Rangers closing in on Danilho Doekhi deal

Jordan Campbell has dropped an update on Glasgow Rangers’ bid to bring Danilho Doekhi to Ibrox in the January transfer window.

What’s the talk?

In a recent article for The Athletic, the journalist revealed that, following the pre-contract signing of John Souttar, Giovanni van Bronckhorst’s side are also in a strong position to secure a deal for the Vitesse Arnhem centre-back this month, with the Gers manager keen to bolster his numbers in the heart of defence prior to the closure of the transfer market.

In his piece, Campbell wrote: “Rangers are also keen on Vitesse captain Danilho Doekhi and are in a strong position to land the Dutch defender.”

Fans will be buzzing

Doekhi has been impressive in the Netherlands this season, and Van Bronckhorst is in rather desperate need of defensive reinforcements ahead of the restart of the Premiership season given the injuries to Filip Helander and Leon Balogun out, as well as the latter and Connor Goldson being out of contract at the end of the current campaign. Therefore, the news that Gers appear to be closing in on a deal for the 23-year-old is sure to have left the Ibrox faithful buzzing.

Indeed, over his 14 Eredivisie appearances this term, the £2.7m-rated Vitesse defender has helped his side to keep three clean sheets and scored one goal, as well as making 1.6 interceptions, two tackles, 3.6 clearances and 39.1 passes per game and winning 65% of his duels.

These returns have seen the £3.4k-per-week centre-back average a SofaScore match rating of 7.01, ranking him as Vitesse’s joint-seventh best performer in the Dutch top flight.

As such, it is clear for all to see that Doekhi would make a fantastic addition to Van Bronckhorst’s current options in the heart of his defence at Ibrox. The prospective arrival of the 23-year-old would undoubtedly provide Rangers’ chances of going on to retain the Premiership title with a considerable boost, an outcome which would delight everyone involved with the club.

In other news: Rangers dealt fresh transfer setback on “crazy” January transfer, Van Bronckhorst will be fuming

Romano shares Ramsey update for West Ham

Taking to Twitter, reliable reporter Fabrizio Romano has shared news on Aaron Ramsey and his future at Juventus as West Ham reportedly keep tabs.

The Lowdown: West Ham make contact…

As per a recent claim, both West Ham, and by extension new recruitment chief Rob Newman, are supposedly eyeing a move for the Wales international.

It appears the midfielder is a target for manager David Moyes with a report from Italy suggesting West Ham are well in contention for his signature.

The Serie A giants are eager to rid themselves of Ramsey and his sky high €7 million-per-year (£5.9m) salary wages and it is believed by Calciomercato, as also shared by Sport Witness, that the Hammers have made tentative contact over a move.

Once aiming to recuperate a fee of around €20m (£16.9m) for the player, Juventus may have to settle for less as both West Ham and Everton lurk (Calciomercato via Sport Witness).

The Latest: Romano drops Twitter update…

Taking to Twitter, another Italian source in Romano has shared the latest on Ramsey and what the future holds for him.

According to the journalist’s sources, the Wales international is indeed ‘out of the plans’ at Juventus with the Old Lady ‘planning to find a solution’ to sell in January.

“Juventus are still planning to find a solution to sell Aaron Ramsey in January. He’s out of the plans and looking for a potential new challenge.…while Juan Cuadrado will soon extend his contract with Juventus – and Paulo Dybala too.” Romano explained on social media.

The Verdict: Time to swoop?

Given Juve’s desperation to offload the 30-year-old, we believe this could put West Ham in a fairly strong negotiating position if they maintain their interest by the winter window.

Out of contract in 2023, time is arguably running out for the European heavyweights to make any substantial fee off Ramsey’s sale and their eagerness to cut his salary off the books could also be an advantage to West Ham.

The question remains, though, can he really add another degree of quality to Moyes’ high-flying Hammers?

Lauded as a ‘world class’ by international teammate Joe Allen, the former Arsenal star certainly has Premier League pedigree – having netted 65 goals and a further 65 assists during his time at the Emirates Stadium (Transfermarkt).

He also impressed in flashes at Euro 2020, indicating the ability is still there, but Ramsey’s lofty salary may point to a real stumbling block for West Ham given their highest earner is currently Kurt Zouma on just £120,000-per-week (spotrac).

Priorities debatably lie elsewhere for Moyes as concerns still linger over striker Michail Antonio’s fitness record and their lack of a natural striker alternative.

Resultingly, we believe other transfer targets who can fill that void, like Andrea Belotti and Adam Hlozek, are far more crucial to get through the door than Ramsey.

In other news: Journalist hints West Ham move for ‘world class’ 32-goal striker could now be on the cards, find out more here.

Antonio Conte handed Spurs injury boost

Tottenham Hotspur have been handed an encouraging injury boost ahead of their return to Premier League action this weekend…

What’s the latest?

According to Sky Sports reporter Lyall Thomas, versatile winger Ryan Sessegnon has returned to full-time training at Hotspur Way following a pretty lengthy spell on the sidelines.

The 21-year-old, who can play anywhere along the left flank, has been out since the September international break with a hamstring injury.

Spurs face Leeds United on Sunday afternoon where new manager Antonio Conte will be looking to maintain his unbeaten record in charge of the north Londoners.

“Excl. Ryan Sessegnon will return to full training this week from the hamstring problem suffered in September and could be available for #Leeds clash on Sunday,” he tweeted.

“Sessegnon returns to training to hand Conte a selection boost, as he searches for his best #Tottenham team.”

Big boost to Conte

On the face of it, this isn’t so much of a ‘boost’ to the Italian, given the fact that the England U21 international has only played 14 times since his £25m move from Fulham in August 2019.

However, as Thomas goes on to explain in his series of updates on social media, Sessegnon hands Conte a new weapon and one that seems like a perfect fit for his wing-back system.

“Sessegnon has the potential to be just the sort of player that could be rejuvenated by Antonio Conte. His system is set up just right for his profile, off the left of a 3-4-3. Has a way to go to reach the level but still just 21 y/o,” he added.

Indeed, when fit, the young £18m-rated dynamo has bags of potential – something that we are yet to see in N17. His loan stint at Bundesliga outfit Hoffenheim was largely a success.

He featured in 29 matches across all competitions, in which he provided two goals and three assists, via Transfermarkt, whilst per WhoScored, he averaged two tackles, 1.3 interceptions and 0.7 key passes per match at an elite level, which suggests he’s capable of contributing at either end of the pitch.

Sessegnon was once dubbed a “big, big talent” with a “very bright” future by former teammate Stefan Johansen. Meanwhile, his pace and acceleration have also been noted by Bundesliga.com, who went as far as comparing him to Alphonso Davies – arguably one of the best in the world at left wing-back.

The rarely-seen Spurs gem could be in line for a career boost under Conte and that’s why this encouraging development from the club’s training ground should leave the Italian and his staff absolutely delighted heading into the weekend.

He could well thrive under his new manager.

AND in other news, 100 touches, 3 shots: “Intelligent” Spurs beast just proved his immense worth to Conte…

Everton manager news on Mourinho

Some Everton fans have been left fuming over some manager news that has emerged involving Jose Mourinho.

As per The Daily Mirror, the AS Roma manager has emerged as a potential candidate to take over from Rafa Benitez, should he be sacked at Goodison Park.

Supporters of the Merseyside club vented their anger towards the Spaniard as well as the board after their 4-1 defeat at home to Liverpool in midweek, and Benitez is now under pressure following a run of eight matches in the Premier League without a win.

Now, the board could turn to Mourinho should they wish to pull the plug on his reign.

Of course, Mourinho’s success in English football, in where he has won the top-flight title three times with Chelsea, is a factor as to why the board are looking at him as a potential successor, but he has tailored off in recent years, having left both Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester United midway through the season outside of the UEFA Champions League spots.

Toffees supporters may not be a fan of his pragmatic approach to games either, and so it is understandable to see why a fair few fumed when they read the news.

Everton fans on Mourinho news

These Blues fumed as the manager news was shared on Twitter:

“Rather liquidate”

Credit: @mcnallyc95

“This is worse then Benitez.”

Credit: @thomas41448377

“From one mess to another. This is an an awful idea”

Credit: @toffee5000

“This is comical”

Credit: @Andy25787904

“And this is why they’re clueless.”

Credit: @glioriginali_

“Another dinosaur, no thank you”

Credit: @ToffeeTosh1878

In other news, find out what manager news has Evertonians talking here!

Abraham deal is shades of Pelle for Saints

It has been suggested recently that Southampton could look to sign Chelsea striker Tammy Abraham in the summer transfer window and if he were to join the Saints, it would be a deal similar to the one that saw Graziano Pelle join the club in 2014.

According to EuroSport, both West Ham and Southampton have made tentative enquiries about signing the England international, who has struggled for game time under Thomas Tuchel since the German was appointed manager of the Stamford Bridge outfit.

The report suggests that with Chelsea targeting Borussia Dortmund striker Erling Haaland ahead of the summer window, opportunities would be few and far in between for Abraham next season.

Therefore, a move away could be on the cards for the £36 million-rated forward, and Southampton would presumably be able to offer him regular football if he were to make the move to St Mary’s.

Southampton have had some great target men strikers in the past decade, with Rickie Lambert and Pelle two of the very best, but it is something they have arguably lacked under Hasenhuttl.

Danny Ings and Che Adams have lead the line for the majority of the past two seasons, and whilst both work extremely hard, neither are particularly strong in the air, so Abraham would definitely offer something different if he were to join.

The 6 foot 3 striker has been prolific in recent seasons, first on loan with Bristol City in the 2016/17 campaign, where he hit 26 goals in 48 appearances for the Robins.

After a disappointing spell with Swansea in the Premier League, he found his shooting boots once again with Aston Villa, notching 25 goals in 37 appearances on their way to promotion.

He then grabbed 15 Premier League goals with Chelsea last season under Frank Lampard and has now made six appearances for England as he continues to impress in the top-flight.

Therefore, there seems little doubt that he would score goals should he join Southampton in the summer, and he could prove to be similarly effective to the 6 foot 4 Pelle, who was superb in his time on the South Coast.

The Italian contributed 30 goals and 10 assists in 80 appearances for the Saints, before moving to China in 2016, so he is fondly remembered by a lot of Southampton fans.

So, if Martin Semmens can convince Abraham to join this summer, then it would be a deal reminiscent of the one that saw them sign Pelle, and hopefully, the 23-year-old would be as impressive as his Italian predecessor was in Southampton colours.

And, in other news… Forget Tella: Saints beast who played 4 key passes was Hasenhuttl’s star vs SHU – opinion

West Ham fans blast Danny Mills claim

Speaking to talkSPORT, pundit Danny Mills has claimed that the top four in England shouldn’t all be rewarded with European Cup qualification – going to say that they’ve expanded it for ‘the sake of expansion’ and West Ham potentially finishing fourth is ‘not Champions League’. 

David Moyes’ men have enjoyed a remarkable campaign to date in the Premier League, with the Hammers potentially finishing in a Champions League place looking like a real possibility given the standings.

Currently sitting fifth with a game in hand and just two points behind Chelsea, the prospect of European football appears very concrete provided West Ham can continue to keep pace.

Mills, however, believes that the top four teams in the country shouldn’t all gain Champions League qualification – mentioning West Ham as an example.

“The Champions League is supposed to be the best of the best,” explained Mills to talkSPORT.

“I don’t even think it should be the top four in the country that go through, it’s the Champions League, maybe the top two.

“That’s what people want to see, let’s say West Ham get in the Champions League as fourth spot, that’s not Champions League.”

Flocking to this claim, many Hammers had their say – with one Iron calling it ’embarrassing’ as others have their say.

Find all of their verdicts down below.

West Ham fans flock to Mills message

“What a ridiculous thing to say….if West Ham finish 4th that’s because they have been the 4th best team in the country over 38 games. How are clubs meant to progress and compete with the best if they are not given that opportunity?!”

Credit: @AndyWHU1987

“You are getting worried aren’t you Danny? COYI”

Credit: @IronessWest

“Danny Mills kicking up a fuss over little old West Ham. Embarrassing”

Credit: @camwestham

“This is embarrassing we are supposed to have football experts talking about the game and instead we have to listen to Danny Mills…”

Credit: @danirons23

“Hahahaha Mills stop crying mate… if we get champions league it’s because we’ve earned it! Did you say this when Leicester won the league?”

Credit: @robson261009

“he hates West ham. always has. don’t take the bait from one of the most ordinary average players to have ever played.”

Credit: @GoonScruffy

“Could be the worst take I’ve ever seen.”

Credit: @T0M_EDWARDS

In other news: West Ham fans also flocked to an ExWHUemployee claim, find out more here.

Spurs: Conte handed huge boost

Tottenham Hotspur will face a Brentford side in the Premier League this evening that doesn’t include Ethan Pinnock, with the centre-back ruled out with a hamstring injury.

What’s the latest?

As quoted by West London Sport, Bees manager Thomas Frank said to the media: “Ethan will, hopefully, be only a couple of weeks, so that means Manchester United is borderline, but let’s see.”

[snack-amp-story url= “https://www.footballfancast.com/web-stories/read-the-latest-spurs-news-transfer-rumours-gossip-levy-conte-paratici-thfc” title= “Read the latest Spurs news!”]

The 28-year-old limped off in the first half of the west London outfit’s 2-1 win at Watford last Saturday whilst fellow defender Zanka will also be sidelined with Spurs set to face a side with limited resources at the back.

Conte will be buzzing

After last weekend’s slip up against Brighton, Tottenham can no longer afford to make mistakes if they are to secure Champions League football for next season with just six matches left this term.

Spurs have dropped out of the top four temporarily after Arsenal’s 3-1 victory over Manchester United, although the Lilywhites will return to fourth place with victory at the Brentford Community Stadium.

However, their place is hanging by a thread with goal difference the only factor separating the two sides if Conte’s side are victorious at Brentford.

Therefore, the prospect of playing a side struggling for options at the back is certainly a huge boost for the north London outfit.

The Bees are in inspired form though, winning five of their last six which has ultimately extinguished any nerves regarding an instant return to the Championship.

Moreover, Pinnock has settled into the top flight expertly, playing in 32 of the Bees’ 33 league matches, keeping seven clean sheets in the process.

After Brentford, Spurs face three tricky tasks with Leicester at home as well as a trip to Liverpool whilst a home North London Derby that could ultimately decide who between them and Arsenal take fourth place.

As a result, victory this evening is crucial which means that Brentford’s injury woes will certainly leave Conte buzzing.

And in other news: Conte unleashes “amazing” £58k-p/w gem, “pathetic” £43m flop axed: Spurs predicted XI

West Brom: Allardyce eyes three new signings

According to Sky Sports, new West Bromwich Albion manager Sam Allardyce is eyeing at least a trio of new signings during the January transfer window.

Allardyce wants three new arrivals

Allardyce replaced Slaven Bilic in December, with his appointment appearing to be very unpopular amongst the Baggies supporters.

The new man in charge did pick up an unlikely 1-1 draw with Liverpool in his second game, but that was sandwiched by a 3-0 defeat against Aston Villa and and a 5-0 loss to Leeds United. In an attempt to put his stamp on the side, it is being reported that Allardyce is eyeing a new centre-back, midfielder and striker as part of a ‘lengthy list’ to improve the spine of the team.

However, West Brom may not have the finances to complete all of these deals.

Changes needed

There is no doubt that change is needed. Bilic may have been the fall guy for the Baggies’ poor start to the season, but the fact of the matter is the squad itself is far from equipped to deal with the challenges that the Premier League presents.

With just eight points from their first 16 games, West Brom are in the bottom three – it is going to take something special to keep them from the drop. While spending during the transfer window does not guarantee success, it does at least give Allardyce and co a fighting chance.

In other news, West Brom fans hammered this man against Leeds United. 

Ex-Aston Villa star shares Davis experience

In an exclusive interview with The Transfer Tavern, former Aston Villa midfielder Lee Hendrie has shared his experience of seeing Keinan Davis up close for the first time in training after returning to Bodymoor Heath.

Davis, a product of Bodymoor Heath, has worked his way into Villa’s first team and has been Dean Smith’s second-choice striker this season.

With Wesley having been unavailable following the serious injury he picked up last term, Davis has been deputising for Ollie Watkins.

And, in that deputy role, the 23-year-old has managed to come up with a couple of important contributions of late, including a goal against West Brom and assist versus Fulham.

For Hendrie, he is a player who has always had talent, talent which Villa supporters are now starting to see.

Speaking exclusively to TT about what he remembers from the first time he had a good look at Davis, the ex-Villa player said:

“I went back, a few years back now, and I went in and just watched. It was actually when Steve Bruce was managing and I watched the training.

“Kevin MacDonald was at the club at the time and he was working with a lot of the younger lads that were certainly pushing for first-team recognition. And Keinan was one of those players.

“I went and watched a game. It was the first time I’d actually seen Keinan and I thought to myself, ‘certainly with lots of coaching and guidance, he’ll be a player. He will be a player.’ “

If Davis’ last few performances are anything to go by, then the 23-year-old is a player who certainly has something to offer.

Man Utd’s Bruno was superb vs West Brom

Bruno Fernandes scored a stunning volley to rescue a point for Manchester United against West Brom but that wasn’t enough to stop them from slipping further behind their arch-rivals Manchester City in the Premier League title race.

The Red Devils were held to a 1-1 draw at West Brom on Sunday and despite moving back above Leicester City into second place on goal difference alone, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side are now seven points behind the league leaders, who also have a game in-hand.

However, that should take nothing away from the performance of Fernandes, who was Solskjaer’s one shining light against Sam Allardyce’s side.

The Portuguese midfielder came off the bench in the second half to help United to seal a place in the FA Cup quarter-finals in the midweek win at home to West Ham, and he was on top form once again at the Hawthorns.

Not to be outdone by the likes of Connor Gallagher and Mbaye Diagne, it took another moment of magic from Fernandes to level the score after he met Luke Shaw’s cross with his weaker left foot.

As per SofaScore, the 26-year-old earned an impressive 7.9 match rating for his theatrics, that being the best of any midfielder – including his teammate Scott McTominay – and indeed any player on either side on Sunday.

During the full 90′ minutes, Fernandes, who is currently valued at £81m via Transfermarkt, would take 102 touches of the ball, which was significantly more than McTominay, who could only manage 81 despite playing in a deep-lying midfield position.

He always looked to get his foot on the ball and try and make things happen, and towards the end of the game, could be seen picking it up close to the half-way line and trying to spot passes and runners from deep.

It was no surprise then that the Portugal international also successfully completed eight long balls from nine attempts against the Baggies as he tried to exploit gaps in their defence, which was far greater than his season’s average of 3.9 per 90 in the Premier League – it pointed to his desire to try and get the home side moving from side to side and trying to upset their defensive valance.

However, what was perhaps most impressive was his three shots on target, which was more than any other player on the pitch, as he proved to be United’s hero once again.

Therefore, despite the disappointing result, it certainly wasn’t for lack of trying, as Fernandes showed he is a cut above from the rest of the pack. It’s just a shame none of his teammates were able to match his determination and energy.

AND in other Man Utd news, Manchester United suffer fresh Paul Pogba injury setback before trip to West Brom…

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