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Tottenham Hotspur have a huge campaign ahead of them in 2025/26 – needing to right the wrongs of the previous year, but also build on their remarkable achievements.

The Lilywhites finished in a measly 17th place in the Premier League last time around, but managed to end their trophy drought – claiming Europa League glory over Manchester United back in May.

However, it wasn’t enough for Ange Postecoglou to keep his job, subsequently seeing Thomas Frank take the reins and be the man responsible for any revival and or future success.

Undoubtedly, the Dane will have wanted to make his additions to the side, already landing Mohammed Kudus and Joao Palhinha from West Ham United and Bayern Munich, respectively.

There’s no denying that further work needs to be done this summer to aid the new manager’s hunt for top-flight success – but the side are rapidly running out of time, with just over a week left in the summer window.

Spurs’ hunt for a new attacking midfielder this summer

Over the last couple of days, Spurs have been in direct contact with Serie A side Como over a potential deal to land 20-year-old Nico Paz before the window slams shut.

It’s been reported that the Italian outfit are currently demanding a fee in the region of £60m for the youngster, who registered 14 combined goals and assists in 2024/25.

However, he’s not the only number ten in their sights at present, leading to rumours over a potential late move to secure the signature of PSG star Kang-in Lee.

It’s been reported by Duncan Castles that talks have been held between the clubs over a deal for the South Korean international, who’s been allowed to depart the Champions League winners this summer.

He also stated that Luis Enrique’s side are currently demanding a fee in the region of €50m (£43m) for the 24-year-old, who made 45 appearances across all competitions last campaign.

Whilst he remains a viable target for Frank’s side this summer, a deal could’ve easily been wrapped up for another player now, had owner Daniel Levy stepped up a move for a previous target.

Why Spurs’ £43m target is the dream Eze alternative

After previously missing out on Morgan Gibbs-White, Eberechi Eze became Spurs’ number one target for the attacking midfielder department this summer.

At one stage, it seemed as though a deal appeared to be a formality, after the Lilywhites entered advanced talks with Crystal Palace – even agreeing a fee with the Eagles for his signature.

However, in the last couple of days, a deal has evaporated in front of their very eyes, as North London rivals Arsenal swooped in late on and all but completing a deal for the 27-year-old.

Such a deal has led to questions being asked about the owner, especially after it’s the second time in one window a deal has failed to be completed despite agreements being made in principle.

Whilst disappointment is still being felt by the Lilywhites, Levy has the chance to make amends by finalising a move for Lee in the next couple of days.

The midfielder may be available for transfer this summer, but it’s not reflecting of his quality, with the South Korean producing numerous impressive figures in Ligue 1 last campaign.

When comparing such numbers with those of Eze, he managed to better him in key areas, arguably being the best alternative to the Englishman after missing out on his signature.

Lee, who’s been labelled a “future legend” by talent scout Jacek Kulig, achieved a better goal and assist rate per 90, whilst posting a higher shot on target accuracy rate – arguably offering Frank’s side a more clinical option in front of goal.

However, his ability to create chances for his teammates also shone through last season – possessing arguably the most important asset for an attacking midfielder in abundance.

Games played

30

34

Goals & assists

12

16

Goals & assists per 90

0.65

0.56

Shot on target accuracy

34%

27%

Pass accuracy

88%

74%

Key passes made

3.1

2

Passes into final third

5.6

1.7

Take-ons completed

57%

48%

Carries into final third

2.4

1.6

Crosses completed

5.1

3.8

He completed more key passes and passes into the final third per 90, highlighting he would provide the Lilywhites with a more threatening talent than Eze in forward areas.

Taking people on is also another huge factor in the 24-year-old’s game, notching a higher take-on success rate – which has allowed him to get into dangerous positions, before providing the end product needed – as seen by his aforementioned stats.

Missing out on Eze would be a bitter disappointment, but it could prove to be a blessing if they complete a deal for the PSG star – allowing the side to land a much cheaper and younger alternative in the process.

However, a deal will need to be wrapped up as soon as possible, with Levy needing to satisfy the manager and the fans after what has been a hugely humbling summer window.

Forget Eze: Spurs preparing move for "unstoppable" star who's like Rodrygo

Tottenham Hotspur have moved on to other targets after missing out on Eberechi Eze’s signature.

1 ByEthan Lamb Aug 23, 2025

Tottenham Hotspur’s pursuit of Eberechi Eze this summer will be remembered for a long time, with the Lilywhites unable to complete a deal for his signature.

After missing out on Morgan Gibbs-White, in what was another infamous saga, the hierarchy turned their attention to the 27-year-old in an attempt to fill the void in the attacking midfield department.

Talks were said to be at an advanced stage for the England international, but a turn of events saw Thomas Frank’s side miss out – in explicable fashion too.

The player instead agreed a deal to join North London rivals Arsenal, leading to discontent shown by the Spurs faithful towards owner Daniel Levy over the last couple of weeks.

However, the owner has the chance to rectify such mistakes before the September 1st deadline, with other alternatives constantly being pursued in recent days.

The latest on Spurs’ hunt for an Eze alternative

In an attempt to soften the blow, Spurs have moved on to Eze’s compatriot Morgan Rogers, with Frank said to be a huge admirer of the Aston Villa star.

It’s been reported that the Lilywhites have been in negotiations with Unai Emery’s outfit over a deal for the 23-year-old talent, who could cost as much as £80m before Monday’s transfer deadline.

However, he’s not the only player currently in their sights, with RB Leipzig star Xavi Simons another attacking midfielder they’re currently considering, according to CaughtOffside.

Their report claims that Spurs have made an enquiry to land the Dutch international, despite Chelsea currently leading the race after agreeing personal terms with the player.

It also states the Lilywhites could pounce on the recent delay, making their own £60m hijack this summer, potentially swooping in after their recent contact with the Bundesliga outfit.

Why Spurs’ latest target is a bigger talent than Eze

There’s no denying that Eze would’ve been an excellent addition to the current Spurs side, with disappointment undoubtedly being felt amongst the fanbase as a result of his move to Arsenal.

Failing to complete a deal for the player is bad enough, but losing out to your main rivals would undoubtedly compound the misery currently being felt by the supporters.

However, if the side are to reach the next level under Frank, the hierarchy simply can’t rest on their laurels, needing to pursue other targets to help improve the squad.

Given the injuries to James Maddison and Dejan Kulusevski, the need for a new option in such a department has become even more apparent – but they’re desperately running out of time for a deal.

A hijack of a move for Simons could be the perfect signing to help get the fanbase back on side, whilst also handing Frank the tools he needs to build on his 100% start in the Premier League.

When comparing his stats to those of Eze from the 2024/25 campaign, the former PSG star managed to massively outperform him in numerous key areas – which makes missing out on the Englishman a blessing in disguise.

Simons, who’s been dubbed “world-class” by Rafael Van der Vaart, posted a better goal and assist rate per 90 – whilst also achieving a better shot on target accuracy rate, with such a figure handing the club more of a clinical option in attacking areas.

Games played

25

34

Goals & assists

16

16

Shot on target accuracy

46%

27%

Pass accuracy

79%

74%

Progressive passes

5.9

3.3

Passes into the final third

3.3

1.7

Key passes made

2.2

2.1

Progressive carries

3.6

2.4

Carries into the final third

3.1

1.6

Fouls won

2.3

1.7

Whilst such a component of his game isn’t vital, it’s certainly a bonus that could see the Lilywhites gain yet another goalscoring option to help the side in their quest for Premier League success.

However, creativity is massively needed in the number ten role, something which Simons would provide, given his tally of 2.2 key passes per 90 and 3.3 passes into the final third per 90 – with both tallies higher than those produced by Eze.

The Dutchman’s dominance is further demonstrated in his ability to procure more carries into the final third per 90, able to progress the play before putting the final touches on any attack – as seen by his aforementioned figures.

£60m would be another hefty figure forked out by the board, but it would be one that could be a bargain if he continues on his current trajectory and reaches his full potential.

It would also be a better signing than Eze, potentially allowing Frank’s side to get one over a rival and complete their own hijack after their previous defeat in the market.

Kudus will love him: £22m star is gearing up to accept Spurs' offer to join

Tottenham Hotspur appear to be making a move for another attacking midfielder this summer.

4 ByEthan Lamb Aug 26, 2025

Glasgow Rangers are looking to bring in some more new faces at Ibrox before the transfer window ends so that they may start to bridge the early gap that Celtic have built in the Scottish Premiership title race.

After the first two games of the season, Rangers sit in mid-table on two points, whereas Celtic top the table with six points following back-to-back wins in their opening fixtures. While Russell Martin’s side have had a strong start in their campaign for European qualification, it’s the league where they’ll be most heavily judged, and new signings might help rectify their current trajectory.

Oscar Cortes has been Rangers’ most expensive signing so far this window, but after loan spells with the club, he’s yet to be seen much in the league since being made permanent, only featuring in an eight-minute cameo against Motherwell.

Rangers’ second-biggest signing has been Oliver Antman from Go Ahead Eagles. He not only served as a fine addition to the squad but also a barrier in Celtic’s pursuit of Jakob Breum. The Dutch side reportedly no longer had to sell Breum due to the money they received for Antman, so the signing accidentally dealt a blow to their biggest rivals. Martin’s side are now looking to line up another deal that would see them take one of Celtic’s main transfer targets.

Rangers want to beat Celtic to Irving

Reports from The Scotsman have indicated that Rangers are considering a bid for West Ham midfielder Andy Irving. Celtic had placed a bid worth up to £2.25 million for Irving, but it was rejected, with West Ham wanting £3.5 million for the midfielder.

Irving has been at West Ham since 2023, but Rangers could soon offer him the chance to return to Scotland and get more first-team minutes ahead of the World Cup. Irving received his Scotland cap in June in a friendly against Liechtenstein, and the player will be hoping to add to these appearances during the upcoming World Cup qualifiers.

Despite only receiving 162 minutes of Premier League football last season, Irving is a widely desired player and can play in a defensive, central or attacking midfield role. Even if Celtic have been put off by their failed bid, Rangers will still have to compete with teams from Germany, Italy and Austria to get his signature.

Why so many teams want to sign Irving

Nicknamed “The Portobello Pirlo” at the Hearts academy, Irving hasn’t received many chances in the first team during his time at the London Stadium. However, his time in Austria has shown the levels he is capable of.

While the Austrian league is something of an unknown quantity to many British fans, it is actually ranked higher in the Global Football Rankings than the Scottish Premiership.

During his last season on loan in Austria, Irving’s versatility was on full display. The table below demonstrates what percentile of similar players Irving fell into for various metrics during the 2023/24 season.

Irving statistics 2023/24 Season

Statistic

Percentile

Goals

100%

Shots

95.9%

Assists

91.9%

Passes Completed

93.2%

Aerial Duels Won

93.2%

Tackles Won

79.7%

This table demonstrates that not only is Irving an all-round midfielder capable of scoring, passing and defending, but he also does it to a higher degree of success than other similar profile players. Based on these metrics, it’s no surprise Rangers and Celtic have both shown an interest in bringing him to the Premiership and that they have to face Serie A and Bundesliga competition for him.

Glasgow Rangers have one foot in the play-off round of Champions League qualifiers after they hammered Viktoria Plzen 3-0 at Ibrox on Tuesday night.

Djeidi Gassama continued his electric start to life in Glasgow with two goals on the night, making it four goals in four matches after an impressive opening three outings against Panathinaikos and Motherwell.

Djeidi Gassama

Panathinaikos (A)

Panathinaikos (H)

Motherwell (A)

Minutes

15

34

83

Shots

1

1

2

Goals

1

1

0

Key passes

0

0

1

Dribbles completed

2/2

0/1

2/3

Stats via Sofascore

Cyriel Dessers also scored from the penalty spot and assisted the opening goal for the former Sheffield Wednesday man against the Czechia outfit.

There was also an Ibrox debut given by Russell Martin. Oliver Antman is still unpacking his boxes after a switch from Go Ahead Eagles, yet was able to put in an impressive performance.

Oliver Antman's impressive debut for Rangers

The Finland international did not need any time to settle into life at Ibrox, as he was thrown into the starting XI and heavily contributed to two of the three goals.

It was his driving run, coming inside from the right, that resulted in him being tripped up inside the box, forcing the referee to award the penalty that Dessers scored from.

Antman also delivered a peach of a cross from the right flank to tee up Gassama for his second goal of the night, whipping an inch-perfect ball onto his head.

Whilst the Finnish forward may share the same name as an Avenger, it is another Rangers star who has emerged as their own superhero – Nasser Djiga.

Why Nasser Djiga is the new Rangers superhero

The Burkina Faso international was even better than Gassama and Antman on the night, as he put in a virtually fautless display at the heart of the defence, whilst the two wingers still lost possession and fluffed attacks to go along with their impressive contributions.

Playing Martin’s style of football is not easy. Rangers need players who are mobile enough to recover situations when the team commit turnovers in their own half, as well as players who are confident and composed enough to make passes under pressure.

Performance in Numbers

Want data and stats? Football FanCast’s Performance in Numbers series provides you with the latest match analysis from across Europe.

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Djiga showed that he is the perfect central defender for the way that the manager wants to play, as he was a colossus defensively and immaculate in possession.

His best contribution in the match came when the Gers were 1-0 up. Matej Vydra had the ball with time and space to pull the trigger around the penalty spot, but the Wolves loanee seemed to come out of nowhere to make a sprawling, goal-saving, block.

There was also moment in the 60th minute when John Souttar played a careless pass that put his side in danger, but Djiga used his pace to recover the ball in behind and retained possession with a clever first-time pass to Max Aarons.

He had countless moments like that throughout the game, including one to cover for an out of position James Tavernier in the closing seconds, to prevent the away side from creating anything of note, making numerous blocks and recoveries to keep Jack Butland quiet.

His faultless defensive performance was even more impressive than Gassama and Antman’s exploits on the wing because of how difficult it it to play the way Martin wants to play, which is why it was such a brilliant showing from the defender.

Related Rangers could unlock Gassama's full potential in move for "offensive" star

Glasgow Rangers could unlock Djeidi Gassama’s full potential in a move for this star.

Posts ByDan Emery Aug 5, 2025

Djiga may not be Antman, but the 22-year-old titan could be the Man of Steel for Rangers.

Dawid Malan, England’s former No.1-ranked T20I batter, has announced his retirement from international cricket at the age of 37.Malan, who played 22 Tests, 30 ODIs and 62 T20Is, is one of only two England men’s batters (alongside Jos Buttler) to have made centuries in all three international formats. However, he had not featured in an England squad since the 50-over World Cup in India last year, and confirmed his decision after his omission from the forthcoming white-ball series against Australia.”It has been an incredible journey since July 2017,” Malan said. “I am so grateful to have had the opportunity to play for England in all three formats.”Cricket, like most sports, is an industry where almost everyone eventually retires wishing they had done that little bit more. Whether you’ve played ten Tests or 100, many step away regretting not playing just one more, scoring a few more runs, or winning more trophies.”Right now, as I retire from international cricket, I can say I am genuinely satisfied. It has not been easy. It may be my nature, but for whatever reason, it has always seemed that I had something to prove and often felt as if I was playing for my place. The pressure goes with the territory, but it does take a mental and physical toll. Even so, I look back with pride on what I have been able to achieve.”Despite announcing himself with a free-flowing innings of 78 from 44 on his T20I debut against South Africa in 2017, Malan’s initial breakthrough with England came on the following winter’s Ashes tour, where he made his only Test hundred, 140 from 227 balls, in partnership with Jonny Bairstow at Perth.However, it was in the T20I format that he truly made his name, most particularly in the aftermath of England’s ODI World Cup victory in 2019, when he forced his way into the team’s 20-over plans through his sheer weight of run-making, including a 48-ball hundred at Napier on that winter’s tour of New Zealand.In September 2020, he reached the top of the ICC’s batting rankings for T20I cricket, and the following March, he became the fastest men’s player to reach 1000 runs in the format, from just 24 innings, all but one of which had been at least double-figures. He was also a T20 World Cup winner in Australia in 2022, although he missed the knock-out stages after tearing his groin in the field against Sri Lanka.Due to the success of the 50-over squad, Malan took longer to break into the ODI team – despite the prevailing sense that it was the format for which he was best suited, with his tendency to begin an innings cautiously before unfurling his full range of strokes at the back end often attracting criticism during his T20I performances.Nevertheless, he seized his chance when it came, scoring five ODI hundreds in the space of 15 innings between June 2022 and September 2023, to make an unequivocal case to replace England’s incumbent opener, Jason Roy, in the 2023 World Cup squad. He then added a sixth hundred in the second match of the tournament to guide England to victory over Bangladesh in Dharamsala, but he could not survive the fall-out from the team’s disappointing overall campaign.Speaking to The Times, Malan said that he had “exceeded all expectations of myself in white-ball formats”, but admitted that his inability to forge a more consistent Test career would be a regret. Ten of his 22 appearances came on consecutive tours of Australia in 2017-18 and 2021-22, where his average of 33.00 is bettered only by Alastair Cook, Joe Root and Jonny Bairstow among regular England performers of the past decade. However, he never played the format again after England’s 146-run defeat at Hobart in January 2022.Related

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“Test cricket was always the pinnacle for me growing up,” he said. “At times I played well but in between just wasn’t good enough or consistent enough, which was disappointing because I felt I was a better player than that.”I took all three formats extremely seriously but the intensity of Test cricket was something else: five days plus the days building up. I’m a big trainer; I love hitting lots of balls and I’d train hard in the build-up, and then the days were long and intense. You can’t switch off. I found it very mentally draining, especially the long Test series that I played, where my performances dropped off from the third or fourth Test onwards.””But, you know, on the field I always did what I felt was right to win a game for the team. I never walked off the field if I got runs not caring about whether we had won or lost. It was always about winning and I’d always question myself as to whether I’d made the right decisions on the field to do that.”Malan is likely to be in high demand on the T20 franchise circuit with his England career behind him. He was most recently in action for Oval Invincibles, helping the team to victory in the Men’s Hundred, two years after he was part of the Trent Rockets squad that claimed the 2022 title. Last winter, he helped Sunrisers Eastern Cape win the second season of the SA20, and was also in action for Multan Sultans in the PSL.Rob Key, the managing director of England Men’s Cricket, added: “Dawid Malan retires after an excellent international career marked by resilience and determination.”Early on, he had to fight for every opportunity, often facing some of the best teams in the world. His contributions were pivotal, particularly during the memorable World Cup victories in Australia, where he played an integral role in the team’s success.”His legacy will be remembered as one of tenacity and achievement on the international stage – traits any player would be extremely proud to have.”

Clive Madande, Brian Bennett and Johnathan Campbell, who are all part of the ongoing T20I series against India, are the new faces in Zimbabwe’s Test squad, which was named earlier today for the one-off fixture against Ireland later this month. Joylord Gumbie, who is yet to be capped in the format, is also in the squad of 15.Zimbabwe, who last played a Test match back in February 2023, in Bulawayo against West Indies, and are not a part of the ICC’s World Test Championship, will travel to Ireland for the first Test between the two countries, with the match slotted for July 25 to 29. The game will be played in Belfast.Leading them will be Craig Ervine, and making a comeback after missing that series against West Indies because of an injury is Sean Williams, who Zimbabwe Cricket (ZC) said would “provide the team with the much-needed experience” along with Tendai Chatara, Blessing Muzarabani, Victor Nyauchi and Richard Ngarava. The last three are currently playing the T20I series against India, which Ervine has missed, with ZC saying Williams and he had not been considered for selection.Of the new faces, Bennett and Campbell have only played T20Is so far, while Madande has appeared in both ODIs and T20Is.Ervine, with 20 Test appearances over the years, and Williams, with 14, are the most experienced Test players in the travelling party, and while Zimbabwe don’t have a lot of pedigree in the format, their opponents have only played eight Tests since playing their first Test in May 2018. They lost their first seven Tests before getting their first win when they beat Afghanistan by six wickets in Abu Dhabi earlier this year.Ireland were expected to host Australia for three ODIs and three T20Is too, and while there is no word on whether those are still part of the plan or not, fund-related issues for Cricket Ireland have meant a cut in the number of home fixtures this summer.When Zimbabwe last played Test cricket, their squad had Gary Ballance, in what became his farewell appearance after he had switched from England to Zimbabwe. The players who were part of that two-Test series but aren’t in the mix now are Chamu Chibhabha, Innocent Kaia, Tanunurwa Makoni, Milton Shumba, Tafadzwa Tsiga, Brad Evans, Brandon Mavuta, Kudzai Maunze and Donald Tiripano.

Zimbabwe squad for one-off Test in Ireland

Craig Ervine (capt), Brian Bennett, Johnathan Campbell, Tendai Chatara, Tanaka Chivanga, Joylord Gumbie (wk), Roy Kaia, Clive Madande (wk), Wellington Masakadza, Prince Masvaure, Blessing Muzarabani, Dion Myers, Richard Ngarava, Victor Nyauchi, Sean Williams

In an ideal reality, West Bromwich Albion would find themselves competing in the upcoming Championship playoff final after Tony Mowbray’s return had gone down as a rip-roaring success.

Unfortunately, that script hasn’t come to life, with Mowbray actually finding himself out of a job again after a dismal run of just five wins from 17 games led to the Baggies falling short of those coveted playoff spots.

West Brom do have plenty of time on their hands to assess who they would like to bring in as the 61-year-old’s successor now as the ongoing search shows no real signs of coming to a halt.

West Brom's list of manager targets

It’s been nearly a month since Mowbray was abruptly axed from the Hawthorns hot seat, meaning plenty of names have been linked to fill the vacancy.

Indeed, faces such as Stockport County manager Dave Challinor have been tipped to take on the reins, alongside ex-Southampton boss Russell Martin potentially getting back on the horse after his Saints dismissal.

Moreover, former Manchester United coach turned Minnesota United manager Eric Ramsay has also been regularly thrown about as a successor to Mowbray, but there’s one other name that looks to be the likeliest option away from any other rumoured bosses.

Indeed, journalist Graeme Bailey has revealed recently that West Brom still ‘really like’ Tottenham Hotspur background figure Ryan Mason, with his young and fresh approach one factor that ticks a lot of boxes for the Baggies hierarchy.

Ramsay is the same age as Mason – with both the fresh-faced managers only being 33 years of age – but the Spurs coach arguably has more experience of the hustle and bustle of the English game, meaning he might well be viewed as an upgrade on the left-field Minnesota boss.

Why Mason is an upgrade on Ramsay

There is a logic behind West Brom wanting to go down the route of appointing a youthful new manager, having been burnt by the experienced Mowbray returning and ultimately failing.

On top of that, the likes of Liam Manning – who is only six years older than Mason – managed to steer Bristol City to the playoffs just this season, whilst the equally blooming Danny Rohl improved on a near escape from relegation at the helm of Sheffield Wednesday by guiding them to a comfortable mid-table finish.

Whilst both of those figures will likely go on to achieve far more in their careers, Mason does hold an advantage over both of them currently – on top of also bettering Ramsay in this department – with the 33-year-old gaining experience on the job of what it’s like to be an interim boss of a Premier League team with Spurs.

Whilst Ramsay does have an impressive 24 wins under his belt in charge of Minnesota, he has no experience of what it’s like to be thrown into the deep end of Premier League action, having only ever watched from afar when situated at the Red Devils.

On the contrary, Mason has briefly shone when handed the reins of the North Londoners, with six wins collected during some testing and turbulent times after some notable managerial exits.

He could be what West Brom needs, therefore, to recover from the popular figure of Mowbray flopping, with Ange Postecoglou even going out of his way recently to label Mason as “outstanding” for his work at the Premier League side.

Clearly, the Baggies need to think somewhat outside of the box to bring success back to the Hawthorns after the tried and tested route of Mowbray unravelled.

Whilst Ramsay would fit that unorthodox label, he might well flounder attempting to adapt to the Championship. Whereas, the time could be just right for Mason to prove himself after a worthwhile education at Spurs.

Free transfer: West Brom in talks to sign 21 y/o with same agent as Fellows

He’s out of contract at the end of June.

ByCharlie Smith May 15, 2025

Leeds United know that they face an incredibly difficult task of avoiding an instant relegation from the Premier League when they take to the field next season.

The three teams promoted from the Championship have all been relegated from the top-flight in each of the last two campaigns, and the teams currently above the drop zone are concerning to teams coming up.

Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester United, both teams who have never been relegated from the Premier League, are currently 17th and 16th in the division, which means that Leeds will have to hope that other teams drop off and decline next term to give them a chance of staying up.

The Whites, who won the Championship title with a 2-1 win over Plymouth Argyle on the final day of the season, will have to bolster their squad significantly to make the step up to compete with the likes of West Ham United, Wolverhampton Wanderers, and Fulham.

Daniel Farke and his staff may have one eye on what happens in the play-offs in the next couple of weeks because the club have previously been linked with Gustavo Hamer, who is starring for Sheffield United in the post-season tournament.

What Gustavo Hamer would bring to Leeds United

It was reported last summer that the Whites were interested in a deal to sign the Dutchman from the Blades, and that they went as far as to submit an official offer for his services, but they were unable to snap him up.

Hamer did not join his former teammate Jayden Bogle in switching Bramall Lane for Elland Road and went on to win the Championship Player of the Year award for Chris Wilder’s side with his impressive performances in midfield.

The former Coventry City star, who can provide a threat from free-kick situations, won the award by providing goals and assists on a regular basis for the Blades on their way to a third-placed finish in the division.

Hamer also created four chances and won four of his five duels in his side’s 3-0 win over Bristol City in the first leg of their play-off semi-final last week, off the back of his impressive performances during the regular season.

24/25 Championship

Gustavo Hamer

Appearances

41

xG

5.66

Goals

9

Key passes per game

1.8

Big chances created

11

Assists

7

Stats via Sofascore

As you can see in the table above, the attacking midfielder provided an efficient goal threat whilst also creating 11 ‘big chances’ for his side, which shows the kind of impact he can have at the top end of the pitch.

This means that Hamer would bring goals and assists from an attacking midfield position for Leeds if they were able to sign him from Sheffield United, although that seems unlikely if the Blades win the play-offs and join them in the Premier League.

Farke, however, could have his own version of the Dutch sensation if the 49ers can wrap up a deal for one of the club’s reported transfer targets.

Leeds eyeing deal for Premier League star

According to The Sunday Mirror, as relayed by the Yorkshire Evening Post, Leeds United are one of a number of teams interested in a deal to sign James McAtee from Premier League giants Manchester City.

The report claims that the 49ers are lining up a move for the England U21 international as they look to bolster Farke’s squad in the upcoming summer transfer window.

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It also reveals that Manchester City are looking for a fee in the region of £25m to cash in on the attacking midfielder, despite his current contract being due to expire next summer.

The Sunday Mirror adds that Bayer Leverkusen, Nottingham Forest, West Ham United, and Crystal Palace are among the other teams keen on a deal for the English starlet, which shows that there is set to be plenty of competition for his services.

If Hamer becomes unattainable due to Sheffield United winning promotion to the Premier League, the 49ers must push to win the race for McAtee as a dream alternative.

Why McAtee could be Leeds United's own Hamer

The Manchester City youngster, like Hamer, is a diminutive and technically gifted attacking midfield player who can provide quality as both a scorer and a creator of goals, whilst buzzing around the pitch to link up play.

Whilst McAtee is slightly different, in that he is a left-footed player who can operate on the right or centrally, rather than the mirrored version that Hamer is, he fulfills a similar tactical role as an attacking midfield player who can make an impact in the final third.

The England U21 international, once dubbed a “special” player by Pep Guardiola, has only started three of his 15 appearances in the Premier League for City this term, but has still plundered three goals and created two ‘big chances’.

McAtee also scored three goals and provided three assists in 20 starts in the top-flight on loan at Sheffield United in the 2023/24 campaign, which came after his season on loan at Bramall Lane in the Championship.

22/23 Championship

James McAtee

Appearances

37

Starts

21

Goals

9

Big chances missed

2

Big chances created

6

Chances created

33

Assists

3

Stats via Sofascore

As you can see in the table above, the left-footed dynamo caught the eye in the 2022/23 Championship season with a return of 15 goals and ‘big chances’ created in 21 starts for the Blades.

These statistics show that he is similar to Hamer in the sense that he is a midfielder who can chip in with goals and assists at a decent rate, and they have both proven themselves in the second tier and the Premier League with Sheffield United.

The £25m-rated star has shown that he can find the back of the net efficiently in the top two tiers, given his return of three goals in three league starts for City this term, and that suggests that he could be a difference-maker for Leeds in the final third.

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At the age of 22, McAtee would also arrive at Elland Road with plenty of time left on his hands to develop and improve in the seasons to come, which is why he could be a shrewd investment at £25m, as Farke’s own Hamer and as a quality addition to the squad.

Eddie Howe hasn’t minced his words when quizzed on Newcastle United’s interest in their former schoolboy Elliot Anderson, who was sold to Premier League rivals Nottingham Forest for about £35m in 2024.

Now regarded as “one of the best midfielders in the Premier League” by Three Lions manager Thomas Tuchel, Anderson is indeed becoming a star, and Newcastle want him back, forced into cashing in to comply with PSR regulations.

But Manchester United are also known suitors, and Forest are set to demand in excess of £100m for their prized player.

Newcastle need a centre-midfielder, though, and technical director Ross Wilson is centring on a shrewd alternative.

Newcastle pursuing new midfielder

Though Bruno Guimaraes and Sandro Tonali are among the finest midfielders in the game, Joelinton is becoming a weak link, with Toon writer Thomas Hammond claiming this is “the start of the end” for the Brazilian.

The 29-year-old surely doesn’t have much more mileage left in the tank, having run many laps around the St. James’ Park grass across the years.

The interest in Anderson is suggestive of Howe’s stance on the mainstay’s future, but there is an alternative option in the pipeline for the PIF-backed side.

Indeed, Italian outlet Tuttomercato, Newcastle are pursuing a January move for Roma midfielder Manu Kone, who has been instrumental in the club’s blooming Serie A title charge this term.

Reports from the summer claim that the Italians have placed a €50m (£44m) price tag on the 24-year-old, but United and PIF would surely strike gold, should they bring him over.

What Manu Kone would bring to Newcastle

Kone has been at Roma since the start of the 2024/25 campaign, joining the club from Borussia Monchengladbach in Germany. He was a loanee last season but has since become a permanent member of Gian Piero Gasperini’s squad.

A powerhouse of a midfielder, the 6 foot 1 Frenchman is limber but endowed with natural strength that allows him to perform robustly in the engine room.

As well as being a crisp passer, Kone is also skilled as a carrier, looking to break lines.

As per FBref, he ranks among the top 2% of Serie A midfielders this season for pass completion and the top 9% for successful take-ons per 90. He regularly draws fouls from lunging opponents.

That aside, Kone has also been hailed as a “one-man army” in midfield by talent scout Jacek Kulig, owing to that strength and physicality in the middle of the park.

In this, he could be the perfect player to succeed Joelinton in Howe’s midfield, striking a balance between the different facets of a successful box-to-box role.

Matches (starts)

10 (10)

12 (12)

Goals

0

0

Assists

0

1

Touches*

39.5

62.2

Accurate passes*

22.2 (82%)

43.8 (92%)

Chances created*

0.5

1.0

Dribble (success)*

0.2 (50%)

1.2 (67%)

Recoveries*

3.4

4.7

Tackles + interceptions*

2.7

2.0

Clearances*

1.7

1.0

Duels won*

4.6

5.4

Errors made

2x

1x

Joelinton has had a good run in Howe’s midfield, but it’s time for ruthlessness to take precedence: the club have threatened to stagnate this term, and a breath of fresh air in the engine room could elevate the squad, reinforcing the backline and giving new support to the forwards.

His ball-carrying metrics have decreased significantly, and while he remains a combative and dangerous force in the middle, there’s no question that the Brazil international lacks the same full-throttle energy as once before.

Kone was considered a top talent during his early-career days in the German Bundesliga, and while he has endured some ebb-tide moments in his career, no one can deny that he is now blooming into a complete midfielder tailor-made for the Premier League.

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“In the last particularly 12 months, we’ve had a fairly stable group and some really amazing young talent emerge as mainstays,” Ellyse Perry says

Andrew McGlashan09-Sep-2025

Ellyse Perry will be playing her fifth ODI World Cup•Cricket Australia/Getty Images

It hasn’t quite been a case of having too much of a good thing, but a key plank of Australia’s build towards their ODI World Cup title defence in India and Sri Lanka has been instilling the belief to make the most of their enviable depth.No team has gone back-to-back in the women’s ODI World Cup since Australia’s hat-trick of titles between 1978 and 1988, but few would be surprised if this side achieved the feat. They have lost just three matches in the format since defeating England in Christchurch in the 2022 World Cup final to complete their redemption arc from the semi-final exit of 2017.But two of those losses came in the 2023 Ashes when Australia were exposed across both white-ball formats. While not as seismic as what happened in the 2017 semi-final against India, coupled with their semi-final exit at last year’s T20 World Cup it was a moment when the team challenged itself to remain ahead of the pack.Related

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“We’re really conscious of the fact that we’re incredibly fortunate to have some huge depth in our side, both batting and bowling,” Ellyse Perry, who will be playing her fifth ODI World Cup, said at a sponsorship announcement for Chemist Warehouse ahead of the team’s departure to India.”So, from that aspect, I think we’ve made a really conscious shift towards wanting to take the game on from the very start and probably keep our foot down for as long as we can. Obviously, you’ve got to adapt to conditions and certain circumstances, but it just feels like there’s a real ethos within the group to make sure that we can utilise everyone’s talent on the day.”It’s going to be one person’s day most of the time, not everyone’s, but if we can kind of really be consistent with that, we’ve got a good chance of being successful more often than not. I think that’s been a big shift for us.”Staying ahead of the chasing pack is not just focused on batting and bowling, either. “The development of the women’s game has been really incredible in the last couple of years,” Perry said. “From an athletic point of view, we’re very conscious of making sure that we’re dominant in that space. We want to run hard between the wickets, be really good in the field, and I think looking at some of our bowling options, [we have] some of the quicker bowlers in the world as well. Hopefully we’re a dynamic side and hopefully that’s successful for us.”Annabel Sutherland and Phoebe Litchfield have emerged as fulcrums in the batting order•Sportsfile/Getty Images

Three major names from the side that emerged from the heartache of 2017 into one of the most dominant sporting teams in history – with a record winning run of 26 ODIs – won’t be in India: Meg Lanning and Rachael Haynes have retired, while Jess Jonassen has not been able to regain the spot she lost nearly two years ago, an example of the riches available to Australia.”[There’s been] some fairly big changes to our group over the last four years,” Perry said. “But in the last particularly 12 months, we’ve had a fairly stable group and some really amazing young talent emerge as mainstays as well, contributing consistently in every match. From that perspective, [it’s] definitely a slightly different-looking team, but I think still a really stable and established team.”The likes of Phoebe Litchfield and Annabel Sutherland have emerged as fulcrums in the batting order, while Georgia Voll had a breakout first year in international cricket. Voll may struggle to start the World Cup but will keep the incumbents on their toes. Perhaps the slight unknown, and potentially a factor at last year’s T20 World Cup in the UAE, is the pressure of knockout cricket.Speaking last week when the squad was named, captain Alyssa Healy said, “I had to watch something on the 2022 World Cup and just how much our team support staff and our squad has changed in that period of time, I think no one’s probably noticed that as much simply because of the way that players have had opportunity over the last couple of years.”1:24

Gardner on using the Hundred to gauge the opposition

Last season, there was a subtle shift in the batting order with Sutherland promoted to No. 5 and Tahlia McGrath moved to a finishing role at No. 7. Sutherland’s development into a world-class allrounder had almost demanded the move but it felt a significant nod to the next generation; she responded with back-to-back centuries against India and New Zealand. Nothing in elite sport is certain, but she’s the type of player who could shine at this World Cup.”Annabel’s been absolutely superb for the last 12 months, probably before that,” Perry said. “And to think that she’s only still so young is quite incredible. Obviously, she won the Belinda Clark Medal last year, and she’s been such a big contributor to our team in the last little bit.”I think her coupled with Phoebe Litchfield, the way that she’s been playing, Georgia Voll as well, since she’s had an opportunity at an international level… there’s some really, really special young players that we’ve got in the group. I think they balance out the experience that we have as well.”I’m sure Annabel’s going to have a wonderful tournament. She works exceptionally hard at her game. She’s never standing still.”Australia fly out to India on Wednesday ahead of their three-match series with the hosts before the World Cup. “It feels like with the women’s game, every World Cup just gets a little bit bigger, more competitive, and there’s more on the line,” Perry said.