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Manchester City are set to remain without Rodri for at least two more games, with Pep Guardiola delivering another injury update on the Spain international midfielder. Having missed most of last season with knee ligament damage, Rodri has struggled to recover full match fitness in 2025-26. He currently finds himself back on the treatment table with a muscle complaint.

ACL damage & Club World Cup setback: Rodri struggling to stay fit

Rodri suffered a devastating ACL injury in September 2024 that prevented him from forming part of a Premier League title defence at the Etihad Stadium – with that crown eventually being surrendered to Liverpool. More minor knocks were picked up when competing at the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup.

City have always been aware of the need to handle Rodri with care, with the hope being that he could play his way towards full sharpness. Another setback was suffered, though, when lining up against Brentford. The 29-year-old midfielder was forced out of that contest inside the opening 20 minutes.

AdvertisementGettyRest for Rodri: No risks being taken on midfielder

Rodri did not link up with the Spain squad during the October international break, with a window in which to rest and recover arriving at a good time for him. His latest injury, which is a hamstring problem, is not expected to keep the Ballon d’Or winner out for long.

He did not, however, play any part in City’s return to domestic action against Everton – with Erling Haaland bagging another brace in that contest as Guardiola’s side picked up a 2-0 win. Rodri will not be rushed back into the fold, with the plan being to give him at least another week on the sidelines.

Rodri injury update: What Guardiola has said

That means no role will be filled in City’s upcoming Champions League clash with Villarreal on Tuesday or their Premier League trip to Aston Villa next Sunday. Quizzed on whether Rodri will be involved in those fixtures, Guardiola said: “I don’t think so. Aston Villa, I don’t think so either. It’s not long, but it’s muscular. We have to be careful. We tried many times to prevent another injury, but we have not been able to do that, so we will see.”

Guardiola said after seeing Rodri hobble from the field against Brentford: “It’s muscular. Of course, I don't want to lose him [at all] because he is such an important player. We tried to take care of him, but it is what it is.”

Rodri went on to tell Sky Sports when asked about the ailment that led to him seeing another Premier League outing cut short: “I felt a little bit in the hamstring – but it seems as though it's not that much. I stretched a bit, like in the final of the Euros [when he had to go off injured]. But the most important thing is it's not that big.”

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Getty ImagesWorld Cup & 2026-2 campaign: When will Rodri be back to his best?

Guardiola has pointed out regularly that it will take well over 12 months for Rodri to recover the form that landed him a prestigious Golden Ball in 2024. It may not be until the 2026 World Cup, and into next season’s Premier League campaign, that the all-action midfielder is back to his very best.

Guardiola has said, “Rodri has been and is an outstanding player. Everybody knows it. But I said to Rodri, and maybe he struggled to understand: it’s not about six months or seven months (after the injury). ‘Ah, (after) eight months I’ll play and be the Rodri of before’. No.

"Rodri will be good at the World Cup with Spain. In the World Cup, it will be the best Rodri, and next season will be the best Rodri. This season will be how we handle it, step by step. It’s normal, it was one year on the massage table. The body changes, the rhythm changes. It’s a question of time. If he’s healthy and works with what he has to do, he will be back.”

Rodri was a big miss for City last season, as they struggled for consistency across multiple competitions, but they are currently on an eight-match unbeaten run and have moved up to second in the Premier League table – three points adrift of leaders Arsenal through eight games.

While Liverpool’s deal for Newcastle United striker Alexander Isak is going to dominate much of the transfer deadline day chatter, Tottenham Hotspur are knuckling down and preparing to pull off a few statement deals of their own.

Having won the race for attacking midfielder Xavi Simons earlier this week, Thomas Frank’s Tottenham are shaping up nicely, though a home defeat against Bournemouth after back-to-back wins to kick off the Premier League campaign have issued a reminder that there is much work to be done over the months and years ahead.

A lack of bite in that north London clash proved the crux of the club’s issues, and maybe it wouldn’t hurt for Daniel Levy to oversee an Isak-esque deal down N17 today.

Well, Spurs might just have such a move in the pipeline.

Spurs in talks to sign new striker

Let’s be frank, Tottenham’s new manager has his work cut out, though the early readings are promising to say the least.

But Dominic Solanke and Richarlison are the leading options at the front of the ship, and another star could work wonders in completing a frontline bearing such potential.

Well, according to Fabrizio Romano, Tottenham have opened talks with Paris Saint-Germain as they consider a bid for Randal Kolo Muani, who had looked set to join Juventus after a successful loan stint last year, but for the package to unravel at the negotiating table.

Anticipated to cost in excess of £50m, Kolo Muani has also attracted interest from Manchester United this month, but Spurs need a striker and offer the allure of Champions League football.

Keep a close eye on this one.

What Kolo Muani would bring to Spurs

Kolo Muani left Eintracht Frankfurt in Germany two years ago, signing for PSG in a £76m deal. So ended his prolific time in the Bundesliga, and kicked off a frustrating spell back in his homeland, having bagged only 11 goals across 54 matches.

Still, described as a “superstar” by German legend Lothar Matthaus, Kolo Muani has a deadly sense for goals and the athletic and mobile presence in and around the box to make a real difference to Tottenham’s attacking line, perhaps even proving the Londoners’ own version of Isak.

At Juventus, Kolo Muani proved that class is permanent, scoring ten goals and providing three assists across only 22 matches for the Turin-based outfit.

He also averaged 1.1 key passes per game, according to Sofascore, underscoring his dynamism and will to link up with teammates and deepen the lines of communication on the pitch.

This is something that Isak does (or, rather, did) with such aplomb across his years at St. James’ Park, keeping it crisp when on the ball but knowing exactly when to pick out a teammate or shuffle forward himself and strike on goal.

Kolo Muani might not have any Premier League experience under his belt, but he’s a seasoned forward both domestically and on the international stage, and has proven his worth when entrusted with a starring role.

Kolo Muani vs Isak (past 365 days)
Stats (per 90)	Kolo Muani	Isak
Goals scored	0.48	0.78
Assists	0.11	0.17
Shots taken	2.45	3.21
Touches (att pen)	6.28	6.31
Shot-creating actions	2.34	3.04
Pass completion	70.2%	75.3%
Progressive passes	1.49	2.94
Progressive carries	1.54	2.80
Successful take-ons	1.54	1.42
Ball recoveries	2.24	1.79
Tackles + interceptions	1.28	0.44
Data via FBref

Whether Tottenham manage to get this one over the line remains to be seen, but there’s no question that it would be a fantastic move for a side in transition, already showing that they have what it takes to hit some lofty heights with Frank at the helm.

More exciting than Simons: Spurs chasing "one of the best LWs in the world"

Spurs could seal a more exciting signing than Simons on transfer deadline day.

5

By
Matt Dawson

Aug 31, 2025

Burnley are currently preparing for their final Premier League game before the international break against Manchester United. In his pre-match press conference, Scott Parker was questioned about whether or not his team was going to try and conduct any more business before the transfer window closes.

Parker also refused to rule out any more exits, saying, “I think it’s fair to say that maybe some will leave in terms of just getting some game time. The squad at this present moment in time is quite loaded, and you can see that. Ideally, we’ll try and trim that squad down a little bit. There’s only a certain amount of numbers you can physically name in a squad as well, so we’ll see what happens over the coming days.”

If Burnley’s exits are based on making space for new arrivals, then one area where fans may see departures is in the centre of the pitch, as Parker is currently looking at signing a new defensive midfielder.

Burnley look to sign Luis and three others

Burnley are interested in signing Benfica’s Florentino Luis. The 26-year-old has made 150 senior appearances for Benfica and has been at the club since 2010. Sky Sports journalists Luca Bendoni and Dhamesh Sheth have reported that a midfielder is one of four positions Burnley are looking to recruit before the transfer window ends. The other three positions are a centre back, a right back and a striker.

The midfielder has a release clause of £105 million, but with Benfica looking to offload him, they would accept a figure within the region of £17.2 million to £25.8 million.

Other clubs have been interested in signing Luis this transfer window, with Everton and Al-Hilal exploring the deal earlier in the summer, and Marseille and Roma being more recent suitors that Burnley may still have to compete with.

Luis "similar profile to Casemiro"

While growing up in the Benfica youth system, Luis was a highly rated prospect. Joao Tralhao was an important figure in Benfica’s academy from 2002 and 2018, and this summer was appointed assistant manager to Jose Mourinho at Fenerbahce.

In 2020, when he was assistant coach to Thierry Henry, Tralhao was asked about Luis’s ability and had this to say in response: “[He has] an exceptional talent and physical qualities totally in line with his footballing qualities. [He] has a very similar profile to Casemiro. From very early on, we realised that Florentino was on his way to becoming an elite player.”

Last season in the Portuguese league, Luis stood out not only for his defensive ability but his ball-playing skills. Defensively, Luis was in the top 11% of players for tackles won per 90 and the top 4% of players for interceptions per 90. Passing-wise wise he was in the top 20% of players for passes completed per 90 and top 15% of players for long balls completed per 90.

Having such a versatile midfielder in their roster will allow Burnley to adapt to the different situations and styles of play that they’ll face this season in their fight for Premier League survival.

Despite a lack of recent success, Tottenham Hotspur have splashed the cash in recent years, bringing in a number of players for £30m or more.

Numerous managers have been backed in the transfer market, with a plethora of stars being attracted to the project on offer in north London. But who is Spurs’ record arrival? We’ve taken a look at Tottenham’s 10 most expensive signings.

Rank

Player

Fee

Signed from

Year

Dominic Solanke

£65m

Bournemouth

2024

Tanguy Ndombele

£62.8m

Lyon

2019

Richarlison

£60m

Everton

2022

Mohammed Kudus

£55m

West Ham

2025

Xavi Simons

£52m

RB Leipzig

2025

Brennan Johnson

£47.5m

Nottingham Forest

2023

Micky van de Ven

£43m

Wolfsburg

2023

Cristian Romero

£42.5m

Atalanta

2021

Davinson Sanchez

£42m

Ajax

2017

Archie Gray

£40m

Leeds United

2024

Pedro Porro

£40m

Sporting CP

2023

James Maddison

£40m

Leicester

2023

Mathys Tel

£30m

Bayern Munich

2025

Moussa Sissoko

£30m

Newcastle

2016

Sergio Reguilon

£27.5m

Real Madrid

2020

Giovani Lo Celso

£27.2m

Real Betis

2020

Steven Bergwijn

£26m

Ajax

2022

Roberto Soldado

£26m

Valencia

2013

Erik Lamela

£25.8m

Roma

2013

Dejan Kulusevski

£25.6m

Juventus

2023

Here’s a detailed look at Tottenham’s 10 most expensive signings… 10 Archie Gray £40m from Leeds United

Archie Gray appears to be a star in the making which resulted in Ange Postecoglou and Spurs spending big on his services from Leeds United in 2024.

As part of a deal for the youngster, Leeds signed Joe Rodon, but it looks as if a total package for Gray cost up to £40m.

9 Davinson Sanchez £42m from Ajax

Centre-back Davinson Sanchez was a club-record signing when he arrived from Ajax for £42m in 2017.

Mauricio Pochettino was the man in charge when Sanchez moved to England and the Colombia international made more than 200 appearances for the club before leaving for Galatasaray in 2023.

8 Cristian Romero £42.5m from Atalanta

Another defender who cost Spurs big money is Cristian Romero, who arrived from Atalanta in 2021.

The Argentinian has shone for club and country, winning the Copa America and being voted Serie A’s best defender, which prompted Tottenham to spend £42.5m.

Daniel Levy may well have overseen things, but it was perhaps the best thing Nuno Espirito Santo did for the club during his short spell in charge.

7 Micky van de Ven £43m from Wolfsburg

Centre-back Micky van de Ven, who made the move to north London in 2023, signed from Wolfsburg for just under an initial £35m, with the total fee potentially rising to £43m.

He quickly impressed in the Premier League with his pace and power at the back, and all going well, Van de Ven will at least be with Spurs until 2029.

6 Brennan Johnson £47.5m from Nottingham Forest

A deadline day signing in September 2023, Brennan Johnson cost Tottenham £47.5m from Nottingham Forest.

The Wales international, capable of playing anywhere across the front three, signed a contract through to 2028 and will be hoping to repay that fee over the coming years.

5 Xavi Simons £52m from RB Leipzig

After missing out on Eberechi Eze to rivals Arsenal, Spurs then moved to hijack Chelsea’s deal for Xavi Simons in the summer of 2025.

The Dutch attacker signed a five-year deal at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium and took the number 7 shirt after Heung-min Son left for the USA.

4 Mohammed Kudus £55m from West Ham

Another marquee arrival following Spurs’ Europa League triumph in 2025 was Mohammed Kudus.

Signed from London rivals West Ham, Tottenham forked out £55m for the Ghanaian winger and handed him a six-year deal on £150,000-a-week.

3 Richarlison £60m from Everton

After eye-catching spells in England with Watford and Everton, Tottenham decided to spend an initial £50m on Richarlison in 2022, with his transfer potentially totalling £60m including add-ons.

The Brazilian’s first season was a struggle, scoring just once in 27 Premier League games. However, he has shown glimpses of brilliance in north London and is under contract until 2027.

2 Tanguy Ndombele £62.8m from Lyon

Midfielder Tanguy Ndombele became Tottenham’s record signing when he joined in 2019, but his move from Lyon didn’t work out.

Signed by Mauricio Pochettino just months before the Argentinian manager was sacked, it proved to be a poor misjudgement from the Spurs boss.

The Frenchman signed a six-year contract and cost a whopping £55m, while his deal could have reached £62.8m with add-ons. However, after making 91 appearances and struggling in England, Ndombele had his contract terminated in 2024.

1 Dominic Solanke £65m from Bournemouth

Tottenham’s record signing is striker Dominic Solanke, who arrived from Bournemouth in the summer of 2024.

The former Chelsea and Liverpool attacker could end up costing £65m with add-ons, with Solanke under contract until 2030.

The missing trophy is back in Australia’s hands to continue a run of considerable success under Cummins

AAP06-Jan-20253:19

Cummins on making WTC final: ‘It’s huge, we talk about it a lot’

There’s no end in sight for Pat Cummins’ captaincy as he prepares to put family first and skip his first full tour since taking over from Tim Paine four years ago.Sunday’s six-wicket win over India at the SCG on Sunday sealed the Border-Gavaskar Trophy and ensured Australia own every bilateral trophy for which they compete, capping a superb run for the team under Cummins.With ODI and T20 World Cups also captured in that time, Cummins was asked after the SCG win if he felt he “had completed cricket”.Related

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Cummins will likely miss Australia’s next tour, admitting on Sunday he “likely might struggle” to play in Sri Lanka as he awaits the birth of his second child.Steven Smith is expected to return to the captaincy in his place, having already filled in four times previously in the past four years. But in the long run, Cummins is still driven and in no way feels as if his job as captain has been finished.”First of all, I absolutely love what I do. That’s the biggest driver in wanting to play Test cricket and work with this team and support staff,” Cummins said. “I absolutely love everything about it; it’s that much fun. If I can keep doing it for a while, even better.”The transition of the Test team has been a key talking point for the past year, with Sam Konstas the only player in the fifth Test side under 30. But Cummins still has several years left in him with a mega 2027 on the horizon, which includes away Test tours of India and England, despite him initially hinting at a shorter tenure when he took over in 2021.Pat Cummins remained calm in the face of criticism early in the series•AFP”You always talk about [succession]. We have two vice-captains in the team. We have had three debutants in this series,” Cummins said. “You’re always balancing between the here and now, but have a bit of an eye towards the future.”They are conversations we always have, but I don’t think there is any point in doing things for the sake of it. Those can play out over the next few years.”Cummins’ leadership in the 3-1 Border-Gavaskar trophy triumph was immense. The Australian team under his watch has often become a target for criticism, of which there was plenty after they were thrashed by 295 runs in the series opener.Claims of fractures in the team were known to have frustrated players, after press-conference comments from Josh Hazlewood were picked apart by sections of the media. The team’s preparation also came under the microscope, after Cummins and other players skipped white-ball matches in the lead up to the Tests.But Cummins pulled the right rein at almost every opportunity after Perth, with his captaincy at its peak in the final-hour win at the MCG last week.”When you start a series behind, a lot of things get questioned, fairly and unfairly,” Cummins said. “But I think it shows a strength of the group to stay strong. Know we weren’t at our best but we can be better.”

Manchester United’s pursuit of Benjamin Sesko this summer feels as though it’s been dragging out for months, with an end to the saga currently not in sight for the Red Devils.

Ruben Amorim’s side have struggled to win the race for the RB Leipzig striker’s signature, also facing competition from fellow Premier League side Newcastle United.

Rumours have been circulating that current centre forward Rasmus Hojlund could potentially be included in any move to bring the cost of the transfer down this summer.

However, with the September 1st transfer deadline rapidly approaching, the hierarchy will need to act quickly if they are to secure the Slovenian’s signature ahead of the 2025/26 campaign.

There’s no denying that the 22-year-old will remain as their number one target between now and the end of the window, but other targets are being considered as a result of the saga.

The latest on United’s hunt for new additions this summer

As previously mentioned, Newcastle are also considering a move for Sesko, even taking the next step in their pursuit of the forward after submitting their second offer in recent days.

However, David Ornstein confirmed this afternoon that the Red Devils have made their own offer for the 22-year-old, totalling £74m including add-ons – leaving the player to decide which move he prefers this summer.

Despite the update on a move for Sesko, bids are also being prepared for other options, with PSG goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma a player in their sights, according to Stretty News.

They claim that the Red Devils and Jason Wilcox are preparing a €30m (£26m) bid for the 26-year-old, who currently has one year left on his contract with the Ligue 1 giants.

It also states that the Italian international could be keen on a move to England this summer, after his current employers landed Lucas Chevalier to be their new number one this summer.

Why United’s £26m target would be a better signing than Sesko

There’s no doubt that, after scoring just 44 league goals in their 38 outings last season, United desperately need a new striker if they are to rise up the table throughout 2025/26.

The additions of Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo have already added needed quality into the final third, but further moves by Wilcox and co are needed if the club are to endure any success during Amorim’s reign.

Sesko, who scored 21 times last season, would undoubtedly offer an upgrade to the boss, but with the Magpies’ advances, it could make a deal somewhat trickier, even though they have made their own offer in recent hours.

Cheaper alternatives have already appeared on their radar, with Ollie Watkins and Nicolas Jackson two Premier League-proven options they could turn to as a result.

Both could easily fill the needed void at the top end of the pitch, with any money saved potentially playing a huge part in their move to land goalkeeper Donnarumma.

A shot-stopper has also been desperately needed, with current number one Andre Onana out injured, but also dropping multiple clangers during his spell in the side last season. Indeed, he made five errors leading to a goal in the Premier League and Europa League combined.

The Cameroonian cost the side in numerous key moments, including the Bilbao final, where he was unable to keep the ball out from Brennan Johnson’s close-range effort.

Donnarumma, who’s been labelled “phenomenal” by former ‘keeper Diego Lopez, has showcased his talents in recent times, registering 2.2 saves per 90 last season, helping the French side win the Champions League.

He also ranked in the top 15% of all ‘keepers in Europe for goals conceded per 90, handing United that needed quality they’ve been lacking between the sticks in recent months.

Statistics (per 90)

Tally

Games played

24

Goals against per 90

1.08

Saves made

2.2

Save percentage

70%

Pass accuracy

86%

Defensive actions outside the box

0.9

% of passes launched

13%

Errors leading to goals

0

The major key to any move for the former AC Milan star is his lack of errors, not making a single mistake that led to a goal, which would see him massively provide an upgrade on Onana.

£26m for a player of his calibre in today’s market would be phenomenal business, handing Amorim a superb option to bolster his chances of success at Old Trafford.

There’s no doubt that Sesko would provide an excellent option in attacking areas, but there are cheaper options available this summer that could offer just as big of an impact, which could also free up funds to pursue a move for Donnarumma.

Amorim's very own Ibrahimovic: Man Utd to make bid for "phenomenal" talent

Manchester United are making moves for a player who could replicate Zlatan Ibrahimovic.

3 ByEthan Lamb Aug 4, 2025

After missing out on Hugo Ekitike to Liverpool, Newcastle United are desperately assessing their options in a bid to improve their firepower.

Toon supporters can perhaps rest easy knowing Alexander Isak is likely to stay at St James’ Park but without competent backup – William Osula is still young – they know recruits are needed.

Since that move for Ekitike fell through, the Magpies have reportedly cast their eyes upon the likes of Benjamin Sesko and Julian Alvarez. Dominic Calvert-Lewin is also reportedly an option.

Newcastle's Ekitike alternative

Forgetting those names, Newcastle United are also exploring a deal for Brentford striker Yoane Wissa, with the 28-year-old emerging as a serious option after the club missed out on top target Ekitike.

Transfer Focus

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

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According to Sky Sports reporter Keith Downie, the Magpies are feeling that a “deal should get done” for Wissa, in spite of having a £25m bid rejected.

Downie reveals that the Toon are set to return with a £30m bid plus add-ons for the centre-forward.

With interest growing from Tottenham and Nottingham Forest as well, Newcastle are weighing their options carefully.

A previous price tag of £50m had been set by Brentford, and that is seen as negotiable by interested parties. Personal terms are not expected to be a stumbling block.

BBC Sport reported that Wissa is keen on a new challenge and eager to play European football, a prospect that may sway him towards St. James’ Park.

Brentford, meanwhile, are being picked apart, and Wissa could be next out the door.

Manager Thomas Frank has left, replaced by set-piece coach Keith Andrews, along with key players such as Bryan Mbeumo, Christian Nørgaard, and Mark Flekken.

Newcastle boss Eddie Howe is urging patience in the transfer market, stating the club must invest in “the right players” rather than rushing big-money deals.

However, Wissa’s Premier League pedigree, versatility, and recent form make him a standout candidate.

Why Yoane Wissa would be a good signing for Newcastle

After Ivan Toney’s move to Saudi Arabian side Al-Ahli last summer, Wissa stepped up as one of Brentford’s main attacking threats.

Only Mohamed Salah scored more non-penalty goals in the Premier League last season, as Wissa found the net 20 times and added four assists.

Over four seasons at Brentford, Wissa has netted 49 goals in 149 appearances – a consistent return for a player who cost just £8.5m from Lorient.

Among his positional peers – Erling Haaland, Alexander Isak, Liam Delap, Dominic Solanke, and João Pedro – Wissa stands out in several areas.

Data from FBref shows that he has more shot-creating actions per 90 than Solanke, more touches than Pedro or Delap (34.1), and a greater pass completion rate than Isak and Haaland.

His minutes played (3,072) were second only to Isak, demonstrating not only quality but reliability and rubberstamping why European football expert, Zach Lowy, thinks he’s had a “remarkable rise.”

As a result, the potential signing of Yoane Wissa has drawn comparisons with former Magpies fan favourite Demba Ba.

The Senegalese forward, who arrived from West Ham in 2011, became a cult hero at St. James’ Park after firing 16 goals in the 2011/12 season, forming a lethal partnership with Papiss Cissé and helping Newcastle to a fifth-place finish.

Like Ba, Wissa would arrive from a fellow Premier League club and is known for his instinctive movement, sharp poaching instincts, and ruthless eye for goal.

The same data from FBref shows that while Ba scored 16 and assisted twice in 2,721 minutes during his most prolific Premier League campaign, Wissa bettered those numbers last season, scoring 20 goals and notching 4 assists in 3,072 minutes.

Ba averaged 1.39 shots on target per 90 in that 2011/12 season, while Wissa registered 1.26 per 90 in 2024/25, slightly lower, but still consistent with the profile of a reliable finisher.

Importantly, Wissa also outperformed his xG, underlining his sharpness in front of goal.

However, there are some caveats.

At 28, Wissa doesn’t fit Newcastle’s preferred age profile of 24 and under, and he may miss part of the 2025/26 season due to AFCON duties with DR Congo.

Still, for a club that needs ready-made depth up front and a player who knows how to find the net, Wissa ticks plenty of boxes.

Given the departure of Callum Wilson and other targets like Calvert-Lewin being considered, Wissa presents a compelling blend of Premier League experience, positional intelligence, and proven end product.

If Newcastle can negotiate the fee down, Wissa could well become the Magpies’ new Ba – an underrated Premier League poacher with the potential to light up St. James’ Park.

Related He's Bruno Guimaraes 2.0: Newcastle considering move to sign £50m "machine"

Newcastle could consider a move for an English midfielder

Posts ByRoss Kilvington Jul 22, 2025

Nottingham Forest are now looking to capitalise on a European’s club’s horror situation and sign a “true icon” for just £21 million, according to a recent report.

Nottingham Forest in talks to sign two new players

The Reds are now closing in on the signing of Igor Jesus from Brazilian side Botafogo in a deal believed to be worth £10 million, but the forward could soon be joined by fellow new arrivals. According to ESPN Brazil, Forest have opened talks to sign winger Pepe from FC Porto.

The Portuguese side are looking to get around £12 million for the 28-year-old this summer, and Forest’s interest in Pepe comes as Newcastle United continue to circle around Anthony Elanga.

The Magpies have been keen on the former Man United man for a while now, and they decided to formalise that interest with a £45 million bid last week, which was rejected straight away.

As well as looking at potential replacements for Elanga, Nuno also wants to strengthen other areas of his team, as they have to deal with European football next season. Despite Ola Aina impressing a lot last season, the Reds have now made a £5 million bid to sign Pablo Maffeo from Mallorca.

The Premier League side are pushing to find an agreement with his club, and they have already agreed personal terms with the defender.

Nottingham Forest could land a better signing than Weah in £21m "mosquito"

Nuno Espirito Santo is looking to sign a Brazilian winger

By
Ross Kilvington

Jun 29, 2025

The list of potential new arrivals doesn’t stop there for Forest and Nuno, as they are now among the teams interested in a new striker.

Forest to capitalise on Lyon situation with Mikautadze move

According to TEAMtalk, Nottingham Forest are among the teams in a race to sign striker Georges Mikautadze from French side Olympique Lyon.

The 24-year-old only joined the French giants last summer, but given their relegation to Ligue 2, which is under appeal, and their financial situation, he could be one of many players that is allowed to leave in this transfer window.

TEAMtalk reports that as well as Forest, AS Roma and Eintracht Frankfurt are also keen on a deal for the Georgia international, who is valued at €25 million by Lyon, which is roughly £21.4 million.

Some good form during a loan spell with FC Metz made Mikautadze one to watch going into the European Championships last summer, where he earned a share of the golden boot with three goals for an exciting Georgia side.

Lyon swooped in as a result, and he then scored 11 times in 34 Ligue 1 games last term, as well as a further four goals in the Europa League.

Georges Mikautadze in Ligue 1 24/25
Appearances	34
Goals	11
Assists	6
Shots per game	1.6
Key passes per game	0.6

Should Mikautadze, who has been dubbed a “true icon” by scout Jacek Kulig, join Forest in this transfer window, he would be up against Chris Wood, Taiwo Awoniyi and likely Igor Jesus for a starting spot, so it would not be a surprise to see Awoniyi search for a move elsewhere if a deal goes through.

Tottenham Hotspur and their recruitment plans under Thomas Frank are evolving by the day, with the Lilywhites currently involved in a transfer saga with La Liga champions Barcelona.

Spurs are expected to utilise the significant financial windfall from their Champions League qualification over the coming months.

Related Frank holds Tottenham talks over signing £300k-p/w ace who's open to joining

The Spurs boss has been discussing him with Lilywhites hierarchy.

Posts 1 ByEmilio Galantini Jun 18, 2025

Sky Sports reporter Michael Bridge recently stated that Daniel Levy and the recruitment team want to strengthen in all areas of the squad bar their goalkeeper, so it appears they’re determined to back their new manager ahead of his first full season in charge.

Tottenham’s best-performing regulars in the Premier League – 2024/2025

Average match rating

Son Heung-min

7.00

James Maddison

6.98

Pedro Porro

6.95

Dominic Solanke

6.84

Dejan Kulusevski

6.83

via WhoScored

This apparently includes a new right-back, despite the emergence of previous outcast Djed Spence in a more regular first-team role and Pedro Porro’s place in the squad.

Spence became a fixture under Ange Postecoglou and finished 2024/2025 as one of Tottenham’s breakout stars of the campaign, and there is reason to believe that Frank will be keen to work with the Englishman given Brentford’s attempts to sign him in the past (Alasdair Gold).

While the north Londoners won’t need to adopt a ‘sell to buy’ policy this summer after their qualification for the Champions League (Michael Bridge), reports have suggested that Spence’s evolution could motivate Levy to offload Porro for a decent fee.

As well as this, Porro is attracting rumoured interest from former club Man City, so the Spaniard could well look to end his Spurs stint on a high after winning the Europa League.

If he does end up leaving Spurs, Frank will still need a replacement who can rotate with Spence, and Monaco defender Vanderson could be a very adept choice. A report from UOL earlier this week stated that Tottenham are ready to invest significantly on Vanderson’s signing, but Barcelona’s talks for the 23-year-old proved a major obstacle in their way.

Tottenham "best placed" to sign Vanderson from Monaco

However, as per an update from Spanish newspaper Sport, this is no longer the case.

Barca have decided to cool their interest in Vanderson, due to Eric Garcia’s excellent performances at right-back when Jules Koundé was out injured towards the back end of 2024/2025. This has opened the door for Spurs, who could now have a free run at signing the South American wing-back.

Tottenham are apparently “best placed” to sign Vanderson, and Monaco are convinced that Frank’s side will meet his £30 million asking price.

Despite his fairly young age, the defender boasts top-level European experience and his Ligue 1 performances over the last 12 months have earned him five starts for the Brazil national team.

He also put in an excellent display against Barca in the Champions League early last season, grabbing two assists for Monaco in a 2-1 win against Hansi Flick’s side.

“Every day he wants to be better than the last,” said his former manager, Philippe Clement.

“That can give him a lot of pressure, lots of stress with all of the ambition that he has. We need to manage that more for him. If I left him to it, he would train for 18 hours a day. He is like that. Sometimes we need physical and mental breaks and he is a young player that needs to manage that. He will do it, because he has such a positive frame of mind.”

It’s pretty easy to point out where Arsenal need to strengthen this summer: attack.

However, while the primary focus of the fans might be on who Mikel Arteta and Co could bring in up top, and understandably so, it’s arguably just as crucial that the club improve their wing options.

The North Londoners need a proven leftwinger who can come in and help alleviate the attacking burden placed upon Bukayo Saka off the right.

Fortunately, that seems to be the case, as reports have now linked Arsenal to an international who has been compared to the incredible Rodrygo and Lamine Yamal.

Arsenal's winger search

With Arsenal’s left-wing issues being impossible to ignore this season, the club have unsurprisingly been linked with a host of brilliant wide talents in recent weeks, such as Antoine Semenyo and the afformentioned Rodrygo.

Transfer Focus

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The former enjoyed a brilliant campaign with Bournemouth this year, racking up a tally of 13 goals and seven assists in 42 appearances, which helps to explain the hefty £70m price tag placed on his head.

Likewise, the Real Madrid star enjoyed a relatively good year in Spain, scoring 14 goals and providing ten assists in 51 games, although with a price tag of up to £85m, the club might want to look for cheaper alternatives, like Leroy Sane.

Yes, according to a recent report from Turkey, Arsenal have not only maintained their intense interest in the Bayern Munich star but are planning to “make a formal offer” for him today.

It could be a clever bit of business from the Gunners, as, thanks to his contract with FC Hollywood expiring this month, the German international would be available on a free.

It might not be the most exciting transfer of all time, but it’s one Arteta and Co should push to complete, as on top of his undeniable quality, the former Manchester City star has also won comparisons to Yamal and Rodrygo.

How Sane compares to Rodrygo & Yamal

Before we look at a couple of the reasons why Arsenal might want to, and should, sign Sane this summer, it’s essential to address these comparisons to Yamal and Rodrygo and where they have come from.

In both cases, they stem from FBref, which compares players in similar positions across Europe’s top five leagues and came to the conclusion that the Spaniard – who has been utterly superb this year – has been the eighth most similar attacking midfielder or winger to the German for the last 365 days.

Then, when looking at purely the Champions League from this season, FBref concluded that the Brazilian was the third most similar attacking midfielder or winger to the Bayern ace in this year’s competition.

Expected Assists

0.34

0.37

Key Passes

1.98

2.02

Live Passes

47.5

47.2

Switches

0.11

0.13

Tackles Won

0.82

0.88

Blocks

0.44

0.38

The best way to understand how these conclusions were reached is to take a closer look at the metrics in which the players are similar, and in the case of the Barcelona gem, that included things like expected assists, key and live passes and more, all per 90.

In Real Madrid star’s case, the metrics include things like non-penalty expected goals, aerial duels won, tackles, blocks, carries into the penalty area, and more, all per 90.

Non-Penalty Expected Goals

0.25

0.3

Expected Assists

0.14

0.16

Aerial Duels Won

0.56

0.52

Tackles

1.97

1.86

Blocks

1.27

1.24

Interceptions

0.42

0.41

Carries into the Penalty Area

2.25

2.27

Now, while being compared to two of the most exciting wingers on the planet should already be encouraging enough, there are a couple of other reasons the Gunners should be going out to sign the “incredible” Bayern ace, as dubbed by Pep Guardiola, as soon as possible.

The first is that even though his game time was somewhat restricted this season, he remained a potent threat, both in terms of scoring goals and creating them.

For example, in 45 appearances, totalling just 2376 minutes, the 29-year-old dynamo was able to score 13 goals and provide six assists, which comes out to an average of a goal involvement every 2.36 games, or more crucially, every 125.05 minutes.

Finally, on top of everything else, the Essen-born star is a proven winner, having picked up two Premier Leagues with City and then four in Germany, which is just the sort of player Arteta should be adding to his talented but sometimes a little naive squad.

Ultimately, given his ability, track record and the calibre of players he is still being compared to, signing Sane for nothing this summer feels like a total no-brainer for Arsenal.

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