Sam Preston Archives: 12/2018

Unai Emery reportedly fancies his chances of securing a cut-price January deal for Fernando Calero. Laurent Koscielny was not particularly heralded when he arrived at Arsenal and the man who could replace him may be in a similar boat.

Andreas Samaris reportedly wants a free transfer away from Benfica during next month’s transfer window and in a month that usually sees fees skyrocket, that is a slice of value Newcastle United cannot afford to pass up.

Liverpool produced an attacking display against Napoli last night that would have ensured their safe passage to the Champions League last 16 had they been more clinical, but eventually it was left to Alisson to preserve their 1-0 victory in stoppage time and he duly delivered with a big save.

Silva is set to be allowed to leave the King Power Stadium on loan in January and Newcastle could use more silk to go with the steel Rafa Benitez has assembled in his engine room.

Marco Silva is on his third Premier League managerial job and has never lasted a full season in the top flight. He has done great work at Goodison Park so far but his next challenge is to maintain it for longer than he has managed to previously.

Pedro Martelo may not be a big-name target to get the Fulham fans excited but he is a promising young player and does not represent another high-risk gamble after a summer of mixed success in the transfer market at Craven Cottage.

Welsh international King has been frozen out of Leicester’s plans and a deal looks there to be done. West Brom are reportedly interested but Aston Villa could also boost their midfield options.

Many observers are waiting for Liverpool to return to the rampant attacking style that made them so thrilling to watch last season but Jurgen Klopp has realised a more measured approach is the only way they can be realistic title contenders.

Spurs are reportedly willing to battle Manchester United for FCSB playmaker Dennis Man but on-form Aston Villa ace Jack Grealish would be a better option for Mauricio Pochettino if he wants to add creativity to his squad in January.

Virgil van Dijk has grabbed the headlines as the man who has transformed Liverpool’s defence but behind him, Alisson has been quietly helping the Reds collect point after point.

Ruben Neves is integral to what Wolves are trying to do but with Juventus circling with designs on a January bid, the Old Gold may be about to find out just how settled and committed their key players are.

Nottingham Forest could use a new goalkeeper to tighten up their promotion push and offering Karl Darlow the opportunity to return to the club where he started his career could offer them the edge if they battled Leeds and Aston Villa for his signature.

The race for Lyon powerhouse Tanguy Ndombele is hotting up and if Tottenham were to win it, they would have the ideal replacement for Mousa Dembele.

Claudio Ranieri was the Leicester manager when the Foxes spent big money on Islam Slimani in the wake of their historic title triumph but could not get the best out of the towering striker. With Fulham reportedly readying a January bid, why would it be any different second time around?

Aston Villa are tracking Newcastle goalkeeper Karl Darlow as they seek the goalkeeping upgrade they need to tighten up their promotion push but Burnley stopper Tom Heaton would be a superior option.