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Thomas Frank is veering into Ange Postecoglou territory when it comes to repeating a very similar mistake that the former Tottenham Hotspur manager regularly made, although it’s one that can be fixed by making a brutal selection decision or Fabio Paratici weaving some transfer magic in January.

Spurs suffered their second Premier League defeat of the season as they crashed to a 2-1 home reverse against Aston Villa on Sunday, a result that now means they have won only three of 18 league games in north London in the calendar year.

And yet things could have been so different after Rodrigo Bentancur gave them an early lead and more chances came and went in a mostly dominant opening period from Frank’s men.

However, Tottenham were undone by two stunning strikes from the visitors, and a clear issue in the starting XI once again reared its ugly head as the game wore on.

Yes, the lack of a quality left-winger remains a problem, Mathys Tel is not a natural No.9 and Xavi Simons continues to under-deliver, but the central midfield balance is ALL WRONG.

Rodrigo Bentancur is a popular figure among the majority of the Spurs faithful, but we previously cast our doubts over whether he had done enough after coming back from his ACL injury to warrant a bumper new contract.

It’s very clear to most observers, although obviously not Frank and his coaching staff, that the Uruguay international cannot play alongside Joao Palhinha in the Tottenham engine room – and that’s a massive problem, because there is no way you can drop the latter.

Two excellent players, but as a pairing they are two immobile, lack pace to get around the pitch and do not really offer an awful lot when it comes to linking back to front.

Yes, Bentancur scored on Sunday, but as a true No.8 he lacks the physical capability to be a true box-to-box presence and be that link between defence and attack.

Apart from his goal against Villa, the 28-year-old registered just one key pass in the match and had an expected assist total of just 0.01.

In some ways, it’s a familiar theme from when Postecoglou paired Bentancur with Yves Bissouma or Pape Sarr last season – those combinations just never really worked.

It gets to the point where you have to think, is Bentancur the issue, as there is no way he can fill the Palhinha role as effectively as the Portuguese destroyer.

Indeed, there are many fans who are not happy with that pairing, and Frank’s continued persistence with starting them, with one supporter commenting on X after the Villa defeat: “The insistence on Palhinha-Bentancur is utterly baffling. We’re driving with the handbrake on. It makes no sense.”

Meanwhile, another stated: “Another week of Bentancur Palhinha is a sackable offence.”

“This result is 100% on Frank, so so tired of Bentancur x Palhinha and waiting to make changes until its already too late. Cowardly,” another fan wrote.

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In-house midfield changes Frank could make

The answer could be in-house, with Frank using the younger and much more mobile Archie Gray in the No.8 role just ahead of Palhinha. The former Leeds youngster has shown, on the rare occasions he has been given the chance this season, that he can make runs from midfield and create in the final third.

Another option would be to drop Lucas Bergvall a bit deeper, although the talented Swede might not yet be ready to take on that more physically demanding role.

Sarr started the season well but his level has dropped, so it’s no great surprise that Tottenham are expected to be in the market for a new, dynamic No.8 in January.

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Paratici already making January plans

A player who could be a real difference-maker in Frank’s engine room, and make that an area of the pitch where Tottenham can dominate, is rapidly becoming a major priority in north London.

While January isn’t necessarily a great time to attract the best players, returning sporting director Paratici is already working on targets to improve Frank’s squad in the new year – especially with majority owners Enic injecting £100million of capital in an effort to do just that.

There are three players TEAMtalk understands are very much on the club’s radar, two of which are very much attainable.

Manchester United star Kobbie Mainoo has failed to secure regular game time under Ruben Amorim and is pushing for an exit in the new year, especially as his chances of appearing for England at the 2026 World Cup are currently going up in smoke.

Whether United are prepared to offload the 20-year-old talent to a Premier League rival remains to be seen, but Mainoo could be a great fit in Frank’s midfield.

Another player who has recently emerged as a target for Tottenham is highly-rated Rangers star Nico Raskin, who is capable of playing multiple midfield roles.

The Ibrox outfit are having a disastrous campaign, and while they are not looking to sell, TEAMtalk can reveal that an offer of around £20-25m for the Belgium international could force their hand.

The best of the three names on the list is sadly the least likely to sign, with Crystal Palace’s Adam Wharton one of the most highly sought-after talents in English football.

While he tends to play as a holding midfielder at Selhurst Park, Wharton’s passing range and non-stop motor means he is more than capable of pushing further forward and providing exactly what Frank needs in the middle of the park.

However, there are three issues at play when it comes to the 21-year-old. Firstly, Palace are desperate not to lose one of their star men mid-season, and even if they do consider a sale, it will cost in excess of £70m.

Add in the fact that he has now emerged as Manchester United’s number one midfield target for 2026, and Paratici will have to do some serious negotiating to get Wharton to north London.

Either way, Frank needs to do something with his midfield sooner rather than later or face the prospect of more negative results.

Rangers’ stance on selling January transfer window target Nico Raskin to Tottenham Hotspur or any other club has emerged, although TEAMtalk has a slightly different take on the situation.

We revealed last week that Spurs have joined the race to snap up the highly-rated Belgium international, with his future at Ibrox despite Russell Martin’s sacking as manager.

It’s common knowledge that Raskin fell out with Martin during their time together at Rangers, with the midfielder being dropped to the bench after he was considered not to be “all in and committed to the project” of the former Ibrox chief.

Reports of those struggles with Martin added to rumours on an exit for the 24-year-old, with the likes of Tottenham, Crystal Palace, Wolves, Leeds, Napoli and Porto also showing interest.

However, Football Insider reports that Rangers have no plans to let the midfielder leave in January, given his importance to the team and their dismal start to the season so far.

The Belgium international has recently returned to the starting XI following a reported bust-up with Martin, but that has not put an end to the speculation.

Speaking on the latest Inside Track podcast, Pete O’Rourke explained: “There’s no surprise that he’s attracting interest. There was interest in the summer on him, but Rangers managed to keep hold of him.

“I don’t imagine they’d be willing to sell in January, they’re planning to keep Raskin around and they’re going to need him if they are going to turn around their fortunes.

“I don’t expect there will be any move for him in the January window, he’s under contract until 2027.

“There is Premier League interest in him, there’s interest from other European leagues as well.

“I think there’ll be a big summer ahead for Rangers and if Raskin doesn’t see any improvement maybe with Rangers, then the player himself could be tempted by a move away.”

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Raskin asking price set

The last line in that report is pretty telling from O’Rourke and is in more in line with TEAMtalk’s understanding of Raskin’s current situation at Ibrox.

We understand that Rangers could demand £20-25million for Raskin, whose contract runs until 2027, factoring in a sell-on clause owed to Liege.

A sale at that price would make Raskin Rangers’ record departure, eclipsing the £19.6m deal that took Calvin Bassey to Ajax in July 2022.

Raskin was open to leaving Ibrox in the summer to test himself out at a new club, and that desire still remains.

Much will now depend on how the midfielder responds to the expected arrival of new Rangers boss Kevin Muscat. However, if his performance levels remain high, especially in a poor Gers outfit, then there is every chance clubs will test the waters over a January deal – with Tottenham expected to be firmly among them.

Who is Nico Raskin?

Raskin cost Rangers just £1.32m when he joined them from Standard Liege in January 2023, but he has since proven himself to be worth more than that.

Born in Liege, he started out in Standard’s academy, but was dropped at the age of 14. He spent time developing at Anderlecht and Gent, playing once for the latter, before Standard took him back in January 2019.

After 95 appearances across four years, Raskin earned his move to Rangers and they have proven to have the ideal platform for him.

A combative midfielder, Raskin usually sits in front of the defence to break up play. Around the time of his arrival at Ibrox, he was likened to Barry Ferguson by fellow former Belgium and Rangers player, Thomas Buffel.

The 24-year-old flourished as a more regular starter last season after having to be patient for his chance, bringing the right levels of aggression and ball protection to the Rangers engine room.

Now blossoming as a full Belgium international, Raskin has enjoyed a rapid rise in recent months. He posts good stats for tackling and passing, while he wins more aerial duels than he loses.

Raskin has admitted he has an ambition of returning to Standard Liege one day to reach 100 appearances for his hometown club. But with the way he has been playing, that won’t be a step he takes any time soon. It’s onwards and upwards for Raskin right now.

Tottenham Hotspur have reportedly jumped ahead of their rivals in the chase for one of the hottest attacking properties in European football, but TEAMtalk can explain why alarm bells should be ringing if Fabio Paratici pulls off a deal for the Serie A star.

It’s no secret that Thomas Frank is looking to bolster his frontline in the January transfer window, with a new left-sided attacker currently the priority – although the addition of another No.9 is also high on the list of needs.

Tottenham have been forced to rely on the notoriously injury-prone Richarlison for well over a month now due to the absence of Dominic Solanke and summer loan signing Randal Kolo Muani.

And, while the latter could be back on the bench against Aston Villa on Sunday after finally recovering from a dead leg, no timeframe is being put on Solanke as he continues his recovery from ankle surgery.

Frank did give a positive update on the England forward’s progress at his presser for the Villa clash, but that is not stopping Spurs looking at bolstering the position, with Juventus and Serbia striker Dusan Vlahovic currently their top target.

The 25-year-old’s agent is known to have instructed his agent to explore moves to Tottenham and London rivals Chelsea, while Manchester United are also a dark horse in the race for his signature if they decide to let Joshua Zirkzee move on in January.

However, TEAMtalk understands that Paratici’s return to the north London club as sporting director, along with his ties to Juventus, has given Spurs a major advantage when it comes to winning the race for Vlahovic.

Other sources, including the likes of Football Insider, have doubled down on Tottenham’s interest and there is certainly no smoke without fire when it comes to the club potentially upgrading that No.9 position.

The reason for Vlahovic, who has scored 62 goals and laid on 15 assists for Juve in 153 games for the club, being available mid-season comes down to his contract situation.

The Serbia international’s current deal expires next summer, leading to his agents touting the player around ahead of him being able to agree a pre-contract with clubs outside of Italy in the new year.

However, Juventus are said to be interested in striking a deal for the player in January to ensure they at least recoup some sort of a fee, with talk of an offer as small as €15m (£13m) potentially doing the trick.

While a player of Vlahovic’s standing might not have been in Tottenham’s thinking in the past due to his wage demands, the club have had a major shift since Daniel Levy’s exit. Indeed, majority shareholders Enic recently ploughed £100m of capital into the club, with a promise of more to come in order to attract some of Europe’s top talent.

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What Vlahovic would bring to Tottenham – although there are concerns

Pace, power and tremendous finishing ability are all to the fore when it comes to Vlahovic, while his strong hold-up play would also be a massive asset for Tottenham.

The Serbian hotshot has netted 114 career goals in 288 games, including eight in 18 Champions League outings.

And, while there is no doubting that he would be a tremendous acquisition for the club, there are also some familiar alarm bells sounding when it comes to Tottenham and signing players with injury issues.

In fairness, they have been incredibly unfortunate with Solanke, who hardly missed a game for Bournemouth but has had multiple issues since arriving in north London.

However, there is no denying that injuries have been a huge issue at Spurs for a number of years now, and bringing in Vlahovic might end up being another massive gamble.

The Juve hitman has missed a total of 36 games over the last four seasons, suffering a variety of different issues in that time.

A look back to his more recent issues shows up two muscle injuries last season, along with a stress reaction of the bone that kept him out for a fortnight.

Indeed, muscular problems are apparent a fair amount when checking back through his records, although there’s been nothing you would term as being serious.

That being said, it has to be a concern for Tottenham if they do decide to make a concrete move for Vlahovic and pay him big wages, only for him to potentially watch games from the sidelines as Frank is forced to turn to other options instead.

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Talk that Manchester United, Tottenham Hotspur or West Ham are all exploring a deal to bring Ivan Toney back to the Premier League in January has drawn an emphatic response from two sources, with the £427,000-a-week star having made up his mind for two major reasons.

Elsewhere, It looks like Spurs have joined the race for Nico Raskin at just the right time after a second source confirmed the Rangers midfielder’s intentions, and with our sources confirming the price it will take to prise the Belgian out of Ibrox.

And finally, Fabio Paratici’s return to Tottenham does not change their stance on targeting Antoine Semenyo, sources have confirmed to TEAMtalk.

Talk that Manchester United, Tottenham Hotspur or West Ham are all exploring a deal to bring Ivan Toney back to the Premier League in January has drawn an emphatic response from two sources, with the £427,000-a-week star having made up his mind for two major reasons.

The seven-times capped England striker moved to Al-Ahli in the Saudi Pro League in August 2024, with the Jeddah-based club paying Brentford £40m to bring in the prolific frontman. That move has largely been a success too, with Toney scoring 30 times in 44 games across his debut season, while he has followed that up with eight from 10 so far this season.

However, his omission from Thomas Tuchel’s last two England squads has raised speculation that Toney could be tempted to return to the Premier League in the winter window, fuelled by a mission to make their squad for the 2026 World Cup finals.

As a result, Manchester United and West Ham have both been touted for moves – the latter who we have confirmed will try and sign a new striker in the winter window – while Tottenham Hotspur have also been touted as a possible landing spot, owing to the player’s strong relationship with his former manager at Brentford, Thomas Frank.

Despite that, our transfer reporter, Dean Jones, has already insisted that speculation linking Toney with a return to the Premier League is wide of the mark.

Now Hammers News claims their sources have insisted Toney is ‘loving life in Saudi Arabia’ and is not looking to break his contract, which is currently due to run until 2028.

Furthermore, they state there are ‘no truths’ to speculation that the 29-year-old could return to the Premier League in January.

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Toney back to the Premier League? Two sources deny speculation

The source told Hammers News: “He loves it there, there’s no truth in the rumours about Man United and West Ham.

“No truth to the Tottenham rumour either. There is also the issue of tax.”

Those comments tally with what Jones was saying earlier this week.

“There is no genuine sign of Toney moving back to the Premier League at the moment, but it is interesting that noises are starting to be made around him,” Jones said, when asked about links to Spurs and Chelsea.

“There have been some whispers about him going to Spurs. Obviously, there is the Thomas Frank link from Brentford, but I do not get the impression there is too much in it.

“It’s not one that I have heard Spurs seriously looking at for now, but we will know for sure soon once they outline the initial target list for the new year.

“I personally think there are players they will look to before Toney.

“Chelsea are linked too, and I do think that striker is a position the Blues are looking at for 2026, but I would be surprised if this is what they go for.”

Put simply, Toney is more than happy in Saudi Arabia, where he is earning lifetime-changing wages and ensuring future generations of his family will be set up for life.

Furthermore, the player has become something of an ambassador for the Saudi game, often publicly endorsing the product and insisting the top sides would challenge the top-four establishment in the Premier League were they present in the EPL.

Tottenham on Belgian’s trail; Real Madrid withdraw interest in £70m United target

We understand Tottenham’s January focus is likely to be on another midfield addition, with Frank not entirely satisfied with his options there.

And top of his wishlist is a Belgian midfielder earning rave reviews and who sources have confirmed could be allowed to leave in the winter window if his asking price is met and amidst his current side’s struggles.

United also fancy a new midfielder in the January window, and are prepared to spend big to land their top target.

To that end, United have been left as the sole suitors for Adam Wharton in January after Real Madrid withdrew from the race for a somewhat surprising reason – and TEAMtalk has assessed the chances of Ruben Amorim landing his top target when the transfer window re-opens in just 75 days.

The Hammers, though, do want a new striker in the winter window and sources understand that Nuno Espirito Santo is preparing to move for a young striker in January as they look to inject fresh energy into their attack.

It looks like Tottenham Hotspur have joined the race for Nico Raskin at just the right time after a second source confirmed the Rangers midfielder’s intentions, and with our sources confirming the price it will take to prise the Belgian out of Ibrox.

TEAMtalk revealed earlier this week that Tottenham have become the latest club to express interest in Raskin, who has been standing out for the Belgium national team as well as his current club, Rangers.

Spurs want to strengthen their midfield in 2026 and that just so happens to be the year in which Raskin is likely to seek a move away from Rangers, after already trying to leave in the summer just gone.

With the timing right for Tottenham to strike, a second source has now added weight to the prospect of Raskin being open to a move into the Premier League.

“I’m sure he’d be tempted by a move to the Premier League. There’s no doubt about that,” Football Insider reporter Pete O’Rourke said.

“I think for Raskin right now, it’s a clean slate for him again under a new manager.

“He’s impressing for Belgium on the international stage as well. So it’s no surprise he’s attracting interest.

“There was interest in the summer on him, but Rangers managed to keep hold of him.

“There is Premier League interest in him, there’s interest from other European leagues as well.

“I think there’ll be a big summer ahead for Rangers and if Raskin doesn’t see any improvement maybe with Rangers, then the player himself could be tempted by a move away.”

Rangers, who are anticipating the appointment of Kevin Muscat as the replacement for Russell Martin, have Raskin under contract until 2027.

That means if they don’t sell him by next summer, he would be entering the last year of his deal. Considering that sources have backed Raskin to become Rangers’ record sale, they can’t really afford to entertain the risk of losing him at a discounted rate in January 2027 – or worse still, for free at the end of that season.

Thus, the timing could be perfect for Spurs to make a move for Raskin, also bearing in mind that one of their own midfielders, Yves Bissouma, is out of contract in June 2026.

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Tottenham face competition for Raskin

However, Spurs won’t necessarily have things all their own way. Raskin is attracting interest from across Europe, including elsewhere in the Premier League but also in Serie A, LaLiga and the Bundesliga.

During the most recent transfer window, his main suitors were Crystal Palace, which he was aware of. They remain in the hunt, along with Wolves.

Of those clubs, Spurs seem the most likely to be able to offer European football on a consistent basis.

The asking price for Raskin is up to £25m, which should also be within reach for the Lilywhites.

Tottenham transfer news: £100m winger battle

Midfield isn’t the only area Spurs will be looking to strengthen, with the left-wing position currently more of a priority for them to fix.

On that front, sources have confirmed they remain in a battle with Manchester United for a Premier League talent rated in the £100m bracket.

In other news, Spurs have already been in talks with the agent of a Brazilian prospect, although so have one of their London rivals.

Who is Nico Raskin?

Raskin cost Rangers just £1.32m when he joined them from Standard Liege in January 2023, but he has since proven himself to be worth more than that.

Born in Liege, he started out in Standard’s academy, but was dropped at the age of 14. He spent time developing at Anderlecht and Gent, playing once for the latter, before Standard took him back in January 2019.

After 95 appearances across four years, Raskin earned his move to Rangers and they have proven to have the ideal platform for him.

A combative midfielder, Raskin usually sits in front of the defence to break up play. Around the time of his arrival at Ibrox, he was likened to Barry Ferguson by fellow former Belgium and Rangers player, Thomas Buffel.

The 24-year-old flourished as a more regular starter last season after having to be patient for his chance, bringing the right levels of aggression and ball protection to the Rangers engine room.

Now blossoming as a full Belgium international, Raskin has enjoyed a rapid rise in recent months. He posts good stats for tackling and passing, while he wins more aerial duels than he loses.

Raskin has admitted he has an ambition of returning to Standard Liege one day to reach 100 appearances for his hometown club. But with the way he has been playing, that won’t be a step he takes any time soon. It’s onwards and upwards for Raskin right now.

Fabio Paratici’s return to Tottenham Hotspur does not change their stance on targeting Antoine Semenyo, sources have confirmed to TEAMtalk.

Paratici is returning to the club in a sporting director role and it is often the case that he would be expected to focus primarily on targets from Italy. But, in the case of Semenyo, sources insist the Bournemouth player remains on their radar.

It is understood that other players are going to come into view of a similar style across 2026, and some may also come from within the Premier League as Thomas Frank will work closely with recruitment staff to ensure the potential signings have the right profile fit for his team.

Semenyo’s situation is a tricky one and signing him in January will be difficult because of the financial premium that will be expected.

He is rated between £80-100million by Bournemouth but it is thought that amount could change down the line, with unconfirmed reports of a release clause existing in his contract.

Sources around Bournemouth had been insisting there is no clause attached that could take him away at a reasonable fee but there has always been some scepticism in the game about that.

And now there are serious explorations from clubs to uncover the full reality of his current agreement.

Tottenham will be among those and our indications are that Paratici is on board with leading any pursuit of Semenyo, if he seems attainable.

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Tottenham fighting Man Utd, Liverpool for Antoine Semenyo

TEAMtalk revealed on October 9 that Spurs want to properly assess the level of competition for the winger before firmly committing to a bid next year.

Spurs hold the strongest interest in Semenyo, but they are not alone in pursuing him. Manchester United, Liverpool, Manchester City and Aston Villa are all tracking him too.

TEAMtalk’s Fraser Fletcher reported earlier this month that Spurs are plotting a major bid to try and win the chase for Semenyo.

We understand Man Utd are big admirers of the Ghana international, viewing him as a great long-term signing regardless of whether Ruben Amorim stays in charge or is sacked.

Liverpool, meanwhile, view Semenyo as an ideal successor for Mo Salah on the right flank, ready for when the Anfield icon decides to hang up his boots.

Semenyo hired a performance coach over the summer to take his game to the next level, and the decision has worked wonders. He was a lethal player last season but is even more effective now.

He has already notched six goals and three assists in eight appearances this term, a tally which includes braces against Liverpool and Fulham.

Tottenham: Winger options ranked; Brazilian target

Last week, TEAMtalk ranked five potential winger signings Spurs could make in 2026.

Scouts claim a Vasco da Gama starlet is one of the most talented youngsters to come out of Brazil in years, and Spurs are in the mix for him.

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Tottenham Hotspur boss Thomas Frank is preparing his squad for Sunday’s return to Premier League action against Aston Villa, and he has a positive update on injured duo Dominic Solanke and Randal Kolo Muani.

Spurs will be looking to make it two wins on the bounce after ending their run of consecutive draws in the Premier League with victory at Leeds last time out.

However, Villa will prove a tough nut to crack after recovering from a difficult start to the campaign to take maximum points from their last three outings.

For Tottenham, though, there is at least some good news on the injury front, where the striker position has taken a particular battering over the last couple of months.

Solanke and Kolo Muani have been missing for a number of weeks now, but in his press conference for the Villa clash, Frank had some much better news on the pair.

The Dane told Football London: “Kolo Muani has trained now with the team for two weeks. That looks positive. Dom has progressed well from the surgery. The detail is positive.

“Dom’s progressed well after the surgery. Been on pitch, actually I don’t know if it was today, but it definitely was the two days before that. So the detail is he’s progressing and going forward, so that’s good.

“The good thing is it’s positive, he’s progressing now. But he’s still training on his own. I don’t want to be too excited or too negative either way, so I’m actually taking it a little bit day-by-day and week-by-week to see how quick he progresses.

“Dom is naturally a fit player, there’s some players that naturally get fitness up to a high level. But of course we also need to take into consideration he basically hasn’t trained with the team since July.

“But that’s not to say it will take three months to get up to pace. It’s just it will take a little bit of time to get up to pace. How long, I don’t know.”

Predicted XI vs Villa: £60m Tottenham duo dropped and Frank makes unpopular Xavi Simons decision

While the positives are obviously good news for Frank and Tottenham, there were also some negatives, with Ben Davies suffering an issue on Wales duty and Yves Bissouma also having a setback with Mali that will “keep him out for weeks”, according to Frank.

Summer signing Kota Takai is also nearing full fitness, as is Radu Dragusin, who has been out since February after his ACL injury but has since resumed training.

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TEAMtalk sources have given us an update on one of the best young talents to come out of Brazil in years, with Tottenham and Chelsea already having been in talks with his agent, while Liverpool and Arsenal are also monitoring developments.

TEAMtalk have recently brought you reports that Tottenham Hotspur boss Thomas Frank is not completely happy with the goalkeeping situation at the club, but we have looked at why moving on from current No.1 Guglielmo Vicario could end up being a major mistake.

Tottenham have confirmed the return of Fabio Paratici as sporting director alongside Johan Lange – and the pair already have a lot to get stuck into, with TEAMtalk looking at five factors that need addressing.

Manchester United have pinpointed the player they firmly believe can transform their midfield in a stunning January transfer window swoop, while Tottenham Hotspur are are ready to make a Harry Kane ‘statement of intent’, and Chelsea have been boosted in their bid to sign an elite new keeper – all in this week’s exclusive TEAMtalk Transfer Debrief.

Man Utd nail down their ultimate midfield signing

It’s no secret that Manchester United are in the hunt for at least one new central midfielder in January and, after nailing it down to four options on their radar, TEAMtalk can reveal that Adam Wharton has emerged at the very top of that list.

As revealed by our transfer insider Fraser Fletcher, the name generating the most buzz at Old Trafford when it comes to upgrading Ruben Amorim’s engine room is the Crystal Palace and England star.

The 21-year-old talent has impressed with his composure on the ball and tactical intelligence, drawing comparisons to a young Declan Rice.

Sources close to Man Utd reveal that Wharton is “loved” by Amorim’s staff, who see him as a perfect fit for their system.

However, prising him away from Selhurst Park mid-season won’t come cheap. Palace, buoyed by Wharton’s form in their push for European spots, would demand at least £70million.

In terms of the trio of other names also being monitored by Man Utd transfer chiefs, they include Borussia Dortmund’s Jobe Bellingham, Brighton star Carlos Baleba and FC Porto standout Victor Froholdt.

Tottenham going all in on ‘statement’ Kane return

Tottenham are gearing up for a blockbuster move to bring Harry Kane back to north London next summer, aiming to reunite with their former star striker, TEAMtalk can reveal.

The 32-year-old England captain, currently at Bayern Munich, is eager to return to the Premier League to chase Alan Shearer’s all-time scoring record of 260 goals. Kane, with 213 Premier League goals, believes he can surpass the milestone with a few productive seasons at Tottenham.

Sources close to the club indicate that Tottenham’s owners, ENIC, are prepared to break the bank to secure Kane’s signature, covering his hefty release clause and matching his substantial wages.

The move is seen as a ‘statement of intent’ from the Lewis family, who are keen to deliver a marquee signing to boost Spurs’ ambitions under Thomas Frank. The Danish manager has revitalised the squad, and Kane’s return could propel Tottenham into serious contention for silverware.

Spurs are not the only interested suitor, though, with Man Utd also one to watch when it comes to Kane’s future. However, their chances hinge on them once again showing they are capable of challenging at the top end of the table, following their struggles under Erik ten Hag and now Ruben Amorim.

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Chelsea hopes grow over elite keeper signing

Chelsea are growing in hope that goalkeeper Mike Maignan will not agree a new contract with AC Milan, sources have revealed to TEAMtalk’s Dean Jones.

Discussions remain open between Maignan’s representatives and Milan officials as both sides attempt to determine whether an agreement can be reached for him to extend his stay at San Siro. While manager Max Allegri is happy with the French international, Milan are understood to have financial limits on what they can offer in a new deal, which could open the door for a potential exit.

At the same time, Milan are believed to be quietly exploring alternative goalkeeping options in case Maignan does not commit his future to the club. That has encouraged Chelsea, who have identified him as their number one target to give them new resolve.

A move in the current season remains unlikely but Chelsea are adopting a patient strategy as they monitor developments in Italy. Club sources are optimistic that if Maignan does decide against renewing with Milan, they will be well placed to make a serious move when the door opens.

Rangers close on Muscat / LaLiga duo scrap for Munoz / Raskin wanted by Spurs and more…

As TEAMtalk have been right on top of from the very start, thanks to our insider Fraser Fletcher, Rangers are now finalising the appointment of Kevin Muscat as their new head coach, with negotiations nearing completion for the former Ibrox star to take charge.

Crystal Palace defender Daniel Munoz has emerged as a prime target for LaLiga heavyweights Barcelona and Atlético Madrid, with sources confirming both clubs are “huge fans” of the Colombia international.

Manchester United are once again expected to block Kobbie Mainoo from leaving the club in January, if he seeks a move. The midfielder requested a loan switch in the summer and his camp are understood to have fielded roughly a DOZEN enquiries.

Tottenham are the latest club to express interest in signing Rangers and Belgium ace Nico Raskin, sources have revealed to us, and with the cost of a potential move likely to set a new transfer record at Ibrox.

In a bold move to solidify their squad and send a clear message to competitors worldwide, Chelsea are gearing up for negotiations to extend and enhance the contract of Ecuadorian midfielder Moises Caicedo.

West Ham are preparing to move for a younger striker in January as they look to inject fresh energy into their attack, sources have revealed to us.

Sunderland are to give careful consideration to the idea of re-signing Chelsea striker Marc Guiu in January, with the Wearsiders not entirely convinced and with some feeling they should prioritise elsewhere, sources can confirm.

Tottenham Hotspur are back in Premier League action on Sunday, when they welcome Aston Villa to north London, in a game where TEAMtalk predicts Thomas Frank makes two changes and also an unpopular positional switch for one star.

Back from the latest international break, Spurs are facing a Villa side who have started to hit their stride after a difficult start to the new campaign, in what should be an entertaining match-up.

Frank’s men managed to get back to winning ways as they triumphed 2-1 at Leeds United last time out, courtesy of goals from Mathys Tel and Mohammed Kudus.

However, the former looks set to return to the bench for the clash with Unai Emery’s in-form side, as the Tottenham boss picks what is arguably his strongest available side for what will be a difficult contest.

Indeed, we believe that Frank will make two changes from that side that won at Elland Road, and also make an unpopular positional move that will bolster his engine room.

Strong spine to defeat Villa

One thing you do need to compete with Aston Villa is to be strong through the middle of your team, and with Cristian Romero and Micky van de Ven in fine form that at least gives Tottenham a strong base to build from.

In the home defeat to Bournemouth and the fortunate draw with Wolves, Spurs were outnumbered and outworked in the middle of the park, and it would be a huge mistake if Frank does not strengthen that area against a Villa side that don’t play with too much width.

Indeed, they will likely have Lamare Bogarde and Boubacar Kamara sitting in front of their back four, assuming Youri Tielemans is not passed fit. In front of them, narrow once again, will be John McGinn and Morgan Rogers.

That overload will potentially cause big problems and is why Simons will struggle to impact the game centrally, with Lucas Bergvall filling in but playing a bit deeper than a normal No.10 role.

DON’T MISS ➡️ Five Fabio Paratici priorities after Tottenham return confirmed: Left-wing conundrum; Harry Kane return?

Simons shifted out left again

With the need to man up with Villa centrally, Simons will almost certainly start wide left – especially in the absence of a genuine threat in that position, as £25m signing Wilson Odobert misses out.

It’s not his best position, but he can still have a big effect on the game in a role in which he should at least get a bit more space and time to create.

Up front, £35m Tel drops to the bench to be replaced by Richarlison after the Brazilian was rested against Leeds, over fears he has already been called upon too much this season due to injuries to Dominic Solanke and Randal Kolo Muani.

There is a chance, however, that the latter could be back on the bench against Villa after playing in a behind-closed-doors practice match during the international break.

Latest Tottenham news

First up, the rumour mill has started working in overdrive after it emerged that major Tottenham transfer target Harry Gray’s profile on Instagram has been stripped of his association with Leeds United.

Elsewhere, TEAMtalk have recently brought you reports that Tottenham boss Thomas Frank is not completely happy with the goalkeeping situation at the club, but we have looked at why moving on from current No.1 Guglielmo Vicario could end up being a major mistake.

And finally, Spurs are interested in signing Dusan Vlahovic following the return of Fabio Paratici, sources have told TEAMtalk, but Chelsea, too, are keen on the Juventus and Serbia international as they spy a bargain deal.

The rumour mill has started working in overdrive after it emerged that major Tottenham Hotspur transfer target Harry Gray’s profile on Instagram has been stripped of his association with Leeds United.

Gray, who is the younger brother of Spurs midfielder Archie Gray, has been heavily linked with a switch to north London, given that he has yet to pen his first professional contract at Elland Road.

The 17-year-old forward is incredibly highly thought of at Leeds and made his senior debut for the club last season in a Championship clash with Stoke City.

Gray has continued his progress for the club’s Under-21s this term, scoring four goals in four games while also making the bench for the recent Premier League clash against Wolves.

However, Tottenham have been watching the player’s progress with interest, amid reports they are ready to beat Leeds to Gray penning that first pro contract.

And while Whites boss Daniel Farke revealed on Thursday that he expects “very positive news in the future” when it comes to one of the club’s top young talents, Gray might just have thrown a spanner in the works.

The teenager has hinted at a potential Leeds exit by blanking his profile image on Instagram, where he has nearly 60,000 followers, while his bio has also been wiped.

Whether there is some kidology at play, knowing full well how those actions would potentially spark speculation over his future, remains to be seen – but it’s certainly something to watch.

Signing another Gray brother would certainly be a major coup for Tottenham, however, with Thomas Frank already a massive fan of Archie and almost certain to give him the chance to stake of claim for a regular run in the side at some point this season.

The Gray family dynasty at Leeds

➡️ The Gray connection with Leeds first began way back in 1964 when Eddie Gray, a then unknown teenager from Glasgow, signed for the Whites. He made his debut for the club on New Year’s Day in 1966, while just 18. Eddie went on to make 577 appearances for Leeds, where he was a one-club man, and ending his playing career in the 1983/84 season, some 18 years later.

➡️ Eddie Gray’s brother, Frank, also played for Leeds United, though to lesser success than Eddie. Frank, or Francis to give him his birth name, played for Leeds across two spells (from 1972 to 1979 and then from 1981 to 1985).

➡️ Frank Gray’s son, Andy – the father of Archie and Harry Gray – also played for Leeds. Debuting at Leeds in 1995 and playing in the 1996 League Cup final, Gray would later go on to play for Scotland, as well as representing Nottingham Forest and Sunderland in the Premier League.

➡️ Archie Gray debuted for Leeds in August 2023 while just 17, though he had been named on the bench as a 15-year-old back in December 2021. He made 52 appearances for the Whites before leaving in a £40m deal for Spurs on 2 July, 2024.

➡️ Harry Gray made his debut for Leeds as an 86th-minute substitute for Brendan Aaronson in a 6–0 Championship league win over Stoke City on 21 April 2025. He was also included in the England squad for the 2025 UEFA European Under-17 Championship.

Latest Tottenham news

First up, Tottenham are interested in signing Dusan Vlahovic following the return of Fabio Paratici, sources have told TEAMtalk, but Chelsea, too, are keen on the Juventus and Serbia international as they spy a bargain deal.

Elsewhere, Spurs are gearing up for a blockbuster move to bring Harry Kane back to north London next summer, aiming to reunite with their former star striker, TEAMtalk can reveal.