Tottenham Hotspur should use the January transfer window, which opened for business on Thursday, to make key additions to their squad for the second half of the campaign.

The Lilywhites are currently 12th in the Premier League table after a dull 0-0 draw with Thomas Frank’s former side Brentford away from home on Thursday night.

Tottenham’s head coach was reportedly booed by his own supporters after he went over to applaud their support after that disappointing draw, which speaks to the growing frustration around the situation in North London.

Spurs among frontrunners to sign LaLiga star

Frank and the club could look to get fans back onside and pulling in the same direction by using the window to add quality and exciting players to the group in the coming weeks.

Transfer Focus

Mega money deals, controversial moves and big-name flops. This is the home of transfer news and opinion across Football FanCast.

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According to TEAMtalk, Tottenham Hotspur have joined the race to sign Atletico Madrid central midfielder Conor Gallagher in the January transfer window.

The report claims that the Lilywhites want to sign the England international to bolster Frank’s options in the middle of the park, but Manchester United are also keen on the former Chelsea ace, with both Spurs and the Red Devils said to be leading other English sides for his signature.

It adds that Spurs view Gallagher as an ideal addition to their midfield ranks this month, and that the 25-year-old midfielder would be ‘enthusiastic’ about a move to North London, because of his London roots.

TEAMtalk reveals that Atletico Madrid are open to allowing the Englishman to move on in January, but they want a permanent transfer and would like a fee of around £26m for his services.

Why this is bad news for Rodrigo Bentancur

Tottenham’s interest in a deal for Gallagher is bad news for Rodrigo Bentancur because it could spell the beginning of the end of his career with the Lilywhites.

The Uruguay international currently fills the role of being the more experienced operator in midfield, alongside much younger talents like Lucas Bergvall, Archie Gray, and, when he is back from international duty, Pape Matar Sarr.

However, his fairly underwhelming performances on the pitch this season suggest that the signing of another experienced midfielder could see him lose his place in the side.

25/26 Premier League

Rodrigo Bentancur

Appearances

18

Goals

1

Key passes per game

0.5

Assists

1

Duel success rate

52%

Aerial duel success rate

45%

Tackles and interceptions per game

2.7

Stats via Sofascore

Bentancur, as illustrated in the statistics above, has not been a standout performer in the Premier League this season, as he has been average in his duels and offered very little in possession at the top end of the pitch.

Gallagher, meanwhile, is a central midfielder who can offer a similar defensive presence, when it comes to making tackles and interceptions, whilst providing more quality with his all-round game.

The chart above shows their respective statistics over the past 365 days for Spurs and Atletico Madrid, and the England international comes out on top in most metrics.

Gallagher’s significantly more impressive work in possession really stands out in that chart, as it suggests that he would offer far more to Spurs as an attacking force on the ball, which could help to prevent any more dull affairs like the 0-0 draw with Brentford.

The former Chelsea man has delivered seven goals and seven assists in all competitions for Atletico since the start of last season, per Sofascore, including a goal and an assist in his last two games.

Subscribe to the newsletter for Spurs transfer analysis Get deeper context on Tottenham’s chase for Conor Gallagher by subscribing to the newsletter, with expert breakdowns of transfer targets, squad impacts, and what signings mean for players like Rodrigo Bentancur — perfect for fans seeking focused transfer coverage.

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Gallagher, who was once hailed as a “monster” by Tom Dutton, also provides quality out of possession. He ranks in the top 3% of midfielders in the Big 5 Leagues over the past 365 days for interceptions per 90 (1.73) and the top 24% for tackles per 90 (2.45).

These statistics suggest that he has the defensive qualities to replace what Bentancur offers at the heart of the midfield, whilst also possessing the technical attributes to make a greater impact in matches on the ball.

Bentancur has only produced three goals and two assists in all competitions since the start of last season, per Sofascore, which proves that he is not a reliable contributor in the final third, unlike Gallagher.

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Therefore, Tottenham’s interest in the England international could spell bad news for the Uruguayan star, because Gallagher could be Frank’s experienced midfield linchpin around the younger talent, leaving Bentancur to consider his future as a bench warmer.

Tottenham Hotspur are lining up a shock swoop for Bayern Munich winger Serge Gnabry ahead of the summer transfer window.

What’s the word?

That’s according to German publication Sport Bild, who claim that negotiations over a new contract extension at Bayern Munich have stalled with the two parties facing a gulf in salary valuations.

It is believed to have put Spurs on high alert as well as arch-rivals Chelsea, too.

By the summer, the Germany international will be entering the final 12 months of his current £115k-per-week deal at the Allianz Arena.

It remains to be seen whether the Bundesliga giants would sell the 26-year-old, who is currently valued at £63m by Transfermarkt, before then or if he will be allowed to leave on a free, following in the footsteps of Niklas Sule this season and the likes of David Alaba and Jerome Boateng in years gone by.

Forget Moura

Gnabry would be quite an astounding signing for Tottenham, especially under the stewardship of Antonio Conte as it would seriously bolster his attacking ranks with one of Europe’s top wingers.

The Lilywhites faithful will know his attacking exploits all too well and that’s not because of his time down the road at Arsenal but rather for his part in Bayern’s 7-2 demolition of Mauricio Pochettino’s side in the Champions League back in October 2019.

He found the net four times in one of the most embarrassing nights in Spurs’ history and a month later, the Argentine was sacked by Daniel Levy.

The 26-year-old has emerged as one of the best players in Europe since his move to the German giants, leading to high praise from BT Sport pundit Rio Ferdinand, who waxed lyrical about the former Gunners graduate following his performance against Lyon in the UCL semi-final.

“His stats are phenomenal. He’s sitting in the top-level, world-class,” the former Manchester United defender said. “He’s come to Germany and set the place on fire, he was absolutely stunning tonight. His decision making has been extraordinary.

“I’ll go as far as to say he’s one of the most improved players in football at the moment. I don’t think anyone’s upwards trajectory is as sharp as his.”

Despite the contractual issues, Gnabry has still delivered on the pitch for Bayern, where he has scored 12 goals and provided nine assists, taking his total for the club to 98 direct goal contributions in 157 appearances, via Transfermarkt.

The 5 foot 9 dynamo, dubbed a “real weapon” with abilities that no one else has in the German top-flight by former Die Roten boss Niko Kovac, would subsequently be a mega upgrade on Lucas Moura at Hotspur Way.

Conte’s current right-winger has struggled for consistency ever since that night in Ajax and his form is summed up by the fact that he’s reaching levels nowhere near that of Gnabry.

As per Transfermarkt, the Brazilian has managed only two goals and four assists in the Premier League this season, with just one direct contribution coming in the last eight outings.

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Subsequently, he has recently lost his place in the starting XI to Juventus loanee Dejan Kulusevski.

On the above evidence alone, it’s evident that the former Arsenal man is a far greater threat and talent than Moura – he’s doing it for a team challenging for the title and in Europe’s biggest competition, too.

Spurs sporting director Fabio Paratici must do all he can to lure Gnabry back to north London following the conclusion of the current campaign. It may seem like an unrealistic signing but with Conte at the helm, anything is surely possible.

AND in other news, Fewer touches than Lloris: £18m-rated Spurs flop proves he’s not good enough for Conte…

Newcastle United have learned the latest on the future of Lyon defender Jason Denayer who has been previously linked with a summer move to St. James’ Park.

What’s the latest?

Speaking to Belgian outlet Derniere Heure via The Chronicle, the centre-back’s agent Jesse de Preter said that his client’s next decision will be a ‘sporting’ one.

“Jason remains open to an extension,” de Preter said.

“He is in a comfortable situation and has the luxury of being able to weigh the pros and cons in order to make the right decision.

“His ambition is to play in a Champions League final. Not a dream, an ambition.

“He is entering the best four or five years of his career and wants to make a purely sporting choice.”

The Mirror reported last month that Newcastle are on red alert for the 26-year-old whose contract at the Ligue 1 club expires in June and who spent the 2016/17 Premier League season on loan at the Magpies’ fierce rivals Sunderland from Manchester City.

Now five years on, the defender is much more mature and has proven to be a shrewd acquisition for French outfit Lyon who signed Denayer from City in August 2018.

Newcastle should sign Denayer

Despite previous connections with Newcastle’s unpopular North-East neighbours, Denayer would certainly be a good signing Eddie Howe’s squad.

The additions of Dan Burn and Kieran Trippier have so far bode well for the Magpies but adding the Belgian at the back would certainly solidify United.

Five years ago, the 26-year-old played 27 times for the Black Cats as they were relegated from the Premier League, a level that the League One outfit can only dream of currently.

Prior to his spell on Wearside, the centre-back excelled on loan for Celtic and emerged in the Belgium set up, with then-manager Marc Wilmots saying: “Jason is like Eden Hazard. Always calm. I’ve never seen him nervous; he has a lot of confidence and there will be someone with experience standing next to him.”

The following campaign saw Denayer join Turkish outfit Galatasaray on loan, for who the Belgian made 22 appearances.

However, it never worked out for the defender at Manchester City, who cashed in on the 33-capped Belgium international in 2018 after he failed to make a single appearance for the first team.

Lyon were the buyers, whom Denayer has made 136 appearances for, 17 of which in the Champions League, and has developed into a mature, European-level defender, something that has been few and far between for the Magpies in recent years.

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Indeed, the Toon Army haven’t seen a defender as popular as former centre-back Fabricio Coloccini come through the door at St. James’ Park since the Argentinian’s departure in 2016 and are certainly in need of that type of figure at the back.

During eight years on Tyneside, the now-retired defender made 275 appearances for the Magpies, playing in the Premier League, Europa League and even the Championship for the North-East club.

No other centre-back has come close to that sort of tally but, with serious investment from PIF, there is certainly a possibility for Newcastle to add a defender of serious quality to their ranks in the summer.

Although he has worn the dread red and white of Sunderland in the past, Denayer is a European level defender with plenty of international experience and could be purchased for a bargain fee, with Transfermarkt valuing the 26-year-old at £18m with his contract set to expire in the summer.

In other news: Newcastle learn the latest on Callum Wilson’s fitness

Patrick Boyland has now dropped a fresh injury blow for Everton before they play away at Tottenham Hotspur in the Premier League on Monday night.

The Lowdown: Godfrey recovering

Just over a week ago, the Goodison Park faithful revealed that Ben Godfrey was ‘making progress‘ in his attempts to recover from his latest injury setback, but the former Norwich City central defender has still not featured since the 4-1 win at home to Brentford in the FA Cup last month.

He had to watch from afar again as they won 2-0 at home to Boreham Wood on Thursday night to book themselves a place in the quarter-final stage of the competition.

The Latest: Still too soon

Taking to Twitter, The Athletic journalist Boyland has shared that Spurs will still come ‘too soon’ for Godfrey, but added that he will train with the squad next week, while Andre Gomes has already started training again Dominic Calvert-Lewin is set to start training on Saturday.

The Verdict: Blow

It is certainly a blow for Frank Lampard and the Merseyside club not to have Godfrey available once more.

To give them the best possible chance against the European hopefuls, they would need as many of their key players fit and in the squad, and Godfrey certainly counts as one of those.

He is currently ranking highly among his teammates in terms of average tackles, clearances and blocks per match in the top flight so far this term (WhoScored), and so is clearly a good influence on the rest of the backline.

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Nonetheless, the Toffees will now have to find a way to win without him.

In other news, find out who the Blues’ three worst performers were against Boreham Wood here!

Having arrived at Leeds United from Real Madrid on a free transfer back in January of 2019, and the club handing the goalkeeper a four and a half year deal on a reported £40k-per-week, expectations of Kiko Casilla were clearly extremely high at Elland Road.

Indeed, the manager of the Whites at the time of the then 32-year-old’s arrival, Marcelo Bielsa, said of the shot-stopper: “I don’t have to make any comment on Casilla because his career speaks for itself. He is a complete player. The fact that the goalkeeper from Real Madrid comes to Leeds, I think the owner of the club should be proud to attract this type of player.”

And, despite getting off to an error-stricken start in his debut campaign at the club – earning a seasonal SofaScore match rating of 6.74 over his 17 Championship appearances back in 2018/19, ranking him as Leeds’ ninth-worst player in the league that season – the £720k-rated ‘keeper began to find some form the following year.

Indeed, over his 36 second-tier outings in 2019/20, the 35-year-old helped his side keep 15 clean sheets, as well as made an average of two saves and 0.4 runs out per game, with these metrics seeing the goalkeeper average a much more impressive SofaScore match rating of 6.91 – ranking him as the Whites’ tenth-best player in the league that term.

However, after an independent Football Association regulatory commission found the Spaniard guilty of racially abusing Jonathan Leko in March 2020, Casilla was handed an eight-game ban during the run-in of the club’s 2019/20 Championship campaign – since which the shot-stopper has barely featured.

Indeed, last season, the former Spain international featured a grand total of five times across all competitions for the Whites, before being sent out on loan to Elche in the summer of 2021.

Although, with a year and a half still remaining on Casilla’s four and a half year contract at Elland Road, it would not be surprising to see the 35-year-old return to Leeds this summer – as it would appear incredibly unlikely the veteran shot-stopper will be willing to give up on £40k-per-week in the twilight years of his footballing career.

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As such, when taking into account the Spaniard has so far cost the Whites £5.2m in wages over his 130 weeks spent at the club – a figure which rises to £7.3m should Leeds be unable to shift the player Oscar Mario dubbed a “complete liability” this summer – there is unfortunately no conclusion to draw other than to say Casilla has been rising Andrea Radrizzani.

AND in other news: Huge blow: Phil Hay drops 8-word Leeds United injury update, Marsch will be gutted

With Marcal’s pending departure from Molineux, it’s unlikely Wolves manager Bruno Lage would be on the search for a potential replacement – given that Rayan Ait Nouri and Jonny Otto will be the club’s two left-back choices next season bar any changes in the summer.

However, with Ki-Jana Hoever falling out of favour with manager Bruno Lage, amid attitude concerns, and Nelson Semedo’s poor injury record, a chance could open up next season for Irish defender Lewis Richards, who is currently on-loan at Harrogate Town.

Despite being a natural centre-back, he was deployed as an attacking left-wing-back on Tuesday against Tranmere, and despite ending up on the losing team, the 20-year-old impressed, earning a 7.1 match rating from SofaScore for his solid performance.

Richards made an impressive six tackles for his team, as well as winning eight of his nine ground duels and half of his aerial duels too, in addition to making two clearances, one interception and 75% of his passes being completed as well. Evidently, he is busy and industrious, qualities that Jonny brings to Lage’s side in abundance.

After making his debut for Harrogate against Oldham at the end of January, assistant manager Paul Thirwell was full of praise for the on-loan Wolves youngster, who has since made a further five appearances for the club.

“I thought Lewis was fantastic,” said Thirlwell. “I think it helped us that it’s a position he is used to playing for Wolves. He dropped in there seamlessly. He was aggressive with his defending and composed on the ball.”

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Meanwhile, Wolves’ former Sporting Director Kevin Thelwall has also publicly praised the youngster, saying a few years ago: “Lewis [Richards] in my opinion is a guy who’s been improving game on game, week on week, to the point he’s now surpassing the under-18s and getting opportunities in the under-23s.

“He’s a very technical player who’s got the ability to pass the ball and start off play and help us to build out from the back, but also then very capable physically.”Similar to Max Kilman as well, Richards is well suited to playing on the left side of the back three, and should he impress in pre-season, he could well provide cover in that position, and the left-wing back spot which Marcal will be giving up this summer.In other news: Big worry: Lage heading for Wolves blunder over “undroppable” £27m-rated brute

Tottenham correspondent Alasdair Gold has made a claim regarding young forward Dane Scarlett.

The Lowdown: Conte a fan

Scarlett has progressed through the youth system in north London, scoring 27 goals for the U18s and U23s and has now established himself in the senior squad.

[web_stories_embed url=”https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/web-stories/tottenham-latest-news-copy/” title=”Tottenham latest developments!” poster=”” width=”360″ height=”600″ align=”none”]

He made his Premier League debut from the bench in last month’s 4-0 win over Leeds United and has missed just two Premier League matchday squads since New Year’s Day.

Conte was full of praise for the youngster following the win over West Ham prior to the international break, believing Scarlett has a ‘brilliant future’ in the game.

The Latest: Gold’s comments

Gold ran a Q&A on football.london on Thursday lunchtime and was asked by one Spurs supporter about the possibility of Scarlett getting a real shot under Conte next season.

He expects Scarlett to remain in north London next season and added that a full pre-season under the Italian would ‘be a big deal’.

“I think they’ll make a decision over Dane Scarlett’s next steps in the summer but, at this point, I’d expect them to keep him at the club next season to continue to learn and get more chances to play. That Conte spoke about him, unprompted, on Sunday was a great sign and suggests he’s making big strides behind the scenes.

“A pre-season with Conte would be a big deal for the teenager and could really help him continue to develop. Spurs will likely bring in another striker during the transfer window and that would see the three strikers used for all the competitions and perhaps the club look at a loan for Dane in January if post-Christmas he’s going to get less game time.

“Who knows, he might just have made a big splash by that point if he continues to move towards that “brilliant future” Conte says he has ahead.”

The Verdict: Good news

Scarlett has made the most of Spurs failing to sign an out and out centre-forward to rival Harry Kane, catching Conte’s eye in recent months.

As Gold mentions, a loan at the beginning of 2023 could be a smart idea for the 18-year-old, providing the club add to their attacking ranks in the summer.

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It appears as if Tottenham have high hopes for the teenager, so you’d expect a new contract could be in the pipeline as well, with his current deal set to expire in just over 12 months’ time.

In other news: Sky Sports man now reveals big Tottenham injury update before Newcastle. 

With Fabian Delph’s career slowly winding down, it’s easy to forget that the midfielder actually came through the academy system at Leeds United, and that it was at Elland Road where he really made his breakthrough into senior football.

All in all, he played 58 times for the Whites, before earning a high-profile £6m move to Villa in the summer of 2009.

His time at Villa Park saw him establish himself as a really Premier League quality midfielder, and it was no surprise that he eventually earned a call-up to the England squad, earning the first of his 20 senior caps back in September 2014 under Roy Hodgson.

But perhaps just like he might have seen Leeds, Delph used Villa as a stepping stone to bigger and betting things, with the club captain making a £8m move to Manchester City in the summer 0f 2015 – just a week after insisting he would stay put in the Midlands.

In his time at the Etihad, he won the Premier League twice in 2018 and 2019, and won four domestic cups too (one FA Cup and three League Cups).

It was no surprise to hear Pep Guardiola rave about him whilst the pair were both at the Etihad, hailing his role and influence behind-the-scenes.

The City boss said: “He gives us character. He is a real leader in the locker room, Fabian Delph. That’s why I always give credit to the players for what they do.”

He added: “Some guys, they only want to play in one position, ‘in the other one I am not comfortable’, so he’s a guy who always tries to help. Last season we didn’t play always with his voice in our locker room, so I am so satisfied, so happy for him. Especially for him.”

After slowly being phased out of the City first-team picture, Delph eventually made his way to Everton, where injuries have continued to blight him – he’s played just 36 times for the Toffees since arriving at Goodison Park.

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And, with his contract coming to an end in the summer, he looks set for an exit, and there may be doubts over whether another Premier League club chooses to pick him up on a free transfer.

But with a total of seven trophies to his name – all achieved at City – it’s fair to say Delph has enjoyed a fine career since leaving Elland Road.

AND in other news – Leeds must finally offload £15k-p/w outcast who last played at Elland Road in 2018

Tottenham manager Antonio Conte has delivered an injury update ahead of his side’s clash against Newcastle United on Sunday.

What’s the story?

Speaking in his pre-match press conference ahead of the game against the Magpies, the Spurs boss said (via Alasdair Gold): “Good news for Oliver Skippy, and Ryan Sessegnon, they are very very close to being back with the team. They are improving a lot. They are having important training sessions, not with the team but apart. I hope next week to have both players back with the team.”

Great news for Spurs

Having been sent off in the disappointing 2-1 defeat to NS Mura in the Europa Conference League earlier this season, Sessegnon has turned things around at Tottenham, leaving insider John Wenham delighted with his impact.

Speaking after a particularly impressive performance from the 21-year-old against Norwich, Wenham said: “Huge credit to Ryan Sessegnon. He produced one of the best performances I’ve seen from him after he came on. Sessegnon looked like a real option, he was really hugging that left-hand side.

“That was much, much better from Sessegnon, I was so pleased. He was rightly sent off against Mura, I have no complaints with that. But what an amazing response from him. Clearly he’s knuckled down at Hotspur Way and I really hope he can build on that now.”

With Spurs heading into the business end of the season in the Premier League, the need for Conte to have a fully fit squad available to him has never been greater.

The Lilywhites cannot afford to have any more injuries, and the news that both Sessegnon and also Skipp will return soon is a huge boost for Conte as he looks to push for that final Champions League spot.

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At a time when Spurs need to keep picking up victories, they have been give a huge and timely lift. It’s news which will surely have Conte very much excited.

AND in other news – Spurs now “in the race” for “swashbuckling” 6 ft machine, Conte will be buzzing

Aston Villa have seen many players move in and out of the club either on permanent or loan deals over the past few years.

Looking ahead to the next summer transfer window, it seems as though the Villans could be set to finally cut ties with one of their current outcasts.

What’s the news?

According to a recent report from Football Insider, Everton have no plans to sign Villa winger Anwar El Ghazi on a permanent deal when his current loan at Goodison Park expires in the summer.

Additionally, the Villans will reportedly look to cash in on the Dutchman rather than keep him in their squad during the upcoming summer transfer window.

Villa originally signed the winger on loan from French club Lille back in the 2018 summer transfer window before eventually securing him on a permanent deal a year later for a fee of £8m.

Axe El Ghazi permanently

During his time at Villa Park, the 26-year-old has made 119 appearances across all competitions but has only managed to score 26 goals and provide 16 assists along the way.

Back in the previous January transfer window, after having made just three substitute appearances in the league for Villa since Steven Gerrard was appointed in November, the winger joined Everton on loan until the end of the season.

Unfortunately for the player, who has been described as being a “nightmare” to play against on the training field by Alan Hutton, he has found playing time with the Toffees just as hard to come by as he did at Villa under Gerrard.

With a grand total of 11 Premier League minutes under his belt in an Everton shirt, it’s easy to see why the Merseyside club aren’t chomping at the bit to sign El Ghazi on a permanent basis this summer.

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Taking into account his lack of minutes, it’s understandable why his move to Goodison Park has been labelled as “bad business” for the Toffees by former goalkeeper Paddy Kenny.

Given his inability to break into a side that are fighting for their lives to stay in the top division, it’s also not particularly surprising that Villa and Gerrard would be looking to finally cut ties with the £38k-per-week winger at the end of the season.

In other news: Huge boost: Gregg Evans reveals fresh Villa development, it’s great news for Gerrard