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Manchester United have no ambitions to extend Jadon Sancho's contract in hope of selling him for a fee this summer.

The i Paper says United chiefs are ready to cut ties with the England winger currently on loan at Aston Villa.

That means the 25-year-old will become a free agent in July.

Manchester City sporting director Hugo Viana is preparing to make an offer for Marc Guehi before the window shuts.

TalkSPORT say City are ready to test the waters with Crystal Palace seeking more than £35million for their captain.

The report claims Guehi is seeking wages of around £200,000 a week.

But the England international knows if he waits until the summer to become a free agent, he can also bank a big signing-on fee whoever he joins.

Brazilian left-back Souza will undergo a medical today to complete a move to Tottenham.

A £13million deal has been agreed with Santos for Spurs to recruit the fleet-footed teenager.

The 19-year-old has made 38 appearances for Santos in total and is a former Brazil U17 international.

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Manchester United insiders are fearful Bruno Fernandes will finally leave the club this calendar year, say reports.

Sources have told The i Paper there is a general fear that Fernandes is fed up with the mess United are in and will try to engineer an exit.

The captain, 31, has fielded interest from Saudi Arabia before while Bayern Munich are another potential destination.

Fernandes' contract reportedly includes a clause giving him permission to join a club outside England for £57million.

Tottenham and Aston Villa have been hit with misconduct charges following their heated FA Cup third-round encounter. Morgan Rogers' strike secured a 2-1 triumph for Unai Emery's men on Saturday, eliminating Spurs from the competition. As the final whistle blew, Ollie Watkins' celebrations in front of Villa's away supporters prompted an aggressive response from Joao Palhinha.

The Tottenham midfielder shoved the opposing forward, which immediately drew the attention of Morgan Rogers and Lamare Bogarde. Personnel from both benches rushed towards the incident, triggering a mass confrontation.

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An FA spokesperson confirmed: "Tottenham Hotspur FC and Aston Villa FC have been charged with misconduct following their FA Cup match on Saturday 10 January.

"It's alleged that both clubs failed to ensure their players and/or officials did not behave in an improper and/or provocative way after the final whistle. Aston Villa FC and Tottenham Hotspur FC have until Friday 16 January to provide a response."

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Speaking after the final whistle, Thomas Frank suggested that Watkins had deliberately antagonised Palhinha.

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

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"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."

Addressing concerns over Tottenham's disciplinary record, Frank insisted his squad's enthusiasm to end their three-match winless streak was the driving force behind their intensity.

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The Spurs manager explained: "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.

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"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."

Former Chelsea striker Tammy Abraham could make a return to the Premier League - and a return to Aston Villa - this month.

The Athletic say Unai Emery is a big fan of the 28-year-old who is on loan at Besiktas from Roma.

And if Donyell Malen departs Villa before the window shuts, Abraham is his preferred replacement.

Everton are considering a move for Youssef En-Nesyri, according to reports.

The Moroccan, 28, has eight goals in 25 games for Fenerbahce this season but talks have begun over a potential move to Merseyside.

En-Nesyri is famous for knocking Man Utd out of the Europa League with Sevilla in 2023, when he scored a brace in the second leg.

Barcelona are reluctant to pay the £26million fee agreed with Manchester United to sign Marcus Rashford in the summer - but will try to negotiate a lower fee.

That's according to talkSPORT who say Barca have sounded out United over the idea of a cheaper deal.

The Spanish giants have also floated the possibility of a second loan with an obligation to make the move permanent depending on certain conditions.

Rashford is eager to stay in Spain and Barca want to keep him.

An intervention from Thomas Frank helped ensure Conor Gallagher will become a Tottenham player this week.

The Atletico Madrid and England midfielder is headed to Spurs for just shy of £35million.

And the Telegraph say Frank had a big part to play in steering Gallagher towards north London instead of Aston Villa.

The Spurs boss personally spoke to the 25-year-old to discuss his plans for the player and convince him to join the club despite their struggles this term.

Liverpool are 'pushing' to bring Marc Guehi to Anfield in a free summer transfer, say Sky Sports.

The Crystal Palace captain has the pick of multiple clubs should he wait until the end of the season to move.

He is out of contract with the Eagles and has interest from Man City, who are keen to buy him now, Liverpool, Arsenal, Bayern Munich and others.

Liverpool are keen to sign him for free given Ibrahima Konate currently stands to leave the Reds for nothing.

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Ruben Neves could be the first, and only, signing of the Michael Carrick interim era at Manchester United.

The Guardian report that United are considering a January move for Neves from Al-Hilal.

The former Wolves man is still only 28 and would improve the Red Devils' midfield options.

With the Portugal international out of contract in the summer, Neves could be available for a bargain fee of around £20million this month.

Conor Gallagher is set to be denied his dream shirt number at Tottenham. The 25-year-old is closing in on a £34.7million move to north London after Spurs pipped Aston Villa to his signature.

Thomas Frank's side moved fast to bring a new central midfielder through the doors after it was revealed Rodrigo Bentancur is expected to miss a matter of months with a hamstring injury.

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Spurs are long-time admirers of England international Gallagher and tried to sign him before he moved to Atletico in 2024. But now, it appears that Tottenham are finally about to get their man with the England star flying in ahead of his medical and announcement.

Should Gallagher move to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, he would be denied his preferred shirt number, however. The Epsom-born midfielder has donned the No.4 shirt since his move to Atletico and wore the same number in his most recent appearance for the England national team.

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But that number is currently occupied by Kevin Danso at Spurs, with the Austria international taking up that jersey since his initial loan move - and then £21m permanent transfer - from Lens last January.

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For the previous three years before his move to Atletico, Gallagher wore No.23 during his loan at Crystal Palace and then his time in the first team at Chelsea. Once again, that specific number is taken at Spurs.

Pedro Porro has donned 23 since he joined - first on loan and then permanently - Spurs from Sporting CP in January 2023.

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However, the number Gallagher wore in his loan spell at West Brom in the 2020/21 season is indeed still available. He took on the No.18 jersey during his time at the Hawthorns in the Covid-19-disrupted campaign.

Other shirt numbers Gallagher has worn in his senior club career are 33, 11 and 51. Unfortunately for him, 33 has been taken by Ben Davies since 2024, while 11 is Mathys Tel's shirt number.

But unsurprisingly, 51 is free and available, with Matthew Craig the last player to have that number in 2022/23. Milos Veljkovic, John Bostock and Adam Smith are the others to have worn that shirt in the past.

There are several more obvious shirt numbers available for Gallagher to take, with 2, 5, 12, 16, 22 and 25 free. 16 is a number that Gallagher has had on his back twice for England before, in 2022/23 and 2023/24.

The Atletico midfielder is poised to sign for Tottenham this week and could make his debut against West Ham on Saturday. Spurs then face Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League before travelling to Burnley and Eintracht Frankfurt.

The January transfer window could offer one last opportunity for Ivan Toney to make a Premier League comeback before the World Cup 2026 and the Al-Ahli striker has been in exceptional form. The England international, 29, netted twice in his team's first match since the turn of the year and found the back of the net again over the weekend. Toney scored the winner in Al-Ahli's 1-0 Saudi Pro League victory over Al-Okhdood on Saturday. It was his ninth goal in 12 league matches this season and his 17th in all competitions, helping his team finish the weekend in fourth place.

The ex-Brentford forward made a big-money move to Saudi Arabia in the summer of 2024 and adapted swiftly to his new environment, scoring 30 goals in all competitions last season. Despite his form, he has largely been overlooked for the England squad, playing just two minutes for the national team since Thomas Tuchel took the reins as manager in January 2025. A return to the Premier League could be the way in which Toney makes a last-ditch attempt to get back into Tuchel's favour. Everton appear to have been priced out of a move for the striker, who is earning a hefty weekly wage in Saudi Arabia, though a reunion with former Brentford manager Thomas Frank at Tottenham continues to be mooted.

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Sky Sports previously reported that Toney is open to a return to England to enhance his chances of securing a place in Tuchel's World Cup squad, although Al-Ahli are reportedly not in a hurry to sell. Any move would need to be the right one, but Spurs' performance this season may persuade the London club that they need additional attacking options.

Injuries to key players Dejan Kulusevski, James Maddison and Dominic Solanke have left Frank's squad thin on players in attacking positions. Despite making a return from the bench in the FA Cup clash against Aston Villa, Solanke hasn't started a game since May and may need time to return to match-sharpness.

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Spurs' attacking line-up has also been hit by the loss of Mohammed Kudus due to injury, with his return not expected until spring. The sale of Brennan Johnson to Crystal Palace for a reported £35million has further depleted their ranks, but Frank hinted at potential reinforcements in the January transfer window.

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"I think, when you want to improve the squad, of course there are some positions that are maybe more obvious than others, but we are out there," Frank said. "If we can improve the squad, we'll improve the squad."

England midfielder Conor Gallagher and Brazilian full-back Souza are both believed to be on the verge of joining Spurs, while speculation continues over a possible reunion between Frank and Toney, given their impressive link-up at Brentford. Toney netted 36 goals in 83 Premier League appearances under Frank, including a 20-goal haul in the 2022/23 season which was the third highest in the league behind Erling Haaland and former Spurs star Harry Kane.

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Frank had high praise for Toney back in February 2024, even while acknowledging his likely departure from the Brentford side he managed at the time. "I don't think there are many strikers in the world who are better than him right now," he said. "He's a really good striker who is in his prime footballing age."

Tottenham Hotspur are on the brink of a marquee signing, with Atletico Madrid's Conor Gallagher in their sights. Spurs have ramped up their pursuit of the ex-Chelsea star, despite stiff competition from Premier League rivals Aston Villa. The north London club's quest for midfield reinforcements took on greater urgency following the news that Rodrigo Bentancur is set for a three-month layoff due to hamstring surgery. It's understood that Spurs and Atletico have now agreed on a deal worth approximately €40million (£34.7m), leaving Villa - who had hoped to secure Gallagher on loan with an option to buy - out in the cold.

Gallagher is expected to arrive in London early this week to complete his medical and finalise the transfer. He will pen a long-term contract, with personal terms not anticipated to pose any problems. Atletico were more inclined to offload the 25-year-old permanently this month rather than agree to a loan with an option or obligation to buy in the summer. Tottenham's readiness to commit to an outright purchase has been instrumental in outmanoeuvring Villa in the race for the midfield maestro.

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While other clubs expressed interest, they were either unwilling to commit to a permanent deal this month or would have preferred a loan arrangement with a view to a future purchase.

Spurs' apparent triumph in securing Gallagher's services will be a significant setback for Villa, as Unai Emery grapples with a shortage of midfielders due to injuries to Boubacar Kamara, Amadou Onana and Ross Barkley.

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For the North London outfit, this is a major coup as they strive to bounce back from a dismal winter spell that saw them secure just two victories in 12 Premier League games, leaving them languishing in 14th place.

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It seems Spurs have taken lessons from past blunders, such as the chaotic Eberechi Eze saga last summer, which saw the midfielder make a last-minute switch to their bitter north London rivals, Arsenal.

This time around, however, Spurs appear to have gained the upper hand over one of their Premier League adversaries, and it's a move that should prove beneficial for both parties.

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Gallagher has found regular first-team football hard to come by under Diego Simeone this season, having made a mere four starts in LaLiga, and he now stands on the cusp of a Premier League return.

He'll be hoping a fresh start enhances his chances of impressing Thomas Tuchel and securing a spot in England's World Cup squad this summer.

Before his move to Atletico, Gallagher had a highly successful stint in the English top-flight, making a name for himself during an impressive loan spell at Crystal Palace in the 2021-22 season. He returned to Stamford Bridge to play a pivotal role in the first team and even wore the captain's armband before being nudged towards the exit in a £33m deal.

Boasting 136 Premier League appearances, including a loan stint at West Brom before his standout season at Palace, he has netted 18 goals and provided 13 assists.

At the age of 25, he still has much to contribute and will bring a wealth of experience to a team in dire need of a lift.

Frank's tenure has been challenging since his summer move from Brentford, with the FA Cup third-round loss to Aston Villa adding further strain on the head coach.

With only five victories in his last 20 matches and seven losses in his last 13 across all competitions, Frank is banking on new additions to turn the tide.

Spurs are also on the verge of securing another signing, with highly-regarded Brazilian left-back Souza nearing a £13m transfer from Santos.

Conor Gallagher is poised to join Tottenham from Atletico Madrid in the coming days with an agreement between the two clubs reportedly close. The energetic England international, formerly of Chelsea, has fallen out of favour in Spain and Spurs have submitted an offer just shy of £35million for the 25-year-old, which Atletico are expected to accept.

Aston Villa had also shown strong interest in signing Gallagher in the January transfer window but no agreements were reached. And that has allowed Tottenham to swoop in. They look set to bring the player back to England after 18 months in La Liga. Gallagher had been a regular under Diego Simeone in his first season at the Wanda Metropolitano, making 50 appearances, but has struggled for minutes in his second campaign.

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The player who Atletico spent £38million to sign in the summer of 2024 has only started four times in La Liga this term. He started the Supercopa de Espana semi-final loss to Real Madrid in Saudi Arabia last Thursday but is now expected to move on.

The Athletic say Gallagher is keen to make the move back to London and Atleti are expected to accept Spurs' £34.7m bid. He will be hoping to put himself back in the picture for the England squad ahead of this summer's World Cup.

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Gallagher has 22 caps for the Three Lions but has not represented his country since playing 59 minutes of the defeat to Senegal last June. Thomas Tuchel's men have since won six matches in a row, while not conceding a single goal, and Gallagher has not been in any of the German's last three squads.

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Spurs are looking to strengthen their midfield with Rodrigo Bentancur facing over three months out injured. The Uruguayan international requires hamstring surgery after suffering an issue in the defeat at Bournemouth last week.

The north London club have also lost Mohammed Kudus to a long-term injury this month. The Ghana winger will not return until after the March international break due to a thigh problem.

Gallagher's imminent arrival comes at a time when manager Thomas Frank is under increasing pressure. The former Brentford boss has overseen a disappointing start to the season. Spurs sit 14th in the Premier League table after 21 games, having only won seven.

They crashed out of the FA Cup at the third-round stage on Saturday, losing 2-1 at home to Aston Villa. Frank's men were also dumped out of the Carabao Cup in the fourth round away at Newcastle. In the Champions League they have won three of six matches and sit 11th in the table.

That means they will face a two-legged playoff to reach the round of 16 as it stands, with wins likely needed over both Borussia Dortmund and Eintracht Frankfurt to secure a top-eight finish in Europe.

Transfer news LIVE: Man Utd star says goodbye as Tottenham close in on £35m deal

All the latest news and updates with the January transfer window fully in swing.

Manchester City are the only top Premier League side to significantly strengthen their team in the January transfer window, with Antoine Semenyo joining for £64million and already scoring on his debut against Exeter City in a 10-1 FA Cup victory, but more signings are expected to follow.

Marc Guehi's future remains up for debate, with City and Arsenal joining Liverpool in the race for the Crystal Palace captain. His contract is up at the end of the season, but Pep Guardiola's side want to sign him this month as a result of injuries to Josko Gvardiol, Ruben Dias and John Stones. Tottenham are thought to be active also, with former Chelsea midfielder Conor Gallagher in their sights. Here, Express Sport takes a look at the latest January transfer news and rumours...

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KEY EVENTS

Newcastle sanction second exit07:27

Man Utd winger says goodbye07:24

Tottenham close in on Gallagher

Tottenham are nearing a deal to bring Conor Gallagher from Atletico Madrid back to the Premier League.

Spurs are closing in on an agreement in the region of £35million to buy the former Chelsea midfielder.

Aston Villa had also been keen on Gallagher but The Athletic say Atletico are expected to accept Spurs' offer for the England international.

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Newcastle make announcement

Newcastle United defender Sven Botman has signed a new long-term contract with the club until the summer of 2030, the Magpies have announced.

Botman joined from Lille for £35million in July 2022 and has since made 91 first-team appearances.

Man Utd next manager latest

Manchester United are close to agreeing terms with Michael Carrick.

The former United midfielder is set to become interim manager of the club until the end of the season.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer had also been in the running to replace Ruben Amorim but Express Sport understands several senior players expressed reservations about the Norwegian returning.

Arsenal refuse Ben White sale

Arsenal have absolutely no interest in selling Ben White this month amid rumoured interest from Everton.

Football.london confirm that the Gunners do not wish to let White leave this month as they target Premier League, Carabao Cup, FA Cup and Champions League glory.

White's contract does not expire until the summer of 2028 and also contains the option of a 12-month extension.

The north Londoners will reassess the defender's future come the end of the campaign.

Man Utd recall

Manchester United have recalled young striker Ethan Wheatley from his loan at Northampton Town.

The 19-year-old has made 25 appearances for the League club this season. United are said to be pleased with how Wheatley’s loan went but plan to loanhim out elsewhere for the second-half of the season.

Cobblers boss Kevin Nolan said: “We are disappointed Ethan has been recalled but we are proud of the work we have done with him and believe he leaves us a far better player than he arrived.”

Guehi update

Manchester City remain intent on persuading Marc Guehi to join the club this month. according to The Independent.

City are said to have engaged in talks with Crystal Palace.

Guehi is claimed to be open to the move.

Senesi chase

Juventus are confident of signing Bournemouth star Marcos Senesi’s contract at Bournemouth, despite interest from Barcelona.

According to Tuttosport, Juve are expected to hold talks to assess the cost and feasibility of a deal. Senesi is out of contract in the summer but Juve are aiming to move quickly to avoid increased competition.

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Paqueta exit

Lucas Paqueta wants to leave West Ham this month, according to talkSPORT.

The Brazilian midfielder is said to be keen on a return to his homeland, with the Hammers in trouble at the bottom of the Premier League.

Unsurprisingly, Nuno Espirito Santo wants to keep his star player for the battle.

New WBA boss

Former Manchester United first-team coach Eric Ramsay has been appointed as West Bromwich Albion's new boss.

The Baggies sacked ex-Tottenham ace Ryan Mason after a poor run of form. Ramsay moves to the Hawthorns from Minnesota United in Major League Soccer.

Ex-Arsenal defender completes move

Ex-Arsenal defender Pablo Mari has signed for Saudi Pro League side Al-Hilal.

Mari, who played for the Gunners between 2020 and 2023, has played for Monza and Fiorentina since.

He only joined the latter last summer but has quickly moved on to make the switch to the Middle East.

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Mazraoui interest

Juventus are interested in Manchester United ace Noussair Mazraoui.

Italian outlet Gazzetta dello Sport report that the Serie A side are stepping up their bid to sign a right-back. It is said Mazraoui, who is currently at AFCON, is believed to be open to leaving Old Trafford in search of a new challenge before the summer's World Cup.

Spurs loan chance

Tottenham goalkeeper Antonin Kinsky is open to a January loan following Tottenham's FA Cup exit to Aston Villa.

A faft of clubs including West Ham, Wolves, Freiburg, Besiktas & Auxerre have all shown varying degrees of interest.

Howe transfer statement

Newcastle boss Eddie Howe has explained the club's transfer position.

"Regarding transfers, everybody is really supportive," he said. "I think the problem for us is PSR. I don't think there is any issue with anyone saying we can't do this and we can't do that.

"It's more about what we can do, not what we can't do. The key thing for us to consider is business now versus business in the summer.

"It's value for money now, value for money in the summer, and signing the right player. If you sign the wrong player now you are carrying that for a three, four or five year contract.

"Are the right players available in January? There is a lot to discuss and a lot to consider for our short-term needs and long-term decisions for the football club."

Mane man

Manchester United and Liverpool are plotting a move for Wolves star Mateus Mane.

The relegation-threatened side have little intention of selling the 18-year-old, but TeamTalk claim the two sides have been impressed with Mane’s performances.

Surprise move

Everton could launch a surprise move for Ben White this month after discovering Jayden Bogle is reluctant to join, according to reports.

White has struggled for playing time this season, and Jurrien Timber has locked down the spot of Mikel Arteta's right back.

Newcastle want defender

Newcastle are looking to add Atalanta centre-back Giorgio Scalvini, reports Teamtalk, following a significant injury to Fabian Schar.

The Magpies defender suffered an ankle injury that is set to keep him out of action.

Newcastle are now prepared to step up their interest in the £35m-rated Serie A ace, it is claimed.

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Arsenal 'talks'

Arsenal have reportedly opened talks over a move for PSG star Bradley Barcola.

Spanish outlet Fichajes claim that the north London side have opened negotiations with the Ligue 1 giants. The 23-year-old forward is also said to be of interest to Liverpool.

Barcola’s lack of game time at PSG means he is thought to be open to a move.

Abraham return

Aston Villa want to see Tammy Abraham return to the club, according to The Telegraph.

The ex-Chelsea striker is on loan at Besiktas from Roma this season, but is reportedly of interest to Villa to offer support and competition for Ollie Watkins.

Abraham spent the 2018/19 season on loan at Villa Park and helped the club earn promotion from the Championship.

Besiktas can sign Abraham permanently for £11.2m if certain conditions are met. So it won't be a simple deal to do.

Tottenham hatch Conor Gallagher plan

Tottenham want to sign former Chelsea midfielder Conor Gallagher this month, but face competition from Aston Villa.

Football.london claim that Spurs have renewed their interest in the England midfielder, who has struggled to nail down a starting role at Atletico Madrid this season.

Diego Simeone's side are unwilling to sanction a loan, but both Spurs and Villa are interested in signing Gallagher permanently.

Villa have already opened talks regarding a transfer and Spurs are now stepping up their interest.

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Newcastle sanction second exit

A shakeup to the Newcastle academy has caused reserve team captain Cathal Heffernan to leave the club in January.

Coach Adam Lawrence left yesterday after only four months in the job, and Chronicle Live claim that former AC Milan talent Heffernan is also joining him out the door.

The news comes after Newcastle sold Ben Parkinson to Falkirk this weekend.

Alfie Harrison could also leave and Joe White is set for another loan move.

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Man Utd winger says goodbye

Manchester United starlet Sam Mather has confirmed his exit from the club as he is set to join Turkish side Kayserispor.

After over a decade in the United setup, the winger wrote: “After 14 years my time at Man Utd has come to an end.

“I would like to thank all the staff and players who have helped me become the person and player I am today.

“I will always be grateful for my time here and wish the club all the best.

“On a personal note it’s time for me to move forward and I can’t wait to get started!”

Good morning

Hello and welcome to Express Sport's live coverage of the transfer window, where we will be bringing you all the latest news and updates concerning January transfers...

Tottenham's Rodrigo Bentancur is expected to be sidelined for at least the next three months due to a hamstring injury that requires surgery. The 28-year-old midfielder sustained the injury during Spurs' loss to Bournemouth last week, just before Antoine Semenyo scored the winning goal for the home team.

The Uruguayan now faces surgery and a lengthy rehabilitation period, which will likely keep him out of action for most of the remainder of the season. Bentancur has been instrumental under Thomas Frank, starting all but four of Tottenham's Premier League matches and every Champions League game this season, making a total of 28 appearances. He was on track to complete his fourth full match in 11 days when he suffered the hamstring injury.

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The former Juventus player missed nearly nine months of play due to an ACL injury during Tottenham's 2022/23 season, and this is set to be the second-longest absence of his career. Bentancur hopes to return in time for the final months of the Premier League season and to regain match fitness ahead of Uruguay's World Cup fixtures in the summer.

Despite being awarded a lucrative, long-term contract by Spurs in October, Bentancur now joins the growing list of injured players currently unavailable to Frank.

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The Dane has lost £55million summer signing Mohammed Kudus until April due to a quad issue, while Richarlison was forced to leave the pitch in the first half of the FA Cup defeat at home to Aston Villa on Saturday with a hamstring problem.

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Frank has only recently welcomed Dominic Solanke back into the squad after nearly five months out with an ankle injury, but still has James Maddison and Dejan Kulusevski in the treatment room as long-term casualties.

Spurs were already considering adding another midfielder to their ranks, and this has now become a priority following this latest injury, with Lucas Bergvall also missing the cup defeat to Villa due to what appeared to be a re-injured groin against Bournemouth.

Archie Gray and Joao Palhinha are currently the only fit central midfielders for Spurs, with the out-of-favour and soon-to-be out-of-contract Yves Bissouma on his way back from the Africa Cup of Nations following Mali's exit, and Pape Matar Sarr still there with Senegal.

Long-time target Conor Gallagher is thought to have been identified as a potential midfield target, according to football.london, although Spurs would face stiff competition from high-flying Villa for the 25-year-old England international, who has struggled for regular starts this season at Atletico Madrid.

Yet, the overall quality of football has been disappointing. The fans' discontent is palpable, as evidenced by the boos echoing around the stadium at half-time during the home defeat to Aston Villa in the FA Cup. Fabio Paratici is also reportedly on the verge of leaving, with the sporting director expected to join Fiorentina in February.

With such turmoil at the club, the pressure is piling on Frank. Should Tottenham part ways with the manager?

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And if so, who should step into his shoes?

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We share our perspectives below....

Patrick Austen-Hardy

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Frank is already under the knife, but Spurs fans might want to think twice before wishing for his departure. Let's not forget that they ended up in 17th place last season and despite their Europa League victory bringing back fond memories, the only significant European teams they faced were Galatasaray (resulting in a 3-2 loss) and a lacklustre Manchester United side in the final.

The situation may seem bleak, but with just nine points separating 15th from 4th, a string of positive results could thrust Spurs back into the top four contention. The likes of Newcastle United, Brentford and Aston Villa have shown it's possible, while the sudden declines of Crystal Palace and Bournemouth serve as stark reminders.

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With 17 games left, Tottenham are merely six points adrift of fifth place and just one point away from the automatic Champions League qualification spots. There aren't any clear-cut permanent successors for Frank, and potential candidates such as Andoni Iraola would likely be reluctant to leave mid-season.

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When it comes to managerial appointments, there's a trail of chaos that will only make the next appointment even more challenging. Jose Mourinho was dismissed before a League Cup final, Antonio Conte was driven to distraction, and Ange Postecoglou was sacked after lifting a trophy.

Granted, there are broader contextual factors behind all these, but prospective managers won't bother delving into those details when considering a move to north London.

Cutting short Frank's tenure at this stage could potentially make the managerial role at the club less appealing, unless they're willing to dig deep and lure managers by offering one of the highest salaries in football.

Isaac Seelochan

When a manager faces as much scrutiny as Frank, survival becomes challenging, especially at a 'big six' club. The immense fanbase coupled with media speculation often makes a manager's position untenable at some point, particularly when you're at the helm of a top-tier club.

Consequently, it's difficult to envision how Frank can bounce back from this. He doesn't have the reputation or proven track record that fans can trust.

Moreover, the quality of football being played is quite poor - a disastrous combination for any boss under pressure. While managers do need time to implement their strategies, after more than half a year, it's hard to see how Spurs will improve under Frank.

For this reason, persisting with a manager without due consideration could cause more harm than good. Therefore, Spurs should contemplate making a change and appointing an interim until the summer.

Joe Doyle

At present, the only factors seemingly in Frank's favour are the scarcity of available alternatives and the potential negative optics for the board if they were to dismiss another manager less than a year after parting ways with Ange Postecoglou.

He could still navigate his way out of this predicament with a few positive results, and he deserves more time to attempt to steady the ship. However, it's the recent performances that are causing concern - the team seems bereft of ideas.

Managers can justify good performances with mixed results, or good results with poor performances, for a certain period. But you can't have poor performances coupled with mixed results.

Postecoglou earned himself some leeway because fans could see the team were giving their all and the football was captivating, regardless of the outcome. Frank doesn't have that luxury and needs to turn things around quickly.

Kieran King

In my opinion, Tottenham should give Thomas Frank his marching orders. Yes, I acknowledge that the problems run deeper than just the manager, but Spurs cannot continue to play and perform at this level; a change is necessary.

One victory in seven matches and only three in 14 is simply not up to scratch for a club of Tottenham's stature and I feel that Frank is failing to maximise the potential of the players he has at his disposal. While it may not be the strongest squad Spurs have ever had, there is still considerable talent there, particularly in attacking positions.

However, Frank is currently unable to inspire them and it would be best for Tottenham to relieve the former Brentford boss of his managerial duties and bring in a coach with a more offensive mindset. In my view, Frank's approach and tactics do not suit Spurs and therefore they should look elsewhere.

Ruben Amorim could be a potential candidate for a swift return to management. Despite his struggles at Manchester United, his style might mesh well with the current Tottenham squad.

Matt Maltby

The question of who could replace Frank if Spurs decide to give him the boot is a tricky one. It might be worth waiting until the summer, with several big names potentially up for grabs.

Crystal Palace's Oliver Glasner, Fulham's Marco Silva and Bournemouth's Andoni Iraola are all set to be out of contract at the end of the season, which could save the club a pretty penny in compensation fees.

England's Thomas Tuchel and USA's Mauricio Pochettino (sound familiar?) could also be on the market, as both are only contracted to their respective nations until the conclusion of this summer's World Cup.

However, this is all conjecture, and what's the point in pondering about the summer when things are currently in disarray?

It's been a calamitous winter for Frank, with a dismal run of two victories in 12 Premier League games leaving Spurs languishing in 14th place.

Frank's results have been subpar, with just five wins in his last 20 matches and seven losses in his last 13 across all competitions.

Despite this, I admire him as a manager. He did an exceptional job at Brentford and laid the groundwork for Keith Andrews to continue the excellent work in west London.

With a packed schedule this month featuring crucial matches against West Ham, Borussia Dortmund, Burnley and Frankfurt, I'd suggest giving him until the end of the month.