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According to TEAMtalk, Tottenham have joined the hunt for Birmingham’s in-form hotshot Che Adams, along with a number of other clubs who have taken a keen interest in signing the Championship marksman.

What’s the word, then?

Well, Adams is currently enjoying the season of his life right now, and his form has not gone unnoticed.

The 22-year-old has hit 19 goals in 29 Championship starts so far this season, as well as recording three assists, with his form a large reason for Birmingham’s unlikely push for the play-off positions – they are just seven points away right now, with plenty more games still left to play.

Spurs’ north London rivals Arsenal along with Manchester United have also been credited with an interest in signing the English forward, whilst Burnley and Southampton saw bids rebuffed for Adams in the January window and Celtic and Watford have scouted the goal machine recently (as per The Mirror).

Do Spurs really need Adams?

Given the fact that Mauricio Pochettino hasn’t made a single signing over the last two transfer windows, one would only assume that there isn’t too much money to spend at the club – the debts from the construction of the new White Hart Lane may also be a contributing factor.

In that respect, the aforementioned TEAMtalk article states that Birmingham want £20m for Adams, which could be a lot for Spurs right now. Is it really worth splashing that much on a player who will only be used as Harry Kane’s understudy?

You may argue that Pochettino needs another forward, but we have seen by Heung-min Son’s blistering form and Fernando Llorente’s resurgence in the absence of Kane that there are plenty of players at the club who can step up in a time of need.

Perhaps any money afforded to Pochettino by Daniel Levy should be spent on a new right-back, as all three of Kyle Walker-Peters, Kieran Trippier and Serge Aurier have failed to nail down a place in the team on a consistent basis.

With Fabian Delph’s career slowly winding down, it’s easy to forget that the midfielder actually came through the academy system at Leeds United, and that it was at Elland Road where he really made his breakthrough into senior football.

All in all, he played 58 times for the Whites, before earning a high-profile £6m move to Villa in the summer of 2009.

His time at Villa Park saw him establish himself as a really Premier League quality midfielder, and it was no surprise that he eventually earned a call-up to the England squad, earning the first of his 20 senior caps back in September 2014 under Roy Hodgson.

But perhaps just like he might have seen Leeds, Delph used Villa as a stepping stone to bigger and betting things, with the club captain making a £8m move to Manchester City in the summer 0f 2015 – just a week after insisting he would stay put in the Midlands.

In his time at the Etihad, he won the Premier League twice in 2018 and 2019, and won four domestic cups too (one FA Cup and three League Cups).

It was no surprise to hear Pep Guardiola rave about him whilst the pair were both at the Etihad, hailing his role and influence behind-the-scenes.

The City boss said: “He gives us character. He is a real leader in the locker room, Fabian Delph. That’s why I always give credit to the players for what they do.”

He added: “Some guys, they only want to play in one position, ‘in the other one I am not comfortable’, so he’s a guy who always tries to help. Last season we didn’t play always with his voice in our locker room, so I am so satisfied, so happy for him. Especially for him.”

After slowly being phased out of the City first-team picture, Delph eventually made his way to Everton, where injuries have continued to blight him – he’s played just 36 times for the Toffees since arriving at Goodison Park.

And, with his contract coming to an end in the summer, he looks set for an exit, and there may be doubts over whether another Premier League club chooses to pick him up on a free transfer.

But with a total of seven trophies to his name – all achieved at City – it’s fair to say Delph has enjoyed a fine career since leaving Elland Road.

AND in other news – Leeds must finally offload £15k-p/w outcast who last played at Elland Road in 2018

Ally McCoist has laughed off Sir Kenny Dalglish’s claims that Rangers are under more pressure than Celtic going into this weekend’s Scottish Cup semi-final.

The Lowdown: Dalglish ranks up mind games

The Hoops take on their biggest adversaries at Hampden Park on Sunday afternoon, in what promises to be another nerve-wracking encounter.

Ange Postecoglou’s side picked up a massive 2-1 win at Ibrox in the Scottish Premiership earlier this month, pulling six points clear at the top in the process.

That prompted Celtic legend Dalglish to claim that Rangers are under more pressure to get the win this weekend, as he cranked up the mind games.

The Latest: McCoist responds

Speaking on talkSPORT [via The Daily Record], McCoist laughed off his former Scotland colleague’s comments, refusing to agree with his opinion:

“I was at the last league game at Ibrox when Celtic won 2-1. Celtic defended really, really well to be honest with you and probably looked more dangerous.

“Rangers have got everything to play for – and so have Celtic! I love the fact we say there’s more pressure on Rangers, these games are unbelievable, they really are.

“I can let Kenny off, because he’s the best, because he’s Kenny!”

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The Verdict: King Kenny is right

In typical Dalglish fashion, he is correct here, without Rangers undoubtedly under more pressure because of the current state of the league table.

If Celtic lose, they will still be the overriding favourites to clinch the title, which would act as a far better achievement than cup glory next month.

On the flip side, defeat for Rangers would hugely increase the chance of them going the entire season without a trophy, giving Hoops fans even more bragging rights after the recent result, especially with a treble still on offer.

In other news, Ange Postecoglou wants a Celtic signing done as soon as possible. Read more here.

Matt Clarke, Alex Mowatt and Andy Carroll were the standout performers as West Brom pulled off an impressive 2-0 victory at home to AFC Bournemouth. 

The Baggies kept their faint playoff hopes alive with a crucial three points at a stage of the season where only wins will suffice if Steve Bruce’s side are going to make a late dash for the Championship top six.

Two early goals were enough for the home side at The Hawthorns as Mowatt opened the scoring after eight minutes before Carroll cooly doubled the lead just four minutes later – the veteran striker’s second goal since joining the club in January.

According to Sofascore, there were three players who stood out as West Brom’s most influential on the night – could this spine drive Bruce’s side towards a sneaky play-off berth?

Clarke 7.8/10

The 25-year-old full-back was at the heart of this performance and produced a defensive masterclass to keep the automatic promotion-chasing Cherries at bay.

Clarke provided seven clearances, two blocked shots, four interceptions and three tackles – winning 6/9 (67%) of his duels overall up against Ryan Christie and Jefferson Lerma.

Mowatt 7.7/10

This was yet another strong performance from the midfielder who has so often been West Brom’s leading light this season.

Early goal aside, the 27-year-old was a key figure in the midfield and ended the match having made two key passes, winning 2/4 (50%) duels and with a pass completion tally of 20/24 (83%).

Carroll 7.8/10

So often the figure of angst, Carroll repaid the faith shown in him by Bruce in the absence of Karlan Grant with a display packed full of all the qualities needed to act as a focal point in attack.

The 33-year-old former Newcastle United star made two clearances and two interceptions in defence to add to a successful tally of 12/21 duels (57%) – winning eight in the air.

In other news, Premier League club sent scout to watch West Brom ace. Read more here.

Newcastle United’s new owners made no bones about diving into the transfer market at their first opportunity during the previous January window, bringing several new faces to St James’ Park and spending a significant amount of money in doing so.

However, as happens with almost all clubs, they don’t always end up signing every player with whom they are linked.

Indeed, it seems as though the Tynesiders have been dealt a potential setback regarding their pursuit of one player with whom they were linked in January and who will be very familiar to many Toon supporters.

What’s the talk?

Speaking to Football FanCast, journalist and transfer insider Pete O’Rourke was talking about Newcastle’s reported interest in re-signing Georginio Wijnaldum during the previous transfer window and their chances of securing him this summer.

He said: “Newcastle were interested in Wijnaldum in January, they did look at him, but the player decided to stay at PSG with them competing in the Champions League. It’s been a real disappointing spell for Wijnaldum since his arrival at the French club from Liverpool, just hasn’t had a real run in the side, not being able to show his best.

“But as you said, if [Mauricio] Pochettino was to leave and a new manager comes into PSG, it offers a clean slate to all the players are including Wijnaldum, so he might sit and wait and see what happens at PSG before deciding his future.” 

During his spell with Newcastle in the 2015/16 season, the midfielder – who is currently picking up £180k-per-week according to Salary Sport – made 40 appearances across all competitions, scoring 11 goals and providing five assists along the way.

His performances in the league during his one season with the Magpies earned the Dutchman an overall rating of 6.81/10 from WhoScored, making him their fourth-highest rated outfield player and highlighting how important he was for them before departing for Liverpool in the summer of 2016.

Labelled a “sensational” player by Jurgen Klopp, Wijnaldum would presumably be a very welcome addition back to his former club, and it could upset a lot of Magpies fans if they don’t get to see him back on the pitch at St James’ Park again.

Taking into account what O’Rourke had to say, it seems as though Newcastle will have to play the waiting game in regards to what the former Toon star does at his current club, which means they will either have to be patient over potentially signing him again or else just move on and look at other possible targets.

In other news: Big twist emerges on £27m-rated Newcastle-linked “golden boy”, PIF will be buzzing

Tottenham have allegedly reached an agreement with Fiorentina for midfielder Sofyan Amrabat.

The Lowdown: Amrabat profiled

Amrabat is a Morocco international who is primarily a defensive midfielder who can also play in a central role.

The 25-year-old is valued at £8.1m by Transfermarkt and has made 45 appearances for the Serie A side after joining back in 2020.

He’s been missing in Fiorentina’s last four league outings and is yet to contribute to a goal for his current employers, with a move to Antonio Conte’s side now looking likely before Monday’s deadline.

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The Latest: Agreement reached

According to Corriere Fiorentino, relayed by Sports Witness, Amrabat is ‘more than happy’ to move to Spurs and it will happen ‘barring surprises’.

Conte and Fabio Paratici both ‘rate’ the midfielder, with an ‘agreement reached’ between the two clubs.

It seems as if Tanguy Ndombele has to leave the club first, though, with the report claiming the Frenchman is ‘blocking’ a transfer being finalised.

The Verdict: Needed

Spurs are in desperate need of reinforcements in the final days of the window and have ultimately wasted a lot of time on pursuing Adama Traore, who is in Barcelona ahead of a loan move.

They also look set to miss out on Luis Diaz, so it’s good news that a move for Amrabat is all but sealed, providing Ndombele can seal a move away from north London.

He now looks set to become the club’s third defensive midfielder on the books alongside Oliver Skipp and Harry Winks, so it’ll be interesting to see how Conte uses Amrabat in the second half of the season.

In other news: Spurs now preparing last-gasp bid to sign ‘special’ player who could leave for just £14m. 

Ashley Preece has corroborated reports of Aston Villa being interested in Leeds United midfielder Kalvin Phillips. 

The lowdown

Jonathan Northcroft of The Times claimed in March that Villa were ‘leading the race’ to sign Phillips.

And transfer insider Dean Jones has since described him as Steven Gerrard’s ‘number one target in that area of the field’.

Phillips is approaching the final two years of his contract with The Whites, the only senior side he’s played for.

Manchester United could compete with Villa with his signature, with the MEN reporting that they’ve already begun working on a move.

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The latest

A supporter asked Preece in a Birmingham Live Q & A whether there is ‘any truth’ in the links.

The journalist replied that ‘Villa’s interest in real’ and that ‘they have been quoted £60million’ by Leeds.

His personal prediction is that Phillips will remain at Elland Road ‘for at least another season’, but it remains to be seen as and when The Villans test the waters with a bid.

The verdict

To emphasise just how a big signing this could be, let’s look at Villa’s existing transfer record.

The most they’ve ever paid to sign a player is £34.6million. That’s what it took to sign Emiliano Buendia from Norwich City last summer.

If Villa cave to Leeds’ demands here, and they might have to given the competition, they could nearly double that benchmark.

It’s clear that Gerrard wants to sign a midfielder this summer, with Preece noting that the likes of Ibrahim Sangare, Boubacar Kamara and Geoffrey Kondogbia have all been considered too. But Phillips, an ‘extraordinary’ talent in the eyes of former England boss Fabio Capello, has the advantage of Premier League experience.

In other news, read this journalist’s reaction to a big Villa transfer update.

Everton made five new signings during the January transfer window, along with appointing a new manager in Frank Lampard in an effort to turn the tide on their poor season, and now the club could already be getting ahead in their summer transfer window plans.

What’s the word?

According to MailOnline, Everton have been handed a boost in their pursuit of Bayern Munich star Thomas Muller.

The report comes as the Germany forward gave an interview to Bild, confirming that no talks have been opened to extend his contract as he said: “No one has ever approached me from the club. So you have to see what the future will bring.”

The 32-year-old will be out of contract next summer, and as per the report from MailOnline, he has been recently linked with a move to Everton and Newcastle United.

James Rodriguez upgrade

Muller has had a phenomenal career with his boyhood club Bayern Munich, winning an impressive 29 trophies, scoring 223 goals and supplying 238 assists during his time in the first team.

Even at 32 years of age, the attacker – who was dubbed a “natural talent” by his former Germany coach Joachim Löw – has scored nine goals and set up another 20 for his team-mates in just 29 appearances already this season, proving that he is still hugely impactful for and important to the Bundesliga side.

The attacking output Muller has achieved in the current campaign alone would be a huge upgrade for Everton in their current situation, and an upgrade on James Rodriguez, who left Goodison Park earlier this season after an enigmatic spell on Merseyside.

Having scored three times in his first four games for the club, the Colombian added just three more in his subsequent 22 appearances before quitting for Al-Rayyan in Qatar. Contrast that with the aforementioned consistency which Muller has provided at Bayern and there is really no comparison between the two players.

The arrival of Chelsea legend Lampard should help Everton to attract players, and it could be the difference in the Toffees making the incredible signing of the £250k-p/w gem ahead of Newcastle, thanks to the duo’s with each other during their respective playing careers.

The German goal machine has been effusive in his praise for the Toffees manager’s success as a player, telling The Athletic: “He was a super player. He played practical football. He was a player I can really relate to.”

Muller would definitely add a huge layer of experience and leadership to an Everton team which seems to be lacking in confidence due to a series of poor performances this season, leaving them 16th in the Premier League table and just four points off the relegation zone.

In other news: Everton have been dealt an injury blow ahead of Lampard’s first game in charge

According to Roshane Thomas of The Athletic, West Ham have opened negotiations with Tomas Soucek over a new four-year contract.

The Lowdown: Soucek impressing at West Ham

The Czech Republic international arrived at West Ham in January 2020, joining on loan from Slavia Prague.

The initial £4m loan fee looked like an absolute bargain as he continued to impress for the Hammers. As a result, the Irons enacted the option to make the deal permanent with a £15m fee, and the midfielder signed a contract until the summer of 2024.

Soucek has played an integral part in David Moyes’ side since his arrival in east London, illustrated by being voted by Hammers fans as the club’s player of the year last season.

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The Latest: Soucek contract negotiations

Thomas reported for The Athletic that West Ham have opened negotiations with the 26-year-old over a new deal, posting a link to the article via Twitter with the accompanying text of: “EXCL: Tomas Soucek in talks with West Ham over new four-year contract.”

Soucek is entering into the final two years of his current contract, and the club are eager to tie him down for his prime years with another long-term deal.

The Verdict: Get it done

Despite a dip in form this season, having supplied just one assist in the Premier League, West Ham fans will surely be delighted to see Soucek remain at the club for years to come, if he can agree to a contract extension.

West Ham vice-captain Declan Rice has sung his team-mate’s praises, proclaiming him as an “unbelievable” player, while former Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjær last year described Soucek as ‘a goal threat’ and ‘a physical threat’ who a ‘good player’ for Moyes’ ‘strong squad’.

With a current market valuation of £40.5m, it is imperative that the club are able to tie Soucek down for the long-term, especially with the heavy interest sniffing around midfield partner Rice during January.

In other news: These Hammers fans were in meltdown over a revelation from ExWHUemployee

As per Football Insider, Tottenham Hotspur are lining up a move to bring Brentford midfielder Christen Eriksen back to North London in the summer transfer window. 

The lowdown: The show must go on…

Following a cardiac arrest at Euro 2020, Eriksen was unable to play for Inter Milan in Serie A and a stellar career was in danger of being prematurely cut short.

However, following a spell training with former club Ajax, the 30-year-old was signed by Thomas Frank at Brentford during the January window as a free agent.

Since then, the creative Dane has made an instant impact in the Premier League and made a successful return to the international fold, heightening speculation over a possible major summer move…

The latest: Spurs eyeing reunion

According to a recruitment source at FI, Tottenham are believed to be ‘keeping tabs’ on Eriksen ahead of a swoop at the end of the season.

It’s claimed that the Lilywhites are ‘among’ a host of English top-flight clubs monitoring the 111-cap Denmark star who was once hailed as ‘special’ by Mauricio Pochettino.

Set to become a free agent in July when a short term deal expires at Brentford, ex-Inter Milan boss Antonio Conte could reunite with Eriksen at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium having selected the creative ace on 60 occasions whilst together in Italy.

The verdict: Make it happen

Sentiment aside, the Dane’s quality has been evident for all to see by his sensational return to football and bringing him back to Tottenham for free would be a superb piece of business by recruitment chief Fabio Paratici.

Since signing for Brentford, Eriksen has scored once and provided two assists in six outings – earning an outstanding 7.47 average SofaScore rating in the process, making three big chances, producing 1.8 key passes a game and delivering 37.5 (81%) accurate passes on average per appearance.

Not only a player of undoubted ability, but the three-time Danish Footballer of the Year also possesses unrivalled experience that would be of great benefit to Conte’s fledgling squad as the Italian looks to take Spurs to the next stage of their development.

In other news: Tottenham legend lauds current Spurs regular, find out more here.