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Aston Villa winger Bertrand Traore appears to have suffered a fresh injury while on international duty with Burkina Faso, as reported by Birmingham Live.

As to be expected, a number of Villa supporters have been reacting to the news on social media.

The 26-year-old has struggled to get his 2021/22 campaign going after suffering a hamstring injury in a behind-closed-doors friendly against Liverpool back in August.

He is yet to start a Premier League game this season but did feature against Everton and Tottenham as a substitute prior to the current international break.

However, it seems as if Traore has picked up a new problem, with Birmingham Live claiming that he missed Burkina Faso’s 2-0 win over Djibouti on Monday due to injury.

Villa fans react

The AVFC Faithful shared the news regarding Traore on Twitter on Monday afternoon. Here is what these fans had to say in reply, with many frustrated and one labelling the winger as a ‘class player’ while lamenting his injury record.

“Here we go again”

Credit: @deep_645

“Oh”

Credit: @DG_Avfc_2

“Is our whole squad just broken”

Credit: @roberton_sj

“Class player… Made out of Weetabix.”

Credit: @STRACH_AVFC

“No luck fc”

Credit: @buendiazboyz

“El Ghazi to the rescue!”

Credit: @hafizstar

In other news: Smith looking to pip Arteta again as Aston Villa eye move for ace who has the same agency as Mings

Celtic look set to complete the signing of Johnny Kenny in the coming days.

What’s the talk?

That’s according to a report by the Sligo Champion (via Football Scotland), who claim that Ange Postecoglou’s side look to have won the race for the 18-year-old centre-forward, who is expected to sign for Celtic in the next few days.

The report goes on to state that Hibernian were also extremely interested in a move for the Republic of Ireland U19 international this month – with the youngster even said to have watched Hibs in action against Dundee back in December – however, the Bhoys are now believed to have agreed a €150k (£125k) plus add ons deal for the Sligo Rovers starlet.

Finally, it is claimed that Kenny will initially link up with Celtic’s B team side in the Scottish Lowland League, in order to further his development before pushing for a place in Postecoglou’s first-team squad at Parkhead.

Fans will be buzzing

With Celtic having already sealed the signings of Reo Hatate, Daizen Maeda and Yosuke Ideguchi in the January transfer window, the news that the Hoops are not done yet with their winter business is sure to have left the club’s fanbase buzzing.

Indeed, while Kenny is undoubtedly a signing for the future, the 18-year-old is nevertheless yet another exciting addition for the Bhoys, as the sheer amount of potential the forward possesses is evident from his form in the SSE Airtricity Premier Division last season.

Over his 33 league outings for Sligo Rovers last time out, the teenager scored an incredibly impressive 11 goals for Liam Buckley’s side, playing a huge role in helping his club secure a third-place finish in the top division of Irish football – something which guarantees Rovers European football in the upcoming campaign.

As such, while Kenny may be playing with the Celtic B side for the second half of the season, should the striker continue this level of goalscoring form while playing in the Lowland League, it would not be surprising to see him in and around Postecoglou’s first-team squad come the start of the 2022/23 campaign.

In other news: Celtic in advanced talks over “unbelievable” January deal, it’d be Ange’s biggest yet

Liverpool are the Premier League club showing the most interest in Torino defender Gleison Bremer, but Inter Milan are favourites to get their man.

The Lowdown: Reds eye up Bremer move

The Reds have been linked with a move for the Brazilian a lot in recent weeks, with Jurgen Klopp potentially looking at bringing in a new centre-back this summer due to the exit links surrounding Joe Gomez.

Praised as a ‘star’ in the division by Italian media, Bremer, who idolises Virgil van Dijk, has proved to be a dominant figure for Torino throughout the 2021/22 season, helping them sit 11th in the Serie A table and being handed four Man of the Match awards by WhoScored.

There looks set to be a battle for the 25-year-old’s services this summer, with a fresh claim suggesting Liverpool will be in the thick of it.

The Latest: New update emerges

According to Sport Mediaset journalist Marco Barzaghi [via Sport Witness], ‘there is a great deal of competition from English teams, Liverpool above all’.

That’s not to say that they are the front-runners to snap up the defender, however, with Inter currently in pole position. An agreement in principle is reportedly in place with the Serie A champions.

Sources in Brazil revealed Klopp ‘wants to sign’ Bremer though, and they may have one advantage over Inter because the Nerazzurri need to sell to buy – Liverpool do not.

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The Verdict: Happy as fourth-choice?

The main stumbling block behind Bremer joining Liverpool is whether or not he is happy to play a squad role instead of being a key man every week.

In van Dijk, Joel Matip and Ibrahima Konate, the Reds have three great options, while Gomez is also in contention should he stay on, which is debatable.

Bremer may feel that he could go straight in as a regular starter at Inter, which wouldn’t be the case under Klopp, possibly putting paid to a move to Anfield.

In other news, David Ornstein has provided a Liverpool transfer update. Read more here.

Leeds United midfielder Adam Forshaw looks likely to sign a new deal at Elland Road, according to an update from reliable journalist Phil Hay.

The Lowdown: Forshaw enjoys brilliant comeback

The midfielder has endured an injury nightmare in his career, missing nearly two years of action with a career-threatening hip problem.

Thankfully, Forshaw made his return earlier this season and has looked as good as ever, proving to be an influential performer and making 11 appearances in the Premier League.

The 30-year-old’s Leeds contract expires at the end of the season but an update on his situation looks positive.

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The Latest: Phil gives positive update

Writing for The Athletic on Saturday, Hay confirmed that the Whites are in ‘active discussions’ with Forshaw’s representatives over a new deal and ‘want to avoid a scenario where they lose him for nothing.’

The midfielder has made 66 appearances for Leeds overall but that tally would be far higher had it not been for his aforementioned injury woes.

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The Verdict: Richly deserved

Forshaw’s return has been one of the most pleasing aspects of a disappointing season for Leeds so far, with the Englishman not looking a lesser player, having been hailed as ‘excellent’ by Noel Whelan back before his injury nightmare started.

He has enjoyed an 82.8% pass completion rate in the league in 2021/22, as well as averaging 2.5 tackles and 1.1 interceptions per match, highlighting his ability on and off the ball.

Tying Forshaw down to a new deal not only makes sense in terms of simply keeping Leeds’ options strong but it also negates the issue of losing him on the cheap in the near future.

In other news, Leeds have been backed to sign one player – find out who it is here.

ExWHUEmployee has claimed that West Ham United “will try” once again to sign Jesse Lingard in this final week of the January transfer window.

What’s the story?

According to earlier reports from The Evening Standard, David Moyes remains keen on exploring a potential January deal for Lingard, and with fellow Premier League side Newcastle seemingly out of the running now, the race has opened up for the Hammers.

Via his Patreon, Ex said: “The club, on the back of the Lingard situation with Newcastle (although we do expect Newcastle to try again), will try another attempt at a deal but Manchester United are very reluctant to deal with us and there are issues to resolve still with his former stay here. We hope to have more details on this deal later.”

Moyes will love it

With Newcastle potentially out of the picture, the chances of the Hammers making a late swoop for Lingard is now very much a realistic prospect.

If the London club can work out some of the issues Ex says exists from Lingard’s previous loan deal at the London Stadium, then it would be a superb late window coup for Moyes.

After joining West Ham back in the January transfer window on a short-term loan, the attacking midfielder notched an impressive nine goals and four assists in just his first ten Premier League games for the club – it was no surprise then that he was lauded as being “absolutely phenomenal”.

His performances with the Hammers showcased the kind of impact the £75k-a-week earning star can have when he’s on song and the confidence is flowing through his veins.

With West Ham still very much in the mix for a Champions League spot this season, adding that extra sprinkling of goals and dynamism in Lingard could well prove to be the difference-maker when it comes to those big moments and big games.

After seemingly looking like Newcastle would trump them in their chase for Lingard, making a fresh move to land the England ace’s signature would surely have Moyes buzzing.

Meanwhile, Fabrizio Romano has delivered an update on this reported West Ham transfer target…

Liverpool could well be on course to win their first Premier League title this season, with Jurgen Klopp’s men in a fierce battle with Man City for top honours.

The Reds have been superb for the most part this campaign, and the likes of Virgil Van Dijk and Mo Salah have excelled with their form.

However, with a squad full of quality like Liverpool have, there are always going to be those players who simply fall by the wayside somewhat, and we here in the Tavern feel that Adam Lallana is one of those players who might be left behind at Anfield.

Granted, Lallana has had his injury issues, but he has never really made a massive name for himself in a Liverpool shirt, and you get the feeling he might shine more at a club with less pressure on a weekly basis.

Lallana is of course a big talent, and a player who on his day can cause havoc in opposition defences, but Liverpool have moved on, and at the level they are now at, there has to be questions around Lallana’s ability to break into the starting XI on a regular basis.

A summer move might make perfect sense for the former Southampton man, and there would be plenty of clubs willing to take a punt on him.

Injury free, he can be a fine Premier League midfielder, but those injuries could well have robbed him of his best years at Anfield.

Nonetheless, it would be great to see the England man depart with a Premier League winners medal after playing a big part in the revolution of the club in the last few years.

Many Everton fans have been left buzzing as some transfer news emerged on Jonathan Ikone.

As per Milan Live, both the Goodison Park faithful as well as West Ham United are ‘seriously considering’ signing the LOSC Lille ace, while AC Milan have also been named as a possible destination.

He was a player who was a mainstay in the team that won the Ligue 1 title ahead of PSG so impressively last season, missing only one game and recording nine goal contributions (Transfermarkt).

Ikone would certainly be an upgrade on Alex Iwobi, given that he has averaged more shots (1.3), key passes (1.1), dribbles (1.1) in their respective domestic leagues so far this term (WhoScored), and the latter has not exactly hit the ground running on Merseyside.

At 23 years of age, the France international has not reached his peak yet as well, and so would be an exciting buy for the Toffees.

Everton fans on Ikone transfer news

These Blues buzzed as the transfer news was shared on Twitter, with one EFC supporter even going as far as to claim that he would be a ‘belter signing’:

“Exactly the type we need to go for”

Credit: @notJoth

“Good alternative to Diaz who will be much more expensive now”

Credit: @Shakeitupbaine1

“Be a belter signing like”

Credit: @EFCJosh7

“Oh PLEASE”

Credit: @alfieartist11

“Ooo yes”

Credit: @BobbyW1878

“Bring him”

Credit: @taylor_davies77

In other news, find out what early team news before Tottenham Hotspur has Evertonians fuming here!

According to transfer ‘insider’ Graeme Bailey, writing for 90min, West Ham United have set their sights on a fresh target as news emerges on Lille defender Sven Botman.

The Lowdown: West Ham in defensive crisis…

Injuries to both Angelo Ogbonna and Kurt Zouma have prompted David Moyes to search for new centre-back signings in the looming January transfer window.

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Premier League trio James Tarkowksi, Nathan Ake and Nathaniel Phillips are the most heavily linked with a move to the London Stadium as things stand, but that hasn’t stopped other names from entering the fray.

Recently, a report from Italy claimed that West Ham could set their sights on Torino powerhouse Gleison Bremer, Juventus outcast Daniele Rugani or Fiorentina’s Nikola Milenkovic (Calciomercato).

Now, as per 90min, it appears that Moyes and transfer chief Rob Newman have another new name on the agenda.

The Latest: Transfer insider breaks news…

According to transfer insider Bailey, writing for 90min, West Ham have made a pre-January approach to sign Ligue 1 sensation Botman in the form of an enquiry.

It is believed that the 21-year-old is attracting plenty of interest, especially from Newcastle who have made him a top target, while the Dutchman’s agents have also made known his possible availability.

The Verdict: Get it done…

Lille have apparently slapped a price tag of around €25m-€30m (£21.2m-£25.4m) on their star defender (La Gazzetta via Milan News), and for that price he would be an absolute steal.

According to journalist Duncan Castles, team-mate and former Irons defender Jose Fonte is a huge fan, apparently calling Botman a ‘machine’ and a man ‘who doesn’t make mistakes’ behind the scenes (via Planet Football).

The Dutchman has also averaged an impressive 4.6 clearances per 90 in the French top flight this season, with only Kurt Zouma bettering those numbers for West Ham in the Premier League (WhoScored).

Botman is also a more accurate passer of the ball out from defence than any of Moyes’ current crop, finding his teammates 85.8% of the time, highlighting a degree of composure at such a young age.

His ceiling appears to be vast, with a maximum cost of £25.4m looking like an absolute steal.

In other news: Newman also exploring offer to sign ‘underrated’ £28.8m ace who’s now keen to join West Ham, find out more here.

Writing for inews, reliable journalist Mark Douglas has delivered an interesting transfer update regarding Tottenham Hotspur and Brentford attacking midfielder Christian Eriksen. 

The lowdown: Fairytale comeback

The 30-year-old was an icon in north London prior to moving to Inter Milan in 2020, scoring 69 times and providing an astonishing 90 assists in 305 outings for the Lilywhites.

Having won the Serie A title in Italy under Spurs boss Antonio Conte, Eriksen’s career at the San Siro came to an abrupt end when Italian regulations meant the Danish star couldn’t return to the club following a cardiac arrest at Euro 2020.

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Since then the cultured midfielder has signed for Brentford on a short-term deal and made a successful return to the international fold, scoring in the most recent international break.

The latest: Reunion on the cards?

Citing his report on Twitter, Douglas stated that Tottenham are amongst the clubs ‘queuing up’ and ‘keen’ to sign Eriksen this summer.

Out of contract at the end of this season (Transfermarkt), it’s claimed that Spurs are ‘interested in a reunion’ with the 111-cap ace as Conte attempts to bolster the ranks.

As per senior sources at inews, there have been ‘no talks’ of an extension with Brentford at present and while Manchester United and Newcastle also watch on with interest, Tottenham are ‘paying the closest attention’.

The verdict: No-brainer

Back in 2019, Spurs placed a minimum eye-watering £100million price tag on the creative Dane (The Times), a reflection of the class and indeed importance of Eriksen to Mauricio Pochettino’s side at the time.

Since returning to competitive action, the man recently hailed as ‘unbelievable’ by manager and compatriot Thomas Frank has scored once and provided one assist in four Premier League outings.

Having proven to still be a first-class operator, both Fabio Paratici and Conte should be pushing hard to bring Eriksen to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, particularly as a free agent in order to leave the budget untouched for elsewhere in the squad.

In other news: Tottenham favourites to sign England man, find out more here.

Aston Villa have always been rather active in the transfer market over the past number of years, whether they’ve been in the Premier League or Championship.

Numerous players have moved in and out of the Midlands club either on loan or permanent deals.

However, one player the Villans were linked with that didn’t end up donning a Villa shirt is Wesley Sneijder, someone they quite clearly made a huge mistake over.

Back in the 2009 summer transfer window, it was reported that the Midlands club were favourites to sign the Dutchman from Real Madrid after his agent revealed that Inter Milan, who were also after him at the time, were quite some way from offering the sort of money that the Spanish side were looking for.

Unfortunately for Villa, the midfielder did end up joining the Italian club that summer after racking up a total of 246 appearances for Madrid and his original club Ajax, scoring 69 goals and providing 57 assists along the way.

During his time with Inter, Sneijder found the back of the net 22 times in 116 appearances, delivering 35 assists in the process.

In the 2013 January transfer window, the 37-year-old, who has been described as a “monster” by journalist Grant Wahl, then moved to Turkey after signing with Galatasaray where he delivered 89 goal contributions in 175 games.

He then went on to have spells in France with OGC Nice and Al-Gharafa in Qatar before retiring in 2019 having won numerous trophies in Spain, Italy and Turkey.

Labelled as a “lethal” player in terms of his dead-ball ability by the official Copa90 Twitter account following his induction to Inter’s Hall of Fame, Sneijder ended his playing career with a total of 295 club goals and assists to his name.

Having also racked up an accumulative transfer fee of £44.6m from his moves to Real, Inter and Galatasaray according to Transfermarkt, Villa and their then-owner Randy Lerner certainly made a mistake by not splashing the cash when they had the chance and bringing the Dutch maestro to England.

Bearing in mind this was a player that claimed he could have been on the same level as Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo in terms of talent, having a figure of his footballing calibre in a Villa shirt could have been a sight to behold for the fans.

In other news: Huge boost: Gregg Evans reveals fresh Villa development, it’s great news for Gerrard