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Arsenal are poised to offer Rob Holding a new contract, according to the Daily Mirror.

The 23-year-old is currently on the sidelines after sustaining a cruciate knee ligament injury against Manchester United in December.

He had made 16 appearances in all competitions prior to being ruled out and the Gunners were unbeaten in the Premier League when Holding was in the side.

Holding may be out until September but could commit his future to Arsenal in the coming months.

Indeed, the aforementioned report claims that Unai Emery is subsequently keen to reward his displays with a new deal.

Formerly of Bolton Wanderers, the defender has made a total of 60 appearances for the Gunners, and has won five caps for the England Under-21s.

And fans of the club are delighted with the news that Holding could be tied down for the foreseeable future, even though his current contract does not expire until 2023.

Take a look at some of the best Twitter reaction below!

West Ham United manager David Moyes must turn to academy gem Jamal Baptiste after suffering yet another defensive injury blow this week.

The Irons host Croatian champions Dinamo Zagreb in their final Group H match of the Europa League later tonight and they will be looking to maintain their unbeaten run in the competition despite losing Kurt Zouma, to add to the Scot’s woes.

He was already without first-choice centre-back Angelo Ogbonna for the rest of the season, and now the £30m summer signing is out for the foreseeable future too, so it leaves Moyes rather light on options heading into kick-off.

The French colossus was withdrawn early during the win over Chelsea on Saturday. It has since been described as a “massive blow” by football.london reporter Tom Clark.

However, the Hammers have already qualified for the knockout stages, so there is room to manoeuvre and it wouldn’t be worth risking any more injury setbacks to other first-team stars.

It could be wise to hand some valuable minutes to Baptiste, who is widely touted to be one of the club’s most promising youngsters. It would be good to see exactly what he can offer before January strikes, too.

“One of the finest young prospects at the club without any doubt is 15-year-old Jamal Baptiste, who believe me is going to be a monster player in the Issa Diop mould,” claimed former academy chief Terry Westley to Claret and Hugh back in 2019. “I see him as exactly that – the new Issa Diop.”

“He’s got everything, height, power, pace and is already, at such a young age, making a serious impact on the under 23s.”

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Indeed, now at 18 years of age, Baptiste could be in line for an opportunity in the first team, following the devastating injuries to Zouma and Ogbonna.

Over the years, the east London outfit have seen numerous talents emerge through their ranks, of course – most notably one being Declan Rice, whilst Ben Johnson is another fine example.

The 6 foot England U19 international, who has been dubbed ‘the new Rio’ Ferdinand, could be the next in line, should he be given the chance to shine tonight.

Hammers legend Carlton Cole waxed lyrical about the youngster during an appearance on the ‘Irons Inside’ podcast.

After describing him as a “massive prospect”, he added: “He’s going to be the next Anton Ferdinand hopefully or the next Rio, so hopefully we can these boys on the right track and help them transition into being a professional footballer full-time.”

At a desperate time of need and with West Ham already in the next round, there would be little harm in unleashing Baptiste on Dinamo Zagreb at the London Stadium tonight.

AND in other news, ExWHUemployee reveals major West Ham injury update…

Despite taking a point at Stamford Bridge last night, Everton have been struggling to find consistency in the Premier League this season, with just one win and three losses in their last five games, but with so much fan ire directed at Rafael Benitez, is the Spaniard truly to blame?

What’s the story?

Sky Sports journalist, Michael Bridge, has revealed where he believes the problems lie in an interview with Give Me Sport: “I think with Everton, it’s more of a board thing.

“I’m looking at Everton, I’m thinking they have spent money in the past and they’re finding it really hard to get players out.”

Benitez has had speculation mounting on the vulnerability of his position and it has been even reported that the Spanish manager could be replaced by Derby County’s Wayne Rooney.

However, after a draw at Chelsea on Thursday evening with up to 12 players missing from the Everton squad due to an outbreak in the camp and injuries, Benitez should be looking safer in his position than he was after the Toffees’ poor performance against Crystal Palace last weekend.

Is Benitez the issue at Everton?

Everton have spent over £500 million since the arrival of owner, Farhad Moshiri in 2016, with five different managers appointed and the signing of more than 30 players in this time, but absolutely no progress – Everton sit in 14th in the Premier League with only five wins from seventeen so far this season.

The most recent behind the scenes drama at the club was the departure of sporting director, Marcel Brands, after three and a half years with the club. In a statement, Brands made it clear that he and the board had a “difference in the vision” for Everton.

“The board and I agreed that there is a clear difference in the vision and direction for this beautiful club and, with that in mind, the decision was taken.”

The idea that Benitez can be blamed for the demise of Everton this season is hardly fair – the manager has only worked with the club for one transfer window, joining Everton in July 2021 and spending pennies in comparison to his predecessors.

Benitez has also nabbed one of the most cost effective and influential signings for the club in a while, with the addition of Demarai Gray at Goodison Park for just £1.8 million, who has since become a key player in the side’s more successful moments this season.

The 25 year old has scored five goals and bagged two assists so far this term for the Toffees, currently joint top goal scorer for the club alongside Andros Townsend, who was brought into the club on a free transfer by Benitez in the summer.

The connection to Liverpool FC is the clear reason why Benitez is unfavourable for the role in Everton management, which is understandable from a fan perspective, but he is evidently making positive steps forward in ending Everton’s reckless spending and could really benefit from being able to work his magic in the January transfer window, both getting rid of players and bringing in new talent to steer Everton in the right direction in the second half of the season.

In other news: Mason Holgate failed Rafa Benitez v Chelsea

Speaking to GiveMeSport, journalist Dean Jones of Eurosport has made a West Ham United transfer claim involving Sparta Prague striker Adam Hlozek.

The Lowdown: West Ham eye Hlozek…

As widely reported in recent months, the Czech Republic international is a striker West Ham and manager David Moyes have been keeping tabs on as the January transfer window opens for business.

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Indeed, Football Insider claimed just before the new year that the Irons, and by extension recruitment chief Rob Newman, made an early approach for Hlozek to find out what it would take to win the race for his signature.

They believe that Sparta could demand around £16-20 million for West Ham to sign him mid-season with The Daily Mail reporting since then that Hlozek is still firmly on the club’s radar.

Sharing an update, Jones has made a claim to GiveMeSport as he backs their interest further.

The Latest: Jones makes Hlozek claim…

Speaking to GMS, he says that West Ham are ‘definitely’ eyeing a move for the 19-year-old sensation who they like a lot.

However, he also claims his valuation could well be reason why they haven’t made their move yet.

“He is definitely somebody that’s on their radar and they like him a lot,” Jones explained.

“I can’t remember what his value is right now but I think that’s part of the concern of signing him at the moment.”

The Verdict: Get it done?

As West Ham remain in the market for a player who can back up striker Michail Antonio, a move for Hlozek in January comes with both ups and downs.

Lauded as ‘world class’ by his agent Pavel Paska (90min), the teenage hot shot has certainly impressed since the beginning of 2020/2021 – racking up 21 goals and 24 assists in all competitions (Transfermarkt).

These numbers at such a young age highlight his magnificent potential, but one red herring may well be that this comes in a far inferior division to the Premier League.

It remains a point of contention whether he could eventually replicate those numbers in England and there is an argument to be made he is more one for the future than the here and now.

West Ham shareholder Daniel Kretinsky’s ties as co-owner of Sparta, however, could gift the club an advantage in the race for his signature.

We believe a swoop for Hlozek is certainly worth considering even despite the slight drawbacks.

In other news: ‘Tears in my eyes’, ‘Finally’…Many West Ham fans flock to ‘very exciting’ transfer development, find out more here.

Flocking to Twitter, many Southampton fans have been left excited following a big update on the club’s plans to sign Chelsea striker and loanee Armando Broja permanently.

Saints manager Ralph Hasenhuttl has seen the Albania international come on leaps and bounds since his temporary move to the south coast.

Over his 10 Premier League starts for Southampton, Broja has netted five goals whilst proving to be a consistent threat in the final third (WhoScored), drawing praise for his performances at St Mary’s.

This fine form has reportedly resulted in interest from Saints transfer chief Martin Semmens and the club to make his stay a permanent one, but they’re not the only side eyeing a move for the 20-year-old as a ‘string’ of prospective top-flight suitors also take note (Sky Sports).

In a big update, reliable transfer journalist Fabrizio Romano has shared news on the Saints’ plans as the January transfer window slowly draws to a close.

According to his sources, Southampton – seemingly backed by new owners Sport Republic and Serbian-born businessman Dragan Solak – are ‘expected to launch’ a £25m club-record bid to sign Broja before Monday’s transfer deadline. It is believed that the proposal will be ‘submitted soon’, as plenty of Saints fans flock to this update on Twitter.

Southampton fans buzzing…

Signalling a real statement of intent, it’s little wonder so many Southampton fans are buzzing that the club are willing to smash their transfer record in an effort to secure Broja.

The towering Albania international has been a revelation under Hasenhuttl, and tying him down indefinitely would come as a major boost.

Here’s how some Saints supporters reacted to the development:

“absolute scenes if this is true”

Credit: @RichardDyba

“CMOOOON”

Credit: @saintsjwp

“The most comforting thing about this is knowing we actually can spend that much on a player now”

Credit: @AniefiokEkp

“YOOOOOOO”

Credit: @_sfcjay

“If we pull this off, it would make my year and we are less than a month into it!”

Credit: @MattRayB

“25m on one player? We are coming for Europe”

Credit: @fletchsfc

“yes yes yes”

Credit: @summa_symonds

“The best thing about all this is that due to the recent takeover, we can actually spend this. My feeling is it’ll be £25-30m with a buyback of £50-70m dependent on performance. Go and get it done, lads!”

Credit: @Jim_Mack7

In other news: Southampton in pole position to sign ‘very exciting’ attacker as journalist shares news, find out more here.

With Newcastle United’s new owners still searching to appoint a director of football after having Michael Emenalo reportedly turn down an offer from the club, the latest name on their list is apparently Dan Ashworth, who is currently working as Brighton & Hove Albion’s technical director.

Earlier this week, Sky Sports confirmed that Ashworth is of interest for the director’s role at Newcastle, claiming that the Tyneside club have granted permission to speak to the 50-year-old about the position.

Speaking to GIVEMESPORT about the current situation, journalist Keith Downie had this to say on the matter.

He said: “They’re trying to keep their cards close to their chest. I spoke to the consortium yesterday who said they were giving no comment on the Dan Ashworth story.”

Although this update doesn’t reveal much, it should nonetheless be a positive for the Newcastle fans who will no doubt be thrilled after the club’s very public move to hire Unai Emery as Steve Bruce’s successor before appointing Eddie Howe collapsed at the last minute.

Thus, making a more measured and low-key approach to hiring a director of football such as Ashworth would potentially be more beneficial for the club as a whole.

After hiring former Celtic and Reading director Nick Hammond on a short-term deal as a transfer consultant, if Newcastle were able to appoint a full-time director of football before the January transfer window closes, this would surely give the club a big boost in terms of finalising shrewd deals to strengthen Howe’s squad.

Given how Newcastle have only managed to win one of their 18 Premier League games so far this season, drawing seven and losing 10, conceding a total of 41 goals in the process, it’s safe to say Newcastle could do with adding some quality players to their squad as soon as possible, particularly in the defensive areas if they’re going to have any chance of avoiding relegation and having to spend a season in the Championship next year.

If Newcastle don’t end up securing the appointment of Ashworth or any other potential director before the end of January, the pressure will be on the likes of Hammond to do all he can to bring the right players in that he can as well as pressure being on Howe to keep the team in the Premier League.

Unlike their chase of Emery, however, they are at least doing things in the right fashion now. This is a steep learning curve for Amanda Staveley and co but they have clearly taken previous lessons into account. This should leave supporters seeking a brighter future for the football club absolutely thrilled.

In other news: Hammond could save NUFC’s season with “colossal” £24k-p/w beast, “nothing fazes him” – opinion

Southampton failed to continue the solid run of form they were enjoying prior to the recent international break by losing 2-1 to Norwich City at the weekend

What made matters even worse was the injury blow suffered to Stuart Armstrong who picked up a calf injury before the match at the weekend. Thus, it can be argued that something will need to change for the Saints moving forward.

One potential change that manager Ralph Hasenhuttl could make to his team that could revolutionise the side is by unleashing midfielder Will Smallbone.

After recovering from a serious knee injury he suffered back in January, the 21-year-old, who is currently valued at £1.8m according to Transfermarkt, was fit enough to be on the substitutes bench against Norwich, showing just how close he is to getting back into action for the Saints.

As a product of Southampton’s youth academy, Smallbone made his senior debut for the club back in January 2020 in an FA Cup victory over Huddersfield Town, making 52 appearances for the U18 side where he scored six goals and provided seven assists.

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He’s also appeared 44 times for their B team, finding the net on seven occasions and bagging six assists.

In the 14 senior appearances he’s made for Southampton, Smallbone, who has been described by Hasenhuttl in the past as a “smart” player, has managed to score one goal and provide two assists, showing his attacking and creative talents on the pitch.

If Smallbone has now fully recovered from his serious injury, Hasenhuttl should definitely start integrating him into the team gradually so he can get back into the swing of things with the rest of his teammates and potentially make the team more dynamic in an attacking regard, like they needed to be against Norwich. Judging by his performances at youth level, he’s definitely got the ability to transform Hasenhuttl’s offence.

Southampton’s next game seeing them take on Liverpool at Anfield, and while this may not be the right game to stick Smallbone in right from the start, it could be worth giving him some minutes in the second half to get the experience under his belt to see if he can make a difference.

In other news: Big blow: Southampton dealt worrying injury setback that will surely have Ralph gutted – opinion

Jason Burt has said that Fabio Cannavaro is now a candidate for the permanent Everton manager job, alongside both Wayne Rooney and Frank Lampard.

The Lowdown: Hunt ongoing

The hunt to find a new permanent manager at Goodison Park is still ongoing, after Duncan Ferguson was given the job on a temporary basis, with his first game coming at home to Aston Villa in the Premier League at lunchtime.

The likes of Jose Mourinho, Niko Kovac and Lampard have all been linked recently with the vacancy, as it seems that the board have not made their mind up yet over the direction that they want to go in with their appointment.

The Latest: Cannavaro a candidate

As per The Daily Telegraph journalist Burt, Cannavaro has now emerged as a candidate for the job, after holding initial talks with the Merseyside club:

“Conflicting claims as to how Fabio Cannavaro fared in his talks with Everton.

“I am told that not only did he interview well – and speaks good English – but the shortlist may now just be down to him, Wayne Rooney or Frank Lampard.”

The Verdict: Avoid

There is no doubt that Cannavaro had a glittering career as a player, but his managerial CV is not exactly an enticing prospect for Toffees fans.

He has won the Chinese Super League title and Super Cup with Guangzhou Evergrande, but despite over 200 matches of managerial experience under his belt, he has never managed in a top European league before, let alone the Premier League.

At Guangzhou, he was believed to be the ‘protege’ to Marcello Lippi, but his tactics and touchline adjustments were criticised, according to Chinese football expert Zhao Xiaoou (via The Daily Mail).

Nonetheless, it would be a big gamble to hire him, and the board simply cannot afford to get their next appointment wrong.

In other news, find out what manager update has Toffees fuming here!

Nottingham Forest are one of the EFL’s most in form sides having lost just one league game in 2022 with Steve Cooper’s side very much in the picture for a playoff spot come the end of the season.

Having beaten Birmingham City 2-0 at the City Ground on Saturday, the Reds are now third in the Championship table and have an outside shot at sneaking into the automatic promotion places with second place Bournemouth six points ahead with seven games to go.

It’s been a marvellous turnaround for the East Midlands club under Steve Cooper, who has made a colossal impact in the Forest dugout, with the Welshman looking set to lead a side to a top-six finish for the third consecutive season.

The likes of Brennan Johnson, Lewis Grabban, Ryan Yates and Keinan Davis have all been fit and firing over the course of the season. However, Cooper’s talented squad could be further improved with the addition of U23s striker Will Swan who has enjoyed an impressive campaign in Premier League 2.

In the pipeline

21-year-old Swan has scored 12 goals and assisted a further four in 18 appearances for Forest in Premier League 2 this season and is certainly one of the youth setup’s hottest prospects.

The East Midlands outfit sit third in the second division of the Premier League youth league after an impressive campaign with the English striker’s goals a major contributing factor to their success.

Swan has had various loan spells without truly making the grade at Forest yet but the forward will undoubtedly be knocking on the door of Cooper.

The loan signing of Keinan Davis from Aston Villa in January certainly boosted the Welshman’s striking options, but at the same time limited the opportunities that could’ve been handed to Swan.

Although, if Davis isn’t to make his stay at the City Ground permanent in the summer, the 21-year-old could find a clear pathway to the first team next season.

The idea of having a lethal finisher like Swan linking up with the creativity of Brennan Johnson and James Garner would certainly be a mouth-watering concept for Forest fans.

They both have superb technical attributes and that’s where Swan thrives too, with journalist Josh Bunting hailing his “lovely” ability earlier this year.

Whether or not the young striker will be given an opportunity in the near future is yet to be seen though.

In other news: Cost £0, now worth £3.6m: Forest struck gold on “superb” gem likened to “Wolverine”

Tottenham midfielder Oliver Skipp is no closer to making a return from injury, The Evening Standard have reported.

The Lowdown: Skipp’s absence

The 21-year-old had been a regular when fit this season, making 28 appearances in all competitions. However, he hasn’t featured since February due to a groin problem which has ruled him out of Spurs’ last 11 games.

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Antonio Conte was hoping to have the midfielder available for the match against Newcastle following the international break, but that now looks unlikely.

The Latest: Skipp still sidelined

The Evening Standard shared a story on Monday, looking at both Ben Davies and Skipp. The former recently pulled out of the Wales squad as a precaution after feeling tightness in his quad during a 2-1 win over Austria.

He could well make the clash with Newcastle, but the report added that Skipp’s hopes of being fit for the meeting with Eddie Howe’s side on Sunday are ‘all but over’ as he is yet to return to training.

The Verdict: Caution needed

Skipp’s complicated injury is thought to be the result of playing so much football over the past 18 months. Therefore, when the 21-year-old is available for selection, Conte could decide to be careful with the midfielder.

Spurs’ medical chiefs can use Leeds star Patrick Bamford as a perfect example of too much too soon, with the striker suffering a recurrence of a foot problem which will now keep him out for a further six weeks.

Nobody at Tottenham will want that to happen with Skipp, so caution will be required over the coming weeks.

In other news: Journalist now makes Paulo Dybala to Spurs claim