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Reliable journalist Gary Jacob has made a claim on defender Angelo Ogbonna amid recent hopes he could make a return before the end of 2021/2022.

The Lowdown: Insider shares West Ham hope?

The Italian, who hasn’t featured since November, sustaining an ACL injury against Liverpool, has been at the centre of claims in recent days that he could in fact be available for the final few games of this season.

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Indeed, West Ham insider Claret & Hugh believe that there is hope within the club that Ogbonna could make a contribution for manager David Moyes over the last couple of matches.

This comes after the centre-half returned to light training and travelled to France, watching the Hammers’ historic victory over Lyon in the Europa League, though he was not a squad member.

It’s also been claimed that Ogbonna, if Moyes’ men make the Europa League final, ‘could be fit enough’ to start.

However, issuing a claim to the contrary, Jacob has more pessimistic news amid this update.

The Latest: Jacob makes Ogbonna claim…

Jacob, writing for The Times in midweek, says that Ogbonna is in fact ‘out for the season’ with West Ham suffering somewhat of an injury crisis at the back.

Kurt Zouma could already be sidelined for ‘several weeks’, meanwhile Issa Diop’s ankle injury could rule him out for the remainder of this campaign.

This may leave Craig Dawson as Moyes’ only fit, natural centre-half for the final run-in.

The Verdict: Blow for Moyes…

Amid C&H’s update, Irons supporters will be hoping that there is in fact hope of an Ogbonna return despite Jacob’s firm claim.

The colossal 6 foot 3 defender was a mainstay in Moyes’ side before the ACL injury and has been an arguably crucial player for nearly two full seasons.

Former Hammers defender James Collins has labelled Ogbonna ‘phenomenal’ for his contribution at the London Stadium and his return would be a real boost.

However, as things stand, it appears Moyes may not be able to rely on the 33-year-old’s surprise early comeback.

In other news: Moyes set for GSB backing as West Ham insider makes exciting big-money claim, find out more here.

The philosophy since Fosun took on the ownership of Wolverhampton Wanderers has been to buy young players with sell on value.

If you excuse the likes of Raul Jimenez and Joao Moutinho then Wolves have quite evidently achieved that.

In signing vibrant young footballers like Adama Traore, Ruben Neves and Pedro Neto, the Midlands outfit could rake in a bucket load of cash over the next few years.

Traore was signed for £18m but Bruno Lage rejected an offer in the region of £30m from Tottenham over the summer.

Neves, meanwhile, has been touted at £40m and Pedro Neto has been talked about as a £50m player in some circles.

However, one player who goes under the radar at Wolves has also seen his value rise quite significantly since arriving in English football.

That happens to be Belgium international Leander Dendoncker.

The midfield brute signed for just £12.4m in 2018 and in the last three years his value, per Transfermarkt, has soared to the £27m mark.

That’s quite the rise for a player who is a regular among a Belgian squad thought to contain their golden generation.

Dendoncker is yet to start a match in the Premier League under new manager Bruno Lage but he played a key part under Nuno Santo after they were promoted from the Championship.

The 24-year-old didn’t miss a single league outing during the 2019/20 campaign and featured on 33 occasions last term, only sitting on the sidelines for five matches.

Rarely injured and versatile in terms of his positions, he has become a vital cog in the wheel at Molineux.

Initially a central midfielder, Nuno began playing Dendoncker as a centre-back last term and hailed him as “fantastic” in the process.

He did struggle in a clash with Manchester City but that wasn’t a fair litmus for a player starting in an unnatural position.

Wolves’ tough-tackling Belgian has improved since that clash and ended last term with 2.6 aerial duels per game – the third highest in the squad – and as their central defender with the most tackles per appearance at 1.6.

He is yet to show his true colours under Lage but his market value rise dictates that they have a player with enormous potential on their hands.

Fosun clearly played a blinder with this move three years ago.

AND in other news, Get rid: Wolves owned player who lost the ball every 3.4 touches endures UCL nightmare…

According to a report by The Times, Tottenham Hotspur, and by extension managing director Fabio Paratici, are ‘ready to make a move’ to sign Villarreal defender Pau Torres.

The Lowdown: Another defender incoming?

It looks like Tottenham aren’t quite done after the signing of Cristian Romero for the heart of their defence.

As per football.london, Spurs could look to add two new centre-backs this summer rather than just one as Paratici continues his major summer rebuild at N17.

In the past week, they have been strongly linked with both Fiorentina defender Nikola Milenkovic and Torres, with The Times now backing interest in the latter man as they provide their own update.

The Latest: Spurs ‘ready to make a move’ for Torres…

The reliable news source says that Spurs and Paratici are now ‘ready to make a move’ for the 24-year-old as they aim to add even more steal to Nuno Espirito Santo’s defence.

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Torres, who they describe as ‘one of the stars of Spain’s run to the semi-finals of Euro 2020’, also played a huge role in Villarreal’s Europa League-winning campaign last year.

The defender, however, will cost a pretty penny with his sky release clause having risen towards the end of 2020/2021.

His previous clause was €55 million (£46.8 million), but it has now rose to €65 million (£55.4 million), though the Lilywhites are hoping they can secure Torres for a lesser figure.

The Verdict: Huge coup…

If Paratici can somehow get this one over the line for Nuno, even factoring in their sell-to-buy policy, it would be one huge coup for Spurs.

Described as ‘sensational’ by Levante head coach Paco Lopez, the young defender possesses an incredible composure and assurance in passing out from the back – as stated by those who have worked with him throughout his career (The Athletic).

Standing at a colossal 6 foot 3, Torres also has the physicality to succeed in Premier League football and, with plenty of years still ahead of him, could gain Spurs some significant sell-on value.

In other news: Agreement reached: Tottenham confirm another N17 exit in social media announcement, find out more here.

Harry Kane is expected to push for a new contract at Tottenham Hotspur, according to emerging reports…

What’s the word?

Ian McGarry, who is one half of ‘The Transfer Window’ podcast alongside The Sunday Times journalist Duncan Castles, has claimed that the 28-year-old’s representatives will try to negotiate a bumper extension to his current £200k-per-week contract after the striker’s move to Manchester City never materialised.

“My information is that Kane’s position now is that his representative, who is his brother Charlie Kane, is hopeful of negotiating an upgrade on Kane’s current contract,” he revealed.

“That would include a release clause, meaning that Kane could leave next summer or indeed in January for a set fee, rather than the haggling which went on during the last few months between City and Tottenham.

“Kane himself still sees his future as playing in a team that will win trophies, something that he has not experienced.”

The right move?

After a long saga throughout the summer transfer window, the England international finally put an end to speculation linking him with an exit to the defending champions.

It seems as if City were never prepared to pay in excess of £150m, having splashed £100m on his international teammate Jack Grealish from Aston Villa earlier in the window, and that has left Kane with relationships to repair.

That should be a fairly easy task considering just how crucial he is to this Lilywhites side. He scored or assisted 54.4% of all their league goals scored last season, and already this campaign, he sits top of the key passes per game charts by some margin, showing he can be a big influence under new manager Nuno Santo.

However, as a prolific goalscorer and a product from the club’s youth academy, Kane has always been a fan favourite and popular figure around the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

This latest development only bodes well for their chances of keeping hold of him for the remainder of his career – and on the other hand, the inclusion of a release clause would mean that chairman Daniel Levy gets his way once again and that’ll be for the benefit of the club rather than the player.

Spurs will get the services of Kane for the foreseeable future and that gives them the very best chance of success, given his influence. Similarly, if City – or another club – come calling again, the north Londoners will get every penny they deserve. It’s a win-win and exactly why the Lilywhites faithful must be elated with this update.

AND in other news, Nuno Santo could discover Spurs’ next Dele Alli by unleashing “bright” 20 y/o prodigy…

As per Football Insider, Tottenham Hotspur have set their sights on England international Sam Johnstone, with one mainstay’s future now in ‘major doubt’.

The Lowdown: Lloris’ future up in the air

Hugo Lloris, signed by chairman Daniel Levy in the summer of 2012, has been a long-standing Tottenham servant and fixture in the starting line up, playing every single Premier League match so far this season.

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However, with the 34-year-old Frenchman’s deal due to expire next year, it now remains to be seen whether this season is indeed his last in a Spurs shirt.

As such, the club and its managing director Fabio Paratici are keeping their eyes peeled for worthy replacements, with fresh reports about Johnstone coming to the fore.

The Latest: Spurs eye Lloris replacement…

Despite signing Atalanta shot stopper Pierluigi Gollini on a season-long loan with the option to buy, it appears that Spurs have a contingency plan as they set their sights on Johnstone.

Having recently established himself both at club level and with England, the 28-year-old is firmly on Tottenham’s watchlist. A senior Lilywhites scout is even said to have watched him in action as recently as last week when his West Brom side took on Preston North End.

Spurs are now believed to be compiling a dossier on Johnstone with the view to making a move, according to Football Insider.

The Verdict: Ideal?

Even though Gollini hasn’t really been given his chance to prove whether he is worthy of taking the mantle from Lloris, you could argue that signing Johnstone is a no-brainer going by his homegrown status.

West Brom were also apparently willing to accept around £15m for the goalkeeper last summer, arguably a bargain price given his status as a Three Lions international and his concession rate of just 0.66 goals per game in the Championship so far this term (six in nine games).

He has also been called ‘world class’ by Wolverhampton Wanderers legend Steve Bull (This is Futbol), so could he be the perfect Lloris replacement in N17? They could probably do a lot worse.

In other news: Levy plan to offload big name Spurs player emerges as source leaks damning Hotspur Way behaviour, find out more here.

West Ham are reportedly considering an offer for Southampton defender Jannik Vestergaard, according to The Daily Telegraph’s Mike McGrath. 

Vestergaard has been with Southampton since 2018, having previously been on the books with Borussia Mönchengladbach – he has made 79 appearances in total for the Saints.

That includes 32 appearances in the 2020/21 season for Ralph Hasenhüttl’s side, as they finished 15th in the Premier League table last term.

The Saints lost Danny Ings to Aston Villa recently, whilst also being faced with interest from Dean Smith’s side for James Ward-Prowse’s services.

Vestergaard is the latest player to be linked with a move away from St Mary’s Stadium, although it is reported that Nikola Milenković remains West Ham’s main transfer target at this moment in time.

David Moyes’ side will be looking to build on a strong campaign last term, after finishing sixth in the Premier League table, meaning they will now need additional depth to cope with the demands of Europa League football.

Plenty of West Ham supporters took to social media to react to their rumoured interest in signing Vestergaard, and you can find some of the best comments from West Ham Central’s Twitter account below….

Mixed opinions from Hammers fans

“I’d rather play David Moyes at centre back than Vestegaard.”

Credit: @HcWhu

“Dear god no.”

Credit: @Jamessm70043328

“No way please no.”

Credit: @essexhammer80

“Oh no …..”

Credit: @robboandrew

“I’m all for this.”

Credit: @westhamtransfer

“Vestergaard was great for Saints last year. He is really good.”

Credit: @Irons_Stuff

“Would’ve been fuming with this last season but really improved and his passing would be good for our counter. Won’t happen though.”

Credit: @WHUFCallum_

“Always looked a good player to me, pretty sure we have enquired about him before.”

Credit: @WHUbluesman

Tottenham Hotspur right-back Matt Doherty is expected to leave north London in the January transfer window.

What’s the talk?

That’s according to Fabrizio Romano, with the journalist revealing on a recent episode of the Here We Go podcast that Spurs boss Antonio Conte is looking to move a number of first-team players on in the upcoming winter market, and that the 29-year-old defender is one of them.

Speaking about the potential exit of the Republic of Ireland international next month, Romano said: “Doherty has a serious chance to leave in January. Tottenham are also thinking about the outgoings. Doherty is going to leave.”

Fans will be buzzing

Considering how poor Doherty has generally been for Tottenham since his £15m move to North London back in the summer of 2020, the news that Spurs are looking to move the right-back on this winter is sure to have left many of the club’s fanbase buzzing.

Indeed, over his 17 Premier League appearances last season – only 13 of which came as starts – the £10.8m-rated defender helped his side keep a mere three clean sheets, as well as being beaten by an opponent an average of 1.2 times and losing possession of the ball a whopping 13.3 times per game.

These returns saw the £74k-per-week man earn an extremely disappointing seasonal SofaScore match rating of just 6.76, ranking him as Spurs’ 11th-worst performer in the top flight of English football last time out.

Things have not improved for the right-back over his four league outings this season, with the former Wolverhampton Wanderers defender averaging a SofaScore match rating of 6.72 – ranking him as Antonio Conte’s eighth-worst player in the division so far.

As such, it will perhaps come as no surprise to many Tottenham fans that, in a recent poll ran on Football FanCast, the overwhelming majority of Spurs supporters voted in favour of their club moving the 29-year-old onto pastures new this winter.

As a result, Romano’s latest update will undoubtedly come as music to the ears of many involved with the club, and we would have to agree that Doherty’s rather hefty weekly wage could easily be put to much better use by Fabio Paratici and Conte in the January transfer window.

In other news: Conte may have found his new Skriniar as THFC make contact for £76m-rated “oil tanker”

Eddie Howe’s Newcastle United face off against Wolves tonight as they return to Premier League action at St James’ Park.

The Magpies were left humbled last time out in the top flight as Tottenham smashed them 5-1 in north London, after Fabian Schar had given the Toon the lead with a fine free-kick.

Howe’s side have now lost three games in succession and they will be hoping to turn things around against Wolves in front of their own supporters.

How many changes will the 44-year-old make to the team from last Sunday? Here is our predicted starting XI…

We are predicting that he will make three alterations to the side, with Jamaal Lascelles, Jacob Murphy and Bruno Guimaraes all coming in.

Wolves typically play in a 3-4-2-1 or 3-5-2 formation and Howe may look to counter that by moving to a 3-5-2 of his own, particularly after the manner of the defeat last week.

This means that he will need to bring in another central defender to play alongside Dan Burn and Fabian Schar. In that case, Lascelles must come in as the middle centre-back in the three, as he is strong in his individual duels and can win headers in the box.

He has won an outstanding 75% of his aerial battles this season and averaged 4.8 clearances per game. This suggests that he will be perfect for the role, as he has the defensive quality to deal with crosses coming into the box, which is why he must start tonight.

With the change in formation, Murphy could come in to play at right wing-back. Javier Manquillo lost three of his five duels and only made one tackle and interception combined last Sunday, and he could now be dropped to the bench to make way for the former Norwich man because of his poor display in north London.

Finally, Guimaraes may come in to replace Joe Willock. The English gem is struggling with an injury and is a doubt for the game tonight, which means that his place in the middle of the park may be up for grabs.

The £40m man should start next to Jonjo Shelvey and Joelinton if the ex-Arsenal youngster misses out. He impressed upon coming off the bench against Spurs last week and deserves his chance to show what he can do from the start tonight. As per SofaScore, he won seven duels and four tackles and completed 96% of his attempted passes in the 5-1 defeat, showcasing his quality as a substitute.

Guimaraes has been dubbed as “exceptionally talented” by former Celtic manager Neil Lennon and he must line up in the middle of the park for Newcastle tonight.

AND in other news, Signed for free, now worth £9m: Ashley sealed his final NUFC gift in £35k-p/w “dream”…

Arsenal defender Kieran Tierney is reportedly set to miss his side’s Carabao Cup fourth round clash with Leeds United on Tuesday night.

The Lowdown: Leeds head to Arsenal

The Whites trade Premier League duties for domestic cup action on Tuesday, making the trip to the Emirates as they look to reach the quarter-finals.

While the league clearly takes precedence for Leeds, particularly given their struggles at the moment, a good cup run could turn their fortunes around after a worrying start to this campaign.

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The Latest: Tierney set to miss out

According to the Yorkshire Evening Post‘s Joe Urquhart on Monday, Tierney is expected to be an injury absentee for the game.

The Scot missed Arsenal 3-1 win over Aston Villa last Friday with a bruised ankle and he is unlikely to be fit in time to take to the field.

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The Verdict: Boost for Bielsa and co

Tierney has been an impressive signing for Arsenal, providing quality and tenacity at left-back – he has averaged 1.3 key passes per game in the league this season – so he could be a miss for the Gunners from a creativity sense.

Should Raphinha be deemed fit to start in north London, he could be buoyed by Tierney’s absence, although it remains to be seen how strong Marcelo Bielsa’s starting lineup will be, as he potentially rotates his squad.

In other news, Phil Hay has provided another worrying Leeds injury update. Read more here.

Leeds have recently been linked with Nottingham Forest loanee James Garner, and his performance against Coventry City on Wednesday evening will certainly have caught Victor Orta’s eye.

This forms part of our Transfer Watch series, where we react to a performance from a current transfer target.

The Lowdown: Leeds links

Garner, who is on loan at the City Ground from Manchester United, has been linked with a move to Elland Road in recent weeks.

Leeds, and therefore Victor Orta, are thought to be monitoring the 21-year-old closely ahead of a possible summer swoop.

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Manchester United may consider a permanent sale over the coming months, with Jesse Marsch looking to bolster his midfield options ahead of his first full season in charge.

The Latest: Stunning display

Forest recorded a fourth successive Championship win on Wednesday to consolidate their place in the playoffs, defeating Coventry City 2-0. Garner was man of the match, as per SofaScore, recording a rating of 8.4/10.

The central midfielder scored Forest’s second on the hour mark and also registered five key passes (the most in the match), made four interceptions (second-most) and three tackles (third-most).

The Verdict: Sign

You’d expect that Garner’s display will have caught the eye of Orta given the recent transfer links, and should Forest fail in their push for promotion, a move for the Manchester United man over the summer could be a shrewd call.

Of course, the Red Devils will need to be willing to part ways with Garner on a permanent basis, and if they are, a move to Elland Road looks to make sense for all parties, banking the parent club a profit on a player far down the pecking order and granting the player first-team football in the top flight.

Marsch meanwhile has just four senior midfield options at this moment in time, with Garner able to turn out as a defensive, central or attacking midfielder.

He could be the perfect partner for Kalvin Phillips in a double pivot next season, with also Garner showing an impressive eye for goal with his goal contributions now up to nine in a Forest shirt.

In other news: ‘Leeds fans won’t be happy…’ – Sky Sports man reacts to major update emerging from Elland Road