TNT Sports

In this week's edition of Ally vs Fletch, the two TNT experts had their say on whether Michael Carrick can extend his winning run as Manchester United head coach when Tottenham visit Old Trafford in the Premier League on Saturday, live on TNT Sports and discovery+. Arsenal look to extend their lead at the summit at home to Sunderland before Liverpool host second-placed Manchester City on Sunday.

Football aficionados will have another enticing set of Premier League fixtures to devour this weekend but the fight for survival and the title race are not the only battles taking place.

Ally McCoist and Darren Fletcher are going head-to-head to prove which of the two TNT Sports pundits has the better ball knowledge, with Manchester United set to face Tottenham on TNT Sports and discovery+.

Ally is just four points off his fellow TNT Sports favourite in the Ally vs Fletch standings after the scores were tied in Gameweek 24.

Think you know the beautiful game? Get stuck into the experts' picks and have your say on all 10 fixtures below.

WinsPointsFletch11160Ally7156

Gameweek 24 predictions

DateMatchAllyFletchFri, Feb 6, 20:00Leeds v Nottingham Forest2-10-2Sat, Feb 7, 12:30Man Utd v Tottenham (TNT)2-13-1Sat, Feb 7, 15:00Arsenal v Sunderland3-03-0Sat, Feb 7, 15:00Bournemouth v Aston Villa2-11-1Sat, Feb 7, 15:00Burnley v West Ham1-21-0Sat, Feb 7, 15:00Fulham v Everton1-12-1Sat, Feb 7, 15:00Wolves v Chelsea1-31-3Sat, Feb 7, 17:30Newcastle v Brentford2-12-0Sun, Feb 8, 14:00Brighton v Crystal Palace2-02-0Sun, Feb 8, 16:30Liverpool v Man City2-22-1

Selected matches:

Manchester United v Tottenham (TNT)

Ally: "Manchester United are high-flying under new interim boss Michael Carrick which is remarkable.

"I think that there has also been improvement with Tottenham and I can see them scoring away from home."

Prediction: Manchester United 2-1 Tottenham

Fletch: "Love the fixture, really excited to be commentating on it.

"Manchester United look to be a level above Spurs at the moment, just on current form and the fact they're at home.

"You can't ever discount Spurs based on the talent they've got, but I don't like them at Old Trafford."

Prediction: Manchester United 3-1 Tottenham

Liverpool v Manchester City

Ally: "Massive game and it’s a really tough one to call. Manchester City cannot afford to lose any more points in their title challenge.

"This is a Liverpool side who are up and down, and I can see it being a high-scoring draw.

"I initially thought Liverpool would win this match 2-1, but I’m dramatically changing my mind."

Prediction: Liverpool 2-2 Manchester City

Fletch: "Difficult one to call. City aren't great at the minute, inconsistent, Liverpool the same.

"It's difficult to judge. I might just give Liverpool the edge based on Wirtz and Ekitike as a combination."

Prediction: Liverpool 2-1 Manchester City

Get involved: Vote on Gameweek 25 fixtures

Now it is over to you, the audience. Vote on the results for the next round of fixtures below!

Points (match result only)Fletch105You (voter average)102Ally100

Friday

Leeds v Nottingham Forest

Saturday

Manchester United v Tottenham

Arsenal v Sunderland

Bournemouth v Aston Villa

Burnley v West Ham

Fulham v Everton

Wolves v Chelsea

Newcastle v Brentford

Sunday

Brighton v Crystal Palace

Liverpool v Manchester City

Ally vs Fletch scoring - and how you can play along

Each gameweek, Ally and Fletch predict the scores for every game and offer some hot takes on the biggest matches. The points system:

One point for getting the right result (win, draw or loss)

Three points for getting the score bang on

Double points for matches on TNT Sports

Want to get involved? You can vote on the result of every game - win, lose or draw - above, with a separate leaderboard tracking how you stack up against the experts.

Watch the 2025/26 Premier League season on TNT Sports and discovery+

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Exclusive: Dominic Solanke, Thomas Frank on future ambition with Tottenham Hotspur - 'Fighting for trophies’

Dominic Solanke and Thomas Frank are backing Tottenham Hotspur to win over the supporters and start challenging for trophies again. Spurs are 14th in the Premier League, having won just two of their last 15 matches, following a 17th place finish last season. But ahead of their clash with Manchester United, live on TNT Sports and discovery+, both player and manager are thinking positively.

Dominic Solanke and manager Thomas Frank are backing Tottenham Hotspur to win over supporters and be challenging for trophies again.

It has been another difficult season for Spurs in the Premier League, currently sitting in 14th place in the table with just 14 games remaining, following a 17th place finish last term.

While their UEFA Champions League form may have been excellent, with a fourth place finish in the league phase securing a last 16 spot, Spurs’ last Premier League win came on December 28 at Crystal Palace.

It will not get any easier as they visit in-form Manchester United, live on TNT Sports and discovery+.

But Solanke, fresh from scoring a brace in Tottenham’s surprise 2-2 draw with title chasing Manchester City, has never lost his ambition and maintains the sky is the limit for Spurs.

"We all want to play exciting football, we understand the fans want to play exciting football as well but again, every game is different, some games you might need to play a different style of play," the former Bournemouth forward told TNT Sports.

"Ultimately, you want to be winning games now. We know we need to be winning games, so at times we need to do what we need to do to try and win games.

"We have got a lot of exciting players, players that want to express themselves and make the crowd get off their feet, so something that we will definitely be continuing to try and do.

"That is why we play for Tottenham, that is why people sign for Tottenham, because we want to be fighting for trophies and fighting at the top end of the Premier League.

"We need to be the ones to ultimately make that happen, so we are going to keep building and, hopefully, we won’t be too far off."

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Frank has 'no idea' if Romero will be at Spurs next season

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His manager Frank has come under growing pressure from Tottenham supporters after winning just two of the last 15 Premier League games, but he too believes the club are closer than fans think to turning a new leaf.

"Hopefully not too far [away from what he wants to see on the pitch] is my feeling, because again, competitive and consistent, I think that is the two things," Frank said.

"I think to have complete dominance, that will take a little while longer but I think especially as I said, the last spell has been progress.

"There can be a lot of talk, the only way to actually do it, is to actually prove it on the pitch and make sure the performances also turn into wins, then things will be a little bit better, no doubt about that.

"I think we are closer than we think, but we haven’t turned some of the tight games into wins which we are working very hard on."

Solanke relishing ‘big role’ in team

At 28, Solanke is now one of the more senior members of the Tottenham squad.

Despite only playing 54 matches in his two seasons at the club due to injuries, he has taken on a new internal role, which sees him commanding more responsibilities - something he is enjoying.

"I am probably one of the more experienced players in the team now. I feel like this season, I have got a big role in leadership and helping some of the younger players and just bringing the energy," he added.

"That is a big role that I have stepped into this year and I want to help the team with goals as well, pressing and helping holding up the play, so I think I bring a lot to the team.

"I think we just need to try and stay calm. Football goes on for 90 minutes, and you can see with our game and many games throughout the season.

"In the first half, you might be out of it, but then in the second half you have a great comeback, and it can all change."

- - -

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'Closer than we think' - Tottenham Hotspur boss Thomas Frank 'completely gets' fan frustration in 'transitional season'

Spurs manager Thomas Frank speaks to TNT Sports ahead of Premier League match vs Manchester United, and opens up about the perception of his side and admits he understands fan frustration in a 'transitional season' for the club.

Tottenham Hotspur boss Thomas Frank has 'no idea' whether Cristian Romero will remain at the club beyond the summer. The Argentina defender again took to Instagram, calling the club's squad depth "disgraceful" after his illness left just 11 available players in the 2-2 draw with Manchester City. Watch Spurs' clash against Manchester United live on TNT Sports and discovery+ this weekend.

Thomas Frank has said he has "no idea" if club captain Cristian Romero will still be at Tottenham Hotspur next season after the defender again released a scathing social media post.

The Argentinian criticised the club and called the lack of squad depth "disgraceful" after his illness in the 2-2 draw with Manchester City left Spurs with just 11 available players.

It is Romero's second critical post about the club this year, having also accused the hierarchy of only showing up "when things are going well, to tell a few lies" after the 3-2 defeat to Bournemouth in January.

His most recent post was liked by team-mates Xavi Simons, Conor Gallagher and Dominic Solanke.

Despite these comments, Frank, who has not overseen a win in the Premier League since a 1-0 triumph at Crystal Palace on December 28, confirmed Romero would remain club captain but admitted he did not know if he would still be in north London come next season.

"That's a question I have no idea about [whether Romero will be a Spurs player come July]," Frank said ahead of this weekend's meeting with Manchester United, live on TNT Sports and discovery+.

"Right now, he is the captain, he has a long-term contract, and we signed a new contract with him.

"It's all contextual - right now we have a few injuries, of course, injuries don't help, but it's part of football.

"I think it's one person speaking up. We don't know if he speaks on behalf of all the players. That's your perception, so we don't know that.

"Secondly, we don't know if that's what he thinks. We can read into a text, I think we have a team and squad to compete but of course, we have a few injuries that doesn't help us."

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Spurs' injury crisis that plagued them last season under Ange Postecoglou has once again followed them this season and, in 2026 alone, Frank has seen the likes of Mohammed Kudus, Rodrigo Bentancur, Richarlison, Pedro Porro and Lucas Bergvall sidelined.

Despite this, and with key players James Maddison and Dejan Kulusevski also ruled out for a significant period, Spurs were not active on transfer deadline day.

Frank defended the club, though, hailing them as "ambitious" after they brought in Simons, Kudus, Joao Palhinha and Gallagher this season.

Frank said: "In the summer we made two good signings in Xavi Simons and Mohamed Kudus and a good loan in Joao Palhinha, so it's not as though we don't want to loan players to strengthen the squad.

"It was a big signing with Conor Gallagher. I know the club is very ambitious."

Frank must now prepare his squad to take on the in-form Manchester United. It will be a big task to stop Michael Carrick’s side, who have beaten Manchester City, Arsenal and Fulham in his three games as interim manager.

Despite Romero’s comments, he insisted that as long as a player is putting in the effort, he is content, suggesting the World Cup winner will be in action in Manchester.

He said: "I think if you are generalising, as long as everyone does their job, then it is fair enough.

"I am pretty sure there are also some players who don't think I am the best bloke or whatever it is, but as long as they work hard and do everything they can on the pitch, then I am happy.

"There is always a line you can't cross or can't cross too many times. I am not talking about the social posting.

"No matter who you are, what kind of job you do, we all know when we have stepped too far and it's problems."

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'We're not on same page' - Thomas Frank says it is unfair to compare Spurs with Manchester United because of Champions League commitments

Thomas Frank has played down comparisons between Tottenham and this weekend’s opponents Manchester United, arguing that the vastly different circumstances surrounding the two clubs render any direct parallels misleading. Spurs travel to Old Trafford for Saturday’s lunchtime kick-off, live on TNT Sports and discovery+, with a 12-point gap separating them from United in the Premier League table.

Thomas Frank believes it is unfair to compare Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester United because his side have been contending with UEFA Champions League football, with the head coach saying: "Let's judge when we're on the same page."

Spurs travel to Old Trafford for Saturday's lunchtime kick-off, live on TNT Sports and discovery+, trailing United by 12 points in the Premier League table. Yet Frank believes the gap tells only part of the story.

The two sides last met in early November with Ruben Amorim at the helm of The Red Devils, and a late Matthijs de Ligt header earned United a dramatic point at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

That match proved emblematic of both campaigns, with neither team able to protect a lead. Since then, however, their paths have diverged sharply. Amorim has been removed by United’s hierarchy, while Tottenham have continued to place their faith in Frank despite mounting frustration among sections of the fanbase.

Frank's appointment last summer, following Ange Postecoglou's departure, was initially welcomed. But with Spurs currently languishing in 14th place, progress has been limited.

Aside from qualification for the Champions League round of 16, there have been few tangible signs of advancement since the club ended a 17-year wait for silverware by defeating United in last season’s Europa League final in Bilbao.

Asked whether the two clubs have moved in opposite directions over the past nine months, Frank pointed to continental commitments as a decisive factor.

"It's a nice context to say Manchester United don't play European football," he said in his pre-match press conference. "That's a challenge. Let's judge [the two clubs] when we're on the same page."

Tottenham enter the weekend closer to the relegation zone than European places, meaning a repeat of the emphatic 3-0 victory masterminded by Postecoglou at Old Trafford in September 2024 would provide welcome relief for their current head coach.

United, by contrast, arrive in a buoyant mood. Benefiting from a full week of training and a settled schedule, Michael Carrick has overseen three league victories in a row - matching the number of consecutive wins his predecessor managed across 14 months - to lift the club into fourth place.

Carrick's side sit one point ahead of Chelsea in fifth and two clear of Liverpool in sixth as the race for Champions League qualification intensifies.

Frank believes Carrick has already had a noticeable impact at a club he once represented as a player.

"He's had a great start, he's injected a level of energy into the team," Frank said. "It looks like some of the players are in a good place.

"We know the threats from before from Bryan Mbeumo, Amad, [Matheus] Cunha and [Bruno] Fernandes has been keeping this team ticking, he's done it for four and five years. It's a challenge, but looking forward to it."

Frank: Romero post has been dealt with internally

Tottenham head north with renewed confidence after a spirited second-half comeback against Manchester City last Sunday, recovering from a two-goal deficit to secure a point at home.

That performance was followed by pointed criticism from captain Cristian Romero, who voiced his frustration at January’s modest transfer activity.

The Argentina centre-back described the lack of squad depth as "disgraceful," claiming Spurs had "only 11 players available" for the City match.

It was the second public outburst from Romero in recent weeks, having previously accused the club’s hierarchy of "lies" in a social media post swiftly deleted after a 3-2 defeat at Bournemouth.

Frank addressed the latest comments on Thursday, conceding it was not an approach he would endorse, while stressing repeatedly that the matter had been resolved behind closed doors.

"It's the beauty of written text, you can read a lot into it," Frank said. "And nobody really knows except Cuti or the guys who have spoken to him. Everything is dealt with internally.

"It shows that Cuti is extremely passionate. He wants to win, do everything he can with his team-mates to achieve great things. You need to ask him next time you speak to him.

"If you want to know what he meant, you have to ask him. That's the right way to take that question.

"Cuti is a very passionate character and player, who will want to leave everything on the pitch. He's very ambitious and wants to win every single time. Sometimes when you are like that, it can become an outburst. It is something we have of course dealt with, and dealt with internally.

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"There's a lot of ways of doing things. Cuti has been very good for us this season and in the past seasons. That's very important to be aware of.

"I wouldn't have done it. That's my message."

Frank confirmed Romero had not been disciplined for his earlier post in January, though he declined to say whether any sanction had been imposed this time.

When asked whether Romero’s comments had been met with support from disgruntled fans - following a transfer window that saw Brennan Johnson sold to Crystal Palace for £35 million and only Conor Gallagher arrive from Atletico Madrid alongside 19-year-old left-back Souza - Frank questioned the significance of social media reaction.

"First and foremost, we don't know what a like means," he said. "There are so many words in the post: does that like [act as a reaction to]: 'Well done guys, you did amazingly when I had to go off at half-time]. If that's the like, then perfect.

"Social media, I can't get rid of it. It's what some people call the future, or whatever it is. One thing I do know: we all definitely put too much attention to social media. All of us. It seems like everything is written on social media is the truth.

"Everything we take: that's the truth. That's a challenge in general, overall. That's the way it is. We deal with it."

Stream the Premier League, Men’s and Women’s FA Cup, UEFA Champions League, UEFA Europa League, UEFA Conference League and more on TNT Sports and discovery+

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Marcus Rashford has had an impressive loan spell at Barcelona, which is tempting the club's board to pay Manchester United their asking price to make the move a permanent one. The Catalan giants are also believed to be interested in signing Tottenham captain Cristian Romero - according to reports. Sergio Ramos could be reunited with one of his old clubs, while Jhon Duran is on the move again.

Barcelona keen to land 'quality' Rashford

Luis Miguelsanz from Sport in Spain suggests Barcelona have come to the "unanimous" decision to pay the money needed to keep Marcus Rashford on a permanent deal.

The England international is currently on a season-long loan at the Camp Nou from Manchester United and has impressed with 10 goals to his name.

Miguelsanz writes: "Barca will activate the €30 million purchase option to acquire the player permanently in a deal that will not be negotiated, as Manchester United will not lower their asking price by a single euro.

"The Catalan club considers this a reasonable and affordable price, taking into account the player's quality and the astronomical valuations of similar players in this position who could potentially become available."

Could there be a Ramos reunion?

There are suggestions in Spain that Sergio Ramos could return to Real Madrid after the free agent left Mexican side Monterrey in December.

He has also been linked with a reunion with Sevilla, but their sporting director, Antonio Cordon, has said there is "no financial possibility" of that happening.

AS write: "At 39, Sergio Ramos aspires to continue playing, and his current focus is on doing so in Spain. Two clubs have emerged as potential destinations: Sevilla and Real Madrid.

"[TV presenter] Juanfe Sanz commented on El Chiringuito that "it's not the first time he's offered himself to Real Madrid in difficult circumstances." He added that he's also always "willing to go to Sevilla" because "the two teams he loves most are Real Madrid and Sevilla."

Barca eye up Romero

Tottenham captain Cristian Romero is being tipped for a potential move to Barcelona.

Gabriel Sans from Mundo Deportivo writes: "Cristian Romero (27) has decided to seek a change of scenery in June, despite having a contract until 2029 and being the captain of Tottenham.

"While he was linked to Atletico Madrid under Diego Simeone months ago, his name has now surfaced in England in connection with Barcelona.

"This isn't the first time. Years ago, the Catalan club pursued him and even made some enquiries."

Brighton persist with El Mala

Brighton have continued their interest in FC Koln winger Said El Mala - according to Sport Bild.

Axel Hesse writes how, after having an initial bid rejected, they are refusing to walk away from negotiations and determined to secure the services of the Germany under-21 star - with Brighton boss Fabian Hurzeler being a big fan.

"He already wanted to sign El Mala in the summer of 2025, before the winger had even played a Bundesliga match. At that time, the English club offered up to €15 million," Hesse wrote.

"They have now significantly increased their offer. It is said to be in the range of €25m - €30m – plus bonuses."

Duran on the move again

Jhon Duran shocked many when he made the move from the Premier League to Saudi Arabia - switching Aston Villa for Al Nassr.

The striker only played for six months in Saudi before he went on loan to Fenerbahce - but that deal has now been broken.

Duran is now expected to take another temporary move - this time to Zenit St Petersburg.

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Manchester United - Tottenham Hotspur  TNT Sports

Manchester United will look to make it four wins from four games under the management of Michael Carrick when they take on Tottenham - live on TNT Sports and discovery+ - on Saturday. Mason Mount could return to the squad after suffering an injury in training, but Matthijs de Ligt remains sidelined with a back problem. Carrick has praised his players for their attitude in recent weeks.

Manchester United head coach Michael Carrick says his players have been "better than you can imagine" since he took over from Ruben Amorim, and is backing them to continue helping the club to improve.

Carrick has enjoyed three wins in a row as the man in the hot seat, with Manchester City, Arsenal and Fulham all beaten by a rejuvenated United, who had won just one of their seven matches prior to his arrival.

Next up is a lunchtime Premier League clash with Tottenham Hotspur on Saturday, which is live on TNT Sports and discovery+.

Speaking ahead of the match, Carrick has praised the efforts of his players in helping to turn their season around.

"The players have been spot on and fully focused," Carrick said. "We’re all aware of the bigger situation and what might happen.

"As a player, you focus on what’s ahead of you, trying to achieve what you can at this moment in time and the rest of the season.

"The lads have been better than you can imagine. We’re focused on being better, improving and getting ourselves and this club to where we want to be. Small steps, but it’s a big end to the season.

"People were saying at the time that the first two games were standout and we expected a tough start and in some ways that helped get the whole group focused and alive. I didn't look too far ahead.

"Over time we got a vague idea of what we wanted to look like and since we’ve been here that becomes a lot clearer of what direction we want to go in and how we want to play.

"The three wins have been fantastic in different ways. We’ve got a lot of growth in the team and squad."

Due to United not playing in Europe and suffering an early exit from the FA Cup at the hands of Brighton & Hove Albion, there has been talk of the club taking part in mid-season friendlies in Saudi Arabia - which would help balance their loss of income from playing less games this season.

Asked about the possibility, Carrick said: "At this stage, there is nothing confirmed. We’re aware of the schedule and there are some spaces we can use in different ways.

"It’s all up for discussion at the moment but nothing has been decided. It might happen, it might not, we will see."

For now, Carrick is concentrating on getting his team ready for the challenge of taking on one of his other former clubs, Tottenham.

Mason Mount could be in contention to return, after picking up an injury in training last week, which made him miss the victory over Fulham.

He is expected to be back in the squad either against Spurs, or at West Ham United on Tuesday - a game that is also live on TNT Sports and discovery+. Matthijs de Ligt remains sidelined with a back problem, though.

Carrick spent two years at Tottenham as a player, before making the move to Old Trafford where he spent the majority of his playing career, winning 12 major trophies in 12 years.

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Speaking about making the move from Spurs, Carrick said: "I have really fond memories of Tottenham. I was there for what feels like a short time but really enjoyed it.

"Good team, Martin Jol was manager, a lot of things I learnt at the club in a short period.

"Coming here was a big jump and I felt that pretty quickly. Once you step inside this place as a footballer it turns you, from the first day walking into the dressing room and meeting the manager, that was me."

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Arsenal face competition to seal Sandro Tonali summer deal, Bayern Munich linked with highly rated Spurs defender - Euro Transfer News

In today's Euro Transfer News, Sandro Tonali was "never planning" a January exit from Newcastle United but could be a target for several clubs in the summer. Meanwhile, Bayern Munich are eyeing up Tottenham Hotspur defender Luka Vuskovic after his impressive loan spell with Bundesliga side Hamburg, and more details have emerged around N'Golo Kante's chaotic move to Fenerbahce.

Arsenal eye summer deal for Tonali

Several clubs including Arsenal want to sign Newcastle United midfielder Sando Tonali in the summer, according to Fabrizio Romano.

But the Italy international was "never planning" a January exit despite late speculation of interest from Arsenal.

Romano claims Tonali will make a decision on his future before the summer transfer window opens.

Romano said on his YouTube channel: "Tonali's agent, Giuseppe Riso, spoke in the last 24 hours and said very clearly he didn't offer his client to Arsenal. And that's the reality. It was impossible.

"Not even the most stupid agent in the world would offer their player to Arsenal in the final 24 hours of the market, because it's impossible for any club to sign a top player like Tonali in 24 hours.

"In the summer, keep an eye on Tonali. There is Juventus interested, Premier League top clubs interested.

"I'm sure the summer for Tonali is going to be very busy. Arsenal are interested and considering Tonali, but there are more clubs.

"Nothing at the moment concrete. We have to see Newcastle's position, so let's see, around end of February, March, April, when Newcastle's agents will meet and decide what to do.

"There is a possibility Tonali considers a Newcastle exit in the summer, but it is in Newcastle's hands."

Bayern linked with Spurs defender

Bayern Munich are monitoring the availability of Tottenham Hotspur defender Luka Vuskovic, reports Sky Germany.

The 18-year-old is currently on loan at Bundesliga side Hamburg and has impressed, scoring four goals from centre-back, the latest of which came in a 2-2 draw with Bayern last weekend.

Vuskovic, who has already earned two caps for Croatia, has been urged to join Bayern by compatriot and former Barcelona midfielder Ivan Rakitic.

"Right now, all of football, Europe are talking about him," Rakitic told Sky Germany.

"FC Bayern have to step on the gas. I believe the lad has to go to Bayern.

"It is incredibly nice to see how such a young guy can shake up the football world."

Spurs reportedly intend to keep Vuksovic when he returns from his loan spell in the summer.

Brighton see £25m bid rejected

Brighton and Hove Albion had a bid worth €30 million (£25m) for FC Koln winger Said El Mala rejected last week, according to Sport Bild.

The 19-year-old has caught the eye in the Bundesliga this season, scoring seven goals and providing two assists in 20 appearances, only eight of which have been starts.

Brighton are believed to be long-term admirers of the German youngster, who has been touted as a potential wildcard for Julian Nagelsmann’s World Cup squad in the summer.

Koln reportedly deliberated Brighton's offer but were not willing to sell one of their prized assets.

The Premier League club were set to offer El Mala a salary worth €15m (£12.9m) over the next five years.

"When you score a few goals in the Bundesliga, other clubs automatically start calling," El Mala told reporters when asked about his future in December. "That’s a nice confirmation for my performance, but I’m fully focused on FC."

Kante saga shrouds Fenerbahce move

N'Golo Kante completed his move from Saudi club Al-Ittihad to Turkish giants Fenerbahce on Wednesday morning amid a chaotic transfer saga.

The signing of the former Chelsea and Leicester City midfielder seemed to be off after a paperwork dispute led to delays as the window reached its final stages.

But intervention from Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who was in Riyadh on Tuesday for a meeting with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, reportedly helped the transfer go through.

In a statement, Fenerbahce president Sadettin Saran said: "I express my gratitude to our President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, on behalf of myself and our club, for the critical support he provided in ensuring a positive outcome for a process that will benefit both Fenerbahce and Turkish football."

France international Kante was reportedly Fenerbahce's top target in January and a deal had been agreed to sign the 34-year-old.

Al-Ittihad wanted to extend his contract, but eventually agreed to sanction a deal, with striker Youssef En-Nesyri going in the other direction.

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