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Manchester United and Spurs have been linked with a transfer bid for the same midfielder - and United should make sure they win the race.

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While Manchester United have spent heavily on reinvigorating their attack this summer already, one major problem from last season remains entirely unaddressed – the midfield, which struggled with the demands of Ruben Amorim’s system last season.

Casemiro looks past his sell-by date, Manuel Ugarte has yet to live up to his billing and Kobbie Mainoo failed to maintain the form that saw him explode onto the scene in 2023/24, and all found it tough to effectively cover the kind of ground required by a two-man central pairing. If United are to get back on course, then a midfield refresh is surely a requirement.

So far, United have worried more about getting the goals that were notable by their absence under Amorim but a firm base of possession will surely become a priority before the transfer window closes – and rumours suggest that a former Premier League standout is now at the top of the shopping list. And if they do sign him, then they might just upset Tottenham Hotspur’s transfer plans in the process…

Will Manchester United hijack Spurs’ bid for João Palhinha?

The player in question is 30-year-old Bayern Munich midfielder João Palhinha, who moved from Fulham to Bavaria last summer for around £50m but has struggled to maintain his Premier League form in the Bundesliga.

United’s alleged interest in the Brazilian has been the subject of several stories in recent weeks, with The Independent the latest and perhaps most reputable outlet to mention the link. United aren’t alone in monitoring the midfielder, however.

Spurs, another side who need to inject some energy and bite into their midfield this summer, are also said to be interested in a move, while a few media sources suggest that Fulham could be interest in engineering a reunion with their standout player from the 2023/24 season as well.

Reports regarding the financial details of a potential move have been extremely varied. Some sources, such as GiveMeSport, suggest that an initial loan deal is most likely, while others claim that suitors could pay anything from £25m all the way up to £45m to arrange a permanent transfer.

Whether United want to borrow Palhinha or splash out to keep him for good remains to be seen, but the persistence of stories suggesting their interest means that he is likely to be high on their wishlist – and the same is true for Spurs. Perhaps if United could get a deal over the line, it would offer a small measure of revenge for their defeat in the Europa League final.

Still, if the fee ended up being anywhere near the £45m implied in some corners, there would be very little room for Palhinha to continue the subpar form he demonstrated at Bayern. He would have to get back to his best Fulham form very rapidly or risk looking like a serious waste of money. But the Fulham edition of Palhinha could be precisely what Manchester United need…

Why João Palhinha could be the right signing for Ruben Amorim

The difference between Palhinha’s performances at Craven Cottage and those at the Allianz Arena can largely be summed up by his tackling stats.

During the 2022/23 Premier League season, Palhinha attempted 135 tackles. In 2023/24, it went up to 152. In the Bundesliga last season, it was just 16. That’s partly because he barely started any matches and will also be influenced by the fact that he was playing for a team that dominated possession in their matches, but still – every 90 minutes, he put in around 40% of the total number of challenges that he had before.

There’s a debate as to whether that reflects the way Bayern tried to use him, further forward and more as a ball-carrier than as a ball-winner, or whether it’s a result of seemingly reduced energy and effort. Palhinha, who never seemed to stop at Fulham, seldom got going in Germany.

Therein lies the cause for concern for any potential buyer, but the upside is that when he was at his best – a best which came in the Premier League – Palhinha was not only destructive off the ball but dynamic on it and could cover huge swathes of grass effectively.

That’s precisely the sort of player that United desperately need. Casemiro’s legs were too old to cover the ground asked of him last season, and Mainoo’s technicality in tight corners makes him better suited to a more compact three-man midfield. If Amorim’s methods are to succeed, a player like Palhinha could be the answer, and if they can sign him on loan with no obligation to take him on full time if he can’t get back up to speed, then it seems like a low-risk, high-reward way to do business.

The same attributes that make him appeal to United, of course, provide the reasons for Spurs’ interest, and they too need to reinvigorate and reinforce their midfield if they’re going to make the most of their Champions League qualification or to get to form back in the league themselves.

Spurs are in such a similar situation to United in so many ways that finding a way to leapfrog them, even a minor one, may result in a satisfying and not insignificant advantage – but ultimately, however they get there, United need a midfielder that suits Amorim’s style of play. Without that, they will surely fall short of European qualification no matter how much they spend up front.

The biggest new Premier League transfer rumours - with news from Manchester United, Spurs, Nottingham Forest and more.

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With the transfer window moving at speed, we’re here to help you stay up-to-date with all the latest news with our regular round-up and review of the spiciest new Premier League transfer rumours – starting with a story for Manchester United fans.

Caught Offside claim that United are preparing an audacious “overhaul” of their goalkeeping position by placing André Onana up for sale and setting their sights on the “coveted prize” of PSG stopper Gianluigi Donnarumma.

If that sounds ambitious, it’s apparently made a little more plausible by the player’s “dissatisfaction” with a new contract offer which would reduce his salary, and there are supposedly suggestions that he could be replaced by Lille’s Lucas Chevalier. The Italian’s priority, however, is apparently to remain in Paris.

Porto’s Diogo Costa is another option should United fail to land Donnarumma and the Portugal number one is apparently available for around £50-60m due to a release clause in his contract. That’s more than United are demanding for Onana, with £35-40m said to be the valuation for the Cameroonian, who is wanted by AS Monaco and some unspecified Saudi Arabian sides.

The 3AM Verdict: We can’t imagine the world in which United sign Donnarumma this summer, quite frankly, but if they can find a buyer for Onana then Costa is a rather more realistic target. There’s every chance the Porto man finally moves this summer, and he’d be a fine and eminently realistic target. Something big would have to change for Donnarumma to leave PSG, though.

Spurs & Nottingham Forest target deemed ‘unsellable’

Over to some bad news for fans of both Tottenham Hotspur and Nottingham Forest now – Sport Witness relay reports from Italy which suggest that the two teams will both be frustrated in their alleged pursuit of Inter Milan midfielder Davide Frattesi.

The Italy international fell down the pecking order under former manager Simone Inzaghi but apparently that’s expected to change under new head coach Cristian Chivu and despite “talk of interest” from the two Premier League teams, Frattesi has seemingly been told that he is “unsellable” this summer.

Spurs and Forest apparently made enquiries about his availability already, alongside Marseille and Atlético Madrid, and the player was apparently interested in exploring his options – but is now content to sign a new contract with his place in the first team likely to be resorted.

The 3AM Verdict: We’re not entirely convinced that the link with Spurs or Forest was ever that tangible, but it would be no surprise if Frattesi wasn’t on quite a few shortlist. With details of a new five-year deal now on the table, however, it seems that the window of opportunity to strike a deal is passing. Both teams will have to look elsewhere but were likely doing so anyway.

French side attempt to ‘snatch’ key Leeds target

News now from Leeds United’s pursuit of Feyenoord winger Igor Paixão – and it’s not the best news, with Sport Witness again on the pulse to inform us that Marseille are attempting to “snatch” the Brazilian winger from Daniel Farke’s clutches.

Leeds are “pushing hard” to sign the 25-year-old, who has enjoyed a quite brilliant season in the Netherlands, and are even said by the Dutch press to be “very close to closing” a deal, but no formal agreement has yet been reached and there is time for Marseille to spoil the party.

The Ligue 1 side apparently already have an agreement in place with the player but still haven’t figured out a fee with Feyenoord – and it’s said that French newspaper L’Equipe claim that Marseille “will raise” their bid to get the signing done ahead of Leeds.

The 3AM Verdict: This was always the risk with the deal for Paixão, with several teams said to be keeping tabs on him, and if the French media sources cited here are right then it’s not looking likely that he’ll be playing at Elland Road next season. Leeds just don’t quite have the clout as a newly-promoted side to beat out teams like Marseille right now, and the Whites’ only hope of a transfer now is that they’re the highest bidders and can force other teams out of the market.

Tottenham Hotspur are in the hunt for some more new faces this summer

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Tottenham Hotspur boss Thomas Frank will be eager to bring in some more new signings this summer. He will be looking to put his own stamp on his newly inherited squad. The Dane was picked as their replacement for Ange Postecoglou after catching the eye at Brentford over recent times.

Spurs finished down in 17th place in the Premier League table last season. Nevertheless, they managed to get their hands on the Europa League after beating Manchester United in the final in Bilbao. The London outfit will be aiming to compete higher up the league in the upcoming 2025/26 campaign and need more quality in their squad in order to do so.

Tottenham Hotspur eye Arsenal attacker Gabriel Jesus

Spurs have been linked with a shock move for Arsenal attacker Gabriel Jesus in this window, as per Caught Offside. The report claim rivals Newcastle United are also in the frame for his signature. The striker is facing an uncertain future at the Emirates Stadium and may well move on before the English deadline on Monday 1st September.

Jesus, 28, is an experienced operator now and would give Frank something different to pick from up front. He has proved he can score goals at the top level in the past and could now benefit from a change of scene. The Brazil international has made 64 caps for his country.

The Sao Paulo-born man started his career at Palmeiras as a youngster. He rose up through their academy ranks and was a regular at various different youth levels. He then broke into their first-team as a teenager in 2015 and went on to score 28 goals in 82 before moving over to Europe.

Manchester City snapped him up in 2017 and he was a decent servant to the North West club during his time in the North West. He found the net on 95 occasions in 236 outings under the guidance of Pep Guardiola. He was then given the green light to head out the exit for a new challenge at Arsenal.

He has since played 96 games for the Gunners and scored 26 times. However, he has struggled with injury issues over recent times. Therefore, it wouldn’t be a surprise to see Mikel Arteta sanction a potential departure in the near future to freshen up his ranks.

Tottenham Hotspur should offer Richarlison in swap deal

The striking department has been a problem area for Arsenal over recent seasons. Injuries to Jesus and Kai Havertz forced them to play Mikel Merino out of position during last term as they fell short behind Liverpool in the title race. Despite their recent eye-catching addition of Viktor Gyokeres from Sporting Lisbon, Arteta can’t afford to be left short again and needs depth in that position.

Spurs should offer Richarlison in a swap deal for Jesus in a switch that would raise some eyebrows if it happened. The Brazilian would suit the Gunners and would be a good option for them off the bench. He wouldn’t start ahead of Gyokeres but could be a solid player to bring on in games if they need a plan B.

The ex-Watford and Everton is a different type of player to Jesus and would benefit from leaving Spurs over the coming weeks to try something new. He is an unorthodox player and has an air of unpredictability about him that would suit Arsenal. The forward hasn’t been consistent enough at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium of late and must start thinking about moving on for the sake of his career.

Arteta is a manager who would his arm round Richarlison and try and get the best out of him. The Spaniard is desperate to win the trophy and should think outside the box with his recruitment. Gyokeres is a brilliant acquisition but they can’t stop there as Liverpool and Manchester City continue to strengthen.

Spurs won’t be signing Morgan Gibbs-White - but they may have the perfect Plan B in place already.

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A little under two weeks ago, Tottenham Hotspur thought they were getting hold of Morgan Gibbs-White, and the player himself thought he was leaving Nottingham Forest for £60m. A little legal wrangling later, and neither has proven to be the case.

On Sunday, Forest announced that Gibbs-White has signed a new three-year contract to keep him at the City Ground having succeeded in putting his move to Spurs on ice by complaining to the Premier League about the nature of Spurs’ approach. With Forest making it plain that they would do everything to block his move to North London and no other suitors in sight, however, he is going nowhere.

Quite whether Gibbs-White is entirely happy about the situation is unclear, and a video of him thanking Evangelos Marinakis for ‘believing in him’ while the Forest owner stood glowering over him had the subtle air of a hostage situation about it, but it’s certain that Spurs aren’t going to be thrilled. They’re heading back to the drawing board – but they may have a pretty Spurs Hotspur may already have the ideal Morgan Gibbs-White alternative in mind

Harvey Elliott could be perfect Morgan Gibbs-White alternative for Spurs

On Sunday, a story originating with Spurs reporter Paul O’Keefe suggested that Spurs have made enquiries regarding Liverpool’s Harvey Elliott, with the hero of England’s charge to the European Under-21 Championship title in Slovakia facing an uncertain future at Anfield.

Never really able to force his way into Arne Slot’s starting side, Elliott appears to have accepted the likelihood of a move away and is reportedly available for a fee in the range of £40-50m, with several teams alleged to be monitoring his situation.

Elliott would not, of course, be a like for like replacement for Gibbs-White, who is perhaps most at home playing as a number ten or operating on the left wing, but Elliott’s performances for the Young Lions in June provided a timely reminder that he’s far more than just the economical midfielder which Jürgen Klopp used him as.

Elliott first made his name as a winger, especially during an explosive loan spell at Blackburn Rovers in the Championship, and is equally capable of driving at defenders down the right flank as he is playing in a dynamic central role.

If Thomas Frank is looking for someone to supplement (or supplant) James Maddison in the central attacking midfield role, then Elliott may well do a fine job but would certainly free Dejan Kulusevski up to play that role by providing competition down the right – and he would be another option for the deeper midfielder pairing, a position that Spurs have put off an overhaul of for a little too long.

While naturally left-footed, few would bet against Elliott offering another option down the left flank as well should Son Heung-Min depart, either, but the real reason to sign Elliott is not simply that he’s a highly flexible player who can fill multiple roles for Spurs as they compete on four fronts next season, but that he’s an excellent technician, a genuine threat in the final third and – crucially – has plenty of room to improve even further.

Why Harvey Elliott would improve Spurs immediately

Over the course of the past season, Elliott was directly involved in creating 4.63 shooting chances every 90 minutes he played in all competitions – and the season before, that was 4.72. Of the current Spurs squad, only Son and Kulusevski have created more opportunities.

Elliott would immediately become one of Spurs’ greatest creative threats, and he may well exceed the wingers ahead of him were he played in a more advanced role. Even from deeper areas, he helped to generated more than twice as many scoring chances per game than any of Spurs’ central midfielders.

His accurate long-range passing would add a string to Spurs’ attacking bow that’s presently somewhat lacking. The driving force behind the volume of chances that Elliott creates is the volume of precise balls either into the box or down the channels that he produces – only James Maddison comes close on that score in the current Spurs squad.

And Elliott offers that without lacking qualities in other areas. Although the small sample size may skew the stats, his combined goals and assist per game would have the equal of Maddison and more than anyone else in Spurs’ side this past season. He would have been right up there the season before, too, when he played rather more, racking up 0.6 goal contributions per 90 minutes, again despite playing in midfield.

He’s effective in the press and tracking back, his movement off the ball is impeccable, and there are few weaknesses to his game save, perhaps, for relatively unreliable judgement over when to take a defender on one-on-one or to look for an alternative. That’s a straw being clutched at – Elliott passes both the eye test and the statistics deep dive with flying colours.

In short, whyever Slot decided to pass Elliott over, there is plenty of evidence that he would instantly be one of Spurs’ most dynamic and creative players, as his Player of the Tournament performance for the Under-21s, which included his scoring five goals in six games, neatly demonstrated.

That would have been true for Gibbs-White too, of course, and he carries the ball far better than Elliott does – but Elliott is cheaper and younger, with plenty of room to smooth off the few rough edges given that he’s only 22. As runners-up prizes go, Elliott would be a good one. Spurs should just make sure that they call the right person first this time.

The latest Premier League transfer rumours, with news from Manchester United, Spurs, Liverpool, Newcastle and more.

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It’s time for our latest round-up and review of the juiciest new Premier League transfer rumours – and we’re kicking things off today up at Old Trafford, with a story which suggests that Manchester United are about to stick their oar into the race for one of the most sought-after midfielders of the summer.

According to Sport Witness, Manchester United are “back into the picture” for former Aston Villa midfielder Douglas Luiz, who looks increasingly likely to return to the Premier League following a torrid season with Juventus in Serie A.

Everton, West Ham United and Nottingham Forest have all been linked with him on a number of occasions and are still in the conversation, but now United are “also pursuing him” after he failed to report for pre-season training in Turin. Juve want €40m (£35m) for Luiz, about 80% of what they paid Villa.

Elsewhere, ESPN claim that United have started an “exploration” of a deal for PSG striker Randal Kolo Muani, who is on the transfer list and could be available for €50m (£43.5m). Ollie Watkins and another Juventus player, Dušan Vlahović, are said to be alternative options.

The 3AM Verdict: In the last week or two, we’ve seen United linked strongly with so many different midfielders and strikers that it’s impossible to know who to trust, and we’re not seeing enough corroboration of either story to be convinced as yet. The Spanish press are under the impression that they’re trying to sign Javi Guerra instead, and the English media seem to believe they’re waiting for sales before pressing on with new signings. We suspect that’s the most likely scenario.

Spurs to compete with Liverpool for Italian wonderkid

Over to Caught Offside now – they claim that Tottenham Hotspur “are keen on signing” 18-year-old Parma centre-half Giovanni Leoni, who was just recently linked with Liverpool and Newcastle United.

Indeed, Spurs and Newcastle are now said to be “leading the race” for the precocious young defender, and are both said to be “close” to launching a formal bid, according to unnamed sources. Parma are expected to demand a fee of up to €40m (£35m).

If either do, they’ll have competition. Not only have Liverpool been mentioned but also (deep breath) Inter Milan, AC Milan, Bologna, Juventus, Napoli and Marseille – and that’s just the teams that Caught Offside know about. They’re expecting a big transfer battle to break out imminently.

The 3AM Verdict: We don’t believe that either Spurs, Newcastle or Liverpool are in any way further ahead than other interested parties in this particular race – there are a lot of teams watching and waiting, and it isn’t clear who will start the bidding or who has an edge.

Manchester United star targeted by Wrexham in surprise move

We’ll wrap up with a story from The Daily Mail which alleges that nouveau-riche Wrexham are planning to flex their new Championship status by making a “shock move” for Christian Eriksen, who is a free agent after leaving Manchester United at the end of June. Alright, not technically a Premier League rumour this one, but just you give Ryan Reynolds a year or two.

Wrexham are “keen to make a significant impression” and Eriksen is said to have been “impressed by the proposal” from the Welsh side, with his representatives sharing some glowing words about the club’s infrastructure. Sadly, that may not be enough to land the 33-year-old.

Eriksen “still wants to play in first-tier competition” and purportedly has offers from the United States, Saudi Arabia, Turkey and Brazil. It’s not outright stated that Eriksen has no interest in the second tier, but the implication seems fairly clear.

The 3AM Verdict: Well, why not? Wrexham have an enormous amount of cash by Championship standards and can probably meet Eriksen’s wage demands, but it sounds as though he wants something a little different. Wrexham, it would seem, haven’t glowed up quite enough just yet.

The latest Premier League transfer rumours, with news from Spurs, Man Utd, Liverpool and Chelsea.

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It’s already been a pretty big 24 hours in the transfer window as news of Alexander Isak’s desire to leave Newcastle United comes flying off the rumour mill – but there are plenty of stories going around that you might have missed, so we’re here to keep you up-to-date with all the latest Premier League transfer rumours with our latest round-up and review.

We’ll start with a story from TBR Football which suggests that Tottenham Hotspur could be setting up to spring a big shock in the summer market by taking advantage of the uncertain contract situation of Manchester United’s Kobbie Mainoo.

Apparently Spurs are “now interested” in signing the 20-year-old midfielder with talks over a new deal at Old Trafford “at a stalemate”. While Mainoo is still tied to United for up to three more years, it sounds as though we aren’t any closer to an agreement and as such Spurs are “monitoring Mainoo’s situation closely.”

There’s no suggestion that Mainoo is actively agitating for a move but is apparently demanding to be paid according to his status as a first-teamer at Old Trafford, which he feels that he isn’t. It doesn’t sound like a bid is imminent, but it’s suggested that this is one to watch.

The 3AM Verdict: Under normal circumstances we’d suggest that there was no chance that United would sell Mainoo, but he’s coming off a tough year, doesn’t fit Ruben Amorim’s system very well and the club need to sell some players in order to fund their transfer plans. Whether the Spurs link is legitimate or not, Mainoo’s future could be an issue that crops up again before the end of the window.

Liverpool make contact with Serie A side over star defender

Liverpool’s chances of signing Alexander Isak will be the main topic of conversation for the next few days, but the Swede isn’t the only player on their shortlist – not according to Sport Witness, anyway, who cite Italian media reports to suggest that the Reds are “trying to sign” Parma centre-half Giovanni Leoni.

The 18-year-old is said to be “prioritising” a move to Inter Milan, who are one of several big Italian teams in the market along with AC Miland and Juventus, but with Inter apparently focusing other signings such as that of Ademola Lookman, the door may be left ajar.

Liverpool “haven’t gone further” than making an initial enquiry as yet, much the same as the Serie A sides trying to poach Leoni from their rivals, but they have a “lingering” interest in a very talented young player. No word on how much they may have to spend.

The 3AM Verdict: We suspect that if Liverpool are interested in making a bid, it will be after the future of Ibrahima Konaté is resolved – and, incidentally, Caught Offside claim that Barcelona and Bayern Munich have joined Real Madrid in the race for that particular transfer. Leoni may well be a target, but he won’t be a priority. One they might pick up if the budget allows further down the line.

German giants to give Sterling loan chance

Finally, some news from Caught Offside which builds on this week’s reports which suggest that Bundesliga outfit Bayer Leverkusen are getting ready to make a bid for Chelsea outcast Raheem Sterling.

It’s claimed that Leverkusen – managed by former Manchester United head coach Erik ten Hag – “have an interest” in taking Sterling on loan, with Chelsea paying an unspecified portion of his wages. That, it’s implied, is the only way that a deal of any kind can be done.

Chelsea had hoped to sell Sterling, who has two years left on a massive £325,000 per week contract, on a permanent basis, but their reported €25m asking price is apparently too high, and Leverkusen are trying to find a “compromise.” Juventus are also said to be keeping tabs on the former England man.

The 3AM Verdict: It’s hard to envision anyone buying Sterling on a permanent basis after a bad season at Arsenal, especially given how much he’s paid, so a loan deal sounds far more likely. Chelsea may wait to see if anyone comes in with a better deal, but we wouldn’t be at all surprised if a loan deal was the best that they could get.

Tottenham Hotspur have the chance to freshen up their ranks with some reinforcements this summer

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Tottenham Hotspur are gearing up for a new era under the guidance of Thomas Frank. The ex-Brentford man was picked as their head coach earlier this summer. He was appointed as their replacement for Ange Postecoglou, who was sacked at the end of last season.

Spurs finished down in 17th place in the Premier League table in the last campaign. Nevertheless, they were able to win the Europa League after beating Manchester United in the final in Bilbao. They have the chance to freshen up their ranks with some signings this summer.

Tottenham Hotspur eye Marc Guehi transfer

Spurs are interested in Crystal Palace defender Marc Guehi, according to The Telegraph. The London outfit are said to be admirers of the centre-back. However, they face competition from league rivals Liverpool in pursuit of his signature. Guehi, 25, would be an ideal addition for Frank over the coming weeks. He would boost his defensive department and tighten things up at the back. In addition, he knows the league already and is a proven performer at the top level.

The England international, who has 23 caps under his belt, has been a key player since joining Crystal Palace in 2021. He has made 155 appearances in all competitions for the Eagles to date and has scored eight goals from the back. He also helped them win the FA Cup this year under the guidance of Oliver Glasner after they beat Manchester City in the final at Wembley.

Guehi rose up through the academy ranks at Chelsea and was a regular for the Blues at various different youth levels. He went on to play twice for their first-team in his early career. The Ivory Coast-born man was also loaned out away from Stamford Bridge at Swansea City on two different occasions to get some experience under his belt and bolster his development.

Tottenham Hotspur should offer Archie Gray in transfer swap deal

In attempt to persuade Crystal Palace into selling Guehi, Spurs should offer the Eagles Archie Gray on loan in return plus some cash. The ex-Leeds United man is a promising talent and is highly-rated by his current club. However, he would now benefit from getting guaranteed regular action at Selhurst Park.

Gray, 19, is a versatile operator and can play in a variety of different positions. He can play full-back, centre-back or in midfield if needed. He completed his transfer to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium around 12 months ago and penned a long-term contract.

The teenager has already played a lot of games for someone so young. He broke into Leeds’ senior team in 2023 and went on to play 52 matches for the Whites altogether. They reached the play-off final last year but were beaten at Wembley by Southampton. Daniel Farke’s men bounced back this past season in style by winning the Championship title.

Gray proved to be a useful person for Spurs to call upon during his first year. He ended up playing 46 games, 28 of which came in the division. It remains to be seen whether he will be able to nail down a regular place in their starting XI under Frank though, especially if they make some new signings.

Therefore, loaning him out to a team like Crystal Palace in return for Guehi would be a sensible decision. He would return next year a better player and more rounded. In addition, he will be able to show what he can do with the Eagles when playing every single week under Glasner.

As Spurs struggle to get a key transfer over the line, could Chelsea offer their target an alternative?

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The strange circumstances surrounding Morgan Gibbs-White’s pending transfer to Tottenham Hotspur makes it hard to know which of the teams involved is in more of a bind – Spurs or Nottingham Forest.

Spurs identified Gibbs-White as precisely the kind of versatile and direct attacking playmaker they needed to liven up an attack that went rather stale last season, but are now in limbo with the transfer on ice as Nottingham Forest register complaints about the nature of their bid, which triggered a £60m release clause that Forest believe Spurs should only have known about had they gone through the club.

That makes it hard for Spurs to move forward – will they get their man or do they need to find someone else? – but it puts Forest in an awkward spot, too. According to The Daily Mail, they would not prefer to sell to another team, seemingly to spite Spurs, but the only other obvious candidate for a deal, Manchester City, don’t plan any further attacking signings. Forest may have to either sell to Spurs or force a potential malcontent player to stay.

There is, of course, a third way for Forest. Find another buyer. And among the teams who might afford £60m and have an apparent need for a player like Gibbs-White, there’s only one team that jumps out: Chelsea.

Could Chelsea make a move for Morgan Gibbs-White?

Back in June, a few media sources suggested that Gibbs-White was on Chelsea’s radar, including transfer journalist Ben Jacobs who suggested that Enzo Maresca and his hyperactive transfer team “appreciated him” – but no bid ever materialised and that interest never crystallised into anything more tangible.

Chelsea certainly want to add more attacking reinforcements despite the acquisitions of João Pedro, Liam Delap, Jamie Gittens and the imminent arrivals of South American prodigies Kendry Páez and Estevão Willian. That may be a lot of fresh faces, but there are just as many heading towards the exit door.

With Raheem Sterling, Christopher Nkunku, João Félix and Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall all either up for sale or members of the infamous ‘bomb squad’, Mykhaylo Mudryk suspended due to an alleged doping violation and Noni Madueke already sold to Arsenal, the five new players coming in are effectively filling six vacancies. One more player is almost certain to be added.

At the moment, Gibbs-White is not the leading candidate, however much admiration Chelsea might have for him. Reports suggest that talks have taken place over a move for RB Leipzig’s Xavi Simons, who would cost around the same as Gibbs-White, and should those discussions lead nowhere it appears that Aston Villa’s Morgan Rogers would be their second choice.

But deals fall through all the time, and should Simons prove unobtainable for any reason the Rogers would not be easy to sign – Villa may be in a relatively tight spot in relation to the Premier League’s profit and sustainability rules but they are not in so deep that they would be compelled to sell a player they view as a key part of their future plans. In short, Gibbs-White could re-enter the picture.

Whether that happens quickly enough for Nottingham Forest’s purposes, of course, is an open question. Forest’s complaints have blocked the transfer to Tottenham for now, but the barrier may not hold forever if those complaints are dismissed by the relevant authorities.

But Chelsea need a player like Gibbs-White who not only fits Maresca’s methods and tactical ideology but has the positional versatility to cover multiple positions behind the central striker. It’s not a great leap of the imagination to see a deal taking place, even if a few dominoes need to fall first.

Why Nottingham Forest will likely still sell Gibbs-White to Spurs

None of that makes Chelsea a likely destination for Gibbs-White, of course – they just come in as the only other club in the Premier League who have the right combination of tactical needs and transfer funds to plausibly make an offer.

Manchester City were heavily linked with Gibbs-White through the spring and early summer, but instead signed Lyon’s Rayan Cherki and now consider their transfer business to be completed, save for possible outgoings, including the likely departure of James McAtee, who could easily end up at Forest.

The Manchester Evening News’ latest reports on their interest in Gibbs-White plainly suggest that they will not be weighing in with a bid despite their long-standing admiration of the player, and with Chelsea only a hypothetical option for now and more likely to sign Simons, Spurs are probably the only buyer.

Some reports have suggested that Forest will drop their complaints should Daniel Levy throw another £5m into the bargain, although it’s hard to imagine that Spurs would do that unless they have no alternative. Those reports do hint at a certain understanding of the reality that Gibbs-White will be leaving one way or the other, however.

And however angry Forest may be with Spurs, they may be ultimately be compelled to sell Gibbs-White to them simply because there is no alternative, save to attempt to force a wantaway player to stay at the City Ground – the kind of move that seldom has a positive outcome.

One way or the other, Forest likely know that there is only one way that this transfer saga ends, and that’s with Gibbs-White in a white shirt. Their delaying tactics might just buy them time to find another buyer or force Spurs to cough up a little more cash, but the smart bet is on Gibbs-White playing football in North London by September. But if Evangelos Marinakis happens to have Behdad Eghbali’s phone number, it might just be worth a call.

Rounding up the latest Premier League transfer rumours, with news from Spurs, Chelsea, Leeds and more.

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With the transfer window continuing to move at lightning pace, we at 3 Added Minutes are back to keep you in the loop with our latest round-up and review of some of the biggest new Premier League transfer rumours – starting with some news for Tottenham Hotspur fans.

TBR Football reports that Spurs “could have a chance” to sign PSG striker Randal Kolo Muani, despite the fact that the Frenchman turned down a move to North London in January in favour of a loan switch to Juventus.

Talks between Juve and the player over a permanent deal “have not been going well”, it’s claimed, while PSG are keen to get a sale over the line. With the Old Lady “not willing” to pay the asking price and instead targeting Manchester United’s Rasmus Højlund, Spurs could get a second chance to pounce.

PSG want €50m (£43m) for Kolo Muani but would settle for a season-long loan for €5m with the rest to be paid as an obligation to buy next summer – which may make the finances easier for Spurs. The striker is apparently “open” to moving to the Premier League, but there’s no suggestion that Spurs have made a formal bid as yet. Newcastle United and Manchester United are suggested as rival suitors, but that sounds like pure supposition at this stage.

The 3AM Verdict: This is a rumour born from inference rather than tangible, credible information, not that it’s especially unlikely that Spurs make a second bid. It could pan out as TBR Football suggest, but there’s no firm evidence to suggest that it will, and as such we view this story with scepticism.

Chelsea star could leave after just one season – with Newcastle among suitors

Over to Caught Offside now, who suggest that Chelsea “could be open” to the sale of centre-half Tosin Adarabioyo just a year after he joined the club on a free transfer – if they’re offered enough money, anyway.

There are “plenty of clubs” interest in the 27-year-old former Fulham man, with Newcastle United, West Ham United and Crystal Palace “among his suitors” as doubt grows over his future at Stamford Brigde.

It’s even suggested that Adarabioyo could be used as a makeweight in a swap deal for Aston Villa’s Morgan Rogers, a player that Chelsea greatly admire. The Blues apparently value the defender at £30m, which would represent a healthy profit given that he was bought for nothing.

The 3AM Verdict: Chelsea are very business-forward in the transfer market these days and they would certainly sell Adarbioyo if there was a healthy offer, but we haven’t seen enough to convince us that any of these specific moves are all that likely. Newcastle were keen when he was on the free market last summer, so that could be the best bet, but we haven’t seen much movement as yet.

Leeds ‘step up pursuit’ of former Aston Villa star

Finally, a story from fans of Leeds United from Sport Witness, who provide an update on their own search for a new centre-half – one which has supposedly seen them “step up their pursuit” of ex-Aston Villa man Diego Carlos.

The Brazilian is currently in Turkey with Fenerbahçe but they are “looking to offload” him, apparently due to persistent injury concerns. Those don’t seem to be affecting Leeds’ desire to sign him, however, with Elland Road now a “possible destination”.

They’re said to be “very serious” about the 32-year-old and are expected to make a bid soon, although Sunderland and Burnley could also make a move – and it’s suggested that Carlos himself would prefer a move to Turf Moor.

The 3AM Verdict: We can’t claim to be in the know about the reliability of Turkish outlet Fotospor, whose reporting forms the backbone of this story, but Carlos is on the market and newly-promoted sides could easily be tempted by his experience in the Premier League, even if he is a fitness risk. One to keep half an eye on.

The midfielder starred for two seasons in the Premier League

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Thomas Frank’s quest to transform Tottenham into a Premier League power once again has started strongly but he still requires an elite holding midfielder and Joao Palhinha could be the perfect fit to continue that spending spree after an underwhelming debut season at Bayern Munich.

Having made a net spend of just £50m under Mauricio Pochettino, Tottenham are €257m (£223m) in the red across just the last two summer transfer windows thanks to marquee arrivals like Dominic Solanke and Mohamed Kudus, and don’t appear to be slowing down any time soon with Palhinha the next target in Daniel Levy’s sights.

The 34-cap Portuguese international turned 30 earlier this month and after two seasons starring for Fulham, Palhinha has found it difficult to make the same impact at Bayern Munich having played just 25 games in his debut season at the Allianz Arena.

And Vincent Kompany may have already seen enough, as Palhinha is reportedly on the market already with the Bundesliga champions looking to recoup as much of the £47m they paid to Fulham as possible and apparently preferring a sale to a loan.

Reports suggest Bayern would be happy to sell for €25-30million (£22-26million) with the player keenest on a return to London despite interest from Inter Milan - if Spurs can meet that price and match the £200,000-a-week wages that Palhinha is said to demand.

However, they could cut out the fee altogether by sending a player to Munich in return in a swap-plus-cash deal, and Son Heung-min would be a brilliant candidate, filling a hole on the wing and able to rekindle his devastating partnership with Harry Kane.

Palhinha could be foundation of new-look Spurs

Once part of one of the best midfield partnerships in international football alongside Federico Valverde for Uruguay, Rodrigo Bentancur didn’t exactly have a vintage 2024/25 season as despite only missing three weeks through injury, he was suspended for 14 games including for allegedly racially abusing Son and was far from his domineering best when on the field.

Bentancur’s indiscipline was particularly damaging given the extent of Tottenham’s injury crisis last season while most Lilywhite fans will believe they could upgrade on Yves Bissouma too this summer, with both veterans linked to moves away from White Hart Lane this summer.

Palhinha would be the perfect addition to anchor Tottenham’s midfield and help kickstart that new-look attack of Mohamed Kudus and (hopefully) Morgan Gibbs-White, given he was the the best tackler in the Premier League in both of his top-flight seasons at Craven Cottage.

He’d also be a fantastic mentor for Archie Gray, who had a nightmare debut season at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium played mostly out of position at centre-back and full-back by Ange Postecoglou, and Lucas Bergvall, both players aged only 19.

Palhinha’s advancing age will be less of a limitation in holding midfield - he was described as an ‘animal’ by Harry Kane when he completed his move to Bayern Munich - and he’d allow Frank to effectively restart the development of his teenage pairing plus 22-year-old Pape Matar Sarr, easing them into the first team to help rebuild their confidence.

Meanwhile Palhinha has a extra incentive to force a move this summer, with the 2026 World Cup now firmly on the horizon.

Having started only 10 games last season, it’s unsurprising that Palhinha has slipped down the pecking order under national team boss Roberto Martinez and he played just a solitary minute in the Nations League Finals.

But a move to Tottenham would allow him the opportunity to showcase his best form once again in the Premier League and Champions League, and show why he deserves a much bigger role in North America in 12 months’ time.

Son-Kane partnership could terrorise Bundesliga

Son certainly wouldn’t be a like-for-like replacement for some of the younger superstar wingers Bayern Munich have missed out on this summer - most notably Nico Williams - but he’d help fill the void left by Leroy Sane and be able to replace some of the leadership lost from Thomas Muller’s exit.

Son’s well acquainted with the Bundesliga as a Hamburg youth product who spent three seasons as a key first-team player for Die Rothosen and Bayer Leverkusen, notching over a century of appearances in the division and scoring 41 goals.

It’s his acquaintance with Kane that should be of most interest to the Bavarians though, with the pair having played almost 300 matches and over 20,000 minutes together for Tottenham Hotspur and notching 58 joint goal participations according to Transfermarkt.

Reports on Son’s price tag vary but €30m (£26m) seems a more reasonable valuation than the £50m that’s also been floated given his age with a year remaining on his contract.

And while it would be heartbreaking for Spurs fans to watch their captain leave, seeing him depart with that elusive Europa League winner’s medal around his neck while helping bring a potentially transformative player into Frank’s midfield would surely soften the blow.