Had Liverpool failed to recover a semblance of top form heading into 2026, Arne Slot would only have a tenuous grasp on his position in the dugout.

But the Reds are now seven games undefeated, intent on putting the wretched results across the first half of this campaign behind them.

There’s no question that Liverpool are still wanting in regard to performance levels, though, with a lack of fluency and sparkle in the middle of the park leading to some nerve-wracking finishes in recent weeks.

Much has been made of Liverpool’s interest in centre-back Marc Guehi and wide forward Antoine Semenyo, but landing a midfielder in 2026 could prove every bit as important.

Liverpool could sign a midfielder in January

The 2025 January transfer window was a busy one for the Premier League, and it’s bound to be more of the same next month.

With Semenyo ostensibly headed for Manchester City and Guehi available on a free transfer at the end of the campaign, this might be the right time to add a dimension to the engine room.

And according to reports from December, Liverpool have shown an interest in Real Madrid’s Arda Guler this month, and could now be buoyed by some interesting new information.

Indeed, Spanish sources have now revealed that Rodrygo’s return to form and the abiding presence of Jude Bellingham could see the Turkish talent, 20, sold next year.

Guler is a versatile and gifted player, capable out wide and, more recently, in the centre.

Los Blancos are warming to the prospect of his departure, but told Manchester City back in October that they would have to stump up around £130m. Liverpool will not pay such a sum.

How Guler would improve Liverpool's midfield

Guler’s career has been spent across a range of positions. This is not uncommon for a young star with many technical gifts, but it’s curious to note that he has drifted into a midfield berth under Xabi Alonso, hitherto recognised as a crafty right winger.

Arda Guler’s Career Stats by Position

Position

Apps

Goals + Assists

Attacking midfield

73

15 + 14

Right wing

62

15 + 19

Central midfield

22

4 + 6

Centre-forward

4

4 + 3

Left wing

4

0 + 1

Data via Transfermarkt

Real Madrid are bobbing up and down this year, and while Guler’s future may lie elsewhere, he has still given a fine account of himself, actually called the “best CM/AM prospect in world football right now” by journalist Neal Gardner.

Across all competitions this season, Turkey’s new superstar has scored three goals and provided seven assists. He has started 15 times in La Liga, completing 91% of his passes, creating 2.2 chances per game and winning 55% of his ground duels, as per Sofascore.

Guler has already tussled against Mac Allister, and though he’s come out on the losing side at Anfield, the Turkish talent might just have the quality to replace Liverpool’s Argentine star.

It is sad to write these words. Mac Allister is a tremendous player, instrumental in all the success of recent years at Liverpool. But there’s no denying his decline this season, lacking his trademark energy and sharpness and completeness.

Given Dominik Szoboszlai’s emphatic form, Liverpool’s potential bid for an elite midfielder would have to come at someone’s expense, and Mac Allister might just be that person, so far removed from his title-winning level of last year.

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One Reds-focused content creator has even gone as far as to say that the 27-year-old “looks like Fabinho in his final year”, having “physically fallen off a cliff”.

Real Madrid have overpackaged their attacking ranks, and Guler may get lost in the river of players who are all competing to nail down a starting berth at the world’s pre-eminent superpower.

It bears testament to Guler’s quality that he is only 20 and has played much football for Florentino Perez’s outfit. At Liverpool, he would find the love and adoration needed to realise his potential, though there’s a good chance any deal for him would come at Mac Allister’s expense.

Related Liverpool could sign a bigger talent than Semenyo in "world-class" £70m ace

Liverpool are weighing up a move for a belated Luis Diaz successor in 2026.

Posts ByAngus Sinclair

As Frank Lampard tries to rebuild this Everton side in his own image, one man who arguably typifies the complete nightmare of a transfer strategy in recent years under Farhad Moshiri, is Alex Iwobi.

The Nigeria international signed in a deal worth around £34m back in the summer of 2019, and it’s since been 133 weeks to the day that he joined the club.

With 83 games under his belt for the Toffees, Iwobi has been nothing short of a disaster, scoring just six times and providing only six assists too –  it’s hardly a surprise then that he was described as “embarrassing” by The Liverpool Echo’s David Prentice last season.

Former Everton man Michael Ball was equally loud in his criticism of the versatile attacker, pointing to the fact Arsenal fans seemed to be delighted with Iwobi’s sale.

He said: “Yeah it hasn’t worked out for him. He came to the football club with that chunk of a fee. The reaction of the Arsenal fans didn’t really help, I think they were very pleased with the amount of money they received for him.

“And you just hoped that (Alex) Iwobi would come to the football club with the attitude to prove them all wrong and show everybody that he is worth that amount of money and he’s got the ability to step up to the plate but, unfortunately, it hasn’t worked out for him.”

The £100k-a-week earning ace has endured a Goodison Park nightmare, and while he has featured in the past two games for the Toffees under Lampard, it’s hard to see how he turns things around in the long-term.

With his transfer fee and wages combined, the Toffees have splashed out an incredible £47m on Iwobi in the time that he has been at the club, and that’s money well and truly down the drain.

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If Everton genuinely have aspirations of taking that next step under a new and exciting young coach in Lampard, then it’s high-time they cleared out the deadwood in the summer, with Iwobi being one of them.

Meanwhile, this Everton starlet is impressing behind-the-scenes at Finch Farm…

There was always a divide in opinion between fans when it came to former Everton Director of Football Marcel Brands, who was responsible for many of their signings in recent years.

Plenty of arrivals at Goodison Park have not or did not quite make the grade at the club, or are yet to fulfil their potential since joining, and certain decisions made were quite clearly, in hindsight, the wrong ones.

One key mistake made by the Dutchman was to let talented young winger Josh Bowler leave the club on a free transfer, after spending the 2019-20 season on loan at Championship club Hull City, before being left in the reserves last year.

Despite not playing a single game at senior level in the previous campaign, there were a long list of clubs lining up to sign the 22-year-old from Chertsey on one-year contracts and indeed there still are, knowing that he had plenty of talent but not knowing whether or not they could unearth it.

Blackpool were the club that won the initial race, and their boss Neil Critchley immediately showed faith in the Englishman to try and help them beat the drop in the second tier, and thus far, Bowler has done an excellent job in helping his team get ever-closer to their target.

Having scored six goals and assisted three more, Critchley is aware of interest from a number of Premier League clubs, and expects more.

“Wingers who score goals and get assists and do the things Josh can do will attract attention,” said Critchley.

“I don’t see any other wingers in the Championship doing what Josh can do, so he’s a prized asset for us.

“He’s in a rich vein of form, so wingers who score and assist are worth their weight in gold.”

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A left-footed forward who has 1.4 shots and 2.6 dribbles per game, the Blackpool star would have been exactly the type of player that new Everton boss Frank Lampard would have liked to have at his disposal, particularly with new signings Demarai Gray and Andros Townsend going through a difficult spell of form – with neither player scoring a league goal in 2o22 so far.

Toffees fans will surely be hopeful now that they have a manager who likes to develop their youth prospects, but it’s too late for Bowler who is reportedly being targeted by Leicester City and Wolves to improve their own first team.

In other news: Everton could find perfect Digne heir in “magnificent” 21y/o with “a lot of qualities”

Football is a very popular sport all over the world. As you might imagine, people like to bet on this sport every now and then. This is especially true in the UK. British football fans have deeply rooted affection for this sport. 

After all, they invented it. That’s why football betting is widely spread across the UK. Some of the best payout casinos even offer sports betting for UK customers because they know how much it means to them. 

You can also say that football betting is part of the tradition. Placing a friendly wager on your favourite team just before the game is about to kick off is considered good luck. With that in mind, if you’re trying football betting for the first time, here’s a beginner guide that can help you out. 

Choose the right sportsbook

Whether it’s a land-based or an online bookmaker, you have to choose the right one. Normally, sportsbooks have many different sports, betting types and odds available to you. What you want to do is look for a sportsbook that specialises in football. 

What that means is that these types of sportsbooks have a plethora of football leagues, specialised offers and welcome bonuses for football bets and, of course, custom bets and odds for football only. This will give you more options and more flexibility, which will make your first experience that much better. 

Go for beginner-friendly bets

As you may already know by now, there are many types of bets, especially when it comes to football. Some betting types are quite complex and difficult to master. You should focus on the beginner-friendly ones instead. Such bets include winning bets, over under and spread point bets, for instance. 

As an example, you may bet on Liverpool losing the next match because one of their players suffered an injury. Winning bets are simple win or lose scenarios, there’s nothing complex about it and you make your estimation based on the information you have at the moment.  

Look for preferred payment method

Many online bookmakers and casinos, such as CasinoWings have multiple payment options available but not all of them. If you have something specific in mind that will allow you to make transactions with lower or no fees whatsoever. 

That said, you may have to look for a sportsbook that supports your preferred payment method. This may take a while because you have to match other criteria as well but you will find it eventually. After all, you’re looking for a full experience that’s seamless, not just part of it. 

Closing Words

Football betting in the UK is very popular. However, betting itself can be quite difficult to master. That’s why it’s important to take it easy and learn as you go. 

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Photo by Unsplash

Norwich City are looking to end a run of five straight losses in all competitions as they face off against Chelsea at Carrow Road tonight.

The Canaries host Thomas Tuchel’s side as they attempt to pick up points against a traditional top-six team for the first time this season.

Dean Smith’s men lost 3-1 to fellow newly-promoted outfit Brentford last weekend in the Premier League as Ivan Toney scored a hat-trick for the Bees.

How many changes will Smith make to the team? Here is our predicted XI…

We are predicting that he will make four alterations to the side, with Ozan Kabak, Max Aarons, Pierre Lees-Melou and Lukas Rupp all coming in.

Starting off in defence, we are predicting that on-loan defender Kabak will be brought back into the XI for the first time since his strong showing against Charlton in the FA Cup in January. Albeit against lower league opposition, the Turkish international caught the eye as he won six of his seven individual duels and made five interceptions, two tackles and three clearances – as per SofaScore.

He may now have the chance to show that he can replicate that showing at Premier League level after Ben Gibson’s horror show last weekend. Ian Wright dubbed his display as “absolutely crazy” as he gave away two penalties against Brentford – committing a high foot on Pontus Jansson from a corner before going to the ground on Toney in the box shortly after.

Smith may now axe the liability after that dreadful display and hand Kabak, on loan from Schalke, a start next to captain Grant Hanley.

At right-back, Max Aarons could come back in for Sam Bryam. The England U21 international was named on the bench against Brentford, but has started 25 matches for the Canaries in the top-flight and Smith could start him in hope that he gets a reaction out of the £35m-valued full-back to being dropped.

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In midfield, Billy Gilmour will need to be replaced as he is ineligible to face his parent club. Lees-Melou came off the bench in the middle of the park last weekend and completed an impressive five long passes in just eight minutes on the pitch, which could be enough to seal his place in the XI.

Finally, we are predicting that Kenny McLean will be axed in favour of Rupp. In 90 minutes against Brentford, McLean won zero ground duels as he failed to make a single block, tackle or interception, whilst also creating zero chances and failing to hit the target with either of his two shots – as per SofaScore.

This could lead to Rupp, who scored in their 2-1 FA Cup defeat to Liverpool, lining up in midfield alongside Mathias Normann and Lees-Melou.

Celtic were incredibly busy during the previous summer and winter transfer windows in terms of bringing new players to the Parkhead club.

With the next summer transfer window set to open for business in a few months, it seems as though a clue has been dropped about the possibility of the Hoops keeping hold of one of their current loan recruits.

What’s the talk?

Speaking to GIVEMESPORT, journalist and transfer insider Dean Jones had this to say about Celtic’s chances of securing a permanent transfer deal for on-loan defender Cameron Carter-Vickers in the summer.

He said: “I think that they are hopeful they can get him permanently. That was part of the feeling when they got him in; let’s just convince him that this is the place to be, and I think that it has gone a long way.”

Since arriving at Celtic Park on loan from Premier League club Tottenham Hotspur, the centre-back has been a vital figure for the team by racking up a total of 38 appearances across all competitions, chipping in with three goals and one assist along the way in the SPFL.

Postecoglou’s dream signing

Having racked up an overall rating of 7.32 for his league performances in this campaign, making him the fourth-highest rated player currently in Ange Postecoglou’s squad according to WhoScored, it’s safe to say that the Celtic boss and the fans would be over the moon if the club were able to work out a deal with the north London club that would see the 24-year-old stay where he is for the foreseeable future given how well he’s done there so far.

Labelled as a player who is “desperate to win” according to fellow Hoops defender Greg Taylor, Carter-Vickers has certainly shown that he is capable of playing with Postecoglou’s side at a high level, which should make it a priority for the club to try and sign him permanently in the summer.

Taking all of this into account, it’s safe to suggest that this would be a dream deal for the 56-year-old Hoops boss if Michael Nicholson can convince Tottenham to finally release the American on a permanent basis.

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Given how young the centre-back is, he could well go on to be a long-term figure for the current league leaders, meaning that it could be worth the club splashing out a substantial amount of cash if that’s what it would take to land him in the summer.

In other news: Forget Kyogo & Turnbull: Celtic’s “mouth-watering prospect” can fire Ange to the title

While Tottenham Hotspur have seen a number of exciting academy talents come through the system over the years, perhaps no-one comes closer to matching the ‘what if’ story than one Marcus Edwards.

Speaking back in 2016, former Spurs boss Mauricio Pochettino raved: “The qualities – it’s only looks, his body and the way that he plays – remember a little bit from the beginning of Messi.

“He’s small, he’s left-footed, I remember a little bit (Erik) Lamela when he was at River Plate, remember he had long hair, when he was 14, 15 years old, there is a lot of videos on YouTube that you can see, that he took the ball, didn’t give a pass and shot straight away.

“He (Edwards) is a very good prospect and potentially he can be a top player, but we need to be patient and tell him that he has a lot of talent, enough talent to be a top player, a great player.”

In fact, his former teammate at England’s youth levels, Stephy Mavididi, had this to say about Edwards: “He is insane. Every time someone asks me about this guy, for me, he is one of the top three players I have played with.

“Dribbling, agility, low center of gravity, his change of direction. I haven’t seen anyone better than him with my own eyes. The guy is a joke, in the pockets and on the turn.”

But having been let go in 2019, Edwards has carved out a very fine career out in Portugal, first with Vitoria and now more recently with Sporting CP, whom he joined earlier this year in the January transfer window.

At the time of his exit from north London, the English ace was valued at just £1.13m (Transfermarkt).

Now with a buy-out clause of around €60m (£50m) at Sporting, Edwards has continued to light it up in the Portuguese top-flight.

In 23 games this season in the league, the diminutive winger has scored eight times and provided four assists, including featuring quite recently in the Champions League last 16 draw away against Manchester City – quite the difference from how his career at Spurs went.

Indeed, earlier this month, Edwards spoke candidly about some of the troubles he faced back at Hotspur Way, saying: “I definitely still think some people didn’t understand me. Now I know how to carry myself a bit differently. When I was younger, only certain coaches took the time out to really understand me and realise I’m just a normal guy, whereas now that’s a bit different.

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“You know how rumours spread in football. When I was leaving Tottenham, some people didn’t want to take me because of stuff they’d heard.”

Given how Edwards is now finally beginning to do his talking on the pitch, the likes of Daniel Levy and co back at Spurs may just be wondering whether they could have done a little more to convince the talented attacker to stay put in north London.

AND in other news: “Incredibly deadly”, “Robben-esque”: Paratici plotting Spurs swoop for £36m-rated ace

Ahead of his return to Goodison Park today, West Ham manager David Moyes has the luxury of a bolstered squad after some positive news over the international break.

The Hammers entertain Moyes’ former employers Everton at the London Stadium this afternoon as they bid to regain the form which saw them climb into the Champions League places earlier in the season.

With just two wins from their last six games across all competitions, they have lost momentum at the worst possible time of the season and will no doubt require a valiant effort against relegation battlers Everton, who will surely give all their might to try and secure a win.

There was some positive news for the Irons, though, as Moyes boosted fans’ hopes for the return of talisman Jarrod Bowen. The 25-year-old is West Ham’s top scorer this season and leads the way for assists, minutes per goal, successful dribbles per match and shots on target per match, whilst also functioning as their top creative outlet this season having created the most big chances with eight.

News on the injury status of Czech Republic international Vladimir Coufal was also revealed as Moyes addressed the pair’s chances of featuring against Everton, saying: “There’s a chance that both could make it. They both did a bit of training over the international break. I’m not quite sure both of them are match-fit and ready, that’s my only concern.”

This is how we believe the West Ham XI will look as they take on Frank Lampard’s Everton, with two changes in personnel from their most recent outing against Tottenham:

Areola; Johnson, Dawson, Zouma, Cresswell; Lanzini, Rice, Soucek; Fornals, Antonio, Benrahma

Our prediction sees Moyes give a rare Premier League start to Alphonse Areola in goal ahead of Lukasz Fabianski, a potentially big call that we have discussed in detail on Football FanCast.

We also predict that £43k-p/w full-back Arthur Masuaku will be axed, paying the price for his poor performance against Tottenham a fortnight ago, with the “fantastic” Pablo Fornals coming into a system which could see his creativity unleashed.

Perhaps the biggest change is the formation. Last time out against Antonio Conte’s Spurs, Moyes opted to match the Italian’s 3-4-2-1 system and go man-for-man, which resulted in a disappointing 3-1 loss.

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The Hammers are no strangers to a 4-3-3 shape, which was used against Sevilla in the impressive Europa League win in March, and we think the Scot might revert to that today as West Ham seek a return to winning ways.

In other news – Moyes must unleash “incredible” £138k-p/w maverick today, West Ham need him

INEOS’ ‘mission 21’ has laid out the aim for Manchester United to claim their 21st league title by 2028, a point that would mark a 15-year gap from their previous Premier League crown under Sir Alex Ferguson.

It is a crying shame that such a barren run has coincided with the arrival of one of the club’s modern greats, Bruno Fernandes, with the Portuguese’s Old Trafford career likely to come and go without securing a true top honour.

Out of contract in 2027, the 31-year-old may well miss the boat if INEOS’ plan does pan out, with the midfielder having spoken openly about his frustrations at having not claimed major silverware, even while winning the FA Cup and Carabao Cup in recent seasons.

Now something of a statesmanlike figure at the club, the United skipper hasn’t been afraid to air his grievances of late, suggesting that the Old Trafford hierarchy were keen to move him on over the summer.

Fear is creeping in that 2026 could be the year that the ex-Sporting CP man does finally drift off to pastures new, with it already looking like the new year could bring with it another major overhaul in Manchester.

The Man Utd players INEOS could sell in 2026

Fernandes has already suggested that he won’t discuss his future until after next summer’s World Cup, although with the playmaker set to have just a year to run on his deal at that stage, it would be no surprise if there is to be a shaking off the hands and an emotional farewell prior to next season.

There is a world in which the £300k-per-week star’s three other senior midfield colleagues could also be moved on, with Casemiro’s own contract expiring in June, while Manuel Ugarte has been touted for a move next month after sliding down the pecking order.

Even such uncertainty hasn’t aided Kobbie Mainoo’s standing either, with the Englishman – who could depart on loan in January – also in line for a possible exit, should the two parties fail to agree fresh terms on a deal that also expires in 2027.

Away from the midfield unit, Joshua Zirkzee – who has scored just four Premier League goals to date – has been tipped for his own exit in the New Year, with fellow striker Rasmus Hojlund likely to see his Napoli loan switch made permanent.

Speaking of loans, Marcus Rashford remains in line to stay put at Barcelona, considering the Catalan side boasts a £26m buy option, while INEOS are believed to be prepared to allow Aston Villa loanee Jadon Sancho to walk away for nothing at the end of the season.

The lack of a buy option in Andre Onana’s own temporary move to Trabzonspor ensures that United will have to find a permanent home for the Cameroonian, with it looking incredibly unlikely that the ex-Inter Milan man will feature again back at his parent club.

The 29-year-old ‘keeper joined amid what has proved to be a dismal 2023 window, although at least one of those summer signings is at least beginning to flourish.

Man Utd's former flop could be Bruno's in-house replacement

As stated, at a time when United needed to kick on under Erik ten Hag, following a second-place finish and League Cup win in 2022/23, the prior regime proceeded to splash the cash on Onana, Hojlund and Mason Mount.

Two of those players, albeit now temporarily, are no longer even at United, while Mount might well have joined them if things had worked out differently, with reports over the summer suggesting that INEOS were ready to accept bids for him.

The Englishman, signed from Chelsea on a deal that could reach £60m, was also included among a list of players who were ‘readily available’, with the Champions League winner having endured a miserable, injury-hit first two seasons at the club.

According to reports, CEO Omar Berrada wishes to implement a two-season policy with new signings, giving them just two years to impress or risk being moved on.

That plan would perhaps hint at why Mount’s future was in doubt, after making just 46 appearances for the club in 2023/24 and 2024/25, although Ruben Amorim is surely thankful that no such move occurred, with the midfielder now looking like a key cog in the Portuguese’s set-up.

Evidently, this has already been Mount’s best season at Old Trafford by far, having netted in wins over Sunderland, Crystal Palace and Wolves, with United losing just one game that he has started in 2025/26 – the opening day loss to Arsenal.

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The need to carefully manage his minutes has been a factor in a lack of real consistent game time, although the 26-year-old has now started three of the last four games, while looking particularly impressive away at Molineux.

Mount stats vs Wolves

Stat

Record

Minutes

85

Touches

46

Goals

1

Pass accuracy

90%

Dribbles

0/2

Fouls won

3

Long balls

2/2

Passes in opposition half

20/21

Stats via Sofascore

Operating in Fernandes’ former role as part of the front three, Mount is an infectious pressing machine, while his recent glut of goals has highlighted that he does also boast a similar end product in front of goal when at his best.

Indeed, back in 2021/22 at Stamford Bridge, the Cobham graduate reached double figures for both goals and assists in the league, while starting in both the 2021 Champions League final and the European Championship showpiece later that summer.

Of course, having not registered an assist this season, his creative quality hasn’t quite reached its prior level, although he does rank in the top 11% for attacking-midfielders in the division for progressive passes per 90, as per FBref.

That knack for picking out a pass and spraying balls to either flank could spark tenative hopes of Mount even attempting to fill Fernandes’ void in a deeper role, should the skipper depart, with his stunner at Palace ensuring he could also take on the Portuguese’s set-piece mantle later down the line.

A player now in that Fernandes camp of looking like a nailed-on starter if fit, considering United’s record when he does feature from the start, INEOS must be thankful that they didn’t decide to cash in over the summer.

Related Man Utd star was treated like Mainoo, now he's as undroppable as Fernandes

One Manchester United star has shown there could be light at the end of the tunnel for Kobbie Mainoo…

Posts ByRobbie Walls

Tottenham Hotspur have been at the centre of another frantic – and on more than a few occasions, chaotic – year, but for all the turmoil, they have lifted silverware, winning the Europa League, and are piecing together a project under Thomas Frank’s leadership.

Still, Tottenham are stuck in 14th place in the Premier League as the season’s midpoint looms. They have lost their past two matches, but only trail fourth-place Chelsea by four points.

This has been a difficult transitional period, for sure, but Frank is right in urging patience, with dynamics between the players evident during the nine-man struggle against Liverpool last weekend, resulting in a spirited 2-1 defeat.

Multiple areas need attention, but Tottenham could do with a sharp new attacker, even after being rejected in their long-standing bid to sign Bournemouth’s Antoine Semenyo.

The latest on Spurs' search for forwards

With Semenyo, 25, honing in on a £65m transfer to Manchester City, Tottenham have had to turn their attention elsewhere. Now, ENIC Group’s powers of adaptability will be called into practice.

It is pleasing, nonetheless, that Tottenham’s interest has been confirmed as genuine. There is money to spend this winter, and the right signing could help catapult Frank’s project up several rungs of the ladder.

According to TEAMtalk, Tottenham have joined Chelsea in keeping a close eye on Juventus superstar Kenan Yildiz, with the 20-year-old’s contract talks having stalled in Turin.

Yildiz is a versatile attacking midfielder who has found a home down the left wing this season. He is the real deal and has been appraised at around £88m. Manchester United have also shown an interest in recent weeks but he is described as a ‘dream’ target for the Lilywhites.

Why Kenan Yildiz would be a dream signing

Yildiz is young, but he’s already been picked out as a “generational” Turkish talent by sports writer Cetin Cem Yilmaz. Across all competitions, he has posted six goals and six assists across 22 matches.

This is not a player who is defined by statistics, but even so, the metrics lean in his favour, with Yildiz’s performances down the left wing for Juventus this season telling much of his potential to become a superstar.

Indeed, he ranks favourably against Semenyo, whose efforts in the Premier League will indeed land him a move to Man City under the management of Pep Guardiola.

League Stats 25/26 – Semenyo vs Yildiz

Stats (* per game)

Semenyo

Yildiz

Matches (starts)

16 (16)

15 (14)

Goals

8

5

Assists

3

4

Touches

48.9

53.3

Shots (on target)*

2.4 (1.3)

2.4 (1.0)

Accurate passes*

19.9 (77%)

27.2 (82%)

Chances created*

1.4

2.3

Succ. dribbles*

1.6

1.3

Ball recoveries*

5.1

3.7

Tackles + interceptions*

1.9

0.8

Duels won*

6.4

4.1

Data via Sofascore

Given his age and the expectation that he will continue to go from strength to strength over the next few years, there’s little question that Yildiz would be the better deal to complete for the Lilywhites, who could restore some superstar power to their ranks through the Turkey international’s inculcation.

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After all, he already ranks among the top 7% of attacking midfielders and wingers across Europe’s top five leagues over the past year for shot-creating actions, and the top 12% for successful take-ons per 90, as per FBref.

Spurs haven’t exactly been slick on the playmaking front this term, and Yildiz would add directness and creative craft to the fold, killing two birds with one stone, lifting the club up and up after an inconsistent few years.

Semenyo is the talk of the town right now, but he’s already a more creative talent than Semenyo, and he’s on his way to becoming an athletic and combative star besides.

He’s exactly what Tottenham need, and would be a transformational signing for Frank’s side.

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Posts ByAngus Sinclair