da betobet： Daniel Levy and co appear determined to put Tottenham’s Eberechi Eze humiliation firmly behind them, with Spurs considering a host of new late options for the number 10 role amid their dire need for a playmaker.
da spicy bet： The Lilywhites, and Levy in particular, have attracted huge criticism after missing out on a deal for Eze – who had agreed personal terms to join Thomas Frank’s side with an agreement in principle also reached club-to-club.
However, Spurs’ apparent haggling over the 27-year-old’s now-expired £68 million release clause, as well as Palace’s hesitation, ultimately cost them.
Oliver Glasner’s side, at least initially, also wanted Eze to feature in their 1-0 Europa Conference League play-off win on Thursday.
Following this second public transfer humiliation of the transfer window after their famously botched deal for Morgan Gibbs-White, Levy and Frank are now tasked with reacting in the strongest possible manner.
The Gibbs-White deal was, to give Tottenham their due, much more complicated. The north Londoners were ready to pay £60 million and trigger his release clause, only for Evangelos Marinakis to block the deal, threaten legal action and tie the 25-year-old down in never-before-seen fashion.
Eze’s was a case of being beaten to the punch in a more traditional hijack, something which Spurs have done themselves before, but Frank will be devastated to miss out on yet another world-class, Premier League-proven creator.
Tottenham make approach to sign Xavi Simons after Eberechi Eze blow
Speaking of hijacks, according to Fabrizio Romano, it is believed that top Chelsea target and RB Leipzig playmaker Xavi Simons has found his way on to Levy’s transfer shortlist.
Chelsea have been in talks to sign Simons for a long time now, but their need to sell players, whilst not yet fully agreeing a deal with Leipzig, has delayed the Dutchman’s move to London.
Simoms has been a revelation for the Bundesliga side ever since he initially joined on loan at the start of 2023/2024, and this isn’t lost on Levy, with Romano claiming that Tottenham have made contact over Simons in recent days.
As Frank’s side seemingly consider hijacking a deal of their own, it appears they may not have much luck, with the player determined to join Chelsea right now.
The 22-year-old, who joined Leipzig from PSG permanently in January, became their highest-ever paid player in the process – earning £192,000-per-week.
da winzada777： Arsenal have now been tipped to drop a key member of the starting eleven for their looming opening day clash against Manchester United in the Premier League this weekend.
da apostaganha： Mikel Arteta is poised to do battle with Ruben Amorim at Old Trafford on Sunday, with the north Londoners ending their pre-season preparations as they gear up for yet another title challenge.
Nothing but a perfect start will do for Arsenal, having watched a plethora of their nearest rivals in Liverpool, Chelsea and Man City all splash hundreds of millions on a plethora of summer signings to bolster their squads.
Gunners sporting director Andrea Berta has been a busy man too, investing north of £200 million on six major signings, with Kepa, Martin Zubimendi, Christian Norgaard, Noni Madueke, Cristhian Mosquera and star striker Viktor Gyokeres all making the move to N5.
It is shaping up to be one of the most competitive Premier League campaigns in history, and especially near the top of the table, with many standout contenders already making themselves known after productive transfer windows.
“I think on the physical part we’re in a really good place,” said Arteta after Arsenal’s final pre-season game against Athletic Bilbao.
“I think we have competed against very different opponents in different contexts, in different countries, so it’s been a really complete pre-season. You constantly learn and evolve in the team, that’s not going to stop now because this is the last test of pre-season. On Monday we’ll continue to work on things, on things that we have to develop and improve from today, from the last few games, and other things that we want to still do. And especially the integration of the new players to make sure that we create such a bond and spirit in the team that we can compete against the opposition.”
Arteta has a few imperative decisions to make ahead of Arsenal’s face-off with United in Manchester, who are under a significant amount of pressure themselves to make a good start to 2025/2026.
Arsenal tipped to drop Myles Lewis-Skelly for Man United
Journalist Charles Watts, speaking to CaughtOffside, is convinced that Arteta could even drop star left-back Myles Lewis-Skelly for the clash.
The 18-year-old enjoyed a stellar breakthrough campaign last season, with his performances at full-back earning Lewis-Skelly both calls to the England squad and a brand-new long-term contract.
Arsenal's Ben White, Myles Lewis-Skelly and LeandroTrossard
The rising star teenager played 23 Premier League games last year, starting 15 of them, and was handed the nod by Arteta in their blockbuster Champions League ties against Real Madrid and PSG.
Lewis-Skelly has been called “incredible” by the likes of Gary Neville after his rise to the first-team, and he’s now become a key player for them.
However, Watts believes that Lewis-Skelly will be axed for United in favour of Riccardo Calafiori.
“I think who starts at full-back this weekend will be interesting for Arsenal. There is a real competition in those positions,” said the reporter.
“When he’s been on the pitch Riccardo Calafiori has looked very good. I really enjoyed his performance last weekend and if he’s deemed fully fit I think he might get the nod at left-back over Myles Lewis-Skelly.
“It’s a tough call, but Lewis-Skelly hasn’t looked at his best yet this summer, so I would not be surprised if Arteta goes with the Italian to try and negate the threat of Bryan Mbeumo and also cause problems up the other end.”
Calafiori suffered various injury problems across 2024/2025, which hampered the Italian’s game time, but if he can stay fit, Arteta will have a seriously star-studded left-back rotation at his disposal.
da stake casino： On Monday evening, Liverpool left St. James’ Park with all the goods, but Eddie Howe’s Newcastle United strengthened that tight bond with their devoted fanbase and proved once again their tenacity and will to win.
da esoccer bet： On face value, one point from the opening two fixtures of the Premier League is frustrating viewing for Magpies fans, but, strikerless and disrupted by the Alexander Isak saga that has shaped Newcastle’s summer transfer window, the squad have showcased remarkable togetherness against Aston Villa and the defending champions.
It seems that the next few days will finally shed light on whether Isak will stay or go, with Yasir Al-Rumayyan in town and leading crunch talks to reach a resolution.
In the event that the rebel Sweden striker does get his wish, Newcastle would require not one but two new number nines, and that might be tricky to achieve at the eleventh hour of his breakneck transfer window.
And, of course, the unsavoury situation has been exacerbated by Anthony Gordon’s red card, picked up against Liverpool on Monday night.
Anthony Gordon's night of anguish
Gordon apologised after the match: he apologised to the fans, to the club and to Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk. His intentions were pure. But even so, the versatile forward is now banned for three Premier League matches: Leeds United, Wolverhampton Wanderers, Bournemouth.
It’s a concern, for Gordon had started Newcastle’s opening fixtures as a stand-in centre-forward, and unless United act with rapidity in the coming days, Saturday’s visit to Elland Road will see William Osula handed his first top-flight start in England.
The 24-year-old Gordon, who won Newcastle’s 2023/24 Player of the Season, struggled to reach the same talismanic heights last year, but he returned to United’s pre-season camp with renewed vim and vigour, and is expected to play a defining role in the term ahead.
However, his passion got the better of him once again, his third red card as a Magpie.
Newcastle need to start getting some points on the board, and to achieve that, they must land themselves an out-and-out striker.
Luckily, PIF have just the player in mind.
Newcastle to bid for Premier League striker
According to The Chronicle’s Lee Ryder, Newcastle are planning to launch another bid for Wolves striker Jørgen Strand Larsen, having already seen a £50m offer knocked back on Monday afternoon. The Toon, for clarification, remains in talks for the Norway international.
Previous reports outline the Old Gold wish to see £65m banked for the striker they signed on a permanent deal this summer, following his successful 2024/25 loan stint at Molineux.
Ryder intimates the 25-year-old Strand Larsen has been earmarked as a replacement for Callum Wilson, who left Newcastle at the end of his contract in June, with a move greenlit by Al-Rumayyan.
In other words, he is not considered Isak’s potential successor, and may yet play alongside the Sweden star this season.
Why Newcastle want Jorgen Strand Larsen
Newcastle have signed several talented players this summer, yet the focal striking berth remains untouched, with Wilson’s exit indeed depleting the ranks.
The England international was sidelined for most of last season through injury, so Strand Larsen would feel like quite the imposing fresh presence, having scored 14 times across his debut campaign in England’s top flight last year.
Following that thought, it’s unlikely that Newcastle would welcome both Strand Larsen and Brentford’s Yoane Wissa, who is desperate to join the Tynesiders and has been the subject of a rejected bid, yet remains at the Gtech, with his employers not looking to sell.
Strand Larsen could be the perfect alternative, potentially even surpassing the DR Congo international. What we know for sure, in any case, is that the Norwegian would mark an upgrade on Gordon, who is a great player but not a striker.
Gordon at NUFC by Position
Position
Apps
Goals
Assists
Left winger
65
18
17
Centre-forward
10
2
0
Right winger
10
1
6
Attacking midfield
3
0
0
Data via Transfermarkt
Sofascore record that Gordon has actually missed three big chances across his one-and-a-half matches in the Premier League this season, without scoring a goal.
Ten shots all told prove that Gordon has the hunger to moonlight as a striker, but when you’ve got someone like Strand Larsen who operates with a similarly relentless ball-striking emphasis, it’s clear that Howe would land himself an upgrade, for the Wolves star is equipped to score goals with consistency as the frontman of a side who have demonstrated their creative capacity over these past two matchweeks.
Indeed, data-driven site FBref have recorded that Strand Larsen ranks among the top 1% of Premier League strikers last season for shot accuracy, with 61.1% of his efforts hitting the target.
And anyway, Gordon’s pace and fleet running are best utilised out wide, sure to work in wonderful tandem with a target man like Strand Larsen, who was hailed by pundit Alan Shearer last season for being a “nuisance” of a forward who showcased at times some neat hold-up play and a willingness to use his focal role to promote the overall fluency of his team.
Strand Larsen is a top talent, to be sure, and he’s demonstrated across his debut year in the English game that he has what it takes to thrive as a chief goalscorer for a team battling against the threat of relegation.
Luckily, Newcastle’s sights are set on a different part of the league ladder, but there’s every chance that he could prove to be a wonderful addition for Howe’s side, who could do with a goalscorer such as him to mark an upgrade on Gordon, who has made it clear in recent weeks that he is not a viable solution to the conundrum at number nine.
Tottenham Hotspur fell by the wayside in the Premier League last season, but they picked themselves back up and won the Europa League as part of Ange Postecoglou’s last hurrah.
The Australian coach’s will to win and promise kept have immortalised his name and legacy down N17, but chairman Daniel Levy made the tough call to axe his hero after abject league form and consistent inconsistency.
The decision polarised the fanbase and the wider football community, no doubt, but Levy will feel somewhat vindicated after some impressive early-season form from Spurs, now led by new manager Thomas Frank, winning 3-0 at home to Burnley before confidently dispatching Manchester City at the Etihad.
Mohammed Kudus is off to a flyer after his summer switch from West Ham United, while Joao Palhinha got on the scoresheet against Pep Guardiola’s side. It’s coming together.
However, Tottenham need more before the window slams shut, with sights set on bringing in a new attacking midfielder.
Spurs' search for an attacking midfielder
During a pre-season match against Newcastle United, James Maddison pulled up after going in for a challenge. It was innocuous, but it was clear from the outset that something wasn’t right.
The England international will miss much of the campaign with an ACL injury, and with Dejan Kulusevski currently out of action too, the need for a number ten is clear.
Many efforts have been exhausted this summer, missing out on both Nottingham Forest’s Morgan Gibbs-White and Crystal Palace superstar Eberechi Eze, who has joined Arsenal after a late hijack.
Attention has since been turned to Como’s Nico Paz, but the former Real Madrid prospect, 20, wishes to remain in Italy in hope of a future return to the Santiago Bernabeu.
Paz would be a fantastic addition, but he is young and raw and would likely need a bedding-in period on English shores, and Frank’s side need to make real, instant headway in the Premier League this season.
Spurs showing late interest in Premier League star
According to Caught Offside, Tottenham are gearing up for a late-window move for Aston Villa star Morgan Rogers, who has been priced at £80m as Unai Emery’s side look to ward off suitors.
Chelsea are ready to tussle with their London neighbours, with both sides showing ‘strong interest’, though it’s worth stressing that the Blues remain focused on signing RB Leipzig’s Xavi Simons, their top target.
And Tottenham? Well, having struggled to land a new midfield playmaker after Maddison’s injury, it’s been suggested by sources that he is viewed as the perfect profile to complete Frank’s squad.
What Morgan Rogers would bring to Spurs
Once a speck in Manchester City’s youth academy, Rogers bit the bullet and joined Middlesbrough in the Championship as he sought to make a name for himself.
Morgan Rogers
And a name the Three Lions sensation has made. Hailed as “a machine” of a player by The Athletic’s Jacob Tanswell, Rogers fostered his potential with Boro and earned a move to the Midlands, getting stronger and stronger and notching 30 goal contributions across the 2024/25 campaign.
The 23-year-old’s exploits saw him crowned the PFA Young Player of the Year earlier in August, thus underscoring his potential and the reasoning behind Tottenham’s bid.
His athleticism, dribbling and ever-growing potency make a telling comment on his capacity, and perhaps suggest that he could even prove to be an upgrade on Maddison and Como’s Paz.
Paz, who joined Como in Italy one year ago, is a silky and creative player with a combative approach to his defensive work. Through statistical analysis, data-led platform FBref have revealed he is comparable to Eze, so it’s clear to see why the Lilywhites have registered their interest.
Rogers – Stats (23/24 & 25/26)
Season (club)
Apps
Goals
Assists
25/26 (Villa)
2
–
–
24/25 (Villa)
54
14
16
23/24 (Villa)
16
3
1
23/24 (Boro)
33
7
9
Data via Transfermarkt
But such data cannot stretch much further back than the 2024/25 campaign, for the Spaniard previously played in Real Madrid Castilla (Los Blancos’ second team), and was afforded four first-team appearances across the 2023/24 season.
Given that the outlay mooted would fall into the same £60m ballpark that Eze and Gibbs-White’s signatures were priced at, it would perhaps be worth forking out an extra £20m or so for a Prem-proven player like Rogers, who would add something to the berth while bringing his own tactical flavour.
The 28-year-old Maddison, after all, hasn’t been sold, and will be desperate to make a fluent return to form when he does haul himself out of the infirmary.
Rogers, still improving, isn’t cut from quite the same cloth as Maddison, who is more of a ball-playing specialist, but the injured Spurs stars’ compatriot offers much in the way of strength and impetus and directness, actually remarked to be “unstoppable” during a match against Everton by Sky Sports’ Jamie Carragher last year.
As per Sofascore, Rogers didn’t just maintain a threat in front of goal, scoring eight times in the Premier League, assisting ten strikes too, but he proved himself consistent and reliable through reinforced underlying data, creating 16 big chances and averaging 1.2 tackles, 1.4 key passes and 4.7 successful duels per game.
The England man’s durability and wherewithal, coupled with an aptitude for the technical side of the game, suggest that he could be exactly what Frank’s Tottenham need, adding quality and depth at number ten and out on the left flank.
While a deal will be hard to pull off as the transfer window enters the final stretch, there’s no question that Tottenham’s interest is genuine, and with Chelsea still prioritising a move for Simons, Levy and co might want to act as swiftly as possible, lest they miss out on another top target at this critical early juncture of the campaign.
da casino： Celtic are looking to bolster their options in the number nine position before the end of the summer transfer window tonight, with Adam Idah possibly on his way to Swansea City.
da cassino： The Hoops are reportedly closing in on a deal to sign Anderlecht number nine Kasper Dolberg as a replacement, of sorts, for the Ireland international.
He has scored 22 goals in all competitions for the Belgian side since the start of last season, per Sofascore, and could be the main man up front for Brendan Rodgers this season.
Ligue 1 forward open to Celtic move
Dolberg may not be the only number nine to arrive at Parkhead before the deadline passes this evening, though, as the club are looking at another option in that position.
Transfer Focus
Mega money deals, controversial moves and big-name flops. This is the home of transfer news and opinion across Football FanCast.
According to journalist Mark Hendry, via his Substack, Celtic are keen on a deadline day move to sign Strasbourg striker Sekou Mara on a season-long loan.
The reporter claims that the former Southampton attacker is open to a move to Parkhead after failing to feature in any of his side’s matchs so far this season.
Hendry adds that Mara, who joined Strasbourg from Southampton for around £10m, is one of the options that the club are tracking as they look to sign two new centre-forwards today.
Why Sekou Mara could be Moussa Dembele 2.0
This potential deal, albeit only a possible loan, is giving off shades of the signing of Moussa Dembele, and we all know how that eventually played out in Glasgow.
The French marksman signed for Celtic from Fulham in the summer of 2016 after he had come up through the youth ranks in France before experiencing Championship football with the Cottagers.
Moussa Dembele’s career up to Celtic exit
Club
Appearances
Goals
Celtic
94
51
Fulham
64
19
Fulham U21
12
7
Fulham U18
4
5
Stats via Transfermarkt
As you can see in the table above, Dembele caught the eye as a goalscorer with Fulham, after joining them from PSG, and then went on to be an incredibly prolific striker for Celtic.
Mara has a similar set of experiences under his belt. He came through the youth ranks at Bordeaux in France and then played for Southampton in the Premier League and the Championship, as Dembele did with Fulham, before ending up in France again with Strasbourg.
The 23-year-old star, who was described as a “dangerous” forward by U23 scout Antonio Mango, produced six goals and two assists in all competitions in the 2023/24 campaign for the Saints, and scored one goal in seven starts for Strasbourg in Ligue 1 last term, per Sofascore.
He may not appear to be an obvious Dembele repeat from his recent goal return, but a 23-year-old talent who has been deemed good enough to play in the Premier League and Ligue 1 as a striker already, and to be signed for £10m last year, is an exciting prospect.
If Celtic and Rodgers can get this deal done and help him to fulfill his potential by handing him regular minutes in Scotland, the Hoops could have their next superb French number nine on their hands.
da dobrowin： Wayne Rooney spent his career playing alongside some of the best to play the game. With the pinnacle of his career being a part of a Champions League-winning side that included the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo, Nemanja Vidic and Ryan Giggs.
da fezbet： Before he was playing in the red of Manchester, Rooney broke through as a young Evertonian starlet. Making his Premier League debut at 16 years old, he played in his home city of Liverpool before being picked up by Sir Alex Ferguson and Manchester United two seasons later.
Wayne Rooney
When Rooney was breaking into the first team, Everton had a number of impressive attack-minded players that he could model himself after, including Wales winger Mark Pembridge and the late Kevin Campbell. However, there was one striker in particular that Rooney favored, and they would go on to play together on 31 occasions.
Rooney's "favourite player" growing up
Rooney’s rapid development as a youngster saw him make his Premier League debut at only 16 years old. Some players don’t break into the first team football until they are in their 20s, but being able to play at a high standard at such a young age allowed Rooney to play alongside Duncan Ferguson.
At an Everton legends game in March, Rooney reminisced about the start of his career and his admiration for Ferguson growing up, calling the £4m ex-Rangers record signing his “favourite player”.
While Rooney admired Ferguson for his striking abilities, many know the Scot for his hard-man persona and his less-than-reputable disciplinary record.
Wayne Rooney and Duncan Ferguson at Goodison Park
During his 319 career appearances, he received 44 yellow cards and six red cards, meaning he received some form of card on an average of just over once every six games.
Ferguson's concise approach to dealing with Rooney
Ferguson was clearly aware of his reputation and took it into consideration when dealing with a young and impressionable Rooney. When speaking on the Stick to Football podcast, he said:
“Wayne was only young at the time, you know, coming through at Everton. You could see where he was going to get to; he wasn’t quite there, but he was still a top, top player; you could see what he was going to be.
“I kind of tried to shy away from Wayne. Wayne was younger than me, and I think he looked up to me. I was a bit worried because I wasn’t the best role model, and he was just a young kid. He was the biggest talent in Britain, and if he got into trouble, I was going to get the blame for it. So I tended to keep away from him.”
When Ferguson gave advice to Rooney, it seemed to be the best advice of his career, as he advised him to move to Manchester United rather than Newcastle United. Ferguson said his advice to Rooney was: “Newcastle’s a wonderful club with great fans, but if you’re going to leave and Sir Alex Ferguson wants you, then you’ve got to go there”, and given his success at United, it was clearly the right move.
da 888casino： The Manchester Derby may have lost its sense of glitz and glamour in recent years, not least for those of a Manchester United persuasion, although this is a fixture that has often provided a headline-grabbing moment.
da casino： Be it the image of Michael Owen tearing away in celebration, with a furious Mark Hughes watching on from the touchline. Be it Paul Scholes’ last-gasp header – and that subsequent Gary Neville kiss.
Be it even Amad Diallo lofting the ball over Ederson before squeezing home from the angle last season, sparking a rare highlight in an otherwise dour tenure for manager Ruben Amorim.
The Portuguese coach – who has lost just once in five meetings with Pep Guardiola – is in need of similar magic on Sunday afternoon. That said, the Red Devils head to the Etihad to face a Manchester City side who are actually below them in the Premier League table.
The hosts are amid something of an injury crisis, although United have issues of their own…
Latest Man Utd team news
How do you solve a problem like Matheus Cunha and Mason Mount?
Yes, Amorim confirmed the frustrating news on Friday afternoon that both men will be absent for Sunday’s tussle, albeit while having failed to provide an update on just when the pair can be expected to return to action.
In the case of Cunha, the Brazilian was forced off on the hour mark in the most recent 3-2 win over Burnley, appearing to pull his hamstring just days after playing the full 90 minutes in the drab penalty shootout defeat to Grimsby.
The other part of a fluid forward line in the early weeks of the season, excluding fellow new recruit Bryan Mbeumo, had been Mount, with the Englishman notably starting the first three league games of the campaign. For context, he started just eight top-flight games in total last term, and only five the year prior.
Unfortunately for United’s number seven, he too was withdrawn against the Clarets in what looked to be a cautionary move, although the news of his confirmed absence marks yet another setback in his stop-start Old Trafford career. Indeed, it was the Etihad which halted his early progress under Amorim back in December.
Usual ever-present Diogo Dalot has also been ruled out after sustaining a muscular injury during the international break, yet the major concern is likely to be how to reconfigure the forward line in Cunha and Mount’s absence.
How Amorim can replace Cunha and Mount
With Dalot forced to watch on from the sidelines, the expectation would be for Patrick Dorgu to slot in at left wing-back, while a decision will need to be made on either the returning Noussair Mazraoui or the aforementioned Amad on the opposite flank.
Chalkboard
Football FanCast’s Chalkboard series presents a tactical discussion from around the global game.
The sensible selection might well be to propel the Ivorian speedster back into the forward line, having thus far looked somewhat uncomfortable operating as a right-wing back.
Indeed, both he and Mbeumo have looked to operate in similar areas, a fact showcased none more so than on the opening day against Arsenal, as they got in each other’s way inside the area.
Amorim may be better served utilising Amad as one of the two number tens, with Mbeumo in a false nine role, then leaving the likes of Joshua Zirkzee, Kobbie Mainoo and Bruno Fernandes as an option to fill the remaining void.
Benjamin Sesko, of course, may be in the equation, although with the Slovenian yet to fire in his embryonic United career, it could be viewed as too much of a gamble to unleash him from the off.
Man Utd – Predicted XI
Position
Player
GK
Altay Bayindir*
RCB
Leny Yoro
CB
Matthijs de Ligt
LCB
Luke Shaw
RWB
Noussair Mazraoui
CM
Kobbie Mainoo
CM
Casemiro
LWB
Patrick Dorgu
RAM
Amad
LAM
Bruno Fernandes (C)
ST
Bryan Mbeumo
*confirmed to start
The former RB Leipzig man is a risky inclusion, although in Amad, Amorim knows what he’s getting, having seen the best of the diminutive left footer against City last season.
Having first won the penalty after cleverly drawing a foul from Matheus Nunes late on in that 2-1 victory, the £37m signing then produced a moment of magic to complete the comeback, having latched onto Lisandro Martinez’s ball before, well, you know the rest.
Following that statement performance, the 23-year-old drew notable plaudits from a certain Gary Neville watching on, with the United legend even drawing comparisons between the winger and the great Wayne Rooney, due to the pair’s street footballer vibe:
Such praise has also been followed up by Rooney’s former teammate Louis Saha, with the Frenchman noting that Amad has “the same dedication” and “the same desire” as the likes of ‘Wazza’, Cristiano Ronaldo and Ryan Giggs.
Rooney at his pomp was simply a menace in the derby, not just for that overhead kick stunner, having scored 12 times in 31 career meetings with the Etihad side, as per Transfermarkt.
Like a rampaging bull leading the line, the ex-England skipper appeared to relish the big occasion. On the evidence of the last few seasons, so too does Amad.
And so, with the wing-back experiment yet to take off, and with both Cunha and Mount in need of replacing, Amorim surely must turn to the former Atalanta starlet to provide that relentless, Rooney-esque fight from the front.
