Chronicle Live

Dennis Cirkin came through Spurs' academy and is now being linked with a return that would solve a Champions League problem

Dennis Cirkin is a target for Tottenham Hotspur with the London giants said to be preparing to make their move.

Crucially, the Sunderland left-back is a former Spurs youth having grown up in the north London club’s academy.

UEFA rules mean that Cirkin has become a target for his former club who he left in 2021.

Cirkin played a big part in their promotion to the Premier League but it is understood the Black Cats would be prepared to accept offers in the region of £20m.

Spurs’ new head coach Thomas Frank is fully concentrated on rebuilding his squad and Cirkin fits into his style of play and principles.

Upgrading the starting XI will be the topmost priority, though, Spurs will need to add quality depth to their squad to be able to compete across multiple fronts.

Having won the Europa League by beating Manchester United in the final in May, the Lilywhites subsequently qualified for the Champions League. Therefore, they must comply with UEFA’s rules in order to compete in the Champions League.

As per Football London, UEFA rules state that Tottenham must have four ‘club-trained players’ in their squad, someone who has been on a club’s books for three entire seasons or 36 months between the ages of 15 and 21. Currently, they have just one in the form of goalkeeper Brandon Austin.

In order to comply with UEFA’s rules, Spurs have been linked with Cirkin.

Tottenham have been monitoring him ahead of a possible swoop. The left-back signed for Sunderland in 2021, having never made a senior appearance for Tottenham, and has gone on to establish himself a key player of the Wearside club.

With Spurs in desperate need of club-trained players, former scout Bryan King thinks the north Londoners will make a move for Cirkin this summer. He feels Sunderland would accept a bid of £20million for their star defender, but is unsure whether the deal is ideal for Tottenham.

“Cirkin is still only 23 years old,” Bryan King told Tottenham News.

“Therefore, it would probably take a bid of about £20m for Sunderland to accept. I know they need to address this issue, but they’re linked with Kyle Walker-Peters as well.

“Tottenham don’t want to sign too many players in that position because they’ve already got quite a bit of coverage in the full-back areas.

“If Tottenham can bring through some U21 players to address that issue, that would be a much cheaper option than going out and buying a player like Cirkin. I wouldn’t think Sunderland would be too happy about it either.”

At 23, Cirkin’s best years are clearly ahead of him and he’d be a good option to provide back-up for Udogie. The Dublin-born talent would also fulfil the N17-based outfit’s most important requirement of club-trained players to participate in the Champions League next term.

Newcastle United play host to Sam Fender once again

Geordie royalty returns to Tyneside this weekend as Sam Fender plays three jam-packed gigs at St James' Park. Newcastle United's home will play host, for the second time in a matter of years, to the musician and thousands of fans on Thursday, Saturday and Sunday.

Fender's two sold-out shows in 2023 are estimated to have brought £15m to the local economy, while the NUFC Fans' Foodbank will again be situated in their usual spot opposite Shearer's Bar, raising vital funds for the most vulnerable people in the region. Newcastle United as a football club will also benefit from the singer's return to his favourite venue.

These events are big business for Premier League sides who lend the use of their stadiums for these non-football events. In recent years, Aston Villa have hosted Bruce Springsteen, Arsenal recently put on a Robbie Williams show, Tottenham Hotspur have welcomed Beyonce and Fender himself, just last week, played at West Ham's London Stadium.

St James' Park has hosted its fair share of worldwide musical superstars in years gone by, but the belief is that should the north east outfit change venues - with a Leazes Park move mooted - they will be able to turbo-charge their commercial revenue by holding many more acts and other sporting events on Tyneside.

Kieran Maguire, a football finance expert, recently told the Telegraph income generated, for football clubs, from gigs was 'a closely guarded secret', while experts in the world of media suggest stadium rental fees and a percentage of merchandise sales is how clubs make their money from these occasions. Tottenham Hotspur's recent five-night Beyonce run is estimated to have made the Premier League clubs millions.

Daniel Levy's club took home a cut of the merchandise sales from each evening, as well as the entirety of the food and drink sales. The Athletic estimated the gigs could have pocketed Tottenham £15m but the club suggested the final figure was £5m when costs were taken into account.

Tottenham have truly led the way in this field in recent years after taking the leap to leave White Hart Lane for the aptly-named Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. The club's latest financial accounts show revenue from third-party events, commercial avenues, sponsorship and merchandise rose to £225.2m from £227.7m the year prior (2023).

Spurs had initially been permitted to host 16 non-football events each year by the Haringey Council but recently received a license to host 30 over 12 months at the venue. in 2023, Goldman Sachs estimated those 16 non-football events were worth £55m to the club.

As well as continuously hosting Beyonce concerts, the likes of Lady Gaga and Red Hot Chilli Peppers have played gigs at the club's new ground. Heavyweight boxing clashes and NFL fixtures are also often showcased at the stadium these days. In Spurs' final season at White Hart Lane, back in 2016-17, the club made £45m in matchday revenue.

Now, they have more than doubled that figure to rank as one of Europe's best when it comes to money-making. That is what Newcastle aspire to become, whether at a new stadium or at St James' Park.

Newcastle United's chief operating officer, Brad Miller, last year said: "The second option [a Leazes Park move], we are looking at it seriously as it does have the potential to earn more than twice as much in terms of revenue, compared to a transformation of St James’ Park."

He added: "A new stadium has the potential to earn a lot more, both on match days, and non-match days."

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Newcastle United will make changes to their goalkeeping department this summer

When Newcastle United were taken over in 2021, few thought ageing, backup goalkeepers would be high on the transfer agenda almost four years down the line. However, as the summer window kicks into life, there's every chance we see another veteran stopper arrive to offer dressing room and training ground support behind the scenes.

Last summer saw John Ruddy, recently released by Birmingham City, join Eddie Howe's ranks in that capacity to offer his wisdom and experience on Tyneside. Fast forward to present day and Chronicle Live understands the 38-year-old is expected to depart upon the expiry of his contract at the end of June.

Ruddy's departure would open the door for another stopper being drafted in, with the likes of Fraser Forster [37], Tim Krul [37] and Freddie Woodman [28] all being linked in recent weeks. The trio of stoppers all plied their trade for Newcastle earlier in their respective careers and surprise returns to St James' Park makes sense for one very specific reason.

As per UEFA squad rules, Newcastle must include eight 'homegrown' players in their upcoming Champions League roster. Four of those players must be 'club-trained' - meaning they were registered with the Magpies for at least three years between the age of 15 and 21.

Recent departures for the likes of Elliot Anderson and Paul Dummett mean Sean Longstaff is the only senior player in Howe's squad to fit that bill. As such, any of the free aforementioned free agent goalkeepers could be drafted back in to help Newcastle comply with UEFA's registration rules.

Forster is an intriguing option as his contract at Tottenham Hotspur ticks down. Injuries in north London saw the former Toon keeper drafted in for seven Premier League and four Europa League ties under Ange Postecoglou last season.

In contrast, Krul failed to make a single appearance for Championship side Luton Town as they were relegated from the second tier. Woodman featured in 37 of Preston's league fixtures last term but was ruled out for the final stretch of games due to injury, with the player now set to move on in search of regular, first-team football.

Forster, as such, would be an unsurprising signing in the coming weeks as Howe revamps his goalkeeping department. The former Southampton goalkeeper has even given the green light to a St James' Park return in recent years.

“If I could have had one thing in my career so far it would have been to have played one game for them at St James’ Park,” he told The Times in 2023. “To be a Newcastle fan, that’s every kid’s dream, to play at St James’, in front of 52,000.

"There as well it means so much being a Geordie and playing for Newcastle. That’s one thing I wish I could change.”

Forster joined the Magpies when he was 15 but made his name elsewhere, flourishing for the likes of Southampton and Celtic, along with spells at Norwich City and Stockport County.

With Ruddy poised to depart, decisions will be made over Nick Pope, Odysseas Vlachodimos, Martin Dubravka and Mark Gillespie. Howe has been clear he will seek to make changes to his senior stopper department after overseeing five on the books of late.

"The goalkeeper situation has been slightly difficult this year," Howe told reporters before the end of the season. "We have a high number of goalkeepers which probably hasn't been ideal.

"Those players have handled that situation very, very well. It's not easy. They have been really good professionals, all of them.

"They have created a really good team network and trained really well. They have helped whoever has been playing be at their best for match day. I am full of compliments for them. But let's wait and see."

The North London side could look to rival Newcastle for a transfer target

Tottenham are considering cashing in on captain Son Heung-min in order to help finance their summer transfer business. Spurs have been linked with a move for Newcastle United target Marc Guehi, but could need to move players on before making serious investments.

Ange Postecoglou's side qualified for the Champions League after winning the Europa League, but ended the Premier League season in 17th place, on 38 points. The North London club are set for a major summer rebuild, and have reportedly identified Crystal Palace's Guehi as a key target.

Newcastle are thought to be keen on resurrecting a deal for the England defender after failing in their attempts to bring him to St James' Park 12 months ago. Guehi is out of contract next summer and the Eagles could finally part with the 24-year-old, with a £50m asking price reported.

Spurs could lose centre-back Cristian Romero to Atletico Madrid, and want Guehi as a long-term partner for Dutch defender Micky van de Ven. Ironically, United are in the same boat, with Eddie Howe keen to find a right-sided defender to play along Sven Botman.

Newcastle have transfer funds available to them this summer, but have limited options when it comes to raising extra funds though player sales and, as have been illustrated by Bryan Mbeumo, won't pay over the odds when it comes to wages.

Son has been a stalwart for Tottenham, making 454 appearances for the club over the last 10 years. However, he is now 32 and his contract is up at the end of next season, prompting Spurs to consider a big transfer decision in the coming weeks.

The South Korean international has notched 173 goals and contributed 101 assists but there have been question marks over his contribution last season, with Postecoglou's side losing 22 times in the Premier League. The Telegraph report they would be open to a deal, with interest from the Saudi Pro League.

Guehi is a man in demand this summer, with interest from Newcastle, Spurs, Liverpool and Chelsea. The defender has been left out of the current England squad after fracturing his eye socket in Crystal Palace's FA Cup Final win over Manchester City.

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Manchester United are set to square off against Chelsea, while Spurs gear up for a clash with Aston Villa in rescheduled Premier League matches tonight. However, these Friday night fixtures, shifted to ensure both clubs have equal and extended rest before the pivotal Europa League final in Bilbao on Wednesday night, contravene a promise made by the Football Association regarding the FA Cup final.

Crystal Palace are due to meet Manchester City at Wembley on Saturday afternoon, but the FA had previously stated when outlining plans for this season's cup that not only would the final occur "on an exclusive Saturday" but there would be no top-tier matches the night prior "to allow focus on the build-up to the showpiece event".

Yet, Spurs' trip to Villa, who expressed discontent over the game's rescheduling, is now slated to commence at 7:30pm on Friday, followed by Chelsea versus United at 8:15pm. Both Friday night games were originally scheduled to coincide with other Premier League matches on Sunday.

Palace and City were only informed of their Wembley meeting's kick-off time a mere fortnight before the match, following lengthy discussions involving broadcasters. Nonetheless, the 4:30pm start should afford fans travelling from Manchester ample time to reach Euston station for their return journeys, reports the Mirror.

The FA has confirmed scheduling alterations for this season's Cup, announcing last year: "The Emirates FA Cup Final will now take place on the penultimate weekend of the Premier League season, on an exclusive Saturday with no Premier League fixtures taking place on the same day. Additionally, there will be no Premier League games on the Friday night before the final, to allow focus on the build-up to the showpiece event."

Both Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur are keen to avoid any new injuries, with managers Ruben Amorim and Ange Postecoglou likely to opt for a changed lineup. Tottenham's skipper Heung-min Son is set to get some much-needed game time at Villa Park after a month sidelined with a foot injury, having made a comeback against Crystal Palace the previous weekend.

However, several pivotal players might find themselves starting from the bench as attentions shift to the upcoming Bilbao match, where not only is significant silverware at stake but also a spot in the next season's Champions League, bringing with it substantial financial rewards.

Ange Postecoglou has vowed to pick a team that will 'do its best' to beat Aston Villa as the Spurs boss hit back at those who have questioned his side's 'integrity'.

Aston Villa could move level on points with third-placed Newcastle United if Unai Emery's team defeat struggling Spurs on Friday night and the Villains go into the game as overwhelming favourites. Although Spurs have reached the Europa League final, the Londoners find find themselves just one place above the relegation places following a solitary win in their last 10 top-flight fixtures.

It is clear where Spurs' priorities lie ahead of next week's showpiece in Bilbao after Postecoglou recently lost Dejan Kulusevski, James Maddison and Lucas Bergvall to injury. Postecoglou, tellingly, made eight changes to that side that defeated Bodo/Glimt in the Europa League when Spurs faced Crystal Palace last week and it would be a surprise if the Australian did not ring the changes once again at Villa Park. However, Postecoglou maintained he will field a side that can get a result.

"We're certainly going to go out there and try and win the game and put out a team that, hopefully, gets that job done," the Spurs boss told reporters. "I'm not sure about the integrity.

"There have been times this year where we have had to field weakened teams because of injury. Does that affect the integrity?

"People are thinking that there is some sort of competitive balance that exists. That doesn't exist over the course of a season.

"I'd be very surprised if people are questioning our integrity to try and win a game of football. I'll put the team out that I think will do its best to win a game of football."

Newcastle will just be focusing on themselves, of course. In fact, one more victory should be enough for Newcastle to qualify for the Champions League given Aston Villa's vastly inferior goal difference and the fact Nottingham Forest cannot better the Magpies' points total if Eddie Howe's side win another game.

Newcastle United have opened up a sizeable gap on Spurs in the table - but the Lilywhites' latest financial results serve as a reminder of the gap the Magpies still have to bridge off it.

There are obvious caveats when comparing Newcastle to a London club, of course, but Spurs brought in £105.8m in match receipts last season, which was more than double what the black-and-whites did (£50.1m) in the same period. Spurs also generated £255.2m in commercial revenue, including third-party events, visitor attractions and conferences, with the help of the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium whereas Newcastle raised less than a third of that figure (£83.6m) despite huge growth.

It is worth stressing that Newcastle have started from a much lower base following years of stagnation in the Ashley era; commercial income shockingly fell from £27.6m when the billionaire bought the club in 2007 to £26.5m a decade-and-a-half later. Newcastle have 'effectively got to run an extra lap behind everyone else', as a result, according to football finance expert Kieran Maguire.

Whether Newcastle decide to transform St James' Park or to build a new ground not too far away, clearly, the stadium is going to be crucial to the club's prospects of turbocharging revenues in a PSR world - just as it has for Spurs as chairman Daniel Levy explained.

"Since opening our new stadium in April, 2019, we have invested over £700million net in player acquisitions," he wrote in his chairman's statement. "Recruitment remains a key focus and we must ensure that we make smart purchases within our financial means.

"I often read calls for us to spend more given that we are ranked as the ninth richest club in the world. However, a closer examination of today’s financial figures reveals that such spending must be sustainable in the long-term and within our operating revenues.

"Our capacity to generate recurring revenues determines our spending power. We cannot spend what we do not have and we will not compromise the financial stability of this club - indeed, our off-pitch revenues have significantly supplemented the lower football revenues this year, testament to our diversified income strategy."

Newcastle remain committed to consultation over a potential new stadium and club chiefs have insisted that no decisions have been made as of yet. The club have maintained throughout the process that they will fully update fans when they are in a position to communicate.

While a decision and any future stadium developments are made, Newcastle will look to continue to boost revenues and Eddie Howe has admitted that trading will be the 'most important' short-term PSR solution.

Former Sunderland and Liverpool midfielder Jason McAteer believes that Sunderland wonderkid Jobe Bellingham will be snapped up by a Premier League giant if the Black Cats don’t secure promotion this season.

Bellingham has been watched by a number of clubs in recent months. Tottenham Hotspur, Liverpool and Crystal Palace have all been linked with the midfielder, as have German giants Borussia Dortmund.

Speaking to 10bet, McAteer praised the England youth international's progress this season under Regis Le Bris, lauding him for taking on the challenge of trying to follow in the footsteps of his superstar brother, Jude.

How far can Bellingham go? Can he rival his brother’s achievements over the long term?

McAteer commented: “He’s grabbed himself a few goals and he’s played about 28 games this season. For a 19-year-old to play that amount of times in the Championship where it’s a very difficult league, he’s learning a lot from being in that division.

“Having played there, I know what he’s going through. It’s very difficult to live in the shadow of Jude Bellingham. The golden boy of English football playing for Real Madrid. He’s an absolute star – to try and follow in his footsteps is very difficult.

“The family are very grounded and level-headed. He comes from a great background. He’s at the right football club and it’s a brilliant football club.

“It's an amazing fan base. A great place to live. They’re in fourth in the table and there is still a chance they could actually go up automatically. And that fan base will get behind them. You can only imagine if Sunderland don’t go up then I think the big boys will come knocking next season.”

Sunderland sporting director Kristjaan Speakman spoke last month about Sunderland not entertaining winter transfer window bids for Bellingham and fellow youngster Chris Rigg. The duo continue to cause heads to turn despite some inconsistencies in Sunderland's play of late.

Speakman said: He added: “Often not enough is made of being able to retain talent. In January there’s lots of competitors and teams who lose talent in the window. Our ownership has been really firm on the fact we are trying to retain and build. That often means you are making difficult decisions in turning offers and opportunities down."

Wilson Isidor's Sunderland form is not going unnoticed as he continues to push Sunderland towards potential Premier League promotion.

The 24-year-old striker has taken the Championship by storm this season. Having originally landed on Wearside on loan from Zenit Saint Petersburg, Isidor then completed a permanent move to the Black Cats in the January transfer window for a fee believed to be around £3million.

That already looks like an absolute steal by Kristjaan Speakman & Co. Isidor has hit 12 goals this season to help propel Sunderland to the fringes of automatic promotion and is starting to get attention from elsewhere.

The Frenchman was watched by a handful of scouts, including from Tottenham Hotspur and Crystal Palace, on Monday night against Leeds United at Elland Road. The scouts were taking a keen interest in a number of Sunderland's players, including Jobe Bellingham, but are understood to have been particularly impressed by Isidor's performance.

The frontman led the line expertly, and scored a great solo goal to give Sunderland the lead. Isidor latched on to a through ball in the right-hand channel, helpd off Ethan Ampadu and spun beyond him before dispatching a clinical left-footed shot in off the post.

It was the highlight of another strong performance by the player, who has shown all the attributes to be a complete striker. He has an eye for goal, works hard and is capable of holding the ball up and running into the channels.

Unfortunately, his superb strike wasn't enough to beat Leeds, as the home side came back strong in the second half and won the game thanks to two late goals from Pascal Struijk via set-pieces. It was a bitter blow for Sunderland, who could have jumped into third spot and within four points of Leeds with victory.

The blow to their automatic promotion hopes will be softened if they beat Hull City at the Stadium of Light on Saturday. Isidor took to social media after the game to urge his team forward with so much still to play for this season. He posted: "The road is still long… Stay together, WE ARE SUNDERLAND"

Sunderland's ability to hold on to some of their key players could be determined by whether they get promoted or not this season. The likes of Isidor, Bellingham, Chris Rigg, Dan Neil and Tommy Watson have all been scouted by Premier League sides as Regis Le Bris' young guns continue to impress.

The Black cats seem nailed on for a play-off spot at least, but will still be hoping to make the top two and achieve automatic promotion.

Sunderland's game against Hull on Saturday is a 12:30pm kick-off. Before that, third-placed Burnley are at home to Sheffield Wednesday on Friday night before the top two - Leeds and Sheffield United - meet in a huge Yorkshire derby on Monday night.

Ally McCoist believes Sunderland can still get promoted to the Premier League - and that it is their best chance of keeping hold of Jobe Bellingham.

McCoits, now one of the game's premier pundits, had a spell at Sunderland early in his career. The Scottish striker played on Wearside between 1982-83 and has retained a soft spot for the club ever since.

He went on to become one of Scotland's greatest goalscorers, but regularly checks in on his old club to catch their games. And McCoist believes the Black Cats can reach the Premier League despite stiff competition from Leeds United, Burnley and Sheffield United.

Sunderland host Luton Town tonight and Bellingham is expected to return to the side after injury. The midfielder has been in great form again this season, and Sunderland resisted any approaches for him in the transfer window as they continue to build a squad capable of reaching the top flight.

McCoist was asked whether Bellingham is destined to leave the club in the summer should they miss out on promotion. He replied: “Sadly for my fellow Mackems, I think so. He’s been great. I watch their games every week and he’s been great.

"They [Sunderland] have been fabulous. I’m not ruling out automatic promotion, I’m really not.

“The league is one of my favourites in world football because it’s relentless. A lot of respect for the players and teams in that league. I think Sunderland have still got a chance of automatic promotion.

"I think such is the form of Jobe, it will be very difficult to knock back any concrete and acceptable offers that come in.”

Tottenham Hotspur have been the latest club to be linked with Bellingham, who also attracted attention from Crystal Palace, West Ham and German giants Borussia Dortmund. The Bundesliga side have an obvious link, given his brother Jude moved there from Birmingham City, before going on to Real Madrid.

When asked if a similar move to Germany could work for the Sunderland midfielder, McCoist added: “You look at that club and it ticks so many boxes in so many ways.

“Regardless of the fact his brother was there, and we know how successful he was, put that to one side and it’s still potentially a brilliant move. They are a great club, amazing fan base, great pedigree of being successful, as good a pedigree as anyone at bringing young players through. It would make sense.”