Sport Witness

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.

Tottenham target Rayan has shaken up his off-pitch situation. Spanish outlet Sport reported that the Vasco forward has ended his working relationship with super-agent Pini Zahavi.

The article did not appear by chance. Barcelona are one of the European clubs most closely linked to the 19-year-old in recent months, which explains the Catalan focus.

According to journalist Joaquim Piera, Rayan chose not to renew the temporary intermediation agreement that allowed Zahavi to manage his career outside Brazil. As a result, the contract expired.

The Tottenham target and his Brazilian representatives then decided to take back full control of the process. Zahavi, meanwhile, continues to enjoy an excellent relationship with Barcelona, where sporting director Deco is said to admire Rayan’s profile. There is already a direct line of communication between Barça and the player’s camp.

However, whether Zahavi’s exit proves temporary or definitive remains unclear. Still, the Spanish outlet suggests this change does not significantly alter Barcelona’s internal assessment.

On the pitch, Rayan’s rise continues regardless of the surrounding noise. He closed the season with 20 goals. He also starred in the Copa do Brasil final defeat to Corinthians at the Maracanã. Although Vasco fell short again, the lack of silverware did little to dent his standing.

Looking ahead, Sport states that Rayan’s roadmap becomes clearer from January. First, he aims to convince Carlo Ancelotti ahead of the World Cup, despite fierce competition. Then comes the expected move to Europe in the summer window.

Tottenham Hotspur’s Manor Solomon has been on loan at Villarreal since summer deadline day.

The Israel international managed a goal and an assist in his first two La Liga matches, leaving the Spanish media impressed. Since then, he’s dropped out of the picture.

Villarreal aren’t pleased with the Tottenham owned player’s overall loan spell. Earlier this month, El Periódico Mediterráneo reported the striker’s entourage aren’t ruling out an exit in the winter market.

Onda Cero now state the Spurs man ‘hasn’t ruled out’ leaving Villarreal due to his limited game time. If he were to leave, it’ll free up space, both in their squad and on the wage bill.

Saturday’s edition of AS reports the Yellow Submarine are focusing more on outgoings than incomings for next month. Solomon has become ‘one of the hot potatoes’ they have. Therefore, the Spanish club are seeking a solution for the 26-year-old.

The Tottenham loanee has played only five matches since October’s international break. The report states a source close to him recently shared he’s not happy with his situation and is considering his future at Villarreal.

AS claim there’s a release clause that will allow Solomon to cut short his loan stay in January.

He could return to Spurs by activating the clause. If that happens, Thomas Frank has to decide whether to include him in his plans or send him on loan elsewhere.

Earlier this week, Tottenham player Radu Dragusin’s agent made it clear that the defender is seeking regular first-team football.

He also went on to flirt with a move to Inter Milan, suggesting that an exit will be on the cards if the player doesn’t feature enough for Spurs.

With Fabio Paratici now close to leaving Tottenham for Fiorentina, the Italian can play a key role in Dragusin’s future.

FirenzeViola report that the 23-year-old could be in line for a move to Florence. He is one of the many names liked by the club, with the Romanian’s situation ‘worth keeping an eye on’.

Tuttomercatoweb also indicate something similar.

The outlet believe that Fiorentina want to sign a centre-back in January. With La Viola struggling in Serie A, Paratici will be tasked with making key signings as soon as he can.

As a result, Dragusin is one of the names being considered for a January move.

This comes after FirenzeViola reported Fiorentina making an enquiry for the centre-back last month.

Tottenham had rejected the approach at that point but there’s belief that Paratici’s arrival can change their stance.