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Liverpool have been heavily linked with a move for Sofyan Amrabat and now a new update has emerged on the club’s pursuit of the player.

What’s the latest?

According to Italian news outlet Corriere dello Sport (via Paisley Gates), Liverpool are preparing an official bid for the Fiorentina midfielder.

As per the report, Jurgen Klopp is a huge admirer of Amrabat and is pushing to tempt the player with a move to Merseyside, with the club preparing to table a bid of €40m (£35.5m).

Klopp needs him badly

It is no secret that Liverpool are keen to rebuild their midfield personnel in 2023 with a number of high-quality players already touted with a move to the club.

Jude Bellingham, Enzo Fernandez and Moises Caicedo have all been linked with the Merseyside club over the past few weeks but it appears that the powers at Anfield are yet to make their move.

The Reds have already acquired the services of Cody Gakpo to strengthen the forward line in the absence of Luis Diaz and Diogo Jota, however, improving the centre of the pitch should be the top priority.

Naby Keita, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and James Milner will all be out of contract at the end of this season but with Liverpool in an unsettled position in the Premier League, they may need to advance on their midfield revamp this month.

As a result, the signing of Amrabat would be a big addition for Klopp as the German coach badly needs midfield additions if they are to compete for a top-four spot over the second half of the season.

The Morocco international caught the attention of the Reds during his World Cup performances in Qatar last month, helping his side become multiple record-breakers at the prestigious international tournament.

Over seven World Cup appearances, the 26-year-old – who was dubbed “outstanding” by Joe Cole – tallied up a 92% pass completion rate in his own half, as well as averaging 56.6 touches, 2.3 tackles, 1.4 clearances and 3.4 duels won per game.

With that being said, if Liverpool could secure the signing of Amrabat this month it would be a great opportunity for Klopp to bring in a fresh perspective in the heart of the team to potentially give his side the much-needed boost they require over the remainder of the term.

Celtic boss Ange Postecoglou is currently blessed with a vast array of attacking options, with the 57-year-old facing the unenviable task of selecting the best attacking trio from his competitive squad.

The former Yokohama Marinos boss opted for a front three of James Forrest, Kyogo Furuhashi and Daizen Maeda last time out for the thumping victory over St Johnstone, although it would be no real surprise to see the title-winning coach shuffle his pack once again.

The obvious candidate to make way would be that of Maeda, with the Japanese international having now failed to register a goal or an assist in his last three league outings, despite showing great ‘drive and desire’ against the Saints – as per Glasgow Live’s Ryan Thorn.

The 25-year-old’s return to the bench could see Portuguese gem Jota take his place in the starting lineup, although the fleet-footed starlet has endured something of a barren run of his own of late, having not registered a goal contribution in any of his last five Scottish Premiership appearances.

As such, Postecoglou could well be better served thrusting Sead Haksabanovic back into the action, with the summer signing having been “flying” for the Old Firm outfit prior to the World Cup break, as per pundit Tam McManus, after scoring three goals in just three league games leading up to that halt to proceedings.

The 23-year-old has been restricted to a substitute role in recent games after shaking off an injury scare, although it could now be an ideal time to unleash the Montenegro international from the start against the Easter Road outfit.

The “little diamond” – as lauded by former coach Jan Jonsson – notably sparkled when the two sides met earlier this season, producing what proved to be his first goal involvement in the green and white jersey with an assist, having also produced an incredible piece of skill down the left flank.

The creative ace – who has three goals and one assist to his name this season – has been gradually eased in by Postecoglou this season, although the Sweden-born starlet has shown flashes of his undoubted quality thus far, with earning a consistent run in the side seemingly the next task on the agenda.

The one-time West Ham United man may still be finding his feet somewhat in Glasgow, although he could well prove the difference-maker this evening against Lee Johnson’s men.

Tottenham Hotspur manager Antonio Conte is desperate to bring Fiorentina midfielder Sofyan Amrabat to the club, according to a new report.

The Lowdown: Tottenham target midfielder

Conte already has an array of talent in central-midfield, with the likes of Rodrigo Bentancur, Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg and Yves Bissouma at his disposal, while Oliver Skipp will look to force his way in now he is fit and firing.

However, the manager has seemingly identified the need for another option in the engine room, perhaps to bolster his side’s bid for Champions League football with additional depth, and he now has his eye on an emerging star from the World Cup.

The Latest: Conte eyeing Amrabat

According to a report from CalcioMercato, Amrabat was specifically requested by Conte last summer but a deal did not transpire, and Spurs may now have to fend off interest from the likes of Liverpool and Marseille if they want to get their man.

The report claims Conte told Fabio Paratici: “No one passes him in the middle of the field.”

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It is also pointed out that Fiorentina are in a strong position when it comes to negotiations, as they are able to extend the 26-year-old’s contract until 2025 if they wish, meaning a bid exceeding £26m may be required to tempt them into a sale.

The Verdict: Make it happen

The Moroccan has been hailed as ‘brilliant’ for his performances at the World Cup by football writer Matt Spiro, and his dominant displays in the middle of the park have been a key reason for the African side’s unexpected run to the semi-final.

In the recent round of 16 clash against Spain, the enforcer exhibited one of his key attributes by making four tackles in the match, the joint-highest figure amassed by any player on the pitch, while also winning all seven of the ground duels he contested.

The 44-time international’s qualities don’t end there, however, as he also specialises in distributing the ball, as shown by an average pass completion rate of 90.4% per 90 minutes over the past year, a figure that puts him in the 96th percentile when compared to his peers.

As such, Amrabat is a multi-talented player with a range of different abilities to offer the Tottenham midfield, so even if Spurs have to pay upwards of £26m for his signature, he is worth it.

Chelsea have found themselves in a poor run of form in the Premier League lately and Graham Potter will surely be thankful for the World Cup break over the next few weeks to fine-tune his plans and philosophy at Stamford Bridge.

The Blues are now eighth in the league table after failing to pick up a victory in their last five outings and have lost consecutively in their last three, with the newly-appointed manager struggling to get the best out of his squad so far.

Indeed, the problems run deeper than just tactics and performances on the pitch with many key players out of contract next summer which should prompt a much-needed rebuild from the new owner Todd Boehly by identifying players who can be part of the future over the next few transfer windows.

Thiago Silva, Jorginho and N’Golo Kante will all be out of contract at the end of this season and with the latter two playing huge roles in the centre of the pitch over the years, it will be imperative that they are replaced with players that can not only offer quality and experience to match but longevity too.

One player who has been repeatedly linked with a move to West London is one of the hottest young prospects in European football – Jude Bellingham.

The England international, who is currently in Qatar for the World Cup with Gareth Southgate’s squad, has captured the attention of the world for his development at Borussia Dortmund and currently has several elite clubs desperate to secure his signature next summer.

Liverpool, Manchester City, Manchester United and Real Madrid are four of the biggest clubs that Chelsea will need to compete with to win the battle to sign Bellingham should Dortmund agree for the talented teenager to leave Germany over the next few months ahead, and it is without a doubt he would be the perfect signing for Chelsea.

Over 15 Bundesliga appearances this season, the £129m-valued midfielder – who was hailed a “future captain” by Theo Walcott – has scored three goals, delivered two assists and created four big chances, as well as averaging 1.1 key passes per game.

He also shines in a defensive capacity, making 1.4 interceptions, 3.2 tackles and winning a whopping 9.2 duels per match.

Bellingham ranks eighth for passes into the final third, second in pass interceptions in the opponent’s half and seventh for dribbles completed in the whole of the Bundesliga, proving that he is both defensively solid and a threatening playmaker, a combination that makes him the complete midfielder.

At just 19 years old, the Englishman could potentially guarantee over a decade of service to the club he signs for next which only makes him an even greater asset to whoever gets the deal done, something Chelsea must not take for granted if they are serious about making a move over the months ahead.

With that being said, there is no doubt that Potter would get Stamford Bridge rocking again if he can secure the signing of Bellingham. He is a generational talent who can seemingly do everything in the middle of the pitch, with the sky seemingly the limit for the teenager.

It would be a remarkable first signing by Potter and one that would surely get the fan on side quickly.

After Frank Lampard seemed to finally have got his Everton side out of their rut, with a comprehensive win against Crystal Palace and a solid draw on the road to Fulham, a travelling Leicester City saw it all come crashing down.

The stubborn Foxes executed their game plan to perfection and snuck in front shortly before the break following a Youri Tielemans stunner.

His volleyed strike left Jordan Pickford rooted, and as the Toffees pushed forward in search of an equaliser in the second half, Harvey Barnes sealed the three points for Brendan Rogers.

Arguably, under Goodison Park floodlights, the midfield was massively culpable for this result, as the usually workmanlike trio of Idrissa Gueye, Alex Iwobi and Amadou Onana disappointed.

The latter, in particular, offered an invisible performance despite his hulking frame and seemed to drift in and out of the proceedings.

Although Conor Coady might have been handed the worst SofaScore rating (6.5) of anyone on the pitch, it was the Belgian who really let his side down with an equally dismal 6.6 rating.

His lack of involvement was highlighted by his 31 touches, of which he lost the ball eight times. This denoted a midfielder who was dispossessed every 3.8 touches he had.

James Maddison was also afforded far too much space throughout the game, resulting in his two assists for Leicester’s goals.

With a man like Onana, whose whole game focuses on tackles, to not make a single one all game is a searing indictment of his performance.

He would also lose 50% of his duels, compounding his defensive weaknesses.

Lampard clearly felt let down too by Onana, as he dragged him off after just 61 minutes in a like-for-like switch for Abdoulaye Doucoure. The Frenchman did not offer much more but was only eight touches short of his tally despite playing just 29 minutes.

With youth on his side and a bright future laid out performances like this will not worry Evertonians. His ceiling remains immensely high, and the 21-year-old will have to suffer to become a success one day.

He will be hoping that these nights are few and far between, as will his manager.

TalkSPORT pundit Stuart Pearce believes that Aston Villa manager Steven Gerrard still has ‘a lot of trust’ from club officials.

The Lowdown: Manager speculation

Villa have struggled so far this season, which has led to rumours over possible replacements for Gerrard in the Midlands. Reports towards the end of September claimed that Unai Emery and Mauricio Pochettino have been sounded out as potential successors.

There have reportedly been ongoing discussions when it comes to Gerrard’s future, with some Villa fans booing the side following Monday’s 1-1 draw with Nottingham Forest.

The Latest: Pearce’s comments

Pearce, talking to talkSPORT, relayed by Birmingham Live, said that he’s heard Gerrard ‘has a lot of trust from the Villa ownership’ and urged the club to give him more time to develop.

“He’s been in management for a couple of years and I think he served his purpose well by working with the academy at Liverpool first. It shows an element of humbleness from his point of view.

“I still feel as though he has a lot of trust from the (Villa) ownership, that’s what I hear.

“I think he needs time to develop as a manager, I really do. I certainly wouldn’t pull the rug from under him at this moment in time. I think there’s a long way to go.”

The Verdict: Pressure

Villa have struggled in the final third this season, scoring just seven goals in nine Premier League games.

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There have been improvements at the back in recent weeks, but Gerrard’s overall record at Villa Park doesn’t come in for good reading, with the 42-year-old winning just 13 of his 38 games in charge.

His one-year anniversary in the Midlands is fast approaching, but if things don’t improve before the break for the World Cup, NSWE may feel they have no choice but to make a change in the dugout.

The Rangers Review journalist Jonny McFarlane was left criticising the performance of James Tavernier as Glasgow Rangers lost 2-0 at Liverpool on Tuesday night.

The Lowdown: Three losses

The defeat at Anfield means that the Ibrox outfit have now lost all three of their opening games in the UEFA Champions League group stages, and so face a huge uphill battle to qualify for the knockout rounds or even the drop to the Europa League.

Goals from Trent Alexander-Arnold and Mo Salah were more than enough to give the hosts all three points on the night, and so Giovanni van Bronckhorst’s team know that they probably need to get something out of the return fixture if they are to qualify.

The Latest: Tavernier criticised

Taking to Twitter, McFarlane criticised Tavernier’s performance in particular, claiming that he was having an ‘absolute nightmare’:

“Tavernier is having an absolute nightmare here.”

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The Verdict: Not his best

Considering that Tavernier was the Gers’ best-performing player in Europe last season, he certainly was not at his best against Liverpool.

The right-back lost four of his duels, and also failed to record a single dribble, key pass or cross, losing possession of the ball a total of 21 times, the most of any outfield Light Blues player (SofaScore).

As captain, Tavernier’s nervousness perhaps spread across the rest of the team, which meant that they struggled to find any rhythm or composure on the ball.

Sky Sports journalist Rob Harris has shared an interesting Financial Fair Play (FFP) update out of UEFA, and it involves West Ham United.

The Lowdown: West Ham enjoy busy summer…

The Hammers and their manager David Moyes clinched eight permanent signings this summer, with Alphonse Areola, Nayef Aguerd, Flynn Downes, Gianluca Scamacca, Maxwel Cornet, Thilo Kehrer, Emerson and club-record signing Lucas Paqueta all arriving at the London Stadium.

West Ham showcased real transfer market ambition in a display of strong backing for Moyes, and despite their lacklustre start to the 2022/23 Premier League season, it could be the foundations for a solid season if results can start picking up.

However, their financial spree has seemingly attracted the wrong kind of attention as Sky Sports reporter Harris shares a ‘new’ FFP update.

The Latest: FFP update emerges involving West Ham…

Indeed, the journalist has relayed some fresh information out of UEFA, with the Irons now placed on the governing body’s watchlist.

Whilst this is a concern for GSBK, the east London club have luckily avoided any serious fine or sanction due to technicalities.

Harris explained: “New from UEFA on Financial Fair Play – Chelsea, Leicester, Man City & West Ham avoided action due to ‘exceptional COVID deductions and consideration of historical financial results’ but those exemptions no longer apply & they will be “monitored closely in the upcoming period”.

The Verdict: Interesting…

West Ham’s head of recruitment Rob Newman may have to be more careful in future transfer windows when it comes to splashing the cash, or there may have to be slightly more emphasis on a sell-to-buy philosophy.

That being said, the east Londoners needed significant investment in their squad to carry on competing with England’s elite, even if it does attract unwanted attention from UEFA.

Fulham are plotting a late swoop to land a Premier League rival’s target…

What’s the word?

According to talkSPORT journalist Alex Crook, Nottingham Forest could falter in their pursuit of Brighton and Hove Albion striker Neal Maupay.

Despite the Reds having seemingly finalised the deal, both the Cottagers and Everton are now considering pushing to seal his signature late on.

Writing on Twitter, Crook claimed that there “could be a late twist in Neal Maupay’s move from BHAFC to NFFC with both EFC and Fulham pushing for the Frenchman”. 

Imagine him and Mitrovic

With the season starting off relatively well for Marco Silva’s side, it has already become clear that they will rely heavily on the goals of Aleksandar Mitrovic.

The Serbian bagged an astounding 43 Championship goals last season in just 44 games, smashing the record for the most goals in that division in a 46-match campaign, and bringing in Maupay alongside him could quickly form one of the better strike partnerships in the top flight.

To place the hulking 27-year-old beside the 5 foot 8 Frenchman could see the latter latch on to Mitrovic’s flick-ons, as the Serbian won just over 50% of his aerial duels last season.

Conversely, Maupay could thread through some astute passes his potential strike partner, with his 77.8% pass success rate ranking him in the top 13% for strikers among Europe’s five biggest leagues over the past 12 months.

Dubbed “exceptional” by journalist Andy Naylor, the Brighton marksman can also be proficient in front of goal, as highlighted by his eight Premier League strikes last season, while his lethal touch in front of goal earned the 26-year-old the praise of being a “brilliant finisher” by journalist Joe Chapman.

Adding another proven goalscorer at this level to Fulham’s ranks could go a long way towards ensuring that they will not be dragged towards a relegation battle this season. Maupay has featured 102 times in the Premier League across his career, scoring 26 goals and setting up a further eight.

Also, the symbiotic partnership that he would likely form with Mitrovic could be one of the most feared in the league for opposition centre-backs, so Silva should swoop quickly to ensure that this idea can become a reality.

Journalist Pete O’Rourke believes it would be a ‘major coup’ if Leeds United bring in Paris Saint-Germain forward Arnaud Kalimuendo.

The Lowdown: Leeds working on Kalimuendo signing

The Whites have been eyeing a move for Kalimuendo for a number of weeks now, but rumours have escalated even more after the club missed out on Charles De Ketelaere.

Reports before Leeds’ Premier League opener with Wolves stated that Jesse Marsch wants to get a deal done this week, with 90min believing an agreement between the clubs is edging closer.

Kalimuendo was an unused substitute at the weekend, and O’Rourke has been having his say on a potential Elland Road switch.

The Latest: O’Rourke reacts

Talking to The Transfer Tavern, O’Rourke said it would be ‘a big signing’ if Leeds pipped the likes of Newcastle to Kalimuendo’s signature, describing it as a potential ‘major coup’.

“Yeah, it would be a big signing for Leeds to get him. A number of clubs looking at him in France as well as in the Premier League. Newcastle are chasing him and the money that they can offer, if Leeds could persuade him to move to Elland Road it’d be a major coup.”

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The Verdict: Fingers crossed

Leeds won’t want to drag on their search for a new forward much longer, so hopefully, Victor Orta can strike a deal for the 20-year-old.

PSG seemingly want to sell as soon as possible which should work in Leeds’ favour, and Kalimuendo, who Jacek Kulig dubbed “prolific”, would bring much more than a goalscoring threat to Yorkshire.

The Frenchman ranks in the 99th percentile for forwards across Europe’s top five leagues when it comes to passing success rate (82.6%), showing excellent composure in the final third for such a young player. He’s also scored five goals in six games as a left-winger, so could be used by Marsch as one of his inverted wingers if necessary.