Liverpool have opened the 2024/25 season in perfect fashion, sitting top of the Premier League with four wins from four.

Under Arne Slot, they’ve quickly shown resilience and attacking flair, but the journey has not been without its flaws.

Three times already this season – against Bournemouth, Newcastle, and Atlético Madrid – the Reds have let two-goal leads slip, only to be rescued by late winners. The most special of all perhaps being Rio Ngumoha’s strike at St James’ Park.

That ability to find decisive moments in the dying stages has become a hallmark.

The 93rd-minute strike against Atlético was Liverpool’s fourth goal scored in stoppage time across all competitions this season, underlining the winning mentality that carried them to their second Premier League crown last season.

While Dominik Szoboszlai has been central to the team’s fluid play, it is a different player who increasingly embodies the leadership once associated with the great Steven Gerrard.

Szoboszlai: A creative hub and tactical fix

Szoboszlai’s start to the season didn’t go smoothly.

Slot publicly criticised him for his role in Bournemouth’s opening goal during the 4-2 win at Anfield on the opening weekend.

Since then, however, the 24-year-old has responded with consistent excellence and versatility.

Last season, the Hungarian produced 12 goal involvements this campaign, a reminder of his value in the final third. His numbers reflect a midfielder who drives play forward relentlessly:

Progressive Carries per 90

2.60

Progressive Passes per 90

4.73

Shot-Creating Actions per 90

4.30

Pass Completion Rate

84.3%

Progressive Passing Distance per 90

131.4m

These metrics paint a picture of a player who not only initiates attacking moves but sustains them with precision passing and clever movement.

His decisive 30-yard free-kick against Arsenal was the standout moment of Liverpool’s season so far, sealing a 1-0 win that kept their perfect record intact.

What makes Szoboszlai even more valuable is his tactical adaptability.

Against Newcastle, with Liverpool stretched at St James’ Park, he filled in at right-back and barely put a foot wrong all evening. He did the same when Arsenal came to town a few weeks ago.

This flexibility makes him a manager’s dream – a midfielder capable of influencing games both with creativity and discipline.

It’s tempting to compare Szoboszlai to Gerrard, as many pundits have, but this season he is functioning as Liverpool’s alternative to Florian Wirtz.

While Wirtz has struggled to adapt since his high-profile Premier League arrival, Szoboszlai has thrived in high-pressure situations, reinforcing why Liverpool chose him as a centrepiece in midfield.

That said, the Hungary international isn’t quite as iconic as Gerrard just yet.

Liverpool's new Gerrard

If Szoboszlai is Liverpool’s creator, Virgil van Dijk is their leader.

At 34, the Dutchman remains a colossal presence at the back, but this season he has added moments of attacking inspiration too.

His stoppage-time winner against Atlético epitomised a player taking responsibility in decisive moments.

Football analyst Josh Williams has described Van Dijk as “outrageous” this season, adding that he “takes responsibility like Gerrard used to.”

It is rare for a centre-back to be compared with Liverpool’s most iconic midfielder, but the parallels are clear.

Just as Gerrard dragged teams through games with moments of inspiration, Van Dijk is now doing the same from defence.

Statistically, his influence remains elite and he showcased that against Atletico.

To illuminate his qualities, Van Dijk ranks in the 86th percentile among his fellow central defenders for pass completion (91.5%) over the last year, ensuring that Liverpool can build calmly from the back.

He is also in the 90th percentile for progressive passes (5.24 per 90), showing how often he breaks lines with distribution from deep.

Defensively, he dominates in the air, winning 3.02 aerial duels per 90, placing him again in the 86th percentile among centre-backs.

Statistical comparisons with Ronald Araújo and Gabriel Magalhães highlight his profile: a defender who combines physical dominance with elite ball progression.

But Van Dijk’s role extends beyond numbers. As club captain, with a contract running until 2027, he is the figure setting standards in this rejuvenating side.

Liverpool’s start has not been flawless. Throwing away leads three times already is a warning sign for a team with ambitions of another title.

Yet those setbacks have been countered by players willing to step up in decisive phases.

Szoboszlai has driven the creative rhythm with his passing and chance creation, while Van Dijk has shown the authority and timing to decide contests late on.

Together, they have shaped Liverpool’s early-season identity: a side capable of brilliance, but reliant on its big leaders to seize the big moments.

Not Salah or Van Dijk: Liverpool star is now "one of the best in the world"

Liverpool left it late once more to collect a Champions League victory at Anfield over Atletico Madrid.

ByKelan Sarson Sep 18, 2025

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.

After finally making his first Liverpool appearance against Atletico Madrid, Alexander Isak will have his sights set on the Merseyside derby against Everton and Arne Slot has already dropped a hint about his potential role.

Isak makes Liverpool debut

It was never going to be a game that saw Isak steal the show in the same way that he so often did for Newcastle United. He’s not quite there yet, as he works his way back to sharpness. But the Swede certainly showed plenty of glimpses.

What particularly stood out is how Florian Wirtz also burst into life for the first time in Liverpool colours when combining with his fellow summer arrival. That partnership, if it continues to click, will be one to watch.

Although it’s difficult to criticise a side that have won four from four in the Premier League, Liverpool looked far more balanced against Atletico Madrid before complacency forced them into winning late on once again.

Isak, Mohamed Salah, Wirtz and Cody Gakpo formed a formidable frontline, whilst Dominik Szoboszlai and Ryan Gravenberch proved that they’ll be a tough midfield partnership to break up for the rest of Slot’s options in that department.

Jeremie Frimpong’s influence should also be noted. The addition of a natural, overlapping full-back – which Szoboszlai did not provide – allowed Salah the space that he has been craving to cut inside and return to his most influential form.

Not Salah or Van Dijk: Liverpool star is now "one of the best in the world"

Liverpool left it late once more to collect a Champions League victory at Anfield over Atletico Madrid.

By
Kelan Sarson

Sep 18, 2025

Finally complete now that Isak is up and running, the depth of quality that this current Liverpool side have at their disposal should be frightening for any Premier League rival. But after making his debut against Atletico Madrid, will Isak start against Everton in the Merseyside derby this weekend?

Liverpool vs Everton: Slot drops early Isak hint

Speaking about the Swede’s potential role against Everton, Slot told reporters that, whilst Isak surprised him, fans shouldn’t get their hopes too high for another start in a matter of days. Instead, Anfield may be forced to welcome their new star striker from the bench on Saturday afternoon.

Of course, such is the depth of talent in Liverpool’s squad, it will likely be Hugo Ekitike who starts against Everton. The Frenchman has scored two Premier League goals in four games and has looked more than capable of pushing Isak all the way for a starting place this season.

Matt Jansen, during an exclusive interview with GOAL, has explained why Ryan Reynolds and Rob Mac would continue to make ‘Welcome to Wrexham’ in the Premier League. Said documentary has opened up a window to the world for the Red Dragons, with a record-breaking run of three successive promotions being caught on camera. Just one more step up the ladder is required in order to reach the big time.

• Hollywood co-owners overseeing a remarkable journey

  Hollywood co-owners decided to document their exploits in North Wales from the moment that a stunning takeover was completed in 2021. It was clear from the start that Wrexham would be doing things slightly differently with A-list chairmen at the helm. A remarkable adventure has been enjoyed since then.

  Wrexham have become the first club to bounce up three divisions in the EFL back-to-back-to-back, with that meteoric rise lifting them out of the National League and into the Championship. Big money has been invested along the way, on and off the pitch, with a new legion of loyal followers being swept up in the journey.

  Interest in an award-winning documentary has been easy to maintain as success has come quicker than many anticipated. Drama aplenty has been delivered, with Reynolds and Mac figuring prominently. Questions have, however, been asked of whether the show could survive a few years of consolidation in the second tier, or even the threat of relegation.

Advertisement

• Getty/FX
  

  Welcome to Wrexham in the Premier League: Why it would happen

  Former Red Dragons striker Jansen, speaking in association with , told GOAL when quizzed about interest being retained if mid-table obscurity became the norm: “I think it can be, yeah. The directors and producers can make great stories – there could be a sacking of the manager, a player that gets injured or a big name player that comes in and is a flop or he’s brilliant and is going to push for promotion. They can still make it interesting.”

  Wrexham would also need to make a big call on what happens next if they were to reach the Premier League, with privacy more of an issue when dealing with elite performers. Jansen, who graced the top-flight with Crystal Palace, Blackburn and Bolton, added: “They would have to carry it on because that is the ultimate goal, getting to the Premier League. They have done slightly less intrusive ones – Sunderland Til I Die, the Tottenham one, the Arsenal one. I think players like to be a little more private but they would have to carry the documentary on in the Premier League. If you want to keep private, you wouldn’t sign for Wrexham!”

• Why consolidation for Wrexham is no bad thing

  The obvious question is: Will Wrexham reach the Premier League? Pressed on whether inability to hit that target inside the next five years would be considered failure, Jansen said: “Every step up is big, but from League One to the Championship is huge and then again to the Premier League is even bigger. Every step up is huge. If you told any supporter when the duo came in and bought the club that they would be in the Championship in three or four years and be competing in there for another four or five years, they would have snapped your hand off.

  “It is an incredibly difficult league, a lot of strong teams. Every season, three Premier League teams come down and they are expected to go straight back up again. I don’t think it would be a failure just to compete in the Championship and try and get into the play-offs and knock on the door of the Premier League. It wouldn’t be a failure not getting to the Premier League in four or five years.”

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• Getty/GOAL
  

  Battle with Brady: Race on to reach the Premier League

  Jansen went on to say of famous investors and why they are good for the British game as a whole, with Reynolds and Mac having set a serious trend: “I think it is good for the game. It brings a wider audience. As long as it doesn’t take the focus off the football and the football stays at a high quality, it’s just making the game more widespread. I think it’s good. It makes it really interesting. I think everybody secretly has a look for Wrexham’s results because of it, and Birmingham’s as well. It’s interesting and really good for the game.”

  Birmingham have NFL legend Tom Brady on their board, with the seven-time Super Bowl winner often indulging in playful banter with Reynolds and Mac. The Blues, like Wrexham, have their sights set on reaching the Premier League as soon as possible – with transfer records being smashed on a regular basis while chasing that dream.

كشف محمد الشاذلي المتحدث الرسمي لـ وزارة الشباب والرياضة، عن اتخاذ الوزارة قرارًا جديدًا بشأن استعدادات منتخب مصر الثاني المشارك في بطولة كأس العرب بقيادة الكابتن حلمي طولان.

ويشارك منتخب مصر، في بطولة كأس العرب خلال الفترة من 1 حتى 18 ديسمبر المقبل بقطر، ويتواجد في المجموعة الثالثة، بجانب الأردن والإمارات والفائز من (الكويت ضد موريتانيا).

وكان حلمي طولان، قد خرج في تصريحات مساء الإثنين، اشتكى فيها من عدم الاهتمام باستعدادات المنتخب لبطولة كأس العرب، قائلًا :”منتخب مصر يواجه أزمة كبيرة في ملاعب التدريب، فالملاعب الفرعية في استاد القاهرة مؤجرة لرجال أعمال يملكون أندية في الدوري، وعندما أذهب للتدريب يُطلب مني دفع مقابل مالي، رغم أننا نمثل مصر في البطولة”.

طالع | حلمي طولان يهاجم رابطة الأندية: لن أقبل الإهانة.. ومنتخب مصر يُعامل بدون احترام

ونقل إبراهيم فايق تصريحات خاصة لمتحدث وزارة الشباب والرياضية لبرنامج “الكورة مع فايق” على قناة “إم بي سي مصر 2″، قال فيها: “وزير الشباب والرياضة أشرف صبحي أعطى توجيها للإدارة التنفيذية باستاد القاهرة بتوفير ملعب للمنتخب مصر بقيادة حلمي طولان”.

وأضاف: “ووجه وزير الشباب والرياضة أيضًا بتوفير كل الإمكانيات اللازمة لدعم منتخب مصر لخوض منافسات كأس العرب”.

يذكر، أن منتخب مصر الثاني، سيلعب مباراتين وديتين في معسكر شهر نوفمبر المقبل، ضد منتخب الجزائر استعدادًا لخوض منافسات كأس العرب بقطر.

A Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) side led by Jitesh Sharma asked Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) to bat first on a fresh Lucknow track. Jitesh said they wanted to use the early moisture in the surface. Phil Salt was fit and named in the XI, while regular captain Rajat Paitdar was only fit to bat but not to field so he was named in the substitutes list.SRH welcomed back Travis Head, who missed their last match because of illness, Abhinav Manohar and Jaydev Unadkat. Mohammed Shami, who had also missed the last match, was named in the substitute list so he could come in when SRH bowl.This was an important match for RCB, who had already qualified for the playoffs, but were in contention for a top-two finish, which can give them cushion in the playoffs. RCB were second on the table with 17 points, but had a game in hand over Gujarat Titans (GT), who had 18 points. The third team in the race for a top-two finish was Punjab Kings (PBKS), tied with RCB on 17 points from 12 matches.Sunrisers Hyderabad 1 Travis Head, 2 Abhishek Sharma, 3 Ishan Kishan (wk), 4 Nitish Reddy, 5 Heinrich Klaasen, 6 Aniket Verma, 7 Abhinav Manohar, 8 Pat Cummins (capt.), 9 Harshal Patel, 10 Eshan Malinga, 11 Jaydev Unadkat
Impact sub options: Mohammed Shami, Harsh Dubey, Sachin Baby, Zeeshan Ansari, Simarjeet SinghRoyal Challengers Bengaluru 1 Phil Salt, 2 Virat Kohli, 3 Mayank Agarwal, 4 Jitesh Sharma (capt. & wk), 5 Romario Shepherd, 6 Tim David, 7 Krunal Pandya, 8 Bhuvneshwar Kumar, 9 Yash Dayal, 10 Lungi Ngidi, 11 Suyash Sharma
Impact sub options: Rajat Patidar, Rasikh Salam, Manoj Bhandage, Jacob Bethell, Swapnil Singh

Former Rangers manager Ally McCoist feels the club’s new owners, staff and Russell Martin “underestimated” the size of the task at Ibrox before the head coach was sacked.

Martin lasted just four months in charge and paid the price for a poor start after Sunday’s 1-1 William Hill Premiership draw with Falkirk.

Rangers only won five out of 17 games under Martin with their sole league victory coming courtesy of a stoppage-time winner at Livingston. A Champions League exit was followed by defeats in their opening two Europa League games against Genk and Sturm Graz.

Martin was appointed soon after an American consortium secured a majority stake in Rangers but the new-look board now face another major decision.

McCoist: 49ers and old Gers staff made fatal error

McCoist said on TalkSPORT: “We’re sitting eighth in the table and we have a negative goal difference so there’s no surprise at all.

“I think probably the new owners and certainly the old management staff probably underestimated the size of the job.

“There’s a lot of people maybe just look a little bit at Scottish football and say ‘Celtic and Rangers will win their games and that’s it finished because that’s what they do’. But football is a lot more difficult than that.

“I just think that aligned to really poor, really poor business in the transfer market in terms of recruitment.

“It’s easy to blame the manager and that’s where the buck stops, we all know that’s what happens, but the players have got to take some of the responsibility as well. Some of the defending…

“The goals Rangers lost in midweek (against Sturm Graz) were incredible.

Kris Boyd slams "embarrassing" thing Martin had Rangers do in Sturm Graz defeat

It was another night to forget.

ByTom Cunningham Oct 3, 2025

“Rangers look like wee boys. Falkirk out-ran Rangers, they out-fought Rangers and that can happen occasionally but it’s been happening on a regular basis. It’s not good enough.

“The away games. They’ve been to St Mirren, Motherwell, Falkirk, Livingston. It’s not as if they have been to Celtic, Hearts, Hibs, Aberdeen. These are games you are expected to win.”

Boyd: Thelwell's transfer business not good enough

Another former Rangers striker, Kris Boyd, expanded on McCoist’s main point and believes questions will be asked of the likes of sporting director Kevin Thelwell.

“Scotland’s a difficult place to play football,” Boyd told Sky Sports News.

“There’s a lot of people, especially down south, that think it’s easy, it’s not that good. And sometimes the football isn’t that good, you can’t get away from that.

“But it’s a difficult place to play because both clubs in this city demand that you win. Both can’t win at the same time and when you’re not winning, you come under huge scrutiny.

“And that’s where Rangers are at right now because not only Russell Martin hasn’t delivered. There’s a lot of people within the football club failing to deliver in their duty right now as well, and the focus will turn on them.”

Boyd added: “There’s fingerprints from other people over some of the signings that have arrived at Rangers.

“When you think of (Youssef) Chermiti, for £9million, you’ve got to be looking for more. You’ve got to be looking for somebody that’s going to come in and start and have an impact. You’re more or less looking for the finished article, not a project.

“Rangers recruitment, they’ve tried to hit the jackpot with every single signing, bringing them in, giving them an opportunity to try and move them on for bigger money.

“You need to have a core at this football club that allows you to build from within, and that has been lost.”

MatériaMais Notícias

O Palmeiras enfrenta o Deportivo Pereira nesta quarta-feira pelas quartas de final da Libertadores 2023 e o jogo será muito especial para o volante Richard Rios.

continua após a publicidadeRelacionadasPalmeirasLeon Dario Muñoz, a lenda colombiana do Palmeiras que jogou no Deportivo PereiraPalmeiras23/08/2023PalmeirasPalmeiras volta para Pereira após 29 anos e defende bom retrospecto na ColômbiaPalmeiras23/08/2023PalmeirasNa Colômbia, Palmeiras treina completo e fecha preparação para encarar o Deportivo Pereira; veja provável timePalmeiras22/08/2023

+ Veja tabela da Libertadores-2023 clicando aqui

Visitando o seu país natal pela primeira vez como jogador profissional, o camisa 27 comentou da alegria de enfrentar um time colombiano pelo Verdão.

– Feliz de estar de volta ao meu país. Será a minha primeira partida aqui como jogador profissional. Feliz porque a minha família poderá assistir e hoje teve esse carinho das crianças, que é sempre muito bom receber. Desde que fiquei sabendo da possibilidade de classificação do Pereira, torci para encontrá-los. Estou feliz por estar aqui – afirmou o meia que veio do Guarani.

continua após a publicidade

Apesar do amplo favoritismo e do abismo que separa os dois elencos, Richard Rios pregou muito respeito ao Deportivo Pereira e pediu atenção ao Palmeiras.

– O Pereira vem fazendo sua história, sua trajetória, e a gente vai respeitar como respeitamos todos os times. A gente veio aqui para fazer o nosso trabalho e levar um bom resultado para o Allianz Parque – finalizou o volante de 23 anos.

continua após a publicidade

+ Deportivo Pereira x Palmeiras: onde assistir, desfalques e prováveis escalações do jogo pela Libertadores

Atleta com a maior sequência de partidas nesta temporada: com 16 jogos consecutivos, Richard Rios vai completar o seu jogo de número 34 com a camisa do Palmeiras e tem apenas três gols nessa primeira temporada no Maior Campeão do Brasil.

Deportivo Pereira e Palmeiras se enfrentam nesta quarta-feira (23), a partir das 21h30 (horário de Brasília), e o jogo terá transmissão da Rede Globo e dos Canais ESPN.

Sachin Tendulkar and James Anderson will have their names etched on prestigious silverware as ECB and BCCI have decided to name the Test series between England and India the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy.ESPNcricinfo has learned that both Tendulkar and Anderson will unveil the trophy at Lord’s during the World Test Championship (WTC) final which gets underway from June 11.England and India will kick off the new WTC cycle by playing a five-Test series starting at Headingley (Leeds) from June 20.Related

• Tour blog – Mhatre, Malhotra shine as second Youth Test ends in draw

• Bumrah confident India can take down 'ultra-aggressive' England

• Overton recalled to England Test squad for India series

• Gambhir: Haven't taken a call on which three Tests Bumrah is going to play

While Anderson, who featured in 188 Tests, retired last July, Tendulkar quit in 2013 having played 200 Tests. Until now the series played in England was called Pataudi Trophy, after former India captains Iftikhar Ali Khan Pataudi and Mansur Ali Khan Pataudi (his son) while the equivalent in India was called Anthony de Mello Trophy, named after one of the founding figures of BCCI who was also the board’s inaugural secretary and president between 1946-47 to 1950-51.The trend follows the naming of the Crowe-Thorpe trophy in November 2024, which goes to the winner of Test series between England and New Zealand. Similarly, India and Australia compete for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Tests.

Tottenham could sign a highly-rated player in the winter window, knowing that he was once keen on a move to N17.

The recent board restructure, which resulted in ex-chair Daniel Levy resigning and CEO Vinai Vinkatesham taking a more prominent role alongside members of the Lewis family, has prompted some optimism over their future recruitment plans.

Sky Sports reporter Kaveh Solhekol recently mooted the possibility of further squad investment from ENIC, who may now be willing to spend more on both wages and transfers overall to hand Thomas Frank the best chance of on-pitch success.

The Lilywhites are already one of world football’s highest revenue-generating clubs, according to the Deloitte Money League, and Levy’s success in turning the club into a financial powerhouse cannot be understated.

However, Levy’s reputation for underspending compared to rivals was a key complaint of his tenure, and arguably contributed towards Tottenham’s lack of silverware during the 24 years he was chairman.

Now, Spurs insist a “new era” has begun with the swathe of recent boardroom changes, and it will be very intriguing to see how the north Londoners tackle their first transfer market post-Levy.

Frank has overseen an excellent start to 2025/2026, and worked wonders to tempt Xavi Simons with a move to Tottenham, according to super agent Ali Barat.

Reports over the summer claimed that Frank was also really pushing to sign Man City forward Savinho, and the Dane apparently believed that he could do ‘big things’ in north London, as per the reliable Fabrizio Romano.

Pep Guardiola was publicly clear that he wanted to keep the Brazil international and a potential Spurs move ultimately fell through, with City rejecting two bids, including an offer just under £61 million (Fabrizio Romano).

Savinho transfer to Tottenham alive for January after previous Levy plan

As per journalist Dean Jones, speaking to TEAMtalk, Levy was prepared to pay up to £65m for Savinho in the summer, and Tottenham know the winger wanted to join them before deadline day on September 1.

Spurs are still keeping an eye on Savinho, and it is believed they could move in January if Frank’s side get enough encouragement.

Savinho has played just 37 minutes in all competitions so far.

This is partly down to injury, but if the ex-Girona star continues to be on the fringes of Guardiola’s plans, a January move could well tempt him.

Savinho faces a battle to get into the starting eleven on a regular basis amid Jeremy Doku’s sensational start to the season, and with the 2026 World Cup looming, the 21-year-old may fancy a move elsewhere as Frank’s side maintain a serious interest.

His best-ever campaign yielded 11 goals and 10 assists in 41 appearances for title-chasing Girona in 23/24, and Guardiola has called Savinho an “exceptional” player.