Tottenham have been told one key condition to sign a player who’s been identified by manager Thomas Frank as a summer target, according to a new report.

£43m star "clear" he wants to join Tottenham in talks with club chairman

He’s expressed his desire to seal a Spurs switch.

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By
Emilio Galantini

Jul 15, 2025

Spurs are fresh off the back of their first pre-season game against Reading, with new signing Mohammed Kudus enjoying an impressive cameo on Saturday as the Lilywhites ran out 2-0 winners against the League One side.

Goals from Will Lankshear and new arrival Luka Vuskovic secured Frank the perfect start to his new managerial chapter, with the Dane getting a first look at his star-studded squad.

Tottenham’s best-performing regulars in the Premier League – 2024/2025	Average match rating
Son Heung-min	7.00
James Maddison	6.98
Pedro Porro	6.95
Dominic Solanke	6.84
Dejan Kulusevski	6.83
via WhoScored

He could yet see more illustrious names added to it, as Tottenham maintain their pursuit of Morgan Gibbs-White despite Nottingham Forest’s threat of legal action. Fabrizio Romano confirms that sealing a deal for Gibbs-White is their priority right now, speaking via his YouTube channel, but that doesn’t mean Daniel Levy won’t have other plates spinning in the background.

Yves Bissouma has been regularly linked with a move away from north London before deadline day on September 1, and José Mourinho’s Fenerbahçe are believed to be prime contenders for the Mali international (Yağız Sabuncuoğlu).

With Spurs competing in the Champions League next season, Frank will need a ready-made replacement for Bissouma, considering the hot and cold midfielder played 28 games for them in the Premier League alone last term.

According to recent reports, Bayern Munich ace and former Fulham favourite Joao Palhinha is among the targets on Tottenham’s shortlist to potentially step into Bissouma’s shoes for 2025/2026.

The Portugal international finally sealed what was a long-awaited move to Bavaria last summer, signing for around £47 million, but his debut season at the Allianz Arena was marred by injury struggles, suspensions, illness and a subsequent lack of game time under Vincent Kompany.

As a result, reports suggest the 30-year-old could call time on his stay in the Bundesliga already, and Spurs have been told the requirements to seal a deal.

Tottenham told Joao Palhinha condition after opening Bayern Munich talks

According to GiveMeSport, Tottenham have held club-to-club discussions with Bayern over Palhinha, and Kompany’s side are adamant that Levy will only be able to sign him on a permanent deal.

Any offers for a loan will not be accepted as Bayern attempt to get Palhinha’s £166,000-per-week wages off the books for good, but Frank has personally identified the player as a target, so there appears to be a real willingness from Spurs to move for him.

Bayern are said to have made it clear that Tottenham will need to table a “big-money” bid for Palhinha if they stand a chance of signing him this summer, but this report doesn’t disclose the exact amount they’d be looking for.

In any case, if Spurs decide to press forward, there is reason to believe he would thrive under Frank.

Palhinha was famed for his tackling and robustness in midfield during his spell at Craven Cottage, indicating why Spurs are so keen, with former teammate Tom Cairney even calling him a “breath of fresh air”.

“If you lose the ball, he smells blood,” Cairney said in a glowing endorsement.

“He’s probably one of the best I’ve ever seen off the ball, in terms of getting back, recovering and trying to win back the ball. He doesn’t just put pressure on them, he goes back to win the ball and does the tackle.

“It’s amazing to watch sometimes. I think the fans have taken to him. I think he’s been a breath of fresh air in the Premier League.”

Tottenham Hotspur could make a “marquee signing” of a £68m Arsenal target as an alternative to Nottingham Forest star Morgan Gibbs-White, it has been revealed.

Spurs' Gibbs-White pursuit hits snag

Tottenham had been expected to complete a deal for Gibbs-White, after triggering the £60m release clause in the attacking midfielder’s Nottingham Forest contract, but his current employers are holding up the move.

Forest are adamant that an illegal approach was made for the England international, consequently reporting Spurs’ alleged wrongdoing to the Premier League, meaning little progress has been made over the past few days.

Alasdair Gold has suggested the Tricky Trees may be powerless to stop the move going through, however, saying: “It’s difficult to predict right now with complete certainty as it’s an unusual situation, and that’s reflected in media coverage across the board, but the feeling among many at this early stage seems to be that Forest are more likely to hold up the deal than prevent it.”

Tottenham may hijack Nottingham Forest bid for "unbelievable" £50m forward

Spurs are in the race for a major Nottingham Forest target…

ByDominic Lund Jul 13, 2025

Regardless, it is still worth planning for the worst-case scenario, and Tottenham News have revealed that Spurs could revive their interest in Crystal Palace star Eberechi Eze, who is also a firm target for north London rivals Arsenal.

The outlet also spoke to iconic commentator Ian Darke, who said: “There are a lot of mentions with Spurs and Eberechi Eze, whose release clause I am told is somewhere around £60-68million, that would be a marquee signing for whoever got him.

“I think he is a wonderful player to watch and looks to be moving on a level. It would be a marvellous signing if they could get him.

“Forest are upset about how Spurs have gone about it, so it looks like they will play hardball even though the release clause has been met, Eze would be a brilliant substitute deal but they will hope to revive this one because Gibbs-White would be an exciting statement signing.”

"Unbelievable" Eze could be ideal Gibbs-White alternative

The Crystal Palace star is available for a similar price as Gibbs-White, while he also flourished in an attacking midfield role for the Eagles last season, amassing 14 goals and 11 assists in all competitions.

Most famously, the England international scored the only goal of the game in the FA Cup final against Manchester City, securing Palace their first ever major trophy in the process.

Palace boss Oliver Glasner has also been left very impressed by the forward in the past, saying: “He’s always dangerous because he has the quality and ability at 1-1, he’s such an unbelievable finisher, in some situations he can improve, he’s a guy who can always score and he’s someone who everyone likes.”

That said, the rival interest from Arsenal could pose a major problem for Tottenham, with the 27-year-old keen to move to the Emirates Stadium, so their number one priority should be to get a deal for Gibbs-White over the line.

SL were bowled out for 42, their lowest Test total, as SA gained a 149-run first-innings lead

Firdose Moonda28-Nov-2024South Africa are in control at Kingsmead after a fast-forward second day in which 19 wickets fell, and records tumbled. Sri Lanka were dismissed for 42, their lowest Test total, which was also the lowest Test score against South Africa, and the second-shortest in terms of number of balls faced: 83.Marco Jansen’s 7 for 13 headlined South Africa’s pace pack. He bowled 41 balls in the innings – the joint-fewest in history to take seven wickets – and gave South Africa a 149-run first-innings lead. By the end of the day, that had grown to 281, and the partnership between Temba Bavuma and Tristan Stubbs to 43, the second-highest of the match.Under blue skies and in sunshine, there was still significant movement on offer, and batting conditions remained tough. South Africa had started day two by resuming their first innings on 80 for 4, and found themselves in trouble 15 overs into the day on 117 for 7. They were in danger of being shot out for their lowest score against Sri Lanka – 128 – but three handy lower-order partnerships, and Bavuma’s knock of 70 took them to 191, their third-lowest against Sri Lanka. And it was made to look like a much bigger total when South Africa got the ball in hand.Only two Sri Lanka batters got into double figures, and their misfortunes were a combination of incisive bowling and poor shot selection. Of the top seven, Pathum Nissanka, Angelo Mathews, Kamindu Mendis and Dhananjaya de Silva all played at deliveries they could have left.Kagiso Rabada started the slide when Dimuth Karunatratne hung his bat out to a length ball outside off. and edged to David Bedingham at first slip. Four balls later, Jansen drew Nissanka forward, as the latter reached out for a wide-ish ball. As a result, he was caught at third slip.Dinesh Chandimal left a gap between bat and pad, and a delivery from Jansen nipped through him•AFP/Getty ImagesTwo overs after that, Dinesh Chandimal displayed questionable defence when he left a gap between bat and pad, as a delivery from Jansen nipped through to bowl him. Mathews’ experience also let him down when he wafted at a ball that angled away, and edged to Bedingham. Sri Lanka were 16 for 4 in the eighth over.South Africa’s first, and as it turned out only, bowling change was to bring on Gerald Coetzee in place of Rabada. He started with a full toss that Kamindu drove for four. Coetzee soon had reward when Kamindu played a big shot, attempting to whack him through the covers, but edged to first slip.Jansen’s two wickets in his sixth over brought him his second Test five-for. The first of those two wickets was came when Dhananjaya missed an attempted drive and was bowled. The second wicket in the over was of Prabath Jayasuriya’s, as he was kept on the back foot and prodded to Stubbs in the slips.Coetzee took the eighth off the next ball, an lbw that was confirmed on review, before Jansen did another double in his last over to end Sri Lanka’s innings 78 minutes after it began.Their bowling effort eclipsed a strong Sri Lanka performance earlier in the day, led by good pace from Lahiru Kumara, and well supported by Asitha and Vishwa Fernando. They shared five wickets between them, seamed and swung the ball, and enjoyed operating on a surface with good bounce and carry. Add to that Sri Lanka’s good catching in breezy conditions, and they would have been fairly satisfied with their first session’s work.Wiaan Mulder was hit on the middle finger of his right hand by a delivery from Lahiru Kumara•AFP/Getty ImagesVishwa appealed for an lbw against Kyle Verreynne second ball, but replays showed an inside edge. Verreynne only faced three more deliveries, before Kumara fired in a 141kph ball that beat him and rapped him on the front pad.Three balls later, Sri Lanka wasted a review as Wiaan Mulder inside-edged onto his pad, but Mulder’s troubles were only just beginning. In Kumara’s next over, he was hit on the middle finger of his right hand as he tried to defend a ball that nipped back in. He received treatment on field and tried to continue despite struggling to grip the bat.Mulder kept out the next ball he faced and immediately wrung his hand in pain, left the last ball of the over, and then retired hurt. He returned to bat for the final partnership and also in the second innings, though X-rays confirmed he had fractured the finger and would not be able to bowl or field in the match.After Kumara’s opening spell, which had started on day one, ended with an analysis of 8-1-51-3, Sri Lanka went for a double change. Asitha replaced Kumara, while Jayasuriya’s spin came on for Vishwa. Jayasuriya had success with his tenth ball, when Jansen missed a tossed-up delivery, and was rapped on the pads.Coetzee was also drawn in by one that was tossed up, and recklessly hit Jayasuriya to deep midwicket, where Kamindu ran forward to take a good catch. South Africa had lost 3 for 34 in 9.1 overs at that stage, with no real batting to come.Temba Bavuma ramped one for six during his knock of 70•Gallo Images/Getty ImagesKeshav Maharaj joined Bavuma on the back of four successive Test ducks, and made his highest Test score in nine innings. He showed some fight against Jayasuriya, whose fourth over he hit for 15 runs, including a stunning six straight down the ground. When Jayasuriya was replaced by Vishwa, Maharaj did not rein his instincts in, and reached for a wide ball to drive it aerially to Dhananjaya at mid-off.Bavuma had only just reached fifty but was running out of partners, and took matters into his own hands. He left his feet to ramp Kumara for six, and drove him through extra cover and then back past him. The fun didn’t last long, and when Kumara was replaced by Asitha, Bavuma swiped across the line and top-edged to midwicket, where Kumara judged the catch well in the wind. That brought the first stanza of Mulder’s bravery, and he ended on 9 not out.Later, Mulder came in at No. 3 in South Africa’s second innings, after Tony de Zorzi and Aiden Markram’s 47-run opening stand ended when de Zorzi skied Jayasuriya to deep-backward square to become his 100th Test wicket. Jayasuriya, in his 17th Test, became the joint-fastest bowler in 74 years to the landmark.Meanwhile, Mulder scored 16 off 31 balls and looked in increasing levels of discomfort before being given out lbw. Markram, whose last five Test innings have not yielded a single half-century, looked convincing until he inside-edged Vishwa on to his stumps. Bavuma and Stubbs bedded in for the rest of the session, and will resume on what is expected to be an easier day for batting on Friday.

Bayern Munich director Max Eberl revealed Nicolas Jackson’s transfer took a 'big fight' and an intense 48 hours after Chelsea tried to block the move.

• Bayern signed Jackson from Chelsea on season-long loan
• Transfer almost collapsed after Liam Delap’s injury
• Eberl admits it was an “intense 48 hours” of talks

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• WHAT HAPPENED?

  Bayern unveiled Jackson as their latest signing after a dramatic end to the summer transfer window. The striker joined on a season-long loan from Chelsea for €16.5 million (£14m/$19m), with an unlikely-to-trigger €65m (£54m/$71m) purchase clause included. The move was thrown into doubt when the Blues tried to cancel the agreement following Liam Delap’s hamstring injury, but the Bavarians pushed hard to revive negotiations. Jackson himself refused to return to London, insisting he wanted the switch to the Allianz Arena.

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  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  The transfer saga highlights Bayern’s determination to reinforce their attack as they look to reclaim the Bundesliga title and compete strongly in the Champions League, especially after missing out on key targets like Florian Wirtz and Nick Woltemade. For Chelsea, Jackson’s departure was balanced by the decision to terminate Marc Guiu’s loan at Sunderland to strengthen Enzo Maresca’s squad depth. For Jackson, the move represents a fresh start after slipping down the pecking order at Stamford Bridge, and he now has the opportunity to prove himself at one of Europe’s biggest clubs.

• WHAT MAX EBERL SAID

  Speaking about the saga, Bayern sporting director Eberl admitted: "It was actually all done, up until Liam Delap's injury. Jackson was then clear in saying he wanted to stay. It was a big fight. He had other offers, even for a permanent transfer. But the key was that we had a player who really wanted to join us. It all worked out in the end, which is the most important thing. 

  He added: "It was an intense 48 hours with lots of ups and downs, but we were really focused on making it happen and found a good solution. We're really pleased Nicolas is here."

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  WHAT NEXT FOR NICOLAS JACKSON?

  The 24-year-old is expected to make his Bundesliga debut against Hamburg this weekend. Bayern hope his integration will be smooth with Champions League fixtures just around the corner. The club will use the loan as a test run to see if the Senegalese striker fits their long-term project.

Enzo Maresca hit back at the claim that Chelsea were distracted by their Champions League commitments after Brentford's late comeback in their Premier League clash on Saturday. The Bees scored a late equaliser to snatch away a point in a 2-2 draw with the Blues, who next face Bayern Munich in their Champions League opener next week.

Brentford score late equaliser

Brentford took the lead through Kevin Schade's strike in the 35th minute, but Cole Palmer brought Chelsea back into the game with an equaliser just past the hour mark. Moises Caicedo then put the Blues in front in the 85th minute, which almost sealed a comeback win, but Fabio Carvalho's last-gasp equaliser helped the Bees walk away with a point. 

AdvertisementGetty ImagesMaresca refutes Champions League distraction claims

Maresca made significant changes to the starting lineup that comfortably beat Fulham in their last Premier League game, raising questions about whether the Italian coach was prioritising their Champions League encounter against Bayern Munich on Wednesday. However, the Blues boss refuted such claims.

What did Maresca say about Chelsea dropping points?

When asked if he had the Bayern game in mind before the Brentford clash, Maresca said: "No, no, no, no, absolutely [not]. Joao Pedro, before the game, asked me that he was not fit 100 percent, better [that he] doesn't play. And so if I was thinking about Bayern Munich, Joao was on the bench. But Joao played because the focus was about tonight. But for sure, when you have so many games, you have to plan a different option.

"For instance, Reece James played two games with the international team. So play tonight and thinking on Wednesday. So it's not, our focus was about tonight. And the reason why is because if this season we play Champions League, it's because we did well in the Premier League. And if we want to play again Champions League next season, we need to do well in the Premier League."

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AFPWhen are Chelsea playing next?

Chelsea will face Bayern on Wednesday in Munich before taking on Manchester United at Old Trafford on September 20.

A total of 120 players have put their hats in the auction ahead of the 2025 edition of the Women’s Premier League (WPL) to fill the 19 slots vacated by the five teams in the latest round of releases/retentions last month. The line-up includes 91 Indians – including nine capped players – and 29 from overseas, who will be in the fray to fill a maximum of five vacancies.The big names who have listed their reserve price at the highest slab of INR 50 lakh (US$60,000 approx.) are Deandra Dottin, Heather Knight (released by Royal Challengers Bengaluru – RCB) and Lizelle Lee. Of the Indians, Sneh Rana (released by Gujarat Giants – GG), Poonam Yadav (released by Delhi Capitals – DC), Shubha Satheesh (released by RCB), Tejal Hasabnis and Mansi Joshi are the prominent names.But there are some other big overseas cricketers around to pick from too. Lauren Bell, who was released by UP Warriorz (UPW), will be going under the hammer, as will her England mates Maia Boucher, Sarah Glenn and Sophia Dunkley, apart from Knight. A total of eight cricketers from England are going to be part of the auction, the second-highest representation – outside of India – behind Australia’s 12. Amanda-Jade Wellington, Alana King, Kim Garth, Laura Harris (released by DC) and Darcie Brown are the major Australians who will be hoping to find teams. Of the overseas players up for grabs, Garth and South Africa’s Nadine de Klerk have been part of the WPL in the past.Related

• Mithali Raj, Nooshin Al Khadeer part ways with Gujarat Giants ahead of WPL 2025

• All you need to know about the WPL 2025 mini-auction

• What each team needs at the WPL 2025 auction

• WPL 2025 auction – Full list of 120 players

UAE’s Samaira Dharnidharka and Theertha Satish and Scotland’s Sarah Bryce are going to be part of the auction from among Associate teams. Kathryn Bryce of Scotland, who was released by GG, has not registered for the auction.The WPL 2025 auction is scheduled to take place on December 15 in Bengaluru.RCB, led by Smriti Mandhana, are the defending champions, having beaten DC in the WPL 2024 final, played in Delhi.Below is a look at the five teams and their vacancies:

• Delhi Capitals: Four vacancies, including one overseas
• Gujarat Giants: Four vacancies, including two overseas
• Mumbai Indians: Four vacancies, including one overseas
• Royal Challengers Bengaluru: Four vacancies, no overseas
• UP Warriorz: Three vacancies, including one overseas

Leeds United are believed to have reached an agreement over the signing of an international attacker this week, but a deal is far complete as the Whites have yet to convince the player to join.

Leeds targeting three more signings

The Whites need as much squad depth as possible upon their return to the Premier League, with plenty of new faces already arriving at Elland Road, from Anton Stach to Jaka Bijol. Leeds’ summer business is unlikely to be done there, however, with former scout Mick Brown claiming that as many as three new faces could still arrive this month given they have yet to truly reinforce their attack.

“The feeling at Leeds has been that if they want to compete in the Premier League, the squad is going to need strengthening and that hasn’t changed. Their recruitment has been okay so far, but I would suggest none of them are nailed-on Premier League players who you know are going to be a success.

“They don’t have the type of Premier League experience in their squad that they would like. Before the window closes, there are two or three new players they want to bring in and I think it’s something they’re working on behind the scenes. There are still positions they want to strengthen in, and they’re going to concentrate on getting in Premier League players to aid that transition.”

A new forward needs to be near the top of Leeds’ wishlist, in order to have enough firepower to cope in the top flight, and a promising update has dropped regarding one target.

Leeds reach agreement to sign Serie A attacker

According to an update from Italian media [via Sport Witness], Leeds have reached an agreement to sign Sassuolo attacker Andrea Pinamonti this summer, who has been capped once by Italy.

That said, the update does also state that the 26-year-old has rejected the chance to join the Whites, with his reasoning for the decision not explained. It is now a case of Daniel Farke and those high up at Elland Road working to change his mind.

Pinamonti is a proven attacker at the highest level, having scored 50 goals in 212 Serie A appearances. Former coach Moreno Longo has heaped praise on him during their time working together in the past.

At 26, Pinamonti is both an experienced head and someone with years ahead of him, so he could come straight in as an influential leader of the line for Leeds.

Leeds closing in on "underrated" striker who's scored over 200 career goals

He’d hand Daniel Farke a major boost.

6 ByTom Cunningham Aug 9, 2025

Last season, the Italian scored 10 Serie A goals on loan at Genoa, also winning six Man of the Match awards from WhoScored, and the lure of moving to the Premier League will hopefully sway his thinking.

Chelsea have stepped up their pursuit of one player who’s now effectively ruled out every other destination this summer, according to reliable journalist David Ornstein.

The Blues are expected to be very busy in terms of both incomings and outgoings before the transfer deadline on September 1.

Cole Palmer

7.33

Moises Caicedo

7.02

Enzo Fernández

6.95

Nicolas Jackson

6.88

Noni Madueke

6.82

via WhoScored

Enzo Maresca has already watched Kepa Arrizabalaga, Basir Humphreys, Noni Madueke, Marcus Bettinelli, Mathis Amougou, Djordje Petrovic, João Félix, Armando Broja, Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall and Lesley Ugochukwu leave Stamford Bridge this summer, raising nearly £220 million transfer fees.

This has allowed Chelsea to balance out the squad and make room for key new additions, with UEFA pressuring the west Londoners to produce a ‘positive transfer balance’, or face an inability to register summer signings for next season’s Champions League.

With more also expected to depart, Chelsea are currently in talks to seal a few further incomings as BlueCo give Maresca their full backing.

Chelsea have been linked with RB Leipzig sensation Xavi Simons for a while now, and it looks like things are seriously heating up.

Maresca’s side are advanced in their talks and The Netherlands international has removed Leipzig from his Instagram bio – a clear indicator that his move to London is gaining traction with Chelsea reliably believed to be far down the line in negotiations.

Some reports even suggest that Chelsea have reached a “total agreement” for Simons and only the final details are to be ironed out, but this is yet to be backed up by the wider media.

Simons isn’t the only player who’s dropped hints about a potential move to Chelsea on Instagram, either, with Man United winger Alejandro Garnacho deploying similar social media tactics.

The Argentine boldly liked a post from Fabrizio Romano linking him with a switch to London, which is again seen as a clear suggestion that he wants to join them.

Tottenham and Aston Villa have been named as alternative landing spots for Garnacho who’s determined to leave Old Trafford, but according to Ornstein, Chelsea face zero threat from either of them.

Alejandro Garnacho rules out every other club but Chelsea

The reporter, in an update on X, states that Garnacho only wants Chelsea ‘or nothing’.

For The Athletic, Ornstein writes that talks are ‘now advanced’ for the 22-year-old, who’s effectively ruled out all other options but a switch to Cobham.

In a further boost for Chelsea, United have been forced to drop their previous asking price of £70 million to around £50 million, as per the BBC, so Maresca could see the exciting winger join his squad in a cut-price deal.

Garnacho’s public Red Devils fallout could be cause for concern over his attitude, but The Telegraph report that Chelsea are satisfied with his personality after conducting extensive background checks.

MatériaMais Notícias

Apontado como o principal favorito para assumir o posto de técnico do São Paulo após a demissão de Rogério Ceni, na tarde desta quarta-feira (19), Dorival Júnior desmentiu que já tenha acertado qualquer tipo de contato com a diretoria do Tricolor.

Em entrevista ao LANCE!, o técnico, desempregado desde que deixou o comando do Flamengo no fim do ano passado, após conquistar os títulos da Copa do Brasil e Copa Libertadores pelo clube da Gávea, ressaltou que ainda não foi procurado.

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+Jogos da Série A sob investigação: listamos os maiores escândalos envolvendo ações em campo

-Estou em casa, não tive contato nenhum, com ninguém – destacou Dorival.

A reportagem apurou que o contato dos dirigentes são-paulinos com Dorival para oficializar o convite deve acontecer nesta noite. Entretanto , o acerto estaria adiantado com os agentes do treinador. E o anúncio deve ser feito na manhã desta quinta-feira (20), junto com a contratação do atacante Alexandre Pato, que se recuperava de contusão no Reffis.

O movimento atual do Tricolor é semelhante ao de 2017, quando Dorival foi o substituto de Ceni, demitido em sua primeira experiência profissional como treinador.

Dorival chegou ao Morumbi em julho daquele ano, livrou o time do rebaixamento e ficou no cargo até a reta final do Campeonato Paulista do ano seguinte, quando foi substituído pelo ídolo e então gerente de futebol Raí por Diego Aguirre. Ao todo, comandou o São Paulo em 40 partidas, conseguindo 17 vitórias, 11 empates e 12 derrotas, sem conquistar títulos.

+ Confira os jogos e classificação do Brasileirão-23 na tabela do LANCE!

Southampton are now “in talks” to sign a “top-class” £15m midfielder, amid doubts over Mateus Fernandes’ future, reliable reporter Mike McGrath has revealed on X.

Saints pursuing new midfielder amid doubts over Fernandes' future

As we approach the final two weeks of the summer transfer window, there is still a great deal of doubt over the futures of Fernandes and Tyler Dibling, with the latter player being excluded from the first-team squad, amid major interest from Everton.

Fernandes, on the other hand, has remained available for selection, and the 21-year-old was singled out for praise by Will Still after scoring the winner in the 1-0 EFL Cup victory against Northampton.

When asked about the 21-year-old’s professionalism, Still said: “He’s top, he’s top. I think he’d missed quite a bit of football, which is understandable, but since we’ve brought him back in, he came on and made an impact on Saturday.”

That said, with the likes of West Ham United and Aston Villa in the race for the midfielder, it may be difficult to retain his services beyond the summer, and the Saints have now stepped up their pursuit of a potential replacement.

That is according to McGrath on X, who states that Southampton are now “in talks” to sign Coventry City’s Jack Rudoni, with it also being revealed they are looking to strike a deal for the midfielder very soon.

Reports from elsewhere have stated that a deal for Rudoni could set Still’s side back £15m, with Coventry taking a hardline stance on one of their prized assets, although a fee in that ballpark should be affordable for the Saints if they cash-in on Fernandes.

Related Southampton offer preliminary contract to sign player similar to Dani Olmo

The Saints are now in advanced talks…

Posts BySean Markus Clifford Aug 11, 2025

There have been suggestions that both Fernandes and Dibling could command £50m transfer fees, which would put the Championship promotion hopefuls on a solid financial footing.

"Top-class" Rudoni could be ideal Fernandes replacement

It would be a shame to see Fernandes leave, given that he is clearly held in high regard by Still, but it would be understandable if the youngster is eager to return to the Premier League, and there are signs the Coventry man could be an ideal replacement.

Much like the Portuguese starlet, the Coventry star has regularly featured in both central and attacking midfield throughout his career to date, and he certainly impressed manager Frank Lampard last season.

Lampard described the 24-year-old as a “top-class young player” after he scored in the 2-0 victory over West Bromwich Albion back in April, one of 21 attacking contributions across the Championship campaign.

Indeed, Rudoni chipped in with nine goals and 12 assists for the Sky Blues in the league last season, indicating that he is a top player at Championship level, and the London-born midfielder could play a major role in the Saints’ promotion push.