Football365

Tottenham are looking to sign Real Sociedad defender Jon Aramburu in the final days of the transfer window, according to reports.

Spurs have already completed eight new signings this summer with ENIC making sure the club doesn’t find themselves in relegation trouble once again next season.

Tottenham survived by two points on the final day of last term by beating Everton 1-0 with their top-flight status secure for another campaign.

Andy Robertson, Marcos Senesi and Martin Dubravka all signed on free transfers, while Tottenham forked out £382m in total on Mateus Fernandes, Sandro Tonali, Savinho, Jan Paul van Hecke and Omar Marmoush.

Tottenham are still looking to add more players before the transfer window closes with Liverpool winger Cody Gakpo in particular a top target.

And now Football Insider has revealed that Spurs could still attempt to buy a replacement for Djed Spence, who joined Inter Milan earlier this month, with Real Socieded defender Aramburu a target.

READ: Romano reveals what Barcola ‘here we go’ means for Gakpo, third Liverpool winger signing

Football Insider report: ‘Tottenham Hotspur are among several Premier League clubs monitoring the progress of Real Sociedad defender Jon Aramburu, sources have told Football Insider.

‘The Lilywhites are in the market for reinforcements at right-back after selling Djed Spence to Inter Milan and are keen to add competition for Pedro Porro.’

One player who is likely to leave before the end of the window is Pape Matar Sarr but it won’t be to French side Monaco as L’Equipe journalist Flavien Trésarrieu insisted that he is not interested in a move to the Ligue 1 club.

Trésarrieu wrote on X: ‘Small update Pape Matar Sarr and Monaco. The club sounded him out directly but the Senegalese midfielder wants to stay in the Premier League. So it didn’t go any further #ASM.’

Marmoush: ‘The Spurs project was very attractive to me’

Egypt international Marmoush completed a move worth £60m from Manchester City on Thursday with the forward happy to be at Tottenham.

Marmoush told the club’s official website: “It feels amazing to be here. I’m so excited to get started with the team and I can’t wait to meet the fans.

“Tottenham Hotspur is one of the biggest clubs in England, if not the world, and the project was very attractive to me.

READ: Premier League transfer net spend table for 26/27 season: Spurs, Ipswich, Arsenal, Chelsea…

“I’ve spoken with the Head Coach, I loved what he had to say and I’m sure our passion for the game will go very well together.”

Tottenham sporting director Johan Lange added: “Omar is a quality player and his arrival represents a statement of our intent.

“He has demonstrated that he can perform at the highest level, and we believe he can play a major role in what we want to achieve over the coming years.

“We are delighted to welcome Omar to the club and look forward to seeing him make a significant contribution as we continue to build a strong squad to realise our ambitions.”

Roberto De Zerbi said on Marmoush: “Omar is exactly the kind of player we want at this club – ambitious, hungry and determined to make a difference.

“He has incredible attacking quality but what I also love is his desire to improve and to win.

“He brings pace, intelligence and a real threat in front of goal, and I believe he can take our attacking play to another level.”

Omar Marmoush has suffered an ‘immediate Tottenham blow’, the sort which Carlos Baleba somehow overcame to join Manchester United.

It’s nonsense. All of it.

Nightmare fuel

‘Arsenal’s Champions League draw in full as Gunners handed nightmare fixtures’ – Daily Express website.

‘Man City handed nightmare Champions League draw with Arsenal also given tricky fixtures as Man United face old foes on return to competition – and Jose’s back at the Bridge!’ – MailOnline.

‘Champions League group phase predicted by supercomputer with Man Utd having a nightmare after horror draw’ – The Sun.

It turns out pretty much everyone faces difficult opponents in the Champions League now.

Horror show

That Man Utd ‘nightmare after horror draw’, by the way, is truly terrifying.

‘MANCHESTER UNITED have been tipped to agonisingly miss out on the top eight of the Champions League league phase,’ it says here. Because ‘boffins and brainiacs over at Football Ranked have crunched the numbers to predict the outcome,’ and Michael Carrick’s side are backed to finish ninth.

So they will be the highest-ranked seeded team in the knockout phase play-offs, facing the worst such unseeded side? It doesn’t bear thinking about.

In good stealth

Mediawatch does not disagree with the general premise of the latest Jeremy Cross article in the Daily Mirror: that Liverpool were previously far shrewder in the transfer market than Manchester United but are now about the same level of ‘farcical’.

But these paragraphs in particular…

‘In that same period, Liverpool conducted their own business with ruthless stealth. Big targets were kept under the radar, until a deal was so close to being completed it would be made public.

‘This happened with the likes of Virgil Van Dijk, Alexis Mac Allister, Alisson and Luis Diaz, to name but a few.’

…seem a bit silly, considering Liverpool felt compelled to publicly apologise for their botched pursuit of Van Dijk after Southampton reported them to the Premier League for an illegal approach.

That wasn’t particularly ruthlessly stealthy or under the radar of them.

I’m afraid I’ve got some Brad news

And as for this…

‘Negotiations are taking place with PSG about a deal for Bradley Barcola, with a deal likely to come close to the fee paid to Newcastle for Isak.

‘Under normal circumstances, such a move would leave supporters feeling overwhelmed excitement.

‘The problem is, Liverpool have turned to Barcola in desperation less than a week before the transfer window closes, having pulled out of the bidding for Brighton’s Yankuba Minteh.

…is just bizarre. Liverpool haven’t ‘turned to Barcola in desperation less than a week before the transfer window closes’ at all. They’ve been trying to sign him all summer. It’s just weirdly quite difficult to negotiate £120m transfers.

Cross should know; he tied himself into 427 knots trying to report on Elliot Anderson’s move.

What’s in a number?

‘Bradley Barcola set to wear bizarre unused shirt number at Liverpool’ – The Sun website.

‘Bradley Barcola can wear dream shirt number at Liverpool after PSG transfer agreement reached’ – Liverpool Echo.

One man’s ‘bizarre’ is exactly the same man’s ‘dream’.

We’re in seven

There is, however, some truly dreadful news for Omar Marmoush to come to terms with on that front:

‘Omar Marmoush to suffer immediate Tottenham blow after Man City £60m transfer breakthrough’

Seasoned, long-suffering readers of this column might recognise that style of Daily Express website headline, for it was reserved for Carlos Baleba’s move to Manchester United.

The ‘immediate blow’, of course, is that these adults might not be able to wear the same number on the back of their football shirt as they have been doing.

‘Moving to Tottenham will give Marmoush the opportunity to play more regularly, having only made eight Premier League starts for City last season. However, he won’t have everything his own way when he arrives in the capital.

‘That’s because he will need to pick a different shirt number, with his preferred No 7 already occupied by Xavi Simons.’

Might as well try and find the fine print which lets you move back to Manchester City, fella. You won’t play, but at least you’ll keep the No. 7.

Crist alive

Samuel Luckhurst is not wrong in pointing out that Manchester United still haven’t sold a single first-team player this summer. It remains an area in which they lag behind pretty much every other elite club.

But this is not the best way to close that argument:

‘Even one of the greatest, Cristiano Ronaldo, was burnt by his association with United.

‘When Ronaldo effectively filed for divorce with his November 2022 interview with the sycophantic Piers Morgan, Morgan said: “If it was just about money, you’d be in Saudi Arabia.”

‘Saudi was the only place to offer Ronaldo a home. Even he did not have shoppers flocking to United’s stall.’

Ronaldo ‘did not have shoppers flocking to United’s stall’ because he proved himself to be a petulant, self-centred, 37-year-old manchild whose absurd wages are no longer even close to worth it.

Of course Manchester United failed to find a buyer for ‘even’ him. Not sure how that links to them failing to offload Joshua Zirkzee.

Fabrizio Romano has confirmed that Joshua Zirkzee is edging closer to leaving Manchester United, who are reportedly working on signing a replacement.

So far this summer, Man Utd have largely been focused on overhauling their midfield, having invested heavily to sign Carlos Baleba, Youri Tielemans and Andrey Santos.

But the Red Devils remain in the market for further recruits, with reports indicating that they could yet sign a left-back, left winger and/or striker in the closing days of this summer’s transfer window.

This partly depends on exits, with journalist Ben Jacobs reporting that the Red Devils will step up their move for a striker if/when Zirkzee leaves.

READ: What each Prem club must do in final week of summer transfer window…

Jacobs explained to Betway Insider: “A left-back seems to be the priority.

“They’ll be alert also to a No. 9, and if Joshua Zirkzee goes, that also becomes more pressing in the final hours or days of the window, and yet, if Manchester United can’t reinforce, then they obviously have the ability not to sanction a move.”

Zirkzee has been surplus to requirements at Man Utd for at least this summer, while he dropped behind Bryan Mbeumo, Matheus Cunha and Benjamin Sesko in the pecking order last season.

The Dutchman previously insisted on sticking around to fight for his place, but he now appears to have admitted defeat.

On Thursday afternoon, Romano reported that the attacker is closing in on a move to Serie A outfit Fiorentina, who have made an ‘official bid’.

He explained on X: ‘Fiorentina are in advanced talks to sign Joshua Zirkzee as official bid has been sent to Manchester United.

‘€5m loan fee, buy clause included in the deal with negotiations underway with #MUFC and player’s camp.

‘Deal on.’

Potential replacement for Joshua Zirkzee named

This could open the door for United to sign a new striker, and it has been reported that the Red Devils are looking to compete with Tottenham Hotspur to sign 23-year-old Freiburg striker Igor Matanovic.

Alternatively, Man Utd could have moved for Ollie Watkins before he recently moved closer to joining Al-Hilal and ex-United player Lee Sharpe thinks he “would be an ideal buy”.

“I think he would be an ideal buy,” Sharpe told Metro.

READ NEXT: Bruno is Man Utd’s Batman. And their fans should cheer the f*** up…

“He holds the ball up well, he’s quick, he scores goals and I think he’s at the age where he would have come in and not been overawed by Manchester United and what would have been expected of him as a number nine.

“I think he would have thrived and been be a great signing and Sesko would learn so much from him.

“It looks like he has looked at Saudi for the wages towards the end of his career, but I definitely think he could have come to Man United and had success for two or three years.

“He’d have been great to have around the club and great for Sesko so I wonder whether they might have missed a trick there.”

The length of time James Maddison will be unavailable for Tottenham for has been revealed, while it’s also known when £85million new boy Savinho will debut for the club.

Maddison spent almost all of last season sidelined with an ACL injury, and only came back right at the very end of the season. A “small problem” precluded him from being involved in pre-season, before the midfielder came off the bench in the season opener against Brentford.

Maddison played 22 minutes in the 3-0 loss, and fractured his shoulder when falling. Roberto De Zerbi has revealed that the Englishman has a “small injury” to his shoulder after that match, and the length of time he’ll be out has been revealed.

It’s good news for Tottenham, as insider David Ornstein reports for The Athletic that Maddison will miss ‘up to two weeks.’

It’s a better prognosis than it could’ve been, after an MRI was said to have revealed a slight break following the Brentford game.

It does mean, though, that after just 22 minutes back in the side, Maddison will miss Wednesday’s League Cup tie against Charlton, the weekend’s Premier League visit of Newcastle, and likely the trip to Nottingham Forest the following week.

Savinho expected to make Tottenham debut against Charlton

While Maddison will be missing for the Charlton game, new signing Savinho is expected to be involved.

Sky Sports‘ Michael Bridge reports (15:16, Wednesday, August 26) that the new signing from Manchester City is expected to debut in the League Cup fixture.

The Brazilian winger is said to be fit and available, having featured in City’s pre-season.

His transfer, initially of £75million and potentially rising to £85million, was completed on Tuesday, with the winger revealing his desire to to head to the north London club had been strong.

He said: “Tottenham has everything. It has one of the best managers in the world, it has the best training ground in the world, it has the best stadium in the world.

“Whenever I came to play against Tottenham here, I always talked to my representatives about the club. When he said the club was interested, I was very happy. I always wanted to be here now.”

Savinho, or Savio as he has back on his shirt after reverting back to the name emblazoned on his back during his time at Girona, will get his first taste of being a home player at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium when he steps out onto the field against Charlton.

Fabrizio Romano has revealed that Tottenham are still leading the race to sign Cody Gakpo from Liverpool but Man City continue to attempt to hijack their “agreement”.

Spurs have already brought in seven new signings with an £85m deal to sign Savinho from City going through on Tuesday to take their spending well over £300m this summer.

Tottenham also signed Andy Robertson, Martin Dubravka, Marcos Senesi, Jan Paul van Hecke, Sandro Tonali and Mateus Fernandes.

Their next signing of Omar Marmoush is on course for completion with The Athletic‘s David Ornstein confirming on Wednesday that the Egyptian had been given permission to complete a medical.

Adding more detail on his YouTube channel, Fabrizio Romano gave details on when we can expect a Marmoush announcement: “Important to say, Omar Marmoush has the green light from Manchester City to undergo a medical at Tottenham since Sunday evening. And that remains the case.

“Then I understand, guys, when you go in the final days in panic because you want a final confirmation, I absolutely understand the fans’ position.

READ:Tottenham turn to Algeria international as Liverpool rule out Gakpo transfer

“But guys, Savinho got a green light for travel, medical tests and contract signing on Friday night.

“The situation of Omar Marmoush is that there is a verbal agreement. It’s a loan with obligation to buy. It’s £50 million. There is authorisation.

“So everything is on track. Just waiting for the formal steps. To announce these deals can take some time. Look at Baleba, it took four days. Look at Savinho, look at these deals. Look at Nico Gonzalez.”

‘It’s two wingers or no chance’ for Tottenham – Romano

And Tottenham are hoping their next signing could be Liverpool winger Gakpo but Romano has revealed that Man City are still pushing to hijack the deal.

Romano added: “Talking about Cody Gakpo, guys, I maintain my information. Cody Gakpo has an agreement on personal terms with Tottenham since July. So Tottenham have an agreement with Gakpo and Tottenham are ready to give Gakpo what he wants.

READ:Premier League manager starts ranked: Man Utd boss top, Man City bottom

“On the other side, Manchester City yesterday, Monday, had a meeting with the agents of Cody Gakpo. But at the moment, still nothing agreed or done between Manchester City and Gakpo.

“So let’s maintain Tottenham there and then Manchester City also meeting with the agents. What’s the story on Gakpo? We have to understand if Liverpool will give the green light to the exit or not.

“Because this depends on Liverpool getting two wingers. If Liverpool can get two wingers, Gakpo can go to Tottenham or to Man City.

“Tottenham have an agreement with Gakpo, Man City at the moment not yet. Let’s see if they can hijack.

“And then, it’s important to mention that for Liverpool, it’s two wingers or no chance to give the green light.”

Omar Marmoush has been ‘granted permission’ by Manchester City to undergo his medical at Tottenham, according to The Athletic’s David Ornstein.

Spurs have already completed seven new signings this summer with ENIC making sure the club doesn’t find themselves in relegation trouble once again next season.

Tottenham survived by two points on the final day of last term by beating Everton 1-0 with their top-flight status secure for another campaign.

Andy Robertson, Marcos Senesi and Martin Dubravka all signed on free transfers, while Tottenham forked out £322m in total on Mateus Fernandes, Sandro Tonali, Savinho and Jan Paul van Hecke.

And now they are closing in on signing number eight with Savinho’s former Man City team-mate Marmoush set to join in a deal worth around £60m.

The Athletic‘s Ornstein has revealed that Marmoush has been ‘granted permission’ to head to Tottenham for a ‘medical’ with the Man City forward set to sign a four-year deal in north London.

READ: Tottenham turn to Algeria international as Liverpool rule out Gakpo transfer

Ornstein posted on X: ‘Omar Marmoush granted permission to take Tottenham Hotspur medical after saying goodbyes at Manchester City today. 27yo joins #MCFC on loan with #THFC buy obligation for £50m + £10m (£5m guaranteed) – 4+1yr contract & no Frankfurt sell-on @TheAthleticFC.’

The journalist added more detail in his piece for The Athletic, Ornstein added: ‘The obligation will be worth a guaranteed £50million with £10m due in add-ons, £5m of which are guaranteed. The Egypt international is set to sign a four-year contract in north London with the option of an additional season. There is no sell-on fee due to Marmoush’s former side Eintracht Frankfurt.’

Tottenham ‘can reach the top’ under De Zerbi – Savinho

Savinho was over the moon to sign for Tottenham on Tuesday with the Brazil international insisting Spurs “can reach the top” with the current setup.

The former Man City winger told Spurs’ official website: “It took me a while, but I’m here. I’m very happy. I think everyone in my family knows that when Tottenham looked for me, I always wanted to be here. Now I’m here, I’m very happy, my family is happy, that’s what matters. I just have to thank God for this wonderful opportunity.

READ: Premier League manager starts ranked: Man Utd boss top, Man City bottom

“Tottenham has everything. They have one of the best managers in the world. They have the best training ground in the world. They have the best stadium in the world. Whenever I came to play against Tottenham here, I always told my representative about the club. When he said that the club was interested in me, I was very happy. As I said, I’ve always wanted to be here now.

“I want to reach the top with this club structure, in Training, stadium and with one of the best coaches in the world, I think we can reach the top. With my colleagues too. We can compete for the Premier League, reach the Champions League… and so it goes, with a lot of humility.”

On De Zerbi’s influence, Savinho added: “He said he wanted to help me get to the next level, the highest level,” he added. “So, I think when the coach calls you and tells you that, you have to come, when he calls me, I’m like, ‘wow, I really have to go there’ because it’s not just any coach who does that.”

Tottenham have joined the race to sign Marseille star Amine Gouiri as a deal for Cody Gakpo looks unlikely, according to reports.

Spurs have already signed Andy Robertson (free, Liverpool), Marcos Senesi (free, Bournemouth), Jan Paul van Hecke (£52m, Brighton), Martin Dubravka (free, Burnley), Mateus Fernandes (£85m, West Ham), Sandro Tonali (£92.5m, Newcastle United) and Savinho (£75m, Manchester City).

Savinho’s team-mate, Omar Marmoush, is also set to sign for Tottenham as Roberto De Zerbi’s side look to bring in more attackers before the transfer deadline.

Their last top target is understood to be Netherlands international Gakpo but they are having some trouble convincing Liverpool to let him to leave.

It has been widely reported that Liverpool could let Gakpo leave if they sign two wingers before the end of the transfer window, as confirmed by Fabrizio Romano.

Romano said on his YouTube channel: “The meeting for Cody Gakpo took place, but do not forget that Tottenham have an agreement with the player.

READ: Spurs break £300m mark in 10 biggest spenders of 2026 summer transfer window

“Tottenham agreed personal terms with Gakpo. So now we have to see if Man City will be able to kind of hijack this agreement between Tottenham and Cody Gakpo on the contract and try to reach an agreement with Liverpool.

“But also do not forget that Liverpool are not selling Cody Gakpo until they get two wingers on the market. The top target is Bradley Barcola and then one more.”

However, TEAMtalk are reporting that Liverpool are still ruling out a deal this summer, even if they sign two wingers, as they still need cover for Hugo Ekitike’s injury.

It is understood that Liverpool ‘have no intention of allowing the Netherlands international to leave this summer’ but could entertain a move in January.

READ:Five players who featured on the opening weekend but could still be on the move

The report adds: ‘The Dutchman is understood to be attracted to Tottenham because Spurs have given him assurances that he would be central to De Zerbi’s plans, with the intention of using him predominantly as a No.9.

‘However, Liverpool sources point to the weekend as further evidence of just how highly Iraola rates Gakpo, with the Spaniard impressed by his attitude and having now made it clear he wants to keep the Dutchman around irrespective of who else the Reds sign before the window slams shut.’

Marseille man could be Gakpo alternative for Tottenham

And now Tuesday’s print edition of Corriere dello Sport (via Sport Witness) has revealed that Tottenham could hijack Napoli’s move for Marseille left-winger Gouiri.

Tottenham are presented as a ‘threat’ to the Serie A side’s chances of landing the Algeria international – who is on Napoli sporting director Giovanni Manna’s shortlist – with Gouiri ‘highly regarded’ by Spurs.

Liverpool have no intention of allowing Cody Gakpo to leave this summer to Tottenham or anywhere else and could wait until the January transfer window to sell, according to reports.

The Reds are looking to bring in two more wingers before the transfer deadline on September 1 with Paris Saint-Germain’s Bradley Barcola and Brighton’s Yankuba Minteh emerging as their top two options to improve on both sides.

Many outlets have reported that if they sign both players then Liverpool will allow Gakpo to leave Anfield with the Netherlands international open to moving to Tottenham.

Spurs already have an agreement over personal terms with Gakpo and Romano insisted in his update earlier on Tuesday that Liverpool “are not selling” the Dutchman “until they get two wingers”.

Romano said on his YouTube channel: “The meeting for Cody Gakpo took place, but do not forget that Tottenham have an agreement with the player.

“Tottenham agreed personal terms with Gakpo. So now we have to see if Man City will be able to kind of hijack this agreement between Tottenham and Cody Gakpo on the contract and try to reach an agreement with Liverpool.

READ:Van Dijk slammed for two reasons as another Liverpool manager is ‘being ignored’

“But also do not forget that Liverpool are not selling Cody Gakpo until they get two wingers on the market. The top target is Bradley Barcola and then one more.”

Despite Romano hinting that Liverpool are ready to sell Gakpo if two wingers arrive, our friends at TEAMtalk are insisting that Liverpool ‘have no intention of allowing the Netherlands international to leave this summer’.

Man City have now joined the race for Gakpo ‘as a possible replacement’ for Omar Marmoush, who is set to join Tottenham in the coming days.

The report adds: ‘The Dutchman is understood to be attracted to Tottenham because Spurs have given him assurances that he would be central to De Zerbi’s plans, with the intention of using him predominantly as a No.9.

‘However, Liverpool sources point to the weekend as further evidence of just how highly Iraola rates Gakpo, with the Spaniard impressed by his attitude and having now made it clear he wants to keep the Dutchman around irrespective of who else the Reds sign before the window slams shut.’

READ: Five players who featured on the opening weekend but could still be on the move

It is understood that Liverpool ‘may insist on keeping Gakpo until at least the January window, even if the player continues to push for a move’ with Hugo Ekitike currently out injured.

Liverpool ‘need to resist any temptation to cash in on Cody Gakpo’

The Athletic‘s James Pearce is hoping that Liverpool refuse all advances for Gakpo with the Netherlands international offering versality in the Reds attack.

Pearce wrote: ‘Even if [Liverpool] get Paris Saint-Germain’s Bradley Barcola on board, they need to resist any temptation to cash in on Cody Gakpo, who has been pursued by Tottenham Hotspur.

‘Gakpo, who scored their first equaliser at St James’ Park with a clinical 20-yarder, provides the added value of being able to operate through the middle as well as off the left, so the Dutchman can deputise for Isak when required.’

The Liverpool Echo‘s Ian Doyle agreed, he wrote: ‘Cody Gakpo was easily Liverpool’s most potent attacker here and looks anything but a player who would welcome a move away. Gakpo surely cannot be sold.’

The Premier League is finally underway again but the transfer window is still open and that means not everyone who lined up on the opening weekend will still be wearing the same colours in a couple of weeks’ time.

Not everyone takes the Aston Villa approach over players linked with exits, with Ollie Watkins and Emiliano Martinez left out of their season opener. It didn’t go so well in their absence.

Indeed, it was business as usual for some unsettled players over the opening weekend, or those who might not be as big a part of their clubs’ plans as their selection would suggest.

There might even be some last-minute moves in the pipeline that little is known about yet.

These players all featured in the opening round of Premier League fixtures but are by no means guaranteed to stay with the same club by the end of the transfer window.

They’ll just hope not to become this season’s Harvey Elliott and get stuck if their next move is unsuccessful.

Joe Willock (Newcastle United)

He may have put Newcastle 2-1 up against Liverpool on Sunday moments after coming off the bench, but Willock’s first goal in the Premier League since February 2024 could turn out to be his last for the Magpies.

Willock was linked with a move away from St. James’ Park in the build up to Matthias Jaissle’s first game in charge. Besiktas have been the suitors speculation has centred around over the past few days.

Jaissle said after the game, which finished as a 2-2 draw, that Willock could “definitely” stay at Newcastle on current form, but a question mark hovers over the midfielder due to his contract situation.

Willock is in the final year of his deal on Tyneside and it might suit Newcastle to cash in while they can.

Besiktas, or any other bidders, might have to raise the stakes to sway Newcastle into a sale. But Willock’s future remains up for question.

Jack Grealish (Manchester City)

It was mildly surprising to see Grealish sent on for Manchester City in the Community Shield – and yet it happened again in their Premier League opener against Bournemouth.

Grealish spent last season in exile at Everton on loan from City after falling down the pecking order and has been widely predicted to leave the Etihad for good this summer.

But he’s now played some part in both of their competitive matches under Enzo Maresca so far. Is it a lifeline for his City career, or merely a shop-window presentation?

Grealish has just one year left on his contract in Manchester, so you’d imagine City would entertain bids if they were to arrive.

Maresca has left Grealish’s future open. Everton would have loved to have taken him back by now and can’t necessarily be ruled out just yet. We wouldn’t be surprised if the Saudi Pro League made a call too.

Jean-Philippe Mateta (Crystal Palace)

Well this has become a bit messy.

Mateta’s attempt to orchestrate an immediate exit from Palace, claiming the last year of his contract is invalid, has been one of the bigger off-field topics over the past week.

The striker’s appeals have failed and he remains bound to Palace, but it’s opened up a can of worms. The ball is firmly in Palace’s court over whether it’s worth keeping the unsettled striker around.

Mateta almost left Palace in February, but a problem with his medical halted a move to AC Milan. He was fit enough to start for Palace in their season opener, a loss to Everton on Saturday.

If Mateta leaves Palace in the next week, it will be for a fee, not for free. But he’s clearly got his eyes on the exit door.

Mikey Moore (Tottenham Hotspur)

Quite a few players who lined up for Spurs in their loss to Brentford still have futures in doubt.

That’s largely the long-term fall-out of the shambles of last season, but Moore’s case is more complex.

He wasn’t part of Spurs’ serially underperforming squad last season, spending it on loan at Rangers. Another year developing elsewhere might do the highly-rated winger some good.

The fact Spurs have Savinho, Omar Marmoush and potentially Cody Gakpo lined up as new attacking signings between now and the end of the window means Moore could become crowded out.

He got the nod on the right wing in the dreadful defeat to Brentford, but Spurs will have more bodies in as the season progresses – either players returning from injury or new signings.

Moore has been heavily linked with Bundesliga side Koln and could complete a loan move there in the coming week.

Alex Scott (Bournemouth)

With every game that passes, it becomes more a matter of when and not if Scott will make the step up from Bournemouth to one of the bigger boys.

Could it yet be in this transfer window? Time is running out, but whispers persist over a potential move to Chelsea or Manchester City.

Scott is one of the most promising English midfielders in the Premier League right now. He’s the kind of talent that the Big Six love investing in and they might be in a hurry to do so.

Chelsea made a move for him earlier this summer and he’s also believed to have turned down a new contract with the Cherries. There are two years left on his current one.

Bournemouth will surely drive a hard bargain at this stage of the window, but they might have to brace themselves for approaches for Scott in the coming days.

Liverpool want to sign two new wingers before letting Cody Gakpo join either Manchester City or Tottenham Hotspur, Fabrizio Romano has confirmed.

Liverpool have already paid Osasuna €40million (£34m) for Spanish winger Victor Munoz this summer, and they are now in talks for Paris Saint-Germain star Bradley Barcola and Yankuba Minteh of Brighton. Minteh is viewed as Mohamed Salah’s successor on the right flank, while Barcola could replace Gakpo off the left.

In recent weeks, Spurs have been leading the charge for Gakpo. Roberto De Zerbi has already convinced Spurs to splash out £135m on Man City duo Savinho and Omar Marmoush, and Gakpo is his next attacking target.

According to Dutch journalist Mounir Boualin of Soccer News, Spurs have failed with a £60m approach for Gakpo.

The north London side are now facing competition from City for the Netherlands international.

Soccer News’ report added that City have contacted Gakpo and his camp to tee up a shock potential transfer. If they get the green light to proceed, then City will open talks with Liverpool.

READ – Transfer rumour ranking: Liverpool ponder £70m offer as Man Utd, City tie up big deals

Romano then confirmed Boualin’s reporting by writing on X: ‘Manchester City made contact with Cody Gakpo’s camp today, as @MounirBoualin reported.

‘Talks have started while Tottenham remain in active discussions for Cody and with personal terms in place. Race on.’

In a follow-up post, Romano clarified Liverpool’s plans. ‘Liverpool will only sell Cody Gakpo if they can get two wingers in next 8 days; priority remains Bradley Barcola,’ he wrote.

‘Tottenham verbally agreed terms with Gakpo since July, Man City now also in active talks with his agents.

‘Player to decide but also based on #LFC wingers plans.’

Liverpool have had offers for Barcola worth €100m (£86m) and €115m (£98m) rejected by PSG so far. PSG have dropped their demands for the Frenchman from €170m (£145m) to €146m (£125m), but there is still significant work for Liverpool to do.

Liverpool, Man City both plotting winger signings

Liverpool have also had bids for Minteh worth £50m and £60m rejected by Brighton. The Reds are currently holding internal discussions over whether to increase their proposal to £70m.

Liverpool are understood to want around £70m to let Gakpo leave. They are not actively looking to sell Gakpo but will let him depart if they receive a big offer and get in two wingers.

City, meanwhile, could bid for Gakpo to help them replace Spurs-bound Savinho.

The crucial factor in the pursuit of Gakpo might be the type of role on offer at his next club.

Soccer News add that Spurs want to give the 27-year-old a ‘key role’, whereas City view him as more of a squad player.

Gakpo may therefore pick Spurs over City in order to prioritise regular starts.