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Transfer Deadline Day: Sunday Supplement panel review the rumours

JAY RODRIGUEZ: Could currently crocked striker Rodriguez also make the switch from the Saints? The third-highest English scorer last season would add depth
Image: Jay Rodriguez: could he be on the way to White Hart Lane?

The clock is ticking towards the closure of the January transfer window, but which late deals will make the headlines?

According to the Sunday newspapers, Tottenham are set to go on a spending spree on Monday, while Manchester United could force through a late move for Paris Saint-Germain’s Brazilian defender Marquinhos.

At the Sunday Supplement breakfast table, Rob Draper (Mail on Sunday) and Steve Bates (The People) offered us their verdicts on the biggest rumours…

Spurs to splash £60million on Jay Rodriguez, Yohan Cabaye and Aymeric Laporte

Image: Aymeric Laporte: Athletic Bilbao defender linked with Spurs

Steve Bates: I think they probably do need to spend. They are just outside of that band challenging for the top four. They seem to be developing some momentum, especially on the back of Harry Kane’s goals, but for me their team and their squad looks a little short. They probably need a couple of additions to make a viable attempt to challenge for a top-four position. I’m never sure the January window is the right time to do it. Rodriguez is injured at the moment, but we know him as a player and he has good pedigree. When would he be able to make an impact for Tottenham if they go and buy him?

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United plan to push through Marquinhos deal

Image: Marquinhos: PSG defender linked with Manchester United

Rob Draper: Brazilian defenders seem to be in fashion after their defeat at the World Cup! United have been saying it’s really, really unlikely they will do something – but clubs always say that and then they suddenly do something. Yes, it could happen. Yes, they definitely need a centre-half. Do they need to go for Marquinhos now? Well they’d get a much better spread in the summer and a much better choice. They probably would have the choice of Mats Hummels in the summer who probably would leave Dortmund. I think they will probably wait for Hummels, but their need is very great. Maybe they feel they’ve got to do something now.

Darren Fletcher to leave Manchester United

Darren Fletcher
Image: Darren Fletcher: linked with Valencia and West Ham

Steve Bates: He has been a really good servant to Manchester United and the club has also shown some loyalty by sticking with him while he had his illness, which was quite clearly the correct thing to have done. There is a bond there, but personally I feel it would be the right time for Darren to go. He’s simply not getting the game time. He is obviously a key player for his country as the captain of Scotland and he needs to be playing games. I notice Valencia were looking at him and that seems to be a possibility. That style of football, where it’s not quite the intensity of the Premier League would be an option for him. I equally thought West Ham would have been a good move for him as well, but it seems for some reason that has broken down.

Juan Cuadrado to join Chelsea

Image: Juan Cuadrado: set to seal move to Chelsea from Fiorentina

Rob Draper: We only really focused on him majorly at the World Cup when he was superb. He hasn’t played as well for Fiorentina since then, probably because he was disappointed some of the moves fell down in the summer. People who have watched him right back to when he was a teenager say he is absolutely superb, has really great energy and will get up and down for you. He’s an old-fashioned winger – Manchester United should have signed him really. I think he will be a really great addition to Chelsea and the Premier League.

Don't forget you can follow all of Monday's news on Sky Sports News HQ from 6am and online via our rolling transfer blog.