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According to a report by Calciomercato, Tottenham look set to guarantee Fiorentina defender Nikola Milenkovic an important contract and have lined up a deal for the 6 foot 5 monster – but Daniel Levy faces competition from Man United, Inter Milan and Atletico Madrid. 

Milenkovic, who is said to cost around £36 million as per a recent update by Corriere dello Sport, could move away from Serie A in January as a host of top clubs reportedly eye moves.

Milenkovic move imminent

Spurs, who are said to be one of these sides, are apparently intent on offering Milenkovic an important contract and could even guarantee a move according to this latest news.

Manager Jose Mourinho, who failed to bring in another defensive star from Italy over the summer, centre-back Milan Skriniar, eventually saw Swansea City signing Joe Rodon come through the door at Hotspur Way instead.

However, touted as more of an up-and-comer, Levy could be after a more established centre-half in January as Tottenham aim to clinch their first piece of silverware since the League Cup in 2008.

Transfer Tavern take

Mourinho, according to past reports, was a huge admirer of the defender during his days at United – even going on to scout him ‘personally’ whilst at Old Trafford.

The 23-cap Serbia international has no shortage of experience on the biggest stages in world football, and at just 23-years-old, could possess a long shelf life for Spurs in the Premier League.

Hailed as a ‘new Vidic’ by his former national team coach Mladen Krstajic, it’s safe to say Milenkovic would be the ideal Skriniar alternative.

In other news: Spurs could lose this 6 foot 2 ‘beast’ in January, find out more here. 

This Premier League season is proving to be an extremely interesting one as unlikely teams make up the top four and regular heavyweights continue to struggle. In what could be the most exciting campaign in a long time, managers are scrambling to change their teams and are taking desperate measures.

The likes of Everton and Chelsea have resorted to dropping their first choice goalkeepers and replacing them with fringe options. Kepa Arrizabalaga continues to disappoint Frank Lampard having been replaced by Edouard Mendy. More and more clubs could follow suit with this trend if results start not going their way.

Football FanCast spoke to former goalkeeper Chris Kirkland and delivered his take on the situation. When asked could Leeds’ Illan Meslier be next in the firing line of the Premier League goalkeepers, the 39-year-old said: “Yeah, he’s possibly the one I think. The number 2 on the bench for Leeds, Casilla, hasn’t had a great time when he’s played.”

Meslier at risk of being dropped by Bielsa

The 20-year-old shot-stopper joined the Whites permanently this summer after enjoying a loan spell in Yorkshire. The £7.2million-rated Frenchman has usurped veteran Kiko Casilla in between the sticks after helping to guide his side to promotion after a long 16 years away from the Premier League.

However, it’s a tough one for the youngster who has looked strong on certain days, but lost on others. Meslier did well to keep a clean sheet against Aston Villa recently, but was made an example of last time out as Leicester hit him for four. He has also been praised by Darren Bent for some of his performances, recently earning the title of “absolutely superb” after showing areas of improvements (via Leeds Live).

Bielsa will not want to see his side slip back into the Championship. He has already started to take desperate measures after bringing Jamie Shackleton off against the Foxes last weekend. The Argentinian has shown he is not afraid of making cut-throat decisions for the benefit of the team. Unfortunately for Meslier, he could be the next big switch up in the Leeds line up.

In other news, Exclusive: Chris Kirkland believes Leeds should’ve signed Ben Foster…

Former Tottenham Hotspur striker Vincent Janssen is enduring a season to forget with Liga MX Apertura side CF Monterrey, a-year-and-a-half on from his costly spell in north London.

What’s the word?

Mauricio Pochettino sought to lure Janssen to White Hart Lane in 2016 as his second signing of the summer, joining Victor Wanyama in putting pen to paper with Spurs after Chairman Daniel Levy struck a £17million deal with AZ Alkmaar for the Dutch forward.

Janssen was believed to have chosen Tottenham over rival interest from Ligue 1 heavyweights Paris Saint-Germain and Bundesliga side VfL Wolfsburg, having attracted suitors from around Europe after striking 32 goals in 49 games during his debut top-flight season to earn the Eredivisie’s young player of the year award.

Pochettino was overjoyed to have been able to welcome Janssen to the club, describing the then-22-year-old as the “perfect fit” for the side he strived to assemble.

“He has a profile that fits perfectly for us,” the Argentine told Spurs’ official website. “He has quality in the box and he’s a striker that likes to fight and work for the team. That is perfect for us.

“We are very happy and excited that he has joined us. His human profile is perfect for the team, we always care about that. In general, he’s a player that fits the team. We’re all excited. It’s early in pre-season, just the second week and he will have time to adapt. We wish all the best for him.”

But Tottenham would never see such impact from the attacker, with Janssen racking up just six goals and four assists in 42 appearances across all competitions before leaving north London for Mexico and joining Monterrey for €7m (£6.2m) in 2019.

Professional, not personal

With Janssen struggling to make an impact for Tottenham, he would have hoped to kick his career back into gear by joining Monterrey, putting any thoughts of his time in north London far into the past and never giving a second to consider the financial loss Levy had to pay.

Things have not turned out quite like that, though, with the 26-year-old enduring a season to forget in Mexico with just one goal in 11 games after overcoming coronavirus and a later toe injury.

Janssen’s debut campaign in the Liga MX was not much better, either, with the 17-cap international striking just twice in 13 league games on route to 12 goals across all competitions thanks to seven in 10 Copa MX ties.

Monterrey’s €7m signing is not a guaranteed starter any longer, as well, with Janssen only opening six of his league appearances this term as his career continues to stumble four years on from clinching the Eredivisie’s young player of the year award.

It was never personal for Pochettino to omit Janssen before his exit, as the Argentine insisted the striker was simply not up to the task even after injuries to Harry Kane and Dele Alli in January 2019.

“I am so open to improve the squad and add players, with Harry Kane and Dele Alli fit or not fit,” he said, via quotes by FourFourTwo. “It’s difficult for us to add players that can help us or improve our squad. But it’s not that now we suffer some injuries, we are going to change our strategy. Our strategy is so clear.

“It’s one year and a half that he [Janssen] is not in our plans, and that is okay. He is not in the club’s plan. 18-months ago, we took the decision to try to find for him a different place to play. For different reasons, it didn’t work. That happens in football. Some relationships between player and club will not work.

“I saw him every day here in the changing room and the restaurant. That is not a personal problem. It’s the professional side. For different reasons, when that professional relationship is not working, we need to find a solution.”

Jose Mourinho will no doubt have been glad that Levy was able to offload Janssen before the Portuguese replaced Pochettino in November last year, but the Spurs Chairman will forever have the Dutchman’s failed career on his record thanks to Pochettino.

AND in other news, Jose Mourinho will be ruing Daniel Levy’s handling of a “magic” Spurs man backed to quit the club in January…

Leeds United’s next test will see them travel to Merseyside to take on Everton in what could be a cagey Premier League affair. Only five points currently separate the two sides so neither can afford to slip up in their respective journeys.

The Whites will take to Goodison Park off the back of a hard-fought draw against Arsenal last time out. Despite the lack of goals, Leeds did well to keep Mikel Arteta’s attack muted, but they must vie for a win against the Toffees this evening.

Football FanCast has predicted how Marcelo Bielsa will line up. Whilst this doesn’t include the involvement of Rodrigo from the start, he could make an appearance in the second half. If he does, he must put in a huge performance in order to get his debut Leeds season up and running.

Rodrigo has a point to prove vs Everton

The summer signing has made just three Premier League starts under Bielsa and was unable to leave his mark on any of the matches. So far, he has contributed just the one goal, which came during United’s shock draw against Man City last month (via Transfermarkt).

Whilst his equaliser was mammoth, he cannot expect to ride on this achievement for the whole season. The Whites splashed a club record £26million on Rodrigo during the summer and they will be hoping he can replicate his seven goal, 11 assist final season with Valencia.

But after being out of action for two matches, the Spaniard could be a little rusty. The versatile forward will likely make a cameo appearance, but all eyes will be on him once he does.

Phil Hay shared his thoughts on Rodrigo’s substitute appearance against Arsenal and said that “he looks a class act” for Leeds so far. Indeed, whilst the £57,000 per week attacker is showcasing some flashes of brilliance, he must lace up his shooting boots if he is to justify the hefty fee Victor Orta spent on him this summer.

In other news, Orta must be ready with January signing as Pablo Hernandez fate looks clear…

Manchester City continue to be linked with Borussia Dortmund striker Erling Haaland and the 20-year-old wonderkid can be the man to solve a big problem for Pep Guardiola at Manchester City.

The Citizens look set to lose legendary striker Sergio Aguero in the summer when his contract expires, although injury problems in recent seasons have suggested that he is no longer the threat he once was.

City have kept faith in Gabriel Jesus in recent seasons, perhaps in the hope that the Brazilian could become Aguero’s natural successor, but his goal return this season, in particular, has been nowhere near good enough.

The 23-year-old has just three goals in 10 appearances in all competitions this season, whilst he has failed to find the back of the net in any of City’s last five games in the Premier League.

In the Citizens’ most recent game with West Bromwich Albion, in a game where Guardiola’s side created a whole host of chances, Jesus failed to register a single shot on target, which again emphasises his lack of predatory instinct.

Therefore, it could definitely be argued that City would be a lot more free-scoring if they were able to sign a natural goalscorer such as Haaland, as they are currently underperforming when it comes to the number of goals they have scored in relation to their ‘expected goal’ tally.

Since joining Dortmund from RB Salzburg, the Norwegian international has featured 32 times for the Black and Yellows, in which he has contributed an incredible 33 goals and six assists.

The prolific 20-year-old is likely to attract interest from the majority of Europe’s elite, but if City can secure his signing, he would surely help them become a lot more clinical in front of goal.

Haaland’s old teammate, Maximilian Wober, was full of praise for the young striker after he scored a hattrick on his Champions League debut back in 2019, saying:

“He is phenomenal. With his height, to be so nimble and have such command of the ball. It’s really hard to play against him in training – you just have to foul him. Once again he proved why he’s definitely going to become one of the best strikers in the world.”

Therefore, perhaps the £90 million rated star can be the man to bring an end to what has been something of a nightmare for Guardiola with Jesus at City in recent times, with the Brazilian nowhere near the level he needs to be when it comes to scoring goals for the Citizens.

And, in other news… 100% duels won: MCFC beast was Guardiola’s one positive vs WBA

Many football clubs across the continent can lay claim to owning one of the best academies in the beautiful game, none more so than Glasgow Rangers who have unearthed gems like Billy Gilmour and Kai Kennedy in recent times.

Developing young talents is often a touchy subject in football, with many an argument raging over whether or not clubs invest the right amount of time and effort into their academies or if they are simply guilty of ignoring homegrown graduates.

But it’s fair to say that, for the most part, the Glasgow giants have done a decent job with Steven Gerrard currently receiving plaudits for his handling of Leon King, Nathan Patterson and a number of others at Ibrox.

However, if there’s one criticism to be made, it’s that he needs to start giving academy youngster Ciaran Dickson more opportunities to prove himself on a regular basis.

Dickson was an integral part of the Gers Colts and U20s sides who earned praise for their performances in the Challenge Cup and UEFA Youth League last season and he was promoted to the senior squad towards the start of the season.

The Ibrox boss handed him his first-team debut against Falkirk in the League Cup last month, as he was brought on to replace Scott Arfield in the second half, and will almost certainly have left a good impression after he had a decent shot on target.

However, he has found his chances to play come few and far between since receiving his first senior appearance, having played just 35 minutes of first-team football this season and he hasn’t been named in any of the matchday squads across all competitions since then.

Once hailed as a “wonderful” wonderkid by Rangers academy coach Graeme Murty after his side fought back to beat Aberdeen last December, in five appearances in the UEFA Youth League, Dickson has already scored one goal so far this season, via Transfermarkt.

In a similar manner to Steven Davis, the Ibrox boss could transform the right-footed teenager into a deep-lying playmaker who can also play in attacking midfield. The potential is there, that’s for sure.

Gerrard knows a thing or two about breaking into the first team at a big club, while he will have no doubt seen several of his peers fall by the wayside during his time at Anfield, but it’s pretty obvious that he can put his faith in the youth system right now.

Instead of giving outcasts like Brandon Barker and Jordan Jones a chance, he needs to start developing these young players and helping them to establish themselves as first-team regular starters.

AND in other news, Ross Wilson must sanction Rangers swoop for Marijan Cabraja as a Barisic alternative…

According to a report by the Daily Mirror, West Ham United are eyeing a move for Chelsea forward Olivier Giroud in the January window as manager David Moyes seeks to bolster his attacking options – with Irons begging GSB to land the Frenchman in response to this ‘incredible’ potential move.

Giroud, who has spoke candidly over his future at Chelsea in recent months, could be on the way out next month as he seeks a guaranteed starting place.

As the postponed Euro 2020 Championships linger around the corner, Giroud is apparently open to sealing a move away in order to cement his contention for the national team.

The Mirror now claim West Ham are eyeing a move for the ‘no-brainer’ addition, with plenty of Irons now keen to see him make a London Stadium switch – find all of their best comments down below.

West Ham fans want Giroud

“Giroud has a first touch and moves” 

Credit: @MartynHobbs12

“Pleeeease a striker who knows how to make runs, where to be, takes defenders away, hits the target, links up play and holds up the ball etc.” 

Credit: @SS1Mac

“100% would take on loan”

Credit: @Michael766TN

“Giroud would get you top 6. Haller wouldn’t get a sniff” 

Credit: @IngiHrafn

“Yes please”

Credit: @StiltonBargains

“this could be incredible if he stayed fit” 

Credit: @Charlie24777883

In other news: West Ham are eyeing a move for this ‘magnificent’ defender, find out more here.

One of Sam Allardyce’s former signings wants a reunion with him at West Brom, though if the Baggies have any sense, they’ll stay well clear…

What’s the word?

Speaking to ‘The Beautiful Game’ podcast earlier this week, ex-Everton frontman Oumar Niasse issued a ‘come-and-get-me’ plea to his old boss, Big Sam,  he still remains without a club.

The 30-year-old said:

“I’m always on the phone with my agent. Big Sam is a guy I’ve worked with and we had a good relationship in his time at Everton.

“When he was appointed West Brom manager, it’s kind of something open. Right now the only thing on my mind is, if I get to a team in England, the opportunity to get on the pitch and to do exactly what I’ve been missing all this time.

“I know with Big Sam I have a good relationship, as I said. He knows how I am, he knows me personally. That can be a very good thing and, to be honest, I’m open.”

Continuing the trend

Niasse has been out of work ever since his release from the Toffees in the summer, meaning he’s not featured in a competitive fixture since a two-minute cameo last January. That’s nearly a year without playing.

His record in the top-flight is hardly inspiring, and certainly doesn’t suggest to him being the solution to their problems in front of the net – in 65 appearances, the Senegalese striker has scored only 12 goals, via Transfermarkt.

At the Hawthorns, they never seem to get the attacking department right and Luke Dowling isn’t going to buck that trend if he allows Niasse to sign on a free, nearly five years after costing Everton £16.5m amid interest from even the likes of Spurs and Chelsea.

Kenneth Zohore, Victor Anichebe, Rickie Lambert to name just a few examples. Though, a move for Niasse could bear similarities to Brown Ideye, who struggled big time in the Midlands, scoring seven goals from 31 appearances after a record-breaking £10m move.

Neither Niasse nor Ideye are your typical Big Sam target man, but rather someone adept in playing off the bigger striker and that’s just not something Albion have in their armoury right now.

Whilst at Everton, the free-agent was slammed by Noel Whelan, he said to Football Insider:

“As a player, to say no to playing Championship football is a foolish mistake. He’s going sit there rotting away, doing nothing. A real opportunity missed in my opinion and kind of stubborn, a stubborn attitude from probably a spoiled player who’s spat his dummy out. Go and play your football, go and ply your trade, go and prove people wrong.”

A stark contrast to U23 boss David Unsworth calling his attitude “incredible” and that he is “just infectious,” whilst Big Sam was always a fan at Goodison.

Dowling must look for better if he’s to give Allardyce a genuine chance of survival at West Brom.

AND in other news, Allardyce heading for FIRST Baggies mistake if he signs £26m “liability”…

Many Everton fans have flocked to the transfer news involving Tariq Lamptey that recently emerged on social media.

The Athletic have recently reported about Everton’s interest in Lamptey, saying that the Toffees are one of the clubs keeping tabs on the Brighton star. The report claims that despite the fact Lamptey has signed a new deal at the Amex Stadium-based side, it hasn’t put off the likes of Everton, Arsenal and Manchester City.

The report states that Brighton handing a long-term contract worth £40,000 per week to Lamptey means he won’t leave this month. Brighton though, won’t stand in Lamptey’s way if any suitable offer arrives for him in the future.

Lamptey has impressed for Brighton this season, contributing to four Premier League goals . He has been the club’s third-best player in the Premier League campaign. Even in the 2019/20 season for Brighton, he had picked up a pretty good rating of 6.84 for the Seagulls.

Lamptey has also been linked with a move to Bayern Munich and Spanish giants Atletico Madrid. When the youngster signed a new contract with the Seagulls, Graham Potter said:

“We knew his potential when we signed him a year ago, and hoped he would have a really positive impact on the club, and that has proved to be the case with his performances since June.

“He has been the model professional, he works exceptionally hard, is a humble lad and is a team player. He fits in with everything we would want from a player, now it’s about helping him reach his potential.”

The update about Lamptey involving Everton was relayed on Twitter by the Toffee Blues. Many Everton fans talked about the news.

What did Everton fans make of this news about Lamptey?

“Him or Aarons I’d happily take.”

Credit: @richjsaunders28

“Would be a fantastic acquisition. Can see him replacing Kyle Walker, personally.”

Credit: @WatchedToffee

“Boss player would love him at Everton.”

Credit: @OrmandyJohn

“I’d happily take him.”

Credit: @lucaswalsh__”He’s gotta be number 1 target for right back in the summer. If we can’t get him we’ve gotta get Max Aarons.”Credit: @ToffeeTalkEFC”Baller.”Credit: @FootballHlbIn other news, Everton fans have been discussing an update about a club target – read more here.

Yan Valery has been something of a forgotten man at Southampton since Kyle Walker-Peters arrived on loan with the South Coast club last January.

The former Spurs man quickly established himself as the first-choice right-back in Ralph Hasenhuttl’s side and his signing was made permanent during the summer.

The 23-year-old has subsequently played every single minute of the Premier League this season, having become a key player for the Austrian manager in defence.

However, Walker-Peters has now been ruled out of Southampton’s match with Arsenal on Tuesday night, meaning that Valery will likely step in as his replacement against the Gunners.

The 21-year-old only made his first appearance of the season in the 1-0 win against Liverpool earlier this month, having been with the Southampton B team for much of the campaign.

He did make his first start in the FA Cup win against Shrewsbury Town but was relegated to the bench for the game against Arsenal on Saturday, showing that Walker-Peters is very much first-choice at the moment.

Valery had established himself as something of a regular in this Southampton side during the 2018/19 season, as he made 23 top-flight appearances, contributing two goals and one assist.

However, the signing of Walker-Peters, combined with the Frenchman suffering from glandular fever, has meant that game time has been hard to come by in the past two seasons.

Back in 2019, after an impressive goal against Manchester United, Hasenhuttl was full of praise for the young defender, saying:

“That’s something you demand from a young player. He gets the trust from us and then I want to see a brave player who is believing in himself and Yan made a fantastic development until now.

“Defensively he is better now and also offensively that’s exactly the way we want to go. I’m very happy for him that he scored for the first time, it was a fantastic goal and to shoot like this at Old Trafford shows how confident he is.”

The Austrian will be desperate for the Frenchman to produce a similar display when the Saints face Arsenal on Tuesday night, therefore, and hopefully, he can start showing some of his potential again with the South Coast club.

It is a rare chance for Valery to play and it is an opportunity he must make the most of if he wants to compete with Walker-Peters for the right-back spot in Hasenhuttl’s side.

And, in other news… “What a player” – Exclusive: Pundit “surprised” Hasenhuttl fave is still with Southampton