Pete O’Rourke column: Tottenham in race for £60m striker, West Ham close in on priority target, Rangers in new January swoop

Sun 17 December 2023 21:00, UK

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FULHAM

The Cottagers were one of several clubs to have scouts present as Celtic took on Feyenoord in the Champions League this week.

I’m told Fulham were paying particular attention to Feyenoord duo Santiago Gimenez and Mats Wieffer.

They have an interest in Gimenez, who has hit 20 goals in 20 games this term – but his price tag and the quality of other sides interested will make it a hard deal to do in January.

Sources say Arsenal, Tottenham and Chelsea are also keen on the Mexico international, who has been in prolific form this season. The 22-year-old recently scored his 31st Eredivisie Dutch league goal of the calendar year. That was enough to break a record set by Luis Suarez, who hit 30 goals for Ajax in 2009.

He will command a huge fee mid-season with Feyenoord having no intention of selling – around £60million could be enough to land him.

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That valuation means Gimenez is more likely to make his move in next year’s summer window.

Wieffer was also evaluated as he came off the bench at Parkhead.

He has been a regular starter for Feyenoord this season and helped them win the Eredivisie title last term.

Fulham are looking at potential replacements for Joao Palhinha should he leave the club in January – and Wieffer is likely to cost around £20-25million.

Bayern Munich remain interested in Palhinha but he is not a top priority for them at this stage – with Thomas Tuchel first focused on landing a new centre-back next month.

However, if the funds are available then the German giants could come back in for the Portugal international.

Arsenal are also keen but will need to move Thomas Partey on before sanctioning a deal for Fulham star Palhinha.

LEEDS UNITED

Wilfried Gnonto is still not starting games for the Whites and is finding it hard to break into Daniel Farke’s plans at present.

I’m told there are clubs monitoring his situation both in the Premier League and in his native Italy as the January window approaches.

The player himself is desperate to play first-team football again after being limited to a substitute role so far in the 2023-24 campaign.

Sources say Leeds could be willing to let him move on if the right offer comes in, as any potential fee would contribute towards Farke’s January transfer budget.

MAN UNITED

News has recently emerged about Raphael Varane‘s contract expiring at the end of the season – instead of June 2025.

He can talk to foreign sides next month regarding a pre-contract agreement which could see him walk away from United for free.

January could be Man United’s last chance to cash in on the centre-back, but I don’t see a lot of potential landing spots for him in the transfer window.

Varane is on huge wages at the club and that could be a barrier to any move – with only Saudi clubs likely to be able to afford a deal.

I’m told the player himself is happy to stay and fight for his place in Erik ten Hag’s side – and he could be needed after Harry Maguire’s recent injury.

WEST HAM

A new striker is the priority for the Irons in the January transfer window, I’m told.

It’s not easy to land top targets mid-season but any new signing coming in would push Danny Ings further down the pecking order at the London Stadium.

David Moyes is a big fan of Ings but could be willing to let him go if the right offer arrives – with clubs at the bottom of the Premier League and at the top of the Championship monitoring his situation.

Armando Broja of Chelsea is one of the targets for West Ham – but sources say he is unlikely to go unless the Blues get a striker of their own.

Meanwhile, Stuttgart’s Serhou Guirassy is also on the shortlist with his £15million release clause and red-hot goalscoring form piquing the interest of the Irons.

I’m told West Ham are unlikely to spend massive money in January.

RANGERS

The Gers have secured safe passage to the Europa League knockout stages as group winners in a huge boost to the club and the finances at Ibrox.

Philippe Clement is now looking for a boost to his transfer kitty in January after a strong start to life in Glasgow.

I’m told striker is the number one priority for Rangers in the new year following Danilo’s serious injury blow.

The Gers’ board will look to back the manager as they look to push on in Europe and also fight for the Scottish Premiership title.

NEWCASTLE

Meanwhile, the Magpies’ Champions League exit will not change their January transfer plans.

Even if Newcastle had qualified for the last 16, I’m told the plan was always to explore loan deals in the new year.

The Magpies are on the fringes of Financial Fair Play regulations and want to set aside funds for better-value deals in the summer window.

Loan signings at centre-back and in central midfield are being looked at as the new year approaches.

Sales of first-team stars could boost Eddie Howe’s transfer kitty but I’m told he wants to keep his squad together after a swathe of injuries in recent weeks.