Tottenham Hotspur are among the multitude of teams interested in signing Josko Gvardiol, who was one of the standout players of the World Cup group stages.

Tuttomercatoweb reported last month that current Lilywhites star Ivan Perisic had been tasked with convincing the 20-year-old that his future should lie in north London.

During the summer window, RB Leipzig’s asking price was thought to be in the region of £70m and that would have only increased after announcing himself on the world’s biggest stage, with the likes of Chelsea and Real Madrid also keen on his signature.

Whilst he would cost sporting director Fabio Paratici a club-record fee, it should not put the Italian off from sealing a real piece of the future. Gvardiol could be one of, if not the, best centre-back in the world considering he’s already delivering at just 20.

And by winning the race to land him, Spurs could well eclipse the signing of Heung-min Son, who has undoubtedly been one of the Lilywhites’ best-ever deals. His returns of 136 goals and 76 assists for just £22m have been unmatched.

Croatia kept two clean sheets across their three matches, despite being in Group F with Belgium, one of the favourites for the tournament, though they didn’t qualify for the knockout stages.

Gvardiol played an integral role for the Vatreni, combining his frightening physicality with his deft touch on the ball – form that led transfer guru Fabrizio Romano to laud him as a “monster”.

Across those three matches, the Croat colossus has averaged a 90% passing accuracy, despite managing near 70 attempts per game, via Sofascore. A feat that outranks every one of Spurs’ current starters, including Eric Dier, who averages an 87.6% accuracy rate from 66.7 passes per game.

Gvardiol has also managed a whopping 5.7 clearances, 1.7 interceptions and 1.3 tackles per game at the World Cup too. By comparison, not even Cristian Romero has averaged more interceptions, whilst the Leipzig titan would also lead the way for clearances.

Meanwhile, his performances have also seen him dubbed as the Erling “Haaland of defenders” by talent scout Jacek Kulig, only further emphasising just how much of an instant impact he has made.

Journalist Zach Lowry even praised him as a “Rolls-Royce” and as a “sensational centre-back,” having been the best player on the pitch despite sharing it with Kevin De Bruyne and Luka Modric.

With Romero now a permanent presence at Hotspur Way, Paratici and co could really land their best-ever signing by luring the Leipzig superstar to north London in 2023. They may need to wait until the summer and fork out in excess of £70m but he’d be worth every penny and more.

AND in other news, Conte could land dream Maddison alternative in Spurs move 22 y/o World Cup “superstar”…

An update has emerged on Glasgow Rangers and their attempts to improve their academy side ahead of the January transfer window…

What’s the talk?

According to the Daily Record, the Light Blues are eyeing up a swoop to sign 15-year-old striker James Wilson from Hearts next month.

The report claims that the Gers are set to open talks with the teenager over a potential move to Ibrox as he can officially sign professional terms when he turns 16 in January.

It is stated that Hearts are fighting to keep hold of the talented youngster and are trying to convince him that his long-term future should be with them, rather than Rangers.

Steven Naismith 2.0

Gers head coach Michael Beale could unearth his own version of former Light Blues forward Steven Naismith by signing Wilson and bringing him through into the first-team set-up in the coming years.

Naismith arrived at Ibrox from Kilmarnock as a youngster before plundering 33 goals and 30 assists in 132 appearances in all competitions for Rangers, whilst playing as a striker or as a second striker.

The now-retired attacker won six trophies with the club, including three top-flight titles and three cup successes, and knows what it takes to succeed as a forward in Glasgow.

He went on to play for Norwich and Everton in England before returning to the Premiership with Hearts, where he is now the under-18 head coach.

The Daily Record claim that he has been working with Wilson this season and the former Scotland international could be imparting his knowledge to the teenager, given that he played in the same position as the current prodigy and knows Rangers inside and out.

There are no statistics available on the gem’s goalscoring record for Hearts at youth level but the club did name him as their Academy Player of the Season for the 2021/22 campaign, which indicates that he enjoyed a strong year in front of goal.

Wilson, who has been called up by Scotland and Northern Ireland’s youth teams at international level, has clearly shown enough to warrant Rangers’ interest in him and, therefore, could have the potential to make the step up to the first-team in the future.

This means that he could follow Naismith’s Gers story by arriving at the club as a young player and going on to be a success in front of goals in the future, if he is able to develop under Beale and make the grade with the senior squad in the coming years.

Scottish champions Celtic currently have a few representatives at the ongoing World Cup, with the likes of Aaron Mooy, Josip Juranovic, Cameron Carter-Vickers and Daizen Maeda all having been selected by their respective national sides.

The latter man was something of a surprise pick as the only member of the Hoops’ Japanese contingent to be included on the plane to Qatar, with both Kyogo Furuhashi and Reo Hatate having been notable omissions from Hajime Moriyasu’s squad.

Hatate, in particular, can seemingly count himself unlucky amid his sparkling form at Parkhead in recent times, with the 25-year-old having emerged as a leading asset for manager Ange Postecoglou since his January arrival.

The former Kawasaki Frontale man – who scored 12 goals and laid on ten assists during his time in his homeland – has been on the periphery of the international fold in his career thus far, having been afforded just a solitary cap at senior level to date.

Despite that inexperience for his country, the diminutive ace seemingly could well have made a difference had he been part of the World Cup list, having been simply “tremendous” during his time in Glasgow to date, in the words of pundit Frank McAvennie.

Dubbed the “best signing” made by Postecoglou in his tenure thus far – as per McAvennie – the £12k-per-week maestro has scored six times and laid on seven assists in 41 games in all competitions for the Bhoys to date, notably producing two assists in the comeback win over Ross County last time out prior to this current halt to proceedings.

The 5 foot 8 ace has perhaps shown Japan just what they are missing having also gone on to impress during the Sydney Super Cup clash with Everton, with journalist Sacha Pisani having dubbed him a “beast in midfield” following that display.

Pisani also commented on Hatate’s World Cup snub, suggesting that the player could well go on to become the “heart of that team moving forward”, while the aforementioned McAvennie suggested that the Asian nation must have “one hell of a midfield” if they are to able to leave the Hoops ace out the side.

In his absence, Moriyasu’s side went on to stun 2014 champions Germany late on in their opening group game, although were brought crashing back down to earth after slipping up against Costa Rica on matchday two.

Following that dismal showing, journalist Josh Bunting expressed his belief that Hatate could well have made a real difference had he been selected, stating: “baffles me that Reo Hatate isn’t in that squad to break the lines.”

Bunting had also suggested that it was “insane” that the Suzuka-born ace had been left out of the travelling party to begin with, with such a decision potentially set to prove costly as far as Japan are concerned if they are unable to secure progression.

As for Celtic, the Scottish Premiership side will likely be thankful that the player has been able to enjoy a well-earned rest after putting in an “enormous shift” in recent months – according to Postecoglou – with Hatate likely to be chomping at the bit to show his quality once again when club action resumes next month.

Tottenham Hotspur are reportedly willing to allow Djed Spence to leave the north London club on loan during the upcoming January transfer window, according to transfer insider Dean Jones. 

The Lowdown: Spurs’ move for Spence

Back in the previous summer transfer window, Spurs signed Spence on a five-year deal worth £20m from Championship club Middlesbrough following his loan spell at Nottingham Forest last season.

Since then, the 22-year-old has only played 26 minutes of action for Antonio Conte’s side across four appearances.

With the January transfer window approaching, it seems as though some behind-the-scenes details have emerged regarding Spence’s situation at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium and what the second half of the season could hold for him.

The Latest: Jones’ comments

Speaking to GiveMeSport, Jones had this to say about Spence, admitting that Spurs are open to the idea of a loan exit in the New Year.

“They’re open to letting him go, but it needs to be to a club that can quickly get him up to the levels to play in the same sort of system that is going to help him at Spurs, so it’s not as simple as just finding him a loan deal.”

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The Verdict: Makes sense

Given the lack of game time the full-back has had at Spurs so far this season, it would make sense for the Lilywhites to let him join a club in January where he’d not only be able to play regularly but also in a team and system that would help him get accustomed to what Conte wants of him.

Bearing in mind how Spence ended his loan spell with Forest last season with more successful dribbles (74) and crosses into the 18-yard box (16) than any other player at the club, it would seem likely that a number of other sides would be happy to have the Englishman in their squad even on a temporary basis.

Moving forward, if Spurs can find a club in January that would be willing to sign Spence on loan, play him regularly and put him in a better shape to force his way into Conte’s side next season, this would surely be the ideal next step for all parties.

Tottenham Hotspur are plotting a move for Denzel Dumfries in the January transfer window.

What’s the talk?

That’s according to a report by Italian publication Corriere dello Sport (via Sport Witness), who claim that Fabio Paratici and Antonio Conte could be set to ‘repeat’ their summer move for Udinese Calcio left-back Destiny Udogie with the Inter Milan defender, by securing a deal for the 26-year-old this winter and allowing him to remain at the San Siro until the summer.

The report goes on to suggest that Spurs’ willingness to do so could see the club take a slight lead over Chelsea in the race for the €40m (£34m) valued Netherlands international, while it is also claimed that Inter could be tempted by a player-plus-cash deal including Emerson Royal – who is ‘not particularly loved’ by Conte, according to Corriere dello Sport.

Paratici masterclass

Considering just how impressive Dumfries has been for Inter over the last season and a half, coupled with how poor Emerson has been for Spurs in the same period, should Paratici indeed manage to pull off a player-plus-cash deal for the Dutchman in January, it would undoubtedly represent the biggest transfer masterclass of his tenure at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium so far.

Indeed, over Dumfries’ 33 Serie A appearances in 2021/22, the £43m-rated wing-back was in exceptional attacking form, scoring five goals, providing four assists and creating six big chances for his teammates, as well as taking an average of 1.2 shots, making 0.8 key passes and completing 0.4 crosses per match.

The £53k-per-week talent has continued this fine attacking form over his 15 fixtures in the current campaign, having already hit the back of the net once, registered two assists and created eight big chances for the Nerazzurri, in addition to taking an average of 1.3 shots, making 1.1 key passes and completing 0.5 crosses per game.

In comparison, over Emerson’s 31 Premier League appearances last time out, the £34.5m-rated full-back was rather less impressive, scoring one goal, providing one assist and creating one big chance for his side, as well as taking an average of 0.5 shots, making 0.9 key passes and completing 0.6 crosses per fixture.

It has been a similar story for the £40k-per-week Brazilian over his 12 top-flight outings this season, scoring no goals, registering one assist and creating no big chances for his teammates, in addition to taking an average of 0.8 shots, making 0.4 key passes and completing 0.3 crosses per game.

As such, with Conte known to favour attack-minded wing-backs, it is clear to see the “deadly” – in the words of Marco Messina – Dumfries would be a huge upgrade on the “complete liability” – in the words of Jamie O’Hara – Emerson at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, leading us to believe that a swap deal between the two would indeed be a masterclass by Paratici.

Everton have been linked with a move for Ismaila Sarr for some time now, and a new update has emerged on the club’s pursuit of the player ahead of the January transfer window.

What’s the latest?

According to The Mirror, the Toffees are exploring the opportunity to sign the Watford winger when the transfer window reopens next month.

As per the report, despite Watford’s intentions to keep Sarr at Vicarage Road for their promotion charge in the second half of the Championship season, Everton are plotting a £35m bid for the player.

It’d be a major coup

There is no doubt that the signing of Sarr would be a major coup for Frank Lampard in his pursuit to improve his team after another disappointing start to their Premier League campaign.

Everton are currently teetering on the edge of the relegation zone in 17th after a string of poor performances left them just one point above the bottom three ahead of the World Cup break.

One of the biggest issues that the Toffees are currently experiencing is their lack of attacking threat and prolific finishing in front of goal, scoring the joint-second fewest goals of any team in the top flight so far.

As a result, if the powers at Goodison Park can secure a deal for Sarr in January, the Watford winger could be a hugely valuable asset to Lampard over the remainder of the campaign.

In 109 appearances for Watford, the 24-year-old – who was once dubbed “outstanding” by BBC pundit Garth Crooks – has scored 30 goals and registered 21 assists with a goal contribution every 174 minutes, proving that he is a consistent and reliable threat in front of goal.

Furthermore, Sarr has been a standout performer for Senegal during the World Cup in Qatar, helping his nation to the round of 16 in the prestigious tournament.

Across four appearances at the finals, the talented forward scored one goal and successfully completed 69% of his dribbles, along with averaging 1.5 key passes, 2.8 shots per goal, one tackle and a whopping 9.5 successful duels per game.

Lampard is in desperate need of a player who can make an instant positive impact on the attacking threat in the team, and Sarr could be the perfect player to make the difference which might save Everton from another difficult relegation scrap at the bottom of the table over the second half of the season.

Manchester United are still eyeing exciting striker Jonathan David and he could leave Lille in January, according to Sky Sports journalist Florian Plettenberg.

The Lowdown: David on World Cup duty

The 22-year-old is at the 2022 World Cup with Canada at the moment, as he looks to make his mark on football’s most global stage of all.

David didn’t manage to score in his side’s 1-0 defeat against Belgium on Wednesday night – he may have done if he had taken the penalty that Alphonso Davies missed – but he will be hoping to change that when facing Croatia on Sunday.

Away from the World Cup, David’s Lille future continues to be a talking point, and a move to United certainly doesn’t seem to be out of the question.

The Latest: Striker could make January exit

Writing on Twitter, Sky Sport journalist Plettenberg claimed that the Red Devils have scouted the youngster intensively and that he could be available in January:

“News #David: Another candidate of #MUFC is the 22 y/o Canadian striker. He was scouted several times and he wants to make the next step. We‘ve been told that Lille would release him in winter for around €50m transfer fee.”

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The Verdict: Superb long-term prospect

David is exactly the type of attacking player United are crying out for now that Cristiano Ronaldo has gone, given how much younger he is, and his ‘incredible’ finishing ability.

The Canadian would likely come straight in as a regular starter, having already scored 41 goals in 111 appearances for Lille, as well as netting 22 times in just 36 caps for his country.

Erik ten Hag needs to be building an exciting young side that can grow into a genuine force, much like Arsenal this season sitting top of the Premier League, and David would be a significant piece of the jigsaw if they could sign him.

Newcastle United are scouting Brighton and Hove Albion forward Leandro Trossard at the World Cup, according to reports in the last 48 hours.

The Lowdown: Trossard selected by Martinez

The Premier League star was named in Roberto Martinez’s 26-man squad to represent Belgium and is currently in action in Qatar, but that hasn’t stopped any speculation surrounding his future at the Amex Stadium.

Trossard’s contract is set to expire at the end of the season, and having not yet put pen to paper on fresh terms, he has been linked with a move to the likes of Chelsea alongside the Magpies.

The Latest: Newcastle scouting Trossard

According to Chronicle Live, Newcastle’s scouting team have been ‘keeping close tabs’ on Trossard, who has been involved in both of Belgium’s opening group games at the World Cup.

The Magpies’ sporting director Dan Ashworth made the 27-year-old one of his ‘first signings’ during his time on the south coast, and the Tyneside outfit have been ‘tracking’ their target ahead of a potential approach in the winter.

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The Verdict: It could happen

Newcastle are currently nine points above Chelsea in the Premier League table, so it would be a massive coup for Eddie Howe if he could beat the Blues to Trossard’s signature.

The Seagulls ‘wizard’, as dubbed by Charlie Haffenden, has netted seven goals and provided three assists in 14 league appearances this season and is currently averaging 2.6 shots per game.

The Magpies have had a hugely impressive start to the campaign, and putting that into consideration alongside his existing connection with Ashworth, there’s no reason to believe why Trossard wouldn’t be eager to make the switch to St James’ Park.

West Ham United insiders Claret & Hugh have now dropped an injury update on left-back Aaron Cresswell.

The Lowdown: Injury concern

Cresswell could only complete 16 minutes of a friendly match against Cambridge United on Tuesday night, with the team looking to get back to full match fitness ahead of a Premier League trip to Arsenal on Boxing Day.

With Nayef Aguerd having to be withdrawn during Morocco’s World Cup match against Spain, and Kurt Zouma already on the sidelines due to a knee issue, injuries are starting to mount up in defence for David Moyes.

The Latest: Claret & Hugh update

According to Claret & Hugh, the 32-year-old suffered a minor hamstring injury against the League Two side, putting to bed any hope that he was only substituted as a precautionary measure.

It remains to be seen how long the Englishman is out for, but he was not named in the squad to face Udinese earlier today, which will concern West Ham fans.

The Verdict: Big blow

The Liverpool-born full-back has been a shining light in a disappointing Hammers team so far this season, deemed the second-best performer in the squad, according to average match ratings from SofaScore.

Not only that, but his likely replacement is on the other end of the scale completely, with Emerson Palmieri ranked as the second-worst outfield player using the same metric.

Previously dubbed an ‘amazing player’ by former England goalkeeper Paul Robinson, Cresswell has been a fantastic servant to West Ham through good times and bad since arriving from Ipswich Town in 2014, racking up 311 appearances for the club, and will be a big loss for Moyes if his time on the treatment table proves to be considerable.

Aston Villa have had a lot of change over the last couple of months with the appointment of Unai Emery and now the new manager could be set to make a huge move as a new potential transfer target is revealed.

What’s the latest?

According to Spanish news outlet Marca, Aston Villa have joined the race to sign Joao Felix.

As per the report, many Premier League clubs are competing to secure the signature of the talented attacker with Manchester United and Chelsea also interested, alongside Bayern Munich and Paris Saint-Germain.

It could be bye-bye Coutinho

There is no doubt that the signing of Felix would be a major coup for Aston Villa, especially when competing with some of the biggest clubs in the world, but if they could pull it off it could put the club in a fantastic position to compete for a higher placement in the Premier League.

The talented 23-year-old ranks in the top 1% of his positional peers over the top five European leagues for interceptions, proving his defensive efficiency but of course, it’s at the opposite end of the pitch where he is so devastating, sitting in the top 15% for dribbles completed, progressive passes and assists.

Not only that, Felix has been representing Portugal at the World Cup in Qatar over the last few weeks and has played an integral part in his nation’s progression to the quarter-finals of the prestigious international tournament.

Over three World Cup appearances, the £113m attacker – who was dubbed an “immense talent” by Yannick Carrasco – has scored one goal, registered two assists and successfully completed 50% of his dribbles, as well as averaging one key pass, 1.3 tackles and winning 4.7 duels per game.

In fact, if Villa did secure the signature of Felix it could spell the end of Coutinho’s short-lived tenure at Villa Park. Indeed, the former Barcelona star has been linked with an exit next year and Felix would clearly be a huge upgrade.

When comparing the two versatile attacking player’s season so far it is clear that Felix is outperforming his positional peer.

First and foremost, he has registered more goal contributions (6 v 0), and as a result, has also produced more shot-creating actions per 90 minutes (3.68 v 2.99).

Felix has also won more aerial duels (46.2% v 25%) and has a better shot on target rate (47.4% v 37.5%).

With that being said, it would be a no-brainer for Villa to pursue the signing of Felix, however, they will have some tough competition from many clubs and will need to provide a very tempting offer to secure his services.