Transfer news LIVE: Brighton sign defender, Walker latest plus McNulty Q&A

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Does Son fit into a Thomas Frank team?

Earlier we brought you the news that Son Heung-min's future at Tottenham is in doubt this summer.

After a poor 2024-25 campaign, questions have been asked about whether Son will move on - particularly following the arrival of a new manager in Thomas Frank.

But there is no standout reason as to why Son wouldn't work in a Thomas Frank side.

Known for his adaptability, there had been many different versions of Brentford since Frank first took charge, which is something Tottenham fans can expect to see in North London.

High-possession football, more counter-attacks, more percentage football - Frank has played them all, leading to many seeing him as one of the game's more flexible coaches.

In addition, Mbeumo (20), Wissa (19) and Kevin Schade (11) scored 50 goals between them after Frank was forced to adapt following the departure of Ivan Toney.

Frank's reputation to get the best out of his forwards might work perfectly for Son who had a below-par season in front of goal last campaign.

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'I see Wirtz operating as false nine at Liverpool'

Phil McNulty Q&A

Phil McNulty

BBC Sport chief football writer

Shrimpy in Germany: Hi Phil. Where do you think Florian Wirtz will play at Liverpool? Left wing? Left side attacking midfield? False 9? Or simply rotating with Dominik Szoboszlai?

Morning, Shrimpy. The great thing is Florian Wirtz can do all of those things, but I can see him operating mainly as a false nine, dropping deep and drifting, making things happen.

What great options for Liverpool and Arne Slot to have, though. As we know, things happen during a long season so it is ideal to have such a versatile, talented, attacking player.

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'Tougher for trophies to be shared around next season'

Phil McNulty Q&A

Phil McNulty

BBC Sport chief football writer

Garry from Cumbria: Hey Phil. Intriguing to see trophies go to clubs outside the very big clubs last season. This could be game changers for those clubs. Can we expect others this year to challenge, Brighton? Bournemouth? Fulham perhaps?

Hello, Garry. It was great to see clubs like Crystal Palace and Newcastle United picking up trophies and would be very happy to see it happen again.

Might be more difficult this season as, because they won nothing last season, Manchester City will be strengthening, along with Arsenal. Chelsea did win the Europa Conference League but they have already started adding with signings such as Liam Delap.

I’ve got lots of admiration for the work being done at clubs like Brighton, Bournemouth and Fulham. All power to them. I’m a big advocate of seeing trophies shared around, but it will be tougher next season.

Would breaking the 'Spursy curse' be the perfect send-off?

Despite the more than lacklustre domestic campaign, captain Son did finally deliver silverware to Spurs fans in the form of the Europa League.

Tottenham supporters have been waiting 17 years for the sweet taste of victory to embrace them once more, since they won the League Cup against Chelsea in 2008.

The North London outfit have been waiting even longer for European success with their most recent triumph coming in 1984 when they won the former Uefa Cup against Belgian side Anderlecht.

So, should the 32-year-old move onto new pastures, is he leaving under the best circumstances possible?

Has anyone moved for Son yet?

Sami Mokbel

BBC Sport Senior football correspondent

As things stand, Spurs are yet to receive any formal offers for Son, who skippered the team to their first trophy in 17 years last season courtesy of their Europa League triumph.

It remains to be seen how Son fits into new head coach Thomas Frank's plans ahead of next season.

Frank, who will report into Tottenham's Enfield HQ this week, is eyeing attacking reinforcements this summer.

The club have already secured the permanent signing of Mathys Tel from Bayern Munich and have an interest in Brentford's Bryan Mbuemo.

There is a sense that Son's future is likely to drag on into the latter stages of the transfer window, which shuts on September 1.

Son popularity in Korea likely to delay any deal

Sami Mokbel

BBC Sport Senior football correspondent

Spurs have scheduled two friendlies as part of their tour of Asia ahead of next season; against Arsenal on July 31 in Hong Kong before ending their trip with a clash against Newcastle in Seoul three days later.

South Korea international Son Heung-min is worshipped in his homeland and the natives will expect the 32-year-old to travel with the Tottenham squad to south-east Asia.

Summer tours are lucrative events for Premier League clubs; in this instance Son will be crucial to the commercial appeal of Tottenham's visit given his iconic status in South Korea.

Son's involvement in various activities whilst on tour will have already been agreed, with Tottenham committed to delivering on those plans.

With that in mind, according to well-placed sources, it would take an offer way above Son's valuation for Tottenham to consider selling their skipper ahead of the tour.

Son future uncertain ahead of Spurs tour of Korea

Sami Mokbel

BBC Sport Senior football correspondent

Tottenham’s tour of Korea is emerging as a factor in the future of captain Son Heung-min amid interest in the forward from Saudi Arabia.

Son’s future at Spurs is unclear given he has just 12 months left on his contract, with clubs in the Middle East looking at capitalising on the uncertainty.

But while well-placed sources have indicated Son could yet leave before next season, any exit for the forward is likely to be delayed until after the summer trip to the forward’s homeland with any absence likely to risk complications with tour organisers.

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'There will be no shortage of takers for Jones'

Phil McNulty Q&A

Phil McNulty

BBC Sport chief football writer

Lynne, Oxford: Should Liverpool sell Curtis Jones?

Morning, Lynne. There seems to be mixed opinions among Liverpool fans about Curtis Jones, but he does appear to be highly-rated by Arne Slot and England Head Coach Thomas Tuchel.

There is going to be some tough competition at Liverpool next season, especially once Florian Wirtz comes into the equation, so Jones will want plenty of game time with the World Cup coming up next summer.

This could be a big factor. I would be reluctant to sell, but Liverpool will want to recoup some of their lavish spending and there would be no shortage of takers should Jones come on the market.

The same will apply to Harvey Elliott, who has already hinted that he cannot afford to be sitting on the sidelines with a World Cup coming up.

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'Palace concern until Conference League spot is settled'

Phil McNulty Q&A

Phil McNulty

BBC Sport chief football writer

Michael: Hi Phil, Should Crystal Palace be worried after Court of Arbitration for Sport's decision to remove Drogheda United from the Conference League? Is this another example of big clubs getting leniency, whilst smaller community-based clubs don't receive the same treatment? Thanks.

I think there will certainly be a concern at Crystal Palace until this is settled – but I hope it is because they have earned their place in Europe.

I really felt for Drogheda United, who were punished because they are owned by the Trivela Group, with Danish side Silkeborg, who are in the Conference League, also under the Trivela umbrella.

Uefa are still deliberating on Palace after being told that John Textor, who also owns Lyon, did not take decisions on the club’s behalf as he only has 25% voting rights.

Textor is also trying to sell his stake in the club, which Palace hope strengthens their case.

Let's hope it works out for them.

Who is Brighton's new signing Coppola?

Brighton & Hove Albion

A quick break from the Q&A to bring you some more info on the new Brighton signing announced around half an hour ago.

Diego Coppola is a highly rated Italian centre-back who has come through the ranks at Hellas Verona.

He made his first-team debut as a 17-year-old in 2021 and established himself as a regular at the Serie A club over the past three seasons. During 2024, Coppola appeared in 34 of Verona's 38 league games.

His solid displays for the club also earned him his first international call-up from former Italy head coach Luciano Spalletti.

He made his debut for the Azzurri on 6 June against Norway, starting and playing the full World Cup qualifier, and also made a substitute appearance against Moldova three days later.

Despite standing at 6ft4, the lanky Coppola is highly mobile and is comfortable with the ball at his feet.

A move to the Premier League will cap off a memorable month for the young Italian defender.

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'Mbeumo would be a top-class signing for Frank'

Phil McNulty Q&A

Phil McNulty

BBC Sport chief football writer

Anon: Hi Phil, do you think Thomas Frank can make a success of Tottenham? And what one signing would really allow him to hit the ground running?

I really do think Thomas Frank can make a success of it – although success clearly does not equate with winning trophies for chairman Daniel Levy as Ange Postecoglou was sacked after winning the Europa League, the club's first silverware for 17 years.

He did a superb job at Brentford and is ready for Spurs.

I think if he can turn Bryan Mbuemo’s head away from Manchester United, that would be a top-class signing, as well as real show of faith from player to the manager who developed him at Brentford.

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'There is a feeling of injustice among some clubs'

Phil McNulty Q&A

Phil McNulty

BBC Sport chief football writer

Matt: The Club World Cup will allow Chelsea and Manchester City to earn millions, helping to bring in new players and offset PSR concerns. Do you think other Premier League clubs are angered by this, while they must sell players and hold fire on new signings?

Hi, Matt. I think there is a feeling of injustice among some clubs – I would suggest Aston Villa and Newcastle United are prime examples – who feel they are being prevented from punching their true financial weight in the markets because of this.

And there are others lower down who feel it is weighted to suit the more powerful clubs.

It is, however, the modern way now and they have to find ways around it by smart recruitment and producing their own players.

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'Interesting to see how Guardiola will adapt'

Phil McNulty Q&A

Phil McNulty

BBC Sport chief football writer

Peter, Woodhall Spa: Hi Phil, Paris St-Germain have successfully demonstrated that football at the highest level is again evolving strategically. Will Pep Guardiola be able to bring in the right players at Manchester City to keep pace with PSG, Liverpool and other competitors?

Morning, Peter. Well Manchester City are certainly trying as they bring in new signings, such as three last week in Rayan Cherki, Rayan Ait-Nouri and Tijjani Reijnders – as well as bringing in quality such as Omar Marmoush in January.

City’s struggles last season were alien territory for Pep Guardiola, so it will certainly be interesting to see how he adapts, but we are talking about the greatest coach of recent times and he will have been away this needed to be done.

It will be a tough task, though, as we have seen champions Liverpool are going big as they close in on the £100m signing of Florian Wirtz from Bayer Leverkusen.

Who do Everton currently have at right-back?

Ashley Young spent most of the first half of last season at right-back for Everton before being replaced by Jake O'Brien for most of the second half.

Club captain Seamus Coleman and Nathan Patterson also made starts at right-back after recovering from injury.

Young, 39, left the club at the end of the season while Coleman, Patterson and O'Brien remain.

Coleman and Patterson both made just four starts last term, while O'Brien also played at centre-back, so Kyle Walker is expected to have the opportunity to make the right-back spot his own if he joins the Toffees.

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