Fab return
Former Tottenham managing director Fabio Paratici is in advanced talks to return to the club, talkSPORT understands.
Paratici was forced to step down in April 2023 after being hit with a worldwide ban by FIFA after being found guilty of false accounting while at former club Juventus.
That ban ends on July 1 and several sources have told talkSPORT that while nothing is signed yet discussions are at an advanced stage.
Current sporting director Johan Lange is expected to stay to work with Paratici, who would have a major say in manager Ange Postecoglou's future.
Spurs could part company with Postecoglou even if they win the Europa League.
Spurs declined to comment when approached and sources close to the club maintain Paratici’s connection is unchanged for now, despite multiple visits to games since March.
Paratici is likely to start this summer should a full agreement be reached.
No more Mr Nice Guy
Manchester United minority owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe has put his French side Nice up for sale, talkSPORT understands
Ratcliffe, who has implemented a series of brutal cost-cutting measures since arriving at Old Trafford, values the Ligue 1 side in excess of £200million.
Nice are one of a number of sports teams the Monaco-based British billionaire is involved in, having purchased the side in 2019.
He then bought a 25 per cent stake in United in February 2024, taking over control of footballing matters at his boyhood club.
Tensions have been strained with Nice ever since, particularly when dismissive comments he made about them in March lit up the fanbase.
“I don’t particularly enjoy going to watch Nice because there are some good players, but the level of football is not high enough for me to get excited,” he said.
Park life
Thomas Tuchel’s England will play at Villa Park this year, marking 20 years since the home of Aston Villa has hosted the Three Lions.
England will host a World Cup qualifier against Andorra in Birmingham on Saturday September 6th.
The Midlands stadium last hosted an England match in February 2005 - which ended in a goalless draw with the Netherlands.
It will be the tenth time Villa Park has hosted the senior international side - the first of those being against Scotland in 1899.
Speaking about the venue of their match against Andorra, Tuchel said: “We are excited to play at Villa Park, another stadium full of history.
“I know from my own visits to the stadium this season that it is capable of creating an outstanding atmosphere and is located close to St. George’s Park which is a positive for our preparation.
“We hope to be able to generate another special atmosphere and create a memorable occasion for all fans.”
Magpied
Eddie Howe has admitted Newcastle will look to 'take advantage' of Premier League rivals' PSR concerns this summer.
The Toon faced having to sell Anthony Gordon to Liverpool last June to balance the books under threat of a points deduction.
However, last-gasp sales agreed to allow Yankuba Minteh to join Brighton for £33million and Elliot Anderson to Nottingham Forest for £35m meant the Magpies held onto their key stars without entering financial trouble.
Now, after three windows without the addition of a first-team player, Newcastle boss Howe revealed he is ready to turn the tables.
Howe said: "I’ve made it clear last year that there’s almost two transfer windows now. The PSR deadline plays a huge role for clubs – both those clubs with PSR issues and those without, because those without may potentially look to try to sign players. They will look to take advantage of other clubs, as clubs did to us last year, quite rightly.
"It’s a really interesting dynamic, and one that we’re really aware of and that we’ll try to use to our advantage if we can. I can’t go into the details of that, but no doubt we’ve got people at the club who are working very hard behind the scenes on it."
On interest in Alexander Isak, Howe added: "We want to keep our best players. I think I’ve made that very clear.
"That’s not just the wish from me. That’s the wish from everyone at the club. I don’t have a crystal ball.
"I can’t sit here and say what’s going to happen. I can only say what my determination is, and it is to build a team, the best team possible - and to do that you can’t consistently lose your best players."
"He (Isak) is not for sale from my perspective. I want to build a squad and I want the strongest squad possible for next season.
"There is a lot to look forward to here, hopefully. The end of the season is crucial for us. I think we have a strong squad and if we can add players for the first time in a few windows, that will make a massive, massive difference for us.
"That’s what I’m focusing on, not the other way around."
Solanke and Maddison injuries not 'too significant'
Tottenham boss Ange Postecoglou has issued an update on possible injuries to Richarlison, Dominic Solanke and James Maddison.
The trio were all substituted off in the second half of the Europa League semi-final first leg win over Bodo/Glimt.
He said: "Richarlison wasn't injured, it was just a tactical thing.
"He did a great job for us in the first half, exactly what we needed him to do, but we thought the game would open up in the second half, and we got Mathys [Tel] on for that.
"Madders felt a tweak in his knee, but it doesn't sound like it's anything serious, and Dom something similar in his quad.
"Both of them didn't feel it was anything too significant, but thought it was wise just to take them off at that point."
Cherry picking
Bournemouth boss Andoni Iraola has revealed there are no fresh injury concerns ahead of their clash against Arsenal.
The Cherries boss also discussed Evanilson's red card against Manchester United being overturned on appeal.
He said: "I haven't asked for any explanation, and no one has called me to explain how the process has gone. Obviously, something hasn't worked well. The VAR referees are becoming more important than the actual referees, and I think that is very dangerous."
Iraola continued: "Obviously, you prefer to have Evanilson, not just for this game but the next two. But also, there is the part where what I thought is now confirmed. It's a strange feeling, now we have to focus on the game tomorrow, knowing he's available, which is better, but it doesn't change the decision of the referee."
On how many points he believes referee decisions have cost Bournemouth this season, Iraola added: "You have to look at the stats.
"The VAR interventions for us and for the opposition during the season.
"The season is very long, and I don't think we've been very lucky during the season with these decisions.
"It's something we cannot control, but it affects us."
Teenage kicks
Enzo Maresca ramped up excitement over teenage prospect Reggie Walsh following his historic debut last night.
Wals, who is Chelsea’s youngest player since 1967, is so young that he wasn't born when John Terry slipped and missed his penalty in the Champions League defeat to Manchester United.
He was sent on as a late substitute as the Blues cruised to a 4-1 victory over Swedish side Djurgarden.
“It’s a great moment, he’s very young,” Maresca said. “To be honest, it’s already a long time that I feel excited to give him the debut chance because he’s so good.
“He’s very young but in the way we want to play, in our way, in our style, he’s perfect.
“But he’s still very young, he needs to learn, he needs to work hard and he needs to grow for sure. But we are happy.
“[Chelsea staff] just said to me that we gave eight debuts this season from the academy. I think it’s good.”
Roll out the Red carpet
Liverpool have secured a record-equalling 20th top-flight title, and Arne Slot has been basking in the achievement.
The Reds needed a point in Sunday's clash against Tottenham Hotspur to wrap up the title, but won it in style with a 5-1 win.
Speaking ahead of their first game as champions this Sunday, Slot said: "Of course, a lot of messages and yeah, 9/10 times they were the same, but it comes from good hearts, I have tried to answer them all, but with big messages back.
"It's been amazing, especially Sunday. One of the best days of their lives, and the same for me. T
"he way the day went, going behind, we had to work for it, scored the goals, seeing how much it meant to players and fans was special to be a part of.
The most famous person who messaged me? "I assume it was Jurgen!"
What did he say? "Congratulations, now I know what a special club it is.
"I am part of history, this type of stuff, he was really happy for fans and the club."
T-Rent is due
Next up is Liverpool boss Arne Slot, who has again been quizzed on the future of Trent Alexander-Arnold.
The Reds vice-captain is expected to join Real Madrid this summer on a free transfer once his current contract expires.
However, there has been recent speculation that the England international could be tempted to stay at Anfield by Liverpool's recent Premier League title triumph.
Alexander-Arnold was spotted in conversation with the club's owner, John W Henry, in the aftermath of the 5-1 win over Tottenham.
Slot said: "If there is any news, I wouldn't say you are the first to know, but as long as there is no news from us, this is not the place to talk about his situation."
The Dutchman went into more detail on the future of Harvey Elliott, who has been restricted to a bit-part role this season.
Slot added: "I think it's very important that people who are here want to stay, Harvey is one of them who hasn't had enough playing time as he has deserved, but he is in competition with good players, and he was injured.
"I have been honest with him, before his injury, he wasn't the same when he came back, but last few months, he has got back to that level before it. Last few months, his time has gone up more, so I liked him more now than when he first came back from his injury."