SAMU OMORODION HUNT: TOTTENHAM LEAD RACE TO SIGN STRIKER IN JANUARY
Tottenham, winless in three and sitting 9th, are linked with a January move for Porto's Spanish striker Samu Omorodion. Spurs see the €50m-rated forward as an ideal fit for Thomas Frank's system to revive their attack.
Tottenham have fallen to ninth place in the league standings and haven't won during their most recent three fixtures.
In those three big games, Spurs only had 1.10 in expected goals. Just 0.10 of that was against the Blues, and a shocking 0.07 came in the North London Derby. Thomas Frank is having a tough time in his first season as Tottenham's manager, and some fans are already unhappy.
The January transfer window could be huge for Frank and his future. Transfer rumours have already started.
Belgian football reporter Sacha Tavolieri says Spurs are thinking about signing Porto striker Samu Omorodion.
Before signing with Porto, he was close to joining Chelsea. He agreed to personal terms with the Blues, but the deal fell apart due to an ankle injury found during his medical exam and issues with image rights.
Sky Sports in Switzerland reports that Spurs view Omorodion as the ideal profile for Frank's system. They say he's one of the most followed attacking talents in Europe.
Spanish national team coach Luis de la Fuente, after calling him up to the senior Spain squad for the first time last year, said, "Samu is only 20 and could become a top striker, but he needs to keep improving and stay consistent." I hope he keeps up his form because he has a lot of potential.
Ben Mattinson, a first-team coach at the Italian team Como, described the striker as elite.
Frank has tightened up the defence, but the attacking plays haven't been great, even though they've scored more goals than most teams in the league so far this season.
They've been depending on goals from set pieces, with almost a third coming that way. Only Arsenal and Chelsea have scored more goals from set pieces this season.
Richarlison scored his fifth goal of the season on Sunday, but Randal Kolo Muani hasn't scored yet. Mathys Tel has two goals, while Brennan Johnson and Mohammed Kudus each have one.
Dominic Solanke hasn't played all season due to injury, and there are always rumours about Richarlison's future with the club.
Porto paid just €15 million for Omorodion in 2024, weeks after his €40 million move to Chelsea failed.
Transfermarkt.com says his current market value is €50 million, or about £44 million.
Spurs' owners, ENIC, have put £100 million into the club, ready for Frank to use on his squad in January. So, they have the money to spend on Omorodion if they choose him to boost their attack.
DERBY OUTRAGE: PETER BANKES DOUBLES DOWN ON DISALLOWED KOLO MUANI GOAL DESPITE MASSIVE CRITICISM
Referee verdict: Discover why Peter Bankes disallowed Kolo Muani’s goal and Keith Hackett’s "stupid and soft" reaction.
Referee Peter Bankes stood by his call to disallow Randal Kolo Muani’s equaliser in the North London derby, calling it “a very, very clear offence.”
The moment sparked outrage. Gabriel, Arsenal’s defender, hit the deck after Muani’s challenge in the box. Former Premier League referees’ chief Keith Hackett didn’t hold back, calling the decision “stupid and soft".
Bankes didn’t hesitate. He blew for a foul, ruled out the goal, and VAR stayed out of it, even as Spurs fans fumed. That goal would’ve levelled it at 2-2.
Bankes explained on the Match Officials Mic’d Up show: “I was exactly where I needed to be for a cross from the right. I saw the Tottenham player put two hands into the back of the Arsenal player. That’s what grabbed my attention. When you see that live, it looks like a straightforward push – a clear foul.
“I held off on the whistle to let play run, then made the call after the ball went in. That way, VAR could step in if I’d missed something or if it looked off. But honestly, on the pitch, it looked obvious.
“I’m still comfortable with my decision. Sure, things can look different at different speeds; slow motion isn’t the same as seeing it live. But I got one look, and I was confident the two hands on the back had enough impact to be a foul.
“I know people will split on this, but I’m comfortable. That’s a free kick for me.”
The decision was a huge break for Arsenal, who ended up winning 4-1. As far as Spurs fans were concerned, Gabriel got away with one.
Ex-Premier League referee Dermot Gallagher backed Bankes up: “The on-field decision always stands. The ref saw enough for a push. VAR isn’t going to overturn that when the evidence is there.”
THE GIBBS-WHITE PROJECT: WHY MANCHESTER UNITED SEE THE FOREST STAR AS THEIR NEXT PLAYMAKER
United transfer hub. Get the report on wage bill cuts, the Forest playmaker, and City’s rival interest.
Manchester United still have a bit of a wait before the summer transfer window opens, but talk around Old Trafford is already heating up. People keep linking United with all kinds of new signings for when the season wraps up.
Michael Carrick has made quite the impression as United’s interim head coach so far. The club handed him the reins until the end of the season, and honestly, he’s done well with the opportunity.
Still, no one really knows who’ll be in charge next season. That uncertainty just adds fuel to the rumours about which players United will chase in the transfer market.
Right now, everything hinges on Champions League qualification. United sit fourth in the Premier League after a 1-0 win over Everton on Monday night. That spot could make all the difference for summer plans.
Morgan Gibbs-White's claim
Now, United have reportedly joined the hunt for Nottingham Forest’s Morgan Gibbs-White. The Daily Mail says United are keeping an eye on the Forest playmaker, maybe even lining up a summer move.
But there’s a snag: United want to bring down their wage bill, and that could make signing Gibbs-White tricky.
Manchester City are also said to be interested, and Tottenham apparently tried to sign the 26-year-old with a £60 million offer, but that move fell apart.
Man United's Scott McTominay stance
As for Scott McTominay, it sounds like United aren’t planning a reunion. Despite recent talk about bringing the Napoli midfielder back, TEAMtalk reports United aren’t interested, and the idea hasn’t even come up in the recruitment department.
Napoli now values McTominay at close to £70 million, just a year and a half after he left United for around £25 million. He made the move to Italy in the summer of 2024 and, in his first season, helped Napoli win the Serie A title.
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