Football London

Tottenham icon Gareth Bale has secured a new role as a leading football pundit for TNT Sports in the upcoming season.

The ex-Real Madrid and Spurs star has inked a deal with the broadcaster to be a key figure in its Premier League and Champions League coverage throughout the 2025/26 season, as reported by The Guardian.

Bale steps into the shoes of Manchester United legend Rio Ferdinand, who departed from TNT after a 12-year stint, choosing not to renew his contract at the end of the previous season.

The 36-year-old has previously lent his expertise to TNT's European football broadcasts, reportedly impressing the network's executives with his insightful analysis of Spurs' Europa League final victory over United in May.

He will join Peter Crouch and Joe Cole on TNT's live Premier League coverage on Saturday lunchtimes, while Owen Hargreaves, Steve McManaman, Ally McCoist and Karen Carney are also part of TNT's punditry team for domestic and European matches.

This marks another significant step for Bale, who hung up his boots at the age of 33 following Wales' underwhelming performance at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar - their first World Cup appearance in 64 years.His illustrious career saw him earn 111 caps for Wales, netting a record 41 goals for his country and guiding them to three major tournaments.

On the club front, he kick-started his career at Southampton before rising to prominence at Tottenham Hotspur and subsequently securing a then-world record £85 million transfer to Real Madrid. After clinching five Champions League titles and three La Liga crowns in Spain, Bale hung up his boots with an MLS Cup triumph at Los Angeles FC, retiring as one of football's most decorated players with a staggering 18 trophies.

Bale's transition to a role with TNT follows his disclosure of ambitions to acquire Cardiff City, his boyhood club. The ex-Wales captain was part of a consortium that expressed interest in the League One side by submitting a formal letter of intent to Bluebirds owner Vincent Tan.

Despite reports suggesting a £40million bid had been lodged, sources within the club refuted such claims. Nonetheless, last month Bale announced that a "brand new offer" had been presented.

In conversation with Front Office Sports Today, the former striker shared his belief that a "more than fair offer" has been made, indicating he was awaiting the club's decision.

"It's exciting news," he revealed. "We have a brand new offer on the table, it's recently just gone in. We think it's a great offer, one that we're very happy with.

"We think it's very fair, if not more than fair, and it's something we hope the current owners will take serious. We'd love them to accept so we can take full control and get on with what we want to do and create Cardiff into a club that we know it can be."

He later disclosed to ESPN: "We are interested in trying to take over Cardiff. We have actually put in a great new offer that we hope we can get feedback (from). We think it's a very good offer for where the club is at.

"It's kind of out of our hands now and we are looking forward to seeing what develops with that."

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Tottenham could be set to add to their squad with the capture of Savinho from Manchester City. Thomas Frank is in need of some additions ahead of the new season and the potential arrival of the Brazilian would hand Spurs a big boost in the final third.

Talks are at an early stage and the hope will be that Tottenham can get a deal over the line for the 21-year-old. City completed the signing of the winger from French club Troyes on a five-year deal last summer and he finished his debut season at the Etihad Stadium with three goals and 13 assists in his game time for Pep Guardiola's team.

The player didn't have a bit-part role either as he started 36 of his 48 appearances for Manchester City. Mainly operating from the right flank, Savinho did also play from the left 12 times and he was also utilised as an attacking midfielder on occasions.

In terms of his playing career to date, it is an even split in regards to his position on the pitch as he has been played as a left winger on 58 occasions and as a right winger 57 times. The Sao-Mateus born player would certainly give Frank options and his versatility could prove key.

Last week, football.london reported that Tottenham want to sign a new No.10 and a senior centre-back ahead of the new season. Frank did also admit after the Bayern Munich defeat on Thursday evening that they could look to replace the departed Son Heung-min if the right opportunity is there in the transfer market.

"Sonny was a key player for 10 seasons. He has left the club. We have both good young players in Mathys [Tel] and Wilson [Odobert] and they are really promising and can perform," said the Dane. "Brennan [Johnson] can also play that side. As I said, we are in the market. If we think we can find the right one, one who can improve the team, then he will be signed. If we can't, then not."

Savinho revealed following his move to Manchester City last summer that he does prefer to play on the right, with the player also mentioning that he really likes playing from either wing and that he can also play in the middle. Tottenham are well stocked on the right side of the pitch with Mohammed Kudus, Brennan Johnson, Dejan Kulusevski and Wilson Odobert all options.

Odobert, Mathys Tel, Richarlison, Manor Solomon and Bryan Gil are then the choices on the left as things stand right now. Savinho, if signed, would add to those numbers and potentially be the starting player unless one of Odobert or Tel make the position their own.

Savinho may prefer to play from the right but his standout season at Girona in 2023/24 that resulted in his £30.8million transfer to Manchester City saw him dazzle on the left. In his 41 games in all competitions for the La Liga side, the Brazilian international hit double figures for goals and assists as he contributed 11 goals and ten assists in 41 games.

The addition of the ex-Atletico Mineiro man could see Frank name a brand new Tottenham front four for the new season. With Dominic Solanke leading the line for Spurs, Savinho would play from the left, Kudus from the right and a new No.10, if signed, would play between them.

Tottenham are extremely short in the No.10 position right now due to James Maddison's ACL injury and Kulusevski "out for a long time". Savinho's experience there may be limited compared to playing from out wide but he can be an option centrally for Frank.

Here is the front four Frank could use at Tottenham this season if Savinho signs:

Manchester City have entered discussions with Tottenham after being approached regarding a potential deal for Savinho. The Brazilian winger, who only joined the Blues last season, could be on the move again with Spurs showing interest.

According to the Manchester Evening News City are reluctant to part ways with Savinho, having acquired him from Troyes, a fellow City Football Group club, last season for an initial £21million in a deal that could rise to £33million. He was immediately integrated into the first team and frequently received praise from Pep Guardiola for his adaptation to the side, although he was advised there was room for improvement in his end product.

Signs of progress were evident at the Club World Cup, and Savinho provided an assist for Tijjani Reijnders in the 3-0 victory over Palermo on Saturday in City's final pre-season friendly. However, if Tottenham can negotiate a successful deal, it could have been the 21-year-old's final game for the club.

Despite City's hesitance to sell, Guardiola is not keen on retaining unhappy players and has generally expressed the need to reduce the squad size. If Savinho wishes to pursue a transfer, the club will not stand in his way.

However, they would demand a substantial fee for a player who still possesses immense potential and was one of La Liga's standout performers two years ago. It would require more than £50million for City to even contemplate a deal with Spurs or any other interested parties, the MEN reports.

Guardiola reiterated over the weekend that the Blues are unlikely to bring in new signings in the closing weeks of the window, with the focus instead shifting to departures. "A lot of players should leave. New players, I don't think so," he said.

"We need a little bit less. I don't like (lots) of players. One reason we sent Vitor Reis to Girona is for that. I love Vitor a lot and he has an incredible future but I don't want him staying at home every weekend. The transfer window is moving a lot and many things are going to happen. We'll see what happens and how we will handle it. We'll handle it as best as possible."

Tottenham went 17 years without winning a trophy but they have the opportunity to secure a second piece of silverware in the space of three months on Wednesday evening. As a result of their 1-0 win over Manchester United in May's Europa League final, Thomas Frank's men face Paris Saint-Germain in the final of the UEFA Super Cup at Stadio Friuli in Udine, Italy.

The French side are the overwhelming favourites to win the trophy after hitting Inter Milan for five goals in the Champions League final. Considering what PSG offer across the pitch and also last Thursday's 4-0 defeat against Bayern Munich, plenty of Spurs fans go into the Super Cup final fearing the worst.

Ahead of such a big season for the club as they look to build on their trophy success and get back up the Premier League table after finishing 17th under Ange Postecoglou, Tottenham have so much more to do in the transfer market. The club also have a number of players in the treatment room at present, with James Maddison the latest to join the lengthy list after rupturing the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee in the team's friendly against Newcastle United eight days ago.

The Tottenham squad is certainly not in the best possible place for Wednesday's final but Frank will be hoping to mastermind a victory in his first competitive match in charge of the club since departing Brentford in June. As the Super Cup final is a UEFA competition, UEFA's squad registration rules apply for Wednesday's game in Udine.

As ever, clubs can name no more than 25 players on List A. As a minimum, eight places are reserved for locally-trained players and no club can have more than four association-trained players in those eight spots on List A (all of which is explained right here).

There is then List B for players born on or after January 1, 2004 and who have been eligible to play for the club for any uninterrupted period of two years since their 15th birthday – or for a total of three consecutive years with a maximum of one loan period to a club from the same association for a period not longer than one year.

As per Article 20:09 in the regulations of the UEFA Super Cup, List A had to be submitted online by 5 August 2025 (24:00 CET(11pm UK)). However, this list may be amended at any time until 24:00 CET (11pm UK) the day before the match, provided that the club’s association confirms in writing that the new players are eligible to play at domestic level by the date of the competition.

Each club is entitled to register an unlimited number of players on List B. The list must be submitted by no later than 24.00 CET (11pm UK) on the day before the match in question. As List A had to be submitted online last week, the official squad lists for both Tottenham and PSG are now on the UEFA website.

Spurs have a total of 22 players on their list, with not a single player on List B as things stand right now. As expected, there is no place for injured sextet Maddison, Radu Dragusin, Dejan Kulusevski, Manor Solomon, Bryan Gil and Kota Takai.

Dane Scarlett and Luka Vuskovic, who have both been made available for loan this season, are also not part of the squad list. Amid question marks over exact return dates for Dominic Solanke and Destiny Udogie due to ankle and knee injuries respectively, both are included on Tottenham's squad list for Wednesday's game.

Here are the 22 players on the official squad list submitted by Tottenham for the UEFA Super Cup final:

Goalkeepers: Guglielmo Vicario, Antonin Kinsky, Brandon Austin

Defenders: Pedro Porro, Djed Spence, Cristian Romero, Micky van de Ven, Kevin Danso, Destiny Udogie, Ben Davies.

Midfielders: Joao Palhinha, Yves Bissouma, Archie Gray, Rodrigo Bentancur, Lucas Bergvall, Pape Matar Sarr.

Paris Saint-Germain will be without a key player for their UEFA Super Cup clash against Tottenham on Wednesday evening with some important suspension rules now clarified.

For the opening clash of their respective 2025/26 seasons, the Europa League winners are set to meet Luis Enrique's side in Italy. The Champions League holders have endured a very different pre-season to Spurs with this being their first game since mid-July due to their participation in the Club World Cup.

PSG were denied a second trophy in as many months by Chelsea with some unsavoury scenes late into the game taking the headlines. Enrique was captured pushing Joao Pedro in the face after Joao Neves was shown a straight red card for pulling Marc Cucurella's hair.

The consequences of that dismissal were unclear with the next edition of the tournament not due to take place for another four years. Their next fixture being on the European stage saw questions asked over whether or not the Portugal international would be able to feature.

With just a few days until the showpiece final takes place, an answer has finally arrived. According to RMC Sport, Neves is suspended for the clash against Spurs and the Parisians Ligue 1 opener away to Nantes.

While that is far from ideal for Enrique, he has a number of options who can replace Neves. Spurs boss Thomas Frank is facing a dilemma of his own in midfield with Dejan Kulusevski and James Maddison both unavailable through injury.

Pape Sarr has performed well in the No.10 role during pre-season while Lucas Bergvall has also thrown his hat in the ring to solve Spurs' creativity problems. Frank is dealing with other injury concerns across the pitch but his latest update suggests at least some positive news should arrive soon.

"I think it's three different cases. I think Dom (Solanke) is quite soon that he'll be available," he admitted following the 4-0 defeat to Bayern Munich earlier this week.

"Destiny we'll know more about in the next couple of days. in terms of how it looks in detail and Kulusevski is out for a long time, which I spoke about before."

Spurs will also be without Son Heung-min following his transfer to LAFC and though Frank has confirmed a replacement and new attacking midfielder are being considered, it is unlikely either arrive before the PSG clash.

"We are definitely in the market in general," he said. "Of course, when players get a long-term injury we need to look into that, but generally we are in the market, yes.

"Nobody feels close or far away. I'm not saying anything before there's anything that is completely 100%." On potentially replacing Son, Frank added: "As I said, we are in the market. If we think we can find the right one, one who can improve the team, then he will be signed. If we can't, then not."

PSG, meanwhile, have wrapped up two big deals in the last week with goalkeeper Lucas Chevalier joining from Lille and an agreement finally reached for Bournemouth's Illia Zabarnyi.

Tottenham target Harvey Elliot has agreed personal terms to join RB Leipzig from Liverpool as the German club target a Xavi Simons replacement, it has been claimed.

The Netherlands international has been in talks to join Chelsea for the last few weeks with some delay around the deal arriving as his club' focus was on Benjamin Sesko's future with him joining Manchester United. The Blues also pursuing Alejandro Garnacho may have impacted negotiations as well.

Nonetheless, both are expected to seal a Stamford Bridge switch with Leipzig wasting no time in identifying Elliot as their top target to replace Simons.

The 22-year-old is in search of more regular senior minutes and now certainly seems to be best time for him to depart with Arne Slot in the process of completing a huge rebuild and his performances as captain in England under-21s European championships victory increasing his asking price.

According to the Sunday Mirror, Liverpool want £50 million to sanction a departure with further talks between both parties now likely after the attacking midfielder agreed terms on a four-year deal to join Ole Werner's side.

Tottenham are on the hunt for a new No.10 that can also play out wide with Elliot not pursued after initial talks, as per The Times.

Leicester City's Bilal El Khannouss has also been monitored with Eberechi Eze of Crystal Palace and AS Monaco's Maghnes Akliouche firmly on the club's radar.

Bringing in another creative option was not seen as an obvious priority until James Maddison picked up a serious knee injury during pre-season with Thomas Frank admitting as such after the heavy defeat to Bayern Munich earlier this week.

"We are definitely in the market in general," he said during a press conference. "Of course, when players get a long-term injury we need to look into that, but generally we are in the market, yes.

"Nobody feels close or far away. I'm not saying anything before there's anything that is completely 100%."

Spurs' season kicks off a few days before the majority of other Premier League teams as their Europa League triumph back in May sees them face European champions Paris Saint-Germain in the UEFA Super Cup on Wednesday in Italy.

A new signing arriving before then currently looks extremely unlikely with their Premier League campaign getting underway at home to Burnley just a few days later.

We are now only three days away from Tottenham Hotspur playing their first competitive game of the 2025/26 season. After some mixed results in pre-season, including a 1-0 win over Arsenal and 4-0 defeat at Bayern Munich, Spurs will be looking to win the UEFA Super Cup final against Paris Saint-Germain in Udine, Italy on Wednesday evening.

After their showdown against the Champions League holders, Thomas Frank's side begin the new Premier League campaign at home to Burnley on Saturday afternoon. Spurs fans have made it clear throughout pre-season that the club have so much more to do in the transfer market to ensure they are ready for a big year after finishing 17th in 2024/25.

So, with the new season just days away, we have taken a look at the transfers - both incomings and outgoings - Johan Lange and Tottenham need to finalise before the transfer window closes on Monday, September 1.

New No.10

A new No.10 is on Tottenham's shopping list for the 2025/26 season. There are a real lack of options in that area of the pitch right now with James Maddison and Dejan Kulusevski both in the treatment room and the club's move for Morgan Gibbs-White falling apart.

At present, Lucas Bergvall or Pape Matar Sarr could be set to play more advanced unless one of Mohammed Kudus or Wilson Odobert is moved into the middle. A new attacking midfielder is a priority for Spurs, with Eberechi Eze of Crystal Palace the player all fans want.

New centre-back

football.london also revealed earlier in the week that Frank wants a new senior centre-back to add to his numbers for the season. It perhaps isn't a surprise given how much football first-choice duo Cristian Romero and Micky van de Ven missed last campaign.

Tottenham are well stocked there at the minute but one more addition could prove vital considering the amount of games they are going to have on the agenda across four competitions.

Son replacement

Son Heung-min is no longer a Tottenham player after this week completing a move to MLS side LAFC. The club have one huge task on their hands trying to replace the South Korean considering the amount of goals, assists and big performances he delivered regularly.

Speaking after the 4-0 humbling against Bayern Munich, Frank admitted that Tottenham will attempt to sign another winger if the right opportunity arises in the transfer market.

"Sonny was a key player for 10 seasons. He has left the club. We have both good young players in Mathys [Tel] and Wilson [Odobert] and they are really promising and can perform," said Frank. "Brennan [Johnson] can also play that side. As I said, we are in the market. If we think we can find the right one, one who can improve the team, then he will be signed. If we can't, then not."

Scarlett loan

Dane Scarlett was one of three youngsters left out of Tottenham's squad for their pre-season tour of Asia to explore a loan move elsewhere. The striker has yet to get his temporary move away from Tottenham Hotspur Stadium and the hope will be that he can secure a loan switch ASAP.

The striker's previous loan moves have not gone to plan and the academy ace really needs to hit the goal trail this term if he is to have a long-term future in N17.

Vuskovic loan

Luka Vuskovic is now officially a Tottenham player but he looks set to be playing his football elsewhere this season. The Croat has really made an impression with Radomiak Radom and Westerlo previously and a third loan move is on the cards to help aid his development even further.

football.london reported last week that the teenager has been made available for loan.

Gil exit

Bryan Gil is working his way back to fitness at present after suffering a knee injury during his loan spell with Girona. The Spaniard clearly has no future at Tottenham and the club must find a permanent transfer for him before the summer market draws to a conclusion.

The 24-year-old's contract ends next summer and Spurs will not want to lose him for nothing.

Solomon decision

A seventh Tottenham transfer before the summer deadline could involve Manor Solomon. The winger was in sensational form for Leeds United in the Championship last season but he has not played for Spurs so far this summer due to injury.

Time may be running out for the Israel international to make his case to Frank as Spurs' pre-season games are over and their competitive fixtures start on Wednesday when they play Paris Saint-Germain in the UEFA Super Cup final.

Former Tottenham Hotspur star Son Heung-min made an immediate impact for LAFC on his debut for the MLS side

The 33-year-old completed a move to LAFC on Wednesday, with the South Korea international penning an emotional goodbye message to Spurs supporters. It's believed the fee paid to Tottenham is more than £20million, which is an MLS record.

Son made his highly anticipated debut for his new side as the club drew 2-2 with the Chicago Fire on Saturday. Just three days after being announced as the club’s latest signing he made his debut in Illinois, entering the game in the 61st minute as a late substitute.

The scores were level at 1-1 when the 33-year-old entered, but Chicago soon pulled ahead through Jonathan Bamba. Son helped the visitors hit back, drawing a penalty from Chicago defender Carlos Teran, which Denis Bouanga converted for the 81st-minute equaliser.

The forward then nearly stole the win for LAFC in stoppage time, only to be denied by a last-ditch sliding block. “I really enjoyed it,” Son said after making his LA debut, as per mlssoccer.com.

“I’ve never had this welcoming at an away game. It was nice to see that people are celebrating and people are enjoying the football. I love to be here.”

While Son has only been at the club for a matter of days, he has already made an impression on his new teammates. “His following is worldwide, and there’s a reason for it; he’s phenomenal,” defender Ryan Hollingshead added.

“You saw him come in for 20, 30 minutes and change the game for us, and offer something different than what we had. And that’s why we brought him in, because he’s still performing at a high level.”

Son could next be in action on Saturday when LAFC face New England Revolution.

Tottenham Hotspur have plenty of work still to do in the summer transfer window.

Mohammed Kudus is so far the big-name, big-money signing, having arrived from West Ham United for £55million. Mathys Tel made his loan move from Bayern Munich permanent, while Joao Palhinha has also come in from the German champions, initially on loan for the 2025/26 season.

Then there's Kota Takai, a Japanese centre-back who is highly-rated and has arrived in N17 from J.League side Kawasaki Frontale in a £5million.

Supporters are getting antsy, particularly after a thumping 4-0 defeat to Bayern in their final pre-season friendly on Thursday night, with the feeling that Thomas Frank 's squad is incomplete and not yet ready for the rigours of the Premier League and Champions League.

Frank wants another centre-back and is also keen to enlist another player to take on the No.10 role, with Dejan Kulusevski still a long way from returning from a knee injury and James Maddison likely out for most of the season with an anterior cruciate ligament injury.

The Spurs boss also admitted he could add strength in depth to the wide position, now Son Heung-min has called time on his ten-year Tottenham career.

Bringing in three players in those positions will not come cheap, but Spurs do not have to look for bargain transfers.

According to football.london's financial correspondent Dave Powell, Spurs have plenty of money to play with when it comes to Financial Fair Play rules and the Premier League's Profit & Sustainability Rules.

Powell said : "For the cycle up to 2024/25, which will be assessed by the Premier League before the end of the year, the £61million loss from 2021/22 drops off and, assuming the same amount of allowable deductions at £93million, Spurs will have absolutely no issues with PSR. In fact, the club's PSR position will become even healthier if they come under the £61million loss threshold, which they will likely do.

"The headroom the club has could well push past the £350million mark for the current cycle and, while that suggests that it should be 'open wallet time' at Tottenham, the big thing is making sure that the club can cashflow new additions, and improving their player trading in terms of outgoings, with it being one of the areas where many of their rivals outperform them."

Chairman Daniel Levy is not just going to drop £350million in one go on new signings for Frank, but just imagine if he did. How could Spurs transform their squad for Thomas Frank?

We have already reported at football.london that Tottenham could solve two of their transfer problems by going to Crystal Palace for Marc Guehi and Eberechi Eze. Guehi will cost around £50million, with Eze having a £67.5million release clause. That's a £117.5million splurge straight away.

If Tottenham want to sign another winger they should look no further than Real Madrid's Rodrygo, who has been linked with a move to north London regularly this summer. He would likely cost around £80million.

Filling three holes for £197.5million, Frank would still have more than £150million to spend.

Nicolas Jackson has been linked with a move across London if Richarlison were to leave, but he would cost around £70million to £80million too. Tottenham might be better served going all out to hijack Liverpool's move to sign Alexander Isak from Newcastle United instead.

The Magpies want £150million and rejected a bid of around £110million from Liverpool for the Swede, who could join compatriots Kulusevski and Lucas Bergvall at Spurs. A bid of around £125million would surely get the deal done, without having to reach the £150million mark and still leave Spurs with £27.5million in the bank.

That money could be spent on a new full-back - with Djed Spence the only recognised cover for Destiny Udogie and Pedro Porro. ben Davies can obviously play there as can Archie Gray, but £27.5million might tempt Fulham into selling Antonee Robinson.

A sum of £350million does not go very far, does it?

Tottenham are looking to sign a new attacking midfielder this summer following the severe knee injury picked up by James Maddison. The 28-year-old suffered the issue late into the pre-season draw against Newcastle and a club statement has since confirmed he will undergo surgery to fix a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament.

With Son Heung-min's transfer to LAFC also announced in recent days, that is two key components of Spurs' attack from last season that are unavailable.

No Dejan Kulusevski for the first part of the season because of a knee injury means that Thomas Frank is in desperate need of some creativity coming into the squad with the Dane admitting to that following a heavy defeat to Bayern Munich.

"We are definitely in the market in general," he said during a press conference. "Of course, when players get a long-term injury we need to look into that, but generally we are in the market, yes.

"Nobody feels close or far away. I'm not saying anything before there's anything that is completely 100%." The Lilywhites have since been linked to Leicester City's Bilal El Khannouss, Liverpool star Harvey Elliott and Enzo Millot of Stuttgart, though the latter has joined Saudi Pro League side Al-Ahli.

Eberechi Eze could also be an option for Spurs again, with there an expectation at Crystal Palace that an approach will arrive, as Arsenal appear to be focused on sealing exits.

That could allow for the Lilywhites to have a free run at Eze, but they will likely be met by a firm asking price especially after his release clause, which was below £70million, expired last weekend.

An alternative to the England international that has just emerged as a concrete option is AS Monaco's Maghnes Akliouche. According to French journalist Sebastien Vidal, Spurs are monitoring the Frenchman and though no official bid has arrived yet, he is firmly on the club's radar.

The 23-year-old could be perfect for Frank with his versatility to also play out wide making him a very attractive option. Akliouche contributed to 15 goals in Ligue 1 last season - and a further four in the Champions League - with Monaco going on to finish third in the table.

And his knack for goals has continued in pre-season as he scored a thunderous effort from outside the box just two minutes into Monaco's latest friendly against Inter. The French outfit went on to lose 2-1 but Akliouche impressed as he created three chances and also hit the woodwork.

Reports suggest it would likely take bids in the region of £60million for Monaco to consider selling and while that is a sizeable fee, it was exactly what Spurs made available in their failed attempt to sign Morgan Gibbs-White from Nottingham Forest.