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Tottenham are certainly entertaining, we'll give them that. Whether it was with Antonio Conte in the dugout or with Ange Postecoglou leading proceedings, drama has followed.

Only last season did we see Conte launch a scathing attack on the club, one that shortly saw him sacked.

Postecoglou didn't arrive until the summer but he has already rejuvenated this football club despite a lack of European football and no Harry Kane.

That hasn't deterred the relaxed Aussie who has won three Manager of the Month awards already and engineered an unbeaten start until they took on Chelsea. Since then, Spurs have gone four games without winning.

One of those encounters, however, was an enthralling 3-3 draw with Manchester City that proved the north Londoners certainly know how to attack against the best teams. Therefore, strengthening their offensive options in January is a scary thought for the rest of the Premier League.

Tottenham's January transfer plans

Postecoglou's squad has been decimated with injuries of late with the likes of Micky van de Ven, James Maddison, Rodrigo Bentancur and Manor Solomon all on the treatment table.

That has clearly hit the Lilywhites hard and as such, the January window is an ideal time to bolster their depth.

They could do so by turning to a man the Spurs boss knows well, Jota. The Portuguese was brought to Celtic by Postecoglou and after a troubled opening six months in Saudi Arabia – where he wasn't even registered in the Al-Ittihad squad following a £25m switch – could be on the move again.

Notable Spurs reporter Alasdair Gold made fresh claims last week on a prospective deal, writing for Football.London: "With his [Jota's] situation still unclear in Saudi Arabia, Spurs will likely explore the possibility of a loan move at least for the attacker, who is represented by Jorge Mendes' Gestifute agency."

Why Tottenham need to sign Jota in January

Put simply, Spurs' depth isn't the best. Therefore, any options, specifically one as effervescent as Jota would be welcomed hugely at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium this winter.

Jota has a fabulous record under Postecoglou already and would be perfectly suited to Ange-ball, having racked up 28 goals and 26 assists in 83 games under the Australian's wing.

Indeed, his form in Scotland was rather remarkable, scoring 15 goals and supplying 12 assists last season alone across all competitions.

You may well mutter under your breath; 'well this is only Scottish football'. but some of the finest names in world football have adapted superbly well after plying their trade north of the border. Does Virgil van Dijk ring any bells?

Crucially, Jota is still in the maiden phases of his career too. He is only 24 and is set to just get better and better as time goes on.

Such numbers could well be perfect for Tottenham, specifically skipper Heung-min Son who is looking for his next Kane-like figure to take him to the next level.

Jota is by no means cut from the same cloth as Spurs' all-time leading scorer but he does boast immense creativity, a skill set that would be hugely advantageous to Son.

Spurs have a "talented" U21 striker who's on par with Son this season

Spurs could have a bright talent on their hands, this young attacker matching Son’s goal total for the season already…

By
Kelan Sarson

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Speaking of the Al-Ittihad forward's qualities while he was in Scotland, BBC pundit and ex-player Marvin Bartley stated: "He’s a striker’s dream, isn’t he? If you go in the right areas, he’ll find you. His head is up all the time. He can play left, he can play right, he’s pro-active, he’s constantly on the move. He’s got that belief he can go past anyone.”

The words 'striker's dream' should already have Son salivating at the mouth and when you assess some of the Portuguese's other numbers, it becomes clear why.

Compared to positionally similar players in the Champions League last season, Jota ranked in the top 6% of wingers for shot-creating actions with six every 90 minutes. Furthermore, he sat inside the top 14% for progressive carries (5.05 per 90) and the best 6% for successful take-ons (3.47 per 90).

What that highlights is that the former Celtic man is incredibly lively and can beat his man with great ease. Such qualities would be perfect for Son who would no doubt realise a greater sense of creativity should Postecoglou get his man in January.

Real Madrid defender Eder Militao shared his view on who should win the Ballon d'Or this year.

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• Militao predicts Vinicius to win Ballon d'Or
• Brazilian to pip Bellingham in the race
• Los Blancos stars enjoyed stellar run of form

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  The Brazil international remained out of action for the majority of the current campaign due to an ACL injury and returned to action only last month. Now the defender has opened up on the candidate who he thinks is the most suitable to win the prestigious Ballon d'Or award in 2024.

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  The 26-year-old was asked to pick his preferred player between team-mates Vinicius Jr and Jude Bellingham for the award. Both Los Blancos stars enjoyed a stellar run of form in the 2023/24 season having scored 23 goals each and contributed heavily in the club's La Liga triumph and reaching the Champions League final.

• WHAT EDER MILITAO SAID

  Speaking to reporters, Militao said, "To win it? Both, but Vinicius is the best for me. If he keeps doing things like this, it won't be long."

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  WHAT NEXT FOR REAL MADRID?

  Carlo Ancelotti's side will play their penultimate league game on Sunday as they take on Villarreal in an away fixture.

Erik ten Hag will be scratching his head at how his side can go from such a dominant display in the week, to such a disastrous afternoon last weekend. This inconsistency has haunted Manchester United this season and they currently sit in sixth on 27 points in the Premier League table.

The Red Devils' most recent league match was an embarrassing 3-0 defeat at Old Trafford to Bournemouth. The visitors punished United on the break constantly and they could have had five if it wasn’t for two goals being ruled out.

With Raphael Varane’s unreliability, Victor Lindelof’s poor performances and Lisandro Martinez still being injured, a defender is unsurprisingly on Ten Hag’s wish list.

Man Utd transfers latest – Ronald Araujo

According to reports in Spain, Manchester United have asked about the availability of Ronald Araujo, even offering double his salary to acquire the Uruguayan.

As per Transfermarkt, Araujo has a current market value of £60m, but Barcelona would demand a much higher fee due to his importance to the Spanish side with the report stating Bayern Munich could even offer somewhere in the region of £100m.

However, Barcelona are not fazed by the transfer interest of their star defender, as he has a contract until 2026 and a mind-boggling £870m release clause. A move this winter is highly unlikely.

Why Araujo is one of the best in the world

Barcelona boss, Xavi, previously labelled Araujo as “one of the best centre backs in the world” and his statistics from this season are certainly world-class.

Due to his club dominating the ball in almost every game, the defender isn’t continuously tested defensively, but his on-the-ball ability is top-tier, as shown by the table below.

The potential signing of Araujo would take United to another level, both in and out of possession. His ability to step into the midfield and progress the ball via carries or passes is priceless. You only need to look at how much United have missed Martinez in that regard since his injury.

Crucially, the centre-back is extremely fast which allows him to sweep and recover quickly, the perfect profile to partner Martinez or Harry Maguire at left centre-half. He is also dynamic and athletic, quite similar to William Saliba at Arsenal.

The Uruguay international is also versatile which can help Ten Hag be more fluid with his tactics in game. This season, he has featured at right-back five times and has often become a trusty full-back against word class left-wingers, especially when Barcelona have had to deal with Vinicius Junior of Real Madrid.

Furthermore, at just 24 years old, he is a commanding individual who has recently taken on the captain’s armband in the absence of Marc-Andre ter Stegen. This leadership and character is missing at United currently and a calm, controlling centre-back would make the side much more defensively secure.

There is no doubt that Araujo is an incredible footballer, but his price tag and importance to Barcelona makes a move away unlikely. Clubs may be put off by the fee, especially considering he is slightly injury-prone, suffering 12 injuries since 2020. Either way, this has the potential to be a game-changing signing for those of a Red Devils persuasion.

Barcelona boss Xavi Hernandez has fired a warning to his players ahead of a crucial clash against Real Sociedad as they chase Girona for second place.

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• Barcelona could finish season in third
• Xavi calls on players to avoid 'step backwards'
• Barcelona could retake second spot tonight

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  WHAT HAPPENED?

  Last week Barcelona fell 4-2 against Girona, who overtook the Catalan side in the La Liga table to take control of the fight for second place. Xavi, who recently made a U-turn on his decision to leave Barcelona this summer, has now called on his players to avoid finishing third and 'taking a step backwards'.

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• WHAT XAVI SAID

  Speaking to the media, Xavi said [via The Athletic]: “It would be a setback, a step backwards, if we don't get second place now. It's a vital match, there are four games left. It would mean a lot to us.

  “We have another chance to get second place due to Girona's draw. It's a great opportunity, we're playing at home against an opponent of an extraordinary level.

  “Imanol has been doing an incredible job for years. They generate a lot, they do a lot of things well because of him. A tough opponent who will surely make it very difficult for us.

  “We've been training well, the team is eager and ready to go.”

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  Luckily for Barcelona, Girona dropped points on Saturday evening and have now afforded Xavi's men the chance to retake the second spot in the league with Real Madrid already having the league title by a massive margin over the two Catalan clubs. Michel Sanchez's team currently sit on 75 points, two ahead of Barcelona, who have a game in hand.

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• WHAT NEXT FOR BARCA?

  The Catalan side will be in action later today when they take on Imanol Alguacil's Real Sociedad at home. A win would see them overtake Girona and hold a one-point lead over the surprise Champions League qualifiers.

West Ham United were heavily linked with a move for Bournemouth’s Dominic Solanke over the summer, and a journalist has now shared the chances of him joining in January.

The stats that show why West Ham want Solanke

Back in 2019, Solanke put pen to paper on the south coast from Premier League rivals Liverpool, and during his four years at the club, he’s gone on to become a regular feature of the squad, having made 193 appearances to date (Transfermarkt – Solanke statistics).

The Cherries striker has firmly established himself as Andoni Iraola’s best-performing offensive player so far this season (WhoScored – Bournemouth statistics), already notching up his best top flight goals tally in a season with eight.

England’s former international was the subject of an enquiry and even an offer from the Irons during the previous transfer window, and while that proposal was swiftly rejected, that hasn’t stopped chiefs from wanting to take a second bite of the cherry. According to The Mirror, David Moyes’ side are preparing an improved bid for the 26-year-old ahead of the new year, but if the following update is to be believed, it won’t be an easy task to prise him away from the Vitality Stadium.

Fabrizio Romano says Hammers still "tracking" Solanke

Writing in his column for CaughtOffside, Fabrizio Romano confirmed that West Ham remain interested in Solanke, but as it stands, he’s more than happy at Bournemouth.

“I’ve been impressed with him this season as he always looked like an excellent player with great potential, but he’s now showing it more consistently. In terms of a transfer, he’s happy at Bournemouth but many clubs are tracking him, including West Ham. Let’s see what will happen, but for the moment I understand he’s happy there and performing very well.”

In the Premier League this season, Solanke has posted nine involvements (eight goals and one assist) in 16 appearances, showing how prolific he can be in the final third, but he’s constantly posing a threat to the opposition’s defence no matter if he hits the back of the net.

The Reading-born talent has recorded 48 shots over the course of the current campaign which is more than any of his fellow teammates (FBRef – Bournemouth statistics), highlighting how much he stands out in the attacking areas compared to his peers.

Sponsored by Adidas, the centre-forward is also a versatile operator having been deployed in five different positions since the start of his career, including everywhere across the frontline and even as an attacking midfielder, which will be yet another attractive attribute and reason why he's been on the radar for so long.

Standing at 6 foot 2, Solanke could be an ideal target man with his height up top and would be able to provide a real physical presence, making himself a handful to deal with, so should the opportunity present itself, the manager shouldn’t have to think twice about trying to get this deal over the line.

For all the great strides made under Ange Postecoglou's watch of late, Tottenham Hotspur still have a way to go before they can truly challenge at the top end of the table, with the club's lack of squad depth seemingly a particular issue.

While still being led superbly by top scorer, Heung-min Son, the absence of Harry Kane has left the Lilywhites in need of further attacking reinforcements heading into the January window, despite signing Brennan Johnson on a £47.5m deal over the summer.

Spurs could land very own Declan Rice with bid for £30m “superstar”

Ange Postecoglou could sign a future world-beater with a January move for this teenage talent.

By
Angus Sinclair

Dec 20, 2023

That search for new acquisitions has seemingly led the north Londoners to Camp Nou, with recent reports indicating that the Premier League outfit are interested in former Leeds United man, Raphinha.

Spurs transfer news – Raphinha

As per a report from Mundo Deportivo last month, Tottenham are believed to be one of the clubs who are interested in signing the Barcelona winger in the new year, with the Brazilian having slipped behind teenage sensation, Lamine Yamal, in the pecking order in Catalonia.

The suggestion has been that the LaLiga giants would be willing to sanction an exit for the 26-year-old if they were able to receive a suitable offer next month, despite having only signed the forward on a £55m deal back in the summer of 2022.

According to a more recent report from Spanish outlet Sport – amid apparent interest from Manchester United – Barca are set to demand a fee of around €100m (£86m) for the wideman, with that potentially set to prove something of a sticking point for any interested party.

That being said, if some sort of compromise can be met, then Spurs – who were keen on prising the player from Elland Road 18 months ago – could well be able to bolster their ranks with a true "magician", as hailed by ex-teammate, Daniel James.

Raphinha's season by numbers

It is fair to say that Raphinha has endured a difficult time of late under Xavi Hernandez, having been restricted to just six starts in Spain's top flight, due to the presence of the emerging Yamal.

Despite that lack of action, however, the one-time Rennes sensation has still managed to chip in with two goals and four assists in LaLiga, as well as providing a further two assists from just three Champions League outings – highlighting just what a difference maker he can be from the flanks.

Such is his attacking threat, the £207k-per-week maverick notably ranks in the top 2% among his European peers for progressive passes received and for total shots per 90, as well as ranking in the top 7% for assists made across the last 365 days.

That record has been aided by his form last term in which the 20-cap international dazzled in his debut campaign in Catalonia, in which he reached double figures for both goals and assists in 50 games in all competitions.

Quite why he has been rather underused this time around is a question to ask Xavi, yet if Spurs were to strike a deal in January – or next summer – they would be able to acquire a hungry asset who has also previously shone in the Premier League.

Raphinha's Leeds United statistics

It was in West Yorkshire that the mercurial talent truly made a name for himself after arriving from France on a £17m deal in 2020, ultimately proving a key figure following Leeds' return to the top flight after a 16-year absence.

Over the next two years, the one-time Sporting CP sensation would go on to prove himself a player who "can do absolutely anything on the pitch" – as per the aforementioned James – having scored 17 goals and laid on 12 assists in 65 Premier League appearances.

Undoubtedly able to provide a clinical and creative presence from the flanks, the "extremely talented" ace – as hailed by pundit Graeme Souness – unsurprisingly had the likes of Spurs, Chelsea and Arsenal fighting over themselves to try and do a deal in 2022.

While the player ultimately had his heart set on moving to Camp Nou, a return to England to link up with Postecoglou and co could be a welcome move for all parties, with Raphinha able to offer that extra sprinkling of magic in attack at N17.

Such a deal could also perhaps impact the future of Dejan Kulusevski, with the Swedish starlet able to move into a new role on a permanent basis, if the Barcelona man is to sign.

How Raphinha could fit in at Spurs

With Raphinha typically doing most of his damage from the right flank, it could mean that Kulusevski – who usually lines up in that role – is able to shuffle across into the number ten berth moving forward.

As the former Juventus man has previously revealed, lining up in a playmaking role is seemingly his preferred position, having begun life in a central role in his early career:

"That's my position. Before I was a 10. I always played in the middle.

"Then in Palma, in the first season they put me right winger and that's what I had to do, I had to change my position after that. But I'm ready to play every position because I did it all my life."

With James Maddison currently out of the picture, the 23-year-old dazzled as an attacking midfielder in the recent win over Nottingham Forest, having scored himself and provided an assist for Richarlison in what was a magnificent all-round display.

As The Athletic's Seb Stafford-Bloor noted at the time, such a showing was like watching "one of those [Gareth] Bale games" under Andre Villas-Boas, with the Welshman having also moved more centrally towards the end of his first spell at the club.

That standout performance from Kulusevski even had Sky Sports pundit Gary Neville tipping him to potentially blossom into an £80m-£100m player in the near future, while the former Man United man also quipped that Maddison will "have to fight" to reclaim that starting berth once he returns from injury.

As such, if Raphinha signs to play off the right, Kulusevski could then remain in the centre for the long term, ensuring that when Maddison does make his return, he will either have to drop slightly deeper, feature off the left or compete with the Swede as a number ten.

Either way, not only could Raphinha's signing be a blessing for Kulusevski, but it could also give Postecoglou another attacking weapon to yield.

Manchester United head coach Marc Skinner doesn't know if Lionesses star Mary Earps has played her last game for the club, though he hopes not.

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• Earps out of contract at Man Utd this summer
• Toone linked with Barcelona move
• Skinner addresses futures of both

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  Earps was in between the sticks for the Red Devils on Saturday as they were brutally beaten by Chelsea, a win that secured the Women's Super League title. There is a possibility that it could have been her final game for the club, with her contract up this summer.

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  England's No.1 has been linked with Arsenal throughout the past year and although those rumours have now gone quiet, there is sure to be interest in one of the best goalkeepers in the world if she cannot agree a new deal at United.

• WHAT SKINNER SAID

  Asked if Earps had played her last game at Old Trafford at the weekend, Skinner replied: "I hope not. I hope not. They are still conversations that are ongoing. At some point, as a head coach, you have to walk away from that situation and allow your focus to be on the team – and the same with Mary. Me and Mary have got a really good relationship and I hope to work with her for many years to come. I'm hoping that we can come to some agreement, but I think it's important we leave Mary out of that situation and the two parties can continue to have conversations away from the player and the head coach."

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• DID YOU KNOW?

  Ella Toone, another key member of this Man Utd team, has also been linked with a move away despite being under contract. Reports this week suggested that she could be a transfer target for Barcelona, though Skinner said: "I've heard nothing and I'm sure I would have been told if that was the case. From my perspective, everyone knows how important Tooney is to what we do at Manchester United, especially me."

Aston Villa are currently riding high in the Premier League following some excellent wins in the previous few weeks, but they will take a break from the top flight this weekend.

The Midlands outfit face Middlesbrough in the FA Cup third round this evening and Unai Emery will see the competition as an ideal chance to end Villa’s 28-year major trophy drought.

While the Spaniard will likely make a few changes, it may be limited to just three or four as he will be looking for the club to continue building momentum.

Latest Aston Villa transfer news: Unai eyes £40m deal; Saudi club want star

It’s a huge summer for Aston Villa and Unai Emery as they prepare for the Champions League.

By
Emilio Galantini

Jul 11, 2024

Aston Villa team news vs Middlesbrough

The manager confirmed that Pau Torres, Lucas Digne, Bertrand Traore, Youri Tielemans and Robin Olsen are all unavailable against Boro this evening while speaking to the media.

Having lost at this stage of the cup to Stevenage last season in what was one of the shocks of the third round, Emery will be looking to avoid a similar scenario in the north-east tonight.

Despite missing a few players, Villa welcome back Boubacar Kamara following his three-game suspension, and he should be going straight back into the starting XI against the Championship outfit after not being available against Burnley.

Boubacar Kamara’s statistics this season

The Frenchman has been an integral cog in Emery’s Villa machine this season and despite missing six matches across all competitions – four of those coming due to suspension – Kamara has started 22 of the 23 matches he has played in this term.

He has been particularly impressive in the Premier League and among the squad, he currently ranks fifth for accurate passes per game (46) along with ranking sixth for key passes per game (1.2), first for both tackles per game (2.3), and interceptions per game (1.1), which proves how important he is in midfield, especially from a defensive viewpoint.

His 90% pass success rate ensures he can dictate the game from deep, and with players such as John McGinn, Douglas Luiz, and Leon Bailey often playing alongside him in the midfield, he doesn’t need to push forward often.

Indeed, football talent scout Jacek Kulig previously lavished the 24-year-old during his previous spell at Marseille, labelling him a “high-quality midfield controller” and his performances this season have certainly justified such high praise.

The £150k-per-week gem also ranks in the top 10% for pass completion rate per 90 (88.3%) when compared to positional peers across Europe’s top five leagues and this indicates that he not only is among the best at his current club, but correspondingly on the continent too.

Having not played since being sent off against Brentford midway through December, Kamara will undoubtedly be slightly rusty, yet the clash against second tier opposition represents an ideal chance for him to build up match fitness ahead of a league match against Everton next week.

His inclusion will give Villa the edge in what could turn into a nervy encounter, especially if they do not score in the first half.

With the chance to secure progression in a tournament that the club have not won since 1957, Emery will be doing everything he can to ensure the Midlands side make it through to the fourth round tonight.

Alisha Lehmann was spotted partying with Philippe Coutinho and her boyfriend Douglas Luiz during her post-WSL vacation.

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• Lehmann and Luiz partied with Coutinho
• Couple enjoying a holiday in Brazil
• Coutinho could leave Aston Villa in the summer

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  The couple are in Brazil enjoying a well-earned vacation after their respective 2023-24 campaigns ended. During their holiday, the Aston Villa stars were spotted partying with former Liverpool star Philippe Coutinho and his wife Aine.

  Alisha Lehmann Instagram

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  THE GOSSIP

  Coutinho, who is due to return to Aston Villa after a loan spell at Al-Duhail, could leave the Premier League side ahead of the 2024-25 season as he is reportedly in talks with the club over mutually terminating his contract. If he does manage to part ways with Villa, the midfielder could return to his boyhood club Vasco da Gama.

• DID YOU KNOW?

  Last week, Lehmann and Luiz had joined Wolves star Matheus Cunha and his wife Gabriela Nogueira in their wedding celebrations. The couple got married in Brazil on May 21.

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  WHAT NEXT FOR ALISHA LEHMANN?

  The 25-year-old will be back in action with the Swiss national team as they are slated to take on Hungary in two Euro 2025 qualifiers on May 31 and June 6, respectively.

Sir Jim Ratcliffe is set to ban Manchester United staff from dining with the first team at the club's Carrington training ground.

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• INEOS undergoing overhaul at Man Utd
• Staff to be more separated from first team
• Move aiming to create elite environment

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  United's new shareholder is making plenty of changes at the club and he is set to restrict staff from integrating with the first team during meal times. A report from has revealed that those not directly working with the players will no longer have access to their canteen or their elite food.

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  While they did not enjoy a strong Premier League campaign, United proved they are still capable of winning major trophies by beating rivals Manchester City in the FA Cup final. It is not surprising to see these changes coming in to try and prompt a spike in performance and standards with the Red Devils camp as Ratcliffe looks to recapture the glory days.

• DID YOU KNOW?

  The report revealed that some have questioned the decision to divide workers at Carrington. The decision is a big contrast to the rules implemented by Sir Alex Ferguson, who ensured there was as much integration as possible and outlined in his book that it was extremely important to mix social groups, regardless of their role at the club.

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  WHAT NEXT FOR UNITED?

  More changes are expected to flood through at United with Ratcliffe determined to stamp his authority on the club. Carrington is undergoing a complete revamp and several things have already changed, including the laundry team being moved into a completely separate building. When the players return from the summer break, Ratcliffe will be hoping to see renewed energy on the pitch.