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Spurs have been linked with a striker who just enjoyed his best ever season - but the media can’t agree on whether he’s on his way to London or not.

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Folarin Balogun isn’t exactly unfamiliar with the notion of finding himself stuck in the middle of an argument. Over the summer, FIFA’s decision to allow him to play for the United States in their World Cup defeat to Belgium despite the fact that he had been sent off in the previous match created immense controversy – and now he’s at the middle of another debate about his future.

Some sources suggest that Tottenham Hotspur have opened up discussions with AS Monaco ahead of a bid to bring the Arsenal academy graduate back to North London. Others insist that Balogun isn’t a target for Spurs at all. It may not be quite as consequential for football as a whole as the row which emerged over the summer, but it could be rather important for both the player and his supposed suitors in the capital.

So could Balogun end up moving to Spurs this summer? And if so, is he a player who could make a real difference as they look to build a squad which can compete at the top end of the Premier League table once again?

Are Tottenham Hotspur trying to sign Folarin Balogun?

While Balogun’s future had been the source of plenty of generalised speculation since his impressive performances at the World Cup, there was discussion about a specific destination until French outlet L’Equipe reported that Spurs had “made their move” to sign the American international on Tuesday.

L’Equipe’s report was relatively light on specifics but suggested that Spurs had “laid the groundwork for discussions” – a rather nebulous phrase, to say the least – and that a deal would likely set them back around €60m (£51m), twice the sum that Monaco paid to sign him from former side Arsenal back in 2023.

Since that story first broke, however, there have been mixed messages from other sections of the media. The Athletic’s Seb Stafford-Bloor reported that Balogun was “not currently a Tottenham target,” while Fabrizio Romano was distinctly non-committal, simply suggesting that “nothing concrete” existed between Spurs and Monaco.

Spurs have monitored Balogun’s progress in recent months and are believed to have sent scouts to watch him in action in Ligue 1, but that’s something that’s true of many players that they have decided not to bid on – Balogun may well be no different.

The wider reporting has the faint whiff of an attempt to spark interest as deadline day nears. L’Equipe mentioned that Newcastle had also been keeping tabs on Balogun without suggesting that any conversations had taken place, while Romano mentioned that Galatasaray and unnamed Saudi Pro League sides had made contact about a deal. In such circumstances, it isn’t unusual for a player’s representatives to seed a few stories around in order to try and drum up interest from prospective suitors and create a sense of urgency.

That may be the case here as well. Spurs hold at least some amount of interest in Balogun but there is no clear evidence that he is a priority target and no suggestion that a formal offer has been made. As it stands, the 25-year-old does not seem to be close to making a move back to England.

That doesn’t mean that it’s out of the question. Spurs’ first priority is to sign at least one new winger – ideally two, with Cody Gakpo and Savinho among the targets – but the addition of a new striker is something they will consider if they have the remaining transfer funds once more important deals have been arranged. Much may also depend on whether Richarlison leaves. If that happens and the money is there, there’s at least a sporting chance that the idea of a deal for Balogun swims back into focus.

Why Folarin Balogun with add a different dimension to Spurs – if they sign him

As well as considering their financial position, Spurs will also have to judge whether Balogun is the type of centre-forward they need. He’s certainly a very different type of player than Dominic Solanke, their current first choice in the role when fit.

Where Solanke straddles the line between a traditional target man and a poacher, Balogun’s strengths lie not in his link-up play or necessarily his finishing, but in his capacity to exploit space and get in behind high defensive lines. He’s a striker that suits a more direct style of play, as a general rule.

Technically, he has improved considerably over the past year – both his passing and dribbling were far more efficient in the 2025/26 season than they were in the past – but he’s still not a player whose final ball or ability to beat defenders on the ground make for very strong sell points.

Balogun still fails with around 60% of his attempted dribbles and while he did provide a respectable four assists in 30 Ligue 1 appearances last season, the xG stats suggest that he was somewhat fortunate to have created that many. His passing and crossing aren’t weaknesses, per se, but nobody would pay £50m or more for them.

His greatest asset is the sharp movement and swift burst of acceleration which allow him to punish defences who give him an inch of space. Balogun has become an expert at finding a spare half-yard around the penalty area and using it well – the result was 19 goals in all competitions for Monaco last season, and of course the three which made him an American hero at the World Cup.

The challenge for Balogun now is becoming more efficient in such positions. The 2025/26 season represented a huge step in the right direction – he managed just 12 goals in the previous two years – but he still slightly undershot his xG and missed more presentable chances than he might care to think about. There is work yet to be done, although he is headed in the right direction.

Is he right for Spurs, though? If De Zerbi wants to get quick balls over the top and in behind the defence, then he would be a better fit for the role than the slower Solanke. If the gameplan leans more heavily on possession, then he would be rather less suitable. The former seems more likely based on De Zerbi’s history as a tactician.

He would offer Spurs something different, and offer them another way to unlock defences – although finding ways to incorporate strikers with different style and profiles stumped them last season.

Is he worth £50m or more? His 2025/26 production would have to be the new baseline, not his peak, although he’s trending in the right direction. But he will only be worth that much to Spurs if he suits the style of play and meets a need in De Zerbi’s system. That certainly seems possible, at least. Now the question is whether they’ll ever make that bid or not.

Spurs are expected to seal some attacking signings before the summer transfer window shuts

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Tottenham Hotspur will head into the 2026/27 Premier League campaign looking to put last year’s horrors firmly behind them, with a rejuvenated squad ready to go again after narrowly avoiding the shame of relegation last season. To remedy their ills, Spurs have splashed the cash this summer, overhauling both their defence and midfield with a daring spending spree.

In arguably the most impressive transfer window a Premier League club has had this summer, Tottenham came racing out of the traps early on, snapping up free agent trio Andy Robertson, Martin Dubravka and Marcos Senesi. Then came the big-money buys, with Jan Paul van Hecke, Manuel Fernandes and Sandro Tonali arriving for a total fee of £237m.

Spurs’ spending isn’t set to stop there, however, with manager Roberto De Zerbi insisting in a recent interview that more signings will be made this summer. The new arrivals are likely to be attacking players, with the north London outfit currently looking distinctly short on numbers on both the wings and up top.

As the countdown continues to the new season starting next week and the transfer window ending on September 1st, we’ve taken a look at the players Spurs could still manage to sign as De Zerbi looks crown a stellar summer of business with some late window deals.

The top class signings Spurs could still land this summer - Gakpo to Osimhen

Cody Gakpo - Liverpool: Spurs have been linked with the £70m-rated Netherlands international for a number of weeks, as the Reds look to make big changes of their own on the wings. The latest reports suggest that Gakpo will only be allowed to go if Liverpool manage to sign two new wingers - something they could well do, as they continue to pursue PSG duo Bradley Barcola and Ibrahim Mbaye.

Savinho - Manchester City: He looks the most likely to join Tottenham this summer, with the club pursuing him for a number of weeks. While the deal looks to have stalled for now, City’s need to raise funds to sign Chelsea’s Enzo Fernandez could well change that, as they look to move on a player well behind Jeremey Doku in the pecking order.

Giorgio Scalvini - Atalanta: There’s believed to be plenty of Premier League interest in Scalvini, with Spurs, Chelsea and Newcastle United all believed to be keen. He was once tipped as one of the brightest prospects in European football, but the Italy defender’s woeful injury record in subsequent years now makes him a high-risk purchase.

Victor Osimhen - Galtasaray: Spurs are thought to be among a host of clubs keeping tabs on the Nigerian superstar, as they look to take their attacking threat to the next level. He would certainly do just that, but given the player’s expected wage demands, getting a deal done could prove tricky. The smart money says he’ll be off to play football in the desert by the end of the summer.

The top class signings Spurs could still land this summer - Marmoush to Brobbey

Omar Marmoush - Manchester City: Like with Savinho, City’s pursuit of Fernandez could be great news for Spurs, as they look to claw together the cash to pay the Blues’ mega £120m asking price. Marmoush has had to warm the bench for first-choice striker Erling Haaland for some time now, and could jump at the chance to become the star man at Tottenham.

Harry Kane - Bayern Munich: He couldn’t, could he? Well, no. Probably not. That said, Spurs are rumoured to have put the feelers out to their legendary former striker, as they look to pitch their case before he signs a new contract with Bayern. Barcelona are said to have also been in touch, but the general consensus is that extending his stay in Bavaria is the only realistic outcome.

Pedro Neto - Chelsea: Neto is said to be of interest to both Spurs and City, with no guarantee he’ll be a starter at Stamford Bridge next season as wonderkid Estevao eyes a breakthrough campaign. The Blues are believed to be willing to let the Portugal international go, with a rumoured £70m asking price. However, whether Tottenham could afford to spend that after already going big in the window is questionable.

Brian Brobbey - Sunderland: The Dutch striker excelled in his debut campaign at the Stadium of Light, terrorising opposition defences with his dominant hold-up play and ruthless finishing. He’s been linked with a move to Tottenham throughout the summer months, and would give Dominic Solanke some serious competition for his starting spot.

The latest Premier League transfer news as Spurs, Arsenal, Aston Villa and more look to get deals done ahead of the new season

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The 2026 summer transfer window is booming, as Premier League sides continue to splash the cash in a bid to strengthen their squads ahead of the new season. A total of well over £1 billion has already been shelled out in transfer fees, and that figure will continue to soar in the next few weeks ahead of Deadline Day on September 1st.

Meanwhile, the 2026/27 Premier League campaign gets going in under two weeks, and the fact there are nine clubs with new managers means it’s likely to be a highly unpredictable season. Liverpool will set out with Andoni Iraola at the wheel, Chelsea with Xabi Alonso, and Manchester City with Enzo Maresca.

Today’s rumour mill round-up begins at the Emirates Stadium, where Arsenal’s hunt for a new left winger continues. They missed out on both Morgan Rogers and Vinicius Junior, and the pressure is now growing for the Gunners to get a deal done. Reports from Italian outlet Tutto Juve claim they’re now looking to revive a move to sign past target Kenan Yildiz.

They say that it would take an offer of over £85m to convince Juventus to sell, and even if such a bid was made they could still rebuff it. The Turkish gem is seen as a key part of the club’s future, as they look to win their first Serie A title since 2020. That said, Gunners are now believed making a renewed effort to since him, after seeing an enquiry knocked back earlier this summer.

The 3AM Verdict: Arenal paid the price for hesitating on Rogers, and were really just a pawn in Vinicius’ contract negotiations. Like it or not, the Gunners are going to have to pay some serious money to land a top quality left winger this summer. We’re not sure if it will be Yildiz - we have a feeling they might go all in on Bradley Barcola instead.

Aston Villa look to beat Newcastle to ex-Spurs loanee

Over to the West Midlands next, where Aston Villa are rumoured to be ready to beat Newcastle United to the signing of Bayern Munich midfield Joao Palhinha. Team Talk say that the 31-year-old has been told he has no future with the Bundesliga champions, and add that he looks highly likely to return to the Premier League. Villa look to be the favourites to win the race.

That’s despite Newcastle “holding talks” with the Portugal international, as they look to fill the cavernous void left by Bruno Guimaraes’ exit to Arsenal. Interestingly, it’s said that Villa are after a loan deal with an option to buy, which would presumably be less appealing to Bayern - but even with this in mind it’s said that the player is more likely to snub Newcastle’s interest.

The 3AM Verdict: Newcastle just can’t get a break at the moment. They saw two high profile transfers hijacked, lost both their manager and their captain, and now Villa could do them over again. Palhinha is a quality midfielder who will be eager to play Champions League football, and he’ll have a route straight back to that competition if he joins Unai Emery’s Villans.

Double Liverpool arrival could see Spurs bag Gakpo

Bringing us to a close, we’re nipping off to Anfield, where Liverpool are on the hunt for two new attacking options. Football Insider reckon if they get that done - with PSG duo Bradley Barcola and Ibrahim Mbaye their top targets - then it could well open the door for Spurs to sign Cody Gakpo, who the Reds are said to value at around £70m.

Tottenham are also on the hunt for two attackers, having already overhauled their defence and midfield earlier in the summer. With a move for Man City’s Savinho looking highly likely, a swoop for Gakpo could well follow, but it’s said to now be entirely dependent on incomings at Anfield, with the Reds’ too short on numbers in his position at present to let him go.

The 3AM Verdict: Spurs’ all-Premier League proven player transfer strategy looks to be one of their smartest moves in years, having previously seen countless big-money flops from clubs in Europe fail to cut the mustard. That’s not to say Gakpo has taken the league by storm, but if given a chance to shine under Roberto De Zerbi he could certainly go to the next level.

Tottenham Hotspur have placed their faith in Antonín Kinský - legendary goalkeeper Brad Friedel explains why he’s up to the task, and how he can handle the pressure.

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It’s been a summer of significant change at Tottenham Hotspur. Following last season’s flirtation with the relegation zone, the club have spent heavily as they work to put together a team that suits Roberto De Zerbi’s playing style, and which can perhaps compete for European places once more – but one thing they aren’t looking to change is the goalkeeper.

Antonín Kinský started last season as a back-up, but has now been made first choice despite having just 16 Premier League appearances to his name. It’s a startling show of faith in a 23-year-old, just a few months after going through a humiliation few top-level goalkeepers have ever had to endure. So is he ready, both technically and psychologically, or should Spurs have moved to sign a more experienced player?

One of the few people truly well positioned to comment on Kinský’s situation is Brad Friedel. The legendary American goalkeeper, who spent the last four seasons of his career with Spurs, spoke exclusively to 3 Added Minutes about the club’s new number one – and how young goalkeepers can deal with the immense pressure that comes with the job.

Friedel: Antonín Kinský ‘more than ready’

If anyone can judge whether a goalkeeper is up to the task of being a starter in the Premier League, it’s Friedel. The 55-year-old, who now works as a pundit, made 450 appearances in the top flight for Spurs, Blackburn Rovers, Aston Villa and Liverpool – and believes that Kinský is up to the task that lies ahead of him.

“Technically, yes he’s ready,” Friedel said. “He’s more than ready, actually, as a number one goalkeeper - and now confidence-wise and psychologically he’s ready as well, because he went through one of the most public situations that could really hurt someone’s career.”

Then manager Igor Tudor substituted Kinský just 17 minutes into a Champions League defeat to Atlético Madrid in March, having made him the starter ahead of Guglielmo Vicario just before the match.

Spurs had conceded three goals inside a quarter of an hour at the Metropolitano Stadium, with one coming after a slip from Kinský and another after he sliced an attempted pass straight into the path of Julian Álvarez.

Despite that, Kinský was back between the sticks a month later when Vicario went down with an injury – and Friedel believes that the way Kinský handled a potentially humiliating experience spoke to his readiness to take over as first choice.

“In that game, when you look at the goals, only one of the three was [his fault], the one where he took a bad touch,” Friedel added. “Another one he legitimately slipped on the turf, there’s not a lot you can do about that. The other one was a mistake by [Micky] Van de Ven. I think it was incredibly harsh for him to be taken off.

“When Vicario got injured and he had to go back in, I thought he was brilliant. Really, really top stuff. It is so difficult to come back in so quickly not only after what happened, but also in seven or eight of the highest-pressure games that Tottenham Hotspur have had in Premier League football history.

“You’re going to ask me about his confidence and psychological resolve? He’s got it. Even at a young age, he’s ready to take over for a long time.”

What Kinský must do to handle the pressure of being Spurs’ number one

As other parts of the Spurs squad are overhauled at considerable expense, Kinský has persuaded De Zerbi to persist with the Czech in goal – and his new status as a regular starter has been reflect by a new five-year contract.

Despite the faith shown in his abilities and the impressive manner in which he bounced back from his abrupt benching in the spring, he will still face immense pressure as the new season gets underway. It’s something that Friedel has experienced first hand.

“Goalkeepers are under an incredible amount of scrutiny right away,” Friedel said. “If you make one mistake it’s highlighted, and you either have to develop a way of life where you don’t read it, don’t see the negativity, or you read it and you don’t care about it.”

Friedel, who first moved to England in 1997 with Liverpool before establishing himself at Ewood Park, explained how he coped with that scrutiny and deal with mistakes – comparing handling the emotions that come with getting things wrong under a microscope with the loss of a close family member.

“If I played poorly and knew I’d made a mistake, I never watched the highlights, never watched the TV, never watched Sky or Match of the Day, never read the papers because you know that it’s all going to be negative stuff and you don’t need more negativity in your mind because you put enough pressure on yourself to try to perform.

“I would say the older I got, the easier it was to deal with. I think the most important thing is that you mustn’t let one mistake cost two, cost three or four. If you perform very well the next half, the next moment, the next save, the next game, then all was forgotten pretty quickly.

“But something that’s very difficult to know as a young player is how you’re going to be able to deal with that. You can talk about it all you want, but until you’re faced with it you never know how you’ll feel. It’s kind of like losing a mom or a dad. You can think you know how you’re going to feel but you never do unless you lose one.”

However Kinský handles the expectation as a young starting goalkeeper, Friedel is confident that he has the tools to cope – and Spurs fans will hope he’s proven right as the club transitions into a new era with a talented but inexperienced young man between the sticks.

The latest Premier League transfer news as Spurs, Newcastle United and Crystal Palace push to get summer deals done

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The 2026/27 Premier League season is just around the corner, and it’s shaping up to be another classic 38 gameweeks of action in England’s top tier, as the title race, relegation battle and the scrap for European qualification unfold over the next nine months. Arsenal head into the new campaign as champions, while Ipswich Town, Coventry City and Hull are the newly promoted sides.

Meanwhile, Premier League clubs continue to splash the cash in the summer transfer window, with the division’s overall spending already well past the £1 billion mark. Further big deals are expected in the coming weeks, as managers look to get their top targets in with plenty of time to spare before player trading comes to an abrupt halt on September 1st.

Today’s rumours round-up gets underway at Selhurst Park, where Crystal Palace are looking to hit the ground running this season under new manager Pierre Sage. According to a report from French outlet Foot Mercato, the Eagles are looking to bolster their options at the back, and are prepared to join a “bidding war” to sign OGC Nice’s versatile defender Antoine Mendy.

The report claims that Nice want at least £13m to sell the 22-year-old, with Fiorentina and Udinese also thought to be in contention to sign the Senegal international. The Eagles are thought to be in the best financial position to afford Mendy, who Sage will know well from his time managing in Ligue 1.

The 3AM Verdict: Palace only have three recognised centre-backs on the books after Maxence Lacroix’s big-money move to Chelsea. Given that Sage likes to play a back three, the Eagles need to get some reinforcements in, pronto. Mendy has seven caps for his country and close to 100 Ligue 1 appearances under his belt already - he’d be a decent, good value punt at £13m.

Newcastle up efforts to land Guimaraes successor

Over at St. James’ Park, Newcastle are reeling from a summer of major upheaval that has seen them lose manager Eddie Howe and a number of their star players. Skipper Bruno Guimaraes looks to be the latest out the door, and the Magpies are now scrambling to find a suitable replacement.

Benfica midfielder Richard Rios is the latest player to be linked with a move to the Tyneside club, with Football Insider reporting that the Magpies have “made a preliminary move” to sign the Colombia international. The £23m gem is renowned for his impressive ball-winning ability, and has been tipped as a “direct replacement” for Guimaraes.

The 3AM Verdict: Replacing Guimaraes won’t be an easy task, and the Magpies have been linked with dozens of midfielders who could do the job. There’s no indication of how much Rios would cost, or whether the club would be willing to sell a player they only just signed last summer, but he would surely be affordable given the mega transfer fees Newcastle have raked in this window.

Spurs ‘make enquiry’ for £74m striker

Last up, we’re taking a look at Tottenham, who are on the hunt for attacking signings after completely overhauling their defence and central midfield earlier this summer. Team Talk report that Spurs are one of three sides to “make enquiries” for Manchester United striker Benjamin Sesko, alongside Barcelona and Bayern Munich.

It looks to be bad news for the Slovenian’s admirers, however, with the Red Devils said to consider the £74m forward “untouchable”. It’s stated that the player also wishes to stay, and that any additional striker brought in will likely arrive with the purpose of strengthening the squad, rather than taking Sesko’s starting spot.

The 3AM Verdict: Spurs are among the Premeir League’s biggest spenders this summer, and a move for a striker as valuable as Sesko does seem like quite a stretch. However, there are plenty of other options out there, and with Tottenham boss Roberto De Zerbi promising more signings, don’t be surprised to see two or three new names arrive at the club before the window shuts next month.

Spurs are expected to showcase a new-look starting line-up for the 2026/27 Premier League season

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Had things gone a little differently on 3rd May 2026, you might be reading a completely different article right now, focusing on the asset-stripped, paired down line-up that Tottenham would be fielding in the Championship this season. Manager Roberto De Zerbi would most likely not be at the club, and there would certainly have been no £230m influx of new talent.

Luckily for Spurs, fortune smiled on them back on that cool late spring evening, when an Aston Villa side who were in scintillating form trudged in to face Tottenham at Villa Park with an extraordinarily nonchalant attitude; their eyes firmly on the upcoming Europa League semi-final second leg against Nottingham Forest just four days later.

The Villa side was heavily rotated and appeared completely disjointed. Spurs smelled blood and used this firmly to their advantage, bagging three points that felt as valuable as nine. This gave them the leverage they needed over relegation battle rivals West Ham, providing the platform necessary to crawl their way to safety on the final day of the season.

Spurs will be determined not to be in such a perilous position any time soon, and have gone big in the transfer market this summer. They’ve arguably had a better window than any other Premier League side, bringing in free agent bargains in Andy Robertson, Martin Dubravka and Marcos Senesi, alongside the big-money signings of Jan Paul van Hecke, Manuel Fernandes and Sandro Tonali - the last of whom cost a whopping £100m.

De Zerbi will be delighted with the significantly strengthened squad at his disposal for the new campaign, and further signings are expected before the summer transfer window closes. This is how Spurs’ £566m new-look XI - with the figure based on how much they paid for existing players and the expected asking price of rumoured targets - could shape up for the 2026/27 season.

How Tottenham could line up this season - goalkeeper and defence

GK - Antonin Kinsky: With Guglielmo Vicario likely to leave this summer, either permanently or on loan, Kinsky is expected to become Spurs’ new number one, with a big-name goalkeeper signing looking unlikely at this stage. He bounced back superbly from being substituted off the field just 17 minutes into a Champions League clash against Atletico Madrid last season, going on to make some vital saves to help the side dodge relegation.

RB - Pedro Porro: Described by De Zerbi as one of the best right-backs in world football, the 2026 World Cup winner will be one of the first names on the team sheet for Spurs. Having signed a new long-term deal, there’s no question of the 26-year-old leaving in the near future, and he’ll be looking to bring the fine form he showed for Spain last month back to the Premier League.

CB - Jan Paul van Hecke: Spurs spent £52m to bring the towering centre-back to the club, and he’ll be aiming to tighten up a backline that shipped a concerning 57 goals in the league last season. Tottenham will be confident that their new transfer strategy of signing Premier League proven players will pay off, particularly with the signing of Van Hecke.

CB - Micky van de Ven: Paired with his international teammate, Van de Ven will also have his eyes on a more settled defensive structure heading into the new campaign. The Dutch ace didn’t mince his words when it came to being critical of the side’s failings last season, and he’ll ready to lead by example as the side prepare to head into a bright new era.

LB - Andy Robertson: The veteran left-back’s signing was quite the coup for Tottenham, bringing in some invaluable title-winning experience without spending a penny. It remains to be seen whether the ex-Liverpool star will be a season-long weekly starter, but he is expected to get the nod over Djed Spence while the England international continues to recover from the Three Lions going deep into the World Cup.

How Tottenham could line up this season - midfield and attack

CM - Sandro Tonali: The competition to sign Tonali was fierce, but Spurs blew the likes of Manchester United and Chelsea out of the water, slamming a cool £100m down on Newcastle United’s table. He’ll bring some much needed composure to the heart of Tottenham’s midfield, and will be fresh and raring to go, with Italy not featuring in the World Cup.

CM - Manuel Fernandes: Completing the central midfield revamp, £85m new boy Fernandes is expecting to partner Tonali, with his capture rubbing salt in the wounds of West Ham as they plunged into the Championship. He’ll bring high energy and quality to the side, after showing himself to be head and shoulders above his teammates’ level at the London Stadium last season.

AMR - Savinho: Spurs have revamped their defence and central midfield, but they still desperately need some reinforcements on the wings. £65m-rated Savinho has been heavily linked with Tottenham throughout the window, and could well be snapped up before the new season gets underway. He’s capable of playing on either wing, and could slot in nicely on the right.

AMC - James Maddison: Widely tipped to be named the new club captain, Maddison is ready to be a key cog for De Zerbi’s side. He missed most of last season with injury, but is expected to be a regular starter now he’s well on his way to full recovery. He’ll be a serious threat from set-pieces, and will have the hunger to succeed after spending so long on the sidelines.

AML - Cody Gakpo: Another name to be heavily linked with Spurs, Gakpo could become the latest Dutch gem to find himself heading to north London. Liverpool are said to be unwilling to sell, however, and could price Tottenham out of the deal. He’s rumoured to be valued at around £72m by the Reds. Spurs will try to haggle that figure down, you’d imagine.

ST - Victor Osimhen: A long shot, but the rumours are out there. Could this finally be the summer that Osimhen gets his big Premier League move? Tottenham badly need some quality competition for Dominic Solanke up top, and the Nigeria international has been linked with a blockbuster move. Meeting his wage demands could be a struggle, however.

Spurs have been linked with a transfer bid for one of the world’s most dangerous strikers - but is there any truth to the rumours?

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After a free-spending start to the summer transfer window, everything has gone a little bit quiet at Tottenham Hotspur – but that’s not going to be the case for much longer. A new centre-forward is high on Roberto De Zerbi’s shopping list, and a new report suggests that they’ve got a particularly exciting target in mind.

Several media outlets have reported that Spurs are preparing a bid for Galatasaray’s Victor Osimhen, one of the most reliable goalscorers in the game – but is it a deal that’s likely to take place, or is the rumour mill getting ahead of itself?

Spurs interested in signing Victor Osimhen – reports

While the story has done the rounds over the past 24 hours, the original source for reports that Spurs are interested in Osimhen is transfer journalist Efrem Konur, who alleged that the North London club had made an “initial approach” for the Nigerian forward to Galatasaray.

His story further states that Spurs value the 27-year-old striker at £50-55m, while his current employers are expected to demand £65m. Given the extent to which Tottenham’s approach to transfer spending has changed since the departure of Daniel Levy, it’s not hard to believe that they would be prepared to spend that kind of money.

That’s especially true for a striker of Osimhen’s proven quality. Having first risen to prominence with an extraordinary 31-goal season which propelled Napoli to the 2022/23 Scudetto, he has consistently been among the continent’s most lethal forwards, with 76 goals in 104 games over the past three years.

Spurs have had a first-hand taste of how dangerous Osimhen can be. He scored twice and took the Tottenham defence to pieces during a 3-2 defeat in Istanbul in the Europa League back in 2024, a match in which he was quite evidently the best player on the pitch. Now they might want some of that firepower for themselves.

Assuming they do make a move, they could face some competition. Konur reports that some of the usual suspects – Manchester United, Chelsea and Atlético Madrid – are monitoring Osimhen as well, but it wouldn’t be out of character for Spurs to blow potential rivals for a deal away with a higher bid and a more generous salary offer. That, after all, is precisely how they landed Mateus Fernandes.

Will Spurs sign Osimhen – or is it all wishful thinking?

The big question is whether Spurs actually are preparing an offer, or whether this is simply another contrived rumour among many others. Konur, currently the only source independently reporting the story, has a patchy track record behind him.

Certainly it would be helpful to have the story corroborated by some more reliable media outlets, but that hasn’t yet happened, which may be noteworthy – as might the fact that the price suggested seems somewhat optimistic.

Osimhen still has three years remaining on a contract he signed at the start of last season, with a salary of €15m (£12.9m) and extensive bonuses. It seems likely that Galatasaray would demand more then £65m, especially given that they spent that much to sign him from Napoli in the first place.

Given that his current employers have a very strong negotiating position and no urgent financial reasons to seek a sale, it’s hard to imagine that they would be prepared to sell him without making a very substantial profit. If Spurs are interested, they will likely have to exceed their alleged £50-55m valuation by much more than Konur is suggesting.

Osimhen’s future is a source of constant speculation, based largely on the assumption that he would eventually want to move to an elite club and a bigger league, but he has never come close to leaving despite a steady stream of rumours.

As it stands, the link with Spurs seems no more likely than so many other stories about the Nigerian in recent years – but it wouldn’t be a surprise if they were at least keeping half an eye on his situation, or had sounded Galatasaray out as they search for a striker. Just don’t expect Osimhen to be playing in a white shirt by the start of September. This looks a lot like a rumour which will cause a few Spurs fans to get their feelings hurt.

Premier League transfer latest including updates on Chelsea, Everton, Spurs, Coventry City and more

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The 2026 summer transfer window has been a lively one thus far, with a current total of well over a billion pounds shelled out in fees by Premier League clubs. More high profile deals are expected in the coming weeks, as sides in England’s top tier look to tweak and strengthen their playing personnel options before the window closes on September 1st.

Aside from the wheeling and dealing, Premier League clubs are busy on pre-season tours, with a number of sides jetting across the globe to play warm-up friendlies ahead of the new season. Most have got through largely unscathed on the injury front thus far, despite concerns over the substandard playing surfaces in a number of grounds not used to hosting football matches.

Today’s round-up starts at Coventry City, where the Premier League new boys are rumoured to be lining up a stunning move for Chelsea’s Mykhailo Mudryk. The Daily Mail claim that Frank Lampard’s side are among three Premier League sides looking to sign the £89m winger on loan, after he was cleared to playing following a doping suspension.

The other two clubs aren’t named in the report. It’s also suggested that he could opt for a temporary spell with Strasbourg - the Blues’ affiliate club in Ligue 1. The Ukraine international will join Chelsea’s pre-season training camp in Hong Kong, before new manager Xabi Alonso makes a decision on whether to keep him in his squad for the upcoming campaign.

The 3AM Verdict: Having not played a professional match since November 2024, Mudryk is likely to be seriously rusty. The Blues already have Morgan Rogers and Jamie Gittens as options on the left, and with no European football this season, Mudryk’s minutes will be even more limited if he stays. A loan spell to a Premier League club, perhaps with an option to recall if he really hits the ground running, could be the smartest move for Chelsea.

Everton make move for Turkish gem

Over at the Hill Dickinson Stadium, Everton are looking to push on this season under David Moyes, and are said to be targeting Galatasaray winger Baris Alper Yilmaz to sharpen their attacking threat. Reports from Turkey, via Sport Witness, claim that the Toffees have already seen a “verbal offer” in the region of £30m for the 26-year-old turned down.

The story goes on to say that Galatasaray are looking for a bid closer to £43m to agree a sale, and that Everton are expected to return with a follow-up offer this week. Arsenal were previously linked with Yilmaz, who scored eight goals and provided eleven assists in the league last season, but they’re now unlikely to make a move after signing Christos Tzolis from Club Brugge.

The 3AM Verdict: The Toffees’ interest in Yilmaz is intriguing, given that they already have Dwight McNeil and new signing Tyrique George as options on the left. However, he’s more than capable of playing on the right wing, and Everton’s interest could suggest the potential outgoing of star man Iliman Ndiaye, with Yilmaz coming in as a top quality replacement.

Tottenham make ‘fresh contact’ to sign ex-Man City gem

Finishing things up in north London, Tottenham are on the hunt for new options on the forwards, and are said to be continuing to chase Barcelona star Ferran Torres. Team Talk claim that Spurs have made “fresh contact” over a potential move, amid rival interest from Arsenal. PSG are also now said to be firmly in the picture, with the player said to be eager to join them.

PSG boss Luis Enrique is said to be personally leading the drive to sign Torres, while Spurs have continued to keep contact with the World Cup winner’s entourage and sound them out over a return to the Premier League. Arsenal are said to consider Torres a backup option, with Real Madrid’s Vinicius Junior and Atletico Madrid’s Julian Alvarez their priority attacking target.

The 3AM Verdict: Spurs have had arguably the best transfer window in the Premier League this summer, bringing in a host of players who are tried and tested at the highest level. Torres would be another excellent acquisition, but with PSG making a serious push to sign him, we can’t see a way Tottenham will make a more compelling case to win this transfer battle.

The latest Premier League transfer news as Spurs, Aston Villa, Everton and Chelsea chase down summer signings

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We’re just 18 days away from the 2026/27 Premier League season getting underway, and excitement is continuing to build ahead of the opening fixture between Arsenal and Coventry City on 21st August. It’s set to be another enthralling campaign in England’s top tier, with the title race expected to be wide open as the Gunners look to defend their crown.

It’s all change on the managerial front too, with a staggering eight Premier League clubs heading into the season with a new head coach. Liverpool have appointed Andoni Iraola, Man City have brought in Enzo Maresca, while Chelsea have opted for Xabi Alonso, as the Blues look to finally find some stability after several turbulent years of change.

Today’s rumours round-up begins at Stamford Bridge, where Chelsea are on the hunt for a new left-back, following Marc Cucurella’s exit to Real Madrid. The club have been heavily linked with Rayo Vallecano’s Pep Chavarria for weeks now, and Team Talk claim the Blues have moved closer to signing him, upping their initial offer from around £13m to about £17m.

It’s said that the Europa Conference League finalists are holding out for a fee in the region of £21m, while the player is believed to have already agreed personal terms with the west London side. The report claims that the 28-year-old is viewed as an immediate starter by Alonso, and would put pressure on Jorrel Hato, who isn’t a natural left-back, for his starting spot.

The 3AM Verdict: Hato is a top prospect, but he isn’t ready to be a starting left-back in the Premier League. Chelsea can’t sign a big-money player in every position this summer, so the £60m-rated Lewis Hall, for example, probably isn’t a viable option right now. Chavarria would be a solid, experienced solution to fill the Cucurella void in the short-term, before a more high-profile successor can be recruited next summer.

Aston Villa ponder Grealish return

Next, it’s over to the Etihad Stadium, where Man City kicked their pre-season campaign off with a defeat to Inter on penalties last weekend. According to The Sun, the future of their £100m winger Jack Grealish remains uncertain, following his injury-plagued loan spell with Everton last season. Now back to fitness, it’s said he could secure a permanent exit this summer.

In the report, it’s claimed that Aston Villa could sensationally bring the England international back to his boyhood club, with the Villans having “discussed” bringing home the 30-year-old to replace the Hull City bound Leon Bailey. Meanwhile, Everton are said to be up for having Grealish back for another season on loan, while there’s also said to be interest from a host of Saudi Pro League and MLS sides.

The 3AM Verdict: Grealish got last season off to a flyer before his campaign was cruelly derailed by a serious injury. It would be great to see him let off the leash at Villa again, or indeed at Everton. He’s still far too good a player to downgrade to the Saudi Pro League or the MLS, and it would be great to see him back at his electric best again in the Premier League.

Spurs linked with bold striker swoop

Finishing things off, it’s over to Tottenham, where Spurs have completely rebuilt their defence and midfield this summer with a bullish spending spree. They still need to figure out their goalkeeping situation, and they also need another striker. Caught Offside claim they’re ready to go all-out to sign Galatasaray striker Victor Osimhen, whose club are said to value him at around £65m.

It’s said that Spurs have gone so far as to have made two “approaches” valued between £50m and £55m, but it’s not said whether these are verbal proposals or official offers. Chelsea and Manchester United are also named as potential destinations, along with La Liga side Atletico Madrid.

The 3AM Verdict: Will there ever be a transfer window where we don’t hear about the Nigeria international angling for a move? On his day, he’s one of the most lethal strikers in Europe, and he’d certainly be a welcome addition to the Premier League. That said, Osimhen won’t be on a pittance of a wage, and it’s unclear whether Spurs could afford to meet his terms.

The latest Premier League transfer news as Aston Villa, Spurs, Fulham and Newcastle chase new signings

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The 2026 summer transfer window is rattling along at a ferocious pace, with a number of big-money deals going through ahead of the new Premier League season starting next month. Chelsea and Tottenham have been the big spenders so far, with both investing significantly in new signings, while the likes of Manchester City and Brighton have also been busy.

There’s just over a month to go until the summer transfer window closes, and most of the English top tier’s twenty clubs still have plenty of business to do. Liverpool and Arsenal are both on the hunt for a new left winger, while Manchester United are pushing on to sign a new left-back, as they attempt to find cover for Luke Shaw.

Today’s rumours round-up begins at Craven Cottage, where Fulham are said to be eyeing up a bold double raid on their new manager Alvaro Arbeloa’s former club, Real Madrid. The Standard report that the Cottagers are moving for both Gonzalo Garcia and Cesar Palacios, who Arbeloa knows extensively from his time spent as interim manager at the Bernabeu.

It’s said that the Cottagers are already “in negotiations” for midfielder Palacios, while they hope to make progress in their attempts to sign forward Garcia with a £34m offer. The latter was initially thought to be not for sale, but Real’s stance is said to have softened in recent days as their summer plans continue to evolve.

The 3AM Verdict: Real Madrid need to sell, as they look to fund both the signing of RB Leipzig wonderkid Yan Diomande and Manchester City superstar Rodri. Fulham could do with an exciting new striker to lead the line, and 22-year-old Garcia looks like he’ll fit the bill. It’s a gamble at that price, mind, but one that could pay off handsomely.

Aston Villa and Spurs could get goalkeeper boost

Next up, it’s over to Portugal, where Benfica goalkeeper Anatoliy Trubin is getting plenty of interest this summer. Reports in the Portuguese printed press - via Sport Witness - claim that Benfica’s £34m asking price is too lofty for Juventus, who may well now pull out of the race to sign him. It’s claimed that the door could now open to Spurs and Aston Villa, both of whom were linked with the shot-stopper earlier this month.

It’s noted that the 24-year-old has already publicly admitted that he’s eager to play in the Premier League, and that clubs from England are likely to make their moves “in the coming days”. Trubin is a 29-cap Ukraine international, who stands at a towering 6ft 6”. His only previous club was Shakhtar Donetsk, where he won three league titles.

The 3AM Verdict: Tottenham look highly likely to part ways with number one Guiglielmo Vicario this summer, while questions still remain over the future of Aston Villa’s Emi Martinez. Trubin previously played under De Zerbi at Shakhtar, which may give Spurs a significant advantage when it comes to winning the race for his signature.

Newcastle poised to sign new goalkeeper

Last up, it’s over to St. James’ Park, where Newcastle United fans are still reeling from the news of manager Eddie Howe’s departure. There’s not set to be a ‘next manager saga’, with Al-Ahli boss Matthias Jaissle poised to replace him, but there’s still plenty of uncertainty on the transfer front, amid Arsenal’s keen interest in club captain Bruno Guimaraes.

According to Team Talk, the Magpies are ready to do some business of their own, with a new number one on their wish list. The report says that the club have already triggered the £25m release clause of Braga goalkeeper Lukas Hornicek, with a move now “advancing towards completion”. He’s said to have greatly impressed the Newcastle recruitment team, offering all the attributes they desire for their new first-choice goalkeeper.

The 3AM Verdict: We’ve already had our say on the Czechia international - we reckon he’d be a real upgrade on the options the Magpies currently have at their disposal. £25m is a real bargain fee given the 24-year-old’s quality, at a time when the club need a real morale boost in what has been a gruelling summer all round so far.