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Tottenham Hotspur are interested in a move for Jesse Lingard in 2022…

What’s the word?

That’s according to Sky Sports journalist Mark McAdam, who delivered an intriguing update on the situation live on air on Thursday morning.

“This will get Tottenham fans excited, they’ve been screaming for a creative midfielder, someone to replace Christian Eriksen, someone who can score goals, set up goals, and be really dynamic in that front three.

“And Tottenham fans will like this one, because potentially, Jesse Lingard is on their radar,” he said.

“Tottenham are keen to sign Lingard and they have approached his representatives over the course of this window, potentially with a view to a move in January, possibly, maybe more likely, the summer.

“There has been dialogue opened between Jesse Lingard’s representatives and Tottenham.”

Exciting news?

Indeed, it does appear as if many around north London would love to see Spurs make a move for the Manchester United outcast, and it’s easy to see why.

In reactions sourced by This Is Futbol, several members of the Lilywhites faithful expressed their delight in previous links to the England international.

“Get it done Don Fabio,” claimed one, whilst another said: “yes, a midfielder who scored goals”. A further fan even pointed out that he fits the homegrown quota.

Meanwhile, 73% of over 340 supporters polled by Football FanCast were fully behind the arrival of Lingard.

Lingard has struggled for minutes at Old Trafford this season, being restricted to 272 minutes in all competitions but it was only last season that he proved his credentials during a loan stint at London rivals West Ham United.

He delivered nine goals and five assists across 16 appearances to fire the Irons into the Europa League. This included a goal in their win over Spurs in the Premier League, too.

Those at the London Stadium were desperate to keep him following the spell, with assistant manager Stuart Pearce lauding him as a “special lad” to talkSPORT during the summer.

A career average of 1.4 key passes per 90, including a high of 1.9 during the 2016/17 league campaign, does indeed suggest that Lingard could be the man to fulfil that Eriksen role in N17.

Therefore, McAdam is right – there is plenty to be excited about if you’re a Lilywhites supporter. As evident above, many would love to see him join, either this month or in the summer.

AND in other news, Worse than Ndombele: Conte must axe shocking £70k-p/w Spurs flop, he’s stolen a living…

Given Newcastle’s very poor start to the season, it’s safe to say that they could do with something to help them get their campaign on track and lift them out of the relegation zone.

However, it seems as though the new owners at the Tyneside club may have identified someone who could help to get the team out of their current predicament.

What’s the news?

It has recently been reported by Goal in Brazil (via Sport Witness) that Newcastle have entered the race to sign FC Basel striker Arthur Cabral and are preparing an offer to be sent in the coming days.

Cabral originally joined Basel back in the 2019 summer transfer window on loan from Brazilian club Palmeiras before signing on a permanent basis a year later.

Overall, the 23-year-old – who is currently valued at £13.5m by Transfermarkt – has netted an impressive 63 goals in 101 appearances across all competitions, with 25 of those coming this season in just 26 appearances, which is probably why Newcastle apparently have their eye on him.

Having described himself as a “fighting” player on the pitch, Cabral could be just what Newcastle need to keep them away from the relegation zone with his clear attacking talents in front of goal.

In addition to his goals, Cabral has averaged 4.1 shots and 1.3 key passes per game in the Swiss league so far this season, which is much higher than Callum Wilson’s average of 2.3 shots per game in the Premier League prior to their match against Burnley on Saturday.

Looking ahead to the January transfer window and the teams that Newcastle face in the league before the window opens, it should be the club’s main priority to sign Cabral in January to see if he can form a deadly strike partnership with the prolific Wilson and score enough goals between them to transform Howe’s side.

Also, given his fairly young age, he could well be a long-term replacement for Wilson further down the line, with the Englishman six years older than Cabral.

In other news: PIF must seal dream NUFC move for “exceptional” 114-goal magician who Howe would love…

Many Crystal Palace fans took aim at Jack Butland during their Premier League clash with Southampton on Wednesday night. 

Prior to this game, Butland’s only competitive action under Patrick Vieira had come in an EFL Cup defeat to Watford back in August.

He’d been on the bench for every league game, playing second fiddle to Vicente Guaita.

But Vieira opted to bench the Spaniard against the Saints at Selhurst Park, finally handing Butland a chance to impress.

Butland struggles vs Southampton

The Englishman’s SofaScore rating of 6.2 was the joint-lowest in the Palace starting XI.

Only five of the 14 long passes he attempted during the game were accurate, while he conceded as many goals as he made saves (two).

What’s more, London News Online journalist Richard Cawley noted that Butland touched the James Ward-Prowse free-kick that made it 1-1 – as good as the strike was, you expect to save it when you get a hand to it.

Here’s what Palace fans on Twitter made of the ‘keeper’s display.

These Crystal Palace fans critical of Butland

“Well if we wanted to know why Butland hasn’t got many minutes there’s our answer”

Credit: @BrosterJr11

“Butland make a save challenge”

Credit: @palacecarl

“New plan. Pull Butland. Clearly hasn’t gotten over his yips.”

Credit: @CPFC703

“Ok, time to retire Butland”

Credit: @staycmaria

“Yeah Butland aint it”

Credit: @saucyzaha

“Vieira should know Butland was only OP in FIFA”

Credit: @MrBloodclaat

In other news, fans erupted over this footage. 

An update has emerged on Atletico Madrid right-back Kieran Trippier, regarding Newcastle United’s interest in his services.

What’s the talk?

According to The Mirror, the Magpies are eyeing up a swoop for the defender as Eddie Howe wants to bolster his squad and dressing room.

The report claims that they believe that they will be able to tempt him into making the switch from the Spanish giants to return to England, with Atletico said to be wanting £30m for his signature.

Janmaat 2.0

Howe could land Newcastle’s Daryl Janmaat 2.0 and a player the fans will love with a deal to sign Trippier from Atletico in the January transfer window.

The Dutchman played two full Premier League seasons for the Magpies during his time at the club and was an excellent performer prior to his move to Watford in 2016. In those campaigns, he managed an impressive three goals and ten assists from right-back, whilst averaging at least 3.9 tackles and interceptions per game.

This shows that he was an attacking right-back who could also make an impact defensively in terms of winning the ball back for his side. In Trippier, Howe could find another player who is capable of doing exactly that for Newcastle in the top-flight.

The England international has racked up ten assists for Atletico since the start of the 2019/20 campaign and produced one goal and three assists in his final Premier League season for Tottenham. He also averaged 3.6 tackles and interceptions per match in La Liga last term, showing that – as Janmaat did – he has the quality to affect the game at both ends of the pitch.

Three Lions manager Gareth Southgate hailed him as an underrated player earlier this year. He said:

“He (Trippier) is a very underrated player. People are still looking at the player from a few years ago and not at the one who is at Atletico Madrid and playing like a warrior in the last few seasons. He is a big part of what we’ve done over the last few years and he gave a really good performance.”

Newcastle fans would love him at St. James’ Park if Southgate’s comments on him are accurate.

His defensive and attacking statistics suggest that he would be bombing up and down the right side and this coupled with him being a ‘warrior’ could endear him to the home support. Supporters surely want to see players who give their all on the pitch whilst also offering quality and the evidence suggests Trippier can do exactly that.

AND in other news, Newcastle played a blinder with dream £7m deal for colossus who “gives everything”…

Crystal Palace could form a formidable duo after being linked with a move for Orlando City striker Daryl Dike ahead of the January transfer window.

The Sun claimed at the beginning of the week that the Eagles are ‘keen on’ the highly-rated 21-year-old as Patrick Vieira looks to add further reinforcements to his forward line over the coming months.

With Christian Benteke set to turn 31 this month and loanee Jean-Philippe Mateta expected to return to his parent club Mainz 05 after failing to impress on English shores, a move for Dike could well be on the cards.

Imagine him and Eberechi Eze

The United States international has become one of the biggest stars to come out of his homeland in recent years after being drafted into the MLS from Virginia Cavaliers by Orlando City back in January 2020.

Virginia men’s head coach George Gelnovatch was quick to praise his former player in an interview with ESPN, claiming the prolific forward is ‘ruthless’.

“There were moments (of game savvy),” said Gelnovatch. “But one of the things about him that nobody ever talks about is relentlessness. He is a relentless competitor, a ruthless guy on the field. You put that inside a body like his, and it’s pretty impressive.”

Dike’s impressive tally of eight goals and three assists in 17 league appearances for the Lions earned him a loan move to Championship outfit Barnsley halfway through last season and made the transition to the second-tier of English football look easy.

The 6 foot 1 colossus bagged nine league goals in just 19 outings, playing a pivotal part as the Yorkshire outfit reached the play-offs.

His eye-catching displays saw several impressed onlookers laud his talents, with Sky Sports pundit Don Goodman labelling him a “powerhouse.”

And Dike has continued his good form upon his return to Orlando this term, finding the back of the net on ten occasions in just 18 games as Oscar Pareja’s charges have climbed to sixth-position in the Eastern Conference.

A move to Selhurst Park over the winter window would see Dike play just ahead of several creative talents, but the prospect of Eberechi Eze linking up with such a deadly finisher would be a mouth-watering prospect.

In his maiden campaign in south London, the 23-year-old laid on six assists, averaged 1.3 key passes per game and created five big chances, highlighting his ability to carve open opportunities on a regular basis.

Therefore, Palace chairman Steve Parish must carefully consider a move for the £9m-rated Dike, potentially supplying Vieira with the firepower he needs to continue the capital club’s progression.

And, in other news…Forget Guehi: Palace liability who had a 61% passing accuracy let Vieira down v Leeds

Leeds Live’s Beren Cross has delivered his take on Marcelo Bielsa’s situation at Leeds United amid a tough start to the Premier League.

What’s the story?

The Whites have endured a nightmare couple of months in the top-flight, picking up just the one win all season, and losing last time out to Southampton in a drab showing at St Mary’s.

Now, Cross has admitted that while he believes Bielsa will still remain in charge, things could sway if the situation falls by the way-side and becomes “pretty desperate”.

He said: “Great question. Honestly, I don’t know. I doubt even Bielsa knows how he would react to that situation and, of course, he never wants to predict the future anyway. My gut says he would want to get Leeds out of the mess he would, predictably, blame himself for.

“If Leeds wanted him to go and they were in the bottom three, I wonder what clauses there are in place to protect him or whether he would just step aside if he was not wanted. It would have to be pretty desperate and irreconcilable for Leeds to want to do that, mid-season though. In short, yes I think he would still be in charge.”

Can Bielsa turn things around?

Whatever happens, Bielsa’s place in Leeds’ history is secured. The Argentine was the man to bring the Whites back to the riches of the Premier League, and has done so by embracing the entire club, culture and fan-base too.

If anyone deserves that extra chance and time to turn things around at Elland Road, it’s him. Bielsa has more than enough credit in the bank to be told by the owners that they have their full faith in him to steer the ship into safer waters, while the Leeds fan-base will back him to the hilt too.

The amount of injuries that the side have faced, and who those injuries have afflicted too, has been a major contributing factor as to why their start to their season back in the top-flight has gone so miserably.

Bielsa will be hoping that the returns to fitness of key players like Kalvin Phillips, Raphinha and Patrick Bamford, among others, is the key to a change in fortune.

But, Cross’ admission that if things get worse the Whites could look to act on Bielsa, is sure to worry fans.

Meanwhile, Phil Hay has dropped a worrying claim on Rodrigo…

Flocking to Twitter, many Manchester City supporters have been left in full debate following a transfer update involving Tottenham Hotspur striker Harry Kane.

It is no secret that sporting director Txiki Begiristain and manager Pep Guardiola had their eyes on the England star over last summer, with the latter man even confirming their interest in a press conference (BBC Sport).

However, despite bids being lodged according to reliable sources, they weren’t enough to tempt Lilywhites chairman Daniel Levy into a sale as City ended the window without a star striking addition.

As such, the 28-year-old now appears in limbo at Spurs and is currently undergoing a rough patch of form having scored just once in the Premier League so far.

This has lead to accusations by pundits that he is ‘sulking’ after his failed move to Eastlands, but according to journalist Stuart Brennan of The Manchester Evening News, Kane may get another chance to swap Tottenham for City.

[freshpress-quiz

As per his sources, writing in a piece for the MEN, City ‘would still move’ for Kane if Levy ‘budges from his refusal’ to sell – either in January or ‘more likely’ next summer.

Flocking to this update, many Sky Blues have been in full debate – with some preferring other options and targets, like Erling Braut Haaland, due to their younger age and prolific record.

Meanwhile, some are still excited by the prospect of signing Kane – leaving little wonder given his phenomenal haul of 23 goals and 14 assists in 35 Premier League starts last season.

Find all of their best opinions from Twitter down below.

Man City fans flock to Kane update…

“No way”

Credit: @Hanif_Arga

“Stop this madness”

Credit: @citygx1

“I’m gassed tbh”

Credit: @mcfcvm

“Tbh this was a masterclass from Kane. If we actually sign him he’s a genius”

Credit: @JesusRole

“I’d rather play with Cancelo up front”

Credit: @ferrannation

“People don’t want the best goal scorer and playmaker of last season in his prime… Our fan base is so out of this world”

Credit: @andreaskazakeo1

“I’d prefer haaland (and if not then val)”

Credit: @MCFClb

“Haaland is my preference now. Younger and his goal ratio is insane.”

Credit: @olivercookson

In other news: ‘Big’, ‘Pep changed football forever’…Man City fans erupt over ‘absolutely fantastic’ rumour, find out more here.

Aston Villa will be able to call upon Emiliano Martinez, Marvelous Nakamba and Bertrand Traore for their trip to Wolves after the international break, Ashley Preece reports.

This is after the UK government agreed to a quarantine exemption for players travelling to red-list countries during the international break, so long as they are double-vaccinated.

And in Villa’s case, that applies to all three of the players concerned.

After the last international break, Dean Smith’s side had to cope without Martinez and Emiliano Buendia for their trip to Chelsea because there was no such exemption in place.

How important have the Villa trio been so far?

Martinez has started every other Premier League game this season, keeping three clean sheets (via Transfermarkt).

Nakamba, meanwhile, has only made one start, with Smith handing him three substitute appearances.

And Traore’s start to the campaign has been disrupted by an injury he suffered in the opening day defeat at Watford. He’s been limited to just 43 minutes across Villa’s first six matches.

Here’s how Villa fans reacted when Preece tweeted the news.

Villa fans celebrate triple boost

“Praise the lord for the government”

Credit: @8forclark

“Great news, thanks for that Ash, you da man.”

Credit: @Up_tha_Villa

“Great stuff!”

Credit: @Petermi39249140

“Boooom”

Credit: @muzzavilla

“Everyone liked that”

Credit: @titanuk1874

“SIUUUUU”

Credit: @avfcjoshuaa

In other news, hordes of fans also flocked to Preece’s post on Konsa. 

Many Everton fans have been flocking to some positive news on the future of Rafa Benitez.

Writing in a Q&A session for The Athletic, George Caulkin has revealed that the new owners at Newcastle United have ‘reluctantly accepted’ that the Spaniard will not leave Goodison Park.

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) consortium are ‘admirers’ of Benitez and have links to him, but it now looks as if they will be pursuing other managers to replace Steve Bruce.

This has come as a huge relief to several supporters of the Merseyside club, given that Benitez has guided them to fifth place in the table in the Premier League, and identified what now look to be absolute bargains in Andros Townsend and Demarai Gray as players that he brought into his squad in the summer transfer window.

Everton fans on Benitez news

These EFC fans flocked to the news on Benitez as it was shared by The Toffee Blues on their Twitter page:

“This fella is the best thing about Everton, I understand people who can’t have him because of his time at Liverpool but if you can try to forget this guy will have us closer than anyone to the top 6/7”

Credit: @ShoeyEFC1234

“Told you all! Rafa the gaffer has principles unlike some others we know!”

Credit: @JimFromWoodburn

“Weird seeing loyalty to our club”

Credit: @Kreeder85

“Going nowhere”

Credit: @DixiReal

“SIUUUU”

Credit: @Evertongoats

“Never broke a contract in his career.”

Credit: @johnmerro1

In other news, find out what early Team News ahead of West Ham United has Evertonians talking here!

Tottenham Hotspur kickstart the inaugural UEFA Europa Conference League group stages with a trip to France to face Stade Rennes later this evening and manager Nuno Santo has plenty to ponder in terms of team selection.

The north London outfit head saw their unbeaten start to the new Premier League season come to a crashing end after they were defeated 3-0 by Crystal Palace, so the Portuguese coach will be looking for a reaction in a competition that they are amongst the favourites to win.

Spurs are facing plenty of injury and availability problems.

South American trio Davinson Sanchez, Cristian Romero and Giovani Lo Celso are not back in the country just yet, whilst this game may come too soon for the likes of Heung-min Son, Steven Bergwijn and Eric Dier.

One of the biggest takeaways from Saturday’s disappointing result was that the midfield Nuno deployed just doesn’t work, though there is an easy solution to that problem.

He opted for Harry Winks to partner Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg and Oliver Skipp in the engine room but that turned out to be very one-dimensional and not balanced whatsoever.

In fact, the 25-year-old Englishman was hooked after just an hour, which should be rather damning on his chances of starting over in Rennes this evening, especially with the more creative and technically gifted Tanguy Ndombele back in the squad.

It was only four years ago that Winks ran the show during Spurs’ shock win over Real Madrid, where he outshone former Spurs midfielder Luka Modric in the Champions League.

Soon after, Mauricio Pochettino lauded him as the “perfect” midfielder, comparing him to Barcelona duo Xavi and Andres Iniesta.

But after his lacklustre display against Palace this weekend, The Times’ Gary Jacob described the £18m-rated Hotspur Way youth product as ‘stale’, whilst club legend Gary Roberts dubbed him an “average player” back in June.

Although Winks made 91% of his passes, these were mainly sideways and behind, without much effort to get forward. By comparison, the Eagles’ loan star Conor Gallagher made himself available all over the pitch and would’ve been the perfect option to have in there alongside Hojbjerg and Skipp.

Nuno must look to bounce back and kickstart Spurs’ quest for glory in Europe with a positive performance in France, and that just won’t happen if Winks is starting in midfield.

It’s time for him to be ruthless and axe him from the XI later this evening.

AND in other news, Nuno Santo receives huge Spurs boost as Harry Kane update emerges…