Tottenham boss Thomas Frank has confirmed his side will be active in January after agreeing a £35 million deal with Crystal Palace to sell Brennan Johnson, with the Wales international now poised to make a decision on his immediate future.

The north London club are already lining up potential replacements as they prepare for the Europa League hero’s departure, with multiple targets identified to fill the void left by last season’s top scorer.

Frank reiterated in a press conference today that Spurs will be on the hunt for new signings in January, following Monday’s breakthrough in negotiations with Palace.

Johnson has struggled for regular football under the Dane, despite scoring 18 goals across all competitions last term, including the winner in the Europa League final against Man United that ended the club’s 17-year trophy drought.

Palace have emerged as frontrunners to land the 24-year-old after striking terms with Tottenham, though Bournemouth, Everton and Sunderland could also make a late move (Fabrizio Romano).

The Cherries in particular are ready to match Palace’s offer as they desperately seek a replacement for Antoine Semenyo, who is on the verge of joining Man City.

Johnson has started just six Premier League matches this season after Mohammed Kudus arrived from West Ham and immediately established himself as Frank’s preferred right-wing option.

Now, with the Welshman close to departing N17, Frank’s side are weighing up possible heirs.

One of them could be RB Leipzig sensation Yan Diomande, who has enjoyed a stellar 2025/2026 thus far after emerging as one of the Bundesliga’s standout talents.

Yan Diomande's camp tempted to join Tottenham after talks

BBC journalist Sami Mokbel reported today that Diomande is on Spurs’ list of potential Johnson replacements, with TEAMtalk now sharing a further update.

According to their sources, Tottenham have held ‘very advanced’ discussions with Diomande’s entourage over a potential January transfer as the north London club prepares to lose Johnson.

The 19-year-old is ‘firmly’ on Frank’s radar to bolster his attacking options amid Johnson’s imminent departure, and they’ve also scouted him extensively.

What’s more, it is believed that Diomande’s camp view Spurs as an ‘attractive destination’ thanks to the playing time on offer.

The teenager has made an immediate impression in Germany since arriving from Spanish side Leganes last summer.

Diomande has registered seven goals and four assists across all competitions this season, earning widespread recognition as one of the German top flight’s most exciting prospects.

His current involvement at AFCON with the Ivory Coast could delay any potential transfer though, with the winger unlikely to be available until mid-January at the earliest if his nation progresses deep into the tournament.

Subscribe to the newsletter for Spurs transfer insight Get the newsletter for deeper transfer-market analysis around Tottenham’s January plans — scout-style player breakdowns, implications for the squad, and how targets like Yan Diomande fit the profile, plus broader transfer-market context.

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Leipzig have placed a massive valuation on the forward too, with reports suggesting a fee of around £87 million would be required to secure his services.

Ole Werner’s side are under no immediate financial pressure to sell either, having negotiated lucrative sales last summer, and Diomande remains contracted until 2030 with no release clause inserted into his deal.

Competition for the winger’s signature remains fierce across Europe.

Liverpool, Man United, Chelsea and Barcelona have all expressed interest in recent weeks, with multiple clubs dispatching scouts to monitor his performances as well as Spurs.

Diomande’s turning heads, and it appears almost every top side in the land is weighing up a move beyond the new year.

Related Tottenham ready to offer £35m for star immediately after he is sold for £20m

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The Birmingham Mail’s Ashley Preece has delivered an exciting teaser about Aston Villa’s plans for the summer transfer window.

What’s the story?

Steven Gerrard’s side have just hit a bit of a roadblock in terms of their form in the Premier League, with the Midlands club currently in a run of just one win in their past seven top-flight games.

And now, in a Q&A for The Birmingham Mail, Preece revealed: “14 games remaining, everyone’s playing for their futures. It’ll be another big summer of change. Fascinated to know what NSWE are thinking right now.

“It’s all pointing towards ANOTHER big summer. All eyes on Johan Lange and his recruitment team now. I think we all need to shelve this European talk.”

Exciting summer for Villa

While Villa of course lost Jack Grealish to Manchester City in a big-money move last summer, they did go out on a spending spree themselves, signing a number of high-profile players, not least the likes of Leon Bailey and Danny Ings.

It felt like the club had made the best out of a heartbreaking situation in seeing Grealish finally make his departure, and would no doubt have hoped their new signings could kick on and push the side to bigger and better things.

Sadly, that hasn’t turned out to be the case, and while Gerrard initially oversaw an impressive return to form in his first few weeks in charge, things haven’t been quite plain sailing recently.

After potentially thinking about a European challenge this season, NSWE will surely be looking over their shoulders and clubs like Newcastle who could pose a real threat to their ambitions of breaking the Premier League’s traditional big-six.

It’s exactly why a real big summer of investment is needed at Villa Park, and if the owners can dip into their pockets and splash the cash that Gerrard needs, then Villa will feel confident of taking that next step.

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Preece’s claim that a “big summer” could be on the horizon is sure to excite Villa fans.

Meanwhile, Villa could sign an Idrissa Gueye successor in this star…

Wolves’ defence has been the fourth-best team in the league, conceding just 21 goals, but on the flip-side, just Norwich City and Burnley have failed to better their tally of 24 scored.

Fans have been crying out for more quality in attack for some time now, stretching as far back to the dull days of Nuno Espirito Santo, before he endured even duller days at Tottenham.

Daniel Podence, Raul Jimenez and Hwang Hee-Chan have all scored five each this campaign, and the first two, in particular, seem to have hit a bit of form recently, having produced seven goal contributions in 2022 already between them.

One player who has struggled in particular though, is on-loan Barcelona winger Francisco Trincao, who could be signed by Wolves for £25m at the end of the season should they choose to.

However, given that he has registered zero goals and zero assists in the Premier League since arriving at Molineux, the likelihood of that transfer fee being paid by manager Bruno Lage is becoming increasingly unlikely – particularly with the return of fan-favourite Pedro Neto imminent.

The forward has been out of action since last April, after fracturing his kneecap during a match against Fulham, but prior to that he had scored five goals and provided six assists in 31 Premier League appearances – earning high praise from Jamie Carragher, who labelled him as a future “superstar”.

With both Trincao and Neto left-footed wingers capable of operating off the right-flank, it seems illogical to continue starting a player who is just on-loan, and hasn’t shown enough of a cutting-edge in the final third, opposed to starting a contracted Wolves player who has already won the fans’ hearts partially thanks to his significant goal contributions last year.

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Despite taking 1.1 shots per game, the Barca loanee has a total expected goals for the season so far of just 2.7, as well as an expected assists tally of 0.9, meaning it is clear that things haven’t worked out for him at Molineux, and it’s time to see the former Lazio man who cost £16m return to the starting line-up.

In other news: Lage must now finally unleash WWFC’s “very fast” £4.6m “wonderkid”, he’s game-changing…

Having only recently returned to action after a long injury layoff, 18-year-old Celtic centre-back Bosun Lawal has wasted no time in relaunching his offensive on a regular spot within Ange Postecoglou’s senior squad.

Indeed, speaking back in December of last year, the defender made it perfectly clear that, having made a move from the Watford academy in the summer prior, his ambitions are to make his mark within the first-team setup at Parkhead before the current season is up, stating:

“Things have gone really well. I just hit the ground running and things have been going well for me personally. The hope is to make my debut with the first team, get my chance and really grab the moment and show people I’m capable of playing at a high level.

“I’ve trained with the first team a couple of times and it’s a really good level. The main point is the intensity, everyone is always at it, there’s no slacking. Ideally, I would like to achieve my goals this season. I just have to be ready and wait for the call.”

And, after putting on a dominant display in Celtic B’s recent 1-1 draw with Rangers in the Glasgow Cup, talk has already intensified regarding the teenager’s future at Celtic Park.

Indeed, during the fixture, former Celtic defender Tom Boyd – who was commentating on the match – was clearly extremely impressed with Lawal, stating of the youngster:

“I could do that; be comfortable on the ball, break forward, use your pace and speed. He’s certainly got a lot of those attributes. Sometimes that can be the thing that unlocks the door with [Celtic].

“Certainly the first team, the way we press, and the way we get forward and play in advanced areas. It’s often the centre-backs that are playmakers.

“He looks as though he’s very accomplished, very comfortable. [He can] just cause confusion in organised defences that we go up against. He’s certainly one that’s stood up and looking very comfortable in possession, a physical presence as well.”

Furthermore, Kieran Devlin also suggested that there is a great deal of enthusiasm surrounding the centre-back’s potential, writing in a recent article for The Athletic:

“Bosun Lawal is very well-regarded too, and there is enthusiasm about the possibility of [Lawal and Dane Murray’s] solid partnership extending to first-team level over the next few years.”

Indeed, it is not difficult to see why this opinion has been formulated of the youngster, as it was evident throughout the 1-1 draw with Rangers B that Lawal is a defender who is extremely comfortable on the ball, often bursting out of the backline on a surging run, or picking out a line-breaking pass with ease.

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The centre-back well and truly proved his creative eye in the second half of the fixture, picking the ball up in the opposition half, before playing a deft no-look pass through to Mackenzie Carse who subsequently fired home Celtic’s equaliser – as can be seen here.

As such, should Lawal continue to demonstrate this level of form over the remainder of the season, it would not be surprising to see the youngster earn a call up to Postecoglou’s first-team squad before the campaign is out – a move that, if the 18-year-old carries on his current level of trajectory, could well save the Bhoys millions of pounds in transfer fees.

In other news: Ange must avoid disaster on “big player”, he may be Celtic’s next £49.5m-rated talent

Wolves have been fairly active in the transfer market since Fosun took charge of the club back in 2016 in terms of bringing new players to Molineux.

However, one example of a potential transfer deal that the Midlands club didn’t secure that has now proved to be a big mistake from the Chinese conglomerate is one for Jude Bellingham.

Back during the 2020 January transfer window, journalist Alan Nixon claimed that the Molineux outfit were “desperate” to sign the former Birmingham City midfielder before he eventually joined German club Borussia Dortmund in the following summer window in a deal worth a reported fee of £25m.

Since joining the Bundesliga side, the Englishman has gone on to make 81 appearances across all competitions including the Champions League and Europa League, scoring ten goals and providing 16 assists along the way.

This season has seen the midfield maestro play more minutes in the Bundesliga than any other outfield player in Marco Rose’s squad, chipping in with three goals and six assists, ultimately earning himself an overall performance rating of 7.2 from WhoScored, making him the third-highest rated Dortmund player below Erling Haaland and Marco Reus, showing just how important he is to his team.

The 18-year-old sensation has also started to become a regular in the senior England national team by making ten appearances since his debut in November 2020.

In April 2020, a few months after Wolves missed the chance of securing a deal for the midfielder, Transfermarkt rated his market value at £9.9m, but it now stands at a massive £67.5m, highlighting just how much the teenage talent has blossomed since his move to Germany.

Labelled as a “leader and also one of the most vocal in the team” according to Dortmund teammate Mats Hummels, as well as having a “scary” amount of potential by Roy Keane, it’s safe to say that Fosun dropped the ball by not securing Bellingham’s signature when they were apparently so eager to sign him.

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With the Englishman having been linked with a move back to the Premier League with Liverpool and Manchester United reportedly interested in him, it’ll be intriguing to see whether Wolves will be facing off against their previous transfer target in the future and see first-hand why they made a mistake in not signing him.

In other news: Insider drops big behind-the-scenes Wolves claim, supporters surely buzzing – opinion

Celtic currently have the biggest squad in the Scottish Premiership according to Transfermarkt with a total of 31 players in their senior ranks at Ange Postecoglou’s disposal.

Out of those current squad players, a handful of them made their way through the club’s youth academy to get where they are now.

One of which is right-back Anthony Ralston, who made ten appearances for the Hoops’ youth sides before eventually making his senior debut back in May 2016 in a 2-1 league defeat against St. Johnstone under former Celtic manager Ronny Deila.

Since then, the 23-year-old has gone on to make 59 appearances for Postecoglou’s side across all competitions, chipping in with seven goals and nine assists along the way.

The full-back has appeared in 21 of Celtic’s 30 league games in this campaign, scoring four goals and providing seven assists, showing just how much of an attacking threat he has been for the side from a defensive position.

As well as his incredibly useful attacking prowess, the Scotsman has not shirked away from his defensive duties either, having racked up an average of 1.6 tackles per game, leaving only Greg Taylor with a higher rate of tackles that has played more than two league games in this campaign.

In addition to this, Ralston, who is currently picking up a weekly wage of £7.5k-per-week according to Salary Sport, has made 1.7 clearances per game as well as 0.5 interceptions and 0.4 blocks.

His overall performances in the league have earned him a rating of 7.57, making him the second-highest rated player currently in Celtic’s squad according to WhoScored, as well as being the third-highest rated in the entire league.

Back in March 2018, Transfermarkt rated the defender’s market value at £450k, whereas it now stands at £1.62m, highlighting the significant increase it has taken as a result of his impressive efforts on the pitch for his side in recent weeks and months.

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Labelled as a “warrior” on the pitch for the Parkhead club as well as being a “huge” player for them according to his manager, Ralston has certainly been a success story for the club in terms of coming through their academy and becoming an important and impressive figure for them.

In other news: Ange drops behind the scenes Celtic update that will leave supporters devastated

Manchester United have held ‘positive talks’ with Ajax boss Erik ten Hag, Sky Sports News report.

The Lowdown: Four candidates

The Red Devils are making a start on their search for a new full-time manager, with interim boss Ralf Rangnick expected to move into a consultancy role at Old Trafford over the summer.

Ten Hag is thought to be a candidate for the position along with Paris Saint-Germain manager Mauricio Pochettino. The pair have been linked with the Old Trafford post for a number of months, however, Julen Lopetegui and Luis Enrique are now thought to be two other options that United chiefs have discussed.

The Latest: Sky Sports update

Sky Sports News shared a breaking update live from TV regarding United’s managerial search on Twitter on Wednesday morning.

They revealed that Ten Hag has held ‘positive talks’, however, they added that ‘Sky Sports News have been told’ that there is no favourite for the role at this moment in time, with United wanting to speak to the other candidates.

The Verdict: Good signs

It is good to see that the club are getting a head start on their search for a new boss instead of leaving it until the end of the season.

Ten Hag, who likes to play a 4-3-3 system, has an attractive CV, averaging an impressive 2.35 points-per-game with Ajax and lifting five honours as manager.

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He has clearly made a good first impression to United following talks, so it’ll be interesting to see how this one develops over the coming months.

In other news: ‘I’m told…’ – Insider now drops major Man Utd and Pogba update after Fabrizio Romano reveal. 

Transfer insider Graeme Bailey has revealed that Newcastle United could now be in the mix to sign Harry Kane this summer.

The Lowdown: Future uncertain

Kane’s future at Tottenham Hotspur remains uncertain, with Manchester City still and Manchester United now reportedly interested in signing him in the summer.

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Some pundits believe that he will leave Spurs, especially if they fail to qualify for the UEFA Champions League.

Kane has just picked up the Premier League’s Player of the Month (POTM) award for March, which is a joint-record seventh time with Sergio Aguero, and really needs to be playing in a team with the ambition to win trophies.

The Latest: Kane on radar

Writing in his latest piece for 90min, Bailey has revealed that Kane is one of a number of high-profile players on the St. James’ Park faithful’s radar this summer, should he end up quitting North London.

Kalvin Phillips, John Stones, Sven Botman, Nico Schlotterbeck, Lloyd Kelly, Hugo Ekitike, Darwin Nunez, Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Patrik Schick are also mentioned, as well as a potential permanent deal for Matt Targett.

Bailey has also revealed that the Tyneside outfit have set a £100m budget for the summer transfer window, and taking to Twitter, he added that the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) consortium’s Public Investment Fund (PIF) have made it clear that money is available for marquee signings:

“Newcastle have set a transfer budget for the summer. Eddie Howe will be allowed to mould squad and will look for evolution rather than revolution. That said majority owners PIF have made it clear that there is a money available for marquee signings.”

The Verdict: Exciting

While there are some very exciting targets listed, Kane is the one that really stands out, and the fact PIF are willing to splash the cash if a marquee option becomes available should have supporters on Tyneside buzzing for the summer.

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After a slow start, he now has 22 goals and six assists in total over all competitions so far this season (Transfermarkt), and would no doubt be the kind of marquee signing that would make the world take notice of the Magpies.

Of course, Kane would have to believe in the long-term project, but with the ambition that the new owners have, he could well win trophies at the Toon in time if he joined.

In other news, find out what ‘interesting’ NUFC transfer update Craig Hope has now revealed here!

Richard Hughes has now been put on red alert in the race to sign Liverpool’s Virgil van Dijk successor ahead of Real Madrid, according to recent reports.

Liverpool on red alert in race to sign VVD heir

The Reds have had a centre-back problem ever since missing out on Marc Guehi on deadline day. Left with just Ibrahima Konate, Van Dijk and the injury-prone Joe Gomez to choose from, Arne Slot has seen his side suffer defensively and forced to adopt a more pragmatic approach in recent weeks.

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It’s a problem which could become worse before it gets better, however, with Ibrahima Konate still on course to leave the club as a free agent at the end of the season. It would leave Liverpool with just two senior central defenders and desperately needing to secure Guehi’s signature.

To that end, recent reports have claimed that Anfield chiefs are ready to make an offer to sign the Crystal Palace defender in hopes of beating the likes of Real Madrid to his signature next year.

That would at least replace Konate before their Van Dijk problem emerges. The Liverpool captain has less than two years remaining on his current deal and is likely to bring an incredible Anfield spell to an end when next season concludes.

His exit will hand the Reds an impossible task. Van Dijk has been one of, if not their most important players of their most successful Premier League era and there is arguably no one like him in European football.

Nonetheless, those in Merseyside are certainly willing to give it a good go. According to TeamTalk, Hughes is now on red alert in the race to sign Alessandro Bastoni.

£66m Bastoni could replace Van Dijk

Liverpool are reportedly among the clubs to be contacted by intermediaries about a potential move to sign Bastoni in 2026. Sources told TeamTalk: “Alessandro is happy at Inter, and in Italy, but at 26, there is the belief he might look to try his hand abroad. He is at the top of his game, and not many in the world currently compare to him.”

In terms of price, Liverpool will have to splash the cash once again if they want to sign the Italian from Inter Milan, given that the Serie A giants have set their price-tag at a hefty £66m. That fee would quickly look like a bargain if Bastoni became the heir to Van Dijk’s Anfield throne, however.

League stats 25/26

Bastoni

Van Dijk

Minutes

1,223

1,440

Progressive Passes

80

110

Tackles Won

25

5

Ball Recoveries

51

32

When compared to Van Dijk it’s easy to see why Liverpool have their sights set on Bastoni. The Italian has that unique composure in possession combined with a more aggressive nature off the ball than the Anfield captain.

Liverpool have not been at their best this season, but Arne Slot will be relieved to have seen signs of progress throughout December, having climbed to fifth in the Premier League and crafted a six-game unbeaten streak.

However, the champions have recovered only the vestiges of their imperious form of last season, so confident and coherent as they stormed through the season and ended Manchester City’s dominance.

Sweeping summer transfer changes have left something to be desired, and it’s clear that Liverpool have joined the jam-packed race for Bournemouth forward Antoine Semenyo.

Liverpool looking at Semenyo alternative

Liverpool want Semenyo, but he is not the only talented winger on the market. Fabrizio Romano confirmed that Liverpool opened talks with the Ghanaian’s representatives last month, though have since cooled their interest.

But that could now change, with Alexander Isak ruled out for several months after fracturing his fibula against Tottenham last weekend. Moreover, uncertainty lingers over Mohamed Salah and his Anfield future.

But with both Manchester giants thought to be leading the race at this stage, Liverpool always needed to earmark alternatives, and they’ve found one who boasts even more talent than the Cherries star.

According to TEAMtalk, Liverpool have been in talks with the agent of Real Madrid icon Vinicius Junior, who has refused a contract extension at Santiago Bernabeu and is ready to leave next summer, before the final term of his £400k-per-week deal.

Chelsea and Manchester City are also keen, so sporting director Richard Hughes will need to put his negotiating skills to the test as he looks to complete a marquee signing to complete Liverpool’s frontline.

He won’t come cheap, however, with one report suggesting he’s worth a whopping £131m. That would make him the most expensive player ever in the British game.

Why Vinicius Junior would be Liverpool's best left winger since Mane

Vini’s soon-to-expire contract also means he might be available for a cut-price £80m fee, which isn’t too far above Semenyo’s valuation, with his £65m release clause active for the first ten days of the January transfer window.

Hailed as a “superstar” of a forward by former Los Blancos teammate Luka Modric, Vinicius Jr is a rare forward, endowed with strength and speed and an aura in the final third that translates to trophies and significant goal hauls.

He has only scored five goals in La Liga this season – supplying eight assists besides – but notched 41 goal contributions in all competitions last year, when he was on his A-game and feeling the love in the Spanish capital.

And even with the Brazil international finding himself out of form, he still ranks among the top 6% of positional peers across Europe’s top five leagues over the past year for shot-creating actions, the top 1% for progressive carries and the top 4% for successful take-ons per 90, as per FBref.

He would add directness and danger to Slot’s Liverpool ranks, and his positional dynamism could even see the 25-year-old take the mantle as Liverpool’s new version of Sadio Mane, who was as sharp as a blade for the Reds, principally a left winger but with skills that translated across the frontline.

Vinicius Jr – Career Stats by Position

Position

Apps

Goals + Assists

Left wing

303

90 + 79

Centre-forward

64

29 + 16

Right wing

15

3 + 2

Attacking midfield

2

2 + 1

Data via Transfermarkt

Mane scored 120 goals across 269 Liverpool appearances, and he won the full gamut. Like Vini Jr, he boasted a wide repertoire of skills and he was excellent on the grand stage. Both widemen have starred and scored in Champions League finals.

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Luis Diaz is missed on Merseyside this season, having been sold to Bayern Munich in August, but Mane was a grade above, and he would be born again in the form of not Semenyo, but Vini.

Fleet-footed and invariably sharp in the final third, Mane was a crowd-pleaser, and his personality on the field helped endear him to the Anfield crowds. Vinicius Jr, you would think, would do the same.

Mane was a unique winger, deadly in front of goal and fiery and combative too. Vinicius Jr shares some interesting attributes with Jurgen Klopp’s old superstar, and he would be the perfect talent to improve Liverpool’s ranks in 2026.

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