Tottenham Hotspur are tracking Harry Souttar ahead of a potential swoop, according to reports…

What’s the word?

The Stoke Sentinel claim that the north Londoners have previously sent scouts to watch the Australian colossus, with former manager David Pleat even taking in a game at the bet365 Stadium.

However, if Spurs’ interest is genuine, then they will be facing competition from one of their Premier League rivals after Everton were linked to the young centre-back this week.

The Sun’s Alan Nixon claimed Toffees assistant Duncan Ferguson was sent to watch the 22-year-old ahead of a possible move to replace Yerry Mina, though it remains to be seen exactly how much he could command.

Transfermarkt currently value Souttar at just £3.6m, whilst ex-Potters star Mike Pejic believes he’s worth in excess of £20m.

“If I had been in a Premier League club, I would have bid £20m this summer because who knows what it would cost to get him now. I was delighted when the transfer window shut and he was [still] at Stoke,” he told Football League World.

Dawson 2.0

Souttar could well be the next big thing from the Championship, and that’s not just because he stands at a whopping 6 foot 5 inches.

Once described as a “Rolls-Royce” by Stoke legend Ryan Shawcross, the Aussie defender has been compared to a whole host of names, ranging from Harry Maguire to Alan Hansen, and even Virgil van Dijk.

Tottenham’s most recent signing from the English second-flight, Joe Rodon, is yet to hit the ground running in N17 but he has shown enough glimpses of promise to be encouraged.

But perhaps Souttar could step up to be their next Michael Dawson – arguably their best signing from below the elite level when he arrived in 2005 from Nottingham Forest. He won the League Cup, was named captain and picked up caps for England during his time at White Hart Lane.

Two of the 22-year-old’s former managers have spoken glowingly about his credentials.

During a loan stint at Fleetwood Town, Joey Barton dubbed him “outstanding” whilst Martin O’Neill told local press:

“He’s a player blessed with great natural attributes. Obviously his height but also he’s got good game intelligence and he’s a great user of the ball as well. That’s something which I think will set him apart from the other defenders in this league.”

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Indeed, those words still ring true today.

He’s averaging 2.1 interceptions and 1.8 tackles per game in the Championship this season, via WhoScored, which goes to show just how smart he is when his side are out of possession and of course, his towering physical presence is a major plus too, managing 4.6 aerials won each outing this term.

Spurs must continue to monitor Souttar’s situation, especially with other Premier League teams in the frame for his signature. In him, sporting director Fabio Paratici, chairman Daniel Levy and co could well discover the next Dawson to grace the pitch in north London.

AND in other news, Spurs fans will be buzzing as Nuno Santo contract news emerges…

Plenty of Liverpool supporters have been reacting to a video clip of Reds supporters celebrating Mohamed Salah’s incredible goal against Watford, which left some Kopites “in awe” of his brilliance.

Jurgen Klopp’s men were imperious on Saturday afternoon, destroying the Hornets at Vicarage Road and romping to a 5-0 victory. Roberto Firmino scored a hat-trick on the day and Sadio Mane also found the net, but the occasion once again belonged to Salah.

The 29-year-old registered a sublime assist for Mane’s goal before scoring a sensational solo effort in the second half, weaving in and out of tackles and firing into the net.

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It was the latest iconic Salah moment following on from his sublime strike against Manchester City a fortnight ago, and on Monday, Liverpool’s official Twitter account posted footage of Reds fans reacting to the goal in the away end.

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Liverpool fans love Salah goal footage

These Liverpool supporters took to Twitter to show their love for the video, as Salah continues to cement his reputation as arguably the best player in the world at the moment.

“What a video!!!!!”

Credit: @nevjamo

“Absolutely beautiful”

Credit: @aadel81

“Love this!”

Credit: @rab08lfc

“It was a joy to be a part of this, what a goal!”

Credit: @tedthered77

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“In awe of Mo’s magic. Never ever forget this, Reds!”

Credit: @Eddie_250

“That second gasp! Then the release…pure joy!”

Credit: @dogdaddy_

In other news, some Liverpool fans are unhappy over one Reds injury update. Read more here.

Many Wolves fans have been left blown away by some news on the vaccination of their players.

As per The Athletic’s Tim Spiers, all of the squad have been vaccinated, despite just 43% of players in total in the Premier League being double jabbed as of September (The Athletic).

In the fight against the global pandemic, it is certainly good news that every Wanderers player has protected themselves and others from the virus, reducing the risk of them catching and spreading it, and of course potentially having to miss a few games in self-isolation.

Nonetheless, the Molineux faithful will now be hoping that the rest of the top flight follow suit, so that football can return to some form of normality as soon as possible.

Wolves fans on vaccination news

These supporters of the Midlands club showed their appreciation as the news was shared by Spiers on his official Twitter page, with one even going as far as to claim that they were ‘exceptionally proud’:

“Demonstrates the trust the players have in the club’s medical staff… Proves we have the best in the business…”

Credit: @Kingwolf84

“Good, good boys we’ve got”

Credit: @ThisIsTomFair

“Extremely proud of Wolves off the field once again”

Credit: @IanYoungEdi

“I love Wolves”

Credit: @LrdHighSummoner

“My squad”

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Credit: @NunoSon

“As a Wolves fan, this makes me exceptionally proud. COYW”

Credit: @TallEddie

In other news, find out what this WWFC target has said about his future here!

While results under the new leadership of Ange Postecoglou were somewhat mixed in the early stages of the season – with Celtic being dumped out of Champions League qualifying in the second round, as well as losing three of their opening seven Scottish Premiership fixtures and both of their opening two Europa League group stage games – things are finally starting to look on the up for the 56-year-old at Parkhead.

Indeed, the Bhoys are now on a run of three straight victories in all competitions, a series of games that has seen the club secure their first and second domestic away wins of the season, as well as a crucial 2-0 victory over Ferencvarosi TC in the Europa League – a result which keeps Postecoglou’s hopes of qualifying for the knockout stages of the competition alive.

However, while results are ultimately the most important metric a manager is judged on, it is not only Celtic’s accumulation of points that has improved for Postecoglou in recent weeks, but also the implementation of the Greek-Australian’s much-fabled brand of football.

Upon his arrival at Celtic this summer, Postecoglou’s appointment promised Celtic fans a style of play that was possession-based, relentlessly high intensity and extremely attacking – and, while there was some evidence of this during the early stages of the season, with the Bhoys typically dominating possession of the ball, the results did not always follow.

Indeed, in the 2-1 defeat to Heart of Midlothian back in July, Celtic enjoyed a whopping 73% of the ball and completed 429 more passes than their opposition, however, despite this domination, Postecoglou’s side created just one big chance over the course of the 90 minutes – the same number Hearts managed.

It was a similar story in the 1-0 loss to Livingston, with the Bhoys having 79% possession and completing 497 more passes than the Lions, although this time the Hoops failed to create even one big chance in the match.

However, the tide has certainly turned during the last three fixtures, with Celtic enjoying 61% possession, creating four big chances and completing 217 more passes than Aberdeen in the 2-1 win. They then boasted 73% of the ball, created one big chance and completed 443 more passes against Motherwell in the 2-0 victory, and had 67% possession, created seven big chances and succeeded with 371 more passes than Ferencvarosi in the 2-0 win.

And, while FBref does not track data for Scottish Premiership fixtures, there is a clue in the Bhoys’ Europa League win as to how Postecoglou has managed to improve his side’s creativity.

Indeed, when looking at Celtic’s pressing in the early stages of the season, the Hoops often applied pressure to opposition players in their defensive and middle thirds a greater number of times than in their attacking third – something that is not surprising, as Postecoglou likes his side to apply pressure extremely high up the pitch.

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However, against Ferencvarosi, it would appear as if the 56-year-old instructed his side to change tact somewhat, with Celtic registering the most pressing in their own defensive third – 23 pressures were made in the defensive third while 46 in the middle third and then 61 in attacking third. That’s something that would suggest the manager wanted to draw the Hungarian side out of shape by allowing them to have more of the ball, before springing a counter-attack to catch them on the break.

And, considering both the result and display on Tuesday afternoon was arguably Celtic’s most impressive of the season, perhaps this is something we will more of from the Hoops in the coming weeks – as, with the Bhoys creating seven big chances against Ferencvarosi, it is certainly a tactic that appeared to work.

In other news: McGregor 2.0: Celtic’s 20 y/o “gem of a player” may cause Ange real problems next term

Newcastle United are now reportedly ‘hot’ to sign Florian Wirtz after sending scout Geoff Lockhart to watch him in action.

The Lowdown: Emerging superstar

Wirtz is certainly the next big name coming out of German football at the moment at just 18 years of age, as Germany coach Hansi Flick described him as an ‘outstanding technician’ ahead of one of his team’s most recent FIFA World Cup qualifying games.

Jorg Jakobs, who is the Academy Director at Wirtz’s former club Cologne, claimed that the now Bayer Leverkusen talent ‘can do everything’, and footballing legend Lotthar Matthaus even went as far as to say that he will be the ‘second Kai Havertz’, emulating the Chelsea and UEFA Champions League match-winning star (Bundesliga).

The Latest: Newcastle ‘hot’

As per SportBild (via Sport Witness), the St. James’ Park faithful are ‘hot’ to sign Wirtz, and have joined a number of sides chasing the prospect.

They sent Lockhart to watch the attacking midfield player in action against FC Koln at the weekend, but a move has been ‘ruled out’ for now as he is set to stay at Leverkusen until 2023 at the earliest.

Experts have predicted that his transfer value could soar up to a whopping €100m (£84.4m) by then, a price that the North East club would be able to afford given the takeover from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) consortium.

The Verdict: No brainer

If the Tyneside outfit can persuade Wirtz to move to the Magpies, then it is certainly a no brainer for them to sign him.

It is scary to think how good he can become at just 18, considering that he is already performing at the highest level and all those aforementioned plaudits.

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A run of six goals and six assists in 12 appearances in total over all competitions so far this season earned him a call-up to the senior national team (Transfermarkt), and Wirtz would certainly be a mainstay in the Toon midfield for years to come if he makes the move.

In other news, find out which Tuchel-like manager has been ruled out by Craig Hope to be the new NUFC boss here!

Wolves have again been linked with a move for Portugal and Lille midfielder Renato Sanches, with Bruno Lage keen on bringing him to Molineux.

The Lowdown: Wolves linked with Sanches move

The 24-year-old was reportedly wanted by Wolves during the summer transfer window, but he ended up staying put at Lille, following their Ligue 1 title triumph last season.

Sanches’ career has been injury-plagued to this date, but he won the 2016 European Golden Boy award and has been hailed as an player ‘irresistible’ by highly-decorated former Bayern Munich teammate Mats Hummels.

The Portuguese’s current Lille contract expires in the summer of 2023, meaning they may look to offload him for a fee next year.

The Latest: Fresh rumour emerges

According to the Telegraph on Twitter, Wolves retain an interest and are keeping a ‘close eye’ on Sanches, although it isn’t specified whether a move could happen in January or next summer.

It is stated that Lage is an admirer of the midfielder, who has won 30 caps for Portugal to date, scoring twice along the way.

The Verdict: Hugely exciting addition

There may be a certain risk element in signing Sanches – he has never made more than 16 league starts in a season in his career – but he could be worth a punt, given his talent.

At 24, he remains a player still maturing, and if Lage could get the best out of him, Wolves could have an exceptional all-action player on their hands, who averaged nearly two dribbles per game in Lille’s historic title win.

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His ability to break the lines with his dribbling but also break up the opposition’s play was also on show for Portugal at Euro 2020, where he averaged two dribbles, one shot, 0.8 key passes and 1.3 tackles per game in the middle of the park.

In other news, some Wolves fans love an official club tweet that has emerged. Read more here.

After Southampton duo James Ward-Prowse and Valentino Livramento were forced to drop out of international duty earlier this week, it seems as though the south coast club have now been handed some good news regarding the fitness of one of their other key senior players.

What’s the news?

It has recently been reported by Lapsi (via Sport Witness) that on-loan Saints striker Armando Broja’s apparent muscle injury that he picked up during the latter stages of Southampton’s 1-0 win over Aston Villa, where he came on as a substitute for Adam Armstrong, is not as serious as originally feared and that he will be available to play for Albania during the current international break.

After only just recovering from an ankle injury before making his return against Villa, this news will surely be a big relief to everyone at the club and have the Southampton fans buzzing.

After all, prior to their 1-0 win over Watford that Broja missed due to his ankle injury, the striker had managed to score two goals in his two previous league starts against Leeds United and Burnley, showing that the on-loan Chelsea man was starting to get into the swing of things in front of goal at St. Mary’s.

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Moving forward, with Albania set to take on England and Andorra in their next World Cup qualifying matches in the coming days, everyone at Southampton will undoubtedly be hoping that the 20-year-old, who is currently valued at £2.7m according to Transfermarkt, can get through these games unscathed.

They will be eager to see him get back to action in Saints colours when their next Premier League game against Norwich City comes around to see if he can get back to the goalscoring form he showed before his ankle injury.

However, with Armstrong managing to score the south coast side’s winning goal against Villa before making way for Broja, it seems as though Ralph Hasenhuttl could have a big decision to make over who he chooses to play up front against Norwich, with Che Adams also in the mix considering he managed to score their goal in the 1-0 win over Watford.

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Either way, with Southampton having managed to win three of their four previous league games, Hasenhuttl will be hoping that his side will be able to continue this good run of form. The fact that Broja will likely be available, meanwhile, will only aid their cause as they bid to do just that. This’ll surely delight Saints fans no end.

In other news: £4.5m-rated Saints dud with 0.2 key passes PG has been Ralph’s weak link this season – opinion

A number of Wolves supporters have reacted negatively to a transfer rumour linking the club with a move for Fenerbahce forward Enner Valencia.

The 32-year-old is known to fans of the Premier League, having had spells at West Ham and Everton in the past, but he was not a prolific player in England, netting just 11 times in 75 top-flight appearances.

Valencia is now plying his trade at Fenerbahce, where he has scored two goals in 10 Turkish Super Lig appearances this season, as well as twice in three Europa League games.

According to CNN Turkey [via Talking Wolves on Twitter], Wolves are keen on completing a move for the Ecuadorian, potentially bringing him to the Midlands in the January transfer window.

However, at 32 Valencia doesn’t represent the future, and he may not be a player who excites Wolves fans too much given his far from stellar Premier League record.

Wolves fans bemoan Valencia rumour

That certainly appears to be the case on Twitter, with these supporters providing their thoughts on the club’s links with a player who one fan dismissed as a ‘West Ham reject’.

“Oh crikey”

Credit: @wwfcscott

“Please no”

Credit: @WolvesNumber37

“West Ham reject”

Credit: @SanghaArjan

“My word “

Credit: @fowls21wwfc

“Why?”

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Credit: @SamJGollings

“I am comfortable in the knowledge this won’t happen thankfully”

Credit: @parker_bradley

In other news, Luke Hatfield has provided an update on one Wolves player. Find out who it is here.

Newcastle United are reportedly now in the mix with some of the giants of the UEFA Champions League to sign Darwin Nunez.

The Lowdown: Potential is there

Nunez is a player with a lot of potential at 22 years of age, and his agent Edgardo Lasalvia believes that he is ‘destined for great things’.

Lasalvia also claims that he has ‘a lot of things in common’ with Manchester United striker and fellow Uruguay international Edinson Cavani, a man who has scored an abundance of goals wherever he has been.

Nunez has eight goals and two assists in 13 games in total over all competitions so far this season for Benfica, including three in four in the Champions League (Transfermarkt), promising to become one of the best forwards in Europe if that UCL record is anything to go by.

The Latest: In the mix

As per Record (via Sport Witness), the St. James’ Park faithful are now ‘tightening the siege’ for Nunez, and are among a number of top Champions League clubs in the race for his signature.

AC Milan, Inter, Juventus, Manchester City, Atletico Madrid and FC Barcelona are also named a potential destinations for him, but he would only be allowed to leave at the end of the season, unless a club pays his astronomical release clause in January.

That currently stands at a whopping €150m (£125.9m), and would have to be paid in full if he is to leave in the winter transfer window, so it’s safe to assume this is one for the summer watchlist.

The Verdict: Wait and see

With the predicament that they find themselves in, the North East club may want to wait until the summer before they assess whether they should make a move for Nunez.

If they avoid relegation from the Premier League down to the Championship, then a move should be plausible, providing that they can get him for a reasonable price, and not that mega big release clause.

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With his goalscoring record and bustling style of play, Nunez would frustrate and hassle defenders in the top flight, demonstrated when Arsenal left-back Kieran Tierney fumed at him in a UEFA Europa League game last season after going down under his challenge.

Nonetheless, the Tyneside outfit need to hope that one of the huge clubs in the chase do not end up paying his clause in January, so that he is still available in the summer.

In other news, find out which £175,000-per-week ‘champion’ has been ‘offered’ to NUFC here!

Many Glasgow Rangers fans have been left buzzing over a hat-trick scored by Tony Weston for the club’s B team on Wednesday afternoon.

The striker helped himself to three of the four goals which saw his team win 4-2 away to Septemvri Sofia in the first leg of their UEFA Youth League tie, with Cole McKinnon grabbing the other as they had to come back from 2-1 down (rangers.co.uk).

Weston grabbed all the headlines in what was a spectacular individual performance which puts Rangers B in firm control going into the second leg.

At 18 years of age, the Englishman is certainly a prospect, and aside from scoring in the Challenge Cup for Rangers B earlier in the season, he has also featured at senior level for Blackpool, albeit a very brief cameo in the FA Cup in the 2019/20 campaign (Transfermarkt).

Nonetheless, Weston is surely a player who Giovanni van Bronckhorst will be keeping a close eye upon as he develops.

Rangers fans on Weston hat-trick

These Rangers fans were buzzing as Weston’s hat-trick was announced on Twitter, with one Light Blues supporter claiming that the youngster is a ‘quality’ player:

“This boy is insane”

Credit: @Gravybawz

“Baller!”

Credit: @CraigStewartRFC

“Quality wee player”

Credit: @N18721

“This boy’s a goal scoring machine.”

Credit: @dave_n84

“Get in there Tony. I hope GvB is watching”

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Credit: @harryhastings

“This kid is on fire.”

Credit: @Govanbronkhorst

In other news, this official club post has left many Gers fans fuming