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Spurs will look towards a big summer as they look to build on getting to the Champions League final.

Despite losing out to Liverpool, there is a big sense around the club that they than more than overachieved with their Champions League showing, and manager Mauricio Pochettino will no doubt be keen take some steps in the transfer market to ensure the club continues to progress.

With the new stadium finally open, Pochettino will be hoping to see some backing from Daniel Levy, and this weekend has seen the club linked with a move for Bournemouth defender Nathan Ake, who continues to impress for the Cherries under Eddie Howe.

While a £40m fee might seem a hefty chunk of change on paper, Ake has been brilliant under Eddie Howe, developing into the one of the finest young defenders in the English game after never quite getting his chance with Chelsea previously.

Ake fits the mould of a player Spurs would buy, given his age and the way he plays out from the back.

His relaxed style should not be seen as lazy though and he is strong in the tackle, as well as being dominant in the air, and with a chance of playing at what is seemed a higher level with Spurs, it looks like a match made in heaven.

Spurs are looking to move forward with young players who want to develop and prove a point under Pochettino, and Ake fits the bill perfectly given his performance in the 2018/19 season.

38 Premier League appearances where he averaged just under two tackles per game while recording over six clearances per game mark him out as an impressive defensive stalwart, and it is these sort of impressive stats which will impress the onlooking Spurs management team.

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West Ham United are attempting to shift five flops from the wage bill as they look to fund their summer business, per ClaretandHugh.

The Hammers have signed Pablo Fornals from Villarreal for a £24m fee.

But they are also attempting to move players out of the club, with Pedro Obiang, Jordan Hugill, Martin Samuelsen, Reece Oxford and Sam Byram all up for sale.

A deal that would have taken Oxford to Bundesliga club Augsburg has fallen through, however, while Hugill and Samuelsen have received little interest.

Championship club Nottingham Forest reportedly want Byram, while Obiang has been routinely linked with Roma, though it is not stated if any bids have been tabled for the duo.

With West Ham’s summer business still up in the air – Football FanCast understands that they would like to sign a striker and potentially a defender too – it seems imperative that some of the deadwood is shifted so that the received transfer fees can be reinvested into the squad.

But have the Irons picked the right players to move on?

FFC’s writers give their verdicts below!

Billy Meyers

“West Ham could be making a huge mistake by sanctioning these deals. Apart from Obiang, the other four are still fairly young and could still have something to offer at the London Stadium – Oxford and Samuelson are especially risky departures to agree to. The pair have shown great promise at times and should be given more of a chance.”

Charles Jones

“It’s hard to disagree with these players leaving the London Stadium if Manuel Pellegrini doesn’t feel that they have a future at the club. That list has a lot of unfulfilled potential in it and it is a shame that these players couldn’t produce the goods for the Hammers, but it’d be a pointless endeavour to keep them on the wage bill if they’re not wanted.”

James Beavis

“They are completely right. If they want to move forward and progress, West Ham can’t afford any passengers and these players clearly fit under that category. While some of them may be relatively young in football terms, they haven’t done enough to show that they have a big part to play at the London Stadium in the future. Pellegrini has made his mind up, and it would be difficult to argue with his decision.”

There’s currently only a handful of versatile players in West Ham United, which is a fairly big reason for a system that often looked really rather clunky during Manuel Pellegrini’s first campaign.

Indeed, for any team to keep up their momentum over a whole season, they need players capable of putting in a shift in multiple roles, that much is obvious. As a result, Manuel Pellegrini is seemingly looking for such talents and has pinpointed an impressive one.

According to reports (via Football Insider), the Chilean’s aiming to raid his former team and sign Fabian Delph from champions Manchester City. Obviously, the versatile player has operated mainly as a backup left-back for the defending champions but is renowned for his role in centre-midfield, traits that’d make him a star in Stratford.

Delph works as an effective left-back, proving the reliable, defence-minded option the Hammers require. With Aaron Cresswell close (per the same outlet) to leaving and Arthur Masuaku still honing his defensive skills, the 29-year-old can slot in extremely effectively. Moreover, his natural position is centre-midfield where he works as an effective ball-winner capable of slotting in with Declan Rice or Mark Noble.

It just makes so much sense. A bit-player at the Etihad, the Irons could surely offer him a starring role.

The experienced star can bring a winning mentality to the Hammers, something that could potentially rub off on a number of teammates at the early stages of their career. As if that wasn’t enough, he’s also a brilliant passer, with Pep Guardiola’s system working wonders for him.

Delph can put in extra shifts with ease and cover up the gaping holes plaguing Pellegrini’s side. The 29-year-old’s someone the Chilean can rely upon due to his defensive expertise and big-game experience. Indeed, he might not be the “superstar signing” the fans crave, but yet a highly effective destroyer to bring stability into their system.

West Ham fans, would you like a versatile player like Delph next season? Join the discussion by commenting below…

Sheffield United moved to within touching distance of the Premier League this weekend with wins over Nottingham Forest and Hull City.

Two huge defeats for Leeds United helped the Blades on their way, and if they can win at Ipswich next weekend, it will leave Leeds needing an 11 goal turnaround as it stands in the final game of the season.

Manager Chris Wilder deserves bucket loads of credit for the job he has done at Bramall Lane, and he will no doubt be delighted to lead his hometown club to the top flight and complete a remarkable turnaround from League One football just two seasons back.

Wilder loves his players to have desire and commitment too, and we here in the Tavern feel that rather than go and spend huge sums on players to help him out at the top of the pitch, Wilder should keep the faith with trusted duo David McGoldrick and Billy Sharp.

Both experienced strikers have never had a go at the Premier League really, and for Sharp in particular, it would cap off a momentous career with his hometown club.

Sharp and McGoldrick have just shy of 40 goals between them this season, a remarkable figure for two players who many believed wouldn’t cut it at Championship level.

There is of course a big argument to made for the Blades to go out and bring in some quality new signings if they do win promotion, but in Sharp and McGoldrick they have two players who give their all to the cause an ultimately, know where the back of the net is.

Chelsea will be heading into the summer with an uncertainty hanging over the club with a transfer ban set to affect any potential dealings.

The Blues will of course be looking at getting that ban overturned and will be keen to spend money on the squad if they can indeed bring new players in.

However, there is also set to be a few Blues players who could well be looking at the exit door, and one man who has been linked with a permanent move away from the club this weekend is former Monaco midfielder Tiemoue Bakayoko, who has been on loan with AC Milan this season.

Bakayoko has rediscovered an element of his best form since making the move to Milan, and while Chelsea might be tempted to bring him back and get that form out of him themselves, it has to be said he just did not look the part for the Blues before.

A move on a permanent basis would make all kinds of sense really, with Chelsea receiving a decent fee for a player they spent heavily on themselves, while Bakayoko would be moving to a club where he has clearly settled well.

There is no denying that Bakayoko can be a talent and a force in the middle of the park., it’s just that it might not be in the Premier League at this moment in time.

Chelsea would be wise to move him on, and with the likes of Loftus-Cheek and Barkley ready to step in anyway, the Blues have plenty in the squad to call upon if need be.

أزاد المدير الفني للفريق الأول لكرة القدم بنادي ليفربول، يورجن كلوب، الغموض حول موعد عودة المدافع، فيرجيل فان دايك، بعد إصابته في مباراة إيفرتون في الدوري الإنجليزي الممتاز.

وأعلن نادي ليفربول الأسبوع الماضي عن إصابة فان دايك بتمزق في أربطة الركبة اليسرى، وسيحتاج إلى تدخل جراحي لكن لم يحدد موعد عودته إلى التدريبات والملاعب.

اقرأ أيضًا.. كلوب: محمد صلاح كان رائعًا أمام شيفيلد رغم عدم التسجيل

وهناك بعض التقارير التي أشارت إلى أن مدة غياب المدافع الهولندي تتراوح بين 7 إلى 8 أشهر، وبالتالي، انتهى موسم فان دايك مع ليفربول مبكرًا.

وتحدث كلوب عن الأمر في تصريحات نقلتها شبكة “Foot Mercato” الفرنسية، وقال: “أتفهم مدى اهتمام الناس بموعد عودة فان دايك”.

وتابع: “فيرجل بخير، لكن فيما يتعلق بالعملية الجراحية، لا اعتقد أنه من المنطقي أن نحدد موعدًا لعودته كل يوم أمام وسائل الإعلام”.

وأتم تصريحاته: “نحن لا نعرف بصراحة متى يعود وكم من الوقت ستستغرق عملية شفاءه، لكن من الواضح أنها ستستغرق بعض الوقت”.

أعلن المدرب الإسباني بيب جوارديولا، المدير الفني لنادي مانشستر سيتي، تشكيل فريقه الرسمي، لمباراة آرسنال في الدوري الإنجليزي الممتاز.

مانشستر سيتي يستقبل آرسنال، على ملعب “الاتحاد”، في تمام الساعة السادسة والنصف بتوقيت القاهرة، ضمن لقاءات الجولة الخامسة من البريميرليج.

وشهد التشكيل الأساسي للسيتي، عودة النجم الأرجنتيني، سيرجيو أجويرو، بعد تعافيه من الإصابة. تشكيل مانشستر سيتي أمام آرسنال

حراسة المرمى: إيدرسون.

خط الدفاع: ووكر، دياز، ناثاني آكي، كانسيلو.

خط الوسط: فودين، برناردو سيلفا، جوندوجان.

خط الهجوم: رياض محرز، سيرجيو أجويرو، رحيم ستيرلينج.

How we’re lining-up against the Gunners! 💪

Ederson, Walker, Dias, Ake, Cancelo, Rodrigo, Mahrez, Foden, Bernardo, Sterling (C), Aguero

Subs | Steffen, Stones, Gundogan, Torres, Fernandinho, Delap, Garcia

⚽️ @HaysWorldwide
🔷 #ManCity | https://t.co/axa0klD5re pic.twitter.com/RQ8GLh2UpU — Manchester City (@ManCity) October 17, 2020

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According to Calciomercato, Tottenham Hotspur are considering a move for Lazio goalkeeper Thomas Strakosha in this summer’s transfer window.

The 23-year-old has been with Lazio since 2012, making 110 appearances for the Italian side’s first team in all competitions.

This term, the stopper has made 32 appearances in all competitions, keeping a clean sheet on nine occasions.

Calciomercato have claimed that Spurs view Strakosha as a potential long-term replacement for Hugo Lloris.

Lloris has been a good servant to Tottenham, but the Frenchman will be 33 at the end of this year and has made some mistakes this season.

Pl>ymaker FC’s Matchday with Max caught up with Jamaica’s women’s team. See what happened when he met the history makers in the video below…

The Spurs supporters have been on social media offering their views on the transfer speculation and it would be fair to say that a number are against the move.

The reason? Mainly the presence of number two Paulo Gazzaniga, who has been decent when filling in for Lloris this season.

That said, there were a couple of responses from the fans suggesting that the Lazio goalkeeper would be a good signing for the club.

A selection of the Twitter reaction can be seen below:

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Raul Jimenez has been a revelation for Wolves this season and his goal against Chelsea on Sunday only reaffirmed to supporters of Nuno Santo’s team just how much of an instant hit he has become.

Jimenez is currently on loan at the club, having joined from Benfica in the summer, but Wolves could make the deal permanent in an apparent €41m deal, according to AS.

If the deal went through it would make him the most expensive Benfica sale in history, eclipsing what Manchester City paid for goalkeeper Ederson, and Wolves’ new club-record signing.

Wolves fans are keen for their club to make the deal permanent whatever the fee and although the reported price would be a large sum to pay, his contribution to the team this season has been vital in the West Midlands side’s instant adjustment to Premier League life.

The Mexican’s goal at the weekend was his 12th this term and saw him overtake Steven Fletcher’s previous Premier League goals record for Wolves of 11 in a season.

It isn’t just his goals that have Wolves fans craving a permanent transfer for Jimenez. His overall contribution to the team has also been outstanding, claiming six Premier League assists to date too.

His performances so far in a Wolves shirt have made supporters think he’d be a bargain and an absolute must transfer. Here’s what they’ve had to say.

Tottenham Hotspur won’t accept anything less than a top four spot in the current campaign, despite their recent run of poor form, as they’ve enjoyed plenty of success under Mauricio Pochettino.

However, one big worry for fans in recent times has been Mauricio Pochettino’s future, as according to The Sun, Tottenham fear that the Argentine will quit for Real Madrid in the summer.

Interestingly, the report states that Pochettino has told Daniel Levy that his burning ambition is to win titles and he wants the financial backing to compete for the game’s top honours.

Pochettino has completely transformed Spurs over the years, as well as establishing himself as one of the best managers in the whole of world football, so making sure he stays in North London is vital.

One thing that Levy must to do show the 46-year-old that he means business is to splash out on a number of big-name signings in the summer transfer window. Indeed, the North London club have been hugely disappointing on the transfer front in recent times as they’ve failed to spend a single penny in the last two windows.

Spurs already have a strong squad but Levy needs to draft in some reinforcements if the Lilywhites are to stand any chance of challenging for silverware and top honours, so backing the Argentine and making promises prior to the summer transfer window would be a good start.

Also, Levy can show his ambition by gettingChristian Eriksen to sign a long-term deal, as the Dane’s contract runs out at the end of the current campaign. Eriksen has been one of the shining lights for Spurs in in recent years and he’s arguably one of the best attacking midfielders in world football, so offering him whatever he wants in order to get him to put pen to paper would show Pochettino that he’s willing to go the extra mile to keep talent at the club.