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Manchester United will absolutely move for a new striker during the upcoming January transfer window, according to Sky Sports reporter Dharmesh Sheth.

The Lowdown: Ronaldo exit causes havoc

Cristiano Ronaldo’s time at Old Trafford has come to an end for a second time, with the Portuguese sensation sacked by the club after a recent interview criticising manager Erik ten Hag.

While he clearly wasn’t the player he once was, his departure has still left a void in United’s attack, with fewer options suddenly on show ahead of the second half of the season.

As the January window looms, it looks as though the Red Devils are about to delve into the market.

The Latest: New striker expected

That’s certainly the opinion of Sheth, who told Give Me Sport that a new striker is on the agenda at Old Trafford:

“What is clear, is that Erik ten Hag has said last week that he does want to bring a forward player in. We’ve seen Cristiano Ronaldo leave the club, we thought that that was going to be the saga during the January transfer window, but they’ve managed to get all of that done and dusted before the transfer window opens.

“So, I think if they can find somebody, they are in the market to bring people in, there’s no question about that. All clubs will always be in that position, but it would have to be right, cost-wise.

“And that’s why there’s every chance that United won’t be bringing anyone in in the window.”

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The Verdict: Simply has to happen

It is absolutely essential that United add a striker to their squad in January as the battle for a top-four finish hots up, as well as cup and European glory being on offer.

Failure to sign a new attacker would be negligent by the Glazers, with a lack of firepower on show with Ronaldo gone and Jadon Sancho seemingly frozen out for the time being.

It remains to be seen who could come in, and while it is important that United don’t panic buy and waste money on a player, they must act fast and sign someone who can dovetail effectively with Marcus Rashford and Antony, as well as the likes of Bruno Fernandes and Christian Eriksen behind him.

Manchester City fans may have been concerned that the club didn’t possess a natural heir to Kyle Walker, but Rico Lewis’ performances this season show that he can be the ideal man to step up as the England international’s long-term replacement at the Etihad Stadium.

Walker, who joined from Tottenham Hotspur in 2017, has gone on to make 223 appearances for the Citizens, scoring six goals and contributing 17 assists.

His recovery pace has always been his strongest attribute, but with the right-back set to turn 33 next year, Pep Guardiola may already be thinking about who can replace Walker once he eventually leaves the Etihad.

Joao Cancelo, who has been moved over to left-back in recent campaigns, would perhaps be the most obvious replacement. However, his performances have been so impressive on the left flank that it would almost be a shame for Guardiola to feel a compulsion to revert him back to the other wing.

In Walker’s recent injury absence, the City manager has turned to 18-year-old Lewis, with the academy talent already boasting seven first-team appearances for his club, which includes a goal in the Champions League this season.

He was trusted to start in City’s first game back against Liverpool in midweek and produced another strong display as they progressed to the Carabao Cup quarter-finals with a 3-2 win against Jurgen Klopp’s side.

The teenage defender earned a 6.5 rating from Sofascore, registering 90 touches of the ball and completing 62 passes, which shows that he is confident enough to demand the ball and doesn’t look out of place at all in a Guardiola team.

The former Barcelona boss was full of praise for Lewis following Thursday night’s victory, suggesting that the 18-year-old will be a “magnificent player” for City for the next decade.

Guardiola clearly believes in the young right-back and it seems as if there will be plenty more first-team opportunities for Lewis over the next couple of years, so if he continues to impress, there seems no reason why he can’t be the man to replace Walker in City’s first-team when the latter eventually moves on.

Celtic are planning talks with the representatives of Rosenborg striker Casper Tengstedt, according to journalist Mark Hendry.

The Lowdown: Striker search

The Hoops have already bolstered their defensive ranks by agreeing on deals for Yuki Kobayashi and Alistair Johnston.

Attention now seems to be turning to additions further forward after contract talks with Giorgos Giakoumakis broke down. Cho Gue-sung appears to be the club’s main target, while Ladislav Almasi has been linked again in recent days, but Tengstedt is also of interest.

The Latest: Tengstedt talks planned

Hendry shared a story for Football Scotland on Thursday morning, revealing that Celtic are one of a number of clubs interested in Tengstedt.

The reliable reporter added that ‘initial conversations’ with the striker’s representatives are scheduled, with Tengstedt considered a ‘serious prospect.

The Verdict: In fine form

Tengstedt is just 22 years of age and can play anywhere across the front three, although the majority of his appearances during his career so far have come down the middle.

He has found the back of the net with ease for his current employers in 2022, scoring 15 times and registering nine assists in just 14 games to take his senior tally to 35.

Therefore, you could say that he may prove to be an excellent signing and potential replacement for Giakoumakis by Hoops officials, however, the club may need to act fast and beat multiple clubs to his services.

Leeds United are keen on signing Hoffenheim forward Georginio Rutter, according to Sky Sports reporter Florian Plettenberg.

The Lowdown: Rutter profiled

The 20-year-old is primarily an out-and-out left-footed centre-forward. A France under-21 international, Rutter has been with Hoffenheim since 2021 and has scored 11 times in 64 appearances for his current employers, while also registering eight assists.

He is valued at a career-high €16m (£13.2m) by Transfermarkt and has been hailed by former Hoffenheim manager Sebastian Hoeness, who previously said: ”Georginio is very athletic, a good striker of a football and can play in a variety of forward roles. His combination of speed, athleticism and shooting ability with both feet means he has huge potential.”

The Latest: Leeds’ interest in Rutter

Plettenberg was the first to share the news regarding Leeds and Rutter on Saturday. He revealed that the Whites want him immediately, adding that it could become a ‘massive deal’ and that the player is ‘open’ to a transfer.

The reporter tweeted: “News Rutter: Leeds United wants him NOW! Hoffenheim is aware of the interest and it could become a massive deal. Talks around a transfer fee between €30-40m. The 20 y/o is open for the move.”

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The Verdict: Has Orta found his man?

The Whites appear to be on the hunt for a new marquee attacker this month, and it looks as if sporting director Victor Orta may have found his man in Rutter.

He seems to be going from strength to strength, contributing to a career-best 12 league goals last season, and you’d expect that he’ll only get even better in years to come, too.

Therefore, Leeds could be securing an ideal attacking coup in both the short- and long-term with Rutter, who could battle it out with the likes of Rodrigo and Joe Gelhardt for a centre-forward berth with Patrick Bamford still sidelined through injury.

West Ham have been credited with an interest in Stoke City defender Harry Souttar recently and the Australian centre-back could be the ideal man to replace Craig Dawson should he depart the London Stadium this month.

According to the Daily Record, West Ham, Wolves and Leicester City are all keen on signing the 24-year-old after his standout performances at the World Cup in Qatar, although it is currently Brendan Rodgers’ side who are said to be leading the race for the £25m-valued star.

The Scottish-born centre-back made his return from an ACL injury to join up with Graham Arnold’s side at the World Cup recently and played a huge part in the Socceroos reaching the round of 16, where they were defeated by eventual winners Argentina.

The Athletic’s Jordan Campbell was full of praise for Souttar’s performances, with WhoScored also ranking him as the top performer in Australia’s squad, after helping them to wins and clean sheets against Tunisia and Denmark in the group stages.

Campbell said: “Big Harry Souttar. An absolute monster of a defender. Huge, quick, can head it and is also fairly comfortable on the ball.”

David Moyes may soon be in need of a defender with these qualities, as reports suggest that Dawson could leave West Ham this month having come close to an exit during the summer, as the 32-year-old seeks a move north to be closer to his family.

While the experienced defender has established himself as something of a club icon in his spell at the London Stadium, playing a huge part in their success in the Premier League and the Europa League last season, he was perhaps always likely to be on the periphery of Moyes’ squad following the summer addition of Nayef Aguerd.

Standing at 6 foot 6, Souttar could be the ideal man to replace Dawson’s aerial threat, with WhoScored suggesting that both players excel at aerial duels, while the Australia international’s superb record of six goals in 14 caps suggests that he could be equally dangerous from set pieces.

Throughout their respective careers, the Aussie has won a whopping 5.1 aerial battles per game compared to the Irons defender’s record of 3.3. In that regard, therefore, sporting director Mark Noble could even source the coaching staff an ugprade.

Moyes will definitely need more depth at the back if Dawson leaves and therefore he should look to Souttar as his replacement, as all the signs suggest that he is simply a younger, quicker and taller version of the former West Brom and Watford star.

Aston Villa target Gerard Deulofeu would “definitely be interested” in working with Unai Emery, claims Pete O’Rourke.

The Lowdown: Emery’s transfer plan

With Villa currently sitting 11th in the Premier League table and suffering an embarrassing cup exit at home to Stevenage on Sunday, they may be likely to enter the January window in search of reinforcements.

BirminghamLive reported before their cup exit that Emery wants to bring his own players into the Villans squad, with that desire surely only heightened by the result at the weekend.

It was claimed that the Spaniard has made compatriot Deulofeu a key target, with the Midlands outfit tracking the winger.

The Latest: O’Rourke update

Speaking to GiveMeSport, O’Rourke claimed there’s a good chance of a Premier League return for the former Watford and Everton winger, with him fitting the bill of what Emery wants at Villa Park.

He said: “It does seem like he is looking at wide-men and Deulofeu could be a good fit if he is available in this transfer window.

“Due to his previous Premier League experience, it shouldn’t take them too long to get back into the swing of things in the top flight.

“I think Deulofeu would definitely be interested in working with somebody like Unai Emery, who has already made such a big impact at Aston Villa during this short time there.”

The Verdict: Exciting player

Across the 28-year-old’s previous three stints in England, he bagged 20 goals and 24 assists in 127 league appearances.

He struggled for regular minutes in two separate spells at Everton having originally arrived as a 19-year-old, while his later spell at Watford proved more fruitful, with him netting double figures in the 2018/19 campaign for a Hornets side that finished 11th and reached the FA Cup final.

With Villa currently in the same position in the table, the man dubbed a “magician” during his time in Hertfordshire by Phil McNulty could be an exciting injection of quality into the attacking third.

Over the past year, he’s ranked in the top 6% for assists as well as the top 1% for shot-creating actions and progressive passes amongst forwards at the top level (via FBref), proving the quality to become a potential shrewd acquisition for Villa.

While Manchester United are currently closing in on the loan signing of Wout Weghorst, manager Erik ten Hag is reportedly plotting to secure a more permanent striking solution this summer.

That’s according to ESPN’s Mark Ogden, who revealed earlier this week that a more high-profile and long-term addition could well be in the offing at the end of the season, with Tottenham Hotspur talisman Harry Kane one name to have been mentioned.

The 29-year-old – who has been tipped for a £90m switch to Bayern Munich in recent times – is facing an uncertain future in north London, with the England skipper having just 18 months remaining on his existing deal.

That fact has ensured that he could well represent an attainable target for the Red Devils this summer, with talkSPORT reporter Alex Crook – speaking to GIVEMESPORT – suggesting that such a move is one to ‘keep an eye on’.

The transfer insider revealed: “I’d keep an eye on the Harry Kane situation. Again, I think that will depend on the ownership model, although, in fairness, the Man United owners did invest quite heavily last summer.

“But Kane will have a year left on his contract and he’s proven in the Premier League. I think he’d want to go to a club where he’s got a chance of winning silverware.

“Arguably, United are in a better place to do that than Tottenham. I’d definitely keep an eye on that one.”

The ruthless, goalscoring “monster” – as previously described by former Spurs man Graham Roberts – would provide undoubted quality for the Old Trafford outfit, having scored 198 Premier League goals to date, as well as 265 in total for the Lilywhites.

Also currently the joint-highest scorer for the Three Lions at international level, the experienced ace is a simply clinical and reliable asset in front of goal, having netted 15 goals in just 18 league games this term.

The hope for United would be that such a deal could prove just as fruitful as the signing of now-retired playmaker, Michael Carrick, with the Manchester outfit having snapped up the midfielder from Tottenham on an £18.6m deal back in 2006.

While a far more understated signing than Kane’s capture would be, the one-time West Ham United man went on to thrive during his 12-year stay at the Theatre of Dreams, having won a plethora of major honours in that time.

The current Middlesbrough head coach would rack up 464 appearances in all competitions for the club having been a consistent presence at the heart of the midfield, chipping in with a respectable haul of 60 goal involvements in the process.

Lauded by Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola as “one of the best holding midfielders I’ve ever seen in my life”, the 34-cap maestro certainly didn’t disappoint in the red jersey, having ultimately proved something of a bargain as far as the Red Devils are concerned.

As such, United could try to repeat that transfer masterclass by raiding Spurs once again in order to get Kane through the door at the end of the season.

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp must consider an unlikely swoop for veteran Chelsea defender Thiago Silva as the Brazilian titan approaches the conclusion of his contract at Stamford Bridge, according to one talkSPORT host…

What’s the talk?

Speaking on his talkSPORT Weekend Sports Breakfast show, former Chelsea striker Tony Cascarino has waxed lyrical about Silva,  and commented that Blues boss Graham Potter would be wise to tie down the titan before the likes of Liverpool take interest in his contractual situation, and make an imminent move.

Cascarino said: “Thiago Silva’s performance was just extraordinary at the back. I just laugh at someone who is 38, gets in a one-on-one with Nunez, who is lightning quick and, ok, might catch half-a-yard but he doesn’t get away from Thiago Silva, which is extraordinary. Just brilliant defending.

“He was outstanding again for Chelsea, Thiago Silva. He’s got [Paolo] Maldini in him. [He could] play until 40 quite comfortably. If Chelsea didn’t offer a contract to him at the end of the season there will be plenty that would, without a doubt. I would if I was in a management position.”

Then, when asked if he’d take the centre-back at Anfield, he responded: “Yeah, if I could get him for nothing and get him in, absolutely.”

Imagine him & Van Dijk

When the Blues landed the now 38-year-old Silva on a free transfer in 2020 following the conclusion of his contract with Paris Saint-Germain, the expectation was an experienced figure would enter the fold and provide the blueprint for teammates to follow and nurture their own game.

While the 113-cap colossus is undoubtedly one of the greatest centre-backs of his era, little would the Blues faithful have imagined that he would emerge as the most consistent and formidable asset at their club’s disposal.

Having forged 105 appearances for his prestigious west London outfit, scoring five goals and assists apiece, the £110k-per-week phenom has monumentally won the Champions League and the UEFA Super Cup.

And this season, his remarkable Sofascore rating of 7.35 in the Premier League – the highest of any outfield player bar Benoit Badiashile, who has played two matches since his £35m switch from AS Monaco – is a testament to the supreme standing he still erects at the base of his side,  making 1.7 tackles and 1.4 interceptions and 4.4 clearances per outing, keeping five clean sheets.

Should he indeed join the ranks at Anfield, he could forge a deadly bond with Liverpool’s £75m centre-back Virgil van Dijk, who has been integral in his side’s success since arriving at the beginning of 2018.

With Van Dijk’s assurance and prowess as a ball-playing maestro from the backline partnering Silva’s resilience and tenacity, Klopp could finally reinstall the cohesion that has evaded the ninth-place strugglers this season.

Bearing this in mind, Klopp simply must throw the kitchen sink at the legendary stalwart; amid the misty uncertainty of Liverpool’s position at the forefront of European football, Silva would instil composure and strengthen the collective efforts of the squad, and the partnership with Van Dijk is indeed positively tantalising.

He’s already showered in success after being written off at Stamford Bridge; he can do so again on Merseyside.

Everton are looking to conclude the appointment of Marcelo Bielsa as quickly as possible following their conversation about the vacancy.

What’s the latest?

The Toffees suffered yet another defeat on the weekend which was the second in a row to one of their relegation rivals in the Premer League.

And it proved to be the final nail in Frank Lampard’s coffin at Goodison Park with the 44-year-old relieved of his duties on Monday afternoon.

There have since been reports suggesting the former Leeds United manager, Bielsa, could be the man next in line for the job on Merseyside.

And speaking on Sky Sports News, reporter Vinny O’Connor has claimed it is an appointment the Everton board are looking to complete quickly:

“Marcelo Bielsa is the frontrunner and it’s plain and simple why that is the case, because he is Farhad Moshiri’s first choice.

“From the conversations that they’ve had, I think there’s a feeling that they would like to get this done as quickly as possible because Bielsa, ultimately, would like to come in here and take the players away for warm-weather training.”

Next in line

Bielsa was sacked by the Yorkshire side less than a year ago following his own difficulties at the helm of a struggling Leeds side who were facing a serious relegation battle.

The season prior, the Argentine had guided Leeds to a stunning first season back in the Premier League which saw the Whites finish in ninth spot of the table.

However, there will surely be some concern among Everton fans as to what difference Bielsa may be able to implement at Goodison Park given his recent struggles with Leeds.

When Bielsa was sacked back in February, the Whites found themselves on a run of four straight defeats where they had conceded 17 goals.

Bielsa certainly worked his magic at Leeds before the 2021/22 campaign, however, this has to concern some fans on Merseyside of what could be to come if he is appointed.

The Argentine has become well-known for his hard-working sides, but without a pre-season to build the fitness of the Everton players, there may be a worry that he would not be able to implement his philosophy at this stage of the season.

Everton currently sit second-bottom only on goal difference with 15 points from their opening 20 league games.

However, when Bielsa was sacked from Leeds last season, he had only managed to earn 23 points from 26 games meaning his points-per-game ratio was only marginally better than what Lampard had recorded this season.

Newcastle United will need to put together a loan agreement with an obligation to pay at least £45m if they want to sign Conor Gallagher, according to journalist Craig Hope.

The Lowdown: Gallagher leaving?

Chelsea have strengthened their squad considerably in the January transfer window, bringing in the likes of Mykhaylo Mudryk for £88.5m and Benoit Badiashile for £35m, but they are still targeting new additions in the centre of midfield.

The Guardian report that the Blues are closing in on a £115m deal for Enzo Fernandez, while adding that they could also make a late push for Moises Caicedo, which means that there could be no room for Gallagher in Graham Potter’s squad.

The Latest: Newcastle told what they must pay

According to Hope via Twitter, Newcastle must match the £45m offer for the midfielder which is currently on the table from Everton if they want to secure a deal before the deadline.

The agreement would be on loan with an obligation to buy, and the journalist also claims that Eddie Howe is a ‘big admirer’ of the player.

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The Verdict: Worth it?

The 22-year-old has recently been hailed as ‘fantastic’ by Chelsea manager Potter, so the possibility of him leaving the west London club isn’t due to a lack of ability, but because of the sheer amount of talent that the Blues could have in his position by the close of play tonight.

What is particularly impressive about the Englishman is that he has a lot to offer in an attacking and defensive sense, with the latter being indicated best by the fact that he has averaged 1.74 blocks per 90 in the past year, placing in the 91st percentile compared to other midfielders in Europe’s top five leagues.

While on loan at Crystal Palace last season, the maestro reached double figures for goal contributions in the Premier League, finishing the campaign with a very respectable total of eight goals and three assists.

£45m is a lot for Gallagher but he is still very young, and a move to Newcastle, where he would be able to feature more regularly in the first team, could be exactly what he needs in order to flourish.