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Tottenham Hotspur are now ready to bring in Chelsea left-back Marc Cucurella as a replacement for Ivan Perisic, according to a recent report from Football Transfers.

What's the latest Tottenham transfer news?

Fabrizio Romano reports that no decision has been made regarding Perisic's future at N17, however, there are question marks over whether the Croatia international will remain a Spurs player next season.

Destiny Udogie is set to be part of new manager Ange Postecoglou's plans, having spent last season on loan at Udinese, with the Australian recently making the decision to take the 20-year-old left-back on their pre-season tour of Thailand.

Udogie being handed a more prominent role in the squad could reduce Perisic's game time, and there have been reports that Daniel Levy could even end up terminating the 34-year-old's contract, amid interest from Turkish Super Lig side Fenerbahce.

Bringing in at least one new centre-back appears to be the priority for Postecoglou, with Romano recently reporting that Bayer Leverkusen's Edmond Tapsoba remains Spurs' "top target", while they are also interested in signing Wolfsburg's Micky van de Ven.

The new manager is also keen on strengthening the left side of his defence, with Football Transfers now reporting Tottenham are closely following the situation of Cucurella at Chelsea.

The Lilywhites are ready to bring the left-back in as a replacement for Perisic, and it could be a fairly easy transfer to orchestrate, as the Blues are desperate to get rid of him, although the type of fee they are set to demand is currently unclear.

Last summer, Chelsea paid £55m for the Spain international, and he is keen to remain at the club, but a move to Spurs could be an attractive proposition, given their status and location.

If Tottenham are able to sign the former Brighton & Hove Albion man, Postecoglou plans to play him alongside Yves Bissouma, as an inverted full-back, allowing his old teammate to push further up the pitch.

What positions can Marc Cucurella play?

The 24-year-old has predominantly featured in a left wing-back role throughout his career so far, however, he has also featured slightly further forward at left-wing, as well as at centre-back on occasions.

Hailed as "brilliant" by Arsenal forward Leandro Trossard, the defender was one of Brighton's top performers in the 2021/22 campaign, averaging a SofaScore match rating of 7.11, the third-highest figure in the squad.

While the Spaniard has not gotten off to the best of starts at Chelsea, coming under plenty of criticism from fans and the media alike last season, there were some promising signs, with UEFA's Technical Observer Panel praising him after the Blues' victory against Borussia Dortmund, saying:

“Cucurella was fantastic, claiming numerous turnovers in the first half and reading the game intelligently as well as showing aerial strength and an accuracy of distribution which underpinned the victory for Chelsea.”

Cucurella ranks highly for some key metrics over the past year, including tackling, placing him in the 97th percentile for tackles per 90, when compared to his positional peers, and if he is able to reignite his form from his time with Brighton, he could be a solid signing for Spurs.

Chelsea defender Reece James has been a subject of interest for one of Europe's top clubs, and a report has now revealed whether he is likely to leave in the near future…

Which Chelsea players could leave in January?

Having spent over €1bn (£862m) in the three transfer windows since Todd Boehly took over the club, Chelsea may need to balance the books with some sales in the January transfer window, and there are several players who could be shown the exit door.

Tottenham Hotspur are planning a January swoop for Conor Gallagher's services, although the midfielder is currently happy at Stamford Bridge, and is planning to prove his worth to Mauricio Pochettino and secure a new deal, despite the signings of Romeo Lavia, Moises Caicedo and Lesley Ugochukwu.

The Blues accepted offers for Ian Maatsen and Trevoh Chalobah in the summer transfer window, and while the duo turned down moves elsewhere and plan to fight for their futures at Stamford Bridge, Pochettino's willingness to let them leave indicates they could still depart in January.

Bayern Munich are plotting a new approach for Chalobah, having held a strong interest in the summer transfer window, with Football Insider reporting the 24-year-old may find game time difficult to come by at Chelsea this season.

As reported by Football Insider, there have been fresh links touting James for a move to Real Madrid in recent days, with the Spanish giants said to be long-term admirers of the defender, but the Blues are desperate to keep hold of him.

Club chiefs are hoping the right-back can steer clear of his injury problems and become a key player under Pochettino, off the back of being named club captain earlier in the summer, and they are under no pressure to let him leave anytime soon.

The Englishman signed a fresh six-year contract last year, so he is committed to Chelsea for the long-term future, and the club should be in a strong negotiating position, if Real Madrid's interest materialises.

In the meantime, the 23-year-old remains sidelined with a hamstring injury sustained in the draw against Liverpool on the opening day of the season.

When is Reece James back from injury?

Pochettino has confirmed the club captain is "recovering well", with the manager hopeful that he will play some part before the next international break in October, and his return could be a real boost for the Blues.

The England international could be a perfect fit in Pochettino's 3-4-2-1 system, which has been implemented in every game so far this season, given that he poses a real threat going forward, as highlighted by his performances in the 2021-22 season.

During that campaign, the "unreal" defender weighed in with five goals and nine assists in 26 Premier League appearances, averaging over one goal contribution every other game, showcasing his attacking talent.

Chelsea will be hoping that James can put his injury woes behind him after he recovers from his latest issue, but until then Malo Gusto is likely to remain the first-choice option, having made five appearances in all competitions this season.

Wolves were heavily linked with signing Bristol City midfielder Alex Scott in January and it seems as if the Old Gold missed a trick in not bringing him to Molineux after he starred against Manchester City in the FA Cup this week.

Should Wolves have signed Alex Scott?

John Percy of The Telegraph revealed in January that Wolves were in talks with the Robins over a potential deal for the teenager but weren’t willing to meet the Championship side’s £25m price tag.

That price tag only looks likely to increase after Scott showed just what he is capable of in front of the television cameras, with the 19-year-old impressive despite the 3-0 loss against Pep Guardiola’s side.

The former Barcelona boss was certainly complimentary of Scott in his post-match conference, labelling him an “unbelievable player.”

Henry Winter, the chief football editor for The Times, was also wowed by the England U20 international’s performance at Ashton Gate.

He said: What a talent Alex Scott is. I covered him in the Eng U19s Euro triumph last summer and he’s even better now, flourishing at Ashton Gate and totally fearless against MCFC. Ex-Isthmian League. Destined for the Premier League.”

Despite his tender age, Scott has been a regular in Bristol City’s first team for two years now, with 81 senior appearances under his belt, in which he has contributed five goals and seven assists.

This season has seen the Englishman make 32 appearances in the Championship, contributing four assists and earning a 6.84 rating from WhoScored for his performances, which would rank him as the third-best performer at Wolves if he had replicated those performances in Old Gold colours.

Considering no player at Molineux has managed more than two assists in the Premier League this season, Julen Lopetegui could have definitely used a player of Scott’s creativity in his side.

Wednesday’s 2-0 defeat against Liverpool saw Wolves once again fail to find the back of the net in the top flight, with Lopetegui’s outfit still ranked as the joint-lowest scorers in the division.

With Ruben Neves (potential transfer) and Joao Moutinho (contract expiry) both looking likely to depart Molineux for different reasons in the summer, a talented young midfielder such as Scott could have been the ideal signing in January.

After another strong display which has earned the Bristol City man a lot of media attention, he may now be destined for bigger things than Wolves, while his January asking price only looks likely to rise further.

Therefore, the Old Gold arguably missed a trick by not signing Scott in the winter transfer window.

For all the talk of West Ham United needing to replace Declan Rice, it may well be that David Moyes is in the market for a second central midfielder this summer.

The Hammers' Europa Conference League success papered over what was a disappointing Premier League campaign that ended with the club finishing six points above the relegation zone, and a facelift of sorts may be required.

What is the latest West Ham United transfer news?

Moyes' side have been linked with an array of players across multiple positions, but it is no surprise that midfield targets are right at the centre of the gossip.

From James Ward-Prowse and Harvey Barnes to Amadou Onana and Kalvin Phillips, there are countless options for West Ham to choose from when it comes to filling the void left by Rice.

But according to Sky Sports Italia journalist Gianluca Di Marzio, United are further down the line in signing another player. It is claimed that negotiations are already in play with Juventus over a move for Denis Zakaria, who will be eager to prove himself in the Premier League after a forgetful spell at Chelsea last season.

Juve are said to be hoping to sell Zakaria this summer, rather than exploring another loan offer with the chance to purchase, with the former Borussia Monchengladbach ace on wages of around £90k a week, according to Capology.

Is Denis Zakaria a good option for West Ham United?

On the basis of last season, West Ham supporters can be forgiven for questioning exactly why their side are interested in bringing in a player who started only five league games for their London rivals.

Quite simply, it did not work out for the Switzerland international at Stamford Bridge. But that is not to say he cannot have a major impact down the road at the London Stadium.

Indeed, if the rumours are to be believed, Zakaria's arrival could spell bad news for Tomas Soucek. Despite his limited playing time over the past 12 months, Zakaria still ranks in the top 5% of midfielders across Europe's top five leagues for pass completion (88.9%), as per FBref.

That compares to a pass-completion percentage of 71.3% for Soucek, which ranks him in the bottom 7% among his positional peers across Europe's elite leagues.

That ability to keep things ticking along in midfield would come in handy for Moyes, but Zakaria is also strong in other areas. Using data from the 2021-22 campaign while with Serie A giants Juventus, the 26-year-old showed he is comfortable getting the ball past an opponent as he averaged 2.13 take-ons per 90 minutes, compared to 0.54 for Soucek last season.

Zakaria also outperformed Soucek across those respective seasons in terms of carries (32.4 v 17.4) and goal involvement (0.23 goals and assists per 90 v 0.16), though the latter did come out on top for more defensive metrics such as tackles won (1.18 v 0.95) and interceptions (1.69 v 1.36).

As put by former Chelsea player and now BT Sport pundit Joe Cole after Zakaria belatedly made his Blues debut in November's Champions League tie with Dinamo Zagreb, the midfielder looked "excellent" and particularly impressed with his ability to get around the pitch.

Moyes may well have accepted that he will not find a true like-for-like replacement for Rice, with a couple of new players potentially needed to share the workload.

In Zakaria, he can land a player who thrives in many similar areas to outgoing Rice and will prove an upgrade on Soucek in what could yet prove to be an exciting midfield overhaul.

Glasgow Rangers are seemingly edging closer to completing a move for midfielder Jose Cifuentes as Michael Beale’s summer recruitment spree shows no sign of slowing down.

What’s the latest on Jose Cifuentes to Rangers?

The LAFC player looked set to be arriving at Ibrox a few weeks ago, with Fabrizio Romano telling GIVEMESPORT that “the conversation is ongoing with his agents” and that a move looked imminent, with just a fee to arrange between the clubs due to his contract not expiring until December and Beale wanting to sign him this summer.

However, a clearer timeline has emerged, with Ecuadorian source Mr Offsider claiming (via Rangers News) that the Gers will be able to secure Cifuentes’ signature following Ecuador’s final international fixture during this break on 21st June. Beale will therefore be hopeful that a deal will be reached before the month is out.

Could Jose Cifuentes improve Rangers?

Considering his performances for LAFC recently, the 24-year-old would certainly give the Ibrox midfield a boost, especially in an attacking sense.

During the 2022 MLS season, he notched seven goals and grabbed a further six assists from the heart of the midfield while also creating 11 big chances, making 1.3 key passes per game and succeeding with 1.5 of his attempted dribbles each game, showcasing his attacking capabilities. This is something Rangers could certainly do with, especially with a lack of goals coming from their central midfield options last term.

John Lundstram, Glen Kamara, Ryan Jack and Nicolas Raskin scored eight goals between them during the entirety of the 2022/23 season, underlining just how much Beale requires a player who could push forward often and generate plenty of chances.

He could also form a solid midfield partnership with Raskin, as the Belgian can utilise his defensive capabilities in order to give Cifuentes plenty of freedom, knowing that he is doing the dirty work behind him.

Since arriving in January, Raskin was so impressive in the middle of the park that he ranked third in the squad for tackles per game (1.8) and sixth for successful dribbles per game (0.9), and his tenacious nature would be the perfect foil for the Ecuadorian.

Raskin’s key strengths are dribbling and tackling according to WhoScored, while Cifuentes could benefit from his passing ability as the duo would be able to link together well while dictating play for the Ibrox side during matches.

WhoScored also regards dribbling as a strength, and this could give Beale an extra attacking option from deep, while knowing that the space vacated by his movement will be covered by the Belgian could lead to an exciting partnership.

Lauded as being “very dynamic” by LAFC assistant manager Marc Dos Santos, the 5 foot 8 midfielder has shone in America, and the next step is surely to feature in the Champions League, with Rangers being the perfect team in order to continue his journey with.

An update has emerged on Manchester United and their plans to bolster their midfield options ahead of the 2023/24 Premier League campaign…

What's the latest on Xavi Simons to Manchester United?

Italian journalist Fabrizio Romano has revealed that the Red Devils are one of a number of teams showing interest in PSV attacking midfielder Xavi Simons.

However, his former club have the option to sign him back from the Dutch side for a bargain £5m, which could prevent Erik ten Hag from landing the talented ace.

The reporter Tweeted: "EXCL: Paris Saint-Germain buy-back clause for Xavi Simons is just €6m! It can only be activated in July, from 1 to 31st.

"The final decision is ONLY up to the player. He’s waiting to hear from PSG. Man Utd, Arsenal, Brighton, Spurs, BVB and Leipzig asked to be informed."

What is Xavi Simons' style of play?

The 20-year-old maestro is a versatile attacker who can play anywhere across the frontline and has showcased his ability to score and create goals on a regular basis over the last year.

Simons is a natural number ten, but he has also been deployed out wide and as a centre-forward, and could be the dream long-term heir to Bruno Fernandes, who he is over eight years younger than.

The Portuguese, who turns 29 this year, has been a terrific performer for the club as an attacking midfielder in recent years and has proven himself capable of delivering goals and assists week-in-week-out.

Fernandes has racked up 64 strikes and 54 assists in 185 appearances in all competitions, meaning the mercurial ace has registered a goal contribution every 1.57 games on average.

Simons, who is valued at around €34.5m (£30m) by Football Transfers, is a player with the potential to replicate that form in the future if he can adapt to English football.

The former PSG prodigy, who talent scout Jacek Kulig once hailed as "magic", averaged a Sofascore rating of 7.52 and contributed with 19 goals and eight assists in 34 Eredivisie games for PSV in 22/23, which is a direct involvement every 1.26 matches on average.

Simons amassed 22 goals and 12 assists in all competitions for the Dutch side, despite only turning 20 in April, and has clearly attracted the interest of a number of top clubs in Europe.

There is no guarantee that the exciting wizard will be able to translate that form over to the Premier League but his impressive displays for PSV suggest that signing him is a worthwhile gamble as he could take over from Fernandes as the chief number ten for United in the future.

Liverpool are looking to sign two more central midfielders during the summer transfer window, according to a new update regarding the situation.

Are Fabinho and Henderson leaving Liverpool?

The Reds are experiencing a tumultuous summer in their midfield, with huge changes being made, both in terms of incomings and outgoings.

Alexis Mac Allister and Dominik Szoboszlai are two exciting signings who will hopefully improve Liverpool immeasurably, but James Milner, Naby Keita and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain all left when their respective contracts expired at the end of last month.

It now looks as though Fabinho and Jordan Henderson will also be moving on, however, with the pair both expected to complete moves to Saudi Arabian in the coming days. That would leave the Reds' midfield looking a short of options, so it is clear that more new faces would be required between now and the beginning of the new Premier League campaign.

Will Liverpool sign more midfielders?

According to Football Insider, Liverpool still plan on bringing in another couple of midfielders this summer, as they prepare for life without Fabinho and Henderson:

"Liverpool and manager Jurgen Klopp are keen to add two more midfield signings this summer, sources have told Football Insider. This news comes in the wake of imminent departures for Jordan Henderson and Fabinho to Saudi Arabian clubs."

The report continues: "A well-placed source has told Football Insider that a defensive midfielder is seen as a 'must' – with the impact of Fabinho’s departure set to take its toll on the Merseysiders’ squad."

This is exactly what Liverpool supporters will be wanting to hear, with the imminent exits of both Fabinho and Henderson something that few saw coming. Granted, both were poor last season, but they were still expected to play important squad roles, even if Jurgen Klopp no longer saw them as key starters.

If FSG don't make the money available to bring in tailor-made replacements for the duo this summer, it will simply be unacceptable, and it is absolutely vital that they back Klopp fully this time around, having arguably not provided him enough funds in past transfer windows, such as last year's, when the midfield wasn't added to sufficiently enough.

In terms of potential targets, any two from Romeo Lavia, Khephren Thuram, Manu Kone and Kalvin Phillips possibly makes the most sense, although the latter does turn 28 later this year and suffered an injury-plagued first season at Manchester City, barely even getting a look-in with a team the Reds will be hoping to compete with.

As the report alludes to, signing a proper No.6 in the mould of Fabinho is particularly vital for Liverpool, such is the lack of depth in that department if the Brazilian goes. Lavia is arguably the standout option there, despite still only being 19 years of age.

The Belgian excelled for Southampton last season, despite their relegation to the Championship, averaging 2.1 tackles per game – the second-highest tally in the squad – and had the highest pass completion rate (86.4%) of anyone there to start more than one league game.

Nottingham Forest could be set to table a bid for an exciting player, but a new report has revealed that they aren’t the only club looking to bring him to the Premier League.

What's the latest transfer news at Nottingham Forest?

Over the summer, Steve Cooper was extremely busy in the window, bringing in a total of 14 fresh faces which included the likes of Ibrahim Sangare, Callum Hudson-Odoi and Divock Origi just to name a few, but whilst there were plenty of new recruits entering the building, a big number of players also completed departures.

In terms of outgoings, Brennan Johnson led the big-name permanent exits, whilst the likes of Jonjo Shelvey, Emmanuel Dennis and Lewis O’Brien were all sent out on loan, as per Transfermarkt, and with a bit more space in the squad having been freed up, this will allow the boss to bolster his ranks further in January.

One of the players he could turn his attention to is Benfica’s defensive midfielder Florentino Luis, who despite still having another four years remaining on his contract, could find himself on the move having previously been linked with a switch to The City Ground.

The Reds reportedly joined the race to sign the 24-year-old back in August, and whilst the same outlet claimed that they were preparing an approach, a deal failed to come to fruition before the deadline, though if the following update is to be believed, the hierarchy are now considering taking a second bite of the cherry.

Are Nottingham Forest signing Florentino Luis?

According to Portuguese newspaper O Jogo (via Sport Witness), Nottingham Forest could make an “irrefutable” offer for Luis, alongside Fulham, Barcelona and Bayern Munich who are also named as interested parties.

Benfica’s central talisman, who is sponsored by Adidas, has a €120m (£103m) release clause included in his contract, but his current market value is only €20m (£17m), meaning that a cheaper deal could be available.

The Eagles are already looking for a replacement as they know their star is likely to be on his way out in the new year, and with his list of admirers growing, it “isn’t known” how much longer they will be able to hold onto their prized asset.

Is Florentino Luis a good player?

Previously, Luis has been dubbed a “Portuguese Octopus” by football talent scout Jacek Kulig and the way that he protects his backline when sitting in front of them is remarkable, so it comes as no surprise to learn that Cooper and Nottingham Forest have reignited their interest in their former target.

The Team of Future client currently ranks in the 99th percentile for interceptions and the 96th percentile for tackles, via FBRef, displaying his ability to win back possession for his team and get stuck into challenges, but he’s also capable of having a positive impact at the opposite end of the pitch.

Since the start of his career, Luis, who has the versatility to operate slightly higher up in central midfield alongside his usual role, has posted 13 contributions (ten assists and three goals), so being such a well-rounded player, it would be a massive coup if he was to put pen to paper in the Midlands in January.

Newcastle United have to sign Crystal Palace star Eberechi Eze in the summer transfer window, according to former striker and now pundit Gabby Agbonlahor.

Are Newcastle keen on Eze signing?

The Magpies have enjoyed a season to treasure, qualifying for next year's Champions League and arguably proving to be well ahead of schedule under Eddie Howe. It is now essential that they continue to kick on in the summer, bringing in more top-quality players and ensuring they don't rest on their laurels.

Someone who has recently been linked with a move to St James' Park is Eze, who has enjoyed a fantastic season for Palace, standing out as arguably their best-attacking player. The £30,000-a-week Englishman had scored 10 goals and registered four assists in the Premier League before the final day of action, and while his current deal doesn't expire until the summer of 2025, the Eagles could find it difficult to keep hold of him.

Could Eze be a star at St James' Park?

Speaking to Football Insider, Agbonlahor, who contributes for the BBC, talked up the idea of Newcastle signing Eze this summer, saying he would be a "really good" and "fantastic" signing alongside James Maddison.

"It would be a really good signing. He’s completely different to Conor Gallagher – he’s a million times better. He can run with the ball at speed, change direction with skill, he’s adding goals to his game, can play in the number ten or off the wing – it’s a fantastic signing.

"If I’m Newcastle, I’m going for him and Maddison. You’d then have competition that can take Newcastle to another level. I love Eze and I think there’s going to be a lot of clubs after him."

Eze could be a special signing for Newcastle if they manage to snap him up this summer, with the 24-year-old really feeling like he is heading into his prime as a footballer, following his most productive season yet for Palace.

Eagles teammate Joel Ward has hailed him as "incredible", such is his ability, and he is someone who could provide Newcastle with that extra magical attacking spark, possibly coming in as an upgrade to Allan Saint-Maximin, who has scored just once in 24 Premier League outings this season.

Palace may well demand a huge fee for Eze's services, but you'd expect the funds could be there for Newcastle to splash the cash, and he could be a hugely exciting long-term option.

Reliable journalist Fabrizio Romano has shared an important update on the future of Chelsea goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga amid his current loan spell at Real Madrid.

Who has left Chelsea?

Mauricio Pochettino perhaps oversaw one of the biggest transfer overhauls in the Premier League this summer, with a plethora of players both arriving and departing Stamford Bridge.

Christopher Nkunku, Axel Disasi, Nicolas Jackson, Lesley Ugochukwu, Robert Sanchez, Romeo Lavia, Moises Caicedo and Cole Palmer all put pen to paper on moves to west London before September 1.

Meanwhile, Kalidou Koulibaly, N'Golo Kante, Edouard Mendy, Arrizabalaga, Mateo Kovacic, Mason Mount, Kai Havertz, Christian Pulisic, Ruben Loftus-Cheek, Cesar Azpilicueta, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Ethan Ampadu and Callum Hudson-Odoi all sealed moves the other way.

Chelsea are taking a bit of time to get going under Pochettino, though; winning just one top flight match and drawing another whilst suffering defeats at the hands of West Ham and Nottingham Forest.

Defender Ben Chilwell, speaking after his side's latest 1-0 defeat to Forest, said Chelsea have much to improve upon ahead of a long season.

"Very frustrating result and everyone is very disappointed in the changing room right now," explained Chilwell post-match.

"If you look at the stats we dominated the game, had the possession, but the most important stat is the goals. We lost in that department and lost the game, that is the black and white of it and we need to improve."

There is still work to be done to Bridge, but one player who won't be a part of the project is Arrizabalaga.

The Spaniard, currently on a temporary stint at La Liga giants Real Madrid, is apparently eyeing up a permanent move away from Chelsea next year.

Arrizabalaga has seemingly been replaced by summer signing Sanchez from Brighton, with renowned transfer source Romano sharing a fresh update latest on the former's future.

“Kepa mentioned that his dream is to continue at Real Madrid, and this is the reality," said Romano on his YouTube channel.

“From what I am told, Kepa’s priority is to find another opportunity in 2024. Real Madrid, or another club. He feels that, with Chelsea, something is now broken. This is why the expectation between Chelsea and Kepa is to part ways.”

What happened to Kepa Arrizabalaga?

The 28-year-old signed for Chelsea from Athletic Bilbao in 2018, a transfer which broke the world record for most money spent on a goalkeeper.

Arrizabalaga arrived for £71.6 million, but fast-forward half a decade later, supporters will be looking back on his Chelsea career as a real mixed bag.

The shot-stopper has performed well in parts, though; even earning praise from Blues legend Petr Cech.

“I must touch on Kepa, too," wrote Cech in a column for Chelsea's official website last term (via The Standard).

"He had to fill those big boots while Edou has been away, and he has been brilliant in all those games under even more scrutiny than usual.

“You need a strong team and every person ready to help. The goalkeeping group work so hard together to make sure they are all ready for when the moment comes, so Kepa deserves credit too.”