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Midlands journalist Luke Hatfield insists that West Bromwich Albion are most likely to spend the money received from selling Matheus Pereira on a striker this summer.

The Baggies have seen the Brazilian move to Al Hilal in Saudi Arabia, although the fee has remained undisclosed.

Hatfield claims that the Championship club did want to receive £25m, although he doubts such a figure was met by Al Hilal.

Nevertheless, he expects the club to chase a new centre-forward before the end of the transfer window as the club plot an immediate return to the Premier League after their relegation last term.

West Brom currently have three options up front, in Callum Robinson, Kenneth Zohore, and Karlan Grant, and Hatfield has revealed that the Baggies have identified a new striker as a key potential acquisition.

He said: “I’m still unsure of the actual fee but I don’t think it’ll be at the level of the £25 million that they would have wanted for Pereira.

“Ultimately, if he’s making the noises that he is, rocking the boat a little bit, maybe Albion considered, ‘maybe we should get rid of him and get the money we can and then we can reinvest that in a striker’, which is a position they really want to fill.”

West Brom have already kicked off their Championship season, drawing 2-2 with AFC Bournemouth on Friday evening.

An update has emerged on Stoke midfielder James McClean, regarding Bolton’s interest in his services. 

What’s the talk?

According to The Sun’s Alan Nixon, Bolton are considering a swoop for Stoke City utility man James McClean this month.

Nixon claims that Stoke are willing to send the Irishman out on loan, with Bolton and Wigan both eyeing him up as a potential signing.

Potters boss Michael O’Neill has confirmed that the winger is available for clubs to sign. He said:

“James is part of the U23s. He’s available to other clubs but as yet no club has taken up that option as far as I understand.”

Evatt would love him

Bolton must decide to take up Stoke’s offer and bring McClean in on a season-long loan, assuming the financial element of the deal is within the club’s budget. He is an experienced operator who could come in and add quality and know-how to the squad, which is why he could be an excellent signing.

In terms of his ability, he was able to showcase what he is capable of at times in the Championship last season. He averaged a solid WhoScored rating of 6.72 in 23 appearances, scoring two and assisting three. In the 2019/20 campaign, he averaged an exceptional WhoScored rating of 7.14 and was directly involved in 14 goals – seven goals and seven assists.

This suggests that he still has the talent to make an impact in the second tier, which is why he could be superb in League One as it is one step lower than where he has been playing. Therefore, he could arrive at Bolton and offer real quality on the ball to help push them further up the table.

Evatt could love having a player with his class in possession, but his attitude and work rate is also top drawer. Last year, O’Neill called McClean a ‘whole-hearted’ player, although he admitted that he still needs to learn the tactical side of the game. He said:

“James is such a willing, whole-hearted player, he just at times needs a little bit of guidance.

“But for me, he’s been excellent when you look at the number of goals he assisted and the number he’s scored as well.

“So there’s a lot of positive things in his play, but he maybe needs a bit of help tactically and that’s something we continue to work on.”

This shows that the £20k-per-week beast puts the work in and is willing to grind the hard yards for the team. Evatt would be buzzing to have a player who could make a difference in and out of possession, with his skill and his work rate.

With over 150 Premier League appearances and over 170 appearances in the Championship to his name, McClean could impart his wisdom onto the younger players at the club. He has the experience of playing at a higher level and his know-how could prove crucial in the long run.

Lee Bowyer has seen his Birmingham City side get off to something of a mixed start to their 2021/22 Championship campaign, with the Blues winning one, drawing one and losing one of their opening three fixtures of the season.

Indeed, after a highly impressive 1-0 away victory at Sheffield United in their league opener and a solid 0-0 draw with Stoke City, things appeared to be looking on the up at Birmingham.

However, Bowyer’s side were brought back down to earth with a bump by AFC Bournemouth on Wednesday evening, as Scott Parker’s side rather comfortably secured a 2-0 win at St. Andrew’s, with the Cherries enjoying 65% of possession, creating two big chances and completing 272 more passes than their hosts.

And, while defeat to a Bournemouth side who will more than likely be there or thereabouts regarding promotion come the end of the season is no reason for Bowyer to panic, there were nevertheless a couple of players who particularly disappointed in the fixture, one of whom was Jeremie Bela.

Indeed, over his 90 minutes on the pitch, the £2.25m-rated left-winger completed just two of his eight attempted crosses, managed no shots on target, made a grand total of nine passes and completed just one of his five dribbles.

The 28-year-old also gave away possession of the ball on 18 separate occasions, won just four of his 12 duels, conceded two fouls and touched the ball 40 times – an amount fewer than Matija Sarkic’s number of touches between the Birmingham sticks.

These returns saw the £15k-per-week forward earn a disappointing SofaScore match rating of 6.4, ranking him as Bowyer’s second-worst player to feature in the match, with only Gary Gardner receiving a lower rating than Bela.

As such, with Birmingham undoubtedly hoping they can get back to winning ways in their clash with Luton Town this weekend, if Bowyer’s side are to have any chance of doing so, the Angola international will certainly have to up his level of performance against the Hatters.

In other news: “Outstanding” £5k-p/w gem drops transfer hint which will leave Birmingham fans gutted

Leeds United were reportedly interested in signing veteran midfielder Gary Medel this summer, but he now looks set to join Elche instead.

The Lowdown: Seach for signings goes on

The transfer window is less than a week away from closing, but business is quiet at Elland Road, with nothing happening since the arrival of Kristoffer Klaesson.

A new midfielder could be ideal before deadline day, giving Marcelo Bielsa more options in the middle of the park and offering a quality depth option behind Kalvin Phillips, who some pundits feel will need more rest this season.

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The Latest: Leeds wanted Medel

One player who Leeds have reportedly missed out on is 133-time capped Chile veteran Medel, who has one year left on his current Bologna deal.

According to Corriere dello Sport [via Sport Witness], the 34-year-old was ‘long sought after’ by Leeds, but instead, he seems likely to join Elche in La Liga.

The tenacious and versatile midfielder has played under Bielsa before with Chile.

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The Verdict: A chance wasted?

Medel could have been an ideal squad addition for Leeds, possessing a huge amount of experience and quality, not to mention an ability to play in midfield and at centre-back, meaning he would add depth in two positions at once.

Not only that, but he has worked with Bielsa at international level and is a character who could have added heart and fight to the dressing room, as shown during his time in the Premier League with Cardiff City.

Medel may be 34, but it is a deal that the Whites could regret not completing as the season progresses – it’s not every day a player with over 130 caps and experience in multiple top European leagues is on the market.

In other news, Leeds are reportedly tracking one player – find out who it is here.

Ex-professional football Nigel Jemson believes that Joshua King will be a good signing for Watford.

The 29-year-old put pen to paper on a two-year contract with the Hornets, with the club having the option of extending his contract by a further year.

The Norway international has scored 72 goals throughout his career, with his most prolific spell coming when he was with AFC Bournemouth as he netted 48 times for the Cherries in 172 matches.

King spent the first half of last season with AFC Bournemouth before making the switch to Goodison Park, as he signed for Everton.

Now in the yellow of Watford, former Hornet Nigel Jemson believes that King is a good signing for the club, telling Football FanCast in an exclusive interview: “I think he’ll be a good signing for them. You know, it didn’t really work out at Everton, but I think that was just a short-term signing anyway to plug a few gaps, but I am quite impressed with what they’ve done, and I like the way they’ve not been stupid about spending millions, because, you know, spending money like that doesn’t always guarantee success.”

As well as playing as a centre-forward, King has also featured off both wings and as an attacking midfielder throughout his career and so offers Xisco Munoz plenty of versatility.

Sky Sports reporter Michael Bridge has confirmed Leicester City-bound Ademola Lookman was on Crystal Palace’s list of targets throughout the transfer window.

Lookman looks poised to join Brendan Rodgers’ Foxes on deadline day after the FA Cup holders entered negotiations over a loan move, which would include the option to buy, with RB Leipzig.

Leicester have taken an interest in the 23-year-old after registering four goals and four assists during a season-long loan with Fulham last term.

Although Lookman was unable to help the Cottagers stave off relegation to the Championship, he impressed in spells and it is understood the winger was on Palace’s list of transfer targets.

Patrick Vieira, who was appointed as the Eagles’ new boss in June, has been looking to freshen up his squad with youthful talent and has brought in the likes of Marc Guehi, Michael Olise and Conor Gallagher.

But Bridge has revealed Vieira was keen to welcome Lookman to Selhurst Park.

He told The Transfer Tavern: “Lookman was on their list, like Eddie Nketiah at Arsenal, but I’ve heard he could be off to Leicester now, which is a great move for him.

“He was definitely on their list but there were no bids.”

Things have not exactly got off to the best of starts for Chris Hughton at Nottingham Forest this season, with the Reds having picked up just a single point over their opening five Championship fixtures of the new campaign.

Indeed, losses to Coventry City, AFC Bournemouth, Blackburn Rovers, Stoke City and a draw with arch-rivals Derby County have left the 62-year-old’s side rooted to the bottom of the second tier table, while a 4-0 drubbing by Wolverhampton Wanderers has also seen the club exit the Carabao Cup.

As such, it will perhaps come as no surprise to Forest fans that a number of their side’s players have not been at the top of their game during the opening weeks of the club’s 2021/22 campaign, with a number of individuals averaging a SofaScore match rating of 6.50 or below.

However, there is one player in particular whose statistics will be most concerning for fans of the club and Hughton alike – Alex Mighten.

Zero shots on target

While it may seem slightly harsh to single out a 19-year-old for his below-par performances while a great many of Forest’s more experienced players have also disappointed for the club so far this season, unfortunately, the winger’s returns for the Reds have simply not been good enough.

Indeed, over his five appearances for Hughton’s side so far this term, the £450k-rated man has scored no goals, registered no assists, made no key passes and created no big chances for his teammates.

Furthermore, the £2.5k-per-week forward has taken a grand total of one shot – which failed to hit the target – over his five league fixtures, as well as losing possession of the ball an average of 10.2 times and being dribbled past 0.4 times per match.

These returns – or lack thereof – have seen the youngster average an extremely disappointing SofaScore match rating of 6.42, ranking him as Hughton’s fifth-worst performer in the second tier.

Having said this, Mighten is still undoubtedly a player with an extremely bright future ahead of him in the game, the forward just so happens to be playing in a Forest side who have failed to hit anywhere near what was expected of them prior to the new season kicking off.

As such, perhaps it would be kind of Hughton to take the youngster out of the team for a couple of weeks, in order to take some of the heat away from his current level of performance and allow him to regain his confidence while playing for the club’s U23 side, before reintroducing the 19-year-old to the first-team when the club have managed to string a few positive results together.

In other news: Forest handed double injury boost ahead of Cardiff clash, Hughton will be buzzing

West Ham United may have kept a clean sheet and extended their unbeaten run to four straight matches this weekend but David Moyes still has a big decision to make in defence going forward.

He sanctioned the £29.8m signing of Kurt Zouma from Chelsea before the international break, yet the Premier League and Champions League winner did not make his debut at Southampton on Saturday.

Instead, the Scotsman stuck with his tried-and-tested first-choice duo of Angelo Ogbonna and Craig Dawson, though the latter is lucky to remain, perhaps Moyes is being a little too loyal to the former West Brom star.

Despite being unbeaten, Dawson’s form has been a major cause for concern. He’s been a big liability so far this campaign.

Against Crystal Palace, the 31-year-old veteran was unable to block Conor Gallagher’s first goal and could’ve done so much better for his second, whilst the win at Newcastle saw the centre-back completely switch off inside the box for Callum Wilson to head home.

And it certainly seems like many supporters were worried about what he could do next after he was named in the starting XI at St Mary’s over the weekend.

“Craig Dawson is genuinely awful,” claimed one fan account on Twitter.

The 6 foot 2 colossus, who earns around £42.5k-per-week, was afforded a place in the starting XI due to Issa Diop’s inconsistencies but positivity around his impact has been subdued for quite some time now.

And with Zouma becoming part of the squad, it’s surely an easy change to make in the near future. He featured for France during the break, picking up his seventh and eighth cap, so it’s not as if he’s short of fitness.

Dawson’s drop-off in form should leave Moyes with no choice but to unleash Zouma and Angelo Ogbonna together at the very next opportunity.

The writing had been on the wall, perhaps a little beneath the surface given the results, having leaked five goals from their opening three games. It’s time to unleash their big-money investment with crucial games in the Europa League and Premier League this week.

Moyes cannot risk Dawson’s form slipping any more.

AND in other news, Moyes must unleash “world-beater” in NEW role after fresh West Ham blow…

Leeds United have been dealt a blow regarding the fitness of Adam Forshaw ahead of the Whites’ upcoming Premier League fixture.

What’s the latest?

That’s according to a report by Leeds Live which said that Marcelo Bielsa revealed following the 3-0 loss to Liverpool on Sunday that the midfielder was not available for selection as a result of a muscle strain, something which would appear to cast serious doubt as to whether the 29-year-old will be available for the trip to Newcastle United on Friday.

Forshaw has not featured in a league game for the Whites in almost two years, having previously been sidelined due to a hip injury.

Fans will be gutted

Considering the influential role Forshaw held in the side prior to his long-term injury, the midfielder’s latest setback in his recovery is sure to have left the Elland Road faithful gutted.

Indeed, the £1.8m-rated man impressed over his 30 Championship appearances in Bielsa’s first season at Leeds, averaging 0.9 key passes, 0.7 interceptions and 2.2 tackles and winning 5.4 duels per game.

These returns saw the £23k-per-week midfielder earn a seasonal SofaScore match rating of 6.91, ranking him as the Whites’ joint eighth-best performer in the second tier of English football – level with Kalvin Phillips.

As such, it is undeniable that the 29-year-old’s return to first team action would be a considerable boost for his club, especially when considering the sheer length of time for which he has been sidelined.

However, whether or not Forshaw is the same player he was two years ago remains very much up in the air, and it is something which will only be discovered when (or even if) the midfielder finally manages to get back on the pitch on a regular basis.

In other news: Orta could be heading for his biggest mistake at Leeds to date, Bielsa would be livid

Speaking to Football Insider, Sky Sports pundit Kevin Campbell has been left concerned for Harry Kane following something he’s seen at Tottenham Hotspur when Son Heung-min is absent.

The Lowdown: Spurs suffer blow…

Following the most torrid international break in recent memory for Spurs, the Lilywhites are sweating over star forward Son’s fitness ahead of their highly-anticipated clash with Chelsea.

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The South Korea star sustained a calf injury during the break and hasn’t been able to feature for Spurs since, with Campbell now dropping a claim involving Kane.

The Latest: Campbell makes Kane and Son claim…

Speaking to FI, the former Premier League striker has claimed that Son’s injury could have a very negative impact on Kane after seeing just how much Son’s presence benefits the Englishman.

“Kane is in the positions but he is not getting the service.

“When you have a striker as good as Harry Kane up top you have to create.

“Son is a key part of what Harry Kane does because the defence has two things to think about. But when Son is not there the whole defence concentrates on Kane so it makes it harder for him.

“When Son is there the defence is more stretched because he is the runner. It gives Kane more space and time.

“Who is the real threat in behind when Son is not there? There isn’t one. Kane suffers when Son is not there. He is a big absence.”

The Verdict: Spurs sweat…

Taking this and Son’s brilliant 2020/2021 season into account, it’s safe to say Nuno Espirito Santo will be praying for the 29-year-old’s return to action on Sunday.

Indeed, the pair became the most prolific duo in a single Premier League campaign last season.

Amid the Tottenham manager’s selection crisis, a return for the star forward could come as a very timely boost indeed – not only to supply quality, but also to free up Kane.

In other news: Levy could now agree blockbuster new deal for another ‘magnificent’ Spurs player, find out more here.