Liverpool are in desperate need of reinforcements after suffering their worst start to a Premier League season in a decade, and a new update has emerged regarding the pursuit of a potential transfer target.

What’s the latest?

According to Dutch news outlet Voetbal International (via Caught Offside), Liverpool are planning transfer talks with a view to signing PSV Eindhoven and Netherlands star Cody Gakpo.

As per the report, the Reds are set to make contact with the 23-year-old’s representatives in the near future as they join a number of clubs with interest in securing the player’s services, and it is believed that he will cost around €50m (£43.2m).

He’s “on fire” in Qatar

Indeed, Liverpool already possess a number of talented world-class forwards, with Mohamed Salah, Roberto Firmino, Luis Diaz and Darwin Nunez occupying the frontline.

However, it will be hard for the powerbrokers at Anfield to ignore the rise of Gakpo over the last few months, with the talented winger matching Manchester City striker Erling Haaland (21) for the most goal contributions at major club level in Europe, scoring nine goals and registering 12 assists so far this term.

Gakpo ranks in the top 1% of his positional peers across the top five European leagues for non-penalty goals and assists, as well as in the top 6% for touches, dribbles completed, progressive passes received, shot-creating actions and shots on goal.

Furthermore, the 23-year-old has been representing Netherlands at the World Cup in Qatar and has been one of the standout performers at the prestigious international tournament.

In three games so far in the competition, Gakpo has scored three goals and successfully completed 100% of his dribbles, also averaging 1.7 key passes, 1.3 shots on goal, 1.3 tackles, 1.3 clearances and 3.3 successful duels per game.

The “on fire” PSV star – who was dubbed a “sensation” by Tom Allnutt – is currently the World Cup’s joint-top scorer alongside Kylian Mbappe, Marcus Rashford and Enner Valencia

The signing of Gakpo would be a major coup for Liverpool and could be just what they need to improve their performances in the Premier League over the second half of the season and beyond.

Chelsea have sent scouts to watch Bayer Leverkusen defender Piero Hincapie at the World Cup, according to reports in the last 48 hours.

The Lowdown: Hincapie selected by Ecuador

The Ecuadorian was named in Gustavo Alfaro’s 26-man squad to represent the South American nation in Qatar, but that hasn’t stopped speculation from circulating regarding his future in the Bundesliga.

Premier League sides Arsenal and Tottenham have been closely monitoring his progress after some impressive performances under Xabi Alonso, though it sounds like the Blues have now also identified him as a transfer target ahead of the winter market.

The Latest: Chelsea scouting Hincapie

According to The Mirror’s Tom Hopkinson, Chelsea scouts have been ‘checking on’ Hincapie at the World Cup, with the player being ‘looked at’ by Graham Potter and Todd Boehly in what is described as a ‘first move’.

Leverkusen are reportedly ‘bracing themselves for bids’ in the New Year after failing to qualify for the Champions League, so this could be one to watch if the hierarchy like what they see over the next couple of weeks.

The Verdict: Silva replacement?

Thiago Silva isn’t getting any younger (38), and with his contract set to expire at the end of the season, Hincapie would be the perfect long-term replacement.

The centre-back currently averages 2.1 clearances and 1.6 successful aerial duels per league game alongside offering versatility, with the ability to operate at left-back (WhoScored).

Victor Hernandez Molina previously hailed Hincapie as ‘colossal’, and he would surely be a welcome addition at Stamford Bridge should he decide to put pen to paper on a deal in 2023.

QPR have been dealt an early blow ahead of this weekend’s game against Burnley, as the Hoops will certainly be without Ilias Chair after Morocco’s World Cup progression.

The Hoops are yet to appoint a new manager to replace Michael Beale at Loftus Road but whoever takes over will be forced to contend without the influential Chair at first.

After a superb start to the Championship season, which saw the former Stevenage man contribute three goals and six assists in 21 appearances, he was called up to Morocco’s squad for the World Cup by Walid Regragui.

The Atlas Lions have been the surprise side of the tournament thus far as after topping a group containing Belgium and Croatia, they knocked out Spain in the round of 16 on Tuesday to set up a quarter-final tie against Portugal this weekend.

Although Chair is yet to play a single minute of the tournament, he will undoubtedly remain in Qatar until Morocco are knocked out, which means that the £7.1k-per-week earner will not be available when QPR face Burnley at Loftus Road on Sunday, when second-tier football returns after a month’s break.

That is undoubtedly a blow to the Hoops’ chances of beating the league leaders, as Chair has statistically been their best player so far this campaign.

According to WhoScored, the 25-year-old has averaged an impressive 7.11 rating for his performances in the Championship, which ranks him as the number one player for the Hoops, ahead of joint-top scorer Chris Willock.

Former player and Sky Sports pundit Glenn Murray was full of praise for Chair last year as he starred at Loftus Road, hitting nine goals and five assists in the Championship.

Murray said on Sky Sports (via TEAMtalk): “There’s no question about his talent. He’s such an exciting prospect. I noticed him a couple of years ago and he’s the real deal.

“He’s got that low centre of gravity, he can get underneath players but he’s also got vision, he can see a pass and he can score a goal.”

QPR desperately need to rectify their recent form if they are to mount a promotion challenge this season but losing Chair for such a difficult first game back could make things very tough for the new manager, so Hoops fans will be disappointed that the attacking midfielder isn’t available.

West Ham United insiders Claret & Hugh have now dropped an injury update on left-back Aaron Cresswell.

The Lowdown: Injury concern

Cresswell could only complete 16 minutes of a friendly match against Cambridge United on Tuesday night, with the team looking to get back to full match fitness ahead of a Premier League trip to Arsenal on Boxing Day.

With Nayef Aguerd having to be withdrawn during Morocco’s World Cup match against Spain, and Kurt Zouma already on the sidelines due to a knee issue, injuries are starting to mount up in defence for David Moyes.

The Latest: Claret & Hugh update

According to Claret & Hugh, the 32-year-old suffered a minor hamstring injury against the League Two side, putting to bed any hope that he was only substituted as a precautionary measure.

It remains to be seen how long the Englishman is out for, but he was not named in the squad to face Udinese earlier today, which will concern West Ham fans.

The Verdict: Big blow

The Liverpool-born full-back has been a shining light in a disappointing Hammers team so far this season, deemed the second-best performer in the squad, according to average match ratings from SofaScore.

Not only that, but his likely replacement is on the other end of the scale completely, with Emerson Palmieri ranked as the second-worst outfield player using the same metric.

Previously dubbed an ‘amazing player’ by former England goalkeeper Paul Robinson, Cresswell has been a fantastic servant to West Ham through good times and bad since arriving from Ipswich Town in 2014, racking up 311 appearances for the club, and will be a big loss for Moyes if his time on the treatment table proves to be considerable.

Frenkie de Jong is unlikely to join Manchester United in the January transfer window, according to journalist Fabrizio Romano.

The Lowdown: De Jong constantly linked with move

The Dutchman has been endlessly linked with a move to Old Trafford this year, with his future at Barcelona continuing to look unclear.

For now, De Jong appears to be happy at the La Liga club, but while his current deal there doesn’t expire until the summer of 2026, they could be willing to sell before then.

Erik ten Hag is likely to be looking at further midfield reinforcements, as he aims to rebuild an area of the pitch that has been weak in recent seasons.

The Latest: Romano’s comments

Speaking to Give Me Sport, Romano admitted that a January switch won’t happen for United but failed to rule out a summer transfer coming to fruition:

“For January, I think it is almost impossible, but for the summer it depends on the player, because Frenkie de Jong has always said no to any move, it’s not just to Manchester United, he decided to stay at Barcelona, he’s happy at Barcelona, if Frenkie changes his mind, then we will see.”

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The Verdict: Superb potential signing

It certainly feels as though De Jong is still a genuine target for United and could be a fantastic addition to the midfield, having been described as an ‘extraordinary’ player by Barcelona manager Xavi.

At 25, the Netherlands international should be coming into his peak years and he could be a long-term fixture in the middle of the park, unlike 30-year-old pair Casemiro and Christian Eriksen.

Not only is De Jong a metronomic presence with the ball at his feet, enjoying an 89.3% pass completion rate at the 2022 World Cup currently, but he is also averaging 4.5 tackles per game, highlighting what an all-round presence he could be in United’s midfield.

Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag will likely have been keeping a close eye on a handful of his key men in action during England’s defeat to France on Saturday evening, with the likes of Harry Maguire, Luke Shaw and Marcus Rashford having all featured in that World Cup, quarter-final showdown – as well as Raphael Varane.

Should the Dutchman have watched on as the Three Lions slipped to an agonising loss against the holders, the 52-year-old would also have been able to run the rule over a number of potential transfer targets among the Three Lions’ contingent.

One such figure whom the former Ajax boss may have been paying close attention to is Borussia Dortmund’s Jude Bellingham, with the 19-year-old – who came close to making the move to Old Trafford back in 2020 – still likely a name firmly on United’s radar.

The teen “superstar” – as described by club legend Roy Keane – enjoyed a real standout tournament as a focal point of Gareth Southgate’s side, having looked as if he had “played 100 times” for the national team such was his immensity maturity, in the words of pundit Gary Neville.

With the former Birmingham City starlet seemingly edging towards a move to rivals Liverpool, however, the focus of Ten Hag’s attention could well have been on another of the club’s long-term targets in the form of Bellingham’s midfield partner, Declan Rice.

The West Ham United skipper has been linked with the Manchester outfit in recent years – including over the summer – with the 23-year-old’s latest displays for his country likely to have only caught the eye of those at the Theatre of Dreams once again.

The 39-cap machine was arguably the glue holding things together in the centre of the park for Gareth Southgate’s side having started all five games in the tournament in Qatar, notably averaging 2.2 interceptions and 1.2 tackles per game in that time.

The £60k-per-week man – who ranks in the top 7% in Europe for interceptions made among those in his position – also showed his strength in that regard on the world stage as he leads the way among players at the tournament so far with 11 interceptions in total.

A true ball-winning asset, Rice was particularly impressive in that eventual defeat at the hands of Les Bleus yesterday, with the “world-class” gem – as described by journalist Sam Inkersole – having been simply “incredible” on the night, as per journalist Sam Farley.

That ‘magnificent’ performance – as lauded by the Mirror’s John Cross – saw the Kingston-born menace win five of his eight total duels, while also showcasing his strength in possession after losing the ball on just five occasions.

Although the latter statistic may lead some to suggest the youngster played it safe when on the ball, the 6 foot 1 warrior did more than just keep things tidy after recording six passes into the final third and laying on one key pass from his defensive midfield berth.

To be able to produce such a “monstrous” display – as described by journalist James McManus – in such a pressurised encounter is a testament to Rice’s quality, with the one-time Chelsea man – like Bellingham – again producing displays that belie his relative youth.

Such performances in recent weeks have only further served to showcase just why the likes of United are so interested in his signature, with former defender Paul Parker previously stating that the commanding figure is someone who could take the club to “another level” were he to be snapped up in the near future.

With it looking as if the Hammers may be willing to cash in sooner rather than later – due to the player’s contract situation – it could well prove an opportune time for Ten Hag and co to pounce in 2023.

Wolverhampton Wanderers manager Julen Lopetegui will have to make a decision regarding the future of Adama Traore in January, according to journalist Pete O’Rourke.

The Lowdown: Traore’s future

Traore has featured 12 times in the Premier League for Wolves this season, but his future at Molineux is uncertain, amid links to the likes of Tottenham Hotspur and Leeds United in England, while Napoli, Inter Milan and Atletico Madrid are pinpointed as potential options abroad.

The Spaniard’s contract is set to expire at the end of the season, leaving new boss Lopetegui with a key decision to make regarding his future…

The Latest: O’Rourke’s comments

In an interview with GIVEMESPORT, O’Rourke highlighted the choice that the manager is left with in the January window, saying:

“Do they decide now in this January transfer window to cash in on him rather than letting him walk away on a free transfer? That’s going to be a decision that they’re going to have to make.

“The new coach, Julen Lopetegui, will he decide to let him leave or maybe put him back in the team to try and help Wolves climb away from relegation trouble?”

The Verdict: Cash in

Although Wolves are undoubtedly now in a relegation dogfight, they may as well cash in on the winger, who has flattered to deceive for them throughout this Premier League campaign.

Despite once being lauded as ‘unique’ by former manager Nuno Espirito Santo, the £43k-per-week earner has been nothing of the sort since returning to Molineux from a loan spell with Barcelona, registering just one goal in 12 league outings this term, while not even featuring in the top ten highest performers at the club, as per SofaScore.

Consequently, Lopetegui should look to receive some money for Traore while he still can by selling him to an interested English club, with the funds raised then able to be used to strengthen the squad elsewhere.

Celtic are believed to be confident of selling Josip Juranovic in a £5m-plus transfer in January, as per Football Insider.

The Lowdown: Contract talks stall

Juranovic is currently away with Croatia at the World Cup, where he has helped his country to qualify for the last 16. The 27-year-old has played every minute of action for Zlatko Dalic’s side in Qatar but looks destined to exit Parkhead in the New Year.

Reports have suggested that, following unsuccessful negotiations over a new contract, Celtic are braced for offers for the full-back and will consider bids in January.

The Latest: Celtic confident of £5m+ Juranovic sale

Football Insider reporter Wayne Veysey provided an update regarding Celtic and Juranovic on Wednesday evening.

He revealed that the Hoops, and by association their head of recruitment Mark Lawwell, are confident of agreeing a £5m-plus January deal for the full-back.

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The Verdict: Profit…

Juranovic arrived in Scotland last year in a deal worth around £2.5m, so Celtic look set to make a tidy profit, should a £5m-plus exit materialise.

Ange Postecoglou’s side also appear to be close to signing a potential long-term replacement at right-back in Alistair Johnston, with a move for the Canada international all but done.

Therefore, it appears to make sense for the Hoops to cash in on the Croatian defender, and it’ll be interesting to see who comes in with an offer for Juranovic in 2023.

Scottish champions Celtic could well face a fight to land reported target, Afsha, following reports regarding rival suitors in the race for the Al Ahly midfielder.

What’s the word?

That’s according to the player’s agent, Abdelrahman Ismail (via the Daily Record) who named the Parkhead outfit as one of the clubs who are interested in the 26-year-old – whose full name is Mohamed Magdy – albeit with clubs from Turkey also said to be in the mix.

Following recent claims that the Old Firm giants have made “contact” regarding a move for the Egyptian international, Ismail stated: “Besiktas, Galatasaray and Celtic are competing to sign Mohamed Magdy Afsha.”

The suggestion is that the dynamic maestro could command a fee in the region of around £4m were he to depart in the near future, having also been linked with a move to Glasgow back in the summer of 2021.

This also comes amid recent reports that claimed the Hoops have set aside ‘significant’ funds in order to bring in a new midfield recruit in the January transfer window.

He’s a ‘great influence’

It is likely a worrying thought as far as the rest of the Scottish Premiership are concerned that the runaway league leaders are looking to further bolster their ranks, with head of recruitment Mark Lawwell having already overseen the addition of both Yuki Kobayashi and Alistair Johnston in recent times.

While that pairing will help to strengthen Ange Postecoglou’s defensive unit, the arrival of Afsha could well provide that extra sprinkling of quality in the final third, with the 5 foot 6 playmaker typically operating an attacking midfield role, or even off the flanks.

The Giza-born sensation has proven to be a “great influence” for his current side in recent years – in the words of former boss Ante Cacic – with the hope being that he can go on to replicate such an impact at Paradise.

The diminutive gem has been a truly “wonderful” asset for the Cairo outfit of late, according to Cacic, scoring 29 goals and laying on 32 assists in 146 games in all competitions, having also netted five times in just 20 games for his country.

While a relative unknown outside of his homeland, Afsha could seemingly be another hidden gem that Lawwell and Postecoglou have been able to unearth, with the hope now that the Bhoys can win the race for his signature amid the intense rival interest.

Aston Villa are one of several Premier League clubs thought to be eyeing up a move for Lorient striker Terem Moffi, according to a fresh transfer rumour.

The Lowdown: Moffi flying for Lorient

The 23-year-old has matured into a formidable attacking player in Ligue 1 and he has been enjoying a superb 2022/23 season to date.

Moffi has already scored ten times for Lorient in just 14 league appearances since the summer, being hailed as a ‘man of gold’ by former manager Christophe Pelissier.

The Nigerian’s performances seemingly aren’t going unnoticed, with plenty of interest emerging from England.

The Latest: Villa keen on move

According to Jeunes Footeux [via Sport Witness], Villa are in the race to acquire Moffi’s signature, along with Crystal Palace and Brighton.

Unai Emery is thought to be keen on signing a new striker in the January transfer window and the Lorient man is seen as a cheap option.

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The Verdict: Much-needed firepower

Moffi’s form this season speaks for itself, and while he remains a young player with a rawness to his game, he could be worth taking a punt on him in January – journalist Zach Lowy says he’s a “ridiculously good striker” while only Neymar and Kylian Mbappe have more Ligue 1 goals this term.

Villa’s attack feels like it has grown stagnant this season, with neither Ollie Watkins nor Danny Ings exactly setting the world alight, and some fresh blood could awake them from their slumber.

Moffi, ranking in the 85th percentile in Europe for non-penalty goals, would also be a long-term option instead of a quick solution, so he could be eased in while others around him hopefully improve, before becoming a key starter over time.