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An exciting update has emerged in Tottenham Hotspur’s hunt for defensive reinforcements in this transfer window…

What’s the word?

It’s believed that the north London outfit will look to add two new centre-backs to their armoury before next season and it seems like they are closing in on their first addition in that regard.

Spurs are thought to be leading the race to sign Takehiro Tomiyasu from Bologna this summer, according to The Athletic, and the player is keen on joining the Premier League outfit.

The ever-reliable Alasdair Gold at football.london has now delivered a fresh update on their search in a recent YouTube video, in which he said: “I think Tottenham are certainly making moves to get Bologna’s Japanese centre-back Takehiro Tomiyasu. He’s only 22 and he ticks a lot of boxes. He’s not going to be very expensive, probably under £20m.

“From what I am told, the logic behind going for him – and this may ring a bell – [is that] he can play centre-back but he’s essentially a defensive right-back, so think Japhet Tanganga, Juan Foyth. That kind of mould.

“The logic, I understand, in going for Tomiyasu is that he will tuck in to allow [Nuno] Espirito Santo’s system to quickly flip from a back four to a back three, and allow Sergio Reguilon to bomb on like an attacking left wing-back, which we know will get the best out of him.

“I wouldn’t say it’s a done deal but from the sounds of it, it’s certainly a move that Tottenham could make happen.”

Gold then went onto confirm that Spurs are also interested in Sevilla’s Jules Kounde, whilst Joachim Andersen, who enjoyed a successful loan spell at Fulham last term, and Fiorentina colossus Nikola Milenkovic also remain as other targets.

Fixing a problem

This should come as hugely exciting news for the Spurs faithful as it’s evident that new sporting director Fabio Paratici has already highlighted key areas of weakness and will look to source a solution to give Nuno the best chance of success next season.

Indeed, defensive problems were the Lilywhites’ Achilles heel last term as a combination of individual mistakes and a lack of cohesion saw them finish with the worst goal concession record of any of the traditional ‘big six’.

Toby Alderweireld is entering the final stages of his top-flight career at 32, while Davinson Sanchez and Eric Dier both struggled for consistency and were often culprits for those defensive errors, leading to them regularly being in and out of the starting XI.

Tangana has been more utilised as a right-back but still lacks experience, whilst Joe Rodon has rarely seen the pitch since his move from Swansea.

It’s ever so clear that Nuno desperately needs a centre-back or two, so it has to be hugely positive news to see the club linked with so many names, and even more so as it appears that they are close to sealing Tomiyasu.

The Japan international can also play at right-back, where Serge Aurier and Matt Doherty have also struggled to impress, so he effectively solves two problems in one.

That said, the club still need to add another man to that backline but, as outlined above, it’s something they are working on. Perhaps the fans around north London can start to get a little more excited for the new season now.

AND in other news, Paratici can find Spurs’ ideal Bale successor in “special” £22.5m-rated Mendes client…

Everton have reportedly entered the race to sign wantaway Paris Saint-Germain midfielder Gini Wijnaldum ahead of the upcoming January transfer window.

What’s the story?

According to 90min, the Toffees are one of several Premier League clubs interested in securing the 31-year-old’s signature over the coming months, with Newcastle United, Arsenal, Tottenham, West Ham, Leicester and Aston Villa all listed as potential suitors.

The report stated: “Gini Wijnaldum’s representatives have sounded out several Premier League and European clubs with a view to a loan move in January, 90min understands.”

It added that a move to England over Germany and Spain is most likely due to his hefty £300,000-per-week wages, but PSG are far from guaranteed to let Wijnaldum leave halfway through the campaign, with a hectic schedule still to play out.

Rafa Benitez can seal big Everton coup

Wijnaldum briefly played under Rafael Benitez during their time together at Newcastle, and bringing him to Goodison Park would be a significant coup for the 61-year-old.

That’s because the Dutch international established himself as one of European football’s elite midfielders during his five-year stint at Everton’s local rivals Liverpool, scoring 22 goals and providing 16 assists in 237 appearances.

The £27m-rated gem also played a pivotal part as the Reds secured their maiden Premier League title back in 2019/20 and their Champions League success the season before, with his eye-catching performances across Stanley Park earning praise from several impressed onlookers.

“I have no words for Gini’s performances and quality,” former Liverpool and Netherlands forward Ryan Babel told Liverpoolfc.com. “He’s an incredible person. His energy is incredible, he has lungs for days. You can tell when he has the confidence, he’s really unbeatable and very hard to play against.”

However, things have not worked out as planned for Wijnaldum since he swapped Merseyside for Paris over the summer.

So far this season, the creative talent has started only seven Ligue 1 fixtures, completing the full 90 minutes on just four occasions in all competitions as Mauricio Pochettino has regularly picked the likes of Ander Herrara and Idrissa Gueye ahead of him.

With Wijnaldum’s growing frustration at his lack of action appearing to open the door to an imminent exit, Benitez could be reunited with the dynamic midfielder, adding some much-needed star quality to his struggling side.

In other news… Patrick Boyland issues behind-the-scenes Everton claim which should leave fans buzzing

Tottenham Hotspur insider John Wenham has claimed that Fabio Paratici could complete a swap deal with Villarreal for Pau Torres, with Giovani Lo Celso going the other way.

The Lowdown: Lo Celso impressing at Villarreal

After joining the La Liga outfit on loan in January, the 26-year-old has gone on to make a great impression with his new side, having been awarded player of the match in Villarreal’s shock 1-0 win against Bayern Munich in the Champions League last week.

As a result, a number of rumours have arisen linking the Argentina international with a permanent move to the Spanish club.

This comes amid Spurs’ interest in Torres, after the north London club failed in their pursuit of signing the centre-back last summer.

A recruitment source recently revealed to Football Insider that, once again, the 25-year-old is on Tottenham’s radar ahead of a potential summer swoop.

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The Latest: Wenham’s claim…

Wenham has suggested that Tottenham and Villarreal could come to an agreement over a swap deal for the two players.

Speaking with Football Insider, he claimed: “I think Villarreal are likely to agree a deal for Lo Celso. They actually have several players who are of interest to Tottenham.

“There is no clause in that [Lo Celso] deal but Fabio Paratici likes a swap deal so I’m sure we could work something out there.

“There is previous interest in Pau Torres, he is someone who we have looked at before.

“Danjuma is in great form and they have a good young talent in Yeremi. That is definitely an option we could take.”

The Verdict: Could be a great deal for Spurs

Given Torres’ label as the long-term successor for Sergio Ramos at Real Madrid, it is clear that his arrival at Hotspur Way would be an incredible piece of business for Paratici to pull off.

However, a swap deal between the pair seems unlikely given the differences in their respective transfer values. Torres has a current market value of £45m, whereas Lo Celso is worth just £19.8m.

Therefore, unless Spurs are going to cough up a vast sum alongside the midfielder, the proposed swap deal does not appear feasible.

Either way, it appears that Lo Celso will sign a permanent deal with Villarreal ahead of next season, where he appears to be having a better time of things than he did in north London.

In other news: Tottenham Hotspur: Paratici’s scouting mission to see Djed Spence

Crystal Palace have entered a new chapter in their history under the tutelage of Patrick Vieira, and the Frenchman could oversee a fresh wave of homegrown talent entering the senior ranks.

The Eagles have recently seen their academy facilities upgraded to Category 1 status after significant investment, and the fruits of their labour are already starting to show.

Last season, the under-18s only missed out on the league title to local rivals Fulham on goal difference, with several young stars making a name for themselves through a string of impressive performances.

One of those who caught the eye was 19-year-old midfielder Aiden Steele. The Northern Irishman joined Palace’s youth system in July 2019, but he really burst onto the scene last season.

He started 24 games for the under-18s throughout 2020/21, captaining them on 17 occasions, and was rewarded for his efforts in the engine room with a call-up to Shaun Derry’s under-23 setup.

The teenager has cultivated an enviable reputation for himself within the south London club, with the Eagles’ official website lauding his commitment both on and off the field.

“Steele’s grit and determination in midfield is coupled with professionalism and hard work off it,” his profile reads.

The praise for Steele inside Selhurst Park does not stop there. In a recent interview, youth coach Paddy McCarthy reportedly labelled the engine room operator “an honest and top professional” and someone who is “the first one out and the last one to leave the training pitch.”

His eye-catching displays for the club earned the youngster a call-up to the Northern Ireland under-21s in March for the very first time, but he remains ambitious to go even further in his career.

“I think I probably model myself on Toni Kroos as he has such a great passing range, touch and football brain,” Steele recently admitted. “I love the way he reads the game and can dictate a game with his one and two touch passing.”

With current Palace midfielders Luka Milivojevic, James McArthur and Cheikhou Kouyate all 30 or over and entering the twilight period of their careers, there could be an opportunity for Vieira to unearth a real gem over the coming years, but only time will tell if Steele gets his opportunity to impress at Selhurst Park.

In other news… Journalist claims “technical” CPFC gem is a “great option” for Vieira, fans will love him 

Arsenal and Barcelona are both interested in signing Wolves midfielder Ruben Neves this summer, according to journalist Samuel Luckhurst.

The Lowdown: Neves’ Wolves future in doubt

The 24-year-old has returned to top form for Wanderers this season, standing out as one of the team’s most influential performers throughout the campaign.

Neves has helped Wolves to boss numerous midfield battles in the Premier League, averaging 2.3 tackles per game and registering four goals and two assists.

A plethora of recent links have suggested that the Portuguese midfielder could depart Molineux this summer, with Manchester United among the leading suitors, and a new claim isn’t likely to alter that thought process.

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The Latest: Neves a man in demand

According to Manchester Evening News journalist Luckhurst, Arsenal and Barcelona are both eyeing up summer moves for Neves as they look to strengthen in the middle of the park.

It is stated that Wolves ‘could cash in’ on the Portugal international if he is unwilling his extend his stay at Molineux, with his current deal expiring in 2024.

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The Verdict: Matter of time?

Sadly, it does feel inevitable that Neves will be plying his trade elsewhere next season, with a top-four finish arguably the only thing which would have kept him at Wolves.

He may simply feel that he has outgrown Bruno Lage’s side at this point, giving five years of excellent services to the club, including taking home numerous end-of-season awards back in 2017/18 as they regained their top-flight status.

It is hard to begrudge him a move elsewhere, though, especially if Barcelona come calling, with the La Liga giants making impressive strides under new manager Xavi.

There is no absolute guarantee that Neves will leave the Black Country, and it would be an enormous bonus if he stays put, but there seems plenty of evidence to point towards him exiting at the end of the season.

In other news, Tim Spiers has given a double Wolves injury update. Read more here.

Newcastle United could now replace Steve Bruce with Chris Wilder, according to journalist Lee Ryder.

The Lowdown: Bruce under pressure

Bruce is certainly under pressure to get some results in the board, as the Magpies currently sit 19th in the Premier League, with no wins and a mere three points from their first seven games (Premier League).

That said, Mike Ashley seems to be sticking by his man for now, and the international break could not come at a better time for the Tyneside club.

The Latest: Bruce replacement?

Writing in his latest piece for The Chronicle, Ryder has revealed that Wilder is among a list of names who could replace Bruce should he leave St James’ Park, with both Eddie Howe and Frank Lampard also being mentioned.

Wilder would reportedly ‘love’ to get the Magpies job and would be a contender if the position did become vacant, according to this report.

The Verdict: Wilder in

Given Newcastle’s poor start to the season, and with a lot of fans calling for Bruce to go, the international break seems to present itself with a perfect time to change manager and get prepared for when the squad returns.

In this case, they should look no further than Wilder. Although Sheffield United were relegated in his second top-flight season at Bramall Lane, the 54-year-old guided the Blades to a very impressive ninth-placed finish the previous term, having just been promoted up from the Championship.

Joe Cole has noted the ‘fantastic’ brand of football that Wilder’s teams often play, and given that his preferred formation is to play with three central defenders like Bruce does, the players should not find it too difficult to adapt to his system and tactics.

He is currently out of the job at the moment, so Newcastle should look to get him in before another club beats them to the chase.

In other news, find out what ‘massive boost’ Newcastle have received

West Brom manager Valerien Ismael has hinted that striker Kenneth Zohore could stay at the club beyond this summer, having impressed of late.

The Lowdown: Zohore sent out on loan

The Baggies were relegated from the Premier League last season, but one player who played no part in their struggles was Zohore.

The 27-year-old spent the 2020/21 campaign on loan at Millwall, but he didn’t impress overall, scoring just twice in 17 Championship appearances.

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The Latest: Striker could stay put

Zohore has arguably been expected to leave West Brom this summer, but speaking to Birmingham Live, Ismael has suggested that the attacker may be given another chance to prove his worth:

“Ken I have to say, over the last two weeks, has raised his intensity for sure.

“At the beginning we had some concerns about whether he can play at that intensity and buy in, but the last two weeks and the game against Birmingham show that we are on the right way with him.

“Strikers of that type you will need in the Championship, he can help us. He can score goals. He has the quality and he is part of the process.

“It’s up to him now to put the performances in on the pitch. My job, with the staff, is to make sure that he has the clarity in his head to know exactly what he has to do. I hope he can confirm what we have seen over the last two weeks.”

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The Verdict: New signing still needed

If Zohore does end up staying with the Baggies, it is vital that another striker is brought in, regardless of the Dane’s future.

They have been linked with moves for the likes of Daryl Dike and Andre Gray, and the former in particular would represent an upgrade on current options having shone on loan for Ismael at Barnsley.

Zohore has shown that he is not good enough to lead the line regularly for a Championship side, and while Karlan Grant is also ahead of him in the pecking order, more depth is required.

In other news, West Brom are reportedly in talks to sign one player this summer. Find out who it is here.

Wolves are having a good start to their Premier League season so far, currently sitting eighth in the table and hoping to take three points today from West Ham which could see them moving above Manchester United.

Bruno Lage has many attacking options at Molineux, all with individual qualities which have helped the team to take five wins from their first 11 games of the season. However with the sheer amount of attackers at his disposal, it’s impossible to play everyone at once.

Adama Traore is one player who has taken a hit when it comes to game-time in Lage’s side, benched for four of the last six fixtures. The 25-year-old winger has had to share his place with Francisco Trincao and Daniel Podence this season.

The £27m-rated Spain international spoke out this week after he was ranked the number one dribbler in Europe in a study by CIES Football Observatory. He said: “I’m proud of that. If I’m the number one dribbler in Europe, it’s because I’m having chances too. I have to be the best that I can be, and if I take the chances I have, I can be the player I want to be in the future.

“This is my mentality, fulfilling that. If you see last season, I was not having the chances that I’ve had this season. But this is my mentality, to grow as a player each day, and then this season now, I’m having more chances close to the goalie and I hope, soon, the ball is going to be hitting the net.”

Lage must unleash the winger, who was once dubbed “unplayable” by Jurgen Klopp, against West Ham today as he would terrify their defenders with not only his proven dribbling abilities, but his forceful and direct attacking approach which sets him apart from many wingers in the Premier League.

These attacking qualities are obviously the reason that many top clubs have taken an interest in the winger, including Liverpool and Barcelona. Lage will need to give Traore game-time and convince him that he is in the 45-year-old’s plans to hold onto him next season.

Wolves will host an impressive and in-form West Ham side at Molineux today and it could be the perfect challenge for Traore to make an impact and try to secure a regular starting place in the team.

In other news: Here is our predicted XI for the West Ham clash

Taking to Twitter, sharing his news on the major links to Jesse Lingard over this last 24 hours, 90min reporter Toby Cudworth has subtly dropped another Adam Hlozek claim.

The Lowdown: West Ham in Hlozek hunt…

Links to the exciting Czech Republic international have been prevalent since just after the end of summer’s eventful transfer window.

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Indeed, as explained by the West Ham correspondent back in September, the Irons were still very much keeping tabs on Hlozek even after the window’s closure.

Manager David Moyes once again failed to bring in a back-up striker for Michail Antonio and all eyes will be on whether he can finally break the mould in January.

Czech billionaire Daniel Kretinsky’s now confirmed 27% minority stake in West Ham has only accelerated reports of a swoop for Hlozek with 90min reporting in mid-week that they are currently preparing a bid.

The Latest: Cudworth drops another promising Hlozek claim…

Taking to Twitter amid all of the Lingard hysteria, with the Man United ace even dropping a subtle West Ham transfer hint on Instagram (via talkSPORT), Cudworth has gone slightly against the grain as he also makes a Hlozek claim.

He understands that while West Ham’s interest in Lingard ‘remains’, he isn’t ‘necessarily the priority’, whilst interest in Hlozek is ‘very real’ and could present ‘a better long-term option’ – explaining on Twitter:

“#WHUFC & Jesse Lingard as I understand it:

Certain to leave Man Utd

West Ham interest remains

He’s not necessarily the priority

Hlozek interest v real and a better long-term option

Barca, Atleti & Milan options abroad for Lingz”

The Verdict: Double swoop?

The Evening Standard recently reported that Kretinsky’s new-found investment will see Moyes get backed in the transfer market, so much so that they could bring in a striker, new defender and Lingard.

Bearing this in mind, is it too much to ask for both Hlozek and the England international?

Both men would bolster Moyes’ options to no end, with the former lauded as an ‘extraordinary’ player by agent Pavel Paska whilst he also managed an impressive 15 goals and eight assists in just 19 Fortuna Liga appearances over 2020/2021 (Transfermarkt).

Lingard, meanwhile, enjoyed a sensational loan spell at the London Stadium last year and was heralded as the best Premier League player on current form back in April (Adrian Durham to talkSPORT).

In terms of the finances, some sources believe that the playmaker could leave Old Trafford for as little as £10 million in January due to his contract situation as United risk losing him for nothing next summer (The Sun).

Hlozek, meanwhile, is the subject of a potential loan with an obligation to buy bid according to 90min, an arguably more-than affordable move for West Ham depending on the end price tag.

In other news: ‘Yesssss’, ‘Get in’, ‘What a day’…ExWHUemployee’s ‘great news’ has many West Ham fans talking, find out more here.

It does not make sense for West Brom star Matheus Pereira to join Al-Hilal this summer, reporter Luke Hatfield has told Football FanCast.

Pereira has been linked with a move to the Saudi Arabian side, with journalist Ekrem Konur claiming earlier this month that an initial offer for the player has already been made.

The 25-year-old attacker was arguably West Brom’s best performer last season. He was directly involved in 17 Premier League goals, making interest from other clubs no surprise following the Baggies’ relegation to the Championship.

For Hatfield, though, a move to the Saudi Professional League lacks logic. On the recent speculation, the Express & Star reporter said:

“The question as well for Pereira is does he want to be playing in the Saudi Arabian league?

“That’s no disrespect to the league. But if you’ve got the option of playing in a top league in Europe, or in the Premier League, or the Saudi league, unless you’re very financially driven, I don’t think it really makes sense.”

According to the Daily Express, West Ham have held talks with Pereira’s representatives, so a move to a Premier League club still looks like the most likely option for the Brazilian this transfer window.

All things considered, at this stage of his career, it would be a surprise to see Pereira swap English football for the Saudi Professional League.