Newcastle United fans received some huge news prior to this weekend’s Premier League action.

Mikel Merino has turned his loan move from Borussia Dortmund into a permanent one by signing a five-year contract.

When the Magpies struck an agreement with Dortmund in the summer, an option to trigger a full-time stay was included in the deal.

Rather than wait until the end of the season, Rafael Benitez and the club have decided to secure Merino’s services now, presumably to stop other clubs from sniffing around in January.

The 21-year-old has been a welcome addition to the North-East outfit, playing in all seven league matches, six of which had the midfielder in the first XI.

As expected, Newcastle fans were delighted to see that Merino has committed himself to the club.

Benitez’s men head into Sunday’s match against Southampton at St Mary’s ninth in the table.

The team have picked up three wins, one draw and three defeats.

According to reports in The Mirror, Everton have made former Borussia Dortmund manager Thomas Tuchel their number one target to replace Ronald Koeman after he was sacked on Monday.

What’s the word, then?

Well, The Mirror says that the departure of Koeman on Monday means that chairman Bill Kenwright and majority shareholder Farhad Moshiri have begun their search for the Dutchman’s replacement, with Tuchel top of their list of potential candidates.

The German would be available straight away as he is currently without a job, and The Mirror says that the Merseyside outfit have already made contact with the 44-year-old’s representatives.

However, the report adds that the former Borussia Dortmund man is in no rush to make a decision, with the Bayern Munich job potentially being available in the summer following the sacking of Carlo Ancelotti earlier last month.

Why do Everton want Tuchel?

Despite the fact that the German was sacked by Borussia Dortmund at the end of last season following a disagreement with chief executive Hans-Joachim Watzke, he is still held in high regard cross European football.

After replacing Jurgen Klopp at the Bundesliga giants, the 44-year-old led the club to the quarter-finals of the Champions League, as well as lifting the German Cup last term – the club’s first trophy in three years.

With an attacking and pressing style of football, the Everton board obviously feel that he would galvanise a team that is low on confidence and flair right now.

Would he be a good appointment?

His arrival would certainly be one that showed the club mean business, yes.

As we mentioned before Tuchel is held in high regard throughout European football and if Everton could bring him to Goodison Park it would be seen as a huge coup.

On the other hand, the Merseyside outfit may be slightly concerned with former Borussia Dortmund manager Jurgen Klopp’s record in the Premier League with Liverpool, where he has failed to push them on following his arrival just over two years ago.

Would Tuchel want the job?

It’s difficult to say.

If he is given a large transfer budget and the club tell him that they want to push for the Champions League then it could be a possibility, but the 44-year-old may well be aiming higher than the Toffees – especially if he thinks he has a good chance of getting the Bayern Munich job at the end of the campaign.

As reported by The Chronicle, Newcastle United are yet to decide what lies in the future of striker Aleksandar Mitrovic, despite the player getting very little game time so far this season.

What’s the story?

The upcoming transfer window is an important one for Newcastle. After a decent start on their return to the English Premier League, Rafa Benitez needs to refresh his squad in January after a less than convincing summer of business.

With resources at a premium, as important as bringing players in is shipping under performing players out and Aleksandar Mitrovic would likely be at the top of that list for most fans.

The Chronicle report though that Benitez has yet to sanction his departure in January, knowing that he isn’t exactly blessed for options in attacking areas with just Joselu and Dwight Gayle ready to lead the line.

The paper say clubs from the Championship and the continent are interested but that Benitez would prefer to sell, perhaps complicating matters with clubs hoping to secure a loan for the £9m-rated striker.

Time to say goodbye?

It’s clear by this point that Mitrovic doesn’t have much of a future at St James’ Park. While he saw plenty of action under Benitez in the Championship last season, this term he has played just 135 minutes of football for the Magpies, with his only start coming in the EFL Cup.

Shipping him out would allow Benitez to focus resources on bringing in a first-choice attacker, although his summer pick Joselu has hardly set the world ablaze, demonstrating there’s no guarantee when it comes to the transfer market.

If Newcastle are going to progress and find stability in the top-flight, their next few transfer windows are going to be vital and moving on players not good enough is a vital part of it.

Still just 23 years of age, Mitrovic still has potential to improve but it’s probably for the best to say goodbye.

According to reports in The Mirror, Leicester City are considering selling three of their players during the January transfer window, including former club-record signing Ahmed Musa.

The Nigeria international cost the Foxes £16m when he joined them from CSKA Moscow in 2016, but the forward has struggled to become a regular fixture in the starting XI since.

In fact, the 25-year-old has failed to make the matchday squad for any of the east Midlands outfit’s 12 Premier League matches so far this term, with his only appearance coming in the Carabao Cup against Sheffield United in August – a match that he scored in.

Meanwhile, Newcastle United suffered their third successive top flight defeat when they were beaten 4-1 by Manchester United on Saturday, which has left them 11th in the table and five points above the relegation zone ahead of the busy festive period.

Magpies manager Rafa Benitez may well be looking to add to his attacking options in the New Year considering his team has only netted 11 times in a dozen matches, and bringing Musa to the club could prove to be a shrewd move.

Here are three reasons Newcastle should sign the Foxes forward in January…

Goal threat

While things may not have gone for him at Leicester – mainly because many of his appearances have come from the substitutes’ bench – Musa’s record at CSKA Moscow previously suggests he has a lot to give his next club if he does leave the King Power Stadium in January.

The Nigeria international scored 54 times in 168 appearances in total for the Russia outfit from a range of attacking positions, and he could certainly increase Newcastle’s goal threat in the second-half of the campaign.

Pace

When Newcastle have the likes of Joselu, Ayoze Perez and Matt Ritchie in their front four, they perhaps lack the pace that can make them a danger on the break – especially away from home – and we have seen evidence of that this season.

The Magpies have drawn blanks on the road against Brighton and Hove Albion, Huddersfield Town and Burnley already this term, and you can’t help but feel that if they had someone with Musa’s speed and acceleration they could have caused more problems to those organised and resolute defences.

Availability

The January transfer window can be a difficult month to bring in new players because of the reluctance of other clubs to sell them, or those particular individuals not wanting to move halfway through the season.

Of course, it can also produce inflated transfer fees. But the fact that Leicester are seemingly willing to offload Musa in the New Years suggests that he is a realistic and attainable target for Newcastle in what could prove to be a critical period before an important second-half of their Premier League campaign.

Do you agree, Magpies fans? Let us know below.

One of Tottenham Hotspur’s objectives for the season would have been to challenge for the Premier League title.

Last season, Mauricio Pochettino’s side finished second – one position higher than their previous campaign in the top flight.

Going that one step further was always going to be a difficult task for the North London outfit considering the level of opposition.

Now, according to Pochettino, the English crown is already out of their grasp due to the dominance of Manchester City, who have gone 13 points clear of fourth-placed Spurs after beating Huddersfield Town 2-1 this afternoon.

Tottenham had an opportunity to keep pressure on the leaders when they took on West Bromwich Albion at Wembley on Saturday.

However, they were dealt an early blow when Salomon Rondon netted inside the first five minutes, putting the North London outfit immediately on the back foot.

Harry Kane managed to find an equaliser, but the winner never came and Tottenham had to settle for a point.

According to The Telegraph when asked if the gap between themselves and City is too much to make up, Pochettino said:

“Yes, it’s true now that the gap is 10 points and it’s massive in the Premier League. But now we need to be focused and try to improve ourselves and be more consistent at Wembley, and try to win more games here like last season at White Hart Lane.”

Amid a run of six defeats in seven games, Newcastle need a stroke of ingenuity if they’re to reverse their recent form against Everton tonight. Fortunately though, an important weapon is at Rafa Benitez’s disposal once again following an injury layoff – Christian Atsu.

The Magpies have picked up just four points in the Ghana international’s absence so far this season and summer signing Jacob Murphy, who Transfermarkt value at £6.3million, has struggled to fill his void – failing to score or assist in the top flight.

With that in mind, we recently asked Newcastle supporters which winger should start this evening when Everton come to St. James’ Park and according to our poll, 68% think it’s time for Atsu to take Murphy’s place in the starting XI.

So, Newcastle United fans, how should Benitez line up his side tonight, with the 5 foot 8 African included, to ensure the Magpies get back to winning ways? Let us know by commenting below…

Sunderland fans will be hoping that they can hear some positive news in the Transfer Tavern this summer. 

Jack Ross will probably be on the lookout for a new striker this summer. The Black Cats struggled for goals last season as they were relegated once again. Rumours have linked the club with moves for Nottingham Forest’s Jason Cummings and Preston’s North End’s Eoin Doyle.

While both could be good signings for Sunderland, Ross has a striker in his midst who might just be the one to provide him with some firepower.

Rumours have linked Asoro with a move away from the club, especially as he only has one year left on his current deal and has so far resisted any new contract offers from the club.

The Breakdown

In a season of low points, the emergence of Joel Asoro has been of the few bright lights for Sunderland.

The quick striker emerged as a first-team regular for Chris Coleman in the second-half of the season. In his first full start for the club against Hull City, Asoro scored his first goal and although he only managed to score three over the course of the Championship, the talent is definitely there.

The Swedish under-21 international has been linked with Arsenal in the past but Ross needs to everything he can to keep him. A full season playing as the club’s main striker would be huge for his development. At this stage in his career, it’s much more important for the youngster to play consistent first-team football. Regardless of whether the player signs a new deal or not, Sunderland need to keep and hope after a season – which may result in promotion – that he signs a new deal.

What do you think Sunderland fans? 

Having confirmed the signing of Lewis Baker on loan from Chelsea, Leeds boss Marcelo Bielsa may look for more loan deals from Premier League clubs to fill his squad with attacking talent this summer.

What’s the story?

Goal.com have reported that both Leeds and Rangers are keen on taking young Liverpool winger Ryan Kent on a season-long loan deal.

However, the Reds are pushing for a deal that would allow them to fine the other party if Kent does not start enough matches, as was the case when the 21-year-old was at Bristol City during the second half of last season.

The Englishman endured a difficult 2017/18 season, spending the first half of the year in the Bundesliga with SC Freiburg where he only started one league game. He then started six games for Bristol after January but this was not enough for The Robins to avoid a £500,000 fine.

There is no doubt that Kent is an exciting prospect, but with the attacking talent available to Jurgen Klopp at the moment it seems that he will spend another season away from Anfield.

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Attacking options

Given his wealth of experience and reputation in the game, Bielsa was perhaps a surprise appointment at Leeds this summer and despite being linked with a number of players, the Argentine has taken his time before delving into the transfer market.

Creative attacking players must be a priority for Bielsa as Leeds look to improve on their 13th place finish in the Championship last season. Kent fits this bill perfectly as he has pace and trickery in abundance and can play on either wing, behind the striker and even upfront.

His goal for Liverpool against Chester during a pre season friendly on Saturday proved his quality, as he cut inside from the left and whipped the ball into the far corner of the net.

If Leeds are willing to accept Liverpool’s strict terms then this could be the perfect loan-deal for both Kent himself and the West Yorkshire club.

[brid playlist=”4766″ player=”12034″ title=”World Cup 2018″]

As the sun sets on another managerial reign at Stamford Bridge following the sacking of Antonio Conte, the Chelsea fans will be left wondering whether Conte’s replacement can get their club back challenging for the title.

A poor Premier League season last time out was half rescued by an FA Cup win, but the top four really is the aim, and Chelsea fell woefully short with some abject performances along the way.

The summer is bound to see an element of change at the Bridge, with players likely to be coming into the club and a few faces just as likely to be shipped out.

We at the Tavern think Chelsea could well have plenty of players who are on their way out, and one man we think falls into this category is Spanish winger Pedro.

The experienced winger has never quite looked like the player he was at Barcelona, and was often left out for Brazilian winger Willian last term, playing a bit part throughout the season.

Pedro, who is valued at some £22.5m by Transfermarkt, might well see a move away from the Bridge at this stage of his career somewhat appealing.

The Spaniard is not completely past it, but for Chelsea to move on and be able to really challenge, replacing the likes of Pedro could be key. He still holds value in the market, and the Blues might well be wise to shift on their tricky winger before his value plummets in the coming years.

Blues fans, what do you think? Would you like to see Pedro go? Let us know in the comments!

After two relegation campaigns, Sunderland need to make some key signings to stop their slump down the leagues. 

The Black Cats may finally be on the right track with the arrival of their new boss and owner. The former St Mirren boss Jack Ross and Stewart Donald have been quick to add six players to the squad but could well be after a lot more to help their promotion push.

Sunderland fans will be hoping that the club will bring a raft of new players as they look to turn their fortunes around. The club have been linked with multiple players this summer and according to HITC, Sunderland have now joined Oxford in the race for Sunderland winger, Ricky Holmes.

The Breakdown

During his time at Charlton Athletic, Holmes was a consistent performer scoring 19 goals and providing 13 assists for the south London club. He joined Sheffield United in January but failed to establish himself at the club, making only five appearances for the club without scoring a goal.

The Blades are now looking to loan the winger to get some first-team football under his belt.

A loan move would be ideal for the Black Cats as they look to bolster their attacking options for next season. As it stands, the club only have Chris Maguire, Callum McManaman and Aiden McGeady while Duncan Watmore is returning from injury.

With his proven record in League One, Holmes would be a great addition to the club, especially as Sunderland would not have to pay a transfer fee.

Would you be happy with this Sunderland fans?