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Blackburn Rovers have struggled for consistency in the Championship so far this season. Jon Dahl Tomasson's side sit 10th and three points adrift of the play-off places in arguably the most highly-contested division in English football, where the January transfer window could make all the difference.

After missing out on the chance to reach Wembley last season due to goal difference against Sunderland and former manager Tony Mowbray, Blackburn may well look towards the winter window as an ideal opportunity to avoid a repeat of the heartbreak they suffered in the last campaign. With that said, reports suggest that Rovers are weighing up a move to sign a promising young forward who has so far enjoyed an impressive campaign in League Two.

Blackburn transfer news

During the summer transfer window, Rovers spent less than £1m on additions, with Leopold Wahlstedt the only player coming in for a fee, whilst others such as Sondre Tronstad and Niall Ennis came in on free deals in what was a shrewd window from those at Ewood Park. Given that they spent so little during the summer, the North West side could have the chance to splash the cash in January to welcome a striker who knows exactly where the back of the net is.

According to TeamTalk, Blackburn are weighing up a move to sign Ali Al-Hamadi from AFC Wimbledon in January. The forward has also reportedly attracted the interest of Derby County, Sunderland and Leeds United, as the race for his signature continues to heat up.

One downside to any deal for Al-Hamadi is his international commitments, with the Asia Cup scheduled to take place from January to February of next year. This means that the Iraq international could miss a number of games, whether that be for Wimbledon or another club.

"Great" Al-Hamadi could step up to the Championship

It's no surprise that Al-Hamadi has attracted such interest, given the start he's made to the season. The 21-year-old has scored five goals and assisted a further five in all competitions for Wimbledon so far this season. At such a young age, a big move is only likely to result in further improvement too, potentially making Blackburn an ideal location.

Al-Hamadi has earned plenty of praise so far this season, including from Wimbledon manager Johnnie Jackson, who told the club's official website back in September: "I’ve heard the way that he talks, he always says that he’s built differently and I believe that. I don’t think he’s been affected at all by not scoring the goals.

"He’s playing so well for the team, he’s causing headaches for everyone he plays against, it was only a matter of time before he scored. The goal was all his own doing really, he’s been nice and positive, it was a great finish on his left foot. Someone that good will always turn it around, he’s never panicked, he’s kept doing what he does, he’s been a menace for the opposition and today he’s got his goal, we’re really pleased for him."

Liverpool need to keep hold of their best players moving forward, as well as making new signings, but a key update has emerged over the future of Mohamed Salah.

Salah's Liverpool future

Jurgen Klopp's side have made an exciting start to the new Premier League season, sitting just three points behind current leaders Tottenham, and producing some excellent performances along the way. The summer rebuild in midfield has seemingly transformed Liverpool as a team, bringing younger legs and even more technical quality to the side, getting the best out of those around them.

Someone who is once again having a strong campaign is Salah, who continues to strengthen his case for being one of the very best players in the Reds' history, being hailed as "world-class" by Klopp recently. The Egyptian King has been in blistering form of late, but in the summer, there were concerns about him leaving, and Liverpool rejected a £150m offer for Salah from Al-Ittihad. It seems that interest from Saudi Arabia may not go away, so owners FSG could need to brace themselves for more big bids in the coming months.

Salah transfer update

According to a fresh claim from Football Insider reporter Wayne Veysey, however, Liverpool have no intention of selling Salah in the January transfer window, regardless of any offer that comes the club's way from Saudi Pro League clubs:

"Liverpool will not sell star man Mohamed Salah in January whatever offers comes for him from the Saudi Pro League, sources have told Football Insider. It is believed the Reds’ owners will place a “not for sale” sign at Anfield when Saudi clubs come calling for the Egyptian 31-year-old.

However, it is believed Liverpool have no intention of accepting a winter window offer for Salah – even if he pushes for a move."

It would make no sense whatsoever for Liverpool to sell Salah midway through the season, and the player himself surely wouldn't want to leave then, considering what an exciting team Klopp has created this season and the fact that a Premier League title challenge looks on the cards.

It may be that the 31-year-old decides to leave Anfield at the end of the current campaign, at which point he will only have one year remaining on his contract and he could like the idea of a Saudi, but the hope is that he stays with the Reds for longer.

Salah's statistics highlight why he remains Liverpool's best and most consistent attacking player, with eight goals and four assists coming his way in 10 Premier League appearances this season, and if the Reds are to have a chance of going all the way in the league, they need their legendary wide man to remain at his top level between now and May.

Paul Mullin is the leading goalscorer in English football for 2024, with the prolific Wrexham striker keeping USMNT star Josh Sargent from top spot.

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• Red Dragons star in fine form
• Norwich star enjoying purple patch
• Leading the way for league goals this year

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  WHAT HAPPENED?

  Mullin, who has been a revelation for Hollywood co-owners Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney at SToK Racecourse, has become a centurion for the Red Dragons this season – with 100 goals for the club recorded in just 136 appearances.

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• THE BIGGER PICTURE

  Mullin has been in fine form of late, earning him the League Two Player of the Month award for March, and nobody in the EFL or Premier League has been able to keep pace with him since the turn of the calendar year – with the 29-year-old finding the target on 13 occasions.

• DID YOU KNOW?

  United States international Sargent, who has hit his own purple patch at Championship play-off chasers Norwich, is the closest challenger to Mullin after registering 12 efforts in 2024. Ellis Simms of Coventry and Mark Harris of free-scoring League One outfit Oxford are the only other men to have reached double figures.

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• WHAT NEXT?

  England internationals such as Phil Foden and Ollie Watkins of Manchester City and Aston Villa respectively have nine efforts to their name this year, but they are trailing in the wake of Wrexham hot-shot Mullin as he looks to fire the Welsh outfit to back-to-back promotions.

Cole Palmer says his argument with his team-mates over a second-half penalty was "over the top" after beating Everton 6-0.

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• Chelsea smash six past Everton
• Palmer stars with four goals
• But clashed with his team-mates over penalty

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  Palmer put in a stunning performance against Everton, scoring four times in a 6-0 victory for the Blues at Stamford Bridge. His fourth goal came from the penalty spot after an argument with his Chelsea team-mates. Palmer eventually prevailed and took the kick but it was a poor moment from the players on an otherwise superb night for Mauricio Pochettino's side.

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  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  Palmer's comments suggest that Pochettino was quick to discuss the issue with his players after the game and nominate a designated penalty taker. Pochettino will surely have made it clear that Palmer is the team's first choice as he has been the standout player for the Blues this season and has now joined Erling Haaland at the top of the Premier League goalscoring charts with 20 goals.

• WHAT PALMER SAID

  He told Sky Sports: "Other players wanted to take it which was understandable, the game was 4-0. But I’m the penalty taker and I wanted to take it so I took it. But I think we are just trying to show that everyone wants to take responsibility and stuff like that. Maybe it was a bit of an over the top the argument, but everyone wants to win and help. But it was nothing major and we were laughing and joking about it. But the gaffer has told us now."

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• DID YOU KNOW?

  Palmer has converted all nine penalties he has taken in the Premier League with only Yaya Touré (11/11) posting a better 100% conversion rate from the spot in the competition's history.

Everton could well be looking at the higher reaches of the division instead of just focusing on keeping their heads above water in a relegation battle this season, a 3-2 win away at Crystal Palace last time out means the Toffees are now only six points off seventh spot in the league currently occupied by Eddie Howe's Newcastle United.

Midfielders such as Abdoulaye Doucoure have been crucial to Everton's recent success on the pitch, scoring again versus the Eagles to take his overall season tally to four goals in the top-flight – this strike meaning he's now level with Dominic Calvert-Lewin in the top scorer rankings for Sean Dyche's men.

Jack Harrison and Dwight McNeil haven't quite reached Doucoure's heights however from down the left and right wing – the Leeds United loanee notching up a goal and three assists for the Blues since joining, whilst the former Burnley man has only contributed to two goals this season.

Whereas, former Everton youngster Nathan Broadhead is excelling down the flanks for Kieran McKenna's Ipswich Town since relocating to Suffolk permanently in January from Merseyside.

It's left Everton with feelings of regret that they let Broadhead depart, a talented attacker on the books at Goodison Park for many years never quite blossoming into a regular first-team talent.

Broadhead's time at Everton

Broadhead would gain a notable reputation as a prolific goalscorer with the Everton U21s, scoring 17 goals in total at Premier League 2 level over 54 appearances.

Yet, first-team minutes for Broadhead continued to be limited – the attacker only ever making two appearances for the senior side, before a £1.5m move to Ipswich would come calling.

The now 25-year-old would mature and develop in the men's game when loaned away from Merseyside, learning the ropes in the competitive divisions that make up the EFL ladder – playing in League One for Burton Albion and Sunderland in short-term stints, whilst Broadhead succeeded too with Wigan Athletic in the step above.

The current Tractor Boys man would end his 15-year-stay with Everton early this year, a move that has seen Broadhead never look back and wonder what could've been with the 25-year-old exceptional more times than not for McKenna's men.

Broadhead's numbers for Ipswich

The Welsh winger has torn the Championship apart this campaign for his new Suffolk-based club, the collective at Ipswich still capitalising on the high of promotion back to the second tier with McKenna's overperformers 2nd currently in the Championship.

Netting eight goals and six assists from 19 appearances in League One after joining in January, Broadhead has made the step up in quality required look easy as has his teammates.

The attackers at Ipswich are playing a pivotal role in the club continually picking up huge victories – the likes of Conor Chaplin and George Hirst creative players but also clinical goalscorers, the forwards sharing the goal load out.

Broadhead has six goals and one assist in league action with the Tractor Boys, blowing Jack Harrison and Dwight McNeil out of the water with his individual numbers.

The young forward will hope he's a Premier League player soon for Ipswich Town if McKenna's men can continue their current vein of form over the 46-game campaign, winning promotion to then face off against boyhood club Everton to potentially turn over his former employers.

Lionesses star Lauren Hemp has signed a new three-year deal with Manchester City, putting speculation of a Barcelona move to an end.

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• Hemp signs new Man City deal to 2027
• England star was out of contract this summer
• Explains decision to stay despite Barca rumours

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  Hemp was out of contract at the end of the current season and rumours had been swirling of interest from the European champions, who can already count England pair Keira Walsh and Lucy Bronze among their ranks and look set to sign Ellie Roebuck from Man City in a few weeks' time, too.

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  However, just a day after speaking about focusing on City's Women's Super League title race rather than her future, Hemp has put an end to all of the rumours by signing a new deal in Manchester until 2027.

• WHAT HEMP SAID

  Upon the announcement, Hemp said: “This is a special team. I want to take my game to the next level and I feel like I’m capable of doing that here. The WSL is the best league to be in. I feel at home here in Manchester. With the squad we have here, we are always learning and it’s so special to be involved at a club where we’re capable of achieving anything. I’m so passionate about this club and there’s no place I’d rather be. I’m very excited to keep this journey going for the next few years.”

  Head coach Gareth Taylor added: “Lauren is an outstanding player and I’m looking forward to continuing the journey we started together four years ago. The growth she has shown has been incredible and we know that she will continue to bring great things to the team for the next three years. There’s so much more to come and we’re really pleased that Lauren has extended her stay with the club.”

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• DID YOU KNOW?

  Hemp has scored nine goals and provided six assists in City's charge for the WSL title this season, standing out as one of the team's best players as they aim to end an eight-year wait to win the league again.

Leeds United are showing some promising form in the Championship and now look ready to open their transfer chequebook in January after identifying a talented young target, according to a new report.

Leeds United cast eye to festive period…

Much goes on during the festive period in football, with a congested fixture period usually on the cards for those concerned, alongside the reality of the January transfer window drawing ever closer to opening for business. Leeds are no different in this sense and will have to factor both of these upcoming events into consideration in the next few weeks as Daniel Farke continues to do a sterling job at Elland Road.

So far, the Whites have given a good account of themselves all told, claiming 31 points from their opening 16 fixtures in the English second-tier ahead of their trip to face Rotherham United on Friday evening. Nevertheless, Farke doesn't believe that his side will feel added pressure to cut the gap on Ipswich Town to five points at the AESSEAL Stadium, as journalist Phil Hay described his response to the notion, stating on social media platform X:

"Farke doesn't think the chance to put pressure on Leicester/Ipswich with an early game is significant. Says that in his view, the last five or six games of the season are where you get scenarios where you have to hold your nerve. #lufc."

Casting an eye to the January transfer window, Leeds are keen on Cape Town Spurs striker Luke Baartman; however, they will face competition from other English clubs and Scottish Premiership champions Celtic to sign the 17-year-old. Now, a fresh report has emerged detailing that Farke has a promising young defender on his radar as the Yorkshire outfit start to make inroads concerning their New Year transfer plans.

Leeds United want Sam Curtis

According to 90min, Leeds, and by extension the 49ers Enterprises, appear to be in the market for a new full-back and have identified St Patrick's Athletic youngster Sam Curtis as a target.

Nevertheless, competition to sign the Republic of Ireland Under-21 international is vast and Manchester United, Liverpool, Manchester City, Tottenham Hotspur, Middlesbrough, Hull City and Celtic are all keen to swoop for the right-back, who is expected to leave his homeland in the Irish off-season.

Tom Grivosti, who is a teammate of Curtis in Dublin, afforded the 17-year-old high praise earlier this year in an interview, as he stated when asked about his abilities:

"For a young kid I’ve never seen anything like it. He’s unbelievable. Even in his general play he is getting better all the time."

In years gone by, Leeds have had a number of Irish players who have gone on to feature for the club, including the likes of Gary Kelly, Robbie Keane, Ian Harte and Aidy White, among others. Now, the Whites could be set to once again tap into the Emerald Isle's talent pool in a move that could potentially secure a star of the future at Elland Road, with the club not afraid to hand youngsters first-team opportunities, as seen with Archie Gray this season.

Unai Emery's hopes of reaching another European final hang by a thread after his side's 4-2 defeat at Villa Park.

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• Horror show from Douglas Luiz
• Watkins and Diaby grab goals
• Second leg in Piraeus next Thursday

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  Villa’s first appearance in the final four of a continental competition since 1982 could not have got off to a worse start as they fell 2-0 behind in the opening half hour.

  Two goals from Ayoub El Kaabi temporarily silenced Villa Park but Ollie Watkins managed to halve the deficit just before the half-time break, the English striker finishing a fine Villa move after being teed up by Moussa Diaby.

  The chaos continued at the start of the second half as Diaby equalised from a tight angle before El Kaabi bagged his hat-trick goal from the penalty spot following a handball from Douglas Luiz. Olympiacos then restored their two-goal advantage in the 67th minute when Santiago Hezze’s long-range effort flew past Olsen via a deflection off Ezri Konsa.

  Luiz compounded his side’s miserable evening by failing to convert from the spot late on after Jhon Duran had been upended in the box.

  The other Conference League semi-final first leg saw Fiorentina claim a precious 3-2 home win over Club Brugge in another high-scoring affair.

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  THE MVP

  El Kaabi’s three-goal showing was that of a top-quality frontman, with Villa’s back-line simply unable to contain his shrewd movement and calmness in the final third. It is no surprise he boasts 18 goals in the Greek Super League this season, with his Villa Park brace taking him to eight from 11 in the Conference League. A very underrated striker in the grand scheme of things.

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  THE BIG LOSER

  Villa’s defence was sub-par throughout but it was Luiz who endured the most torrid evening in claret and blue. The usually dependable midfielder was below his best in the middle and was guilty of the handball that gifted El Kaabi the chance to score from the spot. To make matters worse, the Brazilian failed to hit the target with a penalty of his own, the effort crashing off the post and leaving the Villans with a mountain to climb in Greece.

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• WHAT COMES NEXT?

  Before next week’s second leg in Piraeus, Villa will aim to keep their Premier League top-four finish firmly on track as they travel to Brighton on Sunday. A potentially tough fixture against Roberto De Zerbi’s side is made all the more difficult by the fact Olympiacos have a full week of rest with no domestic fixture scheduled. As such, rotation will surely be at the forefront of Emery’s mind.

Tottenham Hotspur are happy to sanction the sale of a central player despite the injury to Rodrigo Bentancur, according to a fresh report.

Bentancur set for spell on the sidelines

During the Premier League 2-1 defeat to Aston Villa last weekend, Bentancur sustained a serious ankle ligament injury, and whilst his diagnosis was unknown at the time, there has since been some devastating news regarding his fitness and road to recovery.

The Lilywhites star will try to rectify his problem and as a result won’t be available for selection again until February at the very earliest, but regardless of cover needing to be provided, the club are still set to get rid of one of their other players in January.

Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg has made just two starts and ten substitute appearances this season in the top-flight under Ange Postecoglou (WhoScored – Hojbjerg statistics), and with the defensive midfielder having fallen significantly out of favour, it’s been claimed that he wants to leave during the upcoming window.

The Telegraph had reported that because of Bentancur’s injury, Denmark’s international could see any offers rejected, but if the following update is to be believed, the 28-year-old is still someone who is on the chopping block at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

Spurs willing to sell Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg

According to TuttoMercatoWeb (via Sport Witness), Tottenham are happy to sell Hojbjerg in January. The Spurs ace “can still leave” the club despite the current injury crisis that they find themselves in, and he could be heading for Juventus, who “continue to work” to convince Daniel Levy to let him depart on loan.

However, the chairman won’t agree to this because he is looking to reach an agreement over a permanent deal, so as it stands, his admirer is “attentive to developments”.

Tottenham need to keep "imposing" Hojbjerg

Whilst Hojbjerg is clearly low down in the pecking order in the eyes of Postecoglou, Spurs will know that they still have an extremely talented player on their hands, so the hierarchy should make the decision to keep him in the building beyond January.

Sponsored by Adidas, Copenhagen’s native currently ranks in the 92nd percentile for clearances, showing how strong he is at being able to protect his backline by getting rid of the danger before it reaches them (FBRef – Hojbjerg statistics), but he’s also capable of making a positive impact in the final third.

Levy’s talisman has racked up 26 contributions, 16 assists and ten goals, in 158 appearances during his time at the club (Transfermarkt – Hojbjerg statistics), making himself an “imposing” player and a handful to deal with in the centre of the park, as hailed by journalist Josh Bunting.

Furthermore, Hojbjerg is even a versatile operator having been deployed in seven different positions since the start of his career, including everywhere across the midfield and even at left-back and right-back, so the board would be making a huge mistake if they were to sanction his sale in January given the depth issue in the squad.

Liverpool have put the disappointment of finishing fifth in the Premier League last season by mounting a serious title challenge during the current campaign.

They currently sit one point ahead of Arsenal and with a run of fixtures to come which sees the Reds play Manchester United, West Ham United and the Gunners prior to Christmas, they could even see their lead extended.

Jurgen Klopp spent the summer transfer window totally rejuvenating his midfield, and it appears to have worked so far.

With the January transfer window just a few weeks away, however, could the German perhaps delve back into the market in order to further strengthen this area ahead of the second half of the season?

Liverpool transfer news – Khephren Thuram

The Anfield side have shown interest in teenage Lille starlet Leny Yoro and Fulham midfielder Joao Palhinha ahead of the January transfer window, yet it looks as though Klopp may be keen on revisiting a move for a player they were linked with during the summer.

The Reds first began to show interest in Khephren Thuram back in March, according to French outlet RMC Sport, and this interest stretched all the way throughout the summer.

With Klopp rebuilding his midfield, it looked as though the Nice gem could perhaps make the move to Merseyside, but nothing materialised in the end.

An update by Italian outlet Calciomercato, however, claims that Liverpool are still keen on the player and could be looking to lure him to the club next month.

The report states that the Reds have already begun talks with Nice ahead of a potential swoop, although they could face stiff competition from Manchester City and Manchester United, who are also discussing a move.

Serie A side Juventus are also keen on securing the £34m-rated midfielder, yet they will likely lose out to the trio of Premier League sides.

The 22-year-old has just 18 months remaining on his contract and January may be the final chance for Nice to secure a big transfer fee for the player, although it remains to be seen just how much they are looking for.

Despite a wealth of options in that area, the former Borussia Dortmund manager should do all he can to lure Thuram to the club as it could free up Alexis Mac Allister, as the Argentine has had to play slightly deeper during his first few months at the club.

Alexis Mac Allister’s season in numbers

The World Cup winner joined the Reds in the summer for an initial fee of £35m and considering how effective he had been at Brighton and Hove Albion, the move was dubbed a “steal” by former Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher.

During his spell on the south coast, the midfielder made a total of 112 appearances while scoring 20 goals and grabbing nine assists, proving himself to be a valuable asset.

He was predominately deployed in a more advanced role and last season for the Seagulls, he found the back of the net on ten occasions in the Premier League along with creating four big chances and averaging 1.3 key passes per game, clearly demonstrating his attacking abilities.

Since joining the Anfield side, however, Mac Allister has had to settle for a more defensive-minded role in Klopp’s starting lineup and it isn’t quite bringing out the best in him thus far.

Across 14 league matches, the 24-year-old has scored just once while creating only one big chance and averaging 0.6 key passes per game.

The midfielder is recovering 6.1 balls per game and making 2.2 tackles per game, which indicates that he is still reliable in the deeper role, but his main strengths are in a more advanced role.

Adding Thuram to his squad could allow Klopp to unshackle the Argentinian and this could give him a big boost heading into the second half of the season.

Khephren Thuram’s statistics at Nice

The 6 foot 3 star is the son of former World Cup-winning defender Lillian Thuram, while his brother Marcus is also a professional, and it is clear he is destined to reach the very top at some stage.

The youngster has been with Nice since 2019 and has since gone on to play 150 games for the French club, firmly establishing himself as one of their most reliable players.

The 22-year-old is predominantly a defensive midfielder and his abilities in this area would give Klopp’s midfield a boost, while giving the likes of Mac Allister a licence to push forward on a more regular basis.

Football talent scout Jacek Kulig lavished praise on him at the start of the year, describing the player as “tenacious” along with being a “powerful and energetic carrier” and these qualities would allow him to fit in the Liverpool midfield with ease.

Journalist Sam McGuire has also claimed that Thuram could turn into a “monster” by joining Liverpool, and Klopp would take the midfielder to the next level.

While his defensive qualities make him a standout performer, over the previous 12 months, the Frenchman has exuded solid attacking statistics too.

When compared to his positional peers across Europe’s top five leagues, Thuram currently ranks in the top 3% for progressive carries per 90 (3.43) along with ranking in the top 5% for successful take-ons per 90 (1.77) and even ranking in the top 14% for shot-creating actions per 90 (3.57).

This hybrid of attacking and defensive skills could see him become a big hit in a Liverpool side who are on the cusp of greatness following a disappointing 2022/23 season.

Signing Thuram in January could turn into a very wise investment, especially as he will only get better and better as time goes on.

Liverpool in talks to sign "one-man army" midfielder

The Reds have been linked with him in the past.

By
Henry Jackson

Dec 15, 2023

Klopp should be making a concrete offer next month and, with just under two years to go on his current contract, the Nice gem could be available for an affordable transfer fee.

If Liverpool make one or two important signings in January, it could propel them to just their second-ever Premier League title and may even kickstart another fruitful year for the German manager.