a calf problem.”

The Verdict: Bad to worse

Having returned from injury towards the end of August, Matip featured for Klopp in all three of the Reds’ Champions League fixtures this season.

He also returned to the starting line-up for the previous two Premier League outings, and the absence of the former Cameroon international will come as a big blow to the side’s build-up from the back due to his ‘quality’ attacking abilities, in the words of Virgil van Dijk.

As per FBRef, compared with positional peers across Europe over the past year, the defender ranks in the top one percent for progressive carries and touches in the attacking penalty area, and also in the top four percent for assists and shots total.

With Ibrahima Konate making a late cameo during the Arsenal clash after a two-month injury absence, Klopp will be hopeful the Frenchman can step up in Matip’s shoes, but the likelihood that Joe Gomez will be filling in for Alexander-Arnold means there is virtually now zero depth in the heart of defence.

Former Sunderland manager Alex Neil led the club back to the Championship by securing promotion out of League One in the 2021/22 campaign.

The Black Cats spent four years in the third tier of English football following their back-to-back relegations from the top two divisions between 2016/17 and 2017/18.

Sunderland were unable to break out of League One in the first three seasons and this resulted in a number of players coming in and out of the Stadium of Light during that time.

One player they had a mare with during those three years was attacking midfielder George Honeyman, who had risen through the youth ranks at the club.

The 28-year-old was a product of the academy system and played in the Premier League and the Championship before becoming the skipper in the third division.

Jack Ross made him the club captain in the summer of 2018 and hailed the talent, saying: “George’s attitude towards training on a daily basis is absolutely fantastic.”

Ross added: “He’s a mature and intelligent young man, and his energy levels and application in games will be a major asset for us, so I’m delighted he’s wanted to take on the responsibility.”

He played 38 times in the 2018/19 league campaign and chipped in with six goals and three assists from the middle of the park.

In the summer of 2019, the Mackems decided to cash in on the midfielder instead of running the risk of him leaving on a free transfer the following year. He signed for Championship side Hull City in a deal reported to be worth £400k to the Black Cats.

His form since departing Wearside will surely leave Sunderland regretting that they did not take a risk and attempt to convince him to put pen to paper on a new contract.

Although he suffered relegation from the second tier in his first season at Hull, Honeyman caught the eye with a phenomenal campaign in League One in 2020/21. He averaged a sublime SofaScore rating of 7.36 across 42 appearances – a score higher than any Black Cats player managed at that level last term – as he scored four goals and provided a whopping 14 assists, whilst creating 21 ‘big chances’.

The midfielder then made 35 appearances in the Championship for the Tigers in 2021/22 – scoring five and assisting four – before sealing a move to Millwall, where he has enjoyed a strong start to the season.

Honeyman has averaged a SofaScore rating of 7.00 across nine appearances in the division this year, scoring once and assisting one goal whilst creating 1.6 chances per game. That would place him fifth in the current Sunderland squad among players who have played at least five matches.

At the time of writing, Transfermarkt value him at £1.35m, roughly 238% more than the initial £400k Hull paid to snap him up from Wearside.

Therefore, the Black Cats made a mistake by selling Honeyman as his value has gone up, in line with his impressive performances on the pitch, since leaving the club.

They should have taken the risk of him leaving for nothing, instead of accepting a measly fee as they could have been able to work on a new deal, thus cementing his future in the north east.

Everton have signed plenty of deadweight during Farhad Moshiri’s reign, with over £500m spent and almost nothing to show for it.

However, when Carlo Ancelotti was brought in it seemed like things might be starting to change. A summer of rebuilding saw a brand-new midfielder enter the fray, with Abdoulaye Doucoure finally giving in to years of being linked to Goodison Park by moving for £20m.

It seemed like a smart piece of business, taking a strong, physical yet technically brilliant player from the recently relegated Watford.

He was a midfielder with an eye for a goal yet has only shown this on a few occasions for the Merseyside outfit. Indeed, the Mali international has just five goals in 71 appearances for the Toffees.

The 29-year-old has also suffered with injuries during his stint at the club, which combined with his less-than-impressive form has unsurprisingly seen his value plummet.

Stolen for what seemed like a £20m bargain, CIES Football Observatory now rate him at just €10m (£8.9m). This marks a worrying 55.5% decrease in value.

Whilst featuring for the Hornets, journalist Matt Spiro questioned why nobody had gone for him sooner. He listed the attributes in which he thought he excelled, labelling him: “Strong, technical, great engine, uses ball well, scores goals.”

However, since moving to Goodison Park he has seldom shown these qualities to the fullest effect.

With Frank Lampard having completed a similar midfield overhaul this summer, having brought in Amadou Onana, Idrissa Gana Gueye and James Garner, now might be time to move Doucoure on following his ultimately disappointing spell. 

He has shown flashes throughout the early parts of his Everton career, with Ancelotti often relying on the relationship he and Allan struck up to pin down his 4-4-2 system.

However, his inability on the ball often let him down for other managers. He ranks in the 28th percentile for pass completion percentage for midfielders across Europe’s top five leagues and averages a measly 2.83 progressive passes per 90, a stat that puts him in the worst 21% of players.

Injuries at the wrong time and a lack of stability at the helm have hindered Doucoure’s career on Merseyside, and despite his performances having tailed off with regard to quality more recently, he will likely be remembered fondly by Evertonians as a reminder of an era that promised so much under the legendary Italian boss.