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Aston Villa are in the mix for a top-class winger to bolster the ambitious plans under the management of Unai Emery, and the Spaniard has reportedly distinguished several options to aid his outfit in their endeavours this season.

Villa have seen a valuable upswing in their form since Emery arrived in October to replace the dismissed Steven Gerrard, with the Claret & Blue now having won four of their six Premier League fixtures under the 51-year-old – preceded by a thumping 4-0 victory over Brentford in the interim.

And during the ongoing winter transfer market, onus has been firmly fixed on bolstering the squad with signings of apt quality, indeed with left-back Alex Moreno and promising offensive starlet Jhon Duran already arriving in the Midlands.

With at least one more acquisition expected before the window’s culmination, the centre of the park and the offensive flanks have both been highlighted as key areas for investment, and Udinese winger and Emery favourite Gerard Deulofeu has been identified as the man to arrive and make an instant impact, according to reports on the prospective move.

Deulofeu played a successful season under Emery at Sevilla in 2014/15, with the Spanish ace flourishing under the wing of his compatriot, making 28 appearances and scoring three goals, notably notching up ten assists and starring en route to triumphing in the Europa League.

His inclusion into the Premier League competitors’ ranks would certainly provide an added sheen of creativity, with the former Watford maestro ranking among the top 5% of positional peers in Europe’s big leagues for assists, the top 1% of shot-creating actions, and the top 1% for progressive passes.

For all of the four-cap star’s guile and ball-playing prowess, it may well be wise for the Villans to delve back into the market for a previous target: Ismaila Sarr – a wily winger that Villa failed to acquire in the summer despite agreeing to a £25m fee with the Hornets for one of their most valuable assets.

Since his arrival in English football in 2019, the “electric” gem – as dubbed by journalist Rob Blanchette – has plundered 31 goals and 22 assists from 114 appearances, starring as one of Watford’s most coveted forward forces.

And this season, the “unbelievable” talent – in the words of ex-teammate Troy Deeney – has scored seven goals and four assists as Watford look to earn instant promotion from the Championship following their relegation last year.

With his dynamic skills, blistering pace and imposing stature down the flanks, he would be a far more robust avenue to go down for Villa; ranking among the top 19% of wingers and attacking midfielders across Men’s Next 8 divisions for rate of non-penalty goals.

With the likes of Leon Bailey and Emiliano Buendia already assuming primary roles as creative playmakers under Emery’s leadership, a more direct presence in Sarr might be a prudent move – and having already previously succeeded with negotiations, the road to re-establish talks might not be too strenuous.

Bearing this in mind, Villa Park’s technical director Johan Lange must forge a deal for Sarr; while Deulofeu is indeed in active discussions with the cub for a forthcoming transfer, Sarr’s versatility and knack for racking up goals with a menacing direct would be a sublime piece of business to add to an auspicious-looking outfit starting to offer glimpses of further success.

West Bromwich Albion are reportedly interested in signing Aston Villa centre-back Lamare Bogarde this month and his arrival at The Hawthorns could allow Carlos Corberan to ditch Semi Ajayi.

The Athletic reported last month that the Baggies could look to bring in the youngster in January as the manager looks to bolster his defensive options ahead of a likely promotion push in the second half of the campaign.

West Brom sit just outside the Championship play-off places after last weekend’s late defeat against league leaders Burnley but appear to have a great chance of a top-six finish if they can maintain their superb form since Corberan took over from Steve Bruce last October.

The manager has preferred a centre-back partnership of Erik Pieters and Dara O’Shea during his time with the Midlands club, which is perhaps partly down to the injury issues of Kyle Bartley and Ajayi.

The latter has made just two substitute appearances in the league since Corberan’s arrival and has struggled immensely on his rare starts this term, averaging a subdued 6.42 rating from WhoScored for his performances.

This ranks him as only the 18th-best performer at The Hawthorns so far in 2022/23 according to WhoScored, so he could be a prime candidate to depart in the January transfer window, especially if the manager can add another defender to his ranks.

Bogarde could be an ideal option to succeed him, as the youngster would arrive with a very good reputation thanks to his performances in Villa’s youth ranks, with academy director Mark Harrison delighted about the Dutchman’s “immense potential” upon his arrival at the club from Feyenoord.

The 20-year-old, who can also play as a defensive midfielder, made his senior debut for Villa in the 2020/21 season but hasn’t played for them since, so a loan move could be good for both parties this month as he looks unlikely to break into Unai Emery’s first-team.

Given his reputation and potential, he could be a far better option for Corberan than Ajayi in the second half of the season, when you consider the Nigerian’s less than impressive displays under Bruce in the early months of the campaign.

While that would be tough on the former Rotherham man after his injury issues in the autumn, the Baggies must do all that they can to secure a top-six finish this season. Signing a versatile youngster such as Bogarde can only be a good thing for Corberan, even if it means getting rid of Ajayi.

Aston Villa boss Unai Emery has been making moves in the transfer market to bolster the squad after making fantastic initial progress on the pitch following his arrival in October.

While progress is indeed promising, there has been an onus on bolstering across multiple departments of the field, with left-back Alex Moreno and forward Jhon Duran already arriving.

And according to a recent report from 90min, the Spanish manager and his technical director Johan Lange have now distinguished talented Everton winger Anthony Gordon as the sterling addition to inject into the fold, with the Toffees allegedly willing to consider bids for one of their most coveted assets, in a deal that may cost around £30m according to other reports.

Gordon has previously been subject to contractual talks with his Merseyside outfit, with owner Farhad Moshiri homing in on an agreement before hitting a hole in the road.

Emery’s own Almiron

The 21-year-old Liverpudlian has only scored seven goals and served eight assists from 78 appearances for the Toffees; hardly inspiring numbers on face value.

However, last season Everton finished 16th, scoring just 43 goals; this season, the 15 goals scored betters the efforts only of Wolverhampton Wanderers – who have just 12.

And as per FBref, he would certainly contribute to the defensive efforts, which would suit Emery’s counter-attacking style of play, ranking among the top 1% of positional peers for blocks and the top 3% for tackles across Europe’s top five leagues.

His Everton teammate James Tarkowski waxed lyrical about his skills earlier this season, landing his dynamism and class on the field.

Tarkowski said: “He has been different class. All the paper talk and all the speculation, to be fair he just cracks on. Whatever comes will happen, but I love having him on my team. There is a reason why teams are after him.”

And with the ace compared to Newcastle United’s flourishing attacker Miguel Almiron on the statistical site, the Claret & Blue manager could indeed find a level of quality in the wide flanks that will inject vibrancy and cutting edge into his team.

Almiron has scored nine goals this season for the high-flying Magpies, following a lengthy goal-shy preceding period that saw the Paraguayan gem land the same numbers of Premier League strikes across his first four seasons.

According to WhoScored, Almiron’s ratio of 2.3 shots per game is the highest from a single season in his Newcastle career, while his slick passing accuracy of 84.3% is also an indication of his burgeoning calibre as a fluid force.

Villa fans, and Gordon himself, could take solace from Almiron’s ascension, with the similarities. in playing style boding well for the former England U21 international in his pursuit of prominence in the Premier League.

Gordon has indeed been at the centre of much peril since his introduction to the Premier League, but his talent is undeniable and placed into a more exciting, free-flowing outfit such as Emery’s rising Aston Villa, he could finally start to flourish with the regularity that his skill-set deserves.

Wolverhampton Wanderers will be hopeful of ending the transfer window with a bang by adding another one or two new faces to the squad as Julen Lopetegui continues his renovation of the team.

Bringing players such as Mario Lemina, Pablo Sarabia and Matheus Nunes to the club is a key step in the right direction, with the Spaniard aiming to beef out his midfield and attacking options, however, he shouldn’t be forgetting to improve positions that have proven problematic during the campaign.

The right-back area has seen Nelson Semedo struggle so far this campaign, registering a Sofascore rating of 6.67/10 and being susceptible to defensive lapses which have culminated in Wolves conceding 30 goals in the Premier League this term already.

The Old Gold have been linked with a move for Brighton and Hove Albion defender Tariq Lamptey to bolster their options on the right side of their defence, however, having missed 36 games through a variety of injury problems since 2020, the Molineux outfit might be better off signing someone else.

Heerenveen youngster Milan van Ewijk is another defender linked with a switch to Wolves and the Dutchman could be a more reliable option for Lopetegui.

The 22-year-old has played 18 times in the Eredivisie this season, achieving a Sofascore rating of 7.13/10 while showcasing his attacking ability by scoring three goals, creating two big chances and making 0.8 key passes per match.

Despite his age, Van Ewijk is also extremely mature and combines attacking intelligence with defensive ability to great effect, helping his team keep seven clean sheets in 18 matches this term.

He has also made an average of 1.5 tackles, 1.2 interceptions and 2.1 clearances per game in the league, while also winning 59% of his duels and the defender even praised himself while discussing his strengths back in 2019.

He said: “I’m a fierce right back who can attack well, but also defend well and I’m in good shape. I can certainly be found in the front. Last season I also gave a number of assists. I’ll show the rest during the matches.”

Another attribute that could stand him in good stead in the Premier League is his speed, with the official Eredivisie Twitter account sharing that the young defender was the fastest player in the top flight before Christmas, with a top speed of 34.66kph and the speedster would work well bombing up and down the right flank under Lopetegui.

A move for the Dutchman could certainly help solve Wolves’ issues on the right side of the defence and with just a few days left of the transfer window, the 56-year-old will need to act fast to secure a deal for Van Ewijk.

Everton have reportedly made a €25m (£22m) bid plus bonuses to try and sign Udinese striker Beto.

The Lowdown: Beto interest

The Toffees reportedly showed an interest in the 25-year-old earlier in the month, with claims that he was ‘top of the list’ alongside Bologna centre-forward Marko Arnautovic in terms of forwards that the Premier League club wanted to bring in this January.

Udinese are thought to value him at €25m (£22m) if they want to sell him in January, but time is running out if the Goodison Park outfit want to get a deal done.

The Latest: Everton bid for Beto

Italian news outlet TuttoMercatoWeb reported this afternoon that there could be a ‘possible last-minute surprise’ at Udinese, with Everton now placing an offer of €25m (£22m) plus bonuses for Beto.

Napoli are also thought to be interested in the Portuguese attacker, and Udinese now have a decision to make over whether to let him go.

The Verdict: Get it done…

With just a few hours remaining in the transfer window, Sean Dyche’s side simply can’t afford to not bring in attacking reinforcements, given their precarious league position and the sale of winger Anthony Gordon to Newcastle United.

Toffees legend Kevin Campbell has previously urged them to sign a ‘robust’ striker in this transfer window, and the 6 foot 3 Beto fits that profile as a player who Campbell describes as a ‘big’ and a ‘physical presence’.

This is emphasised by his ranking in the 79th percentile for aerial duels won of all forwards in Europe’s top five leagues over the past year, while he is also impressive with the ball at is feet, ranking in the 85th percentile for touches and 81st for dribbles completed per game (FBref).

With top league, and at his age he could lead the line for the Toffees for the next few years.

Everton transfer target Ismaila Sarr ‘would have been a great signing’ for the Premier League club in January, according to journalist Paul Brown.

The Lowdown: Late offer rejected

The Watford forward has now entered the final 18 months of his deal at Vicarage Road, and it was reported that the Hornets were willing to sanction his sale last month if they were to receive a substantial bid, but the Toffees were clearly wide of the mark.

The Athletic claim that the Merseyside outfit had a late offer of a loan with an obligation to buy for the Senegal international rejected in the closing stages of the transfer window, with work permit issues also proving to be a major roadblock in any deal being completed.

The Latest: Brown’s comments

Speaking to GiveMeSport, Brown insisted that Sarr would have been the perfect profile of player for Everton to recruit and suggested that the Watford winger would have also been able to aid the development of Dominic Calvert-Lewin.

He stated: “I think Ismaila Sarr is the kind of player they needed. There’s been a lot of talk that Everton need more firepower and a striker who can play when Calvert-Lewin is not entirely fit or unavailable for whatever reason.

“I genuinely think that the bigger problem at Everton is that they don’t have a lot of creativity for whoever plays up front. I think you would see a big turnaround in Calvert-Lewin’s form if they’d been able to sign a genuinely productive winger who can beat a man, cross a ball and be a goal threat himself.

“I think that is what they are lacking. Ismaila Sarr ticks a lot of those boxes and would have been a great signing.”

The Verdict: Worth another attempt

Sarr is undoubtedly one of the Championship’s hottest attacking prospects right now, his tally of 13 goal contributions the joint-sixth highest in the division. Therefore, whilst Everton were unsuccessful in their efforts in January, it’s definitely worth making a second approach when the summer comes around.

The 6 foot 1 winger is prolific in the final third, having racked up 54 goal contributions in 117 appearances since joining Watford, where he is currently averaging 2.3 shots per league game.

The Senegal attacker would provide Sean Dyche with plenty of versatility given his ability to operate in four different positions in the final third, which is a useful attribute to have at Goodison Park given that injuries could occur at any time – as the aforementioned Calvert-Lewin can certainly testify.

Sarr also shares the same agent as Yerry Mina, so this could prove to be advantageous should Everton decide to return to the table with an improved offer in the next transfer window.

Dominic Calvert-Lewin is ‘touch and go at best’ to be fit for Everton to play against Liverpool after picking up a hamstring injury.

The Lowdown: Injury-prone

Calvert-Lewin has unfortunately proven himself to be injury-prone at Goodison Park, having missed 42 games since the 2016/17 season, including being ruled out for eight matches with a knee injury in this campaign.

The Merseyside club decided to sign striker Neal Maupay from Brighton and Hove Albion in the summer as cover for the Englishman, but he has been far from prolific, scoring just once in his Toffees career so far.

The Latest: Hamstring injury

Speaking to the media in his pre-game press conference ahead of their match away at bitter rivals Liverpool in the Premier League on Monday night, Sean Dyche has confirmed that Calvert-Lewin is ‘touch and go at best’ to make the squad, as he is dealing with a ‘niggly hamstring’:

“We’re still monitoring him. He’ll be touch and go at best for Liverpool… He put a real shift in in the last game but unfortunately he’s got a niggly hamstring.”

The Verdict: Start Simms?

With Calvert-Lewin an injury doubt, and Maupay woefully out of form, Dyche should be tempted to start Ellis Simms, who they recalled from his loan spell at Sunderland in the January transfer window.

Despite his season being disrupted by a toe injury, Simms still managed to score a respectful seven goals and make a further two assists during his spell at the Stadium of Light, with six goal contributions coming in his last eight games in the Championship (Transfermarkt).

Coming through Everton’s Academy, the Englishman knows how much the Merseyside derby means to the club and the supporters, and if given a chance to impress from the start by Dyche, he would no doubt be motivated to find the back of the net at Anfield.

Journalist Fabrizio Romano has revealed that Liverpool have offered Roberto Firmino a new contract and they are waiting for the player to decide as he considers his options.What’s the word?While the Reds have been superb in recent years, winning the Premier League and the Champions League, it feels as though their time near the top is in jeopardy.Indeed, things haven’t been going well for Jurgen Klopp’s men of late and they currently languish mid-table in the English top flight having been knocked out of both the FA and the League Cup already.Firmino was key part in the club’s recent glory years – winning essentially every major trophy available to a player domestically – but with his contract set to expire this summer, he may feel as though it is time to move on.While speaking on his own YouTube channel, Romano explained the situation, saying: “Let’s see what happens with Roberto Firmino. We have many rumours on Firmino but Liverpool offered him a new contract – a short-term deal; could be a one or two-year deal for Roberto Firmino.”Waiting for the player to decide, he has also other possibilities. But Liverpool are tempting Firmino to stay at least one or two years more.”Time to move on?Firmino has played nearly 350 times for Liverpool in all competitions and has over 100 goals to his name, as well as all those trophies. With that in mind,  whenever he does leave, he will be remembered as a legend by many supporters.Judging by the fact that a contract offer is seemingly on the table for the Brazilian, however, it seems as though Klopp is keen to have the player around a little longer.This season, Firmino has shown plenty of glimpses of his true quality. Indeed, the striker might not play quite as much as he used to but in 935 minutes of league football this term he has seven goals and three assists.Still only 31 years of age, the forward may feel as though he still has plenty to offer but it remains to be seen if he wants to extend his stay in Liverpool any longer or if he is ready for a new challenge, with Gazzetta dello Sport (via FCInterNews) reporting that Firmino is a top target for Inter Milan.

Sheffield Wednesday trio Reece James, Lee Gregory and Jack Hunt have all trained ahead of their side’s League One clash with MK Dons this weekend.

The Lowdown: Another big game for Owls

Darren Moore’s side secured a simple 3-0 victory over Morecambe on Tuesday night, as they superb form of league form continued, having not lost since October.

On Saturday afternoon, Wednesday are once again at Hillsborough, this time taking on an MK Dons team battling relegation and sitting 20th in the table.

Victory could be enough to see the Owls top League One, depending on how current leaders Plymouth Argyrle fare at home to Fleetwood Town.

The Latest: Trio back in training

Taking to Twitter, journalist Joe Crann confirmed that James, Gregory and Hunt are all in contention for the weekend action, having taken part in training:

“James, Gregory and Hunt all training. Love to see it.”

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The Verdict: Massive boost for Wednesday

This is a big boost for Wednesday, enhancing their squad depth greatly ahead of the business end of the season and giving Moore plenty of options in various areas.

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Granted, none of James, Gregory and Hunt are necessarily guaranteed starters – they have started 33 league games between them this season – but they can all contribute positively when they play.

Gregory’s influence could be particularly great at key moments in these final 16 matches this season, having scored 21 goals in 68 appearances for Wednesday, and he can ease the attacking burden on Josh Windass and Michael Smith.

Meanwhile, James and Hunt can also be important defensive players, with the former a great option at right wing-back and the latter playing at both centre-back and in a left-sided role this season.

Sky Sports reporter Rob Dorsett has said that Jordan Pickford is ‘close’ to agreeing a new contract at Everton, and paperwork is expected to be signed soon.

The Lowdown: Talks ‘deferred’

It was reported earlier this month that talks had ‘deferred’ over a new deal for the 28-year-old, given the uncertainty of the Toffees’ Premier League status.

They are currently just one point above the relegation zone, but have been encouraged by the fact that Sean Dyche has managed to win two of his three games in charge so far.

The Latest: Agreement ‘close’

Taking to Twitter, Dorsett has shared that Pickford is now ‘close’ to agreeing a new contract at Goodison Park, with the paperwork expected to be signed ‘within the next week’.

The Sky Sports reporter tweeted: “Jordan Pickford close to agreeing new contract at #efc – paperwork expected to be signed within the next week.

“Deal is a real show of faith from Pickford and a big boost to Dyche, with Everton still only a point outside the relegation places. Current deal expires summer 2024.”

Dyche confirmed that Pickford is close to signing a new contract when asked in his pre-game press conference ahead of their match at home to Aston Villa in the Premier League on Saturday afternoon, and so this seems like the deal will be announced sooner rather than later.

The Verdict: Huge boost for Everton

The reports that Pickford is committing his long-term future to Everton will come as a huge boost for Dyche and supporters.

Three of the so-called ‘big six’ in Chelsea, Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur have all been linked with a move for him in the summer, and it may have been difficult for him to turn them down, especially if the Toffees were to be relegated from the top flight.

Pickford has been such a key player in the Premier League once again this season, making the third-most saves (79) of all goalkeepers, while he also ranks third for punches made (13).

To put it simply, the Toffees would be in a far worse position if it were not for the England international, who is their third-most used player in 2022/23, so tying him down to a new deal would be massive.