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Tottenham Hotspur managing director Fabio Paratici is now reportedly in talks to try and sign Corentin Tolisso for Spurs after contacting his agents.

The Lowdown: Ndombele replacement?

Calciomercato reported earlier on in the week that Spurs are ‘in the running’ to sign Tolisso alongside some of the biggest names in European football, namely Inter Milan, Juventus, PSG and Atletico Madrid.

Perhaps they have one eye on Tanguy Ndombele potentially leaving the North London club, given recent reports of interest from abroad and the fact he wanted to leave during the summer, per The Times.

Nonetheless, if Nuno Espirito Santo were to lose one of his central midfield players, then a replacement would be needed.

The Latest: Paratici wants Tolisso

According to a most recent report from Calciomercato, Tolisso has made the ‘surprise decision’ not to renew his current deal at Bayern Munich, which is expiring next summer.

He is reportedly a ‘long-time ball’ of Paratici, who has been talking to his agents to try to bring him to the Lilywhites.

However, there is ‘nothing advanced or defined’ at this moment in time, as Atletico Madrid have been named as a club who could potentially hijack a deal.

The Verdict: Ndombele out, Tolisso in

It has not quite worked out for Ndombele at THFC, with a mere ten goals and eight assists in 83 games on total over all competitions across the last three consecutive seasons (club-record £63m for him, fans should certainly expect more.

At a good age of 24 and still holding a market value of £40.5m, now may be the best time for Nuno and Paratici to cut their losses.

In would step Tolisso, who could come on a free transfer next summer, and if it does not work out, they can always sell him on for a profit.

Nonetheless, there is no reason why it should not, given that he has scored three times as many goals (48) as Ndombele (16) has from midfield in his club career so far, and is capable of playing anywhere across the middle of the park like Ndombele can, providing depth in multiple positions.

A UEFA Champions League and World Cup winner as well (Transfermarkt), Tolisso has that extra winning mentality, which would be very useful for a side who have not won a major trophy since 2008.

In other news, find out who this Tottenham ‘insider’ believes may be offered a new deal here!

West Ham United still have a few months left of the season to finish as high in the Premier League table as possible, while also progress as far into the Europa League as they can.

Once the season comes to an end, the summer transfer window will open and give the Hammers a chance to once again make some changes to their squad, either by bringing in new faces or moving some current players out.

With that in mind, it seems as though a clue has emerged over one particular deal which could finally see the east London club get rid of one player who has failed to prove his worth in recent months.

What’s the news?

According to a recent report from French media outlet L’Equipe, Ligue 1 club Lyon have set their sights on signing West Ham centre-back Issa Diop during the upcoming summer transfer window.

Since arriving at West Ham in 2018 from French club Toulouse in a then-club record deal of £22m, the defender has gone on to make 118 appearances for the Irons across all competitions, chipping in with eight goals and three assists along the way.

With just 11 appearances in the Premier League this season, the Frenchman has earned a rather uninspiring overall performance rating of 6.44/10 from WhoScored, making him the second-lowest rated Hammers player to start more than one league game in the current campaign.

Even when the 25-year-old has been given the chance to play in the league this season, he hasn’t shown Moyes why he deserves to be in the conversation to be a first-choice pick, winning just three of the nine tackles that he has attempted.

Also, the defender has lost more aerial duels (15) than he has won (14), showing that he has not been the most reliable option for the team.

Even away from the Premier League, Diop hasn’t been that impressive, with journalist Jack Rosser slamming the defender for having a “shocking” start to West Ham’s FA Cup win over Kidderminster Harriers in February.

Taking all this into account, it could certainly please a lot of Hammers fans to see Moyes and the club cash in on the centre-back this summer, especially if they can pick up a decent transfer fee for him and use it to secure a suitable replacement.

In other news: GSB heading for disaster on “sensational” West Ham ace that’ll have supporters raging

Despite defeat in their midweek fixture, Mark Warburton has seen his Queens Park Rangers side get off to an impressive start in their 2021/22 Championship campaign, with the Rs picking up 12 points over their opening seven games of the season.

However, having conceded 10 goals so far this term, the most of any team in the top half of the table, there is a clear area of the pitch in which the 59-year-old must improve should he wish for his side to be considered genuine contenders for promotion: defence.

While Warburton’s main back three have highly impressed, with Robert Dickie, Jordy de Wijs and Yoann Barbet ranking as QPR’s first, third and sixth-best performers respectively so far this season – as well as loanee defender Sam McCallum appearing to have the left wing-back spot nailed down following a commanding display against Bournemouth – the right wing-back position has been something of a problem area for Warburton.

Indeed, over Osman Kakay’s four Championship appearances so far this term, the 24-year-old has averaged a disappointing SofaScore match rating of 6.53. Summer signing Moses Odubajo has also done nothing to convince his manager that he should be the club’s first choice in the position, averaging a SofaScore match rating of 6.42 over his five league fixtures.

Adomah could be the answer

As such, it would seem wise for Warburton to mix things up in the position in the club’s upcoming fixture against Bristol City this afternoon, with versatile winger Albert Adomah appearing to be a strong candidate for the role.

Indeed, having been brought on at left wing-back in QPR’s 3-3 draw with Reading last weekend, the 33-year-old impressed over his 18 minutes on the pitch, registering one assist, making two key passes and creating one big chance for his teammates, returns which saw the £720k-rated man earn a SofaScore match rating of 7.3.

The £18k-per-week forward put in an equally impressive display after being brought on for Kakay with 35 minutes left to play against Bournemouth on Tuesday, making three key passes, three interceptions and three tackles, seeing him earn a SofaScore match rating of 7.3.

As such, in posing a clear threat going forwards, as well as appearing solid defensively, the man who Sabri Lamouchi dubbed a “positive” player could well be the answer to Warburton’s right wing-back woes, with Adomah being released in that role potentially being a game-changing move by the 59-year-old.

In other news: QPR handed major injury boost ahead of Bristol City clash, Warburton will be buzzing

Speaking to The Transfer Tavern, Wolves journalist Luke Hatfield believes Sven Botman would be a big signing for the club.

Wolves are in the market for a central defender before the transfer window closes and Botman is thought to be high on their list.

According to Sky Sports, the Midlands outfit are interested in signing the Lille youngster but face strong competition for Sevilla.

Wolves have already been able to strengthen that central defensive position this summer by bringing in Yerson Mosquera from Atletico Nacional. However, Hatfield is convinced they would like another addition, suggesting Botman could be perfect.

“It would be a big signing for Wolves, Sven Botman,” the Express & Star journalist said. “He’s been linked with plenty of clubs, clearly a talented player.

“It’s a position that Wolves probably want to strengthen in as well. He’d be a really good signing; I think Wolves fans would get really excited about that one.”

As for centre-backs currently at the club, Conor Coady had been linked with a move away from Molineux earlier in the transfer window.

According to Football Insider at the start of August, Tottenham had opened preliminary talks to sign the Wolves captain as former manager Nuno Espirito Santo eyed up a reunion.

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According to the Scottish Sun, Arsenal are planning a £25 million bid for Celtic left-back Kieran Tierney.

The defender has been one of the Hoops’ standout performers this season, and it’s unsurprising that he’s attracting plenty of interest. Losing the 21-year-old would be a major blow for the Bhoys, but they will struggle to retain the Scot’s services should the Gunners come in with such a huge bid.

Celtic boss Neil Lennon should already be planning for life without Tierney at Celtic Park.

Watch how to cross the road like a boss with freestyler Ben Nuttall in the video below…

On the chalkboard

Celtic will struggle to buy in a replacement for Tierney of the same quality. However, they may not have to sign anyone at all. 18-year-old Scotland under-19 international Daniel Church may be ready to make the step up to the first team.

The youngster signed a new contract with the club in September and is a highly-rated prospect. It would be a bold move, but bringing Church into the first team, to work alongside veteran full-back Emilio Izaguirre, could pay off. Extending Izaguirre’s current contract so that he is available to compete with Church next season would be a wise move.

A change in style

The loss of Tierney would likely also mean a change in the way Celtic play. The 12-cap Scotland international contributes a lot in an attacking sense. He has already racked up five league assists this season. The Bhoys may struggle to find someone who can replicate his output in the final third. 

Celtic may, then, revert to a more traditional system, with a more defensively-focused left-back. This would increase the pressure on the likes of Scott Sinclair to deliver from the wide areas but would make Tierney much easier to replace.

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

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. 

Leeds United could be well-placed to land Sergino Dest from FC Barcelona this summer, sports journalist Pete O’Rourke says. 

The lowdown

TEAMtalk reported at the end of March that Leeds were looking into the possibility of signing Dest.

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The Whites are apparently enthused by the prospect of signing the 21-year-old, confident he would be an ‘excellent addition’ to Jesse Marsch’s squad.

It was only in October 2020 that Dest, who can operate as a right back, right winger and a left back, sealed an £18.9million move from Ajax to Barcelona.

But before he suffered a muscle injury last month, there were signs that he was falling down the pecking order at the Nou Camp.

He’d started 11 of the first 12 La Liga matches under Ronald Koeman, but Xavi had only selected for him for four of the last eight before he sustained the injury (via Transfermarkt).

The latest

Speaking to GiveMeSport, O’Rourke said Leeds, and by extension Whites director Victor Orta, could tap into their existing relationship with Barcelona after they struck a £13.5million deal for Junior Firpo in 2021.

And having Dest’s fellow countryman Marsch in the dugout could also be a significant factor.

“Leeds do seem to have a decent relationship with Barcelona, having signed Junior Firpo in the summer,” he said.

“You can’t rule this one out, especially with the American links.”

The verdict

Dest, who’s scored three goals and provided four assists in 69 appearances for Barcelona and boasts 31 career G/A (11G, 20A), would be some coup for Leeds.

In 2020, he featured in the IFFHS Under-20 Team of the Year alongside the likes of Erling Haaland, Phil Foden and Ansu Fati.

And even if Leeds can’t make a satisfactory offer of their own, a swap deal for the £16.2 million-rated ace could be a possibility.

According to Mundo Deportivo, Barcelona have considered offering Dest to Leeds as part of a move for Raphinha.

Adding a player of the USA international’s ability and potential would surely soften the blow of losing the team’s top goalscorer.

In other news, could Marsch revisit an Orta target Bielsa resisted?

So far this season, West Brom have won ten of their 21 Championship games under manager Valerien Ismael, drawing seven and losing four along the way, placing them in third place in the league table behind Fulham and AFC Bournemouth.

With the January transfer window around the corner, it seems as though Albion could be set to do some business as they prepare for their promotion charge in the second half of the campaign and attempt to close the gap between the two clubs ahead of them.

What’s the news?

Journalist Alan Nixon recently shared a post on his official Twitter page claiming that on-loan Baggies striker Jordan Hugill will return to his parent club Norwich City in January.

He stated: “Forest. Front of the queue for young Norwich striker Idah. Should be loaned out … Canaries to have Hugill back from West Brom to fill that hole…”

Given how the striker has only managed to score one goal for the Baggies in the Championship since arriving back in August, it feels like it could be a case of West Brom wanting him gone rather than Norwich being desperate to have him back, even though they haven’t exactly been particularly potent in front of goal this season with just eight scored in 15 Premier League games.

With 17 league appearances for the Baggies under his belt this season, it’s not as if Ismael hasn’t given the 29-year-old ample opportunities to prove himself as a useful goalscorer for the team since he’s been there either.

In those games, Hugill has only managed to rack up an average of 0.3 shots on target per game with 0.3 key passes per game, highlighting just how ineffective he’s been for the Baggies. It’s sage to say his loan deal hasn’t really exactly worked out in the way that all parties would have presumably hoped it would have back in August.

Taking this into account, it would be safe to assume that the West Brom fans will not have been pleased with Hugill’s time at the club so far and thus, would be buzzing to see the back of him in January.

If the striker does return to Norwich in January and calls his spell at West Brom to an end, the Midlands club should definitely try and find a suitable replacement for the striker that could come in and hopefully have more of an attacking impact on the team. Judging by his numbers, that shouldn’t be too hard.

In other news: Val could kickstart WBA’s promotion push with move for “invaluable” 59-goal monster – opinion

Fabrizio Romano has delivered a major update on Arsenal’s transfer plans…

What’s the word?

According to the Italian journalist, the Gunners will definitely sign a new striker in 2022, whether they are able to this month or will have to wait until the summer still remains to be seen.

“Arsenal are trying to sign [Dusan] Vlahović since October – but Dusan is still planning to leave in summer, not now. Nothing has changed yet. Really complicated negotiation on player/agents side. Many clubs will be in the race in June,” he revealed on Twitter before adding:

“Arsenal have many names in the list for the new striker now or summer. It’s not only Vlahovic. And they will sign an important striker in 2022, for sure.”

Vlahovic seems increasingly unlikely for the north London outfit this month but it’s not all doom and gloom as Romano claims that the club will land a first-team ready forward before the end of the year.

Several intriguing names have been mooted with a move to the Emirates Stadium in recent weeks, ranging from Lille talisman Jonathan David to Everton’s Dominic Calvert-Lewin.

Much-needed addition

This will surely come as music to the ears of manager Mikel Arteta, who will be hugely concerned about his striker department heading into the summer.

That’s because he could quickly be without a senior centre-forward.

Alexandre Lacazette looks destined to leave Arsenal for nothing at the end of the season as his contract comes to an end. There has been little talk on him extending his deal to remain.

Meanwhile, the future of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang is perhaps the biggest question mark. He was stripped of the captaincy after a disciplinary breach last month and has not started since the defeat to Manchester United at the start of December.

And now the 31-year-old has been sent home from the Gabon camp at the Africa Cup of Nations due to health complications, only further throwing doubt over his chances of playing for the Gunners ever again.

It also seems unlikely that Eddie Nketiah will want to stick around should he continue to find opportunities hard to come by. He has regularly been linked with top-flight rivals Crystal Palace. Just like Lacazatte, the young striker’s contract is up in the summer.

On the above evidence, it is easy to see why Arteta so badly needs a new forward at some point this year. It would be more beneficial to bring one in this month but that will prove a hard task.

Either way, the Spanish head coach must be buzzing over the thought of signing a new talisman to lead this promising Arsenal squad into the future.

AND in other news, Arsenal could secure Arteta’s perfect Vlahovic alternative in £45m-rated “phenomenon”…