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Graham Roberts believes that a clutch of young Tottenham Hotspur players could be given a major opportunity to impress in the Europa Conference League this season.

Spurs qualified for the competition after finishing seventh in the Premier League last season.

It certainly wasn’t their main objective, with the Conference League the third-tier European competition, behind the Champions League and the Europa League.

New Spurs boss Nuno Espirito Santo has involved a number of youngsters in pre-season, including Alfie Devine and Dane Scarlett.

Devine is just 16, while Scarlett is 17, and they have each made their first-team debuts for the club.

The former played in the FA Cup clash with non-league Marine last season, scoring in the 5-0 win, while Scarlett has made three appearances, a one-minute cameo against West Bromwich Albion in the Premier League and also against both Ludogorets and Wolfsberger in the Europa League, providing an assist in the latter.

And Roberts believes that players of their kind will have a major opportunity in the Conference League this term.

He exclusively told The Transfer Tavern: “It’s brilliant to play in that Europa Conference, I think a lot of youngsters will be given chances in that. What you’ve got to be careful of is that you don’t play too many and you get knocked out, and everyone’s having a go at you because it’s the Conference.

“So they’ve either got to take it 80 or 90 per cent serious or they just say ‘it’s just for the youngsters and we’re not bothered about it’.

“So it’s down to what the manager and what the club want to do with it. But those two could learn a lot in that competition this year, very, very much so.”

It seems as if Tottenham Hotspur’s disastrous managerial search is finally drawing to a close…

What’s the word?

According to Italian transfer guru Fabrizio Romano, the club’s newly-appointed sporting director Fabio Paratici has now arrived in North London and is set to push ahead with his plans to appoint Nuno Santo this week.

He wrote on Twitter:

“Tottenham director of football Fabio Paratici arrived in London in the last hours. Talks on with Nuno Espirito Santo and his representatives.”

It comes just days after his initial claim that the Italian supremo was a huge admirer of the 47-year-old, dating back to his time at Juventus, where he considered him on the list of candidates to replace Maurizio Sarri.

Nuno was not under serious consideration by Spurs until the arrival of Paratici and he recently held talks over the vacancies at both Crystal Palace and Everton.

Finally over?

Whilst he’s far from the most popular choice of candidates amongst the Lilywhites fanbase, many have to be delighted that this horrible process is finally coming to a halt.

It’s been a long nine-to-ten weeks of speculation, setbacks and disappointment but it now certainly seems like the Portuguese coach is going to be the man to replace Jose Mourinho.

Some big and exciting names have been linked with the role over the course of the last two months, including Premier League champion Antonio Conte and even popular ex-manager Mauricio Pochettino.

No one will match up to either of these candidates but truth be told, they were quite unrealistic options to begin with. Conte wasn’t going to commit to the club unless he was well-backed in the transfer market, whilst Paris Saint-Germain were adamant in keeping hold of the Argentine.

Nuno is certainly a little more inspiring than either Paulo Fonseca or Gennaro Gattuso as, at the very least, he has a proven track record in the Premier League.

He steered Wolves into the Premier League and then the Europa League in their very first season back in the big time and despite going onto make the quarter-finals that year, he managed to guide them to another seventh-place finish.

Last season was a disappointing cross against his record, ending the season in 13th but he saw his star man Diogo Jota sold to Liverpool, whilst leading talisman Raul Jimenez suffered a cruel head injury that ruled him out all campaign.

Many would’ve taken Nuno this time last year, so perhaps it’s time to back him.

There may be several doubts over his credentials but everyone concerned with Spurs should be very happy that this is nearly finally over, with pre-season training starting on Monday.

AND in other news, Paratici could seal Spurs’ best signing since Son in £36m-rated Euro 2020 “dominator”…

Serie A expert Conor Clancy insists that Tottenham Hotspur won’t be signing Merih Demiral from Juventus this summer, because Fabio Paratici has left Juventus.

Spurs have previously been linked with a move for the central defender, who has grown into an impressive figure during his time in Italy, with Football London’s Alasdair Gold claiming they’re keeping a close eye on him.

Demiral enjoyed a breakthrough season at the Italian club last season, making 15 appearances in Serie A and at the age of 23, he has already won 25 caps for Turkey.

Clancy is the editor-in-chief at Forza Italian Football and he claims that there is next to no chance of Spurs bringing the player to the club in this transfer window, especially with the pending appointment of Paratici as Sporting Director.

Indeed, BBC Sport claims that he is set to be appointed, and his fingerprints appear to be over the club’s pursuit of former Roma manager Paulo Fonseca, but Clancy believes he may have allowed Demiral to leave if he were still in power at Juve.

Clancy was asked about the prospect of Spurs getting Demiral, and told The Transfer Tavern exclusively: “If they do, it’s a miracle.

“Maybe if Paratici was still there, they might sell him and make a silly decision like that but I’m not so sure. Particularly with Allegri back now, he’s the type of player Allegri would love.”

Southampton fans have been reacting to the news that the club want to sign Adam Armstrong from Blackburn Rovers this summer.

This transfer window promises to be a busy one for the Saints as they aim to prepare for the next season. The previous term was a mixed one, as they reached an F.A Cup semi-final but also fell to a 15th place finish in the Premier League, and if they want to move up the table they will need to make some clever purchases.

Now, according to Football Insider, the Saints are leading the race for Armstrong along with newly-promoted side Norwich City. The Championship side are said to be looking for £15m for the 24-year-old, who scored 29 goals in 43 matches in all competitions last term (Transfermarkt).

The news was shared on Twitter by @SaintsExtra, and it attracted plenty of attention from the club’s supporters. They took to the social media platform to share their thoughts.

Let’s see what the Southampton fans had to say about the Armstrong news below

“For a striker 15m is not so silly money Take it to 16!if it means we win the bidding race”

Credit: @bfgfox

“lets goooo”

Credit: @vestergodSFC

“Buy him”

Credit: @OscarDean20

“if true, he is replacing Ings”

Credit: @HackedOffStuart

“That’s us out then”

Credit: @MashySaint49

“15 million. Ouch. I can see Norwich winning this.”

Credit: @saints_josh2

In other news, Southampton fans were livid at this man’s exit.

According to a report by The Times, Tottenham Hotspur have renewed their interest in signing Norwich City defender Max Aarons.

The Lowdown: Tottenham and Aarons

Links to the Canaries full-back are nothing new, with Spurs even eyeing him as far back as last summer. 

Indeed, Tottenham were touted with a move for the promising English ace in 2020 with reports detailing that they could now make a move this window.

Aarons played a big role in helping Norwich secure promotion back to the top flight and he has no shortage of suitors, with Sky Sports reporting they rate him at around £30 million amid interest.

The Latest: The Times say Spurs are eyeing Aarons…

Now, The Times have backed Tottenham’s fondness of Aarons and have namedropped him as one of a list of players who Spurs are well and truly keeping tabs on.

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As well as the 21-year-old, Spurs are eyeing a few other defenders in Serie A stars Takehiro Tomiyasu and Milan Skriniar.

After Tottenham appointed Nuno Espirito Santo as their new head coach, attention can now seemingly turn to the transfer market with an interesting summer up ahead.

The Verdict: Great option…

Serge Aurier has been strongly tipped with a move away from north London this summer with the player even admitting himself that he has reached the ‘end of a cycle’.

Tottenham will need a replacement and Aarons is someone who could fit the bill nicely, especially given his threat going forward.

Only Son Heung-min in the Lilywhites squad averaged more crosses into the box per 90 (1) than Aarons (0.8) over 2020/2021, with the youngster even equalling Gareth Bale’s total of 1.4 completed dribbles (WhoScored).

Lauded as a ‘special player’ with an ‘unbelievable future’ by Norwich boss Daniel Farke (pinkun.com), he has also been dubbed the ‘perfect right-back’ by pundit Gabriel Agbonlahor (Football Insider).

We believe he should, at the very least, be at the top of Tottenham’s summer transfer wish list.

In other news: Spurs in seven-horse race to sign this star who shone at Euro 2020, Levy will have to pay over £25.8m…find out more here.

Aston Villa manager Dean Smith could build a formidable strike duo by unleashing Ollie Watkins alongside Chris Wood amid a major transfer claim on the Burnley striker.

What’s the story?

Football Insider have recently claimed that the Clarets marksman is being targeted as someone who could add more firepower to Villa, adding that the Midlands club are “one of three top-12 Premier League clubs keeping close tabs on Wood”.

Imagine him and Watkins

While Smith has been predominantly using Watkins as his lone striker up front, the former Brentford man does have the ability to play out wide on the left, while the Villa boss could even go with both him and Wood up top as a duo.

The £50,000-a-week striker has been described as a “natural goalscorer” by former Leeds boss Garry Monk, while Scott Malone, his former teammate at Millwall, called him “frightening” to play against.

Villa fans must love seeing the way Watkins presses from the front, and in Wood they would have someone who is equally a nightmare to defend against, with his physicality and ability to bring others into the game a real strength.

Indeed, Premier League legend Alan Shearer said: “I like him, I like what he does for the team and he is the focal point for them. He is very good at occupying two centre halves. He is a get out for Burnley if they want because they are not afraid to knock it long.

“He can keep hold of it and bring other players into the game. He is horrible to play against and he won’t give defenders a moment’s peace.”

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Having the two of Watkins and Wood chasing down opposition defenders, and harrying them on the ground and in the air, would give Villa a two-man strike force which teams would find incredibly menacing and real hard work to stop.

Meanwhile, a journo has dropped a major update on Villa’s pursuit of Emi Buendia…

Tottenham Hotspur are among the teams keeping tabs on prolific goalscorer Cyle Larin ahead of the summer transfer window.

That’s according to 90min, who claim the Besiktas forward is attracting interest from across Europe as he will soon enter the final 12 months of his current contract.

It appears that the Lilywhites are on the lookout for another striking addition ahead of next season, with doubts over Harry Kane’s future and the on-loan Carlos Vinicius set to return to Benfica.

Larin could be a bargain replacement for the Brazilian, and his versatile ability to play through the middle and out wide, makes him even more appealing heading into what will be a difficult window to negotiate.

The 33-time Canada international has bagged a whopping 23 goals this season, helping steer the Turkish Super Lig outfit to another title, and that has taken his total tally to 84 goals in 191 career appearances, as per Transfermarkt.

His performances in the MLS for Orlando City caught the keen eye of Brazil legend Kaka.

“I think Cyle can go far,” Kaka said at an MLS media day, via Goal.com. “Cyle is a very good player and the third season for us will be great, but I think Cyle can play in a big team in Europe as well.”

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And it’s not the first time that someone has waxed lyrical about the 26-year-old’s sensational attacking ability.

Back in March, Canadian national team coach John Herdman lauded Larin after a hat-trick against Bermuda, he told reporters (via Sporx): “Cyle Larin is a predator. He has this ability, that’s why we recruited him.”

If Spurs want to keep hold of Vinicius, who has enjoyed respectable returns playing a bit-part role behind Kane with ten goals, they will have to fork out an eye-watering £40m which is an extortionate amount for a backup.

But at least with Larin, you’ve got the option to play him out wide, so he should see more game time on the pitch than the Benfica man. The 6 foot 2 beast is also only valued at £8.1m, so you’d imagine that Levy could drive up a bargain with the player in the final year of his contract.

AND in other news, Spurs can solve major issue with 6 ft 3 “complete player”, he won’t cost Levy a penny…

Emiliano Martinez is on the same level as Atletico Madrid shot-stopper Jan Oblak, claims former Aston Villa midfielder Lee Hendrie.

This comes after reports from Spain last month suggested that the Spanish outfit could make a move for Martinez if they lose Oblak this summer.

Martinez has been a revelation at Villa since joining from Arsenal last year, ranking among the top three goalkeepers for clean sheets kept in the Premier League this season.

And for Hendrie, the 28-year-old is in the same category as Oblak, who has a staggering £120m release clause.

When asked in an exclusive interview with TT whether Martinez was on the same level as the Slovenia international amid Atletico’s reported interest, the ex-Villa player said:

“Yeah, one hundred percent, one hundred percent. I was surprised that Martinez was actually allowed to come to the football club if I’m being deadly honest. I actually looked at [Bernd] Leno and I just thought that Martinez was the one that I would have kept.

“You look at his stats this season and he’s been top drawer. When you’re being classed as a top goalkeeper in the Premier League, yes, there’s no doubt about it. When you compare levels, he’s definitely on that level.”

Looking at Oblak’s release clause, it is hard to imagine any team coming in for him. But, based on this season, Martinez could be a good replacement if he did end up departing the Wanda Metropolitano.

Liverpool have been handed a potentially huge boost in their pursuit of Leeds United winger Raphinha as the upcoming transfer window approaches.

What’s the story?

According to The Mirror (as reported by SportsMole), Jurgen Klopp’s charges have moved ahead of their rivals in the race for the Brazilian winger, as Leeds are eager to sign Harry Wilson.

The Wales international has impressed throughout a series of loan spells away from Anfield and could be used as a makeweight to bring Raphinha to Merseyside.

Klopp must axe Wilson

After the Euros, Wilson wil return to his parent club following an impressive stint with Cardiff City, scoring seven goals and providing 12 assists in 37 Championship appearances.

However, the £60,000-per-week starlet is not thought to be in Klopp’s first-team plans for the future and as such, he will be allowed to depart his boyhood club this summer.

Liverpool, meanwhile, have been linked with a move for Leeds’ Raphinha after his magnificent maiden Premier League campaign.

The 24-year-old received many plaudits following his arrival from Ligue 1 outfit Rennes 12 months ago, scoring and assisting a combined 15 goals in 30 top-flight matches.

Klopp is hoping to add extra firepower to his attacking options due to the underwhelming performance of several of his forward players throughout last season.

Sadio Mane and Roberto Firmino had uncharacteristically poor campaigns, while Xherdan Shaqiri and Divock Origi once again failed to step up to the mark.

Their lack of punch in the final third contributed to Liverpool’s rather disappointing third-place finish, and Klopp is attempting to ensure those issues don’t plague his side once again.

While Wilson has shone in England’s second-tier, he has shown nothing to suggest that he possesses the required quality to guide the Reds back to the summit of English and European football.

Raphinha, on the other hand, may have exactly that. The South American star went from strength to strength in 2020/21 as he slowly adapted to the demands of the Premier League.

At Anfield, he would be surrounded by a calibre far higher than he is currently playing alongside, meaning a natural jump in his output is likely to occur.

Klopp has shown admirable loyalty throughout his managerial career, but the German tactician must brutally axe Wilson over the coming months in order to secure what could be a crucial addition to his stuttering Liverpool side.

And, in other news…Liverpool dealt blow over “exceptional” £51k-p/w beast, any move is probably off 

In a recent interview, Gabriel Agbonlahor claimed that the Glasgow Rangers-linked winger, Jacob Murphy, would be a great addition to Steven Gerrard’s side this summer.

According to recent reports, both Rangers and Southampton are keeping tabs on the Newcastle United man ahead of the upcoming transfer window, with Steve Bruce’s side thought to be demanding a fee of around £3 million to part with the 26-year-old this summer.

And, in a recent interview with Football Insider, the former Aston Villa striker, Gabby Agbonlahor, stated his belief that the former England U21 international would be a great signing for Gers, claiming that Murphy would add a lot to Gerrard’s squad.

Asked whether he thought Murphy would be a good signing, Agbonlahor said: “Definitely. They’ve always been talented, the two twins. I’ve known them a long time, but they haven’t really kicked on to where they should have done.

“If he was a squad player at Rangers, Steven Gerrard would get good use out of him. He would be a very good signing. I’m sure he can add a lot to that Rangers squad.”

Transfer Tavern Take

So far this season, Murphy has struggled for game time somewhat at Newcastle, with the former Norwich City man starting just 11 Premier League games for Steve Bruce’s side, making a further nine appearances from the bench.

And, over his total of 20 league appearances, the 26-year-old has managed to score two goals and provide two assists, as well as averaging a WhoScored match rating of 6.62 – ranking him as Newcastle’s 12th-best performer in the English top flight.

As such, despite Agbonlahor’s claim that the £25,000-per-week winger would be a good signing for Rangers, from looking at his statistics, the exact opposite could be argued just as easily.

In other news: Rangers could now miss out on 28-goal star this summer as recruitment source drops news – find out more here!