Table Toppers Transfer News

Spurs want to shift players but can't unless replacements are lined up and that is usually a summer task with clubs only really wanting to sell players who are not playing and generally only want to loan and not buy.

Perhaps Hugo Llloris could go but Pierre-Emile Højbjerg and Bryan Gil would need immediate replacements, although do you count Rodrigo Bentancur as his immediate replacement?.

Sporting are interested in taking Eric Dier back in the summer when his contract expires but if he left in January then presumably Ashley Phillips fills his shoes.

Roma were linked with Eric Dier in the summer and have been linked with him again. He is a much better player than our fans give him credit for, having to carry Davinson Sanchez when he played (I note he fell over on his own to give the opposition a free run at goal and score in the Champions League!) and last season having no defensive midfield in front of him.

It's his lack of pace for the Postecoglou system that is his current problem.

Another centre-back name doing the rounds again is Victor Nelson of Turkish Super Lig club Galarasaray and reports say Tottenham will be sending a scout to watch him play against Bayern Munich in the UEFA Champions League when it resumes after the international break.

I discussed him during the summer and produced a Scouting Report. This scouting report included:

• Player Profile
• Physical Attributes
• Defensive Abilities
• Ball Skills and Distribution
• Tackling and Duels
• Adaptability to Different Formations
• Positional Awareness and Central Coverage
• Ability to Force Play Wide
• Communication and Coordination
• Plus a FAQ Section

There was talk he wanted to leave and both clubs held discussions.

In the same game Spurs are also said to be watching 23-year-old (24 next September) Sacha Boey, a French U-23 right-back also at Galatasaray.

Would that suggest no long-term future for Emmerson Royal whom I have cast my doubts over as being too casual at times.

A third member of the side we are heavily linked with is Karim Aktorkoglou, a technically gifted left-winger who is short but stocky..

Oliver Skipp trains well but in my view is limited, not the first time I have said that. Spurs need a higher standard of squad player.

Connor Gallagher is wanted by Spurs but Chelsea don't want to sell him and Pochettino is playing him.

What other news is there?

You all know Spurs want Jota, a player I reported we were trying to sign in the summer to no avail but as his Saudi Arabian side have too many foreign players he can't play, but they don't want to just cancel his contract, as they would have to pay him his full wages.

While Tottenham are hopeful of that and his agent is pushing for it, Spurs have also offered to take him on loan in January.

Zaniolo of Aston Villa is being investigated for betting, apparently on his own team at the time Roma, even during games while he was on the bench!

Tonali of Newcastle United is also under investigation for gambling along with Juventus player Nicolò Fagioli, who went to prosecutors and admitted betting.

Juventus lost Paul Pogba to drugs, cancelling his contract so reports in Italy say Massimiliano Allegri will be forced to add a midfielder to his squad. Talks with preliminary discussions already having taken place to see if Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg can be obtained for favourable economic terms.

I have previously brought you news of our interest in Antonio Nusa, an 18-year-old at Club Brugge.

Fabio Paeatici is reported to have had a meeting at Bodø airport after Bodø/Glimt played Club Brugge in the UEFA Conference League by Norwegian Premier League and UECL broadcaster Viaplay.

COYS