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Tottenham loaning out Djed Spence so soon into his Spurs career would raise a lot of eyebrows, according to former Leeds United striker Noel Whelan.

The Lowdown: Spence linked with loan move

The right-back traded Middlesbrough for Spurs during the summer transfer window, as Antonio Conte made an exciting addition to his squad.

Spence excelled on loan at Nottingham Forest last season, scoring twice and registering four assists, but he has struggled to get going at his new club.

Antonio Conte has admitted that he hasn’t adjusted well to his surroundings and a January loan move has been mooted recently.

The Latest: Whelan surprised by news

Speaking to Football Insider, Whelan admitted it would be a surprising decision for Spence to be loaned out in the next transfer window:

“I think there would be a lot of eyebrows raised if he were to go out on loan now. The fans might question why they’ve spent that amount of money on a player just to loan him out.

“Perisic and Doherty are both very experienced, and Royal really seems to have stepped up his game. There’s competition for places at Spurs, which is brilliant – and I’m sure Conte is loving all that rivalry too.

“Does Spence need to bide his time and maybe work harder? Probably, yeah. You can’t change a winning side too much. This is competition he knew he was going to have. He was coming into a team full of international stars.

“He won’t have thought he could walk straight into that side, absolutely not.”

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The Verdict: Could be best for him

While this is far from ideal – the hope was that Spence would provide genuine competition at right-back – it could be that another loan move makes sense in January.

The leap from the Championship to the Premier League is enormous, especially when you go straight to a top-four club, and the 22-year-old could simply need more time to mature as a player, having been hailed as ‘combative’ by Ian Wright.

In an ideal world, Spence will show Conte that he is worth persevering with before January, staying put at Spurs, but if a temporary move is best for his development, that is the best thing to do.

West Ham United insider Claret & Hugh has shared an update on the reports linking Torino loanee Nikola Vlasic with a permanent exit from the Premier League club.

The Lowdown: Torino hatch Vlasic plan…

The Irons midfielder is currently enjoying a fruitful temporary spell in Turin and has been linked with a permanent move away from east London just over a year after West Ham signed him from CSKA Moscow.

Tuttosport recently claimed that the Serie A club are set to open talks over signing Vlasic permanently as early as January, with suggestions that the player is even ready to take a pay cut to that effect.

The Croatia international has bagged three goals in six league starts and currently ranks as Torino’s third-best performer by average match rating (WhoScored), seemingly motivating Il Toro’s serious interest.

The Latest: Insider shares Vlasic update…

Club insider Claret & Hugh has shared an update from their ‘key London Stadium contact’, who maintains that this is ‘news’ to West Ham.

The source explained: “It’s news to us. You would have to ask Torino but a move in the next summer is more logical and usual in these circumstances.”

The Verdict: Bit soon…

The 24-year-old, who has been dubbed a ‘quality player’ by members of the Italian media for his recent performances, has undoubtedly started life brilliantly at Torino.

That being said, we’re currently seven matches into the Serie A campaign, and it could be a little bit too early for talks surrounding a permanent move for Vlasic.

It also seems confusing that they wouldn’t want to see out the remainder of his loan spell before taking up the purchase option in his contract.

Newcastle United have not been shy when it comes to signing players from fellow English clubs in recent years.

One player for whom the Toon shelled out a significant amount of money to sign from a rival Premier League club is Joe Willock.

After originally joining the Magpies on loan from Arsenal in January 2021 January, the midfielder signed for the Tyneside club on a permanent basis when they secured a six-year deal for him worth in excess of £20m.

Overall, the 23-year-old has made 47 appearances in a Newcastle shirt and scored 10 goals in the process.

With the summer transfer window set to close in the next two weeks, this period gives PIF the chance to bring in someone who could be the Toon’s next version of Willock.

Earlier this month, it was reported that the Magpies are keen on securing a move for Chelsea midfielder Conor Gallagher.

As another young English midfielder who has worked his way through the youth ranks at one of London’s biggest clubs, this mirrors the journey that Willock had with Arsenal before starting his new chapter at St James’ Park.

To further highlight the similarities between the two midfielders, both players ended up making 69 tackles throughout their 2021/22 domestic campaigns, succeeding with 44 each.

However, Gallagher had more shots at goal, shot-creating actions, crosses and successful dribbles than the current Newcastle midfielder, showing just how dangerous he can be in an attacking sense.

In fact, one of his eight league goals for Crystal Palace, where he spent last season on loan, was hailed as “outrageous” by podcaster Dan Cook on Twitter.

With a reported price tag of £50m, it would certainly take a big investment from PIF to secure a deal for the England international this summer.

Bearing in mind how the midfielder has only played six minutes of league action for the west London club so far this season, a move to Newcastle – where he’d potentially have a better chance of playing regularly – could be a tempting prospect for the 22-year-old.

With all that in mind, landing a deal for Gallagher should be at the top of PIF’s priority list for the remainder of the summer transfer window.

Manchester United are considering a move for Watford forward Ismaila Sarr, according to 90min.

The Lowdown: Forward search

The Red Devils are on the hunt for a new forward in the final weeks of the window and were looking at Bologna’s Marko Arnautovic before pulling the plug on a proposed transfer.

PSV’s Cody Gakpo is a new target for United officials, with Sky Sports claiming the club are ‘ready to move’ for the Dutchman.

It looks as if Sarr, labelled as a “freak” of a talent with “scary” ability by ex-teammate Ben Foster, is also on the wis-hlist after scoring a remarkable goal from the halfway line on Monday.

The Latest: United interest

90min shared a story on Tuesday shortly after the news broke on interest ending in Arnautovic.

They claimed that United are moving on to new targets, with Sarr a player they are ‘considering’ looking to sign.

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The Verdict: Handy signing?

Providing the price is right, a swoop for Sarr could be a smart piece of business.

He scored against United at Vicarage Road after a David de Gea howler and can play anywhere across the front three. Sarr is primarily a right-winger, though, an area of the pitch where Erik ten Hag is short of senior options.

The Senegal international, who was linked with a move to Liverpool last year, has scored goals wherever he has played on the pitch, so could prove to be a smart addition with his directness and versatility from the flank.

David Moyes has seemingly suffered a big blow at West Ham United, with summer signing Nayef Aguerd set to be sidelined after picking up an injury in the pre-season defeat against Rangers recently.

What’s the word?

After signing in a £30m deal from Rennes, the 26-year-old had looked set to be a regular starter for the Hammers at centre-back next season.

However, he was forced off with an ankle injury in the 3-1 defeat at Ibrox, which could leave Moyes very short of options ahead of the season opener against reigning Premier League champions Manchester City.

In a recent interview with GiveMeSport, journalist Paul Brown shared the latest on the Moroccan’s injury, saying: “He’s had a scan and they’re still waiting to see, as I understand, but there’s no indication for the timescale.

“That would obviously be a big blow if he was unable to start the season because they’ve put a lot of stock into him and they’re expecting him to be quite an important player for the club, so they wouldn’t want him to be out for too long.”

Supporters will be worried

Considering the quality of their opponents for their first league fixture of 2022/23, the last thing West Ham need is another injury crisis at centre-back.

Aguerd was brought into to add defensive squad depth after Craig Dawson was left as the only fit centre-back towards the end of last season, following long-term injuries to Angelo Ogbonna, Issa Diop and Kurt Zouma.

While the two Frenchmen should be fit to start the campaign, and Ogbonna has recovered from his ACL injury, Dawson has yet to feature in pre-season with a knock of his own, so Moyes will still be very low on numbers at the back if Aguerd isn’t fit for the Irons’ season opener on 7 August.

The Morocco international had appeared to be a shrewd acquisition given his performances in Ligue 1 in recent years, but it seems as if West Ham fans will have to wait a while to see him in competitive action, and they will be hoping that his ankle injury isn’t too severe.

AND in other news – “It’s true…”: West Ham target drops huge transfer hint, supporters will be buzzing – opinion

It is a matter of time until Nottingham Forest sign goalkeeper Dean Henderson on loan this summer, renowned transfer expert Fabrizio Romano has claimed.

The Lowdown: Henderson heading to Forest?

The Englishman has found himself behind David De Gea in the goalkeeping pecking order at Manchester United, so a move away this summer makes perfect sense.

Forest have been strongly linked with signing Henderson on a temporary basis, as they prepare for the likely loss of current stopper Brice Samba.

A fresh update from Romano now suggests that the deal is essentially done, in what is surely music to the ears of Reds supporters.

The Latest: All but done

Taking to Twitter on Thursday, Romano dropped a short and sweet update when discussing Forest’s pursuit of Henderson:

“Dean Henderson will join Forest, matter of time.”

The Verdict: Perfect move for all parties

Barring a surprise late twist, this feels like a move that is a certainty in the coming days, with all parties benefiting moving forward.

For Forest, it will allow them to acquire the services of a top-class ‘keeper who has one cap to his name for England, and has been hailed as ‘insane’ and ‘exceptional’ by former Sheffield United teammate Sander Berge.

As for Henderson himself, it may give him a chance to make a late push for England’s 2022 World Cup squad, should he excel at the City Ground, while United could see it as great experience for one of their most talented young players.

Tottenham Hotspur and by extension transfer chief Fabio Paratici have made an offer for one of Antonio Conte’s transfer targets as news emerges from Spain in the last 48 hours.

The Lowdown: Lilywhites push for more deals…

The signing of Yves Bissouma, preceded by Bosman deals for Ivan Perisic and Fraser Forster, are seemingly not the only pieces of business possible at Spurs before the 2022/23 Premier League season.

It is reliably believed that sporting director Fabio Paratici has his eyes on strengthening at least three more positions as Conte seeks a new right wing-back, a star striker and an assured central defensive upgrade for his back three.

The Latest: Mundo Deportivo share Spurs ‘offer’…

To that effect, Alessandro Bastoni of Inter Milan has been linked throughout this transfer window so far, but reports have now emerged involving another centre-back wanted by Conte.

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According to Mundo Deportivo (via Sport Witness), Barcelona defender Clement Lenglet has received an ‘offer’ from the north Londoners as they eye a possible two-year loan deal.

The Frenchman, who is set to evaluate this approach alongside another one from Marseille, has now scheduled a crunch meeting with his agent ‘by the end of this week’.

The Verdict: Good option?

Despite his lofty £170,000-per-week salary, this move could be viewed as the most economical option overall for Spurs if Barca agree to a two-year loan deal.

Paying no lofty transfer fee, like they would have to for the likes of Bastoni, could save Paratici and Spurs a great deal of finance, but we believe that investing in more quality targets is far more advantageous in the long run.

Lenglet has struggled for a regular starting place at Barca over the last year despite once showing real promise, and he should perhaps come as a fallback option at best.

Speaking live on talkSPORT, former Aston Villa striker Gabriel Agbonlahor has delivered a scathing assessment involving Liverpool and the likely departure of Sadio Mane. 

The lowdown: Move pending

Having initially remained quiet on where his future may lie after the season, it has since become apparent that the 30-year-old Senegalese star will leave Anfield in the summer.

Mane will end a six-year affinity with the Reds as both Bayern Munich and Paris Saint-Germain eye up a move in the upcoming transfer window.

Leaving with a little over 12 months remaining on a deal at Anfield (Transfermarkt), one pundit has slammed the club for allowing the winger to leave at this stage.

The latest: ‘Ridiculous’

Discussing the future of Mane and Mohamed Salah live on air (Thursday, June 2 9.35am), Agbonlahor was critical of the Reds’ owners for not giving the attacker what he wants.

The 35-year-old said: “Liverpool allowing Mane to go, next season will cost them the title. Haaland is signing for Manchester City, they are becoming stronger.

“You’re going to let Mane leave, you’ve got Diaz and Jota, but they’re not going to get Mane’s numbers, he’s a goalscorer. The threat he gives Liverpool going in behind, making unselfish runs. Salah, they can’t lose, Mane they can’t lose.

“Yes, Liverpool have always had good recruitment, bringing in players. But the numbers that Mane gets, the threat he gives opposition defenders, helps free up space for Salah. For me first of all, Mane leaving is ridiculous. I don’t blame both of them, Mane and Salah the numbers they are getting year in year out – they want paying what they deserve.”

The verdict: Ruthless operators

Albeit there has been no indication the decision is solely down to finances, ultimately, the chances of Liverpool ownership group FSG being held to ransom or indeed succumbing to pressure and paying what they perceive to be over the odds was little to none.

So far, during their 12-year tenure at Anfield, the American owners have proven to be frugal operators when it comes to contracts, transfer business and decision making generally.

Whilst simply paying whatever the likes of Mane and Salah ask for is simple in principle, with it comes demands from elsewhere within the ranks and therefore the risk of upsetting a previously harmonious dressing room.

Despite proving to remain a player at the very top of his game in a 23 goal 2021/22 campaign, at 30, Mane – dubbed a ‘wild animal’ by Pierre Emerick Aubameyang – was never likely to be offered a lucrative new deal given the club’s Modus Operandi of signing young talent and a move this summer whilst the club can likely make a profit on their £34million expenditure would be best for all parties.

In other news: Liverpool identify ‘intelligent’ forward to replace Mane, read more here!

Alasdair Gold has dropped an update on reported Tottenham Hotspur transfer target Alex Scott.

What’s the talk?

In a recent video posted on his YouTube channel, the football.london journalist revealed that, following widespread reports that Spurs are keeping tabs on the Bristol City midfielder, the 18-year-old is indeed a player who Fabio Paratici and Antonio Conte are fond of, before suggesting that Tottenham could make a move for the England U19 international in the coming months.

Regarding Spurs’ interest in the playmaker, Gold said: “There’s a young midfielder from the Championship that I know they really like – Alex Scott, an 18-year-old who plays for Bristol City.

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“He primarily plays as a right midfielder but he can also play through the centre. He’s played 38 times last season, scored four and got two assists. At the moment, Bristol City’s valuation of him is higher than what Spurs want to pay, so there’s no movement right now, but keep an eye on that one because he’s a player they like.”

The next Grealish

Considering how exciting a prospect Scott quite clearly is, it is not difficult to understand why Paratici would be interested in a deal to bring the 18-year-old to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium this summer.

Indeed, over his 38 Championship appearances this season, the £10m talent enjoyed a spectacular breakthrough campaign for the Robins, scoring four goals, registering two assists and creating six big chances for his teammates, as well as taking an average of 0.6 shots, making 0.9 key passes and completing 0.8 dribbles per game.

The versatile midfielder also impressed in a defensive capacity, making an average of 1.3 interceptions, 1.6 tackles, 0.9 clearances and winning 5.0 duels – at a success rate of 52% – per fixture.

These returns saw the player who Brian Tinnion dubbed “unbelievable” average an extremely impressive SofaScore match rating of 6.90, ranking him as Nigel Pearson’s joint seventh-best performer in the English second tier.

Furthermore, Scott’s performances have also seen him earn comparisons to the £100m Jack Grealish, with the 18-year-old being dubbed the “Guernsey Grealish” due to his ability to progress the ball from midfield into the final third.

As such, should Paratici manage to convince the Bristol City starlet of a switch to north London this summer and the youngster continues his exceptional rate of development in the professional game, the Italian sporting director could well have unearthed Spurs the next Grealish – something that will undoubtedly be an extremely exciting thought for everyone involved with Tottenham.

AND in other news: “Going to try and sign”: Gold drops big Spurs transfer claim that supporters will love

Leeds United midfielder Owen Bray is thought to be on trial at Barnsley ahead of a possible summer move, Football Insider report.

The Lowdown: Wigan offer?

Bray is set to quit Elland Road over the coming weeks when his contract expires at the end of the season.

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The 19-year-old headed to Wigan Athletic last month and seemingly impressed, with reports suggesting the League One title winners were readying an offer for Bray.

However, Bray, who has played seven times for the Leeds’ U18s and U23s, has now made the 25-mile trip from Thorp Arch to Barnsley.

The Latest: Source shares twist

FI shared a story on Wednesday regarding Bray after being informed by a recruitment source. They claimed that the midfielder has now made the short trip to Barnsley for a trial in what is a transfer twist following the seriousness of the links to Wigan.

Bray turned out for Barnsley’s U23s on Tuesday against Watford, with the Tykes now weighing up a summer move for his services.

The Verdict: Correct call to move on

Bray hasn’t featured for the U23s this season and is up against the likes of Lewis Bate, Sean McGurk and Jack Jenkins for a midfield spot under Andrew Taylor.

The Whites are well-stocked when it comes to exciting young midfielders, so it does appear to make sense for all involved to allow Bray to move on.

It’ll be interesting to see where he ends up, but with Barnsley dropping into the third tier, a chance at first-team football could be more likely at Oakwell over The DW Stadium.

In other news: Agent of Leeds gem to talk with Orta and Radz over possible exit alongside Raphinha and Phillips.