Sport Witness

Mandela Keita has impressed in midfield for Parma since last season. The 23-year-old is now attracting interest from Tottenham.

He has played over 1100 minutes in Serie A, having featured in 30 games during the 2024/25 campaign.

Journalist Guglielmo Trupo has reported on the Belgian’s situation, claiming Tottenham are watching him closely. The London club aren’t the only Premier League side that is monitoring him right now.

More has been relayed by ParmaToday, who note that Keita won 100% of his tackles against Fiorentina on Saturday. He also won 100% of his aerial duels.It’s believed he can dominate midfielder and has an ability to dictate the tempo from deep.

The outlet go onto claim that scouts from Tottenham were present in the stands for the tie, as Parma won 1-0.

Spurs are likely to have been impressed and the Belgium international’s future can lie in England. ParmaToday also believe that interest from Premier League clubs is likely to grow.

Currently, the Italian side are ‘pampering’ him and trying their best to keep him for as long as they can. Mandela Keita is increasingly proving that he is ready for a big move, and Premier League money would make all the difference.

Inter Milan have been urged to immediately move to sign Guglielmo Vicario from Tottenham Hotspur, by Walter Zenga.

The Inter Milan great is full of praise for the Tottenham number one today in an interview with Tuttosport. His comments have been relayed by Calciomercato.

Inter are believed to be on the hunt for a new, long-term number one in the coming months. The role is currently occupied by Yann Sommer but he’s now 37-years-old and will need to be replaced at some point.

Vicario has quickly been named as the priority option in that hunt. Numerous reports over the last few months have indicated that they’re planning a move in the coming months.

Indeed, the last of those reports this month made it clear that Vicario is determined to leave Tottenham in the near future. That desire is fuelling Inter’s desire and, crucially, opening the door to a potential deal.

Tottenham player lives for football

Whether that happens remains to be seen, but Zenga emphatically believes pushing for the Tottenham goalkeeper is a no-brainer. He coached Vicario early on in his career at Venezia and remains a big fan of him to this day.

“If you ask me about Vicario at Inter, you’re preaching to the choir,” he said.

“I have no doubts and I immediately say yes. We’re talking about a really strong goalkeeper and a decent guy. I would particularly like to see him between the posts for Inter, but the names of Caprile and Carnesecchi would also be equally valid.

“Vic has a great quality: he lives for football and doesn’t use football to live. That’s not insignificant these days, believe me. He has always remained the same guy he was at the beginning: money and success haven’t changed him at all.

“That’s a quality of no small importance. He’s a strong, complete goalkeeper: explosive between the posts. If I played him back then, there must be a reason (laughs).”

Two months ago, Fabio Paratici started his second spell at Tottenham Hotspur as their director of football. He now wants to leave the Premier League side to join Fiorentina.

Ten days ago, claims from Italy stated the 53-year-old has given his approval to the Serie A side. Spurs’ approval is still needed for La Viola to appoint him as their head of football.

Earlier this week, La Nazione reported he wants to terminate his contract at Tottenham to join the Italian club. They also indicated developments should be expected this week with regards to his exit.

Firenze Viola report it’ll ‘take more time’ for the Tottenham man to arrive at Fiorentina.

It’s claimed Paratici is currently in London, where he’s in ongoing negotiations with the Premier League side to terminate his contract. The outlet states it’ll take a few more days and could possibly be delayed further because of Tottenham’s tight schedule.

The report explains that if an agreement isn’t reached before January 4th, ‘everything will be postponed until [January] 10th’.

There’s expectation for Paratici to work on Fiorentina’s transfer business in the winter market. It would be much easier if he can find an agreement with Spurs to secure an exit.

Sources close to Fiorentina had expected the move to be completed last week, even before Christmas. The precise reason for delay hasn’t been made clear.

OGC Nice have identified Tottenham Hotspur’s Ben Davies as a target for the winter market.

That’s according to L’Equipe, who report the Ligue 1 side have explored the possibility of signing the 32-year-old.

Earlier this month, Davies came off the bench in Tottenham’s Champions League win over SK Slavia Prague. It was his first appearance of this season and since then, he played 32 minutes in Spurs’ defeat to Nottingham Forest.

The Wales international will soon enter his final six months of contract. This, coupled with Thomas Frank not utilising him, can help the French club to try and sign him in January.

Nice are 13th in the table, six points above the relegation zone, and appointed Claude Puel as their new manager.

Puel will be without Dante, Youssouf Ndayishimiye, Mohamed Abdelmonem and Moïse Bombito due to injuries.

The Tottenham player can operate both as a centre-back and a left-back. His versatility and experience would improve their defence. However, L’Equipe report the operation is ‘far from straightforward’ for Nice for two main reasons.

The newspaper say he’s ‘enjoying a comfortable salary’ at Tottenham. This indicates Nice won’t be able to match his current salary. Davies, who will turn 33 years of age next April, is said to be demanding a long-term contract. This is the second reason.

Nice, therefore, are likely to look at other options to improve their defence in January.

Said El Mala’s agent is in contact with the likes of Manchester United, Manchester City and Tottenham Hotspur about a transfer in future.

That’s according to SportBILD, who say the Koln winger needs convincing about a move at this point in his career.

They explain that El Mala is Cologne’s stand out player this season, with six goals and three assists despite only six starts this season.

That’s been earning him plenty of attention and a growing transfer value, which has risen from €3m to €40m in just a few months. He, though, isn’t interested in a move at this moment in time according to agent, Martin Carmona.

“Saïd feels completely at home in Cologne,” he said.

“Right now, his only focus is on immediately ending the negative trend of the past few weeks in the new year and stabilizing the team. A transfer is not on the cards for Saïd at the moment.”

That, though, hasn’t stopped clubs trying. SportBILD state that Manchester City, Manchester United and Tottenham have so far failed to attract the left winger. They’re all still closely monitoring the rising star.

The player, for his part, is adamant that he doesn’t want a move. In fact, he only wants to consider it once he becomes an undisputed key player at his current club. That hasn’t happened yet.

He’d only consider a sale if Köln were to pursue it and talks become concrete. So far, there’s been no such indication from the German side. That’s not stopped his agency from being in contact with the interested parties, though.

That group includes Manchester United, Manchester City and Tottenham despite the cold shoulder from the winger so far.

Last week, FirenzeViola were growing in confidence about signing Tottenham’s Radu Dragusin.

The struggling Serie A side made advances for the Romanian last month but they were rejected. Fabio Paratici’s arrival in Florence was viewed as an important turning point in their chase of the defender.

That optimism is now fading away. La Nazione – relayed by LabaroViola, report that despite Paratici’s incoming arrival, a deal for Dragusin is getting complex.

That is why Fiorentina are now more interested in Brighton defender Diego Coppola, who has struggled for game time.

More information about Dragusin is offered by Il Messaggero, who speak of Roma’s interest in the centre-back.

The newspaper claim that Tottenham are proving to be a tough nut to crack. This is because they don’t want to loan Dragusin out and would only want a permanent transfer. This doesn’t sit right with the Giallorossi, who are seeking a low-cost loan.

The 23-year-old has quite a big market in Italy, with Juventus also linked. Dragusin’s own agent has also flirted with Inter Milan.

Indeed, the agent has been talking up a return to Serie A since just after the defender arrived. That was on the basis of a huge transfer, though, and things haven’t quite worked out that way.

Last month, Correio da Manhã reported Tottenham Hotspur and Chelsea are in the lead to sign Samu Aghehowa. They also stated FC Porto president André Villas-Boas is willing to sell him for €80m in the winter market even though he has a €100m release clause.

The striker has starred for the Dragons this season, scoring 18 goals and contributing one assist from 26 matches. His fine displays have seen Tottenham and other clubs take notice.

Recent claims from the UK have reported Tottenham have identified the 21-year-old as a target for January. There was also a mention of a £50m [€57.4m] valuation.

Tuesday’s edition of Sport relays that and provides their own update on this case.

The newspaper found out from their sources that ‘there is nothing concrete’, likely over a move to Spurs. They add an exit from the Primeira Liga side next month is extremely unlikely unless there’s a huge offer.

Aghehowa is happy with his life in Portugal, and his club aren’t considering selling him in January.

They have several reasons for this. The first one is Luuk de Jong’s serious injury, and he’ll be out for rest of the season. The second is the Portuguese club’s current situation.

Porto are leading the table, five points ahead of second placed Sporting. Aghehowa is in contention to win the title with the club, who are also competing for the Europa League.

The Spain international’s aim is to continue impressing for Porto with a hope of making it to the World Cup. Therefore, he isn’t considering changing clubs at least until the end of the season.

Thomas Frank’s side seem to be aware of this and have to wait until next summer to sign the frontman.

Over the past week or so, Fiorentina have been making progress in appointing Tottenham Hotspur’s Fabio Paratici as their new head of football.

On December 22nd, we covered claims from Italy that the Spurs sporting director has said yes to Fiorentina. They have to wait for Tottenham to open their door to conclude the operation.

Two days later, Labaro Viola reported it’s only a matter of time before Tottenham give the green light for Paratici’s exit.

Firenze Viola now report the 53-year-old is ‘increasingly closer’ to joining the Serie A side.

He left Italy and returned to London on Friday and watched Tottenham’s win over Crystal Palace from the stands at Selhurst Park yesterday.

The report state Paratici will move to Fiorentina after terminating his contract with the north London club. This would take another week to resolve even though earlier claims mentioned it’s only a matter of time.

La Nazione, relayed by La Viola, also report the Italian will terminate his contract with the Premier League side.

It’s claimed the Tottenham man isn’t in a rush and wants his exit to be ‘soft, without rift or repercussions’.

Therefore, there won’t be any major developments immediately. According to the report, there could be movements later this weekend.

There’s not only confidence of Paratici’s arrival at Fiorentina, but they expect him to start working from January onwards.

While Paratici’s situation at Tottenham is still to be resolved, he’ll continue talks with La Viola to prepare a strategy for the winter market.

As Crystal Palace fans will be well aware, Oliver Glasner has very close ties to the Austrian media. He never seems to refuse an interview in his home country, whether that’s with a major newspaper or a regional magazine.

During the summer, he again spoke repeatedly to the press back home. It is they who he first shared his serious transfer concerns with. Glasner felt Crystal Palace had suffered at the start of the 2024/25 season because signings came in too late.

He didn’t want the same repeated.

Now Glasner is pushed towards Tottenham Hotspur in Austria, and an exit is seen as extremely likely.

In July, the manager told the Austrian media “I have 17 outfield players! I hope we don’t lose any more” and “I was promised we’d be more active and bring in players earlier”.

Then in August he shared his love for Crystal Palace and how he saw the future going. At various points, Glasner has made it clear he’ll stay with the Eagles if growth is the plan. That doesn’t have to be shooting for the stars, but at least seeing progress as the aim.

The Austrian was one of the names in the mix when Tottenham dispensed with Ange Postecoglou. For whatever reason, they appointed Thomas Frank instead but that hasn’t worked out.

Tottenham seen as likeliest, but don’t rule out Crystal Palace stay

Austrian journalist Peter Linden, one of the best known in the country, feels from information he’s received that it’s likely Glasner is going. Tottenham is considered the likeliest destination because it’s an ideal next step for the 51-year-old. Belief Spurs have money to invest will be another plus.

Despite all of that, Oliver Glasner surprising many and renewing shouldn’t ruled out, and that will all depend on what the club can assure him of.

He’s clearly very fond of Crystal Palace fans, which shouldn’t be overlooked.

Tottenham Hotspur are said to have shown interest in Manchester City’s Omar Marmoush for the winter market.

These claims originated in the UK. The forward is currently with Egypt at AFCON, and it was indicated that Tottenham could make an approach after this tournament.

Tottenham’s rumoured interest in the Manchester City player has reached the national team camp and Asharq in Egypt cover the latest.

Egypt manager Hossam Hassan was specifically asked whether the 26-year-old is getting distracted with the reports linking him to Spurs.

The national team boss has urged him not to leave the Premier League.

“Marmoush would be an asset for any team in the Premier League, and I hope he stays there. He has an agent who will discuss his future with him,” he said.

The former Eintracht Frankfurt man scored in the Pharaohs’ 2-1 win over Zimbabwe. He also played 45 minutes in their victory against South Africa. The manager has dismissed any suggestion of the attacker getting distracted with January exit links.

“Nothing will distract him from the national team during the tournament, especially after his brilliant performance in the first match,” Hassan explained.

Marmoush suffered a knee injury while with Egypt in September. This forced him to spend over a month on the sidelines, which would have partly impacted his playing time.

The Egyptian has played 389 minutes from 15 matches this season. He scored one goal, against Swansea City in the EFL Cup.