Tottenham Hotspur rejected formal enquiries from Premier League rivals Chelsea and Aston Villa for midfielder Lucas Bergvall during the January transfer window.

Unwanted attention dismissed

The North London club were contacted by both the Blues and the Villans regarding the availability of the promising talent earlier this year.

Renowned journalist David Ornstein has revealed that Spurs had absolutely no intention of sanctioning a departure for the youngster midway through the campaign.

Despite the high-profile interest from their domestic competitors, Tottenham reportedly dismissed the approaches immediately.

Long-term vision

Spurs view the 20-year-old as an integral component of their long-term project.

This commitment is reflected in the midfielder’s current contract, which keeps him at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium until June 2031.

The club hierarchy saw no value in entertaining an exit for a player described as “sensational” by observers.

Injury frustration

While transfer speculation has emerged retrospectively, the player’s immediate focus remains on his rehabilitation.

The Swedish talent is currently sidelined after sustaining an ankle injury during a match against Borussia Dortmund last month.

Bruno Guimaraes is set to be sidelined for approximately two months after sustaining a serious muscle injury, dealing a significant blow to Newcastle United’s season.

The Brazil international was forced to withdraw during the midweek victory over Tottenham Hotspur.

Following medical assessment, it has been revealed that the damage will keep the midfielder out of action for a significant period.

Champions League hopes hit

This enforced absence means the 27-year-old will miss the Magpies’ vital Champions League play-off matches against Qarabag.

It is a bitter pill for manager Eddie Howe, who relies heavily on the former Lyon man’s tenacity and creativity in the engine room.

According to reports from Fabrizio Romano, the timeline for recovery is expected to be around eight weeks.

International impact

The setback also has ramifications on the international stage.

The South American playmaker is now expected to miss Brazil’s upcoming fixtures during the March international break.

Newcastle must now navigate a congested fixture list without their talismanic figure as they look to maintain momentum on domestic and European fronts.

The 52-year-old sat down with BBC Sport to discuss a career that has taken him from the lower leagues to the international stage.

It is part of The Football Interview series, which explores the mindset and motivation behind the sport’s biggest names.

The Latics fairytale

Martinez first joined Wigan as a player in 1995.

Few could have predicted he would mastermind one of the competition’s greatest upsets nearly two decades later.

The Spaniard led the Latics to a stunning 1-0 victory over Manchester City in the 2013 final at Wembley.

That triumph remains a defining point in his managerial career.

It came shortly before the club were relegated from the Premier League and his subsequent move to Everton.

A life shaped by football

The former Belgium boss revealed that his obsession with the game began in infancy.

“For me, it’s a way of living. I was born in a family that was breathing football,” Martinez said.

“My dad was a coach at that time – a local team. I would be the mascot and I’ve got pictures where probably at the age of two and three, I would be listening to the team talks.”

He described the dressing room environment as his “safe zone” during childhood.

“I thought that all the kids did that. I thought that was the normal thing to do. And then I realised that it was the opposite.”

International ambitions

Martinez took charge of the Portuguese national team in January 2023.

His tenure has included guiding the Euro 2016 winners to further Nations League success.

A key part of his role involves managing global superstar Cristiano Ronaldo.

Despite the outside noise often surrounding the forward, Martinez insists the task is “easy” due to the veteran’s elite professionalism and drive.

The full interview will be broadcast on BBC One from 00:15 GMT on Sunday, 15 February.

Manchester City, Chelsea and Bayern Munich retain a strong interest in Brentford’s Igor Thiago, despite the striker recently signing a new contract.

Elite trio circle Bees forward

The Brazilian marksman has caught the eye of Europe’s elite. At 24, his stock continues to rise in west London.

However, securing his signature will be difficult. Thiago recently committed his future to the Bees with fresh terms.

Reports suggest the heavyweights remain undeterred by the new deal.

Source: Teamtalk

Pochettino linked with stunning return

Tottenham have reportedly left the door ajar for a sensational managerial homecoming. The north London club are open to Mauricio Pochettino returning in the summer.

The Argentine previously guided Spurs to a historic Champions League final. Now 53, he is currently at the helm of the United States national team.

Source: Telegraph (subscription required)

Defensive blows for Liverpool and Real

Dayot Upamecano has dashed hopes of a summer move. The France defender has penned a new deal with Bayern Munich.

This decision ends the pursuit from both Liverpool and Real Madrid. The 27-year-old was seen as a key target to bolster their respective backlines.

Source: Sports Illustrated

Old Trafford exits and standoffs

Manchester United are looking to offload Andre Onana permanently. The Cameroon international lost his place at Old Trafford and is currently on loan at Trabzonspor.

The 29-year-old goalkeeper is expected to be sold this summer.

Source: Sun

Meanwhile, negotiations with Barcelona regarding Marcus Rashford have hit a stumbling block. The Catalan giants want to lower the previously agreed £26m transfer option.

United are holding firm on the valuation for the 28-year-old loanee. The England striker is currently spending the season in La Liga.

Source: Express

European transfer bites

Real Madrid have declared Endrick off-limits to Premier League suitors. Arsenal, Chelsea and Tottenham were monitoring the 19-year-old’s situation.

Currently on loan at Lyon, the Brazilian sensation will return to the Bernabeu first-team squad next season.

Source: Teamtalk

Inter Milan are plotting a move to bring back Aleksandar Stankovic. The Serie A champions possess a buy-back clause for the midfielder.

They sold the 20-year-old to Club Brugge but can re-sign him for 23m euros (£20m). This move would bypass interest from Manchester United and Arsenal.

Source: Fabrizio Romano

The future of Anfield’s defence

Arne Slot has confirmed that Liverpool have opened negotiations to extend Ibrahima Konate’s contract, with the club desperate to avoid losing the defender on a free transfer this summer.

The Premier League champions risk losing their £36m asset for nothing if fresh terms are not agreed before the end of the season.

Anfield chiefs have already moved to future-proof their backline, having secured Giovanni Leoni for £26m and finalized a £55m deal for Jeremy Jacquet ahead of the next campaign.

However, the retention of their current defensive stalwarts remains a priority for the Merseyside club.

Captain’s demand

Virgil van Dijk recently described his defensive partner as "world class" following a stellar display in the narrow 1-0 victory at Sunderland.

The Dutch skipper was unequivocal about the situation, stating: "Obviously, I want him to stay."

Slot has now revealed the Reds are actively working to retain the 26-year-old France international.

"We are in talks with him so that tells you what we want. It’s clear we would like him to stay but negotiations are ongoing so let’s see where that ends."

The manager insisted that the intent from the boardroom is undeniable.

"We wouldn’t be in negotiations if we didn’t want him to stay," he added.

Partnership proves vital

The situation mirrors the high-stakes contract sagas surrounding Van Dijk, Mohamed Salah, and Trent Alexander-Arnold last year.

Having secured the futures of other key figures, Slot has now placed the onus on the former RB Leipzig powerhouse to commit his future to the club.

Konate has made 33 appearances this campaign, demonstrating his commitment by returning early from compassionate leave following the death of his father to face Newcastle last month.

With injuries plaguing the squad, the Liverpool boss highlighted the crucial availability of his primary centre-back pairing.

"It’s just as good from him as from Virgil," Slot said regarding their fitness records.

Despite noting a brief dip in form earlier in the season, Slot praised the Frenchman’s recent resurgence alongside his captain.

"But he is having a very good partnership with Virgil since I’ve been here and, just like Virgil, he has always been fit," Slot concluded.

"These two are vital for us, not only because of the quality they have but because of the lack of options we have behind."

Mohamed Salah prepares to face Brighton at Anfield amidst a peculiar run of form that has seen his creative numbers spike while his goalscoring output has plummeted to just one strike in 12 games.

From exile to ever-present

Just ten weeks ago, the Egyptian King’s illustrious career on Merseyside appeared to be reaching a fractured conclusion.

Following a reported outburst and subsequent exile from the squad, a permanent parting of ways seemed inevitable.

Yet, the narrative has shifted dramatically since his return from the Africa Cup of Nations.

The 32-year-old has started Liverpool’s last six matches, completing five of them, as he looks to re-establish his dominance under Arne Slot.

Creative spark replaces clinical edge

While his work rate is undeniable, the former Roma winger is enduring a barren spell in front of goal.

His solitary strike in recent months came via a Champions League free-kick against Qarabag.

Remarkably, he has not scored against English opposition since finding the net against Aston Villa on 1 November.

However, his influence has morphed into that of a creator, providing three assists in his last four Premier League outings.

That contribution has seen him draw level with club legend Steven Gerrard on 92 assists for the Reds.

A statistical anomaly

The underlying data presents a confusing picture for a player renowned for his finishing.

Since his cameo against the Seagulls in December, the forward is actually shooting far more frequently.

He is currently averaging 3.7 shots per 90 minutes, a significant rise from 2.6 earlier in the campaign.

Furthermore, his involvement in the danger zone has increased, with nearly 20 per cent of his touches now occurring in the opposition box.

Despite an Expected Goals (xG) of 2.22 in the Premier League during this period, he has failed to convert.

Manager remains defiant

The Dutch tactician in the Anfield dugout has been quick to downplay concerns regarding his star man’s output.

Arne Slot pointed to historical precedence when discussing the forward’s dry spell.

“Even last season, Mo had a period where he scored seven in four games, I think, and then five or six games where he didn’t score.”

The Reds boss insisted that judgment should be reserved until May.

“So let’s see where he is at the end of the season when it comes to goals and assists.”

Manchester City have surged 11 points clear at the top of the Women’s Super League after ruthlessly dispatching Leicester City 6-0 on a chastening evening for the visitors.

While the meeting between the league leaders and the bottom club went exactly according to the form book, the hosts were briefly rattled early on.

Alisha Lehmann struck the post for the Foxes, a wake-up call that immediately sparked a devastating response from the title chasers.

Lauren Hemp was the architect of the destruction, utilising her direct running to create six chances and provide two assists in a dominant display.

Miedema doubles up in first-half blitz

Khadija ‘Bunny’ Shaw opened the scoring in the 22nd minute, nodding home Hemp’s delivery at the near post to settle any nerves.

Vivianne Miedema then took centre stage, drilling a low effort past the goalkeeper from the edge of the box after Ashleigh Neville failed to clear.

The Dutch international grabbed her second moments later, converting another pinpoint cross from Hemp to put the game beyond doubt at 3-0.

Gareth Taylor’s side showed no mercy, with Yui Hasegawa compounding Leicester’s misery before the interval by slotting home a simple finish.

Stunning strike seals rout

Any hope of a quiet second half for the struggling visitors evaporated just three minutes after the restart.

Kerolin Nicoli Israel Ferraz claimed the goal of the night, unleashing a magnificent strike into the top corner from distance to extend the lead.

Even the substitutes joined the act, as Aoba Fujino punished a defensive lapse from Chantelle Swaby to round the keeper and smash home the sixth.

It could have been an even heavier defeat on Friday the 13th, with Shaw, Hemp and Leila Ouahabi all missing close-range efforts.

Noemie Mouchon missed a golden opportunity for a consolation goal for the visitors, firing over with the goal gaping after pouncing on a rare mistake.

The result leaves the Manchester club counting down the days to a potential title, while Leicester remain rooted to the foot of the table.

Manchester United have identified RB Leipzig sensation Yan Diomande as a primary summer target and reportedly possess the financial firepower to trigger his £87m valuation.

The Red Devils are positioning themselves to secure one of European football’s most coveted prospects following his stunning breakthrough campaign in Germany.

According to BILD journalist Christian Falk, the Premier League giants are undeterred by the significant asking price placed on the Ivory Coast international.

Old Trafford hierarchy ready to spend big

United have monitored the attacker closely throughout the season as they look to further bolster a forward line that underwent major surgery last year.

The club invested over £200m last summer to recruit Bryan Mbeumo, Matheus Cunha, and Benjamin Sesko, a strategy that has propelled them to fourth in the table.

However, with established names like Marcus Rashford and Jadon Sancho expected to depart permanently, the 13-time Premier League champions are in the market for fresh reinforcements.

Diomande has emerged as the preferred option to fill the void on the flanks as the team transitions back to a traditional back-four system.

A battle for the ‘next Haaland’

The RB Leipzig forward has drawn lofty comparisons to Manchester City star Erling Haaland due to his physical dominance and explosive output.

Such performances have alerted elite clubs across the continent, with Liverpool and Manchester City also tracking his development.

Leipzig have responded to the surging interest by placing a €100m (£87m) price tag on their prized asset to ensure maximum value.

Despite the high figure, Falk suggests that English clubs remain the most likely destination for the ‘generational talent’.

It is true: Yan Diomande is going to cost a lot of money to sign this summer. The €100m [£87.1m] asking price was established by RB Leipzig chief Oliver Mintzlaff.

We saw him playing against Bayern Munich in the DFB Pokal. He’s good, he’s really good. However, he’s still got some developmental work to do, and so €100m will be too much for Bayern this summer.

That said, it’s a price that Premier League clubs can of course afford to pay. I heard that Manchester City, Manchester United and Liverpool are all interested and can afford him.

Balancing the books

While the allure of Diomande is strong, United must balance their pursuit of a forward with urgent requirements in the engine room.

Brazilian veteran Casemiro has confirmed he will leave upon the expiry of his contract, creating a significant vacancy in defensive midfield.

Manuel Ugarte is also expected to move on, forcing the recruitment team to look at replacements alongside their attacking targets.

Elliot Anderson is understood to be a top target for the midfield role, though the hierarchy is aware that fixing the center of the pitch must take precedence before sanctioning the mega-money move for Diomande.