Blackburn Rovers have struggled for consistency in the Championship so far this season. Jon Dahl Tomasson's side sit 10th and three points adrift of the play-off places in arguably the most highly-contested division in English football, where the January transfer window could make all the difference.
After missing out on the chance to reach Wembley last season due to goal difference against Sunderland and former manager Tony Mowbray, Blackburn may well look towards the winter window as an ideal opportunity to avoid a repeat of the heartbreak they suffered in the last campaign. With that said, reports suggest that Rovers are weighing up a move to sign a promising young forward who has so far enjoyed an impressive campaign in League Two.
Blackburn transfer news
During the summer transfer window, Rovers spent less than £1m on additions, with Leopold Wahlstedt the only player coming in for a fee, whilst others such as Sondre Tronstad and Niall Ennis came in on free deals in what was a shrewd window from those at Ewood Park. Given that they spent so little during the summer, the North West side could have the chance to splash the cash in January to welcome a striker who knows exactly where the back of the net is.
According to TeamTalk, Blackburn are weighing up a move to sign Ali Al-Hamadi from AFC Wimbledon in January. The forward has also reportedly attracted the interest of Derby County, Sunderland and Leeds United, as the race for his signature continues to heat up.
One downside to any deal for Al-Hamadi is his international commitments, with the Asia Cup scheduled to take place from January to February of next year. This means that the Iraq international could miss a number of games, whether that be for Wimbledon or another club.
"Great" Al-Hamadi could step up to the Championship
It's no surprise that Al-Hamadi has attracted such interest, given the start he's made to the season. The 21-year-old has scored five goals and assisted a further five in all competitions for Wimbledon so far this season. At such a young age, a big move is only likely to result in further improvement too, potentially making Blackburn an ideal location.
Al-Hamadi has earned plenty of praise so far this season, including from Wimbledon manager Johnnie Jackson, who told the club's official website back in September: "I’ve heard the way that he talks, he always says that he’s built differently and I believe that. I don’t think he’s been affected at all by not scoring the goals.
"He’s playing so well for the team, he’s causing headaches for everyone he plays against, it was only a matter of time before he scored. The goal was all his own doing really, he’s been nice and positive, it was a great finish on his left foot. Someone that good will always turn it around, he’s never panicked, he’s kept doing what he does, he’s been a menace for the opposition and today he’s got his goal, we’re really pleased for him."
Tottenham Hotspur are "extremely keen" on signing a £60 million star with two of Ange Postecoglou's players set for a 2024 leave of absence.
Lange's Spurs transfer targets
New sporting director Johan Lange will now step into the shoes of former transfer chief Fabio Paratici after the Italian received a 30-month worldwide ban from football earlier this year. While Paratici is believed to still be advising Spurs on a consultancy basis, Lange's appointment comes as a significant one following his departure from Aston Villa.
The 43-year-old was responsible for signing the likes of Ollie Watkins, Matty Cash and World Cup-winning goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez during his time in the Midlands, so Lilywhites supporters will be hoping he can replicate similar decisions at Spurs.
So far, reports have suggested that Lange has his eyes on a new defender after Micky van de Ven's injury blow. The Dutchman is expected to be back by 2024, but van de Ven and Cristian Romero's absences (through suspension) have brought attention to Tottenham's serious lack of options behind them.
Dejan Kulusevski (Juventus) – loan to permanent
£25.6m
James Maddison (Leicester City)
£40m
Guglielmo Vicario (Empoli)
£17.2m
Manor Solomon (Shakhtar Donetsk)
Free
Pedro Porro (Sporting CP)
£39m
Micky van de Ven (Wolfsburg)
£43m
Ashley Phillips (Blackburn)
Undisclosed
Alejo Veliz (Rosario Central)
Undisclosed
Brennan Johnson (Nottingham Forest)
£47.5m
All transfer fees via Sky Sports
Postecoglou has been forced to call upon the previously out-of-favour Eric Dier and Ben Davies in place of Romero and van de Ven, so a new centre-back is apparently on the agenda. Uruguay star Sebastian Caceres, Everton's Ben Godfrey, Crystal Palace ace Marc Guehi, Chelsea defender Trevoh Chalobah and Bournemouth defender Lloyd Kelly have all been linked with moves to Spurs to solve that problem.
Lloyd Kelly
Pape Matar Sarr and Yves Bissouma are also set for a 2024 leave of absence when they travel to represent their countries at the Africa Cup of Nations, which will leave Tottenham short in midfield. As a result, Spurs are battling to keep Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg and are believed to be keen on bringing in another option.
Tottenham "extremely keen" on Neves
Indeed, as Postecoglou faces losing both Sarr and Bissouma for an extended period next year, there are reports that former Wolves star Ruben Neves is on Lange's radar. The midfielder, now of Al-Hilal, wants to make a Premier League return in January – which would be just seven months after he opted to join the Saudi side.
A six-month loan move back to England is apparently on the cards for Neves. The Portugal international has struggled to adapt to life in the Middle East, and if his club do green-light a temporary exit, there may also be an opportunity to buy him permanently for £60 million in the summer.
Neves is apparently "intent" on a winter window departure, and that's where Spurs come in, as it is claimed Tottenham are "extremely keen" on signing Neves to plug their midfield gaps.
If Hojbjerg were to depart, Oliver Skipp and Rodrigo Bentancur would stand out as their only available senior midfielders with Bissouma and Sarr away on international duty.
Passing
Long shots
Concentration
Ball interception
The 26-year-old was a key player for Wolves over many years, with Hugo Bueno calling him an "incredible" star at Molineux.
“He always runs the whole pitch and he’s always there," said Bueno on Neves (Shropshire Star).
"I don’t know how he does it. He is a key player for us. He works very, very hard to win the ball back and also when we have the ball he can control in the game. He is an incredible player and hopefully he can give us more things like this in the future.”
The Wolverhampton Wanderers faithful must have felt some trepidation when Julen Lopetegui announced he was departing the Old Gold after just nine months due to a difference of opinion on key matters.
The Spaniard had guided the club to Premier League safety having looked a lost cause upon his arrival, and it appeared as though they would face another relegation battle this term.
Under Gary O’Neil, however, the Molineux outfit have perhaps surprised a few people with their performances during the opening few months of the 2023/24 season.
Not only did they defeat Tottenham Hotspur in their last match before the international break, but the club also defeated Manchester City while gaining a draw against Newcastle United, proving that on their day, they can mix it with the elite.
Wolves manager Gary O'Neil
Consistency is a problem, as Wolves slipped up to Sheffield United and Ipswich Town, yet this will come with time and things are looking good at the Old Gold.
O’Neil has largely inherited a squad which was built by his predecessors, yet with the January transfer window fast approaching, the former Bournemouth manager could delve into the market and bring a player or two to the club in order to bulk up his squad.
Wolves transfer news
With this in mind, Wolves have are said to be in the race for Le Havre defender Arouna Sangante, according to Football Insider, with the centre-back also being targeted by Newcastle at present.
The Molineux side will also face stiff competition from the likes of Manchester United, City and Chelsea for his signature in the coming weeks – as per a prior report from the same publication – and the odds are certainly against them.
Scouts have been sent by the club to monitor his performances and the good news is he could be signed for a fee of around £20m, an affordable figure.
O’Neil must act swiftly, however, due to the reported interest from some of the biggest clubs on the continent and the next few weeks could be crucial in their chase for the youngster.
Wolves have had some success with signing players from Ligue 1 in the past and could the manager repeat their Rayan Ait-Nouri masterclass by luring Sangante to the Midlands?
Rayan Ait-Nouri’s market value at Wolves
The defender initially joined the club on a season-long loan deal in 2020, before sealing a permanent switch a year later for a fee of £9.5m and it has proven to be a wonderful bargain.
Since the start of the 2021/22 season, the Frenchman has featured 68 times for the club and has scored three goals and registered seven assists, proving he is a threat going forward from the left side of the defence.
His performances this season have been solid and he currently ranks sixth across the squad for successful dribbles per game (1.7) in the Premier League, along with ranking fifth for key passes per game (0.8) and seventh for accurate passes per game (25.8), demonstrating that he has been one of O’Neil’s most consistent performers in the top flight.
His current market value according to Football Transfers is €14.6m (£12.6m) and while this has decreased slightly, at one stage during his spell at Wolves, he was valued at €25.8m (£22.4m) and if he continues these recent impressive performances, there is no doubt that his value can rise again.
The likes of Chelsea, Juventus and Liverpool have all been keeping tabs on the left back over the previous 12 months and if he does move, he would certainly generate the Old Gold a serious profit in the process.
They can repeat this masterclass by signing Sangante in January, and he has the potential to develop into a wonderful defender for Wolves.
Arouna Sangante’s career statistics
The 21-year-old was hailed as “interesting” alongside a cohort of fellow Senegal youngsters under the age of 23 by talent scout Jacek Kulig and his displays for Le Havre recently have certainly backed up this assertion.
The centre-back starred for the club as they won the Ligue 2 title last season to gain promotion back to the top flight after an absence of 14 years and they currently occupy seventh place in the table.
40
1.5
2.4
1.8
8.5
This season, the defender has helped his side keep five clean sheets in ten matches – including against Lyon and AS Monaco – while he has also won 56% of his total duels per game – which works out as 4.3 each match – and he is one of the many reasons why the club are doing so well this term.
The in-demand ace is also showing exemplary leadership qualities as he is the youngest captain in Ligue 1 and this could certainly benefit Wolves, who could do with someone who will add some leadership into the group.
Although still raw and developing, Sangante currently ranks in the top 1% for interceptions per 90 (2.4) when compared to his positional peers in Europe’s big five leagues, and he even ranks in the top 13% for shot-creating actions per 90 (1.2), suggesting that he is excellent at winning the ball back while also providing a surprise element going forward.
Arouna Sangante
Journalist Pete O’Rourke dubbed the defender as a “sensation” following his recent links to the Premier League big guns and, judging by his displays over the previous 12 months, he could be a real asset to any club in the top flight.
Wolves won't be able to offer European football or even the ability to win the biggest prizes in English football, yet he could secure regular game time at Molineux and, at this stage of his career, that is the most important thing of all.
Ait-Nouri has developed from a raw teenager with promise into a player who is being courted by Chelsea and Liverpool and, while Sangante is already being chased by those clubs, his potential remains limitless.
Rayan Ait-Nouri, Wolves, Wolverhampton Wanderers, Premier League
Wolves must avoid disaster on Rayan Ait Nouri
Wolverhampton Wanderers left-back Rayan Ait Nouri is attracting increasing interest ahead of the January transfer window.
For just £20m, O’Neil could secure someone who will most likely generate the club a profit on their initial outlay and this should tempt him into making a more concrete move sooner rather than later.
If he doesn’t, the 40-year-old will be left behind for dust in the transfer market by the big boys of the top flight.
Journalist Dean Jones has suggested that Tottenham could strike a "suitable" transfer deal for one of their reported January targets.
Lange gets to work ahead of January
New sporting director Johan Lange has officially commenced work ahead of the looming winter window, after he arrived from Aston Villa on November 1. The Dane is tasked with backing manager Ange Postecoglou as the Spurs head coach currently contends with a wave of first team injury and suspension problems.
Tottenham's glaring lack of squad depth has been truly exposed of late, with as many as 10 players unavailable right now. Ashley Phillips, Pape Matar Sarr and Rodrigo Bentancur were most recently added to the growing Spurs injury list. Postecoglou, speaking to the press amid this crisis, confirmed late last week that plans are well underway to make new signings in the new year.
"I guess the challenge for us was they all came at once as it hasn't been staggered," said Postecoglou on Tottenham's injury problems, later sharing an update on Spurs' transfer plans.
"In terms of January, the planning is well away with that. Johan [Lange] has come in and he's leading that in terms of all the background work.
"My involvement and my own sort of ramp up to it as we get closer to January and understanding exactly what our requirements are at the moment, although work has been done in the background with Johan leading it and he's brought in some people to help him in that area. We'll work with him when the time is right."
Spurs reportedly want a left-sided centre-back, leading to links with Bournemouth defender Lloyd Kelly as one example, while there are also suggestions that Postecoglou wants a new winger at Tottenham. One of the targets to shore up Spurs' attacking options is Al-Ittihad forward Jota, a player who Postecoglou knows very well from his time at Celtic.
Tottenham could strike "suitable" Jota deal
The Portuguese could leave Al-Ittihad on loan in the winter, and Tottenham are a reported potential destination for Jota. Speaking to GiveMeSport, reporter Jones commented on the links and says Spurs could strike a "suitable" deal for Jota if they decide to go down that route. The journalist also says this would be a "no-brainer" move considering the terms available.
Celtic's former forward Jota.
"We still have to consider that Tottenham aren't going to just sign players based on a hunch because that's not the way they're going to do things anymore," said Jones.
"Your stats have to fit, specifically, with the vision of the future. But I think Jota would probably do that anyway, in terms of what Tottenham are going to be looking for from a player in that position.
"I think it is a bit of a no-brainer that Tottenham try to get this deal done because even the terms of it might be quite suitable."
The 24-year-old was an "exciting" player at Celtic (Alan Hutton), with Postecoglou really getting the best out of him north of the border. Indeed, perhaps the Australian can replicate that success with Jota at Spurs.
An injury setback to an important Southampton player acts as a "huge blow" for the club, according to pundit Carlton Palmer.
Ross Stewart's struggles at Southampton
The Saints look well-placed for a promotion push in the Championship this season, sitting fourth in the table and eight points adrift of the automatic places. They have had to make do without summer signing Ross Stewart for almost the entire campaign to date, however, with the 27-year-old suffering a miserable time with injuries, being limited to just two substitute appearances in the league that have totalled only 17 minutes.
There were such high hopes for Stewart when he joined Southampton from Sunderland during the transfer window, following an excellent spell for the Black Cats, but it hasn't worked out at all yet. The fact that he arrived with an injury did make it a risk, though.
Now, the Saints attacker has suffered another injury blow, however, with a two-month spell on the sidelines expected after picking up an issue against Huddersfield Town late last month, with the player seeing a specialist.
Ross Stewart injury a "huge blow"
Speaking to Football League World, Palmer reacted to this latest injury setback regarding Stewart, admitting it is a "huge blow" for both the player and Russell Martin.
Former Sunderland striker Ross Stewart.
"It’s bad news, really bad news for Southampton with the latest injury to Ross Stewart. “I always thought this was a gamble, it wasn’t just a hamstring injury or something like that, it was an Achilles tendon injury. He was going to be on the sidelines for some considerable time.
"I know they jumped the gun because they believed other clubs would be looking for his signature, but I don’t think anyone would have signed him until he had proven his fitness. Achilles injuries are very hard to recover from, and hopefully Ross will come back from them, but they’re long-term.
"So, it was a huge blow for the manager, after the club spent £10m on signing Stewart, and he may need to go to the board and convince them to give him money to buy another striker. They’re going very well in the Championship, they’ve got a real chance of automatic promotion. Hopefully, the board will understand, they obviously took a gamble, and it hasn’t worked out. A huge blow for Ross, and for Southampton."
This is such a cruel blow for Stewart, who will be desperate to prove his worth in a Southampton shirt and play a key role in their promotion push this season.
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This Southampton flop could be given another opportunity to impress on his return to St Mary’s next year.
ByKelan Sarson Dec 6, 2023
Having got himself back fit again, the former Sunderland ace will now have to show plenty of mental resolve in his latest recovery, hopefully returning for the business end of the season and making some big contributions.
Away from Stewart's personal setback, it is also clearly a big issue for Martin, who will have to make do without a big-name attacker for an extended period once again. Having him available could make life so much easier for the manager, in terms of rotation at a busy time during the festive period, but the Saints will again have to get by with the current available players.
Agents have told Tottenham Hotspur exactly what they need to sign their "very talented" player who's become open to making the move.
Spurs make transfer plans for January
As already announced publicly by manager Ange Postecoglou, the Lilywhites are pushing hard to make new signings in January. Some reports suggest that Postecoglou is eager to bring in as many as three new faces next month, with the addition of a new defender, midfielder and forward (The Mail).
Levy could meet asking price to sign star new centre-back target for Spurs
He’s one of the most aggressive defenders in his league.
ByEmilio Galantini Dec 21, 2023
Spurs have enjoyed an excellent start to the Premier League season overall, and would arguably be even higher up the table if not for a plethora of key player absences.
James Maddison and Micky van de Ven, who started the campaign in electric form, were sidelined from November 4th onwards with serious injuries. Their lack of presence was seriously felt, with Spurs going on to lose four of their next five top flight matches.
Van de Ven's time-out has been particularly detrimental. A suspension for Cristian Romero at one point meant Postecoglou was often forced to play full-backs Emerson Royal and Ben Davies at the heart of his defence.
Nice defenderJean-Clair Todibo.
As a result, Tottenham prioritising a centre-back signing in January. It's thought to be their main goal for the January transfer window, and one man who's been very heavily-linked is Nice defender Jean-Clair Todibo.
The 23-year-old, who's been in fine form for the Ligue 1 side as they contend near the top with PSG. is a top target for Spurs and Fabrizio Romano has even backed the club's serious interest.
Agents send Todibo message to Spurs
Club-to-club talks have apparently been held, as well as with agents. Now, 90min have an update on this, and they claim the defender's representatives have told Tottenham what they need to sign Todibo in January.
Intermediaries have apparently explained to Postecoglou's side that a package of £35 million could be enough to prise the France international away from Nice mid-season.
Nice defenderJean-Clair Todibo.
Todibo's employees, and the player himself, are becoming open to joining Tottenham as they currently pursue a deal for him. The centre-half's £35m price in particular is seen as a huge draw for the club.
Amid his brilliant performances for Nice, former Arsenal star Aaron Ramsey is among the players to have heaped praise on Todibo and his serious potential.
“Jean-Clair is a very interesting character; he’s very confident and he’s a great guy around the dressing room and he’s a very, very talented player, who can go all the way to the top. For him, it is important to keep his feet on the ground, strive for more, and take in as much information as possible,” said Ramsey (via Get French Football News).
He continued: “He’s playing alongside one of the most experienced players in Dante, who has played at the very highest level now for a number of years. For Jean-Clair to have that experience next to him is invaluable. He’s a great guy, a great player and very ambitious."
With the January transfer window now open, Chelsea once again have the chance to splash the cash in another attempt to solve their problems. The Blues attempted to do exactly that in the summer, of course, but as the Premier League table shows, they failed to find the right reinforcements in the previous window, at least for the short term. At the halfway mark and with a season to turn around, Mauricio Pochettino and co must get things right this time around.
With that said, the London giants have reportedly put together a transfer plan to land a player that Todd Boehly dreams of signing this month and one who could really solve Chelsea's biggest problem.
Chelsea transfer news
Whilst Nicolas Jackson has hardly set the world alight at Stamford Bridge this season, his AFCON departure will still frustrate Pochettino, who could be forced to turn to the likes of Armando Broja as the fixtures continue to come thick and fast in England's top flight.
Claudio Echeverri
19th December
Santiago Gimenez
18th December
Dusan Vlahovic
15th December
Lautaro Martinez
1st January
Artem Dovbyk
31st December
If not Broja, then the Blues could yet find a new option to lead the line in both Jackson's absence and the long-term to finally put an end to their striker woes. That new option is unlikely to be the striker Boehly dreams of signing though, as per reports.
Simon Phillips describes on his Substack that is is impossible for Chelsea to sign Napoli star Victor Osimhen this month to put an end to Boehly's dream.
The Blues were at least given hope, however, with the London club hatching a plan to go back in for the Nigerian during the summer window. Then, they could activate his hefty release clause of around £120m ahead of fellow admirers Real Madrid, having had time to manouvre around FFP with a few sales by that point.
Osimhen, who has just signed a new contract in Italy, could be set to make a Premier League switch and perhaps become Chelsea's ultimate solution under Pochettino, but not until the end of the campaign.
"Complete" Osimhen would put an end to Chelsea's striker problems
Chelsea fans are often left holding their breath when it comes to big-money signings these days, waiting to see whether they rise to stardom or join a growing list of transfer flops. And whilst they'd naturally have similar nerves over Osimhen due to his price tag, they needn't. The Napoli forward has such a price tag for a good reason and would be a major upgrade on Jackson, be it this month or during the summer. Osimhen's stats this season more than back up his more clinical nature too.
Player
Starts
Goals
Expected Goals
Shots on Target
Victor Osimhen
11
7
6.7
12
Nicolas Jackson
16
7
10.6
17
Osimhen has already earned the approval of Chelsea legend Gianfranco Zola too, who told Sky Sports when comparing the Nigerian to Didier Drogba: "But Didier didn’t dive. That’s because Didier was too strong to dive! I see a lot of similarities but it’s unfair to compare players from different eras. They both play with a lot of physicality and they are both very good with scoring, taking their opportunities. He’s a very complete player. He’s got a good reference going forward, he can link up play and he’s devastating in the air. He’s a pest to defenders."
Leeds recorded the second-highest spend of any team in the Championship following their relegation from the Premier League last summer, with only Leicester (£38m) eclipsing their outlay of (£31m). The Whites brought new nine new faces into Elland Road, but there was also an inevitable exodus that recouped £27m, meaning the club's net spend was slight at £4m.
It's been a quiet January for Daniel Farke's side so far, with the big story Djed Spence's early return to Tottenham Hotspur midway through his loan spell. Sonny Perkins has been recalled to Yorkshire from Oxford United, but aside from that there's been nothing to report.
Farke has previously played down the chances of a busy window at the club, while stressing that Leeds will be alert to opportunities. "I expect a much more quiet and calm January to the last transfer period for example," he said. "We wish for a quiet January, but won’t fall asleep and when there are decisions to make, we will also make decisions and you never know what happens."
Mepham a target in "ambitious" window
Speaking to GiveMeSport, talkSPORT journalist Alex Crook offered a markedly different insight into Leeds' transfer plans based on what he's been hearing behind the scenes. He's told Whites supporters that the the 49ers will be "ambitious" in the market as they try to make an instant return to the Premier League.
Farke will want a new full-back after Spence left, wide player David Brooks is a known target, and Crook says Bournemouth teammate Chris Mepham is also on Leeds' radar.
Daniel Farke.
"It's interesting because the manager said they're not going to do much to this window because he's happy with his squad," he said. "But I've been told by people actually they're going to be quite ambitious. They think they've got a great chance of getting in the Premier League, so they're going to go for it. You mentioned David Brooks, Chris Mepham of Bournemouth is someone else I think they admire.
"Having sent Djed Spence back, you'd have thought they've got a full-back lined up. So I think Leeds might be a lot more active than Daniel Farke is laying on."
Mepham faces uncertain future
Within Crook's update, it's Mepham's name that will catch the eye of the Leeds faithful, and this would be an astute signing for the club's promotion push. Having originally been part of the Chelsea academy, Mepham then spent seven years with Brentford before joining Bournemouth for around £12m in 2019. He signed a contract extension in the autumn of 2022 but his deal only runs until the summer of 2025, so he's now entered the final 18 months, and his slide down the pecking order will surely render his future uncertain.
After starting 24 top-flight games last year following Bournemouth's promotion, Mepham has only made the XI for two of the first 20 this term under new manager Andoni Iraola. Tellingly, he's actually started more games (three) in the two domestic cup competitions.
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He could replace Djed Spence at Elland Road.
ByDavid Comerford Jan 5, 2024
Rather than being a limited defender, he may be absent from the line-up simply because Iraola stylistically prefers other options. The stats suggest that Mepham excels at the fundamentals – he ranks in the 92nd percentile or better for shots blocked (1.13), interceptions (1.82) and clearances (6.17) per 90 minutes, which speaks to his appetite for the dirty side of the game as well as his smart positioning. His aerial duel success rate of 65.9% is also well above average for his position (73rd percentile).
A 34-cap Welsh international who's played all but one game for his country at the last two major tournaments, Mepham would be an experienced and solid addition to the Leeds backline. A loan until the end of the season makes sense for all parties.
Manchester United and Erik ten Hag have done their best to be rid of Jadon Sancho this month, yet the Englishman is not the only winger who should seemingly be shown the door in 2024.
18 months on from arriving from Ajax, £86m enigma, Antony, continues to have supporters tearing their hair out, with the Brazilian trickster still doing little to justify that eye-watering transfer fee.
A return of no goals or assists this season in 21 games in all competitions makes for grim reading for the 23-year-old, with it becoming increasingly difficult for Ten Hag to justify his continued faith in the floundering forward.
Games
Goals
Assists
Total G/A
65
8
3
11
82
12
6
18
63
10
7
17
74
9
9
18
34
4
12
16
63
13
11
24
53
7
6
13
With reports already circling that Sir Jim Ratcliffe and co could be seeking to move on Antony – among others – in the near future, it is worth considering just who could come in to ease the club's attacking woes in 2024.
So, with that in mind, here are five possible replacements for the Sau Paulo native that Ratcliffe and Ten Hag could acquire, either in January or this summer…
1 Leroy Sane
samuel-iling-junior-leroy-sane-tottenham-opinion
It would certainly be an ambitious move for United to target former Manchester City man, Leroy Sane, yet reports at the tail-end of last year indicated that the German speedster was being considered by the Old Trafford outfit.
The 27-year-old currently has just 18 months left to run on his existing deal at Bayern Munich, putting his long-term future at the Allianz Arena into doubt, despite having emerged as a key figure under Thomas Tuchel this season.
Arguably the Bundesliga side's "best player" so far in 2023/24, according to teammate Harry Kane, the one-time Schalke man has racked up eight goals and a further ten assists in just 16 league outings – frankly terrorising defences from either wing.
A two-time Premier League champion, Sane scored 25 goals and provided 28 assists in just 90 games during his time in England's top flight, with such sparkling form at the Etihad even earning comparisons to a fellow left-footer – Ryan Giggs – as per pundit Stephen Warnock:
“Leroy Sane is the closest thing we’ve seen to Ryan Giggs in years. His ability to glide past players makes it look effortless."
Whether the one-time City man would be willing to burn some bridges with his previous employers by joining United remains to be seen, although if the £86m-rated dynamo is interested in a move, the Red Devils should certainly pounce.
2 Michael Olise
News broke last week that Ratcliffe was eyeing up a move for Michael Olise as one of his first signings at Old Trafford, with reports indicating that the Crystal Palace starlet has a release clause in his contract that comes into effect this summer.
While still just 22, the England-born, France U21 international has sparkled in the Premier League of late, notably contributing 11 assists last term to emerge as the real creative hub in the side at Selhurst Park.
A return of two goals last season also included a breathtaking, stoppage-time free-kick in the 1-1 draw with Ten Hag's side, with that moment of magic halting what momentarily looked like a possible title charge for the Red Devils at the time.
Although there are reports that the Eagles star may favour a move to rivals Arsenal instead at the end of the season, he would certainly be a worthy candidate to replace Antony on the right-hand side.
3 Johan Bakayoko
PSV Eindhoven forwardJohan Bakayoko.
United fans would no doubt dread the prospect of snapping up another left-footed youngster who is thriving in the Eredivisie – amid Antony's woes – yet PSV Eindhoven's Johan Bakayoko has warranted Ten Hag's interest amid his sparkling displays of late.
Still only 20, the Belgian sensation already has 17 goals and assists to his name in just 27 games in all competitions this season, with broadcaster Jack Collins describing him as an "absolute handful for defenders", as a result of his devastating showings in the Europa League.
Likened to Chelsea's Noni Madueke – who was also previously on the books at PSV – and described as a 'physical phenomenon' by talent scout Jacek Kulig, the fleet-footed ace could well represent a wildcard option for United to consider this year.
4 Donyell Malen
There have been suggestions that the Old Trafford side have held internal talks regarding a potential loan-to-buy offer for Borussia Dortmund gem, Donyell Malen, with the Dutchman part of the same agency as the likes of Ten Hag, Sofyan Amrabat and Rasmus Hojlund.
Formerly part of Arsenal's youth set-up – prior to shining at PSV – the 24-year-old could be deserving of a return to English football, having caught the eye this season with six goals and two assists in all competitions.
While hardly prolific, the wideman – who can also play through the middle – did previously sparkle during his stint in Eindhoven, recording 79 goals and assists in just 116 games across all fronts.
Like Bakayoko, the 5 foot 11 marksman may not be the high-profile replacement for Antony that some may be craving, although he is certainly a figure of "incredible potential", as hailed by Dortmund's sporting director, Sebastian Kehl.
5 Serge Gnabry
Bayern Munich forward Serge Gnabry.
And finally, sticking with the Bundesliga, United could look to Sane's teammate Serge Gnabry to oust Antony in 2024, with the one-time Arsenal man having already proven himself against Premier League opposition in recent years.
Despite being cast off by the Gunners in 2016 – after also making just three appearances for West Bromwich Albion while on loan at the Hawthorns – the 28-year-old has gone on to blossom in his native Germany, boasting a haul of 82 goals in 229 games for Bayern to date.
Capable of playing on either wing, like Sane, the one-time Werder Bremen ace has been a thorn in the side of English opposition in the Champions League in recent years, memorably scoring four in a 7-2 thrashing of Tottenham Hotspur in 2019, while also scoring twice against Chelsea later in that same season.
Gnabry was also on the scoresheet as Tuchel's men ran out 4-3 winners over United in the group stage earlier in the current campaign, with Ten Hag and co having seen first-hand the impact he can have in the final third.
A player of vast experience and proven quality, Gnabry would undoubtedly be a vast improvement on Antony.
Aston Villa are flying high in the Premier League and could now close out a deal to sign a talented young gem in the West Midlands, according to a report.
Aston Villa's hunt for reinforcements…
In their first top-flight encounter of the New Year, Aston Villa claimed a valuable point away at Everton in a 0-0 draw to keep Unai Emery's men two points off top spot; however, there may be a sense of frustration from the visiting side that they weren't able to take three points despite having a period of late domination.
Of course, the January window could open up an opportunity to acquire one or two game-changing players in these scenarios, which could come in handy as the Villans continue to harbour aspirations of a top-four finish.
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Emile Smith-Rowe is finding first-team opportunities hard to come by at Arsenal and is still a target for the Villans, according to talkSPORT reporter Alex Crook. Speaking about Aston Villa's interest, he stated:
"I'm keen to see what they [Arsenal] do with Smith Rowe because I think Aston Villa’s interest is still there. We know that Arsenal like Douglas Luiz, but Villa aren’t going to let him go at this moment in time because they’re competing for the top four themselves."
Copenhagen sensation Roony Bardghji is also believed to be on the radar at Villa Park and could cost in the region of £20 million to sign this window. Brentford and Newcastle United, alongside clubs from around England and further afield, are also keen on the Sweden international, who would add a different dimension in the final third for Emery to utilise.
Now, transfer guru Fabrizio Romano has indicated that Aston Villa are now close to signing a defender who has been on their wishlist for quite some time, according to a report.
Aston Villa close to signing Kosta Nedeljkovic
According to Romano, Aston Villa are now close to signing Red Star Belgrade full-back Kosta Nedeljkovic and he will then return to see out the rest of the campaign in Serbia, as he stated below:
Following a lengthy scouting mission, the Villans finally look to have landed their man for a fee in the region of just under €9 million and are on course to add another highly talented youngster to their ranks.
Labelled as a player with an "incredible engine" by Serbian Football Scout, the 18-year-old has made 26 appearances encompassing both senior and youth football competitions this campaign, registering three assists in total (Nedeljkovic statistics – Transfermarkt).
Kosta Nedeljkovic key statistics in 2023/24 – Mozzart Bet Superliga (Sofascore)
Tackles per game
1.5
Clean sheets
1
Balls recovered per game
3.7
Clearances per game
0.8
Dribbled past per game
0.2
Average match rating
7.04/10
Planning for the future appears to be a key feature of Aston Villa's mantra going forward and Nedeljkovic may provide long-lasting security in the right-back position once they secure his signature.