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According to reports in The Telegraph, Tottenham Hotspur see Fulham’s Ryan Sessegnon as the perfect replacement for Danny Rose if he leaves the club.

What’s the word, then?

Well, The Telegraph says that Rose is expected to leave the north London outfit after criticising the club’s wage structure in the summer as well as falling behind Ben Davies in the pecking order for the left wing-back role.

The 27-year-old missed out on the squad for the draw against West Bromwich Albion on Saturday after admitting he was “fuming” to have missed out on a place in the XI for the north London derby the previous weekend, and an exit is looking more and more likely.

The report adds that while Luke Shaw could be offered to them if Manchester United move for Rose, Fulham’s Sessegnon would be seen as the perfect replacement for the England international.

How well has Sessegnon done this season?

He has been brilliant.

Despite only celebrating his 17th birthday in June and signed his first professional contract with Fulham at the same time, the teenager has already 51 first-team appearances for the Championship outfit.

He shot to prominence last week when he scored a hat-trick – the first player of his age to do so since Dele Alli for MK Dons – in the 5-4 win against Sheffield United, and he has 11 goals and six assists in his career with the west London outfit.

The versatile Sessegnon is able to play at left-back or in a more advanced role, which may make him the perfect addition for Spurs who currently use wing-backs under Mauricio Pochettino.

Can Spurs get him?

They certainly can.

Fulham will certainly struggle to hold on to him if they fail to achieve promotion to the Premier League this season, but The Telegraph says that Tottenham would face competition from Manchester United, Liverpool and Chelsea in the teenager, who has no buy-out clause in his contract.

There may well be a big battle for his services next summer and a potential bidding war, but Pochettino will hope that his record with giving youngsters like Alli and Harry Winks plenty of opportunities and helping to develop their games will mean that Sessegnon will want to join the north London outfit.

West Ham supporters have been somewhat more upbeat in the Transfer Tavern in recent times following their side’s slight upturn in form, which has seen them draw with Leicester City and beat Chelsea under new manager David Moyes.

The former Everton and Manchester United boss replaced the sacked Slaven Bilic during the November international break following the Croat’s sluggish start to the season, which saw the East London outfit lodged inside the bottom three upon his departure. Yet things have improved slightly over recent games with a draw at home to Leicester followed by a spirited display in defeat at Manchester City, before Moyes got his first win in charge with an excellent 1-0 success over champions Chelsea last weekend.

Thus, there have been a few more optimistic Hammers fans in the Tavern in recent times, although many still feel that more additions are needed in January to pull their team out of the relegation mire.

And one man they have been linked with in recent times is Reading defender Liam Moore, who was also on the radar of Brendan Rodgers’ Celtic earlier in the season as they also seek to bolster their defensive ranks.

The 24-year-old has been impressive for the Royals ever since making the move to the Madejski Stadium back in 2016, helping them reach the Championship play-off final last term before succumbing to Huddersfield Town at Wembley.

And his fine exploits in the heart of Jaap Stam’s backline has reportedly attracted the attention of Moyes’ Hammers, who simply must beat Celtic to the centre-back’s signature in January if they are to boost their chances of staying in the Premier League.

Ultimately, the East London outfit must improve defensively if they are to stay in the top-flight – Moyes’ men have conceded 32 goals in their 16 Premier League games so far, a tally only better than Mark Hughes’ Stoke City, who have shipped 36 goals.

And with the likes of Jose Fonte and James Collins above the age of 30, and Angelo Ogbonna and Winston Reid fast approaching that mark, more pace is certainly needed in that backline, which is something Moore has.

Add in his overall defensive strength, be it in the air or on the ground, as well as a calmness and composure to bring the ball out with his feet, a key component of Stam’s philosophy at Reading, and the Englishman appears to be the ideal signing for Moyes’ side.

The 24-year-old has undoubtedly proven his capabilities at Championship level, and while the Premier League is a step up, it’s a step up many feel a player of the calibre of Moore’s could make seamlessly.

And with the reservations remaining about the strength and competitiveness of the Scottish Premiership, a move to West Ham would also represent a step up in Moore’s career progression as well, with a top-flight move something the defender has spoken about in recent times.

As such, it’s a move Moyes’ men must make in January if they are to enhance their survival prospects in the second half of the season.

West Ham fans… what do you think? Let us know!

Tottenham Hotspur will be unable to call upon Toby Alderweireld during their busy festive schedule.

Manager Mauricio Pochettino confirmed to reporters on Tuesday that the defender will not return to action until February.

The team have already been without the Belgian for the past six Premier League games, and in that time they picked up just two wins.

Alderweireld has certainly been missed, but the stretch of fixtures that he is expected to be absent from only include two of the so-called ‘big’ clubs – Manchester City and Manchester United.

Tottenham have managed to keep just one clean sheet in the top flight since the defender was sidelined with a hamstring injury at the start of November.

The 28-year-old suffered the blow in the first half of the team’s 3-1 victory over Real Madrid in the Champions League.

After Pochettino confirmed the injury news, Tottenham fans gave their reactions on Twitter.

Southampton have already been busy in the summer transfer market having signed Stuart Armstrong and Mohamed Elyounoussi, but manager Mark Hughes is likely to want more new faces through the St Mary’s door seeing as the team only narrowly avoided relegation last term.

While he has already bolstered an attack that only netted 37 times in their 38 Premier League matches last term, he is likely to want to add at least another centre-back to his squad given they also conceded 56 times and look to have not yet effectively replaced Virgil van Dijk following his departure to Liverpool during the January transfer window.

Further up the pitch reinforcements may still be needed too – particularly out wide or right up top given Sofiane Boufal and Guido Carrillo look to be on their way having been left out of the pre-season tour to China.

Hughes, who has been urged to snap up a Liverpool outcast by most fans Football FanCast polled, and the club have already made two smart additions, and it would be no surprise to see them make more so they get back to the success that saw them secure four successive top-eight finishes.

Here are two huge signings Southampton must make this summer, as well as one major sale…

One of Hughes’ transfer priorities this summer must be to bring a replacement for Van Dijk to St Mary’s, especially with the likes of Wesley Hoedt and Jack Stephens struggling from an aerial point of view in 2018.

The signing of the 6ft 6in Dane would certainly go some way to solving that given as his height gives him a huge advantage against physical centre-forwards, while he is also good with the ball at his feet, too.

Given he plays in the Bundesliga for Borussia Monchengladbach he should be well within Southampton’s usual budget for signings of around £15-£20m, and he could be a crucial addition.

While Saints have added some much-needed creativity and goal threat to their attack with the addition of Mohamed Elyounoussi, it would be no surprise if they sign another forward who can make a similar impact.

Shaqiri looks certain to leave Stoke City this summer following the Potters’ relegation to the Championship, and the fact that Hughes signed him previously and the fact that he reportedly has a £12m release clause should mean that the south coast outfit make him a top target.

Whether he may have attracted the attention of some bigger clubs following his performances for Switzerland at the 2018 World Cup, Southampton should go all out to bring him to St Mary’s, knowing the talent and effect he can have.

With Stuart Armstrong arriving at St Mary’s, seemingly as Davis’ long-term replacement for Southampton, you would have to wonder whether it is time the Northern Ireland international is moved on this summer.

The 33-year-old club captaim has been a great servant for the south coast outfit over the course of the last six years, but he will surely struggle for regular first-team minutes next term against Mario Lemina, Oriol Romeu, Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg, Jordy Clasie and James Ward-Prowse among others, and it could be best for all parties if he is moved on.

Do you agree, Saints fans? Let us know below…

The Chelsea fans in the Transfer Tavern have been keeping a close eye on developments at the World Cup in order to scout a handful of players who could potentially move to Stamford Bridge, but recent reports suggest they could have a perfect opportunity to sign a player who failed to make Didier Deschamps’ 23 man squad.

The Breakdown

With Chelsea back in pre-season training and Antonio Conte still in charge at the club it would seem that Roman Abramovich will stick with the Italian for another season, possibly due to concerns over the financial strain a change in personnel would have on the club. And that decision should free up some extra funds to use for the acquisition of new players this summer in a number of positions.

Chelsea made the decision to sell Nemanja Matic to Manchester United last summer in a deal which proved to be a massive mistake for the club as their replacement, namely Timeoue Bakayoko, flopped on his debut season in English football.

Meanwhile Matic was typically composed and dominant in a familiar anchor role at Old Trafford and his presence certainly helped the Red Devils’ to claim a 2nd place finish.

After making such a foolish decision to sell a top player to one of their title rivals, there’s no doubt that Chelsea will be wary of making a similar mistake in the market this summer, however, recent reports from Italy also suggest that they could avenge the transfer by raiding United for Anthony Martial.

According to Tuttomercato, United are set to launch a bid worth 40 million euros (£35 million) for Mexico’s World Cup star Hirving Lozano in the coming days – a deal which would surely open the door for Martial to make a dramatic transfer to Stamford Bridge.

With firm fan-favourite Marcus Rashford already competing alongside Martial for a place on the left-side of Mourinho’s attacking trio, the addition of Lozano would leave the Portuguese manager with 3 top players fighting for one available position, so something inevitably has to budge.

In this case there’s no doubt that Martial would be the man to make way as Rashford has emerged through the academy ranks at Old Trafford with a level of quality which suggests he is destined for a huge future at the club, whilst the Frenchman has never quite found his feet since joining in 2015.

With these points to consider, Chelsea should take advantage of the situation and bring Martial to West London this summer in a sensational deal which would eventually ensure they rewrite the wrongs of the Matic deal.

Martial possesses huge potential which is sitting dormant and waiting to be unearthed, but under Mourinho he will struggle to ever realise the full extent of his ability.

It seems that United have recognised that by targeting Lozano this summer, and if the Red Devils eventually complete a deal for PSV Eindhoven’s rising star then Chelsea would be foolish not to react to the deal by making a bid for Martial.

Chelsea fans – thoughts? Let us know below!

Arsenal manager Unai Emery has moved quickly to strengthen areas of the pitch that needed tweaking following Arsene Wenger’s departure.

Stephan Lichtsteiner and Sokratis have come in to bolster the defence, while goalkeeper Bernd Leno is expected to take the number one spot from Petr Cech.

Lucas Torreira has arrived from Sampdoria to provide an extra edge in midfield, while Mateo Guendouz has joined as one earmarked for the future.

Barring no departures, the Gunners are pretty much sorted up top, with Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Alexandre Lacazette their options.

However, the club could do with some extra zest out wide if they are to guarantee a top-four finish this term, and one man who has been heavily linked with the North London outfit is Boca Juniors star Cristian Pavon, who could potentially replace Henrikh Mkhitaryan on the flank at the Emirates Stadium.

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Last week, Spanish publication AS reported that due to the 22-year-old’s impressive performances for Argentina at the World Cup, Boca Juniors have increased the player’s release clause to £37.5m.

In today’s market, the fee is not ludicrous for a player of Pavon’s talent, but given that Arsenal seem to be on a rather modest budget this summer, we asked you whether the club should continue to pursue the young winger, who scored seven goals and created a remarkable 19 assists last season, as per Transfermarkt.

The message from the fans is clear…

Leeds United’s interest in Abel Hernandez is over after the striker wouldn’t budge on his £100,000 per week wage demands, according to The Yorkshire Evening Post.

The former Hull City striker is out of contract and available on a free this summer and rumours linking him with a move to Elland Road have persisted for most of the transfer window.

The Uruguay international joined Hull in 2014 from Palermo and went on to score 37 goals for the Tigers, including a very impressive season in the Championship where he netted 21 times.

Leeds have had a very quiet transfer window with Chelsea loanees Jamal Blackman and Lewis Baker the only arrivals at Elland Road so far this summer.

New boss Marcelo Bielsa is in desperate need of a new striker but Hernandez’s extortionate wage demands mean any chance of a deal is off the table.

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Leeds fans have been reacting to the news on social media and some have even resorted to begging the player to reconsider.

Thanks to a raft of superb signings this summer, Arsenal may just have one of the better squads in the league. 

With Sokratis Papastathopoulos and Stephan Lichsteiner added to the ranks, Arsenal may finally have solved their chronic defensive problems. Moreover, it seems Calum Chambers and Rob Holding will be given a more prominent role within the club. However, with Shkodran Mustafi’s future uncertain and Laurent Koscielny recovering from an achilles injury, Arsenal may need another top class defensive addition.

After a superb World Cup campaign with Colombia, Yerry Mina will apparently leave Barcelona this summer and according to Tuttomercatoweb, the defender is holding out for a move to the Gunners.

The Breakdown

According to the report, the tall defender has been the subject of interest from Everton, Wolves and Liverpool, he has, however, apparently been waiting for Arsenal to come in with an offer.

Ernesto Valverde is reportedly willing to let the defender go in order to free up one of the non-EU spots within his squad.

Joining Barcelona from Palmeiras in January for £10.6 million, Mina only managed to make five appearances for the club in the league as he struggled to break into the first-team.

Surprisingly good with the ball for his size, Mina would be a good addition to the squad and would hopefully mean that Arsenal can finally sell Shkodran Mustafi. The German international had a poor season last year and seems to constantly get caught out trying to gamble on the ball.

Emery may be happy with his defence but Mina might be the final piece of the puzzle to his squad.

Thoughts Arsenal fans? 

Jurgen Klopp is searching for quality backup options to give Mo Salah, Roberto Firmino and Sadio Mane a breather ahead of a renewed assault on a maiden Premier League title this season.

However, the German already has four options – Danny Ings, Dominic Solanke, Daniel Sturridge and Divock Origi – who offer their own strengths but have been thus far unable to convince him that they can do the job when needed.

There are varying reasons for that but the class that the foursome have is undoubted and Leeds are a club in need of a reliable centre-forward after failing to adequately replace the goals of Chris Wood, who left for Burnley last summer.

Marcelo Bielsa will surely look to bring a more attacking style of play to Elland Road but he still needs a reliable frontman to bang in the goals for it to work.

So, we asked which potential destination makes the most sense; Ings to Crystal Palace, Sturridge to Wolves, Origi to Valencia or Solanke to Leeds?

Solanke to Elland Road was the clear winner, as shown by the full poll results below…

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Loads of Rangers fans have been heaping praise on Nikola Katic, after the towering youngster capped of his fine start to life in a Rangers shirt with the crucial goal on Thursday night.

Steven Gerrard’s men progressed to the next round of the Europa League on Thursday, moving past Osijek thanks to a 1-1 home draw.

The Croatian side’s equaliser made for a nervy finish, but the result never really looked in doubt, and if anything the Gers should have scored more.

One player that really impressed fans again was Katic, who added another goal to his fine defensive displays.

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The 21 year-old made 64 league appearances for Slaven Belupo before his move ot Ibrox this summer, and his maturity at such a young age is impressive.

Gerrard and the Gers have been very busy in the transfer market this summer, and it’s looking like they may have struck gold with Katic.

Fans already adore the 6 ft 4 colossus, and you can find some of the best Twitter reactions to last night’s display down below…