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Tottenham Hotspur manager Antonio Conte is believed to be grateful for the way in which the north London club have handed his off-field issues this season.

Will Conte leave at the end of the season?

It has been quite a turbulent campaign for the Lilywhites, who have certainly endured a lot of low moments in recent weeks, yet find themselves in a strong position to end the season with Champions League football.

However, it seems as if they could well go into the 2023/24 campaign with a new manager at the helm with strong suggestions Conte could be set to move on.

The issues for the Italian have not only been on the pitch with the 53-year-old experiencing a number of problems off the field as well.

And speaking on his YouTube channel, journalist Alasdair Gold has claimed those close to Conte have suggested the Spurs boss is massively appreciative of the way the club have handled his struggles:

"From what I understand from people around him, he's very appreciative of how they've been with him this season, with obviously Gian Piero [Ventrone] dying and Sinisa Mihajlovic as well, Gianluca Vialli, of course, his home situation with his family, and obviously, his health problems in the last six weeks as well.

"And I think there's a real gratitude, I think, an appreciation for how I guess they've been with him."

What has gone wrong for Spurs this season?

It is important to remember Tottenham could still end the campaign on a high by securing themselves a spot in the Champions League for next season.

However, it does feel like the north Londoners have missed some big opportunities to end their trophy drought this season through their dismal displays across the Carabao Cup, FA Cup and Champions League.

Exit in the round of the Carabao Cup to Nottingham Forest could have been put behind them had Spurs not been dumped out of the FA Cup by Sheffield United last month.

And in Conte's return to the dugout following his rehabilitation period in Italy, the Lilywhites crashed out of Europe with a whimper in an embarrassing performance against AC Milan.

Conte may be grateful for the way the club have handled the deaths to close friends and the illness he has suffered through the campaign, however, some Spurs fans may not appreciate the Italian's comments in recent press conferences.

The Spurs boss has suggested getting top four for Spurs is like winning the Premier League and claimed how big of an achievement it would be to do so.

Yet in five of the last seven seasons, Spurs have qualified for the elite European competition.

Perhaps, the Italian should have taken the cup competitions more seriously than he did, and maybe he could have been the one to end Spurs' trophy drought and even put to bed his dreadful personal record in the Champions League.

Aston Villa goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez could leave the club if the right offer arrives this summer, transfer expert Dean Jones has claimed.

The Lowdown: Rare low point for Martinez

The 30-year-old has barely put a foot wrong in his career in recent times, proving to be one of Argentina’s star men at the 2022 World Cup and being the penalty shootout hero against both the Netherlands and France.

For Villa, Martinez has also been a model of consistency – Matty Cash has hailed him as ‘unbelievable’ – but his last-gasp own goal against former club Arsenal on Saturday was an undoubted low point for him, followed up by the decision to leave his goal gaping for another Gunners goal.

The Argentine has been linked with a move away from Villa Park recently and it is a rumour that is refusing to go away, with Unai Emery ripping into his last-minute antics on Saturday.

The Latest: Goalkeeper could leave Villa

Speaking to Give Me Sport, Jones claimed that Martinez could well depart Villa in the summer is another club offers a sufficient amount of money for his services:

“To be honest, I think if the offer is big enough, it’s probably plausible. There’s been talk of him leaving before.”

The Verdict: Feels highly likely

It does feel increasingly likely that Martinez will leave Villa once the summer transfer window arrives, with the £120,000-a-week star potentially eyeing up a new challenge and Emery clearly not a fan.

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He is arguably now seen as one of Europe’s leading ‘keepers, especially after his performances in Qatar, and a Champions League-playing club will hopefully come in with a bid NSWE will bite their hand off for.

The player himself has admitted he wants to play in Europe’s elite competition, which further adds fuel to the fire, and the fact that Martinez’s current Villa deal doesn’t expire until 2027 does put the Villans in a very strong position to demand a sizeable fee.

With that money, Emery could then further strengthen his squad, bringing in a strong replacement between the sticks but also adding in other key areas, such as signing a new striker.

An update has emerged on Aston Villa and their attempts to strengthen their squad during the previous transfer window…

What’s the talk?

According to Spanish outlet Marca, Real Madrid central midfielder Dani Ceballos rejected the chance to sign for Unai Emery’s Villans last month.

The report claims that the Spain international turned down offers from Villa and reigning Serie A champions AC Milan in order to remain with his current club, despite his contract expiring at the end of the campaign.

It is stated that the player is not interested in a return to playing in the Premier League, where he worked with Emery at Arsenal, as the gem would like to stay in Spain.

John McGinn upgrade

Being rejected by Ceballos was a big blow for Emery and Johan Lange during the January transfer window as the dynamo could have been a big upgrade on current midfielder John McGinn.

The £53k-per-week Real maestro is a technical wizard who combines quality in possession with hard graft and defensive contributions off the ball.

As per FBref, the 26-year-old ranks in the top 1% for take-ons and progressive passes while also sitting in the top 10% for overall passes and pass competition percentage per 90 over the last 365 days.

This suggests that the former Arsenal loanee has been one of the best central midfielders on the continent for building up play from the middle of the park, by either dribbling past opposition players or taking them out of the game with line-splitting passes to get his team up the pitch.

McGinn, on the other hand, only ranks higher than the top 49% of players in take-ons per 90 and is in the bottom 17% for pass completion percentage, which suggests that the Real Madrid gem would be a significant upgrade on the Scotland international in terms of what he offers in possession.

Along with that, Ceballos, who was once hailed as “ludicrously graceful” by journalist James Benge, ranks in the top 9% of midfielders for blocks and interceptions per 90, which shows that the Spaniard does not shy away from his defensive responsibility.

McGinn, meanwhile, ranks in the top 10% for tackles and interceptions, although he does not crack the top 40% for blocks per 90, numbers that indicate they are both very active defenders for their sides.

Therefore, Ceballos would have been an upgrade on the Villa skipper in midfield due to their similar defensive contributions and the massive gap in quality in what they offer in possession.

Former Liverpool forward Stan Collymore says Tottenham supporters ‘must be pulling their hair out’ over failed Leandro Trossard move.

The Lowdown: Spurs move fails…

Over the January transfer window, reliable reports claimed Spurs were attempting to sign former Brighton star Leandro Trossard before he joined Arsenal.

David Ornstein of The Athletic stated last month that Antonio Conte’s side made a ‘verbal offer’ of around £12 million for the Belgium international which was swiftly rejected.

Spurs’ brief attempt to hijack Arsenal’s move for Trossard ultimately failed, resulting in them missing out on the 28-year-old.

The Latest: Collymore makes Trossard regret claim…

Writing in a column for CaughtOffside, Collymore now claims Spurs supporters ‘must be pulling their hair out’ after not signing Trossard.

Going on to call new signing Pedro Porro an average player, the pundit has also criticised the atmosphere around Spurs right now and believes stability will only return if Mauricio Pochettino is appointed.

The Verdict: Right call?

Trossard was on fire for Brighton under Roberto De Zerbi before he joined the Gunners, undoubtedly.

According to WhoScored, the attacker ranked in their top two for both attempts at goal and key passes made per 90 in the final third – scoring seven goals and two assists to boot.

Spurs have arguably been lacking that creative presence in midfield this season, resulting in them trying to sign Nicolo Zaniolo who has been called a ‘Conte sort of player’ and capable of filling the Christian Eriksen void.

That being said, Arnaut Danjuma starred for Villarreal last season and could also prove to a shrewd Spurs signing for the attacking areas – especially on loan.

Time will tell whether Spurs do indeed regret not signing Trossard and that will largely depend on Danjuma’s contribution.

Sky Sports’ Nubaid Haroon has backed Wilfried Zaha to make a shock U-turn and stay at Crystal Palace live on air.

The Lowdown: Future looks to be away from Selhurst Park

It has been widely reported that Zaha has no interest in signing a new deal at Selhurst Park as the winger looks to make one more big move during his career before it enters its twilight years.

Of course, Zaha has already made a big move but that came a decade ago when he joined Manchester United, where he was only ever afforded two Premier League appearances under David Moyes.

However, he hasn’t let that hold him back, having gone on to become Palace’s all-time top scorer in the Premier League, while he is now also a threat through the middle under Patrick Vieira, netting 21 goals since the Frenchman took over.

The Latest: Zaha into his final six months

Despite being into the final six months of his contract, David Ornstein has reported Zaha won’t leave this month – and that’s prompted Haroon to suggest the winger could now stay with the Eagles.

He said: “If you follow Zaha on his Instagram, on his social media, he very much loves being in South London – that’s his community, that’s where he’s from and that is him.

“So I do wonder if, say, Dortmund come calling, whether he goes, ‘I might get a couple of years at Dortmund, but then I kind of want to stay here as well’.

“If Palace have the money to keep him, I think in the end, he’ll probably end up staying.”

The Verdict: Palace would struggle to replace Zaha

Zaha will certainly go down as a Palace legend for the role he played in getting them to the Premier League with his memorable goals against bitter rivals Brighton in the Championship play-offs and what he has managed to achieve in the division by keeping the club in the top flight since then.

The Ivory Coast international has been Palace’s top scorer for the last two seasons and looks on course to repeat that feat with six goals to his name already, so it’s no surprise that he still wishes to challenge himself at a higher level.

From Palace’s point of view, it will be difficult to find one player that can do what Zaha has done for them over the years, so they could look to sign a few players instead and try to spread the workload across the squad should he depart.

Broadcaster Kevin Hatchard has been full of praise for Leeds United target Georginio Rutter amid the club’s desire to land the youngster.

The Lowdown: Victor Orta looking to back Jesse Marsch

Leeds have already acted very quickly to address a problem area of their squad by handing Jesse Marsch RB Salzburg defender Maximilian Wober, who can play as either a left-back or left-sided centre-back.

The Austria international becomes the fourth player from a Red Bull side to have been recruited during Marsch’s tenure, but Victor Orta isn’t only working his magic there.

Marsch and Orta appear to have identified the young attacker from Hoffenheim as their next transfer priority and that has seen the star dropped from club duties amid strong Premier League interest.

The Latest: Rutter could be signing number two

Hatchard has been speaking live on Sky Sports about how highly he rates Rutter, although did admit he’s still a very raw talent who wouldn’t arrive at Elland Road as the finished article.

He said: “At Hoffenheim, he’s had some games where he’s been unplayable. Defenders think they’ve got him caged by the touchline and he’ll weave through them and make something happen.

“He’s still raw, he’s not the finished article, but I think he would be a great fit for Leeds.”

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The Verdict: Leeds in need of attacking support

While Rodrigo is having a stunning season in front of goal for Leeds with 10 league goals, beyond him, the club’s next top scorer is Crysencio Summerville with four strikes, which makes for very worrying reading for a side that will need results to stay up.

If the Spaniard was to pick up an injury, as he did earlier in the season, Marsch will be forced to turn to players such as Joe Gelhardt and Sonny Perkins – potentially putting ridiculous pressure to put on such young shoulders.

Therefore, if Leeds can sign Rutter, who has a lot of first-team games under his belt despite only being 20 himself, it could be just what Leeds need to push away from the threat of relegation, although as always, when signing someone from another league, it’s a big gamble.

Southampton are now interested in signing Villarreal attacker Nicolas Jackson, according to a new report.

The Lowdown: Jackson’s Premier League interest

As per previous reports, Aston Villa manager Unai Emery is keen to reunite with Jackson, who he managed during his stint as Villarreal boss, with the Spaniard instructing the club’s hierarchy to move quickly to sign the attacking-midfielder.

The Daily Mail then reported that Everton, Bournemouth and Newcastle are also interested in the 21-year-old. They claim he has a £27m buy-out clause but he could be available for less than that figure.

The Latest: Southampton join the race

As per Sky Sports News, the Saints are now eyeing the Senegal international, and they confirm there is quite the race taking place as three other clubs are indeed interested.

“One source has told us that Villarreal want at least £20m”, says Sky’s presenter, so it would still be quite a large outlay for Nathan Jones.

The Verdict: A risk?

Even though they currently sit bottom of the Premier League table, crafting opportunities has not been the major issue for Southampton this season, with 25 big chances created placing them in the top half in this area.

As such, it is apparent that Jones needs a new, more clinical striker in the squad, and this may not be possible if they spend north of £20m on Jackson, who is clearly a promising player, with four goal contributions to his name in La Liga this season, but isn’t what they need at present.

Lauded as having ‘bags of potential’ by journalist Ashley Preece, the starlet is one for the future, but he is a versatile forward capable of playing on either wing, up front or as the number ten, rather than a proven clinical number nine.

Liverpool are interested in making what could be a big signing in 2023, with Julian Ward aiming to finish his tenure at Anfield with an almighty bang.

What’s the word?

Jurgen Klopp’s side are significantly off the pace this season and as a result, the addition of fresh and exciting talent in January is much-needed.

Fortunately, that appears to be at the top of the agenda for the Merseysiders with a new transfer target now emerging.

According to Dutch reporter, Mike Verweij, the Reds have entered the race to sign Ajax sensation Mohammed Kudus.

The player was the subject of £15m interest from the club’s rivals, Everton, in the summer but a deal failed to materialise.

Reds insider DaveOCKOP claimed that it was “huge news” with the source seemingly one of the most reliable when it comes to football in the Netherlands.

A World Cup sensation

This was always going to be an exciting World Cup when it came to witnessing young talent and it is hardly a surprise that Kudus is lighting up the competition.

That aforementioned £15m price tag is only set to rise following his displays in Qatar, as he continues his incredible form from 2022/23. For Ajax the winger has already bagged ten times in 21 outings this term with that a clear indication of the attacking threat he can provide.

Blessed with a sensational left foot, the Ghanian certainly evokes memories of an Anfield cult hero in Mo Salah and he is now proving that on the biggest stage of all.

Kudus has been one of the top performers in Qatar this autumn with his heroics ensuring his nation are still in with a shout of reaching the tournament’s knockout stages.

The lowest-ranked country in the entire competition, Kudus became the first Ghanaian to score twice in one World Cup game when he netted a brace against South Korea on Monday afternoon.

He was phenomenal throughout with both goals an indication of what he can bring to the table. The first was a glancing header from close range while the second was a sweeping finish from inside the area.

Remarakbly, those were the only two times he touched the ball inside the area with the player’s xG of 0.4 suggesting he seriously outperformed what was expected of him from his influence in the game.

Kudus, who can also play in a central area whether it be in midfield or up front, is blessed with an incredible array of attributes.

Possessing pace, power, grace and technical elegance, he is a lively threat in the final third and for those of a Liverpool persuasion, they may be wondering how he stacks again up against his competitors.

Well, football writer Rahman Osman reserved fine praise for the 22-year-old after his two goals on Monday, suggesting he was “alongside Bellingham and Musiala as the stars of the World Cup.”

Both Liverpool targets, Bellingham netted his first England goal in the rout over Iran while Musiala has been equally as impressive, registering an assist in the 1-1 draw with Spain.

Such acclaim will no doubt pique the interest of those at Anfield with Kudus’ performances in the Middle East every reason they have to complete a deal in January.

If they could beat Everton to his signing too, it will only serve to elate supporters even more.

Indeed, competition is set to be fierce but with an ageing squad, he would be the perfect addition in January for Liverpool.

Glasgow Rangers manager Giovanni van Bronckhorst is reportedly closing in on the end of his time as manager of the Scottish giants.

Football Insider recently reported that it is ‘increasingly likely’ that the Gers boss will be dismissed during the break for the 2022 World Cup after a disappointing first half of the campaign.

The Light Blues board have already held crisis talks and could now wield their axe and task Ross Wilson with finding a replacement for the Dutchman.

Charlie Nicholas claimed that former Southampton manager Ralph Hasenhuttl could be one of the “serious contenders”, alongside Sean Dyche, to replace van Bronckhorst in the dugout.

Rangers’ current manager recently came under fire from Brian Laudrup as the retired midfielder criticised the head coach’s body language on the touchline.

Speaking in the Daily Mail, via Football Scotland, former Gers man said: “With the World Cup break looming next week, it’s time for the Rangers board to think seriously about the direction of the club and the manager’s part within it.”

He added: “Van Bronckhorst has tried a lot of different things with his team and is still trying to find answers. I also look at his body language at times. Hands folded. Looking down. He doesn’t look like a manager who is certain he can turn things around. It looks almost like he has given up a little bit.

“I’m not sure if he always knows his best line-up or the best approach to games. A dressing-room can feel that. Players become insecure.”

Hasenhuttl, meanwhile, has been compared to Jurgen Klopp in the way that he behaves on the touchline as he is prone to a wild celebration, seemingly not afraid of showing his emotions in front of the crowd.

Current Southampton boss Nathan Jones praised the Austrian’s “aggressive” style and that translated into his antics on the side of the pitch, which could endear him to the Ibrox faithful in a way that they have not been able to feel towards van Bronckhorst’s downbeat demeanour.

Klopp claimed that the 55-year-old did an “exceptional” job with the Saints, as he kept them in the Premier League in each of his four seasons at the club prior to the current campaign.

The head coach had enjoyed a successful spell in Germany before moving to England. Hasenhuttl led Ingolstadt to the second division title before finishing 11th in their first season in the Bundesliga, before earning himself a move to RB Leipzig where he finished second and sixth in the table.

This shows that he is adaptable as a manager as he has proven that he can manage in two major European leagues and that he can achieve relative success at the top and the bottom of the table, which is why he could be able to adapt to managing the expectations at Rangers.

Therefore, his managerial ability and the engagement he could get from supporters who have been seeing a reserved van Bronckhorst could make him an excellent alternative to the Dutchman, which is why Wilson must look at a reunion with the tactician he worked with at St. Mary’s.

Former Premier League striker and Sky Sports pundit Kevin Campbell has backed Newcastle United in their pursuit of Villarreal winger Nicolas Jackson.

The Lowdown: Newcastle interest

As per The Daily Mail, the St. James’ Park outfit are just one of a number of clubs in the Premier League eyeing a potential move for Jackson in the January transfer window.

They have been following his progress in recent months, but will face competition from both Everton and Aston Villa for his signature, as well as FC Barcelona.

Jackson’s contract at Villarreal runs out in the summer, meaning that he could be sold for a cut-price in January, at the risk of the Yellow Submarine losing him on a free transfer.

The Latest: Campbell backs move

Speaking to Football Insider, Campbell has claimed that adding a player of Jackson’s ‘quality’ in January ‘would be great’ for Eddie Howe’s side, as it would strengthen their chances of finishing in the top four come the end of the season:

“Newcastle could be big players in the market place come January.

“Now they find themselves in the top four, this is the time to strengthen. That would be the right way to think.

“Adding a player of quality to your squad like Nicholas Jackson would be great. It would be a smart move. It is essential to add goals to your squad and he would do that.

“I’m sure he will be one of many names floating around. Newcastle have been taking their time with transfers. The key is to get it right.”

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The Verdict: Get it done

Jackson would certainly give Howe another quality option in his forward line, should the Magpies be able to get a deal done.

Capable of playing on the wing, the 21-year-old has also impressed in a centre-forward position, as he has not missed a single match yet so far this term, scoring three goals and making two assists (Transfermarkt).

Lauded as a player with ‘bags of potential‘ by journalist Ashley Preece, Jackson received his first call-up to the Senegal national team in September, and was an unused substitute in international friendlies against Bolivia and Iran (Transfermarkt).

He will be hoping to get his first caps during the FIFA World Cup in Qatar, so the Toon Army should be looking to keep tabs on his performances throughout the tournament.