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Liverpool are reportedly among the teams interested in a box-to-box midfielder whose playing style seems like a perfect fit for Arne Slot’s side.

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One of Arne Slot’s greatest successes over the course of Liverpool’s title-winning 2024/25 campaign was figuring out how to make a midfield which didn’t have a natural defensive midfielder work – but after a sluggish start to the new season, it’s not entirely surprising to see stories suggesting that the club are looking for ways to add some strength and depth to the middle of the park.

Between Alexis Mac Allister, Curtis Jones and Ryan Gravenberch, who came of age in deeply impressive fashion over the past year, Liverpool have moulded their midfield into a progressive, box-to-box unit which feels, when it’s ticking over at maximum efficiency, as though it’s effectively made up of two players working the Steven Gerrard role at the same time.

It’s a system that the former Anfield great would likely have thrived in – and now the Reds are supposedly one of the teams in the market for a midfield who’s doing plenty of his own thriving in Italy, and who has been compared favourably to Gerrard for his hard-running, well-rounded and penetrative playing style. But will Liverpool be able to get a deal for Khéphren Thuram over the line amidst fierce competition?

Why Liverpool are among the teams chasing Khéphren Thuram

TBR Football report that Liverpool are one of a few teams who have enquired about the Juventus midfielder over the summer, only to have their advances rebuffed – and the club’s name has come up in connection with the France international several times in the past. It looks increasingly like he’s become a long-term fixture on their shortlist.

The Gerrard comparison has cropped up with increasing frequency since he moved to Turin from OGC Nice last summer. He’s been outstanding in Serie A, contributing up and down the pitch, carrying the ball from one phase to the next with power and grace, and breaking opposing midfields open on and off the ball.

He doesn’t have Gerrard’s goalscoring knack, granted – he scored four and provided another five league goals last season - but the lung-busting running, the seemingly endless energy to track back and break up attacks and the accurate, penetrative passing game are all present enough. If the comparison is an exaggeration, it’s a small one.

In Gravenberch, Liverpool already have a midfielder who can play this role, of course, and Mac Allister’s conversion from a number ten to a box-to-box man has been remarkably effective, but Jones isn’t as strong on the defensive side for all his technical poise and there isn’t really another player in the team who can do the same job, with all due respect to the redoubtable Wataru Endo.

As such, Thuram would offer a combination of quality and depth that’s hard to pass up on and would reduce Liverpool’s reliance on Gravenberch and Mac Allister across a long season. There are just two problems – plenty of other teams seem to want to buy Thuram, and Juventus don’t want to sell.

Why it will be challenging for Liverpool to sign Thuram amid Chelsea & Spurs interest

While stories which suggest that most of the top half of the Premier League table are watching the same player can be hard to credit, that same TBR Football story alleges that Arsenal, Tottenham Hotspur and Chelsea are all keen and all approached Juventus to enquire as to whether Thuram was available.

Arsenal have signed Martín Zubimendi and Christian Nørgaard now, which should sat their appetite for midfielders for now, but Spurs are desperate to find a new central midfielder and Chelsea reportedly want to add some depth too, to reduce their own reliance on the same two high-end central midfielders. Should there be a sniff of a chance to sign Thuram, it would be no shock to see both in the bidding alongside Liverpool.

The bigger problem is simply that Juventus don’t seem to want to sell. Liverpool and their rivals may have made enquiries, but it sounds as if they were shut down at speed. Thuram has been so impressive since signing that the Old Lady supposedly want to rebuild their team around him and Kenan Yildiz, the young Turkish winger who has become a gossip column staple in recent months.

Juventus haven’t won the league – or even come particularly close – for five years, but see in the pair the building blocks of their next great team. Furthermore, both Thuram and Yildiz are under contract until 2029, meaning that they hold most of the leverage.

But Premier League spending power speaks at volume, and Juventus aren’t in the best financial position. They lost a reported €50m (£43.5m) last year and are not in a position to ignore too many chances to sell talented young assets. Eventually, they could be compelled to let Thuram go, or at least to choose between their two great hopes for the future.

If that happens, it’s fair to expect Liverpool to be in the bidding for Thuram. His playing style seems likely to fit Slot’s system remarkably well, his performances have been exceptionally, and he has plenty of years ahead of him. Perhaps he will be Liverpool’s second Steven Gerrard one day after all.

Reviewing the latest Premier League transfer rumours - with news from Manchester United, Spurs, Crystal Palace, Brighton and more.

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It’s once again time for 3 Added Minutes’ regular morning round-up and review of some of the biggest and juiciest new Premier League transfer rumours – and today, we kick off with a story about a deal which would be pretty remarkable if Manchester United could pull it off.

According to Spanish gossipmongers Fichajes, Italian international striker Mateo Retegui is now a “firm target” for United as they search for some fresh firepower up front following the disappointment of Benjamin Šeško’s first few months at Old Trafford.

The 26-year-old Retegui only moved to Saudi Pro League side Al Qadisah this summer for a fee of over £55m and has scored three goals in his first four games, so it comes as some surprise that there could be any prospect of his moving on – but United are nevertheless said to be “keeping a close eye” on his progress in the Middle East.

Despite Al Qadisah having “the intention of keeping him,” Fichajes claim that a deal could still be done in the €50-60m range – less than he cost in the first place. Quite why the Saudi side would agree to such a deal is unclear, but apparently it could be pulled off if United “negotiate well.”

The 3AM Verdict: This doesn’t make a shred of sense, quite frankly. Everyone has a price, but it’s generally more than a club paid for a player just a few months ago. We should probably note that we have a fairly low opinion of Fichajes’ reliability, an opinion which isn’t being improved by a story we think has precisely zero legs to stand on. Sorry, United fans.

Spurs, Crystal Palace and others ‘considering’ €50m January bid

Over to a slightly more realistic story from Caught Offside now, who allege that Tottenham Hotspur are among the sides “considering a January move” for Lazio centre-half Mario Gila, who is apparently a “serious candidate” as Spurs look to strengthen their defence.

Spurs aren’t the only team keeping track of the 25-year-old, with Crystal Palace, Bournemouth, Everton and Brighton & Hove Albion all said to have “kept close tabs” on the Spaniard – with Bournemouth and Brighton even said to have made contact with his representatives already as they search for defensive reinforcements.

Spurs have apparently learned that a deal for Gila would set them back €45-50m (up to £43.5m), but it’s said that such a valuation “won’t scare Tottenham,” who are set to “test the water” in January.

The 3AM Verdict: The focus on Spurs in this report may not reflect the truth by the sounds of it, with several teams apparently considering a deal. The price isn’t too off-putting, so this is a perfectly plausible January deal for a few different sides.

Brighton pursuit reaches ‘crucial stage’

Let’s wrap up with another transfer story involving Brighton – Sport Witness bring word from Brazilian media sources on their apparent pursuit of Internacional midfielder Gustavo Prado, with negotiations said to be reaching “a crucial stage.”

The Brazilian side are “ready to negotiate” over the 20-year-old but are demanding a fee between €10m and €20m, a pretty broad price range which runs from about £8.5-17m. Complicating a deal further is the fact that the player’s economic rights are divided between three parties, including Prado himself.

Porto and City Group side Bahia have both “made enquiries” and sent scouts to watch the youngster as well, with Internacional under financial pressure to sell. With the Brazilian season ending fairly soon, this is a deal which could well happen in January.

The 3AM Verdict: We’ll confess that this one flew under our radar before now, but the level of financial detail here is enough to convince us that there’s some very real journalism behind the story, and that this isn’t just another slice of idle gossip. As for how good Prado is, Brighton don’t miss very often.

The latest Tottenham Hotspur injury news - with updates on Dominic Solanke, Randal Kolo Muani, Yves Bissouma and more.

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Tottenham Hotspur return to Premier League action this weekend when they welcome Aston Villa to North London on Sunday afternoon – but Thomas Frank may have to get by without a number of first-team regulars due to injury.

Yves Bissouma picked up yet another injury while playing for Mali, while there are question marks over the involvement of summer signings Randal Kolo Muani and Kota Takai – in total, seven Spurs players are out or doubts for the match against Villa.

We’ve got all the latest Spurs injury news and updates below for you, as well as the stricken players’ expected return dates when available.

Will Randal Kolo Muani & Kota Takai be fit to face Aston Villa?

Two of Spurs’ fresher faces have yet to make much of an impact at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium thanks to fitness concerns – forward Kolo Muani has managed just 14 minutes for his new team thanks to a lingering thigh injury, while defender Takai has yet to make his debut due to a plantar fascia problem.

Both have, however, been back in training since early October and after being rested during the international break they are expected to be fit enough to play at least some part against Aston Villa this weekend – although neither is necessarily likely to start the game as they build back towards full match fitness.

Kolo Muani is more likely to be involved in the initial line-up with Dominic Solanke still out after undergoing surgery on an ankle injury that will sideline him until at least early November – the home game against Chelsea is the most optimistic return date for the England international.

Yves Bissouma injured again as Radu Dragusin nears return

There was further bad news this week for midfielder Yves Bissouma. The Malian midfielder had yet to play a minute this season due to an injury that also scuppered a proposed move to Galatasaray, and now he has sustained a fresh injury while on international duty.

Bissouma came on as a substitute against Madagascar and was hurt badly by a challenge just nine seconds after coming on – the 29-year-old had to be stretchered off as a result. The precise nature and extent of the injury have not yet been announced, but he looks likely to be set for another lay-off.

There’s a more positive update on the fitness of centre-half Radu Dragusin, who is making strides as he works to return from an ACL injury. The Romanian has been back in light training since September and could be ready for action by the end of October, although Frank has been coy about a precise date with Spurs not prepared to take any risks.

Tottenham’s two other ACL victims, Dejan Kulusevski and James Maddison, are further away from making their return. The best-case scenario for Kulusevski is that he comes back in late November after the next international break, while it is not yet known whether Maddison will be able to play at all this season.

The latest Premier League transfer rumours - with news from Arsenal, Manchester City, Spurs, Chelsea and more.

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It’s time once again for our regular morning round-up and review of the very biggest new Premier League transfer rumours – and today, we’re kicking off with a story that should be of interest to Arsenal and Manchester City supporters.

Football Insider allege that those two teams are “emerging as contenders” to sign Eintracht Frankfurt left-back Nathaniel Brown, who was one of the stars of the German Under-21 side that lost to England in the final of the European Championship earlier this summer - and just made his debut for the senior team this international break.

Now 22, Brown is having another impressive season and this report names him as “one of the most sought-after full-backs on the planet,” although only Arsenal and City are mentioned by name.

The article backs up its claims with some help from Florian Plettenberg, who took to social media on Monday to claim that Frankfurt “expect top offers” for Brown and “are demanding up to €60m (£52m)” from any club that wants to sign him next summer.

The 3AM Verdict: Manchester City have been linked with Brown on a few occasions but after they signed Rayan Aït-Nouri it’s hard to imagine that they’d have too much need for another left-back – and Arsenal are pretty replete in that department, too. Brown is unlikely to move until next summer anyway, so perhaps things will change between now and then, but we’re unconvinced that either of these teams will be at the front of the queue.

Tottenham Hotspur enter race for Rangers star

Over to TeamTalk now, who claims that Spurs are set to “burst into the race” that’s supposedly brewing over the signature of Rangers midfielder Nico Raskin, whose future at Ibrox is “uncertain” as more teams show interest.

Wolves, Crystal Palace, Burnley and West Ham United are all noted as having been linked elsewhere, but now the 24-year-old Belgian has “emerged as a target” for Thomas Frank’s Spurs, who are keen on adding a new central midfielder either in January or in the summer.

Rangers apparently “face losing him” if a good enough bid comes in over the winter, but “could demand” a relatively hefty £20-25m for the international. That would make him the most expensive sale in the history of the Scottish club.

The 3AM Verdict: Links with Raskin are cropping up absolutely everywhere now, especially after he fell out with former manager Russell Martin – this is the first time we’ve seen Spurs mentioned, however. It will be interesting to see whether Rangers fight to keep hold of him until next summer once they find a new manager.

Chelsea & Liverpool still keen on £50m winger

Finally, a story from Caught Offside which claims that Chelsea and Liverpool are still “keeping tabs” on Lyon winger Malick Fofana, who was heavily linked with a move to the Premier League over the summer.

The “£50m-rated” wideman remained at Lyon after the two clubs most persistently rumoured to be keen decided against a bid because Fofana was not “a top priority” – but the 20-year-old “remains firmly on both clubs’ radars” heading into 2026.

Manchester United, Spurs and Inter Milan are all mentioned as teams that are monitoring the youngster as well, although Liverpool are the only one of the five suggested suitors said to have made any “concrete contact” with Fofana’s representatives, which they did during the summer.

The 3AM Verdict: Honestly, there’s nothing new here – just a filler article reiterating that teams who were interested in Fofana a few months ago still are. The question is whether he plays well enough this season to become a ‘top priority’ next summer. It’s unlikely that either Chelsea or Liverpool make a January move as it stands.

The latest Aston Villa injury news, including updates on Ollie Watkins, Youri Tielemans and more.

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Aston Villa will return to Premier League action on Sunday afternoon when they travel to London to take on Thomas Frank’s high-flying Tottenham Hotspur side – but Villa may have to make do without several key players thanks to injuries.

A major concern is the fitness of striker Ollie Watkins, who was sent home from England duty after picking up an injury during last week’s 3-0 friendly win over Wales, while there has also been bad news about the health of midfielder Youri Tielemans.

We’ve got all of the latest Aston Villa injury news below ahead of the game against Spurs, along with the stricken players’ expected return dates when available.

Is Ollie Watkins out this weekend?

Watkins was substituted at half-time against Wales after the forward – who scored England’s second from close range – collided with a goalpost and appeared to hurt his left leg. Watkins was subsequently sent home from the national squad after being ruled out of Tuesday evening’s World Cup qualifying game against Latvia.

"It was very painful for him still,” England head coach Thomas Tuchel told the press after the decision was made, “And it's just not possible for him to train and also not to play. So, we sent him home."

Tuchel added that he thought Watkins would “try to make it for the weekend,” however, suggesting that the injury is not serious and that the 29-year-old could be available to take on Spurs. The club are expected to make a full assessment of Watkins’ availability on Tuesday, however, before a determination can be reached. It is unlikely to be a long-term problem but he is currently a doubt for Sunday.

Youri Tielemans injury update brings bad news for Aston Villa

While Watkins should be back soon, Villa will have to get by without the services of Belgian midfielder Tielemans for a while longer. The 28-year-old, who has already been out for a month with a calf injury, will now miss a further five weeks after a setback.

The club had hoped that he would be available again shortly after the current international break, but a recurrence of the injury means that he has now been ruled out until after the final round of World Cup qualifiers in November. Tielemans will now be targeting the 23 November match against Leeds United for his return.

There is better news, however, for Jadon Sancho, who has only managed eight minutes of first-team football since joining the club from Manchester United – but who has now returned to full training following a period of illness. Sancho is expected to be available for the game against Spurs if called upon.

Tyrone Mings is a major doubt for Sunday’s match due to a foot injury, as are Emiliano Buendía (head) and Andrés Garcia (match fitness). None of that trio are expected to be out for the long term but all could be absent against Spurs pending updates from Unai Emery. It is unclear whether any of them are also at risk of being unavailable for the midweek Europa League fixture against Dutch outfit Go Ahead Eagles.

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Yet again, 3 Added Minutes have delved through the gossip columns to bring your our regular morning round-up of the biggest and juiciest new Premier League transfer rumours – and we’ll start things off today with a story for Manchester United fans.

Football Insider claim that United are “tracking” Bayern Munich midfielder Alexander Pavlović, who is now on their shortlist alongside Adam Wharton, Carlos Baleba and Morten Hjulmand.

They have “set their sights” on the 21-year-old after scouts were impressed by the Germany international, and the club’s recruitment team is now “keeping a close eye” on his performances.

There’s no word on how much Bayern might want for their talented young midfielder, who is under contract until 2029, and no suggestion that Pavlović himself is looking to force a move, but he’s still a name that’s on the radar while the Red Devils work out what to next summer to get back up to speed.

Elsewhere, TeamTalk also report that United are keeping tabs on Lille midfielder Ayyoub Bouaddi, who at 18 would represent an investment in the future more than a player who would be seen as an immediate first-teamer.

The 3AM Verdict: Pavlović certainly fits the profile of the technically impressive ball-winning midfielder that they’re looking for in scouting players like Wharton and Baleba, but he won’t come much cheaper than either of those two will. Certainly a very plausible target, but it will be a while before we get any indication as to whether a formal bid will be made – there’s no chance a deal like this gets done in January.

Spurs ‘ignite’ move for Porto wonderkid

Let’s head to North London now – TeamTalk claim that Tottenham Hotspur are getting ready to “ignite” their interest in young Danish midfielder Victor Froholdt, having “joined the growing list of admirers” watching that Porto player.

Apparently, Thomas Frank is keen to sign a new central midfielder and the 19-year-old, who already has six caps for his country, could fit the bill. Bidding could be in the region of €50-60m (£43.5-52m) and apparently Froholdt “will be tempted” by the prospect of making a move to the Premier League.

That might explain why Brighton & Hove Albion are said to be interested too, with Atlético Madrid also named as a potential suitor. It’s implied that Spurs could make a move in January, though, with a £100m cash injection apparently set to give them more spending power over the winter.

The 3AM Verdict: Froholdt is a name you’re going to see in gossip columns a lot over the course of the next year or two, but a January deal is wildly unlikely – Porto only signed the youngster in July. If he continues his progress, however, expect his name to crop up again next summer.

Chelsea ‘intensifying’ centre-back pursuit

Pretty much every media outlet that’s in the rumourmongering game thinks that Chelsea are in the market for a new centre-back in 2026, but Caught Offside reckon they know which one – allegedly, the Blues are “intensifying their pursuit” of Barcelona’s Ronald Araújo and are “closely monitoring” his situation.

Enzo Maresca is apparently “eager” to add some reinforcements to an injury-addled back line and Chelsea supposedly believe that Barcelona’s financial struggles mean that they could sign Araújo for a competitive price.

The 26-year-old is supposedly viewed as an “ideal addition,” but apparently his current club view him as a “vital part” of their long-term plans and will try to sell other players before they sanction the sale of the Uruguayan.

The 3AM Verdict: There’s no mention of a price tag or interest from other teams, but Liverpool have been mentioned an awful lot as well. We don’t yet have a clear picture of which defender is Chelsea’s real priority at the moment, and we’re distrustful of any article that claims to know at this point. Things will become clearer nearer the time.

Thomas Frank has shone at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium dugout so far, how will he attack the January transfer window?

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Expecting Tottenham Hotspur to be third in the Premier League after two months would’ve been reserved for the most optimistic fans ahead of the season, yet after all the summer upheaval and pessimism Thomas Frank’s success has been one of the stories of the season.

While Arsenal topping the tree may take a little shine away from Spurs fans looking at the Premier League table, there’s no denying it’s been a remarkable start to life at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium for Frank who was only a 94th-minute Goncalo Ramos equaliser away from already having some silverware to show off, lest we forget.

Yet although Frank will hope to avoid the crippling injury crises suffered by his predecessor, Tottenham’s squad still looks susceptible to drops in form and fitness while unlike Arsenal or Chelsea, they lack the depth to successfully fight on four fronts.

There are still areas to improve in the starting lineup too but the good news is that Frank has already showed he’s retained the ability to both develop existing talent and quickly and effectively integrate promising new signings that made him such a success at Brentford.

As long as their January additions meet a baseline for age and talent, it’s hard to see where Tottenham go too wrong with their winter transfer business, so who might they target?

Bargain Borussia Dortmund star too good to miss

Wilson Odobert and Brennan Johnson have flashed at times this season, but Tottenham could certainly benefit from having a more established presence on the left flank to compliment an otherwise purring forward line.

As Randal Kolo Muani and Dominic Solanke inch back towards fitness, Mohammed Kudus has been one of Spurs’ standout players this season and the obvious area for improvement is on the left flank after Spurs’ failed pursuit of Savinho in the summer.

Savinho has been linked with a move to north London again this transfer window but it’d be a surprise if that door was still open mid-season and the Brazilian has struggled for game time so far this campaign.

Instead, Tottenham could strike a smart deal for Julian Brandt, whose contract at Borussia Dortmund runs out next summer. The skipper appears unlikely to stay at Signal Iduna Park and particularly if Dortmund’s league and European campaigns are faltering (they’ve scored eight goals in two European games but have only taken four points), the German club may look to cash in for £10m-15m.

Brandt would bring leadership, versatility and the capacity for the extraordinary to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, and it’d be a surprise if any serious is warded off by Borussia Dortmund who’ve not been such a good selling club of late.

Tottenham can offer Gallagher perfect stage for Premier League return

Rodrigo Bentancur endured a dreadful campaign last season, so though he's bounced back strongly this campaign and secured a long-term contract extension set to take him into his 30s, Tottenham could certainly benefit from signing another ready-made starter in central midfield.

One of those players who seems older than his years simply by virtue of being a mainstay on the biggest stage for so long, Conor Gallagher has now played almost 200 top flight games and brings a defensive grit that’s perfect for a Thomas Frank team.

Gallagher will have only been in the Spanish capital for 18 months come January, yet Atletico are reportedly already fielding offers with Manchester United told they will need to pay at least €60m (£52.4m) to bring him back to the Premier League.

Gallagher isn’t the player to turn around the Red Devils - he’s not incisive enough for a two-man midfield - but in a three at Tottenham he could be perfect.

Tottenham to return for Ake?

Central defence is somewhere Tottenham simply must strengthen this January - no one wants to see Archie Gray thrown into that fire again - and that reinforcement looks set to come in the form of accomplished yet discarded veterans.

Tottenham have been linked with bringing another former Stamford Bridge star back to the Premier League in the form of Andreas Christensen, as his time at Barcelona appears to be coming to an end.

But unlike on the wing, this time they might be best off chasing a summer target from Manchester City as despite only playing 120 minutes in the Champions League and top flight so far this campaign, the 30-year-old Dutchman valued at around £20m could provide a solid rotation option to ease the pressure on Cristian Romero and Micky van de Ven.

Tottenham 2026 starting XI if predictions come true: Vicario; Porro, Romero, Van de Ven, Spence; Gallagher, Palhinha; Kudus, Simons, Brandt, Solanke.

The latest transfer headlines, including updates from Man Utd, Tottenham, West Ham and Nottingham Forest

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It’s time for 3 Added Minutes’ regular morning round-up, and this week begins with an update surrounding Manchester United, who enter the international break on a high after a satisfying 2-0 victory over Sunderland.

Ruben Amorim’s side kept a clean sheet for the first time this season as new goalkeeper Senne Lammens produced a man of the match performance between the posts. However, the Portuguese coach knows his team are still a long way from being the finished product and has plenty to do to assemble a team with the consistency to qualify for Europe.

Central midfield is a key area that Amorim wants to improve, and German outlet Sports Bild understands that Aleksandar Pavlovic has been earmarked as the man for the job.

The tough-tackling 21-year-old midfielder is currently playing for Bayern Munich and has been a first team player for the last three seasons. He’s a five-time German international with aspirations of playing at the World Cup, but has only started two league matches so far. Reports suggest United made an approach to the player over the summer, adding that the club are ‘very keen’ on revisiting this deal in January.

The 3AM verdict: Aleksandar Pavlovic is an outstanding talent with over 60 appearances for Bayern Munich, Champions League experience and excellent work rate. He’d be a certain upgrade on what United currently have at their disposal and has the traits required to play in Ruben Amorim’s system. However, it’s hard to see Bayern Munich wanting to sell the 21-year-old given how well he’s done for them in recent years and his potential to improve in the future.

Tottenham eye move for Maxence Lacroix

Tottenham Hotspur have been linked with a big-money winter move for impressive Crystal Palace defender Maxence Lacroix. The Frenchman only signed for the Eagles last summer but has already racked up 54 appearances and helped Oliver Glasner’s side to European qualification and a first major trophy.

He’s reported by TEAMtalk to be an alternative target to Marc Guehi, who has been linked with the likes of Liverpool and Real Madrid as he approaches the final few months of his contract.

The 3AM verdict: Having Cristian Romero and Micky van de Ven available every week has transformed Tottenham and made them a much more cohesive unit. There’s questions from supporters whether Thomas Frank will shift towards a three-man-defence and there’s little doubt based on Maxence Lacroix’s performances he’d be a great signing. However, Palace only signed him in 2024 and won’t want to allow one of their star defenders to leave on the cheap, particularly if Marc Guehi also departs in the summer.

West Ham target Chris Wood

Incoming West Ham United manager Nuno Espirito Santo has reportedly set his sights on a reunion with Chris Wood in January, according to Give Me Sport. Wood was incredible under the Portuguese coach at the City Ground, scoring 20 times across all competitions and helping Forest to Europe for the first time in the 21st century.

The New Zealand international started brilliantly by scoring a brace against Brentford on matchday one, but has not scored since then and has been dropped on occasion by new boss Ange Postecoglou in the Europa League.

The 3AM verdict: Chris Wood has an excellent track record under Nuno Espirito Santo and would be a huge boost to West Ham’s attacking options in the short term. However, West Ham already have an ageing front line in Callum Wilson (33), and Niclas Füllkrug with similar attributes to Wood, who turns 34 in December. It likely depends on Wood’s relationship with Ange Postecoglou and whether he’s expected to continue being a big player for the club. But it’s not beyond the realms of possibility.

The latest Tottenham Hotspur team news and predicted XI ahead of the Premier League clash with Leeds United.

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Tottenham Hotspur find themselves in 4th place in the Premier League table after their first six fixtures. They turned to Thomas Frank as their replacement for Ange Postecoglou in the summer. Prior to his move to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, the Dane caught the eye with fellow top flight side Brentford.

Spurs drew 2-2 away at FK Bodø/Glimt last time out in the Champions League on Tuesday night. They are back in action this weekend with a league clash against Leeds United at Elland Road. The Whites were promoted from the Championship last season along with Burnley and Sunderland.

Is Cristian Romero fit to play Leeds United?

Spurs defender Cristian Romero is in contention to return against Leeds. The centre-back missed the game against Bodø/Glimt due to a precaution. However, he has since returned to full training which is a boost.

Striker Dominic Solanke is sidelined at the minute with a knee injury. It has been a frustrating start to the campaign for the ex-Liverpool and AFC Bournemouth man. He won’t be fit until after the international break and his current club aren’t taking any risks with him right now and will only throw him back in when he is fully available.

Elsewhere, Dejan Kulusevski and James Maddison are more long-term absentees. The latter won’t be seen until next year after rupturing his ACL. Radu Dragusin and Kota Takai are in the treatment room still, whilst Randal Kolo Muani is being assessed and could feature in the squad against Leeds.

Joao Palhinha poised for Tottenham Hotspur return

Spurs’ number one Guglielmo Vicario will play again between the sticks. He was snapped up from Empoli back in 2023. The stopper is backed up on the bench by Antonin Kinsky.

Pedro Porro and Destiny Udogie like to get up and down the flanks of defence. The latter was rested against Bodø/Glimt for Djed Spence before coming on. His pace and power can cause problems for opposition and he has potential to get better down the line.

In the heart of the backline, Romero is likely to come back into the starting XI for Kevin Danso which will be a positive for Frank. Micky Van de ven has managed to stay injury free so far this term and will be hoping things stay that way as he enjoys his current run in the team.

Joao Palhinha has made a positive impression since his switch on loan from Bayern Munich this past summer. He was brought in to bolster their midfield department. The ex-Fulham man scored a late equaliser against Wolves last weekend.

Rodrigo Bentancur and Lucas Bergvall have been regulars under Frank so far. They inject energy and enthusiasm into Spurs’ team and they will both be looking to help them pick up all three points against Leeds. The Whites have adapted pretty well to the step up a division under Daniel Farke.

Mohamed Kudus and Xavi Simons didn’t start against Bodø/Glimt but it wouldn’t be a surprise to see them get the nod here in place of Brennan Johnson and Wilson Odobert. Richarlison is then poised to lead the line again. The Brazilian has found the net on three occasions this season.

The latest Premier League transfer rumours, including Liverpool, Manchester United, Tottenham Hotspur, and more

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We have reached a new month of October and with the summer firmly behind us, the domestic season is beginning to get tasty. We have already seen two top-flight sackings, multiple sets of European fixtures and the second international break of the campaign rapidly approaches.

Here are your latest transfer updates from around the country as as prepare for match week seven of the Premier League season - starting at Anfield, where a shock transfer target has emerged amidst the recent struggles experienced by Arne Slot’s side...

Liverpool have seen a defensive issue begin to emerge in recent weeks, both on and off the pitch. Amidst increasing worries that the Reds may need to strengthen in the centre of defence in January, rumours have emerged that a shocking move for Everton defender Jarrad Branthwaite could be on the cards.

As per Football Insider, also relayed by Caught Offside, the 23-year-old is “on the radar at Liverpool”. It is believed that a summer move may be more realistic as the Toffees will be reluctant to part ways with one of their key assets mid-way through the season, much less to the benefit of their fiercest of local rivals. While 29 players have moved between Liverpool and Everton in the past, the last was Abel Xavier in 2002 and this would be a controversial turn of events.

The 3AM verdict: Manchester United are also reportedly in for Branthwaite, which may seem a more likely move as we just cannot envision such a high-profile player moving to Everton’s biggest rivals. Branthwaite was not born in the city himself, but he joined Everton from Carlisle United as a 17-year-old and no doubt feels a strong affiliation to the Toffees.

Whoever does secure his signature, Branthwaite does certainly have the attributes to play at a higher level. A January transfer appears unlikely and it may be a case of seeing which offers are on the table next summer.

Man United target talented young Premier League midfielder

Meanwhile at Old Trafford, a new midfielder is currently top of the wish-list and the Red Devils may have set their sights on someone new, in the shape of Brentford’s Yehor Yarmoliuk. This is according to reports by Caught Offside, who claim the 21-year-old defensive midfielder is on United’s list of transfer targets amidst the continued deficiencies experienced in that area of the park under Ruben Amorim.

The article references Tottenham Hotspur, Aston Villa, Borussia Dortmund and Napoli as also holding a potential interest in the Ukraine international, who has impressed in 73 appearances for the Bees with his tenacity, pressing and ability to play across the midfield.

The 3AM verdict: Yarmoliuk certainly has the potential to improve United’s midfield, though he only just nailed down a starting spot for Brentford towards the end of last season and such a big move in January may be a little early for him. This is certainly one to watch out for next summer, though.

Tottenham’s involvement here could prove interesting due to the Ukrainian’s previous links with new Spurs manager Thomas Frank.

Tottenham eye sensational move for Real Madrid hero

As per reports by Fichajes relayed by GiveMeSport, Tottenham have ‘held talks’ over a shocking move for Real Madrid midfielder Fede Valderde. The 27-year-old is said to potentially be ‘open to the move’, as he has found himself struggling with Xabi Alonso’s new style of play and would prioritise a move to the Premier League if he were to leave Los Blancos.

Though the player is believed to want to stay and fight for his place at the Santiago Bernabeu, the report states that preliminary talks have been held with Spurs, following a difficult period of increased media criticism subjected towards Valverde under Alonso. Valverde has made 332 appearances for Real and is on a reported £345,000 a week.

The 3AM verdict: We know Spurs won the Europa League last season and have a great new manager, but the idea of them signing Real Madrid’s star players still makes little sense.

The prospect of Valverde moving to the Premier League seems a little far-fetched regardless, while Spurs would surely need to finish in the top four - or even challenge for the title - this season in order to be in the reckoning for such a high-profile deal next summer. All the signs are saying this one is likely to be wide of the mark.