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The £30m transfer Tottenham could boldly hijack to take summer window to the next level

Submitted by daniel on Wed, 14/08/2024 - 17:00

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One of the summer transfer window's biggest sagas continues to rumble on, and Spurs could get in on the action

I remember once being at a Chelsea under-21 game when Conor Gallagher was coming up. One of the parents of the players—I think it was Marc Guehi’s dad—said, "Gallagher is the player you always want on your team."

He had tenacity and a hunger about him that made it clear he was destined for the very top. There were doubts about his technical ability even back then, but he was loved by all his teammates, and he certainly deserved the admiration he received.

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There were a few times when people even compared him to James Milner, the multiple-trophy winner who was a key member of both Manchester City and Liverpool. Milner wasn’t the most talented, but he was certainly a player every team valued, with a relentless grit and determination that took him to the top of the game.

No one reminds me of Milner as much as Gallagher does, and this is why I think Tottenham would be a great club for him. He has all the ingredients to be a massive hit in Ange Postecoglou’s team. His dynamism and everything that has happened to him in the last year show that he could thrive by playing for a direct rival in Spurs.

Gallagher was born and made at Chelsea, but if you speak to people around him, they will tell you he feels frustrated by everything that has happened. The club say he turned down two contract extensions—and who if everyone around you was getting seven-year deals while you were only being offered two?

What that suggests is that the club doesn’t see Gallagher as a long-term asset and they are only trying to protect their side of the business by ensuring he spends the next two years being linked with moves away rather than becoming a legend at the club.

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Tottenham were linked last summer, but they have surprisingly cooled all interest, even when it’s apparent Chelsea would be willing to do business for a fee of just around £30 million. That is really nothing when you compare it to Gallagher’s age—just 24—and all the Premier League experience and expertise he brings to the table. Tottenham have some top notch midfielders in Pape Sarr, Yves Bissouma, and Rodrigo Bentancur, but Conor has a bit of all the traits they possess, which could be a valuable tool for a team like Tottenham.

Then there’s the issue of pride. Chelsea and Tottenham barely trade players— only a select few have plied their trade for both clubs - William Gallas famously played for both Chelsea and Tottenham, and not content with crossing one division, he even had a crack at Arsenal. Eidur Gudjohnsen also represented both clubs, as did Gus Poyet before him. But none of them had to feel they were being forced out like Gallagher does now, which is why he would surely have an extra incentive to do well there, and show the Blues exactly what they had given away.

Come on, Daniel Levy—take the gamble, and you’ll be reaping the rewards come the end of the season.

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Tottenham close in on £20m ‘dream’ next transfer as Arsenal plot audacious big-name winger raid

Submitted by daniel on Tue, 13/08/2024 - 07:00

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Our verdict on the latest Premier League transfer rumours - featuring updates from Spurs, Arsenal and Leicester.

Welcome to Tuesday’s round-up of and reaction to the biggest and boldest Premier League transfer rumours – and we’ll begin today at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, where there’s word that Spurs may have found a new target in their long search for midfield reinforcements.

Ange Postecoglou has made little secret of his desire to add some quality to the middle of the park and it seems as though he’s considering a move for Juventus’ Manuel Locatelli, at least according to Sport Witness who cite news reports from Italy, with a bid of €24m (£20m) on the cards.

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Apparently it would be a “dream deal” for Juve – the former AC Milan and Sassuolo player has struggled for his best form of late, didn’t make Italy’s Euro 2024 squad and was even booed by his own fans during pre-season. The Old Lady have also added to their own midfield this summer and are happy to move Locatelli on after three years in Turin.

The 3AM Verdict: This seems like a plausible enough rumour but the initial word seems to have come from a fan site, which isn’t necessarily a reliable starting point for a story. Should it turn out to be true, however, Spurs will have to hope they’re signing the Sassuolo version, because Locatelli seemed to lose some of his drive and dynamism in recent months. He’s still only 26, however, hasn’t had too many injury issues and has proven himself to be a very potent central midfielder, so this may come down to the coach’s judgement call.

Gunners coming for Coman

Just last week, we suggested that reports that Bayern Munich winger Kingsley Coman was up for sale should prick the ears of Arsenal, who could do with adding quality and depth to their front three – and now Caught Offside have some sources which claim they’re considering exactly that move.

Bayern are happy to let Coman leave on loan or for a fee in the €30-40m region (£25-35m) – but apparently the Gunners are only thinking about a loan move. Paris Saint-Germain and Barcelona could be interested in the Frenchman, too, according to the report, but apparently he would “prefer a move to the Premier League or La Liga”, which might push the Parisiens out of the frame.

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The 3AM Verdict: As we discussed in our article, we think this would be a good move for Arsenal, who don’t have much depth up front. Coman’s playing style should line up well with what Mikel Arteta wants from his attacking players and he can cover multiple positions – and while they’d surely have to pay a loan fee, taking a chance on him for one year at a cut price doesn’t sound like a bad move at all.

Foxes close in on cunning capture

There have been a flurry of reports recently which link Leicester City with a move for Greek striker Fotis Ioannidis, but HITC think that he might not be the only forward on their radar – apparently, the Foxes are “looking to get a deal over the line” for Bayer Leverkusen’s 22-year-old Czech attacker Adam Hložek.

Hložek scored seven goals during Leverkusen’s remarkable and almost-unbeaten 2023/24 season but fell behind others in the pecking order as the season wore on – and they could decide to let Leicester take him on loan, with an obligation to buy him for €15m (£13m) down the line.

The 3AM Verdict: There’s a lot of room to be a second-string player for Xabi Alonso’s side while being more than good enough for the Premier League, and Hložek should be a fantastic acquisition for that kind of price. He’s fast, technically solid and has an incredibly powerful shot on him, and at 22 has plenty of room to develop even further. If this report is right, then this could be some very sharp work by Leicester as they prepare for a possible relegation battle.

3 Added Minutes

The groundbreaking Tottenham and AC Milan swap deal that would see Spurs land one of Europe's finest

Submitted by daniel on Thu, 08/08/2024 - 19:00

Tottenham could pull off the summer's best swap deal with AC Milan - 3 Added Minutes

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AC Milan are looking for a striker while Tottenham are in the market for football’s next superstar.

As clubs across Europe continue to be mindful of financial regulations that now require them to spend more comfortably, the swap transfer is becoming an intriguing, growing trend in football - be it a player plus cash deal, or a simple exchange of two players with no fee going either way.

The prospect of a swap deal between Rafael Leao and Richarlison is intriguing, offering potential benefits and pitfalls for both AC Milan and Tottenham Hotspur. On the surface, this could be seen as a win-win situation: Leao, a dynamic winger eager to make his mark in the Premier League, and Richarlison, a striker in need of a fresh start to rediscover his form. However, upon closer examination, the complexities of this scenario become apparent.

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Rafael Leao’s desire to test himself in the Premier League is understandable. The English top flight is the most watched and arguably the most competitive football league in the world. For a player of Leao’s calibre, it represents the ultimate stage to showcase his talent.

At Milan, Leao has proven himself as one of the most exciting wingers in Europe, capable of turning games on their head with his speed, dribbling, and finishing. A move to Tottenham could elevate his profile even further, especially under Ange Postecoglou, whose attacking philosophy would suit Leao’s style perfectly.

For Tottenham, acquiring Leao would be a significant coup. His presence on the left wing would provide Spurs with the width and directness needed to revitalise their attack, particularly as the club looks to rebound from a tumultuous period.

Pairing Leao with Dejan Kulusevski and Son Heung-min, who could shift into a more central role, could create one of the most potent forward lines in the Premier League. However, the financial implications of such a deal cannot be ignored. Leao’s €150 million release clause is a major obstacle. While Spurs might negotiate this down by including Richarlison in the deal, Milan would likely still demand a substantial cash component, which could strain Tottenham’s budget.

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On the other side of the equation is Richarlison, a player who arrived at Tottenham with high expectations but has struggled to find his footing. The Brazilian’s challenges on and off the pitch have been well-documented, and his admission of dealing with depression highlights the human side of football that often gets overlooked. Richarlison’s talent is undeniable, but his form at Spurs has been inconsistent at best. A move to AC Milan could provide the fresh start he needs. Serie A, with its different style of play and less intense media scrutiny, might be the ideal environment for him to regain his confidence and realise his true potential.

For Milan, Richarlison represents both a risk and an opportunity. If he can rediscover his best form, he could be an excellent fit for the Rossoneri, providing the goals and physical presence they need upfront. Both players need a fresh start to be able to fulfil their potential and a move like that leaves everyone with a chance to shake hands and view this as a perfect start.

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The £40m striker hidden in plain sight that could lead Tottenham to unimaginable success

Submitted by daniel on Thu, 08/08/2024 - 07:00

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Tottenham are looking to bring in a striker this summer to strengthen their squad.

It’s funny how things work out in the football world. Son Heung Min, now Tottenham’s captain, would not have been at the club if they had secured their first-choice target in the summer of 2015, a certain Saido Berahino.

The Lilywhites desperately wanted the former England youth star, and when they failed to land him, they got Son from Bayer Leverkusen, at the time most felt that he was an underwhelming signing. However, greatness has a way of surprising many, and Son has since gone on to establish himself as one of the best forwards in the Premier League.

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A member of the Club 100 and perhaps second only to Harry Kane when it comes to the finest Tottenham players of recent history, Son has fought his way from being bought as an outsider to truly becoming a Spurs legend in every sense.

There is no doubt that Tottenham’s ideal first-choice striker this summer would be former Liverpool man Dominic Solanke. However, the Bournemouth forward will cost an arm and a leg, with reports claiming they’ll have to pay around £65million to get him - that is the reported fee in his release clause, and it’s hard to see the Cherries letting their talismanic forward leave for a penny less.

But if Spurs are looking to think smart and look outside the box, Serhou Guirassy, the second top scorer in the German Bundesliga last season, is a great option. He has all the qualities to be an absolute top performer in the Premier League and will relish the opportunity to test his craft against some of the very best in the game.

There has been so much hype around a number of strikers in Europe of late, but Guirassy has quietly gone about his business, consistently scoring for Stuttgart. Guirassy's technical skills, combined with his physical attributes, make him a good fit for the fast-paced and physically demanding nature of the Premier League. His ability to link up play, make intelligent runs, and finish chances aligns well with Tottenham's style of play, which emphasises quick transitions and effective use of attacking opportunities.

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He also has the unknown factor that most great strikers need to succeed when they come to the Premier League. The Guinean striker has the versatility to play in a number of attacking positions, which will help manager Ange Postecoglou make changes in the game without having to introduce new personnel.

Spurs need a hungry striker who is desperate for a big chance. While having someone with Premier League experience would be ideal, Guirassy's success in the French and German leagues shows that he can adapt and excel. His 28 goals from last season are evidence that he’s one of Europe’s red-hot strikers who can finally replace Kane in north London, the same man he generated competition within the Bundesliga last season playing for Stuttgart.

Tottenham have the cash and pedigree to get this deal across the line, and it will be refreshing for everyone associated with the club. A striker who has a point to prove and a consistent goal scorer.

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Brighton's stunning £305m transfer window predicted with Chelsea and Tottenham deals

Submitted by daniel on Wed, 07/08/2024 - 18:30

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Football Manager 2024 predicts how the remainder of the summer transfer window could play out for Brighton.

It’s another new start for Brighton and Hove Albion as they put the finishing touches to their preparations for their first season under new head coach Fabian Hurzeler.

The former St Pauli boss was named as successor to Roberto Di Zerbi earlier this summer and has wasted little time in making changes to the squad he inherited from the Italian. New signings have arrived in the form of Newcastle United winger Yankuba Minteh, Feyenoord midfielder Mats Wieffer and Nordsjaelland youngster Ibrahim Osman. There have been departures with midfield duo Pascal Gross and Adam Lallana heading for pastures new.

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With just over three weeks remaining in the transfer window, Hurzeler’s squad is highly likely to be added to as the German looks to enjoy a productive first season in charge of the Seagulls. To get a prediction of how the remainder of the window could play out, we fired up Football Manager 2024 to see what incomings and outgoings the world’s most popular managerial simulation believes will come to pass at the Amex Stadium.

Goalkeepers

It was a case of one-in, one out in the Seagulls goalkeeping department. irstly, the outgoing came in the final week of the window as Bart Verbruggen was tempted away by a £12m offer from Saudi Pro League club Al-Etiffaq - although the main temptation may have come from an eye-watering £150,000-a-week wage offer. The Seagulls moved quickly to find a replacement as Lyon’s Brazilian goalkeeper Lucas Perri arrived in a £4m deal.

Hurzeler’s goalkeeping options: Steele, Rushworth, Perri

Defenders

There was one departure from the Seagulls defensive ranks as Joel Veltman joined Lille in a £2m and there was a highly significant arrival as Hurzeler won the race to land Sporting CP’s highly-rated centre-back Ousmane Diomande in a £46m deal. The likes of Liverpool, Borussia Dortmund and Atletico Madrid were all keen on the talented defender but he will start the new season at the Amex Stadium - in the virtual world anyway! Full-back Javi Galan also joined from Atletico Madrid.

Hurzeler’s defensive options: Webster, Van Hecke, Igor, Dunk, Estupinan, Barco, Lamptey, Diomande, Galan.

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Midfielders

There were no new arrivals in the Seagulls midfield ranks but there were departures as Mahmoud Dahoud joined Union Berlin on loan and Jakub Moder was allowed to move to Lens in a £6m deal. That added to the real-life exits of Pascal Gross and Adam Lallana as they joined Borussia Dortmund and Southampton respectively.

Hurzeler’s midfield options: Wieffer, Baleba, Gilmour, Hinshelwood, Yalcouye, Milner.

Forwards

Now there were serious changes at the top end of the pitch and a number of major sales. The biggest sale came with the departure of Evan Ferguson to Chelsea as the Republic of Ireland star cost the Blues an initial £65m - although the deal could go above £80m with add-ons.

Elsewhere, Deniz Undav completed a £13m move to Ajax, Jeremy Sarmiento joined Everton in a £6m deal and a £29m offer from Spurs was enough to tempt to the Seagulls into the sale of Julio Enciso. Facundo Buonanotte also departed as he joined Sporting in a £6m move. There were new arrivals as Richarlison was brought in from Spurs in a £21m and Arsenal academy product Reiss Nelson was captured for a fee of £7m.

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Hurzeler’s forward options: Mitoma, Adingra, March, Minteh, Pedro, Welbeck, Nelson, Richarlison.

Ins

Minteh (£30m from Newcastle), Wieffer (£25m from Feyenoord), Osman (£14m from Nordsjaelland), Richarlison (£21m from Tottenham Hotspur), Galan (£15m from Atletico Madrid), Nelson (£7m from Arsenal), Diomande (£46m from Sporting CP), Perri (£4m from Lyon)

Outs

Gross (£4m to Borussia Dortmund), Lallana (free to Southampton), Moder (£6m to Lens), Buonanotte (£6m to Sporting CP), Dahoud (loan to Union Berlin), Undav (£13m to Ajax), Veltman (£2m to Lille), Sarmiento (£6m to Everton), Enciso (£29m to Tottenham Hotspur), Verbruggen (£12m to Al-Etiffaq), Ferguson (£65m to Chelsea)

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The big money swap deal that could send Spurs back into the top four

Submitted by daniel on Tue, 06/08/2024 - 17:00

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Tottenham Hotspur have been linked with a transfer bid for a striker who could get them the goals they need - but the deal could become more complicated.

Tottenham Hotspur need a striker – more than two months after the disappointing end of the 2023/24 season, that remains as true as ever, and 15 goals in five pre-season friendlies hasn’t changed the fact that Ange Postecoglou wants to live in a world where Son Heung-Min is a left winger and Spurs have someone worthy of taking on the number nine shirt. Spurs have a lot going for them right now, but they simply need to score more goals. That could be where Dominic Solanke comes in.

Last season, Spurs scored the fewest of any of the teams that finished in the top seven, and only two of their players made it into double figures in the league – the aforementioned Son, of course, who did a fine job as a makeshift striker but only generated another vacancy elsewhere, and Richarlison, whose inconsistency seems to have worn Postecoglou’s patience down. Solanke, meanwhile, cracked in 19 goals despite playing for a team that had far less creative muscle in their squad.

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Several media outlets, including the Metro, have reported that Spurs have approached Bournemouth about signing the former Chelsea and Liverpool striker in the hopes of agreeing a deal that would come in a little way under his conditional £65m release clause. TeamTalk, meanwhile, have even suggested that Spurs will try to drive the price down even further by including one of their extraneous squad members.

Whatever the eventual financial specifics look like, Spurs are the first and thus far only team to have made a move for Solanke despite reports linking him with other teams. Perhaps those sides are put off by the substantial price tag or by the fact that he only has one strong Premier League season in his locker, or even by his relatively limited (or focussed, if you prefer) skill set. But that skill set could well be just what Spurs need.

They don’t lack for creativity, innovation, technique and pace in midfielder, after all. Between Son, James Maddison, Brennan Johnson, Timo Werner, Dejan Kulusevski and company you can put together a supporting cast which has elegance guile or raw pace or anything else in between, but they need someone who knows how to put the pieces of the puzzle together – a forward with the knack of finding and exploiting half-yards of space and sticking the ball in the back of the net.

Solanke has the guile to find those little pockets of space and the physicality to get the better of defenders. He isn’t a great technician and his first touch can be imperfect, and he isn’t necessarily a first-rate finisher (he actually slightly undershot his xG last season) but he now has the nous to get himself into scoring positions time and again, and that begets goals. It’s hard to imagine that he wouldn’t keep scoring at any team which could keep the supply coming – and Spurs should be able to do that. Finishing touch is one of the few big things they lacked last season, and it cost them a place in the top four.

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So on almost every level, a bid for Solanke makes quite a lot of sense. One could argue in favour of other options and one could question the cost, but perhaps that could, as has been suggested, be eased by sending one of the Spurs’ many unwanted back-ups down to Dorset in part-exchange.

The TeamTalk article cites un-named sources in naming a list of potential makeweights – Sergio Reguilón and Djed Spence, full-backs who have spent the last year farmed out on loan; Oliver Skipp and Giovani Lo Celso, midfielders who are firmly behind others in the pecking order; and Alejo Véliz, the young Argentine striker who struggled to make a strong first impression after signing last summer. Bournemouth, it is implied, could pretty much take their pick.

The Cherries don’t desperately need a full-back given the performances of Milos Kerkez and Adam Smith last season, but the latter is 33 now and Max Aarons hasn’t had the impact that was hoped for. Spence is a decade younger and while he may have lost his way a little through an injury-riddled period of his career, he did decently well at Genoa over the second half of last season and has apparently impressed Postecoglou in pre-season.

Véliz would be a replacement of sorts for Solanke but endured a frustrating year after signing for £13m from Rosario Central a year ago, managing just one goal between eight games at Tottenham and a loan spell at Sevilla. His best years are, no doubt, ahead of him, but there is scant evidence that he has the chops to fill a Solanke-shaped hole on the south coast just yet.

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Which leaves the midfielders – Skipp is a fine passer with excellent range who can time a tackle, but between Lewis Cook, Philip Billing and Alex Scott, there is a possibility that central midfield isn’t seen as a major priority right now, although manager Andoni Iraola has been experimenting with a 4-2-3-1 formation in pre-season which would put more emphasis on a combative midfield pairing in which Skipp could well flourish.

That same system could easily create space for Lo Celso, whose raw statistics as a creative number ten or left winger are very impressive but who has nevertheless been restricted to intermittent starts at the occasional late cameos. Postecoglou simply doesn’t rate him as highly as other players at his disposal, but he is still a deft little player with an eye for goal and a good first touch. If Bournemouth need a number ten – and they probably will if the tweaked system sticks – then Lo Celso could be a very enticing and economical option.

Of course, there’s always the other option, which is to take the cash and make their own signings rather than picking through Tottenham’s leavings. But Spurs may well have more spare players than space in the profit and sustainability ledger, and Bournemouth could easily upgrade their squad from the squad men that Postecoglou is happy to cut adrift. In the age of amortised purchases and instant cash on the balance sheet after a sale, it’s highly unlikely that the two clubs would agree an ‘actual’ part-exchange, preferring separate transactions instead, but don’t be entirely surprised if Solanke moving to Spurs sees someone moving the other way, as well.

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Tottenham urged to consider signing £85m Chelsea target as Liverpool 'knock on door' for midfielder

Submitted by daniel on Sat, 03/08/2024 - 17:00

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The latest Premier League transfer headlines and our take on the situation.

The start of the 2024/25 Premier League season is fast approaching and and before we know it, Deadline Day will also be upon us. So far, it’s been an interesting transfer window but we can expect rumours to build up as we enter the final weeks of business, with clubs scrambling to get last-minute deals over the line. Let’s take a look at some of the latest rumour headlines.

Spurs urged to consider £85m Chelsea target

Tottenham Hotspur made headlines when they beat the competition to Archie Gray’s signature, however, they are still without a new clinical No.9 to replace Harry Kane. Former Everton chief Keith Wyness has backed Spurs to enter the race for Victor Osimhen, as rivals Chelsea continue to keep tabs on him.

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“The number nine, for me, is the difference in the top four race. With the present squad, I think they’re still going to be lucky to qualify for Europe. There are a lot of clubs making big moves,” he told Football Insider.

“They’re going to have to make that big signing. Archie Gray is a great talent, but that’s not the answer. There needs to be someone — like an Osimhen — to come in. I wouldn’t be surprised if Spurs are looking at and keeping themselves informed on Osimhen’s situation at Napoli. He’s one they need to keep their eyes on.”

The 3AM Verdict: Spurs do indeed need to bring in someone who can bang in goals for fun and Osimhen could be a strong option, teamed up with the likes of Heung-min Son in attack. Napoli have reportedly slashed their asking price for the striker and are looking to bank £85 million through a sale, rather than the £100 million release clause currently in place. It’s still a high amount to pay but at 25 years of age and with 48 goals scored in the last two seasons, Osimhen would be an investment for the future and his performances will surely eventually pay for themselves.

Liverpool offer for midfielder ‘should arrive in next few days’

Liverpool have been considering options to add to their engine room as their midfield restructure is still not yet complete. Teun Koopmeiners has been linked with the Reds for a while now and new information from Italy suggests that they could be making steps towards trying to bring him to Anfield.

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According to Claudio Raimondi of Sportmediaset (relayed via Tuttojuve), Liverpool have ‘knocked on the door’ to sign Koopmeiners. The Atalanta midfielder is someone Arne Slot knows well from their time at AZ Alkmaar together and it is believed that an initial offer from the Reds ‘should arrive in the next few days’. The only thing hanging over the situation is that Koopmeiners’ desire is to represent Juventus, which could decide whether he entertains interest from the Premier League or not.

The 3AM Verdict: Signing Koopmeiners would be a huge statement from Liverpool, as he has been on their radar for some time now. The Netherlands international contributed 15 goals and seven assists last season, so it’s no surprise why the Reds are so interested. However, Liverpool signed three creative-minded midfielders last summer in Alexis Mac Allister, Dominik Szoboszlai and Ryan Gravenberch, while Harvey Elliott and Curtis Jones are also in the mix. Unless Slot is willing to offload some players from the engine room, their money may be better spent on a senior defensive midfielder to rival Wataru Endō, rather than another playmaker to challenge for a place in the starting XI.

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Tottenham's £65m lethal striker transfer target who could finally fill Harry Kane void

Submitted by daniel on Fri, 02/08/2024 - 19:00

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Tottenham could be setting up a deal that would see them finally replace Harry Kane.

Tottenham are in search of a striker to finally fill the void created by the £100 million departure of Harry Kane last summer. The Lilywhites are leaving no stone unturned as they look to fight for the league title next season or at least finish in a Champions League spot.

Kane is Tottenham’s all-time leading scorer and everything revolved around him at the club. Last season, Tottenham boss Ange Postecoglou relied heavily on now-club captain Son Heung-min and Richarlison, the latter of whom enjoyed his best return last time out with 11 goals.

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But this season, there is clearly a need for an upgrade and more options in attack as Spurs finally go for it, and Dominic Solanke, who has proved during his time with Bournemouth that he is one of the most underrated strikers in the Premier League, is a strong candidate. Since joining the Cherries in 2019, the 26-year-old has made 216 competitive appearances for the club, scoring 77 goals and providing 31 assists. He narrowly missed out on England’s Euro 2024 squad, and there is a feeling that if he were playing for a team higher up the table with those numbers, he would surely have been in the conversation for Gareth Southgate’s team.

Joining Spurs would be an absolutely perfect deal for the striker, and he will be able to play in Europe. The system and style of Spurs mean he could be even more ruthless, as they create more chances and keep the ball better than Bournemouth do. Standing at 6'2" (188 cm), Solanke possesses a significant physical presence that can be crucial in the Premier League. Like Kane, he is strong in the air and can hold up the ball effectively, bringing teammates into play.

This attribute will be particularly important for Tottenham, as they will need a striker who can provide a focal point in attack and compete in aerial duels. Solanke's physicality and ability to win headers make him a natural successor to Kane in this regard. Solanke's career trajectory has been marked by resilience and determination. After struggling to break into the first team at Chelsea and Liverpool, he moved to Bournemouth, where he worked tirelessly to establish himself as a key player. When he moved to Bournemouth, many people saw it as a step-down, but he knew he had to work hard to get ahead.

This journey has instilled in him a strong work ethic and a hunger to succeed at the highest level. Tottenham would benefit from having a player with such determination and a point to prove, as Solanke would be highly motivated to seize the opportunity to replace Kane and lead the line for a top Premier League club.

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Tottenham manager Ange Postecoglou is slowly turning this team into his own image, and he’s hinted in the past that he is looking to rebuild the foundations and make Spurs a team that is capable of competing for titles and rubbing shoulders with the big boys. To do that, he’ll need a striker who is a number 9 but versatile enough to play across the front line while also having incredible Premier League experience - Solanke fits the bill perfectly.

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The £20m midfielder who could help Fulham forget all about Joao Palhinha - if Tottenham don't hijack the deal

Submitted by daniel on Fri, 02/08/2024 - 17:00

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Fulham have been working hard to seal a crucial midfielder signing - but Tottenham Hotspur could be about to spoil the party

Fulham have been leading the race to sign Manchester United’s Scott McTominay, but now could face fierce competition from Spurs, who are in the market for a midfielder after Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg left the club.

The Lilywhites are looking for someone with the legs to go on and score goals from midfield, and McTominay has proven he has that ability and experience, having been at United his entire career. Sunday Times journalist Duncan Castles has reported that Spurs are interested in a deal to sign the Red Devils midfielder, who scored seven Premier League goals for the Red Devils last season.

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The BBC are also reporting that United have received a second bid from Fulham, understood to be £20m for the Lancaster-born Scotland international, with the Cottagers pushing to sign him to replace Joao Palhinha, who finally got his big move to Bayern Munich earlier this summer.

Fulham have done their homework well and know that not many players can replace Palhinha like McTominay. Standing at 6’4” (193 cm), McTominay brings a significant physical presence to the midfield. His height and strength make him effective in aerial duels and physical battles, which can be particularly beneficial in both defensive situations and set-piece scenarios.

The 27-year-old has similar qualities as Palhinha, including physicality and endurance, making this a potentially perfect fit. From the player’s standpoint, he’s at the age where he needs to feel important and be central to a project. At Fulham, he will be a shoo-in as the main midfielder that everyone revolves around.

Tottenham have the lure of Europa League football which, while a step down from the Champions League, is a massive deal for players like McTominay. Financially, Spurs would offer a bigger wage package, and he’d get to play alongside bigger names. However, Spurs are also looking at Crystal Palace midfielder Eberechi Eze, so they are steadily stockpiling star players, and the competition for starting minutes would mean he might not be the main man. Uounger players like Pape Sarr and Yves Bissouma, who have been with manager Ange Postecoglou for a while now, may well be preferred regular starters.

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One McTominay would bring to Fulham if they finalise the deal is leadership. Even at his relatively young age, McTominay has shown leadership qualities at Manchester United and with the Scotland national team. His experience at a top club and international level can provide invaluable experience and guidance to Fulham’s squad, both on and off the pitch.

It’s clear to see why Spurs are interested and what he can do in a well-oiled system like that crafted by Ange Postecoglou, but he’s at the stage where he needs to be the leading star. Marco Silva has grown a reputation for getting key players to perform in the Premier League. Just look at players like Mitrovic and Palhinha, who both ended up getting big money moves after playing under the Portuguese manager. If both clubs make a move for McTominay, a switch to west London just might be a better idea.

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How Spurs' stunning £284m starting XI could look this season - if latest transfer targets are signed

Submitted by daniel on Thu, 01/08/2024 - 17:00

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Tottenham will be hoping to kick on under Ange Postecoglou in 2024/25

This coming season could prove to be a vital one for Tottenham Hotspur. After making such an impressive start under Ange Postecoglou last term, Spurs fell away somewhat, and ultimately had to settle for a fifth-placed finish and Europa League qualification.

Over the course of the coming months, Postecoglou will be hoping for a lot more from his side, and while the prospect of a title challenge may feel a touch fanciful, certainly the expectation will be that Spurs can force their way back into the top four.

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To do that, however, they may need to make a couple of signings. So, with that in mind, here is how Tottenham could line up in 2024/25, if they manage to land all of their reported transfer targets...

Guglielmo Vicario

A genuinely eye-catching debut campaign in England last season put to rest any lingering concerns over whether or not Hugo Lloris would be adequately replaced.

Pedro Porro

Energetic and astute in both his attacking and defensive duties, the full-back has established himself as an important member of this Spurs back line.

Cristian Romero

Capable of being absolutely brilliant and, when the red mist descends, a complete liability. By and large the Argentinian is a major asset to Ange Postecoglou’s side.

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Micky van de Ven

The main issue with Van de Ven is keeping him fit. Over the course of an injury hit campaign last term, he still showed enough to suggest that his potential is mammoth. Physically imposing and absolutely rapid, the Dutchman has been some signing for Tottenham thus far.

Destiny Udogie

Another who is only likely to grow and grow, the Italian youngster looked right at home in the Premier League last season, but, like many in an injury-ravaged squad, had to deal with a fair few enforced absences. The best is still very much yet to come for Udogie.

Yves Bissouma

On his day, a really classy operator and a much needed measure of ballast in the centre of the park. Bissouma has evolved into a vital player for Postecoglou.

Jacob Ramsey

A player who Spurs are really, really keen on, talk continues surrounding the prospect of a swap deal that would see Giovani Lo Celso travel in the opposite direction to Aston Villa. Whether that comes to fruition or not, only time will tell, but Tottenham are not letting their interest wane any time soon.

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James Maddison

Dropped off a little in the latter part of last season, but started at a canter, and will be hoping to rediscover his best form when the new campaign kicks off later this month. The creative linchpin of this Spurs side.

Pedro Neto

Another star who Tottenham have been heavily linked with, the Portuguese winger feels destined for a top six move at some point sooner rather than later, and it would be no great surprise to see him leave Wolves over the coming weeks. Certainly one to keep an eye on as the window progresses.

Son Heung-min

The talisman of this Spurs side. Having stepped up to the plate following Harry Kane’s departure last summer, the South Korean looks every inch the leader and clinical finisher that Tottenham desperately need right now - although signing another striker to ease his burden wouldn’t hurt.

Eberechi Eze

And finally, Eze is another transfer target who is proving to be massively in-demand this summer. The Crystal Palace star is a superb attacking talent, capable of carrying the ball great distances and bamboozling defenders at will. Like Neto, he feels like a dead cert for a big money move in the near future, and Tottenham will be eager to win this particular race.

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