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Tottenham Hotspur have submitted a bid for Luis Diaz as they look to bolster Antonio Conte’s attack this January transfer window…

What’s the word?

According to Italian journalist Fabrizio Romano, the north Londoners offered around €40m (£34m) for the FC Porto winger but it’s not going to be enough to tempt them into a sale this month.

The 25-year-old is keen on playing in the Premier League and talks remain ongoing ahead of a potential deal before Monday evening’s deadline.

“Luís Diaz deal. Player and agent side there’s no problem despite rumours, he dreams of PL – Tottenham know that personal terms won’t be an issue.

“€35/40m opening bid is not enough to convince Porto. Talks still on while deal is considered not easy between clubs,” he tweeted.

Added firepower

Conte is desperate to see new additions to his squad this week and Diaz would be quite the coup indeed.

Although the Colombian winger is not in one of his three priority positions – right wing-back, centre-back and striker – he would still be a fine and much-needed acquisition.

Spurs have struggled in attack this season and that’s largely due to the form of Harry Kane, having scored just five goals in 19 league appearances. If he’s out of form, then there is little hope in the final third as he’s their only senior striker.

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Not to mention Heung-min Son’s continued absence through injury.

Last season, the Lilywhites were able to call upon Gareth Bale as a third-string to their attacking bow and whilst he didn’t feature as much as he probably would have liked during that loan spell from Real Madrid, he was still a major influence in the penalty box.

Indeed, the Welsh favourite still hit double figures across all competitions – as per Transfermarkt, Bale scored 16 goals and laid on three assists across 34 appearances, in which only 19 were starts.

He averaged a direct contribution every 87.7 minutes – one goal or assist every game.

Spurs never replaced him during the summer and they are now paying the price for that.

In Diaz, sporting director Fabio Paratici can add another source of firepower to Conte’s attack.

The 31-cap sensation has delivered 16 goals and six assists in only 28 appearances for the Portuguese giants so far this season, and that includes impressive outings in the Champions League, too.

Valued at £36m by Transfermarkt, the 5 foot 10 dynamo has been dubbed a “livewire” in the final third as well as being “phenomenal” by Portuguese football expert Alex Goncalves.

The fact that Premier League rivals Liverpool and Manchester United have also been mooted with interest only further highlights the talent that Diaz has on offer and it means Spurs must make sure they are leading the race to sign him come Monday evening.

Diaz could be a frightening prospect alongside Kane and Son in attack for Conte, so Paratici and co must do everything to pull this one over the line.

AND in other news, Fabrizio Romano reveals Spurs’ first January signing is “advanced”, Conte will be buzzing…

Flocking to Twitter, a number of West Ham fans have reacted furiously to David Moyes’ post-match comments following the Irons’ 3-2 loss to Southampton on Boxing Day.

A late goal by defender Jan Bednarek secured a crucial three points for the Saints in a rare away victory at the London Stadium, seeing the Hammers’ miserable streak of poor results continue over the hectic Christmas schedule.

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Michail Antonio made an instant impact upon being introduced at half-time, equalising just four minutes later. After the Saints retook the lead, Saïd Benrahma levelled the score at 2-2 in the 64th minute, before Bednarek clinched the winner shortly afterwards.

This result meant that the Hammers have secured just five points in their last seven league games, which has duly seen them slip seven points behind Arsenal in fourth.

These West Hams fume over Moyes’ comments

West Ham’s official Twitter channel posted a video of Moyes’ post-match interview. The manager was unimpressed with his side’s performance, saying that “lots of things didn’t go as well as we’d have liked” and that he couldn’t fathom why they were so “flat” in the first half.

A number of Irons fans took to the comments to respond, with many disillusioned with their club’s recent form. Here’s what some of those said:

“We are running on empty and it’s all down to the owners naive reluctance to appropriately balance the squad in the summer and try and play an entire season with no cover in key positions.”

Credit: @W1zardOz

“The contrast between our first choice defence and what Moyes has had available to him for the last month is shocking at this level. The contrast between Cresswell and Masuaku especially.”

Credit: @WestHamJoshV

“Let’s be real, we will be in the bottom half very soon the way our current form is”

Credit: @ellingford_paul

“Just copy and paste the same video for the next few months as well”

Credit: @veryupsetfan

“he says this every time”

Credit: @whujoe

“Moyes, you have had your time, time for a new manager. You served us well, we now require someone who is top of their game. Unfortunately you have nothing further to offer.”

Credit: @PeteWindham

In other news: ‘Yikes’, ‘Such a blow’ – Many West Ham fans left devastated by ‘horrific’ injury news

Aston Villa have approached Bologna over a move for left-back Aaron Hickey.

That’s according to Sky Sports reporter Rob Dorsett, and his update has had a number of Villa supporters talking on social media.

Hickey was linked with a move to Villa Park back in October when Dean Smith was in charge, but it seems as if Steven Gerrard is also keen on a move after being impressed by the Scot during his time as Rangers boss.

Dorsett revealed on Wednesday evening that Villa have approached the Serie A side for Hickey’s services, with Johan Lange also exploring alternative left-back options.

Hickey is valued at £11.7m by Transfermarkt and is under contract with Bologna until 2024. He’s missed just one Serie A game all season and has mainly turned out as a left-midfielder in a back three system.

Villa fans react

Both villareport and The AVFC Faithful shared the news regarding Hickey on Twitter. This is what these Villa fans had to say in reply, with many hoping to see Hickey in the Midlands.

“IM GONNA FAINT”

Credit: @catrinavfc

“very huge news. would be a delight to have him play LB for us”

Credit: @NoahKnowsBall

“I’m excited by this more than the potential Coutinho signing”

Credit: @JimGroves11

“OH STOP THAT”

Credit: @AVFCCharlie

“Don Lange is on one today”

Credit: @lukerobinson89

“ITS HAPPENING”

Credit: @noah_avfc

In other news: ‘Mental’ – Some Villa fans fume as Gerrard eyes club-record transfer. 

Steven Gerrard has enjoyed his start to life as a Premier League manager after swapping Rangers for Aston Villa last month, with his side winning three of their first four league games under the 41-year-old.

Game number five was a return to Anfield for the former Liverpool captain, for whom the Villa boss made more than 700 appearances as a player.

Despite a resolute performance from the Midlands outfit, the Villans lost out to Jurgen Klopp’s side as Mo Salah’s 67th-minute penalty proved the difference on Saturday. Defensively the visitors looked solid, but one player in particular who stood out was Douglas Luiz.

The 23-year-old was a real presence in the middle of the park for the visitors, completing 84% of his passes as well as having 65 touches. Furthermore, the Brazilian had a 100% long ball accuracy and also completed all of his attempted dribbles whilst winning 75% of his duels.

According to SofaScore, Luiz’s fellow midfielder John McGinn struggled to replicate similar numbers to his teammate. The Scotsman had a 72% passing accuracy whilst also having fewer touches (56).

Moreover, McGinn lost possession 19 times compared to Luiz’s 11, meaning that the 27-year-old lost the ball every 2.9 touches as opposed to every 5.9 touches for the Brazilian.

The Scotsman has been one of Gerrard’s standout performers since the 41-year-old took charge of Villa last month, averaging a performance rating of 7.95 prior to the Liverpool contest, according to SofaScore. However, the midfielder could only manage a 6.3/10 rating against the Reds, making it his worst performance under the new manager by some margin.

As for Luiz, it’s certainly promising to see the Brazilian getting a run of matches under Gerrard after endured a mixed start to the season, missing games against West Ham, Southampton and Brighton.

Alongside McGinn and Marvelous Nakamba, it appears that the 23-year-old is part of the Villa manager’s preferred midfield trio, with that particular combination now starting the last three games. Today’s performance suggests that Luiz is making the most of the chances being handed to him by Gerrard.

In other news: Aston Villa can start January with a bang by signing “unbeatable” £27m-rated machine

Celtic have been dealt yet another huge injury setback concerning David Turnbull.

What’s the latest?

According to a report by The Scotsman, the midfielder is facing at least two months on the sidelines as a result of the hamstring injury he picked up in the 2-1 League Cup final victory over Hibernian earlier this month.

The report added that this will see the 22-year-old miss the top-of-the-table Old Firm clash on February 2, as well as the Europa Conference League tie against Bodo/Glimt later that month.

Fans will be furious with Postecoglou

While Ange Postecoglou’s recent claim that Turnbull’s injury came as a result of the sheer volume of fixtures Celtic have been playing in recent months may not be overly wide of the mark, there is also an argument to be made that the 56-year-old could well have played an equally significant part in the midfielder’s injury.

Indeed, attacking trio Albian Ajeti, Jota and Kyogo Furuhashi are also currently suffering from varying levels of hamstring strains, which would appear to suggest that it is the rigours of Postecoglou’s training, on top of the Bhoys’ hectic fixture schedule, that’s causing so many players to pull up in matches.

This is an idea with which Alan Hutton is quite clearly in agreement, with the former Scotland international stating in a recent interview with Football Insider: “The manager will have to be looking at the type of injuries these Celtic players are getting.

“Jota is out – hamstring. Turnbull is out – hamstring. Kyogo had a hamstring problem and just about made it back for the final at the weekend. We know the way Postecoglou plays – aggressive, front-foot pressing – and that will carry over to the training ground.

“It’s like [Marcelo] Bielsa with Leeds. If these players are playing a lot of minutes and giving their all out there on the pitch, sometimes you have to scale back the training. Whether he’s already doing that, I’m not sure. But he has to be careful with these recurring muscle problems.”

As such, while Postecoglou is obviously not intentionally causing the injuries to his players, the manager simply must do all he can to prevent his squad picking up any more hamstring injuries, whether by scaling back the intensity of his training or otherwise.

However, with Turnbull now set for a considerable spell on the sidelines, it is too late for amendments at Lennoxtown to have any impact on the midfielder’s condition, something which is sure to have left many of the Parkhead faithful fuming with their club’s manager.

In other news: Celtic finally initiate talks for £20k-p/w “absolute beast”, it would be a “great move”

Lots of Everton fans have been left buzzing as news emerged from Dominic Calvert-Lewin on his injury.

Speaking at a Football For Change event (via Tony Scott), the striker has now confirmed that he will be back in a few weeks, claiming ‘we’ll see for the Merseyside derby’.

The Toffees are due to play Liverpool at home on December 1st, suggesting that Calvert-Lewin may only be out for a couple more weeks.

Of course, Everton supporters do not need reminding just how important he is to the team. He has not played since August but had scored three goals in his first three matches in the Premier League this term before his injury setback (Transfermarkt).

His record against Liverpool is not the greatest, having only won once in 12 appearances against the Reds, but he has scored one goal and provided two assists against them before (Transfermarkt), so has proven to be a handful against the Toffees’ biggest rivals.

Everton fans on Calvert-Lewin injury news

These Everton fans buzzed as the news was shared on Twitter, with one hailing it as an ‘amazing’ update:

“Praise the lord”

Credit: @_luke1878_

“If he’s back for the derby and I’m there??? Oh baby”

Credit: @usaefc

“Best thing we’ve heard about the club for quite a while…”

Credit: @EFCT0M

“Yes!!”

Credit: @ste_efc76

“JUST IMAGINE”

Credit: @KatherineDaly19

“Amazing news”

Credit: @JamieMirror

In other news, find out which player’s comments delighted many Evertonians

A number of Arsenal supporters have criticised Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’s performance in today’s Premier League clash against Newcastle United.

The Gunners returned to action on Saturday afternoon, having been afforded a week off without the distraction of European football.

Last weekend’s 4-0 defeat away to Liverpool was a sobering result, but given the Reds’ quality, there was no need to go too overboard about the loss.

Saturday’s visit of bottom club Newcastle was a must-win game, however, with the beleaguered Magpies not yet winning a league match this season and dropped points proving potentially damaging in the top-four battle.

While Mikel Arteta’s side netted twice in the second half to swiftly put the Liverpool result behind them, one Arsenal player who had a disappointing day at the office was Aubameyang. The Gabon striker inexplicably missed from two yards out towards the end of the first half and failed to make a positive impact for much of the game.

As per Sofascore, he completed just 13 passes all afternoon and had only 25 touches – the fewest of any outfield Gunners starter for both metrics – lost four of his five duels, missed one other ‘big chance’ and gave away the ball seven times prior to his 76th-minute withdrawal in place of Alexandre Lacazette.

Arsenal fans criticise Aubameyang’s performance

These Arsenal fans on Twitter reacted despairingly to Aubameyang’s display against the Magpies, with one labelling him a “disgrace” over that first half sitter.

“Aubameyang has kept us at 0-0”

Credit: @ABTNews_AFC

“Oh my word Auba that’s a disgrace”

Credit: @big_man_joshyy

“Auba is finished, sell him!!”

Credit: @LouisAtsu_

“Auba is no more an elite striker, get him outta my club asap”

Credit: @itz_imaam

“Need to sub Aubameyang and drop him – shouldn’t play again beyond January – rather Balogun got his minutes”

Credit: @SouthWestAFC

“Yep, Aubameyang is way off form, if he was any other player he’d be dropped”

Credit: @nathanielmead

Journalist Darren Lewis has tipped West Ham United to buy real quality if  Daniel Kretinsky ends up purchasing a 27% stake in the Hammers.

The Lowdown: Kretinsky eyes Irons stake

Over the past few days, it has emerged that the Czech investor is interested in buying a 27% stake in the east London club (via The Guardian).

As of yet, however, there has been no official comment from the club or from the businessman himself.

The Latest: Big times ahead

Speaking to Sky Sports’ Super Sunday Matchday (via Hammers.news), Lewis predicted big times ahead for the Irons as he discussed the possibility of Kretinsky investing in the club and the subsequent potential for lucrative signings in the January transfer window. He said:

“What it does, it provides the ability for West Ham to go into a transfer window where they are going to look at quality, rather than making up numbers, with a degree of confidence.

“He (Kretinsky) is a guy who is very canny with his investments, he’s got other business interests as well outside of football.

“He’s generated a lot of optimism within the West Ham fanbase because they’re feeling now that with a guy like that coming into play suddenly they can start to think about the club matching David Moyes’s ambition…

“Now what the new investment enables them to do is go into a transfer window looking to attract – and they will be able to attract – the kind of quality player that will hopefully take the club to another level.”

The Verdict: Wait and see

Of course, the rumours that there could be a new investor at the club will surely have delighted many West Ham supporters. David Gold, David Sullivan and Karen Brady, are the current owners, and it is fair to say they are far from popular among many Irons fans.

Worth €3.4bn (£2.9bn, via Marca), Kretinsky is not quite on the level of Roman Abramovich or Sheikh Mansour, for example, but fresh impetus and points of view may be exactly what West Ham need to move to “the next level”, as Lewis put it. Should the deal go through, it promises to be an exciting time ahead for the Hammers, who are already flying as it is.

In other news, many West Ham fans love this news about Mark Noble

A number of Manchester United fans have slammed the performance of Victor Lindelof in their 2-0 loss at home to Manchester City on Saturday.

The Sweden international was part of a back five which endured a torrid time against their neighbours at Old Trafford, as they went into the break 2-0 down thanks to an own goal from Eric Bailly and a Bernardo Silva poke, and were never really able to recover.

Lindelof lost out on all three of his duels and also failed to block any shots or make any tackles or interceptions, while he lost possession of the ball on six different occasions (SofaScore). In the first half, a miscued clearance nearly led to a comical own goal, with David de Gea bailing out his team-mate with a timely save (Sky Sports).

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer cannot wish that the injured Raphael Varane was back soon enough as the Red Devils now head into the international break off the back of keeping just one clean sheet in 13 matches.

Man Utd fans slam Lindelof’s display

These United supporters on Twitter slammed Lindelof’s performance, with one even going as far as to claim that the Swedish defender was ‘awful’:

“Lindelof is awful. Maguire is not great. Maguire slightly better IMHO.”

Credit: @MukeshHalai

“Time to go !!! Ole … Lindelof … Fred … just go …”

Credit: @NotSoSpecial1

“Wan-Bissaka is the worst player I’ve ever seen. Maguire, Fred and Lindelof ain’t far behind. Awful team”

Credit: @kyle1mccarthy

“Ole out…. Maguire, Lindelof, Fred, Wan-Bissaka are liabilities to Manchester United. Heart cries… Stop watching after 60m”

Credit: @Williamdsouza07

“Wan-Bissaka, Maguire, Lindelof, McTominay and Fred should NOT be playing for Manchester United please”

Credit: @raschivo

“Shaw, Maguire, Lindelof and Wan-Bissaka all play with no passion”

Credit: @SophiasPadre

In other news, find out whose display against City was also slammed by numerous United fans

Rangers manager Steven Gerrard has been a huge success at Ibrox since arriving at the club in 2018, leading his side to the Scottish Premiership title last season.

He coached his side through the entire season unbeaten, racking up 102 points and only conceding 13 goals in 38 games.

One area at which he could improve, however, is in bringing young players through into the first-team and making them regular starters. Nathan Patterson’s tally of four was the highest number of appearances made by a young academy player in the Premiership last term.

In the pipeline

Whilst a lack of involvement from academy graduates did not do anything to lessen the achievement of last season, fans would enjoy seeing young players get more chances in the first-team at Ibrox. Seeing someone rise through the ranks before becoming a key star in the Premiership would be a rewarding feeling for supporters, particularly those who follow the youth/reserve set-ups.

One player who fans could look out for in the future is Irish central midfielder Charlie McCann. Rangers signed him from Premier League giants Manchester United earlier this year for less than £1m, with McCann putting pen to paper on a three-year contract.

The 19-year-old can play as a defensive midfielder or in a box-to-box role, which could liken him to current first-team player Glen Kamara. Gerrard has placed his faith in Kamara in recent years, with the Finland international a regular fixture in the midfield.

He has, however, been linked with a move to the Premier League and that could mean that Rangers are looking for a replacement for him in the not too distant future.

Instead of splashing out big money to replace him, Gerrard could unearth his Kamara 2.0 by giving McCann a chance to show what he can do at senior level.

Rangers’ head of academy, Craig Mullholland, lauded McCann as having an ‘excellent personality’ upon his arrival at the club in the summer. He told the club’s official website:

“He has an excellent personality which, having met his parents, is driven from a strong family unit and this will allow Charlie to embrace the high quality environment, staff and provision we now have at Rangers. We all wish Charlie well as he starts his exciting Rangers journey.”

This suggests that he has the mindset required to keep progressing and developing as a footballer, to give him the best shot of making it in the first-team. He was a regular for Manchester United’s under-23’s and has been called up by Ireland and England at youth level, which indicates that he could have the potential to go far in the game.

Therefore, the versatile midfielder could be Kamara 2.0 waiting in the wings should the Finn leave for pastures new. He could be the reliable presence in the Rangers midfield that Kamara has proven himself to be, but it is now down to Gerrard to offer him an opportunity in the first-team and then for McCann to show that he can thrive at senior level.

AND in other news, Gerrard masterstroke: Rangers colossus has seen value rise 650% since joining the club…