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According to a report by Italian newspaper Corriere dello Sport, via Sport Witness, Fiorentina striker Dusan Vlahovic remains a ‘dream’ signing for Tottenham Hotspur this summer but Fabio Paratici may have a battle on his hands.

The Lowdown: Spurs eyeing Vlahovic…

Tottenham are eyeing a move for Vlahovic this summer and have been heavily linked since Paratici’s appointment as managing director in north London.

The Times claimed that Spurs have already held talks over signing the Serbian, while Calciomercato reported that Spurs have already put a proposal on the table.

The Latest: Vlahovic a ‘dream’ signing for Spurs…

Corriere dello Sport claimed (via Sport Witness) that Vlahovic remains a ‘dream’ signing for Tottenham and ‘many top clubs’.

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The big issue appears to be the player’s stance on leaving La Viola this summer, with the 21-year-old apparently not keen on a move away. His current deal expires in 2023 and the forward is waiting for his representatives to start talks over a possible extension.

Furthermore, Fiorentina are also not eager to sell, potentially leaving Paratici with a major battle to secure his signature.

The Verdict: Big blow…

This news comes as a blow for Spurs and their interest in landing Vlahovic this summer.

He would undoubtedly be an incredible acquisition if Paratici can somehow get it over the line, especially going by his mighty 21 goal-haul in Serie A over 2020/21 (WhoScored).

The 1.9m (6 foot 3) beast has also been called ‘crazy’ by former Bulgaria international and ex-Partizan Belgrade team-mate Valeri Bojinov (Planet Football).

It’s little wonder his club are keen to keep him, with Paratici now seemingly facing an uphill struggle to lure the Serbian to Tottenham.

In other news: ‘Understand’…Alasdair Gold backs big news coming out of Tottenham, find out more here.

With no goals scored in their previous two Premier League games, the upcoming January transfer window could provide West Ham United with the perfect opportunity to strengthen their squad and set themselves up to push for a top-four finish by the end of the campaign.

Taking this into account, it seems as though the east London club have their eye on securing a new attacking talent who could be just what they need to end the season on a high.

What’s the news?

According to a recent report from Football Insider, West Ham have their eye on making a move to sign Rubin Kazan attacker Khvicha Kvaratskhelia alongside fellow Premier League clubs Everton and Southampton.

Since joining Rubin on a free transfer from FC Rustavi back in the 2019 summer transfer window, the 20-year-old winger – who is currently valued at £16.2m by Transfermarkt – has made 68 appearances for his club across all competitions, scoring eight goals and providing 16 assists.

Having been likened to former Bayern Munich winger Franck Ribery – who scored 124 goals and provided 182 assists in 425 appearances for the Bavarian giants – by Denis Bushuev, Kvaratskhelia could be an exciting prospect for West Ham to add to their squad in January.

In his 15 league games so far this season for Rubin, Kvaratskhelia has shown how talented an attacking player he is by averaging 2.2 shots and 1.4 key passes per game.

To put these numbers into perspective, current Irons attacker Said Benrahma has racked up similar averages of 2.1 shots and 1.1 key passes per game in 17 Premier League appearances this term, showing that the Georgian has what it takes to mix it with West Ham’s senior attackers.

Moving forward, taking into account Kvaratskhelia’s attacking talents and West Ham’s lack of recent goals, they should be doing all they can to beat Everton and Southampton to his signature to add an extra spark to their attacking ranks as they look to finish in the top four.

In other news: “I could see” – Journalist drops exciting claim at West Ham which will have fans buzzing

Ally McCoist has laughed off Sir Kenny Dalglish’s claims that Rangers are under more pressure than Celtic going into this weekend’s Scottish Cup semi-final.

The Lowdown: Dalglish ranks up mind games

The Hoops take on their biggest adversaries at Hampden Park on Sunday afternoon, in what promises to be another nerve-wracking encounter.

Ange Postecoglou’s side picked up a massive 2-1 win at Ibrox in the Scottish Premiership earlier this month, pulling six points clear at the top in the process.

That prompted Celtic legend Dalglish to claim that Rangers are under more pressure to get the win this weekend, as he cranked up the mind games.

The Latest: McCoist responds

Speaking on talkSPORT [via The Daily Record], McCoist laughed off his former Scotland colleague’s comments, refusing to agree with his opinion:

“I was at the last league game at Ibrox when Celtic won 2-1. Celtic defended really, really well to be honest with you and probably looked more dangerous.

“Rangers have got everything to play for – and so have Celtic! I love the fact we say there’s more pressure on Rangers, these games are unbelievable, they really are.

“I can let Kenny off, because he’s the best, because he’s Kenny!”

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The Verdict: King Kenny is right

In typical Dalglish fashion, he is correct here, without Rangers undoubtedly under more pressure because of the current state of the league table.

If Celtic lose, they will still be the overriding favourites to clinch the title, which would act as a far better achievement than cup glory next month.

On the flip side, defeat for Rangers would hugely increase the chance of them going the entire season without a trophy, giving Hoops fans even more bragging rights after the recent result, especially with a treble still on offer.

In other news, Ange Postecoglou wants a Celtic signing done as soon as possible. Read more here.

Lots of Everton fans have been left raging as an update to one of their upcoming fixtures was announced.

As per the Toffees’ official website, their game in the Premier League against Leicester City at Goodison Park will now take place on Sunday 19 December with a midday kick-off.

It was originally going to be played on Monday 20th at 8pm but has now been brought forward because the Foxes have qualified for the quarter-final stage of the Carabao Cup, where they will also be on Merseyside to play Liverpool that week.

A number of Everton supporters have been left unhappy with the news, as some were planning to spend time with their families and friends on the last weekend before Christmas, while others would have preferred to travel to the stadium on Monday night rather than Sunday morning.

Everton fans on Leicester fixture change

These Evertonians were left raging as the news was shared on Twitter, with one fan even going as far as to claim that the fixture change is ‘awful’:

“Just why?”

Credit: @JFatality_x

“Sunday at 12. Grim.”

Credit: @ConnorBennett14

“Birthday ruined already.”

Credit: @CallumChadwick_

“That’s an awful time on the last weekend before Christmas”

Credit: @JGreenway8

“Getting worse this.”

Credit: @1878stevo

“Please just stop”

Credit: @patto1878

In other news, find out what early team news before the Wolves clash has had many Evertonians raging

Wolves forward Hwang Hee-chan is expected to make his loan move to Molineux a permanent one, according to reliable journalist Tim Spiers.

The Lowdown: Hwang impresses for Wolves

The South Korean left RB Leipzig for a temporary spell last summer as he looked for regular playing time elsewhere.

Hwang has enjoyed a productive spell at Wolves so far, scoring four goals in 11 Premier League starts and helping Bruno Lage’s side to sit ninth in the table.

Wolves have the option to sign the 25-year-old on a permanent deal but that may need to be sorted by the end of this month, or else they run the risk of another team swooping for the forward.

The Latest: Spiers makes positive claim

Taking to Twitter on Sunday, Spiers simply delivered a four-word verdict regarding Wolves’ move for Hwang, saying that it is expected to be completed:

In a tweet in which he shared an accompanying article from The Athletic, the journalist claimed: “Hwang likely to join.”

The Verdict: No-brainer for Wanderers

Hwang has made an immediate impression at Wolves so it makes complete sense to retain his services, given his age and the quality that he has shown.

The 43-cap South Korea international has already shown a good understanding with Raul Jimenez, and his versatility means that he could also be a long-term replacement for the Mexican in a central role.

Granted, Hwang’s form has dipped a little in recent weeks, with the goals drying up completely since netting against Leeds on October 23, but he has done enough to show that he is worth taking the plunge upon for a permanent transfer.

In other news, Wolves have been linked with a move for a central midfielder. Find out who it is here.

Phil Hay has dropped an update on Leeds United midfielder Kalvin Phillips, regarding his injury status heading into the international break.

What’s the latest?

According to The Athletic’s Leeds correspondent, Leeds United midfielder Kalvin Phillips has withdrawn from the England squad with a minor knock.

However, despite that blow, the reporter confirmed a big boost for Leeds in the process.

Hay claims that Phillips has a ‘good chance’ of being fit enough to face Southampton after the international break, with his injury not set to rule him out for a prolonged period of time.

Big boost

This news will leave fans feeling delighted as it is a big boost for Marcelo Bielsa’s side.

Losing Phillips for the clash against Southampton, and possibly beyond that, would have been a sizeable blow to the squad and would have left the Argentine coach needing to tinker with his XI to compensate for Phillips’ absence.

The defensive midfielder has been a crucial figure in the Leeds team under Bielsa, with 34 Premier League starts to his name since the beginning of last season. He averaged a sublime WhoScored rating of 7.01 as he bossed the midfield in the top-flight, earning himself recognition for his country in doing so.

England manager Gareth Southgate admitted that he had faith that Phillips would be able to become an important member of his squad at international level. He said.

“He’s been excellent. The way he has taken to international football, it hasn’t surprised us because what we’d seen with Leeds, even in the Championship, we felt could convert into our team.

“We felt he could play an important role with us. To play in the enormity of the matches he did in the summer and play as well as he did is massive credit to him.”

This played out in the summer as the Leeds man played seven times in the European Championships as England lost the final on penalties to Italy.

Whilst this illustrates his quality and shows why his fitness will come as a big boost to Bielsa and leave fans delighted, there is also a lack of depth in his position. Phillips was absent on the opening day of the season against Manchester United and Robin Koch was forced to operate in the holding midfield role, with Leeds losing 5-1 at Old Trafford.

The Whites do not have a natural holding midfielder to cover for Phillips when he is not on the pitch and that is another reason why this injury only being a minor one will delight supporters.

This could also be an area for Victor Orta to look at in the January window as signing a back-up in his position could ease any fears over his availability in the future.

AND in other news, Leeds must sanction swoop for £8.5m gem with “crazy technique”, he’s Raphinha 2.0…

Leeds United will find it hard to keep hold of Kalvin Phillips if Manchester United bid for him in January, according to Alex McLeish.

The Lowdown: Phillips linked with United move

The 25-year-old has matured into one of the best midfielders in the country, producing consistently excellent performances for Leeds and also winning England’s Player of the Year award.

With his reputation seemingly being enhanced by the week, Phillips has unsurprisingly been linked with a move away from Elland Road, with Manchester United tipped to sign him.

His current Leeds deal expires in 2024, although there has been talk of him agreeing a new contract.

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The Latest: McLeish makes worrying claim

Speaking to Football Insider, McLeish gave a seven-word verdict regarding a potential move to Old Trafford for the Leeds midfielder, saying that it would be “tough for him to turn it down”.

The former Premier League manager then added:

“Jack Grealish was a fan of Aston Villa all his life, but he had his head turned by a dominant club like Manchester City.

“It’s the same thing – if United come and go all the way with their interest, it is hard for him to stay.”

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The Verdict: Last season at Leeds?

Sadly, as McLeish has hinted, it does feel as though the £36m-rated Phillips’ time as a Leeds player could be reaching its natural conclusion, with his head potentially being turned by the prospect of a move elsewhere.

That may not be as soon as January, but a summer exit could be on the cards should a Champions League-playing club come in for him.

It would be premature to rule out the idea of Phillips simply staying put at Elland Road for many more years, but as things stand, he may believe that the peak years of his career lie elsewhere.

In other news, Phil Hay has given an important Leeds injury update. Read more here.

Noel Whelan has now urged Newcastle United not to let go of Matty Longstaff after an update on the future of the central midfield player.

The Lowdown: Longstaff can go

As cited by The Northern Echo, Steve Bruce has confirmed that Longstaff can go out on loan before the summer transfer window ends.

He has reportedly been targeted by both Sheffield United and Huddersfield Town ahead of a potential move.

The Latest: Whelan on Longstaff

Speaking to Football Insider, Whelan, who is now a pundit after playing as a striker for the likes of Leeds United and Coventry City, has now urged the St. James’ Park faithful to keep hold of Longstaff before the window shuts, given the size of their current squad at the moment:

“You can’t do it, don’t allow players to leave when you have a squad the size of Newcastle’s.

“They’ve not really been active in this window, it’s a really difficult situation that Steve Bruce is in.

“You’ve got to look if Newcastle have got players coming through the ranks who can replace him, or whether they are willing to go into the market to replace him.

“They’ve not started the season well, so to lose a home-grown player is a bit of a kick in the teeth.

“But he’s another young player who needs to be playing regularly to get the best out of him, and maybe Matty has realised that.”

The Verdict: Keep for now

To be fair, the North East club have a decent amount of options in the middle of the park, including the likes of Longstaff’s brother Sean, Isaac Hayden, Jeff Hendrick, Jonjo Shelvey and new arrival Joe Willock (Transfermarkt).

However, unless they can find a replacement for him with just a few days left of the window to go, they should be looking at keeping Longstaff for now as they may need a big squad deeper into the new season.

Described as a ‘talented’ player by Sky Sports pundit Kevin Campbell back in June, he certainly has potential, as exemplified by scoring a memorable goal on his senior Premier League debut for the Tyneside club in a 1-0 home win over Manchester United (BBC Sport).

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Nonetheless, Longstaff is a local boy as well, and so the Toon Army will want him to do well for them.

In other news, find out which three top-flight players Bruce is eyeing here!

Leeds United duo Luke Ayling and Patrick Bamford have made ‘really encouraging’ returns from injury, according to journalist Phil Hay.

The Lowdown: Key Leeds pair return to action

The Whites have had make do without the influential pair since the middle of September, with injuries striking both of them down.

Both Ayling and Bamford made hugely pleasing returns to action on Monday evening, though, playing for Leeds’ under-23s in their 3-2 defeat to Manchester City.

The right-back came off at half-time and the striker played the full match, with both looking set to play a big part in the first team’s busy December schedule.

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The Latest: Hay in positive spirits

Taking to Twitter after Monday’s game, Hay admitted that it was “really encouraging to see” the duo back on the pitch, his tweet accompanied by an article for The Athletic which outlined ‘how Ayling can help to revive one of Leeds’ core strengths and why Bamford is inevitably missed’.

Marcelo Bielsa’s side host Crystal Palace in the Premier League tonight, and while that match will surely come too soon for the returning pair, they could hopefully feature at home to Brentford on Sunday.

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The Verdict: Major boost for Whites

Put simply, Leeds aren’t the same team without Ayling and Bamford around, with both proving to be pivotal figures in recent campaigns.

The former provides constant energy from right-back, not to mention leadership having captained the Whites in the past, while the latter’s goals have been missed hugely. He netted 17 in the top flight last season; Leeds have managed just seven in the eight matches he has missed since getting injured at Newcastle in mid-September.

Bamford also has the ability to bring the best out in others, dropping deep to link up with team-mates and creating space in behind for the wingers.

Leeds need to get their season going after a slow start, and the impending returns of Ayling and Bamford could be exactly the spark for a winter revival.

In other news, Danny Mills has been critical of one Leeds player’s impact. Find out who it is here.

Paul Stewart is puzzled as to why Liverpool are struggling to tie Jordan Henderson down to a new deal.

The England midfielder has been on the Reds’ books since joining from Sunderland in a deal worth a reported £20million a decade ago.

He has gone on to captain the Merseyside club to their first ever Premier League title and also held the Champions League, Super Cup, Club World Cup and League Cup trophies aloft during his time at Anfield.

The 31-year-old has entered the final two years of his £140,000-per-week deal and his long-term future at the club now appears to be in doubt.

Liverpool have opened discussions with a host of players this summer but contract talks with Henderson have stalled.

It has resulted in the likes of Paris Saint-Germain and Atletico Madrid monitoring the situation, with them ready to open negotiations if Henderson fails to agree terms.

Former Liverpool man Stewart feels Henderson, who is currently training with La Liga club RCD Mallorca ahead of returning for the latter stages of pre-season at Liverpool, may have failed to have penned a new deal for a number of reasons.

He exclusively told Football FanCast: “It doesn’t seem right to me and I think there’s something underlying that we don’t know, which is why he is stalling on a contract.

“That could be for a few reasons. They may have offered him less money because of his age. He might want to go to China, where he could triple his wages. He might not be first choice in midfield, but only time will tell why he’s stalling on his contract.”