Football League World

Stoke City are interested in making a loan move for highly-rated Tottenham Hotspur youngster Tyrese Hall this month, according to new reports.

Hall is a central midfielder by trade, and has also played in a deeper role in his time at Spurs since joining the North London club's academy from Premier League rivals Chelsea.

The 19-year-old is yet to play senior football in his short career so far, but has impressed in Spurs' youth ranks at under-18 and Premier League 2 level, while stepping up to feature in Ange Postecoglou's first-team squad on one occasion last year, against Manchester City in May.

Stoke City track Tyrese Hall to potentially bolster their midfield ranks

According to transfer journalist Darren Witcoop, via X, Hall is attracting loan interest and could leave Tottenham this month, while the Potters are claimed to have the 19-year-old on their radar ahead of a possible move in the coming weeks.

Stoke are yet to sign any players so far in the January window, after new manager Mark Robins was only officially appointed as their new boss on New Year's Day.

Robins has moved to recall both Lewis Baker and Nathan Lowe from their respective loan spells at Blackburn Rovers and Walsall, but Stoke's January business is believed to be likely to take place closer to the deadline, due to their struggles regarding profit and sustainability (PSR) and financial fair play (FFP) rules.

The Potters have just one loan space left in their squad right now as it stands, per EFL rules, but do already have a working relationship with Spurs, with centre-back Ashley Phillips currently impressing on a season-long loan from the Lilywhites.

Central midfield is not a priority for the Potters this month

Stoke are in pretty desperate need of some incomings to bolster their squad, but those signings are likely to be made in wide forward and striker positions this month, rather than in the middle of the park, where Robins is relatively fine for depth right now.

The Potters can call on the likes of Wouter Burger, Tatsuki Seko, Andrew Moran and Lewis Baker as the core of their current fit midfield options as it stands, while the likes of Sol Sidibe and Jordan Thompson are each on the periphery of the squad, and both Bosun Lawal and Ben Pearson are on the comeback trail from long-term injuries.

With that said, it does seem unlikely that they would use up a valuable loan space on a midfielder, particularly an unproven youngster like Spurs man Hall.

Instead, their January focus is much more likely to be on signing wingers and a left-back, given the injuries to Million Manhoef and Eric Bocat, while Tom Cannon's Leicester recall situation could dictate a lot of moves later on in the window.

Stoke are currently 19th in the second-tier as it stands, just four points from the relegation places, so they definitely need to make some signings soon, but Hall may well be a potential addition that materialises closer to the deadline, when other moves have already happened.

Tottenham Hotspur have received interest from a number of clubs in the Championship and in mainland Europe for highly-rated young striker Will Lankshear but are yet to make a decision on his immediate future, Football League World can exclusively reveal.

Due to the difficulty of completing transfer deals in the January window, where clubs are naturally even more keen to avoid sanctioning exits for key players, the loan market tends to prove a popular avenue for Championship sides to explore.

This only tends to increase following the third-round of FA Cup fixtures, where Premier League clubs often have a better idea on the futures of some of their young talents.

The third-round matches - involving top-flight sides, that is - are scheduled to take place between this evening and Sunday, where Tottenham are in action away to National League outfit Tamworth.

Championship, European clubs interested in Tottenham Hotspur's Will Lankshear

Sources have exclusively informed Football League World that a host of Championship clubs, along with several sides on the continent, are keen to acquire Lankshear on loan this month.

Specifically, it's not yet clear which clubs are in the race to land the 19-year-old's signature, but FLW can confirm no shortage of interest in his services.

Back in the summer, The Athletic reported that Lankshear had received several loan offers from clubs in the second-tier and abroad, though he has ended up staying at Tottenham for the first-half of the season at least.

FLW understands Spurs are yet to make a decision on whether to keep Lankshear in the building or loan him out and allow increased first-team football exposure and experience.

Will Lankshear's 24/25 season for Tottenham Hotspur

Lankshear has been held in impressively high regard for quite some time, having been a prolific goalscorer for Spurs and England at youth-team level.

The 19-year-old has made something of a step-up into the first-team frame this season. He made his debut by starting in a 2-1 UEFA Europa League victory at Hungarian side Ferencvaros at the start of October.

Lankshear then opened his senior account a month later by scoring after 18 minutes in an eventual 3-2 defeat to Galatasaray, where he was also sent off.

He's only played nine minutes of football since then, but the highly-rated striker has continually been named in Ange Postecoglou's matchday squads as the Aussie boss contends with a well-documented injury crisis.

Leeds United are among a host of Championship clubs linked with the signature of Aston Villa starlet Louie Barry this month, and Tottenham Hotspur may secretly be hoping the former Barcelona youngster doesn't make a switch to Elland Road.

The Whites are said to be admirers of the versatile 21-year-old forward, whilst the likes of QPR, Middlesbrough, Sheffield Wednesday and Derby County have all been linked with a move for the former England youth international.

It's the Rams who are understood to be progressing with a deal for the Aston Villa youngster, who has been recalled to Villa Park following a highly fruitful loan spell with League One side Stockport County.

The race for Barry's signature was always going to be one of the biggest storylines heading into the winter window as far as the Championship is concerned, but Premier League side Spurs may well be crossing their fingers that the talented forward doesn't end up in a Leeds United shirt this month.

Spurs already have Manor Solomon on loan at Leeds United, and a Louie Barry deal could hinder his progress

Joining in the summer on a season-long loan deal from Tottenham, Israeli international Manor Solomon has proven himself to be a very smart piece of business by Leeds United in the first half of the season.

Capable of playing on either flank or through the middle, the 25-year-old has been a vital piece of squad depth for Whites boss Daniel Farke, bagging three goals and four assists from his opening 19 Championship appearances.

He's largely been backing up Wilfried Gnonto on the left side of Leeds' attack, but has begun to see more starting opportunities come his way in recent weeks, and he's largely impressed when given the chance to do so.

Therefore, Spurs must be thrilled with how he's performing at Elland Road, and having been unable to really carve out a role in the senior side since arriving at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in July 2023 as a 23-year-old.

However, should Barry agree a move to Leeds this month, Solomon could find himself having to compete with a highly impressive and fast-developing forward that Aston Villa would surely demand Farke to find a meaningful role for in his side.

Louie Barry's versatility could mean that Manor Solomon's development isn't impacted too much

Barry has been predominantly operating as a left-winger during his time with Stockport County in the first half of the season, from which he's scored eight goals and provided three assists in 13 appearances - per Transfermarkt.

But, the left flank isn't the only position he can play and have a big impact from. The former Ipswich, Swindon, MK Dons and Salford loanee has also made a number of appearances as a centre-forward and as an attacking midfielder through the middle of the pitch.

With Gnonto and Solomon both excellent options on the left, Barry may not receive the regular playing time in that role that he and Villa would surely command when agreeing any deal to a Championship outfit this month.

However, the centre of Leeds' attack could perhaps require some bolstering, with just Joel Piroe, Patrick Bamford, Mateo Joseph being the only natural senior options through the middle.

Whilst in the central attacking midfield role, Brenden Aaronson is Farke's starting choice, but the Leeds boss doesn't appear to have too many options behind the American international in that department.

Tottenham Hotspur may be set to make a move for Wolverhampton Wanderers goalkeeper Sam Johnstone, following reports linking the Premier League side to Burnley and Sunderland's respective number ones, James Trafford and Anthony Patterson.

Johnstone has emerged as a potential target for Spurs in this January transfer window, according to TBR Football's Graeme Bailey. They are set to be without their first-choice shot-stopper, Guglielmo Vicario, for a few months, and, as a result are looking to bring in another option this winter.

Patterson and Trafford had been linked with a move to link up with Ange Postecoglou. However, Football League World's sister publication, GiveMeSport, reported that Spurs were going to wait until the summer to bring in someone that could push Vicario for his number one spot in the Spurs starting XI.

Bringing in Johnstone, should they make that move for the former England international who only joined Wolves this summer, would represent a stop-gap move by Spurs and would still leave the door open for a summer move for either of the Championship glovesmen, but this latest update should settle any nerves in the Burnley and Sunderland camps.

Burnley and Sunderland receive potential Spurs boost

TalkSPORT had stated that Trafford, who was bought by Burnley for an initial £15 million which could rise to £19 million from Manchester City last summer, was a candidate that Spurs were considering making a move for in January. He has kept 15 clean sheets in 24 appearances, conceding only seven goals in that time.

Patterson, the slightly more experienced of the two, was named by The Sun's Alan Nixon as another option that Postecoglou's side were considering heading into the first month of 2025. He has also been linked with Manchester United this season.

Both players now appear to be less viable options for Spurs to go after in this window, as Johnstone emerges as a more likely candidate.

Burnley and Sunderland must have goalkeeping contingency plans in place

The calibre of keeper that both clubs have makes it inevitable that there will always be interest in them from bigger teams. With this comes a need to forward-plan.

In Burnley's case, you could argue that they have already done the work to ensure that they would be fine in this position of the pitch even if Trafford were to be snatched away from them. They signed two goalkeepers in the summer, Vaclav Hladky and Etienne Green. Meanwhile Sunderland aren't quite as prepared.

Simon Moore, 34, has deputised for Patterson this season, and did a fine enough job when asked to step in during the four games that the 24-year-old missed due to injury, but he's not a viable, long-term option for them. Plus, Blondy Nna Noukeu hasn't done anything to suggest that he'd be at the requisite level to step in for Patterson.

Both teams need to know what they would do if either player were to leave their current club in this window, or even in the summer, which is a real possibility.

This article is part of Football League World's 'Terrace Talk' series, which provides personal opinions from our FLW Fan Pundits regarding the latest breaking news, teams, players, managers, potential signings and more...

Burnley have been told to hold out for more than the £20 million deal Tottenham Hotspur are reportedly lining up for goalkeeper James Trafford when the January transfer window opens.

Spurs are understood to have placed Trafford on their transfer shortlist for the winter window, which would see the England youth international make his return to the Premier League in a possible eight-figure deal.

But, is the 22-year-old shotstopper ready to make the step back up to top-flight level? And what sort of transfer fee should it take for Burnley to consider cashing in?

We put those very questions to our Clarets fan pundit Will Lancaster, in an attempt to perhaps find out what the feeling is regarding this storyline around Turf Moor...

Spurs told to avoid January transfer for Burnley goalkeeper James Trafford

Speaking in response to our Trafford-related questions, Lancaster told FLW: "I'm quite unsure if James Trafford would be ready for a step-up back to the Premier League.

"Obviously, he had his struggles there last season, and was eventually replaced by Aro Muric towards the end of the campaign. Muric is struggling in his own right at Ipswich this season, and Trafford's really benefited from half a year in the Championship.

"I don't think he'd be the right solution for Tottenham right now. Maybe another year in the Championship would do him the world of good, but I can see why they'd be interested in signing him.

"Burnley have the meanest defence in the second tier, he's young, he's English, he's trained with England ahead of the Euros as sort of a work experience deal to prolong his development."

Discussing the sort of price-tag Burnley should place on Trafford, Lancaster added: "That could also work in Burnley's hands, and I think with Trafford having so much potential and being such a rock for them this season, having paid £15m rising to potentially £19m, that transfer fee should really be doubled at the very minimum.

"I think £30m would be a great sum of money for a club of our size. But again, it's whether Alan Pace and Scott Parker think that James Trafford can bring more in the future.

"If Burnley do go up, strengthen well and they stay up and Trafford continues to shine in the league, there's no reason why they couldn't ask for more."

Burnley will surely want to have replacement lined up before sanctioning any James Trafford sale

Should Burnley land somewhere between £20-30m for Trafford in January, there's no doubting that such a cash injection could provide the platform for the Clarets to go and really bolster their promotion credentials with some new additions in the winter window.

However, it of course would come with the caveat of losing their number one goalkeeper, and the options that are currently at Parker's disposal to replace Trafford may not be deemed capable of filling his gloves.

Vaclav Hladky is the clear number two goalkeeper at Turf Moor this season, and the 34-year-old was in goal for every single one of Ipswich Town's Championship fixtures last season, which would ultimately see the Tractor Boys win automatic promotion to the Premier League.

However, despite finishing third in the Championship behind West Brom's Alex Palmer (18) and Leeds' Illan Meslier (18) for clean sheets with 14, his 66.9 per cent save percentage ranked him in the bottom 42 per cent of Championship goalkeepers last season - per FotMob.

He's made just two appearances for Burnley so far this season, which came in a 5-0 routing of Cardiff City in the Championship, and a 2-0 loss to Wolves in the Carabao Cup.

Behind him is third-choice option Etienne Green. The 24-year-old Frenchman joined from Saint-Etienne in the summer window, but is yet to make his debut for the Clarets, and could be in need of a loan move elsewhere in January.

Leeds United have been dealt a potentially significant blow in their pursuit of Atalanta defender Ben Godfrey, who is of interest to Tottenham Hotspur ahead of the January transfer window.

That's according to a recent report from Football Insider, where it has been claimed that Spurs have enquired for Godfrey.

Godfrey, who made his first-team breakthrough at Norwich City under current Whites boss Daniel Farke before earning a reported £25 million switch to Everton in 2020, currently finds himself out of favour at Atalanta.

The 26-year-old has chalked up just 22 minutes of league action this term for Atalanta, who are currently leading the way in the Serie A standings with a two-point advantage over second-placed Napoli.

It's understandable, then, just why he hasn't been able to gain much of a look-in under Gian Piero Gasperini despite only joining back in the summer and why the exit door appears a potential avenue next month, but Leeds' chances of completing the deal are now seemingly weaker.

Tottenham Hotspur join transfer race for Atalanta's Ben Godfrey

As per the aforementioned report, Spurs have made contact with Atalanta in a bid to sign Godfrey and alleviate the current defensive crisis in which Ange Postecoglou is contending with.

It's said that Spurs are looking to acquire Godfrey on a short-term loan deal for the remainder of the campaign, as Postecoglou seeks a quick-fix to the side's present concerns.

Spurs, who have conceded nine goals in their last two matches and were put to the sword in a 3-6 home defeat to Liverpool yesterday afternoon, are currently without their first-choice central defensive duo of Micky van de Ven and Cristian Romero through injury.

Consequently, ex-Whites prodigy Archie Gray has been forced to play at centre-back as of late following his summer move from Elland Road.

Leeds United's interest in Tottenham Hotspur transfer target Ben Godfrey

It could represent something of a blow to Leeds, who are reportedly keen on Godfrey. Last week, journalist Graeme Bailey revealed the Whites' interest to LeedsUnited.News, though he clarified that any such move remains unlikely until Farke's side return to the Premier League, adding further incentive to their promotion pursuit.

Leeds are currently competing for automatic promotion and they're just three points behind league leaders Sheffield United, so a return to the top-flight and a subsequent move for Godfrey could well happen but their chances at potentially landing him in the winter window now feel even slimmer.

Bailey explained to LeedsUnited.News: "Godfrey is someone Leeds have liked for a long time. It is totally dependent on Leeds getting back to the Premier League. The player has interest in January, but from what I’m told he’s not massively looking to move.

"Everyone thinks, oh well he’s not getting game time at Atalanta. But they don’t actually realise that Atalanta are top of the league, the only reason he’s not in is because they’re playing so well.

"It’s not as if they don’t like him, they are literally just top of Serie A. British media are misreading that personally, Leeds like him but are only in the conversation if they go up."

Premier League outfit Tottenham Hotspur have taken an interest in Burnley goalkeeper James Trafford and Sheffield Wednesday shot-stopper Pierce Charles.

This is according to an update on X from Darren Witcoop, who has also reiterated that Spurs are also keeping tabs on Sunderland shot-stopper Anthony Patterson.

Both Trafford and Patterson have been the subject of plenty of Premier League interest in the past - and it previously looked likely that the former would secure an exit from Turf Moor following the Clarets' relegation from the top flight at the end of last term.

With Vaclav Hladky and Etienne Green both arriving, that could have made room for Trafford to make the move away from Lancashire, but he stayed put in the end and is currently Scott Parker's number one between the sticks.

It remains to be seen how long he will stay at the club for though, with chairman Alan Pace previously showing a willingness to cash in on players for the right price.

Pierce, meanwhile, currently finds himself behind loanee James Beadle in the pecking order, and his game time for the Owls this season has been limited because of this.

But that hasn't prevented him from attracting interest from elsewhere - and it's unclear whether he will still be at Hillsborough when the January transfer window closes.

Spurs eyeing Championship trio including James Trafford

Spurs' interest in Patterson has already been reported in the past, but it has now emerged that they are keeping an eye on two other stoppers in the EFL.

Trafford is now believed to be on their radar, having seen his £16m move to Newcastle United fall through during the summer transfer window.

Charles is another player now believed to be of interest to Ange Postecoglou's side, having recently attracted interest from Aston Villa.

All three Championship teams may be keen to take a tough stance on their keepers

The Clarets will surely be keen to retain their best players beyond the end of January, having cashed in on quite a few first-teamers during the January window.

A period of stability in the squad is needed - and their summer sales should allow them to retain much of their first team.

The Black Cats will also want stability in their squad as they continue their own promotion push - and keeping Patterson could make a real difference for them.

In terms of Charles, it's hard to say what the Owls will want to do with him.

But they may regret letting him go if they do in January, so all three players could potentially be kept by their respective clubs.

For whatever reason, things never really worked out for Georges-Kevin N'Koudou in England with both Tottenham and Burnley, but his career after leaving the country has certainly taken an upward trajectory.

It was Spurs who took the first punt on N'Koudou back in September 2016 when he was a fresh-faced 21-year-old, bringing the Frenchman in from Marseille for £9.4 million.

There were high hopes that N'Koudou could be a star of the future for Tottenham, but he found it difficult to adapt in England, and never truly reached the heights it was hoped he would do when he made the initial move.

Competition for places at Spurs back then was understandably high, and when he moved to Burnley in January 2018, many expected he would flourish playing in a side where competition wasn't quite as intense.

It didn't really work out that way for the fleet-footed winger though, who brought his struggles with him to Burnley, as he again struggled to make inroads into a Premier League starting XI.

Since leaving Spurs though, his career seems to have ignited, and some may be surprised to see just how well he's doing at the moment.

Georges-Kevin N'Koudou's career has taken off after failed Tottenham Hotspur and Burnley spells

After struggling so much in the English top-flight, it was a little surprising to see Besiktas stump up £4.6m to take him to Turkey, but he had a relatiely successful time in the Turkish Super League - more so than he did in England anyway.

For context, those 108 appearances made for Besiktas were almost three times as he made for Burnley and Spurs combined, while the 21 goals he scored in Turkey compares to just one netted in England, so his career has certainly taken off since leaving.

He now plays in Saudi Arabia for Damac FC, and his record this season has been nothing short of phenomenal, scoring eight goals in 13 Saudi Pro League games, and he also boasts an incredible six-match scoring streak in home games for the Saudi club.

This term, only Karim Benzema, Cristiano Ronaldo and Aleksandr Mitrovic have scored more goals in the Saudi top-flight that N'Koudou, who seems to have found a level at which he excels.

Even last season he impressed in the Middle East too, clocking up 20 goal contributions in 35 league games for the club, although he could only help them to a mid-table finish.

Unlike some other clubs in Saudi though, not many of his other teammates are household names, with 79-cap Romania international midfielder Nicolae Stanciu perhaps the next best-known.

It's hard to believe that N'Koudou is the same player who flopped at Tottenham Hotspur and Burnley

English football fans largely won't pay too much attention to the goings-on in the Saudi Pro League, so to most, it will be a huge surprise to see N'Koudou excelling the way he has done over there.

Naturally, the standard of the league isn't as high as the Premier League, but he showed few signs when playing in England that he could go on to perform at the level he did do.

He certainly didn't stand out in a Burnley team who had a squad of players far less talented than those Spurs had, which would suggest that the then-European-chasing Clarets were probably a level too high for him.

There's an argument to be had that N'Koudou has now found his level in Saudi Arabia, but on the evidence of his two spells in England, no one would've believed that he'd be rivalling Ronaldo and Benzema for a golden boot.

Tottenham Hotspur will not make a move for a goalkeeper until the summer amid links to Burnley and Sunderland's respective keepers, James Trafford and Anthony Patterson, according to GiveMeSport.

As soon as Guglielmo Vicario suffered an ankle injury against Manchester City, that is set to keep him out for months, it was no surprise to see reports of them looking to shop in the glovesmen department.

It was also not a shock to see Ange Postecoglou's side - one that likes to play out from the back - look at some of the young talents of the second tier, including Trafford, 22, and Patterson, 24.

Burnley's number one, who already has experience in the Premier League thanks to his first season with the Clarets, was a target of Newcastle United's in the summer, but the two clubs could not reach an agreement. Now it is Spurs who have a supposed interest in the England under-21 international, according to talkSPORT.

The Sun's Alan Nixon has since reported that Sunderland's first choice has also emerged as an option for Tottenham. The club's academy product has been their starting keeper for the past three-and-a-half seasons, and has also been linked with other top flight teams like Manchester United.

Spurs to not make January move for a goalkeeper

The timing of Vicario's injury - not too long before the new year - made signing someone in his position in the winter window seem like the logical thing to do. Fraser Forster is currently in net for Spurs, and while he's by no means useless, the 36-year-old is not necessarily the type of goalkeeper that Postecoglou would recruit to start games for him.

Burnley and Sunderland supporters may have feared potentially losing their first choices between the sticks, but, according to GiveMeSport, Spurs are going to wait until the summer to bring in someone that can challenge Vicario.

If they do make a move for a goalkeeper, they would most likely slot in as the number two behind the Italian, but with the view that they could push him and not just be like Forster, who is there in case of emergencies like the current one.

Burnley and Sunderland must have goalkeeping succession plans in place

The talent of the two sides' shot-stoppers makes it inevitable that higher-ranking teams will be interested in them almost every single window. Burnley and Sunderland aren't likely to settle for any less than £20 million for either player, but someone will test that sooner or later.

The Clarets do have a strong back-up, or maybe two, in the building already, with promotion-winning keeper Vaclav Hladky and Etienne Green on their books.

Carlton Palmer does not expect Leeds United to sanction the sale of Pascal Struijk this January amid interest from Tottenham Hotspur, Wolves and Brighton.

According to Teamtalk, the trio of Premier League clubs are eyeing a potential move for the centre-back in the new year.

Struijk is a key figure in Daniel Farke’s side, and has played in all 21 of the Whites’ opening league fixtures so far this term.

Leeds also lack defensive options, with Max Wober and Joe Rodon being their only other recognised centre-backs in the first team squad.

Carlton Palmer gives Pascal Struijk transfer verdict

Palmer has praised Struijk’s performances for Leeds this year, and believes he could be a solution to Spurs’ own defensive issues.

However, he is sceptical that the Championship side would sanction any big sales in January, given their pursuit of promotion to the Premier League.

“What’s surfaced at the moment is that clubs in the Premier League, Tottenham, Wolves, to mention two, are interested in signing their experienced centre-back Struijk,” Palmer told Football League World.

“The 25-year-old has been absolutely outstanding for Leeds United this season.

“The likes of Tottenham are looking to strengthen that area in the transfer window, with the likes of Micky van de Ven, who has been injured a lot with hamstrings and Romero, who has either been suspended or injured.

“They’ve had a problem in that area.

“But I think it’s unlikely that Leeds are going to sell the 25-year-old in the January transfer window given their remit is to get back to the Premier League.

“However, Struijk is one of those players who signed for the club as a kid, so any transfer fee they would retain for Struijk would be profit.

“But with Leeds looking to get back to the Premier League this season, that is their priority, I cannot see them entertaining any kind of sale.

“They did what they had to do in the summer with the sale of Gray, with the sale of Summerville.

“I think it’s highly unlikely any more players will be allowed to leave Leeds United in the January transfer market, with their remit to get back to the Premier League.”

Leeds will need mega offer to sanction Struijk sale

It seems highly unlikely that Leeds will want to cash in on anyone this January given how close the competition is at the top of the table.

The team’s lack of alternative options in the squad means that centre-back is one area where they are especially unlikely to sell.

It will surely have to take a mega offer in order for them to part ways with the Belgian, all things considered.

While Spurs and Wolves may be desperate to strengthen at the back, it’s not likely they’d be willing to splash the cash just for Struijk given what will be needed to convince Leeds to sell.