Newcastle United have made a breakthrough in discussions with one of their players regarding a new contract according to a reliable journalist, but there are still clubs interested in signing him.

Who have Newcastle signed in 2023?

PIF and Eddie Howe recruited five fresh faces over the summer in the form of Sandro Tonali, Harvey Barnes, Tino Livramento and Yankuba Minteh on a permanent basis, whilst Lewis Hall put pen to paper on a season-long loan from Premier League rivals Chelsea, as per Transfermarkt.

The Magpies have also recently been boosted by the news that Callum Wilson has signed a one-year deal extension meaning that he will remain at the club until at least 2025, but he’s not the only star already in the building that is set to commit his future to the northeast side.

Back in May, 90min reported that Bruno Guimaraes had been in talks for months over a new contract, but having attracted interest from Liverpool, Chelsea, Manchester City and Real Madrid since, the two parties are yet to reach a full agreement.

The Brazil international has been a revelation during his 63 appearances since first joining from Lyon back in January 2022, and if the following update is to be believed, the defensive midfielder is one step closer to putting an even bigger smile on the faces of supporters.

Is Bruno signing a new contract at Newcastle?

Writing in his article for TEAMtalk, Graeme Bailey confirmed that Newcastle and Guimaraes have progressed in negotiations over his improved terms, with both sides hoping to finalise terms before Christmas in December. He said:

“Sources close to this deal had become frustrated that the contract was not signed before the end of last season. Now talks have accelerated again and the belief now is that the deal will be finalised sooner rather than later.

"Bruno’s people insist that his needs have never been overly demanding and Newcastle do want to recognise his importance to the club. It can’t be underestimated how happy they are with him and how important he is to them.”

What is Bruno's style of play?

First of all, Newcastle will admire the “leader” that Guimaraes is on the pitch, as described by football talent scout Jacek Kulig, but it’s his ability to make an equally positive impact at both ends of the pitch that make him such a well-rounded and in-demand player.

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The Bertolucci Sports client, who currently earns £120k-per-week, has made nine tackles so far this season which is the second-highest total throughout the squad behind Dan Burn, via FBRef, but he’s also posted 16 goal contributions (ten goals and six assists) since joining.

Furthermore, the 25-year-old has the ability to operate at centre-back and slightly higher up in central midfield alongside his usual role sitting in front of the backline which makes sense as to why he’s so strong all over the pitch, and it would be a massive coup if he was to sign on the dotted line for the Magpies.

Newcastle United can make their squad even stronger in the coming transfer windows, and they are plotting a move for one former target, according to a fresh update.

How are Newcastle doing this season?

The Magpies have steadied the ship impressively in recent weeks, having made a disappointing start to the season that saw several defeats come their way. On Saturday afternoon, Eddie Howe's side picked up a solid 2-0 win at home to Burnley in the Premier League, meaning they have now won four of their last five matches in all competitions, including a remarkable 8-0 victory away to Sheffield United. They have jumped to eighth place in the table, while attention now turns to a mouthwatering Champions League clash against Paris Saint-Germain at St James' Park on Wednesday night.

While things have turned around for the better for Newcastle, their squad could still be strengthened further, with the January window allowing them to bring in new faces. A new transfer claim now suggests that PIF could be in the market for a former target, as they look to acquire the services of a fellow Premier League player.

Who do Newcastle want to sign?

According to Football Insider, Newcastle are eyeing a possible move for Crystal Palace centre-back Joachim Andersen in January, having already reportedly had a bid turned down for him in the summer:

"Newcastle United are closely monitoring Crystal Palace star Joachim Andersen ahead of the January transfer window, Football Insider has been told. The Magpies have held a long-term interest in the centre-back, 27, and submitted a late summer bid that was rejected by Palace.

"However, Newcastle remain keen to strengthen their defensive department in January and are willing to return to the table with an offer for Andersen’s signature. It is understood that Andersen remains one of Newcastle’s top targets for the January window."

Andersen has been a great player for Palace since arriving at the club, scoring the winning goal away to Manchester United on Saturday, but impressing more with his defensive expertise week in, week out. A towering individual who can be a dominant figure, Andersen has won an average of three aerial duels per game in the Premier League this season, as well as averaging an eye-catching 6.1 clearances per match, and he also appeared three times for Denmark at the 2022 World Cup.

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For that reason, Andersen could be an ideal January addition for Newcastle, coming in as a perfect centre-back partner for Sven Botman, and possibly acting as an upgrade on Fabian Schar, if not extremely strong competition at the very least.

Former Manchester City defender Micah Richards has described the Dane as "brilliant" this year, and the fact that he has the same agent as Magpies goalkeeper Nick Pope could potentially help with negotiations. At 27 years of age, he is a centre-back who has been at the peak of his powers recently, something his Transfermarkt valuation shows, and one who now knows the Premier League well, so you could say the positives easily outweigh the negatives when it comes to Newcastle making a move for him when the January window opens.

Everton have an abundance of talent on show at Goodison Park, however Sean Dyche continues the battle to unearth his best XI.

The Toffees have struggled over the years to remain comfortable in their Premier League status, however have managed to secure survival in the dying embers in consecutive campaign’s, with the hope that change can be identified this term.

One area that has hindered the path of progression at Goodison is the squad’s difficulty in scoring, with the Blues ending the 2022/23 season as the league’s second-lowest scorers with just 35 goals in 38 games.

Dyche has finally begun to combat the woes in the final third, with Everton scoring seven in their previous three league fixtures, however there’s plenty of room for improvement, which could come from a spark already inside the club.

From Wayne Rooney to Francis Jeffers, Everton’s academy has unearthed some stellar talent over the years, with one shining star having the keys to one day get among the goals at Goodison.

Who is George Morgan?

17-year-old academy striker George Morgan was this week named in the Guardian’s ‘Next Generation 2023’ list, in which a young talent is selected from each Premier League club to be tipped to become the next big thing.

Born in Milton Keynes, but representing Wales at international level, the forward currently represents Leighton Baines’ U18 squad at Everton, and has made a fast start to the 2023/24 campaign.

In his four appearances in the U18 Premier League so far, the Welshman has scored two goals, both coming against Sunderland U18 during a 3-0 win, the Toffees’ first victory of the campaign.

Described on Everton’s official site as being a starlet that models his game on Polish talisman Robert Lewandowski, the young forward identifies his “power, speed and finishing” as the strongest areas of his game.

What could the future hold for George Morgan?

Being the son of former Wales international Craig Morgan, the 2006-born marvel knows exactly what it takes to become a professional at the sport.

Despite Everton’s recent woes, the guidance of a former player as accomplished as Baines could hand Morgan the blueprint to one day break into the first team at Goodison.

The club have some young talents currently succeeding in the squad, with the likes of 21-year-old Jarrad Branthwaite being an individual that has “impressed” so far this season, as per former Toffee Trevor Steven.

While the defender has been one to watch and one for academy players to be inspired by due to his tender age, Morgan has his sights set on replicating one star in particular, with the teenager naming his favourite Blue as Dominic Calvert-Lewin.

Signed by Everton as a 19-year-old in 2016, Calvert-Lewin has become one of Goodison’s prized forwards over the years, scoring 49 goals in the Premier League between the club’s struggles and his own battles with injury.

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The assumed benchmark for aspiring strikers on Merseyside is to replicate the success of the 26-year-old, who elevated his game in the top flight with the Blues, seeing him dubbed a “top striker” by former boss and Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti.

Although Dyche welcomed a new striker in Beto this summer, the 25-year-old is yet to claim a Premier League goal after five appearances, and although it’s still the early days into his career, there could still be an opportunity for another talisman to break into the first team.

If the former Udinese forward takes time to adapt, as many players do, there could be a chance in the near future for a rising talent such as Morgan to pounce on the chance to break through.

At just 17 years old, the forward has a long way to go on his journey to becoming a professional in the English top-flight, however taking into consideration the questionable demographic of strikers at Goodison today, who knows just how quickly good form and hard work could speed up the process.

Sunderland are back in Championship action this weekend, but they have been dealt some bad injury news before the game, courtesy of reliable journalist James Hunter.

Stoke vs Sunderland team news

The Black Cats endured a terrible result before the international break, losing 4-0 at home to local rivals Middlesbrough at the Stadium of Light, in a scoreline that few saw coming.

While this was undoubtedly a big setback, Sunderland are still in a strong position in the grander scheme of things, sitting fourth in the Championship table and looking like strong contenders to at least seal a place in the playoffs.

The key now is for Tony Mowbray's side to produce a big response to the Middlesbrough defeat on Saturday afternoon, as they make the trip to Stoke City, who are currently in 21st position, languishing just above the relegation zone.

Sunderland aren't without injury problems heading into the game, with Aji Alese, Timothee Pembele, Dennis Cirkin and Eliezer Mayenda missing of late, and doubts surrounding the involvement of Pierre Ekwah, Alex Pritchard and Bradley Dack this weekend.

Sunderland injury updates

Taking to X on Thursday, Hunter dropped a new injury update, saying the Alese and Pembele Sunderland injuries mean they have been ruled out of the Stoke game: "Injury setbacks for Alese and Pembele. Better news on Cirkin and Mayenda."

Providing more information regarding the Sunderland injuries for The Chronicle, Hunter said: "Aji Alese and Timothee Pembele have suffered injury setbacks which will further delay their integration into Sunderland's Championship campaign.

"Centre-back Alese was back in training and nearing full fitness but has now aggravated the thigh injury that has sidelined him since his involvement in the Black Cats' play-off semi-final defeat at Luton Town in May and will need an extra couple of weeks to recover, with boss Tony Mowbray determined to avoid bringing him back too soon given how things panned out at the end of last season.

"And deadline day signing from Paris St-Germain Pembele was making good progress as he built his fitness following a long-term knee injury, but the full-back has also run into problems which will keep him out for at least another month."

Not having both Alese and Dembele available for the trip to Stoke to an undoubted blow for Sunderland, with the duo both seen as important figures who are key to their side's promotion push this season.

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The former has made 24 appearances for the Black Cats since signing for them last year, but Alese's statistics make for grim reading so far this season, with injuries meaning he hasn't played a single minute of action.

Meanwhile, the latter joined from Paris Saint-Germain during the summer transfer window, being seen as an exciting addition, but he is another whose absence has been a big blow, resulting in no minutes played to date (Pembele's stats).

The hope is that they are back sooner rather than later, but on the plus side, Mowbray's men have still shown that they can pick up positive results without them in the team. As the season goes on, though, as much depth as possible will be vital, as legs begin to tire and fixtures come thick and fast.

It has been reported that a "sensational" player could well leave Arsenal in January after being left "frustrated" by a Mikel Arteta call.

Arsenal form this season

The Gunners and north London rivals Tottenham remain the Premier League's only unbeaten sides following their excellent starts, with Arteta's side boating six wins from their opening nine top-flight encounters. That record was greatly threatened by Chelsea last Sunday, though, who took a 2-0 lead against them after Arsenal's arguable worst first half of the campaign so far. Arsenal did stick in long enough for two quick-fire goals to hand them a 2-2 draw, courtesy of late strikes from both summer signing Declan Rice and Leandro Trossard.

"We changed the level after 20, 25 minutes, especially in the second half then it’s a different game," said Arteta after the game.

"We became a much better team even though we conceded the second goal and it’s a disappointment. The way the team reacted to the second goal is phenomenal from the players on the pitch and the players on the bench thinking how the hell am I going to change this game. I loved that. I really liked as well going into the dressing room and it’s really quiet, after drawing 2-2 with Chelsea and coming back from 2-0 down, because I know that they wanted more. That’s the positive."

Building upon that, the Gunners got their Champions League campaign back on track with a 2-1 win away to last season's Europa League winners Sevilla on Tuesday evening.

Who could leave Arsenal in January?

Star players like Rice, Bukayo Saka, Martin Odegaard and others have proved pivotal for Arteta this season, but the same cannot be said for the likes of Thomas Partey, despite being very important for Arsenal last campaign. The Ghanaian, partly due to injury, has found consistent starting places difficult to come by and also missed last night's clash through unavailability.

However, despite this, a report from 90min this week has shared the latest update on Partey and his future; stating he has grown "frustrated" by a lack of consistent starting opportunities. As a result, if things don't improve in this regard, it is believed the former Atletico Madrid star could consider leaving in January. It's added that his camp have grown increasingly "agitated" at the lack of chances for Partey.

Partey actually started three matches as a makeshift right-back before being sidelined earlier in the season, and returned from injury in their 1-0 win over Man City prior to internationals. However, he was unused substitute against Chelsea, with Jorginho being preferred ahead of him.

Thomas Partey strengths

Passing

Aerial duels

Long shots

Dribbling

Tackling

There is no doubting the 30-year-old's quality, though, with La Liga expert Gerry Armstrong calling him "sensational" and Ray Parlour once branding Partey a "very efficient" and "mobile" player.

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"I think Partey has been so important," said Parlour last year.

"If Arsenal are going to go anywhere near trying to win a title, he’s got to stay fit because last season, he had so many injuries. But he’s been real instrumental in that midfield, just keeping it ticking over, very efficient player, can get around the pitch, very mobile."

Tottenham are ready to move for one Premier League player in January, and former Spurs defender Jonathan Woodgate believes he's a "Rolls-Royce".

Spurs making transfer plans

Boosted by the arrival of new technical director Johan Lange, who officially began his new role at the start of this month, it will be interesting to see how the Lilywhites look to strengthen in January. Ange Postecoglou has already turned many heads with his start to life at Spurs, with his side winning eight out of their opening 10 league games while remaining unbeaten.

Tottenham's electric start to the campaign is just that, but injuries to key players are always a real danger. Micky van de Ven and Cristian Romero have thrived at the heart of Postecoglou's defence, but with Eric Dier being the only option behind them, reports suggest Spurs are after a new centre-back. Chelsea defender Trevoh Chalobah is liked by Tottenham as an option, while it is believed Postecoglou is also after a left-wing alternative to Dejan Kulusevski.

Indeed, the Australian is apparently keen on Jota from Al-Ittihad to shore up that position of the squad. It hasn't been entirely ruled out that Spurs could make a move to replace Harry Kane in 2024 as well.

Tottenham "ready" to move for Kelly in January

However, central defence is thought to be a main priority, as talkSPORT and journalist Alex Crook explain this week. According to their information, Spurs are "ready to revisit" Lloyd Kelly of Bournemouth as a target in the winter window. The 25-year-old was targeted late in the summer window as cover for the likes of van de Ven and Romero, but a move failed to materialise.

However, it is believed that the north Londoners are willing to reignite the possibility of signing him mid-season. Postecoglou's side had lodged a £20 million bid near the end of the summer, but it was rejected, and it looks like Bournemouth may put up a similar fight to keep him this time round as well. Kelly's contract expires in 2024, but it's claimed Andoni Iraola's side would rather risk losing the player on a Bosman.

The Englishman has been praised for his contributions at Bournemouth in recent seasons, with former boss Scott Parker saying Kelly is a "quality" defender to have.

"I think Lloyd Kelly has got the attributes and the ability to be a top Premier League centre-half. And I think we are blessed and very, very lucky to have someone of his quality, really," he told Bournemouth's official website.

"You take players like Lloyd probably for granted in the sense of he makes things look very effortless and easy. And when you're watching him on the eye, you put someone else in that position of a ball down the side of a defender or one in the channel and getting in a foot race, he makes it look very easy, that you probably never appreciate it."

Meanwhile, ex-Spurs centre-half Jonathan Woodgate has called Kelly a "Rolls-Royce".

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“Lloyd can look like a Rolls-Royce at times," he said.

"It is all a matter of consistency how far he goes in the game. If he goes on performing like that a lot of Premier League clubs are going to take notice."

Leeds United could be set to lose another one of their rising stars next year alongside Finley Gorman, according to a new report that has recently emerged.

Man City agree deal for Finley Gorman

The Whites have a history of developing younger players with the aim of bringing them through the academy to integrate them into the first-team later in their career, with the likes of Sam Byram and Jamie Shackleton being prime examples under Daniel Farke. Gorman is another hugely promising product who has been working his way up the ladder through the club's system, but his impressive performances have caught the eye of Man City, who have already started completing the necessary steps towards a switch.

According to The Athletic’s Phil Hay, Premier League giants Man City have agreed a deal to sign the 15-year-old for a seven-figure fee, which is a British transfer record for a player his age, though if the following update is to be believed, he might not be the only one heading for the exit door in the near future.

Leeds – record sales

Fee

Raphinha (Barcelona)

£47m

Kalvin Phillips (Manchester City)

£42m

Rio Ferdinand (Manchester United)

£39m

Tyler Adams (Bournemouth)

£23m

Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink (Atletico Madrid)

£14m

All stats according to Transfermarkt

In West Yorkshire, Harry Gray is a regular feature of the U18s side and he also represents England internationally at youth level, and whilst Pep Guardiola’s side are set to secure the services of Gorman, it’s believed that they are also looking to make a separate swoop for the teenage attacker who is his teammate.

Leeds facing battle to keep Harry Gray

According to TEAMtalk, Man City are plotting a move for Gray, but as it stands, it’s highly unlikely that he will leave and follow in the footsteps of Gorman with his family wanting him to remain in the Championship.

“Manchester City are plotting a second raid on Leeds United for teenage sensation Harry Gray after agreeing a deal for Whites youngster Finley Gorman, sources have told TEAMtalk. Despite City’s interest, however, Gray’s family are not in a hurry to see the player move on and would likely advise both Harry – and any forthcoming interest in Archie – be batted away for now. As a result, we understand there is a confidence at Leeds that any approach from City will be rejected.”

Gray is a real star in the making

In the U18s Premier League, Gray has already scored three goals in the same number of games so far this season which shows just how prolific he can be in the final third (Transfermarkt – Gray statistics), therefore, Leeds need to do everything they can to retain his services.

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Farke’s up-and-coming prodigy has also already received heaps of praise from club reporter Phil Hay, who previously said: “Harry is another one they’ve been talking about for a long time as [he’s] looking incredibly talented, masses and masses of potential."

Furthermore, Gray is the younger brother of Archie, who has established himself as a first-team regular, recently attracting interest from Liverpool, Everton and Crystal Palace, so it’s vital that the board fend off interest in the siblings and keep them in the building for the foreseeable future.

Chelsea have quenched their thirst for acquiring a whole host of emerging talent since the arrival of Todd Boehly.

The Blues have scoured Europe to unearth gems, predominantly aged 21 or under, who boast a high ceiling of potential and can direct the club back towards a trophy-laden period under Mauricio Pochettino.

In the summer, this model was particularly prevalent as only three of their 12 signings were older than 23, including Christopher Nkunku, Robert Sanchez and Axel Disasi.

From the evidence of their recruitment, it is no surprise to see the Blues field the youngest squad on average in the Premier League this season (23.7).

If reports linking them to AS Monaco's youngster Malamine Efekele are to be correct, the 19-year-old would bring the average age of their squad down even further.

Chelsea transfer news – Malamine Efekele

According to Foot Mercato [via Football Transfers], Chelsea are one of several clubs scouting winger Efekele after reports emerged of the Blues' interest.

Compared to former Monaco wonderkid, Kylian Mbappe, who left the club to join Paris Saint-Germain for €180m (£157m) in 2018, the Frenchman has been in fine form for the youth teams this term, scoring four goals and supplying five assists.

The Mbappe comparisons run deeper than the fact that Efekele is a lightning-quick winger from Monaco, having also played for AS Bondy, like the PSG star, and was coached by Mbappe’s father, Wilfried, at the club.

Despite admiring the Frenchman's qualities, transfer expert Fabrizio Romano has admitted that there have been no concrete talks between Efekele and Chelsea, although several clubs are interested.

Romano said in his Caught Offside Daily Briefing column: “I’ve had some fans ask me about Monaco wonderkid Malamine Efekele and links with Chelsea.

“He’s a very good and interesting talent, but I’m not aware of any concrete talk or link, at this stage. It’s just normal scouting activity by many top clubs, something very normal for talents like Efekele.”

If Chelsea were to secure the wonderkid's signature, it wouldn't be the first time they've utilised the French market, having acquired Benoit Badiashile, Malo Gusto, Disasi and Lesley Ugochukwu in the past year.

However, Blues legend Eden Hazard – who arrived at Stamford Bridge as a 21-year-old in 2012 – is arguably their most successful Ligue 1 export.

Eden Hazard's goal record for Chelsea

Hazard was captured from Lille for a fee in the region of £32m and the rest, as they say, is history.

The brilliant Belgian moved to England on the back of a staggering 20 goals and 18 assists in one campaign for Lille and instantly left his mark at Stamford Bridge by terrorising defences.

In 352 appearances for Chelsea, Hazard enjoyed a glittering career at the club, recording 110 goals and 92 assists as well as scooping a whole host of domestic honours, including two Europa League trophies, an FA Cup and two Premier League titles.

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If Efekele was to link up with Pochettino, although he boasts the blistering pace and the fleet-footed nature of Hazard, it would be near impossible for him to eclipse what he achieved at the club.

Despite demonstrating his tremendous talent in the youth setup, Efekele is still yet to make a senior appearance in Ligue 1 at the age of 19.

By contrast, the former Belgium international was already ripping up France's top division at his age, posting 18 goal contributions in the 2010/11 season to help Lille secure their third-ever Ligue 1 title.

When comparing the abilities of both players at a similar age, Hazard was, quite clearly, levels ahead in terms of his development, however, the Monaco youngster could soon see his talents explode on the world stage and reach the potential that the "next Mbappe" tag promises.

To say that Aston Villa are flying under Unai Emery this season would be an understatement. The Villans sit as high as third in the Premier League and just four points adrift of league leaders Arsenal, who they play next. By the end of the weekend, the Midlands club could sit just one point away from the top of the league with Christmas fast approaching, summing up just how impressive they've been throughout the current campaign so far.

Their last victory, coming over champions Manchester City, was arguably their best yet under Emery. But it's not all good news for those at Villa Park as the January transfer window approaches, with one particular player potentially on the move when the winter window swings open.

Aston Villa transfer news

When it comes to incomings, Aston Villa got it fairly spot on in the summer. Moussa Diaby's stats, four goals and five assists show just how quickly he's settled in alongside Pau Torres, whilst Youri Tielemans and Nicolo Zaniolo begin to find their feet under Emery. All of that has resulted in new heights for the club in the Premier League as we near the halfway point. Amid their successful summer, however, is one man who is yet to make his mark and could already leave the Midlands club.

Related Aston Villa join the race to sign "unbelievable" defender

The Midlands side have entered the running to secure the services of a new colossus.

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According to Bild, Bayern Munich are interested in Clement Lenglet, who is currently on loan at Aston Villa from Barcelona. The La Liga giants are reportedly open to the move as long as the German side cover the defender's wages in full. Villa, meanwhile, reportedly want to see out their loan move for Lenglet, keeping him until the end of the season as planned.

This comes as a surprise, given Lenglet's game time. The Frenchman has not played a single minute in the Premier League and has been handed all of his opportunities in the Europa Conference League. Despite that though, Villa reportedly want to keep hold of their loanee.

"Quality" Lenglet needs move

When Lenglet secured his return to the Premier League after an impressive loan spell at Tottenham Hotspur last season, he would have been full of hope over his Aston Villa role – but things just haven't worked out. Whether it be Ezri Konsa, Pau Torres or Diego Carlos, Emery has opted for other options ahead of the Barcelona loanee, who may need a move elsewhere if he is to receive regular minutes in the current campaign.

With Bayern Munich reportedly interested too, Lenglet may not get a better chance to secure an end to a stint in the Midlands and a move to a club in the Champions League. It's a surprise that things haven't worked out so far at Villa, with Emery full of praise for Lenglet upon his arrival. Emery said:

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"Lenglet was a very good opportunity on loan for one year. He has experience in Barcelona, Sevilla and Tottenham playing at a high level, playing in Europe. I'm very happy with him because he is joining us with his quality, his experience."

Over the last five matchdays, Tottenham Hotspur have failed to win a single game, which has ultimately put them in fifth place in the Premier League.

Throughout this spell, it has been glaringly obvious that the gap in quality between the starters and the replacement players is huge. Unfortunately for Ange Postecoglou, he has had to deal with numerous setbacks due to injuries and suspension.

The central defender position is particularly light at the moment due to the injury of Micky Van de Ven and with that in mind, the boss may look to reinforce his defensive options in the transfer market.

Tottenham Hotspur transfers latest – Marc Guehi

According to Sky Sports, Spurs are interested in signing Marc Guehi from Crystal Palace, alongside two other centre backs, and have made him one of their priority targets as he is 'high' on their list of potential recruits.

The Eagles’ star has started 14 Premier League games this season and his partnership with Joachim Andersen is vital to the way Palace play.

Guehi may want to prioritise game time ahead of the 2024 Euros and Crystal Palace value the defender at around £60m.

How Marc Guehi compares to Cristian Romero

Prior to the long-term injury that he picked up in the 4-1 loss to Cheslea, Van de Ven was proving himself as one of the most complete central defenders in the Premier League. The Dutch star ticks every box for a modern defender, he has incredible recovery speed, composure on the ball, and proactivity.

Cristian Romero remains the first-choice right centre back, but he does not have much competition. There is no questioning that the Argentine is a quality defender, but his erratic nature often puts his side in danger, as shown by his three yellow cards and one red this season.

On the other hand, Guehi is a much more disciplined individual, only being shown a yellow card once in 14 matches, which was due to an argument.

Availability is key with the busy schedule in modern day football and the England international’s injury history is amongst the best in the Premier League. The 24-year-old has only missed three games in his entire career due to an injury that occurred in 2021. Romero on the other hand has suffered six separate setbacks since joining Spurs, keeping him out for 34 games since 2021.

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From a stats perspective this season, Romero wipes the floor with Guehi but it is vital that team context is taken into consideration. The positive for Guehi is that he can operate on both sides of the defence, meaning that he can start or provide cover with ease. His performances versus Manchester City in the 2021/22 season showcased just how brilliant Guehi is at defending, which led to Football Talent Scout, Jacek Kulig, describing his influence as “Beast mode”.

Guehi has more than enough quality to play for a side that competes in Europe consistently and he would instantly make Spurs a team with class and quality in depth. With Romero’s lack of reliability and availability over the years, purchasing another dominant defender would send a statement of intent to the rest of the Premier League.

The right-footed Palace defender could provide perfect balance with the left foot of van de Ven in possession, as Romero does currently, which is why they could be an ideal pairing.