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Tottenham Hotspur and Aston Villa have reportedly discovered how much it will cost to sign Bayern Munich defender Kim Min-jae.

The South Korea international has made 121 competitive appearances since joining Bayern from Napoli in 2023.

However, he is not a guaranteed starter in Vincent Kompany's side this season, having started just two of the club's five games across the Bundesliga and Champions League.

With Kompany appearing to view Jonathan Tah and Dayot Upamecano as his first-choice centre-back pairing, there is a growing sense of uncertainty surrounding Kim's long-term future at the Allianz Arena.

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Spurs, Aston Villa learn Kim asking price

According to TEAMtalk, the defender's potential suitors feel the door could be open to a possible move if Kim fails to push ahead of Upamecano or Tah in the pecking order.

Bayern are said to be open to sanctioning his departure if they are able to sign a suitable replacement, although a summer exit is seen as a more likely scenario than a January move.

Tottenham Hotspur have recently been linked with the 29-year-old, while there is also thought to be interest from Aston Villa.

There is a belief that a £30m offer would be enough to sign a player who has less than two years remaining on his Bayern contract.

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Do Spurs and Villa need to sign a new centre-back?

In truth, Tottenham have no immediate need to sign a new central defender after recruiting Jan Paul van Hecke, Marcos Senesi and Tosin Adarabioyo in the summer.

De Zerbi can also call upon captain Micky van de Ven and long-serving defender Ben Davies as his centre-back options.

Aston Villa also bolstered their central defensive options in the summer, recruiting Modou Keba Cissa and Taylor Harwood-Bellis.

Unai Emery can also call upon Pau Torres, Victor Lindelof and Tyrone Mings, although, as it stands, the latter two are out of contract at the end of the season.

Any departures would force Villa to delve into the transfer market to bring in defensive reinforcements.

Fabio Paratici is reportedly plotting a sensational January raid on his former employers Tottenham Hotspur to secure the signature of Destiny Udogie.

The Italian sporting director is currently spearheading recruitment at Serie A outfit Fiorentina following his departure from North London.

Paratici originally orchestrated the deal to bring the highly rated full-back to the English capital in the summer of 2022.

However, the 23-year-old has rapidly fallen down the defensive pecking order under Roberto De Zerbi at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

As such, a mid-season return to his homeland is emerging as an increasingly viable option for the out-of-favour defender.

Fiorentina 'plot January move' amid defensive crisis

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According to Corriere Fiorentino via Sport Witness, Paratici is absolutely desperate to secure a natural left-sided defender to solve an escalating injury crisis in Florence.

The Viola are currently forced to rely upon central defenders Viery and Victor Valdepenas to fill the void after Fabiano Parisi sustained a devastating cruciate ligament injury.

The makeshift solutions have entirely failed to convince the coaching staff, prompting the Italian hierarchy to immediately prioritise winter reinforcements.

The Serie A outfit are believed to have previously tabled preliminary inquiries for Udogie during the recent summer market but ultimately received a negative response regarding his availability.

With their defensive shortage in that position now reaching critical levels, Paratici is reportedly expected to test his former employer's resolve with a formal proposal when the transfer window reopens.

Will Spurs allow Udogie to depart?

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Sanctioning a mid-season departure would seem incredibly logical for Tottenham given the glaring lack of playing time currently afforded to the defender.

Udogie has managed a solitary start across five Premier League fixtures this term and remained rooted to the bench during their recent 3-2 defeat against Aston Villa.

While he has featured prominently in the EFL Cup, all top-flight indications suggest that the Italian is simply not part of De Zerbi's long-term blueprint.

Fiorentina must now piece together a financial package capable of tempting the London club into negotiations for a player they heavily invested in.

Tottenham Hotspur and Aston Villa are supposedly both keeping tabs on controversial Benfica 20-year-old Gianluca Prestianni.

The 2006-born attacker is best known for an unsavoury incident with Real Madrid's Vinicius Junior during last season's Champions League, in which he was alleged to have racially abused the Brazilian in their playoff clash.

Prestianni - who vehemently denied the allegations - was cleared of racially abusing Vinicius, but was found guilty of using a homophobic slur and was handed a six-match ban, three of which were suspended.

However, Prestianni has impressed on the pitch this season, scoring eight goals and setting up three more in 12 appearances for Benfica, catching the eye of Argentina boss Lionel Scaloni in the process.

Prestianni was not included in La Albiceleste's World Cup 2026 squad, but he has been called up for the triple-header with Bolivia, Burkina Faso and Benin during the current international break.

Tottenham, Aston Villa to battle for Gianluca Prestianni?

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Now, a report from O Jogo - via SportWitness - claims that Tottenham, Aston Villa and Atletico Madrid have all been keeping tabs on the winger's progress this season and plan to watch him during the international break.

Villa appear to have taken the most concrete steps toward a possible deal, having sent scouts to watch Prestianni in action during Benfica's crunch Primeira Liga clash with Porto last Sunday.

Benfica fell to a 3-1 defeat to the Dragons, but Prestianni nevertheless claimed an assist for Alexander Bah's header, his eighth goal involvement in seven league games this season.

However, any interested party would have to pay a premium to prise Prestianni away from Benfica, who have the 20-year-old under contract until 2029 with a €100m (£86m) release clause.

Benfica paid just €9m (£7.7m) to sign Prestianni from Velez Sarsfield in 2024, since when the youngster has come up with 12 goals and 11 assists in 68 games in all tournaments for the Portuguese giants.

Tottenham or Aston Villa: Who needs Gianluca Prestianni more?

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Tottenham spent a good portion of the summer transfer window strengthening their wide ranks, bringing in Savio, Mykhaylo Mudryk and Omar Marmoush, who has functioned out wide with Dominic Solanke up front on some occasions this season.

However, the Lilywhites are still lacking a world-class, ruthless number nine, and should therefore prioritise the acquisition of such a player over another £86m wide man.

Meanwhile, Alejandro Garnacho is yet to start a Premier League game for Villa since joining on loan from Chelsea, and there has already been talk of a potential termination in January.

Therefore, Prestianni could act as a like-for-like replacement for Garnacho at Villa Park, although the Argentine may be tempted by the pull of working with compatriot Diego Simeone at Atletico.

Tottenham Hotspur have reportedly learned that Pedro Porro will be sidelined for a month with the hamstring injury he sustained against Aston Villa.

The Spain international was taken off in the first half of Spurs' 3-2 Premier League defeat to the Lions, having only just made his comeback from a previous minor muscular injury.

Porro withdrew from the Spain squad on the same day, although Roberto De Zerbi could only give minimal details in his post-game press conference, while expressing hope that the problem was minor.

Following further assessment, The Athletic reports that Porro will be out for approximately one month with the issue, so he will only definitely miss two Lilywhites games in total.

How many games will Pedro Porro miss through injury?

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Including club and international fixtures, Porro will sit out six games over the next few weeks, including Spain's Nations League opener against England on Saturday evening.

The right-back will also be unavailable for La Roja's battle with Croatia on September 29, as well as a second fixture with the Chequered Ones on October 6, and the visit of Czechia three days before.

Upon Tottenham's return to domestic action, Porro will be unavailable for the Lilywhites' trip to Manchester United on October 10, and he is also expected to miss the home match against Coventry City on October 19.

However, the report adds that Spurs are 'confident' of having Porro back fit for the London derby with Chelsea on October 24, until when Archie Gray is expected to deputise at right-back.

Porro has played just 224 minutes for Tottenham this season following his successful World Cup exploits over the summer, having also sat out contests with Brentford, Everton and Liverpool.

When will Tottenham's other injured players return?

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Porro is one of five players in the Tottenham treatment room alongside Dejan Kulusevski, Wilson Odobert, Xavi Simons and Mykhaylo Mudryk, and he may be the quickest to return to action.

Kulusevski has not featured since the end of the 2024-25 season due to a severe knee problem, and while he has been reintroduced to team training, he is not yet match fit.

De Zerbi has not yet given a timeframe on when Kulusevski could return, while Odobert is likely to be missing until late November, and Simons should sit out the remainder of 2026.

Mudryk, meanwhile, is on the mend from a "stupid" - in De Zerbi's words - ankle injury, although the Chelsea loanee may also be back in late October alongside Porro.

Manchester United chiefs have reportedly made initial contact with Antonio Conte's representatives to discuss a potential move for the Italian as a replacement for Michael Carrick.

The Red Devils have no immediate plans to sack Carrick, but the Englishman's future is in doubt due to Man United's struggles at the start of the 2026-27 campaign.

The 20-time English champions have only been victorious in one of their opening five Premier League matches of the season, while they were knocked out of the EFL Cup last week by Brighton & Hove Albion.

Man United rescued a late point at Fulham last time out courtesy of a deflected Matheus Cunha effort, but it was another disappointing performance from the Red Devils.

Carrick's team will be back in action against Tottenham Hotspur on October 10, and a defeat in that match would pile the pressure on the 45-year-old.

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Man United 'consider' Conte as Carrick replacement

According to Calciomercato, Conte is at the top of Man United's wishlist, should the club decide that Carrick cannot continue at the helm.

The report claims that 'initial contacts have been made' with Conte's representatives to discuss a potential third spell in the Premier League for the 57-year-old.

Conte was previously in charge of Chelsea between July 2016 and July 2018, winning the Premier League title and FA Cup during his time at Stamford Bridge.

The Italian then managed Tottenham Hotspur between November 2021 and March 2023.

Conte's last managerial position was at Napoli between June 2024 and May 2026, winning the Serie A title and Supercoppa Italiana during his time in Naples.

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Does Carrick need to beat Tottenham?

There is no getting away from the fact that the clash between Man United and Tottenham at Old Trafford after the international break is a huge match for both sides.

Tottenham are also struggling this season, and another poor performance and result would pile the pressure on Carrick, who desperately needs his side to put in a big display.

Carrick has time to turn the situation around, but huge improvements are needed.

After five rounds of the 2026-27 Premier League, the table makes for shocking reading. Tottenham, having invested more than £300 million, sit bottom of the pile without a single win: two draws and three defeats.

The London club, however, has been improving collectively, and that has helped Savio establish himself as an individual standout.

It took the Brazilian just three matches in the English top flight to top a key statistic. No player has completed more dribbles than the Spurs' recent signing, with 13 successful attempts and a 54.1 per cent success rate, almost perfectly spread across his appearances: five on his debut against Nottingham Forest and four each in the matches against Everton and Aston Villa. The data comes from Squawka.

He sits ahead of teammate Omar Marmoush, as well as Noah Okafor, of Leeds United, and Abdul Fatawu, of Ipswich Town, both on 12. Savio has become a source of hope for Tottenham's revival, with his dribbling ability offering the team a potential path back to form.

Savio dribbles and creates; Tottenham still need a finisher

© Iconsport / Harvey Murphy/News Images/Sipa USA

Savio's dribbling is typically purposeful, aimed at beating his marker in order to attempt a cross or pick out a better-positioned teammate.

It represents the best version of the player who came through at Atletico Mineiro, emerged at Girona during the 2023-24 season, but had failed to fully show over the past two years at Manchester City.

It's not that the Brazilian has already fully rediscovered his best football in this early spell at Tottenham, but the signs have been promising.

In his three Premier League appearances, despite not being directly involved in any goals, he has delivered nine passes leading to shots (19th in the entire league) and created two big chances, alternating between the right and left flanks.

He is still without an assist purely due to his teammates' finishing. As the man responsible for corners on the right side of the attack, he delivered a perfect cross into the six-yard box for Micky van de Ven, who headed wide, despite the defender managing to beat the goalkeeper to the ball in the 0-0 draw with Forest.

Against Everton, in another goalless match, Savio not only played a square ball that forced Lucas Bergvall's effort into a fine save from Jordan Pickford, but also delivered a pinpoint cross for Archie Gray, who headed wide when he could have done better.

The same player who also failed to convert another perfectly threaded pass from the Brazilian in the 3-2 defeat to Aston Villa.

Tottenham's wasted chances put pressure on Savio's teammates

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Missed chances have weighed heavily on Roberto De Zerbi's side, who have scored just two goals in five matches. Tottenham are the ninth-worst team in the league for squandered goalscoring opportunities (nine) and also have the ninth-highest average number of shots (14.2), though only 3.2 of those find the target.

The Brazilian himself does not share that particular flaw. Finishing, in fact, remains a weaker part of his own game.

In the defeat to Aston Villa, he sent two good chances inside the box straight down the middle. When he did manage to hit the target, goalkeeper Zion Suzuki produced a miraculous save from outside the box.

The version of Savio that Tottenham supporters are hoping to see is the one who scored a superb goal and provided an assist on his debut against Charlton in the EFL Cup.

The international break arrives at a good time for Spurs. They will have three weeks to rest and ease the pressure ahead of their away trip to Manchester United on October 10.

Tottenham Hotspur have reportedly given 'no consideration' to Roberto De Zerbi's future despite the club's poor start to the season.

After taking over the reins in Spring, De Zerbi guided the club to safety with a return of 11 points from the final seven matches of the season.

De Zerbi was subsequently backed in the summer transfer window as Spurs splashed out over £300m, including the three most expensive additions of Sandro Tonali, Savio and Mateus Fernandes.

However, the summer spending has failed to yield early rewards, with Spurs taking just two points from their opening five league games.

In fact, De Zerbi's charges failed to score until the 86th minute of their fifth Premier League game of the season, as they left it too late to pull off a comeback in Saturday's 3-2 defeat to Aston Villa.

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Tottenham make De Zerbi sack decision

As a result of their woeful start, Spurs are languishing at the foot of the Premier League table and a point adrift of safety.

The new extended three-week international break offers the clubs the first real opportunity to part ways with managers who have underperformed in the early stages of the season.

However, according to TEAMtalk, Spurs will have no plans to use the international window as an opportunity to change their manager.

The report claims that the club's hierarchy is 'fully behind' their head coach and feels there is "nobody better" to spark an upturn in results.

De Zerbi's bosses are said to share his frustration with the subpar performances that have been produced by the squad, suggesting the club feel that the players are more to blame at this stage than the coach.

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Are Spurs right to stick with De Zerbi?

Having welcomed 10 new signings in the summer, De Zerbi can still claim that it will take time for the squad to gel and adapt to his ideas.

With just five games gone in the season, Spurs are also right in thinking it is too early to hit the panic button, especially as they will want to avoid a repeat of last season's managerial turnover.

That said, the club's hierarchy may take a different view if results and performances do not improve in the next five matches before the November international break.

Today's Premier League predictions include champions Arsenal away to Brighton & Hove Albion, in addition to Tottenham Hotspur vs. Aston Villa at lunchtime.

Tottenham vs. Aston Villa (Sat, 12.30pm)

Saturday's early Premier League kickoff pits crisis club against crisis club, as Tottenham Hotspur welcome Aston Villa to their capital home.

Neither side has a single top-flight win to shout about in 2026-27, but unlike their hapless hosts, the Lions at least managed to snap their Premier League goal drought in gameweek four.

We say: Tottenham Hotspur 1-1 Aston Villa

With both personnel and confidence returning to the visitors' ranks, Emery's side are looking more like their old selves on the attacking front, and Tottenham could ostensibly take a lesson or two from their visitors on Saturday.

The Lilywhites are at least working with an additional day's rest and can make some alterations in attack too, so a third draw on the spin for De Zerbi's side is a realistic outcome.

> Click here to read our full preview for Tottenham vs. Aston Villa, including team news and possible lineups

Brighton vs. Arsenal (Sat, 3pm)

The unstoppable attack meets the immovable defence at the Amex Stadium this weekend, as Premier League champions Arsenal aim for an extraordinary eighth victory from eight in all competitions in Saturday's trip to Brighton & Hove Albion.

Mikel Arteta's men won ugly away to Sunderland last weekend, while the Seagulls won pretty in a 5-0 romping of newly-promoted Coventry City.

We say: Brighton & Hove Albion 0-2 Arsenal

Brighton vs. Arsenal is the Gunners' second attack vs. defence battle of the new campaign, and the champions made light work of their first such showdown against London rivals Chelsea.

Now taking on a forward-thinking but inconsistent Seagulls side working with a day's less rest, Arteta's men have our vote to stay perfect, with a customary clean sheet in tow.

> Click here to read our full preview for Brighton vs. Arsenal, including team news and possible lineups

Everton vs. Ipswich (Sat, 3pm)

Fresh from contrasting midweek results in the EFL Cup, Everton and Ipswich Town square off at the Hill Dickinson Stadium in the Premier League on Saturday afternoon.

The two teams last butted heads in May 2025 when the Tractor Boys came from two goals down to draw 2-2 with the Toffees at Goodison Park.

We say: Everton 2-1 Ipswich Town

Ipswich have already prevailed against European teams Sunderland and Crystal Palace this season and they will back themselves to cause another upset on their travels this weekend.

However, the Tractor Boys remain defensively vulnerable, and a resilient Everton outfit have our backing to prevail on home soil, extending their unbeaten start to the Premier League season.

> Click here to read our full preview for Everton vs. Ipswich, including team news and possible lineups

Newcastle vs. Hull City (Sat, 3pm)

Newcastle United will be looking to return to winning ways when they lock horns with Premier League surprise package Hull City at St James’ Park on Saturday afternoon.

The two teams meet competitively for the first time since November 2016 when the Tigers celebrated a penalty-shootout victory at home to the Magpies in the EFL Cup fifth round following a 1-1 draw.

We say: Newcastle United 2-2 Hull City

While Newcastle will be desperate to put things right and bounce back from their heavy loss to Leeds, facing a high-flying Hull side in their current form is by no means a straightforward assignment.

The Tigers will back themselves to breach the Magpies’ vulnerable backline and ultimately frustrate the hosts enough to secure a hard-earned share of the spoils, preserving their unbeaten start to the new campaign.

> Click here to read our full preview for Newcastle vs. Hull City, including team news and possible lineups

Nottingham Forest vs. Coventry City (Sat, 5.30pm)

Saturday's 5.30pm Premier League kickoff pits Nottingham Forest and Coventry City against each other in a bottom-half battle.

While Oliver Glasner's men belatedly earned their maiden win of the season last time out, the Sky Blues are yet to even register a point, furthering fears of an immediate demotion back down to the Championship.

We say: Nottingham Forest 2-0 Coventry City

Coventry fired in their first goal against a Premier League team this season on Wednesday, but their consolation against Villa came via a stunning Victor Torp free kick as opposed to a blistering open-play sequence.

Therefore, a Nottingham Forest unit who have been steadily growing more resilient in recent weeks should subject the Sky Blues to a familiar fate; another scoreless defeat.

Aston Villa manager Unai Emery has claimed that he expects Tottenham Hotspur to finish inside the top four of the Premier League table.

Villa and Spurs square off at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Saturday afternoon, with both clubs still searching for their first top-flight victory of the season.

Despite being tipped to challenge for the Champions League spots come the end of the season, the two teams also have just one goal between them in eight games.

Nevertheless, speaking at a press conference on Friday, Emery has predicted that Spurs will soon progress up the standings.

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Villa boss Emery makes Spurs prediction

Although Emery talked up the "potential" of his own team, he seemingly feels that Spurs are better equipped to finish in the top four come the end of 2026-27.

The Spaniard told reporters: "Similar like us, but their potential is huge. They signed a lot of very good players. But they need time to get everything compact. And to achieve understanding their idea.

"De Zerbi is a fantastic manager. He played fantastic football here and performed fantastic here in Brighton. He did a fantastic job before as well in Italy and Marseille. They are getting better. They compete fantastic, even losing against Liverpool.

"Facing them is a difficult match. Of course, being very demanding defensively for us. Tottenham, I expect them to be in the top four."

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Is Emery telling Villa fans to lower expectations?

If Emery is suggesting that he is backing Spurs to finish in the top four of the Premier League table, he is effectively saying that there is only one place up for grabs this season.

Arsenal and Manchester City are performing considerably better than the rest of the division, so Emery's comments would suggest that he views Villa as one of several teams who could claim the final top-four spot.

Emery took a similar approach in the media last season and Villa ultimately finished in the top five and won the Europa League.

Behind the scenes, though, Emery will expect Villa to repeat their achievements from previous seasons at the very least.

With no wins and just one Premier League goal between them, Tottenham Hotspur and Aston Villa seek to snap their respective sorry streaks in Saturday's showdown in North London.

The Lilywhites laboured to a goalless draw with Everton last weekend, while Villa's first top-flight goal of the campaign meant little in a 2-1 defeat to Nottingham Forest.

Here, Sports Mole rounds up all the team news for both clubs.

TOTTENHAM vs. ASTON VILLA

TOTTENHAM

Out: Dejan Kulusevski (knee/fitness), Xavi Simons (knee), Wilson Odobert (knee), Mykhaylo Mudryk (ankle)

Doubtful: Pedro Porro (muscle), Sandro Tonali (knock)

Sports Mole's predicted XI: Kinsky; Porro, Van Hecke, Van de Ven, Robertson; Fernandes, Tonali; Savio, Maddison, Marmoush; Solanke

ASTON VILLA

Out: Marco Bizot (back), Pau Torres (hamstring), Leon Goretzka (knee), Ian Maatsen (ankle), Amadou Onana (knee), Brian Madjo (ankle)

Doubtful: None