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Reported Leeds United transfer target John Swift may already have played his final game for Reading.

What’s the latest?

That’s according to a report by Leeds Live, who claim that the 26-year-old now looks to be one step closer to a summer move, as the central midfielder has been ruled out for the remainder of the season due to injury.

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The report goes on to mention the fact that the Whites have continuously been linked with a swoop for the former Chelsea starlet, while the same outlet recently revealed that Reading have failed to make any progress in convincing the playmaker to sign a new deal at Select Car Leasing Stadium – meaning he looks set to end his six-year stay at the Championship side at the end of the current campaign.

Marsch can axe Roberts with Swift

Considering just how impressive Swift has been for Reading this season, the fact that Leeds look as if they will be able to sign the 26-year-old on a free transfer is undoubtedly fantastic news for Victor Orta.

Indeed, over his 38 Championship appearances this term, the £5.4m-rated midfield maestro has almost single-handily kept the Royals out of the relegation zone, scoring 11 goals, registering 13 assists and creating 10 big chances for his teammates, as well as taking an average of 2.1 shots and making 2.7 key passes per game – metrics that are not bettered by any Reading player.

These returns have seen the £25k-per-week man who Steve Madeley dubbed “stylish” and Charles Watts claimed “glides across the pitch” average a quite breathtaking SofaScore match rating of 7.26, ranking him as the third-best player in the English second tier – a quite extraordinary feat while playing for a team who are just one place above the drop zone.

In contrast, over Tyler Roberts’ 23 Premier League appearances this season, the £7.2m-rated Wales international was in rather less sensational form, scoring one goal, providing one assist and creating two big chances for his teammates, in addition to taking an average of 1.3 shots and making 0.7 key passes per game.

These metrics saw the 23-year-old who Gabby Agbonlahor dubbed “shocking” average an extremely disappointing SofaScore match rating of just 6.74 – something that would appear to lend weight to the claims that Jesse Marsch may well look to move the £45k-per-week midfielder on this summer.

And, should Marsch be in need of a new attacking threat in the middle of the park, the American should look no further than Swift, as the 26-year-old would not only be a huge upgrade on Roberts, he would also be one of the bargains of the summer.

AND in other news: Orta can unearth Leeds’ next White with swoop for “really exciting” £4.2k-p/w “talent”

Aston Villa make the trip to Stamford Bridge for the second time in as many weeks as they take on Chelsea in the third round of the Carabao Cup on Wednesday night.

Dean Smith’s side fell to a 3-0 defeat in the Premier League against the Blues despite a battling performance, and will no doubt be hoping for a better result this time around.

With the cup perhaps not the biggest of priorities for Smith or Villa, it may give a chance to some of the club’s more fringe players, one of them, Morgan Sanson.

It’s been a rather frustrating first few months in English football for the January signing, making just nine appearances in the Premier League and that too only totalling 291 minutes worth of football.

Speaking after his signing back in the January transfer window, Smith waxed lyrical about the kind of qualities the Frenchman could bring, saying: “He has got a big game mentality, he has played at the top of the French league for the last five years, played in the Champions League.

“He is a great technician and has great tactical awareness. He can play in a number of positions, can set up goals and can score goals. He has a bit of everything in his game so we’re really pleased with the acquisition.”

According to The Birmingham Mail’s Ashley Preece, a number of Villa’s substitutes were put through their paces on Saturday night by fitness coach Jack Sharkey, and “Frenchman Morgan Sanson was also a part of that running group despite not being named in Smith’s 20-man squad.”

Dubbed as a “warrior” by himself, the £12.5m-rated Sanson showed his qualities as a really effective box-to-box presence in his time at Marseille.Before his move to the Midlands, he averaged an impressive 1.8 tackles and 1.1 key passes per game in Ligue 1, both of which ranked him favourably compared to the rest of Villa’s squad. In fact, only two other players averaged more tackles per match than him, while again, only three others had averaged more key passes too.Given reports in recent months have suggested that Smith actually isn’t that convinced by the Frenchman – it’s even been suggested that they’ve made a mistake in signing him – tonight feels like a particularly crucial chance for Sanson to showcase why the club were right to splash out back in January.And, with the likes of Jacob Ramsey and Carney Chukwuemeka battling their way into first-team contention after impressing in the academy, Sanson has got far more competition for places now than he ever did before.Tonight feels like a potential now or never moment for the Marseille man to show that he belongs here at Villa Park.Meanwhile, Aston Villa have another exciting academy starlet…

Crystal Palace are involved in a three-way transfer battle for Liverpool striker Divock Origi, with Wolverhampton Wanderers and West Ham United also in the running for his signature, according to The Telegraph.

Over the course of his time on Merseyside, the Belgian has contributed some important goals to the Reds’ cause; none more so than his Champions League-winning strike against Tottenham Hotspur in 2019 [BBC].

However, he could now be set for a switch to either London or the Midlands if recent reports are to be believed. The 26-year-old has seen his stock plummet at Anfield, making just two league starts last season and netting only once in all competitions in 2020/21.

Crystal Palace are keen on taking him to Selhurst Park alongside Wolves and West Ham, with Liverpool open to offloading the striker, who has two years left on his Anfield contract [The Telegraph].

In light of these developments, plenty of Crystal Palace diehards took to social media to vent their frustration at the links with an out-of-sorts Origi.

Crystal Palace fans react

Replying to popular Crystal Palace fan outlet CPFC Transfers HQ, here is what some fans have had to say about the rumour:

“No, doesn’t score enough”

Credit: @deanham64

“please no”

Credit: @Ztrats1″No no no no no no no”Credit: @IocaIpIa999tic”Please no”Credit: @Mark_CPFC”lol”Credit: @CPFC_Ollie_”literally anyone else would be better”Credit: @localpla8ticIn other news, many Crystal Palace fans react to interest in this £16.2m-rated ace

Flocking to Twitter, many Everton fans have erupted over news on Colombia international James Rodriguez amid unrest surrounding his future on Merseyside.

The 2020 signing, whose contract expires at the end of this season, has been left in the wilderness recently.

Indeed, James was allegedly told by new Everton boss Rafael Benitez that he is surplus to requirements at Goodison Park and was even pictured yachting abroad just a few days ago (The Mirror).

The 30-year-old started 21 Premier League matches under former Blues manager Carlo Ancelotti last season, averaging more key passes per game in the final third (1.7) than any Everton player (WhoScored).

News has now emerged on James, with Colombian reporter Pipe Sierra claiming on social media that the player has rejected a last-minute switch to Istanbul Başakşehir (Twitter).

The Turkish transfer window is now closed, as Sierra added that this rejected move means the 30-year-old will remain at Everton for the time being.

Flocking to Twitter in reaction to what one Toffees supporter called ‘brilliant news’, it seems that there are a large section of fans overjoyed that the ‘world class’ James is still an option for Benitez.

Check out some of their verdicts on the news below.

Everton fans erupt over James news…

“Get him on the pitch”

Credit: @CXDexterHaveNot

“Yes lad”

Credit: @efc_1878__

“LET’S GO”

Credit: @Ctorres2144

“On his day our best player so this is brilliant news. Simple as that.”

Credit: @KBURKE1878

“Thank God”

Credit: @Stefairfield67

“I’m excited to see him play. Hopefully he’s fit enough to get on the pitch on Monday”

Credit: @Schmubb

“Great news! Use him, even for 30-40 minutes a game as a second half sub to start out! He’s trying to get back on Colombia’s national team so he will be playing with a point to prove! He’s a world class talent who should be extremely motivated.”

Credit: @SteveL399

In other news: ‘Yesss’, ‘We are massive’…Many Everton fans flock to Paul Joyce’s update, find out more here.

An update has emerged on Leeds transfer target Lewis O’Brien regarding his contract at Championship club Huddersfield.

What’s the talk?

According to Football Insider, the 22-year-old has a release clause in the contract that he signed in September at the John Smith’s Stadium.

The report claimed that Leeds failed to land O’Brien in the summer transfer window, with the Terriers then pinning him down to a fresh deal. However, as part of that agreement, the midfielder now has a £10m release clause which the Whites could activate in January.

Excitement

This update will surely leave Leeds fans excited at the prospect of the club being able to sign O’Brien in the January transfer window. The Whites are said to have made a £13m bid during the summer, which suggests that £10m is an affordable price that Victor Orta is willing to shell out on the midfielder.

Supporters would likely be buzzing with the arrival of O’Brien as he is a promising young player who seems to suit Marcelo Bielsa’s style of play and could be ready to make the step up to the Premier League.

The 22-year-old has averaged a SofaScore rating of 6.85 in the Championship for Huddersfield this term, whilst averaging an eye-catching 2.5 tackles per game. This comes after he averaged the same rating across 42 league outings last season, making three tackles and interceptions per game.

In terms of him possibly suiting Bielsa’s style, former Huddersfield goalkeeper Matt Glennon once lauded O’Brien’s work rate, saying: “He closes down until the 95th, 96th minute, still running to the corners, stopping defenders, he’s got unlimited energy.

“Lewis O’Brien wants to put the hard yards in and wants to be at the very top of where he can get to. He’s one of those lads who works ridiculously hard which, for me, is your minimum in any league, but he’s got that quality, the drop of a shoulder, that strength to keep people off him, a low centre of gravity to glide past people, arm aloft when they try to knock him off the ball.”

A player with “unlimited energy” in a press-orientated Bielsa side? It sounds like a match made in heaven and that is why Leeds fans will surely be excited by the news that O’Brien has a release clause in his Huddersfield contract, as it increases the chances of him arriving at Elland Road.

Without a clause in his contract, the Terriers would be well within their rights to reject any offers and that could have led to Leeds looking elsewhere. Instead, Orta could swoop in to secure a £10m January deal.

In other news: Reliable journalist drops Leeds United transfer claim which could leave Bielsa fuming

West Ham boss David Moyes risks making a massive blunder if emerging claims are to be believed…

What’s the word?

According to ExWHUemployee, the Irons do hold some interest in Liverpool striker Divock Origi but any potential move for him isn’t likely to happen until the end of the transfer window.

He tweeted:

“He is someone I’ve reported interest on before but I don’t think a move is close at this point but could be towards [the] end of [the] window.”

Last month, 90min listed the East London outfit among the sides that were monitoring his situation, with the likes of Southampton, Crystal Palace, Rangers and Celtic mooted too.

Moyes mistake

The Hammers have been linked to several strikers throughout the summer but Origi would arguably be the most underwhelming of the lot.

It’s thought that Chelsea’s Tammy Abraham was the first-choice target for Moyes but it appears that he is against a move to the London Stadium, as revealed by ExWHUemployee last week.

Another more exciting name linked with the club in recent months is Danny Ings, but he has since signed for Premier League rivals Aston Villa.

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Barring his involvement in Liverpool’s Champions League-winning run, a brace in their come-from-behind win over Barcelona and another goal in the final against Spurs, Origi has done very little to warrant his whopping £77k-per-week wages at Anfield.

As per Transfermarkt, the Belgian forward played only 537 minutes across all competitions last season and that was even despite Diogo Jota suffering an injury and the indifferent form of Roberto Firmino.

In total, Origi, who was once dubbed a “monster” by former Man City captain Vincent Kompany, has only scored 35 goals in a far from impressive 157 appearances, averaging a goal every 4.4 matches.

That’s hardly prolific.

If Moyes is to find someone capable of providing the perfect foil to injury-prone Michail Antonio, then he simply must look elsewhere.

Origi has already proven to be a massive flop in the Premier League and that’s the last thing they need heading into a Europa League campaign. It would be one massive mistake.

AND in other news, Moyes could land West Ham another Antonio in 22-goal “machine” once likened to Mbappe…

Rangers winger Ryan Kent made an ‘inexcusable’ error in the first half of Sunday’s Old Firm derby defeat, Ally McCoist has said. 

The lowdown

Rangers had the opportunity to go level points with their Glasgow arch-rivals at the top of the Premiership, but instead wound up falling six points back after a 2-1 defeat.

Aaron Ramsey had given them an early lead, but Tom Rogic quickly equalised and Cameron Carter-Vickers completed the turnaround shortly before half-time. With just six games to go, the Gers’ title hopes are now looking somewhat slim.

Kent formed part of an attacking midfield trio in Giovanni van Bronckhorst’s 4-2-3-1 shape, starting alongside Ramsey and Joe Aribo, and he completed the full 90 minutes.

The latest

With the score locked at 1-1, Kent was caught offside 29 minutes into the game after John Lundstram had tried to slip him through on goal, and McCoist, who is , was left deeply frustrated by that lapse in concentration.

On commentary for Sky Sports Football on Sunday [3 April, 12:30pm], as quoted by Ibrox News, Rangers’ all-time top scorer fumed: “It’s inexcusable. Goldson’s done the exact same thing – you must look along the line.

“It’s a brilliant ball from Lundstram. I thought, initially, the pass was for Bassey. You’ve got absolutely no need to be offside there.”

The verdict

Kent is one of Rangers’ star players. He ranks fourth in the squad for overall goal involvements (11) and second for assists (eight), and Transfermarkt rate him as the club’s most valuable asset at £12.6m.

However, after he set up Ramsey for the opener in the third minute, it proved to be a frustrating day for the 25-year-old at Ibrox. He only completed two of the six dribbles he attempted, none of his five crosses found a team-mate and two of his three shots were blocked (via SofaScore).

He and his Rangers team-mates will now look to take out that frustration on Braga in the first leg of the Europa League quarter-final on Thursday.

In other news, the stats show that this Rangers trio struggled most against the Hoops

As per reliable reporter Mark Palmer of The Sunday Times, an exciting transfer claim has now dropped involving star J-League striker Daizen Maeda and Celtic.

The Lowdown: Ange eyes move…

Speaking ahead of their clash with St Johnstone in the SPFL today, Ange Postecoglou was forthright on the subject of fresh faces at Parkhead in January.

Indeed, the Hoops head coach revealed that the process of identifying transfer targets mid-season has already started and hints Celtic ‘will’ make signings ( via Sky Sports).

Now, an exciting claim has dropped on who could be making his way to Glasgow.

The Latest: Hoops ‘step up’ Maeda chase…

As per Palmer of The Times, sharing his article on Twitter, Celtic now ‘step up efforts’ to sign ‘another’ J-League star in the January window.

After snapping up Kyogo Furuhashi in the summer, well placed sources in Japan have told The Times and Palmer they expect a move to be completed for clinical Asian forward Maeda.

Scoring 18 goals and assisting three others over this current campaign so far, Celtic are apparently confident they can sign the 24-year-old for Ange.

The Verdict: Get it done…

His ruthless goalscoring record is just one reason why Ange simply must make a move for Maeda.

The Japan international has also been labelled a ‘stone cold killer’ by members of the press in his country (via Celts Are Here) and he could be exactly the kind of player to inject even more quality at Celtic.

If they are to re-gain their SPFL dominance back from arch rivals Rangers, signing Maeda would certainly be a step in the right direction.

Reliable journalist Fabrizio Romano took to Twitter to make a huge claim regarding the potential permanent signing of current Tottenham loanee Dejan Kulusevski.

The Lowdown: Kulusevski’s instant impact

Since his arrival at Hotspur Way, the 21-year-old has gone on to make a fantastic impression at the club, demonstrated on the pitch by his instant impact. In 11 Premier League games this year, the winger has netted three goals and produced six assists, in the process becoming crucial to Antonio Conte’s starting XI.

Pundit Gabriel Agbonlahor has since claimed that “he’s been outstanding the whole time he’s been at Spurs”.

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The Latest: Romano’s update on Kulusevski

Taking to Twitter, Fabrizio Romano shared an update on the possibility of Spurs completing the permanent signing of Kulusevski, claiming that Tottenham sources believe it is only a ‘matter of time’ until the Sweden international is confirmed on a permanent deal which could be in the region of £29.3m.

Romano said: “Dejan Kulusevski’s impact has been something incredible. Tottenham sources considers his permanent signing ‘matter of time’, €35m fee is not gonna be an issue. #THFC”

The Verdict: Great move for Spurs

Following his electric start to life at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, the 21-year-old has proven to be a fantastic deadline day coup for Fabio Paratici.

Having ranked in the 98th percentile for assists among players in Europe’s top five leagues (via FBRef), Kulusevski could be the perfect accomplice to Harry Kane with the number of chances that he creates in the final third.

As a result, it seems that the £29.3m price tag could prove to be an absolute bargain for the club’s long-term future, if indeed Tottenham sign the Sweden international permanently.

In other news: Tottenham source shares big exit update

A number of Liverpool supporters are in positive spirits after the Reds were linked with an exciting move for Arsenal and England star Bukayo Saka.

Jurgen Klopp has had a quiet time of things in the transfer market of late, with Ibrahima Konate the only signing made by the club last summer.

That doesn’t mean a number of players haven’t been linked with moves to Liverpool, however, as the Reds look to remain a huge force with Klopp at the helm.

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According to The Transfer Window Podcast [via LFC Transfer Room on Twitter], Liverpool are open to the idea of bringing Arsenal forward Saka to the club, and the Gunners talent was pictured sharing a chat with Klopp on Thursday evening.

The 20-year-old has emerged as one of the most exciting young players in Britain, scoring 18 goals and registering 25 assists for the north London outfit already.

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Liverpool fans keen on Saka signing

These Liverpool fans have reacted positively to the claim on Twitter.

“This would be the best thing that could happen for him going from a pretender club to a real club with ambition”

Credit: @Tronicssystem

“Cool!”

Credit: @RedMan4Lyfe

“Absolutely, yes”

Credit: @lucyinussr

“I would take him. Realistically I doubt we would sign him”

Credit: @agentdixon

“Get him and he’ll thrive under Klopp and co”

Credit: @AdeAllmark

“I think Jurgen would get the best out of him and he would be playing in a more attack-minded team”

Credit: @LeeDavi1010

In other news, some Liverpool fans have flocked to a Reds transfer update. Read more here.