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Plenty of Aston Villa fans have been waxing lyrical over midfielder John McGinn on social media following his performance for Scotland on Wednesday evening.

The 26-year-old, who scored an incredible overhead kick last week to salvage a point against Austria, netted a brace in a 4-0 win over the Faroe Islands at Hampden Park.

McGinn scored early in each half to put Steve Clarke’s side in control, with both of his goals set up by Arsenal left-back Kieran Tierney.

The midfielder’s second was a great header from a Tierney cross, with a video of the goal going viral after Aston Villa shared the strike on their official Twitter page.

It has been viewed over 125,000 times as of Thursday lunchtime, receiving over 2,000 likes in the process.

Villa fans react

This is what these Villa fans had to say to the club’s official post, with a few supporters urging manager Dean Smith to play him in a more advanced role at Villa Park.

“McGinn rightfully getting the attention but oh my word what a perfect cross from Tierney. Had the right height, pace, spin. Sets John up perfectly.”

Credit: @VikingsAndVilla

“Messi or McGinn?”

Credit: @ChloBoLayx

“We need this John McGinn. Play him in the right position”

Credit: @ChrisBrady1982

“Maybe we should play him in a more advanced midfield position. You know. His natural position”

Credit: @harry_blissett

“Give him freedom Deano”

Credit: @txmsherriff1

“Maybe we should take the leash of this guy”

Credit: @RoadieRhodes2

In other news: Villa keen on international centre-back, find out more here. 

According to Calciomercato, AC Milan have set a €50m (£43.2m) asking price for Everton transfer target Rafael Leao.

Milan set Leao price

The Toffees have previously been linked with a move for the Brazilian, who made the move to the San Siro from Lille two years ago.

Calciomercato have now claimed that Milan are looking for €50m (£43.2m) for the striker, while the article also mentioned Wolves’ previous interest.

Expensive, but potential

That is no doubt a considerable fee for a player who has just 23 senior goals to his name so far (Transfermarkt). However, he is just 21 years old and is still learning his trade.

Tiago Fernandes, who coached Leao during his time at Sporting Lisbon, previously that said he is comparable to legendary Brazilian forward Ronaldo – high praise indeed – while he also suggested that the Milan ace could play for Real Madrid or Barcelona (Tuttomercatoweb, via One Football).

The Toffees’ experience with highly-rated young strikers is not the best in recent times. Moise Kean struggled to adapt to the Premier League after signing from Juventus, and it would therefore be a risk for Carlo Ancelotti and co to part with such a big fee for a player who remains largely unproven.

However, Leao certainly seems to have considerable ability, and if Everton could negotiate a smaller fee, the youngster could well be an interesting option.

In other news, this Everton youngster came in for criticism over the weekend.

Former Tottenham Hotspur captain Graham Roberts has warned Ryan Mason and Chris Powell that they “can’t have mates” in the Spurs squad, and has told Football FanCast that he hopes the club return to their ethos of attacking football.

Mason has been placed in charge of the first-team on an interim basis and is being assisted by Powell.

That decision came on the heels of Jose Mourinho being sacked last Monday.

Roberts is hopeful that the two can help return Spurs to their attacking roots, especially given that he believes that in recent weeks, the side have been appalling.

Indeed, Spurs have won just two of their last eight games, which includes the 3-0 humiliation at the hands of Dinamo Zagreb and a 1-0 Carabao Cup Final defeat to Manchester City, where they didn’t show too much attacking intent.

Roberts believes Mason and Powell will reassess the squad and pick those who deserve to play, while also hoping that the tactics change.

Speaking to FFC, he said: “I think Mason and Powell will have a massive, massive job on their hands now. You can’t have mates, you’ve got to pick the right players. I think every player now should be looked at differently.

“It doesn’t matter if you’ve been in the team, to be honest the team has played absolute garbage, we haven’t played well for a long, long time, and I’m just hoping that he takes the shackles off of them.”

In an exclusive interview with Football FanCast, Rob Lee, who made 267 Premier League appearances for Newcastle United, is not surprised by the lack of urgency on Tyneside as he believes Mike Ashley is simply not bothered as long as Newcastle stay in the Premier League.

The Magpies have experienced two relegations during the Ashley era and they are currently staring another one in the face, however, there is no sign of Steve Bruce being replaced as manager despite the dismal 3-0 defeat to Brighton and Hove Albion, with the club still outside of the bottom three.

Lee has criticised Ashley’s unwillingness to invest in the squad and believes that is the main reason why Newcastle find themselves constantly fighting at the foot of the table.

Speaking on Ashley’s continued neglect of the Magpies and not being surprised that Bruce is still the Magpies’ manager, Lee told FFC:

“No, I’m not surprised at all. I think the remit of whatever manager comes in is basically to keep Newcastle up.

“Other clubs are spending £100 million every year and we’re spending about £20 million. So, the only remit any manager can have is to keep us in the division.

“I think if someone’s not going to invest in the team, and is looking to sell the club as he has for a long time then that’s all he’ll want. Ashley will be happy for Newcastle to just remain in the Premier League so the price stays the same and he still has a chance of selling it.

[snack-amp-story url=”https://www.footballfancast.com/web-stories/rob-lee-exclusive-newcastle-united-premier-league-steve-bruce” title=”Exclusive! Rob Lee’s thoughts on Newcastle”]

“Regardless of who’s in charge and who replaces Steve, if someone replaces Steve, who do the fans expect to come in and work under Mike Ashley?”

Steve Bruce is adamant that he is the right man to guide Newcastle United to safety despite all the teams around them being in better form than the Magpies.

Newcastle United’s two biggest games of the season are arguably their final two. They welcome Sheffield United to St James’ Park before travelling to Craven Cottage on the last day of the season.

Football finance guru Kieran Maguire has dropped a claim on the potential takeover of Newcastle United by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) group.

Reports from Italy earlier this week have claimed that the KSA’s Public Investment Fund (PIF), who are headed by Mohammed bin Salman (MBS) and are part of the consortium looking to take over from Mike Ashley at St James’ Park, are also interested in taking over at Inter Milan, should there be no pathway back for the proposed buyout of the Tyneside club.

PIF are currently off the table given how long the process was taking, but they have not ruled out coming back on if a clear path is made available.

However, Maguire has claimed to Football Insider that the prospective deal with the Magpies would be over if a deal between PIF and Inter were to go through, saying:

“The deal certainly would be over as far as that particular investor is concerned.

“There is always talk of other people being interested in Newcastle. Inter are up for sale at present, that’s the worst kept secret.

“But if PIF do take over Inter, they’re playing in Europe and under UEFA rules you wouldn’t be able to control two clubs who could potentially be playing each other in the Champions League or Europa League.

“So if you buy Inter, what’s the point in buying Newcastle? The whole point of buying Newcastle is because the intention would be to get them into the Champions League. And if an Inter deal goes through, you’d then be left with a sticky wicket.”

Potential Newcastle takeover still on?

The whole takeover saga at Newcastle is a complicated one to say the least at the moment. There is still hope that a deal can be struck, but PIF would have to come back onto the table to have any chance.

There is also a pending arbitration case between Newcastle and the Premier League over the failings of the original bid, and the pathway to a potential takeover may become a lot clearer after that is finished.

In other news, find out what inside claim Ben Jacobs has dropped on the potential takeover!

Dan Petrescu, linked with Celtic’s vacant managerial post, has seemingly made a U-turn on his reported Parkhead interest.

The 53-year-old, who made 193 appearances as a player for Chelsea, was willing to put his name forward to replace Neil Lennon at Celtic Park, according to the Daily Mail.

Journalist Gianluigi Longari claimed Celtic placed the Romanian on their managerial shortlist of targets, but Petrescu has now addressed his future.

As quoted by Romanian outlet Pro Sport, cited by 67 Hail Hail, Petrescu shared his ambitions to lead another side in his native country to a league title.

“I didn’t take a break from matches, it’s impossible to do that. I have no way to feed myself, I have to satisfy my hunger somehow and I want to go back to coaching, but I want to fight at the top, I don’t want to be demoted (to clubs not fighting for titles).

“I would very much like to be the only coach to win the Romanian championship with three different teams – I don’t have these teams with beautiful play, I like the teams that win.”

Transfer Tavern take

Many Celtic fans weren’t exactly thrilled at the links to Petrescu last month, with supporters labelling him a “cheap option” and exclaiming “no way”, so they could be happy at the experienced manager’s latest comments.

Petrescu has had experience of success in Scotland, though. He led CFR Cluj to a famous 5-4 aggregate win over Celtic in the Champions League qualifying rounds during the 2019/20 campaign.

In regards to a long-term role, Petrescu has been in and out of numerous jobs, holding 16 managerial positions over the last 18 years.

With that in mind, it may not be the best idea of bringing him to Glasgow, with stability seemingly needed following Lennon’s exit.

In other news: A former Parkhead hero who has a Celtic tattoo shares Hoops managerial ‘dream’, find out more here.

Jamie Carragher reckons that Michael Keane and Ben Godfrey are the ‘future’ for Everton in the centre-back position.

Carragher was speaking to one of the club’s fan channels, Toffee TV.

How have Keane and Godfrey performed this season?

Keane has played 90 minutes in all but three of Everton’s Premier League games this season. He has averaged 2.9 successful aerial duels, 1.4 interceptions and 4.6 clearances per 90 minutes (via WhoScored), but the 28-year-old was still overlooked for the latest England squad by Gareth Southgate.

Manager Carlo Ancelotti urged him to channel that disappointment into motivation, hailing his ‘really good’ performance levels.

£25m summer signing Godfrey, who was called-up by the England under-21s this month, has been almost an ever-present at Goodison Park as well.

Ancelotti has only left him on the bench twice since his arrival from Norwich City, and the defender been averaging 2.3 successful aerial duels, 4.3 clearances and 1.7 blocks per game (via WhoScored). The Everton manager has made use of the 23-year-old’s versatility by deploying him as a full-back on nine occasions.

Godfrey has earned plenty of plaudits this season, with Rio Ferdinand among his admirers. The ex- Manchester United defender labelled his performances ‘absolutely outstanding’.

Carragher says Everton don’t need to dip into market for centre-back

Carragher has followed Ferdinand’s lead in championing Godfrey’s credentials, as well as those of fellow Toffees defender Keane.

“I do look at Keane and Godfrey as the future for Everton at centre-back,” the Liverpool legend said. “I’m a big fan of both players.

“I really like Michael Keane. He’s a seven out of 10 man every game. His passing’s very good from the back.

“And in Godfrey, I think you’ve got a super player. It’s a great signing. I think he’s going to be a top centre-back.”

Transfer Tavern verdict

Both players have clearly done well this season, but is Keane and Godfrey a partnership which could sustain a top four challenge? Probably not, and that’s where Everton are aiming under this manager.

A serious offer for Kalidou Koulibaly has been mooted and would be an immense show of ambition from the Toffees.

In other news, Everton will listen to offers for another of their defenders.

Celtic have received an enquiry from Premier League side Newcastle United regarding midfielder Olivier Ntcham, according to reports.

Ntcham to leave Parkhead?

The 24-year-old has found himself ostracised at Parkhead this season having started justÂ10 games in all competitions for Neil Lennon’s side, with the likes of Ismaila Soro and David Turnbull ahead of him in the pecking order.

Ntcham was denied a deadline day move last October to Ligue 1 side Brest after making it clear he wanted to leave Celtic but may have his wish granted this month.

Sky Sports journalist Keith Downie reported that the Magpies have made a loan enquiry for the French central midfielder, as he enters the final 18 months of his current contract.

Since his £4.5m move from Manchester City in 2017, Ntcham has scored 24 times and provided 13 assists in 147 appearances for Celtic, with 18 caps to his name while representing France at U21-level (TransferMarkt).

Transfer Tavern Verdict

While Celtic’s season goes from bad to worse after their defeat to St Mirren on Saturday, this could be the start of the clearout that was reported by Football Insider earlier this month.

Whether that clearout has anything to do with Ntcham remains to be seen, but in reality this is a transfer that some supporters have wanted for some time.

Newcastle would be a good move for the Frenchman, offering him a route into Premier League football without the pressure of joining a side chasing silverware.

In other news, Pundit believes big-name manager may not be convinced by Celtic managerial role.

Tottenham Hotspur have their sights set on a new midfielder, but Daniel Levy may well find it hard to get his hands on said player…

What’s the word?

According to Calciomercato.it, Spurs are one of several Premier League teams monitoring the progress of Juventus loanee Weston McKennie in the off chance that the Italian giants do not sign him permanently.

It’s claimed that the Serie A champions have an option to buy of €18.5m (£16.5m) plus bonuses, whilst Chelsea and Manchester United are also mooted with interest.

The report suggests how the 22-year-old has dazzled and impressed Andrea Pirlo this season, so it would be hard to imagine the club not sanctioning that switch.

Shades of Michael Essien

However, if they do not, then Spurs must be ready to strike so there is certainly no harm keeping tabs on the situation from Levy’s side of things.

In doing so, he could land Jose Mourinho his next Michael Essien as the two players have stark similarities which will have the ‘Special One’ salivating from the mouth.

McKennie has started ten games across the Serie A and Champions League this term, where he has averaged 1.5 tackles, one shot and one key pass per game, also contributing to a total of four goals, as per WhoScored.

This very much backs up his ability as a box-to-box sensation, one that Bundesliga.com likened to Arturo Vidal due to his ability to ‘deliver the goods as a No. 6, 8, or 10.’

His former boss at parent club David Wagner lauded the USA international as an “outstanding talent” also reinforcing the aforementioned view, claiming: “In the No.6 or No.8 position he has the mentality, a real working mentality that you need. And he’s brave on the ball as well.”

Under Mourinho at Chelsea and Real Madrid, Essien was an animal – in the 2005/06 title-winning season, the only midfielder that managed more shots per 90 minutes than the Ghanian was Frank Lampard, whilst in 2012/13 in La Liga, he averaged 1.4 tackles per game.

It’s thought that the Portuguese boss wants a dynamic midfielder in 2021, so maybe he can get lucky and strike on the Schalke man. He and Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg would be a phenomenal pivot.

AND in other news, Exclusive: Gary Mabbutt reacts to Spurs star’s latest injury BLOW…

According to French journalist Julien Maynard, Aston Villa are prepared to make an offer for Marseille midfielder Morgan Sanson.

What’s the story?

Dean Smith’s side have enjoyed a superb start to the Premier League campaign, finding themselves eight points off fourth-placed Liverpool but with three games in hand on the reigning champions.

Now, it appears Villa are intent on taking another major step, with Maynard claiming that after following him for several months, the club are “preparing to make an offer” for Sanson in this January transfer window.

Imagine him and Douglas Luiz

With reports in recent days and weeks claiming that Conor Hourihane could be set for a departure this month, it’s no surprise that Smith has set his sights on bringing in another central midfielder.

And in Sanson, they could find someone who could be the perfect partner for Brazilian lynch-pin Douglas Luiz.

The £18m-rated Sanson has been a crucial part of Marseille’s midfield over the past few seasons, and this campaign has been used as both a central midfielder and as a more advanced number ten.

The Frenchman is a creative force from the middle of the park, averaging 1.1 key passes per game and creating five official big chances in just 11 Ligue 1 games. Compare that to Luiz who’s averaged 0.8 key passes and created just one big chance in 14 Premier League matches.

Sanson could slot in alongside Luiz and become the creative heartbeat of Villa, letting the Brazilian do his job of winning the ball back from the opposition and then setting Smith’s side on their way going forward.

It would be a perfect blend of qualities, and ensure Villa have a genuinely class option as Hourihane’s potential replacement.

Meanwhile, Villa may already have the perfect Jack Grealish understudy…