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According to reports, Leeds could make a big-money move for Sevilla winger Lucas Ocampos in this upcoming summer transfer window.

What’s the story?

Football Insider claimed that Marcelo Bielsa’s side are keeping tabs on the Argentina international, with a number of Premier League clubs also said to be interested.

The report added that the Whites are assessing Ocampos’ situation at Sevilla, and is a player regarded as lighting up English football.

Another Raphinha

One of the standout signings of the last summer is Raphinha, who has enjoyed a superb debut campaign in the Premier League with Leeds.

The Brazilian has bagged six goals and provided a further five assists in the top flight alone, and has combined pace and trickery with an impressive work ethic – exactly the kind of description which fits Ocampos as well.

The Sevilla star has scored four goals and four assists in 24 La Liga games, while his attacking numbers are all fairly similar to Leeds’ wing wizard.

As per Whoscored, Ocampos averages slightly fewer shots per game than Raphinha at 1.9 per game compared to the latter’s 2.1, but actually manages more dribbles than the Leeds man with 2.2 to 1.8.

He also wins more tackles than Raphinha, averaging 1.3 per game in La Liga compared to the Brazilian’s one, and that desire to match his attacking instincts with hard work should go down a treat with Bielsa.

Dubbed as an “absolute ace”, journalist Mohammed Ali waxed lyrical about the £60m-rated winger to La Liga Lowdown, saying: “Lopetegui is giving him more of a free rein in a squad with a higher attacking IQ than Marseille, so now he’s strutting his stuff.”

If Victor Orta is looking to land a Raphinha-esque player in this summer transfer window for Leeds, then he should look no further than Ocampos.

Meanwhile, Leeds must surely regret selling this goal-scoring star…

After slipping to an agonising, and rather undeserved, 1-0 defeat to Everton in midweek, West Brom are back in Premier League action on Sunday when they take on Newcastle United.

Sam Allardyce’s team were more than a match for the Toffees, having the same number of shots and shots on target as the away side, but fell to a Richarlison goal midway through the second-half.

With Newcastle up next, and the Magpies in the midst of some difficulties too – you only have to look at the apparent bust-up between Matt Ritchie and Steve Bruce to see that – there’s a real chance for West Brom to come away with all three points from the clash at The Hawthorns.

One man who Allardyce should seriously consider bringing back into the side is Callum Robinson.

The £7.2m-rated ace has been left on the bench for the past five games in the Premier League, and the time on the sidelines might have just given him the kick up the proverbial backside to come back firing.

After Matheus Pereira’s performance in midweek – one which arguably merits him being dropped for Sunday’s game – surely it’s time for Allardyce to bring someone new into the fold like Robinson.

Speaking earlier last year, former Baggies boss Slaven Bilic raved about Robinson’s abilities, saying: “He is present, he is dangerous and he fits in with the other players. He can also go by himself either with the ball or when he is linking up with other players on the pitch. He’s exactly the type of player that we wanted.”

Robinson’s natural instincts as a striker could ease the burden on Mbaye Diagne, who has been leading the line on his own. Having someone else in the team who can make runs in behind him, and fire away on goal, could be key to exploiting a Newcastle back-line which has conceded 44 goals this season in the Premier League – the joint-second worst in the division.

As Bilic says, Robinson can link up and do things by himself, and his brace against Chelsea earlier in the season is a perfect example of that.

When West Brom take to the field on Sunday against Newcastle, Robinson should be one of the names on the team-sheet when Allardyce makes his decision about who to start.

Meanwhile, this West Brom man should be dropped against Newcastle…

David Moyes must rue West Ham United not signing long-term target Franck Kessie in 2020, as the Premier League side now face a £43m price tag to land the AC Milan midfielder.

What’s the word?

According to Gazzetta dello Sport, via Milan Live, the San Siro outfit plan to lock Kessie down with a new contract, as the Ivory Coast international is an increasingly important pillar of Stefano Pioli’s side.

Kessie is considered to be the leader of the Rossoneri and has only missed one of AC’s 26 Serie A fixtures this season, starting 24, while enjoying his best campaign in front of goal yet.

The 24-year-old has found the back of the net nine times and provided three assists to date, eclipsing the seven-goal haul achieved over 34 games in the 2018/19 term and creating the same volume of chances for his red-and-black shirted teammates.

But Kessie’s performances have not gone unnoticed across the continent, with West Ham plus London rivals Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur frequently showing an interest in the £69,000-per-week powerhouse.

The Premier League trio would also now face heightened competition if they look to launch efforts to sign Kessie at the end of the season with Real Madrid keen, but any side is likely to be met with a €50m (£43m) asking price.

Milan are very much loath to losing the 44-cap international, and it is added that they plan to extend his contract through to 2026 with his current terms set to expire next year.

A huge blunder by West Ham

News of Milan slapping a €50m valuation on Kessie will come as a hammer blow to West Ham in their long-running hope of bringing the midfield enforcer to the London Stadium.

It also makes the Irons’ decision not to sign the 6ft beast last summer a huge blunder, as reports by TEAMtalk claimed Kessie was on offer for around £25m and that the asking price had been set before the coronavirus pandemic changed the footballing landscape.

That valuation was backed up by reports by Calciomercato, via Football-Italia, later in the year, after they claimed that AC rebuffed Gennaro Gattuso’s intent to be reunited with Kessie at SSC Napoli through a €30m (£25.5m) asking rice.

West Ham would have likely faced competition from Arsenal and Wolverhampton Wanderers, too, with the Molineux outfit also linked, but may have struck a deal with Milan for £18m less than they could now be obliged to pay if they still want the player.

It obviously remains to be seen if the Hammers are now willing to step forward and meet the Rossoneri’s demands, which would see Moyes acquire an engine room component lauded by those he works with.

“He never gets tired, he has an incredible energy,” Ismael Bennacer told MilanTV, via quotes by Football-Italia, earlier in the year. “We must take advantage of it.”

AND in other news, David Moyes has confirmed his intent for West Ham to sign a £42k-p/w brute this summer…

Sheffield Wednesday will be looking to continue their unbeaten run under interim manager Neil Thompson this evening as they embark on the FA Cup fourth round.But they face an uphill task as his Owls squad head to Premier League outfit Everton having dumped League Two side Exeter City out in what was actually their last outing.The south Yorkshiremen have seen two league games postponed due to a significant virus outbreak in the Hillsborough camp, but it has given them a chance to get some key players back from injury.Similarly, the Toffees haven’t played in 12 days either, so it’ll be an interesting encounter up at Goodison Park tonight.Here’s the Owls lineup we’re predicting as well as the latest team and injury news…Veteran stopper Keiren Westwood had been nursing injury prior to the abrupt two-week break, but with the 36-year-old back in training, his experience could be vital in a cup tie like this, so he returns over Joe Wildsmith.Chey Dunkley and Julian Borner are another two who are in line to return from a spell on the treatment table, though only one is likely to come into the side as Thompson continues with his reliable back-three.The 28-year-old English colossus could slot in alongside the versatile Liam Shaw and former skipper Tom Lees, whilst Adam Reach and Moses Odubajo are named as the wing-backs.Both Barry Bannan and Joey Pelupessy will surely continue their partnership in the middle but there’s a decision to be made over the third man in the engine-room, especially as Massimo Luongo returns from a lengthy lay-off.

He’s unlikely to be risked here tonight, nor is Josh Windass, so we may well see Chelsea loanee Izzy Brown gifted a rare opportunity. He’ll surely be desperate to make a statement and there will be no place better to do it than against Everton.

Whilst we could see fellow loan ace Jack Marriott feature for the first time since early November. It would be the 26-year-old’s first start since October as he returned to Derby County for rehabilitation over a long-term calf problem.

He has impressed in training according to Thompson, so it wouldn’t be a surprise to see him partner Callum Paterson, who bagged the winner at Exeter.

That means there is no place for Jordan Rhodes of Elias Kachunga whilst academy trio Ryan Galvin, Alex Hunt and Ciaran Brennan are all axed from the starting XI in a total of five changes.

AND in other news,Â31 y/o “enforcer” could be a game-changing addition for Sheffield Wednesday…

To suggest that Rafa Mir’s time at Wolves has been a disaster would be putting it lightly.

The Spaniard has played just four times for the senior side and has struggled to ever really make an impression on Nuno Santo.

In fact, he has found life difficult in England as a whole. Mir hasn’t scored in English football and endured a dismal loan spell at Nottingham Forest, where he didn’t find the net.

However, back in his native Spain, the 23-year-old has been a joy to watch this season. He is finally making an impression and because of that, Nuno should be taking note.

Mir has always been highly thought of. The very fact he had two years in Barcelona’s famous La Masia is evidence of that. Though, like a lot of players that pass through their gates, he has not achieved much since departing.

The striker hasn’t lived up to his true billing and he hasn’t met expectations either. When he penned terms in January 2018, former Wolves star Diogo Jota said; “He’ll be a good signing for us.”

That has been anything but the case. Mir has struggled with the language and has never settled in the Midlands.

Unfortunately, the forward’s time at Wolves could be coming to an end just as his career takes off. On loan at Huesca, the Spanish outfit have an option to buy the player.

Though, if Nuno and Jeff Shi have any sense, they will try and convince him to stay. After all, his form this season dictates he could be a valuable option for the club next term. Wolves have their own option to buy Willian Jose who is currently on loan from Real Sociedad but by bringing Mir back in the summer, they could save a fair amount of cash in the transfer market.

Wolves supporters are unlikely to be convinced by the striker but he has been a force in Spain this season. In total, Mir has racked up nine strikes in just 22 outings. Six of those have come courtesy of recent hat-tricks.

The tall and quick attacker knocked three goals past CD Marchamalo in the Copa del Rey in December before scoring another trio of goals when Huesca defeated Real Valladolid last Friday.

Mir was in inspired form, demonstrating attractive all-round qualities. He completed both of the dribbles he attempted and won a colossal six aerial duels. Based on that, he feels like the complete striker. He is quick, physical and importantly, he can now find the net.

With Raul Jimenez injured for the last 14 games, Wolves have won just four matches. One of the reasons they’ve struggled so much is down to a lack of firepower. Fabio Silva has scored twice all campaign for instance.

Thus, Mir could give Nuno’s men some much-needed firepower in 2021/22. He must be given the chance.

AND in other news, Forget Jota: £75k-p/w ace who goes “under the radar” has been a bigger miss for Wolves…

Steve Bruce can scare Jurgen Klopp by unleashing Matty Longstaff for his second start of the Premier League season when Newcastle United host Liverpool on Wednesday night.

Longstaff earned his first opening call of the campaign during the Magpies’ 2-0 defeat to Manchester City on Boxing Day having struggled to earn game time this season.

Bruce had only offered the 20-year-old talent 29 minutes of top-flight action before the Etihad Stadium affair, with Longstaff suffering ongoing issues with the thigh injury first sustained towards the end of last season.

Bruce admitted concern over Longstaff’s lengthy absence earlier in the campaign with his soft-tissue injury proving “very problematic”, but was pleased with how the youngster was able to perform against Pep Guardiola’s side at the weekend.

“He gave a performance which reminded me of why I put him in the team last year,” he said, via quotes by The Northern Echo. “He’s had a really difficult time in terms of a thigh injury that he couldn’t shake off.

“He probably broke down two or three times with it. He’s not been right in himself, and lost a lot of weight in lockdown, for whatever reason. Thankfully, he’s got that back, and reminded us of what a good player he is.”

Longstaff played the full 90 minutes against Manchester City on Saturday as he upstaged his more experienced teammates Isaac Hayden, with the Toon product recording two successful tackles, two interceptions, one key ball and one successful dribble while winning four of seven ground duels, per SofaScore.

Longstaff never let his head dip amid a tough night at the Etihad Stadium, either, with the Citizens dictating the flow of play with 75% of the ball, seven big chances to score and three-times as many total passes as Newcastle.

Bruce can scare Klopp when United host Liverpool on Wednesday by retaining Longstaff in his starting plans, while demonstrating to the £4.5m-rated prospect that chances will be on offer amid reports the midfielder is considering his immediate future.

Longstaff, understood to be a January target for a number of Championship sides including Derby County and Nottingham Forest, was said by The Sun (27/12, p. 56) to be hopeful of securing a winter loan deal in order to play regular first-team football again.

Bruce awarded Longstaff his first-team debut at home to Manchester United last season and would see the 20-year-old net the winner, before scoring twice more in 15 appearances across the remainder of the campaign.

AND in other news: Steve Bruce has been dealt a huge blow, leaving Newcastle United with a titanic task vs Liverpool.

Many Everton fans have flocked to a tweet from Patrick Boyland that recently emerged on social media.

Boyland recently relayed a tweet on social media, sharing an article that he wrote for The Athletic. The tweet said that Everton are currently short of depth in the squad and that they are short of some money as well, in a season where big opportunities are begging to be taken advantage of.

The tweet posed the question of whether the club’s owners should stick or twist with the current squad and whether they should make further additions to the team.

Carlo Ancelotti’s side are currently sixth in the Premier League and they are as high as that, despite a list of prominent absentees in the campaign so far. The article posed the question about if the chance comes to improve the team, whether they should take it? It also discussed the deficiencies that the squad has in the attacking positions and when it comes to having more creative players in the side.

It stated that this season could present Everton’s best chance of finishing inside the top four and a lot of it could come down to luck.

Boyland’s tweet caught the attention of many Everton fans, who gave their opinion about whether the club should sign more players or not.

What did Everton fans make of Boyland’s tweet?

“Like you said on the pod, I think a couple of intelligent additions would make the world of difference and really inject fresh impetus heading into the business end of the season.”

Credit: @azulfeehely

“We are right in the mix and an addition or two could make all the difference but it’s a difficult market alright. See Milik could be going on loan to Marseille, that could have been a decent deal.”

Credit: @marchy27

“Twist mate we need like a Landon Donavon type loan player just to keep the dressing room hungry.”

Credit: @gflan02

“Bang on this Paddy. We just lack that depth of quality a couple of additions could fix. If only this was Carlo’s second full season and we’d have a real chance.”

Credit: @LeePazzini

“In my opinion we have to twist, we can probably get by just without a new RB but up top we need reinforcements.”

Credit: @BrunsypPB

“Loan deals would be fine for now. Heavy investment in the summer.”

Credit: @exiledtoffee

In other news, many Everton fans have discussed Fabrizio Romano’s update about a transfer target – read more here.

Liverpool winger Harry Wilson has made an excellent start to life in the Championship with Cardiff City after joining on loan in the summer, and the Merseyside club should consider cashing in on the Welsh international whilst his stock is high.

After a fairly impressive loan spell with Bournemouth in the Premier League last season, in which he managed to contribute seven goals in 31 appearances for the Cherries, you wondered whether the 23-year-old would be given an opportunity in Jurgen Klopp’s side.

However, despite some interest from Premier League sides, he joined Cardiff City in the Championship for the 2020/21 season and he has made an excellent start to life with the Bluebirds.

The winger looks to have picked up where he left off in the Championship, having scored a superb 16 goals for Derby County during the 2018/19 season, as he has two goals for Neil Harris’ side in his first seven appearances in the second division (per WhoScored).

This has resulted in an impressive average rating of 7.04, rating him as Cardiff’s joint-third best player across the season so far.

He earned the praise of Harris following his performance in Cardiff’s recent 1-1 draw with Bournemouth, with the manager saying:

“Harry showed his class and quality and you can talk about his free-kicks and creativity, but it’s what he does without the ball as well which is important. I thought he was excellent.” (per FourFourTwo)

The Liverpool academy graduate is also a regular for his international side, having earned 17 caps for Ryan Giggs’ side, in which he has grabbed three goals (per Transfermarkt).

Therefore, you would imagine that should Liverpool be keen to sell the winger in January or next summer, they could get a decent fee for him, as he is currently valued at £14.4 million by Transfermarkt.

If his excellent form with Cardiff continues throughout the season, then the Reds certainly won’t be short of suitors, so receiving a decent fee could be a huge boost for Klopp, with the German manager having seemingly decided that Wilson isn’t good enough by sending him out on loan to the Championship.

Southampton travel to Bramall Lane to face Sheffield United in the Premier League on Sunday, and the Saints can exploit a key weakness in the Blades’ team by starting Jannik Vestergaard.

The Danish defender scored his third goal of the season in the Saints’ 2-1 win against Brighton last time out, powering home a header from James Ward-Prowse’s excellent delivery.

Ralph Hasenuhuttl’s side have now scored seven goals from a set-piece situation in the Premier League so far this season, which ranks them as the joint-best alongside Chelsea in the league.

Sheffield United, meanwhile, have conceded five goals from set-pieces in their Premier League fixtures thus far, which is the joint-second worst of any side in the top-flight.

Therefore, this certainly seems an area where Southampton can take advantage on Sunday, especially if they can make the most of Vestergaard’s aerial threat.

The six-foot-six defender has averaged a superb 7.24 rating for his performances in the Premier League so far this season and is clearly appreciated by Hasenhuttl, with the Austrian manager full of praise for the 28-year-old earlier this season, saying:

“He is a role model for never giving up and for developing your game.

“I am very happy to see a performance like this at the moment. It shows more and more the qualities we need at the moment.

“He is very calm and has good decision making and is definitely getting better and better.”

Considering Sheffield United are still without a win in the top-flight this season and currently sit bottom of the Premier League, this represents a real opportunity for the Saints to continue their superb start to the 2020/21 campaign.

Therefore, it seems likely that the centre-back will start against Sheffield United this weekend, and considering the quality of Ward-Prowse’s delivery so far this season, it would not be a surprise to see the former Borussia Monchengladbach defender on the scoresheet once again on Sunday.

And, in other news… Southampton can sign their next Sadio Mane in bargain speed-demon

Plenty of Everton fans have welcomed an update from Carlo Ancelotti on the fitness of James Rodriguez ahead of their game against Southampton on Sunday.

Speaking in his pre-match press conference, the Italian said that the Colombia international trained today and may well be fit to play against the Saints.

This comes in contrast to Ancelotti saying that Rodriguez would not be available for the match, as it seems that the 29-year old may have made a miraculous recovery from the injury that he picked up from a tackle by Liverpool defender Virgil van Dijk last weekend.

Indeed, Rodriguez may be a key player for the Toffees if they want to return to winning ways in the Premier League, given that the former Real Madrid star has scored three goals and supplied a further four assists in six games in all competitions so far in 2020/21 (Transfermarkt).

Everton fan reaction to Rodriguez update

These Everton supporters lauded the news on Rodriguez via Twitter, with one Toffees fan even branding the Colombian as a ‘sweet prince’:

Evertonians, find out which pundit slammed Rodriguez’s display in the derby here, and don’t forget to comment below with your views!