London Evening Standard

Tottenham are juggling yet another huge injury blow as they prepare to face West Ham in the Premier League.

Head coach Thomas Frank remains under pressure to deliver results, and will look at the visit of bottom-of-the-table Hammers to get a much-needed win on the board.

But Spurs will be without Richarlison for the next seven weeks due to a hamstring injury.

Richarlison was withdrawn half an hour into Spurs’ 2-1 defeat to Aston Villa in the FA Cup last weekend, and joins Mohammed Kudus, Rodrigo Bentancur, Dejan Kulusevski and James Maddison on the sidelines.

In more positive news, new signing Conor Gallagher could come straight into the starting line-up just days after arriving in a deal worth £34.7million move from Atletico Madrid.

Spurs, who have won just two of their last 12 league games, moved quickly to sign Gallagher, with injuries piling up.

Gallagher could come straight in for Bentancur at the heart of midfield, and Frank has also been boosted by the returns of Dominic Solanke and Destiny Udogie.

Solanke, who has been out since August with a recurring ankle injury, came off the bench as Spurs crashed out of the FA Cup at home to Aston Villa last weekend.

Udogie was also named on the bench for the first time since suffering a hamstring injury at the start of December.

The Italian is set to compete with 19-year-old Brazilian left back Souza for minutes, with Spurs close to completing a £13million move for the Santos defender.

Yves Bissouma has returned to the club and is available for selection after Mali’s elimination from the Africa Cup of Nations.

Moersen becomes the latest senior appointment at Spurs following several changes behind the scenes including the departure of Daniel Levy.

A statement via the Tottenham website reads: “Tottenham Hotspur is pleased to announce the appointment of Carlos Raphael Moersen as Director of Football Operations, a newly created role as part of the club’s approach to build a modern, high-performance football structure to drive long-term success.

“Rafi will lead our football administration, player care, and training ground operations, and join the Club’s Executive Leadership Team. A key part of his role will be overseeing women’s football, where we will continue to drive a renewed focus and ambition for Tottenham Hotspur Women.”

In ten years with the City Football Group (CFG), Moersen has risen up the ranks and is highly regarded.

Moersen’s previous role as Manchester City executive saw him negotiate player contracts, while he has also stepped up to support the director of football with negotiations.

Spurs majority shareholders the Lewis Family have been keen to continue to overhaul operations at Spurs, with Moersen the latest appointment.

Among the other changes at Spurs, Vinai Venkatesham was appointed CEO in April 2024 and long-serving executive director Donna-Maria Cullen stepped down in June.

Head of administration Rebecca Caplehorn will also depart Spurs around the same time as Paratici.

Moersen graduated from George Washington University and worked for DC United before joining CFG club New York City FC in 2015.

When all around you appears to be crumbling and signs of improvement are in short supply, what do you cling to? Vinai Venkatesham, if you are Thomas Frank.

“He knows how unfortunately it can take time to get up to where good should look like,” Frank said. “That’s definitely beneficial because also he understands the journey we’re on.”

Nor, from memory, did Venkatesham, below, have to ponder why exactly Arteta strolled onto the pitch before a match drinking an espresso from a cup emblazoned with Tottenham branding.

Barely six months on from the euphoria of the Europa League success, Tottenham have descended into toxic turmoil. Supporters will protest against the board on Saturday, the first such action taken since Daniel Levy’s exit.

Venkatesham’s boardroom role in helping transform the culture at Arsenal on and off the pitch was incredibly impressive. Doing something similar on the other side of north London would undoubtedly be his greatest achievement yet.

The pair have a close relationship, speaking at least every other day, and Venkatesham was key to the recruitment process that looked at more than 30 candidates before deciding on Frank.

Despite the rising temperature in the stands, Spurs’ owners, the Lewis family, have no plans to become more vocal or hands-on. The day-to-day running of the club will be left to the boardroom structure led by Venkatesham, who will have the decisive say on Frank.

Venkatesham remains keen to take a long-term view on the club’s progress and Frank will be given every chance to succeed. The club believe this job would be tough for anyone and did not expect deep-rooted issues to be fixed overnight. All the noise coming out of Spurs is that Frank, left, is not in immediate jeopardy.

The squad are not responding to his tactics for sustained periods. If they are, and Frank’s tactics are successfully being implemented, that is even more concerning.

Part of the problem is also Frank struggling to sell his vision. The charismatic figure seen at Brentford now resembles someone operating with the weight of the world on their shoulders.

Postecoglou was the master of talking up Spurs with the media. Frank, on the other hand, said in December: “No problem with big expectation if you have also earned the right to really compete for those big expectations, which I think it’s fair to say we haven’t done.”

Frank has regularly pointed to the “reality” of the club finishing 17th last season and warned there is no “quick fix”. The Tottenham Hotspur Supporters’ Trust (THST) last week accused him of overseeing a “dramatic fall in ambition”.

When Aston Villa fans chanted “you’re getting sacked in the morning” towards Frank on Saturday, pockets of the South Stand joined in. For much of the season, Spurs have been waiting for a result that gives the Frank era its lift-off. Now the sense is more of waiting for a result that finishes it off.

There is sympathy towards Frank behind the scenes at Spurs. It is accepted that the squad is not ready to match the club’s ambitions, even if it was hoped results would be better.

Too much emphasis has been placed on signings with potential and the result has been a squad ill-equipped for the present. This is a brittle team who lose their way when faced with setbacks. The squad have felt the need to huddle and walk off together at half-time in matches, often to a chorus of boos, but that has only added to an “us against them” mentality with the fans.

Frank is keen to bring in more experience and leadership. Romero was deemed the best of the captaincy options available but his impetuous streak remains. The centre-back has picked up seven bookings and a red card this season.

“They only show up when things are going well to tell a few lies,” he initially said, before editing those final five words out. Romero was not fined and instead had a “good conversation” with Frank and sporting director Johan Lange. This seemed like Spurs not feeling in a strong enough position to take on Romero.

However, Van de Ven and Djed Spence both blanked Frank on the pitch this season and there were no consequences. It is one thing to leave out a midfielder you want to sell. It is another to make a stand against star players, including your captain.

Venkatesham was at Arsenal when Arteta stripped Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang of the captaincy. That set the standards and sent a clear message. A similar statement is difficult at Spurs with so much doubt over Frank’s position, but a better culture rests on the head coach being the dominant figure in the dressing room.

For all the fan frustration towards Frank, Saturday’s protest is focused primarily on the board. Supporters’ group Change for Tottenham have called for “serious investment” and insisted that “promises are kept” on the club’s strategy.

After last season’s Europa League win, Levy said that was not enough and Spurs should be pushing for the Premier League title. His removal in September was due to a desire for “more wins, more often”, a source close to the Lewis family told Standard Sport.

A £13million move for Souza, a 19-year-old left back from Santos, will be completed and Spurs have signed Conor Gallagher for around £35m, but he is not the creative passer the midfield needs.

Club insiders speak of the difficulty of January moves. While a winger remains on the wishlist, sources suggest it would be more realistic to judge the owners’ ambitions in terms of transfer business after the summer window.

That is a long way off. This season is close to a write-off, even if the squad is significantly strengthened. Frank has described Venkatesham as “one of the best communicators I have ever met” and that is required more than ever.

Frank is not proving to be the right fit for the club; supporters are losing patience with the head coach and the hierarchy; and the Lewis family have a long way to go to show this is the new era promised. How much longer this is Frank’s mess to help solve is uncertain but it will remain Venkatesham’s. Disconnect at almost every level of the club persists and answers are his to find.

There is plenty on the line for both clubs in this London derby

Derby day: Tottenham vs West Ham

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Tottenham host West Ham in the Premier League on Saturday, in what could prove to be a pivotal game for two managers under mounting pressure.

Having been dumped out of the FA Cup at the first hurdle last time out, Spurs boss Thomas Frank will be hoping this weekend’s scoreline more closely resembles that of his side’s previous meeting with the relegation-threatened Hammers earlier this season.

Things have generally gone downhill since then, with scrutiny on the Dane ramping up with each passing game given the Lilywhites have sunk to 14th in the table. They still have a double-digit points cushion over West Ham, though, who could end the week 10 points shy of safety if they fail to win this latest London derby.

Should that happen, there will undoubtedly be even louder calls for Nuno Espirito Santo - already the club’s second manager in 2025/26 - to be sacked. For Frank, failing to win at home again could have similar consequences.

Date, kick-off time and venue

Tottenham vs West Ham is scheduled for a 3pm GMT kick-off on Saturday, January 17, 2026.

The match will take place at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, in north London.

Where to watch Tottenham vs West Ham

TV channel: In the UK, the game will not be televised live as it lands during the 3pm Saturday blackout.

Free highlights: The Sky Sports app and YouTube channel will show highlights from 5.15pm with Match of the Day broadcasting on BBC One at 10.30pm GMT.

Tottenham vs West Ham team news

Frank could bring Conor Gallagher straight into his starting line-up this weekend, with the England midfielder having completed his £34million move to Spurs from Atletico Madrid on Wednesday.

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Tottenham confirm Gallagher signing as ex-Chelsea star joins in £35m deal

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A versatile and hard-working midfielder, Gallagher could step into Spurs’ XI in several ways, including as a replacement for Rodrigo Bentancur with the Uruguayan having undergone hamstring surgery. There’s a chance Lucas Bergvall is fit and available to challenge Archie Gray and Joao Palhinha in the middle of the park, too.

Richarlison, the club’s most regular No9 this season, went off holding his hamstring in last weekend’s FA Cup loss to Aston Villa and could join the likes of Mohammed Kudus, Dejan Kulusevski and James Maddison on the sidelines.

Richarlison was subbed in the first half against Villa last Saturday after pulling up clutching his hamstring

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The extent of the Brazilian’s latest injury remains unknown ahead of Frank’s pre-match press conference, but if he misses out then Randal Kolo Muani - who came off the bench to replace him - is one option to lead the line. Another is Dominic Solanke, whose minutes are likely to be managed after months on the injury list with a recurring ankle issue ended with a brief cameo against Villa.

Destiny Udogie returned to the matchday squad in that game an unused substitute, so veteran defender Ben Davies - who started against Villa - or Djed Spence could deputise if the Italian left-back still isn’t ready. Santos defender Souza is expected to undergo his Spurs medical on Thursday, meanwhile.

The rest of the backline should, as usual, consist of Pedro Porro on the right and captain Cristian Romero - now back from suspension - plus Micky Van de Ven in central defence.

Mathys Tel, Xavi Simons and Wilson Odobert were the attacking midfield trio last time out, and could play those roles again unless Gallagher’s arrival shakes things up in that area of the pitch.

As for West Ham, there is an expectation that midfielder Mateus Fernandes should recover in time to feature against Spurs after missing the FA Cup victory over Queens Park Rangers at the weekend. If he does so, he could partner Tomas Soucek and/or Soungoutou Magassa in the middle of the park.

Argentine striker Taty Castellanos, a new £26million signing from Lazio, netted the extra-time winner in that game, during which Crysencio Summerville scored and was a bright spark, suggesting the Dutch winger should start once more as he hunts for a first league goal of the campaign.

Castellanos will expect to retain his spot too, having led the line in successive matches since his arrival, though Pablo Felipe - recently brought in from Gil Vicente - is another option.

Summerville and Castellanos celebrating against QPR

Bradley Collyer/PA Wire

There’s no doubt about skipper Jarrod Bowen’s place in the XI, most likely on the right of a front three, while Freddie Potts started at No10 against QPR and could do so again if wantaway playmaker Lucas Paqueta is ruled out.

At the back, El Hadji Malick Diouf’s prolonged involvement at the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) for Senegal means Oliver Scarles could continue to deputise at left-back, unless Kyle Walkers-Peters is shunted over there now that hitherto preferred right-back Aaron Wan-Bissaka has returned from AFCON.

Konstantinos Mavropanos will be expected to miss out due to a neck injury that forced him off on a stretcher during the QPR clash, meaning Max Kilman could instead partner Jean-Clair Todibo ahead of goalkeeper Alphonse Areola.

Tottenham vs West Ham prediction

These being two teams with just a win apiece from their last five outings in all competitions indicates how much could rest on the result here for both Frank and Nuno.

Spurs at least won in the Premier League just shortly after Christmas, whereas West Ham are winless in 10 league games. The Hammers have also won just one of their last eight league meetings against Spurs (D3 L4), a 2-1 victory on enemy soil in December 2023, and have been defeated in all six of their Premier League London derbies this season.

Despite winning only four of their most recent 24 Premier League home games (D6 L14), Spurs should have enough quality in their squad - particularly with the arrival of Gallagher helping boost Frank’s injury-hit midfield, and the return of skipper Romero to the backline - to ensure a third home victory of the campaign happens here.

It may not be by quite the same margin as September’s 3-0 rout at the London Stadium, though, given their opponents’ recent attacking reinforcements and the fact that West Ham played most of the second half of that game with 10 men.

Tottenham to win, 2-1.

Head to head (h2h) history and results

Tottenham wins: 103

West Ham wins: 67

Draws: 56

Tottenham vs West Ham match odds

Tottenham to win: 8/13

West Ham to win: 16/5

Draw: 23/10

Odds via Betfair (subject to change).

Sport | Football

Transfer news LIVE! Arsenal open talks; Chelsea defender targets; Man Utd, Liverpool latest; Spurs medical

January window nearing halfway stage

Latest transfer news: Breno Bidon, Lucas Paqueta and Souza

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Tashan Deniran-Alleyne

Transfer news LIVE!

The January transfer window remains opens for a little under three weeks, thus providing the likes of Arsenal, Chelsea, Manchester United and Liverpool with plenty of time to bolster their squads for the second half of the season. Tottenham have been active and, yesterday, confirmed the signing of Conor Gallagher from Atletico Madrid.

Spurs' business is not expected to stop there as Souza's move from Brazilian outfit Santos is nearing completion and they have reportedly revived their interest in Monaco attacking midfielder Maghnes Akliouche. Meanwhile, their north London rivals Arsenal are said to be in talks with Corinthians to sign Breno Bidon for around £20million and hope to take advantage of the situation at Real Madrid by landing Arda Guler.

Chelsea are open to doing business this month amid surprise links to Lucas Paqueta, though may prioritise outgoings rather than incomings, Manchester United have made a decision regarding three potential deals after appointing Michael Carrick as their new head coach until the end of the season and Liverpool are reportedly expecting to receive an improved offer from Juventus for Federico Chiesa, while also keeping their options for a defensive signing to cover for the injured Conor Bradley. Follow the latest transfer news, gossip and rumours live below!

Latest transfer news headlines

Paqueta agreed Flamengo contract

Lucas Paqueta has verbally agreed a four-year contract with Flamengo.

Journalist Ben Jacobs claims the Brazilian's exit from West Ham is edging closer.

Flamengo are expected to return with an improved bid after seeing a €40m offer rejected.

Paqueta has told West Ham he wants to leave, though Standard Sport understands they remain extremely reluctant to sanction an exit.

Further talks between the two clubs are expected in the coming days.

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Dyche confirms Zinchenko talks

Nottingham Forest have held talks with loanee Oleksandr Zinchenko over his future, having been largely sidelined this season.

The left-back is spending the season on loan from Arsenal, but reports claim Forest want to cut the deal short.

Head coach Sean Dyche did not go into much detail, but suggested Zinchenko has been told that minutes are unlikely to increase soon.

"We have spoken to the player, made it clear in his situation, he is aware of that, so we will see what happens," Dyche told a press conference.

"We will see what happens. We are being open with him, he is a thorough professional, he has been, and I am sure he will be going forward."

Spurs scouting Porto star Samu

Tottenham were among several clubs to send scouts to the Estadio do Dragao on Wednesday, as Porto edged Benfica 1-0 to reach the Taça de Portugal semi-finals.

A Bola reports that Spurs were joined by Barcelona, Atletico Madrid and Brentford.

For Tottenham, Samu Aghehowa was a key player to watch. The club have noted interest in the former Chelsea target, and have previously been linked with Gabri Veiga.

Samu has scored 19 goals in 25 matches this season for Porto.

AFP via Getty Images

PSG interested in unhappy Fernandez

Paris Saint-Germain are monitoring Chelsea midfielder Enzo Fernandez.

According to L’Equipe, Enzo Maresca’s departure has prompted Fernandez to consider his future due to his close relationship with the fellow Argentine.

And PSG are watching closely with a view to making a future move.

Fernandez has since established himself as a key player at Stamford Bridge, having initially struggled after his £105million move. He has eight goals and three assists in 30 games this season.

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Man City will make late move for Guehi

Manchester City are lining up a late move for Crystal Palace captain Marc Guehi before the transfer window closes.

According to talkSPORT, Palace are holding out for a fee in excess of £35million.

Negotiations could be complicated by the defender’s wage demands, with Guehi believed to be seeking around £200,000 per week. However, the England international is also aware that patience could pay off.

If he waits until the summer and leaves as a free agent, he would be in line for a substantial signing-on bonus from any interested club, giving him significant leverage over his next move in what could be a defining career decision for him.

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Leeds confirm Buonanotte loan arrival after Chelsea exit

Leeds have signed Facundo Buonanotte on loan from Brighton for the rest of the season, after his spell with Chelsea was cut short.

The young winger made just one Premier League appearance for Chelsea, with his seven other appearances coming in the cups.

One of the more peculiar transfers of the Clearlake era at Chelsea, and that’s saying something.

Liverpool set Chiesa price

Liverpool will demand more than £17million (€20m) to sell Federico Chiesa this month.

The Italian forward is of interest to former club Juventus, who want to bring him back 18 months after selling him to the Reds.

Chiesa has rarely had a look in at Liverpool, but the club are still looking to make a significant profit on the £12.5m they paid to sign him in the summer of 2024.

Juve want a loan deal with an option to buy, and would only commit to an obligation if the price is right.

REUTERS

Man Utd and Spurs in Hackney battle

Manchester United and Tottenham are ready to battle for Middlesbrough star Hayden Hackney.

According to TEAMtalk, the young midfielder is attracting plenty of Premier League interest, with Fulham and Everton also known admirers.

Middlesbrough, though, are desperate to keep hold. After last season’s big-money sale of Emmanuel Latte Lath negatively impacted their campaign, the club is keen to retain key players as they push for promotion.

Hackney, 23, has been instrumental to their success, contributing three goals and six assists in 26 league games.

Boro currently value him at £30 million, which would be a club-record sale, but believe no club will meet that figure this month. However, they accept he may need to be sold in the summer if promotion is not secured.

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Tottenham appoint John Heitinga

Tottenham have confirmed the appointment of John Heitinga as first-team assistant coach.

Heitinga will join Thomas Frank’s coaching staff following the departure of Matt Wells to Colorado Rapids last month.

Wells was an integral part of Frank’s backroom staff, and the club have moved quickly to replace him, with Heitinga taking up his first role since he was sacked as Ajax manager in November.

Click here to find out the Dutchman’s main responsibilities!

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Three ways Spurs can line up with Conor Gallagher

Conor Gallagher has finalised his £34.7million move to Tottenham.

Gallagher is likely to go straight into the Spurs squad for Saturday’s crunch game at home to West Ham, and will be pushing to start given Thomas Frank is short of options in the middle of the park.

But how exactly could he fit into Frank’s XI? Will he be a No6, No8 or even a No10?

Standard Sport’s Tottenham correspondent, Sam Tabuteau, has three possible answers.

Click here to find out!

Tottenham Hotspur

Latest updatesOlder updates

Conor Gallagher has revealed that he wanted to become a Tottenham player after he became the club’s first signing of the January transfer window.

The England midfielder completed a £34.6million move Atletico Madrid on Wednesday, bolstering Thomas Frank’s midfield at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

It had been previously reported that Aston Villa were interested in signing Gallagher, but Spurs have beaten their rivals to his signature.

The former Chelsea man left the Premier League for Spain in 2024, and after a year and a half in Madrid, he has returned to his homeland.

Spurs moved quickly to secure his signature, having lost Rodrigo Bentancur to a serious hamstring injury in a huge blow.

“I'm so happy and excited to be here, taking the next step in my career at an amazing club,” Gallagher told the Spurs club website.

“I wanted to be a Spurs player and thankfully the club felt the same. It was very easy, it happened very quickly and I'm ready to get on the pitch.

“I know how great the fans are, I’m really happy to be a part of it here and want to create special moments and memories together.”

Gallagher played 77 games for Atleti, scoring seven goals in his time at the Wanda Metropolitano.

He burst onto the Premier League scene on loan at Crystal Palace in 2021-22, playing 39 games and scoring eight goals for the Eagles.

He then forced his way into Chelsea’s first-team picture, going on to make 95 appearances for the Blues, adding 10 goals and 10 assists.

“Conor is a top midfielder, who we have worked tirelessly to add to our squad,” Frank said.

“He is still young, so has plenty of room for improvement, but also has huge experience across the Premier League, La Liga and with the England national team.

“Conor has captained teams so will bring leadership, maturity, character and personality to our dressing room, while his running power, pressing ability and eye for goal will strengthen us in a key area of the pitch.

“I’m excited about working with him every day and I know the fans will love what he will bring to the team.”

A mass brawl, including players and staff from both teams, was sparked on the pitch at full-time at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium as Spurs crashed out of the FA Cup.

The brawl was initiated after Spurs midfielder Joao Palhinha pushed Ollie Watkins for celebrating in front of the away fans as Villa secured their place in the fourth round.

Villa players Morgan Rogers and Lamare Bogarde then intervened before players and staff streamed across the pitch to try to break up the altercation.

Asked about the incident in his post-match press conference, Spurs boss Thomas Frank accused Watkins, who walked into Palhinha before celebrating with the Villa fans, of being provocative.

“I don’t think so. I guess you have seen the situation through? I just saw it to be sure I saw what I saw. Of course, it’s all about keeping a cool head,” Frank said in his post-match press conference.

“The players gave everything, everything out there, (but) losing a tight game, season not going perfect and I think Ollie is very provoking.

“The way he is going down to celebrate in front of the Villa fans, and he is walking into Joao, he can just easily walk around. I think everyone that has been in a competitive nature, that is difficult and can trigger things.”

Spurs, who were without captain Cristian Romero as he served a further one-game suspension following his sending off against Liverpool, contributed to a feisty encounter against Villa.

Palhinha, in particular, was guilty of a number of robust challenges, but Frank said he did not believe his side had a discipline problem.

“I think it's like you need to play with passion. And when you play with passion, then sometimes you play to the line. And sometimes a little bit borderline,” Frank continued.

“So, I see players with big passion that want to do very well for the club. And I think that's very important. And of course, you also need cool heads.”

Spurs moved quickly to tie up a deal worth £34.7million for the midfielder, who has signed a five-and-a-half-year deal at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

The former Chelsea man returns to the capital - and the Premier League - after a year and a half in Madrid, where he played 77 games for Atleti, scoring seven goals.

“I'm so happy and excited to be here, taking the next step in my career at an amazing club,” Gallagher said.

“I wanted to be a Spurs player and thankfully the club felt the same. It was very easy, it happened very quickly and I'm ready to get on the pitch.

“I know how great the fans are, I’m really happy to be a part of it here and want to create special moments and memories together.”

Head coach Thomas Frank said: “Conor is a top midfielder, who we have worked tirelessly to add to our squad.

“He is still young, so has plenty of room for improvement, but also has huge experience across the Premier League, La Liga and with the England national team.

“Conor has captained teams so will bring leadership, maturity, character and personality to our dressing room, while his running power, pressing ability and eye for goal will strengthen us in a key area of the pitch.

“I’m excited about working with him every day and I know the fans will love what he will bring to the team.”

Gallagher has 21 senior England caps to his name but has not been called up by Thomas Tuchel since the German took charge of the national side.

Spurs were in the market for a midfielder following their latest injury blow, which saw Rodrigo Bentancur ruled out for three months with a hamstring problem.

Frank had gone public with his wishes for reinforcement across the squad, bemoaning his side’s lack of depth in their latest defeat by Aston Villa in the FA Cup.

Lucas Bergvall is also sidelined with injury, while Pape Matar Sarr remains on Africa Cup of Nations duty with Senegal.

January window in full flow after frantic 24 hours

Transfer news: Marc Guehi, Conor Gallagher and Maghnes Akliouche

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Tashan Deniran-Alleyne

Transfer news LIVE!

The January transfer window is approaching the halfway point as Arsenal, Chelsea, Manchester United and Tottenham all work on deals to bolster their respective squads for the second part of the season. The big news from Tuesday was saw Spurs hijack Aston Villa for Conor Gallagher, who is expected to finalise his £34million move from Atletico Madrid and become Thomas Franks’s second signing of the month, after Souza.

Man United have confirmed the appointment of Michael Carrick as their head coach until the end of the season and he is said to be targeting a midfielder amid links to Elliot Anderson and Marcos Llorente. Elsewhere, Arsenal have been handed an update regarding their pursuit of Crystal Palace captain Marc Guehi and reportedly have joined Chelsea in the race for Real Madrid superstar Vinicius Jr.

The Blues are also said to be weighing up whether to recall Kendry Paez from a loan spell at Strasbourg, while Liverpool are apparently pushing to sign a new right-back after losing Conor Bradley to a season-ending injury. Follow the latest transfer news, gossip and rumours live below!

Latest transfer news headlines

Spurs nearing deal for forgotten £13m striker

In more news from north London, Tottenham have reportedly reached an agreement in principle with Brazilian side Bahia over Alejo Veliz.

The 22-year-old Argentine striker is currently on loan from Spurs at Rosario Central, where he began his senior career in his home country, so the Lilywhites must terminate that loan deal in order for any new move to be completed.

Veliz signed a six-year deal with Tottenham worth an estimated £13 million in 2023, but made just one start for the club - in that season’s EFL Trophy - plus a handful of substitute appearances, scoring twice, before going out on successive loans, first to Sevilla and Espanyol before returning to Rosario last summer.

Veliz playing for Spurs against Liverpool back in 2023

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Spurs tie 'exciting' England full-back down to new 'long-term' deal

Ella Morris has signed a new long-term contract with Tottenham’s women’s team, the club has announced.

England youth international Morris, 23, enjoyed an impressive Women’s Super League (WSL) debut campaign with Spurs and earned a call-up to the Lionesses’ senior squad in May, shortly before suffering an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury in training that has kept her side-lined ever since.

The full-back, who is now stepping up her recovery as Spurs sit level in the WSL standings with Arsenal and just four points back from second-placed Chelsea as things stand, said: “I’m very excited.

“It’s an amazing club to be a part of. Just seeing the growth of the team from last season to this season, how [head coach] Martin [Ho] has come in and given the girls a sense of belief.

“It’s an exciting time to be a part of it, where we’re pushing in the league now. It’s definitely a club with ambition, and a club I want to be a part of.”

Ho added: “Ella is one of the most exciting young full-backs in the country and we are absolutely delighted that she has committed her future to Tottenham Hotspur.

City sign USWNT midfielder Coffey

Manchester City Women have picked up Sam Coffey from Portland Thorns for around £600,000, marking the Women's Super League's biggest transfer of the winter window so far.

The 27-year-old midfielder, who guided Portland to the NWSL play-off semi-finals as club captain last year, has signed a three-and-a-half-year deal with City.

Coffey, a regular in the US national team with five goals and four assists in 42 appearances for her country as well as a gold medal from the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, said: "City really stood out from the get-go.

“First and foremost, the style of play, and when I watch the team play the girls look and seem happy, and they seem so close and connected.

“I think I’m at a place in my career where I feel ready and settled in as a pro. It feels like the right time to really challenge myself in this way.

“The fact it’s official, I’m here and it’s all real and happening is just so exciting, and I couldn’t be more ready and happy about everything.”

Sam Coffey (L) playing for the USWNT

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Bournemouth plan to keep Tavernier despite Premier League interest

Bournemouth have no plans to sell Marcus Tavernier despite an enquiry from Nottingham Forest.

The Cherries have lost their most potent attacking threat already this month, with Antoine Semenyo joining Manchester City, and are against letting 26-year-old Tavernier - who joined from Middlesbrough in 2022 - leave as well.

The Englishman has scored four goals and set up three more in the Premier League so far this reason, and could be set for an increasingly important role following Semenyo’s departure.

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Arsenal recall Agyemang

Arsenal have recalled Michelle Agyemang from her loan to Brighton as she continues to recover from an ACL injury.

Agyemang starred at the Euros last summer and was named BBC Young Personality of the Year in December.

Her strong start to the WSL season was cut short after she suffered an ACL rupture on international duty, for which she has undergone surgery.

Upon her departure, Brighton WFC coach Dario Vidosic said: “It was a real privilege to welcome Michelle back in the summer and work with her for another season. Naturally, we’re disappointed that her second loan spell with the club has come to an end, but her rehab and mental well-being must remain the priority.

“For someone so young, her talent on the pitch and her strength of character off it are truly remarkable. She has been a leader within our squad, and we’re confident she’ll be back on the pitch very soon.”

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DONE DEAL: An Ibrahimovic returns to Ajax

Maximilian Ibrahimović, son of Zlatan, has signed with Ajax on loan with an option to buy from AC Milan.

His father scored 48 goals in three years at the club.

“It is cool that he also played for Ajax,” said Maximilian of his father. I am happy that I have the opportunity to play here also.

“Ibrahimovic is just a name, and I am just Maximilian.”

Chelsea's Datro Fofana plan

Chelsea are hoping to offload striker David Datro Fofana in this transfer window.

The 23-year-old joined Chelsea from Molde in 2023, but has not managed to crack the first-team, nor has he impressed overly in loan spells with Union Berlin, Göztepe, Burnley, and Fatih Karagümrük, where he is currently plying his trade.

All parties are interested in finding him a permanent move this month, with Fabrizio Romano reporting that Celtic, Royal Antwerp, and Derby County have expressed an interest in doing a deal.

Since joining Chelsea, Datro Fofana has scored 16 goals in 61 appearances for six teams, including the Blues’ Under-21s.

He was recalled from Goztepe after suffering a season-ending knee injury in February.

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Spurs issue new transfer message

Tottenham insist it will be “business as usual moving forward” in the transfer market despite the exit of sporting director Fabio Paratici.

Spurs have confirmed Paratici is moving back to Italy to join Fiorentina at the end of January window.

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Chelsea to recall loanee

Chelsea plan to recall goalkeeper Teddy Sharman-Lowe from his loan to Bolton Wanderers, according to BBC Sport.

The 22-year-old has been a regular in the side this season, keeping six clean sheets.

The BBC add Chelsea will consider ‘all options’, and that there is potential for him to join the Blues’ first-team goalkeeper union, currently made up of Robert Sanchez, Filip Jorgensen, and Gabriel Slonina.

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Palace negotiating for Ligue 1 striker Cherif

Down in south London, Crystal Palace are reportedly negotiating for teenaged forward Sidiki Cherif.

The 19-year-old France youth international is capable of playing both out wide and centrally, and has scored four times in 17 Ligue 1 appearances for Angers so far this season.

He has two-and-a-half years left on his current deal with the French side, with a potential transfer fee of around €25million said to have been mentioned in the discussions.

The Eagles have already signed Brennan Johnson from Spurs for a club-record £35m this month.

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Latest updatesOlder updates

K-pop superstars BTS are to play two shows at London’s Tottenham Hotspur Stadium as part of a huge comeback tour starting in April.

The K-pop septet has announced a 2026 - 2027 world tour, kicking off in South Korea in April and running through March 2027 with over 70 dates across Asia, North America, South America, Australia and Europe.

They mark the group's first headline performances since their 2021-22 Permission to Dance on Stage tour.

The band will come to London on July 6 and 7.

A presale will take place January 22 and January 23 for ARMY Membership holders who register on Weverse, an online fan platform owned by BTS management company HYBE.

The news arrives a few weeks after the entertainment company BigHit Music revealed that BTS will make their return to music on March 20 with their first album in five years, following a nearly four-year hiatus.

That's because all seven members of BTS - RM, Jin, Jimin, V, Suga, Jung Kook and j-hope - had to complete South Korea's mandatory military service.

Rapper Suga was the last group member to be released, from his duties as a social service agent, an alternative to serving in the military that he reportedly chose due to a shoulder injury. That was in June 2025.