Tottenham Hotspur have had a second transfer bid for Jan Paul van Hecke rejected by Brighton as the London club seek defensive reinforcements amid uncertainty over Cristian Romero.
The South Coast side are reportedly demanding a fee in the region of £70m to part ways with the 25-year-old.
Spurs initially tabled an offer of around £40m, but their latest attempt has also fallen significantly short of the required valuation.
A third formal approach is expected from the North London club in the coming days.
Multiple clubs tracking Dutch defender
The coveted centre-back has entered the final 12 months of his current contract and is widely expected to depart the Amex Stadium during the current window.
Brighton chief executive Paul Barber confirmed the dual rejections and acknowledged widespread interest in the player.
“There’s always going to be a lot of interest in our best players, and certainly in the case of Jan Paul,” Barber told talkSPORT.
“We’ve been very clear that that interest has been ongoing for a while, and it’s coming from multiple sources.”
“We have rejected a bid from Tottenham over the last week, in fact two bids, but it has to be right for us, as well as the player.”
Spurs rebuilding backline amid Romero doubts
Tottenham have already moved to strengthen their rearguard by securing Marcos Senesi on a free transfer following his departure from Bournemouth.
Additional defensive recruitment has become a strict priority due to lingering speculation regarding the long-term future of current club captain Romero.
Former Spurs midfielder Sandro recently praised the Brighton mainstay, describing him as a perfectly mature candidate for the tactical setup.
“For me, Van Hecke is ready because he played under Roberto De Zerbi and showed that he can play in the moment,” Sandro told Standard Sport.
“He’s mature, and we need players that are already mature.”
Inter Milan sporting director Piero Ausilio has confirmed the Italian club’s interest in signing Liverpool midfielder Curtis Jones during the upcoming summer transfer window.
The Serie A giants are looking to capitalise on a period of significant transition and upheaval at Anfield.
Liverpool are preparing to enter a new era following the appointment of Andoni Iraola as their head coach.
Major Anfield departures
Iraola will require significant backing in the transfer market, but the Merseyside club must balance the books after spending heavily last year.
The financial reality means several established players are expected to be sold to generate much-needed funds.
High-profile figures including Ibrahima Konate, Mohamed Salah and Andy Robertson are already scheduled to depart on free transfers.
Funding a squad rebuild
Sacrificing a homegrown talent like the versatile midfielder could provide the necessary capital to properly reshape the squad.
The club’s hierarchy are reportedly targeting massive investments to support their newly appointed manager.
Rumoured targets to bolster the forward line include an unnamed £130m striker alongside highly-rated defender Ousmane Diomande.
Ausilio’s public declaration now paves the way for formal negotiations between the San Siro outfit and the Premier League side over the coming months.
Barcelona have announced a pre-season training camp at St George’s Park this summer, paving the way for a potential return to English soil for Marcus Rashford if his permanent transfer is finalised.
The Catalan giants will be based at the home of the England national team for a week-long schedule between 27 July and 3 August.
This trip could see the Manchester United forward cross paths with familiar faces, provided a permanent move to Spain is completed before the squad departs.
Stalemate in negotiations
The 28-year-old’s club future currently hangs in the balance following an eye-catching campaign on loan at the Camp Nou.
He contributed 14 goals and 14 assists across 49 appearances, leading head coach Hansi Flick to urge the club hierarchy to secure his signature.
However, there remains no concrete sign that the Spanish outfit will meet Manchester United’s £26m valuation to seal the deal.
Financial questions raised
Reports suggest the Blaugrana are attempting to negotiate a reduced fee, but the Premier League club are firmly holding their ground.
The negotiation process has been further complicated by the recent £70m capture of England winger Anthony Gordon from Newcastle United.
Not only does Gordon provide direct competition on the left flank, but his hefty price tag undermines any arguments that funds are severely restricted in Catalonia.
Return to familiar surroundings
The upcoming English training camp marks a return to a venue the club previously visited during their 2014 and 2016 summer schedules.
“The team will begin training at the Ciutat Esportiva and there will be a preseason stage in England,” a club statement confirmed.
“From July 27 to August 3, the blaugranes will be at St George’s Park, one of the main centres for football in England and a regular base for the England national team.”
The United States has ordered the Iran national football team to enter and leave the country on the same day for their upcoming World Cup group matches amid ongoing geopolitical tensions.
The Middle Eastern nation will base their tournament headquarters in Mexico after abandoning initial plans to stay in Tucson, Arizona.
Abolfazl Pasandideh, the country’s ambassador to Mexico, confirmed the unprecedented travel restrictions imposed on the squad.
“We can enter in the morning and we must leave the same day.”
Pasandideh told reporters as the diplomatic saga surrounding the tournament takes another complex turn.
Mexican base camp approved
The logistical upheaval means the squad will face significant travel demands for their three opening fixtures on American soil.
They begin their campaign against New Zealand in Los Angeles, before facing Belgium in California six days later and concluding the group stage against Egypt in Seattle.
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum has openly welcomed the team to stay south of the US border.
“The United States does not want the Iranian team to stay overnight, but they are going to play three matches there.”
Sheinbaum stated while confirming the arrangement.
“So they asked us: ‘Can they stay overnight in Mexico?’ And we said: ‘Yes, no problem.’ We have no problem.”
Visa restrictions and safety concerns
Football’s global governing body, Fifa, previously rejected an official request from the Iranian federation to relocate their fixtures entirely to Mexico.
This logistical headache is further compounded by strict visa regulations targeting the team’s wider entourage.
While players and essential coaching staff have received clearance, Iranian state media report several key figures, including federation chief Mehdi Taj, have been denied entry.
A US State Department official confirmed athletes had been approved but issued a stark warning regarding the wider delegation.
“We will not allow the Iranian team to abuse this system to sneak terrorists into the United States under false pretenses.”
US President Donald Trump has previously questioned the appropriateness of the team travelling to America, citing potential threats to their own safety.
Serie A giants Juventus are weighing up a surprise cut-price move for Aston Villa goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez as the Premier League club look to balance their finances.
Villa enjoyed a stellar campaign under Unai Emery last season, finishing fourth to secure Champions League qualification.
However, their current financial situation means several key players could be sold to comply with profitability and sustainability regulations.
According to Sky Sports, the Italian outfit are closely monitoring the Argentina international ahead of the summer transfer window.
Financial pressures at Villa Park
The South American shot-stopper is reportedly earning in the region of £230,000 a week.
Reports suggest he could be available for a remarkably low fee of £4.3m as the West Midlands club attempt to clear his substantial salary from their wage bill.
The World Cup winner remains contracted to the Premier League side until 2028.
He was a crucial figure for the Villans last term, making 44 appearances across all competitions to retain his status as undisputed number one.
European ambitions and squad rebuilding
Despite earlier links with Manchester United, the former Arsenal man opted to remain in Birmingham last summer.
Selling a first-choice goalkeeper for such a nominal fee would require the club to heavily reinvest in a suitable replacement.
Navigating European football’s elite competition will demand significant squad depth and top-level experience.
Juventus are actively seeking reinforcements between the posts as they look to rebuild their own domestic credentials.
New Liverpool manager Andoni Iraola faces his first major test as Bayern Munich pursue teenage prospect Rio Ngumoha and the Reds weigh up a £50m bid for Francisco Trincao.
The Spaniard was appointed earlier this week after the Anfield hierarchy decided to part ways with Arne Slot.
The Merseyside outfit finished fifth last season, prompting a swift managerial change following their previous league-winning campaign.
Iraola is now tasked with rebuilding a squad that must adapt to the recent departure of Egyptian icon Mohamed Salah.
Bayern circle teenage sensation
German giants Bayern Munich have identified 17-year-old Ngumoha as an ideal addition to their forward line.
The Bundesliga champions are reportedly monitoring the highly-rated attacker following his breakout season in England.
The academy graduate became the youngest-ever league goalscorer for the Reds when he netted against Fulham in April.
However, the sought-after prospect has previously expressed deep affection for his current employers.
“Liverpool, for me, is the biggest club in the world.”
“To start so young and the manager having belief in me and all the players, it’s great. So, I’ve got to keep working hard and keep pushing on and just go again.”
Search for Salah’s successor
Replacing their departed top scorer remains a primary objective for the newly appointed coaching staff.
While Yan Diomande was initially considered a leading candidate, attention has now shifted towards Sporting CP winger Trincao.
Reports in Portugal suggest the Premier League side are moving closest to securing the 26-year-old’s signature.
Acquiring the former Wolverhampton Wanderers loanee would require triggering a hefty £50m release clause.
The Portuguese international has flourished since returning to his homeland, registering 47 goals and 51 assists across 208 matches for the Lisbon-based club.
Harry Kane scored a stoppage-time header to earn England a laboured 1-0 victory over New Zealand in their World Cup warm-up match in Florida.
Thomas Tuchel utilised the fixture at the Raymond James Stadium to field two entirely different starting line-ups.
The national team manager is fine-tuning his squad ahead of a crucial tournament campaign that begins next week.
Marcus Rashford also staked his claim for a starting berth with an encouraging performance in the sweltering American heat.
Experimental line-up struggles for rhythm
The first half proved to be a drab affair as players acclimatised to the demanding weather conditions.
Tuchel opted for several surprise selections, deploying Bayer Leverkusen defender Jarell Quansah in an unfamiliar right-back role.
Aston Villa striker Ollie Watkins was also asked to operate out of position on the right wing.
He stepped in to cover for Arsenal pair Bukayo Saka and Noni Madueke, who will join the travelling party on Sunday.
Spence creates opening for captain
Despite the disjointed performance, the deadlock was finally broken just before the half-time whistle.
Djed Spence, sporting a protective mask for a broken jaw, delivered a precise cross from the left flank.
The Bayern Munich marksman made no mistake, nodding the ball home to give his side the advantage.
Stones returns as second string impress
Manchester City centre-back John Stones successfully completed 45 minutes following an injury-disrupted domestic season.
Wholesale changes at the interval saw Tino Livramento and Nico O’Reilly introduced to the action for the second period.
The latter stages offered a slightly more entertaining spectacle, although neither goalkeeper was heavily troubled.
The Three Lions will now hope to build momentum from this gritty win as they prepare for their opening group fixture.
Arsenal are facing intense competition from Paris St-Germain in the race to sign Nottingham Forest attacking midfielder Morgan Gibbs-White during the upcoming transfer window.
The 26-year-old England international has emerged as a primary target for the Gunners as they look to bolster their offensive options.
However, the North London side are also monitoring Aston Villa prospect Morgan Rogers as a potential alternative should a deal for the Forest playmaker stall.
Real Madrid launch ambitious recruitment drive
Sweeping changes are anticipated at the Santiago Bernabeu following the shock appointment of Jose Mourinho as head coach.
The Portuguese tactician is eager to reunite with Bernardo Silva following the veteran midfielder’s departure from Manchester City.
Meanwhile, presidential hopeful Florentino Perez is plotting an audacious move for Paris St-Germain winger Khvicha Kvaratskhelia if he wins the upcoming election.
Klopp dismisses Spanish return
Rival presidential candidate Enrique Riquelme has been dealt a major blow in his own pursuit of Jurgen Klopp.
The former Liverpool manager’s representative emphatically dismissed the prospect of a swift return to the dugout.
The German does not want to work as a coach at a club.
Premier League transfer merry-go-round
In domestic news, Tottenham Hotspur remain keen on securing Brazilian winger Savinho.
The 22-year-old is reportedly ready to push for a departure from Manchester City after a previous bid from Spurs was rejected last summer.
Over at Anfield, Italian forward Federico Chiesa is demanding increased playing time and plans to hold crunch talks with new Liverpool manager Andoni Iraola.
Clubs circle Newcastle United stars
The Merseyside outfit are also resolute in keeping hold of highly-rated teenager Rio Ngumoha, strongly rebuffing exploratory interest from Bayern Munich.
Further down the table, Aston Villa are weighing up an approach for Newcastle United wide-man Harvey Barnes.
Leeds United and Ipswich Town are locked in a fierce battle to secure the signature of veteran Magpies goalkeeper Nick Pope.
Finally, Russell Martin is in advanced talks with Leicester City as the English coach weighs up a return to League One management.