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Taking to Twitter, Sportitalia TV reporter Rudy Galetti has shared his own update on Tottenham Hotspur’s bid to sign Adama Traore as manager Antonio Conte also requests another signing.

The Lowdown: Spurs in Traore talks…

Over these last two weeks, the Lilywhites and transfer chief Fabio Paratici have been in negotiations with Wolves over the transfer of the Spain winger and even attempted a loan deal at one stage (Matt Law).

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They have also had an opening bid of £15m rejected by the Molineux club, but there are strong rumours that an agreement for Traore is edging nearer and nearer.

Reliable reporter Fabrizio Romano claimed that Spurs are ‘increasingly confident’ of signing the 25-year-old, with a fresh bid being prepared after Friday talks (The Guardian).

Meanwhile, coming out with his own promising claim, football.london correspondent Alasdair Gold has said there is a feeling within both clubs that an agreement can be reached before deadline day.

In yet another update, Italian reporter Galetti has shared information from his own sources on social media.

The Latest: Conte ‘requests’ another signing…

According to the journalist on Twitter, Traore is indeed ‘close to Tottenham’ as super agent Jorge Mendes attempts to wrap up a deal ‘in the next hours’.

Amid this development, Galetti believes that Conte has also ‘requested’ another signing in the form of a midfielder before January 31.

The journalist tweeted: “Adama Traore is close to Tottenham for about £20m. Jorge Mendes is trying to close the deal in the next hours. Conte has requested also a midfielder: hot days in London.”

The Verdict: Exciting times…

As the winter window cut-off looms in just over a week’s time, Tottenham fans can be encouraged by this update alongside a plethora of other reliable reports.

It appears that Traore’s arrival at N17 is looking like a strong possibility, and Conte’s refusal to give up comes as another bit of good news.

In terms of the midfielder that he and Paratici could target, they remain heavily linked with a move for AC Milan star Franck Kessie, and it isn’t beyond the realms of possibility that Spurs may go for him after wrapping up a deal for Traore.

The Ivory Coast international’s San Siro contract expires at the end of the season, putting pressure on the Rossoneri to sell for a cut-price fee this month or risk losing him for nothing later in 2022.

This could play right into Tottenham’s hands, so Paratici could be set for a busy end to the month.

In other news: Spurs reportedly ‘edging closer’ to signing ‘massive’ £15m defender, find out more here.

Leeds United are in talks with Hamburg over a possible loan move for winger Crysencio Summerville.

The Lowdown: Summerville at Leeds

Summerville, labelled as a player with a ‘bag of tricks’, made the move to Yorkshire back in September 2020 and is out of contract at Elland Road next year (summer 2023).

The Dutch U21 international has made 24 appearances for the club’s U23 side and recently scored a hat-trick against Sunderland.

His impressive displays have earned him eight senior appearances under Marcelo Bielsa, but it seems as if he could follow in Cody Drameh’s footsteps in leaving in search of regular first-team football.

The Latest: Talks gathering pace

According to Bild, relayed by Sports Witness, talks are gathering pace between Leeds and Hamburg over a move for Summerville.

The player wants to feature more at senior level, with a long-term loan deal possibly on the cards.

Summerville is also wanted by sides in his native country, but a move to Germany with Hamburg is apparently on the cards before the month is out.

The Verdict: Not ideal

January was supposed to be a month where Victor Orta bolstered Bielsa’s squad for the second half of the season. However, should Summerville leave the club, Leeds could end up with fewer players than they started with.

Of course, both Drameh and Summerville weren’t first-team regulars, however, with the number of injuries Leeds have suffered this season and Bielsa’s small squad, every player is needed at Elland Road.

Key target Brenden Aaronson may not end up joining until the summer, so the club’s outgoing business at the end of the month could now be viewed as a gamble as Leeds look to ensure a third successive season of Premier League football.

In other news: ‘Another?’ – Sky Sports man ‘very surprised’ at ‘crazy’ Leeds United transfer update.

Celtic have offered Zinedine Ferhat pre-contract terms ahead of a possible free summer transfer, according to reports in France.

The Lowdown: Ferhat links

The Hoops made five winter window additions last month, the last of which was Matt O’Riley from MK Dons.

Celtic were linked with a move for Ferhat at the beginning of the year, with the 28-year-old out of contract with Nimes Olympique at the end of June.

He remained with the French second-tier side beyond the January transfer window, but it seems as if the Hoops are still keen on the versatile midfielder and are looking to tie up a cut-price move at the earliest opportunity.

The Latest: Pre-contract terms

According to reports in France, relayed by The Daily Record on Friday evening, the Algerian has been offered pre-contract terms by the Hoops.

Ferhat is thought to be desperate to leave Nimes and will see out his contract before leaving in the summer, with Turkish side Trabzonspor also making the playmaker an offer.

The Verdict: Shrewd move

Ferhat has been described as ‘creative’ by Adam White and is valued at £4.05m by Transfermarkt, so he could well be a smart free signing by Celtic, should he accept a move to Scotland.

Capable of playing on the right-hand side or as an attacking midfielder, Ferhat contributed to 16 goals in Ligue 1 last season and was the silver lining in a Nimes side that dropped down to Ligue 2.

James Forrest and Liel Abada are the club’s only senior options on the right-hand side along with youngster Karamoko Dembele, who is out of contract in the summer.

The Hoops have four options on the opposite flank, so Ferhat’s potential arrival would help balance Ange Postecoglou’s ranks ahead of the 2022/23 season.

In other news: Kieran Devlin drops scary Reo Hatate claim from sources close to Celtic dressing room. 

As per Goal, Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp may have been dealt a blow as news emerges involving one of his superstar forwards, Sadio Mane.

The Lowdown: Key player…

The Senegalese attacker, who has only just returned to Merseyside following his nation’s first ever triumph at the Africa Cup of Nations, is of course also a key player at club level for Liverpool.

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According to WhoScored, Mane ranks third for the Reds in terms of Premier League goals and assists combined, all whilst averaging the second-most shots and completed dribbles per 90 behind star man Mohamed Salah.

18 months remain on his current deal with no extension agreed as it stands, and it now appears the £100,000-per-week star has one eye on a possible Anfield exit.

The Latest: Mane ‘willing’ to leave…

According to Goal, Mane is ‘willing to leave Liverpool’ next summer if Real Madrid or Barcelona come knocking – dealing a possible blow in the Reds’ hopes of keeping the 29-year-old.

He has even let his representatives know this, with Goal going on to claim that Mane does not want to retire without first playing for one of La Liga’s great clubs.

The Verdict: Blow for Klopp…

His numbers since joining Liverpool and accolades in the past indicate this could come as a blow for FSG and Klopp – especially if he goes for free without signing an extension.

Mane has racked up a phenomenal 107 goals and 44 assists in all competitions under the German since joining from Southampton.

He’s also been described as a ‘beast’ by fellow African big name Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, and it’s safe to say Liverpool should surely look to tie Mane down or they risk losing him to Spain.

In other news: Liverpool make contact for £38m man who ‘has everything’ as FSG eye ‘great signing’, find out more here.

Following the arrivals of Kyogo Furuhashi, Liel Abada, Jota, Giorgos Giakoumakis and Daizen Maeda this season, Ange Postecoglou’s Celtic side is one that quite clearly boasts a tremendous amount of attacking talent.

Indeed, so far this season, Kyogo has scored 16 goals and registered five assists over his 26 appearances for the Bhoys, Abada has bagged 14 goals and provided 11 assists over his 38 outings for the Hoops and Jota has netted eight goals and registered seven assists over his 24 appearances for the club.

However, despite this clear strength in depth in his attacking lineup, Postecoglou has often found himself short of options up top due to a high volume of injuries – something which ultimately led to the 56-year-old handing 18-year-old Joey Dawson his Celtic debut in a 3-1 win over St Johnstone back in December.

Although, while it may have been luck that saw the centre-forward handed first-team minutes so soon into his professional career, it would hardly be surprising if Dawson becomes a regular in the 56-year-old manager’s first-team squad in the not too distant future, as the teenager appears to be one of the most exciting prospects at Parkhead.

The next John Hartson

Having joined Celtic on a three-year deal from Scunthorpe United last summer, the 18-year-old has quickly settled into life in Glasgow, linking up with Tommy McIntyre’s B team side – for whom Dawson has already bagged nine league goals this season.

As such, it is clear to see why Celtic describe Dawson as a “highly-rated” talent, while Paul Hurst, the youngster’s former manager at Scunthorpe, also appeared extremely excited at the potential of the 18-year-old, saying: “I think he’s a player with a lot of potential. [He] showed good ability during pre-season in various games at different levels.”

And, considering the striker’s uncle, Michael Dawson, went on to play 286 Premier League games in his professional career, while his father, Andy Dawson, played over 300 games for teams such as Hull City and Scunthorpe in his own career, the youngster’s footballing ability quite clearly runs in the family.

Furthermore, should the physically imposing teenager who Michael Dawson described as a “big centre-forward” go on secure a place in Postecoglou’s first team in the coming years, he could very well be a talent who goes on to replicate the goalscoring record of another big Bhoys striker, John Hartson – who bagged 50 times and registered 15 assists over his 105 appearances for Celtic.

Either way, it is clear that the Hoops have an extremely exciting talent on their hands in the shape of Dawson, with it appearing a very wise move for Postecoglou to place his trust in the 18-year-old on a more regular basis – as he could be rewarded with the emergence of a new club legend.

In other news: Ange drops huge transfer hint on “horrendous” £20k-p/w dud, Celtic fans will be fuming

A big update has emerged on Newcastle United and their plans for Allan Saint-Maximin… 

What’s the talk?

According to The Daily Mail, the Magpies are prepared to cash in on the Frenchman at the end of the season to increase the transfer pot that Eddie Howe is able to utilise.

The report claims that PIF will be willing to sell him in the summer if a club matches their £50m valuation of the former Nice man.

Fellow Premier League side Aston Villa are one of the sides eyeing up a potential swoop for the mercurial winger, who is said to be one of ten players the Toon want to let go ahead of the 2022/23 campaign.

Disasterclass

PIF are now heading for a major Newcastle disaster-class over Saint-Maximin and must nip this idea in the bud before it comes to fruition.

Unless a ridiculous transfer offer – Jack Grealish’s £100m move to Manchester City for example – comes in, then they must keep hold of him. He is crucial to Howe’s attacking set-up and selling him this summer would be a huge error by the club.

The idea of selling him for £50m and replacing him with two or three new additions is all well and good in theory but Magpies fans know more than most that not every transfer works out, particularly when it comes to attackers.

Newcastle reportedly paid £40m for Joelinton and £20m for Miguel Almiron – both record deals at the time – and they have scored two goals in 49 appearances between them in the Premier League this season.

Therefore, the club spent £10m more than they want for Saint-Maximin on two players who are three goals behind him combined. The French winger has produced five strikes and three assists in the top-flight, whilst averaging an impressive SofaScore rating of 6.94.

Toon icon David Ginola recently dubbed him the club’s “jewel” and Danny Mills showered him with praise earlier this year, saying:

“He picks the ball up, runs with the ball, makes things happen and is exciting. All those types of things.

“One week you will think ‘Wow, sensational’ but then he might be quiet for two or three games.”

This highlights why the fans enjoy watching him play as he gets them out of their seats in excitement with his play on the ball. He averages 4.3 dribbles per game as he consistently beats opposition players down the wing, which shows that he is direct and likes to be a difference-maker in the final third.

In conclusion, it would be a disaster-class because there is no guarantee that PIF will be able to find players for £50m to replace what he gives to the team. The club would also be selling a fan favourite, given how exciting he is to watch, and that may not go down well at St. James’ Park, which is another reason why they must avoid making this mistake.

AND in other news, Less touches than Dubravka: “Struggling” NUFC flop with 6 passes was useless yesterday…

Celtic have come back fighting this season after a campaign in 2020/21 that was plagued with issues at Parkhead.

The Hoops relinquished their control of Scottish football to their arch enemy but Ange Postecoglou has arrived at Celtic Park and reinvigorated a club that looked rather lost.

He has brought in a number of new signings, completely revamping the playing squad and changing the way they play.

The quadrant of Jota, Kyogo, Liel Abada and Giorgos Giakoumakis have contributed to 79 goals between them while Cameron Carter-Vickers, Josip Juranovic and Carl Starfelt have all made themselves at home in the heart of the defence.

Matt O’Riley, Daizen Maeda and Reo Hatate also made an instant impact after arriving in January, all scoring already in the famous green and white.

However, there are a couple of purchases that have to be questioned. Yosuke Ideguchi has spent plenty of time on the treatment table since penning terms over the winter but the biggest concern has to be James McCarthy.

Indeed, RTÉ analyst Eamon Dunphy dubbed him a “terrible flop” earlier this season and it’s rather hard to argue with that assessment.

The Irishman arrived on big wages, £14k-per-week in fact, and he’s not done a lot to justify that salary. Hailing from Ireland, he appears to be cut from the same cloth as his international colleague, Shane Duffy.

He arrived from Brighton on a season-long loan deal last term and picked up a sizeable wage. However, like McCarthy, he had a torrid time in Glasgow despite previously thriving in the Premier League.

It’s difficult to grasp why the duo have both struggled so much, but one theory puts it down to the intensity of Postecoglou’s training sessions.

The Athletic reported last year that the former Crystal Palace midfielder had been finding life difficult in training as the pace of the manager’s sessions and the demands he placed on his players were simply too much for him to cope with.

As a result, it’s hardly a surprise that McCarthy has barely featured this campaign. The central midfielder has played 20 times in total, of which only eight appearances have come in the Premiership.

Consequently, there have been hints for him to be axed from the squad this summer. Alan Hutton told Football Insider: “You look at the ground Hatate covers, even McGregor. They’re workhorses. They get up and down the pitch, they make things happen and that question mark is over James McCarthy.

“Is he capable of doing that for 90 minutes? At the moment, I’m not so sure.”

He has only been at Celtic for just under a year but when you consider the sheer number of options Postecoglou boasts in his engine room, it’s tough to see McCarthy ever making it at Celtic.

It might just be time to cut ties with the Irishman.

AND in other news, Sources: Deal now agreed for potential “£20m-plus” talent, it’s bad news for Celtic…

Dabid Moyes’ West Ham United side host relegation-threatened Burnley at the London Stadium in the Premier League later today, with the Hammers looking to build on Thursday night’s famous 3-0 victory against Lyon.

The 58-year-old’s outfit advanced to the semi-finals of the Europa League with a colossal performance in France but must now turn their attention back to their push for a top-six finish.

With six games to go, the Irons are in control of their fate and are currently sitting in seventh ahead of their meeting with managerless Burnley, who parted company with Sean Dyche on Friday after almost 10 years of service.

However, it’s crucial that Moyes’ men return to winning ways in the league after last weekend’s disappointing 2-0 defeat at Brentford, especially against a side in the relegation zone.

It’s another massive game in the east London club’s season, but who should be entrusted to start? Here is how Football FanCast expect the Hammers to line up.

Predicted XI: Fabianski (GK), Johnson (LB), Diop (LCB) Dawson (RCB), Coufal (RB), Rice (CDM), Soucek (CDM), Fornals (LW), Benrahma (CAM), Bowen (RW), Antonio (ST)

Setting up in a 4-2-3-1 formation, we expect the Hammers to make just two changes from the 3-0 win over Lyon as Moyes looks to keep a winning team together as much as possible, whilst also managing potential fatigue.

In goal comes an expected change as Lukasz Fabianski returns between the sticks in the place of Alphonse Areola. The Polish goalkeeper has been entrusted with league duties this season whilst the PSG loanee has been West Ham’s ‘keeper in cup competitions as well as in Europe.

The defence stays the same with Thursday’s clean sheet a rarity for the east London side this season, with just seven shutouts in the Premier League all campaign, the seventh-worst in the top-flight.

As widely expected, the excellent defensive midfield duo of Declan Rice and Tomas Soucek keep their starting berths, with the other change coming in the attacking midfield three – as Manuel Lanzini drops out for Said Benrahma in the hole.

Labelled as “stupid” by former Hammer Trevor Sinclair earlier this season, the £69k-per-week Argentinian has only recently returned to action after being involved in a serious car crash earlier this month.

The 29-year-old was thankfully left without serious injury but did take a slight knock that ruled the attacking midfielder out of the Hammers’ 2-1 win over Everton.

In a change to ensure freshness in the side after playing on Thursday evening comes Benrahma, who, at times, has been a delight this season.

The Algerian was described as “unplayable” by former player and pundit Joe Cole earlier this season and provides more creativity than Lanzini, with nine goals and six assists compared to his teammate’s six goals and three assists.

Up front is, as expected, Michail Antonio – with the Jamaica international currently experiencing a 12-game goal drought in the league. However, the forward remains the Hammers’ only senior option up top.

The clash is another vital match in the Irons’ season as they look to reclaim their place in the top six.

AND in other news: West Ham plot bid for £21.6m-rated “leader”, Moyes can now axe “shocking” £61k-p/w dud

Manchester United are set to appoint Erik ten Hag to replace Ralf Rangnick this summer, and the Dutch coach has now been reported to have made a decision on the future of a huge player at Old Trafford already.

What’s the word?

According to The Star, ten Hag has already approved the outgoing transfer of Cristiano Ronaldo, who is currently committed to a two year deal at the club.

The 52 year old manager reportedly has no interest in including the striker in his plans next season, and has now given the green light for Ronaldo to be sold this summer.

Time to go

By his standards, the £31.5m-rated goal machine has not been at his best since returning to Manchester United and was recently linked with a move away from the north west club following a struggle to secure Champions League football next season.

Now it seems that ten Hag, who is expected to be imminently announced as the new manager at club, has made the decision for the all time top goal scorer in football history, and it’s not surprising when you consider how poorly the Red Devils have been playing this season.

One of the biggest issues has been the lack of goals this season with the side only scoring seven more than they have conceded in the Premier League, which is put into harsher scrutiny when you reflect on the fact that they in comparison had scored 24 more goals by the end of last season finishing second in the league table.

Ronaldo, who was hailed “difficult” by Spurs keeper Hugo Lloris, is currently the top goal scorer for the club this season so far, however ten Hag is obviously looking to improve the overall link up play in the forward line.

He has reportedly identified Harry Kane his top transfer target for the summer, proving further that the Ajax boss wants to move in a different direction without the five-time Champions League winner.

With that being said, it could be a blessing in disguise for the team, as the new manager should not be building the team around a 37 year old player and will clearly look to develop and nurture younger players whilst establishing an identity as a collective instead of relying on individual quality, something he has been successful in achieving at Ajax.

Manchester United supporters may be disappointed in the decision to let go of the club legend, but ultimately if their new manager wants to axe any player to build a better future, it should be a decision that is supported.

In other news: Man Utd suffer big blow over “world-class” £200k-p/w star, Ten Hag will be devastated

Celtic right-back Josip Juranovic is a major injury doubt for the Hoops’ crucial Scottish Premiership clash with Rangers next month, according to a new update.

The Lowdown: Huge clash looms

Ange Postecoglou’s side have taken control of the title race in recent weeks, with their 2-1 victory at Ibrox arguably the most significant result of the season to date.

It means Celtic have a six-point lead over their rivals at the top of the table, and with only five matches remaining, they are hot favourites to regain their league crown.

There is still a massive meeting between the pair at Parkhead on May 1st which could swing things back Rangers’ way however, and an injury update has emerged ahead of that game.

The Latest: Celtic receive injury blow

According to Football Scotland, Juranovic is a ‘major doubt’ for the match, having been forced off with an injury against Rangers in last weekend’s Scottish Cup semi-final defeat.

Taking to Twitter, journalist and writer of the article, Mark Hendry, described it as a ‘big blow’:

“A big blow for Celtic as Juranovic has been excellent this season.”

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The Verdict: Potential big loss

This is a potentially significant setback for Celtic ahead of a game that could yet have such a huge bearing on who walks away Scottish champions this season.

Juranovic has been a model of consistency for the Hoops this season, making 20 appearances in the league and also scoring twice in three Europa League appearances.

His experience will be a loss if he is unavailable for the Rangers game but the hope is that Postecoglou’s men still have enough to get over the finish line, with even a defeat still putting them in pole position if they win their other games.

In other news, a pundit has made a key Celtic injury claim. Read more here.