Tottenham Hotspur star Danny Rose has sensationally ruled out a January transfer away from the Premier League club in a recent interview, insisting that he will let the final of his 18 months of his contract run down.
With wages of just £60k per-week and a yearly salary of £3.12m, Rose could easily earn more with one of Tottenham’s Premier League rivals, but has insisted a move to the likes of Manchester United won’t be happening any time soon.
Manchester United’s left-back crisis this season culminated in Brandon Williams making his Premier League debut on Saturday, with Ashley Young suspended and Luke Shaw stuck on the treatment table.
Having been almost forced out of Tottenham during the summer, as Rose has himself told the press, the England international appeared to be an ideal solution to a long-term problem at Old Trafford, which has seen them become dependant on the ever-injured Shaw and makeshift defender Young.
However, Rose has now ruled out an imminent move, telling reporters: “It’s pretty obvious what happened [in the summer]. People upstairs at Tottenham were trying to do what they were trying to do. I’ve said [to them] I’ve got 18 months left on my contract and I’m not going anywhere until my contract has finished.
“In January, you’re probably going to hear something [about my future]. I’m telling you right now that I’m not going anywhere until my contract is finished.”
“Daniel Levy told me in the summer there was no new contract for me at Tottenham, which is fine. I respect that. We move on.”
“My contract is up in 18 months’ time and I’ll leave the football club then. People [in the media] can save their time trying to get stuff ready for January about me being sold.
“Because I can tell you now: it ain’t happening. I know what people were trying to do in the summer… There were no bids — that was rubbish.”
It appears Manchester United will have to look elsewhere if they want an experienced left-back to take on their No.3 berth full time.
This article is part of Football FanCast’s In Numbers series, which takes a statistical look at performances, season-long form and reported transfer targets…
Sheffield Wednesday can use the international break to regroup before giving their playoff push another crack after the south Yorkshire side slipped to eighth in the table with a 2-2 draw against Swansea City.
Garry Monk’s men are now three points off fifth place, and they’ll be rueing the fact that they could easily be sitting pretty in second position behind league leaders West Bromwich Albion.
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In three of their last five matches, the Owls have seen some form of points snatched from their jaws, most notably in back-to-back games as Blackburn Rovers fought from behind late on to pick up a victory while Swansea City answered what Wednesday thought was a winner with a 94th-minute equaliser at the weekend.
Overall, Monk is making a difference, but he can’t fully stamp his mark down until January as he’s been working with a squad built by Steve Bruce and then caretaker Lee Bullen.
His impact on Morgan Fox emphasises his qualities the most.
The left-back has received his fair share of flak over the last few years ever since Carlos Carvahal signed him in January 2017.
Fans were embarrassed by his performance in August 2018 against Wolves in the Carabao Cup, and this season before Monk arrived, he could only manage three starts – he’s nearly doubled that already under the 40-year-old, per Transfermarkt.
He has even been booed on occasions this season.
The 26-year-old has made five straight starts, winning a total of 14 aerial duels, 15 clearances, eight tackles, and four accurate crosses, via WhoScored, which is more than his full-back counterpart Liam Palmer and backup Moses Odubajo.
His performances have been that fantastic that he won the October Player of the Month award, which speaks volumes in how he’s changed his reputation amongst fans at Hillsborough.
Fox very nearly joined Sunderland in the summer, they were at least confident in clinching him back in August.
With his contract up in the summer, he must surely be on track to earn a new deal, and it would be fully deserved.
All transfer window long, Chelsea were hunting for a new centre-forward, but were unable to complete a deal for any striker that would improve the options currently available at the club.
Senegal international Nicolas Jackson was the club’s main option at the top end of the pitch last season, scoring 14 Premier League goals – ending the campaign as the club’s second top scorer behind Cole Palmer.
His subsequent form saw him rewarded with a new contract at Stamford Bridge that will run until the summer of 2033, a signal of the trust put in the 23-year-old by new boss Enzo Maresca.
Jackson has already made an excellent start to the 2024/25 campaign, scoring two goals and registering one assist in the first three outings of the new season, but the fanbase will still be devastated that they failed to secure another attacking option.
Chelsea’s hunt for a new striker this summer
For large parts of the transfer window, it looked as though the Blues were destined to secure a new number nine, but after various attempts with numerous different options, the club were unsuccessful.
Alexander Isak was an option earlier on in the transfer window, but after Newcastle United demanded a fee of over £100m for the Sweden international, Maresca’s side moved onto different targets.
On deadline day, Chelsea were presented with two options in Ivan Toney and Victor Osimhen, with the Blues facing competition from Saudi Arabian side Al-Ahli for the pair.
However, while both players agreed a deal with Matthias Jaissle’s side, it was the Englishman who signed on the dotted line in the Middle East, whilst Osimhen eventually joined Turkish side Galatasaray on loan until the end of the season.
Despite the frustration of allowing such targets to move elsewhere, the club also allowed one former player to leave West London and recapture his fine goalscoring form.
Former Chelsea ace has outscored Isak & Toney
Belgian striker Michy Batshuayi joined Chelsea in a £33m deal from French side Marseille back in 2016, with real expectations to provide an added attacking threat in the final third.
Belgium's MichyBatshuayiin action
However, he only made 77 appearances over a six-year spell, which included various loan spells with the likes of Crystal Palace and Borussia Dortmund, but it wasn’t enough to maintain his place at Stamford Bridge.
He eventually joined Süper Lig side Fenerbahçe on a free transfer in 2022 – a move that would allow the 30-year-old to recapture his goalscoring form that secured him a move to the Premier League.
Batshuayi scored 44 goals in 75 appearances for the club, before joining Galatasaray this summer and continuing his impressive form, registering another three goals in his first six appearances for his new side.
Remarkably, his total of 47 goals since the start of the 2022/23 campaign is higher than both Isak and Toney, who could only manage 36 and 25 respectively.
Batshuayi
81
47
0.58
Isak
71
36
0.51
Toney
52
25
0.48
Given his recent goalscoring exploits away from Stamford Bridge, the club may regret allowing Batshuayi to leave the Blues back in 2022 – potentially providing added quality and goals for Maresca’s side.
After their failure to secure a new striker during the summer window, the London club are still relatively light in the centre-forward position, lacking that presence and quality alongside Jackson in the final third.
Chelsea star was sold by Tuchel in 2021, now he's worth more than Sancho
A £42 million forward who Tottenham chiefs have held internal discussions over signing is "one to watch" in the final days of the window, with Fabrizio Romano sharing a significant update on his future.
Spurs planning one more signing for the summer window
After sealing a quartet of summer deals for senior additions in Timo Werner, Archie Gray, Dominic Solanke and Wilson Odobert, who all cost a total of around £113 million, it is believed that Spurs chairman Daniel Levy could look to bring in one more fresh face for manager Ange Postecoglou.
Ange desperate to sign Bentancur alternative as Tottenham eye £50m star
Postecoglou wants a new man for his midfield.
1 ByEmilio Galantini Aug 22, 2024
Spurs sealed their first Premier League win of the season last Saturday with an impressive 4-0 victory over Everton at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, with goals from Yves Bissouma, Son Heung-min (2) and Cristian Romero rounding off a superb display.
It is perhaps a sign of things to come from Postecoglou's men, who are looking to build upon their fifth-placed finish of last season by going one better and qualifying for the Champions League, and perhaps even competing for major silverware.
Newcastle United (away)
September 1
Arsenal (home)
September 15
Brentford (home)
September 21
Man United (away)
September 29
Brighton (away)
October 6
However, they face different challenges in 2024/2025, namely their increasingly congested fixture calender due to their involvement in the new Europa League format – which is set to kick off next month.
Tottenham are believed to be plotting to move for a new midfielder before the transfer cut-off on August 31, with Pape Matar Sarr, Rodrigo Bentancur, Gray and Bissouma standing out as their only available options.
Gray predominantly starred at right-back for Leeds United last term, prompting speculation as to how Postecoglou will utilise the English sensation, with Emerson Royal joining AC Milan earlier this window and there being no natural senior cover for Pedro Porro in that position.
Meanwhile, there have been other suggestions that Spurs are also prioritising a new centre-back signing before the window closes, so it appears that the Lilywhites may not be done with their most recent acquisition of Odobert from Burnley.
It remains to be seen exactly which position will be strengthened before the window shuts later this week, but another player on their radar is apparently Bayern Munich forward Kingsley Coman.
Reliable journalist Ben Jacobs of GiveMeSport recently claimed that Spurs chiefs have discussed making a late swoop for Coman, who would cost around £42 million to prise away from the Bundesliga.
Coman could make surprise late Bayern exit as Tottenham eye move
The £276,000-per-week winger is subject to intense interest from numerous Premier League clubs, according to Romano, who explained on his YouTube channel that Coman could make a surprise late Bayern exit as Tottenham allegedly consider him.
“A player to watch in the final 24 hours, 48 hours, 56 hours or whatever. In the final days is Kingsley Coman because interest in Coman is still there," said the reporter.
“It’s a strong interest from Premier League clubs, from Barcelona. Barca are considering Coman and Federico Chiesa.
Bayern's Kingsley Coman
“Kingsley Coman has several possibilities also in England. So he’s going to be one to watch for the final days because there is still an expectation for Coman to leave Bayern. There could be a surprise with Coman.”
The Frenchman has played just 16 league minutes for Bayern this season, coming after his six total goal contributions for Bayern in 17 appearances last season.
There were many question marks hanging over the West Bromwich Albion team going into the new Championship season, with a mass exodus from the Hawthorns of top first-team talents seriously weakening Carlos Corberan's main XI.
Any doubts were firmly shoved to one side come full-time against Queens Park Rangers, however, as the likes of Josh Maja and other players previously stuck on the fringes stepped up to the mark in west London, with the ex-Sunderland striker even helping himself to a hat-trick in the convincing 3-1 victory.
Still, Corberan will be wary about the prospect of over-relying on the injury-prone striker across a full gruelling Championship campaign, with this striker target now on the mind of the West Midlands outfit.
West Brom considering move for new striker
As per Sky Sports journalist James Savundra, West Brom have Daniel Jebbison's name on an ever-growing list of potential new striker additions to target, with no Brandon Thomas-Asante now at Corberan's disposal.
However, there is expected to be significant competition ahead for the Baggies to overcome, in order to land the AFC Bournemouth striker on a loan deal this summer, with Sunderland noted as another interested party already.
What Jebbison can offer West Brom
The 21-year-old centre-forward is in need of breathing life back into his stuttering career, having only lined up for 17 league games over the last two seasons after former club Sheffield United, owing to injury difficulties.
Corberan could be the man to do just that for the new Cherries number 21, with the Spaniard proving back at the Hawthorns that he can be beneficial towards the development and improvement of raw attacking talents, seen in Tom Fellows now being a key first-team star under the Baggies manager.
Fellows shone on the opening day alongside Maja, with the Baggies academy product assisting the on-fire forward's second of the day, with the potential for him to get more out of Jebbison in a similar way, if West Brom land their desired target.
Despite Jebbison's limited game time over the past few seasons hindering his development, the in-demand marksman is still viewed as an exciting talent that could explode back into life if everything clicks into place, hence the number of clubs wanting to take him on this summer.
This would be a risky move, as the Baggies already have the likes of Daryl Dike and the aforementioned Maja on their books who are injury-prone, but Jebbison – who has been dubbed a "handful" by teammate Lewis Cook – could turn into a goal machine for the Championship promotion hopefuls if he's not cursed by finding himself constantly being in and out of the Hawthorns treatment room.
Team played for
Games played
Goals scored
Assists
Sheffield United
35
3
1
Burton Albion
23
9
0
Sheffield United U18s
6
6
0
Chorley
2
0
0
Jebbison has starred in the EFL in the past with Burton Albion with nine goals from 23 clashes, albeit in League One, but he was also shoved into the first-team mix at Bramall Lane off the back of his fruitful goalscoring exploits at youth level in South Yorkshire, with six in six for the U18s once upon a time.
It will be up to the former Blades star to find this lethal edge in front of goal again if he is picked to be West Brom's leading man, to allow the promotion hopefuls to completely forget about Thomas-Asante, with Fellows also potentially helping him to get back to his free-flowing peak by creating chances galore down the right flank.
Terrorising QPR defenders for fun on the opening day, Fellows will hope he can better his promising numbers from last season as a concrete part of Corberan's starting XI, with three assists registered last campaign from 33 league games.
He's already got one on the board, and Jebbison will be licking his lips at the prospect of the rampaging winger putting chances on a plate for him to score from, much like Maja was as a fox in the box versus the Hoops.
This could be the move Jebbison needs to get back to firing on all cylinders, as West Brom weigh up who will be their lone striker moving forward, now Thomas-Asante is at Coventry City.
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Glasgow Rangers are in talks regarding a summer swoop to bring Cyriel Dessers to the Scottish Premiership, according to reports.
Who is Cyriel Dessers?
The Nigeria international is a striker who currently plays his football for Cremonese having moved there from KRC Genk last summer, and during his debut season at the Giovanni Zini Stadium, he clocked up a total of 29 appearances under Davide Ballardini.
The Scottish Daily Mail (via Ibrox News) first credited Michael Beale with an interest in the 28-year-old and revealed that he was one of the names “on a list” of targets being considered for the upcoming window, and it wasn’t long before the boss made his opening move.
The Daily Record earlier this month reported that the Light Blues had submitted a seven-figure bid for the Serie B forward after seeing their initial offer turned down which resulted in the two parties getting locked in talks, though it would appear that there has now been a successful breakthrough in negotiations.
Are Rangers signing Dessers?
According to Football Insider, Rangers are "pursuing" a move for Dessers with talks firmly "underway" ahead of the 2023/24 campaign. The Cremonese striker has been a target north of the border for "some time" and it's stated that a fee of £5m "could be enough" to get a deal over the line this summer.
The Italian outfit are looking to "trim costs" following their recent relegation so are resigned to selling some of their prized assets, one of those being the attacker who could well be on his way to Glasgow.
Cremonese striker Cyriel Dessers.
Rangers have confirmed that Alfredo Morelos has left the club upon the expiration of his contract so Beale will need a natural centre-forward to replace him, and having been described as someone who is “awkward to play against” because of his physical strength by journalist Josh Bunting, Dessers could be the perfect successor.
The Stirr Associates client, who has the versatility to operate everywhere across the frontline, posted 13 goal contributions (ten goals and three assists) from 32 appearances in all competitions last season so was prolific in the final third, but he also posed a threat when he wasn’t on the scoresheet.
Dessers ranked in the 92nd percentile for number of attacking touches in the opposition’s penalty area and recorded 49 shots over the course of the term which was the second-highest total throughout his squad, as per FBRef, so should he sign on the dotted line, it would be a massive coup for Beale.
Aston Villa are in pole position to sign Sporting Lisbon star Pedro Goncalves and are leading the race for his signature. according to reports.
Who could Villa sign this summer?
It was a phenomenal end to the Premier League campaign for Unai Emery, who guided his side to a seventh-placed finish and subsequent qualfication for next season UEFA Europa Conference League.
This is despite Villa undergoing a very poor run of form at the start of the season under Steven Gerrard, but after Emery turned the tide, it is now the club's job to back their capable manager this summer.
Central midfield may well be a position of importance in this regard, with Villa thought to hold an interest in the likes of Joao Palhinha (Fulham), James Ward-Prowse of Southampton and even free agent Youri Tielemans – who recently departed Leicester City.
Meanwhile. additions further forward are not out of the question either, as Villa have even been linked with audacious moves for the likes of Dusan Vlahovic (Juventus) and Joao Felix (Atletico Madrid).
Sporting Lisbon star Goncalves, nicknamed 'Pote', is also a player on Emery's radar and the Villans have been tipped to move for him this summer.
Soccer Football – Primeira Liga – Sporting CP v Benfica – Estadio Jose Alvalade, Lisbon, Portugal – February 1, 2021 Sporting CP’s Pedro Goncalves in action REUTERS/Pedro Nunes
According to Portuguese newspaper O Jogo, via Sport Witness, Aston Villa are "in the lead" for his transfer, while Sporting expect his exit to be "imminent".
While Pote has starred under Ruben Amorim, Sporting's lack of Champions League qualification for next campaign means they have to sell and generate much-needed funds.
That's why the Primeira Liga side are happy to sell for the right price, with Pote's contract also containing an €80m (£68.8M) release clause.
Going by this update, Emery could well be edging closer to the signing of Pote.
Who is Pedro Goncalves?
The 24-year-old, as per WhoScored, has played a dazzling role for Sporting as a key player in their set up.
Pote stood out as their top goalscorer in the Portuguese top flight last season with 15 goals, registering a further 11 assists and totaling an impressive 26 goal contributions (WhoScored).
The central midfielder also attempted more shots at goal per 90 than any other Sporting player over 2022/2023, averaging their second-highest rate of key passes per 90 as well (WhoScored).
Journalist Sacha Pisani, commenting on the "incredible" Pote all the way back in 2021, tipped him for stardom and for Europe's elite to come calling.
Leeds United may feel they would be taking a 'risk' by appointing Andoni Iraola as their new manager at Elland Road, according to journalist Dean Jones.
What's the latest news involving Leeds United and Andoni Iraola?
As per Radio Marca via Estadio Deportivo, Iraola is expected to leave Rayo Vallecano at the end of this season and is said to have a number of options on the table as he assesses his next move.
The report states that Leeds United, Sevilla and Villarreal are beginning to 'rub their hands together' as the 40-year-old may be available for a new venture as he believes he has achieved all he can at the Estadio de Vallecas.
Last week, the Whites were relegated to the Sky Bet Championship unceremoniously following a 4-1 defeat at home to Tottenham Hotspur amid fan protests directed towards owner Andrea Radrizzani who was not present at the affair, as per BBC Sport.
Speaking to Football FanCast, journalist Jones isn't sure that Leeds United would go down the route of hiring Iraola, who plays an exciting 4-2-3-1 style, as they try to regain promotion to the Premier League in 2023/24.
Jones told FFC: "I think that trying somebody from abroad might be seen as a risk. Victor Orta was perhaps the guy that liked to take a risk. I'm not sure the people left over will be as willing given the state that find themselves in now."
Who else has been linked to the Leeds United manager role
Phil Hay of The Athletic has stated that former Leicester City boss Brendan Rodgers may come into consideration as a candidate, but that doesn't seem to likely now.
Chelsea's Graham Potter
The Daily Mail report that former Chelsea manager Graham Potter is another name that has been mentioned in connection with the job; however, he also has admirers at Leicester City, who will also play in the Sky Bet Championship in 2023/24.
Football Insider have also claimed that Celtic manager Ange Postecoglou is a name that the Whites have 'continuously shown an interest' in; however, the prospects of that happening look to be extremely unlikely.
Whoever is in charge of Leeds United will have a difficult job on their hands as they look to rebuild a fragmented squad and try to win promotion to the top flight.
Leeds United's relegation has condemned them to at least another year of Championship football, just three years after they thought they had left that league for good.
Whilst their 2004 demotion came as a shock to most, their 16-year failure to return to the top flight surpassed all of these emotions. They had gone from a sleeping giant to a comatose one, and it felt like no matter what occurred they would never earn that romantic Premier League return.
That was until Marcelo Bielsa was appointed, and his magic enacted.
His team was steely and hard-working, completely enamoured with a hard-working philosophy that saw them dominate the division. It was the perfect storm, with Kalvin Phillips conducting from within its eye.
An academy graduate handed a show of faith in a league where the top-flight often send their youngsters to develop, he instead was allowed to learn on the job, quickly becoming their most influential player. That promotion year saw the 27-year-old maintain a 7.28 average rating, alongside 1.8 key passes and 2.6 tackles per game, via Sofascore.
Now, in an effort to repeat that feat at the first time of asking, perhaps they could once again seek to put their faith in the academy, with Sean McGurk surely high on the list for those deserving of a first-team berth.
Who is Sean McGurk?
His potential inclusion within the senior squad is made all the more likely given the expected exit of Luis Sinisterra, who The Athletic suggest could seek to move, with a reported release clause encouraging this. With the possibility of relegation now a reality, the Colombian will be a fine signing for someone out there should he find fitness.
After all, his tally of seven goals in all competitions, whilst slightly underwhelming, was largely marred by a lack of fitness throughout the term.
His failure to adapt to the physicality of the English game cost him, especially after the 23-year-old joined having hit 23 goals and 14 assists the season prior in Holland.
leeds-united-sam-allardyce
Although having posted numbers nowhere near this level, McGurk has remained one of Michael Skubala's most consistent performers from that left flank, with his six goal contributions in 17 games a solid return. He has been a mainstay in the side that recently earned promotion into the Premier League 1 Division 1.
Seeking to cut in from his wing onto that favoured right foot, the 20-year-old boasts similarly blistering pace and sought to outline his other outstanding attributes after joining the club in 2021: "People describe me as a player who is quite exciting, I like to create goals and score goals and I think that is the strongest part of my game."
Whilst that is yet to shine through in the U21s, perhaps a promotion into the senior squad could see him realise this potential at the Championship level. After all, it only takes the new manager to hand him a few starts to figure out whether he can terrorise the division.
With his frightening speed, quick feet and youthful energy, that is sure to be a given though.
Leeds United will do all they can to ensure that key attackers Rodrigo and Patrick Bamford are fit to face Tottenham this weekend, with the former training on Friday, according to reliable journalist Phil Hay.
What is the situation this weekend?
The Whites have experienced a difficult season in the Premier League, not learning from last year's lessons and again battling relegation throughout the campaign. Both Jesse Marsch and Javi Gracia have been and gone as manager, and it is now up to Sam Allardyce to perform a miracle escape act.
Ahead of the final day on Sunday, Leeds know that they simply have to beat Spurs at Elland Road, and also hope that Everton and Leicester City slip up, against Bournemouth and West Ham respectively.
In truth, it looks like an extremely tall order for the Whites, and with injury doubts over both Rodrigo and Bamford, their task could get even more tricky.
However, taking to Twitter, Hay claimed that Leeds will do all they can to get both Rodrigo and Bamford on the pitch, with the former training on Friday in a positive update.
"Allardyce on injuries – Rodrigo trained today. Bamford will be given as long as possible. Decision to be made on him tomorrow, when Allardyce picks his XI.
"'I'll gamble on anyone's fitness if they want to play, if I think they can make a contribution to help us win.'"
Having Rodrigo and Bamford available this weekend is absolutely essential for Leeds, even if they aren't 100% fit, given their experience and quality. The former, who earn £100,000 per week, has been hailed as "sensational" by Gary Neville in the recent past and he has the ability to produce a match-winning moment from nowhere.
His stunning strike away to West Ham last weekend was proof of his class, even though it ultimately didn't affect the result in the end, and to have both him and Bamford sidelined would be cruel luck ahead of an absolute must-win encounter from Spurs, even if the latter has struggled for form recently.
You wonder if this could be Rodrigo's final game in a Leeds shirt, should relegation come their way, with the 32-year-old surely not wanting to be playing Championship football next season. The hope is that he can go out with a bang, scoring a goal that at least gives the White some hope of survival.
The final day can do crazy things, however, and if Rodrigo and Bamford both played a part in an incredible survival mission, they would further etch their name into Leeds folklore.