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Ex-BBC pundit Noel Whelan has claimed losing captain Callum McGregor to injury will be a ‘massive blow’ in the title race for Celtic manager Ange Postecoglou.

The Lowdown: McGregor’s injury

After just 38 minutes of play in the Hoops’ 3-1 Champions League defeat to RB Leipzig last week, the central midfielder was forced off the pitch with an injury.

As quoted by Sky Sports, Postecoglou subsequently revealed the Scotland international would likely be out for three to four weeks.

“The initial report suggests he’ll probably be out until after the [World Cup] break at this stage.”

The Latest: Whelan gutted

Whelan, a former Scottish top flight striker who then worked as a pundit for BBC Radio, believes McGregor’s absence will come as a massive blow in potentially title-deciding fixtures.

Speaking with Football Insider, the pundit said:

“Injuries to key players are always damaging to a team.

“It is unfortunate because it is such a massive blow for Celtic.

“Again a last-gasp winner just keeps them edging ahead of Rangers but I did think it was going to be a runaway season.

“I always felt that the Old Firm games were going to decide where the title goes and I still believe that.

“I will not change my mind on that because I still believe that it is going to be such a tight fought race that only those games are going to be the difference between where the title goes.

“They are going to have to deal with the fact that they have got an important player out but at the same time this is where someone needs to step up in to some big shoes and fulfil them and take the opportunity.”

The Verdict: Big loss

In the Premiership this season, the 29-year-old has played a pivotal role in Postecoglou’s midfielder.

As per WhoScored, with an impressive 91.6% pass success rate – the highest such number of any outfield player in the squad – the Scotsman has averaged 1.4 key passes, 1.1 tackles and 1 interception per league game.

Having played the full 90 in every fixture he’s been available for, the Hoops will miss McGregor’s consistent and experienced presence in the middle of the park.

Without their leader, stand-in captain Cameron Carter-Vickers will have to step up in the midfielder’s absence – otherwise, Celtic may be in for a troubled title race.

Tottenham Hotspur have entered the race to sign Jan Oblak…

What’s the word?

That’s according to reports in Spain, which state that Spurs are looking for a new shot-stopper to replace Hugo Lloris in the short-term but they’ll face competition from Premier League rivals Manchester United.

It’s believed that Atletico Madrid are holding out for around €30m (£26.7m) and that they have already lined up a replacement in the form of Aston Villa goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez.

Oblak’s contract runs out in the summer, so the LaLiga outfit may be forced into a sale during the January transfer window.

A proven Lloris successor

The Slovakia international is the latest glovesman to be linked with a switch to Hotspur Way in recent weeks, joining Leeds United’s Illan Meslier in the frame to take the reins from the French no.1 in due course.

Oblak has been widely recognised as one of the best goalkeepers in world football in recent years and would represent a more instant option to replace Lloris between the sticks.

There’s no denying that Meslier has been a standout for the Yorkshiremen in recent seasons but the 29-year-old is simply on a different level, having won the Spanish title, a Europa League and finished runner-up in the Champions League.

That sort of experience is invaluable and is exactly what Spurs will need when Lloris does hang up the gloves.

Once described as a “beast” by BT Sport presenter Reshmin Chowdhury and a “titan” by OptaJose, Oblak has proven to be one of Diego Simeone’s most reliable performers over the years, having been entrusted to start every single LaLiga game over the past three seasons.

“For me, Jan Oblak is the best goalkeeper in the world,” claimed teammate Koke only back in March this year and that only further highlights just how respected and important he is to the Colchoneros.

At 35, Lloris isn’t going to be around forever and whilst he’s got a few more years in him, it’s unlikely that current backup Fraser Forster is the man to replace the £100k-per-week stalwart, who is often dubbed a club “legend”.

Therefore, sporting director Fabio Paratici ought to look at Oblak in the upcoming transfer window as his proven ability and vast experience could be exactly what Tottenham need to fill such a great void in the coming years.

AND in other news, Antonio Conte handed boost ahead of Arsenal clash…

Journalist Daniele Longo of Calciomercato has now shared a Tottenham Hotspur exit twist after Nottingham Forest’s bid for defender Japhet Tanganga.

The Lowdown: Tanganga tipped for Milan…

Spurs sporting director Fabio Paratici has been attempting to balance the books and rid manager Antonio Conte of any players who are currently not in his plans.

Giovani Lo Celso, Tanguy Ndombele, Joe Rodon and Steven Bergwijn come as Tottenham’s most high profile departures with the quartet sealing moves away either on loan or permanently.

Bryan Gil is also the current subject of talks with Valencia while defender Tanganga has been widely tipped to potentially join AC Milan for the majority of this window.

However, in a twist to the tale, it appears a Premier League side have entered contention for the latter 23-year-old.

The Latest: Forest ‘close to agreement’…

Longo, taking to social media, has now claimed that Nottingham Forest are ‘close’ to an agreement for Tanganga after making a £20million bid.

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However, the journalist also says that Spurs’ starlet wants to join Milan over a move to the City Ground.

Longo explained:

“#Nottingham Forest made a £20 million bid for #Tanganga and is close to agreement with #Tottenham . But Japhet wants the #Milan who has to change the conditions (not right but obligation bound to attendance).”

The Verdict: Interesting…

In terms of the better move for Tanganga, it’s truly difficult to decide.

From a certain point of view, regular minutes in the English top flight at Forest would prepare the youngster for future seasons and provide Tanganga with much-needed experience of Europe’s, arguably, most challenging division.

On the other hand, Fikayo Tomori is a prime example of one player who now stars in Italy after failing to see much game time at former club Chelsea.

Tanganga could follow a similar trajectory, and as per this report, it appears he is holding out for that despite a close agreement with Forest.

Transfer insider Dean Jones has shared that Newcastle United ‘really like’ Marseille striker Bamba Dieng and are contemplating whether to make a move for him.

The Lowdown: Tested the waters

As per Foot Mercato, the St James’ Park outfit, Everton and Fulham have all ‘tested the waters’ for Dieng, but none of those three Premier League clubs have been able to match Marseille’s asking price of €15m (£12.6m) so far.

Hailed as a ‘big talent’ and the ‘new Sadio Mane’ by 90min journalist and transfer expert Graeme Bailey, the 22-year-old seems to have a very bright future ahead of him.

The Latest: Newcastle ‘really like’ Dieng

Speaking to GIVEMESPORT, Jones has stated that Dieng is a player who Newcastle ‘really like’, although both Everton and Fulham are ‘further ahead’ in terms of securing his signature.

The transfer insider said, in relation to the Magpies: “Dieng is one they really like as well.

“I think after looking further into it, they’ve discovered that Fulham and Everton are actually further ahead than they are in terms of scoping out what the deal is and whether they can get him to the Premier League.

“And I think there’ll be other clubs keeping an eye on the situation.”

The Verdict: Great option

Dieng would offer Eddie Howe another great option in Newcastle’s attack, given his ability to play anywhere across the frontline.

Last season, he managed a handy eight goals and three assists in 36 games in total over all competitions (second in Ligue 1 behind Paris Saint-Germain.

Nonetheless, £12.6m should be an affordable price should the Magpies meet Dieng’s valuation, and given that he is just 22 years of age, it could turn out to be a real bargain in the future.

Leeds United have been dealt a setback in their bid to bring George Hall to Elland Road in the summer transfer window.

What’s the talk?

That’s according to a report by Birmingham Live, who claim that, following The Athletic revealing last month that Victor Orta is interested in making a move for the 18-year-old attacking midfielder this summer, Birmingham City are adamant that they will reject any offers made for the England under-18 international over the remaining weeks of the transfer market.

Previous reports had suggested that both Newcastle United and Brighton & Hove Albion are also keeping a close eye on the situation of the Blues’ starlet ahead of potentially launching a bid of their own this summer.

The next Bellingham

Considering just how much hype there appears to be about Hall’s future in the game, coupled with the fact that Orta is well-known for trying to lure England’s most exciting youth prospects to Thorp Arch – as is evidenced by his signings of Joe Gelhardt, Sam Greenwood, Lewis Bate, Darko Gyabi and Sonny Perkins in recent years – it is not difficult to see why the Spaniard would be keen on a move for the 18-year-old this summer.

Indeed, the forward-thinking midfielder highly impressed for both Birmingham’s under-18 and under-23 sides last season, scoring three goals and registering two assists over 12 fixtures for the latter last time out.

These impressive returns saw the two Championship appearances in 2021/22.

While it is undeniable that the youngster has a long way to go before he can truly be compared to another of Birmingham’s academy graduates in Jude Bellingham, it is clear that hopes at St Andrew’s are similarly high for Hall, with under-18s coach Martyn Olorenshaw stating of the Redditch-born prospect:

“He is explosive, dynamic and has the prowess to influence games. He is a really exciting player that has the ceiling to achieve whatever he wants to achieve. He has received international recognition recently which is a huge achievement, a testament to all his hard work and a reflection of his character.”

As such, considering just how exciting a prospect the 18-year-old appears to be, should Orta manage to convince Birmingham into parting with the attacking midfielder this summer, the Whites’ director of football could very well have unearthed the next Bellingham for Leeds – something that is sure to be an extremely tantalising prospect for both supporters and Jesse Marsch alike.

AND in other news: Orta plotting Leeds offer for “stunning” target, he’s “one of the brightest prospects”

West Ham United are believed to be plotting a move for Sassuolo striker Gianluca Scamacca, according to the latest reports.

What’s the word?

As per journalist Fabrizio Romano, the Hammers are said to be “preparing” a bid for the Italy international this summer, with the fee set to be in the region of €40m, (£34m) – potentially shy of the Serie A outfit’s €50m asking price.

Writing on Twitter about the east Londoners’ interest, Romano stated that: “West Ham are preparing an opening, verbal bid around €40m for Gianluca Scamacca. He’s in the list alongside Armando Broja, who just joined Chelsea squad in the USA & there’s lot of competition. #WHUFC Sassuolo want €50m for Scamacca. PSG, not intentioned to pay that much.”

This follows a previous report from 90min that revealed that David Moyes and co had made contact with the Italian side regarding the seven-cap gem – as well as teammate and compatriot Giacomo Raspadori – ahead of a possible swoop in the coming weeks and months.

Arnautovic 2.0

A player also on the radar of Paris Saint-Germain, Scamacca enjoyed a real breakthrough season during the 2021/22 campaign, the £27m-rated ace bagging 16 goals in 36 league games, netting at a rate of a goal every 135 minutes.

Prior to that, the imposing, 6 foot 5 menace had netted eight times in 26 league games while on loan at Genoa, having also worked his way into the international reckoning under Roberto Mancini in recent times.

Dubbed a “complete” player by former Italy U21 coach Luigi Di Biagio, the £3.2k-per-week striker seemingly has all the tools to be a success at the London Stadium, while he also notably ranks in the top 7% for non-penalty goals among those in his position across Europe’s top five leagues.

His imposing, forceful presence in leading the line could evoke memories of a certain former Hammers star in Marko Arnautovic, with the pair sharing a number of statistical and stylistic similarities, as per FBref.

While the Austrian gem may have been a controversial figure during his time in English football – moving to the London Stadium from Stoke City on a £25m deal in 2017 – the dynamic forward emerged as something of a cult figure following his impressive displays leading the line, despite an eventual sour end to his time at the club.

In just two years with the Irons, the 102-cap international – who has netted 33 times for his country – reached double figures for league goals across each of his two campaigns at the club, while also netting 22 goals and providing 12 assists in 65 games across all competitions in total.

The hope will be that Scamacca – who has endured controversies of his own – can equal or even eclipse the impact of the 33-year-old should he sign this summer, both with his goalscoring quality and his imposing presence on the pitch, with Moyes seemingly set to be able to find his new talisman in the Rome-born brute.

The former Everton boss has previously lauded Arnautovic and spoken about how he helped transform the striker’s fortunes during his first spell in charge at the club, with the Scotsman likely chomping at the bit to get to work with his heir apparent, Scamacca.

AND in other news: West Ham closing in on “remarkable” £10m target, it would be a “masterstroke” by Moyes

Everton have been in a back-and-forth with Tottenham Hotspur over a deal for Richarlison, and a new update has now emerged from a reliable source on the progress of the move this summer.

What’s the latest?

Italian journalist and transfer insider Fabrizio Romano has given an update on the 25-year-old’s imminent exit from Goodison Park.

Romano tweeted: “Tottenham have signed Richarlison on a permanent deal, here we go! First part of paperworks now signed with Everton, after full agreement on personal terms.”

“Fee will be £50m guaranteed plus add-ons. Richarlison, on his way for medical tests in Brasil. Done deal.”

Moshiri will be scrambling

There is no doubt that Everton supporters will be gutted by the news that Richarlison has reportedly now completed his move to Tottenham Hotspur, as the Merseyside club has been on a downward spiral for some time.

The Toffees spent the best part of last season struggling in a relegation scrap with a change in hands of management, all amid ongoing financial issues which have seen the club post more than £100m of losses for the third year in succession.

Losing Richarlison will be a big blow to Frank Lampard’s squad at Goodison Park, as he has been one of the most reliable and consistent players in the side during their most difficult periods over the last season.

The 25-year-old scored 10 goals, delivered five assists and created seven big chances, along with making one key pass, 1.3 tackles and 1.1 interceptions, taking 2.4 shots and winning 7.1 duels per game, proving that he was massively hard-working in both attacking and defensive play.

Farhad Moshiri will now be scrambling for ways to fill the void that the Brazilian winger has left at the club and identify a player who can strengthen the now-weakened Everton squad without breaking the bank.

It will be no easy task for Kevin Thelwell and the rest of the recruitment team at Goodison Park, as their unstable position in the Premier League could make things difficult in terms of signing high-quality players who can make a real difference and replace Richarlison’s output.

With that being said, it remains to be seen if Lampard will be given the funds to reinvest back into finding a replacement for the 25-year-old, but what is certain is that the Toffees have lost a player who has made a huge difference in the team, and it could be seriously detrimental to Everton’s season ahead.

AND in other news – Offer made: Everton close to signing “unique” £20m magician, Lampard needs him badly