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Tottenham’s Director of Football Fabio Paratici has jetted into England to hold talks with former Wolves boss Nuno Espirito Santo about becoming the club’s new manager, according to Fabrizio Romano. 

THE LOWDOWN: SPURS SET SIGHTS ON 47-YEAR-OLD AS MOURINHO’S SUCCESSOR

Spurs have already been turned down by nine managers already this summer, with Ryan Mason remaining in temporary charge of the club at this moment in time.

The Telegraph have reported that Spurs are closing in on appointing Nuno Espirito Santo as their new manager, with the 47-year-old leaving Wolves at the end of the 2020/21 season.

Spurs finished seventh in the Premier League last term, and will be eager to push for a top-four finish next term, regardless of who they’re managed by moving forwards.

THE LATEST: KEY FIGURE JETS IN FOR FURTHER TALKS….

Journalist Fabrizio Romano has revealed that Tottenham’s Director of Football Paratici has flown into England to hold further talks with Nuno and his representatives over a move to the club.

It seems as though the former Wolves boss is Spurs’ main target heading into the new league campaign now, as they look to find Jose Mourinho’s permanent successor.

“Tottenham director of football Fabio Paratici arrived in London in the last hours. Talks on with Nuno Espirito Santo and his representatives,” Romano tweeted.

With The Telegraph reporting that an agreement is close as well, it seems as though Spurs might have got their main in Espirito Santo.

THE VERDICT: HE COULD BE A SHREWD APPOINTMENT BY SPURS….

This could turn out to be a smart appointment by Spurs, but you can’t help but feel that he wasn’t their first-choice target this summer.

The approaches to other manages like Antonio Conte and Mauricio Pochettino will have been hugely frustrating for both Daniel Levy and the club’s supporters.

Spurs need stability moving forwards though, and Espirito Santo could be the manager that can do just that, having impressed with Wolves over the years, finishing 7th in consecutive seasons before injuries took their toll this term.

If the club can give him time to build a long-term project at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, then it wouldn’t come as a surprise to see Spurs challenging higher up the Premier League table in the future.

Crystal Palace are thought to be keen on signing Wolves left-back Rayan Ait Nouri, according to Jeunes Footeux, relayed by Sports Witness.

And, as to be expected, a number of Palace fans have been giving their thoughts to the links on social media.

Patrick Vieira has just one senior left-back on the books at Selhurst Park in Tyrick Mitchell, and apparently wants another to compete with the 22-year-old.

Ait Nouri only made the permanent move to Molineux in the summer in a deal worth just shy of £10m and has made 10 appearances in all competitions under Bruno Lage.

The French defender now seems to be on the radar of his countryman Vieira, while Newcastle United are also name-checked with an interest in the 20-year-old.

Palace fans react

@CPFCtransfersHQ shared the links to Ait Nouri on social media on Wednesday afternoon. This is what these Eagles supporters had to say in reply, with a mixed response and one labelling the full-back as ‘class’.

“I will flip”

Credit: @Sumo08112

“IM ON MY KNEES”

Credit: @EBERZEE

“Huh”

Credit: @IocaIpIa999tic

“He’s class but this just stalls Mitchell’s development and we don’t need him with Tayo and Reece coming through too”

Credit: @connor_paIace4

“Lol what”

Credit: @CPFCMax9

“please”

Credit: @bentekefan0

In other news: Palace and Leeds could battle again as transfer news emerges on £18m-rated beast. 

Leeds United manager Jesse Marsch must finally start Kalvin Phillips in the Premier League on Saturday as his side take on Watford at Vicarage Road.

The England international has missed the best part of three months with injury, having gone down in the 2-2 draw against Brentford at Elland Road in early December. He was named in the matchday squad for the 3-2 victory against Wolves three weeks ago before finally making his return to competitive action last time out against Southampton.

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Rather understandably, Marsch chose to bring him on as a second half substitute against the Saints, but with another week’s worth of training under Phillips’ belt, now is surely the time to bring him in from the start.

The midfielder’s return offers Leeds another boost in the final few weeks of the season, with their recent results seeing them climb away from the relegation zone and put some distance between them and the bottom three.

His influence in the middle of the park cannot be understated, and that’s not to mention the kind of impact he has in lifting spirits both among his team-mates and the crowd whenever he’s on the pitch – something about which former Whites midfielder Michael Brown has previously waxed lyrical.

The 45-year-old said: “He is a wonderful talent and he loves Leeds United. What I like about him is that he is such a level headed kid. Brilliant to talk to. He is a proper Leeds supporter and how can he play!

“Kalvin can play so many positions. Central defence, in a three, holding midfield and he can even play more advance in a number eight. He has a bit of everything in his play – short and long pass, a tackle when needed, energy, competitive – a proper player.”

After seeing Phillips deliver a fine performance against Bristol City a couple of seasons ago, The Athletic’s Phil Hay raved: “You’d say that an enforced break has done Kalvin Phillips the world of good. He’s been an animal in the past two games and when he plays like he did today, the opposition are snookered. Surely his last season in the Championship.”

That line from Hay about leaving teams “snookered” is exactly the kind of impact Marsch will be hoping that his midfield talisman will be able to bring; and after getting a brief runout against Southampton, Phillips should be in contention for a bigger role at Vicarage Road.

The £45m-rated star must finally start against Watford on Saturday afternoon.

AND in other news – Signed for £5m, now worth 700% more: Orta struck dream Leeds deal with “quality” 22-year-old

Marcelo Bielsa will stay put as Leeds United manager and overcome this current tricky period, according to ex-Whites defender Danny Mills.

The Lowdown: Bielsa’s future questioned

The Argentine has been an incredible manager for the Whites, taking them back into the Premier League and being adored by supporters at the same time.

Leeds have made a poor start to this season, however, and there have been some reports claiming Bielsa could potentially leave before his contract expires next summer.

[freshpress-quiz id=“375277″]

The Latest: Mills provides key verdict

Speaking to Football Insider, however, Mills is in no doubt that Bielsa will at least see out his current deal at Elland Road, saying he will come good again when key players return to the team:

“He will put himself under more pressure than anybody else. That’s what it comes down to first and foremost. That’s all he’ll be concerned about. We’ve seen before that he’s not massively bothered about outside influences.

“All he wants to do is to improve his teams and improve his players. He’ll be absolutely desperate to do that. I don’t think he’s concerned about outside influences in the slightest.  I don’t think it’s a case of walking away.

“Luke Ayling’s missing as well. At the moment you’re looking at four of your best players not being available. If you do that to any team, we saw what happened with Liverpool last season.

“They’re some of the best players in the squad and that’s going to make it very, very difficult, no matter who you are.”

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The Verdict: Too loyal to leave

This has been a testing start to the campaign for Leeds, but Bielsa is not the type of character to go against his word and suddenly leave the club.

Mills is correct in comparing Leeds to Liverpool last season, in terms of the team struggling badly with a host of big names unavailable.

Once the likes of Luke Ayling, Kalvin Phillips and Patrick Bamford are back in the fold regularly, there should be a positive change on the pitch.

Whether or not Bielsa stays beyond this season remains to be seen, but it would be a big shock if he left midway through it.

In other news, one Leeds player could reportedly be back for an upcoming game. Find out who it is here.

Newcastle United are reportedly now strongly interested in signing Thomas Strakosha on a free transfer in the summer.

The Lowdown: Goalkeeper wanted

As per The Daily Mail, the Magpies are eyeing as many as four goalkeepers to provide stern competition for Martin Dubravka at St James’ Park.

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Dean Henderson, Sam Johnstone, Bernd Leno and Kepa Arrizabalaga have all been mentioned as possible signings, but the Tyneside outfit may also look abroad for a new man in between the sticks.

The Latest: Strakosha eyed by Newcastle

According to Citta Celeste, Newcastle also hold a ‘strong interest’ in Strakosha, whose contract at Lazio expires this summer.

He is ‘torn’ between staying at the club and playing in the Premier League, and the Toon could certainly offer him a route to the English top flight.

The Verdict: Sign him

Capped 19 times by Albania and playing in one of Europe’s top five leagues in Serie A, it is quite mesmerising to think that Strakosha could leave on a free transfer.

Current Italy under-20 manager Alberto Bollini has claimed that the ‘keeper boasts ‘extraordinary athleticism’, while he was also once dubbed ‘explosive‘ and a ‘phenomenon‘ by former Lazio stopper Silvio Proto.

Keeping no fewer than 10 clean sheets in 25 games across all competitions so far this season, and averaging just one goal conceded per game (Transfermarkt), Strakosha is still only 27 years of age, which is relatively young for a goalkeeper.

Therefore, signing him on a free would represent a great piece of business from the Magpies.

In other news, find out what Keith Downie has now shared on Callum Wilson’s injury

With Dean Smith’s Aston Villa side heading into Sunday’s Premier League clash on the back of a highly impressive 1-0 win last time out, the 50-year-old manager will undoubtedly be hoping for yet another promising performance when Villa visit Tottenham Hotspur this afternoon.

And, with Nuno Espirito Santo’s Spurs side currently on a run of three straight defeats in the league, the fixture could well provide Aston Villa with a fantastic opportunity to continue their climb up the top-flight table after a shaky start to their 2021/22 campaign.

So, will Smith make any changes to the team which started in the win over Manchester United last weekend? Here’s how we think Villa could line up against Tottenham, along with the latest team and injury news…

While it is indeed true that Villa highly impressed in their 3-5-2 formation at Old Trafford last weekend, with Tottenham very much looking there to be got at on Sunday afternoon, we predict that Smith will make one change to his starting XI, as well as switching back to a 4-3-3 formation.

In the centre of defence, last week’s match-winner, 26-year-old Kortney Hause, is extremely unfortunate to drop to the bench, with Tyrone Mings and Ezri Konsa’s consistently impressive form so far this season enough for the duo to keep their starting spots, while Matt Targett and Matty Cash drop back into less advanced full-back roles.

The central midfield trio of Douglas Luiz, Jacob Ramsey and John McGinn is untouched, while, with Leon Bailey yet to resume training following his quad injury, Ollie Watkins move onto the left-hand side of the front three, with Danny Ings starting up top and the £75k-per-week Emiliano Buendia regaining a place in the XI on the right flank.

Meanwhile, although once again an option for Smith after being unavailable against his parent club last week, Axel Tuanzebe has to make do with a seat amongst the substitutes.

In other news: Big blow: Dean Smith confirms major Villa setback before Spurs, fans will be gutted

According to TuttoMercatoWeb, Tottenham are set to enter talks with the agent of Fiorentina striker Dusan Vlahovic.

The Lowdown: Spurs need a striker

Spurs are quite clearly in need of a new striker. Harry Kane has shared his desire to move on from north London (Sky Sports), while he even failed to turn up for training to further illustrate his point (talkSPORT).

Even if the talisman stays put, the Lilywhites do not have adequate support in depth behind him, such has been the problem for several years now.

They have been heavily linked with a move for Lautaro Martinez (Football Insider), but it also seems they have their eyes on another forward during this transfer window.

The Latest: Spurs to enter Vlahovic talks

As per this latest report, Spurs are set to enter talks with the agent of Vlahovic, while Inter Milan are also interested.

Fiorentina are said to be looking for €70m (£59.2m) to part ways with the Serbia international.

The Verdict: Top target

Losing Kane would be a blow to Nuno Espirito Santo – he will of course be eager to hold on to the man who has 221 goals in 336 games for the club.

However, if he were to depart, bringing in Vlahovic would certainly soften the blow. The 21-year-old was in top form last season in Serie A, scoring 21 goals in 37 matches (Transfermarkt), while he also has two strikes in seven caps for his country.

Legendary Italian striker Christian Vieri is a fan, calling him “the best striker in Europe” for his age along with Borussia Dortmund man Erling Haaland (Football Italia). £59m is a lot of money to spend on just one player given the pandemic’s financial implications on clubs, but they would have that money available if Kane were to depart. To us, Vlahovic would be a worthy replacement.

In other news, Tottenham have been offered this Premier League winner.

Keinan Davis is a target for former Aston Villa boss Dean Smith in his new post as Norwich City manager, according to Football Insider. 

The lowdown

Davis has been limited to just 11 minutes of football so far this term after sustaining an injury in August.

That injury actually saw a mooted loan move to Championship side Stoke City called off.

The 23-year-old has been with Villa for six years, making 86 first-team appearances and recording 13 direct goal contributions (six goals, seven assists).

He’s apparently earning £45,000 per week at Villa Park, more than the likes of Matt Targett, John McGinn and Douglas Luiz (via Spotrac).

Former Villan Jack Grealish said after the Premier League’s restart last year that Davis was ‘unplayable’.

The latest

Smith wants to bring a ‘Premier League-calibre frontman who can spearhead the attack’ to Carrow Road, and believes Davis fits the bill.

He’s confident that a deal can be done, with his price tag believed to be somewhere between £2million and £4million.

Smith ‘has always rated Davis highly’ and he apparently played a key role in discussions over a new Villa contract last year.

The verdict

In previous years, Villa have rejected ‘multiple bids’ for Davis, but that stance may now have changed.

Indeed, they were seemingly ready to let him join Stoke before injury intervened.

The signing of Danny Ings in the summer has pushed him further down the pecking order, and that’s not all.

Teenage sensation Cameron Archer may well have nudged ahead of him after snatching his EFL Cup opportunity with a hat-trick against Barrow and a goal at Stamford Bridge.

Davis may be open to a reunion with a manager that clearly admires him, and back-to-back wins for the Canaries will give him hope that he wouldn’t be joining a sinking ship.

In other news, fans react to this behind-the-scenes reveal. 

Leeds United are not in a comfortable position in the Premier League this season, currently 15th in the table following a slow start with just two wins from their first 11 games.

The Whites have been plagued with injuries which have caused inconsistencies in every aspect of their team. From defence to attack, the well-oiled machine of last season has gone rusty, with squad players having to be thrown into the line-up in key positions.

Patrick Bamford, Kalvin Phillips, Luke Ayling and Raphinha are a few of the key players who have been sidelined so far this season, which has clearly effected the team’s performances of late, but luckily Raphinha and Phillips have returned to action in the last few weeks.

Bielsa could unleash a dynamic £37.8m-rated duo in Phillips and Forshaw, and that could have a positive impact on Leeds’ chances of taking points from Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday.

The England international returned from a minor injury recently and will be raring to go after playing in the 1-1 draw with Leicester before international break.

The 25-year-old spoke out lately about his midfield partnership with Forshaw, who has also recently returned from a horrific injury which has cost him two seasons of his career.

Phillips told BBC Leeds: “It’s very nice to have Adam back. We’re good friends, we get on really well and I think it shows on the football pitch that we understand each other, the way each other plays.”

Forshaw, who nearly gained an England call-up in 2016, has not had an easy ride with the hip injury he picked up after just seven games of the 2019/20 season.

Initially, the injury was thought to be minor, with the protectory of the midfielder being out for only 16 weeks, but Leeds and Forshaw were dealt a devastating blow when he was sent for surgery and ruled out for the rest of the season.

Forshaw struggled to build his fitness moving into the 2020/21 campaign, and in a brief return for the under-23s, he sustained an injury to his hamstring which again saw him sidelined for the entire season.

The 30-year-old made an emotional return to Premier League football against Leicester City a few weeks ago, the midfielder spoke to the Sunday People, saying: “Starting against Leicester was a big moment for me and my family, so I’m pleased.

“I’d just like to say a massive, massive thank you to Rob Price and his team, the strength and conditioning coaches, the manager for the way he’s managed me throughout the summer.”

Bielsa will be thrilled that Phillips and Forshaw have a genuine connection which can hopefully translate on the pitch against Spurs and help Leeds to an important three points as they attempt to escape a potential relegation battle.

In other news: this potential partnership could unlock success for Leeds

Leeds United defender Leif Davis has seen his move to Bournemouth break down at the final hour.

What’s the story?

Reports in recent days had suggested that the versatile youngster was in advanced talks with the Cherries over a season-long loan move, but that appears to have fallen dead in the water now.

According to Football Insider, a Leeds source has revealed that the plug has been pulled on Davis’ move to the south coast, and that those involved in the discussions do not expect talks to be reignited.

It’s added that “Marcelo Bielsa had been keen for Davis to get regular senior playing experience rather than be a bit-part figure at Leeds.”

Bielsa will be frustrated

The 21-year-old only had a brief look-in at first-team action in the previous campaign, playing just 31 minutes of football in the top-flight, and predominantly spending his time with the U23s.

But, according to comments previously made by The Athletic’s Phil Hay, Davis is someone who the coaching staff rate highly at Thorp Arch, saying: “He’s very well thought of, is Davis, and he has been since he came, and of the Under-23s, he’s really been as involved as most under Bielsa and has quite often been the go-to player when Bielsa’s needed a left-back.

“The bottom line is that at Leeds, they think an awful lot of Davis, and they think that he’s a bit of a steal for what they paid to sign him from Morecambe.”

Able to play at both left-back and at centre-back, Davis has got the versatility to fill in wherever Bielsa needs him, offering him a dynamic presence down the flank or perhaps someone more “aggressive” in the middle of the defence and someone who is able to play out from the back.

But as Football Insider says about Bielsa’s thoughts on the matter, the crucial thing for Davis’ development in the long-term, is for him to be playing first-team football week-in and week-out, something he probably won’t have at Elland Road after the arrival of Junior Firpo.

A loan in the Championship, and with a team like Bournemouth who will surely look to contend for promotion again, would have done the young defender the world of good, and he would have returned to Yorkshire a better player for that experience.

Instead, he faces the prospect of once again sitting on the side-lines, being someone who’s perhaps now outgrown U23s football, but isn’t quite ready for action at Premier League level.

It’s exactly why Bielsa will be frustrated and even livid that this move has now collapsed.

Meanwhile, Leeds United have opened transfer talks over this star…