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Celtic’s transfer policy this summer will depend on a number of factors.

It will come down to who departs the Hoops and it will also have something to do with whoever the new manager is at Parkhead.

One policy they’ve looked towards is recruiting young players from south of the border.

Liam Shaw is set to arrive from Sheffield Wednesday once his contract expires at Hillsborough but they’ve also been linked with Wigan teenager Kyle Joseph and Exeter’s Joel Randall.

Perhaps one of their most eye-catching targets from the English game is Siriki Dembele.

Currently at Peterborough, his radiant form for the League One side has taken them to the Championship.

He is out of contract in the summer of 2022 and if he doesn’t sign a new deal, this will be their last chance to cash in and receive a fee.

That means Celtic could potentially secure Dembele’s services on the cheap this summer, particularly if you head the words from Barry Fry.

The Peterborough director spoke to last week to Football Fancast’s sister site, This is Futbol.

He commented: “He’s got a year left on his contract and we’ve made him what we consider to be a lucrative offer but there has been a lot of interest in him, and I don’t think he’ll sign a new contract with us.”

That’s a huge boost to Celtic but what could he bring to Paradise? Well, with scintillating speed and “dazzling” dribbling, he has the potential to be a menace in attack.

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This could be wonderful news for David Turnbull, a creative midfielder who’s been playing with a lack of genuine width next to him this season.

On his way to being named in Scotland’s squad for the European Championship’s, Turnbull has provided 2.7 key passes per match for Celtic.

That’s more than any other player in the squad but very rarely have we seen a supply line in behind.

Coincidentally, one of the rare occasions we saw that was when he lined up alongside Siriki’s brother, Karamoko Dembele.

It was Turnbull who supplied the ball for the teenager’s first senior goal as he raced onto a glorious pass in behind before finding the back of the net.

That sighting is something we could see at Paradise regularly next term, particularly if they land the Peterborough forward.

Capable of playing on the flanks or through the middle as a striker, Dembele has scored 12 goals in all competitions this term.

That tally bodes well for a creative player featuring in behind him.

Like his younger brother, the 24-year-old is capable of beating his man for pace and trickery before finding the back of the net.

The thought of Turnbull and the English attacker playing together should be enough to make fans drool.

You only need to look at the way he combined with Karamoko against St Johnstone a few weeks ago. More football like that and it won’t take long for Celtic to click into gear next season.

They simply have to sign the Peterborough star.

AND in other news, Report claims £7.2m “horror show” will never play for Celtic again, fans surely elated…

According to journalist Rudy Galetti, speaking to Tribal Football, a big Tottenham Hotspur transfer update has come to light involving Inter Milan striker Lautaro Martinez.

The Lowdown: Spurs make 2021 Martinez bid…

Sharing news last summer, The Times broke reports of Tottenham agreeing a fee to sign the Nerazzurri star before his club pulled a U-turn and refused to green-light a move to north London.

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This resulted in Spurs transfer chief Fabio Paratici falling short in his attempts to back former boss Nuno Espirito Santo with a backup striker to Harry Kane.

There have been reports of Tottenham re-igniting their interest ahead of this summer’s transfer window and Galetti has now shared a big update for Lilywhites supporters.

The Latest: Inter CEO awaiting Spurs bid…

According to the journalist’s information [via Tribal Football], Inter CEO Giuseppe Marotta is ‘waiting for a new Tottenham move’ after declining their proposal last summer.

It is believed that the prospective sale of Martinez could help to make the Serie A champions’ efforts to sign Paulo Dybala this summer more sustainable, which is why they are now ‘ready to say goodbye’ to the 24-year-old as they green-light his sale.

The Verdict: Boost for Tottenham…

News of Marotta and Inter’s willingness to negotiate over the striker could come as a big boost for Spurs if they are to back Antonio Conte with a capable centre-forward signing.

The Argentina international, who has been called ‘magnificent’ and a ‘scary prospect’ who ‘oozes class’ by Islington Gazette journalist Josh Bunting, has certainly lived up to that tag.

Scoring 14 goals in 28 Serie A appearances this season, Martinez could be the ideal alternative to Kane up front, and Spurs supporters may well be hoping that Marotta is also willing to be flexible when it comes to the actual transfer fee.

In other news: Tottenham eye agreement ‘in the coming weeks’ as they make offer for exciting midfielder, find out more here.

While Ange Postecoglou’s Celtic side have been anything but quiet in the January transfer window so far, with the Bhoys having already confirmed the arrivals of Daizen Maeda, Yosuke Ideguchi, Reo Hatate and Johnny Kenny, there is still much work to be done if the 56-year-old manager wishes to give his side the best possible chance of reclaiming the Premiership title this season.

And, with Croatian media outlet Sportske Novosti recently reporting that one of Celtic’s main summer transfer targets, HNK Gorica winger Kristijan Lovric, is available on the current market for considerably less than £5m that was mooted for his services just six months ago, a move for the 26-year-old could once again be on the cards for the Bhoys this month.

Indeed, the £4.5m-rated man would appear to make a fantastic addition to Postecoglou’s current options out wide, as the Croatia international has been in remarkable form over his 18 1.HNL appearances this season.

He has scored eight goals, registered three assists and created seven big chances for his teammates, as well as taking an average of a whopping 4.6 shots and making 2.2 key passes per game. That goal tally has taken his efforts for the club to a supremely eye-catching 54 strikes.

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These returns have seen the player who HNTV commentator Damir Petravic claimed can “sprint like Mbappe” average an astonishing SofaScore match rating of 7.34, not only ranking him as Gorica’s best performer in the league but also as the sixth-best player in the division as a whole.

As such, with Postecoglou having already added a player who bagged 23 J1 League goals in Maeda to their ranks this winter, the further addition of a player as deadly in front of goal as he is creative in Lovric would appear to be an extremely wise move for the 56-year-old manager this month.

That’s particularly if the 26-year-old is available for considerably less than his reported £5m asking price last summer.

In other news: Ange can finally axe “selfish” £16k-p/w Celtic dud with Jan move for “one of the best”

A number of Aston Villa supporters have laid into Tyrone Mings’ erratic performance in the first half away to Arsenal.

Dean Smith’s side have had a week to reflect on their shock 3-2 defeat at home to Wolves last Saturday, on a day when it looked as though three points were in the bag.

Instead, Villa suffered one of their most disappointing Premier League losses in recent memory.

Smith’s men are back in league action this evening, making the trip to north London to face an Arsenal side still flattering to deceive under Mikel Arteta.

The Gunners were the better team from the off however, and one player who struggled to impress in the opening 45 minutes at the Emirates was Mings.

The England international was diving into tackles, completed a poor 71 per cent of his passes and was eventually booked for a mistimed challenge on Alexandre Lacazette.

Aston Villa fans react to Mings’ first half

These Villa supporters gave their thoughts on Mings’ display on Twitter.

“Mings carries on just like he finished last week”

Credit: @brian_seadon

“Mings try not to hoof the ball challenge!”

Credit: @YoungArevalo

“Mings is struggling”

Credit: @jimmydoris1986

“I love Tyrone Mings but he is TRASH in a back 3”

Credit: @avfcPJR

“Omg Mings no”

Credit: @JamieeAVFC

“Mings is so reckless. Incredibly naive at times “

Credit: @SandbrookNick

In other news, some Villa fans have slammed a piece of Premier League news that has emerged. Read more here.

According to a recent report, Tottenham Hotspur chairman Daniel Levy is set to be “all over” Paris Saint-Germain this summer as the French club are linked with a number of Spurs players.

The report by Football Insider claimed that sources have revealed Levy will be keen to do business with the Ligue 1 side in the summer market, as the Spurs chairman looks to fund a rebuild of his club’s current squad, as well as attempting to recover some of Tottenham’s predicted losses of £150m, caused by the absence of fans from their stadium this season.

Indeed, since Mauricio Pochettino’s appointment at PSG, the French side have been linked with a number of Tottenham’s stars, with Football Insider mentioning Dele Alli, Hugo Lloris and Serge Aurier as potential candidates for departures, while also suggesting that the Parisians are “one of the few clubs in the world” who could afford a move for either Son Heung-min or Harry Kane this summer.

Transfer Tavern Take

With it being reported earlier this year that Levy is prepared to offload one of Tottenham’s star players this summer, the news that the club’s chairman is looking to do business with PSG is not overly surprising, as the Qatari-backed side are likely to have not suffered as great financial losses due to the global pandemic as other big clubs.

However, whether this news will be pleasing to the ears of a Tottenham fan remains to be seen, as it is not difficult to imagine a scenario in which Kane – for example – is sold simply to cover the club’s mounting debt, a move which would surely enrage many of the Spurs fanbase.

In other news: Tottenham have identified a potentially ‘perfect’ heir to Mourinho – find out more here!

Leeds United youngster Mateusz Bogusz has hinted that he could again leave the club on loan this summer in order to earn more playing time.

The 19-year is an exciting academy product at Elland Road, with the midfielder currently on loan at Spanish second tier outfit Logrones this season.

Bogusz has been handed three first team appearances by Marcelo Bielsa, starting Leeds’ Carabao Cup clash with Hull City back in September, with the Whites going out on penalties.

First team opportunities are understandably hard to come by, considering the quality and depth at Bielsa’s disposal, coupled with Bogusz’s tender years.

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Bogusz could leave Leeds on loan this summer

It now looks as though the youngster could be set for another temporary spell away from the club, telling LUFCFANZONE podcast [via Leeds All Over] that a loan move appeals:

“I think I will go on loan next season because the team plays very well, they play in the Premier League and I think I’m not ready to play in the Premier League or to just be a sub.”

Transfer Tavern take

It makes perfect sense for Bogusz to continue his development at another club, rather than potentially outgrow the under-23s upon returning to Leeds and not maximising his potential there.

The experience of playing first team football elsewhere could be key to his development, allowing him to become a more polished footballer whenever the time comes for him to be fully integrated into the Whites’ first team squad.

In other news, Leeds have reportedly been boosted in their attempts to sign a world-renowned star this summer. Read more about it here.

Everton made a huge transfer mistake all the way back in 2009 when they failed to capture the signing of midfielder Ever Banega. It’s one that they will surely regret.

At the time Banega had just finished a loan spell with Atletico Madrid when Everton were interested in signing him on a permanent basis from his parent club Valencia.

Now 33 years old he would have been 20 at the time and a young prospect with a bright future ahead of him. However, according to The Daily Mail, the move fell through at the last minute with the Spanish club reluctant to let Banega leave after they had failed to secure a replacement for him.

He went on to stay at Valencia until 2014 making 185 appearances for the club and being directly involved in 41 goals before moving to Sevilla for £2.35m. It was here where he achieved a tremendous amount of success, winning the Europa League three times in two separate spells, lifting the trophy in 2015, 2016 and most recently 2020.

Arteta 2.0

At the time he was close to signing for the Toffees, he was compared to their star midfielder at the time Mikel Arteta, with special notice paid to his quality in possession and his playmaking ability.

Everton did have playmakers of their own under David Moyes such as Marouane Fellaini and Steven Pienaar, but Banega could have made a huge difference in the middle of the park sitting alongside Arteta.

After failing in their attempts to sign the Argentine “maestro” in the words of WhoScored when he was rated at just £7.2m, the Toffees subsequently had to rely on youngster Jack Rodwell at the time. The Englishman was 18 during that season and played 28 games for the club in the Premier League. He went on to have a good Everton career but at the time had much less ability than Banega.

Ultimately this is a signing that would have improved Everton greatly, with the 65-cap Argentine eventually going on to be worth a high of £18m. However, if the player had left he wouldn’t have gone on to achieve anywhere near as much as he did with Sevilla.

Although they got close, Everton didn’t win a trophy during Moyes’ time at Goodison Park and have gone without silverware since 1995.

Banega now plays in Saudi Arabia for Al-Shabab who he joined on a free transfer in 2020.

IN other news: More misery: Alan Myers drops four-word Everton claim that’ll leave supporters fuming…

Steve Bruce can deliver an upgrade on Fabian Schar by signing Omar Colley amid claims Sampdoria are open to selling the Newcastle United target.

What’s the word?

According to TuttoMercatoWEB, Toon chiefs have begun discussions with Colley’s representatives as they look to beat off rival interest from Super Lig giants Fenerbahce.

Colley only put pen to paper on a new four-year contract extension earlier this month, but has been granted permission to leave the Luigi Ferraris Stadium during the final week of the January transfer window.

Fenerbahce made unsuccessful efforts to sign the 29-year-old in December but have returned with a revised approach, after missing out on former Arsenal defender Sokratis following his move to Olympiacos having been released by Mikel Arteta’s side.

Colley was also linked with a move to Sheffield United recently, as Chris Wilder eyed a deal for the Gambia international to help fix the Blades’ leaky backline that has allowed 32 goals in 19 Premier League games this season. The report also claimed Colley would be excited by the prospect of a move to England, having previously enjoyed stints playing in Finland, Sweden, Belgium and most recently Italy.

Colley has made 14 appearances across all competitions for Sampdoria this season, starting their last nine Serie A fixtures after replacing Bartosz Bereszynski 20 minutes into December’s 2-1 defeat to AC Milan through injury.

Should Newcastle sign Colley?

Bruce has a solid group of central defensive options at Newcastle already, yet would sign an instant upgrade on Schar if Colley were to move to Tyneside before the February 1st 23:00 deadline.

Form would suggest United should be in the market for upgrades at the back, too, as only West Bromwich Albion (48), Crystal Palace (36) and Leeds United (35) have conceded more often than the Magpies (34) in the Premier League this season.

The Toon also lost a sixth game on the bounce when beaten at home to Leeds on Tuesday night to extend a now 11-game winless run across all competitions, that has seen Bruce’s side keep only one clean sheet.

Schar, who Rafa Benitez once claimed had evident “quality”, may have been lauded by supporters for his performance in Tuesday’s loss to Leeds, yet has also performed at a lesser level than the likes of Ciaran Clark, Federico Fernandez and even holding midfielder Isaac Hayden when fielded in defence in the Premier League this term.

The 29-year-old’s average WhoScored match rating sits at just 6.51 to his defensive colleagues’ respective 6.57, 6.78 and 6.74, thanks to Schar providing the lowest average number of successful tackles (0.9) per top-flight game among the quartet.

Schar’s defensive efforts further trail those of 6 ft 3 colossus Colley in the Serie A in almost every aspect, with the £4m-rated Sampdoria titan – who boasts an average WhoScored rating of 6.8 – recording a higher average of successful tackles (1.1) and giving away fewer fouls (1.1 to 1.4) per game.

He also breaks up opposition play with more interceptions (2.4) than any Newcastle player, catches opponents offside 0.9 times a game (Schar forces 0.3) and clears danger 4.1 times a game – only Fernandez (5.6), Clark (4.5) and Jamaal Lascelles (4.3) have forced an end to opponent’s attacks with a greater frequency in front of Karl Darlow this term.

Yet Colley is not afraid to play the ball out from the back with 39.2 accurate passes a game – only Jonjo Shelvey (48.7) completes more – showing how he can help United enjoy more possession, with the Magpies ranking second-last to West Brom for time spent on the ball in the English top-flight per game.

If Newcastle are to get out from their slump by playing defensive football, Bruce will need defenders who can both stop opponents and start attacks. And that is exactly what Colley would offer.

AND in other news, Newcastle may have found Steve Bruce’s ideal midfielder in a £1.9k-p/w target.

Christian Benteke is an injury doubt for Crystal Palace’s Premier League clash with Liverpool this weekend, acting as a potential huge boost for the Reds’ inexperienced backline ahead of a season-defining afternoon at Anfield.

The Lowdown: Sink or swim for Liverpool

Jurgen Klopp’s side face an enormous task on Sunday afternoon, with the Eagles heading to Anfield for a final-day meeting.

A win for Liverpool should guarantee a top-four finish  – something that looked almost impossible only a few weeks ago – salvaging a season that has long threatened to be a complete disaster.

Last year’s champions are on a run of six wins and two draws from their last eight games, finding form at just the right time and battling their way to key victories.

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The Latest: Benteke could miss crucial clash

According to South London News, Benteke is a doubt to face his former club this weekend, with the Palace striker struggling with an achilles issue.

Roy Hodgson is yet to rule him out of the game, but his absence would be a blow for the Eagles, considering he has scored in his last four consecutive appearances.

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The Verdict: Potential huge boost for Reds

Should Benteke be deemed unfit, there is no denying that Klopp will be relieved, especially with Nathaniel Phillips and Rhys Williams expected to start at centre-back again.

The Belgian is a huge physical threat, with Williams still maturing in that respect, while his recent eye for goal speaks for itself, as well as the fact he has bagged six strikes in 11 league games against Liverpool.

Williams has been winning 3.3 aerial duels per game this season in the top flight, but Benteke more than doubles that with 6.8 per match.

Frankly, the Reds should be good enough to get the job done, regardless of Benteke playing or not, but the vast majority of supporters would surely rather he wasn’t on the pitch.

In other news, some Liverpool fans are fuming at the choice of officials for the Palace game. Read more here.

Watford have been handed a blow in their bid to bring Josh Doig to Vicarage Road this summer.

What’s the talk?

That’s according to a claim made by Ekrem Konur, with the journalist posting on Twitter that Arsenal are now keeping a close eye on the Hibernian left-back ahead of a potential summer move.

Watford were recently reported to be in talks regarding the transfer of the 19-year-old, for whom it is thought that a deal would cost around £4m.

Giaretta will be gutted

With it previously appearing as if Watford had something of a free shot at a deal for Doig, if recent reports are to be believed, the news that Arsenal are now very firmly in the race for the highly-rated youngster is likely to come as gutting news for Watford’s sporting director Cristiano Giaretta.

The Hornets are in particular need of reinforcements at left-back following the confirmation that Achraf Lazaar has departed the club just three months after joining, and the SWFA Young Player of the Year very much appears to be an exciting prospect in the position.

Over his 28 Scottish Premiership appearances this term, the defender scored one goal, registered three assists and created two big chances for his teammates, in addition to helping his side keep four clean sheets and making an average of 0.8 interceptions, 1.5 tackles and 1.1 clearances per game – culminating in a seasonal SofaScore match rating of 6.65.

While these metrics would be impressive for an established left-back, the fact that the £450k-rated man is turning in these numbers at just 19 years of age would appear to indicate that he has an extremely bright future in the game, something that Jack Ross clearly agrees with, as he has dubbed the youngster an “excellent” talent.

As such, if Arsenal’s apparent interest does turn the head of the Scotland U19 international away from a move to Vicarage Road, Giaretta will have to begin his search for an addition in the position all over again – something that would undoubtedly come as a huge blow for the sporting director and his side.

In other news: Massive Watford contract development emerges which will surely have fans buzzing – opinion