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One observation from Southampton’s promising summer transfer window is the relative lack of attacking additions by Ralph Hasenhuttl, but the Austrian could find the missing piece of the jigsaw in Chris Wood in January.

The New Zealand international looks set to be surplus to requirements at Newcastle United following their club-record signing of Alexander Isak, with Callum Wilson also ahead of the former Burnley man in the pecking order.

This could open the door to a move to Southampton, who are struggling for goals once again this season in the top flight, with just 11 to their name so far.

In a recent interview with GiveMeSport, journalist Dean Jones suggested that Wood could be an option for the Saints in the January transfer window.

He said: “I guess it will depend on the type of manager they end up getting in if Hasenhuttl does go. But there’s no doubt that this team lack goal threat and Chris Wood might fit the bill.”

The 30-year-old would surely provide a goal threat in Hasenhuttl’s side, having scored 138 senior goals in his club career so far, including 52 in the Premier League with Burnley and Newcastle United, who he joined in a £25m deal last season.

During his time at Leeds United, for whom he scored 44 goals in just 88 appearances, former Whites manager Garry Monk described Wood as a “natural goalscorer”, which could be the difference this season if the Saints find themselves in another relegation battle.

Che Adams is currently Southampton’s top scorer with three in the Premier League, but the Scotland international has never hit double figures in the top flight, which suggests that Hasenhuttl needs reinforcements in attack if his side are to start picking up more wins.

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Southampton have the top-flight’s second youngest squad and Wood could provide some much-needed experience in the front line. He would also add an aerial presence that the Saints arguably lack, as his 6.6 aerial duels won per game with Newcastle last season is significantly better than the 2.6 per game for Adams this term, which is the best of any Southampton player.

Therefore, if Wood is available in a potential cut-price deal during the summer, then he is certainly someone that Southampton should consider bringing in, as Hasenhuttl arguably needs a goalscoring focal point in his team.

Leeds United are among a number of Premier League clubs who are interested in signing Cadiz centre-back Momo Mbaye, according to recent reports.

The Lowdown: Mbaye impressing in Spain

The 24-year-old is currently plying his trade in Spain, making three starts in La Liga this season and winning 1.3 aerial duels per game.

Mbaye has won seven caps for Senegal’s under-20 side, and it could be that a move to the Premier League is on the cards in the near future.

It looks as though Leeds are among the prospective suitors for the 6 foot 4 powerhouse, following reports from the continent.

The Latest: Leeds keen on Mbaye

When it comes to assessing Mbaye’s future, reports from Spain on Sunday night have claimed [via Sport Witness] that the Whites are ‘closely following his situation’ at the moment.

They are not alone in expressing an interest, though, with top-flight rivals Brighton and Southampton also mentioned as possible suitors for his signature.

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The Verdict: Could firm up Leeds’ leaky defence

Leeds have had a leaky defence since their return to the Premier League in 2020, often looking susceptible in that area under Marcelo Bielsa and looking similarly porous with Jesse Marsch at the helm.

This season, the Whites have conceded 19 goals in just 12 league games, while last term’s appalling concession tally of 79 was the second-worst in the division.

Therefore, the prospective arrival of Mbaye could help to firm things up and provide more competition for places in defence at Elland Road.

At 24, the Cadiz man should be coming into his peak footballing years in the near future, so he could also be viewed as a long-term successor to 31-year-old club captain Liam Cooper.

Celtic are in talks with Vissel Kobe centre-back Yuki Kobayashi over a January move to Parkhead, according to Sky Sports reporter Anthony Joseph.

The Lowdown: January signings incoming?

Ange Postecoglou could be constantly looking to improve his Hoops squad, with their limitations exposed during a disappointing Champions League campaign.

While Celtic are still the favourites to retain their Premiership crown, they could do with greater quality in their squad in order to compete better in Europe.

It looks as though the Hoops are addressing this situation, though, following a recent transfer update.

The Latest: Celtic ‘in talks’ over Kobayashi transfer

Taking to Twitter on Monday morning, Joseph stated that Kobayashi could join Celtic in January, with talks progressing over a move for the 22-year-old.

The Sky Sports man tweeted:

“As per reports in Japan, Celtic are in talks with Vissel Kobe over centre-back Yuki Kobayashi. The Hoops are hoping to seal the deal and have the 22-year-old join the club in the January transfer window.”

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The Verdict: Exciting

Celtic have had plenty of success when it comes to signing Japanese players during Postecoglou’s reign, with Reo Hatate and Kyogo Furuhashi among the standout examples as both have become stalwarts at Parkhead.

The hope is that Kobayashi comes in and brings a similar level of quality to the squad, having won one cap for Japan’s under-21 side and made 83 appearances in the J1 League.

The 22-year-old centre-back could come in and provide competition for the likes of Cameron Carter-Vickers, Moritz Jenz and Carl Starfelt at Celtic, also allowing Postecoglou to rotate his squad more frequently.

Leeds United have been linked with a January move for Senegal World Cup hopeful Boulaye Dia.

The Lowdown: Dia profiled

Dia, who is set to feature for Senegal at the World Cup later this month, is 25 years of age and is currently on loan with Serie A side US Salernitana from Villarreal.

The Italian side has the option to make a transfer permanent next year, with the centre-forward scoring five times in 11 games this season, taking his senior tally for club and country to 53 goals.

Dia has been hailed as “impressive” by Serie A journalist Siavoush Fallahi, and it looks as if his displays have caught the eye at Elland Road.

The Latest: Leeds links

Sports Witness relayed an update from Gazzetta dello Sport regarding Dia on Wednesday. They claim that Andrea Radrizzani and co are in the picture for Dia’s services alongside Nottingham Forest and West Ham.

The report adds that the Whites are the latest side to show an interest, with Salernitana keen on exercising their option to make a transfer permanent.

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The Verdict: One to watch?

Radrizzani and the 49ers could do with freeing up some funds to bolster their centre-forward ranks in the New Year, with another potential relegation battle looming.

Patrick Bamford has missed nine big chances in the Premier League in just 427 minutes, so bringing in someone like Dia who has been finding the net over in Italy could be a wise idea.

A move for the Senegalese forward may also be more realistic than landing summer target Cody Gakpo, so this could be one to keep an eye on and potentially worth watching how Dia gets on in Qatar.

Manchester United are reportedly keeping tabs on Blackburn Rovers striker Ben Brereton Diaz, with the Chilean attracting interest from across the Premier League.

What’s the word?

According to Football League World, the Red Devils have sent scouts to watch the 23-year-old in action in the Championship in recent times, albeit with fellow top-flight outfit West Ham United believed to be leading the race for his signature at present.

The report suggests that despite the forward’s recent commitment to staying at the club until the summer, Rovers could well be tempted to sell in the winter window were they to receive an offer of around £10m, amid the risk of losing the player for nothing at the end of the season with just over six months remaining on his existing deal.

A further report from 90min has also supported that claim, while also revealing further interest from a number of sides in the top tier – including the likes of Tottenham Hotspur and Aston Villa – as well as a whole host of clubs across Europe.

Ditch Ronaldo

A new centre-forward addition has seemingly become something of a necessity for United boss Erik ten Hag in January, with the club’s attack having become something of a “problem” of late, in the words of Manchester Evening News journalist, Samuel Luckhurst.

The potential main issue in a forward line that has scored just 18 league goals this season – only the 11th-best record in the division – has been that of 37-year-old icon, Cristiano Ronaldo, with the typically prolific marksman having scored just three goals in all competitions so far this term, including just a solitary league strike.

Having seen his reported hopes of a departure in the summer dashed, the five-time Ballon d’Or winner now appears more likely to secure an exit when the market re-opens in the New Year, with recent reports suggesting that the Old Trafford won’t stand in his way if an offer is received.

That willingness to let the 191-cap machine move on has been heightened by the striker’s recent misdemeanours, with Ronaldo having refused to come off the bench in the win over Spurs last month, before leaving the ground prior to the end of the match.

With it potentially now time to sever ties with the veteran talent, turning to Brereton Diaz could well prove to be an astute, bargain capture for those at the Theatre of Dreams, particularly amid the uncertainty over their potential budget in January.

While the former Nottingham Forest man is yet to feature in the Premier League in his career thus far, the Stoke-born ace has been in truly lethal form in the second tier of late, scoring 22 goals in the league last season.

That clinical finishing has also been evident this term, with the “extraordinary” gem – as dubbed by former boss Tony Mowbray – firing in nine goals in 20 Championship games, while having also become something of a cult figure on the international stage with four goals in just 14 games for La Roja.

Not just a potent presence in front of goal, the 6 foot 1 powerhouse also offers a real asset with his remarkable work ethic, with the aforementioned Mowbray notably stating last term:

“The starting point is his work rate. Strikers obviously always get the glory of scoring goals but he’s a kid who works his socks off for this team, up and down, up and down.

“He’s not playing down the middle, he’s not the Adam Armstrong centre-forward who is there to finish things off. He’s working extraordinarily hard tracking full backs – or wing-backs as it was today. So the physical output has been amazing really.”

Such an assessment is not one that has been attributed to the struggling Ronaldo of late, with the one-time Juventus talisman’s lack of mobility having become a “full blown issue” for United at present, according to Tim Vigon.

Equally, turning to the Ewood Park hero could also buck the recent trend that has seen ageing forwards come through the door at Old Trafford, with the club having far too often opted for a short-term fix with the likes of Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Edinson Cavani and Odion Igahlo.

It may be something of a wildcard pick to sign Brereton Diaz in the near future, although it could well prove to be something of a masterstroke.

Sheffield Wednesday midfielder Fisayo Dele-Bashiru is ‘in contention’ to face Accrington Stanley today, according to an update from journalist Joe Crann.

The Lowdown: Owls visit Accrington

The Owls are back in League One action on Saturday afternoon, looking to bounce back from their penalty shootout defeat at Southampton in the Carabao Cup in midweek.

Darren Moore’s side make the trip to 20th-placed Accrington, and given the respective quality and depth in both squads and their respective league positions, there is no doubt that Wednesday will expect to return to Yorkshire with all three points.

With kick-off looming, a positive injury update has emerged for the Owls.

The Latest: Dele-Bashiru could be fit

Taking to Twitter on Friday in sharing a corresponding article for The Star, Crann claimed that Dele Bashiru could be available after suffering from an Achilles injury that he incurred against Southampton in midweek.

The journalist tweeted:

“Fisayo Dele-Bashiru has shaken off his Achilles knock, and is in contention tomorrow.”

The Verdict: Big potential boost

This would be a big boost for Wednesday, with Dele-Bashiru one of several important midfielders at Moore’s disposal – one who can break the lines and provide end product.

The 21-year-old has scored four goals in just five league starts this season, highlighting his prowess in the final third, and he also has an impressive 89.7% pass completion rate, the best of any player to start a league match for Wednesday this season.

Whether or not Dele-Bashiru starts against Accrington remains to be seen – the likes of Will Vaulks and Barry Bannan could be preferred – but he would be a strong option off the bench if he is available.

Wolverhampton Wanderers are set to begin a new era when the Premier League finally resumes following the break due to the upcoming World Cup.

Julen Lopetegui officially started work as manager of the Old Gold this week and he is set to face a massive challenge to maintain the club’s top-flight status, especially after a disastrous opening 15 matches where they won just twice.

The Spaniard looks like he is aiming to assert his authority onto the team already, with the club being linked with players such as Pau Torres, Mariano Diaz, and Carlos Alcaraz recently, however, it is a young talent who is currently shining in the Championship which Lopetegui should be diverting his attention to…

Wolves eye deal for Isaiah Jones

According to TEAMtalk, Wolves have joined West Ham United in the race for Middlesbrough player Jones, with his recent form attracting attention.

Across 20 Championship matches so far this term, the right midfielder – who has been converted from a wing-back last season – has provided six goal contributions (three goals and three assists) and this is just four shy of last season’s total of ten contributions in 47 matches.

Irons boss David Moyes is aiming to repeat his success with former Championship star Jarrod Bowen, who has become that big a success in the Premier League that West Ham reportedly value him at £75m and there is no reason why Lopetegui could find this level of talent in Jones.

Jones is equally adept at playing in every position on the right-hand side, however, he has come to have great success in a midfield role and the 23-year-old was dubbed “a bit special” by journalist and Football League expert George Elek for his performances last season.

In the Premier League, Bowen has scored 23 goals and registered 21 assists, proving that he made the transition from the second tier extremely well. Jones could follow a similar type of pathway and the 56-year-old will be keen on bringing him to Molineux.

The Englishman won’t just improve the Wolves squad, but he may also generate the club a massive profit in a few years’ time, making it a wise move for a variety of reasons.

Aston Villa are reportedly plotting a bid for French striker Marcus Thuram, in a deal that could prove to be an absolute bargain for Unai Emery.

What’s the word?

According to French journalist Ignazio Genuardi (via Sport Witness), Arsenal, Tottenham Hotspur, Newcastle and Villa are all considering a move for the in-form Borussia Monchengladbach man in the January transfer window.

Despite some sensational form this season, which has returned 13 goals and three assists in all competitions, the report claims that the Bundesliga side could be willing to sell Thuram for as little as €10m (£8.7m), as his contract is set to expire at the end of the current campaign.

An absolute steal?

While foreign clubs will be free to approach the 25-year-old forward on a pre-contract deal in January, paying Monchengladbach’s asking price would give Villa the best possible chance of signing Thuram, while he could also play a big part for them in the second half of the season.

After missing much of the 2021/22 campaign through injury, the France international has returned to devastating effect, hitting ten goals in just 15 German top-flight appearances, which has helped him to average a superb 7.45 rating from WhoScored.

For context, the highest-rated player in Villa’s squad this season has been Emiliano Martinez with a 6.88 average rating, which emphasises just how impressive Thuram has been, and how much quality he could add to Emery’s side.

Wolfsburg’s sporting director Marcel Schafer certainly seems to rate the striker highly, as he sang his praises back in October, dubbing him “world-class.”

Danny Ings currently leads the way for goals at Villa Park with just five to his name in the Premier League, so adding a goalscorer such as Thuram in January could prove crucial in continuing Emery’s strong start to life in the Midlands.

Signing a 25-year-old France international who has started the season so strongly, for just £8.7m, certainly would represent a bargain for Emery, so the Spanish manager should do all he can to bring the Monchengladbach forward to Villa Park after the World Cup.

An early update has emerged on Sunderland striker Ross Stewart and his fitness ahead of next week’s clash with West Brom…

What’s the latest?

Black Cats boss Tony Mowbray has revealed that the club are hopeful that he will be able to feature against the Baggies after failing to make the squad against Millwall.

The head coach has confirmed that it was too soon to risk him against the Lions and that he may now get minutes in a friendly in midweek before returning to the squad next week.

He told Chronicle Live: “The medical department felt it was a dangerous thing, so if I had been sitting here and Ross had started or come off the bench and then had to go off because he was limping, people would be saying that I’d got it wrong and shouldn’t have risked it.

“Ross can train for a whole week, he’s got nine days now before the West Brom game and he will have plenty of training. We’ve got a bounce game in midweek against Middlesbrough and we’ll debate whether to give him some of that, because he was champing at the bit after two days’ training.

“So we might play him on Wednesday for 20 minutes or half-an-hour if we think he is ready, and then hopefully by a week on Monday [against West Brom] he will be ready.”

Huge boost

His potential return could be a huge boost to Mowbray’s squad as the striker’s form in the early part of the season proved that he has the quality to make a big impact at this level.

The Scotland international produced five goals and three assists in seven appearances for the Black Cats before picking up his injury, whilst averaging a Sofascore rating of 7.66. Only Sheffield United’s Oliver Norwood (7.66) can match that rating in the Championship and this suggests that the forward has been one of the top performers in the division this season.

Aji Alese’s score of 7.07 is the second-best score within the Sunderland squad and Stewart could, therefore, come back and be Mowbray’s star player at the top end of the pitch if he is able to recapture his best form.

The 26-year-old, who scored 26 goals in League One last term, has been in prolific form for the Black Cats since the start of last season and his impressive goal return highlights why his return could be huge lift for Mowbray in the coming weeks and months.

Hopefully, Stewart will now get through the next week of training without any issues and will be able to play a part against West Brom, whether that is from the start or off the bench.

Goals win games and the former Ross County man has proven that he has the ability to find the back of the net consistently, both in League One and the Championship, which is why Mowbray will be desperate to have him back out on the pitch.

Tottenham Hotspur have now entered the race for Fiorentina midfielder Sofyan Amrabat, who is currently starring at the World Cup with Morocco.

The Lowdown: Tottenham target midfielder

With Tottenham manager Antonio Conte looking to strengthen the spine of his team in the January transfer window, Amrabat is being considered as a potential option, having put in a series of impressive performances with his national side.

The Lilywhites are currently three points clear of Manchester United in the Premier League, occupying the last Champions League spot, and the manager has identified the Moroccan as capable of spurring them on to another top four finish, but they will face competition from the likes of Liverpool for the man valued at more than £26m.

The Latest: Amrabat in Conte’s sights

According to a report from La Repubblica, via the Express, Conte is interested in making a second approach for the World Cup star, having missed out on him last January, although Fiorentina are not keen to part with one of their prized assets, with sporting director Daniele Prade saying:

“We want to keep Amrabat here, there’s no plan to sell him.”

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The Verdict: Make it happen

In modern football, a deal in the region of £26m for a player with as much quality as the £30k-per-week Serie A ace is very reasonable, especially when you consider the level that he has been performing at in Qatar.

While everyone played their part in the history-making victory against Spain on penalties, the 26-year-old was ‘incredible’ (Joe Krishnan, Express), particularly in a defensive sense, winning all seven of his ground duels and also making four tackles, the joint-highest figure of any player on the pitch.

Blocks are also the enforcer’s forte, displaying a desire to prevent the opposition getting shots away on goal by averaging 1.74 per 90 minutes over the past year, placing him in the 92nd percentile, as opposed to Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg’s figure of 1.41 over the same time period.

As such, Amrabat would provide a fantastic alternative to existing options in the engine room, particularly in games against teams above or around Spurs in the table, when a more defensive style of play is often utilised by Conte.