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Leeds United have reportedly "opened talks" with Carlos Carvalhal over becoming their new manager this summer, according to a fresh rumour regarding the search for a new boss.

Which managers are Leeds linked with?

It has been a period to forget at Elland Road over the past 12 months or so, with the club getting through three different managers en route to being relegated from the Premier League.

Amid the new takeover from 49ers Enterprises, Leeds are now working hard on finding a new boss, with so many different names linked with the job in the weeks since their relegation was confirmed.

The likes of Brendan Rodgers, Graham Potter, Steven Gerrard, Carlos Corberan and Scott Parker have all been mooted as potential successors to Sam Allardyce, but no clear favourite has emerged in the race yet.

Now, a new name has been thrown into the hat – someone with plenty of experience in English football in the past.

Are Whites in talks with Carvalhal?

According to iG Esporte [via Sport Witness], Leeds have "already opened talks" in "recent days" with Carvalhal, suggesting that he is considered a strong option to come in and lead the promotion charge at Elland Road.

The 57-year-old is "free in the market" currently, having left his post as Celta Vigo manager earlier this year, although Brazilian side Atletico-MG are also believed to be eyeing him up.

Carvalhal could be an interesting appointment by Leeds if they get a move over the line, having previously managed Sheffield Wednesday and Swansea City in the past. He got the former into the Championship playoff final in 2016, and the semi-finals the following year, although he only lasted approximately six months with the latter.

The Portuguese is now a hugely experienced manager, having taken charge of teams all over the world, from Sporting CP to Besiktas, and he also won the Portuguese Cup with Braga in 2021.

There are question marks over whether Carvalhal is the strongest contender to come in, though, considering the likes of Rodgers and Potter are arguably more highly thought of currently, having been established Premier League managers for a while now, despite admittedly both losing their jobs earlier in the campaign.

Meanwhile, someone like Daniel Farke has won promotion from the Championship twice in the past, during his time at Norwich City, which is something Carvalhal has never managed, so he could be a safer pair of hands.

Well, well, well, it looks as though footballing legend Lionel Messi has chosen his next destination and he’ll be heading to MLS to play for David Beckham’s franchise team Inter Miami.

Where will Messi play next season?

The Paris Saint-Germain attacker departed the club earlier this month having just helped his side win Ligue 1. He scored 32 goals and provided 35 assists in 75 games during a two-year spell in France.

In an official statement, he expressed his gratitude saying: “I would like to thank the club, the city of Paris and its people for these two years. I wish you all the best for the future.”

Understandably, there has been much speculation about where exactly he could be playing next season with a return to Barcelona rumoured, while a touted move to Saudi Arabia was also touted.

However, trusted Spanish journalist Guillem Balague has now claimed the 35-year-old will be playing in America next term.

On Twitter, he wrote: “Messi has decided. His destination: Inter Miami.”

What has been the reaction to Messi leaving PSG?

It will be interesting to see how Messi gets on playing outside of Europe at club level for the first time as a senior footballer – having come through the famous La Masia academy in Barcelona.

PSG teammate Neymar certainly seemed sad to see his South American compatriot leaving. Indeed, he wrote on Instagram:

“Brother… it didn’t turn out as we thought but we tried everything. It was a pleasure to share two more years with you.

“Good luck in your new stage and be happy. I love you.”

Others seemed less sad to see the 35-year-old leaving France. For instance, Sergio Aguero’s son, Benjamin, trolled the Ligue 1 side when they announced the departure, saying: “He was too big for you.”

Inter Miami are of course Beckham’s MLS franchise team, so it’s not hard to see why that sort of glamourous foreign club may have appealed to Messi.

However, they aren’t exactly performing so well recently and actually just opted to sack head coach Phill Neville amid a run of just two wins in their last 13 games.

It remains unclear who will be the club’s next permanent manager. Whoever it is, though, it seems they’ll be fortunate enough to coach arguably the greatest-ever footballer.

Manchester City will have to try and claim a positive result against Real Madrid in the second leg of their Champions League fixture without Nathan Ake, as reported by CityXtra.

What is the Man City vs Real Madrid team news?

The Premier League outfit are tantalisingly close to another European final, with only Real Madrid in their path on the route to get there. Pep Guardiola’s outfit will have to overcome the La Liga giants before they can even begin to think about a potential place in the showcase fixture against Inter in Istanbul.

The club fared well in the first leg of the semi-final tie though, managing to come away with a 1-1 draw. It was Vinicius Jr who struck first, putting the Spanish team in front in the first half of the competition despite Erling Haaland having a couple of half-chances to give his own side the lead beforehand. However, the Premier League side kept on pushing and were rewarded in the 67th minute, as a fierce strike from Kevin De Bruyne flew into the back of the net and levelled the scores.

Karim Benzema had an excellent opportunity to give his side the lead again ten minutes from time, only for Ederson to produce a super save and with that, the match ended in a draw.

City gave a good account of themselves and will now fancy their chances, on an even keel, of pulling off a result in the second leg at the Etihad Stadium. However, ahead of the fixture, Pep Guardiola has revealed a blow to the side in terms of injury news.

Speaking to the press this week, via CityXtra, the Catalan revealed that the club are set to be without Nathan Ake for the match against Madrid. The defender didn’t feature in the first leg of the fixture through injury and he will be sidelined for the return tie now too.

It will be a positive though for City supporters to hear that, aside from the former Bournemouth man, Guardiola has given the rest of his team a clean bill of health. Speaking about his squad’s fitness ahead of the game, Guardiola said: “Except Nathan [Ake], everyone is fit."

How will Man City lineup against Real Madrid?

It will be a blow to not have Ake available again considering how highly he is rated in the game. Virgil Van Dijk, who features in the same national team with the Netherlands, has called the player "fantastic" in the past for example and he has only got better at City. There is not a whole lot the club can do about his absence though and they will have to work with what they've got.

It wouldn’t be surprising to see Pep Guardiola pick a very similar team to the one that claimed the initial draw against Madrid, although the boss has hinted that he may switch things up for this next clash.

His side dominated possession, with a 55% share over the La Liga outfit, and they also passed the ball around with aplomb managing a 91% pass success rate over the course of the match. The only issue was their inability to create and finish chances, with the side having less big chances than Madrid and also having less shots in general than their Spanish rivals.

If Guardiola can get his team to make possession count in this next fixture, then it could go a long way towards helping the team to book their place in the final of the Champions League.

Arsenal have largely been unflappable all season, yet in the run-up to their crunch match with Manchester City, Mikel Arteta's men have faltered.

Three consecutive draws have surrendered six crucial points, and now leaves the title in Pep Guardiola's hands once again unless they can claim an unlikely victory at the Etihad.

Arguably the most frustrating of that trio of results was their most recent draw with Southampton, as they never really got going despite playing in front of an Emirates under floodlights. For all the home support given, players simply did not turn up as they were thwarted by a side bottom of the league.

However, one of the worst performers from that clash was undoubtedly Gabriel Jesus, who spurned countless opportunities up top that would have secured an albeit undeserved victory. His expected goals sat at a lofty 1.14, yet the Brazilian did not record a single goal contribution.

Whilst few would question the impressive impact the 26-year-old has had on the Gunners, with nine goals and six assists in just 20 league appearances perhaps with viable competition this complacency might not have been an issue. Eddie Nketiah, for all of his mid-season heroics, is far from the requisite quality to challenge for titles.

However, in the on-loan Folarin Balogun, they could have a perfect alternative to their star striker who can displace the fellow Hale End graduate for at least a season.

How has Folarin Balogun played this season?

Having starred out on loan at Reims, the 21-year-old has captured the attention as he sits fourth in the Ligue 1 scoring charts with 18 goals; Kylian Mbappe only boasts four more.

Although the youngster is reportedly seeking a starting spot elsewhere, perhaps Arteta could convince him to remain in north London for one key season to challenge Jesus for the starting spot. That competition could prove imperative in next year's title fight, to raise the level of the squad depth infinitely.

To compare, Nketiah has made 25 league appearances this season yet has only scored four goals, all of which came in a month-long period of success that would be short-lived.

Meanwhile, Balogun has proved his ability to finish at the top level already, with the "in-form" forward, as lauded by journalist Charles Watts, more than good enough to be backup.

The 5 foot 10 finisher has the backing of a fan favourite in north London too, as Thierry Henry was keen to praise his exploits from such a blistering campaign: "I’m really happy for him because in general English players don’t go abroad. Normally players are loaned either to another Premier League side or in the Championship.

"He’s a very English-style player who likes to run down the channels but he was missing something, which was his finishing. He’s now starting to score goals regularly and I’m happy for that – happy he has gone abroad."

Whilst this potential switch remains highly hypothetical, the opportunity to fight for his starting spot in one season must appeal to the Brooklyn-born "machine" – as per Fox's Garland Gillen. Indeed, he looks more than ready to challenge Jesus next term.

Should the £30k-per-week forward succeed, likely pushing Arsenal even closer to the title, then it will have been a wise move. Should it fail, then his stock will remain high enough that he could still move on with ease. Arteta must get to work convincing Balogun to trust the process, whilst informing Nketiah that his time might be up.

Aston Villa’s signing of Douglas Luiz looks to have certainly paid off, as the Brazilian’s market value has rocketed in his four-year spell with the Midlands club.

How much is Douglas Luiz worth?

Villa would sign the defensive midfielder from Manchester City in 2019 in a deal worth £15m, with the youngster having impressed in loan spells away from the Citizens after failing to earn a work permit during his time with Pep Guardiola’s side.

Now 24, the former Girona loanee has made 137 appearances for Villa’s first team, in which he has contributed eight goals and 13 assists, including five assists in just 23 Premier League outings so far this campaign.

This has helped him to earn a strong 6.77 average rating from WhoScored for his performances in the top flight, which ranks him as the third-best performer in Unai Emery’s squad, emphasising just how important he has become since the Spanish manager took over at Villa Park.

Under Steven Gerrard, Luiz had lost his regular starting place in the team and looked likely to complete a move away, with Arsenal reported to be extremely interested in signing the midfielder on deadline day during the summer.

However, he would later commit his future to the club in October 2022, signing a new deal until the summer of 2026, and he has been a mainstay in the side ever since.

Villa legend Gabriel Agbonlahor was full of praise for the Brazilian last year after a strong run of form, with the former England striker complimentary of the way he had adapted his game.

He said: “Douglas Luiz has been very good. He’s flying forward and getting into the box. He’s been outstanding and transformed.”

Luiz has certainly maintained that consistency from last season, as he would also earn a 6.77 rating from WhoScored in the 2021/22 campaign, and Villa fans will be hoping that he can only get better with more regular starts under Emery.

However, the Villans can be safe in the knowledge that if he ever leaves the club, they will make a significant profit on the £15m they paid in 2019.

Since joining the club, Luiz’s Transfermarkt value has shot up from €2.5m (£2.2m) to €35m (£31m), which represents a remarkable 1300% increase, so Villa deserve a huge amount of credit for spotting his talent as a youngster and helping develop him into an established Premier League player.

Tottenham Hotspur are ‘doing everything’ to keep teenage starlet Mikey Moore and are attempting to tie him down to a long-term deal, according to John Wenham.

The Lowdown: Tottenham’s youth policy…

Spurs have seen many bright and exuberant youth prospects blossom into potential first-team stars, most notably Oliver Skipp and Dane Scarlett in recent years.

The former has been labelled a ‘future Spurs captain’ and already has a few noteworthy performances in the bank. Meanwhile, the latter has been likened to Marcus Rashford by former Lilywhites boss Jose Mourinho, with the promising Englishman currently on loan at Portsmouth.

The Latest: Spurs ‘doing everything’ to keep Moore…

Speaking to Football Insider, Tottenham ‘expert’ Wenham claims that the club hold another youngster in Moore, who is yet to make a first-team appearance, in very high esteem.

Spurs are currently attempting to tie down the 15-year-old with a long-term contract and are believed to be ready to give it their all to keep him.

Wenham explained: “I thought the selection of players was very interesting when the club shared an image of Alan Shearer at the training ground. Tottenham chose some academy players to line up next to Shearer. You had Jamie Donley there, a very highly-rated striker.

“Luca Gunter, a very highly-rated England youth goalkeeper. Then two 15-year-olds, one of which being Mikey Moore.

“Tottenham are trying to tie him down to a long-term deal. We can only do so much, we are involving him in everything that we can.

“He’s started in the Youth Champions League and the Under 18s’ League this season. I get the indication that he will stay and the club are doing everything to make sure that happens.”

The Verdict: Get it done…

The 15-year-old has already displayed real promise in the youth leagues, not just for Spurs but also at international level.

The England under-16 international has two goals in two caps for the young Lions and has plundered three goals and four assists in nine appearances for Tottenham’s under-18s (Transfermarkt).

Moore has attracted huge praise from those who follow the Spurs academy with real intrigue, not least Wenham, who has previously raved over the teenager before this latest appraisal.

The striker has been called a ‘hugely promising’ and ‘hugely impressive’ youngster by the Spurs expert before, and Wenham claimed in another interview last year that the teeanger put in ‘outstanding’ displays in the UEFA Youth League (Football Insider).

If recent form and plaudits are anything to go by, Moore is another hot prospect who could soon emerge from the Hotspur Way academy.

Everton have had few shining lights throughout this abysmal campaign, which culminated in Frank Lampard’s sacking late last month.

It has left Sean Dyche with the unenviable task of fixing a club in complete disarray, as they seemed destined to fall to the first relegation in their history.

To turn things around he must fundamentally change everything that his predecessors before him have done, except perhaps one thing.

How did Lampard get the best out of Iwobi?

One of Lampard’s few impressive feats was to transform the career of Alex Iwobi, which had been dwindling out following his £34m move back in 2019. His transfer was almost a microcosm for the whole club, as his aimless purchase mirrored a career that had stagnated. The Nigerian’s best position was unknown, and his untapped potential remained just that.

But, when the 44-year-old came in, he chose to move the £120k-per-week winger centrally, where he operated as part of a three-man midfield.

Instantly, he became a revelation.

His tireless work rate in the engine room was finally realised, and at the start of this season, he boasted six goal contributions before the World Cup began.

What has happened to Iwobi since?

Since then, however, he has struggled, and in Dyche’s first game in charge, he returned to the right wing.

Whilst his 4-4-2 system might not facilitate an attack-minded central midfielder like Iwobi, to truly reignite him to those levels he must find a way to fit him in centrally.

In the long-term, he could actually operate in the role undertaken by Abdoulaye Doucoure against Arsenal, partnering the striker as the first line of press.

Anything to return him to the area where he is most deadly.

Former Premier League goalkeeper Paul Robinson was full of praise for him earlier on in the campaign, as he claimed: 

“He was brilliant at the weekend.

“He is looking like a top player. We are seeing more quality from him in a deeper role. He is just getting better and better. The system that Frank plays really suits him. Iwobi is a much better player than he was two years ago. He is improving game by game.”

This came just before Sky Sports pundit Clinton Morrison had suggested he “should be creating more” for the Toffees.

Whilst he had initially proved him wrong, he must now recapture that form to ensure it was not simply a purple patch. Iwobi’s revival could be integral to their survival bid, and Dyche must prioritise it.

West Ham United are interested in a deal to bring Calum Chambers to the London Stadium on transfer deadline day.

What’s the talk?

That’s according to a report by the Daily Mail (via West Ham Zone), who claim that David Moyes is looking to add cover at centre-back to his current Hammers squad over the final hours of the January transfer window, with the 59-year-old believed to have identified the Aston Villa defender as a last-minute target.

This would appear to back up a claim made by Dean Jones in a recent column for GIVEMESPORT, with the transfer insider also suggesting that the Irons are plotting a deadline day swoop for the 28-year-old.

“Outstanding”

While it is true that Chambers has somewhat struggled to hold down a regular spot in the Villa XI following his £8.5m move to the club back in January last year, with Craig Dawson having recently departed east London in a move to Wolverhampton Wanderers, it is not difficult to see why Moyes would be keen on a last-minute swoop for the former Arsenal defender.

Indeed, despite his lack of game-time, the £9m-rated talent still managed to impress over his 13 Premier League outings last season, helping his side to keep three clean sheets, in addition to making an average of 1.6 tackles, 0.4 interceptions, 3.8 clearances and winning 4.0 duels – at a success rate of 53% – per game.

The £50k-per-week Englishman also caught the eye going forwards last time out, hitting the back of the net once, as well as enjoying an average of 54.3 touches, making 0.4 key passes, playing 2.7 long balls and completing 35.6 total passes – at a success rate of 83% – per match.

These returns saw the player who The Independent’s Tom Peck once dubbed “irrepressible” and legendary Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger previously labelled “outstanding” average an extremely impressive Sofascore statistical rating of 6.90, ranking him as Villa’s seventh-best performer in the top flight in the 2021/22 campaign.

Furthermore, the former England international’s incredible positional versatility is another major positive, with Unai Emery stating of the 28-year-old after a 5-0 win over Nottingham Forest in 2019: “He helped us in the training, in the dressing room and when you need him to play right-back, centre-back, left-back like tonight, and we can use him in the midfield also. His performance is starting with his attitude and his attitude is amazing.

“After that is his best position, but tonight for example I was telling him, when he was playing left back, be calm here, help and support Bukayo [Saka], give the ball to Dani Ceballos and he was overlapping a lot of times with Bukayo! He did one very good pass for the goal with [Reiss] Nelson. He didn’t listen to me!”

As such, considering his proven Premier League ability and his capability to play in a number of different positions in defence and midfield, it would indeed appear as if Chambers’ late arrival on transfer deadline day would be an outstanding deal for Moyes to pull off – especially with a Dawson-shaped hole to fill at the back for West Ham.

West Ham United may have failed in their bid for one marksman, but remain in the hunt for a viable alternative…

What’s the latest?

That’s according to Daily Express journalist Ryan Taylor, who spoke to GIVEMESPORT on the Hammers’ continued pursuit in Terem Moffi.

Although they hold an interest in the Nigerian, who they reportedly have already made a £25m bid for, it remains a tough deal to make, with Lorient holding out for £30m.

He said:

“I’ve been told categorically that West Ham are still going for Moffi even after signing Ings, which is interesting given they have Antonio and Scamacca, although Scamacca is out injured at the moment.”

This perhaps marks a viable alternative to Youssef En-Nesyri, who despite being linked over various windows seems to have flitted out as an option.

En-Nesyri upgrade

Whilst it previously seemed like a deal to sign En-Nesyri would have been a success, now seeing what other options could offer helps to showcase that it would likely have been a misstep.

The Moroccan had impressed at the World Cup, with the crowning moment being his powerful header to help them advance over Portugal. However, domestically he has disappointed for a struggling Sevilla side.

Across 14 La Liga games the 25-year-old is yet to score, following up on a similarly poor five-goal campaign from the year prior.

He has not found his scoring touch since the 2020/21 season, and even then 24 goals in 52 appearances hardly sets the world alight.

His alternative however is thriving in the here and now, boasting 12 goals in just 18 Ligue 1 games.

The clinical nature expressed has seen him lauded across Europe, as he ranks in the top 15% for non-penalty goals when compared with other strikers on the continent.

This is further compounded by the statement made by journalist Jacque Talbot, who labelled him as “deadly as they come”.

En-Nesyri may well blossom into a fine striker in the future, but at present is hardly worth the reported £35m valuation slapped on him by his Spanish club.

He would seldom compare to the lethal exploits of Moffi, with the 23-year-old actually boasting an outstanding 34% goal conversion rate to dwarf the 0% of the 25-year-old.

For likely far cheaper, Moyes can secure not just an alternative but an upgrade on En-Nesyri in the FC Lorient marksman who is lighting up French football.

Journalist Alex Crook has revealed that Arsenal are ‘monitoring developments’ with Brighton and Hove Albion winger Leandro Trossard.

The Lowdown: Mudryk first?

There have been recent reports that Arsenal are continuing talks with Shakhtar Donetsk over the signing of winger Mykhaylo Mudryk, with a fee not yet agreed between the two clubs.

Personal terms would not be an issue, as the player has expressed his desire to move to the Emirates Stadium, so now it is about the structure of Arsenal’s bid.

Mikel Arteta’s side may not stop there in terms of January recruits though, as they look to chase down the Premier League title.

The Latest: Trossard monitored

Taking to Twitter, Crook has revealed that the Gunners are also ‘monitoring developments’ with Trossard, although they face competition from North London rivals Tottenham Hotspur for his signature:

“Led to believe #THFC interest in Trossard is genuine. No firm bids yet. Is under contract until 2024 after #BHAFC triggered a year’s option as revealed on @talkSPORT last week. I’m told #AFC also monitoring developments. No interest from Graham Potter and #CFC at this stage.”

The Verdict: Get it done?

Given that Emile Smith Rowe has only just come back from a lengthy injury lay-off, and both Gabriel Jesus and Reiss Nelson are also on the treatment table, Arsenal could do with some more firepower in the squad alongside the potential signing of Mudryk.

Hailed as ‘unreal’ by Rio Ferdinand, and a ‘wizard’ by Brighton podcaster Charlie Haffenden, Trossard was immense before the break for the FIFA World Cup in Qatar, with seven goals and three assists in the Premier League, including a hat-trick in a 3-3 draw against Liverpool at Anfield (Transfermarkt).

The Belgium international seems to have lost his starting place recently, which could help push through a move, and with his top-flight experience, the 28-year-old would be a shrewd pick-up by the Gunners.