Tottenham Hotspur are working on deals to sign Premier League wingers Cody Gakpo and Savinho as manager Roberto De Zerbi looks to bolster his attacking options.
The North London club have already spent a staggering £237m on six new summer signings but remain active in the transfer market.
Italian journalist Fabrizio Romano confirmed that the two attackers are currently the primary focus for the Lilywhites.
Brazilian winger emerges as top target
Manchester City wide-man Savinho has been identified as a long-term priority after struggling for regular minutes at the Etihad Stadium.
The 22-year-old’s situation has not improved since Enzo Maresca replaced Pep Guardiola in the managerial dugout.
Reports in South America suggest Spurs have already submitted a massive £85m bid for the former Girona forward.
However, committing such a high fee for a player yet to fully establish himself in English football is viewed as a significant financial risk.
Gakpo future in doubt amid Liverpool reshuffle
Alongside the South American prospect, De Zerbi is also exploring an ambitious move for Liverpool forward Gakpo.
The Dutchman has been a regular at Anfield, but his position could be threatened by the Reds’ reported interest in Paris St-Germain’s Bradley Barcola.
If a double deal proves impossible, Chelsea’s Pedro Neto has been highlighted as a potential alternative on the flanks.
Any approach for the Portuguese international could be heavily complicated by a substantial asking price from his current employers.
Balogun rumours dismissed
While wingers remain the priority, Romano moved quickly to dismiss speculation linking Spurs with Monaco striker Folarin Balogun.
“I know there have been many reports in the last 24 hours, but Tottenham are not working on a Balogun deal,” stated Romano on his YouTube channel.
Plans to sign a new traditional centre-forward appear to have been temporarily shelved by the club hierarchy.
Previous target Junior Kroupi suffered an injury during pre-season with Bournemouth, meaning a renewed pursuit of the French talent will likely wait until next year.
The immediate focus remains firmly on securing wide reinforcements to join recent high-profile arrivals like £100m club-record signing Sandro Tonali.
Fenway Sports Group has agreed to sell approximately a third of Liverpool to a consortium backed by Amazon founder Jeff Bezos in a deal valuing the Premier League club at over £5bn.
The investment group, operating under the name 1892 Holdings, is spearheaded by British-Indian businessman Amit Bhatia.
Facebook co-founder Eduardo Saverin is also part of the lucrative partnership taking a strategic minority stake at Anfield.
Bhatia will step into the role of vice-chairman and join an expanded boardroom, pending standard regulatory approvals.
Bhatia returns to football ownership
The millionaire investor recently ended an 18-year association with Queens Park Rangers, relinquishing his co-ownership of the Championship side last month.
Bezos, currently ranked as the fourth-richest individual globally with an estimated net worth of £192bn, is making his maiden venture into sports ownership.
The American e-commerce magnate will not personally sit on the Merseyside club’s board.
Instead, Bryan Baum, founder of the K5 Sports venture capital firm facilitating the investment, will take up a directorial position alongside Saverin’s wife, Elaine.
No immediate transfer budget boost
Despite the injection of vast wealth, the transaction is not expected to alter the Reds’ immediate approach to the upcoming transfer window.
BBC Sport understands there is no separate transfer budget associated with this high-profile financial restructuring.
FSG stated that the strategic move supports long-term growth ambitions by uniting experts from global business and technology.
The American ownership group, which originally purchased the six-time European champions for £300m in 2010, firmly retains majority control and operational oversight.
FSG focus on long-term stability
Mike Gordon, FSG president, highlighted that the club hierarchy has always prioritised decisions with future stability in mind.
“As we considered this opportunity, it became clear that Amit and the consortium shared our long-term philosophy and appreciation for what makes Liverpool special,” Gordon said.
“Their experience and perspective will complement the strong foundation already in place, and we look forward to working together.”
Bhatia echoed this sentiment, expressing immense pride in joining the storied English institution.
“To be welcomed as a partner in a club of this stature is a huge privilege,” Bhatia stated.
“We are making this investment because we believe deeply in Liverpool and its leadership.”
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has admitted that 19-year-old Ethan Nwaneri could leave the club this summer to secure regular first-team football.
The teenager recently returned to north London following a challenging loan spell with French side Marseille.
Despite previous concerns over his commitment abroad, the returning prospect has impressed during recent pre-season fixtures.
Pre-season progress and transfer stance
The attacking talent found the net against Borussia Dortmund in the Emirates Cup and looked sharp starting against Como on Wednesday.
However, the Gunners remain open to significant offers if they cannot guarantee him adequate playing time.
Speaking ahead of the Community Shield clash against Manchester City, the Arsenal boss outlined his philosophy regarding developing youth.
“I want him to be at the club but something is in the medium and long-term, what is the best for the player as well,” Mikel Arteta explained.
“Ethan needs to play football. If he stays here, it’s because we can guarantee that he can have those minutes.”
Overcoming loan struggles in France
The young player’s time in Ligue 1 was marred by public criticism from then-Marseille head coach Habib Beye.
In April, Beye warned that the Arsenal youngster needed to drastically improve his day-to-day application and focus.
Despite those past struggles, the Spanish manager believes his player has returned looking significantly more mature.
“I think he’s done it in a brilliant way. It’s unquestionable the talent, the desire, the love and the passion he has for the game,” Arteta noted.
With the summer transfer window closing soon, the north London outfit will explore all possibilities as they finalise their squad.
Following his release from Manchester United, free agent Jadon Sancho prefers to continue his career abroad despite receiving multiple contract offers from Premier League clubs.
The 26-year-old is currently assessing his options six weeks after his lucrative contract at Old Trafford officially expired.
Borussia Dortmund are believed to be among the European sides strongly interested in securing his signature.
The England attacker previously enjoyed two highly successful spells in Germany, making 158 appearances for the Bundesliga giants.
A series of recent loan spells
The highly-rated forward originally cost United £73m when he first joined from Dortmund in the summer of 2021.
However, he spent recent campaigns away from Manchester, including a productive stint at Aston Villa where he helped Unai Emery’s side secure Champions League qualification.
During his time in the Midlands, the winger also experienced continental success, featuring as a late substitute in a European final victory over Freiburg.
A subsequent season-long loan at Chelsea during the 2024-25 campaign yielded 41 appearances across all competitions.
Maintaining match fitness
The west London club initially agreed to an obligation to buy the player, but instead opted to pay a £5m penalty to return him to his parent club.
Now unattached, the out-of-contract star remains open to all possibilities but is heavily leaning towards a permanent departure from England.
To ensure he is ready for the upcoming season, the versatile forward has recently been training with non-league outfit Flixton to maintain his physical conditioning.
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has refused to be drawn on rumours linking the club with Ezri Konsa and Jarell Quansah, but confirmed he wants to strengthen his squad following key defensive injuries.
The Gunners raise the curtain on their season against FA Cup winners Manchester City in the Community Shield at Cardiff’s Principality Stadium on Sunday.
They will begin the new campaign without two of their primary central defenders.
William Saliba is facing months on the sidelines with a back problem sustained at the World Cup, while Jurrien Timber is recovering from a knee issue.
Defensive reinforcements required
The North London club are actively exploring significant investments at centre-back to plug these newly formed gaps.
Aston Villa’s Konsa has emerged as a renewed target over recent days.
Bayer Leverkusen defender Quansah is also reportedly on the radar, with both players capable of operating at right-back and centrally.
When pressed on the England international pair, the manager chose to focus on the broader ambitions of the club.
“You know I am not going to talk about an individual but what I can obviously tell you is the ambition of the club,” he said.
“It is big that we want to improve the squad, we want to evolve the squad, in order to achieve.”
Departures remain a possibility
The Spanish tactician also hinted that the transfer window could still yield outgoings over the coming fortnight.
Gabriel Martinelli, Gabriel Jesus and Fabio Vieira have all been linked with moves away from Emirates Stadium.
“There is an opportunity to go both ways, we have to see how the market responds and what as a club, we can do,” he added.
Providing a medical update on his absent stars, the former midfielder offered a positive outlook on Timber’s rehabilitation.
The Dutchman has returned to the grass and is currently ramping up his workload, though a return before September’s international break remains uncertain.
Conversely, the prognosis for the French centre-back is much bleaker, with the medical team managing a long-term injury.
Barcelona, Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid will miss the opening weekend of the 2026-27 La Liga season to grant players an extended post-World Cup break.
The new Spanish top-flight campaign commences on Saturday without its three most successful clubs.
A recent agreement between the Spanish Players’ Union (AFE) and La Liga allows teams with representatives in the World Cup semi-finals to postpone their opening fixtures.
Seven clubs in total are affected by the delayed start across the division.
Fixture reshuffle for Spanish giants
Defending champions Barcelona were initially scheduled to host Athletic Club, while Real Madrid were set to face Real Sociedad.
Instead, the Catalan giants will begin their title defence away at Elche on 23 August.
Los Blancos will travel to Espanyol a day earlier to officially kick off their domestic campaign.
Both heavyweights will then fulfil their postponed Matchday 1 obligations the following midweek.
Atletico and Celta Vigo alterations
Diego Simeone’s squad face a much shorter wait to get their season under way.
The Rojiblancos host Malaga at the Metropolitano Stadium on Wednesday, resulting in minimal disruption to their calendar.
Celta Vigo will also see their opening match against Osasuna delayed, though for an entirely different reason.
A severe fungus outbreak on their stadium pitch forced the postponement, rather than player fatigue.
Extended pre-season preparations
The extra time affords these European powerhouses a final opportunity to refine their squads before competitive action begins.
The reigning European champions will travel to Germany to play Schalke in a friendly on Sunday.
Meanwhile, the Blaugrana have two remaining exhibition matches left on their schedule.
They will visit Swiss side Basel before hosting Egyptian club Al Ahly for the traditional Gamper Trophy.
Newcastle United are nearing an agreement to sign Benfica right-back Amar Dedic as new manager Matthias Jaissle rebuilds his depleted squad ahead of the upcoming Premier League campaign.
The Magpies are targeting up to four new additions before the transfer window closes at the beginning of September.
It follows a turbulent summer for the Tyneside club, who have seen several star players depart alongside former boss Eddie Howe.
Sandro Tonali secured a £100m move to Tottenham Hotspur, while Bruno Guimaraes and Anthony Gordon left for Arsenal and Barcelona respectively.
Jaissle, arriving from Saudi Arabian side Al-Ahli, has inherited a fractured dressing room in desperate need of experienced reinforcements.
Familiar face offers defensive stability
Reports suggest a breakthrough is now imminent regarding a transfer for the Bosnian international.
Dedic previously played under the German head coach during their time together at Austrian outfit RB Salzburg in the 2022-23 season.
The highly rated full-back made 43 appearances for his Portuguese employers last term, contributing one goal and four assists across all competitions.
His expected arrival at St James’ Park would provide crucial cover and competition for Tino Livramento on the right side of defence.
Significant funds available for further additions
Despite UEFA’s strict financial regulations, the North East outfit reportedly have up to £150m available following their lucrative summer sales.
Recruitment officials are actively seeking a top-level replacement for the influential Guimaraes in central midfield.
A new forward to challenge Yoane Wissa and Will Osula remains a priority, alongside potential left-back cover for Manchester United target Lewis Hall.
Confirmation of incoming business could emerge this weekend as Newcastle face Bayer Leverkusen and Strasbourg in consecutive pre-season friendlies.
Jaissle will then prepare his newly assembled side for their opening league fixture against Andoni Iraola’s Liverpool a week on Sunday.
English football will implement unprecedented new laws for the 2026-27 season aimed at reducing time-wasting and increasing the pace of the game.
These radical changes will be deployed across all domestic tiers, ranging from grassroots matches up to the Premier League.
The new regulations officially take effect during Sunday’s Community Shield clash between Arsenal and Manchester City.
Officials intend to eliminate frustrating stoppages and maximise playing time without resorting to excessive added minutes.
Speeding up restarts with strict countdowns
Referees will now actively penalise players who deliberately delay goal-kicks and throw-ins.
A visible five-second countdown will commence if an official judges that a team is purposefully disrupting the match tempo.
Failure to restart play within the allotted timeframe will result in the ball being turned over to the opposition.
Goalkeepers who take too long over late goal-kicks will now immediately concede a corner kick as a direct punishment.
Time-limited substitutions introduce temporary dismissals
Another major rule change dictates that departing players have a strict 10-second window to exit the field at the nearest boundary.
If a substituted player fails to leave promptly, their replacement is barred from entering the pitch for at least one minute.
This effectively forces the offending team to compete with 10 players until the next natural break in play occurs.
Carabao Cup confusion highlights adjustment period
These tempo-focused laws were initially trialled at the World Cup, where ball-in-play time increased significantly to over 60 percent.
However, the domestic rollout has already caused confusion, with Middlesbrough experiencing the first high-profile punishment in the Carabao Cup.
Striker Will Lankshear slowly jogged off the pitch to applaud supporters during his side’s narrow victory against Wrexham.
Despite urgent pleas from Boro manager Kim Hellberg, the forward exceeded the time limit and delayed Fin Cartwright’s introduction.
“I didn’t know!”
The former Tottenham player admitted his ignorance after the game, having inadvertently left his new team numerically disadvantaged.