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According to a report from The Daily Mirror earlier this week, Southampton were one side keen on a late January move for Che Adams. The 22-year-old currently plays his football at Championship outfit Birmingham City and has done so since the summer of 2016, with his sensational goal-scoring efforts for the Blues this season seemingly attracting the interest of new Saints manager Ralph Hasenhuttl.

And that’s because a report earlier this week from The Daily Mirror suggested that the South Coast outfit were keen on a move for the striker as they sought the striking reinforcements needed to pull clear of the Premier League’s bottom three, only for Adams to remain at St Andrew’s beyond Thursday’s 11pm deadline.

But given Southampton’s struggles in the final third of the field, it appears that Hasenhuttl’s side may have missed a big opportunity to dispel their relegation fears for good by missing out on the 22-year-old.

The Breakdown

Ultimately, this season has very much followed the trend set by last season at St Mary’s, what with the Saints again set for a battle against relegation, with putting the ball in the back of the net proving to be a key factor in their difficulties.

The South Coast outfit aren’t the lowest scorers in the English top-flight, but their tally of 26 goals from their 24 Premier League matches will almost certainly need big improvement between now and the end of the season if they are to fend off relegation – mainly because their tally of 41 goals against underlines their difficulties in keeping them out as well.

But in the likes of Charlie Austin, Shane Long, Michael Obafemi, and Sam Gallagher, Hasenhuttl doesn’t have a forward line that is inspiring much confidence at present given the quartet have managed only five goals between them in all competitions so far – for what it’s worth, main man Danny Ings has eight goals.

Clearly then, another accomplished striker seemed necessary in the January window especially following the departure of Manolo Gabbiadini, and after last year’s calamitous move for Guido Carrillo, luring someone in form and match-ready to St Mary’s this month appeared to be the order of the day – Birmingham’s Adams fit the bill.

The 22-year-old may have never played at Premier League level before, but he has shown throughout his time at St Andrew’s that he is a young striker very much on the up, with this season the best goal-scoring campaign of his young career to date.

And that’s because the Englishman has netted 15 times in only 29 Championship appearances for Garry Monk’s side to propel him into the division’s top five goal-scorers this term, with four goals in his last four matches underlining his excellent recent form and just how confident he is in front of goal.

Clearly, it seems that Adams is only getting better the more football he plays having bagged nine last term and seven the season before for Birmingham, and at the tender age of 22, he is surely only going to keep improving as the years go on.

But he’d also do a job for Southampton in the present as well given his confidence and form in front of goal – unlike Carrillo, who hadn’t played or scored much for Monaco prior to his move to St Mary’s, Adams would have arrived match-ready and confident to make a difference.

Yes, there has certainly been an upturn in fortunes at St Mary’s following the arrival of Hasenhuttl as manager, but when one looks at the current striking options available to the Austrian, it’s difficult to see where the goals are coming from, Ings aside, in the second half of the campaign.

And that is why failing to land Adams last month represents a big opportunity missed by the Saints, as his arrival would’ve gone some way to dispelling their relegation fears for good.

Southampton fans… what do you think? Let us know!

Liverpool’s UEFA Youth League line-up may have given clues as to who’ll be involved against FC Porto, The Athletic’s Simon Hughes writes. 

The lowdown

Liverpool are due to the face the Primeira Liga side on Wednesday night knowing that they’ve already secured progression to the Round of 16 as group winners.

That could give Jurgen Klopp the chance to rotate his side prior to the weekend’s Premier League clash with Southampton.

Klopp said in his pre-match press conference he would think about ‘ourselves, our schedule and the situation of our players’ when choosing his side.

The latest

Hughes points out that Marc Bridge-Wilkinson selected Kaide Gordon, Owen Beck and Connor Bradley for the Under-19s’ corresponding clash with Porto earlier in the day.

“I can’t see them playing tonight,” he says.

However, ‘interestingly’, Tyler Morton and James Balagizi are ‘not involved’ against the Portuguese side.

In theory, then, they should be available for the senior clash at Anfield.

The verdict

It wouldn’t be a surprise to see Morton feature from the start in what is effectively a dead-rubber fixture.

The midfielder has played in both of Liverpool’s EFL Cup ties and made his Premier League debut last weekend with a brief run-out in the 4-0 victory over Arsenal (via Transfermarkt).

In his programme notes for Wednesday’s game, Klopp described the 19-year-old as ‘very special’.

Perhaps the signs are pointing towards a full Champions League debut.

In other news, fans react to the club’s January transfer decision.

Taking to Twitter in reply to a Tottenham supporter, Sportitalia TV’s transfer ‘insider’ Gianluigi Longari has made a two-word claim involving River Plate striker Julian Alvarez.

The Lowdown: Spurs in striker search?

Over the summer, Tottenham chief Fabio Paratici pinpointed the centre-forward position as one of the main areas to strengthen for Spurs given their over-reliance on star man Harry Kane.

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As per The Telegraph, Spurs’ managing director had his sights on Fiorentina’s Dusan Vlahovic as well as other lesser-known targets like Crotone forward Simy, who eventually sealed a loan move to Salernitana.

Ahead of Janaury, Tottenham have been tipped to target reinforcements for the forward areas yet again, and as per Longari’s information, their eyes may now stretch beyond Europe.

The Latest: Spurs eye Alvarez…

Dropping a two-word Spurs claim on social media, the Italian reporter has revealed that they are one of the many clubs eyeing a move for Argentine striker Alvarez.

Simply stating ‘they are’ when a supporter pleaded for Tottenham to be interested in the 21-year-old, Longari lifted the lid on Paratici’s fondness for the Primera División sensation.

The Verdict: Good option…

As Tottenham assess striking options for Antonio Conte, we believe their scope should spread far and wide, leaving no stone unturned. This could mean weighing up alternatives to the likes of Vlahovic in prolific options outside of Europe.

Alvarez certainly comes as a brilliant target from the South Americas, as evident by his phenomenal haul of 17 goals and eights assists over 2021/22 in the league alone (Transfermarkt).

His proficiency in front of goal is only matched by his plaudits, with the 21-year-old even drawing comparisons to Luis Suarez. Meanwhile, Argentina national team coach Lionel Scaloni called the player ‘amazing’, leaving little wonder Tottenham have taken an interest.

In other news: ‘Coming from Tottenham’…Journalist makes exciting Spurs transfer claim with big offer tabled, find out more here.

Rangers could sign their ideal Borna Barisic replacement in Hibernian starlet Josh Doig.

What’s the story?

According to The Athletic, Barisic has emerged as a potential target for Premier League side Watford in the upcoming January transfer window, and that Doig could be the man Giovanni van Bronckhorst’s side turn to if the Croatian does end up leaving.

They revealed: “At left-back, with uncertainty over Danny Rose’s fitness and Masina’s potential absence, looking for someone to slot straight in is likely to be the plan. The Athletic has learned that Watford have shown initial interest in Rangers’ Borna Barisic but his price tag may be prohibitive.

“With two years left on his contract, he may cost in the region of £5-8m. The younger and more affordable option would be Hibernian’s Josh Doig who is worth approximately £2-3m. If Watford opted for Barisic, Rangers may look to replace him with Doig.”

Superb replacement for Barisic

Still only 19, Doig has built up some incredible experience in the Scottish top-flight already, marking himself down as one of the first names on the team-sheet for Hibs – this season has seen him start every single Scottish Premiership game bar just four.

And, speaking to Football Insider, former Scotland right-back Alan Hutton said: “He’s got a great engine, can get up and down, got a great left foot, aggressive. He is definitely one for the future.

“They see a talented player they think they can develop and make better for £1.5m. You can definitely tell he’s a talented player. He’s got all the attributes to be a left-back or a wing-back. He is one that you’re hoping does well.”

Given the prices involved according to The Athletic, Doig could come in not only as a bargain replacement for Barisic, but also as someone who could potentially command a sizeable fee in the future himself should the Gers ever feel the need to cash in.

His experience of playing week-in and week-out for Hibs stands him in good stead for joining a club like Rangers where the pressure will increase ten-fold, and with him still only being a teenager, there’s plenty of time left for him to still grow and develop.

Meanwhile, Rangers are eyeing this 6 foot 4 “diamond”…

According to transfer insider Dean Jones, Juventus have a ‘huge decision’ on their hands regarding the future of reported Tottenham target Paulo Dybala.

Jones claimed that the decision to sell Dybala ‘would be mad’, given the Argentine is ‘one of the few poster boys’ left at the Turin club.

The Lowdown: Dybala out of contract in the summer

Dybala joined Juventus in the summer of 2015 from Palermo as an exciting playmaker, arriving in a deal worth £33.5 million, inclusive of add-ons. Since then, the Argentina international has secured himself as a fan-favourite, having made an incredible 275 appearances for the club.

During this time, the 28-year-old has accrued a sensational record as a second striker, having scored 110 times with 46 assists.

However, Dybala is in the last six months of his contract, which is set to expire at the end of the season. According to reports by TyC, the attacker is not planning on signing an extension.

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As a result, Dybala is allowed to negotiate a pre-contract agreement with clubs outside of Italy. Following this, reports have emerged claiming that Tottenham lead the race to sign the Argentine on a free transfer in the summer.

The Latest: Jones stunned by exit links

Jones, an insider with Eurosport, spoke to The Transfer Tavern with his verdict on the possibility of a move: “If Juventus lose Dybala, that’s a huge decision for them and it changes everything.

“So, I still need convincing that they would do that because it just seems such a big move to let [go of] somebody like that, one of the few poster boys left.

“To actually sell him would be mad.”

The Verdict: Spurs could be getting an unbelievable deal

A host of footballing legends, including the likes of including Michael Laudrup and Alessandro Del Piero, have heaped praise on Dybala, claiming that he is a ‘special’ player, and it’s not hard to see why.

With a current market valuation of £45m, Fabio Paratici would be coming out into the summer window with the absolute steal of the century if he can secure a player with 139 career goals at club level.

If Spurs are able to get this deal over the line, Daniel Levy and Paratici will have outdone themselves; making up for a number of previous disappointing transfer windows under the former.

In other news, Tottenham may have been hit with a u-turn in their chase for Adama Traore…

Tottenham may be in the midst of a virus sweeping through their camp but that won’t stop Antonio Conte, Fabio Paratici and Daniel Levy from devising their blueprints ahead of the transfer window.

A host of names have been linked but it’s in the middle of the park where they could look to focus on.

Franck Kessie continues to be linked with Spurs and it’s hardly a surprise with Tanguy Ndombele’s future in doubt as usual.

On the chalkboard

Ndombele has been a constant source of frustration for many a Spurs manager now with several coaches wondering how on earth they can get the best out of him.

The Frenchman had a supposed falling out with Jose Mourinho and he came close to leaving the club as a result.

He has been an outside figure at the club ever since and despite his best attempts to be involved, a move away seems likely. A move to Juventus has been touted while it’s even been claimed that Antonio Conte is prepared to offload him after making a quick decision following his arrival in north London.

If Ndombele does seek pastures new, a replacement will be needed in central areas. One player they’ve been linked with is Lille dynamo Renato Sanches and he could be the ideal replacement in the middle of the park.

Spurs’ current club-record signing is very much known for towering above his opponents while making powerful surges forward. He combines that with technical elegance that makes him such a beautiful player to watch.

In Sanches, however, they’d find someone with all of those attributes but with the right mentality and commitment.

So far this season, the 24-year-old has registered 0.6 shots, 1.4 key passes and 2.8 dribbles per game, numbers that are certainly similar in some regard to Ndombele who has managed 1.3 shots, 0.4 key passes and 1.6 dribbles per match.

On that evidence, Sanches is the more creative but there are certain parallels in the way they carry possession forward.

Speaking to Football Insider last summer, Kevin Campbell was full of praise for the youngster, saying:

“The young man deserves a huge amount of credit for the way he has bounced back. It feels like he has been around for a decade but he is only 23. It is incredible.

“He has had to reinvent himself a bit but he is a fantastic player. He is strong, powerful and is a great ball carrier.”

Those quotes could quite easily describe Ndombele and so could words from TMW writer Antonio Tiziano Palmieri who once dubbed Sanches a “giant.”

If he arrives at Spurs this winter, he certainly has the ability to be an enormous presence and if he helps replace Ndombele in the process, the £27m-rated titan would be a marvellous pick up by Paratici and co.

AND in other news, “Tottenham are..” – Fabrizio Romano issues exciting transfer claim, fans surely elated…

Leeds United hero Kalvin Phillips is still a long way from signing a new contract with the Whites, according to journalist Dean Jones.

The Lowdown: Phillips’ future up in the air

The 25-year-old has arguably been the key player of the Marcelo Bielsa era, performing consistently in Leeds’ midfield and making 222 appearances for the club.

The hope is that Phillips agrees a new deal at Elland Road in the near future, amid reports linking him with moves to some of the country’s biggest teams – Leeds are said to value him at around £60m.

The midfielder’s current contract expires in the summer of 2024, so the Whites are at least not at risk of losing him on the cheap any time soon, but his crowning as England’s 2021 Player of the Year and Premier League form are sure to draw more and more interest as that deals ticks down.

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The Latest: Journalist gives worrying update

Jones has provided an important update on Phillips’ future, telling Give Me Sport that he and the club are still a distance apart when it comes to agreeing terms on a new deal:

“He loves Leeds, there’s no doubt about that. He has definitely enjoyed the platform they’ve given him to go on and become an England player.

“But, at the moment, from what I understand, they are quite a long way from finding common ground over his salary.”

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The Verdict: Coming to the end?

In an ideal world, Phillips would extend his stay at Elland Road and spend the rest of his career at the club, but football rarely works like that.

The England international clearly loves Leeds and will always have a special place in his heart for them, but it is only natural that he could be tempted for a fresh challenge.

With Bielsa’s men languishing in the bottom half of the Premier League, the idea of one of the heavyweights coming in for him could be too great a challenge to turn down.

That lure of Champions League football is great for most players and Phillips may want to test himself against the very best in the peak years of his career – former player David Norris said this week Phillips will be looking for ‘bigger and better things’ (MOT Leeds News).

In other news, Joe Donnohue has provided an update on Leeds’ potential January transfer business. Read more here.

Aston Villa and Manchester United have both been linked with a move for Borussia Monchengladbach midfielder Denis Zakaria.

And, according to Goal, relayed by The AVFC Faithful, the Switzerland international could leave for as little as €6m (£5m) this month, with a number of Villa fans responding to the update on social media.

Zakaria, valued at £24.3m by Transfermarkt, has six months remaining on his deal with Monchengladbach, meaning he could pen a pre-contract agreement with a Premier League side right now ahead of a summer move.

However, Johan Lange and co appear to be after a holding midfielder immediately with Marvelous Nakamba sidelined, and reports have suggested Zakaria could be available due to his precarious contract situation.

The 25-year-old has made 16 appearances this season, taking his Monchengladbach tally to 144, but it seems as if he may not hit the 150 mark following the recent update.

Villa fans react

This is what these Villa supporters had to say in reply to The AVFC Faithful’s post, with many urging the club to swoop and one labelling a €6m fee as ‘a steal’.

“offer them 10 I beg”

Credit: @Jamie_UTV

“C’mon NSWE, get your lovely fingers all over this. Unbelievable price for a great player. There’s gotta be a catch, surely?”

Credit: @BabyTaylorAVFC

“YOU WHATTTTT”

Credit: @AVFCJJC2

“This is a steal. Get it done @AVFCOfficial”

Credit: @BradDavis28

“I would love Bissouma and I would pay 40m in a heartbeat. But surely this is something we should be all over… the value for money is off the scale”

Credit: @BOOMBEEF

“Omg pleaseee”

Credit: @doyle_josh1

In other news: ‘Called it a week after Gerrard arrived’ – Lots of AVFC fans flock to Ornstein’s transfer update.   

Wolves are favourites to beat Tottenham to the signing of Sporting Lisbon midfielder Joao Palhinha this summer, according to transfer expert Dean Jones.

The Lowdown: Wolves linked with Palhinha move

The 26-year-old is one of Sporting’s most influential players, scoring three goals in 22 Primeira Liga appearances this season and being hailed as a ‘special’ player by his manager Ruben Amorim.

Palhinha has been linked with a summer move to Wolves as Bruno Lage looks to add more to his quality to his squad, ensuring that his side continue their current trajectory.

However, the midfielder’s current deal at Sporting expires in the summer of 2026, so a big fee may be required to prise him away given the cushion of that lengthy contract.

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The Latest: Jones makes fresh Palhinha claim

Speaking to GiveMeSport, Jones claimed that Wolves are the front-runners to snap up Palhinha ahead of fourth-placed Spurs. He claimed:

“Wolves are definitely in the hunt for people like that, and I think Tottenham were interested in Palhinha. But I would imagine that Wolves would probably have the jump on them for a player like that, to be honest.”

The Verdict: Neves replacement?

It looks increasingly likely that Ruben Neves could move on to a fresh challenge this summer, in which case it is imperative that a top-quality replacement comes in.

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Palhinha could be exactly that, possessing a similar standard of playmaking ability in the middle of the park, enjoying a 91.9% pass completion rate for Portugal at Euro 2020 last summer.

His Portuguese roots could also allow him to fit in seamlessly at Molineux and, at 26 with more than 200 club career appearances, he has a perfect mix of experience and still having many years left in him.

In other news, Tim Spiers has provided a double Wolves injury update. Read more here

Leeds United are set to once again make a move to bring Brenden Aaronson to Elland Road in the summer transfer window.

What’s the talk?

That’s according to a report by Leeds Live, who claim that, following Victor Orta’s failed attempts to secure a deal for the Red Bull Salzburg forward in January, the Whites are once again plotting an offensive for the USA international at the end of the current campaign.

The report goes on to state that Jesse Marsch’s appointment as Marcelo Bielsa’s replacement in the Elland Road dugout will only strengthen the Premier League side’s chances of sealing the signing of the 21-year-old – whom the report suggests could well be viewed as a replacement for the Barcelona-linked Raphinha.

Raphinha’s successor

While it is true that Aaronson and Raphinha are different types of player, with the former primarily being deployed in a more central role and the latter preferring to play out wide, it would nevertheless appear that the American would be something of a perfect replacement for the 25-year-old, should the Brazil international indeed go on to depart Elland Road this summer.

Indeed, with Marsch setting the Whites up in a 4-2-2-2 formation, Aaronson and Raphinha would actually take up the same role in the 48-year-old’s side – a position that, as previously mentioned, the Salzburg starlet is much more accustomed to.

And, with the 21-year-old also more than capable of operating on either flank, something that is evidenced by his time in Austria and while on international duty with the USA, Aaronson would appear to suit Leeds’ system perfectly.

However, it is not only his extremely impressive positional versatility that would come as a massive bonus for Marsch but also his undeniable talent in the final third.

Indeed, over his 21 Austrian Bundesliga fixtures this season, the £30m dynamo has been in fantastic form for Matthias Jaissle’s side, scoring three goals, registering four assists and creating six big chances for his teammates, as well as taking an average of 2.2 shots and making 1.7 key passes per game – with these returns seeing the 21-year-old average a SofaScore match rating of 6.89.

As such, it is not difficult to understand why Orta is once again plotting a bid for the player who Jaissle dubbed a “monster” and Thierry Henry labelled “contagious” this summer, as the £19k-per-week sensation would indeed appear to be Raphinha’s perfect replacement at Elland Road.

AND in other news: Orta can seal Marsch’s dream signing as Leeds plot bid for “unexpected” £25m-rated ace