TEAMtalk

Arsenal have convinced one of Europe’s best strikers to turn down a move to Tottenham Hotspur, according to a report, while another source makes a startling revelation about Viktor Gyokeres and his stance on a switch to the Emirates Stadium.

One of the reasons why Arsenal failed to last the distance in the Premier League title race last season was the lack of a clinical number nine. While injuries to Gabriel Jesus and Kai Havertz did not help matters, it must be noted that the Brazilian is not a prolific goalscorer and the German is not a natural centre-forward.

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta and Sporting Director Andrea Berta are determined to add a new striker to the squad in the summer transfer window.

One of the strikers that Arsenal are actively pursuing is Benjamin Sesko of RB Leipzig.

Hailed by former Chelsea striker and talkSPORT pundit Tony Cascarino in June 2024 as being “extraordinary” for the way “he will run at people and he will literally go around them”, Sesko scored 21 goals and gave six assists in 45 matches in all competitions for Leipzig last season.

The German media reported this week that Arsenal have reached an agreement on personal terms with Sesko, and now TuttoJuve has claimed that the striker has turned down the chance to move to Tottenham to accept the Gunners’ offer.

The Italian news outlet has reported that Sesko has ‘said yes to Arsenal’s offer’, adding that the north London club are ‘ready to present a formal offer in the coming days to convince’ Leipzig to sell them their star striker.

Arsenal are said to have beaten the likes of Tottenham, Chelsea and Manchester United and convinced Sesko to join Arteta’s team.

None of Man Utd, Chelsea and Tottenham have shown ‘the same financial availability’, meaning that Arsenal have won the race for the 22-year-old Slovenia international striker, claims TuttoJuve.

DON’T MISS 🔴⚪ The hidden detail of Arsenal’s 2025/26 home shirt is all about the Premier League title

Viktor Gyokeres wants Arsenal move – report

Alongside Sesko, Arsenal have also looked at signing Gyokeres from Sporting CP, although it must be noted that the Gunners will bring in either and not both.

The Gunners do not want to pay anything more than an initial €55m (£47m, $63m) for Gyokeres, with Sporting CP changing their stance from letting the striker leave for €70m (£60m, $80.6m) because of a gentleman’s agreement to selling him only for €100m (£85m, $115m).

Manchester United are also interested in Gyokeres, with sources telling TEAMtalk’s transfer correspondent, Fraser Fletcher, on June 17 that the Red Devils are confident that the Sweden international striker will move to Old Trafford because of the presence of his former Sporing CP manager Ruben Amorim at the Red Devils.

TalkSPORT’s chief football correspondent, Alex Crook, though, claimed on Thursday morning that Gyokeres wants to join Arsenal.

Crook said on talkSPORT: “I had a message 24 hours or so ago suggesting that Viktor Gyokeres has told friends and family he expects to join Arsenal.

“We know that Manchester United are interested in signing him as well, obviously there is that pre-existing relationship with Ruben Amorim.

“But Arsenal can offer Champions League football, maybe can offer a tilt at the title next season.

“But Sporting are going to play hardball, there’s been a fallout between Gyokeres and the club because his agent has suggested that they had a gentleman’s agreement he could leave for £60million, I think they’re looking for nearer £80m.

“Arsenal are juggling both him and Benjamin Sesko, they’ve opened talks with Leipzig as well but at the moment, I would say Gyokeres looks the more likely.”

Latest Arsenal news: Signing close, Madueke blow

Arsenal are about to clinch the signing of one of their top targets this summer.

Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca has responded to speculation on Noni Madueke’s future amid interest from Arsenal.

Meanwhile, Arsenal have been offered the chance to sign a striker that Tottenham are also keen on.

Arsenal have received a huge blow in their pursuit of Noni Madueke after targeting the Chelsea winger, whose previous comments on leaving Tottenham Hotspur have come to light.

Following a disappointing 2024/25 campaign where they failed to last the distance in the Premier League title race, Arsenal are keen on adding quality players to their squad in the summer transfer window. Liverpool and Manchester City have already been very active this summer, and Arsenal are aware that to become the champions of England in the 2025/26 campaign, manager Mikel Arteta needs more firepower.

Arsenal manager Arteta and Sporting Director Andrea Berta are working hard behind the scenes to sign a top-class number nine, while a wide player is also on the wishlist.

According to The Telegraph, Chelsea winger Madueke is a player that Arsenal have taken a shine to.

The report, published at 4:59pm UK time on Thursday, claimed that the former Tottenham prospect is on the ‘radar’ of Arsenal among other clubs.

Rivals reportedly believe that Chelsea could sell the 23-year-old this summer, with Arsenal having ‘looked at his situation’.

However, at 6:28pm UK time, Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca made it clear that the winger is not for sale.

BBC Sport journalist Nizaar Kinsella has quoted Maresca as saying about Madueke’s future: “Noni is our player, you can read a lot of speculation at the moment but we consider Noni our player for the coming season.”

Maresca made the aforementioned comments about Madueke in a press conference ahead of Chelsea’s match against Flamengo at the FIFA Club World Cup.

Madueke played predominantly as a right winger last season and scored 11 goals and gave five assists in 42 appearances, as Chelsea finished in the Premier League top five and won the Conference League.

What Noni Madueke said about leaving Tottenham

Arsenal and Tottenham are bitter north London rivals, and it is interesting that the Gunners have made Madueke a target despite his previous stint at Spurs.

The winger was on the books of Tottenham from 2014 until 2018 before he decided to leave for Dutch club PSV.

Speaking to Sky Sports in February 2023 about his decision to leave Tottenham, Madueke said: “Tottenham was a great academy and they’ve got a great development plan.

“I’d been offered a scholarship agreement at Tottenham but I’d seen a lot of the boys – that were good as well – just kind of get lost in the system and I just didn’t want that for me.

“Going to PSV is not going to harm my development at all and if I’m good enough, I’m going to play quick in the first team, so that was really my mindset.

“I’m thinking ‘if I jump the queue, I’ll just be better than all my peers because whilst they’re playing Under-18’s and Under-21’s, I’ll be playing against men.”

Latest Arsenal news: Gyokeres decision reached, striker offered

Arsenal have reached a final decision on whether or not they will pay the asking price for Sporting CP striker Viktor Gyokeres, according to a report.

A report has claimed that Arsenal have been offered the chance to sign a striker that Tottenham are keen on.

Arsenal are progressing well in talks over new deals for two players.

Tottenham Hotspur are reportedly willing to outbid both Manchester United and LaLiga giants Barcelona in the race to sign a top Brazilian full-back currently playing in France.

Thomas Frank has only just walked through the door at Spurs but business has already started, with the club snapping up former loan duo Kevin Danso and Mathys Tel on permanent deals as they look to give the Dane a squad more capable of battling on multiple fronts next season.

Interest continues in landing a top winger, with Bryan Mbeumo and Antoine Semenyo both eyed in that regard, while midfield is expected to be a major priority.

Tottenham did have their struggles defensively last term, although they were not helped by a severe crisis that left them without first-choice centre-back pairing Micky van de Ven and Cristian Romero for a fair chunk of the campaign.

While there has been some hugely positive news regarding Romero’s future, Frank still has eyes on new defensive recruits – one of which is Monaco star Vanderson.

Barcelona are reported to be pushing ahead with a move for the Brazilian right-back, but Spurs are said to be ready to offer more to secure his signature.

Tottenham are pretty well stacked on the right side of their defence with Pedro Porro and Djed Spence, although the latter is now regarded as better competition for Detsony Udogie at left-back after excelling there at times last season.

While Porro has actually been linked with a move to Barca himself, Frank is keen to keep the Spaniard on board and have much greater strength in depth within the squad – hence the swoop for Vanderson.

The 23-year-old talent is expected to leave Monaco this summer and a report from UOL states that Spurs are locked in a battle with Barca for his signature.

DON’T MISS ➡️ Ranking all Premier League clubs by transfer net spend in 2025: Liverpool six places behind Man Utd

Tottenham leading three-way Vanderson battle

As was reported on TEAMtalk earlier this month, Manchester United have also expressed an interest in signing Vanderson, who scored twice and had five assists for Monaco last season.

The former Gremio star is currently valued in the region of €35m (£30m / $40m) by the Ligue 1 outfit as they look to cash in on one of their prized assets.

In terms of United’s interest, they are already well stocked for the right wing-back berth and it’s not thought that Vanderson is regarded as a pressing need at this time.

The player himself is said to favour a move to Catalonia and would likely take some convincing to join Spurs. However, the key factor in all this is that UOL reports that Monaco would prefer to deal with the north London outfit, given that they are prepared to pay the asking price.

Indeed, Tottenham are ready to ‘invest heavily’ in Vanderson, who is likely seen as a long-term Porro replacement should Frank’s current first-choice right-back eventually leave.

Latest Tottenham news: Striker signing ramps up / Shock Son move

🔵 Daniel Levy hits afterburners in Tottenham race for explosive Solanke alternative

🔵 Son Heung-min ‘open’ to shock transfer move as Tottenham price tag revealed

🔵 Andrea Berta gifted stunning Arsenal hijack of 21-goal Tottenham striker target

Arsenal have reportedly been offered the chance to snap up an international striker who chalked up a combined 30 goals and assists last season, with the frontman having also been heavily linked with north London rivals Tottenham.

The Gunners’ search for a No.9 has been well documented, as they continue to be linked with the likes of Benjamin Sesko, Victor Gyokeres, Victor Osimhen and Dusan Vlahovic – although this latest link is a bit more left-field and more likely to be in addition to one of the names mentioned above rather than an alternative.

Indeed, Arsenal are now said to considering a swoop for highly-rated Dynamo Kyiv frontman Vladyslav Vanat after his impressive performances during the 2024/25 campaign.

According to Just Arsenal, Vanat is being strongly touted for a move to The Emirates this summer, although the Gunners are not the only Premier League club now showing interest in his services.

Bitter rivals Spurs are also in the running as they search for more competition for Dominic Soalnke, along with the likes of Everton and Leeds United for a player who scored an impressive 21 goals and also notched nine assists last season.

The report states that Arsenal sporting director Andrea Berta is now looking into the potential of a deal for the player, who is reported to have a release clause of around £17million (€20m).

However, Just Arsenal adds that Mikel Arteta does not view the 23-year-old’s signing as an urgent need right now, but is fully aware of Vanat’s quality and hopes to beat rivals to his signature once the Gunners have completed a deal for one of their top striker targets.

DON’T MISS 🔴 Every completed Arsenal transfer in summer 2025: Signings, exits, loans

Arsenal transfer news: Striker search latest

In terms of those top targets named above, Arsenal will have to fork out a significant amount to get one of them on board.

Berta is known to be working feverishly behind the scenes to bring an end to Arsenal’s No.9 ‘problem’, with RB Leipzig’s Sesko still remaining the likeliest option at this stage.

The asking price remains a sticking point, with the Bundesliga outfit wanting between £68-85m, according to Sky Germany’s Florian Plettenberg.

Arsenal negotiations for Sesko have been ongoing since late May, but if a deal cannot be struck for the Slovenia international then Gyokeres also remains in play.

The Swede, if he can end his current dispute with Sporting, favours a return to England but continues to also be heavily linked with Manchester United due to his connection with Ruben Amorim.

But in terms of Arsenal’s overall search for a new No.9, journalist Ben Jacobs receently summed up the latest on X, stating: “Viktor Gyökeres prefers a move to the Premier League, and would welcome an Arsenal bid.

“Arsenal still deciding between Benjamin Sesko and Gyökeres. Andrea Berta simultaneously advancing both deals. Gyökeres would be open to Manchester United. There has been no formal rejection, but a deal to date has also never been at an advanced stage, despite suggestions.

“United have not made any formal approach to Sporting. Swedish striker one of several striker options discussed. Gyökeres believes he’ll still be allowed to leave Sporting for €70m. Arsenal have always been one to watch, but it will depend on Berta now because he is also in ongoing talks for Sesko at the same time, with a bid for one of the two targets expected soon.”

Latest Arsenal news: Sesko agent on move talk / Double contract breakthrough

🔴 Sesko agent addresses Arsenal transfer interest amid Gyokeres question and ‘special’ request

🔴 Real Madrid dealt transfer blow as Arsenal set for double contract breakthrough

🔴 Chelsea, Arsenal unfazed in pursuit of Aston Villa star despite eye-watering valuation – sources

The appointment of new Tottenham Hotspur manager Thomas Frank has reportedly convinced a world-class Spurs star to abandon his plans to quit the club this summer in a shock U-turn.

Frank was officially introduced as the club’s replacement for Ange Postecoglou on Wednesday and attempted to get the fans immediately on-side with his claim that Tottenham will play “aggressive, front-footed football” during his tenure.

While fans appear to have taken the Dane well, there have been some major players who were left livid at Daniel Levy’s decision to axe Postecoglou after he guided the club to their first trophy in 18 years – namely skipper Son Heung-min and vice-captains James Maddison and Cristian Romero.

The former looks increasingly likely to leave this summer, after Tottenham decided to cash in on the South Korean while he still has a year left on his contract. However, it appears that Romero has now made a complete U-turn on his own future.

The World Cup winner, described as “spectacular” by Argentina boss Lionel Scaloni, has been heavily linked with a move to LaLiga giants Atletico Madrid over the past few months, having publically admitted his desire to play in Spain.

However, according to reports emanating from his homeland, Romero has now been convinced to remain in north London – with several factors playing a part in his decision.

Top Argentinian outlet TyC Sports states that Romero is intrigued by Frank’s appointment and the difference he could make to the current Tottenham team, especially defensively, where they often struggled under Postecoglou.

Spurs returning to the Champions League is also a major factor for the 27-year-old, who remains under contract until 2027, while his £70m-plus price tag is known to have created an issue for Atletico anyway.

Keeping Romero alongside Micky van de Ven would be a tremendous boost for Frank, if that proves to be the case. However, it needs to be the Romero who was named Man of the Match in the Europa League final and who impressed so much in Postecoglou’s first campaign in charge, and not the one who struggled massively for consistency in the Premier League last season.

DON’T MISS ➡️ The key contract details of every Tottenham first-team player: Expiry dates, weekly wages, agents…

Frank outlines his vision for Tottenham

Frank, meanwhile, has vowed to stick to the Tottenham principles of attacking football as he prepares for the biggest challenge of his successful career so far.

The Dane guided Brentford to a 10th-placed finish last season and is renowned for his ability to change tactics to suit opponents, especially when facing the bigger clubs – games he has enjoyed success in.

And speaking to Tottenham TV, he said: “I know the ethos and the history of the club is massive on attacking football and there is so much attacking talent in the squad.

“I’m very, very big on principles … what we do in the final third in terms of creating chances, crosses, bring balls in the box, play [in] behind.

“I always say this one-liner: if you don’t take risks, you also take risks. So it’s important we take risks. Risk is you need to play forward. If you don’t risk the ball, you can’t create things. We need to be brave.

“For me, if they lose the ball by trying, it’s never a problem. But if they don’t work hard? I struggle more with that. That’s my non-negotiable. We need to take risks. If we don’t take risks, it’s impossible to achieve something big.”

Latest Tottenham news: Shock Son move / Striker battle emerges

🔵 Son Heung-min ‘open’ to shock transfer move as Tottenham price tag revealed

🔵 Nottingham Forest threaten Tottenham for 49-goal striker with hefty price set

🔵 Bryan Mbeumo transfer ‘decided’ as Man Utd, Tottenham target ‘gives his word’

Son Heung-min has reportedly held talks over a summer transfer exit, as Tottenham’s eye-opening asking price for the club legend comes to light.

The South Korean international joined Tottenham from Bayer Leverkusen in 2015 for around £22 million (€25.7m, $29.5m) and since then, he has become a club legend.

The 32-year-old, who helped guide Spurs to their first trophy in 17 years when they won this season’s Europa League, has scored 173 goals and added 101 assists in 454 appearances for the north London outfit.

But speculation is mounting that the forward could be heading to pastures new this summer, despite the club exercising an option to extend his stay until 2026.

Reports suggest Tottenham will not stand in Son’s way if he wants to move on for next season, amid links with Saudi Pro League teams.

And reports in Turkey claim that Son has met with former Spurs manager Jose Mourinho about moving to Fenerbahce. The ex-Hamburg player is said to be valued at €30 million (£25.6m, $34.5m) despite having just one year left on his contract and is ‘open’ to the switch.

Turkish journalist Yağız Sabuncuoğlu tweeted: “Jose Mourinho met with Heung-Min Son. The Korean star’s relations with Mourinho are at a very advanced level, and he is open to coming to Fenerbahçe.

“A transfer fee of 30 million euros is requested due to agreements in the Far East. If the transfer issue is resolved, the talks will progress.”

DON’T MISS ➡️ Every completed Tottenham transfer in summer 2025: Signings, exits, loans

Son giving little away over his Tottenham future

In the past year or so, it seems Son’s boundless energy and athleticism have began to wane. While he still made 46 appearances this season, more and more niggles have come his way.

A haul of 11 goals and 12 assists is nothing to be sniffed at, but it does seem as if Son’s time in north London may be drawing to a close. And when asked about his future, he kept his cards close to his chest.

Following his country’s 4-0 win over Kuwait last week, he said: “I still have one more year left on the contract. Rather than saying anything at this moment, I think we should all wait and see what happens. But no matter where I end up, I will always do the best I can. It will never change.”

Incidentally, Son played 70 times for Tottenham under Mourinho, who managed at the club between 2019-2021.

The South Korean scored 29 goals and added 25 assists, with the first of his four Premier League hat-tricks coming under the Portuguese. If Son does leave, his place in Spurs’ history is very secure.

Tottenham transfer news: Bergvall price tag revealed, Wissa competition heats up

Tottenham slap €60m price tag on rising star as new boss Frank makes early promise

Nottingham Forest threaten Tottenham for 49-goal striker with hefty price set

Daniel Levy hits afterburners in Tottenham race for explosive Solanke alternative

Tottenham have reportedly slapped a €60 million price tag on one of their rising stars, at a time when new boss Thomas Frank has made an early promise to the club’s fans.

Daniel Levy’s Tottenham are seemingly set for another rebuild after sacking head coach Ange Postecoglou just a matter of weeks on from leading them to Europa League glory.

Spurs have acted quickly and snapped up Brentford boss Frank as the Australian’s successor, as the north London team try to mount a challenge domestically and in Europe.

One player who has enhanced his reputation a great deal this season is midfielder Lucas Bergvall, who is really starting to deliver on his considerable potential.

Now, according to Fotboll Direkt, unnamed ‘big clubs’ are willing to meet Spurs’ €60m (£51m, $69m) asking price for the 19-year-old – who cost just £8.5m in early 2024.

The report adds that the teenager’s reputation is rising but it seems unlikely that Frank, who was sworn in on Wednesday (June 18), and co would allow the Swedish international to leave Tottenham Hotspur Stadium anytime soon.

Incidentally, when asked about what style of play Spurs fans can expect next season under the Dane, he said: “I’ll explain it a little bit now, but I rather want to, how can you say, show it.

“You can talk a lot, but I think it’s more what we show, what we try to do, but in a few words the intention is to play aggressive front-footed football and I know the ethos and the history of the club is massive on attacking football, and I think there’s so much attacking talent in the squad. I’m very excited about that.”

DON’T MISS: Nottingham Forest threaten Tottenham for 49-goal striker with hefty price set

Bergvall commits long-term future to Tottenham

Tottenham beat Barcelona to the teenager’s signature in 2024, partly because they could guarantee him more regular first-team football, and it seems he won’t be leaving for the forseeable future.

That is because the ex-Djurgarden star, who made 45 appearances this season, put pen to paper on a new deal with Spurs until the summer of 2031 back in April.

While he had to be patient at times, Bergvall still started 24 games in all competitions and seems very happy to be a Tottenham player.

In April, he said on his new deal: “I’m really excited and really grateful to everyone who has helped me and I’m excited for this journey to continue, It’s a club with great ambitions, I’m really enjoying being here and playing for this amazing football club.

“I’ve learned a lot. Coming to a new country, a new culture, of course I had Deki (Dejan Kulusevski) helping me a lot in the beginning but still, living on your own, making food and everything… it’s not only to be a footballer to train every day, it’s everything around it.

“You have to take care of the car, the house or apartment… everything really, so I think I’ve developed a lot as a person as well as a player.”

Tottenham transfer news: Son latest, hopes of Mbeumo move fading

Tottenham make FINAL Son Heung-min exit decision as Saudi clubs set signing limit

Bryan Mbeumo transfer ‘decided’ as Man Utd, Tottenham target ‘gives his word’

Daniel Levy hits afterburners in Tottenham race for explosive Solanke alternative

Manchester United have moved a significant step closer towards the signing of Bryan Mbeumo after it was claimed Tottenham Hotspur have now withdrawn their interest, while the valuation gap between the Red Devils and Brentford is close to finding common ground.

The Cameroon forward is a wanted man off the back of the best season of his career. After contributing towards 29 goals (20 goals, nine assists) from 42 appearances, Mbeumo ended the campaign with a G/A every 123.3 minutes he was on the field. And with the Bees not standing in his way of making the next career step, a frantic battle has ensued for his services.

And while both Newcastle and Arsenal had expressed an interest, the 25-year-old’s decision to join Manchester United this summer had seen the Red Devils hold talks over a big-money summer deal.

But when their first offer for the player fell short of Brentford’s expectations, the door swung wide open for Tottenham Hotspur to take advantage, with the subsequent appointment of Thomas Frank as their new manager adding weight to the north London side’s chances.

The fact they were also ready to offer more than United’s initial offer also gave them added hope.

However, sources have insisted that Mbeumo has never swayed from his determination to join United.

And with TEAMtalk transfer insider Rudy Galetti posting a considerable update on the saga on Tuesday evening suggesting an agreement between the Bees and United was edging closer, Frank’s new side are understood to have reached a major decision on their own efforts to sign the player.

That’s according to journalist Valentin Furlan, who claims Tottenham are now ‘out of the race for Mbeumo’, with the player ‘giving his word’ to United, leaving Frank to accept that a reunion in N17 with his talismanic star is not going to be possible.

GO DEEPER 🔴⚫ The dream Man Utd attack with two new forwards to join Matheus Cunha

Bryan Mbeumo: Man Utd working to thrash out transfer agreement

According to Galetti, Mbeumo has already agreed personal terms with United over what is likely to be a five-year deal at Old Trafford.

The Italian transfer correspondent posted on X: “Positive contacts between Man UTD and Brentford for Mbeumo. The gap on fixed fee is narrowing: just a few million left.

“Personal terms have already been agreed, as revealed days ago: to date, Bryan only wants MUFC – no interest in other clubs.”

Having only made one offer so far, said to be worth a downpayment of £45m with a further £10m in add-ons, United have been locked in talks over reaching a compromise.

Sources understand that the Bees are looking to achieve a fee similar to the one United struck with Wolves for Matheus Cunha, worth £62.5m, despite the fact that the 22-times capped Cameroon star has effectively one year left on his deal. The Bees do have the opportunity to extend that by a further year, though, hence their demands to obtain a higher price than United’s opening gambit.

Mbeumo himself has been keeping a low profile as the two clubs work on thrashing out a compromise.

However, the Sky Sports cameras did catch up with him during Sunday’s Canadian Grand Prix in Montreal.

“It is a bit new for me, I would say! I think it can be the life of a footballer and you need to accept it,” the attacker stated.

Mbeumo was also quizzed about his future last month, while appearing alongside his Brentford strike partner Yoane Wissa on former Chelsea star John Obi Mikel’s on The Obi One Podcast.

“I think this is something we can always do. But you need a lot of resilience because you can say, ‘I want to be there’ but if you don’t do [enough] you won’t be able to achieve what you really want,” Mbeumo began.

“I think the mental part is to say to yourself when it’s getting hard, ‘can I go harder, yes’ if you say no, you will stay the good player you are, you can’t be the best.”

During the interview, Mbeumo was also questioned about his mental fortitude to handle the pressures that comes with playing for a club like Manchester United.

“I always wanted to play the biggest game[s] for the biggest club when I was younger,” Mbeumo answered. “It’s easy to say that I want to be there but obviously you need to put a lot of demand on yourself and I’ve shown what I’m capable of.

“I’m really demanding of myself as well because I know I have the abilities [but] we never know what might happen.”

Spurs in direct contact for explosive Rennes star; unusual Antony move close

As an alternative to Mbeumo, Tottenham are interested in signing Jack Grealish from Manchester City, while sources have confirmed the name of another £60m-rated winger the north London club are also in talks with.

Elsewhere, Spurs have reportedly taken a big leap forward in their bid to snap up a dynamic Rennes striker, as they look to strengthen their squad ahead of returning to the Champions League next season.

Over at Old Trafford, United are understood to be increasingly open to the possibility of granting Antony a dream transfer away from Old Trafford, amid claims a rarely-seen arrangement will help facilitate the deal.

Meanwhile, United have decided on the two forwards they could offer Eintracht Frankfurt in a remarkable player-plus-cash deal for striker Hugo Ekitike, according to a report.

Tottenham Hotspur have reportedly made a final decision over whether to sell club legend Son Heung-min this summer, although it won’t come until later in the window, while Saudi Po League clubs have set the price they are willing to pay for the South Korean.

The 32-year-old has just one year remaining on his contract in north London after the club opted to take up the option to keep him on for another 12 months back in February.

Son took Ange Postecoglou’s exit particularly hard, with the arrival of Thomas Frank as the Australian’s replacement immediately sparking rumours that the forward had played his last competitive game for the club.

And now a fresh report from The Times has stated that Tottenham will not stand in Son’s way if he chooses to leave, although any exit will not come until after the club’s upcoming tour of Asia has concluded.

Indeed, Son won’t be allowed to leave before August 3, as he’s committed to the pre-season friendly against Newcastle in South Korea — a key part of the club’s commercial tour. After that, his exit is expected to become a reality.

The former Bayer Leverkusen star has made more than 450 appearances for Tottenham since signing for the club for just £22million back in 2015, scoring 173 goals in the process.

Having lifted the club’s first silverware in 17 years in Bilbao after Europa League glory last month, Son could now be on his way to the Middle East as Saudi clubs queue up for his signature.

DON’T MISS ➡️ Every completed Tottenham transfer in summer 2025: Signings, exits, loans

Saudi clubs set conditions for Son signing

Meanwhile, top club chiefs in Saudi Arabia have reportedly decided how much they would be willing to pay for Son, as well as the lucrative wages they are prepared to put on the table to secure his signature.

Clubs from the SPL initially started showing interest in the South Korea captain in the summer of 2023 before returning again in 2024. However, Son made it clear at that time that his preference was to remain at Tottenham.

But after the club finally ended their long trophy hunt and Postecoglou was subsequently shown the door, things have now changed – with a report from talkSPORT revealing what senior Saudi Pro League figures are willing to fork out for the player ahead of an expected exit.

They state that it will take a £34million (€40m / $45m) transfer fee to get the deal done, despite the fact that Son will be turning 33 in July.

Son is also expected to demand massive wages if he does move to Saudi, with the report adding that he can be expected to earn a whopping £25.6m-a-year wage proposal reportedly in the works, which equates to just under £500,000 a week.

Al-Ahli, Al-Nassr and Al-Qadsiah are the three Saudi sides believed to be showing the most serious interest in the Tottenham legend, with a lucrative South Korean TV rights deal likely to follow.

Latest Tottenham news: Striker swoop accelerates / Grealish move

🔵 Daniel Levy hits afterburners in Tottenham race for explosive Solanke alternative

🔵 Tottenham target ‘unbelievable’ winger in £50m deal but face one huge problem – sources

🔵 Fabio Paratici masterclass behind another sublime Tottenham swoop on Serie A

Tottenham Hotspur have reportedly taken a big leap forward in their bid to snap up a dynamic Dominic Solanke alternative, as they look to strengthen their squad ahead of returning to the Champions League next season.

Spurs’ shortcomings were there for all to see during the 2024/25 season, as their injury crisis left Ange Postecoglou having to prioritise Europa League glory over the club’s disastrous domestic campaign.

While a first trophy in 17 years was delivered, a 17th-placed Premier League finish cost Postecoglou his job, with Tottenham now moving forward with Thomas Frank at the helm.

The Dane is expected to be handed significant funds to make sure the north London club are not left short-handed again for the upcoming campaign, especially when they are back at the top table of European football.

Kevin Danso and Mathys Tel have already had their loan stints turned into permanent moves at a cost of just over £50m, but Frank is still keen on better attacking options.

To that end, it’s no great surprise to see continued links to Brentford star Bryan Mbeumo and Bournemouth’s Antoine Semenyo, while TEAMtalk can also reveal that Tottenham are also keen on a cut-price Jack Grealish deal.

However, according to a fresh report from French outlet L’Equipe, Spurs have also accelerated their efforts to sign a new striker in the form of top Rennes talent Arnaud Kalimuendo.

With the transfer window now open again, the report states that Tottenham transfer chiefs are entering discussions with counterparts from Rennes to try and strike a deal for the 23-year-old attacker.

Kalimuendo enjoyed a hugely successful campaign in France last time out, scoring 18 goals in 34 games in all competitions while also chalking up four assists.

However, Tottenham are not the only club chasing his services, with the report also suggesting that Newcastle United and Bayer Leverkusen are also showing interest in Kalimuendo.

DON’T MISS ➡️ The electric Tottenham XI under Thomas Frank with FOUR new signings

One in, one out for Tottenham

As well as being strong competition for Tottenham’s current record signing Solanke, Kalimuendo will almost certainly be a direct replacement for Richarlison in north London.

The Brazilian has struggled badly for consistency during his time at Spurs, although his stop-start spell at the club has not been helped by multiple injury issues.

Richarlison has netted just 20 times in 9o appearances for the club, while also chalking up 10 assists, as links to the Saudi Pro League refuse to go away.

At this stage, Frank is weighing up his squad and working out the main areas he needs to strengthen, but there is no doubting that having another reliable No.9 on board will be one of his main priorities – especially given the workload Tottenham will face next season.

Kalimuendo will certainly help in that regard and is expected to cost in the region of reported €30million (£26m), given that he has just two years remaining on his contract.

Meanwhile, L’Equipe adds that other clubs being alerted to the striker’s availability has forced Daniel Levy and co. to intensify their efforts to get a deal done. Indeed, it’s stated that Spurs have now made direct contact with Rennes to begin formal talks over the transfer.

However, it must be noted that no official bid has been made at this stage as Spurs test the waters over how much they actually need to spend to get their man.

Latest Tottenham news: Sublime Serie A target eyed / Rashford transfer twist

🔵 Fabio Paratici masterclass behind another sublime Tottenham swoop on Serie A

🔵 Shock Marcus Rashford TWIST sparks two top Man Utd rivals to join transfer race

🔵 Bryan Mbeumo ‘wants move to Man Utd’ after Andre Onana chat derailed Tottenham

Who is Arnaud Kalimuendo?

Born less than 10 miles from the centre of Paris, Kalimuendo spent eight years learning his trade in the PSG academy until he gained his senior debut in September 2020.

The PSG attack that season contained Kylian Mbappe, Neymar, Moise Kean and Mauro Icardi, while Lionel Messi would join in the summer of 2021. Naturally, it was hard for a teenage Kalimuendo to break through.

Thus, PSG sent him on loan to Lens in October 2020 and then again in August 2021 to further his development. It was over these two loan spells that the attacker began to fulfil his potential, scoring 21 goals from 65 games.

Despite PSG extending his contract prior to that first loan spell, he never played competitively for the club again. Instead, after his second return from Lens, he moved to Rennes for a fee believed to be €25m.

Kalimuendo’s goal tally for Rennes has improved season upon season. He only scored seven times in 2022-23, but set a new career best with 15 in 2023-24 and – after winning silver at the Paris Olympics with France’s U23s – exceeded it with 18 in 2024-25, despite Rennes not being involved in Europe in his third season there.

The caveat is that five of those 18 goals were penalties, and a sixth was scored off a rebound after a penalty.

Standing at 5 ft 9 in, Kalimuendo has found a home for himself as a centre-forward, although he has covered on the wing very occasionally before.

He’s the type of finisher who likes to get shots off quickly, but can also bring others into play.

At 23 years of age, Kalimuendo isn’t the finished article yet and has areas of his game to refine, but he seems to be on an upwards trajectory.