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In recent a recent post on Twitter, Alasdair Gold revealed that Tottenham Hotspur manager Jose Mourinho admitted he has not watched the footage of Hugo Lloris’ controversial interview.

Following Spurs’ humiliating 3-0 defeat to Dinamo Zagreb on Thursday evening, a result which saw them dumped out of the Europa League despite having won the first leg of the tie 2-0, Lloris dubbed the defeat a “disgrace” in his post-match interview, as well as hinting at a divide in the Tottenham dressing room.

However, after Tottenham returned to Premier League action last weekend, seeing off Aston Villa 2-0, Mourinho claimed in his own post-match comments (via Gold’s Twitter profile) that he had not watched Lloris’ interview, as he is a “very mature guy” and has “emotional stability”, meaning he was “not interested” in what his player had to say about the loss.

Transfer Tavern Take

While it is likely that Lloris made his feelings known in the dressing room following the loss in Zagreb, Mourinho’s claim to the press that he was not interested in what his club captain had to say after the defeat is certainly an interesting stance to take.

Indeed, with the Frenchman suggesting there is a divide in the Tottenham dressing room, this would very much appear to be something which directly concerns Mourinho – and something which, unless the 58-year-old begins to take notice, could very much have an impact on his own future in north London, regardless of his apparent “emotional stability”.

In other news: Tottenham have identified a potentially ‘perfect’ heir to Mourinho – find out more here!

Speaking exclusively to Football FanCast, former Premier League midfielder Carlton Palmer believes the criticism that Gareth Bale has received this season has been fair.

Given the impact Bale made during his first spell at Tottenham and what he managed to achieve at Real Madrid, much was expected of him.

However, the 31-year-old has been unable to replicate the sort of form that made him such a popular figure at White Hart Lane first time round, failing to nail down a regular spot in Jose Mourinho’s starting XI, including being left on the bench and featuring for zero minutes in the win against Aston Villa on Sunday.

As a result, Bale has come under fire, though ex-Manchester City and England defender Micah Richards recently came out to defend him, believing the Welsh forward has been disrespected to a certain degree.

Palmer, however, is not too sure and feels Bale should be delivering more. Discussing the Wales international, who is on loan from Real Madrid, the retired Premier League footballer told FFC:

“I think everybody would have expected that Gareth would have done better than what he’s done. Of late, he’s started to show signs of the old Gareth Bale, but you can’t just go off what people have done in the past and say that you should give him respect.

“He’s not come over to Tottenham on a free transfer and on small wages. He’s come over on a huge salary. If he was honest and if Jose was honest, they would have both wanted his impact to be more.”

In recent weeks, Bale’s form has certainly picked up. He scored two goals in Tottenham’s 4-1 win against Crystal Palace at the start of the month and another two prior in a 4-0 win versus Burnley.

However, before that, he was having very little influence on the pitch, really struggling in front of goal when called upon, making the criticism he has faced this season unsurprising.

Writing for Sky Sports, journalist Kaveh Solhekol has shared that West Ham will still do ‘whatever it takes’ to sign Jesse Lingard this summer on a permanent deal, despite the worrying rumours of a possible price hike.

Lingard, who has been a revelation for the Irons since signing on loan with the club in January, has been at the centre of much speculation linking him with a permanent move to east London.

Sky journalist shares promising Jesse Lingard update

His latest dazzling display came away to Wolverhampton Wanderers on Monday evening, with Lingard playing a major role as the Hammers cemented another victory in the quest to qualify for European football.

The 28-year-old scored a wonderful solo goal and was central in the build up to West Ham’s next two strikes on the night.

In the latest update on a permanent deal for Lingard, Sky journalist Solhekol has shared a promising update that West Ham United ‘will do whatever it takes’ to sign him this summer.

Transfer Tavern take

News that the Hammers are willing to go above and beyond to make this happen is certainly a promising update for supporters.

Reports have indicated that Man United could hike the price for Lingard due to his sensational run of form, but both Irons fans and GSB will be hoping he is still within their reach.

Pundit Ian Wright, speaking to Premier League productions recently (via C&H and HITC), labelled the attacker ‘devastating’ – leaving little wonder why West Ham are keen to tie him down in east London.

In other news: West Ham want this 6 foot 4 powerhouse, find out more here.

According to a report by club insiders Claret & Hugh, via West Ham news, defender Fabian Balbuena has made up his mind over leaving east London and will depart at the end of this season when his contract expires.

Balbuena, who briefly forced his way back into the team under David Moyes, partnering Angelo Ogbonna and Aaron Cresswell consistently in a back three at the back end of the last calendar year, will now leave according to C&H.

Indeed, with no new deal on the table for him, the Paraguayan has apparently made up his mind and has decided to move on from West Ham when his current contract officially runs out.

The 29-year-old has recently had to watch summer signing Craig Dawson take his mantle in the starting eleven, and when Ogbonna succumbed to injury, Issa Diop was the chosen defensive partner by Moyes.

Flocking to this update, many Hammers fans had their say – find all of their best comments down below.

West Ham fans react to Balbuena development

“Noooo I rate this lad”

Credit: @daggers496

“How stupid though, great squad depth. Wont even get a fee for him”

Credit: @szn_bowen

“Very bizarre we aren’t keeping him. We have 3 senior CBs left. Reports Alves will step up but I feel we need another senior.”

Credit: @westhamtransfer

“This hurts but it’s completely understandable

He is good enough to be starting every game”

Credit: @MattIngram28

“Day ruined”

Credit: @WhuJosh

“Bang out of order alienating him like that. Was injured then got COVID which extended his absence but he hasn’t put a foot wrong for us this season”

Credit: @DanOCon23169711

“Another good player going for nothing”

Credit: @HarryZippyAx

“Big shame. I like the guy and he’s a good squad player who knows the club.”

Credit: @WesthamVan1

In other news: West Ham fans also flocked to a transfer claim, find out more here.

According to Mundo Deportivo, Arsenal are interested in signing Manchester City starlet Eric Garcia.

What’s the story?

The Spaniard’s contract with Pep Guardiola’s side comes to an end in the summer, with the City boss himself confirming recently that he doesn’t think the centre-back will sign a new deal at the Etihad.

Despite suggestions that Garcia might be on his way to La Liga giants Barcelona, Spanish publication Mundo Deportivo claim that Arsenal and PSG have approached the 20-year-old over a potential summer switch.

Bye-bye Mustafi

With reports suggesting that Arsenal could be set to terminate Shkodran Mustafi’s contract during this January transfer window – the German’s deal expires in the summer – it’s no surprise that the north London side are after another defender in Garcia.

Guardiola hailed Garcia someone who plays at an “incredibly high level” and who “doesn’t make mistakes”, and given Mustafi’s error-prone career at Arsenal (who can ever forget his Crystal Palace disaster at the Emirates?), that would be very much welcomed at the Emirates.

The Spaniard is someone who is extremely comfortable on the ball, with his impressive 93.1% pass accuracy last season in the Premier League, only bettered by John Stones among his City teammates. Compare that to Arsenal’s players though, and it’s far better than every one of them, with the closest being Matteo Guendouzi who averaged 88.4%.

And given that Arteta worked as Guardiola’s assistant at City, he will know all about Garcia, and what his strengths and weakness are. The 20-year-old would be a perfect fit for the Gunners given his Premier League experience, and the centre-back himself likely wouldn’t take too long to get to grips with his former coach’s way of working.

On a free transfer, at just 20-years-old, and having worked with Arteta before, Garcia ticks all the boxes for Edu.

Meanwhile, Arsenal could sign their next Ashley Cole in this starlet…

West Ham United have been dealt a transfer blow in their pursuit of Youssef En-Nesyri as 90min have reported that Sevilla are set to offer him a new deal.

The London Stadium faithful had reportedly tabled an offer for the Morocco international worth €35m (£30.3m), and the East London club also made an enquiry to sign him in the January transfer window.

However, the La Liga side are set to offer him a new contract and thus reject any interest from the Premier League, or at least drive the price way up if he is to leave.

Sevilla immediately rebuffed advances from David Moyes’ team to sign him in January when they registered their interest, with the Spanish club now keen to agree a fresh new deal with a big pay rise.

Borussia Dortmund and Inter Milan are also taking an interest in his current situation, and both Liverpool and Manchester United have been informed.

En-Nesyri would be an ideal signing for West Ham

Given that the Hammers are really lacking in sufficient back-up to Michail Antonio, En-Nesyri would be an ideal signing for them.

The striker has scored no fewer than 17 goals in total over all competitions so far in the 2020/21 term, including four in the UEFA Champions League (Transfermarkt).

However, it looks as if a move from the Irons is increasingly unlikely given the hopes of Sevilla that the 23-year-old will sign a new deal.

In other news, find out what claim on a potential takeover of WHU has been made here!

An arbitrator has dropped an inside claim on Michael Beloff amid the pending takeover court case between Newcastle United and the Premier League.

Beloff is in line to chair the three-man arbitration panel that will attempt to sort out the ongoing legal disputes between the two parties over the failed takeover of the St. James’ Park faithful by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) group.

Jeffrey Benz, who is an arbitrator and has sat on a number of different CAS arbitration panels with Beloff, has since dropped some interesting insight to The Chronicle on what can be expected of him:

“In cases, Michael comes to a conclusion pretty quickly. He will consider all the evidence before reaching that conclusion and he is not afraid of sharing his views with his fellow arbitrators.

“At the same time, if people disagree with him, he will listen and has been known to be persuaded and change his position. He has copious experience running successful arbitration proceedings.”

Newcastle takeover hope?

Despite the best efforts of the North East club in trying to remove Beloff from the panel due to suspected bias, what can be gathered from Benz’s comments is that the case may not be prolonged but also that he is very careful when it comes to his final decision.

The Tyneside club will want a decision as quick as possible so that it can give them enough time to prepare for what may or may not be a takeover at the Magpies.

However, they will also want that decision to be the right one and will of course hope that Beloff and his panel rule in their favour come the end of the hearing.

Nonetheless, it is interesting to hear how he goes about his business and certainly a positive that those fears of bias may have been quashed.

In other news, find out who Lee Ryder has confirmed the Toon are close to signing here!

Leeds United are facing a transfer battle in the race to sign Spezia striker M’Bala Nzola.

What’s the story?

With summer signing Rodrigo yet to really find his feet at Elland Road in terms of scoring goals – he’s managed just three in 18 games – it’s no surprise to see Marcelo Bielsa’s side being linked with a move for a new centre-forward.

According to Italian publication, Tuttosport (via Sport Witness), Leeds are name-checked as one of the clubs monitoring Nzola and considering a transfer move for him.

The report adds that there are also other clubs from England, Germany and Italy who have been closely tracking his progress, with the 24-year-old having only joined Spezia in the summer.

Bye-bye Tyler Roberts

It’s been a curious old time for Tyler Roberts this season, with the Wales international making just nine first-team appearances in total for the club.

Last week, reports suggested that a whole host of Championship clubs were interested in luring him away from Elland Road during this transfer window, with Bielsa claiming that he was “unavailable at the moment” in a pre-match press conference on January 2nd.

If Leeds were to snap up Nzola, then that could be the final nail in the coffin for Roberts’ long-term future at the club. The Spezia striker has been in superb form in his debut season in Serie A, bagging nine goals in 13 games in the competition, with only six players ahead of him in the league’s goal-scoring charts.

And it’s Nzola’s style of play that will likely appeal to Bielsa, with Metropolitan Magazine describing him as “a very fast central striker who manages to attack space with absolute effectiveness. He is also difficult to deal with because he has enviable physical strength which makes him an extremely uncomfortable customer.”

Just like Patrick Bamford, Nzola would be tasked with leading the line on his own and running the hard yards into the channels, behind the opposition defence, and pressing the centre-backs as well.

And as seen by his clinical touch – he’s scored every 121 minutes and missed four big chances in 13 games, compared to Bamford who’s scored every 146 minutes and missed 12 big chances in 17 games – Nzola could provide a superb option up front.

An efficient goal-scorer, and someone with the kind of footballing characteristics that make him an ideal fit for a Leeds United side under Bielsa. The Whites boss would surely adore the 6 foot centre-forward  if he arrives at Elland Road.

Meanwhile, Leeds must desperately sell this flop…

Any dilemma Jose Mourinho had over his attacking midfield options have surely been put to bed after Tottenham’s draw against Chelsea.

Spurs travelled to Stamford Bridge on Sunday to face off against their London rivals. A point was enough for the Lilywhites, who now reclaim their place atop of the Premier League table.

Whilst the Blues were sharp enough to nullify the threat of Harry Kane and Son Heung-min, one man they didn’t account for was Tanguy Ndombele. Although he didn’t contribute to the attack in terms of key passes or shots on target, the Frenchman was a handful for the Chelsea backline.

The Ndombele debate

According to Sofascore, the Spurs No.28 won an impressive ten of his 13 attempted duels, completed a whopping six dribbles and drew in three fouls, proving just how much of a headache he was for Chelsea. He also did well to backtrack and help out with the defending. Ndombele contributed three interceptions, a block and a tackle.

Between the 23-year-old, Giovani Lo Celso and after Mourinho’s surprise inclusion of Dele Alli against Ludogorets, there’s been debate over who his first choice midfielder will be for the season. However, Ndombele has started the last four Spurs matches whilst others have been demoted to the bench.

With the red-hot form of Harry Kane and Son Heung-min, Tottenham are well-stacked when it comes to scoring goals. However, with Ndombele’s modest yet promising count of one goal and one assist in the Premier League so far this season, Mourinho will be thankful he has options outside of the attacking duo.

If he continues the solid form he has shown so far this term, he will be an untouchable asset to Spurs in their title-challenging mission.

In other news, Steven Bergwijn was all but anonymous in Chelsea stalemate…

One of Leeds United’s summer decisions is quickly turning out to be an absolute masterstroke from Victor Orta.

Premier League clubs ought to approach the Belgian top-flight with caution and the Yorkshire giants are lucky that they weren’t stung by the same bee as Aston Villa last season.

Throughout the transfer window, the Championship-winners were linked with a swoop for then-Gent talisman Jonathan David – according to GFFN, the Whites failed in their attempts to sign the 20-year-old Canadian.

His sights were always set on Lille, whom he joined in a €30m (£27m) deal in August, and United should be hugely grateful for his decision as they appear to have dodged one massive flop.

In his last two seasons with De Buffalo’s, David scored 37 goals and provided 17 assists so it was no surprise to see interest come for him from the Premier League.

Arsenal, Manchester United and Leicester City were all also mooted with the young striker, as per Goal.

Although the step-up in quality from the Belgian Super League to any of Europe’s elite divisions has been displayed once again.

You only have to look at how badly both Wesley Moraes and Mbwana Sammatta struggled at Villa last season to know why a move for David was a major gamble.

The former has scored only five league goals following a 13-goal campaign with Club Brugge whilst the latter has already been moved on after just one strike for Leeds’ Midlands rivals. He had bagged over 30 goals for Genk across two seasons prior to his PL move.

Now we’re seeing similar with the Canadian international.

David has delivered just one goal in 958 minutes of action (all competitions) for the Ligue 1 outfit and that is hugely surprising given his form in Belgium and previous comments lauding his ability.

His former boss, Hein Vanhaezebrouck, once dubbed him “a phenomenon” and claimed that David was “the best player in the country,” adding: “He will be the most expensive outgoing transfer from Gent. They would happily sell him for £25m or more.”

He may only be 20. but clearly, his raw experience is holding him back, and that’s not something Leeds could’ve given him time to resolve as they will be wanting to stay in the top-flight at all costs.

Plus they have enjoyed Patrick Bamford’s red-hot form thus far, so there’s no guarantee that he would’ve even featured much.

The Whites can count their lucky stars that they didn’t successfully splash the cash on David this summer.

AND in other news, Leeds could land their next Saiz in £18m-rated maestro who “breathes talent”…