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Flocking to Twitter, some West Ham United fans have shared their takes as an exciting update emerges involving Hertha Berlin defender Niklas Stark.

Club mainstay Angelo Ogbonna’s anterior cruciate ligament injury has been at the centre of discussion since he sustained the problem in West Ham’s 3-2 win over Liverpool prior to the international break

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The Italian had previously started every 2021/22 Premier League game for David Moyes and was untouchable on the Hammers’ team sheet, but they had to cope without his presence for the first time this season against Wolves on Saturday.

West Ham slumped to a 1-0 defeat at Molineux and never really got going as Raul Jimenez consigned the Irons to their first loss since early October.

Ogbonna has now undergone successful surgery as he begins his recovery, yet all eyes are now on who could jump in his stead, with Moyes apparently set to be backed in the January transfer window (Evening Standard).

Links to Burnley defender James Tarkowksi and Stark have emerged recently, but Sport 1 reporter Florian Pettenberg has now dropped an exciting update on the latter.

The German source claims that talks have now ‘taken place’ for the 26-year-old, who is personally ‘interested’ in the idea of joining West Ham (Twitter).

Moyes is also a personal admirer of the centre-half and Hertha want to do a deal in January, especially considering that Stark’s contract is set to expire in 2022 as things stand.

West Ham fans react…

Reacting to this exciting development, some West Ham fans have dropped a diverse range of takes on social media, with one supporter even branding Stark an ‘upgrade’ on Ogbonna.

According to WhoScored, when comparing both players, the stats actually support this theory, with Hertha’s mainstay averaging a superior rate of tackles, interceptions and clearances per 90 over the 33-year-old Hammers centre-back.

However, another Irons supporter feels that Moyes’ current crop in Issa Diop and Craig Dawson are actually better options than Stark.

Check out some of the best verdicts on this news from Twitter here:

“Getting players running down contracts is smart. Why we haven’t done this in last 5 years has amazed me. January window is the best place to get bargain quality players”

Credit: @corsan_harry

“He’s good, I hope this is true”

Credit: @SaidTalks

“Yes please. He’s really good.”

Credit: @eezeeu

“better upgrade to Ogbonna, a good signing if it happens”

Credit: @Markwake141

“He’s alright, used to be a big talent but hasn’t quite performed to the levels expected. Reckon Dawson and Diop are better”

Credit: @WHUInfo

“Can play holding CM as well

Contract talks on hold.”

Credit: @PinceyKeeble1

In other news: ‘I understand’ – West Ham reporter makes promising transfer claim involving ‘extraordinary’ striker, find out more here.

Manchester United have been handed a potentially significant blow in their pursuit of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s successor.

What’s the story?

Current Paris Saint-Germain manager Mauricio Pochettino has emerged as the leading candidate to replace the Norwegian in the Old Trafford dugout, but prising him away from the Ligue 1 leaders will be a tricky task.

According to ESPN’s Rob Dawson, sources are stating that United have seen their initial approaches rebuffed by the PSG hierarchy, although he remains their No. target.

The report states that: “Manchester United have had an initial enquiry about the immediate availability of Mauricio Pochettino knocked back by Paris Saint-Germain, sources have told ESPN.

“United have made Pochettino their top target as their next permanent manager following the dismissal of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer on Sunday.

“The club are open to appointing Pochettino now if a deal can be struck, but intermediaries tasked with assessing the 49-year-old’s situation at PSG have reported back that the French side are, for now, unwilling to talk.”

Man Utd fans will be fuming

News that initial efforts to secure Pochettino’s services have failed will leave large sections of United’s supporters fuming, given his outstanding credentials.

The Argentine tactician transformed Tottenham Hotspur from perennial underachievers to Champions League regulars during his five-and-a-half-year spell in north London, even guiding them to a European cup final. That was before claiming his first piece of silverware via a French Cup success last term after moving to France.

Nevertheless, it’s believed that the 49-year-old is currently unhappy in Paris, with Dawson’s latest revelation claiming Pochettino would be keen on the United vacancy but is under contract until 2023 after signing an extension in the summer.

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As a result, the 20-time English champions are likely to hire an interim manager until the summer before returning for the South American once again.

Several candidates have been outlined for the temporary position in the red half of Manchester, but former Barcelona boss Ernesto Valverde appears to be at the front of the queue at this moment in time.

It remains to be seen who takes over the reins in the short and long-term as the Glazers and co. decide what’s best for United’s future, and this latest setback will only add to the hierarchy’s frustration as their number one choice for the role goes begging.

What will add to the worrying nature of the situation is that United didn’t decipher the former Spurs boss’ availability before getting rid of Solskjaer at the start of the week. Concerning for the Old Trafford faithful is the alarming lack of planning despite their quick downfall this season.

This has the potential to turn into a rather messy situation, one the club could deal without given rising fan tension and protest this term.

And, in other news…BBC Sport drop big twist in Man Utd manager saga, fans should be concerned

Many Sheffield Wednesday fans have been slamming the performance of Saido Berahino in their 3-0 loss at home to Hartlepool United on Wednesday night.

The Owls were simply blown away by their League Two counterparts in the Papa John’s Trophy, with goals from Mark Shelton and Will Goodwin as well as an own goal from Jaden Brown more than enough to dispose of the hosts.

There were some pretty poor performances for the home side, and Berahino in particular had a very disappointing game.

The former West Brom striker lost out on all three of his duels and also failed with both of his goal attempts, while he made no successful dribbles or key passes. He was also guilty of losing the ball six times and only managed 31 touches in total, fewer than Owls goalkeeper Joe Wildsmith (SofaScore).

Sheffield Wednesday fans on Berahino display

These Wednesday fans slammed Berahino’s performance on Twitter, with one supporter going as far as to claim that he was ‘useless’ against Hartlepool:

“I think Berahino and Sow are our worst ever players. Unbelievably bad.”

Credit: @Oliver19923

“The three useless B’s, Brown, Byers and Berahino. The rest not much better.”

Credit: @jazza_72

“Wildsmith, Brown, Wing and Berahino get rid.”

Credit: @waynestevens18

“Berahino stealing a living”

Credit: @Bananaman1982

“Berahino, what a waste of a wage”

Credit: @AndrewS33340287

“Berahino is so bad”

Credit: @Owlsfan941

In other news, find out what injury news had  these Owls fans talking

Leeds United could sign an exciting upgrade on Rodrigo in Juventus star Aaron Ramsey.

What’s the story?

According to a recent report from Calciomercato (via Sport Witness), Marcelo Bielsa’s side have their sights set on the Wales international as they look to reinforce their squad during the upcoming January transfer window.

Upgrade on Rodrigo

One of the big problems the Whites have faced since their return to the Premier League has been their lack of goals from midfield, with Patrick Bamford being tasked with a sizeable burden up front – last season, Mateusz Klich led the way for midfielders with just four goals to his name. In Ramsey, they would be more than addressing that issue.

Former Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger raved about the Welshman’s ability to get into the box and find himself on the end of moves, saying: “In my head, Ramsey was going to be a player between 10 and 15 goals a year. He is a Frank Lampard type. He is (about) getting in the box and he has a huge capacity to run.

“Physically, he has a combination of stamina, power and his capacity to repeat high intensity is certainly the best in the league.”

Described as an “outstanding technician”, Ramsey would offer Leeds that much-needed knack of getting into the box at the right times and scoring those poacher-type goals.

In fact, Lampard himself wrote in a column for The Evening Standard about the 74-goal star: “It will probably come as no surprise to people that I like Ramsey. Like me, he makes late runs in the penalty area and he showed that with aplomb for the second goal at AC Milan last week.”

With Rodrigo badly struggling for form since his arrival at Elland Road – he has managed only nine goals in 43 games, including just two in the Premier League this season – bringing in Ramsey would provide Leeds with a genuinely proven option in the English top-flight.

Added to reports that another goal-shy forward in Tyler Roberts has been touted with a potential exit in the near future, Ramsey could come in and take over from his fellow Welshman at Elland Road.

Meanwhile, Adam Pope has dropped an early morning Leeds United update…

Speaking to Football Insider, Sky Sports pundit Kevin Campbell has been left thrilled by a Tottenham Hotspur transfer development involving Antonio Conte.

The Lowdown: Conte pushing for ‘proven’ signing…

As per the same outlet, it appears Tottenham fans could be set for an ‘unprecedented’ January transfer window as Fabio Paratici and Conte lay the groundwork for a mass spending spree.

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Among Conte’s personal transfer demands for the winter window is apparently a ‘proven’ centre-back signing with the Italian ‘ ‘pushing’ to sign someone who can come in and marshal their backline alongside the in-form Eric Dier and Cristian Romero, when the latter returns from injury.

The Latest: Campbell heaps praise on Tottenham

After this development, Campbell has heaped praise on Conte and Spurs for targeting that area, calling it a ‘smart move’.

“They’ve got a lot of weapons going forward, so that backline has to be a real priority for Conte and Spurs,” he told Football Insider.

“With Romero injured there’s a gap at the back. Conte is a very experienced manager, and he knows that for all the attacking flair they have, if they are leaking goals – it will not end well for Tottenham.

“It’s a smart move to be targeting that marquee centre-back in January.”

The Verdict: Get it done…

Dier has impressed under Conte since the 52-year-old took over at Spurs but the Englishman’s presence without Romero arguably isn’t enough for Spurs to potentially get European qualification out of this campaign.

A marquee centre-half signing should certainly be top of the agenda for Tottenham and it’s little surprise Conte is pushing the club to sign one, with there being many links in recent months.

The likes of Stefan de Vrij, Alessio Romagnoli and even Juventus star Matthijs de Ligt have been linked from Serie A and any one of these big name defenders would gift Spurs an upgrade.

It remains to be seen who Conte and Paratici opt to bring to north London, but amid their current COVID crisis, supporters could do with some good news.

In other news: Conte wants player out in January as final decision made, Spurs chiefs already told to sell…find out more here.

Antonio Conte could be on the verge of making one of his first mistakes at Tottenham Hotspur after a recent claim emerged about central defender Joe Rodon.

What’s the word?

The 24-year-old Wales international has barely featured under the Italian since his arrival last month, featuring for only 54 minutes against NS Mura in the Europa Conference League, in what was just his fourth start of the season overall.

He was signed from Swansea City a year ago for around £11m and could now look to force an exit this January, in a bid to earn some more minutes on the pitch.

According to Football Insider, the 6 foot 4 colossus is “100 per cent” keen to secure an exit next month. Meanwhile, Spurs are seemingly on the lookout for defensive reinforcements, having been linked to the likes of Inter Milan’s Stefan de Vrij and Alessandro Bastoni, as well as AC Milan’s Alessio Romagnoli.

Now, Sky Sports reporter Michael Bridge, who is generally clued up on things behind the scenes at Hotspur Way, has delivered his verdict to GIVEMESPORT. He said:

“As it stands right now, I just get this feeling that Antonio Conte doesn’t think he’s at the level Tottenham need.”

Bad call?

This is a worrying claim as it almost certainly highlights the fact that the 52-year-old isn’t a fan of the Jose Mourinho addition, not at least because of his one start under him and that lasted less than an hour.

It is interesting that Conte will not turn to him despite their mini injury crisis that has seen star centre-back Cristian Romero ruled out for a couple of months heading into the start of 2022.

Rodon features regularly for his country and excelled at Euro 2020 alongside fellow Lilywhites defender Ben Davies, who the Italian has deployed in his back three regularly.

Indeed, the Welshman has played nearly as many times for Rob Page’s Dragons (12) as he has Spurs (16) in 2021.

But it’s a little perplexing as he clearly has a lot to offer and is a more natural centre-back than his compatriot and perhaps an even more reliable option than someone like Davinson Sanchez, who has been regularly lambasted as a “liability” during his time in N17.

Valued at £18m by CIES Football Observatory, Rodon has delivered fine performances for Wales, leading to praise such as “flawless” and him being a “special player” by journalist Ian Mitchelmore.

Meanwhile, in the past, he has been likened to two Premier League greats by Sky Sports’ Andy Hinchcliffe. “You look at Rio Ferdinand and John Terry and there are elements of both in Rodon’s game,” he claimed.

He’s also a player that the Lilywhites faithful have also been very keen to see and some feel that he should be in the starting XI more often, especially with Romero out injured – as seen in reactions relayed by This is Futbol earlier this month, once after the aforementioned Football Insider report and again after he was snubbed from a matchday squad.

They will not be thrilled by this latest update, so with the writing seemingly on the wall for Rodon, Conte could well be about to drop his biggest blunder yet in north London.

AND in other news, Imagine him & Conte: Spurs could form frightening duo with “fearless” £18m-rated beast…

Celtic have been dealt a huge injury setback ahead of their upcoming Scottish Premiership clash.

What’s the talk?

That’s according to a report by The Scotsman, who claim that Ange Postecoglou’s Celtic side will be without at least seven first-team players for the trip to St. Johnstone on Sunday, with David Turnbull, Jota, Albian Ajeti, Giorgos Giakoumakis, James Forrest, Karamoko Dembele and Christopher Jullien all looking to be sidelined due to injury.

A further report by the same publication went on to state that both Joe Hart and Kyogo Furuhashi – who missed the 0-0 draw against St. Mirren earlier in the week with knocks – could also miss out at McDiarmid Park this weekend, as the duo do not appear to have recovered from their respective injuries.

Postecoglou will be fuming

Considering the sheer number of injuries he is having to deal with at present, the news that none of his previously injured players look set to make a return to action this weekend, while both Hart and Kyogo also remain doubts for the fixture, is sure to have left the 56-year-old manager fuming.

Indeed, should attacking midfielder Turnbull, left-winger Jota, centre-forward Kyogo and goalkeeper Hart all be missing on Sunday, the Greek-Australian coach would be unable to select his best, fifth-best, 10th-best and joint 13th-best performers respectively in the top flight of Scottish football so far this season – of players who remain within his first-team squad.

And, when taking into account just how much Postecoglou’s depleted Celtic side struggled to break down St. Mirren on Wednesday evening, should the manager once again be unable to call upon any of the aforementioned players, it would not appear to bode well for Celtic’s chances of picking up all three points against Callum Davidson’s side.

This could potentially bring disastrous ramifications to the club’s Premiership title hopes this season, as dropping more points on Sunday could well see the Bhoys fall further behind their Old Firm rivals – who currently top the league standings by six points.

In other news: Ange can finally axe “horrendous” £20k-p/w Celtic flop by unleashing 18 y/o sensation

Celtic have been handed a boost in their bid to bring Hannes Wolf to Parkhead in the January transfer window.

What’s the talk?

That’s according to a report by German publication BILD (via 67hailhail), who claim that Borussia Monchengladbach are more than willing to cut all ties with the attacking midfielder in the winter market, as the 22-year-old “no longer has any prospects” at the Bundesliga side.

This will come as a major boost to Celtic, who, according to the same publication, have been keeping a very close eye on the situation of the Austria international ahead of a potential move in the January transfer window.

The next Eriksen

While it is true that Wolf has not enjoyed the best of seasons since his £8.55m move to Gladbach this summer, with the midfielder making just seven appearances in the Bundesliga – only two of which have come as starts – it is undeniable that the 22-year-old would nevertheless make a fantastic addition to Ange Postecoglou’s current options in attack.

Indeed, over his 22 Austrian Bundesliga outings for Red Bull Salzburg back in 2018/19, the £12.5m-rated forward scored eight goals, provided seven assists and created four big chances for his teammates, as well as making an average of 1.1 key passes and taking 1.9 shots per game.

These returns saw the player who has previously been described as the next Christian Eriksen earn a seasonal SofaScore match rating of 6.92 – playing a huge role in helping his side win the Bundesliga title that season.

Furthermore, with Wolf also boasting the ability to play on either wing, the signing of the 22-year-old this winter would undoubtedly help to ease Celtic’s loss of Jota, who is currently sidelined due to a hamstring injury.

As such, it would indeed appear highly advisable for Postecoglou and his transfer team to do all they can to secure a deal for Wolf next month, as the arrival of a forward as talented as the Gladbach player would very much appear to increase the Bhoys’ chances of going on to reclaim their Premiership crown come next May.

In other news: Hugh Keevins drops teasing transfer claim that will delight Celtic fans

Speaking to Football Insider, former Spurs goalkeeper Paul Robinson expects Tanguy Ndombele to leave Tottenham on a loan-to-buy deal in the January transfer window.

The Lowdown: Ndombele’s Spurs relationship crumbling

A section of Tottenham fans booed club-record signing Ndombele as the player trudged off the pitch after being substituted in the side’s 3-1 victory over Morecambe in the FA Cup on Sunday.

Antonio Conte refused to comment on the Frenchman’s match display and antics following his substitution. This arises during talks of the midfielder potentially leaving the club in the current transfer window, after it was revealed (Sky Sports) that Spurs are open to offers.

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The Latest: Robinson claims Ndombele will leave

When asked for his opinion following that update from Sky, former Tottenham No.1 Robinson, 42, told Football Insider: “I don’t think he’s going to be in a Spurs shirt much longer.

“It’s a difficult one because of his wages though. They will not recoup the transfer fee they paid for him, no chance. They will have to take a loss on him but I’m sure Antonio Conte was thinking about that when he came in.

“Tottenham will not be able to recoup the £65million they paid for him but I don’t think they’ll make a huge loss on him.

“They need to get him off the books though because he’ll be on big wages. I think a loan with a view to a permanent move at the end of the season is the likeliest.”

The Verdict: Time to leave

Tottenham shattered their club record transfer fee when Ndombele arrived from Lyon in the summer of 2019 for £55 million. However, since then, his time at the north London club has been nothing short of a disappointment.

The midfielder has made just nine appearances in the Premier League this season, with three of these having come off the bench. It seems that the Frenchman is out of favour with Conte in particular, having played just 80 minutes in the league under the Italian boss.

Despite showing glimpses of exceptional talent, Ndombele has lacked the consistency to cut it in the Premier League. If he is indeed not in the manager’s plans, with his relationship with the fans also now soured, it may simply be best if Spurs are able to find a financially viable way of allowing him to leave immediately.

As per 90min, a promising Tottenham Hotspur transfer update has now come to light involving Wolverhampton Wanderers winger Adama Traore.

The Lowdown: Spurs eye move…

Reliable reports indicate that the Spain international is a firm target for Spurs and manager Antonio Conte with journalist John Percy of The Telegraph claiming last week that they were weighing a move.

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Updates have started to ramp up since then with another solid source, The Athletic, backing that Tottenham are indeed considering his signing as they map out a specific first team role.

Conte is apparently plotting to convert the Molineux forward into a right-wing back for his system, akin to how he transformed winger Victor Moses during his time at Chelsea.

Now, in a promising update, 90min have shared the latest.

The Latest: Spurs ‘lead the queue’…

As per 90min’s sources, Tottenham now ‘lead the queue’ of interested clubs to sign Traore as they enter pole position.

As well as this, Fabio Paratici and co are ‘set to launch’ a £22 million bid after ‘making contact’ – with the player’s stance also reason to become optimistic.

The outlet say that Traore is now ‘willing’ to join Tottenham and play at right-wing back in Conte’s system.

The Verdict: Exciting times…

It will be interesting to see how Traore fares at RWB, but if he is anything likes the Moses success story at Chelsea in that role, there is reason for Lilywhites supporters to be excited.

You surely cannot rule out the possibility of Conte using the 25-year-old in a more advanced role from time to time either, especially considering his plaudits and statistics.

According to WhoScored, Traore has averaged a highly impressive 4.5 completes dribbles per 90 in the Premier League this season – almost double that of Lucas Moura with Tottenham’s best take-on rate (2.5).

Pundit Noel Whelan certainly believes he would be the right fit, branding Wolves’ star a ‘game-changer’ and the ‘perfect fit’ for Conte’s side (Football Insider).

Indeed, he would come as a brilliant first capture of the January transfer window.

In other news: Tottenham ‘working strongly’ for ‘phenomenal signing’ as reporter drops Twitter claim, find out more here.