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Sky Sports reporter Dharmesh Sheth has been reacting to Tottenham Hotspur’s early business in the transfer window, heaping praise on the club’s new strategy.

The Lowdown: Busy busy

Spurs are busy preparing for the Champions League ahead of next season, with the fourth place Premier League side having wasted no time in adding quality and depth to Antonio Conte’s squad.

Fabio Paratici first secured the signature of Inter Milan’s Ivan Perisic, with the Croatian star set to arrive at Spurs upon the expiry of his contract at the end of the month.

The free market was utilised once again with the signing of Southampton goalkeeper Fraser Forster, coming in as back-up for club captain Hugo Lloris.

Paratici’s latest acquisition was Brighton midfielder Yves Bissouma, who arrived at Hotspur Way after the Lilywhites agreed an initial £25m fee for the player.

The Latest: Paratici masterclass

Sheth believes that Spurs fans will be overjoyed with Paratici’s impressive early business this window and is impressed by the new transfer strategy.

Speaking with GiveMeSport, he proclaimed: “If you look back in the history of transfer windows, normally Tottenham go to the last day.

“They always seem to do something on the final day and Tottenham fans wonder ‘why didn’t we do that earlier?’ because they could have been in for pre-season and they could have got used to the squad.

“It feels different this time because they’re getting their business done.”

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The Verdict: More signings expected

As per The Athletic, Tottenham are prioritising signing a left-sided centre-back next up, with football.london’s Alasdair Gold reporting that Paratici’s top two options are Inter Milan’s Alessandro Bastoni and RB Leipzig’s Josko Gvardiol.

Furthermore, Spurs are thought to be the frontrunners in the race to sign highly rated right-back Djed Spence from Middlesbrough, with the likes of Manchester City’s Gabriel Jesus touted for a possible move to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

With Paratici’s evident success so far and reports suggesting they will rack up six total first-team signings, this could truly be a defining summer for the future of Tottenham Hotspur.

In other news: Spurs now most likely club to sign Evan Ndicka…

Leeds United have fallen behind in the race to sign Liverpool forward Takumi Minamino, according to a report from The Times. 

The lowdown: Leeds interested in Minamino

The Whites have been heavily linked with a move for Minamino for some time now, and recently the interest surfaced once again as a report from This Is Anfield claimed that Liverpool were willing to listen to offers of around £17m for the Japan international.

Having successfully worked under the stewardship of Jesse Marsch at Red Bull Salzburg previously, the 27-year-old attacker was viewed as a genuine candidate to arrive at Elland Road to strengthen the ranks.

However, the Yorkshire club appear to have slipped down the list of potential destinations for Minamino as one competitor receives a timely cash injection…

The latest: Monaco lead Minamino race

As per The Times, AS Monaco have swept to the front of the race to sign the 41-cap ace ahead of Leeds, Wolves, Fulham and Southampton.

It’s claimed that Monaco are now ‘leading the chase’ to sign the man who directly contributed to 20 goals in just 22 outings under Marsch in Austria.

The Ligue 1 outfit are set to receive a massive fee in the region of €100m (£85m) for the sale of Aurelien Tchouameni from Real Madrid and would therefore have no problem reaching the asking price for Minamino, who was hailed by James Pearce for a ‘clinical’ finish against Norwich City last season.

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The verdict: Don’t delay

With Monaco seemingly ready to act, Leeds cannot afford to wait for Raphinha to decide on his future before moving for a top target.

Despite being somewhat of an onlooker in the Premier League during 2021/22, Minamino scored 10 times and provided one assist in 24 appearances across all competitions, highlighting that aforementioned clinical nature whenever he is handed an opportunity.

Although there is no lure of European football on the table in Yorkshire, the prospect of reuniting with Marsch should excite the versatile Japanese star, and as such, Victor Orta and Andrea Radrizzani must be going all-out to try and make this deal happen.

In other news: Leeds now won’t sign ‘superb’ midfielder despite Phil Hay revealing talks

West Ham United manager David Moyes has set his sights on a potential ‘huge’ signing for the club, according to reports.

The Lowdown: Big summer ahead…

The 2022 summer transfer window officially swings open tomorrow and it’s safe to say this could be West Ham’s biggest one in years.

Having just missed out on a place in the Premier League top six last season to Manchester United, Moyes had to settle for a place in the Europa Conference League with there being no prospect of a dream Europa League journey next campaign.

The Hammers went on an unprecedented run to the semi-finals over 2021/2022, eventually falling to Eintracht Frankfurt, and supporters will be hoping they can build upon that with a memorable domestic campaign over 22/23.

West Ham will need reinforcements to compete with England’s elite, though, with 90min reporter Toby Cudworth now sharing news on a familiar face targeted personally by Moyes.

The Latest: Moyes eyeing Lingard move…

As per the journalist (via Twitter), West Ham are still eyeing a Bosman move for Jesse Lingard with the 29-year-old now confirmed to be leaving Manchester United upon the expiry of his contract.

Cudworth explained that ‘Moyes loves him’ and their interest in sealing a return for the Englishman is ‘unchanged’.

The Verdict: Get it done?

Lingard shone on a temporary spell at the London Stadium over 2020/2021, scoring nine goals and assisting four others in 16 top flight starts under Moyes.

He also received praise from members of the West Ham squad during his time at Rush Green and it’s safe to say he took to Claret and Blue like a duck to water.

Fitting in seamlessly for Moyes, re-signing the attacker permanently for zero transfer cost comes a s a real no-brainer, especially given members of the media have called Lingard a potential ‘huge’ signing for West Ham (Paul Robinson, Football Insider).

In other news: West Ham officials dispatched as GSB eye ‘superstar’ signing for Moyes! Find out more here.

Rangers defender Calvin Bassey is in ‘no rush to leave’ Ibrox this summer, claims Sky Sports reporter Michael Bridge.

The Lowdown: Transfer interest

According to Sky Sports, Aston Villa are among a number of Premier League clubs who have made enquiries about the 22-year-old.

Having signed Bassey for Rangers in 2020, former boss Steven Gerrard is said to want to reunite with the defender at Villa Park.

It is understood that it would take a bid around the £25m mark to bring Giovanni van Bronckhorst and Ross Wilson to the negotiating table.

The Latest: Bridge drops teasing update

Bridge doesn’t believe that Bassey needs to leave Ibrox this summer, given his rapid rise to stardom in the Scottish Premiership.

Speaking with GiveMeSport, he claimed:

“There’s already cheeky articles from Celtic-based journalists in Scotland, saying ‘Rangers should cash in on him now,’ but I think that’s them being cheeky.

“He’s only 22 and is he in no rush to leave, so I think you’ll get a lot of that over the next few weeks.”

The Verdict: Huge news for Rangers

According to FB Ref, the defender sensationally ranks in the 99th percentile for both blocked shots and dribbles completed when compared with positional peers across Europe, showing his talents on both sides of the ball.

As a result, it is no surprise to see Bassey on the receiving end of top praise from experienced defenders. For example, former Rangers man Alan Hutton dubbed the 22-year-old a ‘warrior’ after a ‘ten-out-of-ten’ performance in the Scottish Cup final.

With Bridge thinking Bassey may stay at the Ibrox beyond the summer, this will come as big news to Rangers fans, who will be desperate to keep the bulk of their squad together and mount a real challenge to take the title back next term.

In other news: GvB rejects bid for Ianis Hagi!

Leeds United boss Jesse Marsch is set for his first transfer window in charge of the club this summer after keeping the team in the top-flight.

He replaced Marcelo Bielsa at Elland Road and secured another season in the Premier League by beating Brentford 2-1 on the final day of the campaign, relegating Burnley in the process.

The Lillywhites boss will now have his first opportunity to bring his own players to the club as he starts to shape the team that he wants to build.

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One player who has already been linked with a move to Yorkshire is RB Leipzig’s Tyler Adams. MLS insider Tom Bogert has claimed that Leeds will be in for the midfielder in the coming months.

His own Joshua Kimmich

German manager Ralf Rangnick, most recently of Manchester United, previously compared the American international to the Bayern Munich star. He said:

“Like Joshua (Kimmich), Tyler has an unbelievable will to win. He wants to win every match and every training game. He wants to improve and listens. He’s never satisfied. The sky is the limit.”

Adams responded to these comments by saying: “It’s an honor to be compared with one of the best players in Europe. I’ve known Ralf [Rangnick] for some time now, and I highly regard his opinion because he’s an extraordinary expert in football. So, I’m flattered by his remarks.”

Kimmich has played 299 games for Bayern and won seven Bundesliga titles and the Champions League. He is also valued at £76.50m by Transfermarkt and this illustrates why it was a huge comparison for Rangnick to make at the time.

That is not to say that Adams will go on to be as good as the German international, or achieve as much, but he can be Leeds’ own version of him for where they are in the football food chain.

The Leipzig man already has four Bundesliga seasons under his belt by the age of 23 and has showcased his bite in midfield as well as his versatility. Like Kimmich, he can play at right-back and in central midfield and has made 3.1 tackles and interceptions per game on average throughout his career.

He is a young player with the potential to improve and a mentality comparable with a decorated midfield star and that is why Leeds must sign him this summer.

The machine can be an excellent addition to the team with his ability to win the ball back in the middle of the park and his scope to develop further in the years to come.

AND in other news, Huge transfer twist emerges that will have Leeds United supporters buzzing…

Manchester City have seen numerous players move in and out of the club since Pep Guardiola was appointed as manager back in 2016.

The Citizens have also created a track record when it comes to signing players from other Premier League clubs.

One player that was brought in from another top-flight side that has gone on to be very successful at the Etihad Stadium is Kyle Walker.

Signed from Tottenham Hotspur in the summer of 2017 in a deal worth a reported fee of £50m in total, the right-back has gone on to make a total of 215 appearances across all competitions.

In those appearances, the Englishman has scored six goals and delivered 17 assists along the way, winning four Premier League trophies, four Carabao Cup trophies and one FA Cup.

Once Fernandinho’s current contract officially runs out at the end of June, Walker will then be City’s oldest outfield player at the age of 32.

With that in mind, it could be worth Guardiola and the City hierarchy making plans to sign a potential long-term replacement for the England international.

One figure that could fit the bill that has been mentioned with a move to the Manchester club is Chelsea full-back Reece James.

In 123 senior appearances for the west London club, the 22-year-old has scored nine goals and delivered 18 assists in the process.

Back in September 2020, one of the youngster’s goals for his side was described as “sensational” by Gary Lineker on Twitter.

In terms of his goal contributions in the Premier League this season, James found the net five times and supplied nine assists in 26 appearances, which is significantly more than the two assists Walker contributed to his side.

From a defensive point of view, the £49.5m-rated Chelsea star made more tackles, blocks and pressures than the former Spurs defender.

This shows how impressive James is up and down the pitch and why he’d be a solid replacement for Walker in the future.

While the Chelsea youth academy graduate may even be a ready-made replacement for the City star now, it may be difficult for the Manchester club to sign him this summer as his current deal at Stamford Bridge isn’t set to expire until 2025, in addition to the fact that Thomas Tuchel may be reluctant to see one of his assets make a move to a league rival.

In other news: Pep can seal dream Sterling heir as MCFC eye “outrageously talented” £102m-rated star

An update has emerged regarding Newcastle United and their pursuit of Sven Botman heading into the summer transfer window…

What’s the talk?

According to the Daily Mail, the Magpies remain keen on a deal for the centre-back ahead of the 2022/23 campaign after failing to land him in January.

The report claims that Italian giants AC Milan, who recently lifted the Serie A title, are also keen on the defender, and it remains to be seen who will win the race for his signature.

It is stated that the Dutch defender is keen on a switch to the Premier League and that may be a factor in his decision, with Tottenham and Manchester United also keeping tabs on his situation.

Supporters would love it

Newcastle supporters would surely love to see the club securing a deal for Botman, and Eddie Howe can get St James’ Park rocking by bringing the 22-year-old to Tyneside this summer.

Botman’s agent Francesco Miniero previously dubbed him a “golden boy”, and it is easy to see why when you look into his statistics for Lille in France.

In Ligue 1, he averaged SofaScore ratings of 7.08 and 7.10 in his first two seasons respectively. The team kept 28 clean sheets in that time as he delivered consistently excellent displays on the pitch, as shown by his average ratings over the course of two years.

He has managed this at the young age of 22, showing maturity ahead of his years. This suggests that he has a bright future ahead of him, as he has already proven his immense quality at a high level in the early parts of his career.

It has been reported in Italy this year that Milan are closing in on an agreement with Lille for €33m (£28m), so Newcastle must work hard to convince him that a move to Tyneside is the right step for him to take in his career.

His statistics suggest that he has the quality, consistency and potential to be a superb prospective signing for the Magpies, and that is why his arrival would leave St James’ Park rocking with excitement.

The supporters would also love it as it would mean snubbing the Italian champions and a team who’ll in the Champions League next season in order to join Howe, without any European football, at Newcastle. This would be a huge statement of intent from the Magpies, given what they are competing against, and would show the fans that the club now has a huge pull in the market.

AND in other news, Imagine him & Bruno: NUFC can form a deadly duo by signing “outstanding” £34m “rock”…

Fast bowler proud to seal Headingley Test in partnership with travel buddy Chris Woakes

Vithushan Ehantharajah10-Jul-20231:53

Ehantharajah: Wood was close to perfect in Leeds

When England travel overseas, their seating plans are done in alphabetical order. As such, Chris Woakes and Mark Wood end up sitting next to each other.Wood is an incredibly nervous flyer. So much so that, on internal flights on smaller planes, Woakes has often held his hand during take-offs and landings to keep his mate at ease.They also bring treats for each other on tour. Wood makes sure to pack Woakes’ favourite chocolate digestives, and Woakes returns the favour with Ferrero Rochers. It’s worth pointing out that the exchange of treats does not happen immediately, only when one senses the other needs some home comforts.During the Headingley Test – each man’s first appearance of this Ashes series – they drove into the ground together all week. And on Sunday, these two best of friends reinforced their bond with a stand of 24 from 14 balls in the contest’s fraught closing moments. Together they hauled England over the line by three wickets to leave the scoreline 2-1 in Australia’s favour with two Tests to play.Both have their own individual joys to take from a gripping third Test. Woakes’ 32 not out in the chase after taking six for 141 across the two innings marked a stellar comeback, having played what he feared might have been his last Test on the tour of the Caribbean in March 2022.For Wood, it was as close as he has come in 28 caps to the perfect performance. A sentiment made official when he was given the player-of-the-match award for the first time in a home Test.The Durham quick took five for 34 on day one, including a blistering four-over spell in which he did not drop under 91mph, the fastest delivery registering at 96.5mph and Usman Khawaja’s leg stump taken out with one at 95mph. An eight-ball cameo for 24 after lunch on day two reignited England’s first innings – and got Ben Stokes’ juices pumping in the process – to ensure Australia only led by 26 going into their second innings, having at one stage looked good for a 100-plus advantage.In the end, that lead was only extended to 250 partly due to Wood’s second-innings two for 66. He capped it all off with a similarly thrilling 16 off eight deliveries, including a momentum-shifting six off Pat Cummins – his fourth of the game – to help England home.Even with all that to himself, the Durham quick (or should that be allrounder?) could not help bring Woakes into the frame when discussing his emotions.”One of the best feelings I’ve had,” Wood said of being out there at the end for victory. “I’ve been in that position a lot where I’ve lost the game, that’s the first time I’ve been able to bat to win the game.”Especially being there with Woakesy. We’ve car-shared all week, we’ve got a lucky car [parking] space, we’ve promised that we’d get runs and wickets. I think we will park in the same place every time we turn up here.”Wood’s thunderbolts with the ball exceeded expectations, particularly given he missed Lord’s because of an issue with a right elbow that was operated on twice last summer. But it was the batting that stole the show. His 40 runs across the match came at a strike-rate of 250. The first of the 16 balls he faced, at the start of the second session on day two, was a bouncer from Mitchell Starc. He hooked it into the stands at midwicket.Wood’s express pace will be a key weapon going into the series climax•Getty ImagesEagled-eyed viewers will have spotted Wood using a new set of bats this summer, having swapped brands from New Balance to SG. Though he was happy with the initial batch delivered to him, he found them slightly too heavy. When the replacements arrived he thought they were too light. It turns out they were just right.It’s worth noting, Wood’s six boundaries were not fortuitous swings of a wispier blade. Prior to that first ball from Starc, he had spent the lunch interval in the indoor nets with Paul Collingwood, bracing himself for a short-pitch assault. It has been a common tactic this series and Wood himself had indulged it to nab a fourth-career five-for the day before. He rightly figured Australia’s quicks would be eager to take their revenge. The preparation, both during and in the lead-up to this match, has paid off handsomely.”All I’ve done is practise bouncers for two weeks,” he revealed. “I haven’t practised anything pitched up – that’s genuine. Colly has been slinging those yellow balls. They sting but don’t hurt. You get used to playing the shot, getting in strong positions, and waiting as much as I can to do well.”It fills me with great pride to say I can do well against Australia. Look at facing Cummins and Starc. One, it’s not easy. Two, it’s really intimidating. They’re bowling fast, they get good bounce. More often than not they come out on top. Luckily this time, it’s the one out of 100 I’ve managed to get through.”Related

• Ben Stokes: Headingley win is 'just the start' for England

• Woakes' guile and guts ignite England to seize their moment

• Brook cherishes winning feeling after home-ground heroics

• Stats – Brook's 1K speedrun and Bazball's chase mastery

• Woakes, Wood and Brook keep England's Ashes hopes alive

Whether Wood will be able to go again for the fourth Test at Emirates Old Trafford remains to be seen. Though he has stitched consecutive matches together recently, with two back-to-back in Pakistan last winter and three on the bounce at the end of the 2021-22 Ashes, England will be understandably cautious, even though a nine-day gap offers a grace period.Having sent down 28.4 overs after subsisting primarily on four-over bursts – his previous match before this one had been on April 15 for Lucknow Super Giants in the IPL – much will depend how Wood’s body, and especially the elbow, react. There are also wounds on his forearms from repeatedly falling over in his follow-through, but those are less of a concern.Ben Stokes will be desperate to utilise him for the two remaining matches given how instrumental his pace has been in keeping the Ashes alive. The man himself is unsure.”I will speak to the physio, but I imagine I will bowl once or twice, a couple of gym sessions, maybe some running, but it won’t be too drastic. I have to let the body recover. It’s my first game in a very, very long time, especially in Test cricket. Off the back of bowling four overs, and I didn’t do too much of that either. I will let the body recover, get myself in a good space, let the wounds recover, and get myself up for the next one. “As ever, there is willing. Asked if he could crank it up once more and test the limits of the speed gun, Woodanswered unequivocally.”Absolutely. Lightning strikes twice, eh?”

Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca has heaped praise on an “important” member of the squad following his return from injury.

Chelsea face Premier League title rivals Liverpool amid selection crisis

The Blues have endured a pretty underwhelming start to the 2025/2026 campaign, and it doesn’t get any easier as Maresca’s side prepare to host Premier League champions Liverpool this afternoon.

Maresca, after winning the Conference League, Club World Cup and qualifying for the Champions League last season, has been tasked with building upon 2024/2025’s feats with over £280 million spent on new recruits in the summer window.

However, he is also forced to lean on a roster full of youth and a starting eleven boasting an average age of just 24.1 (BBC), with injuries crippling the tactician so far.

As October arrives, Chelsea’s absentee list includes Liam Delap, Levi Colwill, Wesley Fofana, Tosin Adarabioyo, Dario Essugo, Andrey Santos, Trevoh Chalobah and star forward Cole Palmer — who are all set to miss today’s clash with Arne Slot’s side at Stamford Bridge.

Fofana and Tosin are not expected to return until after the international break, with the former undergoing concussion protocol, while Chalobah is serving a one-match suspension after his red card against Brighton last weekend.

Colwill is set to miss the majority of this season after rupturing his ACL in pre-season too — leaving Maresca absolutely bereft of centre-backs to choose from against Liverpool — with it being most likely that Benoit Badiashile and Jorrel Hato are given the starting nod.

Badiashile has only just returned from injury himself, starting his first game of the season in a 1-0 Champions League win over José Mourinho’s Benfica on Tuesday, and the Frenchman impressed.

Reports suggest that Chelsea insiders have pushed Badiashile’s case behind-the-scenes as a capable deputy to come in and play a significant role, despite being linked with a move away last summer.

The 24-year-old’s presence, amid Chelsea’s serious defensive shortage, now looks more imperative than ever, with Badiashile refusing a move away in the last window and declaring his love for the West Londoners.

The former Monaco star’s loyalty is being repaid by Maresca, who piled praise on Badiashile in his pre-Liverpool press conference.

Enzo Maresca praises Benoit Badiashile return as "good news" for Chelsea

Speaking to reporters, Chelsea’s boss confirmed that Badiashile is in fact an “important” player for them, and his return to the fold is “good news” ahead of their challenging face-off against England’s champions.

Unfortunately for Badiashile, his place in the starting eleven is under threat long-term.

According to reports, Chelsea and Maresca are in agreement that the signing of a star centre-back takes “priority” for January.

Meanwhile, it is also believed that Chelsea have reached out to Marc Guehi’s camp this week and could attempt to re-sign the Crystal Palace star for a cut-price fee in the winter.

Juventus are reportedly ready to sell star forward Jonathan David in January, just months after his summer arrival, according to Sky Sports. The Canadian has scored just once in 11 games, with his team now contacting major clubs like Tottenham and Bayern Munich. With new boss Luciano Spalletti snubbing him, a "quick exit" is now being considered by the Bianconeri.

• David's struggle to adapt to Serie A

  Juventus have placed David on the transfer market and are considering a shock January exit, just months after he joined the club, according to a report from Sky Sports.

  The 25-year-old striker has struggled significantly to establish himself in Turin following his summer switch from Lille. His entourage has reportedly been in constant contact with several major European clubs, with Tottenham Hotspur and Bayern Munich both inquiring about the conditions for a potential winter transfer.

  David arrived at Juventus with a prolific reputation, having scored 25 goals and provided 12 assists in 49 games for Lille during the 2024-25 campaign. However, he has failed to replicate that form in Italy.

  According to Sky Sports, David has featured in 11 matches for the Bianconeri but has played only 51 per cent of the available minutes. His statistical return has been minimal, registering just one goal and one assist. That lone goal came in the season's opening fixture against Parma in August, and he has failed to find the net since. This lack of output has alarmed the Juventus hierarchy, prompting them to explore a "quick exit."

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• Getty Images
  

  Tottenham lead chase amid attacking crisis

  Tottenham have emerged as a primary suitor, driven by a desperate need for attacking reinforcements. Sky Sports journalist Sacha Tavolieri reports that Spurs have made a formal inquiry regarding the conditions for a January deal.

  The North London club are reeling from a long-term injury to striker Dominic Solanke, which has left their frontline severely depleted. Head coach Thomas Frank is overseeing a dismal run of form that has seen Spurs win just one of their last five matches across all competitions. Most worryingly, they have failed to score in three of those five games.

  The club's current backup strikers, Randal Kolo Muani and Mathys Tel, have been unable to step up, managing just one goal between them all season. This has forced the club to seek an immediate solution in the winter market, with David's potential availability seen as a timely opportunity.

• Bayern Munich also monitoring situation

  Spurs are not the only European giant monitoring the situation. The report states that David's representatives have also reached out to Bayern Munich. The Bundesliga champions have similarly inquired about what it would take to sign the Canadian, as they assess their own forward options heading into the second half of the season.

  The involvement of both Spurs and Bayern suggests a competitive market could form if Juventus formally commit to a sale, despite David's poor run of form.

  Any hope that a change in the dugout would immediately revive David's Juventus career appears to have been misplaced. The club dismissed Igor Tudor last week following a disastrous eight-game winless run.

  New manager Luciano Spalletti was appointed on Thursday and oversaw his first match on Saturday—a nervy 2-1 away win against Cremonese. David's role in the victory was minimal, as he was left on the bench until the 85th minute, coming on for just five minutes to help see out the result.

  Spalletti’s starting XI sent a clear message, preferring a front three of Dusan Vlahovic, Lois Openda, and Filip Kostic. This selection indicates that the former Italy boss currently views David as "impact cover" rather than a key part of his starting plans.

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• Juve 'open' to sale as free transfer guarantees profit

  From the Bianconeri's perspective, a January sale is financially appealing. A report from Gazzetta dello Sport claims Juventus are "open" to letting David leave.

  Crucially, David arrived on a free transfer during the summer after his contract at Lille expired. This means any fee received for the 25-year-old would represent 100 per cent profit on the club's balance sheet.

  Despite his struggles in Turin, David’s market value is still estimated to be around €45 million (£39m/ $52m), a valuation reflecting his stellar record at Lille, where he scored 109 goals, provided 30 assists, and won a Ligue 1 title in 232 games. This financial incentive may outweigh the sporting desire to wait for the player to find his form.