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Wolves could be set to repeat their Morgan Gibbs-White masterclass, as Ryan Giles’ storming performances in the Championship look likely to make him a wanted man in the summer.

Could Ryan Giles be Wolves’ next big-money sale?

Last season saw Wolves loan out Gibbs-White to Sheffield United in the Championship, where he played a huge part in their run to the playoffs under Paul Heckingbottom.

The English midfielder would make 37 appearances in total, contributing an impressive 12 goals and ten assists, which saw him win the Blades’ player of the season award.

It was expected that the 23-year-old would play a big part at Molineux this term but instead, he would sign for Nottingham Forest in an eye-watering deal worth £42.5m, which represented fantastic business for the Old Gold considering the midfielder had never really cut it in the Premier League.

Although the former England U21 international has been one of the better performers in Steve Cooper’s side so far this campaign, with WhoScored ranking him as the second-best performer of those to make at least ten appearances, he is yet to justify his price with only two goals.

Therefore, Wolves will perhaps be feeling as though they got the better end of the deal.

They may now look to repeat that feat with Giles, who is likely to play a huge part under Michael Carrick at Middlesbrough as they seek to earn promotion to the Premier League this season.

The 23-year-old has made 35 appearances in the second tier and boasts an impressive nine assists, averaging a strong 6.83 rating from WhoScored for his performances, which ranks him as the fifth-best player at the Riverside.

No player in the Championship has contributed more assists this season and given Wolves’ attacking woes this season, Bruno Lage arguably made a mistake in loaning him out, especially given he also impressed at Blackburn Rovers last year.

Former Rovers boss Tony Mowbray was full of praise for the English defender during that spell in 2022, saying:

“The Championship can catch people out if you’ve never played in it but he’s taken to the league very comfortably. He’s got a wonderfully cultured left foot, he’s a good footballer and he’s athletic, he’s just what we require.

“He’s got fantastic talent, brilliant speed, amazing technique on his left foot, if he doesn’t get the ball he doesn’t seem to mind and he just carries on.”

The emergence of Hugo Bueno, as well as Rayan Ait-Nouri, means that Julen Lopetegui will have a plethora of young left-back options ahead of next season and it would not be a surprise to see one of them sold.

Middlesbrough are said to be keen on a permanent deal for Giles and should they earn promotion to the top flight, Wolves may be able to cash in once again, in what could be a repeat of last summer’s Gibbs-White masterclass.

Liverpool could potentially sign both Jude Bellingham and Mason Mount during the summer transfer window, according to an exciting new update.

The Lowdown: Bellingham and Mount rumours rife

The Reds have been endlessly linked with new midfield signings this summer, with the club surely set to make significant additions in that area.

Bellingham and Mount are perhaps the two most prominent links at the moment, with the England international duo’s future up in the air.

The former is widely expected to leave Borussia Dortmund at the end of the season, while the latter is refusing to accept Chelsea’s current contract offer to him.

The Latest: Pair could both join Liverpool

According to Football Transfers, Liverpool could actually sign both Bellingham and Mount in the summer, with the Chelsea man ‘not viewed as an alternative’ to his international teammate.

The report states that Jurgen Klopp will be given a ‘significant transfer kitty’ for new signings and that the English pair could be two main additions.

The Verdict: Perfect summer business

If Liverpool managed to sign both Bellingham and Mount this summer it would be magnificent business – the type that could completely transform Klopp’s team moving forward.

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The duo already have 58 England caps between them, despite only being 19 and 24 respectively, and they possess both the technical brilliance and energy to make the Reds’ midfield a force again.

Bellingham is clearly the bigger star of the two, considering he is one of the best young players in the world – Roy Keane has said he ‘has everything’ – but Mount could also be a really shrewd signing.

Granted, he isn’t having his best season for Chelsea – who is, in truth? – but he can operate as a No.8, No.10 or even out wide, and his tactical nous is well-documented, with Jose Mourinho once calling him a ‘very, very intelligent’ player.

Journalist Beren Cross has reported that the “leading candidates” to get the Leeds United manager’s job are all currently in work.

What’s the word?

At the start of this week, following a loss that leaves the club on the edge of the relegation zone, the Whites opted to sack American head coach Jesse Marsch.

Being mid-way through the Premier League season and with the club in threat of going back down to the Championship, Leeds won’t want to delay too long before hiring a new manager.

However, even if chairman Andrea Radrizzani believes the issue will be sorted soon, it sounds as though it won’t be an easy task to hire a new manager as the club will have to convince any candidates to leave their current job first.

While speaking on a LeedsLive video stream, Cross explained his understanding of the situation, saying: “We’ve learned that the leading candidates – so, interviews are already underway, interviews began last night [Monday], they continue today – all of the leading candidates are in work.

“So it will require some negotiation with existing employers to get those managers out of their clubs if they want the job. So we’ll see how that plays out. That, of course, will complicate matters with a third party being involved.”

Difficult task

Of course, when you want to tempt a manager into trading one side for another, it can cost more money to buy them out of their contract. On top of that, it can be difficult to convince individuals to leave a project they are already working on.

For example, West Brom boss Carlos Corberan was linked with the job but has since rejected the Whites in favour of signing a new contract with the Baggies.

Interestingly enough, this update from Cross does suggest that touted names such as Marcelo Bielsa, Ralph Hasenhuttl, and Mauricio Pochettino are all seemingly out of the running as they are currently unattached.

It’ll certainly be interesting to see how the next few hours and days play out as the club seek out a Marsch replacement.

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Chelsea are readying a mammoth part-exchange bid to sign Benfica star Enzo Fernandez this month, according to reports.

The Lowdown: Fernandez links…

The Argentina international, who played a starring role for his nation as they won the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, has been of serious interest to Chelsea this January transfer window.

Todd Boehly and the Stamford Bridge hierarchy have been making moves for Fernandez behind-the-scenes with reports claiming they were in talks a few weeks ago.

Links to the 22-year-old haven’t faded as manager Graham Potter allegedly seeks to add a new midfielder to his ranks, with a report from Portugal sharing the latest.

The Latest: Chelsea ready mammoth Fernandez…

According to Record, via Sport Witness, the Blues are now readying a mammoth €100 million (£88m) offer for Fernandez ‘plus a couple of players’.

The part-exchange bid, though, may not be enough with Benfica unwilling to sell and therefore Potter’s side may have to trigger his €120 million (£105m) release clause to make a deal possible.

The Verdict: Make the move?

Reports have suggested that Moises Caicedo is another player of interest to Chelsea amid their hunt for a new midfielder.

Boehly and co do have alternatives to Fernandez if they opt not to trigger Fernandez’s release clause or raise their offer, it would seem.

However, going by the South American star’s serious credentials, we believe they shouldn’t be so quick to move on from a midfielder proven both at club and international level.

Fernandez won the World Cup Young Player of the Tournament award for his exploits in Qatar and has carried over that form for Benfica.

According to WhoScored, only three players have featured over more league minutes than the indispensable midfielder who also ranks in their top two for tackles made per 90 in Liga Portugal.

Fernandez also ranks joint-top of his side’s rankings for assists this season (5), impressive for a supposedly defensive-minded player.

A real all-rounder, the ‘sensational’ midfielder has also amassed Benfica’s third-highest rate of key passes made per 90 in the final third.

West Ham are reportedly keen on Blackburn Rovers striker Ben Brereton Diaz this month and his potential arrival at the London Stadium could see David Moyes finally ditch Michail Antonio.

According to The Sun, West Ham, Newcastle United, Everton and Leeds United are all keen on the Chile international but are currently unwilling to pay the Championship club’s current asking price of £15m.

The former Nottingham Forest man is out of contract at Ewood Park at the end of the current season, meaning that foreign clubs are now free to approach the striker on a pre-contract deal.

However, Jon Dahl Tomasson’s side are gunning for promotion from the second tier and are clearly doing all they can to keep their talismanic striker at the club for the second half of the campaign.

So far this season, the 23-year-old has contributed an impressive nine goals and four assists in 26 Championship appearances, averaging a strong 6.79 rating from WhoScored for his performances.

Last season saw the striker manage 22 goals in the second tier, so he is clearly showing signs that he could make the step up to the Premier League. Given West Ham’s goalscoring woes so far this campaign, Moyes should seriously consider bringing him to the London Stadium.

Part of West Ham’s problem this term has been the regression in form of Antonio, along with the disappointing performances of Gianluca Scamacca.

The former will rightly be recognised as a club icon after becoming their top Premier League goalscorer but he is no longer good enough to be starting each week, as is emphasised by his two goals in 17 top-flight appearances so far this campaign.

The 32-year-old has averaged a shocking 6.36 rating from WhoScored and scores poorly in comparison to Brereton Diaz, averaging far fewer shots (2.7 vs 1.1), dribbles (0.8 vs 0.5) and key passes (one vs 0.4) per game.

It seems only a matter of time before the “phenomenal” star – as dubbed by scout Ron Dor – makes the move to the Premier League and while £15m might seem expensive given his contract situation, his goals could be the difference this season as Moyes’ side look to avoid relegation and given the form of Antonio, it seems clear that he needs to be ditched in favour of a younger replacement.

To say West Ham United have been subpar this season would understate the avalanche of a decrease in form and performance, with the club looking to stave off relegation concerns after two European-qualifying campaigns. 

Sitting in 16th place in the Premier League with just four wins from 16 matches, the Hammers are in dire need of a second-half-of-the-season revival.

Consequently, the club are expected to be active in the January transfer window, and with just 13 league goals scored this term, there is certainly an onus on bolstering the offensive side of the flagging team.

Earlier in December, The Guardian issued a report stating that West Ham were interested in Memphis Depay, whose club FC Barcelona are allegedly mulling over severing ties with for free to ease the financial peril that casts a never-fading ominous shadow over the Camp Nou.

More recently, TuttoMercatoWeb stated that West Ham would be rivalled by Newcastle United for the Netherlands ace, all the more reason to act with conviction and lure him to London.

This would not be granted until the summer, but the Hammers could still attempt to forge a move this winter for a cut-price fee, earning the signature of a dynamic forward who could play a pivotal role in the ascension to prominence in the Premier League once more.

Huge Antonio upgrade

Depay is a prolific forward who can flourish across a wealth of roles within the fold; naturally a wide player, he finds success with surging, central runs and establishing pockets of space in and around the penalty area, ready to pounce and find the back of the net.

Signing for Barcelona from Olympique Lyonnais upon the conclusion of his contract with the French outfit last summer, Depay has not quite clinched the best of his form with the club, scoring 14 goals and serving two assists from 41 appearances in Catalonia.

However, when playing a talismanic role in France, the versatile £172k-per-week phenom truly soared; scoring 76 goals from 178 appearances, also snatching 55 assists, Depay steadily earned his name as a world-class forward on the global stage.

And with 43 goals from 86 appearances for the Netherlands, where he does often flourish as the focal point in offence, the 28-year-old’s success with a team like the Irons would surely replicate his endeavours with other outfits.

Potentially replacing a player such as Michael Antonio, Depay would bring vibrancy and tenacity to east London, steering the club back to the upper end of the table once again.

Antonio, who has been a stalwart for the Hammers, is nearly at the end of his cycle with the club. Having scored 66 goals from 249 appearances, he has managed just two from 15 displays in the top flight this term, and at 32 years old it might be time to replace the striker with someone of Depay’s calibre.

Moyes would likely oversee an increase in goals and an increase in offensive fluidity with a coup for the “genius” – as hailed by Jonathon Liew – that is Depay, who could be the catalyst for change in east London.

Newcastle United have been linked with a move for Inter Milan defender Milan Skriniar in recent times, with the Slovakia international yet to commit his future to the San Siro outfit.

What’s the word?

Recent reports in Italy have suggested that Magpies sporting director Dan Ashworth is eyeing a move for the 27-year-old in 2023, with the centre-back having just six months remaining on his existing deal in Italy.

That has ensured that the Tynesiders could well strike a pre-contract agreement ahead of the summer or secure a cut-price deal next month, albeit with Newcastle set to face competition from the Premier League’s elite.

Amid that interest in the 58-cap brute from those at St James’ Park, journalist Pete O’Rourke has suggested that the 6 foot 2 ace is a player whom Ashworth and co would be keen to acquire.

The transfer insider told GIVEMESPORT: “If they were to go on and clinch a place in next season’s Champions League, it will only boost their chances of signing players such as Skriniar.

“He’s out of contract in the summer, so if he doesn’t agree a new deal at Inter Milan, I’m sure Newcastle would love the opportunity to try and bring him to St James’ Park.”

Big Schar upgrade

The former Sampdoria ace – who has racked up 236 appearances for his current club – would seemingly be a real coup as far as Eddie Howe’s side are concerned, with the highly-rated “monster”, as described by journalist Carlo Garganese, having been a rock-solid presence for the Nerazzurri in recent years.

The imposing titan has notably kept four clean sheets from his 15 league outings so far this season, while also averaging 1.4 tackles per game as a marker of his defensive prowess, having previously been dubbed an “absolute beast” by journalist David Amoyal.

It is the defender’s quality in possession which has particularly caught the eye of late, though, with that trait likely to see him prove a notable upgrade on current Newcastle centre-back Fabian Schar.

Although the Switzerland international has formed part of a backline which has shipped just 11 goals this season under Howe – the joint-best record in the Premier League – the 30-year-old has been something of a liability due to his weakness on the ball.

That is evidenced by the former Deportivo La Coruna man ranking in the bottom 3% of positional peers in Europe’s top five leagues for pass completion, while the experienced defender has an average passing accuracy rate of just 76% in the league this term.

By contrast, Skriniar appears to be something of a master with the ball at his feet as he ranks in the top 4% for pass completion among defenders at the highest level in Europe. The £92k-per-week maestro has also shone in that regard in the early months of the current campaign after recording an average pass accuracy rate of 92%.

For a club seemingly harbouring ambitions of clinching Champions League qualification, the addition of a quality, ball-playing asset such as the Inter defender could well be just what Newcastle need, with Schar’s struggles in playing out from the back potentially set to prove costly.

Newcastle United are reportedly keeping a close eye on Brighton and Hove Albion forward, Leandro Trossard, ahead of the January transfer window.

What’s the word?

According to The Chronicle, the Magpies are monitoring the 27-year-old in action for Belgium at the World Cup in Qatar, with the playmaker seemingly a potential target for Eddie Howe’s side in the winter.

As per the report, the 23-cap menace was one of Dan Ashworth’s first signings during his time at the Amex, with the Tynesiders’ sporting director seemingly seeking a reunion with the former Genk man at St James’ Park.

The dynamic attacker is facing an uncertain future with the Seagulls with his existing deal set to expire in 2023, with the player himself having teased a potential exit in the New Year, amid talk of a move to the northeast, as well as interest from former boss Graham Potter at Chelsea.

‘Unreal’ signing

While things are not going swimmingly for Trossard on international duty – having featured twice off the bench for the Red Devils in the tournament thus far – the £42.5k-per-week sensation has been in truly scintillating form at club level in recent months, having warranted such intense interest in his signature.

The 5 foot 7 speedster has been simply “unreal” – in the words of pundit Rio Ferdinand – on the south coast so far this term, having helped to drag Roberto De Zerbi’s side into European contention after netting seven times and laying on three assists in 14 Premier League games.

That haul of goal contributions is greater than any player in Howe’s squad has achieved this season, while it also ensures that the winger now boasts a haul of 25 goals and 14 assists in 118 assists for his current side.

That follows his previous stint in his homeland where he notably bagged 60 goal involvements in 120 games for former club Genk, with that form sparking his £15m switch to England in the summer of 2019.

With Newcastle believed to be eyeing a new addition on the flanks in January, Trossard could seemingly be an ideal fit as a result of his recent sparkling form and invaluable Premier League experience, as well as offering the benefit of a potential cut-price deal due to his expiring contract.

Dubbed a “great, great player” by his manager after netting a stunning hat-trick away to Liverpool at Anfield earlier this season, the Belgian could well be that added boost that the Magpies are in need of in their bid to maintain their current momentum in the second half of the season.

Leeds United midfielder Mateusz Klich could leave Elland Road after the World Cup…

What’s the word?

That’s according to transfer insider Dean Jones, who delivered an update on the 32-year-old’s situation in west Yorkshire to GIVEMESPORT, where he said:

“It makes sense that he would probably be annoyed at the moment, particularly over the fact that he hasn’t made it to the World Cup with Poland.

“That’ll be playing on his mind once they return to action too.

“I think Klich could be one that goes in January.”

Time’s up for Klich

Klich has been a long-serving stalwart for the Whites over the years and was a key member of Marcelo Bielsa’s Championship-winning squad in 2019/20 but it does appear as if he has run his course at the club.

Over the course of nearly five years, the Polish midfielder has racked up 192 appearances for Leeds but only 25 of those have come under manager Jesse Marsch, with 11 of those being from the bench in the Premier League this term.

Summer signings Marc Roca and Tyler Adams have usurped him in the pecking order and that’s pretty just because his performances had started to slip last season.

The £34k-per-week star is expected to seek a departure in January, having missed out on Poland’s squad for the World Cup this month, something that journalist Graeme Bailey claimed would have “hurt” him to TEAMtalk.

Victor Orta, Marsch and the club should not stand in his way either and whilst he’s unlikely to garner much of an incoming fee, it would be best for all parties to go their own ways.

Back in the summer, Mirror reporter David Anderson suggested that Klich was “not really delivering” despite his valiant attempts, whilst some of his performances during the 2021/22 campaign were lambasted as “non-existent” by Sky Sports pundit Clinton Morrison.

One game against a relegated side in Watford even had LeedsLive journalist Beren Cross suggest that he got “bullied,” only further indicating that his days are surely done at this level of football.

It’s now becoming increasingly clear that the 41-time international is going to struggle for minutes under the American head coach, so it makes sense that the one-time Bielsa favourite is moved on at the turn of the year.

Klich’s time is up at Elland Road, so the club must bin him when the transfer window reopens for business.

AND in other news, Orta could finally ditch Leeds’ £13m flop in Jan swoop for 19 y/o “exciting prospect”…

Newcastle United have been hit with a frustrating selection setback ahead of their trip to face Southampton at St. Mary’s in the Premier League next weekend.

What’s the latest?

Central midfielder Joelinton will be unavailable for selection against Ralph Hasenhuttl’s side after he picked up his fifth yellow card of the campaign in the 4-0 win over Aston Villa on Saturday.

Five yellow cards in the Premier League before the midway point of the campaign leads to a one-match suspension and the Brazilian’s caution against Villa means that he will now be watching on from the sidelines for the next match.

Fabian Schar is the only other Newcastle player on the verge of a suspension, with four bookings, as every other player has been booked twice or less.

Big blow

This is a big blow for Eddie Howe as Joelinton has been in fantastic form this season and will be a miss for the match against the Saints.

The midfield machine put in a fantastic performance in the win over Villa as he got himself on the scoresheet, won three of his four aerial battles and created two chances for his teammates – as per SofaScore.

He has averaged a SofaScore rating of 7.08 in the Premier League across 12 appearances so far this season. Only six outfield players have averaged a higher rating than the former Hoffenheim man and this shows that he has been one of the top performers in the side this term.

Joelinton has been a monster in the centre of the pitch as he has averaged 3.6 tackles and interceptions per game. This shows that he is consistently cutting out opposition attacks and providing a shield in front of Fabian Schar and Sven Botman at the back for the Magpies.

He has also shown off the creative side of his game as he has made 1.1 key passes per match and created one ‘big chance’ this season in the top flight. The Brazilian is proving that he can make an impact at both ends of the pitch as a superb box-to-box midfielder.

Therefore, losing him is a frustrating setback as he has been consistently brilliant in the middle of the park and out wide on the left for Howe. He is a versatile, strong and quality option for the manager to call upon and he will now have to do without him for the clash with Southampton.