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Liverpool are planning on offering Sadio Mane a new contract at Anfield after his starring role against Manchester City, according to a fresh rumour.

The Lowdown: Mane stars at Wembley

The Senegalese was arguably the Reds’ star player on Saturday, as they beat City 3-2 at Wembley to book a place in the FA Cup final.

Mane scored twice in the first half to help Liverpool race into a 3-0 lead, closing down Steffen for the first goal and volleying home the second just before the break.

It was arguably one of the 30-year-old’s best displays this season, with Klopp continuing to use him in a central attacking role.

The Latest: Key update emerges

Mane’s current Liverpool deal expires at the end of next season, and according to Football Insider, the club are willing to offer him a new contract.

It is stated that FSG aren’t willing to ‘break the bank’ with their offer but the hope is that he agrees to extend his stay at Anfield beyond 2023. The source in question claims that the forward wants to stay put with the Reds.

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The Verdict: No-brainer for Liverpool

While Mane may no longer be at the absolute peak of his powers, he is still one of the most formidable attacking in the Premier League and should remain that way for a few years to come.

He already has 18 goals to his name in 2021/22 – his 13 Premier League goals have already surpassed last season’s tally of 11 – and he has been hailed as ‘world-class’ by Klopp in the past.

It may be that Mane slowly becomes more of a squad player over time as he ages but keeping him instead of allowing his contract to tick down is an absolute no-brainer, given his ability.

In other news, one Liverpool player was annoyed with his own fans against City. Find out who it is here.

Many Liverpool supporters have been reacting to journalist Ekrem Konur claiming the Reds are eyeing up Karim Adeyemi in January.

Adeyemi, 19, currently plays for RB Salzburg in the Austrian Premier League and has impressed massively since bursting onto the scene, scoring 17 goals and assisting 17 in 61 outings for the club.

After scoring seven times last season in 29 league games, with Patson Daka scoring 27 times in 28 games, Adeyemi has really found his feet this campaign after his striker partner’s exit, with six goals in seven games in the Bundesliga as Salzburg have won all seven of their games.

After making his full Germany debut in September with a goal against Armenia, the starlet is apparently now a target for Jurgen Klopp’s side in January, with Konur, via Anything LFC, saying the clubs will hold talks during the winter window.

Adeyemi, who is rated £18million, has years ahead of him and if Liverpool pursues their interest, he will join his former teammate Daka in the Premier League following the latter’s move to Leicester City this summer.

Liverpool fans react to Adeyemi link

These Liverpool fans took to Twitter to react to the latest links with the Salzburg striker, as one supporter called it ‘great news’.

“Believe it when I see it”

Credit: @CaleBelieve

“Yes please”

Credit: @Bendyckes99

“Please get him”

Credit: @msuhail_17

“Make it quick.”

Credit: @MoShaban_

“yes, great news.”

Credit: @ksmitheey

“Why not hold the talks immediately? Why wait till January?”

Credit: @okekemezie1

In other news, Liverpool fans have hailed this midfielder’s performance in Wednesday night’s UCL win. Find out more here.

Shamrock Rovers manager Stephen Bradley has offered an update on Celtic target Liam Scales.

What’s the talk?

Shamrock Rovers boss Stephen Bradley has revealed that Celtic target Liam Scales now has a “decision to make” on his future and that he is expecting a transfer to go through ‘soon’.

He told the Independent:

“We’ve all spoken openly from the start. There’s his thinking and our thinking; both clubs have dealt with it really well.

“He’ll definitely be involved in the first one (Flora Tallinn first leg) and hopefully the second. I’m not sure where Liam’s end is at.

“Our stuff is tied up. I’d imagine with the window closing at the end of the month, it’s getting there. If not after Tallinn, it will definitely be soon.”

The Hoops have reportedly agreed a £600k deal with the Irish club, with Scales now poised to complete a move to Parkhead in the coming days/weeks.

Exciting times

This update could potentially excite Celtic fans hoping to see more activity in the transfer market from their side. Bradley’s comments indicate that an official announcement is not too far away for the centre-back, who will seemingly play his last game for Shamrock Rovers this week before heading down to finalise a switch to Scotland.

It is a difficult one to make judgements on in terms of whether or not he would be a good signing for Celtic, as the data available on his performances is minimal. However, the 23-year-old would arrive at the club with a fair bit of pedigree behind him, with six caps for Ireland’s under-21 side and appearances in the Champions League and Europa Conference League for Shamrock this season.

A review from the Irish Examiner explained how he could fit in at Celtic. They wrote: “He’s always been good on the ball. He’s a very brave player who will take the ball in dangerous areas of the pitch. His speed has improved, which is a crucial attribute to have in modern football, and he is more aware of potential danger.”

This suggests that, at the very least, he will be able to step out with the ball and progress Ange Postecoglou’s side further up the pitch. He could take on Kristoffer Ajer’s role in that sense, by driving with the ball in possession and allowing the Hoops to transition between defence and attack more effectively.

So, whilst it is hard for fans to be certain that he will be a success at Celtic, there are some promising signs on paper that he could be a shrewd addition to the squad. Therefore, the news that he could be closing in on a switch to Scotland could excite the optimists among us.

AND in other news, Alan Nixon drops new claim on “outstanding” £15m dynamo, Celtic fans will be buzzing…

Former Premier League star David Norris thinks that Mikel Arteta could lose his job if Arsenal are beaten by Norwich City this weekend.

The Gunners face a must-win clash against the Canaries already, after such a dismal start to the season.

The club have yet to score a Premier League goal and have lost all three of their fixtures, going down 2-0 to both Brentford and Chelsea, and being thumped 5-0 by Manchester City.

The results leave them rock-bottom of the Premier League table, while the Canaries are in a remarkably similar position.

They have also lost their opening three games, although they have scored, meaning they sit 19th, not 20th.

Norwich’s losses have come against Liverpool, City, and Leicester City, and Norris believes that Arteta will feel the pressure if they fail to beat the Canaries this weekend when the Premier League returns after the international break.

Speaking to Football FanCast, Norris said: “He’s under some severe pressure. They come back and play Norwich after the international break. He’s obviously got to be the huge favourite to go and that game could be pivotal.

“There’s just not even anything, where you think, ‘oh, just a few bad mistakes’ or just this. It’s a typical Arsenal team, of recent years, they’ve got nothing about them.

“You would have hoped that he would have changed it with him coming in and having a full pre-season and everything but they just look so far off it. If they don’t beat Norwich, he will be under severe pressure because nothing else is really surprising at the minute.”

The Athletic’s Phil Hay has confirmed that Leeds United defender Luke Ayling will require surgery ahead of the Whites’ Premier League clash against Watford on Saturday afternoon.

What’s the story?

The right-back had played the full 90 minutes in every single top-flight game this season for Marcelo Bielsa’s side before he was forced off in the closing stages of the 1-1 draw against Newcastle at St James’ Park a couple of weeks ago.

The 30-year-old then missed the subsequent clash at West Ham last time out, and Hay has now revealed that as well as missing today’s game against Watford, Ayling will require surgery to fix an issue in his knee.

Writing on Twitter, the journalist confirmed: “Ayling has a knee injury. That requires what Bielsa called “simple” surgery (a clean-out job, essentially).”

Fans will be gutted

Ayling has been a virtual ever-present for Leeds and arguably their Mr Reliable, having played the full 90 minutes in every single Premier League game last season bar one – and even that was when Bielsa decided to take him off him to try and find a goal in the last 20 minutes against ten-man Arsenal.

The versatile defender also wore the captain’s armband on 12 occasions last year, and his leadership at the back is something the Whites could really do with given the tough, winless start they have endured to begin this Premier League campaign.

Described as a “great technician” by former Arsenal academy team-mate Cedric Evina, Ayling’s absence from the Leeds side cannot be underestimated, with Bielsa saying after Leeds’ 3-0 victory over Aston Villa last October that the right-back “transmitted serenity to the rest of the team”.

He will once again be missed today, but the reports that he now requires surgery are sure to have both Bielsa and the club’s fans very worried about the amount of time he could miss and how many games he could be ruled out for amid this tricky run.

Meanwhile, Beren Cross has dropped a Leeds United transfer update…

Many Wolves fans have been left reacting to some comments made by Patrick Cutrone.

Speaking to Sky Italy (via Talking Wolves), the striker commented on his imminent loan move to Empoli in the Serie A:

“Happy to be back in Italy. I chose Empoli because it’s a great club and a great place to play football. I tell the fans that I am really fired up: I can’t wait to get to know you all, get on the pitch & tear things up.”

Some members of the Molineux faithful were left confused by him claiming that he will ‘tear things up’, given his troubled time at the Midlands club, in which he has only managed to score just a mere three goals in 28 games in total over all competitions across the last two seasons (Transfermarkt), and he has been shipped out on loan to both Fiorentina and Valencia respectively.

Nonetheless, Cutrone does not seem too enthusiastic to stay at the Wanderers judging by his latest comments, and so it may be a wise idea for them to move him on permanently after his loan spell ends.

Wolves fans on Cutrone comments

These WWFC supporters gave their reactions as the comments were shared on Twitter, with one even going as far as to claim that Cutrone is a ‘joker’:

“For a starters mate. Tear up your Wolves contract and everything will be sweet”

Credit: @charliewwfc_

“Couldn’t tear a piece of paper dafty”

Credit: @wwfcrhys

“Who does this guy think he is?”

Credit: @kyewazza

“When has he ever torn things up?”

Credit: @danielcmila

“Tear things up … Behave”

Credit: @trev291

“How many years has this joker got left on his contract?”

Credit: @silentbob1957

In other news, find out what transfer update has Wanderers fuming here!

Tottenham may be in the midst of a virus sweeping through their camp but that won’t stop Antonio Conte, Fabio Paratici and Daniel Levy from devising their blueprints ahead of the transfer window.

A host of names have been linked but it’s in the middle of the park where they could look to focus on.

Franck Kessie continues to be linked with Spurs and it’s hardly a surprise with Tanguy Ndombele’s future in doubt as usual.

On the chalkboard

Ndombele has been a constant source of frustration for many a Spurs manager now with several coaches wondering how on earth they can get the best out of him.

The Frenchman had a supposed falling out with Jose Mourinho and he came close to leaving the club as a result.

He has been an outside figure at the club ever since and despite his best attempts to be involved, a move away seems likely. A move to Juventus has been touted while it’s even been claimed that Antonio Conte is prepared to offload him after making a quick decision following his arrival in north London.

If Ndombele does seek pastures new, a replacement will be needed in central areas. One player they’ve been linked with is Lille dynamo Renato Sanches and he could be the ideal replacement in the middle of the park.

Spurs’ current club-record signing is very much known for towering above his opponents while making powerful surges forward. He combines that with technical elegance that makes him such a beautiful player to watch.

In Sanches, however, they’d find someone with all of those attributes but with the right mentality and commitment.

So far this season, the 24-year-old has registered 0.6 shots, 1.4 key passes and 2.8 dribbles per game, numbers that are certainly similar in some regard to Ndombele who has managed 1.3 shots, 0.4 key passes and 1.6 dribbles per match.

On that evidence, Sanches is the more creative but there are certain parallels in the way they carry possession forward.

Speaking to Football Insider last summer, Kevin Campbell was full of praise for the youngster, saying:

“The young man deserves a huge amount of credit for the way he has bounced back. It feels like he has been around for a decade but he is only 23. It is incredible.

“He has had to reinvent himself a bit but he is a fantastic player. He is strong, powerful and is a great ball carrier.”

Those quotes could quite easily describe Ndombele and so could words from TMW writer Antonio Tiziano Palmieri who once dubbed Sanches a “giant.”

If he arrives at Spurs this winter, he certainly has the ability to be an enormous presence and if he helps replace Ndombele in the process, the £27m-rated titan would be a marvellous pick up by Paratici and co.

AND in other news, “Tottenham are..” – Fabrizio Romano issues exciting transfer claim, fans surely elated…

Wolves are favourites to beat Tottenham to the signing of Sporting Lisbon midfielder Joao Palhinha this summer, according to transfer expert Dean Jones.

The Lowdown: Wolves linked with Palhinha move

The 26-year-old is one of Sporting’s most influential players, scoring three goals in 22 Primeira Liga appearances this season and being hailed as a ‘special’ player by his manager Ruben Amorim.

Palhinha has been linked with a summer move to Wolves as Bruno Lage looks to add more to his quality to his squad, ensuring that his side continue their current trajectory.

However, the midfielder’s current deal at Sporting expires in the summer of 2026, so a big fee may be required to prise him away given the cushion of that lengthy contract.

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The Latest: Jones makes fresh Palhinha claim

Speaking to GiveMeSport, Jones claimed that Wolves are the front-runners to snap up Palhinha ahead of fourth-placed Spurs. He claimed:

“Wolves are definitely in the hunt for people like that, and I think Tottenham were interested in Palhinha. But I would imagine that Wolves would probably have the jump on them for a player like that, to be honest.”

The Verdict: Neves replacement?

It looks increasingly likely that Ruben Neves could move on to a fresh challenge this summer, in which case it is imperative that a top-quality replacement comes in.

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Palhinha could be exactly that, possessing a similar standard of playmaking ability in the middle of the park, enjoying a 91.9% pass completion rate for Portugal at Euro 2020 last summer.

His Portuguese roots could also allow him to fit in seamlessly at Molineux and, at 26 with more than 200 club career appearances, he has a perfect mix of experience and still having many years left in him.

In other news, Tim Spiers has provided a double Wolves injury update. Read more here

A number of Liverpool fans have hit out at the first-half performance of Divock Origi on social media during Wednesday’s meeting with Preston North End. 

Jurgen Klopp rang the changes from the 5-0 Premier League win over Manchester United on the weekend, naming a completely different XI which included a senior debut for Harvey Blair and a full debut for Tyler Morton.

However, it was Origi’s display that had a number of supporters talking online, and not for the right reasons either. The 26-year-old was making his fifth appearance of the campaign, playing in a front three alongside Blair and Takumi Minamino.

Origi netted and provided an assist in the previous round against Norwich but struggled in the early stages at Deepdale. He’s played just two minutes of Premier League action this season and appeared rusty, hardly touching the ball and losing possession on six of his 12 touches. [Sofa Score]

Liverpool fans react

Here is what these Liverpool supporters had to say about the Belgian forward on Twitter, with one labelling him as ‘useless’.

“Origi is awful”

Credit: @Aran0123

“Origi is dreadful”

Credit: @FIairrr

“Origi disasterclass imagine my shock ”

Credit: @gotmergim

“Origi should not be here”

Credit: @_18Robbo92_

“This is why Klopp doesn’t use Origi when we need goals, he’s useless”

Credit: @J_wicks21

“Origi move your bum and make a run mate”

Credit: @vineetandtidy

In other news: ‘Could be the next Mo’ – These Liverpool fans erupt at ‘great’ transfer news. 

West Ham United may need to take on fresh loans to fund transfers if Daniel Kretinsky’s money continues to be tied up in Russia, further dealing a huge blow to the potential takeover of the east London club.

The Lowdown: Recent developments

Kreintsky acquired a 27% stake in the Irons for approximately £180m last November. This deal was completed with the intention of a full takeover in 2023, following the expiration of a windfall tax clause.

However, a West Ham source has now informed Football Insider that sanctions on Russian business has meant that the Czech businessman is unable to access vast amounts of his money. As a result, the Hammers’ summer transfer plans are now in jeopardy.

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The Latest: Maguire’s claim…

Football finance guru Kieran Maguire has suggested that Kretinsky could use private loans as a temporary measure to fund any transfer activity this summer.

Speaking with Football Insider, he claimed: “The aim of West Ham’s owners historically is that they’ve been relatively self-sufficient in the transfer market.

“If Kretinsky was planning to put on the afterburners in the transfer market, this could delay things a bit.

“But 2023-24 is still a few transfer windows away and the geopolitical situation will likely have changed by then. Instead of increasing equity investment, the money is likely to come from loans.

“Individual investors can still spend as much as they choose, but it would come into the club through debt.”

The Verdict: Could be a big blow

If Kreintsky is reluctant to take on new loans to fund his stake in the club, this could prove to be a huge blow for everyone involved with the Hammers.

West Ham posted a pre-tax loss of £26.9m in their last set of accounts, so further financial burden will not reckon well with the Premier League.

Whilst transfers may be affected more imminently, the long-term proposition of a full club takeover could now be in jeopardy. Therefore, West Ham must do all that they can to sort out the situation as soon as feasibly possible.

In other news: Roshane Thomas shares his concern with one West Ham player’s form