Even after Chelsea sealed the signing of Liam Delap from Ipswich Town for around £30 million, Enzo Maresca and co are still in the market for another centre-forward.

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Delap made his debut for the Blues against Los Angeles FC in the Club World Cup, assisting Nicolas Jackson for Chelsea’s second goal of the game in a 2-0 win, with Levi Colwill and Tosin Adarabioyo heaping praise on the exciting striker signing after their match in Atlanta.

“I’ve known Liam for a long time now, and I’ve played against him loads of times. Growing up, you know what sort of players are going to make it and he was always one of those,” said Colwill, via the BBC.

“To have him in our team, to train against him, to see him score goals – which I know he will – I’m very excited.”

Tosin also drew attention to Delap’s aggression and intensity, with plenty of expectation now on the former Man City starlet’s shoulders after he took the number 9 shirt.

“He’s settled in very well. He’s a good young lad, and we know what qualities he brings,” said Tosin.

“He’s aggressive [when] pressing and an aggressive striker, making sure he’s always there, setting the intensity. Hopefully he scores many goals for us.”

While some doubts surround Delap’s readiness to lead the line, considering he’s still raw and very young, Chelsea are believed to be targeting a second frontman after the 22-year-old’s arrival.

Chelsea have held talks over Eintracht Frankfurt’s Hugo Ekitike, who scored 22 goals in all competitions last season, and tried to secure the Frenchman’s signature in time for the Club World Cup, only for talks to collapse.

However, he remains “one to watch” for the coming weeks and talks are apparently ongoing.

As well as Ekitike, Chelsea are being linked with Brighton star Joao Pedro.

Newcastle United fear Chelsea will hijack Joao Pedro deal

The Brazil international is a wanted man following his impressive stint down south, with Chelsea identifying Pedro as one of their next striker targets before deadline day on September 1.

Now, talkSPORT reporter Alex Crook has shared an update on the situation.

Crook states that Newcastle are fearful that Chelsea will hijack their deal for Pedro, who Brighton are demanding £70 million for, as they look to reinforce Eddie Howe’s squad for a campaign back in the Champions League next season.

Given the Magpies’ internal concerns, this could be an indicator that Chelsea are still seriously in for Pedro, and the South American certainly falls in line with BlueCo’s recent transfer policy of signing world football’s most exciting talents.

Pedro can also play up front or across any of the attacking midfield positions, but given the already-young average age of Chelsea’s squad and their arguably dire need for more experienced squad members, Stamford Bridge chiefs will certainly be keen to whittle down the 23-year-old’s hefty asking price.

So far, this summer has been a rather frustrating one for Tottenham Hotspur.

As things stand, the only signings the club have made have been Kota Takai for around £5m and Mathys Tel, whose loan was made permanent for close to £30m.

Moreover, fans have seen several transfer targets slip through the cracks, with Antoine Semenyo agreeing a new deal with Bournemouth and Eberechi Eze now looking destined for Arsenal.

Worse yet, it is looking increasingly likely that Manchester United will be getting their hands on Bryan Mbeumo, who was heavily touted for a move to N17 following Thomas Frank’s appointment.

However, it’s not all doom and gloom, as Spurs are reportedly close to securing the services of someone who’d be their own version of the Brentford star.

Spurs target their own Mbeumo

With the club looking to massively improve on their dreadful 17th-placed finish in the Premier League next season, it’s hardly a surprise to see them linked with several impressive international stars, such as Xavi Simons and Ademola Lookman.

Transfer Focus

The former could cost around £60m this summer, and while that is undoubtedly a lot, he’d likely be worth it, as at just 22 years old, he amassed a haul of 11 goals and eight assists in just 33 appearances for RB Leipzig.

Likewise, while Lookman would cost in excess of £50m, his tally of 20 goals and seven assists in 40 games for Atalanta last season suggests he’d be more than worth the outlay.

However, as talented as both players are, neither one has been compared to Mbeumo, unlike Mohammed Kudus.

Yes, according to a recent report from Football Insider, Spurs remain incredibly interested in the West Ham United star, despite their initial £50m offer being rejected.

In fact, the report has revealed that the North Londoners have entered ‘fresh talks’ over the Irons star, and that they are now closing in on a deal, which will likely require a fee of around £65m.

It’s a transfer that would represent a significant financial investment from the club, but given Kudus’ immense ability, it’s one worth making, especially as he has been compared to Mbeumo.

How Kudus compares to Mbeumo

One of the most significant comparisons between Kudus and Mbeumo stems from FBref, which analysed players in the Premier League last season and concluded that the Brentford star was the sixth most similar forward to the Hammers ace in the competition.

The best way to understand how that conclusion was reached is by examining some of the underlying metrics in which the pair ranked closely.

These include things like non-penalty expected goals, progressive carries, shot-creating actions, successful take-on percentage and more, all per 90.

Non-Penalty xG

0.24

0.20

Progressive Carries

3.40

3.43

Passes into the Final Third

1.60

1.66

Crosses into the Penalty Area

0.52

0.50

Live Passes

29.1

30.7

Shot-Creating Actions

3.72

3.80

Successful Take-On %

44.2%

46.8%

These numbers help to show that, despite not scoring as many goals as he would have liked last season, the Ghanaian international could still have a similar attacking output to that of the Cameroonian ace.

Furthermore, away from the statistics, there are also some more straightforward similarities.

For example, both players are playing their trade for London-based teams, and they both seem destined to join another Premier League side this summer.

Finally, both players are positionally versatile, with the Bees’ star able to play off the right, up top, or as a second striker, and the former Ajax gem being capable of playing across the entire frontline, as well as in midfield.

Ultimately, while it won’t be cheap, Spurs should do all they can to complete the deal for Kudus, as he’d be an excellent addition to Frank’s squad and their own version of Mbeumo.

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يسعى نجم فريق ريال مدريد، كيليان مبابي، لإفساد صفقة ثمينة بالنسبة لنادي ليفربول، والتي ارتبط بطل الدوري الإنجليزي الممتاز بامكانية إبرامها في موسم الانتقالات الصيفي المقبل.

وكان ليفربول نشطًا بقوة في نافذة انتقالات صيف 2025، حيث تعاقد مع 9 لاعبين جدد، على رأسهم ألكسندر إيزاك، هوجو إيكتيكي، فلوريان فيرتز، ميلوس كيركز وجيريمي فريمبونج.

وذكرت تقارير صحفية منذ عدة أيام أن نادي ليفربول يتطلع إلى الحصول على خدمات نجم بايرن ميونخ، مايكل أوليس، حيث ترى الإدارة كونه خليفة المصري محمد صلاح.

ومن المقرر أن ينتهي العقد الحالي للنجم المصري صاحب الـ33 عامًا مع ليفربول في يونيو 2027، أي نهاية الموسم المقبل.

اقرأ أيضًا.. لاعب ليفربول: مبابي يتصل بي كل ساعتين للانضمام إلى ريال مدريد

ويرى مسؤولو ليفربول أن مايكل أوليس هو البديل المناسب لـ محمد صلاح، على المدى البعيد، حيث تخطط الإدارة بنظرة مستقبلية خاصة أن المصري لن يظل في “الأنفيلد” إلى الأبد.

ولكن يبدو أن خطط ليفربول ستواجه مطبًا حيث ذكرت شبكة “teamtalk” الإنجليزية، نقلًا عن “ديفينسا سنترال” الإسبانية، أن كيليان مبابي يحث مواطنه مايكل أوليس على الانتقال إلى ريال مدريد.

وأوضحت أن مبابي طرح اسم مايكل أوليز على كبير كشافي ريال مدريد، جوني كالافالات، لبحث إمكانية انتقال صاحب الـ23 عامًا إلى “سانتياجو برنابيو” في وقت لاحق لدعم الفريق.

وأفادت أن الأمر لم يقتصر على هذا، حيث طلب مبابي من أوليس، خلال معسكر منتخب فرنسا الحالي في فترة التوقف الدولي، القدوم إلى ريال مدريد.

وأشارت إلى أن مايكل أوليس لا يُعد ضمن أولويات ريال مدريد في الوقت الحالي، ولكن الأمور قد تتغير في المستقبل.

وانضم مايكل أوليس إلى بايرن ميونخ قادمًا من كريستال بالاس في صيف 2024، مقابل 60 مليون يورو، وسجل 20 هدفًا وصنع 23 في 55 مباراة بقميص البافاري في الموسم الماضي، ولعب دورًا في قيادته نحو لقب الدوري الألماني.

Derby County are on the lookout for additions after escaping relegation last term and John Eustace could now be set to swoop for a star he has previously worked with, according to a recent report.

Derby County make strong start to the summer window

There is plenty of excitement at Pride Park ahead of the new season, and a common theme has emerged within the Rams’ summer recruitment that may paint an intriguing picture.

Andreas Weimann and Danny Batth have both arrived from Blackburn. Richard O’Donnell, alongside Carlton Morris, come in from Blackpool and Luton Town, respectively.

John Eustace took over at Derby from Rovers in a surprise turn of events earlier this year, and new signing Batth has pointed out why the Rams boss is the man he wanted to work for, above all.

He explained: “We have got a good relationship. We speak about football and get on well generally. I like the way the manager works with his team and obviously I know what I am getting into coming here.

“I am sure he will be really pushing forward with the team this season, and to be a part of that is a great privilege.”

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Determined to keep building on what has been an encouraging start to the window, Derby are in talks to sign free agent midfielder John Swift and he has already met Eustace amid rumours that he could be set for Pride Park.

Three other clubs in the EFL will provide competition for his signature, but there can be no doubt that the Rams are on the right track when profiling where to add fresh blood. Now, Eustace could be set to repeat his trick of raiding Blackburn for new additions by reuniting with a star he rates highly from his time in Lancashire.

Derby plotting move for Callum Brittain

According to Football Insider, Derby are plotting a move for Blackburn full-back Callum Brittain amid an impasse in talks over a new deal for the 27-year-old at Ewood Park.

Eustace is said to be a huge fan of the defender and previously labelled him “one of the best full-backs in the league” alongside talking up his qualities as a ‘real leader’ on and off the pitch.

Callum Brittain in 2024/25 – EFL Championship (Fotmob)

Successful dribbles

32

Touches in opposition box

51

Tackles won

34

Recoveries

110

Aerial duels won

40

Enjoying a productive time of things last term, Brittain registered two goals and five assists in 35 appearances across all competitions, predominantly featuring on the right-hand side of their backline.

However, he is also capable of featuring further up the flank when needed. He may be set for a new challenge under a familiar face if reports are to materialise into something more concrete.

Derby avoided relegation by a solitary point in 2024/25 and seem determined to avoid a similar fate this time around. Their pursuit of Brittain could be a statement of intent on that front.

A £12,000-a-week Celtic player is eager to seal a move away from Parkhead this summer and looks set to get his wish with a transfer agreement now reached.

Celtic’s 2025 summer signings so far

The Hoops have been busy during the summer transfer window as Brendan Rodgers’ side look to maintain their Scottish Premiership dominance during the 2025/26 season.

Four new signings have been made so far, including permanent deals for Benjamin Nygren and Callum Osmand from Nordsjaelland and Fulham respectively.

Meanwhile, there have also been returns to Celtic Park for left-back Kieran Tierney and goalkeeper Ross Doohan, with Rodgers hailing the Scottish duo recently upon his return to Lennoxtown.

“For Kieran, I’m absolutely delighted. We’re getting a top player back. Sometimes top players like that might come later on in their career, but we’re getting Kieran at 27 years of age. I was with him during the summer so I know first-hand how excited he is to be here.

“And it’s great for Ross to be back. He was here during my first spell and he left to go and gain experience. He’s an international goalkeeper now. He answered the call and got his cap, which is absolutely brilliant. I know where his heart is and I know that in bringing him back to here, he’ll make a real good contribution in that goalkeeper department for us.”

Celtic prepare bid for "quality" £15m star who Rodgers has liked for ages

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However, with four players already through the door, there will also be some Lennoxtown departures. Greg Taylor and Scott Bain have both left after their contracts expired, joining PAOK and Falkirk, and by the looks of things, Celtic are about to cash in on 24/25 star Nicolas Kuhn.

Kuhn desperate to leave Celtic as £17m+ agreement reached

As per Sky Sports reporter Florian Plettenberg, Kuhn is on course to leave Celtic for Serie A side Como, with a medical booked for next week.

An agreement worth €20m (£17.2m) was struck on Thursday, and Kuhn will sign a four-year deal with Cesc Fabregas’ side. Bundesliga side RB Leipzig were also keen on Kuhn, however, the £12,000-a-week Celtic star was ‘desperate’ to leave Scotland for Como.

Described as a pathetic fee by a Celtic media outlet, Kuhn was only signed by the Hoops for £3.5m back in 2024, so they are in line to make a significant profit.

In the German’s first full season at Celtic Park, Kuhn scored 21 goals and registered 15 assists, so it isn’t a shock that he would attract interest, and now we could see Nygren look to fill the void left by Kuhn.

Banton’s 77 in vain as Somerset’s hefty 195-run target is overhauled with one ball to spare

ECB Reporters Network07-Jul-2024Gloucestershire 196 for 5 (Hammond 42, Gregory 3-34) beat Somerset 194 for 6 (Banton 77*, Green 47) by five wicketsBen Charlesworth hit the penultimate ball of the match for six to give Gloucestershire a thrilling five-wicket Vitality Blast South Group victory over arch-rivals Somerset at Taunton.The visitors chased down a target of 195, including 13 off the final over bowled by Ben Green, Charlesworth hitting an unbeaten 24 off 13 balls at the death. Miles Hammond contributed 42 and Beau Webster 39.The home side had posted 194 for six, 32 of them coming off a last over that saw Josh Shaw removed from the attack for two full-toss no-balls above waist height. Tom Banton hit six fours and four sixes in his 77 and shared a sixth-wicket stand of 88 in 6.4 overs with Green, who blasted 47 off just 25 deliveries.Somerset reached 58 for two in the six-over powerplay after losing the toss, seeing Will Smeed depart to a catch at cover off David Payne and Tom Kohler-Cadmore caught at mid-off for 22 in the fifth over, bowled by Shaw.Banton was dropped on 11, 12 and 20, Gloucestershire skipper Jack Taylor twice spilling chances at mid-off and Ollie Price failing to hold onto an opportunity at fine-leg.Even so, the visitors continued to take wickets, Marchant de Lange producing three sharp overs. Boundaries dried up, and at 148 for 5 at the end of the 18th over, with Tom Abell, Sean Dickson, and Lewis Gregory dismissed cheaply, Somerset looked short of a competitive total.That changed when Payne went for 14 off the 19th and more so when Green smacked 6,4,4,2 off the first four balls of the final over, sent down by Shaw. Two of the deliveries were above waist high on the full and resulted in no-balls, as well as the umpires ordering the seamer out of the attack.Off-spinner Price was asked to bowl the last four deliveries of the innings and Green collected another four and a six before holing out to wide long-on. Banton had played a key role and Somerset ended their innings with momentum.Cameron Bancroft fell for a five-ball duck at the start of Gloucestershire’s reply, caught at mid-off off Gregory. But by the end of the powerplay, the visitors had raced to 55 for one, James Bracey having hit Riley Meredith for three successive fours and Hammond looking in fine touch.The pair had added 66 in 5.2 overs when Hammond skyed a catch to long-on off Roelof van der Merwe, having hit the previous delivery for six. Bracey, on 31, followed in the next over, miscuing a catch to point to give Gregory a second wicket.Taylor and Webster then kept Gloucestershire on course for victory with sensible cricket before taking 20 off the 15th over, bowled by Jake Ball. Their stand of 65 in 6.1 overs ended when Taylor skyed a catch off Josh Davey with 44 needed from 27 balls.Webster fell to brilliant catch by wicketkeeper Banton off Gregory at the start of the 18th over, the Somerset skipper becoming their leading all-time wicket-taker in T20 cricket, before back-to-back boundaries from Price left Gloucestershire needing 21 off two overs.With Meredith off the field due to a back spasm and unable to send down his last two overs, it fell to Green to bowl at the death and both Price and Charlesworth smashed sixes to seal a remarkable victory.

India made significant gains during the two-and-a-half-year period where Rahul Dravid was their head coach, making the finals of a world event in each of the three formats and winning the T20 crown. Now the focus is on building on those gains and the man leading them forward will be Gautam Gambhir, their new head coach, who understands he has “big shoes to fill”.Speaking to reporters for the first time in his new role, Gambhir touched on the way he wants to work with India’s players and what they can expect from him. “It is very simple,” he said on Monday in Mumbai. “It is important to give players freedom – that’s what I believe in – and not have a relationship of a head coach and a player.”The best relationship is one built on trust. The most important thing is they’ll always have my backing. I don’t complicate too many things. I am taking over a very, very successful team – India are T20 world champions, have been runners-up in the World Test Championship and the 50-overs World Cup.”Related

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• Gambhir on working with Kohli: 'We are going to be on the same page'

Gambhir’s tenure begins on July 27 with India’s white-ball tour of Sri Lanka. This is his first time as head coach of a team, although he has served as a mentor in the IPL, with both Lucknow Super Giants and the reigning champions Kolkata Knight Riders. In his playing days, he was an excellent opening batter with an international career that spanned 13 years and peaked with World Cup wins in 2007 and 2011.”My learning has been simple – it has been all about winning,” he said. “I don’t deviate from something. We are in a profession where there can be only one winner. We try and play fair, we try and play hard, and try and come back in a winning dressing room and a happy dressing room.”A happy dressing room is a winning dressing room. Ultimately it is the players’ team, the support staff is there to try and get the maximum out of their potential. Sometimes international cricket can be tough, it can be insecure as well because only 15 can be picked. It is the job of support staff to keep them happy.”For the tour of Sri Lanka, Gambhir will have Abhishek Nayar and Ryan ten Doeschate as assistant coaches and Sairaj Bahutule as the bowling coach. T Dilip, so far, is the only one to reprise his role from the previous regime. He will be the fielding coach. The other support staff members, Gambhir said, will be finalised after the Sri Lanka tour.In the past, Gambhir has not been an advocate of players picking and choosing matches. Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli both have been selected for the ODIs against Sri Lanka, with the former set to lead. This is one of only two ODI series India are slated to play ahead of the Champions Trophy early next year.Gambhir said that workload management is important for fast bowlers but batters need to play all games if they are fit and available.”Workload management for someone like Jasprit Bumrah is important,” Gambhir said. “For batters, if they can play consistently and if they are in good form, [they] might as well play all the games. With Rohit and Virat now not playing T20 cricket, they only have two formats to look after. So they are going to be available for most of the games.”For Bumrah, because he is one rare kind of a bowler who anyone would want [in their team], so it’s our responsibility to try and have him fresh for most of the important games. So, workload management for, not just Bumrah, but fast bowlers becomes very, very important.”

England white-ball captain says he is “working hard to be 100% fit”

ESPNcricinfo staff03-Aug-2024

Jos Buttler has been ruled out of the Hundred with a calf injury, after missing Manchester Originals’ first three matches.Buttler, who has been backed to continue as England’s white-ball captain by managing director Rob Key, took a short break from the game after the T20 World Cup and is understood to have sustained the injury while preparing for the Hundred. An initial scan was inconclusive, raising hopes he would be available towards the end of the competition, but his withdrawal was confirmed on Saturday.Key confirmed earlier this week that Buttler would continue as captain after Matthew Mott lost his job as England’s white-ball coach, with Marcus Trescothick due to fill that role on an interim basis during September’s series against Australia. At this stage, he appears likely to be fit in time for the first T20I on September 11.Related

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“Gutted to be missing the Hundred this year,” Buttler wrote on his Instagram story. “Best of luck to the Manchester Originals for the rest of the campaign. Working hard to be 100% fit asap [as soon as possible].”Buttler has suffered several calf injuries in recent years, including a strain two years ago which ruled him out of England’s seven T20Is in Pakistan and briefly threatened his participation in the T20 World Cup 2022.The Originals were losing finalists in the last two editions of the men’s Hundred but are winless this year in Buttler’s absence. Phil Salt, his opening partner, has deputised as captain but has managed only 23 runs in three innings, and their batting line-up has looked noticeably short at the start of the season.Simon Katich, the Originals’ coach, had initially lined up Keaton Jennings, Lancashire’s club captain, as a replacement but the move stalled amid confusion over Buttler’s status, and Jennings has since signed for London Spirit. The Originals are yet to confirm a new replacement ahead of Sunday’s match against Northern Superchargers.

Birmingham City were an absolute joy to behold at the very top of League One last season.

Chris Davies’ rampant Blues would only lose three of their 46 league fixtures, leading to a colossal 111-point total being reached, with standout figures such as Jay Stansfield very much raising the excitement levels with a bumper 19 strikes tallied up in third-tier action.

Come the end of their very enjoyable League One marathon, Birmingham would go on to accumulate a mightily impressive 84 goals.

They won’t be receding into their shell when heading back up to the Championship, with plenty of fresh strikers now being linked to make the switch to St. Andrew’s to boost their already frightening firepower, which includes a promising Premier League-bound talent.

Birmingham monitoring situation of £10m striker

According to a report from GIVEMESPORT, the super-confident Blues are now monitoring the situation of Leeds United striker Mateo Joseph.

GIVEMESPORT states that Birmingham have been interested in the Spanish hotshot for some time now, with Davies’ men potentially seeing this opening in the summer transfer window as the perfect opportunity to strike up a deal.

RC Strasbourg are also noted as an interested party- on top of a January £10m bid from Real Betis being mentioned – but Birmingham have successfully flexed their muscles recently to win a similarly expensive striker from a Premier League side.

Of course, Stansfield cost £15m to pick up from Marco Silva’s Fulham last summer, with everyone at St. Andrew’s hopeful that Joseph can go down as an unbelievable success story much like the former Cottagers forward.

How Joseph can be Stansfield 2.0

It was somewhat of a gamble to fork out £15m for Stansfield’s services, considering the electric number 28 only had 21 strikes next to his name in senior action in the EFL before confirming a permanent Birmingham stay.

Now, that lavish fee doesn’t look too steep, with Stansfield an integral part of the Blues’ promotion story.

When moving up a division, Birmingham will be keeping their fingers crossed that Joseph can play an equal starring role, but this time around he could be the exact figure they desire in helping Davies’ men consolidate themselves as a Championship-worthy outfit.

After all, despite fading into the background at times last season under Daniel Farke’s wing, Joseph would still chip in with three goals and three assists in league action. This is a more than respectable return when you weigh up the fact that the 21-year-old only started 11 Championship contests.

With Leeds now in the big time, Joseph will be worrying that his first-team opportunities will become even more sparse. Therefore, a move to St. Andrew’s could be just what the Spain U21 international needs to kick on as he aims to follow in the footsteps of Stansfield, a fellow young striker who was also on the periphery of his then employers, Fulham, before finally becoming a main striker option in the West Midlands.

Leeds

73

6

3

Leeds U21s

33

19

3

Leeds U18s

4

1

1

Spain U21s

11

8

0

Sourced by Transfermarkt

That was the case even as Stansfield scored a blistering 38 goals for both the Fulham U18s and U21s combined, with Joseph not that far behind on a healthy total of 20 on the youth pitches at Thorp Arch, away from also hammering home six strikes in the senior ranks.

Staggeringly, Stansfield would only ever reach two senior goals at Craven Cottage, but all of that is firmly at the back of his mind now as Birmingham’s leading star.

The “dynamite” Leeds forward – as he was once glowingly labelled by U23 scout Antonio Mango – will want to be held in the same high esteem soon, rather than fighting it out for scraps at Elland Road.

Therefore, another statement striker deal could soon be on the cards at St. Andrew’s, as Joseph possibly joins and fires in the goals to make Birmingham’s transition to Championship life as smooth as possible.

Birmingham City want to beat EFL rivals to sign Klarer 2.0 this summer

Birmingham City could land their next Christoph Klarer by signing this gem from Germany.

ByKelan Sarson Jun 18, 2025

Thomas Frank is undoubtedly set to enter the biggest campaign of his managerial career in 2025/26, as he takes the reins as Tottenham Hotspur manager.

The Dane may have led Brentford into the Premier League, but he will undoubtedly be under a whole new pressure given the expectations of the supporters in North London.

Success in the Europa League will only have increased the demands put on his shoulders, with the 51-year-old brought in to replace Ange Postecoglou during the off-season.

A European triumph is one thing, but given the Aussie’s dismissal, it’s clear owner Daniel Levy wants the club to be as competitive as possible in England’s top flight.

If the new boss wants to make an immediate impact in North London, he will ultimately be relying on new additions to achieve the desired effect, leading to numerous names appearing on their shortlist.

The latest on Spurs’ hunt for new additions this summer

Morgan Gibbs-White’s transfer saga is one that could drag on throughout the summer transfer window, with no end in sight for his move to Spurs despite triggering his £60m release clause.

However, after Nottingham Forest threatened legal action for an illegal approach, it remains to be seen whether a deal will get completed during the current window.

Other targets are now being drawn up as a result, with Liverpool star Harvey Elliott now on their radar as an option, according to Football Insider’s latest report.

They claim that the Lilywhites are set to enter talks with the 22-year-old’s representatives, with the forward wanting a move away from Anfield to further his career after making just two league starts last campaign.

It also states that Newcastle United remain as another side in the race for his signature, leading to a £40m price tag being mooted for his signature as a result.

Why Spurs’ £40m target is a bigger talent than Gibbs-White

After seemingly having a deal pushed in the right direction, it would be a disappointment to miss out on a deal for the England international this summer.

His tally of seven goals and eight assists in England’s top flight last campaign are evidence of the talents he possesses, with such a record undoubtedly aiding Frank’s quest for success.

It remains unclear whether he would be open to a move to join the Lilywhites this summer, but he would be a superb addition, whilst also having the potential to improve further, given he’s just 25 years of age.

£60m would be a superb price tag, as seen by the Reds’ displeasure over them activating his release clause, but they may be better off making a move for another attacking talent.

Elliott may prove to be a bigger talent, given he’s three years younger than his compatriot, whilst also producing various better stats in the Premier League last campaign.

The Liverpool star, who’s been labelled “sensational” by journalist Jonathan Higgins, registered more progressive passes and more passes into the final third per 90 – having the capability to create opportunities for those around him.

He’s also completed more of the take-ons he’s attempted in 2024/25, whilst registering more progressive carries into the final third per 90 – highlighting the threat he carries with the ball at his feet.

Games played

18

34

Goals & assists

3

15

Progressive carries

2.4

2.2

Progressive passes

10.7

5.2

Pass accuracy

82%

78%

Passes into final third

6.3

4.1

Take-on success

44%

40%

Carries into final third

2.7

1.6

Elliott’s dominance doesn’t end there, matching the same goal per shot on target rate as Gibbs-White, subsequently handing Frank the added threat he desires in the final third.

Given the difference in fee and stats, it’s clear that Elliott would be a phenomenal addition for the Lilywhites, arguably allowing them to forget about the Forest star in the process.

It still remains unclear whether a deal can be completed for the Reds’ talent, but they can avoid the whole process if they decide to make a move for the Liverpool gem in the coming weeks.

Perfect with Gibbs-White: Spurs to make £60m bid for "phenomenal" talent

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1 ByEthan Lamb Jul 12, 2025