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Tottenham fans are eagerly anticipating the return of talismanic forward Harry Kane from injury.

The England international limped off during the defeat to Manchester United in January with fears he could spend a long time on the sidelines. Scans revealed that Kane had suffered ligament damage which would rule him out until March at the earliest. With few quality options to replace him, Mauricio Pochettino was forced to turn to Fernando Llorente.

Signed in the summer of 2017 from Swansea, the former Athletic Bilbao man had never been given the chance to impress for the Lilywhites – limited to mostly cameos from the substitutes bench thanks to Kane’s goal scoring exploits. The striker was widely linked with an exit from the club in both the summer and January transfer windows but ultimately stayed put. Pochettino’s faith in the forward was rewarded with some excellent performances and crucial goals from the Spaniard.

After scoring a hat-trick in the FA Cup against Tranmere, Llorente netted against Chelsea before scoring and assisting during the 2-1 win against Watford to keep Spurs in the title race. The 34-year-old also picked up assists during the victories over Leicester and Newcastle before scoring off the bench against Borussia Dortmund. With his contract set to expire in the summer, his recent purple patch should convince the Tottenham hierarchy to offer him one more short-term deal.

Indeed, the former Spain international is approaching the end of his career but has proved to be suitable back up should Kane pick up another injury. Finding a forward that will settle for a backup role will prove to be difficult in the transfer window and Llorente has already stated his happiness at the club. Spurs would be better off offering the ex-Juventus man a new deal and using their funds to strengthen other areas of their squad.

Tottenham fans, thoughts?

Newcastle United suffered a third successive Premier League defeat on Sunday, going down 5-1 away to Tottenham Hotspur.

Fabian Schar had put the visitors in front on 39 minutes, but goals from Ben Davies, Matt Doherty, Son Heung-min, Emerson Royal and Steven Bergwijn ultimately made it an emphatic victory for Antonio Conte’s side.

The result leaves Newcastle 15th in the table, still nine points clear of the relegation zone.

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Here at The Transfer Tavern, we delve into the three worst-rated starting outfielders for the Magpies as per statistical specialists SofaScore, with players required to feature for at least 45 minutes to feature. Collectively, this trio lost 71% of their ground duels and mustered a crossing accuracy of just 17%.

Joelinton – 5.8/10

Joelinton made his second consecutive start after missing a couple of games with a knock last month, but he only lasted 59 minutes before Eddie Howe took him off.

The manager may not have been impressed with a performance which saw the Brazilian lose six out of his seven ground duels, commit two fouls and pick up a yellow card.

Joelinton lost possession nine times overall, failing to complete the single cross and dribble that he attempted.

Dan Burn – 5.9/10

On a run of eight successive starts, the towering defender was also cautioned yesterday and didn’t fare much better than his Brazilian team-mate.

The 29-year-old lost all three of his ground duels and was also penalised for fouls on two occasions. In addition, he turned the ball over eight times and couldn’t find a team-mate with either of his long passes.

Matt Targett – 6/10

Targett has been selected every time that he has been available since making a loan switch from Aston Villa in January, but he completes the below-par trio of Newcastle players from Sunday’s defeat in north London.

He performed better than the aforementioned duo when it came to ground duels, winning three out of four, but he failed to enhance his team’s attacking threat, with four of his five crosses going astray on a less than stellar afternoon for him or his team. He was also guilty of losing the ball on seven occasions.

In other news, Keith Downie drops an update on Jonjo Shelvey

Rangers have not been shy when it comes to signing players from other clubs’ youth ranks, either on loan deals or a permanent basus.

However, as tends to be the case with almost all clubs, not all transfers end up being particularly successful, either for the club, the player or both.

One example of Rangers taking a punt on a young player which didn’t end up being worthwhile for any parties involved is their 2019 deal for winger Brandon Barker.

Brought in from Manchester City’s U23 side that year in a deal worth a reported £300k, the Englishman made just 13 appearances across all competitions in his debut season at Ibrox, scoring just one goal and providing no assists for his team-mates.

The 2020/21 season saw the 25-year-old make another 13 appearances across all competitions, this time doubling his goal record from the previous year with two scored this time around, once again with no assists, before joining Oxford United on loan in the winter transfer window.

After scoring three goals and providing four assists in 19 League One games, the former Man City youth prospect returned to Ibrox. However, he had just one more outing in a Rangers shirt before being released by the club in January, ending his spell with the Gers with just three goals in 27 appearances.

Once dubbed an “unbelievable” player by former Ibrox team-mate Andy Halliday, Barker now finds himself with English Championship side Reading – who picked him up as a free agent in February – where he has since played just 13 minutes across two matches.

Rangers may not have needed to break the bank from a financial point of view in order to sign him, but with the benefit of hindsight, it now seems like they ended up pretty much wasting the £8.5k-per-week wages that he was earning during his stint at Ibrox.

Taking all this into account, it’s safe to say that Mark Allen had a nightmare by bringing Barker to Ibrox, as he clearly couldn’t hit the ground running or kick up any momentum during his spell in Glasgow.

In other news – Wilson nightmare: Rangers dropped the ball on 23-year-old gem who “looks beyond his years”

Gianluca Di Marzio has dropped an update on Tottenham Hotspur’s reported interest in a move for Lautaro Martinez.

What’s the talk?

In recent comments cited by FcInter1908 (via Sport Witness), the Sky Sports Italia journalist revealed that, following earlier reports suggesting that Antonio Conte has made the Inter Milan centre-forward one of his priority targets in the summer transfer window, there is a very good chance Fabio Paratici does make another move for the 24-year-old at the end of the current campaign.

Speaking about Spurs’ interest in the Argentina international, Di Marzio said: “Who will Tottenham go to if they qualify for the Champions League? Surely Antonio Conte wants another striker.

“We know that, even before he arrived in London, Fabio Paratici had tried to take Lautaro Martinez, but then Inter sold Lukaku and could not sell both.

“I expect a possible Tottenham offensive for him. Then it is true that he has renewed, but it is possible that Tottenham could present themselves again and we’ll see what kind of offer they might present.”

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Spurs supporters will love Di Marzio’s update

With backup and competition for Harry Kane having been something of an issue for Tottenham in recent years, with the club’s last permanent signing of a centre-forward being Fernando Llorente back in August 2017 – who subsequently left Spurs for Napoli just two years later – the suggestion that Paratici could pursue a deal for Martinez this summer is sure to be an update the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium faithful will love.

Indeed, the thought of the £63m-rated Argentine and Kane linking up in a front two in north London is an incredibly exciting one – not to mention being a duo that would somewhat replicate Conte’s devastating attacking two during Inter’s Scudetto-winning campaign under the 52-year-old.

Last season, in the Italian manager’s preferred 3-5-2 formation, Romelu Lukaku and Martinez scored 41 goals and registered 17 assists between them in the league, with Lukaku averaging an incredibly impressive SofaScore match rating of 7.32 and Martinez averaging a 7.17 rating – ranking the duo as Conte’s first and third-best performers in Serie A respectively.

As such, it is clear for all to see that the prospect of Kane – who himself has scored 12 goals, provided six assists and averaged a SofaScore match rating of 7.29 in the Premier League this season – taking the place of Lukaku in this tandem will be a thought that terrifies defenders up and down the country.

And, with it being reported that Inter will be willing to listen to offers beginning at €70m (£59m) for the €125k-per-week (£105k-per-week) striker this summer, a deal for Martinez is one that Daniel Levy could very much afford to sanction.

AND in other news: Conte can finally axe “horrendous” liability as Spurs plot talks for £17m “revelation”

Raphinha could yet stay at Leeds United this summer as a fresh twist has emerged…

What’s the word?

The 25-year-old’s future has been subject to a lot of speculation in recent weeks with his agent, Deco, thought to be in advanced talks with LaLiga giants FC Barcelona but according to Eurosport transfer insider Dean Jones, the Whites may be able to talk him into staying.

Speaking to GIVEMESPORT this week, the journalist revealed a behind-the-scenes update, where he claimed that the Brazilian’s representatives have stated that they are open to him remaining at Elland Road, also adding:

“We’re not going to rule out the fact that he might leave Leeds but at the same time, if they could talk him into staying, then he might stay.”

Fresh twist in the tale

The Catalan outfit aren’t the only side keen on Leeds’ leading talisman.

As per the Mirror last month, the likes of Bayern Munich, Manchester City, Liverpool and even Newcastle United were named in the long list of potential suitors.

The same source suggests that Leeds have slapped a £60m price tag on the winger and have attempted to tie him down to a new deal.

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His current £63k-per-week contract expires in the summer of 2024, having joined in a £17m deal from Stade Rennes in October 2020, which puts him as the third-highest earner at Thorp Arch behind Patrick Bamford and Rodrigo.

The west Yorkshire side have heavily relied on the £40.5m-rated dynamo, who has now been capped seven times by Tite’s Selecao, this season. He’s bagged a squad-leading ten goals and created more chances (58) than any other player too, via WhoScored.

Dubbed a “magician” by teammate Dan James earlier in the season, it would be absolutely huge if Leeds could keep hold of their star man, even if it’s just for one more season as he could continue to be a crucial influence under manager Jesse Marsch on that right flank.

It’s not as if the American head coach is littered with options in the role, despite links to both Ryan Kent and Brenden Aaronson.

This latest twist from reliable transfer insider Jones will provide many supporters with hope that this season isn’t the final time they see the hugely impressive Raphinha in a Leeds shirt.

AND in other news, Time’s up: “Non-existent” Leeds star loved by Bielsa must never play for Marsch again…

Aston Villa target Joe Gomez is ‘staying at Liverpool’, Pete O’Rourke has told Give Me Sport.

The lowdown

The Athletic’s Gregg Evans wrote earlier this month that Gomez is a player Villa ‘like’.

The Englishman has found game time hard to come by at Anfield this season, with just 11 appearances (four starts) under his belt.

Virgil van Dijk, Joel Matip and Ibrahima Konate all appear to be ahead of him in the pecking order.

Gomez is valued at £22.5million by Transfermarkt and his £75,000-per-week contract still has two and a half years to run.

The latest

O’Rourke has learned that Liverpool have absolutely no plans to offload Gomez at this stage.

“From what I’ve been told, Joe Gomez is staying at Liverpool, he won’t be going anywhere,” he told GMS when asked about the possibility of a deal by Johan Lange.

The verdict

Gomez would have been an excellent signing for Villa. In the words of Jurgen Klopp, he’s a ‘sensational’ player with ‘outstanding speed’.

He’s still only 24, so while he’s struggled for minutes this season, the Reds may well view him as part of their long-term plans. And, unless Liverpool’s stance changes, Villa need to move onto other targets.

After Axel Tuanzebe’s loan was cut short, they’ve been left with Tyrone Mings, Ezri Konsa and Kortney Hause as their only senior centre-backs.

And Konsa’s recent injury shows how perilous that situation is. All of a sudden, Steven Gerrard may find himself with no experienced back-up.

In other news, fans react to links with this forward.

Nottingham Forest face a crisis after Lewis Grabban was forced off through injury in yesterday’s 1-0 win over Peterborough United.

Promotion chasing Forest have been without Grabban for the majority of the year, after he suffered an ankle injury at the end of January. He has only recently returned so to see him out injured again is a huge setback for Steve Cooper’s side.

With their victory the club have taken a big stride towards securing a top six finish, they currently sit fourth in the Championship on 73 points. Since Cooper took over as boss at The City Ground, Forest have been in exceptional form and sit second only to already promoted Fulham.

Grabban came on as a substitute yesterday for the goal scorer Sam Surridge but then had to come off in the 89th minute.

The 34-year old has contributed massively this season making 32 appearances and being directly involved in 16 goals. If they are to be without him for the rest of the season then it could seriously affect their hopes of being promoted to the Premier League.

When Cooper was asked about the injury he told Nottinghamshire Live: “He was clear straight away that he needed to come off. We’ve got our fingers crossed for him.”

His contract expires this summer and whether or not he stays might be dependent on Forest’s promotion chase. He has experience of playing in the Premier League for both Norwich City and Bournemouth, however, he’s always failed to replicate the form he’s shown at Championship level and at his age now it may be asking too much.

Not keeping him on will also allow the club to save on their wage bill with the former Jamaican international on a wage of £25k-per-week.

The injury adds to the list of dilemmas that Cooper faces, with on-loan Aston Villa star Keenan Davis also out meaning Surridge is the only recognised senior striker at the club who’s fit.

The Reds haven’t been in the top flight since the turn of the century and many would like to see them make a return due to the history and stature of the club.

IN other news: Nottingham Forest set for disaster on Djed Spence…

Rangers returned to winning ways on Sunday as Gio van Bronckhorst’s men ran out 5-0 winners in the Premiership at Ibrox.

Alfredo Morelos scored the opening goal in the match against Hearts on his return to club action, slotting into an empty net after a brilliant combination from Calvin Bassey and Ryan Kent on the left ended with a teasing delivery into the six-yard box from the latter.

The Colombian then made it two in the 64th minute as the ball broke kindly for him on the edge of the box for him to brilliantly curl the ball into the far left corner.

Substitute Glen Kamara then latched onto a flick-on from the striker to make it three, before Scott Arfield and Fashion Sakala rounded out the scoring.

Forget Morelos

Whilst Morelos managed to plunder two goals and one assist in the rout, the player who truly set Ibrox alight was Kent.

Defensively, he put a hard shift in for the team. As per SofaScore, he won an impressive eight of his 12 duels throughout the match. He also completed three tackles before being taken off in the 85th minute, showing that he was willing to put himself about against the ball to win possession back for his team.

It was offensively, though, where he really got the crowd going. As per SofaScore, he created a whopping four chances and an outstanding three big chances from out wide on the left – picking up two assists for his efforts in the final third. He also completed three of his five attempted dribbles and 84% of his passes in the match.

To put this into context, he was on five big chances created in 15 matches heading into this clash with Hearts – registering three in just 85 minutes on Sunday. This shows that he was a consistent threat to the opposition with his direct running and passing, as he was able to beat players with the ball whilst also having the presence of mind to find a teammate with a pass.

The £18k-per-week gem could have also got on the scoresheet as he sent two efforts just wide of the post in the first half after excellent build-up play.

His finishing is an area in which he needs to improve, with just two goals to his name this term, but his chance creation cannot be faulted as he turned in a magical display at Ibrox that got fans off their seat in excitement whenever he touched the ball anywhere near the opponent’s goal.

AND in other news, “Gers will be keen”: Update emerges on “dynamic” £14k-p/w RFC ace, GvB would be fuming…

Leeds United are one of the teams interested in Boubacar Kamara…

What’s the word?

That’s according to Sky Sports, who have named the Yorkshire giants alongside Premier League rivals Manchester United in the race to sign the Marseille midfielder before the January transfer window deadline on Monday.

The 22-year-old gem is out of contract in the summer, so the coming days are the last chance for the Ligue 1 outfit to earn some sort of fee for him and the Daily Mail believe they will sell for just £10m.

Battle for late bargain

Kamara’s versatility to play in the backline or in midfield makes him a very intriguing prospect and one that could be of huge benefit to Marcelo Bielsa and Leeds.

The 66-year-old head coach has seen his squad decimated with injuries throughout the 2021/22 campaign, particularly in the engine room, where he is currently without star man Kalvin Phillips.

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Leeds have not signed someone in the role since January 2018, four years ago, when Adam Forshaw swapped Middlesbrough for Elland Road. Even he has recently picked up an injury, leaving Bielsa even lighter on options.

Kamara is one of Europe’s brightest talents right now, having been dubbed a “phenomenon” by former Olympiens teammate Rolando. “When he started training with us, he was 15 years old. And from day one, I said, no, but this little one is going to be a great player,” he added.

Since making his debut, the young versatile machine has averaged 2.8 long balls, 2.3 tackles and 1.3 interceptions per game, putting up some remarkable numbers, via WhoScored.

Valued at £22.5m by Transfermarkt, the Whites could well seal an absolute bargain in Kamara in the coming few days, especially at just £10m, which is well within Leeds’ budget.

Bielsa badly needs midfield reinforcements and the fact that the France U21 international can also play in defence makes him a very useful candidate indeed.

If they can seal a late move for him before Monday, then Bielsa would surely be a very happy man.

AND in other news, Journalist drops exciting Leeds United transfer update…

Celtic are thought to be eyeing a move for midfielder Ahmed Kendouci from Algerian side ES Setif, according to reports, relayed by The Daily Record.

The Lowdown: Kendouci profiled

Kendouci is just 22 years of age and is valued at £1.17m by Transfermarkt, making him his agency’s most valuable star by a considerable distance, so they’d surely be delighted to facilitate a big move.

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He’s capable of playing as a left midfielder as well as in a defensive, central or attacking midfield role, offering the sort of versatility that any manager would love to have in their squad.

Kendouci has made ten appearances in Algeria’s top flight this season, scoring three goals, and it seems as if he is now on Celtic’s radar after a move for Riley McGree broke down.

The Latest: Celtic links

The Daily Record relayed reports from Algeria regarding Kendouci in a story on Wednesday.

It is believed that the Hoops are looking at a potential move for the versatile midfielder and have even contacted former Rangers man Madjid Bougherra for more information on Kendouci.

The Verdict: Strange…

It seems extremely bizarre that a former Rangers man would be willing to help Celtic when it comes to possible signings.

However, it does seem as if Ange Postecoglou wants another midfielder brought in given the collapsed move for McGree, so there could be some truth into the latest rumours.

The Hoops boss has admitted previously that he’d be willing to explore niche markets when it comes to signings, so perhaps this is one to keep a close eye on even with the strange name-checking of Bougherra.

In other news: Scott Burns drops Celtic transfer update as Postecoglou gets his way once more.