Transfer Gossip: New goalkeeper, attacker on Conte agenda as Tottenham chase double deal; truth emerges over Harry Maguire to Villa

Tottenham are readying an exiciting double raid for two top Premier League stars, Man Utd have responded to claims Harry Maguire is to join Aston Villa, while Monday’s Transfer Gossip claims West Brom are chasing a Nottingham Forest summer signing.

CONTE MAKES PLANS TO SIGN LEANDRO TROSSARD

Tottenham are chasing the signing of Leandro Trossard amid heightening speculation he may leave Brighton.

The Belgian winger is one of the most-improved players in the Premier League, adding goals and assists to his very obvious ability. Always a dangerous opponent, this season he has seven goals and two assists from 16 games so far.

However, his deal at the AMEX expires this summer and he is yet to agree an extension. Now 28, he is at the peak of his powers and is not short of admirers either.

Brighton do have a clause in his deal to extend it by 12 months, thus preventing a free transfer. But as it stands, they are yet to take up that option.

Therefore, he is currently eligible to negotiate a pre-contract agreement with overseas suitors too. However, Trossard will reportedly stay in the Premier League – and the Daily Mail claims Spurs are among those in hot pursuit.

Speculation he is set to leave this month is also reaching fever pitch. Trossard was benched for the first time this season during the 4-1 midweek win at Everton.

More curiously, he has omitted from their squad altogether on Saturday as they eased to a FA Cup win at Middlesbrough.

Trossard has hinted at linking up former Chelsea boss Graham Potter at Stamford Bridge. TEAMtalk also understands Newcastle are among those looking to swoop.

However, the Mail claims Spurs are now very much in the hunt with Conte making clear his wish to sign a new forward to his squad.

Tottenham also want David Raya to replace Lloris

A move for Trossard might not be Tottenham’s only high-profile swoop either.

The Italian is also making plans to drawn a line under Hugo Lloris’ long-serving spell as Tottenham No 1.

Indeed, we named three potential options – all based in the Premier League – who were coming into their thinking.

However, the Daily Telegraph now claims they are in hot pursuit for Brentford keeper David Raya.

The Spaniard has established himself as one of the most consistent stoppers around during the Bees rise into the top of half of the Premier League.

Now a regular in the Spaniard squad, Raya has also been linked with Arsenal in the past.

Raya has 18 months left on his deal at the Brentford Community Stadium and fears are growing he could soon be lured away.

And a giant offer from Tottenham may yet convince the Bees to cash in.

Lloris is now 36 and has 18 months left on his deal at Spurs. However, he has performed below his best this season and Graeme Souness claimed he was ‘past his sell-by date’ earlier this month.

HARRY MAGUIRE TO ASTON VILLA TRANSFER TRUTHS EMERGE

Manchester United have laughed off claims suggesting Harry Maguire is closing on a shock move to Aston Villa.

Reports on Sunday suggested the United struggler was nearing a move to Unai Emery’s side after losing his first-team place.

Still the world’s most expensive defender, he finds himself behind Lisandro Martinez and Raphael Varane in the pecking order.

As a result, speculation that he is ready to quit and move just down the M6 to Villa has quickly reared its head.

However, the Manchester Evening News has dismissed the claims with both Maguire and United finding the speculation ‘laughable’.

He was seen in the area on Sunday, sparking speculation of a transfer.

But the paper claims he was in the area to play golf at the famous Belfry course, which is located in the Sutton Coldfield area of the city.

And while he has fallen down the pecking order at Manchester United, Erik ten Hag is keen to retain his services until at least the summer.

Maguire started in United’s last Premier League match against Bournemouth. And Maguire is also likely to be in the line-up when they tackle Charlton in the Carabao Cup on Tuesday.

WEST BROM KEEN ON LEWIS O’BRIEN

West Brom manager Carlos Corberan is looking to raid Nottingham Forest for Lewis O’Brien, according to a report.

Midfielder O’Brien moved to the City Ground over the summer in a double move with Huddersfield teammate Harry Toffolo.

Indeed, the duo were just two of 22 signings Forest made over the summer.

However, O’Brien has been in and out of the Forest side this season. He has made six Premier League starts, featuring another six times off the bench as Steve Cooper struggles to settle on his strongest XI.

Now, according to The Sun’s Alan Nixon, the Baggies are readying a loan approach for the midfielder.

West Brom are upwardly mobile since Corberan took charge. They are up to ninth in the table, just a point off the play-off positions.

Now Corberan reportedly wans to reunite with O’Brien, who played under him at Huddersfield, at West Brom.

And while the £10m summer signing is unlikely to be sold by Nottingham Forest, Nixon reckons they could sanction his loan move.

Forest are in decent form of late, having climbed outside the relegation places to 15th. However, there still only remains two points between them and the drop zone. And Cooper knows further additions are needed to boost their prospects.

And he could look to strengthen his squad for the push, with O’Brien a potential sacrifice.

READ MORE: Cooper insists ‘good communication’ required as Nottingham Forest eye more signings in January