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Tottenham Hotspur remain interested in a deal to bring Denzel Dumfries to the Premier League in the January transfer window.

What’s the talk?

That’s according to Rudy Galetti (via Sport Witness), with the Italian journalist revealing that Antonio Conte is ‘on the hunt’ for a new right-back this winter, with Spurs’ former target for the position, Dumfries, said to have ‘never left the radar’ of the 53-year-old manager – who is now believed to be keen on the Inter Milan defender once again in January.

The reporter goes on to state that the Serie A side would be ‘willing to negotiate’ a deal for the 26-year-old next month, as long as they were to receive an offer of €30m (£27m) plus add-ons.

Absolute steal

Considering just how impressive Dumfries has been for Inter in recent seasons, coupled with Emerson Royal reported to be on his way out of north London this January, it is not difficult to understand why Conte would be interested in a deal to bring the Netherlands international to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium next month.

Indeed, over Dumfries’ 33 Serie A appearances last time out, the £44.5m-rated talent was in sensational form going forwards, scoring five goals, registering four assists and creating six big chances for his teammates, in addition to taking an average of 1.2 shots, making 0.8 key passes and completing 0.4 crosses per game.

The £53k-per-week wing-back has continued this fine attacking form over his 15 fixtures in the current campaign, having already hit the back of the net once, provided two assists and created eight big chances, as well as taking an average of 1.3 shots, making 1.1 key passes and completing 0.5 crosses per match.

Furthermore, the 26-year-old also caught the eye over his five appearances at the Qatar World Cup this winter, scoring once and registering two assists, in addition to taking an average of 0.2 shots and making 0.4 key passes fixture – playing a key role in the Netherlands’ run to the quarter-finals, where they would narrowly lose out to eventual champions Argentina.

As such, considering just how much attaching threat the player who Italian journalist Marco Messina dubbed “deadly” brings from wing-back, coupled with the Dutchman reported to be available for around £17m less than his current market valuation, it is clear to see that a £27m deal for Dumfries would represent an absolute steal for Spurs this winter.

Liverpool’s most salient area for reinforcing on the transfer front is unequivocally the centre of the park, but that does not mean the club won’t target the offensive front if the right, enticing opportunity comes along.

And according to reports stemming from Italy (via the Liverpool Echo), MLS outfit Chicago Fire’s prodigious forward talent Jhon Duran has caught the attention of Reds boss Jurgen Klopp, who is making a ‘concrete’ move for the player with the January market recently swinging its doors open.

The teenager has scarcely tasted senior action, but has already impressed in his first year with a clinical edge and fearsome physicality that could pave the foundation for an exemplary career as a striking phenomenon.

A fee of roughly $21m (£17.5m), could be enough to prise him away from Fire’s clutches, as per Calciomercato, and although the asking price might appear steep for an unknown commodity on European soil, his dynamic skill set would be a welcome tool for any top outfit chasing success…

Calciomercato reporter Raffaele Amato tweeted this about the situation: “Liverpool are also making concrete moves for Duran, but the current offer is lower than Benfica’s. The biggest pitfall for the Portuguese is represented by Aston Villa. Chicago are aiming to collect 20 million euros.”

Next Suarez

At only 19-years-old, Duran has bagged eight goals and five assists from only 14 starts across the 2022 MLS campaign in a breakthrough year where the Colombian phenom has emerged onto the American scene in resounding fashion.

The three-cap gem was at the centre of heaped praise from talent scout Jacek Kulig when he was still only 18-years-old, regarded as a “complete” centre-forward, “fast, powerful & confident with the ball at his feet”, and “aggressive & determined in the penalty area.”

His all-encompassing aura on the pitch, despite his tender age, could pay dividends for Klopp as he looks to turn the page on a new chapter at Anfield, and bring the club a talisman for the coming years that could emulate the success of coveted centre-forward Luis Suarez, someone who like Duran, was very much an aggressive and complete attacker.

Suarez signed for the Reds from AFC Ajax in 2012 for a fee of £22.7m, and he went on to forge one of the most devastating careers in Premier League history, captivating fans and pundits alike with his blistering arsenal and innate knack to find the back of the net from every distance and angle, scoring 69 goals and 39 assists over just 110 Premier League outings.

The “wonderkid” – as heralded by Tom Bogert – is still very much untested on the biggest stage, but he certainly holds the ingredients to serve up a concoction of striking excellence, and with a cutting edge already apparent from his little time spent in the MLS, he could nurture his precocious abilities at one of the world’s most prominent outfits.

His impressive Sofascore rating of 6.91 is a testament to his tenacity and all-encompassing approach to his game, and with 2.2 shots per match, his peppering output is certainly reminiscent to a former phenom in Liverpool red who took the nation by storm.

Aston Villa boss Unai Emery is scouring the January transfer market in search of quality acquisitions to bolster his side’s prospects of establishing a competitive edge within the Premier League, with a new phenom distinguished.

What’s the word?

Marseille’s Matteo Guendouzi has been identified as the perfect fit to complete the jigsaw at the heart of the Villa midfield, with the former Arsenal ace impressing during his time in the French Ligue 1.

That’s according to prominent publication L’Equipe, who – as translated by Get French Football News – have stated that an unnamed Premier League outfit have cemented a concrete offer for the ace.

The report continues to allude to Marseille officials holding the belief that Emery, who signed and managed Guendouzi at the Gunners, is the manager with interest in his signature, and a move could materialise over the next few weeks.

Villa’s own Modric

Guendouzi did not quite find his feet after signing for Arsenal in an £8m deal in 2018, at just 19 years old.

He made 82 total appearances for the Gunners, scoring one goal and registering five assists, but was shifted towards a series of loan moves after being alienated by Mikel Arteta, before signing for Marseille on a permanent £9m deal in 2021. 

He did win the 2019/20 FA Cup for his efforts in north London, but ultimately fell out of favour in a transitional period for the illustrious outfit.

Speaking to The Athletic, former Arsenal performance director Dan Burgess said: “When he arrived, from a physical perspective he certainly wasn’t in a position to play in central midfield for a top-six Premier League club.

“He worked really hard at improving himself physically so that by the end of that first year, he was absolutely capable. He showed massive improvement.”

There is now a belief within the Villa camp that the 23-year-old can flourish as a centrepiece within a top-flight project in England, with the £35m-rated ace’s performances in France and his inclusion within Didier Deschamps’ 2022 World Cup squad indicators that increment to his game has expanded year-by-year.

Indeed, claims of “world-class potential” from scout Jacek Kulig are beginning to ring true with this French “monster” now having the makings of a fine top-flight midfielder.

Now having made 78 appearances for Marseille, his eight goals and 17 assists affirm an upgrade in proficiency, while his impressive 7.00 and 6.88 ratings over the past two campaigns are further evidence of a maturing confidence and ability on the field.

As per FBref, the maestro ranks within the top 11% of midfielders in Europe’s top leagues for touches in the attacking penalty area and the top 9% for progressive passes received, illustrating his growing offensive presence on the pitch – and his assured average 85.2% pass accuracy is certainly not to be sniffed at.

He bears striking similarities to legendary Real Madrid midfielder Luka Modric, with the Croatian indeed Guendouzi’s most comparable player on FBref, and could now start to grow into a role of the 37-year-old’s mould.

Modric, 2019 Ballon d’Or winner and five-time Champions League victor, has forged 456 displays for Los Blancos, scoring 36 goals and 74 assists as the supreme orchestrator in the middle, with his composed presence and knack for instigating offensive manoeuvres two traits that Guendouzi can hope to nurture to continue to draw comparisons.

And with the 162-cap Modric’s average career passing accuracy of 88.9%, Guendouzi will need to develop his ball-playing ability even further to finally emerge as one of the hottest midfield prospects in world football.

Already praised for his “masterclass” performances, the French ace can pave the foundation for a prosperous career at a highly ambitious and competitive Villan outfit, and with Emery at the helm, the partnership could result in devastating consequences for opposing teams.

Aston Villa manager Unai Emery is reportedly eyeing a move for Marseille midfielder Matteo Guendouzi.

The Lowdown: History under Emery

The 23-year-old is primarily a central midfielder but can also line out in holding or attacking midfield roles if required.

He sealed a permanent move to Marseille in the summer but has actually made more appearances under Emery than any other manager, with the Spaniard having signed him for Arsenal in 2018.

A reunion between the pair in the Premier League could be on the cards, with a transfer update emerging over the last 24 hours.

The Latest: Emery’s exchange with Guendouzi

Foot Mercato shared a story on Wednesday morning regarding Emery and Guendouzi, claiming that the Villa manager ‘adores’ the French midfielder.

The report says that a Villa Park offer could soon arrive and added that ‘Emery very recently exchanged with Guendouzi’ and ‘explained to him that he wanted to recruit him as a priority this winter’, hinting that contact may have already been held over a potential transfer.

The Verdict: One to watch?

It looks as if Emery is the one personally driving a potential swoop for Guendouzi, who has impressed back in his native country with Marseille.

He was the club’s sixth-best performer in Ligue 1 last season with an average match rating of 7.00 – a better score than Douglas Luiz and Jacob Ramsey during the previous campaign. [SofaScore]

Emery will know all about the player’s qualities and what the Frenchman could bring to the Midlands, so this may well be another link to keep an eye on over the coming weeks.

Southampton target Viktor Gyokeres won’t be sold by Coventry City for less than their £18m valuation, according to transfer insider Dean Jones.

The Lowdown: Attracting interest

Alongside the Saints, Premier League clubs Everton, Crystal Palace and West Ham are also reportedly considering a move for the striker this month having attracted interest following an impressive first half of the season under Mark Robins.

The striker has just 18 months remaining on his contract, and having not yet put pen to paper on a new deal, this has alerted potential suitors to the 24-year-old’s situation.

The Latest: Jones’ comments

Speaking to GiveMeSport, Jones confirmed Southampton’s interest in Gyokeres but claimed that Coventry won’t be willing to let him leave for a fee below their asking price.

“I’m told Coventry are going to stick to their guns and won’t sell Gyokeres for less than £18m.

“There is interest here from the likes of Everton and Southampton, but I don’t see Coventry budging on this because if they sell, Mark Robins needs to buy a replacement.”

The Verdict: Splash the cash

Southampton being rock bottom of the table highlights their need for attacking reinforcements, and we feel Sport Republic have to splash the cash for Gyokeres, who would be the perfect candidate.

The Sky Blues forward has netted 12 goals in 26 Championship games this term and currently ranks in the 97th percentile for shot-creating actions amongst his positional peers.

He also sits in the 96th percentile for successful dribbles with 1.99 per 90 minutes, proving he can craft chances for himself out of nothing, a necessary trait in a Saints side struggling to create clear-cut opportunities.

The Saints are reportedly also in talks to sign Villarreal attacker Nicolas Jackson, but should that deal for any reason fall through, Gyokeres should absolutely be the player they approach to solve their issues in the final third.

Glasgow Rangers have received a boost on one of their transfer targets…

What’s the news?

Morgan Whittaker failed to make the Swansea City bench for this afternoon’s tie against QPR, meaning he still has a chance of joining the Ibrox side this month.

The Daily Record reported the news and due to the winger already playing for Plymouth Argyle this season, if he made an appearance for the Championship side today, he wouldn’t have been able to play for Rangers due to FIFA rules.

Swansea now don’t play a match until after the transfer window has shut, providing Michael Beale with a big boost as he looks to strengthen his squad.

Arfield upgrade

Swansea have priced Whittaker at £2m and despite the Light Blues already having a bid rejected for the 22-year-old, there is still time for Beale to secure his signature.

With Steven Davis, Scott Arfield and Ryan Jack out of contract at the end of the season, the 42-year-old will be hoping to bring a few new players to the club this month, and Whittaker could be an ideal upgrade for Arfield.

The 34-year-old has been deployed on the right wing numerous times this season, despite usually operating as an attacking midfielder, and while he has scored seven goals all season, this has masked some pretty average performances, especially in the Champions League.

He averaged a 6.5/10 rating via Sofascore for his displays on the continent and it’s clear that his influence is waning, with Beale keen to bring younger talent to the club.

Whittaker can also operate through the middle in an advanced midfield role or on the right wing and he has been in wonderful form this term, scoring nine goals and registering seven assists for League One side Plymouth in a loan spell during the first half of the campaign – highlighting how he could thrive under Beale.

Talent scout Jacek Kulig dubbed him a “flamboyant winger” while his other strengths include “pace” and “crossing” which is something that could secure him a regular spot on the Rangers flank.

The Englishman is trying to reinvigorate Rangers and by luring talents such as Whittaker north of the border, he can build for the future while also releasing some members of the squad who haven’t quite contributed enough without worrying about their potential replacements.

Manchester United remain ‘confident’ of tying star youngster Alejandro Garnacho down to a new contract, according to journalist Fabrizio Romano.

The Lowdown: Garnacho a special talent

The 18-year-old has burst onto the scene this season, scoring a vital last-minute winner away to Fulham in November and generally looking like a huge prospect.

Garnacho has racked up an impressive 17 appearances in all competitions, earning invaluable minutes and maturing as a footballer all the time, racking up six total direct goal involvements.

The Argentine’s current United deal expires in the summer of 2024, however, so there is a clear need to extend his stay at Old Trafford beyond that date.

The Latest: Confidence over new deal

Speaking to Give Me Sport, Romano said that talks regarding a new contract for Garnacho are positive and club chiefs think they are “close”:

“So for Garnacho, Man United feel they are close. Not a done deal yet, but they are confident.

“Man United are very optimistic, they have been speaking to Garnacho since the summer, because the first negotiations were in June. It then took some time to negotiate on the player side.”

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The Verdict: Get it done, United

This is an absolute no-brainer as far as United are concerned, with Garnacho a possible future world star, having been called a ‘young Cristiano’ by Paul Scholes.

The teenager is currently earning a reported £5,000 per week but his performances and long-term potential mean he deserves more than that moving forward, having averaged 2.3 dribbles per game in the EFL Cup this season. If United don’t offer it, someone else likely will.

Garancho’s attitude has come into question a few times, which is something that could hold him back, but if he eradicates that issue, he is a player with ‘no ceiling’, according to teammate Lisandro Martinez.

Premier League side Brentford are reportedly in ‘advanced talks’ with Tottenham Hotspur to sign Burnley-linked star Djed Spence.

The Lowdown: Spurs willing to loan Spence

Tottenham are willing to let the player go out on loan this month according to 90Min.com.

Vincent Kompany’s Burnley have been linked with the right-back per the same report, as well as his former club and fellow Championship side Middlesbrough.

Spence joined Spurs last summer for £20 million from Nottingham Forest, he’s played six games in all competitions with four of those appearances coming in the Premier League.

The Latest: Brentford in ‘advanced talks’

According to Football Insider, the Bees appear to be in the best position to land Spence, the reported deal would appear to be a loan-to-buy. The likes of Brighton & Hove Albion, Crystal Palace and Southampton are all Premier League sides who are competing for his signature.

However, the Saints are likely out of the running for the 22-year-old as they’ve recently agreed to sign James Bree from Luton Town on a three-and-a-half-year deal.

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The Verdict: A blow for Burnley

We believe that Spence has a lot to offer and has been unlucky at Spurs with his lack of minutes so far, he could be a useful hand to a number of teams.

TalkSport man Jamie O’Hara believes that considering the money that Tottenham paid for him, Spence deserved a chance to play in the starting eleven. Speaking to TalkSport Edge he stated, “Djed Spence, what did we pay for him, £15m? Get him in the team.”

The right-back certainly proved last season that he’s one of the best in the Championship, as he earnt himself a place in the division’s PFA Team of the Year last season.

With that in mind, he could’ve been a real asset for the Clarets and played a significant role in their push to finish at the top of the table this season.

Burnley do have Connor Roberts and Vitinho in their squad who can play in that position, both have played over 20 times in the league during the 2022/23 campaign.

It is a blow for Kompany’s from the perspective of missing out on a potential additional option to the squad. The Clarets have 18 league games remaining and with a number of fixtures in such a short time, it means Kompany has less time to rest either of his current right-backs and one less option should Roberts or Vitinho pick up a long-term injury.

Liverpool are interested in a summer deal to bring Borussia Monchengladbach striker Marcus Thuram to the Premier League, according to reports.

The Lowdown: Soon to be a free agent

The Frenchman will be out of contract with Daniel Farke’s side at the end of the season, and having not yet put pen to paper on fresh terms, it was thought that he would secure a move away during the January window.

Chelsea were the frontrunners to sign the 25-year-old last month having held advanced talks regarding a move to Stamford Bridge, but a deal failed to materialise before the deadline.

The Latest: Liverpool eyeing Thuram

According to Spanish outlet AS (via Sport Witness), Liverpool are ‘showing an interest’ in Thuram ahead of the upcoming transfer window.

The Parma native is in the process of ‘assessing his options’, but it’s ‘essential’ that any potential suitor qualifies for the Champions League in order to convince him to join.

The Monchengladbach forward is keen to ‘combine his financial and sporting interests’, with the club able to meet both of those needs likely to be the one who wins the race for his signature.

The Verdict: Get it done…

The 6 foot 3 colossus is set to become a free agent in the summer, and it sounds like there are a whole host of new clubs in the top-flight wanting to snap him up.

The Reds have had an underwhelming start to the season and, at times, have been missing that prolific edge needed to see off games, but Thuram would be the perfect candidate to come in and change their fortunes in the final third.

The Nike-sponsored talisman has racked up a remarkable 17 goal contributions in just 19 appearances across all competitions this season and currently averages 3.4 Bundesliga shots per game.

Thuram has also been hailed a ‘beast’ by talent scout Jacek Kulig, and should Jurgen Klopp’s outfit be able to bring him to Merseyside on a free, it would be an absolute bargain.

Chelsea return to Premier League action tonight to take on high-flying west London rivals Fulham at Stamford Bridge, and the Blues could be set to wield their wealth of fresh faces following the unrelenting January spending spree.

Despite languishing in tenth place in the top-flight table after 20 matches, there is new-found optimism at Stamford Bridge in their pursuit of Champions League qualification, with a lucrative mid-season transfer window taking the club’s transfer expenditure since last summer to roughly £545m.

Manager Graham Potter will indeed now be expected to make instant progress and cast aside the dreadful form which has hampered his team over the past few weeks; Chelsea have won just three of their past 12 matches across all competitions.

That revival could starts with a win over the Cottagers, who conversely could stretch their advantage over the Blues to five points should they clinch a second win in four weeks over their local rivals.

Potter will indeed require a slick and cohesive collective effort from his team tonight, and what better way to ensure a turning of the tide than by providing £107m deadline day acquisition Enzo Fernandez with the platform to flourish.

Indeed, having finalised a transfer to join the Blues in the closing hours of the transfer window, ending a month-long saga, Chelsea now wield a World Cup-winning starlet who could be their “game changer” – as hailed by journalist Roy Nemer – to forge a return towards the top of the table.

Indeed, having won the tournament’s Best Young Player award after playing a starring role in Argentina’s triumphant World Cup, the 21-year-old has affirmed his calibre to the world on the biggest stage, exuding a confidence and swagger which could slot him right into the fold in west London.

Recording an average Sofascore rating of 7.10 in Qatar, the South American gem impressed by grabbing a goal and an assist, recording an 88% pass success rate and demonstrating his defensive aptitude with 3.1 tackles per match.

His performances for Benfica in the Liga Portugal are even more striking, with the statistics displayed above (taken from Sofascore) indicating just how refined and robust a player Chelsea have signed. Indeed, no player in the high-flying Eagles’ squad boasts a higher Sofascore rating than Fernandez up to this point.

The £315k-per-week “diamond” – as dubbed by Opta – certainly offers the dynamic skill set that midfielders in the Premier League require in order to reach the peaks of the relentless competition.

FBref rank him among the top 4% for rate of assists, top 5% for shot-creating actions and top 1% for progressive passes when compared to positional peers across Men’s ‘Next 8’ divisions – the leagues below the established European ‘big five’ divisions – over the past year.

As such, Chelsea’s best route towards victory tonight lies with Fernandez being given a club debut and conducting operations from midfield, pulling the strings and orchestrating a return to prominence for this distinguished Premier League outfit.