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Tottenham Hotspur have 'definitely' looked at appointing Brentford boss Thomas Frank as Spurs search for a new manager, according to Alasdair Gold.

What's the latest Spurs manager news?

All eyes are on chairman Daniel Levy and who he may appoint to succeed Antonio Conte, with it now being over three weeks since the Italian parted company.

Despite Spurs still being well in contention for a top-four Premier League finish, tension boiled over when Conte launched a scathing post-match rant after their recent 3-3 draw at Southampton, eventually spelling the end of his tenure.

Having left north London, Conte's exit has paved the way for a host of managers to be linked with the post.

While interim boss Cristian Stellini and assistant coach Ryan Mason take charge in the meantime, Levy may be working on Conte's replacement in the background.

Perhaps most notably, the likes of Mauricio Pochettino, Luis Enrique and Julian Nagelsmann stand out as the big three who have been linked with a move to Spurs – while Zinedine Zidane was also rumoured to be a target by Sky Sports.

In-work managers aren't completely ruled out either, as the likes of Arne Slot and Vincent Kompany reportedly entice Spurs.

Now, sharing an update on the Tottenham managerial search, reliable football.london correspondent Gold has made a claim on Bees boss Frank.

When asked how likely it is the 49-year-old could get the job, the reporter explained in a Q&A:

"Thomas Frank will definitely have been looked at. He's done a great job at Brentford but I wonder whether Spurs see him as enough of a name or trophy winner. They seem to have been drawn to those types in recent years."

What could Frank bring to Spurs?

While he may not arguably be as prestigious a candidate as Pochettino and Nagelsmann, we believe Frank could be a solid outside contender.

The former Brondby boss has turned Brentford into a very hard side to play against, with only Manchester City, Arsenal and Newcastle United losing fewer league games than them this season.

Frank, who favours the 3-5-2 formation, has also been praised for his 'extraordinary' job at Brentford by members of the media, with journalist Ryan Taylor emphatic:

He explained:

"What Thomas Frank is doing with Brentford is simply extraordinary. Now regularly outcompeting & outperforming the Big Six with expressive, attractive football despite operating with the lowest budget in the Premier League. Incredible."

We couldn't have summed it up any better than Taylor, with it being little surprise Spurs are thought to be taking note.

YouTuber Mark Goldbridge has claimed that if Manchester United are bought by Qatari-linked Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad Al Thani, “there might be a situation” where Kylian Mbappe joins in the future, while the likes of Harry Maguire go to Paris Saint-Germain.

What’s the latest on the Qatar-linked bid for Man United?

The Glazers may well be looking to sell the Premier League club in the near future and so a number of interested parties have been tipped as possible new Man Utd owners.

Indeed, alongside Sheikh Al Thani’s bid, British billionaire Sir Jim Ratcliffe and a third “mystery” US bidder have all been reported in the media as having made offers for the Glazers to consider.

Of course, the ownership group already have strong ties to PSG and it remains to be seen if the Qatar-based consortium can get passed UEFA rules to own both clubs who of course regularly play in the Champions League.

While speaking about it all on The United Stand, Goldbridge pointed out that the Red Bull-owned clubs in Salzburg and Leipzig often both play in the same European competition and are allowed to do so despite being owned by the same company.

He explained: “That’s my point. There’s already two clubs in Europe that play in the same tournament in Europe and they feed each other players, so I don’t think it would be unprecedented.”

Goldbridge then suggested that the club would have to be “subtle” to avoid “dodgy” transfers but could end up agreeing to some exciting deals with PSG if a relationship was established.

He said: “It won’t happen anyway, it will be way more subtle than that. We won’t have a situation where [Marco] Verratti and Mbappe come to Man Utd for £5m and Maguire and [Scott] McTominay go to PSG for £100m. That would be dodgy.

“But you might have a situation where Mbappe leaves PSG and comes to Man Utd because of the relationship he’s got with the Qatari ownership of PSG and they’ve got close ties with our ownership – that might happen.”

What could a Qatari bid mean for Mbappe to MUFC and Maguire to PSG?

Interestingly enough, there have already been reports in The Sun that Harry Maguire could end up joining PSG in the summer for a touted £50m transfer fee.

That rumour, as far-fetched as it sounds, might be something the Ligue 1 outfit want to pursue regardless of any relationship with Man Utd – especially seeing as the Glazers may not even end up selling.

But if there is any truth to the report, then you can see how negotiations could be made less complicated in the summer if the Red Devils are owned by the Qatari-linked Sheikh Al Thani.

And so, in theory, if a deal was sorted this could then open the door for other future transfers, potentially such as Mbappe, who has been urged to join the club in recent times, so perhaps it wouldn’t be too out of the ordinary if United can put themselves in a position to fund such a move.

Fulham are reportedly preparing a new contract offer for left-back Antonee Robinson in order to fend off interest from Newcastle United.

The Lowdown: Top target

It was reported last week that Robinson is Newcastle’s ‘top target’ as they aim to bring in a new left-back in the summer transfer window.

Scouts from St. James’ Park have watched him on a regular basis this season, and have given ‘rave reviews’ over his performances.

The Latest: Contract offer prepared

As per Football Insider, Fulham are now preparing a contract offer for Robinson, in order to try and fend off the Magpies’ interest.

He is only on £25,000-per-week at Craven Cottage, one of the squad’s lowest earners, and his current deal is set to expire in 2024.

Robinson would be ‘enticed’ by the prospect of playing in the UEFA Champions League, which the North East club could achieve for next season, but Manchester City, AC Milan and Inter Milan are also thought to be interested in his signature.

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The Verdict: Upgrade

Robinson would be a big upgrade on the left-back options that the Tynesiders currently have.

He averages more tackles, interceptions, blocks, dribbles, crosses and long balls per game in the Premier League than Dan Burn, Matt Targett and Jamal Lewis, and at 25 years of age, still has room to improve.

Hailed as ‘magnificent‘ by ESPN journalist Luis Miguel Echegaray after impressing at the FIFA World Cup with USA, Robinson also has international pedigree, and sharing the same agent as Eddie Howe, the Toon should be confident of getting a deal done in the summer, although they may have to pay a premium if his value is protected by a new contract.

Dean Jones believes Leeds United’s centre-forward situation is ‘ridiculous’ following the January transfer window.

The Lowdown: Rodrigo out

Rodrigo has been Leeds’ main source of goals this season, with the Spaniard scoring 12 times in 22 appearances across all competitions.

However, former manager Jesse Marsch decided to bring the 31-year-old on at Accrington Stanley in the FA Cup when Leeds were winning comfortably, with Rodrigo suffering an ankle injury late on.

He faces a two-month spell on the sidelines, leaving Patrick Bamford and Georginio Rutter as the only senior options.

The Latest: Jones’ comments

GiveMeSport asked Jones about Leeds’ January additions in a story shared following Javi Gracia’s Elland Road appointment. The reporter doesn’t think that the club did enough in the final third after failing to sign an experienced Premier League forward, labelling it as ‘ridiculous’ and ‘too late to fix’.

“In hindsight, no. Even at the time, we knew that they were ideally looking for someone who had a decent goalscoring record in this league, but they didn’t do it. So, there was always a chance they were going to find themselves in a situation where goals were going to be a problem.

“It really is ridiculous that Leeds still find themselves in this situation, where they don’t know what their source of goals is. But it’s a problem that’s too late to fix.”

The Verdict: Rutter a gamble?

Rutter was the man to arrive at Elland Road last month in a club record deal from Hoffenheim. The 20-year-old is still awaiting his first goal for the Whites and is yet to start a Premier League game, failing to make an immediate impact.

There already seems to be some doubt from Yorkshire chiefs regarding the big-money move for the Frenchman, so you could say that Jones is right when he says Leeds should have targeted a proven forward in the Premier League.

The Whites and Gracia will have to make do, though, and hopefully, the new head coach will be able to get Leeds back scoring freely once again after netting just twice in their last five Premier League games.

An update has emerged regarding Newcastle United’s squad ahead of their clash against West Ham United at St James’ Park…

What’s the latest?

The Magpies host the Hammers in the Premier League on Saturday evening, and Eddie Howe has confirmed that his two arrivals during the January transfer window will both be available for selection.

Journalist Miles Starforth quoted the 45-year-old as saying: “New signings Anthony Gordon and Harrison Ashby have trained well this week, and will be available tomorrow, according to Eddie Howe. #nufc #whufc.”

On Gordon, the Newcastle head coach said: “He will thrive in this environment with the positivity & the brilliant response…he’s going to need that after a difficult last few months. For him to feel good again and release the pressure will be really positive for us.”

Big boost for Newcastle

The two new arrivals were unveiled in front of the St James’ Park crowd before the semi-final clash against Southampton in the Carabao Cup earlier this week, and they could now get their first taste of the atmosphere whilst out on the pitch during Saturday’s match.

Having both players fit and available for selection so shortly after their respective moves to Tyneside is a big boost for Howe, as they are both talented gems who could make an impact tomorrow, whether that is from the start or off the bench.

Ashby has only played seven senior matches in his career but his impressive record at youth level suggests that he has the potential to be an exciting right-back to watch as a deputy to Kieran Trippier.

The 21-year-old produced three goals and ten assists in 41 matches for West Ham’s U21s before making the move to Tyneside, and this shows that the Scottish youth international is an attack-minded full-back who could get supporters off their seats with his crossing ability.

Meanwhile, Gordon has more senior experience after playing 78 games for Everton, including 65 in the Premier League. The young talent has shown signs of being able to make a big impact at the top end of the pitch, as the England under-21 international scored seven goals and provided three assists in the top flight for the Toffees.

It is now over to Howe to work with the player to improve his consistency and add more end product to his game. If Gordon can do that, then he could be a terrific signing for Newcastle, as he has already offered a glimpse of the quality that he can deliver at this level.

Although they are both raw and unrefined, talents, Ashby and Gordon both have the potential to excite Toon supporters on their day, and that is why their availability this weekend is a boost for Howe.

Journalist Alasdair Gold has tipped Son Heung-min to be dropped in favour of Richarlison for the upcoming Tottenham Hotspur fixture.

What’s the word?

In the Premier League this weekend, Antonio Conte will have some key decisions to make for Spurs as they look to end a run of back-to-back defeats with a trip away from home.

Indeed, the north London outfit lost to Arsenal and then Manchester City but now travel to face high-flying Fulham who sit just two points behind Tottenham in the division.

Hugo Lloris has been in poor form but Gold believes Conte will keep faith in the goalkeeper and club captain. The same, however, cannot be said about Son who looks set to be dropped.

In a new article for football.london, Gold predicted: “Conte is more likely to keep faith with skipper Hugo Lloris than bring in Fraser Forster but the Italian could change it up in the front line if he considers Richarlison to be fit enough to start.

“If the Brazilian is ready then the Tottenham head coach might take the out-of-form Son Heung-min out of the firing line in the hope of provoking a similar response to the one he got against Leicester earlier in the season.”

Gold’s starting team was: “Lloris; Romero, Dier, Davies; Doherty, Bentancur, Hojbjerg, Sessegnon; Kulusevski, Kane, Richarlison.”

Time to be dropped?

When fit, Son, who has been hailed as ‘world-class’, has started all but one league game this season, as well as missing two through injury. Incidentally, in that match when he was dropped, he came off the bench to net a hat trick.

Sadly for the South Korean, that was a rare bright spot in a difficult campaign. Indeed, he has scored in just one other Premier League fixture and has only two assists in the top flight too.

Tottenham manager Antonio Conte still seems to have faith in Lloris, with the Frenchman starting all but one game in the Premier League up to this stage in the season.

Richarlison hasn’t exactly fared much better either. In fact, he is yet to score a league goal for Spurs – though has two goals in the Champions League. In 12 league outings, the Brazilian is yet to make much of a mark domestically.

Injury has limited him to just two appearances off the bench in the past five games but he could well be fit enough to play more of a role this weekend, as Gold explains.

And so, if Son is dropped it will be interesting to see if he can deliver as a substitute just like last time. While Conte will also be desperate for Richarlison to start delivering the goods after his £60m transfer in the summer.

Liverpool ‘very much admire’ Brighton and Hove Albion midfielder Moises Caicedo but a deal would be ‘messy’, according to CBS reporter Ben Jacobs.

The Lowdown: Caicedo allegedly wants to join

The Premier League giants have held a long-standing interest in the 21-year-old having targeted a late move for him last summer, and whilst it failed to materialise at the time, he’s recently offered his admirers fresh hope that a future deal could get completed.

Football Insider report that the Ecuadorian, who they claim to be valued at £70m, has told his friends that he’d love to make the move to Anfield should the opportunity arise and has even changed agents to prepare for a big-money transfer.

The Latest: Problem…

Speaking to GiveMeSport, Jacobs confirmed that the Merseyside outfit are hugely fond of Caicedo, but revealed that striking a deal this month could prove ‘problematic’ due to the agents involved.

“They very much admire the player and have done historically. When he was at Independiente del Valle before he joined Brighton, they did explore signing Moises Caicedo.

“It’s what’s been termed to me as a messy deal because even though Brighton could be persuaded to sell for a high price this January, the representation side of things is problematic. There’s more than one agent and he also changed his agent towards the back end of the summer.”

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The Verdict: Hold off for a bit

Caicedo is undoubtedly one of the top-flight’s most attractive players right now, but the Reds would be best waiting to pursue him until the summer if they are serious about landing him.

The Santo Domingo native’s contract at The Amex isn’t set to expire until 2025 so the Seagulls are under no pressure to let him go, and even if they did, £70m is a hefty sum for FSG to cash out in January, especially having already signed Cody Gakpo.

The Brighton star is seemingly keen to make the switch to Merseyside, but it’s important that the two parties reach an agreement when both the time and costs involved are right.

Wolverhampton Wanderers manager Julen Lopetegui got off to the perfect league start with a 2-1 victory over Everton on Boxing Day, however, there will be tougher matches ahead.

The win marked the club’s first three points since October and the Spaniard will be hoping this can be a catalyst for a markedly improved 2023 under his leadership.

The January transfer window is looming into view and with Lopetegui still assessing his squad, there could be plenty of ins and outs during the month.

Joao Moutinho hasn’t quite lived up to his high standards this season and with Wolves having reportedly been offered American Weston McKennie, it might be time for the club to ditch the Portuguese midfielder.

Lopetegui must ditch Moutinho

This season, the 36-year-old veteran has seen his influence wane in the starting XI. He has played 14 Premier League matches so far this term and registered just one goal contribution, taking an average of 55.8 touches, and having a pass success rate of 85%.

These numbers may sound impressive enough, but compared to last season, where he averaged 68.5 touches and a pass success rate of 87%, there is a noticeable drop-off.

Serie A side Juventus are interested in signing Rayan Ait-Nouri and have offered McKennie as part of the deal according to reports in Italy and the American would make a good signing.

The 24-year-old has struggled for game time this season, starting just nine times, however, he has achieved a solid enough Sofascore rating of 6.84/10 for his performances.

He has double the amount of goal contributions than Moutinho while creating three big chances and making 0.6 key passes per match.

Defensively, the £55k-per-week star has made 0.6 tackles, 0.5 interceptions and 0.8 clearances on average per match and his versatility could be another bonus for Lopetegui, as the player can also operate in a centre-back role if required.

His former sporting director at Schalke, Christian Heidel claimed four years ago that McKennie could be destined for big things, saying: “Weston is a very good footballer, but he also has a lot of traits that are very, very important to Schalke. The fans love the way he plays, and the work he puts in. His body language is extraordinary.”

He may not have lived up to this potential as of yet, but a move to the Premier League where he would get much more regular game time could help massively.

This in turn would allow Lopetegui to ditch Moutinho and move towards a future filled with younger talent who can steer Wolves away from danger.

West Brom have been boosted by the news that Grady Diangana and Kyle Bartley could make a return from injury this weekend, reports journalist Joe Chapman.

The Lowdown: Baggies back in action

The Baggies picked up an excellent result on Monday evening, coming from behind to seal a 2-1 victory away to Sunderland in a key Championship clash.

Carlos Corberan’s side are back in league action on Saturday afternoon, this time welcoming Rotherham United to the Hawthorns for what looks a winnable fixture.

West Brom were unable to call upon Diangana and Bartley against Sunderland but that could be about to change.

The Latest: Double injury boost

Taking to Twitter, Chapman confirmed that the duo could be in line to return this weekend, bolstering Corberan’s options in the process:

“Diangana & Bartley could be back as soon as this weekend.”

The Verdict: All coming together

After a dire start to the season, in which West Brom were rooted to the relegation zone and Steve Bruce lost his job, this does feel like a positive spell.

Corberan has come in and made an immediate impact and if he suddenly has Diangana and Bartley to call upon as well, his squad options will be looking strong.

The former will bring added firepower to the team, having registered three assists and scored two goals this season, while the evergreen Bartley has averaged an impressive 4.9 clearances per game in the competition in 2022/23.

Transfer expert Dean Jones has stated that Glasgow Rangers winger Ryan Kent is attracting interest from Germany as well as England ahead of January.

The Lowdown: New talks planned

It was reported earlier this week that Giovanni van Bronckhorst’s team are ‘making a fresh attempt’ to try and tie down the 26-year-old to a new contract at Ibrox and are planning to use the international break to ‘open new talks’ over his future.

Premier League side Fulham are thought to be ‘monitoring’ his situation, and they will ‘weigh up’ whether or not to make an approach in the January transfer window.

Kent’s current deal expires in the summer, meaning that he can leave as a free agent then, or for a cut-price fee in January.

The Latest: Plenty of interest

Speaking to GiveMeSport, Jones has stated that not only clubs in England but Germany too are interested in signing the Rangers forward, adding that his future should be decided by the end of the year.

The journalist said of Kent: “I know he’s got a couple of clubs interested in him in England, there’s been a couple of clubs in Germany tracking him for a little while now as well too.

“So, we should know by the end of the year exactly which way this is going.”

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The Verdict: Keep him!

Kent has perhaps not been at his best this season, with some of his performances criticised as his team have struggled to keep up with Celtic at the top of the Premiership.

However, the winger has still managed five assists in the division, the joint-most out of his team-mates at Ibrox.

Hailed as a ‘wizard’ by his former Gers team-mate Leon Balogun, Kent managed an impressive 19 assists in all competitions last season, including five on the Light Blues’ journey to the Europa League final (Transfermarkt).

He is still only 26 years of age, and he has plenty more to offer for the Teddy Bears should they extend his contract.