Danny Rohl has wasted no time before making some changes at Rangers and has already welcomed one player back into the fold to reverse one of Russell Martin’s decisions.
Rohl: Rangers already have "clear" idea ahead of Brann
After nothing short of a disastrous season so far, Rangers enter their game against Brann in the Europa League in desperate need of victory on Danny Rohl’s debut.
The former Sheffield Wednesday boss has replaced Russell Martin to end the 49ers’ search for a manager, which saw both Steven Gerrard and Kevin Muscat lead the race before Rohl took the job.
Rohl already gets January promise from Rangers board as Cavenagh eyes two moves
The new Rangers boss could welcome some key upgrades…
ByTom Cunningham
It’s been a big week for the young manager as he prepares for his first game in charge, but he admitted that his players already have a “clear” idea of what he wants.
That said, there’s no denying that it won’t be an easy fix at Ibrox this season and several changes are undoubtedly needed. Alas, for the time being, Rohl will have no choice but to make those changes using the current squad and that has already seen one player make his return to the fold.
Rohl drops major team news hint
In his first big change, Rohl has recalled Clinton Nsiala to first-team training for the first time since Martin told the France youth international he could leave the club in the summer.
Nsiala’s re-call represents the clean slate that the Gers are now operating with under Rohl and one that several stars should use to make their mark for the first time in Scotland.
It would certainly be quite the move if Nsiala came in for his first appearance of the season in the Europa League and his first game since the quarter-final of the competition in the last campaign, but it’s one that Rohl could make.
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The return of the defender could prove to be an early masterstroke, too. Whilst he didn’t feature under Martin, he started nine games in the Scottish Premiership last season and lost just once. Given Rangers’ defensive problems in the current campaign and how he’s taken previous opportunities, it’s only right that a return is on the cards.
With Brann tonight and Kilmarnock at the weekend, it’s the type of week which may steer Rangers in the right direction for the first time this season.
As the new football season draws closer large numbers of us will know where we will be on a Saturday night. We will be parked in front of the television and welcomed once again by Lineker alongside Messrs Hansen and Shearer to review all the day’s action from the Premier League. It is a cosy, familiar setting in which we will undoubtedly be treated to bad puns and the same nuggets of wisdom as the previous year. Namely, that you can’t win anything with kids, the crucial importance of winning ugly and having strength in depth. But the BBC is arguably at risk of losing viewers if it does not consider re-vamping a format which has remained unchanged for years. In an era of new digital technology, web content and the red button it is surely time to give the viewer greater freedom over the matches they want to see.
The Saturday night MOTD has become something of a footballing institution. Players and managers alike will share a joke in their post-match interview about their team featuring last on the programme again. For devoted football geeks out there said MOTD line-up is still available on Teletext a few hours before kick-off. But does this not feel slightly arcane as we approach the 2010/11 season? Don’t terrestrial viewers of football deserve something different?
Previous critiques of MOTD have centred upon its stilted and reactionary punditry. When Ian Wright quit his role as a BBC football pundit in 2008 he questioned how long a young audience in particular would keep watching the ‘same old jacket, shirt and tie format’ and suggested that viewers wanted something different. Maybe he was on to something as MOTD2 under the chummy stewardship of Adrian Chiles achieved much popularity by inviting current players and managers on as guests and taking a sideways view of the weekend’s action. This however, is not the biggest problem facing the programme as all highlights packages have similarities and the extent to which clothing and appearance is central to viewers’ observations of these shows is questionable.
The main issue facing MOTD is the inherent injustice for the viewer supporting a team outside of the top four/five. During the final third of last season when the title race was wide open, Chelsea, Manchester United and Arsenal consistently topped the schedules. However good punditry will almost certainly involve telling the viewer something new or offer opinions that will spark some debate. This is immeasurably harder when reflecting on a bore draw instead of another thrilling twist in the title race.
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Devoted football fans though would surely want in-depth coverage of their team’s game even if it ended goalless. It is surely not beyond the means of the BBC to provide the viewer with more options through use of the red button and its website. By using such media the viewer could be treated to longer highlights of their chosen game accompanied by more comprehensive post-match interviews and analysis from the commentary team who actually sat through the entire game. The BBC is clearly not averse to technological change when it comes to sporting output. The Football League Show is available online and its coverage of the World Cup showed innovation by making highlights available on all platforms, giving viewers more ownership over what they wanted to watch and when. With any such changes come issues concerning rights and contractual agreements with the Premier League but if left unaltered this most famous football show will risk losing a significant portion of its audience to innumerable websites which now offer highlights of any match on demand.
Celtic are looking for firepower in their race to claim the Scottish Premiership and they could now be set to ramp up their efforts to sign a highly-rated international.
Celtic sweep aside Dundee United comfortably
Despite supporters expressing disappointment at the Hoops’ hierarchy failing to sign a striker before their clash against Dundee United, any frustration soon turned to elation after Martin O’Neill guided his side to a comprehensive victory on home soil.
Keeping their first clean sheet in nine matches, the Irishman’s switch to a back four and his decision to bring wingers back into play began to slowly heal some of the wounds left by Wilfried Nancy’s disastrous spell in charge.
Speaking after the match, O’Neill made it clear that he wants new arrivals in place to assist his efforts to win the title as the Bhoys look to get the better of Heart of Midlothian and Rangers in what is becoming a three-way fight for glory.
He said: “Today it was all about winning the game but the performance was terrific, I don’t think I should overlook that. We played really well, got confidence back again and it was just lovely to win. I’ve got no update (on transfers) at this minute. We need some people in to help the squad at the minute. I am never confident about anything until it’s actually over the line.”
Stefan Ortega is a long-term target to replace Kasper Schmeichel, though the goalkeeping position will likely not be addressed until the summer.
Hibernian midfielder Miguel Chaiwa is on Celtic’s radar and has also attracted interest from Fiorentina this window. Nevertheless, the Bhoys may actually raid his side for one of their alternative key players.
Celtic set sights on signing Kieron Bowie
According to Herald Sport, Celtic have signalled their interest in marksman Kieron Bowie to Hibernian, asking to be ‘kept informed over any possible transfer deals’ or approaches involving the Scotland international.
In light of recent speculation surrounding his future, Hibees boss David Gray responded by saying: “I think the speculation is going to be there in terms of people approaching the club. One thing that Kieron needs to do, and it’s the same as all the other players, is just keep doing what he’s doing.”
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Enjoying a fine campaign, Bowie has scored nine times and registered three assists in 28 appearances across all competitions and netted against Motherwell on Saturday to continue his stretch of form. Any transfer would break the record between Scottish clubs, which remains Scott Brown’s £4.4 million move from Hibernian to Celtic back in 2007.
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Given he is homegrown and already acclimatised to the rough and tumble of the Scottish Premiership, the former Fulham man would be a popular addition at Parkhead, though it remains to be seen whether Celtic are willing to meet his £6.5 million valuation, especially when you consider that English clubs are also keeping an eye on his situation.
Rangers have now reportedly made an approach to sign a Championship star, who Danny Rohl already knows well.
Skov Olsen "excited" to join Rangers
Securing their most impressive signing of the January transfer window so far, Rangers announced the arrival of Andreas Skov Olsen earlier this week. The winger has completed a loan move, which includes an option to buy for those at Ibrox if he impresses enough in the coming months.
Speaking for the first time since putting pen to paper, Rangers’ new star told the club website: “I’m very excited. I’m very happy that it’s done and I’m so excited to meet all the players, fans and the rest of the club.
“Rangers are the biggest club in Scotland with a huge history. It has huge traditions and is a very old club. When I finally heard that I had the opportunity to come here, I wasn’t in doubt for a second. I want to come here to try help win trophies with the rest of the team, do my best, and have a great time here.”
Rohl, equally delighted, followed that by saying: “We are really excited to bring Andreas to the club. He is a player who has proven himself at the top level and brings experience of performing under pressure both domestically and on the European stage.
“He will provide real quality in the final third of the pitch and arrives hungry for this challenge and excited by the opportunity ahead of him.”
Rangers, however, aren’t done there. Recent rumours have already claimed that a move could happen for Sunderland’s Dan Neil or for Sheffield Wednesday star Max Lowe before the end of the January transfer window.
Rangers launch approach to sign Max Lowe
According to The Star, Rangers have launched an approach to sign Lowe from Sheffield Wednesday and whilst he seems likely to stay put at Hillsborough this month, the Gers could yet strike a pre-contract agreement.
The 28-year-old left-back is out of contract at the end of the season and that’s when the Gers could land a bargain deal for a player that Rohl already knows so well.
Lowe wouldn’t be the standout signing of the month for Rangers by any stretch. What he would be is a name that Rohl can trust just when the Scottish Premiership’s title race heats up.
Rohl could sign £9m star to finally end Rothwell's Rangers career
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1 ByDan Emery
After a remarkable turnaround, the Gers sit just six points behind leaders Hearts and on their strongest run of form under Rohl. It is still all to play for and the addition of Lowe would only boost Rangers’ title chances.
Celtic are keen to recruit in January and now have a versatile Scottish Premiership star on their list who has earned rave reviews as he continues to impress in his homeland.
Celtic set for significant January window under Wilfried Nancy
With his complex system drawing plenty of attention, Wilfried Nancy has endured a mixed start to life at Parkhead as he lays down the foundations of his 3-4-2-1 formation at the Scottish Premiership champions.
Four consecutive losses signalled a disastrous start. However, back-to-back victories for Celtic over Aberdeen and Livingston have pulled his side closer to Heart of Midlothian in the race to win Scotland’s top-flight.
Nevertheless, his squad are still getting to grips with a new style of play, which is likely to force his hand when the January transfer window opens, amid concerns over the Bhoys’ defensive shape and lack of cutting edge in attack.
When asked about the type of profiles he will target to bolster his ranks after seeing off Livingston, Nancy stated: “We have a lot of ability in terms of the way we play. It is important that when you sign players, they need to have personality. This is a big club. To play here is not always easy. It is so, so important to have players who can play here at a club like this.”
Kilmarnock’s David Watson has been mentioned as a potential pre-contract capture for Celtic. Meanwhile, their search for a striker is likely to define January for Nancy, amid Johnny Kenny’s struggle to meet expectations.
Either way, it feels like arrivals will be necessary for the Bhoys to force their way over the line in the Scottish Premiership, with Hearts proving to be a competitor that may be capable of going the distance if their consistency continues.
Celtic keen to strike deal for Hibernian star Josh Mulligan
According to Mailsport, Celtic are keen to sign Hibernian star Josh Mulligan after his emergence at Easter Road since joining David Gray’s men during the summer window. Rangers fought hard for his signature during the summer window but he chose a four-year deal at Hibs.
Nottingham Forest and Leeds United have recently shown an interest in the 23-year-old, who is capable of featuring on the right-hand side of midfield or in a central role within the engine room.
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Hibernian would prefer a summer sale as opposed to letting Mulligan depart in January, though it remains to be seen if Celtic could test their resolve to land the Dundee-born man.
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Likened to Gareth Bale and labelled a “Rolls-Royce” by Simon Ferry, the former Dundee man has registered three goals and three assists in 26 appearances this campaign across all competitions.
Presumably, Mulligan would be utilised in Nancy’s right-wing back role, tasked with making supporting runs and creating chances while maintaining defensive balance.
Intriguingly, he has already made 17 opportunities for his teammates this term on league duty, per Fotmob, emphasising that he would be an ideal fit within the Frenchman’s system while also possessing homegrown status.
Manchester United are a club on the up under Ruben Amorim, but there are still a few issues that continue to plague him in his quest for success at Old Trafford.
The 40-year-old took the reins from Erik ten Hag last November, but it’s taken over 12 months for the players to fully adapt to the demands of his 3-4-2-1 system.
As a result, it required numerous players to take up new roles, but none more so than Amad Diallo, who’s been requested to operate in a deeper wing-back role.
The Red Devils do lack key depth in such an area of the pitch, but such issues look set to worsen as the Ivorian links up with his national team ahead of AFCON.
However, one other part of the field has also been brought into question over recent seasons, which could see added investment made during the upcoming January window.
Man Utd targeting move to sign European superstar
Over the last couple of weeks, rumours have certainly ramped up linking United with a potential club-record deal to land Nottingham Forest star Elliot Anderson this January.
The England international has been one of the Premier League’s star men in 2025/26 to date, but could cost a pretty penny amid his current £100m asking price.
However, Amorim’s men are not alone in their hunt for the 23-year-old, with local rivals Manchester City also keen to make a move for the youngster next month.
He’s not the only player currently in their sights ahead of the upcoming window, with Stuttgart sensation Angelo Stiller another option currently being considered.
The latest report from TEAMtalk states that the Red Devils are keeping a close eye on the 24-year-old’s progress and are considering making a move in January.
It also states that the German is seen as the most likely candidate to be pursued outside of any Premier League options, but it doesn’t state how much a deal could cost INEOS.
Why Stiller would be the perfect Bruno replacement
Bruno Fernandes has no doubt been United’s shining light over the last couple of years, as seen by his remarkable tallies of goals and assists in the Premier League.
Even in 2025/26, he’s continued his remarkable form in England’s top-flight, subsequently registering 12 goal contributions in his first 16 league outings to date.
However, his career at Old Trafford may now be in doubt, after he came out and claimed that the hierarchy wanted to sell him amid interest from Saudi Arabia in the summer.
It’s unclear how the club feel about his comments in the media, but they could well be tempted to cash in on the 31-year-old in the near future to regain as much of their £47m investment as possible.
Such a move could prove to be a risk given his remarkable tallies in the final third, but it could well be the last chance to make a profit on his services given his age.
The supporters would no doubt be alarmed if he were to depart, but they could well be about to land the perfect replacement in the form of German star Stiller.
When comparing their respective stats from the ongoing campaign, the Stuttgart talent has managed to outperform Bruno in numerous key areas.
How Stiller & Bruno compare in 2025/26
Statistics (per 90)
Stiller
Bruno
Games played
14
16
Goals & assists
4
12
Progressive carries
1.8
1.7
Progressive passes
8.7
8.3
Pass accuracy
86%
78%
Passes into final third
7.6
6.9
Take-on success
62%
36%
Recoveries made
6.1
5.8
Aerials won
45%
40%
Stats via FBref
Stiller has managed to register 8.7 progressive passes, with 7.6 of which being played into the final third per 90 – with both tallies higher than Bruno has managed to date.
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He’s also completed more of the passes he’s attempted, whilst achieving a greater take-on success rate – subsequently showcasing his dominance in possession.
VfB Stuttgart'sAngeloStillercelebrates scoring their first goal
Without the ball, he’s made more recoveries and won more aerial battles than the Portuguese international – leading to one analyst dubbing him the “most underrated midfielder in Europe”.
It’s unclear how much a deal for the German sensation would cost in the upcoming market, but it’s evident that he has all the tools needed to replace Bruno.
No Manchester United fan would want to lose their captain at present, but ultimately the club will certainly do what’s best for them from a financial standpoint.
As for Stiller, he has bags of time to develop further and become an elite talent and help the club achieve a new level of success under Amorim’s guidance.
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Manchester United’s search for new attack-minded wing-backs appears to be stepping up.
Martin O’Neill signed off his second spell with Celtic in style with a 1-0 win over Dundee at Parkhead in the Scottish Premiership on Wednesday night.
The experienced interim won seven of his eight matches in charge of the club after Brendan Rodgers resigned at the end of October, and Wilfried Nancy will take on the role from Thursday.
Daizen Maeda scored the only goal of the game for O’Neill’s side as he bravely competed to head into the back of the net after Hyun-jun Yang’s effort was saved, which led to him wearing a bandage for the remainder of the night.
Ranking Celtic's best performers against Dundee
The Japan international was, of course, one of the top performers on the night for the Hoops because it was his goal that ultimately sealed all three points to send Celtic level on points with Hearts at the top of the table.
He was not the top performer on the night for the Scottish giants, though, as a couple of other players were ahead of him in that respect, because the striker also missed a ‘big chance’ and lost five of his six duels, per Sofascore.
Reo Hatate was one of those two players. The Japanese whiz created two ‘big chances’, including Yang’s initial shot before the goal, and won four of his seven duels, per Sofascore, in what was a masterful showing in the middle of the park.
Ranking Celtic’s top performers vs Dundee
Rank
Player
1
Colby Donovan
2
Reo Hatate
3
Daizen Maeda
4
Hyun-jun Yang
5
Kasper Schmeichel
As you can see in the table above, Yang and goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel, who pulled off three saves and three run-outs to keep his clean sheet intact, were also among the top performers on the pitch.
However, we have ranked Colby Donovan as the best performer on the night for the Scottish giants, as he provided a reminder of his quality after a shaky game against Hibernian.
Why Colby Donovan is undroppable for Wilfried Nancy
On Sunday, the Scottish full-back lost two of his three ground duels, per Sofascore, and was subbed off at half-time after being booked for a late challenge on Jordan Obita.
After that disappointing showing at the weekend, Donovan may have known that he needed to respond with a big performance against Dundee to ensure that the new manager does not drop him for the game against Hearts on Sunday.
Now, the Scotland U21 international is surely the first completely undroppable player for Nancy at Parkhead, because he was the best performer in the last game before his first match in charge.
Donovan won three of his four ground duels and three of his three aerial duels, winning 87% of his total battles, per Sofascore, whilst Maeda, for example, lost five of his six duels and struggled on that side of the game after scoring his goal.
Vs Dundee
Donovan
Celtic rank
Sofascore rating
8.3
1st
Duels won
6
1st
Aerial duels won
3
1st
Aerial duel success rate
100%
1st
Tackles won
2
1st
Touches
91
4th
Successful crosses
3
1st
Key passes
2
2nd
Stats via Sofascore
As you can see in the table above, the academy graduate also added creativity in possession to go along with his outstanding defensive work, as only Reo Hatate (five) made more key passes on the night, whilst no one completed more crosses.
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Donovan showed Nancy, who was unveiled before the game kicked off, that he is capable of delivering a quality performance at both ends of the pitch from the right-back position, which is why he should already be undroppable.
With Alistair Johnston still sidelined with a hamstring injury, the Scottish youngster should be the first name on the teamsheet ahead of the clash with Hearts on Sunday.
That is also influenced by Anthony Ralston’s disappointing form. Pundit Chris Sutton described his play as “really shaky” when he came off the bench against Hibernian, whilst he was also caught out twice by Mikel Gogorza in the Europa League clash with Midtjylland.
Given Ralston’s lack of form and Donovan’s impressive showing on Wednesday night, the 19-year-old defender will surely already be undroppable for Nancy in the short term.
Richard Hughes was rightly lauded after overseeing a staggering summer transfer window for Premier League champions Liverpool, but any positivity has been scourged away by the dreadful form that has fractured Arne Slot’s reign.
Nine losses across 12 fixtures is bad enough, but the limp and toothless manner of many of the defeats – especially recent losses at Anfield against Nottingham Forest and PSV Eindhoven in the Champions League – underscores the severity of the crisis Slot is dealing with.
He needs to find answers, or else FSG will be forced into making a rare managerial dismissal. It’s inevitable that discussion is increasing about the security of Slot’s position.
That would be an outcome few of a Red persuasion would want, not least because of a shortage of options.
Jurgen Klopp’s name has been bandied about, but this is not realistic.
Who Liverpool could replace Slot with
Klopp draped the curtain on his Liverpool dynasty at the end of the 2023/24 campaign. He was tired. It had been a tough, gruelling, heavy metal career on Merseyside, where he had devoted nine years to restoring Anfield as a global superpower.
Klopp’s Silverware at Liverpool
Competition
Times won
Season(s)
Premier League
1x
19/20
Champions League
1x
18/19
FA Cup
1x
21/22
Carabao Cup
2x
21/22, 23/24
Club World Cup
1x
19/20
UEFA Super Cup
1x
19/20
Community Shield
1x
22/23
Data via Transfermarkt
There has been some discussion online as to whether FSG should push for a comeback, but this romanticised notion would fall flat.
Klopp is not the answer. His quasi-retirement has seen him assume the post of Head of Global Soccer for Red Bull GmbH, and it’s important to remember that the German tactician’s tactical shrewdness waned toward the end of his tenure. He was tired, after all.
But, if Slot is fired, Liverpool would need to find a replacement, and Spanish sources suggest Bournemouth boss Andoni Iraola is on the shortlist.
Iraola, 43, is one of the most exciting young managers in Europe, having shaped the Cherries into a front-footed and sharp attacking outfit.
Compensation pay would be required to pull him away from the Vitality Stadium, but given Iraola’s vision aligns with the club’s long-term project, he might be the one to go for.
Why Iraola could be perfect for Liverpool
It was a bold move for Bournemouth to ditch Gary O’Neil after the pragmatic manager steered the club to safety after promotion to the Premier League in 2022/23. A bold move, but one carried out with diligence, for Iraola was earmarked as a progressive option.
And Bill Foley must be delighted. In 2023/24, Bournemouth recorded a record points total (56) in the Premier League, leading journalist James Horncastle to hail him as “the best coach in the Premier League” for his sharp-witted and positive approach.
Iraola likes aggressive and high-octane football. He is not as turbo-charged in his approach as Klopp, but the Spaniard would infuse Liverpool with more risk-taking and directness than Slot prefers, albeit still maintaining an emphasis on retaining possession.
This could play to the strengths of Florian Wirtz, who has had a tough time since joining Liverpool from Bayer Leverkusen for £116m in the summer.
A silky and inventive attacking midfielder, the German has yet to register a goal involvement in the Premier League and has lacked the clarity and poise that was expected after the thrill of his official announcement.
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There remains a world-class talent in there, and Wirtz’s woes come with the caveat that he has entered a dysfunctional tactical system.
Iraola’s focus on a 4-2-3-1 formation suggests that the 22-year-old could find a natural place at number ten. As per FBref, he does rank among the top 11% of positional peers in the English top flight this term for shot-creating actions and the top 4% for passes attempted and progressive passes per 90.
This suggests that Wirtz has the potential to be a superstar in England, and Iraola can provide the stability and fluency of tactics to help realise that.
He might not be Klopp, but Iraola has labelled his tactics as being akin to “rock and roll”. Klopp’s famous branding of his vision as being ‘heavy metal football’ suggests that Liverpool might hit the jackpot by making this switch.
No one wants to see Slot be sacked, but this pitiful form and level of performance cannot be allowed to continue, and Iraola has the acumen to revive Wirtz and bring the champions back into the ascendancy.
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Changing styles and systems has been a common thread at Tottenham Hotspur in recent times.
From the fluid football of Mauricio Pochettino to the win-at-all-costs pragmatism of Jose Mourinho. From the gung-ho, all-action style of Ange Postecoglou, to the more conservative, measured approach of Thomas Frank.
The latter man is currently trying to steady the ship again following a turbulent and chaotic ‘second season’ under Postecoglou, although there is a sense that the Dane needs to take the handbrake off, even with the Lilywhites currently residing in fifth in the Premier League table.
With 11 games played, the north Londoners have collected 18 points, scoring 19 goals and shipping just ten. Two years earlier, for comparison, Postecoglou’s first 11 league games yielded 26 points, having scored 23 goals and conceded 13.
Of course, that rampant start wasn’t maintained, although the enigmatic Aussie swiftly got supporters onside. As was evident amid the jeers at his substitutions in the recent 2-2 draw with Manchester United, Frank is yet to do just that.
Patience is required, however, with further investment likely to be needed, not least in the forward ranks. How about Antoine Semenyo, anyone?
Latest on Tottenham's interest in Semenyo
Frank is still fine-tuning his frontline, in the absence of Dominic Solanke, having unleashed 14 different attacking combinations in just 18 games this season, while never using the same one more than twice, as noted by the Daily Mail.
Ex-West Ham United man Mohammed Kudus has perhaps been the brightest spark off the right, with six goals and assists already in 2025/26, although a solution still needs to be found on the opposite side, following Son Heung-min’s emotional summer exit.
Enter, Semenyo, with the “best winger in the country” – as hailed by Spurs great Chris Waddle – reportedly among the targets that Spurs are considering heading into 2026, having previously been in the mix for his signature, alongside Man United, over the summer.
As reported this week by The Athletic’s David Ornstein, the north London side are still among the clubs keen on signing the Ghanaian, with the 25-year-old having a £65m release clause that comes into effect for a specific time period in January.
Previously valued at closer to £70m, it looks as if Bournemouth are now almost powerless to prevent their star man from leaving in the near future, with that £65m figure set to reduce even further over the summer.
With nine goals and assists in 11 league outings this term, unsurprisingly, Semenyo has also caught the attention of clubs such as Liverpool and Manchester City, with it yet to be seen whether Spurs can nudge ahead in that intriguing battle for his services.
Should they miss out on the ex-Bristol City man, all is not lost, however, with Frank and co already having an internal solution to unleash in the near future.
Spurs' answer to Antoine Semenyo
As already stated, after trialling the likes of Wilson Odobert, Richarlison and Xavi Simons off the left flank, a true permanent successor to Son on that side still needs to be found, with the South Korean moving on after netting 173 goals in 454 games in all competitions for the club.
Semenyo, for what it’s worth, would be a dream solution, with his breathtaking ability having been evident in the recent win over Fulham, as he tore down the left flank before somehow converting from an acute angle.
With Liverpool and City in the mix, however, there may well be a bigger fish, with Spurs instead needing to look elsewhere to find Son’s true heir in that wide role.
Thankfully, in the form of his compatriot Yang Min-Hyeok, the north Londoners may already have just that, with the teenage winger described as “like Son Heung-min” by journalist Jason Lee, who tipped him to be “Korea’s next superstar”.
While yet to actually feature for his parent club, Yang has shown more than just flashes of his quality out on loan in 2025, first starring during a six-month stint at Queens Park Rangers, where he scored twice and registered one assist in 14 games.
Yang – 2024 K-League season
Stat (*per game)
Record
Games (starts)
38 (37)
Goals
12
Big chances missed
5
Assists
5
Big chances created
8
Key passes*
0.9
Pass accuracy*
78%
Successful dribbles*
0.9
Fouls won*
0.8
Stats via Sofascore
Back in the Championship again this season, now with Portsmouth, the 19-year-old has again chalked up three goal involvements from ten games across all fronts, enjoying a particularly fruitful October amid an initial slow start to life on the south coast.
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Currently travailing the EFL, like Semenyo did in the past with Bristol, Newport County and Sunderland, the early signs are certainly promising for Yang, having been “on fire” for Pompey in the view of talent scout Jacek Kulig.
Not just blessed with blistering pace, what also sets Yang apart – much like Semenyo and Son – is his two-footedness. Indeed, both of his goals for QPR came with his left, while both of his efforts for Pompey have come with his right.
The former Gangwon gem – who scored 12 times in 38 senior games at his former club – looks destined to be a fixture of Frank’s first-team heading into next season, with Spurs able to save themselves millions by not signing another winger to block his pathway and development.
With fellow teenager Mikey Moore – currently out on loan at Rangers – also in the equation, that left-hand side looks to be in safe hands. Semenyo might well not be needed.
He can end Bentancur's stay: Spurs gem is showing "shades of Mousa Dembele"
Tottenham Hotspur have a star who could end Rodrigo Bentancur’s career in North London.
Tottenham have been given a clear path to sign Bournemouth star Antoine Semenyo following an update from reliable journalist David Ornstein.
The 25-year-old, who has marked himself out as one of the Premier League’s most devastating forwards these last 12 months, is attracting serious interest from across England and beyond, with Spurs believed to be firmly in the mix for his signature.
Semenyo’s been involved in nine of Bournemouth’s 11 total goals scored in the league so far, contributing to 81 per cent of their total attacking output, which is the highest percentage of any Premier League player this season (The Analyst).
The African also boasts 10 goals from his last 18 top flight appearances going back to April, with a total of six goals and three assists this season alone thus far. Man City boss Pep Guardiola is among the experts to laud Semenyo’s “extraordinary” form, and Tottenham recruitment chiefs are said to be massive fans of his too.
Tottenham absentee list
Problem
Estimated return date (subject to change)
Dejan Kulusevski
Knee
29/11/2025
James Maddison
ACL
01/06/2026
Radu Dragusin
Knee
22/11/2025
Ben Davies
Thigh
23/11/2025
Kota Takai
Ankle/Foot
23/11/2025
Mohammed Kudus
Knock
23/11/2025
Randal Kolo Muani
Jaw
23/11/2025
Yves Bissouma
Ankle/Foot
23/11/2025
Lucas Bergvall
Concussion
23/11/2025
Dominic Solanke
Ankle
23/11/2025
Archie Gray
Calf/Shin/Heel
23/11/2025
via Premier Injuries
The former Bristol City star signed a brand-new contract earlier this year, which quashed hopes of Tottenham or any other Premier League giant tempting him away from the Vitality last summer.
Semenyo extended his deal until 2030, giving the Cherries plenty of negotiating power to demand a club-record fee for their star player.
However, while reports have suggested that Bournemouth value him at around £75 million, Spurs could now sign him for significantly less in January.
Tottenham given clear Antoine Semenyo path as David Ornstein update leaves Bournemouth exposed
That is because Semenyo’s new deal, according to Ornstein on X, contains a £62.5 million release clause which becomes active for a limited time when the transfer window reopens.
In Ornstein’s words, the clause leaves Bournemouth ‘powerless’, and could allow Tottenham or any other interested suitor to bypass negotiations with Andoni Iraola’s side and head straight to Semenyo’s representatives — giving the north Londoners an obvious route to his signature as early as the winter.
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The links to Spurs are nothing new, and Frank has already made his feelings about Semenyo pretty clear when speaking to reporters about the player last season.
Semenyo’s potential arrival holds even greater appeal due to the fact he won’t be competing at the African Cup of Nations this season, with Ghana failing to qualify for the tournament in what is a serious boost for Frank, considering the Dane also gets to keep hold of Mohammed Kudus.
The prospect of Semenyo playing on the left and Kudus playing on the right is a very exciting one, but it is worth noting that they’ll have to contend with a host of rivals for his services as well, perhaps even more so after the news of a tantalising release clause.