The Independent

Omar Marmoush and Nico Gonzalez are part of the Manchester City squad to face Bournemouth this afternoon, but Tottenham Hotspur target Savinho is absent.

Winger Savinho is set to join Spurs in a deal that could reach £85m, while Marmoush is also wanted by Tottenham in a separate deal.

Gonzalez, meanwhile, has been linked with a move to Newcastle United as the Magpies look to add an experienced central midfielder.

But Rico Lewis, who had also been linked with a move away, starts for City in midfield alongside new recruit Elliot Anderson and Nico O’Reilly.

Enzo Maresca’s side have agreed an £85m fee for Lille midfielder Ayoub Bouaddi and continue to be linked with Chelsea’s Enzo Fernandez.

Tottenham were thumped 3-0 by Brentford on Saturday and the arrival of Savinho is set to take their summer spending above £300m.

But Roberto De Zerbi has admitted that Tottenham are still not prepared for the start of the new Premier League season.

“I believe in my players, my club and myself. I think we are working well but we are late for the start of the Premier League,” De Zerbi said.

“It’s a step we have to improve quickly. We could fight stronger than we did today and we lost too many duels.

“The target is to become (a) team. To find the spirit, the soul, is a process.”

Maresca, meanwhile, said he hoped that any further Manchester City outgoings will be replaced.

They have already lost Rodri, Bernando Silva, Tijjani Reijnders, John Stones and Nathan Ake, following the departure of Pep Guardiola.

“They all want to play, and when they don’t play they would prefer to leave,” Maresca said.

“It’s always complicated when someone leaves and someone else arrives, but for sure we will need more options if players go out.

“If some leave, some must arrive. I’m not worried or concerned. Since day one we have known exactly what we need. I am working with the club and the sporting director.

“There are 10 or 11 days to go and many things can happen.”

Tottenham Hotspur’s expensive summer rebuild was shaken to its foundations by rampant Brentford on an alarming opening day for Roberto De Zerbi’s side.

New-look Spurs showed the same old flaws as goals from Keane Lewis-Potter, Vitaly Janelt and Michael Kayode saw them dismantled 3-0.

Spurs look set to top the £300m mark on new faces this summer once they complete deals for Savinho and Omar Marmoush in a bid to move on from last season’s scrape with relegation.

But it was Brentford’s marquee signing, the comparably reasonably-priced £41m midfielder Mamadou Sangare, who provided the early dividends in west London.

Archie Gray made Spurs history as the club’s youngest captain since Steve Perryman in the 1970s, and he was joined in the back four by three new signings in Andy Robertson, Jan Paul van Hecke and Marcos Senesi.

That lack of familiarity showed in the opening seconds with Robertson almost putting through his own net before Bees skipper Nathan Collins stabbed a glorious chance wide from six yards out.

Livewire Mali international Sangare set up the opening goal after just 12 minutes, playing a one-two on the edge of the box, bursting to the byline and cutting the ball back for Lewis-Potter to convert.

The Bees kept piling forward and Dango Ouattara was put through by Igor Thiago only to be thwarted by Spurs keeper Antonin Kinsky.

The pressure told in the 33rd minute when Kinsky could only parry Mathias Jensen’s shot from the edge of the box and Janelt snaffled up the rebound.

Tottenham’s torrid first half was best summed up when the ball dropped 18 yards out to £100m man Sandro Tonali, who shanked his volley miles over the crossbar.

Things did not improve after the break, despite the half-time arrival of £85m midfielder Mateus Fernandes.

The third goal came when Collins headed a corner down at the far post, Sangare’s snap-shot was beaten away by Kinsky and Kayode lashed in the loose ball.

“Thomas Frank, he’s laughing at you,” chimed the Brentford fans, an ode to their old boss whose disastrous spell at Spurs last season left De Zerbi picking up the pieces.

Moments later it should have been four after Rodrigo Bentancur bundled over Kevin Schade in the area, but last term’s top scorer Thiago rolled his spot-kick against a post.

Mikey Moore, the 19-year-old homegrown winger, provided the only bright spark with two efforts saved by Bees keeper Caoimhin Kelleher on an otherwise dark opening day for Spurs.

PA

Tottenham Hotspur have caught the attention of the rest of the Premier League with their lavish outlay this summer and travel across London to Brentford to kick off their campaign.

Spurs will field some new faces, including Marcos Senesi, Jan Paul van Hecke, Andy Robertson, Sandro Tonali and Mateus Fernandes, while their spending is rocketing towards £400m after agreeing a deal to sign Savinho for £85m and the Brazilian’s Man City teammate Omar Marmoush is also a target.

The Bees are settled under Keith Andrews and could kick on again this season after a fine ninth place finish last term.

The evening kick-off on Saturday brings plenty of intrigue with this London derby ready to deliver entertainment during the opening weekend.

Here’s everything you need to know about the match and how to follow:

When is Brentford v Tottenham?

Brentford host Tottenham at the Gtech Community Stadium on Saturday 22 August, with kick-off at 5:30pm BST.

How can I watch it?

Viewers in the UK can watch the match on Sky Sports Main Event and Sky Sports Premier League. If you’re not a Sky customer, you can grab a NOWTV Day Pass here to watch without a subscription. Coverage starts at 5:30pm.

Team news

Sepp van den Berg and Antoni Milambo are out, but otherwise Andrews has a fully fit squad.

Jaidon Anthony, Callum Wilson and international Mamadou Sangare could all make their debuts.

Micky van de Ven and Pedro Porro are out, while Pape Matar Sarr (hamstring) will not be risked either.

New signings Marcos Senesi, Jan Paul van Hecke and Andrew Robertson could all make their debuts.

Xavi Simons (ACL), Wilson Odobert (knee), Dejan Kulusevski (knee) and Mohammed Kudus (thigh) are all out, while Dominic Solanke, Mateus Fernandes and James Maddison are all in contention.

Predicted line-ups

Brentford predicted XI: Kelleher; Kayode, Ajer, Collins, Lewis-Potter; Sangare, Janelt; Ouattara, Jensen, Schade; Thiago

Sam Brookes

Friday 21 August 2026 14:46 BST

Micky van de Ven has been appointed as Tottenham Hotspur's new club captain by manager Roberto De Zerbi.

The Dutch defender takes over the armband from Cristian Romero following his transfer to Atletico Madrid.

Van de Ven forms part of a new five-player leadership group alongside Pedro Porro, Ben Davies, James Maddison and Archie Gray.

Romero published a heartfelt farewell message to Spurs fans last week after concluding his five-year stay at the north London club.

More bulletins

Micky van de Ven has been appointed Tottenham’s new captain, Roberto De Zerbi has confirmed.

The Dutch centre-back, who agreed a new long-term contract earlier this month, replaces Cristian Romero after his move to Atletico Madrid last week.

Van de Ven forms part of a five-player leadership group alongside Pedro Porro, Ben Davies, James Maddison and 20-year-old Archie Gray. Gray could wear the armband at Brentford on Saturday, as Van de Ven and Porro are not ready to start.

De Zerbi said: "The new captain is Micky van de Ven. The second Pedro Porro, the third Ben Davies, the fourth James Maddison and the fifth Archie Gray.

"Why five captains? Just because I want many captains inside of the pitch and to be clear in the position.

"Every one of them deserves to be captain or in the group of the captains, but personality and passion is not if you are captain or not captain."

Romero announced his Tottenham exit last week shortly before his move to Spain was officially confirmed. The Argentine defender released a lengthy statement to Spurs fans after calling time on his five-year stay in north London as he admitted “the journey wasn’t perfect”.

“Today, I say goodbye to a place that, for five seasons, was much more than a club,” Romero wrote on Instagram.

He added: “It was my home, my challenge and the place where my family and I built such an important part of our lives.

“I leave with a heart full of memories and enormous pride for everything we lived and achieved together.

“When I arrived, I had a clear dream: to leave my name in this club’s history. I knew the only way was through hard work, sacrifice and achieving something that had seemed so difficult for so long: lifting a trophy again. And we did it.

“The journey wasn’t perfect, but I don’t want that to define my goodbye. I choose to remember the happy moments, the lessons, the people who stood by me and, above all, the love I received during these five years.

“Thank you to everyone at the club who shared this journey with me.

“I know I wasn’t perfect, but one thing gives me peace: I always gave everything. I defended this shirt with pride and with all my heart.

“Thank you for everything. I’m leaving the club, but a part of my heart will always remain here. Once I was one of you. Today, I leave as one of you forever.

“With all my love and respect. Thank you for everything. And goodbye Spurs.”

Tottenham Hotspur have agreed an £85m fee with Manchester City to sign winger Savinho.

The deal will take Spurs’ spending this summer past £300m and make the Brazilian City’s club record sale.

The fee consists of a basic sum of £75m plus £10m in add-ons, of which £5m is guaranteed, ensuring City will receive at least £80m.

Spurs, who have been in talks about Omar Marmoush, could make it a double deal of arrivals from City.

Savinho will become one of the three most expensive players in their history, with all recruited by Roberto De Zerbi this summer after Mateus Fernandes’ £85m move from West Ham and Sandro Tonali’s £100m transfer from Newcastle.

They have also paid Brighton £52m for defender Jan Paul van Hecke and brought in free transfers Martin Dubravka, Andy Robertson and Marcos Senesi, with the possibility a deal for Marmoush, who cost City £59m in January 2025, could push their expenditure up towards £400m.

Savinho has made City a huge profit after arriving from their sister club Troyes for £30.8m in 2024. While he never represented the French club, he helped Girona – another member of the City Football Group – qualify for the Champions League during a year on loan in Spain.

He scored seven goals in 84 games for City, but only found the net twice in the Premier League and lost his place to January signing Antoine Semenyo.

City are interested in Palmeiras winger Allan as they look for a replacement while Savinho’s sale will take their income from transfers this summer to around £235m, with Rodri, Tijjani Reijnders, Nathan Ake and James Trafford already going.

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Transfer news LIVE: Arsenal target Yildiz, Liverpool in Minteh bid, Spurs agree £75m Savinho deal

After missing out on Vinicius Jr, Arsenal want another wide forward with Juventus star Kenan Yildiz an option, while Baleba looks to be heading to Manchester United and Spurs pursue Savinho and Omar Marmoush

Arsenal are exploring a move for Juventus forward Kenan Yildiz as Mikel Arteta seeks to complete his transfer plans for an assault on both the Champions League and Premier League for the new season. The Gunners are agreed to sign Ezri Konsa from Aston Villa, but the left side of attack has long been identified as a priority position and the 21-year-old Turkey international is high up on their list of targets.

Liverpool have had a £50m offer for Yankuba Minteh rebuffed by Brighton, as they step up their search for a successor to Mohamed Salah, and have agreed a deal with Inter Milan to sell Curtis Jones. Liverpool are also interested in Bradley Barcola, but there has been a substantial difference in their valuation of the France international and Paris Saint-Germain’s, with the Champions League winners looking for £145m.

Manchester United are ready to splash more than £60m on Brighton’s Carlos Baleba, ending a pursuit that begun last summer and bringing in further reinforcements to their midfield, while Tottenham have agreed a deal to sign Manchester City winger Savinho for an initial £75m. Spurs also want to sign Omar Marmoush, while City have identified Brazilian winger Allan as a possible replacement.

Follow all of the latest news, rumours and done deals below:

Manchester United step up pursuit of a left back?

Manchester United were linked with two new left-backs yesterday. Fabrizio Romano reported that United were looking at Barcelona’s Alejandro Balde, even though the Spain international is said to be “happy” at the club. Caught Offside, meanwhile, reported that Jorge Salinas, the teeanger from Racing Santander, was also on United’s shortlist. England international Lewis Hall had been discussed earlier in the window but he is set to remain at Newcastle.

Jamie Braidwood21 August 2026 08:38

Atletico Madrid to sign Nicolas Jackson?

The Senegal forward has no future at Chelsea and will be allowed to leave on loan. Marca report that Atletico Madrid are sensing an opportunity, given the injury to Alexander Sørloth and with Julian Alvarez’s position uncertain. A loan move would suit the LaLiga club, and perhaps Jackson too. The 25-year-old previously played for Villarreal.

Chelsea will also listen to offers for Liam Delap. The striker has had the No 9 shirt taken from him before the start of the season. Ipswich Town and Nottingham Forest are thought to be among a number of clubs considering a move for Delap.

Jamie Braidwood21 August 2026 08:18

Could Gabriel Martinelli head to Juventus as part of Kenan Yildiz deal?

The Arsenal hierarchy do want to ensure more outgoings, while Juventus would be hard line on a player who is one of their burgeoning talents. They would want upwards of £60m for Kenan Yildiz, and also have to consider fan backlash. One solution that has been raised is Gabriel Martinelli potentially going the other way, but that would still require considerable negotiation.

Miguel Delaney, Chief Football Writer21 August 2026 07:58

How Liverpool's search for a winger led them to Yankuba Minteh

Earlier this summer Liverpool submitted a package of £86m for Yan Diomande, but he instead left RB Leipzig for Real Madrid. They are also interested in Bradley Barcola, but there has been a substantial difference in their valuation of the France international and Paris Saint-Germain’s, with the Champions League winners looking for £145m.

Liverpool have also looked at PSG’s Ibrahim Mbaye. Their approach for Yankuba Minteh came as they explore if some targets are available and attainable.

Richard Jolly, Senior Football Correspondent Braidwood21 August 2026 07:41

Liverpool see bid for Yankuba Minteh rejected by Brighton

Liverpool have had an offer for Yankuba Minteh rebuffed by Brighton as they step up their search for a successor to Mohamed Salah. The Merseyside club bid £50m for the winger, which Albion received and rejected.

Minteh, who is out for around eight weeks, would not be available immediately anyway but Liverpool turned their attentions to the Gambia winger as they explore multiple options to strengthen on the flanks.

Liverpool have signed one winger already this summer, in Victor Munoz from Osasuna, but their main aim in the remainder of the window is to bring in another wide forward. They also took Barcelona captain Ronald Araujo on loan but the majority of their transfer budget is reserved for a winger.

Minteh cost Brighton £30m when he joined from Newcastle two years ago and is reportedly willing to move to Liverpool. He has scored nine goals in 66 games for Albion.

Richard Jolly, Senior Football Correspondent21 August 2026 07:33

Explained: Arsenal's Kenan Yildiz as they explore move for forward

Arsenal are looking into whether a deal for Juventus' Kenan Yildiz is possible in this window, as Mikel Arteta seeks to complete his transfer plans for an assault on both the Champions League and Premier League for the new season.

Arteta has long identified the left side attack as a priority position to upgrade, with Real Madrid's Vinicius Jr having been the ideal target.

The club would probably have moved for Bournemouth's Junior Kroupi had it not been for his injury, and that does represent an option for January.

Yildiz has nevertheless been high up on their list of targets, with Arteta especially keen on the Turkish international. The fact he is 21 years old would also represent a shift back to signing talents who can evolve. As with Kroupi, however, thought has been given to waiting until future windows.

The future of Julian Alvarez also weighs over this. The Argentine has been Arsenal's main target after Vinicius, but interest cooled when it became apparent he wanted to stay in Spain and go to Barcelona.

Miguel Delaney, Chief Football Writer21 August 2026 07:28

Tottenham agree £75m Savinho deal

Tottenham have agreed to sign Savinho from Manchester City for £75m, according to Sami Mokbel at BBC Sport, as Spurs finally close in on the forward who they have wanted for over a year.

An initial £75m fee has been agreed, with a further £10m in add-ons, while Tottenham are also interested in signing Omar Marmoush from Manchester City as Roberto De Zerbi bids to strengthen his attack.

Manchester City are interested in Brazilian winger Allan as they look for a replacement for Savinho.

The Palmeiras player has a €100m release clause in his contract, though City could look to secure him for a lower fee.

Jamie Braidwood21 August 2026 07:19

Mikel Arteta made Arsenal champions – here’s how he can define a new Premier League era

With stability and squad depth the Gunners can capitalise on an unpredictable top-flight season and win back-to-back titles for the first time since 1935 says Miguel Delaney.

Mikel Arteta made Arsenal into champions now he can define a new Premier League era

With stability and squad depth the Gunners can capitalise on an unpredictable top-flight season and win back-to-back titles for the first time since 1935 says Miguel Delaney

Mike Jones21 August 2026 07:10

The transfer reality holding Man United back from the next step under Michael Carrick

United have missed out on two of their top targets and look short of the firepower to outbid their rivals ahead of a first full campaign under Carrick and the ultimate aim to challenge for the title once more, writes Richard Jolly.

The transfer reality holding Man Utd back under Michael Carrick

United have missed out on two of their top targets and look short of the firepower to outbid their rivals ahead of a first full campaign under Carrick and the ultimate aim to challenge for the title once more, writes Richard Jolly

Mike Jones21 August 2026 06:14

Ranking every Premier League team before the most unpredictable season in years

Arsenal’s strength and depth makes them our favourites to defend their title but who will challenge them?

Ranking every Premier League team before the most unpredictable season in years

Arsenal’s strength and depth makes them our favourites to defend their title but who will challenge them?

Mike Jones21 August 2026 05:20

Former Tottenham winger Terry Dyson, a 1961 double-winner, has died aged 91.

The Premier League club confirmed his death on Thursday as they paid tribute to their former player, who scored 55 goals across 209 games over a 10-year spell at Spurs.

Dyson played an integral role under Bill Nicholson as the 1960-61 side became the first 20th-century English club to complete a First Division and FA Cup double. Two years later, he produced another stellar performance by scoring twice during a 5-1 triumph over Atletico Madrid to capture the European Cup Winners’ Cup.

A statement from Tottenham read: "The club is extremely saddened to learn of the passing of our former player Terry Dyson at the age of 91.

"Terry was a key part of our double-winning side in 1961, scoring in the FA Cup Final. He also scored twice in the 1963 European Cup Winners’ Cup Final. He made 209 appearances in all competitions, scoring 55 goals.

"Our deepest condolences are with Terry’s family and friends at this incredibly sad time."

After leaving Spurs, the Yorkshireman went on to play for Fulham, Colchester and Guildford.

He remains the only Spurs player to have scored a hat-trick against fierce rivals Arsenal, achieving the feat at the start of the 1961-62 campaign.

Reflecting on the achievement in 2020, Dyson told the Press Association: "One of them hit my hand. It bounced up, hit my hand and I lashed it in and the Arsenal players went mad.

"They ran after the referee but he never saw it. I didn’t do it deliberately but it hit my hand and I just lashed it in.

"To get a hat-trick was brilliant and nobody has done it since. There was a header, a left foot and a right foot. It was perfect!"

Dyson celebrated the hat-trick with "a few drinks" while receiving reserved praise from manager Nicholson.

"His praise wasn’t brilliant, he didn’t throw it out willy-nilly, but he said well done and I was like ‘oh thanks Bill!’ We went out that night and had a few drinks, so it was good," Dyson said six years ago.

"It is amazing, you don’t think of it at the time but it has gone down in history."

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Tottenham Hotspur have agreed a deal allowing goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario to join Juventus on a season-long loan move, the Press Association understands.

Vicario had been left in uncertainty all summer after asking Spurs manager Roberto De Zerbi for permission to return to his homeland following three years in north London.

Juventus emerged as Vicario’s preferred destination, though the Serie A side initially pursued Emiliano Martinez before turning to Parma youngster Zion Suzuki.

Following fast-moving developments across the weekend, the Italian club initiated negotiations with Tottenham on Sunday and completed a season-long loan agreement containing an option to purchase the Italy international, it is understood.

De Zerbi approved Vicario's departure after young goalkeeper Antonin Kinsky stepped forward to help steer the club clear of relegation with a series of impressive displays during the final seven matches of last season.

A potential switch to Inter Milan originally seemed likely for Vicario, before the reigning Italian champions decided to pursue a different direction regarding their goalkeeping position.

That decision left Vicario as a target for Juventus, though manager Luciano Spalletti had placed Argentina’s World Cup winner Martinez high on his wish list before discussions with Aston Villa stalled weeks ago over a valuation gap regarding the final fee for the 33-year-old.

Juventus next turned their focus to Parma's Suzuki and, even after Paris Saint-Germain stole a march on the Italian club, a season-long loan for the Japan international to join the Old Lady appeared to offer a viable solution for all parties.

A dramatic weekend of transfer activity has since unfolded, with Suzuki’s move to PSG falling through and Villa now set to sign the Parma stopper, briefly reopening the door for Martinez to make a switch to Juventus.

With fitness concerns surrounding Martinez due to a finger injury, Juventus accelerated their pursuit of Italy's number two Vicario and are poised to secure the services of the 29-year-old in time for him to feature in Sunday’s league opener at Frosinone.

Vicario, who has accumulated 117 appearances for Tottenham, arrived from Empoli in 2023 and helped the team to Europa League success last year, but endured a difficult 2025-26 campaign.