Tottenham Hotspur have joined a quartet of Premier League heavyweights monitoring breakout Villarreal full-back Alex Freeman following his rapid rise in Spanish football this year. The north Londoners are actively scouting long-term right-back options amid growing uncertainty over first-choice defender Pedro Porro's future beyond this campaign.
Premier League sides Everton and Crystal Palace have been handed a major transfer boost ahead of the winter market as Italian outfit Lecce prepare to listen to offers for prized centre-back Tiago Gabriel. Despite tying the 21-year-old defender down until 2030, the Serie A club are willing to sanction his departure in the new year.
Crystal Palace are considering former Tottenham boss Thomas Frank as a potential replacement for Pierre Sage, with recent results having increased the pressure on the Frenchman. Frank, who has been out of work since leaving Spurs in February, is highly regarded at Selhurst Park, but his struggles in north London remain a concern as the Eagles weigh up their options.
Newcastle United secured a vital 2-0 victory over Crystal Palace on Sunday, increasing the mounting pressure on under-fire manager Pierre Sage. Meanwhile, Dango Ouattara scored a crucial second-half equaliser to earn Brentford a hard-fought 1-1 draw against Hull City. These results leave Newcastle eighth and Brentford sixth, while Palace languish in 17th place.
Crystal Palace fought back from a half-time deficit to secure a 2-2 draw against Besiktas in a high-intensity Europa League clash at the Tupras Stadium. Second-half goals from Yeremi Pino and Jean-Philippe Mateta briefly put the Eagles ahead before a late equaliser shared the spoils.
Rudar Prijedor
