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Wolves were expecting an exciting transfer deadline day but that’s rather falling by the wayside after some disappointing news in the last few hours.

Bruno Lage is facing a battle to bring Renato Sanches to the club with a deal currently deadlocked.

What’s the word?

Sadly, Wolves are also unlikely to sign Sven Botman from the same club; Lille.

The Dutch centre-back was set to be a pricy option for the Old Gold and one they ultimately couldn’t afford.

As a result, Lage is looking at other options in a bid to improve his defence. Wolves have been interested in signing Fulham’s Tosin Adarabioyo over the last few days and now a fresh update has emerged on that pursuit during deadline day.

According to the Sky Sports Transfer Centre (10.39am), the Molineux outfit have made an enquiry to sign the centre-back.

Lage needs him

With Wolves’ new manager preferring a three-man backline since arriving in the Premier League, it’s evident they need to sign another central defender.

Their options so far this season have been limited due to injuries with Willy Boly missing the opening weeks of the campaign alongside new signing Yerson Mosquera.

The duo are now back in training but a first-class centre-back feels like the missing piece of the jigsaw for Wolves if they sign Sanches on top of their weekend addition in Hwang-hee Chan.

The 6 foot 5 brute would be a wonderful addition to their defensive line when you consider the issues that plagued them during 2020/21.

Wolves only kept two clean sheets in a run of league matches between October and February last term while they’ve failed to keep a top-flight shut out this term either.

Tosin was part of the Fulham side that got relegated last term but that shouldn’t deter Lage who would clearly be adding a very talented individual to their ranks.

Once dubbed as “exceptional” by Pep Guardiola, Adarabioyo won 2.5 aerial battles per game last season, a tally that only Boly, Leander Dendoncker and Romain Saiss bettered.

His pass completion rate of 86.2% should also help Wolves build from the back and transition into their swashbuckling counter-attacking style with more ease.

After failing to lure Botman to the club, Tosin feels like their next best bet with little time in the window remaining.

AND in other news, David Ornstein delivers hopeful Wolves transfer update on D-Day, fans must be buzzing…

Noel Whelan has given his reaction to the latest Newcastle United exit rumour involving Sean Longstaff.

The Lowdown: Longstaff exit?

According to The Daily Mail, the St James’ Park club are asking for a transfer fee of £10m in order to sell the 23-year-old before the summer window closes, with both Everton and Southampton reportedly interested in his signature.

Rafa Benitez is interested in taking Longstaff to Goodison Park, while the Saints are also keen on him, although Ralph Hasenhuttl reportedly wants to prioritise other areas of his squad first of all.

The Latest: Whelan on Longstaff

Speaking to Football Insider, former Leeds and Coventry player Whelan said that he can understand why Newcastle would be willing to sell Longstaff, although he claimed that it would not be a sale which would please the Toon Army. He stated:

“I think this comes down to where the club’s at in terms of ownership and how they do business now.

“I think that’s one thing that frustrates Newcastle fans. These players they want to buy and bring into the club, they can’t.

“With a new consortium, they could go out there and have the pickings of players and keep their homegrown talent.

“Also, develop a huge squad that needs to compete in the Premier League. We know how big a squad you need these days.

“It’s a level of frustration but, then again, it’ll be one of understanding, I would expect, on the player’s part that he feels he needs to move.

“Things aren’t in great shape at Newcastle in terms of ownership and money spending. I think Bruce knows that. That £10million that comes is going to be well needed.

“It certainly won’t go down well with the fans that they’re selling an up and coming, promising young homegrown player to another club. I don’t know any clubs that would enjoy that.”

The Verdict: Sell

Even though some Newcastle fans may not be happy with selling a local boy in Longstaff, to get £10m for a player who only has a year left on his current contract would be good business.

With Joe Willock arriving on a permanent deal from Arsenal earlier this month, the 23-year-old may find his game-time more limited under Steve Bruce, so he should look for a move away if this is the case. Longstaff started just 15 league games last season and didn’t get into the first XI for their opening two games of the current campaign (WhoScored).

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Selling to a direct rival in the Premier League would not be ideal, but the money acquired from his sale could then be used to reinvest in other areas of the squad at St James’ Park.

In other news, find out which Newcastle player’s performance against Aston Villa was criticised by a prominent journalist

Leicester City have been linked with a shock move for Bologna defender Takehiro Tomiyasu as manager Brendan Rodgers looks to bolster his defensive options.

What’s the story?

The Japan international has been the subject of heavy interest from fellow Premier League outfit Tottenham Hotspur throughout the summer, but the Foxes may now attempt to hijack the deal following Wesley Fofana’s injury, according to The Telegraph.

Previous reports have claimed Bologna are set to demand  €25 million (£21.5m) for Tomiyasu, who is capable of playing at either centre-back or right-back.

Jon Rudkin must swoop

Tomiyasu has established himself as one of Serie A’s most promising young defenders since arriving from Belgium outfit Sint-Truidense back in 2019, making 63 appearances for Sinisa Mihajlovic’s side in all competitions.

His impressive performances have caught the eye of several admirers, including current teammate Mitchell Dijks. The Dutch full-back dubbed his colleague a “warrior” in a previous press conference, and it’s easy to understand why.

As per WhoScored, Tomiyasu recorded an average of 1.5 tackles per league game last term, 1.7 interceptions and 0.6 blocks, placing him in the top three players at his club who made over three outings.

The youngster recently shone for his nation at the Tokyo Olympics in his homeland too and could be set to take the next step in his career over the coming weeks.

Leicester were believed to be in the market for a new central defender already following Wes Morgan’s retirement, but Fofana’s fractured fibula has now accelerated their search.

Tomiyasu’s versatility could be a huge bonus for the Foxes, making him an extremely attractive option for Rodgers. The Northern Irish tactician is currently without both James Justin and Timothy Castagne through fitness issues of their own, meaning the Asian defender could plug multiple gaps across the backline.

It remains to be seen whether director of football Jon Rudkin follows up his reported interest with a formal offer, but if the transfer budget allows, it’s certainly a move he should consider given the player’s flexibility, quality and potential.

And, in other news…Imagine him and Daka: Rudkin must sanction LCFC swoop for “intelligent” £30m magician

Ex-Manchester City player Steve Howey believes it’s always good to see players come in and do well, following Samuel Edozie and Cole Palmer featuring for Manchester City in the Community Shield match against Leicester.

Both featured for Manchester City’s academy last season, with Edozie getting seven goals and five assists and Palmer getting 13 goals and six assists. The duo also featured in City’s first Premier League 2 match of the season last weekend, a 0-0 draw away at Liverpool.

Their performances on the pitch last term helped Manchester City’s EDS squad win the Premier League 2, with their form being rewarded with a place in Pep Guardiola’s starting XI at Wembley Stadium for the Community Shield.

And Former Cityzen Steve Howey believes the duo will be looking forward to the season ahead, exclusively telling Football FanCast: “Yeah, I mean, I thought it was a decent game.

“It’s always good to see people come in and do really well. So, because of that, they’ll be looking forward to the season and see what they can do.”

Manager Pep Guardiola has given academy players minutes in the first team in previous seasons, with the likes of Phil Foden and Liam Delap both featuring.

Cole Palmer has already had some first-team minutes in both the Carabao Cup and the UEFA Champions League, and after starting the Community Shield, if the duo can have good seasons for the academy, they could be the next players to transition permanently from the academy into the first team at the Etihad Stadium.

With Kylian Mbappe set to depart Paris Saint-Germain, Rafael Leao had appeared as a favourite for the club but reports suggest a change in situation.

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• PSG were interested in Leao as marquee signing
• Looking to replace outbound Mbappe
• But PSG losing interest in Milan winger

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  WHAT HAPPENED?

  Leao is no longer PSG's first objective this summer, according to RMC Sport [via ]. Given Mbappe is set to depart, the club is known to value Leao and would be able to pay his €175 million (£150m/$190m) stated release clause. However, the report notes that the Paris team do not want to trade in the departing striker for a left winger as they feel Bradley Barcola can build on his strong displays this term. It is thought that it would be counterproductive to their long-term goals to impede Barcola's development under Luis Enrique.

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• WHAT ENRIQUE SAID

  The PSG boss talked about utilizing his squad to prepare for Mbappe's departure on Monday: "It’s very simple, sooner or later, when it happens we have to get used to playing without Kylian. When I want to play like this, I will, when I don’t, I won’t. It’s very easy, there are competitions and my intention is not to give ‘free’ minutes, I want maximum competitiveness. Every player has to deserve their playing time."

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  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  The club is still interested in Napoli talisman Victor Osimhen but they would need to sell one of their two strikers this summer in order to raise the necessary money, as they have already forked out €170 million (£146m/$184m) on Randal Kolo Muani and Goncalo Ramos. Neither of the two have lived up to their price tag so far but the club can only hope that, should they fail to sign a striker this summer, that they can get either of them performing in Mbappe's absence.

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• WHAT NEXT FOR LEAO?

  It has been reported earlier that multiple clubs are interested in Leao's services, even if PSG don't sign the winger. He will likely move away from San Siro in the summer, with Premier League side Chelsea long being linked with the Portuguese.

Liverpool assistant Pep Lijnders has talked about his reasons for departing Anfield with Jurgen Klopp at the end of the season.

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• Lijnders reveals future after Klopp departure
• Will leave the club along with the rest of staff
• Will not decide on his future until end of season

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  WHAT HAPPENED?

  Lijnders has announced that he will be leaving the club together with Klopp alongside assistant manager Peter Krawietz and development coach Vitor Matos after almost nine years in charge at the club. Speaking ahead of the Carabao Cup final on Sunday, he revealed that he has not made any decisions regarding his own future as Liverpool look to end Klopp's tenure on a high note.

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• WHAT LIJNDERS SAID

  Quizzed on whether there was ever any chance of him taking over the top job at Anfield, he replied: "Nah. I was really clear to be honest. When we had the talk a long time ago, for me it was clear. It made it easier for me when he [Klopp] said 'this will be it'. We knew in the summer already 'OK, we are going towards the end of this project'.

  "Here I am talking too much about me…we play in a final in 48 hours the final and we are talking about Jurgen leaving. I understand, so I think I have given already answers in interviews. So we spoke, I got the last year offers and my heart says yes, but my loyalty, respect and friendship to Mike [Gordon] and Jurgen said 'no'. So on the moment we spoke we agreed to finish this project together, then I will go an manage.

  "I feel it's the project of a lot of people. And it is the right way to do it like this. That the club will find a new coach with new elements. I am excited to manage. To go to find the right club who really wants [me]. But until the last final of the season I am focused on Liverpool and don't even know what's happening now. That is why we have agents, no?"

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  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  The departure of Lijnders and his team will free up the selected new coach to bring in staff members of their own. Due to his outstanding performance at Bayer Leverkusen, former Liverpool midfielder Xabi Alonso has been the clear choice for the position ever since Klopp made his announcement. In the Bundesliga, Alonso's team leads Bayern Munich by eight points. He has also been linked with Bayern, though, who will part ways with Thomas Tuchel at the end of the current campaign.

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• WHAT NEXT FOR LIVERPOOL?

  Lijnders has made sure to keep his and his team's focus on the targets at hand as they are still alive in all four competitions and could go on to challenge for the quadruple in Klopp's farewell. They will be in action next when they take on Chelsea in the final of the Carabao Cup on Sunday, February 25.

Inter Milan star Nicolo Barella has snubbed the prospect of a move to the Premier League and has instead agreed a new contract with Inter Milan.

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• Barella was wanted by Manchester City and Newcastle
• Rejects prospect of move to England
• Instead set to remain at San Siro

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  Per Gazzetta dello Sport, Barella has agreed terms on a new deal that will tie him to the Italian club until 2029, and also raise his salary significantly. He currently earns €6m (£5m/$6.5m) per year as his net annual salary but his new deal will see that rise to €7m (£6m/$7.5m). Barella had significant interest from the Premier League but has instead opted to stay in Italy.

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  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  Manchester City reportedly made an approach to sign the midfielder in the summer, as did Newcastle, as they both attempted to strengthen. Inter rebuffed any approaches, though, and the Italy international has remained a key player this season, making 31 appearances in all competitions.

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  DID YOU KNOW?

  Barella's current deal ends in 2026 but Inter have now tied him down, and he will continue to form a key part of Simone Inzaghi's side. He has made a total of 218 appearances for Inter, and has also won 51 caps for Italy.

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  WHAT NEXT FOR BARELLA?

  Barella's new contract will provide Inter with a welcome boost. They are currently top of Serie A and beat Salernitana on Friday night.

Darwin Nunez continues to evolve at Liverpool, with the Uruguayan striker sporting an eye-catching new hairstyle in a meeting with Fulham.

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• South American still searching for consistency
• Acquired by Reds in big-money transfer
• Tweaking his image in top-flight action

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  The 24-year-old frontman was snapped up by the Reds during the summer of 2022 with the intention of becoming a fearsome No.9 at Anfield. His debut campaign delivered just 15 goals across all competitions, with there clearly room for improvement in his game.

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• THE BIGGER PICTURE

  Nunez has been among the goals this season, but he remains infuriatingly inconsistent at times. He is capable of the brilliant and bizarre, and that seemingly extends to his choice of hairstyle as he went for a plaited approach against the Cottagers.

• DID YOU KNOW?

  Jurgen Klopp opted to deploy Nunez down the middle against Fulham, with Mohamed Salah and Luis Diaz filling roles on the flanks. Netherlands international Cody Gakpo has been used as a central frontman this season.

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  WHAT NEXT FOR NUNEZ?

  Nunez still has plenty to do if he is to fully justify the faith and funds invested in him, and maybe a change of look – as his flowing locks are tied up – will help to deliver the reversal in fortune that everybody on the red half of Merseyside is crying out for.

Erling Haaland covered himself up from head to toe to beat the cold in Oslo as Norway prepare for a crucial Euro 2024 qualifier.

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• Haaland in Oslo for friendly with Faroe Islands
• Freezing temperatures force forward to put on insulated jackets
• Norway preparing for make-or-break clash against Scotland

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  The Norwegian has flown to Oslo ahead of the friendly against the Faroe Islands on Thursday. However, the temperature has dropped below freezing in Norway's capital, which has forced the Manchester City forward to cover himself up with multiple insulated jackets and headgear, leaving only his eyes visible.

  The striker shared a selfie on his Instagram story with the emoji of a freezing polar bear to emphasise the chilly conditions.

  @erling.haaland Instagram

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  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  Norway are third in Group A and cannot secure direct qualification for Euro 2024 as Spain and Scotland have already confirmed the two available slots. However, Haaland & Co can still make it out of the group and seal their place in Germany via the playoff route which will be contested in March 2024.

• DID YOU KNOW?

  The City striker heads into this match on the back of scoring a brace against Chelsea last weekend in a 4-4 draw. Moreover, he has already scored six goals in the current qualifying campaign for Norway and Stale Solbakken will once again look to his star goalscorer to deliver the goods in the next two fixtures.

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  WHAT NEXT FOR HAALAND?

  Haaland will have the opportunity to fine-tune his chemistry with his international team-mates against the Faroe Islands on Thursday before taking on Scotland at Hampden Park on Sunday.

Football.London’s Sam Inkersole reckons that Alphonso Areola is better than Lukasz Fabianski.

With the 35-year-old about to go into his final season at the London Stadium, David Moyes is already planning and looking to add another face to his goalkeeping department.

Earlier this week, the Hammers saw a bid rejected for West Brom’s Sam Johnstone, but with his deal expiring next summer, the Londoners aren’t expected to return with a second offer, meaning their attention will now turn to Areola.

According to Sky Sports, West Ham are in talks with the Frenchman over a season-long loan deal, in what would see him make a switch return to the capital having spent last term with Fulham.

Despite their relegation, the £147,000-per-week stopper made 36 appearances in the Premier League, keeping an impressive nine clean sheets, including at Anfield, Goodison Park and the King Power Stadium as Scott Parker’s men proved a tough nut to crack.

Areola has spent his entire career with PSG but has enjoyed high-profile loan spells with both Real Madrid and Villarreal before his Premier League switch.

Asked whether the 28-year-old would be an improvement on Fabianski, Inkersole told The Transfer Tavern:

“He’s younger and Fabianski is not getting any younger. I think it would be an upgrade, but I don’t know whether Fabianski would be happy to be back-up during his final season, but if you’re bringing in the likes of Areola, he’s not going to be on small wages.

“So, it would be a delicate balancing act for Moyes if he does get Areola in, which I believe will be on loan first with an obligation at the end of it.”