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Tottenham Hotspur have the option to sign Giovani Lo Celso from Real Betis this month but one question remains: Should they?

On the chalkboard

The deal to sign Lo Celso on loan in the summer comes with two clauses that chairman Daniel Levy agreed to.

One allows Spurs to buy him this month for a reduced fee – €32m (£27.1m) instead of €40m (£33.8m) – while an option to sign him in the summer for the latter fee will become an obligation if they qualify for the Champions League.

He has not garnered a huge sample size because he has made just two starts for Spurs this season, with nine substitute appearances in addition.

Nevertheless, his statistics remain enlightening.

The big fat Tottenham quiz of 2019 – how much do you remember about the last year at Spurs?

He has yet to score or provide an assist for Spurs in the league and, per WhoScored, he has averaged 0.5 shots per game, 0.5 key passes and 0.4 dribbles, while drawing 1.5 fouls.

Lo Celso also averages 15.5 passes per game, with a success rate of 85.3%, along with 0.5 key passes.

Defensively, he makes one tackle per game, along with 0.2 interceptions and 0.5 fouls.

Nobody knows

This is much of a muchness from Lo Celso.

He is hardly a standout midfield player at Spurs but one has to wonder if that is purely because he isn’t playing enough.

It is difficult to garner a proper statistical view on a player who has completed 90 minutes just once in the league. Those came against Sheffield United in Mauricio Pochettino’s last game as manager.

Under Jose Mourinho, he has started twice in a row – against Norwich City and Southampton – but he has been substituted in each game.

Thus, bringing him in would represent something of a punt purely because he has only been allowed to show flashes of his talent thus far.

Bringing him in on a permanent basis could well lead to Spurs signing an excellent playmaker who can run games for years to come; it could just as well be a mistake.

At this stage, until he starts playing regularly, it simply isn’t clear.

Meanwhile, Spurs are tracking an excellent striker in fine form. 

Andrea Radrizzani has a decision to make.

Does he gamble and put everything on the line in trying to get Leeds over the line and back into the Premier League this season by spending big? Or does he cross his fingers and hope that the players he’s already got can seal the deal?

It seems that he’s already made his mind up as The Athletic’s most recent report on the Whites’ plans this month states that the Whites are ready to meet Southampton’s demands for the signing of Che Adams.

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The Saints want an initial loan fee of £1m alongside an obligation to buy him for at least £10m in the summer.

A striker who netted 22 goals for Birmingham City last term could certainly help Leeds get promoted, but if they don’t go up the club’s long-term future would be in trouble.

Leeds are already close to the line when it comes to FFP, and if they agreed to this move their situation would get a whole lot worse this summer.

FFP allows Championship sides a loss of £39m over a three year period.

Purely based on transfer fees, Leeds have a net profit of around £13m during that period according to Transfermarkt, yet they’re still cutting it fine in terms of FFP due to their wage bill and other factors.

That net profit will increase to around £23m this summer as their net spend of around £10m from the 2017/18 season will be struck off. However, it won’t remain that way for very long.

Helder Costa is set to sign permanently for £15m this summer, so not only will Leeds be back at square one, they’ll also be £5m worse off in terms of their net expenditure on transfers, and that increases to at least £16m if Adams is signed for the initial loan fee and then a minimum £10m outlay.

If Leeds aren’t promoted they will have to either sell players or face sanctions, and with Phil Hay predicting that Marcelo Bielsa will leave if United don’t go up they could be in serious trouble both on and off the pitch.

In other news, Leeds fans have been ripping into one man after their game against Sheffield Wednesday.

As soon as the Championship fixture list was announced last summer, one game jumped right out as a key clash for Leeds United.

Leeds travel to Pride Park to face Derby County in their penultimate game of the season, and a lot could hang in the balance ahead of that match.

Of course, the recent history between the Rams and the Whites has that set up to be a spicy clash after spygate and the playoff semi-finals last season, but another element of intrigue has further fuelled the flames of this rivalry.

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The Athletic reported earlier this week that Leeds aren’t too happy with the EFL about Derby’s signing of Wayne Rooney and the role 32Red had to play in it.

The former Manchester United man’s move was financed by the gambling company who have provided an extra £1.5m of funding for the Rams to spend as they please.

The problem is that Leeds are also sponsored by 32Red, yet they haven’t received the same type of treatment. While that may be seen as a negative, it could also work in the Whites’ favour.

The Yorkshire side don’t have the pleasure of playing against Rooney until late April, and they should have no issues in being motivated for that one.

Alongside the revenge for last season’s playoffs and the spygate issue, Bielsa can gee his players up by asking them to go out there and win the right way, rather than using underhanded financial tactics to land marquee players as Derby have done.

Leeds may have a history of falling apart late on in seasons, missing out on promotion last term, but it’s impossible to think that the players won’t be giving it their all for this match if Bielsa handles his team talk in the right way.

In other news, Andrea Radrizzani could be about to risk Leeds’ future with one financial gamble.

Wolves are yet to make a major move in the transfer market with less than five days remaining until the window slams shut on Friday night, but their chances of clinching one reported target may have just taken a boost.

What’s he said?

The Athletic’s Tim Spiers believes the west Midlanders hold Hull City talisman Jarrod Bowen in high regard, although he appears to be valued at around £20m – a similar price to what they are expected to pay for Olympiacos winger Daniel Podence (£19m).

Following the Tigers’ defeat in the FA Cup to Chelsea at the weekend, manager Grant McCann was optimistic about the 23-year-old’s future at the KCOM Stadium but did reveal that if the right offer came in, then the club would have to think about it.

He said:

“He doesn’t get concerned (about his future) and nor do I. What will be, will be and we’re comfortable either way.

“Jarrod loves playing for Hull and he showed that.

“He’s said to me on numerous occasions that he wants to stay here and have that promotion push.

“But I’m a realist and I know if someone comes in with money that the club can’t turn down then we’ll have to think about it.”

Grant McCann, Hull City boss.

Right offer needed

It’s strange to see a manager be so open about what is surely his most important player.

Bowen has been in red hot form for the middle of the pack Championship outfit, scoring 17 goals and providing five assists in 31 appearances in all competitions per Transfermarkt.

In the previous two seasons in the second tier, the former Hereford hotshot has netted 14 goals and then 22 goals, meaning he has regularly been a prolific member of the Hull squad.

£20m would seemingly tempt them into a sale, and considering Podence’s record and inexperience in English football, might Bowen be a better option?

The Portuguese winger has scored and assisted five goals apiece in 27 appearances this campaign for Olympiacos.

For true Wolves fans only: How much did each of these players cost?

Wolves pursuit of new attacking additions is sure to go down to the wire anyway, so strap in for Friday’s frantic deadline.

And in other news, Wolves hoping to wrap up major first-team signing before Friday’s deadline…

Journalist Sam Inkersole has claimed that West Ham United are “actively trying to sell Carlos Sanchez” before the end of the January transfer window.

That is by no means exclusive information, with Football Insider reporting the same line yesterday and FFC subsequently analysing it.

But according to the football.london journalist, “a couple of Spanish clubs” have expressed an interest in signing the Colombia international, despite FFC’s concerns otherwise.

The 33-year-old only joined the Hammers from Fiorentina in 2018 but has largely struggled to settle at the London Stadium.

Sanchez only made eight appearances during the 2018/19 campaign whilst he has featured on just nine occasions during the current season.

The South American has not actually been involved in the Premier League since David Moyes returned as head coach, and according to Inkersole, the club are now attempting to shift the midfielder before the end of the month.

Call yourself a West Ham expert? How much did each of these January signings cost?

Sanchez will see his contract at the London Stadium expire this summer, suggesting that only a minimal fee would be needed to needed to secure his services – but at least there is some interest from Spain.

Inkersole’s tweet can be seen below:

Meanwhile, a number of West Ham fans had this to say on Sanchez’s performance against West Bromwich Albion in the FA Cup on Saturday afternoon.

Aston Villa have confirmed that Scott Hogan will be spending the rest of the 2019/20 campaign with Birmingham City.

This saw him recalled from Stoke City and sent out to their city rivals after he made four Championship starts for the side currently sitting 20th in the Championship table.

Seeing the Republic of Ireland international joining Birmingham has brought plenty of amusement to Villa fans.

It is clear from the replies to Villa’s announcement, that there are many in the club’s fanbase who do not rate the 27-year-old at all.

The lack of trust in him can, perhaps, be best shown by the fact that he was not recalled from his loan with Stoke, despite the team having played without a striker before Mbwana Samatta’s arrival.

Someone’s got to own them: Who do these incredibly unwanted PL records belong to?

This was because of Jonathan Kodjia’s departure and Wesley’s season-ending injury, which acts as a damning indictment of Hogan’s status at the club.

There have also been plenty of laughs enjoyed by fans at the expense of Birmingham, with one jokingly saying they “sure do love signing our worst players”.

During his half-season with Villa last term, Hogan didn’t make any starts in the league, coming off the bench just six times, failing to score any goals in that limited time.

If it was anyone respected who was joining Birmingham then there would likely be outrage, but this time around Villa fans are just finding the move funny.

Meanwhile, Villa fans have been reacting to Pep Guardiola’s comment on Jack Grealish.

Speaking on talkSPORT, Arsenal legend Ray Parlour has suggested Jack Grealish would be “perfect” for Manchester United.

What did he say?

Despite signing Bruno Fernandes from Sporting CP in the final week of the January transfer window, it appears the Red Devils are still keen on bringing in some reinforcements in the attacking midfield position.

The Daily Mirror recently claimed that United are to prioritise a summer move for Aston Villa captain Grealish, instead of going after Leicester star James Maddison.

And Parlour has thrown his backing behind a potential move, insisting he has the right mentality to succeed at a big club like the Red Devils.

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He said: “He’s a real complete midfielder. We’ve had so many people (on the show) who have worked with him, and they all say he’s got so much talent. Going to Manchester United, can he do it at the top level? I think he’ll be fine.  I think he’s got the mentality.

“The way he picks the ball up anywhere on the pitch, he’s very confident in his own ability, I think he’d be perfect for Man United. Villa fans want him to stay… but everyone’s got a price and he would be £80million-plus. So it’s going to be a big dilemma for him at the end of the season.”

Perfect fit

Having come close to leaving Villa before – reports had suggested Tottenham missed out on his signature on deadline day in 2018 – Grealish could finally be on his way out of the Midlands club.

And moving to United makes a lot of sense for both the player and the Red Devils themselves. At 24-years-old, Grealish still has a few more years before he should hit his peak, but has already impressed in his time in the Premier League. He has seven goals and five assists in just 23 games in the competition this season, and could bring a vital source of goals from midfield to United.

Quickfire Questions: Can you get 100% on this Man United prodigies quiz?

The Manchester side have scored just 36 goals in 25 league games, meaning they have found the back of the net just four more times than Grealish’s Villa. Despite capturing Fernandes, bringing in Grealish to further boost their options in midfield would be a very smart move indeed.

Meanwhile, Nicky Butt has hailed this Man Utd starlet who plays at 100mph.

Responding to a statistical analysis by Sky Sports comparing striker Richarlison and Cristiano Ronaldo in the Premier League by the age of 22, some supporters have been divided over the broadcaster’s reasoning in putting the pair side by side. 

The Brazilian, who has impressed for Everton this campaign and has arguably been their player of the season so far with up nine goals and three assists in the Premier League over 24 starts (WhoScored), is now drawing comparisons with footballing great Ronaldo. Speaking to the Daily Express, manager Carlo Ancelotti insisted he ‘loved’ working with Ronaldo, even if his current forward is not ‘yet’ at that level.

In response to that quote, a graph from Sky Sports via Twitter has paired Richarlison’s stats with those of the Juventus forward up until 22 years of age – with the numbers indicating that there isn’t actually that much to separate them. By comparison, Richarlison has just eight fewer goals in total than the Portuguese in 32 fewer appearances, despite trailing in assists by 14. However, even though this graph is eye-opening, it’s highly doubtful that the 22-year-old will accumulate 831 career goals by the time he’s Ronaldo’s age (Transfermarkt).

In response, some Everton fans have had their say over the ‘weird’ comparison on social media – find all of their best comments down below.

Everton fans, how do you feel about this comparison? Join the discussion by commenting below…

According to L’Equipe, via Sport Witness, Newcastle United had a €45m (£37.4m) bid for Lille midfielder Boubakary Soumare accepted in January, but the Frenchman rejected the move to St James’ Park.

Manchester United were amongst the clubs to be linked with the midfielder during the winter transfer window.

Soumare ultimately remained in France, but the 20-year-old has not featured in any of Lille’s last four league matches.

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According to L’Equipe, the Ligue 1 club are currently punishing the youngster for turning down a move to Newcastle by leaving him out of the side.

The Magpies are allegedly unlikely to return with an offer in the summer, and a number of the club’s fans have been reacting to the situation on social media.

Some understand why Soumare allegedly turned them down.

Is life under Ashley really that bad? Maybe this quiz will change your minds, Newcastle fans…

Meanwhile, there are also those supporters who do not believe that the bid was actually made in the first place.

Soumare has made 29 appearances for Lille in all competitions this season, including 19 in Ligue 1.

And it will be fascinating to see what happens with the France Under-21 international in the coming weeks as he was not even on the bench against Marseille at the weekend.

Meanwhile, a number of the club’s supporters have delivered their verdicts on the performance of Valentino Lazaro against Arsenal.

It’s safe to say it wasn’t Mohamed Salah’s greatest performances in a Liverpool shirt.

One of the big talking points leading up to the Reds’ clash against Norwich on Saturday, was the Egypt international’s possible inclusion in his country’s Olympics squad for later this year.

Unfortunately for him, he couldn’t show what all the fuss was about. As per Sofascore, he lost possession a staggering 19 times, won just two of his 14 total duels, and failed to complete any of his three attempted dribbles.

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After watching his performance, Liverpool fans took to Twitter to voice their thoughts on their winger.

A couple of fans slammed Salah’s selfishness in particular during the game.

Another couple of Liverpool fans felt Salah was still enjoying his winter break, such was his poor performance against the Canaries.

All great players are entitled to have an off day, and Salah more than most is deserving of one.

The forward had struck 18 times and provided a further nine assists in 33 games across all competitions before the clash against the Canaries, and thankfully for him, his poor performance didn’t result in giving up all three points.

Can you name the result these iconic Liverpool images belong to? Give it a go now…

The Reds found a way to win yet again, and the scary thought is that Salah was nowhere near his best.

Meanwhile, this Liverpool target is better than Georginio Wijnaldum in several key areas.