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West Ham United are interested in a move to bring David Hancko to the London Stadium in the January transfer window.

What’s the talk?

That’s according to a claim made by ExWHUemployee, who revealed on a recent episode of The West Ham Way Podcast that the Hammers are keeping a close eye on the situation of the Sparta Prague centre-back ahead of a potential move for the 24-year-old late in the winter market.

Speaking about the Irons’ interest in the Slovakia international, the club insider said: “A new name that I’ve not mentioned before, but someone who could possibly be considered is David Hancko of Sparta Prague. Again, [a Daniel] Kretinsky link there. He’s not actually Czech, he’s Slovakian. He can play left-back and the left side of centre-back.”

Fans should be excited

With Angelo Ogbonna being ruled out for the season with an ACL injury, and both Craig Dawson and Issa Diop having done little to suggest they are of the standard required for a side chasing Champions League football in the absence of the Italian, centre-back is very much a priority position for David Moyes over what remains of the January transfer window.

And, considering just how well Hancko has performed for Sparta Prague in the current campaign, the £3.6m-rated defender would appear to make an excellent addition to the 58-year-old manager’s options in the heart of his defence.

Indeed, over his six Europa League appearances this term, the 24-year-old helped his side keep three clean sheets, as well as making an average of two interceptions, 2.2 tackles, 2.3 clearances and winning 4.5 duels per game.

The versatile centre-back also chipped in for his side in an attacking capacity, scoring two goals, registering one assist and creating one big chance for his teammates, in addition to taking an average of 1.8 shots and making one key pass per fixture.

These returns saw the Slovakian average an extremely impressive SofaScore match rating of 7.02, ranking him as Sparta’s second-best performer in the European competition.

Furthermore, with West Ham shareholder Daniel Kretinsky also being the co-owner of Sparta Prague, it would very much appear that, should Moyes indeed wish to make a late move for the defender this January, a deal between the two clubs would be an easy one to strike.

As such, considering his clear ability at the back as well as going forwards, it would appear that a move for Hancko would be a very intelligent one for West Ham to make this winter – as the signing of the 24-year-old would undoubtedly be one that will excite the London Stadium faithful.

In other news: Moyes can seal dream West Ham signing in £82k-p/w gem whose “skills are outstanding”

Crystal Palace reporter Mark Wyatt has predicted that Patrick Vieira will drop Luka Milivojevic for the Premier League clash with Aston Villa today. 

The lowdown

Palace will welcome Steven Gerrard’s Villans to Selhurst Park on Saturday afternoon and will seek a return to winning ways after twice surrendering leads in their 3-3 draw with Burnley last time out.

Eagles skipper Milivojevic missed the start of the campaign for personal reasons but has started five of Palace’s last seven matches. The ‘excellent’ 30-year-old, as dubbed by his former boss Roy Hodgson, ranks in Palace’s top eight earners with his £55,000-per-week pay cheque.

The latest

Football London journalist Wyatt reckons that Vieira will make two changes from the draw at Burnley.

The first would see Milivojevic dropped and Jeffrey Schlupp come into the midfield in his place.  Kouyate would duly drop back into the holding role. It’s said to be ‘unlikely’ that the manager turns to Will Hughes or Eberechi Eze from the off given that they have yet to feature in the Premier League this season.

The other alteration would see Jordan Ayew make way for Odsonne Edouard, who is ‘fit enough to start from the beginning’.

The verdict

The statistics suggest that Milivojevic actually had a strong game against Burnley last week, completing 94% of his passes, creating two chances and winning three of his four ground duels. That earned him a SofaScore rating of 7.0/10.

What those figures perhaps don’t reflect, though, is the porous nature of the Palace midfield. The Athletic’s Matt Woosnam wrote that the pairing of Kouyate and Milivojevic didn’t quite work at Turf Moor because it ‘ended up being too attacking’.

‘There wasn’t much midfield defensively’ according to Woosnam, and that’s why Vieira might be tempted to make the change, as Wyatt has suggested.

In other news, many Palace fans reacted to this important pre-Villa update

West Ham manager David Moyes is keen to bring in a new striker in the January transfer window, according to journalist Paul Brown.

The Lowdown: Hammers suffer slight blip

The Hammers lost 2-1 away to Manchester City on Sunday, with their Premier League momentum halting a bit in recent weeks. The east Londoners have lost their last two league outings, following their defeat at Wolves before the City game, and they now need to regroup.

It is far from a disaster – a loss at City is no shock – but victory at home to Brighton on Wednesday night would steady the ship as they aim to preserve their place in the top four.

The Latest: Moyes wants a new striker

West Ham arguably need January reinforcements if they are to mount a genuine top-four challenge, and according to Brown in an interview with GIVEMESPORT, Moyes is eyeing up a new striker.

The journalist outlined: “Moyes wants a striker which is going to cost West Ham a lot of money, so if they’re to do much business in January and redivert some funds, I wonder where they go.”

The Verdict: Makes perfect sense

There is a feeling that the Hammers look light up top, with so much currently depending on the goals of Michail Antonio, who is the only natural centre-forward at the London Stadium, and even his form has deteriorated in recent weeks. Midfielder Pablo Fornals is the second-top league scorer with four goals.

A new striker would add much-needed firepower to the team, with Basel attacker Arthur Cabral a potential target and someone who has already scored 14 league goals this season. He would provide competition for Antonio and allow the Jamaica international a breather from time to time, keeping him fresh right through until May.

It should come as no surprise that Moyes is keen to bring in another centre-forward in January, given the sparsity of option in that area for West Ham.

In other news, Moyes also reportedly wants to bring in another player. Find out who it is here.

According to Corriere di Puglia e Lucania, as relayed by Sport Witness, a major update has dropped as Tottenham Hotspur and Fabio Paratici set out a plan for Fiorentina defender Nikola Milenkovic.

The Lowdown: Spurs in summer talks…

As per Sky Sports, Tottenham were interested in the 24-year-old over last summer’s transfer window and even attempted to leapfrog West Ham in the race for his signature.

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The reliable broadcaster also claimed that talks were held over Milenkovic but to no avail with the Serbia international eventually putting pen to paper on fresh terms with La Viola.

Now, in a fresh update, it appears that Spurs are eyeing a fresh swoop in January.

The Latest: Mikenkovic update emerges…

As per CDPEL, via Sport Witness, Tottenham and Paratici are ‘following the player closely’ ahead of next month and it is even believed that the Lilywhites are now ‘ready to enter in negotiations’.

This comes amid claims that Milenkovic has a gentleman’s agreement to leave Fiorentina if the right offer arrives.

The Verdict: Get it done…

As Antonio Conte becomes linked with bolstering his defensive reinforcements in the winter window, we believe a swoop for Milenkovic would tick a lot of boxes.

The 6 foot 4 powerhouse is adept at passing out from the back and colossal in the air, as evident by the fact he eclipses the rates of every Tottenham player in terms of aerial duels won per 90 (WhoScored).

He’s also found 90.8% of his passes to teammates in Serie A this season, highlighting a cool head on fairly young shoulders and leaving little wonder he has attracted plenty of praise.

Spanish defender Pol Lirola recently called him ‘extraordinary’ while Milenkovic’s former coach Ivan Tomic labelled the defender a ‘beast’. Accolades and numbers like these could point to a really shrewd option for Conte.

In other news: Levy now open to another big name exit as Conte tells Spurs to sell ‘magnificent’ player, find out more here.

Writing for the Daily Express, journalist Gareth Bicknell has touted available manager Rafael Benitez as a potential option for Tottenham Hotspur if current coach Jose Mourinho is sacked – with the Spaniard standing out among four other possible candidates.

Benitez touted as potential option for Tottenham

Alongside the likes of Julian Nagelsmann, Brendan Rodgers, Eddie Howe and Max Allegri, Benitez is touted by the Express as one man chairman Daniel Levy could turn to given his availability after leaving Chinese Super League side Dalian Pro.

Indeed, Bicknell believes that the 60-year-old would surely relish the chance to manage in the Premier League again, with Tottenham a potential destination should Levy opt to part ways with Mourinho.

Having won the Champions League with Liverpool in 2005, fondly remembered among the Reds fanbase, has has also clinched the Europa League at London rivals Chelsea.

Most recently, he guided Newcastle United back into the Premier League but left following a dispute with Magpies owner Mike Ashley.

Transfer Tavern take

Given his availability, Benitez could indeed be a fruitful outside option amid the consistent links to Rodgers and Nagelsmann – with the ex-Inter Milan boss having earned special praise from Paul Gascoigne.

In a candid interview with the BBC, the former Tottenham star heralded him as an ‘unbelievable manager’ – and it’s hard to argue with his assessment given Benitez’ silverware collection.

Time will tell whether Spurs could turn to him as an option, but that possibility has now been touted by the media.

In other news: Tottenham are eyeing this ‘elite’ boss, find out more here.

According to a report by Spanish media outlet Fichajes, West Ham United have a ‘closed agreement’ to sign Napoli powerhouse Nikola Maksimovic upon the expiry of his contract – and if nothing goes wrong, he will become the Irons’ first signing for next season. 

West Ham have agreement for Makismovic signing

Maksimovic, standing at a towering 1.93m (6 foot 4), will allegedly not continue at Stadio San Paolo as talks over a new deal break down – and this report has made an emphatic claim that West Ham already have a solid agreement in place for his signature.

The 29-year-old, who could be seen as a worthwhile replacement for Hammers defender Fabian Balbuena as his contract is due to expire at the London Stadium, is apparently all but set to join West Ham in the summer.

Fichajes describe the agreement as being ‘total’, with it looking like he will become David Moyes’ first signing for next season as it stands.

As well as this, the news outlet stated that manager Moyes personally tabled Maksimovic as a new defensive option and has even prioritised him before other players.

Transfer Tavern take

Despite starting just 10 Serie A matches this season, the centre-back displays a cool head on mature shoulders and stands out as a supreme ball-playing defender.

He has averaged an impressive 92.4% pass accuracy out from the backline this season, even being given the nod by Gennaro Gattuso to start every Europa League game for the Azzurri before they were knocked out by Granada in the round of 32 (WhoScored).

West Ham apparently have an agreement in place to sign him for free this summer, and he could be a worthwhile coup.

In other news: West Ham fans erupted at this news, find out more here.

Speaking to Football Insider, former Premier League striker Kevin Campbell has admitted Tottenham Hotspur may have the advantage in the race for the Premier League top four. 

The lowdown: Forgettable weekend

Having seemingly moved into the box seat to clinch the all-important final UEFA Champions League place, Spurs succumbed to a 1-0 defeat at the hands of Brighton & Hove Albion over the weekend.

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That slip by Antonio Conte’s men left the door ajar for north London rivals before they themselves were beaten by Southampton to leave Tottenham three points clear of fifth-placed Manchester United and sixth-place Arsenal.

Despite the precarious situation, one ex-Gunner has suggested that Conte’s side still hold the edge…

The latest: NLD showdown?

Speaking to FI, Sky Sports pundit Campbell tipped Tottenham’s counter-attacking flair combined with solidity at the back as ‘key’ to firing Spurs over the line and past rivals Arsenal in the top four race.

“That could be the difference, of course, it could be. Let’s be honest, we all know what Tottenham’s strength is. Their strength is their attack. The key for them is trying to keep it tight at the back and hitting teams on the counter. They are so good at that from what I’ve seen.

“The front three are all very good players who have clever movement. They will score goals. Kulusevski has been a revelation. He has helped them move on.

“It is not a surprise that they are doing well. This is where it matters most. Arsenal do not have as much firepower or have the experience of Spurs. Arteta is putting his faith in the youth.

“It will be tough for Arsenal to dislodge them. It may come down to the north London derby.”

The verdict: Attack attack attack

Despite Conte being a renowned master of the defensive arts, even the 52-year-old coach has struggled to transform the current Spurs side into an impenetrable unit in his favoured 3-5-2 formation.

Since taking up the Tottenham hot seat, the Lilywhites have conceded 32 and scored 59 times in 36 matches under the Italian – underpinning Campbell’s suggestion.

Furthermore, in Harry Kane and Son Heung-Min, Spurs boast a 20 and 17 goal threat whilst Arsenal have both Bukayo Saka and Emile Smith-Rowe tied on 10 strikes apiece across all competitions at the top of their scoring charts.

In other news: Tottenham eyeing summer move for La Liga defender! Find out more here.

Many West Bromwich Albion fans have flocked to a tweet from Joseph Masi that recently emerged on social media.

Masi relayed a tweet which carried a transfer update for the Baggies. He said that West Brom have now agreed a deal with Galatasaray to sign striker Mbaye Diagne on a loan deal.

Sky Sports have reported that the deal does have an option to buy the player permanently and the club are now making their arrangements to fly Diagne to the UK as soon as they can. They now also have permission to speak to the player.

The report states that signing a striker this month has been a top priority for Sam Allardyce and while he had an interest in Christian Benteke, the Belgian is set to stay at Crystal Palace. Sky Sports also stated that the Baggies have made a loan offer for Jesse Lingard, but the loan fee and wages could become a problem for them.

The Senegalese Diagne has played 15 times in the league for Galatasaray this season, scoring nine times so far. He also scored twice for them in three Europa League qualifying games earlier in the campaign (as per Transfermarkt).

Masi’s tweet caught the attention of many West Brom fans, who gave their opinion about the potential signature of Diagne.

What did West Brom fans make of this news about Diagne?

“No idea if he’s any good but if he’s mobile, that will do.”

Credit: @_the_a_bis

“No idea how good he is but has to be better than the current incumbents.”

Credit: @Alan4NewportSal

“At this point, I’d rather just save the money and start planning for the Championship.”

Credit: @turner14guvnor

“As long as he has a pair of boots, I don’t care, something has to change personnel-wise.”

Credit: @CHawthorns

“That’s a good bit of business that. Need a few more mind, but it’s a good start.”

Credit: @RobPaddock16

“Couple of defenders and a couple of midfielders then we may have a chance. As long as they’re of Premier League quality that is !!”

Credit: @BAGGIEBAIL

“It’s a start.”

Credit: @Aaron2wbaIn other news, West Brom have been linked with a lower league star – read more here.

Newcastle United will be ‘locked in purgatory’ if the club is defeated in its arbitration proceedings against the Premier League, according to the Chronicle Live’s Mark Douglas.

The lowdown

Last year, Mike Ashley agreed a £305million deal to sell Newcastle to a consortium led by Amanda Staveley.

But the buyers ostensibly pulled out of the deal having grown frustrated with the Premier League’s lengthy owners’ and directors’ test (via BBC Sport).

Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund would have taken over an 80 percent stake, and there were concerns over alleged human rights abuses and TV piracy (via The Athletic).

In a bid to resurrect the deal, Ashley has taken the matter to arbitration – an independent panel will assess the validity of the Premier League’s concerns this summer.

The latest

Douglas was asked in a fan Q&A what is currently happening with the proposed takeover.

He admitted ‘the future of the club’ is at stake when arbitration commences in July.

If Newcastle, who have a ‘heavyweight legal team’ at their disposal, win the case, then the takeover will be ‘unlocked’.

But if they don’t, the club remains in limbo as it awaits a further competition appeal tribunal case come the end of the year.

However, he did offer reassurances that there’s ‘no sign’ of PIF or PCP Capital Partners abandoning the deal and looking to another club.

Ultimately, the uncertainty will continue ‘for a bit longer’, but Douglas confirms the groups involved in the potential takeover are not going anywhere at the moment.

The verdict

It’s encouraging for Newcastle that Mike Ashley is willing to fight tooth-and-nail to get this deal through, regardless of his ulterior motives.

Of course, Ashley’s desires to sell won’t matter one iota if PIF and PCP grow frustrated and walk away, so Douglas’ latest comment should count as massively reassuring to the Toon Army.

In the short-term, though, there’s probably another season of lower mid-table mediocrity in the offing, with Ashley surely unlikely to commit significant funds for transfers this summer when he’s so keen to sell.

In other news, find out the financial value of Newcastle’s strong finish to the Premier League season. 

Carlo Ancelotti could discover Everton’s next box-to-box star in River Plate midfielder Nicolas de la Cruz, only a year after signing Abdoulaye Doucoure from Watford.

De la Cruz, while speaking with Sport 890 earlier this week, via ESPN, revealed he is open to leaving his Argentine side during the European summer transfer window, despite only just penning a new contract that runs through to December 2022.

The 23-year-old was due to be a free agent in a matter of months’ time but has put pen to paper on new terms to secure his immediate future, after seeing the coronavirus pandemic put any transfer hopes on hold last year.

De la Cruz expects to be inundated with offers in June regardless of his new contract, having been linked with a move to Europe earlier in the year with Marca citing Everton and Manchester City as potential destinations in England or Portugal’s Sporting Lisbon.

The Uruguay international is a fundamental piece of River Plate’s midfield, starting 30 of his 31 appearances throughout the 2019/2020 season outside of injuries. He has also opened four and scored three goals in Los Millonarios’ fixtures during the 2020/21 campaign so far.

He is untested outside of South America, having only played for his boyhood side Liverpool before joining River Plate in 2017, but has frequently demonstrated his potential in the Copa Libertadores.

During the 2020 edition of the competition, De la Cruz started all 11 of his appearances and was listed in the Team of the Week on four occasions, per SofaScore. He further contributed three goals from 2.5 shots per game and two assists from 2.8 key passes a game, while missing five big chances and creating five clear-cut chances to score.

The £16m-rated enforcer was a brute defending Los Millonarios’ goal, as well, offering 1.6 successful tackles, along with 1.1 interceptions and winning a mammoth 5.5 ground duels a game.

Only Allan (3.42) and Doucoure (1.78) have won as many successful tackles per game in the Premier League this season among Everton’s midfielders, while Tom Davies (1.5), Doucoure (1.26) and Allan (1.1) offer a similar or higher amount of interceptions.

Allan is further the only Toffees engine room member to win as many or more ground duels (6.58), with double the amount of second-ranked Davies (3.19). No Everton midfielder offers more than one shot per game, while Gylfi Sigurdsson (who is first for shots with 0.91) offers the most key passes (1).

If Everton were to put their interest into action and move to sign De la Cruz in the summer, Ancelotti’s coaching techniques could see the Italian turn the four-cap international into his next Doucoure.

The Blues landed Doucoure from Watford last summer for £20m and have seen the Frenchman quickly establish himself at Goodison Park, while earning rave reviews for his “remarkable fitness” and “non-stop” running.

Doucoure says he’s learning a lot from working under Ancelotti, too, as the ex-Chelsea and SSC Napoli head coach is a “great” manager to work with.

“I always dreamed to play under a great manager like Carlo Ancelotti,” Doucoure told EvertonTV. “He’s one of the nicest guys in the world of football. He’s given me a lot of confidence and a lot of advice and I’m very happy to play under him.

“I think it’s one of the best times to be an Everton player. I think a lot of players would want to be in that team and I’m very happy to be in that team.”

De la Cruz may be more of a rough diamond, but his exploits in South America suggest he could be a Doucoure 2.0 on Merseyside under Ancelotti’s tutelage.

AND in other news, Everton are likely to sell a £6.5m-rated dud this summer after pricing him out of a January move…