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Tottenham Hotspur have expressed their interest in signing a new centre-back who they could get for a relatively cheap fee, with manager Ange Postecoglou making moves to reinforce his disjointed backline.

Tottenham without van de Ven, Romero and Davies until late January

Spurs will have to cope without their trio of first-choice centre-backs in Micky van de Ven, Cristian Romero and Ben Davies for even more time as they face a plethora of looming back-to-back January fixtures.

Tottenham now exploring January move for England int'l to replace Forster

Ange Postecoglou is looking to replace his goalkeeper.

ByDominic Lund Jan 3, 2025

Postecoglou has just days in between each game to prepare throughout this month, as the Lilywhites prepare for a two-legged Carabao Cup semi-final against Liverpool, Tamworth in the FA Cup, a North London Derby away to Arsenal, Everton at home, Hoffenheim in the Europa League, Leicester City and Elfsborg.

Arsenal (away)

January 15

Everton (away)

January 19

Leicester City (home)

January 26

Brentford (away)

February 2

Man United (home)

February 16

The matches are coming thick and fast for Spurs, and they’ll have to play most of them minus van de Ven, Romero and Davies, with Postecoglou confirming that the three senior defenders won’t return until late January.

“Yeah, at this stage, Richy and Mikey will be the next two off the rank,” said Postecoglou on Tottenham team news before their clash with Newcastle.

“Hopefully next week at some point, and then Ben, Micky van de Van and Romero, all kind of around the same time, so that back end of January, they’re all sort of slated to return.”

While Tottenham are closing in on a deal for Slavia Prague goalkeeper Antonin Kinsky, their lack of options in defence has prompted many reports that Spurs could look to bring in another centre-half as well before the end of this month, and many interesting names have been linked.

RC Lens starlet Abdukodir Khusanov, Leeds United star Pascal Struijk, Feyenoord stalwart David Hancko, PSG’s Milan Skriniar, Getafe’s Omar Alderete, Inter Milan sensation Yann Bisseck and Borussia Mönchengladbach stalwart Ko Itakura are all centre-backs reportedly on Tottenham’s radar, as technical director Johan Lange seeks to bolster Postecoglou’s back line.

Itakura could be available at a cut-price for Spurs in January, as his contract expires in the summer of 2026, so the Japan international could be an attractive option.

Tottenham could sign Udinese defender Kristensen for just £14 million

However, he isn’t their only prudent target, as it is believed Udinese colossus Thomas Kristensen is attracting serious interest from N17.

That is according to Messaggero Veneto, as translated by Sport Witness, who claim that Tottenham are eyeing a January move for Kristensen, and his club are prepared to let him leave this month for just £14 million.

The 6 foot 6 Denmark Under-21 international was one of Udinese’s best-performing players by average match rating throughout the entirety of 2023/2024, according to WhoScored, and his age indicates that there is scope for him to improve even more.

Once van de Ven and Romero return, he would also have to contend with a more bit-part role, so Spurs won’t want to splash the cash on a too illustrious defender in a bid not to upset the apple cart. However, they do face competition from Leicester City to secure a deal for the Dane.

Pep Guardiola has been linked with a stunning move to AC Milan in 2025-26, as the club prepare to appoint Fabio Paratici as sporting director.

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Paratici a fan of Guardiola Time at Man City may be coming to an endEndured horror season at EtihadFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?

Per multiple reports in Italy, Milan are considering a move to appoint Roberto De Zerbi as their new manager once Paratici takes up his post as sporting director. However, Guardiola has been cited as a long-term target, ahead of the 2025-26 season, seemingly hinting that the club would do whatever they can to bring the Spaniard to Italy were he to express an interest.

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While the reports accept that the prospect of Guardiola moving are remote, City have endured a terrible season and sit fifth in the Premier League table, 22 points behind leaders Liverpool. The former Barcelona and Bayern Munich boss has previously hinted that he would be willing to quit if City's awful form were to persist, despite signing a new contract earlier this season.

DID YOU KNOW?

Milan are currently ninth in Serie A, and are facing up to the prospect of a season without European football. They are nine points behind Bologna in fourth, and five behind Roma in sixth – the final Europa Conference League qualification place – despite the presence of United States star Christian Pulisic.

Getty ImagesWHAT NEXT?

City face Leicester on Wednesday evening, before a derby clash with Manchester United this weekend. They must keep winning if they are to qualify for the Champions League.

Manchester United have made another approach to sign a fresh face to bolster their midfield ranks as they look to turn their poor form under Ruben Amorim around, according to a new report.

Manchester United struggling under Amorim

Despite the arrival of Amorim in November, things have not improved for United so far this season. Though they battled to a 2-2 draw with Premier League leaders Liverpool in their most recent outing, the point stretched their winless run to five games, having lost the previous four.

It also means that Amorim has won just two of his opening nine Premier League games, and he opened the door to potential relegation with his side currently just nine points clear of the drop zone in 13th place, the lowest they have ever been at this stage of a campaign.

“I think that it is a possibility. We have to be clear with our fans”, the new Red Devils head coach explained. “It is a really difficult moment, one of the more difficult moments in the history of Manchester United and we have to address it with honesty.”

One of the biggest problems has been in central midfield, where both Casemiro and Christian Eriksen are the wrong side of their peak and lack the energy required for Amorim’s high-press 3-4-2-1 system.

The pairing of Kobbie Mainoo and Manuel Ugarte appears to provide a solution to this, with the younger duo working well in tandem against Liverpool and Mainoo’s introduction proving a key turning point in the defeat to Newcastle the game before. However, the club undoubtedly needs more investment in that area, and now they could have identified their man.

Manchester United make new approach for Wolves midfielder

That comes as a fresh report from TEAMtalk claims that Manchester United have once again asked Wolves for details over a potential move to sign Joao Gomes in the upcoming transfer windows.

The Red Devils have held a long-term interest in the Brazilian no.8, having chased him before they ultimately opted to sign Ugarte over the summer.

That interest clearly remains, and with Wolves currently battling relegation the club could be sniffing a potential bargain at Molineux. Described by Football Analyst Ben Mattinson as a “serious player”, Gomes still has three and a half years left to run on his £30,000 a week deal in the Midlands, but is unlikely to stick around should the Old Gold find themselves in England’s second tier.

Premier League 24/25 stats

Joao Gomes

Manuel Ugarte

Casemiro

Kobbie Mainoo

Appearances

19

14

14

14

Goals and Assists

3

0

1

0

Pass Accuracy

84.2%

90.4%

79.3%

86.6%

Tackles and interceptions per 90

4.19

5.73

5.05

4.02

Yellow Cards

6

5

1

5

However, any deal is unlikely to happen this winter, with the report claiming that Wolves are “not open to considering selling him this transfer window” save for “a huge offer”, something that Manchester United are unlikely to be able to put together given their well-documented financial issues.

Should he become available this summer, Manchester United are unlikely to be the only side keen to sign him, but he could prove a massive upgrade on their current options in midfield and offer some more much-needed energy to Ruben Amorim’s ranks.

Former Manchester United player and flop Bebe has revealed the first conversations he had with Alex Ferguson at Old Trafford.

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Bebe reveals first conversation with FergusonWinger struggled at Old TraffordMan Utd host Man City on SundayFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?

Bebe never truly established himself at United and, after leaving, had permanent moves to Benfica, Eibar and Rayo Vallecano amongst a series of loans across Spain, Portugal and Turkey. He switched national allegiance from Portugal to Cape Verde and shone at the African Cup of Nations. Now currently playing for UD Ibiza, Bebe has reflected on a disappointing career that once promised so much – including revealing to the extent of his early conversations with the legendary United manager.

AdvertisementAFPWHAT BEBE SAID

Bebe revealed: "I remember meeting Sir Alex Ferguson for the first time. He came into the dressing room and the first words he said to me were, ‘I am going to take care of you' and 'go and get a haircut.’ I had long hair at the time, so I shaved it off for the second day of training.

"I learned a lot from him. I always had to have a translator, so he could explain things to me, but we shared a close relationship. I felt he had a lot of affection towards me. He looked out for me, and that meant a lot.

"I was in a completely new country and he went above and beyond. I lived in his apartment in Wilmslow for the first year, so I was a little closer to training. He joked with me, and I joked with him. The truth is, he is a person I care a lot about. I would love to see him again and have a chat, like old times."

DID YOU KNOW?

Bebe made just seven appearances for the Red Devils, scoring two goals, before departing for the Portuguese capital via Benfica. He later described leaving the club as the "best moment of his life". He enjoyed best spell at Rayo Vallecano where he made 187 appearances, scoring 24 goals and registering 17 assists.

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Getty Images SportWHAT NEXT FOR BEBE AND MANCHESTER UNITED?

Bebe recently joined Ibiza in Primera Federacion as he looks to wind down his career in the lower Spanish divisions; they take on Marbella next weekend. As for Manchester United, they host Manchester City at Old Trafford on Sunday afternoon. They are looking to do the double over their local rivals after their shock 2-1 win away at the Etihad in December.

Opener follows Babar Azam and Azhar Ali to Taunton

ESPNcricinfo staff04-Jul-2022Somerset have furthered their links with the PCB by signing Imam-ul-Haq as a replacement for Matt Renshaw for the final four games of the County Championship season.Babar Azam and Azhar Ali have been popular overseas signings at Taunton in recent years and Andy Hurry, Somerset’s director of cricket, said the club had used their “long-standing relationship” with the PCB to get Imam’s deal over the line, subject to a No-Objection Certificate and visa.”Imam-ul-Haq is an outstanding batter who will bring quality and a wealth of experience to our environment,” Hurry said. “To be able to bring in an established Test match player for the final LV= Insurance County Championship matches of the season is a coup for us with so much international cricket being played during this important period.”We have a long-standing working relationship with the PCB and we are grateful to them for their assistance in helping us to sign a player of this calibre. We are genuinely excited about what he will add to the club both on and off the field.”Related

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Imam is one of Pakistan’s incumbent opening batters alongside Abdullah Shafique, and is part of the squad to play Sri Lanka later this month. He said that he had spoken to his international team-mates about the club and that county cricket is “a challenge that I am relishing”.”I have heard a lot about the quality of Somerset from Babar Azam and Azhar Ali,” he said. “It is a club with a good reputation and great support. I look forward to representing the county and contributing to some good wins in the County Championship.”Somerset have struggled in the Championship this season and are ninth in the 10-team Division One, though have a game in hand on most of the bottom half of the table.Renshaw, the Australian top-order batter, will leave the club at the end of August to begin pre-season training with his state side Queensland ahead of his home summer.

While Liga MX hasn't publicly confirmed, the second division club executive believes promotion and relegation will be back next year

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Liga MX suspended promotion and relegation in 2020 during the pandemicAtlante, Leones Negros, Venados, and Atlético de Morelia have expressed their dissatisfaction with this ruleSince the Clausura 2018, teams could pay a fine to avoid relegationFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?

José Luis Higuera, president of Atlético Morelia, says he expects promotion and relegation to return to Liga MX by mid-2026. Speaking in an interview with Caliente TV, Higuera claimed the decision had already been agreed upon and signed during previous league meetings—though no official confirmation has been issued by Liga MX or the Mexican Football Federation.

"Everything will be reinstated in 2026, as agreed upon and signed in the assemblies. Technically, promotion and relegation are suspended, not eliminated, and they will return in mid-2026. And it's not just me saying this – our High Commissioner has publicly confirmed it," Higuera stated.

"I would say that what harms our football the most, even more than the temporary absence of promotion and relegation, is the relocation of franchises. You don’t see that in any major football league around the world. Of course, you also can’t truly understand Liga MX without promotion or relegation, but I believe the top-flight owners themselves have realized that this situation doesn't even benefit their business," he added.

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In 2020, due to the global crisis caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, Mexican football executives decided to temporarily suspend the promotion and relegation system in Liga MX. This decision was made to support franchise owners in the first division and strengthen Liga Expansión, with the idea that, years later, the system would return with a stronger second division. However, it seemed that this reform would remain permanent.

This decision mainly affected the teams in the second division. Teams like Atlante, Leones Negros de la UDG, Venados de Mérida, and Atlético Morelia are among those that have expressed their dissatisfaction in recent years with the suspension of promotion and relegation. But, according to Liga MX, these teams do not meet the necessary requirements to be First Division clubs. It's a stance that has been heavily criticized by executives from the mentioned teams, who have even taken the case to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS).

Getty Images SportWHAT MIKEL ARRIOLA SAID

At the end of 2023, Mikel Arriola, president of Liga MX and interim commissioner of FMF, last spoke about the promotion and relegation issue. He assured that the rules would not change in the near future, indicating that the suspension would continue for a couple of more years. "The rules will not change. We are working very hard to create a predictable environment for investors, both for the First Division and Expansion. We need to wait and see what happens", he stated.

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Getty ImagesDID YOU KNOW?

Jaguares de Chiapas was the last team to be relegated from Liga MX, after their relegation in the Clausura 2017. However, starting in the Clausura 2018, a new rule was implemented in the league that allowed teams at risk of relegation to keep their place in the First Division under certain conditions. This rule stated that the team finishing in last place in the Coefficient Table could avoid relegation as long as they made a financial contribution, and if the Ascenso team that had earned their place in the First Division did not meet the requirements to occupy that spot. This measure was part of a series of reforms aimed at strengthening Liga MX and ensuring the financial stability of the teams.

New Zealand batter Will Young replaces Vasconcelos with immediate effect

ESPNcricinfo staff18-Jul-2022Ricardo Vasconcelos has stepped down as Northamptonshire captain after four months and only eight matches in the full-time role.Vasconcelos replaced Adam Rossington as club captain in March, shortly before the start of the 2022 season, after a falling-out between Rossington and John Sadler, Northants’ new head coach.Northants are fifth in Division One of the County Championship after one win, six draws and one loss in their eight games this season but Vasconcelos’ form has suffered, averaging 26.53, and he will be replaced by overseas player Will Young in the role for the rest of the Championship season.Related

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“This has been a really tough decision to make.” Vasconcelos said. “It’s been an honour and a privilege being the captain of this club and one that I am extremely proud of. However, I truly believe that this is the best decision for myself as well as the club moving forward.”We are in a great place in red-ball cricket and hopefully we can kick on and continue climbing up the table. Now I can fully focus on my batting and scoring big runs again for Northamptonshire.”Vasconcelos signed a new contract earlier this season amid interest from other counties and Sadler said that Northants “full support Ricardo’s decision to step back and understand the reasons behind it”.”We’re all looking forward to seeing him back at his best with the bat and thank him for the work and effort he put in as a leader,” Sadler said.

If you could write a one week script detailing the trials and tribulations of Tottenham Hotspur it would go very much like this week.

A few days ago, Spurs were defeating Arne Slot’s rampant Liverpool in the Carabao Cup semi-finals. So, the confidence should have been there after a rather sticky patch in the Premier League.

No better game than an FA Cup tie against non-league Tamworth then, surely? Think again.

Remarkably, the National League side held Ange Postecoglou’s men, taking them all the way to extra time. To put it bluntly, the top-flight side were not good enough.

Tamworth went toe to toe with the Lilywhites and more than deserved the 0-0 scoreline at the end of the 90 minutes, even if things did go on to finish 3-0 after extra time.

After an embarrassing time of it on Sunday, it only highlights the need for new recruits in the January transfer window.

Tottenham's January transfer window plans

One of the names on the lips of supporters at the moment is PSG forward Randal Kolo Muani. There have been a number of reports suggesting that Spurs could sign the Frenchman on loan this summer and there has been a fresh update from the Daily Mail’s Chris Wheeler.

He reported this weekend that ‘Spurs and Juventus lead the way’ for the 26-year-old this winter. That’s because Manchester United’s interest in the attacker has allegedly cooled.

Speaking of United, it’s a Red Devil who Postecogou’s side are also interested in with Wheeler revealing that there is interest in Marcus Rashford.

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Mega money deals, controversial moves and big-name flops. This is the home of transfer news and opinion across Football FanCast.

It’s stated that Dortmund, Milan, Juve and Barcelona have the England international on their radar.

How Marcus Rashford compares to Randal Kolo Muani

It’s thought that initially, both players would be available on loan deals. So, it becomes clear immediately who Spurs should look at pursuing more strongly this month.

While Kolo Muani has scored as many as 23 goals in the 2022/23 season for Eintracht Frankfurt, he’s not exactly set the world alight at PSG, playing just ten times and scoring twice in Ligue 1 this term.

Crucially, he’s not got experience of the Premier League yet which if you’re bringing in someone for just a six-month loan spell, wouldn’t be advantageous.

Rashford, on the other hand, would not need a huge period of adaptation, thus meaning he’s likely the more sensible option if a deal can be done.

While the United forward has only found the net on seven occasions this term, that would make him Tottenham’s joint-third top-scorer alongside club captain, Heung-min Son.

A look at the stats over the last two campaigns also tells us why Rashford – who was “unstoppable” in the words of Erik ten Hag on the way to 39 goal involvements in all competitions throughout 2022/23 – would be a better acquisition.

Matches played

48

38

Goals scored

11

9

Assists

3

6

Progressive passes *

2.38

2.53

Key passes *

1.05

1.57

Passes into final 3rd *

1.30

1.26

Shot-creating actions *

3.21

2.23

Carries into final 3rd

1.94

1.31

Progressive carries *

3.19

2.53

While Kolo Muani certainly looks like the more creative outlet here, Rashford has a regular habit of scoring goals in English football and certainly over the last 18 months or so, he’s been a more progressive carrier of the ball and a more efficient carrier at that too.

Of course, you can look at the England international’s work rate as a cause for concern but if Postecoglou wants something short-term then the out-of-favour United man is probably the player to go for here.

Maddison upgrade: Spurs could land "world-class" January signing for £50m

The incredible international would be an excellent signing for Spurs.

ByJack Salveson Holmes Jan 12, 2025

It’s been no great covered-up secret this January transfer window that Black Cats boss Regis Le Bris is looking to sprinkle in some more quality to his Sunderland side in the attacking positions.

Indeed, the Black Cats were pursuing the services of Tom Cannon as a statement buy up top, only for the ex-Stoke City loanee now said to be closing in on a move to promotion rivals Sheffield United instead.

Other names in the striker department continue to be linked with a move to Wearside, but it isn’t just in the centre-forward areas where the Frenchman will want to improve in attack, with an exciting winger now on their radar.

Sunderland chasing signature of new winger

As per a report by Football Insider this week, Sunderland are very much locked in a race this window to try and snap up Celtic winger Luis Palma, with a whole host of other Championship clubs sniffing around alongside the Black Cats.

Football Insider reveals that Swansea City and Queens Park Rangers are also eyeing up the Bhoys forward, with Palma presumably keen to leave the Glasgow giants behind owing to his game-time depleting this season under Brendan Rodgers.

Of course, the promotion chasers have struck absolute gold in the past when recruiting attackers that have called Scotland home briefly, with Patrick Roberts entering the building in 2022 after a memorable loan stint at Celtic Park.

What Palma could offer Sunderland

Whilst Palma’s time at Celtic has begun to fizzle out, he could go on to be the second coming of Roberts if a move was sealed, as the Honduras international has shown in the past that he can dazzle down the left wing for his current employers.

After all, the 25-year-old did put together some promising numbers during his debut season donning the iconic green and white hoops of Celtic.

Across his explosive 2023/24 campaign, Palma would help himself to a mightily impressive ten goals and ten assists in all competitions, with two of those strikes even coming in the Champions League as the wantaway attacker showed off his quality on Europe’s grandest stage.

Roberts would equally thrive at Celtic Park before taking the leap to join Sunderland permanently down the line, with his own impressive goal and assist haul of 18 strikes and 26 assists tallied up during his two-season loan spell at the club.

He would never look back when securing a deal to join the Black Cats for good, with the 27-year-old up to two goals and five assists this season down the right wing as one of the more experienced heads in the youthful Stadium of Light dressing room.

Romaine Mundle

15

4

2

Tom Watson

10

2

0

Jewison Bennette

0

0

0

Whilst the Sunderland stalwart continues to excite on his familiar right channel, the options on the opposing flank aren’t exactly endless for Le Bris when looking at the table above, with Enzo Le Fee drafted into this position in the past couple of weeks owing to both Romaine Mundle and Tom Watson nursing worrying injury knocks.

That’s where the “magic” Celtic attacker – as he was once labelled by former Bhoys great Peter Grant – could come in and save the day, with a new striker perhaps also joining him through the door very soon.

Sunderland just won’t want to be left behind in the ongoing automatic promotion race, with signings such as Palma no doubt boosting their attack ahead of some crunch months to come in the intense Championship.

Could be better than Isidor & Frigan: Sunderland eyeing up "phenomenal" ace

Sunderland are now looking at a new striker target.

ByKelan Sarson Jan 23, 2025

Neymar enjoyed a touching reunion with former Brazil team-mate Thiago Silva ahead of Santos' clash against Fluminense.

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Neymar met Silva during Santos vs FluminenseBrazil duo shared a hug on the sidelinesFluminense beat Santos 1-0Follow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?

The two Brazil icons caught up on the sidelines of the iconic Maracanã Stadium minutes before Santos faced Fluminense. The former Selecao colleagues shared a warm hug near the Santos dugout as Neymar finally returned to action after his injury.

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Neymar played his first game in the Brazilian Serie A since returning to his boyhood club, Santos, from Al-Hilal in the January transfer window. The 33-year-old finally returned to action after being sidelined for more than a month due to a hamstring injury and was introduced in the match in the second half. Fluminense eventually won the match 1-0 courtesy of a last-minute goal from Samuel Xavier Brito.

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(C)Getty ImagesWHAT NEXT FOR NEYMAR?

The former Barcelona star will be back in action for Santos on Thursday as they face Atletico Mineiro in a Serie A clash at home.