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Arsenal are set to rival Barcelona for the signing of a young Brazilian whiz from Palmeiras who is still yet to pen his first professional deal…

What’s the word?

According to a report from Goal Brazil, Palmeiras’ Brazilian youngster Estevao Willian, colloquially known as ‘Messinho’, is on the radar of Arsenal technical director Edu, who views the 15-year-old as a precocious prospect for the future.

The report continues that French giants Paris Saint-Germain have already failed with a £30m offer for the forward, and now Arsenal look set to leap in front and keep tabs on the player’s development, poised to pounce when an apt opportunity arises.

Although, international rules mean that Messinho will not be able to sign for a new club until 2025, when the player turns 18, although the Gunners could take a page from Real Madrid’s book and emulate the deal forged for Endrick, who also plies his trade for Palmeiras.

Martinelli 2.0

By establishing the foundation and putting in the groundwork at this maiden stage of Messinho’s career, Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta presents a tantalising offer to the prodigy, who will consider the fact that the club have invested faith in him from the very start.

He will also have time to develop and nurture his skills in his homeland, before casting a gaze halfway across the globe to Europe when the time comes to consider the future of his footballing career.

Arsenal have always boasted a prestigious academy, but have recently looked elsewhere to bring in talented prospects who can slowly integrate into the first-team, with the likes of summer signing Marquinhos following the notable success of Gabriel Martinelli, who signed from Ituano in 2019. 

Martinelli, who is now rated at £51.8m, as per Transfermarkt, has scored 23 goals and registered 15 assists across 104 fixtures for the north London outfit, blossoming into a driving force in the thumping Gunners attack that sits in first-place of the Premier League after 14 matches, having scored 33 goals. 

This season, the 21-year-old’s five goals and two assists in the English top-flight have been vital for the club, and Messinho can note his countryman’s ascension with bated breath, as he begins to consider the best course of action for his professional career. 

As per Sofascore, Martinelli’s endeavours this term will leave the likes of Messinho wishing to emulate, with his 2.5 shots per match, 85% pass success rate, and five big chances created illuminating the all-encompassing presence that Brazilian forward’s look to achieve, with flair and elegance in abundance. 

And to cap it all off, by choosing the Gunners, Martinelli is currently relishing his place in his nation’s 2022 World Cup squad.

Messinho, described an “absolutely crazy talent” by talent scout Jacek Kulig, is a left-footed demon that can emerge as one of Brazil’s hottest prospects over the next few years, and with a leap to Europe inevitable, the Emirates Stadium might just be the best place for the 15-year-old to leap toward prominence.

Tottenham Hotspur could be set to move on an old target who has admitted to an interest in the Premier League…

What’s the latest?

With Calciomercato reporting in late November that Fabio Paratici was a big fan of Adrien Rabiot, his recent comments will sound delightful for the Italian.

The 27-year-old claimed: “I have always said that I’d like to play in England in my career. I still have that desire. I’d like to evolve in the Premier League.”

This has spurred transfer insider Dean Jones to issue his own thoughts and add some context on a potential move to GIVEMESPORT: “It’s interesting that Rabiot has admitted he is open to the Premier League because clubs like Spurs have had a look at him in the past. 

“Manchester United did too and while I still think it was the right choice not to sign him, he could be a good fit in the right club.”

He will be available for a reported €20m (£17m).

Spurs’ own Bellingham

Whilst Jude Bellingham has earned all the plaudits for his sensational displays in the World Cup, there has been plenty of other admirable performers worth talking about.

It seems the Borussia Dortmund man will only be available to a handful of Europe’s elite who could afford his enormous value, with Spurs certainly not being one of them.

However, in this move for Rabiot, they could secure their own version of the former Birmingham City man for a fraction of the price.

Already regarded as an “elite level midfielder” by journalist Dominic Booth, he has proven this with his combative displays for France, displaying Bellingham-like qualities to galivant the central areas.

Where there was panic due to the absence of Paul Pogba and N’Golo Kante, the 6 foot 2 maestro has more than deputised for them both.

He is averaging a 7.16 rating, having scored once and assisted another in his five games. This is further supported by his impressive defensive stats, where he records 1.4 interceptions and 2.0 tackles per 90, via Sofascore.

This is neatly paired with an 86% pass accuracy that outlines him as a truly exceptional all-around midfielder who would offer Antonio Conte plenty.

These statistics are not all that far away from England’s 19-year-old prodigy, who too has only scored and assisted once, but has a 7.34 average rating and recorded 3.2 tackles a game, via Sofascore.

There is a reason why Bellingham is rated at £214m by CIES Football Observatory, yet Rabiot would not offer much less.

It could be a stroke of genius to save themselves nearly £200m by signing a player who lacks the same remarkable ceiling but could definitely perform immediately at the highest level.

Everton have long-term been linked with a move for Ismaila Sarr and now a reliable source has given an update on the club’s pursuit of the player ahead of the January transfer window.

What’s the latest?

According to journalist Simon Phillips, Everton have legitimate interest in signing the Watford and Senegal winger next month.

Phillips told GIVEMESPORT:

“It’s an interesting link because I know when Frank Lampard was at Chelsea, he [Sarr] was one of the names that he put forward to the Chelsea board when he was looking at attackers.

“You can be pretty sure that the interest there is legit, especially from Frank Lampard’s side.”

Lampard needs him badly

Frank Lampard will surely be extremely concerned with the unstable situation Everton have found themselves in over their first 15 outings in the Premier League so far.

The Toffees are currently 17th in the top flight and just one point clear of the relegation zone, so it will be crucial for Everton to start picking up points when they return to action after Christmas to avoid falling further.

Indeed, the Everton boss will be given the golden opportunity to strengthen his team when the transfer window re-opens in the new year and should grasp the chance to improve the goal threat.

Only Wolverhampton Wanderers have scored fewer goals than the Merseysiders, so snapping up a player who can not only improve the attacking threat but also deliver more goal contributions at Goodison Park is vital.

As a result, the signing of Sarr could benefit the Toffees significantly, especially if he can continue to display his current form in front of goal.

Over 18 Championship appearances, the £35m-valued winger – who was dubbed “super talented” by former Watford manager Rob Edwards – has scored six goals, registered four assists and created three big chances, as well as averaging 2.2 shots on goal, 1.1 successful dribbles and winning 3.8 duels per game.

In fact, Sarr has been consistent and reliable for Watford ever since he joined the club in 2019 – scoring 30 times and registering 21 assists over 110 appearances with a goal contribution every 175 minutes.

With that being said, there is no doubt that Lampard is in need of a forward like Sarr in his team and if the powers at Goodison Park can secure his services in January it could give Everton a huge boost in their pursuit of retaining their Premier League status.

Leeds United manager Jesse Marsch has identified Birmingham City midfielder George Hall as his top transfer target in the January window.

The Lowdown: Leeds’ Hall links

According to the Daily Mail, Leeds have been tracking hall for a while now, even making an attempt to sign him last summer, before being deterred by Birmingham’s valuation of the 18-year-old.

It was reported by TEAMtalk earlier in December that the Whites were closing in on a deal for the youngster, but now there seems to be increased interest in his signature, which could have put the deal in jeopardy.

Journalist Alan Nixon revealed earlier this week that Liverpool and Everton have now joined the race, with the Toffees now said to be leading the way…

The Latest: Marsch’s top targets

As per The Mirror, via Yorkshire Evening Post, Marsch has identified Hall as one of his top targets in the January market.

However, with Matheus Cunha now on his way to Wolverhampton Wanderers, that leaves the Birmingham starlet as the Leeds manager’s priority signing, with a deal now likely to be worth in the region of £15m.

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The Verdict: Get it done?

While £15m is a lot of money for a relatively unproven player in his breakthrough Championship season, it could end up being a bargain in the long-run, given Birmingham manager John Eustace has recently lauded him as a ‘fantastic young player’.

At just 18, the starlet has already cemented his place as a key player in the Blues team, making 18 appearances in the second tier this season, so it would not be too long before he would be able to make the step up to the Premier League.

As per FBref, the Englishman has averaged 4.36 progressive passes per 90 minutes over the past year, placing him in the 95th percentile compared to his positional peers, and this forward-thinking way of playing would stand him in good stead in a Leeds team that likes to press forward up the pitch in numbers and attack at will.

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has identified a current Liverpool loanee as a potential alternative to Youri Tielemans and could make a move in the coming months…

What’s the news?

According to CalcioMercato, Arteta ‘really likes’ Juventus midfielder Arthur Melo, who is currently on a season-long loan spell at Liverpool.

The Brazilian could be seen as a potential alternative to their interest in Tielemans with no move for the Leicester City player materialising as of yet ahead of his contract expiring in the summer.

As a result, Arteta might seek other options.

Arteta eyes Arthur

Many of the Arsenal faithful may be surprised to see the club linked with a player that has played just 13 minutes of senior football this season, but when Arthur is fit, he could be a worthy addition to the Arsenal squad.

At his peak, the Brazilian star, who Liverpool can purchase for £33m in the summer, can be extremely effective from the middle of the pitch, especially with his superb passing ability.

During the 2019/2020 season for Barcelona, he averaged a pass success rate of 92% across his 21 La Liga matches while making 0.6 key passes per match. Arthur also underlined his attacking qualities by registering seven goal contributions and succeeding with 91% of his dribble attempts.

These statistics clearly show that when playing on a regular basis, he can be crucial in dictating play and controlling possession for his team.

Indeed, over the previous year, the 26-year-old is among the finest passers of the ball compared to positional peers in Europe’s top five leagues, ranking in the top 10% for pass completion percentage, passes completed, total passing distance, and ball recoveries.

Arteta could utilise someone of Arthur’s talents, keeping hold of the ball well and allowing other players slightly more freedom in the midfield area.

Former Arsenal defender Thomas Vermaelen described him as “incredible” during his time at Barcelona and if Arteta could lure him to London and manage to get him back playing to that sort of form, it could well be a shrewd investment.

The Tielemans saga continues to roll on and if Arsenal can’t get a deal over the line for the Belgian, Arthur would be a worthy alternative, despite his injury-plagued campaign this year.

An update has emerged on Aston Villa midfielder Jacob Ramsey and his fitness ahead of the club’s clash with Wolves in the Premier League…

What’s the latest?

Birmingham Live journalist Ashley Preece has all but ruled the academy graduate out of being in contention to feature in the clash at Villa Park tonight.

Responding to a fan’s question about the dynamo’s injury situation on Tuesday, the reporter replied:

“Jacob Ramsey a big doubt for tomorrow [Wednesday]. Can’t see him making it.”

Unai Emery was unable to confirm whether or not the youngster would be fit enough to play in the match during his pre-match press conference, saying:

“He is so close. He’s starting to try and be with us this week. I don’t know exactly if he can take some minutes against Wolverhampton or next week in the FA Cup. I don’t know.”

Bad news for Emery?

This update should spell bad news for the Villa head coach as the midfielder has not been available for selection since the friendly against Cardiff during the break for the 2022 World Cup.

Emery has only managed the young gem for two Premier League matches, which resulted in wins against Manchester United and Brighton, and it appears as though he will need to wait even longer for the third.

Ramsey scored once and assisted two goals in his three games with the Spaniard in charge, including the EFL Cup defeat to United, and his continued absence is a blow to Villa in spite of their win over Tottenham last time out.

The 21-year-old, who scored six goals in the top-flight last term, has averaged a Sofascore rating of 6.88 across 15 outings in the Premier League this season.

He has been a reliable performer in the middle of the park and has proven, with his aforementioned contributions in attack, that he can be a match-winner by providing a goal or an assist.

Ramsey is also a combative midfielder who can win the ball back for his side and this is evidenced by his 3.0 tackles and interceptions per match, whilst he has also won 51% of his individual duels.

These statistics show that he is a box-to-box engine who has the potential to be the difference for Villa in tight matches and that is why his injury issue should be a frustrating one for Emery.

The Spaniard should want to have the England U21 international available for action because of the quality he can provide when he is fit to play.

Everton are considering making an approach for Lorient striker Terem Moffi, according to reports.

The Lowdown: Reinforcements required

Frank Lampard is currently under immense pressure following a poor run of results that sees his side in the relegation zone, with the need for attacking reinforcements clear.

With just 18 months remaining on his deal, Moffi has been identified as a desired target in a move that could possibly see him making his way to the Premier League.

The Latest: Everton plotting Moffi move

According to French outlet Foot Mercato (via Sport Witness), Everton and Southampton are both ‘thinking about moving’ for Moffi this winter window.

The Toffees aren’t expected to be able to splash big cash, with the report suggesting that an initial loan with an obligation to buy could well be the best option for the hierarchy.

The 23-year-old is being ‘looked at’ by the Merseyside outfit as someone who could make an impact in the final third.

The Verdict: Get it done…

Moffi has been described as a player who ‘ticks all the boxes’ by his former manager Christophe Pelissier, and looking at his numbers, Everton should act quickly to wrap this deal up.

The 6 foot 2 forward already has ten goals to his name from just 15 league starts this season, and is currently averaging two shots per game (WhoScored).

The Blues have to get some fresh faces through the door should they want to avoid the drop, and the prolific form of Moffi could be just what they need.

Wolverhampton Wanderers have enjoyed somewhat of a resurgence under Julen Lopetegui, losing just once in five matches and that was to a very late Manchester United winner.

The feel-good factor is coming back to Molineux and there is genuine hope that the Spaniard could keep the club in the Premier League following their woeful start to the season under Bruno Lage.

With the transfer window open, thoughts will now turn to who Lopetegui could bring to the club that will give them that extra edge ahead of a crucial few months ahead.

According to the Evening Standard, Wolves are interested in signing young Greek talent Giannis Konstantelias from PAOK alongside the likes of Arsenal and Manchester City, with the player valued at around the £10m mark.

It looks like Lopetegui is aiming to bring young talent to the Midlands and this is proof that he is looking at this role as a long-term opportunity to build an exciting team.

Konstantelias operates mainly on the left wing, coming onto his preferred right foot with talent scout Jacek Kulig even likening him to Eden Hazard at the end of last year, citing some of his strengths as “pace, acceleration, dribbling, technique, ball control, creativity, agility, flair” and these are the type of traits the Belgian sensation utilised so well during his fruitful spell in the Premier League.

Across seven years at Chelsea, Hazard was arguably one of the finest left-wingers in the world, and he was able to both score and create plenty of opportunities for his teammates in near equal measure.

He scored 110 times and registered 92 assists in 352 games for the London side and while Konstantelias is still young and continuing his development, being compared to someone like Hazard is a testament to just how much talent he possesses.

In 14 matches this campaign, the Greek teenager has managed to assist four goals, although he has yet to find the back of the net himself while recording 1.3 key passes on average per match.

The head of Agia Pareskevi’s academy – the Greek’s first club – Alexandros Malakasiotis lavished high praise on the youngster, saying: “Such a player does not emerge every day. Not even every 50 years… For me, he is a phenomenon. If you see how he passes and moves into space, you will understand what he is about.”

He could be a wonderful investment for the future and Lopetegui will be having serious thoughts about luring him to Molineux.

Leeds United reportedly remain interested in a Premier League star and could look to move for him soon…

What’s the latest?

That’s according to transfer insider Dean Jones, who claims that although he could remain at Wolverhampton Wanderers till the summer, the Whites will retain an interest nevertheless.

He told GIVEMESPORT: “In terms of Adama Traore, it’s looking to me that he’ll probably see out the rest of the season at Wolves and take things from there. But I think both Leeds and Tottenham will keep an eye on his situation just in case Wolves do make signings this month that impacts him.

“The feeling at the moment is that he’ll stay but again, that can change.”

This statement comes after TEAMtalk noted Victor Orta’s desire to reunite with the wide man at the start of the window. 

Ditch James

Whilst on the surface this could come across as an uninspiring move, if it meant finally ridding Elland Road of Daniel James then it would be worth its weight in gold.

In one of Marcelo Bielsa’s biggest financial blunders during his reign, he unloaded £25m to sign the Welsh winger from Manchester United after an indifferent start to life at Old Trafford.

In his last season at the club, he had only mustered three league goals and unsurprisingly would hardly offer a stellar return in his debut campaign in Yorkshire to align with his new value. Scoring four and assisting five, his return was not wholly dreadful, but his 6.64 average rating was indicative of a poor performer despite this.

Such was the lack of faith in the 25-year-old, he was sent out on loan to Fulham this season despite only having Jack Harrison, Crysencio Summerville and Luis Sinisterra as viable wide options.

Therefore, to pad out this crop and finally send James packing, adding another dynamic could be imperative in securing survival despite their poor run.

Jesse Marsch’s side are yet to win a game since domestic football restarted after the World Cup and have slipped back to within two points of the relegation zone.

The acquisition of someone with pure pace and power like Traore’s is sure to frighten any defender, which would provide added room for the likes of Rodrigo to further shine.

Jetro Willems even detailed this fear, as he claimed: “I have played against some very good players in my career, but no one as fast as Adama Traore. He’s unbelievable, a beast. Not only is he incredibly fast, he is so, so strong as well.”

This claim was supplemented by BBC pundit Garth Crooks, who was enamoured with the “lightning-fast” Spaniard.

Such is his proficiency in a one-on-one setting, he ranks in the top 1% for dribbles completed. He has also paired this with 0.7 key passes per 90, which is particularly commendable given he is only averaging 47 minutes a game.

A completely different option for Marsch to boast, the £55k-per-week speedster’s arrival could finally spell the end of James’ disappointing tenure at the club.

Pundits James McFadden and Shaun Maloney feel Celtic shouldn’t have been awarded a penalty following a VAR blunder against Greenock Morton.

The Lowdown: Cup upset avoided

Celtic’s rampant first-half display left them 4-0 up at the break, with the SPFL side flexing their muscles against the Scottish Championship outfit.

Goals from Aaron Mooy, David Turnbull and a double from Kyogo Furuhashi put the tie out of reach.

Mooy completed the scoring in the second half, but the Australian’s opening goal from the spot has caused controversy.

The Latest: Half-time analysis

Speaking during half-time of the tie for the BBC, both McFadden and Maloney were left shocked that a penalty was given, let alone referee Kevin Clancy being referred to the monitor by Craig Napier on VAR duty.

McFadden said (as quoted by Daily Record): “I think initially you are saying it’s goal-bound and it’s a good block. Then you look at it again and Craig Napier took two minutes and 15 seconds to tell that it was a penalty.

“It looks like Efe Ambrose is trying to block the shot with his foot and his hand is not in an unnatural position. It’s poor, and it’s such a big decision. For me, they have got it wrong.”

Meanwhile, Maloney expressed his own dismay: “The momentum of the game shifted with the penalty. I really don’t understand at this point when he has seen it [at the monitor] that he gives it.

“It has hit his teammate and rebounded and hit his arm when it’s behind him. I think it’s a really poor decision.

“The fact that he has been asked to go to VAR is a poor decision. I am normally very supportive, and I’m a big advocate of it [VAR].

“I try to remain as neutral as I can and I played here for a long time, but I just felt really, really sad for the Morton manager and players.”

The Verdict: Incorrect call

Despite Greenock Morton eventually ending up on the end of a thrashing, they will feel aggrieved by the way the game swung away from them.

The incident itself saw a strike from Liel Abada deflect up off Jack Baird’s foot as he attempted to block the shot before it pinged up onto the arm of Efe Ambrose, who had also closed down the Hoops forward.

With his arm out way behind his body, the decision was given, but we feel it’s a ridiculous call to award considering Ambrose made no attempt to use his arm and didn’t even move it closer to the ball, making it totally accidental. It had also deflected off his teammate first from such a close range that the 34-year-old couldn’t react.

It made a mockery of the situation with the Bhoys being set on their way from the decision, with Mooy leaving nothing to chance with the finish as he sent Brian Schwake the wrong way.