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Tottenham Hotspur are interested in a deal to bring Leandro Paredes to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in the summer transfer window.

What’s the talk?

That’s according to a report by Italian media outlet Calciomercato.it (via Sport Witness), who claim that Fabio Paratici is keeping a very close eye on the situation of the Paris Saint-Germain midfielder ahead of a potential move for the 27-year-old at the end of the current campaign.

The report goes on to state that Tottenham’s managing director was believed to be interested in signing the Argentina international for Juventus prior to his move to AS Roma back in 2014, while PSG are thought to be demanding a figure of around €20m (£16.5m) in order to part with the midfielder this summer.

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Conte can axe Ndombele with Paredes

Considering just how impressive Paredes has been for PSG since his €45m (£37.5m) move to the French capital back in January 2019, in addition to the fact that Tanguy Ndombele looks as if he will be on his way out of north London this summer, it is easy to see why both Paratici and Antonio Conte would be interested in a move for the 27-year-old.

Indeed, despite suffering from several knocks this season, the £18m-rated dynamo has been an important part of Mauricio Pochettino’s table-topping PSG side over his 15 Ligue 1 appearances, scoring one goal and registering two assists, as well as making an average of 0.5 key passes and taking 0.5 shots per game.

The £148k-per-week defensively-minded midfielder has also impressed in metrics more typical of his position, making an average of 0.7 interceptions, 1.5 tackles, 59.6 passes and winning 2.9 duels – at a success rate of 61% – per fixture.

These returns have seen the player who @MrAcconci – the co-founder of WhoScored – dubbed the “ultimate midfielder” and Joe Prince-Wright labelled a “superb” talent average a highly impressive SofaScore match rating of 7.01.

As such, with Ndombele – a player who Scott Saunders dubbed “anonymous” – looking likely to be shipped out permanently this summer, it would appear highly advisable for Conte to reinvest the funds received from the £120k-per-week Frenchman’s departure into a move for Paredes – as the Argentine would appear to be a much better fit for the Italian’s setup in north London.

AND in other news: Paratici handed major boost on £21m Spurs-linked “monster”, he’s Conte’s dream signing

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Crystal Palace put in one of their most professional performances of the season on Saturday, but with a few tweaks they can go one better against West Ham next week.

On the chalkboard

Roy Hodgson must have enjoyed his Saturday, as the Palace boss watched his side put in a near-flawless display against relegation candidates Fulham.

The Cottagers had 63 per cent of the possession per Whoscored’s stats, but didn’t register a single shot on target, and goals from Luka Milivojevic and Jeffrey Schlupp were enough to give Palace all three points.

The Eagles will now welcome West Ham to Selhurst Park next weekend, and Hodgson should unleash his deadline day signing against a hurting Hammers back line.

Check out the below above to see football played as you’ve never seen it before… in a maze!

Hammers in trouble

West Ham will welcome league leaders Liverpool to the London Stadium on Monday night, and it’s hard to see anything other than an absolute trouncing.

The Hammers are currently without commanding leaders Fabian Balbuena and Winston Reid, leaving the erratic and downright hopeless Angelo Ogbonna to partner young Issa Diop in defence.

If Manuel Pellegrini’s side do suffer a hefty defeat, then Palace can heap more misery on them next weekend by starting a front three of Wilfried Zaha, Michy Batshuayi and Andros Townsend, assuming Zaha does not receive a further ban from the FA for his red card at Southampton.

This front three has far too much movement, speed, trickery and guile for the Hammers’ makeshift defence to account for, and Batshuayi showed he is up to the task by setting up the second goal just minutes after coming on for his debut against Fulham.

Blessing in disguise for Benteke?

While throwing Batshuayi right into the mix against West Ham might seem harsh on Christian Benteke, who was decent on his return to the starting XI on Saturday, it could actually be a blessing in disguise for the big Belgian.

Aforementioned, West Ham are currently decimated by injuries and playing with absolutely no confidence, so the last thing they’ll want to see is Benteke coming on for the last 20 minutes of the match.

The 28 year-old could forge a new role at Selhurst Park as a super-sub, allowing the pace of Batshuayi to tire out the likes of Diop and Ogbonna before coming on to finish the job.

According to Dan Sheldon of The Athletic, another loan spell at Southampton is unlikely for Broja, but a permanent move is possible in the summer.

The Lowdown: Broja’s outstanding form at Southampton

The 20-year-old has quickly established himself as one of Southampton’s most important players since arriving on a season-long loan from Chelsea.

The striker has made 17 Premier League appearances this season, nine of which have come as part of the starting XI.

Broja has scored five goals and produced one assist under Ralph Hasenhuttl, which makes him Saints’ second top scorer in the league behind James Ward-Prowse.

The Latest: Broja permanent transfer possible

Hasenhuttl has previously stated that talks are taking place between Martin Semmens, Southampton’s club’s chief executive, and Marina Granovskaia at Chelsea over the Albanian’s future.

According to fresh reports from Dan Sheldon and The Athletic, ‘as it stands’, another loan move for Broja is unlikely. Therefore, this means that the loanee will either leave Chelsea on a permanent transfer this summer or will remain at Stamford Bridge in a bid to fight for his place in Tuchel’s side.

This is fantastic news for Saints fans, as it is also said that Broja is enjoying his time at Southampton and that he has developed a good relationship with Hasenhuttl, meaning if a fee can be agreed the player certainly seems keen to stay put at St. Mary’s.

The Verdict: Massive for Saints fans

The possibility of a permanent deal coming to fruition will arouse excitement amongst the Saints fanbase, who are desperate to keep hold of the 20-year-old beyond the summer.

Broja is scoring a top flight goal every 175 minutes this season, a fantastic rate for a player who had rarely stepped foot on a Premier League pitch before 2021.

The fact that the player has a good relationship with the manager will give the club a big boost in negotiations over a permanent transfer, as this could influence Broja into pushing for a return move.

Hasenhuttl would clearly love for the striker to return, having described the striker as ‘dangerous’ in front of goal. Therefore, it likely all depends on whether Southampton have the finances needed to meet Chelsea’s asking price.

Wolves reportedly now want to clinch a quick deal to sign Kilmarnock central defender and ‘big, big’ talent Charlie McArthur.

The Lowdown: Breakthrough season

McArthur is enjoying a breakthrough season in Scottish football, having already made three senior appearances for his club at just 16 years of age.

His former manager Tommy Wright was full of praise form him earlier this season, claiming that he has a ‘big, big future’ after handing him his debut, while he has also hailed McArthur as a ‘dream to work with’.

Nonetheless, it is no surprise to see clubs now circling around for his signature.

The Latest: Wolves want quick deal

As per The Daily Record, both the Midlands club and West Ham United are preparing moves and ‘want to clinch a quick deal’ for McArthur, as Brighton and Hove Albion also look to table a £275,000 bid for the starlet.

The Seagulls have been tracking him for ‘some time’ and have seen him play for Scotland’s U17s, of whom he is the captain.

The Verdict: Get it done

Given the impending offer from Brighton, the Molineux faithful need to act fast if they are going to get a deal for McArthur over the line.

He is clearly a bright prospect that could thrive in the Academy, until Bruno Lage is ready to call him up to the first team.

Nonetheless, at 16, he has so much potential, and so other teams may well join the race in the summer.

In other news, find out which Wanderers ace is now being eyed by ‘several clubs’ here!

Tottenham Hotspur are interested in a deal to bring James Maddison to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in the summer transfer window.

What’s the talk?

That’s according to a report by The Sun, who claim that both Spurs and their north London rivals Arsenal are in the frame to land the Leicester City attacking midfielder at the end of the season – for whom the Foxes are believed to be willing to part with if their £60m asking price for the 25-year-old is met.

The report goes on to state Antonio Conte is known to be a fan of the England international, with the 52-year-old thought to be keen to increase the number of his attacking options at Tottenham this summer.

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Conte can axe Lo Celso with Maddison

Considering how impressive Maddison has been for Leicester this season, in addition to the fact that the £55m Giovani Lo Celso – who John Wenham dubbed a “disaster” – looks as if he will be departing the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on a permanent basis this summer, it is easy to see why Conte would be interested in a move for the 25-year-old ahead of Spurs’ 2022/23 campaign.

Indeed, over his 28 Premier League appearances this term, the £45m-rated midfielder has been Leicester’s standout performer, scoring eight goals, registering five assists and creating eight big chances for his teammates, as well as taking an average of two shots and making 1.3 key passes per game.

These returns have seen the £110k-per-week player who Brendan Rodgers dubbed both “unbelievable” and “immense” average a quite breathtaking SofaScore match rating of 7.19, ranking him as the Foxes’ best player in the English top flight.

As such, should Villarreal go on to make Lo Celso’s temporary spell at the Estadio de la Ceramica a permanent move this summer – as it has been reported the LaLiga side are keen to do – considering Maddison’s incredibly impressive returns this season, in addition to his excellent positional versatility and high resale potential, the player Rodgers also claimed is “a bit like Coutinho” would very much appear to be a huge upgrade on the outgoing Argentina international.

AND in other news: “Understand…”: Alasdair Gold now reveals “bad news” for Spurs, Conte will be fuming

Tottenham Hotspur have seemingly made pre-summer contact over signing a brand new defensive target with Napoli defender Kalidou Koulibaly now in their sights.

The Lowdown: Conte eyes new centre-half…

According to The Telegraph, Spurs’ head coach is placed a central defender on his summer transfer wish-list among his five other requests to the club board.

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As well as a centre-back, it is believed that Conte has his eyes on a reserve goalkeeper, right-wing-back, two midfielders and a new forward.

Of the defenders linked, there have been many, with recent claims heavily linking Tottenham and transfer chief Fabio Paratici to Torino’s star man Gleison Bremer.

However, as per Il Mattino (via Calcio Napoli 24), it appears a new target is now in their radar in colossal Napoli man Koulibaly.

The Latest: Tottenham make pre-summer Koulibaly move…

It is reported that Tottenham have now made contact for the 30-year-old and have started knocking on the door alongside Everton and Newcastle United.

It is believed that the Lilywhites sent a ‘request’ to sign Koulibaly, but for now, all discussions have been postponed until the end of the season.

The Verdict: Come back again?

Out of all Tottenham’s targets, we believe the Senegal international comes as a surprising one given his age and possible price tag – with Transfermarkt valuing him at around £40.5 million.

He’s also on a reported £183,000-per-week, wages that would put Koulibaly in and around Spurs’ top earners.

These could be heavy financial prices to pay from a Tottenham perspective given the 57-cap star doesn’t exactly come as a long-term solution to Conte’s lack of centre-back depth.

His quality cannot be denied, with former Salernitana manager Stefano Colantuono branding him an ‘extraordinary’ player earlier this season, but we believe Paratici may be best looking elsewhere for a cheaper and younger option.

In other news: ‘That’s for sure’ – Sky Sports reporter now backs big transfer news out of Tottenham, find out more here.

West Ham United boss and senior employee David Moyes has been spotted on a Monday mission as the Hammers eye Hull City attacker Keane Lewis-Potter.

The Lowdown: West Ham in the mix…

As Moyes and the club remain linked with some of the Championship’s most best players, including the likes of Dael Fry (Middlesbrough) and Rob Dickie (QPR), they have also been showing interest in Tigers starlet Lewis-Potter.

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The Daily Mail recently revealed that West Ham, as well as Spurs, are keeping close tabs on the 21-year-old who has been shining in the second tier under Hull boss Shota Arveladze.

The England Under-21 international, as per BBC Radio Humberside reporter David Burns, is now the subject of a personal spot check from Moyes as he makes a Monday claim.

The Latest: Moyes spotted on Lewis-Potter mission…

Burns, sharing news on Twitter, spotted the Irons boss across London personally running the rule over Lewis-Potter as Hull faced off in a 2-1 defeat away to Millwall.

Replying in a thread to the post, he confirmed that both Lewis-Potter and central defender Jacob Greaves are on West Ham’s radar.

The Verdict: Make a move…

At such a young age, Hull’s brilliant winger has emerged as one of their most important players, racking up the most goals and assists combined (9G, 3A) in the Championship out of anyone in their squad (WhoScored).

He’s also had more attempts at goal on average than every Tigers ace this season (2.2), marking himself out as one of Arveladze’s most potent attacking threats.

There is little wonder he could cost interested clubs £20 million as his value soars, with pundit Clinton Morrison also calling Lewis-Potter an ‘outstanding’ player.

In other news: Big blow for Moyes: Journalist says ‘underrated’ West Ham ace now ‘wants to leave this year’, find out more here.

A deal for Antonio Rudiger would cost Manchester United €55million (£46million), according to a report from Marca’s Mario Cortegana. 

Rudiger’s Chelsea contract expires at the end of the season, so that sum comprises his salary and bonuses.

The German’s representatives are apparently holding ‘meetings and calls’ with various suitors.

Rudiger was said to be ‘upset’ with Chelsea’s renewal offer in the summer, but talks at Stamford Bridge have now resumed, and ‘with a much greater harmony’. The 28-year-old has plenty of options elsewhere however, including United.

Significantly, Ralf Rangnick enjoys ‘a good relationship’ with the player’s agent, according to this latest update.

Who else could sign Rudiger?

Also in the frame are Italian giants Juventus and Ligue 1 leaders Paris Saint-Germain.

Bayern Munich could make a move, depending on what happens with Nicklas Sule, and there’s been contact with Real Madrid too.

The defender has shone under Thomas Tuchel, earning a place in the UEFA Champions League Squad of the Season for 2020/21 after Chelsea beat Manchester City in the final.

Fan feed Utd Report relayed Cortegana’s claim, and here’s what supporters made of it.

These United fans excited by Rudiger prospect

“Imagine rudiger x varane, finally rudiger can play with an actual rolls royce”

Credit: @UtdPatrick__

“Nice deal. He would improve our defence. Rudiger x varane”

Credit: @ZackMullerr

“Bailly is leaving , sell the fridge asap and get in rudiger .”

Credit: @xvenom07

“Rudiger and Varane backline could catch Lewis Hamilton”

Credit: @gregoryanwar28

“That’s less than Maguire’s transfer fees. Get him”

Credit: @blackvanpersie

“Bring this beast to La Theatre.”

Credit: @EthanGed

In other news, fans flock to this news on Lingard.

According to a report by L’Arena, as cited by Calcio Hellas, there has been an update out of Italy as Tottenham Hotspur eye a late bid for yet another target in Czech Republic international Antonin Barak.

The Lowdown: Panic stations…

Over these last few days, Lilywhites transfer chief Fabio Paratici and manager Antonio Conte have seen targets slip through the club’s fingers as Tottenham’s deals become hijacked.

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They were closing in on moves for winger Adama Traore and forward Luis Diaz but both Barcelona and Liverpool respectively scuppered Spurs’ January plans to sign the duo.

Now, with the window closing on Monday, Tottenham face a race against a time to back Conte with major signings in the winter market and kickstart the N17 rebuild.

As such, new names are coming out of the woodwork, with Spurs now apparently plotting a move for Hellas Verona star Barak.

The Latest: Paratici gets to work…

As per L’Arena (via CH), there has been a ‘first phone call’ in recent days between Paratici and the Serie A side’s sporting director Tony D’Amico over a transfer for the 27-year-old.

It is believed that Spurs are ‘ready’ to table a €20 million (£16.6m) bid, plus defender Ryan Sessegnon on loan, to sign Barak ‘immediately’ and before the Monday deadline.

Verona president Maurizio Setti is apparently open to taking this offer, as it would be ‘very well received’ him personally, but D’Amico ‘appears much less convinced’.

The Verdict: What Spurs need?

The 6 foot 3 attacker has been in fine form for Verona this season, supplying eight goals and six assists over 19 league appearances from midfield whilst becoming a key player under manager Igor Tudor.

He’s also averaged a threatening 2.3 shots at goal per 90 with only Son Heung-min and Harry Kane making more attempts in comparison to Conte’s current squad at Spurs (WhoScored).

An experienced international with 28 caps and appearances at Euro 2020 last summer, for £16.6m plus Sessegnon on a temporary transfer, Spurs could seemingly do far worse in terms of finally landing a playmaker.

It will be interesting to see whether D’Amico and Setti can come to an agreement over whether or not to entertain Paratici’s advances.

In other news: Tottenham now also preparing last minute marquee bid to sign ‘special’ forward for Conte, find out more here.

Newcastle United defender Emil Krafth was an unsung hero for manager Eddie Howe in their win over Leicester City in the Premier League.

The Magpies’ fine run of form under the Englishman continued as they took another big leap towards safety with a 2-1 victory over the Foxes, courtesy of a last-gasp winner from winter signing Bruno Guimaraes, who bagged a brace on the day.

He cancelled out Ademola Lookman’s 19th-minute opener on the half-hour mark before heading home a bounced ball from Joe Willock in stoppage time late in the second half at St James’ Park.

The Brazilian powerhouse will take much of the plaudits but it really was a team effort from Howe’s men, with the Swedish defender arguably standing out amongst his peers.

He was an absolute colossus defensively and tried to contribute going forward from the right-back role, too.

Shields Gazette reporter Dominic Scurr waxed lyrical about Krafth’s input in his post-match ratings column, where he graded the 27-year-old an eight out of ten – the same as Guimaraes, and wrote:

‘Had a couple of shaky moments but more than made up for them with some crucial blocks and challenges to keep Leicester at bay. His best performance of the season. Booked.’

Indeed, no Magpies player had more touches than the former Amiens man as he registered 61 touches, some eight more than the next best, Joelinton (53).

Meanwhile, further back, Krafth registered a whopping seven tackles, which was more than anyone else on the pitch in the northeast, and he also recorded three interceptions, one clearance and he won 80% of his battles, as per SofaScore.

The £57k-per-week ace also drew further praise from other journalists following the match – Newcastle World reporter Liam Kennedy dubbed him “immense”, whilst ChronicleLive’s Mark Carruthers claimed he had a “really solid game” up against “two tricky opponents.”

On the above evidence, the Sweden international was certainly one of the unsung heroes for Howe against the Foxes. He, and the Magpies faithful, can be proud of that display, that’s for sure.

AND in other news, Bid made: PIF in negotiations for £83m “diamond”, he’d be a huge coup for Newcastle…