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Tottenham Hotspur manager Antonio Conte would ‘like to bring in’ a new creative midfielder before transfer deadline day, according to reliable journalist Pete O’Rourke.

The Lowdown: Maddison interest

Fabio Paratici has already overseen a busy summer of business in N17, having added six fresh faces to his squad, but it seems like the director of football isn’t finished there and could bolster the ranks further before September 1.

It’s been widely reported that Spurs have been in the market for a playmaker to add to their ever-evolving side, with Premier League and Leicester City star James Maddison one of the main targets, though the Foxes appear to be standing firm.

The Latest: One more incoming?

O’Rourke, speaking to The Transfer Tavern, believes that Conte would be keen on the idea of signing a creative maestro this summer. He said:

“I think ideally, Antonio Conte would like to bring in a creative midfielder just to supplement his squad.

“As I say, they’ve been busy this summer with the number of signings as well, but I think that’s just maybe the one area of the team that Conte feels they are lacking in right now.”

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The Verdict: Not a priority

Champions League football will be making a return to Tottenham this season, so Conte will know the importance of having the sufficient squad depth required to seriously compete on all fronts.

That being said, whilst the Italian desires an addition in the middle of the park, this position wasn’t a priority coming into the window, so the club shouldn’t consider forcing any kind of deal if it’s not right for them.

Spurs have already spent near to £100m this summer, so unless a perfect opportunity arises, it’s likely the top-flight giants will be happy to settle with who they’ve already got in the building.

Nottingham Forest have aligned themselves with the Premier League ‘big six’ after siding with them on a recent shareholder vote, according to football finance expert Kieran Maguire.

The Lowdown: Siding with the ‘big six’

According to a report by the Daily Mail, Steve Cooper’s side are making an effort to align themselves with the top-flight’s so-called biggest clubs – Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool, Manchester City, Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur.

It has been revealed that the Midlands outfit recently sided with the ‘big six’ during a shareholder vote regarding half-time interviews and greater training ground media access.

The Latest: Maguire has his say

Maguire believes that Forest are strategizing in this way to help elevate themselves to once again emerge as one of the biggest clubs in England.

Speaking with Football Insider, the finance guru claimed: “Under the owner, Forest want to see themselves as significant players and build up major alliances in the Premier League.

“Therefore, they are trying to show that they aren’t going to align all the time with the other 14 teams in the Premier League.

“This is their way of saying to the ‘Big Six’, whose reputation has been tarnished by the Super League, that they are new kids on the block and that they won’t pre-judge. They want a business relationship.”

The Verdict: Huge ambition

Cooper’s side have made a strong start to their first top-flight campaign in 23 years having amassed four points in their opening three games.

However, Forest will be hoping to improve as the season goes on after spending just shy of £150m this summer following the recent arrival of Morgan Gibbs-White at City Ground, whose transfer fee totalled a staggering £42.5m including potential add-ons.

If they do end up remaining in the Premier League this season, the behind-the-scenes strategy employed by the club will reap its rewards for years to come – but this won’t entail a stroll in the park for Forest.

Tottenham Hotspur have been dealt a blow in their bid to bring Sergej Milinkovic-Savic to north London this summer.

What’s the talk?

That’s according to a report by Italian publication Il Messaggero (via Get Italian Football News), who claim that, despite the reported interest of Spurs, Manchester United, Arsenal and Juventus, SS Lazio are yet to receive an official proposal for the €60m (£51m) valued central midfielder in the summer transfer window.

As a result, in a bid to deter any potential suitors for the 27-year-old, Maurizio Sarri’s side are now believed to be preparing the offer of a new contract to put in front of the Serbia international – something which, should Milinkovic-Savic put pen to paper on, would all but end Fabio Paratici’s hopes of landing the playmaker in the coming days.

Paratici must move

With it being well-known that Antonio Conte is hoping to add a new forward-thinking midfielder to his current Spurs squad prior to September’s fast-approaching transfer deadline, it is not difficult to see why Paratici would be keen on a deal to bring Milinkovic-Savic to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium over the course of the next week.

Indeed, the £63m-rated talent has consistently been one of the most deadly midfielders in Serie A over his seven complete campaigns, scoring 48 goals – hitting double figures in 2017/18 and 2021/22 – and registering 42 assists – once again hitting double figures in 2020/21 and 2021/22 – over his 233 appearances in the Italian top flight.

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As can be seen above, the £96k-per-week Serbian particularly impressed last season, with FBref ranking the 27-year-old in the top 4% of midfielders in Europe’s big five leagues and European competitions for non-penalty goals per 90, as well as the top 2% for non-penalty xG, the top 3% for shots, the top 4% for assists and the top 9% for shot-creating actions over the last 365 days – proving just how effective and efficient Milinkovic-Savic is in the final third of the pitch.

The 34-cap international also impresses in possession of the ball, with FBref ranking the player who David Amoyal dubbed “unreal” in the top 11% of midfielders for passes attempted per 90, in addition to the top 14% for dribbles completed, the top 2% for touches in the opposition penalty area, the top 3% for progressive passes received, the top 29% for progressive passes and the top 30% for progressive carries over the past 12 months – demonstrating his ability to both progress the ball and play a killer pass.

Considering these quite remarkable metrics, it will perhaps come as no surprise that FBref list two of Milinkovic-Savic’s most comparable players as Borussia Dortmund and England star Jude Bellingham and Manchester City and Belgium playmaker Kevin De Bruyne.

As such, with there being absolutely no question concerning the 27-year-old’s status as one of the best attacking midfielders currently playing the game, it would appear highly advisable for Paratici to do everything in his power to seal a deal for Milinkovic-Savic in the coming days, as the Serbian sensation would undoubtedly be an “insane” – in the words of Hesham Bilal-Hafiz – signing for Tottenham ahead of the bulk of their 2022/23 campaign.

Wolverhampton Wanderers winger Pedro Neto is ‘unlikely’ to leave the club before the end of the window and will not force a move, according to reputable journalist Ben Jacobs. 

The lowdown: Wanted man

Following a successful return from a long-term injury layoff, Neto had emerged as a target for Arsenal, Chelsea and Manchester United earlier in the window.

It was the north Londoners who were seemingly the most active in their pursuit of the 22-year-old Portugal international, seemingly earmarking the £50million rated star as a major target for the final weeks of the window.

Now in the final 48 hours before the deadline, one well-informed onlooker has had his say on whether Neto could be on the move this summer…

The latest: ‘Unlikely’

Speaking to Give Me Sport, Jacobs – a journalist for CBS Sports – has claimed that the three-cap forward is likely to remain in situ at the club.

He said: “If Wolves just rejected a couple of times or intimate the player is not for sale, and if Neto doesn’t force, a move, which I’m told is unlikely despite a kind of openness and an interest in Arsenal, then you just run out of time.

“And I think because Arsenal are in no desperate rush to buy anybody really because of the start that they’ve made and the players that they’ve brought in, and because of the asking price and Wolves’ position, that one is going to be pretty improbable at this stage.”

The verdict: Fingers crossed

Keeping hold of players such as Neto, alongside the highly sought-after Ruben Neves, is imperative if the Wanderers are going to be competitive once again in the Premier League under Bruno Lage.

At this stage in the window, Wolves should be looking to bolster their attacking ranks rather than weaken them, and the arrival of towering Stuttgart striker Sasa Kalajdzic should go some way towards fixing a lack of firepower at Molineux.

Therefore, should late offers for Neto – who was hailed as a ‘wonderful talent’ by journalist Nathan Judah – be forthcoming from Arsenal or elsewhere, then the Old Gold hierarchy would be wise to dismiss any advances in favour of maintaining a strong core in the Midlands.

Journalist Pete O’Rourke has claimed that Everton supporters will ‘really appreciate’ Idrissa Gueye.

The Lowdown: Second coming

The 32-year-old made his Premier League on Saturday after re-signing from Paris Saint-Germain in the transfer window.

The defensive midfielder came on in the second half for Tom Davies and put in a solid performance, winning four of his five duels, while he also recorded two interceptions, one tackle and committed no fouls (SofaScore).

The Latest: Gueye claim

Speaking to GiveMeSport, O’Rourke has claimed that Everton supporters will ‘really appreciate’ the ‘dirty work’ that Gueye will do in for the team in the middle of the park, adding that the Senegal ace has ‘great energy’ and noting that he was a ‘big fan’s favourite’ during his first spell at Goodison Park.

The journalist said of Gueye: “He was a big fan’s favourite during his first spell, so I’m sure he will be this time around as well.

“He’s a great defensive midfielder with great energy and likes to do the dirty work in midfield, which I’m sure the Everton fans will really appreciate.”

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The Verdict: Smart signing

Bringing Gueye back was certainly a smart move by Frank Lampard and Everton, given how well he did in his first spell at the club.

He made 108 appearances in total over three seasons, scoring four goals and supplying a further five assists (fan favourite at Goodison Park.

The Senegal international should add some extra solidity in the middle of the park for the Toffees, on top of the Premier League experience that he has already accrued.

Everton striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin is expected to make his comeback from injury in time for the Toffees’ next Premier League game at Southampton on 1st October. 

The lowdown

The 25-year-old has yet to play for his club this season after sustaining a knee injury in training prior to the first match of the campaign against Chelsea.

Frank Lampard had a late call to make on the Englishman for Sunday’s clash against West Ham as he nears a return to fitness, but he opted to leave the forward out of the squad.

The latest

Joe Thomas of The Liverpool Echo relayed an update from Lampard after the weekend win over David Moyes’ side.

The Everton manager expects Calvert-Lewin to be ready for the trip to St Mary’s after choosing to play the long game and holding him back on Sunday.

Thomas tweeted: “Lampard confident Dominic Calvert-Lewin will be available for Southampton (the next game). Says leaving him out of squad was his decision – and he spoke with DCL about it.

“Thinking was he did not want to risk him when has two more weeks to ensure he has ‘strikers to choose from’.”

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The verdict

After Everton picked up their first Premier League win of the season against the Hammers, this represents more good news for Lampard and co.

Calvert-Lewin, who has been dubbed ‘exceptional’ by Sky Sports’ Pete Graves, offers a significant goal threat, having netted 26 times for the Toffees since the start of the 2020/21 season.

The 25-year-old also offers excellent work rate out of possession, ranking in the 88th percentile among positional peers in the big five European leagues for tackles per 90 and the 75th percentile for clearances per game (via FBRef).

Lampard could have something of a selection dilemma up front against the Saints after Neal Maupay netted the winning goal against West Ham on Sunday. Indeed, journalist Simon Phillips has already warned that he can’t see the duo playing together up front, and he expects one of them to be left on the bench.

It’s not a bad selection headache to have…

Wolverhampton Wanderers made some statement signings during the summer transfer window, with Bruno Lage bringing in Goncalo Guedes and Matheus Nunes in order to strengthen his midfield and attacking options.

They did miss out on a few players, however, with moves for Goncalo Ramos and Keane Lewis-Potter not materialising, although a move that didn’t go through in the last few days of the window could soon be resurrected.

Speaking to GIVEMESPORT, journalist Pete O’Rourke discussed how Wolves might go back in for summer target Craig Dawson in the January transfer window, saying:

“I think there’s real potential this move could be rekindled in the January window. The reason that Dawson wanted to leave was for family and personal reasons because he wanted to move closer to his family home.

“It’s something that’s still going to be on his mind and he wants to secure that move back to the Midlands. Obviously, that gives Wolves a huge advantage because they can offer Dawson that.”

The £42.5k-per-week defender hasn’t made a single Premier League appearance so far this season for West Ham United and with Wolves struggling for options at centre-back following Nathan Collins’ sending off against Manchester City, it would have been the ideal move for the Englishman.

Last season, Dawson played 50 times for West Ham in all competitions, scoring four goals and registering two assists.

The 32-year-old received a SofaScore rating of 6.94 while making an average of 0.9 tackles, 0.9 interceptions and 4.1 clearances per match, proving he can still perform at the highest level.

Despite his lack of action this season, it may be tough to persuade David Moyes to part with the player, especially since he described Dawson as a “warrior” following the club’s win against Silkeborg in the Europa Conference League.

Lage needs his own warrior, with Wolves conceding seven goals in the league this season, a mature head is needed at the heart of the Molineux sides backline, especially with Conor Coady departing for Everton in the summer.

The manager will be eying up his options as January approaches, but don’t rule out another move for Dawson in a few months’ time.

Crystal Palace star Wilfried Zaha may agree to leave the club in January, The Athletic journalist Dominic Fifield has hinted.

The lowdown

The 29-year-old is into the final year of his contract at Selhurst Park, having signed his last extension back in August 2018. The Ivorian is already the top earner at the club by some distance on £130,000 per week, more than £35,000 ahead of second-placed Odsonne Edouard.

Zaha has already attracted interest from the continent, though, with Corriere dello Sport reporting (via Sport Witness) in the summer that AS Roma had held talks with his representatives. The Giallorossi are, of course, managed by Jose Mourinho, a three-time winner of the Premier League.

The latest

A Palace supporter asked Fifield on The Athletic’s matchday discussion board whether there was any chance of Zaha signing a new deal. He didn’t rule it out, suggesting that the Eagles could potentially offer the winger a better contract than his suitors.

However, Fifield pointed out that Zaha will be able to strike a pre-contract agreement with foreign clubs at the turn of the year, which has to be a worry for Palace.

He wrote: “Never say never re Zaha. It will come down to what kind of offers are made to him – there is surely a scenario where Palace’s might be the best, financially, on the table.

“January is a concern, obviously, given he will be able to talk to and agree terms with foreign clubs then.”

The verdict

The potential loss of Zaha at the end of the season could be had for Palace to absorb. He is surely a club legend, having played 436 matches for the Eagles and registered 160 direct goal contributions (87 goals, 83 assists).

Also, based on the start he has made to this season, the 29-year-old remains very much at the top of his game. In six Premier League appearances, he has found the net four times.

Beyond goalscoring and chance creation, Zaha is also a pressing machine, ranking in the 85th percentile among wingers in the big five European leagues over the past 12 months for pressures per 90 (via FBRef).

He is undoubtedly a key asset to Patrick Vieira both in and out of possession, so the Eagles must be careful that he isn’t allowed to simply walk away from Selhurst Park for nothing in 2023.

Wolverhampton Wanderers are reportedly plotting talks regarding the future of forward Adama Traore, with the Spaniard currently on the periphery under manager Bruno Lage.

What’s the word?

That’s according to journalist Dean Jones – speaking to GIVEMESPORT – who revealed discussions may well take place when club action is halted by the start of the World Cup, with a decision to be made over a potential January exit for the 26-year-old.

The transfer insider stated: “The way I understand it is that talks are going to take place during the World Cup break.

“They want to see what happens for him and the team between now and when the Premier League goes on pause. That will basically dictate whether he is on the move in January or not.”

The former Middlesbrough man – who signed for the Old Gold on an £18m deal back in 2018 – has just under a year remaining on his existing deal at Molineux, with a potential move in the winter window having been touted of late.

Lage must ditch

The explosive forward only returned to the Midlands side over the summer having spent the second half of last season on loan at former club Barcelona, with the Catalan outfit opting against triggering the option to buy included as part of that temporary deal.

Now back at his parent club, the £13.5m-rated speedster has failed to earn a start under Lage in the Premier League thus far, making just four substitute appearances as a sign of his fall down the pecking order.

In truth, despite the winger’s “unique” talents – as described by journalist Liam Keen – the Spain international has seemingly flattered to deceive during his time at Wolves to date, with few tears set to be shed if he is to depart any time soon.

While a player loved by supporters and neutrals alike for his devastating strength and speed on the counter, as well as his innate ball-carrying ability – which sees him rank in the top 1% among his peers across Europe’s top five leagues for dribbles completed – there has rarely been the end product to go with it.

A figure who has “amazed and frustrated in equal measure” – in the words of Keen – Traore has scored just 12 goals and provided only 18 assists in 159 games for the club thus far, including just eight top-flight goals in that time.

That is a rather measly return for any forward player let alone someone with the £43k-per-week man’s obvious skillset, with Lage and co having seemingly lost patience with his failings in the final third, hence his inability to secure a starting berth.

As former England boss Sam Allardyce predicted upon the eight-cap gem’s arrival at Molineux, he has simply struggled for consistency throughout the past four years, with such an erratic talent hard to rely on for any manager.

Facing the prospect of losing him for nothing next summer, the club must act ruthlessly and cash in during the winter window.

Aston Villa acted swiftly in the transfer market during the summer, with the likes of Boubacar Kamara, Diego Carlos and Philippe Coutinho all arriving on permanent deals.

A couple of late additions in Leander Dendoncker and Jan Bednarek gave manager Steven Gerrard some cover in defence and the midfield but it was his reluctance to sell a few players that might come back to haunt him.

Morgan Sanson is the best example, while sporting director Johan Lange will rue not moving him on and bringing in a current Premier League player in his place…

Aston Villa should have signed Tomas Soucek

Back in June, it was reported that West Ham United were willing to listen to offers of £30m for the midfielder as he was haggling over a new contract.

Newcastle United, Everton, and Villa were all showing interest in the player, but no move ever materialised and it could be something Gerrard regrets.

The 27-year-old has been excellent in this season’s Premier League, averaging a SofaScore rating of 7.11, starting every game so far and scoring once.

The Czech titan has contributed well defensively, making 2.8 tackles, 1.5 interceptions, and 2.3 clearances per match, proving that he can get stuck in and do the dirty work too in order to lead his team to success.

These attributes would have worked wonders in the Villa engine room, giving Gerrard some bite in his team.

Sanson hasn’t even played in the league this season, while he currently earns £48k-per-week for contributing nothing.

Missing out on Soucek appears to be a glaring mistake with every passing match, while West Ham manager David Moyes has dubbed the player as “sensational” and he continues to be the heart of their side.

Soucek’s contract doesn’t expire until 2024, but if his performances continue to this high standard, then Moyes might find it extremely tough to keep a hold of him when January rolls around and Gerrard will be kicking himself that he didn’t secure a deal for the player.