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According to German news source Bild, as also translated by Sport Witness, there has been a transfer update out of Tottenham Hotspur involving RB Leipzig midfielder Konrad Laimer.

The Lowdown: Laimer shines…

Already amassing 20 caps for Austria at international level, the 24-year-old has been a revelation in the Bundesliga over these last few seasons as a highly effective utility man.

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Laimer’s performances have earned links with the likes of Manchester United, who have previously been tipped to move for Leipzig’s ace as a possible Paul Pogba replacement.

This kind of attention seemingly prompted his club to agree a new deal back in 2020, with the Austrian top-flight winner putting pen to paper on an extension until 2023.

As per Sport Bild (via The Sun), the fresh terms apparently contain a release clause worth around £34m, with another German outlet now claiming that Tottenham have entered the picture for his services.

The Latest: Bild make Laimer claim…

According to Bild (via Sport Witness), Spurs – and by extension transfer chief Fabio Paratici – have now added Laimer to their list of targets alongside other Premier League clubs.

This comes after the Leipzig star allegedly blew away Tottenham officials when the two teams faced off in a Champions League knockout round tie in 2020.

It is believed that, over the two legs of that round of 16 clash, Laimer ‘fought his way’ into Spurs scouts’ notebooks with his performances.

The Verdict: Bargain?

If Spurs can indeed land the in-form European ace for a meagre £34m clause, it could be worth considering at the very least.

Bundesliga expert Alex Chaffer is certainly a fan, claiming on Twitter that Laimer is ‘amazing’ and a player who ‘every team needs’, all whilst calling him ‘underrated’ and a ‘warrior’.

However, with the amount of competition in Conte’s central midfield, the 24-year-old may have to work hard to break his way past the in-form pairing of Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg and Rodrigo Bentancur.

This isn’t even taking into account Oliver Skipp’s imminent return to the team, either, with Paratici and co arguably needing to prioritise other positions which are in greater need of reinforcement.

In other news: Tottenham eye agreement ‘in the coming weeks’ as they make offer for exciting midfielder! Find out more here.

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Tottenham Hotspur’s Premier League credentials are firmly part of the ongoing title race narrative once again in light of a series of surprising results for both Liverpool and Manchester City.

What’s the word?

Football opinions are often destroyed and formed within the blinking of an eye; short-term thinking is at the core of popular opinion. When Harry Kane hobbled off the Wembley turf with only one leg to stand on in the aftermath of Tottenham’s 1-0 defeat against Manchester United, the writing had been plastered on the wall: their title ambitions were in tatters.

Fast-forward little over three weeks and a collection of surprise results later and Spurs are seemingly back in the race.

Question marks remain over Mauricio Pochettino’s pedigree after they crashed out of the Carabao Cup and the FA Cup within the space of a few short days, but Jurgen Klopp’s assessment on their credentials suggests otherwise, as per Football.London.

“Tottenham have come from behind and had a very difficult situation until recently when they have done brilliantly winning games late with lots of injury problems,” he said after Liverpool’s 1-1 draw away at West Ham.

“They are 100 per cent in the race.”

Tottenham’s never-say-die attitude is telling

One of the most commonly accepted football truisms goes something like this: if you’re winning in the face of adversity – whether it be during an injury crisis or when performances are mediocre at best – then you are showcasing the mark of champions.

Tottenham have not been completely riddled by injuries of late from a quantitative perspective, but the fact they have been forced to operate without either Harry Kane or Dele Alli has placed them in an incredibly problematic situation.

However, despite the poor hand they have been drawn, Spurs have battled to a hat-trick of league victories in a manner which evokes feelings of genuine candidacy for the Premier League title.

That Pochettino has managed to install a winning mentality into his players and grind out late goals points towards the Argentine’s title-winning pedigree, and Klopp’s admission that they remain in the hunt suggests his peers recognise that as well.

A huge Newcastle United transfer claim has been made regarding their pursuit of Diego Carlos…

What’s the talk?

Italian journalist Fabrizio Romano has revealed that the Magpies will make another move to land the Brazil defender this week as they attempt to bolster Eddie Howe’s squad. Sevilla are said to be working hard to avoid cashing by rejecting the Toon’s interest so far.

Romano tweeted: “Newcastle will push again in the next hours for Diego Carlos. Sevilla are trying to resist in every way as they did for Koundé/Chelsea deal last summer – but Newcastle are willing to insist. Key hours ahead. #NUFC Diego already agreed personal terms days ago. He’s waiting.”

Fans will be delighted

Newcastle fans will be delighted with this update for several reasons. Firstly, the claim that Carlos is ‘waiting’ after agreeing personal terms with the club shows that there is a willingness from the defender to make the switch to St James’ Park.

This shows that he is eager to join the club and is passionate about a transfer to Newcastle, which fans will surely love in comparison to a player who needs to be convinced. The 28-year-old wants the move and the Magpies now need to find an agreement with the Spanish outfit to get it done.

The supporters will also be buzzing with Romano’s tweet as it shows that Nick Hammond, Eddie Howe and PIF are not willing to give up easily. They could have admitted defeat and moved further down their list of targets, potentially lowering the ceiling on the quality of player they can bring to the club, but instead are doing their best to land the man who could be their top target.

Fans will love this as it shows ambition and a desire to sign the best possible players to bolster the squad in the January transfer window. With Newcastle currently sat 19th in the Premier League and on just one win after 20 matches, reinforcements are needed to aid their bid to avoid relegation from the top flight, and this is why working hard to sign a player like Carlos could delight the Toon Army.

The centre-back has averaged a superb SofaScore rating of 7.16 in La Liga this season, showing that he can perform to a high level on a consistent basis in a top European league. The newly-signed Kieran Trippier is the only Newcastle player (7.30) who has averaged a higher rating than Carlos this term, and that is based on a small sample size, which highlights how big of a potential signing the Sevilla defender could be.

AND in other news, “He is set to join Newcastle”: Insider’s early morning update will leave fans buzzing…

Many Glasgow Rangers fans have been left gushing over some contract news on Scott Arfield.

Speaking to the media before the 3-3 draw at Ross County (via The Glasgow Times), Giovanni van Bronckhorst admitted that he wants to keep the central midfield player beyond his current deal at Ibrox, which runs out this summer.

“He is an experienced player and he is definitely a player I want to have longer to be at Rangers. Hopefully we can welcome him next season as well,” the manager said.

As Gio says, Arfield has been ‘really important’ to the team, as he has played 25 games in total over all competitions for them this season, scoring four goals (Transfermarkt), and at 33 years of age, is one of the more experienced players in the dressing room.

Nonetheless, this seems to be a deal that would be very popular with the Ibrox faithful, and so they should tie him down as soon as possible.

Rangers fans on Arfield contract news

These Teddy Bears gushed as the contract news was shared on Twitter, with one Light Blues supporter claiming that they were ‘delighted’, while another Ger even went as far as to call it ‘brilliant’:

“Best bit of business so far”

Credit: @TerryCashman5

“Delighted with this.”

Credit: @Cway47

“FINALLY…the penny drops!!!”

Credit: @FraserC83599513

“That’s the news I’m liking on a Friday”

Credit: @thatboybabes

“More of this please”

Credit: @chloecarson_7

“Brilliant news! Love Arfield”

Credit: @MBS1872

In other news, find out what transfer update Gers lauded here!

Aston Villa are open to offers for 2021 arrivals Leon Bailey and Morgan Sanson, according to The Mirror’s Neil Moxley.

The lowdown

Villa paid £25m to sign Bailey from Bundesliga side Bayer Leverkusen just last summer, making him the third most expensive signing in their history, while Sanson arrived the previous January in a £14m switch from Ligue 1 outfit Marseille.

Steven Gerrard is gearing up for his first summer transfer window as Villa manager, having taken over from Dean Smith in November.

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The latest

In a report for The Mirror, Moxley wrote that Villa could ‘surprisingly’ entertain any bids which arrive for Bailey or Sanson, which may come as a shock development given how recently both players came to the club.

Gerrard apparently believes that he needs to improve the quality at his disposal if he is to fulfil his ambition for the Villans to compete with the top teams in England and qualify for Europe.

The verdict

In truth, neither player mooted with an exit has made much of an impact this season.

Bailey has only started five Premier League games, although that’s partly a reflection on his struggles for fitness as opposed to his ability. The Jamaican has been unavailable for 13 matches, and it’s tempting to wonder how differently things might have panned out so far had he enjoyed an injury-free run.

Sanson has started even fewer top-flight games – just three of a possible 32. The Frenchman has been an unused substitute for three of the last four, raising further questions about the level of faith that Gerrard has in him.

Whatever about Bailey, it certainly isn’t looking too great for Sanson’s future in the Midlands judging by this report and his lack of game-time.

In other news, Villa will have to make a decision between two midfield targets

Wolverhampton Wanderers have been handed a late injury setback ahead of their upcoming Premier League meeting with Burnley.

What’s the latest?

In Friday’s press conference, Bruno Lage disclosed Wolves’ injury status heading into Sunday’s affair at Turf Moor.

On the injuries in the camp, Lage told the media: “Ruben’s still out for this game and Daniel and Max – two days ago, the injury in the stadium, and he came out with a little pain so will not be available for the next game.”

Lage will be gutted

Lage began Friday’s press conference by stating his hopes for the Old Gold are to “fight for the right to play European football at Molineux” and wanted to achieve this by continuing to “play the way we play.”

Though, they may struggle at the back without the presence of 24-year-old star Max Kilman, who has been ruled out of the clash at Turf Moor after picking up a knock in Wolves’ last game against Newcastle United.

Kilman has thoroughly asserted himself as a Premier League mainstay under Bruno Lage this season. The England-Ukraine star has featured in 94% of Wolves’ Premier League campaign, building on from what was a breakout the season prior under former boss Nuno Espirito Santo.

The former Maidenhead United player has taken to Premier League football like a duck to water, with his 3.5 clearances per match matching Old Gold captain Conor Coady, ranking him second out of the Wolves squad in this metric.

His fitness status comes as a late blow for Wolves, as well as being something that will leave Lage gutted, with the £14.4m-rated talent playing a big part in Wolves’ watertight defence that has seen only Chelsea, Liverpool and Manchester City concede fewer goals than the Molineux outfit this season.

Supporters will be hoping for the return of Kilman in their fixture against Brighton on the 30th of April, with his importance valued highly under Bruno Lage.

AND in other news: “Willing to make proposal”: Source drops huge update that Wolves supporters will love

According to French news outlet L’Equipe (via Get French Football News), West Ham United centre-back Issa Diop has begun looking for a summer exit. 

The lowdown: Departure on the cards

Having arrived at the London Stadium in 2018 after the Hammers agreed on a then-club record £22m fee with Toulouse (BBC), Diop has struggled to adjust to life in the English top-flight, making 120 appearances for the Hammers.

Since the return of manager David Moyes, Diop has found himself slipping down the pecking order in East London following the signings of Craig Dawson and Kurt Zouma, indeed, he has often found himself on the bench this season.

Previously, a report from the reputable French source has claimed that Lyon were keen on signing the powerful defender and it seems that the move could well be advancing…

The latest: Meeting held

Now, as per L’Equipe, translated by GFFN, the Ligue 1 club are believed to have held talks with the 25-year-old ahead of their Europa League quarter-final defeat at the hands of the Irons.

Under contract until 2023 (Transfermarkt), GSB may well look to cash in on the man once hailed as a ‘colossus’ by Stuart Pearce.

Therefore, it’s claimed in the report that West Ham will look for €10m (£8m) in order to part ways with the six-cap France Under-21 ace this summer.

The verdict: Take the money

Albeit Diop has shown flashes of brilliance during a mixed spell in East London, ultimately the Frenchman has proved to be all too inconsistent to be relied upon by both Moyes and Manuel Pellegrini beforehand.

Whilst the Hammers continue to thrive in Europe in particular, there can be no doubt that the squad is in need of defensive reinforcements in the summer as both Zouma and Angelo Ogbonna return from long-term spells on the sidelines.

However, despite the injuries, Diop has made just 25 fleeting appearances across all competitions this season, only completing 90 minutes on eight occasions in the Premier League, and is unlikely to be offered a new deal by the West Ham hierarchy as Moyes eyes targets elsewhere.

In other news: Italian source earmarks another West Ham ace for summer move! Find out more here.

A worrying claim has been made regarding the feeling behind the scenes at Newcastle during the January transfer window…

What’s the talk?

The Athletic’s Chris Waugh has provided an insight into how the club have felt their month has gone so far, whilst also revealing that they are far from finished ahead of deadline day.

He tweeted: “‘Frustration’ at business had been building behind the scenes, but progression of Bruno Guimaraes deal is very encouraging (let’s hope it gets done). One of several #NUFC are still looking to conclude, with summits in Saudi.”

Fans will be upset

This news will surely leave Newcastle fans feeling upset with the way PIF have handled their first transfer window at the club. They failed to bring in a full-time sporting director or director of football to come in and execute a well thought-out transfer strategy, instead bringing in Nick Hammond on a short-term deal in December to assist Eddie Howe.

Kieran Trippier and Chris Wood are the only signings of the window so far, with just over three days left to go before the window slams shut. The worry now is that the Magpies are scrambling around to complete “several” deals – according to Waugh – near deadline day, and that is not a situation the fans would have wanted at the start of January.

In an ideal world, Newcastle could have appointed a sporting director at the start of December and given them a month to work on a plan ahead of January to then be ready to go all-in during the first few weeks. It could have given Howe and the supporters a major lift to have the bulk of the club’s business done in the first half of the month, rather than rushing to bring players in during the final few days in January.

PIF are now in a position where they do not have time to negotiate and bargain with clubs, and that could lead to them overpaying for players or signing the wrong player because they do not have the time to carefully decide who they want to bring in if other targets are unavailable.

This is why Newcastle fans will be upset with the news that there is frustration behind the scenes, as it suggests that PIF have got it wrong this month. The board are seemingly not happy with the way they have handled the transfer window, and supporters could be frustrated by this due to how important January could be in the battle against relegation.

AND in other news, Howe can finally axe shocking NUFC “nightmare” with “incredible” £100k-p/w monster…

A number of Liverpool supporters are excited after journalist James Pearce claimed that four key players would be available for the Reds’ next Premier League game.

Jurgen Klopp’s men picked up a victory on Sunday afternoon, battling their way to a 3-1 triumph away to Crystal Palace.

The Merseysiders weren’t always at their best at Selhurst Park but they dug deep and ensured that they made up two points on Manchester City over the weekend. The result leaves them nine points adrift of the leaders, but with one game in hand at home to 15th-placed Leeds.

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Liverpool have done well in the absence of Mohamed Salah, Sadio Mane and Naby Keita in January, winning each of their league games and reaching the Carabao Cup final, and the trio will return for the Reds next month after their involvement at the Africa Cup of Nations.

According to The Athletic’s Pearce [via Anfield Watch on Twitter], all three players – as well as Thiago back from injury – should be available for the next Premier League game at home to Leicester on February 10th, acting as a major boost when the Reds’ top-flight campaign resumes.

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Liverpool fans hail Pearce update

These Liverpool fans reacted to the update in positive fashion on Twitter, which is no surprise given that the quartet have 38 goals between them already this season.

“HERE WE COME”

Credit: @Alex_AMS96

“So glad that at the end of the day, we didn’t miss them for the games we played in their absence. Their return would be a big boost to the team”

Credit: @Drgroundzero17

“City we are coming for you”

Credit: @sean3648

“Liverpool PRIME is back!”

Credit: @fcel17

“Good news”

Credit: @iraguhajackson2

“THEY AIN’T READY FOR THE SMOKE BLUD”

Credit: @shush29344954

In other news, some Liverpool fans are fuming over one transfer update. Read more here.

Aston Villa have seen numerous players work their way through the youth system at the Midlands club and become Premier League stars.

Figures such as Gareth Barry, Gary Cahill, Steven Davis and Marc Albrighton have all gone on to make a significant number of appearances in the Premier League after coming through Villa’s youth ranks.

One player that is currently in the Villa senior squad that was in the youth system not too long ago is midfielder Jacob Ramsey, who has now racked up a total of 58 first-team appearances for the Midlands club.

Looking ahead to the future, current Villa boss Steven Gerrard has the chance to unearth yet another youth prospect at the club that could go on to become a regular senior figure in his side.

18-year-old midfielder Tommi O’Reilly has racked up a total of 37 appearances across Villa’s U18 and U23 sides.

In those appearances, the teenager has scored eight goals and provided three assists along the way.

Labelled as a “little Phil Foden” by staff in the academy, O’Reilly has yet to make his senior debut for the Villans but has been involved in three matchday squads, showing how close he is to making his first appearance for the first team.

Back in March, the youngster signed his professional contract with the club, which shows just how much they value the player.

Described as a “lovely little footballer” by Villa journalist Ashley Preece, O’Reilly could well be the next youngster in line to follow in the footsteps of so many players that have made a name for themselves in England as a product of Villa’s impeccable youth system.

With just a handful of league games left to play before the end of the season, Gerrard could have the ideal period of time ahead of him now to give the teenage starlet his first taste of Premier League action.

Taking into account how Foden has managed to deliver a combined total of 107 goals and assists in 204 youth and senior appearances for the Manchester club, if O’Reilly can end up living up to his nickname in comparison with the City star, this would be a mouth-watering prospect for everyone at Villa.

In other news: Lange must seal £10m AVFC deal for “unplayable” £45k-p/w talent, Gerrard will love him