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Tottenham’s statement signing of the summer was undoubtedly their £52 million deal for playmaker Xavi Simons, who signed a potential seven-year contract at Spurs after joining from RB Leipzig in the final days of the window.

The deal was penned for an initial five years with the option of a further two, coming as one of the longest player contracts in Tottenham’s history, and perhaps a real indicator as to how highly they rate the Dutchman.

Mohammed Kudus

£55 million

Kota Takai

£5 million

Mathys Tel

£30 million

Joao Palhinha

Loan

Kevin Danso

£21 million

Xavi Simons

£52 million

Randal Kolo Muani

Loan

Daniel Levy, who has now resigned after the shocking announcement of his departure on Thursday, led a recruitment team of CEO Vinai Vinkatesham, technical director Johan Lange and unofficial advisor Fabio Paratici in pursuit of a much-needed playmaker before Monday’s transfer deadline.

After two very public and humbling failed attempts to sign one, with Morgan Gibbs-White and Eberechi Eze rejecting moves to Tottenham in dramatic late fashion, Spurs finally landed on Simons after an impressive two years in the Bundesliga.

In doing so, the Lilywhites gazumped Chelsea’s deal for the 22-year-old, saving some face after Gibbs-White’s bizarre saga and Arsenal’s hijacking of Eze.

Simons, who came through Barcelona’s famed La Masia academy before moving on to PSG and then Leipzig, bagged 22 goals and 24 assists in 78 total appearances for the latter side.

The Netherlands international is famed for his “silky” skills and creativity in the final third, which is exactly what Thomas Frank is crying out for after injuries to James Maddison and Dejan Kulusevski.

The former ruptured his ACL in pre-season and won’t be back until 2026 as a result, while Kulusevski wasn’t named in Tottenham’s 22-man Champions League squad as the Swede is expected to return in December.

Tottenham dealt Xavi Simons worry as "concern" arises for Thomas Frank

Simons was unveiled before a delighted Spurs crowd before their 1-0 loss to Bournemouth prior to the international break, prompting excitement as supporters anticipate his imminent debut.

However, Bundesliga expert Kevin Hatchard has also sent a warning to Tottenham about the player.

Based off some “talk” he’s heard from German circles, Simons’ body language and attitude have sometimes come into question.

According to Mick Brown, Tottenham also spoke with Aston Villa about signing Morgan Rogers, but given just how unobtainable he proved to be with an £80 million price tag, Simons is a more-than viable alternative with a huge ceiling.

Aniket Verma, 23, is all of three T20s old. On Sunday, he showed why Sunrisers Hyderabad have so much faith in him. While his team collapsed for the second time in two games in IPL 2025, with their hard-hitting approach not coming off, Aniket’s incredible 41-ball 74 lifted them to 163 after Mitchell Starc’s three-wicket burst in the powerplay derailed them.Aniket hit five fours and six sixes in his innings, twinning with Heinrich Klaasen during the course of a 77-run stand off just 40 balls, after SRH were in tatters at 37 for 4 in the fifth over.After Abhishek Sharma was run out in the first over, guilty of strolling through for a single he was late to respond to, Starc had Ishan Kishan slash to deep third, local boy Nitish Reddy heave an off-cutter to mid-on, and Travis Head ramp a short ball to KL Rahul, who had the gloves in his first game for Delhi Capitals, his new franchise.Head’s wicket was timely; he began with two back-to-back fours off Starc – driving imperiously through the line first and then drilling him down the ground. Starc responded by targeting his rib cage from around the stumps. Eventually, Starc, who was given a third straight over, had his man.Aniket began with dollops of luck. In the fourth over, he survived a run-out chance when Tristan Stubbs missed a direct hit at the striker’s end with the batter having given up. In the sixth, Aniket’s leading edge off Axar Patel was put down by Abishek Porel running back from extra cover.Aniket took full toll and hit Axar for back-to-back sixes in his second over to get going. At the other end, Klaasen’s clarity and picking of lengths led to more runs bleeding. He first whipped Starc for six, and when the bowler corrected his length, he slapped it through the off side for a boundary.Klaasen looked set when he was deceived by Mohit Sharma’s change of pace and length as he sliced a catch to Vipraj Nigam, who took it sensationally after circling back from point to leave SRH 114 for 5 in 10.5 overs. The slide from there on was quick as Kuldeep Yadav got among the wickets and finished with 3 for 22.After Pat Cummins was been dismissed, Aniket threatened a jailbreak as he tore into Axar for a sequence of 4, 6, 6 before he was out courtesy of Jake Fraser-McGurk’s athleticism at deep midwicket. If that was a stunner, Axar throwing himself full stretch to his left to intercept a rocket hit off Harshal Patel at mid-off matched that as SRH were bundled out inside 20 overs with Starc finishing with five wickets.

Newcastle United have had a summer to forget. Of course, the ongoing saga with Alexander Isak, who has gone on strike and is refusing to play, has dominated proceedings at the club, and they have still not signed their primary target, a centre-forward.

With Isak on strike and Callum Wilson no longer at the club, it has meant that Eddie Howe has needed to get creative. Anthony Gordon operated as a makeshift striker against Liverpool in Monday’s 3-2 defeat, but he was sent off for a reckless tackle on Virgil van Dijk and is therefore suspended for the foreseeable future.

With the transfer window slamming shut on Monday, there is still time for the Magpies to sign a new centre-forward.

Latest on Newcastle's transfer pursuit

All summer, it has been clear that Howe wants to add another striker to his squad. Several names have cropped up, and one of the latest is Wolverhampton Wanderers striker Jorgen Strand Larsen, whom the Magpies could make a move for.

Transfer Focus

Mega money deals, controversial moves and big-name flops. This is the home of transfer news and opinion across Football FanCast.

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However, the one player whom the North East giants have been focusing on signing of late is Brentford attacker Yoane Wissa.

According to a report from Craig Hope, the Magpies are set to hold more talks for the DR Congo international, with the “deal still alive” ahead of Monday’s deadline.

This new information has been revealed after it was reported last week that the Bees would demand a fee of £60m for the striker. With Hope confirming talks will resume, this fee has seemingly not put the Magpies off from doing a deal.

Why Wissa would be a good signing

Described as an “unbelievable” player by former manager Thomas Frank, Wissa has certainly developed a strong reputation. Last season, he shone as the Bees equalled their best-ever Premier League finish, reaching tenth.

Last season, the Bees’ number 11 scored the most goals in his Premier League career, finding the back of the net 19 times.

That eclipsed his tally from the previous season, where he bagged 12 goals, the first time he hit double figures.

Indeed, some of the numbers from Wissa’s campaign last season show just how impressive he was.

For example, the 28-year-old averaged 0.8 goals and assists and had a conversion rate of 27.54% per 90 minutes, showing just how creative and clinical he was.

Wissa – 24/25 PL stats

Stat

Per 90 mins

Season total

Goals and assists

0.8

23

Conversion rate

27.54%

27.54%

Chances created

0.9

27

Duels won

3.7

118

Recoveries

2.5

81

Stats from Squawka

With the way Wissa is going about his current transfer situation, it is easy to see how he could become the new Gordon at St James’ Park. The DR Congo star was previously not training with Brentford in an attempt to push a move through to St James’ Park.

Well, that was similar to how Gordon handled the situation of his transfer when he moved from Everton to Newcastle. It was reported back in 2023 that the England international skipped training to try and force a move through to St James’ Park, before submitting a transfer request.

Looking back on that, Magpies fans might he glad he did.

The Liverpool-born star has since gone on to make 107 appearances for the club, scoring 22 goals and assisting 23 in that time, including goals in both legs of the Carabao Cup semi-final over Arsenal last term.

Well, one thing is for sure: Wissa is desperate to play for Newcastle. Skipping training is not something that is done lightly, and if he does manage to force through the move, the Geordie fans in the stands at St James’ Park would surely take to him instantly.

If he can replicate what Gordon has done so far in a Newcastle shirt, then he would be even more loved by the Magpies supporters. Wissa is a player with a fantastic Premier League record already, so building upon that in the North East would be important to win fans over.

It is easy to see how Wissa can be Newcastle’s new Gorson. By missing training, he seems to want to move to the North East desperately, just like their star winger. Now all that’s left is to replicate his incredible impact on the club.

Related He's like Isak: Newcastle make late approach to sign £61m Wissa alternative

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Posts 1 ByAngus Sinclair Aug 25, 2025

Rapid half-centuries from Kusal Mendis, Pathum Nissanka and Janith Liyanage put Sri Lanka on course to a substantial total, before an electric new-ball spell from Asitha Fernando wrecked New Zealand’s chase.Asitha swung the ball prodigiously in his five-over opening spell, taking 3 for 17 in that period. By the end of over seven, and chasing 291 for victory, New Zealand were 22 for 5, their chances all but dashed. Mark Chapman battled bravely for a run-a-ball 81, but had no team-mates to go with him.New Zealand soon slipped to 48 for 6, then 77 for 7, and though the last rites took some time, Sri Lanka dismissed the opposition for 150, inside 30 overs. This was the third one-sided game in the series. New Zealand had won the other two.Asitha’s 3 for 26 wasn’t quite a swing-bowling masterclass, as he occasionally struggled with his lines. But it did feature some spectacular deliveries, as he gleaned substantially more swing than any other bowler in the game. The ball to take out Rachin Ravindra’s leg stump was magnificent; Asitha angled it across the left-hander, and got it to tail in very late to slip between bat and pad. All through that new-ball spell, he had that shape to his deliveries. He struck twice in the seventh over, removing Tom Latham and Glenn Phillips, both for ducks.Pathum Nissanka scored a half-century up top in a two-part innings•AFP/Getty Images

At the other end, Maheesh Theekshana and Eshan Malinga also contributed wickets, dismissing Will Young and Daryl Mitchell respectively. All three of these bowlers ended up taking three wickets apiece. Asitha’s was the best among their final figures.Malinga also swung the ball, though not as much as Asitha, and bowled probing lines. Theekshana got turn out of a pitch that the New Zealand spinners had also enjoyed earlier in the match, particularly when they picked their way through Sri Lanka’s middle order. Though it was still Matt Henry who was most penetrative, taking 4 for 55 from his ten overs. Three of those wickets came at the death, but Henry had been instrumental in building pressure through the middle overs too.The first ingredients of Sri Lanka’s 140-run victory, however, were the fifties to Nissanka and Kusal. Nissanka’s 66 off 42 was unusual. He got to 50 off the 31st delivery he played, but as he was completing that run, appeared to pull a hamstring, and left the field at the end of the tenth over. Kusal then replaced him at the crease and reeled off 54 off 48 to salvage what has otherwise been a modest tour for him.Nissanka, especially, reveled in taking on the short ball. He crashed five sixes and six fours in his innings, coming back to the middle in the 34th over to swing at a few though he was unable to run or reach particularly far outside off. Kusal hit two sixes and five fours, having made all his runs after the initial fielding restrictions had ended.Matt Henry took all of his four wickets in the back-half of Sri Lanka’s innings•AFP/Getty Images

Both batters were dismissed by wide, turning Mitchell Santner deliveries, that they were trying to drag over the deep-midwicket boundary.Santner had been among the primary architects of Sri Lanka’s middle-overs slowdown. They had been 155 for 1 (Nissanka was retired hurt also) after 27 overs, but in the following seven overs lost three wickets and made only 28. They recovered through a half-century to Liyanage, who constructed a clever innings that shepherded the lower-middle order and the tail. Liyanage made 53 off 52 balls before falling in the final over. He had hit five boundaries – two of them sixes – but largely sought to push the game deep and ensure Sri Lanka batted out their 50 overs.But New Zealand had no answers to Asitha bowling one of the white-ball spells of his career. Chapman saw out that new-ball spell, and then gained confidence once the powerplay was over, finding the boundary with the kind of ease that Nissanka and Kusal earlier had. He was especially strong through the off side, hitting all but two of his ten fours on that side of the ground.But thanks to that early collapse, they never looked like threatening the target.

من سنواته التي قاد فيها نادي ليفربول إلى قمة الدوري الإنجليزي الممتاز ودوري أبطال أوروبا، تعلم يورجن كلوب معنى مشاهدة أفضل فريق كرة قدم في العالم.

منذ اعتزاله التدريب وتوليه مسؤولية إدارة كرة القدم العالمية في مجموعة ريد بول، فقد اكتسب منظوراً جديداً وأشرف على أندية المجموعة الستة حول العالم وكان آخرها انضمامه لفريق نيويورك ريد بولز قبل خسارتهم بثلاث أهداف لهدفين ضد نيويورك سيتي إف سي.

ورغم أنه لم يمضي وقتاً طويلاً في الدوري الأمريكي لكرة القدم إلا أنه أشاد به كثيراً، وقد حضر تدريبات فريق ريد بولز في مقره موريس تاونشيب.

اقرأ أيضاً.. جوارديولا: عرض توتنهام لم يكن كافيًا لرحيل لاعب مانشستر سيتي.. ويجب مقارنة هالاند بـ ميسي ورونالدو

وقال كلوب في تصريحات لشبكة “SI” الأمريكية: “أؤكد لكم أن الجودة ممتازة جداً، لاعبون جيدون ومواهب واعدة وحماس كبير، كل هذه الأمور التي ترغبون برؤيتها عند مشاهدتها في الملعب أو التلفزيون، أعتقد أن الدوري الأمريكي لكرة القدم وجد مكانه والآن دعونا نعمل عليه”.

وأضاف مدرب ليفربول السابق: “متأكد تمامًا أنه بعد خمس سنوات سنتحدث بشكل مختلف، متأكد حقاً أنه سينمو، وسيبدأ الأطفال الصغار بلعب كرة القدم مبكراً ويتدربون ويتحسنون، من الواضح أن المكان الذي يمكنك اللعب والتدريب فيه يتحسن”.

جدير بالذكر أن يورجن كلوب انضم كرئيس لكرة القدم العالمية في ريد بول عام 2024، وأشرف على أندية عديدة مثل لايبزيج وسالزبورج ونيويورك.

Thomas Frank will be the latest Tottenham Hotspur boss tasked with the responsibility of making the club Premier League title challengers in 2025/26, after taking the reins following Ange Postecoglou’s dismissal.

Whilst only being in the role for a matter of weeks, he’s already seen the challenges he faces in the role, with the Dane already embroiled in a saga over the addition of Nottingham Forest star Morgan Gibbs-White.

A deal for his signature appeared to all be in order, after the Lilywhites decided to pull the trigger and activate the £60m release clause within his deal at the City Ground.

However, this is Spurs we’re talking about, and nothing ever comes easy – resulting in a missed opportunity after the player remarkably signed a new deal, in a move spearheaded by Reds’ owner Evangelos Marinakis.

Being unable to land the star will undoubtedly leave a sour taste in the hierarchy’s mouth, but ultimately, the show goes on, with other targets now being considered to help strengthen the squad this summer.

The latest on Spurs’ hunt for new additions this summer

In an attempt to forget about the failed move for Gibbs-White, the Spurs board have since turned their attention to a potential deal for Liverpool star Harvey Elliott.

It’s been reported that the Lilywhites have made an approach to the 22-year-old’s representatives over a move to North London, with Arne Slot’s side demanding £40m for his signature.

However, he’s not the only Englishman currently on their radar, with want-away Manchester City star Jack Grealish another name being considered, according to GIVEMESPORT.

Their report claims that enquiries have already been made for the 29-year-old forward, who joined Pep Guardiola’s side for a then-English record £100m back in the summer of 2021.

The article also goes on to state that the player himself would be keen on a move to North London this summer, subsequently leading West Ham United in the race for his signature.

A move could cost £40m if previous reports are to be believed.

Why Spurs’ latest target would be a better signing than Gibbs-White

Given the addition of Mohammed Kudus already this summer, along with the offer for Gibbs-White, it’s evident the Spurs hierarchy are targeting Premier League-proven options for Frank’s side.

The Englishman has been key in Forest’s remarkable rise in England’s top-flight, notching 15 combined goals and assists last season, subsequently securing European football for the first time in 30 years.

Such a season saw him make his senior England international debut, making £60m an excellent deal had they managed to get it over the line before Marinakis’ intervention.

However, the Premier League is a ruthless division, with other sides able to completely bypass you if you rest on your laurels – something which the Lilywhites aren’t currently guilty of.

Their disappointment will be undeniable, but it could prove to be a blessing in disguise if they manage to pull off a deal for Grealish in the coming months.

There’s no denying his move to the Etihad has halted his progression; only starting seven league outings last season after falling down Guardiola’s pecking order.

However, he managed to outperform Gibbs-White in multiple key areas last season, handing Frank a proven winner and arguably a better option given his trophy collection and experience in major European competitions.

How Grealish & Gibbs-White compare in the PL (2024/25)

Statistics (per 90)

Grealish

MGW

Games played

20

34

Goals & assists

2

15

Progressive carries

8.6

2.2

Progressive passes

6.5

5.2

Pass accuracy

88%

78%

Key passes made

3.1

1.6

Take-on success

45%

40%

Carries into opposition box

5.8

0.4

Crosses completed

2.5

1.4

Stats via FBref

Grealish, who has previously been dubbed a “monster” by Joe Cole, showcased his excellent ball-carrying ability last campaign, completing more progressive carries, with the vast majority being into the opposition’s box.

Such figures would massively bolster Frank’s side, as would the 29-year-old’s tally of key passes per 90, bettering Gibbs-White in such a department, able to provide a creative threat off the left or in central areas.

He also has the end product at the end of his mazy runs with the ball, completing more crosses per 90, having the talent to provide others in forward areas to improve their own goalscoring tallies.

It’s unclear whether a move for Grealish would be a temporary or permanent one this summer, but they could massively take advantage of his lack of game time with the Citizens.

The former Villa star has showcased he’s still capable of outperforming a £60m star despite his lack of action, potentially playing a huge role in any success endured during the Frank era.

Related Their very own Rodrygo: Spurs preparing £28m bid to sign "Messi-esque" star

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Posts ByEthan Lamb Jul 30, 2025

The last couple of weeks have been highly unusual from an Arsenal perspective.

While fans have grown accustomed to the club dragging their feet in the transfer window, they’ve seen the Gunners sign Kepa Arrizabalaga and Martin Zubimendi, while also getting closer to the statement signing of Viktor Gyokeres.

Furthermore, the Premier League runners-up have also been heavily linked with more attackers, such as the incredibly exciting Eberechi Eze, who has a £68m release clause in his contract.

The England international would undoubtedly be an excellent addition to the Gunners’ squad, but one that might require an exit.

Why Arsenal want to sign Eze

Eze has been one of the most exciting players to watch in the Premier League for some time now, and was even linked with Arsenal last summer.

However, if he was impressive in years past, he reached an entirely new level and was utterly sensational for Palace last season.

For example, despite playing for a mid-table side, the Englishman managed to rack up a tally of 14 goals and 11 assists in 43 appearances, which comes out to an average of a goal involvement every 1.72 games.

Moreover, he didn’t just score the third goal in a comfortable win, or a consolation goal in a hefty defeat; he bagged important, game-changing goals, such as the only goal in the club’s FA Cup triumph.

In addition to being an output machine, the former QPR gem would also provide Mikel Arteta with more tactical flexibility, as while he thrives in attacking midfield, he’s more than capable of doing a job out on the left.

Finally, as he grows in importance for the national side, he’d be able to form a closer partnership with Bukayo Saka at club and international level were he to join Arsenal, which can only be a good thing.

With all that said, bringing in another top-class attacker like Eze would be expensive and could lead to changes being made in the squad.

What Eze's arrival would mean for Arsenal

If Gyokeres is also signed this summer, which looks increasingly likely, then it seems unlikely that Arsenal would also add Eze without then making a sale.

After all, the Gunners have never been a side that hoards talent or likes to maintain massive payrolls.

So that leaves the question? Who would be the one to make way for the Englishman?

Transfer Focus

Mega money deals, controversial moves and big-name flops. This is the home of transfer news and opinion across Football FanCast.

Well, it obviously wouldn’t be Saka, Gabriel Jesus is out injured, Kai Havertz is a clear favourite of Arteta, and Ethan Nwaneri is currently in talks for a new deal.

That leaves Gabriel Martinelli and £27m signing Leandro Trossard, and with reports now clarifying that Al Nassr are not looking to sign the former, it might be time for the latter to leave the Emirates.

That seems to be an opinion shared by the Belgian himself, as, according to recent reports from Turkey, Süper Lig side Fenerbahçe are now willing to meet his financial demands for a possible transfer.

The report claims that now the Turkish giants have agreed to the winger’s demands, they have offered Arsenal a fee of €15m, which is about £13m.

It seems likely that the Gunners will reject such an offer, but as it is just the first, there is every chance that a final, agreeable price will be reached.

Moreover, it may be what is best for all parties, as the former Brighton & Hove Albion star’s exit could allow the club to sign Eze, and based on their respective form last season, that would be a big upgrade for Arteta and Co.

Appearances

43

56

Minutes

3303′

3455′

Goals

14

10

Assists

11

10

Goal Involvements per Match

0.58

0.35

Minutes per Goal Involvement

132.12′

172.75′

For example, the “sensational” Belgian ace, as dubbed by journalist Charles Watts, produced 20 goal involvements in 56 appearances, totalling 3455 minutes, which comes out to a goal involvement every 2.8 games, or every 172.75 minutes.

In contrast, the Eagles’ ace averaged a goal involvement every 132.12 minutes.

Ultimately, Trossard has been a great player for Arsenal, but if his departure helps the club sign Eze, then the club should do what they can to facilitate it.

Madueke will love him: £65m star pushing to sign for Arsenal "every hour"

Noni Madueke could be joined in the Arsenal attack by a £65m game-changer.

ByJack Salveson Holmes Jul 7, 2025

وجه لاعب نادي ليفربول، صدمة لزميله في الفريق محمد صلاح اليوم الأحد، واختار مرشحه للفوز بالكرة الذهبية عن 2025.

محمد صلاح يعد بين المرشحين للفوز بجائزة الكرة الذهبية، وذلك عقب الموسم الرائع الذي قدمه مع ليفربول والذي انتهى بالمساهمة في تتويج الريدز بلقب الدوري الإنجليزي الممتاز.

اقرأ أيضًا.. “مثير للاهتمام”.. لاوتارو مارتينيز يرشح محمد صلاح للفوز بالكرة الذهبية 2025

ويرى إبراهيما كوناتي، مدافع ليفربول، أن مواطنه وجناح نادي باريس سان جيرمان، عثمان ديمبلي، هو الأوفر حظًا للفوز بالكرة الذهبية عن العام الحالي بالفعل وليس محمد صلاح.

وفي تصريحات نقلها موقع “توك سبورت”، تم سؤال كوناتي عما إذا كان ديمبلي سيتوج بالكرة الذهبية، والتي سيتم إقامة حفل خاص بها يوم 22 سبتمبر المقبل، حيث رد: ”نعم”.

ثم تم سؤال كوناتي ما إذا كان مقتنعًا بفوز ديمبلي بالكرة الذهبية، حيث رد وأضاف: ”نعم، بالطبع”.

وأخيرًا سئل كوناتي عن احتمالية فوزه بالكرة الذهبية مستقبلًا، ليرد مدافع لايبزيج السابق: ”نعم، نعم، نعم!”.

كوناتي يعتبر مستقبله محل شك مع ليفربول سواء بالاستمرار أو الرحيل، حيث لم يجدد الدولي الفرنسي عقده مع النادي الإنجليزي والذي سوف ينتهي بنهاية الموسم الجاري.

ويراقب نادي ريال مدريد موقف كوناتي، حيث ذكرت تقارير عديدة أن النادي الإسباني يريد ضم اللاعب في نهاية الموسم كوكيل حر.

Tottenham Hotspur could be on the verge of losing a “world-class” player this summer, with the man in question said to have verbally agreed personal terms on a move elsewhere as he green-lights a north London exit.

Tottenham face Bodo/Glimt in season-defining Europa League semi-final

On Thursday, Ange Postecoglou faces the most important match of his Lilywhites career to date.

Tottenham: £4m-per-year manager who Levy wants is tempted to replace Ange

He’s now open to joining Spurs.

ByEmilio Galantini May 6, 2025

Spurs take on Norwegian minnows Bodo/Glimt on enemy turf for the second leg of their Europa League semi-final, with 90 minutes separating Tottenham from a first European final since their Champions League defeat to Liverpool in 2019.

If they get the job done and ease past Bodo/Glimt, taking full advantage of their 3-1 lead from the first leg, then Tottenham have a major chance to make history, and Postecoglou has a chance to fulfill his pledge of always winning silverware during his second season in charge.

Crystal Palace (home)

May 10th

Aston Villa (away)

May 18th

Brighton (home)

May 25th

Tottenham have endured a tepid Premier League campaign, tasting a dismal 19 top flight defeats across 24/25, but Europe gives them a golden opportunity to take something memorable away from what has been a very disappointing season.

The north Londoners will need every key man to stand up and be counted, even against a side which boasts far less in terms of quality on paper.

Postecoglou completely rotated the back four in their last game against West Ham, perhaps to give star defenders like Cristian Romero a rest ahead of their crunch encounter on Thursday.

According to recent reports, these next few games could even be the Argentine’s last in a Spurs jersey, with Atletico Madrid expressing a serious interest in signing Romero this summer.

The World Cup-winning defender, like much of the squad, was unavailable for large portions of the campaign through injury, and therefore unable to replicate the kind of heroics which saw him form a stellar partnership with Micky van de Ven last season.

Romero has since come back into the fold with van de Ven after working his way back to full fitness, but it is believed by some that the former Atalanta star is keen to embark on a new chapter next season.

Cristian Romero agrees personal terms with Atlético Madrid

Now, as per journalist Ruben Aria on his Twitch channel, a seismic development has come to light on the £165,000-per-week defender and his potential switch to Atletico.

According to Aria, Romero has verbally agreed personal terms with Atletico on a five-year contract, with the option of a sixth. As the centre-back gives his green-light, Spurs and Atletico are still yet to come to a club-to-club agreement, so there remains plenty of work to do.

However, this step comes as a “significant” bit of progress in regard to Romero and his potential La Liga switch, but there is a major gap in valuation between Tottenham and Diego Simeone’s side.

Indeed, it is believed Spurs want around £50 million to sell, while Atletico are only willing to offer around £34 million. While there have been no formal talks between both sides, that is expected to change “in the coming days”, with Postecoglou or any new manager facing the looming threat of losing a truly excellent defender on his day.

“For me Romero is world class,” said van de Ven about Romero.

“He’s a leader, he always gives 100%, on the ball and off the ball he’s a top class player and I can promise you this guy is not scared of anyone.”

Barcelona and their sporting director Deco have made £120,000-per-week Newcastle United star a top transfer target, according to a recent report.

Newcastle chasing attacking reinforcements this summer

The Magpies still have plenty to play for in what has been a tremendous campaign, as they ended their long wait to lift a trophy. Eddie Howe’s side are still firmly in the race to secure a place in next season’s Champions League, and the hope will be that securing that will help them when it comes to transfers this summer.

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Newcastle are hoping to strengthen in the transfer market this summer.

Posts ByAngus Sinclair Apr 23, 2025

The transfer window doesn’t open until the beginning of June, but already, Newcastle are lining up potential arrivals. According to a recent report, Newcastle are interested in a move to sign Alexis Saelemaekers from Italian giants AC Milan. The midfielder has been sent out on loan to AS Roma this season, and on his return at the end of the campaign, he could be allowed to leave, with Milan looking to get around £17 million for his services. His arrival would strengthen a midfield that already has plenty of exciting options.

As well as looking at ways to improve their midfield, Newcastle are also looking at improving their forward line, especially as Alexander Isak continues to be linked with a move away from St James’ Park.

According to L’Equipe, Newcastle have made Emanuel Emegha a transfer target, as the forward has been mightily impressive for Strasbourg. The striker is said to be open to a move to England and could be seen as a potential replacement for Isak, should he depart.

Barcelona now choose £120k-p/w Newcastle star to replace De Jong

However, signing a player like Saelemaekers may become more of a priority for the Magpies, as according to a report from Spain, Barcelona now want to sign Sandro Tonali from Newcastle as a replacement for Frenkie De Jong.

The report states that Deco is now working on a replacement for De Jong, as while the Dutchman is under contract until the summer of 2026, talks over a new deal are not advancing.

Therefore, he could be moved on by the Spanish giants, and they have identified Tonali as the perfect replacement. It claims that Barça see the Newcastle midfielder as someone who can immediately fit into their system and would be perfect to cover De Jong.

Tonali, who earns £120,000 a week at St James’ Park, has been on Barça’s radar for a while, even before he joined the Magpies. His performances in England for Newcastle have now confirmed to the Spanish giants how good he really is.

Sandro Tonali’s 24/25 Premier League stats

Apps

31

Starts

23

Goals

3

xG

3.53

Shots per game

0.9

Assists

2

xAG

1.35

Big chances created

2

Key passes

0.4

Tackles per game

1.5

Interceptions per game

0.9

Barça would place Tonali as essential to their midfield plans, but the fact he is under contract until 2028 and is expected to cost a lot of money are two stumbling blocks for Barcelona. However, they are confident that if De Jong doesn’t sign a new contract, it will give them an opportunity to sign Tonali, but this transfer hinges on what happens to the future of De Jong.