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Bruno Fernandes got dream Man United transfer after being angry at failed Tottenham move - now he could be best paid player

Submitted by daniel on Tue, 13/08/2024 - 15:44

Over the past few seasons, there have not been many more impactful players in the Premier League than Bruno Fernandes.

Manchester United signed the midfielder in January 2020 and he became an instant hit, scoring eight in 14 Premier League matches that season.

But down in London, one club has watched Fernandes become a fan favourite through envious eyes.

That is because Tottenham were on the brink of signing the Portugal international from Sporting in the previous transfer window - only for the move to collapse.

Fernandes was furious at the failed transfer but he got his dream move in the end when he joined one of the most glamorous clubs in Europe.

He told The Athletic in 2022: “Obviously I wanted to go to the Premier League.

"The manager, Mauricio Pochettino, was the one who wanted me there. It was a good offer but Sporting tried their best to keep me.

“The president (Frederico Varandas) spoke with me but he spoke with me on the wrong day.

"It was the day after they decided to refuse the offer from Tottenham and I was really angry.

"Luckily for me, the manager (Marcel Keizer) was the right one at the right time.

“At the beginning of January, my agent said, ‘You don’t need to worry, because any time I bring you a club, it will be a dream club for you’. He knew that the dream club was Man United."

And what a move it has turned out to be, instantly becoming a hero at United and one of the first names on the teamsheet.

Manager Erik ten Hag named the 28-year-old the club's new captain, taking the armband off Harry Maguire in the process.

The midfielder takes the free-kicks, corners and penalties, and has a penchant for fantastic goals as well as possessing incredible vision.

His goals and assists have helped the club finish in the top four in three of the five seasons he has been at Old Trafford, though he has had his critics, especially with United's poor final position last season.

They finished eighth with a negative goal difference, their worst placed finish since 1990 and the first time since then that they conceded more goals than they'd scored. In addition they finished last in their Champions League group though they did win the FA Cup.

Fernandes, who turns 30 in September, is also expected to extend his current contract, which expires in 2026 for another year and is likely to be handsomely rewarded.

Any new deal he signs is likely to give him parity with Marcus Rashford, the highest paid player at United, who is thought to be on around £350,000-a-week.

This is a sharp turnaround given that some fans feared his dream move would come to a premature end. Speaking in May 2024, he said of his future: "I just want my expectations to fit with the expectations of the club," he said before the FA Cup final win over Manchester City.

"If you go talk to any fan, they will tell you the same thing. We want to compete for the league. We want to be playing Champions League football. We want to be in cup finals.

"That is the standard. That is what I want. That is what you all deserve."

Tottenham, meanwhile, have clearly lacked a midfielder of such attacking output in that time period.

Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg, Oliver Skipp and Rodrigo Bentancur have their assets but it could be argued they do not come close to what Fernandes can do.

And several other midfielders have been snubbed in that meantime, including Yves Bissouma, Tanguy Ndombele and Giovani Lo Celso.

However, Ange Postecoglou is hoping the tide is turning in north London and will be praying James Maddison stays fit.

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Bayern Munich star Harry Kane takes off captain's armband as he refuses to lift trophy on his return to Tottenham

Submitted by daniel on Tue, 13/08/2024 - 08:30

Bayern Munich star Harry Kane takes off captain’s armband as he refuses to lift trophy on his return to T... - talkSPORT

Harry Kane finally won a trophy in north London - but he showed his class and loyalty to Tottenham in refusing to lift it.

The 31-year-old returned to Spurs, his boyhood club where he made his name, as part of the Bayern Munich side that won the pre-season clash labelled the Visit Malta Cup.

And Kane, who spent 14 trophy-less years spent at Spurs, helped his side win 3-2.

Kane came off the bench in the second half where he was given the captain armband's on his Tottenham return - a year after he departed in a deal worth more than £100million.

He came close to getting on the score sheet - firing narrowly over the bar - with first-half goals from Dayot Upamecano, Serge Gnabry and Thomas Muller proving to be the difference.

He had the chance to lift the trophy on the pitch following the five-goal thriller - but decided against doing so to once again show why he is so loved by Spurs fans.

He was caught on camera removing his armband, while shaking his head towards Joshua Kimmich, insisting he couldn't possibly do so out of his love for the Premier League side.

As a result, Bayern's usual skipper Manuel Neuer hoisted aloft the trophy, with Kane seen clapping during the presentation.

Though he did get his hands on some form of silverware - along with Eric Dier - who followed Kane to Bavaria from Tottenham in January.

The duo were presented with special commemorative gifts by Spurs legend and former captain Ledley King in a ceremony prior to the kick-off.

Both men were treated to a rapturous applause from the home faithful, with Spurs' all-time top scorer Kane soaking in the atmosphere.

But it was his wholesome decision to turn down lifting the trophy that sent social media into meltdown.

One Spurs supporter posted: "Big respect to him, he knows it's wrong at our ground plus he knows what he will get on social media for lifting a friendly trophy."

Another posted: "Loyalty is rare in football nowadays fairs to Kane."

A third added: "This is nothing but total class and respect from a legend of our club and a legend of a man."

This fan then messaged: "He's genuinely a really good bloke and I'm proud he's one of our own."

Meanwhile, another simply stated: "Ultimate respect to him."

Kane was quick to show his gratitude to his adoring fans after the match.

He said: "I am so used to coming here as the home player.

"[I've] been here so many times before so it was strange and putting this shirt on, being in the away dressing room, but I like to enjoy these occasions.

"I had an amazing career at Spurs, so many great memories and just great to see the fans again, so many players and staff I have a lot of relationships with.

“The game itself, I probably shouldn’t have been playing. I only trained yesterday but I was always going to play 10 minutes and it was good.

“Everything was really rushed through last year, so we didn’t have a chance (to say goodbye), but it was great way to say thank you to all of them.

"The reception I got was amazing and great to clap them around the pitch after, those who stayed behind and I will always be thankful for every Spurs fan for the support they’ve given me through my whole career. It’s been incredible.

“I just appreciate them seeing me and me seeing them again.”

Tottenham, coincidentally, confirmed the signing of striker Dominic Solanke from Bournemouth in a £60million deal on Saturday.

Kane was asked about the man who could prove to be his long-term successor in north London.

Speaking to Sky Sports, he said: "Yeah, he should be great.

"Dom is a great player and plays with high intensity and high speed, For sure, he's going to get chances in this team with the way Ange [Postecoglou] plays. You saw that today, two top teams going at it.

"I think it's a really good signing. I've seen him in the dressing room there and I just wished him all the best and of course I hope he has a great season."

Solanke enjoyed a fine season in front of goal for Bournemouth in the 2023/24 campaign, scoring 21 goals in 42 games in all competitions.

The Chelsea academy graduate told fans as he joined: “Me as a player, I’m ambitious on the pitch, I work hard for the team, score goals, leave it all out there and love winning, so hopefully we can win a few things together. That’s what I’m going to bring, that fighting spirit.

“I’d say my attributes are movement, goals, hard work and link-up play, so hopefully I can bring all that together at Tottenham.”

And Solanke will be desperate to hit the ground running to make fans forget who his allegiances were to when he was younger.

In a video that has resurfaced following his transfer, the former Liverpool revealed he used to watch Spurs' rivals Arsenal when he was younger.

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Yves Bissouma apologises for 'severe lack of judgement' as Tottenham confirm investigation into nitrous oxide video

Submitted by daniel on Mon, 12/08/2024 - 10:18

Yves Bissouma faces possible punishment from Tottenham after the midfielder filmed himself inhaling nitrous oxide on social media.

Spurs have confirmed they have opened an investigation into the matter, with the 27-year-old since apologising for his 'severe lack of judgement'.

The Mali international uploaded clips of himself using the Class C drug - known as 'hippy crack' - onto Snapchat last weekend.

Bissouma could be seen laughing between taking hits of the balloon in footage he shared to his fans.

The incident came just hours after Spurs' final pre-season clash, where they lost 3-2 to Bayern Munich in the Visit Malta Cup.

And he now faces an anxious wait over whether he will be reprimanded by club chiefs.

Issuing a statement, he said: "I want to apologise for these videos. This was a severe lack of judgement

"I understand how serious this is and the health risks involved.

"And I also take my responsibility as a footballer and role model very seriously."

Meanwhile a Tottenham spokesman added: "We are looking into the events.

"This will be dealt with as an internal matter."

As part of the Government's anti-social behaviour action plan last November, nitrous oxide was made a Class C drug under the Misuse of Drugs act.

This means that possession of the so-called 'laughing gas' with the intent to get high illegal.

Repeat offenders could face a two-year jail sentence, along with an unlimited fine.

Dangers of inhaling nitrous oxide can lead to nerve damage, depression, brain disorders and hallucinations as well as memory loss.

The incident is a major blow to Spurs ahead of their Premier League season opener away at Leicester next Monday night.

Bissouma has starred in pre-season for the north Londoners, where he scored a superb solo effort in the 2-0 win over QPR at Loftus Road.

The ex-Brighton man rediscovered his form under Ange Postecoglou last season, where he proved to be a key player - making 28 top-flight appearances.

Bissouma may have already found himself in hot water with Spurs chiefs after he appeared to let slip that teammate Emerson Royal is on his way out.

The right-back is currently in Italy where he is set to join AC Milan on a permanent deal.

Again taking to Snapchat, Bissouma shared a video of himself in a Spurs training kit, where he and the defender shook hands before embracing in a hug.

At the bottom of the video, he wrote: "One of the best guy (sic) I've ever seen in my life all the best there brother I love you I'll come see u soon there."

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Tottenham announce club-record deal to sign Dominic Solanke from Bournemouth

Submitted by daniel on Sat, 10/08/2024 - 13:00

Tottenham have confirmed the signing of Dominic Solanke in a club record deal.

It's understood that Spurs will pay Bournemouth £55million up front, with the fee rising to £65million with add-ons.

The 26-year-old was announced his six-year deal shortly before the club took on Bayern Munich in a pre-season friendly at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

Liverpool also have a 20 per cent sell-on clause in the deal following his move from Anfield to Bournemouth.

Solanke has been rewarded for his best top-flight return last season, netting 19 times in the league for the Cherries

Spurs boss Ange Postecoglou has pinpointed Solanke as the long-term successor to Harry Kane following the England skipper’s exit last summer and believes the Bournemouth star fits his style of play.

He did, however, state that it's impossible to directly replace Kane, saying: "I don't think we've been looking to replace Harry. I think I said a number of times last year you can't replace a generational player and there's a reason they stand apart.

"It's fair to say front third is an area we really believe we need to reinforce this year. We've been working hard to try and get the right kind of players into those areas we need for another challenging season ahead.

"We're back in Europe, which means more games, and the one thing coming out of last year when we had disruptions in terms of injuries or suspensions there was a real drop off and we want to sort of try and mitigate that this year by having a stronger squad to cope with everything we do."

The ex-Chelsea and Liverpool star was tied to the south coast club until 2029, but his contract contained a £65million release clause that could be triggered by certain clubs.

Solanke came through the ranks at Stamford Bridge before making the switch to Liverpool in 2017 on a free transfer.

A frustrating two-year spell at Anfield came to an end when he joined Bournemouth for an undisclosed fee in 2019, however the Reds hold a 20 percent sell-on clause for the striker.

That will see Liverpool net a tidy £9m fee due to Spurs meeting Solanke’s release clause.

He missed out on England's Euro 2024 squad but is hopeful the switch will help force his way back into contention.

Solanke will become Tottenham’s third signing of the season after the arrivals of Leeds’ Archie Gray and Lucas Bergvall from Djurgarden.

Spurs had previously held an interest in Brentford’s wantaway striker Ivan Toney as reported by talkSPORT on Thursday.

Postecoglou appears better equipped to launch Tottenham’s Premier League campaign following a testing start to life at the club 12-months ago.

The Australian was inundated with speculation over Kane’s future after arriving at the club, only to see the striker complete his move to Bayern Munich on the eve of the Premier League season.

Spurs were forced to share the goal scoring responsibility in a bid to fill the void left by the club’s all-time record scorer.

Although Spurs were able to secure Europa League qualification in Kane’s absence, Solanke’s arrival will boost the club’s hopes of returning to the Champions League.

And former Tottenham midfielder Jamie O'Hara thinks Solanke could be the key to ending the club's trophy drought.

He wrote on X: "Solanke is a great signing, he’s quick can finish hold up play is really good and he works his nuts off and has something to prove, well worth the transfer fee, can’t wait for the season to start now, big Ange will deliver a trophy."

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Tottenham agree club-record deal to sign Dominic Solanke from Bournemouth

Submitted by daniel on Fri, 09/08/2024 - 16:55

Tottenham have agreed a club-record deal worth £65million to sign striker Dominic Solanke from Bournemouth, talkSPORT understands.

It's understood that Spurs will pay £55million up front, with the fee rising to £65million with add-ons.

The 26-year-old will travel to north London to undergo a medical after having already agreed personal terms.