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With the January transfer window a matter of months away, Tottenham Hotspur are now reportedly convinced that they can reach an agreement to sign their winter priority target for Ange Postecoglou.

Tottenham transfer news

Spurs left it late to spend big in the summer but spend big, they did as Dominic Solanke arrived with the task of finally replacing Harry Kane in North London. The former Bournemouth forward arrived alongside the likes of Archie Gray and Lucas Bergvall, as the Lilywhites handed Postecoglou one major improvement and two future stars.

Those deals are yet to pay dividends, however, in a frustrating start to the season for those in North London, summed up by their 1-0 defeat against rivals Arsenal last time out in the Premier League. Meanwhile, matters would have become worse had it not been for Brennan Johnson’s late winner to knock Coventry City out of the Carabao Cup and help Spurs avoid a shock exit.

Their worrying start sparks the question as to whether Daniel Levy needs to hand Spurs some further reinforcements and it’s a question that looks set to receive an answer in the January transfer window.

According to reports in Spain, Tottenham are now convinced that they’ll agree a deal to sign Javi Guerra in January, with the Valencia midfielder their priority in the winter window.

Tottenham plotting January deal to sign "magical" £13m in-demand talent

He’s a man in demand.

ByTom Cunningham Sep 19, 2024

That confidence comes despite the fact that negotiations are reportedly set to be long-winded amid Spurs’ reluctance to meet Valencia’s €35m (£29m) price tag in the coming months. Still just 21 years old, Guerra is a standout in what has otherwise been a disappointing Valencia side in the last year or so, with the La Liga side sitting bottom of Spain’s top flight after five games.

"Intelligent" Guerra can become perfect Gray partner

By signing Guerra, Spurs would suddenly have two future stars at the heart of their midfield for years to come with Gray’s natural position in the middle of the park, rather than the full-back role that he so often found himself in at Leeds United. Whilst things may look bleak so far this season in North London, Spurs do at least deserve credit for building towards the future as part of their project under Postecoglou.

Described as an “intelligent” midfielder by Football Talent Scout’s Jacek Kulig, Guerra may well emerge to make a crucial difference for Spurs in the January transfer window.

As January approaches, Valencia’s position will be one to keep an eye on too. Given that they currently sit bottom of La Liga, it will be interesting to see how their survival prospects may affect negotiations to hand Spurs a cheaper deal. Of course, however, it remains to be seen just how negotiations go as the Lilywhites prepare an offer.

The bleakness that engulfed Birmingham City after relegation down to League One was confirmed has now been replaced by an infectious optimism around St. Andrew’s, as the new-look side take the third tier by storm.

Chris Davies’ men will hope that their stay in the lowly division is a very swift one, and it looks like it’ll be a whistle-stop tour at best, with the rampant Blues only kept off the top of the early League One table currently owing to the fact they have a game to catch up on.

Jay Stansfield will be raring to go this weekend after netting twice last time out against an equally ambitious Wrexham side, with the bumper £20m amount splashed out to get him to relocate back to the West Midlands already paying off.

Stansfield's start at Birmingham

There were plenty of eyebrows raised amongst avid EFL fans when Stansfield linked back up with his former employers for such a lavish amount on deadline day, concluding Birmingham’s over-the-top spending methods in the window in some style.

Money does talk, however, and Stansfield will believe he can sharpen his goalscoring prowess in the third tier even more, having netted 13 goals in all competitions for his relegated side last season, before making this permanent move happen.

He had a dream debut back in the West Midlands, with his two important strikes helping Birmingham come out on top against Wrexham last time out, as more League One defenders now wait anxiously for how Stansfield could twist and turn them moving forward.

However, as much as winning the ex-Fulham youngster back was a major plus in the transfer department, Birmingham have also fallen victim to some poor decision-making with deals in and out of the club over the years, including letting Jobe Bellingham leave for just £3m last year.

Bellingham's increased transfer value

Bellingham’s transfer value has only gone up and up since leaving Birmingham behind for pastures new at Sunderland, as the impressive 18-year-old continues to star for Regis Le Bris’ Black Cats.

From 51 appearances playing in Wearside to date, the teenage sensation has managed to amass a respectable return of seven goals and two assists, leading to the attacking midfielder being touted for a move to Serie A titans Lazio, among other luxurious outfits.

He was even labelled as a “wonderful” talent by interim Sunderland boss Mike Dodds during the 2023/24 season, before further cementing himself as a key part of the first team under his new French manager this campaign.

Club played for

Games played

Goals scored

Assists

Sunderland

51

7

2

Birmingham

24

0

0

Birmingham U21s

13

0

1

Birmingham U18s

12

5

0

Bellingham would unfortunately never blossom into a top first-team performer at St. Andrew’s, as can be seen looking at the table above, with no goal contributions coming his way from 24 men’s appearances for the Blues.

Market Movers

Football FanCast's Market Movers series explores the changing landscape of the modern transfer market. How much is your club's star player or biggest flop worth today?

Therefore, at the time, £3m must have felt like a substantial amount, but with his recent valuation coming in at around the £20m mark when clubs were sniffing this summer – the same as what Birmingham reportedly paid to land Stansfield – the Blues might have well been better equipped to exercise more patience.

Of course, hindsight is a funny old thing, but Birmingham would have loved to have got more out of their homegrown product when they could have, before he became a top performer in the Championship.

That’s the level the Blues will be striving to get back to as soon as possible, with Birmingham perhaps even facing off against their ex-midfielder next campaign if everything goes to plan.

Former Birmingham star would be worth more than Stansfield if sold in 2024

Birmingham City struck gold selling on this star when they did.

1 ByKelan Sarson Sep 15, 2024

Manchester United sent officials to Europe on Sunday to take in a live showing from one of their potential transfer targets, as he returned from a serious illness to play for his club. The transfer window has been shut for a couple of weeks now, but that hasn’t stopped the Red Devils from getting some early work in for 2025.

Man Utd eye move to sign "unstoppable" forward who's quicker than Rashford

Antony’s time at Manchester United could be over if this player arrives at Old Trafford.

ByBrett Worthington Sep 17, 2024 Manchester United transfer news

Erik ten Hag’s side have had a mixed start to the new Premier League season, but they will hope Saturday’s 3-0 win over Southampton can kickstart an upturn in form. The Red Devils are back in action on Tuesday night against Barnsley, and it may be an opportunity for some of their new signings from the summer to get more minutes into their legs, especially Manuel Ugarte.

It was a busy summer for United, but that could be just the sign of things to come at the club, as INEOS continue to be linked with players while the window is shut. United have already been tipped to go for AS Monaco’s Vanderson and Athletic Bilbao’s Unai Simon this month, and it hasn’t stopped there.

The latest name the club have been linked with is Karim Adeyemi of Borussia Dortmund, but they face competition from Liverpool and Newcastle United. The winger has been with the German side since the summer of 2022 and has been an impressive buy there. Adeyemi played an important role in the club’s route to the Champions League final last year, and it now appears United, among other teams, are looking to potentially sign him.

Man United send officials to watch 10-goal starlet

According to Norway’s TV2, relayed by Sport Witness, Manchester United had a scout in attendance on Sunday at Arasen Stadion to watch Sverre Nypan of Rosenborg BK. The report states that it was reported in April that the Red Devils had “put out feelers” for the 17-year-old midfielder, and they have continued to keep an eye on the player.

United had an official in Norway as Rosenborg played out a 1-1 draw with Lillestrom SK, while Bayer Leverkusen also had a scout at the game. After the game, Nypan, who admitted he has struggled with a recent illness and is rebuilding his fitness, was asked if he cared about there being scouts from United and Leverkusen in attendance: “No, to be completely honest. The only thing I care about is getting back to the form I was in before the illness.

Apps

52

Goals

10

Assists

10

“It’s been a bit heavy. From playing very good matches to getting sick. It’s so typical that when things go well, you get sick. That’s life, but now it’s about building up, but it takes time.

“I didn’t know about it, so I don’t really think about it that much. That’s how it’s always going to be, so there’s nothing to worry about. I have to learn and deal with it, and I feel that I do.”

It was reported at the end of last month that Nypan is said to be a United fan, which may give the Premier League side the edge when it comes to a transfer pursuit.

West Bromwich Albion will look to keep up their unbeaten record in the Championship today, as Luke Williams' Swansea City travel to the Hawthorns.

Both of West Brom's early season victories have come away from their home ground, however, with a 3-1 win collected on the opening day away at Queens Park Rangers coming about owing to a superb Josh Maja hat-trick, alongside the most recent 2-1 win at Stoke City seeing Karlan Grant get in amongst the goals.

The only home game of the league campaign so far saw the Baggies draw 0-0 with Leeds United in a rather drab affair, with Jayson Molumby at risk of dropping out of the side altogether for the testing clash with the Swans later on, despite starting all three second tier matches to date.

Molumby's performance vs Stoke

In an ideal world, Carlos Corberan would call upon Okay Yokuslu to be one of his starters in the holding midfield positions today, but the no-nonsense Turkish midfielder is now back playing in his native country with Trabzonspor.

Instead, the Spanish boss has had to rely on Molumby to start alongside Alex Mowatt in the infancy of this season to date, with the Irishman struggling at points at Stoke, despite the positive final scoreline.

The Baggies number eight would only win three of the eight duels that came his way during the 2-1 victory, with a complete lack of attacking presence also coming from his game, with zero shots or key passes registered to help his teammates venturing forward.

Thankfully, the likes of Grant and Maja delivered the goods with a goal apiece in the slender win, whilst his midfield partner in Mowatt also helped himself to a singular key pass, to show to Molumby what was missing from his forgettable display.

This could open the door for Corberan to experiment with his starting line-up, therefore, with the potential for the former Huddersfield Town manager to even gift new summer recruit Ousmane Diakite his first start in West Brom blue and white, after a promising late cameo against the Potters.

Why Diakite could start against Swansea

The former TSV Hartberg man stood out, despite only being present on the pitch for four minutes against Stoke, with a grit present in his game that was necessary to ensure a narrow win was secured as the clock ticked down.

Failing to also misplace a single pass from just ten touches of the ball, the Malian midfielder might well find he's gifted a surprise start against the visitors from Wales today, over his lacklustre teammate.

Stat

Diakite

Minutes played

4

Touches

10

Accurate passes

4/4 (100%)

Duels won

4/6

Tackles

2

Fouled

2x

Bettering the amount of duels Molumby won with four next to his name too, Diakite helped West Brom to see out the final few minutes with less anxiety present, having made a crunching tackle right at the death to stop a potential Potters breakaway breaching the Baggies at the back.

Labelled as a '"talented" player when first signing for the club back in June on a free transfer by Corberan, the 24-year-old's moment in the first team spotlight could come versus Swansea, even with Uros Racic potentially pushing for some minutes, after sitting out the Stoke win owing to work permit issues.

If West Brom are to start Diakite from the get-go in a surprise personnel switch, it would be a real test to see if the depth is strong enough at the Championship side to mount a serious promotion charge, as the West Midlands outfit eye up another early season three points.

Report: West Brom now set to submit fresh offer for £2,000-a-week forward

He has 34 Championship goals to his name across a long career.

ByHenry Jackson Aug 26, 2024

Manchester United star Marcus Rashford is on the verge of finalising a new deal at the club, according to an exciting update from journalist Fabrizio Romano.

When is Marcus Rashford out of contract?

The 25-year-old was arguably United's best player in 2022/23, hitting a sensational run of form in the early part of 2023, following a good 2022 World Cup campaign with England. He scored 17 goals in the Premier League in total, as well as chipping in with five assists, playing a massive role in the Red Devils eventually finishing third in the table.

There have been concerns over Rashford's long-term future at Old Trafford, however, with his current contract expiring in the summer of 2024, and an extension not yet agreed ahead of the new campaign.

To lose the £200,000-a-week Englishman at the peak of his powers would be an enormous blow, especially with many great years still ahead of him. Thankfully, it looks as though there may be some good news regarding Rashford, though, following a significant update over his future.

Is Rashford set to sign new Man Utd deal?

Speaking to Caught Offside, Romano claimed that Rashford is now closing in on an extension at Old Trafford, as he commits his long-term future to the club:

"I can confirm that Marcus Rashford is really close to signing new long term deal at United, though when it’ll be announced is up to the club.

"It’s technically not done yet, some details have to be clarified soon but talks are very advanced. Man United believe this is like a new signing because Rashford was out of contract in 2024 and many top clubs including PSG were keeping close eye on Marcus’ situation."

This is huge news for anyone of a United persuasion, with Rashford an integral part of the club's future, being hailed as "world-class" by teammate Luke Shaw.

At just 25, he has already scored 123 goals and registered 68 assists in a United shirt, and there is no reason why he can't go on to at least double those tallies as the years pass.

In many ways, tying down Rashford to a new deal feels as important as any new signing during the summer transfer window, with the 53-cap and 16-goal England international one of the Premier League's outstanding attacking players currently, and a poster boy for United in general, given all the outstanding off-field work he has done.

In the past, due to Newcastle’s tenuous position battling relegation, their best players were often pinched by more attractive clubs.

Yohan Cabaye, Moussa Sissoko, Ayoze Perez, Demba Ba, and Georginio Wijnaldum have all previously departed the north-east in search of more stability and prosperous opportunities.

However, in recent times, the Magpies have enjoyed an extraordinary role reversal in which they now find themselves as an extremely sought-after and popular destination.

The club achieved an incredible top-four finish that has secured Champions League football and has expanded the Toon's options within the transfer market.

One player that could be poached from a former top-flight rival is James Maddison.

What’s the latest on James Maddison to Newcastle United?

According to GIVEMESPORT, the high-flyers are looking to follow the impending Sandro Tonali deal by also convincing Maddison to join.

Transfer guru Fabrizio Romano exclusively revealed: "It's true that they want Tonali and they are closing in on him. For sure he was on the list at Newcastle alongside of course Maddison, who remains a target for Newcastle and Tottenham."

After their relegation and the expiration of Maddison’s contract next summer, the playmaker could be available for around £40m, and Newcastle should accelerate their attempts to conclude the signing.

How could Newcastle line up next season?

During the last two Premier League campaigns, Maddison has been at the heart of all of Leicester City’s most penetrating creativity and cleanest potency. In his previous 65 Premier League games, the £110k-per-week “superstar” has registered 39 goal involvements.

This year, he recorded the highest average rating (7.24) within the squad, along with nine assists and an average of 1.5 dribbles and 2.3 key passes per game. Regarding the latter metric, Kieran Trippier is the only Newcastle player to better Maddison in that category (2.9).

He also ranks impressively across the continent, as across the top five leagues and European competitions, he sits within the top 15% for progressive passes, shot-creating actions and total shots per 90.

With the Englishman occupying the role just behind the striker or as an advanced No 8, his arrival on Tyneside could make for a magnificent duo with the incoming Sandro Tonali, who would sit slightly deeper.

In Serie A, the Italian averaged 1.9 tackles and 1.8 key passes per game as his energy, ball recovery, and composure would perfectly complement Maddison’s innovative play style, affording him more freedom.

The 23-year-old also has 18 appearances in the Champions League in his career, which could be invaluable in a squad with limited European experience.

It is remarkable that Newcastle find themselves in this position in such a short space of time, and it is impossible not to be excited, especially when considering the special midfield they could boast come August.

Rangers are “insisting” in talks for Nottingham Forest defender Jonathan Panzo after confirming Sam Lammers’ signing, according to reliable transfer journalist Fabrizio Romano.

Who could join Rangers this summer?

Watching Old Firm rivals Celtic clinch a domestic treble last season would’ve been a painful one for Gers supporters, but the departure of their manager, Ange Postecoglou, could give Michael Beale’s side a chance to fight back dominance over Scottish football.

The Gers saw a plethora of former first team stars leave the club in May, with Alfredo Morelos, Ryan Kent, Allan McGregor, Scott Arfield, Filip Helander and Steven Davis all departing at the end of their contracts.

In what has been a major overhaul under Beale so far, Rangers have already confirmed the arrivals of Dujon Sterling, Jack Butland and, now, Lammers from Sampdoria.

The 26-year-old forward joins Rangers on a four-year contract with the Ibrox outfit confirming his arrival on Thursday afternoon.

Following their capture of Lammers, attention now turns to other targets as Rangers aim to strengthen Beale’s ranks further.

One player heavily linked in the last few days is Panzo, who has been subject to approaches from the Glasgow giants as they continue to prepare for the 2023/2024 campaign.

Reliable transfer journalist Romano, taking to Twitter, says the Gers are “insisting” in talks for the Premier League defender after concluding a deal for Lammers.

However, he is a man in demand, as “many clubs” want to sign him this summer.

Who is Jonathan Panzo?

The 22-year-old was a member of England’s Under-17 World Cup-winning squad and has faced off against the likes of Kylian Mbappe during spells with AS Monaco and Dijon in France.

Panzo also made his Forest debut in 2022 against Hull City and would come to Rangers with plenty of potential, especially after a very productive 22/23 loan spell at Coventry City.

The player starred under Mark Robins on route to a Championship Play-Off Final last season, and given he is still very young, there could be plenty more to come.

Wolverhampton Wanderers have been linked to a young defender ahead of the transfer window, as Julen Lopetegui aims to bolster his squad this summer.

The Spaniard has been faced with the additional challenge of making improvements on a budget amidst Wolves’ FFP issues, however, the latest name on the radar at Molineux could be a cost-effective introduction.

What’s the latest on Cesar Montes to Wolves?

As reported by Mexican outlet POSTA, Wolves are interested in Espanyol defender Cesar Montes.

The report claims that following Espanyol’s relegation from La Liga, the centre-back’s future is a ‘mystery’, with a number of clubs interested in his services.

Wolves, as well as Club America and Mallorca are named as those interested in the Mexican who is believed to be valued between €10m and €12m (£10m).

What could Cesar Montes offer Wolves?

Lauded as a “monster” by members of the media, the 26-year-old could prove to be a worthy addition to Lopetegui’s defence this summer.

The Midlands side conceded the seventh-highest number of goals this campaign in the Premier League, conceding an average of 1.53 goals per game in a season that highlighted significant room for improvement.

Wolves added strength to their back line in January, signing Craig Dawson from West Ham United, with the 33-year-old becoming a crucial figure in Lopetegui’s defence by the end of the season.

With 263 Premier League appearances under his belt, the Englishman has been a reliable addition to Molineux, however at 33, the club must look towards a replacement for the future with the former West Brom veteran moving forwards in seasons beyond.

26-year-old Montes could be an encouraging signing for Wolves, and has performed better than the experienced Dawson in certain defensive attributes this term in La Liga.

As per Sofascore, the £11k-per-week gem averages a monstrous 5.0 clearances per game, as well as winning 57% of his total duels, with an average of 4.6 won per game.

In the same areas, the Wolves defender comes up short, with 3.3 duels won per game and a percentage of 54%, and an average of four clearances per game, via Sofascore.

At 6 foot 3, the towering centre-back could add an improved aerial presence at the heart of defence, winning 63% of his aerial duels with an average of 3.4 per game to Dawson’s 1.9.

The assured La Liga maestro failed to record a single error leading to a shot or a goal in 20 appearances, showing his composure in one of the busiest areas on the pitch.

With the added pressure of Max Kilman’s future at Molineux being uncertain amidst interest from Tottenham, Lopetegui should turn his attention to sealing defensive reinforcements, for both the future and the present.

At just £10m, the Midlands club could land themselves an experienced centre-back without facing negative financial repercussions.

An update has emerged on Glasgow Rangers and their efforts to improve their defensive options in the summer transfer window…

What's the latest on Jonathan Panzo to Rangers?

According to Italian journalist Fabrizio Romano, the Light Blues have asked about a potential deal to sign Jonathan Panzo from Premier League side Nottingham Forest ahead of the 2023/24 campaign.

The reporter revealed:

"Rangers are set to complete deal to sign Sam Lammers this week — medicals are scheduled on Wednesday. #Rangers Understand Rangers have also asked for Jonathan Panzo again as new centre-back, talks are ongoing — but there are also German and English clubs keen on signing him."

This comes after Football Insider reported that a fee in the region of £2m could be enough to secure the 22-year-old's signature.

How would Jonathan Panzo fit in at Rangers?

The English centre-back, who was once hailed as "exciting" by Forest boss Steve Cooper, is a left-footed battler who could line up on his favoured foot next to the experienced Connor Goldson.

Having the natural balance of a left-footed and right-footed central defensive pairing can be crucial to the build-up play as they would be able to open up onto their favourite side to pass the ball out from the back, whether that is to the flanks or by breaking lines into midfield.

This means that Panzo and Goldson are a viable partnership and the Gers could, therefore, form a monster pairing for Michael Beale as they are both dominant titans who are able to bully opposition forwards.

The 22-year-old brute spent the 2022/23 campaign on loan at Coventry City in the Championship and enjoyed a solid year.

He averaged a Sofascore rating of 6.99 across 29 appearances and won 58% of his individual duels, which came after he won the same percentage of his battles in 22 outings in Ligue 1 for Dijon during the 2021/22 season.

These statistics show that the English talent is able to win the majority of his physical contests at the back and does not allow himself to be ousted by opposing attackers too often.

Goldson, meanwhile, averaged a Sofascore rating of 7.29 in 25 Scottish Premiership matches for Rangers and won an impressive 67% of his duels, which came after he came out on top in 68% of his fights in the league in the previous campaign.

The experienced 30-year-old enforcer has proven himself to be a dominant centre-back in Scotland and Panzo, who is eight years younger than him, could improve his own game in that regard by learning from the former Brighton & Hove Albion titan.

Therefore, they could be a monstrous pairing at the back for Beale as they are both physically intimidating players who have the potential to strike fear into opposition teams.

According to Simon Phillips, Mauricio Pochettino wants to keep Mason Mount at Chelsea this summer, amid links with a move to Manchester United.

Is Mason Mount leaving Chelsea?

Mount’s Chelsea future reportedly remains uncertain.

According to Fabrizio Romano, the England international is keen on a move to Manchester United, who have been quoted €80m (£68m) for the potential transfer.

The Red Devils are reportedly set to table their opening bid, however, given Mount’s interest in making the move.

It could be a case of now or never when it comes to cashing in for Chelsea, as Mount’s current contract comes to an end this time next year, leaving him free to leave.

According to Martyn Ziegler of The Times, the Blues will need to offload some players in order to adhere to Financial Fair Play rules, meaning that allowing Mount to leave could help fix a major problem of theirs.

Does Mauricio Pochettino want to keep Mason Mount?

According to Phillips, incoming manager Pochettino wants to keep Mount, leading to internal conversations about keeping the midfielder, no matter the contract situation.

If that is to be the case, Mount would leave on a free deal next summer.

Phillips said on his Substack: "Mauricio Pochettino is desperate to keep Mason Mount and that is leading to internal conversations about not selling him this summer whether a new contract is signed or not."

Given the chaos on and off the pitch at Stamford Bridge, the question rises at whether Chelsea can afford to let a player of Mount’s calibre leave this summer, especially to a direct rival in Manchester United.

Mount is not short on fans at Old Trafford, either, with former player John O’Shea heaping praise on the midfielder.

O’Shea told TalkSport: “He’s definitely shown over the last few years in the Premier League and in Europe the quality he possesses.

“And if you think how he’s performed for England too, he’s definitely a player you’d be looking at.

“And if they can get business like that done early, it’s a fantastic addition, and he will add to the goals in terms of creating and scoring them himself too.”

It remains to be seen whether Pochettino can convince Mount to stay put this summer and be part of the pending rebuild at Stamford Bridge.

An academy graduate at the Blues, the midfielder's heart may just yet still be at the club, or, at least, that may be the hope of the incoming manager.

With plenty of the summer transfer saga to come, Mount’s future remains undecided, as Pochettino arrives at Chelsea and United continue their interest.