Daily Star

Champions League winners PSG took on Europa League winners Tottenham Hotspur on Wednesday evening at Stadio Fruili in Italy in the UEFA Super Cup final

PSG dramatically beat Tottenham Hotspur on penalties this evening in the UEFA Super Cup final in a stunning comeback.

The game at Stadio Fruili in Italy finished 2-2 as defender Micky Van de Ven scored the first goal from a ball that was tipped onto the bar, only for the Dutchman to tap in the rebound. The result means that Spurs couldn't win their second cup in three months after winning the Europa League in May - their first silverware in 17 years.

Christian Romero scored the second goal after starting as the new captain for the first time since Son Heung-Min departed for Major League Soccer side Los Angeles FC earlier this month.

But Lee Kang-in managed to pull one back for PSG in the 85th minute before Gonçalo Ramos dramatically equalised in injury time and took the game to penalties.

The French champions won it 4-3 after misses by van de Ven and Mathys Tel.

With Son now gone, the Lilywhite's creative outlet had already taken another blow after James Maddison suffered a horrific ACL injury in a pre-season friendly draw against Newcastle in South Korea. The midfielder is set to miss the majority of next season following surgery.

Yves Bissouma was also another notable absence in the squad tonight - through his own doing.

Thomas Frank, who took charge of his first competitive game as Spurs manager, explained that the 28-year-old was being punished his persistent lateness.

He said: "He's been late several times and now this time the latest time was one too many. With everything you need to give your players a lot of love.

"There need to be demands and consequences and this time there was a consequence."

Despite a terrible campaign last season, finishing one place above relegation, Spurs won the Europa Cup final 1-0 against Manchester United in an under-par game.

The Parisians ended up winning Ligue 1 for the fourth consecutive time and the Champions League for the first time earlier this year.

Luis Enrique earlier admitted that Spurs contacted him in 2023 approached him with a view to appointing him as their manager.

"There were some options in the last six months before I came to Paris and Tottenham was one of them," the PSG coach said during a press conference in the build up to European final.

Tonight must be a bittersweet game for ex-Spurs boss Ange Postecoglou, who ended the team's 17-year trophy drought before being sacked.

The Australian has hardly been seen since his dismissal - but perhaps he won't mind too much.

He banked more than £7million and in recent days he was pictured eating out at a posh steak with a celebrity chef.

Levy reportedly paid out almost £4m to Postecoglou as part of a severance package and he also earned another £3.1m as a bonus for winning the Europa League. Easy money.

In a statement released 16 days after the cup final read: "Following a review of performances and after significant reflection, the club can announce that Ange Postecoglou has been relieved of his duties.

"We are extremely grateful to Ange for his commitment and contribution during his two years at the club. Ange will always be remembered as only the third manager in our history to deliver a European trophy, alongside legendary figures Bill Nicholson and Keith Burkinshaw.

"However, the board has unanimously concluded that it is in the best interests of the club for a change to take place."

Morgan Gibbs-White has signed a new three-year contract with Nottingham Forest, just weeks after Tottenham attempted to sign him in a £60million deal

Morgan Gibbs-White has astonishingly penned a new three-year deal with Nottingham Forest, despite a £60million offer from Tottenham Hotspur.

Spurs were under the impression they had activated a release clause with their bid for Gibbs-White earlier in the month, but Forest's response was one of fury, contemplating legal action against what they perceived as an unlawful approach.

The club was incensed that Spurs appeared to have contacted the England midfielder without permission and disclosed confidential details of his contract.

Despite Spurs hoping to push forward with the transfer, Forest dropped a bombshell on Saturday evening by revealing Gibbs-White had committed his future to the club with a new three-year agreement.

The club announced: "A central figure in Forest's Premier League resurgence and a fan favourite at the City Ground, Gibbs-White has underlined his long-term commitment to the Club by agreeing to fresh terms.

"This move reaffirms the ambition of Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis, who is intent on European glory and continued Premier League development, driving the club's trajectory."

Gibbs-White expressed: "I've felt at home at Forest from the moment I arrived. The support from the fans, my teammates, and everyone around the club has been unbelievable.

"I believe in what we're building here – and with the backing of Mr Marinakis and the enormous ambition he has, I want to be part of making something special. I'm excited for what's to come."

Forest owner Marinakis, seen beaming alongside Gibbs-White in snaps marking the new deal, remarked: "Morgan is a special player – not just in terms of talent, but character and mentality.

"He represents everything we want this football club to be: he is a winner, talented, ambitious, fearless, and proud.

"There was significant interest from various clubs, but we were determined to build our future with Morgan at the heart of it. I promised our fans we would not only compete, but grow stronger and stronger every season. Today is another big step in that journey."

The highly-rated Nottingham Forest midfielder, 25, will undergo a medical at Spurs as they look to bolster the squad ahead of their return to the Champions League

Morgan Gibbs-White is set for a medical at Tottenham Hotspur after they triggered his £60m release clause at Nottingham Forest.

The midfielder, 25, could be confirmed as Spurs' latest signing by the weekend with personal terms considered to be no issue as new head coach Thomas Frank looks to strengthen his squad ahead of the new season. Forest were under no financial pressure to sell Gibbs-White, having already sanctioned the £55m sale of Anthony Elanga to Newcastle earlier this week.

But once Gibbs-White's release clause was met, they had little option but to prepare for the departure of the England international.

Manchester City had also been weighing up a move only to cool their interest in the past fortnight.

Gibbs-White, whose Forest contract had two years remaining, moved to the City Ground from Wolves in August 2022 for an initial fee of £25m plus £17m in add-ons and Wolves stand to earn a 10 per cent cut from any profit made on his sale.

He was a key figure last season as Forest returned to Europe for the first time since 1995-96, scoring seven goals and providing eight assists in 34 league appearances.

But they fell out of the Champions League places late in the season and will instead participate in the Conference League.

Spurs are also pushing ahead with a move to sign Mohammed Kudus from West Ham for £55m with new boss Frank preparing for the club's return to the Champions League.

On Tuesday they confirmed the arrival of Japan defender Kota Takai, 20, from Kawasaki Frontale for £5m, having also made loan agreements with Kevin Danso and Mathys Tel permanent.

Forest, meanwhile, are expected to reinvest heavily in the coming weeks. They have banked £16.8m from the departures of Ramon Sosa and Andrew Omobamidele to Palmeiras and Strasbourg.

There remains a chance they could be promoted to the Europa League should UEFA rule in the coming days that Crystal Palace are unable to compete because of multiclub ownership rules relating to shareholder John Textor's majority stake in Lyon.

If Palace are blocked from the Europa League they could drop down to the Conference League.

But that is complicated by Brondby, who are owned by another of Palace's minority owners David Blitzer, already qualifying for that competition via the Danish league.

That ranking takes precedence over teams who qualify by winning a domestic cup competition.

In the event that Palace are denied entry to both competitions their bitter rivals Brighton may find themselves in the Conference League on account of finishing ninth in last season's Premier League with Nottingham Forest promoted to the Europa.

Harry Kane was a man in demand in the summer of 2023 when he finally left Tottenham, with Manchester United among those desperate to prise him away from north London

Ultimately, it was the prospect of trophies that lured Harry Kane to Bayern Munich.

During his time at Tottenham, Kane had established himself as one of Europe's elite forwards, attracting attention from all the top clubs. In 2021, Kane pulled out all the stops in an attempt to secure a move to Manchester City, even going so far as to publicly express his wish to depart Spurs during a golf game with Gary Neville.

However, it would be another two years before Bayern shelled out £100m to whisk him away from north London. Despite Bayern clinching the deal, Manchester United had been quietly plotting a move for the England captain over the years.

When Erik ten Hag first took the helm at United, the Mirror stated the Dutchman had earmarked Kane as one of his initial transfer targets. But the timing wasn't right for Kane, who had set his focus on becoming Spurs' all-time leading scorer.

Furthermore, if the England captain were to leave, it would have to be for a club ready to compete for major honours immediately, not one in the midst of a rebuild or transition. After surpassing Sir Jimmy Greaves' Spurs record the following February, United believed they had the perfect window to sign Kane.

Spurs ended the season outside the top four in a campaign that saw Antonio Conte given the boot, while United had just lifted the League Cup, reached the FA Cup final and secured third place. Kane had also boldly declared his ambition to smash Alan Shearer's record of 260 Premier League goals, hinting he's not keen on a move away from English football.

With City revelling in Erling Haaland's prowess and Liverpool snapping up Cody Gakpo, a switch to United seemed the only viable option within the Premier League. The situation looked more favourable than a year earlier when Kane was hesitant about joining United due to their woes under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and Ralf Rangnick.

The Red Devils had slumped to sixth place, marking their lowest points haul in 32 years and were also trophyless for the fifth season running. Kane's itch to leave Spurs was fuelled by his hunger for silverware, but at that specific point, Tottenham appeared closer to clinching a title than United did.

The England striker had resolved to only exit Spurs for a club that was a serious contender for major honours immediately, rather than one undergoing a rebuild. Despite a stellar final season at Tottenham, their eighth-place finish signalled that Kane's days in N17 were numbered.

Rumours swirled that Kane's agents had a "secret meeting" with Paris Saint-Germain chiefs, who were eyeing a deal. PSG's transfer guru Luis Campos was reportedly engaged in an "informal conversation" about Kane's prospects, as per Foot Mercato.

During that period, PSG were shifting their transfer strategy and aimed to offload Lionel Messi and Neymar to cultivate a younger and revamped squad. A transfer did not culminate, most likely because PSG were in a rebuild - and Bayern capitalised.

Amidst the swirling gossip of a potential switch to German soil at the time, former Liverpool ace Danny Murphy encouraged Kane to seize the chance with Bayern. Penning his thoughts for the Daily Mail, Murphy said: "If Bayern Munich come calling this summer, he should go. It would be hugely sad if a player of his quality finished [his career] without winning a trophy. It's something he himself would regret after retirement."

He added: "Going abroad might cost him Alan Shearer's Premier League goals record but, in the grand scheme of things, that shouldn't put him off. In five years, we could be talking about Harry Kane, Champions League winner with multiple Bundesliga titles and cup medals.

"I'm sure Kane will get other offers. Manchester United have been mentioned, but he hasn't got time to be part of a team that is building. If he was going to leave, it would be primarily to win trophies from the get-go, which would make Bayern his best option."

Kane disregarded any further interest from United to seal his £100m transfer to Bayern. The German giants then failed to win a trophy for the first time in 10 years, despite Kane hammering in a record haul of 36 goals and eight assists in his debut Bundesliga campaign.

However, Kane triumphed in the Bundesliga under Vincent Kompany's leadership, bagging 38 goals and providing 13 assists in 47 games on his way to his first major trophy this year.

Bryan Mbeumo is one of the most in-demand forwards in the Premier League, and amid interest from Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur, his previous comments may shed light on his next destination

Bryan Mbeumo previously expressed his desire to compete in the "biggest competitions" for "the best clubs" amid interest from Manchester United and Tottenham.

The Brentford star is tipped for a big-money move this summer following a stellar 20-goal season in the Premier League. The 25-year-old has had his most campaign season yet, having joined the Bees from French outfit Troyes six years ago for a then-record £5.8million.

Fast-forward to the current transfer window, and he's attracting whopping offers over £55 million from both the Red Devils and Spurs.

Earlier in the month, it seemed like Mbeumo was headed for Old Trafford, with reports indicating he had 'prioritised' a switch to United, and that agreeing on personal terms wouldn't be an issue. But Thomas Frank's departure from Brentford to take over at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium has thrown a spanner into United's plans.

With Frank now at the helm of Spurs, it appears he's keen to reunite with Mbeumo in North London. Tottenham have surged ahead in the race for Mbeumo's services, slapping down a hefty £70m bid – a clear £15m more than what United had on the table.

It's now believed that Mbeumo is 'more open' to remaining in London, and remarks from the player last May could give Frank's new team an advantage in the chase. Interest from elite clubs in Mbeumo dates back to the summer of 2024, when he netted a commendable nine league goals, attracting attention from Liverpool and Newcastle.

Mbeumo opened up about the transfer buzz around him to L'Equipe, saying: "I have spent five years at Brentford, at a club that has allowed me to grow and pass a milestone but yes, I would like to play in the biggest competitions, at the best clubs. It is tantalising to see some big clubs interested in me."

Despite the interest, the winger remained with Brentford at the Gtech Community Stadium last summer. His ambition to compete in top tournaments lends credence to Tottenham's current pursuit of his talents.

Amorim's United will miss out on European football next season after ending the campaign in 15th place, whereas Spurs are set to participate in the Champions League.

Tottenham's victory over United in the Europa League final, which secured their first trophy in 17 years and a spot in UEFA's premier competition, adds to their appeal. Mbeumo did specify, however, that his goal is to play in events like the Champions League with the 'best clubs.'.

Despite finishing just above Spurs in the Premier League this term, United boast a more illustrious history, with a joint record 20 top-flight league titles and numerous other honours that eclipse Tottenham's achievements.

Mbeumo himself has given few clues as to his preference, though a post on Instagram when it was announced that head coach Frank would be leaving was quite revealing.

The forward posted pictures of himself and Frank, captioned only with two prayer emojis, possibly hinting at a desire to reunite - or perhaps just wishing his former boss good luck.

Regardless, the allure of Champions League football and the prospect of playing under the coach who guided him to stardom could give Tottenham the upper hand in this bidding war.

Although United still cannot be discounted. The latest reports suggest that the Red Devils are relaxed about the persuit of Mbeumo, with a new bid for the Brentford star expected soon.

Manchester United and Tottenham are heating up their pursuit to sign Bryan Mbeumo, as the winger is set to leave Brentford in the summer transfer window

Bryan Mbeumo looks set to leave Brentford this summer with both Manchester United and Tottenham interested in his signature.

The 25-year-old has had a stellar season, netting 20 goals and providing eight assists, which has caught the attention of several Premier League clubs. United have been tracking Mbeumo since the start of the summer transfer window, as Ruben Amorim seeks to strengthen his squad for the 2025/26 season after a disappointing 15th-place finish.

However, their initial bid of up to £55million was turned down by Brentford, who value Mbeumo higher. Despite this setback, it's reported that United are preparing another bid for the Cameroon international, who has earned 22 caps for his country.

The situation has been further complicated by Thomas Frank's move to Tottenham. Frank, who spent seven successful years at Brentford, was recently appointed as Spurs' new manager following the dismissal of Ange Postecoglou.

With Tottenham finishing even lower than United in 17th place, Frank is eager to bolster his attacking options. Spurs made their first offer last week, which was reportedly higher than what United had proposed.

But United's pursuit of more firepower may soon get a boost with reports suggesting that Mbeumo favours a move to Old Trafford over Tottenham. The MEN reports Mbeumo has told those close to him that United is his preferred destination, despite Spurs' interest and the connection with former boss, the Lilywhites are reportedly "going hard" for Mbeumo.

United have already spent £62.5m on Matheus Cunha as Ruben Amorim appears to have the trust of Old Trafford chiefs to revamp the squad he took over from Erik ten Hag, and Mbeumo is seen as the ideal fit for Amorim's 3-4-2-1 formation.

Speaking on the transfer gossip, Mbeumo acknowledged the situation, telling Sky Sports, "It (the transfer speculation) is a bit new for me I would say. I think it can be the life of a footballer and you need to accept it.

"It's been my best season so far in the Premier League. And even collectively, I think we did play very good games. I think we've been unlucky to chase the Europe spot, but I think it's been a fantastic season."

Should Spurs miss out on their primary target, they see Bournemouth winger Semenyo as an attractive option, able to fill multiple roles in attack. After his brilliant 2024/25 season, where he notched up 11 goals and six assists, Bournemouth have reportedly slapped a £60 million price tag on their Ghanaian talisman.

Bryan Mbeumo is reportedly considering a move to Tottenham after seeing his former Brentford boss Thomas Frank take over in North London, but the attacker is said to have already agreed to join Manchester United

Brentford are turning the screws on Manchester United to cough up their £60million valuation for Bryan Mbeumo by allegedly entering transfer chats with Tottenham Hotspur.

Spurs gaffer Thomas Frank is set to persuade Mbeumo to stick around in London, banking on their solid six-year rapport at Brentford.

Earlier this month, The Athletic reported that Ruben Amorim's top transfer target had his heart set on a move to Old Trafford, despite rival interest from Arsenal, Newcastle United and Spurs.

However, Sky Sports suggest that Mbeumo has since warmed to the idea of a switch to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium under his old boss.

This news sent shockwaves through the fanbase, as United have yet to come back to the table after Brentford knocked back an initial offer of £45million plus £10m in add-ons.

But recent reports have cooled the frenzy. Sky Germany reckon that Frank will try to tempt Mbeumo over to North London after stepping into Ange Postecoglou's shoes.

That being said, it's believed Mbeumo has already given the thumbs up to a United move, even going so far as to verbally agree terms on his contract in Manchester, reports the Express.

The Red Devils are reportedly still confident they'll seal the deal eventually, adding the Cameroon international to Matheus Cunha in Amorim's forward line.

United announced the signing of Cunha on Thursday, snapping up the 26-year-old in a £62.5m deal from Wolves following a stellar campaign.

Amorim is also rumoured to be on the hunt for a striker after Mbeumo. However, a move for Viktor Gyokeres seems unlikely as the Sporting ace has turned down a reunion.

Alternatives linked include Napoli's Victor Osimhen, Jean-Philippe Mateta of Crystal Palace and Eintracht Frankfurt's Hugo Ekitike.

United's early emphasis on beefing up their attack is hardly surprising given they only managed 44 goals in the Premier League last season.

Mbeumo and Cunha alone netted a combined total of 35. The Red Devils' joint top-scorers, Bruno Fernandes and Amad, could only muster eight each.

Rasmus Hojlund only found the back of the net four times in the Premier League, while Joshua Zirkzee managed just three following his £36.5m transfer from Bologna.

Manchester United could be beaten in the race to sign Brentford winger Bryan Mbeumo as Tottenham launch a bid as Thomas Frank looks to reunite with the winger

Spurs have made a £70million bid in an attempt to outdo Manchester United for Brentford star Bryan Mbeumo.

The north London club's offer, which includes £65million upfront and £5million in add-ons, is £10million more than United's, according to the Mirror. New Spurs manager Thomas Frank is keen on bringing 25-year-old Mbeumo to north London.

Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy is eager to secure the Cameroon international as a marquee signing for Ange Postecoglu's successor. However, Mbeumo, who netted 20 Premier League goals for Brentford last season, still favours a move to United.

Frank hopes to lure him to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium with the promise of a reunion and Champions League football. The Danish coach has worked with Mbeumo since his transfer from Troyes to Brentford in 2019.

United have already tabled two offers for Mbeumo, the latest being a £60million package comprising £55million plus £5million in add-ons last week. Brentford rejected this bid, leaving the door open for Spurs to potentially clinch the deal with their higher offer.

At present, it seems unlikely that United will exceed the £60million they've already offered for their top target, Brazilian forward Matheus Cunha.

Despite the potential for change, Brentford believe they are justified in maintaining their £70million valuation of Mbeumo. Last season, only three players - Mohamed Salah, Alexander Isak and Erling Haaland - outscored him. His seven assists also played a crucial role in securing a top-half finish for the west London club.

Where United might still have an advantage is in terms of wages. The salary on offer at Old Trafford ranges from £150,000 to £175,000 per week, with bonuses potentially pushing Mbeumo's total package up to £200,000 per week.

To match this, Spurs would need to break their strict wage structure, with Mbeumo expected to earn around £130,000 to £140,000 per week. Even with bonuses, this would still fall short of what he could earn at United.

Mbeumo's outstanding performance last season for Brentford alleviated concerns that the club would struggle after star striker Ivan Toney left for Saudi Arabia on Transfer Deadline Day a year ago.

With just a year remaining on his contract, plus an option for an additional year, the Bees are resigned to the fact that Mbeumo feels his time at the GTech Stadium has come to an end and he is ready to move on.

OPINION: Tottenham have had their ups and downs when it comes to the success of managers, but there is one big thing all those who have been successful there have in common

Thomas Frank stands every chance of being a great manager for Tottenham and before you start getting angry, take a beat, the numbers back this up.

The reason I'm right is simple, there’s one big thing Frank has that puts modern history on his side: like the best managers at White Hart Lane in the Premier League era, he has great hair.

Hair? HAIR?! I hear you screaming from the office toilet you’re hiding in. I bet you’re fighting the urge slam the door of that cubicle just thinking about Spurs managers’ barnet, aren't you? Go on, tip the watercooler over I dare you, but you might want to listen to this first.

The fact is, of the 19 managers (or management partnerships) the north Londoners have had since the beginning of the Premier League, only four have had a win record of over 50%.

Let that sink in. Barely a quarter of managers in the modern era with a positive league record. Appalling. But that’s where the genius of Thomas Frank comes in, here's why.

In North London there is an undeniable correlation between the fame and consideration given to one's barnet (transplanted or otherwise) and results on the pitch.

Take for instance André Villas-Boas - he's known for many things: Coming from Chelsea, sure. Entering the Dakar Rally, maybe a bit more niche, but yeah why not. Thick head of hair? Big time.

You say ‘André Villas-Boas’ I say ‘good lid’. And the second thing I think of? Having a win record over 50%.

It’s undeniable, the man’s locks were and still are thoughtful and manicured, exploring boundaries between formality and playful unkemptness. No surprise then, that he had a 54% league win record at the helm in N17.

Coincidence? Maybe. But wait, there's more. Next in the queue with a 56% win record is the club’s best manager of recent years, Mauricio Pochettino.

He’s still used as the benchmark for others who have follow since. In Harringey, there are two main eras: BM and AM. Since his departure in 2019, every matchday chat on the Tottenham High Road, every spittle-laced shout in the ear at the Beehive or small talk in the local barbers has been in the context of “since Poch”.

What did he have, when you really think about it, beyond a humble affability and steely underdog softness? A thick mop of dark brown hair with a neat quiff even Jan Vertonghen would be proud of, that's what. (As an aside, it’s no surprise the likes of 'Super Jan' and Michael Dawson are club legends based on this metric).

Antonio Conte’s on this list too. Sure, he wasn’t a fan favourite, but with the second highest league record in the club’s Prem history (57%) those floppy locks seem hard to argue with.

Conte has the air of a Roman general, leading some far flung-campaign into the dense forests of Britannia, spreading the rule of Italia '90 into these barbaric, hooligan lands.

There have been some articles online about a possible transplant, although he’s never spoken about it. But who cares? He won a lot of league games, and when he did it, his hair was dense, a straight mop of results-driven endeavour.

And then there was Tim Sherwood. He’s 56 now but you wouldn’t know it thanks to his lid. It’s the envy even of school kids yet to feel the breeze creeping through the tops of their scalps, all effortless quiffs and easy-going mess. His win record? 59%, the best in the era, the high watermark for Spurs managers in the league.

Think about all that, really let it soak in, you know it makes sense. Then think about what Thomas Frank looks like. He’ll be alright.

Bryan Mbeumo has a big decision to make over his future as Manchester United and Tottenham battle to sign the Brentford forward in a £60million transfer

Ex-Manchester United goalkeeper Ben Foster has urged Bryan Mbeumo to opt for a switch to Tottenham over a possible £60 million transfer to United.

The tug-of-war for the sought-after Brentford forward has intensifies with the Red Devils already sealing a summer signing in the shape of Matheus Cunha from Wolves.

However, Tottenham are ready to disrupt the party as Brentford coach Thomas Frank is likely to join the Spurs as Ange Postecoglou's replacement next week and wants Mbeumo to follow.

Frank would give Mbeumo the assurance of working together, though United has had prolonged discussions with the 25-year-old to convince him towards a move to Old Trafford.

The Cameroonian footballer has a weighty decision ahead. Manchester United can offer more wealth, but Spurs have an edge over Champions League access and continued collaboration with Frank.

Foster has now jumped into the debate, proposing Mbeumo snubs his former club and links up with Spurs.

He has faith that the Spurs hold greater promise of a victory next season under Frank. Foster said on his Fozcast: "I would say that if you want to be part of something that's going to make you a better footballer and work hard and be part of a team, then go to Spurs with Thomas Frank.

"If you are happy picking up your wages knowing that there's going to be an awful lot more pressure, a lot more eyes on you, a lot more judgement and failure is just part of what they do, then you'd go to Manchester United," reports the Mirror.

He added: "I'm not questioning Bryan Mbeumo about his ability, about his mentality or about what he's like as a person.

"There's nothing to show me that I should have any worries about it. Whoever he goes and plays for, I think he would improve them and he gets into the starting line-up.