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Arsenal are now rivalling Tottenham Hotspur to sign a “truly fantastic” midfielder, but it could take a huge bid to get a deal done this month.

Gunners looking to sign midfielder despite Zubimendi's fine form

Martin Zubimendi has adapted remarkably well to life in the Premier League since arriving in the summer, and Declan Rice recently praised his midfield partner, saying: “He’s not the biggest player or the strongest, but his brain, the way it works, allows the team to function in such a good way.

“He’s been unreal. He’s played so many minutes for us, the way he gets on the ball, obviously he’s Spain’s No.6 at the minute and rightly so, you see the quality he brings, the calmness, the composure, the way he thinks.”

Rice has also remained a key player for Mikel Arteta, and the Englishman’s brace against AFC Bournemouth last time out could be priceless in the Premier League title race, with the north Londoners now six points clear of Manchester City, after a late Chelsea equaliser.

Although Arteta is blessed with some top-quality options in the middle of the park, Arsenal have now set their sights on another midfielder, according to a report from TEAMtalk, which reveals they have joined the race to sign AZ Alkmaar star Kees Smit.

A whole host of Premier League clubs are in the race for the central midfielder, including Tottenham, Chelsea and Liverpool, with a scout saying: “He is a very clever footballer, many clubs actually thought they had spotted a player that others might not be aware of, but it has become apparent in recent months that everyone is watching him.”

However, should the Gunners be keen to get a deal done this month, they may need to make a huge bid, as there is a belief Smit’s current employers could hold out for as much as £65m.

Related Contact made: Arsenal leading Man Utd in race for "unstoppable" £61m star

The Gunners have made an approach to sign an attacker.

Posts ByDominic Lund "Truly fantastic" Smit is destined for the Premier League

Scout Jacek Kulig has admired the 19-year-old for quite some time, taking to X to commend his performances for AZ Alkmaar during the 2024-25 campaign.

Since then, the young Dutchman, who is represented by the same agent as Jurrien Timber, has continued to impress for Alkmaar, chipping in with two goals and five assists in 27 matches across all competitions this season, having established himself as an important player.

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The starlet is also a skilled dribbler of the ball, who is capable of driving the ball forward, averaging 2.38 progressive carries per 90 over the past year, which places him in the 94th percentile, compared to other midfielders.

The next logical step is for Smit to move to one of Europe’s top leagues, but signing a new midfielder shouldn’t be a priority for Arsenal, given the partnership Rice and Zubimendi have formed.

Tottenham are set to hold talks over signing a highly-rated AC Milan transfer target this week as Thomas Frank looks to bolster his options this month.

Tottenham set for January transfer spend amid Frank pressure

Following a dismal run of just three wins from their last 11 games in all competitions, pressure is mounting on Frank with the Champions League places growing further out of reach.

A lot can happen between now and May, with just seven points separating 13th from 4th in what is an increasingly tight battle for Europe, but Spurs quite simply need inspiration from somewhere amid their lacklustre spell.

The sale of Brennan Johnson — last season’s top goalscorer and Europa League final hero — for around £35 million has also left Frank even more bereft of star attacking options as we head into the second half of 2025/2026.

Tottenham’s lack of creativity in the final third has been a key theme of their struggles throughout the campaign, but Johnson wasn’t fancied by Frank after the arrival of star winger Mohammed Kudus last summer.

Spurs did make an approach to Antoine Semenyo and tabled an attractive offer, according to journalist David Ornstein, but the Ghanaian politely snubbed their advances in favour of a move to Man City.

Related Tottenham now in 'advanced talks' to sign 'maverick' West Ham star

The Hammers are open to selling.

Posts 3 ByEmilio Galantini

With both James Maddison and Dejan Kulusevski still sidelined, and Kudus’ knock against Sunderland adding to their shortage of depth in attack, Spurs’ mission to sign a new attacker must surely take centre stage.

However, there is another key target on their agenda — Santos left-back Souza.

The highly-rated Brazilian was subject to a rejected offer from Spurs this window, but according to journalist Eduardo Burgos, the Lilywhites are by no means giving up in their chase for him.

Tottenham to hold fresh Souza talks this week as second bid prepared

Sharing a fresh update this afternoon, Burgos took to X and shared news that Tottenham will hold fresh talks to sign Souza “this week”.

A second offer for the 19-year-old is also being prepared by the north Londoners, who saw an opening offer of around £8.5 million turned down.

Souza made 29 appearances for Santos last season, bagging a goal and two assists from left-back, and the teenager has been impressing in South America for quite some time.

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Como first-team scout Ben Mattinson has publicly branded Souza an ‘outstanding’ left-back with a ‘balanced’ profile, as well as a ‘quality delivery’ from out-wide.

AC Milan and BlueCo are also reportedly targeting Souza, according to Burgos at least, so it is clear just how highly-rated he is among elite club circles, with Spurs now looking to steal a march on them.

Related Big Johnson upgrade: Spurs make "incredible" £28m talent a new top target

Tottenham are preparing to sign a Brennan Johnson replacement in the transfer market.

Posts ByAngus Sinclair

Oxford United are now reportedly considering a move to hire a former Premier League manager to replace Gary Rowett.

John Terry delivers Oxford United verdict

The Championship side have been on the hunt for a manager ever since they sacked Rowett exactly one week ago. With one win in 10 games, Oxford were left with no choice but to commence their search for a new name and attempt the great escape out of the bottom three.

Releasing a statement confirming Rowett’s dismissal, chairman Grant Ferguson, said: “Gary joined during a challenging period and deserves immense credit for the hard work and leadership that saw us retain our Championship status last season.

“However, following a disappointing run of results, we have had to take this difficult decision in the best interests of the Club. On behalf of the Board, I would like to place on record our thanks to Gary and Mark for their contribution to the Football Club and to wish them all the best for the future.”

Currently sat three points adrift of safety having played one game more than teams above them, the U’s can ill-afford to get their next appointment wrong and have already reportedly looked towards Chelsea legend John Terry. The former Premier League defender has already ruled himself out of taking his first job in the dugout, however.

Terry’s verdict leaves Oxford back to square one on the hunt for their next manager. The last thing they need is to waste any time in their search too, with fixtures coming thick and fast.

With that said, reports are now claiming that the U’s are now considering a move to hire a former Premier League manager who has more than enough experience for the job.

Oxford United considering Steve Bruce move

According to former U’s manager Mick Brown, Oxford are now considering a move to hire Steve Bruce to replace Rowett. The veteran manager has been out of a job since leaving Blackpool in October, but could be set for a return to the dugout courtesy of those at the Kassam Stadium.

Brown told Football Insider: “He’s still got a good reputation and he’s got a lot of experience in the Championship, keeping clubs up and getting other promoted, it’s been a long career.

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“He’s gone from one club to another in the Championship and the lower leagues. That could be valuable for Oxford because he has got that experience at this level.

“The issue there is, there comes a time when he stops being capable of doing the things he’s built his reputation on, and you saw that when he left Blackpool.”

The 64-year-old has taken charge of the likes of Newcastle United and Aston Villa in the Premier League and is no stranger to Championship football. Whether Oxford decide to make their move remains to be seen, however.

Scorecard

Chris Cairns’ 26-ball 70 ended any hopes of a win for the Mumbai Champs © Cricinfo Ltd

Coming into this match, the Mumbai Champs had lost their previous three games, and when Chris Cairns hit Avinash Yadav for three consecutive sixes, their hopes of a first win started evaporating.Cairns, the Lions captain, opted to bat first and his top order responded with a brisk start, the run-rate at exactly ten an over after nine overs had been bowled.Imran Farhat powered that start with five fours in his 34, with No. 3 Tejindra Pal Singh making 27. Cairns then joined Manish Sharma at the crease in the 13th over, and dazzled the Sunday crowd with a show of brute big-hitting. After Shridhar Iyer conceded 13 in the 14th over, 20 apiece were added to the bowling figures of Yadav and Rakesh Patel.With seven sixes, Cairns was the destroyer-in-chief, and having scored 70 with almost three overs to go, he looked on course to get a hundred. However, he fell to compatriot Nathan Astle while attempting to clear the boundary once more.Manish Sharma’s unbeaten 37 off 22 deliveries was overshadowed by Cairns’ 70 off 26, as the Lions finished on 219, by far the highest total in the tournament thus far.The Champs showed their intent by sending out their two most accomplished batsmen – Brian Lara and Nathan Astle – to deal grapple with the target of 220. Astle fell in the fifth over to Love Ablish, while Lara’s series of single-digit scores continued as he was dismissed for 9.Vikram Solanki didn’t last long either and it was left to Dheeraj Jadhav and Kiran Powar to try their luck. The duo responded with fifties, but Cairns’ belligerence had left with a little too much than what they could manage. The Champs finished 38 runs short of the Lions total, on a day of high-scoring matches in Panchkula.

Younis Khan pulled this one safely © AFP

To pull or not to pull? It is one of the more intriguing questions batsmen face. By choosing to take on the short ball, the intent is admirably purposeful. Never the shy, retiring type, Viv Richards said of the hook, a first cousin of the pull, “The fast bowler is testing your courage and your speed of reaction and you are trying to hit him either to, or over the boundary. You are telling the bully with the ball that you are not scared of anything he can send down at you.”It’s a fair point, for batsmen would much rather be accused of being compulsive hookers or pullers than being known for shuffling away to square leg when confronted by a short ball. Richards also likened hooking to riding a “roller coaster of risk,” and it is that risk which was rammed home to Pakistan today.Pakistan weren’t blown away by a short-ball barrage, as many had feared they might be. But they were hustled out by a judicious use of it. Three batsmen fell playing poor pulls, two of whom had been at the crease long enough to know better.Yasir Hameed and Younis Khan are not the two Y’s who normally put on big third-wicket partnerships for Pakistan but they had batted serenely enough to disentangle their side from a tricky position. As always, Younis let everyone know he was there; he clapped his own partner, nodded at bowlers who beat him, cheerily acknowledged fielders who athletically cut off his strokes and acknowledged his own shots, too.Hameed it was who appeared changed. It’s been 18 months since he last played a Test for Pakistan and longer since he was a regular. Not all of it was his own fault, for he was once dropped the match after scoring two fifties as opener in a Sydney Test. He had faults sure, chasing outside off with a relentlessness not seen since Smokey followed the Bandit. Gone was the urgency, the of his early years, replaced instead by an unsmiling grimness. If his shots weren’t so pretty, you’d be tempted to call him a grinder. But the timing remains, evidenced in a drive or two and a ridiculously good flicked six over square leg.Both knocks ended badly, as did Faisal Iqbal’s short stay immediately after, the three taking Richards advice gleefully, though not perhaps balancing it with that element of risk the great man pointed out as an afterthought.Mind you, the wickets weren’t pure freebies; they were just reward for the hosts. South Africa lacked a little fizz, perhaps understandably hungover from the monumental effort required to beat India. Nobody could blame them for that Test ended less than a week ago and by the time this one ends, it will be their fourth in a month.Bob Woolmer rightly complained about ‘nonsensical’ schedules which allow sides little time to acclimatize but South Africa might also back up the grievance in a different context: there just isn’t enough time for fast bowlers to rest. Shaun Pollock and Makhaya Ntini bowled over a hundred overs each in the series against India and Andre Nel would have done comfortably had he played the last Test. Allan Donald advocating resting one or two key bowlers at some stage is increasingly sounding like sound, sagely advice.Yet, as you would expect of bowlers as wholehearted as this trio, they collectively muscled through the day, bowling 56 overs between them. Ntini hustled, Nel bristled and Pollock plotted, to lesser degrees than you might expect admittedly, but they eventually turned what could have been a long, flat day into a surprisingly profitable one. Run-rates never got out of hand, even during the afternoon session when no wickets fell, the fielding rarely lagged and the day ended just about in even balance.Pakistan, though, might rue not finding a balance between the bravado Viv Richards trumpeted and what another decent bat once suggested. Swaying out of the way, David Gower once wrote, avoiding the short ball can often “be more disconcerting to the bowler than attacking him…you commit the bowler to a growing sense of frustration, a loss of temper or control, or a change of tactics, which must work to your advantage.”

The final of the inaugural Twenty20 competition between New South Wales and Victoria will be played at the North Sydney Oval on Saturday January 21. Tickets for the clash, which are expected to be snapped up fairly quickly, go on sale today.”More than 115,000 people have attended domestic and international Twenty20 matches in the past week, and we expect the final of the KFC Twenty20 Big Bash to be just as popular,” James Sutherland, Cricket Australia’s CEO, told reporters. “Australians have responded incredibly to the Twenty20 Big Bash and the excitement that comes with this new format of the sport.”Matthew Nicholson, the NSW captain, welcomed the announcement. “The atmosphere at our last game at North Sydney Oval was awesome. The players are really enjoying playing this form of cricket and that comes back to the atmosphere at the game and the noise and interaction between the players and the crowd. That has got the players pretty pumped.”Cameron White, his opposite number, was equally bullish. “The players enjoy Twenty20 cricket just as much as the fans and we can’t wait to put on a great show.”Tickets available through ticketek on 132 849 or via www.tickettek.com.au

Western Province 228 and 192 for 2 (Daniel 94*, Tharanga 40) trail North Central Province 607 for 9 dec (Gunawardene 209, Kalavitigoda 59, Jayawardene 51, Dilshan 134, Vaas 5-98) by 187 runs
Scorecard

Tillakaratne Dilshan: 134 for North Central Province© Getty Images

Tillakaratne Dilshan added a cultured 134 to Avishka Gunawardene’s double-century yesterday as North Central Province piled up a huge total on the third day at the Sinhalese Sports Club. Mahela Jayawardene called a halt when Dilshan was finally out, after stroking 18 fours and two sixes, with the score at 607 – a lead of 379. Chaminda Vaas was again the only bowler to exert any control, and finished with 5 for 98, excellent figures in the circumstances. Ian Daniel and Michael Vandort reduced the arrears by 95 before Vandort was trapped in front by Chanaka Welegedara for 29. Daniel then added 86 with Upul Tharanga, whose 40 included seven fours. Daniel was unbeaten at the close, in sight of his eighth first-class century – but Western Province are still 187 behind going into the final day.Southern Province 336 and 264 for 2 (Vithana 103, Polonowita 124*) lead Central Province 265 (Fernando 64, Kandamby 144) by 335 runs
ScorecardSouthern Province took command on the third day of their match at the Asgiriya Stadium in Kandy, building a lead of 335 by the close, mainly thanks to a second-wicket partnership of 223 between Harsha Vithana, who made 103, and Anushka Polonowita, who added an unbeaten 134 to his first-innings 65. They came together after the early loss of Marvan Atapattu for his second single-figure score of the match. Earlier Thilina Kandamby took his overnight score to a career-best 144 as Central stretched their first innings to 265.

Matthew Hoggard has set his sights on an England recall for the third Test against South Africa, which begins at Trent Bridge on August 14.Hoggard, who suffered a torn knee cartilage at the end of May, has missed six weeks of cricket so far this season. But he has been given the all-clear to play for Yorkshire in the next fortnight, and as he told Channel 4, he can’t wait to get back into the England frame.”I’ve been pencilled in for my first game in the next couple of weeks," said Hoggard, "and I’ve already been bowling off a shortened run in the nets. I have had to go back and realign my feet again to stop them crossing over and stop it happening again, but I’m hopeful of playing again soon and I hope to jog the selectors’ minds in the next two or three weeks.”Hoggard was England’s bowler of the season in 2002, when he took 28 wickets in seven Tests against Sri Lanka and India. But his stock fell during a difficult Ashes series, and he was a spectator throughout the subsequent World Cup. Given the start England’s bowlers have made to the current Test, however, Hoggard will fancy his chances of a recall.

Sherwin Campbell is not too worried about his recent run ofdepressing form or about whispers that his position asBarbados captain could be under threat.The former West Indies opening batsman and vice-captain hasnot made any substantial runs since returning to competitivecricket in late September after a three-month lay-offbecause of a shoulder injury.Of course if you are not scoring runs you will think aboutit, but I am trying not to think about it too much, he toldNATIONSPORT.I am just trying to remain positive all the time and alwaysthink about the next score around the corner.Campbell’s comments came after the second Busta Series trialmatch last weekend in which he was dismissed in singledigits to fast bowler Fidel Edwards in both innings.It comes down to spending some time in the nets, he said.I haven’t been batting as long as I would want in themiddle. I need to get long practices and spend a lot of timegetting my feet moving again.He has even considered other options, and engaged intapeball cricket in Black Rock last week.In recent weeks, rumours have surfaced that Campbell,Barbados’ captain for the past year, could be replaced fornext year’s Busta Series by either of former Barbadosskippers Philo Wallace or Courtney Browne or former WestIndies youth captain Ryan Hinds.You have heard talk going around about the captaincy andthis and that, Campbell said. It has not affected me.I captained in the Red Stripe Bowl this year and I thought Idid a fairly good job. I am not too worried about thecaptaincy at the moment.He said his priority is to get some runs under his belt, andhe does not believe that it is a case of trying to prove apoint to the selectors.I’ve been playing for Barbados for a number of years andI’ve played for the West Indies as well.I am not new to this game. The selectors should know myability by now.Campbell, however, acknowledged that no player’s place inany team is ever certain.If you are playing cricket, you always think about yourplace in any team, he said.You’re always looking to get a score to keep your name inthe selectors’ minds and to keep yourself in the team. Thosethings come across your mind, but you try not to focus onthose things.In spite of his modest performances during last month’s RedStripe Bowl and the latter phase of the Courts SuzukiDivision 1 championship, he does not agree with those whofeel he is past his best.I am still quite a young man and I feel I still have a lotleft in me, said Campbell, who turned 31 on November 1.I am sure that there is still a lot of cricket left in me toplay. I still reckon that I can score and score consistentlyfor a while to come.Campbell was the West Indies’ most consistent opener a fewyears ago, but lost his place after the tour of Australiathat ended last January. In 51 Tests, he has scored 2 856runs at an average of 32.82.

Liverpool are interested in signing exciting Barcelona teenager Gavi in the summer, according to a fresh transfer rumour.

The Lowdown: Gavi bursts onto the scene

The 17-year-old has emerged as arguably one of the most prodigious young players in world football, coming through Barca’s academy to become a key first-team player.

Gavi has already made 33 appearances for the La Liga giants, registering five assists and scoring twice in that time, also being hailed as ‘spectacular’ by his manager Xavi.

The Spaniard’s current deal expires in the summer of 2023, so Barca are running out of time to tie him down to a new contract.

The Latest: Liverpool linked with move for Gavi

According to Mundo Deportivo [via Sport Witness], Gavi’s current contract situation is described as ‘stranded’, with Liverpool one of the clubs ‘interested in his case’.

Manchester United, Bayern Munich and Paris Saint-Germain are also mentioned in the report, although it is stated that the midfielder ‘does not consider anything’ other than staying at Barca currently.

[web_stories_embed url=”https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/web-stories/latest-liverpool-transfer-news-23/” title=”Latest Liverpool transfer news!” poster=”” width=”360″ height=”600″ align=”none”]

The Verdict: Barca unlikely to sell

While Gavi could be a magnificent signing for Liverpool, given his amazing potential – Demetrio Albertini has compared him to Italy legend Francesco Totti – it really is difficult to see him leaving Barca any time soon.

At 17, he will surely continue to develop at his boyhood club in the same manner as his current boss, forging a special career for himself at the Camp Nou in the process.

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In an ideal world, Gavi would be in a Liverpool shirt next season, but much like the Reds selling their own teenage star in Harvey Elliott at this point in his career, it is almost impossible to see such a transfer developing.

In other news, a key Mohamed Salah update has emerged. Read more here.