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Celtic manager Ange Postecoglou has now shared his side’s plans for when the transfer window opens in January.

The Lowdown: January successes

In the winter window last season, the Hoops welcomed the likes of Reo Hatate and Matt O’Riley to Parkhead, who were able to hit the ground running in the famous Green and White strip.

The Japan international made 13 appearances for Celtic in the second half of the Premiership season, in which he impressively bagged four goals and three assists from central midfield.

With the success of the club’s January strategy last season, the Hoops are now looking to replicate what they pulled off again this time around.

The Latest: Ange’s comments

Having noted his success in the Japanese market, Postecoglou has now revealed his transfer plans going into the next window.

As quoted by The Herald, the Celtic boss said:

“We are well underway with our planning for January.

“It was really beneficial for us last year to do our business early in January. I think that helped us in the back half of the season.

“I think we are going to have to do something similar this January. Our strategy is already in place and hopefully it all comes together.

“We are looking everywhere in terms of our recruitment. Mark Lawwell is in the building now and the reason I brought him in is that he knows what I am looking for. The brief is to scour the world for that.

“The Japanese and Asian market is one I am really familiar with and I still think there is value there for players, and I know how they would fit into what we do.

“But we signed Alexandro Bernabei from Argentina, so South America is also an area we are looking at.”

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The Verdict: Time to fix

Whilst Celtic sit top of the Premiership table with 27 points from their opening ten league games, Old Firm rivals Rangers are closing in behind with 25 points.

Having clinched the title by four points last season, the gap between the two Glasgow sides remains extremely close.

Postecoglou will know he can utilise the winter window to solve any issues or reinforce any weak areas of his squad which he may have picked up on during the first half of the season.

Whilst the 57-year-old does not have any imminent injuries to attend to, he can use the window to add quality and depth to his squad as they fight with the Gers for back-to-back league titles.

Arsenal are looking into the idea of sealing the signing of Juventus and USA midfielder Weston McKennie in January, journalist Ben Jacobs has claimed.

The Lowdown: McKennie allowed to leave Juve

The 24-year-old has been an effective squad player for Juve since arriving from Schalke, but he has also rarely felt like a genuinely key figure, with the midfielder yet to record more than 18 league starts in a season, with injuries not helping his cause.

For that reason, the Serie A giants could look to sell the USA international in the January transfer window, affording him a fresh challenge elsewhere.

There certainly appears to be plenty of interest from Premier League clubs, following a new update.

The Latest: Arsenal keen on move

Taking to Twitter, Jacobs confirmed that Arsenal are one of those in the mix to sign McKennie, even if a genuine bid hasn’t yet been tabled:

“Several Premier League clubs have scouted McKennie, including Newcastle, Leeds, Everton and Arsenal. But none have advanced interest yet. He’s a player who could well move to England in January but right now there is nothing advanced from any potential Premier League suitors.”

The Verdict: Great for squad depth

McKennie is an impressive footballer whose peak years should still be ahead of him, so he could be someone who provides Mikel Arteta with quality and squad depth.

He was once described as ‘extraordinary’ by former Schalke coach Domenico Tedesco, such was his influence at the Bundesliga club – and 89 appearances for Juve is no mean feat.

McKennie’s versatility would further aid Arsenal, too, with his ability to play in defence or various midfield roles providing Arteta with even more options all over the pitch.

Sunderland are reportedly now in a fight with a number of their rivals in the Championship to sign Bradley Dack.

The Lowdown: Out of contract

Dack is a player that is out of contract in the summer, meaning that he can leave as a free agent once it expires.

The Blackburn Rovers attacking midfielder could also be available for a cut-price in the January transfer window, should they decide to cash in at the risk of losing him for free.

The Latest: Sunderland interest

As per Football League World, the Stadium of Light outfit are interested in signing Dack, but are waiting to see what Rovers’ stance on him given his contract situation.

However, they will face competition from fellow Championship rivals Millwall and Luton Town for his signature.

The Verdict: Wait until summer

Given that the Wearside club are sitting comfortably in midtable, they may not need too many reinforcements come the January transfer window.

With Dack’s contract up in the summer, they could sign him for free then, which would represent a great piece of business.

The 28-year-old has scored an impressive 91 goals in his senior club career from midfield, and 50 of those came under former Rovers manager Tony Mowbray, of course now at the Black Cats.

Once dubbed ‘amazing to watch’ by Mowbray himself, he will know how to get the best out of Dack, and so reuniting him with his old boss seems like a smart move, especially if no transfer fee is involved.

Tottenham Hotspur have been handed an injury blow after Antonio Conte confirmed that Ryan Sessegnon is ruled out of the Premier League game vs Leeds United on Saturday.

The Lowdown: Injury concerns

The Lilywhites are coming into this game off the back of two defeats, the most recent being a 2-0 Carabao Cup loss to Nottingham Forest, so they will be hoping to turn their form around with a win over Jesse Marsch’s visitors this afternoon.

Sessegnon sustained an injury during the clash at the City Ground in midweek but had to see out the game as a result of the five substitutes having already been used, and the latest news on the 22-year-old is not positive.

The Latest: Sessegnon fitness update

Speaking during his pre-match press conference on Friday, Conte revealed that Sessegnon is yet to participate in training and will therefore miss the clash against Leeds, whilst also providing an update on Richarlison and Dejan Kulusevski.

Quoted by the club’s official website, the Tottenham manager said: “Sessegnon, today he didn’t train with us, he has a little problem and he’s not available for tomorrow’s game. About Richy and Deki, they had a training session, and I have one day to make the best decision.”

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The Verdict: Blow for Conte

Sessegnon has started eight league matches this season, showing how integral a squad member he is, so it will be a massive disappointment for Conte to lose him for this clash.

The Roehampton-born talent was averaging 1.3 shots and 1.2 clearances per game prior to his injury, and even had two goals to his name from left-back (WhoScored).

Only Harry Kane and Son Heung-min have a greater shots-per-game average at Tottenham, which shows how much of a threat Conte will be missing from the left flank today.

With the ability to operate on either side of the midfield in addition to left-back, Spurs will be hoping that Sessegnon uses the World Cup break to get fit in time for the return of domestic action next month.

Scottish champions Celtic have enjoyed a fine start to the current campaign on the domestic front, with the Old Firm outfit having won 14 of their opening 15 Scottish Premiership games, while also moving into the semi-finals of the League Cup with relative ease.

That being said, however, the Hoops’ woes in the Champions League – in which they finished bottom of their group after failing to record a single victory – have perhaps laid bare that there is still much improvement to be made at Parkhead moving forward.

Title-winning coach Ange Postecoglou is seemingly aware of that fact having admitted that the club are already plotting possible moves in the January window, with the addition of further quality only set to raise the Glasgow side to even greater heights.

A particular area of concern for the 57-year-old may well lie in attack, with the Bhoys having been somewhat profligate during their disappointing European run, with the former Yokohama boss himself admitting that his side had paid the “ultimate price” for their failure to convert often gilt-edged chances.

In need of perhaps a more clinical presence to bolster the forward line, Postecoglou could well make an astute move by turning to Marseille prospect, Bamba Dieng, with the Senegalese sensation having reportedly been a target for the club over the summer.

The 22-year-old – who was valued at a mega £15m in the recent window – had attracted interest from a host of top clubs across Europe as a result of his sparkling form last term, having scored eight goals in all competitions for the Ligue 1 outfit in what was a breakthrough campaign at senior level.

A move away had seemingly been on the cards with the youngster’s current side having been keen to force him out of the Stade Velodrome, although a late switch to Nice cruelly collapsed after the player had also been close to joining Leeds United.

The “explosive” talent – as described by former manager Jorge Sampaoli – has since been left out in the cold by new boss Igor Tudor in the early months of the campaign, making only six league appearances so far this term, with five of those outings coming from the bench.

Postecoglou and co could well capitalise on that fact and make a concrete approach for the dynamic forward – who can feature on the flanks or through the middle – in the New Year, particularly with the 13-cap gem having just over 18 months left on his existing deal in France.

Dieng – who has been likened to compatriot Sadio Mane – could well be set to prove his worth at the upcoming World Cup, with writer Zach Lowy suggesting that Senegal could be “one of the surprises of the tournament” due to their wealth of attacking talent.

Celtic could be about to see just why they should have made a firm offer for the 5 foot 10 ace in the summer, should he sparkle in Qatar, with the club potentially needing to strike a deal this time around when the market re-opens.

Liverpool would be signing a ‘very exciting’ player in Borussia Dortmund striker Youssoufa Moukoko, according to transfer insider Dean Jones.

The Lowdown: Moukoko up for sale

The German’s contract is set to expire at the end of the season and the Bundesliga giants are willing to sanction a sale in the winter market to not risk losing him for free next summer.

Premier League clubs Manchester United and Tottenham, alongside Jurgen Klopp’s side, have all been credited with an interest in the 18-year-old, and a deal for a fee in the region of £26m is a possibility in January.

The Latest: Jones’ comments

Asked by GiveMeSport whether Liverpool would find it easier to sign Moukoko over Dortmund teammate Jude Bellingham, who is also attracting interest from Anfield, Jones said:

“Possibly, yes. I think the level of competition is going to be different, but the level of investment is different too.

“Moukoko is a very exciting player. You can definitely see how he would feel that under Jurgen Klopp he could improve.”

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The Verdict: Alongside Bellingham

Bellingham has been associated with Liverpool for a long time now, and Moukoko could be set to follow in his footsteps to make the switch to Merseyside.

Dubbed a ‘machine’ by Jacek Kulig, the teenager has ten goal contributions to his name in just 14 league appearances this season and is currently averaging 1.9 shots per 90 minutes.

Moukoko already has so much potential at such a young age, and whilst he would slot straight into the first team, he’d be a hugely exciting signing for the future of the Reds in years to come.

A claim has emerged on Glasgow Rangers and how good the potential signing of a Scotland international would be for the Light Blues…

What’s the talk?

Radio pundit Mark Wilson has claimed that central midfielder Billy Gilmour would thrive back at Ibrox as a senior player if the club managed to snap him up from Brighton & Hove Albion.

Speaking on the radio show Clyde 1 Superscoreboard (29/11/2022) – via the Glasgow Times – the pundit reacted to a supporter suggesting that the Gers should swoop for the gem:

“Listen, he’s someone with exceptional talent who wants to play. He is finding it difficult at the minute and he’s got to find a home that he can play 30, 40, 50 games without long breaks in his career.

“He is at a stage now, but he’s at a crossroads. If there was some sort of miracle that Rangers could entice him up to Scotland, I think he would flourish up here.

“I think he may find it easy to take the ball in tight positions, but the wage he might demand could be out of Rangers reach.”

Davis upgrade

Gilmour signed for Brighton for a fee that could rise to £10m in the summer but has struggled for game time since making the move away from Chelsea.

He has only played four times in the Premier League this season and amassed 20 minutes of action as a substitute in that time – with no top-flight start since his loan spell with Norwich in 2021/22.

His struggle for minutes on the pitch with the Seagulls suggests that the manager does not believe that he is ready to play week-in-week-out in the top tier of English football, and this could open the door for the Gers to swoop in during the January window.

The promise of regular first-team football during the second half of the 2022/23 campaign could be tempting for Brighton and allow Michael Beale to snap the youngster up on loan, after the Light Blues were named as a potential destination for him last summer.

Gilmour could be an upgrade on veteran midfielder Steven Davis if the club are able to secure a temporary deal for the Scotland international.

The gem, who was once dubbed a “fabulous” player by Graeme Souness on ITV, caught the eye during his country’s World Cup qualifying campaign as he averaged a SofaScore rating of 7.03 across eight appearances – making 2.4 tackles and interceptions per match.

Meanwhile, Steven Davis has averaged a score of 6.96 across seven outings in the Premiership – making 1.2 tackles and interceptions per game. He also averaged a score of 6.81 in eight World Cup qualifiers for Northern Ireland – making 2.2 of the aforementioned defensive contributions per clash.

These statistics indicate that Gilmour has the potential to be an upgrade on the 37-year-old midfielder if Beale can get the best out of him at Ibrox, which Wilson seemingly believes would be the case, as he has the quality to perform to a higher level whilst winning the ball back more frequently.

He is also 16 years younger than the current Gers man and could offer fresh legs in the middle of the park, Daily Mail journalist Calum McClurkin Tweeting that Davis has been “towing a caravan” on the pitch this season.

Scottish champions Celtic currently have a handful of representatives at the World Cup, with one Hoops asset who has been catching the eye that of midfielder, Aaron Mooy, with the 32-year-old having perhaps staked his claim for a more prominent role at Parkhead after starring for his country.

The experienced asset has endured something of an underwhelming start to life in Glasgow, having started just eight games in all competitions so far this term for Ange Postecoglou’s side after joining on a free transfer this summer.

The former Brighton and Hove Albion man notably endured a miserable outing on his first Scottish Premiership start in the defeat to St Mirren back in September, having been hooked at half-time in that disappointing showing after appearing one of the “sloppier” members of the side, in the words of pundit Stiliyan Petrov.

Ex-Bhoys striker Charlie Nicholas also noted that ‘every time Aaron Mooy has come into the side he looks a yard off the pace’, with it looking as if the one-time Huddersfield Town man could follow teammate James McCarthy in becoming something of a failed addition for the Old Firm outfit.

Despite that shaky start, the Sydney-born sensation has since shown signs of life since then for the Scottish giants, making the most of Callum McGregor’s absence to join Matt O’Riley and Reo Hatate as part of the midfield trio on occasion.

The 55-cap maestro boasts three assists in the top flight so far this season, with that an impressive haul considering only five of his 13 league appearances have come from the start.

That fact has ensured Mooy still has a way to go to truly establish himself in Postecoglou’s side, although the £23k-per-week may well have bolstered his hopes of a regular starting berth as a result of his displays on the international stage over the past week or so.

Having been tipped to “make an impact” at the tournament by his club boss, the 5 foot 9 man has gone on to do just that in his first two group games in Qatar, having looked particularly impressive in the recent triumph over Tunisia.

That latest outing saw the Hoops man produce a truly dominant showing in the centre of the park, having been described as something of a “man mountain” and a “warrior” by BBC pundit Alex Scott.

That impact was evident as Mooy recorded three tackles, two interceptions, two blocked shots and two clearances to help steer the Socceroos to victory, while also winning four of his six ground duels in what was a truly industrious midfield display.

Such work rate and defensive quality was notably lauded by journalist Josh Bunting, who stated that: “Aaron Mooy incredible has covered every blade of grass, immense shift from the midfielder.”

While typically a technical, classy operator, such a showing may well have shown another side to Mooy’s game, with the hope being that he can replicate that aggression and fight when he returns to Paradise in the coming weeks.

On the evidence of Saturday’s performance, the summer signing could well have warranted a place in Postecoglou’s starting lineup moving forward.

West Bromwich Albion have been handed a fresh injury boost as their return to domestic football nears…

What’s the latest?

According to the Express & Star journalist Lewis Cox, the Baggies “hope” to have Grady Diangana back in training following just a nine-minute cameo in their 2-0 win over Stoke City.

Having missed their training camp in Spain, his return will be a welcome sight for fans who will be excited to have the wide man back for their Monday night clash at high-flying Sunderland.

This comes alongside the expected return of Daryl Dike and Semi Ajayi, who have both been long-term absentees. Carlos Corberan will be hoping to finally have a near-full squad available for selection.

Sunderland will be worried

Although this season has seen his career stall somewhat, the 24-year-old dynamo does boast an incredible ability that, when he’s on form, can see him terrorise any defence in the Championship.

His maverick play style, therefore, makes him a unique asset for the Spaniard to have, and will likely worry Tony Mowbray who will struggle to account for his unpredictability.

Despite this, he does boast five goal contributions across 19 games in the league, but the main issue that stands is that four of those came in the first six games of the season. He has scored just once in their last 13 games.

The £20k-per-week dynamo will be hoping that upon returning from injury and handed a run of games under the new boss, he can recapture the form of his loan spell in 2019/20, where he scored eight and assisted seven in just 30 games.

This campaign saw a culmination of his “magic” qualities, as Graeme Brown once suggested he possessed, alongside a clinical nature that he has struggled to find since.

Should he recapture it soon, however, it will prove a frightening prospect for the rest of the league.

The Black Cats could be the first to suffer from his revival, as two teams in red-hot form will face off at the Stadium of Light.

It promises to be an interesting tactical and physical battle, but one which could be won by the exploits of the mercurial Diangana.

Wolverhampton Wanderers have received a potential transfer boost in their pursuit of Guadalajara’s Alexis Vega.

The Lowdown: Wolves targeting Vega

Wolves have been named alongside the likes of PSV Eindhoven and Chelsea as potential suitors for the winger, who recently featured for Mexico at the World Cup.

Julen Lopetegui is aiming to bolster his squad in the January transfer window in order to quell any fears about the Old Gold being relegated from the Premier League, as they currently sit bottom of the table and four points away from 17th.

The Latest: Wolves get Vega boost

According to Mexican publication El Universal, the 25-year-old has informed the Guadalajara board of directors that he wants to leave the club in order to seal a move to Europe, and he is convinced that this will happen, although no bids have yet been made.

Given Vega’s eagerness to depart the club, Wolves have been handed a boost when it comes to transfer negotiations for the player, whose contract is not set to expire until June 2024.

The Verdict: Get it done

One of the key features of the Mexican’s game is his ability to play across the frontline, having previously been described as a ‘versatile’ forward by journalist Pete O’Rourke.

Although he did not have the best World Cup with Mexico, missing one big chance in the 2-1 win against Saudi Arabia, the £6.9m-rated forward has shown at club level that he seems ready to make the step up to the Premier League, weighing in with 47 goal contributions in 121 appearances for Guadalajara.

The bottom line is that Wolves need to find attacking firepower from somewhere, given that they are the top flight’s lowest scorers with just eight goals so far.

While it would be a gamble to sign a player in Vega who is unproven outside of Mexico, he could be what they need if they are to ensure their Premier League survival into a sixth successive season at this level.