Mauricio Pochettino believes Dele Alli fully deserves his new double-your-money deal.
Midfielder Alli signed a five-year contract yesterday tying him to Tottenham until 2021.
The 19 year-old’s wages have jumped from £12,500 to £25,000 a week under the terms of his fresh deal.
And the pay hike is the teenager’s reward for making a brilliant impact since joining Spurs from MK Dons.
After signing last February and being loaned back to MK Dons for the rest of the season, Alli has scored six times in 30 games since linking up with Spurs permanently in the summer.
Pochettino said: “It’s very good news for us, for him. Dele Alli deserves it after the last six months, improve his salary and his contract.
“To achieve the level of the team-mates, now he is and international, plays regularly in first team he deserves all he takes.”
From Italy: Vidic to leave Inter
One from Italy now involving Nemanja Vidic.
The former Manchester United defender is set to leave Inter MIlan in the coming days on a free transfer, after they reached an agreement over terminating his contract.
The Serbian captain joined Inter in 2014, but has found himself out of favour under Roberto Mancini this season.
The 34-year-old has struggled with injuries since arriving in Italy too, and now for the good of his career – and so Inter can get his hefty wage packet off the books – they’ve agreed a deal to mutually end his stay at San Siro.
Hiddink rejects Kenedy claims
Guus Hiddink has rejected suggestions that Kenedy could leave Chelsea in the transfer window.
The Brazilian has been linked with a move to Fiorentina, but Hiddink says he may be needed before the end of the season.
“We have some youngsters and I have a good impression of the guys.
“He is one of those young guys who will stay until the end of the season. We might need him.”
Dortmund says stars won’t go
Borussia Dortmund CEO Hans-Joachim Watzke says the German side won’t be selling any of their stars this month – Again.
“I can rule out the transfer of any of our top performers now,” he said at the club’s winter training camp in Dubai.
“That’s definitely not on our agenda.”
So have that all those rivals.
United couldn’t tempt Pochettino
Man United could not tempt Mauricio Pochettino to leave Spurs.
That’s the opinion of ex-Tottenham boss Harry Redknapp, who says the Argentine is already at a “good club”.
Speaking on talkSPORT, Redknapp declared:
“Spurs is a good club, they have a fantastic training ground.
“It’s one of the big clubs in the country so I don’t think he’d want to be leaving.”
As for United this term, Redknapp has been far from impressed:
“I don’t generally think they’ve got players that can get you off your seat at the moment. There’s no spark at the end of it.
“It hasn’t been exciting but they haven’t got that many exciting players. Over the years they had nothing but exciting players.
“You knew you were going to get battered from the first minute but, at the moment, they haven’t got those players.”
Benalouane wanted by Sampdoria
Italian giants Sampdoria are chasing Leicester defender Yohan Benalouane.
The 28-year-old joined Leicester in the summer for £5.5m from Atalanta but has struggled to hold down a regular place.
Sampdoria have enquired about a January loan deal with an option to make it permanent next summer.
Martinez to send McGeady on loan
Roberto Martinez has confirmed that Everton are open to letting Aiden McGeady leave on loan this month.
The Republic of Ireland international needs games ahead of Euro 2016 but is down the pecking order at Goodison Park.
“We are going to work together with Aiden and his representative and make the right call.
“There have been three enquiries for him and it is going to be over the next couple of weeks when we will make the final decision. It is a really, really busy period and but we need to make sure that we get the right call.
“It is going to be a short-term deal so Aiden can play football and he can finish the season really strongly and then he has got the involvement with the Republic of Ireland at the European Championships and that will be part of the decision that we will make.
“At the moment there is an opportunity for him to go abroad and the other two are domestic. We are in the early stage at the moment of making that final decision. It will be just a loan until the end of the season.”
Vagner Love back in Europe
Well this is a blast from the past!
Vagner Love, mercurial Brazilian international, has apparently pitched up in France, set to sign for Monaco..
Alessandro Diamanti set to depart Watford
Watford misfit Alessandro Diamanti is on his way back to Italy – to join Atalanta on loan.
Diamanti is close to sealing a move that will revive his faint hopes of making Italy’s Euro 2016 squad after just 24 minutes of first-team action for the Hornets.
Watford’s £7 million move to sign midfielder Mario Suarez has run into complications because the Spanish international’s girlfriend is heavily pregnant and his current club, Fiorentina, are in contention for the Serie A title.
Suarez, who played for Watford head coach Quique Sanchez Flores at Atletico Madrid only moved to Florence in the summer, but he has completed only four games for La Viola.
Luis Enrique eyeing forward reinforcements
Barcelona are targeting a forward in the January transfer window, manager Luis Enrique has admitted.
The Blaugrana have long been understood to be keen on adding more depth to their frontline ahead of the second half of the season, with the side continuing to battle on three fronts.
But this is the first time that the club have revealed that they are in the market this month.
“If any reinforcements are to come then I believe that right now we need to reinforce the attack,” said Luis Enrique.
“In order for reinforcements to arrive, we’ve got to negotiate and these are always difficult.
“It’s not easy for a team to let important players leave halfway through the season, in the winter window.”
The Barca boss is likely referring to Villarreal’s Denis Suarez, 22, who the Nou Camp club are already in talks with.
Suarez’s contract contains a buy-back clause of €3million in the summer, but Barcelona are attempting to bring forward his return to the club.
Celta Vigo star Nolito was first choice but has been ruled out as an option, while technical director Robert Fernandez has had Red Bull Salzburg forward Jonathan Soriano watched.
Pochettino on Alli
Mauricio Pochettino believes Dele Alli fully deserves his new double-your-money deal.
Midfielder Alli signed a five-year contract yesterday tying him to Tottenham until 2021.
The 19 year-old’s wages have jumped from £12,500 to £25,000 a week under the terms of his fresh deal.
And the pay hike is the teenager’s reward for making a brilliant impact since joining Spurs from MK Dons.
After signing last February and being loaned back to MK Dons for the rest of the season, Alli has scored six times in 30 games since linking up with Spurs permanently in the summer.
Pochettino said: “It’s very good news for us, for him. Dele Alli deserves it after the last six months, improve his salary and his contract.
“To achieve the level of the team-mates, now he is and international, plays regularly in first team he deserves all he takes.”
No loan deal for Bartra
Luis Enrique has ruled out a loan move away from Barcelona for defender Marc Bartra.
The Spanish international is keen for more first-team action ahead of Euro 2016 to secure his place in Vicente del Bosque’s squad, but currently finds himself behind Gerard Pique, Javier Mascherano, Jeremy Mathieu and Thomas Vermaelen in the pecking order.
But Enrique, speaking ahead of tomorrow night’s Copa del Rey tie with Espanyol, insists he hasn’t spoken to the centre-back about a move and wouldn’t sanction a departure anyway.
“I haven’t talked to him… [but] we’re not a squad with enough depth for players to leave,” he said.
“I see him available and with desire, but he could improve his level because he has potential.
“It’s true that he has other teammates in front of him, but he knows that with me this situation can change, he just has to take his opportunities.”
Saul puts transfer speculation to bed
Manchester United are keen on Atletico Madrid’s Saul.
Atletico Madrid however aren’t keen on selling.
The player himself may even be LESS keen on a move away from the Calderon.
He’s given an interview to AS today…and his declaration about his future is pretty much the death knell for any United interest this January.
“My biggest dream is to stay at Atlético for life.”
So, erm, that’s that then.
Leicester are done for January – Ranieri
Claudio Ranieri says Leicester have completed their transfer business for January.
The Foxes bought Demarai Gray from Birmingham early in the window, and Ranieri doesn’t want to move on any of the squad who have propelled the side into top four contention.
“The transfer market is finished for us,” said Ranieri. “I am only interested in my players and no one goes away. Business is finished. There is no temptation [to make a big signing to push for the top four].
“You think with one big player we’ll arrive in the Champions League? Possibly, but you can’t be sure.
“Step by step we are building to try in the future to fight for the Champions League. Now this is a crazy league and we fight to achieve the maximum.
“There are three, four or five teams ahead of us. They are building and then slowly we arrive.”
Neil: Grabban deal made sense
Norwich boss Alex Neil has been talking about the deal that took Lewis Grabban to Bournemouth.
Norwich cashed in to the extent of £8million on Monday, by letting their third choice striker leave.
And even though it was for a Premier League rival, Neil says it made sense:
“We just felt, for us, he was a player who had run his course at Norwich really,” he said.
“He was not involved, he was not in our squads.
“I think he had set his heart on getting a move, so basically it made sense for us. We can gather that money and hopefully re-invest it.
“Sometimes players have their heads turned and get their heart set on going elsewhere, and I think when that happens at times it becomes a difficult one, as you try and get the best out of a player and get him focused on his job.
“But in Lewis’ situation? There was too much water under the bridge and it just made sense, because we were not utilising his talents. We had a commodity there that wasn’t supplying anything for us.
“So what we had to do was try and get the best value for that, re-invest it and bring someone in who can contribute.”
Transfer talk at Chelsea
Guus Hiddink is giving nothing away over Chelsea’s transfer plans.
Like, literally nothing.
Nothing on players coming in. Nothing on players going out. Nothing.
Puskas Award winner eyes European move
Wendell Lira stunned the world last night by winning the Puskas Award.
The unknown Brazilian beat the likes of Carlos Tevez and Lionel Messi to win the gong for the best goal scored in 2015, for his acrobatic finish in a local state championship game.
And now, the 27-year-old is hoping to kick on and take his career to Europe.
”I’m still young,” he told Globo. “I want to get better and I still dream of playing in Europe.
“Since I was a kid, I dreamed about Europe. Italy and France are good leagues, but I’m a fan of the Spanish championship.
“I watch a lot of Barcelona and Real Madrid games, and try to learn from those teams.
“I think Spain would be my ideal destination.”
Watford boss wants Behrami stay
Watford boss Quique Sanchez Flores wants Valon Behrami to stay at Vicarage Road.
The Swiss midfielder has lost his place in the starting lineup in recent months, having seen disciplinary issues cloud what had been a bright start to his Watford career.
Speculation has linked him with a move to Italy, and the Pozzo-owned Udinese.
But the Watford chief had this to say:
Flores said: “At the moment he has been on the bench but he is still a very important player for us.
“He was an important player for us in the first part of the season.
“Other players like Etienne Capoue and Ben Watson are playing well now.”
LIverpool sign Steven Caulker
Liverpool have completed a deal to sign Steven Caulker until the end of the season on loan.
The defender arrives to offer defensive cover, after having his deal at Southampton ended.
Caulker had struggled for regular action at St Mary’s.
But with Jurgen Klopp short of options, he has now swooped to take the ex-Swansea man to Anfield.
One for the Potters
Young Stoke midfielder Oliver Shenton has signed a new deal with the club.
Shenton, is highly-rated at the club’s academy and made his first-team breakthrough last season.
Now he’s penned a new four-year deal.
Benfica closing on Luka Jovic
Another starlet of Serbian football now, in the shape of Luka Jovic.
The Red Star Belgrade forward, 18, looks set for a move to Portugal, and Lisbon giants Benfica.
O Jogo reports that Benfica have jumped to the front of a queue – also including Atletico Madrid and Spurs – by opening talks with Red Star representatives for the talented young attacker.
Jovic has 13 goals in 48 games in the Serbian league over the last two-and-a-half-years.
Everton could sign Yarmolenko
Roberto Martinez has admitted there’s a chance he could sign Andriy Yarmolenko.
But the Everton boss insisted he DIDN’T know the player’s agent was in the crowd on Saturday to watch the Blues face Dagenham in the FA Cup.
The Spanish coach has long been an admirer of Yarmolenko, who starred for Dynamo Kiev against the English club last season, and could be made available in the January transfer window.
And Martinez explained:
“I never close the door to anything, so yeah we could see a player of that calibre coming here.
“It’s the window and there are a couple of situations that could happen. We want the squad to be stronger but at the same time the squad is too big, it was built for European football, and there are a couple who need to go to get regular football.”
United to sell youngster
Manchester United have recalled Liam Grimshaw from his loan spell at Motherwell – because he’s being sold on.
Grimshaw, 19, had made 16 appearances for Mark McGhee’s side this term.
And McGhee was keen on a permanent deal, with his loan deal set to expire in the coming days.
But McGhee is now facing up to Grimshaw heading elsewhere.
“We’ve held numerous very positive talks with both Liam and his representatives about the possibility of him becoming a Motherwell player.
“So much so, our plan was to try and finalise an agreement with Manchester United this week. However, we have been gazumped at the last minute by an English club who offered a package that we simply cannot compete with.
“Whilst that is frustrating, we completely understand everyone’s position.
“I would like to firstly sincerely thank Manchester United for allowing us to have the player for the last four months.”
Norwich keen on Gayle
Norwich boss Alex Neil wants Dwight Gayle to bolster his strikeforce.
The Canaries boss wants at least one new striker this month and Crystal Palace forward Gayle has jumped to the top of his list.
Benik Afobe, Neil’s first-choice, joined Bournemouth over the weekend after Norwich’s attempts to call the player’s representatives on Friday were met by silence.
Neil followed that by selling Lewis Grabban to the Cherries for £8million on Monday.
Neither Dieumerci Mbokani nor Cameron Jerome have scored regularly this term and with Norwich in the bottom six, they need more goals.
It’s understood Palace will only look to sell Gayle this month – they’re not keen on a loan deal.
Javier Hernandez opens door on summer move
Bayer Leverkusen have been firm in their stance that Javier Hernandez is NOT for sale.
He can’t play for another club this season anyway – having already figured for both Bayer and Man United – but the German outfit have put Europe on notice that they’ve no intention of ever parting with him.
Well, speaking in Orlando while on the club’s winter break in the US, Hernandez has opened the door to a summer move, declaring, basically, that nothing is certain:
“We’ll see you never know what happens.
“You look at my last three years in which I have played for Real Madrid, Manchester United and now Leverkusen It is my goal now. to play a very good second half.
I’m glad and happy to be part of this great club. In this sport, it does not matter whether you sign a contract for ten years or ten times prolong by one year. In six months, everything can again differently be.
“Or you play ten years for the club. “
Liverpool want Caulker for Arsenal
Liverpool are pushing for Steven Caulker’s loan deal – and pushing hard.
They want the England international in the squad for tomorrow’s visit of Arsenal!
Caulker, currently on loan at Southampton from QPR, is back at Loftus Road looking to thrash out a deal to cancel his St Mary’s loan ahead of an Anfield move, reports PA Sport.
Liverpool don’t train until later today, and if Caulker can get the go-ahead and pass a medical, he could even train with the Reds tonight at Melwood.
Brentford double
More Championship news now, this time concerning Brentford and Burnley.
Oh, and Scottish side Rangers.
Burnley are reportedly keen on James Tarkowski, on whose head the Bees have placed a £5million asking price.
Mark Warburton wants a reunion with Toumani Diagouraga. As yet however, no bids.
Watford keen on Swansea star
Watford boss Quique Sanchez Flores is eyeing up Swansea winger Jefferson Montero.
The Ecuadorian international scored in the Swans 3-2 loss at Oxford on Sunday, but hasn’t been a guaranteed starter in recent months – having enjoyed an excellent start to the season.
The Hornets have impressed, and Flores wants to add further pace in wide areas to supplement strike duo Odion Ighalo and Troy Deeney.
Andros Townsend has been mooted, but the £14million fee Tottenham want is prohibitive and Montero is seen as a more attractive option.
Davies to Wednesday breaks down
Sheffield Wednesday’s move for Bolton Mark Davies has hit the buffers and looks OFF.
The midfielder had been in talks over a move away from the Championship’s crisis club, as they seek much-needed funds.
But disagreements over personal terms look set to scupper his move to the promotion-chasing Owls – ahead of tonight’s clash between the pair.
Neil Lennon had admitted at the weekend that Davies looked likely to leave. He was left out off the FA Cup squad for the match with Fulham with a £750k offer on the table.
Now he looks set to say.
Leroy Sane: Clubs, clubs and more clubs showing interest
The story of Schalke winger Leroy Sane continues to get more convoluted each day.
Last week he was a €50million target for Manchester City, but today Bild go much further on the subject of the German international.
Firstly, the clubs interested: City, Real Madrid, Barcelona, Liverpool, Arsenal, Bayern.
Secondly, his price: There is a buyout fee, of €37million – but it only kicks in in 2017. Not now.
Third, the bids: City, unwilling to wait 12/18 months, are willing to pay a premium to have him ready for the Pep Guardiola era. Arsenal have reportedly bid €28million to take him now. Liverpool have been linked with a €37million move, but have only spoken to his agent, not made a formal bid. Jurgen Klopp has been a big fan since Sane’s days as a youth prospect in Leverkusen (he lost out to Schalke when Sane returned there in 2014)
All the while, Real Madrid lurk, while Sane hiimself favours a move to Barcelona – but they already have Messi, Neymar and Suarez as first-choice and may not be keen on splashing huge on a back up.
Borussia Dortmund closing on Brazilian starlet
Anyone heard of Malcom?
Those of you who play Football Manager almost certainly will have.
Well the Corinthians forward is a wanted man in real life too, with Bundesliga side Borussia Dortmund offering up €13million to take him from his homeland to Germany.
Bild, who label him the striker with braces – on account of his wearing braces – reckon BVB fancy him asap.
Bolton fire sale continues
Bolton are set to bring in £500,000 as they part company with midfielder Josh Vela.
The homegrown product is set to link up with Russell Slade’s Cardiff, as crisis club Wanderers sell.
Mark Davies (Sheffield Wednesday) and prized asset Zach Clough (Bristol City, although he’s yet to agree terms) both also look set to depart.
Man United tipped to move for Southampton youngster
It’s shaping up to be a busy few weeks for Manchester United.
The Red Devils are being linked with Lazio’s Felipe Anderson and Atletico Madrid midfielder Saul Niguez in today’s papers, but there is also a domestic link.
According to the Daily Mail, United are weighing up a move for Southampton youngster Jake Hesketh, as they seek to build for the future.
Hesketh, 19, has a year and a half left on his Saints deal and has been scouted a number of times by United this term.
Kane happy to stay at Spurs
Harry Kane claims he has no desire to leave Tottenham.
The Spurs and England striker, the subject of interest from Real Madrid as well as Manchester United, started on the bench for Sunday’s FA Cup tie with Leicester – but netted an 89th minute equaliser to earn a 2-2 draw and score his 50th goal for the north London club.
Kan insists he is not looking for a move away, claiming the future is bright as Spurs make a serious bid for Champions League football.
Asked whether he saw his long-term future at Spurs, despite speculation linking him with Real Madrid, Kane said: “Yes definitely. There are always going to be rumours flying around but I’m happy here.
“The club is in a good shape, we have a great future and I’m raring to go so we will see what happens.
“We have got a lot of young players raring to go who are getting better with each game.”
Swansea resigned to losing Shelvey?
Jonjo Shelvey looks set to leave Swansea after manager Alan Curtis admitted he could go if Newcastle meet the player’s £10million valuation.
Shelvey has fallen out of favour after a miserable run of form, and did little to help himself with a poor display in the FA Cup defeat at League Two side Oxford, which ended with him rowing with a supporter.
The Magpies have long been monitoring the England international and, despite his undoubted ability, Swansea appear to have decided they are prepared to part company with the man they paid Liverpool £5m for in 2013.
“There have been enquiries, but nothing concrete like a firm bid. There’s been a couple of clubs, but one in particular,” he said.
“The problem is that Jonjo is such a good player and you are reluctant to let your good players go, but sometimes there comes a time when it’s best to shake hands and people move on.
“It would be difficult for any club to turn down £10million, £11million or £12million.
“Newcastle seem to be the ones making the most noises. They are interested but we may end up strengthening them as Jonjo going there would lift them and I wouldn’t want that to be to our detriment.
“But hopefully we would have to use that money to buy a replacement whether it’s a midfield player or the forward that we have been looking for for a while.”
Saints in for Sturaro
Southampton are preparing to fight Crystal Palace for Juventus ace Stefano Sturaro after having a £12.7million bid rejected.
Midfielder Sturaro, 22, is a potential replacement for wantaway Kenyan Victor Wanyama, who has been told he has to stay at Saints until the summer.
The former Genoa star has played 16 times this season for Italian giants Juventus, but he has been stuck behind international trio Sami Khedira, Paul Pogba and Claudio Marchisio in the pecking order.
The Italian under-21 star joined Juve in a £4.5m deal in the summer of 2014.
Newcastle seal Saivet deal
Newcastle have completed a £5million deal for French midfield Henri Saivet.
The Senegal international, 25, joins Newcastle from Bordeaux and is the club’s first January signing.
McClaren said: “Henri is someone the club have been watching for a while, and he has developed into an excellent player at Bordeaux.
“This is someone with a very good mentality, who is a tough player and a winner. Those are key qualities you need in the Premier League and we are looking forward to seeing him pulling on the Newcastle United shirt.”
Chelsea eyeing Milan hitman
Chelsea are considering a move for AC Milan striker Carlos Bacca.
The 29-year-old marksman moved to Italy from Spanish club Sevilla last summer.
But he is among a number of strikers under consideration as the Blues look to strengthen up front this month.
Diego Costa’s current injury scare is a reminder of just how lightweight Chelsea are up front right now. The £32million Spain striker faces a late fitness test against West Brom on Wednesday after limping out of Sunday’s FA Cup third round win over Scunthorpe with five minutes to go.
Costa is expected play, but it would represent a headache for Guus Hiddink if he were to fail to recover in time.
Injured Radamel Falcao is not expected back for several weeks while Loic Remy has not played since December 19.