According to reports in The Sun on Sunday, Newcastle United manager Rafa Benitez is ready to reignite his interest in Napoli goalkeeper Pepe Reina before the transfer window slams shut, with his contract that is due to run out at the end of the season unlikely to be extended as the Italian club refuse to offer him the new €2.5m-a-year (approximately £43,000-a-week) deal that he wants.

What’s the word, then?

Well, The Sun on Sunday says that Benitez has wanted his former Liverpool and Napoli goalkeeper since the summer, and has been frustrated that he hasn’t been able to bring him to St James’ Park to be their new number one.

The Sun on Sunday says that the Spanish boss is banking on Magpies owner Mike Ashley being forced into the deal in order to stop him walking away as the Tyneside outfit’s manager, with £10m available to spend on a new stopper.

The report adds that Benitez wants more as he believes the Serie A outfit will hold out for a bigger fee even though his deal is running out, while the 35-year-old is also on a big salary.

How has Reina done this season?

He has done well.

The Spaniard continues to be Napoli’s number one goalkeeper, and he has made 27 appearances in all competitions for them this term, keeping 12 clean sheets and conceding 24 goals.

The latest of those shut-outs came in a 2-0 victory against Chievo Verona last weekend, which kept them top of Serie A and one point clear of Juventus.

Would he be a good signing for Newcastle?

He certainly would be.

The 35-year-old has bundles of experience at the very highest level, and he can certainly be relied upon having in the Premier League having played for Liverpool previously.

Benitez is obviously still unsure about Rob Elliot and Karl Darlow given they have rotated at points this season, and it seems as though he would like to replace them with a more trustworthy goalkeeper like Reina.

Will they get him?

Considering he is the first-choice stopper for a club that is competing for the Serie A title you wouldn’t think so, unless Newcastle offer them a fee that they are unable to turn down for a player of his age who only has six months left on his contract.

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Given that he could win a trophy with Napoli, it may also be difficult to convince the Spaniard to come to St James’ Park to join a relegation battle, and a move may well be more likely in the summer if the Magpies stay up.

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On Thurdsay afternoon, Sky Sports reported that Lucas Moura is keen on a move to Tottenham this January.

Following a month of rumours linking the Brazilian to a host of clubs around the world, it seems that Lucas may have made up his mind regarding his next destination.

The 25-year-old, who is valued at £25.2million by Transfermarkt, has had an indifferent season with Paris Saint Germain.

The arrivals of Neymar and Kylian Mbappe mean that Lucas has been forced down the pecking order in the French capital.

The creative forward has made just 5 league appearances for PSG this season, all of which have come from the bench.

With the risk of his career stagnating, Lucas is in desperate need of a new club and it seems that if Tottenham are willing to pay the money, they could very well land the talented Brazilian.

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Following the news that Lucas Moura may be interested in a move to their club, Spurs fans took to Twitter with much excitement…

Thomas Lemar has been one of the names heavily linked with a move to Liverpool, but it seems that the club’s transfer plans have changed.

According to the Liverpool Echo, the Merseyside outfit have switched attention from the Frenchman to other targets deemed more suitable for Jurgen Klopp’s team.

All eyes will be on the Premier League club during the summer transfer window as they look to find a replacement for Philippe Coutinho.

After initially digging their heels in, Liverpool eventually succumbed to Barcelona’s persistence and the Brazilian finalised a move to the Camp Nou in January.

Coutinho was a talismanic figure at Anfield, so finding a player to take his place in the team will be a tough call.

With Lemar now seemingly out of the picture, attention has turned to who the Reds will swoop for.

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In reaction to the news regarding Liverpool’s pursuit of the Frenchman, some fans have been left disappointed, while others think the club are closing in on Real Madrid’s Isco or Borussia Dortmund attacker Christian Pulisic.

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Cenk Tosun arrived at Everton in the January transfer window with the aim of being the club’s new hero up front.

Since Romelu Lukaku left to join Manchester United in the summer, the Toffees have missed that clinical touch in the final third.

In fact, the team have scored 32 goals in 27 Premier League games so far this season, which is seven more than Lukaku hit individually during the 2016-17 campaign.

Since Tosun’s arrival at the club from Besiktas on January 5, the forward has made just three appearances, none of which included a full 90-minute runner.

Manager Sam Allardyce has suggested to the media that the 26-year-old is not at optimum fitness, and now Phil Jagielka has claimed that the forward will benefit in the long run.

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According to the Liverpool Echo, the centre-back said:

“The games he’s been given haven’t been the easiest for different reasons so it’s a case of biding his time, he’s doing well in training, he’s settling in and also think that it’s a good thing because if we’re doing well enough without him it gives him a bit more time to get to know us and slowly get into the team.”

Tosun and his teammates spent last week in Dubai at a warm-weather training camp as they were not in action at the weekend due to previous FA Cup elimination.

According to the Daily Record, Manchester United have approached Barcelona defender Samuel Umtiti over a summer move and are considering activating the Frenchman’s €60million release clause.

What’s the story?

Umtiti has established himself as a key part of Barca’s plans this season, as they look set to wrestle the La Liga title back from bitter rivals Real Madrid and wants an improved salary that reflects that.

The report suggests that the Catalan giants are hesitating over offering a new deal on those terms and that Umtiti has been sounded out by United to glean whether he would be interested in a switch to Old Trafford in the summer.

Having splashed the cash on Philippe Coutinho and Ousmane Dembele in recent months, Barca will also be wary of contravening Financial Fair Play and that could also play a part.

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Would he be a good fit?

Umtiti, who is valued at £36m by transfermarkt.co.uk, is a similar player to Eric Bailly and the fact he is left-footed would allow him to build a balanced, physical and pacy defensive duo alongside the Ivorian.

He has matured a lot this season, in terms of his temperament and his decision making, forming a formidable partnership alongside Gerard Pique.

In that sense, he is ahead of Bailly in his development and his physical attributes would place him ahead of all United’s other central defensive options.

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Chris Smalling may have found the back of the net last night against Crystal Palace but he put in another nervy performance to go with the one at Newcastle last month and the time has come for him to leave Old Trafford.

In truth, none of Jose Mourinho’s current options are indispensable and a player with a bright international future and experience of playing at another one of the world’s biggest clubs would be a definite upgrade.

James Beattie turned out for Southampton for seven years after joining the Saints from Blackburn Rovers in the summer of 1998.

The five-time England international made 235 appearances during his time at St Mary’s – scoring 76 times in the process, including 68 Premier League goals.

The 40-year-old later represented the likes of Everton, Stoke City and Sheffield United before retiring from professional football at the end of the 2012-13 campaign.

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Beattie has since stepped into the coaching side of the game, and he managed Accrington Stanley for 16 months from May 2013 before leaving by mutual consent.

The former centre-forward has since spent time with Swansea City and Leeds United as a first-team coach, but is now with Championship club Middlesbrough, where he works under Tony Pulis.

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A lot has happened at Southampton since Beattie left the club in 2005, but it appears that the supporters have not forgotten what the Englishman brought to St Mary’s.

A selection of the Twitter reaction can be seen below:

As reported by The Independent, Celtic are one of a number of clubs showing interest in signing Yeovil Town full-back Tom James this summer.

What’s the story?

With Mikael Lustig turning 31 this season, losing form in a significant way and Anthony Ralston struggling with injury, a major priority for the Hoops this summer is bringing in a right-back that can challenge for first team places.

One player apparently on their radar is Tom James, currently at League Two outfit Yeovil Town.

That’s according to The Independent who say that the Hoops are facing a challenge from Premier League clubs Swansea City and Bournemouth for his signature.

The paper reckon he could be available for around £500,000 as an initial fee, meaning he is well within the Hoops’ budget.

He may not be playing in the most illustrious league around, but at 21 years old, does he have a potential that can be unlocked by Brendan Rodgers?

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Who is he?

Previously at Cardiff City, the player made his Premier League debut at the age of 18, but found his chances limited at the Welsh club before eventually leaving by mutual consenst.

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Signed by Yeovil last January, he’s emerged as a vital member of Darren Way’s team, helping them keep 12 clean sheets so far this season and showing the versatility to be able to play on the right or left flanks, a versatility that would be valuable to Celtic.

Hoops fans might be hoping the club can go out and sign established talent with a pedigree greater than James’ but the club have a good track record of polishing hidden gems and with the likes of Eddie Howe and Brendan Rodgers reportedly keen, this is a right-back that could have significant potential.

Former Manchester United winger Memphis Depay, rated at £25.2m by Transfermarkt, impressed and got himself on the score-sheet in the Netherlands’ 3-0 friendly win against Portugal on Monday night, and Red Devils fans want to see the Dutchman return to Old Trafford.

The 24-year-old left to join Ligue 1 outfit Lyon in January 2017 after a disappointing spell with United in which he scored seven goals in 53 appearances in all competitions, but he is now hitting form for club and country and could be a potential replacement for Alexis Sanchez, who is failing to win the Old Trafford faithful around with his performances.

The attacker has netted 13 goals and provided a further 10 assists in 43 appearances in all competitions for the French outfit this season, while he was one of his nation’s standout performers against the Euro 2016 winners on Monday.

Man United supporters were quick to have their say on Depay’s display via social media, and while one said “I would take Memphis Depay back at United in a heartbeat”, another simply said “come back to Man United”.

Here is just a selection of the Twitter reaction…

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Leeds United fans are not expected to see Tyler Roberts in action until next season.

The 19-year-old moved to Elland Road from West Bromwich Albion in the January transfer window but has not made a single appearance for the Yorkshire outfit.

It was a huge blow for the teenager when a crack in his shin prevented him from making his debut and subsequently miss the majority of the second half of the season.

Roberts was unable to prove himself under the manager who signed him – Thomas Christiansen – and the same applies to Paul Heckingbottom’s reign.

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Many would have hoped that the forward would feature in the closing stages of the campaign, but it does not appear that he will.

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The Yorkshire Evening Post has quoted the manager as saying that Roberts will not be thrown into action and is likely to stake a claim for a place in the team during pre-season.

“It’s pointless us rushing him. It’s probably touch and go about when he is fit with regards the end of the season but I would like for him and Luke Ayling to be back with the players before we break up for the summer, for their peace of mind and my peace of mind.”

At the start of the season, Leeds had hoped to be pushing for promotion to the Premier League, but as it stands, the club are 13th in the standings, 10 points adrift of a place in the playoffs.

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has insisted in an interview with Bild that he is not worried about Mohamed Salah leaving the club.

What’s the word?

It is safe to say that the Egyptian international has been the Reds’ standout player this season.

Salah’s previous failings at Chelsea hung over him following his arrival at Anfield from Roma last summer.

However, he has since silenced the critics by scoring 39 goals in all competitions this season.

The attacker’s prolific form has led to reports linking him with a possible move elsewhere, but Klopp has eased the speculation surrounding Salah, who is rated at £72m by Transfermarkt.

While speaking to Bild, the German coach said:

“I know that Mo feels very comfortable here,’ Klopp said. ‘He knows that our style of play suits him very well. So I am not worried about a transfer.”

Could this be another Coutinho saga?

After months of speculation, Philippe Coutinho departed from Liverpool in January to join Barcelona.

Numerous times over the years, players who have reached peak form for the Reds have moved on to Spain.

More often than not, the lure of Barcelona and Real Madrid is too much to turn down, but Salah would be making a mistake if he left this summer.

It has been evident in the attacker’s career that he will not thrive if not played in the correct position or system.

Like Klopp mentioned, Liverpool’s style is well suited to Salah’s attributes and he has the chance to become an Anfield legend if he commits more years of his career to the club.

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With a Champions League semi-final against the 25-year-old’s former club Roma on the horizon, there is no reason why the Reds cannot go all the way and win the trophy.

Salah should stick with Liverpool for the next few seasons and then reevaluate depending on the direction of the club.

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