TOTTENHAM stars Steven Bergwijn and Joe Rodon could both be set to leave the club this January, according to reports.
The pair have failed to impress under new boss Antonio Conte, with the Italian looking to strengthen in the transfer window.
Meanwhile, Tottenham have been hit with a covid outbreak that has reportedly brought down a ‘number of players and staff’.
Their matches this week against Rennes and Brighton could be in peril as a result of up to SEVEN positive tests.
And Eddie Howe is eyeing up Stoke striker Tyrese Campbell as his first signing at Newcastle.
The son of former Everton forward Kevin Campbell, Tyrese has scored twice in nine games for the Potters this season.
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Get all the latest football news, updates and transfer gossip below…
EXCLUSIVE BY CHARLIE WYETT
Jude Bellingham star Jude Bellingham has made himself a hero in Germany.
The Borussia Dortmund midfielder has been fined £34,000 by the German Football Federation for his dig at referee Felix Zwayer after their 3-2 defeat by Bayern Munich on Saturday.
Bellingham claims Zwayer’s decisions were unsurprising as he was implicated in the worst match-fixing scandal in German history in 2005.
But SunSport understands that Dortmund are going to pay the fine for Bellingham as many within the club agree with his comments.
Privately among players and staff elsewhere in the Bundesliga, Bellingham is being hailed for having the bottle to speak out even though he was aged just two at the time of the scandal.
RANG THE CHANGES
Ralf Rangnick has told Manchester United’s fringe players ‘prove to me you have a future here’.
He said: “Everyone has the chance to perform and present himself.
“That is why I am happy to give game time to quite a few of those players to see them under pressure in a Champions League game in front of 75,000 in a sold-out stadium.
“This is a perfect opportunity to get to know the players, like I did last Sunday against Palace. We have only had a week of training so far.
“With every training session, every opportunity to see them in competitive games, I will get to know them better.”
FT – AC MILAN 1 LIVERPOOL 2
Divock Origi popped up with another winner as Liverpool ensured they finished the Champions League group stage with an amazing 100 per cent record.
The result also meant Atletico Madrid qualified for the knockout round in second place as they beat Porto 3-1.
The Portuguese side finished third, bagging the group’s Europa League spot.
And after returning to the Champions League after a lengthy absence, Milan find themselves immediately out of the competition.
RUD AWAKENING
Antonio Rudiger is on the verge of joining Real Madrid, according to reports.
The Independent says the LaLiga giants have reached an ‘informal agreement’ with the defender.
Rudiger is represented by his brother, Sahr Senesie, who met with Madrid in November.
He is understood to have reached an agreement with Florentino Perez.
But nothing has yet been signed.
HEY JUDE
Liverpool hope to fly in under-the-radar and nab Dortmund starlet Jude Bellingham while Premier League rivals are distracted by Erling Haaland.
But any move would likely cost the Reds a whopping club-record £90million.
Meanwhile, several of Liverpool’s rivals are thought to be intent on landing his team-mate Haaland instead.
Manchester United, Chelsea and Man City are understood to be tracking the prolific striker, who has a £64million release clause.
BLUE SOON
Andreas Christensen is set to ease Chelsea’s contract headaches by signing an extension ‘within days’.
Reports suggest the 25-year-old is ready to pen a new long-term deal at the club he joined back in 2012.
That will come as a blow to the likes of Barcelona and AC Milan who have been tracking the centre-back for months.
Barca had been hoping to make a move for the defender if he became a free agent in the summer.
And Milan were even preparing to go earlier with a potential bid in January as a replacement for the injured Simon Kjaer.
RB LEIPZIG 2 MAN CITY 1
Pep Guardiola’s ten men suffered their second defeat of the group stage with a 2-1 defeat in Germany.
Dominik Szoboszlai and Andre Silva were on target for Leipzig, who qualified for the Europa League, with City pulling one back through Riyad Mahrez before Kyle Walker saw red.
But City still finish top of the pile despite PSG thrashing Club Brugge 4-1.
Kylian Mbappe and Lionel Messi both scored twice in Paris, and the latter overtook Brazil legend Pele for most career goals with 758.
TEAM NEWS
AC MILAN: Maignan; Kalulu, Tomori, Romagnoli, Hernandez; Tonali, Kessie; Messias, Diaz, Krunic; Ibrahimovic
LIVERPOOL: Alisson; Williams, Konate, Phillips, Tsimikas; Oxlade-Chamberlain, Morton, Minamino; Salah, Origi, Mane
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DENNIS THE MENACE
Emmanuel Dennis’ agent Drew Uyi has declared the Watford striker could have been plying his trade at Arsenal or Manchester United.
He said: “Arsenal were interested (in signing Dennis) in the past.
“Manchester United were also interested, but Club Brugge wanted a ridiculous fee for him.
“They wanted £25m, while these clubs were prepared to pay £15m.
“In the end he joined Watford for £3.4m because his contract was running out. He was frustrated at Club Brugge.
“He was not happy because no young man would be if he were stopped from such opportunities.”
RUN FOR KOVA
Mateo Kovacic has dealt Chelsea another blow after testing positive for coronavirus just a DAY after returning to training following his hamstring injury.
Thomas Tuchel said: “We have bad news.
“Mateo was in training yesterday and with a big smile and it was a pure pleasure to have him back.
“But he tested positive today, for coronavirus, so he’s quarantining for a few days.
“So it’s a huge setback for him personally and for all of us.”
PERFECT TEN
Man City and Man United look set for a bidding war over Ajax manager Erik ten Hag, reports suggest.
According to the Telegraph, Ten Hag’s incredible work has attracted the attention of City after manager Pep Guardiola announced last summer that he intends to leave the club in 2023 when his contract expires.
Ten Hag is among the Citizens’ top candidates to take over at the Etihad if the Spanish head coach decides to leave.
But rivals United are also keeping tabs on the former Utrecht manager shortly after sacking Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.
WAS LEW ROBBED?
Robert Lewandowski has been forced to deny a brewing rift with Lionel Messi following last week’s Ballon d’Or controversy.
He said: “My statement, which I made in an interview with a Polish TV / Via Play broadcaster, is currently being misinterpreted.
“I never say that Lionel Messi’s words were not sincere.
“On the contrary: Lionel Messi’s speech at the event in Paris, in which he expressed that, in his opinion, I deserved the Ballon d’Or 2020, really touched me and made me happy.
“With my statement, I just wanted to express that I would of course be very happy if Messi’s words were heard.
“I respect and appreciate Lionel Messi beyond measure and once again congratulate him on winning the Ballon d’Or 2021.”
FER REAL
Barcelona are preparing a £38million offer for Manchester City’s Spain international forward Ferran Torres.
And reports in Spain say the Nou Camp giants are ready to put the bid on the table for the start of the January transfer window.
The figure is short of where City value 21-year-old starlet Torres – which is said to be closer to the £50m mark.
But it would still represent a sizeable profit on a player who joined them in a bargain £20m deal from Valencia just 18 months ago.
EXCLUSIVE BY DUNCAN WRIGHT
West Ham are considering a loan bid for Nathan Ake after being rocked by the news Kurt Zouma faces months on the sidelines through injury.
The 26-year-old Dutchman has started just three games in the league this season and is fourth choice centre-back at City.
And the Hammers will hope they can tempt him with the offer of regular first team football.
They would be unable to come up with a large fee for the former Bournemouth star but a loan deal may suit all parties – if they can convince Pep Guardiola to release him from his squad.
MAT’S A PROBLEM
Premier League games are at real risk of being called off after Mateo Kovacic became the latest player to test positive for coronavirus.
It sparks fears of an outbreak at Chelsea akin to Tottenham’s current crisis.
Spurs are reportedly considering asking to postpone Sunday’s game against Brighton after at least SEVEN players and two members of staff returned positive tests.
In the latest figures, the Premier League reported their were 12 positive tests last week – the highest since the week of August 16-22, when there were 16.
And with another club seemingly struck by a potential outbreak, Prem officials may be forced to consider postponing games at the very least.
BLUE WITH COLD
Chelsea will be forced to battle icy -15C temperatures as they take on Zenit St Petersburg on Wednesday evening.
Worse yet, the HIGHEST temperature on Wednesday is a bracing -12C.
However, when they step into the stadium, they’ll be able to shed their winter layers.
That’s because the £700million Krestovsky Arena – also known as the Gazprom Stadium – will close its roof and control the temperature at a comfortable 20C.
CLOSING IN
Spurs are confident they can secure a contract extension for Hugo Lloris, according to reports.
Lloris, 34, is Spurs’ record appearance holder in the Premier League but his current deal expires at the end of the season.
Last summer he confirmed there had been no talks over a new contract amid the loan signing of goalkeeper Pierluigi Gollini.
But Lloris has been in talks with the club over an extension over the last couple of months according to The Athletic, and those discussions are set to intensify.
It is believed the Frenchman could put pen to paper on a new one year deal.
That would extend his stay in North London beyond the ten year mark, with the keeper set for a testimonial next summer.
Lloris has been linked with a transfer and would be allowed to speak to foreign clubs from January 1.
And the keeper has reportedly considered his future at Spurs after becoming dispirited at the fact only he and Harry Kane offer any leadership in the squad.
HE’S A KEEPER
Dean Henderson is being eyed by Ajax, who want to sign him on loan in January.
According to the Manchester Evening News, talks between the Dutch champions and United were held while former manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was still in charge.
Reports from the Netherlands confirm the Eredivisie giants’ interest and claim they also enquired about Henderson 18 months ago when his loan spell at Sheffield United came to an end.
The goalkeeper has been limited to just one appearance across all competitions so far this term after contracting COVID-19 during pre-season.
The 24-year-old is expected to start for the Red Devils on Wednesday’s Champions League clash against Young Boys at Old Trafford but wants more regular playing time.
That is why the England international is open to going out on loan for six or even 18 months.
It appears like he wouldn’t be against a permanent move either but new interim manager Ralf Rangnick appears unsure about letting him go.
Henderson is keen to impress Rangnick, who hasn’t decided what to do with him in January but will be showing intent if he starts him against Young Boys.
ED-ING OFF
Edison Cavani is moving closer towards a transfer to Barcelona in the January window, according to reports.
The 34-year-old Manchester United striker has started just two Premier League games so far this season.
And while he has suffered a couple of fitness problems, it looks now as if he is going to be third in line behind Cristiano Ronaldo and Marcus Rashford.
New Red Devils boss Ralf Rangnick started life as United manager by partnering Rashford and Ronaldo up front together in their 1-0 win over Crystal Palace on Sunday.
Cavani’s contract at Old Trafford expires in the summer after he signed a one-year extension at the end of last season.
And, according to Mundo Deportivo, Barcelona see Cavani as an option as they look to bring in a recognised, proven striker that they can describe as a ‘killer’.
Sergio Aguero is considering retiring from football due to a heart problem, while new manager Xavi reportedly does not like the look of Luke de Jong.
And Memphis Depay is not considered an out and out No9, so the Catalan giants are searching for someone of the calibre of Cavani.
‘THAT WAS THE DIFFERENCE’
Gary Neville has explained how Ralf Rangnick’s new ‘box midfield’ is designed to stop Manchester United conceding.
The Red Devils beat Crystal Palace 1-0 on Sunday in the German’s first game in charge and Neville has heaped praise on his old club’s new disciplined look.
Speaking on Sky on Monday night, Nev said: “We’ll start with the classic box at the back, McTominay, Fred and the two centre-backs.
“No problem.
“It’s very difficult to counter-attack against that if you’ve got those four players compact together.
“The problem was with Man Utd and the reason I respected the 60 minutes yesterday was that after not scoring for 30 minutes, it’s easy for one of those midfield players to get drawn forward.
“It’s easy for one of them payers to come out of position and leave the centre-backs exposed.
“And that’s what happened against Aston Villa.
“Having to run back at Old Trafford… it feels like a massive pitch. Jamie will tell you that from when he played there.
“You have to sustain attacks in football and you’ve got to stop teams counter-attacking on you or it eats away at your confidence.
“And that was the difference yesterday.
“You had the box, so when Man Utd gave the ball away in the attacking third, they’d committed players forward.
“But as the ball got given away by Fred, those four players are there straight away to be able to sort out Crystal Palace.”
BRAND NEW
Everton manager Rafa Benitez suggested he now has more power over the club’s transfer activity after Marcel Brands’ departure.
Brands left his role as the Toffees’ director of football with immediate effect after a number of big-money transfer failures led to a major backlash.
Benitez told Sky Sports: “It means we have to prepare now for the future.
“It is short-term and January. Then we have to think long term. The club has changed managers in the past and now they want to do something long term with a clear idea of what we want to achieve.
“With my experience and the people we have in the club I think we can guide things in the direction that will hopefully be the right one.”
HIT IN THE POCKET
Jude Bellingham has avoided suspension but been hit with a £34,000 fine for accusing a referee of match fixing.
The 18-year-old was left incensed when ref Felix Zwayer pointed to the spot at 2-2 with 13 minutes remaining against Bayern Munich on Saturday after the ball struck Mats Hummels’ arm.
Robert Lewandowski converted the dubious penalty to condemn Bellingham’s Dortmund to defeat.
And after the final whistle, the former Birmingham ace blasted: “For me it wasn’t a penalty.
“Hummels is not even looking at the ball and he’s fighting to get it.
“It hits him, I don’t think he’s looking at the ball. You can look at a lot of the other decisions in the game.
“You give a referee that has, you know, match fixed before, the biggest game in Germany… What do you expect?”
German police confirmed they were investigating his remarks as the DFB control committee wrote to the England international asking him to comment on his statements ‘as soon as possible’ and have now announced their punishment.
PIER PRESSURE
Piers Morgan has yet again hit out at Mikel Arteta as he branded him as not ‘good enough’ following the 2-1 defeat against Everton.
The Gunners fell to an injury time strike from Demarai Gray at Goodison Park to condemn the North Londoners to a third Premier League defeat from their last four games.
Arteta’s side took the lead in their last two matches against Manchester United and the Toffees, only for the team to fall apart in the second half.
And TV presenter Morgan, who has insisted that anything lower than fourth place this season is a ‘failure’, has slammed Arteta following Arsenal’s dip in form.
Morgan was also heavily critical of the Spanish gaffer last month after Arsenal were smashed by Liverpool at Anfield.
The 56-year-old took to social media on Monday night, where he tweeted: “This is why I don’t think Arteta is good enough to be Arsenal manager.
“We’ve been completely outplayed by a side that hasn’t won for eight matches. Dreadful.”
TAKING THE NIC
Nicolas Pepe’s future at Arsenal is looking increasingly uncertain after the latest snub by boss Mikel Arteta.
The Gunners £72 million record signing was an unused sub for the 2-1 defeat at Everton on Monday night.
Most fans expected him to step in when Gabriel Martinelli went down with a hamstring problem with 19 minutes remaining.
But instead Arteta turned to youngster Eddie Nketiah – who looks certain to leave the Emirates in the summer after turning down a new contract.
The decision could have paid off as the sub wasted a golden chance to restore Arsenal’s lead – heading a point blank header against the post.
But it leaves questions over where Ivory Coast star Pepe is in the pecking order – as he has not featured at all since October 30.
Arteta was asked about the decision and said: “I decided to play Eddie today, to bring him on. He created three chances and hit the post in the space of 25 minutes I think.”
“He does everything in training what you saw him do in 25 minutes here. Every single day. That’s why I picked him.”
The decision will only intensify rumours there is a problem between the manager and Pepe – who has started only five Prem matches this season.
Club captain Pierre Emerick Aubameyang also stayed on the bench until the 85th minute with Sky Sports pundit Gary Neville suggesting there could be trouble ahead there too.
ULTI-MANE-UM
Barcelona have issued an ultimatum to Ousmane Dembele until December 31 to decide on his future, reports suggest.
Dembele’s contract with Barca expires in June and the club needs to know whether he will commit to a new deal by New Year’s Eve.
According to Sport, negotiations between the Blaugrana and the winger have hit a snag over the player’s financial demands, while other clubs are keeping tabs on him.
The France international’s agent has already met with Manchester United, Chelsea, Bayern Munich, Tottenham and Juventus to discuss their offer, while Liverpool also appear to be interested.
The 24-year-old claims he wants to stay put at Barcelona but his representative hint this will only happen for the right price.
Dembele has struggled to stand out at the Nou Camp ever since his arrival from Borussia Dortmund in 2017 due to a raft of injuries.
The Frenchman has also been rather inconsistent with only 30 goals and 21 assists in 122 appearances across all competitions to his name.
However, the Catalan giants would find it much easier and cheaper to renew the forward’s contract rather than finding a replacement amid their ongoing financial woes.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
