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Tottenham Hotspur manager Antonio Conte is personally targeting Inter Milan defender and 2022 World Cup hopeful Denzel Dumfries.

The Lowdown: Spurs make January plans?

Conte has often spoken publicly about Spurs’ need for strength in depth, especially considering his want for the north Londoners to become a major Premier League force.

The Lilywhites boss could arguably be happy with the way his side have started 2022/2023 as Tottenham currently sit third in the table with only Arsenal and league champions Man City winning more games.

However, Conte has also had to cope with his fair share of injury problems, prompting reports of potential January moves for the likes of James Maddison and Ruslan Malinovskyi.

Sporting director Fabio Paratici could be a busy man mid-season as news emerges on Netherlands international ace Dumfries.

The Latest: Conte personally targeting Dumfries…

According to reports out of Italy, it appears Spurs’ head coach has personally set his sights on a new right-wing-back target.

The RWB spot has largely been a point of contention at N17 this season with mainstay Emerson Royal attracting some criticism – and there is a belief they need to strengthen in that position.

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As a result, Calciomercatoweb.it now claim Conte is targeting Dumfries as a possible solution, and the report adds that Inter could ‘request’ Emerson as a possible makeweight. However, a swap deal is viewed as unlikely as things stand.

The Verdict: Make the move?

At 26 years old and valued at around €40 million (£35m), Dumfries could fit the bill going by his plaudits and numbers in a Nerazzurri jersey.

Called a ‘very exciting and effective player’ by Serie A football writer Jerry Mancini, the defender appears dangerous on the overlap, having registered two assists already over 2022/2023.

Dumfries is a mainstay under manager Simone Inzaghi, playing the fourth-most league minutes out of any Inter player whilst also delivering their third-highest rate of crosses per 90 (WhoScored).

It’s hardly shocking that Conte could look to his homeland for a wing-back solution and Dumfries appears to be a credible candidate.

Leeds United U21 centre-forward Sonny Perkins could be set to link up with Jesse Marsch’s senior side ahead of their Carabao Cup meeting with Wolverhampton Wanderers this evening.

What’s the latest?

That’s according to Joe Donnohue, with the journalist revealing in a recent article for the Yorkshire Evening Post that, after being limited to a ten-minute substitute appearance in the young Whites’ 4-2 victory over Newcastle United U21s on Monday, the centre-forward now appears to be in with a chance of travelling to Molineux with the senior squad this evening.

Regarding the potential inclusion of a number of the club’s promising talents, Donnohue said: “[Leo] Hjelde and [Wilfried] Gnonto have both made first-team appearances this season, while [Darko] Gyabi and [Mateo] Joseph have been named on the substitutes’ bench by Marsch but are yet to earn their senior debuts.

“Perkins, on the other hand, has not made a matchday squad yet, but may travel with the group on Wednesday.”

Bamford heir

With Phil Hay recently revealing that Patrick Bamford looks set to be ruled out of first-team action until the return of club football after the World Cup, Marsch could well unearth the injury-prone centre-forward’s long-term heir at Leeds by unleashing Perkins against Wolves this evening.

Indeed, since making a move to Thorp Arch on a free transfer this summer, the 18-year-old sensation has been in astonishing goalscoring form over his nine Premier League 2 outings for the U21s, hitting the back of the net on seven different occasions, in addition to bagging one in three Papa John’s Trophy fixtures.

The teenage hitman has also been in fine form for England’s U19s in the current campaign, scoring five goals and providing one assist in three outings for Ian Foster’s side – meaning the youngster has averaged a direct goal contribution every 82 minutes of football played in 2022/23.

As such, with the goalless Bamford now looking to be out of action for a considerable amount of time, it would very much appear as if the £1m-rated Perkins has more than earned his chance to fill the boots of the England international until his likely return to first-team football in December.

Having said that, should the “dangerous” striker impress against Wolves this evening, perhaps the 18-year-old could even end up taking Bamford’s starting spot away from him on a much more regular basis, especially considering just how much of a struggle the Leeds’ number nine is finding it to get up to full fitness this season.

Scottish champions Celtic have received a timely boost following an update on the fitness of captain, Callum McGregor.

What’s the word?

As per Daily Record, the Scotland international has revealed that he is in line to make his return to training during the Old Firm outfit’s stint in Australia, with the Hoops set to take part in the Sydney Super Cup.

The 29-year-old stated: “Hopefully I will be joining bits of the sessions this week and just progressing the rehab. It will be an important five, six days for me as well. I am looking forward to getting back on the grass with the boys.”

The long-serving midfielder has been absent since sustaining a knee injury in the Champions League defeat away to RB Leipzig in early October, although the expectation is that the 49-cap gem should be fit to return after the World Cup break.

Huge boost

News of the playmaker returning to the training pitch will seemingly be a huge boost as far as manager Ange Postecoglou is concerned, with the former Yokohama boss likely to be keen to bring his reliable skipper back into the fold.

While the Parkhead giants have no doubt performed well in McGregor’s absence – continuing their march towards the title to move nine points ahead of bitter rivals Rangers at the summit – it has arguably been far from ideal to have been without the academy graduate in recent weeks.

As Postecoglou previously stated, the £32k-per-week machine is a figure that the club simply “can’t replace” such is his wealth of experience and leadership qualities, with the Glasgow-born sensation one of the more senior figures in a squad that is largely made of up relatively recent additions.

Compatriot Barry Ferguson has also recently echoed that sentiment, stating:

“In terms of Callum McGregor I think he is irreplaceable. He’s so important to Celtic on the pitch, off the pitch he’s a massive influence.

“He’s their most important player without a doubt. He’s grown into the position and grown into being a real leader at Celtic, obviously taking over the captaincy.”

There are reports that the Scottish Premiership outfit are targetting a new midfield recruit in the New Year to help bolster Postecoglou’s options in the centre of the park, although it could seemingly be just as important to get McGregor back in the thick of things.

A figure who has enjoyed notable success over the years at Paradise – winning a plethora of major honours and providing 126 goal involvements in 389 games across all fronts – Celtic are no doubt in need of such an experienced head to help guide the emerging talents of Matt O’Riley and Reo Hatate.

That latter duo had been forced to produce an “enormous shift” in recent games due to the loss of their “influential” captain – in the words of Postecoglou – with it seemingly unsustainable to once again have to rely on that pair when club action resumes at the end of next month.

As such, it is simply a huge boost to see McGregor edging ever closer to a return, both for the player, as well as his teammates and manager.

Everton have found themselves in a similar situation as last season in the Premier League and are currently now just one point above the relegation zone heading into the World Cup break.

The Toffees have fallen into a poor run of form losing three of their last five league fixtures and Frank Lampard will be desperate to get his team into shape when they return to action after Christmas, as his job at the club has come into question over the last few weeks.

It was reported that the Everton hierarchy were looking at potential successors for the former Chelsea boss due to the poor performances on the pitch, however, it has most recently been claimed that the club are willing to back the manager for the foreseeable future after considering their options.

As a result, Lampard will be feeling the pressure to start putting in performances and picking up crucial points in the Premier League, something that could be achieved by acquiring some top-quality talent in the January transfer window.

One player who has been linked with a move to Goodison Park is Shakhtar Donetsk star Mykhaylo Mudryk and there is no doubt the 21-year-old would offer a huge boost in the attacking threat in the team.

Only Wolverhampton Wanderers have scored fewer goals than the Toffees this season so finding players who can positively affect the amount of goal-scoring opportunities delivered and converted over the second half of the season.

Over 43 appearances for Donetsk so far, Mudryk – who was hailed a “serious talent” by Sascha Pisani – has scored 11 goals and delivered 17 assists, with a goal contribution every 83 minutes, which is an incredibly impressive output for the young winger and that consistency in front of goal would be a valuable asset at Everton.

In fact, the talented player ranks in the top 5% of his positional peers across Europe for non-penalty goals, assists, dribbles completed and touches, proving that he is a potential superstar in the making that could compete at the highest level with some of the biggest players in the world if he continues to flourish.

The £85.75m Ukrainian international has been attracting a lot of attention for his performances over the last 12 months and it is not only Everton interested in securing his signature with Arsenal, Manchester City, Newcastle United and Paris Saint-Germain also in the mix.

Mudryk’s expensive price tag has been defended by the club’s chief executive Sergei Palkin (via The Athletic):

“Mudryk is a talent in a process. What he is showing today, it’s just 60 per cent of what he can do in the future. And when you multiply this, you realize that he costs much, much more. Therefore, I we believe that in the future he can cost definitely around €100m.”

With that being said, if Moshiri does sanction a move for Mudryk it would certainly be proof of his ambition and intent to get Everton back where they belong in the top half of the table and could be the difference in saving Everton’s season.

Everton have been speculated to be interested in Udinese defender Rodrigo Becao and now a reliable source has given an update on the club’s pursuit of the player ahead of the upcoming transfer window in January.

What’s the latest?

Italian journalist and transfer insider Fabrizio Romano has revealed that Everton have “cooled” their interest in Becao.

He told Caught Offside:

“Everton were interested in signing Udinese defender Rodrigo Becao during the summer, but have since cooled their interest. There are no talks ongoing now between Udinese and any other club.

“Despite what you might be hearing elsewhere, there are currently no talks between Arsenal or Tottenham and Udinese for Rodrigo Becao. What I can tell you is that he was an option for Everton last summer, but it’s gone quiet now – there are no talks ongoing with Udinese.”

It’s a big risk for Lampard

The Toffees have found themselves in a similar position as they were last season over their current Premier League campaign and Frank Lampard must do everything in his power during the January transfer window to improve the team where possible to secure survival in the top flight.

Everton are currently one point off the relegation zone, 17th in the league table, and it’s a big risk for the manager to not sign a player who could improve their defensive depth in the second half of the season.

Over nine appearances, the 26-year-old dynamo has scored one goal, registered one assist and created one big chance, as well as averaging three tackles, 1.6 clearances and winning 6.6 duels per game, proving that he is not only a solid and reliable presence in defence but also an attacking threat too.

Indeed, Everton have much more pressing issues to tackle in their forward line with Dominic Calvert-Lewin constantly suffering from injury problems and a struggle to replace Richarlison’s goals since he made the move to Tottenham Hotspur in the summer.

Only Wolverhampton Wanderers have scored fewer goals than Everton this season so far and they currently occupy the very bottom position in the Premier League, so Lampard must search for a solution to fixing Everton’s poor finishing and lack of attacking prowess in the final third.

With that being said, it will be interesting to see if the powers at Goodison Park give Lampard the opportunity to strengthen his team in the new year as making moves in the transfer window could be season-defining for the Toffees.

If anything summed up Everton under Farhad Moshiri it would be the year of 2022.

At the beginning of the year, the Toffees entered it with Rafa Benitez at the helm. However, after just one month, Frank Lampard would arrive with Dele Alli and Donny van de Beek on transfer deadline day.

Only one of those is still at Everton, with Dele now at Besiktas on loan and Van de Beek back at Manchester United.

Lampard is the soul survivor but even his credentials are being questioned now. Having saved Everton from relegation last term, 2022/23 was all about consolidation.

The impressive signings of Conor Coady and James Tarkowski meant they did look more comfortable for a period of time. Yet, as the World Cup kicked off, the Toffees are now sat in 17th, just one point above the relegation zone.

Additions will quite evidently be needed in January but they will still have to avoid the reckless spending that has occurred so regularly under Farhad Moshiri.

If they are to spend anything, however, they must look at Jonathan David. Everton have held an interest in the Canadian forward this year but the longer they leave it, the more unrealistic a signing he becomes with fierce competition mounting.

A striker, however, is a must. Lampard looked at strengthening that area of the side in the summer with players such as Ben Brereton Diaz mooted. He remained at Blackburn Rovers and the club acquired Neal Maupay instead.

Having lost Richarlison, it was hardly a capable replacement with his one goal this campaign a testament to that statement.

There has been a real struggle for goals in the Toffees frontline with Dominic Calvert-Lewin suffering from a number of injury issues too. He has found the net only three times in this calendar year and has looked a shadow of his former self in the final third.

Such a rough year has meant Everton now require a sizeable upgrade and by signing David, it could give Lampard the license to find just that, all while forgetting about the club’s talisman and moving him on.

Should the Lille sensation be acquired then it would be a sublime capture. This is a player who has scored nine times in 15 Ligue 1 outings this term, a tally that adds to the 19 goals he bagged in all competitions last season.

A spectacular forward who is capable of dominating defenders, he has been described as a “phenom” who is undoubtedly “one of the best strikers in the world” by Tony Marinaro.

That is quite the statement and it’s hard to disagree when you consider his haul of 15 goals in the French top flight throughout 2021/22 was more than Lionel Messi and Neymar.

The odds are firmly stacked against Everton when it comes to bringing David to Merseyside but their lack of goals this year is evidence that they need a capable centre forward swiftly when the window re-opens in five weeks’ time.

Hopefully the World Cup star will be just that.

Leeds United rising star Crysencio Summerville suffered an injury during the Whites’ training camp in Spain, reports Beren Cross.

The Lowdown: Summerville’s starring role

The Dutchman has enjoyed a breakthrough season at Elland Road, scoring some of the most important and memorable goals of the campaign to date.

Summerville has netted four times in as many Premier League starts, burying crucial late winners against both Liverpool and Bournemouth, deservedly being called ‘exceptional’ by BT Sport pundit Michael Owen.

With Leeds currently at a training camp in Spain during the World Cup, a new injury scare has emerged after the devastating news of Patrick Bamford’s need for surgery.

The Latest: Youngster suffers scare

Taking to Twitter, LeedsLive’s Cross confirmed that Summerville suffered an issue, although it isn’t thought to be serious right now:

“Some breath held when Summerville stayed down after a tackle today. Some treatment, but went off under his own steam.”

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The Verdict: Nothing to worry about?

Thankfully, it doesn’t sound as though Summerville will be impacted much by this injury, at a time when he must feel on top of the world at Leeds.

The World Cup has come at a bad time for him in truth, considering the momentum he had before the tournament, and the key now is returning in the same rich vein of form – his goals will be even more crucial with Bamford out.

Summerville hasn’t always convinced when given the opportunity for the Whites but he has found a new gear this season and now looks like a long-term figure at Elland Road.

Tottenham Hotspur are interested in a deal to being Wilfried Singo to the Premier League.

What’s the talk?

That’s according to a report by Italian publication Tuttosport (via Sport Witness), who claim that the likes of Spurs, Juventus, Inter Milan and Barcelona are all keeping a close eye on the situation of the Torino right-back – with the outlet giving a particular warning for clubs to be ‘careful of Antonio Conte’ in the race for the 21-year-old.

Apparently heeding this advice, the report goes on to state that Torino are hoping to tie the defender down to a new contract at the Stadio Olimpico in order to receive the largest fee possible for the Ivory Coast international, with the Serie A side said to be well aware that Singo has ‘many admirers’ in the Premier League.

Conte’s dream

With Conte himself revealing that he prefers his wing-backs to be primarily attack-minded, coupled with just how impressive Singo has been for Torino going forwards, it is not difficult to understand why the 53-year-old would be interested in a deal to bring the 21-year-old to north London – either in January or the summer transfer window.

Indeed, over his 35 Serie A appearances last season, the £17m-rated talent was in sensational attacking form, scoring three goals, registering four assists and creating four big chances for his teammates, in addition to taking an average of 1.2 shots, making 0.7 key passes and completing 1.2 dribbles – at a success rate of 51% – per game.

The £4.2k-per-week full-back also impressed in a defensive capacity, making an average of 1.6 tackles, 0.7 interceptions, 1.2 clearances and winning 5.6 duels – at a success rate of 58% – per fixture.

These returns saw the player who Matteo Bonetti dubbed a “revelation” average an extremely impressive Sofascore match rating of 6.95, ranking him as the Granata’s eighth-best performer in the top flight of Italian football last time out.

Furthermore, according to FBref, the four-cap international also ranks in the top 11% of full-backs in Europe’s big five leagues for shots per 90, as well as the top 21% for non-penalty goals, the top 15% for non-penalty xG, the top 13% for dribbles completed, the top 19% for touches in the opposition penalty area and the top 35% for assists – highlighting his attacking inclination.

As such, considering Singo’s forward-thinking mindset and the fact that the defender is still only 21 years of age, it is indeed easy to see why Conte would be keen on a deal to bring the €30m (£26m) valued youngster to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, as the full-back would appear to be something of a dream addition for the Italian manager at wing-back.

Tottenham Hotspur chief Fabio Paratici could deliver a serious statement to the rest of the Premier League if he were to win the race to sign coveted Croatia sensation Josko Gvardiol…

What’s the word?

Several English teams have been mooted with interest in the 20-year-old titan, including Chelsea and Manchester United, whilst more recently, reports have suggested that defending champions Manchester City are lining up a club-record £115m move for him in January.

But according to pundit Frank McAvennie, a former striker for West Ham United, he’s better off joining the north Londoners instead of Pep Guardiola’s side.

“I can tell you right now that is what Tottenham need,” he said to Football Insider.

“They should spend that money on a centre-half. I think they have been lacking in those positions.

“I do not know if I would want to go to Man City. He will be in and out.”

Meanwhile, Fabrizio Romano (via Tribuna) claims that RB Leipzig would be wanting at least £78m to sell him in January.

Statement signing

Indeed, the Leipzig colossus would surely be better off plying his trade at a club where he could garner plenty of minutes and isn’t so much at risk for rotation and he’d get just that at Spurs, where manager Antonio Conte very rarely tinkers with is trusted stars.

The Lilywhites could also do with a left-footed centre-back to replace Ben Davies in the long run, featuring alongside World Cup winner Cristian Romero and Eric Dier.

Gvardiol was one of the standout figures in Qatar over the last few weeks as Croatia sealed a third-placed finish. Only against La Seleccion did the 20-year-old gem register a Sofascore rating below 7.00, averaging 7.16 across his seven appearances.

He was part of the Vatreni side that kept two clean sheets, where he averaged 1.6 interceptions, 1.3 tackles and 5.3 clearances per game, which built on his impressive domestic form in Germany, where he currently ranks in a league of his own compared to his positional peers.

As per FBref, he sits amongst the top 1% for dribbles completed and passes attempted, as well as the top 6% for progressive passes per 90, highlighting his suitability to not just the modern game but the way in which Conte likes to play out from the back.

These attributes would clearly be very welcome, given the fact that the Italian does not have a natural left-footed centre-back.

Such form and talent has seen plenty around the game wax lyrical, ranging from Romano dubbing him a “monster” to journalist Zach Lowry describing him as a “Rolls-Royce.”

Whilst scout Jacek Kulig has even suggested he was the “Haaland of defenders,” which is particularly glowing praise given the impact the monstrous talisman has had on the Premier League already.

Therefore, with Spurs sitting in fourth place, winning the competitive race for his signature would surely signal a massive statement to the rest of the top-flight that Conte is here to win silverware at all costs.

AND in other news, Paratici eyes Spurs swoop for 6 ft “monster”, he’s a true heir to £100k-p/w “legend”…

Arsenal went into the World Cup break leading the Premier League table and looking in the mood to win their first league title in 19 years.

However, summer arrival Gabriel Jesus suffered a serious injury while representing Brazil in Qatar and could be out for three months, leaving Mikel Arteta’s side quite short of centre-forwards heading into 2023.

Arteta will now surely have to dip into the transfer market and find a replacement for Jesus as soon as possible, especially if he wants to continue the Gunners’ fine form.

The north London club have been linked with Marcus Thuram of late, and a report by Bild over the weekend claimed that the Frenchman could be available for as little as £10m in January due to him not extending his contract with Borussia Monchengladbach.

The 25-year-old played a part in the World Cup final as France came up agonisingly short to Argentina, and although he didn’t manage to score in Qatar, his positive performances will have given Arteta plenty of food for thought.

The forward has been in sensational form for Gladbach this season, registering 17 goal contributions – 13 goals and four assists – in just 17 matches across all competitions, and there seems no doubt that he would be able to replace Jesus.

Thuram’s Bundesliga displays this season have been superb. He has an average Sofascore rating of 7.19/10 across 15 appearances so far, scoring ten goals, grabbing three assists and creating a further three big chances, proving to be an absolute menace for opposition defences.

Compared to positional peers across Europe’s big five leagues in 2022, he also ranks in the top 15% for non-penalty goals, total shots, dribbles completed and touches in the attacking penalty area.

These statistics suggest that, if Arteta does sign him next month, the 25-year-old wouldn’t just be a stopgap signing. He could arguably excel in the Premier League, and for the fee quoted, the Spaniard should be acting rather swiftly to try and make a deal happen.

Thuram was described as “world-class” by Wolfsburg’s sporting director Marcel Schäfer in the past, and this just further highlights exactly what sort of player Arsenal would be signing if the Frenchman comes to north London.

It’s a move which makes a lot of sense, and with Thuram’s goalscoring ability and attacking nous, the Arsenal faithful could forget about Jesus rather quickly if he manages to get off to a good start at the Emirates Stadium.