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Tottenham Hotspur manager Mauricio Pochettino has confirmed that the club are trying to sign new players in January.The club have not signed a new player since last January, but Pochettino has opened the door to potentially reinforcing the squad this month.What’s the word?Tottenham’s transfer dealings have been a bone of contention for many fans.Chairman Daniel Levy failed to bring in a single new player in the summer and it has appeared for the duration of January that lightning would strike twice.A Carabao Cup semi-final defeat to Chelsea on Thursday highlighted the need for reinforcements, however, with the likes of Harry Kane, Dele Alli and Heung-Min Son all unavailable.CheekySport’s Joel claims Spurs badly need to invest in January after not having “the balls” to beat Arsenal. Check out his uncensored opinion in the video below…And Pochettino has now given fans hope of a new recruit arriving in north London.He said, per Goal: “There are a few options. We will see if we are capable to deliver [on] it.”He added: “I am more than open to improve and to add players to the squad. You can find on the internet or my previous press conferences that I always say the same thing.”If we can find the right player that is going to help us improve, then we will…but we were never close. There is always a chance. We have still seven days [of the transfer window].”Challenge for LevyPochettino has regularly towed the party line at Tottenham.He has a superb track record of improving the players he has and Spurs rarely splurge on players in the transfer window.However, this is crunch time for Tottenham’s project.They are third in the Premier League and remain in both the Champions League and the FA Cup.With their new stadium seemingly close to completion, it is high time that the club starts showing some ambition in the transfer window.Pochettino’s words, then, appear a direct challenge to Levy to do just that; he has confirmed that there are options available to Spurs, but it remains to be seen whether they will be taken over the coming week.

Bruno Lage has led Wolves to exceeding expectations in their Premier League campaign so far.

The Black Country club currently sit sixth in the Premier League table ahead of Manchester United and Tottenham to name of a few of their top six contenders currently trying to break into the Europa League spots.

Despite this surprising success in the top half of the table so far, Wolves are not without their needs to add quality and fresh legs to their side, with a couple of injury problems plaguing the side currently.

Pedro Neto, Jonny Otto and Yerson Mosquera are all notably missing from the side, without any sign of an imminent return to the squad.

One strike of luck is the return of Raul Jiminez, who suffered a horrific fractured skull injury that kept him out of the side until the start of this season, who bagged his third goal of the season in a win over West Ham at Molineux Stadium this weekend.

Wolves are not struggling to find the goal, but their defensive record is highly problematic, only keeping their first clean sheet at home against West Ham a few days ago, which could be due to a lack of squad depth and availability for rotation in their defensive line.

Lage spoke out on the defensive issues recently saying;

“It’s easy to concede chances against us, so we need to continue to work to help our players and improve the little details that cost us.

Journalist, Luke Hatfield, has blown the lid on a potential incoming transfer for Wolves, which could definitely solve Lage’s problems at the back. He told GIVEMESPORT:

“I imagine that they’ll be keen to revive their interest in Botman if it can be done. It’s an area they probably need to look at.”

The £25.2m-rated centre back has been previously linked with a move to the club, and the January transfer window may be the perfect time for the club to pounce on the opportunity whilst sitting in a very attractive position in the Premier League.

Former Lille boss, Christophe Galtier, has hailed Sven Botman as a “leader” which is something Wolves could use to tighten up their backline to make them more aware and focused.

“In football, you have leaders who are vocal, ones who gesticulate and ones who shake the team up… I have a few of those,” said Galtier. “But you also have people who lead by example, through their performances, and it’s true that Sven is emerging as this type of leader.”

Wolves could swoop in to secure the signature of the Dutchman in January, if Lage is given the freedom to add players into his team during the winter transfer window, it really could make or break their battle for European football.

Said Benrahama was a complete non-factor as West Ham United picked up back-to-back defeats in the Premier League on Sunday afternoon.

The Irons were well-beaten by defending champions Manchester City in what was a treacherous top-flight affair at the Etihad Stadium, with midfield duo Ilkay Gundogun and Fernandinho on target for the home side.

Second-half substitute Manuel Lanzini notched a late consolation goal for the Hammers in the snow-hit encounter, though it left David Moyes’ men in fourth place but now cut five points adrift of the top three.

The Scot named an interesting line-up, with Arthur Masuaku starting over Jarrod Bown in the attack – rather than in a back-five – and it simply didn’t pay off as Benrahma struggled in the no.10 role.

His afternoon was summed up by his measly 22 touches, which was the fewest of any starter on the pitch for either side. West Ham shot-stopper Lukasz Fabianski managed 37 touches, by comparison. Even Lanzini matched this number and the Argentine replaced him on the hour mark, playing half the time.

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That’s the last thing you’d want from your playmaking talent in the heart of midfield, so it’s no wonder that Michail Antonio couldn’t muster up anything and why the £22.5m-rated Algerian was withdrawn prematurely, even if that was due to an injury worry.

In what was a completely anonymous showing, Benrahma also managed just eight passes all game, also recording a 67% accuracy, which again was the worst of any player to feature from the off.

Elsewhere, none of his three crosses and set-piece attempts found an Irons player, whilst he won just two of six duels (33.3%) and was dribbled past on two occasions, per SofaScore.

‘Saw little of the ball and found it hard to get into the game,’ is how football.london reporter Tom Clark described the 26-year-old, having witnessed him first-hand today.

All in all, it was an absolutely disastrous showing from Benrahma, making it eight league games without scoring, in which he has assisted just one goal, via Transfermarkt.

As such, he badly failed Moyes up in Manchester.

AND in other news, West Ham handed January transfer boost over “real force” targeted by Moyes…

Celtic appear to be edging closer to the signing of Daizen Maeda.

What’s the talk?

That’s according to a report by the Daily Record, who claim that the Yokohama F. Marinos centre-forward is rumoured to be in London in order to complete a medical ahead of a switch to Celtic in the January transfer window, with both Reo Hatate and Yosuke Ideguchi expected to follow on Tuesday.

The 24-year-old striker has been heavily linked with a move to Parkhead for a number of months now, and, if the latest reports are to be believed, Ange Postecoglou’s swoop for the Japan international looks as if it is now at the final stages.

Postecoglou will be ecstatic

Almost all of Postecoglou’s current options in attack having been sidelined due to injury at one point or another this season – something which has often left the 56-year-old manager extremely short up top.

That means the news that a deal to sign Maeda – who Kevin Muscat dubbed a “dream” to manage – now being extremely close to being completed is sure to have left the Greek-Australian coach ecstatic.

Indeed, ahead of the Bhoys’ trip to St. Johnstone on Sunday, Postecoglou was unable to select left-winger Mikey Johnston, attacking midfielder David Turnbull, centre-forward Giorgos Giakoumakis, attacking midfielder Ewan Henderson, centre-forward Albian Ajeti and right-winger James Forrest as a result of injury.

Meanwhile, centre-forward Kyogo Furuhashi also picked up a knock and was brought off just 15 minutes into the game – leaving the Hoops manager no choice but to field right-winger Liel Abada and 18-year-old B team striker Joey Dawson as his front two.

As such, it is abundantly clear that Celtic are in need of attacking reinforcements if they are to maintain their title charge over the second half of the current campaign, meaning that Maeda’s apparently impending arrival is extremely good news for everyone involved with the club.

In other news: Ange can finally axe £41k-p/w Celtic deadwood with January swoop that “should happen”

As per Sky Sports (via Football Daily), Tottenham Hotspur may have been handed a possible boost in the race to sign Chelsea defender Antonio Rudiger as his contract winds down.

The Lowdown: Spurs work on agreement…

According to reports, the Germany international is very much a top transfer target for Spurs, managing director Fabio Paratici, chairman Daniel Levy and coach Antonio Conte.

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Football Insider claim that Paratici is in fact ‘calling every day’, maintaining constant contact with Rudiger’s entourage as he attempts to reach an agreement and win the race for his signature.

However, suitors from overseas like Real Madrid and Bayern Munich possess an advantage given they can formally agree pre-contracts this month – a card Spurs do not hold.

Tottenham do remain in the hunt as things stand with another source, Eurosport journalist Dean Jones, recently backing the Lilywhites’ interest.

Now, in an update on Rudiger’s situation at Stamford Bridge, Sky have shared some ‘interesting news’ in what could be a boost for Spurs.

The Latest: Sky share possible Rudiger boost…

Dropping an update on live TV (via Football Daily), the broadcast giant relays that Chelsea’s star defender is in ‘no rush’ to sign a pre-contract agreement with an overseas club.

This is because he is ‘very aware’ there could be ‘interest from the Premier League’ if he were to become a free agent at the end of this season.

As well as this, despite the fact he could still sign an extension with Chelsea, they would have to make the 28-year-old the ‘highest paid defender’ in England’s top flight to stop him from leaving.

“Some interesting news reaching us regarding Antonio Rudiger,” Sky explained.

“He says he’s in no rush to sign a pre-contract agreement, now earlier this week we reported that Real Madrid, Juventus, PSG and Bayern Munich had all opened talks with his representatives.

“Barcelona, they’re also keeping an eye on his situation, but he’s very aware there could be interest from the Premier League if, of course, he were to become a free agent in the summer.

“Signing a new contract at Stamford Bridge hasn’t been ruled out for Rudiger, but we’re told Chelsea would have to make him the highest paid defender in the Premier League to keep him there.”

The Verdict: Boost for Spurs…

This update on Rudiger’s situation and transfer stance does come as a boost with Paratici as Tottenham remaining very much in contention.

Foreign sides being able to formally secure the centre-back to a pre-contract in January certainly put Spurs at a big disadvantage in the race so his willingness to bide time and entertain offers closer to home bolsters Paratici and Conte’s chances.

Rudiger’s demands to be made the highest paid defender in England if he is to agree a Chelsea extension could also boost Spurs.

Indeed, Lilywhites chairman Levy apparently has no problem tabling lucrative wages and is willing to make a ‘huge’ salary offer to tempt the player across London (Football Insider).

Taking all this into account, you can’t rule Spurs out just yet.

In other news: Tottenham ‘working strongly’ for ‘phenomenal signing’ as reporter shares news on Twitter, find out more here.

West Ham United could find another Tomas Soucek in Hans Vanaken in the January transfer window…

What’s the word?

According to Belgian outlet Voetbal24, the Irons are amongst the leading candidates to sign the Club Brugge midfielder, having held a long-term interest in signing him.

Back in the summer of 2020, the east Londoners reportedly saw a £13m bid rejected for him, via Sky Sports, with the Jupiler Pro League outfit demanding more. Almost 18 months on, it remains to be seen what sort of price tag he would command.

Transfermarkt currently value the Belgium international at a slightly higher price of £14.4m.

Shades of Soucek

The attacking midfielder, who stands at a whopping 6 foot 5 inches, has all the hallmarks to be another Soucek for David Moyes at the London Stadium, as the similarities go behind their position and towering physical presence.

Vanaken is capable of providing plenty of goals from the engine room, too, having scored eight times and provided five assists in 25 appearances this term, thus taking his goal total tally to 94 for the Belgian giants.

That includes valuable strikes against the likes of Manchester City and Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League. Impressive.

As we know with Soucek, he is one of Moyes’ major goal threats aside from players like Michail Antonio and Jarrod Bowen. Indeed, he shared the club’s top scorer award with the 31-year-old talisman in the Premier League last season.

Interestingly, Vanaken is equally adept with the ball at his feet despite his tall and thin stature.

“The special thing about Hans is that he has the footwork of a player of 1m 70. You can say that it is not nice to watch, that he is a bit slow, but he has an extraordinary intelligence,” claimed former teammate Onur Kaya to Sport Voetbal Magazine. “To be honest, I think he is stronger than a Dele Alli at Tottenham. He’s skinnier and less pretty to look at, but for me, he has his place at 16 of the 20 Premier League clubs.”

Meanwhile, journalist Peter Vandenbempt once claimed that “Vanaken gets better every year. He has everything Club Brugge wants: vision, technique, the right mentality and scoring ability.”

The Club Brugge colossus could be a shrewd addition for Moyes, in which he could find another Soucek-like presence to help dominate Premier League midfields and defences into the second half of the current campaign.

Vanaken could well be the next goalscoring midfielder to grace the London Stadium, should Rob Newman and co seal his signature this time around.

AND in other news, West Ham fans will love “unbelievable” Irons star’s 5-word hint after latest Moyes snub…

After Steven Gerrard’s appointment as Aston Villa manager was confirmed, attention has turned to potential signings from his former club Rangers.

The Birmingham Mail’s Richard Cusack has been considering the possibility of a swoop for Ryan Kent. On Friday, Daily Record journalist Scott Burns reported that the winger and Glen Kamara would be ‘at the top of Gerrard’s list’ if the 41-year-old were to launch a raid on Ibrox.

Ryan Kent profiled

Kent joined Rangers in September 2019 in a £6.48m move off the back of a loan spell in Glasgow the previous season. He has made 139 appearances for the Gers, scoring 28 times and notching 33 assists. Six of those goal contributions – one goal and five assists – have come in his 11 outings so far this season.

The 25-year-old’s contract is up at the end of the 2022/23 campaign and he is valued at £12.6m by Transfermarkt.

Twitter account @AVFC_News asked supporters if they would like Kent to move to Villa, and here’s how these fans responded negatively, believing that the winger wouldn’t be an upgrade on their current abundance of options out wide.

Liverpool gave him just one senior appearance before loaning him out several times prior to his permanent move to Rangers, something which may also discourage some Villa supporters.

These Villa fans unimpressed by Kent

“No Rangers players are better than what’s there”

Credit: @mickmcg81

“Surely we can do better?”

Credit: @kinglandranger3

“Not really. No better than what we have. That’s not where he should be looking, far from it.”

Credit: @AVFCAL79

“Don’t want Rangers players, he’s plenty of money to get better quality players”

Credit: @waynipoos1

“Not for me. Better value in U23 and around Europe”

Credit: @SpeakReason

“We have plenty of wingers though”

Credit: @BernardKeavy

In other news, many Villa fans react to this Neil Cutler update

So far in the January transfer window, Wolves have made just one new addition, bringing in Japanese midfielder Hayao Kawabe from Swiss Super League side Grasshopper Club Zurich.

However, with Wolves’ official website stating that the player is expected to return to Switzerland on loan to complete the season with Grasshoppers after spending January in England, it could be worth signing another player who will actually spend the remainder of the current campaign in Bruno Lage’s squad.

With that in mind, one player that Wolves could sign who would not only be unlikely to be loaned back out upon arrival at Molineux but also have a great chance of playing regularly in the team is Renato Sanches.

Having been linked with a move for the Lille midfielder during last summer’s transfer window, this month could give Wolves a great chance of finally securing the 24-year-old.

Since joining Lille back in 2019 from Bayern Munich, the Portuguese maestro has made 76 appearances for the French club across all competitions, scoring six goals and providing six assists in the process.

Imagine him and Neves

Described as a player who has “got a lot of character” by BBC pundit Jermaine Jenas, Sanches has shown what a quality midfield player he can be, averaging 1.4 key passes per game in Ligue 1 this season. That is higher than any other Lille player and also exceeds every Wolves player in 2021/22 except Raul Jimenez, who is tied with him on 1.4 but with a much lower passing completion rate according to WhoScored.

This shows that the £27m-rated Portugal gem could provide a big boost for Wolves, particularly in an attacking regard, with only rock-bottom Norwich City having scored fewer goals than Lage’s side in the Premier League this season. Imagine him alongside compatriot Ruben Neves, who is the only Wolves player other than Jimenez to have both scored a goal and provided an assist in the league this season, and how that could greatly bolster the Old Gold’s attacking threat.

Moving forward, Wolves should definitely make another approach to Lille before the end of the month to see if they would be willing to negotiate a deal for Sanches this month or even in next summer’s transfer window.

In other news: Shi could secure the next Jimenez at Wolves with swoop for “quality” £49k-p/w beast – opinion

Celtic have had a number of successful academy graduates make their way through to the first team at Parkhead over the years.

Callum McGregor and James Forrest are two great examples of players who have been able to rise through the ranks and establish themselves as key stars for the Hoops at senior level.

However, some talented prospects can slip through the cracks and that is what happened with left-back Aaron Hickey in Glasgow. He was brought to the club from Hearts in 2017 and did not make a single first-team outing as a teenager before Brendan Rodgers sanctioned his exit back to Tynecastle for nothing in the summer of 2018.

Two years later, Italian side Bologna snapped him up from the Scottish side and he is now attracting interest from England.

Fabrizio Romano recently reported that Premier League side Newcastle United are eyeing up a deal worth up to £20m for the youngster, which means his value has risen astronomically in the space of around four years. The Magpies are looking to snap him up this summer after watching him catch the eye in Italy this season.

In the Serie A, he has averaged an impressive SofaScore rating of 6.89 across 27 appearances. He has been able to showcase his attacking flair from full-back with four goals and one assist, whilst creating 0.5 chances per game.

Defensively, he has been solid throughout the campaign. Hickey has averaged 2.3 tackles and interceptions per game and has only been dribbled past 0.3 times per match, winning 60% of his overall duels in the Italian top-flight. This shows that he is a strong defender who also offers quality in possession, which makes him a modern-day full-back who can make an impact at both ends of the pitch.

At the age of 19, he also has the potential to improve further. He is in the infancy of his professional career and has plenty of time to develop further and progress as a left-back. If he is able to continue growing and raising his standards on the pitch then that £20m may start to look like a bargain and Celtic could rue their decision even more as time passes.

His former manager Daniel Stendl previously labelled him as an “extraordinary talent” and the youngster’s statistics in the Serie A at such a young age back that up. 

Hickey’s form since leaving Celtic and his immense potential as a player prove that Rodgers made a huge blunder by not offering him a route to the first-team and allowing him to leave fo nothing. He slipped through the now-Leicester boss’ clutches and the Hoops will surely be wondering what could have been, as they look set to watch him seal a potential mega-money move this summer.

AND in other news, £3m wasted: Celtic had a shocker on £7.9k-p/w “loner” who rinsed Desmond for 129 weeks…

Luke Edwards has now revealed the transfer budget that Newcastle United will have this summer.

The Lowdown: January spree

The St. James’ Park faithful went on a shopping spree in the January transfer window, forking out £90m on Kieran Trippier, Dan Burn, Matt Targett, Bruno Guimaraes and Chris Wood.

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It has been reported that they will target a new central defender, midfielder and striker this summer, in what promises to be another busy window in the North East.

The Latest: Budget reveal

Replying to a fan on Twitter, The Daily Telegraph journalist Edwards has now revealed that the budget will be ‘less’ than the £90m that was spent in January, but that does not include potential sales of players:

“I don’t know a precise figure – that was a rough estimation – but I’ve been told it’s less than the £90m in January.

“That doesn’t include player sales obviously and they need to move players on. Squad already too big. There are loans and free transfers too. It’s not a negative.”

The Verdict: Surprise

I think if you told Premier League fans that the Magpies would only be able to spend £90m this summer, they would be surprised.

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s (KSA) Public Investment Fund (PIF) dwarfs the wealth of the owners of Manchester City and PSG in terms of their assets, while the Premier League tend to spend more money than any other division in the world.

However, they can raise that figure by selling a few fringe players in the squad, like Jamal Lewis, Ciaran Clark and Isaac Hayden, who have been left out of their 25-man Premier League squad.

Nonetheless, the board should not look to spend money for the sake of it, and instead carefully pick out the right targets to join Eddie Howe’s team.

In other news, find out which NUFC star is now ‘making good progress’ on his injury comeback here!