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Glasgow Rangers target Dion Sanderson would be a “really smart signing” at Ibrox by Ross Willson.

What’s been said?

That’s according to Pete O’Rourke, who stated his belief in an interview with Football FanCast that, following a number of reports linking Gers with a £3m move for the Wolverhampton Wanderers centre-back in the January transfer window, the 23-year-old would indeed be an impressive signing for the Light Blues to get over the line this winter.

Regarding Rangers’ interest in the defender, O’Rourke said: “He’s a top young defender, Dion Sanderson, he’s obviously not had many opportunities at Wolves.

“He’s been out on loan over the last couple of seasons and really impressed at Sunderland and also now at Birmingham City this season as well. So I think he’d be a really smart signing from Rangers if they could land him.”

“Rolls-Royce”

As O’Rourke states, considering just how impressive Sanderson has been for both Sunderland and Birmingham in recent seasons, the argument that the centre-back would make a fantastic addition to Micheal Beale’s current options in the heart of his defence is an extremely easy one to make.

Indeed, over his 26 League One appearances for the Black Cats back in 2020/21, the £2.7m-rated talent highly impressed at the back, helping his side keep eight clean sheets, as well as making an average of one tackle, 0.9 interceptions, 2.7 clearances and winning 4.3 duels – at a success rate of 61% – per game.

The 23-year-old also chipped in for the Mackems in an attacking capacity, scoring one goal and creating one big chance, in addition to playing an average of 3.3 long balls, 1.5 chipped passes and completing 32.8 total passes – at a success rate of 82% – per match.

These returns saw the player who Lee Johnson dubbed a “Rolls-Royce” average an extremely impressive Sofascore match rating of 6.92, ranking him as Sunderland’s 13th-best performer in the third tier of English football that season.

It has been a similar story over the centre-back’s 24 Championship fixtures for Birmingham in the current campaign, with the £4k-per-week gem helping the Blues keep seven clean sheets, as well as making an average of 1.7 tackles, 1.4 interceptions, 2.5 clearances and winning 4.4 duels – at a success rate of 55% – per game.

The Wolves academy graduate has once again proven a threat going forwards at St. Andrew’s, having scored one goal, registered one assist and created two big chances for his teammates, in addition to playing an average of 3.3 long balls and 1.7 chipped passes per match.

These metrics have seen the youngster who John Eustace labelled “magnificent” and a “Premier League centre-half” average an eye-catching Sofascore match rating of 6.92, currently ranking him as Birmingham’s sixth-best performer in the second tier.

As such, considering the undoubted ability that Sanderson possesses, in addition to his potential for future growth, it would indeed appear as if the centre-back’s signing would be an extremely smart one for Wilson to get over the line this winter – especially for a reported fee of just £3m.

Everton are one step closer to signing Largie Ramazani after the player’s camp indicated he would ‘say yes’ to the Blues if they made an offer for him.

The Lowdown: Ramazani linked with Everton move

The 21-year-old is currently plying his trade at La Liga side Almeria, making 15 appearances in Spain’s top flight so far this season and scoring two goals for good measure.

Earlier in the week, Ramazani was linked with a move to Everton, with the club badly in need of attacking reinforcements in the January transfer window.

That has become even more paramount after Tuesday’s humiliating 4-1 defeat at home to Brighton in the Premier League.

The Latest: Fresh update emerges

According to Estadio Deportivo [via Sport Witness], the player’s camp have made it clear Ramazani would ‘say yes to the proposal’ if Everton showed genuine interest in him.

The Belgian’s current Almeria deal expires in the summer of 2025 and he has a €40million (£35m) release clause, though it’s ‘certain’ he’d move for less than that figure.

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The Verdict: Not an immediate fix

Ramazani looks like a talented young player with a bright career ahead of him, so he could be a shrewd signing by Everton, ensuring they continue to build towards the future.

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The two-time capped Belgium Under-21 international isn’t going to be the saviour to the Blues’ attacking struggles, however, so a more experienced figure also needs to come in.

That’s not to say that Everton shouldn’t sign Ramazani, but if he was the only attacker to arrive this month, it is unlikely that their fortunes would suddenly be transformed given his lack of proven goalscoring numbers.

Newcastle United are reportedly interested in RC Lens defender, Kevin Danso, with sporting director Dan Ashworth seemingly keen to strengthen the club’s centre-back ranks.

What’s the word?

According to French outlet Jeunes Footeux, the Magpies are said to be ‘actively working’ to improve their squad ahead of next season, with the Austria international one of those who the northeast side are currently tracking.

The report suggests that a switch could potentially occur at the end of the season, albeit with any deal set to cost as much as €40m (£35m), with the 24-year-old’s existing deal with the Ligue 1 outfit set to expire in 2026.

The 11-cap sensation has previous, albeit brief, Premier League experience which may be attractive to the St James’ Park outfit, having spent the 2019/20 season on loan at Southampton.

Bye-bye Lascelles

Although that stint with the Saints proved somewhat underwhelming, as the 6 foot 3 brute only featured ten times across all fronts, the former Augsburg man has since gone on to sparkle after moving to France back in the summer of 2021.

The £8.5k-per-week sensation enjoyed a fine debut campaign last term after averaging 1.2 tackles and 1.2 interceptions per game from his 33 appearances, while also proving a real threat going forward after providing four goal contributions in that time.

The one-time MK Dons youth asset has continued that stellar form in the current campaign after playing a vital role in Lens’ remarkable title surge, having kept eight clean sheets in his 17 Ligue 1 starts, while winning 77% of his aerial duels and recording 1.1 tackles and 1.2 interceptions.

The “powerful” titan – as described by Saints journalist Adam Leitch – was notably part of the side that triumphed over Paris Saint-Germain on New Year’s Day, having made a whopping five interceptions and six clearances against the European giants, while also enjoying a 93% pass accuracy rate as a marker of his stunning composure on the ball.

As such, were Ashworth able to bring Danso to Tyneside, the Austrian ace could well prove an ideal upgrade on club captain, Jamaal Lascelles, with the Englishman reportedly one of a handful of Magpies assets who could be allowed to depart this month.

That exit talk has come following the 29-year-old’s slide down the pecking order under manager Eddie Howe, with the long-serving figure having only made seven appearances so far this term, including just four league outings.

The forgotten man has underwhelmed when he has featured in the top flight as he averages just 0.3 tackles and zero interceptions per game this term, having kept only two clean sheets in 26 league games last season after averaging 0.8 tackles and 0.6 interceptions – a record far inferior to that of Danso.

Equally, while the latter man was helping to keep Kylian Mbappe and co at bay a week ago, Lascelles’ latest outing saw the £40k-per-week dud struggle to contend with a Josh Windass-inspired Sheffield Wednesday side, as the League One outfit claimed a shock FA Cup triumph.

That display – which saw the defender endure some ‘tough moments’ according to the Chronicle’s Lee Ryder – has laid bare the need for a fresh face in the backline, with Danso seemingly the upgrade that Newcastle are craving in order to wave farewell to their current skipper.

Aston Villa boss Unai Emery is scouring the January transfer market in search of quality acquisitions to bolster his side’s prospects of establishing a competitive edge within the Premier League, with a new phenom distinguished.

What’s the word?

Marseille’s Matteo Guendouzi has been identified as the perfect fit to complete the jigsaw at the heart of the Villa midfield, with the former Arsenal ace impressing during his time in the French Ligue 1.

That’s according to prominent publication L’Equipe, who – as translated by Get French Football News – have stated that an unnamed Premier League outfit have cemented a concrete offer for the ace.

The report continues to allude to Marseille officials holding the belief that Emery, who signed and managed Guendouzi at the Gunners, is the manager with interest in his signature, and a move could materialise over the next few weeks.

Villa’s own Modric

Guendouzi did not quite find his feet after signing for Arsenal in an £8m deal in 2018, at just 19 years old.

He made 82 total appearances for the Gunners, scoring one goal and registering five assists, but was shifted towards a series of loan moves after being alienated by Mikel Arteta, before signing for Marseille on a permanent £9m deal in 2021. 

He did win the 2019/20 FA Cup for his efforts in north London, but ultimately fell out of favour in a transitional period for the illustrious outfit.

Speaking to The Athletic, former Arsenal performance director Dan Burgess said: “When he arrived, from a physical perspective he certainly wasn’t in a position to play in central midfield for a top-six Premier League club.

“He worked really hard at improving himself physically so that by the end of that first year, he was absolutely capable. He showed massive improvement.”

There is now a belief within the Villa camp that the 23-year-old can flourish as a centrepiece within a top-flight project in England, with the £35m-rated ace’s performances in France and his inclusion within Didier Deschamps’ 2022 World Cup squad indicators that increment to his game has expanded year-by-year.

Indeed, claims of “world-class potential” from scout Jacek Kulig are beginning to ring true with this French “monster” now having the makings of a fine top-flight midfielder.

Now having made 78 appearances for Marseille, his eight goals and 17 assists affirm an upgrade in proficiency, while his impressive 7.00 and 6.88 ratings over the past two campaigns are further evidence of a maturing confidence and ability on the field.

As per FBref, the maestro ranks within the top 11% of midfielders in Europe’s top leagues for touches in the attacking penalty area and the top 9% for progressive passes received, illustrating his growing offensive presence on the pitch – and his assured average 85.2% pass accuracy is certainly not to be sniffed at.

He bears striking similarities to legendary Real Madrid midfielder Luka Modric, with the Croatian indeed Guendouzi’s most comparable player on FBref, and could now start to grow into a role of the 37-year-old’s mould.

Modric, 2019 Ballon d’Or winner and five-time Champions League victor, has forged 456 displays for Los Blancos, scoring 36 goals and 74 assists as the supreme orchestrator in the middle, with his composed presence and knack for instigating offensive manoeuvres two traits that Guendouzi can hope to nurture to continue to draw comparisons.

And with the 162-cap Modric’s average career passing accuracy of 88.9%, Guendouzi will need to develop his ball-playing ability even further to finally emerge as one of the hottest midfield prospects in world football.

Already praised for his “masterclass” performances, the French ace can pave the foundation for a prosperous career at a highly ambitious and competitive Villan outfit, and with Emery at the helm, the partnership could result in devastating consequences for opposing teams.

West Ham United could be set to pull off a huge coup from a Premier League rival…

What’s the latest?

That’s according to talkSPORT reporter Alex Crook, who spoke of the Hammers’ interest in Danny Ings.

The Aston Villa frontman has entered the final 18 months of his £120k-per-week deal, and as such has garnered interest from a host of clubs in the division.

Crook would follow this up with claims to GIVEMESPORT:

“If it gets to nearer the deadline and West Ham haven’t got a striker in, what a good addition he could be for them in terms of the forward line.

“I think Danny Ings is one of those players who can afford to wait and see what offers are there late in the window. He doesn’t necessarily need to nibble at the first offer.”

Ings could get Scamacca firing

Whilst David Moyes would be gaining a proven goalscorer at this level, another added benefit from this potential deal could be to afford Gianluca Scamacca additional time to acclimatise.

The Italian has struggled to find his feet at the London Stadium since his summer move, with just three Premier League goals to his name. This is a far cry from the 16-goal titan they thought they had snatched from Sassuolo.

They are in desperate need of a clinical finisher, and no longer can rely solely on the 24-year-old. As such, the arrival of someone as “lethal” as Ings – as dubbed by pundit Chris Sutton – could be imperative in moving them from joint-bottom of the table.

The 30-year-old has managed six league goals this season in what has been a tumultuous time for his club, overseeing manager upheaval and torrid form.

But with four goals in his last five matches, he seems poised to find his feet once more at Villa Park after recording 13 goal contributions last season.

West Ham could swoop in as beneficiaries of this resurgence, and in one fell swoop give Scamacca some true competition whilst adding guaranteed goals to the squad.

He had previously notched 46 goals in 100 appearances for Southampton, who endured many seasons as tough as the current one plaguing the east London outfit.

Given that only last season saw talkSPORT pundit Tony Cascarino suggest he would be a “dream” for Liverpool, there is no reason to believe that he would not be an instant success under Moyes that could ignite Scamacca’s career at the club.

Newcastle United are ‘really intrigued’ by Hakim Ziyech and could move for the Chelsea attacking midfielder this month, according to transfer insider Dean Jones.

The Lowdown: Ziyech’s Chelsea future

The Blues have made a number of high-profile signings in attacking areas this month, including the likes of Mykhaylo Mudryk and Noni Madueke, bringing the 29-year-old’s future at the club into question.

Simon Phillips has recently claimed that the Moroccan’s outlook is ‘uncertain’, while the journalist also told GIVEMESPORT that Ziyech will ‘probably push to leave in this window’, opening the door for a potential move to St James’ Park.

The Latest: Newcastle ‘intrigued’ by Ziyech

Speaking to GIVEMESPORT, Jones inferred that the 29-year-old could be one of Eddie Howe’s priorities in the January transfer window.

He said: “I think Hakim Ziyech is the one to take most seriously at this stage. Newcastle are really intrigued by the possibilities he could bring to them; he’s obviously available, he’s ready for a new challenge.“

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The Verdict: Make it happen

Former England defender Glen Johnson has lauded the Moroccan as ‘world-class’, and Ziyech has displayed performances of that standard intermittently during his time with Chelsea, recently looking very impressive in the 1-0 home victory against Crystal Palace.

The playmaker set up Kai Havertz’s headed goal with a perfectly weighted cross, while he also caused problems for Palace by completing four dribbles, the joint-most of any player on the pitch.

Ziyech has not started for the Blues on a regular basis this season, completing a full 90 minutes on just two occasions in the Premier League, but his goalscoring exploits for Morocco signify just how good a player he can be when he is made the focal point of a team, netting 19 times in 50 caps for his country.

As such, a move to Newcastle could provide a platform for him to rediscover his best form, and the injection of quality that he could provide might be a real boost in the Magpies’ bid to bring Champions League football back to St James’ Park for the first time in 20 years.

Chelsea’s experienced midfield pair, N’Golo Kante and Jorginho, are out of contract at the end of the season, which consequently leaves the Blues hierarchy with a headache when assessing the best avenue to delve down in order to secure the club’s success over the coming period.

While reports indicate that Kante could still pen a new deal that will keep him at Stamford Bridge until 2026, Jorginho’s potential departure appears to be set in stone, and the club consequently need to replace the Italian stalwart.

Boss Graham Potter is at the helm of an outfit that is undergoing sweeping changes, with owner Todd Boehly having spent approximately £404m on new acquisitions since his arrival last year, and for all of the change, there remains a requirement to bolster the centre of the park, even without considering the aforementioned contract situations.

Tottenham Hotspur’s Yves Bissouma is the latest name to enter the rumour mill, with The Telegraph reporting several days ago that the Malian maestro was subject to an inquiry from Chelsea technical director Christopher Vivell, but resistance swiftly met the approach with the Lilywhites reluctant to bolster their heated rivals, even though the north London outfit have an interest in the Blues’ creative whiz Hakim Ziyech.

However, given Chelsea’s affluence and Boehly’s incessant approach on the transfer front, the persistence could pay off if the Stamford Bridge outfit lodges a formal offer for the industrious ace.

And should the “influential” 26-year-old – as once dubbed by Joe Cole – indeed find himself donning Chelsea blue in the near future, his presence in the centre could provide the calm to pacify the storm, with the west London club winning just three of the last 12 matches across all competitions, despite the lucrative spending spree.

Bissouma, formerly of Brighton & Hove Albion, has made 22 appearances this season for Spurs, however, he has started just eight times in the Premier League, and is seemingly not quite settling in following his £30m arrival last summer.

Despite this, he would bring a particular set of skills that could allow him to flourish under Potter once again – having played for the tactician with the Seagulls – and could reignite the form that saw him record an impressive average league rating of 7.07 last term, as per Sofascore, completing 89% of his passes and displaying his tenacity with a remarkable 2.9 tackles, 1.9 interceptions and 1.8 clearances per outing.

And with the ace still ranking among the top 6% of midfielders for pass completion and the top 10% for interceptions over the past year among midfielders in Europe’s top five leagues, he could certainly take the baton from Jorginho, who himself ranks among the top 13% for pass completion and the top 9% for interceptions.

Relations between Chelsea and Spurs are fragile, to put it mildly, with the two clubs rarely completing direct transfer business, but with Bissouma – who was once lauded as a “monster” by journalist Aaron Stokes – evidently a figure beloved by his former boss in Potter, a move could materialise this year, with Boehly indeed showing no mercy in homing in on his targets once distinguishing them to aid the club in the resurgence back to the very top of the global game.

Manchester City’s form since the World Cup break has been inconsistent, to say the least, with Pep Guardiola’s side now seemingly second-favourites for the Premier League title behind Arsenal.

Dropped points against Everton and Manchester United, combined with poor performances against Southampton in the League Cup and in the first half of the Tottenham Hotspur victory have left Guardiola’s side looking like a shadow of the side that dominated for large periods last season.

The Spanish manager didn’t hold back in his criticism of players after the 4-2 win over Spurs last time out, saying:

“We cannot deny how happy we are but we are far away from the team that we were, not in terms of play, we played well in the second half, but there were many things, the competitiveness in terms of what do we have to do that we are far away, far away.

“I don’t recognise my team. My team always have passion, desire, and run and everything.”

A number of players in City’s side have struggled for consistent form since the World Cup break, with Phil Foden one man who has come in for some criticism after failing to pick up where he left off before Christmas.

The England international was on fire in the build-up to Qatar, hitting seven goals in three assists in the Premier League, but he has just one goal contribution since domestic football returned in England, which game in a 4-0 demolition of Chelsea in the FA Cup.

However, it is teammate Bernardo Silva who is perhaps the guiltiest party in Guardiola’s squad, as the Portugal international has now gone 13 games without a single goal contribution.

Silva, who earns £150k-per-week at the Etihad, started the season well, notching two goals and five assists in the top flight, but he is now without a goal since August and without an assist since October, so it is easy to see why he has been on the bench so much recently.

Last summer saw the former Monaco man linked with Barcelona and Guardiola was undoubtedly happy to keep him at the Etihad, considering he has established himself as a “world-class” player during his time at the Etihad, in the opinion of Dion Dublin.

It is perhaps no surprise that City haven’t looked at their creative best when considering Silva’s disappointing run of recent form and the Portuguese maestro must improve his returns in front of goal if he is going to keep his starting spot at the Etihad, or Guardiola may be more willing to part ways with him at the end of the season.

An update has emerged on Arsenal and their long-term transfer plans for Mikel Arteta’s options in midfield…

What’s the talk?

According to The Sun, the Gunners are still eyeing up a swoop to sign West Ham United captain Declan Rice at the end of the season in spite of their efforts to strengthen their midfield this month.

The report claims that Edu and Arteta are hoping to secure a deadline day deal to sign Brighton star Moises Caicedo and that Stan Kroenke has given them the green light to go in for the Ecuador gem

It is stated that Arsenal could splash out a club-record fee to sign the central midfielder and that they could go as high as £75m but any move for the youngster would not impact their plans to go in for Rice in the summer.

Thomas Partey heir

Edu could now land Arsenal their heir to Thomas Partey’s position in the team by patiently waiting until the end of the campaign to snap up the Hammers star.

The current Gunners defensive midfielder has been in fine form in the Premier League this season and has been one of the key cogs in Arteta’s side as they charge towards qualification for the Champions League and a potential title.

Partey, 29, has averaged a Sofascore rating of 7.16 across 16 appearances in the division and made an eye-catching 3.5 tackles and interceptions per game for the team, whilst also completing 87% of his attempted passes.

Rice, who was once dubbed a “Rolls Royce” by journalist Joshua Mbu, has averaged a Sofascore rating of 7.25 in 20 outings for West Ham. The England international has averaged 3.9 tackles and interceptions per match and completed 89% of his passes in that time.

He also caught the eye at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar by making 3.4 tackles and interceptions per game and completing a whopping 94% of his passes in five appearances for England.

The 24-year-old has proven himself to be a terrific defensive midfielder at Premier League level and on the world stage for his country and this suggests that the gem would be a sublime signing for Arsenal.

Rice could come in as the dream long-term heir to Partey’s position in front of the back four as the Englishman has shown, with his aforementioned statistics, that he can regularly break up play with defensive contributions whilst also being extremely reliable with the ball at his feet.

West Ham United fell short in their January attempts to sign Manchester City midfielder Kalvin Phillips, but they must rectify their failed bid by landing the 27-year-old at the end of the campaign.

What’s the word?

Having signed for Pep Guardiola’s side for £45m last summer, Phillips has been beset with unfortunate injuries and has failed to leave his mark on the Etihad Stadium, consequently being touted with a move to a host of Premier League outfits.

Among those are West Ham, who are in dire need of an injection of first-rate quality after a deeply underwhelming campaign so far and recently enquired about the possibility of securing the 27-year-old on loan for the remainder of the season, as per The Sun.

According to The Athletic, a summer move is ‘not completely off the cards’, with his integration into the Manchester City machine not as seamless as he or the club might have liked.

“Destroyer”

With captain Declan Rice indicating a desire to move on from the London Stadium, the need for a new high-octane midfield engine has arguably never been greater under David Moyes’ tutelage.

Having only made eight appearances and one start across all competitions for the Cityzens after departing boyhood club Leeds United last year, Phillips has so far failed to make the emphatic introduction that he would have been hoping for in Manchester after years of stellar work for the Whites.

While a large chunk of that misfortune is down to an injury sustained prior to the 2022 World Cup, with the England midfielder missing 11 matches due to a shoulder issue, he is unlikely to usurp the likes of Rodri, Ilkay Gundogan and Kevin de Bruyne from their places in the starting XI any time soon. The dynamic Bernardo Silva has also regularly fluctuated between offensive and deep-lying creative roles.

This is no bad reflection on his own skill set, as the Englishman has emerged as one of the country’s most dogged and robust figures in the Premier League over the past few seasons, but rather an ode to the supreme quality of Guardiola’s established midfield triad.

While Gundogan’s contract is set to expire at the end of the season, and Silva is persistently tethered to rumours of a departure, Phillips might find it best to cut his losses and move elsewhere to serve as a focal point in a team which can offer him a regular starting berth.

Struggling as they are this year, West Ham could offer the Yorkshire “legend” – as dubbed by Amos Murphy – a more prominent role, rekindling the form which saw him earn seasonal Sofascore league ratings of 7.21 and 6.84 over the last couple of years.

As per FBref, the £150k-per-week phenomenon ranks among the top 1% of positional peers in Europe’s five main leagues for blocks, the top 3% for tackles and the top 25% for progressive passes over the past 12 months, illustrating his aptitude in breaking up play and recycling possession into forward-moving transitions.

Once labelled a “destroyer” by Steve McClaren, that epithet is a perfect embodiment of the destructive element, grit and mettle that Phillips could instil at the London Stadium once again.

As such, the 25-cap international would be a superb addition to Moyes’ outfit, with his prospective addition blanketing a layer of resilience and composure to alleviate the Hammers’ defensive woes. West Ham technical director Mark Noble would do well to recruit a tenacious and progressive presence who can steer the ship back on course and unleash the Irons’ former steel.