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David Moyes has admitted that West Ham could indeed still make some signings on deadline day.

The Lowdown: West Ham yet to kick into gear

The Hammers have indeed backed David Moyes this month by handing him Premier League-proven Danny Ings to try and fix their striker woes, with Michail Antonio and Gianluca Scamacca having scored just five league goals between them.

However, that deal certainly didn’t get off to the best of starts as Ings picked up an injury on his debut which means he will now miss several games – something that will only compound Moyes’ misery after a poor first half of the season.

While West Ham fans may not expect there to be much activity going on this deadline day given how heavily they spent in the summer, Moyes didn’t rule anything out after their FA Cup victory against Derby County.

The Latest: Moyes not ruling anything out

Moyes was asked about signings last night and while he didn’t confirm anything would happen, he also didn’t rule out any potential incoming in the final few hours.

He said: “Maybe. Couldn’t be sure, though. I don’t want to get anybody too excited by that, but I’m just not completely ruling it out because I don’t want you to say I’ve said something and then I change my mind, but I’m just generally saying there’s a chance.”

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The Verdict: Hammers could still move

It would be sensible for West Ham to keep their options open and not shut up shop so early into deadline day as a deal could present itself based on what other clubs do that may well transform their season.

West Ham have been credited with an interest in Conor Gallagher, and his future could well be impacted by Chelsea’s ability to land Enzo Fernandez, so that could well be a deal that goes right down to the wire.

However, given that West Ham have won three out of their last four games, Moyes may well be content with no more arrivals this month to ensure he keeps this good momentum going throughout the squad.

Presenter of the HLTCO podcast Dan Cook believes Crystal Palace defender Marc Guehi could be worth up to £65m in the market amid recent transfer links.

What’s the word?

While the January window is now closed, clubs who missed out on key targets may already be planning to rekindle interest in the summer.

And while Guehi never looked likely to leave Palace this winter, it has since been claimed that Tottenham Hotspur are potentially keen on signing the player. Indeed, as reported by football.london journalist Alasdair Gold, Spurs are ‘big admirers’ of the central defender.

Amid this latest development, while talking on the HLTCO podcast, Cook warned that Spurs chairman Daniel Levy might try to lowball the club – but he values the player anywhere from £50m to £65m.

He explained: “Given the way that Daniel Levy operates and the whole dissatisfaction behind the scenes at Spurs, I think it’s fair to assume that any offer that does come our way is likely to be quite a lowballing one.

“I don’t think it’s even outlandish, from a Crystal Palace fan or director point of view, to say that Marc Guehi should be going for 50, 60, maybe even £65m given his importance to us, given his age, given his England appearances and the potential of more England appearances in years to come, his comfort on the ball, his defensive solidarity.

“I think he has everything to be a top, top Premier League defender and we’re very, very lucky to have him. With that in mind, any sale of Marc Guehi to a club like Spurs will have to come at a premium.”

Fair price?

Guehi certainly is a top talent. After all, he is still only 22 years of age, yet he has already played over 50 times in the Premier League and has three international caps with England –  as well as winning numerous youth trophies, including the U17 World Cup.

In the league this season, he has an average Sofascore rating of 6.93 across 19 starts for Palace. If you compare him with Ben Davies, who often plays as a left centre-back in a three for Spurs, the Welshman has a 6.86 average rating from 18 outings.

They both have five clean sheets, but Guehi makes more interceptions, more tackles and more clearances per game, while he also has a marginally more accurate passing percentage.

With that in mind, you can see how the Englishman could be seen as an upgrade. Of course, £65m is an awful lot of money to pay, but Manchester United did pay Leicester City £80m to land Harry Maguire in 2019, so it wouldn’t be the most a Premier League side has paid for an English defender by some way.

Manchester United are reportedly eyeing a summer move for Real Madrid midfielder, Federico Valverde, according to a recent report coming out of Spain.

What’s the word?

As per Mundo Deportivo, the Red Devils are believed to be willing to splash out around €80m (£72m) in order to sign the Uruguayan at the end of the season, with Erik ten Hag seemingly seeking a long-term fit in the centre of the park.

The report suggests that the Premier League outfit had attempted to sign the 24-year-old last summer and could try again this time around, with the Red Devils able to reunite the playmaker with former teammate, Casemiro, at Old Trafford.

The piece does also go on to add, however, that Los Blancos view the one-time Penarol gem as an ‘essential’ part of the side moving forward, with Valverde still having just over four years left to run on a contract that includes a staggering €1bn (£856m) release clause.

Eriksen upgrade

Ten Hag and co only recently secured the deadline day capture of Marcel Sabitzer to cover for the injured Christian Eriksen, although in the long-term the former Ajax boss may need to find a possible upgrade on the latter man, with the Dane having arguably endured a dip in performance of late.

The 30-year-old – who signed on a free transfer back in July – had looked ‘tired’ prior to picking up that recent injury blow, as per Manchester Evening News journalist Tyrone Marshall, having perhaps been impacted by his regular role in the side after featuring in 31 games already this season.

The former Tottenham Hotspur man looked particularly leggy on what was a rare 90-minute outing in the defeat to Arsenal last month, notably losing possession on 20 occasions and being dribbled past twice having struggled in his deep-lying role.

Although the classy playmaker has perhaps unsurprisingly impressed with his creative prowess – as he has two goals and nine assists to his name in all competitions this term – the recent evidence would suggest that he may not be a figure to rely upon week-in, week-out across an entire campaign.

Turning to the more youthful Valverde could well be the energetic upgrade that Ten Hag will be craving, with the “unbelievable” 6-foot dynamo, as lauded by pundit Joe Cole, providing that “box-to-box” presence either in the centre of midfield – or on the flanks if required.

That relentless nature is also illustrated by the fact that he ranks in the top 4% in Europe among those in his position for progressive carries, with Eriksen, by contrast, ranking in just the top 29% in that regard.

Equally, Valverde is also able to offer the benefit of his ability to beat a man when in possession as he ranks in the top 16% for successful take-ons, while the current United man ranks in just the bottom 22% for that same metric.

Someone who is “every bit as good as [Jude] Bellingham”, according to Cole, the 47-cap maestro is also able to replicate Eriksen’s impact in the final third, having scored eight goals and provided four assists in 30 appearances so far this term.

That seemingly suggests that turning to the Madrid maestro could be a game-changing signing as far as the Red Devils are concerned.

Leeds United’s poor result at the weekend finally signalled the end for Jesse Marsch, who saw his time at Elland Road cut short just under a year into the job.

The American had struggled to truly find any consistency with the Whites, and despite avoiding the drop last season had failed to progress even with significant investment over the summer and January transfer windows.

His position became untenable as they slipped down to level on points with Everton, who sit in the relegation zone.

With a vacancy now in their dugout, Andrea Radrizzani has a mammoth task of ensuring that his next appointment is a perfect blend of young and progressive enough for a long-term project, but experienced enough to steer them to safety.

The rumours linking them with Steven Gerrard go against many of those principles, given how he had failed so miserably for Aston Villa only recently.

It could even be argued that the 42-year-old would represent a downgrade on Marsch, given his performance for the Midlands outfit and his lack of time in the managerial game.

Having taken over at Villa Park just a few months before the American did at Elland Road, they both were handed significant funds to kickstart their revolutions.

Given their similar timeframes within the job and the money spent, they bear plenty of striking similarities that should be enough to warn Radrizzani away from a potential repeat.

Across his 40 games in charge, Gerrard could only muster 13 wins at a points-per-game average of 1.18. Whilst this might be a minuscule improvement on Marsch’s 1.16 during his 37 games, the gulf in quality between the teams should be enough to stand against the former Liverpool midfielder.

He inherited a side that sat just 16th after 11 games of the season and moved them up to 14th by its conclusion.

Meanwhile, his potential predecessor was handed a defensively-absent outfit that had crumbled under Marcelo Bielsa, weighed down by numerous injuries and a staunch belief in a philosophy that was not working.

Whilst he may have ultimately failed, Marsch did do well initially to get them somewhat back on track to avoid the drop last year.

Gerrard simply failed to progress a stable club despite being handed all the tools necessary. Villa’s recent form under Unai Emery stands as further proof of how quick and easy it was to turn the club around.

Having been lambasted for looking “clueless” in the job and creating a team in that image by broadcaster Rupert Bell, this decision could truly be one that relegates Leeds.

The ex-Rangers boss is hardly an improvement on Marsch, whose side had not won in the league since early November, with his credentials hardly filling the aforementioned criteria.

He may be young but lacked a philosophy to propel Aston Villa forward, and does not boast the experience to offer any assurances about Premier League safety. This would be a ludicrous appointment and a backwards step for the club.

Journalist Arash Massoudi has shared a ‘huge’ bit of news as US billionaire Jahm Najafi plots an imminent Tottenham takeover bid.

The Lowdown: Spurs linked with takeover…

Amid the divisive ownership of Joe Lewis and ENIC, with the majority shareholders recently attracting protests and criticism, Spurs have been linked with a potential full takeover.

There had been murmurs in recent months of QSI (Qatar Sports Investments) taking an interest in the north Londoners with chairman Daniel Levy and Nasser Al-Khelaifi meeting in London.

The Premier League top-four chasers, lead by manager Antonio Conte, appear to be attracting more outside investment with news coming to light on an expected formal bid.

The Latest: Najafi plots Spurs takeover bid…

Taking to Twitter, reporter Massoudi, sharing his collaborated piece for The Financial Times, has claimed that US-Iranian billionaire Najafi is plotting a $3.75 billion (£3.1 billion) takeover bid and the offer is expected ‘within weeks’.

Through MSP Sports Capital, a New York-based investment company, Najfi has apparently set his sights on Spurs despite links to fellow top flight side Everton.

Massoudi explained:

“HUGE ONE IN FOOTBALL: US billionaire Jahm Najafi of MSP Sports Capital is set to launch $3.75bn takeover bid for Tottenham Hotspur within weeks.”

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The Verdict: Massive news…

ENIC and Lewis’ ownership has long divided the Spurs fanbase amid question marks surrounding a lack of investment and general direction of the club.

Tottenham have recently invested in the team but also went some time without making a significant senior signing under former boss Mauricio Pochettino.

The Lilywhites have reached a Champions League final in recent years but are without a trophy since clinching a League Cup win in 2008.

Levy is the longest serving chairman in English top flight football and has overseen all the aforementioned events, but given Spurs’ lack of silverware or achievement, you can understand why supporters are excited by the prospect of a potential new era.

Liverpool are believed to have Red Bull Salzburg attacking midfielder Luka Sucic on their transfer radar ahead of the summer – and he could be available for as little as €15m (£13m).

The Lowdown: Sucic turning heads at Anfield

20-year-old Sucic is currently a regular starter at Salzburg and has notched four assists in all competitions so far this term.

While he is yet to bag this season, he showed his goalscoring prowess last year, scoring eight times in what was his first full campaign in the Austrian Bundesliga.

According to Football Transfers, journalist Jacque Talbot claimed that the Croatian could have a release clause of up to €20m (£18m).

The Latest: Jurgen Klopp ‘would like’ Sucic at Liverpool

Speaking on his YouTube channel, Talbot elaborated on his report by highlighting why Liverpool may have Sucic on their transfer wishlist going into the summer window.

He said: “[He is] on Liverpool’s list ahead of a summer move. So we’ve heard that the release clause is somewhere between €15-20m, but we need to stand that up with people at Salzburg.

“He can play No 10, No 8, a variety of positions; relatively cheap, even if the release isn’t that – we believe it is [£20m].

“Fantastic player, tall, towering, can score goals, can do a lot of things. You can see why someone like Klopp would like him.”

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The Verdict: Versatility could be key for Klopp

Given that Sucic has played across the midfield throughout his short career to date, he could provide a refreshing outlet for Jurgen Klopp if he was able to lure him to Anfield.

It has been well-documented that Liverpool’s midfield is in dire need of an upgrade, and with some players already looking close to the exit door, it is no surprise to see the Reds linked with players in this area of the pitch.

Sucic’s versatility is clearly not his only asset, as his evident threat through his goalscoring figures and height makes him seem like an all-rounder – while his reported asking price makes it almost too good to be true.

Indeed, Klopp has a history of searching for bargains in this area of the world, as he brought in Takumi Minamino for a measly £7.25m – and although the Japan international hardly set the world alight on Merseyside, it is clear that the production line at Salzburg continues to be impressive.

We may be some months away from the transfer window opening, but it is surely encouraging nevertheless that Liverpool have exciting plans in the offing ahead of the coming months.

Tony Scott has claimed that Dominic Calvert-Lewin’s injury woes are all in his head as he’s set to miss Everton’s game this weekend.

The Lowdown: Everton to be without their main striker once again

Sean Dyche shared the news that no Evertonians wanted to hear yesterday that star striker Calvert-Lewin would once again not be fit enough to play for the Toffees having already missed 12 league games this season.

Calvert-Lewin has indeed had his injury struggles as of late having started just 24 games since the beginning of last season but despite that Everton have still not seen it suitable to recruit a striker on his level for when he’s not fit.

It has recently been reported that Everton and Dyche are looking into every single possibility as to why Calvert-Lewin is injured so frequently including what car he drives and the mattress that he sleeps on at night.

The Latest: Calvert-Lewin’s mentality criticised

Scott has ripped into Calvert-Lewin on the All Together Now podcast for his constant injury problems and believes they’re all down to his mentality.

He said: (6:55) “They’ve suggested they may need to look at his car seat, his mattress and what is actually putting right on the player. For that to come out in the public domain that is basically saying what more do you want us to do?

“So that for me, from the outside looking in is suggesting that it’s in his head because he’d had scans, he’s had everything, the tests and nothing is showing up.”

The Verdict: Dyche must get Calvert-Lewin back fit asap

Given that Calvert-Lewin has 59 goals since he made his first-team debut for Everton it would be a huge boost for them and Dyche if the England international could somehow get his body to be able to play week in and week out.

However, judging by his woes over the last 12-18 months that seems unrealistic and thus, a lot of pressure now shifts onto Neal Maupay and Ellis Simms with the latter having never found the back of the net in the Premier League.

Therefore, it’s no surprise Everton are going to such lengths to try and keep Calvert-Lewin fit and also, putting it out in the public that they’re doing so could force Calvert-Lewin into quicker rehabilitation as many may well start to believe he isn’t as committed to the club having recently been labelled as ’embarrassing’ by Alan Shearer for his poor goal scoring record of late.

Newcastle United’s players have a chance to etch their names in the history of the club as they prepare to take on Manchester United in the League Cup final on Sunday.

The Magpies could win their first major domestic trophy since 1955 by overcoming the Red Devils but they head into the match in disappointing form in the Premier League.

Eddie Howe’s side have only won one of their last seven games in the division and have scored three goals in that time – failing to score in four matches.

Their goalscoring woes are a cause for concern and the head coach could solve the problem by making a slight alteration to his team in the coming weeks.

The English head coach could improve the club’s attacking output and allow them to put teams to bed by punishing them in the final third by unleashing Alexander Isak next to Callum Wilson as a front two.

Will Alexander Isak and Callum Wilson work as a pairing for Newcastle?

Whilst it may not be his preferred choice for the final on Sunday, given the magnitude of the match, Howe could go with them as a pair in the Premier League in the final months of the campaign to fire the team to Champions League football.

They have only played alongside each other in one match this season and that resulted in them linking up for Isak to score the winning goal against Fulham in the top-flight.

The pair played 19 minutes together at the end of that clash at Craven Cottage and the Swedish international bundled in the winner after Wilson did well to keep the ball alive at the back post.

Wilson, who was once hailed as “unique” by Magpies coach Graeme Jones, has been the main centre-forward for Newcastle this term. He has started 14 matches for the Magpies in the division and produced seven goals and three assists in that time – after managing eight strikes in 16 starts for the club last season.

The £46k-per-week marksman is a proven goalscorer at this level and his eight assists since the start of 2020/21 also suggest that the dynamo can also be an effective creator for his teammates.

Isak, who was once dubbed a “unicorn” by radio presenter Kev Lawson, has scored three goals and created seven chances in five Premier League starts for Newcastle since making the move from Real Sociedad – after managing 23 goals and ten ‘big chances’ created in his last two full LaLiga campaigns. 

These statistics show that the 6 foot 4 titan has the quality to score goals and create opportunities for others, much like his potential strike partner Wilson.

Therefore, they could be an excellent duo as they are both adept at finishing chances and linking up with their teammates and their combination for the winning goal against Fulham is a glimpse of what they could offer as a pair, which is why they could solve the club’s current goalscoring woes.

Chelsea will welcome Leeds United to Stamford Bridge on Saturday afternoon, and anxiety will undoubtedly pervade through the home ranks, who will be desperate for a victory to get the club back on track.

After sacking Thomas Tuchel in the maiden phase of the term, owner Todd Boehly spent £288m to get his west London outfit back on track, but mired in mid-table obscurity and boasting just two victories from 15 outings across all competitions, it’s not flowing as anticipated.

Candidly, manager Graham Potter is under immense pressure, and despite the Telegraph’s Matt Law stating that he has two matches to save his tenure, failure to defeat the Whites would raise few eyebrows if Boehly consequently severed ties with the former Brighton & Hove Albion boss.

And in order to ensure another slip against a relegation candidate does not further chasten the club – Chelsea fell to bottom-placed Southampton in their previous home outing – Potter must unleash £88.5m winter signing Mykhaylo Mudryk, who has endured an indifferent start to life in the Premier League.

Should Potter start Mudryk against Leeds?

Mudryk’s transfer saga was one of the most prominent and entertaining of the winter market, with ostensibly months of hard graft from Arsenal dissipating after opulent Chelsea swooped in like a bird of prey and ensnared the Ukrainian phenom with a bumper package.

It hasn’t quite gone to plan thus far, and he certainly hasn’t made the resounding introduction many expected, with his first six matches for the Blues leaving him still chasing his first direct contribution.

Regardless, the fleet-footed winger is one of the most exciting prospects in Europe; scoring ten goals and supplying eight assists from 18 appearances for his previous team Shakhtar Donetsk in the first half of the campaign.

The “special” Mudryk – as dubbed by Joe Flemons – was “dazzling” in his feats, as lauded by the Champions League’s official Twitter after one dominant display, catching the eye in Europe after scoring three goals and two assists in the group phase.

Leeds are desperately seeking to stave off the threat of relegation from the top-flight, just one point and one place above the bottom three, and given their 39 goals shipped is worsened only by the bottom two, Mudryk could hope to wreak havoc from his dynamic role down the left.

Lauded as an “agent of chaos” by The Athletic, the £97k-per-week ace’s pace and power in his gliding gait marauding down the left flank has left defenders bamboozled and indeed Champions League defences unravelled, with the 22-year-old ranking among the top 1% of positional peers for non-penalty goals and 6% for assists per 90 over the past year in Europe’s top five leagues and European competitions.

The “frightening” talent, as heralded by journalist Josh Bunting, has yet to make a mark on English football, but when he does, the searing blaze left in his wake will burn brightly, eclipsing anything his outfit have encountered for several years.

With the fear to leave backlines quaking in their boots, Mudryk is just waiting to harness the abundant potential that brims from his feet, and with a good performance against Leeds, the torrent of potency that so many have expected might finally gush onto Stamford Bridge.

Therefore, Potter must unleash him from the start this afternoon and afford the attacker the opportunity to finally make his mark in England.

Tottenham Hotspur chairman Daniel Levy is believed to be reluctant to offload Harry Kane in the summer to another Premier League side.

Will Spurs sell Kane in the summer?

Kane’s future in north London is seemingly hanging in the balance ahead of the summer transfer window with the England captain only having one more year remaining on his deal.

And there have been strong reports suggesting Manchester United could be one of the sides that could look to put in a serious bid for the all-time Spurs record goalscorer.

It has been claimed the Lilywhites’ struggles which could see them miss out on the top four may potentially see them lower their £100m valuation for their talisman in the summer.

However, speaking on TalkSport, insider Alex Crook has suggested the Spurs chairman would be reluctant to allow Kane to leave for another Premier League club:

“I was told at the turn of the year when these links with Harry Kane first started to emerge that Daniel Levy – notoriously difficult negotiator – would be reluctant to sell Harry Kane to a Premier League rival.

“If he does leave Spurs, he would prefer him to go abroad. We know that Bayern Munich are showing interest. So I was of the impression that would be the more likely outcome.”

Where could Harry Kane move to?

Along with the reports crediting United with a strong interest, there is a belief that the Bundesliga giants Bayern Munich could potentially make a move for Kane in the summer.

Bayern have been linked with Kane over recent months, however, there will be natural reservations as to whether the England captain would be open to a move abroad.

Kane will have turned 30 years old by the time the summer transfer window opens and a move abroad would raise the usual issues of relocating the family as well as adjusting to a new culture.

But with Kane, the Spurs striker also has the Premier League goal record on his list of targets with just 59 goals now separating him and Alan Shearer.

This could prove a real issue for the north London club if Kane is to demand a move away in the summer and set his eyes on remaining in the Premier League.

If he is to demand a move, this summer will offer Spurs their final opportunity to bring in significant money for their star striker but it will leave them with a huge decision to make.

Kane has already seen an opportunity to move to Manchester City fall through as a result of Spurs’ resistance to selling him to another Premier League side.

And with this in mind, it will be intriguing to see whether Kane would be willing to go to another level to force his way out of Spurs this summer with his age clearly a potential concern going forward.