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Journalist and transfer expert Dean Jones believes Aston Villa can now sign better midfield options than Matteo Guendouzi in the summer window.

Has Guendouzi been linked with Villa?

The Villans have enjoyed a huge turnaround in fortunes this season, initially looking like potential relegation fodder under Steven Gerrard before being transformed by the hugely impressive Unai Emery. They have won their last four Premier League games, meaning that they are suddenly sixth in the table and in with a wonderful chance of qualifying for Europe, despite having been left in 17th place upon Gerrard's exit.

All of a sudden, this feels like an exciting time for Villa supporters, as with money likely to be available for new signings in the summer transfer window, this is a great opportunity for Emery to build a truly formidable squad moving forward and make them a true force in English football again.

One player who has been linked with a move to Villa Park in the past is Guendouzi, who has matured into a key player for Marseille in recent times, having moved there from Arsenal where he often displayed his petulance – ironically while under Emery's wing. He has made 28 appearances in Ligue 1 this season, as well as playing once for France at the 2022 World Cup.

Could Villans sign someone better?

Speaking to GiveMeSport, Jones claimed that Villa could now actually look at superior options than the 23-year-old, even though a move could still materialise:

"It'll be interesting to see what Unai Emery makes of the idea of something like this, and if he does think it will work, you kind of have to trust him.

"Personally, I think they could do better than that. But obviously, in the team model that they're putting together, he might be a good fit."

The fact that Villa are now being deemed as too good for Guendouzi says so much about the progress under Emery, with the seven-cap France international someone who has been described as a "great player" by former Germany international Arne Friedrich.

While there are alternative midfielders out there than the ex-Arsenal man – Villa have been linked with a move for Sporting CP talisman Pedro Goncalves, for example – he could still be a really effective signing, as he would arrive with Premier League and European experience.

He has enjoyed an 88.4% pass completion rate in Ligue 1 this season (no current Villa player has a better rate in the Premier League), and we believe he is someone who could enhance Villa's depth and be a long-term addition to the squad.

Arsenal, on their road to challenging for the Premier League title, have endured plenty of hardships.

Whether it be finding the right manager, or sifting through the transfer market to select new players, the Gunners have got it spectacularly wrong on numerous occasions before they got it right.

Unai Emery was handed the unenviable task of taking over after Arsene Wenger and unsurprisingly suffered because of it. Expectations were through the roof, and although some of his transfers were questionable he was not a bad manager at all.

Regardless, he was dismissed in favour of Mikel Arteta; an unproven graduate from Pep Guardiola's school of thinking taking on his first stint as a head coach.

The Spaniard was swift and decisive in clearing out the squad he had inherited, showing a ruthless touch needed to move on from the sentimentality of the legendary Frenchman's era.

Players such as Nicolas Pepe and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang were swiftly pushed out the door, however, it is the likes of Lucas Torreira who silently bled the club dry underneath these bigger names.

How much did Lucas Torreira cost Arsenal?

The fourth addition of the Emery era, the diminutive midfielder was expected to add some relentlessness and steel to their engine room not too dissimilar to N'Golo Kante's contribution to Leicester City and Chelsea.

However, the £26.5m fee was surprisingly high for the Uruguayan who was yet to prove himself at the level that would be demanded of him at the Emirates.

That quickly became apparent in the two full seasons he would feature at the club, playing a total of 89 games before returning to Serie A with Fiorentina on loan.

Those Premier League campaigns saw him record an underwhelming 6.88 and 6.82 average rating respectively, via Sofascore, a far cry from the return they expected.

Even the Italian outfit did not want to spend any money on signing the 27-year-old, who instead moved to Galatasaray.

Paul Merson had predicted such an underperformance however as he told Sky Sports (via The Express) four years ago: "Everyone was raving about Lucas Torreira, but he’s not that good.

“I said this a few months ago and everyone kicked up a stink. He only looks good as he’s what Arsenal have needed for a long time, someone to run around and put their foot in. But if you put him up for sale tomorrow, then none of the top five clubs in the Premier League would be interested."

Fiorentina only served to prove this with their lack of interest.

Whilst the fee alone would mark Torreira as a huge disappointment, the fact that he sat on a lofty £75k-per-week wage packet during his two full seasons at the club further enhanced the total loss to £34.3m.

This marks one of many abysmal deals, which Arteta has expunged from memory due to how he has transformed the culture at the club. Under his stewardship, it seems these kinds of moves will become far more infrequent, much to the delight of KSE and Stan Kroenke's wallet.

When Brendan Rodgers was dismissed from his managerial position at Liverpool in October 2015, the proud and prestigious Premier League outfit was full of trepidation; sustained success looked like a fleeting and distant memory, and silverware looked unattainable for years to come.

Jurgen Klopp was appointed as Rodgers' successor and Liverpool's quandary was swiftly eradicated, the course was set for an era laden with triumph, with the German manager leading the Reds to glory in the Premier League, Champions League and FA Cup, winning multiple further major honours.

Seasonal fortunes have not been so emphatic in the present day, but Klopp entered a dilapidated shack and crafted a castle, and that will leave him a perpetually revered figure on Merseyside.

Mohamed Salah earns the plaudits for his clinical brilliance, while £75m centre-back Virgil van Dijk has been a colossus since he arrived from Southampton; Trent Alexander-Arnold, the homegrown talent, is one of the most destructive creative forces the Premier League has ever seen.

The nucleus that has held it all together, however, has been captain Jordan Henderson, not always the most respected or endeared figure in English football, the 32-year-old has been the centrepiece of Liverpool's endeavours, a conduit from which all has flowed at Anfield.

How much was Henderson worth at his peak?

Henderson was signed from Sunderland for roughly £20m in 2011, now a stalwart of the club having made 480 appearances, scoring 33 goals, supplying 60 assists and captaining the outfit to every slice of silverware gleaned under Klopp's wing.

At the peak of his powers Henderson was valued at £58m by Football Transfers, but the brilliance of Henderson's Anfield tenure is not marked by numerical figures, but rather by his galvanising presence and orchestrating ability.

Prior to Klopp's first trophy at Liverpool, club icon Steven Gerrard remarked that if the Reds secured the 2017/18 Champions League, Henderson must be considered among the club's very best.

He said: "I believe this Liverpool team are stronger with him in it. If he delivers this Champions League he'll be a legend here forever."

Liverpool failed on that account, but rebounded to win the following year's edition before monumentally triumphing in the Premier League for the very first time, more recently completing the domestic cup double last year.

The £140k-per-week "conductor" – as hailed by one analyst – has indeed been integral to the success, assured in possession with a career average 83.5% pass success rate and tenacious in his all-encompassing engine room role with 1.7 tackles and 1.2 interceptions per match, as per WhoScored.

Henderson has won it all at Liverpool, with the inflation of the initial value evidence of his growth as a player, emerging as one of the game's finest modern leaders under Klopp's tutelage.

Liverpool would have almost certainly cashed in lucratively had they decided to part with the one-time Coventry City loanee, though such a move would have been ludicrous, he has spearheaded one of the most illustrious spells in the distinguished football club's history, and without him, Liverpool may never have tasted such sweet success.

Chelsea are now interested in signing Leeds United goalkeeper Illan Meslier, according to a report from Football Insider.

The Lowdown: Chelsea eyeing goalkeeper

With goalkeeper Edouard Mendy currently ‘not looking’ to sign a contract extension at Stamford Bridge, the Blues are eyeing a new option between the sticks, recently being linked with a move for Borussia Dortmund’s Gregor Kobel.

On a more long-term basis, Chelsea have been looking at a number of options with proven Premier League experience, including Brighton & Hove Albion shot-stopper Robert Sanchez, who at one point was deemed to be ‘high up on the list.’

At one stage, the west London club were said to have made contact with David Raya about a move across the capital, while Everton’s Jordan Pickford was also a target, but the Englishman has recently signed a new contract.

The Latest: Meslier targeted

As per a report from Football Insider, Chelsea have now joined the race to sign Meslier in the summer transfer window, amid interest in the £30m-rated goalkeeper from the likes of Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester United.

Graham Potter is said to have informed owner Todd Boehly that he would like a new goalkeeper in the summer, and the club believe they could sign the Leeds United star for a bargain fee if they are relegated from the Premier League.

Despite the high level of interest in the 23-year-old, the Blues are willing to outbid their rivals to secure his signature.

The Verdict: Get it done?

Lauded as ‘unbelievable’ by members of the media, the Frenchman is at the right age to be a long-term success at Stamford Bridge, and he has been one of Leeds’ most consistent performers in the Premier League so far this season.

With an average Sofascore mating of 6.89, the former Lorient man is the sixth-best performing player in the squad, most recently impressing by making a total of six saves from inside the box in his side’s vital 4-2 win away at Wolverhampton Wanderers.

That said, it is unclear whether the 6 foot 4 colossus would be an upgrade on Kepa Arrizabalaga, ranking far lower than the Spaniard in terms of average save percentage per 90 over the course of the past year.

Given that Kepa has been putting in some very good performances in recent weeks, recently making five saves, including three from inside the box in the 3-1 victory at Leicester City, Chelsea should continue to monitor the performances of their current goalkeeper before deciding if a summer replacement is really necessary.

Newcastle United travel away from St. James' Park tonight as they face off against Nottingham Forest in the Premier League.

The Magpies head into this match off the back of a 2-1 win at home to Wolverhampton Wanderers last weekend in the top-flight and will be looking to go into the international break with two successive victories.

Eddie Howe's side beat Wolves thanks to goals from Alexander Isak and Miguel Almiron but will the head coach make any alterations to his starting XI?

How will Newcastle United line up against Nottingham Forest tonight?

(4-3-3): Nick Pope; Kieran Trippier, Fabian Schar, Sven Botman, Matt Targett; Elliot Anderson, Bruno Guimaraes, Joe Willock; Miguel Almiron, Alexander Isak, Allan Saint-Maximin

Howe could bring in Matt Targett, Elliot Anderson, and Miguel Almiron to freshen the side up with three changes ahead of their clash with Steve Cooper's men tonight.

Firstly, Dan Burn – who reporter Ciaran Kelly once dubbed a "colossus" – could be ditched in favour of an attacking option at left-back. The 30-year-old has created 0.5 chances per game in the top-flight this term and Targett – who averaged 1.2 key passes per outing last season – could offer more to the side in possession.

This could provide Saint-Maximin with more support down the left flank and afford the Frenchman more space to work with as Forest's full-back may need to consider Targett's overlapping runs.

In midfield, Joelinton is suspended and there has been some fan speculation over Sean Longstaff's availability after the gem was not in the club's training images.

This could open the door for young midfielder Anderson to start alongside Joe Willock and Bruno Guimaraes. Football FanCast recently published an article explaining why the maestro should start as he could cause problems for former Newcastle ace Jonjo Shelvey, who could line up for the opposition tonight.

Finally, Almiron should return to replace Jacob Murphy in the front three. The 29-year-old came off the bench to score the winner against Wolves and his 11-goal tally in the Premier League this season proves that the marksman has the quality to be a difference-maker at the top end of the pitch.

Whereas, Murphy has scored once and provided one assist in 25 matches and does not carry the same threat, which is why Howe could bring the Paraguay international in from the start.

Chelsea have made contact to bring Borussia Monchengladbach midfielder Manu Kone to the Premier League this summer, according to reports.

The Lowdown: Scouting mission

Todd Boehly has already started building his side for the future, having recruited the likes of Enzo Fernandez and Mykhaylo Mudryk, and it would appear that the 21-year-old is another young rising star on the owner’s radar.

Speaking to GiveMeSport, journalist Simon Phillips recently confirmed that the Blues are long-term admirers of their target and have been monitoring him for a while. He said:

“Chelsea really like Kone, I was told about him in January.

“He was one that Chelsea were looking at before they signed Enzo Fernandez and got that over the line, and they’re still scouting him, I’ve checked in on that.”

The Frenchman isn’t out of contract at the Borussia Park until 2025, but being Daniel Farke’s top-performing defensive player, has caught the attention of Graham Potter.

The Latest: Chelsea make Kone contact

According to SportBild (via Sport Witness), Chelsea and Paris Saint-Germain have both ‘made enquiries’ regarding a possible deal for Kone this summer.

The Borussia star’s ‘dream’ is to move to the English top flight, but with his family originating from Paris, it looks set to be a tug-of-war.

Sporting director Roland Virkus and the midfielder’s representatives have ‘already talked’ about a move away, making an exit during the upcoming window ‘increasingly likely’.

The Bundesliga outfit will look to demand a fee that is ‘considerably higher’ than his current €25m (£22m) market value.

The Verdict: Splash the cash

Kone is an extremely versatile player with the ability to operate in defensive, central and attacking midfield, so Chelsea should dig deep in their pockets to secure his services in the summer.

The 6 foot 1 ace currently averages 2.7 tackles per league game, showing that he’s not afraid to get stuck in and is great at regaining possession for his team in the centre, but he is also strong in the offensive aspect of his play. The Colombes native has scored ten goals and provided three assists in 112 senior appearances and he ranks in the 99th percentile for most successful take-ons every 90 minutes.

Kone has been dubbed a ‘one-man army’ by talent scout Jacek Kulig and having previously admitted that he was a huge fan of Didier Drogba growing up, which has given him a fascination with the London club, this could be one to watch in the months ahead.

Newcastle United head coach Eddie Howe has done a wonderful job since taking over from Steve Bruce during the 2021/22 Premier League campaign.

The Magpies boss led the team to safety in his first season at the club and currently has them competing for a place in a European competition for 2023/24 – sitting sixth in the table.

His excellent coaching work has been supplemented by his superb transfer business, alongside PIF and Dan Ashworth, over the last 13 months or so.

Howe has brought in the likes of Bruno Guimaraes, Sven Botman, Kieran Trippier, and Nick Pope to bolster the squad but has not had a 100% success rate.

One signing who flopped at St. James’ Park was New Zealand international Chris Wood. The forward arrived in a £25m deal from Burnley in January 2022 and failed to make a significant impact in the team.

Newcastle now risk repeating their disasterclass with the attacker as they are reportedly pursuing a swoop to sign Renan Lodi from Atletico Madrid, who is on loan at Nottingham Forest with a £25m option to buy.

How did Chris Wood perform at Newcastle?

The Magpies must learn from their mistake with Wood, who struggled badly in the Premier League for the club, by avoiding a move for the Brazilian left-back.

Two of the centre-forward’s four goals came from the penalty spot and these statistics show that the forward offered very little to the team in possession, with his goal return, his non-existent assists, and woeful passing leading to him being sent out on loan to Nottingham Forest, which has since become a permanent switch.

The warning signs were there for Newcastle as the striker had managed three goals and zero assists, whilst completing 58.6% of his attempted passes, in 17 appearances during the first half of 2021/22 for Burnley.

He must keep his error with Wood fresh in the memory when considering whether or not to go through with a deal for Lodi as the 24-year-old has been less than impressive in the Premier League this season.

The Brazilian defender, who journalist Conor Keane said had a “nightmare” earlier this term, has averaged a Sofascore rating of 6.65 across 17 appearances in the division. He has made 0.5 key passes per game and won 58% of his duels, whilst completing 76% of his attempted passes.

Meanwhile, current Toon left-back Dan Burn has averaged a score of 6.84 and created 0.4 chances per match whilst winning 54% of his battles and completing 79% of his passes.

These statistics do not suggest that Lodi would be an upgrade on Howe’s first-choice left-back and would, if anything, be a downgrade on the Englishman based on their respective performance levels.

Therefore, Newcastle would be running the risk of repeating their Wood blunder by swooping for the Atletico Madrid full-back as the dud has not done enough in the English top-flight this season to suggest that he would be a good addition to the squad, particularly for £25m.

Liverpool have sent scouts to watch RB Leipzig defender Josko Gvardiol ahead of a potential summer move, according to reports.

The Lowdown: Anfield move wanted

Sky Sports reporter Peter Smith name-checked the Reds as one of three Premier League clubs interested in a deal for the 21-year-old, who has a £98m buyout clause included in his contract.

The Croatian has previously admitted that it would be a dream for him to complete a switch to Anfield having watched his admirers ever since he was a child.

Journalist Ben Jacobs also revealed that the centre-back is looking to transition to the top flight, handing Jurgen Klopp yet another boost.

The Latest: Liverpool scout Gvardiol

According to 90min, Liverpool, alongside Manchester City, have both ‘sent scouts’ to watch Gvardiol so that they can keep ‘regular updates’ on their target’s situation.

The Merseyside outfit want to make sure that they ‘remain in the loop’, with a move ahead of next season looking ‘increasingly likely’.

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The Verdict: Massive coup

Gvardiol has been dubbed the ‘Haaland of defenders’ by talent scout Jacek Kulig so it would be a massive coup should Liverpool be able to get a deal for him over the line.

The 6 foot 1 star currently averages 2.5 clearances and 1.4 aerial wins per game in the Bundesliga, highlighting the rock he can be at the heart of a backline (WhoScored).

Leipzig’s standout performer also ranks in the 98th percentile for successful take-ons, showing that he’s more than comfortable stepping out and pushing his team up the pitch.

Gvardiol being a threat at both ends of the field will be an attractive attribute to Klopp, and having made his love for the club publicly known, this could be one to watch in the months ahead.

Transfer expert Graeme Bailey says that Miguel Almiron signing a new contract is a ‘big boost’ for Newcastle United.

The Lowdown: Almiron signs

As confirmed by Newcastle on Friday, Almiron has signed a new three-and-a-half year contract that will keep him at St. James’ Park until 2026.

They note that the Paraguay international is the club’s leading scorer with 10 goals so far in this campaign, and has won the Premier League Player of the Month and Goal of the Month awards for October.

The Latest: ‘Big boost’

Taking to Twitter on Friday morning, Bailey says that Almiron’s new deal is a ‘big boost’ for the Magpies ahead of their Carabao Cup final against Manchester United on Sunday afternoon:

“Big boost for Newcastle on the eve of the League Cup final.

“Miguel Almiron, enjoying his best season in England, is rewarded with a new three-and-a-half year deal.”

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The Verdict: Deserved

Almiron’s new contract is thoroughly deserved off the back of the wonderful season that he is having.

His goals have ensured that the Tynesiders are challenging for a UEFA Champions League qualification spot for next season, while he also ranks highly among his team-mates for average tackles, shots, dribbles and pass success rate per game in the top flight (WhoScored).

Nonetheless, announcing his new deal will only give the team and its supporters a lift going into the final on Sunday, where Almiron will be hoping that he can make the difference and bring the silverware back to the North East.

The 22nd December 2021 happened to be “the best day” in Arsenal youngster Charlie Patino’s life.

Why? Well, the now 19-year-old played for the Gunners senior team for the first time and in the process, rolled home his first goal during a League Cup clash with Sunderland.

It wasn’t quite a coming-of-age story just yet for Patino, but it was a fine glimpse at a player who Mick McCarthy recently suggested would be “very good” in the future.

There has been a great deal of hype surrounding the teenager since his emergence as a genuine star from Arsenal’s Hale End youth factory, with comparisons being made to the likes of Jack Wilshere and Cesc Fabregas.

The youngster has some way to go before he reaches those dizzy heights but there is a feeling within Arsenal that he is now ready to explode at a higher level.

How is Patino doing this season?

This term has been a crucial one in the development of the eye-catching midfielder who was sent out on loan in search of earning precious first-team minutes.

With the pairing of Thomas Partey and Granit Xhaka seeming immovable, Patino was never going to earn a place under Mikel Arteta this term but thanks to his displays at Blackpool, he could become a genuine option at the Emirates Stadium.

The goal for the teen this term was to play around 15 matches, admitted new Tangerines boss, McCarthy. However, he has surpassed everyone’s expectations to feature 28 times in all competitions so far.

Along the way, he has found the net three times, including a strike against Premier League Southampton in the FA Cup, as well as supplying two assists.

There is a lot more to come from an offensive point of view in the coming years but it’s a promising start for someone who has taken to Championship football like a duck to water.

Dubbed a “special talent” by Phil Smith of the Sunderland Echo, it hasn’t all been plain sailing however, with the Blackpool loanee also being given a red card in the defeat to Swansea City last month.

That will serve as a learning curve and is precisely why Arteta didn’t deem him ready for a first-team spot at the beginning of the campaign.

Patino is a wonderfully gifted player from a technical point of view but as a young individual, there will be that inexperience and sometimes the occasional bout of ill-discipline.

At Bloomfield Road, it is down to the 6-foot talent to get that out of his system before truly bursting onto the scene next season.

Will Patino get a chance before Balogun?

All of the hype of late has been about another young Arsenal talent out on loan; Folarin Balogun.

The England U21 international has been one of the most talked about forwards in European football of late, with his 15 goals in 23 outings for Reims in Ligue 1, the joint-highest tally alongside Kylian Mbappe in the entire division.

A player of ruthless and clinical nature in front of goal, a spot for the American-born forward next season could be tricky.

With Gabriel Jesus and Eddie Nketiah in front of him for a lone place leading the attack, a loan spell may well be forthcoming.

However, for Patino, there are two spots he could occupy in Arteta’s starting XI. Either as the sitting midfielder – Partey’s role – or as the more advanced number 8 – Xhaka’s role.

There has, of course, been talk of a move for Declan Rice, but even if the West Ham captain arrives in the summer, there is space for someone of Patino’s ilk to still make an impression.

After such an impressive time out on loan, it would be foolish to ignore him. He has all the qualities to explode in the top flight throughout 2023/24.