Manchester United will hope to strategise for the long-term under INEOS and could now be set to up their pursuit of a talented teenager who may arrive at Old Trafford.
Manchester United's long-held relationship with developing talent
Whether it be integrating graduates from Carrington or buying young talent before developing them into first-team stars, the Red Devils have a long history of promoting prodigious assets and it is something that has characterized the backbone of the club.
Since 1937, Manchester United’s proud record of having an academy player present in every matchday squad has never faded, though it has been at risk one too many times under Ruben Amorim.
Either way, the Red Devils have made a concerted effort to recruit youngsters of late, with Sekou Kone and Diego Leon examples of investments for the future.
JJ Gabriel and Chido Obi Martin are also highly promising Red Devils’ talents, while Ayden Heaven’s emergence since joining from Arsenal has saw the defender make several first-team appearances.
Ultimately, the aim is to build a pipeline of future senior stars under INEOS, easing pressure on the club to buy players and, in turn, reducing the impact that PSR regulations will have on their ability to spend.
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Years under the Glazers resulted in mounting debt, but there is now a feeling that sustainability is achievable with the correct measures put in place in Manchester, albeit this process will take time and patience.
Expectation to claim results at Old Trafford will always be paramount. However, seeing a plan in place will afford the club more patience as they aim to get back among the Premier League elite.
With that in mind, Manchester United have a new talent on their mind who has plenty of promise and could come in to strengthen the ranks at youth level.
Man Utd eyeing move for Coventry City youngster George Shephard
According to The Daily Mail, Manchester United are eyeing a move for Coventry City youngster George Shephard, who is already loved by Frank Lampard as he was on the bench for the Championship outfit in their victory over Blackburn Rovers on Saturday.
This follows an impressive string of performances for their Under-21 side, offering recognition for displays as he remains someone who could be fast-tracked into the senior set-up on a more regular basis.
Predominantly used on the right flank or as an attacking midfielder, Shephard is yet to sign professional forms at Coventry and his situation has alerted a number of clubs, including Manchester United.
Now, it remains to be seen whether the prospect of developing at Carrington would appeal to him as he looks to make a mark in senior football. Most young players would jump at the chance, so it will be intriguing to see if he makes the jump.
Tottenham Hotspur have come on leaps and bounds over the last couple of years, as seen by some of the achievements on the field under various managers.
Ange Postecoglou may have been handed his marching orders over the summer window, but he managed to achieve something which various managers have failed to do in North London.
The Aussie claimed the Europa League title with a victory over fellow Premier League side Manchester United in Bilbao, subsequently ending the 17-year trophy drought.
However, it wasn’t enough to keep his job, with the 60-year-old replaced by Thomas Frank, with the Dane tasked with the responsibility of taking the Lilywhites to the next level.
Their ability to win the Europa League has allowed the club to feature in the Champions League, whilst also recruiting some top-level talent in the process.
How Spurs struck gold in Daniel Levy's final window
During the recent summer window, Frank made a beeline to improve his forward line, subsequently making a move to land Mohammed Kudus from rivals West Ham United.
The Ghanaian cost a reported £55m during the off-season, but he’s already shown glimpses of being a shrewd addition for the Lilywhites in 2025/26 and beyond.
He’s registered five assists in his first ten outings in North London, as per Transfermarkt, with the forward also getting off the mark during the recent 2-1 win over Leeds United, lashing home from just outside the box.
Kudus wasn’t the only big-money addition during the off-season, with the hierarchy also forking out £52m for the signature of attacking midfielder Xavi Simons from RB Leipzig.
A new number ten was on the agenda all summer long, subsequently landing the Dutchman after missing out on the likes of Eberechi Eze and Morgan Gibbs-White prior to his arrival.
The 22-year-old has so far made seven outings across all competitions, but unlike Kudus, he’s failed to find the net and has also only registered one assist in the process.
Despite the aforementioned additions, one other player in the first-team is rapidly becoming a better signing than the pair after establishing himself in Frank’s plans.
The Spurs star who’s becoming a better signing than Kudus & Simons
Over the last couple of years, Spurs haven’t been afraid to splash the cash to help them achieve their goals on the pitch, with the hierarchy spending well over £400m in the last three years.
Numerous areas of the pitch have been subject to investment, as seen by the additions within the final third, but the defensive unit has also been bolstered in recent years.
The partnership of Micky van de Ven and Cristian Romero at the heart of the backline has already contributed to Frank’s side keeping five clean sheets in 2025/26 to date.
However, the middle of the park is arguably one of the most important, with Lucas Bergvall already making huge strides after the Dane took the reins during the off-season.
The Swede was an unknown quantity to many a little over 12 months ago, when the hierarchy forked out a fee in the region of £8.5m for his services from Djurgarden.
Yet, swiftly said to possess “a first touch like Modric” by the Athletic’s JJ Bull, at the age of just 18 when he moved to England, the midfielder made an immediate impact during his debut campaign – racking up 45 appearances across all competitions.
Whilst he’s primarily a deep-lying option, he managed to net his first goal for the club in the Carabao Cup semi-final over Liverpool – but it was unable to catapult the side to the final.
The 2025/26 campaign has seen the youngster go from strength to strength, already featuring in ten outings under Frank and leading to Squawka describing him as “incredible”.
Bergvall has already added to his goalscoring tally, netting his first English top-flight effort in the recent 3-0 triumph over West Ham at the London Stadium.
Lucas Bergvall – PL stats (2025/26)
Statistics (per 90)
Tally
Games played
6
Goals & assists
2
Pass accuracy
84%
Dribble success
70%
Tackles won
2.2
Duels won
5.2
Recoveries made
3.9
Shots taken
1.5
Stats via FotMob
His underlying stats this season are just as impressive, making 2.2 tackles per 90 and winning 5.2 duels per 90 – subsequently showcasing his excellent ability to regain possession for the side, before transferring the ball into attacking areas for the likes of Kudus and Simons.
The Swede has also achieved an 84% pass completion rate, whilst also completing 70% of the dribbles he’s attempted – arguably being the perfect box-to-box option at the heart of the team.
At just 19, it’s scary to think about how impressive Bergvall can become in the years ahead, especially if he continues on the trajectory he’s put himself on in recent months.
There’s no disputing that Kudus and Simons will be excellent additions in the near future, but the move for Bergvall was a bargain and one that could go down as one of the best in their history if he reaches his full potential.
It's not Kudus: Spurs talent could now steal the #10 shirt from Maddison
Tottenham Hotspur have a star who looks set for a huge future at the club in the years ahead.
Despite spending more than £400m in the summer transfer window, Liverpool are now reportedly preparing an aggressive approach to sign another impressive player ahead of Barcelona.
Wirtz knows what he's "capable of" after slow start
For all of Liverpool’s spending, it’s been the old guard maintaining their 100% record at times. Whilst Hugo Ekitike has found his feet right away, Florian Wirtz hasn’t registered a goal involvement since the Community Shield, Milos Kerkez has had weaknesses exposed and Alexander Isak is still getting back to full sharpness.
Out of all those players, Wirtz has arguably received the most criticism. The German become the Premier League’s most expensive player for a brief moment before Isak made his move, but has so far failed to match the physicality of English football.
Glimpses of quality began to emerge against Atletico Madrid in the Champions League, but it wasn’t enough to keep his place as Arne Slot dropped his new signing for Alexis Mac Allister in the Merseyside derby. Wirtz, however, is far from worried – telling Sky Germany that he knows what he’s “capable of”.
In the meantime, Liverpool sit five points clear at the top of the Premier League with the only 100% record. If there’s any environment that will gift Wirtz the patience that he needs, it is Anfield and Arne Slot’s side who have remained perfect without his heavy influence.
Even after that slow start, Liverpool are not deterred. In fact, reports are now suggesting that they’re ready to spend big once again on a player who could even combine with Wirtz.
Liverpool planning aggressive Alvarez approach
According to reports in Spain, Liverpool are now planning an aggressive approach to sign Julian Alvarez and are the best placed side to lure the Atletico Madrid star back to the Premier League ahead of Barcelona.
If Liverpool’s frontline looks dangerous now, then it will look an even greater threat with a player of Alvarez’s quality added. The Argentina international is already a Premier League winner from during his time at Manchester City and has since become Atletico’s leading star.
Appearances
57
Goals
29
Assists
8
With 37 goal involvements in his debut campaign for Atletico, Alvarez proved to be worth every penny of his £81m transfer fee and could soon find himself on the move once again.
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Diego Simeone will, of course, be desperate to keep hold of his star man. The iconic manager was full of praise for the Liverpool target last season, telling reporters: “Julián is having a great season, we went looking for that player, we need that player, especially at times during the match against Sevilla and today [when] he took on the offensive role. We need those characteristics.”
The mood around Chelsea is undeniably electric at the moment.
Enzo Maresca’s side more than made up for their opening-day stumble at home with an emphatic win away to West Ham United on Friday, and look ready for what should be a massive season in the Premier League and beyond.
The club have more than backed the manager over the last few months, and with the window open for another week, looks set to make at least a couple more additions to his squad.
In fact, if reports are to be believed, Chelsea may be closing in on an international ace who’d be their own version of Eberechi Eze.
Chelsea target their own Eberechi Eze
They haven’t been the biggest spenders in the league this summer, but Chelsea have undoubtedly made the most out of the window so far.
Transfer Focus
Mega money deals, controversial moves and big-name flops. This is the home of transfer news and opinion across Football FanCast.
In attack, the Conference League champions have added the likes of Jamie Gittens, Liam Delap and Joao Pedro, while the defence has been reinforced by the tremendously exciting Jorrel Hato.
Yet, even with all the business the West Londoners have done over the last few months, they now look set to complete another signing, someone who could be their own Eze.
At least that is according to a recent report from transfers expert Fabrizio Romano, who has reaffirmed Chelsea’s interest in Alejandro Garnacho.
More than that, the Italian journalist has revealed that the deal is now “expected” to happen before the window slams shut.
Romano does not mention how much the Manchester United ace might cost, but according to stories from earlier this month, the Blues could try to secure his services for around £25m.
Even if the final fee ends up being higher, Garnacho is worth signing for Chelsea, especially as he could be their own Eze.
Why Garnacho could be Chelsea's Eze
So the first thing to clear up is that no, we are not claiming Garnacho is currently on the same level as Eze.
Manchester United's AlejandroGarnachoduring training
That would be patently untrue and quite unfair to the United ace, as he’s still just 21 years old.
However, there are several similarities between the two, including their transfers.
For example, if the Argentine international does end up joining Maresca’s blue revolution this summer, then he’d be following the Englishman in joining not just a ‘big six’ side, but one based in London that will be looking to challenge for the Premier League this season.
Away from the deal, another key characteristic the Madrid-born ace shares with the former Crystal Palace star is his ability to play in attacking midfield or out on the left wing.
More than that, he’s also as much of a goal threat as he is a creator.
For example, the “superstar” in the making, as dubbed by journalist Liam Canning, was able to score 11 goals and provide ten assists in 58 appearances, totalling 3568 minutes.
Garnacho in 24/25
Appearances
58
Minutes
3568′
Goals
11
Assists
10
Goal Involvements per Match
0.36
Minutes per Goal Involvements
169.90′
All Stats via Transfermarkt
That means he was able to average a goal involvement every 2.76 games, or 169.90 minutes, which is made all the more impressive considering he was playing in a historically terrible United side.
Finally, just as Eze has the ability to pull off the magnificent, so can Garnacho, with his Puskas winning goal against Everton a couple of years ago, the perfect example of this.
Ultimately, it may take some time for the United ace to reach the levels of the new Arsenal star, but the similarities between them are undeniable.
Therefore, Chelsea should do what they can to secure his services as soon as possible.
He's their next Palmer: Chelsea ace has held talks over leaving the Bridge
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Nathan Smith came in for Henry, the highest wicket-taker in the tournament so far
ESPNcricinfo staff09-Mar-20251:27
Southee: Henry not playing the final a ‘massive loss’ for New Zealand
Matt Henry was ruled out of the Champions Trophy final against India because of the shoulder injury he picked up in the semi-final, against South Africa, on March 5 in Lahore. Nathan Smith was brought in as Henry’s replacement in the New Zealand XI.Doubts about Henry’s availability for the final emerged on Friday when Gary Stead, the New Zealand coach, said, “We’ve had some scans and stuff done on him, and we’re going to give him every chance to be playing in this match. [But it’s] still a little bit unknown at this stage.”Henry bowled and fielded in the New Zealand training sessions on match eve, raising his team’s hopes. But, on the morning on the match, when Henry was out on the ground with the rest of the team, he turned his arm over just a few times, grimacing each time, and walked out.Related
New ball or old, Henry will make things happen
Henry, the highest wicket-taker in the Champions Trophy leading up to the final with ten strikes, had hurt his shoulder while taking the catch to dismiss Heinrich Klaasen. He left the field but returned to bowl two overs late in the match. He was also seen diving in the field after he came back.Mitchell Santner, the New Zealand captain, had been optimistic about Henry’s availability soon after the match against South Africa, and Stead had also sounded a positive note, saying, “I guess the positive thing from our perspective is he got back out there to bowl.”Henry had been crucial to New Zealand’s run to the final. In the only match they lost in the first round, against India – also their opponents in the final – Henry returned a five-for. That match was also played in Dubai, like the final.New Zealand opted to field allrounder Smith in Henry’s place even though they had the option of a fast bowler in Jacob Duffy. Smith played one game in the Champions Trophy, the tournament opener in Karachi against Pakistan, where he didn’t get a chance to bat and picked up one wicket in two overs with the ball as New Zealand won by 60 runs.
“We’ve been able to keep ourselves in Test matches on the back of our bowling,” Coley says ahead of Test series in Pakistan
ESPNcricinfo staff08-Jan-2025
The fast bowlers have usually kept West Indies in the contest, with the batters not able to back them up•CWI
“It’s a new series, a new opportunity,” West Indies Test coach Andre Coley said ahead of the two-match series in Pakistan.The last series between the two sides, in Kingston in 2021, was drawn 1-1, but West Indies have not won a Test in Pakistan since November 1990. It’s also true that there haven’t been too many of these – only seven since that game – but the best West Indies have done since that 1990 series is a draw, in Multan in November 2006.As such, the series is part of the World Test Championship cycle, but doesn’t mean much for either team in terms of context: South Africa and Australia have qualified for the final, while Pakistan and West Indies bring up the rear, eighth and ninth respectively on the nine-team table. It’s also a chance for Coley to sign off on a positive note before Daren Sammy takes over.Related
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“Once you play a series or a match there’s an opportunity in itself,” Coley said at a press interaction on Tuesday. “It’s not about us creating history, it’s about using the learnings from 2024 and that consistency that was inserted for the last 12 months, being more set around the brand of cricket we want to play.”Different people in the squad who would have missed out on opportunities before can use this as an opportunity to do better and do it in conditions that could be different in some instances.”When you talk about Test cricket, it’s not only the opposition’s skill that provides tests, but the different conditions, different environments, and different game situations provide those tests. And that’s why you want to play at this level and in this format, to test yourself over four-five days. The game could change so rapidly.”The magical eight-run win, scripted by Shamar Joseph, against Australia in Brisbane in January was by far West Indies’ best result in Test cricket last year, but it was one of only two wins for them in the entire WTC cycle so far. And Coley pointed to the inconsistencies of the batters for the team not being able to build on the work by the bowlers.”Obviously, Jayden [Seales] back to full fitness, Shamar Joseph making his debut in 2024, Alzarri Joseph… Kemar Roach has been a standout in terms of his leadership, on and off the field, with his skill and mentorship. [Gudakesh] Motie and [Jomel] Warrican have been consistent when given an opportunity,” Coley said, counting off his main bowlers, of whom the two Josephs are not in Pakistan. Anderson Phillip is, and Kevin Sinclair is the third spinner.”We’ve seen a couple of innings where our batters have… Kavem Hodge scoring his first hundred, Alick Athanaze missing out on at least three; there have been instances where we have had significant partnerships from a batting perspective. But they haven’t really been very consistent and put ourselves in match-winning totals.”The standout has been that we’ve been able to keep ourselves in Test matches on the back of our bowling, and what the young bowlers have done. It’s time, going forward in 2025, that the batsmen now, having been given certain opportunities to test their skills, to learn and translate those into performances.”The first Test will be played in Karachi, from January 16, and the second in Multan, from January 24, with West Indies playing a three-day tour game in Islamabad from January 10 to get used to the conditions.
Hosts build on 204-run first-innings lead through fifties from Young and Williamson
Alan Gardner14-Dec-2024
Will O’Rourke dismissed Harry Brook first ball as New Zealand took control•Getty Images
Seddon Park may not be one of the more intimidating arenas in world cricket – even more so when there is a stuffed camel wearing a skipper’s cap stood at one end. But it has been a stronghold for New Zealand’s Test side and they won all the major skirmishes on day two against England, as they looked to bring an end to a run of four consecutive home defeats.It began with a ticklish last-wicket stand between Mitchell Santner and Will O’Rourke, which kept England in the field through the first hour of the day while they attempted to wrap up the innings. Come the close, Kane Williamson was walking off unbeaten having notched his 12th 50-plus score in Hamilton, as the hosts made solid progress in pushing on towards an impregnable position.In between, Santner and O’Rourke combined once again to rip the guts out of the England innings – that after Matt Henry had dispatched the head. O’Rourke produced a searing spell of unsettling bounce, sharp movement and 145kph/90mph pace, eliminating Nos. 3, 4 and 5 on the England card – including the top two batters in the world, according to the ICC’s rankings – in the space of eight deliveries. Santner broke the recovery stand between Ollie Pope and Ben Stokes in his first over, before Henry returned to dock the tail as England completed a grisly collapse of 8 for 66.The only member of New Zealand’s four-man attack who did not find himself in the wickets was Tim Southee, the “Sexy Camel” whose impending retirement explains the dromedary mascot. He will likely get another chance to go out on a high note, although his side’s unexpected dominance did imperil the chances of Southee reaching another landmark. With 100 Test sixes in his sights, surely someone in the New Zealand think tank will ensure he goes in to bat at some point on Monday.As England’s hopes of a 3-0 series sweep dwindled during the evening session, Young and Williamson adding 89 for the second wicket after Tom Latham had been induced into chopping on by Gus Atkinson, it appeared as if the Bazball reboot had hit another bump in the road. While they had fought their way out of difficult first-innings positions in Christchurch and Wellington to take an unassailable 2-0 lead, here they fell in a heap to concede a 204-run deficit.This time there was no blazing Harry Brook knock to bail them out. Perhaps he had used up all his luck when scoring match-turning hundreds in each of the first two Tests – but when he departed first ball in the 16th over, New Zealand surely felt the game swing decisively their way.O’Rourke was the catalyst. The 6ft 4in quick had bowled impressively without significant rewards in the series but, on the ground where he claimed a nine-wicket haul on debut earlier this year, produced a brilliant spell after lunch that left England 82 for 5 and reeling.He initially worked Jacob Bethell over with a back-of-a-length attack; when the ball was then pitched up, Bethell’s hard-handed drive flew to backward point. Brook fell to the in-ducker, perhaps a touch unlucky as he defended down into the ground, only for the ball to bounce up and flick off the leg bail. The result was the first golden duck of his career, and the first time that he had been dismissed by a New Zealand bowler for less than 50.Will Young and Tom Latham settle into New Zealand’s second innings•Getty Images
In O’Rourke’s following over, once again the combination of bounce and movement back in did for Joe Root, as his late cut flew straight to Young at backward point.A sprightly recovery stand of 52 in 13 overs between Ollie Pope and Ben Stokes followed, only for Santner to remove both within the space of three deliveries. Pope had counterpunched effectively for the third Test in a row, only to prop forward limply and divert an edge to slip. In Santner’s next over, Stokes fell lbw when missing a slog-sweep.The procession continued, as Henry returned to the attack and induced a tame lob to mid-on from Atkinson. Brydon Carse squeezed a return catch back to Santner and when Matt Potts was caught throwing the bat at Henry, England had lost their last five wickets in five overs for the addition of nine runs. A total of 143 all out was England’s lowest in the first innings since their first outing under Brendon McCullum in June 2022.Henry’s opening spell had seen him maintain his hold over Zak Crawley, dismissing him for the fifth time in as many innings. England made a fast start in reply to 347, reaching 32 for 0 in fours overs as Southee was once again dealt with unceremoniously – and Crawley even succeeded in scoring his first runs of the series off Henry.But it was brief respite. From the third ball Henry bowled to him, Crawley could only manage a leading edge that was scooped up one-handed in the bowler’s follow-through. Crawley hung around for the third umpire to check but replays quickly confirmed fingers under the ball, bringing his record to five runs and five dismissals from 22 balls faced off Henry in the series. In the same over, Henry sent back Duckett with a ball that seamed in to hit his back leg in front of middle stump.That mini-session was the antithesis of what had gone before, as Santner and O’Rourke frustrated England while adding 32 runs to the overnight score in 15 largely untroubled overs. With the field spread for Santner, the pair were happy to tick along – the most excitement arguably coming via O’Rourke’s inside edge to fine leg that brought him his first boundary in 19 innings as an international cricketer.O’Rourke had been given out caught behind off Atkinson in the seventh over of the day, only for Ahsan Raza to have to overturn his decision when technology proved the ball had flicked the trouser leg. Potts eventually ended a cat-and-mouse contest with the first ball after drinks, but the tone for the day was set.
Worcestershire have received a suspended two-points deduction for the next season’s Vitality Blast, after their allrounder, Josh Cobb, was deemed to have used an illegally-sized bat in their North Group match with Durham in July.Cobb admitted a breach of ECB Directives 3.2 and 3.3 after his bat failed a bat-gauge test during the Durham match, at which stage he had not yet faced a delivery. The Cricket Discipline Commission (CDC) adjudicator originally imposed a straight points deduction, but this was amended on appeal to a suspended penalty, which will be imposed if Worcestershire commit a further breach of this nature.It is the second such penalty to be levelled in county cricket this summer, following the 12-point deduction that Essex were last month handed in the County Championship, following Feroz Khushi’s breach of the regulations during their opening fixture of the season, against Nottinghamshire in April.Essex issued a scathing riposte to that verdict, with Keith Fletcher, the club president, decrying it as “stupid”, not least because it wrecked the club’s hopes of challenging for the County Championship, with their final match of the season, at home to Surrey – who have already been crowned champions – taking place this week.Worcestershire were similarly aghast at the original verdict, and explained in their appeal that the loss of two points could mean the difference between reaching the knock-outs of the Vitality Blast and an early elimination.”Being docked points next year potentially/effectively puts a club of our size, with our resources, out of contention for qualification to the later rounds in 2025,” the club wrote to the adjudicator, Chris Tickle. “This has an impact on next year’s squad, coaching team, sponsors and, therefore, the club’s finances. This impact is potentially devastating to us and is disproportionate.”In his amended verdict, Tickle wrote: “Given those circumstances, I am persuaded that it is in the interests of justice to review my decision.”Dave Lewis, the interim director of the Cricket Regulator, said: “I am pleased that we were able to work with Worcestershire CCC and the Cricket Discipline Commission and that the adjudicator was able to reconsider their original decision in this case.”We also note that this is the second oversized bat case this year, and the Cricket Regulator will be working with counties, players, and officials to inform them about the issue with a view to preventing a recurrence next season.”The Cricket Regulator is the independent body which enforces the rules for domestic professional cricket as well as working to educate participants and prevent potential breaches. The Cricket Regulator investigates and prosecutes cases but does not decide on any penalties.The Cricket Discipline Commission (CDC) is the independent adjudication body which hears cases, rules on responsibility for breaches of rules and issues penalties to teams and participants.
Tottenham Hotspur boss Thomas Frank has identified a priority position to strengthen this summer, according to a recent report, with the Lilywhites also growing increasingly confident they can land a key target.
Tottenham target new winger amid Son Heung-min uncertainty
A plethora of reports in the last fortnight have indicated that a new winger sits top of Frank, chairman Daniel Levy and technical director Johan Lange’s summer to-do list as they prepare for Spurs’ first campaign back in the Champions League for two years.
Barcelona hijack Tottenham talks with Salah-like forward as terms agreed
Spurs look set to miss out on the player despite negotiations.
ByEmilio Galantini Jun 24, 2025
Tottenham have been boosted in their summer recruitment drive by winning the Europa League last month and subsequently sealing a place in Europe’s most elite competition next term, but they may not have it all of their own way.
The Lilywhites’ shortlist of potential wide targets includes West Ham United star Mohammed Kudus, Man City outcast Jack Grealish, Bournemouth forward Antoine Semenyo, Southampton sensation Tyler Dibling and Brentford’s Bryan Mbeumo, but all these names will command huge fees.
Son Heung-min
7.00
James Maddison
6.98
Pedro Porro
6.95
Dominic Solanke
6.84
Dejan Kulusevski
6.83
via WhoScored
West Ham want £65 million for Kudus amid Tottenham’s interest, while Grealish’s £300,000-per-week salary proves a major roadblock for any potential suitor, including Frank’s side, who’d have to shatter their salary structure.
Semenyo’s price tag is set at around £70 million, with Bournemouth unlikely to be keen on losing yet another star player. Dibling, meanwhile, could also cost around £51 million, despite Southampton’s relegation to the Championship.
Mbeumo is being targeted by Man United as well, and although Spurs have held initial talks, it is believed that the Red Devils are attempting to strike a deal with Brentford by submitting a new and improved £60 million bid.
The need for another wide man is exemplified by Son Heung-min’s uncertain future, with reports suggesting the South Korean could move to Saudi Arabia this summer.
Signing a proven Son replacement won’t be easy, or cheap, and Tottenham may well turn to cheaper options abroad, like the £25 million-rated Lazio winger Gustav Isaksen, who Frank reportedly rates quite highly.
However, if the north Londoners want to make a statement attacking signing, then they can look no further than Crystal Palace star Eberechi Eze.
Tottenham convinced Eberechi Eze would be keen to join Spurs
As per The Mirror and journalist John Cross, Tottenham are getting “encouraging noises” about the England international’s stance on making the move across London to N17.
The Lilywhites are apparently convinced that Eze would be keen to join Spurs as a result, and Palace would be powerless to stop it if Levy opts to trigger his £68 million release clause.
Crystal Palace's EberechiEzecelebrates with the trophy after winning the FA Cup
The Mirror reiterates that Frank is prioritising a new wide player amid the very real prospect of losing Son, and Eze’s £100,000-per-week wages potentially make this transfer doable in terms of salary, unlike other reported targets like Grealish.
The 26-year-old bagged 14 goals and 11 assists in all competitions last term, with one of his strikes coming in a 1-0 FA Cup final win over Man City which ended Palace’s history-long wait for a piece of major silverware.
Able to play out wide and through the middle as a CAM, there is little denying he’d be a truly excellent addition for Frank.
Celtic are looking to bolster their squad during the summer transfer window in order to bring even more trophies back to Parkhead in the 2025/26 campaign.
The Hoops have already officially confirmed their first signing of the window, with Kieran Tierney due to return to Glasgow after his contract with Arsenal expires at the end of this month.
The Scotland international will join the club on a free transfer to compete for a spot at left-back in Brendan Rodgers’ team next season, whilst Greg Taylor is out of contract this summer and looks to be on his way out of Parkhead.
Tierney will not be the only player to come through the doors before the window slams shut, though, as the Hoops are also reportedly closing in on a new striker.
Sky Sports journalist Anthony Joseph reports that Fulham centre-forward Callum Osmand has agreed terms to join the Scottish Premiership champions from the Premier League side, and the English team will be due compensation for the 19-year-old attacker.
What Callum Osmand could bring to Celtic
It was reported earlier this week that the teenage attacker is set to be a part of the first-team set-up because Rodgers rates him and wants to provide the youngster with an opportunity to stake a claim for a spot in the squad next season.
That is despite the fact that Osmand has yet to make a single senior appearance in his career to date. He has not been out on loan and has not been selected in the first-team by Marco Silva in Fulham, as he has had Carlos Vinicius, Rodrigo Muniz, and Raul Jimenez ahead of him, three seasoned Premier League number nines.
Rodgers has clearly seen something in the young striker, as he did when Moussa Dembele arrived from the Cottagers in a similar deal back in 2016, and Osmand’s statistics at youth level may explain what the manager has seen in him.
The Wales youth international scored 11 goals and provided four assists in 22 games for the Premier League side’s academy teams during the 2024/25 campaign, and he has been prolific throughout his youth career.
Callum Osmand’s U18 & U21 form for Fulham
Season
Appearances
Goals
Assists
24/25
22
11
4
23/24
29
21
6
22/23
21
11
2
21/22
1
0
0
Total
73
43
12
Stats via Transfermarkt
As you can see in the table above, Osmand has been a reliable goalscorer at youth level for Fulham for several years, and now he is set to have an opportunity to showcase his quality at first-team level in Scotland.
This means that he could bring a goal threat off the bench for Celtic, as a back-up to the likes of Adam Idah and Daizen Maeda, if he can adapt to senior football.
Meanwhile, though, the Hoops are also eyeing up a deal for another player from England who could be an even more exciting addition for Rodgers.
Celtic in the running to sign Championship wing wizard
Pink Un journalist Connor Southwell has revealed that Celtic are one of a number of clubs in the running to land Blackburn Rovers winger Tyrhys Dolan in the summer transfer window.
In the Pink Un’s Q&A, a Norwich City supporter asked reporters if the English attacker was an option for the Canaries this summer, and was met with an unfortunate response.
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Southwell answered: “One they like. But so does most of the Championship and the big two in Scotland. I think the level of competition around him has made that a very unlikely prospect, if I’m being honest.”
The journalist stated that Liam Manning’s team are unlikely to sign the 23-year-old winger, whose contract at Ewood Park is due to expire at the end of this month, due to the level of interest from elsewhere.
Celtic and Rangers, along with a host of other teams in the English Championship, are in the running to land the winger, and their interest looks set to end Norwich’s chances of signing him.
Why Dolan would be more exciting than Osmand
Whilst Osmand looks set to be an exciting addition to the club due to his academy record, the young Fulham striker is very much an unknown quantity due to his lack of senior experience in football.
Dolan, on the other hand, has played 210 matches for Blackburn by the age of 23. This means that he is an incredibly experienced operator, despite his relatively young age, and that Celtic would know what they are getting from him.
The English wing wizard, who was hailed as “terrific” by journalist Elliott Jackson, has been there and done it at a good level in the Championship in England, which is why he would be an even more exciting signing than Osmand.
Dolan’s performances in the second tier for Blackburn were very promising in the 2024/25 campaign, and suggest that he could make a big impact at the top end of the pitch for the Hoops immediately if they were to sign him this summer.
24/25 Championship
Tyrhys Dolan
Appearances
44
Touches per game
38.1
Goals
7
Conversion rate
14%
Big chances created
7
Key passes
44
Assists
6
Stats via Sofascore
As you can see in the table above, Dolan racked up 14 goals and ‘big chances’ created combined for Rovers this season, and that is despite them not being one of the top teams in the division.
Blackburn only averaged 49.1% per game in the Championship, compared to Celtic’s 75.1% possession per match in the Premiership. This suggests that the winger would have more chances to showcase his quality in the final third due to the share of the ball that the Hoops have week-in-week-out.
Tyrhys Dolan in action for Blackburn Rovers.
Now, imagine what Dolan could do in a dominant and front-footed team after he has already proven that he can deliver goals and assists in a midtable team in the Championship. That is an exciting thought!
That thought is also why the Blackburn star would be an even more exciting signing than Osmand, who is yet to prove himself at senior level, as he could hit the ground running by making an instant impact in the Premiership next season.
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