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As reported by Spanish outlet Marca, Newcastle are interested in bringing Sporting striker Bas Dost to St James’ Park this summer, but face competition from Sevilla and Everton.

What’s the story?

The Magpies did excellently on their return to the English Premier League last season, but often lacked a cutting edge in the final third, with their recognised strikers struggling to perform consistently across the campaign.

If they’re to improve on their 10th placed finish next term, they need to bring in more potent attackers.

One player on their radar is Netherlands international Bas Dost.

That’s according to Marca, who report that both Newcastle and Everton want to bring him to the English top-flight this summer, but face a significant fight from La Liga side Sevilla, who are planning to negotiate his transfer.

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Should Newcastle sign him?

Dost is coming off the back of a sensational season in the Portuguese top-flight with Sporting, scoring 27 goals in league action and another six in all competitions for a total of 33. That’s no fluke either, with an incredible 36 goal return in the season prior.

That kind of clinical finishing from a poacher is something the Magpies badly need, who don’t lack for industrious and at times ambitious midfield play from the likes of Jonjo Shelvey and Ayoze Perez.

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With strong competition coming from other sides with big ambitions, Newcastle should waste no time in making a move for the striker, who could be available on the cheap given Sporting’s troubles with supporters at the tail-end of last season.

As signings go, he might be one of the best available in the summer.

Sky Bet have shortened Everton’s odds of signing Leicester City striker Jamie Vardy to 8/1.

What’s the latest?

Ever since Vardy played a major role in helping Leicester lift the Premier League title in the 2015-16 season, the striker’s stock has risen.

During the campaign, which stunned the football world, the former non-league player netted 24 goals and became the league’s first player to score in 11 consecutive matches.

Despite committing to the Foxes following the club’s shock title win, numerous clubs continue to be linked to the forward.

Who wants him now?

All of the league’s big boys – Manchester United, Arsenal and Chelsea – have been linked with Vardy at one time or another.

Now, the bookies believe that if the striker does decide to move from the King Power Stadium, Everton might be his next destination.

Sky Bet have made the Toffees outside favourites to nab Vardy’s signature at 8/1, with United next in line at 16/1 with Ladbrokes.

The Merseyside outfit have struggled in front of goal this season, scoring just 25 in 23 league games.

Is Vardy a decent option?

On his own, the England international would be a positive signing for the misfiring Toffees.

The club, though, have already recruited Turkish forward Cenk Tosun and Arsenal star Theo Walcott, which would make the arrival of Vardy that much more exciting.

Former Everton boss Ronald Koeman failed to replace Romelu Lukaku last summer when the Belgian left for Manchester United.

Sam Allardyce, who replaced the Dutchman in November, has moved quickly to try to solve the issue by bringing in two attacking stars.

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Tosun is unproven in the Premier League, but Walcott has scored more than 100 goals in England and his ability to play anywhere across the front three gives Allardyce options.

If the club throw in Vardy as well, then Everton’s problems up front are sure to be over.

Manchester United boss David Moyes pulled the plug on an £18million move for Benfica defender Ezequiel Garay to Old Trafford, according to the Argentine, reports the Daily Mail.

Moyes’ predecessor, Sir Alex Ferguson, was a keen admirer of Garay, and it was taken for granted that the defender would move to Manchester as Fergie went about strengthening the back-four.

The formerly reliable pair of Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic are both growing old and appear to be unable to play a long series of consecutive games. The emerging talents of Chris Smalling and Phil Jones have shown signs of solidity, but the youngsters have failed to provide the champions with consistency.

Garay himself thought his time in Portugal was up, but claims Moyes was unwilling to pay Benfica’s asking price.

“I believed I was going to join Manchester United in the summer. The deal was nearly closed but finally Benfica did not accept the offer,” he said.

“I believe the exit of Ferguson has influenced the deal.”

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A possible explanation for Moyes’ reluctance to splash money on the defender is that he has identified the midfield as his team’s weak link. Despite struggling to bring in new arrivals in the summer, there are increasing reports suggesting that the Red Devils will spend big come January. 

However, it seems Garay will not appear in the Premier League, as Barcelona are inclined to bring him in as a replacement for the ageing Carlos Puyol.

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Wayne Rooney has said that he does not “want to be making the wrong type of headlines” in his first game as England captain tonight.

It had been rumoured earlier this week that the Manchester United star would wear the captain’s armband. Rooney takes the role becuase of regular captain Steven Gerrard’s suspension from the match. Additionally, Frank Lampard, who would have been a prime candidate for the captaincy, is injured.

With tonight’s World Cup qualifier against San Marino looming, Rooney says that while he doubts he will change his atttitude in his role as captain, he wants to avoid making silly mistakes.

“I don’t think I’m going to change my attitude because I’m wearing the armband. I’m quite vocal on the pitch and my determination can hopefully help the team. But I don’t want to be making the wrong type of headlines and missing games I don’t want to be missing,” he said.

He also regrets being sent off in a Euro 2012 qualifier against Montenegro which saw him banned for two of the competition’s group stage games.

“What happened in Montenegro was stupid. I regretted it as soon as I’d done it. It won’t be happening again, I can promise.

“I’ve matured more as a player and a person. I have cut out a lot of the silly tackles and mistakes I made as a young player.”

Rooney, who has appeared as captain in some Manchester United matches, including in the Champions League says he is proud to take on the role.

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“It is a great honour. I’m really proud and excited. It will be a big night for me and my family. It’s a big challenge for myself,” he added.

Tonight’s World Cup qualifier against San Marino kicks off at 8.00 pm at Wembley Stadium.

Fulham’s Ryan Sessegnon has been heavily linked with a summer move to Tottenham – and 95 per cent of their fans want him to join –  but the club’s owner Shahid Khan has said that the English teenager will not leave Craven Cottage this season, according to the Times. 

What’s the story, then?

The Times report that, following Fulham’s promotion to the Premier League means that the best option for both club and player is for Sessegnon to remain in West London.

Khan is also quoted as unequivocally stating that Sessegnon will be a Fulham player next season and that the player wants to stay at Craven Cottage.

The Times also report that Khan did not rule out the prospect of accepting a huge offer but the caveat would be that Sessegnon would return to Fulham next season as he would not be in the potential suitor’s first team.

The fans want Sessegnon

When we asked Tottenham fans whether they wanted Sessegnon, the response was overwhelming, proving just what a popular arrival he would be as Spurs embark on their new era in a swanky stadium but look to avoid going an 11th straight season without silverware.

Given that he was also reportedly on Mauricio Pochettino’s list of three players he targeted after signing his new contract, it looks as if he was as well regarded within the club also.

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This could well throw a major spanner into Tottenham’s transfer plans and in a summer where there is a World Cup, they need to have a back-up plan organised sharply.

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There was a time, not too long ago, that Nicolas Otamendi was considered a bit of a liability at Manchester City.

A centre-back that opposition teams targeted, the Argentine initially struggled to make his mark in the Premier League.

Otamendi, who is valued at £27m by transfermarkt.co.uk, has been simply brilliant for Man City this season, however, with the 29-year-old putting in a string of excellent performances for the Citizens.

As well as proving difficult to play against, Otamendi has scored four Premier League goals in 19 appearances – including what proved to be the winner against Manchester United at Old Trafford earlier this month.

Man City boss Pep Guardiola recently paid tribute to Otamendi for his impressive performances, and the club’s fans were also on hand to hail the centre-back.

John Stones and Vincent Kompany have both struggled with injuries in recent weeks, but Otamendi has been a constant for the Premier League leaders.

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A selection of the best Twitter reaction can be seen below:

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Aston Villa goalkeeper Brad Guzan has distanced himself with talk of a January move away from Villa Park, as reported by Sky Sports.

The American stopper was released by Villa back in 2012 but new boss Paul Lambert asked him to come back to the club and the 29 year old is now the established number one for the Villians.

Arsenal have been credited with serious interest in Guzan ahead of the January transfer window but Manchester City have also been linked.

Guzan signed a new four year deal over the summer and the impressive ‘keeper is adamant that he wants to stay at Villa Park to repay the faith shown in him by Lambert and the fans.

“Aston Villa, they’ve stuck by me, especially the manager, [Paul Lambert],” said Guzan.

“It’s always nice when you’re linked with other teams, but for me, I’m very happy at Aston Villa.”

“He’s given me a chance to play consistent football in Europe. It’s always nice when you’re linked with other teams, but for me, I’m very happy at Aston Villa.”

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The Premier League season is well into the swing of things and for certain individuals, it’s been more successful than others. The managers are starting to decide on their strongest first XI’s having watched their respective teams battle through the first month of action and they will have realised which players might need temporary spells away from their clubs in order to play more first team football.

That decision might be taken depending whether a player needs to recover fitness levels or simply regain his form. However, there’s also the option to send out those youngsters who are showing promise at the highest level of the game but need regular action to make sure their development continues at the pace required. Championship clubs quite often benefit from these arrangements and now the loan market is open, they will be rummaging around in the Premier League reserve league looking for reinforcements. We therefore bring you the 15 Premier League players who could do with a loan move away from their clubs.

Click on Robbie Brady to unveil the list

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Whoever is chosen to become the next Arsenal manager will have huge boots to fill following the departure of Arsene Wenger.

The Frenchman transformed the North London outfit into Premier League heavyweights and created a style of football that was easy on the eye.

In his final few years in charge, though, the tide turned and fans grew increasingly frustrated by the lack of genuine title bids.

Last season, plenty of disgruntled supporters held protests in a bid to force the manager out.

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Despite this, Wenger penned a new two-year contract, but a few weeks before the end of the 2017-18 season, he decided to call it quits.

According to Sky Sports News, former Arsenal midfielder Mikel Arteta is the frontrunner to succeed the 68-year-old, while club legend Thierry Henry will also be spoken to by the hierarchy.

Both figures have little coaching experience, with Arteta spending the last two years assisting Pep Guardiola at Manchester City, while Henry has been splitting his Sky Sports punditry duties with working as Roberto Martinez’s number two in the Belgium national team.

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The ongoing uncertainty over the manager’s hunt has got Arsenal fans talking on Twitter, with some suggesting that Henry and Arteta should team up at the Emirates.

As reported by the BBC, Celtic are on the brink of signing St Mirren winger Lewis Morgan for a fee of around £300,000.

The Scotland U21 international has been in magnificent form this season, helping the Buddies’ promotion push with six goals and five assists in the Scottish Championship. The BBC say he will likely be loaned back to his current club for the remainder of the 2017/18 season.

Seen as one of the brightest young Scottish talents around right now, he’ll now have the chance to improve his skills even further under the guidance of Brendan Rodgers.

While Celtic supporters are pretty happy with the signing, Rangers fans are annoyed their club didn’t attempt to make a move to bring the winger to Ibrox.

Lewis Morgan was once on the books at the Light Blues and was released as a teenager, having been a supporter of the Ibrox club as a youngster. Fans feel such a talent should not have slipped through Rangers’ fingers.

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They took to Twitter to share their thoughts…