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Tottenham Hotspur was at least three additions before transfer deadline day on January 31st…

What’s the word?

That’s according to ever-reliable Daily Mail journalist Sami Mokbel, who delivered an exciting claim to GIVEMESPORT this week.

“My understanding is that Conte wants a new right wing-back, he wants a new striker to supplement [Harry] Kane and a central midfielder,” he said. “Whether they can do all of those, I’m not sure they will, but that’s what they’re aiming for.”

One name heavily linked with the north London outfit has been Adama Traore, who fits the bill as their potential new right wing-back, though Wolverhampton Wanderers reportedly knocked back Spurs’ initial offer of £15m this week.

Meanwhile, the Lilywhites could look to seal a move for AC Milan midfielder Franck Kessie now, rather than the summer, when he’s out of contract at the San Siro.

Hugely exciting news

Spurs remain unbeaten under the Italian in the Premier League, which already displays the sort of magic he’s been able to pull off at Hotspur Way. However, he needs to be backed to truly elevate the club to the next level.

There have already been fears behind-the-scenes that he could walk should he not get such financial support during the transfer window. Not only is Conte dealing with injuries but largely, they lack the strength in depth that those in the top four possess.

The former Chelsea boss seemingly doesn’t trust summer signing Emerson Royal at right wing-back, particularly in the final third, so it’s easy to see why they are targeting Traore, who on his day is “unplayable” in the final third, according to Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp.

And whilst the north Londoners are well-stocked in the engine room, it’s believed that Tanguy Ndombele and Dele Alli are free to leave and there isn’t much quality behind the likes of Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg and Oliver Skip anyway.

[snack-amp-story url = “https://www.footballfancast.com/web-stories/tottenham-latest-news-transfer-gossip-rumours-conte-paratici-levy-premier-league” title=”Read the latest Spurs news, transfer updates and much, much more!”]

As talented as he is, it’s rather telling that the 21-year-old gem has walked straight into the starting XI after a loan spell in the Championship last season.

Then there is the striker issue – it’s a catch-22 for Spurs. They need an alternative to Kane but no one in their right mind will want to play second fiddle to him. Although, there’s a chance that Conte reverts to his title-winning tactics at Inter Milan, where he played two up top.

Either way, this exciting revelation from Mokbel should leave much of the Lilywhites faithful absolutely buzzing heading into the final ten days of the transfer window.

It’s time for chairman Daniel Levy to open the chequebook. They now have a world-class manager capable of giving this club the silverware they are desperately craving but he needs to be backed, starting with this current window.

AND in other news, “Tottenham will”: Sky Sports reporter issues “exciting” transfer claim…

With Liverpool having lost Harvey Elliott to a serious ankle injury back in September, followed by Roberto Firmino picking up a hamstring injury earlier this month, it’s safe to say Jurgen Klopp has not had much luck when it comes to having all of his attacking options available to him this season.

With the latest international break underway, it seemed as though the Reds could have been struck with another injury issue to one of their key attacking players.

However, there has been a development that will surely be a big relief to everyone at the Merseyside club.

What’s the news?

After being forced off the pitch during Senegal’s recent World Cup qualifying clash with Togo after 28 minutes with a suspected injury, Senegal coach Aliou Cisse revealed that Mane’s injury is not a serious one and that he was taken off as a precaution, which should be great news for Klopp.

Given how the 29-year-old, who is currently valued at £76.5m according to Transfermarkt, has managed to score eight goals in 15 games across all competitions so far this season, this shows just how important he is to the team and why it will be a big relief that his injury, on this occasion, was not a serious one.

In addition to his goals, the winger has also managed to rack up an average of 3.4 shots at goal per game in the Premier League and an overall season rating of 7.24/10, making him Liverpool’s fourth-highest rated player according to WhoScored, highlighting how much of a vital figure he is for the club.

Moving forward, with Senegal set to play Congo on Sunday in their next World Cup qualifying match, everyone at Liverpool will undoubtedly be hoping that Mane will be able to get through this game unscathed and then return back to Merseyside ready to take on Arsenal when the Premier League returns later this month.

If Mane is fit to play against Mikel Arteta’s side, then he will surely give the Reds a better chance of securing a win against the north London club, who are on a good run of form at the moment, remaining unbeaten in their eight previous league games, having also conceded just one goal in their last three matches.

In other news: FSG could secure perfect Milner heir at Liverpool with “phenomenal” £58.5m-rated beast – opinion

Sunderland return to competitive action on Wednesday night as they host Manchester United’s under-23 side at the Stadium of Light in the EFL Trophy.

The Black Cats won their opening match in the group last time out, beating fellow League One outfit Lincoln 2-1 away from home last week. Meanwhile, United have won one and lost one of their two matches in the competition, with Sunderland able to move above the Red Devils in their group with a win on Wednesday.

One player who Lee Johnson must unleash against the under-23 Premier League side is young forward Stephen Wearne.

The 20-year-old whizz kid made his senior bow against Lincoln as he came off the bench and scored the crucial second goal for the Black Cats. He came on for Ellis Taylor and played out wide on the right, marking his debut with a special goal which will surely live in his memory for a long time.

Speaking after the game, Wearne explained how much the goal meant to him. He said: “I was delighted to make my debut, it was a good team performance and obviously I’m happy to get the goal and with my family being here as well – my mum, my dad, my sister, and girlfriend – it was a special moment. I was delighted to score in front of the fans and it was a great feeling.

“I found out I was going to be in the squad the other day. The U23s had a game on Monday and I was told I was only going to play 45 minutes and then be on the bench on Tuesday. There was a possibility I might come on so I was just raring to go and excited to play and even more happy to get the goal.”

Taylor, who Wearne replaced, endured a difficult night against Lincoln as he lost half of his duels and gave away possession of the ball 11 times from just 28 touches. He also failed with both of his attempted crosses and did not attempt a single dribble, which is why Johnson must now unleash Wearne from the start against Manchester United’s under-23s.

In just 28 minutes, Wearne completed 10 of his 12 attempted passes and scored a goal to showcase his quality in the final third. This shows that he has the quality to be a game-changer for Sunderland, as he was able to find the back of the net at senior level, which means that he could score important goals to help Johnson’s side secure valuable points in the league and the EFL Trophy.

Therefore, the Black Cats boss should select him from the start on Wednesday night to see if he can replicate his Lincoln performance over the course of 90 minutes.

Everton’s first victory since 25 September on Monday night steadied the ship on Merseyside, but the club remains firmly in a state of transition and disorder.

What’s the story?

Ahead of their crucial clash with Arsenal, it was announced that former director of football Marcel Brands had departed the Toffees, citing “a clear difference in the vision and direction” that he and the board wanted to take the club in.

The Dutchman followed Sarvar Ismailov out of the Goodison Park exit door, leaving Chairman Bill Kenwright, chief executive officer Denise Barrett-Baxendale and finance chief Grant Ingles as the only remaining board members.

Upon Brands’ departure, it was revealed via a club statement that a “strategic review of the football structure” will take place at Everton, and the Liverpool ECHO reporter Phil Kirkbride has provided an update on the situation.

He wrote: “Everton are planning to find two new board members following the departures of Marcel Brands and Sarvar Ismailov. And the ECHO understands that further additions to the Goodison top table have not been ruled out.”

Moshiri must axe Bill Kenwright

News that big changes are not expected at Everton will leave large sections of the club’s supporters extremely concerned and may have some calling for more of the hierarchy to depart, given their extensive failings in recent years.

According to TransferLeague, the Toffees have the third-highest net spend on transfers in the Premier League over the last five years, with their £275m outlay only falling behind Manchester United and Manchester City.

However, they have not had the results or any silverware to show for it. In that time, Everton have finished seventh, eighth twice, 10th and 12th, highlighting their huge underperformance both on and off the pitch.

The Blues’ fanbase has been growing ever-more frustrated with the club’s chiefs in recent weeks, unfurling a banner against them at Brentford and chanting ‘sack the board’ during the Merseyside before hosting a walk-out in protest on Monday.

And it’s Kenwright who appears to be taking the majority of the flack. Journalist Richard Buxton highlighted why in a recent tweet, questioning what the 76-year-old actually does behind the scenes.

He wrote: “What is Bill Kenwright’s defined role as Everton chairman? Yes, he’s involved in the day-to-day running but when it comes to the high-ranking decisions (managers, transfers etc) Moshiri’s autonomy renders him little more than a legacy figure with a fancy title.”

Therefore, despite Everton languishing in the bottom half of the Premier League table, owner Farhad Moshiri ought to be wielding the axe upstairs once more rather than putting extra pressure on manager Rafa Benitez.

The Merseyside outfit’s issues run far deeper than the person sitting in the dugout on a Saturday afternoon, and unless extensive changes are made, their issues are likely to continue for many years yet.

And, in other news…Rafa must seal EFC swoop for “complete” £51k-p/w beast who plays like Platini & Zidane 

Former Premier League striker Dean Windass has told Football FanCast that Danny Ings will not be moving to a top-four club this summer but he believes Arsenal could end up making a move for the Southampton forward.

Ings has been in excellent form this season, scoring eight goals in the Premier League, and has 42 in 91 appearances for the south coast outfit in total.

He has battled injury issues, having sustained a knee problem earlier this season, but remains the Saints’ key man going forward.

Ralph Hasenhuttl’s men are currently 14th in the Premier League table, seven points clear of the relegation zone.

Windass is convinced that Southampton will stay in the top-flight but he does not believe Ings will be moving to a club in the top four when the transfer window reopens.

Ings has played for Liverpool previously, but he made just 25 appearances for the Reds, scoring four goals.

Liverpool signed the player as he came to the end of his contract at Burnley and Windass believes that his performances at Anfield may put off any potential suitors.

He told FFC: “Southampton will stay in the Premier League. Because Danny Ings went to Liverpool and it wasn’t a success, I can’t see one of the top four buying him.”

However, Windass does think that a club like Arsenal could make a move for the forward.

He has claimed that he could cost as much as £50m, but he does not believe the Gunners should be regarded as a Champions League-level team.

Windass added: “Maybe Arsenal, but I’m not talking Arsenal as a top four team.

“Arsenal will probably go and pay £30, £40, £50 million for him, whatever, but I can’t see Danny Ings going into the top four.”

In an exclusive interview with Football FanCast, Steve Howey, who made 193 Premier League appearances during his career, struggles to see why Freddie Woodman would return to Newcastle United to sit on the bench.

Woodman has been at Newcastle since 2013 but has only made four FA Cup appearances for the Magpies. His loan spells at Swansea City have proved to be a lot more fruitful, racking up 80 appearances and 30 clean sheets.

The 24-year old has been hailed as a future Newcastle number one but with a route into the first team seemingly blocked with Martin Dubravka and Karl Darlow both signing new contracts recently, Woodman may seek a fresh challenge.

Speaking on Woodman’s uncertain future at Newcastle and how he may be forced to search for pastures new, Howey exclusively told FFC:

“Woodman’s playing really well at Swansea. Why would you want to come back and sit on the bench when you can play week in week out?” 

“All the players that I’ve played with, nobody likes training all week and not playing on game day.

“As I said, there’s an awful lot of players that to have to do that. Ultimately, it’s up to you. Are you happy with that? Or do you want to play?”

Woodman looks to have made a real breakthrough in his career at Swansea becoming their number one, and is showcasing the talent which saw him keep four clean sheets in seven matches as England won the Under 20s World Cup in 2017.

Swansea manager, Steve Cooper, has a great relationship with Woodman which could end up being a pull factor if the Swans secure promotion to the Premier League, and look to make the Croydon-born goalkeeper’s loan spell permanent.

Wolverhampton Wanderers could miss out on a move for Marseille’s Croatian centre-back Duje Caleta-Car.

What’s the word?

That is according to French reporter Ignazio Genuardi via Get France Football News, who claims that Aston Villa manager Steven Gerrard has scouted the 6 foot 1 defender ahead of a potential move to Villa Park.

Wolves reportedly offered Marseille £13m, just seven months ago, as per RMC Sport and he was considered a real target for the Molineux side.

Their own Dias?

With their Midlands rivals now in the race to sign the central defender, Bruno Lage must consider reviving the club’s pursuit of the Croat.

Caleta-Car is about to enter the final year of his contract and with no apparent sign of renewing, Marseille may feel pressured into selling him at the end of the season in order to acquire some decent money for the 25-year-old.

The £14.4m-rated Croatian has started just 59% of Marseille’s games in the league this season, though, in that fairly limited time, he has demonstrated exactly what his game is about – with his passing ability shining through.

Caleta-Car, who has been dubbed as a “Daddy Emperor” by The Mirror (which is what his name translates to), has asserted himself as one of Marseille’s most accurate passers of the ball per 90, achieving an average of 72 passes, whilst also demonstrating his ability as a long-ball specialist, topping the charts for accurate long balls per 90 with an average of six accurate long balls per game.

Though, his defensive metrics are not as impressive as his offensive stats this season, with the only shining light in this area being his 66.7% of dribblers tackled metric that places him within the elite category for positionally similar players across the last 365 days in Europe’s top 5 leagues, as per FB Ref.

Wolves will feel hard done if Aston Villa capture their target after their bid fell short just seven months ago.

It has been reported that Lage is in the market for a young striker and a right-footed centre-back this summer, with Caleta-Car fitting the bill for the latter requirement.

Indeed, based on the stats above, he could become the club’s own Ruben Dias too, a player the Old Gold famously missed out on before he joined City. FB Ref notes how the players are incredibly similar and a deeper look at the stats explains why.

They both complete over 92% of their passes, and make a fairly equal number of progressive passes with Caleta-Car averaging 426.1 yards per 90 compared to the Manchester City defender’s 432.1.

Furthermore, they are producing a similar number of defensive actions. Dias completes 2.58 tackles and interceptions per 90 whereas the Marseille brute averages 2.45.

Thus, the Old Gold faithful will hope Lage can tempt the Croatian to the Molineux in what would be a great signing.

In other news: John Percy: Wolves now eye swoop for the “next Mbappe“, he’s better than Jimenez – opinion