Bid prepared: Spurs targeting their own Foden & Bellingham hybrid

Tottenham have completed some impressive business in the transfer market over the last seven months or so.

Ange Postecoglou is here for the long run and that can be seen in the deals they've completed. Lucas Bergvall is now officially a Spurs player and the exciting Archie Gray has recently arrived too.

Troy Parrott, one of the club's academy poster boys, may have left for Dutch shores but with another hot talent in Mikey Moore coming through the ranks, they won't care too much about the Irishman's £6.7m departure.

Will Postecoglou stop in his quest to bring top young talent to north London? Apparently not.

Tottenham looking at elite young winger

There is a young talent who is consistently being talked about as an option in the transfer window for the top clubs in Europe.

That happens to be French superstar Desire Doue, a teenager who is causing a great deal of fuss this summer.

Rennes midfielder Desire Doue

Set to take part in the Paris Olympics under the guidance of the great Thierry Henry, Doue has become an option for a number of sides.

Indeed, according to a report from French outlet L'Equipe, Bayern Munich have lodged a €35m (£30m) bid for the Rennes attacker but it has been rejected.

The German outfit are believed to be not the only club interested. It's suggested that Tottenham and Chelsea are also planning their own offensive in the forthcoming weeks.

Previous reports have indicated it could well take around €60m (£52m) to prise him away from his homeland.

What makes Doue so exciting

Now 19, Doue lit up Ligue 1 as a spritely 18-year-old last season, wreaking havoc in the final third on his way to four goals and five assists in league action. Those aren't jaw-dropping numbers but come on, this is a teenager doing things a mature experienced head would be doing.

So, he can score and assist goals, but what else can he do? Said to be a "one-of-a-kind player" by analyst Ben Mattinson, this is a young individual with the world at his feet, someone who has "one of the most unique profiles out there."

Right-footed, Doue is capable of playing off either wing, namely the left and also as a number 10, galivanting forward and picking up tight pockets of space which he seems to escape from every time.

Left wing

15

2

4

Attacking mid

5

1

0

Centre mid

4

0

1

Right wing

4

1

0

So, what comparisons can be made? Well, FBRef suggests that the most similar player in Europe's top five leagues to the French sensation is 17-year-old Lamine Yamal, a young talent who has taken Euro 2024 by storm.

Who else could he be compared to? Well, the aforementioned analyst – Mattinson – suggests "Doue’s ceiling is more of as a goal-scoring #10 to play in between the lines like Foden who can also play wide."

Also said to be in the same bracket of talent as someone like Bellingham and Arsenal's Bukayo Saka, it's evident Tottenham would have a very special player on their hands here.

England international Jude Bellingham

He could operate in the half spaces very well, linking up with the likes of James Maddison and Heung-min Son to devastating effect.

Like Bellingham, he can play in a deeper playmaking role, like Saka, he can cut inside with purpose and like Foden, he can weave beyond defenders in central areas behind the striker.

Also said to be "elite at shifting the ball" by Mattinson, there is seemingly nothing Doue cannot do in the final third. So, let's examine the numbers.

Assists

0.22

0.25

0.23

Key passes

1.71

2.30

1.87

Progressive passes

6.69

5.30

7.63

Shot-creating actions

4.86

4.45

3.85

Successful take-ons

3.54

1.48

1.95

Progressive carries

4.31

2.93

3.31

Evidently boasting remarkable numbers when it comes to carrying the ball and possessing that magical ability to make something happen out of nothing, it's clear to see why he's earned comparisons to the likes of Foden and Bellingham.

This is a world-class talent in the making and he could well be heading to Spurs. Just imagine him alongside the likes of Gray and Bergvall. It's enough to make your mouth water.

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West Ham enter the race to sign versatile 22 y/o defender to follow Kilman

Whilst West Ham United managed to secure the signing of Max Kilman last week, it appears that the Hammers are still on the lookout for defenders in order to bolster Julen Lopetegui's side.

Defenders still high on Hammers' list of priorities

Despite agreeing a £40 million to sign Kilman from fellow Premier League side Wolves, it appears that West Ham are still in the market for reinforcements at the back.

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Part of this quest for new defensive players stems from the number of current Hammers set to leave the London Stadium this summer. Ben Johnson has already departed the club after refusing a number of new deals from the East London outfit. It has already been confirmed that the 24-year-old will be playing for Ipswich Town next season.

Another defender that could be on the move is current starting right back Vladimir Coufal. Recent reports in the Turkish press are claiming that Galatasaray are in the hunt to sign the Czech full back whose contract expires next summer. Because of this, the Hammers may be tempted to cash while they can still get a fee for the player.

West Ham defender Vladimir Coufal

With the Hammers potentially entering the new season without a recognised right back on their books, there is no wonder why they have now entered the race for a player to fill the vacancy in this area of the pitch.

West Ham and Everton make moves for Serie A defender

As first reported by Football Inisder's Pete O'Rourke, West Ham have joined Everton in the race to sign Hellas Verona defender Jackson Tchatchoua.

It is reported that the Serie A outfit are looking for a little over £6.5 million to part ways with the defender this summer. Considering that Verona paid £2.5 million last month to make Tchatchoua's loan from Belgian side Royal Charleroi S.C. permanent, it would be a decent bit of business for all sides.

Upon making his deal with Verona permanent, Tchatchoua signed a three-year-deal with the club set to keep him in Italy until the summer of 2027. Despite this, it is likely that Verona would be willing to let the player leave if the £6.5 million price tag can be met.

The 22-year-old made 26 league appearances last season as Verona finished 13th in Serie A. Tchatchoua proved to be a vital asset to his side during the course of the last campaign, playing a number of different positions depending on where he was needed.

The natural full back played as both a right and left-sided midfielder last season, suggesting that he is anything but afraid of flexing his attacking muscles when necessary. With Coufal and Johnson known for their occasional ventures forward, Tchatchoua would be a perfect fit for Lopetegui's new-look West Ham side next season.

Whilst it is unlikely that the 22-year-old would be the Hammers' first choice in this position next season, there is no doubt that Tchatchoua would be a vital asset for West Ham owing to his ability to take up numerous positions all over the pitch.

£25 million attacker who Ange personally wants has agreed to join Tottenham

A £25 million attacker, who manager Ange Postecoglou personally identified as a target, has now apparently agreed to join Tottenham this summer.

Spurs expected to go for multiple attackers after Werner deal

The north Londoners agreed their first deal of the summer in pretty quick fashion, sealing a season-long extension on Timo Werner's loan which includes an even cheaper option to buy this time round.

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Spurs were only meant to have Werner from January to the end of 2023/2024, but chairman Daniel Levy re-negotiated with Leipzig to keep the German for the whole of 2024/2025. Tottenhan can now also choose to do a permanent deal next summer for just £8.5 million, coming as an astute piece of business.

However, it is believed that Postecoglou's side are not done there when it comes to signing attacking players. Reports claim Tottenham are targeting a new striker and long-term replacement for Harry Kane, and could also bring in another attacking midfielder.

Levy and co will be targeting more bargain options in this window as part of their summer overhaul, as it is claimed that Postecoglou also wishes to bolster his midfield and defence over the coming weeks.

Tottenham have reportedly considered re-signing Marcus Edwards from Sporting Lisbon as one option, as their 35% clause means they could do a deal for as little as £11 million, according to some reports out of Portugal.

Son Heung-min

7.30

James Maddison

7.17

Pedro Porro

7.05

Cristian Romero

7.04

Dejan Kulusevski

7.03

Another option for Spurs could be Poland international winger Sebastian Szymanski. The Fenerbahce star, who represented his country at Euro 2024, is fresh off the back of an incredible season in the Turkish Super Lig.

He racked up an impressive 13 goals and 19 assists in all competitions for Fenerbahce last season, and there are suggestions he could leave for as little as £25 million.

Sebastian Szymanski.

According to Aslinda this week, Spurs have actually made a low-ball offer for the player, coming in at around £15 million. It was apparently rejected out of hand, but Postecoglou's side are set to try again with another proposal. While club-to-club talks go on, Tottenham are at least said to have the green light on personal terms.

Szymanski agrees to join Tottenham on four-year contract

Aslinda also state that Szymanski has agreed Tottenham personal terms over a four-year contract, and will fly for his medical at Hotspur Way if Fenerbahce and Spurs can find an agreement on price. It's added that Postecoglou personally wants the 25-year-old at his club for next season.

"He is a very productive player when viewed from the perspective of the inside right, number 8.5," said football scout Berat Kunt on his performance against France at the Euros.

"He has high pressing power, is close to scoring, and is effective in playing without the ball. When he increases his responsibility in the game setup, he reaches another level."

Man Utd are ready to ditch ace who’s worth more than Bruno & Garnacho

If you asked any Manchester United fan who the most influential players were last season, Alejandro Garnacho and Bruno Fernandes would be the most frequent answers.

The attacking duo were the source of almost all of the Red Devils attacking impetus, with their consistency being vital.

The Argentine netted seven goals in the Premier League while the United captain scored ten, but it’s their fearless attitude and determination that make them fan favourites.

Nevertheless, there’s a current United player worth even more than the aforementioned duo who could be on their way out the door this summer.

The Man Utd star who could be sold this summer

According to a report from journalist Graeme Bailey, Man Utd will shockingly let Marcus Rashford leave this summer.

It’s said that Paris Saint-Germain will once again be in the market for the United forward as they look to find a replacement for Kylian Mbappe.

The report mentions that if a suitable offer arrived from the French club, then Sir Jim Ratcliffe and co ‘would not stand in his way’ if he wished to depart.

The reason for this is due to his drop in performance last season, which raised concerns amongst the hierarchy, while his off-the-field antics have also been a point of discussion.

Marcus Rashford’s value in 2024

In all honesty, last season was hardly Rashford’s finest in a United shirt, as he struggled to put his stamp on many matches.

The number ten failed to rediscover the form he showed during Erik ten Hag’s first season in charge, when he scored 30 goals across all competitions.

Last season, he scored just seven times in the Premier League, and his creativity was also held back, as he boasted a record of two assists.

There were even some periods over the season where he was dropped to the bench as he failed to have an influence when on the field, with the likes of Amad Diallo and Antony preferred at times.

Phil Foden

£101m

Bukayo Saka

£90m

Gabriel Martinelli

£58m

Marcus Rashford

£57m

Jarrod Bowen

£55m

Nonetheless, as you can see from the table above, Rashford is still estimated to be worth £57m by FootballTransfers despite having a poor campaign.

Shockingly, this makes the English “superstar,” as dubbed by journalist Alex Turk, the most valuable asset in the entire Man United squad.

Therefore, he’s estimated to be worth even more than Garnacho and Fernandes, who are both players that INEOS will look to complete their rebuild around – the pair deemed to be worth £36m and £53m, respectively.

On top of that, Rashford is estimated to be the fourth-most valuable winger in the entire Premier League, only behind Bukayo Saka, Phil Foden, and Gabriel Martinelli.

However, despite United being open to selling Rashford, the attacker is clearly still one of the most dangerous attackers in Europe on his day, as proven by his 30-goal campaign.

Last season was difficult for every single player at Old Trafford, and bar a handful of individuals, everyone suffered and failed to perform. But in a settled system, Rashford could very easily thrive once again.

Therefore, selling the academy graduate could go on to be a massive mistake, as there is a reason he’s United’s most valuable player at the club.

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Liverpool open talks this week to sign “monster” Real Madrid target

Liverpool have reportedly opened talks this week to sign a key reinforcement who Arne Slot loves ahead of Spanish giants Real Madrid in 2026.

Slot urges Liverpool to "remain humble"

Sunday’s 2-0 victory against West Ham United simply cannot be a false dawn for Liverpool or record signing Alexander Isak. After a disastrous run of form, the Reds must make it back-to-back victories by defeating Sunderland this evening.

Anything but three points would only spark further concerns about Slot’s tenure, as reports continue to suggest potential managerial candidates such as Ange Postecoglou.

Ahead of Liverpool’s clash against the Black Cats, Slot told reporters: “The challenge now will be to build on this win. We do not get to believe that a corner has been turned or that a recovery is under way.

“We have to remain humble, work hard and continue to fight. If we do this then maybe we can continue taking the small steps forward that are very much required.

“I would like to welcome Regis Le Bris, his players and staff as well as the supporters and directors of Sunderland to Anfield for tonight’s game. What they have done in the Premier League already this season reflects incredibly well on all at the club having earned promotion back in May.”

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It’s been the type of run that sparks serious questions about the January transfer window and the need for reinforcements – particularly on the defensive front. As things stand, Liverpool have just two senior centre-backs available, but have been linked with moves for the likes of Castello Lukeba and, of course, Marc Guehi.

Liverpool open talks to sign Marc Guehi

According to TeamTalk, Liverpool have now opened talks to sign Guehi this week in an attempt to get their deal back on track and land their No.1 defensive target ahead of Real Madrid.

The Reds came within hours of signing the Crystal Palace star in the summer, only for the Eagles to pull the plug on the deal at the death. Now, they’re attempting to jump ahead of the chasing pack by making their move as early as the January transfer window.

Those at Anfield are reportedly willing to offer a deal worth around £30m next month, whilst others wait in line to secure Guehi’s signature as a free agent in the summer.

Not even Slot could hide Liverpool’s admiration for Guehi when they missed out on his signature in the summer, telling reporters: “It would be ridiculous if I were to deny we were close to signing him.

“That is so out in the open. These things happen in football. We would have liked to have signed him, of course. If we feel we can strengthen the team, we never hesitate to do so.”

Whether Crystal Palace willingly part with their defender, who was described as a “monster in defence” by Palace reporter Bobby Manzi, remains to be seen, however.

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Tottenham now monitoring "special" sensation who's already got Man Utd guarantee

In an attempt to get one over on their rivals, Tottenham Hotspur are reportedly keeping close tabs on Ajax youngster Jorthy Mokio, who’s already been a given a guarantee by Manchester United.

The Lilywhites have set their sights on getting back into the Premier League’s top six and much more in the coming years. The departure of Daniel Levy was completed with that ambition in mind and this weekend’s North London derby against Arsenal hands Thomas Frank the perfect opportunity to prove that he’s the right man for the job.

An unexpected victory over Arsenal, who sit top of the Premier League, would see Tottenham move to within five points of their rivals to continue what has been a solid start.

Speaking to reporters ahead of Sunday’s clash, Frank shared how excited he is to take charge of the fixture for the first time in the Premier League, saying: “Super excited. Of course, before I stepped into the club, of course, I knew about the north London derby, but it’s when you are in it, you sense it and feel that this is important.

“You feel it from the fans, you feel it from the staff members, the players, the people that have been working here for years. This is the big one.

“I always say the next game is the most important game and we always have that, but I’m very, very, very aware there are two games in a year that are even more important – and this is the first of them. We are ready, we are up for it, we are looking forward to it and we will do everything we can to win.”

It’s not just Arsenal that Spurs are looking to get one over on, however. Away from the pitch, they could also beat Man United to the signature of rising star Mokio.

Tottenham keeping close tabs on Jorthy Mokio

According to Caught Offside, Tottenham are now keeping close tabs on Mokio, who is looking to leave Ajax in 2026. The 17-year-old has also attracted the interest of Man United, who are already reportedly preparing a project which will offer him a guarantee of game time.

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The Red Devils are currently the reported favourites to sign the defensive midfielder, but Tottenham’s presence at least gives them a fighting chance to land the latest Ajax sensation.

A well-connected source told Caught Offside: “Manchester United are leading the chase for Jorthy Mokio. They are already working on a project that could offer Mokio guaranteed minutes and a clear development path.”

Dubbed “special” by scout Jacek Kulig, Mokio has already got his name in the history books at Ajax and could now be on his way to the Premier League to make his mark once again.

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Better than Gyokeres & Havertz: £27m star is now Arsenal's "best finisher"

Has Viktor Gyökeres lived up to pre-season expectations at Arsenal?

Well, so far, the Swedish international striker has scored six times for the Gunners, most notably bagging a brace during the 4-0 Champions League demolition of Atlético Madrid.

However, as the saying goes, in absence the heart grows fonder.

Gyökeres hobbled off at half time against Burnley, having opened the scoring at Turf Moor, thereby sitting out subsequent trips to Prague and Sunderland, his absence truly felt during the 2-2 draw at the Stadium of Light, with Mikel Arteta really lacking someone capable of running in behind, as well as reinforcements off the bench, so perhaps his importance was only crystallised when he wasn’t there.

Before suffering this injury, Gyökeres had started all 13 of Arsenal’s Premier League and Champions League fixtures, completing 90 minutes on nine occasions due to a lack of alternatives, with Kai Havertz having not been seen since sustaining a knee injury at Old Trafford on the opening weekend.

Ahead of a North London derby following the international break, Arteta is hoping to have the cavalry back, with all six of Arsenal’s injured attackers nearing a return, so could “the best finisher at the club” challenge Gyökeres for his previously undisputed starting spot?

Kai Havertz's importance to Arsenal

If Arsenal are going to pip Manchester City to the Premier League title, they’re going to need their key players to remain fit and available.

For Arteta, these are William Saliba, Gabriel, Declan Rice and Bukayo Saka; one could argue Jurriën Timber has entered this exclusive group too, while Martin Ødegaard was certainly there too prior to his injury issues both this season and last.

If you ask the manager, if not certain onlookers, even if this zeitgeist has changed for most supporters, Kai Havertz is in Arteta’s top-tier of importance too.

So far in 2025, the German international has played just 817 competitive minutes, 754 of which came prior to a serious hamstring tear during the warm-weather training campaign in February before, just when he had got an entire pre-season under his belt, a knee injury picked up against Manchester United in August required surgery.

Initially signed to play a completely different role, Arteta stating upon his arrival that “he will bring a huge amount of extra strength to our midfield”, after the Havertz as a left-eight experiment did not go as planned, he thrived as a centre-forward, scoring 29 goals for the Gunners to date.

So, what Arteta has shown is that, if Havertz is available, he is going to find a place in his team for him, so the idea that Gyökeres’ arrival would end his Arsenal career was never going to be the case.

Clearly, the pre-season plan was for the pair to timeshare the centre-forward role which, who knows, may have prevented Gyökeres’ injury, but certainly would have benefited him, given that the Swede’s best two performances, coming at St James’ Park and Turf Moor, both occurred after EFL Cup ties where he had been afforded a rest.

However, once Arteta has his full complement of forwards available again, the fabled ‘when everyone is fit’ bliss managers rarely ever enjoy, could there be another challenger for the number nine spot?

Why Mikel Arteta's "best finisher" could lead the line

As already outlined, Gyökeres, Havertz and Ødegaard as well as Gabriel Martinelli, Noni Madueke and Gabriel Jesus are all hoping to make their eagerly-anticipated returns in the coming weeks.

Down to threadbare options, Arteta has been forced to return to the well that never seems to run dry that is Mikel Merino up front, something Gooners thought they had seen the end of after last season, but all the absentees have given Leandro Trossard the opportunity to seriously stake a claim.

The Belgian leads the way at Arsenal in terms of combined goals and assists so far this season, having bagged four of each, while this is also the case across 2025 to, as the table below documents.

Leandro Trossard

10

10

Mikel Merino

11

6

Declan Rice

9

10

Martin Ødegaard

5

9

Gabriel Martinelli

9

3

Bukayo Saka

9

Zero

Ethan Nwaneri

5

2

Viktor Gyökeres

6

Zero

Trossard has scored crucial goals on the road against both Fulham and Athletic Club this season, before firing home this absolute rocket on Wearside last Saturday night.

Ever since he joined the club from Brighton for £27m in January 2023, probably a better signing than Mykhailo Mudryk would have been, Trossard has been prolific in front of goal, scoring 32 goals and accumulating 27 assists, the most of any Arsenal player during this timeframe.

Thus, the Belgian has been labelled “the best finisher at the club”, while Tim Stillman of Arseblog agrees, describing him as an ‘excellent shooter and finisher’, something Arsenal’s squad lacks in general, praising his ‘positional versatility’.

Thus, given his output, Arteta is going to want to have Trossard on the pitch somehow.

With Madueke and Martinelli vying for minutes on the left-wing, could we see Trossard challenging for minutes as the centre-forward, certainly offering something different to Gyökeres, at the very least putting pressure on the Swede to perform, something he has not had due to the lack of a genuine alternative up until this point?

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Not just Joelinton: Newcastle's "true legend" may now be on borrowed time

Newcastle United struck victory late on against Fulham to escape from the lower levels of the Premier League and build on the Champions League victory over Benfica, which reminded fans of their attacking quality.

Though injury-hit Fulham proved pests at St. James’ Park on Saturday, nearly escaping with the spoils shared before Bruno Guimaraes’ late goal, slotted smoothly into the net after fine work from substitute William Osula, Benfica were outclassed, and Eddie Howe is beginning to get a tune out of his side.

The Magpies are all about evolution, and the rise of Sandro Tonali and Lewis Miley’s newfound confidence have seen the midfield refashioned, a glimpse of things to come shown over these past few weeks.

But evolution may come at some players’ expense, and Joelinton’s place in the Tyneside engine room is not quite so nailed-on as it once was.

Joelinton's Newcastle future

Joelinton’s is one of the most rousing success stories in the Premier League. Written off after his first couple of seasons in Newcastle as the club’s record signing, the wasteful striker has been repurposed as a physical beast of a midfielder, combining strength and smartness to bulldoze through to the final third.

But the 29-year-old has lacked clarity this season, and Miley’s form at number six and Jacob Murphy’s hints of promise in a dynamic midfield berth suggest the Brazil international may not be quite as indispensable as he once was.

Indeed, United blogger Thomas Hammond has even gone as far as to suggest that Joelinton might have reached “the start of the end”, still as crafty and physical as ever, but undoubtedly the weakest link in a midfield also comprised of Guimaraes and Tonali.

Joelinton has played 11 matches in all competitions this season, and he has only scored twice, both strikes coming against Bradford City in the Carabao Cup.

This is a natural part of any footballer’s career. Joelinton has plied his trade for the club for five years, and he has been an instrumental part of the rise.

But he’s not the only one who might be on borrowed time. In fact, there’s a mainstay who’s been on Tyneside for even longer, and he too is in danger of being replaced.

The Newcastle "legend" on borrowed time

Newcastle have signed some corkers over the past four years, but Howe’s brilliance can be found in the rebirth of several existing stars.

Joelinton is one, while Jacob Murphy is a marvel in polishing his skillset and becoming a purposeful player in a European squad. But Fabian Schar’s rise is just as impressive.

Once hailed as a “walking mistake” by journalist John Gibson, the 33-year-old arrived on a three-year deal from Deportivo La Coruna in 2018 for a nominal fee and ebbed and flowed through those first years on Tyneside.

But he kept working and won Howe over when the English tactician was appointed, not only with 237 total appearances in black and white to his name, but with 21 goals and ten assists and only Guimaraes above him on the outing tally since Howe’s arrival.

1

Bruno Guimaraes

164

2

Fabian Schar

160

3

Dan Burn

159

4

Jacob Murphy

145

5

Joelinton

139

But for all this experience, Newcastle’s newbies are starting to shine. Take Malick Thiaw, who arrived from AC Milan in a £34m deal this summer and has won Tyneside over with strong and dynamic defensive performances. The 24-year-old exudes composure and style on the ball.

A continuation of these five-star displays may make Schar’s berth in the team somewhat redundant. The Swiss international, after all, had sat through three of his past four available fixtures on the bench before being used as a second-half substitute during the weekend win over Fulham.

For Schar and Dan Burn to have forged such a steely alliance at the back is quite the thing. Below you see the partnership listed among the division’s greatest, and that duo have worked wonders in spite of injuries to the likes of Sven Botman.

As things stand, Schar, hailed as a “true legend of the club” by one Newcastle content creator, is among the list of ageing Newcastle players who face the end of their Toon careers come the close of the campaign.

Howe has rooted his project in the experience and intelligence of his mature squad, but with the likes of Guimaraes and Tonali and Botman all younger but cultured members of the squad, it may be that veterans such as Schar could depart having given so much to the city, and leaving at the right time at that.

Everton

19

28.0

Aston Villa

23

27.9

Newcastle

21

27.5

Fulham

22

27.5

Burnley

22

27.0

Whether the defender pens another extension on his current deal remains to be seen, but there’s no question that his significance in Howe’s squad is diminishing after many years of tireless service.

He is less than two months away from his 34th birthday, and while there’s a sense he could still play a part in Newcastle’s journey, Schar may grow warm to the prospect of trying his hand somewhere new before the autumn years of his career.

like Joelinton, Schar might be on borrowed time, with signs that he is falling from a once-untouchable position in Howe’s line-up. But, as with Joelinton, the Switzerland native has worked so hard over the past several years, and if he is approaching the final stretch, he would leave with his head held high and with silverware in tow.

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Paratici's a big fan: Tottenham now hold talks to sign "elite" £87m striker

Tottenham Hotspur have now entered talks to sign an “elite” new striker, with sporting director Fabio Paratici a big fan, it has been revealed.

Spurs looking to sign new striker amid Tel and Solanke concerns

Dominic Solanke has struggled on the injury front ever since his arrival at N17, with the striker suffering knee, thigh and ankle issues during the 2024-25 campaign, and he has been unable to put the problems behind him at the beginning of this season.

Solanke is set to be out of action for a prolonged period, with it emerging that Thomas Frank may not be particularly fond of the English striker, who was Ange Postecoglou’s first-choice option at centre-forward last season.

With the 28-year-old on the treatment table, Mathys Tel has led the line for Frank’s side in recent weeks, but Jamie O’Hara has not been impressed, and the former midfielder singled the Frenchman out for criticism after the 2-1 loss against Aston Villa.

As such, Tottenham are now ramping up their pursuit of a new striker, according to a report from Caught Offside, which states they have now opened talks over a deal for FC Porto star Samu Omorodion.

Paratici is a big fan of Omorodion’s versatility, and Spurs have held discussions over the possibility of an initial short-term deal with an option to buy, but the Portuguese club’s huge asking price has proven to be a major issue.

Indeed, the Liga Portugal side are set to hold out for a huge fee for the 21-year-old, with it being revealed they are unwilling to let him leave for below the €100m (£87m) release clause in the youngster’s contract.

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ByTom Cunningham Oct 26, 2025 "Elite" Omorodion could take Tottenham's attack to next level

Scout Ben Mattinson has made it clear he believes the Porto striker is able to play at a much higher level, having already established himself as a Liga Portugal star.

The three-time Spain international has made a flying start to the campaign, scoring eight goals in ten matches in all competitions, off the back of scoring 19 league goals, in what was a very impressive 2024-25 campaign.

With Tel struggling, and Richarlison finding the back of the net 23 times in 103 games for Tottenham, it would make sense for Frank’s side to bring in a new striker, and Omorodion has proven he could be a fantastic option.

£70m Man Utd star who Amorim called "top" now close to sealing January exit

A Manchester United star who Ruben Amorim called “top” is now close to sealing a January exit, with talks advancing.

Amorim looking to reshuffle squad in January

After a shaky start to the campaign, Amorim has managed to buy himself some more time courtesy of a recent uptick in results, with Man United winning four out of their last six matches in the Premier League.

The United boss has settled on Casemiro and Bruno Fernandes as his preferred options in the middle of the park, and the midfield duo certainly played their part in the recent 2-1 victory against Liverpool at Anfield.

Casemiro made three tackles to keep the Reds at bay, the joint-second highest number of any player, while Fernandes was a constant threat, hitting the woodwork and assisting Harry Maguire’s late winner.

However, there have been suggestions that Amorim is less convinced by his back-up options in midfield, with Teddy Sheringham claiming the 40-year-old isn’t a fan of Kobbie Mainoo: “He has a certain style that Amorim obviously doesn’t appreciate.

“He obviously wants more from Mainoo; it’s up to him to try and change his game a little bit to fit in with what Amorim wants.”

According to a report from Spain, Mainoo is now very close to sealing a January exit from Old Trafford, with talks over a move to Napoli recently advancing, amid very limited game time so far this season.

The 20-year-old is determined to make it to the 2026 World Cup, which means he needs to be receiving regular minutes, and Napoli are now in the strongest position to get a deal done, with the youngster potentially in line to follow Scott McTominay to Italy.

The report doesn’t make it clear what sort of fee the Red Devils could receive for their academy graduate, but a £70m asking price has been touted in the past.

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ByEthan Lamb Oct 21, 2025 Mainoo needs regular first-team football

It would be completely understandable if the youngster were to push for a move this January, given that he is at serious risk of not going to the World Cup, having not played for England since a 2-0 victory over Ireland over one year ago.

Amorim has previously made it clear he is a fan of the central midfielder, describing him as a “top player”, but the United boss clearly isn’t totally convinced, with the 10-time England international still yet to make a Premier League start this season.

Given that Amorim has staved off the pressure with two wins on the bounce, Mainoo may not be reintroduced into the starting XI anytime soon, but it would be a real shame to see the 2024 FA Cup final star leave, with the display against Manchester City proving he has the talent to succeed at Old Trafford.

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