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Aston Villa have shown fresh interest in Marseille’s defensive midfielder Boubacar Kamara, with Steven Gerrard and Johan Lange travelling to France to scout the player.

What’s the Word?

That’s according to a report by the Daily Mail, who claim that Steven Gerrard was spotted watching Marseille beat Nantes 3-2 on Wednesday night, with the 41-year-old reported to be on a personal scouting mission of the defensive midfielder.

Kamara will become a free transfer in the summer as his contract expires at the French side and Villa is looking to strengthen that area of their squad.

The Premier League side are also reportedly interested in Leeds United midfielder Kalvin Phillips, but there is no doubt that Kamara would be the more attractive signing, especially from a financial point of view.

Gerrard failed to add a defensive midfielder to his squad in the January transfer window and with a key rebuild coming up in the summer, the onus is on for him to improve the team.

Kamara would be a fantastic signing for Aston Villa

Steven Gerrard has had a mixed start to life at Villa Park so far since joining from Rangers in November. Initial signs of progress were halted by a poor run of form.

With the side having lost their last four matches, Gerrard will be aiming to stop the rot against Leicester.

The volume of goals they are conceding is concerning and signing Kamara in the summer could certainly improve the quality of the team in the future.

His former teammate Rolando praised the player, going as far as to label him a “phenomenon” and with his market value currently sitting at £22.5m, signing the 22-year-old on a pre-contract deal would be outstanding business.

Kamara has made 41 appearances for Marseille this season as they aim to secure second spot behind Paris Saint-Germain, and he has been a massive success during his time in France.

The Frenchman has an average score of 7.12 on SofaScore compared to the 6.8 of Phillips this season. Add into the age factor and it’s clear to see why Kamara would be the better signing. Gerrard has some big decisions to make in the summer, that’s for sure.

AND in other news: Source: AVFC’s “difficult” dud could now leave Villa Park, it’s great news for Gerrard

Following a 2-1 victory over League Two side Mansfield Town in the Papa John’s Trophy in midweek, Sheffield Wednesday are back in League One action this afternoon with a clash against Bolton Wanderers.

Ahead of the match at Hillsborough, Owls manager Darren Moore revealed in his latest press conference that all members of his squad are fit and available to play. 

Taking thar into account, here’s how we feel Wednesday will line up against Bolton, with several changes from the starting XI which faced Mansfield.

Changes ahead

In goal, with Bailey Peacock-Farrell still away on international duty, it seems pretty certain that Joe Wildsmith, who played in midweek, will keep his place in the team.

At centre-back, we think Dominic Iorfa will return to the team in place of Lewis Gibson, who only played 45 minutes in midweek after struggling with his fitness, to partner Chey Dunkley. In the full-back positions, Moore could stick with Marvin Johnson at left-back and restore Liam Palmer to the team at right-back in place of Jack Hunt, who played in midweek.

In midfield, we think Wednesday will start with Lewis Wing, who scored against Mansfield and earned a higher match rating (8.5/10) than any other Owls player on the day according to SofaScore. Next to him, Moore could bring Barry Bannan back into the starting XI to captain the team and replace Oluwafisayo Dele-Bashiru.

For Wednesday’s attack, we think Moore will reward Theo Corbeanu with his first league start of the season after his assist in midweek. On the left wing, Sylla Sow could drop out of the team, with Olamide Shodipo returning to the starting XI.

Finally, we can see Moore going with Lee Gregory and Callum Paterson up top considering that the duo have a combined total of four goals and three assists in the league. They replace Saido Berahino and Florian Kamberi, despite the latter scoring against Mansfield.

All in all, we envisage six changes to the side which started at Field Mill on Tuesday night as the Owls turn their focus back to League One matters.

In other news: Moore must ruthlessly axe “wonderful” Wednesday ace v Bolton, he was shocking on Tuesday

West Bromwich Albion are interested in a deal to bring Kean Bryan to The Hawthorns.

What’s the talk?

That’s according to a report by Football Insider, who claim that Valerien Ismael is considering a move for the out of contract centre-back as a replacement for Dara O’Shea, who has been ruled out for up to four months with a knee injury.

The report goes on to state that West Brom are set to make a move for the 24-year-old this week, with the defender available on a free transfer following the expiry of his contract at Championship strugglers Sheffield United earlier this summer.

Ismael surely buzzing

Considering the fact that West Brom were already linked with a move for Bryan throughout the summer transfer window, the fact that Albion appear to have given the Frenchman the green light to make a move for the centre-back in the wake of O’Shea’s injury is sure to have left Ismael buzzing.

Furthermore, the 24-year-old remaining available to sign on a free transfer is something that is also sure to delight the 45-year-old Baggies boss, as Bryan would appear to make an excellent addition to West Brom’s options in the heart of defence.

Indeed, over his 13 Premier League appearances for Sheffield United last season, the £1.8m-rated man helped his side keep two clean sheets, as well as making an average of one interception, 1.5 tackles, 2.7 clearances and winning 4.3 duels per game.

The man Chris Wilder dubbed a “talented” player also chipped in for his side going forwards, scoring one goal and creating one big chance for his teammates, in addition to making an average of 0.3 key passes per league fixture.

These returns saw the £3k-per-week defender earn a seasonal SofaScore match rating of 6.74, ranking him as the Blades’ 10th-best performer in the top flight of English football.

As such, while losing a player as impressive as O’Shea to injury will undoubtedly come as a major blow to Ismael, should the Frenchman go on to land Bryan as the Republic of Ireland international’s replacement, it would certainly help soften the blow.

In other news: West Brom dealt crushing blow on “brilliant” £4.4k-p/w ace, Ismael will be devastated

A journalist has dropped a claim on the potential takeover of Newcastle United involving the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s (KSA) Public Investment Fund (PIF).

The Lowdown: Independent regulator needed?

Writing in his latest piece for The Times, Henry Winter has argued that an independent regulator is needed in football given the ongoing takeover saga.

He claims that the Premier League is ‘not fit to govern itself’, and that a neutral judge is needed on sensitive and complicated issues.

The Latest: Delaney on independent regulator

The Independent journalist Miguel Delaney has now claimed that a Premier League independent regulator ‘would likely’ rule that PIF is the KSA state.

A key component of the top flight’s Owners’ and Directors’ Test (ODT) with regards to the takeover is whether it can be shown that PIF is a separate entity from the Saudi state, and if separation cannot be proved, then the deal would ultimately collapse.

The Verdict: Debatable

It is certainly debatable on both sides whether PIF and the state are separate, and the buying side are trying to show that this is the case.

The arbitration case next year between Mike Ashley and the Premier League should resolve this issue, and thus give an idea over the direction in where the bid is heading.

Nonetheless, the whole takeover saga has dragged on for way too long now, and an independent regulator may help in coming to a swifter conclusion.

In other news, find out who is fuming with what he has heard about the takeover here!

West Ham will be looking to make it three wins from three matches when they return to Europa League action this evening.

David Moyes has an interesting dilemma ahead of him as his Irons side face Tottenham Hotspur in the Premier League on Sunday afternoon, so he may be tempted into some sort of rotation.

The Irons bounced back from their defeat to Brentford before the international break with a narrow victory over Everton at the weekend and that put them firmly back in the race for the top-six, and another three points against Spurs could see them break into the top-four, too.

Therefore, it would then make sense to rest some of the Hammers’ more influential stars and there can’t be a better candidate to do that with than Michail Antonio, who is an injury risk in most weeks.

He has regularly suffered with troubles throughout his time in east London, failing to start more than 24 matches in any of his last four top-flight campaigns.

The 31-year-old talisman is so, so crucial to West Ham’s fortunes, having already netted six goals and provided four assists across nine appearances in all competitions, via Transfermarkt.

In his absence against Manchester United, a game he fortunately missed through suspension rather than injury, the Irons struggled and lost for the first time this season.

Even though Mark Noble could have scored a late equaliser if he had converted his injury-time spot-kick, Moyes and his side still rued the lethal frontman’s presence up top.

Valued at £10.8m by Transfermarkt, the former Nottingham Forest star has previously been lauded as “unplayable” and as the “ultimate number nine” by BBC Sport contributor Premier League Panel.

Whilst Daily Star journalist Paul Brown recently dubbed him a “complete monster” and “absolute revelation” to GIVEMESPORT.

These glowing endorsements only go to show just how important the £70k-per-week beast is to West Ham and as the Hammers have a 100% record in this competition, he can be afforded one game off as a fully-fit Antonio could wreak havoc against Spurs this weekend.

AND in other news, Fabrizio Romano drops huge Declan Rice claim…

Journalist Anthony Haggerty insists that Joe Hart’s experience is a huge boost for Celtic.

The club paid just over £1m to bring the goalkeeper into the club from Tottenham Hotspur, bolstering the squad of Ange Postecoglou as they look to battle Rangers for the Scottish Premiership title.

Hart somewhat struggled for minutes at Spurs last season and made a total of 10 appearances.

However, he has already played six times for Celtic, and Haggerty believes that his know-how will have a major effect on the development of the young players at the club.

Hart, of course, has played for the likes of Manchester City, West Ham United, Spurs, and England throughout a storied career in which he has won two Premier League titles, and has also won 75 caps for England. Hart has played at three major tournaments for the Three Lions, going to Euro 2012, the 2014 World Cup, and Euro 2016.

Haggerty said: “Just see the fact that he’s walked into that dressing room and see the experience he brings, it’s colossal.

“And see if your Joe Hart and you’re talking to younger players, you’re looking in awe at Joe Hart.

“It’s a guy that played under Mancini, Guardiola, some top, top football managerial operators. Joe Hart speaks, you listen.”

In a story that feels as if it has now been rumbling on for the best part of a year, Ange Postecoglou’s Celtic side have once again been linked with a move to bring Lee Buchanan to Parkhead in the January transfer window.

Indeed, Derbyshire Live reported on Sunday that the Bhoys – alongside the likes of Nottingham Forest and West Ham United – have renewed their interest in the Derby County left-back, while Watford and other unnamed English sides are also believed to be tracking the 20-year-old ahead of a potential move this month.

It is easy to see why Postecoglou would be interested in securing a deal for the England U20 international this January, as Buchanan is undoubtedly a player who boasts a significant amount of potential, and would appear to be available on something of a cut-price deal – considering the fact his current contract at Pride Park expires at the end of the season, in addition to Derby’s rather dire financial situation.

Furthermore, left-back is an area of the Hoops squad that lacks any real strength in depth, as, behind first-choice Greg Taylor, the Greek-Australian manager has only the options of 19-year-old Adam Montgomery and the outcasted 26-year-old Boli Bolingoli.

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And, with the latter of this trio being linked with a move away from Parkhead this month, a January swoop for Buchanan could well prove to be the final nail in the coffin for the £16k-per-week dud who Neil Lennon once dubbed “selfish.”

Indeed, the Derby defender is undoubtedly a player who has a much higher ceiling than the former Belgium U16 international, with Wayne Rooney stating of the 20-year-old: “He’s a top, top player. I’d argue he’s one of the best young left-backs in the country. And he can go to another level as well. He’s a real top player.”

It is not difficult to see why the former England captain feels this way, as, despite his tender age, the £2.25m-rated full-back has already gone on to make 60 first-team appearances for the Rams – 35 of which came in the Championship last time out, when Buchanan played a key role in helping his side survive relegation to League One on the final day of the season.

As such, when taking into account all of the above, it would indeed appear a very wise move for Postecoglou to finally axe Bolingoli this month, before reinvesting the Belgian’s wages and potential transfer funds into a move for the Derby starlet.

In other news: Fee agreed: Celtic close in on £5.7k-p/w gem with “amazing feet”, Ange will be buzzing

West Ham United have been dealt a setback ahead of their upcoming Premier League meeting with Burnley on Sunday.

What’s the latest?

According to BBC Sport, David Moyes are likely to face Burnley defender Erik Pieters tomorrow afternoon, as the Lancashire outfit are now set to welcome the Dutchman back after his recovery from a knee issue.

However, this hasn’t been the biggest bit of news coming out of Turf Moor this week, as, after ten years of service, manager Sean Dyche was relieved of his duties on Friday – with Burnley 18th and four points from safety with eight games remaining.

Therefore, U23s boss Michael Jackson will be in the opposing dugout at the London Stadium as he takes up temporary charge of the visitors, whilst defender Ben Mee will also be a part of the coaching set-up.

However, amid the surprise regarding Dyche’s dismissal, West Ham must continue to prepare to take on a side desperate for points and who will be stronger with the return of Pieters.

Pieters’ return is bad news for West Ham

Prior to suffering his injury in February, Pieters had been playing well with Burnely in decent form.

The left-back played every minute of the Clarets’ seven Premier League matches between late January and late February before being withdrawn away at Crystal Palace after an hour.

From those seven matches, Dyche’s side lost just once, winning twice and drawing the other four matches which gave their survival hopes a boost.

Prior to that run in the side, the 33-year-old had struggled for minutes in claret and blue, making just four league appearances before the turn of the year.

Since Pieters has been out of action, Burnley have been in dire form, winning just one of their last six in the top flight, losing the other five.

However, that victory was a crucial one as the Lancashire outfit overcame relegation rivals Everton 3-2 at Turf Moor before embarrassingly losing 2-0 at bottom side Norwich City, the final nail in the coffin for Dyche.

The Hammers will certainly smell blood as they look to consolidate their place in the top six, which is currently hanging on a thread.

Although, Burnley supporters will be expecting a reaction after a rollercoaster week at Turf Moor and the boost of Pieters’ return could prove awkward for David Moyes to deal with.

AND in other news: West Ham plot bid for £21.6m-rated “leader”, Moyes can now axe “shocking” £61k-p/w dud

As Liverpool’s top two goalscorers in the Premier League so far this season, it’s safe to say that Sadio Mane (7) and Mohamed Salah (11) have been two of the Merseyside club’s most important players in this campaign.

Unfortunately for the Reds, the prolific duo will be unavailable to play in January when they join their respective countries to play in the upcoming AFCON tournament.

While this definitely will be a big problem for Jurgen Klopp’s side, they have one player at the Merseyside club that could well be a suitable temporary replacement for the star wingers when January comes around.

17-year-old winger Kaide Gordon joined Liverpool back in February from Championship side Derby County.

Since then, the teenager, who is currently valued at £900k according to Transfermarkt, has made eight appearances for Liverpool’s U18 side, racking up six goals and providing three assists in that time.

The attacker, who has been described as having a “bit of magic in him” by fellow Liverpool youngster Tom Clayton, has also made four appearances for Liverpool’s U23 side, scoring three times and supplying one assist in the process, highlighting his attacking prowess at such a young age.

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Gordon made his senior debut for the Reds in their 3-0 win over Norwich City in the Carabao Cup where he played the full 90 minutes before being included on the substitutes bench in their recent 4-0 victory over Arsenal in the Premier League.

Taking all of this into account and the fact that Liverpool will be without Mane and Salah for a period in January, Klopp should definitely consider giving Gordon the chance to shine in the Premier League. Should he impress, then he will be more than suitable to fill in for the senior duo over the winter.

If Gordon does get the chance to play regularly at some point this season and manages to demonstrate what an attacking talent he is, the teen could well prove to be a valuable asset for Liverpool as they bid to keep themselves in the title race.

In other news: Big blow: Klopp dealt injury setback that is sure to leave Liverpool fans gutted – opinion

Aston Villa will be looking to make it three wins in four under new manager Steven Gerrard as they host Midlands rivals Leicester City on Sunday afternoon.

The West Midlands side have been excellent since the 41-year-old’s appointment, beating Brighton 2-0 and Crystal Palace 2-1 before narrowly losing 2-1 to Manchester City on Wednesday evening.

Gerrard is expected to be without striker Danny Ings once again as well as left-back Matt Targett who suffered a head injury against City. Winger Leon Bailey was also withdrawn against the reigning champions, however, he will be sidelined for “a number of weeks” after suffering a thigh injury.

Their opponents, however, aren’t in the best form, winning just one of their last five Premier League outings. However, they are only three points off of the top six in tenth.

However, there is certainly an opportunity for Villa to capitalise on and take another three points against Brendan Rodgers’ side. Here’s how Football FanCast expects the Villans to line up against the Foxes, with just two changes from the side that lost out to Manchester City.

As expected, there’s no change in between the sticks as Emi Martinez maintains his rather unchallenged spot in goal, looking for a second clean sheet in four games.

There will be one change in the back four in front of the Argentine, with Ashley Young replacing the injured Matt Targett; a straightforward swap at left-back. The 36-year-old will be accompanied by Tyrone Mings, Ensri Konsa and Matty Cash in defence.

With Gerrard maintaining his preferred 4-3-3 formation, the midfield will be key and there appears to be no reason as to why the central trio that started against City should be tinkered with here. Marvelous Nakamba, Douglas Luiz and John McGinn are expected to link up once again in the middle of the park.

The second change sees 18-year-old Carney Chukwuemeka deployed out wide for just his second Premier League start and his first in over three months. The £2.25m-rated youngster has reportedly rejected a new contract amidst frustration with a lack of first-team action.

However, Gerrard brought the Englishman on for 23 minutes against Manchester City on Wednesday night and could be tempted to hand the midfielder a start.

With both Leon Bailey and Bertrand Traore sidelined for the foreseeable future, an opportunity against Leicester could be the start of Gerrard’s bid to convince the starlet to sign a new contract at Villa Park.

Alongside Chukwuemeka up front should be Emi Buendia on the other flank and Ollie Watkins at striker after his goal against Manchester City on Wednesday. Straightforward enough.