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Por ironia do destino, Alex Teixeira vai desfalcar o Vasco justamente depois de ter marcado os seus primeiros gols desde que retornou ao clube. O atacante foi o herói da vitória de virada sobre o Operário, por 3 a 2, mas antes de balançar a rede pela primeira vez, levou o terceiro cartão amarelo e terá que cumprir suspensão diante do Novorizontino, sábado, em São Januário.

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Os gols representam um renascimento para Alex Teixeira, que enfrentava um longo jejum sem marcar. A última vez foi no dia 14 de fevereiro, no empate do Besiktas com o Adana Demirspor, por 1 a 1, no Campeonato Turco. Desde então, o jogador enfrentou uma seca de 22 jogos, metade pelo Vasco.

– Estou muito feliz. Quem vê lá no CT sabe o quanto eu trabalho, o que eu faço. Sabia que Deus ia me abençoar e eu consegui ajudar a equipe a conquistar esses três pontos. Estou muito feliz. Esse grupo merece demais – afirmou Alex Teixeira, em entrevista à Vasco TV.

A atuação de destaque, como um autêntico centroavante, poderia fazer Alex Teixeira retomar a titularidade, que foi perdida após a chegada do técnico Jorginho. Ainda mais com a queda de produção de Raniel, muito desprestigiado com o torcedor vascaíno. Essa possibilidade agora fica para o jogo contra o Sport, do dia 16, na Ilha do Retiro, mas Alex Teixeira garantiu que tem não vaidade e quer apenas ajudar o time.

– Desde o início eu falei que vim aqui para ajudar. Independentemente se eu entro entre os 11 ou no segundo tempo ou se eu não entro. Meu espírito de ajudar o Vasco sempre vai prevalecer. Estarei lá torcendo. Espero que o grupo faça uma grande partida e vamos sair com a vitória – concluiu o atacante.

A título de curiosidade, o último gol de Alex Teixeira pelo Vasco garantiu a vitória sobre o América-RN, por 2 a 1, que sacramentou a conquista da Série B de 2009.

تحدث الإيطالي سيموني إنزاجي، المدير الفني لفريق الهلال السعودي، عن مواجهة مانشستر سيتي الإنجليزي، التي ستُلعب فجر غدًا الثلاثاء، ضمن منافسات دور ثمن نهائي كأس العالم للأندية.

وقال إنزاجي خلال المؤتمر الصحفي الذي عُقد فجر الإثنين: “ربما ألعب بخط دفاع ثلاثي، وربما بخط رباعي، وعندما أنظر إلى مانشستر سيتي، أعتقد أنني سأختار متعب الحربي أو كنو، وقد يكون لودي قلب دفاع، سأفكر في كل شيء، لدينا حصة تدريبية أخرى وسنقرر الطريقة المناسبة لمباراة الغد”.

وأكد مدرب الهلال أنه يواجه تحديًا في التأقلم مع غياب الجناح سالم الدوسري والمهاجم الصربي ألكسندر ميتروفيتش، قائلاً: “خسرنا قائدنا سالم، لن يكون لائقًا للعب، وكذلك ميتروفيتش، لكننا سنجد حلولًا أخرى ونعطي الفرصة للاعبين الآخرين، وسنقدم كل ما لدينا في اللقاء”.

ووصف إنزاجي ناصر الدوسري، لاعب وسط الهلال، بأنه “مفاجأة رائعة”، وأضاف: “تابعته في مباريات عدة مع كنو وغيرهم، وكل مباراة كان أداؤه أفضل من السابقة”.

طالع أيضًا | جوارديولا بعد انتقادات كلوب: كأس العالم للأندية قد يدمرنا.. ولا يمكنني التحكم في الرعد والبرق

كما أشاد إنزاجي بالمدرب الإسباني بيب جوارديولا، قائلاً: “كل مدرب في الوقت الحالي يعتبر بيب مرجعًا، كرة القدم تطورت بفضل ظهوره، وأعتقد أنه أفضل مدرب في آخر 20 أو 25 عامًا، هو مثال لنا كمدربين، والمواجهة ضده تحدٍ كبير، في نهائي دوري أبطال أوروبا 2023 مع إنتر ميلان كنا نستحق أكثر أمامه لكننا لم نكن محظوظين”.

وأشار إنزاجي إلى أن مانشستر سيتي سيكون صاحب الاستحواذ الأكبر على الكرة، موضحًا: “نتحدث عن أفضل فريق في العالم، وضعيته ممتازة وهو الفريق الوحيد الذي فاز في جميع مبارياته في البطولة”.

واختتم حديثه قائلاً: “نحاول التحضير بأفضل صورة للمباراة، ستكون فرصة لنا للنمو، وسنقدم أفضل أداء ضد منافس كبير جدًا. قلت للاعبين إننا سنواجه أحد أقوى الفرق في العالم، وضده يمكننا أن نتطور ونصبح أقوى”.

Allrounder made an impact with the ball during 2022 Ashes thriller

Valkerie Baynes14-Jun-2023She has only played two Tests but Annabel Sutherland isn’t one to baulk at the unique challenges of a multi-day, red-ball game – quite the opposite, in fact.Her six-over spell at the very end of the last Women’s Ashes Test very nearly swung the match in Australia’s favour, yielding all three of her wickets for the fourth innings before England’s tailenders, Kate Cross and Sophie Ecclestone, clung on for a draw in the face of Alana King’s efforts to prise out the one wicket Australia needed from the final over.Sutherland took five wickets in total during that Ashes Test, her second appearance in the format, some four months after Australia drew with India, also in Canberra. She has played 31 white-ball matches for her country, and now, after arriving for the return Ashes series, Sutherland has been relishing the chance to get used to the Dukes ball in English conditions ahead of next week’s Test at Trent Bridge.”I’ve got a bit of a wobble-seam ball going, which has been nice, and so far I’ve loved it,” Sutherland said. “I’m looking forward to getting out there for the three-dayer and putting it into practice against the England A girls.”Related

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England have experience playing with the red Dukes ball, having used it in last year’s Test against South Africa at Taunton, but both squads will be using this week’s three-day warm-up matches to gather more information. Australia will play England A in Leicester from Thursday while Australia A will face the England Test squad in Derby at the same time.Sutherland said a two-day practice match between Australia and Australia A had helped players become used to using the Dukes ball, as had some intelligence from assistant coach Scott Prestwidge and a number of Australia Men’s players, including Mitchell Starc, during a series of training camps in Brisbane last month.The upcoming three-day warm-up fixture also represents a chance for Sutherland to press for selection in the final XI for the Test starting on June 22 amid an Australian pace-bowling attack well stocked with contenders.”I’m super keen,” Sutherland said. “There’s so much history that goes along with Australia and England and the Ashes. This one’s been flagged on my radar for a long time, my first trip over to England playing in an Ashes so I’m very excited and looking forward to what’s to come in the next month or so.”Sutherland was looking forward to watching Ellyse Perry in action with her natural ability to swing the ball and vast experience, having played nine of her 10 Tests against England, four of those in England. And while they will be without regular captain Meg Lanning, who pulled out of the tour for medical reasons, Sutherland said the Australians had overcome the initial shock of her withdrawal and had every faith in stand-in skipper Alyssa Healy and her deputy, Tahlia McGrath.”Obviously, we would love to have Meg here and our thoughts are certainly with her back home,” Sutherland said. “We’ve talked about it as a group that it’s obviously a big, big miss to not have Meg. She’s an outstanding player and leader of the team, so we’re certainly going to miss having her.”But in saying that, I think Alyssa and T-Mac are exceptional leaders in their own right. We know it’s going to be a big miss, but we think we’ve got really good depth in our side to fill that and have shown that in previous series where Meg hasn’t been there.”Shelley Nitschke, Australia’s head coach, agreed that Lanning was a big loss to the side but was comfortable with the plans in place to deal with her absence.”It’s really disappointing for Meg that she’s not able to join us and she’s in our thoughts but we’ve had some time together at a camp in Brisbane, we’ve spoken a bit about it as a group and I know Alyssa is very well placed,” Nitschke said. “She’s got some really good support in Tahlia McGrath and some other really senior players within the team that are going to step up into some leadership responsibilities.”I think we’re really well placed to cover her but we certainly understand that she’s a great player, a great captain, so definitely going to be missed for us this campaign.”Phoebe Litchfield, the 20-year-old batter, is poised to come into the Australian line-up in Lanning’s absence, either in the middle-order or as opener should Healy move down the order as she spreads her responsibilities across wicketkeeping, batting and now the captaincy. Litchfield was Player of the Match with 78 not out in Australia’s first ODI against Pakistan in January and scored an unbeaten 67 in the second, both as an opener.Despite being part of the squad, powerful hitter Grace Harris was not required for the Test and will therefore arrive in England next week. Experienced left-arm spinner Jess Jonassen will captain Australia A during the warm-up match with Tess Flintoff joining the Australia squad to face England A.

أعرب حسام غالي، نجم الأهلي الأسبق ومحلل قناة “إم بي سي مصر”، عن أسفه الشديد بعد تعادل الأهلي وإنتر ميامي سلبيًا في منافسات كأس العالم للأندية 2025.

واستضاف ملعب “هارد روك” مباراة الفريقين، في الجولة الأولى والافتتاحية من مسابقة كأس العالم للأندية، والتي انتهت بالتعادل السلبي.

ويتواجد الأهلي في المجموعة الأولى ضمن منافسات كأس العالم للأندية، رفقة أندية إنتر ميامي الأمريكي وبورتو البرتغالي وبالميراس البرازيلي.

وبهذه النتيجة، ارتقى رصيد كل من الأهلي وإنتر ميامي إلى نقطة واحدة في ترتيب المجموعة الأولى باحتلال المركزين الأول والثاني مؤقتًا.

اقرأ أيضاً.. موعد مباراة الأهلي القادمة في كأس العالم للأندية بعد التعادل مع إنتر ميامي

وقال حسام غالي في تصريحات عبر قناة “إم بي سي مصر”: “غير سعيد بالتعادل، أسهل مباراة في المجموعة، كان من المفترض أن نحصد 3 نقاط، ونحصل على نقطة بعد ذلك من المباراتين المتبقيتين، ونتأهل للدور المقبل”.

وأضاف غالي: “الشوط الأول مختلف عن الثاني، تركنا مساحات لإنتر ميامي كثيرة نتيجة للطقس والجهد، كنا نتمنى أفضل من ذلك”.

وأشار: “زيزو يجيد تسديد ضربات الجزاء وأفضل واحد أراه، وإذا قمنا بترتيبهم سيكون زيزو ثم وسام أبو علي والثالث تريزيجيه”.

وأتم: “لو ربيبرو وضع ترتيب اللاعبين في تسديد ضربات الجزاء وتريزيجيه لم يلتزم وهو كابتن الفريق، فهذه مشكلة كبيرة”.

Nottingham Forest host Arsenal at the City Ground this evening, looking to return to winning ways after two defeats in a row against Newcastle United and Fulham in the Premier League.

Nuno Espírito Santo’s side still sit on 47 points before the clash against the Gunners, looking to close the gap to Mikel Arteta’s men, who sit six points ahead of them at present.

The Reds are unbeaten in the last six league clashes at the City Ground, looking to extend such a record tonight as they aim to bolster their Champions League qualification hopes.

The visitors currently have a whole host of injury issues heading into the meeting in the East Midlands, with both outfits desperately needing to get back on track after losing last weekend.

However, if Nuno is to claim three needed points tonight, he simply must drop one player after his poor showing against the Magpies at St James’ Park on Sunday.

Nicolas Dominguez’s stats against Newcastle United

Elliot Anderson was partnered at the heart of the midfield by Nicolas Dominguez for the trip to Newcastle after Danilo was left out of the side as he continues his injury comeback.

However, the Argentine was unable to impress on Tyneside, struggling to impose himself on the clash, with Eddie Howe’s side scoring four times in just 12 first half minutes.

The 26-year-old featured for 76-minutes before his eventual substitution, with his withdrawal warranted given the fact he was dribbled past four times during the contest.

Dominguez also committed two fouls and receiving yet another booking, moving him onto seven yellow cards in 2024/25 – the joint-most of any player in the squad.

As a result of his disappointing afternoon in the North East, Nuno should look to replace him for the clash against Arteta’s side, allowing one player to regain his place in the starting lineup.

The player who should replace Dominguez against Arsenal

Midfielder Ryan Yates hasn’t started a league game for Forest since the 5-0 thrashing against Bournemouth at the end of January, dropping down the order as a result.

However, despite not starting against the Magpies, the 27-year-old came off the bench with just 14 minutes remaining, but he still managed to make an impact on proceedings.

The Reds academy graduate found himself on the scoresheet, providing a nervy finish, and almost completing a comeback after being 4-1 down heading into the break.

Yates, who’s previously been dubbed “superb” by commentator Jamie Martin, won 100% of ground duels after coming off the bench against Howe’s side, also completing 100% of his attempted dribbles.

The £50k-per-week midfielder managed to register two efforts on goal along with two defensive recoveries, having a huge impact at both ends of the pitch as the Reds pushed for an equaliser.

Minutes played

14

Touches

13

Goals scored

1

Ground duels won

1/1 (100%)

Dribbles completed

1/1 (100%)

Shots taken

2

Recoveries made

2

His work rate and effort levels have often impressed the fanbase – that, coupled with his academy background, makes it feel like he truly is one of their own.

After such an impact off the substitutes’ bench, he deserves the opportunity to showcase his talents in the centre of the park, with his relentless nature perfect for the clash against a fellow top four side.

The meeting at the City Ground will likely be a nervy affair with both sides needing vital points to secure their place in the top four, with Nuno needing to start Yates if his side are to claim the win tonight.

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He’s enjoyed another impressive season…

ByTom Cunningham Feb 25, 2025

As the build-up for Australia’s opening Test of the summer threatens to be mired in bloodletting, Mitchell Starc aptly fronted the media just metres from ‘Langer’s Loft’ – once an exclusive bar for members but now an eyesore amid a redevelopment at the WACA.The symbolism was striking with Australia arriving in Perth ahead of the first Test against West Indies on November 30 amid controversy after former coach Justin Langer’s candid interview over his ugly exit earlier in the year.Langer on the podcast attacked anonymous “cowards” who leaked against him and believed some players were not transparent over their feedback.Related

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It led to a rebuke from Cricket Australia chief executive Nick Hockley although Langer has stated since that the players are “like my younger brothers”.There was intrigue over how Starc would handle the expected probing over the saga in the first official press conference ahead of the Optus Stadium Test. And in what might be a sign of a detente, he dead-batted the controversy, claiming he hadn’t listened to the interview.”I have a pretty good relationship with Langer,” Starc told reporters on Saturday. “We exchanged text messages post the [T20] World Cup. I’m pretty comfortable with my relationship with JL.”Starc said the team did not specifically address the issue ahead of their three-hour training session at the WACA’s nets and on the ground’s grassy main wicket.”Was mentioned that there could be some noise around it obviously being in the west and with JL having a commentary spot,” he said. We’re comfortable…spend a lot of time together as a three format group. It’s all preparation for this Test match. Not too much is going to distract us. I’m sure we’ll see [Langer] at the ground and throughout the summer.”The West Australian fans are likely to back their favourite son in the first Test match in Perth since December 2019 due to the state’s strict Covid-19 measures.”Always had great crowds in Perth,” Starc said. “There’s been a lot of talk about not having Test cricket over here for a long time. Hopefully the public can support that. Show us what Test cricket means to them.”Pat Cummins in action during a training session ahead of the Test series against West Indies•Getty Images

While the left-arm quick wasn’t focusing on his pursuit of 300 Test wickets, Starc was excited about the likelihood of a spicy drop-in pitch at Optus Stadium, which tries to replicate the WACA’s famed pace and bounce.Starc has starred in the two Tests at the 60-000-seat ground with 14 wickets against India and New Zealand at a venue he rates as the second-best in the country behind Adelaide Oval, which will host the second Test against West Indies in a day-night contest.”[Adelaide and Perth are] good contests between bat and ball,” said Starc, who has taken 287 Test wickets. “[In Perth] you’re rewarded for good shots and likewise rewarded for good bowling.”The India Test [in 2018] was a very good wicket for three days and as the Test wore on the cracks got bigger…played a lot of tricks in the fourth innings. A very good bat versus ball wicket that presented challenges for both.”Given West Indies’ well-chronicled struggles in Australia, having not won a Test since February 1997 at the WACA, there has been some belief that the home team can ease into the Test summer ahead of a mouth-watering three-match series against South Africa.Starc, however, believed West Indies should not be underestimated, pointing to their stunning home Test triumph over England in March.”Definitely not taking any teams lightly. We know what the West Indies can serve up at their best,” he said as Australia returns to Test cricket since their tour of Sri Lanka in June and July. “It’s a good chance to kick-start our summer of Test cricket and hopefully some exciting cricket will be played.”

Liverpool are believed to have made contact with a key figure at a huge club as they seek to secure the signing of a “world-class” midfielder in the summer transfer window.

Liverpool transfer news

After two quiet windows for Arne Slot, which have seen Federico Chiesa and Giorgi Mamardashvili the only players to come in, a far busier summer is expected at Anfield next time around.

One player who has been linked with a move to Liverpool at the end of this season is Netherlands and RB Leipzig attacking midfielder Xavi Simons. The 21-year-old has only recently signed for the German side permanently from Paris Saint-Germain, but they will reportedly look to move him on in the summer for a handsome profit.

Another player who has been mentioned as an option for the Reds is Eintracht Frankfurt midfielder Hugo Larsson, who is a hugely exciting young player. The Merseysiders are reportedly ahead of the likes of Manchester City and Real Madrid in the race to snap up the 20-year-old Swede.

Mohamed Salah’s Liverpool future still isn’t sorted, with a new deal not yet signed, so potential replacements will need to be eyed up, should the worst-case scenario happen. West Ham captain Jarrod Bowen has been backed to come in, with the England international enjoying another impressive season in the Premier League, scoring six goals and registering four assists in the competition.

Liverpool make contact over signing "world-class" ace

According to reports in Spain, Liverpool have been in contact with Barcelona sporting director Deco over the signing of Frenkie de Jong this summer.

Richard Hughes has talked about a move for the 27-year-old midfielder, with Barca thought to be willing to sell him at the end of the season.

De Jong has been mentioned as a target for Liverpool for some time now, with a transfer not yet materialising, but it is easy to see him thriving for the Reds in the middle of the park.

The Dutchman possesses the technical expertise to slot right in alongside the likes of Ryan Gravenberch, Alexis Mac Allister and Dominik Szoboszlai. He has a 94.6% pass completion rate in La Liga this season, with football talent scout Jacek Kulig calling him “world-class” back in 2019. Former manager Xavi also once said of him:

“Frenkie de Jong is playing at a spectacular level, he gives us a lot. I think he’s one of the best midfielders in the world right now.”

However, there is a reason why Liverpool may have reservations about signing De Jong, if Barca are so willing to let him move on to pastures new in the summer.

At 27, he arguably hasn’t kicked on like many expected he would since his Ajax days, at which point he was seen as one of the future star midfielders of his generation.

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That’s not to say that Slot wouldn’t necessarily like to have a player of De Jong’s class in his squad, but there would be risks when it comes to signing him, so a younger alternative may make more sense this summer, as well as a more naturally defence-minded option in order to add balance to the squad.

Crystal Palace have reached a transfer agreement to sign an “underrated” new player on deadline day, according to Fabrizio Romano.

Crystal Palace transfer news

It could be a busy end to the transfer window for the Eagles, as Oliver Glasner pushes the hierarchy to get deals over the line as he looks to strengthen his Palace squad in multiple positions.

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One player the Premier League side have their eye on signing is Manchester City midfielder James McAtee. Palace are on “red alert” in the race to sign the attacking midfielder after Bayer Leverkusen pulled out of a deal last week after signing Emiliano Buendia. It is unclear if City will be open to letting McAtee leave before the transfer window closes, but Palace could look to test their resolve.

As well as McAtee, the South Londoners are in the market for a new central defender after Trevoh Chalobah’s loan spell was ended by Chelsea earlier this month. According to reports, Palace are weighing up a move to sign Tiago Djalo before the 11pm deadline. The defender would need to be recalled by Juventus from his loan spell at Porto before a move to Selhurst Park can happen.

Christos Tzolis is another player who has emerged on Palace’s radar in recent days, as they have yet to find a replacement for Michael Olise, who joined Bayern Munich in the summer. However, the Eagles face stiff competition for Tzolis, as Wolves and Everton are also interested in signing the attacker.

Crystal Palace reach agreement to sign £200k-p/w ace

McAtee, Djalo, and Tzolis may be players to keep an eye on in the final few hours of the transfer window, but there is one player who looks certain to arrive at Selhurst Park in the next few hours. According to Romano, Crystal Palace have reached an agreement to sign Ben Chilwell on loan from Chelsea.

Romano reports that the agreement is a straight loan deal, with Chilwell joining the Eagles until June. The defender is ready to accept the move with his medical taking place on Monday and an expectation that it will all be completed before the deadline.

This move comes as Chilwell, who earns £200,000 a week at Stamford Bridge, has been frozen out at Chelsea. The 28-year-old has played just once for the Blues this season, and that was 45 minutes in the Carabao Cup against Barrow. The Englishman was not registered for the Europa Conference League and has failed to make any Premier League squad.

Ben Chilwell’s Premier League stats

Apps

169

Goals

12

Assists

18

Chilwell, who has been described as being “underrated” by Youtuber and podcaster Laurenz Vescoli, is under contract at Chelsea until 2027, so he will still have two years to run on his contract at Stamford Bridge after this loan, but a permanent move to Palace could be on the cards depending on how the loan goes.

The Eagles wanted to bring in a new left-back to provide cover and competition to Tyrick Mitchell, who is their only recognised player in that position, and Chilwell is set to be that man.

Arsenal have been handed a boost for their Champions League chase as Mikel Arteta reveals Kai Havertz could return before the end of the season.

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• Arsenal looking to win the Champions League
• Havertz could return before end of the season
• Arteta provides positive update on Rice and Saka

• Getty Images Sport
  

  WHAT HAPPENED?

  Arsenal are in the hunt for their first-ever European title as they have gotten one leg into the Champions League semi-final after a 3-0 first-leg win over Real Madrid in the quarter-final. Arteta is hoping that he can lead his side to the illustrious trophy and hopes that he can have a full squad for the ride. As such, he has revealed that Havertz, who has been out injured since February, could return before the end of the season.

Advertisement

• Getty Images
  

  WHAT ARTETA SAID

  Speaking to the media, Arteta said, “Hopefully, we can have him back before the end of the season.

  “Let’s see. Every injury isn’t the same. Great work ethic, desperate to get back playing as quick as possible – and a great medical staff as well to look after them.

  “Once you get to the last stage of that rehab, you can understand better how close or far you are to making that next step.”

• THE BIGGER PICTURE

  It was revealed on Thursday that Arsenal stars Declan Rice and Bukayo Saka had picked up niggles after the match. However, Arteta also provided a positive update on the two stars who played a pivotal role in the win against Real Madrid. He said: “With Dec [Rice] and Bukayo, they're both fit. So it was just a matter of two kicks, and they recovered well, so they are available for tomorrow.”

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• WHAT NEXT FOR ARSENAL?

  The Gunners are set to be in action again when they face off against Brentford on Saturday, and they will then travel to Madrid to take on Los Blancos in the second leg of the quarter-final at Santiago Bernabeu.

Tottenham are looking to get ahead of Barcelona in the race to sign a new target for Ange Postecolgou in the January transfer window, according to a fresh report from Spain.

Tottenham draw 2-2 with Wolves

Spurs failed to record a first Premier League win in three on Sunday, drawing 2-2 at home to Wolves. Tottenham came from behind thanks to goals from Rodrigo Bentancur and Brennan Johnson, however, Jorgen Strand Larsen’s late equaliser made it just one point from nine in the last seven days.

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The result leaves Tottenham in the bottom half at the halfway stage of the season, with the club miles away from challenging for European football next campaign.

Fortunately, with the January transfer window just around the corner, Tottenham will have the chance to strengthen their squad as they look for a better second half of the campaign, with Postecoglou keen to add new blood to his ranks in the next month.

Ahead of the Nottingham Forest defeat, the Australian coach explained: “Like I said a while ago, we’ve been planning. A lot of it was going to be around where we’re at around this time. [It’s] fair to say we’re still a little bit short in a couple of areas and we need to reinforce.”

A defender and a new forward are reportedly on their wishlist, and now they may have found a new option to bolster their backline.

Tottenham in race for defender who could leave in January

Spurs have been linked with moves for the likes of Ben Godfrey and Abdukodir Khusanov already ahead of the January transfer window, but have now been handed another, more unlikely name.

Now, a report from Spain has claimed that Tottenham are now in the mix with Barcelona and several other clubs around Europe to land Rayo Vallecano defender Andrei Ratiu in January, with the defender “very likely to leave” the La Liga side in January.

Though Ratiu is under contract until 2028, the report claims that the defender is set to leave this winter after a string of impressive performances. An international teammate of current Spurs defender Radu Dragusin, Ratiu has a €25m [£20.7m] release clause in his deal in Spain, which the report suggests could be triggered this winter.

Alongside Barcelona and Tottenham, Atletico Madrid, Bayer Leverkusen and AS Roma are all named as potential destinations, with Barcelona reportedly having an advantage due to strong agent relations. However, the Catalan club currently have no money to sign new players in January, already struggling to register summer signing Dani Olmo for the second half of the season, leaving them an unlikely destination for the 26-year-old.

Despite that, a move to Tottenham seems equally far-fetched unless there is an exit from north London, with Ratiu’s 16 appearances this season having all come at right back, where Spurs are already well-stocked with Pedro Porro and Djed Spence, while Archie Gray also spent much of his Leeds career at fullback.

Position

Games played

Right Back

143

Right Midfield

9

Right winger

7

Left back

3

Centre back

1

Therefore, though a transfer may be likely for the Romanian defender, it seems unlikely that it will be to north London this January, with a centre-back likely to be far more of a priority for Postecoglou and co given their current situation.