TEAMtalk

Tottenham are ready to make a huge effort for Savinho, even going beyond the €80m (£69.2m) outlay as reported in recent days, TEAMtalk can reveal.

However, after the latest contacts with Man City, many inside the club now believe there will be no positive outcome in the negotiations.

City have been very clear: they want to keep the Brazilian winger, with no plans to sell him this summer. Even a record bid from Spurs is not expected to be enough to change the position of the board.

For this reason, Tottenham are already moving on the market to explore new options in the final week of the window. The priority is to bring in a player for the attacking line, but the focus is now shifted from Savinho to other possible names.

Some people at Spurs still hope that a late twist could open the door for Savinho, but most of the management now consider the deal as “impossible” and are pushing not to waste more time.

The final days of the transfer window will be crucial for Tottenham, who must now identify and close the right opportunity to strengthen Thomas Frank’s squad.

DON’T MISS: ⚪️ Thomas Frank’s dream Tottenham attack as TWO explosive signings run riot

Tottenham restart work on Savinho

This information comes after other TEAMtalk sources told Dean Jones that Spurs had reopened negotiations for Savinho, and there was confidence at the club that things would move quickly if the latest talks were to be positive.

It was stated that the deal remained complicated, though.

Despite the growing belied in the deal at the time, Tottenham have maintained contact with other targets: Nico Paz among them.

That move itself is proving complicated, though, given ownership structure and clauses in his Como contract.

Tottenham round-up: Paqueta interest confirmed

Tottenham’s efforts to add attacking sparks to their side late on has seen interest registered in multiple attacking midfielders. They have been told to go after Lucas Paqueta, as a “better value deal” than Savinho.

And they might just be doing that, as West Ham’s board has reportedly confirmed that Spurs are among the sides who want to sign Paqueta.

Tottenham are also said to be in the mix for Leicester City midfielder Bilal El Khannouss, who Crystal Palace are trying to sign as a replacement for Eberechi Eze, who nearly made his way to Spurs.

Tottenham Hotspur should raid Real Madrid to sign a Morocco international instead of Rodrygo, according to a top European expert, as TEAMtalk analyses why such a deal is not going to happen.

Rodrygo is among the players that Tottenham are keen on, with the north London club looking to sign a new attacker before the summer transfer window closes on September 1. With Son Heung-min leaving for Los Angeles FC and James Maddison suffering a long-term knee injury, Tottenham manager Thomas Frank and chairman Daniel Levy believe that bringing in a new attacker is a priority.

Tottenham tried to sign Eberechi Eze before the attacking midfielder joined bitter north London rivals Arsenal.

Sources have told TEAMtalk that Tottenham are trying to sign Savinho from Manchester City.

Rodrygo is also on Tottenham’s radar, with the Spanish press reporting of a potential loan deal with Madrid.

TEAMtalk understands that Man City will target Rodrygo if Savinho joins Spurs, while Arsenal and Liverpool are also interested in the Brazil international forward.

While Madrid are willing to sell the Brazilian and want €100million (£86.2m, $116m) for Rodrygo, sources in Spain are adamant that Rodrygo has not made a final decision on his future.

European football expert Andy Brassell believes that Tottenham should make a move for Brahim Diaz instead of Rodrygo, noting that the 26-year-old is a game-changer and a former Man City player.

Brassell said on Sky Sports: “I just wonder what Spurs’ options are now, really.

“If you’re looking at Europe, because there aren’t a whole lot of number 10s out there, I wonder if it’s worth a little go for Brahim Diaz.

“The latest news from Madrid is, it looks like Rodrygo is not going anywhere, Xabi Alonso would like to keep him, and the offers aren’t really out there at the moment.

“Brahim Diaz is someone who was at Manchester City, he’s won leagues in three different countries, he’s a match-changer in all the big matches that he plays, he’s 26, and he can’t get in the Real Madrid XI.

“To me, that looks like a bit of Spurs.”

IN-DEPTH ⚪🔵 Every completed Tottenham transfer in summer 2025: Signings, exits, loans

Could Tottenham sign Brahim Diaz from Real Madrid?

Diaz has been linked with a move to Tottenham in the summer transfer window.

Sources in Spain reported earlier month that Newcastle and Tottenham are keen on Diaz.

While Newcastle are said to have offered €40million (£34.6m, $46.5m) for Diaz, Spurs have made contact with the winger’s ‘inner circle’.

However, Diaz has already made a decision on his future, and it is bad news for Tottenham.

The winger has already told Tottenham and Newcastle that he wants to stay at Madrid.

E-Noticies has reported that Diaz is going to sign a new contract with Madrid until 2031.

Reliable journalist Fabrizio Romano has also made the claim, noting on X at 2:10am on August 3: “Brahim Diaz turns 26… and his new contract is almost ready, set to be signed.

“He’s already accepted all conditions of the new contract, only wanted Real Madrid.”

Diaz has been on the books of Madrid since 2019 when he joined from Man City.

After a loan spell at AC Milan from 2020 until 2023, the Morocco international, who can operate as an attacking midfielder or as a winger, has been part of the Madrid first-team squad.

Diaz, who won LaLiga with Madrid in 2020 and 2024 and the Champions League in 2024, started for Los Blancos in their opening league game of the season against Osasuna at the Santiago Bernabeu.

Latest Tottenham news: West Ham raid, playmaker interest

Tottenham will raid West Ham United for another of their star players after securing the services of Mohammed Kudus earlier this summer.

Spurs have made a move to stop a star attacker from joining Crystal Palace before the summer transfer window closes on September 1.

Trusted journalist Fabrizio Romano has outlined Tottenham’s stance on a summer deal for an attacking midfielder that Real Madrid offloaded last year.

A Tottenham insider has tipped the club to land a second West Ham star in this window, as the Hammers have confirmed that Spurs are going after one of their stars.

Tottenham are making a late scramble to add new talent to their squad. They have already signed six players in this window, but there’s a clear desire to add in one more position: attacking midfield.

They have lost James Maddison and Dejal Kulusevski to injury, and in trying to replace the pair, missed out first on Morgan Gibbs-White, and then Eberechi Eze.

There have been links with Bilal El Khannouss of late, but Spurs insider John Wenham has suggested West Ham’s Lucas Paqueta instead.

“My left-field suggestion at this point, keeping in mind that Tottenham have already done a deal with West Ham this summer, is we now go and get Paqueta,” Wenham told Tottenham News.

“The fact that we’ve gone in and got a player from West Ham already tells me a deal could be done, whether they would sell twice in one summer, I don’t know, but I would now go and get Paqueta, and I think it’s an outstanding player.

“I think he’s probably available for £40-45m. I think there’s better value in that deal than spending £80m, plus what they’re now talking about on Savinho.”

Tottenham have already raided West Ham once this summer, for Mohammed Kudus, who’s started his career in north London in red-hot fashion, and Hammers News has suggested there could well be another snare coming.

Indeed, they report the West Ham board have ‘confirmed’ that Tottenham and Aston Villa are two of four clubs who want to sign Paqueta.

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Paqueta wants out

That Paqueta is ready to leave West Ham has been revealed of late, by transfer insider Fabrizio Romano.

He posted on X that the midfielder is ‘considering to explore options to leave West Ham this summer’.

It is said that after a difficult eight months, Paqueta considers a ‘fresh challenge’ a possibility.

While no final decision has been made, Romano reports that the Brazilian is ‘reviewing his options’ which could help Spurs, Villa, or whoever else is interested towards a deal.

Tottenham round-up: Savinho confidence revealed

TEAMtalk is aware that Spurs are confident if renewed talks with Manchester City are positive, a resolution can be found in their attempts to sign Savinho soon.

If that does not happen – though Tottenham are open to breaking their transfer record – they remain in talks with Nico Paz.

Though Romano has revealed that Como have no plans to part with the midfielder.

Meanwhile, chairman Daniel Levy is the man who’s said to have relaunched interest in Leicester midfielder El Khannouss, who has already agreed personal terms with Crystal Palace.

Tottenham have reportedly entered the fray to sign an attacking midfielder who looks to be closing in on a move to a Premier League rival.

Spurs have failed to add a new attacking midfielder to their squad more than once this summer. Firstly, they missed out on Morgan Gibbs-White, who penned a new Nottingham Forest deal after Tottenham thought they had a breakthrough in attempts to sign him.

They then focussed attention on Eberechi Eze – after James Maddison’s injury – and though the Crystal Palace man was almost theirs when Arsenal sprung from nowhere to sign him for themselves.

That leaves Spurs still scrambling for a new midfielder, and they might be able to land one who’s connected to the Eze move – his prospective replacement at Palace, Bilal El Khannouss.

The Leicester City man – who has two Championship assists in as many games this season – is said to be convinced on a move to Selhurst Park, with personal terms agreed in principle, but Tottenham, as per Africa Foot, have ‘entered the fray’ for him.

Chairman Daniel Levy is said to have ‘relaunched’ Spurs’ interest in El Khannouss.

The report suggests this could ‘change everything’ in the final days of the summer window.

DON’T MISS: Thomas Frank’s dream Tottenham attack as TWO explosive signings run riot

El Khannouss told to choose Palace

But while Tottenham could conceivably hijack Palace for El Khannouss, the midfielder has been told by Dean Ashton that the Eagles would be a better club for him.

“I think he would be a better fit at Crystal Palace, and I think what they’ve tended to do is look for talent in the Championship and blood them at Premier League level, you know, [Adam] Wharton, Eze, plenty of others to have done that with, that would definitely suit them,” Ashton said on talkSPORT.

“I don’t think he would suit Tottenham because that’s what they’ve got on the bench today, which is [Mathys] Tel and [Wilson] Odobert there, 20-year-olds who need to develop, I don’t think they need another one.”

Indeed, El Khannouss is 21 years old and has 32 Premier League games under his belt. He was directly involved in five goals, but that does not suggest he’d be a regular starter for a big-six club.

Tottenham round-up: Confidence for Savinho

TEAMtalk sources have stated that Tottenham have restarted work on a deal for Manchester City winger Savinho, and hope progress could be made quickly if the next round of talks progresses quickly.

We are aware, though, that they could pursue other targets if things don’t go to plan, with talks over Nico Paz ongoing.

Fabrizio Romano has revealed that Como “really want to keep” Paz, though, and would not sell for reported figures of €50million (£43.2m) and below.

Meanwhile, a loan move away from Tottenham for Luka Vuskovic is soon to be completed, per Romano.

Arsenal have shattered Tottenham Hotspur’s transfer record for a signing from the Republic of Ireland, with three sources revealing that the Gunners are on the verge of sealing a deal for Victor Ozhianvuna, as his Shamrock Rovers manager Stephen Bradley’s previous comments on the midfielder come to light.

It has been a hugely eventful summer transfer window for Arsenal so far, with sporting director Andrea Berta making seven new signings for manager Arteta. Martin Zubimendi, Eberechi Eze, Viktor Gyokeres, Noni Madueke, Cristhian Mosquera, Christian Norgaard and Kepa Arrizabalaga are the new players in the Gunners’ squad.

The north London club are not finished yet, though, with Arsenal said to be keen on a loan deal for Real Madrid forward Rodrygo as well.

Arsenal have also sewn up a deal for Victor Ozhianvuna, with the 16-year-old set to sign a pre-contract with the Gunners and team up with the Premier League giants when he turns 18.

According to The Athletic, Arsenal have ‘agreed a deal’ with Ozhianvuna’s club Shamrock Rovers.

The fee is ‘expected to surpass’ what Tottenham paid for Mason Melia in February 2024.

Arsenal’s bitter north London rivals Tottenham paid St Patrick’s Athletic an initial £1.6million (€1.85m, $2.1m) for Melia, with the 17-year-old forward to team up with Spurs in January 2026 after he turns 18 in September.

Arsenal will pay Shamrock Rovers €2m (£1.7m, $2.3m) for Ozhianvuna, who will move to the Premier League giants in January 2027 after he turns 18, according to The Irish Independent, Adding that it will be a four-and-a-half-year deal.

The Times has also mentioned the fee, adding that it will ‘break’ the League of Ireland transfer record that Tottenham hold for Melia.

The Athletic has reported that Ozhianvuna has ‘already completed his medical’, with the deal expected to be finalised early next week, noting that the right-footed midfielder ‘typically plays on the left’.

READ NEXT: 🔴⚪ Every completed Arsenal transfer in summer 2025: Signings, exits, loans

Arsenal-bound Victor Ozhianvuna is ‘special’

Despite being only 16 years of age, Ozhianvuna is already playing first-team football for Shamrock Rovers.

The right-winger has made 15 appearances for the League of Ireland Premier Division club in the 2025 campaign, scoring one goal in the process, according to Transfermarkt.

Rovers manager Stephen Bradley is a huge fan of Ozhianvuna and raved about him while reflecting on his goal in the 4-0 FAI Cup win over Wexford.

Bradley told Extra Time about Ozhianvuna on July 19: “He works on that all the time, him and Michael (Noonan) every day are on the training ground.

“He missed one in the Aviva against Bohs, a different type, and since that day, he has been practicing every day different types of balls across the box, finishing.

“He wouldn’t have done that six months ago, the calmness to understand the pace on the ball and connect with it, his balance and body shape looks simple, but there is so much that’s gone into that finish.

“I am delighted for him. He recognised in the Aviva that day that he should have scored, he has gone on to work on it.

“It’s never about keeping him under wraps, it’s about minding him and putting him in and out at the right times.

“As the pitches get better, especially here (in Tallaght), then you can play him. Because of the type he is, he’s a dribbler, he likes to get at people.

“If you play him on bogs or bobbly pitches, it’s not his type. So, it’s about getting him to understand that, because he wants to play every minute of every game.

“But he is a really special talent. I think that is quite clear to see. You will see that more and more as he goes.

“There are so many more layers to him; he can play inside, he can be the 10, he can play off the right, off the front-man.”

Latest Arsenal news: Bayern Munich raid, Danny Murphy advice

Bayern Munich have been linked with a late move for an Arsenal star, with the defending Bundesliga champions in the market for an attacking player.

Arsenal will hold talks to sign one of Europe’s best players, but Premier League rivals Liverpool are also on his hunt.

Pundit Danny Murphy has exclusively told TEAMtalk that Arsenal should have signed a Premier League striker instead of securing the services of Viktor Gyokeres from Sporting CP.

Tottenham Hotspur have restarted work on a deal to sign Savinho from Manchester City and hope progress could be made quickly if the latest round of talks continues positively, sources have revealed to TEAMtalk.

Fresh contact was made over the weekend, during and after Tottenham’s 2-0 win at the Etihad, and that scoreline has only strengthened the Brazilian’s desire to make the move.

Sources say the winger has already been convinced of the role he would play under Thomas Frank, with Tottenham selling him on the freedom and creativity he would enjoy in their system.

Savinho believes he would have a greater chance of realising his potential at Tottenham, where he could express himself more than he currently does at Man City.

The deal remains complicated, but agents have been working to push for a breakthrough, with fresh encouragement emerging in the hours after Saturday’s victory. There is a growing belief that an agreement could be possible early this week.

If not, Spurs continue to pursue other targets. The club have remained in talks for Nico Paz, although negotiations are proving extremely complex due to the midfielder’s ownership structure and clauses in his contract at Como.

TEAMtalk revealed a week ago that Spurs have had a £60m approach for Savinho rejected by City.

He is not a player Pep Guardiola was looking to move on this month, but Spurs are insisting on getting the deal done.

City have also been left surprised by how much the 21-year-old wants to make the switch, having only moved to the Etihad in July last year.

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Tottenham eyeing huge Savinho swoop

TEAMtalk’s Rudy Galetti has reported that Spurs are so eager to land Savinho that they would be willing to break their transfer record on him.

That is currently the £65m they paid Bournemouth for striker Dominic Solanke last summer.

Spurs are looking to make a statement in the transfer market after missing out on Morgan Gibbs-White and Eberechi Eze this summer.

Gibbs-White penned a new three-year contract with Nottingham Forest after they claimed that Spurs had made an illegal approach for the 25-year-old.

Spurs had been on the verge of signing Eze from Crystal Palace, only for rivals Arsenal to complete a stunning late hijack following an injury to Kai Havertz.

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Tottenham have acted on their interest in a former Real Madrid playmaker, with Fabrizio Romano detailing the club’s ambitious attempts at signing an alternative to Eberechi Eze.

Tottenham had agreements in place both with Eze and Crystal Palace for the 27-year-old’s transfer. Unfortunately for Spurs, the injury suffered by Kai Havertz prompted Arsenal to thunder in and hijack the move.

The Gunners offered slightly more favourable payment terms than Spurs (easier to achieve add-ons, quicker payments), while Eze – a boyhood Arsenal fan – showed no hesitation in snubbing Spurs and choosing the Gunners at the last minute.

Missing out on Eze with the finish line in sight is a brutal blow for Spurs, but as they showed on Saturday afternoon, they’ll not be deterred.

Tottenham sunk Manchester City at the Etihad to move top of the table. Tottenham have kept clean sheets in both of their Premier League matches so far and if the club get their way, they’ll strengthen at the opposite end of the pitch too.

Spurs aim to sign a winger (Savinho) and a No 10. The Times and Telegraph recently confirmed Como’s Nico Paz is on Spurs’ radar. That was quickly followed by Marca stating Spurs were preparing an offer.

The 21-year-old Argentina international joined Como from Real Madrid last summer and took Serie A by storm. Paz was named Serie A’s best player aged 23 or under after registering six goals and nine assists.

Real Madrid have chosen not to active their buy-back clause for the playmaker this summer, though Los Blancos will factor into the discussions Tottenham are now holding over Paz’s transfer…

Tottenham step up difficult Nico Paz pursuit – Fabrizio Romano

Taking to YouTube to explain the situation, transfer guru Fabrizio Romano stated: “Tottenham made some calls today for Nico Paz, but for Nico Paz it’s a very difficult deal.

“First of all, because Como would never let the player go for the transfer fee I see around in the reports, €40m or €45m or €50m.

“Como are not selling the player for that money. It has to be a really important fee, that’s my point of view, an opinion, not news. Maybe something close to the Eze deal numbers to try and convince Como.

“But at the moment Como really want to keep the player and Real Madrid have three buy-back clauses in the next years for Nico Paz.

“So they have 50 percent sell-on clause, matching rights, and three buy-back clauses. Real Madrid have control of the player for present and future, this is why the conversations will be with Como, with the agents of Nico Paz, but also with Real Madrid, and it’s a really difficult thing.

“So Tottenham called, yes, but at the same time it’s a very complicated deal financially and also in terms of not only Como but also Real Madrid.”

Romano concluded by stating one of the reasons Como manager, Cesc Fabregas, was convinced to stay and reject advances from the likes of Inter Milan earlier this summer was assurances players like Paz would be retained.

As such, it will take an offer too good to refuse for Como to greenlight Paz’s sale in the remaining days of the window.

Other No 10s on Spurs’ radar include Morgan Rogers and Maghnes Akliouche. Monaco’s Akliouche is a far more realistic target, with Aston Villa almost certain to reject any and all offers they receive for Rogers this late in the window.

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⚪️ After Eberechi Eze to Arsenal, Tottenham miss out on ANOTHER star despite ‘approach’

Tottenham Hotspur have added a third name into contention for the attacking midfield role alongside Savinho and Maghnes Akliouche, according to a transfer reporter – and it’s someone Arsenal were reportedly in recent contact for.

Spurs are still reeling from their failure to win the race for Eberechi Eze, who’s set to sign for their rivals Arsenal from Crystal Palace. A deal was thought to be in the bag for Eze to arrive at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, but he has instead formalised a return to Arsenal, where he played as a youngster.

It’s a major blow for Spurs, who also missed out on the signing of Morgan Gibbs-White from Nottingham Forest earlier this summer. Despite the addition of Mohammed Kudus, injuries to James Maddison and Dejan Kulusevski have heightened their need for another attack-minded midfielder who can also play on the wing, like Eze.

The dream target that Spurs would be willing to break their transfer record on is Manchester City’s Savinho, but there would be resistance from his current club.

And after the players they’ve missed out on this summer, Spurs would be wise to have a wider shortlist.

That has led to them being linked with other attacking midfielders, with journalist Duncan Castles now revealing their interest in Paris Saint-Germain winger Lee Kang-in.

Not only would Lee be an exciting signing on the pitch, Castles explains, but he would also help Spurs retain their appeal to the South Korean market even after the sale of Son Heung-min to LAFC.

“If it isn’t Savinho, who will be expensive, there’s also interest in Maghnes Akliouche at Monaco,” Castles said on The Transfers Podcast. “He’s a 23-year-old, very skilful and quick left-footed forward, who tends to play off the right wing, but can also play centrally. Like Eze, he’s an excellent dribbler of the ball.

“Complications in that deal are the agent, who has a reputation of being extremely difficult to deal with, and the asking price of Monaco, which was set at €70 million this summer.

“Another player that they’ve definitely had talks over signing is Lee Kang-in at Paris Saint-Germain. This dates back to earlier in the summer – conversations asking about what the cost would be to extract him from PSG, where he was one of the bench players last season.

“He is one of the players in PSG’s squad they are happy to retain, but they are conscious that if the player receives an offer that is appealing and the financial terms of the transfer fee are correct, they would be ready to sell assuming they have enough time to buy a replacement.

“You can understand why Daniel Levy is interested in signing Lee, having allowed Son Heung-min to move to LAFC. That was a significant commercial loss in terms of interest they built up among Koreans.

“To have another star name Korean player in the squad, as a replacement immediately after Son left, makes sense. I understand the asking price is €50m, meaning he would be a cheaper option than either Akliouche or Savinho.

“I think it’s pretty clear that Tottenham will do something in this area of the field before the window concludes.”

Just last week, there were claims Arsenal had made ‘direct contact’ about Lee, so signing him for a fee equivalent to £43m could be an act of revenge – but not spite – by Spurs.

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

Frank ‘very clear’ on who he wants at Spurs

With Eze set to be confirmed as a new Arsenal player, Spurs head coach Thomas Frank insisted on Friday he only wants players with full buy-in to their project.

“There has been a lot of links,” Frank said at a press conference. “There’ll be a lot of links in the future. And just to generalise that … to make it very, very clear … I don’t want any players that don’t want to come to the club. Who don’t want to wear this fantastic badge. We don’t want them here.

“That’s very clear and I’m also pretty sure that the fans will feel the same. If they don’t want to put the fantastic shirt over their head, play for the badge, play for the club, really enjoy it, no problem. We don’t want them. I think that’s a key message.”

One player who has justified his reason not to join Spurs is Gibbs-White, who surprisingly signed a new contract with Nottingham Forest despite rumours of his release clause being activated.

The former Wolves star has now explained how family reasons played a part in his decision not to move.

“Every footballer has personal goals and personal ambitions that they want to achieve,” he told talkSPORT. “Mine is winning trophies, playing in the World Cup, playing in the Euros, playing Champions League football, just to be able to reach the maximum that I’m able to reach.

“Obviously in the summer, everybody’s seen what was going on and whatever.

“But away from that, it was a really difficult period for me and my fiancee. Having my second child, but there were a few complications with all of that.

“I believed in being professional, showing up every day and letting everything else take care of what it needs to do. I’m a firm believer that everything happens for a reason. I’m delighted with my decision, more than happy. I think my fiancee is even more happy because she didn’t get to carry on with all the stress.”

While rumours continue about alternative targets, TEAMtalk understands that Spurs are ready to break their transfer record with a bid for Savinho.

The Brazilian winger is pushing for a move to north London and his agents are working hard to persuade City to sell him.

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Who is Kang-in Lee?

Born in Incheon, South Korea in January 2001, Lee underwent trials in Spain with Villarreal and Valencia as a 10-year-old. Ultimately, it was the latter who added him to their academy.

He made his debut for Valencia’s reserves in December 2017, at the age of 16 years and 10 months. Less than a year later, he made his first-team bow in the Copa del Rey, becoming the youngest South Korean player to make a professional debut in European football.

A couple more seasons with Valencia followed for the attacking midfielder, but there was friction between the board and staff about his usage, before he moved to Mallorca in 2021. There, he made 73 appearances and scored seven goals.

It caught the attention of PSG, who bought him in 2023 for €22m. He opened his account for his new club with his first Champions League goal that October.

Lee’s first trophy was the Trophee des Champions in January 2024, the French equivalent of the Community Shield. Scoring the opening goal, he earned the man of the match prize.

Last season, he started 26 games for PSG, but was an unused substitute in both legs of the Champions League quarter-finals and semi-finals, as well as the final.

He has featured in a range of positions, usually either being deployed on the right wing or in an attacking midfield role, but also covering as a striker, midfielder, left winger or even once as a right-back.

In truth, he is best operating in the half spaces between the wings and the central attacking areas. Lee crosses the ball well, but has playmaker traits which are best expressed nearer the box.

Statistically, Fbref points out his similarities to players like Isco, Xavi Simons and Giovani Lo Celso, and noted he was in the 99th percentile for pass completion among Ligue 1 attacking midfielders and wingers in 2024-25. Furthermore, he was in the 92nd percentile for shot-creating actions per 90 minutes, with 5.25.

Still only 24, Lee is on his way to fulfilling the potential that has been evident ever since he featured in a football reality show as a six-year-old.

Tottenham Hotspur forward Richarlison is trying to persuade one of Europe’s most frightening players to team up with him at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, according to a report, with another source revealing that the star has been speaking to Alisson about a potential move to Liverpool.

With Son Heung-min leaving for Los Angeles FC and James Maddison suffering a long-term knee injury in pre-season, Tottenham are aiming to sign a new attacker before the summer transfer window closes on September 1.

Thomas Frank’s side saw Arsenal make a late play for Eberechi Eze this week and agree a deal with Crystal Palace for the attacking midfielder, while Tottenham’s ‘approach’ for Tyler Dibling did not come to fruition, with Everton set to sign the Southampton winger.

The north London club, though, have other options, including Savinho, who, TEAMtalk understands, is pushing to join Tottenham from Manchester City.

Rodrygo is another ambitious target for Tottenham, with TEAMtalk’s transfer correspondent, Fraser Fletcher, reporting on August 4 that the Madrid winger is a leading candidate to replace Son.

Sources have told TEAMtalk that Madrid are willing to sell Rodrygo for €100m (£86.5m, $116.5m), with Man City also keen on the 24-year-old as a potential replacement for Savinho.

Liverpool have also been strongly linked with Rodrygo, with a report on August 21 stating that the forward’s agents were flying into the UK to ‘hold talks’ with the defending Premier League champions.

Sources have told TEAMtalk that Liverpool see Rodrygo as a replacement for Luis Diaz, who joined Bayern Munich earlier this summer.

There have been reports in the Spanish media that Rodrygo prefers Liverpool to Tottenham, but it seems that Richarlison is trying to change his Brazil international team-mate’s mind.

According to Defensa Central, Richarlison has been speaking to Rodrygo and is ‘trying to convince’ his Brazilian compatriot ‘to sign for Tottenham Hotspur’.

The Real Madrid-centric news outlet has noted that the two players have a good relationship, and that Richarlison would help him adapt to Spurs and London.

The report has added that Rodrygo, who has won LaLiga thrice and the Champions League twice with Madrid so far, has not made a firm decision on his future.

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Rodrygo asking Alisson about Liverpool – report

While Richarlison is Tottenham’s secret weapon to sign Rodrygo, it has been reported that Alisson is saying positive things about Liverpool to the Madrid superstar.

According to Football Insider, Rodrygo has been ‘talking’ to Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson about a potential move to Anfield before the summer transfer window closes on September 1.

Rodrygo plays with Alisson for the Brazil national football team, and the Madrid star has been asking the former AS Roma ace about the culture at Liverpool, living in the area and it’s like to play for the defending Premier League champions under manager Arne Slot.

Alisson, who has been at Liverpool since 2018 when he joined from AS Roma and has established himself as one of the finest players at the Merseyside club and in the Premier League, has ‘spoken highly’ about his time at the Reds.

Latest Liverpool news: Imminent Alexander Isak bid

A rival chairman wants Liverpool to sign his star player after he decided that he will not sign a new deal and is ready to leave as a free agent next summer if he does not get a move to Anfield now.

Sources have told TEAMtalk’s transfer correspondent, Fraser Fletcher, that Liverpool are ready to make a new and improved bid for Newcastle United striker Alexander Isak.

Arsenal have not given up on the prospect of signing a forward that Liverpool are keen on, although the Gunners’ plan is secured his services on a loan deal.

Tottenham Hotspur have missed out on the signing of Tyler Dibling to Everton after the Toffees agreed a deal with Southampton, according to reliable sources, but manager Thomas Frank and chairman Daniel Levy remain hopeful of avoiding an Eberechi Eze-type scenario with a Brazilian star they are keen on.

With Son Heung-min leaving for Los Angeles FC and James Maddison suffering a long-term knee injury, Tottenham are on the hunt for a new attacking player before the summer transfer window closes on September 1. Spurs were confident of signing Eze from Crystal Palace this week, but Arsenal swooped in and quickly wrapped up a deal for the attacking midfielder following the injury to Kai Havertz.

This has led Tottenham to get back into the market as their search for an attacking star continues.

The Independent reported on August 21 that Tottenham made ‘an approach’ for Southampton winger Dibling after suffering a blow in their pursuit of Eze.

Transfer guru Fabrizio Romano also reported Tottenham’s interest in Dibling, noting on his YouTube channel: “Then for Tottenham, another name I think we have to watch, is Tyler Dibling. Tyler Dibling is a top target for Everton.

“Everton remain in negotiations for Tyler Dibling, but tonight, during internal talks they had at Tottenham also the name of Tyler Dibling was mentioned.”

Dibling, though, is now set to join Everton, who have agreed a deal with his club Southampton.

Earlier on Friday, TEAMtalk’s Everton correspondent, Harry Watkinson, reported that Everton were planning to make a fourth bid for Dibling.

The Toffees had three offers for the winger already turned down, but the Merseyside club were not going to give up on securing his services this summer.

Sources told TEAMtalk that the 19-year-old English winger’s ‘heart’ was ‘set on a switch to Merseyside’, and reliable sources have now confirmed that a £42million (€48.4m, $56.8m) deal has been struck.

Romano wrote on X at 7:11pm on August 22: “Tyler Dibling to Everton, here we go! Deal in place for talented winger to join #EFC after long negotiations.

“Verbal agreement at £42m plus sell-on clause to Southampton, long term deal for Dibling agreed back in July. Formal steps next, as @ElBobble @_pauljoyce reported.”

Sky Sports have also reported that Everton and Southampton have a £42m (€48.4m, $56.8m) deal in place, with ‘an agreement in principle’ having been reached between the two clubs.

IN-DEPTH ⚪🔵 Every completed Tottenham transfer in summer 2025: Signings, exits, loans

Savinho hopes alive for Tottenham – sources

While Eze and Dibling may have turned down the chance to join Tottenham, the north London outfit are in with a chance of signing Savinho from Manchester City.

Sources have told TEAMtalk’s transfer correspondent, Rudy Galetti, that Tottenham are ready to pay up to €85m (£73.7m, $99.6m), including bonuses, to convince Man City to cash in on Savinho.

TEAMtalk understands that Man City are not showing any willingness to sell Savinho, who joined the Cityzens only last summer.

However, the 21-year-old Brazil international winger himself is keen on swapping the Etihad Stadium for Tottenham Hotspur Stadium before the summer transfer window closes on September 1.

Sources have told TEAMtalk that Savinho has asked his agents to soften Man City’s stance and allow him to join Tottenham.

Savinho’s agents are working hard behind the scenes to fulfil the winger’s desire, with the player ‘motivated by the opportunity to play regularly and prepare for the World Cup’.

Latest Tottenham news: Bid for Serie A star, Aston Villa blow

Tottenham are ready to make a massive bid to sign a Serie A playmaker, and while his club could be tempted to cash in on him, Real Madrid are the north London outfit’s ‘biggest obstacle’.

Spurs have suffered a blow in their quest to sign an Aston Villa star, with a source saying that Chelsea will likely be his next club, with Tottenham also told to pay the kind of transfer fee that Liverpool paid for Florian Wirtz if they are to do a deal this summer.

Manchester United are hoping that Tottenham join Chelsea in the race for an attacker that manager Ruben Amorim wants to get rid of, with the player himself having decided that he does not want to play for the Red Devils.