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West Bromwich Albion have suffered this season for a lack of goals, and despite Carlos Corberan having turned around their form, his early philosophy at the Hawthorns has had to be built upon defensive stability.

Whilst Steve Bruce likely had high hopes for his January signing Daryl Dike, his injuries meant that the 61-year-old had to scramble in the back end of the summer transfer window for someone to supplement Karlan Grant.

Although Brandon Thomas-Asante was acquired, there was a belief that things would remain comfortable with the former Huddersfield Town marksman up front. Last season he had scored 18 times for a side that slumped to a mid-table finish.

However, with just three scored this campaign in 17 Championship games, both he and the tactical ideals of Bruce culminated to create a truly toothless Baggies outfit.

Even now they have only scored 24 times in 20 games.

It could therefore pique Corberan’s interest that Aston Villa starlet Cameron Archer has reportedly been made available to be loaned this January.

The Midlands outfit had launched a summer bid for his services, and so could look to reignite their interest to further bolster their striking options

Having been starved of consistent exposure to the senior squad, the 20-year-old boasts just 43 minutes of Premier League football across six appearances.

He is not playing for the youth teams and acting as a spectator for the first team.

Going out on loan would serve his career best, in a move that could benefit both parties involved.

Last season, Archer scored seven times and assisted once in 20 Championship appearances for Preston North End and had scored three goals and assisted two more in four Premier League 2 games. The youngster even boasted a goal against Chelsea in the EFL Cup, after scoring a hat trick in the previous round.

Clearly boasting fine finishing prowess, it was noted by the Lilywhites boss Ryan Lowe that he possessed an “abundance of talent”.

He continued: “His quality levels are fantastic, he’s bullish, strong, he can roll, he has got that little burst of pace too.”

With the physical assets to succeed, and the finishing to make him a success at the Hawthorns, it marks a no-brainer for the club to snatch this second chance with both hands to lure such a remarkable talent to West Brom.

Everton making a move to sign Hoffenheim midfielder Dennis Geiger in January is ‘one to look out for’, according to transfer insider Dean Jones.

The Lowdown: Free agent in 2023

The German’s contract with the Bundesliga giants is set to expire at the end of the season, meaning that he is able to negotiate a pre-contract agreement with potential suitors from January onwards.

Sky Sports reporter Florian Plettenberg credited the Toffees, alongside Benfica, with an interest in the 24-year-old, and with no extension believed to be on the cards, there’s a chance he could be on his way to the Premier League.

The Latest: Jones’ comments

Speaking to GiveMeSport, Jones claimed that Everton supporters will have been hoping to be linked to more of a household name, but insisted that Geiger is the right profile of player they should be targeting.

“At a time when they are uncertain where they are going to be finishing in the league, I think that Everton fans might be a little bit underwhelmed, but it is one to look out for, because this is the type of player I think we’ll be reading a lot about.”

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The Verdict: One to watch?

Geiger has previously been labelled a ‘live wire’ by Sandro Wagner, so the Merseyside outfit may well be getting a big character if they make their move.

The Mosbach native only averages 0.2 shots per game but has averaged 1.6 key passes per game and has been Hoffenheim’s sixth-best performer this season, as per WhoScored.

Frank Lampard’s side are just one point above the relegation zone, so immediate January reinforcements could be required alongside working on a potential summer move for Geiger.

Tottenham Hotspur winger Ivan Perisic could help the Premier League club to secure a deal for Josko Gvardiol, according to Frank McAvennie. 

The Lowdown: Spurs linked with Gvardiol

The Lilywhites have recently been linked with a move for the RB Leipzig defender, who is currently playing alongside Perisic for Croatia in the World Cup.

Last month, it was reported that Spurs manager Antonio Conte is hoping that Perisic can persuade his compatriot to come to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in the near future.

Following this behind-the-scenes claim, it appears that one pundit thinks this could be a big advantage for Spurs.

The Latest: McAvennie on Gvardiol

Speaking to Football Insider, former Celtic striker McAvennie was asked if having someone you already know at a club helps a player to make a decision to join that club.

The 62-year-old replied: “Of course it is. Coming to London from another country, it is good to have somebody there that you can bounce off. I think it is great to help settle in, however good a player you are. And the word is that Gvardiol is phenomenal.

“It does help. They have got to have somebody that can show you the ropes, that can be a good pull.

“If somebody goes to Tottenham it is because of Conte, not for anything else because they are not going to win anything. Having somebody at the club that you know, if you were swithering on it that would pull it.”

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The Verdict: A boost for Spurs?

Taking into account what McAvennie said, it seems that Perisic’s presence at Tottenham could act as an advantage in their hopes of securing a deal for Gvardiol.

Last season saw the centre-back show how impressive a defender he is, as he ended the Bundesliga campaign with more successful tackles (31) and interceptions (51) than any other player at Leipzig.

He also racked up the second-highest number of clearances (62) and the third-highest number of blocks (30) and made more progressive passes (123) than any of his team-mates.

With all of that in mind, having Perisic as a potential inside man could end up being a big boost for Spurs’ chances of signing Gvardiol, who we feel the club should do all that they can to sign.

Tottenham Hotspur are interested in a deal to bring Josko Gvardiol to the Premier League.

What’s the talk?

That’s according to a report by Italian media outlet Calciomercato.it, who claim both Antonio Conte’s side and top-flight rivals Chelsea are big admirers of the RB Leipzig centre-back, while Serie A duo Inter Milan and Juventus are also believed to be keen on a move for the 20-year-old defender.

However, the Croatia international’s agent, Marjan Sisic, revealed in an interview with the same outlet that Gvardiol is in no rush to leave the Bundesliga side, despite his claim that interested parties are calling him regarding a potential move for the £80m-valued starlet almost constantly.

Regarding the defender’s future, Sisic said:

“At the moment, we are very happy with Leipzig – it was the ideal choice for him after his years at Dinamo Zagreb.

“After the World Cup, I know that Josko will be completely concentrated on the Bundesliga, the national Cup and the Champions League. We are taking one step at a time and carefully building his career, always talking and deciding the next step together.

“My phone rings all the time, it’s not a secret. But that’s how it is ever since he stepped onto an important stage, playing for the Dinamo Zagreb first team. But I repeat, we are in no hurry.”

The next Ramos

Considering the remarkable rise to stardom Gvardiol has enjoyed over the last few years, it is not hard to comprehend why the likes of Tottenham, Chelsea, Inter and Juventus are reported to be interested in the 20-year-old – as the defender very much looks to be something of a generational talent.

Indeed, despite his tender age, the £103m-rated stopper has already proven himself to be one of the world’s best defenders, with FBref ranking the youngster in the top 25% of centre-backs in Europe’s big five leagues for interceptions per 90, as well as the top 1% for passes attempted, the top 5% for progressive passes and the top 1% for dribbles completed over the last 365 days.

These metrics highlight not only Gvardiol’s exceptional reading of the game, but also the Leipzig sensation’s remarkable ability to both carry and play the ball out from the back – something that makes it easy to see that the Croatian bases his game on Paris Saint-Germain centre-back Sergio Ramos, a player who shares all three of the aforementioned characteristics.

Again, similar to the Spaniard, the £19k-per-week gem also poses a significant threat in the opposition third, with FBref ranking Gvardiol in the top 18% of European centre-backs for non-penalty goals per 90, as well as the top 10% for non-penalty xG, the top 23% for shots and the top 12% for shot-creating actions over the past 12 months.

Rather unsurprisingly, these metrics see the analytical database list Ramos as one of the 20-year-old’s most comparable players, something that would suggest the 14-cap international could well go on to make a similar impact on the game to that of the legend who made 671 appearances and won almost every club trophy possible during his time at Real Madrid.

As such, it is plain to see why Conte would be keen on a move to bring the left-footed star to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, as the player who Ryan Taylor dubbed both a “man mountain” and “exceptional” would not only represent an excellent addition to the Italian’s current options at the back, but he could also become Spurs’ own Ramos-esque leader in north London.

Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has potentially been handed another crushing injury blow following the news that Gabriel Jesus faces an extensive spell on the sidelines after having surgery following a knee injury sustained against Cameroon at the World Cup.

What’s the word?

With concerns at the fore over Arsenal’s forward approach now that Jesus will be sidelined for the restart of the Premier League season, with the Gunners currently sitting atop the table after 14 matches played, dynamic ace Oleksandr Zinchenko might have deepened the dismay.

Having returned to training during Arsenal’s midseason break in Dubai, with the side competing in the Dubai Super Cup, Zinchenko was not seen during the 3-0 victory over Olympique Lyonnais.

With no official word on his absence at present, supporters of the club are undoubtedly left concerned over his fitness, and whether the Ukrainian ace will be fit and raring to go when Arsenal return to Premier League action on Boxing Day, at home to West Ham United.

It would be a big blow

Zinchenko made a fantastic start to life in north London, playing a pivotal role for Arsenal since joining from Premier League champions Manchester City in a £32m deal this summer.

However, following injuries sustained that have excluded the £27.4m-rated phenom from 12 competitive fixtures for his club, there will indeed be worries arising over the fact that he has missed a sterling opportunity against Lyon to get some minutes on the pitch ahead of the return of competitive football.

Making just nine appearances for Arsenal, the 25-year-old will himself be desperate to ride a wave of stability and vitality when regarding his ability to string minutes together on the pitch.

As per Sofascore, the “heroic” dynamo – as dubbed by former FRANCE 24 editor Dan Levy – has recorded an average pass accuracy of 89% in the Premier League for the Gunners, making 2.0 tackles per match, 0.9 interceptions and 1.1 clearances.

He has also exhibited his ability with the ball by succeeding with 67% of his dribbles and winning 61% of his total duels, both aerial and on the ground.

Zinchenko is an integral cog in Arteta’s Arsenal machine, and his absence, if that is the case, over the coming period of club football could well be detrimental to the club’s pursuit of silverware and thus, leave the Spaniard worried.

As per FBref, the left-sided full-back ranks within the top 1% for progressive passes and the top 3% for passes attempted and pass completion when compared to positional peers across Europe’s major five leagues over the past year, illustrating the importance of his ball-playing prowess for the Gunners.

Fans will await the verdict over his availability over the coming period, and with club football roaring back into life swiftly, his fitness would provide bounteous results for Arsenal, who might just cross the finish line if they can keep his composed, slick aura on the pitch over the business end of the campaign.

Samuel Iling Junior has rejected interest from Aston Villa in favour of a new long-term contract with Juventus, according to Football Insider.

The Lowdown: Iling Junior profiled

The 19-year-old is primarily a left-winger who can also operate from the right flank.

The Englishman moved to Italy from Chelsea in 2020 and appears to be making good progress, contributing to 29 goals in 58 for the Bianconeri’s youth side.

He seems to be a potential star of the future, and it looks as if NSWE and Johan Lange wanted to bring him back to England.

The Latest: Iling Junior snub

Football Insider revealed on Saturday morning that Villa and their Premier League rivals Leeds United had made enquiries for Iling Junior.

However, he has turned down that interest, instead agreeing a new long-term deal in Turin.

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The Verdict: Senior signing a priority

It is good to see that Villa are always on the hunt for exciting youth additions, and who knows, a move for Iling Junior could still materialise in the future.

However, Unai Emery seems keen to bring in a new A-list senior forward at Villa Park, something which could be more important than a deal for the Juventus youngster, who has only played three times at first-team level.

It looks set to be another busy and exciting transfer window in the Midlands, and the hope is that Emery will take Villa to a level which will have players like Iling Junior desperate to join the club.

Glasgow Rangers claimed their first win under Michael Beale in Thursday night’s vital 3-2 comeback victory, and this is hopefully the start of a new era at Ibrox under the Englishman at Ibrox.

Thoughts now turn to Tuesday night’s clash Premiership clash against Aberdeen at Pittodrie in what promises to be another tough fixture, but with the confidence gained from an impressive second-half performance at Ibrox four days ago, there is no reason why three points shouldn’t be secured again tomorrow.

Although the result was the most welcome thing, Beale will have been just as delighted with some of his players’ performances against Hibernian.

Alfredo Morelos looked sharp playing in the new 4-3-1-2 system, with Fashion Sakala operating next to him as opposed to leading the line solo under Giovanni van Bronckhorst’s 4-3-3. Meanwhile, Ryan Jack controlled the game, taking 82 touches, making one key pass and even scoring the second equaliser.

It was American Malik Tillman – dubbed “phenomenal by Rangers team-mate John Lundstram – who really shone against Hibs, though, and Beale should unleash him once again tomorrow.

The £13k-per-week youngster has plenty of potential, although he has struggled at times this season, especially with the rough-and-tumble nature of Scottish football, which is much more physical than anything he will have experienced in Germany with Bayern Munich.

There have been glimpses of genius from Tillman, with his solo goal against Motherwell one of the standout moments. He looked a player reborn against Hibs, rejuvenated in a midfield three alongside Jack and Glen Kamara as they sat slightly deeper to allow the 20-year-old to utilise his attacking talents, and it paid off handsomely.

He received a rating of 7.7/10 via Sofascore for his performance on the night, which included two assists (and some nifty footwork for the second), four key passes and 58 touches during the match. He also succeeded with 75% of his dribble attempts, which suggests that he has his confidence back under Beale, and this could be incredibly important going into 2023.

Despite his vast potential, Rangers fans must understand that he is still raw and won’t be able to put in superb displays in every match. However, under Beale’s guidance, it looks like the Ibrox faithful will see the best of the American.

Pittodrie is a difficult place to viist under normal circumstances, never mind when adapting to a new manager and fresh tactics. However, if the second-half performance against Hibs is anything to go by, then the future certainly looks bright for the Light Blues, and Tillman could cause the Dons all sorts of problems tomorrow if he is unleashed from the start.

Leeds United are thought to be ‘interested’ in signing Villarreal left-back Alfonso Pedraza.

The Lowdown: Wober links

The Whites appear to be on the hunt for a new left-back in the New Year and seem to have an eye on RB Salzburg’s Maximilian Wober.

Fabrizio Romano has claimed that Leeds are preparing an offer for the 24-year-old, who can play as a centre-back or as a left-back. It seems as if Wober isn’t the only defensive target, though, with links emerging to a former Elland Road loanee.

The Latest: Pedraza news

According to Football Espana on Twitter, both Leeds and Inter Milan are ‘interested’ in signing Pedraza in January.

They add that the Spaniard has been a ‘standout’ for the La Liga side over the last 18 months.

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The Verdict: One to watch?

Pedraza, who played alongside Luke Ayling, Liam Cooper and Stuart Dallas during his loan spell in the 2016/17 season, can also operate as a left-midfielder or left-winger and has scored 23 senior goals at club level.

Therefore, you could make an argument that both Pedraza and Wober could be of use to Jesse Marsch. They would both be able to challenge Pascal Struijk and Junior Firpo at left-back, while also providing cover in other areas, so a move for Pedraza, described as a “machine” by Simon Harrison, could be one to watch.

Celtic reportedly have until the end of the season to make a decision over the future of on-loan defender Moritz Jenz.

The Lowdown: Celtic’s move for Jenz

The Premiership champions signed the German on a season-long loan deal from Lorient and have an option to purchase him on a permanent basis. Since then, the 23-year-old has gone on to make 19 appearances for the Bhoys across all competitions, scoring two goals in the process.

With the January transfer window set to open next week, some behind-the-scenes details have emerged surrounding the player and his status at Celtic.

The Latest: Celtic’s timeframe for Jenz decision

According to a recent report from Football Scotland, the Hoops have until the end of the season to decide whether or not to sign Jenz on a permanent deal.

The report also contradicts recent claims suggesting that a decision would need to be made in January, stating that Celtic actually have until the summer to make a call on the defender’s future at Parkhead.

The Verdict: Good for Celtic

Even though the centre-back has only appeared in one of Celtic’s last five league games, Jenz has shown his defensive capabilities in Glasgow.

For example, he currently has the fourth-highest number of interceptions (11) at the club, along with the joint-third highest number of successful tackles (10). In addition, the German has the fourth-highest average of clearances per game (2.3) in Ange Postecoglou’s squad and the fourth-highest pass success percentage (90.7%), showing how capable he is both in and out of possession.

Taking all of thar into account, we feel that, depending on the financial aspects of signing him outright, Jenz has done enough to warrant a permanent move to Celtic once his current loan deal concludes.

However, given the incoming arrival of Yuki Kobayashi, this extra competition for a place in the starting XI could make it harder for Jenz to regain his spot in the team moving forward. 

Leeds United aren’t looking for any more defensive recruits, according to The Athletic’s Phil Hay.

The Lowdown: Defensive business done

Leeds have moved very quickly to secure their first signing of what is an important transfer window by completing a deal to land Austria international Maximilian Wober.

The defender, who can play as a full-back and a centre-back, is now the fourth signing to arrive at Leeds from the Red Bull Group since Jesse Marsch took over.

Wober will likely come in and be the club’s first-choice left-back as that position has been filled by Pascal Struijk, thus making Leeds’ backline slightly disjointed this season in the absence of Junior Firpo.

The Latest: Wober to be the sole defensive arrival

Given Leeds have the fifth-worst defensive record in the league heading into their latest midweek clash, many may have expected them to overhaul their backline, but Hay has admitted on The Phil Hay Show that this won’t be the case.

He said: “It doesn’t sound as if there will be another left-back coming in, although we spoke to Marsch on Saturday after the game and he didn’t get into the subject of Wober at all.

“He said, ‘look, if and when it happens, I will discuss it, but I’m not talking about it beforehand,’ which is very much in line with what he was saying originally about transfers, that he was going to try hard not to say too much about them this month.”

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The Verdict: Leeds taking a gamble

Much like over the summer when Leeds decided to not bring in a left-back despite the injury to Junior Firpo, Victor Orta could be taking a similar gamble this time by only bringing in Wober.

This is because Wober himself isn’t even a natural left-back, having spent the majority of his career as a centre-back, so it feels almost like they are replacing Struijk with another centre-back instead of getting a natural in that position.

While Wober has indeed often played left-back for RB Salzburg, it surely wouldn’t take much for them to just go out and recruit a natural on the left side of the defence – even if it was a youngster or veteran, just to give fans and manager peace of mind that someone can slot in there if injuries strike.