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Speaking to West Ham Zone, former Irons striker Frank McAvennie has reacted to some news involving star striker Michail Antonio.

The Lowdown: West Ham take action…

As reported by The Sun, it appears West Ham have taken some action in an effort to prevent any serious injuries to Antonio as he pledges his international services to Jamaica.

Indeed, as shared by the outlet, club doctor and head of medical services Richard Collinge was sent out with the 31-year-old on his last round of duty with the Reggae Boyz.

This was to ensure he could cope with the extra physical exertion on international duty and to watch over Antonio’s fitness levels amid concerns over his past injury record.

The Latest: McAvennie reacts…

Speaking to WHZ, McAvennie has shared his take on the development and ‘can’t believe’ the measures clubs and players are taking nowadays to maintain fitness levels away from the country.

“It’s not just Antonio, but I’ve heard people going on holiday and taking a fitness coach,” he explained.

“I mean, really? I just can’t believe that goes on.

“I know the game has changed, but come on, you work all year and you go on holiday, you deserve a break. If you don’t drink, fine, but you still deserve a break away from football.

“I just don’t get it but maybe it’s the best thing for Antonio because of his fitness problems, his hamstring issues.”

The Verdict: Necessary?

Given just how crucial the forward is at the moment to manager David Moyes, not to mention how well he has started the campaign, we believe this is a shrewd precaution.

Antonio’s involvement with the Jamaica national team will have raised many eyebrows from both inside and outside West Ham and it’s safe to say the extra games will be a concern.

He will also be travelling plenty of miles when called upon so it’s little surprise the club wish to take whatever measures they deem fit to keep him at 100 per cent.

In other news: ‘Incredible’, ‘Bargain’…Pundit blown away as West Ham eye ‘very, very good signing’, find out more here.

Many Everton fans have been left raging over some injury news involving Dominic Calvert-Lewin.

As per the official website of the Goodison Park faithful, the striker has now suffered a setback in his rehab from an injury to his quadriceps and will remain out for a number of weeks.

He will continue to receive specialist treatment, and another fitness update will come from the Merseyside club in due course.

After the injury news on Abdoulaye Doucoure earlier on this week, to see another one of their key players out for a few weeks is certainly the last thing that the Toffees supporters wanted to hear.

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Nonetheless, it is now time for Salomon Rondon to step up, and show the fans why the Blues decided to take a punt on him in the summer transfer window.

Everton fans on Calvert-Lewin injury news

These EFC supporters raged as the injury update was shared on Twitter, with one Evertonian going as far as to claim that it is ‘extremely bad news’:

“Gone beyond a joke these injuries, go and get a free transfer got to be someone out there.”

Credit: @MrGriffGaff

“That’s all we needed, Dominic out injured. Extremely bad news.”

Credit: @PeterPapadopo11

“We’re finished”

Credit: @efcsam_

“Void the season”

Credit: @Sungy_1878

“Season is over already!”

Credit: @TheShep83

“CURSED”

Credit: @Smudge_96

In other news, find out what transfer news has Toffees fuming here!

West Brom would be Andre Gray’s preferred destination in the Championship, believes Express & Star journalist Luke Hatfield.

Gray has been linked with a move to The Hawthorns, with Football Insider recently reporting that West Brom are lining up a move for the Watford striker.

However, according to the same outlet, Middlesbrough, Birmingham City and QPR are also interested in signing Gray before the transfer window slams shut.

Competition for his signature is certainly looking fierce. But given that West Brom are likely to be battling for promotion following their relegation from the Premier League, Hatfield thinks the Baggies will be in the driving seat to secure his services.

“If he has to pick between those clubs, I think it’s a little bit of a no-brainer,” Hatfield said to TT. “I think Albion have shown they’re one of the real promotion threats this season.

“I think Albion probably would be his preferred destination. It’s close to home, obviously, Blues is close to home for him as well, but the position that Blues will be in this season in comparison to Albion, I don’t think you can quite compare them.”

Gray is yet to make one of Watford’s matchday squads this term, so it does appear that he is not really in manager Xisco Munoz’s plans. It gives an outfit like West Brom, who are clearly in the market for a striker, an opportunity to do something.

Manchester United have suffered a potentially significant setback in their pursuit of Barcelona midfielder Frenkie de Jong as the January transfer window approaches.

What’s the story?

It was recently reported by Spanish outlet El Nacional (as relayed by the Daily Star), that the Red Devils are interested in securing the highly-rated 24-year-old’s services.

The report claimed that De Jong perfectly fits the profile of the type of player their new interim manager Ralf Rangnick likes to work with and that the club’s chiefs are willing to offer £47m in order to secure his signature.

However, according to well-known journalist and transfer expert Fabrizio Romano, the Dutch international is unlikely to move to Old Trafford over the winter, although he’s not short of potential suitors.

He tweeted: “No negotiations for Frenkie de Jong to Man United in January, as things stand. #FCB #MUFC De Jong father told AD: “Bayern or United? I know Barça need money and a great offer could help, but I don’t see that happening. However, 5 best clubs in Europe have called for him.”

Man Utd fans will be gutted

With Paul Pogba, Juan Mata and Jesse Lingard all out of contract at United next summer, Rangnick may be forced to strengthen his engine room options over the next couple of transfer windows.

And De Jong could have been the ideal candidate to refresh the 20-time English champions’ midfield, meaning the club’s supports will be left feeling gutted at Romano’s latest revelation.

After rising through the ranks at boyhood club Ajax, the technically gifted star soon established himself as one of European football’s most exciting and promising talents.

De Jong scored five goals and provided 13 assists in 89 appearances for the capital club, claiming a domestic double in 2018/19 while playing a pivotal part in their run to the Champions League semi-finals.

A £65m move to Barca followed at the end of that fruitful campaign, and despite the Blaugrana’s struggles both on and off the pitch, the Dutchman has continued to thrive.

In 112 outings for the Catalan giants, De Jong has produced 24 goal contributions, winning the Copa del Rey in the process to add to his already impressive trophy collection.

But it seems as though a move to the red half of Manchester is off the cards for now, leaving Rangnick to explore alternative transfer targets in January as he aims to bolster his first-team squad at United. He and the Old Trafford faithful will surely be frustrated as a result.

And, in other news…Rangnick keen on signing “spectacular” £22.5m-rated gem, he’d be “exceptional” at MUFC

Aston Villa have hijacked Tottenham’s attempts to sign Northampton Town forward Caleb Chukwuemeka, according to Football Insider.

The Lowdown: Chukwuemeka profiled

Chukwuemeka is 19 years of age and is into the final 12 months of his senior contract with the League Two side.

The striker, who Keith Curle believes has a ‘bit of magic’, has made 28 appearances for The Cobblers, scoring twice.

He was on the bench for Northampton’s first game of the new season on the weekend, but it appears as if he could be on the move before the window shuts.

The Latest: Source shares update

Tottenham submitted a player-plus-cash bid for Chukwuemeka at the end of July, however, a Villa source has informed Football Insider that Villa are trying to beat Spurs to a deal.

They led with a title on Monday claiming Villa have hijacked Tottenham’s deal for Chukwuemeka, and a move to Villa Park could see him reunite with younger brother Carney.

The Verdict: Academy taking shape

Villa have already bolstered their first-team ranks this summer, so it seems as if Chukwuemeka could be the latest addition for the club’s academy.

They’ve signed Tim Iroegbunam from West Brom, Josh Feeney from Fleetwood Town and Ajani Burchall from Bournemouth, so Chukwuemeka could be the latest who could link up with the U23’s.

It could well prove to be a shrewd move by Villa, especially as Spurs are seemingly desperate to land the forward ahead of Villa.

In other news: Many AVFC fans buzz at transfer news, find out what it’s about here. 

According to journalist Paolo Bargiggia, West Ham United transfer target Nikola Milenkovic could be available for a fee of just €10m (£8.6m) this summer.

The Lowdown: Hammers eye Milenkovic

West Ham are reportedly heavily interested in signing the Fiorentina defender this summer (Hammers News via Juve Live).

There has now been a positive update provided on the Irons’ pursuit of the Serbia international.

The Latest: West Ham set for bargain fee

It has been said that West Ham could receive a huge discount for to the centre-back.

He is currently valued at £22.5m by Transfermarkt but, as per Bargiggia, he could be available for a fee of just €10m (£8.6m) – that would represent a discount of 55.6% on his market value.

The Verdict: Get it done

There should now be no doubt in the minds of David Moyes and co – they must get this deal done. For such a fee, they will struggle find a better deal this summer. Since making the move to Fiorentina in 2017, Milenkovic has made 133 appearances for the club in all competitions (Transfermarkt) – in the last three campaigns, he has missed just seven league matches.

The 23-year-old has even been compared to Serbian compatriot Nemanja Vidic, who enjoyed an illustrious career with Manchester United (ESPN). Of course, there is no guarantee he will match that level of success, but even if he turned out to be half the player the 39-year-old proved to be, he would be a top signing for West Ham.

In other news, many West Ham fans want the club to sign this striker.

As relayed by Tottenham Hotspur’s official website, manager Nuno Espirito Santo could welcome back summer signing Cristian Romero, with a return against Chelsea today not ruled out for the 23-year-old.

The Lowdown: Croatia three back in London…

After their international debacle, returning from a 10-day training camp in Croatia to maintain fitness levels, it appears that Romero, Giovani Lo Celso and Davinson Sanchez are back in the English capital.

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The South American trio have been unable to return to Spurs after joining up with their red-listed countries, with Spurs sending them to Croatia in an attempt to avoid them having to quarantine in a UK-based hotel (Evening Standard).

The Latest: Spurs drop pre-Chelsea injury message…

Relaying some injury news ahead of the Chelsea clash, it appears that Romero and his fellow South Americans could now come into contention to feature today following their stint abroad, as per an update from Spurs’ official website.

While their inclusion still needs to be assessed, Nuno could be boosted by the return of his Argentine summer signing in particular, refusing to rule him out from featuring this afternoon.

Spurs’ report claimed that Romero, alongside Lo Celso and Sanchez, ‘may come into frame’ for today’s highly-anticipated clash against their bitter London rivals and Champions League holders.

The Verdict: Huge boost…

Potentially having the 2020/21 Serie A MVP award winner as the league’s best defender back in his side will come as a huge boost for Nuno, especially considering that Romero is yet to show his very best and could decide to turn it on against Chelsea.

Lauded as ‘phenomenal’ by Serie A journalist Conor Clancy (via This is Futbol), the 23-year-old would come as a stellar defensive option to cope with the pace and power of Romelu Lukaku. It’s no coincidence that, in Romero’s absence over the last week, Spurs shipped five goals over their two matches against Crystal Palace and Rennes.

In other news: Spurs request now advanced to sign ‘invaluable’ player, Paratici ready to meet demands…find out more here.

Divock Origi was simply omitted from Liverpool’s squad at the weekend rather than being injured, according to reliable journalist James Pearce.

The Lowdown: Origi left out of squad

The Reds were superb away to Leeds on Sunday, cruising to a 3-0 win, although the victory was marred by a serious injury to Harvey Elliott.

Origi played no part in proceedings, having not even made the substitutes’ bench, leaving Liverpool with no out-and-out attacker to call upon in reserve. Thankfully, none were needed given the visitors’ dominance at Elland Road.

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The Latest: Pearce provides update on Origi

Speaking in a Q&A for The Athletic before the game, Pearce confirmed that the Belgian didn’t make the squad because Jurgen Klopp couldn’t justify a place for him in it, offering the succinct five-word update of: “Origi not injured I’m told”.

In reply to an earlier query as part of the Q&A enquiring whether the 26-year-old was out with injury, the journalist responded: “Not injured I’m told. Klopp clearly thinks if he needs to make a change in the frontline he will bring on Oxlade today.”

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The Verdict: Surplus to requirements

It was a surprise that Origi didn’t move on in the summer transfer window given his rarity of action, and his latest omission only strengthens that argument.

The fact that Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain is now seemingly considered a better option in attack speaks volumes, considering that the 28-year-old is renowned for being a midfielder. Then again, his Belgian team-mate hasn’t scored a senior goal in almost 12 months since a Carabao Cup rout at Lincoln.

Origi is still searching for his first snippet of senior action this season and it is hard to see where opportunities will arrive, apart from potentially in domestic cup competitions.

The sooner the 26-year-old leaves, the more beneficial it will be for everyone. His totally voluntary omission by Klopp yesterday, in the absence of any other reserve centre-forwards, was damning.

In other news, some Liverpool fans have hailed a pundit’s support of one Reds player. Find out who it is here.

Glasgow Rangers fans have been reacting to comments from deputy chairman John Bennett, who said the Gers will not need to sell players to repay outstanding loans.

The Gers enjoyed a marvelous past campaign as they won the Premiership title – they did so without losing a single game (BBC). In fact, they lost just three matches in all competitions (Sky Sports). The title win has put them in with a chance of qualifying for the Champions League group stages as well.

If they want to do that, they will need to hold on to their star players, but there had been suggestions that they would need to move on one or two players to remain financially stable. However, Bennett has now revealed on the Price of Football Podcast that the Ibrox outfit will not need to sell players to repay their outstanding loans.

The news was shared on Twitter by the podcast’s Twitter page, and it attracted plenty of attention from the supporters. They took to the social media platform to share their thoughts.

Let’s see what the fans had to say about the comments from Bennett below

“Brace yourselves, incoming financial experts from the east end approach.”

Credit: @stef5512

“But, but, admin 2.”

Credit: @JStukka

“Here we go… No need to sell players this Summer”

Credit: @FarvaRangers

“Announce meltdown”

Credit: @DavAnd12

“Very interesting comments, champs league groups 2 years in a row really would see a huge swing of power.”

Credit: @RangersBanter17

“Absolute breath of fresh air to listen to John Bennett He’s a highly respected man in the world of finance. Knows exactly what he is talking about & has put his money where his mouth is! I value what he says & makes those bloggers utterly comedic”

Credit: @MBS1872

In other news, Rangers have been urged to sign this 23-year-old.

Wolverhampton Wanderers are said to be eyeing a move for Benfica winger Rafa Silva this summer.

What’s the word?

That is according to A Bola (via Sport Witness), who believe Wolves are the “most concrete” club in pursuit of the 28-year-old.

The 25-cap Portugal winger’s contract expires in 2024, though a figure of €50 million (£42m) quoted by Jeunesfooteux could be enough to convince the Lisbon-based side to cut ties with Silva.

A source of goals

Silva is a versatile forward and has proven himself as a goalscorer throughout his six-year stint at Benfica, with 94 strikes in total throughout his professional club career.

He is the antithesis of Barcelona loanee Francisco Trincao, who has failed to set the world alight at Molineux.

In fact, their stats this season are almost incomparable, with Silva enjoying a much more fruitful spell in the opponent’s final third, on a much more consistent basis.

28-year-old Silva, who has been described as “exceptional” by host Jack Collins via Twitter, has 16 assists.

In contrast, Trincao has just eight during his final season at Braga in the 2019/20 campaign.

Silva’s calibre as a forward offers Wolves an option to completely level up their attack and serves as a more direct variant, operating in a similar fashion to a striker.

His passing stats paint a picture of his straight to the point style, as he tends to progress the ball through dribbling, rather than passing, with his average of 19 passes completed per 90 on the lower end of the percentile in comparison to positionally similar players across the top 5 leagues.

His performance in the first leg of the Champions League against Liverpool will have made Lage sit up and take notice, as the Portugal-man bagged an assist in his side’s 3-1 defeat.

This is not a surprise, as his 15 assists in Liga Portugal is a league-leading total. Based on the above, he’d certainly be an exciting signing in the Midlands.

In other news: £36m-rated “serious talent” who Wolves need drops a major hint on his future, supporters will be buzzing…