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Newcastle United have enjoyed great success in the transfer market since PIF completed their takeover of the club and were able to invest in the squad over the last three windows.

The likes of Bruno Guimaraes, Alexander Isak, Kieran Trippier, and Sven Botman are just a few of the roaring successes to come from the owners' investment, which has led to the club sitting third in the Premier League as it stands.

However, maintaining a perfect transfer record is difficult for any club, no matter the finances involved, and the Magpies have had a few underwhelming signings in the PIF era.

How has Matt Targett performed for Newcastle?

One player who has not kicked on as some may have expected him to has been left-back Matt Targett after his £15m move to the club from Aston Villa last summer.

The English defender enjoyed an excellent spell on loan at St. James' Park in the second half of last season as he averaged a WhoScored rating of 6.99 across 16 appearances in the Premier League.

His form was rewarded with a permanent transfer and four-year contract with the Magpies but the ex-Southampton man's displays have been less than convincing since then.

Earlier this year, Eddie Howe described the defender as being "unfortunate" and a "victim" of the success of the team but, put simply, the left-back's performances when he has been given a chance to impress have left him with little chance of breaking into the team.

The 27-year-old has averaged a WhoScored rating of 6.40 across 14 outings in the top-flight for Newcastle this season, with Dan Burn – who has started 31 times – being preferred ahead of him from the start for the majority of the campaign.

Targett has gone from creating 1.2 chances per game in 2021/22 to 0.6 in the current term, along with his 4.2 tackles and interceptions dropping to 1.5.

How much is Matt Targett worth?

The full-back's disappointing showings in the Premier League in 2022/23 have led to his market value dropping significantly.

CIES Football Observatory value him at around €5m (£4m) with that indicating the Magpies have a depreciating asset on their hands, rather than one that is rising in value with the potential to make them a profit in the future.

They invested £15m to sign the defender from Aston Villa and his plummeting valuation coupled with a worrying lack of quality performances on the pitch suggest that they are unlikely to see much of that initial investment back if they decide to part ways with him in the near future.

Therefore, Newcastle dropped a clanger with their deal to sign the £100k-per-week enforcer, given the lack of return – from a footballing and financial perspective – on the signing so far. Indeed, the owners will want to focus on bringing in more players like Guimaraes and Isak, rather than repeating their apparent error with Targett.

Everton, few would argue, are one of the worst ran clubs in the Premier League. Since Farhad Moshiri's acquisition, a club that was upheld for many years by David Moyes has slowly regressed amidst increased investment, as managers and players alike have rinsed the club and left for nothing.

This marked a stark alteration from the years preceding the Iranian's arrival alongside Bill Kenwright, where they would instead forge top assets only to sell as soon as the price became tempting.

One statement that the Chairman once made still brings frustration to Evertonians to this day, given their trophy drought and subsequent failures, as the 77-year-old smugly claimed: "One very famous football club said to me two or three days ago 'whenever we have a problem we say 'what would the Everton board do because they always get it right?'"

What would Everton do? Well, languishing outside of the relegation zone on goal difference, as the only team not to make a signing in January despite the £45m sale of their star academy graduate, it is a question that still needs to be answered.

Tracing back through the depressing archives, numerous failed transfers crop up with each season that passed by. However, perhaps one of the most surprising failures was the £11m acquisition of Ashley Williams, who promised solidity but delivered anonymity.

How much did Ashley Williams' value drop?

Such a low fee for such an experienced player made this deal seemingly foolproof, but the former Swansea City centre-back would not translate his prior qualities into Merseyside. This made his £70k-per-week deal all the more costly.

Just 73 appearances for the Toffees led to his eventual exit in 2019 on a free, having been challenged from all directions for his poor displays.

Journalist Ben Marlow even claimed that he: "Thought he would be great for us but turned out to be a total liability. Awful defender".

Despite that, and the consensus of the fanbase likely supporting that view, Sofascore suggested that his time in Royal Blue was not as woeful as it might have seemed.

The 38-year-old's debut campaign at Goodison Park saw him record an average Sofascore rating of 7.13, upheld by a mammoth 7.9 clearances per game. However, that would drop dramatically in the season after, where a 6.84 rating was more appropriate.

What exacerbates the steady decline of the defender more than anything is the drop in valuation. From his initial £11m transfer fee, this would plummet by a depressing 84% to only €2m (£1.7m) just two years later, as per Transfermarkt, before the Wales international would depart for nothing.

Many have signed for Everton in recent years for big money, and with big reputations, yet very few have lived up to their promises. Williams in particular boasted the latter, which made his lack of impact and rapid decline particularly frustrating for Moshiri.

Tottenham Hotspur are a club in disrepute at the moment, left reeling not only by the dismissal of Antonio Conte but the recent news that their director of football, Fabio Paratici, has been banned from football.

It is a scandal that threatens to completely derail the Lilywhites, with journalist Jack Pitt-Brooke reporting on just how embarrassing this sequence of events had been.

He questioned whether players would even want to join the circus in the summer with the Italian still on board, whilst also claiming that many staff were left wondering how he had retained his job at all.

Perhaps if chairman Daniel Levy had shown this kind of loyalty to some of his previous managers he might have tasted the success that he so desperately craves for his club.

Whilst that is the most newsworthy matter at the moment, Spurs are still without a permanent head coach and cannot really afford to get this next one wrong.

The list that has presented itself is filled with some sparkling managerial talent, but arguably the outstanding option has only come available in recent weeks.

With Bayern Munich's surprise decision to sack Julian Nagelsmann, the German shot to the top of potential candidates to take the vacant hot seat in N17. With his youth and brilliant tactical mind, he could provide some much-needed parity and a fresh slate for the coming seasons.

Would Julian Nagelsmann join Spurs?

Spurs are in need of a revival, having tread down the path of ageing trophy-winners with little success.

So Levy must turn to the free-thinking 35-year-old who prioritises man-management could be exactly what is needed. He famously noted: "Thirty per cent of coaching is tactics, 70 per cent social competence."

With a squad clearly lacking in confidence, the former RB Leipzig boss could finally get these players, who do possess vast quality, actually play to their potential.

That's not to suggest he is not a keen tactician too, with a philosophy that aims to narrow the pitch and give his side the edge in small-sided midfield battles. There must be a reason why journalist Rory Smith included him as part of a current "world-class group" of coaches present at the moment.

Although dismissed from the Bavarian giants, Nagelsmann did leave with three trophies under his belt including the Bundesliga title. He achieved his goal of attaining silverware, but it will likely not quench his thirst for more. Perhaps he could seek to translate that need for more to Spurs.

This comes after claiming: "I want to win trophies here" upon first being appointed.

Levy needs someone with this hunger, and amidst all the confusion surrounding them, this particular boss could be one of the few who could actually resurrect a stalling club.

Leeds United face a tough challenge against one of their relegation rivals in Wolverhampton Wanderers at the weekend and will be without Tyler Adams.

What has happened to Tyler Adams?

The American midfielder is now set to miss the game on the weekend at Molineux as a result of a hamstring injury which has been sustained during a training session at Thorp Arch.

The injury is also set to see the American miss the upcoming international break which would've seen him jet off to Grenada.

However, the young prospect Archie Gray could potentially return to the fold this weekend having only been included in the first-team squad twice in the league this season (via Transfermarkt).

And speaking on his latest podcast, journalist Phil Hay has suggested the 17-year-old could be a player that Javi Gracia could look towards to fill the void left by Adams:

"He certainly seems to be fit enough to be included. And going back to pre-season now and also the U21s games that he's featured in, he's looked massively talented when we've seen him. But it's a big ask, isn't it?"

Could Archie Gray start against Wolves?

Firstly, it is worth mentioning that Gray is still yet to earn his debut for the Leeds senior side having only played across the U18 and U21 levels.

However, he is a player who has been hailed as a prospect to keep an eye on over recent years with Sky Sports' Jamie Redknapp tipping him for a bright future:

“Archie Gray, 15 years of age, has travelled with the Leeds squad today. He is going to be a tremendous young player, from the famous Gray family,” he said back in 2021.

And he is a player who has been a part of the senior squad before having made numerous matchday squads under the likes of Marcelo Bielsa and Jesse Marsch.

Gray's season has, however, been interrupted through injury which has meant he has only played five games in the Premier League 2 for the U21s (via Transfermarkt).

He did return in recent weeks and play 45 minutes against Derby County's U21s but he is still yet to break into the senior side despite training with them regularly.

And in his recent press conference, the Spanish manager admitted the 17-year-old is a player who will come into consideration ahead of Saturday's clash.

Although it feels unlikely that Gray will be dropped straight into a first-ever start, it will be interesting to see if he is at least provided his senior debut with Adams missing from the side.

Liverpool are keen on signing young Benfica centre-back Antonio Silva, but face stiff competition for his services, according to a recent transfer report.

The Lowdown: Silva rumour emerges

The 19-year-old has emerged as an exciting player in Portugal, already becoming a key man for Benfica and starting 17 Primeira Liga games this season.

Not only that but he also started all six of their Champions League group stages matches, averaging 4.2 clearances per game and an 89.8% pass completion rate in the competition.

Silva has been linked with a move to Liverpool in recent days and now a further update has swiftly emerged.

The Latest: Liverpool face competition

According to Football Transfers, Silva is indeed on the Reds’ list of centre-back targets this summer, as Jurgen Klopp looks to boost his options in that area. Goncalo Inacio, Josko Gvardiol and Jarrad Branthwaite are also mentioned as potential targets.

The teenager’s current Benfica deal doesn’t expire until the summer of 2027, so a sizeable fee is likely to be required to prise him away, with Chelsea and Manchester United also mentioned in the report.

The Verdict: Massive prospect

There is no question that Liverpool need a new centre-back this summer, with one of Joe Gomez or Joel Matip potentially moving on, according to reports.

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In Silva, the Reds could have the perfect option to bring in, with the two-time capped Portugal international already a key figure at a big club but also a long-term acquisition.

Liverpool legend Jamie Carragher has said that Silva is ‘going to be a superstar’ and he could be viewed as Ibrahima Konate’s defensive partner once Virgil van Dijk eventually moves on.

He also appeared once at the 2022 World Cup, winning two aerial duels, showing that he is already breaking onto the world stage, despite his tender years.

Manchester United are set to rival both Arsenal and Chelsea in the race to sign Inter Milan forward Lautaro Martinez, Football Insider report.

The Lowdown: Striker shortage

Erik ten Hag only has just two senior centre-forward options on the books at Old Trafford at this moment in time, one of which is loanee Wout Weghorst. There is no option to make a move for Weghorst permanent in the summer, whereas Antony Martial has missed large parts of the season trough injury.

That has resulted in Marcus Rashford moving in from the left to a more central role from time to time, but the England international has been starring on the wing so the manager really needs to find a focal point for him to play off of.

The Latest: Martinez update

FI reporter Pete O’Rourke shared a story regarding Martinez in the last 48 hours, claiming that Martinez is on the wanted list at Old Trafford.

United look set to battle Chelsea and Arsenal for the World Cup winner, who ‘would be very keen on a potential move to the Premier League at the end of the season’.

O’Rourke added that a fee in the region of £70m-£80m would be enough for Martinez’s services.

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The Verdict: Get it done

Martinez has contributed to 120 goals in 212 appearances for Inter Milan and is still just 25 years of age, so you could argue that he is about to enter the peak years of his career. Lionel Messi has also hailed the player as “spectacular”, with Martinez contributing to 22 goals in 31 games during the current campaign.

He has been Inter’s best-performing player this season with a match average rating of 7.28/10, as per WhoScored, a score which outperforms every United player apart from Bruno Fernandes.

Therefore, you could say that Martinez and Fernandes could form a frightening duo in Manchester next season, with Rashford able to continue his fine form on the left-hand side, so hopefully, a transfer will gather pace over the coming months.

Tottenham Hotspur could make a late deadline day move for Roma forward Nicolo Zaniolo, according to reports.

The Lowdown: Spurs linked with Zaniolo…

Even after the signing of Netherlands international Arnaut Danjuma on loan from Villarreal, there has been talk of Spurs potentially making a return move for Zaniolo.

The Italy midfielder has been linked with a move to north London and the Premier League throughout the January transfer window as Antonio Conte seeks to strengthen Tottenham’s top-four charge.

Zaniolo has apparently been asking to leave the Stadio Olimpico, according to his manager Jose Mourinho, and it appears that Spurs among other clubs who could offer him a way out.

The Latest: Tottenham could try one last move…

According to Italian newspaper La Repubblica (via Sport Italia), the Lilywhites could ‘try one last’ attempt to sign the 23-year-old but face stern competition before the transfer deadline.

Both RB Leipzig and Leeds are also thought to hold an interest in Zaniolo leading up to 11pm and Roma only want a ‘definitive formula’ – presumably meaning a permanent deal.

The report adds that the player himself is eager to find a solution by tonight.

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The Verdict: Right man?

It’s been a long time coming for Spurs to try and fill the void left by former playmaker Christian Eriksen, with some members of the media believing that Zaniolo could be the player to do just that.

The Serie A gem, who was once tipped to emulate the likes of Frank Lampard and Steven Gerrard, has also been called a ‘Conte sort of player’ by members of the Sky panel in recent weeks.

As per WhoScored, he certainly carries a threat when at his best, having averaged a higher rate of completed take-ons per 90 than any other Roma player in the Italian top flight last season.

Zaniolo has also been described by members of the press as having ‘amazing ability’,  and former Spurs goalkeeper Paul Robinson claimed that the ex-Inter man could be another ‘steal’ from Italy for the club in the mould of Dejan Kulusevski or Rodrigo Bentancur.

As the clock ticks down towards 11pm, with Zaniolo apparently eager to leave the Italian capital, Roma could be forced to whittle down their asking price in negotiations, which is thought to be around £26.5m.

We believe it is a transfer which could be quite viable from a Spurs perspective, but the clock is ticking, and Conte’s side must now move quickly.

Manchester City are unlikely to make any more new signings before the end of the January transfer window, according to reports.

The Lowdown: After Perrone

The Premier League giants confirmed the arrival of Velez Sarsfield midfielder Maximo Perrone on Monday evening, with the 20-year-old putting pen to paper on a five-and-a-half-year contract.

The Argentinian is the only fresh face to have walked through the doors of the Etihad Stadium so far this month, with Pep Guardiola having admitted in December that his side’s winter business would likely be kept to a minimum.

The Blues, however, have recently been linked with a move for AC Milan forward Rafael Leao, with the report suggesting that Joao Cancelo could be offered in return for a swap deal, though that doesn’t appear to be the case.

The Latest: City’s transfer plan unveiled

According to Manchester Evening News, City have ‘no major first-team additions planned’, with Perrone’s £8.2m deal ‘likely to be the biggest’ that the club do this month.

The source states that some ‘outgoing loan deals in the academy’ could be sanctioned, but in terms of the senior team, Guardiola is set to ‘stick with the same squad’ he’s had for the first half of the 2022/23 campaign.

The Verdict: Correct decision

City are five points off current league leaders Arsenal in the table, and whilst the title may be out of reach if they can’t overcome the Gunners in their head-to-heads, the decision not to splash any more cash is the right one.

Erling Haaland has made a huge difference in the final third, scoring 25 of City’s 53 goals this season, so they definitely aren’t lacking any kind of prolific form.

The Sky Blues also don’t have any long-term injuries where replacements would need to be found and have sufficient squad depth available to them.

Captain Ilkay Gundogan will be out of contract at the end of the season, but identifying a successor for him should he not extend his stay is more a job for the summer.

West Ham United are chasing AS Monaco defender Axel Disasi, with other Premier League clubs also interested, according to a new report.

The Lowdown: West Ham target defender

West Ham have encountered some trouble in defence this season, with Nayef Aguerd only managing to make two Premier League appearances due to an ankle injury, requiring surgery back in July.

Kurt Z0uma has had fitness concerns of his own, also requiring surgery to resolve an injury back in November, and he is yet to return to first-team action, so David Moyes could definitely do with another option at the heart of defence.

The Latest: Chasing Disasi

According to a report from the Daily Mail, the Hammers are chasing Disasi, who is also being targeted by the likes of Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester United this month.

Multiple top-flight clubs are said to be tracking the defender, however it seems as though Man United could be leading the race at present, given that they have already had negotiations with Monaco.

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The Verdict: Get it done?

Football scout Jacek Kulig has detailed that the ‘complete’ centre-back is also able to play at right-back, which would be a big boost for West Ham at the moment, given the recent criticism that Thilo Kehrer has faced.

Not only that, but Kulig likens the 24-year-old to Virgil van Dijk, high praise indeed, but justified given that he thrives in aerial situations, averaging more aerials won per 90 than Zouma and Craig Dawson over the past year.

While the Irons’ current league position is unlikely to make them the most attractive proposition for the defender out of the available options, they should continue to monitor the situation, as his presence in the air means he would undoubtedly be an improvement on the current defensive options at the club.

Arsenal have reportedly triggered a clause in Charlie Patino’s contract to extend his stay at the north London club. 

The Lowdown: Patino’s career so far

Having worked his way through the Gunners’ youth ranks, Patino joined Blackpool on a season-long loan during the summer transfer window. Since then, the 19-year-old has made 18 appearances for the Tangerines across the Championship and the Carabao Cup, scoring two goals and delivering two assists in the process.

With reports suggesting that the midfielder has started to attract interest from a range of clubs, the Gunners have made moves behind the scenes move in an effort to dismiss any uncertainty regarding Patino’s future.

The Latest: Arsenal trigger Patino contract clause

Taking to Twitter on Saturday morning, Goal journalist Charles Watts shared an update on the matter.

He revealed: “Charlie Patino’s contract clause has now officially been triggered. Deal was due to expire in the summer, but now extended until 2025, but not on fresh terms.

“Talks will now have to take place over new and improved long-term deal amid widespread interest from elsewhere.”

The Verdict: Smart move from Arsenal

Along with his goals and assists, the teenager has shown during his time at Blackpool what he’s capable of producing.

Patino has the joint-highest rate of goals per shot (0.67) and the joint-highest number of progressive passes (48) at the Championship club. From a defensive point of view, he has the third-highest number of recoveries (105) and the fifth-highest combined total of tackles and interceptions (44).

Described by Blackpool media officer Sean McGinlay as an “exciting” signing for the Tangerines in August, it’s safe to say that moving away from Arsenal on loan to get some regular senior action has benefited the player and indeed his temporary club.

Taking all of that into account, we feel that triggering this clause in Patino’s contract is a smart move by the Gunners, who should definitely focus on offering him a new and improved deal to show how much they want to keep hold of him.