Tottenham Hotspur have set their sights on a move for Brentford striker Ivan Toney, according to Football Insider.

The Lowdown: Spurs eyeing Toney

It was reported earlier this season that Tottenham sporting director Fabio Paratici was eyeing a swoop for the 26-year-old ahead of a potential move in the January transfer window, but Spurs instead chose to strengthen other areas of the squad.

Right-back Pedro Porro was brought in on a £5m loan deal with a £39m obligation to buy, while winger Arnaut Danjuma arrived on loan, with Antonio Conte choosing to wait until the summer before signing an out-and-out striker.

The Latest: Spurs keeping close tabs on Toney

As per Football Insider, Tottenham are keeping close tabs on Toney, who is currently holding talks with Brentford about a new contract.

The implication is that if these discussions do not go to plan, Spurs could swoop in for the 26-year-old, considering Richarlison and Heung-min Son are said to be struggling for form, with the duo managing only 10 goals in 48 appearances combined this season.

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The Verdict: Get it done?

Given that Tottenham have Harry Kane at their disposal, who recently broke Jimmy Greaves’ record as the club’s all-time leading goalscorer, it may be difficult to attract Toney, as he knows that he will almost certainly be playing second fiddle to the England captain in N17.

That said, if they are able to tempt the ‘sensational’ 26-year-old (as dubbed by presenter Ste Howson) into a move to north London, he would be a fantastic signing. That much is indicated by his superb scoring record in the Premier League this season, netting 13 times in 19 outings and also weighing in with three assists.

His prolific goal return for Brentford – 61 goals in 110 appearances – begs the question as to just how prolific he could be in a team of Tottenham’s calibre, and Paratici should continue to monitor the progress of contract talks at the Gtech Community Stadium over the coming weeks.

Leicester City have picked out Sunderland goalkeeper Anthony Patterson as a major summer transfer target, according to a recent report.

The Lowdown: Leicester’s goalkeeper options

Leicester goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel completed a move to Ligue 1 side Nice in the last summer transfer window after 11 years with the club, leaving Brendan Rodgers with Danny Ward and Daniel Iversen to choose from between the sticks.

Ward has been the first choice for the Foxes, making 21 appearances in the Premier League, but Rodgers is now looking for a younger replacement for Schmeichel, with Patterson seemingly fitting the bill.

The Latest: Patterson targeted

According to a report from The Sun, Leicester have made the Sunderland shot-stopper a major target, although they will face competition for his signature, with Wolverhampton Wanderers said to be interested.

It is also claimed that the Black Cats could look to cash-in on their keeper for a fee of around £10m if they fail to get promoted from the Championship this season.

The Verdict: Get it done

In the top flight this term, Ward has shipped 37 goals, the second-highest total of any goalkeeper in the league, and while the Leicester backline is also culpable for the poor defensive record, there are indications that the Welshman is not up to the required standard.

Journalist Rob Tanner has suggested that the defence do not trust their goalkeeper, with this comment following the claim that he has had a ‘tough start’ replacing Schmeichel, and so the Foxes should look to bring in a younger option in the summer.

Hailed as ‘phenomenal’ by Nicky Crosby, Patterson has been in exceptional form for the Black Cats this season, recently making three saves from inside the box and receiving the highest match rating of any player in a 2-0 win against Middlesbrough.

The Sunderland youth product is averaging less goals against and a better save percentage per 90 than Ward over the past year, and given that he is just 22, he has plenty of time to develop into a top goalkeeper, capable of making the starting spot his for years to come.

Presenter and YouTuber Conor McGilligan has hit out at Leeds United after former manager Jesse Marsch is set to take over at Southampton.

The Lowdown: Marsch news

Marsch was dismissed at Elland Road over a week ago, with the Whites still currently on the hunt to bring in his successor.

However, the American hasn’t wasted any time in finding a new job and looks set to take charge of Southampton after they sacked Nathan Jones on Sunday. The former Leeds boss is the lead candidate at St Mary’s and talks went well on Monday, as per The Athletic.

The Latest: McGilligan fuming

McGlligan, presenter of One Leeds Fan Channel, took to Twitter to react to the news regarding Southampton and Marsch. He hit out at those at Elland Road, describing the club as a ‘joke’, in a ‘grim state’ and ‘desperate’.

“We are a joke – you might laugh at the appointment, but another club have made a managerial appointment look less farcical than Leeds United. This is such a grim state the club are in right now. Desperate.”

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The Verdict: Next weekend…

You’d expect that Andrea Radrizzani, the 49ers Enterprises and Victor Orta have been left extremely frustrated with how the club’s search for a new manager has played out, and this update won’t help things.

Marsch was brought in at Leeds relatively quickly after Marcelo Bielsa left the club 12 months ago, but things haven’t gone as smoothly this time around. Another relegation rival securing a new manager within days compared to Leeds taking over a week isn’t ideal, so we can understand McGilligan’s frustration.

The two sides actually meet at Elland Road next weekend, so it’ll be extremely interesting to see the reception Marsch receives, as Joe Donnohue says – ‘petrol on a bonfire’.

Phil Hay has claimed that Leeds United are admirers of out-of-work coach Marcelo Gallardo.

The Lowdown: The manager search continues

After sacking Jesse Marsch over a week ago, Leeds are still without a permanent manager, and caretaker boss Michael Skubala will take charge for the time being, including for their relegation six-pointer at the weekend.

Leeds have certainly been trying to land a new manager, though they have been foiled in their attempts to bring in a new coach, with the likes of Andoni Iraola, Arne Slot and Alfred Schreuder all now off the table.

Someone who may well have been easier to land is the unattached Gallardo, who is yet to take up another job since leaving River Plate last year, although his unwillingness to join mid-season is proving to be a stumbling block.

The Latest: Gallardo is wanted by Leeds

Hay has admitted Leeds do admire Gallardo, who has been called ‘legendary’ and would love him as their manager, although he has also claimed on The Phil Hay Show that the Argentinian is unwilling to join a club without a pre-season to work with the players.

He said: “They like Marcelo Gallardo, who was at River Plate for eight years and left that job in October, but everybody around Gallardo says he does not want to take his next job at this stage. He wants it to be with a full season ahead of him, which I totally understand; it makes sense.

“That’s kind of the Bielsa attitude towards work, is that you want pre-season so you can plan it properly – you don’t really want to firefight.”

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The Verdict: Leeds must make an appointment sooner rather than later

Given that Leeds have got the two Manchester United games out of the way that were always going to be tough tests, the Whites now have two huge games on the horizon against relegation rivals Everton and Southampton, though having a new man in place in to prepare for them clearly would have been ideal.

In terms of bringing someone in from elsewhere, the Whites are seemingly back at square one, with Schreuder – who was in the Elland Road stands last weekend – now reportedly out of the running for the vacant role, so many will hope Orta and Andrea Radrizzani have something else up their sleeve.

When Marsch was sacked, many will have expected that something was in the pipeline, and even more so following Radrizzani’s ‘white smoke’ tweet, which suggested something was close to being finalised, but that has not come to fruition.

And while Skubala may yet be a relatively safe pair of hands for now, the Leeds board could well be counting their lucky stars he has got something of a tune out of the squad since Marsch’s departure – or Tuesday evening’s announcement will surely have seemed far more panicked indeed.

Celtic are interested in signing Cliftonville winger Sean Moore this summer, according to a new report.

The Lowdown: Moore impressing

Moore is just 17, but he has already managed to cement himself as a consistent first team player for Cliftonville, making a total of 26 senior appearances for the club.

As such, the youngster has already attracted the interest of suitors from the Premier League, with West Ham United failing to get a deal over the line after entering talks at the end of the January transfer window.

The Latest: Transfer battle?

According to a report from NUFC Blog, Celtic are interested in signing the teenage sensation, who is also attracting interest from the likes of Brighton & Hove Albion, West Ham and Newcastle United.

It appears that Newcastle are the most serious about signing the Northern Irishman, however, having scouted him multiple times over the past season.

The Verdict: Exciting news

Northern Ireland U18 manager Gerard Lyttle has given an overview of what the winger’s main attributes are, saying:

“He has got that pace about him, with a drop of the shoulder and a trick to get away from players. I’ve played with and coached a lot of players that never understood how best to use their pace, but Sean does. He faces defenders up and goes at them. That gets fans out of their seats.”

Therefore, it is exciting news that Celtic are competing for what appears to be a very promising young player, and the experience that he already possesses in men’s football would stand him in good stead to soon make a push for the first team.

This season, Moore has two goals and two assists in 19 league appearances for Cliftonville, and he is only going to get better with age, so the Hoops will now be hoping they can fend off the interest from elsewhere and secure his signature in the summer.

Leeds United have reportedly contacted manager Gerardo Martino over a potential move to Elland Road.

The Lowdown: Martino profiled

Martino is an experienced coach who is currently out of work after leaving Mexico following last year’s World Cup in Qatar. The 60-year-old managed Barcelona back in 2013 and has even worked in the MLS with Atlanta.

He has a win over Leeds legend Marcelo Bielsa on his CV and has connections to the Argentine in regards to also managing the national side and Newell’s Old Boys.

In total, Martino, who plays a 4-3-3 system, has managed 413 games during his career, winning 223 of those.

The Latest: Leeds links

Argentine outlet TNT Sports shared a story on Monday evening regarding Leeds and Martino.

They claimed that contact has been made over a potential move to Yorkshire. Martino is yet to rule out an offer but would prefer to take over a side in the summer, when he has time to properly build a squad in his image.

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The Verdict: Big struggle

Leeds have found it a major struggle when it comes to replacing Jesse Marsch, with Andrea Radrizzani and the 49ers Enterprises suffering a number of setbacks. Therefore, it could be a wise move to look at an interim appointment until the summer, when it seems most managers want to get back into work, including Martino.

Who that could be remains to be seen, although the likes of Steven Gerrard and Nuno Espirito Santo have been linked and already have Premier League experience under their belt, so are perhaps ideal short-term solutions despite questions over their long-term suitability.

Newcastle United have reportedly made Fulham left-back Antonee Robinson their ‘top target’ this summer.

The Lowdown: Standout performer

Robinson has been a standout performer in a Fulham side looking to push for European qualification after just being promoted from the Championship last season.

The left-back won six of his duels in the 1-0 win away at Brighton and Hove Albion in the Premier League on Saturday afternoon, and also completed a team-high three successful dribbles, as well as three clearances, one tackle, one key pass and two accurate crosses (SofaScore).

He also impressed at the FIFA World Cup in Qatar with the USA, where ESPN journalist Luis Miguel Echegaray hailed him as ‘magnificent’.

The Latest: Top target

As per Football Insider, Newcastle have made Robinson their ‘top target’ as they look to bring in a new left-back this summer.

Magpies scouts have watched him regularly this campaign, and have given ‘rave reviews’ over his performances.

Eddie Howe wants to sign an attack-minded left-back with ‘more pace’, and Robinson fits the bill, but they will face competition from Manchester City, AC Milan and Inter Milan for his signature.

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The Verdict: Get it done

Although Dan Burn has been filling in well at left-back this term, he is primarily a out of favour, the St. James’ Park outfit should be looking for a player to come in and make the position his own.

Robinson is certainly capable of doing that, having played in every Premier League game for Fulham when he has been available, and at 25 years of age, he could be a starter in the North East for the next few years.

Incidentally, he shares the same agent as Howe, which could make a deal easier to do come the summer, providing that they can come up with the right price.

Everton have a great chance of survival in their Premier League relegation battle this season following Sean Dyche’s arrival at Goodison Park, as their performances have already had a rapid turnaround in just three games.

The former Burnley boss has secured two victories and is currently unbeaten at home, collecting six points from nine which has helped the Toffees quickly climb into a safe position of 16th but with 15 fixtures remaining and just one point clear of the relegation zone, there is still a long way to go.

Indeed, should Dyche secure survival in the Premier League he will surely be backed by the Everton hierarchy to improve and reinvest in the team this summer, especially after the failure to replace Anthony Gordon in the January transfer window.

However, the Everton boss may already have his heir to the departed winger in Everton academy graduate Lewis Dobbin who is currently thriving on loan with Derby County.

How is Lewis Dobbin performing on loan?

The talented 20-year-old – hailed “relentless” and a “crowd lifter” by BBC Radio Derby reporter Dominic Dietrich – made the move to League One to earn some first-team football this season and has shown glimpses of his ability during his time so far with the Rams.

Over 29 League One appearances, Dobbin has scored two goals, registered four assists and created four big chances, as well as averaging 1.3 shots on goal, one successful dribble and 2.5 duels won per game, proving that he is providing a potent attacking threat.

Dobbin has provided most of his goal contributions in wide-forward positions for Derby, proving comfortable on both the left and the right wing, with his goal in their FA Cup replay in November earning him high praise from manager Paul Warne:

“It was nice for Dobbs to get a screamer and that was the highlight of the game really. We could see it had a chance as soon as he hit it.

“His work-rate gets him in the team and goals are the cherry on top of that, but it was one of those moments that was a joy to watch.”

The young forward who penned a new three-and-a-half-year deal with Everton in January 2022 has been rising through the ranks of the Merseyside youth set-up since he was 11 years old and has since earned recognition on the international stage with two caps for the England U19s.

Now Dobbin could get his golden opportunity to follow in the footsteps of fellow academy graduate Gordon by taking his position at Goodison Park and becoming a first-team regular next season under Dyche.

With that being said, the future is looking bright for the Everton youth prospect and if he can continue to flourish whilst on loan it would surely put him in a good position to compete for a spot with his parent club in the near future.

Leeds United’s attempt to find a new manager has been a frustrating process, but one name who has been mentioned might make fans wish the search would go on for another while yet…

When was Benitez linked to Leeds?

Given the Whites’ numerous setbacks in the pursuit of a replacement for Jesse Marsch, it feels like they are becoming desperate in their search.

In a reportfrom earlier in the week, following Andoni Iraola’s rejection of the job, it was claimed that Andrea Radrizzani would be open to the possibility of appointing Rafael Benitez should they continue to miss out on top targets such as Carlos Corberan.

Having disappointed with Everton and dragged them towards a relegation scrap last season, there is little to suggest that it would not be a similar story should the 62-year-old take the Elland Road hot seat.

Would Benitez relegate Leeds?

Before his dismissal from Goodison Park 13 months ago, it cannot be denied that the Toffees’ trajectory suggested that relegation was in view.

After a solid start to his reign with 13 points from a possible 15, Benitez had taken his side on a run of justoneleague win in four months and deservedly saw hisP45 handed to himin January 2022. Had they not enjoyed such a strong early-season run, relegation would have been almost certain.

It was a mind-boggling appointment for Everton in the first place to hire a former Liverpool manager whose best days were likely behind him.

The 62-year-old’s last major trophy had come in 2014, and his most recent job before joining the Toffees was a failed spell in China.

Time has caught up with the Spaniard, whose archaic playing style was quickly found out. His Everton team was not solid at the back, with 47 goals conceded in 22 matches under his watch, and often offered absolutely nothing in attack. 

He averaged just1.14points per match at Goodison Park, a figure which even Marschsurpassedduring his much-maligned time in Yorkshire. This poor form, partnered with the toxicity that Benitez can bring to a club, makes him one of the worst possible candidates for a Leeds team craving unity amid their fight against relegation.

Jamie Redknapp put it best when he claimed towards the end of the 62-year-old’s stint at Everton: “Rafa has a habit of causing chaos at clubs. He’s a politician, always blaming someone else, getting this person against that person.He creates an atmosphere with the crowd against the board everywhere he goes. I am convinced he’s doing it again now.”

Benitez crippled the Merseyside outfit, creating what pundit Jamie O’Hara described as a “rotten” core. He cannot be allowed to do so again at Leeds, as his prospective appointment could spell relegation for the Whites, with potential echoes of how he took over Newcastle at a similar juncture seven years ago and was unable to spare them from the drop.

Presenter Joe Wainman has expressed his concern that Nuno Espirito Santo may not be interested in a short-term role as Leeds United manager.

Could Espirito Santo join Leeds?

The former Wolves and Spurs manager has been linked with the vacant role at Elland Road as a replacement for the recently sacked Jesse Marsch, and he is currently head coach of Al-Ittihad in Saudi Arabia.

Leeds may turn to the Portuguese coach as a short-term solution to help keep them up before looking at long-term targets in the summer, but this may not be desirable for the 49-year-old.

However, Alfred Schreuder is in serious contention to become the Leeds head coach.

Speaking on the Just Joe Football Show, Wainman claimed that if Espirito Santo was to join and help Leeds survive, that he would want to stay at the club beyond the summer.

“It’s just difficult right now. That’s what I’m mean, if Nuno keeps you up, you have to keep him,” he stated.

“You have to keep him. I don’t know if he’d agree to an 18-month deal, he might want a longer one.”

A poor fit?

Although he was an overall success at Wolves, helping them get promoted and even reaching a Europa League quarter-final, the style of play he employed is a heavy contrast to the high-energy football Leeds played under Marcelo Bielsa, and Marsch.

Leeds have averaged the eighth-highest possession in the league this season, with an average of 50.3%, whilst Wolves came 13th in this regard in Espirito Santo’s first Premier League season with Wolves in 2018-19, with an average of 47.4%.

Leeds focused a lot of their recruitment in recent windows on players suited to Marsch’s style, with the likes of Brendan Aaronson and Tyler Adams arriving having previously worked with the American, and Espirito Santo may provide too much of a stylistic clash to have a positive impact with their current squad during this season.