The Mirror

Ex-Newcastle chief Amanda Staveley is set to ramp up plans to buy into Tottenham Hotspur, it has been claimed.

The 51-year-old was a pivotal figure at St James’ Park over the past few years. She was heavily involved in the Saudi-backed takeover by the Public Investment Fund.

Alongside husband Mehrdad Ghodoussi, she bought a considerable stake in Newcastle and was granted a place on the club’s board of directors. But her spell at St James’ Park came to an end this summer as her stake was purchased by the club’s Saudi owners, while her involvement with any businesses associated with Newcastle also ended.

It appears that Staveley is not intending to be out of football for very long. She has been linked with making a possible investment into Tottenham in the past and is ready to ramp up her interest.

As per The Sun, Staveley will step up her bid to buy into the North London club. It is suggested that she is backed by “serious money” from Middle Eastern investors.

Current Tottenham owner Daniel Levy would apparently be open to selling a stake, while Staveley’s consortium would hope to buy a greater stake down the line should a deal be struck. It is further revealed that it could cost around £650m for 25 percent of the club.

Staveley had previously remained tight-lipped about a potential deal earlier this summer but confirmed she was open to investment in another Premier League club. As quoted by The Athletic, she said: “My preference would have been to stay with Newcastle, but life doesn’t always work out exactly how you want it to. Nothing is going to replicate that.

"I fell in love with Newcastle, the club and the people and that can’t change, but I didn’t want to get in Newcastle’s way. It’s got to be about what’s best for Newcastle.

Where will Tottenham finish this season? Share your predictions in the comments below

“Mehrdad and I are keen to be hands-on. We’re hard-working people, I love to be very busy and to engage and I love football. Very sadly, we have to move on to other projects and that might involve us taking a stake in another club or buying another club and that’s difficult. But it’s possible.”

Stavelely’s time at Newcastle was a remarkable success. The Magpies surged to safety following the takeover and secured a place in the Champions League the following campaign.

They were on the verge of another place in Europe last term but lost out due to Manchester United ’s FA Cup win. Staveley penned an emotional farewell message to Newcastle after her exit.

A statement on her Instagram read: "Nothing I write today can ever express my gratitude or describe the debt I owe you all. Your support over the last years has been extraordinary, and no fans deserve success more than you.

"Being a small part of your precious Newcastle United has been a privilege, and I will cherish the memories of every single moment. Working with Eddie Howe, Jason Tindall, and Becky Langley has taught me so much.

"They are truly world class - and I will miss everyone terribly. Mehrdad and I have relished the role we had at the club - we particularly loved working alongside Yasir, our PIF colleagues and Jamie Reuben to create a club that will constantly challenge for Europe and will be capable of winning trophies.

"I know PIF and RB will continue to be remarkable custodians - and the club will receive the required support over the coming years."

Harry Winks says he’s never stopped dreaming about England.

The Foxes midfielder is back in the big time and has his eyes fixed firmly on forcing his way back into the Three Lions side. Winks, 28, made the last appearance for his country almost four years ago during a 3-0 victory over Ireland at Wembley.

He left Spurs last summer in search of regular game-time and found it in the east Midlands as part of Enzo Maresca’s promoted side. Returning to the top-flight was all part of the plan after he joined the Foxes for £10m.

And the desire to play for the Three Lions has never left him. When quizzed about a return, he said: “Obviously, that’s out of my hands. The important thing is to play well for Leicester - then everything will take care of itself.

‌“But it is something I think about. I’ve never stopped thinking about it. I know you need to perform well at the highest level and the Premier League is that level.”

‌Winks enjoyed a solid campaign as Maresca led the club to the Championship title. And the midfielder said that while going abroad offered him a chance to be noticed, he felt it was better if he did remained in England and took the chance to return to the elite after spending one campaign in the Championship.

‌He added: “The Premier League seems the best place to try and return. When you go abroad or in the Championship, it’s not looked at like that. The Premier League is the best league in the world so you have to show it on that stage.

“I’m looking forward, with the squad and players here we can have a positive season and for me personally, I want to make sure of that as well. I’ve got full confidence in myself. I’ve never lost that.

Will Leicester stay up this season? Share your predictions in the comments below

"I’ve always said it’s about playing games regularly and regaining my confidence. Since I’ve joined the club I’ve had that. I love the club, the players and since I’ve come I’ve felt at home.”

Maresca returned the favour for Winks when the two were playing together last term. The Italian boss said that the midfielder was on loan to the Championship - and so it proved.

‌But the manager who took a gamble on him now has far bigger issues to sort at Chelsea - while Winks is getting to grips with new boss Steve Cooper. He said: “It’s still enjoyable - but it’s different to last season.

‌"We’re learning what he wants. He’s given the senior players a bit of licence. There’s not too much difference but the main thing is we build up differently.

‌"We try to keep the same style with an overload in the middle. Off the ball is different. The manager has been in the PL, he understands what it takes to stay in the PL and we have to understand that’s what the manager wants to do and we’re all behind doing what he says. It showed last Monday - because a point against Spurs is a good return.”

Tottenham have been handed a blow for this weekend’s clash with Everton after new signing Dominic Solanke was ruled out of contention due to an injury.

The striker, who joined Ange Postecoglou’s side for £65million from Bournemouth this summer, hurt his ankle in the opening league draw against Leicester.

And the Spurs boss said that the issue has since “flared up”. Speaking ahead of Saturday’s league fixture with the Toffees, he said: “Dom picked up a knock in the last game so he got through the game but it flared up the day after, so he'll miss tomorrow.”

He added: “It's an ankle injury, he copped it really early on, someone went across his ankle. It just depends on his recovery [when he returns], obviously we've got the international break. but it's not serious.”

Richarlison, who signed for Spurs last summer from Everton in a deal worth £60million, is said to be “ready to go” as Solanke’s replacement as he meets his former club.

Solanke is not the only injury headache for Postecoglou. Rodrigo Bentancur, who started the game against Leicester but was forced off with 12 minutes of regular time due to a head injury, is unavailable due to concussion protocols.

Postecoglou said: “We respect concussion protocols and [with] any head injury we'll always be a little more conservative. The good news is he's bounced back really well, done all the tests, but we'll take our time with Rodrigo before putting him back out there.”

One player who could start in Bentancur’s place is Yves Bissouma, who was suspended by Tottenham after he was filmed inhaling laughing gas on the eve of the new season. While the Malian midfielder is available for selection, his coach suggested the damage done by the video is not yet fully repaired.

“Biss is available but we've got some options there and the whole idea of bulking up the squad in pre-season was for these kinds of scenarios,” Postecoglou said. “He's available for selection but the bridge building continues.”

Just over a week remains in the transfer window and Tottenham are still keen to get several deals over the line.

The north Londoners have comfortably spent well in excess of £100million this summer already, with £65million striker Dominic Solanke being their star signing. Talented midfielder Archie Gray, French winger Wilson Odobert, Lucas Bergvall and Yang Min-hyeok make up the rest of Spurs’ incomings thus far.

But Monday night’s disappointing 1-1 draw against Leicester City in their season opener showed that Ange Postecoglou’s side are still far from the finished article. They likely need to make further key signings if they are to break into the top four after last season’s fifth-place finish.

And for that to happen they must sell players too. With the seconds ticking down, Mirror Sport brings you what Daniel Levy needs to do in order to provide Spurs with a dream end to the window ahead of next Friday's deadline.

Sign Joao Gomes

Spurs are notably light on quality in the midfield department and Postecoglou knows it. The Lilywhites have been linked to Wolves’ energetic midfielder Joao Gomes, who would certainly bolster their options. Those options are currently: Yves Bissouma, Gray, Rodrigo Bentancur – who was stretchered off at Leicester after a nasty collision – and Pape Matar Sarr.

GiveMeSport claim Spurs have “set their sights” on the 23-year-old Brazil international, who has eight caps and made 34 league appearances last season. Gomes makes more tackles per game on average than any Spurs player, and is adept at both covering ground and driving forward with the ball.

He even scored two against Spurs back in February. With Wolves now potentially looking to cash in on the player in order to raise further funds of their own for the end of the window, Tottenham should be all over this signing.

Cash in on Jack Clarke clause

Spurs signed Jack Clarke from Leeds in the summer of 2019 before immediately loaning him back to the Championship side. He then had another disappointing loan spell at Queens Park Rangers and was sold to Sunderland in 2022.

But the 23-year-old striker’s fortunes have changed in the north-east, scoring 15 goals last season and already notching a goal and an assist for the Black Cats this term. Newly-promoted Premier League side Ipswich Town have now made an improved offer for Clarke of £15m plus £5m in add-ons.

In the case where he is sold to Ipswich, Spurs would receive a nice windfall to redirect towards new signings. That’s thanks to the 40% sell-on clause – for any profit Sunderland make on the sale – Tottenham negotiated when they sold Clarke back in 2022.

Sign Piero Hincapie

Ecuadorian Piero Hincapie had a stellar time at Bayer Leverkusen last season as the German side rampaged to an unbeaten Bundesliga and DFB-Pokal double. The 22-year-old’s assured performances, show by his tally of 20 clean sheets, unsurprisingly placed him on the radar of several big clubs.

That includes Liverpool, who hold a long-standing interest. But according to Diaria Expreso via TEAMtalk, Tottenham are also big admirers of the versatile defender and will reportedly have to fork out around £50m to land him.

Hincapie is not believed to have made a decision regarding his future yet and is expected to sit down with his representatives to evaluate his options in the coming days. Spurs need his quality in defence to provide strong competition, while his ability to play at left-back makes him a handy backup to Destiny Udogie.

Sell Giovani Lo Celso and Manor Solomon

In order to really cap off a successful transfer window, which has already involved selling the likes of Joe Rodon, Emerson Royal and Oliver Skipp, Spurs must continue to flog more fringe players. According to The Times, Giovani Lo Celso and Manor Solomon could leave before the window shuts.

Lo Celso has found it difficult to make an impact at Spurs since first arriving in 2019, with the exception of the odd moment of brilliance. Meanwhile, Solomon’s debut season was marred by injuries, which has influenced the club’s decision to look to sell him.

Tottenham have been named as the best-run club in the Premier League.

Football campaign group Fair Game have put Tottenham at the top of their list after a comprehensive study across the whole of English football. Tottenham scored well in the club-by-club Fair Play Index 2024 on the four key areas of financial sustainability, good governance, equality and ethical standards and fan and community engagement.

They have built a £1billion stadium and made themselves hugely successful off the pitch but they have not won a trophy since the League Cup in 2008 which still frustrates fans. Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy said: “As a Club that prides itself on good governance - with a key focus on sustainability, fan engagement and delivering for our local communities - we are delighted to have been recognised as England’s best-run club by the Fair Game Index.

“This ranking further demonstrates the huge strides that are being made off the pitch, with our world-class stadium and innovative partnerships enabling sustainable, recurring investment into our football operations to ensure we remain competitive on the pitch and challenge for major honours. We welcome Fair Game’s work in highlighting the important role we can all play in operating sustainably to ensure our clubs remain at the heart of our local communities and for fans to enjoy for many generations to come.”

Adam Davis, who is head of Fair Game Index, said: “Spurs are widely regarded as one of the best run football businesses, both in England and globally. They score above average in good governance, equality standards and fan and community engagement and the best in the Premier League for financial sustainability.

"The research goes beyond this but one of very few who are profitable. They do score very well in all of the sub-pillars them making them a very well rounded organisation.”

Fair Game has been campaigning for better governance in football and has been supporting legislation for a new independent regulator. The report says that Premier League clubs performed well overall but Celtic were comfortably top in the overall table which also included British clubs with Hearts, Hibernian, Aberdeen, St Mirren, Motherwell and Kilmarnock in the top ten. League One Cambridge United also finished tenth in the overall table, gaining rich praise for their work on and off the pitch.

Were you surprised by the Fair Game results? Let us know in the comments section

Niall Couper, CEO of Fair Game, said: “Football is far from perfect but with the likelihood of an incoming football regulator there is a real chance to change it for the better.

“To deliver real and meaningful change we need to understand the problems. We’ve designed the Fair Game Index to do exactly that and help reshape the game we love.

“This year, several overall themes have emerged: financial sustainability goes hand in hand with good governance and fan engagement; football’s financial flow is undermining sustainability; and equality and ethical standards are on average treated as lip service.

“In short, football in England needs a truly independent regulator that can oversee good governance, re-shape football’s financial flow, and ensure issues around equality and ethics get the support and respect they deserve. In Scotland, the authorities have the chance to learn from England, not repeat their mistakes, and build a stronger future for the game north of the border.”

Catfish and the Bottlemen have been mocked by the public for their choice of stadiums for next year's tour.

The band confirmed they would play two dates in August 2025 in a post to their Twitter /X account. With Van McCann and the rest of Catfish and the Bottlemen confirming dates at the Principality Stadium in Cardiff and Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London, the "jokes write themselves" according to one post.

Holding a gig at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium led to a comparison of the band's name to the form of the London-based team over the past decade. Football fans have frequently referred to the squad as bottle jobs, and the jokes since then have been as expected.

"THE BOTTLEMEN PLAYING AT SPURS," one user posted, with a GIF of Homer Simpson doubled over laughing. Another user referenced September 15 as a date for the "Bottlemen," but was referring to the North London Derby between Arsenal and Tottenham that day. A third joked: "Catfish and The Bottlemen at the Tottenham stadium HAD to be on purpose it’s too perfect."

"Something really really funny about The Bottlemen playing at Spurs’ stadium," another wrote. Some users believe Catfish and the Bottlemen will follow the trend of failing Tottenham Hotspur teams and fail to meet high expectations for the tour. One wrote: "Wish I was as confident as these lot thinking they can even get close to selling out a 60,000+ capacity stadium."

Another added: "I’m going to be bold here and suggest that Catfish and the Bottlemen aren’t Beyoncé and should, for want of a better term, consider pubs or an 02 Academy." The band's return has seen a series of festival date announcements including a headline slot at Leeds Festival. But two dates at the Principality in Wales Cardiff and Spurs' football stadium has been described as a "shambles".

"No new music and no chance they sell these out, shambles," one fan wrote. Another added: "The jokes write themselves. Tottenham Hotspur stadium hosting the Bottlemen." One user predicted: "This is going to be embarrassingly undersold."

The cuts from his England snub run deep.

But James Maddison hasn’t just come to terms with them - he’s using the heartache as fuel to repair those broken dreams.

"I was devastated to miss out on the Euros," he said, "but I’m using it as motivation to remind myself I can be at that level.

"Setbacks are set-ups for comebacks - I’ve seen that quote somewhere. It’s how you deal with adversity. My network around me, my parents, partner, agent, the manager, my dad - they wouldn’t let me dwell on that - my dad especially wouldn’t let that define me.

“I knew I would come back with a hunger. I knew I’d be ready - by game one - to have a good season.‌

“And I want to show the gaffer, the fans, my team-mates that I can be back consistently to my best. I couldn’t quite find that post-injury. But it’s always about how you respond.”

Maddison was at his silky best at the King Power Stadium as he ran the show in the opening 45 minutes, reminding everyone - including former England manager Gareth Southgate - what the Three Lions could have had in Germany as they huffed and puffed their way through the tournament.

“It was so disappointing to miss out,” he added, “I trained really well.

“We had the warm-up game against North Macedonia and I felt I played well in that…I had a good chat with Gareth about it - I couldn’t change it, once it happened.

“He’s a great man. He explained his reasonings. It was never personal. He’s a good person. We have a great relationship.

"I messaged him not long ago to congratulate him on his managerial career with England. There’s no hatred towards him.

“I knew it was a business decision he thought was best for the team. I didn’t agree with him - no doubt about that - I felt I could have bought something to the squad. My focus is to have a really good season. All of it is motivation now, because it’s gone.

“And it’s about being upset but using it as fuel to be good for Tottenham this season and I’m desperate to be a top player this season for the whole season, stay fit and show everyone the best version of myself.”

Maddison was given a mixed reaction by Leicester ’s fans. But when he was substituted late on by Ange Postecoglou, he was given a rousing ovation.

He added: “I never ever doubt myself. There’s always going to be outside noise. Every player deals with that outside noise. I had no doubt that in the first game of the season I was going to be ready to go and put in a good performance. I felt like I did that.

“I did some of the build-up stuff well, maybe just been a bit more clinical with the final pass if I’m being harsh on myself. But I’m always self-criticial. I felt good out there. I knew I would be.

“Pre-season is pre-season but when the Premier League comes and the big games and it’s furious, it’s a completely different ball-game. But that’s where I thrive and I knew I would be ready.”

Spurs were Spurs at the King Power Stadium. Seemingly in control thanks to Pedro Porro’s first half header. A raft of missed chances to boot - and the whole football-watching world can guess at the pay-off line.

Jamie Vardy’s equaliser and then a few mad scrambles towards the end to protect a point.

Maddison said: “It was very frustrating. We should have been three or four up in the first half. But I know this place better than anyone. When they get a little bit of momentum, the fans here go with it. They get behind the team and we didn’t have as much control over the second half as we did with the first.

“If we were a little bit more ruthless in the first half, we could have been out of sight. But we should be getting three points at places like this. It’s Tottenham Hotspur so, no disrespect to Leicester, of course, but they are a newly-promoted team.

“We’re a big club, what we want to achieve and what we are striving for, we need to come away with three points, especially how the game went so it was frustrating to drop points.”

And what about whether it was the same old familiar story, the playmaker replied: “ The only important messages we need to listen to are the manager’s. We know what we are capable of.

“Nights like this - you lot in the media will get carried away about Spurs dropping points from winning positions but it’s all outside noise.

“It’s about what we do within the walls of the training ground and our stadium. It’s about blocking you lot out to get to what we want to achieve.”

Tottenham made six substitutes during Monday night's draw at Leicester with IFAB's rules around concussion allowing for an extra change.

Ange Postecoglou was seeking a winner in the final moments of the clash at the King Power and made a double change in stoppage time. Richarlison was bought on for Son-Heung min and Djed Spence for Pedro Porro - which took them to six subs.

Usually Premier League clubs are only permitted to make five during a game, but top flight bosses agreed to trial the IFAB recommended rules on concussion changes several years ago - with a view to adding extra measures to protect players from suffering neurological injuries after sustaining head injuries. They are also designed to ensure teams are not at a numerical disadvantage.

This means Tottenham, for example, were able to make a maximum of two extra concussion substitutes during a match, on top of the five tactical substitutions they can make, if a player sustains a head injury and has symptoms of concussion - which was the case with Rodrigo Bentancur.

The midfielder was knocked out after clashing heads with Leicester's Abdul Fatawu while attacking a corner with 20 minutes remaining - leading him to need oxygen. He would be replaced by Archie Gray, making his debut after his summer switch from Leeds.

The teenager came on in the 78th minute but, with Tottenham seeking a winner, Postecoglou also made three further changes. He bought Timo Werner, Dejan Kulusevski and Lucas Bergvall onto the pitch - before making his two stoppage time changes - taking them to six.

Tottenham though couldn't find the winner that their dominance, particularly in the first-half, perhaps deserved. Porro headed home a James Maddison cross to give them the lead at the break, but new signing Dominic Solanke will have been frustrated to miss certain chances.

Tottenham subs vs Leicester

Bentancur (Gray 78') - Concussion substitution

Sarr (Bergvall 78')

Johnson (Werner 78')

Maddison (Kulusevski 79')

Porro (Spence 90+2')

Son (Richarlison 90+2')

Jamie Vardy's second-half header ensured the Foxes got themselves a share of the spoils on their return to the top flight with the Tottenham boss left to bemoan his team's wasteful nature.

He said: "[It was a] disappointing outcome. Very dominant first half, really wasteful in front of goal. First 15-20 minutes we were very dominant, wasteful but you know at 1-0 there is always an opportunity for the opposition to come back into the game. That's what happened and we lost our way for 15 or 20 minutes.

"We lost our composure and the crowd got behind them, but again finished strong. [I'm] just really disappointed we lacked a little cutting edge in the front third, made some poor decisions, lacked some composure and didn't get the reward our football deserved."

Tottenham boss Ange Postecoglou has revealed Rodrigo Bentancur is “conscious and communicating” after his sickening head injury.

The Uruguayan midfielder was at the heart of a bruising collision with Leicester star Abdul Fatawu during Monday evening’s 1-1 draw at the King Power Stadium. The clash occurred at a corner, with medical staff quickly beckoned onto the pitch.

Bentancur received lengthy treatment and was put onto oxygen after appearing to be knocked out cold. He was then stretchered off the pitch to warm applause from both home and away supporters.

Postecoglou was asked for an update after the game and gave a promising prognosis, confirming that Bentancur was awake. Speaking at the King Power Stadium, the Australian said: “We've got to be very careful.

“The good news is he was up and talking. We'll let the medical team take care of that. I don't have a lot of information but I know he is up and he's communicating so he's fine from that point of view.

“But obviously a head injury and I'll leave it in the hands of medical team now. The key thing is that he's definitely conscious and communicating.

“Whenever it's a head injury and you see a player go down, I think nowadays we're always cautious in that moment and I don't know the actual circumstances but I know it was a head collision.”

Bentancur received a host of supportive messages in the aftermath of his injury. His club Spurs said in a message on social media: "We're all with you, Lolo." Leicester also rallied behind the midfielder, writing: "Sending our best wishes to you, Rodrigo."

Where will Spurs finish in the Premier League? Make your predictions in the comments below

Spurs are next back in action this weekend as they host Everton in North London. It appears unlikely that Bentancur will be able to play in that game regardless.

The FA’s concussion guidelines suggest that a player returning to play should not occur before 21 days. But as it stands, it remains to be seen whether the former Juventus star suffered from concussion at the King Power Stadium.

Should Bentancur be ruled out, that could see one of Spurs’ summer signings the chance for a Premier League debut. Both Archie Gray and Lucas Bergvall were introduced as substitutes at the King Power Stadium and could be an option for Postecoglou.

Wrexham's bid to bolster their attacking line-up has been dealt a setback as Tottenham have had a change of heart regarding the availability of Will Lankshear.

The Red Dragons' League One campaign has kicked off on a high note with a 3-2 victory over Wycombe Wanderers, followed by a goalless stalemate away against promotion contenders Bolton on Sunday. Phil Parkinson's squad also netted twice in their Carabao Cup loss to Sheffield United last Tuesday.

However, it appears that Parkinson is keen to bring another forward into the fold alongside Paul Mullin, Ollie Palmer and Jack Marriott. Wrexham were rumoured to be eyeing a loan deal for Premier League striker Lankshear for the upcoming season.

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As per GiveMeSport, Lankshear inked a fresh five-year contract at Tottenham earlier this summer and was anticipated to be loaned out, with Championship outfits Sunderland and Hull City expressing interest in his services along with the Red Dragons.

Nonetheless, the deal was put on hold as Lankshear joined Spurs for pre-season, giving Ange Postecoglou the opportunity to assess the young player up close. It now seems that the forward has persuaded his boss to keep him in the first-team squad for this year.

PA Sport reports that Lankshear will remain at Spurs as part of Postecoglou's first-team squad. The same outlet has revealed that the young Lilywhites striker, Dane Scarlett, who is currently on loan at Championship side Oxford United, and Alejo Veliz have been overtaken in the pecking order by Lankshear after his impressive pre-season performance.

The youngster is expected to provide backup for new £65million signing Dominic Solanke, who joined from Bournemouth after netting 19 Premier League goals last season. However, it's suggested that Lankshear's position could shift come deadline day.

Wrexham has yet to bolster their squad with a new striker during this transfer window. They will likely be on the hunt for other forward targets as Lankshear seems to be off the market and their current striker options are limited due to Mullin's injury absence.