The Hard Tackle

Tottenham Hotspur goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario has been linked with a move away from the north London club.

The 28-year-old has been quite impressive for Tottenham since joining them and his performances have resulted in interest from other clubs. However, a report from Calciomercato states that Spurs have no plans to sanction his departure, and the goalkeeper is not pushing for an exit either.

There have been rumours that clubs in Italy are keen on signing him and bringing him back to his homeland.

He has already established himself as an indispensable asset for the London club, and it would be quite surprising if Tottenham sanctioned his departure. Vicario is the first-choice goalkeeper at Tottenham and London club would have to bring in a top-class goalkeeper before selling the Italian. It will be interesting to see how the situation develops.

The report states that Spurs would only sanction his departure if there is a substantial offer on the table. It will be interesting to see if any club is willing to break the bank for him.

Spurs will be hoping to secure Champions League qualification this season and they will look to push for trophies as well. They must keep their squad intact and hold on to their best players in order to succeed.

Tottenham cannot afford to lose Vicario

The Italian goalkeeper is certainly one of the key players at the club right now, and he has established himself as an asset for them. Tottenham simply cannot afford to lose someone of his quality. Also, he has a long-term contract at the club and Spurs are under no pressure to cash on him. Any club hoping to sign the player will have to pay well over the odds.

The Italian international is only 28 and he is yet to enter his peak years as a goalkeeper. He will be a long-term asset for Tottenham. It is not surprising that clubs are keen on signing a quality player like him, but a move seems highly unlikely in the near future.

Tottenham Hotspur have been linked with a move for the Canadian international striker Jonathan David.

According to a report from Inter Live, the likes of Arsenal, Chelsea and Newcastle United are keen on the striker as well, but Tottenham could have an advantage in the transfer race thanks to their connections with Fabio Paratici.

The Italian football director still wields great influence at the London club, and he has close contacts with the striker’s representatives. David will be a free agent next summer and several clubs are keen on securing his signature. However, Paratici could help Tottenham overtake the competition and get the deal done.

The North London outfit need to bring in a quality striker, and David would be a superb addition. He has proven himself in Ligue 1 with LOSC Lille and there is no doubt that he has the quality to succeed in the Premier League as well. He could be a key player for Tottenham and he could share the goalscoring burden with Dominic Solanke. The player has been linked with a move to the Premier League in the past as well, and he will be attracted to the idea of joining Tottenham in the coming months.

Arsenal, Chelsea and Newcastle keen as well

Meanwhile, Arsenal could use another quality striker like David, especially with the way Gabriel Jesus has performed. The Brazilian has not been able to score consistently and Arsenal need to bring in an upgrade. Similarly, Chelsea need an upgrade on Nicolas Jackson.

At Newcastle, they have been heavily dependent on Alexander Isak for goals. The Swedish international needs more support in the attack and Newcastle need to invest in a quality striker. David would improve all four clubs and it remains to be seen where he ends up. The striker is entering the peak of his career and he will want to join a club capable of pushing for trophies.

Tottenham have an ambitious project and a talented squad. There is no reason why they cannot help him win trophies in the near future. It will be interesting to see if Tottenham can get the deal done.

La Liga champions Real Madrid are reportedly tracking the progress of 17-year-old Croatian wonderkid Luka Vuskovic, who will join Tottenham Hotspur next year.

According to a report by Spanish outlet Defensa Central, Luka Vuskovic is the subject of interest from Real Madrid. The reigning La Liga champions are closely monitoring the progress of the 17-year-old wonderkid, who will join Tottenham Hotspur when the summer transfer window opens next year. The Merengues have labelled the teenage prospect as the ‘next Gvardiol’.

Who is Luka Vuskovic?

Luka Vuskovic is the latest highly-rated Croat to rise in prominence in his homeland. A native of Split, the teenage whizkid has spent most of his formative years thus far in Croatia, graduating from the youth division at Hajduk Split. The youngster’s exploits have compelled Tottenham Hotspur to secure an agreement to sign him.

With Vuskovic yet to turn 18, he will not complete his move to Tottenham Hotspur when the summer transfer window opens next year. In the meantime, the 17-year-old defensive prospect joined KVC Westerlo on a season-long loan deal, and he has been a regular for the Belgian outfit thus far in the 2024/25 season.

The Croatian wonderkid has turned ten times thus far for KVC Westerlo while chipping in with four goals and one assist, an incredible tally for a centre-back. Meanwhile, Vuskovic’s progress has not gone unnoticed, capturing the attention of several high-profile clubs, including Real Madrid, even before joining Tottenham Hotspur.

Real Madrid want Vuskovic

Newcastle United also wanted to sign Luka Vuskovic before Tottenham Hotspur came calling. Meanwhile, Real Madrid’s interest in the Croatian teenager is understandable, considering David Alaba might not be fit enough to return to action anytime soon, if at all.

The reigning La Liga champions have labelled the incoming Tottenham defender as the ‘next Gvardiol’. Considering the progress the Manchester City defender has made since joining the Premier League champions, his compatriot should become one of the best players in the world if Real Madrid’s projection is accurate.

However, prising Vuskovic away from Tottenham might be a tall order, considering the 17-year-old Croat has yet to make his first-team bow for the North London club. So, Real Madrid might have to remain patient to land the youngster.

Former Manchester United, Aston Villa and Tottenham scout confirms big interest in Southampton sensation Tyler Dibling.

Tyler Dibling is one of the exciting names in the market ahead of next summer as he makes the most of his opportunities in the Premier League. After an excellent start to the campaign under Russel Martin, the teenage winger has made his presence felt with some interesting performances.

A host of clubs have monitored Dibling’s performances, as Southampton’s potential relegation could spark a bidding war. The Saints are secure with his future following a contract until 2027, but they are eager to keep him with the project for many years.

Southampton are keen to tie him down to a new deal to quash rumours about an imminent exit, although his performances have shown he is ready for a higher level. Talents like Dibling rarely emerge in the market, meaning top clubs will scramble for the winger.

Former Manchester United, Aston Villa and Tottenham scout Mick Brown touched on the topic of Dibling and effectively confirmed that big clubs are interested in signing him. As reported earlier, Tottenham and Manchester United are among those interested, as Brown’s comments on Football Insider does state he could be on the move soon.

Brown said, “There’s definitely going to be interest in him. “Everybody I speak to speaks very highly of him, so we’ll see if any clubs act on their interest. “The major clubs in this country are always looking at clubs that might be going down and if they’ve got players who might become available.

“They’ll be looking at the young players at all of the struggling clubs and wondering whether they could snatch one if they go down. “You can bet your life there’ll be interest from all of the big clubs who will be watching him closely.”

“The same would be the case for any 18-year-old breaking into the first-team and doing well despite his club struggling.

“But I’m told clubs are definitely watching him and they’ll be considering making a move next summer.”

Dibling would have to make a big decision on his future as he may not look to drop down to the Championship. The winger’s suitors might have to make a big commitment towards signing him if the Saints go down at the end of the season.

There’s no indication of how much Southampton will demand for the exciting teenager, with the 18-year-old Premier League winger likely to cost a lot. Clubs like Manchester United and Tottenham may be prepared to sign the player for a significant fee, given he will have considerable experience in the Premier League by next summer.

Arsenal and Tottenham are in the mix for in-demand Shakhtar Donetsk playmaker Georgiy Sudakov, with other big sides also keen.

According to Football Insider, Georgiy Sudakov’s suitors keep increasing. Arsenal and Tottenham are in the mix for the Shakhtar Donetsk star. Manchester City and Liverpool are also keen on the 22-year-old in-demand playmaker, who will only move next summer, and that too for a huge price.

Georgiy Sudakov is making waves in the market following an exceptional start for Shakhtar Donetsk. He has seven goals in eight league games so far and might be inching closer to a big move away from the Ukrainian club.

Top teams have scouted him during the Champions League campaign, with Liverpool among those keeping a close eye on the player. Manchester City are also linked with Sudakov, who is currently seen as a potential replacement for Kevin De Bruyne.

Meanwhile, the two Premier League heavyweights could approach later on, but Shakhtar are not open to selling him in January; they will consider offers for the 22-year-old in-demand playmaker in the summer and will demand a huge price in return for their star, while they are also tough negotiators.

Meanwhile, Arsenal and Tottenham are interested in Sudakov, as the north London duo joined the race for the Skakhtar star. Overall, it does look like an intense battle brewing in the background, as Sudakov could have a choice of clubs seeking his signature in the summer.

Arsenal unlikely to pay big; Tottenham are an option

Arsenal are well-set in the attacking midfield area despite losing Emile Smith-Rowe in the summer. They have Odegaard as their primary creator, but Ethan Nwaneri’s rise could see Mikel Arteta persist with the teenager rather than signing someone new. The Gunners are also keen to give Nwaneri a new deal, which would secure that position for years.

Meanwhile, Tottenham could make a concerted move for Sudakov, considering they are keen to add a new star to that position. They are not extremely happy with James Maddison and could use someone else, with their list also consisting of Eberechi Eze. Should they fail with a move for the Crystal Palace star, the Shakhtar playmaker could be their next bet.

Aston Villa, Manchester City, and Tottenham Hotspur are reportedly scouting 23-year-old Czech prospect Pavel Sulc at Viktoria Plzen.

According to a report by Graeme Bailey on TBR Football, Pavel Sulc is gaining popularity in the Premier League, with several well-known clubs setting their sights on him. Aston Villa, Manchester City, and Tottenham Hotspur are keen on signing the 23-year-old creative prospect, scouting the Viktoria Plzen playmaker this season.

Who is Pavel Sulc?

Pavel Sulc has seen his stock skyrocket since establishing a foothold in the first-team squad at Viktoria Plzen. A native of Karlovy Vary, he spent his formative years in his homeland, passing through the academies at three Czech clubs and graduating from the youth division at Viktoria Plzen.

While the 23-year-old featured for Viktoria Plzen in two seasons, 2023/24 was his breakthrough campaign with the club as he was one of the most productive midfielders in Europe. Sulc has been hot off the blocks in the early days of the 2024/25 season, contributing to nine goals in 16 appearances across all competitions by finding the back of the net six times and providing three assists.

Meanwhile, the Czech prospect’s progress has not gone unnoticed, capturing the attention of several high-profile clubs across Europe, especially in the Premier League. The latest update has suggested that Aston Villa, Manchester City, and Tottenham Hotspur have scouted Sulc this season.

Premier League bound?

Aston Villa’s interest in Pavel Sulc is understandable. The Villans want a new creative midfielder, with the Viktoria Plzen playmaker emerging as a viable target. As for Manchester City, Sulc can be an under-the-radar signing amid uncertainties surrounding Kevin De Bruyne’s long-term future.

So, the 23-year-old playmaking prospect has emerged as an option worth considering for Manchester City. Meanwhile, Tottenham’s interest in Sulc is intriguing, considering James Maddison is the undisputed first-choice no. 10 for the North London club. Nevertheless, Sulc is a target for Tottenham.

Other European bigwigs, like Napoli, Atalanta, Marseille, Borussia Dortmund, and Bayer Leverkusen, are also interested in signing Sulc from Viktoria Plzen. It will be interesting to see if the Czech playmaker joins a high-profile club next year amid his links with Aston Villa, Manchester City, and Tottenham Hotspur.

Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur will aim to continue their unbeaten runs when they face off at Old Trafford on Sunday.

After an action-packed Saturday to kick off Gameweek 5 of the 2024/25 Premier League season, Sunday will be a lighter day, with only two matches on the menu. The proceedings on the day will begin with the game between Ipswich Town and Aston Villa at Portman Road before finishing up with Manchester United vs Tottenham Hotspur at Old Trafford.

Manchester United have endured another frustrating campaign in the early days of the 2024/25 season. The Red Devils have lost as many games as they have won thus far this term while considerably underperforming in the final third. While Erik ten Hag’s men are currently on a four-match unbeaten run, their finishing has been lackadaisical, to say the least.

As for Tottenham Hotspur, the cracks continue to show in Ange Postecoglou’s system, with the shortcomings contributing to a few underwhelming performances and results. The North London outfit lost two games to start September before embarking on a three-game winning run that has eased the tensions at the club.

The corresponding fixture last season saw Tottenham Hotspur twice come from a goal down to hold Manchester United to a 2-2 draw. The Hard Tackle takes a closer look at the encounter ahead of the latest meeting between the two sides.

Team News & Tactics

Manchester United

Erik ten Hag does not have any new injury concerns hampering his preparations ahead of his side’s latest fixture. The Manchester United manager will be bereft of the services of four first-team players vs Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday.

The Dutch tactician saw Mason Mount return from a thigh issue earlier this week. However, Luke Shaw (calf), Leny Yoro (foot), Tyrell Malacia (knee), and Victor Lindelof (toe) remain on the sidelines. Everyone except Yoro should be back in action next month.

Andre Onana is an automatic pick between the sticks, with Manchester United lining up in a 4-2-3-1 formation in front of him vs Tottenham Hotspur. The backline should feature Noussair Mazraoui, Matthijs de Ligt, Lisandro Martinez, and Diogo Dalot.

As for the midfield unit, Manuel Ugarte should get the nod over Christian Eriksen to be Kobbie Mainoo’s partner in the double pivot. The former Tottenham playmaker looked fatigued towards the end of the match against FC Twente and should get some rest.

Bruno Fernandes will reprise the no. 10 role, with Amad Diallo and Alejandro Garnacho being the two wide attackers. Finally, Joshua Zirkzee will lead the line for Manchester United against Tottenham, with Marcus Rashford and Rasmus Hojlund being backup options on the bench.

Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1): Onana; Mazraoui, de Ligt, Martinez, Dalot; Ugarte, Mainoo; Diallo, Bruno Fernandes, Garnacho; Zirkzee

Tottenham Hotspur

Like his counterpart in the Manchester United dugout, Ange Postecoglou does not have any new issues to deal with ahead of the trip to Old Trafford. The Tottenham Hotspur manager will be without two first-team players on Sunday.

Richarlison (calf) and Wilson Odobert (hamstring) remain on the sidelines, with both players likely to return after the international break. Postecoglou was sweating over the fitness of Son Heung-min, but the Tottenham captain is fit and available to take on Manchester United.

Guglielmo Vicario will take his usual spot between the sticks, with Tottenham Hotspur lining up in a 4-3-3 formation in front of him vs Manchester United on Sunday. The backline should feature Pedro Porro, Cristian Romero, Micky van de Ven, and Destiny Udogie.

As for the midfield unit, Rodrigo Bentancur will hold the fort in the middle of the park, allowing Dejan Kulusevski and James Maddison to carve out the openings. Dominic Solanke will spearhead the Tottenham attack against Manchester United, with Son and Brennan Johnson completing the numbers in the final third.

Probable Lineup (4-3-3): Vicario; Porro, Romero, van de Ven, Udogie; Kulusevski, Bentancur, Maddison; Johnson, Solanke, Son

Key Stats

After a run of four straight Premier League defeats vs Manchester United between 2021 and 2022, Tottenham Hotspur are unbeaten in their last three against them in the Premier League (W1 D2). The North London giants have lost 24 Premier League away games against Manchester United (W4 D4), with only Everton losing as many top-flight fixtures on the road against a single opponent.

Manchester United had a 20-game unbeaten run at home in the Premier League from August 2022 to August 2023 (W17 D3) but have lost seven of their 19 home fixtures since (W9 D3). However, the Red Devils have kept four clean sheets in their last six top-flight games, one more than they had in their previous 24 combined.

Tottenham have won three Premier League away games since November 2023. No ever-present side in the top flight during that time has fewer victories on the road. Meanwhile, the North London giants have remained winless in their opening three Premier League away fixtures in only one of the last 15 seasons (2019/20).

Tottenham have made 263 off-the-ball runs into the opposition box in the Premier League this season, with only Liverpool (282) exceeding that figure.

Son Heung-min has created 13 chances from open play in the Premier League this season, more than any other player (before the latest matchday).

Marcus Rashford has scored six top-flight goals versus Tottenham; only against Leicester City (eight goals) does he have a better record.

Player to Watch

Bruno Fernandes

Embed from Getty Images

While Manchester United have shown signs that they are turning a corner, the results have not followed in the last two games. Ironically, one of the biggest culprits for the Red Devils has been their best player in recent seasons, Bruno Fernandes.

The Portuguese international has attempted 17 shots in the Premier League thus far this season, more than any other player yet to score. There is a thought process that Fernandes might not be the ideal fit in the new system under Erik ten Hag. So, the onus is on the Manchester United captain to lead by example and deliver the goods against Tottenham.

Prediction

Manchester United 2-2 Tottenham Hotspur

The numbers paint a confusing picture heading into Manchester United vs Tottenham Hotspur at Old Trafford this weekend. The visitors have a dreadful record on the road under Ange Postecoglou, managing only three away wins since November 2023. However, they have won their last three games, improving with each performance.

On the other hand, Manchester United have played an eye-catching brand of football this past week without winning their two games. However, with both teams having vulnerable backlines and midfield units, an end-to-end affair might be on the cards. In the end, there might not be much to separate the two sides, with The Hard Tackle predicting a 2-2 draw between Manchester United and Tottenham.

Tottenham Hotspur are reportedly keen to land Benjamin Pavard in a deal for Inter Milan target Guglielmo Vicario.

Tottenham Hotspur are considering an audacious swap deal that would see Guglielmo Vicario move to Inter Milan, with French defender Benjamin Pavard heading the other way. The Italian club are eyeing a long-term replacement for current goalkeeper Yann Sommer, and Vicario, who has impressed in the Premier League since joining Spurs, has emerged as a prime target.

The Nerazzurri are keen to secure a top goalkeeper as they plan for the future. Yann Sommer, the current number one, has been solid. But at 36 years old, his time as a starter is limited. They see Vicario, who has adapted well to the Premier League after his move from Empoli to Tottenham, as the ideal candidate to take over between the posts.

According to Inter Live, Vicario is valued at around €30 million, and Inter are willing to meet this valuation. However, to facilitate the deal, they are considering including Benjamin Pavard as part of the negotiations. The French utility man, who joined Inter last year, has struggled to fully establish himself in Serie A and could be offered to Spurs to sweeten the deal.

Tottenham’s Potential Interest in Pavard

For Tottenham, the prospect of acquiring Pavard would address a critical area in their squad. The French international’s versatility and experience would be a valuable addition to Ange Postecoglou’s defence, offering options both at right-back and centre-back. Spurs have shown interest in Pavard before, and this potential swap could align with their squad-building strategy.

The North London club are aware that Vicario’s strong performances have attracted attention, and while they would be reluctant to lose him, the inclusion of Pavard could be tempting. With Inter’s interest in securing a top goalkeeper, this swap deal could provide a solution for both clubs, addressing key needs in their respective squads.

Inter Milan’s sporting director, Giuseppe Marotta, is known for his shrewd transfer dealings, and this potential swap deal fits his strategy of smart squad management. The Nerazzurri are aiming to stay competitive in both Serie A and the Champions League, and securing a high-quality goalkeeper like Vicario would be a significant move.

While Sommer has been a dependable presence, his age and contract situation—set to expire in June 2026—mean that Inter must start planning for the future. Bringing in Vicario would not only secure their goalkeeping position for the long run but also allow them to utilise Pavard, who is not seen as indispensable, as a bargaining chip.

A Deal That Benefits Both Clubs?

This potential swap deal between Tottenham and Inter Milan involving Guglielmo Vicario and Benjamin Pavard is still in its early stages, but it could be a win-win for both clubs. Tottenham would gain a versatile and experienced defender, while Inter would secure a talented goalkeeper to solidify their defence for the future.

Ange Postecoglou confirms he held an interest in Ivan Toneyu during the summer but preferred Dominic Solanke as a priority.

Tottenham entered the summer window in need of a striker, as there was a feeling that the club had not replaced Harry Kane, who left a year ago for Bayern Munich. The England captain was such a goalscoring threat for Spurs, and hence, replacing his numbers was essential, which may have effectively cost them a place in the top four.

Moreover, the dwindling form of big-money signing Richarlison has not helped, as the club might have placed too much faith in the Brazilian’s ability to replace Kane. However, the idea did not materialise, as he had a better season than before, but it was still underwhelming.

Either way, they needed a striker and went out to sign Dominic Solanke in a club-record deal from Bournemouth. The striker opened his account at the weekend against Brentford and could go on to have a good season. However, he wasn’t the only striker they were looking at during the summer window.

There was interest in Ivan Toney, with Tottenham reportedly waiting for his price to drop. Brentfords demands might have made it difficult to sign the striker, as well as his wage demands. While he has since signed for Al-Ahli for £40 million, that price might have been a bit higher for domestic teams.

Ange Postecoglou has now confirmed in his comments that appear on 90 Min that Tottenham indeed looked at Toney as an option. He insisted that, eventually, they only wanted Solanke as the striker who fit their profile requirements.

“We looked at him,” the Australian said. “But the reality was that Dom was the one that I wanted.

“It took the whole summer to get him in but he was the one that fitted the profile that we wanted.“

Toney has since moved to Al-Ahli, and there are sugegstions that he might have preferred to stay in the Premier League, but not many clubs came in with concrete offers. For instance, Arsenal were keen for a while, but some stories suggested that Edu Gaspar and Mikel Arteta did not like his character and fit for the team.

Chelsea also looked at him for a brief period as they continued to search for a striker, while eventually failing to land top target Victor Osimhen after a long, drawn-out saga. As for Toney, he will be happy to join the Suadi side as the money on offer there would have been difficult to turn down, considering the levels Toney has come from in the footballing pyramid.

Spanish full-back Sergio Reguilon has no future at Tottenham Hotspur under the leadership of Ange Postecoglou.

Sergio Reguilón has been surplus to requirements at Tottenham for a while now. He hasn’t featured for them in over two years and looked all set for a move away in the summer. He ended up staying at Spurs but according to a report from GIVEMESPORT, the Spanish international doesn’t have a future at the North London club.

Reguilon made a name for himself while coming up the ranks at Real Madrid. He had an impressive loan spell at Sevilla which helped him secure a permanent move to Tottenham in the summer of 2020. While he was an important part of their first team in the initial years, the 27-year-old has gone down the pecking order.

He has spent the last two seasons out on loan at Atletico Madrid, Manchester United and Brentford. While he has shown glimpses of the talent he possesses, the Real Madrid graduate has struggled for consistency during his loan spells.

With his contract running out in the summer of 2025, Tottenham were ready to sanction his departure during the summer. Multiple top clubs were keen and they even held talks with the Premier League outfit. But, nothing concrete took place.

Reguilon doesn’t have a future at Tottenham

The Spanish international has ended up staying at the London club but he doesn’t have an important role under Ange Postecoglou. After not being a part of their squad in any of their league outings, the 27-year-old was named in the squad to take on Championship outfit Coventry City in the EFL Cup.

He could have played a part in that fixture but Spurs didn’t have the best of days at the office. They struggled to dominate the proceedings and conceded early. More attacking options were added and the Spanish defender watched from the bench hoping to make his first appearance for the club in over two years.

These could be a rare occasion where Reguilon was spotted on the Tottenham bench as he is not in the plans of Postecoglou. They won’t offer him a new deal and with his contract running out in less than 10 months there is little chance of him staying at the club beyond the summer of 2025.

While he was a surprise inclusion in the squad for the game against Coventry, there is still a long way to go for him to be considered an important part of Spurs’ first-team setup. Despite subbing off first-choice left-back Destiny Udogie, the Australian manager decided against bringing on Reguilon which makes it quite clear that the 27-year-old is not in the thick of things.