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Everton are in the market to improve their attacking threat this summer, and now a new update has emerged on the club's pursuit of a potential transfer target.

What's the latest on Everton's interest in Brian Brobbey?

According to Football Insider, Everton have made an approach with interest in signing Ajax forward Brian Brobbey.

As per the report, the Toffees have made the Eredivisie club aware that they are interested in signing Brobbey this summer and are currently weighing up their options before pushing forward with a concrete move for the striker.

It is noted that Sean Dyche is on the hunt for another No 9 to help Dominic Calvert-Lewin in the centre-forward role next season due to the Everton striker's injury struggles.

How good is Brian Brobbey?

There is no doubt that reinforcements are needed in the final third at Goodison Park, with Everton finishing last season as the second-lowest goalscorers in the Premier League.

The departures of Richarlison and Anthony Gordon over the last 12 months have significantly weakened the Toffees' attacking threat, and has left the Everton boss with limited options to work with, let alone any prolific and consistent performers in front of goal.

Indeed, the Merseysiders did acquire the services of Neal Maupay last summer, however, like many of Farhad Moshiri's transfer moves, he has been a complete disappointment, with the forgettable Frenchman only finding the back of the net once across all competitions.

As a result, the signing of Brobbey – once hailed "dangerous" by former Dutch striker Pierre van Hooijdonk – would be a great piece of business for Everton and would provide Dyche with a player who can compete for Calvert-Lewin's spot as well as be a huge upgrade on Maupay.

The £14m-rated Netherlands native is an incredible attacking presence, as he ranks in the top 5% of his positional peers across the competitions at a similar level for non-penalty goals, touches and progressive passes received, whilst he featured in the top 15% for shots on goal and pass completion, as per FBref.

When comparing the Ajax gem's output to Maupay's last season, Brobbey comfortably outperformed his Everton counterpart in a number of key attributes, including goal contributions (16 v 1), rate of shots on target (47% v 40.6%), shots on goal per 90 (3.50 v 2.58), shot-creating actions per 90 (2.29 v 1.45) and goal-creating actions per 90 (0.22 v 0.08).

It was reported by Football Insider last month that Maupay was attracting interest from Italy and France, which led to Everton opening talks with a number of Serie A and Ligue 1 clubs over a potential exit.

The sale of the former Brighton & Hove Albion striker would be massively advantageous to the Toffees in their pursuit to boost funds amidst Financial Fair Play concerns, which would, in turn, help them to provide an attractive financial package to secure the signing of Brobbey.

With that being said, a move for Brobbey is definitely one to watch for Everton, as he would boost goal contributions and make significant improvements in the final third to help the team compete more comfortably in the Premier League next season should he replicate his Eredivisie form in the English top flight.

West Ham United have carried out a scouting mission following an exciting young defender and could now look to pounce for his signature, according to reports.

West Ham news: Dan Rigge signs, Hammers held by Newcastle

According to Football Insider, West Ham youngster Dan Rigge has agreed a new long-term deal at the London Stadium and he is said to be highly regarded by the Hammers. The report states that Rigge received interest from several Premier League clubs before deciding to commit to new terms at West Ham and he will now look to be the latest youngster to break into the first-team set-up under David Moyes.

West Ham salvaged a late point against Newcastle United last weekend in a 2-2 draw in east London, with summer signing Mohammed Kudus notching an 89th-minute equaliser for the hosts against Eddie Howe's men.

Speaking to the Hammers' official website after the fixture, Kudus expressed his delight at being able to play a part in securing a result for his new side, stating: "It feels very good to score that goal, of course. Most importantly it made a difference for the team, which was us getting a point. Even though we wanted the three points, I was happy to score my first [Premier League] goal and it was important that we got a point out of it."

One West Ham transfer update from Spain has indicated that the Hammers are keen on bringing Real Madrid midfielder Brahim Diaz to England in the January transfer window, amid reports that he is keen to receive a regular run of first-team minutes, which have sometimes been hard to come by at the Santiago Bernabeu.

Next up for West Ham after the international break is an away trip to Aston Villa on October 22nd, as the Irons look to extend their unbeaten run in all competitions to five games without defeat.

West Ham transfer news – Charlie Hughes

According to a fresh West Ham transfer update from The Sun, Wigan Athletic defender Charlie Hughes is on the radar at the London Stadium and has been placed on a list of potential targets for the Hammers after they sent scouts to watch the 19-year-old in action.

The report states that other unnamed Premier League sides are keen on Hughes, who broke through into the senior ranks at Wigan last year and he has already captained the team on a couple of occasions.

Hughes has made 36 appearances in total for Wigan across all competitions, playing predominantly in central defence and has racked up three goals and two assists in the process (Hughes' statistics – Transfermarkt)

Wigan manager Shaun Maloney reserved special praise for Hughes after the youngster signed a new contract at the Latics earlier this year, telling the club's official website: "Charlie has been a standout player for us during my time at the Football Club and we wanted to recognise his outstanding development over the last year by extending his contract by another 12 months. We hope that Charlie’s breakthrough year can be a source of inspiration for all of our younger players so that they could follow the same path with hard work."

Nevertheless, West Ham could look to pinch Hughes in the near future and there is real scope for him to develop into a star at the top level.

The West Ham United faithful will be most pleased with how the east London side has finally unearthed the formula for lasting success under David Moyes' tutelage, having spent so many interminable years mired in mediocrity.

Having now cemented their position in the Premier League as European challengers, West Ham are well-placed to remain at the right end of the division for years to come.

One of the most important aspects behind the newfound feats is the success gleaned on the transfer front, with the dark days of misfires now over, for the most part.

That's not to say that the club haven't missed out on their fair share of targets, however, with none so detrimental that the decision not to sign Julian Alvarez, before the first-class star moved to Manchester City.

Why didn't West Ham sign Julian Alvarez?

Hailed for his “incredible threat” by Pep Guardiola, Alvarez is known to Premier League football as one of its most exciting attackers, but Moyes didn't feel that his signature was worth procuring back in 2021.

Speaking earlier this year on the Diary of a CEO Podcast, the Scottish gaffer revealed that he hired a scout who held deep knowledge of Argentinian football and recommended the 23-year-old, and while Moyes looked into the player and was left impressed by his technical skills, he opted out.

This is due to the form of Michail Antonio, who had started the 2021/22 Premier League season in odd-defying form, plundering four goals and three assists from his first three matches.

Stellar stuff, but not enough to eclipse the prowess of Alvarez. However, Moyes didn't think so and indeed chose to maintain proceedings with the veteran at the spearhead.

How much did Manchester City pay for Julian Alvarez?

Manchester City completed the signing of Alvarez from Argentinian outfit River Plate for around £14m in January 2022 – likely the fee he could have cost the Hammers – with the player remaining in his homeland on loan until the summer.

Director of Football Txiki Begiristain lauded Alvarez's dynamism and predicted he would become a "top player" in the future, something that, frankly, he's more than well on the way to achieving.

How much is Julian Alvarez worth now?

For those who have followed Alvarez's displays over the past year, or more, there will be a feeling that he is not yet the finished article, and considering the fact that he now plays a more prominent role in the Sky Blues' team, this is probably justified.

Regardless, he's already considered among the best of the best in world football, with CIES Football Observatory's valuation model actually providing him with a £129m price tag.

This is, frankly, staggering, and while the figure feels somewhat exorbitant, there's no denying that the increments he has made to his game already warrant a place among the very best rising stars that football has to offer.

It signifies an awe-inspiring 821% rise in valuation in less than two years, which is, really, fairytale stuff. Not only has Alvarez played an integral role but he has swiftly established himself as one of the most talented stars across European competition.

Given West Ham's proven prowess in investing aptly after a big sale (Declan Rice to Arsenal, £105m), there's no telling how much use could have been made from Alvarez had he signed.

Why is Julian Alvarez worth that much?

Alvarez's arrival in Manchester was somewhat overshadowed by the exciting acquisition of Erland Haaland from Borussia Dortmund, with the prodigious frontman joining after his £51m release clause was paid.

That being said, Alvarez still enjoyed an impressive maiden campaign, scoring 17 goals and supplying five assists from 49 matches across all competitions, starting only 23 of those.

Winning the European treble, the 24-cap Argentinian dynamo has since been called "superb" by colour commentator Ally McCoist and will hardly regret the fact that he didn't move to West Ham after such illustrious success already under Guardiola.

The 23-year-old has made some rather remarkable strides this season, posting six goals and five assists from 13 matches so far and showing little sign of slowing down, and while the direct contributions have shot up, it is his overall performance that has been so eye-catching.

Statistic

22/23

23/24

Appearances

31

8

Starts

13

8

Goals

9

3

Assists

0

3

G/A rate

0.29

0.75

Pass completion

83%

85%

Shots per game

1.5

3.0

Key passes per game

0.6

2.4

Touches per game

23

49

*Statistics sourced via Sofascore

There is a very clear improvement to Alvarez's game after his first year in the Premier League, and this isn't just due to the regularity of his time on the pitch, but his awareness, intelligence and incisiveness have all skyrocketed.

This exponential growth stems from an acclimatisation to life on English shores, but also an unshackling from the constraints of Haaland's jaw-dropping prolificness.

Where last season, Manchester City's Norwegian goal machine was the star man, this term, Alvarez is no longer second fiddle and has his own discernible identity in Guardiola's intricate system.

The £100k-per-week gem will never boast the raw predatory instinct in front of goal, but he offers a multi-functional, protean ability in offensive situations and has evidenced this through his primary placement this season in his deeper-lying forward role this season.

His manager has hailed him as "almost undroppable" – which is pretty high praise from a man known for his constant fluctuations and tinkering of his team.

The table above also illustrates his growing responsibility, having started all eight of City's Premier League matches this season, and given that he has already hit the halfway point in goal contributions from last season, he's clearly growing into a truly frightening forward.

Had he joined West Ham, there is no telling how his development would have been impacted, but one thing is for sure, his versatility and all-encompassing offensive attributes offer nothing less than the complete package.

With the likes of Jarrod Bowen, Mohammed Kudus and Lucas Paqueta all thriving under Moyes' wing – capable of prospering across an array of roles – Alvarez would surely have found his feet at the London Stadium.

And given that Antonio now approaches the twilight phase of his Hammers career, there is every possibility that Alvarez could have played the position he performs so admirably at the Etihad Stadium, offering an expansive set of skills to deftly complement the Jamaica international's own arsenal.

Sure, Alvarez has it all with Manchester City; last season, he won the treble and the World Cup with Argentina. There's really no arguing that the move he made was an auspicious one for his career.

But that doesn't mean the West Ham faithful can't dream of what might have been for a player who is destined for an unwavering placement at the very top of the global game.

Tottenham boss Ange Postecoglou, after suffering his first league defeat of the season on Monday, is having to contend with more bad injury news.

Spurs absentees in full

The Lilywhites succumbed to a 4-1 home loss against Chelsea in the Premier League, an entertaining encounter for the neutral but one which Postecoglou may be looking to forget in a hurry. There were real positives to take from the game, as Spurs were praised for their boldness playing a high line despite being down to nine men in the second half.

However, the match also saw numerous key players leave the field. Cristian Romero and Destiny Udogie are now absent following red cards against Mauricio Pochettino's side, but far more concerningly, both James Maddison and Micky van de Ven were forced off through injury.

Maddison sustained a knock to the ankle, according to Postecoglou after the game, while van de Ven's problem is looking far more "significant" after he hobbled away from the grass clutching his hamstring.

"It's too early but looking at Micky you're thinking it's a pretty significant one so you'd assume he'll be out for a little while." said Postecoglou on Maddison and van de Ven.

"Madders got a knock on the ankle and we'll just have to assess him and see how it is."

The duo have been absolutely pivotal to Tottenham's early-season run of form, which saw Postecoglou make the best start of any new manager in Premier League history.

Maddison, van de Ven, Romero and Udogie join Ivan Perisic, Manor Solomon, Ryan Sessegnon, Alfie Whiteman and Ben Davies on the absentee list. Postecoglou, as per news in the last 24 hours, will now be without another player for the foreseeable.

Richarlison set for surgery

Indeed, forward Richarlison's announced he's set for surgery on a long-term issue with his pubic bone, with Fabrizio Romano sharing the update. The Brazil international appears set for a spell on the sidelines as a result, with Postecoglou's injury issues now mounting at N17.

“The last few months haven’t been easy for me… I’ve had health problems," said Richarlison on Tuesday.

"I’ve already spoken to the doctors and soon I will do surgery on my pubis. I think it’s time to rest”.

Despite criticism at points, Richarlison had been a mainstay for Spurs this season – starting seven league matches and playing in ten overall. The 26-year-old was on the bench for their match against Chelsea but didn't feature, but it is unclear if his pubic bone issue is the reason why. Speaking after Richarlison's match-winning goal and assist in a dramatic 2-1 win over Sheffield United in September, Postecoglou called him a "fantastic" player.

Likes to cut inside

Gets fouled often

Indirect set-piece threat

Likes to tackle

"He’s a fantastic footballer," said Postecoglou on Richarlison to Match of the Day.

"He’s got so much to give and that can help ease the burden he’s feeling in other parts of his life, like so many of us. I’m really pleased for him – I thought he did really well. We were obviously chasing a goal and getting some balls in the box and he’s always a threat in the air.”

Tottenham Hotspur manager Ange Postecoglou will undoubtedly rue his side's two-match slump in the Premier League before the November international break, but despite the recent strife will remind his squad that Manchester City are just two points ahead in pole position.

Spurs had undergone a dramatic transformation this summer after finishing eighth in the top flight last year, missing out on European football – something that prompted Harry Kane to depart for Bayern Munich as a by-product.

But the arrival of Postecoglou has changed everything, with the Australian instilling confidence and cohesion and reviving the attacking prowess of this Tottenham team.

After ten matches, Tottenham were top of the table with eight victories and zero losses, but a chaotic, controversy-strewn contest against Chelsea last week unravelled the gains made, sending it spiralling into the murk.

While losing to Mauricio Pochettino's side was a blow, it was hardly the most detrimental element of a bitter evening, with James Maddison and Micky van de Ven both sustaining injuries to rule them out until the new year.

Destiny Udogie and Cristian Romero also received their marching orders, with such a raft of setbacks playing into Wolverhampton Wanderers' late turnaround at the weekend.

Talented as this Lilywhites crop may be, the recent malaise has stripped bare the lack of depth that will make challenging against a forbidding behemoth of Man City's stature something tricky.

Nonetheless, Spurs remain in an excellent position, and Postecoglou will know that if his side can battle their way to January, the winter transfer window can be used to bolster the ranks.

Tottenham transfer targets – Ruben Neves

According to TEAMtalk, a rule set to be implemented in the Saudi Pro League could have a knock-on effect for Tottenham's transfer plans, with Al Ittihad winger Jota now likely to remain at the club with the number of foreign players allowed in a matchday squad changing from six to ten.

Such could now ignite Jota's career in Saudi Arabia and close the door on a January departure, but Postecoglou still appears eager to sign in January and could yet raid the opulent division for a former Premier League star.

Indeed, the report continues that Al Hilal midfielder Ruben Neves is on Spurs chairman Daniel Levy's radar, with Arsenal and Newcastle United also interested in the Portugal ace.

Neves joined Al Hilal from Wolves for £47m in the summer after six years of service, though reports stemming from Portugal last month claim that the 26-year-old 'dreams' of returning to English shores.

Ruben Neves' style of play

It's generally accepted that Tottenham's squad is a little thin, and while the backline requires priority, regardless of Van de Ven and Romero's current absences, support must be spread across the pack to truly cement a place at the forefront of the Premier League.

And Neves, who is a tried and tested star in the division, would be the perfect addition, especially considering he has expressed a willingness to head back from Saudi Arabia now half a season into his new chapter, having been hailed as "incredible" by former teammate Hugo Bueno.

#

Player

Club

1

Ismael Bennacer

AC Milan

2

Fabian Ruiz

Paris Saint-Germain

3

Youri Tielemans

Aston Villa

4

Thiago Alcantara

Liverpool

5

Thomas Partey

Arsenal

*Sourced via Football Transfers

Slick in passing and tenacious in the tackle, the £300k-per-week machine has been hailed as an Old Gold "hero" by the likes of journalist Matt Maher for his central role in guiding Wolves to the Premier League and securing a spot away from the danger zone, even leading the club to European endeavours.

As per FBref, he ranks among the top 17% of midfielders for interceptions, the top 4% for blocks and the top 2% for clearances per 90 in relation to his European peers, highlighting the defensive strength that would only enhance Postecoglou's system, installing steel framework, of a sort, to shape and structure the fluency and effectiveness in transition.

Neves scored 30 goals and supplied 13 assists across 253 appearances for Wolves; for a deep-lying midfielder, this is not a half-bad return, especially given the ferocious snap of his skilful ranged strikes.

Since signing for Al Hilal, the 5 foot 10 gem has been in fine fettle, having chalked up 17 appearances, scoring two goals, supplying an assist and having yet to taste defeat.

As per Sofascore, he has been an omnipresent figure on the pitch in the Saudi Pro League, completing 91% of his passes, averaging 2.2 key passes, 2.3 tackles and 6.3 ball recoveries per game and taking 84 touches per game, very much the fulcrum.

He would bring a fresh sense of dynamism to Tottenham's midfield and indeed some much-needed depth, and Postecoglou has to throw the kitchen sink at this deal, else risk his signature winding up at a rival, such as Arsenal or the Magpies.

Why Tottenham should sign Ruben Neves

Neves would not only bring mettle and technical prowess to the fold, but he would also offer leadership and resilience to aid the development of players such as Pape Matar Sarr, immensely talented and perhaps strengthened by a mentor of Neves' ilk.

It would also represent a statement of intent from Postecoglou, much like when Maddison was signed from Leicester City for £40m in the summer.

The England international has been one of the standout performers in the Premier League this season and earned the Player of the Month award for August, having now posted three goals and five assists from 11 matches.

Crucially, Postecoglou felt that Tottenham needed a new first-rate playmaker to fuel his vision, and clinched Maddison's services with no European football, despite the vested interest of Eddie Howe's Newcastle.

Newcastle had been in pursuit of the former Fox for multiple transfer windows before cooling their attention this year, but must rue that decision after the 26-year-old's performances have led him to be "on the verge" of becoming a world-class phenom, according to pundit Jermaine Jenas.

Signing Neves could bring similar fruits, replicating the momentous addition of Maddison and infusing even more quality to edge Tottenham toward an illustrious position at the very top.

Tottenham have given a "huge boost" for the January transfer window as journalist Pete O'Rourke shares some news on a top target.

Spurs form under Postecoglou

Spurs boss Ange Postecoglou has suffered from a plague of injury and suspension issues over the last few weeks, and they've resulted in his side taking a major downturn in form.

Starting the Premier League campaign with a ten-game unbeaten run, Postecoglou enjoyed the best start made by any new boss in the division's history.

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Now, following injuries to key stars like Micky van de Ven and James Maddison, Spurs have lost four out of their last five league matches since early November and haven't won since their 2-1 victory away to Crystal Palace.

Their latest 2-1 defeat to London rivals West Ham was a particularly sore one to take for Postecoglou and supporters, with Spurs' head coach lamenting his team's poor performance in many aspects.

"No I don't think so," said Postecoglou on the loss to West Ham and whether their first-half performance was a positive (via football.london).

"I think it's another game where we've dominated a game of football and haven't turned our dominance into something more tangible and kept the opposition in the game. I thought we were really poor in both boxes tonight – both with our finishing and both goals were terrible to concede.

"We had some unbelievable chances – for us it's another game, like the Villa game and other games earlier this year, and I said during the week our attacking play has a long way to go. In general we have a long way to go, and tonight was more evidence of that."

One saving grace for Spurs could be the transfer window opening next month, and reports suggest they're keen to strengthen in key areas.

Indeed, Tottenham are chasing a left-sided centre-back most of all, while Spurs are also keen to sign another winger (Sky Sports).

Spurs gifted "huge boost" in Iling-Junior chase

In the latter position, one name who's been regularly mentioned as a top target for Tottenham is Juventus winger Samuel Iling-Junior.

There have been reports that Spurs are favourites to sign the 20-year-old, with reporter O'Rourke now sharing a bit more good news for Postecoglou's side.

The journalist, writing for Football Insider, claims Juventus are ready to accept £20 million for Iling-Junior in what he describes as a "huge boost" for Tottenham.

Spurs view the former Chelsea academy ace as an "ideal fit" for Postecoglou's style of intense style of play, with the Serie A side now prepared to cash in on Iling-Junior in the winter window.

While the winger has struggled for consistent game time under Massimiliano Allegri, the same could've been said for Dejan Kulusevski during his time at the club.

The Swede has now gone on to thrive at Spurs, and supporters will be hoping Iling-Junior could follow a similar path if he signs.

The summer transfer window marked a poignant moment for those at Tottenham Hotspur, as the curtain came down on Harry Kane's stellar stint at N17 – the England skipper sealing a move to Bundesliga powerhouse Bayern Munich having had just a year to run on his contract in north London.

That high-profile departure had come just under ten years on from Spurs losing another sparkling talisman to a historic, European giant following Gareth Bale's £85m switch to Real Madrid, with chairman Daniel Levy sanctioning that sale on deadline day in 2013.

While it was not long after the Welshman's exit that things began to click under Mauricio Pochettino – as that man Kane emerged onto the scene in 2014/15 – there will be Lilywhites supporters pondering whether 'success' could have been achieved earlier had the now-retired speedster not been allowed to move to the Bernabeu a decade ago.

Could Andre Villas-Boas have remained in the job for a longer stint? Could the north Londoners have begun to challenge the likes of Manchester City and Chelsea at the summit?

Off the back of a 2012/13 season that saw Bale register 40 goals and assists in all competitions, it is easy to contemplate whether the former Southampton could have kicked on even further in English football and helped to end the club's lengthy wait for silverware.

One possible certainty had the Cardiff native stayed put that summer is that Levy is unlikely to have sanctioned a £105m spend on seven new faces in that same window, prior to Bale's exit, with those additions potentially having been signed in the knowledge that the forward was to depart.

With that in mind, here's a look at how Villas-Boas' side could have lined up in 2013/14, had Bale remained in place and the majority of that infamous 'magnificent seven' not been signed…

1 Goalkeeper – Hugo Lloris

The only player from this starting XI that remains on the books under Ange Postecoglou – albeit as a forgotten figure – Hugo Lloris had been snapped up the year prior to Bale's departure, joining on a £13m deal from Ligue 1 side, Lyon.

While the veteran Frenchman has since been cast aside in the present day after initially outlining his desire for a move earlier this year, on the whole, it has been a stunning, lengthy stay in England for the ex-skipper, having racked up 444 appearances in all competitions.

A World Cup winner at international level, in his pomp the 36-year-old was a truly "exceptional" talent – as hailed by ex-teammate Brad Friedel – with a figure of such quality likely having been deserving of a more trophy-laden spell in the Premier League.

Perhaps, with longer time spent watching Bale work his magic higher up the pitch, that goal could have been realised.

2 Right-back – Kyle Walker

The undisputed first-choice option at right-back prior to his £50m move to Manchester City in 2017, Kyle Walker had truly begun to click into gear during the 2012/13 season, with the former Sheffield United ace having provided five assists in 36 league games under Villas-Boas' watch.

That was an early example of the potent attacking threat that the Englishman can offer down the right flank, with it likely to have been exciting to witness the full-back on one side, with Bale on the other wing for a lengthier period of time – a duo that could wreak havoc on opposition defences.

While perhaps not at his peak in Lilywhite, the 33-year-old has since won trophies galore after blossoming into the "best right-back in the world" at the Etihad, as hailed by City's director of football, Txiki Begiristain, having been part of the club's remarkable treble success last term.

3 Centre-back – Michael Dawson

Before the days of Micky van de Ven and Cristian Romero, or even Toby Alderweireld and Jan Vertonghen, it was Michael Dawson who was holding the fort at the heart of the defence alongside the latter man in 2013, with the former Nottingham Forest ace leading the side as captain at the time.

Having made 27 league outings in 2012/13, Dawson would ultimately go on to make a further 32 appearances in the top flight the following season, prior to joining Hull City in the summer of 2014.

A solid, but unglamorous performer at centre-back, the now-retired titan was perhaps the type of player that Spurs needed to upgrade on at the time, although even if this list were to include the club's infamous seven signings of 2013, eventual flop Vlad Chiriches was the only defensive addition of the lot.

4 Centre-back – Jan Vertonghen

The Belgian colossus would ultimately develop into "one of the best centre-backs in the Premier League and in Europe" – in the words of Pochettino – having been a true "warrior" in the backline after signing from Ajax in 2012.

The classy, left-footer had helped to fill the void of former cult hero, Ledley King following the Englishman's retirement that summer, with Levy and co having found a new figure to build their defence around.

Part of the side that remarkably reached the Champions League final in 2019, Vertonghen eventually departed for Benfica a year later, with the 36-year-old now plying his trade in his homeland for Anderlecht.

5 Left-back – Danny Rose

The man who could have linked up with Bale down that left channel, Danny Rose had returned to White Hart Lane in the summer of 2013, having spent the previous campaign on loan at Sunderland in the top-tier.

Having struggled to force his way into the first-team set-up in north London despite his stunning debut goal against rivals Arsenal in 2008, it was in 2013/14 that the one-time Leeds man began to make a strong, consistent impression, registering one goal and four assists in 22 league games.

While the 33-year-old would endure a sour end to his time at the club after being cast aside by Jose Mourinho, he still contributed 38 goals and assists in 219 games across all fronts, ensuring he could have been the perfect attacking foil for Bale.

6 Centre-midfield – Mousa Dembele

Lauded as a "genius" by Pochettino, Mousa Dembele blossomed into a real world-beater following the appointment of the Argentine coach in 2014, with the current Chelsea boss having turned him into a 'special player' – as journalist Jack Pitt-Brooke wrote at the time.

There is perhaps a world, however, in which Pochettino may never have ended up at N17, with the continued presence of Bale potentially set to have kept Villas-Boas in a job for far longer, as the Portuguese tactician was eventually sacked in December 2013 – just months after the Welshman's sale.

In the event of that scenario, would Dembele have become the beloved and influential figure that he developed into under Pochettino's watch?

7 Centre-midfield – Gylfi Sigurdsson

Options in the middle of midfield were particularly thin on the ground at Spurs in 2013, with that summer having seen the likes of Tom Huddlestone and Scott Parker move onto pastures new, leaving Villas-Boas with little depth in that department.

In the event of Bale staying, the likes of Christian Eriksen (£11.5m) and Etienne Capoue (£9m) may never have ended up in north London, leaving Gylfi Sigurdsson as one of few options for the club to work with in that area of the squad.

The Icelandic playmaker, in reality, spent just two years with the Lilywhites prior to leaving for Swansea City in 2014, while he now plies his trade for Danish side Lyngby, after leaving Everton.

8 Centre-midfield – Paulinho

With Bale's sale recouping around £85m – and with Levy ultimately spending £105m – that difference of around £20m could have been what the typically frugal Levy would have been willing to spend had the wing wizard stayed put, ensuring that at least one of the 'magnificent seven' can feature in this lineup.

As the first signing of that summer on a £17m deal from Corinthians, it makes sense for Paulinho to be the sole inclusion in the side, particularly with the centre of the park one of the areas that desperately needed bolstering at the time.

Quite whether Bale staying could have altered the Brazilian's dour stint is difficult to predict, with the 6 foot enigma ultimately lasting just two seasons before departing for China, with eight goals and six assists under his belt in 64 games.

9 Right-wing – Aaron Lennon

Unsurprisingly, it was the attacking ranks which saw the most change following the exit of Bale, with the likes of Erik Lamela, Roberto Soldado and Nacer Chadli having all been recruited in order to help pep up the front line.

Lamela, in particular, was meant to be the man to try and fill the shoes of the departing hero, although, in his absence, diminutive speedster Aaron Lennon would likely have remained the leading option in that role, having recorded four goals and eight assists in the league in 2012/13.

Just 18 months later, the 21-cap England international was moved on to Everton after falling by the wayside under the Pochettino regime, with things initially tumbling for the club after Bale's move to Madrid.

10 Centre-forward – Emmanuel Adebayor

The second-most expensive signing of that window was Roberto Soldado on a £26m deal, yet had the Spaniard not made the move from his homeland, the onus would have been placed on Emmanuel Adebayor to lead the line heading into 2013/14.

The former Arsenal and Manchester City man wouldn't have exactly been the most inspiring figurehead in attack, however, as he had scored just five league goals in 2012/13, despite previously recording 28 goal involvements in 33 league games the season prior.

Something of a polarising enigma, Adebayor did eventually go on to outscore Soldado – who was the "flop of the season" according to journalist Sam Tighe – with 11 league goals in 13/14, with the summer signing, by contrast, scoring just six top-flight goals as the goalscoring impact of Bale was not adequately filled.

After suffering play-off heartbreak last season, it's no surprise that Sunderland are once again on course to secure their shot at a place at Wembley, even if it is early days. Tony Mowbray's side currently sit inside the play-off spots on goal difference. Given how tight things are in the Championship so far this season, the January transfer window could make or break Sunderland's season.

The Wearside club weren't the busiest during the summer, with their most exciting deal coming in the form of Jobe Bellingham, who has since enjoyed success at The Stadium of Light. Further reinforcements could come through the door during January and that may include one specific target.

Sunderland transfer news

Since the end of Amad Diallo's loan spell last season, whilst Sunderland haven't been incredibly short on goals, they have missed the spark that the Manchester United youngster provided. Another attacking addition could be made a priority in the New Year, and that's where Luciano Rodriguez comes in.

According to reliable reporter Alan Nixon on his Patreon, relayed by The 72, Sunderland are eyeing a move for Rodriguez, who has continued to impress for Uruguay top flight side Liverpool. The forward can play in any of the front three roles, which could hand Mowbray a major boost when it comes to positional depth. Though considered an ambitious deal, Sunderland will reportedly have the funds available following the sale of Ross Stewart during the summer transfer window.

It remains to be seen whether the Black Cats can secure a deal, but the fact that they've scouted Rodriguez suggests that they're certainly keen on the Liverpool forward.

"Incredible" Rodriguez would boost Sunderland's promotion chances

At just 20-years-old, Rodriguez's stats show that he is seemingly a player full of potential and someone that Sunderland should be desperate to sign. At Liverpool this season, the forward has been involved in 10 goals in 27 appearances to attract the interest of Mowbray and co. The Uruguay U20 may only get better with time too, and could even look to follow in the footsteps of his compatriots, Luis Suarez and Darwin Nunez, by enjoying success in English football, potentially starting with promotion at Sunderland.

January looks set to be an important month for Rodriguez's career, especially if the Black Cats make their move. In the Championship, he'd likely gain even more attention and even more praise after already impressing the likes of Football Talent Scout's Jacek Kulig, who said:

"Luciano Rodríguez is absolutely incredible at Sudamericano U-20. Already one of the biggest individual winners of the tournament without a doubt."

As Sunderland look to finally replace the spark of Diallo, who played a pivotal part in their play-off push last season, Rodriguez could be the player to turn to and feature alongside star man Jack Clarke. Throughout his career so far, the versatile forward has shown several signs that he's only just getting started when it comes to goals.

Nottingham Forest have swung their managerial axe this term and new boss Nuno Espirito Santo is now set to make a big decision at The City Ground, according to a report.

Nottingham Forest appoint Nuno Espirito Santo

Despite being cherished by the local public, Steve Cooper was recently sacked by Nottingham Forest after going six matches without a victory in the Premier League.

Announcing his decision to sack the Welshman, Tricky Trees owner Evangelos Marinakis said in a statement cited by Sky Sports News: "Everyone at Nottingham Forest would like to thank Steve for his superb contribution to our football club. His achievement in guiding Forest back to the Premier League will undoubtedly remain an iconic moment in the club's history."

He then added: "We thank Steve for his dedication and commitment during his time with us, as well as the incredible connection he forged with our supporters and the city of Nottingham. Steve will always remain a friend of the club and will forever be welcome at The City Ground. We wish him well in his future endeavours."

Nottingham Forest eye January move to bring "amazing" player to City Ground

Forest want to strengthen a key position.

BySean Markus Clifford Dec 13, 2023

At present, the Reds sit 17th in the divisional standings with 14 points from their opening 17 matches and are five ahead of Luton Town, who sit directly below, albeit with a game in hand over their relegation rivals.

Marinakis has moved swiftly to bring in former Wolverhampton Wanderers boss Nuno to help steady the ship at the City Ground. The Portuguese manager has signed a two-and-a-half-year deal at his new employers and will take on Bournemouth this weekend in his first fixture in charge.

Now, the 49-year-old looks set to make a big decision at Nottingham Forest that could help to shape part of his dealings in the January transfer window, according to a report.

Nottingham Forest could terminate Divock Origi's deal…

According to reports in Belgium, via Sport Witness, Nottingham Forest could look to terminate Divock Origi's loan deal and use any funds gained from his excess wage expenditure to try and "buy a striker" in the January window.

Divock Origi's key statistics in the Premier League (Sofascore)

Goals

0

Assists

0

Total expected goals

0.17

Shots on target per game

0.1

Total expected assists

0.16

Touches per game

6.5

The report claims that the Belgium international's entourage are "looking for a solution" that will suit all concerned. At the time, the deal to take Origi to Nottingham Forest included an option-to-buy clause; however, it has become clear that he will not sign permanently at the City Ground upon the conclusion of his temporary deal.

Undoubtedly, Origi has had a hard time of things since becoming a Nottingham Forest player and his performances have not been up to scratch, evidenced by the fact he has achieved a match rating of 5.98/10 in the Premier League this campaign (Origi statistics – WhoScored).

With Nuno's reign underway at the Tricky Trees, it looks like his relationship with Origi will be short-lived as both seem likely to go their separate ways in January.

Farhad Moshiri's seven years as owner of Everton football club have been chaotic, to say the least.

Record-breaking transfers, relegation battles and a whole host of managerial sackings have all culminated in their demise towards the foot of the Premier League table and while moving into a state-of-the-art stadium in 2024 could transform their mood, it could have the opposite effect if the Toffees are a Championship club by that point.

The Toffees have survived relegation by the skin of their teeth in recent campaigns and unless Sean Dyche somehow performs some miracles, another battle against the drop is on the cards.

Unfortunately, the main reason for their downward spiral has been their constant lapses of misjudgement in the transfer market, paying the price for shelling obscene amounts of cash on disappointing talent.

The likes of Jean-Philippe Gbamin, Sandro Ramirez, Yannick Bolasie, Davy Klaasen and Cenk Tosun – a list that is by no means exhaustive – have all foregrounded the bitterly disappointing transfer strategy that has been carried out since Moshiri took to the helm.

Everton have ultimately fallen victim to throwing money down the drain on talent that promised to deliver so much and it was the arrivals of Bolasie and Morgan Schneiderlin in 2016/17 that kickstarted this trend.

The background behind Everton's signing of Morgan Schneiderlin

Everton captured the defensive midfielder for £24m from Manchester United in January 2017, reuniting him with former manager Ronald Koeman, who he spent a season under at Southampton.

The Frenchman originally left St Mary's for Old Trafford in 2015 for a similar fee but struggled to make inroads into the first team during Jose Mourinho's time in charge.

He only featured on 47 occasions for the club and struggled to hold down his place in the matchday squad, perhaps foreshadowing how the rest of his career would plan out.

Departing the club in acrimonious circumstances, Schneiderlin later revealed that he "lost himself as a player" at Man United due to a multitude of reasons, but it was the demands set by then manager Louis van Gaal that affected him the most.

He said: "It was not just the manager's fault, it was my fault, too. My role was not the one I had at Southampton. I felt restricted in my game. I felt they wanted to change things in me. I was not thinking as me, I was thinking about what pleased the coach.

"When you reach that point, every pass you make, everything you do, you don't play free. Something stopped me from being who I was. I wanted so much to do well and it is one of the most frustrating things ever."

Having lost himself at one of the biggest clubs in the world, the Frenchman struggled to recapture the form that saw him burst onto the scene at Southampton as a youngster, and pay back the original price tag with exceptional performances.

Morgan Schneiderlin's statistical record at Everton

Schneiderlin arrived at Everton when Ronald Koeman was spearheading their charge towards Europe and he would have expected the 27-year-old, at the time, to become the anchor of their ship.

A tough-tackling defensive midfielder with a sublime passing range, Schneiderlin boasted the desirable ingredients for a European charge in the Dutchman's possession-based style.

The 6 foot 1 anchorman had previously showcased an ability to recycle possession for his team, caress line-breaking passes through to his attackers and read the game superbly to sniff out danger.

Those were all attributes that saw Rio Ferdinand earmark him as a replacement for Michael Carrick at Man United and Koeman partnered him next to the energetic and tenacious midfielder, Idrissa Gueye.

Although he promised to deliver those sought-after attributes for the Toffees, instead the Frenchman, quite simply, didn't endear himself well to the Goodison Park faithful and this was embodied by his lack of discipline on and off the field. In 88 appearances for the club, he was shown 14 yellow cards and three red cards, channelling his aggression in the wrong way.

Given his subpar performances, Schneiderlin's exit was mooted for a while, but it didn't happen till the summer of 2020 as OGC Nice paid £2m to lure him back to France.

The total cost of Schneiderlin's time at Everton

During his three-and-a-half-year stint at the club, he earned a whopping £22.8m in wages, as per Capology.

Indeed, when adding his initial transfer fee of £24m to that total, Schneiderlin drained Everton of a staggering £46.8m, as the club's finances took a monumental hit without significant returns on the pitch.

£120k

£90k

£75k

£70k

£70k

Remarkably, the Frenchman's wage of £120k per week saw him become the club's highest earner after signing in the 2016/17 campaign. He was on more money than several key players in the squad, including Romelu Lukaku, Idrissa Gueye and Ross Barkley.

Schneiderlin unfortunately symbolises Everton's habit of draining the club's resources on woeful talent.

Schneiderlin's career path since leaving Everton

Since leaving Goodison Park in 2020, the 33-year-old has become a journeyman, plying his trade in three different countries.

Having made 59 appearances for Ligue 1 giants OGC Nice, he moved to the other side of the world to sign for Western Sydney Wanderers, but only made 11 appearances in the A-League before packing his bags once more and relocating to Greek Super League side, A.E Kifisias.

While his career has taken a downward spiral, much like Everton's fortunes, Schneiderlin admitted in a recent interview during his brief time in Australia that he could still be at Manchester United if he played to his full potential, as per the Daily Mail.

He said: "I know if I played to my full potential, with freedom, I would not be in Australia right now.

"Maybe I would still be at Manchester United. When I signed, I wanted to be a legend there. That is why I am mad with myself and it will be hard until the end of my life.

"My friends ask, 'Why are you saying this?' But I know myself and what I can bring. I know this time at Manchester United affected me for the longest period in my career. I was so frustrated I couldn't give what I wanted."

The Frenchman failed to recapture the form that saw him become one of several big-money departures out of Southampton and ultimately, never recovered from his damaging spell at Man United, nor his disastrous time at Everton.