Football FanCast

Alan Smith was left stunned by an "unstoppable" Tottenham Hotspur player on Saturday, who enjoyed one of his best games for the club despite Brighton & Hove Albion's late equaliser.

Rutter strikes late as Tottenham misery continues

Tottenham remain in the Premier League relegation zone after they were stunned by a stoppage-time leveller from Brighton substitute Georginio Rutter during a pulsating 2-2 draw in Roberto De Zerbi’s home debut.

Spurs looked set to end a 15-match winless in the top-flight when Xavi Simons produced a sensational 77th-minute strike to spark wild celebrations in N17.

Xavi’s fine effort followed up his assist for Pedro Porro’s opener after 39 minutes, which was cancelled out by Kaoru Mitoma in first-half stoppage-time.

However, scenes of jubilation turned to disbelief when Kevin Danso lost possession in the fifth-minute of time added on and Rutter curled home to ensure the spoils were shared.

It denied De Zerbi’s team a first victory in charge and means Tottenham will stay in the bottom three for another week with only five matches left to prevent a first relegation since 1977.

Reacting to yet another disappointing display from his former club, Michael Dawson told Sky Sports: "They have to take the positives, but it will feel like a loss - when you take the lead at home twice, even the position Spurs are in with no wins in 15, I thought when they went 2-1 up, 'this is a chance to turn your fortunes around and climb out of the bottom three. Go ahead of West Ham, put the pressure on them.

"And then one mistake from Danso, who switches off in the final moment of the game, you are a centre half, you clear your lines, you do everything to make sure we get out of here with a win this football match. And this will feel like a huge two points dropped."

Alan Smith blown away by "unstoppable" Simons

As far as Simons was concerned, there was not much more he could have done. The Dutchman, according to Smith on commentary, was "Tottenham's best player" on the day and looked more devastated than anyone at full-time.

After witnessing what many believed would be the winning goal from Simons, the commentator didn't hold back, saying: "He's just delivered a worldie! That's unstoppable. It's majestic from Simons."

Having already assisted Porro's opening effort, Simons thought he'd saved his best moment for the second half, curling an incredible effort in off the post.

Whilst Brighton's late equaliser soon stole the headlines, Simons enjoyed the type of performance that those in North London had been waiting for ever since he arrived last summer.

As Tottenham attempt to climb out of the bottom three with five games left to play, the former RB Leipzig man will undoubtedly play a crucial role.

Tottenham manager Roberto De Zerbi has revealed the one factor that would force him to leave the club, claiming relegation is "not the problem".

De Zerbi handed big boost before Brighton

Tottenham have been handed a rare fitness boost after Rodrigo Bentancur returned to training.

The Uruguay midfielder had been on Spurs’ lengthy casualty list since suffering a hamstring injury in January.

Spurs slipped into the drop zone after the 1-0 defeat at Sunderland in De Zerbi’s first game in charge and now have six matches left to save themselves.

They also lost captain Cristian Romero to a season-ending knee injury at the Stadium of Light, while Mohammed Kudus, Wilson Odobert, Ben Davies, James Maddison and Dejan Kulusevski remain long-term absentees.

De Zerbi will be hoping Bentancur will be fit for Saturday’s visit of the manager’s former club Brighton. The 28-year-old was a regular starter under previous boss Thomas Frank, making 28 appearances in all competitions this season before injury struck.

De Zerbi will quit Spurs if board do not agree on his 'project'

De Zerbi was widely reported to prefer a move to North London in the summer once relegation has been avoided, but was eventually brought in during the international break on a five-year deal.

That deal is not believed to include any sort of relegation clause, making it quite the gamble from Spurs' owners to hand the former Brighton boss such a lengthy contract.

And, speaking ahead of the clash with his old club, the 46 year-old confirmed he will stay at Spurs regardless of which league they find themselves in next season.

The "problem" that could cause an early exit, he says, is a potential fallout with the board if they do not agree on how to run his "project".

“The problem is not the league. The problem is to keep the relationship with the board and to have the same ideas in the project.”

That will sound all too familiar to Spurs fans, who have long-standing disputes with the ownership, even since Daniel Levy's departure.

Earlier this season, Tottenham Hotspur Supporters’ Trust called for “emergency action” following the 5-2 loss at Atletico Madrid, claiming the result was "symptomatic of the abysmal state of things at Spurs right now".

“From the January transfer window to the management appointments, the lack of leadership and the total absence of anyone with a Spurs pedigree informing these decisions," a statement said. "Where is the Daring to Do? Where are the Echoes of Glory?"

Fans also protested ahead of their clash with London rivals West Ham earlier this year.

The Lilywhites have spent nearly £1bn on signings since Mauricio Pochettino's departure in 2019, yet the same problems persist, and one has to imagine De Zerbi demanded a serious level of influence over any potential signings to come in earlier than planned last month.

Tottenham have reached a verbal agreement to sign a player who was high on Aston Villa's list of summer transfer targets.

Spurs prepare for Brighton in must-win game for Roberto De Zerbi

Roberto De Zerbi has had no time to settle.

Just over a week into the job, one defeat already on the board, and now a home clash against his former club Brighton that Tottenham simply cannot afford to lose.

Spurs face the Seagulls this evening at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium — a fixture that, during another season, would have the air of a mid-table clash.

Instead, it is like a cup final for the Lilywhites.

Tottenham are winless in 14 Premier League matches — their second-longest run without a win in the club's entire league history — and they remain the only side in the top flight yet to win a game in 2026.

De Zerbi's arrival was supposed to draw a line under all of that.

Instead, last week's 1-0 loss at Sunderland left them inside the bottom three with all three of their relegation rivals picking up points that weekend, so the pressure is already immense.

Brighton, by contrast, arrive in excellent form — four wins from their last five — and are sitting ninth in the table, pushing for a European finish.

De Zerbi knows this Seagulls squad inside out, given he built much of what they are today.

Whether that works for or against him remains to be seen, but there is no sentiment in a relegation scrap.

Brighton have scored 14 goals across their last five meetings with Spurs and have won three of those five. The numbers don't make for comfortable reading in north London.

Off the pitch, however, there is at least a sense that the club means business.

Amid the chaos of a season that has gone badly wrong, recruitment work has quietly been gathering pace — and two significant moves are now taking serious shape.

Tottenham have already reached a verbal agreement with Andy Robertson over a summer transfer from Liverpool, with the Scotland captain set to arrive on a free when his contract at Anfield expires — provided Spurs stay up.

It is a savvy piece of business if it comes off, adding an experienced head to what has been a leaky, uncertain backline.

They have gone one step further this week too.

According to The Athletic's David Ornstein, Spurs have been in advanced talks with Bournemouth's Marcos Senesi, with negotiations over a free transfer switch progressing quickly.

Now, talkSPORT have another update.

Tottenham reach 'agreement in principle' for Marcos Senesi in Aston Villa blow

As per their information, Tottenham have jumped to the front of the queue for the 28-year-old Argentine, who has made 122 appearances for the Cherries since joining from Feyenoord in 2022 and has already told the club he will be leaving when his deal expires this summer.

They add that Spurs have already reached an 'agreement in principle' to sign Senesi, but again, it is contingent on them remaining in the top flight.

This news comes as a potential blow for Unai Emery and Villa.

Reports from Argentina earlier this week claimed that Villa were launching a major offensive for the centre-back and were holding talks of their own, but it appears Tottenham have moved to hijack their deal for Senesi.

That being said, if De Zerbi's side go down, it would reopen the race for Villa and other suitors.

The left-footed centre-back is not short of options.

Other clubs, including Chelsea, Man United, Juventus, Barcelona and Liverpool have all been reportedly monitoring his situation, but it is Spurs who have made the most concrete move.

With Cristian Romero likely to leave this summer and uncertainty also hanging over Micky van de Ven's long-term future at the club, the need for defensive reinforcement is glaring.

Senesi, playing in his prime and proven at Premier League level, would tick a lot of boxes.

Newcastle are reportedly pushing to sign a Tottenham star as Eddie Howe's side look to take advantage of their relegation concerns.

Newcastle take on high-flying Bournemouth this afternoon

Before the Magpies can think about who is coming in, they have to get through the season in one piece.

Howe's side welcome Bournemouth to St James' Park this afternoon having lost three consecutive games in all competitions, a run that has left the atmosphere on Tyneside tense and the pressure on their manager growing by the week.

They sit 14th in the Premier League table and have dropped more points from winning positions than any other side this season, a damning pattern that has come to define a campaign that promised so much more.

Newly promoted Sunderland are projected to finish above them as things stand, which comes as a stinging fact in itself.

Bournemouth arrive in sharp contrast.

Andoni Iraola's side are on a 12-game unbeaten run, and have not lost in their last six Premier League meetings with Newcastle.

The optics could barely be worse for Howe, but the real storm may be building off the pitch.

With the season limping towards its conclusion, Newcastle's hierarchy are already eyeing a significant summer overhaul — and they may have to rebuild from scratch.

Anthony Gordon, Sandro Tonali, Bruno Guimarães and Tino Livramento are all being tipped to depart St James' Park this summer, while Kieran Trippier has already confirmed he will be leaving the club.

That is a brutal amount of quality to replace in a single window, and the recruitment team will have their work cut out.

Newcastle 'pushing' to sign Conor Gallagher from Tottenham

One name they are actively pursuing, as per SportsBoom, is Conor Gallagher.

Sources have told the outlet that Newcastle are 'pushing' to sign the 26-year-old England midfielder, and they are set to reignite an interest that has been on the backburner for some time.

The intrigue here lies partly in the circumstances.

Gallagher only signed for Tottenham in January for a reported £35 million, joining from Atlético Madrid where he spent 18 months.

At Atlético, he made 77 appearances in all competitions and scored seven goals, before returning to England and putting pen to paper at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

Since arriving at Spurs, he has largely failed to impress, and it is believed that technical director Johan Lange and co now want to recoup the money they paid for Gallagher if Newcastle make a move.

In other words, they'll sell for £35m.

If Spurs are relegated to the Championship, the north London club are braced for a mass exodus, and are resigned to losing Gallagher among those departures.

Aston Villa, who were keen on Gallagher before Spurs swooped and hijacked their deal, are also understood to be monitoring the situation closely.

For Newcastle, landing a box-to-box England international and ex-Chelsea captain with 136 Premier League appearances before his move to Spain could be a prudent move.

Whether it is enough to offset the scale of the summer rebuild ahead is another question entirely.

Tottenham Hotspur are now in pole position to sign Bournemouth defender Marcos Senesi and Liverpool legend Andy Robertson this summer.

It's almost as if Tottenham chiefs are desperately ignoring the club's place inside the bottom three with six games left to play in the hope that it goes away.

Their transfer plans suggest that they very much still expect to be a Premier League side next season, despite sitting 18th and two points adrift of safety.

Some Premier League names are involved in that transfer plan, too. According to The Athletic's David Ornstein, Tottenham are now in pole position to sign Senesi when his Bournemouth contract expires this summer.

The Lilywhites are reportedly in "advanced" talks with the defender, who will need to see them avoid relegation before he can finalise any potential move.

Since arriving on the South Coast in a deal worth £10m in 2022, the Argentine star has looked more and more like a Premier League mainstay, as well as someone who could step into one of the big hitters in England.

With Micky van de Ven's future in doubt, signing Senesi would make perfect sense for those in North London - especially on a free deal. The 28-year-old, in many ways, would be the perfect replacement for the Dutchman.

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Senesi is left-footed like Van de Ven, sparking concerns that he could be a replacement

The Bournemouth defender is available as a free agent this summer

Van de Ven's immediate Spurs future is increasingly in doubt

Tottenham also leading Robertson race

It looks like signing free agents could be the trend of Tottenham's summer if they avoid the drop. Alongside Senesi, recent reports have claimed that they're also in pole position to sign Robertson on a free deal.

The Anfield icon recently announced that he will be leaving Liverpool at the end of the current campaign and could be moving a lot closer than some in Merseyside were expecting.

As far as signings go, the experienced left-back would be an excellent addition. Even past the peak of his powers, Robertson's leadership would be invaluable inside a Spurs dressing room which has lacked it for some time now.

From an unknown player who arrived at Liverpool for just £8m in 2017, Robertson is now considered one of the best Premier League left-backs of all time.

He has won everything there is to win in English and European football, and could now be on his way to North London alongside Senesi.

Tottenham Hotspur have faced a number of critical moments in the Premier League over the past few months, but the home contest against Brighton & Hove Albion on Saturday carries new weight.

The Londoners have slipped into the relegation zone, and with only six fixtures remaining this season, the threat is becoming real for a side who have never been relegated from the top flight in its modern format.

Roberto De Zerbi has been drafted in to save the day, but his first match at the helm left a lot to be desired. Tottenham were defeated at Sunderland last weekend, now staring down the barrel of a gun, with relegation rivals Nottingham Forest and West Ham United both against favourable opponents, a hungover Crystal Palace side and 19th-place Burnley.

While the Lilywhites are in an imperilled position, they have received some good news on the injury front as they prepare to secure their first Premier League win of 2026.

The latest Spurs team news vs Brighton

Moreover, Guglielmo Vicario will miss out once again as he recovers from a hernia operation, although the Italian shot-stopper is set to return before the end of the month.

Tottenham have struggled for creativity in the Premier League this season, overperforming their expected goals by a considerable margin.

The continued absence of players such as Mohammed Kudus, James Maddison, Dejan Kulusevski and Wilson Odobert emphasises the severity of Tottenham's crisis, to be sure, but De Zerbi still needs to get a tune out of his current crop.

Expected Goals (xG) is a metric designed to measure the probability of a shot resulting in a goal.

Xavi Simons has to return to the starting line-up, but Spurs also need some security in the centre of the park, and while Yves Bissouma has been cleared to play, there is another midfielder returning to the pack who could make a difference.

Spurs must unleash the new Dembele

Tottenham need some of their star players to return from injury, and while Rodrigo Bentancur is among the highest-profile members of De Zerbi's team, many fans might have picked someone else to pull from the infirmary.

However, this is still a boost for a midfield that is not clicking. Conor Gallagher has been abject since returning from injury, and Archie Gray and Lucas Bergvall are young, brilliant though they are, and could do with some support.

That's where Bentancur comes in. Though he had been described as being one of several "pretty clear weaknesses" in Thomas Frank's squad by journalist Mitch Fretton, the Uruguayan midfielder has been performing well below the standard he will have internally set for himself. Indeed, he has excelled in the Premier League before.

Bentancur has been sidelined since January, last playing under Frank. He did not feature under Tudor's guidance, a representation of the sheer scale of Spurs' fitness woes.

An industrious player, the 28-year-old's passing has left a lot to be desired this season, but across 20 Premier League outings, he has averaged five ball recoveries per game while winning 60% of his ground battles and completing 59% of his duels.

If he can channel that skillset and shape himself into something positive, he could even play with a Mousa Dembele-esque sheen that could be crucial in the final weeks of the season, having been likened to the retired Belgian in the past.

Dembele was one of the finest midfielders Tottenham have had in many years, effortless on the ball and as clever as they come. He read the game like a scholar, and correspondent actually remarked that Bentancur had similarities to the iconic star when he arrived under Antonio Conte's wing in 2022.

Injuries have inhibited Bentancur, but he may yet turn his career around on N17, and now would be the perfect time for him to reannounce himself as a top-class part of this team.

Tottenham can ill-afford any more slip-ups. Time is running out. Bentancur might feel like a pragmatic option to bring into midfield, but he knows how to control and direct a game, and with Gallagher so horribly out of sorts, it could be the perfect addition for De Zerbi's team on Saturday.

That a Premier League club are too good to go down has become a tired adage, and the phrase will certainly be put to sleep if Tottenham Hotspur's fears are realised and they are relegated this season.

Last year's Europa League champions have been in freefall for a while now. Thomas Frank could not stem the toxic flow, and Igor Tudor only aggravated matters before being dismissed after 44 days.

This is an injury-riddled, confidence-shorn team, lacking fight and conviction. It's pretty bleak, all right, with the 18th-place side now in need of a sharp upswing under the fresh management of Roberto De Zerbi.

However, Spurs are good enough to stay up. They are certainly among the biggest clubs in the country, with the current advanced discussions with Bournemouth defender Marcos Senesi's camp a testament to that.

Spurs in advanced talks to sign Marcos Senesi

It's a funny old business, football. Tottenham might be hurled into the second tier of the English game, and yet they have moved ahead of Barcelona and a host of Premier League outfits for Senesi, one of the Premier League's most in-demand defenders.

The prospective bid is conditional, of course, with Senesi not willing to join a Spurs side who will be playing their football in the second tier, but even so, this is another illustration of the magnitude of Tottenham's task, with the future bright if they do manage to stave off this huge threat.

It has recently been reported that Liverpool, Arsenal and Chelsea are all contenders for the 28-year-old, whose contract expires this summer. However, Tottenham have stolen ahead in spite of their current predicament.

Senesi is an experienced Premier League defender who is approaching the end of his fourth year at the Vitality Stadium. He has a lot more to give, especially for a Spurs side who could make use of his natural on-the-ball progression.

Senesi would not augment the current crop at Tottenham, but instead help shape the next phase. Should Tottenham capture the Argentina international's signature, it may spell the end for one of the club's biggest stars.

The Spurs star who could be finished if Senesi signs

Tottenham have been rotten to the core this season, and while Cristian Romero is one of the most talented players at the club, he has left an awful lot to be desired.

The skipper was agonisingly injured against Sunderland, shoved into Antonin Kinsky by Brian Brobbey during a tussle. He is not expected to recover fitness before the end of the season, with his World Cup spot also jeopardised.

It's a cruel end to his Lilywhites career. Even if Tottenham avoid relegation this term, Romero is expected to depart on a free transfer this summer, with Cuti and his camp expecting the opportunity to search for a new challenge at the end of the season.

In truth, a clean break might be best for all parties. Romero has hardly been the perfect captain for this struggling side, picking up any number of bookings and red cards that have hindered the London club in their fight for revival.

Club legend Chris Waddle, speaking to Football FanCast, has even asserted that the 2022 World Cup winner "never really wanted to be at Tottenham", supposedly envisaging a future with one of the Spanish superpowers.

Whether that claim is true is another question. Romero is hot-headed and erratic at times, but he's certainly not dispassionate, as his tears revealed when injured against Sunderland last time out.

There is bound to be interest in Romero's signature this summer. He is a brilliant defender who could thrive in Spain or Italy, for example. However, whether ENIC Group will manage to find a suitor willing to meet their £87m valuation is another question, especially if they fall into the Championship.

However, moves are already being made for a top player such as Senesi. His technical quality and ranged passing suggests that his arrival would come as Romero departs, and if that is to be the case, maybe it wouldn't be the worst outcome in the world for a Spurs side who have staved off the unthinkable threat of relegation.

Tottenham will be minus another 'important' player for Brighton's visit to north London this weekend, according to Roberto De Zerbi.

Spurs braced for relegation six-pointer against De Zerbi's old side

De Zerbi needs a win, and fast.

One Spurs defeat is already on the Italian's record, and now a home game against his former club awaits - one that could define whether Tottenham's season is salvageable or already gone.

Brighton arrive at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Saturday as one of the Premier League's in-form sides, and the numbers make uncomfortable reading for the hosts.

Spurs have gone 14 Premier League games without a win — the second-longest such run in the club's entire history. Only Derby in 2008, Sunderland in 2003, and Swindon in 1993 had longer winless runs to start a calendar year in the top flight — and all three were relegated. (The Analyst).

Fabian Hürzeler's side have no incentive to take their foot off the gas, and they rarely do.

They have scored 14 goals across their last five meetings with Spurs and won three of those five — a record that will do little to settle nerves in north London.

There is some relief when it comes to the teamsheet, though.

De Zerbi confirmed Yves Bissouma is fully fit after the midfielder had to settle for a place on the bench at the Stadium of Light, while Rodrigo Bentancur is in contention after returning to training this week, even if a start may come too soon.

Then comes the bad news, alongside the announcement that Romero will miss the rest of the season with fellow star Mohammed Kudus.

De Zerbi confirms Tottenham's Guglielmo Vicario will miss Brighton

The Spurs boss confirmed that Guglielmo Vicario will not be available, with the goalkeeper continuing his recovery from hernia surgery undertaken during the international break.

"Bentancur is available to play, I don't know if he starts the game or not," De Zerbi said in his press conference today.

"Bissouma is available 100% more than Sunderland game (where Yves was an unused substitute).

"But Vicario, no.

"Vicario is another top guy. I'm looking forward to work with him. Kinsky played very well against Sunderland, but Vicario is another important player for us — big experience, big character and personality.”

The situation is complicated further by reports emerging from Italy this week.

Inter Milan are said to be closing in on a deal to sign Vicario, with personal terms already understood to be in place, so whether he remains a Spurs player beyond the summer is suddenly a very live question.

In his absence, Kinsky deputises again.

The Czech stopper was one of Tottenham's best performers against Sunderland, commanding his area and staying composed throughout despite the defeat.

His first-half save to deny Brian Brobbey at close range was the pick of the moments, and De Zerbi acknowledged as much.

It was the 23-year-old's first league appearance of the entire season, making the display all the more encouraging.

The performance will give the young keeper confidence. But for Tottenham, confidence alone will not be enough.

They need three points, a result that proves the De Zerbi appointment is more than a last roll of the dice. With six games left and the drop looming large, Saturday is as close to a final as a league fixture gets.

Crystal Palace have been named as shock contenders to sign a big-name Tottenham star who is ready to leave this summer.

Palace set for crucial summer with new players and manager identified

Palace head into the summer facing the most significant period of change at Selhurst Park in years.

Oliver Glasner will leave when the season ends, Adam Wharton is expected to follow him out of the door for a fee that could reach nine figures, and the club that won the FA Cup and Community Shield just 12 months ago now needs to rebuild around a new manager and a new identity.

The managerial search has already hit complications.

Andoni Iraola was Palace's first choice, but the Bournemouth head coach — who confirmed his own departure from the Vitality Stadium at the end of the season — is more likely to head elsewhere, as Sky Sports reports.

Thomas Frank, sacked by Tottenham in February following a disastrous spell in north London, has reportedly been sounded out by Steve Parish.

Frank's seven-year record at Brentford — where he developed players like Ivan Toney, Bryan Mbeumo and David Raya while routinely competing beyond the club's means — is rumoured to be the principal reason for Parish's interest.

Away from the search for a new manager, Palace are also working on summer recruits.

An unexpected name has entered the conversation too, and one which will raise a fair few eyebrows.

Crystal Palace eyeing shock move for Tottenham star Cristian Romero

Sports Boom report that Palace have made tentative checks on Cristian Romero, the Tottenham captain who looks increasingly certain to leave the club this summer.

Romero, 27, has a clause in his current Spurs contract — which runs until 2029 — that permits him to leave in the event of relegation.

With Tottenham sitting in the bottom three, winless in the Premier League in 2026 and now without their captain for the rest of the season following a knee injury suffered at Sunderland, the possibility of that clause being triggered is a genuine one.

The Argentine World Cup winner obviously has no interest in dropping into the Championship, and it is believed he is 'ready to quit' this summer.

However, given he has been linked with the likes of Real Madrid, reports of Palace registering an interest in Romero comes as a surprise to say the very least.

Parish could certainly have his work cut out for him here, with competition across Europe and the top flight set to be fierce for the defender who will also command a large transfer fee.

For Palace, a centre-back of Romero's calibre would represent exactly the kind of statement signing a club in transition needs.

Whether they can secure a new manager, retain enough of their squad and still move for a player in that demand is the challenge facing Parish this summer.

Man United have opened early discussions to sign a wantaway Premier League captain ahead of the summer transfer window, according to reports.

Man United poised for vital Chelsea clash in race for Europe

United travel to Stamford Bridge on Saturday evening for a clash that could have significant implications at both ends of the top six.

United sit third, but back-to-back dropped points — a 2-2 draw at Bournemouth followed by Monday's 2-1 home loss to Leeds — have left Michael Carrick managing a slight hiccup in form that threatens to drag them closer to the European qualification pack below.

Chelsea, meanwhile, are sixth and have lost their last three in the league, most recently a 3-0 capitulation to Man City.

Carrick heads into it with defensive options stretched.

Matthijs de Ligt remains sidelined with a back problem, Harry Maguire is suspended, and Lisandro Martínez, who returned from a calf injury only to be sent off against Leeds on Monday for a hair-pull on Dominic Calvert-Lewin, faces additional time out.

Leny Yoro and 19-year-old Ayden Heaven are the options available in the heart of defence, with the latter having accumulated an unexpected amount of senior experience across this period of necessity.

The centre-back position is already identified as a priority for the summer, with INEOS reportedly committed to adding further quality even after Maguire's recent contract renewal.

In that context arrives a development that could offer United a route to the kind of experienced, proven defensive addition they are looking for.

Man United make early Cristian Romero approach

Sports Boom claim that Cristian Romero, the Tottenham captain, wants to leave the club this summer, and United have already made early enquiries.

Romero, 27, has a clause in his current contract — which runs until 2029 — that permits him to depart if Tottenham are relegated.

With Spurs in the bottom three, winless in the Premier League throughout 2026 and without Romero himself for the rest of the season due to a knee injury sustained at Sunderland, the clause becoming active is a realistic prospect.

Sports Boom suggest the writing is on the wall at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium for Romero, and has been visible for some time.

United view him as an experienced, battle-hardened option who would provide immediate quality — a player who is still very much in his prime.

The profile fits what Carrick's side need.

Romero is a front-foot, aggressive centre-back who has made 156 appearances for Spurs, captained the club, and holds 49 Argentina international caps, not to mention a World Cup winner.

He built his reputation at Atalanta before joining Tottenham in 2021, which adds European pedigree alongside his Premier League experience.

Castello Lukeba of RB Leipzig remains another target in central defence, with reports suggesting Leipzig are willing to sell at around £55m.

Whether United pursue one or both options will depend on the summer's finances, but the interest in Romero is a clear signal of intent from INEOS.