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Tottenham Hotspur have made initial contact with Julian Nagelsmann's camp over the vacancy in north London following Antonio Conte's departure.

Will Nagelsmann replace Conte?

It has been a whirlwind of a past week in the managerial circle with both Conte and Nagelsmann finding themselves out of a job over the weekend.

Reports would suggest Conte's dismissal was a long time coming, with the north London club having drawn up a shortlist over recent weeks for his potential successor.

However, Nagelsmann may have taken some by surprise as Bayern Munich pounced on the opportunity to appoint Thomas Tuchel amid his links to Spurs.

And it seems as if Nagelsmann's availability has seriously interested Spurs with insider Graeme Bailey telling the Talking Transfers podcast contact has been made:

"The reports suggesting the day after [Nagelsmann's sacking] that there'd been contact isn't true, from what I'm told from people close to him. But there has been contact between third parties now, Tottenham are letting him know that there is an interest there."

Is Nagelsmann right for Spurs?

Tottenham's recent history of managers has shown a different approach with Daniel Levy bringing in 'proven winners' who may have been brought in for a quick trophy fix in north London.

Spurs' trophy drought is well documented within the game and the likes of Jose Mourinho and Conte were two short-term options which have failed to deliver on their reputation.

And with this method from the Spurs board now another failure on their record, it does feel as if the logical step is to return to a manager of Mauricio Pochettino's mould.

The Argentine has been linked with the job in north London but reports would suggest he has not been contacted by Spurs with some board members holding reservations about reappointing him.

And in Nagelsmann they could well have that with the 35-year-old having a lot of experience at big clubs despite his young age.

But the big issue seems to be that the German is keen to wait until the summer to assess his options with suggestions the Real Madrid job could potentially open up for him.

Although it is understandable why Nagelsmann may think this way, after Conte, Spurs surely want a manager who is only interested in the north London club.

And it seems as if Pochettino is keen to make his return to Spurs after over three years since his sacking in 2019.

Nagelsmann has displayed a lot of positives for Spurs with his attacking style of football, favourable age and experience with players at the highest level.

But it will be interesting to see whether the pressure grows on Levy to make an appointment before the end of the season depending on how the results unfold under Cristian Stellini.

Glasgow Rangers look like they are already preparing for life without Ryan Kent as they have recently scouted winger Luis Palma.

Kent’s contract expires at the end of the season and with nothing confirmed regarding an extension, the Englishman could well leave the Ibrox side for free, which would represent a major blow for Michael Beale.

It was revealed last week that the Light Blues were keen on Palma, and they had sent scouts to oversee his performance for Aris against Olympiacos and the club have monitored him all season.

According to the Daily Record, he could cost £4.5m and the Glasgow side are facing competition from Anderlecht for his signature in what could be an interesting few weeks ahead.

Beale will need to strengthen his attacking options, and although he will surely be backed in the transfer window, the 42-year-old won’t have vast sums to work with and therefore will have to be smart with his decisions.

Could Rangers sign Luis Palma?

With regular European football and a chance to win trophies on a regular basis, the Gers have everything in place to entice the winger to Scotland, and he is within their budget.

The Honduran has been in wonderful form this term for Aris, scoring ten goals and registering six assists, while his positional versatility could also give him an advantage, being able to operate across the front three if required.

The winger could create a rater menacing attacking duo with striker Antonio Colak, who could thrive with Palma setting him up on a regular basis.

The Croatian hitman has settled fairly well at Rangers, scoring 17 goals, yet he has often looked like an isolated figure, leading the line on his own.

Under Beale, this has become less and less of a problem, however with Kent not exactly enjoying his best season – scoring just three times – and seven-goal Fashion Sakala either hit or miss, a player in the mould of Palma could work wonders for him.

Palma delivers 0.9 crosses per game along with averaging 1.3 key passes and Colak could be on the receiving end of these, waiting in the penalty box and utilising his excellent finishing skills.

The 23-year-old does play slightly deeper according to his heatmap from this season via Sofascore, looking to play passes inside which could suggest that dribbling is not his strong suit, which is evidenced by completing just 43% of his attempted take-ons this term.

This may not be a bad thing, with Colak performing best when able to link up well with someone, and even he could drop deeper to take the ball and try and make things happen, making him less isolated in the process.

Signing Palma may cost Rangers a significant amount, yet it could be a fantastic investment for the future.

Tottenham Hotspur chairman Daniel Levy is "not as hot" on appointing Mauricio Pochettino as he once was, according to journalist Dean Jones.

Will Mauricio Pochettino return to Tottenham?

There are conflicting reports regarding whether Pochettino is willing to return to Tottenham, with TyC Sports reporting he rejected the opportunity to return to the club, in favour of holding out for the Real Madrid job, should Carlo Ancelotti leave at the end of the season.

However, pundit Tam McManus thinks it is "only a matter of time" before the Argentine makes his return to N17, claiming that he is bound to be "very tempted" by the vacancy, in light of his previous history with the club.

Spurs are not the only Premier League side that have been linked with a move for the 51-year-old, as Chelsea's co-sporting director, Laurence Stewart, has given him a glowing recommendation to the board.

It remains to be seen whether the Blues are interested in the former Lilywhites boss, but it appears as though Tottenham's interest is fading, with Levy no longer as keen on appointing him as he initially was.

In an interview with GiveMeSport, Jones said: “I wouldn't say Pochettino is more likely to go to Real Madrid, but I would just say he's open-minded about how this could play out.

“I know people like to think that Pochettino is turning down Tottenham because he wants Real Madrid, but that's not strictly true.

“Daniel Levy is not as hot as he was on Pochettino. It's as simple as that.”

Should Tottenham appoint Mauricio Pochettino?

The Murphy-born manager will always have a special place in Tottenham fans' hearts, having led them to the final of the 2018-19 Champions League, and the supporters were heard singing his name during Saturday's 2-1 win against Brighton.

Pressure is mounting on owners ENIC, with protests about the board being staged earlier this season, and appointing Pochettino could be a good way to get the fans back on side.

That said, Tottenham have already sacked the manager on one occasion, and it would be unusual to go back in for him so soon, considering he hasn't really developed his reputation since leaving the first time.

As Paris Saint-Germain manager, the former Spurs boss won Ligue 1, however that is to be expected, and his side crashed out of the Champions League at the round of 16 stage.

Rather than looking backwards, Tottenham should continue with their pursuit of top target Julian Nagelsmann, as the German is a "progressive" manager, who could bring an exciting brand of football back to the club.

Everton have found themselves yet again struggling to retain their Premier League status this season and Sean Dyche has been tasked with the challenge of damage control at Goodison Park by securing survival over the remaining fixtures.

The Toffees are currently teetering on the edge of the relegation zone as only goal difference is saving them from being in the bottom three and with just eight games left to play, there is no room for error going forward until the end of the season.

Indeed, if the former Burnley boss can save the Merseysiders this season, there is no doubt that he will be keen to make his own mark on the squad to prompt improvement and resolve the disastrous decisions of those who preceded him.

One player who has been sparking media attention for all the wrong reasons yet again this week is Frank Lampard's signing Dele Alli, with the player banished from his loan club Besiktas this season and now suffering an injury that has left him unavailable to play for the remainder of the campaign.

Will Everton cut ties with Dele Alli?

Despite paying no transfer fee to sign him, there is no doubt that Alli has been one of the worst signings secured on the blue side of Merseyside in a while which is some achievement considering the club is renowned for their transfer disasters over the years.

The former Tottenham Hotspur playmaker made the move to Goodison Park on the same day that Lampard became the new permanent manager, back in January 2022.

After tallying up just 13 appearances over six months and averaging just 27 minutes per game with only three yellow cards to show for it, talkSPORT's Simon Jordan blasted Everton for signing Alli last summer:

"An awful transfer! This was how it was always going to end," he began. “Dele Alli’s career is going one way and I don’t think he can get it back.”

At first, a season-long loan move to Turkey for the troubled £100k-per-week talent looked promising with three goals scored in 17 appearances, however, it wasn't long before the Besiktas boss Senol Gunes became the latest manager to grow frustrated with him and delivered a scathing assessment on the player:

"Dele Alli has had a good career. But he doesn't deserve to play at the moment. The current situation has not met our expectations as a team,

"We expect him to contribute to the team, but we think he cannot contribute at the moment. We will evaluate it with him and the club."

Since then, the England international has seemingly not returned to Turkey after coming back to the UK with a knee injury and it has been reported in the last few days that Everton are considering their options to cut ties with the player once and for all.

With that being said, considering Everton's financial concerns, it would be wise for them to finally end Lampard's transfer disaster by letting go of the 27-year-old as soon as possible, in order to eliminate one of their many problems heading into the summer.

Arsenal are now leading the race for West Ham United midfielder Declan Rice, having overtaken London rivals Chelsea, according to a recent report from Football Insider.

What's the latest Arsenal transfer news?

The Gunners are in the market for a new central midfielder this summer, and they have reportedly held talks about signing Chelsea's Mason Mount, in what would be a shock deal, amid his stalling contract negotiations at Stamford Bridge.

Arsenal's interest in Brighton & Hove Albion midfielder Moises Caicedo is not dead, despite the fact he has signed a new contract at the Amex Stadium, while they are also said to be in "constant contact" with the representatives of Everton's Amadou Onana.

In a recent update from talkSPORT, it was detailed that Rice is "excited" by the prospect of a move to north London, and he is now growing more likely to get his wish this summer.

According to a report from Football Insider, the Gunners are now in pole position for the £60k-per-week England international, and they are becoming increasingly confident about being able to win the race for his signature in the summer.

Chelsea had been considered favourites, but their financial struggles mean that a deal may be difficult to orchestrate, while Newcastle United are also said to have halted their pursuit.

Both Newcastle and Chelsea are unwilling to match West Ham's valuation of the 24-year-old, meaning Arsenal have now leapfrogged their rivals, becoming strong favourites to win the race.

Should Arsenal sign Declan Rice?

One of the major perks of qualifying for the Champions League is being able to attract players of the West Ham captain's calibre, and the Gunners must seize the opportunity to bring him to the Emirates Stadium.

Lauded as an "absolute monster" by members of the media, the Englishman would be an upgrade on Mikel Arteta's current options defensively, having averaged more interceptions, clearances and blocks per 90 than Granit Xhaka and Thomas Partey in the past year.

Not only that, but the central midfielder displayed his threat on the front foot in West Ham's 4-1 victory against Gent, scoring a "stunning" individual goal after initially acquiring possession in his own half.

Rice is exactly the type of signing that Arsenal need to cement themselves as consistent challengers near the top of the Premier League, and it is fantastic news they have moved to the front of the queue for his signature.

Tottenham Hotspur insiders admire Brendan Rodgers as Spurs continue their search for a permanent manager, according to reports.

What's the latest Spurs manager news?

The Lilywhites are still searching for Antonio Conte's long term replacement at N17 with chairman Daniel Levy making an absolutely huge decision on Monday.

Former interim head coach Cristian Stellini has been relieved of his duties after a dismal 6-1 battering at hands of Premier League top four rivals Newcastle – a result which leaves them playing catch up to the Magpies and Man United who are well out in front.

It's a truly dire situation at Spurs and Levy simply must get the club's next managerial appointment spot on, or risk further backlash from the fanbase who have already staged protests against ENIC's ownership.

However, there are options for Tottenham and many elite managers are readily-available for hire after leaving their most recent clubs.

Julian Nagelsmann, formerly of Bayern Munich, and ex-Barcelona manager Luis Enrique stand out as potentially fruitful options – with Burnley boss Vincent Kompany and Feyenoord's Arne Slot also of interest to Tottenham.

However, according to 90min, the aforementioned quartet aren't the only coaches who have caught the eye of those 'inside the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium'.

Indeed., as per the report, another manager who is admired within the club is former Leicester City boss Rodgers – who was recently fired after leading the Foxes into a relegation battle.

As well as the 50-year-old, Thomas Frank (Brentford) and Oliver Glasner (Eintracht Frankfurt) also have fans at Spurs.

Should Spurs pursue Rodgers?

The way he departed Leicester has seen his stock fall slightly, but it wasn't long ago he won both the FA Cup and Community Shield, clinching both honours at Wembley in 2021.

Interestingly, he was also Levy's 'preferred choice' to succeed Harry Redknapp years ago (Football Insider), with Spurs now having a free run at Rodgers who could now join as a free agent.

We believe he could still have the capabilities to make a success of Spurs, with Sky journalist Rob Dorsett giving him a glowing endorsement on the ex-Celtic boss back in 2020. He said:

"Brendan Rodgers is an incredibly good coach, an incredibly good manager. Off camera, he talks about football matters and he's fascinating. He explains how he gets his team to press, why he wants to play out from the back, and it's a real footballing education."

Tottenham Hotspur have Celtic boss Ange Postecoglou on their wanted list to take over as manager this summer, according to a recent report from Football Insider.

What's the latest Tottenham manager news?

Journalist Jack Pitt-Brooke has recently claimed he would like to see Ruben Amorim or Roberto De Zerbi take over at Tottenham, as they would be akin to the appointment of Mauricio Pochettino, however there are other options available for the board.

Spurs are set for talks with Feyenoord boss Arne Slot, according to De Telegraaf journalist Valentijn Driessen, although he clarifies the club will speak with three or four managers, also name-checking Julian Nagelsmann and Pochettino.

Postecoglou has been linked with a move to N17 as far back as March, and there could be a growing possibility he is tempted by a move to the capital, according to a new report.

As per Football Insider, Celtic are now fearful their manager has already to decided to join a Premier League club this summer, having impressed top-flight teams with his transformation of the Glasgow side over the past two seasons.

The Australian's in-depth knowledge of the Japanese and Asian markets has caught the eye of a number of English clubs, with Tottenham placing him on their wanted list, while there could also be competition for his signature from Leeds United.

The report also details the Scottish side are not well-protected from a potential raid, as the Spurs managerial target is still on the 12-month rolling contract he signed when he initially arrived at Celtic Park.

Should Tottenham appoint Ange Postecoglou?

There is no denying the Athens-born tactician has done a fantastic job in Glasgow, leading them to the Scottish Premiership title in his first season in charge, and he has now won another title after his side's victory at Hearts yesterday.

That said, success in Scotland does not automatically translate to the Premier League, considering it is a much weaker league, and there are probably better options available, despite the fact the Aussie has been lauded as "incredible" by members of the media.

De Zerbi would be an exciting appointment for Spurs, having done an incredible job in his first season in the Premier League, leading his Brighton side to the FA Cup semi-final, and they are well in contention to qualify for Europe.

Having been hailed as "sensational" by the media, Amorim could also be the young, progressive coach Tottenham need to rebuild their squad, given his success with Sporting CP, winning a league title and three cup competitions.

Arsenal put the pressure back onto Manchester City in the Premier League title race as they recorded a resolute 2-0 victory over third-placed Newcastle United on Sunday afternoon.

Mikel Arteta's side rode an early storm from the Magpies but Martin Odegaard's outside-of-the-box strike from nothing calmed some nerves at St James' Park.

The Gunners were smart with their game management and were rewarded with a stroke of luck when Fabian Schar turned the ball into his own net from a Gabriel Martinelli cross late in the second half.

It means the north Londoners move one point behind the defending champions, who still have a game in hand heading into the final few fixtures of the 2022/23 campaign.

Leading from the front as he often does, Odegaard was at the centre of a real monstrous display up in the northeast and quite rightly will be lauded for his fine work, not to mention his record-breaking moment as it was his 13th goal from open play – the most of any midfielder in the history of the Premier League.

However, he wasn't the only player that ran the show…

How did Jorginho perform vs Newcastle?

A little deeper in midfield was Jorginho, acting as Arteta's beating metronome – calm in possession, rock solid defensively and sold fouls like they were hotcakes.

His experience as a Champions League and Europa League winner was vital, ensuring that his teammates kept their cool from Newcastle's frustrating tactics and that they didn't get too ahead of themselves after opening the scoring.

As per Sofascore, the former Chelsea star led the side for touches (70), accurate passes (44), clearances (three), key passes (two) and assists (one); clearly encompassing an almighty all-round display, one worthy of Egal Talks' accolade of being a midfield "masterclass".

Jorginho also chipped in with three tackles and one interception, whilst he won seven of 11 ground duels, proving to be a real thorn in Eddie Howe's side.

It was a performance that Sky Sports commentator Gary Neville handed the Italian the 'Man of the Match' award "by streets," showing just how impressive he really was in the heart of the pitch.

The 31-year-old, who is valued at around £21m by FootballTransfers, was also hailed as a "baller" by The Athletic's Leyla Hamed, who also suggested that he was the "main man in the first-half," though as it quickly emerged, he was throughout the entire match.

If Arsenal do pull off the unthinkable from here, then the emergence of Jorginho as a key player in these final stages was certainly a big part of the reason why.

The £110k-per-week machine just put in a Rolls-Royce display against a team that has only been beaten by City and Liverpool at home since Howe walked through the door.

Ultimately, he ran the show against the Magpies.

Newcastle United may encounter a problem concerning their pursuit of Bayer Leverkusen winger Moussa Diaby due to Lionel Messi leaving Paris Saint-German this summer, according to journalist Dean Jones.

What's the latest news involving Moussa Diaby and Lionel Messi?

As per Sport BILD, Newcastle United and Arsenal are said to be 'among the favourites' in the race to sign Diaby this summer from Bayer Leverkusen.

The report states that the Magpies could afford a deal for Diaby financially, though they will face further interest in his services from the continent as Paris Saint-Germain are mooted to be keen on bringing the 23-year-old back to the Parc des Princes, where he came through as a youth product.

90min claim that Newcastle United hold a long-standing admiration towards Diaby and have been scouting him since last year alongside his teammate Mitchel Bakker.

Capology understand that Diaby earns around €43,462 (£37,769) on the books at the BayArena on a contract that runs until June 2025.

In the case of Messi, Sky Sports News detail that he will leave Paris Saint-Germain when his deal at the Ligue 1 giants expires at the end of this term.

Speaking to GIVEMESPORT, journalist Jones thinks that Messi leaving Paris Saint-Germain this summer might 'strengthen their desire' to acquire Diaby, thus having a knock-on effect on Newcastle United's pursuit of the France international.

Jones said: "One of the problems with Messi leaving PSG this summer is that it might strengthen their desire to sign Diaby, and that would be bad news for the likes of Arsenal and Newcastle who have looked closely at that situation.

“In recent times we have started to see and hear about changes to the philosophy of PSG when it comes to signings and when Messi does leave I don’t think it’ll be a case of replacing him with another superstar, I think it will be a situation where they look to sign talent of Diaby’s type.

“There has been a level of interest there for some time but the conditions for him to arrive just haven’t been right and I do wonder if that now changes.

“He was born in Paris and contacts I speak to in France keep telling me about the fact they’re finding more players with that home connection is an important aspect of how they move forward."

Would Moussa Diaby be a good signing for Newcastle United?

Diaby has enjoyed another strong campaign for Bayer Leverkusen, registering 14 goals and 11 assists in 43 appearances across all competitions, as per Transfermarkt.

WhoScored also gather that the 23-year-old has obtained an average match rating of 7.13/10 for his exploits on the pitch, making him Bayer Leverkusen's third-most consistent performer this term behind Florian Wirtz and Jeremie Frimpong.

As per FBRef, Diaby has also excelled in providing opportunities to his teammates, racking up a total of 132 shot-creating actions for his side.

Despite stiff competition for his signature, Newcastle United boss Eddie Howe will be desperate to land Diaby in the summer window as he would be a statement signing heading into next season.

Glasgow Rangers are edging closer to the signing of midfielder Jose Cifuentes as Michael Beale looks to continue his rebuild ahead of next term.

What’s the latest on Jose Cifuentes to Rangers?

Fabrizio Romano dropped an update on Rangers’ pursuit of the Ecuadorian midfielder, tweeting: “Rangers are advancing for the signing of LAFC midfielder José Cifuentes – talks are progressing to crucial stages.

“The agents of the player has met with the club few days ago – all the parties confident to get the deal done soon.”

It looks as though the Ibrox side are closing in on securing the Los Angeles FC star ahead of next season, and with his current contract expiring in December this year, Beale will be hoping for a knockdown fee.

What is Jose Cifuentes’ style of play?

The midfielder tends to operate in the centre of midfield, though his versatility enables him to sit slightly deeper or push on in a more advanced role.

Ecuador football expert Benedikt Duda supports this, saying: “Cifuentes is a no.8, who is physical and strong in defence with a tendency to get involved in the attack.

“There is a good reason he wears the no.11, and footballing-wise, he models himself after Paul Pogba.”

Comparing the 24-year-old to Pogba may seem a tad far-fetched, though the duo are both box-to-box midfielders who can contribute effectively at either end of the pitch.

The Frenchman’s finest season at Manchester United came back in 2018/19, when he scored 13 goals and registered nine assists, demonstrating his attacking ability. However, he also made 1.3 tackles per game and won 6.7 duels each game, proving he was more than able to contribute defensively and showcased his physicality to great effect.

Last season in MLS, Cifuentes registered 13 goal contributions – seven goals and six assists – while winning 4.7 duels and making 1.8 tackles per game, certainly hinting that he has box-to-box credentials and that he has the attributes to become Beale’s own Pogba, which isn’t a bad comparison considering how effective the Frenchman has been during his career.

The 5 foot 8 gem was also described as “very dynamic” by LAFC assistant manager Marc Dos Santos and this type of player could give Beale’s midfield an added spark, especially following the January captures of Nicolas Raskin and Todd Cantwell.

He also has plenty of international experience having played two matches for Ecuador at the 2022 World Cup, and with the transfer window this summer potentially being the most important in the Gers’ recent history, luring the 24-year-old to Glasgow could get it off to a wonderful start.