The Independent

Yves Bissouma has been left out of Tottenham’s Super Cup squad against Paris Saint-Germain for disciplinary reasons.

Bissouma has been left at home after being late “several times” this summer.

It is an unhelpful distraction to Thomas Frank’s attempt to mark his debut with silverware.

Frank will take charge of his first competitive match as Spurs head coach on Wednesday at Stadio Friuli in Udine and could lift a trophy if they can upset Champions League winners Paris St Germain.

“I think for the team, for me, for everybody involved at Tottenham Hotspur, it’s a massive game,” Frank reflected.

“A great challenge and an even bigger opportunity. That’s how my brain works, I see opportunities instead of pressure or whatever. So for me, massive opportunity and we will definitely embrace it.

“My players, our players, they just won a big trophy six or seven weeks ago, so they had a fantastic experience of doing that and they want to win more.

“It was a great feeling, everything I heard about it, fantastic experience, so the players will be ready.”

Frank has Dominic Solanke available and will aim to mark his Tottenham bow with further cup glory after predecessor Ange Postecoglou masterminded Europa League success in May.

Even though PSG only returned to pre-season training last Wednesday following the Club World Cup, Spurs enter this fixture under-strength with James Maddison and Dejan Kulusevski long-term absentees and Destiny Udogie still sidelined.

It makes the omission of Bissouma all the more eye-catching and could spell the end of his time at the club given the Mali international, who started the Europa League final, is into the final 12 months of his contract.

Frank explained: “Bissouma has not travelled with the team because of disciplinary reasons.

“He has been late several times and the latest time was one too many.

“With everything you need to give your players a lot of love but also have demands and there also need to be consequences and this time there was a consequence for that.

“I will follow up when I come home. I will park it now because there is a relatively important game for tomorrow.”

Summer recruits Joao Palhinha and Mohammed Kudus are expected to make their debuts against PSG but Frank will largely turn to the squad that ended Tottenham’s 17-year trophy drought under Postecoglou.

Guglielmo Vicario was a key figure in their Europa League run and acknowledged how special it will be to play for a trophy in his home city of Udine.

“Personally, it will be an emotional day but as soon as we get close to kick-off emotions have to stay away and we have to be focused on what we have to deliver on the pitch,” Vicario promised. “It will be an amazing game and we need to be ready to win.

“We have set the tone and we want to repeat and to do it again. We have tasted the feeling and this feeling is amazing so we want to do it again and we have the opportunity tomorrow with another European final.”

Tottenham will announce their new captain on Wednesday after Son Heung-min left to join Los Angeles.

Ben Davies, Spurs’ longest-serving player after his 2015 arrival, added: “We lost Sonny and he was a big part of the dressing room and obviously a huge player for us.

“We are definitely going to feel his loss but ultimately the senior guys in this team have to be here to support everyone.”

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Liveupdated

Transfer news live: Liverpool dealt Isak blow, Spurs target Eze, Man Utd learn Donnarumma fee

Follow all the latest transfer rumours, gossip and signings

Just a few days to go until the start of the new Premier League season and club’s are looking to finalise any deals for new signings ahead of their campaigns beginning.

Liverpool are still pursuing Alexander Isak having sold Darwin Nunez to Al Hilal for £46.3m, which should open up funds for a bid but Newcastle have, so far, been resolute in their desire to keep the Swedish striker. The Magpies do not wish to sell, even if Eddie Howe has admitted it is tricky to see a route back for the exiled forward, with it now seeming increasingly likely the 25-year-old will stay put on Tyneside.

Manchester United, meanhwhile, have been handed a huge boost in their pursuit of Gianluigi Donnarumma, with the Italian shot-stopper now looking certain to leave PSG off the back of a stellar 2024/25 campaign. He was entirely left out of their squad to face Tottenham in the Super Cup, with Luis Enrique opting for new signing Lucas Chevalier between the sticks. It comes after United unveiled their new signing Benjamin Sesko to supporters at Old Trafford on Saturday, completing their front line overhaul this summer with Bryan Mbeumo and Matheus Cunha set to feature in a new-look front three for Ruben Amorim.

Spurs are also preparing to bolster their own forward line further by signing Crystal Palace’s Eberechi Eze. Palace want a fee in excess of £60m and an official offer could soon go in though Palace’s Community Shield win over Liverpool may now make a deal harder to negotiate. Thomas Frank’s side are in need of a creator following the long-term injury to James Maddison and are also in talks for Manchester City’s Savinho.

All the latest updates, rumours and done deals will be covered in the blog below:

Benjamin Sesko shirt number revealed

Benjamin Sesko will wear the number 30 at Old Trafford, according to Fabrizio Romano.

Will Castle12 August 2025 08:10

Gianluigi Donnarumma to the Premier League?

Gianluigi Donnarumma will “100 per cent” leave PSG this summer after being left out of their Super Cup squad to face Spurs, as per Fabrizio Romano.

Man United are reportedly considering the Italian who would cost just £26m, with a year left on his contract in Paris.

Chelsea, meanwhile, are not in talks to sign Donnarumma and don’t intend to make him a target, with the Blues said to be happy with their goalkeeper selection.

Will Castle12 August 2025 08:01

Crystal Palace ramp up interest for Bilal El Khannouss

Crystal Palace have intensified their pursuit of Leicester’s Bilal El Khannouss, The Independent understands.

Spurs and Newcastle are also interested in the Moroccan midfielder, who has three years left on his deal at the King Power.

Miguel Delaney12 August 2025 07:47

Tottenham back in talks for Eberechi Eze

Tottenham have reignited their pursuit of Eberechi Eze, according to Fabrizio Romano.

With the club in need of a creator following James Maddison’s injury, they have re-entered talks for the Crystal Palace star, rivalling Arsenal for his signature.

Spurs are also pursuing a separate deal for Man City’s Savinho.

Will Castle12 August 2025 07:46

Where it went wrong for Jack Grealish at Man City – and how Everton can fix him

They had achieved great success together before their paths diverged. The strategist might have envied the charisma of his ally but despite their different characters, men with a shared affection for Manchester City seemed in harmony with each other in the good times.

Then, suddenly, they were together again. Still, enough about Noel and Liam Gallagher. Pep Guardiola and Jack Grealish bumped into each other at Oasis’s homecoming gig at Heaton Park.

This, however, was a briefer reunion. They, it transpired, neither need each other nor believe in one another, not anymore. The Gallaghers may bring in a nine-figure sum for their second coming.

Where it went wrong for Jack Grealish at Man City – and how Everton can fix him

The Toffees will offer regular first-team football in the player’s bid to make England’s 2026 World Cup squad

Richard Jolly12 August 2025 07:37

The damage Newcastle’s disastrous summer could do to their wider project

It was as early as the first days of June that Eddie Howe and his staff feared this summer was going to be “a big problem” for Newcastle United.

The reason then was not yet failed purchases, the departure of sporting director Paul Mitchell or even Alexander Isak. Or at least just Isak. Newcastle already knew about the Swede’s ambitions to leave for months. Now, the same fears were growing about Tino Livramento and Anthony Gordon, with the added concern that any unrest could lead to more agitation in the dressing room. The mood was so foreboding that Howe’s staff even asked others in football about potential solutions.

It was a huge shift from the satisfaction felt mere weeks before, and the end of a season that was the club’s best in decades. The Carabao Cup closed that long wait for a trophy, bringing a sense of release around the club. The final-day qualification for a second Champions League campaign in three seasons then seemed to take that further; to embolden everyone, and afford the club the financial assurance to really press on. There was no longer a PSR need to sell stars like Isak.

Miguel Delaney previews Newcastle’s season:

The damage Newcastle’s disastrous summer could do to their wider project

Newcastle have become a laughing stock over how comically haphazard their summer transfer business has been

Will Castle12 August 2025 07:30

Richard Kone set for QPR move after fee agreed with Wycombe

Richard Kone has agreed to join Queens Park Rangers from Wycombe Wanderers in a deal worth at least £2.75m.

The two clubs are currently finalising add-ons, but the principles of an agreement have been struck in a coup for QPR to land the talented forward.

The 22-year-old also had interest from Leicester City, Preston North End and Toulouse, but has instead opted to join QPR, who have successfully sold their ambitious project amid a summer of hugely productive business at Loftus Road.

Richard Kone set for QPR move after fee agreed with Wycombe

The 22-year-old forward has opted to move to Loftus Road despite interest from Leicester City, Preston North End and Toulouse

Miguel Delaney12 August 2025 07:23

How Crystal Palace’s failed fight to stay in the Europa League unfolded

Crystal Palace have officially been demoted from the Europa League.

The Eagles thought they had secured their place in the continent’s second-tier tournament after defying all the odds to win the FA Cup - their first-ever major trophy - which resulted in them qualifying for the Europa League.

However, Uefa ordered the Eagles to play the Conference League, Europe’s third-tier competition, after breaching the tournament’s multi-club ownership rules, which do not allow teams under the same owner to compete in the same competition.

How Palace’s fight to stay in the Europa League unfolded

Everything you need to know about Crystal Palace’s European demotion

Will Castle12 August 2025 06:00

Crystal Palace to play in Conference League as appeal against Uefa demotion fails

Crystal Palace will play in the Conference League next season after their appeal against Uefa’s decision to demote them from the Europa League failed, the Court of Arbitration for Sport (Cas) has confirmed.

Palace had qualified for the Europa League through their stunning FA Cup victory over Man City, a historic first major trophy in the club’s history and one they followed up on with yesterday by winning the Community Shield.

Crystal Palace to play in Conference League as appeal against Uefa demotion fails

Crystal Palace have failed in their appeal against their European demotion

Will Castle12 August 2025 04:00

Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk criticises Crystal Palace fans who disturbed Wembley tribute to Diogo Jota

Virgil van Dijk criticised the small number of Crystal Palace fans who disturbed a silence in tribute to Diogo Jota and his brother Andre Silva before the Community Shield at Wembley.

The brothers died on 3 July in a car accident in Zamora, Spain, after a suspected tyre blowout. The tragedy occurred only 11 days after Jota, a 28-year-old father of three, had married his long-term partner Rute Cardoso.

Virgil van Dijk criticises Palace fans who disturbed Wembley tribute to Diogo Jota

A small group could be heard chanting during the silence before kick-off at Wembley

Richard Jolly12 August 2025 02:00

“He understands Rome wasn't built in a day. We haven't said to him that we want to win the Premier League this year,” Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy said on The Overlap with Gary Neville last week. He’d be wise to take on his own advice. Spurs head into another season with a new manager at the helm as Thomas Frank succeeds Ange Postecoglou at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium helm.

That’s not to say Postecoglou deserved a third season. It was a series that had run its course with a grand crescendo. Europa League success, while welcomed with open arms in north London, papered over a dire domestic campaign. Spurs, after all, lost 22 league games last season. It was the most by a team that was not relegated in a 38-game Premier League campaign.

Emotionally, for supporters, it was sad to see Postecoglou go. He was a father figure who routinely went to bat for the club. However, it was impossible to overlook the tactical shortcomings. Remove the rose-tinted glasses, and the stats outlined a team that lacked structure and was routinely carved open in transition. Ange’s gung-ho approach may have appealed to neutrals and rivals, who loved nothing more than watching Spurs crash and burn on a weekly basis.

The honeymoon period saw Spurs go unbeaten in the opening 10 matches of the Australian’s tenure, picking up 26 of a possible 30 points in the process. And 25 percent of the total points Postecoglou picked up during his reign came in those 10 games. Anyway, enough dwelling on the past, it’s time to look to the future, and for supporters to jump on “Thomas the Frank Engine”.

It's been a mixed pre-season for Frank and Spurs, and one compounded by a miserable 4-0 loss at Bayern. That said, Frank oversaw a “North London derby” win over Arsenal – Pape Sarr’s first half strike enough to secure the coveted Herbalgy Trophy in Hong Kong. Draws with Luton, Wycombe and Newcastle hardly inspired confidence.

Even so, supporters have welcomed a more regimented-looking Spurs side, with Frank implementing an aggressive, possession-based style of play. While Spurs would press heavily under Postecoglou, the team looks more in sync in a collective push to rob the ball of opponents rather than going forward all guns blazing, leaving gaping holes at the back as a result.

There has also been a greater onus on maximising the attacking qualities of full-backs Djed Spence, Destiny Udogie – when fit – and Pedro Porro. Under Postecoglou, the pair would invert into midfield to give the team a semblance of dominance in the middle of the park as they pushed higher up the park. Rather, Frank is relying on the offensive output of the trio as a means of hurting opponents, ensuring their strengths are capitalised upon.

To aid their impact, Frank is tasking his wingers with cutting inside from their respective flanks to open up space for the full-backs and create overloads down the right or left flank. Mohammed Kudus, Spurs’ marquee addition so far, has quickly won plenty of admirers, and understandably so. The Ghana international, who crossed the great divide from east to north London, ranked second for successful dribbles (92) in the Premier League last season, to provide the required directness that had been found wanting. For context, Spurs’ top dribblers last season were Dejan Kulusevski and Spence, with 38 apiece.

Considering Frank’s use of Bryan Mbeumo last season, the Cameroon international netted 20 Premier League goals, of which 17 were with his left foot, Frank is expected to task Kudus with a similar role. The Dane will certainly hope he can better his five-goal haul in 2024/25.

On the opposite flank, there will be a Son Heung-min-sized hole to fill, and Frank does have options in the squad. Wilson Odobert, Mathys Tel and Brennan Johnson, the latter of whom Frank wanted during his time at Brentford, all match the ‘cut-inside’ demands of the new Spurs boss, and in his favoured 4-2-3-1 setup, there will be ample protection for the flair players to work their magic in the final third.

The loan arrival of Joao Palhinha adds steel to a previously flimsy midfield, and the arrival of the Portuguese ball winner, who ranks third for tackles (300) since the start of the 2022/23 Premier League season despite leaving for Bayern last summer, will go a long way to ensuring the team aren’t caught out time and time again when opponents counter. Conversely, there are understandable concerns about the lack of creativity in the side.

Yes, Kudus is a great addition, while the permanent signings of Tel and Kevin Danso add strength, but three of Spurs’ top four most creative players last season have either departed the club or are presently sidelined. Kulusevski won’t feature again for the foreseeable future, having undergone surgery on his right patella in May, and James Maddison suffered an ACL injury in pre-season against Newcastle, hurting the same knee that forced him off in the second half of the 3-1 Europa League win over Bodo/Glimt earlier this year. It could be seven months before he returns.

Spurs either need to dip into the market for a replacement or rely on the likes of Lucas Bergvall or Sarr to shoulder the creative burden in a more advanced role than they are accustomed to. It’s not all doom and gloom for Spurs, however. Cristian Romero is expected to assume the captaincy with the club successfully warding off interest from Atletico Madrid for the Argentine, while fellow centre-back Micky van de Ven is likely to benefit from a change in system that’ll ease the burden on his chewing gum hamstrings.

Palhinha, while not a ball progressor some may hope for, is an astute capture in a previously problematic area. That Spurs don’t have a natural creator is a worry, though. The Super Cup meeting with PSG is looming and having been outclassed by Bayern, fans are concerned about similar, or worse, in Udine. It could prove a tough first season for Frank as he looks to build his own “Rome”.

Tottenham Hotspur ramp up preparations for the new Premier League campaign with a pre-season friendly against former striker and club legend Harry Kane’s Bayern Munich.

Spurs are building momentum under new manager Thomas Frank, with Burnley at home to open up the campaign next Saturday.

Frank suffered a major blow when James Maddison went down in a friendly against Newcastle in Seoul, with tests confirming an ACL injury, which will likely keep him out for more than six months. Spurs have also waved goodbye to another club legend in Son Heung Min, who has joined LAFC in a record-breaking MLS move.

Chairman Daniel Levy hailed Frank’s ability on Gary Neville’s ‘The Overlap’, stating: “Thomas is a highly intelligent individual, a fantastic way about him in terms of communication. He gets the style of football we want to play.”

Follow all the build-up, team news and match updates in our live blog below:

Tottenham midfielder James Maddison ruptured his anterior cruciate ligament in pre-season and will undergo surgery, the club has confirmed.

Maddison, a 75th-minute substitute, only played for nine minutes in Spurs’ pre-season game against Newcastle in Seoul before he was seen in visible discomfort.

The 28-year-old was surrounded by teammates and looked upset, with medical staff taking him off the pitch on a stretcher. New manager Thomas Frank said after the game that the injury was “brutal” and its severity has now been confirmed..

On Thursday, Spurs released a statement saying: “We can confirm that James Maddison will undergo surgery for a ruptured Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) in his right knee.

“His surgery will take place in the coming days and, following that, James will then begin his rehabilitation with our medical team.

“Everyone at Tottenham Hotspur wishes James a full and speedy recovery. We will be supporting him every step of the way.”

Maddison joined Tottenham from Leicester in 2023 and scored 12 goals last season. He also missed the end of last season with a knee injury, including the Europa League final victory over Manchester United, and Frank confirmed after the Newcastle friendly that he has injured the same knee.

The long and gruelling rehabilitation process for an ACL injury means that the England international is likely to miss the majority of the season.

Son Heung-min has completed a move from Tottenham Hotspur to Los Angeles FC in what is a record Major League Soccer transfer.

Son has officially ended his 10-year stay at Spurs, where he scored 173 goals in 454 appearances and led the team to Europa League glory in May.

After an agreement between Tottenham and LAFC was struck for a deal in excess of £20million, the 33-year-old arrived in Los Angeles on Tuesday and a day later he has finalised his transfer, which is the highest fee paid by an MLS club for a player.

Son joined Spurs in 2015 from Bayer Leverkusen. After a tough debut campaign the South Korea captain went on to become one of the club’s best ever players and made himself a Premier League great in the process.

Alongside old partner in crime Harry Kane, Son holds the record for the most goal involvements by a duo in the Premier League, with the pair assisting each other on a record 47 occasions in the competition.

The Chuncheon-born attacker also won the league’s Golden Boot award in the 2021-22 season after scoring 23 times and he sits 17th in the list of all-time scorers in the division with 127 goals.

Under former boss Mauricio Pochettino, Son’s consistent displays helped turn Tottenham into genuine title contenders but silverware continued to allude them after a second-placed finish in 2017 was followed by a Champions League runner-up spot two years later.

Whilst various members of Pochettino’s team left not long after the Argentinian’s winter departure in 2019, Son stayed to work under Jose Mourinho and Antonio Conte before he was tasked with leading a new era by Ange Postecoglou.

Postecoglou named Son as his captain in the wake of Kane’s high-profile switch to Bayern Munich and Hugo Lloris’ departure from the first team and after a roller coaster two seasons under the Australian, they achieved the holy grail together on May 21.

Son was consigned to a place on the bench in Bilbao for the Europa League final against Manchester United following an injury-affected campaign, but was introduced to make his final competitive appearance for Spurs to help them win 1-0 and end a 17-year wait for silverware.

It etched Son’s name into the history books as he became only the fourth captain in Spurs’ history to lift a European trophy after Danny Blanchflower, Alan Mullery and Steve Perryman.

The popular South Korean now departs for LAFC on a two-year deal, where he will renew acquaintances with Lloris and move to Los Angeles, which boasts one of the largest Korean populations in the world, ahead of next summer’s World Cup in the United States.

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James Maddison left Tottenham’s preseason friendly with Newcastle United on a stretcher with what appeared to be a serious injury after falling to the ground holding his knee during the game in South Korea.

Maddison appeared as a late substitute during the match, which ended 1-1 and acted as a farewell to Son Heung-min in his native country after the club captain announced he will exit this summer.

Maddison did not appear to make any contact with an opponent when he suddenly went down after chasing the ball and held his face in his hands.

“James Maddison’s injury looks bad,” admitted Spurs manager Thomas Frank. “It was a brutal moment.”

Frank also confirmed that Maddison had injured the same troubled knee which caused him to miss the end of last season.

The new manager is already without the departing Son and the injured Dejan Kulusevski, while efforts to sign Morgan Gibbs-White from Nottingham Forest were angrily rebuffed.

Mohammed Kudus has been bought from West Ham and Mathys Tel has been signed permanently from Bayern Munich after a brief loan spell last season. Spurs are also looking to sign Joao Palhinha from the Bundesliga champions.

Tottenham Hotspur face Newcastle United in the final friendly of the clubs’ tours of Asia just under a fortnight before the 2025/26 Premier League season starts.

Spurs arrive in Seoul off the back of a narrow win over Arsenal last time out in what was the first north London derby played outside of the UK, while Newcastle lost 1-0 to a K-League XI in Suwon.

Thomas Frank’s side are looking to continue their solid preseason preparations under their new boss ahead of the Uefa Super Cup final on 13 August, while Eddie Howe is still wrestling with a disappointing transfer window in which the Magpies have lost out on most of their key targets and also look set to lose star striker Alexander Isak.

Here’s everything you need to know ahead of the match:

When is Tottenham vs Newcastle?

The match kicks off at 12pm BST at the Seoul World Cup Stadium in Seoul, South Korea.

How can I watch it?

The game will not be televised in the UK, but subscribers can watch the match on the respective clubs’ own TV channels, NUFC TV and SPURSPLAY.

You can purchase a match pass on NUFC TV for around £6.99, while Spurs only offer an annual subscription to SPURSPLAY, which is £45.

Team news

Thomas Frank may be forced to leave out Dominic Solanke and Destiny Udogie once again after the duo missed the win over Arsenal, while James Maddison could feature after sitting on the bench for that one.

Newcastle are missing Isak, while Lewis Hall could sit this match out after an ankle injury and Sven Botman could be rested after also missing the match against the K-League side. Joe Willock also suffered an injury in that match, though the severity is not known yet.

July 19: Reading 0-2 Tottenham - Select Car Leasing Stadium, Reading

July 26: Tottenham 2-2 Wycombe Wanderers - Hotspur Way, Enfield

July 26: Luton Town 0-0 Tottenham - Kenilworth Road, Luton

July 31: Arsenal 0-1 Tottenham - Kai Tak Stadium, Hong Kong

August 3: Newcastle - Seoul World Cup Stadium, Seoul, 12pm

August 7: Bayern Munich - Allianz Arena, Munich, 5:30pm

July 19: Celtic 4-0 Newcastle - Celtic Park, Glasgow

July 27: Arsenal 3-2 Newcastle - National Stadium, Singapore

July 30: K-League XI 1-0 Newcastle - Suwon World Cup Stadium, Suwon

August 3: Tottenham - Seoul World Cup Stadium, Seoul, 12pm

August 8: Espanyol - St. James' Park, 7.30pm

August 9: Atletico Madrid - St. James' Park, 4pm

Next article

Liveupdated

Transfer news live: Newcastle bid for Isak replacement after rejecting Liverpool bid, Son makes Tottenham decision

Latest transfer news and rumours as Eddie Howe admits Alexander Isak situation is ‘far from ideal’

Tottenham captain Son Heung-Min is set to leave north London after a decade with the club, announcing the news in an emotional press conference ahead of the pre-season friendly against Newcastle in his native South Korea. “It was the most difficult decision I have made in my career,” he told reporters, but “I need a new environment to push myself.”

Tottenham are in advanced talks with Bayern Muninch to bring Joao Palhinha back to the Premier League and give the side a midfield boost while Arsenal are aiming to bolster their forward line by signing Crystal Palace’s Eberechi Eze. Palace want a fee in excess of £60m which is the amount of Eze’s release clause but the Gunners are running out of time to trigger it.

Newcastle United have rejected Liverpool‘s first bid for Alexander Isak as the summer’s biggest transfer saga takes another turn, with manager Eddie Howe saying the situation is “far from ideal”, while Richard Jolly reports that the Reds have decided against making another offer after their £110m bid was rejected. Though Newcastle are trying to tie Isak to a new contract that includes a release clause, he is believed to still be keen on the move.

Meanwhile, Manchester United are hopeful of securing a No.9 and are talking with RB Leipzig over a move for Benjamin Sesko. On the sales front, Jadon Sancho could be set to return to Borussia Dortmund and United are in talks with Chelsea and Aston Villa over Alejandro Garnacho.

All the latest updates, rumours and done deals will be covered in the blog below:

James Milner to wear number 20 at Brighton in memory of Diogo Jota

James Milner will wear the number 20 shirt at Brighton this season in memory of the late Diogo Jota, describing his former Liverpool team-mate as a “great friend”.

The Portuguese forward died aged 28 last month in a car crash, alongside his brother Andre Silva, just weeks after helping Liverpool clinch Premier League title glory.

Liverpool have retired the number 20 jersey worn by Jota in his five seasons at Anfield, three of them alongside Milner before the veteran England midfielder moved to Brighton in the summer of 2023.

“Once I heard Carlos was looking to change his number and 20 was available, I wanted to do it as a mark of respect and pay tribute to Diogo Jota,” Milner said on Brighton’s X channel.

James Milner will wear number 20 at Brighton in memory of Diogo Jota

The Portuguese forward died aged 28 last month in a car crash

Flo Clifford2 August 2025 11:30

Tottenham secure loan move for Bayern Munich midfielder Joao Palhinha

The Guardian reports that Tottenham have agreed to sign Joao Palhinha on loan from Bayern Munich, with an option to make the move permanent for £27m.

The paper also reports that the north London side will pay a loan fee of £4.3m and cover the Portuguese’s wages in their entirety.

Palhinha joined Bayern from Fulham last summer in a deal worth up to £47.4million, but endured a difficult debut campaign in Germany.

The Portugal midfielder struggled with injury problems and only made six starts in the Bundesliga when fit under Bayern boss Vincent Kompany, which has opened the door for a temporary move back to London with Tottenham.

Flo Clifford2 August 2025 11:10

Newcastle make bid for Benjamin Sesko

Sky Sports News reports that Newcastle have made an offer for RB Leipzig’s Benjamin Sesko.

It reports the offer is €75m (£65.5m) plus €5m (£4.3m) in add-ons.

The highly-rated Slovenian is also being pursued by Manchester United.

Flo Clifford2 August 2025 11:00

Luis Diaz reveals Florian Wirtz’s role in decision to leave Liverpool for Bayern Munich

Luis Diaz has opened up on the role Florian Wirtz had in his decision to leave Liverpool, a career move he admits he is “glad” to make.

The Colombian winger bid farewell after three-and-a-half seasons on Merseyside, signing for German champions Bayern Munich for a fee of £65.5m.

Liverpool had rejected a first offer of £58.5m before accepting an improved bid after Bayern maintained their interest and the former Porto player wanted to go.

His departure comes in the midst of a summer spending spree at Anfield, which has seen club-record signing Wirtz and Hugo Ekitike already come through the door as attacking reinforcements.

Diaz reveals Wirtz’s role in decision to leave Liverpool for Bayern Munich

Diaz wanted to leave Liverpool with Wirtz’s £116m arrival bringing further competition to the Reds attack

Flo Clifford2 August 2025 10:50

Liverpool make surprise decision over Alexander Isak pursuit after Newcastle bid rejected

Liverpool have decided against making a second bid for Alexander Isak after seeing a £110m offer rejected by Newcastle United.

The Premier League champions believe the swiftness and clarity of Newcastle’s response means it would be futile to up their club record offer for the striker.

Liverpool, who had made an inquiry for the 25-year-old last month, stepped up their interest in the Newcastle top scorer as they looked to take their summer spending up towards £400m.

But the Carabao Cup winners had long maintained their top scorer was not for sale and they immediately rebuffed turned Liverpool’s bid down.

Liverpool make surprise decision over Alexander Isak pursuit

The Reds admire the 25-year-old, but it is now unclear if they will revisit the situation after Newcastle knocked back a club record offer for the Sweden striker

Richard Jolly2 August 2025 10:34

Tottenham captain Son Heung Min to leave club for ‘fresh challenge’

Tottenham captain Son Heung Min has revealed he will leave the club this summer.

Son has spent the last decade at Spurs and achieved his goal of silverware in May when he helped the Premier League team to Europa League success with a 1-0 victory over Manchester United.

It ended a 17-year trophy drought for the club.

South Korea captain Son explained his decision to target a "fresh challenge" during a press conference in his home country ahead of Tottenham's pre-season friendly with Newcastle on Sunday.

Tottenham captain Son Heung Min to leave club for ‘fresh challenge’

Son had been at Spurs for a decade and led them to Europa League glory last season to end a long trophy drought

Flo Clifford2 August 2025 10:12

Liverpool make surprise decision over Alexander Isak pursuit after Newcastle bid rejected

Liverpool have decided against making a second bid for Alexander Isakafter seeing a £110m offer rejected by Newcastle United.

The Premier League champions believe the swiftness and clarity of Newcastle’s response means it would be futile to up their club record offer for the striker.

Liverpool, who had made an inquiry for the 25-year-old last month, stepped up their interest in the Newcastle top scorer as they looked to take their summer spending up towards £400m.

Liverpool make surprise decision over Alexander Isak pursuit

The Reds admire the 25-year-old, but it is now unclear if they will revisit the situation after Newcastle knocked back a club record offer for the Sweden striker

Chris Wilson2 August 2025 07:12

Newcastle reject formal bid from Liverpool for Alexander Isak

Newcastle have rejected an offer from Liverpool for striker Alexander Isak.

The Sweden international has told the Carabao Cup winners he wants to explore the possibility of a move away from St James’ Park and Liverpool, who had made an inquiry about the 25-year-old last month, and followed it up with a formal bid.

Isak would be expected to command a price of over £100m and more than the club record sum Liverpool have paid for Florian Wirtz this summer.

Newcastle had long maintained that Isak was not for sale, but Liverpool are testing that position and manager Eddie Howe has admitted his top scorer’s future could be out of his hands.

Newcastle reject formal bid from Liverpool for Alexander Isak

Liverpool made an inquiry about the 25-year-old last month and have now followed it up with a formal offer

Chris Wilson2 August 2025 07:00

Why Benjamin Sesko is now Man United’s top transfer target

Manchester United have made Benjamin Sesko their top striking target and have made contact with RB Leipzig about him.

United had narrowed down their search for a No 9 to the Slovenian and Aston Villa’s Ollie Watkins before deciding to prioritise a move for the 22-year-old.

Sesko is also of interest to Newcastle, who are looking for a centre-forward after missing out on a host of targets and with doubts about the future of Alexander Isak.

Why Benjamin Sesko is now Man United’s top transfer target

United are in contact with RB Leipzig after deciding to prioritise a move for the striker above Aston Villa’s Ollie Watkins

Chris Wilson2 August 2025 06:30

Underwhelming Viktor Gyokeres debut shows why Arsenal need him so much

A debut defeat and an outing that was underwhelming but left the sense he was underused may matter little. When it comes to competitive games, Viktor Gyokeres’s Arsenal bow will come at Old Trafford against Manchester United on 17 August. But as he donned their No 14 shirt for the first time in a game, Arsenal at least showed the need for Gyokeres, the forward who scored 97 goals in 102 games for Sporting CP.

The first north London derby staged outside the United Kingdom yielded a 1-0 loss to Tottenham, with Arsenal registering a lone shot on target, which Kai Havertz directed at Guglielmo Vicario. Gyokeres was limited to the last 20 minutes, including stoppage time, as Arsenal were largely toothless. The argument that they needed a specialist goalscorer is scarcely new, but perhaps it was underlined when they spent an initial £55m to acquire one.

Underwhelming Viktor Gyokeres debut shows why Arsenal need him so much

Gyokeres was limited to 20 minutes on a debut that saw Arsenal lose to Tottenham in Hong Kong

Chris Wilson2 August 2025 06:00