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Mike Ashley must look to sanction the permanent exit of Yoshinori Muto amid claims that the striker wants out of Newcastle United this summer.

What’s the word?

According to Chronicle Live, Muto has enjoyed his season on loan with La Liga outfit SD Eibar so much that he hopes to make a permanent switch to Spain.

The Japanese striker is relishing the lifestyle on offer in the Basque Country and the opportunities given to him under Los Armeros head coach Jose Luis Mendilibar.

Muto has been named in 27 of a possible 30 matchday squads and featured in 24 fixtures across all competitions, while scoring three goals and providing two assists, though only staring 14 of his appearances to date.

Muto would jump at the chance of sealing a permanent move to the Ipurua Municipal Stadium if the chance arises this summer, but two factors will determine Eibar’s stance.

Mendilibar’s side currently sit in the relegation zone and are two points from La Liga safety, as far as they are from basement boys SD Huesca in a close four-way battle at the bottom.

Top-flight survival may play into the second factor, which is whether Eibar are willing to pay the fee Newcastle will demand for the 28-year-old they paid 1.FSV Mainz 05 £9.5m to sign in 2018.

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The Toon are expected to hold out for a fee as any funds raised while clearing the forward’s £54,000-per-week contract will be seen as a huge plus, as he enters the final year of his deal.

Should Newcastle sell Muto?

Newcastle will need a suitor to arrive with an offer to part with Muto, but they should not stand in the striker’s way of securing a permanent exit after proving to be a huge flop at St. James’ Park.

Muto scored just once in 17 Premier League appearances during his maiden campaign in black and white, despite showing promising signs with his strike coming away to Manchester United in October.

It proved to be a false dawn for Muto, who was once backed by Massimo Ficcadenti – his head coach at FC Tokyo – to become a “fantastic footballer”, as the now £2.5m-rated dud would soon sustain a calf injury and play just 99 minutes between November 10 and March 16.

Last season was hardly any better for the 29-cap international, as Muto featured on only 10 occasions across all competitions under Steve Bruce, with six of which awarded before the end of September as injuries again restricted his availability.

Newcastle at least managed to secure a loan fee and offload part of Muto’s wages in talks with Eibar last summer to limit the losses made on the forward, but United will not expect to make anywhere near what they paid Mainz through his sale.

Ashley may be reticent to write Muto off and accept the financial hit without a fight, yet doing so would only prolong the inevitable split with a player who has not played his way back into a Tyneside career while in Spain.

AND in other news, Newcastle are scouting an “amazing” 13-goal striker dubbed the next Erling Haaland…

Many Wolves fans have been flocking to a transfer update on Dion Sanderson as The Chronicle have reported that Newcastle United are scouting him.

As per the news outlet, other clubs in the Premier League have been keeping an eye on the defender, currently on loan at Sunderland from Nuno Espirito Santo’s side, whose deal at Molineux expires in 2022.

Sanderson has only played in one senior game for Wolves so far in his footballing career, which was in the Carabao Cup away to Aston Villa last season (Transfermarkt). However, his performances so far in League One have certainly attracted interest, meaning that the Wanderers may face an uphill battle to keep him.

The 21-year-old still has a lot of potential, and so it would be a real shame if Wolves were to lose him, especially to a Premier League rival.

Wolves fans on Sanderson transfer update

These Wolves fans flocked to the transfer update on Sanderson after it was shared on Twitter, with one even going as far as to claim that the Englishman is ‘of no value’ to superagent Jorge Mendes, who has several clients at Molineux:

“A loan move to the championship would probably be a good step for him next season”

Credit: @mikewolves8

“Why he isn’t in gold and black is beyond me, at least then we’d have a defender at centre back then”

Credit: @Mark_McGrane

“We would be silly to sell him”

Credit: @EnglishNaz

“How about we actually use him”Credit: @WolvesNumber37″Can’t we just pretend he’s been playing for Porto instead of Sunderland and get him back? Maybe offer Mendes £2m to arrange transport back.”Credit: @MarkPoulton_WV”He’s of no value to Mendes, so we’ll doubtless get rid, despite being a local lad who the club have invested so much time and patience in.”Credit: @brimfieldbenIn other news, find out which Wolves player was slammed for his display against Fulham!

A number of Liverpool fans have been bemoaning the choice of officials for Liverpool’s Premier League clash with Manchester United this weekend.

The Reds make the trip to Old Trafford on Sunday afternoon, in what represents a must-win clash for Jurgen Klopp’s side.

In truth, their top-four hopes are fading by the game, and failure to win against their bitter rivals will surely spell the end of their chances.

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Liverpool have been famously poor at Old Trafford under Klopp, not winning there under him in the league and getting knocked out of the FA Cup earlier this season.

A big performance is required after last weekend’s huge disappointment at home to Newcastle United, when missed chances and a late lapse cost the Reds dearly.

The officials have been confirmed for this weekend’s match, with Michael Oliver refereeing the contest and Paul Tierney on VAR duties.

Liverpool fans rue officials for Man United game

These Liverpool supporters are unimpressed with the selections, providing their thoughts on Twitter.

“We’ve lost loooool”

Credit: @K9Capalot

“Man U are definitely getting at least one penalty then”

Credit: @johnevans1977

“Well, if there was any hope that LFC gets anything from that game, that’s it gone. Personally, I know we’re losing that one, but those men will make sure of it”

Credit: @Farisalfarik

“May God help us”

Credit: @baba_sani_auwal

“We are so done”

Credit: @FplPopo

“Man United guaranteed a penalty and a clear Livepool goal will be disallowed by VAR”

Credit: @Liberatus_Mokoe

In other news, some Liverpool fans believe one player has peaked – find out who it is here.

In a recent interview, former Premier League striker Kevin Phillips discussed West Ham United’s reported interest in a summer move for Tammy Abraham.

The forwar dhas endured something of an up-and-down campaign for Chelsea so far this term, with the 23-year-old scoring six goals and registering two assists over his first 14 Premier League appearances of the season, before going on a run of six league games without either a goal or assist, as well as finding game-time increasingly hard to come by under Thomas Tuchel of late.

Indeed, it has been reported that the German manager remains unconvinced by the £36m-rated striker, with West Ham thought to be closely monitoring the situation of the England international ahead of a potential summer move.

Speaking recently to Football Insider, Phillips stated his belief that the £82,000-per-week Chelsea forward would be a good fit for David Moyes’ side.

He said: “I could see him there, definitely. The way West Ham are playing at the moment, he’d get chances. As a striker, you want to be playing regularly because we live on confidence.

“To play a few games then get left out, for a striker, that’s not great. I can see him at West Ham. They’ve got creative players that would create opportunities for him and he likes to play on that last man. If he was to be sold by Chelsea there’ll be a few clubs chasing him because he’s still got a long career ahead of him.”

Transfer Tavern Take

With Moyes currently only having the option of Michail Antonio as an out-and-out centre-forward in his first team squad, a move for a striker is likely to be a priority for the Scot in the summer transfer window, something which surely won’t be lost on the club’s GSB ownership.

Considering that Abraham has impressed when being awarded a start this season, scoring seven goals in 15 games when he has been picked in the starting XI for Chelsea, perhaps the 23-year-old would indeed be a good addition to Moyes’ attacking arsenal this summer, as Phillips suggests.

However, whether or not the Blues will be open to selling the centre-forward to a Premier League rival, particularly one currently sitting just two points behind them in the league standings, remains to be seen.

In other news: This West Ham summer target dropped a big hint on his future – find out more here!

It would seem that Sunderland are beginning to build up ahead of steam at the perfect time.

Lee Johnson has been game-changing for the face of the football club and after defeating Rochdale on Saturday, it marked yet another three points for the Mackems.

They have now tasted defeat just once in their last 11 league games, a phenomenal run brought about through a number of factors.

The new manager has breathed huge belief into this side and is getting results from the players that Phil Parkinson would never have deemed imaginable.

Dion Sanderson has been talked about as a “Rolls-Royce” in recent days while Aiden McGeady’s tally of 11 assists in 17 matches is a sight to behold.

Though, there is one man glueing everything together right now; Charlie Wyke.

The striker is having a phenomenal season and on Saturday afternoon, he took his tally for the campaign to 25 goals in all competitions. Considering he only scored six times last term, the improvement is staggering.

Johnson’s football suits him perfectly and he is now tucking away chances with relative ease. Speaking in the build-up to Sunderland’s 2-0 win over Rochdale, the boss said: “A top striker can slow down his mind’s eye in the box, be like ice in the box, and Charlie certainly finished with that look.

“The bit that is impressing me is his off-the-ball work. He is helping out the midfield, he’s pressing from the front – in the last 20 minutes against Swindon, he was like a man possessed.”

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Indeed, the same sentiment could be offered after the Black Cats’ win yesterday afternoon. Wyke was again among the goals, and he was putting himself about with the authority of a man who knows he’s playing the best football of his career.

He is stealing the show for Sunderland right now and nothing typified that more than this weekend. Wyke is a physical player and used that to his advantage to bully the Rochdale defenders on Saturday.

The striker won a colossal seven aerial duels from nine attempted, while he also prevailed in five ground duels. For context, no player in a Sunderland shirt won more battles aerially than Wyke.

As Johnson alludes to, it’s not just his goal scoring antics that have been so impressive. The 28-year-old is a fierce competitor and won three tackles on Saturday. Amazingly, that was the second-best tally on the side, usurping every Mackems defender.

Wyke leads from the front and in scoring 20 league goals this term, he has been outstanding.

If Sunderland achieve promotion in a few months time, he will be one of the main reasons for their success; the forward is a marvel at the moment.

AND in other news, £6k-p/w gem is now proving everyone wrong at Sunderland, Parkinson should be seething…

Leeds have been handed a major blow before their Premier League clash against Chelsea on Saturday afternoon, with the news that Pascal Struijk will not be available for Marcelo Bielsa.

Ahead of the game against the Blues today, The Athletic’s Phil Hay confirmed that the midfielder will once again be missing from first team action after his absence against West Ham last time out.

While Struijk has faced some criticism from certain sections of the Leeds support this season, he still offers some strong defensive qualities which would have been perfect for a game against an in-form side like Chelsea.

As per Whoscored, he averages an impressive two tackles and two interceptions per game in the Premier League this season, ranking him sixth and second respectively among his Leeds teammates.

The 21-year-old is also one of the rare Leeds players who’s dominant in the air, winning 1.8 aerial duels per match, and scoring a thumping header from a corner against Arsenal earlier this year – no surpise given he stands at 6 foot 3.

Former Leeds man Dominic Matteo is seemingly a big fan of him, saying: “He reads the game a lot better than he’s credited for. He’ll get even better too. Struijk is one to look out for.

“There’s plenty of work to be done but, with the size of him, his physicality, his passing, he’s got it all and can step into midfield. He looks very calm on the ball, players who are a bit erratic are not for me but he looks comfortable in possession.”

While Leeds have been boosted by the recent return to fitness of the likes of Kalvin Phillips and Rodrigo, having Struijk out against Chelsea – who are unbeaten in their 11 games under new manager Thomas Tuchel – will surely have Bielsa concerned and worried.

Meanwhile, Leeds are facing a potential transfer mistake with this man…

Southampton have reportedly been scouting Bristol City midfielder Han-Noah Massengo in recent weeks, and if the 19-year-old were to make the move to St Mary’s, it could be bad news for Saints youngster Alexandre Jankewitz.

According to the Bristol Post, Southampton scouts have been in attendance at Ashton Gate in recent weeks in order to watch a number of Nigel Pearson’s too players, with Massengo also seemingly attracting interest from the likes of Brighton, Norwich City and Bournemouth.

The 19-year-old Frenchman has been a regular in the Robins’ side since joining from AS Monaco in 2019 in what was a serious statement of intent from the Championship side, who made the teenager the second-most expensive signing in their history.

Since then, the midfielder has gone on to make 51 appearances for the club, in which he has failed to contribute a single goal or assist.

Despite having experience in the Champions League with Monaco, you could argue that his time with Bristol City hasn’t really worked out so far, as he averaged a disappointing 6.44 WhoScored average match rating for his performances last season, a figure which has dropped to 6.27 this term.

However, the £3.6m-rated Frenchman is still young and could perhaps unlock his potential with a move to a Premier League club such as Southampton, where he could learn from the likes of James Ward-Prowse and Oriol Romeu whilst challenging for a spot in Ralph Hasenhuttl’s first team. Therefore, Martin Semmens should definitely consider bringing him in this summer if they can negotiate a reasonable price with the Robins.

If he were to make the move to the south coast, you might worry that it could impact the future of fellow 19-year-old midfielder Alexandre Jankewitz, who has already voiced his frustrations about a lack of playing time under the Austrian manager by handing in a transfer request in January.

The Swiss under-21 international undoubtedly has potential but seemingly isn’t in Hasenhuttl’s good books after his horror tackle on his full Premier League debut, which saw him sent off after two minutes in the 9-0 defeat against Manchester United. Nearly two months on, that remains his most recent senior appearance.

Therefore, Jankewitz is perhaps already eyeing a move away and might not appreciate Southampton signing another youngster to compete for playing time in his position, so that could be the catalyst for him seeking a permanent exit from the Saints this summer.

In other news… Ralph can amend key Southampton issue next season with swoop for £10.8m-rated “great talent”

Glasgow Rangers midfielder Glen Kamara is virtually undroppable at the moment.

Kamara signed a four-year pre-contract deal with the 54-time Scottish champions in 2019 and Steven Gerrard handed him his first start for the club in the 4-0 win over St Joseph’s in the qualifying rounds of the Europa League.

The Finnish central midfielder moved to Dundee from Premier League giants Arsenal in 2017 and has taken to life in the Scottish Premiership like a duck to water.

In fact, it’s fair to say that Kamara is one of a select group of players, along with goalkeeper Allan McGregor and James Tavernier, who are pretty much guaranteed their starting place for every game.

And that’s a sentiment backed up by Rangers legend Peter Lovenkrands, who admitted he has become a “one of the unsung heroes” after another impressive display.

Speaking to Sky Sports’ Scottish Football Podcast, Lovenkrands said: “It’s tough, you know. There have been so many outstanding performances.

“Allan McGregor, for me, is definitely going to be one of them for how he organises from the back but also the clean sheets he’s keeping. When he’s called upon he comes up with the big moments and the big saves.

“Glen Kamara has been outstanding as well and he’s one of the unsung heroes for me. He is so important to the team. Most times he goes unnoticed but he, for me has been fantastic. James Tavernier, as well, he’s been outstanding.”

The 27-cap ace is leading the troops in the midfield – despite Steven Davis’ position as the more experienced member of the squad.

Indeed, Kamara has made six appearances in the Europa League so far this season, that being two more than Davis himself, which suggests that Gerrard has come to rely on the Finland international for the big games. A return of 1.8 tackles per 90 in the competition sees him rank fourth in the Rangers squad.

In the Scottish Premiership, he features in the top nine for tackles, interceptions, key passes and dribbles made per game, whilst his incredible range of passing sees him ranked second among his teammates for pass accuracy with an impressive 90.8%. In fact, the only man ahead of him, is Greg Stewart who’s played just five minutes.

Kamara is the man who keeps things ticking over in the engine room for the Gers, and against Hibernian at the end of last month, he was awarded the BBC’s man of the match for his heroics, saying that he “drove Rangers on in the second half, gliding past opponents and rarely wasting a pass”, and that he “was the game’s star turn”.

It’s these kind of performances that often go unnoticed but he has become such a key component of Gerrard’s side, so it was very surprising that he was moved back to the bench for the last game against St Johnstone – that after completing the full 90 minutes in eight out of the last ten league matches.

Given his importance, Kamara simply has to come back into the starting line-up for the clash against Hamilton.

AND in other news, Rangers should unleash Cedric Itten against Hamilton Academical…

As the January transfer window draws closer, it’s become increasingly apparent that Glasgow Rangers could do with a couple more additions in the market. Namely, another wide option and a holding midfielder.

Despite their summer spending spree, Steven Gerrard faces some tough decisions ahead of the Premiership clash with St. Mirren as he looks to trigger a big reaction after the Betfred Cup exit.

Whilst the Ibrox boss will no doubt want to strengthen at the back, his wide options could do with his undivided attention too. Ianis Hagi has been in such fine form since the beginning of the month, having bagged two goals in his past three games, but Ryan Kent seems to be in some sort of a rapid decline and Kemar Roofe is in danger of being stretched too thinly.

Although Kent has showed glimpses of quality, he has been unable to produce magic as consistently as he managed last season.

What’s the word?

There’s no doubt Gerrard has a plethora of options out wide at his disposal with Jordan Jones re-entering the fold after serving a suspension for breaching rules. However, despite all of the options currently available, it’s fair to say that Rangers lack any real depth on the right-wing, as both Jones and Brandon Barker have been deemed surplus to requirements.

But there’s one player in particular who may be able to fix their problems once and for all.

According to The Daily Record, Airdrieonians winger Thomas Robert is still of interest to Rangers and Airdrie are bracing themselves for a bidding war in the January transfer window.

Premiership rivals Celtic, Hibernian, and Scottish Championship side Heart of Midlothian are also keen to land the Parisian-born right-winger, whose contract will run out at the end of the season.

Robert, the son of former Newcastle United star Laurent, has been in prolific form since the start of the season, providing four goals and two assists across all competitions so far, via Transfermarkt.

Perfect partner for Kemar Roofe

The 20-year-old scored directly from a corner against Clyde during the 4-2 win at the Broadwood Stadium at the weekend.

By comparison, Kent finds himself in the midst of a goal drought, with his last goal coming during the 4-0 win at home to Aberdeen last month.

Comfortable on both wings, Ross Wilson would be wise to sanction a move for Robert as not only would the set-piece specialist be able to provide cover and competition for Kent, he’d also be able to do the same for Hagi on the opposite flank. Just imagine him slotting into place alongside Roofe up front.

Airdrie manager Ian Murray heaped praise on the Frenchman following his latest impressive performance, saying: “It wouldn’t surprise me if we have a fight to keep him. Thomas has done really, really well.

“He showed his class again against Clyde with the corner kick, but it wasn’t just that, in the first half he was excellent, his touches on the ball, his movement, his timing in the releasing of the ball, the way he picked up space, was excellent.

“We’ve had loads of clubs looking at him, a few of them were pretty impressed.

“Were they impressed enough to make a bid, I’m not sure, but I think there are a couple who are not too far away from that.”

Despite his young age, Robert’s versatility would make him a most useful addition to the Govan-based Glaswegian giants, as both Kent and Roofe have been run ragged for most of the season so far.

AND in other news, Glasgow Rangers must unleash Calvin Bassey vs St. Mirren…

Aston Villa midfielder John McGinn has been discussing how things are currently going at the club and his latest comments some way to proving just how the good connection is between the Villa players and their fans.

What McGinn had to say

Speaking toThe Athletic’s Gregg Evans, McGinn said: “If we keep playing the way we are and fighting for every ball then Villa Park is going to be an incredible place to be when supporters are allowed back in. The Aston Villa fans appreciate that we’re all just normal guys who are loving our jobs.”

These comments should please Villa supporters

Danny Mills spoke about McGinn recently and said: “I think he’s an unsung hero – he’s very underrated”.

This is very true as despite Jack Grealish receiving most of the recognition from those outside of the club, McGinn’s performances have been very good. He has picked up one goal and four assists (WhoScored). He is also crucial at both ends of the pitch, as he has managed 1.1 shots, 1.3 key passes and 1.5 tackles a game this season.

Villa  only survived relegation on the last day of the Premier League season, which in itself was a great achievement, and they are now battling for a top six finish.

McGinn’s comments, added to the performances of the Villa stars, should excite fans of the club massively. The connection between the players and fans is clearly there and the supporters will now be itching to show their appreciation when they are able to safely return to Villa Park.

In other news, it’s been claimed that Aston Villa may pass up the opportunity to sign Ross Barkley permanently for a ‘younger and fresher’ option.