Sports Mole

Newcastle United are reported to have tracked Wolverhampton Wanderers star Mateus Mane.

The Toon's season has been mixed, as while the are in the semi-finals of the EFL Cup, they are ninth in the Premier League having failed to win 12 of their 20 league matches.

Eddie Howe's side have struggled to create chances in the final third, and it is no surprise that they have been linked with attacking stars in the January transfer window.

The Daily Mail claim that Wolves' Mateus Mane has come into consideration, with the Magpies keeping track of the 18-year-old.

Mane became Wolves' youngest Premier League goalscorer, when he netted in his team's 3-0 win over West Ham United on Saturday, and he may be available for a reduced fee if the team are relegated in the summer.

Tottenham Hotspur recall defender this January transfer window

Tottenham Hotspur have recalled defender Alfie Dorrington from his loan at Scottish club Aberdeen.

The 20-year-old had spent the second half of the 2024-25 season on loan at Aberdeen, winning the Scottish Cup in May.

After signing a new deal with Tottenham, he then went back on loan to the Dons, a deal that was supposed to last until the end of the 2025-26 campaign.

However, after starting just three league games and appearing just six times in the top flight, Spurs have decided to recall the defender.

There is not yet any indication as to whether the youngster will be used as part of the first-team squad, or whether he will be sent out on loan again.

Bournemouth see bid for Antoine Semenyo replacement rejected

Bournemouth have had a bid for Stuttgart winger Jamie Leweling rejected, the latest report has claimed.

With the January transfer window open, rumours linking Cherries forward Antoine Semenyo with a move away have ramped up.

The attacker's release clause makes Bournemouth powerless to stop him leaving, though they will be able to bring in replacements this month.

Andoni Iraola's side have been linked with a host of stars, including Stuttgart forward Jamie Leweling.

Santos defender Souza is reportedly keen on joining Tottenham Hotspur in the January transfer window.

The 19-year-old has reportedly emerged as a target for Spurs, and they have already submitted an offer, which was rejected.

The young left-back has put in impressive performances in 38 competitive appearances for Santos, earning him comparisons with Brazil legend Marcelo.

Spurs failed with an initial bid of around £8.7m for the Brazilian, who is also being chased by Chelsea, and Serie A giants AC Milan, among others.

Newcastle United have been linked with a move as well, but Ben Jacobs has confirmed that the Magpies are not in the race for his signature.

Souza eyes Spurs move?

© Iconsport / SUSA

The journalist has reported that Spurs are still in talks with the Brazilian club, and Souza is particularly interested in joining them.

It has been reported that Santos are demanding close to €20m (£17.3m) for the player who is contracted with the Brazilian club until 2028.

This also means Spurs will have to double the offer or come close to it to have any chance of beating rivals for the youngster's signature.

Spurs have Djed Spence, Ben Davies and Destiny Udogie as three left-back options for Thomas Frank, and Souza could be seen as a player for the long-term haul.

What other areas Spurs need to sign?

© Imago / Action Plus

Tottenham could be interested in signing a new centre-back, especially if they allow Radu Dragusin to move on, although the chances are very slim.

The north London club are most likely to sign a new attacker during this month following the injury to Mohammed Kudus, who is now expected to be out for a spell on the sidelines.

Spurs have already sold Brennna Johnson to Crystal Palace, and with Dejan Kulusevski still out injured, there is a need for a new wide player.

Tottenham Hotspur could reportedly look to bolster their attacking department as Mohammed Kudus is now set for a spell on the sidelines.

Kudus joined Spurs in the summer for a fee of around £55m from London rivals West Ham, and has been a mainstay of Thomas Frank's squad.

The 25-year-old has scored three goals and registered five assists in all competitions for Spurs thus far, but has failed to contribute goals in his last five games.

Kudus started in Tottenham's 1-1 draw against Sunderland in the previous game, alongside Wilson Odobert, Richarlison and Mathys Tel in a four-man attack.

The Ghana international lasted for only 19 minutes, as he clutched his left knee and was replaced by Randal Kolo Muani.

Kudus may have picked up a serious injury

© Imago / Every Second Media

According to a report from The Telegraph, the scans showed Kudus's injury is worse than feared.

The winger will definitely miss the Premier League clash against AFC Bournemouth, and could miss more games in the second half of the season.

Until now, the former Hammers attacker has missed just one match through injury so far - the 2-2 draw with Manchester United in November - but this latest setback will come as a massive blow for Spurs.

Spurs have just sold Brennan Johnson to Crystal Palace for £35m, which leaves Frank with limited options.

Tottenham eye new attacker in January?

© Imago / IMAGO / Every Second Media

The report claims Spurs will look to sign a new attacker in January, especially with Dejan Kulusevski also injured.

The north London club have been linked with a move for Antoine Semenyo, but the Ghana winger has chosen to move to Manchester City and will reportedly complete his medical in the next few days.

Seeking their first-ever Premier League double over Tottenham Hotspur, Bournemouth welcome the Lilywhites to the Vitality Stadium on Wednesday evening.

The Cherries will move to within one point of Thomas Frank's men in the bottom half of the table with a win, and here Sports Mole rounds up the team news for both clubs.

BOURNEMOUTH vs. TOTTENHAM

BOURNEMOUTH

Out: Tyler Adams (knee), Ben Gannon-Doak (thigh), Ryan Christie (knee), Matai Akinmboni (muscle), Justin Kluivert (knee), Will Dennis (ankle)

Doubtful: Veljko Milosavljevic (knee)

Sports Mole's predicted XI: Petrovic; Jimenez, Hill, Senesi, Truffert; Cook, Scott; Semenyo, Tavernier, Brooks; Evanilson

TOTTENHAM

Out: Mohammed Kudus (thigh), Yves Bissouma (AFCON), Pape Sarr (AFCON), Dejan Kulusevski (knee), James Maddison (knee), Dominic Solanke (ankle)

Doubtful: Wilson Odobert (face), Destiny Udogie (thigh)

Bournemouth head coach Andoni Iraola has admitted that Manchester City-bound Antoine Semenyo could play his final game for the club this week.

The Cherries are scheduled to face Tottenham Hotspur in the Premier League at the Vitality Stadium on Wednesday night.

Semenyo has enjoyed a stellar start to the campaign and it is said that Man City are preparing to trigger the £65m release clause in his Bournemouth contract.

The Ghana international has scored nine goals and provided three assists across 19 Premier League contests in 2025-26.

Since making the permanent switch from Championship outfit Bristol City in January 2023, Semenyo has played in 109 games for the Cherries, netting on 31 occasions.

'It could be his last game' - Iraola discusses Semenyo future

Ahead of his side's battle with Spurs, Bournemouth boss Iraola completed his pre-match press conference, with questions about the future of Semenyo inevitable.

When quizzed on whether the 25-year-old might be playing for the Cherries for the final time on Wednesday, he said: “There is nothing signed with Antoine Semenyo.

"If you ask me personally what I think, with all the noise and this, I think it could be the last game. But I cannot guarantee it.

“I understand the market, the noise, but right now there is nothing agreed and nothing signed, so for me he is our player, and I hope he continues, but my understanding also is that there is a chance that it’s his last game.”

Bournemouth will be looking to halt a worrying 11-game winless run in the Premier League when Thomas Frank's troops visit on Wednesday night.

How do Bournemouth replace Semenyo?

Attracting interest from the majority of the so-called big six in the Premier League this term, it was highly unlikely that Bournemouth would be able to keep hold of Semenyo.

Iraola and the Cherries must now plan for a future without the influential Ghanaian, who could be jumping a ship sinking towards a relegation battle.

The South-coast side have failed to win a top-flight fixture since the end of October and sit 15th in the Premier League standings after 20 games.

Tottenham Hotspur are reportedly reluctant to give up their pursuit of highly-rated Santos left-back Souza.

The 19-year-old has impressed in his 38 competitive appearances for Santos, earning him comparisons with Brazil and Real Madrid legend Marcelo.

Chelsea have already been linked with the highly-rated full-back, along with Italian giants AC Milan.

According to TEAMtalk, Tottenham are also in the race for the defender's signature, although they have failed with an initial proposal worth €10million (£8.7m).

Spurs remain in Souza pursuit

However, the report claims that Spurs are 'refusing to give up' in their efforts to bring the Santos star to North London, with their interest said to be at the 'most advanced' stage among Souza's potential suitors.

Santos are believed to be demanding close to €20m (£17.3m) for a player who is under contract until December 2028.

Talks are still ongoing with Santos, although Spurs will have to work fast to fend off rival interest from England and beyond.

In addition to Chelsea, Spurs are facing competition from Newcastle United and Manchester City's owners, the City Group.

There is also thought to be interest from Germany and Spain, although a move to England appears to be the most likely at this stage.

Why are Spurs keen on Souza move?

Thomas Frank has Djed Spence and Destiny Udogie as his main two left-back options, although the latter has struggled with injury this season and is currently sidelined with a hamstring issue.

Tottenham may view Souza as someone who can provide cover at left-back in the event of injuries, while also looking to develop his game on the training pitch.

Alternatively, Spurs may decide that Souza is one for the future and could look to send him out on loan before bringing him back into the first-team fold at a later date.

Tottenham Hotspur are reportedly interested in signing Udinese defender Oumar Solet this month.

Spurs secured a respectable point at home against high-flying Sunderland last time out, with the Black Cats earning the scalps of many top sides already this term.

With the schedule showing no signs of letting up, Thomas Frank's side travel to the South Coast in midweek for a clash with Bournemouth.

The Cherries are in the midst of a worrying winless streak and could be dragged into trouble at the foot of the table.

That being said, Wolverhampton Wanderers appear all-but relegated already, whilst Burnley and West Ham United continue to struggle massively.

Tottenham bidding to win Solet race?

According to CaughtOffside, Tottenham are targeting the addition of a new defender during the January transfer window.

The report claims that the Europa League holders are keen on bringing Udinese star Solet to the Premier League this month.

As well as the Lilywhites, it is believed that Chelsea and Crystal Palace have sent scouts to watch the 25-year-old in the flesh.

Solet is also supposedly a long-term target of Manchester United and West Ham, with the former recently sacking Ruben Amorim.

There is also the distinct possibility that the Frenchman upgrades to a top side in Italy, such as Roma, Inter Milan or AC Milan.

How could a January deal work for Solet?

As per the aforementioned report, Solet could be available on a temporary agreement this month, with the loan deal containing an obligation or option to buy in the summer.

It is said that the centre-back is keen on rising the ranks of European football, and the Premier League could be the next logical step.

Tottenham are known to be scouring for centre-back stars to bolster the options behind first-choice duo Micky van de Ven and Cristian Romero.

Tottenham Hotspur head coach Thomas Frank is expecting to be without the stricken Mohammed Kudus for Wednesday's Premier League clash with Bournemouth at the Vitality Stadium.

The Ghana international sustained a thigh injury in the first half of Sunday's 1-1 draw with Sunderland, the severity of which has not yet been ascertained, but Frank has conceded that he will likely sit out the showdown with the Cherries.

To make matters worse, Wilson Odobert suffered a blow to the face and had to come off over the weekend, although there are no serious concerns about his availability for the meeting with Bournemouth.

However, a fully-fit Xavi Simons is now back from a three-game ban and will almost certainly step in for Kudus on the right, while Lucas Bergvall could be given the nod as the most advanced midfielder in Odobert's place.

Mathys Tel justified his start last time out and is likely to continue in support of Richarlison, while Archie Gray and Rodrigo Bentancur remain first-choice in front of the backline.

The long-serving Ben Davies marked an unexpected start with an unexpected goal against Sunderland, and if he is good to go again, Djed Spence could come into the team at right-back; Pedro Porro is overdue a rest.

Yves Bissouma (AFCON), Pape Sarr (AFCON), Dejan Kulusevski (knee), James Maddison (knee), Destiny Udogie (thigh) and Dominic Solanke (ankle) are absent for the Europa League winners.

Tottenham Hotspur possible starting lineup:

Vicario; Spence, Romero, Van de Ven, Davies; Gray, Bentancur; Simons, Bergvall, Tel; Richarlison

Antoine Semenyo could make his final home appearance for Bournemouth when the Cherries host Tottenham Hotspur in Wednesday's Premier League showdown.

The Ghana international's £65m move to Manchester City has been agreed in principle, but it is still not known when the Cherries will release him for his new adventure.

However, Semenyo is expected to be involved in the visit of Spurs, which is Bournemouth's last home game until January 24, by which point he should be donning a sky blue jersey.

The 25-year-old will likely comprise one-quarter of an unchanged attacking contingent on Wednesday, when Justin Kluivert, David Brooks and Evanilson should all be retained, in spite of Eli Junior Kroupi's fabulous finish in the 3-2 loss to Arsenal.

Lewis Cook is now back from a neck injury to offer Andoni Iraola an alternative in midfield, but Alex Scott and the versatile Marcus Tavernier are likely to continue as the double pivot.

Alex Jimenez and James Hill appear to have usurped Adam Smith and Bafode Diakite in the defensive pecking order too, and the former pair should also reprise their roles in an unchanged XI.

Tyler Adams (knee), Ben Gannon-Doak (thigh), Veljko Milosavljevic (knee), Ryan Christie (knee), Matai Akinmboni (muscle) and Will Dennis (ankle) will play no part in this one for the hosts.

Bournemouth possible starting lineup:

Petrovic; Jimenez, Hill, Senesi, Truffert; Tavernier, Scott; Semenyo, Kluivert, Brooks; Evanilson

For the second time in the space of two Premier League matchweeks, the Vitality Stadium welcomes a North London powerhouse, as Bournemouth host Tottenham Hotspur on Wednesday night.

Andoni Iraola's men came out on the wrong end of a five-goal thriller with Arsenal in gameweek 20, while the Lilywhites were held to a painful home draw by Sunderland over the weekend.

Match preview

Seventh heaven for Arsenal, 11th hell for Bournemouth, whose appalling winless run in the top flight stretched further into the double figures despite a valiant effort against the league leaders, who initially went behind to an Evanilson effort.

However, Gabriel Magalhaes's redemption strike and Declan Rice's brace put Arsenal firmly in control, before Eli Junior Kroupi's fabulous finish proved to be little more than mere consolation for the soon-to-be apoplectic Cherries.

Bournemouth understandably took issue with Chris Kavanagh blowing his full-time whistle as they were about to send the ball into the box, but even if that chance had led to a leveller, it would have made no difference to their worrying winless sequence.

Eleven games without a win is Bournemouth's longest-ever in a single top-flight season, but thanks to the dismal results of the bottom three, the 15th-placed hosts are still closer to the top five points-wise than they are the relegation zone.

Furthermore, four of Bournemouth's five top-flight successes so far in 2025-26 have come at their Vitality Stadium home, but Iraola's men now welcome a visiting side who could regain their status as the Premier League's best away team.

Only Arsenal (20 points) have out-performed Spurs (18) on the road in the 2025-26 top flight, and with the Gunners hosting Liverpool on Thursday night, victory for the Lilywhites will see them reclaim their away perch on the South Coast.

That will certainly be easier said than done in spite of Bournemouth's struggles, though, as Thomas Frank's men are still flattering to deceive in these harsh winter months and dropped two points in excruciating fashion against newly-promoted Sunderland.

Brian Brobbey's rocket cancelled out Ben Davies's opener in a 1-1 stalemate, although the Black Cats have also taken points off of Liverpool, Arsenal, Chelsea and Manchester City this season, so Sunday's result was not of the nightmarish variety for Frank.

That will come as little comfort to the Tottenham supporters who see their side languish in 13th place in the overall table, though, and from their last 11 Premier League matches home and away, the Lilywhites have come up trumps in just two of them.

On the plus side, the visitors are on the hunt for their third consecutive Premier League away clean sheet - not since April 2022 have they managed that feat - but Bournemouth's 1-0 win in August means that the Cherries could now complete their first-ever double over their North London counterparts.

Bournemouth Premier League form:

Tottenham Hotspur Premier League form:

Tottenham Hotspur form (all competitions):

Team News

Long-serving Bournemouth midfielder Lewis Cook returned from a neck injury to come off the bench against the Gunners, leaving six players in the treatment room, none of whom are expected back for this fixture.

Tyler Adams (knee), Ben Gannon-Doak (thigh), Veljko Milosavljevic (knee), Ryan Christie (knee), Matai Akinmboni (muscle) and Will Dennis (ankle) are all absent for the hosts; the latter's injury triggered the signing of ex-Spurs goalkeeper Fraser Forster as a free agent.

With his £65m move to Manchester City yet to go through, Antoine Semenyo is expected to be at Iraola's disposal once again, for what may be his final home appearance in a red and black jersey.

Semenyo will likely not be squaring up to compatriot Mohammed Kudus, though, as the Spurs winger sustained a thigh injury in the first half of the draw with Sunderland and will surely take his place on the sidelines this week.

Kudus is one of seven absent Spurs men at present alongside Yves Bissouma (AFCON), Pape Sarr (AFCON), Dejan Kulusevski (knee), James Maddison (knee), Destiny Udogie (thigh) and Dominic Solanke (ankle), but Xavi Simons is at least back from a three-match suspension.

The Dutchman will almost certainly be restored to the first XI in place of the stricken Kudus, while Lucas Bergvall could also earn a spot in the XI after Wilson Odobert took a whack to the face over the weekend.

Bournemouth possible starting lineup:

Petrovic; Jimenez, Hill, Senesi, Truffert; Tavernier, Scott; Semenyo, Kluivert, Brooks; Evanilson

Tottenham Hotspur possible starting lineup:

Vicario; Spence, Romero, Van de Ven, Davies; Gray, Bentancur; Simons, Bergvall, Tel; Richarlison

We say: Bournemouth 1-1 Tottenham Hotspur

History suggests that Spurs must score twice to stand a chance of succeeding on Wednesday; they have prevailed in their four away games at Bournemouth in which they have netted two goals or more, but failed to win the other four when they have scored one or fewer.

The latter scenario appears more likely this week amid Frank's creative injury crisis, but Spurs have added a layer of defensive steel away from home and should be good enough for a point against a struggling Cherries outfit.