LondonWorld

The ex Premier League star is the latest high profile player to make a move to Saudi Arabia.

Former Tottenham Hotspur winger Steven Bergwijn has come under fire from Netherlands boss Ronald Koeman for completing a £21 million transfer to Saudi Arabian side Al Ittihad this week.

The 26-year-old, who made two appearances for the Netherlands at Euro 2024 this summer, has swapped Ajax for the Middle East after two years with the Dutch side. Bergwijn made the move to Ajax from Spurs for £26 million in a move that broke the record for the most expensive transfer in Eredivisie history in 2022.

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During his time at Tottenham Hotspur, the winger was part of the Carabao Cup runners-up side of 2021 and scored eight goals for the club.

Since then, the player made 80 appearances for Ajax and registered 29 goals and 12 assists in those outings. Now the forward has moved out of Europe and that transfer has come under heavy criticism from Koeman, who appears to have dismissed Bergwijn from his nation's side due to a lack of 'ambition'.

Koeman said: "The book is basically closed to him. He knows what I think about this. I have never been in that situation, because I could go to Barcelona. He could have stayed at Ajax, that's not bad, is it? You have to respect that choice, but personally I wouldn't [have moved].

"Georginio Wijnaldum once went that way because he had a problem at Paris Saint-Germain. He could only go to that country to play football until January. In Bergwijn's case is that he goes at the age of 26, sporting ambition does not prevail. Not everyone thinks, fortunately, the same way. I think when you are 26 the main ambition should be sporting and not financial, but those are choices players make."

Bergwijn will play under the management of Laurent Blanc at Al Ittihad. His teammates will include high profile names who have also made the move to Saudi such as Karim Benzema, N'golo Kante, Fabinho and Mousa Diaby.

Chelsea have had a busy summer of transfer business and the departures from Stamford Bridge continue.

It's a much-welcomed break for many Premier League clubs over the next two weeks as attention turns to international fixtures.

The close of the transfer window and first flurry of top flight matches made for an action-packed August.

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LondonWorld looks at the latest news coming out of Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur this evening in your Premier League round-up.

Chelsea agree £19.3m fee for Angelo Gabriel

The transfer window may have slammed shut in Europe but clubs in other countries are still free to conduct business. Today Brazilian outlet UOL Esporte reports that Saudi Arabian side Al-Nassr have agreed a £19.3 million to sign Chelsea youngster Angelo Gabriel.

The 19-year-old was snapped up by Chelsea from Santos last summer but has never played for the Blues, being shipped out on loan to Strasbourg in August 2023. Enzo Maresca had held a huge clearout this summer and the teenager, who cost the club £13 million, is one of those deemed surplus to requirements.

The winger, who made 25 appearances for Strasbourg without scoring last term, would play alongside the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo, Sadio Mane and Aymeric Laporte at the Saudi club.

Spurs handed fitness boost ahead of North London derby

Tottenham Hotspur have received the welcome news that defender Micky van de Ven should be fit enough after the international break to face Arsenal in the North London derby.

The 23-year-old missed out of the 2-1 defeat to Newcastle United last weekend and has pulled out of international duty for the Netherlands. However, the BBC reports that his international absence is believed to be cautionary and will allow him to continue treatment on a knee issue picked up against Everton.

News of a potential return for the Arsenal clash comes as the Gunners see marquee summer signing Mikel Merino ruled out until the middle of October with a fractured shoulder.

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The Copa America star is believed to be training away from Postecoglou’s squad amid talk of ‘broken promises’

Tottenham Hotspur star Giovani Lo Celso could soon be seeking his exit away from N17, with reports suggesting any promises from discussions he had with head coach Ange Postecoglou failed to come to fruition.

According to Estadio Deportivo, the 28-year-old should have left the north London club in the summer 2023 window but it is said that he believed promises from the Spurs boss that he’d be given more chances. This subsequently did not happen with Lo Celso then fearing that his dream of representing Argentina at the Copa America would be squashed.

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Luckily for the midfielder, Lo Celso did go to the US tournament and while he was not regularly in the starting XI, the 28-year-old did get the assist to the goal which won his country the competition.

Since coming back to London, however, the midfielder has once again been cast out with Estado Deportivo saying that there has been ‘zero dialogue’ between the player and his head coach with Lo Celso even training away from the group. The player has reportedly decided he must leave the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium and ‘disagreement is total’ between Lo Celso and Spurs’ head honchos.

The Argentinian international first arrived in London on loan from Real Betis in 2019. A successful loan spell saw the move made permanent in 2020 with Spurs agreeing a record-equalling £55.3m deal for the midfielder. But, two years later, Lo Celso headed back out on loan, this time to Villarreal, and it is believed that he now wishes to return to Spanish football more permanently.

While Aston Villa had been mentioned, according to Sport Witness, Real Betis have also been considering bringing him back but there is said to be nothing happening in that regard at present. It is also noted that there is a ‘distinct possibility’ Lo Celso could wait and sign a pre-contract agreement with another club in January, ahead of his contract expiring in summer 2025.

All the latest injury news surrounding Tottenham and Newcastle United as the two clubs prepare to face off in the Premier League.

Tottenham will be looking to build on the momentum built in their first win of the season as they prepare to take on Newcastle United in a tough-looking clash at St James’ Park on Sunday. Spurs were excellent last weekend, making easy work of Everton to improve significantly on their draw with Leicester City in their opener.

Newcastle beat Southampton in their opener, but they drew with Bournemouth last week and were very lucky not to lose, with a debatable handball decision ruling out what would have been a Cherries winner in stoppage time. Ahead of Sunday’s clash, we have rounded up all the latest injury news surrounding both teams.

Sven Botman - Out

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Botman picked up a serious knee injury at the back end of last season and will be out until the new year. He said after picking up the injury: "It is difficult to accept that surgery is out of the question, after fighting so hard to avoid this step. The support and love I have already means a lot to me.

"I won't be able to do what I love the most for a while, but after my knee problems recently, I know I will come out of this period a better player. My team Newcastle United remain the most important and I will continue to support you every day."

Jamaal Lascelles - Out

Lascelles suffered a similar fate in the Spring and will also be out until the new year. The defender said at the time: "The operation went really well and I am up and about, weight-bearing and looking to get off the crutches and start work in the gym soon. Sadly I can't help the team on the pitch any more this season but I'll be doing everything I can to help off it. The boys know what is at stake."

Lewis Miley - Out

Miley will be out until mid-September at the earliest having broken a metatarsal during pre-season.

Callum Wilson - Out

Wilson is recovering from injury and will not return until September. “Callum is continuing his rehabilitation from injury,” Eddie Howe told The Gazette. “I am happy with his progress. He is working very hard, as he always does.

“We miss him, he adds a different dynamic. He is such an important character around the squad, we hope to get him back soon, [but] he definitely won't be back before the international break.”

Fabian Schar - Out

Schar is suspended and will be eligible to return on September 15.

Dominic Solanke - Out

Solanke will be out until after the international break with Postecoglou having said before the last game: “Dom picked up a knock in the last game so he got through the game but it flared up the day after, so he'll miss tomorrow. It just depends on his recovery [when he returns], obviously we've got the international break, but it's not serious.”

Rodrigo Bentancur - Out

Bentancur will remain out for at least another week due to being in concussion protocol after a head injury. Postecoglou said recently: “We respect concussion protocols and [with] any head injury we'll always be a little more conservative,” said the head coach. “The good news is he's bounced back really well, done all the tests, but we'll take our time with Rodrigo before putting him back out there.”

Destiny Udogie - Doubt

Udogie came off against Everton but the change was due to fatigue and the full-back should be okay to feature in some form. Postecoglou explained after the game: “Destiny was a bit sore. Tiredness in both hamstrings and calves. He was really fatigued last week as well and we’re trying to build up his minutes.”

Micky van de Ven - Doubt

Van de Ven picked up a knock in the win over Everton and Postecoglou said after the game: “It's OK - we have to check it, but it feels OK.” He should be good to go.

All the latest news and transfer rumours surrounding Chelsea and Tottenham as another weekend of Premier League football takes hold.

Chelsea and Tottenham will now be all-out preparing for the weekend’s Premier League action, with the Blues having been in European action on Thursday night. Enzo Maresca’s men defeated Servette in the home leg of their Conference League qualifier, and they are now preparing for a date with Wolves at Molineux on Sunday.

Tottenham are preparing for their first home game of the season, against Everton on Saturday, as they look to improve on Monday night’s draw with Leicester City. Here we round up the latest news and transfer rumours surrounding Chelsea and Spurs.

Sterling ‘rejected’

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Bayern Munich have reportedly rejected the chance to sign Chelsea star Raheem Sterling. Sterling appears to be on his way out of Stamford Bridge with Maresca confirming he wants to use a different kind of winger.

According to BILD, Bayern were offered the chance to land Sterling as the England international searches for a new club with just a week remaining in the summer transfer window. But the German giants are said to have rejected the offer.

Hincapie ‘battle’

Tottenham may not be done with their transfer efforts just yet despite racking up a spending bill of more than £100million. According to Diario Expreso, Bayer Leverkusen defender Piero Hincapie is a target for Spurs at the back-end of the window.

It’s reported that both Spurs and Liverpool are interested in a deal and they are are locked in a ‘battle’, although any transfer will cost the buying club £50million. It would be some statement from Tottenham to add another £50million to their already large spending bill, while Liverpool are yet to spend a penny/

Merson prediction

Away from the transfers, Paul Merson is backing a Tottenham win over Everton this weekend. He wrote in his Sportskeeda predictions: “I thought Spurs were outstanding in the first half against Leicester. However, they did not put the game to bed and it cost them three points. It must have been a very disappointing result for Spurs. They have got to be consistent throughout the 90 minutes. At the moment, they play good only in patches during games and that has to change.

“If they had scored the second goal against Leicester, I think it could’ve been 4-0 or 5-0. Despite that disappointment, I’m backing Spurs to get a win even though it wouldn’t come easy. Everton can make it hard for them, but I just don’t see Tottenham missing that many chances again. Looks like it’ll be another long season for Sean Dyche’s Everton. Prediction: Tottenham Hotspur 2-0 Everton.”

Tottenham continue to be linked with big-money deals as the end of the window comes into sight.

Tottenham continue to be linked with more deals after racking up a big spending bill already this summer. Ange Postecoglou has been backed significantly this summer, with more than £100million spent so far.

Archie Gray was snapped up for around £40million from Leeds United, while £65million was splashed out on Dominic Solanke from AFC Bournemouth. Lucas Bergvall was the other first team star snapped up, arriving on a deal worth around £8.5million.

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Spurs are hoping to land a top four spot this season after narrowly missing out last term, and Postecoglou knows expectations will be ramped up with the amount of money spent this summer. Then again, Tottenham have little choice given the level of investment the likes of Aston Villa are committing to, while Newcastle United are likely to follow suit before the end of the window.

With the deadline just over a week away, Tottenham continue to be linked with a number of other deals, and Aston Villa’s Jacob Ramsey is one of the players to be linked. Sky Sports reporter Dharmesh Sheth said on Last Word on Spurs of the possible deal: “Would you be shocked now to see him depart the club, especially to Tottenham?

“Yeah I would be surprised now. You mention that he played against West Ham. Aston Villa are huge fans of Lo Celso, we know the link with Unai Emery. While they would want Lo Celso, they wouldn’t want to sell Jacob Ramsey either.

“What has changed on this front as well is the pre-season performances of the young guys you’ve bought, Archie Gray and Lucas Bergvall. They are very impressed with how they are playing now and the potential they have making the midfield area less of a priority for Tottenham in this transfer window. You can never say never, I’m not trying to cop out here, but that is the stage of the transfer window. As things stand, it doesn’t seem to be a priority right now.” Ramsey is reportedly carrying an asking price of £50million.

Joao Gomes links

Sheth also had his say on a possible move for Wolves star Joao Gomes, although the price of the deal means it is unlikely. The reporter added: “I have read those reports as well (about Joao Gomes).

“The information I was getting from the Wolves end is that there has been no approach from any club, there’s been no formal offer and you mention £50m, I was told it would take closer to £80m for them to consider the sale of Joao Gomes.”

The Toffees centre-back is a target for several Premier League clubs but won’t be prized away from Everton cheaply.

Liverpool have emerged as unexpected rivals in the transfer race for in-demand Everton defender Jarrad Branthwaite this summer in what could be a blow to Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester United.

The 22-year-old turned in an impressive campaign for the Toffees last season and isn't short of suitors this summer with the Merseyside club slapping a £70 million price tag on the England international. Manchester United appeared to have become frontrunners in recent weeks with report suggesting the Red Devils had seen a £35 million bid rejected by Everton.

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Former Spurs defender Alan Hutton claimed last week that Spurs could still look to hijack the deal after it had emerged that the Red Devils had seen a bid rebuffed. He told Football Insider: "I feel at times [Tottenham] have been light in that sense, actually across the back four. When you look at their starting back line, if any of them get injured or go missing for a good length of time, the players that come in aren’t quite up to the standard.

"To have someone in the door with that potential who could be a regular starter for England moving forward, that could be a great deal. He did really well last season, and there are talks [Cristian] Romero could be on the move, so there’s a few things in the pipeline that might lead towards them going for someone like [Branthwaite], and him filling that void at centre-half. I have heard there could be a hijack there, from people I speak to at the club.”

Despite reports, a third party may have now registered interest in Branthwaite and that comes from Everton's bitter rivals Liverpool. The Manchester Evening News reports that the Reds have emerged as favourites to complete what would be a head-turning signing.

Even as rumours swirl, Everton boss Sean Dyche is hopeful of holding onto the defender. The Toffees manager will be keen to avoid losing his star defender, especially having conceded three against Brighton at Goodison Park last weekend.

Dyche said: "I’m confident that the club are going to do the best they can to make sure we’re competitive but equally the club’s got an outside picture which is quite obvious and that’s not something that I can control.

"They do need to balance the finances better, we’ve done a lot of work with that since I’ve been here, and Kev [Thelwell] obviously is included in that, on the playing side to bring money in and lower the wage bill. We’ve done a pretty fair job I would say of that but the bigger picture of the club is dependent on what money is needed at any given time."

Tottenham have been busy in the summer transfer window but Ange Postecoglou has made another bold call.

After three loan spells away from the club since he signed in 2022, Ange Postecoglou has confirmed that Djed Spence will be part of his Tottenham squad this summer and will not be sold or sent out on loan. Spurs signed Spence from Middlesbrough for £20 million.

Since then, he has been forced to play at Rennes, Leeds, and Genoa, where he impressed and continued to develop. He’s been linked with a move to a Championship team this summer, but manager Postecoglou says he will be part of the squad this season, having impressed in pre-season and started the last two pre-season games.

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He told reporters ahead of the game against Leicester on Monday night: “I don’t think left-back is his obvious position—I think he’s more of a right full-back—but the fact that he can play out on the left again gives us some good options going into the season, where with European football, we’re going to have more challenges," said the Australian.

"It was quite obvious last year that whenever we had disruptions in terms of injuries or suspensions, our performance dropped a fair bit. We’re trying to narrow that gap.

"Hopefully, having Djed as part of our squad allows us to do that. He’s training well, he’s available for Monday, and I’ll make those decisions at the weekend."

Last time out, Tottenham started the campaign like a house on fire, winning eight of their first 10 games and were tipped to fight for the Premier League title, but injuries and suspensions meant they ended up fifth and missed out on the Champions League.

They have since strengthened with the additions of Dominic Solanke, Archie Gray, and Wilson Odobert, who arrived from Burnley this summer.

Timo Werner, who was on loan in the second half of the season, has also returned, as well as Swedish midfielder Lucas Bergvall, who was signed earlier but joined the team this summer.

Two Arsenal heroes have been speaking about Tottenham’s big-money deal to sign Dominic Solanke.

Pundits are well and truly in favour of Tottenham’s statement signing of Dominic Solanke this summer. Spurs splashed out as much as £65million to land the former Bournemouth striker, bolstering their front line amid uncertainty over Richarlison’s future at the club.

Solanke has gone from strength to strength over the last couple of year in particular, scoring 72 goals in 199 league games for the Cherries but also offering plenty more in the build-up. That combination could allow Ange Postecoglou to better replace Harry Kane a year on from the England striker’s departure.

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Most are backing Solanke to have an immediate impact for Spurs, and in his predictions for the opening weekend of Premier League action, Arsenal legend Paul Merson was no different. He told Sportskeeda: “Tottenham are dark horses for the top four in the Premier League this season.

“They have brought really well in the transfer market and Dominic Solanke is a great signing. He’s got plenty of pace to burn and he will make runs – that will help James Maddison as well. Leicester have lost their manager this summer and have their work cut out for them this season. I am going to go for Tottenham to win this game (3-0).”

Merson is the only pundit to praise Tottenham’s signing of Solanke, with another Arsenal hero in Ian Wright expressing his surprise that the Gunners did not enter the race for the England frontman. “You know, I wouldn’t have been too… that wouldn’t have bothered me if they went for Solanke,” he told The Overlap. “With [Gabriel] Jesus and [Gabriel] Martinelli, they lost their place last season but we can probably get the goals from them if they get back to where we know they can be They’re better than they showed last season.”

Wright added: “Dominic Solanke could be the signing of the season at £65m. I like that move and I like the way he plays. I think, if he doesn’t get injured, then he will score lots of goals for them.”

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What Solanke has said

Upon signing with Tottenham, Solanke told club media: “I feel delighted. Obviously it's a magnificent club, a huge club with ambitions that match mine, so I'm delighted to start, meet all the boys and I can't wait to get started. What excites me most about the club is how ambitious it is. Obviously a huge club with great ambitions that I want to be part of as well and it's a great manager, great players and I feel like it definitely suits my style of play as well so I can't wait to get started and do my stuff on the pitch.

"I'm familiar with James Maddison, we spent some time at England together. He's a top guy, a great player as well so that's one familiar face I already know and, like I said, I'm getting excited to meet the rest of the boys as well. I think the club has great depth throughout the whole squad, attacking options are great as well and that's what a top club needs. I'm really looking forward to playing with them, competing with them and hopefully we can achieve great things.

"I think me as a player I am ambitious on the pitch, I work hard for the team, score goals, leave it all out there and I love winning so hopefully we can win a few things together. That's what I'm going to bring that fighting spirit.”

Sandro Tonali could feature in Premier League matches against Tottenham Hotspur and Fulham in the coming weeks.

Newcastle United midfielder Sandro Tonali is set to make his Premier League return against Tottenham Hotspur later this month after the Tyneside club provided an update on the player's ban.

The Italy international has been out of action since receiving a ban from the sport last October from Italian authorities as a consequence of breaching betting regulations. That came just months after Newcastle United forked out £55 million to sign the player from AC Milan in a sizeable blow for the Magpies.

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Tonali made just 12 appearances for the club before being sidelined, scoring one goal which came on his Premier League debut against Aston Villa. Newcastle United provided an update on the ban after last night's Carabao Cup draw.

There had been confusion as to whether Tonali's ban would end on August 27 and August 29 due to an unclear FA document but the club has confirmed that the player will be eligible to play Nottingham Forest in the Carabao Cup on August 28 - as clarified by NewcastleWorld.

An official statement read: “Newcastle United can announce that Sandro Tonali will return to selection on Wednesday 28th August 2024 following the conclusion of his ten-month ban from competitive football.

“The club has received formal confirmation from the Federazione Italiana Giuoco Calcio (FIGC) that the player’s sporting sanction will run up to and including Tuesday 27th August. The Magpies will travel to Nottingham Forest in the Carabao Cup second round during the week commencing Monday 26th August (fixture date and time TBC), before hosting Tottenham Hotspur in the Premier League at St. James’ Park on Sunday 1st September (kick-off 1:30 pm BST).”

That means that the visit of London outfit Tottenham Hotspur to Tyneside could be Tonali's first Premier League appearance in almost a year. The Magpies then travel to Fulham two Gameweeks later with a clash against Wolves between those fixtures.

Newcastle United and Tottenham Hotspur netted nine goals between them in their two Premier League meetings last season, Eddie Howe’s men winning at home 4-0 in April after Spurs triumphed 4-1 last December. Fulham played the North East side three times in competitive action last term and failed to score a single time, losing on an aggregate score of 6-0.

Howe revealed in pre-season that Tonali is 'focused' and looking sharp ahead of his potential comeback. He told reporters: "He's come back really fit, focused - you can see a change in his demeanour because he feels closer to playing. It looks to me like he's ready to play and make a difference.

“It does feel like a new signing. He will no doubt feel like he has objectives to hit. He came here with clear motivations, and he is someone who wants to do very well."