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Southampton interim manager Ruben Selles could ‘carry on’ if he impresses in the role, according to transfer reporter Dean Jones.

The Lowdown: Selles placed in charge

After the departure of Nathan Jones last week, First Team Lead Coach Selles was placed in temporary charge of first-team training, and was in the dugout for this afternoon’s game against Chelsea.

With the Saints missing out on Jesse Marsch after a dispute over the length of his contract, their current coach claimed he is ready to take over as manager, and an update indicates that it is a real possibility.

The Latest: Could carry on

In an interview with GiveMeSport, transfer journalist Jones claimed that the 39-year-old could continue in the role if his side impresses enough in the upcoming matches, saying: “He’s kind of on trial to see if he can handle this job. It’s a really strange situation for him, but I think they quite trust him to steady things at the moment and, if he gets off to a good start, I wouldn’t even rule out the fact that he might carry on.”

The Verdict: Right call?

One potential advantage in offering the job to the Spaniard is that he knows the players well, having been working with them all season, after initially joining as part of Ralph Hasenhuttl’s backroom staff back in June.

Furthermore, journalist Jacob Tanswell has claimed that Selles is ‘highly regarded’ amongst the players, and this existing relationship could mean they are willing to give their all for the manager during the rest of the campaign.

The Saints are currently battling Premier League relegation, meaning there is a lot of work to do to preserve their top flight status, and so giving the job to someone with little experience would be a risk, but it is probably a better option than bringing in someone from abroad who does not know the group.

Celtic goalkeeper Conor Hazard ‘will look to go out on loan’ in a bid to find more game time, according to BBC pundit Alan Hutton.

The Lowdown: Uncertain future

The Scottish Premiership star will be out of contract at the end of the season, and having not yet been offered or put pen to paper on fresh terms, his future is up in the air.

In January, reports claimed that the 6 foot 6 colossus turned down the opportunity to join Ross County, but it’s since been revealed that he’s now searching for his next destination.

The Hoops are likely to give him the green light to depart on loan but could also be tempted to cash in should a permanent offer arrive, as stated by the same outlet.

The Latest: Hutton’s comments

Speaking to Football Insider, Hutton insisted that Hazard would be better securing a temporary exit rather than leaving for good.

“I think if you look at the age of Siegrist, he obviously knows the league with Dundee United and he is a steady goalkeeper who can come in and handle it.

“Hart is your number one. So the likes of Hazard are going to be thinking he is going to be limited with game time.

“I think he will look to go out on loan.

“I think he will still believe in himself that he will have that opportunity to even push for number two. I think a loan option is perfect for him.“

The Verdict: Let him go

Hazard hasn’t made a single appearance under Ange Postecoglou since the manager’s arrival so Celtic would be making completely the right decision by sanctioning an exit.

The Northern Irishman had a successful loan spell with HJK Helsinki in 2022, where he kept 14 clean sheets in 39 appearances, so he could massively benefit from completing the same kind of experience again.

The Bhoys already have Joe Hart, Benjamin Siegrist and Scott Bain in the building so it wouldn’t hurt offloading Hazard, where he could then challenge for a first-team spot upon his return.

Tottenham Hotspur are expected to start Richarlison again for their upcoming FA Cup clash on Wednesday night against Sheffield United.

Has Richarlison scored yet for Spurs?

It has been a bit of a tricky start to life in north London for the Brazilian who is yet to score in the Premier League for the Lilywhites.

However, he has been able to score in the Champions League with two important goals coming in their game against Marseille in north London.

He has been rewarded with some more frequent runouts in the starting XI over recent weeks with Son Heung-min not exactly hitting his best form this season.

Despite being unable to find the back of the net in those games, Alasdair Gold has said on his YouTube channel that he expects the Brazilian to retain his spot for the game against Sheffield United:

(27:35) “I think we’ll probably see this with Richarlison. You’d imagine he’ll start a third game in a row at Sheffield United, and you’d imagine you’ll see a better and better Richarlison.”

Should Richarlison start over Son Heung-min?

It has not exactly been the season either Richarlison or Son will have been hoping for with neither player being able to find their goalscoring boots on a regular basis thus far.

However, Son has been able to come off the bench and find the back of the net on a number of occasions this season with his latest coming in the game against West Ham United.

And despite coming off the bench to score in the London derby, Cristian Stellini stuck with his starting XI and kept Son on the bench for the game against Chelsea on the weekend.

With this in mind, it could be feasible to imagine the South Korean could return to the fold on Wednesday given the Brazilian has not exactly taken his opportunity in terms of goals.

But it is apparent Richarlison has impressed in terms of his work ethic with Gold saying the following in his post-game player ratings:

“Left everything on the pitch with a battling performance from start to finish. It was lacking in quality in the final third but not spirit.”

And, Martin Keown even called him an “annoying” player to play against recently after his display against Chelsea.

The game against the Blades on Wednesday will offer Spurs a big opportunity to progress in the FA Cup but it will be interesting to see whether Son and Richarlison could both start.

Spurs have a busy few weeks ahead of them and Harry Kane could be a player which Stellini could potentially rest so it will be interesting to see whether the Italian looks to play Richarlison through the middle of the front three.

Tottenham are thought to be increasingly confident of signing Crystal Palace star Wilfried Zaha this summer.

The Lowdown: Contract situation

Zaha, hailed as ‘outstanding’ by Ally McCoist, is into the final four months of his Selhurst Park deal. The 30-year-old last signed a new deal back in 2018 and has continued to be Palace’s main attacking threat under Patrick Vieira.

He has missed the last four Premier League fixtures through injury but is still the club’s top scorer with six goals.

The Latest: Transfer update

London World reporter Rahman Osman shared an update regarding Zaha, claiming Tottenham are confident of securing his services.

Spurs have jumped ahead of other suitors and increasing the forward’s wages won’t be an issue, with AS Roma and Manchester United also in contact with the player’s representatives.

The Verdict: Worrying

Zaha has been Palace’s go-to man in the final third in recent years, so losing his services for nothing is a real worry and it looks as if it is a real possibility.

As per WhoScored, Zaha has scored more goals, completed more dribbles and has been fouled more than any Eagles player, while the Ivorian also ranks highly when it comes to overall match rating and key passes per 90.

He has been a consistent performer since returning from Manchester United, and a potential departure on a free transfer would leave a big void to fill.

Journalist Harry De Cosemo would like to see Sean Longstaff handed the No 6 role for Newcastle United.

The Lowdown: Howe forced into changes

Once again, Eddie Howe is going to be forced into making at least one midfield change for a Premier League game.

Having had to cope without Bruno Guimaraes for three games in a row following his suspension, Joelinton is now set to miss the Magpies’ next two matches.

The Brazilian picked up his 10th yellow card of the campaign last weekend, which means he will miss games against Wolves and Nottingham Forest, which could see Joe Willock return to the fold.

However, it’s not just personnel that Howe may look to switch up, as Newcastle’s toothlessness in the final third needs addressing, and getting Guimaraes further forward could be something that is explored.

The Latest: Longstaff to unleash Guimaraes

Speaking on the True Faith podcast, De Cosemo admits he would be tempted to play Longstaff as a No 6, which would allow Guimaraes to dictate play further forward.

He said: “I would be tempted to try Longstaff there more than Joelinton, because I think Joelinton’s more effective in the [number] 8 [position] pushing forward and driving.

“I know exactly what you mean when it comes to Bruno, but I also think he offers that tempo that I don’t think anybody in the team can in that deep role. The sad thing is that he is the best midfielder Newcastle have got as a 6. Bruno as a 6 is the second-best midfielder Newcastle have, behind Bruno as an 8, and that’s just the sad reality at the moment.”

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The Verdict: Newcastle may regret January business

It’s a difficult task for Eddie Howe to try to get Newcastle back to their free-flowing best that saw them reach the dizzy heights of the top three before the World Cup, but that’s the current task at hand.

However, it could have been made a lot simpler for the Toon boss had he been backed sufficiently in the January transfer window. Heading into January, it was reported that central midfield was the priority position to improve, but the squad only got weaker as Jonjo Shelvey was sold.

Longstaff has certainly stepped up this season and started to rediscover some of the form that once saw him tipped for a big-money move away from the club, but his ‘outstanding’ performances may need to go up another level if he’s to thrive as a No 6 and relieve Guimaraes of some defensive duties.

Journalist Sacha Pisani has been left in awe after seeing the double save Joe Hart pulled off in Celtic’s latest 3-0 victory in the Scottish Cup.

The Lowdown: A stunning piece of business

After falling out of favour during his Manchester City days and being unable to establish himself as a regular No 1 at several clubs, Celtic offered Hart another shot at redemption.

He’s certainly grasped that opportunity, having now racked up over 90 appearances for the Bhoys and lifted three pieces of silverware during his time in Glasgow.

Hart is also very rarely dropped by Ange Postecoglou, no matter the competition, such is the faith the Aussie boss has in his shot-stopper.

Despite now approaching the final years of his career, Hart is clearly showing no sign of slowing up, as he pulled off two magnificent saves against Hearts when Celtic were just one goal ahead.

The Latest: Joe Hart continues to impress

While the scoreline reflects yet another dominant Celtic display in their pursuit of a treble-winning season, it could have been a different story had Hart not managed to roll back the years and pull off a stunning double save that denied Hearts the chance to get back on level terms.

Pisani was left stunned by what he saw from the veteran in Celtic’s latest victory, as he tweeted: “Celtic’s Joe Hart turning back the clock with not one, but two incredible saves. Not sure how he kept out both efforts. Goalkeeping at its finest!”

The Verdict: Postecoglou’s recruitment paying off once again

While the attackers will naturally grab the headlines given the Hoops secured a comfortable win against a high-flying Hearts side, if Hart hadn’t reacted superbly and pulled off his stunning double save, it would have been a much more difficult afternoon.

The fact that Celtic managed to sign Hart for a fee in the region of around £1m is yet another feather in the cap of Postecoglou and his impressive recruitment drive since taking over at Celtic Park.

It’s not just Hart’s shot-stopping ability that has been huge for Celtic, but also his winning mentality, having lifted several trophies during his time south of the border. It remains clear that his experience remains invaluable at this vital time in the season.

Tottenham Hotspur have made contact with the entourage of Borussia Monchengladbach forward Marcus Thuram ahead of a potential summer move, according to a report.

The Lowdown: Spurs eyeing Thuram

With Thuram’s contract set to expire at the end of the season, it is now inevitable that he will be moving on at the end of the season, and Tottenham have previously made their interest clear.

However, they are not the only Premier League side eyeing up a move for the Monchengladbach star, with Manchester United said to have made contact with his agent, while Aston Villa could also make an outlandish approach.

With interest in the 25-year-old so high, potential suitors are looking to have a deal in place by the end of the campaign, and Spurs have moved swiftly to make initial contact with the player…

The Latest: Contact made

According to a report from CalcioMercato, the Lilywhites have already approached the Frenchman’s entourage to discuss a potential summer move, although they will have to fend off competition for his signature from across the continent.

Bayern Munich are said to have strong interest, while Serie A clubs are also lining up for the Parma-born ace, with Inter Milan viewing him as a suitable replacement for Romelu Lukaku.

The transfer saga is seemingly not set to end any time soon, however, as the player himself wants to wait until the end of the season before assessing all the offers he has on the table.

The Verdict: Get it done?

The France international made a fantastic start to the season, netting on ten occasions in his first 15 Bundesliga games, however, goals have started to dry up recently, having scored just one in his last eight, perhaps owing to his imminent departure at the end of the season.

That said, the striker, who has been hailed ‘world-class’ by Wolfsburg sporting director Marcel Schafer, is still ranked amongst Monchengladbach’s best-performing players in the league, with an average match rating of 7.02.

The opportunity does not often present itself to sign a player of Thuram’s quality on a free transfer, and he plays in a position that Spurs may need to think about strengthening soon, given that Harry Kane faces an uncertain future in north London.

Champions League qualification could be vital in being able to attract the 6 foot 4 forward, who excels in his dribbling ability, and so the onus is now on Antonio Conte’s team to finish the season strongly.

Arsenal fans have been left bemoaning the news that Takehiro Tomiyasu has been ruled out for the rest of the season with injury.

The Lowdown: Out for the season

As confirmed by Arsenal’s official website, Tomiyasu has now been ruled out for the rest of the season after having surgery on his right knee.

He sustained the injury in their last-16 second leg tie against Sporting in the UEFA Europa League at the Emirates Stadium last Thursday, and the North London club is aiming that he can join in pre-season training with them ahead of the next campaign.

The Latest: Arsenal fans react

Taking to Twitter after the news was announced, Gunners supporters were stunned by the fact that Tomiyasu is now out for the season, with some wishing him well:

“Noooooo” – @BraveSoul90

“Such a huge loss. Get well Tomi.” – @AkachJ

“Massive blow. Get well soon Tomi” – @Sir_Eghan

“This is all Ten Hag’s fault.” – @Andysimmons615

“Awful news…such an unlucky season for Tomi” – @fryfishandbammy

“Dreadful news. All the best TT” – @Curva_NorthBank

The Verdict: Big blow

The latest update on Tomiyasu will no doubt come as a big blow to Mikel Arteta and his team.

The Japan international has filled in at right-back and even left-back when needed at times this term, making a total of 32 appearances over all competitions, with 13 of them starts (Transfermarkt).

His absence just leaves Ben White in terms of natural right-back options that Arteta can pick in his senior squad, and so he will be praying that the Englishman can now keep himself fit for the run-in.

Arsenal are reportedly keeping a close eye on the development of Barcelona prodigy Ilias Akhomach, amid rumours of the Spanish winger's forthcoming departure from the prestigious LaLiga outfit.

What's the latest on Akhomach to Arsenal?

According to Spanish outlet Sport, the Gunners have joined fellow Premier League outfit Leeds United in the pursuit of the 18-year-old prospect, with previous reports from the same publication stating that the Whites were firmly in the lead for his signature.

Mikel Arteta's side have, however, held an interest in the ace for some time, with the north London outfit's manager crafting a youthful team capable of competing for major silverware across multiple fronts.

With AC Milan and Sevilla also considering a bid, Gunners sporting director Edu Gaspar must act swiftly if he is to secure the services of one of the most talented starlets in the game.

Who could Ilias Akhomach emulate at Arsenal?

Arsenal are flying this season, occupying the top spot in the English top-flight and indeed looking good for a gleaning of English gold at the end of the term, currently eight points ahead of holding champions Manchester City.

While the fortunes are flowing at present, the club's hierarchy will have one eye on cementing sustained success for the future, especially given that the bulk of the current success lies in the onus placed on youth.

Bukayo Saka, 22, and Gabriel Martinelli, 21, have forged a deadly and dynamic partnership on the offensive flanks, while the club's star centre-back William Saliba is only 22 years old and is playing his maiden year in English football, too.

Frankly, there's no better place to kickstart a career for an aspiring and talented phenom, and Akhomach, who has made 48 appearances for Barcelona's youth sides, as well as making three senior appearances, could well unlock his potential at the Emirates Stadium.

Hailed as a "novelty" by reporter Alfredo Martínez, Akhomach has made 11 outings for Spain's U19s, scoring three goals, and has already demonstrated his aptitude on the major stage with a starring performance for La Blaugrana last season.

As per Sofascore, Akhomach recorded an impressive 7.7 rating against Mallorca in last season's LaLiga edition, completing 88% of his passes and making three key passes, creating one big chance and also winning five of his ten ground duels – evidently a player with a "lot of talent", in the words of one ESPN correspondent.

The "wonderkid", as proclaimed by Goal, could emulate the success of the aforementioned Martinelli in north London, who Edu snagged for just £6m from homeland outfit Ituano in 2019, when the Brazilian gem was 18 years old himself.

Martinelli has been incredible this season, scoring 13 goals and providing two assists from 27 Premier League starts, creating 1.5 key passes per match and completing an assured 83% of his passes, as per Sofascore.

Perhaps more of a natural finisher than his Spanish younger, Martinelli has made the increments to his game over the years spent at the club, and Akhomach should definitely take note and craft his own fruitful fortunes at a club renowned for developing and nurturing first-rate talent into players of world-class calibre.

Tottenham are believed to be interested in signing Manchester United goalkeeper David De Gea during the summer transfer window, according to a fresh report.

Could De Gea make Man United exit?

The future of the 32-year-old has been up in the air for some time now, with his current deal expiring at the end of the season and no extension signed yet. He has been a true legend of the Premier League era for United, making 529 appearances for the club and arguably proving to be as good as Peter Schmeichel at times.

There have been question marks over whether he is ideally suited to Erik ten Hag's style of play, however, in terms of his use of the ball with his feet and ability to play out of tight areas. For that reason, he could potentially move on this summer, although recent reports have also suggested that he could yet extend his stay at Old Trafford.

Should De Gea decide to enjoy a fresh challenge when the current campaign reaches its conclusion, he won't be without suitors at that point.

Could Spurs pip Bayern?

According to a report from Spain [via Caught Offside], both Tottenham and Bayern are interested in acquiring De Gea's signature at the end of the season. They see him as a replacement for Hugo Lloris, who could depart north London in the summer after an 11-year spell there.

It could be that a move to a club of Bayern's stature has more chance of developing, although Manuel Neuer remains a formidable presence at the Bundesliga giants.

In many ways, De Gea, who Martin Keown called 'excellent', could be a great signing by Spurs – undoubtedly acting as an upgrade on Lloris at this point in their respective careers, with the latter making too many mistakes this season. The Spaniard is enjoying a largely strong season for United, starting 26 Premier League games and winning one Man of the Match award from WhoScored, also being described as "unbelievable" by teammate Marcus Rashford.

That being said, De Gea is still relatively old-school in his style of play, in terms of his aforementioned limitations in playing the ball out from the back, so that is something that could work against him joining, especially if a ball-playing manager comes into replace the departed Antonio Conte. At 32, the £375,000-per-week star is also arguably not quite at the absolute peak of his powers anymore, so a younger alternative could be wise when looking at the longer-term picture.