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Leeds United could be set to add yet another electric attacker to their already potent front line, as manager Daniel Farke seeks to truly blow Championship defences away…

Who could Leeds United sign this summer?

With Joel Piroe, Wilfried Gnonto, Luis Siniterra and Georginio Rutter all scoring at the weekend, it would be easy to assume that this foursome will be near-impossible to displace given the quality they boast for a side at this level.

However, such is the gruelling schedule that the competition commands, eventually they will need resting, or at the very least need ample competition to keep their hunger levels high.

Having already shown a penchant for snagging unknown wingers from lesser-valued leagues, it seems they are set to emulate such success with a swoop for Joseph Paintsil.

Read the latest Leeds transfer news HERE…

Journalist Santi Aouna would write on social media:

"Leeds and Genk have an agreement for the transfer of Joseph Paintsil. The player has an agreement in personal terms. But the agent and the player arguing with Genk over a Loyalty Payment".

Alternative reports suggest Genk would accept a fee of around £8.5m for the Ghanaian whiz services, via Sky Sports Transfer Centre [22/08, 16:49].

Despite that agreement, however, a move has indeed stalled according to journalist Dharmesh Sheth, with the player believed to be at loggerheads with Genk over exit terms.

Who is Joseph Paintsil?

Whilst likely an unknown name to most, what the 25-year-old speedster has been doing in Belgian football has been nothing short of sensational.

Emerging as a young star in his homeland, the Ghana international would spend a sole season loan in Hungary, before using that European platform to earn his current move. He has starred for Genk ever since, with another loan spell seemingly unlocking his talents.

Last year marked the true standout for the dynamic forward, who added tangible assets to his already frightening play style to make him one of the division's most feared stars.

Dominating from either flank, he would score 14 and assist 14 more across just 30 league appearances, finishing the season with a sensational 32 goal contribution across all competitions.

It was no surprise to see him lauded by talent scout Jacek Kulig, who sought to outline the fine recruitment strategy of his current club.

He wrote:

"On the bench the likes of Paintsil, Lucumi, Heynen, Jackers, Piotrowski, Seigers, Fiolic, and Ingvartsen. Great team with many superb young players."

Should Farke seek to place his faith in such an unknown commodity, bringing in Paintsil despite his lack of experience at the top level, it could actually mirror their current success earned with Gnonto.

After all, Jesse Marsch bought the 19-year-old just last summer from FC Zurich, with the £5m fee expended questionable given he was coming off the back of just an eight-goal haul in the Swiss top flight.

However, he took to English football with ease, swiftly earning praise for his dynamic showings that lit up Elland Road.

He would post eight goal contributions across all senior English competitions, with pundit Tam McManus even branding him a "pocket rocket".

Such was the success earned, he has already seen his price tag soar, with Everton seeing fit to bid £25m for his services this window – had they sold, it would have represented a 400% profit from just one year of development.

Given the clear financial restraints that their relegation will have placed upon them, investing in the unknown represents a fine option for Farke to continue bolstering his team without the huge risk that a big outlay can bring.

However, given how Paintsil is far more established than Gnonto was when he joined, there is precedent to believe that he can surpass the success earned with the Italy international at Elland Road.

Sky Sports pundit Paul Merson has been left baffled by some of Manchester United's summer transfer deals.

Who have Man United signed?

Man United brought in seven new players during the summer transfer window, shelling out €206.7m (£177.3m) in fees, with Rasmus Hojlund, Mason Mount and Andre Onana accounting for the vast majority of that figure.

On deadline day, the Red Devils were fairly busy, managing to get a loan deal for Sofyan Amrabat over the line, with the central midfielder joining from Fiorentina on a loan deal until 2024, while they also managed to strengthen at left-back.

Tottenham Hotspur left-back Sergio Reguilon was brought in on a season-long loan deal, and the 26-year-old was delighted to get the move over the line, saying: “In life, you have to be ready for everything, and the chance to represent this great club with such an illustrious history is one that I could not turn down.

“Having spoken to the manager, I know what he needs from me, and I am ready to play my part in helping the team to achieve success.

“I know that I can contribute to Manchester United this season; I am ready to fight for this group and show everyone my qualities.”

However, Merson was not quite as enthusiastic about Reguilon's arrival at Old Trafford, and the Sky Sports pundit has also been critical of some of United's other transfer dealings, hinting at a lack of funds.

Speaking live on Sky Sports News (via United in Focus), the former Arsenal man said: "Reguilon? If you're a Man Utd fan, you're a bit worried. Cucurella – Chelsea wanted £7m and they couldn't put up the £7m to take a good player on loan. And Liverpool are turning down £150m fees. What is happening here? Where are Man Utd going at the moment?"

How good is Sergio Reguilon?

Merson is right to be a little sceptical about the signing of the Spaniard, given that he has clearly failed to make the grade as a Tottenham player, with Spurs willing to send him out on loan for the second season on the bounce.

During the 2022/23 campaign, the left-back was shipped out to Atletico Madrid on loan, but he did not make the impact he would have been hoping for at the Civitas Metropolitan Stadium, making just 11 La Liga appearances, totalling 303 minutes.

However, Erik ten Hag was sold on the Tottenham man because he has experience playing at the highest level, and the manager has faced fitness issues with some of his current options at left-back, saying:

"He [Reguilon] is a very experienced player, [he has played at] big clubs, La Liga, Premier League, he has a very good background, he can play intense football. We had a problem with Luke Shaw, Tyrell Malacia injured, we coped well in an emergency situation."

Reguilon is not exactly an inspiring signing for Man United, but the chances are he will only play a bit-part role at the club this season, and it was important to bring in additional depth at left-back before the end of the summer transfer window.

The 2022/23 season ended up being one of the most memorable in West Ham United’s history after they won the Europa Conference League – their first trophy since 1980.

It is safe to say a lot of things are going right at the club.

Despite the departure of club captain Declan Rice, who joined Arsenal over the summer for a club-record £105m fee, David Moyes’ side were able to reinvest the money wisely.

Two of the new signings arrive with plenty of Champions League and International experience in Mexican midfielder Edson Alvarez, and Ghanaian forward Mohammed Kudus, both signing from Dutch giants Ajax.

While the future certainly looks bright for the Hammers, the recent years have arguably had fewer ups than downs since the January 2010 takeover where David Sullivan and the late David Gold gained co-ownership of the club.

What happened in Sullivan and Gold’s first season?

After completing the takeover midway through the 2009/10 campaign, West Ham found themselves struggling in the relegation zone in the Premier League table.

After making a handful of winter signings, the Hammers were able to narrowly avoid the drop.

In the summer of 2010, West Ham and their new owners were looking to make a statement signing ahead of the new season.

Following a loan move for then-AC Milan and Brazil star Ronaldinho broke down over fitness concerns, the Hammers turned their attention to a talented youngster playing in Brazil, Neymar Jr.

Did Neymar almost join West Ham?

At the time, then-18-year-old Neymar Jr was already making headlines for Brazilian side Santos for his incredible natural talent and a move to Europe was looking inevitable.

West Ham were willing to smash their transfer record for the teenage sensation – which at the time was Craig Bellamy who joined in 2007 for £7.5m.

The Irons had offered Santos an extraordinary £16m bid for the player, although the Brazilian side were refusing to sell for anything less than Neymar’s £28.4m release clause, according to The Athletic.

The deal was made even more difficult due to the structure of Neymar’s contract, as Santos only owned 60% of the wingers’ rights, with the rest being owned by investment groups who had to sanction any sale less than the release clause.

With Neymar’s father also hesitant to let his son make the move to Europe so soon in his career, the deal was off and West Ham instead settled on the signing of Nigerian forward Victor Obinna on a season-long loan from Italian champions Inter Milan.

Obinna would play 32 times for West Ham during the 2010/11 season, where he would score eight goals as the Hammers were relegated to the Championship for the first time since the 2002/03 season.

Neymar on the other hand, would remain in Brazil for the time being, before going down a very different path to that of West Ham.

What was Neymar’s next move?

After remaining at Santos, Neymar would continue to impress and would receive praise from all over the world.

A report in 2011 labelled Neymar 'the next Pele, Ronaldo and Ronaldinho rolled into one,' which highlights just how appreciated his talent was.

In fact, the aforementioned Ronaldinho himself would seemingly confirm this later in his career, saying:

“Neymar is already my heir. He will be the face of Brazil for many seasons to come. Neymar is a phenomenon. It’s nice to see a Brazilian continuing to make history and I think he can be the greatest in the world.”

In 2013, Spanish champions Barcelona completed the signing of Neymar for a fee of around £49m. At the time of his arrival, the 21-year-old had already been capped 33 times for the Brazilian national team, scoring 20 goals in that time.

How did Neymar’s career pan out?

Neymar’s first season in Barcelona was no less than impressive, as the Brazilian had himself admitted that adjusting to European football would be “difficult,” before scoring 15 goals and 15 assists in 41 appearances in all competitions.

It was the 2014/15 season, however, when Neymar would truly announce himself in European football. The forward would help form an iconic front-three partnership with Lionel Messi and the newly signed Luis Suarez, better known as ‘MSN’.

Neymar played 51 games in all competitions, scoring an incredible 39 goals and getting 10 assists for his teammates, as Barcelona would win the continental treble, completed with the Champions League win where Neymar himself scored the third and final goal in injury time as they beat Italian champions Juventus 3-1.

Over the next two seasons, he would feature a total of 94 more times for Barcelona, and his impressive numbers didn’t slow down, as he scored another 51 goals and earned 51 assists.

In the summer of 2017, Paris Saint-Germain made a sensational £200m bid for the Brazilian which Barcelona were forced to accept, leaving the decision to the player. Neymar, who wanted to step out of Lionel Messi’s shadow in Spain, accepted the world record move which still stands today.

After spending six years in the French capital, Neymar went through mixed times at the club. Although it was never possible to doubt the talent at his disposal, he left PSG in 2023 having failed to win their main goal of a Champions League title, while on a personal level, still couldn’t get close to his desired Ballon d’Or trophy ahead of his rivals.

The forward still managed to register 77 goals and 52 assists in 173 games for PSG, before leaving for Saudi Arabian side Al-Hilal for a £73m fee, which reportedly earns him a whopping £2.65m-per-week in wages.

Club

Matches

Goals

Assists

Santos (2009-2013)

139

72

37

Barcelona (2013-2017)

186

105

76

Paris Saint-Germain (2017-2023)

173

118

77

Was the failed move best for both sides?

While there are no doubts that Neymar would have certainly starred in east London, the downsides of the move could have been damaging in terms of the financial weight that the Brazilian would have carried with him.

With Neymar being able to fulfil his stardom at some of the biggest clubs in the world, West Ham have gone through several rebuilding periods which have recently resulted in appearances in a number of European competitions, which of course led to their success in the 2022/23 Europa Conference League run.

Following his move to Saudi Arabia, the 31-year-old still has plenty of time left in his career, while the future is looking promising for Moyes and his side, who look forward to competing in the Europa League this season.

There has been an update on Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy's hunt for a new sporting director after chief scout Leonardo Gabbanini departed N17.

Latest Tottenham news

Life under new Spurs manager Ange Postecoglou is looking very, very good. First viewed by some as a risky managerial hire, especially given his lack of experience in Europe's top five leagues, Postecoglou is proving all of his doubters wrong thus far.

The Lilywhites are unbeaten over their first five Premier League matches this season; clinching impressive victories over Bournemouth, Man United, Burnley and Sheffield United in that order. Spurs haven't dropped points since their opening weekend 2-2 draw away to Brentford, and Postecoglou's brand of attacking football has been on full display.

The north Londoners have bagged 13 goals and stand out as one of the top flight's most potent scoring sides, just behind high-flying Brighton and European champions Man City.

Next up, Tottenham are preparing for a crunch clash against north London rivals Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday – which comes as the most interesting derby against them in a long time. Both sides come into the contest on a similar run of form and it will be very interesting to see who reigns victorious.

Postecoglou, speaking after his side's dramatic, last gasp win over Sheffield United last weekend, says supporters should honestly just revel in their team's electric form.

"No, no, no, let them go, let them go and enjoy it," said Postecoglou after their victory over the Blades. "My role is not to burst people's bubbles. Let them get excited, let them get ahead of themselves. That's the beauty of being a supporter.

"They go through enough pain mate, you want to let them enjoy it. If they think we're going to be world beaters then great, that's up to us to match that expectation. Our supporters deserve to have some happiness and enjoy it any way they want to."

Will Tottenham hire a new sporting director?

Spurs made some astute signings over the summer to contribute towards their exceptional early-season form. The likes of James Maddison and Micky van de Ven have thrived as part of Postecoglou's new-look Tottenham team, and a lot of credit for that goes towards former chief scout Gabbanini.

However, the Italian's tenure has ended, with news coming to light in midweek that the Spurs chief has now departed N17. This is the result of a behind-the-scenes restructuring courtesy of Levy and the Tottenham board. Chief Football Officer Scott Munn has also finally began work this week, but Spurs are still said to be keen on appointing a new sporting director.

Former director Fabio Paratici was forced to resign from his post earlier this year, after losing his FIFA appeal against a 30-month worldwide ban from the beautiful game. Paratici was handed the sentenced after alleged false accounting at previous club Juventus, but according to journalist Sami Mokbel of The Daily Mail, Levy and Munn have their sights set on his replacement.

Indeed, the unnamed candidate to succeed Paratici will apparently be in place "imminently", as Spurs want a sporting director to work under Munn and contribute towards their transfer plans. Mokbel adds that Tottenham changes are "afoot internally".

Newcastle United could make a move for a new central defender in 2024, and a reliable journalist has revealed they are one of many clubs hoping to bring the Bundesliga star to the Premier League.

What's the latest transfer news at Newcastle?

Bruno Guimaraes has reportedly agreed to sign a new contract at St. James’ Park until 2028, whilst the northeast outfit are also preparing to open talks regarding an improved deal for his teammate Joelinton.

Away from Tyneside, Juventus’ Adrien Rabiot has emerged as a transfer target for Eddie Howe’s side, who are currently second favourites to secure his services behind Manchester United, though he’s not the only player being eyed for a possible switch next year.

Back in January, Bayer Leverkusen’s Piero Hincapie held talks over a switch, but the same outlet claimed that club chiefs wanted to wait until the summer window to seal a deal for the centre-back, but as we know, that failed to come to fruition before the deadline.

Are Newcastle signing Piero Hincapie?

Speaking to GiveMeSport, however, CBS reporter Ben Jacobs admitted that Newcastle will still be keeping close tabs on Hincapie ahead of 2024, but they won't be alone in their pursuit.

“I would keep an eye probably next summer on Hincapie as well for Newcastle. They didn't seriously entertain anything over the summer and he's contracted at Bayer Leverkusen until 2027 I believe, so there wasn't necessarily a realistic chance of them selling last summer.

"But that's a player that would love to play in the Premier League and if anyone puts down £35 million, he is going to push for that move to England for sure. West Ham United are the other club that have taken a little look at Hincapie.

"So Newcastle could be one to watch there, we'll have to wait and see. But I do think there'll be in the market for a centre back at some point in 2024, whether January or whether next summer.”

How good is Piero Hincapie?

According to football talent scout Jacek Kulig, Hincapie is an “Ecuadorian Wall” because of the rock he is at the heart of Bayer Leverkusen’s backline, and he’s also extremely calm and composed in possession having recorded a 100% pass success rate this season in the Bundesliga, albeit having only made two substitute appearances.

Sponsored by Adidas, the 21-year-old can even make a positive impact at the opposite end of the pitch having posted five contributions (three goals and two assists) during his time with Xabi Alonso’s side, alongside ranking in the 96th percentile for progressive carries, highlighting his desire to push his team up the pitch.

Furthermore, Hincapie, who is naturally left-footed, has the versatility to operate out wide at left-back and higher up in the midfield alongside his usual role, so he would be able to easily adapt to Howe’s demands should he ever want to change his formation or team selection, perhaps filling the Dan Burn role of a player capable of playing left-centre-back or out on the flank.

Manchester United have put a poor start to the season behind them as they have won successive matches for the first time, defeating Burnley and Crystal Palace and this should give them confidence.

Erik ten Hag would’ve hoped his side were going to kick on from a positive maiden term in Manchester for the Dutchman, yet it hasn’t quite gone to plan.

His summer arrivals haven’t really hit the ground running while a series of injury problems has left United short in key areas, most notably the defence and attack.

This has led the former Ajax boss to utilise the services of several youngsters in his first team so far, as Alejandro Garnacho, Hannibal Mejbri and Facundo Pellistri all stepping up when it matters most and giving Ten Hag something to think about.

The Old Trafford side are of course, famous for believing in young talent since the days of Sir Matt Busby and a plethora of academy graduates have played a key role in United’s success over the years.

Marcus Rashford has arguably been one of the finest players to emerge from the youth ranks in the previous decade as he has established himself as one of United’s best players and the Red Devils have certainly struck gold on him, especially considering his market value.

When did Marcus Rashford make his Manchester United debut?

During Louis Van Gaal’s final season in 2015/16, United dropped from the Champions League into the Europa League and headed into their second leg tie against FC Midtjylland trailing 2-1 from the first leg.

Due to various injuries, the Dutchman gave Rashford his first start for the club and he went on to score twice as the Red Devils won 5-1 on the night, and it was certainly the catalyst which sent the youngster on his way to stardom.

Indeed, just three days later, he netted a double on his Premier League debut against Arsenal to secure a 3-2 win, and it was looking like the teenager was going to be a regular fixture until the end of that season.

These performances laid the foundations for the career the Englishman has gone on to have, while his value has since skyrocketed following his embryonic stages at the club.

What is Marcus Rashford’s market value now?

Having cost United nothing due to working his way through the youth ranks, the winger is now currently valued at €62.3m (£54m) according to Football Transfers and this represents a stunning rise over the previous few years.

His value actually peaked at €82.7m (£71.5m) back in November 2021, yet if he continues to showcase the form which has turned him into one of United’s main goal scoring outlets since Ten Hag arrived, his value could return to this figure, or even surpass it.

The Dutchman won't be looking to sell him anytime soon, yet if the player wanted a move away from Old Trafford, they would stand to rake in a momentous profit on the 25-year-old as he looks to be heading into the prime years of his career.

Why is Marcus Rashford worth this much?

Although the 5 foot 10 sensation enjoyed a breakthrough first few months in 2016, it took him a few years to finally remain consistent enough in order to score ten or more Premier League goals during a single season.

This came during the 2018/19 campaign, scoring 17 goals across all competitions, and it was clear that Ole Gunnar Solskjaer – who took charge midway through that term – had a player he could trust to score 15 or more goals every season.

Returns of 22 and 21 efforts over the next two seasons indicated that Rashford was becoming the main man at the Red Devils, yet his form dipped during 2021/22, scoring only five times all season which saw the Norwegian sacked as the manager.

With a new era set to begin following the appointment of Ten Hag ahead of the 2022/23 campaign, it represented a fresh start for the 25-year-old, and it was one that he relished.

Across a total of 56 matches, Rashford scored 30 goals and grabbed a further 11 assists and this was his best total in a single season since he broke onto the scene at the back end of the 2015/16 campaign.

He ranked first across the United squad in the league for goals and assists (22), while also finishing top of the pile for shots on target per game (1.4) and successful dribbles per game (1.5) as he was arguably the star of the season for Ten Hag.

When compared to positional peers across Europe’s top five leagues, Rashford’s performances ranked him in the top 1% for total shots per 90 (3.84), the top 3% for non-penalty goals per 90 (0.53) and the top 9% for touches in the opposition penalty area per 90 (6.39) which is further proof that he is one of the finest forwards on the continent.

Although he has only scored once and registered two assists in seven games this term, he has been hailed for his performances, with analyst Statman Dave dubbing him “electric” due to his impressive first-half performance against Brighton and Hove Albion a few weeks ago.

If Ten Hag wants his reign at United to be a success, keep Rashford motivated will surely be his main task and this includes keeping him fit and happy while deploying him on his favoured position – the left wing.

Throughout his career, he has played 182 matches on the left wing, contributing 62 goals and 41 assists during those ties, and it is imperative that he continues to get utilised in this role.

The Old Trafford side have hit the jackpot on the talented winger, there’s no doubt about that and his rise from rough diamond into one of the best performers in the top flight suggest that there is hope for the majority of young players who are trying to emerge from the United academy.

Rashford is a beacon of hope for many people, both inside and outside the club and his value rising to stratospheric levels indicate that the club are still doing some things correctly.

Manchester United should be looking to sell one recent Old Trafford hero, according to transfer insider Dean Jones.

Who could leave Man Utd?

The Red Devils brought in eight new players over the summer and moved on six in permanent transfers. Man Utd sold Dean Henderson, Anthony Elanga, Fred, Matej Kovar, Alex Telles and Zidane Iqbal, bringing in just under £50m from those sales.

Another player who was heavily linked with an exit in the summer was midfielder Scott McTominay. The Scot was wanted by West Ham in recent months and even had a £30m offer for his services rejected, ending up remaining at Old Trafford past the deadline. Game time has been heard to come by for the midfielder since, however, he made himself a hero at Old Trafford by scoring twice late on to seal a dramatic 2-1 win over Brentford on Saturday.

However, in a Man Utd exit update shared on Sunday by GiveMeSport, reporter Jones feels that the club need to move on the likes of McTominay, alongside Donny Van de Beek and Jadon Sancho.

“Donny Van de Beek, Scott McTominay and Jadon Sancho, I would be making it a priority to get them out of the football club at this stage, I just don't see what they're offering as squad players anymore. You could argue perhaps McTominay could come in there but even from McTominay’s point of view, I'm not sure what his personal motivation is at the moment, because he doesn't seem like he's going to have an opportunity long term to even stay in the team.

“And Erik ten Hag needs to have players on board now that actually feel part of this project. It's been a terrible start to the season, and that can't roll on into the new year. So, there are some big decisions to be made, and obviously they've struggled to actually find these players new clubs, certainly at the valuations that they have the players held out.”

Man Utd’s biggest earners…

The Red Devils appear to be in a slump both on and off the pitch despite a summer spending spree which saw the likes of Rasmus Hojlund, Andre Onana and Mason Mount all make big-money moves to Old Trafford. The club have a number of big earners on the books, with Sancho among them despite being left out of Ten Hag’s squad in recent months.

Player

Weekly salary

Casemiro

£350,000

Raphael Varane

£340,000

Marcus Rashford

£300,000

Anthony Martial

£250,000

Mason Mount

£250,000

Jadon Sancho

£250,000

Bruno Fernandes

£240,000

Therefore, moving on the likes of Sancho and others could be a priority for United in the next 12 months, however, if McTominay can build on his weekend heroics, he could look to stake a claim to remain at the club despite Jones’ recent exit claim.

Former Crystal Palace chairman Simon Jordan has heaped praise on an "integral" West Ham United figure for taking them out a "nose dive".

West Ham under David Moyes

While the east Londoners were battling relegation at one stage last season, there transformation over David Moyes' second stint in charge has been nothing short of remarkable overall. West Ham were facing a very real danger of dropping to the Championship in 2020, but after Moyes steered them away from England's second tier, he built upon it with Europa League qualification the year after.

They even managed an unprecedented run to the semi-finals of the competition before being knocked out by Eintracht Frankfurt, but what followed the season after was historic. Indeed, West Ham lifted the 2023 Europa Conference League, their first European trophy since 1965 and first piece of silverware overall since the 1980s.

These achievements have cemented Moyes as West Ham's most successful manager of the modern era, not to mention the most popular. Their start to this Premier League season has been solid as well, maintaining their unbeaten European run of 17 games while winning four out of their opening eight league matches.

Only Man City and Liverpool have managed to claim victories against West Ham this early in the season, with the Hammers sealing impressive wins over high-flying Brighton, Newcastle United and big-spenders Chelsea. Moyes' brilliant job at the club has been praised as a result, with talkSPORT pundit Jordan now calling him an "integral" figurehead who stopped a West Ham "nosedive".

Speaking on talkSport’s White & Jordan on Tuesday (17 October, 11:43), the ex-Palace chief said (via West Ham Zone).:

"You look at the three or four seasons that he’s been back he took them out of a nose dive, then he puts them six, then he puts them seventh, then he wins a European competition after being in a European Cup semi-final the previous year.

"They’ve learned their lessons with David in terms of players that they’ve bought, the clubs making money. There’s a lot about West Ham now that you have to look at and say that’s a pretty decent football club now, it’s punching quite hard.

“I think all things lead to the stability and solidity and achievements of West Ham, not on his own but David has been integral to that so why would you want to change that? There will be certain sections of the West Ham fanbase that don’t like his style of football and think there’s another manager in the offing, but look at what he’s done in the last three and a half years.”

After the international break, West Ham gear up for crunch clashes against Aston Villa, Everton and Brentford in the league, while cup face-offs against Olympiacos in the Europa League and Arsenal in the EFL Cup linger on the horizon as well. Given their solid start under Moyes, you would fancy them building upon their brilliant beginning to 2023/2024 with more positive results.

Tottenham Hotspur manager Ange Postecoglou has done some exemplary work in taking his side into title contention just months into his reign, and there is a growing sense that the best is yet to come.

After enduring a testing, unrewarding 2022/23 campaign, finishing eighth in the Premier League, dismissing their fourth manager in as many years (Antonio Conte, proven winner), and acquiescing to the sale of world-class talisman Harry Kane.

One constant, like an immovable rock against the gushing tide, is chairman Daniel Levy, who has led from the boardroom with diligence if proving to be an elusive and enigmatic figure at times.

His no-nonsense negotiating has worked both ways over his career in London, and while Tottenham have experienced some difficulties over recent years, it is all coming together at present.

That being said, Levy, Postecoglou, and co will be determined to sustain this brilliant purple patch and put Tottenham in a place that will allow them to compete for major honours and European nights with regularity, with the club sure to be busy in the transfer market in 2024.

Tottenham's key transfer targets

If the recent rumours are to be believed, Spurs are seeking to suffuse future additions across the squad, not restricting the improvements to any one department.

The interest in Juventus winger Federico Chiesa is one murmuring to keep an eye on, with Italian outlet Calciomercato revealing that Tottenham and Newcastle United are monitoring his situation, with the Serie A side setting a £52m asking price.

Chiesa could bring some dynamism and impetus to the frontline but whether Levy is willing to meet such a high fee in the winter window remains to be seen, and, as such, it could be the defensive line that receives attention first.

According to a report in Spain, Borussia Monchengladbach centre-half Ko Itakura, aged 26, is in Postecoglou's sights as Tottenham seek to bolster their defensive ranks.

With his contract expiring in June and having yet to play this term, Eric Dier looks set to depart next year, and some reliable depth for Cristian Romero and Micky van de Ven could be crucial over the coming years.

The Japan star could prove to be an astute and cost-friendly acquisition if Spurs are able to strike a deal to secure his services during the upcoming January transfer window.

Why Tottenham are interested in Ko Itakura

Itakura, formerly of Manchester City, has been an impressive figure in the Bundesliga since joining for €5m (£4m) in July 2022, having previously impressed on loan with Schalke 04 in the Bundesliga 2.

Die Knappen returned to the first division after suffering relegation and Itakura was at the heart of the success, starting 30 appearances, scoring four goals, completing 87% of his passes, and averaging 0.5 key passes, 3.0 clearances and 1.4 tackles and interceptions per game, as per Sofascore.

Now an integral member of Gerardo Seoane's squad, the 6 foot 2 titan started 22 times in the league last season, having impressed across seven displays so far this term, scoring twice, completing 89% of his passes, making 4.4 ball recoveries, 3.0 clearances and 1.7 tackles and interceptions per match.

He is clearly a robust and tenacious force at the back, and Tottenham could make good use of his qualities, having been originally signed by Manchester City in 2019 when he was 21 years old for his ball-playing ability and versatility as a centre-back and in a holding midfield role.

City reject turned "immense" modern defender

Such qualities seem to make Itakura a tailor-made replacement for Dier, who is poised for a poignant exit after completing 360 appearances for the Lilywhites.

As per FBref, the 22-cap international ranks among the top 13% of centre-backs across Europe's top five leagues over the past year for goals, the top 12% for pass completion rate, and the top 6% for blocks per 90, emphasising his offensive value, crispness in possession and steely value in the rearguard.

The £32k-per-week colossus was once hailed as "one of the very best central defenders in the Eredivisie" by pundit Hans Kraay, who also remarked on the "incredibly fast" gem.

And according to the German Bundesliga's official website, his playing style aligns with one-time Tottenham phenom Jan Vertonghen's, with his 'rangy and quick' approach and regular deployment on the left side of the defence bolstered by a passing ability not too dissimilar to the Belgian's, who was once described as a "dominant centre-half" by The Times' Henry Winter.

To underscore his talent, Barcelona were hoping to sign the now-36-year-old in 2014, who boasted the likes of Lionel Messi, Xavi, and Andres Iniesta at the time; if Itakura is mentioned in the same breath this can only be a testament to his own pedigree in making impressive passes.

Vertonghen signed for Tottenham for around £10m in 2012 and played 313 games for the club, scoring 14 goals and supplying seven assists, leaving as a "Tottenham legend" – according to journalist Jack Pitt-Brooke.

Statistic

#

Appearances

444

Goals

15

Assists

9

Shots per game

0.6

Pass completion

86.5%

Aerial wins

2.4

Tackles per game

1.6

Interceptions per game

1.7

Clearances per game

4.7

*Sourced via WhoScored, since 2010/11

An assured passer and an active presence in stifling offensive threats, Vertonghen was crucial to the defensive might of Tottenham's team, and while he did not glean major silverware, he left his indelible mark on the Premier League after years of stalwart service.

Given that Itakura offers a similarly high output of defensive action, balances his craft and retains an impressive level of control with his distribution, he really could be the perfect heir, with his two-footedness also a factor.

By signing Itakura, Tottenham would not only secure a big upgrade on Dier but would wield a player of the same ilk as Vertonghen, who established himself as one of the finest defenders of Spurs' recent history, playing a central role in the halcyon days of Mauricio Pochettino.

It could prove to be a masterful signing as Postecoglou looks to strengthen his team and build it fit for title-winning purpose, with the knowledge that European exploits could lay just around the corner.

Levy and the Australian coach must now navigate the January transfer window to secure a deal for the Bundesliga ace at the start of next year, in order to bolster the squad for the second half of the 2023/24 campaign.

Manchester United's strikers haven't quite found their shooting boots so far this season, young Rasmus Højlund United's sharpest shooter so far in attack with only three goals to his name after a summer move from Atalanta in Italy.

The midfield have stepped up where the strikers have been lacking, Casemiro surprisingly the Red Devils' top scorer overall this campaign with four strikes whilst the likes of Scott McTominay and Bruno Fernandes are tied with Højlund in the charts on three goals each.

Lacking a feared striker that was a staple of Man United teams from the past – figures such as Robin van Persie, Ruud van Nistelrooy and Wayne Rooney devastatingly effective when needed in attack – the main focus in the January transfer window could be swooping in for a dangerous forward player who can score a crucial goal in the blink of an eye to reinstate a clinical goalscorer to the side.

Napoli's talismanic figure Victor Oshimen has been linked with a move to the Red Devils in the past, but the Nigerian striker's potentially hefty price tag could halt that move from ever getting off the ground.

This could lead Man United down an alternative avenue for fresh personnel as a result, ten Hag's men linked instead to Stuttgart's break-out talent Serhou Guirassy who is continuing to take the Bundesliga by storm.

Man United's interest in Guirassy

According to reports in Spain, via TEAMtalk, at the back end of September, the Red Devils are interested in the Guinean attacker off the back of his goal-laden past few months, joining the lengthy queue of clubs expected to fight it out for Stuttgart's star man when the transfer window re-opens in January.

Stern competition in the form of Premier League rivals Chelsea and Liverpool is expected for Guirassy's services, the 27-year-old in high demand after a lethal start with Stuttgart this season after only joining the club permanently this summer after a successful loan spell from Rennes.

Expected to be available at a far cheaper asking price than Osimhen – who reportedly boasts an asking price of £150m – it'll be intriguing to see where Guirassy ends up following the conclusion of the transfer window and whether or not he's pulling on the Red Devils strip to give Erik Ten Hag's men some much-needed firepower next year.

If his Bundesliga statistics are anything to go by so far this campaign, Guirassy is a naturally lethal goalscorer ready for the demands of the Premier League.

Guirassy's numbers this season

Cited as a "machine" by football presenter Salim Baungally after scoring a ludicrous ten goals from his opening five games of the new Bundesliga season, Guirassy is currently outscoring Manchester City machine Erling Haaland for the German club – netting a ridiculous 14 goals in the division overall, from just eight matches.

#1 Harry Kane

15

#2 Serhou Guirassy

14

#3 Lautaro Martinez

12

#4 Erling Haaland

11

#5 Jude Bellingham

10

#6 Kylian Mbappe

10

Stats via WhoScored.

Incredibly, the one-time Lille striker is being pipped to the golden boot currently by Harry Kane, the former Spurs man notching up 15 goals already for Bayern Munich.

Guirassy's importance to his side has been exemplified in the last two contests he's missed owing to a hamstring injury, Stuttgart losing both games to top-flight opponents Hoffenheim and Heidenheim narrowly when their star number nine has been absent.

Averaging 1.07 non-penalty goals per 90 over the last year according to FBRef, that is remarkably clear of the aforementioned Osimhen who boasts 0.75 non-penalty goals per 90 in the last 365 days. Having scored 31 goals in 39 outings for Napoli last term, he is a real monster in the penalty area but his efforts in 2023/24 are below that of Guirassy, netting six in ten. Impressive, but not quite as good as his cheaper alternative.

Man United will hope they can land the clinical 6 foot 2 attacker this January on a reasonable deal in the wake of other suitors scrambling to secure the Guinea international.

If so, the Dutch head coach would have a talismanic striker up top who could potentially decide games on a knife's edge and steer Man United to wins where they might have otherwise fallen short.