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…
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.
DAL IT IN
Diogo Dalot returned to Man United’s starting line-up on Thursday’s match against Arsenal, during Michael Carrick’s last game as caretaker manager, and is now offering fresh competition for Wan-Bissaka.
The Portuguese defender is putting together quite a comeback as he was frozen out by former boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and spent last season on loan at AC Milan.
Dalot recently said: “It’s what I’m here for.
“It’s not easy when you’re outside [the starting line-up] and you don’t play as much.
“But our job [is] to keep [being] ready and I think I was doing a fantastic job outside the pitch being ready.
“When the opportunity comes, I now feel I need to keep going and give everything when I’m on the pitch too.”
‘IT’S UP TO THEM’
Jurgen Klopp reckons it would be impossible to sort out Mo Salah’s contract over a quick cuppa.
The Liverpool boss has warned the club’s fans to be patient over the future of Salah, whose deal runs out in 2023.
Klopp said: “We’re talking, and extending a contract with a player like Mo is not something where you meet for a cup of tea in the afternoon and find an agreement.
“There’s really nothing else to say about Mo at the moment.
“He speaks about it and I can only say a few things because all the rest is not for the public, obviously. That’s completely normal.”
JANUARY SALES
Steven Bergwijn and Joe Rodon could reportedly be on their way out of Tottenhan in the January transfer window.
The pair are currently peripheral figures at Spurs with neither player starting in the Premier League since Antonio Conte’s arrival in North London.
Dutch winger Bergwijn has been limited to just 13 minutes in the top-flight under Conte spread across two games.
Meanwhile Rodon hasn’t featured in the Premier League since the 3-0 defeat against Crystal Palace in September.
Rodon’s only appearance under Conte came in the humiliating 2-1 defeat against Slovenia outfit NS Mura in the Europa Conference League.
The result led Conte to hit out at his squad as he conceded that ‘the level at Tottenham is not so high’.
And according to The Times, Bergwijn and Rodon face an uncertain future with the duo to both potentially leave in the New Year.
NOU CHAPTER
Cesar Azpilicueta is reportedly in advanced talks with Barcelona over a move at the end of the season.
The Spaniard arrived at Chelsea from Marseille back in 2012 and has helped them to win numerous honours since.
The defender, 32, will be a free agent in June when his Blues deal expires and that allows clubs outside of the UK to sign a pre-contract agreement with him from next month.
El Nacional claims that he is already in advanced discussions with the Catalan outfit.
The paper states that new Barcelona boss Xavi is personally pushing for the transfer to happen, with club president Joan Laporta agreeing.
However, a move for the Chelsea captain would spell bad news for Dani Alves.
The Brazilian has just returned to the Nou Camp but cannot play for them until January.
But Azpilicueta’s free transfer arrival would mean that there would be no contract renewal for Alves, writes the publication.
FIRST DYBS
Liverpool want to sign Juventus forward Paulo Dybala on a free transfer in January if he does not agree a new deal with the Italian giants, according to reports.
The 28-year-old Argentine will be free to sign a pre-contract agreement with another club next month as his Juventus deal expires in the summer.
And, according to Calcio Mercato, Liverpool are keen to tie him down before the end of the season if he becomes available.
However, journalist Fabrizio Romano has reported that Dybala has already agreed to extend his contract with the Serie A side until 2026.
When asked previously about his contract situation, Dybala told DAZN: “Right now the club has other things to resolve so for now we can wait on this.
“What’s happening now is more important than my contract.”
SZAL-EBRATION
Chelsea are on the brink of signing Fenerbahce centre-back Attila Szalai, with Hungary manager Marco Rossi calling it a ‘done deal’.
The Blues are currently set to lose Thiago Silva, Antonio Rudiger, Andreas Christensen and Cesar Azpilicueta in the summer.
All four defenders see their contracts expire at the end of the season, with speculation mounting as to whether they will pen extensions.
Thomas Tuchel is taking no chances, reportedly already signing 23-year-old, left-sided centre-back Szalai.
When asked if any of his players looked set for a big-money move in 2022, Hungary boss Szalai told Calciomercato: “It’s hard to name just one player.
“But right now I see very well Attila Szalai, who plays for Fenerbahce… I think he is joining Chelsea.
“Clearly, he has been followed by important clubs in Spain, but apparently his move to Chelsea is a done deal.
“He would be a great player also for Italian football.”
TAKING THE MIC
Despite the widespread criticism of the former Borussia Dortmund star Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Gary Neville also took aim at Mikel Arteta.
Speaking as a pundit on Monday Night Football, he added: “He’s flip-flopping between doing a good job and being under pressure, there’s no in-between.
“When you look at average age of the squad: if you’re going to Old Trafford or Goodison Park some players won’t have experienced it many times and it’s tough.
“I remember my first few games at Anfield or Highbury, you need really good experienced players to get you through those difficult moments.
“You need comfort in there and that spine to be really strong and Arsenal’s senior players are not really massive characters or massive leaders.
‘CAUSING A PROBLEM’
Mikel Arteta would SELL Arsenal captain Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang if he could.
That is according to Manchester United icon Gary Neville who reckons the pair’s relationship could turn sour.
He told Sky: “I think there’ll be a problem with Aubameyang after this.
“I don’t think he’ll like the idea of Nketiah coming on or being subbed full stop.
“There’s always a little bit of a bug between Arteta and Aubameyang.
“I know he’s the captain but he leaves him out and it feels like something a bit awkward.
“It’s going to cause a problem and I bet if he could get a bit of money for him and get someone else they would.
“And I bet if Aubameyang could he would move on as as well because it could turn a little sour.”
Credit: Focus Images
KULUSEVSKI REMINDER
Arsenal and Tottenham are reportedly locked in a transfer battle over Juventus ace Dejan Kulusevski.
And neither side have taken the advantage over the other in signing Kulusevski
According to Calciomercato, both Gunners and Spurs have ‘opened preliminary talks’ with the 21-year-old’s agents.
And both clubs are said to be keen on a loan deal with the option to buy the forward.
Juve though would prefer to sanction an immediate permanent deal, and are willing to listen to offers in the region of £25million for the Sweden international
FER REAL?
Manchester United star Bruno Fernandes revealed that new interim boss Ralf Rangnick wants “more pressure” and “more aggressiveness” from his players.
Fernandes told Premier League Productions: “It depends on the game.
“Sometimes you have to press a little bit more, sometimes you have to press less and everyone knows that it’s one of the things that the manager wants from us. More pressure, to be more aggressive. We tried to do it [today].
“I think the first 25 minutes from us was unbelievable, great tempo and we don’t give any space to them.
“We recovered a lot of balls high up the pitch. We could have scored many times in the first half I think, at least three times we could do a little more.
“But we got the three points and that’s the most important thing”
Credit: EPA
Former Liverpool defender Glen Johnson insisted Mo Salah deserved a higher finish than his seventh place in this year’s Ballon d’Or.
He told Bettingodds: “It’s been a hot topic for the past week or so.
“The award is obviously an individual award so for me I believe he should have been right up there.
“I’ve had a chat with a couple of ex-players who believe he should have won it and they only believed others were higher on the list because they were recipients of major trophies, which is something I don’t agree with because it’s an individual thing.
“If your club hasn’t won trophies in the same year then that shouldn’t matter as it’s an individual thing and it doesn’t affect your individual performance.
“I understand why Lionel Messi won it because he finally won a major tournament with Argentina but I just can’t believe that there were six better players in the world than Mohamed Salah in 2021.
“For me, he should have certainly been in the top three or even the top two.”
Credit: AFP
TY UP A DEAL
Newcastle boss Eddie Howe is lining up Stoke hotshot Tyrese Campbell as the first signing of the Saudi era at St James’ Park.
And Howe is ready to offer £20m to get the 21-year-old to Tyneside once the transfer window opens.
Howe tracked former Manchester City youth product Campbell, son of former Everton and Arsenal striker Kevin, in his days at Bournemouth.
Campbell’s career was put on hold by a knee injury which restricted him to just 16 Championship appearances last season.
But the England under-17 and under-20 starlet is now back for the Potters, having scored two in eight league appearances this term and taking his Stoke tally to 20 in 75 games.
Campbell shocked Etihad chiefs in 2016 when he turned down professional forms to force through a move to Stoke as he wanted to be in the first team picture.
But that determination as well as his pace and eye for goal caught Howe’s eye and while last season’s injury meant a potential move to Everton fell through, the youngster is now set to be the first piece in the Newcastle revolution.
Campbell netted the latest goal of his injury comeback at the weekend.
ART OF THE DEAL
Mikel Arteta hinted he is open to helping Manchester City legend Yaya Toure earn his coaching badges.
Toure linked up with Tottenham last week on Wednesday as part of the process of earning his UEFA A-Licence and Arteta appears keen on luring him from the north London rivals.
The Spanish head coach worked with the Ivorian at City where the former was placed as Pep Guardiola’s assistant manager and insisted his door is always open.
Arteta said: “He has my number because we’ve spent some years together at City.
“He is a player I appreciate a lot so he can call me and ask me the question.
“He has the experience, expertise and has won a lot in the game.
“He can add value to other players, for sure.”
GOOD MORNING FOOTY FANS
SunSport can exclusively reveal Newcastle boss Eddie Howe is lining up Stoke hotshot Tyrese Campbell as the first signing of the Saudi era at St James’ Park.
And Howe is ready to offer £20m to get the 21-year-old to Tyneside once the transfer window opens.
Howe tracked former Manchester City youth product Campbell, son of former Everton and Arsenal striker Kevin, in his days at Bournemouth.
Campbell’s career was put on hold by a knee injury which restricted him to just 16 Championship appearances last season.
But the England under-17 and under-20 starlet is now back for the Potters, having scored two in eight league appearances this term and taking his Stoke tally to 20 in 75 games.
Meanwhile, Willy Caballero is back in the Premier League after signing a short-term deal with Southampton.
Ralph Hasenhuttl has turned to the veteran Argentine stopper following injuries to Alex McCarthy and Fraser Forster.
Ex-Man City ace Caballero has been a free agent since leaving Chelsea in the summer.
But after keeping his fitness up with AFC Wimbledon, Caballero has penned a contract until January with the Saints.
Finally, Tottenham have reportedly been hit by a Covid outbreak.
Football London claims numerous players and coaches have tested positive for coronavirus.
But further PCR tests will be conducted this week ahead of games against Rennes and Brighton.
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