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Despite currently sitting in 12th place in the Premier League table with three wins and four defeats under their belt so far this season, Wolves boast a respectable defensive record with just six goals conceded in seven games, the same as Liverpool and Manchester United.

Even with this current defensive record, it seems as though Wolves boss is already eyeing up a potential move for a new defender to bring to Molineux.

What’s the latest?

It has recently been reported by Fichajes (via Sport Witness) that Wolves and fellow Premier League side West Ham United are interested in signing Athletic Bilbao defender Dani Vivian.

The 22-year-old, who has a release clause of €40m (£34m), has played in seven out of Bilbao’s eight La Liga games so far this season, conceding just two goals in the process.

Interestingly, the only La Liga game that Vivian did not play in is the only league match that Bilbao has lost so far this season in a 2-1 defeat against Rayo Vallecano.

Long-term option?

Vivian’s performances in La Liga have earned him an overall performance rating of 7/10 according to WhoScored, making him one of Bilbao’s highest-rated players so far this season.

Taking all of this into account, it’s easy to see why Wolves and West Ham would be interested in signing him.

He’s not a prolific header of the ball with just 0.9 aerial duels won per match but he is an efficient tackler, winning 1.6 challenges a game. That would rank him second out of Wolves’ centre-halves this term with only Max Kilman producing more.

That makes him an attractive signing but there is another reason too. In our view, given the age of current Wolves centre-backs Willy Boly (30) and Romain Saiss (31) we feel that Vivian could be a good option to replace one of the pair and be a useful long-term option for the Old Gold given the Spaniard’s young age.

Moving forward, if Wolves see an opportunity to sign Vivian in the upcoming January transfer window or the next summer window, this is definitely something the club should be looking to explore ahead of their fellow Premier League side West Ham.

Until then, Lage will have to make sure his side can start picking up wins in the league on a consistent basis and not concede too many goals. If they start leaking strikes they could be in danger of being in a relegation battle, rather than finishing in the top half of the table.

In other news: Lage could fix big Wolves issue with swoop for £43.2m-rated ace, fans would be buzzing – opinion

On-loan Aston Villa starlet Brad Young told Carlisle United assistant manager Gavin Skelton that he was disappointed not to score more goals after netting in the EFL Trophy.

The Lowdown: Academy goal machine

The 18-year-old has made 43 appearances for the Villa under-18s and 11 for the under-23s, scoring 28 goals in the process, before being loaned out to League Two side Carlisle over the summer.

So far this season, the forward has appeared off the bench in five league outings and started in yesterday’s 2-0 defeat to league leaders Forest Green Rovers. He also started both of the EFL Trophy games against Hartlepool and Everton under-23s, scoring a brace against the latter last week.

With an eye-catching goalscoring record for the Villa academy at Bodymoor Heath, it will be no surprise when he starts contributing regularly to goals for Chris Beech’s side.

The Latest: Young wanted more goals

As per the News & Star, Young told Skelton that he should have scored more goals despite netting twice in 68 minutes.

The Carlisle assistant boss revealed: “That’s the first thing [he] said after the game – he was delighted, but should have scored more.

“He mentioned the header and the rebound in the first half. It shows the type of lad he is and how hungry he is to score.

“He’ll be pleased to get his first goals for the club under his belt – it was a good night’s work for him, and he’s greedy for more.

“As a forward you’re critical of yourself and you want those chances to go in, but he’s here to score goals and he’s done that for us.”

The Verdict: On the right path

As mentioned above, Young’s terrific scoring record for Villa’s youth squads puts him in good stead to impress. If he can manage to find the net in the Football League regularly, that should help him to possibly follow in the footsteps of fellow Bodymoor Heath starlets Carney Chukwuemeka and Jacob Ramsey.

As Skelton has said, the 18-year-old’s dissatisfaction with his goal return despite netting twice in midweek hints at a thoroughly professional and hungry mindset. Young certainly appears to be on the right path to making it at Villa with that sort of attitude.

In other news, a permanent move involving Aston Villa could be on the cards. Find out more here.

Rafa Benitez has plenty of work to undertake if Everton want to be considered a threat for the top six this season.

At the moment, it looks like they will fall into another campaign of mediocrity with a flutter of bargain signings in the window.

On the chalkboard

Unfortunately for the Toffees, their spending in the window doesn’t look set to get much greater.

They’ve been linked with a £3m move for Royal Antwerp full-back Aurelio Buta while another player on their radar is Sean Longstaff.

That’s according to The Athletic who claim that Newcastle’s potential signing of Joe Willock could lead to his departure from St James’ Park.

The report suggests that his future is now in question with Everton monitoring the £13.5m-rated gem’s situation.

Longstaff has come through the ranks at Newcastle and is a defensive midfielder by trade. That being said, he is yet to live up to the immense potential expected of him when Benitez was in the north-east.

Speaking about the 23-year-old in January 2019, the Spaniard said: “(Sean Longstaff) has the potential. He went on loan, came back and did well. We had a lot of teams asking about him for this January transfer window. (Longstaff) is a good player, a good professional, and he is working really hard.”

Although his tally of zero goals from last season dictates he wouldn’t offer much in the final third, he could be an upgrade on Tom Davies.

A fellow academy graduate, Davies is also yet to live up to his true potential and has been linked with the exit door as a consequence.

Longstaff, therefore, could act as a direct replacement for the Merseyside outfit.

In completing 1.4 tackles per match in the Premier League season, he usurped the Everton midfielder’s tally of 1.2. The Newcastle gem was down on Davies’ interceptions but had a slightly better pass success rate.

Furthermore, he had a greater impact in the offensive phases of play, registering more key passes and more shots per match.

Longstaff is by no means outstanding but like new signings Andros Townsend and Demarai Gray, he’d be a useful squad option for the manager.

If Davies does indeed leave then Benitez must move to secure his signature.

AND in other news, Benitez closes in on Everton’s 4th summer signing, fans must be angry…

Crystal Palace are expected to hand key midfielder James McArthur a new contract following his impressive performances this season, according to journalist Tom Barclay.

What’s the story?

The 34-year-old’s current deal is set to expire next summer, meaning he would become a free agent at the end of June.

However, following a string of standout performances in Palace’s engine room in the opening weeks of 2021/22, Barclay believes new manager Patrick Vieira will sanction an offer of fresh terms over the coming months.

He told GIVEMESPORT: “He won’t get the assists, he won’t score the goals, he won’t do those raking passes here and there – that highlights reel kind of player. But, there’s a reason why Vieira likes him so much, and why he’s so effective in this team.”

Barclay added: “I probably expect them, despite being 34, to give him a new contract and keep him next season.”

McArthur has been with the capital club since 2014 following his arrival from Wigan Atheltic and could extend his stay into an eighth year if he puts pen to paper on a new contract.

Crystal Palace fans will be delighted

Despite the fact that the former Scotland international is set to turn 35 next October, Palace fans will still be delighted at Barclay’s latest revelation, given his importance to Vieira’s charges.

As per WhoScored, McArthur has averaged 2.3 tackles per Premier League fixture this season, 1.2 interceptions and 1.8 defensive dribbles, placing him in the top-four amongst his teammates for each metric.

His eye-catching displays in the middle of the park have caught the attention of several impressed onlookers, including his manager.

“He is valuable, he’s our captain, and so he has a responsibility to bring his leadership to the squad,” said Vieira after their recent victory over Wolves.

“He’s a fighter, he’s a warrior, he’s the benchmark for a professional. This is the same in training, he is no different.”

Injury kept McArthur out of Palace’s 3-3 draw with Burnley last time out, but the box-to-box dynamo had started every top-flight fixture prior to his fitness concerns, skippering the side on six occasions.

Therefore, news that a fresh deal could be on the horizon will please Vieira and the south London outfit’s supporters alike, providing some stability throughout the club’s transitional period.

And, in other news…Forget Gallagher: Palace monster who made 8 clearances was Vieira’s hero vs Burnley

According to a report by 90min, Tottenham Hotspur have now made an enquiry to sign Wolverhampton Wanderers winger Pedro Neto alongside the likes of Liverpool and Juventus.

The Lowdown: Molineux raid?

Since Nuno Espirito Santo’s arrival and appointment as new Spurs boss, the Lilywhites have been linked to a few Wolves stars as the Portuguese sets sights on raiding his old club.

As per talkSPORT, both Daniel Podence and Willy Boly are names who Nuno could swoop for and try to sign for Spurs this summer.

Elsewhere in the team, they have also been linked with defender Conor Coady, with 90min now namedropping Tottenham alongside another star at Molineux.

The Latest: Spurs make Neto enquiry…

Indeed, according to the outlet, Spurs have now made an enquiry to sign Neto alongside the likes of Liverpool and Juventus.

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As well as Tottenham making an approach, it is also claimed that Wolves are tempted to sell him this summer amid all the interest in his services.

Wolves owners are indeed ‘open’ to letting any of their star men leave, though it would take a bigger offer to seal Neto’s signing.

They hadn’t previously been listening to offers for the exciting 21-year-old, but interest from top clubs all over Europe, including Spurs, is apparently now making them contemplate.

The Verdict: Most exciting one yet…

Amid the plethora of Wolves players linked with a move to Spurs, we believe Neto comes as the most exciting one yet.

As per WhoScored, the young starlet was Wolves’ joint-top goalscorer in the Premier League last season and also notched the most assists.

He also averaged more shots per 90 (2) than any other member of their squad with over 10 league starts – all while completing the most key passes per 90 (2) for Wolves (WhoScored).

Lauded as a ‘phenomenal talent’ by Gabriel Agbonlahor, who raved over him to Football Insider, it’s safe to say the £31.5 million-valued ace would be quite a coup.

In other news: ‘Massive’, ‘Exactly what Levy wants’…Sky pundit in awe of Tottenham Hotspur Stadium news, find out more here.

Leeds United are in advanced talks to sign Birmingham City wonderkid Amari Miller, as reported by Football Insider.

The Lowdown: Leeds United gear up for the 2021/22 Premier League season

As the Whites get their ducks in a row ahead of 2021/22, they will be keeping a close eye on all recruitment avenues as they look to improve on their impressive 9th placed Premier League finish last time out [BBC].

Though they haven’t ventured into the summer transfer market as of yet, Marco Bielsa’s men have been linked with moves for Adama Traore and Andre Ayew respectively [Leeds Live].

It seems they are searching for at least one attacking reinforcement, and they have now turned their attentions to an 18-year-old winger.

The Latest: Leeds offer contract to Miller; Everton were also keen

As a Football Insider source revealed, Leeds have moved to offer an appealing contract to the youngster as they re-shape their squad ahead of the new campaign.

Birmingham City are not expected to stand in the way of any deal for the winger, as they look to imminently overhaul their youth structures moving forward.

The Elland Road side have also seemingly beaten off competition from Everton for his signature [SB Nation], in what would be the club’s first capture of the summer.

The Verdict: Miller would be a good addition at Elland Road

Undoubtedly, this news will should come as a welcome boost to the Leeds United support.

Picking up a supremely talented youngster, perhaps he can develop into an established Premier League player in the coming years with the right coaching, and Marcelo Bielsa has a reputation for offering chances to young talents.

Impressing in the final weeks of the 2020/21 season, Miller made five Sky Bet Championship appearances for the St Andrews side [Transfermarkt].

Very much in the infancy of his career, the opportunity to work at a top-class training establishment like Thorp Arch represents the ideal platform for the sensation to progress into a top-class footballer should the deal go through.

In other news, a Leeds United defender gears up for a potential exit.

Belgian defender Sebastiaan Bornauw has told the print edition of Het Nieuwsblad (via Sport Witness) that he held talks with Crystal Palace during the transfer window.

The lowdown

Bornauw sealed a £12.15million transfer from FC Koln to VfL Wolfsburg back in July.

The 6 foot 3 22-year-old had made 24 appearances for Koln the previous season, helping them avoid relegation through the play-off.

His average of 4.2 clearances per 90 minutes ranked him eighth in the Bundesliga, while he was in the top 20 for successful aerial duels with 2.7 (via WhoScored).

Palace ultimately added two centre-backs – Marc Guehi and Joachim Andersen – to their ranks over the summer for a combined fee of £36.75million.

The latest

Reflecting on the events of the summer, Bornauw explained that the opportunity to play in the Champions League with Wolfsburg was too good to turn down.

He’s also confident the Volkswagen Arena is an ideal place for a young player to develop.

“I also spoke to English clubs, and one day I want to play in the Premier League,” he said, naming Crystal Palace and Norwich City as the two suitors.

“But when Wolfsburg knocked on the door, I was immediately won over by their project.

“This club makes young people better; we aspire to the top three and play Champions League.”

The verdict

Wolfsburg’s place in Europe’s elite football competition was always likely to prove a trump card in negotiations, but Palace can be pleased with their business in the centre-back department regardless.

Andersen and Guehi both enjoyed impressive 2020/21 seasons and have the potential to form an excellent partnership.

If 21-year-old Guehi reaches his full potential and makes a step up to a top club in the coming years, perhaps Palace could revive their interest in Bornauw, who does fancy taking on the Premier League one day.

In other news, fans flock to this transfer tweet.

A number of Liverpool supporters have criticised Jordan Henderson’s performance in the Reds’ 1-1 draw at home to Chelsea on Saturday.

Jurgen Klopp’s men faced a huge game at Anfield this weekend, with the Blues heading to Anfield and both sides looking to show they are genuine Premier League title contenders.

A hugely entertaining match unfolded, with quality and drama both on show, but it is Thomas Tuchel who will be the happier of the two managers.

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Kai Havertz’s header was cancelled out by Mohamed Salah’s penalty, following Reece James’ red card for handball on the line, but Liverpool were unable to break down their ten-man opponents in the second half.

One player who struggled to hit top form was Henderson, who looked out place in a more left-sided central midfield role, in order to accommodate the excellent Harvey Elliott.

He had the lowest Sofascore match rating of any Liverpool starter, losing possession of the ball 13 times.

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Liverpool fans unhappy with Henderson display

The skipper’s performance received plenty of criticism from these Liverpool fans on Twitter.

“Henderson has been awful. I can see him being a liability this season if he’s shoehorned in over better players”

Credit: @appaesthetic

“Henderson deserves to be hooked, awful first 30 minutes”

Credit: @Thiago6Reformed

“Henderson being terrible and Fabinho looks like he’s running in quicksand”

Credit: @Neboneid

“Henderson was the worst player on the pitch btw”

Credit: @C94297140C

“Henderson, Mane and Robertson competing to be the worst player on the pitch!”

Credit: @avkopite

“Henderson has been woeful”

Credit: @OVODosanjh

In other news, some Liverpool fans are fuming at one transfer rumour that has emerged. Read more here.

For the business end of the season, Liverpool relied on Ozan Kabak, Nat Phillips and Rhys Williams at the heart of their defence to help them qualify for the Champions League. However, Jurgen Klopp must sign a new centre back to be competitive next season, according to former Wigan Athletic manager Paul Jewell.

Phillips, who has been a rock at the back since being handed a regular run of games since February, has been linked with a move away this summer with Liverpool unable to guarantee him the game time he requires.

There have been reports suggesting that Liverpool are set to sign Ibrahima Konate from RB Leipzig this summer, with the young Frenchman either able to play as a right-back or centre back after helping guide the Bundesliga side to a second-place finish.

This season was a freak one for Liverpool with all the injuries and centre backs pairings they had to use but Klopp can’t take the risk of it happening again so he must sign a new centre back in the summer, according to Jewell, who spoke exclusively to The Transfer Tavern:

“Van Dijk is arguably the best centre back in the world so any team would miss him and Gomez complements him well. It’s quite interesting because Liverpool lost their two centre-backs, but have struggled to score goals.

“It’s been quite a bizarre season really but even when they get those two back fit, I still think they need another centre back if they’re going to challenge next year.”

Liverpool’s main man at the back, Virgil van Dijk, has decided to not participate in the European Championships this summer, as he wants to focus on being ready for the start of next season with Klopp’s side eager to regain their Premier League crown.

It took a final day victory against Crystal Palace in front of 10,000 fans at Anfield to secure Liverpool’s spot in the Champions League next year and despite their struggles, they ended up finishing third.

Fresh information has emerged regarding Tottenham Hotspur manager Antonio Conte’s links to French giants Paris Saint-Germain, as well as details on Mauricio Pochettino’s links to Spurs.

The Lowdown: Conte news

According to Le Parisien (via Get French Football News), Conte has offered himself to officials at PSG on an initial two-year engagement in the hope of replacing Mauricio Pochettino, who is soon expected to be relieved of his duties as head coach, already drawing links back to N17.

However, Alasdair Gold, football.london’s Spurs reporter, has revealed that people around the Italian have suggested that the rumours are not true.

As a result, a sense of unrest has overwhelmed the ongoing preparations at Hotspur Way ahead of Sunday’s clash with Leicester City.

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The Latest: Fresh info emerges

According to a fresh report by football.london reporter Gold, there is no official break clause this summer in Conte’s deal.

At the end of the season, it is expected that the 52-year-old will meet with chairman Daniel Levy and managing director of football Fabio Paratici to discuss future plans.

Gold also reveals that previous claims of Levy holding regular contact with Pochettino are false, saying ‘those within the Argentine’s camp’ have shared that the former fan favourite exchanges only the odd pleasantry with the Spurs chief.

The Verdict: Conte is crucial to Spurs

Whilst the opening few months with the Italian in charge hardly went swimmingly, Tottenham have managed to win 13 of their 23 league matches under Conte’s reign.

As a result, the Lilywhites have cemented themselves as genuine top-four contenders in the league this season. Spurs are now up to fifth in the Premier League table, just two points behind Arsenal in fourth.

This improvement illustrates the vast changes which have positively affected the north London club’s results. Therefore, this means the news that there is no official break clause in Conte’s deal will come as a huge sigh of relief to Tottenham fans.

In other news: Tottenham Hotspur: Noel Whelan makes Joe Rodon exit claim