Newcastle United are leading among the clubs looking to sign Tottenham centre-back Joe Rodon on loan during the January transfer window.  

Eddie Howe wants to strengthen his defence as a priority and has the Wales international, 24, in his sights along with full-back Kieran Trippier at Atletico Madrid. As reported by the Telegraph Sport, Burnley’s James Tarkowski is a primary target but he may not leave Turf Moor until his contract expires in the summer. 

Spurs are likely to allow Rodon out on a short-term deal to get game time as he has struggled for minutes this season and has only started Europa Conference matches, which the club has now been eliminated from. 

Brighton manager Graham Potter worked with Rodon at Swansea City and he will come into the thinking at the Amex Stadium should they target a centre-back next month.

Watford and Leeds are also monitoring Rodon’s situation as they look at defensive options next month. Leeds captain Liam Cooper suffered a hamstring injury this month which has left Marcelo Bielsa short at the back.  

Rodon has only played in the Premier League during the defeat to Crystal Palace this season and while he is highly regarded following his move from Swansea last season, it is accepted he will benefit from games this season.  

Ranieri eyes Kolasinac at Watford

Watford’s search for a centre-back has also seen them look at Arsenal’s Sead Kolasinac.

Kolasinac, 28, had a six-month deal at Schalke last season but could not prevent them getting relegated from Bundesliga.

This season he has been back at the Emirates Stadium but has played more games for Bosnia than for Mikel Arteta. With his contract expiring at the end of the campaign, he could be allowed to leave on a permanent deal.

Claudio Ranieri wants a centre-back next month and Kolasinac is one of the players he is looking at to bolster his defensive options for the second half of the season.

Old Firm battle for Iceland winger

Scottish rivals Celtic and Rangers are going head to head for Iceland winger Albert Gudmundsson who is available on a free transfer next summer.

The 24-year-old has six months left on his contract at AZ Alkmaar in Holland and both Glasgow clubs are interested in a Bosman deal, which can be negotiated from next month onwards.

Other European clubs have shown interest in Gudmundsson, who has had four years at his club after arriving from PSV Eindhoven.

West Ham linked with Johnstone 

England goalkeeper Sam Johnstone looks increasingly like running his contract down at West Brom, with West Ham at the front of the queue to land him on a free transfer in the summer.

Johnstone, 28, has kept his place in Gareth Southgate’s squad following relegation from the Premier League last season and played in both World Cup qualifying wins against Andorra in the current campaign.

He is expected to be one of the sought-after free transfers of next summer and David Moyes is considering him as competition for Lukasz Fabianski, who turns 37 this season.  

Premier League return on the cards again for Sotona

Former Manchester United winger Deji Sotona is set to head back to the Premier League from Nice after seeing a move to Chelsea fall through during the last window.

Chelsea remain interested in the 19-year-old, along with Tottenham and Celtic.