The Independent

Tottenham’s turmoil under Thomas Frank has sparked a fierce debate among Independent readers with fans split between those calling for immediate change and those urging patience.

Responding to reports from chief football writer Miguel Delaney that the club are considering his future, many readers argued that the former Brentford head coach’s position has become untenable, citing a lack of identity or playing style, repeated defensive errors and little evidence of progress.

Many felt he was hired to stabilise the club after Ange Postecoglou, only for injuries to persist and performances to deteriorate further, dragging the club towards a potential relegation fight.

Others placed responsibility higher up the club, blaming Tottenham’s hierarchy, medical department and long-standing culture. Several suggested Frank is merely the latest coach to be undermined by poor squad planning, constant injuries and short-term decision-making, with some arguing Postecoglou was unfairly discarded.

A smaller group defended Frank, insisting managers do not suddenly lose their ability and that he deserves time to shape a squad of his own once key players like James Maddison and Dejan Kulusevski return.

Underlying much of the discussion was a familiar pessimism about Spurs, with several commenters arguing that institutional flaws and constant managerial churn – rather than one coach – remain the club’s defining problem.

Here’s what you had to say:

I like Frank and think he did a great job at Brentford – but he has to go.

Received wisdom was that Ange’s style of play was the reason for incessant injuries and poor performances, and Frank was brought in to rectify that. But the injuries have continued to mount up, performances are still poor, leaving the club in danger of being drawn into a relegation fight, and now there is no clear identity or style of play.

Something must be very wrong with the medical team at Spurs for the players to be so susceptible to injury and for recovery times to consistently take so long.

Recruitment has also been poor. All I hear is that a left-sided winger is the prime target, but in a team that creates so few chances, what is most needed is a proven goalscorer who can make the best of the scraps available to replace Son.

With that in mind, I don’t understand why Frank was happy for Brennan Johnson, one of the few squad members with a decent goalscoring record, to go to Crystal Palace.

Managerially, I don’t know what the solution is but suspect that we might see the return of Pochettino to try to steady the ship.

Mythicalking

Unfortunately, much as we can’t keep chopping and changing the manager, I think the situation has passed the point of no return. Frank has had 22 league games, six Champions League games and three domestic games in charge, and it is difficult to see any identity in this Spurs side. There has certainly been zero sign of any progress or development.

Yes, there are mitigating circumstances; he’s been shorn of his best attacking talents and we’ve suffered a conveyor belt of injuries, so it’s been impossible to build any depth in the match-day squad. But leaving this aside, there is a lot to lay at Frank’s door: gifting goals playing out from the back, gifting goals by not closing down shots from distance, thinking that Bentancur and Palhinha is a viable midfield pivot, not finding room for Bergvall often enough, and the fact that we are rock bottom of the stats for attempted through balls, etc.

Having said this, the players need to own this situation as well. The likes of Kolo Muani should be embarrassed to collect their wages every week – zero goals in 15 league appearances – but more importantly, it doesn’t look like he gives a damn.

BobbyA

A wee while back, a very good coach from a provincial side was given a chance to manage a top side. He did not enjoy the best of starts, to say the least, but the club kept faith and were duly rewarded.

Of course – Fergie and Man U.

Flint

It’s not him. You don’t suddenly become a bad manager. The squad just isn’t that good, and because of long-term injuries to our best players we’re constantly having to field the B-team. We don’t have the likes of Bale, Son and Kane in the team – nowhere near.

Frank should be given at least until the summer to field a team of his own making. He won’t, though, because the board are like all the rest: trigger-happy and short-term thinkers.

MikeA

The problem with Spurs is the upper management and backroom staff. Firing Postecoglou was a mistake. Hiring Richarlison was a mistake… I can go on.

What do I expect? Spurs will fire Frank. Then they will go to the US and hire an MLS manager willing to give it a go, because no one else in their right mind wants to work with such a band of misfits. Sort of like Celtic, who could not even give their new guy a month.

Both teams deserve what they have.

Postecoglou, Frank and Nancy will be sitting on a beach somewhere, drinking fruity drinks and dreaming about the millions they took away from north London – or Scotland.

Rachel

It looks like Postecoglou overachieved last season.

Tsarbee

Well, Spurs decided to sack Ange despite him winning a trophy and dealing with multiple injuries in the team. They then got rid of key players and gutted the heart of the team. Why on earth they thought the manager of a minor Premier League team would do better shows abject stupidity.

Spurs get what they deserve.

Commonsense1

The problem at Spurs is the culture of the club, which is why, after so many years, everyone knows what ‘spursy’ means.

Hardraingonnafall

If Frank does go, Spurs need to get Alonso, if he’ll come. If he can get Leverkusen to win in Germany, a team known as Neverkusen, maybe he can work another miracle with Spurs. However, knowing what the ownership and backroom boys have been like over the past five or six years, breath will not be held.

Boy from ceiber

They cannot even pass the ball to one another, over and back across the field and back to the keeper… that is the players. The coach must surely know that you cannot score – let alone win – without putting the ball in the opponent’s net.

What to do next? Try the Championship and forget it.

Conqueror

Some of the comments have been edited for this article for brevity and clarity.

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Liveupdated

Transfer news live: Liverpool identify Guehi alternative, Frank’s Spurs future in doubt, Chelsea in wonderkid talks

All the latest January transfer window news, gossip and rumours

Manchester City have completed the signing of Crystal Palace defender, and captain, Marc Guehi, for £20m. Guehi had been garnering interest from other clubs such as Liverpool, Arsenal and Bayern Munich but Pep Guardiola’s side have won the race for the centre-back by paying a fee in this window rather than waiting for his contract to expire in the summer.

Liverpool are now looking at alternatives to Guehi, such as Inter Milan’s Alessandro Bastoni and Borussia Dortmund’s Nico Schlotterbeck, while Chelsea have opened talks to sign star Rennes defender Jeremy Jacquet, and are also reportedly interested in Lucas Paqueta. Reports from Brazil say the West Ham midfielder prefers to return to his home country but a switch to another European club hasn’t been ruled out.

In a month that has already seen Ruben Amorim and Enzo Maresca lose their jobs, there could yet be more high-profile sackings on the horizon with Thomas Frank’s future at Tottenham under serious threat. Spurs fans turned on the Dane after suffering a dismal defeat to relegation contenders West Ham on Tuesday. Oliver Glasner’s job at Crystal Palace is also under consideration after the Austrian claimed he had been “abandoned” by the club in an extraordinary outburst following the Eagles’ loss at Sunderland.

Manchester United are looking to strengthen before the January transfer window closes. In midfield they have lined up Joao Gomes, Carlos Baleba, Marcos Llorente and Elliot Anderson as targets – Man City are also said to be interested in Anderson – while Nottingham Forest defender Murillo is being looked at to reinforce the defence. The club have also rejected several offers for defender Harry Maguire whose contract is expiring.

Follow all the latest transfer news, gossip, rumours and done deals in The Independent’s live blog below

West Ham still keen on Charlie Cresswell

West Ham remain interested in Toulouse’s Charlie Cresswell despite Wolfsburg pushing hard to try and sign the centre-back.

That’s according to Sky Sports, who say the French club will not listen to offers below £22m and therefore they have rejected offers from Wolfsburg so far.

Cresswell, 23, was of interest to West Ham in the summer and they are weighing up several options for a new centre-back this month.

Luke Baker19 January 2026 17:25

The transfer miscalculation that saw Liverpool lose Marc Guehi to Man City

Nothing, it seemed, became Marc Guehi quite like his leaving. On the last day of August, he scored a stunning goal against Aston Villa. This, it seemed, was his parting gift to Crystal Palace. He was off to Liverpool.

Except he wasn’t. Four-and-a-half months on, some 27 appearances later, with a different destination and a fee that is £15m less, his departure caused ructions at Palace and may bring regret at Liverpool.

His destination was almost Anfield at the start of September, until Palace pulled the plug on the move. Now it is the Etihad Stadium instead.

Read the full analysis from Richard Jolly:

The transfer miscalculation that saw Liverpool lose Marc Guehi to Man City

Having come so close to signing the England international over the summer, Liverpool must now swallow the bitter pill of having been out-thought by City

Richard Jolly, Senior Football Correspondent19 January 2026 17:02

Viana delighted to sign 'one of the best defenders in English football'

Man City director of football Hugo Viana was delighted to secure Guehi’s signature, citing the centre-back as one of the best in the Premier League.

“It is clear Marc has been one of the best defenders in English football for quite some time now, so we are absolutely delighted to bring him to Manchester City,” said Viana.

“I feel we have signed a huge talent who will help us improve. He is only 25, but he has shown already he is a leader, a brilliant professional and someone desperate to improve.

“He is strong, has exceptional defensive qualities, is an intelligent reader of the game, and brings passion and energy every time he steps onto the pitch. I am so pleased it was us he chose to join.

“Marc is entering the prime years of his career. I am sure every City fan is excited to see how good he can be in a sky blue shirt.”

Luke Baker19 January 2026 16:44

Guehi reveals excitement of playing alongside 'big brother' John Stones

Marc Guehi partnered Johns Stones in the middle of the England defence in Euro 2024 and described his international teammate as a mentor.

He hasn’t hidden his delight at playing alongside his ‘big brother’ once more at Man City.

Guehi explained: “John has taken me under his wing, especially within the national team. I see him as a big brother to be honest. He’s someone that has looked out for me.

“Especially playing with him at the last Euros, it was amazing. He just makes your life easier because of his understanding of the game and how good he is. But the person too – such a down-to-earth guy, especially with all that he has achieved.”

Luke Baker19 January 2026 16:26

Marc Guehi outlines motivation behind joining Man City after completing £20m transfer

Marc Guehi’s move to Man City is finally complete and he has explained what the motivation was behind the move to the Etihad

Marc Guehi outlines motivation behind joining Man City after completing £20m transfer

The England international has penned a five-and-a-half year contract at the Etihad Stadium and could make his debut against Wolves on Saturday

Richard Jolly, Senior Football Correspondent19 January 2026 16:09

West Ham want £50m for Paqueta

Tim Vickery of Sky Sports says that Lucas Paqueta could be sold if West Ham’s valuation of the midfielder is met.

Paqueta has interest from Brazilian side Flamengo and the possibility he makes the move in January hasn’t been ruled out.

“Flamengo can afford Lucas Paqueta. Flamengo don't want to go above £40m, West Ham's price, it seems, is £50m,” Vickery said. “Flamengo are huge, probably the biggest club outside of Europe. The Club World Cup is huge over here, it gave them a lot of money and ambition.

“They're champions of Brazil, champions of South America, but it's not enough. They want world domination. Flamengo is where Pacqueta started. In the short-term, remember the World Cup; this is why a lot of South American players are looking to reposition themselves.”

Luke Baker19 January 2026 15:50

DONE DEAL! Marc Guehi completes Man City move

Man City have finally clinched the signing of Marc Guehi for £20m. The Crystal Palace captain, who almost joined Liverpool in the summer before a deadline-day move broke down, has agreed a five-and-a-half year deal at the Etihad Stadium after passing a medical.

Guehi takes City’s spending since the start of 2025 to around £430m and he would have been available on a free transfer when his Palace contract was due to expire in the summer.

But City, who had seen the England international as a long-term target, fast-tracked the move after injuries to fellow centre-backs John Stones, Ruben Dias and Josko Gvardiol.

“I am really happy and incredibly proud to be a Manchester City player,” said the 25-year-old. “This move feels like the culmination of all the hard work I have put into my career. I am now at the best club in England and part of an unbelievable squad of players. It feels good to be able to say that.”

Richard Jolly, Senior Football Correspondent19 January 2026 15:30

Chelsea preparing to sell George

Tyrique George is looking increasingly likely to leave Chelsea this January according to the Standard.

The 19-year-old academy graduate has not featured in a Premier League squad since October and has interest from other clubs in England as well as Europe.

Chelsea are willing to sell the forward but are also open to a six-month loan until the end of the season if the terms were attractive enough.

Luke Baker19 January 2026 15:10

Brighton's Diego Coppola drawing Fiorentina interest

Brighton defender Diego Coppola is drawing interest from Fiorentina, according to Sky Italia,

Coppola joined Brighton from Hellas Verona in the summer but has made just two Premier League starts, and only nine appearances in total.

Fiorentina have already landed Leeds winger Jack Harrison on loan today but appear set to delve back into the Premier League well once more

Luke Baker19 January 2026 14:51

Celtic to miss out on Callum Wilson

Callum Wilson appeared set to be released from his West Ham contract, and Celtic were primed to snap up the experienced striker, but the Scottish side’s hopes have now been dashed.

The Athletic are now reporting that the 33-year-old Wilson will stay at West Ham after coming off the bench to snatch a dramatic late winner against bitter rivals Tottenham at the weekend.

Wilson had held talks with Nuno Espirito Santo about terminating his one-year contract following the signings of fellow strtikers Taty Castellanos and Pablo Felipe but both parties appear to have had a change of heart.

Luke Baker19 January 2026 14:36

Tottenham Hotspur’s Destiny Udogie has revealed that his £150,000 Range Rover was broken into following Spurs’ 2-1 defeat against West Ham on Saturday (17 January).

Posting on Snapchat, the 23-year-old defender shared footage of the vandalised car, which had its rear window caved in. Glass can be seen scattered inside the vehicle’s boot.

Udogie captioned the footage: “Yeah goodnight.”

The Tottenham Hotspur board were debating whether to give Thomas Frank the Borussia Dortmund Champions League match on Tuesday, according to sources with knowledge of the situation, after the shock 2-1 loss against West Ham on Saturday.

The 2-1 home defeat to completed a dismal week for the Dane, with the club hierarchy having previously been intent to try and withstand pressure and give the coach space.

The hierarchy are understood to have been divided on the issue last Saturday – after another 2-1 home defeat, that time to Aston Villa – but the atmosphere this weekend turned toxic in the manner that had initially been warded off in that FA Cup match. The nature of West Ham's late winner – a messy goal bundled home in the 93rd minute by Callum Wilson – only made it worse.

Further meetings are expected on Sunday as Tottenham’s hierarchy consider Frank’s future.

Spurs had been mindful of the fact that Frank had been adapting to a bigger club, with an incomplete football infrastructure and many of his best attackers missing for some time. They wanted to at least give him the chance of working through better conditions, but now fear the situation may be irretrievable.

Some are nevertheless pleading patience, especially as Tottenham can still qualify for the Champions League top eight. That situation is further complicated by how there are only two days – Sunday and Monday – before that crunch match against Dortmund.

Should Spurs ultimately sack Frank, Xabi Alonso is a name that would have appealed, and has been raised within the club, but he feels he will have better options over the coming months.

The same might apply to Oliver Glasner, who stunningly left open the possibility that he could leave Crystal Palace, after the 2-1 defeat at Sunderland. The Austrian already announced on Friday that he will leave at the end of the season – with Manchester United known to be interested – but events may now have accelerated his departure.

The Spurs faithful fully turned on Frank with the South Stand singing “you’re getting sacked in the morning” and the manager admitted: “Of course, I’ve probably had better times. It’s probably not the best time of course, but I understand, I’m the man in charge, so the blame will go to me. That’s fair.

“No problem in that sense. As long as they are backing the players, doing everything they can to support them and drive them forward, that’s what we do and we will keep going forward. If you’re not winning enough, we know you will not get enough support from the fans, but when we’re winning, it will change. When we start winning again, which we will do. I’m not in doubt of that.

“I think you all saw the game today, we could easily have won this one 2-1. I think it’s no excuses, but also the reason we’re a little bit down to the bare bones with players and we also need some of the offensive players to score a goal or two. All that is difficult for me to do like that and click with a finger, but I can promise that I’m sitting here, giving everything, every single day. I feel the trust from everyone and there’s only one way, we need to keep going.”

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Tottenham are closing on bringing out-of-favour Atletico Madrid midfielder Conor Gallagher back to the Premier League after hijacking Aston Villa’s move for the former Chelsea product, who has now undergone a medical ahead of a £35m switch as the January transfer window heats up.

Gallagher isn’t the only England international to have garnered strong Premier League interest, with Arsenal joining the race to sign Crystal Palace defender Marc Guehi. The Eagles skipper is said to prefer a move to the Gunners or Liverpool, but Manchester City are desperate to overcome any hurdles and secure his signature this month, while European heavyweights Bayern Munich have now also expressed an interest in the England centre-back.

Mikel Arteta’s side are also rumoured to have entered the race to sign Real Madrid superstar Vinicius Jr, with one outlet even reporting they will offer Gabriel Martinelli in a swap deal, but Chelsea, who have reportedly made a huge bid for Federico Valverde, are also reportedly still interested in Vini Jr.

Manchester United have meanwhile confirmed the appointment of Michael Carrick as interim manager and now look to strengthen their squad before the window closes, with Carlos Baleba, Marcos Llorente and Elliot Anderson all rumoured as targets, although Man City are also said to be eyeing Nottingham Forest talisman Anderson.

And while United’s managerial picture looks clearer for the short-term, speculation remains frantic over the future of the Real Madrid dugout after Xabi Alonso’s shock exit, with the Spanish giants hoping to lure former Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp back into coaching in what would be a spectacular move.

First, Pape Sarr jetted off to the Africa Cup of Nations with pre-tournament favourites Senegal. Then, Lucas Bergvall pulled up with a muscle complaint in the 3-2 loss at Bournemouth. Rodrigo Bentancur suffered a hamstring injury late on at the Vitality Stadium. The Uruguayan is now sidelined for the next three months.

Suddenly, Tottenham have gone from an abundance of fit central midfielders, to just two. Well, three if you consider Yves Bissouma, but Thomas Frank hasn’t this season, and neither will we. Joao Palhinha and Archie Gray are the senior options for the under-fire Spurs boss. Even then, the latter is only 19 years of age.

Confirmation of Bentancur’s absence forced Spurs into action. The north London side, as reactive as ever, suddenly entered the race for Conor Gallagher. Spurs are long-term admirers of the former Chelsea man, and they are finally landing a long-standing target. The 25-year-old looked set for a move to Aston Villa, only for their Premier League rivals to trump the Villans in the race to land the out-of-favour Atletico Madrid star, with Gallagher expected to complete his Spurs switch imminently.

Do Spurs really need a midfielder of Gallagher’s profile? Well, not entirely. But what they do need is bodies in a key area of the pitch. The England international brings a wealth of Premier League and European experience to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. Gallagher’s an energetic, high-presser who’ll essentially act as Frank’s high enforcer in the middle of the park.

As the Villa defeat showed, Spurs need this tenacious presence in the midfield. The Villans essentially walked through the Spurs squad on their way to Emiliano Buendia’s opener in their 2-1 FA Cup third round win in the capital.

Gallagher would have at least showed a modicum of defensive diligence to prevent the goal from happening in the first place. The issue, though, isn’t surrounding Gallagher’s work rate. Fans should be happy to welcome the midfielder to the club, even with his Chelsea roots.

Rather, the issue stems from the lack of progression, both as a club and a team. Villa were a cut above Spurs in their FA Cup clash at the weekend. Ten years ago, Spurs were a team competing for the Premier League title. In that same season, Villa succumbed to relegation as they finished bottom, 22 points off safety.

In the time since, Villa have shown the requisite nous in the market to invest properly in the squad. Spurs… less so. It comes back to Spurs’ reactiveness in the market. Would they have gone all guns blazing for Gallagher had Bentancur not required surgery for a hamstring injury? That… remains to be seen.

Additionally, Gallagher isn’t the ball progressor Spurs so desperately need. It’s no secret that Frank’s side are struggling to advance play through the middle of the pitch. Indeed, they have attempted the fewest through balls (11) in the Premier League this season. Nine players have attempted more. Manchester City have tried 16 through balls in 2026 alone.

Getting the attacking players on the ball in the final third is pivotal for any team. Yet Spurs just aren’t getting the likes of Xavi Simons, Randal Kolo Muani and Mathys Tel involved as frequently as fans would hope. It means Spurs rank fifth bottom for shots per 90 (10.2) in England’s top tier this term. They’ve generated just 23.87 Expected Goals in the 2025/26 Premier League campaign, and are far and away the division’s biggest xG overperformers.

The attacking numbers are damning. And while the addition of Gallagher is welcomed as Spurs seek to add depth in a vital position, he isn’t the solution to the club’s progression woes. That’s not to say Gallagher can’t pry apart defences.

In his, and Mauricio Pochettino’s, final season at Chelsea, only Cole Palmer (11) registered more Premier League assists than Gallagher (7) for the Blues. His 53 key passes and 11 big chances created were also both second for Chelsea, serving to highlight this weapon in Gallagher’s arsenal.

However, to put simply, Spurs are crying out for a deep-lying playmaker, of which Gallagher is not. He’ll make surging runs forward from deep, and this progressive nature to his game will help as this pragmatic Spurs side transition from defence to attack. It’s all well and good bringing in a midfielder of Gallagher’s profile, though, without addressing the elephant in the room.

We’re at the midway stage of the transfer window and Spurs remain in the market for another central midfielder and a winger, the latter to mask Mohammed Kudus’ injury and Brennan Johnson’s Crystal Palace switch. Hayden Hackney and Aleix Garcia of Middlesbrough and Bayer Leverkusen, respectively, are rumoured targets to ease the playmaking issues that are holding Spurs back.

Gallagher’s addition, as sideways a move as it may seem on paper, is a step in the right direction. At this stage, Spurs need bodies in midfield and Gallagher immediately elevates the quality of the squad. On the transfer window as a whole, though, his signing needs to be the first on the journey rather than the endgame. Failure to build upon the ex-Blues midfielder’s arrival, and the club will be in for a very bumpy second half to the season.

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BTS to play at Tottenham Hotspur stadium as part of 2026 world tour

The Associated Press

Tuesday 13 January 2026 17:48 GMT

K-pop group BTS has announced a 2026-2027 world tour, featuring over 70 dates across Asia, North America, South America, Australia, and Europe.

The tour will kick off in South Korea in April 2026 and run until March 2027, marking their first headline shows since the 2021-22 Permission to Dance on Stage tour.

For UK fans, they will do two nights in London, at the Tottenham Hotspur stadium, in addition to dates in Spain, Germany and France. They will also perform in 12 cities across the US, Canada and Mexico as part of the tour.

This announcement follows the group's return to music on 20 March, after a nearly four-year hiatus during which all seven members completed South Korea's mandatory military service.

Presale tickets for ARMY Membership holders are available on 22 and 23 January, requiring registration on HYBE's Weverse platform. General sale for all regions will commence on 24 January.

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Liveupdated

Transfer news live: Arsenal enter Vini Jr race, Spurs’ £35m deal, Man Utd to appoint manager

All the latest January transfer window news, gossip and rumours

Arsenal are rumoured to have entered the race to sign Real Madrid superstar Vinicius Jr, with one outlet even reporting they will offer Gabriel Martinelli in a swap deal, but Chelsea, who have reportedly made a huge bid for Federico Valverde, are also reportedly still interested in Vini Jr as the January transfer window heats up.

The Gunners face plenty of competition to sign Crystal Palace defender Marc Guehi, who is said to prefer a move to Arsenal or Liverpool, but Manchester City are desperate to overcome any hurdles and secure his signature this month, while European heavyweights Bayern Munich have now also expressed an interest in the England centre-back.

Another England international, Conor Gallagher, looks set to return to the Premier League from Atletico Madrid as he heads for a medical at Tottenham Hotspur, who beat Aston Villa to a £35m deal, while Manchester United will appoint Michael Carrick as their new manager today.

United may then look to strengthen their squad before the window closes, with Carlose Baleba, Marcos Llorente and Elliot Anderson all rumoured as targets, although Man City are also said to be eyeing Nottingham Forest talisman Anderson.

Follow all the latest transfer news, gossip, rumours and done deals in The Independent’s live blog below:

Got a transfer window question for our Chief Football Writer?

Our football insider Miguel Delaney will take you behind the scenes of the Premier League, answering your questions on transfers, managerial shake-ups and the forces shaping top clubs in 2026 in an exclusive Q&A later this week.

He says: “The January transfer window has been quiet so far, with Antoine Semenyo’s move from Bournemouth to Manchester City standing out as the biggest deal – but that may now be the spark for more. Industry figures expect it to be very busy towards the end. I’ll discuss that and much more.

“As The Independent’s Chief Football Writer, I’ve spent years covering transfers, managerial appointments, and speaking to sources about the behind-the-scenes workings that shape top clubs.

“I’ll be here to answer all your football questions – from the managerial merry-go-round and the head coach versus sporting director debate to potential January and summer moves and how these stories are likely to play out across the Premier League and Europe.”

Join the Q&A here:

Miguel Delaney answers your football questions – from transfers to managers and more

Our football insider Miguel Delaney takes you behind the scenes of the Premier League, answering your questions on transfers, managerial shake-ups and the forces shaping top clubs in 2026

Luke Baker13 January 2026 09:25

Chelsea make huge bid for Federico Valverde

Chelsea are keen to build their midfield around Real Madrid star Federcio Valverde and have submitted a €120m (£104m) bid.

That's according to Fichajes, who claim new boss Liam Rosenior is a big fan of the Uruguayan

Valverde is considered “indispensable” at Real Madrid but they will consider “unrealistic bids” which this alleged £104m offer may qualify as.

Luke Baker13 January 2026 09:13

European giants join Marc Guehi chase

Bayern Munich have entered the chase to sign Marc Guehi with Florian Pettenberg of Sky Germany reporting they have made phone calls over the past few days to try and convince him to sign in the summer, having previously met his agent.

Man City are desperate to sign the Crystal Palace centre-back during this transfer window, to ease their defensive injury crisis, and as we reported yesterday, they intend to overcome any obstacles to make that happen.

Arsenal and Liverpool are targeting the England international upon the expiry of his contract in the summer and Guehi has been reported to prefer a move to one of those two clubs.

Luke Baker13 January 2026 08:59

Man United set to appoint Michael Carrick today

Manchester United are poised to choose their interim manager for the rest of the season with Michael Carrick now the frontrunner to take charge, ahead of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.

Darren Fletcher, who has been in the role for two games, and Ruud van Nistelrooy were also in contention to oversee the remainder of the campaign, though the Scot’s candidature may have been damaged by their FA Cup exit to Brighton.

United conducted face-to-face interviews with Carrick, their former captain, on Thursday and Solskjaer, the scorer of the winner in the 1999 Champions League final, on Saturday.

Carrick is believed to have interviewed well and went unbeaten in a three-game stint in caretaker charge of United in 2021, before having three seasons as Middlesbrough manager. He should be appointed today, ahead of the Manchester derby this weekend

Luke Baker13 January 2026 08:44

Arsenal enter Vinicus Jr race - and offer Martinelli swap?

Not exactly reliable sources but as a bit of fun, a couple of unreliable outlets in Spain are reporting Arsenal chasing Vinicius Jr.

The Real Madrid superstar has been unhappy at the Bernabeu, although the departure of Xabi Alonso may change things slightly, and Fichajes are reporting Arsenal’s interest, with Chelsea also said to be in the hunt.

Meanwhile, Defensa Central are going one step further and claiming the Gunners have offered winger Gabriel Martinelli in a swap deal.

They say Martinelli has been offered around Europe as Arsenal look to raise funds to improve their attack and hope for a straight swap with Vini Jr because they value Martinelli at around £87m – similar to his Brazil team-mate.

Colour me sceptical...

Luke Baker13 January 2026 08:42

Conor Gallagher to undergo Tottenham medical amid £35m deal

Conor Gallagher will be returning to the Premier League with Tottenham, as they beat Aston Villa to secure his signature in a £35m deal.

Gallagher had been happy at Atletico Madrid but was open to a return to England and Spurs offered a higher fee and greater wages than Villa, in what is seen as an effect of Daniel Levy no longer running the club.

Tottenham had a midfield need after Rodrigo Bentancur sustained an injury that will keep him out for several months, with 25-year-old Gallagher seen to fit the bill as he tries to force his way back into Thomas Tuchel’s England squad ahead of the World Cup.

He will head to the UK today to undergo a medical with Spurs, according to reports.

Luke Baker13 January 2026 08:38

Aston Villa survive, and the nature of this FA Cup tie might mean Thomas Frank does, too. For this week at least.

His Tottenham Hotspur players at least gave it a go, which is all that most supporters would say they want. Many had been loudly booing with Villa 2-0 up at half-time. A few still were at full-time, but the anger had been tempered by a rousing second-half display in which they pushed Unai Emery’s side to the edge.

That stopped the atmosphere around this tie getting toxic, where so many other games on the day offered that old-fashioned magic.

The very responses still said a lot. Villa so relished securing win that Ollie Watkins vigorously celebrated the final whistle to his fans, albeit very close to Joao Palhinha’s face, which resulted in a push and a lot of afters.

Frank did defend his player, saying that Watkins was “provoking” it a bit in that he could have walked a slightly different route, and saying that Spurs “need passion” - if “also cool heads”.

Tottenham have been so starved of that kind of conviction that a club previously seen as having a special relationship with the FA Cup were left consoled by a defiant elimination.

The truth is that it couldn’t have got much worse. Villa’s two goals - from Emi Buendia and Morgan Rogers, respectively - were taken with such ease that it looked like a tie involving a Premier League side and one much lower in the pyramid.

Unai Emery’s team were almost indulging themselves, as could be witnessed in the Buendia flick back for Rogers. How couldn’t they when Youri Tielemans was able to play the ball straight through the four-man midfield for Buendia’s own first goal? The second goal then involved some supremely slick one-touch football.

Such insouciance may have sparked something in Spurs. Frank spoke about “more spirit, energy, determination”.

They rallied, and began to intensely press such Villa indulgence at the back. It produced their first big chance of the second half, which set a certain pace for Wilson Odobert’s fine strike.

Pace, indeed, might have been part of it.

Villa had pressed so hard in the first half that it was like they couldn’t sustain it any more. It was like that in their last trip to north London, for that 4-1 defeat to Arsenal. The prospective injury to Boubacar Kamara, who had to go off in the opening minutes, will give greater concern in that regard.

Emery spoke of the “responsibility” of finally bringing a trophy back to Villa, and it would have all the more emotional resonance if it was the FA Cup, a competition they have not won since 1957.

One of the reasons that clubs of their resources haven’t of late, however, is that they usually get to a point where they have to make big decisions on where to apportion their energies. A top-three finish is within their sights. The Europa League poses a real opportunity. But then there’s the allure of the FA Cup.

How Spurs would love to have such concerns.

They are already out of both domestic cups, with Frank saying that “hurt”.

The home game against Borussia Dortmund on Tuesday week is now huge, for Spurs’ entire season as much as their Champions League campaign.

There is a danger that it could all be over.

Judging by the fan reaction, many would like the Frank spell.

That won’t happen this week but it’s hard to see how he can survive a setback to an even more downbeat West Ham United next Saturday.

It’s equally hard not to have some sympathy for Frank.

The Dane can get some criticism for being “media friendly”, amid the perception that spares him from more negative analysis, but it is true he has stood out as an erudite and impressive speaker.

One of the most illustrative issues at Spurs, in fact, is that he doesn’t look himself. Even when answering questions on everything from Villa’s “provoking” to transfers after the match, Frank was just unrecognisable to the charismatic character that would be so expansive at Brentford.

That’s what the weight of a bigger club can do.

It’s not just the scale, either. It’s the schedule. As Frank spoke about the injury effect on his squad from “four games in 10 days”, as Richarlison also had to go off, it was like he seemed cowed by the very calendar. Few would have expected this when he came into the job.

He doesn’t look himself in this role, a perception that took on an element of farce when Villa supporters began to sing “Thomas Frank, he’s an Arsenal fan” in reference to the cup he drank out of at Bournemouth on Wednesday.

This isn’t to say his tenure is irretrievable, but it right now has the feel of everyone at Spurs enduring a bad situation at least until events force someone to make a decision.

The reality, of course, is that Spurs need far more interventions than just the coach. This is a club that are by now an almost lower-scale higher-dysfunction Manchester United.

If they were to sack Frank, for example, it would likely be the third season in six where Spurs have had to get a caretaker manager in mid-season.

That is a lot of campaigns “written off”, a lot of wasted time, that should provoke bigger questions about what is actually being done before.

And, yes, the squad can probably play much better than they have under Frank - as this second half proved - but part of the underperformance is the disparate manner in which it’s been put together.

Right now, how many Spurs players would Champions League-level clubs take? How many would Villa take? Micky van de Ven? Archie Gray? Palhinha?

The latter showed some fight. That is all Spurs fans want. The club nevertheless needs much more.

Villa, as a contrasting example, just have so much more.

They just need to follow with a trophy.