Football FanCast

Tottenham Hotspur kicked off the Thomas Frank era in the Premier League with a terrific 3-0 win over Burnley in front of their own supporters on Saturday.

It was an almost-perfect start to the manager's tenure in North London, thanks to two goals from Richarlison and a neat finish from Brennan Johnson.

The former Brentford boss will be particularly pleased with the impact that new signing Mohammed Kudus made out wide, as the winger set up two of the three goals with brilliant play on the wing.

It was Richarlison who produced the standout moment in the match, however, as the Brazil international wonderfully found the back of the net with an overhead kick finish to put himself in contention for goal of the season on matchday one.

Despite the 3-0 win, Frank will know that there is plenty more work to be done to improve the team, particularly when it comes to creativity in the middle of the park.

James Maddison (seven) was the only central midfielder in the squad who managed more than two assists in the Premier League last season, which speaks to the lack of creativity in that area of the pitch.

Why Spurs need more creativity in their team

The Lilywhites need to bring in a new star who can provide a creative spark from a central midfield position to take the team to the next level offensively, particularly in the big games against the best teams.

In the 2024/25 campaign, Ange Postecoglou's central midfield options simply did not create enough from midfield. Maddison, as aforementioned, was the only player who could be relied upon to create chances, and he played in attacking positions as well as in the middle of the park.

As you can see in the table above, the likes of Rodrigo Bentancur, Lucas Bergvall, and Yves Bissouma offered very little when it came to creating quality opportunities for their teammates in the Premier League.

This is why the Europa League champions should be in the market to find their next Christian Eriksen before the end of the transfer window, as the Danish magician was a creative wizard during his time at the club.

The Denmark international delivered 88 assists in 305 appearances in all competitions for Spurs, per Transfermarkt, and hit double figures for assists in five seasons.

Eriksen often played as a central or attacking midfielder for Tottenham and consistently provided quality at the top end of the pitch with his inventive passing to create chances for his teammates on a regular basis.

Spurs now need to find their next version of the former Manchester United maestro, and the club are reportedly moving closer to signing a similar type of midfield talent.

Spurs closing in on Premier League midfielder

According to Miguel Delaney, Tottenham Hotspur are close to agreeing a deal to sign Crystal Palace attacking midfielder Eberechi Eze to bolster their squad.

The reporter claims that the Lilywhites are looking at a fee of around £55m, plus further add-ons, to convince the Eagles to part ways with the midfield star, but there is no agreement in place yet.

It had been claimed by The Telegraph that the England international was set to be absent from the Palace squad for their clash with Chelsea on Sunday, but the playmaker showcased his professionalism by blocking out the noise to play for his current club.

Journalist Jack Rosser noted that talks are 'advancing' with Spurs over a deal to sign Eze, backing up Delaney's claim of a move being close, but added that the midfielder wanted to play for the Eagles rather than watch on from the sidelines against the Blues.

It is now down to Tottenham to clear the final hurdle to finalise an agreement with Oliver Glasner's side to bring the 27-year-old over to North London before the end of the window.

Why Spurs need Eberechi Eze

Eze was once described as a "magician" in midfield by pundit Micah Richards. A magician in midfield is now exactly what Spurs need to bolster their team, which is why they need to seal a deal for the Palace star.

The England international is a versatile star, who can play in central midfield, attacking midfield, or as a winger, and is a proven performer in the Premier League who could come in to hit the ground running for Frank.

Eze has hit double figures for goals in each of the last three seasons in all competitions for Palace, per Sofascore, including 14 in the 2024/25 campaign, which shows that he can make a significant impact as a goalscorer.

It is his creativity, though, that could make him Frank's own version of Eriksen, after a haul of 12 assists and 17 'big chances' created for the FA Cup winners last season.

As you can see in the table above, Eze ranked highly among his positional peers in the Premier League when it came to creating chances for his teammates.

These statistics, along with his 'big chances' created and assist tally, show that the 27-year-old star is the kind of creative midfielder that Spurs are currently lacking, particularly with Maddison out for a significant period of time with an ACL injury.

He has proven that he can create chances at an impressive rate from the middle of the park in the Premier League, whilst also carrying a big threat as a goalscorer, which suggests that the quality is there for him to be Frank's own version of Eriksen.

At the age of 27, Eze is also in the prime years of his career and Tottenham could be signing him at the perfect time, as he has found consistency in his play in the final third, as shown by his terrific output last term.

Tottenham Hotspur have now been in contact over a deal to sign a "special" England international alongside Eberechi Eze, according to a report.

Spurs keen on signing two England internationals

Tottenham are now well-placed to win the race for Eberechi Eze, despite well-documented interest from north London rivals Arsenal, with Fabrizio Romano revealing the Crystal Palace attacking midfielder is keen on sealing a move very soon.

Former Spurs man Teddy Sheringham believes the Palace star could make a real impact in north London, saying: "I think Eze is definitely one of those who would walk into Tottenham Hotspur and think ‘this is a proper place, I’m going to enjoy playing my football here’. I think he can shine the way Eric Cantona did when he went to Man United all those years ago."

After missing out on Morgan Gibbs-White, it would be fantastic if the Lilywhites were able to get a deal for Eze over the line, but the 27-year-old is not the only England international of interest to the north Londoners...

Indeed, according to a report from The Boot Room, Tottenham have now been contacted by intermediaries over a deal for Manchester City's Rico Lewis, and they have expressed interest in signing the right-back.

However, there may be a great deal of competition for Lewis' signature, with a number of other Premier League clubs named as potential suitors, such as Aston Villa, Brighton, Everton and Nottingham Forest, and the latter club have reportedly made a bid in excess of £25m.

There is also a chance the full-back will remain at the Etihad Stadium, with transfer expert Graeme Bailey adding: "Rico Lewis is very happy at Manchester City and is getting minutes, but his camp and intermediaries have made him aware of other options.

"Talks in the next week or so will decide whether he is going to stay at City or not."

"Special" Lewis has huge future ahead

The Bury-born defender has established himself as a first-team regular at Man City, and he got off to a flying start to the season on Saturday, picking up an assist in his side's 4-0 victory against Wolverhampton Wanderers.

Statman Dave has also singled out the 20-year-old in the past, lauding him for a fantastic performance against Spurs in the 2022-23 campaign.

Tottenham Hotspur are "pushing to sign" an "unbelievable finisher", and an offer has now been made, reliable reporter Ben Jacobs has revealed.

Tottenham keen on new attacker despite dominant opening day victory

Tottenham kicked off their 2025-25 Premier League campaign in perfect fashion, securing a 3-0 victory at home against newly-promoted Burnley, and new signing Mohammed Kudus certainly caught the eye with his performance.

The Ghanaian winger chipped in with two assists on his league debut for Spurs, with Richarlison bagging a brace and Brennan Johnson also getting on the scoresheet, underlining the quality Thomas Frank has at his disposal in attacking areas.

However, given that Son Heung-min has now departed for LAFC, and James Maddison is set for a lengthy spell on the sidelines due to an ACL injury, it will be important for Frank to bolster his options in attack further ahead of the September 1st deadline.

It has been clear that Tottenham have wanted an attacking midfielder for quite some time, having missed out on Nottingham Forest's Morgan Gibbs-White earlier this summer, but they now appear to be closing in on a deal to sign a different England international.

Indeed, according to an update from Jacobs on X, Tottenham have now made an offer in the region of £55m - £60m for Crystal Palace's Eberechi Eze, who could complete a move to north London as soon as next week.

The structure of the deal is still under discussion, but it is now looking increasingly likely Eze will move across the capital, given that Spurs are "pushing to sign" the Palace star, and he "wants to join".

Eze is expected to start for Palace against Chelsea on Sunday afternoon, though.

"Unbelievable" Eze could be statement signing for Spurs

Tottenham will have been very frustrated to have missed out on Gibbs-White earlier this summer, but the Palace star would arguably be an even better signing, having outperformed his England teammate in terms of attacking contributions last season.

Oliver Glasner was also left impressed by his talisman's performances in the 2024-25 campaign, saying: "He’s always dangerous because he has the quality and ability at 1-1, he’s such an unbelievable finisher, in some situations he can improve, he’s a guy who can always score and he’s someone who everyone likes."

With Maddison set to miss the majority of the campaign due to injury, it is imperative that Tottenham bring in at least one more attacking midfielder this summer, and having already proven himself in the Premier League, Eze would be the ideal addition to Frank's squad.

There is a cautious sense of optimism beginning to unfold at Tottenham Hotspur this summer, as Thomas Frank prepares to lead the football club into a new era in 2025/26.

The Dane has already faced numerous challenges and bumps in the road during his first few months in North London, whether that be on or off the pitch.

His side fell to defeat in the UEFA Super Cup final earlier this week, despite being two goals ahead of the Champions League winners with just a matter of minutes remaining in the contest.

Further issues on the pitch have also arisen, resulting in James Maddison missing the majority of the upcoming Premier League season after suffering an ACL injury in the pre-season outing against Newcastle United.

Such a blow wouldn’t have been as bad if they had completed a deal for Nottingham Forest’s Morgan Gibbs-White, but after his failed move - he will remain a case of what could’ve been.

Frank has subsequently been frantically scrambling to land a new number ten - even alluding to it on Friday - potentially turning to various options in the coming months.

Spurs’ crisis in the attacking midfield department

New signing Mohammed Kudus cost the Spurs hierarchy a whopping £55m from London rivals West Ham United - adding further quality into the attacking department.

The 24-year-old, who’s primarily a right-winger, can also operate in a centre-forward position, as seen in his first competitive outing against PSG earlier this week.

However, he could provide a solution to the current problem within the Lilywhites side, having featured in such a role at the London Stadium for the Hammers throughout 2024/25.

Another alternative could be to delve back into the transfer market, potentially making a move for Crystal Palace star Eberechi Eze - a player they’ve been following for the majority of the window.

The 27-year-old, who has stated his desire to join Frank’s men already this summer, could be available for around £60m - with Arsenal also said to be monitoring his progress.

After Kudus’ big-money to the side already this summer, a move for the Eagles' talent would be another statement of intent by the hierarchy in their quest for added success following last season’s Europa League triumph.

However, one other attacking talent already on the books in North London has also endured his own rise, subsequently seeing a massive jump in his current price tag.

The Spurs player who’s worth more than Kudus & Tel

Over recent seasons, Spurs have conducted some shrewd business in the transfer market, playing a crucial role in their ability to end their 17-year trophy drought.

Brennan Johnson, who cost £47.5m from Nottingham Forest back in the summer of 2023, scored the winner against Manchester United, with finish writing his name in the club’s history forever.

However, he’s not the only young attacker to make the move to the Lilywhites and impress, with Mathys Tel originally joining the side on loan from Bayern Munich last January.

The Frenchman made 20 appearances across all competitions, scoring three times, including on his first start in the FA Cup defeat against Aston Villa back in February.

At just 20, he still has bags of time to fulfill his potential under Frank, especially after the hierarchy decided to make his temporary spell permanent at the start of the window.

Owner Daniel Levy forked out £30m for the youngster’s signature, with Tel agreeing a six-year deal at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

However, despite missing his spotkick in the shootout with PSG, he has still seen his market value soar over recent weeks, showcasing the bargain Spurs landed the forward for this summer.

Tel, who’s been labelled “incredible” by talent scout Jacek Kulig, is now valued at €75m (£65m) by CIES Football Observatory - a near two-times increase on the fee paid a couple of months ago.

His subsequent valuation is higher than the fee paid for Kudus and the asking price of Eze, highlighting how highly rated he is and the potential he possesses.

If he can develop further under Frank’s guidance in North London, he will be an excellent signing and one that could provide needed versatility in the front line.

Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy has a "long-standing relationship" which could help Spurs seal a high-profile deal for Crystal Palace star Eberechi Eze.

After Spurs boss Thomas Frank oversaw his first Premier League game in charge of the club on Saturday afternoon, attention is turning back towards the summer transfer market, and if the north Londoners can strengthen before September 1's deadline.

Lev and Frank, as widely reported, currently have two targets at the very top of their agenda - Eze and Man City winger Savinho.

Tottenham have opened talks to sign both Eze and Savinho in separate deals (Fabrizio Romano), so it isn't a case of one or the other, as Spurs look to fill the gaping voids left by Son Heung-min's departure to the MLS and James Maddison's long-term injury blow.

According to some reports, City have already rejected a £42 million bid from Tottenham for Savinho, so there is still work to do on that front, and Pep Guardiola isn't overly keen on letting the 21-year-old leave Eastlands so late in the window.

"I don’t know. If it is Tottenham in that case or another club, if any club wants a player, they should call the club like we do," said Guardiola in a press conference ahead of their clash with Wolves.

“I am only concerned right now that Savinho will be with us for the rest of the season and hopefully many years because at 21, with the potential he has, he is an extraordinary player."

In Eze's case, things are actually looking far more positive.

Tottenham want to pay around £55 million for the 27-year-old, a similar fee to their deal for Mohammed Kudus, while Palace are demanding the value of his previous £68 million release clause - which expired on Friday (Ben Jacobs).

However, Arsenal are hesitating over a move for the England international, and this has provided Spurs with a window of opportunity to sneak in and strike a deal for Eze. The player's agents have also informed Frank's side that personal terms won't be an issue, according to talkSPORT.

What's more, reliable football.london journalist Alasdair Gold has lifted the lid on a secret weapon that Levy has at his disposal.

Daniel Levy's "long-standing" connection to help Tottenham sign Eberechi Eze

Writing in a detailed transfer piece, Gold reports that Eze's representatives, CAA Base, could be key.

Levy boasts a "long-standing" productive relationship with the agency, who also have a "strong" presence within Tottenham, and CAA also handled Son's £20 million MLS-record-breaking transfer.

In light of this and other developments, Gold also states that Tottenham will try to wrap up deals for Eze and Savinho in the coming days to provide Frank with a major double-boost of quality.

The former QPR star is arguably perfect for Spurs right now.

Eze, capable of playing both as a number 10 and in Son's previous position on the left, bagged 14 goals and 11 assists last season as a key attacking asset under Oliver Glasner - all whilst averaging more shots, key passes and successful take-ons per 90 than any other Palace player in the top flight.

Tottenham Hotspur kicked off life under Thomas Frank with a 3-0 win over Burnley this afternoon, hopefully being the first of many during the Dane’s tenure.

The Lilywhites produced a magnificent display, blowing away the opposition in the second half, restricting the visitors to just four shots on target throughout the 90 minutes.

In their 17th-placed Premier League finish last campaign, the backline held the side back massively, conceding 65 times in their 38 outings under Ange Postecoglou.

However, it was the perfect start to life under the new management team, keeping a clean sheet - something which they only managed on six occasions throughout 2024/25.

It was an afternoon to remember for numerous players in North London, undoubtedly staking their claim to the new boss over a regular starting role throughout the new season.

How things played out in Spurs’ win over Burnley

In his first league game in charge, Frank decided to operate with Richarlison in the number nine role - a decision that proved to be a masterstroke given his performance.

The Brazilian put the Lilywhites ahead just ten minutes into proceedings, with his superb first-time finish beating debutant Martin Dubravka in the Clarets' goal.

However, his second effort was also a thing of beauty, acrobatically turning home new signing Mohammed Kudus’ cross - an effort that will certainly be one of the goals of the season.

Brennan Johnson added a third in the closing stages, breaking through one-on-one, before poking home and securing all three points in North London.

Richarlison certainly proved some of the doubters wrong with his showing against Scott Parker’s side, deserving of a consistent run in the side under the new boss, but he’s certainly not alone in that regard.

The Spurs player who should be a regular starter under Frank

The appointment of a new manager always brings about new ideas, changes to the system and the opportunity for players to stake their claim for a regular starting role.

As seen by his two-goal haul this afternoon, it’s safe to say Richarlison has demonstrated to Frank the talent he possesses when given the chance to operate in his natural position.

However, numerous other players appear to have done just that, potentially stopping the manager from making wholesale changes before the end of the transfer window.

After utilising a back five in the UEFA Super Cup against PSG on Wednesday, the Dane reverted to the Lilywhites’ more familiar 4-3-3 system - a decision which allowed Pape Sarr to impress once more.

The 22-year-old has enjoyed rapid development in North London over recent seasons, having the ability to be a key member of the 51-year-old’s squad if he can replicate such a display.

He featured for the entirety of the contest, completing three dribbles and winning ten duels - with both figures the highest of any player on the pitch for either side.

Sarr also managed to complete 83% of the passes he attempted, with six of which being into the final third - helping him grab the assist for Johnson’s second-half strike.

The youngster’s all-round excellence is further highlighted in his tallies of two tackles, four clearances and four recoveries made, arguably being one of the standout performers in the win.

As a result of his showing, Sarr was handed an 8/10 match rating by Football London’s Alasdair Gold - with the journalist suggesting he could be a key member of Spurs’ squad this campaign.

Such a showing will certainly highlight to Frank the talent the Senegalese star possesses, having the chance to improve further under his guidance, given his tender age.

The midfielder and Richarlison were certainly the shining lights during the opening-day victory - hopefully creating many more moments of magic between them in the remaining 37 outings.

With Tottenham Hotspur and Arsenal continuing to do battle over Eberechi Eze's signature, the Lilywhites have reportedly set their sights on an impressive alternative who is fighting with the Crystal Palace star for an England place.

Latest on Tottenham's Eze pursuit

With the Premier League season now underway, Spurs have just two weeks to strengthen Thomas Frank's side. So far, the North London club have welcomed Joao Palhinha, Mathys Tel and Mohammed Kudus, with the latter particularly impressing against Paris Saint-Germain. Following the news that James Maddison is likely to miss the majority of the campaign, however, they must return to the transfer market to welcome one last star.

Having his own say on potential incomings recently, Frank told reporters: "We are definitely in the market in general. Of course, when players get a long term injury we need to look into that."

The former Brentford boss will be well aware just how important it is to add a crucial creative spark back to his side in Maddison's absence, and one player who would add that in abundance is Eze.

The Crystal Palace star has been the subject of a transfer battle between both Tottenham and Arsenal this summer, but it now looks as though it is the Lilywhites who are in pole position ahead of their North London rivals.

As Fabrizio Romano reported, Tottenham are preparing formal talks with Palace over a move to sign Eze and the player himself is now keen on the move. But even as all signs point towards Frank's side, those in North London are still reportedly considering an alternative option.

Tottenham ready to make Rogers move

According to The Daily Mail, Tottenham are now ready to make their move for Morgan Rogers if Aston Villa open the exit door amid their PSR struggles this summer. The England midfielder is seen as a game-changing signing in North London, but whether the Villans intend to sell their star man may well be another question entirely.

In terms of Eze alternatives, Rogers should sit top of Spurs' shortlist if they are beaten to the Palace star's signature by Arsenal. The Aston Villa midfielder went stride for stride with his England teammate last season and even outperformed him in total output.

Villa boss Unai Emery is well aware of the talent that he has on his hands too, having previously told reporters: "He is a player. He is intelligent. He understands football. When we analysed and we signed him, it was because we analysed his ability to adapt quickly to our structure."

With a matter of weeks left until the transfer window slams shut, Rogers could yet emerge as one to keep an eye on.

After taking the reins at Tottenham Hotspur earlier this summer, new boss Thomas Frank has made it clear that he wants new additions to bolster his ranks ahead of the 2025/26 campaign.

Mohammed Kudus and Joao Palhinha have already made the move to North London, with the forward costing £55m, whilst the latter arrived on a season-long loan.

However, despite the aforementioned signings, the Lilywhites have been hunting frantically in the transfer market over the last couple of days to further strengthen the first-team squad.

Numerous names have been mentioned as a result of their hunt, potentially handing the Dane the best possible chance of success during his maiden year in the Premier League at Spurs.

One area of the pitch in particular has been subject to potential investment, with further signings expected to help bolster the attacking unit in North London.

Spurs preparing bid for star who’d thrive alongside Savinho

In an attempt to improve the situation in recent days, Spurs have made an approach to Manchester City over a deal to land forward Savinho before the September 1st deadline.

It’s been reported that Pep Guardiola’s side are currently demanding a £60m transfer fee to part ways with the Brazilian international, who only joined the Citizens last summer.

However, the 21-year-old isn’t the only attacker currently in their sights, with Crystal Palace talent Eberechi Eze another player they’re targeting, according to The Sun.

They report that Frank’s side are preparing an opening offer for the 27-year-old, who’s been a constant target for the club during the ongoing transfer window.

It also states the Eagles are currently demanding a fee in the region of £60m to offload the England international, with North London rivals Arsenal also firmly in the race for his signature.

Why Spurs’ latest target would be perfect for Savinho

A move for Savinho would provide the fanbase with added excitement for the new campaign, offering a versatile and impressive option within the Spurs frontline.

The Brazilian managed to notch three goals and 11 assists in his debut year at the Etihad, a respectable return for a young talent in his first year in England’s top-flight.

Despite his tender age, the former Girona star can feature in either wide position, or even in a number ten position - handing Frank the key depth he will need in North London.

He would likely be utilised off the left-hand side, potentially filling the void left by Heung-min Son, after the South Korean ended his decade spell at the club, joining MLS side LAFC for £20m.

However, if Savinho is to be a success with the Lilywhites, a move for Eze could massively aid his chances, handing him a continuous stream of opportunities within the final third.

When delving into the Palace star’s underlying stats from the 2024/25 campaign, he produced numerous impressive figures that highlight his ability to create carnage in forward areas.

Eze, who’s been dubbed “phenomenal” by journalist Julien Laurens, registered 2.1 key passes per 90, with 1.8 of which making it into the final third - having the tools to offer the fellow new addition a platform to impress.

He also registered 2.4 successful take-ons per 90, subsequently being able to glide past the opposition, before having the end product to either score himself or tee up one of his teammates - something which Savinho would certainly benefit from.

The Palace star’s impressive numbers don’t end there, with the midffielder able to produce a combined tally of 16 goals and assists in the Premier League - a figure that would put him joint top of the current first-team for the 2024/25 season.

It would be a hefty investment from the board, but the deal would be worthwhile, as they’d be getting themselves a top-level talent, not to mention also getting one over their bitter rivals in the process.

Should he form a deadly partnership with the Brazilian throughout 2025/26, it would be a prospect for the supporters to be excited about, potentially building on their Europa League success from the end of the previous season.

Tottenham Hotspur are set to be active in this final two weeks of the summer transfer window, as confirmed by manager Thomas Frank himself.

Speaking in a pre-match press conference ahead of the Lilywhites' opening Premier League game of the season against Burnley on Saturday, Frank was asked about the club's transfer plans, and admitted that they could make even more signings outside the number 10 role.

“We are looking, of course, we're in the market, not only for the 10 position, but to see if we can strengthen the squad, and the players we are looking at are only players we think can improve the squad," said Frank.

"If we can pick the right player and it fits, we'll do something.”

The 51-year-old also praised chairman Daniel Levy, technical director Johan Lange and CEO Vinai Vinkatesham for working "night and day" on Tottenham's recruitment plans for the last two months.

"We saw a team that was very, very, very competitive (vs PSG) and on any other day, we would have beaten the best team in Europe," Frank continued.

"Of course, we want as strong and competitive squad as possible. I know that Daniel, Johan and Vinai are working night and day, and they have, by the way, been working night and day the last whatever, six, seven, eight weeks, and they definitely would like to do deals early. Sometimes I think we need to understand it's not that easy, but they're working.”

In terms of who Lange, Levy and Vinkatesham could bring through the door before deadline day on September 1, Tottenham are now in formal talks to sign Eberechi Eze from Crystal Palace.

This follows James Maddison's nightmare ACL rupture, which is expected to sideline him for a large portion of the new season, with Spurs' pursuit of a playmaker now pushed even more to the forefront.

Tottenham were on the verge of signing Morgan Gibbs-White to complement Maddison this time last month, but Nottingham Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis stepped in to block the move in bizarre fashion - even threatening legal action against the north Londoners.

Since then, the 25-year-old has penned a brand-new Forest deal, and a move for Gibbs-White is now completely off the table.

Tottenham are turning their attention towards Eze instead, but he isn't the only Premier League attacker targeted by Levy and co.

Agents trying to seal Tottenham transfer for Man City winger Savinho

Man City winger Savinho is also high on their to-do list, and some reports suggest that Tottenham have already had a low-ball bid rejected for the Brazilian (Jorge Nicola).

City want nearly £70 million (£67m) to green-light the 21-year-old's late-window exit, but according to The Mail, Savinho has set his sights on a move to N17 amid his desire to become a regularly-playing star.

The former Girona winger is determined to cement his place in Brazil's squad for the 2026 World Cup, with Spurs appealing to the player considering he'd be guaranteed more game time than under Pep Guardiola at Eastlands.

As a result, his agents, led by chief representative Frederico Moraes, have jetted to Europe as they try to force a Tottenham move for Savinho.

The Mail add that Frank personally wants both Savinho and Eze, who'd play completely separate roles, so it isn't a case of one or the other, as widely reported elsewhere.

Savinho bagged 13 assists in all competitions for City last season, but struggled to find the net with just three goals in that time.

At Girona, the forward was a key member of the side who challenged for a shock La Liga title in 2023/2024 - racking up an impressive 21 goal contributions - including a strike against Atlético Madrid and an assist versus Barcelona.

Southampton are building for a tilt at promotion and could now be at the front of the queue to land a talented defender from the continent, according to Sacha Tavolieri.

Southampton set to replace Mateus Fernandes

With the window drawing to a close, Southampton midfielder Mateus Fernandes is being targeted by West Ham United and Aston Villa, and speculation over his future could well force the hand of Will Still. Nevertheless, the former RC Lens boss praised his star for his professionalism after he featured during Saints' 1-0 victory over Northampton in the EFL Cup during the week,

He stated: "He's top, he's top. I think he'd missed quite a bit of football, which is understandable, but since we've brought him back in, he came on and made an impact on Saturday."

Coventry City midfielder Jack Rudoni could replace Fernandes for a price in the region of £15 million. Nevertheless, he may not be the only body brought in amid further interest in Tyler Dibling.

Recently, Southampton have offered a preliminary contract to Eduard Spertsyan as his contract at Krasnodar is slowly winding down. Albeit, West Bromwich Albion star Tom Fellows could also be on his way to St Mary's Stadium.

Two narrow victories over Wrexham and Northampton have given Still enough encouragement to work with as he sets out his vision. Either way, further additions will be needed to try and win promotion from the EFL Championship at the first time of asking.

The race for Premier League football next term is wide open, and competition on the market is fierce as a result. Still, Southampton retain plenty of appeal and could now be in a good position to land their latest target.

Southampton 'most concrete option' for Louis Patris

According to Sacha Tavolieri on X, Southampton have emerged as the most 'concrete option' for Sint-Truiden defender Louis Patris this summer, alongside Italian outfit Sassuolo.

Hoffenheim have turned their attention elsewhere after initially being open to a swoop, leaving Saints in pole position for his signature. However, his £3 million price tag is said to be a stumbling block in negotiations.

Likened to John Stones by scout Jacek Kulig, Patris has made 35 appearances in total for Sint-Truiden, registering a solitary goal and eight assists, predominantly featuring as a right-back.

In addition, the 24-year-old can also operate in central defence, offering cover in what has been a problem position for Southampton after a bruising Premier League campaign last term.

Now, it remains to be seen if Still and company can elbow Sassuolo out of the way to land their target or whether the notion of playing in Italy takes his fancy.