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Jurgen Klopp's tenure at Liverpool has been steeped in immense success on the transfer front, with the German manager's philosophy on the pitch built upon the astute construction in the market.

Having ended a 30-year wait for the Premier League trophy, secured the club's sixth Champions League title and won further honours such as the FA Cup and Carabao Cup, the legacy of Klopp's reign will adorn the Anfield walls in gleaming light for many, many years – perpetually engrained into Merseyside's footballing history.

It hasn't always paid off though. While the likes of Mohamed Salah, Virgil van Dijk and Andy Robertson are just a few of the blinders played, there have indeed been a few to miss the mark.

Naby Keita is probably the most salient example, having arrived from RB Leipzig on a £53m deal with a weight of expectation but proving to be a colossal failure, with constant injuries stifling his chances of capturing any impressive form with regularity.

On the other end of that spectrum, Dominic Solanke is another Klopp signing to have failed to cement his spot at Liverpool, though his arrival is far less rueful given the profit made on his sale.

The fee Liverpool paid for Dominic Solanke

Liverpool signed Solanke from Premier League rivals Chelsea when he was just a teenager in 2017, agreeing to a £3m outlay as per a tribunal.

The Englishman had been a prolific presence for the Blues at youth level, posting 35 goals and six assists across 45 appearances but ultimately marked expendable due to the throng of prospects at the Cobham academy.

Liverpool offered him a platform to grow into a Premier League striker, and while he has done so now, he did not find his feet at Anfield.

Why Liverpool sold Dominic Solanke

After making 27 appearances across all competitions during the 2017/18 campaign, Liverpool striker Solanke only managed to score once, in the final game of the Premier League season against Brighton & Hove Albion.

Klopp's project was in full swing and the Reds had made impressive progress over the past year or so, with the Champions League conquest that culminated in defeat in the final against Real Madrid the beginning of an illustrious spell in the club's history.

The success of famed forward triumvirate of Salah, Sadio Mane and Roberto Firmino, coupled with Solanke's failure to quite find his shooting boots, meant a successful future on the Anfield books would be difficult, and when Bournemouth came calling with an initial £19m offer in January 2019, his sale was granted.

How Dominic Solanke is doing now

Solanke has found a home at the arrowhead of the Vitality Stadium, having now scored 63 goals and supplied 28 assists from 189 outings, praised by former boss Gary O'Neil for his "massive" contribution.

This season, the 26-year-old has been in excellent form, already plundering seven goals and an assist across his first 15 matches across all competitions, including a brace in the Cherries recent 2-0 victory over Newcastle United, taking his Premier League tally up to six.

Such prolific success means that he actually boasts a higher tally in the league than Liverpool talisman Darwin Nunez this term, with the Uruguayan clinching four goals and assists so far.

Liverpool's club-record £85m acquisition struggled last season but has come into his own this year and was praised for his "razor-sharp" finishing by Sky Sports commentator Peter Drury after scoring a match-winning brace against the Magpies himself back in August.

Of course, Liverpool fans will hardly rue the sale or the fact that Nunez is now the man plying his trade up front for Klopp, but it's interesting to see that this former starlet in Solanke is now blossoming into the clinical force that he was always capable of becoming.

Tottenham Hotspur changed the strategy in the summer after several years of struggles, with Antonio Conte's dismissal in March proving to be the fourth time in as many years that chairman Daniel Levy had spun the wheel.

Shifting away from the approach that welcomed the likes of Conte and Jose Mourinho to mixed success, Celtic manager Ange Postecoglou was targetted after the 58-year-old's impressive endeavours in Scotland, with Spurs lifting off to enormous success in the early phase of the campaign.

Indeed, after just ten matches, the London side – who finished eighth-placed last year – were top of the Premier League and flying. Still, recent losses against Chelsea and Wolverhampton Wanderers have highlighted the importance of bolstering.

As such, Postecoglou has no doubt fixed one eye on the upcoming winter transfer window, with Tottenham reportedly interested in digging into Juventus' pool of talent once again.

Tottenham transfer news – Samuel Iling-Junior

According to Football Insider, the Serie A side are interested in discussing terms with Spurs for the transfer of Samuel Iling-Junior given their precarious financial situation.

Juventus are holding out for an 'attractive' bid but with Postecoglou believed to have earmarked Iling-Junior as a top target, this could be the perfect move to make this January.

The 20-year-old is only contracted in Turin until 2025 and was touted at €25m (£21m) in the summer – when Aston Villa and Everton were lurking – and given Tottenham's need for depth, this could be the perfect move.

Samuel Iling-Junior's statistics since 22/23

Described as a "flamboyant winger" by talent scout Jacek Kulig, Iling-Junior has been honing his craft with the Old Lady after being released from Chelsea's academy in 2020.

Having only made 22 senior appearances so far, Iling-Junior has posted a goal and three assists and has now established a base from which to improve his abilities.

Despite his desire to play in a forward role – the Englishman has likened his game to that of Bayern Munich's Leroy Sane – he has often been utilised as a wing-back by Massimiliano Allegri.

Dynamic and daring, he ranks among the top 5% of full-backs across Europe's top five leagues over the past year for goals, the top 17% for shot-creating actions, the top 18% for progressive carries and the top 13% for successful take-ons per 90, as per FBref.

Such metrics emphasise the winger's natural attacking instinct and ease with the ball at his feet, and such skills would be the perfect addition to Tottenham's burgeoning outfit.

Dubbed a "menace" with "high energy and work volume as well as dreamy ball skills" by journalist Antonio Mango, Iling-Junior would be a worthy addition to the Spurs squad, and given the club's recent success in securing exciting talent from Juventus, it's well worth the venture.

Dejan Kulusevski's Spurs career so far

Almost two years ago, Dejan Kulusevski joined Spurs on an 18-month loan deal from Juventus before finally completing a permanent £25m transfer this summer.

Hailed for his "explosive" skills by compatriot Marcus Allback before his loan move to the Premier League, the Swede had looked a promising talent in Italy but was shipped off to Spurs and started with aplomb, scoring five goals and supplying eight assists from only 18 matches in the English top-flight.

This season, Postecoglou has provided the 23-year-old with a starting role across all 12 of the club's Premier League outings – with Kulusevski boasting a three-goal return so far – and he is comfortably one of the most important players in the Lilywhites team – energetic, robust and progressive.

Clinching Iling-Junior's signature, Tottenham could repeat the feat, nurturing and moulding a new sensation from Juventus, and it simply has to be realised in January to provide the squad with greater options and maintain the resurgence.

West Ham United continued their stunning European form in midweek by securing a 1-0 win against TSC in the Europa League, which now affords them the luxury of resting key players for the final match of the group stage.

Since the start of the 2021/22 season, West Ham have won a total of 22 European matches, reaching a semi-final and winning the Europa Conference League in that time, while equalling Real Madrid’s win total in the process.

David Moyes could lead them on another stunning run in the continent after Christmas, but until their knockout stage matches, the focus will be on the Premier League.

They face Crystal Palace on Sunday and having won their previous four games; they head into the tie full of confidence.

The Scot will freshen things up against the Eagles and we at Football FanCast predict that he will make five changes from the 1-0 win during midweek – while also deploying a 4-2-3-1 formation.

1 GK – Alphonse Areola

The first change will be a rotation of the goalkeepers, with the Frenchman replacing Lukasz Fabianski between the posts.

The Pole has played in four European ties so far this season, conceding just two goals in the process, yet has still to make an appearance in the Premier League.

Areola has started all league ties this season, but he will be aiming to secure just his second clean sheet against Palace.

2 RB – Ben Johnson

The Englishman will retain his place from the European clash due to doubts over Vladimir Coufal’s fitness.

The defender was left behind for the midweek tie alongside Mohammed Kudus due to them having “flu-like symptoms”, according to Moyes.

This means Johnson will play twice in four days and Moyes will be hoping this doesn’t come at a cost.

3 CB – Kurt Zouma

Moyes will drop Konstantinos Mavropanos in place of the returning Kurt Zouma for the Premier League clash on Sunday.

The Frenchman was rested against TSC and therefore should be fresh to play a starring role as West Ham go looking for another three points in the league.

Zouma has captained the club in all but two of their domestic ties this term and will take the armband once again.

4 CB – Nayef Aguerd

The Moroccan international has become the preferred partner for Zouma at the heart of the West Ham defence, and they have starred on numerous occasions this season.

He joined the club for £30m in the summer of 2022 and, despite injury problems disrupting his debut season in London, he has become a key figure this term.

5 LB – Emerson Palmieri

Aaron Cresswell started the victory against TSC, yet Emerson will come back into the starting XI for the tie at the London Stadium on Sunday.

The Italian defender has featured in all but two of West Ham’s matches this season, chipping in with two assists and Moyes will be hoping he is at his attacking best against Palace.

6 CM – Edson Alvarez

Moyes signed the Mexican international during the summer transfer window for £35m and it looks like a shrewd piece of business.

Hailed as “tenacious” and a “superb tackler” by talent scout Jacek Kulig for his displays at Ajax, Edson Alvarez has enjoyed a solid start to his West Ham career.

Losing Declan Rice was a big blow in the summer, but the 26-year-old already looks like an ideal heir for the Arsenal gem. He has missed only two league ties so far and will be thrust into the squad after being rested against TSC.

7 CM – James Ward-Prowse

The former Southampton starlet has been arguably the best summer signing by Moyes, especially with his attacking output.

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The midfielder has already registered ten assists and scored twice in 19 matches in all competitions and these numbers will continue to get better.

He will form a central midfield partnership alongside Alvarez and Moyes will be hoping their respective qualities can help the club to another three points.

8 RW – Pablo Fornals

With Kudus missing the game against TSC due to illness, Moyes will retain the services of Pablo Fornals on the right wing and avoid taking a gamble with the former Ajax gem.

Fornals played the full 90 minutes in midweek and put on a decent showing. The winger made one key pass, delivered one successful cross and won two of his three dribble attempts.

The Spaniard has started just once in the Premier League all season, but he will be unleashed from the first whistle by Moyes against the Eagles as he won't want to rush Kudus back to action.

9 AM – Tomas Soucek

The Czech midfielder has enjoyed a decent goalscoring run this season, scoring seven times across all competitions, and Moyes will continue to utilise him in an attacking midfield role.

Although primarily operating slightly deeper, Soucek has netted in his previous two Premier League ties whilst playing in an advanced role and Moyes will be hoping for more of the same against Palace.

10 LW – Lucas Paqueta

Said Benrahma started against TSC on the left of a three-man attack, yet failed to showcase his true abilities and this opens the door for Lucas Paqueta to come back into the starting XI.

Five goals and an assist in 18 games is a decent record, but Moyes will be hoping for more from the Brazilian on the left-hand side, especially with his potential to cause chaos against opposition defences.

Sean Dyche has masterminded a turnaround in Everton’s fortunes this season, having narrowly stayed in the Premier League over the last two seasons. Even in the midst of a frightening ten-point deduction, the Toffees rose from the ashes and have picked up four straight wins in the league.

The Merseyside club are now seven points clear of the relegation zone already and, without punishment for breaching Financial Fair Play regulations, would have been sitting inside the top ten, above Chelsea, despite the London club spending over £1b since Todd Boehly took over control of the club eighteen months ago.

However, Everton can’t afford to rest on their laurels and Dyche has already started looking towards the transfer window to strengthen the squad ahead of the second half of the campaign.

Everton transfer news – Wilfried Gnonto

According to a report from Football Insider, Championship outfit Leeds United are willing to allow wantaway attacker Wilfried Gnonto to leave when the January transfer window opens in the new year.

The Italy international handed in a transfer request during the summer after the Peacocks were relegated from the Premier League in the hopes of returning to the top flight. Several clubs were said to be interested in signing Gnonto, including Everton.

The Toffees reportedly submitted numerous bids to Leeds for the Italian but all offers were swiftly rejected by the recently relegated side. One of these bids was even said to be worth a whopping £25m, but again, the Whites were refusing to let the former Zurich man leave.

However, Leeds have had an excellent first half of the campaign in England’s second tier and are firing on all fronts, with four players recording nine or more goal contributions in all competitions under manager Daniel Farke this term.

Furthermore, it was reported by Turkish outlet Fanatik that the Elland Road outfit were keeping tabs on Galatasaray star Kerem Akturkoglu ahead of the winter market which could be a sign that the club have agreed to let Gnonto go over the coming weeks.

Wilfried Gnonto’s stats this season

In the previous campaign, despite the side being relegated from the top flight, only five Leeds players registered more goal contributions than Gnonto with six in total in all competitions, including two goals and four assists.

It looked as though Gnonto would fulfil the potential that he showed during his time at Inter Milan, with football scout Jacek Kulig admitting that the Nerazzurri were losing a “real diamond” when the youngster left.

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It was his first season in English football, having moved to Elland Road from Zurich for £3.8m in 2022, but his return was solid for a team that was in turmoil on the pitch. Sky Sports pundit Gary Neville even described Gnonto as “mature” for his age after Leeds suffered a 2-1 defeat away at Aston Villa back in January.

“To see someone so mature, so young is very unusual in that position.

“Sometimes you see potential and talent but watching him so closely, his understanding of where to be, his choice of pass, when to run with it, his awareness of teammates, really good honestly.”

Nevertheless, despite Leeds’ reluctance to allow him to leave during the summer, the forward has seen very limited game-time on the pitch, playing for just 671 minutes in total.

Additionally, in his 17 appearances, Gnonto has found the net merely once, combining this single goal with one assist. Overall, the winger has been nowhere near as potent as his teammates who have all led the line for Leeds this season.

Player

Goals

Assists

Goals Per 90

Mins Per Goal

Crysencio Summerville

10

6

0.57

159

Joel Piroe

8

1

0.45

201

Daniel James

7

4

0.41

217

Georginio Rutter

4

9

0.20

455

Jaidon Anthony

1

0

0.31

290

Wilfried Gnonto

1

1

0.13

672

Stats via BBC

Now, the 20-year-old’s time in Yorkshire could be coming to an end within a matter of weeks and Everton should be ready to snap him up before any other suitors get their hands on him.

Arnaut Danjuma’s stats this season

One of the benefits Everton would get from signing Gnonto is his versatility. Throughout his professional career so far, the Italian has played all over the frontline, from being a striker to a winger on both sides and he has even operated as a number ten at times.

Positions

Games

Goals

Assists

Second Striker

47

20

7

Left Winger

29

5

4

Right Winger

25

2

3

Attacking Midfielder

16

4

1

Centre-Forward

6

2

0

Left Midfielder

3

0

0

Right Midfielder

3

1

0

Stats via Transfermarkt

This would offer a great rotation option for Dyche for the likes of Jack Harrison and Dwight McNeil who have been run into the ground a little this season, particularly considering the drop-off in quality of their backup choices, notably Arnaut Danjuma.

After an unsuccessful spell with Tottenham Hotspur last season, Villarreal agreed to send Arnaut Danjuma out on loan to Goodison Park for the whole campaign. Unfortunately, for the Dutchman, his time in Merseyside hasn’t gone much better.

Danjuma has played merely 386 minutes of Premier League football this term and has started only three matches for the Toffees in England’s top tier, although he has still found the net twice.

Nevertheless, while Danjuma has scored one more goal than Gnonto this season, the latter is still outperforming the Everton loanee in a number of key attacking metrics.

Goals

0.13

0.29

Expected Goals

0.21

0.43

Assists

0.13

0

Expected Assists

0.22

0.05

Passes To Penalty Area

1.69

0.23

Passes To Final Third

2

0.7

Stats via FBref

This could be a very astute signing by Everton if Dyche can help Gnonto return to being the player who recorded 22 goal contributions across two seasons with Zurich, ensuring that the Toffees could secure a more long-term attacking option, instead of the on-loan Danjuma.

Liverpool always appear to be somewhat thin in some department or another when the January transfer window swings around, and this year, Jurgen Klopp's resurgent side may be top of the Premier League after 16 matches but there are clear areas of concern.

After falling by the wayside and finishing fifth in the Premier League last season – with the sapped midfield's failure to protect the defence and charge the engine room resulting in something of a systematic failure – it was clearly that more than tinkering was needed over the summer.

And Klopp enacted the changes that he saw would catapult his illustrious Liverpool side back toward the forefront, which certainly appears to have happened across the 2023/24 term so far, with 37 points and just one defeat from the opening 16 matches of the calendar.

The Anfield side has also qualified from its Europa League group phase with a game to spare and awaits the visit of West Ham United in the Carabao Cup later this month.

But there does appear to be a certain sense of fragility, with a starring specialist No. 6 still needed and the acquisitions of stars Alexis Mac Allister, Dominik Szoboszlai, Wataru Endo and Ryan Gravenberch coming at the expense of fortifying the backline.

Joel Matip, aged 32, ruptured his ACL during Klopp's side's stunning comeback win at Anfield earlier this month, exacerbating the thinness in the rearguard, which has inevitably prompted some supporters in the Reds' circle to ponder not only whether he'll play for the club again but also weather cult hero Nat Phillips could be seen at Anfield once more before too long. Currently, he is plying his trade out on loan with Scottish giants Celtic.

Nat Phillips' Liverpool career

Phillips has deservedly earned a place in Liverpool supporters' hearts for his brilliant performances alongside Rhys Williams in the 2020/21 campaign when Virgil van Dijk was nursing an ACL injury and Klopp's system had collapsed due to an inpour of injuries.

Lauded as "absolutely insane" by his Liverpool manager for his efforts, Phillips, aged 26, featured 17 times in the Premier League and notably scored against Burnley as his side sculpted a ten-match unbeaten streak to close the campaign – interestingly, the two matches Phillips did not appear in this period were the two times Liverpool dropped points.

Strengths

Weaknesses

Aerial duels

Tackling

Passing

Concentration

*Sourced via WhoScored

Praising him after that goal during a 3-0 victory at Turf Moor, pundit and former Liverpool player Jamie Redknapp said: "The second goal really helps and Nat Phillips has had an unbelievable time, he's full of confidence. He's a throwback defender. He wants to make blocks, he wants to make tackles, he's got great anticipation."

As per Sofascore, he thrived across his 17 displays, completing 84% of his passes, making 4.8 clearances per game and winning 66% of his aerial duels.

The 6 foot 3 colossus also impressed across both quarter-final legs against Real Madrid in the Champions League that year despite being knocked out of the competition, winning ten aerial duels and keeping a clean sheet in the second leg on Merseyside, albeit having fallen to a 3-1 loss in the Spanish capital.

But Klopp's never really viewed him as a lasting solution in Liverpool's team and loaned him out to Bournemouth for the latter half of the 2021/22 Championship campaign, where he made 17 appearances as the Cherries secured promotion back to the top-flight.

After barely making a mark last year, Klopp decided that he should be loaned out to the Scottish Premiership, joining Celtic – managed by Brendan Rodgers. His time in Glasgow has sadly not been auspicious so far…

Nat Phillips' season in numbers

The £65k-per-week titan has been "really bad" since his summer switch to Scotland, according to one Celtic podcaster, who also remarked at the staggering lack of effort in training and inability to produce performances of the same like that earned him acclaim at Anfield.

Since arriving, Phillips has only made eight showings across all competitions and has started just three times in the Scottish top-flight, with his one start in the Champions League resulting in a 2-1 loss at the hand of Lazio at Celtic Park.

Phillips endured a nightmare as Celtic's unbeaten start came to an end against Kilmarnock on Sunday, scoring an own goal as the hosts won 2-1 and receiving criticism for his gangly, uncoordinated defensive efforts.

Across the Premiership campaign, he has demonstrated some impressive elements to his game, assured with an 85% pass success rate and zestful with 4.2 ball recoveries per game – also forever a formidable force aerially – but his actual tackling ability is woeful, winning just 30% of his duels.

Writing in his post-match player ratings, Football Scotland's Blair Meikle branded him with a 5/10 score, saying: 'Carried the ball out of defence well at times and made some good tackles but also showed the other side of his defensive game by looking pretty shakey when Kilmarnock bombarded the box. And then turned into his own net to level the scores.'

Klopp might have cryptically quelled murmurings that Liverpool will target defensive reinforcements in January, hinting that he will not be drawn into any hasty deals, but truthfully, such remarks must be taken with a pinch of salt.

If Liverpool identify an apt target for transfer this winter then moves will be made in the shadows, as has so often been the way throughout the German's tenure at the club.

But should the club decide to bide their time and await 2024's summer transfer window, when the pickings will be far riper, Phillips should not be reintegrated into the squad as a short-term fix – he is not cutting the mustard and it's just simply quite hard to envisage how he slots into this dynamic squad beyond the next two transfer windows.

With Jarell Quansah rising closer to the fore and Joe Gomez a competent option – even though he's been used out wide this term – bringing Phillips back may not be a fruitful move, with the Bolton-born ace struggling to assert himself at 26 years of age.

Newcastle United are believed to be a plotting a formal bid for a gifted Championship starlet with a big future in the game, a new report has claimed.

Newcastle want January signings

The Magpies' struggles this season have been well-documented, with constant injury problems making it difficult for them to replicate last year's brilliance. A second consecutive top-four finish in the Premier League is looking increasingly difficult, but with the January transfer window now underway, they will have a chance to make new signings, with Eddie Howe surely keen on boosting the squad options that he currently has.

The absence of Sven Botman at the centre of Newcastle's defence has hurt them badly so far this season, and a lack of top-quality centre-backs means that they have been linked with moves for the likes of Bayer Leverkusen defender Piero Hincapie and highly-rated Nice star Jean-Clair Todibo.

Newcastle's midfield has struggled at times, too, not helped by Sandro Tonali being suspended for ten months and not being back until next season, and Kalvin Phillips continues to stand out as a primary target, with a loan move for the Manchester City and England ace mooted.

It is important that signings arrive for the here and now this month, but equally, it is also paramount that Howe looks to hoover up top young talent as well, which is where a new transfer story comes into play.

Newcastle eyeing move for Rory Finneran

According to a fresh update from Football Insider, Newcastle are readying a bid for Blackburn Rovers teenager Rory Finneran, with scouts left impressed after watching him in action recently.

"Newcastle are plotting a formal move for Blackburn Rovers starlet Rory Finneran, sources have told Football Insider. Finneran, 15, is regarded as a future star by the Championship club and is already a Republic of Ireland Under-17 international.

"Newcastle are readying an offer for the defensive midfielder – who has impressed Magpies scouts at youth level for both club and country. Finneran has regularly taken part in first-team training with Blackburn and was named on the bench for their recent 2-1 win over Bristol City on 12 December."

Finneran may be something of an unknown, considering he is still just 15 years of age, but he is someone who is highly thought of at Blackburn, with the report's description of him as a "future star" outlining his potential. The midfielder has already made ten appearances for his current club's Under-18s, despite being three years younger than that age group, further showing the speed at which he is developing.

Newcastle could be an ideal club for Finneran to move to, with the Magpies' current issues not masking the fact that they are still heading in a positive direction overall.

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The emergence of Lewis Miley this season could even be used as inspiration for the Blackburn starlet, too, with the 17-year-old enjoying a breakthrough campaign that has seen him becoming a genuinely important first-team player.

It's fair to say Wayne Rooney's time in charge of Birmingham City ended up being a complete disaster from start to finish, the ex-Manchester United icon turned manager failing to ever settle into his new surroundings at St Andrew's as a controversial and ill-fated appointment.

Replacing a popular boss in John Eustace always made the task of Rooney coming in and bettering the out-going face an uphill battle, but with just two wins managed from 15 in charge of the hapless Blues, the hierarchy at Birmingham have decided now is time for an abrupt change after backing the 38-year-old to be a success.

A number of names are now being lined up to be Rooney's replacement, the rumour mill going into overdrive at St Andrew's with the list of potential successors growing larger by the day.

Birmingham's managerial shortlist

The likes of Lee Carsley, Steve Cooper and Tony Mowbray are all being touted to come in and save the day after the shambles of Rooney's short stay at Birmingham according to Rob Dorsett of Sky Sports News and become Birmingham's next manager.

Another name gaining traction is Jesse Marsch amidst all the frenzied speculation, the ex-Leeds United manager very much in the early running to be Rooney's successor with Dorsett also confirming the American boss is another name being looked at.

With a new Americanised feel at St Andrew's obvious courtesy of owner Tom Wagner and additional help from beloved States sports figure Tom Brady, appointing Marsch feels like the logical next move for the Blues in that regard.

Wayne Rooney

13%

John Eustace

33%

Lee Bowyer

29%

Pep Clotet

28%

Garry Monk

32%

Steve Cotterill

26%

It would be an intriguing move for Birmingham to make after the woes of Rooney, with Marsch eager to prove he's got what it takes to be an effective manager in England after a bruising experience with Leeds left him drowning in the managerial deep-end.

Jesse Marsch's managerial record

There was a reason why Leeds decided to appoint Marsch in the aftermath of Marcelo Bielsa's exit from Elland Road though, the 50-year-old manager impressing in Austria with RB Salzburg before taking on the pressurised job post in West Yorkshire.

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Winning 64 of his 94 games in charge of Salzburg, Marsch was promoted to take over the reins at another Red Bull club in RB Leipzig with the football on display in Austria exciting to watch to match the positive results – fast-paced football on the menu from the American manager, a style suited to the Whites.

Yet, failures with both Leipzig and Leeds after a successful time with Salzburg have dented Marsch's managerial reputation significantly – the 50-year-old losing 16 of his 37 games (57% loss rate) in charge of Leeds before being given his marching orders in the wake of the club suffering relegation down to the Championship.

Sky Sports pundit and ex-Arsenal player Paul Merson defended Marsch when news broke of this dismissal however, stating that his Leeds team were 'bang unlucky' with nobody faulting the commitment and energy on show from the Whites side he had assembled.

The divisive ex-Leeds figure could well see Birmingham as an opportunity to repair his reputation, but it's a major gamble for Marsch if the Blues hierarchy decide to be trigger-happy again if the American boss isn't a success from the get-go.

Always vocal and passionate on the sidelines at Elland Road – alongside keeping Leeds up in the Premier League in his first season in charge – Marsch could well be just what the Blues need in the short term at least to instil more fight and vigour into their game that was sorely lacking from Rooney's dreadful final games at St Andrew's.

The future of Newcastle United star Bruno Guimaraes has been a big talking point of late, and Fabrizio Romano has dropped a new update regarding what could happen with him.

Rumours of Bruno Guimaraes leaving Newcastle

The Brazilian has been a fantastic signing from the moment he arrived at St James' Park two years ago, instantly becoming one of the most popular figures at the club. Not only has he provided so much quality, but he has brought fight to Eddie Howe's side making him a favourite among the supporters.

Worryingly, however, constant rumours in recent times have suggested that Bruno could be on the move soon, with a summer exit mooted in some quarters. Barcelona have arguably emerged as the favourites to sign the 26-year-old, but Liverpool and Paris Saint-Germain are also seen as potential suitors for him.

This seems to be partly down to Newcastle's financial situation, with a big player possibly needing to be sold in order to adhere to Financial Fair Play (FFP) rulings, but it could also be that the Brazil international wants a fresh challenge, particularly if his side miss out on Champions League football.

Fabrizio Romano drops new Bruno Guimaraes update

However, speaking to Caught Offside, Romano claimed that Bruno doesn't want to leave Newcastle in the near future, contrary to some reports doing the rounds.

“Despite rumours, nothing is clear now on Bruno Guimaraes. Bruno has not decided to leave, there’s nothing decided in terms of price, all reports on Spanish clubs are not confirmed just because time for decisions is not now. Bruno is expected to stay in January and then in the next months we will see what happens."

This has to be considered good news for Newcastle, with the idea of losing Bruno in January something that doesn't bear thinking about, let alone in the summer. Sandro Tonali's 10-match ban has already made Howe's midfield look light on options, and seeing arguably their best player in the middle of the park leave midway through the season would be a crushing blow.

It may be that the Magpies hero ends up looking for a new club at the end of the season, especially if no European football has been achieved at St James', but it is encouraging to hear that he is seemingly happy for the time being.

Bruno's importance to this Newcastle side cannot be downplayed, and his best years could still be to come, and the fact that Casemiro has lauded him recently speaks volumes, with his compatriot saying:

"Bruno is a player who has been doing an exceptional job at Newcastle. With every workout and every game I’m more comfortable with him. He is a great player, who has been demonstrating this in the most difficult competition in the world."

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Newcastle simply must do everything they can to convince Bruno that he should stay put, while at the same time hoping that FFP doesn't force them into a high-profile sale.

Tottenham are "ready to compete" with AC Milan for the signing of a 6 foot 4 star who has attracted real praise from ex-fan favourite Rafael van der Vaart.

Spurs enjoying busy first January window under Ange

So far, Spurs chairman Daniel Levy and the club's recruitment team have seriously backed manager Ange Postecoglou this month in a real show of faith.

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Tottenham first added another attacking option to Postecoglou's ranks by moving to sign ex-Chelsea forward Timo Werner on a loan deal from RB Leipzig, and soon followed that transfer with a £25 million deal for defender Radu Dragusin.

As widely reported, Spurs are also locked in talks to sign Club Brugge winger Antonio Nusa on a buy-to-loan-back deal as well, with the club looking to replicate past deals for Destiny Udogie and Pape Matar Sarr.

This January window hasn't only been ideal from Postecoglou's perspective, but it also represents Tottenham's busiest in recent memory.

Traditionally, if the north Londoners are active in January, it's towards the latter stage of the window and in a more drawn-out fashion – so the arrival of their new manager has really helped to break the mould in that respect.

As well as sealing new arrivals, Spurs have managed to rid themselves of unwanted players and balance the books in terms of salaries. Djed Spence, Ashley Phillips, Japhet Tanganga, Sergio Reguilon, Eric Dier and Ivan Perisic are all out on loan spells, though the latter two will leave Spurs permanently in the summer when their contracts expire.

More could depart and come in before February 1, with the Lilywhites transfer chiefs also already planning moves for later in the year. They've been sporadically linked to signing a new striker who could eventually replace club legend Harry Kane, after the Englishman departed in a multi-million pound move to Bayern last summer.

Tottenham "ready to compete" with Milan for Zirkzee

According to a report by TUTTOmercatoWEB and journalist Raimondo De Magistris, Spurs could be planning a 2024 move for Bologna star Joshua Zirkzee.

It is believed Tottenham are "ready to compete" with AC Milan for the signing of Zirkzee this year, alongside other Premier League clubs like Arsenal and Aston Villa.

Spurs are one of the many sides looking at signing the 6 foot 4 striker, who has scored seven goals in 18 Serie A appearances this season.

Salernitana 1-2 Bologna

8.56

Bologna 1-0 Lazio

7.91

Juventus 1-1 Bologna

7.74

Bologna 2-0 Torino

7.55

Bologna 2-0 Roma

7.42

He's also been lavished with praise by former midfielder Rafael van der Vaart, who called him "very graceful" and "not normal".

Chelsea are set to make a first move for Karim Benzema today ahead of a possible Stamford Bridge transfer, according to reports.

Chelsea striker rumours

The Blues have been linked with a number of forwards during the January transfer window as Todd Boehly looks to bolster Mauricio Pochettino’s current attacking ranks. Nicolas Jackson has been away with Senegal at the Africa Cup of Nations, leaving Armando Broja as the only fit and available centre-forward.

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However, it looks as if Chelsea are open to selling the Albanian before the deadline, with Crystal Palace, Fulham, West Ham and Wolves all expressing an interest in the 22-year-old, who is valued at £35m. Should Broja depart, then a short-term solution could be looked at by the Blues, especially as a move for top target Victor Osimhen is looking more likely in the summer.

One of those players who has been linked with a move to Stamford Bridge for the second half of the season has been Al-Ittihad forward Benzema, with Chelsea holding internal talks over a deal. Now, it looks as if they are ready to make their move.

Karim Benzema transfer update

The Daily Express shared an update in their live transfer blog on Wednesday morning, claiming the Blues are closing in on Benzema and are expected to make contact over a deal today.

“Chelsea are today expected to make contact with Karim Benzema over a move to the club – with a loan move the favoured option for both parties. Benzema has reportedly submitted a formal request to leave Al-Ittihad, having been made to train alone after returning late from his holiday.”

Benzema, the 2022 Ballon d'Or winner, is now 36 years of age and made the move to the Saudi Pro League last summer after leaving Real Madrid. He has continued to find the back of the net on a regular basis with his new side and has over 450 goals for club and country during his career.

Real Madrid

648

354

165

Lyon

148

66

27

Al-Ittihad

20

12

5

France

97

37

20

The Frenchman has, as expected, come in for plenty of praise during his career, including from pundit Joe Cole, who said:

“The levels this lad is hitting are unbelievable. Him and (midfielder Luka) Modric have been almost a decade together and they know each other so well. He's just a joy to watch.”

Meanwhile, Steve McManaman added:

“People across Europe are really starting to view him (as a great player). He's not just a good finisher, he's an extraordinary football player.”

Therefore, on a short-term solution, Benzema could well be open to playing in the Premier League for the first time in his career, and Chelsea are seemingly keen on the idea of having the striker on their books for the remainder of the campaign, making this one to watch.