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Opinion
As the fallout from the sudden sacking of Rafa Benitez continues, the Everton managerial position has been strongly rumoured to be headed into the waiting arms of Roberto Martinez.
However, the Belgium FA are unlikely to release the coach with a World Cup on the horizon and the door could well be open for a surprise candidate to swoop on what would be a challenging yet superb opportunity.
Wayne Rooney’s name continues to be mentioned, although with little evidence to suggest that the Derby County manager is directly linked to Everton. Yet with Derby’s problems well known, the lure of any decent offer could well bring the English legend back to Goodison Park.
Marseille has received a serious punishment by FIFA for their behaviour during a transfer dispute over Pape Gueye, who was briskly removed from the Senegal team sheet at the African Cup of Nations, after also being suspended. There will be an appeal and all the precise details are still somewhat murky, however FIFA’s punishment errs on the side of aggressive and they must feel they have the evidence to substantiate the firm stance they have taken against both the club and player.
Scottish defender Aaron Hickey has attracted the interest of officials at Brentford, with Bologna now forced do deal with the always-challenging decision of whether to jettison a promising young player or invest in them for the long term. After starting as a professional at Hearts, Hickey has impressed in Italy and a move to the Premier League would no doubt be his ultimate goal. If the offer is fair and compelling, Brentford may well be adding strength to a weakness.
Wolverhampton have secured their man, with Estoril’s Chiquinho signing a lengthy deal to join the club until 2026. In the 21-year-old Portuguese, Wolves may have just nabbed a player who has slipped under the radar of other clubs, or potentially over-estimated the skills of yet another promising talent. Only time will tell.
Fenerbahce defender Attila Szalai is rumoured to have attracted interest from some influential clubs in England, with AC Milan also in the picture. As is the case with most transfer rumours during this window, Newcastle United appear interested, although that is getting a little boring. West Ham United are desperately in need of defensive stability, something that was once again lacking over the weekend in a 3-2 loss to Leeds.
To stir the pot, Hungarian coach Marco Rossi expressed his understanding in December that the 23-year-old defender was heading off to Chelsea. That information now seems a little off the mark and is perhaps evidence of some serious misinformation being used by player managers or clubs to make the terms of any potential deal most suitable for them.
Diego Carlos is said to be keen on a move to England, after much negotiation and toing and froing between Sevilla and Newcastle. The 28-year-old Brazilian would surely be a welcome addition for the Magpies, yet many have serious doubts as to whether Carlos is as solid a defender as he needs to be to survive in the toughest league in the world.
In other news, Graham Potter has continued to distance himself from the vacant Everton job, Arsenal’s Pablo Mari appears likely to be headed off to Italy on loan to Udinese, and Gunners defender Sead Kolasinac has had reported interest from Napoli and Marseille, with a move overseas potentially a better option than the football experience he is currently living in London.
Graham Potter (Photo by Mike Egerton/EMPICS/PA Images via Getty Images)
Aston Villa are still keen to bring Brighton’s Yves Bissouma to Birmingham, despite Potter’s determination to have the midfielder back on deck when he returns from the African Cup of Nations, and Christian Eriksen’s rumoured return to the Premier League that featured in our transfer window article yesterday has grown legs, with Brentford a potential destination for a player everyone wants to see back playing at the top level.
There has been something of a lull over the last few days, with clubs jostling for positions as the transfer window enters its final weeks. Be sure to stick with The Roar over the remaining fortnight as we continue to bring you all the latest rumours and deals.