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Former Leeds United goalkeeper Paddy Kenny has admitted that Patrick Bamford’s injury situation is a big concern, talking up a potential January signing in the process.

The Lowdown: Bamford missing for a long spell

The Whites were beaten 2-1 at Tottenham in the Premier League on Sunday, with a lack of firepower again on show in the absences of Rodrigo and Raphinha as youngster Joe Gelhardt had to lead the line.

Marcelo Bielsa has been without Bamford since the middle of September, with the Englishman nursing an ankle injury which is still keeping him out and the manager recently opting not to put a timescale on a potential return date.

The 28-year-old has been a big loss, with his pedigree in the final third highlighted by 17 goals and seven assists in the top flight last season.

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The Latest: Kenny concerned by Bamford’s absence

Speaking to Football Insider, Kenny bemoaned Bamford’s continued absence from the Leeds XI and said that a new attacker may need to be added to the squad in January. He outlined:

“It doesn’t look good. It sounded like he was going to be back after the last international break and he’s still not fit now.

“I’m sure Leeds will look to strengthen that area. They only have 11 goals in 11 games. They are missing Bamford massively, with the goals and assists he contributed 25 goals or something like that last season.

“Leeds just don’t have anyone who seems comfortable putting the ball in the net. The fact Bamford has been out for so long is really worrying. He’s barely played.”

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The Verdict: Increasingly huge loss

It was always likely that Bamford would be missed, but as each game passes, the England international’s continued absence is being felt ever more acutely. Leeds have now scored just 12 times in as many league games this season, whereas this time last year they had found the net on 17 occasions.

Without their main marksman to call upon, not only has the Whites’ goal threat diminished, but they also don’t have anyone as adept at holding the ball up and bringing others into play, affecting their all-round performances greatly.

It’s hard to disagree with Kenny that the 28-year-old’s layoff has affected the team massively, and if Bamford is still sidelined going into the New Year, the Whites may indeed have little option but to try and recruit in that position.

In other news, Leeds are reportedly eyeing up a move for a striker. Find out who it is here.

Leeds United are among the teams lining up a move for Jason Knight…

What’s the word?

That’s according to Football League World, who claim that Championship outfit Derby County are at risk of losing several of their young talents in the near future as their struggles to find a new owner continue.

It’s thought that the club’s administrators have failed to rule out the prospect of selling players in January and the 20-year-old midfielder is a prime candidate to depart Pride Park.

However, the Yorkshiremen face fierce competition from their top-flight rivals Everton, Wolverhampton Wanderers, Leicester City and Crystal Palace, among others.

It remains to be seen how much Knight would command, though Transfermarkt currently value him at just £5.4m, having been capped at international level eight times.

Gelhardt repeat

This is a move which could see the Whites replicate their Joe Gelhardt masterclass after they nabbed the hugely promising striker from the grasp of Wigan Athletic, whilst they were dealing with financial issues back in 2020.

A fee of just £1m helped the Latics pay the wages and their loss is certainly United’s gain as he is a massive prospect at Elland Road. His manager Marcelo Bielsa recently waxed lyrical about the teenager to Sky Sports.

“He’s like a human wrecking ball. I like him, he’s really exciting,” the Argentine claimed. “He’s fast, he’s aggressive, he gets on the ball, he takes people on. Once he gets into the box, he loves it. That’s where he can do most of his damage.”

Just like Gelhardt, the Rams sensation has already racked up plenty of appearances at senior level, even more than the Leeds youngster at this stage, having featured 93 times.

This season, he has certainly taken his opportunity, starting ten of his 13 league appearances under Wayne Rooney, and he’s amongst Derby’s four top performers, as per WhoScored ratings.

Earlier this year, the Manchester United legend dubbed the Derby academy graduate a “manager’s dream” who “gives everything”, and Knight already has plenty of leadership qualities at such a young age, which will definitely appeal to Bielsa.

Bielsa, Leeds’ director of football Victor Orta and owner Andrea Radrizzani could well seal another bargain raid on the lower echelons of the English pyramid with a swoop for the 5 foot 6 dynamo, who continues to pull up trees in the Championship.

AND in other news, “It’s not true…”: Phil Hay drops behind-the-scenes Leeds claim that’ll delight fans…

As per Italian newspaper Corriere Fiorentino, via Sport Witness, a transfer update has emerged on Tottenham Hotspur’s pursuit of Fiorentina striker Dusan Vlahovic.

The Lowdown: Vlahovic on the move?

The Serbia international, who has rejected advances from his current club to make him the highest-paid player in their history, looks to inevitably exit sooner or later.

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His contract expires in 2023, so Fiorentina could risk losing him on a free deal at the end of next season as clubs hover for his signature.

One of those suitors is thought to be Tottenham as the Lilywhites remain heavily linked, following on from sporting director Fabio Paratici’s interest in the 21-year-old over the summer transfer window.

Now, as per a fresh claim from Italy, an update has emerged on the Vlahovic situation involving Spurs.

The Latest: Lilywhites in direct contact?

Corriere Fiorentino (via Sport Witness) lifted the lid on Tottenham’s ‘direct contact’ with La Viola directors Daniele Pradè and Giuseppe Barone, also revealing that the two chiefs held this contact during ‘a trip to London’.

They added that Spurs manager Antonio Conte is a personal admirer of the prolific striker and Tottenham were even ‘ready to come forward’ over the summer during Nuno Espirito Santo’s reign.

The Verdict: Get it done…

Vlahovic stands out as Tottenham’s most blockbuster striking target by some distance and his form in Europe has been among the best.

Scoring 14 goals and setting up three others in just 16 appearances throughout all competitions, it is little wonder his exploits in front of goal have drawn comparisons with Borussia Dortmund superstar Erling Braut Haaland.

Serie A experts who have watched him consistently, such as Conor Clancy, have raved over the young attacker’s talent and ability, with that writer calling him ‘phenomenal’ and a potentially ‘exciting’ long-term replacement for Harry Kane (The Transfer Tavern).

Averaging even more shots on goal per 90 this season than Tottenham’s star duo Kane and Son Heung-min (WhoScored), who both made the PFA Team of the Year last term, it’s safe to say that the Serbian does indeed come as a head-turning target.

In other news: Eight players now safe from Spurs axe after impressing behind the scenes, find out more here.

As per Sky Sports reporter Michael Bridge (speaking to GIVEMESPORT), Tottenham defender Cristian Romero has suffered a ‘serious strain’, rather than a tear to his hamstring, as first thought.

The Lowdown: Spurs’ injury woes

Argentine defender Romero is not the only injury Tottenham are currently dealing with. Central midfielder Giovani Lo Celso, once hailed by teammate Harry Winks as ‘a technically gifted player’, has been sidelined for a long period after suffering a knee injury, which has meant missing the last five matches.

Emerson Royal also missed the recent 3-0 win over Norwich as he was unavailable due to an unknown injury. This was a blow for Spurs, as he currently leads the team in tackles, with 3.6 per game.

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Romero sustained his injury whilst on international duty with Argentina last month. Unfortunately for Antonio Conte, this will continue to affect Tottenham’s defensive stability, as his average of 1.3 blocks per game is the highest at the club by a fair margin.

The Latest: Bridge gives Romero update

Conte had recently stated that Romero’s injury is ‘serious’, but has thus far failed to go into any details. However, Bridge has confirmed that the 23-year-old has not torn his hamstring.

Speaking to GIVEMESPORT, he said: “I kind of thought the worst when Conte said we will know more in seven to 10 days, but I’m told it’s not a tear, it’s a serious strain. So, is that January? He did say January or February.”

The Verdict: Not as serious as first thought

To Spurs fans’ relief, Romero’s injury is not as bad as first thought. Bridge has shed light on the fact that the Argentine has not torn his hamstring – an injury that can keep a player out of action for over three months.

It is still unclear as to when he will return, but it sounds like best case will be January, a potentially massive relief to Conte and co coming off the back of the hectic Christmas fixture period.

Romero has been regularly applauded since moving to Spurs from Atalanta earlier this year, even drawing praise from Brazil legend Cafu, who admitted that he had a ‘very good game’ in the Copa America final. The Lilywhites faithful will surely be counting down the days until his return.

West Ham United will no doubt be linked with a number of players in the January transfer window due to their injuries in defence as well as the need to find more goals to support Michail Antonio, and one man who has been heavily linked with a reunion to his former loan club is Jesse Lingard.

Lingard was monumental to the success of West Ham last season and their ability to secure European football, when he was brought in to the side during the January transfer window at the beginning of 2021, scoring nine goals and bagging five assists in just sixteen appearances for the Hammers.

David Moyes has made no secret of his interest in the 29 year old, but claimed that the team had “moved on” when asked about a potential return for Lingard.

“All I can say is we really enjoyed having Jesse, he made a great contribution to the team and he’s helped the team.

“The team’s moved on, we’ve kicked on again so, look, Jesse is a Manchester United player and it’s up to them to decide what he does.”

However, another player who has been linked with a move to West Ham is Dele Alli, with Danny Mills claiming that it would be a “good move” for the Tottenham Hotspur outcast.

“If Dele Alli is prepared to work hard then there is no better manager than David Moyes. They need that sort of player, they need that sort of attacking player in their ranks. That would be a good move.”

Alli has struggled to make a consistent impact on his Spurs side over the last few seasons, with only 15 Premier League appearances last season and just eight league appearances this season so far, without a single start since Antonio Conte arrived – the former wonderkid is expected to be offloaded in January as he is not in the Italian’s plans.

Despite his inconsistencies in form, Alli has offered moments of magic for Spurs and scored plenty of goals in his time at the club, with 67 strikes and 61 assists in 265 appearances.

The £27M-rated midfielder was hailed as a “machine” by ex-Manchester United player Rio Ferdinand after noticing physical qualities in Alli’s game against Crystal Palace at the start of the season.

“Physically he can overpower, he can dominate, he can outrun most players around,” Ferdinand said. “Physically he is a machine, he is a specimen.”

Compared to Lingard this season, Alli matches him for goals and assists in all competitions, and for all the questions marks over the latter’s decline, Lingard has actually started six less top flight matches.

Another notable difference in the pair is age – Alli is four years younger than Lingard and could offer a more long term investment for the West Ham hierarchy, and it could make signing the 25 year old Spurs player a more attractive signing for Moyes too, granting the manager plenty of time to figure out exactly what needs fixing to bring back the Alli of old.

Either way, West Ham will be hoping to finish in an even stronger position this season as they chase down top four, just one point adrift from a Champions League spot currently, and moves made by Moyes in the January transfer window could play a big part in giving West Ham the ability to compete for those coveted places in the elite.

In other news: West Ham United must move for Darwin Nunez in January

Leeds United are interested in re-signing former Whites midfielder Ronaldo Vieira, according to a transfer rumour which has emerged.

The Lowdown: Vieira’s time at Leeds

Vieira made 71 appearances for Leeds prior to their return to the Premier League, adopting a holding midfield role and playing 63 times in the Championship, so he is already a familiar face to the Yorkshire faithful.

His impact at Elland Road eventually saw him earn a move to Sampdoria in 2018 but he has fallen out of favour there, being loaned out to Hellas Verona last season.

Vieira has appeared only once this term due to injury and it could be that he looks for a move elsewhere in the January transfer window.

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The Latest: Whites linked with Vieira move

According to Club Doria 46 [via Sport Witness], Leeds are eyeing up a move for Vieira after he was ‘one step away’ from joining Sheffield United in the summer.

A move back to England is thought to appeal to the 23-year-old and the Whites are ‘focusing on this aspect’ as a way of trying to entice the player back to the club.

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The Verdict: Does it make sense?

Leeds simply must make midfield reinforcements in January, with Kalvin Phillips out injured for a lengthy period and Adam Forshaw still only recently back from nearly two years on the sidelines.

Despite his previous at the club, though, there would be an element of risk in re-signing Vieira, considering that he hasn’t exactly thrived in Italy and hasn’t played since March because of injury. Also, while he may have been a regular for the Whites before, that was when they were a mid-table Championship outfit rather than the Premier League club they are now.

If the three-time former England under-21 international is to come in, there needs to be another more proven top-flight player signed as well, or Leeds could find themselves not much better off.

In other news, one man has been backed as the favourite to eventually replace Marcelo Bielsa. Find out who it is here.

Rangers have decided not to exercise their recall option on defender Nikola Katic, according to Football Scotland’s Mark McDougall. 

The lowdown

Katic joined Croatian side Hadjuk Split on loan in the summer, having missed the entirety of the title-winning campaign after suffering a cruciate ligament rupture.

The deal included a January recall clause as well as a £3million option to buy.

Rangers are set to be down a centre-back next month with Leon Balogun named in the Nigeria squad for the Africa Cup of Nations.

£1.44million-rated Katic could have offered an experienced option in his absence, having made 59 appearances for The Gers. Indeed, former manager Steven Gerrard described him as a ‘winner and a warrior’.

The latest

“[I] understand Rangers have no plans to recall Nikola Katic in the January transfer window,” McDougall wrote.

The player is expecting to remain in Croatia until the end of the campaign, though he hopes to return to Ibrox thereafter.

Rangers have been so impressed with the performances of Calvin Bassey at centre-back that they don’t see a need to bring Katic back mid-season.

The verdict

Rangers could perhaps come to regret their decision if they’re hit by injuries next month, but it’s an understandable call.

Bassey has now started the last seven Premiership games as a centre-half, and Rangers are on a run of six without conceding a single goal.

He’s been a key part of that, consistently delivering performances that earn a seven out of 10 or better from statistical experts SofaScore.

Katic, who was once compared to Cristiano Ronaldo after an ‘unbelievable leap and an unbelievable header’ in the Old Firm in December 2019, may even find that Bassey’s form shuts the door on the long-term Rangers future he craves.

In other news, could Rangers possibly sign a new CB?

Bruno Lage is not shy when it comes to talking in depth about his plans for his players and his visions for the future of Wolves ever since he became the manager in the Summer of 2021, and in his most recent interview he makes his feelings clear on one particular player.

What’s the story?

In an interview with a Portuguese news outlet, the Wolves manager has made it very clear that Ruben Neves will remain a Wolves player as many clubs have been rumoured to register their interest with the midfielder.

In quotes obtained by The Mirror, Lage said;

“Ruben feels this is his second home – and happiness comes with that.

“That’s good, but it’s another thing to convince him to stay. It’s not about a contract or money. It’s about creating a big team that fights for different things.

“We want to push younger guys, like Ruben, to the next level.”

Both Manchester United and Arsenal have been linked to the 24-year-old, but it seems that Lage has set out to send a message to other clubs interested in securing the Wolves star’s signature with the comments in this interview, and clearly see’s a bright future in the current team for Neves.

Fans will be buzzing

Fans will be buzzing to hear the Wolves manager is keeping Neves firmly in his plans at the club, as the £36m-rated star has been involved in the Wolves journey to success, from the Championship all the way up to their current position in the top half of the Premier League table where they now compete for European football spots.

Neves joined the club back in 2017 when the club was in the Championship, competing for promotion, which saw them win the league impressively with 99 points on the board and 30 wins, in which Neves played a key part with 42 appearances, six goals and one assist.

The following season, Wolves qualified for the Europa League in their first campaign back in the Premier League, again with Neves being influential in creativity from his midfield position providing four goals and bagging three assists for the side.

Overall, the midfielder has cemented himself as a fan favourite in the team with 194 appearances, 21 goals and 11 assists in his career at the club, being part of all the highs and lows Wolves have faced over the last four years and at just 24 years old it is clearly important to Lage that he remains with the club to continue their journey.

Considering his importance to Lage’s side and indeed his influence at Molineux, fans will no doubt be delighted that his future could still be in the Midlands.

In other news: Lage drops transfer claim about positions to fill

An update has emerged on Newcastle United’s attempts to add further signings to their ranks in January…

What’s the talk?

Daily Mail journalist Craig Hope has revealed that the Magpies are unlikely to sign Divock Origi or Dominic Solanke this month as they go in search of a striker to bolster their squad.

He tweeted: “Understand Newcastle haven’t gone in for Burnley’s Chris Wood, as it stands, but he has been put to them (same agents as Trippier). One of several striking options being considered. Azmoun of Zenit among them but Origi/Solanke unlikely, I’m told. Either way, NUFC need to act fast.”

Howe will be gutted

This update will surely leave Newcastle manager Eddie Howe feeling gutted, as both Origi and Solanke are strikers who could come in and make an impact at St James’ Park in the second half of the campaign.

The Belgian is a proven Premier League performer and the Englishman is a player who the 44-year-old knows well from his time at Bournemouth in the top flight.

Upon signing him for the Cherries in 2019, Howe said this about the ex-Liverpool man: “Dominic is technically gifted, very athletic and has the physical profile that will give us something different in our front line.

“He has done very well for England at various age groups, has a huge amount of potential and I’m really excited about working with him.”

This shows that he rates Solanke highly, which is why he will be gutted a deal now appears to be off the cards this month, especially given the striker’s form this season. The 24-year-old has scored 18 goals in 25 Championship matches for Bournemouth, after managing 15 last term, and this suggests that he could be ready for another shot at the top flight.

Meanwhile, Origi has won the Premier League and Champions League for Liverpool, scoring in the final of the latter. He has found the back of the net 40 times in 167 matches for the Merseyside club, showing that he knows how to score at the very top level.

This is another reason why Howe will be gutted with this update from Hope, as the Belgian could have come in and scored vital goals for Newcastle. The ex-Bournemouth boss will now be hoping that quality alternatives are identified and brought in as quickly as possible to bolster his attacking options, especially with injured top scorer Callum Wilson facing several weeks on the sidelines.

AND in other news, “We understand”: Keith Downie drops big NUFC transfer claim which will leave fans gutted…

Speaking to Give Me Sport, reporter Alex Crook of talkSPORT has shared what he knows on Tottenham Hotspur’s talks to sign Wolverhampton Wanderers winger Adama Traore.

The Lowdown: Spurs eyeing loan deal…

As first reported by reliable journalist Matt Law of The Telegraph, there has been a recent twist to the tale in Spurs’ talks to sign Traore this month.

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According to Law, Spurs are now eyeing a loan move with an obligation to buy for the player amid the club’s financial problems as manager Antonio Conte seeks to re-mould the Spaniard into a right-wing back.

The explosive forward is certainly on Tottenham’s agenda with Crook now backing this news and sharing what he knows.

The Latest: Crook shares latest…

The talkSPORT man claims that Spurs are indeed in talks for a loan move with negotiations ‘underway’.

He explained to GMS: “I think Tottenham favour a loan with an obligation to buy so talks are definitely underway.”

The Verdict: Get it done…

Now half way through the window, Spurs should wrap this up as soon as possible and get on to bolstering their other three priority positions.

Traore’s plaudits from English top flight pundits highlight he could be a real snip if Spurs can agree a loan move, with Molineux legend Steve Bull calling him a ‘worldbeater’.

As well as this, former Leeds man Noel Whelan believes the 25-year-old is a ‘player who could really excite the Tottenham fans’ – citing his pace and power among other strengths (Football Insider).

Averaging far more completed dribbles per 90 than any Tottenham man this season, we wholeheartedly agree.

In other news: ‘This will get Tottenham fans excited’…Sky Sports drop big N17 transfer update, find out more here.