Football365

Tottenham have agreed a deal to sign Omar Marmoush from Manchester City, with insider Fabrizio Romano revealing the conditions of the transfer.

It’s been an action packed few days for Spurs. The £230million spend this summer was provisionally increased in recent days when it was revealed they’d agreed to sign Savinho from City.

Then, on Saturday, they showed the necessity of new attackers as they were beaten 3-0 by Brentford, having only four shots on target.

Tottenham have moved quickly to add more firepower to their attack, with a deal for City’s Marmoush now confirmed.

It was suggested in recent days that negotiations were advancing not only for Savinho, but for his City team-mate, too.

Insider Romano now states a verbal agreement is in place for Tottenham to sign City forward Marmoush.

The verbal agreement is for an initial loan, with a buy clause at £50million becoming mandatory under certain conditions.

Marmoush has already said yes to Spurs, and on Monday, he’s set to travel to north London to complete his medical before he can officially sign for the club.

Savinho deal already done at Tottenham

Confirmation of an agreement for Tottenham to sign Savinho was revealed days ago, with David Ornstein one of the insiders relaying that information.

He said: ‘Tottenham Hotspur have reached an agreement to sign Manchester City winger Savinho in a deal that could be worth up to £85million.

‘Spurs are set to pay £75m up front, plus £10m in potential bonuses for the Brazilian – £5m of which are highly achievable.’

There was an expectation, though, that it would cost £150million for both Savinho and Marmoush to come through the door at Tottenham.

That fee added to the £230million that has already been spent by the north London club would’ve sent their spending to £380million.

But with Marmoush actually only joining for £50million – provided the conditions of the deal are met during the season – then it’ll actually cost just £135million for the two City men.

That means Spurs will have paid £365million in the summer, though of course they won’t be paying for the Egyptian immediately, which will be ideal for staying in line with financial regulations after a large spend.

They have also got a good deal on Marmoush for another reason – they are paying less for the striker than City did a year and a half ago when they brought him in from the Bundesliga.

Tottenham Hotspur boss Roberto De Zerbi admitted he was ‘surprised’ by their 3-0 defeat at Brentford, while also naming Marcos Senesi, Jan Paul van Hecke and Sandro Tonali as three players who are ‘not in the best physical condition’.

Tottenham have backed De Zerbi with £237million of spending this summer, and they have also agreed an £85m deal for Savinho amid talks for fellow attackers Omar Marmoush and Cody Gakpo. But it was same old Spurs against Brentford as they were brushed aside at the Gtech Community Stadium.

Keane Lewis-Potter opened the scoring for Brentford early on and was joined by Vitaly Janelt and Michael Kayode on the scoresheet on a memorable day for the Bees.

It could have been worse for Spurs too, as Igor Thiago headed onto the crossbar while also missing a penalty.

New Brentford signing Mamadou Sangare completely outshone his midfield counterpart Tonali, leaving De Zerbi scratching his head.

In a post-game interview with Match of the Day, De Zerbi said: “Bad game. We lost and suffered the difference in the duels. It was the key of this game. We didn’t fight in the right way. Maybe credit to them because it’s the best quality Brentford have.

READ – ‘Dreadful’ Tottenham ‘crumble’ as Redknapp questions ‘team of strangers’

“Our physical condition was not at the right level for all players because many came later after the World Cup and there were many new players in the squad and first XI. But we have to analyse this game better because we can’t play this way in this type of game.

“I am surprised by the result and performance. I knew we were not in the right condition. We can’t find an excuse. I am sorry for the result and performance. We are starting a new project and we couldn’t find the principal.

“Marcos Senesi, Jan Paul van Hecke and Sandro Tonali are not in the best physical condition. We knew that before the game. We have to improve on that and many other things, like organisation and pressing.

“We can improve quickly but first, we have to understand this game better. I know their physical condition and new players but we have to put something more. We had to fight more. Players know I have a lot of confidence in them and we hope to improve quickly.”

Tottenham were ‘outfought’ – Archie Gray

When quizzed on more potential signings, De Zerbi replied: “I don’t want the excuse that the first XI was not enough to compete and get a result. Brentford’s spirit on the pitch was great, it has to be the right example for us.”

Archie Gray had been named as Spurs’ youngest-ever captain before being subbed off in the 86th minute. He said: “For some reason on days in football, a team can outfight another team, it’s on us and the fans have been incredible.

“I don’t think there’s any excuses to be honest.

“We’ve got work to do, you saw that performance. It’s definitely an improvement from last season. It’s not the start we wanted, going into the mid-week game on Wednesday.

“The work we do in the week is about moving in the right direction but today we got outfought.”

Tottenham Hotspur were criticised by two pundits after their damaging 3-0 defeat at Brentford in their Premier League opener.

Tottenham have backed Roberto De Zerbi with huge spending this summer, having broken their transfer record on Mateus Fernandes first of all and then Sandro Tonali. They have also paid £52million for Jan Paul van Hecke and agreed deals for Manchester City duo Savinho and Omar Marmoush.

Spurs fans will have been hoping for a fast start after two dire Premier League seasons, but they were subjected to yet more misery domestically.

Brentford took the lead in just the 12th minute when man-of-the-match Mamadou Sangare played a clever one-two with Dango Ouattara before setting up Keane Lewis-Potter for a simple finish.

Igor Thiago headed onto the crossbar seven minutes later as Brentford piled on the pressure.

The hosts doubled their advantage in the 33rd minute, as Richarlison failed to hold the ball up for Spurs, allowing Mathias Jensen to test Antonin Kinsky with a powerful effort.

READ – Transfer rumour ranking: Tottenham transfer list star as Liverpool get fresh Barcola boost

Kinsky should have done better with the shot, but he could only parry into the path of Vitaly Janelt, who swept home.

Brentford made it 3-0 shortly after half time, as a clever corner routine saw Sangare force a good diving save from Kinsky. Once again, however, Brentford were first to react, with Michael Kayode on hand to score.

Thiago missed a penalty as Brentford squandered the chance to go 4-0 up, while 19-year-old winger Mikey Moore failed to convert two good chances for Spurs.

Sky Sports co-commentator Alan Smith said the first half ‘could not have gone worse for De Zerbi’.

He added late in the game: “It is a miserable afternoon this for Spurs. They’ve looked pretty dreadful defensively, [but] you would expect things to improve.”

Bergvall, Gallagher go missing for Spurs

Commentator Bill Leslie said ‘Tottenham Hotspur are crumbling’ before adding: “Shiny new players but a similar story for Spurs.”

In his post-match analysis, Jamie Redknapp said: “You probably would say they’re a team of strangers if you like, they didn’t have that know-how. Van Hecke and Senesi as a partnership never really won enough duels.

“I didn’t like the look of the team. I’m not a big fan of Gallagher in the 10, I thought, ‘Where’s that creativity gonna be?’

“Bergvall has had a tough six or seven months. The managers that have come in haven’t really seemed to trust him.

“Bring him in today, he lost the ball in the first few minutes, then he lost a duel for the goal. He just seemed to be not at ease with himself.

“But that was Tottenham to a man. They never looked a team that was ever gonna cause this Brentford side problems.”

That, it has to be said, is some absolutely remarkable Spursing.

To spend well over £220m on new signings, breaking your transfer record twice in the process, with another investment of at least £140m lined up and plenty more planned to appease the temperamental maverick coach who finally answered the rescue call last season, only to become considerably worse, is more Spurs than was ever even previously assumed possible.

For that absurd regression to be revealed against the team Spurs stole the manager of little over 12 months ago is exceptional.

And for their Premier League-proven recruitment drive to be sent up in smoke by a division debutant whose only previous top-flight experience constituted ten games in Belgium, 76 matches in Austria and a solitary season in France was the cherry atop a thoroughly inedible mess of a cake.

Spurs are far from alone in being damned by their ignorance of Mamadou Sangare, a £39m signing Brentford could already triple their money on if they were so inclined.

Within a single appearance the Mali international rendered his lack of Barclays experience entirely moot. Keith Andrews described Sangare as “a throwback midfielder” and “all-round” player before the game, his hand in two goals and feet stuck in elsewhere underlining the Bees’ belief they had landed a bargain.

Sangare’s one-two with Dango Ouattara before the driving run into the area to tee up Keane Lewis-Potter’s opener was phenomenal. It was the midfielder’s shot which Antonin Kinsky parried for Michael Kayode to make it 3-0. He was buzzing around when the Spurs keeper repelled a Mathias Jensen effort directly into Vitaly Janelt’s path, too.

Not a single Spurs player seemed capable of conjuring anything close to that calm authority and impetus on the ball.

It was a complete shambles, especially a defence featuring three debutants, but especially a midfield in which two of the three components were substituted at half-time, and especially an attack that could get nothing to stick and was contained laughably comfortably.

Kinsky’s display was dangerously Atletico-coded at times, with the second Brentford goal encapsulating the work Roberto De Zerbi still has to do to turn things around in north London.

The keeper’s pass to the halfway line was hypothetically sound but let down in reality by the fact it was to Richarlison, whose non-existent hold-up play only confused Brentford for so long. When possession was inevitably surrendered, Lucas Bergvall became essentially transparent. The damage was done before Kinsky palmed a tame shot straight out in front of him, although that certainly didn’t help.

Perhaps the difference can be boiled down to Brentford’s only new player slotting into and complementing an established team, while four Spurs debutants meant partnerships and understandings are only just being formed in key areas across the pitch.

But the sheer relentlessness with which Spurs lost the physical battles was stark, and not something Savinho or Omar Marmoush seem particularly equipped to help.

It is a shame Igor Thiago missed his second-half penalty and in the process squandered the perfect scoreline narrative parallel on offer.

Four years ago to the month it was Brentford who undermined the brave new era of Erik ten Hag so fundamentally that Manchester United feared Casemiro might back out of his impending move.

As the story goes, the Brazilian’s response was to message his agent to say: “Tell them I’ll fix this.”

When it comes to Spurs, it doesn’t appear as though anyone actually can.

Fabrizio Romano reckons it might not be long until Tottenham agree a deal with Liverpool to sign Cody Gakpo this summer.

Spurs moved quickly in the summer transfer window to bring in their first six signings after narrowly avoiding relegation on the final day of last season.

Tottenham are working hard to make sure they don’t end up in a similar situation this season with Andy Robertson, Martin Dubravka, Marcos Senesi, Jan Paul van Hecke, Sandro Tonali and Mateus Fernandes all joining.

A report in TEAMtalk earlier today confirmed that they are also closing in on a £140m double deal for Omar Marmoush and Savinho from Manchester City.

It has taken a little more time for Tottenham to get deals for their top attacking targets over the line as they have waited to make sure they get the best deal.

Widespread reports insists that after Savinho and Marmoush, Tottenham are looking to finish off their transfer window by attempting to sign Liverpool winger Gakpo.

READ:Tottenham priority in attack revealed after £155m Man City double deal update

And Italian transfer insider Romano insists “dont forget” about Gakpo before the transfer deadline as Tottenham still intend to get a deal over the line with Liverpool.

The Reds still need to bring in some more wingers with Yankuba Minteh and Bradley Barcola emerging as their two targets, which could release Gakpo.

Giving an update on the current situation surrounding Gakpo, Romano said on his YouTube channel: “And then let me finish by telling you, don’t forget Cody Gakpo. Don’t forget Cody Gakpo, because Savinho is going to Tottenham today in London for medical tests and contract signing,.

“Omar Marmoush is expected to go to Tottenham as a centre striker, and he’s a target that is going to probably happen in the next days, as I told you.

“But I told you always, right winger, left winger, centre striker. This was what I told you about Tottenham.

“And for the left winger, the name remains Cody Gakpo.

“Tottenham are working on it. Tottenham are working on the player side. Player terms are not an issue.

READ:Tottenham bid for next signing after Savinho, Marmoush has not been rejected

“And then Tottenham remain absolutely on it, on the club side with Liverpool.

“So Gakpo, Liverpool could be over in the next days if the total fee can be agreed. Watch out for that one until the end.”

Liverpool head coach Andoni Iraola seems to hint that he wanted Gakpo to stay this season with the Netherlands international performing well in pre-season.

Speaking this week, Iraola said: “Cody can play as a number nine this season. In pre-season we haven’t tried as we don’t have enough wingers and we prioritised what we need from him in his preferred position as a left-winger.

“But I have been talking to him about his minutes as a nine, he has done it before and in certain situations he could help us in the nine position.

“Cody is performing really well. I think he has been since the first day of training very well understanding what we need from his position. You can feel it straight away when you talk to him that he understands the game, he is very smart.

“He has been one of our best players in the friendlies. I cannot tell you the starting XI (at Newcastle), my players don’t know it so I’ll never say it, but definitely he is in a great spot.”

An insider has revealed the priority for recruiting attackers at Tottenham amid an update on a £155million Manchester City double raid.

Spurs’ desire to recruit in attack has been evident this summer. Having spent £230million on defence and midfield in the early part of the season, the club were increasingly linked with attacking moves.

Roberto De Zerbi stated there would be a big signing coming – a “bomba” – amid two or three more additions.

It’s been revealed that Tottenham have agreed to sign Manchester City winger Savinho, with the entire package rising to a potential £85million.

He was felt to be the priority, with Pete O’Rourke revealing how the list stacks up beyond the Brazilian.

He told Football Insider: “Pedro Neto is on Tottenham’s list, maybe not at the top of it right now.

“Savinho is their number one target for that wide attacking position, he is the priority and they’re working hard to reach an agreement with Man City over that one.

“Cody Gakpo is high on that list as well, and both of those players are probably ahead of Pedro Neto in the pecking order for Spurs.

“Savinho is the one they’re really pushing to get done, and they’re keen on Gakpo too, so that’s where they stand at the moment.”

Omar Marmoush update revealed

One man not mentioned in that is City’s Omar Marmoush, who Tottenham were speaking to City about at the same time as Savinho.

There’s been reported confidence at Spurs over his signing, and our friends at TEAMtalk suggest it’s all but done.

Insider Fraser Fletcher has detailed how the deal is at its final stages, with Marmoush agreeing personal terms and the two clubs reaching an ‘understanding’ over a deal in the region of £70million.

While it doesn’t seem there’s an official agreement in place right this second, Tottenham are preparing for the Egyptian’s arrival.

Marmoush was seemingly above Gakpo and Neto on the list, and the chances of prising the Chelsea man away seems unlikely, especially with Spurs parting with £155million for two players after already having spent £230million this summer.

Indeed, a separate TEAMtalk report reveals the Blues value Neto at £100million, as they’re aware of interest from Tottenham and Manchester City, who are obviously losing some attackers.

While the winger’s representatives are happy to move him on, Xabi Alonso would be keen on having him remain in his squad, and thus his large price tag has been set.

Liverpool manager Andoni Iraola has revealed he didn’t want to sell a player he’s allowed to leave, amid a suggestion about one of his “best players” who’s linked with Tottenham.

Iraola is gearing up to lead the Reds for the first time in competitive football. They face Newcastle on Sunday in his first game, and the manager has held a press conference ahead of the fixture.

In it, he addressed the situations of Curtis Jones – who’s been sold to Inter Milan for £30million – as well as Spurs-linked Cody Gakpo.

On Jones, Iraola said: “Yes [I wanted to keep him], Curtis is a good player, but I understood this. He is coming for some years in the same situation, so I knew from that moment it could happen.”

Gakpo might not be far behind amid links with Spurs, but Iraola has not spoken on transfer links, rather the forward’s potential with Liverpool.

He said: “Cody is performing really well, has been training very well since first day, understanding everything we need. You can feel it straight away, he is smart, understands the game.

“He has been one of our best players in the friendlies, definitely performing very well. I cannot tell you the XI [against Newcastle], the players do not know it, but he is in a good shape.”

Gakpo talks ongoing

In recent days, it’s been revealed Tottenham – who have been in for Gakpo for months – are continuing to push for the Dutchman.

Fabrizio Romano said: “For Cody Gakpo, Tottenham remain in conversations. I know in the last 24, 48 hours, the rumours around the story are that the deal is not happening, the deal is off, the deal is not going through.

“But my understanding is that the negotiation for Cody Gakpo to Tottenham is still ongoing. Cody Gakpo is open to joining Tottenham and personal terms are not a problem.

“So the deal remains on. The deal remains underway and Cody Gakpo to Tottenham Hotspur is still absolutely on.

“Then they need to reach a financial agreement, and that’s not a detail. Remember that if Gakpo is going to Tottenham, Liverpool will sign two wingers, top target Bradley Barcola plus one.

“So it’s still a long story in a short time because now there are less than two weeks of the summer transfer window. We’ll be following the situation. These days, anything can happen.

“But what I can guarantee at this time on Tuesday is that nothing has changed yet. There is no deal off. The conversation remains ongoing and we have to follow the situation to understand what’s going to happen.”

Spurs have since agreed to sign Savinho from Manchester City, but it’s long been suggested they want to add a couple of attackers, so Gakpo likely remains on the radar.

Tottenham are still waiting on an answer from Liverpool after making a ‘bid’ to sign Cody Gakpo, according to reports.

Spurs have already completed six 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 £237m in total on Mateus Fernandes, Sandro Tonali and Jan Paul van Hecke.

And Spurs are now closing in on signings seven and eight with Romano revealing an “agreement in principle” with Manchester City for Savinho, while Omar Marmoush has agreed personal terms ahead of a potential move from the Etihad Stadium.

Romano said on his YouTube channel: “Tottenham Hotspur have reached an agreement in principle with Manchester City for the Brazilian winger, Savinho. He has always been the top target since day one of the summer transfer window for Tottenham Hotspur at right winger.

READ: Brentford v Tottenham: Prediction, team news, lineups and odds

“Roberto De Zerbi wanted him. The backup was Pedro Neto, but again, backup with maximum respect for Pedro Neto, who is a fantastic player and who is an option for Al Hilal. But Roberto De Zerbi wanted Savinho as an absolute priority, and he is getting Savinho.

“The transfer fee is going to be more than the £75 million that was rumoured over the recent hours. My understanding is that the actual fee is going to be £80m plus £5m in add-ons. This is the fee, so totally £80m plus £5m.

“A big sale for Manchester City and an important signing for Tottenham. For sure, a big, big movement this summer.

“Savinho has verbal authorisation to travel for medical tests and contract signing. Let’s wait for the documents to be exchanged, of course, to make sure everything will be fine in the next 24 hours. But Savinho is on his way to Tottenham Hotspur as he wanted because he strongly wanted this move.”

Romano added: “Don’t forget Omar Marmoush. It’s not over at all, the summer transfer window for Tottenham, because I always told you: Savinho, Gakpo, centre striker. Savinho, done. Gakpo, we will talk in the next days. And then now we have the striker.

“For Omar Marmoush, Tottenham have an agreement on personal terms, done already a few days ago. Marmoush is open to joining Tottenham, so this deal is advancing already on the player side.

READ: Tottenham told they have their own Max Dowman as former boss highlights ‘one to watch’

“Then, on the club-to-club side, my understanding is that it’s not closed yet as Savinho is, but there is a very big optimism to get the deal done also for Omar Marmoush.

“So a big, big one for Tottenham. Savinho done and Marmoush expected to be completed in the next days if everything goes to plan. The negotiations are advancing.”

Tottenham bid for Gakpo has not yet been rejected

Liverpool winger Gakpo is their next big target with Tottenham hoping they can sign the Netherlands international as their final summer signing.

Algemeen Dagblad (via Voetbal Primeur) insists that Gakpo’s future ‘remains uncertain’ with Liverpool hesistant to agree to his exit while they still haven’t secured the signing of Bradley Barcola.

It is understood that Liverpool winger Gakpo ‘has already spoken with Spurs and is keen on the move to London’.

And report adds: ‘Spurs have reportedly already submitted a bid to Liverpool, but no follow-up has been given yet. During the friendly against Italian side Como last weekend, Gakpo was the Reds’ big star.

‘The winger scored and provided an assist. His performance was so good, in fact, that it has made Liverpool’s decision-makers have second thoughts again.’

Are you, too, ‘mystified by how positive people seem to be towards Liverpool’ this summer? Andoni Iraola has been given basically nothing.

Send your thoughts to theeditor@football365.com.

Deal or Bruno deal?

I think a few of the points Mike made are off the mark. Selling Bruno would be absolutely mental. He’s your best player and you need someone who is going to take risks in your team. He’s probably the best chance creator in the league. The team is much worse without him. It’s not as if Bruno is taking risks in his own half. He’s creating countless chances for your forwards in the final third. If you want Sesko and Mbeumo to excel, keeping Bruno would aid this.

I agree with the Maguire shout. I think he became very overrated last season. The fella played decently for 4/5 months and it was somehow a massive shock when he wasn’t in the England squad. Keep him starting for a whole season and I guarantee the errors will start happening again. I do rate him but he’s been inconsistent for his entire United career with his ups and downs.

Rodrygo? The fella is out til 2027 with an ACL injury. He won’t be properly good to go til next season you’d imagine. Also, why would he join United to play right wing. That’s his main issue at Madrid. If he does leave Madrid he will want to playing on the left. I would imagine he would be hesitant at going to a side like United too where CL football is not really guaranteed and they haven’t even made it past the last 16 all that much in 15 years.

Dion

Do you know what really grinds my gears Football365? People that write in saying we need to sell Bruno. He’s our best player by many country miles and is genuinely world class.

This time the letter was from Mike and I am also called Mike so I shall refer to him as Evil Mike. EM says Bruno is exceptional at playing the early, high-risk pass and launching quick counterattacks. We have spent years building around that style, and it has not produced a team capable of consistently controlling and winning games. Top teams can counterattack, but they also dominate possession and dictate the tempo

But we haven’t been playing that way because Bruno’s real skill lies in launching counter attacks, it’s because we haven’t had the players around him to play different styles.

So sell him now to get a higher market value and then spend that money on players who will be nowhere near his ability?

I swear there will have been Barcelona people writing in saying they need to sell peak Messi now to maximise transfer value. Just stop it.

Good Mike (He’s evil burn him with fire)

So let me get this straight.

Mike from this morning’s mailbox has some great ideas to get Manchester United back winning trophies. Start by selling Bruno Fernandes who bagged a record 21 assists in the league last season and will probably win the PFA award. Sell immediately, less than two weeks before week

Righttttt

Then follow that up with trying to sign Rodrygo who is recovering from an ACL injury and isn’t expected back until the early stages of 2027.

Tosin, Bristol

Life of Bryan

Good point Jack but who didn’t win the title out of Charlton, Robson, Bruce and Carrick? I’m assuming you assumed Robson but he got 2 and they got 13 between them. It’s why United fans want Bruno to ‘do a Robbo’ and scoop a late Prem title after carrying a bunch of goons for a decade.

Also all 4 had European success, the cup winners cup was legendary, bring it back and make European football and domestic cups great again.

Moses

Laughing at Liverpool

With the new season almost upon us, websites, podcasts and the like are all awash with preseason predictions and I find myself mystified by how positive people seem to be towards Liverpool.

Firstly, there’s the manager. I really like Iraola, if we’d not stuck with Carrick, he’d have been my preferred pick from that pool of “unproven at the very top” crop of managers. But he is still that: unproven. Has he got the personality? Can he handle the extra scrutiny? Can he manage juggling Europe as well? No idea, could go either way.

Secondly, and more importantly, the players. Bar keepers, every department looks short of quality and depth. In defence, Van Dijk was creaking horribly last season; why would he improve having turned 35? Why partner him with two very inexperienced kids, a crock and a guy on loan who had been absolutely dire for two years? Who is playing right back? The permanently crocked academy lad, the Pygmy wing back or their best central midfielder?

In midfield, Mac Allister has been dreadful for ages and gone through a long, exhausting World Cup. Freshen things up? Add a first team starter? No, sell Curtis Jones.

In attack, Ekitike is out long term and Achilles injuries are notoriously difficult to recover from. Might well not be back fit and in form til next season, so it’s a good job their record signing is available. However, as good as Isak is as a player, he’s always one that’ll need managing carefully. He’s not going to be able to play 50-60 games. Who is the cover? Who else is scoring the goals? Salah is gone, Gakpo is mediocre and they’ve signed a pretty unproven winger from Spain. Maybe he’ll be great, but there’s huge shoes to fill. Then there’s Wirtz, the one man excuse for pundits. For the price, he was diabolical last season; feels like the entire season is resting on his slight, weedy shoulders. Good luck with that.

If he wasn’t managing the filth, I’d feel sorry for Iraola, because it looks like he’s being hung out to dry by the higher ups. First choice right back, senior centre half, first choice central midfielder and first choice winger was the obvious top four items on the shopping list and it’s debatable that they’ve delivered any of them.

I’m absolutely here for it, I hope they implode like Spurs last season, but I’d be hugely concerned if I were a fan.

Lewis, Busby Way

Arse in Europe

Everyone banging on about Arsenal going one better and at ease winning the Champions League this season. Have they all forgotten the ridiculously easy route they had to the final – making hard work of it whilst soiling the eyes of all TV viewers and actual match attendees alike in the process? Gillingham would have been able to have a decent stab at getting to at least the semis with that run in.

Granted they may be in pole position starting the Prem this season – with all the uncertainties of the other teams being their biggest advantage (often winning the Prem comes down more to the shortcomings of the other usual main challengers – as it did last season and the season before when Liverpool won it) – but lets not pretend that had Arsenal got one of any of PSG, Bayern, Barca, Real, City or Liverpool in the knockouts – they would not have got anywhere near the final. And lets not hear any of the nonsense about beating some of those teams earlier in the competition – we all know by now that counts for nothing – apart from possibly getting you an easier draw later on. So yeah well done the Arse – I’ll give you that.

Here is hoping that a few more teams in the Prem can improve on last year and bloody the nose of Arsenal and bring them back down a peg or 2.

A not still bitter at all Shunt LFC

Stats, fractions and barriers to entry

I saw Dave Tickner and other mailboxers are still claiming Spurs got their place in the “big 6” through years careful financial husbandry, and the foresight to build a revenue cash cow of a stadium. All on a “fraction” of the resources available to Man City according to DT. Well yes Dave, but that conveniently ignores the fact that every club except the other members of the Sky 6 have been operating on an even smaller fraction City’s resources. Not to mention on fractions of what Spurs were spending.

According to this graphic on wages I found (hope the link works ok), between 1993 and 2019 (before the new stadium) Spurs were 6th in the aggregate spend by PL clubs on wages. At times in the 90s and 2000s they were higher in that table.

Their spend may have ended up quite a way behind the other Sky 5 in aggregate terms but still significantly ahead of those below them. The “fraction” for Dave’s benefit, is Spurs spent about 3/5 as much City did in the same period. Other relevant fractions might be Villa spending 5/8 of the amount Spurs did in the same period on wages, and Newcastle ¾. The figures are skewed by both Villa and T

Then there’s the 21st century net spend table from F365 itself.

This s not just PL clubs but all clubs, up to 2025.

There are Spurs sitting in 7th place, behind the Manchester clubs, Arsenal, PSG, Real Madrid and Chelsea – three “traditional giants” and three sugar-daddy clubs. Yet comfortably ahead of fellow superleaguers Liverpool, Bayern, Barca, Inter. Milan and Juve. Fractionally, for Dave’s benefit, Spurs spent 5/7 of City’s spend, and 3/5/ of their net spend. For comparison Villa spent 3/5 of Spurs’ total spend, and their net spend was 5/8 of Spurs’.

Ticket price history was harder to come by but the few tables I’ve managed to find show Spurs generally among the most expensive tickets and season tickets, along with Chelsea and Arsenal – perhaps a tiny indicator that being in London constitutes something of a boost to revenues that others do not and cannot share? For example Villa’s most expensive season ticket for the 2025-2026 season was around 2/5 of Spurs’ most expensive – there’s another fraction for you Dave.

I don’t think it’s unreasonable to argue that Spurs were already established as number 6 in the “sky 6” well before they built their new stadium, At the bottom end of it yes, and a way behind the others, but the runt of the litter still felt part of the pack enough to be involved in the Superleague breakaway talks.

It doesn’t compare to the spending of City or Chelsea, but based on the above stats I don’t think it’s unfair or inaccurate to suggest that they spent their way to that 6th position, and that being in London aided their revenue generation in order to be able to do that.

In any case I wasn’t “blaming” Spurs for anything in my first letter (although they showed their true colours with their involvement in the Superleaque debacle) , just pointing out that they are maybe not the right team to be used as an example for Villa and Newcastle to improve their status organically, when they were clearly allowed to spend what they could, and were willing to, without any meaningful restrictions of the kind Villa and Newcastle, and others, are now shackled by.

Once established in that position, the rules make it pretty much unassailable, however bad Spurs may have been on the pitch recently and however well run another club might be. For example, Villa’s net spend position for the last few years: , 19th, while still falling foul of PSR/SCR and accused of spending money they don’t have.

The fact is, by whatever means or resources, Spurs were ”in the club” before the drawbridge was pulled up and are likely to remain there however incompetent they try to be on the pitch, because that’s precisely what the rules were designed for. Football is now a Sport in name only, and the “Product” is the big successful clubs who appeal to Sky subscribers in Malaysia and Indonesia and China and the US who just want to see their favourites winning every week. It’s about ensuring they continue to be successful to sustain that demand. No Business in their right mind would allow that product to be undermined by interlopers. Anyone with eyes and a brain can see that restrictive practices are being applied and straightforward, natural barriers to entry they are not, however much Adidasmufc might try to claim they are.

Kevin Villa (awaiting the stats to show the above is wide of the mark)

Dick move

Dear Richard Hughes and The transfer team, seriously WTF! Selling players w/o replacements this close to the start of the season.

M.Nair ( Haven’t they heard of the saying a bird in hand is worth two in the bush? FFS they’re screwing with the club and the fanbase ATM)

Predictions

Seems a bit pointless predicting entire seasons when the transfer window still hasn’t slammed shut as we are told it must.

Hence I’ll try to entertain myself with a ”wouldn’t admit it but would accept“ list . With some extra transfers getting over the line.

I´ll start with Villa because a lot of people seem to think they are going to be better than I do .

Supposing they lose Ollie to the oilys but get another striker through the door I reckon they´d accept another Champions league finish and a day out at Wembley. Personally I can see a (relative) disaster in the midlands.

Now Arsenal. As the Gunners have to put up with jibes about Chelsea being the only team in London to`ve won a champions league I´d say Arsenal would accept losing the league if they could conquer Europe, though I don´t think that´ll happen. They ought to buy Rodrygo who can play on both wings.

Carrick would surely accept a repeat of his third placed finish and a quarter final in Europe, though it seems INEOS are moving in the right direction and they may become serious challengers soon.

Liverpool need to get their arses into gear before September the first , but let´s say they do : Wharton and Barcola minimum and play a whole shed load of exciting football I reckon they´d accept top four and a cup win to build forward into serious challengers again after Van Dyke has retired . Isak can challenge Erling Braut if he stays injury free for capocanoniere

Kinda the same thing for Spurs , If the fans can see some exciting and coherent football and finish top eight they´d take that , unless they get a very good striker in and a return of Kulusevski then a champions league place might be the minimum.

Just City and Chelsea to go . They swing on whether Enzo joins Enzo or not , then there is the winter window where the Abu Dhabi team can waltz on to a Semenyo and Guehi type double swoop , which is clearly more financial doping but they´d expect to push Arsenal all the way and go to at least the quarter finals of Europe´s top comp´. I have big question marks over whether Maresca is the man yet City could maybe persuade Luis Enrique to jump ship.

I find Chelsea the trickiest to predict , let´s say they get some more good signings in and let Jackson eff off I suppose they´d be happy with some improvement in team spirit and a decent base for next season. Hopefully Alonso will make them as entertaining as his Leverkusen team were.

A top six club signing Junior Kroupi and waiting patiently for his recovery seems like good business to me .

Arbeloa to win the sack race – he is an imposter of the highest order.

Wanna see some blinders , attack over defence , no low blocks, good refereeing – pigs might fly.

Peter . Andalucia.

I have read a lot about super computers calculating who would win the prem, who would get relegated and everything in between. So on the morning of the return of the Premier League, I thought I would give it a try.

My methodology was to take 20 data points, rate each from 1-5 – with 5 being the best. These were then added up to give a total score. The final score is an amalgamation of the data, and not the estimated points total. Simple enough. Some of the data points can be quantified, and much of it is subjective – so go easy!

The data points gathered are; The head coach, first XI, squad, wage bill, squad value, goals, defense, xG, xGA, possession in final third, passes allowed per defensive action, season schedule, injuries, squad transfer gains, squad transfer losses, club culture, club pressure, teamwork, opening five fixtures and the bookies odds.

The results were not played around with to manufacture the desired outcome, and surprisingly, it would align with many pundits’ predictions beyond one or two minor upsets. Here is the results of the Calvino Computer:

Conclusions:

No surprises for the relegated 3, or the champions. Man Utd could be close challengers if they can continue last season’s form, combined with a minor Arsenal dip. All-in-all the top five seems obvious and could easily be interchanged within itself.

I had to check my made-up numbers twice for Brentfiord and Brighton, especially given Brightons upcoming European season. Brentford, data wise, seem good for the money – good up top, solid at the back and they won’t be bogged down with midweek fixtures – underdogs.

Spurs, Villa, Sunderland and Newcastle fans may read this with disappointment, and I was slightly shocked to see where they ended up. Everything else seems rather reasonable.

Calvino

As is traditional, tell me who will win the league: Likely to look foolish by December, but I will ignore the made-up computer and go for Manchester United. The hope is that Sesko, Cunha, Bruno, Rashford, Amad and Mbeumo are on form, with DeLigt, Martinez, and Maguire being fit, available and on form. Arsenal would need to have a tough season with injuries with a continued lack of form up top as a handicap.

And the rest of the top four, in order. Which nobody ever gets right: Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool. Gut says City is in for a tough season.

Three picks for relegation please: Coventry, Ipswich, Hull City – yawn.

Which club will be a pleasant surprise? Brentford. Seemingly achieving really good things whilst going slightly under the radar from the mainstream media. They have a solid team that can hurt teams, and a solid backline. Sangare will be exciting to see.

Who will win the Golden Boot? Being honest, Haaland. Being hopeful, Sesko.

Which new signing will have the greatest positive impact? Enciso – if Ipswich manage to stay up he will be why. Tonali – Massive fee but he cannot be anything but positive for Spurs.

And which one will turn out to be a massive flop? Sangare – I really want this to work and he may very well be worth triple in a year’s time, but he may also be the next Jean Michel Seri.

I like Morgan Rogers but 117M is insane and I don’t know if Chelsea will see a return on this investment.

Who will be the biggest bloody bargain? Tielemans for 35M. is just yes thank you very much. Manzambi, Tzolis, Yirenkyi, and Wilson make the top five.

Who will be named the PFA Player of the Year? Bruno

First manager to leave their Premier League job? Jakirovic, or Arbeloa

Pick the Champions League winner. PSG with an iconic third-in-a-row.

Tottenham have agreed to pay a package worth £85m for Manchester City winger, Savinho, while a second big-money move will soon follow after Fabrizio Romano confirmed an agreement has been struck.

Tottenham are determined to completely overhaul their forward line in the final days of the summer transfer window. Three new attackers are wanted – a left winger, right winger and striker.

Their top target for the right side is Savinho. The No 1 options for the right wing and striker positions are Cody Gakpo and Omar Marmoush respectively.

Spurs agreed personal terms with Savinho earlier in the summer and have now sealed a club-to-club agreement with Man City for the 22-year-old Brazilian.

Confirming the news along with the fee and deal structure, The Athletic’s David Ornstein wrote: ‘Tottenham Hotspur have reached an agreement to sign Manchester City winger Savinho in a deal that could be worth up to £85million.

‘Spurs are set to pay £75m up front, plus £10m in potential bonuses for the Brazilian – £5m of which are highly achievable.’

The size of the fee – £85m – will raise eyebrows for many, not least because numerous reports throughout the summer claimed this was a deal that could get done for around £65m.

However, one rumour currently doing the rounds regards Tottenham and Man City unofficially agreeing to bump the price for Savinho up, with the caveat being the price for Marmoush will come down.

The logic there is Man City are due to pay a portion of the proceeds to Marmoush’s former club, Eintracht Frankfurt, via a sell-on clause.

City would obviously pay less to Frankfurt if the Marmoush fee is smaller than it otherwise might have been, with the shortfall made up by Spurs paying over the odds for Savinho.

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Tottenham agree personal terms with Omar Marmoush

In any case, what is clear is Tottenham are closing in on the double coup, with Fabrizio Romano confirming personal terms with Marmoush are in place.

He wrote on X: ‘Tottenham also confident to get Omar Marmoush deal done after Savinho deal agreed tonight.

‘Negotiations at advanced stages for the Egyptian forward. Personal terms agreed earlier this week and #THFC confident.’

The two transfers will be treated as separate deals, though combined, Spurs are expected to pay around £150m for the pair.

With Savinho booked in at £85m, that means Egypt international Marmoush would be moving for a package totalling £65m.

Tottenham have also agreed personal terms with Liverpool’s Gakpo, but that move is in hold until such time as the Reds sign at least one more winger, or potentially even two.

Liverpool’s top target is Bradley Barcola and they’re pushing to sign his PSG teammate, Ibrahim Mbaye, too. The Reds have also recently seen a £50m bid for Brighton’s Yankuba Minteh turned down.