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The transfer window slams shut in less than a week, and as things stand, Tottenham Hotspur have not done enough business.

The only player Ange Postecoglou’s side have signed so far is Czech shot-stopper Antonín Kinský, who completed his £12.5m move from Slavia Prague all the way back on January 5th.

What makes this situation worse is that it looks like fierce rivals Arsenal are now looking to do some business of their own, as it was revealed on Wednesday night that they had seen an audacious £60m bid for Aston Villa and England star Ollie Watkins rejected.

However, there might still be cause for optimism on the white side of North London, as recent reports have now linked Spurs with another brilliant Premier League striker who has won comparisons to the Villa ace.

Tottenham target Premier League striker

According to a recent report from Foot Mercato, Tottenham are incredibly interested in Brentford star Yoane Wissa.

Transfer Focus

In fact, the report goes one step further, revealing that the Lilywhites have now initiated contact with the West Londoners and the player himself over the potential transfer.

A price is not mentioned in the story, but as reports from earlier this month claimed that Nottingham Forest had a £20m offer rejected for the Frenchman, we can only assume the Bees are holding out for something in excess of that.

It could be a complicated and somewhat costly transfer to get over the line for Spurs, but given Wissa’s ability and form, it’s one worth fighting for, especially as he’s been compared to the sublime Watkins.

How Wissa compares to Watkins and why Spurs should sign him

So, before we look at some of the other reasons Spurs should sign Wissa this month, let’s examine this comparison to Watkins and where it comess from.

Well, in this instance, it has stemmed from FBref, which compares players in similar positions in the Premier League, then creates a list of the ten most comparable players for each one, and, in this instance, has concluded that the Englishman is the fourth most similar attacking midfielder or winger to the Cameroonian superstar.

The best way to see how this conclusion has been reached is by looking at the underlying metrics in which the pair rank closely, including, but not limited to, actual and expected non-penalty goals plus assists, progressive carries, shots on target, goal and shot-creating actions, tackles won, successful take-ons and more, all per 90.

Non-Penalty Expected G+As

0.67

0.70

Actual Non-Penalty G+As

0.74

0.73

Progressive Carries

2.06

1.75

Shots on Target

1.32

1.35

Passing Accuracy

76.8%

75.5%

Passes into the Penalty Area

0.17

0.23

Shot-Creating Actions

2.29

2.20

Goal-Creating Actions

0.34

0.45

Tackles Won

0.17

0.17

Successful Take-Ons

0.51

0.34

Carries into the Final Third

0.80

0.79

On top of sharing quite a significant number of statistical similarities with the Villa ace, the former FC Lorient star also shares his positional versatility, having made 106 appearances at left-wing and 23 on the opposite flank across his career to date.

However, while an undeniable positive, the fact he is so similar to the Arsenal target is not the sole reason why Levy and Co should splash the cash on bringing him to N17 this month.

Another, arguably far more significant reason why the club should sign the Bees ace is his impressive output for a team outside the traditional ‘big six’.

For example, in 36 appearances for the West Londoners last season, totalling 2626 minutes, the underrated forward, whom Sky Sports News editor Lyall Thomas dubbed one of “the best strikers in the Premier League,” scored 12 goals and provided three assists, which comes to an average of a goal involvement every 2.4 games, or every 175.06 minutes.

Appearances

36

24

Minutes

2626′

1729′

Goals

12

12

Assists

3

2

Goal Involvements per Match

0.41

0.58

Minutes per Goal Involvement

175.06′

123.5′

This year, he looks set to do even better and has already amassed a haul of 12 goals and two assists in 24 appearances, totalling just 1729 minutes, which comes out to an average of a goal involvement every 1.71 games, or every 123.5 minutes.

Ultimately, Spurs need attacking reinforcements this month, and while he might not be the biggest name around, Wissa has more than proven his ability as a top-class Premier League goalscorer.

Therefore, Levy and Co must do what they can to bring him to N17, as he could well be their answer to Watkins should those in red get their man.

Big Werner upgrade: Spurs set for talks over sealing "unbelievable" signing

Timo Werner could be upgraded if Spurs land this signing.

2 ByJack Salveson Holmes Jan 30, 2025

Roy Keane has aimed a cheeky dig at fellow pundit Alan Shearer after being reminded of a clash with the former Newcastle striker.

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Pair butted heads during their playing daysMan Utd legend sent off after clashMakes tongue-in-cheek jibeFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?

Ahead of Manchester United's 4-1 loss to Newcastle on Sunday, pundit Keane was played clips of his sending off at St. James' Park in 2001, when he threw the ball at Shearer, and appeared to hit out at the striker. United lost the game 4-3, with Wes Brown scoring a late own goal.

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Keane justified the clash by claiming "people annoy me", and he reserved a tongue-in-cheek jibe for his fellow pundit. Of course, the pair are both Premier League legends, and are each former champions.

WHAT KEANE SAID

Keane said on Sky: "People annoy me! Do you know what, I think I got fined two weeks wages for that. I'm still annoyed with Wes for that OG at the end. The referee didn't help."

Asked about whether St. James' Park was a particularly febrile atmosphere, he replied: "People used to annoy me."

Ex-Newcastle striker Les Ferdinand chimed in, claiming that "there's just one person" who must have annoyed Keane, referring to Shearer, and the Irishman retorted with a laugh: "One in particular, yeah, and he still annoys me."

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United play Lyon on Thursday in the second leg of their Europa League quarter-final. The tie is poised at 2-2. Newcastle, by comparison, play Crystal Palace on Wednesday in the Premier League.

An exciting update has emerged on the chances of Leeds United signing Aston Villa attacker Emiliano Buendia before the transfer deadline.

Leeds yet to make a January signing

Daniel Farke and the 49ers Enterprises are yet to bolster the Whites squad with new signings in 2025.

Sky Sports: Leeds eye move for "quick" player who has 9 goals this season

He’s a man in demand…

1 ByTom Cunningham Jan 22, 2025

Leeds are in a good position to seal automatic promotion from the Championship as things stand, however, a four-horse race is emerging with Sheffield United, Burnley and Sunderland.

One player who has been linked with a move to Elland Road is Buendia, with Leeds currently relying heavily on Brenden Aaronson in the number 10 role.

Buendia starred under Farke at Norwich in the Championship, winning two second tier titles in 2019 and 2021. A return to the division with Farke at Leeds has been mooted, and a fresh update has emerged.

Journalist shares exciting Buendia to Leeds update

Graeme Bailey, talking to Leeds United News, has now revealed that Farke sees Buendia as part of his Premier League plans at Leeds, with those at Elland Road considering including an obligation to buy in a loan deal if the Whites get promoted.

“Leeds are playing the long game with him. The longer it goes on in the window, the more chance they will have of getting him. They like him, no secret in that. They see Buendia as that extra little spark to get them over the line.

“Villa would like an obligation if Leeds get promoted. It’s something Leeds are thinking about. It’s how much does Farke want Buendia and that will tell us everything. [Farke] sees Buendia as part of his Premier League plans.

“That will be the question asked of Farke now by the Leeds hierarchy; ‘Do you genuinely see Buendia [as a long-term signing]? We’re not going to pay massive wages, which is what he is on and a loan fee, just for a few months if you don’t see him as part of the Premier League plans’.

“Villa are insisting on an obligation now. Whether they still do come the last week of the window [remains to be seen].”

Games

121

Goals

24

Assists

41

Titles

2

The journalist also made a promising claim to add that Villa want Buendia, on £75,000-a-week, to go to Leeds instead of Spain and that there’s a “good chance” a move goes through before February 3.

“Villa would like him to go to Leeds instead of Spain because of his wages, what they can get covered. Villa aren’t forcing him away, but they will be pushing him to Leeds. Valencia haven’t got the finances to rival Leeds.

“One to keep an eye on. I can see it happening. If it doesn’t happen, then it tells us Leeds don’t see him as part of the [long-term] plans. But I would foresee him join with an obligation. If you bring him in and it gets [promotion[ over the line, from what I’m hearing there is a good chance they will do it.

“They are playing the long game and believe they will get a better deal the longer they leave it. There’s a real interest there. They really want him.”

Premier League have confirmed two summer transfer windows due to "exceptional circumstances" in an effort to accommodate clubs competing in the CWC.

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• 2025 CWC set to commence in mid-June
• PL will have a brief transfer window from June 1
• The market will reopen on June 16 until September 1

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• WHAT HAPPENED?

  To accommodate the 2025 Club World Cup participants, the first transfer window will open earlier than usual, running from Sunday, June 1, to Tuesday, June 10. After a brief closure, it will reopen on Monday, June 16, and will continue as usual until Monday, September 1. The adjustment follows FIFA’s announcement of an interim transfer window last October, designed specifically for clubs participating in the expanded Club World Cup in the United States. This ruling allows teams such as Manchester City and Chelsea to strengthen their squads and extend contracts before the competition begins on June 14.

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  While FIFA’s decision favored Club World Cup participants, many Premier League teams not involved in the tournament were concerned about being locked out of the transfer market during this period. As reported by The Guardian, multiple clubs lobbied for the domestic transfer window to open early so they could also conduct business ahead of the competition. Following a Premier League meeting on Thursday, an agreement was reached, with the league releasing a statement confirming the two-phase summer transfer window.

• WHAT PREMIER LEAGUE SAID

  In a statement, the Premier League said: “The window will open early, between Sunday 1 June and Tuesday 10 June, due to an exceptional registration period relating to the Fifa Club World Cup. It will then reopen on Monday, 16 June and close on Monday, 1 September.”

• DID YOU KNOW?

  One of the key implications of this early transfer window is that it allows teams to finalize deals ahead of the Club World Cup. Real Madrid are reportedly eager to sign Trent Alexander-Arnold before the tournament begins. With Alexander-Arnold’s contract at Liverpool expiring on June 30, the early transfer window gives Los Blancos an opportunity to negotiate a deal with the Merseyside club before the England defender potentially joins them for the competition in the United States.

Leeds United’s board are unsure about what to do with the “special” £15,000-a-week player, as he wants to join a new club in January, according to a new report. The Whites returned to winning ways on Saturday, as they beat Derby County 2-0 at Elland Road, a result that sees them sit second in the table, a point behind leaders Sheffield United.

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Leeds United transfer news

Daniel Farke’s side are in a very good position heading into January, but the German looks to have his eye on a few players who could potentially arrive at Elland Road in the New Year.

It was reported over the weekend that Leeds are interested in signing Khuliso Mudau from Sundowns. He would be another option at right-back for the manager, with the 29-year-old having spent all of his career thus far playing in South Africa.

As well as looking at Mudau, Leeds are also interested in Diego Luna from MLS side Real Salt Lake. Luna has emerged as a potential target for the Yorkshire side, and they are weighing up whether to make a swoop in January, but as of yet a deal is in no way imminent. The Whites have been keeping a close eye on his development, but they are not the only team to be watching the player, who could cost as much as £3 million.

Leeds confused over future of Joe Gelhardt

According to Football Insider, Leeds United’s Joe Gelhardt is keen on joining Rangers in the January transfer window. The 22-year-old’s time at Elland Road looks to be coming to a slow end, as he continues to be on the fringes of the first team.

The forward, who has been dubbed “special” by Jamie Carragher, has been with the Yorkshire side since August 2020, when he was signed from Wigan Athletic. Gelhardt has impressed in Premier League 2 for Leeds, but he has been unable to show the same form in the first team, largely due to the fact he has been given very little chance for regular minutes.

This report now states that with January on the horizon, Gelhardt is keen to leave the Whites and join Rangers in the Scottish Premiership. However, the Championship side are undecided about whether to sanction a loan move or try and wait for a permanent offer to arrive, something the Ibrox outfit are unlikely to be able to afford to do.

Joe Gelhardt’s Leeds stats
Apps	57
Goals	3
Assists	5

Gelhardt, who earns £15,000 a week at Elland Road, has played just 72 minutes of football in all competitions this season, and it doesn’t look like it is going to get much better, as he’s way down the pecking order in Farke’s plans. His ability to play in several different positions has caught Rangers’ fancy, but finances at Ibrox mean they are strapped for cash, and they will only be interested in a loan deal for the young attacker.

The Scottish side are not alone in their pursuit, as a number of Championship teams are also interested in signing Gelhardt on loan, leaving the Whites board unsure whether to play the waiting game and hope one such side offers an up front sum.

Mohamed Salah’s emotional return at Anfield against Brighton may have been his final appearance in a Liverpool shirt, according to a leading body language expert. Despite a warm reception from supporters in the Kop, post-match analysis suggests the Egyptian star showed clear signs of a farewell as he prepares to depart for Africa Cup of Nations duties.

• Salah has an emotional moment with Liverpool fans

  Salah returned to Anfield on Saturday afternoon as Liverpool secured a league victory over Brighton, a fixture surrounded by intense scrutiny due to the winger’s uncertain future. After being restored to the squad following internal talks, Salah featured during the match and played a role in the win before the focus quickly shifted to events after the final whistle.

  Once the game concluded, Salah took his time to walk around the pitch, applauding supporters as the Anfield crowd chanted his name. Banners were visible in the stands celebrating his achievements, while fans responded with prolonged applause that carried a strong sense of occasion. The moment stood out against the backdrop of a turbulent few weeks involving form concerns and off-field tension.

  With Salah set to depart imminently for AFCON, the Brighton match has taken on added significance. The emotional scenes and timing of them has fuelled widespread debate about whether Liverpool supporters had just witnessed the final chapter of one of the Merseyside club’s greatest ever players.

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  Expert says Salah's emotions indicate a farewell to Liverpool

  Speaking to , leading UK body language analyst Darren Stanton offered a striking assessment of Salah’s behaviour after the match. He said: “Yeah, basically, Mohamed Salah looked very, very emotional after the Brighton game. I think it was almost like his epitaph. I don't think we're going to see him again, if I'm honest.”

  Stanton expanded on why he believes the moment carried such finality, adding: “Yes, he had tears in his eyes when he was clapping along with the crowd, so I think that's his swan song, his kind of farewell. I think even though it's not formal, I think he knows in his heart that he's never going to be in that situation and walk on that pitch again.”

  The analyst concluded by focusing on the finer details of Salah’s expressions. “Salah had an expression, it was sadness and disappointment because, obviously, things hadn't gone differently. Principally, he was quite sad, quite emotional, had tears in his eyes, and facially, he was flashing micro-expressions of sadness.”

• Salah's legacy at Liverpool at risk amid tensions

  Salah’s Liverpool career has been one of the most prolific and influential in the club’s history. Since arriving in 2017, the Egyptian has redefined attacking standards at Anfield, climbing to third on the club’s all-time goal-scoring list and becoming synonymous with the most successful era of the Merseyside club in the 21st century.

  The latter stages of 2025, however, have been defined by uncertainty as a dip in form, combined with tactical changes, saw Salah rotated and often benched during a challenging run of results. Salah's public comments following those decisions exposed tension behind the scenes with Arne Slot and placed unprecedented doubt over his long-term future at the club.

  Despite those issues, Salah’s bond with supporters has remains strong, as was seen with the reaction at Anfield against Brighton which underlined his enduring popularity and the respect he commands.

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  Salah set to decide on his future during AFCON stint

  Salah will now turn his attention to international duty as he joins Egypt for the upcoming AFCON. The tournament will provide a natural pause point in the season for the Liverpool legend and a potential moment for significant decisions to be made away from the spotlight of Premier League football.

  Liverpool, meanwhile, face a defining period as the January transfer window opens. Whether Salah returns to Merseyside or not, the club must prepare for all scenarios, as Slot's side have been heavily linked with Bournemouth superstar Antoine Semenyo, who is said to boast a £65 million ($87m) release clause that will be active this January.

  Salah is said to have attracted heavy interest from the Saudi Pro League, with Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund ready to delve into the January transfer market to lure him away from Anfield. Major League Soccer has also been in the discussion regarding a move for the Egyptian, but tight budgetary and squad-building constraints in the United States may mean that a move for Salah may only be a pipe dream.

A theory claiming Paris Saint-Germain's goal against Liverpool should not have stood has been debunked following Tuesday's Champions League clash.

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PSG beat Liverpool in last-16 tieOnline theory said goal shouldn't have stoodSemi-automated offside graphic revealedFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?

An account on X claimed that Bradley Barcola was offside in the build-up to Ousmane Dembele's early goal in the second leg of the last-16 tie, which went on to extra time and a penalty shootout as a result with the aggregate score at 1-1, with PSG triumphing on spot-kicks to book their place in the quarter-finals. The account stated that the semi-automated offside replay has not been shown by broadcasters.

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However, ESPN's Dale Johnson has shared the semi-automated offside video on X, adding that the graphic was shown by Amazon at half-time. The replay shows that Barcola was just played onside by Liverpool's Virgil van Dijk before Dembele's 12th-minute strike, which put the French side 1-0 up in the game and levelled the tie at 1-1 on aggregate.

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Getty Images SportWHAT NEXT FOR PSG?

Luis Enrique's side progress to the last eight of the European competition, where they will meet either Aston Villa or Club Brugge. Arne Slot's Liverpool, meanwhile, can still win the Premier League and Carabao Cup as they face Newcastle in the final on Sunday.

Unai Emery may be going through the most difficult run of form during his Aston Villa tenure, but there is no doubt he can get the club back firing again.

He has shown time and time again why he is the ideal man to lead the Villa Park side into a new era, especially with his diligence in the transfer market.

The vast majority of his signings have been overwhelming hits and long may this continue in the future.

Aston Villa’s best signings under Unai Emery

One of Emery’s first signings was Jhon Duran and while it has taken him a while to settle in, this season has seen the striker score eight times in 17 games.

Pau Torres has added some stability to the heart of the defence having signed last summer, while Amadou Onana has replaced Douglas Luiz with ease following his £50m move from Everton just a few months ago.

Player

Fee

Moussa Diaby

£51.5m

Amadou Onana

£50m

Ian Maatsen

£37.5m

Pau Torres

£33m

Jhon Duran

£18m

In terms of value for money, perhaps Youri Tielemans – even despite his penalty miss against Crystal Palace last time out – has been his greatest signing, especially as his value has risen in recent months.

Youri Tieleman’s market value

The midfielder joined the club on a free transfer and according to the CIES Football Observatory, the Belgian star is now valued at €37.1m (£31m), which shows just how much profit Villa could make on him should they decide to sell.

Hailed as “incredible” by football talent scout Jacek Kulig in 2019, Tielemans has shone alongside Onana for Villa this season.

Indeed, he has even been compared to a Premier League star in the form of Declan Rice, who became the most expensive British player of all time when he moved to Arsenal for £105m in 2023.

The Englishman is certainly one of the finest players in the top flight and Tielemans exudes plenty of his qualities during his own performances.

Rice is even the ninth-most comparable player to Tielemans, according to FBref, with the pair showcasing similar attributes.

Indeed, the pair have registered similar statistics across a range of metrics this season, as per FBref, including pass success percentage (82% vs 80.7%), shot-creating actions per 90 (4.07 vs 3.35), successful take-on percentage per 90 (50% vs 54.5%) and interceptions (12 vs 9).

These statistics prove that the duo are rather similar across several areas and this could see Tielemans further improve over the coming months, with the hope of reaching the levels that saw Rice make his £105m switch.

Emery surely won’t be in a rush to cash in on the player, but if an opportunity which is too good to turn down arrives, then there is no doubt Villa will secure a wonderful profit.

Market Movers

Football FanCast's Market Movers series explores the changing landscape of the modern transfer market. How much is your club's star player or biggest flop worth today?

Being compared to Rice shows how good Tielemans has become since moving to the Midlands and the Spaniard will be hoping these performances can continue as he chases another top-four finish in the Premier League this season.

Next Grealish: Aston Villa have found another £100m+ star in the making

He could be Villa’s biggest sale since Grealish

ByJoe Nuttall Nov 22, 2024

Mohamed Salah is rewriting the Premier League history books, with the Liverpool star achieving something Cristiano Ronaldo and Thierry Henry didn’t.

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• Superstar forward continues to shine
• Reached 40 goal involvements this season
• Bettering achievements of other greats

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• WHAT HAPPENED?

  The Egyptian superstar has been a revelation for the Reds since signing for them in the summer of 2017. He has hit at least 20 goals in each of his eight seasons at Anfield. Remarkable standards have been maintained in the 2024-25 campaign.

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  Alongside his efforts that hit the net, Salah also boasts a useful knack of teeing up team-mates. He delivered on both counts when it comes to end product during a Premier League clash with defending champions Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium.

• DID YOU KNOW?

  Salah opened the scoring in that contest, before setting up Dominik Szoboszlai to double the Reds’ lead. Those exploits took him to 40 goal contributions for the season, becoming the first man to be involved in 40-plus goals across two different campaigns – having previously scored 32 and assisted 10 in 2017-18.

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  Salah has also set a new Premier League high when it comes to registering a goal and assist in multiple top-flight fixtures across any given season. He took his tally on that front to 11 against City, with the previous best being seven.