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Sky Sports’ Vinny O’Connor has spotted that Dominic Calvert-Lewin has missed yet another Everton training session.

The Lowdown: Injury woes continue to hamper Everton

Ever since the beginning of last season, Calvert-Lewin has not been able to stay fit or put a run of consistent starts together for the Toffees, with the England international only starting 24 league games over the last two campaigns.

When Sean Dyche was appointed at Everton, he vowed to get to the bottom of Calvert-Lewin’s injury woes, with the club looking into his mattress and the car he drives. However, he is yet to return to the pitch.

Just last week, the striker was finally back doing training sessions with his Everton teammates, but with their next game on Saturday afternoon swiftly approaching, it looks as though Calvert-Lewin may well have suffered a setback.

The Latest: Calvert-Lewin struggling to get fit

Reporter O’Connor had been at Finch Farm to take in Everton’s latest training session prior to this weekend’s clash against Chelsea, and dropped the worrying news that Calvert-Lewin wasn’t out on the grass.

He said: “Someone like Dominic Calvert-Lewin in a relegation battle, if he can find his top form and get the trust of his manager in terms of form and the ability to play game after game after game, he’s a much-needed weapon as Everton look to pull away from that drop-zone.

“But at the moment, Dominic Calvert-Lewin is not out there training with his Everton teammates.”

The Verdict: Everton may rue Calvert-Lewin’s injury problems

Despite the positive news of Calvert-Lewin returning to first-team training, the fact he was not seen with his teammates just days before a tough game away to Chelsea will be devastating for Evertonians and Dyche.

If Everton can somehow manage to get Calvert-Lewin fit for at least five games before the end of the season, he could prove to be the difference between staying up and experiencing their first-ever relegation from the Premier League.

He’s an experienced and established striker in the top flight and certainly has the mentality needed to lead the line for Everton as he did so whenever fit last season, and popped up when it mattered against Crystal Palace last year, although they’ll likely have to wait a while longer with Dyche since admitting they’re still ‘monitoring’ the striker and being very careful with his situation.

Crystal Palace are thought to be interested in a move for Middlesborough forward Chuba Akpom, according to talkSPORT.

The Lowdown: Fine form

Akpom made the move to the Riverside Stadium in 2020 and has been enjoying a fine season in front of goal in the Championship.

The 27-year-old is the top scorer in the second tier, netting 21 goals in 28 games, four more than any other player. Hailed as a ‘fantastic’ striker by former Boro caretaker boss Leo Percovich, Akpom is out of contract in the summer, and it looks as if a move to the Premier League could be on the cards.

The Latest: Palace interest

TalkSPORT reporter Alex Crook provided an update on Akpom’s future in the last 48 hours.

He stated that Palace, along with Everton and Leeds, are ‘waiting to pounce’ for Akpom if Boro’s promotion push falls short.

The Verdict: Makes sense

Patrick Vieira’s side have struggled for goals this season and are yet to net more than one top-flight goal in a game in 2023. They have bagged just 21 times in 25 league games, fewer than bottom side Bournemouth, so a move for a new forward would make sense.

Akpom has been impressing in the second tier so could be a shrewd target, especially if he becomes a free agent over the coming months.

Palace’s top scorer, Wilfried Zaha,  is also out of contract in the summer, and should he depart for nothing Palace will need to bring in more than one attacker ahead of the 2023/24 campaign.

Tottenham are now readying a bid to sign Sevilla goalkeeper Yassine ‘Bono’ Bounou, according to reports.

The Lowdown: Spurs linked…

The north Londoners are looking for a long-term Hugo Lloris successor as he enters the final 17 months of his contract at Spurs.

Antonio Conte’s favourite is currently sidelined through injury but has been criticised for some Premier League performances this season, leading to Fabio Paratici’s search for a goalkeeping heir.

Bono is one of the names to have been linked with a move to N17 with reports suggesting he is a firm transfer target for Tottenham.

The Latest: Tottenham plan Bono bid…

According to reports out of Spain, as shared by Sport Witness, the Lilywhites are planning to make a €20 million (£18m) offer for Bono.

It is claimed that Spurs are one of three teams set to lodge a bid for the Morocco international, who starred for his nation at the 2022 World Cup.

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The Verdict: Perfect candidate?

There are few names who could filly replace Lloris considering his phenomenal tenure as Spurs number one overall.

The Frenchman has been a mainstay since joining from Lyon in 2012, but as the time nears to say goodbye, Bono could at least come as a safe pair of hands.

The 6 foot 4 shot stopper made a name for himself in Qatar, standing out as one of the keepers of the tournament with manager Walid Regragui calling Bono ‘one of the best’ in world football.

As well as this, after his showings for Morocco, members of the media branded Sevilla’s keeper one of football’s ‘rising stars’ as Bono swiftly rose to prominence.

£18 million for such a player would come as a real steal for Spurs but it remains to be seen if Sevilla are willing to accept.

Everton reportedly now ‘want’ to sign AS Roma attacking midfielder Nicolo Zaniolo, but there is a ‘meeting in progress’ involving a rival suitor.

The Lowdown: Bournemouth deal collapses

Sky Italy journalist and transfer expert Gianluca Di Marzio reported this afternoon that Zaniolo ‘accepted’ an offer from AFC Bournemouth on Monday night, ‘ready to go’ this morning.

However, the Premier League club then ‘blocked’ a move over concerns about finances, meaning that Zaniolo is now free to move to another team before the transfer window closes.

The Latest: Everton in the race

Taking to Twitter, journalist Alessandro De Felice reports that the Goodison Park outfit now ‘want’ to sign Zaniolo, but there is a ‘meeting in progress’ with rival suitors Sassuolo, which could see their player Davide Frattesi sent to Roma as part of a swap deal:

“Plot #Everton – #Roma – #Sassuolo: The Toffees want Zaniolo, Frattesi can end up in red and yellow. Meeting in progress between the Carnevali and the Neroverde midfielder’s (Frattesi’s) agent.”

The Verdict: Time ticking!

Time is certainly ticking for Sean Dyche’s side to get new faces through the doors before the deadline at 11pm tonight, having not spent any money on any signings yet and only recalling Ellis Simms from his loan spell at Sunderland.

They also lost winger Anthony Gordon to Newcastle United, and so need to bring in at least one new attacker in the next few hours in order to compensate for his loss.

Hailed as a ‘tremendous talent’ with an ‘amazing ability’ to decide games by journalist Alvaro Canibe, Zaniolo has scored 24 goals and made a further 18 assists in 128 games for Roma, and has played in all three major European competitions for them including the UEFA Champions League (Transfermarkt).

The Italy international is a player who likes to get on the ball and take responsibility, ranking in the 96th and 81st percentile of all midfielders in Europe’s top five leagues over the past year for shots and touches respectively, and at 23 years of age has not yet hit his peak.

Nonetheless, Zaniolo could be a tidy signing for the Toffees if they can beat Sassuolo to his signature.

Tottenham Hotspur will be hoping that Antonio Conte is happy with the transfer business completed by the club, Dean Jones has explained.

What’s the word?

There has been much speculation over Conte’s future, with his contract set to expire in the summer, and the atmosphere around the club has been toxic amidst poor recent form.

However, Spurs have acted well in the transfer window, bringing in Pedro Porro and Arnaut Danjuma as reinforcements, and as his squad is starting to take shape, there is hope that Conte can help inject some life into the club between now and the end of the season.

Speaking to Football FanCast, Jones claimed that although a dip in form could see a real dent in morale, the signings should provide a boost to the club and Conte.

“A few bad results? I can see things kicking off again,” he stated.

“But the hope here is definitely that the club becomes more settled now and that Conte is happier with the streamlined options he has in key positions.”

Form has to improve

In Porro, Spurs now have a new player in a position where they were struggling, with Emerson Royal receiving heavy criticism for his performances this season, and the Spaniard has arrived as a high-profile signing from Sporting Lisbon.

With two signings over the line in January, Spurs now need to kick on and improve their form if they are to secure a top-four finish, while they may also fancy their chances in the FA Cup.

There have indeed been whispers of discontent behind the scenes, with rumours of Emerson being involved in a training ground bust-up at the turn of the year. Combined with their downturn in form over recent weeks, Hotspur Way hasn’t seemed like the happiest of places to be lately.

Fans will surely have been boosted by Spurs’ winter arrivals, but if they fail to have an effect on results, the chances of Conte remaining happy would indeed appear slim.

The Italian has displayed his short fuse in the aftermath of poor results, so it may not even be surprising if tensions rise again in the event Spurs fail to make a success of this season.

Tottenham may have been handed a possible transfer boost in the hunt to sign Roma forward Nicolo Zaniolo, according to Graeme Bailey.

The Lowdown: Spurs make move…

Reliable reports in the last 48 hours have shared news of a Spurs proposal to sign the Italy international, coming after their repeated links last summer.

Sky Sports reporter Gianluca Di Marzio first claimed that Lilywhites sporting director Fabio Paratici personally made a proposal to sign Zaniolo on loan with an obligation to buy.

However, further updates then stated the offer was rejected by Jose Mourinho’s side with Spurs now looking in the hunt for another player alongside Sporting Lisbon wing-back Pedro Porro.

Tottenham manager Antonio Conte oversaw a lacklustre 4-2 loss to Man City on Thursday evening after they managed to nick a 2-goal half time lead – a result which perhaps highlights their need to strengthen.

The Latest: Tottenham handed Zaniolo boost…

According to 90min reporter Graeme Bailey, writing on Twitter and for 90min, north London is ‘very much’ Zaniolo’s ‘preferred option’ over fellow signing competitors West Ham, Leeds, Leicester and Borussia Dortmund.

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This could be a possible boost for Spurs as the player allegedly eyes a move to the club and, according to Bailey, it is believed ‘Conte is a huge fan of the player’.

The Verdict: Make the move?

Reports suggest, if Roma don’t want to loan him out, the asking price is €40 million (£35m) – a potential financial gamble on behalf of Spurs and chairman Daniel Levy.

Zaniolo has arguably been out of form under Mourinho this year – netting just one goal in 13 Serie A appearances this season.

However, while he is going through a damp patch, his form of last season indicates there is a player of real quality and huge potential in there.

As per WhoScored, over the 2021/2022 season, Zaniolo ranked in Roma’s top three for attempts at goal per 90 and bested all of his teammates for completed dribbles per 90 – not to mention he drew the most fouls in that time.

The numbers say, when at his best, he can be a tricky and creative player – something which is arguably needed for Spurs and Conte.

Recently lauded as having ‘tremendous talent and an amazing ability’ by members of the media, Zaniolo does possess the class – with the question being if he can turn it on in the Premier League.

Insider ExWHUemployee has claimed that Harry Maguire could be a good signing for West Ham United amid recent links in the media.

What’s the latest?

It’s no secret that the Manchester United defender has been much maligned in recent times. As a result of his poor form, he has been dropped at club level, making just three Premier League starts all season.

With the January window now open, talks have begun to suggest that he could be on his way out of Manchester in the near future with the Hammers named as a possible destination.

Indeed, former England International Stuart Pearce told TalkSport: “If I was West Ham, if I was Newcastle, if I was Aston Villa, I’d be all over trying to get Harry Maguire out of there. I’d be asking the question whether he’s available.”

Amid all this, Ex has weighed in on the idea of a possible transfer. He told The West Ham Way podcast (8:37): “There was talk of Harry Maguire. You know, West Ham fans will laugh at that but I would take him.

“Not that I think that we need him with [Kurt] Zouma and [Nayef] Aguerd back but if [Craig] Dawson goes, possibly.”

Redemption arc

Before his move to the Red Devils, Maguire had established himself as one of England’s finest central defenders – hence the £80m transfer fee paid for him.

And while he all know how things have turned sour recently, he did remind plenty of his quality with his performances for the Three Lions at the World Cup.

With that in mind, it certainly seems plausible that he could rediscover some of his past best form if he leaves Man United and moved to the right club.

It remains to be seen if West Ham have any real interest in a deal but with Dawson long linked with an exit, perhaps the club will be in the market for a new centre-back in the near future.

Philippe Coutinho is likely to leave Aston Villa now that Unai Emery has replaced Steven Gerrard as manager, according to the club’s former striker Gabby Agbonlahor.

The Lowdown: Coutinho struggling for game-time

The Brazilian’s career has taken a nosedive since his time with Liverpool, having grown into arguably one of the best players in the Premier League at one point – he was named in the PFA Team of the Year in 2015.

Coutinho has been disappointing for Villa after a bright start during his loan spell in 2021/22, joining permanently during the summer but only starting six league games so far this season.

Recent reports have suggested that the 30-year-old could be sold by the Villans in January, with Emery not seeing him as a part of his plans.

The Latest: Coutinho could leave Villa

Speaking to Football Insider, Agbonlahor claimed that Coutinho could depart Villa Park in favour of a fresh challenge, especially now that his ex-Liverpool team-mate Gerrard isn’t in charge in the Midlands.

The talkSPORT pundit said of the Brazilian playmaker:

“I don’t think he’s going to have the motivation. He missed out on the World Cup and that will have hurt him. The manager who brought him in, Steven Gerrard, has gone.

“It’s just not the same Coutinho who was at Liverpool. He didn’t do it at Barcelona and Bayern Munich. When Aston Villa signed him you thought ‘Can he get back to that level?’ but he’s just not the same player. Sometimes you are just not the same player, you don’t have the legs and can’t get around the pitch as much.

“I just don’t see him playing in that side. If you look at Emery’s tactics in the last game against Brighton, it was four centre-midfielders across the midfield with Buendia playing behind Ings.

“I just don’t see Coutinho getting game time. It wouldn’t surprise me if he goes to America or Brazil and plays the last bit of his career there.”

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The Verdict: Time to move on

It makes sense for everyone for Coutinho to leave in January, with the 30-year-old seemingly a shadow of the player he once was, simply not influencing matches as much anymore. That can be seen in how his WhoScored performance ratings have dwindled since his Liverpool days.

There was hope that he could be an inspired signing by Villa, raising the quality of those around him, but he instead looks like a player lacking the spark that he virtually guaranteed in previous years.

Selling Coutinho in January would free up a substantial portion of the Villans’ wage bill – the £125,000-a-week man is their third-highest earner – and free up funds to sign a younger replacement with greater long-term potential who could make more of an impact in 2023 and beyond.

Scottish champions Celtic currently have a few representatives at the ongoing World Cup, with the likes of Aaron Mooy, Josip Juranovic, Cameron Carter-Vickers and Daizen Maeda all having been selected by their respective national sides.

The latter man was something of a surprise pick as the only member of the Hoops’ Japanese contingent to be included on the plane to Qatar, with both Kyogo Furuhashi and Reo Hatate having been notable omissions from Hajime Moriyasu’s squad.

Hatate, in particular, can seemingly count himself unlucky amid his sparkling form at Parkhead in recent times, with the 25-year-old having emerged as a leading asset for manager Ange Postecoglou since his January arrival.

The former Kawasaki Frontale man – who scored 12 goals and laid on ten assists during his time in his homeland – has been on the periphery of the international fold in his career thus far, having been afforded just a solitary cap at senior level to date.

Despite that inexperience for his country, the diminutive ace seemingly could well have made a difference had he been part of the World Cup list, having been simply “tremendous” during his time in Glasgow to date, in the words of pundit Frank McAvennie.

Dubbed the “best signing” made by Postecoglou in his tenure thus far – as per McAvennie – the £12k-per-week maestro has scored six times and laid on seven assists in 41 games in all competitions for the Bhoys to date, notably producing two assists in the comeback win over Ross County last time out prior to this current halt to proceedings.

The 5 foot 8 ace has perhaps shown Japan just what they are missing having also gone on to impress during the Sydney Super Cup clash with Everton, with journalist Sacha Pisani having dubbed him a “beast in midfield” following that display.

Pisani also commented on Hatate’s World Cup snub, suggesting that the player could well go on to become the “heart of that team moving forward”, while the aforementioned McAvennie suggested that the Asian nation must have “one hell of a midfield” if they are to able to leave the Hoops ace out the side.

In his absence, Moriyasu’s side went on to stun 2014 champions Germany late on in their opening group game, although were brought crashing back down to earth after slipping up against Costa Rica on matchday two.

Following that dismal showing, journalist Josh Bunting expressed his belief that Hatate could well have made a real difference had he been selected, stating: “baffles me that Reo Hatate isn’t in that squad to break the lines.”

Bunting had also suggested that it was “insane” that the Suzuka-born ace had been left out of the travelling party to begin with, with such a decision potentially set to prove costly as far as Japan are concerned if they are unable to secure progression.

As for Celtic, the Scottish Premiership side will likely be thankful that the player has been able to enjoy a well-earned rest after putting in an “enormous shift” in recent months – according to Postecoglou – with Hatate likely to be chomping at the bit to show his quality once again when club action resumes next month.

West Ham United are reportedly interested in signing Inter Milan full-back Robin Gosens. 

The Lowdown: West Ham’s previous transfer window

The summer transfer window saw the Hammers add several new players to their squad, including defensive figures in the shape of Nayef Aguerd, Thilo Kehrer and Emerson Palmieri.

After 14 games in the Premier League, only four clubs have conceded fewer goals than West Ham (15), but just three teams have scored fewer than David Moyes’ side (12).

With that in mind, it appears that the east Londoners have their eyes on signing a player who could help them out at both ends of the pitch.

The Latest: Interest in Gosens

According to a recent report from La Gazzetta dello Sport, West Ham have eyes on signing Inter full-back Gosens, who will be hopeful of featuring in Germany’s World Cup squad for the upcoming tournament in Qatar.

The report also stated that fellow Premier League side Leicester City have an interest in the player as well.

The Verdict: Could be useful for West Ham

Bearing in mind how the 28-year-old has only started in four of his 16 appearances for Inter this season across the Champions League and Serie A, it’s safe to say that he isn’t a particularly crucial player for them.

That could give West Ham a good chance of signing the player, who has been praised for his “outstanding” performances for Germany in the past by journalist Stefan Bienkowski, if they would be able to give him regular playing time.

Having played as a left wing-back this season, Gosens has won more tackles (eight) than any other Inter player in the Champions League, while also getting all three of his attempts at goal on target.

This highlights how effective the £77k-per-week wizard can be in a defensive and attacking sense, which would certainly make him a useful addition to West Ham’s squad given their struggles this season.