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Pete O'Rourke column: Tottenham move for Juventus sensation, Fulham to fight Chelsea for £30m wonderkid, Everton want two forwards
Welcome to the latest edition of my biweekly column – bringing you exclusive transfer and contract news, as well as news from the Premier League, EFL, Scottish Premiership and beyond.
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FULHAM
My understanding is that Marco Silva’s side are looking at attacking reinforcements ahead of the new year.
They will have big funds to spend, and one option is Antonio Nusa of Club Brugge.
The 18-year-old is a highly-rated, versatile youngster who can play out wide and as a striker.
Chelsea and Tottenham are interested but Fulham are ready to beat them to a deal by moving in January.
Nusa is under contract until June 2027 at Brugge – who don’t want to lose the sensation as they are going well both in the league and in Europe.
I’m told he could cost around £30million in January.
Meanwhile, Fulham have also been widely linked with a loan move for ex-Chelsea striker Timo Werner.
Striker is an area which Silva wants to strengthen and Werner is out of favour at Leipzig after returning to Germany in 2022.
However, I’m told it will be a hard deal to do for Fulham.
Werner is on wages over £150,000-a-week at Leipzig, meaning the German side would have to contribute to his salary to get the move over the line.
A straight loan deal would be attractive for Fulham – if they could persuade Leipzig to sanction it.
The Cottagers are likely to pursue other options in January before turning to Werner if they are unsuccessful.
READ MORE EXCLUSIVE FULHAM NEWS AND PUNDIT VIEWS
TOTTENHAM
As well as Nusa, Spurs are also eyeing a move for Juventus forward Samuel Iling-Junior ahead of January.
Ange Postecoglou wants another attacker in his squad following long-term injuries to Manor Solomon and Ivan Perisic.
Richarlison is also recovering from groin surgery after suffering with a long-standing issue.
I’m told Illing-Junior is seen as a player with “huge potential” by Tottenham transfer chiefs.
He is one of three options Spurs are weighing up ahead of January, and Juventus could be open to selling if the right offer comes in due to their financial situation.
Postecoglou’s side are more likely to move for a wide player as things stand – despite not yet moving to replace Harry Kane.
Richarlison, Heung-min Son and Alejo Véliz is seen as adequate cover for the centre-forward role.
Meanwhile, Richarlison is reportedly a top target for Saudi Pro League sides.
It has been acknowledged behind the scenes at Spurs that his £60million move from Everton is yet to work out – with the Brazil international still finding his feet at the club.
However, Spurs are not ready to accept offers for the forward in January.
They could, however, consider letting him leave next summer if his output does not pick up in the remainder of the 2023-24 season.
I’m told the player is determined to stay in the Premier League and does not see himself moving to Saudi Arabia until the twilight of his career.
READ MORE EXCLUSIVE TOTTENHAM NEWS AND PUNDIT VIEWS
EVERTON
I’m told Toffees boss Sean Dyche wants two new wingers in the January transfer window.
He is keen to build on their recent form and stave off the threat of relegation following Everton’s recent 10-point deduction.
Everything is on hold with talks ongoing over the takeover from 777 Partners – but Dyche has instructed his recruitment team to scour the market for potential targets.
He wants more creativity and goal output – as well as more ammunition for Dominic Calvert-Lewin, who has remained fit so far in the 2023-24 campaign.
Meanwhile, sources say central midfield could also become a priority after Abdoulaye Doucoure moved into a more advanced, number 10 role.
Calvert-Lewin is set to enter the final 18 months of his Goodison Park contract in the January window.
Everton have acknowledged the need to sort his future out, but talks are now expected to pause while the fall-out continues from their point deduction.
The Toffees have appealed and do not want to commit to any big-money renewals while the threat of relegation looms large.
READ MORE EXCLUSIVE EVERTON NEWS AND PUNDIT VIEWS
NEWCASTLE
Stuttgart striker Serhou Guirassy is seen as an attainable target by the Magpies as they search for a new striker ahead of the January window.
I’m told he ticks a lot of boxes for Newcastle and his £15million release clause is particularly attractive.
There are likely to be a lot of other options on the table for Eddie Howe’s side.
One of those is Paris Saint-Germain’s Hugo Ekitike – who was a previous target for the Magpies.
Ekitike rejected a move to St James’ Park after the Tyneside club saw a £30million bid accepted by Stade de Reims.
Now at PSG, he is out of favour and almost secured a Premier League move in the summer with Crystal Palace and West Ham.
READ MORE EXCLUSIVE NEWCASTLE NEWS AND PUNDIT VIEWS
MAN UNITED
Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s investment is inching closer, but I’m told it is not likely to have a major impact in January.
Sources say players will still need to be sold before any incomings can be sanctioned.
One such move could be for Jadon Sancho, who could command a big transfer fee and clear his £250,000-a-week wage from the Old Trafford books with a switch in January.
Ratcliffe is likely to hand any money raised from January sales to Ten Hag for spending on squad reinforcements.
However, a more sweeping overhaul will have to wait until the summer window with Financial Fair Play restrictions likely to limit spending.
READ MORE EXCLUSIVE MAN UNITED NEWS AND PUNDIT VIEWS