The Independent

Tottenham Hotspur have identified Monaco’s Maghnes Akliouche as a new target due to the lofty asking price for Manchester City’s Savinho.

In addition to the pursuit of Crystal Palace’s Eberechi Eze, Spurs have looked at the Brazilian winger, who was omitted from the City squad for the Premier League opener at Wolves last weekend due to an injury sustained in a friendly with Palermo, though the 21-year-old faces stiff competition this season to play every week under Pep Guardiola.

City can also call on Jeremy Doku, Phil Foden, Rayan Cherki, Omar Marmoush, Oscar Bobb and Claudio Echeverri to play out wide, though Savinho remains highly-rated by the club since joining from Troyes for £30.8m in 2024.

And Akliouche, 23, has now emerged as a viable alternative, having impressed for the Ligue 1 giants last term with seven goals in all competitions and also registering in the first game of the season, a 3-1 win over Le Havre.

City would want £70m to let Savinho go, a figure Spurs are unwilling to match, leaving the Londoners searching for cheaper options, though Monaco would be after €55m (£47.5m) to let their player go.

Savinho scored just one goal in 29 Premier League appearances last term, but did add eight assists, with Guardiola left unsure over his immediate future when asked after the 4-0 win at Wolves on Saturday.

“I don’t know,” Guardiola said when asked if Savinho would stay. “Tottenham in that case or any other club who wants a player should call the club.

“I am only concerned right now that Savinho will be with us for the rest of the season and hopefully many, many years because at 21 years old, with the potential he has, he plays a lot of minutes. He has to improve in the final decisions but he is an extraordinary player.

“Otherwise he would not have played more than 3,000 minutes last season.

“But in the end the desire of the players is above everything. Then they have to find an agreement with the club. If they don’t make an agreement, the player will be here because the club spent money on that player.”

Tottenham Hotspur’s move for Eberechi Eze entered into difficulties over the weekend after Crystal Palace’s request over the payment structure of the transfer.

The proposed deal for the England international is for £55m plus add-ons, with no compromise reached as of Monday morning over how the sum will be paid between the clubs.

Progress was made by Saturday, but negotiations hit a bump and have dragged into this week, with Eze featuring in the 0-0 draw at Chelsea and seeing his free-kick ruled out due to Marc Guehi’s proximity to the wall.

Palace want more of the eventual fee up front to ensure they can secure a replacement and also want that player in place before releasing Eze.

The fact that Eze played on Sunday showed the deal was not as advanced as had initially been anticipated less than 24 hours earlier.

Arsenal are also reported to be keen on the midfielder, who scored the winning goal in Palace’s famous FA Cup final victory over Manchester City last May.

The 27-year-old’s contract did include a £68m release clause, but that expired last Friday.

“As much as I know, Eze has a contract with Crystal Palace, he’s a Crystal Palace player and he showed it today,” said manager Oliver Glasner after the stalemate with Chelsea.

“As long as he is a Palace player and performs like this he will play for us. Nobody has told me something else.

“He was picked because he’s a Crystal Palace player and he’s a very good player. He trained the whole week so there was no reason not to pick him.

“The players are giving their answer (to press speculation) week by week. Last week winning against Liverpool on penalties (in the Community Shield) and here against the club world champions.

“Don’t always believe what you read, especially on the internet. And here it’s the same. Who knows that this is the truth, what is written? You’ve got rumours, so many rumours.

“I watch the players every day. If most of the things that are written about them are true, they couldn’t perform like this, they couldn’t be together like this, couldn’t be committed like this.”

Eberechi Eze will start Crystal Palace’s opening Premier League fixture against Chelsea despite strong links connecting the forward with a move to Tottenham.

The Independent understands that talks are progressing over a deal worth £55m plus add-ons for Eze to move to Spurs after a summer of speculation over the England international’s future.

Some difficulties in negotiations are thought to be likely to be overcome with Eze apparently keen on a move across London after suggestions of interest from Arsenal earlier in the window.

Oliver Glasner has opted to start Eze, though, at Stamford Bridge despite reports on Saturday suggesting he may exclude the 27-year-old from the squad.

"Marc [Guehi] and Eze trained well the whole week,” the Crystal Palace manager told Sky Sports. “Of course there is no reason not to start them.

"Don't believe everything you read in the newspapers."

It is a welcome boost to a Crystal Palace side that will hope to build on a strong season last time around that culminated in FA Cup triumph at Wembley. A European adventure awaits, though the London club have been demoted to the Conference League by Uefa over multi-club ownership rules.

It may be that the London derby on the opening weekend of the season proves Eze’s last in a Crystal Palace shirt. The forward helped the club to Community Shield victory over Liverpool last weekend.

Chelsea, meanwhile, hand Premier League debuts to summer signings Joao Pedro and Jamie Gittens in their forward line, with Josh Acheampong given an opportunity alongside Trevoh Chalobah in defence after Levi Colwill’s injury.

Thomas Frank had no concerns about Cristian Romero’s contract situation when he decided to make him Tottenham captain.

Romero has entered the final two years of his deal at Spurs and was heavily linked with a move to Atletico Madrid at the end of last season, but was named as Son Heung-min’s replacement on Wednesday.

World Cup-winner Romero started as skipper in the Europa League final triumph in May and once Frank learned of Son’s desire to leave Tottenham earlier this summer, he immediately knew who would take the armband.

Asked why he waited so long to name Romero, Frank explained: “There are a couple of things.

“The captain before was Son. Just as a small detail – I would have picked Cuti no matter what (once Son was leaving) – but he was still there. Also I know the players, but I don’t know them, so that was also part of it.

“I know I see a very big and very good player. What I like about him and why I have chosen him as captain is his leadership qualities on the pitch. There is a big respect for him from the players. Off the pitch as well he also sets the standards.

“I would say I’ve worked with him now closely for more than five weeks, I’ve seen a very, very committed player who’s trained very well.

“The staff have said to me they’ve never seen him train that well. He’s in a very good place. I see a player that will want to lead the team and push the team.

“I think when you name a captain, it’s because you think he’s the best that can help the team no matter what now and also in the future.

“It’s not really linked with the contract situation. Of course he’s a very good player so I want him to stay longer.”

Centre-back Romero has been critical of the club in the past, pointedly saying last December that the spending of Manchester City, Liverpool and Chelsea every year were “things to imitate” because then Spurs “could easily be competing for the title every year” with the “structure” they have in place.

On the same day Romero leads the team out for their Premier League opener with Burnley for the first time since officially being named captain, a protest will take place outside Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

Fans group Change for Tottenham state it has been a “summer of failure” due to “no clear transfer strategy, expensive ticket prices and a board they say is showing no plan and no ambition” – albeit chairman Daniel Levy targeted domestic and European success in an interview in June.

Much frustration centres on the transfer window, with only Mohammed Kudus brought in on a permanent basis to boost the squad from last season.

Frank added: “Without the fans, we are nothing. We play for the fans. The fans are hugely important for us.

“Personally I am really, really looking forward to tomorrow and to lead the team in front of the fantastic fans.

“We are going to face a Burnley team I have huge respect for so throughout the game we will need their backing.

“What I see internally I just see Daniel, Vinai (Venkatesham) and Johan (Lange) working night and day to do everything they can to strengthen the squad.”

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Djed Spence has signed a new long-term contract with Tottenham, just months after agreeing fresh terms last October. The versatile full-back has been rewarded for a fine breakthrough campaign at Spurs, which saw him make 35 appearances in the 2024-25 season, finally earning his full debut in December, two-and-a-half years after his initial arrival.

The 25-year-old’s journey at the club has been one of resurgence. After being labelled a "club signing" by former Tottenham boss Antonio Conte in 2022, Spence endured mixed loan spells at Rennes, Leeds, and Genoa. However, he successfully forced his way into the plans of then-manager Ange Postecoglou last summer, playing a significant role in the club’s Europa League triumph.

New head coach Thomas Frank has quickly placed his trust in Spence, starting him in Wednesday’s Super Cup loss to Paris St Germain. This latest contract extension solidifies his long-term future at the north London club, reflecting his improved standing within the squad.

Speaking in Udine before his new deal was finalised, Spence addressed the prospect of further transfer activity at Tottenham. With injuries to James Maddison and Dejan Kulusevski leaving the club short on attacking midfield options, it is understood that Spurs have opened talks with Manchester City and Crystal Palace regarding potential moves for Savinho and Eberechi Eze respectively.

"I’m not sure who has been linked or who is going to come in, but I think yeah whoever comes in will definitely add strength to the squad and will be a good thing for us," Spence admitted. He also expressed his anticipation for the Champions League, which Spurs will return to next month. "Yeah, (Champions League), it’s a great competition, it’s the big stage and everyone wants to show what they can do on the biggest stage, so yeah, looking forward to it."

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.

Manchester United have brought in a new forward line of Benjamin Sesko, Bryan Mbeumo and Matheus Cunha and have their sights set on more incomings. Gianluigi Donnarumma was left out of PSG’s Super Cup squad against Tottenham and will leave the club this summer while Ruben Amorim is pushing the hierarchy to sign midfielder Carlos Baleba from Brighton.

Liverpool, meanwhile, have agreed a fee with teenage defender Giovanni Leoni as they hope to bolster their defence. The club are also in talks with Crystal Palace over Marc Guehi and are pursuing Newcastle’s Alexander Isak. The Magpies do not wish to sell, but the Reds may be encouraged by Isak’s insistence that his Newcastle career is over, with it reported that he will not wish to reintegrate with the side, even if he stays beyond the deadline.

Elsewhere, Spurs are also preparing to boost their own forward line and want to sign Palace’s Eberechi Eze. The Eagles 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.

Tottenham have said they are “disgusted” after forward Mathys Tel received racial abuse on social media after Wednesday night’s Uefa Super Cup defeat to Paris Saint-Germain.

Tel missed a spot-kick in a penalty shoot-out, which Tottenham lost 4-3 after they had surrendered a late 2-0 lead to draw 2-2 after 90 minutes.

The France Under-21s international, whose loan deal from Bayern Munich was made permanent in a £30m deal in June, was targeted with abuse after firing his effort wide.

Tottenham said in a statement: “We are disgusted at the racial abuse that Mathys Tel has received on social media following last night’s UEFA Super Cup defeat.

“Mathys showed bravery and courage to step forward and take a penalty, yet those who abuse him are nothing but cowards – hiding behind anonymous usernames and profiles to spout their abhorrent views.

“We will work with the authorities and social media platforms to take the strongest possible action against any individual we are able to identify. We stand with you, Mathys.”

Tottenham led 2-0 until the 85th minute at the Bluenergy Stadium in Udine, Italy, through goals from Micky van de Ven and Cristian Romero before late efforts from Lee Kang-in and Goncalo Ramos hauled PSG level.

PA

Tottenham let slip a late two-goal lead before suffering shoot-out pain in Thomas Frank’s first match in charge to lose a thrilling Super Cup final against Paris Saint-Germain.

Set-piece goals by Micky van de Ven and Cristian Romero had Spurs halfway towards another trophy – only three months on from Frank’s predecessor Ange Postecoglou clinching Europa League success in May.

Champions League winners PSG, who only returned to pre-season last week following their Club World Cup exploits in July, produced a stirring response with Kang-in Lee pulling one back with five minutes left.

Substitute Goncalo Ramos forced spot-kicks when he headed home in the fourth-minute of stoppage-time to stun the north London club.

It was initially advantage Tottenham in the shoot-out when Vitinha missed PSG’s first kick but it was followed by Van de Ven and Mathys Tel failing to score their penalties as Luis Enrique’s men triumphed 4-3 on spot-kicks despite a fine display on Frank’s competitive debut.

This fixture marked Romero's first official match since being appointed Spurs captain, following Son Heung-min's departure, and he lined up in a back-three as Frank immediately stamped his authority.

Tottenham edged the opening stages before PSG attacker Khvicha Kvaratskhelia dragged wide to provide a reminder of his talent.

Chances remained limited until Richarlison let fly from 20 yards but PSG debutant Lucas Chevalier - preferred to Italy's Gianluigi Donnarumma - tipped over.

Mohammed Kudus, on his first start since a summer switch from West Ham, almost tested Chevalier again only for Marquinhos to come across to make a crucial block.

A sliced Van de Ven clearance presented a chance for Ousmane Dembele moments later but he fired off target and then Tottenham grabbed their opening goal under new boss Frank.

It was from a set-piece as Guglielmo Vicario's diagonal to the back post was headed into the penalty area by Romero and, even though Palhinha had a close-range effort pushed onto the crossbar, Van de Ven slid home to spark big celebrations.

A second nearly followed but Kudus' stabbed effort hit the post to ensure it stayed 1-0 at half-time.

Three minutes into the second half and Frank watched Spurs grab a second.

Another set-piece did the trick as Porro picked out the unmarked Romero at the back post and his header into the ground slipped through the hands of Chevalier in a moment he would want to forget in the homeland of Donnarumma.

Kevin Danso sent another effort into the side-netting in the 52nd-minute before Luis Enrique went for broke.

Last-ditch defending by Romero thwarted one chance before Van de Ven slid in to deny the lively Desire Doue.

PSG had the ball in the net after 66 minutes but Bradley Barcola's strike was disallowed for offside in a move which saw Danso produce a heroic block to prevent Fabian Ruiz from scoring after Vicario had saved from Doue.

Tottenham continued to be pinned back and, not long after Djed Spence blocked an effort by Dembele, PSG reduced the deficit.

Substitute Lee arrowed an effort into the bottom corner with five minutes left to set up a nervy finale.

Eventually the pressure told as Achraf Hakimi slipped in Dembele, who crossed for Ramos to head home the leveller in the fourth minute of stoppage-time.

Spurs were left crestfallen but gained two early advantages in the shoot-out when captain Romero called correctly to ensure spot-kicks were taken in front of their fans and when Vitinha sent his effort wide.

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PSG vs Tottenham live: Spurs begin Thomas Frank era with clash of European champions in Uefa Super Cup

Can Spurs upset the Champions League winners in Udine?

The Thomas Frank era begins in earnest for Tottenham Hotspur as they take on Paris Saint-Germain in a clash of European champions in the Uefa Super Cup.

A Europa League crown and long-awaited end to Tottenham’s trophy drought did not prove enough to save Ange Postecoglou’s job, leaving former Brentford boss Frank to pick up from the Australian and seek greater consistency domestically this season. It’s been an interesting summer for Spurs with Son Heung-min’s departure requiring the appointment of a new club captain - Cristian Romero will lead the side for the first time officially in the role as they face a tricky test in this traditional season curtain-raiser.

Having romped to the Champions League in such style earlier this year, one might have presumed that PSG would be a happy camp on the eve of a new Ligue 1 season, but the ongoing spat with goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma over his future - or lack thereof - at the club threatens to cause some instability for Luis Enrique. Most of the pieces that solved the puzzle of continental success remain, though, and will hope to add more silverware in Udine.

Follow all of the latest from the Super Cup with our live blog below:

Tottenham ready to beat Arsenal and sign Eberechi Eze after opportunity emerges

Tottenham Hotspur are aiming to seize a window of opportunity to beat Arsenal to the signing of Crystal Palace star Eberechi Eze, by putting together an acceptable package for Crystal Palace this week.

As reported in the Independent's 'Inside Football' newsletter on Friday, Spurs have ramped up interest in the 27-year-old after the injury to James Maddison, amid a widespread belief that the saga might finally come to a head by the start of the Premier League season. That would coincide with the expiration of Eze's release clause for this window.

Arsenal have long been interested in Eze, and are viewed as the Crystal Palace player's first preference, but the fact that no proper transfer bid has yet materialised means there is a chance for Spurs to move forward.

Tottenham ready to beat Arsenal and sign Eberechi Eze after opportunity emerges

The Palace hero, who struck the winner for the Eagles in the FA Cup final against Man City, has been strongly linked with Arsenal, but Spurs sense a chance to beat their rivals and land a major signing

Miguel Delaney13 August 2025 18:20

Tottenham midfielder James Maddison has undergone surgery after rupturing his anterior cruciate ligament in pre-season.

The 28-year-old was surrounded by teammates and looked upset as he was treated for the serious injury against Newcastle, 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.

Maddison has described the injury as the “lowest low” he’s ever experienced.

Will Castle13 August 2025 18:10

PSG evolution offers Tottenham chance to reignite forgotten reputation in Super Cup

They were European finals that could both be described as historic without accusations of exaggeration. Paris Saint-Germain qualified for Wednesday’s Super Cup by ending their long quest to win the Champions League, becoming the first French club in more than three decades to conquer Europe and, in their 5-0 demolition of Inter Milan, delivering one of the great final performances. It could rank with Barcelona’s evisceration of Manchester United in 2011 or AC Milan’s 4-0 humiliation of Barcelona’s Dream Team in 1994. It was a statement. It was unforgettable.

Whereas many outside N17 and the Tottenham Hotspur fanbase could be forgiven for trying to banish their memories of a May night in Bilbao. If the Champions League showpiece was an example of how football should be played, perhaps its Europa League counterpart was a demonstration of how it shouldn’t.

Spurs are entitled not to care about the carping. A club increasingly defined by not winning anything claimed a continental trophy, a place in the Champions League and, it soon transpired, a meeting with PSG in Udine.

PSG evolution offers Tottenham chance to reignite forgotten reputation in Super Cup

Thomas Frank guides Spurs in Udine with a chance to claim a trophy in his first match in charge against the European champions PSG

Richard Jolly13 August 2025 18:00

Will the Super Cup go to extra-time and penalties?

There is no extra time period if there is a draw in 90 minutes. If the scores are level after 90 minutes, the match goes straight to penalties.

Will Castle13 August 2025 17:45

Who are the current holders?

Real Madrid are the current Uefa Super Cup holders, having beaten Atlanta 2-0 in Warsaw in August 2024.

Madrid have won the trophy a record six times, with Barcelona and AC Milan winning it five times and Liverpool four.

Will Castle13 August 2025 17:40

What is the Uefa Super Cup?

The Uefa Super Cup is a match that pits the winners of the Champions League against the winners of the Europa League to decide the ‘best’ team in Europe.

According to Uefa, the match was “devised by Dutch reporter Anton Witkamp” for this purpose, and has been contested by the winners of these two competitions since 2000. Before that, the Champions League winners used to face the winners of the Uefa Cup Winners' Cup.

Will Castle13 August 2025 17:35

Uefa Super Cup odds

PSG win 7/15

Tottenham win 6/1

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Will Castle13 August 2025 17:30

Predicted line-ups

PSG XI: Chevalier; Hakimi, Marquinhos, Pacho, Mendes; Vitinha, Fabian, Zaire-Emery; Doue, Dembele, Kvaratskhelia.

Tottenham XI: Vicario; Porro, Romero, Van de Ven, Spence; Bentancur, Palhinha, Sarr; Kudus, Richarlison, Johnson.

Will Castle13 August 2025 17:25

Tottenham team news

Tottenham will be without playmaker James Maddison after suffering an ACL injury, which could see him sidelined for seven months.

Dominic Solanke and Destiny Udogie are doubts although were included in the travelling squad, while Dejan Kulusevski and Radu Dragusin remain out.

Joao Palhinha could make competitive his debut following his loan arrival from Bayern Munich, alongside Mohammed Kudus.

Will Castle13 August 2025 17:20

PSG team news

For PSG, last season ended just a month ago as they succumbed to defeat in the Club World Cup final against Chelsea. It means they only returned to pre-season on 6 August and have no new injury concerns.

However, they will be without star midfielder Joao Neves, who was sent off for pulling Marc Cucurella’s hair in that final defeat.

New goalkeeper signing Lucas Chevalier could start in between the sticks, with Gianluigi Donnarumma in a contract standoff with the Parisian giants.

Illia Zabarnyi completed his move from Bournemouth on Tuesday but may not be ready in time.

Will Castle13 August 2025 17:15