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Adam Jones has now dropped some fresh Everton news involving a proposed new contract for Lewis Warrington.

The Lowdown: Contract expiring

Warrington’s current deal at Goodison Park expires in the summer, but the Birkenhead-born midfielder is reportedly in talks over a new one.

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He is currently on loan at Tranmere Rovers in League Two, where he has played 12 games, scoring one goal and providing one assist (Transfermarkt).

The Latest: Talks ongoing

Replying to a fan in a Q&A session for The Liverpool Echo, Jones has now shared that talks are ‘ongoing’ between Warrington and his representatives over a potential new deal, and added that giving him one would make ‘perfect’ sense given his progression this season:

“We believe that talks are ongoing with Lewis and his representatives over a potential new deal – which would make perfect sense after seeing the progression he’s made this season! Frank Lampard could easily be a big fan in the future, we’ll have to wait and see.”

The Verdict: Deserved

Warrington certainly deserves a new contract given his performances for Tranmere this campaign.

The central midfield player has ranked in the top 10 among his new teammates in terms of aerial duels won, tackles, interceptions, clearances, shots, key passes, dribbles, long balls and through balls per game (WhoScored), despite being just 19 years of age.

He has helped the club reach ninth place in the table, where they are just one point off of the play-off places with five games left to play.

Nonetheless, should the worst happen and the Merseyside club end up relegated from the Premier League, they could then use Warrington in the first team to help further his development.

In other news, find out what fresh Allan Saint-Maximin to Toffees update has now been dropped here!

Southampton extended their unbeaten run in the Premier League to four matches as they held the champions Manchester City to a 0-0 draw at the Etihad Stadium on Saturday.

The Saints have not lost a competitive match since the opening day defeat to Everton and now have four points on the board after five games.

Ralph Hasenhuttl’s side gave as good as they got from Manchester City on the day. Whilst the home side took six more shots than the Saints, the visitors managed two shots on target to City’s one, showing how competitive they were in the game.

There were a number of impressive performers for the Saints, but one player whose performance may have gone under the radar was Nathan Redmond.

Keeping a clean sheet away at Manchester City will rightly draw attention to the back four and goalkeeper for being able to keep the likes of Raheem Sterling and Jack Grealish at bay, but Redmond was selected out wide ahead of Nathan Tella and Moussa Djenepo and repaid Hasenhuttl’s faith in him.

The ex-Norwich winger put in a superb display and showed that he can fulfill the defensive side of his duties whilst also carrying an attacking threat in the final third. Defensively, Redmond was excellent for the Saints and helped to limit City’s full-backs going forward.

As per SofaScore, he won 86% of his duels, winning all five of his ground duels and one of his two in the air. He also made three tackles and was not dribbled past once all game. This shows how strong he was in 50-50 battles, proving that he has the defensive nous to provide support for his full-back to ensure that they are not ripped apart by overloads out wide.

Offensively, he also pulled his weight and attempted to win the game for Southampton. As per SofaScore, he completed both of his attempted dribbles, had one shot and created two chances for his teammates to shoot. This shows that he was able to merge a diligent defensive display with creativity going forward, which is why he repaid Hasenhuttl’s faith in him on the day.

Hopefully he will be able to maintain that level of performance throughout the rest of the season whilst chipping in with goals and assists, as he could become a key member of the team if he is able to do so. It is now up to him to keep performing to convince the manager to continue selecting him in the starting XI.

In other news: Semmens must sanction deal for “dangerous” Saints beast, Ralph would be buzzing

Derby County could benefit from Will Hughes’ potential move to Crystal Palace this summer, due to a sell-on clause when he left the Rams.

The Lowdown: Hughes could join Palace

The 26-year-old made a name for himself at Derby as a youngster, scoring 12 goals in 189 appearances and looking a class act in midfield.

He eventually departed for Watford back in 2017 and is now being linked with a summer move to Palace, with new Eagles manager Patrick Vieira eyeing him up after he rejected the offer of a new deal at Vicarage Road.

The Latest: Derby could be boosted by transfer windfall

It turns out that Hughes’ potential move to Selhurst Park could work in Derby’s favour, with The Derby Telegraph reporting that the Rams’ 15% sell-on clause for the midfielder could see them receive a ‘transfer windfall’.

Hughes moved to Watford for £5m four years ago, with the deal potentially rising to £9m if add-ons were triggered. If the latter figure is the eventual cost of any such transfer, the Rams could stand to earn a seven-figure fee due to the sell-on clause.

The Verdict: Financial boost for Rams

Derby find themselves in a tough period in their history both on and off the pitch – they sit 18th in the Championship table after two matches and have endured a horrendous few months in terms of the club’s finances – so this could be a welcome boost for them.

While the money they could receive for Hughes may not be overly substantial, it could help raise much-needed transfer funds for Wayne Rooney before the transfer window shuts, as they look to give themselves the best possible chance of enjoying a successful season.

Everton have had some transfer howlers down the years, particularly when it comes to extortionately overpaying for players.

The Toffees only spent £1.7m this summer but, in years gone by, they have flashed the chequebook significantly.

Whether it was £34m on Alex Iwobi or £23.6m on Davy Klaassen, one does have to wonder sometimes what the thought process behind recruitment is at Goodison Park.

However, in forking out £28m on Romelu Lukaku back in 2014, it most certainly wasn’t a mistake.

Everton decided to gamble on the Belgian after he failed to make the grade at Chelsea first time out but they were aware he could do it in the Premier League.

Lukaku racked up 17 goals during a loan spell with West Brom and that was enough to make Bill Kenwright and co pull the trigger on a seismic deal.

After arriving, the forward became an instant hit in Merseyside, going on to score a mammoth 87 times in 166 outings.

It was at Goodison Park where Lukaku really became a prominent name in football, rolling defenders with ease and unleashing fierce drives towards goal.

The forward had and still has it all. He is quick, strong, an intelligent runner and his touch has improved a great deal since departing the blue corner of Merseyside.

However, during his time with Everton, he was still particularly raw. Lukaku was by no means the finished article but now at the age of 28, he is one of the game’s elite.

After a barnstorming few years, his value has risen astronomically. Everton were able to get £75m for his services when they sold him to Manchester United, raking in a profit of £47m.

This was evidently a masterclass from Kenwright, a man who struck gold to bring him to the club for what ended up looking like such a small fee.

Lukaku didn’t enjoy the best of spells at Manchester United but his swashbuckling style of play eventually took him to Inter Milan, where he became a Serie A champion last season.

His value rose again and now stands at £90m, just a fraction below the jaw-dropping £97.5m that Chelsea paid to re-sign him this summer.

The Belgian attacker is one of the most unique players in world football and Everton can be proud of the work they achieved with him.

They made Lukaku a consistent scorer and ultimately one who has cost £289m, making him the most expensive footballer of all time in cumulative transfer fees.

A salary of £325k-per-week also makes him the highest-paid player in the Chelsea squad. It’s fair to say that he’s done well for himself after leaving Everton.

AND in other news, Everton must unleash “exciting” rarely-seen 18 y/o, he could be another Thierry Small…

A number of Rangers supporters have praised John Lundstam’s first half performance in their Premiership clash with Hibernian.

Steven Gerrard’s side face a key match in the title race, entertaining third-placed Hibs at Ibrox. Rangers know that a win would take them four points clear of their opponents, not to mention overtaking Hearts and returning to the top of the table.

Things didn’t start well for Gerrard’s men, though, with Kevin Nisbet heading Hibs into an early lead to stun the home supporters, giving the visitors a half-time advantage. Despite the interval deficit, Lundstram has been active in the final third and nearly had an assist early in the second half, only for Scott Wright’s shot being blocked down.

Rangers fans react to Lundstram display

Lundstram is someone who did well in the opening 45 minutes, clocking 50 successful passes in the first half alone, and these Rangers fans took to Twitter to hail his “brilliant” performance at Ibrox.

“Lundstram genuinely looks a completely different player these last few games. Playing the CDM role magnificently”

Credit: @TK86_

“Lundstram excellent so far”

Credit: @chr1sbett

“Lundstram class so far again”

Credit: @kieranmcl96

“Lundstram already Man of the Match”

Credit: @C_M286

“Lundstram looking interested”

Credit: @becalmfollowon

“Fantastic tackle Lundstram”

Credit: @RonnieP_77

In other news, some Rangers fans have erupted at Gerrard’s recent comments. Read more here.

Former Everton frontman Marcus Bent has exclusively told The Transfer Tavern that Ben Godfrey could be the key to the Toffees signing Max Aarons.

The 21-year-old, who came close to making a sensational move to Barcelona 12 months ago, has been on Everton’s radar for some time, with the Merseysiders still searching for a long-term Seamus Coleman replacement.

Aaron won’t turn 22 until January but has already racked up almost 150 senior appearances for Norwich and has achieved to promotions and an impressive season at Premier League level.

Wherever Aarons ends up, he’s more than likely to remain in the topflight after helping the Canaries make an instant return.

Two of Everton’s Premier League rivals in Tottenham and Manchester United are both keen on signing the high-rated full-back, but Rafa Benitez’s side have a slight advantage in Aarons’ former Norwich teammate Godfrey.

The pair not only came through the ranks together at Carrow Road but are also teammates at England Under-21 level.

Bent exclusively told The Transfer Tavern:

“He’s a good, young player, and Everton said that if Ben gets in his ear, they might get him. Hopefully, he will come to Everton, but I don’t think he’d want to be second or third choice.”

Rangers have decided not to exercise their recall option on defender Nikola Katic, according to Football Scotland’s Mark McDougall. 

The lowdown

Katic joined Croatian side Hadjuk Split on loan in the summer, having missed the entirety of the title-winning campaign after suffering a cruciate ligament rupture.

The deal included a January recall clause as well as a £3million option to buy.

Rangers are set to be down a centre-back next month with Leon Balogun named in the Nigeria squad for the Africa Cup of Nations.

£1.44million-rated Katic could have offered an experienced option in his absence, having made 59 appearances for The Gers. Indeed, former manager Steven Gerrard described him as a ‘winner and a warrior’.

The latest

“[I] understand Rangers have no plans to recall Nikola Katic in the January transfer window,” McDougall wrote.

The player is expecting to remain in Croatia until the end of the campaign, though he hopes to return to Ibrox thereafter.

Rangers have been so impressed with the performances of Calvin Bassey at centre-back that they don’t see a need to bring Katic back mid-season.

The verdict

Rangers could perhaps come to regret their decision if they’re hit by injuries next month, but it’s an understandable call.

Bassey has now started the last seven Premiership games as a centre-half, and Rangers are on a run of six without conceding a single goal.

He’s been a key part of that, consistently delivering performances that earn a seven out of 10 or better from statistical experts SofaScore.

Katic, who was once compared to Cristiano Ronaldo after an ‘unbelievable leap and an unbelievable header’ in the Old Firm in December 2019, may even find that Bassey’s form shuts the door on the long-term Rangers future he craves.

In other news, could Rangers possibly sign a new CB?

Nottingham Forest are interested in signing £180k rated Newcastle attacking midfielder Elliot Anderson who has been labelled “classy” and “like Peter Beardsley” by Graham Carr.

What’s the talk?

Forest are said to be rivalling QPR and Preston North End for the 19-year olds signature, according to The Mirror, via Football League World.

He has two senior appearances for Newcastle United to his name. With that said, they may want to hold onto him for a little while longer meaning a loan move might be more likely.

Given where Forest sit in the Championship table compared to the others vying for his signature, they should be in pole position.

He is currently on loan at Bristol Rovers in League Two where he has excelled contributing six goals in just 15 appearances for the Pirates, helping Joey Barton’s side in their push for promotion.

A perfect replacement for Johnson

Anderson could be the perfect replacement for ‘prospect’ Brennan Johnson who has been targeted by several Premier League clubs, including Newcastle.

They would be huge shoes to fill with Johnson topping the goal scoring charts at the City Ground this season with 14.

He may have less experience overall, but he is slightly younger than the Reds’ star who only burst onto the scene himself last season.

Forest is also the perfect place when it comes to developing young talents, this season their academy has achieved success by reaching the FA Youth Cup semi-final where they are still yet to face Chelsea.

There are also certain aspects of the game where Anderson is already excelling. When it comes to total shots per 90 minutes he sits on 3.62 compared to Johnson’s 1.96.

One thing his parent club would have to assess is how much game time he would get. If Forest do end up losing Johnson then it would make this move even more likely.

They will also be without striker Lewis Grabban whose contract is up at the end of the season.

As Newcastle have already shown interest in 20-year old Johnson, maybe a deal involving the two could be done. Either way, it can’t be long until we see both players at a higher level than they currently are.

IN other news: Nottingham Forest had a stinker with Nicklas Bendtner…

Celtic winger James Forrest has been pictured back in training ahead of the Hoops’ trip to Hibernian on Wednesday evening.

The Lowdown: Forrest’s absence

Forrest, who missed a large portion of the previous campaign through injury, has been absent under Ange Postecoglou since August.

His last appearance and goal came in a 2-0 win over AZ Alkmaar, with the 30-year-old, labelled as ‘priceless’ by Neil Lennon, missing the last 13 games as a result.

However, it appears as if he could be closing in on a return.

The Latest: Hoops’ under-the-radar post

Celtic posted a training gallery on their official website on Tuesday, however, they didn’t share the images on their Twitter page.

Forrest was pictured in the gallery for preparations against Hibs alongside his Hoops teammates, so it appears as if he could be involved at Easter Road.

The Verdict: Place on the bench?

Postecoglou has relied on summer signings Jota, Liel Abada and even Kyogo Furuhashi out wide with Forrest sidelined, so it would be a big boost if he could be involved in some capacity this evening.

It could still be too soon for a start, however, easing him back into the matchday squad with a place on the bench and a possible cameo appearance may well be the smarter call.

In other news: ‘Ambitious’ Celtic beast wanted by Premier League clubs in the summer may now leave in January. 

According to journalist Alan Nixon of The Sun, writing on his official Patreon, a transfer update has now come out of West Ham United involving Leeds United defensive midfielder Kalvin Phillips.

The Lowdown: West Ham make winter move…

During the January transfer window, David Moyes were at the centre of attempts to sign the 26-year-old, with marquee bids even being lodged for his services.

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Phillips, who partnered current West Ham star Declan Rice at the Euros last summer, is apparently re-attracting the Hammers’ interest as they wish to link the duo at club level.

The Irons, however, are apparently joined in their fondness by Leeds’ arch rivals Man United who have also been heavily linked with a move to sign the Three Lions man.

The Latest: West Ham to return…

According to Nixon, West Ham ‘will try again’ with another bid to sign Phillips after missing out with a ‘£55 million’ approach in January.

In a boost for the Hammers, it is believed that Man United are aren’t actually planning an immediate swoop for the Yorkshireman – potentially clearing their path to Phillips’ door.

The Verdict: Big statement…

It will take a lot to prise away Jesse Marsch’s top asset, but if they manage to reach an agreement, it would be a real statement of intent.

According to WhoScored, when compared to West Ham’s current midfield crop, only Rice has averaged a higher rate of tackles per 90 than Phillips – backing the point he could really partner Moyes’ star to great effect.

He could even come as a major upgrade on Tomas Soucek with the Czech Republic international’s form having been questioned this season.

Described as ‘one of the best midfielders in the world’ last year by teammate Liam Cooper last summer, West Ham could no better for a stellar defensive addition.

In other news: Newman opens West Ham dialogue to sign ‘one of the top’ number eights in Europe! Find out more here.