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As per TUTTOmercatoWEB, there has been an update on Tottenham Hotspur’s pursuit of Inter Milan defender Stefan de Vrij for this summer.

The Lowdown: Spurs target ex-Conte star…

The Lilywhites have been repeatedly linked with a move for de Vrij this summer as manager Antonio Conte reportedly earmarks the signing of a defender as a real Spurs transfer priority.

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Tottenham chief Fabio Paratici has been on the look-out for a central defensive option with the likes of Sven Botman and Alessandro Bastoni linked post-January, according to The Telegraph.

Since before the winter window though, Spurs have had de Vrij on their radar, with Football Insider claiming he is a ‘leading target’ for Conte.

The outlet claimed he was valued at around £40 million, but according to TMW, there has been a fresh update on de Vrij as his price now drops by over 50%.

The Latest: Tottenham want to back Conte…

According to their information, Tottenham want to back Conte with the signing of Inter’s colossal defender, as the Lilywhites ‘would like him in the squad for next season’.

They also claim the Nerazzurri will sell for around €20 million (£17m), less than half the price of his previously mooted £40m figure.

The Verdict: Get it done…

For just £17m, the signing of an accomplished Netherlands international and experienced figurehead of Conte’s 2020/2021 title-winning Inter side is surely a no-brainer.

His age (30) indicates he won’t be a long-term solution, but going by his quality, he could add some much-needed strength in depth alongside the likes of Cristian Romero and Eric Dier in Conte’s back-three.

De Vrij was a mainstay for Inter’s Scudetto winners last season, playing the sixth-most Serie A minutes out of their entire squad whilst also averaging the highest number of clearances per 90 in that time (2.9, WhoScored).

Journalist Dean Jones, speaking to GiveMeSport, believes de Vrij would be an ‘unbelievable signing’ for Spurs and news they want to back Conte with his addition should come as much to the ears of Spurs supporters.

In other news: Conte now eyeing £25.2m-rated ‘game-changer’ who Spurs once agreed personal terms for…find out more here.

Celtic have witnessed some huge success in the transfer market since Ange Postecoglou touched down at Parkhead, bringing in a colossal 14 new faces.

What the vast majority of those acquisitions have done is sensational, with the Hoops now in the running to win the treble.

Postecoglou’s men have won the Scottish League Cup, now hold the advantage in the title race and face their biggest rivals in the Scottish Cup semi-finals next weekend.

However, there have been some blunders, as there is with every team.

Ivan Toney is a classic case of one that got away but there are plenty of other players who the Bhoys will rue not signing.

Take Brenden Aaronson for instance, someone whose stock has risen quite considerably since Celtic were interested in acquiring him.

Back in 2020, he was linked quite regularly with the Hoops but a move didn’t materialise and that’s something they should now regret.

Of course, in the context of how Celtic have done this term it’s not mattered. Yet, had Aaronson joined last season it’s unlikely they’d have witnessed such a dismal year.

Instead, he signed for RB Salzburg in January 2021 in a deal worth £4.6m and he has gone from strength to strength since.

The attacking midfielder has totalled ten assists and five goals throughout the current term and has earned considerable praise as a result.

He was dubbed “special” by his manager, Matthias Jaissle, and also hailed as a “mentality monster.”

That acclaim has now seen calls for a Premier League move with Leeds United’s interest in the American incredibly well documented.

They wanted to sign him in January and still hold interest ahead of a summer move but with Transfermarkt rating him at £18m, any chance of Celtic finally bringing him to Scotland is now impossible.

Ranking in the top 11% of players across Europe for goal-creating actions per 90 minutes and in the top 1% for pressures, it’s evident just how well the 21-year-old would have fitted into Postecoglou’s ranks.

It’s a shame they didn’t sign him but in Tom Rogic, David Turnbull and Matt O’Riley, the Hoops certainly have reason to be happy about their options.

AND in other news, Get rid: Ange must brutally axe Celtic’s £14k-pw “terrible flop”, he’s Shane Duffy 2.0…

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Michail Antonio scored West Ham United’s third goal in their 3-1 win over Fulham at the London Stadium on Friday night.

And it would be fair to say that the West Ham fans were absolutely delighted with what they saw from the attacker during the Premier League clash.

Even before Antonio had scored late on, a whole host of the club’s supporters took to social media to lavish praise on the Englishman.

It has not always been that way, though, with Antonio the subject of a lot of criticism in the past.

The 28-year-old has been a regular under Manuel Pellegrini this term, however, and he has now chipped in with four Premier League goals this season.

Antonio will never be the silkiest footballer in the world, nor will he please everyone inside the stadium.

However, the West Ham fans loved his performance against Fulham, as can be seen by the Twitter reaction below:

Ange Postecoglou’s Celtic extended their lead at the top of the Premiership table with a 2-1 win in the Old Firm clash on Sunday.

It was a horror start for the Hoops as Aaron Ramsey put the hosts in front early on. Josip Juranovic was caught out from a ball in behind as he allowed Ryan Kent to breeze past him to tee up the Welshman for his strike.

Postecoglou’s men were able to turn it around before half-time, though, as Tom Rogic equalised quickly after the opener as he reacted quickly in the box to sweep the ball into the net. Cameron Carter-Vickers then fired home just before the break as he pounced on a loose ball to make it 2-1.

The second half was a tense affair as both sides pushed and pulled throughout the 45 but Celtic were able to hold out for the three points.

Despite the positive result, one player almost cost Postecoglou on the day – central midfielder Reo Hatate. The Japan international did not raise himself to the high standards the majority of the team set on the pitch.

Against the ball, he offered nothing. As per SofaScore, he lost 100% of his duels on the pitch as he failed to win a single individual battle. He made zero clearances, interceptions, blocks, or tackles throughout the match as he was unable to keep up the physicality of the occasion.

Ally McCoist noted in the Sky Sports commentary that he was “absolutely spent” in the second half as Aaron Ramsey raced past him down the wing with ease, with Postecoglou taking him off not long after that incident. This illustrated how sluggish he looked at Ibrox as he struggled with the pace of the game.

In possession, he did very little to justify his inclusion. Although his shot led to the opening goal, his effort was poor and should have been held by Allan McGregor as the 40-year-old gifted it to Rogic. Via SofaScore, he failed with all of his attempted crosses and long passes, whilst also failing to create a single chance.

This means that he did nothing on or off the ball to contribute to the team and that is why the £14.5k-per-week dud almost cost his side with a poor display and was lucky that his teammates were able to bail him out with an excellent team performance. Postecoglou will surely be hoping that he can quickly get over this poor display and get back to his best sooner rather than later.

AND in other news, £3m wasted: Celtic had a shocker on £7.9k-p/w “loner” who rinsed Desmond for 129 weeks…

Newcastle United striker Chris Wood produced a four out of 10 performance against Leicester City on Sunday, according to The I’s Jason Mellor. 

The lowdown

Ademola Lookman opened the scoring for the visitors at St James’ Park after 19 minutes before Bruno Guimaraes equalised on the half-hour.

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The game appeared to be heading for a 1-1 draw until Guimaraes scored again in the 95th minute to snatch three points for Eddie Howe’s side.

The result leaves Newcastle 14th in the Premier League table, a full 12 points clear of the drop zone.

Wood made his 13th consecutive start for The Magpies, with Miguel Almiron and Allan Saint-Maximin either side of him, but failed to complete 90 minutes for just the second time since his January move from Burnley as Joe Willock replaced him with 20 to go.

The latest

Even though Newcastle won the game, Mellor gave Wood the lowest rating on either side.

The next worst were goalkeeper Martin Dubravka and Leicester striker Patson Daka – both five out of 10.

Match-winner Guimaraes, meanwhile, picked up the highest rating with eight out of 10.

The verdict

Unfortunately for Wood, the stats do justify Mellor’s verdict.

The £100,000-per-week New Zealander only touched the ball 17 times over the course of the game and even then he struggled to hold onto it, misplacing eight of his 13 passes – an accuracy of just 38%.

Wood was only able to fire off one shot during the match, and it flew off target.

Generally speaking, it’s been something of a struggle for the 30-year-old following his winter move.

He’s only scored one non-penalty goal in 13 outings for the Magpies and is averaging just 1.52 attempts per 90, 0.52 fewer than he did at relegation struggles Burnley. It’s yet to click for him at his new club.

In other news, Newcastle have been linked with this Serie A star.

An update has emerged on Rangers midfielder Scott Arfield, regarding plans for his future at Ibrox…

What’s the talk?

According to the Glasgow Evening Times [29 January, page 47], the Gers are poised to enter contract talks with the Canada international.

His contract is up at the end of the season and the Scottish giants now want to offer him fresh terms in an attempt to keep him at the club moving forward.

GvB needs it

Gio van Bronckhorst will be buzzing with this news as he needs Arfield to put pen to paper on a contract extension before his deal expires in the summer.

The 33-year-old has dipped in and out of form this season and there have been moments where it has looked as if he needs replacing. He has lost 59% of his duels this term and missed a whopping five ‘big chances’ in front of goal, which highlights some of the issues he has had throughout the campaign.

However, just when you may think his time is up at Ibrox he pops up with another moment to show why he needs to stay. He came off the bench against Livingston earlier this week and scored the winning goal with a sublime first-time, improvised, finish into the far corner in a 1-0 win for the Gers, proving that he still has it in him to be a huge player for the club.

Earlier this month, van Bronckhorst admitted that he does not want to see the veteran leave at the end of the campaign, saying: “Scott is an important player to have around. He is definitely someone I want to have longer at Rangers.

“Hopefully we can welcome him next season as well.”

The £16k-per-week beast is still capable of producing moments of magic to win vital points for Rangers and that is why the Dutch head coach needs this key deal to go through. Arfield still has value to offer to the Light Blues and Ross Wilson must ensure that he is able to agree terms with the midfielder over a contract extension in the coming weeks and months.

Hopefully, the ex-Burnley man will continue to provide big goals to help Rangers on their way to another Premiership title and can then celebrate with the trophy and a new contract to head into the 2022/23 campaign.

AND in other news, Rangers could replicate Amad masterclass with swoop for “exceptional” £3.1k-p/w gem…

Former Leeds United goalkeeper Paul Robinson thinks Mateusz Klich could be left out of Jesse Marsch’s starting line-up against Crystal Palace on Monday.

The Lowdown: Klich a regular

Klich has made 31 appearances in all competitions this season, taking his Leeds tally to 173.

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The 31-year-old has turned out as a defensive, central and attacking midfielder and is yet to miss a game under new boss Jesse Marsch.

He played alongside Robin Koch in the 3-0 win over Watford last time out but made way on the hour mark for Kalvin Phillips.

The Latest: Robinson’s reacts to Phillips image

Talking to MOT Leeds News after seeing an image of Phillips back in full training, Robinson, who contributes for Sky Sports, gave his thoughts on how Leeds’ midfield could shape up at Selhurst Park.

He believes Phillips, who was spotted in full flow at Thorp Arch this week, could make a first start since December alongside Koch, which would mean Klich would drop out.

“For me, Phillips and [Adam] Forshaw both come in if they’re fit and able to play 90 minutes.

“I know they played well at Watford so I don’t think both Phillips and Forshaw will come back in.

“Forshaw’s been out so he’ll probably have to get his game-time off the bench.

“Phillips should come in alongside either Klich or Koch.

“It’ll probably be alongside Koch if Jesse Marsch is going to play that way again.”

The Verdict: Right call?

Bringing back Phillips from the off could be a wise by Marsch move following Leeds’ 16-day break.

Klich also had an afternoon to forget at Vicarage Road last time out. As per SofaScore, he was Leeds’ worst-rated player in the 3-0 victory, losing possession 16 times and failing to complete any of his attempted long balls.

The central midfielder was also second best in nine of his 12 duels, so it could be a wise move to leave him out of the starting XI at Selhurst Park as Leeds look to take a step closer to safety.

In other news: Approach made: 49ers and Radz now in exit talks with club for ‘awful’ Leeds defender. 

Leeds United have been dealt a huge injury blow concerning Patrick Bamford.

What’s the latest?

In a recent post on Twitter, The Athletic’s Phil Hay revealed that the centre-forward, who was withdrawn after just 23 minutes of the Whites’ 3-2 victory over Wolverhampton Wanderers last time out, looks set to be ruled out of action for around six weeks – something that all but ends the England international’s season.

Regarding Bamford’s lastest knock, the journalist said: “Might well be season over for him.”

Marsch will be gutted

Considering the fact that Bamford has already missed nine Premier League fixtures due to an ankle injury and 11 league games as a result of a pulled hamstring this season, the news that the 28-year-old now looks set for at least another six weeks on the sidelines is sure to have left Jesse Marsch gutted.

The prolonged absence of last season’s 17-goal striker has undoubtedly contributed to the rather bleak situation in which Leeds currently find themselves – sitting just seven points above the relegation zone, with both 18th placed Watford and 19th placed Burnley having games in hand on the Whites.

Indeed, with the £18m-rated hitman managing just nine Premier League appearances so far this season, over which he has scored two goals, it is abundantly clear why Leeds have bagged 13 times fewer than after the same amount of games last term.

As such, the fact that Marsch’s side now look as if they will be without the services of the £74k-per-week forward over their final eight games of the current campaign is sure to come as a huge blow to the American manager, as, despite a relatively healthy cushion between Leeds and the drop zone, the 48-year-old will be well aware that his side are by no means out of the woods just yet.

AND in other news: Fabrizio Romano reveals huge Leeds United development, supporters will be devastated

As per Calciomercato, sharing a post-January transfer update, Tottenham Hotspur chief Fabio Paratici is firmly in the running to sign Roma star Nicolo Zaniolo.

The Lowdown: Lacklustre January…

After being linked to many big names, Tottenham’s winter transfer window ended in somewhat lacklustre style with just two fresh faces in Dejan Kulusevski and Rodrigo Bentancur, both signed on deadline day from Paratici’s former club Juventus.

It is believed by reliable sources such as journalist Matt Law of The Telagraph that Antonio Conte has been left somewhat disappointed by this return, as he requested three new January signings.

The Lilywhites missed out on both Adama Traore and Luis Diaz, with those moves eventually hijacked, but it appears that Paratici hasn’t quit on landing another one of his targets ahead of the summer window.

The Latest: Paratici refuses to quit on Zaniolo…

As per Calciomercato, writing in their headline, Spurs’ managing director has ‘never given up’ on signing the Italian playmaker amid his contract stand-off at the Stadio Olimpico.

It is believed that this impasse over fresh terms between Zaniolo and Roma could keep ‘many market opportunities open’. with Tottenham and Paratici mentioned alongside Juventus. The Spurs transfer guru has apparently ‘not stopped’ tracking the 22-year-old in recent months.

The Verdict: Ideal target…

Valued at around £29.7m by Transfermarkt, Zaniolo would be a brilliant signing for Conte in the playmaker role, and potentially a long-awaited heir to former club favourite Christian Eriksen in that position.

Described as ‘exceptional’ by Italian football expert Mina Rzouki (BBC), he has also drawn comparisons with England legends Steven Gerrard and Frank Lampard, which is quite lofty praise.

The 6 foot 3 attacker also has a real physicality to succeed in the Premier League, with the only possible drawback being his concerning injury history. Zaniolo missed the entirety of 2020/21 after rupturing his anterior cruciate ligament, and since returning from that serious injury, he has been sidelined for seven games this term with various problems (Transfermarkt).

If the attacker can play regularly without complication until the end of this season, we believe that Spurs should certainly swoop in the summer.

In other news: Major boost for Conte: Sky Sports reporter breaks news out of Tottenham….find out more here.

Tottenham Hotspur’s quest to find a new attacking playmaker should see them turn to James Maddison this summer.

During a recent interview with reporters, manager Antonio Conte hinted at the fact that a no.10 could be high on the agenda during the off-season and the Leicester City gem would surely be an ideal candidate.

Earlier this month, The Sun claimed that Spurs had entered the race – alongside arch-rivals Arsenal – to sign the Englishman, who could be sold by the Foxes in a bid to bolster other areas of Brendan Rodgers’ playing squad.

Maddison is thought to be valued in the region of £60m, as per the report, and he has since been backed as a player that would suit the Lilywhites and the Italian head coach.

“He’s a very intelligent attacking player. He scores goals, gets loads of assists, and he’s a player Tottenham have been crying out for,” former Leeds striker-turned-pundit Noel Whelan told Football Insider.

“They got Giovani Lo Celso after Christian Eriksen left – that never worked out. They’re really missing that midfield player who has an eye for a killer pass.

“He’s proved he can do it in the Premier League by being a very important piece of the puzzle for Leicester.

“I think he would suit Tottenham down to the ground. With that front three in front of him, they could go to the next level with him.”

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Indeed, the north London outfit have lacked that true attacking midfielder to sit in the hole behind the likes of Harry Kane and Heung-min Son, and given his experience and current form in the top-flight, there won’t be many better candidates than Maddison.

As per Transfermarkt, the 25-year-old maestro has delivered 14 goals and nine assists across 45 appearances in all competitions this season, averaging a direct contribution once every 126 minutes, which is better than the figures Eriksen put up before his departure.

The Dane scored or assisted every 152 minutes in a Spurs shirt, whilst the bulk of Conte’s creativity has come from the usual suspects – the aforementioned attacking duo, who have combined for 14 assists alone.

Pairing Maddison with the likes of Kane, Son and winter arrival Dejan Kulusevski has got to be a mouthwatering prospect with the Leicester star once being dubbed a “special talent” by The Times’ Henry Winter.

Just like Eriksen, the £45m-rated dynamo could also provide Conte with a major threat from set-pieces, having drawn a great deal of inspiration from one of the best to ever do it, David Beckham, growing up.

An average of 1.4 key passes per game across the Premier League, Europa League and Carabao Cup this season further highlights his creative ability and it’s one that could see Kane and co absolutely thrive upfront.

So, on the above evidence, sporting director Fabio Paratici and Tottenham’s recruitment team would be foolish to not consider the Foxes gem heading into next season.

Just as Whelan suggests, he could be the perfect fit for what Spurs need this summer.

AND in other news, Spurs can complete Conte’s frightening trio with swoop for £33m-rated “absolute beast”…