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BBC journalist David Burns has now shared an interesting Tottenham Hotspur transfer update as their ‘scouting guru’ David Pleat is spotted on a Monday mission.

The Lowdown: Lilywhites eye Championship stars…

Over the last few months, there have been no shortage of links to some of the second tier’s most promising young stars.

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Indeed, the likes of Ronnie Edwards (Peterborough) and Nottingham Forest defender Djed Spence, currently on loan there from Middlesbrough, have been repeatedly mentioned as Spurs targets for the summer.

Lilywhites transfer chief Fabio Paratici and manager Antonio Conte are seemingly leaving no stone unturned as they scour the market for fresh additions at N17.

Keane Lewis-Potter, who was subject to a possible bid from Spurs in the January transfer window, is another head-turning young name on their radar.

Tottenham, and by extension Conte, are believed to still be eyeing the forward past their winter links (The Mail), with Burns now sharing another update on their interest.

The Latest: Burns shares Lewis-Potter update involving Pleat…

It appears that Tottenham are firmly keeping watch over Lewis-Potter with the BBC Radio Humberside reporter claiming their ‘scouting guru’ Pleat was running the rule over him on Monday as Hull faced off against Millwall.

As well as the 21-year-old, Burns suspects that Tigers centre-back Jacob Greaves was also being monitored by Pleat and Spurs.

“Very interested to see David Pleat, Spurs scouting guru, coming into the ground,” he explained (via Twitter).

“He’s watching KLP and I suspect Greaves.”

The Verdict: Take it further?

Reportedly worth around £20 million, Lewis-Potter could require significant investment on part of Paratici and chairman Daniel Levy.

However, still very young and homegrown, the Englishman has also been a real mainstay under head coach Shota Arveladze over 2021/2022 – even notching the most goals and assists (9G, 3A) combined for Hull in the Championship (WhoScored).

Averaging more shots at goal per 90 than any Tigers ace in that time (2.2), it’s clear Lewis-Potter is a proven threat, with his rapid progress in a tough division elevating the starlet’s value.

As Paratici and co reportedly eye around five major signings for Conte in the summer, it will be interesting to see whether Tottenham take more concrete action over the winger who former manager Grant McCann called ‘special’.

In other news: Conte personally approves ‘monster’ player move as Tottenham take pre-summer action, find out more here.

Tottenham Hotspur could find their next Eric Dier if emerging reports are to be believed…

What’s the word?

According to Calciomercato.it, Spurs sporting director Fabio Paratici will look to sign another defender from the Serie A during the January transfer window, this time targeting AS Roma centre-back Roger Ibanez.

Journalist Enrico Camelio told the website’s football show that the north London outfit “really like” the Brazilian colossus and will try to sign him at the next possible opportunity.

It remains to be seen if the Italian side would be willing to part ways with the first-team star and for how much, although Transfermarkt currently value him at £22.5m, with the 22-year-old under contract in Rome until 2025.

Dier 2.0

Ibanez has started every single league game at centre-back under Jose Mourinho at the Stadio Olimpico so far this season but he is capable of also doing a job at right-back and in defensive midfield.

During an initial loan spell at Roma last season, the young versatile defender proved to be an absolute rock at the back, where he averaged two tackles, 2.2 aerial duels won, 2.3 interceptions, 2.6 clearances per game, via WhoScored.

This really displayed his ability to defend but he too was equally adept with the ball at his feet, managing an 86.9% passing accuracy, which has since increased up to 90.8% this season and as we know, Mourinho likes to play out from the back, so this is a crucial aspect of his game.

In some ways, this further highlights why Spurs could receive another Dier-like presence in the squad after the England international was signed from Sporting Lisbon at a young age and was converted into a centre-back, having played most of his career in defensive midfield.

One-time Spurs managerial target Paulo Fonseca managed him in the Italian capital and once described him as “a talent” to The Athletic. “It’s not easy to find fast, aggressive central defenders,” he added. “But Roger has another side to his game. He has a lot of quality and courage on the ball.”

In Ibanez, Paratici could well find Spurs their next Dier, whether he will be available or not certainly remains to be seen but if a deal can be struck, then the Brazil U23 international could add a lot to Nuno Santo’s backline in 2022.

AND in other news, Steven Bergwijn posts worrying injury update…

Newcastle United journalist Liam Kennedy insists that there is no point discussing replacements for Steve Bruce, because the club are more than happy with his performance following a 4-2 defeat against West Ham on the opening day of the Premier League season.

A number of pundits have suggested potential alternatives to Bruce in recent weeks and months.

Newcastle endured a mixed season last term and ultimately finished the campaign in 12th, although their results left a lot to be desired at points throughout the campaign.

Between December 16th and April 11th, Newcastle played 20 games and won just three; they lost 11 and drew six. That included a run of losses that saw them score just twice in five games and concede 10.

However, Kennedy believes that those within the club are quite satisfied with the way the former Manchester United defender is operating in the job, and believes that is a damning indictment of Mike Ashley’s ownership of the club.

He said: “All this talk, all the pundits out there can name names all they want but I just believe the feeling from those at the top of the club, the people who gave him the job, I think they’re quite happy with Steve Bruce’s performance.

“But that’s a symptom of Mike Ashley’s Newcastle United, that mediocrity is celebrated.”

Newcastle kick off their Premier League campaign this weekend against West Ham United.

Ciaran Dickson appears to have completed a move to Celtic after turning out for the Hoops’ B team against Morton on Saturday, as per The Scottish Sun.

The Lowdown: Dickson was pictured with a Celtic shirt recently

Dickson, who was described as ‘terrific’ by Steven Gerrard last season, was a surprise release at Ibrox in the summer.

The 19-year-old only signed a new deal with Rangers back in January but was let go at the end of the 2020/21 campaign.

The midfielder was pictured holding up a Celtic shirt last week, leading to rumours of a cross-Glasgow switch materialising.

The Latest: Debut goal for Dickson

Dickson actually turned out for Celtic against Morton in the SPFL Trust Trophy on Saturday, as reported by The Scottish Sun.

Wearing the number 10 jersey, he scored on his debut after 30 minutes to halve a 2-0 deficit for his team.

Celtic went on to lose 3-1, but it seems as if Dominic McKay may have sealed an under-the-radar addition to the club’s youth ranks in Dickson, with a tweet from the club’s B team account labelling the 19-year-old as a new signing.

The Verdict: Shrewd move?

Dickson is a player who clearly caught the eye of Gerrard last season and was of interest to Premier League side Burnley, so a cut-price move to Celtic Park seems to be a smart piece of business from McKay.

The Hoops appears to be building for the future with the signings of youngsters Liel Abada, Liam Shaw, Liam Scales, Osaze Urhoghide and Joey Dawson, and it looks as if Dickson can now be added to that list judging by his B team appearances over the weekend.

In other news: McKay eyes record-breaking ace for Celtic and Ange; could be available for cut-price fee.

Tottenham Hotspur’s injury problems just seem to keep mounting up…

What’s the latest?

Lilywhites defender Ben Davies is the latest name to be stuck on the treatment table after he was a surprise absentee for their UEFA Europa Conference League clash with Slovenian champions NS Mura on Thursday night.

It was a game that he would’ve undoubtedly featured in, having played the full 90 minutes in all of their three previous outings in Europe this campaign.

Nuno Santo has since revealed the reason behind his absence, via the club’s official website.

“Ben has a problem with inflammation on his appendix. He is being taken care of, had scans, but he was in pain. We wish that he recovers soon and can join us,” he said.

A surprise and cruel blow to the player and the squad.

Davies won’t be facing Aston Villa this afternoon, along with wing duo Steven Bergwijn and Ryan Sessegnon, who are also out through injury.

One after the other

The Portuguese head coach has had to contend with an array of issues since he joined the club.

Summer signing Cristian Romero arrived with a problem that he picked up during Copa America duty, Harry Kane wasn’t up to speed with his fitness, Eric Dier, Lucas Moura and Oliver Skipp have picked up knocks over the last few weeks.

It seems never-ending for Nuno right now.

On the face of it, not having Davies available in the Premier League isn’t too much of a big blow but if Sergio Reguilon gets injured – after being forced to play in midweek in the Welshman’s absence – then the Spurs boss is left in a tricky predicament.

Even more so with Sessegnon, the third-choice in the role, also ruled out.

It means that someone would have to play out of position to cover, should the Spaniard pick up any problems.

Davies can also be utilised at centre-back and after being capped 67 times by Wales, he is one of the more experienced members of this squad, so his presence on and off the pitch may well be very important at times.

Given their recent poor form in the top-flight, having lost three successive heavy defeats including the north London derby, Nuno will be fuming that these injuries problems are continuing to escalate in north London.

It’s reported that the Portuguese is under intense pressure to turn things around and further injury woes will not help his cause whatsoever.

AND in other news, Nuno could save Levy millions by unleashing Spurs’ “bright” 20 y/o prodigy this season…

West Brom are interested in signing Watford forward Andre Gray this summer, according to a recent report from Football Insider.

The lowdown

Gray has been with the Hornets since 2017, having arrived at Vicarage Road from Burnley.

The forward has found regular game time hard to come by in recent seasons though, making 30 appearances for Xisco Munoz’s side in the 2020/21 season.

Gray has one year remaining on his current deal with Watford, although it remains to be seen as to whether he’ll see out that contract with the Hornets, who are preparing for life back in the Premier League and may not seem him as up to the required standard.

The latest

The Baggies have reportedly registered their interest in signing Gray this summer, with Football Insider’s Hawthorns source claiming that Watford have given the ‘green light’ for the former Burnley striker to depart before the summer transfer window closes.

That report claims that West Brom are keen on either a loan or permanent deal to sign the 30-year-old.

The verdict

Gray could be worth a punt for West Brom this summer, as they look to find a striker who can fire them back into the Premier League this term.

Valerien Ismael already has some strong options available to him in Karlan Grant and Kenneth Zohore, but additional strength in depth could be ideal for the newly-appointed West Brom boss.

Gray has shown that he can score goals in the Championship in the past as well, having played for both Burnley and Brentford at that level, netting 25 goals in 44 appearances as the Clarets won promotion into the Premier League in the 2015/16 season.

Gray had previously been linked with a move to Leeds United, and in an interview with Football Insider discussing those links, pundit and former goalscorer Darren Bent felt as though Gray is a ‘perfect signing’ in the second tier with ‘proven pedigree’ at that level.

Tottenham Hotspur cannot train ahead of this weekend’s Premier League clash with Brighton and Hove Albion, putting the game in serious doubt…

What’s the word?

That’s according to ever-reliable football.london reporter Alasdair Gold, who revealed late on Wednesday evening that the club had further positive cases at Hotspur Way, resulting in a complete shutdown of the training ground.

It means Antonio Conte’s already-depleted squad cannot face Stade Rennes in their final Europa Conference League group game this evening and now, it appears as if postponing Sunday’s encounter at the Amex Stadium will be a mere formality at this stage.

Big blow

Spurs have been hit by a flurry of positive cases in recent days and the number keeps increasing as each day passes by.

The Italian head coach revealed in his pre-game press conference that eight players and five members of staff were absent and that another player had tested positive by the end of training, as relayed by football.london.

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“I think this is a serious problem, and it’s a pity because during the press conference I’d like to talk about football and the next game and not about Covid,” he told reporters.

“But the situation is serious. Every day we are having positives. Today one player and one member of staff. I think the worst is we don’t know and we continue to have contact with people that the day before weren’t negative. For sure this is not a good situation. We have a training session to prepare for the game against Rennes, but it’s very difficult.”

Not only do the north London outfit have the Burnley postponement to fit in but they will now have to slot a rearranged encounter with Rennes in before December 31st, which may be tricky with the Ligue 1 outfit due on winter break by Christmas day, and then there is likely to be another game to manoeuvre with this weekend’s clash against the Seagulls likely to be called off in due course.

This deals Conte another blow as his tenure in N17 has been ever so stop-start since taking over a month ago, having also had to contend with numerous injuries and the international break, too.

It also means that Spurs will have a substantial backlog of fixtures heading into 2022 and that could harm their chances of breaking into the top six, let alone the top four, and that’s got to be troubling news for the Lilywhites faithful, who will now not get to witness their team in the near future.

AND in other news, Spurs may have just signed their next Danny Rose…

Southampton have joined a clutch of Premier League teams in the race to sign FC Koln defender Timo Hubers this summer.

The Lowdown: Hubers’ career so far

In 2015, the 25-year-old left the Hannover 96 under-19s to join FC Koln II, before returning to Hannover the following year. The 6 foot 2 defender played five seasons for Die Roten before rejoining Koln, but this time for the latter’s first team.

Hubers has made 15 appearances in the Bundesliga this season and has left a great impression on Steffen Baumgart’s defence. As a result, WhoScored have ranked him as Koln’s best player this season, having averaged a 7.13 rating.

However, at the end of the season, Hubers will enter into the final 12 months of his current contract.

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The Latest: Saints interested in Hubers

According to the Daily Mail, Newcastle, Leeds and Crystal Palace are all understood to be closely tracking the 25-year-old centre-back, whilst West Ham, Southampton and Championship promotion favourites Fulham are also monitoring his situation.

It is said that the Hammers and the Saints are likely to prioritise bringing in a centre-back during the summer transfer window, with Hubers set to command a £6m fee.

The Verdict: Good for rotation…or maybe more

The central defenders currently at Ralph Hasenhuttl’s disposal are Mohammed Salisu, Jan Bednarek, Jack Stephens and Lyanco. Furthermore, the Saints also have Dynel Simeu, who joined from Chelsea last summer, and his loan deal with Carlisle United is set to expire at the end of May.

However, with Lyanco and Stephens only featuring sporadically this season and with another loan deal potentially in the offing for Simeu, Southampton may well be looking to reshuffle their options at the back in search of more first-team quality.

Therefore, the addition of Hubers could provide Hasenhuttl with a stronger option for rotation – or possibly an immediate first-team starter, with the 25-year-old reportedly tailor-made for the Saints manager’s preference for playing the ball out from the back.

In other news: Dan Sheldon has criticised one Saints player during the 1-1 draw at Leeds

Flocking to Twitter, many Manchester United supporters have erupted over a pre-Liverpool blow involving star midfielder Bruno Fernandes.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is already under pressure after watching his side drop a plethora of Premier League points over this last month.

The Norwegian has overseen losses to both Aston Villa and Leicester City whilst also dropping points in a home draw to Everton, coming as United aim to win their first Premier League title in nearly 10 years (manutd.com).

Ahead of a highly anticipated clash against Liverpool at Old Trafford today, many Red Devils fans have fumed as some team news emerges before they take on Jurgen Klopp’s side.

Indeed, as confirmed by Solskjaer, star man Fernandes is now a doubt for one of the biggest clashes of their season.

The Portuguese playmaker has four goals and two assists in just eight Premier League starts this season, marking himself out as a really key player.

Taking this into account, it’s little wonder United supporters are worried he might not feature today.

Find all of their verdicts on the news down below.

Man United fans erupt over Fernandes blow…

“advantage liverpool”

Credit: @Ansh710839

“We are finished”

Credit: @martemmanuel_14

“Great.”

Credit: @Xire01

“OH GOD….we all know it will be Lingard at the 10 on Sunday!”

Credit: @OilDoug

“no bruno omg”

Credit: @rashy10_

“NOT BRUNO”

Credit: @MAX_DBN

“As if it couldn’t get any worse”

Credit: @Unit01773131

In other news: ‘Worse than Fred’, ‘Just sell’…Man United fans hammer ‘very weak’ player who ‘needs shipping out’, find out more here.

Everton gained a vital three points in their fight to avoid relegation by beating Manchester United 1-0 at home in the Premier League at lunchtime.

Anthony Gordon grabbed the only goal of the game with a deflected effort in the first half, as some of the players really huffed and puffed to get the result that they needed.

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As such, some Toffees struggled at times individually, as The Transfer Tavern have now used statistical experts SofaScore to analyse who the three worst performers (to have played at least 45 minutes) were for the hosts on the day – could any of these players be worried about their places in the XI going forward?

Allan

Given a 6.8 overall rating, Allan ranked as the Goodison Park faithful’s third-worst player.

The Brazilian lost out on five of his duels, and failed to record any clearances, interceptions or key passes, losing possession 13 times.

Allan was also dribbled past three times, the most out of any Blues player on the pitch.

Alex Iwobi

This one feels mightily harsh given the energy and commitment that he showed in the match, but Iwobi was only given a 6.7 rating.

Playing as a makeshift central midfielder, the Nigeria international lost four duels, was dribbled past once, and also failed to record a single shot on goal, accurate cross or long ball, giving it away 15 times in total.

Iwobi’s day is perhaps the quintessential evidence that the statistics don’t always back up what we see on the pitch.

Dominic Calvert-Lewin

Calvert-Lewin ranked as the worst performer for the Merseyside club after being given a 6.6 rating.

The striker lost a mammoth 12 duels, and never managed a shot on goal or key pass, as he was also dribbled past once and lost possession 14 times.

With no goal since the opening month of the season, the England international is surely running out of time to show Frank Lampard he is the man to lead the line long-term.

In other news, find out whose display Adam Jones hailed here!