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Celtic are battling their Glasgow arch-rivals in the race to sign Tottenham’s Dilan Markanday, according to The Evening Standard.

The Lowdown: Markanday profiled

Markanday is 20 years of age and is primarily a right winger who can also play on the left or in an attacking midfield role.

The left-footed youngster, described as ‘intelligent’ by Spurs academy manager Dean Rastrick, has made 16 appearances in all competitions this season, mainly for the Londoners’ under-23 side.

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He has scored 11 times and registered four assists in Premier League 2, averaging a goal involvement every 70 minutes in that competition, and it seems as if the pacey winger is on Celtic’s winter window shortlist.

The Latest: Glasgow battle…

The Evening Standard shared a story on Wednesday, claiming both Celtic and Rangers are battling it out for Markanday in a possible cut-price transfer.

The youngster, who Jose Mourinho clearly rates after saying his ‘day will arrive’ back in February, is out of contract at the end of the season and could therefore discuss a possible pre-contract agreement in the New Year, with a number of English Championship clubs also keen on his services.

The Verdict: Needed?

The Hoops look set to make Jota’s loan move permanent, while it appears as if they may also bring in attacker Daizen Maeda, who can also line out on the wing.

Should that move go through, it would leave Ange Postecoglou with seven players who can operate on the wing at Celtic Park. On that basis, a move for Markanday may not exactly be necessary in January, so perhaps Celtic should look at bolstering other areas of the squad first.

That said, it appears as if the Hoops may look to pip their biggest rivals to the Spurs starlet, so it could be one to keep an eye on.

In other news: Nicholson ‘plans’ to sell ‘terrific’ Celtic ace in record-breaking £25.5m deal. 

Everton are having a nightmare of a season but Rafael Benitez has been trying to find opportunities to turn it around by getting thoroughly stuck into the winter transfer window.

In an attempt to win over the support of the fans and put Everton in a better position come the end of the season, a fourth January signing is rumoured to be on the horizon.

What’s the word?

Sky Sports journalist Pete O’Rourke has revealed that the Toffees manager could already be working on securing his fourth signing of the month, with a specific position in mind.

O’Rourke told GIVEMESPORT: “They were looking to possibly bring in a new centre-back, and that’s what Rafa Benitez has got his heart set on, he thinks the defence needs sorting out.”

The club has already signed two defenders in January so far, with right back Nathan Patterson joining from Rangers and left-back Vitaliy Mykolenko signing from Ukrainian giants Dynamo Kiev.

Fans will be buzzing

If the performance against Norwich on Saturday afternoon is anything to go by, Everton are desperate for central defenders, after Michael Keane scored an own goal and put on a poor display throughout the game as the Toffees were defeated 2-1 at Carrow Road.

Some fans may be buzzing at the prospect of a potential new centre back at the club, given some of the scathing reactions to Saturday’s horror show in Norfolk.

As for the manager, he is treading on thin ice with many fans, and the signing of a quality centre-back could salvage whatever support he has left at the club, with the team 15th in the Premier League and just six points off the relegation zone.

Despite the desire and intention to turn the season around for Everton, Benitez may have managed his last game for the Toffees as reports suggested that he could be sacked by the club imminently after the embarrassing defeat on Saturday afternoon.

If the unpopular Spaniard can land a new centre-back as a parting gift at Goodison Park, it may well represent good news on the double for the Everton faithful.

In other news: One Everton flop may just cost Benitez his job

Get German Football News editor-in-chief Daniel Pinder has exclusively told Football FanCast that the addition of Stuttgart star Nicolas Gonzalez this summer would make for an “exciting” front-three for Leeds United.

The Yorkshire club were strongly linked with the Stuttgart winger last summer, although the Argentine ended up staying in Germany having scored 14 goals in their promotion-winning campaign 12 months ago.

Gonzalez has missed the majority of this season with a muscle problem, but has still contributed to eight goals in the Bundesliga, scoring six times whilst providing two assists, to help Stuttgart push towards a mid-table finish in their first season back in Germany’s top-flight.

Jack Harrison has been part of Leeds’ front-three this season, but the youngster is on loan from Manchester City, and Pinder told Football FanCast that signing Gonzalez would make for a mouth-watering attack for Marcelo Bielsa, alongside two stars of their own first campaign back in the top division – Raphinha and Patrick Bamford.

He said: “It’s that thing of, you’ve got Raphinha and potentially Gonzalez on the other wing and Bamford up front.

“And with their fast direct play up front, them interchanging, it would be an exciting time to be a Leeds fan if they signed Nicolas Gonzalez.”

Jesse Marsch’s Leeds United face Crystal Palace in Monday evening’s 20:00 kick-off, with the Whites looking to take one step closer to Premier League survival by taking all three points back to Elland Road.

Indeed, a victory at Selhurst Park would see Leeds pull seven points clear of 18th placed Everton, and move to within one point of tonight’s opponent – who currently sit in 14th.

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However, with Adam Forshaw recently fracturing his knee cap in training – an injury which will keep the midfielder sidelined until the start of 2022/23 – and the match coming too soon for both centre-forward Patrick Bamford and attacking midfielder Tyler Roberts, Marsch has some tough calls to make concerning his team selection for the trip to south London.

So, will the 48-year-old make any changes to the team that started the 3-0 win over Watford 16 days ago? Here’s how we at Football FanCast think the Whites could line up against the Eagles…

Taking into account the absences of Forshaw, Bamford and Roberts, we predict that Marsch will make two changes to the side that lined up against the Hornets last time out.

Despite the suggestion that Junior Firpo could make a return to the XI this evening – with the left-back appearing to have recovered from his sideband injury – considering the fact that the 25-year-old has not kicked a ball in earnest since the beginning of March, we expect Leeds’ back five to remain unchanged – with Illan Meslier starting between the sticks and Luke Ayling, Diego Llorente, Liam Cooper and Stuart Dallas making up the back four.

In the middle of the park, after a poor showing at Vicarage Road last time out, the £46k-per-week Robin Koch – who Danny Mills dubbed a “fish out of water” earlier this season – makes way for the returning Kalvin Phillips, with Mateusz Klich keeping his place in the midfield two.

In attack, Raphinha, Rodrigo and Jack Harrison start on the right, middle and left of the more advanced midfield trio, while, following a run of seven games at centre-forward without a goal, Daniel James has to make to with a spot on the bench, with Marsch springing something of a “surprise” – in the words of Phil Hay – by handing 19-year-old Joe Gelhardt a start.

AND in other news: Marsch must now unleash Leeds’ “next big thing” vs Palace, he’s “banging on the door”

Diego Llorente is reportedly keen to leave Leeds United in a shock exit this summer, with a return to Spain potentially on the cards.

The Whites signed the centre-back from Real Sociedad for £18million back in September, with the Spaniard’s arrival considered a real coup at the time .

A Spain international with six caps to his name, Llorente has been a slight disappointment, however, with injuries restricting him to just six Premier League appearances overall.

Llorente could leave Leeds this summer

There are now claims that the 27-year-old could be moving on to pastures new at the end of the season, which certainly comes as a shock given that he arrived less than 12 months ago as the club’s third-most expensive signing ever (Transfermarkt).

According to El Gol Digital, Llorente is keen to leave Elland Road in the summer, with Real Betis thought to be interested in taking him back to his homeland.

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Spain coach Luis Enrique is believed to be keen on the defender moving there, with his lack of playing time for Leeds seen as a reason behind his potential exit.

Transfer Tavern take

Llorente has undoubtedly been a disappointment for the Whites so far, but his aforementioned injury problems have not allowed him to find any sort of rhythm.

It is pointless keeping hold of unhappy players, though, and if the Leeds man believes a fresh challenge is required, Marcelo Bielsa is unlikely to refuse him a move elsewhere.

In terms of his experience and quality, however, it would be better to retain his services moving forward, despite his struggles to date.

In other news, Leeds are ‘thinking seriously’ about signing a particular type of player this summer. Read more about it here.

Manchester City remain interested in Leeds United winger Raphinha and if he joins Pep Guardiola’s side this summer it could perhaps be a factor in Bernardo Silva departing the Etihad, as the Spanish boss seemingly plans a rebuild of his side ahead of the 2021/22 season.

City have regularly been linked with the Brazilian after his impressive debut campaign in the Premier League, with Brazilian news outlet UOL Esporte claiming recently that he is still in City’s plans for this summer transfer window.

Despite a superb campaign which saw them cruise to the Premier League title and win another Carabao Cup, whilst also reaching the semi-final of the FA Cup and final of the Champions League, it has been widely reported that Guardiola is keen for a shake-up this summer, which will require some first-team regulars to leave.

City would certainly be forced to splash the cash if they want to land Raphinha this summer, as Transfermarkt currently values him at £27m, whilst he still has three years left on his contract at Elland Road having signed a four-year deal when joining from Stade Rennais last summer.

The 24-year-old quickly established himself as a key member of Marcelo Bielsa’s side, contributing six goals and nine assists in 30 Premier League appearances last season, averaging an impressive 7.22 rating from WhoScored for his performances in the top-flight.

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Therefore, he could prove to be a superb addition to Guardiola’s side and may even be an upgrade on Bernardo Silva should the Portugal international’s potential departure lead to Raphinha making the switch to Man City.

The former AS Monaco man is reportedly on a list of names who could depart the Etihad this summer, with Atletico Madrid and Barcelona amongst those interested in the 26-year-old.

Silva would manage just two goals and six assists in 26 Premier League appearances last season, averaging a 7.09 rating from WhoScored, so could easily be outed by Raphinha next season if the Brazilian were to maintain his form from Leeds in Guardiola’s side.

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Therefore, if City are truly interested in signing the “phenomenal” Raphinha this summer, it would perhaps not be a surprise to see Bernardo Silva depart in order to fund a move.

And, in other news… Man City suffer huge blow with “world-class” beast, Pep surely fuming

Tottenham Hotspur are reportedly eyeing up a move to try and sign Merih Demiral in the summer transfer window.

The Lowdown: Tottenham need new centre-back

Given that Spurs conceded 45 goals in the Premier League in the 2020/21 season, which is a rate of more than a goal a game, they clearly need to bolster up the defence.

A brand new central defender would go a long way in doing this, and given the impact that the likes of Virgil Van Dijk and Ruben Dias have had on both Liverpool and Manchester City respectively, the North London club will be hoping that a new centre-back could make a similar one.

The Latest: Tottenham eye Demiral

As per Tuttosport (via Sport Witness), Demiral is on the agenda of the Lilywhites, and they may have an advantage over other clubs in the race to sign the Juventus man.

Fabio Paratici signed him for the Old Lady from Sassuolo back in 2019, and the news outlet describes THFC’s new managing director of football as his ‘discoverer’.

Both Everton and Atalanta are also in the hunt for his signature, and any deal could be done after Euro 2020, with Demiral currently representing Turkey in the tournament.

The Verdict: Sign him

It would be a gamble signing Demiral, but it is a gamble that Tottenham should be willing to take.

Described as ‘outstanding’ by Italian media after a stellar performance for Juve back in February against eventual Serie A title winners Inter Milan, the six-foot-two colossus certainly has the physical attributes to cope with the demands of the top flight.

Winning over four aerial duels per 90 minutes and at just 23 years of age as well, Demiral certainly still has a lot of potential, and given how fond Paratici is of him, it could well turn out to be a match made in heaven.

In other news, find out which Premier League ace once dubbed ‘the new Ronaldo’ is Spurs’ main target here!

Darren Bent is unsure if Jordan Pickford has what it takes to be England’s number one with the European Championships on the horizon. 

Bent weighed in on the goalkeeping debate on talkSPORT on Monday evening.

Pickford was ruled out of this week’s World Cup qualifiers after picking up a rib injury. Burnley’s Nick Pope has stepped in and continued his 100% record for clean sheets in an England shirt.

Dean Henderson, who has started Manchester United’s last three Premier League games in the absence of David de Gea, and West Brom’s Sam Johnstone were also called up.

‘You need calm heads at the Euros’

Bent praised Pickford’s distribution but has concerns over his temperament.

“If I had to put them in order, I’d probably go Henderson, Pope, Pickford,” Bent said.

“I do like Pickford but I think he gets a little bit over-emotional. His distribution is second to none though, he can kick the ball far. But I think in situations like the World Cup or the Euros you need calm heads.

“It’s a difficult one because we know he’s never let Gareth Southgate down.”

Pickford has conceded 29 goals in 23 Premier League outings this season (via FB Ref).

Those goals have come from a post-shot xG of 27.3, which means he’s slightly under-delivered.

He was in improved form prior to his injury though, with three well-earned clean sheets in four matches.

Transfer Tavern verdict

Bent acknowledges that Pickford hasn’t yet let Southgate down, but is that suitable justification?

Perhaps the Sunderland-born goalkeeper is effectively a ticking time bomb.

England should view themselves as genuine contenders at the Euros, but it’s hard to believe they’ll go all the way if they place their faith in an erratic goalkeeper.

In other news, fans were excited by Fabrizio Romano’s Everton tweet.

Celtic are thought to be monitoring MK Dons youngster Matthew Sorinola ahead of a possible cut-price move.

The Lowdown: Sorinola’s breakthrough season

Sorinola, 20, has enjoyed a breakthrough campaign under Russell Martin this season.

Predominantly a left-back, capable of playing centre-back, Sorinola has made 43 senior appearances during the 2020/21 campaign, scoring twice and registering six assists in all competitions.

Plenty of his outings have actually come as a left midfielder, too, with manager Martin describing the versatile youngster as ‘brilliant’ back in January.

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The Latest: Hoops not the only side interested

According to a report from TEAMtalk, Sorinola has rejected the chance to extend his stay with The Dons, and Celtic are one of a number of sides name-checked with an interest.

Rangers are also thought to be keen, whereas sides from Belgium, France and Spain have made approaches for the youngster.

Should the Hoops seal a deal, they would only have to pay a minimal compensation fee.

The Verdict: A possible long-term Laxalt replacement?

Sorinola could be brought in to provide competition for Greg Taylor, with Diego Laxalt set to return to AC Milan over the coming weeks.

The Uruguayan hasn’t exactly made the starting left-back spot his own over Taylor this season, so it may make sense to stay clear of a permanent deal for the pricey £57,000-a-week international.

Sorinola would also give the new Celtic manager an option further forward, as he has showcased this season.

He appears to fit one of two Celtic transfer policies of being a UK-based prospect with high potential available for a nominal fee – now all the Hoops have to do is pip clubs from all over Europe to his services.

In other news: ‘Told from very reliable sources’ – Bournemouth reporter drops huge Eddie Howe to Celtic claim, find out more here. 

According to The Telegraph, Everton and Tottenham were interested in signing Southampton right-back Kyle Walker-Peters during the transfer window.

The Lowdown: Busy transfer window

For Southampton, it was a busy transfer window – they ended up bringing in no less than six fresh faces before the deadline (Transfermarkt).

They were some outgoings, as well, but they avoided one more in the final few days.

The Latest: Saints rejected proposal

As per journalist Mike McGrath, the Toffees made an enquiry for £16.2m-valued Walker-Peters (Transfermarkt) towards the end of the window.

Tottenham were also said to be interested in re-signing the 24-year-old before they completed a move for Emerson Royal.

The Verdict: Needed

Southampton actually did strengthen in the right-back position during the transfer window. They signed Valentino Livramento from Chelsea and, with them holding onto Yan Valery, they now have three players to choose from on that side of the back four.

Livramento has started all three matches at right-back (Transfermarkt), but Walker-Peters has been used at left-back instead. He is also a more than reliable back-up option for Livramento, who is still just 18 years of age – the teenager will need the experience of Walker-Peters to help him continue to develop.

In other news, Southampton fans were far from happy with this man’s exit.