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In perhaps one of the stranger moves of transfer deadline day, Sheffield Wednesday secured the signing of Saido Berahino, with the 28-year-old linking up with Darren Moore’s side on a 12-month deal.

Following largely unsuccessful spells at Stoke City, SV Zulte Waregem and RSC Charleroi, English football fans would perhaps have been forgiven for forgetting that the centre-forward existed, however, the Burundi international’s move to Hillsborough could well be the transfer which finally gets his career back on track.

Moore could be Berahino’s key

The Sheffield Wednesday manager and Berahino have actually worked together before, with the 47-year-old having been the West Bromwich Albion club captain when the striker joined the club’s academy as an 11-year-old.

Berahino himself also revealed that Moore played a key role in his development as a player while part of the Baggies youth setup, something which could explain why the Owls boss decided to take a chance on the 28-year-old this summer, as he is more aware than most of the raw ability the forward possesses.

While his talent may have not been on display all that much in recent seasons, it is undeniable that an on-form Berahino is a centre-forward who knows how to find the back of the net, something the £1.35m-rated man demonstrated while playing for West Brom.

Indeed, over his 32 Premier League appearances back in 2013/14, the young striker bagged five goals and registered two assists, as well as scoring a further four goals over two EFL Cup fixtures.

However, it was the following season in which Berahino really burst onto the scene, scoring a rather astonishing 14 goals and providing one assist over his 38 Premier League appearances in 2014/15, in addition to five goals and five assists over four FA Cup matches and one goal in three EFL Cup games – taking his total to 20 goals and six assists for the season.

As such, while it will not be an easy task, if Moore can be the manager to finally help the player Liam Ridgewell once dubbed a “huge” talent refind this form – something which, considering their history, Moore is better placed than anyone else to achieve – the 28-year-old could well prove to be one of the signings of the season, as a fit and firing Berahino easily has the ability to catapult Wednesday to promotion.

In other news: “Very, very good”: Carlton Palmer makes claim on key Sheff Wed ace, it’ll excite fans

Premier League leaders Tottenham Hotspur return to action this weekend and they’ll be looking to keep up their 100% record when they head to Crystal Palace.

However, manager Nuno Santo is facing a nightmare over team selection as his squad has been decimated over the international break. A combination of injury problems and quarantine regulations means that he will be forced into changing his starting XI.

There’s a major call to make in defence, a position which has arguably been the strongest under the Portuguese head coach. Spurs are yet to concede a goal under a backline of Japhet Tanganga, Davinson Sanchez, Eric Dier and Sergio Reguilon.

However, the Colombian is ruled out of tomorrow’s encounter, so another name will have to come into the fray, whilst deadline day signing Emerson Royal will be pushing for a debut at right-back too.

Nuno must look to minimise the changes in defence, so Tanganga should keep his place and instead it could be time to unleash Joe Rodon after his return from injury…

On the Chalkboard

The Lilywhites will also be without fellow centre-back Cristian Romero, who is with Sanchez (and Giovani Lo Celso) in Croatia for a training camp before they are able to return to the UK next week.

That means options are very scarce but Nuno should be buoyed by the 18-cap Welshman’s return.

The £9m-rated colossus is yet to feature under Nuno this season and hasn’t really played much of a part since arriving in north London back in October 2020. Last term, he made just nine starts for Spurs in all competitions before playing all four of Wales’ games at Euro 2020.

Despite rarely featuring for the Lilywhites in 2020/21, Rodon was one of the more productive defensive options as he averaged a squad-high 2.6 interceptions per 90 minutes, as well as having the best passing accuracy (88.1%) of anyone besides midfield orchestrator Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg, via WhoScored.

The 6 foot 4 colossus has been described as a “pure” defender and a “real asset” by his former Swansea boss Steve Cooper in the past, whilst Jose Mourinho lauded him as “brave” for his performance against Liverpool last season.

Rodon has also been compared in playing style to Premier League legend John Terry.

“He’s right up there in terms of position for his age,” claimed Sky Sports pundit Andy Hinchcliffe. “I think what you tend to do with young centre-halves is look at the greats of the Premier League. You look at Rio Ferdinand and John Terry and there are elements of both in Rodon’s game.

He should be the only alteration to Spurs’ solid backline on Saturday lunchtime. Tanganga has done exceptionally well at right-back, winning the role over Matt Doherty and the departed Serge Aurier.

Forget Emerson, it’s Rodon who should be unleashed on the Eagles this weekend.

AND in other news, Alasdair Gold drops fresh claim on Harry Kane’s future at Spurs… 

Speaking on The Kelly and Wrighty Show, as transcribed by The Boot Room, reliable reporter Jason Burt of The Telegraph has made a behind-the-scenes Tottenham Hotspur claim involving Harry Kane.

The Lowdown: Kane flounders in summer exit bid…

One of the main Premier League transfer sagas of the summer window came in the form of Kane’s desire to swap Tottenham for Manchester City.

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Reliable reports indicated that the 28-year-old was eyeing a move away from Spurs, with Sky Blues boss Pep Guardiola even confirming his club’s interest.

However, following months of rumours, which included transfer offers from Manchester City, Kane then dropped the message that he was staying at Spurs after all.

The Latest: Burt drops behind-the-scenes claim…

Speaking on The Kelly and Wrighty Show, as transcribed by The Boot Room, Kane still believes he is leaving N17 and expects a move next year.

Indeed, the England international has already ‘mentally’ left Tottenham, with Burt believing that club chairman Daniel Levy could possibly grant the striker his wish next year.

“I think they will let him go next year, but he wanted to go this year. That’s the problem. Mentally, he is out of the door,” the journalist said.

“He is thinking he is going. Pep Guardiola tried to sign him, not just Manchester City – Guardiola really wanted him.”

The Verdict: Blow for Nuno?

Tasked with the mountainous challenge of steering Spurs back on course following a turbulent last six months, one of Nuno Espirito Santo’s biggest obstacles is nurturing wantaway stars Tanguy Ndombele and Kane back into the side.

Both players were eyeing moves away from Spurs in the summer and it appears that the latter is already looking ahead to future transfer windows, going by this report.

In a situation which could prove difficult for Nuno to overcome, these next few months will truly test whether all can be harmonious once again at Hotspur Way.

That’s not to mention that it could be huge to miss Kane on the field, especially since he has been described as ‘underrated’ by sections of the press considering his phenomenal goal return of 223 in 341 appearances for Tottenham.

In other news: Spurs request already advanced to sign ‘invaluable’ star, Paratici ready to meet demands…find out more here.

Flocking to Twitter, many Tottenham Hotspur fans have erupted as news emerges on their club and Barcelona playmaker Philippe Coutinho.

The Brazilian, who moved to Barca in an earth-shattering deal which could reach £146 million, has struggled to hit the heights he reached at Anfield.

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Coutinho’s tenure at the Camp Nou has been marred by a lack of consistent starts with the 29-year-old even going out on loan to Bayern Munich for the 2019/2020 season.

The German giants opted not to make his stay permanent, however, with Coutinho’s future now at the centre of much discussion given Barcelona’s ongoing financial plight.

Now, it appears Spurs could be interesting in making a move for the former Premier League superstar, with El Nacional claiming they are interested in signing him on loan in January.

If possible, Barca would also like to include an obligation to buy in any deal, with many Lilywhites supporters now gushing over this news on social media.

One fan even called Coutinho a would-be ‘perfect signing’ for Nuno Espirito Santo.

Find all of their best verdicts on the development down below.

Spurs fans erupt over Coutinho news…

“YESSSSSSSS”

Credit: @ikhalids

“PLEASE ACTUALLY MAKE THIS HAPPEN”

Credit: @The_Tech_Beast

“Perfect signing”

Credit: @kanefromthelane

“Yes yes yes”

Credit: @thfcem28

“we need this massively”

Credit: @spursroles

“Would be a brilliant signing. An ACTUAL playmaker.”

Credit: @Rory4Spurs

“Finally, someone who can score from outside the box”

Credit: @__HK47__

In other news: Spurs also want ‘outstanding’ 29 y/o who Pochettino wanted to make one of his highest earners, find out more here!

Flocking to Twitter, many Aston Villa fans have erupted over a three-word message containing a picture of midfielder John McGinn.

The Villans ran out 1-0 winners against Manchester United yesterday afternoon in what was a memorable victory, and one which alerts the Premier League to their presence.

Dean Smith’s men battled away at Old Trafford against a plethora of superstars but came out on top when Kortney Hause buried a late header past David de Gea.

In reaction to the phenomenal win in Manchester, the club have dropped a three-word message involving McGinn as the Scotsman enjoyed a fine afternoon up against the likes of Bruno Fernandes and Paul Pogba in midfield, coming up with one important block and one successful tackle for his team.

Indeed, Villa simply dropped the message ‘what a performance’ in accompaniment to an image of the 26-year-old.

Flocking to the club’s post, many Villa fans erupted with their reactions as they enjoy the heights of a brilliant win away to the Red Devils. Here is a selection of the responses from the Villa Park faithful:

Villa fans flock to McGinn message…

“His game has gone up another level this season.”

Credit: @Jelly31807434

“People keep saying McGinn is back to his best, but I think he has elevated his game to a whole new level, so is better than ever. Him and Dougie have really cemented their relationship in the middle of the park, and with the addition of JJ’s legs, they are bossing games now!”

Credit: @ShaunStait

“Been our best player this season so far, hasn’t had a performance under 8/10 yet”

Credit: @GW_94

“Are we joking”

Credit: @Villal_

“Tattoo this on my left thigh.”

Credit: @Ryan_Wills

“Massive”

Credit: @danielstchr

In other news: “It’s an opportunity” – Aston Villa’s youth players earn pundit’s backing

An update has emerged on Joe Rothwell, regarding Rangers’ interest in his services.

What’s the talk?

According to The Sun journalist Alan Nixon, Rangers are weighing up a swoop for Blackburn midfielder Rothwell.

The report claims that he is out of contract at the end of the season and the Gers could snap him up on a pre-contract agreement in January.

Get it done

Rangers chief Ross Wilson must secure a deal to sign Rothwell on a free transfer in the January window. The Gers have a key advantage over any English side wanting to sign him as they are able to agree a pre-contract with the player in January, whereas teams south of the border will have to wait until his contract expires to speak with him.

36-year-old Steven Davis has been a regular this season, with 13 appearances to his name, and Rothwell could be seen as a long-term replacement for the former Southampton man. Davis has averaged a SofaScore rating of 6.99 in the Premiership this term, winning 50% of his duels and making 2.3 interceptions and tackles per game.

Rothwell, who is ten years younger than the Gers man, has averaged a score of 6.90 in 11 Championship outings for Blackburn. He has won 54% of his duels and made 2.1 interceptions and tackles per game, suggesting that he has been performing to a similar level in comparison to Davis, albeit in different competitions.

Blackburn boss Tony Mowbray once hailed the midfielder and urged him to get closer to the opposition goal. He said:

“He’s an exciting talent, he’s exceedingly fast, he keeps the ball really tight. We want him running towards the opposition goal rather than across the pitch.”

The £4.1k-per-week beast could be signed without Rangers needing to spend a penny on him in terms of a transfer fee and he could represent a bargain for the club.

This is why Wilson must work hard to secure a deal for him in the upcoming transfer window, so that he could potentially replace the ageing Davis heading into the 2022/23 campaign.

AND in other news, 18x possession lost: Wilson sent Rangers transfer warning by dud with 44% pass success…

Taking to Twitter, Norwegian journalist and football expert Andreas Korssund has shared an exciting transfer development out of Manchester City.

The Lowdown: City eye striker move…

Over the summer, Manchester City and sporting director/transfer chief Txiki Begiristain appeared desperate to sign an out-and-out centre-forward as the club parted ways with club legend Sergio Aguero.

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City’s all-time top goal scorer bid an emotional farewell to Eastlands nearly a decade after he was signed from Atletico Madrid in the summer of 2011.

Pep Guardiola clinched the 2020/2021 Premier League crown, a Carabao Cup and guided his side to a first ever Champions League final without the use of a natural striker.

That didn’t sway City’s attempts to sign one alongside the club record acquisition of Jack Grealish, however, as bids were lodged for Spurs attacker Harry Kane.

The Sky Blues couldn’t prise him away from N17 in the end and even briefly turned their attention to the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo and Dusan Vlahovic.

Erling Braut Haaland, a player many City supporters want to see at Eastlands, was also linked.

Now, another update has emerged on the Norwegian superstar.

The Latest: Journalist reveals exciting Haaland development…

As per Korssund, an exciting development has emerged involving City and the red hot Borussia Dortmund striker.

It is believed that ‘Manchester City are ready’ to sign the 21-year-old next summer and Begiristain is even ‘planning meetings’ with super agent Mino Raiola ‘already in January’ (Twitter).

Haaland’s well known €75 million (£63.8m) release clause becomes valid in June 2022 (Fabrizio Romano), presumably motivating City to get ahead of the competition and begin winter talks ahead of a swoop later in the year.

The Norway international is currently valued at around £117 million by Transfermarkt but City could bypass paying any nine-figure fee with the 2022 clause.

The Verdict: Get it done Txiki…

Out of all the out and out strikers linked with a move to the Etihad, Haaland stands out as, by some distance, the most exciting of them all.

The footballing world’s most sensational young forward and son of former Man City player Alf-Inge Haland, he racked up a head-turning 41 goals and 12 assists in all competitions over 2020/2021 (Transfermarkt).

A physical and aerial presence at 6 foot 4, something the Sky Blues have arguably been missing for quite some time going forward, he appears to be the perfect Man City signing.

In other news: ‘No way’, ‘Get him gone’, ‘Sell’…Man City fans erupt over news on £300,000-per-week star, find out more here.

Having joined Aston Villa in what was a £4.5m deal back in January of 2019, the Villa Park faithful may well have thought that Dean Smith had landed a player who would become the 50-year-old’s first-choice right-back for many a season to come.

This idea would have more than likely been reinforced in the club’s 2019/20 Premier League campaign, with the £5.4m-rated man going on to make 25 appearances in the top flight, over which the defender helped his side keep two clean sheets, registered two assists and created one big chance for his teammates, as well as making an average of 0.6 key passes, two interceptions, three tackles and winning 6.6 duels per game.

These returns saw the former France U21 international earn a seasonal SofaScore match rating of 6.77, ranking him as Villa’s joint ninth-best performer in the league.

However, after the club’s £14.18m capture of Nottingham Forest right-back Matty Cash in the summer of 2020, Guilbert’s spot in the Villa starting XI appeared to be in considerable threat. That was something that ultimately proved to be the case when Smith failed to award the 26-year-old a single Premier League appearance in 2020/21, before sending the defender on loan to RC Strasbourg in the January transfer window.

Despite impressing over his 13 appearances in Ligue 1 last season, scoring one goal, registering four assists and averaging a SofaScore match rating of 7.16, Smith once again took the decision to loan the right-back out this summer, with Strasbourg being more than happy to welcome the defender back to Stade de la Meinau for the 2021/22 campaign.

And, so far this season, Guilbert has continued to impress over his six Ligue 1 appearances for Julien Stephan’s side, having already helped his side keep one clean sheet, provided one assist and created two big chances, in addition to making an average of 1.2 key passes, two interceptions, 2.2 tackles and winning five duels per fixture.

These metrics have seen the £40k-per-week defender average a SofaScore match rating of 7.13, ranking him as the French side’s second-best performer in the league.

As such, while Cash is undeniably a fantastic right-back, considering the fact that the 24-year-old is Smith’s only senior option in the position, coupled with Guilbert’s impressive performances while out on loan, the 50-year-old’s decision to bomb the Frenchman out of his squad appears to be a rather strange one.

Indeed, Guilbert is undoubtedly a player who possesses the ability to push Cash for his starting spot in the Villa XI, something that would help to maintain the £19.8m-rated man’s current level of performance, while, should he pick up a serious injury, or even simply suffer a dip in form, Smith’s call regarding Guilbert could prove to be a rather big mistake on the part of the Villa manager.

In other news: “Brilliant” Aston Villa ace who made 4 key passes was let down by his teammates on Sat

Rangers reclaimed their place at the top of the Scottish Premiership table on Sunday as they came from behind to beat St Mirren 2-1.

Connor Ronan handed the hosts the lead with a sensational effort from distance, giving Jon McLaughlin no chance with a thumping shot into the top corner.

The Gers then piled on the pressure throughout the first-half before scoring twice inside two minutes at the end of the half, with Kemar Roofe dispatching a penalty before Alfredo Morelos nodded a James Tavernier cross in at the back post.

Although Roofe and Morelos scored the goals to seal the win, another player stole the show for Steven Gerrard’s side – Connor Goldson.

The centre-back was immense throughout the game as he helped Rangers to win the match with his stoic defending alongside Leon Balogun to prevent Jon McLaughlin from being tested too much in the Gers net. Whilst he did not keep a clean sheet, there was nothing he could have done to stop Ronan from scoring a world-class goal from distance after John Lundstram was found wanting in midfield.

Defensively, he was almost perfect. Per SofaScore, he won nine of his 11 (82%) duels on the pitch. He also made four clearances and one tackle, whilst no St Mirren players were able to dribble past him in the entire match.

This means that his two duels lost were the only times in the 90 minutes where he could have been faulted, which is an impressive feat by the central defender as their opponents fought to equalise throughout the second-half.

On the ball, he was composed. Per SofaScore, he completed 72% of his attempted passes and had 75 touches of the ball. The defender found a teammate with six long passes, which helped to bypass the St Mirren press and get Rangers up the pitch when they needed an out ball – stretching the opposition defence in the process and creating space in the middle of the park.

Therefore, he played a huge role in Rangers ultimately winning the match.

Whilst the goalscorers will, deservingly, take the credit for the result, Goldson was just as important at the back to ensure that their two goals were rewarded with the three points. Gerrard will surely be delighted with the defender’s display and will be hoping that he can maintain this level of performance throughout the rest of the campaign as they attempt to win a second title in succession ahead of Celtic.

AND in other news, Imagine him & Kamara: Rangers could seal dream midfield with “exciting talent”…

Fabio Paratici has seemingly been given a green light to secure one of Tottenham Hotspur’s mooted transfer targets.

Earlier in the summer transfer window, the north London outfit were linked with a move for Lille midfielder Renato Sanches, with French publication le10sport reporting their ‘strong interest’ in his signature.

At the time, he was thought to be available for around €30m (£26m) due to the Ligue 1 club’s financial problems.

His form at Lille last season carried into Euro 2020, where he delivered a number of eye-catching performances, so it’s no wonder Spurs were one of several clubs who were keen on him.

And now, comments from Les Dogues president Olivier Letang have opened up the door for a team like Tottenham to strike.

“I have already discussed this with him. If an offer from a big club arrives, Renato will be able to leave. We will see what will happen,” he told BFM Lille ahead of the January transfer window (via FourFourTwo).

One of Nuno’s bigger problems since arriving in N17 has been finding the right balance in midfield. They are amongst the Premier League’s least creative teams, having averaged the fourth-lowest number of shots per game (10.9) and fifth-lowest expected goals (8.80 xG).

Furthermore, who knows if Tanguy Ndombele will kick up a fuss again, whilst the form of Dele Alli has been concerning and it’s widely believed that Harry Winks will seek a temporary exit in January, so there could certainly be a place up for grabs.

In fact, a swoop for Sanches could be one of the club’s very best moves in recent times, perhaps since the arrival of Heung-min Son.

The 24-year-old, valued at £27m by Transfermarkt, has been likened to Clarence Seedorf due to his box-to-box qualities, whilst he is said to have the ‘strength of a WWE heavyweight and the nimble feet of a ballet dancer,’ as per Bundesliga.com.

Sanches won the Golden Boy award in 2016 and has also been lauded as a “machine” by the press and as a “complete athlete” by the aforementioned Lille chief.

A two-time winner of the Bundesliga and last season’s Ligue 1 champion, the young Portugal international would have to be considered quite the coup given his trophy-laden record, praise and touted potential alone.

AND in other news, Forget Son: “Phenomenal” £36m-rated Spurs dynamo has been Nuno’s big saving grace…