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Everton have struggled in front of goal throughout this season so it is little surprise that they have been linked with Valencia striker Rodrigo in recent days, as per HITC.

The Spanish striker staked his claim for a starting place at this summer’s World Cup with a goal against world champions Germany on Friday night, as the Iberians continue their search for a potent and prolific frontman to really make the most of their mesmerising passing play.

The striker, valued at £22.5m by Transfermarkt, has 16 goals in all competitions this season and if he continues that form between now and the end of the season, he will have a great chance of being the first choice striker, given the relative struggles of Alvaro Morata and Diego Costa.

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His performance on Friday suggested that Sam Allardyce should intensify his interest in a man who doesn’t appear to need many touches of the ball to make an impact.

As it has to be in this Spanish side, his linkup play was reliable, with a pass success rate of 85 per cent. Everton play a contrasting style but Allardyce will want his frontmen to be adept at bringing others into play and in order to start for Spain, Rodrigo has to do that.

He even mucked in at the other end of the pitch, with one clearance. He had just 29 touches, but when his opportunity came – his only shot of the match – he made it count and it is that clinical finishing that Everton have so sorely lacked this season.

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He also had a brief loan spell with Bolton back in 2011, so Rodrigo is not an absolute stranger to English football. That’s another plus point and if he does start for Spain and perform well in the summer, his stock will be high.

Everton would do well to get in there early.

There have only been a small handful of occasions in which Southampton have resembled anything close to a functional side this season, and you have to wonder how much that is due to the systems the Saints have been using.

Mauricio Pellegrino collected his fair share of critics by sticking with 4-2-3-1, which convinced Mark Hughes to attempt a bold 4-4-2 setup during his first Premier League game in charge of the south coast outfit – resulting in a 3-0 defeat to relegation rivals West Ham.

With that experiment backfiring completely, we laid out four potential solutions to Southampton’s formation dilemma earlier this week – sticking with 4-4-2, modifying it into a diamond midfield, returning to 4-2-3-1 or swapping to a 3-4-3 – and asked Saints fans to vote for their preferred setup.

3-4-3 and the diamond midfield proved the most popular options, but perhaps the most notable consequence of our poll was that just 9% of Southampton fans believe sticking with 4-4-2 will result in the club’s top flight survival.

How would you line up Hughes’ side against Arsenal this weekend? Let us know by commenting below…

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Ever Banega was instrumental as Sevilla knocked Manchester United out of the Champions League in the round of 16 but was not able to have the same impact in the next round.

Bayern Munich proved capable of squeezing the life out of the Spanish side, winning out 2-1 on aggregate after a 0-0 home draw in the tie’s second leg on Wednesday.

The Argentine, valued at £10.8m by Transfermarkt, is a classy deep playmaker who can shuttle the ball very effectively from side to side and has shown again this season that he can hold his own in the most refined company in the Champions League.

With Liverpool still looking for a holding midfielder and doubts swirling about the future of Emre Can, maybe it is time for Jurgen Klopp to look in a slightly different direction and go for a calmer influence at the base of midfield to compliment his high-tempo other midfield options.

With 4 key passes and 5 dribbles from the game against Bayern, as he looked to help his side get back into the tie, he has shown that he is capable of having an impact against top class midfielders.

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He was not constantly on the ball or always accurate, but that risk and willingness to make something happen is something that is bound to appeal to Klopp.

It would be a diversion from his usual transfer strategy, but Banega could just add another dimension to the Liverpool midfield.

We’re only days away from one of the biggest Celtic games of the season as they prepare to do with battle with eternal rivals Rangers at Hampden in the Scottish Cup semi-final.

Victory will be a major step on the road to a potential second successive treble of domestic trophies, making Brendan Rodgers and his team legends in the history of the football club.

One of the key decision that Rodgers has to make on Sunday is who he should play as striker, with Leigh Griffiths scoring against Hamilton recently to remind everyone he is back, fit and ready to go.

In contrast, Moussa Dembele looked well below his best in that game, leading some to suggest that it should be Griffiths who starts against the Light Blues.

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However, with a record of six goals in eight derby appearances, is Dembele still the stick on choice to lead the line at Hampden?

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Many Celtic fans think so, believing the Frenchman is still the man to get the job done.

They took to Twitter to share their thoughts on it all…

Kevin Friend has been appointed to officiate Manchester United and Arsenal’s Premier League clash this weekend, which could well end up being the last time Arsene Wenger faces the Red Devils and one of his most bitter rivals in Jose Mourinho.

And Friend has proved himself a referee of curious contradictions this season, at least compared to the rest of the 20 referees to work in the Premier League throughout 2017/18. Ranking in the bottom two for fouls per game, fouls per tackle and yellow cards per game, at first glance Friend is the kind of referee who allows physical challenges, wants the game to flow and shies away from making controversial decisions.

But that only represents a false sense of security for Arsenal and United, because Friend has awarded a staggering eight penalties during his 18 top flight outings this season. In fact, if the two referees to officiate one game apiece are taken out of the equation, he averages the most penalties per match of any Premier League official. Indeed, it seems that while Friend is usually prepared to let plenty go, different rules apply inside the penalty box.

Arsenal and United must be aware of that this weekend, but Friend has another statistical quirk that should breed confidence into the Old Trafford camp. It’s no secret that United often get the rub of the green from referees when playing on their own patch – well, that effect could be doubled or tripled this weekend, because no Premier League referee this season has a higher home win bias than Friend’s 61%.

Worrying news for the north Londoners, who also have a mixed record when Friend is in charge. While he oversaw their 2-0 win over Brighton back in October without awarding the Gunners a single yellow card, he was also in charge for the 2-1 defeat to Bournemouth. For United, meanwhile, this will be their first Premier League clash this season with Friend donning the whistle.

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Everton fans are mercilessly bashing Yannick Bolasie, after the winger put in yet another woeful performance against Southampton on Saturday.

Yannick Bolasie’s Everton career has been pretty miserable so far, and it’s probably best he stay off social media for a while after Saturday’s showing.

The 28 year-old winger was an exciting addition when he joined the Toffees, but he has barely had a chance to showcase his dazzling skill set due to a lengthy injury layoff.

Since returning to the side this year, the DR Congo international has made virtually no impact in the final third, not something fans expect from a £25million signing.

Bolasie’s only goal of the season was a consolation strike in the 3-1 loss to Manchester City, and he struggled massively in Saturday’s 1-1 draw with Southampton.

The 28 year-old was hauled off after 45 minutes, having managed just 19 touches in the first half, completing zero dribbles, one cross, and just five passes.

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If fans were annoyed by his lack of end product before, they certainly aren’t pulling any punches about a £25m winger completed just five passes in 45 minutes, and some of the best Twitter reactions can be found below…

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According to The Sun, Liverpool could land Juventus midfielder Sami Khedira this summer, with Emre Can moving in the opposite direction.

Can will be out of contract at Anfield at the end of the season, and the German midfielder has been strongly linked with a move to the Italian champions.

During the negotiations, Liverpool have reportedly been made aware that Khedira could be available at the end of the campaign.

The World Cup winner recently hinted that he would be open to a move to the Premier League, and it is certainly worth noting that his current Juventus deal expires next summer.

According to The Sun, Liverpool are seriously considering a move for Khedira as they look to boost their squad for the 2018-19 campaign.

Khedira, who has won league titles in Germany, Spain and Italy, is also believed to be a transfer target for Manchester United.

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The Liverpool fans have been reacting to the transfer report, and it would be fair to say that they are split when it comes to whether the German would be a good signing.

A selection of the Twitter reaction can be found below:

Newcastle United owner Mike Ashley could be forced to give manager Rafa Benitez what he wants in terms of money to spend this summer following rumoured interest in the Spaniard from Premier League rivals West Ham United.

The former Real Madrid and Liverpool boss will be determined to get the budget that he needs to take the Tyneside outfit to the next level, following an impressive 10th-place finish in their first season back in the top flight.

While they enjoyed a successful campaign, they did lack quality at times – see the four successive defeats they suffered after they had preserved their top flight status for at least another 12 months – and the 58-year-old will want to bring some quality players to St James’ Park this summer in order for the Magpies to be competing for European football.

Burnley showed that is a realistic aim by qualifying for the Europa League with a seventh-place finish this term, but with the likes of Everton, West Ham United, Leicester City and Southampton sure to get stronger this summer, there could be a lot more competition for that spot during the 2018/19 campaign.

With investment they can do it though, but the Sports Direct tycoon needs to give Benitez the money to bring players who may not come on the cheap to the club, and it is something that the St James’ Park faithful are demanding he does on Twitter.

Here are three marquee signings Ashley must make to take Newcastle to the Europa League…

Benitez hinted ahead of the January transfer window that he would love to bring the Brazilian, who says he was watching Newcastle’s games in recent months with his Chelsea teammate Kenedy on loan at St James’ Park, to Tyneside.

The 31-year-old has fallen out of favour with Antonio Conte this season and with just one year remaining on his contract with the west London club, he could be on his way out this summer even if the Italian manager goes.

Able to play as a centre-back or in midfield, Luiz would bring some real quality and know-how to the spine of this slightly inexperienced Magpies side.

The Iran international has enjoyed a stunning season for AZ Alkmaar in the Eredivisie, and it would be a huge shock if he is still playing his football with them next term.

The versatile 24-year-old forward, who primarily plays on the right wing but can also play on the left and as a striker, has scored 22 goals and provided a further 14 assists for AZ in 39 appearances in all competitions.

The attacker has the quality to make a real impact for Newcastle in the final third next season, and that is exactly what they need having only scored 39 goals in their 38 Premier League matches.

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With Aleksandar Mitrovic likely to leave and Joselu failing to impress or put in performances that suggest he is ever going to be a regular goalscorer for Newcastle, the Tyneside outfit are left with Dwight Gayle.

There is no doubt that one of Benitez’s main priorities this summer will be to bring a new centre-forward to St James’ Park, and he should look to make a big move for FC Porto’s Vincent Aboubakar.

The Cameroon international is quick, strong and skilful, and he scored 26 goals in 43 appearances in all competitions for the Portuguese club this season, with five of those coming in six Champions League outings.

Do you agree, Magpies fans? Let us know below.

As reported by The Sun, Tottenham Hotspur are interested in signing Colombian midfielder Wilmar Barrios this summer.

What’s the story?

If Tottenham Hotspur are finally going to reach their potential as a team that can compete for the English Premier League title next season then they need a strong summer transfer window.

There’s work to be done to Mauricio Pochettino’s squad, with the central midfield areas likely a priority after a middling 2017/18 in that department.

One player that could be arriving in London is Boca Juniors man Wilmar Barrios.

That’s according to The Sun, who say the enforced is on Pochettino’s transfer wishlist, with the Argentinian set to scout him at this summer’s World Cup in Russia.

The paper say that Spurs are weighing up a £25m offer, which could spell the end for players like Victor Wanyama and Eric Dier, who perform similar defensive roles in the heart of Pochettino’s midfield.

Who is he?

Signing for Boca Juniors from his homeland in 2016, the 24 has gone on to make almost 50 appearances for Argentinian giants and has emerged as one of the most effective defensive midfielders in the top-flight.

Averaging three successful tackles and three interceptions every match, according to WhoScored.com, it’s clear he’s a player who isn’t afraid to get stuck in.

Those are averages higher than every player in the Tottenham squad currently, demonstrating that Barrios can add a new physicality and aggression to Pochettino’s midfield.

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The fact he is a compatriot of the highly-rated Davinson Sanchez is another bonus, with the development of the central defender key for Spurs over the next few seasons.

Also affordable at the reported £25m, he’s a player that ticks plenty of boxes for Spurs this summer and they should move quickly to ensure a stand-out World Cup doesn’t interfere with their intentions to sign him.

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Barcelona’s Dutch international goalkeeper Jasper Cillessen has joined Jan Oblak and Alisson on the Liverpool’s shortlist to replace Loris Karius, according to Mundo Deportivo. 

What’s the story, then?

The report claims that the 39-cap stopper is the third man on the list of names to replace the German who endured a nightmare evening in the 3-1 Champions League final defeat at the hands of Real Madrid.

It goes on to say that Barcelona do not necessarily want to sell the Dutchman but his 60m euro (£52.5m) release clause makes him a viable option, and that he wants to play more in order to retain his international place.

The report also says that Oblak has a 100m euro (£87.5m) release clause, meaning that Cillessen would be a more affordable alternative at £35m less.

Cillessen is more affordable than Oblak

When sums such as £87.5m are being quoted for a goalkeeper upgrade, there must be cheaper alternatives on the market.

Cillessen, 29, is an experienced goalkeeper with international pedigree, also used to the pressure that comes with being at an elite club and with a point to prove to stay in the Holland team after a period on the substitutes bench at Barcelona.

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Liverpool are going to find prices bumped up in pursuit of an upgrade after Karius’ high-profile gaffes against Real Madrid so a set release clause may be something of a blessing; this deal may just make sense.

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