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Liverpool currently have no concrete interest from parties looking to buy Fenway Sports Group’s share at the club, according to football finance expert Dave Powell.

The Lowdown: FSG sale?

It was reported back in November by The Athletic that Fenway Sports Group (FSG) had put Liverpool up for sale after buying the club for £300m in 2010, with the Premier League club in severe financial difficulties at the time.

However, the Daily Mail recently reported that FSG are no longer interested in a full-scale sale of the club, with US investment firm RedBird Capital Partners even considering increasing their stake in the Reds after the group previously paid £533m for an 11% stake in FSG back in 2021.

The Latest: No interested parties

These developments may have come as a result of little concrete interest from outside parties to buy FSG’s stake in Liverpool.

Speaking on the Blood Red YouTube channel, finance guru Powell claimed there are currently no offers on the table and that FSG’s future level of investment in the summer window – and potentially beyond – could be telling of their intentions regarding the club.

He said: “What I’ve been told repeatedly by people who would know, nobody has shown their hand, nobody has come to the table, nobody has said, ‘here’s x amount of money for the football club’.

“There’s been no high-level discussion held as yet. If anything, FSG were kind of fighting a few fires in Boston in December, so LFC sale focus hasn’t really been at the top of their agenda; it’s something which they’re exploring.”

“It would be hard to make a case for them to still be competitive owners if they weren’t to make any significant investment this summer, because it’s quite obvious that this is a Liverpool team in dire need of investment in key areas that will be expensive, and it needs the bill footing, so the summer will be very, very telling.”

The Verdict: Telling summer?

As Powell alluded to at the end, the Reds have a massive summer window coming up that will likely see an overhaul of the squad given Liverpool are currently in 10th place in the league. In fact, they are as close to the relegation zone as they are the top four, standing 11 points away from each end of the table.

This means a busy summer is just what the doctor ordered at Anfield to turn the tide on their gloomy campaign and resurrect belief heading into next season, with Powell also claiming on the podcast: “It’s hard to imagine that this rebuild doesn’t cost them any less than £200m this summer.”

After spending just £37m on PSV Eindhoven forward Cody Gakpo in January as the only incoming, the demand for more talent at Anfield next season will probably be vast, along with the situation regarding six first-team players set to be out of contract in the summer (via Transfermarkt) all potentially needing replacing, too.

So despite the talk of a takeover at Anfield, it doesn’t appear that this will see FSG wind down in terms of the level of investment in the club. This makes sense, as they would otherwise be looking to sell a club heading in the wrong direction.

Tony Scott has insisted that Everton’s midfield could be bullies in the Merseyside derby.

The Lowdown: Looking to cause an upset

Not many people will have given Everton the slimmest chance of beating table-toppers Arsenal last weekend, even with a new manager bounce but indeed they managed to pick up a huge win.

Therefore, heading into the Merseyside derby, things appear to be far more balanced than many may have expected just a week ago and that could lead to a fascinating Monday night fixture.

An area of weakness for Liverpool that’s been widely spoken about is their midfield, which could be huge for Everton as Sean Dyche may unleash the likes of Amadou Onana, Abdoulaye Doucoure and Idrissa Gueye at Anfield.

The Lates: Midfield battle is key

Scott has claimed on The Leg It podcast that if Everton approach the game in the right way, their midfield could run all over Liverpool’s and hand them a major advantage.

He said: (24:50) “I think the only area where Everton look a lot stronger than Liverpool is the midfield.

“Everton have got units in there like Doucoure, Onana and Gueye can get around the pitch and I look at Liverpool’s midfield and I think that’s an area if we can go long to Calvert-Lewin, win them second balls because I think Everton could bully Liverpools’ midfield because it’s been getting walked all over.

The Verdict: Everton will be confident of getting a result

Given the differing fortunes both Everton and Liverpool have experienced in recent years, it would be unthinkable that the Toffees could go to Anfield and win a game, but with Dyche at the helm and Everton playing well against Arsenal, there is no reason why that couldn’t be the case.

If Everton can pick up maximum points on Monday night then it eases the pressure off of them heading into their game against Leeds United next weekend, which is indeed a big relegation six-pointer.

Liverpool are indeed sitting rock-bottom of the Premier League form table so Everton will head into the crunch clash next week with their confidence levels very high and looking to cause an upset against their local rivals if Onana can put in another Man of the Match performance the Reds could struggle against Dyche’s side.

Newcastle United could reportedly lose Allan Saint-Maximin this summer as Tottenham Hotspur eye up a potential move for the Frenchman.

The Lowdown: Saint-Maximin impressed v Liverpool

The 25-year-old was impressive against Liverpool in the Premier League on Saturday evening, despite Newcastle’s 2-0 defeat at St James’ Park.

The winger won seven of his duels and had three shots on goal, one of which hit the woodwork, while he also recorded a player-high seven dribbles, made two key passes and created one big chance (Sofascore).

The Chronicle’s Newcastle United editor Aaron Stokes described him as ‘daring, fearless and dangerous’, and called for him to start in the Carabao Cup final against Manchester United next weekend, while Sky Sports pundit Jamie Carragher gave him man-of-the-match despite being on the losing side.

The Latest: Tottenham interested in Saint-Maximin

As per The Sunday People (19/2, page 62; via The Boot Room), Tottenham could make a move for Saint-Maximin this summer after monitoring him in the January transfer window.

The Frenchman’s future could lie away from Tyneside following the arrival of winger Anthony Gordon from Everton last month, with Spurs looking to put themselves in the mix for the 25-year-old’s signature.

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The Verdict: Keep him!

Newcastle must be looking to keep Saint-Maximin at all costs and especially dismiss any notion of selling him to a rival for a top-four finish in the Premier League.

He showed glimpses of his magical capabilities against Liverpool and has been dubbed ‘unplayable’ at times by Rob Lee in the past.

Saint-Maximin possesses unique dribbling skills, as evidenced over the weekend, and ranks in the 99th percentile for successful take-ons and 97th for progressive carries per game of all his positional peers in Europe’s top five leagues over the past year (FBref).

The Frenchman is capable of producing moments out of nothing, so the Magpies should be looking to keep hold of him beyond this season.

Manchester United bidders ‘are not going to pay crazy money for the club’, according to Sky Sports reporter Kaveh Solhekol.

The Lowdown: Bids in

The soft deadline has passed for interested parties to make their move to take control at Old Trafford, with two offers being made public. Qatar’s Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad Al Thani and British billionaire Sir Jim Ratcliffe have both submitted bids for the Red Devils.

It could well be a busy few months both on and off the pitch at Old Trafford, with Erik ten Hag’s side also still in four competitions.

The Latest: Sky Sports update

Sky Sports reporter Solhekol shared an update on Monday regarding a potential takeover at Old Trafford. Relayed by Football Daily, he stated that the ball is still firmly in the Glazers’ court when it comes to a potential sale and that the current bidders ‘are not going to pay crazy money for the club’.

“The really important thing here is, what do the Glazer family want to do?

“Do they actually want to sell Manchester United? Or do they just want to sell a minority stake in the club, and use that money to redevelop Old Trafford?

“Do they feel that now is not the right time to sell Manchester United? Ultimately, it’s up to them.

“What we’re being told is that the bidders for United are not going to pay crazy money for the club. They won’t dance to the Glazers’ tune. They have a valuation of what they believe Manchester United is worth, and they won’t pay more than that.”

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The Verdict: Concerning…

The Glazers reportedly value United at £6billion and won’t sell for less than their asking price. You could consider that sum a ‘crazy’ figure as it would make the club the most expensive sports sale of all time, surpassing a $4.65billion takeover of the Denver Broncos last year.

Therefore, you could argue that this update from Sky Sports is a concerning one and over the coming weeks and months, we could see interested parties and the Glazers refusing to budge from their respective stances.

Hopefully, that isn’t the case and a takeover can be completed ahead of the summer window, which could give Ten Hag the best chance to improve on his side in the transfer market.

Leeds United have found themselves falling into a vulnerable position in the Premier League this season and the supporters will be hoping that newly-appointed manager Javi Gracia can save them from relegation over the remaining fixtures.

The Whites are currently 19th in the league table following their defeat to relegation rivals Everton at the weekend and must find a way to take all three points from their clash with bottom-of-the-table Southampton this weekend to improve their chances of survival.

The new manager will have a challenging task on his hands to improve the confidence within the squad and the performances on the pitch as Leeds have failed to pick up a single victory in the top flight since the beginning of November.

Therefore, the Spaniard must make important decisions regarding his team selection over the coming days before his first game in charge at Elland Road on Saturday

Gracia could become an instant hit with the supporters by finally dropping winger Jack Harrison with the Leeds player becoming more of a hindrance than a help of late.

Should Gracia drop Jack Harrison vs Southampton?

There is little doubt that the inconsistency in the attacking threat at Elland Road has been a cause for concern and, at times, cost the side points over their campaign so far.

Leeds’ inability to kill games confidently against their opponents has been a key contributor to their struggle to compete comfortably – losing to both Everton and Nottingham Forest by one goal in 2023 – with injuries to Luis Sinisterra and Rodrigo also affecting the depth in the forward line.

With zero goals and zero assists in his last four league fixtures, Harrison has struggled to make his presence known and, most recently, against Everton was in the firing line as one of the most disappointing performers in the team during a game that the side desperately needed to win – as the loss left them in the bottom three.

The £50k-per-week Englishman – dubbed “awful” for his set-piece delivery during the clash at Goodison Park by journalist Leon Wobschall – completed just 13 accurate passes, lost seven duels, committed two fouls and lost possession of the ball every 1.75 touches throughout his 86-minute performance – as per Sofascore – with this suggesting that he was a liability out wide.

Following the display from Harrison against the Toffees, Just Joe Football Show presenter Joe Wainman said: “Jack Harrison, oh my god. I will say it now, that is the worst performance Jack Harrison has ever put in for Leeds United.

“He couldn’t hold the ball, he couldn’t trap it. Why he continued to be allowed to take set pieces is beyond me. Why Skubala didn’t take him off is beyond me.”

With that being said, Gracia must finally ditch Harrison when he takes the reins at Elland Road this weekend and if benching the player pays off it will surely put instant faith in the new manager from the fans ahead of the remainder of the campaign, given how disappointing the Englishman has been in recent weeks.

Chelsea are reportedly monitoring Nottingham Forest manager Steve Cooper ahead of a potential summer move for him, a new report has claimed.

The Lowdown: Cooper shining at Forest

The 43-year-old is doing a magnificent job in charge of Forest currently, guiding them back into the Premier League last season and holding their own in the top flight in 2022/23.

The Reds have stood by Cooper despite a rocky spell earlier in the campaign and their patience has paid off, considering they now sit 13th in the table.

At Chelsea, Graham Potter still finds himself under huge pressure and a new update has emerged regarding his possible successor.

The Latest: Chelsea eyeing up move

According to The Daily Mail [via MOT Leeds News], Chelsea are one of the clubs who are monitoring Cooper’s current situation, seeing him as a future manager if Potter departs.

Tottenham, West Ham, Southampton and Leeds United are all mentioned as potential destinations, however, so there is clear demand for the Welshman.

The Verdict: Another Potter?

Cooper is clearly doing brilliantly at Forest, but if Chelsea brought him in as Potter’s eventual replacement it would feel similarly risky in many ways, with the two coaches even often compared to one another.

Both are talented young English managers but neither have consistently worked with elite players, with the Stamford Bridge job arguably too much for Potter to handle currently.

The 24-game Premier League boss’ pedigree is undeniable – he inspired England’s Under-17s to World Cup glory in 2017, in a team consisting of Phil Foden and Jadon Sancho, among others – but Chelsea may be wise to either stick with the current manager or bring in a more experienced head.

Newcastle United are reportedly hoping to raid relegation strugglers Southampton for their influential skipper, James Ward-Prowse, with manager Eddie Howe seemingly looking to bolster his midfield ranks this summer.

What’s the latest on Ward-Prowse to Newcastle?

According to Football Insider, the Magpies are believed to be ready to pounce if the 28-year-old is made available come the end of the season, with the south coast outfit likely to find it ‘difficult’ to keep hold of their talisman if they fail to stave off the drop.

The report suggests that the England international could be part of a ‘fire sale’ if the Saints are to suffer relegation, with a number of Premier League clubs said to be sniffing around in the hope of landing the 11-cap maestro.

As the same publication previously reported, Tottenham Hotspur are also said to be keeping a close eye on the Portsmouth-born sensation, while Unai Emery’s Aston Villa could also be in the mix for his signature.

Who could Ward-Prowse replace at Newcastle?

The perhaps most obvious benefit of bringing Ward-Prowse to St James’ Park would be the £22m-rated man’s threat from dead-ball situations, with the experienced ace having emerged as something of a “set piece master” in recent years – as per broadcaster Maximiliano Bretos.

That quality has been showcased by the fact that the highly-coveted gem boasts 17 goals from free-kicks in his Premier League career – including three already this season – with that ensuring he is only one behind Manchester United legend David Beckham (18) as the all-time leading free-kick taker in the competition’s history.

Such prowess, however, has perhaps clouded the other impressive elements to Ward-Prowse’s game, with the 5 foot 8 dynamo arguably able to provide much more to Howe’s side than just his goal record alone.

If the £100k-per-week man is to make the move to Tyneside ahead of next season, he could well prove to be a notable upgrade on regular starter Sean Longstaff in the centre of the park, with the Magpies academy graduate arguably not of the quality of the Saints star.

Although the latter man has been an influential figure in Newcastle’s remarkable season so far – starting 20 top-flight games – the 25-year-old has scored just once in the league to date this term and only four times in his top-flight career in total, while Ward-Prowse already boasts six league goals from his 25 starts.

Equally, the senior man’s creative threat is also laid bare by the fact that he averages 2.1 key passes per game in the league this season and has created seven big chances in total, while the North Shields native only averages 0.8 key passes per game and has created just five big chances.

That differing impact is also illustrated by Ward-Prowse’s superior defensive record as he averaged 1.7 tackles and 1.3 interceptions per game in the current campaign, while Longstaff has averaged 1.3 and 0.5 for the same two metrics, respectively.

It may appear rather brutal for Howe to ditch a player who has been a key man this season, yet the club’s recent wobble – having failed to win any of their last five league games – has illustrated that the high-flying outfit are far from the finished article, hence the need to bring in figures of ready-made quality such as Ward-Prowse in order to kick on once again next term.

Manchester United are expected to offer their young prospect Facundo Pellistri a new contract before looking at a potential loan move for him in the summer.

How long does Facundo Pellistri have left on his contract?

The 21-year-old winger now has just over two years remaining on his deal with the Red Devils having returned from his loan move to Spain last summer.

Despite having spent a season and a half away from Old Trafford on loan with Alaves, Erik ten Hag decided to keep the Uruguayan around for his first campaign at the helm.

However, it seems as if he could be set to leave the club on a season-long loan over the summer in search of some more regular football.

But before he leaves, Fabrizio Romano has suggested the youngster could be rewarded with a new deal to extend his stay at Od Trafford beyond 2025:

"The idea is to send the player on loan. It's a concrete possibility. But at the moment, it's still not decided the next step because Man United's decision will be in the next weeks on the contract.

"I'm told there is a serious possibility that Manchester United will offer Facundo Pellistri a new deal before sending him on loan, probably in the summer, but this is something to be discussed internally in the next month, so there will be conversations."

Should Facundo Pellistri be sent out on loan?

Despite being kept at the club for the 2022/23 campaign, it is only recently that Pellistri has become a part of Ten Hag's side in the Premier League.

The 21-year-old has been included in numerous matchday squads, however, it is only recently where he has made an appearance from the bench.

United's recent draw against Leeds United saw the winger make his league debut for the Red Devils in front of the Old Trafford crowd.

Since, Pellistri has made another appearance in the Premier League against Southampton and came off the bench in the Europa League against Real Betis.

What is interesting to see, though, is that the 21-year-old has played significantly less than the 18-year-old Alejandro Garnacho this season.

And like Pellistri, Garnacho is expected to be handed a new deal, however, unlike the Uruguayan, Garnacho is not expected to be sent on loan for next season.

So it does leave an interesting question as to where Pellistri fits into United's plans for the future and whether this new deal offers the youngster any hope or whether it is just a tool for United to cover their asset's value.

Leeds United are reportedly battling with a number of Premier League clubs for the signing of Lens defender Facundo Medina in the summer transfer window.

The Lowdown: Madina shining for Lens

The 23-year-old has produced some strong performances for the Ligue 1 side so far this season, proving to be an influential member of their defence.

Medina has averaged a hugely impressive 90.6% pass completion rate across 23 league appearances in 2022/23, all of which have come as a centre-back, while he also boasts four direct goal involvements, making an impact in both boxes.

The Argentine’s current deal Lens deal expires in the summer of 2026.

The Latest: Leeds eyeing up move

According to AS RomaLive.it [via Sport Witness], Leeds are one of several Premier League teams who are in the race to sign Medina at the end of this season, with Lens set to demand up to €35m (£31m) for his signature.

The other clubs in question are Aston Villa, Brighton and West Ham, while Jose Mourino’s Roma are also in the equation.

The Verdict: Strong defensive signing

Medina could prove to be a brilliant signing by Leeds if they manage to get a deal over the line, with the defender winning two caps for Argentina to date and capable of playing at left-back, too.

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A dominant physical figure despite only being 5 foot 10 in stature, the Lens man ranks highly in a number of metrics, namely impressing on the ball, sitting in the 99th percentile for successful dribbles, 98th for total passes and 97th for assists, compared to other centre-backs (FBRef).

The hope is that he could join Leeds and enjoy a similar impact to Manchester United’s Lisandro Martinez, who has been excellent despite not being a tall centre-back, taking the Red Devils up a gear with his tenacity and quality on the ball.

At 23, he would be considered a long-term investment who should only grow as a player over time, eventually becoming a mainstay of the team at Elland Road.

Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag has green-lighted summer sales for defenders Harry Maguire and Victor Lindelof, Football Insider report.

The Lowdown: Osimhen and Kim

The Red Devils may well be busy in the transfer window once again this summer ahead of Ten Hag’s second season in charge.

They could also be under new ownership by the time the market opens, with both Sheikh Jassim Bin Hamad Al Thani and Sir Jim Ratcliffe stepping up their respective takeover bids by holding Old Trafford talks last week.

When it comes to possible signings, reports have suggested that the club are preparing a double swoop on Napoli this summer with moves for Victor Osimhen and defender Kim Min-Jae.

Those two additions could cost in the region of £143m, with Ten Hag now looking to make room and free up funds for their potential arrival.

The Latest: Maguire and Lindelof update

Football Insider reporter Pete O’Rourke shared a transfer update he’s heard from Old Trafford in the last 48 hours. He stated that Ten Hag ‘wants a clearout of his current defenders in order to make space for summer arrivals’ and has given the green light to selling Maguire and Lindelof.

The reporter also said that ‘Kim is United’s first-choice defensive target this summer, with the Red Devils frequently scouting the 26-year-old this season.’

The Verdict: Makes sense?

Raphael Varane and Lisandro Martinez have been first choice under Tan Hag this season, with club captain Maguire and Lindelof making just five Premier League starts each during the current campaign.

They are on a combined £310,000-a-week salary at Old Trafford, with the pair among the 13 highest earners at the club. Therefore, you could argue that moving them on could be a wise move in order to free up space and finances for the Napoli pair.

Kim has been described as ‘the best defender in the world’ by Corriele dello Sport editor Ivan Zacharoni, who even said that he is more valuable to Napoli than Osimhen. The forward has been in brilliant form for the Serie A side this season, contributing to 30 goals in 29 games, so he could be the answer in the final third and Kim an excellent addition to rival Varane and Martinez.

So, selling two big earners in Maguire and Lindelof would make sense, especially if the club can win the race for Kim and Osimhen, making this one to watch ahead of the summer.