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West Ham are ramping up efforts to sign an England international defender and Antonin Kinsky from Tottenham after a move for a different goalkeeper came to nothing.

West Ham remain locked in talks with Southampton as they attempt to strike a deal for Taylor Harwood‑Bellis, despite seeing their initial proposal rejected, we can confirm.

Harwood-Bellis, 23, has been a mainstay in England’s many youth sides over the years and received his first cap for the senior side during Lee Carsley’s temporary spell in charge back in 2024.

The Hammers opened negotiations with an offer of a loan with an option to buy for £10million in the summer.

That package has been dismissed by Southampton, who are adamant the England defender will only leave if their £18million valuation is met.

Discussions are ongoing, and sources indicate West Ham are yet to decide whether they will return with an improved offer or explore alternative defensive targets before the window closes.

Chelsea’s Axel Disasi is a viable option via the loan route and that deal has been explored.

However, Harwood‑Bellis remains one of the club’s preferred options, and talks have not been abandoned. We understand Harwood-Bellis is open to the move.

Meanwhile, West Ham are also continuing their search for a goalkeeper, with the club still pushing to bring in competition before the deadline.

Their top choice remains Tottenham’s Antonin Kinsky on loan, but as of now, no agreement has been reached between the clubs.

An agreement on personal terms is in place, however, and the belief is Spurs will greenlight the move if able to sign adequate cover.

West Ham also made contact with Manchester City over veteran stopper, Stefan Oretga, but it’s Nottingham Forest who’ve struck a deal.

The Hammers are expected to work on both the goalkeeper and centre-back deals right up to the deadline as they look to strengthen key areas of Nuno Espirito Santo’s squad.

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Biggest transfer stories today – Curtis Jones / Arsenal sale / Jeremy Jacquet

In other news, Liverpool have rebuffed an approach from Inter Milan for Curtis Jones, with club sources insisting the midfielder will not be allowed to explore a late-window switch to the San Siro, and what that means for Nottingham Forest’s move for Davide Frattesi has also been revealed.

Elsewhere, Arsenal will release a statement later today regarding the permanent sale of a star who’s generating the club a monumental loss.

Jamie Carragher insists he finds it bewildering that Raheem Sterling is overlooked when naming the best England stars over the last few years, amid growing claims that Tottenham Hotspur are ready to pull the trigger on a surprise late transfer window raid.

The 82-times capped England winger is a free agent after his three-and-a-half-year stint at Chelsea came to a close when he mutually agreed to terminate his £325,000 a week package that still had 18 months left to run. Turning his back on a personal fortune of over £25m (less tax), Sterling is now open to opportunities to get his career back on track.

Indeed, having made just 28 appearances over the last 18 months, the 31-year-old is in danger of fading into oblivion, with a fruitless spell at London neighbours Arsenal failing to kickstart his career last season.

While TEAMtalk sources have revealed the three factors that Sterling will consider before making his next move, our sources have revealed that preliminary transfer talks had been held with three London sides in Fulham, West Ham and Crystal Palace.

Now, however, it has emerged that Tottenham are also firmly in the mix and with Thomas Frank needing a new left-sided winger to enhance his attack, a move to N17 appears to tick plenty of boxes; moreso given reports on Friday that claim Sterling is open to signing a deal on a fraction of the wages he was earning at Stamford Bridge.

And while some may frown on Tottenham’s approach, feeling the deal represents a major risk, Carragher is adamant that Spurs would be signing one of “England’s best stars of a generation” if they can push the deal over the line.

Discussing the former Liverpool and Man City winger’s career, Carragher revealed in his Daily Telegraph column that he finds it a mystery why Sterling is so criminally overlooked when discussing England’s top talents in recent years.

Carragher also claims that “no player should be vilified because a club determined his value and then changed its mind two years later. Whatever Chelsea paid Sterling is a reflection of his status upon signing.”

He also added that “there was a sense that Sterling never quite won the love of others” with the pundit admitting that “I am not sure how high he would feature on an all-time list of the greatest England and Manchester City players. My suspicion is that he would rank lower than he should.”

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Spurs ready to pull trigger on Raheem Sterling transfer – Reports

With Sterling eager to make up for lost time and making it be known he is hungry to kickstart his career, our reporter, Fraser Fletcher, let the cat out of the bag on Thursday by exclusively revealing Spurs were taking a very serious look at the 31-year-old and a potential move had already been given a very firm YES by Thomas Frank.

And with the Daily Mail since backing up our claims and revealing that Sterling is open to a significant salary sacrifice to push through the move, reports are gathering pace that a move to north London could be tied up in due course.

Spurs need a left winger and Sterling needs a new club, while the geography also ties with the player’s preference of playing for a major London side.

Furthermore, The Mail claims Sterling ‘is ready to play for less than a third of the salary he was earning at Stamford Bridge and wants to get straight back into the game.’

The report later doubled down on that claim, adding that Sterling is ‘no longer expecting a six-figure weekly salary.’

Such a revelation makes his signing, even on a short-term deal, a significantly lesser risk for a club like Spurs.

In the event Tottenham were to snap Sterling up, the way could be paved for one of Randal Kolo Muani or Mathys Tel to have their loan spells cut short, with interest in the French pair emerging over the final week of the window.

Tottenham round-up: Tel interest mounts; statement Bayern star linked

In other news, Tottenham are bracing themselves for potential late new interest in Tel as the transfer deadline approaches, though the youngster could copy the strategy Kobbie Mainoo deployed at Manchester United.

Elsewhere, one of Germany’s leading journalists claims that Tottenham have made contact with Bayern Munich regarding the availability of an elite attacker, as majority owners ENIC strive to make a statement signing in 2026.

A number of Premier League clubs, including Spurs and Villa, have made enquiries over the availability of a Real Madrid star following his return from AFCON, TEAMtalk can reveal.

Thomas Frank went against his own “rule” when speaking about a player Tottenham tried and failed to sign this month, though there are five viable alternatives linked as the window draws to a close.

Many managers in the modern game refuse to be drawn into speaking about players at other clubs, even those who their side hold confirmed interest in or have even tabled bids for.

But during a press conference on Friday, Frank went against the grain when confirming Tottenham did “everything” they could to bring Antoine Semenyo to north London earlier this window.

Ultimately, Semenyo chose Manchester City who completed a deal worth £64m. At that price point, Semenyo would have become Tottenham’s second most expensive signing in their history, behind only Dominic Solanke (£65m add-ons included).

“The club work relentlessly to try to do the best they can to try to improve the squad, especially Johan (Lange), Fabio (Paritici) and Vinai (Venkatesham), and all the people behind them,” said Frank (via Sky Sports)

“I mean it, we can’t be too obsessed with short-term fixes that don’t help with the long term, because if we don’t do that, then all the hard work we put in now can be limited for the future.

“And that’s not that we don’t badly want short-term success. I can promise that the Lewis family is super committed to this project; they want to do everything.

“And I will go against my rule, hopefully only once, that there’s no doubt it was clear that the club wanted to sign Semenyo.

“They did everything – I think that’s a clear signal that the Lewis family is very committed. That’s a big signing with finances and all that.

“So that’s the quality of players we’re looking for to improve the squad, and if we can’t find that, then it’s definitely better to take the right decisions.

“Not just saying we’re just getting quality players going forward because we all know it’s not that easy, and I’m sure, for whatever reason, we are not able to get another player or players in this window, then for the summer it’s a big summer ahead, and I’m not in doubt we’ll see big improvements there.”

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So… who COULD Tottenham sign?

There’s certainly no shortage of wingers Tottenham have been linked with as the window reaches its conclusion.

None are on the level of Semenyo, however, and it remains to be seen if Tottenham pull the trigger or keep their powder dry as Frank suggested they might.

Reporter Ben Jacobs recently talked up the possibility of Tottenham bidding for West Ham’s £25m-rated Crysencio Summerville. Since then, however, developments on that story have been in short supply.

Sources have informed TEAMtalk that late approaches for Brahim Diaz (Real Madrid) and Maghnes Akliouche (Monaco) are possible, though by no means guaranteed.

Reports in Germany state contact has been made with Bayern Munich to assess Serge Gnabry’s situation.

Tottenham are seriously considering snapping up free agent, Raheem Sterling, and a fresh report has revealed the gigantic sacrifice the winger is prepared to make.

Chelsea and Sterling mutually agreed to part ways earlier this week, thus cutting short his underwhelming stay at Stamford Bridge by 18 months.

Sterling is seeking an immediate return to top-level football and is firm in the belief he can make a big impact wherever he signs.

The only hiccup in his mind is he may take a month or so to get up to full speed given it’s been 250 days since his last competitive match.

TEAMtalk led the way on Thursday when exclusively revealing Tottenham were giving serious consideration to bringing the 31-year-old on board.

Thomas Frank is understood to be open to the move, and aiding Tottenham’s chances is the fact Sterling’s preference is to remain in London.

Now, a fresh update from The Daily Mail has reaffirmed Tottenham are looking into a move for the pacy forward. But of greater interest in the report is the bombshell news regarding Sterling’s salary expectations.

Sterling pocketed around £325,000-a-week at Chelsea, and in an indication he’s now putting total emphasis on securing a move that’s right for him and not his bank account, it’s claimed he’ll accept the mother of all pay-cuts.

The Mail stated Sterling ‘is ready to play for less than a third of the salary he was earning at Stamford Bridge and wants to get straight back into the game.’

The report later doubled down on that claim, adding Sterling is ‘no longer expecting a six-figure weekly salary.’

That revelation makes taking a punt on Sterling much less of a gamble for interested sides like Spurs.

However, Spurs are by no means the only club sniffing around, with The Mail naming Napoli and Juventus as being among his admirers.

TEAMtalk understands West Ham, Fulham and Crystal Palace have all weighed up a move too, and could all satisfy Sterling’s desire to remain in the capital.

Of course, Tottenham too can meet that requirement and of those four London sides, they’re by far the highest profile club and the only one who can offer Champions League football.

In the event Tottenham were to snap Sterling up, the way could be paved for one of Randal Kolo Muani or Mathys Tel to have their loan spells cut short…

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Latest Tottenham news – Tel fireworks / Bayern raid

In other news, Tottenham are bracing themselves for potential late new interest in Mathys Tel as the transfer deadline approaches, though the youngster could copy the strategy Kobbie Mainoo deployed at Manchester United.

Elsewhere, one of Germany’s leading journalists claims that Tottenham have made contact with Bayern Munich regarding the availability of an elite attacker, as majority owners ENIC strive to make a statement signing in 2026.

Tottenham are bracing themselves for potential late new interest in Mathys Tel as the transfer deadline approaches, though the youngster could copy the strategy Kobbie Mainoo deployed at Manchester United.

The French forward has grown increasingly frustrated with his situation at Spurs and is not fully convinced by Thomas Frank’s faith in him.

The 20-year-old still harbours ambitions of breaking into France’s squad for the 2026 World Cup, and his lack of opportunities haven’t helped in that regard.

Furthermore, there have been suggestions he’s not best pleased with primarily being used on the left wing when he does feature. Tel views himself as a central striker.

Tel has been weighing up how best to handle the scenario, particularly with outside interest beginning to surface and Paris FC – not to be confused with PSG – openly registering their desire to sign him.

One possible route Tel is considering is to keep his head down, continue working hard and attempt to outlast Frank – who is under mounting pressure.

It would mirror the approach taken by Kobbie Mainoo at Man Utd during Ruben Amorim’s turbulent spell.

Mainoo’s request to leave last summer via the loan route was blocked. Rather than kick up a fuss, he remained professional despite barely featuring in the first half of the season and his patience was later rewarded once Michael Carrick took charge.

Spurs, for their part, want Tel to remain at the club and have made that position clear to him this month.

However, their stance could yet be tested, with a growing expectation that intermediaries will arrive with late proposals before the window shuts.

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Latest Tottenham news – Bayern contact / Raheem Sterling…

In other news, one of Germany’s leading journalists claims that Tottenham have made contact with Bayern Munich regarding the availability of an elite attacker, as majority owners ENIC strive to make a statement signing in 2026.

Elsewhere, Tottenham hold a distinct advantage in the race to snap up new free agent, Raheem Sterling, and we can confirm that Spurs are not only strongly considering a move, but Thomas Frank is on board too.

One of Germany’s leading journalists claims that Tottenham Hotspur have made contact with Bayern Munich regarding the availability of an elite attacker, as majority owners ENIC strive to make a statement signing in 2026.

It’s been a fairly quiet winter window for Spurs so far, considering their woeful Premier League form that has seen them get dragged into the relegation scrap, with only Conor Gallagher and teenage Brazilian left-back Souza brought on board.

Qualification for the knockout phase of the Champions League, after Thomas Frank’s men put their domestic struggles behind them to finish fourth in the expanded table, secured significant funds that could be put towards signings in the final four days of the window.

Signing a new left-winger and striker remains the focus of Tottenham transfer chiefs Johan Lange and Fabio Paratici, before the latter heads back to Italy to take up a similar role at Fiorentina, and ENIC are seemingly looking to strike gold with a stunning late swoop.

Indeed, journalist Christian Falk reports that the north London side have ‘made contact’ with Bayern over the availability of former Arsenal attacker Serge Gnabry.

Spurs are in the market for another wide player after allowing Brennan Johnson to leave for Crystal Palace at the start of the window, only to then lose Mohammed Kudus until April with a serious quad injury.

Gnabry has given Tottenham and their fans nightmares in the past, scoring four times against them in a 7-2 Bayern win in the Champions League back in 2019, in what was one of Mauricio Pochettino’s final games in charge.

His pace and power would be an incredible asset for a side lacking a cutting edge in their forward line in the absence of the likes of Kudus, James Maddison and Dejan Kulusevski, having notched a combined 15 goals and assists in 25 games in all competitions this season.

There is no mention from Falk over what sort of fee Bayern could command for the 30-year-old, whose future is in doubt due to his contract running out this summer. He is currently valued at just €20m (£17.3m / $23.8m) on Transfermarkt, although Bayern would surely demand more for a player of that quality.

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Tottenham facing crushing blow in Gnabry chase

While landing Gnabry would indeed be that statement signing that would get Tottenham fans off their seats again, the likelihood of it actually happening is pretty remote.

Indeed, the German international is reported to have informed Spurs that his priority is to remain at Bayern, and he’s in talks over a new contract with the Bundesliga outfit.

Gnabry is set to sign a new two-year deal, which could also see him pocket a lucrative pay rise in the process, adding to his already hefty £330,000-a-week in Bavaria.

To that end, given those sorts of figures and the complete change in direction, salary-wise, that would be needed from ENIC to sign Gnabry, any move looks tough to pull off.

Even if the player could not agree a new Bayern deal and became a free agent in the summer, his wage demands would still be astronomically high and likely leave Tottenham out of the equation to secure his signature.

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More Tottenham news: Real prepping north London raid; Mateta, Robertson chase latest

Speculative reports from Spain claim that Real Madrid are determined to sign one of Tottenham’s most important players, with a huge bid in the pipeline.

Elsewhere, Crystal Palace have informed Jean‑Philippe Mateta’s camp that the striker will not be allowed to leave Selhurst Park for anything less than £40million (€46m / $55m), amid growing Tottenham links.

Real Madrid are determined to sign one of Tottenham Hotspur’s most important players, but there is turbulence at the Bernabeu, with Kylian Mbappe brutally criticising his teammates.

The post-Xabi Alonso era is underway at Real Madrid, but things certainly haven’t gone perfectly for interim manager Alvaro Arbeloa.

Los Blancos dramatically lost 4-2 to Jose Mourinho’s Benfica on Wednesday night, which means they’ll have to qualify for the Champions League knockouts via the play-offs. This was a big source of Mbappe’s frustrations.

But the Spanish giants aren’t resting on their laurels and reports suggest they’re planning a blockbuster raid on Tottenham, while a Manchester United star is also on their radar.

Real Madrid determined to sign Tottenham star

There have been few players in world football linked more with Real Madrid in recent years than Tottenham star Cristian Romero, and a seismic offer for the centre-back is said to be in the works.

Romero’s defensive partner, Micky van de Ven, is another player Real Madrid are huge admirers of, but the Argentine is reportedly the man their focused on.

A new report from Fichajes has stunningly claimed that Real Madrid are seeking ‘immediate solutions’ to fix their recent problems. Club president, Florentino Perez, has therefore ‘decided to intervene’ by offering Tottenham a hefty €100m (£86.6m, $120m) fee to convince them to sell Romero.

The belief is that the offer may be too high for Spurs to turn down. Indeed, the report adds that the signing of Romero is seen by Perez as a ‘vital necessity to inject aggression and character’ into their back four and ‘the €100m offered is intended to overcome any resistance from the English club’.

However, while Romero is undoubtedly a player Real Madrid admire, the claims of the supposed €100m bid must be taken with a pinch of salt.

No other outlets have reported the offer and Fichajes have a history of making outlandish claims that turn out to have no truth to them.

Therefore, while Romero is a player to keep an eye on, it still seems unlikely he’ll be leaving Tottenham this month.

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Mbappe highlights major ‘problem’ for Real Madrid

The 4-2 defeat against Benfica on Wednesday couldn’t have been more painful for Real Madrid, with Mourinho heaping the pressure on his former side, who must now win in the play-offs to continue their Champions League campaign.

Mbappe, though, can hold his head high. He notched a brace on the night, putting his team in front before getting one back later on when his side were behind, to make it 3-2.

But Benfica were certainly the better team, and managed to qualify for the play-offs themselves, but only on goal difference, after goalkeeper, Anatoliy Trubin, incredibly scored a crucial header in the 98th-minute to make it four for the Portuguese giants.

These are difficult times for Real Madrid, and Mbappe didn’t hold back in venting his anger.

“It isn’t about quality, and it isn’t about tactics. It’s about having more desire than your opponent,” Mbappe told reporters, as cited by GOAL.

“You could see that everything was on the line for Benfica, and you couldn’t see that for us, and that’s a problem. Before the game, both teams had something to play for: us being in the top eight, and Benfica being among the 24. We saw it from Benfica, but you didn’t see it from us.

“I don’t have a clear explanation. It wasn’t the same [at Benfica] as against Villarreal, and that’s a problem. We aren’t being consistent in our play. We have to solve that. We can’t do it one day, and then not another. A team of champions doesn’t do that. We have two more games, and that hurts a bit. We wanted to have time in February to work on our play, and instead we’ll play the play-offs.”

“What we did today was not normal. We had a clear goal of finishing in the top eight to have two fewer games and lighten the load, but we started very poorly.

“They deserved to score first. We had one chance and scored. I thought that would get us into the game, but it was the opposite. They were better and if they had gone into the break 5-1 up, it wouldn’t have surprised anyone.

“We came out with the intention of changing what had happened. We conceded a goal that hurts a little because it came from a direct play, and from there the game was over. When you’re a goal down, you try to push, but the opponent wastes time and that’s part of the game. We didn’t set the pace or show enough creativity to create clear chances.”

Real Madrid ‘serious’ about signing Man Utd star

In other news, Fichajes claim in another report that Real Madrid are “seriously considering” signing Diogo Dalot from Manchester United this month.

A new right-back is said to be a ‘priority’ for Arbeloa’s side, amid the lacklustre form of Trent Alexander-Arnold.

“A convincing offer in the last days of January could open the door to negotiations,” the report states.

Tottenham hold a distinct advantage in the race to snap up new free agent, Raheem Sterling, and we can confirm that Spurs are not only strongly considering a move, but Thomas Frank is on board too.

Tottenham are giving serious consideration to making an approach for Raheem Sterling, who has become a free agent following his mutual departure from Chelsea, we can confirm.

The 31-year-old England international agreed to terminate the remaining 18 months of his contract at Stamford Bridge on Wednesday, bringing an end to a challenging three-and-a-half-year spell that saw him struggle for regular minutes.

Sterling, who joined Chelsea from Manchester City in 2022 for £47.5 million, has not featured competitively since May 2025 and spent last season on loan at Arsenal without making a significant impact.

Sources indicate that Tottenham view the experienced winger as a potential short-term reinforcement for their limited attacking options.

With the club competing in the Premier League and Champions League, Sterling’s pace, dribbling, and big-match pedigree – highlighted by four Premier League titles and over 100 top-flight goals – could offer valuable depth on the flanks.

Insiders have noted that an approach from north London “should not be totally ruled out,” particularly given Spurs’ need for wide-area experience. Sources also state that Thomas Frank is open to bringing Sterling in.

Sterling, who prefers to remain in London for family reasons, has drawn interest from several Premier League clubs, including West Ham United, Fulham, and Crystal Palace.

Nottingham Forest have sounded out the player and his camp, but as mentioned, Sterling’s preference right now if possible is to remain in the capital.

My colleague, Graeme Bailey recently brought news of Sterling receiving substantial offers to move abroad.

I can confirm that beyond the domestic scene, European sides such as Napoli are keen, though their sporting director, Giovanni Manna, has described a move as “difficult” due to the player’s “significant financial expectations.”

Sterling was pocketing in excess of £300,000-a-week at Stamford Bridge. Potential moves like ones to Napoli would heavily depend on Sterling accepting a sizeable reduction on what he’s recently been earning.

Interest from Major League Soccer teams in the United States has also surfaced as Sterling explores all avenues to secure regular football ahead of potentially featuring in the 2026 World Cup.

For Tottenham, this represents a low-risk – albeit potentially costly in terms of wages – opportunity to add proven quality without a transfer fee.

Nevertheless, it’s important to stress his substantial salary demands and recent lack of game-time could complicate negotiations, and would only see a short term deal put forward by Tottenham.

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Latest Tottenham news – Romero to Real Madrid / Robertson belief

In other news, Tottenham are set to face a huge transfer headache amid strong reports in Spain that claim Real Madrid are to offer them a staggering €100m fee to sign Cristian Romero, though TEAMtalk can explain why such claims must be treated with caution.

Elsewhere, Spurs have been told they still have a significant chance of securing the signing of Andy Robertson this month amid strong claims the star remains keen to quit Liverpool with immediate effect.

Tottenham Hotspur are set to face a huge transfer headache amid strong reports in Spain that claim Real Madrid are to offer them a staggering €100m fee to sign Cristian Romero, though TEAMtalk can explain why such claims must be treated with caution.

The Spanish giants are trailing Barcelona by a point in the LaLiga title race and on Wednesday night suffered a heavy 4-2 defeat away to Jose Mourinho’s Benfica, which saw Real Madrid drop out of the top eight of the Champions League table and condemned them to a play-off place to secure a place in the last 16.

After shipping an unacceptable 12 goals in eight games across the Champions League, coupled with the long-term injury to Eder Militao, reports in Spain now claim that Los Blancos president Florentino Perez has now decided to act with immediate effect – and has set his sights on a deal for Tottenham star Romero.

And according to Spanish outlet Fichajes, their ‘latest sporting failures’ – including the Copa del Rey exit to Segunda Division side Albacete, which ‘left deep wounds’ – means Real Madrid will now ‘seek immediate solutions’ to fix their problems.

As a result, it’s claimed Perez has now ‘decided to intervene’ by offering Tottenham a hefty €100m (£86.6m, $120m) fee to convince them to sell Romero, believing the much-swelled fee will leave Spurs with no option but to cash in.

The report adds that the addition of Romero is seen by Perez as a ‘vital necessity to inject aggression and character’ into their back four and ‘the €100m offered is intended to overcome any resistance from the English club’.

Such a move, were it to be accepted, would be the third largest deal anywhere in the January window, sitting third behind the €121m paid by Chelsea to Benfica for Enzo Fernandes and the colossal €135m Barcelona spent on luring Philippe Coutinho from Liverpool.

That fee would also match the record fee ever received by Tottenham; the €100m spent by Real on Gareth Bale in the summer of 2013.

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Tottenham stance on selling Romero this month

Links between Romero and Real Madrid are nothing new, with the Argentina international revealing last April that a summer move to the Bernabeu would seriously tempt him.

Admitting his wish to grow and progress his career, the 27-year-old was asked which league he could see himself playing in next were he to leave Spurs – and his reply will only serve to fuel those rumours.

“The league I’m missing is Spain’s. I’d love to, honestly. La Liga. I’d love to play there because it’s the one I haven’t played in yet,” he stated.

However, with his defensive partner Micky van de Ven – himself a long-term Real Madrid target – currently sidelined, Tottenham could absolutely ill-afford to lose Romero at this moment in time.

And while sources are refusing to rule out the prospect of the Spanish giants trying their luck in the summer, we’ve been given no indications that a move, no matter how big the offer, would be green-lit this month.

Van de Ven, meanwhile, was absent from the squad that travelled to Germany to take on Eintracht Frankfurt in their final Champions League group fixture that saw Spurs pick up an impressive 2-0 to book a place in the last 16 and ease the pressure on manager Thomas Frank.

While Van de Ven will be assessed and could return to the squad for Sunday’s testing home clash against title hopefuls Manchester City, the club will be without Pedro Porro, who now faces a month on the sidelines with a hamstring problem.

Currently ravaged by injuries, Spurs fielded a back four of Romero, Kevin Danso, flanked by Djed Spence and Destiny Udogie at Deutsche Bank Park, though Frank will be heartened by another UCL clean sheet.

Romero came in for praise after Wednesday night’s game, with the Argentine adding an assist (for Randal Kolo Muani) to his growing goal contributions list for the season.

Speaking on Match of the Day, Stephen Warnock said: “They were clinical, and that was the most important thing when you’re looking to score goals away from home. Kolo Muani does extremely well because what you need is your striker in the middle of the penalty area to get you goals.

“Credit to Romero, he is a threat from set pieces, and that back-post header is such a sensible, smart header. He’s put it into an area and hopes that’s where his striker is. It’s a scruffy finish, but it doesn’t matter.”

Real Madrid step away from Bayern defender; Spurs given Robertson hope

Meanwhile, Real Madrid have reportedly decided to step away from signing a top Bayern Munich star this summer, effectively giving Liverpool a clear run at his signing.

Elsewhere, Real Madrid have made it clear to Alvaro Arbeloa what he needs to do to stay as Los Blancos manager for the long term amid interest in former Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp, with a report revealing the outrageous swap deal that Chelsea are planning to take Vinicius Junior to Stamford Bridge.

Over in north London, Spurs have been told they still have a significant chance of signing Andy Robertson before the transfer window slams shut, with Liverpool’s transfer trigger now coming to light.

And finally, while they may have already signed Conor Gallagher in the January transfer window, Frank’s side are now actively trying to bring in a Bayern Munich midfielder, too, according to a source.

Tottenham Hotspur have been told they still have a significant chance of securing the signing of Andy Robertson this month amid strong claims the star remains keen to quit Liverpool with immediate effect, while Arne Slot has provided an update on Jeremie Frimpong and the impact it will have on the club in the January market.

The Scotland star has proved to be one of the best signings Liverpool has made in recent memory. Costing just £8m from Hull City in summer 2017, Robertson has played a major role in helping the Merseysiders win eight major honours, including two Premier League titles and the Champions League.

But having seen his place taken in the Liverpool first-team by summer signing Milos Kerkez, Robertson has found himself with a reduced role at Anfield. And with his contract expiring at the season’s end, Tottenham have sensed the opportunity to land the experienced 31-year-old for a bargain price.

Indeed, talks between the clubs took place last week and, when a fee worth an initial £3m with £2m in add-ons was agreed, it seemed like Robertson would be off.

However, with Joe Gomez suffering a hip injury in the defeat at Bournemouth on Saturday, Liverpool pulled out of the deal, making it clear that Robertson would need to stay.

Despite that, our transfer correspondent, Graeme Bailey, revealed on Monday evening that all hope was not lost for Robertson who still wants the move and was left disappointed by Liverpool’s change of plans, having made it clear he wanted the move to north London.

Now, speaking on the Inside Track podcast, former Everton chief executive Keith Wyness has explained why he believes the move can still go through before the window slams shut.

I know it’s been up and down in terms of the reports coming out so far, but I do think it’s one that will get done.

“I think Robertson wants to play regularly as well with the Scottish World Cup year, so I think it would suit him to be at Spurs.

“It’s exactly what Thomas Frank needs in the dressing room, is the experience and the knowledge of Andy Robertson and his personality and character.

“I think the whole point is for Liverpool not wanting to let him go is because they haven’t got the replacement ready yet, but I think there are rumours of things happening there, so I think it could be that he’ll be let go. If Robertson wants to do it, I think that’s going to be a key factor.

“So, depending on getting that replacement, then I think it could happen.”

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Arne Slot provides Jeremie Frimpong injury update

Wyness added: “I think Robertson wants to do it and I think it would be good for him and for Scotland to get it done and great for Thomas Frank.

“That’s exactly the sort of thing that I think will calm heads at Spurs, as I said. So I’m hoping it gets done and I think it will do.”

Meanwhile, Liverpool suffered another injury on Wednesday night when the Dutchman was forced off after just four minutes of the rampant 6-0 win over Qarabag as the Reds confirmed their place in the last 16 of the Champions League.

However, Slot does not think the injury is serious and is adamant it will not alter his side’s plans over the remainder of the January window.

“It’s a muscle injury, but I don’t know how long that’s going to be,” Slot said after the emphatic win at Anfield.

“So that’s not a knee. And a muscle usually has to do with overloading a player. So not always, of course, because he’s stretched in the moment.

“But it is the risk. That’s why I took Hugo [Ekitike] and Florian [Wirtz] off tonight as well. Because those are the players that are not as much used than Macca [Alexis Mac Allister] or Dom [Szoboszlai], who are already longer at these both levels.”

Asked about Frimpong directly, Slot added: “Maybe he’s not able to play Saturday, but maybe he’s able to play one or two days later. We’re now going to a schedule with one game a week. So that would usually mean fewer injuries. But you’re never sure.”

And on the transfer market, he added: “As a club, we always make decisions – what we think are smart decisions – not only in the short term but the long term, which is why we sign younger players.

“It always depends on whether there are players available that we think can help us. If there are, can we afford them?

“And is this also helpful for the longer-term future, because our players come back from injury as well. I just said that we don’t have a squad where we have four right-backs and 12 midfielders and three or four no.9s.

“That’s not how it works over here. So we have to do smart things for the near future, but also for the longer future. Let’s first see how Jeremie is.”

In brighter news, Slot also confirmed that Ibrahima Konate, back in France after the death of his father, could return to the ranks for Saturday night’s clash against Newcastle at Anfield.

Gerrard provides Slot sack update; Tottenham chase Bayern midfielder

Meanwhile, Steven Gerrard has revealed whether he thinks Liverpool owners, Fenway Sports Group (FSG), are going to sack Slot before the end of the season, with sources telling TEAMtalk that talks with Xabi Alonso have already started.

Elsewhere, Real Madrid have decided not to pursue a French defender, which has opened the door for Liverpool to complete a deal for him.

However, our transfer insider, Graeme Bailey, has reported that Chelsea are ‘confident’ of beating Liverpool to the signing of another French defender.

Down at Tottenham, while they may have already signed Conor Gallagher in the January transfer window, Thomas Frank’s side are now actively trying to bring in a Bayern Munich midfielder, too, according to a source.