The January transfer window reopening could come at the perfect time for Wayne Rooney and his new Birmingham City side, the former Manchester United great turned Blues manager struggling in the St Andrew's dug-out so far.

New fresh bodies into the building handpicked by Rooney himself could be the catalyst for change as the under-pressure boss begins to leave his mark on the Blues, Birmingham falling down the Championship table at a rapid pace under the former Derby County manager's doomed reign to date with only one win from eight.

Rooney could well have a number of Red Devils players on his shopping list, relying on his ties still to Old Trafford in order to gain some exciting talents in through the door at St Andrew's to stop the rot.

Here are three Man United players the already under-fire Blues boss could attempt to sign on loan this January to liven up proceedings…

1 Joe Hugill

Rooney could well opt to bring in a fresh face up top this January, with Joe Hugill potentially his desired target who continues to be prolific at youth level for Man United.

Birmingham's strikers are struggling for goals minus young hot-shot Jay Stansfield – with five goals – who is on loan from Fulham, so Rooney could decide another loan buy is worth pursuing.

Hugill has seven goals in all competitions for the U21's side this season, scoring twice last time out in Premier League 2 action versus Everton.

The 20-year-old did struggle out on loan at non-league Altrincham recently – only netting one goal from seven National League appearances in 2022/23 – but Erik ten Hag might well see Hugill going under Rooney's wing on a short-term basis as a beneficial learning curve for his exciting prospect.

2 Omari Forson

Another youngster exciting those at Man United is Omari Forson, who would also benefit from a taste of senior action if he was to be loaned out.

Forson has been deployed at U23 level this season down both flanks and even through the centre of the park, with Forson excelling mainly down the left wing – four of his seven goals in all competitions coming from this role in the side.

Birmingham are light on numbers down the flanks so Forson could well be a worthwhile short-term buy this January, with Koji Miyoshi in recent weeks even moving over to the wing despite starting his career at the Blues mainly as a central attacking midfielder.

Other options in the winger positions such as Oliver Burke have just failed to acclimatise to St Andrew's – the Werder Bremen loanee routinely firing blanks for the Blues with zero goals – and so the skilful and clinical attacker from Man United could be a wise acquisition in the transfer window.

3 Radel Vitek

Lastly, the final name on Rooney's potential shopping list from the Red Devils could be Czech goalkeeper Radel Vitek.

Vitek was a surprise inclusion on the bench against Sevilla in last season's Europa League for Man United, with the 20-year-old shot-stopper highly thought of at Old Trafford.

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ByTom Griffin Nov 22, 2023

Amassing 55 appearances in numerous age brackets at the club, the time could be right for Vitek to experience the cut and thrust of EFL football on loan.

The Blues do have two experienced goalkeeper options on their books, with former Norwich City and Wolverhampton Wanderers goalkeeper John Ruddy the preferred number one, but Vitek could offer the ageing shot-stopper some healthy competition if he was signed by Rooney.

Ruddy has struggled to keep the ball out of his net this season, only keeping four clean sheets from 19 appearances. Could a fresh recruit from the Red Devils hungry for more minutes come in and steal his number-one jersey?

Newcastle United are looking to sign a stopgap for Sandro Tonali in January, and a move for an "excellent" midfielder could still happen, according to journalist Alex Crook.

Newcastle eyeing Tonali replacement

Ever since the Magpies were rocked by the news that Tonali has been banned for 10 months for betting offences, it has been clear that they badly need a replacement when the January transfer window arrives.

While Eddie Howe still has strong options in the middle of the park, from Bruno Guimaraes and Joelinton, squad depth will likely become more and more important as the season goes on, as legs begin to tire.

Newcastle willing to pay £26m for “extremely agile” potential ace

Could he be an ideal Sandro Tonali replacement?

ByHenry Jackson Nov 26, 2023

Newcastle have been linked with a plethora of players when it comes to filling the void left by Tonali, and the first-choice target arguably appears to be Kalvin Phillips, with the Manchester City and England man continually tipped to make a move to St James' Park.

The Magpies could also look to Saudi Arabia for potential additions, however, with both Ruben Neves and N'Golo Kante mentioned as possible solutions for Newcastle in the recent past. Whatever happens, at least one new midfielder is needed midway through the season, and now another name has been mentioned as an option to come in.

Newcastle could sign Gabri Veiga

Speaking on the Premier League All Access Podcast [via The Boot Room], Crook claimed that Newcastle could potentially sign Gabri Veiga in January, with the Spaniard currently playing for Saudi Pro League side Al-Ahli.

"I think they’re still worried with how they’re perceived, but it would be a surprise for me if they didn’t take at least one player from Saudi in January.

"It might not be Ruben Neves, Al-Hilal are keen to keep him. But Gabri Veiga was a player who was very much in their sights this summer and it was a bit of a surprise at such a young age that he went to Saudi, so I’d keep an eye on that one."

Veiga could be an interesting option for Newcastle, with the 21-year-old's move to Al-Ahli arguably raising eyebrows during the summer, due to his age and the fact that he had been flourishing so much for Celta.

Last season, the Newcastle transfer target scored 11 goals in 28 La Liga starts, showcasing his ability to provide end product from his attacking midfield role, and a future call-up to Spain's senior squad feels possible, considering he has won 14 caps for the Under-21s.

Appearances

56

Goals

11

Assists

4

Veiga isn't necessarily a like-for-like replacement for Tonali, with the current Magpies ace a more disciplined figure who often plays deeper, but if the chance to sign the ex-Celta star arrives, it is still a move that Howe should consider going through with.

Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti has called the youngster an "excellent player who has something special", which is high praise from one of the most renowned bosses in the game, and he could decide that his time in Saudi Arabia hasn't been successful, instead making a speedy return to Europe and kicking on in his career.

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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ByEmilio Galantini Dec 8, 2023

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.

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.

Football shirts are big business, and fashion has become as big a part of football as having a pie and a pint with your mates. In this modern age, football clubs have to walk the tightrope of making money through sponsorships, but also having a kit that looks good.

In this exploration of iconic football pairings, Football FanCast journeys through time and leagues to uncover the stories behind some of the most memorable alliances.

From Barcelona's historic collaboration with UNICEF during their golden era to PSV Eindhoven's record-breaking bond with Philips, each pairing tells a unique story and has helped to create some of the most memorable shirts in history.

In this list, shirts are ranked by the look on the shirt itself as well as its standing in football culture.

13 Dr Martens West Ham United 1998-2003

Talk about knowing your audience. Dr Martens' sponsorship of West Ham is an almost perfect match; the only way it could have been made any better is if Stone Island made the kits instead of FILA. Paolo Di Canio was stomping about the old Boleyn Ground wearing this, which is very fitting.

The partnership came to an end in 2003, lasting just five years. In that short period of time, the boot company helped make some of the best claret and blue shirts in history, not just for West Ham. Seeing them dotted around the new Olympic Stadium is a throwback to where West Ham came from.

12 Unicef Barcelona 2006-2012

Having previously gone sponsor-less entirely, Barcelona's commitment to the charity UNICEF came at arguably the most successful period of their history. Between the years of 2006-2011, players like Ronaldinho, Lionel Messi, and Andres Iniesta were sporting the logo while banging in goals and winning trophies.

"FC Barcelona is highly committed to work with UNICEF to advance the global message of the importance of children's issues and to promote education and sport," said ex-Barcelona director Ramon Pont. The partnership yielded around €19m for the charity, but in the end, money won out, and the Catalan club ditched Unicef for the Qatar Foundation in 2011.

11 Parmalat Parma 1987-2004

From the late 90s to the early 2000s, Parma were a major force in Italian football. Gianluigi Buffon, Hernan Crespo and Fabio Cannavaro were all ripping it up in the picturesque Italian city before the club went bankrupt in 2004. Parmalat, a food and dairy corporation, were with them all the way.

Parma aren't the only football club Paramalat have sponsored, Benfica, Boca Juniors, Palmeiras, and even Real Madrid have had the brand strewn across the front of their shirts. The company sponsored their hometown club as they got promoted to Serie A in 1990.

Interestingly, the period of time Parmalat sponsored Parma also turned out to be when the fraud began. The company is still operating, but it's a shell of its former self, much like Parma Calcio.

10 Philips PSV 1979-2016

PSV and Philips is the only duo on this list to be in the Guinness Book of World Records – it's the longest sponsorship of a sports team in history. The technology company founded the club in 1913 as a pastime for its employees.

The history of both club and sponsor are so deeply interlinked, it would be impossible to imagine one without the other. PSV's ground is called Philips Stadion, which is just a few minutes from the company's headquarters in central Eindhoven. They ended their shirt sponsorship deal in 2016, but Philips still works with the club in other ways.

9 Quilmes Boca Juniors 1994-2002

For good and bad, beer goes hand in hand with football. This won't be the only brewery sponsorship on this list, but it is arguably the coolest. Football hipsters across the globe weep tears of joy when they spot a Quilmes-sponsored Boca shirt out in the wild.

It's Juan Roman Riquelme, it's late-career Diego Maradona, it's La Bombanera going nuts. If you close your eyes and think of a Boca shirt, it probably has Quilmes on the front. The beer is pretty good, too.

8 T-Mobile Bayern Munich 2002-present

Bayern Munich being sponsored by T-Mobile just feels right. Their minimalist, no-nonsense logo suits a club with the ruthless efficiency of Bayern. The partnership started in 2002 and has coincided with a period of unprecedented dominance for the Bavarians.

Bayern have now won 11 Bundesliga titles in a row, and could yet win another without breaking much of a sweat this season (unless Bayer Leverkusen are able to maintain their superb start). T-Mobile are the biggest telecommunication company in Germany, and Bayern are the biggest club. It was meant to be.

7 Carlsberg Liverpool 1992-2010

Fernando Torres' beautiful, long blonde hair blowing in the wind as he runs off to celebrate yet another goal is exactly what comes to mind when we think of Liverpool and Carlsberg. There isn't a better advert than that; in the end, that's what sponsorship is all about.

Although not technically against the rules, alcohol shirt sponsors have dwindled in the UK. There hasn't been a Premier League club sponsored by an alcohol company since 2017/18, they're all betting companies instead now.

6 Opel AC Milan 1994-2006

It's no coincidence that a lot of these sponsors coincide with a very successful time in the club's history. Who remembers the sponsor AC Milan had on their shirt when they were relegated in 1979/80? (They didn't have one, but the point still stands).

When German car manufacturer Opel sponsored AC Milan, Italian football was at its best, and I Rossoneri were the poster boys. Maldini, Kaka and Shevchenko won Champions League with Opel front and centre of their iconic shirts.

5 O2 Arsenal 2002-2006

O2, an iconic sponsor for an iconic club at the most iconic time in its history. Wenger's Invincibles, arguably the best side in Premier League history, won the league title without losing a single game. The Gunners weren't the only ones who struck gold – think of all that sweet, sweet publicity O2 got by being associated with that team.

Arsenal have had their fair share of iconic short sponsors; JVC or Dreamcast could both have easily made this list, but it's hard to look past that famous Henry kneeslide. The partnership ended in 2006, and with it, Arsenal's ability to win Premier Leagues…

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ByAlex Roberts Dec 7, 2023 4 Vodafone Man Utd 2000-2006

Old Trafford used to be where megastars were made. Becks with his long, dirty blonde hair was pulling in enough sponsorship money that he might end up buying the club if the Glazers ever sell up. Rooney was pre-hair transplant, and Cristiano Ronaldo was a skinny boy with something to prove. All of these players' careers started with Vodafone.

None of us here were privy to what was said in either Vodafone's or O2's boardrooms, but do we think it's a coincidence that two of the country's biggest telecommunications companies sponsored Arsenal and Manchester United at a time when their rivalry was at it's fiercest.

Leeds United continued their fantastic run of form in the Championship as they beat Blackburn Rovers 2-0 at Ewood Park on Saturday.

Goals from Dan James and Crysencio Summerville secured all three points for the Whites in Lancashire but it did nothing to close the gap on the top two.

Ipswich Town and Leicester continue to run away with the automatic promotion places as they sit on 48 and 49 points respectively, with a combined 31 wins from 40 matches.

First

Leicester

49

Second

Ipswich

48

Third

Leeds

41

Fourth

Southampton

38

Fifth

West Brom

32

Sixth

Sunderland

30

Daniel Farke's side, meanwhile, have won six of their last seven league games and sit seven points behind the Tractor Boys with 41 points in third place.

The Whites must continue to bring in the results and hope that the current top two slip up at some point and provide them with a chance to move up into the promotion places.

Bolstering the playing squad in January could give Leeds a boost and help them push for an automatic spot in the second half of the season.

Leeds transfer news – Sam Curtis

One player who has been linked with a potential move to Elland Road at the start of next year is impressive teenage full-back Sam Curtis.

90min reported last month that the Whites are one of a number of clubs eyeing up the 18-year-old defender ahead of the January transfer window.

The outlet claimed that Premier League giants Manchester City, Tottenham Hotspur, Liverpool, and Manchester City all want to sign him next month.

It added that Leeds, Middlesbrough, and Hull City are three Championship sides interested in Curtis, whilst reigning Scottish Premiership champions Celtic have also had an eye on the Irish prospect.

He currently plays for St Patrick's Athletic in his home country and his club are said to expect him to move on before they return to league action in February.

This suggests that a January transfer is on the cards for the right-back and this means that Leeds will need to move swiftly if they want to beat off the competition for his signature.

However, the report does not reveal how much it would cost to secure a deal for his services and that could play a telling role if it is out of the club's budget.

If they can afford him, though, Leeds could have an edge over the Premier League giants as they could offer the allure of regular first-team football, which the likes of City and Liverpool may not be able to offer with Kyle Walker and Trent Alexander-Arnold standing in his way.

Farke could unearth his next version of Max Aarons, who he uncovered at Norwich City, by winning the race for Curtis' signature ahead of the second half of the 2023/24 campaign.

Max Aarons' Championship form for Farke

The German tactician placed his full faith in the talented right-back during their time together at Carrow Road as he handed the academy prospect a full first-team league debut at the age of 18.

Farke chucked Aarons in at the deep end in an East Anglian derby against Ipswich at the start of the 2018/19 campaign and the full-back went on to play a crucial role in the club's promotion to the Premier League.

The Canaries youngster went on to start 41 Championship matches in his first season at senior level and contributed with two goals and six assists.

He caught the eye with 2.7 tackles and interceptions per game to go along with a duel success rate of 58%, which shows that the impressive youngster made an impression at both ends of the pitch.

Norwich found themselves back in the Championship again for the 2020/21 campaign and Aarons, once again, produced fantastic performances.

The former England U21 international started 45 of their 46 league matches and made his presence felt with two goals and two assists from right-back. He also ranked within the top 4% of his positional peers at that level for progressive carries (3.27) per 90.

Aarons was rewarded for his stunning form with a place in the PFA Team of the Year for both the 2018/19 and the 2020/21 season respectively. He was also named the EFL Young Player of the Season at the end of his first campaign for Norwich.

These statistics and achievements show that Farke unearthed a gem in Norfolk and the German boss could do something similar with Curtis at Leeds.

The statistics that show why Leeds should sign Curtis

The talented prospect, who journalist Seán O'Connor dubbed a "rising star", has already played a full season of senior football despite the fact his 18th birthday was earlier this month.

Teammate Tom Grivosti hailed the 18-year-old whiz as "unbelievable" and claimed that he is "mature" beyond his years, which is a ringing endorsement for such a young player.

Curtis assisted three goals in 18 Premier Division appearances during his first foray into senior football during the 2022 campaign for St. Patrick's.

The Republic of Ireland U21 international followed that up with three goals and three assists in 34 outings in the Irish top-flight this year.

Alongside his attacking contributions, the teenage sensation caught the eye with his impressive defensive work. He made 3.4 tackles and interceptions and 5.2 ball recoveries across those 34 matches, to go along with a duel success rate of 63%.

For a point of reference, Archie Gray, who has been utilised out of position at right-back this season, has averaged 2.8 tackles and interceptions and won 54% of his battles across 19 Championship appearances.

The Thorp Arch youngster has, however, only contributed with one assist as he is yet to register the first senior goal of his promising career.

Gray has been a solid performer at right-back but the signing of Curtis would provide Farke with a natural player in that position and a potential upgrade given his defensive and offensive contributions in the Premier Division this year.

Leeds could, therefore, land the German his next version of Aarons as a fantastic 18-year-old right-back who could develop over time, whilst it would also allow Gray to play in his natural position in midfield.

Manchester United are believed to be planning an offer to sign an “unplayable” Premier League player in a potential £65m deal this summer, according to a fresh update.

Man Utd defeat highlights need for signings

The Red Devils were beaten 4-3 away to Brentford on Sunday afternoon, as their hugely disappointing league campaign continues, amid their continued search for Europa League glory later this week.

The loss leaves Ruben Amorim’s side still sitting in 15th place in the table, having lost 16 of their matches in the league in 2024/25, highlighting how important it is for new signings in the summer transfer window.

Bournemouth attacker Antoine Semenyo has been linked with a move to United at the end of the season, following an impressive season for the Cherries that has seen him score nine times in the league, also bagging five assists in the competition.

Meanwhile, Lyon youngster Rayan Cherki has been mentioned as a target for the Red Devils, with the 21-year-old thought to be open about the idea of moving to Old Trafford if he is made the leading man in Amorim’s attack.

Man Utd planning offer for £65m Brentford star

According to a new update from Caught Offside, Manchester United are planning to make an offer for Brentford forward Bryan Mbeumo, looking to snap him up in the summer window. The Bees could be looking for as much as £65m for the Cameroonian, with Tottenham, Arsenal and Newcastle United also interested in him.

Mbeumo has arguably been one of the Premier League’s most dangerous attacking players throughout this season, scoring 18 goals, which is only fewer than Mohamed Salah, Alexander Isak, Erling Haaland and Chris Wood.

Meanwhile, his importance isn’t lost on Brentford manager Thomas Frank, who heaped praise on him earlier in the season: “Bryan Mbeumo today was unplayable. The way he holds the ball up and links play, like today to Kevin Schade [for the fourth goal] was very impressive.”

Admittedly, Mbeumo takes up the same right-sided attacking role that Amad Diallo likes to play in, so there is a risk of blocking his path, but strong competition is needed all over the pitch.

The 25-year-old is in the perfect place to come in and be a star man from the off at Old Trafford, having already shown that he can take the Premier League by storm, bagging 68 goal contributions (40 goals and 28 assists) in 133 appearances since joining the Bees.

With the likes of Marcus Rashford, Alejandro Garnacho, Joshua Zirkzee and Rasmus Hojlund all arguably feeling like flawed attacking options currently, it is essential that a couple of genuinely top-level players arrive in that area this summer.

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In Mbeumo, United could have a fantastic option who could be a key man for the next five or six years, producing relentless end product and making Amorim’s men a far greater force.

Wrexham have highlighted a second striker who they are interested in signing alongside Jonson Clarke-Harris in January, according to a reliable journalist.

Clarke-Harris interest

Over the summer, Peterborough United’s Clarke-Harris was heavily linked with a move to join the club, although a deal failed to come to fruition before the deadline, with Posh chairman Darragh MacAnthony detailing the reason why during a public interview.

Speaking on The Hard Truth podcast, he said: "Wrexham contacted me and said they were going to make a bid, which was interesting. It might have seemed a strange move for the player, but if they got him, it would probably mean back-to-back promotions for them so I could see the logic.

"Apparently, Hollywood had approved the move, but then they just went quiet. They never came back to me, which was a surprise, especially when I saw who they eventually tried to sign."

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While Phil Parkinson’s side are still interested in their former target, they have identified an alternative should they once again decide against a pursuit of Clarke-Harris in the form of Sheffield Wednesday’s Lee Gregory, with the manager set to be handed the perfect opportunity to bring him to League Two.

The Owls’ 35-year-old will have reached the expiration of his deal at the end of the season (Sheffield Wednesday contracts), so should he not put pen to paper on an extension, whether that's because he isn't offered one or he doesn't choose to sign one, there’s a chance that his club will consider selling him for a cut-price next month.

Wrexham monitoring Gregory

Taking to X, Darren Witcoop revealed that Wrexham are keeping close tabs on Gregory as they weigh up whether to make an approach during the upcoming transfer window, which opens on 1st January.

He wrote: "Wrexham have Peterborough frontman Jonson Clarke-Harris and Sheffield Wednesday striker Lee Gregory on their transfer list. Phil Parkinson is looking to sign one forward to boost their League Two promotion push next month."

Gregory is an "instrumental" squad member

During his time at Sheffield Wednesday, Gregory has 41 involvements – 29 goals and 12 assists – to his name from 101 appearances, highlighting the positive impact he can make in the final third, but he’s also comfortable playing in several other areas (Transfermarkt – Gregory statistics).

Standing at 6 foot 2, Danny Rohl’s target man is a versatile operator having been deployed in five various positions over the grass since the start of his career, including everywhere across the frontline and even slightly deeper on the left side of the midfield, which will no doubt be another attractive attribute.

Gregory’s former teammate at Millwall, Tom Bradshaw, previously hailed the veteran, stating that he was “instrumental” to their success and had even mastered the way a striker should play, so while he’s not getting any younger, he could yet be a bargain of a recruit for Wrexham should they decide to make their move.

Glasgow Rangers don’t return to action until 20 January and Philippe Clement has whisked his squad away to Spain for a midseason training camp.

Having already played 34 times during the first half of the season, the winter break comes at exactly the right time for the Light Blues and will give them a chance to regroup and refocus ahead of the next few months.

With a League Cup trophy secured and progress to the knockout stages of the Europa League, the previous few weeks have been wonderful, but progress never stops, and the Belgian coach will be desperate to win more silverware.

To do this, however, he may need to delve into the transfer market and lure some new players to Ibrox, otherwise his squad may run out of gas towards the end of the campaign.

Rangers transfer news – Josh Doig

Italian journalist Gianluca Di Marzio (via Toro Goal) announced that Rangers were one of the number of teams keen on making a move for Josh Doig during the January transfer window.

Clement could face stiff competition for the left-back as Torino have reportedly opened up talks to sign the Scot, while AC Monza and Leeds United are two other teams which have been mentioned regarding a potential swoop.

The deal could cost €6m (£5.2m) for whatever team manages to sign him, yet the Gers could perhaps have the upper hand.

Hellas Verona, the team that Doig plays for, are seemingly interested in making a move for Ridvan Yilmaz, according to Di Marzio, and this could play into Clement’s hands rather well this month.

The Turkish defender cost the Light Blues £5m when he arrived from Besiktas during the summer of 2022 and this is around the fee that the Serie A side are wanting for Doig.

Could there be a potential swap deal in the offing should neither side agree on a transfer fee for their respective targets? It might well come down to that, and it could give Clement the perfect opportunity to move the 22-year-old on and bring someone else in.

Ridvan Yilmaz’s Rangers statistics

Giovanni Van Bronckhorst was the manager who brought in the young defender following the 2021/22 campaign as he sought to give Borna Barisic some added competition, especially as Calvin Bassey departed for Ajax.

Upon his arrival, Yilmaz was widely praised by former sporting director Ross Wilson, who said: "Gio and I were clear in our desire to invest in a high potential and high-quality left-back.

"We have now secured that in the signing of Ridvan Yilmaz. He's a talented young player who has been coveted throughout Europe following outstanding performances for Besiktas.”

23.9

24.1

0.7

1.8

1

4

10.8

15.5

2

1

He looked like a wonderful talent and hopes were high that he could eventually displace Barisic and perhaps go down the same route as Bassey and secure the club a major profit in the future.

Unfortunately, his first season didn’t go to plan. The former Besiktas starlet managed to feature just six times before the mid-season break for the 2022 World Cup, while his debut campaign was further disrupted having suffered a hamstring injury in October, and he subsequently missed 29 matches in all competitions.

He finally returned to action towards the end of the season and started all five of their post-split fixtures, thriving under Michael Beale, and it looked as though he could only get better during 2023/24.

The current campaign has seen the 22-year-old start only ten matches and Beale even left him out of the Europa League group stage squad, meaning the Gers had only one senior option at left-back heading into the games.

He has shown glimpses of form under Clement, particularly in the final game before the winter break against Kilmarnock, where he grabbed an assist, created a big chance and provided two key passes in a solid attacking display.

The consistency simply isn’t there, however, and this could give the former Club Brugge coach the licence to ditch him this month and lure Doig back to Scotland, especially as it would boost the homegrown quota for European matches.

Josh Doig’s career statistics

The in-demand talent has plenty of experience in Scottish football, having previously played for Hibernian. The 21-year-old made his debut during the 2019/20 season before firmly establishing himself as a regular the following season, making 35 appearances in all competitions.

His displays convinced Verona to sign him ahead of the 2022/23 campaign, having been given a notable send-off by Hibs hero, Lewis Stevenson at the time, who even likened Doig to a certain Cristiano Ronaldo.

Speaking back in the summer of 2022, Stevenson said: "Josh has potential to go to the top level. He is 6ft 3in, fast, strong. Even just looking at him with his top off – without meaning to sound creepy – he looks like Ronaldo, with that kind of physique.

"He just is an athlete and that is half the battle nowadays. Everyone here wishes him all the best"

Like the former Juventus man before him, the 6 foot 3 defender is currently shining in Serie A, ranking in the top 7% when compared to players in Europe’s top five leagues for successful take-ons per 90 (1.69) and in the top 21% for total shots per 90 (0.94), certainly proving he is a valuable attacking outlet from the left-hand side of the defence.

His defensive abilities have also improved during his spell in Italy and in the league this term, Doig has only been dribbled past on 0.4 occasions per game while he has won 3.1 total duels per game – a success rate of 53% – and there is no doubt he could be an excellent addition to the current Gers squad.

Rangers could sign Barisic replacement in Josh Doig

Rangers could sign a dream Borna Barisic replacement in Hibernian starlet Josh Doig.

Young, homegrown and with a wonderfully “high ceiling” – as so dubbed by talent scout Jacek Kulig last January – the signing makes perfect sense, and he would be returning to Scotland a much better player than when he left in the summer of 2022.

With Yilmaz struggling to gain regular game time combined with Barisic’s contract expiring this summer, the left-back area is one of immediate concern for Clement.

He could solve this problem by allowing Yilmaz to join Verona this month and securing the services of Doig in return, and it would be a piece of transfer business which could go down rather well with the supporters.

There are still a few weeks to go before the window shuts, and it gives the 49-year-old coach a chance to assess his options, yet Doig clearly has the potential to further improve and become a mainstay at left-back in the coming years, that’s for sure.

Leeds United have added Lukas Nmecha, Jaka Bijol, and Sebastiaan Bornauw to their first-team squad ahead of their return to the Premier League next season.

The Whites have quickly moved to bolster their defensive options with Bijol and Bornauw, who are both centre-backs with experience in major European leagues, in Italy and in Germany.

Daniel Farke and the recruitment team are not done with the defence there, though, as the club are also looking to add to their left-back options after Junior Firpo’s exit.

Journalist Graham Smyth claims that the West Yorkshire outfit are closing in on the signing of Sweden international Gabriel Gudmundsson from Lille, although it remains to be seen how much money they will have to spend to bring him to Elland Road.

The Championship champions are in dire need of a left-back, with zero senior players in that position at this moment in time, which is why this is a deal that could make a lot of sense.

Why Gabriel Gudmundsson is a good signing for Leeds

With the caveat that there is no potential transfer fee to judge the deal on at this stage, Gudmundsson could be a very shrewd signing for Leeds to cover the hole at left-back.

The 26-year-old ace would come in as a proven performer at the top level, having played 103 times in Ligue 1 for Lille, which means that he could hit the ground running at the start of the season, as opposed to a young and inexperienced player who may need more time.

This suggests that he will be ready to perform immediately for Leeds and that is what they need after Firpo’s exit from the club was confirmed, as it will allow Farke to slot the defender straight into the team.

His performances in Ligue 1 during the 2024/25 campaign also suggest that Gudmundsson will be a solid, if unspectacular, addition to the squad for next season.

Appearances

30

Starts

20

Goals + assists

2

Tackles + interceptions per game

1.8

Dribbled past per game

0.4x

Ground duel success rate

54%

Aerial duel success rate

57%

Duels won per game

3.7

As you can see in the table above, the Swedish brute did not deliver outstanding performances defensively or offensively, but he was incredibly solid, rarely being dribbled past whilst winning the majority of his duels.

This suggests that the Lille full-back could be a dependable and reliable option for Farke at left-back in the club’s bid to avoid relegation, which is why the defender could be a valuable signing, despite not being an exciting one.

If they can get Gudmundsson through the doors at Thorp Arch this week, then it could provide them with a chance to go with a riskier, more exciting, player as competition for him.

Leeds eyeing £22m full-back signing

According to the Sunday Mirror (6 July, page 77), as relayed by MOT Leeds News, Leeds United are one of a number of teams interested in signing El Hadji Malick Diouf this summer.

The report claims that the Whites, West Ham United, Atalanta, and Nottingham Forest all want to secure a deal to sign the Slavia Prague full-back in the coming weeks.

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It states that the Hammers have already had an opening salvo of £17.25m turned down by the Czechia-based outfit, who are looking for a fee closer to £22m (£21.6m) to allow their star youngster to depart.

However, it now remains to be seen who is leading the race for the versatile full-back, or if West Ham are prepared to go back in with another offer for him.

If Leeds can strike a deal for the Senegal international in the coming weeks, though, they could land an even better signing than Gudmundsson at left-back.

Why Diouf would be an even better signing than Gudmundsson

Diouf could be an even better piece of business for the Championship champions if they can get a move over the line because of his quality, his versatility, and his potential.

Gudmundsson may be a better addition in the short-term, given that he could hit the ground running as an experienced addition, but the Sparta Prague youngster could be a better long-term signing.

At the age of 20, he is six years younger than the Sweden international and has more potential, therefore, to grow and develop as a player, which could lead to his value soaring as well.

Diouf, who analyst Rohit Kumaran described as “physically dominant”, has yet to prove himself in a major European league like Gudmundsson has, which is why it is a riskier signing, but he has shown signs of immense potential, particularly in the Europa League.

xAG

0.23

Top 11%

Assists

0.15

Top 21%

Shot-creating actions

4.21

Top 6%

Progressive passes

6.77

Top 6%

Progressive carries

3.31

Top 16%

Successful take-ons

1.51

Top 11%

As you can see in the table above, the 20-year-old starlet showed plenty of attacking and progressive quality in possession in the Europa League last season, whilst the Lille defender only managed two goals and zero assists in Ligue 1.

Diouf also scored seven goals and created ten ‘big chances’ in 27 matches in the Czechia top-flight for Slavia Prague, whilst playing as a left-back, a left wing-back, or as a left winger, which further speaks to the quality he can provide in the final third.

The versatile dynamo clearly offers more of an attacking threat than Gudmundsson, who is more of a solid and steady option, which is why he could be even more exciting for supporters.

If Diouf can translate his performances for Slavia Prague over to the Premier League, the young gem could be an electric player for Leeds for many years to come, as a full-back who can score and create goals on a regular basis.

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However, as aforementioned, he is unproven in a major league, and that is why Gudmundsson could start over him initially, but with a view to Diouf being the superior and more exciting left-back option in the long-term, making him a better signing overall.