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West Bromwich Albion have been handed a setback in their bid to bring Trevoh Chalobah to The Hawthorns this summer.

What’s the talk?

That’s according to a report by The Athletic, who claim that, while the chances of Valerien Ismael getting a deal over the line for the Chelsea defensive midfielder this summer at not quite dead in the water, they are severely receding.

This is likely down to the fact that newly-promoted Premier League side Brentford have been credited with an interest in the 22-year-old, as have a number of top-flight and European teams.

Ismael surely fuming

Considering how few options Ismael currently has in the middle of the park at West Brom, as well as the fact it previously appeared as if the Baggies were close to securing a deal for Chalobah this summer, the fact that the Chelsea midfielder now appears to be slipping out of the club’s grasp is sure to have left the Frenchman furious.

And, having highly impressed during his loan spell at FC Lorient last season, the 22-year-old would appear to have been a fantastic addition to the Albion midfield ahead of next season, particularly as it had been reported Thomas Tuchel’s side are willing to let the former England U21 international leave for nothing.

Indeed, over his 29 Ligue 1 appearances for Christophe Pelissier’s side last term, the £12k-per-week midfielder made an average of 2.4 interceptions, 1.6 tackles, 1.9 clearances and won 5.2 duels per game.

The man Paul Lambert dubbed a “complete” player also impressed going forwards, scoring two goals, providing two assists and creating one big chance for his teammates, as well as taking an average of 0.5 shots and making 0.3 key passes per fixture.

These returns saw the £3.15m-rated man earn an average SofaScore match rating of 6.87, ranking him as Lorient’s joint fourth-best performer in the top flight of French football, playing a key role in his side securing survival in the division.

As such, it is clear that Chalobah would have indeed made a fine addition to Ismael’s options in central midfield, however, unless something drastically changes in the coming days, it seems the 22-year-old will not be playing his football at The Hawthorns next season.

In other news: Ismael facing West Brom nightmare as Madeley makes worrying transfer claim

Everton officially sacked Rafa Benitez after just six months in charge at Goodison Park, and the race for finding the sixth manager in six years begins with many names already being thrown into contention, but one favourite for the job has reportedly already ruled himself out.

What’s the word?

Brighton and Hove Albion manager, Graham Potter, was named as one of the potential options on the shortlist for the Everton job yesterday, but Sky Sports have now reported that he “isn’t currently interested” in the job.

Reporting live last night, they revealed:

“Sky Sports News understands Graham Potter, one of the names being linked with the job, is very happy at Brighton and isn’t currently interested in talking to Everton about their managerial vacancy.”

The Toffees are on the hunt for the successor of Benitez, with many names including Wayne Rooney, Frank Lampard and Roberto Martinez being reported by Sky yesterday, however, no official talks or offers have been made as of yet.

Everton sacked Benitez after his tenth defeat in charge of the side, in an embarrassing performance against relegation battling Norwich City, who took all three points from the Toffees with a 2-1 win at Carrow Road.

Fans surely gutted

After a nightmare season so far, Everton fans will be relieved that Benitez has been sacked, but will also be concerned about the manager that succeeds him as many big changes clearly need to be changed, and an instant impact is integral in saving the Toffees season.

Fans will surely be gutted that Potter has ruled himself out of the job, as he became a talking point on social media last night, with many fans making him their number one choice. One supporter tweeted:

“Was always a strange decision to hire Benitez in the first place, Everton seem to get it wrong time and time again. Next one has to stick. Graham Potter would be my choice in the summer. Big Dunc in until the end of the year.”

There was no doubt that Potter would be linked after making impressive strides at Brighton, with only  Liverpool, Man City and Chelsea losing fewer Premier League games than the south coast side, with the manager leading them to six wins, ten draws and only four losses.

His attacking and progressive philosophy, meanwhile, will have surely been of interest to Farhad Moshiri but he will already have to consider other targets. They must regret not targeting the former Ostersunds boss more seriously last summer.

Everton will now continue in their search and simply have to appoint somebody as soon as possible to guide the club out of their current demise, sitting 16th in the Premier League only six points off the relegation zone.

In other news: Moshiri must axe Michael Keane after Benitez sacking

As per West Ham United insider Claret & Hugh, coming after the club’s historic 3-0 victory at Lyon in their Europa League quarter-final second leg, things just get better and better as they share a ‘£30 million’ update.

The Lowdown: Hammers make history…

David Moyes’ side made history on Thursday night by impressively cruising past Lyon into the Europa League semi-finals – where they will take on Bundesliga side Eintracht Frankfurt.

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Goals from Craig Dawson, Declan Rice and Jarrod Bowen sealed a brilliant win for the Hammers who have made history with their run in Europe so far.

Off the field, this could pay dividends for West Ham and club owners GSB, with C&H sharing the latest financial developments after mid-week.

The Latest: C&H make ‘£30m’ claim…

According to their information, the club have been gifted a major windfall as West Ham’s finances ‘grow and grow’.

They claim, when adding up the competition’s prize money, London Stadium ticket sales and TV revenue, the Irons have earned ‘over £30m so far’ due to their run in the Europa League.

The Verdict: Major boost…

It is unclear whether this money, or even a portion of it, will be allocated to Moyes and head of recruitment Rob Newman’s transfer kitty, but this £30 million boost comes as a fantastic side-effect of West Ham’s dream semi-final push.

If they can get past Frankfurt, or even go on to win the Europa League, it would represent a seismic achievement for West Ham and surely cement Moyes as one of the club’s greatest ever figures.

Standing to make even more if West Ham go further, this is a very exciting time both on and off the field for supporters.

In other news: Sky Sports: Moyes eyeing new West Ham target in £21.6m-rated star who’s set to leave! Find out more here.

Everton could form a formidable attacking duo after they were linked with a move for Real Madrid forward Eden Hazard as the January transfer window fast approaches.

What’s the story?

According to The Express (who cite The Mirror), Los Blancos have given up hope of extracting the 30-year-old’s best form and now prepared to part ways with their £88 million signing.

The report states that Madrid have slapped a mere £21m price tag on Hazard, attracting interest from the Toffees and fellow Premier League outfit West Ham United as a result.

Imagine him & Dominic Calvert-Lewin

Enticing Hazard back to English football would be a significant coup for Everton, and the diminutive dynamo could create a deadly partnership with star striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin.

During his time at former club Chelsea and for his national team, the Belgium international has often prospered when playing alongside a more traditional centre-forward.

The likes of Diego Costa, Romelu Lukaku and Olivier Giroud have all enjoyed lining up in the same side as Hazard, and the creative talent could certainly have a similar fruitful time with Calvert-Lewin.

Over the last two-and-a-half years, the 6 foot 2 gem has elevated his game to new heights, scoring 39 goals in 83 appearances for the Merseyside outfit, highlighting his potential to become an elite-level striker.

And Calvert-Lewin would also complement Hazard’s more relaxed approach to the game. While the Englishman is renowned for his hard work, the Madrid ace is known for a more laissez-faire attitude, as John Obi Mikel pointed out.

“He didn’t like to train hard. While we were working he was waiting for us to finish training just standing there. But on Sundays, he was always Man of the Match, it was unbelievable,” the retired midfielder revealed to BeIN Sport.

“Hazard has an incredible talent, maybe not as good as (Lionel) Messi, but he can do whatever he wants with the ball at his feet.”

Therefore, Everton’s hierarchy must swoop for Hazard over the coming months, putting him out of his Santiago Bernabeu nightmare and potentially reviving his career.

And, in other news…Journalist provides big Lucas Digne update after Everton absence, fans surely fuming 

Everton have now been gifted a big injury boost before they play Leicester City at home in the Premier League on Wednesday night.

The Lowdown: Missing in action

Yerry Mina has not played at Goodison Park since February, and since then, they have lost six games in the Premier League and have been knocked out of the FA Cup (Transfermarkt).

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They have clearly missed the colossal Colombia international, and Frank Lampard will want him back and available as soon as possible.

The Latest: Back in training

Taking to Twitter, the Merseyside club have now posted a video of some of the players walking onto the training ground at Finch Farm, including Mina.

They revealed that the Colombia international is now ‘back in training’, but did not confirm whether he would be available against Leicester.

The Verdict: Big boost

Of course, having Mina back in training after so long out is a big boost for Lampard and the Toffees.

His presence is key for the backline, as he has ranked highly among his teammates in terms of average aerial duels won, clearances and blocks made per match in the top flight so far this season (WhoScored).

Nonetheless, Mina will be hungry to get back into action, and will want to help his team get the results needed in order to avoid relegation down to the Championship.

In other news, find out who is now in talks over a new deal at the Blues here!

Jota would face a ‘big challenge’ in Tom Rogic’s position but watching him there could be ‘exciting’ for Celtic supporters, according to The Athletic’s Kieran Devlin.

The lowdown

Rogic faces at least two weeks on the sidelines after he was forced off with a hamstring injury in Celtic’s midweek victory over Hibernian (via The Daily Record).

It’s certainly a blow for Ange Postecoglou given that his compatriot has featured in every Scottish Premiership game so far.

SL Benfica loanee Jota has predominantly been used as a left winger in Postecoglou’s 4-3-3 since arriving at Celtic Park.

But Postecoglou suggested in his pre-match press conference ahead of Celtic’s clash with Livingston that the Portuguese ‘has the capabilities’ to slot into the midfield three in Rogic’s place, and Devlin has now also hinted at that ‘interesting’ change.

The latest

In The Athletic’s matchday discussion, Devlin admitted Postecoglou’s comments caught him by surprise, but that Jota could find joy ‘driving at defences’.

“Yeah it’s an interesting possibility, certainly an option I hadn’t considered before his comments,” he wrote.

“It’d be a big challenge for his defensive recovery, but it’d be exciting seeing him picking the ball up in the middle and driving at defences, and the space that might open up.”

The verdict

There’s also a possibility Callum McGregor shifts into Rogic’s position, with Postecoglou noting that he has played there before.

That would probably be the lower-risk, more sensible move given that, according to Transfermarkt, Jota has only been deployed centrally 14 times in his career, and even then it was a second striker or a centre forward.

You don’t want to spurn the chance to go above Rangers, for 24 hours at least, by upsetting the balance of the team, so we feel Jota should remain on the flank.

In other news, Kevin Campbell reacts to this Celtic transfer link. 

The Birmingham Mail’s Ashley Preece has revealed a major injury boost for Aston Villa ahead of their Premier League game against Arsenal on Friday night.

What’s the story?

Dean Smith’s side slipped to an agonising late defeat against Wolves in the top-flight at the weekend, with Matty Cash one of the absentees from the match-day squad.

But now, during a Q&A for The Birmingham Mail, Preece has confirmed that the full-back should be all fine for the clash away at the Emirates later this week.

He said: “As someone has mentioned, expect Matty Cash to shake off a dead leg for Arsenal on Friday. Sanson back on the bench vs Wolves was a positive. It’s just Leon Bailey now with an update expected on Thursday via Smith’s presser.”

Dean Smith will be delighted

Speaking last season, former Premier League striker Kevin Phillips dubbed Cash as “sensational”, while adding: “Cash has come in and he has been flawless. He has taken to the club like a duck to water. You have to give credit to the player and the recruitment department. They have obviously done their homework. He has been one of their shining lights this season.”

Just a couple of weeks ago against Everton, the right-back finally got his first goal for the club, netting a thunderous strike off his weaker left foot in the 3-0 victory the Toffees at Villa Park.

The fact that he’s now being touted with an international call-up with Poland ahead of next year’s World Cup is a real statement on just how high his stock has risen, and full credit must be given to both him and Smith.

With Villa slipping to a disappointing defeat against Wolves, bouncing back with a positive result against Arsenal will be key, and Cash’s return is sure to have Smith buzzing.

Meanwhile, Aston Villa could have their own Raheem Sterling in this academy starlet…

An update has emerged on Bristol City defender Taylor Moore, regarding Portsmouth’s interest in his services.

What’s the talk?

According to Football Insider, Portsmouth are eyeing up a deal to sign Taylor Moore on loan from Championship side Bristol City.

The report claims that Pompey, Wigan and Hearts are all showing an interest in the 24-year-old defender, who the Robins are willing to loan out.

Fans would love him

Portsmouth head coach Danny Cowley must sanction a deal for Moore before the end of the window. He could be an excellent addition to the squad and one who fans would love as he would arrive with bags of experience at higher levels, whilst still having the potential to improve.

In terms of his playing career to date, he has already played competitive games in Ligue 1, Ligue 2 and the Championship, whilst also having played in League One and League Two. He began his career in France with RC Lens, playing four games in Ligue 1 as a teenager – an exceptional learning curve for a young defender playing top-flight football.

Moore played on loan for Southend, Blackpool and Bury in League One, making 61 appearances in the third tier of English football. This shows that he knows what it takes to perform at Portsmouth’s level, along with the experience he has in the division above them – the Championship.

Last season, the defender averaged a SofaScore rating of 6.60 in 22 appearances in the second tier. He won 52% of his duels and made 1.4 interceptions per game for the Robins. This suggests that he has the quality to put in competent performances in the Championship whilst not having the ability – at present – to be a standout, indicating that he could excel by dropping down to League One.

Former Bristol City head coach Dean Holden hailed him as a leader in 2020 after the defender put pen to paper on a new contract at Ashton Gate. He said:

“Taylor is really stepping forward to establish himself in the first team as a player and a leader. He’s had a great start to the season and I’m pleased that he has secured a contract that will keep him here for the next few years.”

This shows that the Championship side have faith that the £2.6k-per-week beast will develop into a viable option for them in the future, with him displaying plenty of positive signs already in his young career. At the age of 24, he still has plenty of years left to continue his progress, with his next step potentially being a short-term move to Fratton Park.

Pompey fans would love to have him at the club as he has the requisite experience and quality to thrive in League One. If he can come in and hit the ground running then he could become a fan favourite at centre-back, but Cowley needs to work hard to get this deal over the line first-and-foremost.

AND in other news, Cowley must sanction deal for 20y/o gem, Portsmouth fans would be delighted…

Crystal Palace are interested in ending Nicolas Pepe’s nightmare spell at Arsenal in January, with the Gunners interested in selling.

What’s the talk?

Pepe joined the north London side in a club-record £72m deal in the summer of 2019, signing a five-year contract with the side after an excellent season with Lille in Ligue 1 the previous year where he scored 23 goals and got 12 assists in 41 games. But after just 25 goals in 98 appearances for the club Pepe has fallen down the pecking order under Mikel Arteta at the Emirates Stadium.

The 26-year-old Ivory Coast international hasn’t featured since being given five minutes against Leicester at the end of October, with Eddie Nketiah getting the call from the substitutes bench in recent games ahead of him.

Palace were linked with a move for Pepe on loan with the option to buy, and it’s believed that the Gunners would be open to such a deal to free up space and cash in their squad for a player who is out of favour and currently valued at just £31.5m.

Vieira’s Gunners links

Eagles boss Patrick Vieira is an Arsenal legend, captaining the side through their “Invincibles” season and playing 406 times for the Gunners. With his good relationship with the club, it’s very possible that they will have an advantage in any race for the Ivorian winger.

The move would allow him to stay in London, while his international teammate Wilfried Zaha is widely regarded as a top player at Selhurst Park.

With Vieira opting for a 4-3-3 formation for much of this season, Pepe’s arrival on the right wing can allow him to get back to his best which was described by former coach Freddie Ljungberg as “lethal”.

He has great pace and his ability to beat players one-on-one is very good, it’s just the end product that has suffered since moving to England so playing for a team with more space to attack and less expectation could be exactly what he needs.

As Palace continue to struggle in front of goal, scoring just 19 goals in 15 games so far in the Premier League, an attacker with top-level experience is something that they probably shouldn’t shy away from. He will have a point to prove to English football fans and under Vieira could find his best form once again.

Despite a lack of goals, there has been a revolution ensuing under the guidance of Vieira who has engineered wins over both Manchester City and Spurs this term. Adding Pepe, a man who once scored 23 in one season for Lille, would not only continue that revolution but get them into a higher gear, laying a platform for more goals and consequently, more points.

AND in other news, Palace must win race for Sven Botman.

As per L’Equipe (via Sport Witness), West Ham manager David Moyes may have just been handed a transfer boost as the club eye Bayern Munich midfielder Corentin Tolisso.

The Lowdown: West Ham in signing hurry…

The summer transfer window deadline closes on August 31 and West Ham have confirmed just one major summer signing so far, with Paris-Saint German keeper Alphonse Areola joining on a season-long loan.

West Ham have had no shortage of links to players, however, with Bayern ace Tolisso emerging as a target for the Hammers in recent days despite no concrete offer just yet.

However, L’Equipe bring some news in what could be a boost for Moyes.

The Latest: Bayern slash Tolisso price…

The reliable French news source backs West Ham’s interest in the 27-year-old whilst also claiming that Bayern are willing to offload for quite a reasonable fee.

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Tolisso, who has won the Champions League at club level and World Cup with France, could now leave the Allianz Arena for as little as €10 million (£8.4m).

L’Equipe say that the Bundesliga giants will sanction his sale for an offer around that figure as they try to sell ‘as quickly as possible’ before the summer transfer window deadline.

West Ham, Juventus, Arsenal and Manchester United all like the player as Bayern seek to offload.

The Verdict: Priority for Moyes?

Tolisso, despite possessing plenty of experience at the top level and being called ‘very strong’ by Hansi Flick, shouldn’t be a priority for Moyes despite this boost on the price tag.

The centre-midfielder has a tendency to be sidelined often, missing 23 games for Bayern Munich in total last season (Transfermarkt), not to mention his position is already well stacked by Mark Noble, Declan Rice, Tomas Soucek and Manuel Lanzini in a makeshift deeper role.

However, if West Ham want to add a bit more quality to that position, Tolisso is arguably ripe for the picking for such a meagre £8.4m tag.

In other news: West Ham weigh swoop to sign ‘world class’ striker, club prepared to sell…find out more here.