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The latest Tottenham Hotspur team news and predicted XI ahead of the FA Cup third round clash with Aston Villa.

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Thomas Frank’s out-of-sorts Tottenham Hotspur side face a tough assignment in the FA Cup third round this weekend when they welcome high-flying Aston Villa to north London – and the challenge will be made all the harder by a number of injury worries.

Midfielders Rodrigo Bentancur and Lucas Bergvall were both taken off with injuries during the dramatic midweek defeat to Bournemouth and should they be ruled out for the game against Villa, the they could be among as many as nine absentees.

Ahead of Saturday’s match, we’ve collected all of the latest team news below, with updates on the condition of long-term injury victims such as Dominic Solanke and Dejan Kulusevski along with our prediction for Frank’s starting XI.

How bad are the injuries to Spurs’ Rodrigo Bentancur and Lucas Bergvall?

The biggest concern following Spurs’ 3-2 defeat to Bournemouth on Wednesday was perhaps not the result but the health of Uruguayan midfielder Rodrigo Bentancur, who had to be substituted just before the 90-minute mark in evident discomfort.

Unfortunately, Frank confirmed on Thursday that the 28-year-old had suffered a hamstring injury that he was described as a “bigger one,” with the length of time that he would be sidelined to be determined later. As it stands, it seems likely that Bentancur is set for a significant layoff.

Fellow midfielder Lucas Bergvall also had to be withdrawn in the second half through injury, but although Frank declined to disclose the nature of the issue the prognosis did not sound quite so bleak – the young Swede will be assessed ahead of the game against Aston Villa and may feature.

With Bentancur out and Bergvall a doubt, Spurs’ midfield options will be severely restricted while they also wait for Pape Matar Sarr and Yves Bissouma to return from the Africa Cup of Nations. Their respective nations go head-to-head in the quarter-finals on Friday, with the player on the losing side available to face West Ham next weekend – although Bissouma is unlikely to be considered for selection for disciplinary reasons.

Frank also provided an update on the availability of summer signing Mohammed Kudus on Thursday, after the winger suffered a quadriceps injury during the recent 1-1 draw with Sunderland. The Ghanaian will, sadly, be sidelined for up to three months, with Frank hoping to have him back following the March international break.

When will Destiny Udogie, Dominic Solanke and Dejan Kulusevski be back for Spurs?

There was better news concerning the fitness of Italian full-back Destiny Udogie, who has been out for five weeks with a hamstring injury – he is said to be “getting closer” to being involved, although this weekend’s match sounds like it will come too soon.

Frank also provided fresh updates on the status of long-term absentees Dominic Solanke and Dejan Kulusevski, who have been stuck on the sidelines for an extended period after respective ankle and ACL injuries.

Solanke was said to be “positive and improving” but slightly behind Udogie in his recovery, suggesting that the striker will finally be back in the fold around the end of January. Kulusevski’s return, however, has been delayed after expectations that he would be back in action over the festive period.

According to Frank, the Swedish winger’s injury is “complicated” and he has recently had an injection to manage the pain in his knee. Frank said that Spurs will know whether his knee has settled in “three to four weeks,” suggesting that he will be back by February at the earliest.

There are no further updates on fellow ACL victim James Maddison, who may not feature this season as he goes through the rehabilitation process.

Tottenham Hotspur have a vacancy to fill in their squad this month following Brennan Johnson's sale to Crystal Palace

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Tottenham turned to Thomas Frank as their head coach last summer after he caught the eye with fellow Premier League side Brentford. He was picked as their replacement for Ange Postecoglou, who was sacked after they finished 17th in the table last season. It has since been an inconsistent start for Frank at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

Spurs currently find themselves in 13th position in the league after 20 fixtures. They drew 1-1 at home with Sunderland last time out. Next up is an away trip to AFC Bournemouth on Wednesday evening as they look to return to winning ways.

Tottenham Hotspur target swoop for Ademola Lookman

Spurs have been linked with a move for Atalanta winger Ademola Lookman now the January transfer window is open for business. According to a report by TEAMtalk, the Serie A ace has emerged on their radar this winter. Football Insider claim he has a price tag of £50 million.

Lookman, 28, is under contract with his current club until June 2028 meaning he still has a couple of years left to run down still. He has been playing for the Italian side since joining them back in 2022 and is one of their key players. The attacker has scored 55 goals in 134 games in all competitions, 20 of which came in the last campaign.

The Nigeria international, who has 38 caps to his name, has played over 300 games in his career now and is an experienced player. He started out in the academy at Charlton Athletic and broke into their first-team as a youngster before Everton came calling. The London-born star has since gone on to have spells at RB Leipzig, Fulham and Leicester City.

Would Ademola Lookman suit Tottenham Hotspur?

Spurs have a vacancy in attack following Brennan Johnson’s sale to Crystal Palace. Therefore, a deal for Lookman would make sense. If he joined, he would fill the void left by Johnson’s exit and give Frank a much needed other option to pick from in his attacking department.

He has experience of playing in England and will be coming into his prime now. Lookman, who has before been branded ‘world class’, has proved himself at Atalanta and someone who likes to cut in on his right foot from the left. He should now test himself in the Premier League again and show people who he is all about.

Spurs need to add more firepower to their ranks over the coming weeks. They are lacking that cutting edge up front, hence their lowly league position, and they have to ensure that they get their recruitment right before the deadline on Monday 2nd February. If not, pressure could start to grow further on Frank and they may have another managerial hunt on their hands.

Lookman would be risk free addition based on the fact he knows the league already. He is from London as well so it wouldn’t take him too long to adapt. Furthermore, he might feel like he has a point to prove in this country still and Spurs would be able to provide him with a platform to show what he can.

Johnson’s exit also means that he would likely get plenty of game time, even if he does initially begin on the bench. Frank will want to see a reaction from his team against Bournemouth in their last outing. They failed to put their game against Sunderland to bed due to missed chances and were punished for that in the end.

Tottenham Hotspur are underperforming again this season in the Premier League and need some new faces

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Tottenham Hotspur need to add some more firepower to their ranks now the January transfer window is open for business. They have struggled to find consistency this season under Thomas Frank and pressure could start to grow on the former Brentford man if things don’t improve. The north London outfit find themselves positioned in 13th place in the Premier League table after 20 fixtures.

Spurs have the chance to bring in some signings over the coming weeks to freshen things up. Frank’s men are back in action on Wednesday with an away trip to AFC Bournemouth. They drew 1-1 at home with Sunderland last time out over the weekend.

Tottenham Hotspur linked with Manchester City attacker Omar Marmoush

Spurs have been linked with a move for Manchester City attacker Omar Marmoush this winter. According to TEAMtalk, they have made ‘enquiries’ about his availability. League rivals Aston Villa have also been credited with an interest in the report.

Marmoush, 26, would be a shrewd addition for Frank’s side if they managed to lure him down to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium over the next few weeks. He would give them more competition at the top end of the pitch and offer something different. In addition, he would fill the void left by Brennan Johnson’s departure to Crystal Palace.

The Egypt international, who has made 42 caps for his country to date, joined City back in January last year to bolster their attacking department. He has since made 40 appearances under the guidance of Pep Guardiola and has scored nine goals. However, only eight have come this season and he has struggled to hit the ground running. Therefore, the ex-Wolfsburg and Eintracht Frankfurt man well leave for a fresh challenge somewhere else and a change of scene and he isn’t expected to be short of suitors if made available.

Tottenham Hotspur should propose swap deal to Manchester City

Spurs may need to see off competition from Aston Villa in pursuit of Marmoush. Therefore, they should offer City a player in return to try and jump to the front of the queue. With that in mind, Destiny Udogie is someone who may take Guardiola’s fancy.

Reporter Fabrizio Romano claimed in April last year that he was on the Sky Blues’ radar. Nothing materialised in the end though and he has since stayed put where he is. Things have moved on now though and if they could swap him for Marmoush, that is something Frank needs to consider.

Udogie, 23, is no doubt a useful player for Spurs to have and likes to get involved in attacks from wing-back. They need to prioritise attacking reinforcements at this moment in time though and Marmoush is someone that would be ideal for them. If cutting ties with Udogie means they can land the pacey forward, they may have to bite the bullet and do it.

Marmoush has the speed and the flair to get fans off their seats and he showed last term that he can perform at the top level in England. Things haven’t worked out for him recently, mainly due to injury issues and competition for places in the North West and he may feel he has a point to prove now. A change of scene to Spurs would do him good and landing him is a no-brainer, even if it does mean losing Udogie in the process.

A round-up of the biggest new Premier League transfer rumours - with news from Arsenal, Chelsea, Spurs and Leeds.

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The January transfer window is officially open, the first deals are already over the line, and to help you keep track of all the comings and goings, 3 Added Minutes are back with our regular round-up of the biggest and wildest new Premier League transfer rumours – starting with a pretty extraordinary rumour for Chelsea and Arsenal fans.

According to Caught Offside, Chelsea have “set their sights on potential transfer deals” for two players from immediate rivals in the upper echelons of the top-flight table. One of them – Aston Villa’s Morgan Rogers – is a long-term target who has been linked with the Blues many times, but the other name is rather more surprising: Arsenal’s Ethan Nwaneri.

Chelsea are “really keen” on the 18-year-old winger, who has struggled for minutes this season with Bukayo Saka and Noni Madueke both ahead of him in the pecking order. Apparently several “figures in the industry” have confirmed to Caught Offside that Chelsea’s interest is serious, although there’s no suggestion that an approach has been as of yet, or any word on how much they might be prepared to offer the Gunners.

Arsenal’s stance is, apparently, that Nwaneri “won’t be sold,” which isn’t surprising, although it’s suggested that they could sanction a loan to another club in the Premier League.

The 3AM Verdict: There’s just about no chance that Chelsea sign Nwaneri in the immediate future, but things change quickly in football and he’s certainly the kind of hugely promising young player that the Blues are happy to spend huge amounts of money on – so don’t be too shocked if this story ends up having some legs down the line. Not in January, mind.

Spurs make ‘concrete move’ for Brazilian wonderkid

Over to a story for Tottenham Hotspur supporters now – according to Sport Witness, Spurs have “made a concrete move” for 19-year-old left-back Souza, having “tested the waters” with an initial bid for the Santos starlet.

An official bid was launched in “recent days,” the article claims (citing sources within the Brazilian press) but was rejected due to falling short of Santos’ asking price. That price is, apparently, €17m (£14.75m) for the 70% share of the players’ economic rights that the club owns – suggesting a total fee in the region of £21m.

Spurs’ initial offer was “well below” the required mark, it’s claimed, and the gap in valuation is said to make a January deal “highly unlikely.” AC Milan and Chelsea are also said to have found negotiations challenging, with Santos holding firm. There’s no word on where the player would like to end up.

The 3AM Verdict: If a formal offer has indeed been made then that suggests that Spurs do indeed want to strike a deal this winter, and they have the PSR headroom to meet a high asking price if they want – so this may not be so hard to do before the end of January as the article implies. Still, there’s clearly a long road ahead.

Leeds ‘eye bargain move’ for Bundesliga star

Let’s wrap today’s digest up with a story from TeamTalk which reckons that Leeds United will “eye [a] bargain move” for Union Berlin defender Danilho Doekhi this winter – a player whose physical qualities and threat from set pieces have supposedly made him stand out as a transfer target as Leeds continue to press on with a switch to a 3-5-2 formation.

Doehki’s contract expires in the summer, which means that Leeds could get a bargain this January, as Union would “prefer a January sale” in order to get some transfer funds in – it’s suggested that the 27-year-old Dutchman could be worth around €13m (£11.5m) at most.

No formal offer has yet been made but Leeds are “hopeful of striking a deal” while deciding whether to pay up now or to wait to snap Doehki up on a free transfer in six months’ time. Apparently, the Whites are also debating whether to make a bid for AS Roma striker Artem Dovbyk and are one of four clubs to have been offered the striker.

The 3AM Verdict: Leeds have limited transfer funds and need several players this January, so we suspect that they’re more likely to offer a pre-contract deal to the Dutchman than to buy him outright now – but that will perhaps depend on how the rest of the window goes. If they do make a bid, it’s likely to be later in the window once other options have been exhausted.

Tottenham Hotspur will hope to return to winning ways when they host Sunderland on Sunday

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Tottenham Hotspur will face another test this weekend as they host one of the Premier League’s most impressive sides this season in Regis Le Bris’ Sunderland at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

The Black Cats have defied expectations following their promotion via the Championship play-offs in May and currently sit seventh in the table at the half-way point – five places and three points above Spurs, who are 12th.

Thomas Frank’s side played out a goalless draw on his return to former club Brentford on New Year’s Day, one of three matches not to see a single goal on one day of Premier League action as several sides made a slow start to the new year.

Spurs are just four points off managerless Chelsea in fifth but will know that if results do not take a consistent turn for the better, the pressure may increase on Frank. Sunderland will prove a tough test but could provide the north London outfit with the perfect chance to make up ground on those ahead of them in the table.

Tottenham predicted XI vs Sunderland: defence and midfield

Spurs continue to see several key-first team players out with injury, with six players currently side-lined and nearing a comeback to first-team action.

At the back, captain Cristian Romero returned from suspension at the Gtech and is set to start alongside Micky van de Ven. Djed Spence is likely to continue at left-back with Destiny Udogie still returning to fitness.

Lucas Bergvall was not passed fit to face Brentford following a believed groin injury during the victory at Crystal Palace, but could return here. Frank said he was “quite positive” Bergvall would be fit to face the Bees, which did not transpire in the end, but the 19-year-old could replace Joao Palhinha in the starting XI to face Sunderland.

Match-winner at Selhurst Park, Archie Gray will look to keep his place in his preferred position of central midfield alongside Rodrigo Bentancur, with Bergvall likely to play slightly higher than the pair in Frank’s frequently-used 4-2-3-1 formation. The Lilywhites will remain without Pape Matar Sarr, who is away at AFCON.

Tottenham predicted XI vs Sunderland: midfield and attack

In attacking areas, a series of absentees have limited Frank’s options in recent weeks.

Xavi Simons will serve the final of his three-match ban following his straight-red card against Liverpool, while attacking trio James Maddison, Dejan Kulusevski and Dominic Solanke are likely to remain on the sidelines. The latter duo are expected to return to action this month, but whether the clash with the Black Cats will come a little too soon remains to be seen.

Frank is also unlikely to call upon Brennan Johnson, who was left out of the squad to face Brentford as he nears a move to Crystal Palace.

With the dangerous Mohammed Kudus likely to keep his place on the right, Frank could call on Randal Kolo Muani to return to the side from the opposite flank. The forward joined PSG for £79 million in 2023 and has since gone on a season-long loan to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, where he has featured both through the centre and from the left. He is likely to be joined in attack by Richarlison, Spurs’ top scorer with seven league strikes.

Spurs have been linked with a transfer deal for an impressive winger making waves in France

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If any Premier League team is going to be busy this January, it’s Tottenham Hotspur. Few teams in the top flight have a list of needs as long as theirs, and few have quite so much money to spend, at least based on the profit and sustainability rules – and fixing a misfiring attack is among their many priorities.

Despite the signings of Mohammed Kudus and Xavi Simons in the summer, Spurs’ attack is still struggling, at least relative to pre-season expectations. They are firmly in the middle of the pack for goals scored but, even more damningly, have the second lowest expected goals tally in the entire division, ahead of only Sunderland. Chance creation has been a significant problem.

So while there are other areas of the team which need addressing this winter, it’s likely that a new creative forward will be close to the top of the shopping list – and according to a new report by The Daily Mail, AS Monaco’s Maghnes Akliouche could be the man that they want for the job.

Why Maghnes Akliouche could be just what Spurs need this January

A left-footed winger who typically comes in off the right, Akliouche ticks many of the boxes for Spurs – not just a winger who can create chances, but who would offer some balance to an attack which has lacked a consistent threat down the right wing this season.

With Brennan Johnson expected to leave the club in the near future, the 23-year-old Akliouche, who has won five caps for France and recently scored his first international goal against Azerbaijan, would essentially be filling a clear vacancy along the front line, and filling it in a way that might better compliment Spurs’ attacking play.

Not a player who’s likely to burst off the shoulder of the last man but rather one who looks to collect the ball in deeper areas, Akliouche is a good dribbler but a better passer, and one who creates opportunities at a healthy rate – on average, he’s been involved in the build-up to just over four shooting chances per match for the last year with Monaco.

That resulted in an impressive total of 10 Ligue 1 assists last season, with two more added since the summer. He has proven the ability to make a dent in the final third, but is also excellent at finding space in deeper areas and linking up with the midfield – and given that progressing possession from the midfield to the attack has been another major problem under Thomas Frank, that strength of Akliouche’s also lines up neatly with Spurs’ needs.

If he has a weakness, it’s that he’s unlikely to take up the goalscoring mantle himself, at least not in the volume that would be required – Akliouche has scored eight league goals for Lyon since the start of the 2024/25 season from 12.8xG at a rate of around one goal every five matches. That’s a respectable tally but his conversion rate reflects the fact that he is not a natural finisher.

Still, his all-round game offers much that Spurs need, and simply signing a new striker won’t sort out the goalscoring problems they have given that the problem is the appallingly low volume and quality of chances that they’re creating in the first place. Akliouche could be one part of the puzzle. But will they be able to sign him this January?

Will Spurs sign Akliouche in the winter transfer window?

Akliouche’s rise through the ranks at Monaco and subsequent call-up to the French national team hasn’t, of course, gone unnoticed, and while The Daily Mail may believe that Spurs are keen on acquiring him they are unlikely to be alone.

PSG showed considerable interest over the summer and while that came to nothing, it’s perfectly possible that they’ll be back again if Akliouche becomes available – and Arsenal were rumoured to be monitoring him, too. Perhaps beating Spurs to the signing of Eberechi Eze means that they won’t have the need to repeat the trick in January.

What does appear to have changed since the summer – although it’s not abundantly clear why – is that Akliouche’s asking price has dropped. PSG allegedly backed away because the €80m (£70m) being demanded was too steep for them, but now several sources (albeit none of the more reliable) suggest that Monaco are willing to part with the winger for a fee in the region of €60-65m, up to around £52m.

There’s no obvious reason for such a change of heart (Akliouche is under contract until 2028 and there are no reports of negotiations over a new deal) but with broadsheet reports seemingly agreeing that a transfer deal for the Frenchman would now be more straightforward than it was over the summer, it seems very likely that something has happened to make Monaco reconsider their stance. That could be to Spurs’ benefit, but it would be a surprise if nobody else made a move.

As well as Arsenal and PSG, Liverpool have also been linked by Football365 and a rash of similar stories may well follow – but Spurs are one of only a handful of teams with the cash to burn this January and that should at least narrow the field.

This is a deal which Spurs should be well-positioned to strike and which, if it is indeed now possible for a reasonable price, they should probably take a chance on. It might just be a step towards a more balanced and complete side which gives its forwards something to feed on for the rest of the season.

Latest Premier League news and rumours including updates on Everton, Manchester City and Tottenham Hotspur.

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Premier League teams will get the chance to freshen up their squads when the January transfer window opens up for business. With that in mind, Everton are interested in luring former Burnley right-back Vitinho back to England from Botafogo, according to Brazilian news outlet Globo. The defender moved back to Brazil in 2024 but is being linked with a new move now.

Vitinho, 26, was a key player during his time at Turf Moor for the Clarets. He rocked up in Lancashire back in 2022 following spells at Cruzeiro and Cercle Brugge. The full-back went on to make 80 appearances in all competitions and scored four goals before heading out the exit door.

The 3am Verdict: Everton need a new right-back this winter and Botafogo’s Vitinho could fit the bill. He knows England already, did well at Burnley and is someone who probably wouldn’t take too long to adapt if he joined them. The Toffees usually have to play Jake O’Brien out of position instead of Seamus Coleman and Nathan Patterson so they must sign an alternative option.

Manchester City latest regarding Elliot Anderson pursuit

Manchester City are ‘confident’ that they can beat Manchester United in pursuit of Nottingham Forest midfielder Elliot Anderson, TEAMtalk claim. The 23-year-old is under contract at the City Ground until June 2029. However, his current club are set to face a battle to keep hold of him in the future amid attention from elsewhere.

Anderson, who has made six caps for the England national team to date, was snapped up by the Reds in 2024 and hasn’t looked back. He has become one of their most prized assets and is a key member of their starting XI under Sean Dyche. Prior to his transfer, he rose up through the academy at Newcastle United and broke into their first-team following a loan spell away at Bristol Rovers in the Football League.

The 3am Verdict: Nottingham Forest’s Elliot Anderson would be ideal for Manchester City if they beat Manchester United to his signature. He would give Pep Guardiola more competition and depth in the middle of the park. In addition, he is still young and has bags of potential to get better in the future.

Tottenham Hotspur’s Luka Vuskovic attracting attention

Tottenham Hotspur defender Luke Vuskovic is ‘wanted’ by Bayern Munich and RB Leipzig, as per CaughtOffside. The centre-back is currently out on loan at Hamburg in the Bundesliga. He was given the green light to link up with the German top flight new boys following their promotion from Bundesliga.2 to further his development.

Vuskovic has since caught the eye at the Volksparkstadion and is seemingly attracting some interest from two of Germany’s biggest clubs. Spurs landed the 18-year-old in 2023 before he officially linked up with them earlier this year. Prior to his transfer, he was an important player for Hadjuk Split.

The 3am Verdict: It would be a surprise to see Spurs sell Luka Vuskovic. They haven’t seen any of him since they signed him and he seems to be doing well at Hamburg. If he stays put at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, he will be eager to force his way into their first-team picture down the line.

Our columnist looks at the transfer rumours surrounding Spurs - and wonders whether a midfielder is what they really need this January.

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The January transfer window isn’t always as busy or as exciting as it gets hyped up to be. Deals are too expensive to make and teams often too poor to splash out without breaking the various spending rules they need to adhere to. But one Premier League side are likely to be very busy indeed this winter – Tottenham Hotspur.

Spurs have both a huge amount of PSR headroom to work with and a laundry list of needs. Their squad is large but uneven, and filled to the brim with players who are dealing with persistent fitness issues, and it certainly hasn’t yet been moulded to Thomas Frank’s specifications.

Cash flow could yet prevent them from going truly wild in January, but if they can resolve that issue then the capacity is there for them to spend a significant amount. The gossip columns have linked them with a host of players, especially wingers and strikers – but while there’s work to be done in the final third, Spurs should have an even bigger priority as they head into the winter.

Why Tottenham Hotspur’s midfield has been their biggest problem this season

Spurs have been nothing if not inconsistent since Frank took charge, and the manager may have to take some of the blame for that – his tenure has been marked by considerable chopping and changing of formation as he tries to find a system which suits his squad.

That perhaps doesn’t reflect well too on Frank, who was flexible with his formation at Brentford but also able to instil a fundamental underlying playing style that underpinned the system through tweaks and changes. At Spurs, that hasn’t really been the case. There is a sense of disconnect between the players regardless of whether they are winning or losing.

Perhaps the biggest single issue has been the midfield – and that rather infamous 4-1 defeat to Arsenal was one of the matches which demonstrated why Spurs’ soft centre has made finding a tactical structure that worked so difficult.

Spurs have a host of ball-winning midfielders who essentially play the same game: Chasing lost causes, hunting down opposing ball carriers, and trying to disrupt attacks. But what the likes of Pape Sarr, João Palhinha and Rodrigo Bentancur have in common is a lack of positional discipline which is hurting team cohesion.

Against Arsenal, the two midfielders who were positioned to protect the back four were constantly drawn towards the ball when it went wide, leaving huge swathes of space open in front of the box for Eberechi Eze to exploit and score a hat-trick with. Compounding the problem was that none of the central midfielders are especially strong ball-carriers themselves or remarkably dynamic. Frank seems to want them to play box-to-box, and they aren’t up to the job.

As it stands, Spurs are rather cumbersome in possession as well as flaky out of it. They need a midfielder who not only has the positional awareness to effectively protect the defence when required, but who also has the combination of technical quality and pace to get the ball towards the attacking players quickly – someone who can do the kind of job that, say, Declan Rice does for their rivals down the road. Can they find that player in January?

The midfielders Spurs could sign this transfer window

With the gossip columns largely focusing on the more attacking additions Spurs might make – at least when they aren’t wondering about the future of Guglielmo Vicario – rumours connecting the club with midfielders have been a little less frequent. But they do exist.

Not all of them necessarily fit the template for a box-to-box midfielder. AZ Alkmaar youngster Kees Smit has been mentioned, but he is a more creative player who can’t be expected to contribute much defensively – more of a Luka Modrić figure. Between Smit and Lucas Bergvall, Spurs may well be able to build an exciting, forward-thinking midfield, but they would need a true holding midfielder to bring balance were that the direction in which they went.

Several stories from November suggested interest in Bournemouth’s Alex Scott, although that does seem to have gone a little quiet of late. Bournemouth are not likely to be prepared to sell Scott this winter, but he would fit the bill in a number of ways – the 22-year-old has the dynamism, defensive quality and fitness to impact all three thirds of the pitch with regularity.

Scott may not be an especially likely January signing, but he at least offers an image of the kind of midfielder Spurs could do with – one who can plug gaps in midfield without haring out of position at the drop of a hat, while also being able to carry the ball downfield quickly to spark and join attacking moves. That was something that Palhinha did for Fulham, but has struggled to replicate since joining Spurs.

Former Wolves man Rúben Neves would offer a more experienced solution to the same problem – a superb passer who forces a high volume of turnovers in deeper areas, he isn’t necessarily fast but he can get the ball to the front line with accuracy and create chances. He may also be more obtainable.

Like Scott, most of the links between Spurs and Neves came about in November and may well have passed out of the gossip columns for a reason, but there is evidence that Al-Hilal want to move on from him to free up overseas player slot for fancier, more expensive additions, and if Neves is prepared to take a pay cut to return to the Premier League then he could well be a player who is easier to get hold of in January than Scott is likely to be.

Smit, Scott and Neves are very different players but could all be pieces of the puzzle – slightly different puzzles, perhaps, and Frank would need to pick his tactical lane when signing any of them, something he has yet to decisively do at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. But whichever direction Frank takes the team in, and whichever players they target in January, it’s hard to envisage Spurs realising their potential if they don’t find a way to address a midfield that has, so far, wound up as being rather less than the sum of its parts.

Tottenham Hotspur need to add more quality to their attacking department in the January transfer window

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Tottenham Hotspur will be hoping that their 1-0 win away at Crystal Palace last time out can be a turning point in their season. The London outfit have struggled for consistency so far in this campaign. They find themselves sat in 11th place in the Premier League table after 18 fixtures.

Thomas Frank was starting to feel a bit of heat before their victory at Selhurst Park. The former Brentford man has the chance to bolster his ranks in the January transfer window. He also has the opportunity to let some players head out the exit door as well if needed this winter.

Tottenham Hotspur should target Manchester City winger Oscar Bobb

Spurs were linked with Manchester City attacker Savinho in the summer but nothing materialised in the end. They should now turn their attention to his teammate Oscar Bobb, who is facing an uncertain future ahead of next month. According to talkSPORT, Crystal Palace and Fulham are interested along with Sevilla.

If City land AFC Bournemouth star Antoine Semenyo, it wouldn’t be a surprise to see Bobb head out the exit door at the Etihad Stadium on loan. The Norway international, 22, is highly rated by his current club but faces strong competition for minutes in the North West. Therefore, an exit on a temporary basis to get some minutes elsewhere would be a sensible move.

Guardiola is a fan of Bobb’s and said back in October: “Oscar defensively is a machine, he helped us a lot and in the final third. His one-v-one is really good and he made good decisions. I’m really pleased he played good. I will encourage him to be more incisive and when he goes one on one, two v two, he can create really big situations.”

The winger joined City back in 2019 and has since worked his way into their first-team picture. Prior to his switch to England, he had spells at Lyn and Valerenga as a youngster. He has since made 47 appearances under Guardiola’s guidance and has scored three goals.

Oscar Bobb would suit Tottenham Hotspur as Brennan Johnson replacement

Spurs could cut ties with Brennan Johnson which means a replacement would be needed in his position. Bobb would fit the bill and has proved himself at the top level with City. He now needs to get some regular game time under his belt to show what he can do.

If he joined Frank’s side, he would give them some more competition and depth at the top end of the pitch. In addition, he could offer them something different to what they already have. The Oslo-born man likes to cut in on his left foot from the right flank.

Bobb has had injury issues over recent times and there is no point him sitting on City’s bench. Therefore, seeking a departure in the near future would be the best thing for his career at this stage. Crystal Palace and Fulham have been mentioned as potential suitors and would be able to play him consistently. However, so would Spurs right now and he surely has to be on their list of targets. Next up is a home clash against Brentford as they aim to build on their recent win.

A closer look at some of the latest Premier League transfer rumours as we approach the January window

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It seems as though the writing is now on the wall with the Antoine Semenyo transfer saga.

In what has been a juicy period of transfer rumours involving both Liverpool and Manchester City, the highly sought-after Bournemouth star appears to have made up his mind on where his next chapter lies.

Antoine Semenyo wants January move ‘wrapped up’

It’s been something of a tug of war in recent weeks between Liverpool and City, with reports claiming Semenyo had agreed personal terms with both clubs. However, according to BBC Sport’s Sami Mokbel, the winger wants a move to Man City ‘wrapped up’ by New Year’s Day.

It has been suggested that the Cherries want to keep Semenyo on their books until they face Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur in the opening week of January. The matches, which will take place on the 3rd and 7th, are both before Semenyo’s release clause deadline on the 10th.

Semenyo is keen on a ‘swift conclusion’ with his transfer and formal steps are ‘expected in the next 48 hours’.

The 3AM Verdict: Liverpool will be frustrated if a City move for Semenyo comes to fruition. The Reds have been heavily linked with the winger for a while and have identified him as a long-term suitor to replace Mohamed Salah. But if his heart is now already with City, Pep Guardiola’s side are in for a statement signing if all agreements can be reached in time.

Tottenham plan to ‘double’ star’s salary for new contract agreement

Tottenham Hotspur are looking to reach an agreement over a new contract for Micky van de Ven, and are willing to significantly boost his salary to make it happen.

According to TEAMtalk, Spurs are prepared to ‘roughly double the salary’ of the defender, whose current contract expires in 2029. The club are eager to ‘accelerate’ contract discussions and are willing to put him on the same wages as Cristian Romero.

The Spurs skipper reportedly earns in the region of £200,000 per week once bonuses are taken into account, while Van de Ven is on around £90,000 per week.

The 3AM Verdict: Van de Ven has established himself as a key figure at Tottenham and while other clubs are sniffing around him - including Real Madrid - a shiny new contract with double his current wages will be a huge incentive to see him stay at the club.

Joshua Zirkzee exit should be finalised by ‘mid-January’

Joshua Zirkzee is edging closer to an exit from Manchester United and new reports have claimed his loan move to AS Roma will be finalised in January.

Italian newspapers have provided new information in their Saturday editions. According to Corriere dello Sport, Roma have made their ‘first offer’ in attempt to bring Zirkzee to the Italian capital in the new year.

The deal would be an initial loan move with an obligation to buy, should Champions League qualification be secured. Gazzetta dello Sport have followed up with an update claiming Roma ‘could end up paying’ €38-40 million (£33-34m) for Zirkzee’s move full-time.

There is confidence a deal with be agreed and the striker ‘should be in Rome by mid-January’. All these updates have been relayed via Sport Witness.

The 3AM Verdict: Zirkzee is struggling for regular time on the pitch and it has been established that a loan move in January is best for all involved. A transfer will allow the Dutchman to rebuild his confidence and get his career back in positive form, while United will shift his wages off the books, as he is clearly not an immediate part of the club’s plans.