Category Uncategorized

Newcastle United are now in the top half of the Premier League table as a crucial January continues to chug along.

Eddie Howe has come out to state that the Toon’s start to the year is “season-defining”, with a mammoth nine games heading their way in all competitions, as another EFL Cup final potentially waits on the horizon.

Howe would have been delighted by the performance against Crystal Palace to kickstart 2026 with a comfortable 2-0 victory, but he will know his squad could still do with some improvements here and there, with the transfer window now back open for business.

Newcastle United looking at striker deal

With Sandro Tonali struggling to hit the grand heights expected of him this season, it’s no great shock to see that the Toon are planning to bring in midfield reinforcements in January.

The incessant rumour at St James’ Park at the moment revolves around Newcastle preparing to go all out to snap up AZ Alkmaar sensation Kees Smit, with a wild £52m valuation above the in-demand Dutchman’s head.

It’s not just centrally where Newcastle could look to add in additional bits of quality, though, with a new development no doubt piquing the Toon’s interest.

Back in the summer, it was heavily reported that the Magpies had bid a whopping £50m for Jorgen Strand Larsen’s services, with the Wolverhampton Wanderers marksman fresh off a goal-heavy campaign in the Premier League.

Now, however, with the Nordic striker’s reputation taking a battering at Molineux this season, TEAMtalk is reporting that Larsen could be available for a discounted £40m, with Tottenham Hotspur, Crystal Palace, Everton, and Fulham all informed about the situation at hand.

Newcastle are also being kept up to date during talks regarding his cheaper availability, with Howe potentially winning another Nick Woltemade-style figure if the lofty centre-forward does desert the West Midlands for a chance at top-flight redemption on Tyneside.

How Strand Larsen is another Woltemade in the making

Immediately, the similarities are apparent when taking in their ginormous frames, with Larsen coming in at an imposing 6-foot-4 when powering through on goal.

Woltemade does have him beaten in this department, standing at a remarkable 6-foot-7, but, when weighing up the Wolves number nine’s debut season in the Premier League, next to the Bremen-born menace’s current potent campaign, the similarities are also clear for all to see in their shared goalscoring prowess.

Larsen’s debut PL numbers vs Woltemade’s

Stat

Larsen

Woltemade

Games played

35

17

Goals scored

14

7

Assists

4

1

Goalscoring frequency

186 mins

180 mins

Goal conversion %

26%

27%

Big chances missed

13

6

Big chances created

6

1

Stats by Sofascore

Looking at the table above, the numbers are eerily similar, with Woltemade surely in line to notch up 14 Premier League goals himself this season, if he can keep his blistering Toon stay up.

The table above is enough, though, to make Newcastle consider a £40m move for Larsen in January, even if he has just one league goal next to his name this season, with his finishing ability lauded as “phenomenal” last campaign by his ex-Old Gold boss Vitor Pereira, firing a goal home every 186 minutes.

It could just be that Larsen needs a change of scenery to get back to his best, having been plunged into a depressing relegation battle at Molineux, with his overall style of play – away from being a focal point with goals – also suiting Howe’s set-up.

Subscribe to the newsletter for transfer market insight Get sharper transfer context—subscribe to our newsletter for data-driven Premier League player and club analysis, valuations and comparative stats that clarify which moves make sense and why they matter for teams.

---

Subscribe By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.

Indeed, although Woltemade has garnered a lot of praise this season so far for his “ridiculous” finishing ability – as he was once labelled by journalist Zach Lowy – he has also stood out for his general hold-up play, with the towering striker’s nous to find his teammates up top such as Harvey Barnes with ease even being heralded as “mesmerising” to watch by Sky Sports’ Andy Sixsmith.

The German’s perfectly timed backheel against Benfica in October would set Barnes on his way to slotting a chance home, with Larsen also known to be a selfless performer in trying to tee up his Wolves teammates, when at his Molineux peak, as seen in him creating six big chances last season.

Newcastle royalty in Alan Shearer has even praised Larsen’s hold-up play as “excellent”, with journalist Liam Keen also noting that the Scandinavian is “very strong” in holding off opposition defenders, before calmly playing a pass.

It’s a steep amount to fork out on a player who has seen his Wolves career fall to the wayside, but Woltemade cost a bomb, too, at £69m, as another £40m is possibly dropped soon.

Related Newcastle star was one of the best "in Europe", now he's worse than Gordon

Newcastle need to make headway after a shaky start to the 2025/26 campaign.

Posts ByAngus Sinclair

Everton sits just five points behind their arch rivals, Liverpool, in the current Premier League standings.

David Moyes’ Toffees are still in with an outside shout of a top-four position in the top-flight this season, with eight league wins now next to their name from 19 total games, after getting the better of ex-boss Sean Dyche with ease last time out to beat Nottingham Forest 2-0.

James Garner would collect a goal and assist to rub salt into the wound of his former employers, but Moyes would have been over the moon with Thierno Barry’s efforts at the City Ground, as well, as he collected just his second ever Toffees strike against Dyche’s hosts.

But, with only 20 goals put away all season long, the Merseyside giants could be tempted to make some signings up top this January, with a talismanic figure in attack no doubt steering Moyes’ men to even more victories.

Everton still keen on dream striker move

With Beto only on one paltry Premier League strike for the campaign, too, it’s clear why a whole host of attacking names are already being linked to the Hill Dickinson Stadium, a matter of days after the window has reopened.

Transfer Focus

Mega money deals, controversial moves and big-name flops. This is the home of transfer news and opinion across Football FanCast.

Expand Collapse

Indeed, rumours suggest that Everton have begun to discuss a January deal with wantaway Wolverhampton Wanderers striker Jorgen Strand Larsen.

Although with his tally of just three goals in all competitions this season, he won’t be viewed as a huge upgrade worth breaking the bank over.

However, landing the services of Ivan Toney would be a deal that would send shockwaves through the Premier League, as the ex-Brentford attacker continues to be linked with a return to England.

Realistically, the costs involved – with Toney’s wage for Al-Ahli coming in at an eye-watering £433k-per-week – render this deal somewhat of a pipedream.

But, the i Paper has suggested that this is a move that the Toffees ‘would dearly love’ to get over the line over the coming month, as they search for that missing focal point up top, with Toney picking up a stunning 131 goal contributions over his last five seasons in England and in the Saudi Pro League.

Landing the 29-year-old’s services against all the odds could see Moyes win his very own version of Romelu Lukaku, with the Belgian still revered to this day on Merseyside as a beloved goal machine.

Why Toney can be Moyes' own Lukaku

Lukaku’s lasting imprint at Everton is felt today, with Barry stating – after bagging his game-clinching strike against Forest – that he has tried to model his instinctive Toffees game on the 32-year-old during his Goodison Park peak.

Indeed, for the majority of his Merseyside stay, most of what Lukaku touched would turn to gold, with his deadly 87 strikes for Everton in total far outweighing his output at Chelsea, Manchester United, and West Bromwich Albion.

He would even be labelled a “world-class” finisher by one of his former Everton bosses in Ronald Koeman, with the Toffees often relying on the magic of their former number ten to get them out of some sticky spots.

Everton are crying out for a similarly impactful figure to lead the line under Moyes, as the mid-table outfit has fallen victim to a lot of goalless displays this season, with December seeing the Merseysiders draw blanks across three straight Premier League ties.

Toney’s goal record under Frank

Stat

Toney

Games played

141

Minutes played

11,992 mins

Goals scored

72

Assists

23

Hat-tricks

2

Sourced by Transfermarkt

This is where Toney could come to the rescue, looking at the table above, with the 6-foot-1 marksman hailed as a “special” presence in front of goal by his ex-Bees boss in Thomas Frank, when putting away a devastating 72 strikes from 141 games under the Dane’s tenure at the G-Tech Community Stadium.

Subscribe for deeper Everton transfer insight and analysis Craving deeper context on Everton’s transfer targets? Subscribing to the newsletter unlocks focused coverage and informed breakdowns of moves like Toney or Strand Larsen, helping readers track realistic options, finances, and tactical fits.

---

Subscribe By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.

Moyes will hope he can strike up an equally red-hot relationship with the seven-time England international if an audacious move is successful, with the Glaswegian responsible for getting a hefty 55 strikes out of Michail Antonio at West Ham United, while also working alongside memorable attackers such as Lukaku during his first Everton reign in Tim Cahill and Steven Pienaar.

The “remarkable” goalscorer – as he has also been lauded by Frank – hasn’t seen his goals dry up in the Middle East, either, as seen in his 43 strikes and counting for Al Ahli, as Toney continues to impress wherever he goes, much like the well-travelled Belgian.

The financial aspects of this deal do make it a very far-fetched one to get over the line, with Strand Larsen’s signature a lot easier and cheaper to seal.

But, if arrangements can be made for Everton to somehow work around his steep pay packet, winning Toney this January could see a second coming of Lukaku arrive on Merseyside.

Related Everton plotting move to sign one of the best players in the Championship

He’s blown away scouts who have been left hugely impressed…

Posts BySean Markus Clifford

	Ryan Harris was a valuable player for South Australia last season but has now moved to Queensland © Getty Images

Ryan Harris, South Australia’s leading Pura Cup wicket-taker in 2007-08, will play for Queensland from next season after signing a three-year deal with the Bulls. Harris’ departure from Adelaide is a blow for the Redbacks as they embark on their own recruiting drive following a disappointing summer.Harris, 28, will be a useful addition at Queensland, who already boast the Cricket Australia-contracted allrounders Ashley Noffke, James Hopes and Shane Watson. He said he was looking forward to a new phase in his career.”It was a good offer and while I’ve enjoyed my time with the Redbacks, I thought the opportunity to bowl at the Gabba over the next few years should see my career develop further,” Harris said. “I thank the SACA [South Australian Cricket Association] for their support over the past few years and wish them all the best but I’m genuinely excited about the prospects ahead with the Bulls.”Harris is currently playing county cricket in Sussex after their interest was stirred by his best Australian domestic season. He collected 37 Pura Cup wickets at 29.86 last summer and made a handy 363 runs at 24.20, and the contributions earned him a place in the Australian Cricketers’ Association Pura Cup Team of the Year.An Academy graduate in 2002, Harris was in the same group as the man who could be Queensland’s next captain, Chris Simpson. In 2006-07 the Bulls were on the wrong end of his talent when Harris struck a six from the last ball of a one-day match when the Redbacks needed five to win.Graham Dixon, the chief executive of Queensland Cricket, said Harris was the only man the Bulls would sign from interstate for 2008-09. “We had a number of good reports from our players about Ryan’s competitiveness on the field,” Dixon said. “He’s the sort of player that has more than one string to his bow and plays all three forms of the game which is important in the current environment.”The Redbacks coach Mark Sorell said the Queensland agreement would be worth more money and security for Harris, who had been on short-term contracts in the past. South Australia had tried to keep him by offering a two-year deal that could be extended to three based on performance in the first year.”I support what’s happened in the past with his performance and injury history,” Sorell said. “He performed well this last season which was outstanding and we were keen to let him know he was a part of our future. His decision was a bit of a shock. Obviously we’re extremely disappointed but we respect that decision.”

Emily Drumm has pulled out of the Invitational XI Twenty20s in England with a recurrence of her hamstring injury. Drumm, New Zealand’s prolific batsman, nearly quit the game in 2005 after damaging her leg during the World Cup but fought her way back to recovery.She had been injury-free for two years until two weeks ago when she damaged her leg playing touch rugby. “The game is really good for fitness and I thought I was Jonah Lomu at one stage, flying down the wing!”More seriously, she is fearful that, on past experience, the suggested period of a few weeks’ recovery will in fact take much longer. And now she is toying with the idea of quitting. “Maybe someone’s trying to tell me I should retire,” she said, although she was smiling when she did so.What is for certain is that she will miss the curtain-raisers against the England XI at the end of June, which will be played before two men’s county matches. “I have just withdrawn from these games,” she told Cricinfo, “so it’s very disappointing as they are my favourite form of the game. It’s good for women to try to play a more aggressive game.”And regardless of whether she recovers in time for New Zealand’s tour in August, she will not be playing. The management have stipulated that players must play in New Zealand state cricket to be eligible for the tour, but as Drumm has been over in England for the past years, she is ruled out – despite playing county cricket for Kent.”It’s extremely disappointing,” she says, although that will not stop her from watching the series. “I will help them out when they come over here if I can.”

Kyle Mills won’t be making the tour to Australia due to an ankle problem © Getty Images

Kyle Mills has pulled out of New Zealand’s World Cup development tour to Australia so he can have surgery to correct an ankle injury. His place has been taken by Joseph Yovich, the Northern Districts seamer, on the trip for those players on the fringes of selection for the World Cup.Mills was troubled by the ankle problem during the recent tour of South Africa and chose to take this opportunity to ensure he is back to full fitness in time for the next New Zealand season and build-up to the World Cup.Yovich, 29, has been a solid performer at domestic level for a number of the seasons and in the 2005-06 season he took 22 wickets at 36.59 in first-class competition and 12 wickets at 28.58 in the one-day format. A batting average of 28 means he can be classed as an allrounder at state level.There are two teams for the development tour with Peter Fulton and Craig McMillan the captains. Players who have recently been left out of the New Zealand side such as James Marshall, Lou Vincent and Mathew Sinclair have the chance to press their claims.Team One Peter Fulton (capt), James Marshall, Graham Aldridge, Brendan Diamanti, Mark Gillespie, Jamie How, Michael Mason, Nathan McCullum, Peter McGlashan, Warren McSkimming, Jesse Ryder, Ross Taylor, Lou VincentTeam Two Craig McMillan (capt), Matthew Bell, Hamish Bennett, Gareth Hopkins, Bruce Martin, Chris Martin, Rob Nicol, Mark Orchard, Michael Papps, Jeetan Patel, Mathew Sinclair, Richard Sherlock, Joseph Yovich

Malcolm Speed clarifies the ICC’s stand © Getty Images

The International Cricket Council has said that it would mediate in the ongoing player-contract crisis only if the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) decided that the ICC had a role to play in resolving the conflict. Earlier media reports had said that the WICB had refused the ICC’s offer to help find a solution to the problem. Malcolm Speed, the ICC chief executive, said in a media release: “Contrary to some reports, the WICB has not taken a view on if there is a role for the ICC.”Speed said that he and Roger Brathwaite, the WICB chief executive, had preliminary discussions on the status of the current issue and that he had offered to assist the WICB in whatever way possible. “I spoke with Roger last Saturday and indicated that if the WICB saw any role for the ICC that it would be willing to assist,” Speed said. “Roger indicated that he would advise his board of the ICC’s position and it would consider if the ICC has a role to play. I would stress that the ICC does not and will not become involved in any domestic issue such as this without the consent of the relevant board. It is a judgment that the WICB will make if it believes that the ICC can assist.”Cricinfo had earlier learnt from a source close to the situation that the WICB had turned down an offer to help. The source had said that the West Indies Players’ Association had suggested the possibility of an ICC intervention with Richard Bevan and Tim May of FICA, the international players union. Dinanath Ramnarine, the WIPA president, also confirmed that he had asked for FICA’s assistance in the matter, and reiterated his disappointment at the West Indies board turning down the offer for intervention.

Andrew Caddick has signed a new four-year contract with Somerset, which will keep him at Taunton until the end of the 2007 season. Peter Anderson, the county chief executive, said: "It is fantastic news for Somerset, and a typical example of his loyalty to the club, especially when we know that other counties were chasing him."Caddick has undergone back surgery in recent months, and has not played for England since his matchwinning ten-wicket haul at Sydney in January 2003. Nevertheless, Somerset have faith that he will return as strong as ever, even though he will be approaching 38 by the time his new deal runs out.Caddick for his part was equally keen to pledge his future to Somerset. "[They] gave me my chance in the first place," he said, "so why would I want to turn my back on them now?"Caddick is not the only big name to have put pen to paper for Somerset. Australia’s captain, Ricky Ponting, has confirmed his availability for the final stages of this year’s Twenty20 Competition, as well as the semi-final of the C&G Trophy."I am really looking forward to my stint with Somerset," he said, "and hope my new team-mates will play well to qualify for the later stages of both cup competitions. If they have played that well, I might not get in the team!"Ponting will also be available for four Championship matches and four NCL games. "It will be a terrific thrill to have him in the side," said Somerset’s captain, Mike Burns. "The rest of us have a big job to do ahead of his arrival. It is a big incentive for everyone and I don’t think I shall be hesitating over his selection."

With the Bath Cricket Festival just over three months away the Bath Area Committee spearheaded by Chairman Robert Appleyard have plans for this year’s festival, which is once again being sponsored by Bath based solicitors Withy King,well in hand.This year the Bath Cricket Festival gets underway on Wednesday June 12th with a four day match against Hampshire, which is followed by a Norwich Union League match against Leicestershire on Sunday June 16th – a re-match of last year’s Cheltenham and Gloucester Trophy Final.The Bath Area Committee have arranged two events before the festival in June which will be of considerable interest not just to Somerset fans but to all cricket followers.On Tuesday March 19th a Cricket Forum is taking place at Bath Cricket Club Pavilion which is situated in North Parade. The panel for the forum will include Somerset players Rob Turner, Richard Johnson and Keith Dutch, who all played a major part in helping to make 2001 such a memorable season for the county.Admission to the Cricket Forum which is open to all is free, and the evening gets underway at 8pm.A Spring Dinner in aid of the Lord’s Taverner’s and the Friends of Bath County Cricket Festival has also been arranged and will take place at Bath Cricket Club on Thursday April 11th.The guest speaker for the Spring Dinner will be former Kent cricketer James Graham-Brown who is now the Headteacher at Bath Royal High School so a good evening with plenty of cricketing stories can be guaranteed.Tickets for the dinner which gets underway at 7.30 for 8pm are priced at £22.50. Tickets and further details of either of the events can be obtained from Robert Appleyard, telephone number 01225 313906.

Host Canada scored a four-wicket victory over USA in a warm-up matchbefore ICC Trophy gets under way Thursday.The event is a passport to the next World Cup, with three of the 24ICC Associate member countries competing in the tournament gainingautomatic entry to the 2003 World Cup in South Africa. These willinclude both finalists and the winner of the qualifying final.In the friendly game between the two North American sides, USA scored196 for nine in 50 overs with Canada reaching the victory targetlosing six wickets in the process. Meanwhile, Canadian CricketAssociation finalized arrangements for the World Cup qualifyingmatches.Cricket officials said here that countries have been ranked and willbe split into two divisions, one to 12, 13 to 24, and there will betwo rounds of matches. At the end of the second stage a league will beformed based on the combined points achieved from previous fixtures.Teams in first and second place contest the final, while third andfourth play in the World Cup qualifying final.The final and a number of other round matches will be played at theToronto Cricket Club. Other venues will include the Ajax, Malton,Maple Leaf CC; G. Ross Lord and Sunnybrook grounds, all of which arewithin the Greater Metro Toronto area and within a 60 minute drive ofthe City Centre.Officials said Italy’s World Cup ambitions have already been overridden by an International Cricket Council ruling that four of itsleading players were ineligible to compete. The respective passages ofNepal, West Africa and the United Arab Emirates were far from smootheither; visa problems promoting a flurry of late diplomatic activity.Nonetheless, everything is now set in place for a spectacular andsuccessful event.”The rankings have been formulated. The schedule has been unveiled. 22days in the midst of an increasingly warm Toronto summer have been setaside,” said an ICC official.He added: “An infrastructure has been made to measure and 10 grounds,replete with turf pitches which have been crafted in oftenunsympathetic conditions, have been beautifully prepared.”

Wolves have been dealt a huge blow in their search for qualification for European football, as key midfielder Ruben Neves has suffered a significant knee injury which will keep him out for over a month.

The club released a statement yesterday detailing the injury in full, which will surely frustrate supporters and Bruno Lage, who has now got to plan without his star man for four crucial upcoming fixtures in April.

The statement read: “Ruben Neves suffered a medial collateral ligament injury to his knee in the match against Leeds United on Friday evening.

“He travelled to Portugal with members of the Wolves medical team to see a knee specialist, where the injury was confirmed as uncomplicated.

“He will spend this week in Portugal with the Wolves physio before returning to continue his rehabilitation at Compton Park. We are hoping for Ruben to be fit to return in May.”

Up next for Wolves is a Midlands derby with rivals Aston Villa at home, and supporters will be especially disappointed to not see Neves, who has been linked with a move away in the summer – and could just play one more game for the club at Molineux if he returns for the games in May.

This season, the Portuguese midfielder has averaged a 7.20 match rating in the Premier League according to SofaScore, scoring four goals and assisting two more in 28 appearances.

In addition, he has staked a claim for being one of the top passers in the world, evident by him ranking in the top 1% among midfielders across Europe’s top five leagues and continental competitions for long passes completed per 90 (14.92), top 3% for cross-field switches per 90 (4.49) and top 6% for passes into the final third per 90 (7.16).

He has also remained defensively solid throughout the last year, ranking in the top 5% for dribblers contester per 90 (3.39), and top 15% for tackles in the defensive third per 90 (1.38).

FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. Subscribe FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.

---

Subscribe

By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.

The 25-year-old will be a huge loss for the club, who are still in the hunt for European football and their chances of securing it may now be derailed without him.

In other news: Forget Traore: Lage must unleash Wolves’ rarely-seen 18y/o who is “such a good talent”