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Reliable Irons insider ExWHUemployee claimed on The West Ham Way podcast earlier this week that FC Porto striker Moussa Marega is being lined up for a potential move to the London Stadium.

Hammers boss David Moyes should be urging David Sullivan to seal a summer switch for the soon-to-be free agent in order to land proven support for Michail Antonio without breaking the bank.

The claret and blue side will have to target a striker in the next transfer window after Moyes opted against using the £20m made from Sebastien Heller’s move to AFC Ajax to bring in a replacement during the winter market.

West Ham’s decision to keep £15m-20m aside for the summer left Antonio as Moyes’ only senior striker, and require Andriy Yarmolenko and Jarrod Bowen to occupy centre-forward roles on occasion.

Marega could join that group in the off-season with his £34,000-per-week Porto contract due to expire in June, and ExWHUemployee suggesting that his situation has caught the interest of the Hammers.

Recent reports in Turkey had suggested that Fenerbahce have offered Marega a €1.5m-a-season (£25k-per-week) deal to join the Super Lig giants, although O Jogo have since poured cold water on the claims.

A source close to Marega is said to have informed the Portuguese publication that the Mali international is waiting to see what other offers arrive between now and the end of the season, with Porto open to a new contract but on lesser terms.

Marega, who Porto boss Sergio Conceicao described as a “competitive beast” earlier in the year, will turn 30 in April and has always had aspirations of one day playing in the Premier League.

This summer could represent his last realistic chance of sealing a move to England, one which West Ham should look to present three years after Marega snubbed a deal due to his loyalty to Porto.

Marega may not be a prolific centre-forward with a high resale value given his age, but he would offer Moyes a wealth of European experience and depth, while still having funds spare to acquire a young and hungry centre-forward to further bolster West Ham’s ranks.

The £12.6m-rated summer free agent has represented Porto 182 times across all competitions over the past five seasons, scoring 71 times and providing 33 assists.

Twenty-two of those appearances have come in the Champions League, along with eight of his goals and seven assists, including one struck against Juventus in the last 16 to help eliminate the Serie A giants from this season’s edition of the tournament.

West Ham are in with a reasonable shot at qualifying for European football for next season with the Irons only two points outside of the top four places in the Premier League table, so a player like Marega – who has faced some of the best clubs in the world – would have an added bonus if targeted.

It is something Blackburn Rovers’ Adam Armstrong would not bring to the London Stadium in the summer, as Moyes’ alleged top striker target has only cut his teeth as a Championship sensation with just 15 games of top-flight experience to his name thus far.

AND in other news, West Ham are adamant a deal to sign a £100k-p/w “revelation” will be reached…

Many Sheffield Wednesday fans are discussing Aden Flint after Dom Howson gave his opinion on the club’s decision to let him go.

The journalist tweeted: “It’s easy to say with hindsight but #SWFC made a big mistake in cutting short Aden Flint’s loan deal in January. He’s a big character and leader.”

Much-maligned owner Dejphon Chansiri brought the defender to the club on loan in October but he only made four appearances before being sent back to parent club Cardiff City.

Since returning to south Wales, the 31 year-old has played 11 times and has averd 1.4 interceptions and a thoroughly impressive 5.4 clearances per game (WhoScored). During those 11 matches, the Bluebirds have flown up the Championship table and are only three points away from the play-offs (SofaScore).

A no-nonsense centre-back like Flint is exactly what the Owls need right now, not defenders needlessly getting sent off and frustrating most of the fan base like Julian Borner did at the weekend.

It is crazy how fortunes can turn. Flint probably thought he was in for a relegation battle when he was brought in on loan to Wednesday, but now he is fighting for promotion and it looks like another player who has got away from the Owls is enjoying success, whilst the ones they keep at Hillsborough continue to struggle.

These Wednesday fans weren’t pleased with the club’s failure to retain the 31-year-old for longer:

Here is how fans reacted to the news:

“I said this straight away exactly type of player we needed another poor decision from the club”

Credit: @johnada75157425

“He is certainly missed but our defence is not the biggest problem. We are very poor and slow attacking and create very little. Every ball comes straight back. Our midfield puts unnecessary pressure on our defence especially when they bottle tackles and don’t chase back.”

Credit: @WawawaDave

“Too many poor decisions by those running the club… and not just this season. Maybe Flint didn’t like what he was seeing / experiencing? Almost as frightening as it is sad.”

Credit: @Worstedjumper

“Dooms here again. More Doom more problems”

Credit: @Awillshaw1867

“Some of us said it at the time. Still gutted we didn’t keep him. Him and Morrison have been fantastic for Cardiff since Mick went in there. What you could have won eh?”

Credit: @TomTB1995

“A club run by clowns”

Credit: @jpowls

In other news, these Owls fans discussed one Dom Howson update. 

Former Sheffield United striker Dean Windass has exclusively told Football FanCast that it would be a “no-brainer” for Roy Keane to take the Celtic job.

The former Manchester United midfielder, who won the Scottish Premiership during a brief stint with the Hoops during the 2005-2006 campaign, has been out of management since leaving Ipswich more than a decade ago, although he’s been assistant boss at Republic of Ireland and Aston Villa, and most recently at Nottingham Forest under Martin O’Neill.

And reports have circulated since the departure of Celtic manager Neil Lennon last month that Keane wants a return to dugout and would be interested in the vacant role at Celtic Park.

Keane is currently working as a pundit for both Sky Sports and ITV, but is currently amongst the favourites to replace Lennon at the Glasgow-based club.

Given his previous links to the Scottish giants, Windass believes that it would be a great opportunity for Keane to return to management.

He told Football FanCast: “It’s a no-brainer really, if that’s the case with Roy.

“The links that he’s had for Celtic and he’s been there and played for them at the end of his career.

“It’s a great shout if that’s the case, and I’m sure if he walks in the changing room Celtic players will know there’s a man in there that demands high standards on and off the field, and they’ve got a massive challenge in taking the title off Rangers.”

Tottenham Hotspur have been linked with a move for a Serie A winger this week…

What’s the word?

According to Club Doria, Spurs boss Jose Mourinho is keen on signing Sampdoria sensation Mikkel Damsgaard with the north London outfit expected to bid ‘at any moment.’

It comes after mooted interest from Premier League rivals West Ham United, who are said to have held a meeting with the 20-year-old attacker.

There are also claims that his impressive performances this season has attracted Italian giants Inter Milan and Juventus.

Earlier in the month, it was reported by Gazzetta dello Sport that his value had tripled to around €20m (£18m).

Another Bergwijn?

Indeed, the young Dane has been one of the Claudio Rainieri’s star performers since his 50m kroner (£4.5m) move from FC Nordsjælland in the summer as he ranks fifth for average rating (6.78) of any player to start at least ten times.

Damsgaard has contributed two goals and three assists in 18 appearances, per WhoScored.

Whilst no other player in the I Blucerchiati squad is averaging more than his three dribbles per 90 minutes. He successfully pulls these off at a rate of 62.5%, which means more often than not, he beats his man.

Another interesting attribute of the industrious wide man is his defensive and off-the-ball capabilities, which may well point towards why Mourinho may be so keen to sign him.

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He’s averaged the sixth-most tackles in this Sampdoria team, managing 2.4 per game, making him quite a hard man to bypass on the flank. A tackle success-rate of just over 50% highlights the sort of graft he’s able to put in to deny the opposition, via WhoScored.

We’ve seen this sort of player over in north London already with Steven Bergwijn. Whilst his goal returns have been poor – contributing only two assists in the Premier League all season – he offers Mourinho a lot defensively.

For example, no other Spurs winger is averaging more than the Dutchman’s 0.8 tackles per game, whilst his seasonal heat map shows he’s having more of an influence in his own half, meaning he’s tracking back and helping whoever is starting between Serge Aurier or Matt Doherty.

It is why the former PSV star regularly starts (eight times) over Lucas Moura (four starts) and Gareth Bale (one start) in the Premier League.

As seen above, via SofaScore, one of Bergwijn’s most intense positions is just before the halfway line.

As a further example, the following is his heatmap against Arsenal – he failed to score or assist, but was imperious towards them keeping a clean sheet as he was almost acting as a wing-back.

Indeed, SofaScore graded him an abysmal 6.4 but you bet Mourinho was still happy with his display as he managed two tackles, two clearances and one successful dribble – all similar characteristics to Damsgaard.

The versatile Sampdoria winger has also caught the eye of former Spurs midfielder Christian Eriksen – he told TV2 Sport earlier in the campaign:

“We talked together after the match. He praised me for the situation around my assist. He is a really nice person and really sweet to talk to. It was just nice that he wanted to talk to me after the match.”

That day, Damsgaard ghosted past two Inter Milan defenders before slotting Keita Balde’s second-half winner and again proved he could contribute at either end of the pitch as he won five duels and made one clearance, per SofaScore.

It’s no wonder that PL-winning boss Rainieri tipped him to have a “big future.”

As we’ve seen with Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg and Bergwijn, Mourinho loves a relentless workhorse and the Danish starlet would bring that as well as an extra creative influence in the attack, as evident throughout this piece.

For just £18m, Daniel Levy could well secure Spurs another Bergwijn-like beast.

AND in other news, £27m-rated passenger who made ONLY eight passes badly let Mourinho down on Monday…

Manchester United and Manchester City have a transfer battle on their hands to land Fiorentina defender Nikola Milenkovic this summer.

What’s the word?

The Red Devils previously sent scouts a couple of years ago to watch Milenkovic in action for Fiorentina in a Serie A match against Bologna prior to Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s time in charge at Old Trafford.

United have long been on the lookout for defenders despite boasting several centre-backs among their ranks.

Reports resurfacing in Italy have now credited Manchester City with an interest and they are set to join the race to sign him in the summer.

According to Gazzetta dello Sport (Thursday print edition), as relayed by Sport Witness, the 23-year-old has been tipped to make the switch to a Premier League side when the transfer window re-opens in a few months’ time.

Milenkovic has been in impressive form for Fiorentina this season, having made 23 appearances across all competitions, per Transfermarkt.

He is contracted with La Viola until 2022.

The next Nemanja Vidic?

United let Chris Smalling leave for Roma in the summer and Victor Lindelof’s poor form has raised concerns about the team’s defensive options.

Solskjaer currently has five centre-back options at his disposal, in the form of Lindelof, Harry Maguire, Eric Bailly, Phil Jones and Axel Tuanzebe, but have just one natural left-sided central defender in the club captain after Smalling left the club last year.

In Milenkovic, United could find an enforcer who has often been described as “the new Nemanja Vidic,” and the comparisons don’t stop there, either.

Like his fellow Serbian before him, Milenkovic has developed quite the reputation over the past few years for being a fearsome tackler who takes no prisoners with his no-nonsense approach to defending. He’s been dubbed as “fearless” for his style of play, and even hailed as being better on the ball than Vidic too.

Standing at 6 ft 5 in tall, the towering colossus – who is currently valued at £25m via Transfermarkt – would afford the likes of David de Gea and Dean Henderson with a level of protection that has not be seen at Old Trafford for quite some time, while WhoScored lists him as an indirect set-piece threat, as his natural height also makes him something of a powerhouse inside the box.

It’s no surprise to see he has shown a willingness to get stuck in, either, as evidenced in his 1.7 tackles per 90 in Serie A during his time under Cesare Prandelli this season. For context, Lindelof has only been able to muster 0.8 per game in the Premier League.

A lack of experience in the Champions League or Europa League shouldn’t deter potential suitors. Yes, it means he hasn’t played at the highest level, but if he can offer a fraction of the form from his past few seasons with Fiorentina, then the youngster can prove to be a very shrewd addition to Solskjaer’s side.

Milenkovic would fit the bill at Old Trafford, as an accomplished defender and a powerful threat in the air. Ed Woodward, therefore, should sanction a swoop for one of Europe’s hottest prospects in the summer, although he may have to break out the cheque book in order to do so.

AND in other news, Manchester United centre-back Eric Bailly was colossal against Real Sociedad…

Southampton are continuing to be linked with a move for Leicester City winger Demarai Gray ahead of the summer, with the 24-year-old set to be available on a free transfer when his contract with Leicester expires in the summer.

Signing the former Birmingham City man could help Ralph Hasenhuttl unleash Ryan Bertrand’s attacking potential in his Southampton side, with the 31-year-old having struggled to form a connection with Moussa Djenepo and Nathan Redmond so far this season.

The former Chelsea man is out of contract at the end of this season but the club are reportedly confident that he will sign a new deal, having been a regular in Ralph Hasenhuttl’s side so far this campaign; making 16 appearances in the top-flight.

The left-back’s goal and assist returns have dried up in the past two seasons, whilst Kyle Walker-Peters has shown himself to be dangerous at times this year pushing forward on the right-hand side, which is perhaps due to the connection he has formed with Stuart Armstrong.

Therefore, if the Saints were to bring in Gray on a free transfer in the summer and he were to establish himself in the first-team ahead of Djenepo and Redmond, both of whom having struggled at times this season, then it could allow Bertrand to start providing more of an attacking outlet on the left-hand side.

Although the Leicester City man will have to work on his defensive contribution if he wants to become a regular for Southampton, with WhoScored describing that as one of his weaknesses, they also suggest that he likes to dribble, and his trickery could allow Bertrand the space to overlap on the left-hand side where he could hopefully pick up some assists.

Earlier in his time with Leicester, manager Brendan Rodgers was full of praise for the 24-year-old, who earns £55k per week with the Foxes, saying:

“He is a big talent and he showed that when he came in.”

Therefore, if Gray can find his feet with Southampton he could be a great addition to Hasenhuttl’s squad and he could well form a partnership with Bertrand.

And, in other news… Exclusive: Carlton Palmer hints Southampton target would “feel loved again” working under Hasenhuttl

West Brom have been handed a major boost over one of their mooted January targets this week…

What’s the word?

According to the Daily Express, the Baggies have edged closer to sealing a move for Galatasaray striker Mbaye Diagne which could see him initially join the Hawthorns on loan with a view to making the deal permanent at the end of the season.

It’s claimed that the Super Lig giants have re-entered negotiations with Egyptian side Zamalek over the 29-year-old’s potential replacement, Mostafa Mohamed, who was subject of an offer from the Lions earlier this month.

While Turkish outlet Tumspor suggest Diagne could be available permanently for just €6m (£5m).

The report suggests that Albion have already held talks with the nine-time Senegalese international as Sam Allardyce looks to bolster his frontline.

Major boost

And strengthen his attack he must do to even stand a chance of Premier League survival this season.

West Brom are among the lowest scorers in the division having found the net just 15 times in 19 outings. Only two other teams have scored fewer, rock-bottom Sheffield United and Sean Dyche’s Burnley.

To make matters worse, summer signing Karlan Grant is still out with a fractured foot, whilst Charlie Austin has departed to former club QPR on loan for the rest of the campaign. Even Kenneth Zohore’s temporary spell at Millwall has been extended.

It leaves winger Callum Robinson as the only plausible striker available to Big Sam right now.

Diagne could almost instantly improve the squad as he’s been a prolific goalscorer wherever he’s been throughout his career.

This term alone, he’s already bagged 11 goals in 19 appearances, taking his tally for Galatasaray to 22 goals in 39 matches and his overall total in the Super Lig to 51 in 64, per Transfermarkt.

It means the 6 foot 4 powerhouse has scored 60% of the goals that Albion have scored this term and also means he’s bagged more than Grant, Grady Diangana and Matheus Pereira combined, per Whoscored.

The fact that the Turkish outfit are already looking for a successor is a potentially huge boost for Allardyce and the Baggies as it moves them one step towards sealing his signature, which in turn will surely aid their fortunes in front of goal given his prolific goalscoring record.

It’s thought that the 66-year-old manager is desperate for a new forward, he also told Sky Sports two weeks ago: “I think we’ve let Charlie [Austin] go to QPR so that creates another opening in terms of finances as well to find a centre forward, and then we would look at other areas,” so you’d imagine this news will have him hugely thrilled.

Diagne, who has dubbed himself “big and strong,” is thought to be on around £44k-per-week as per his terms on loan to Club Brugge last term, which would put him among the Albion’s high-earners.

But if he’s to save them from relegation, he’ll be worth every bit of those finances. He’s a must-add this month.

AND in other news, Levy can take Spurs onto the next level with swoop for £45m “warrior”…

Wolves head into their clash against Liverpool this evening with the bit between their teeth.

Having beaten Arsenal last time out, Nuno Santo’s men will have supreme confidence, but they will be without one of their star men.

What’s the word?

A horrendous clash of heads between Raul Jimenez and David Luiz last Sunday saw the Mexican come off second best.

Jimenez had to undergo surgery on a fractured skull and is now out for an unknown period of time.

Thus, it would appear that Wolves are in need of signing another striker.

Of course, they have club-record signing Fabio Silva within their ranks, but they now lack an experienced out and out centre-forward.

One player Wolves have in mind is Valencia’s Maxi Gomez. That’s according to Spanish outlet AS who suggested Nuno views him as a replacement for the injured Jimenez.

The report states that he was once close to signing for West Ham but eventually stayed in Spain.

Gomez possesses a release clause of €140m (£126m) but it’s thought a tempting offer to Valencia from Wolves could tempt them to sell.

Strong as an ox

This would be a tremendous capture by the Midlands side, presuming they can get him for a cut-price fee.

Gomez currently has three goals in nine La Liga outings this season but there is so much more to his game than scoring goals.

In fact, he could be perfect for the English game, possessing similar physical qualities to a certain Adama Traore.

Spanish football expert Phil Vickery said in 2019: “He is almost like something of a throwback to the great old tradition of the English No 9 when you would whistle down a mine shaft and up would step a strapping centre-forward.”

Vickery continued: “He is fearsomely strong. Opponents almost bounce off him, he is so physically strong. He is known as ‘The Bull’. You look at him and physically, he is a bull. He is a very, very strong, powerful centre-forward with plenty of technical gifts as well.”

The 24-year-old’s sheer strength is emphasised by how many aerial duels he wins per game. In 2020/21, Gomez has won 3.4 aerial duels a match and in two appearances, he has won as many as six aerial battles.

For context, that would make him the joint-best player in Wolves’ squad for heading – Leander Dendoncker also wins 3.4 per game.

This would be a valuable addition to the Molineux ranks.

In other news, here’s how Wolves can unearth their NEW Joao Moutinho…

Southampton will be hoping to continue their impressive start to the 2020/21 Premier League season by picking up all three points against Sheffield United on Sunday.

The Saints secured an impressive 2-1 win against Brighton last time out, so will be confident when they face Chris Wilder’s side at St Mary’s, with the Blades having picked up just one point in the Premier League so far this season.

Following his winning goal from the bench last time out, it seems likely that Danny Ings will return to Southampton’s starting line up but considering the Saints’ strong recent form, it would be a surprise to see too many other changes.

Here’s how Football FanCast expects Hasenhuttl to line his side up against Sheffield United…

Unsurprisingly, Hasenhuttl keeps faith in Alex McCarthy, with the shot-stopper no doubt hoping to pick up his fifth clean sheet of the season in Sunday’s game.

Jannik Vestergaard could be a threat with his height from corners, whilst Jan Bednarek continues to partner the Dane in defence, although it surely won’t be long until we see Mohammed Salisu make his first appearance in a Saints shirt.

Kyle Walker-Peters and Ryan Bertrand continue to start at full-back, with both having been mainstays in Hasenhuttl’s side so far this season.

There’s one change in midfield, as Nathan Redmond is restored to the starting XI after an arguably disappointing display from Moussa Djenepo in the win against Brighton – his 6.4 rating as per Sofascore was the joint-lowest of any Southampton player.

James Ward-Prowse and Oriol Romeu can continue their impressive partnership in midfield, with the duo having been two of Hasenhuttl’s standout performers in the Premier League this year – the duo are both in the top five for average match rating for the Saints as per Whoscored.

Finally, Ings is given the nod to start up front, ahead of Theo Walcott, who drops out after a poor performance against Brighton last time out.

Back in 2016, Lee Dixon was full of praise for the former Arsenal man, saying:

“His speed and quality on the ball is unquestionable.

“Now all of a sudden he is unplayable. He is thinking about the game. It seems like he has turned into a different player.”

However, Ings’ connection with Che Adams up front has been a key part of Southampton’s impressive run of form – the duo have 14 goal contributions combined –  and if those two can perform well, the Saints will surely have a good chance of picking up all three points against Sheffield United.

And, in other news… Southampton can exploit key SHU weakness by unleashing colossus “role model”

With four wins from four, Aston Villa have enjoyed the absolute dream start to the new Premier League season.

Dean Smith’s side sit second in the table and only behind table-toppers Everton by one point, although the Toffees have played one game more. On Friday night, they have the chance to go straight to the summit however, as they welcome newly-promoted Leeds United.

The Whites have had an encouraging beginning on their return to English football’s top-flight, picking up seven points from five games, including a very creditable draw against Manchester City.

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Marcelo Bielsa’s side will be keen to get back to winning ways after tasting defeat last time out to Wolves, but ahead of the game, it’s Villa who arguably have the edge – and not just based on recent form.

Leeds confirmed that star midfielder Kalvin Phillips could be out for up to six weeks with a shoulder injury that he picked up against Wolves. The 24-year-old’s good form this season saw him earn an England call-up by Gareth Southgate, and will be badly missed by Bielsa.

It means that Villa have the perfect opportunity to make it a stunning five wins from five in the Premier League, and when you look at some of the good fortune the club has had in terms of opposition injuries, you do wonder whether Smith has some kind of lucky touch around him.

First, that 7-2 drubbing of reigning champions Liverpool saw Jurgen Klopp’s side play without the likes of Alisson, Thiago and Sadio Mane. Then the hard-fought 1-0 win at Leicester saw Brendan Rodgers deprived of both Jamie Vardy and Caglar Soyuncu, whilst James Maddison could only come off the bench.

Now, Villa’s next opponents have been struck down with an injury blow to one of their key men. Things are all lining up perfectly for Smith as they continue to send shock-waves across the country.