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The latest Premier League transfer news involving Spurs, Aston Villa, Liverpool and more

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The dust has settled on the 2025/26 Premier League campaign, after an enthralling campaign that saw Arsenal win their first title in 22 years, Bournemouth qualify for Europe for the first time in their history, and the likes of Chelsea and Newcastle United have deeply underwhelming seasons they’ll be looking to move on from quickly.

Over the course of the next few weeks, clubs in England’s top tier will embark upon their summer recruitment drives - looking to rid themselves of the deadwood and bring in some shiny new replacements. The transfer window opens on June 15th, but plenty of work will already be going on behind the scenes as managers look to land their top targets.

Let’s begin this round-up in north London, where Tottenham Hotspur are looking to shake off a harrowing 2025/26 that saw them escape relegation on the final day of the season. They’ll be preparing to strengthen their injury-ravaged squad significantly, particularly up front, where they need cover for the likes of Dominic Solanke and Richarlison.

Spanish outlet Mundo Deportivo (via Sport Witness) report in print that Spurs have taken a shine to Levante striker Karl Etta Eyong, who was a rumoured transfer target for Everton last summer before he opted to join Luis Castro’s side from Villarreal. He got the season off to a flying start scoring six goals in his first ten matches, before dropping off considerably, netting just once more since October.

The report claims that Tottenham and Everton are now both keen on the Cameroon international. It’s said that a bid in the region of £22m could be enough to convince Levante to sell the 22-year-old, who has fallen behind youngster Carlos Epsi in the pecking order. Barcelona previously had interest in Eyong, and it’s thought he won’t agree to a move elsewhere until he learns whether a dream move to the Camp Nou could happen.

The 3AM Verdict: Everton won’t have a crazy amount of money to spend this summer, and will need to make some shrewd signings. Eyong clearly has bags of potential, but would represent a risk for a Toffees side who aren’t blessed with great attacking options. Spurs will have more funds available to them, and will surely be looking at more high profile candidates.

Alisson set for ‘crunch talks’ with Liverpool

Over to Anfield, where Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson is far from a happy chappie. That’s according to Team Talk, who claim that the Brazil international and his representatives are set for “crunch talks” with the club after they allegedly blocked his move to Juventus. The 33-year-old’s contract expires next summer, and his future has been a matter of intense speculation in recent weeks.

The report suggests that Alisson has been convinced of a move to Turin and is happy with the terms offered to him by Juventus, but Liverpool aren’t willing to sell him. With his understudy Giorgi Mamardashvili seemingly not trusted to become the Reds’ new number one next season, it appears that the club are looking for at least another year to figure things out.

The 3AM Verdict: Alisson will want to get this sorted out quickly, with the 2026 World Cup just around the corner. Liverpool’s indecision on who their starting stopper should be next season will be doing them no favours, and they’d do well to let Alisson leave and either hand Mamardashvili the gloves, or spend some money on a top class replacement.

Aston Villa eye Galatasaray star

We’ll finish things up in the west Midlands, where Aston Villa are still bathing in the glory of winning their first major European trophy since 1982. With Champions League football next season, the club are expected to be able to attract a higher calibre of player this summer, after a frustrating past couple of transfer windows that have seen the club struggle to recruit big names.

According to Football Insider, the Villans are “one of the leading candidates” to sign Galatasaray midfielder Gabriel Sara, with his club said to be willing to entertain offers in the region of £35m. It is suggested that this fee would not be out of Villa’s reach, with their qualification for UEFA’s elite competition easing their PSR concerns.

The 3AM Verdict: The one-cap Brazil international has come a long way from playing for Norwich City in the Championship, and his high-tempo style of midfield play would make him an excellent fit for Unai Emery’s all-action outfit. £35m is still a significant investment, however, and you’d expect him to be a regular starter if such a fee was handed over.

New reports suggest that Spurs are poised to bid for no fewer than three Brighton stars

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Having averted disaster on the final day of the season with a 1-0 win over Everton, Tottenham Hotspur have a difficult summer ahead of them. They are expected to begin a sweeping rebuild, with the aim of building a squad capable of looking like a ‘big six’ side once more. A lot of deadwood will be cut, a lot of new faces will be signed – and now a new story suggesting a potential triple transfer deal with Brighton & Hove Albion provides us with our first hints of how they plan to go about their business.

The Independent’s Miguel Delaney claims that Spurs are considering bids for new fewer than three members of Brighton’s squad, each of whom played under Roberto De Zerbi when he was head coach at the Amex Stadium: Carlos Baleba, Jan Paul van Hecke and Bart Verbruggen. But what does that shortlist say about the shape of Spurs’ summer?

What Spurs rumours tell us about their plans ahead of the summer

In the immediate aftermath of the win over Everton, the Spurs non-executive chairman Peter Charrington admitted in an open letter to supporters that the club had failed to build its squad in a suitable manner over the past few years.

“Football success had not been driving our decisions,” Charrington wrote. “We did not have the right expertise in key roles. We did not build squads good enough to compete in the most demanding league in the world.”

It’s a comment which reads partly as a dig at the departed Daniel Levy, who developed a habit of nickel and diming his way through the transfer market, focussing on negotiations and pricing rather than finding players who fit an overarching tactical profile. It suggests that Spurs want to rebuild around a coherent vision for the squad, and also perhaps that they will no longer spare expense in order to get the right players in.

The shortlist reported by Delaney suggests something similar. In picking out three players De Zerbi coached at Brighton, there is an implication that recruitment will be conducted in lockstep with the coach, with his desires prioritised and his strategy catered to – and in putting Carlos Baleba, in particular, on their list, it can be inferred that Spurs are prepared to break the bank.

Brighton are expected to seek a transfer fee in the region of £100m for Baleba, using potential competition from Manchester United to push for top dollar. Van Hecke, who is entering the final year of his contract with the Seagulls, and Verbruggen – whose deal expires in 2028 – may not come cheap, but a deal for Baleba would almost certainly shatter the club’s transfer record, the €65m (£56m) spent on Xavi Simons last summer.

It would be a highly expensive commitment to De Zerbi’s brand of football, albeit one that is perhaps necessary. Since sacking Mauricio Pochettino in 2019, Spurs have stumbled blindly between coaches with very different playing styles and worldviews, and seldom worried about signing players who fit the template those coaches wanted to build around. The result has been a deeply frustrating decline.

Charrington’s comments suggest a recognition in the corridors of power at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium that they have to let a manager plant their flag and get the players the want, with their style of play becoming Spurs’ default for the foreseeable future. Whether De Zerbi will be the wisest choice of coach to build around in the long term remains to be seen, but it appears that they have at last made a clear decision on the club’s direction and intend to stick with it.

Defence the priority as Spurs look to the future

Delaney’s report also adds backing to stories which suggest that Spurs are likely to agree to sign both Liverpool’s Andrew Robertson and Bournemouth’s Marcos Senesi on free transfers, and adds that Manchester City’s John Stones could be another player they look at. Throw in the defensive nature of their alleged targets at Brighton, and there is a clear suggestion that shoring up the defence is the immediate priority.

That focus is partly a matter of sheer necessity. Guglielmo Vicario and Cristian Romero are both expected to leave, the latter under something of a cloud, while there is interest from elite teams in both Micky van de Ven and Pedro Porro. Combined with a lack of trustworthy depth along the back four, there is a clear need for fresh blood.

While signing players like Verbruggen and Van Hecke, who are familiar with De Zerbi’s system and have the technical chops to play in his aggressively high line, would forge a squad which could adapt to the Italian’s methods, the addition of both Senesi and Stones to the list of potential new faces also hints at a focus on players who have the touch and passing range to distribute the ball with the kind of precision and grace under pressure that De Zerbi requires.

Stones – and Robertson – are not getting any younger, but if they are indeed transfer targets then that also hints at a belief that the club lacks leadership. Both have the intangible qualities that could make them strong additions even if they aren’t regular starters, and it’s fair to say that a Spurs squad stripped of its best current defenders would lack natural captains.

There will surely be some attacking players added, as well, but the fact that Spurs are being linked so strongly with strictly defensive players suggests a certain degree of faith in the players they already have on the books but who were too injured to contribute in full to a disastrous season. A Spurs squad with a fully fit Dominic Solanke, Mohammed Kudus, James Maddison and Dejan Kulusevski – plus Simons, who is likely to be out until the new year – may be a rather different animal to the tame one we saw cowering its way through 2025/26.

If Spurs have indeed shortlisted the players that Delaney claims, then the priorities seem to become quite clear: A focus on technical defenders who would suit De Zerbi’s high line, a recognition of the need for leadership, a belief that building a strong squad starts at the back, and the acknowledgement that current starters either aren’t good enough or are simply likely to leave the club regardless. The roadmap seems to have been drawn up. Now it’s time to see where it all leads.

Tottenham avoided relegation by the skin of their teeth - now they have a monumental rebuild project on their hands

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Tottenham Hotspur players and fans alike breathed an almighty sigh of relief on Sunday afternoon, as Roberto De Zerbi’s side secured a 1-0 win against Everton to ensure the club avoided the humiliation of being relegation from the Premier League. It was West Ham who dropped into the Championship, with just two points separating the London rivals.

Spurs began their season as reigning Europa League champions with Thomas Frank in charge, following Ange Postecoglu’s exit. The Lilywhites, who spent over £220m on new players over the course of the campaign, won three of their opening four matches, before a grim autumn set them up for a catastrophic nosedive into the final straight. But, ultimately, they survived - and that’s all that matters.

Tottenham will now be looking to put a dismal campaign behind them, and push on next season without the distraction of European football to hamper their league performance. While the managerial situation now looks to be stable with De Zerbi at the wheel, the playing staff look set for another reshuffle, with a number of transfers in and out expected this summer.

Ahead of what should be a hectic few months of wheeling and dealing for Spurs, we’ve taken a look at a number of players who’ve already been linked with a move to north London:

Every player Tottenham could sign this summer - goalkeeper and defence

James Trafford - Man City: The goalkeeper position will be one Spurs definitely look to shake up, with Guglielmo Vicario set to leave and return to Serie A. He’s been a far from convincing number one since arriving from Empoli back in 2023, and failed to fill the void left by his predecessor, Hugo Lloris.

Trafford, who joined the City last season ready to be their starter, only to be almost immediately usurped by the shock signing of colossal stopper Gianluigi Donnarumma, will also likely be leaving his club this summer. He’s been heavily linked with Spurs, and signing England’s successor to Jordan Pickford would be an excellent bit of business.

Andy Robertson - Liverpool: After nine fine seasons at Anfield, the Scotland international has called time on his Liverpool career after losing his regular starting spot in the side under Arne Slot. For now, he’ll be fully focused on the World Cup, but there will be plenty of offers coming his way over the coming weeks,

As things stand, Tottenham look to be the firm favourites to sign Robertson, but they will be wary of interest from elsewhere - particularly from Serie A giants Juventus, who have been tipped to hijack Spurs’ deal. Given the success his international teammate Scott McTominay has enjoyed in Italy, the ex-Hull City star could well be tempted to follow suit.

Marcos Senesi: For a club renowned for their top class recruitment, it really is a marvel that the Cherries have let the Argentina international slip through their grasp. The powerhouse defender played a crucial role in Bournemouth’s qualification for the Europa League this term, and has proved himself as a high quality Premier League operator over the past four seasons.

Like Robertson, he’s been heavily linked with a move to Spurs, to the extent that reports suggested a contract had already been agreed in principle - with the deciding factor being whether Spurs were able to avoid relegation. Now that’s confirmed, a free transfer switch to De Zerbi’s side looks to be a formality - he could well replace his Argentina teammate and tactless international travel enthusiast, Cristian Romero.

Every player Tottenham could sign this summer - midfield and attack

Curtis Jones - Liverpool: Like Tottenham, Liverpool will be doing plenty of business this summer, and Jones looks to be one of their players ready to head for the exit door. He’s been unable to secure himself a starting place at Liverpool, and at 25-years-old, he’ll be eager to join a club where he can play week in, week out.

Given that he came through the club’s academy, his sale will be highly beneficial for the Reds’ PSR situation, giving them the freedom they need to strengthen their squad elsewhere. Transfer stories linking Jones with Spurs have emerged in recent weeks, with a £35m fee likely to be enough to tempt Liverpool into selling.

Paulo Dybala - Roma: It feels like Dybala has been linked with a Premier League move for about a decade - at some point, it’s going to happen. Like Robertson and Senesi, the 2022 World Cup winner will be leaving his club upon the expiry of his contract this summer, meaning he’ll be available on a free transfer.

Tottenham have been admirers of the versatile forward for some time, but with the player set to turn 33-years-old this winter, he’s now well past his prime. With savings being made elsewhere with the aforementioned potential acquisitions from Liverpool and Bournemouth, Spurs should really be looking to spend a bit of money on any attacking reinforcements.

Savinho - Man City: Another long-term Spurs target, the Brazilian winger looks set to follow Pep Guardiola out of the Etihad Stadium door now the season is over. Once again he played fleetingly for his club this season, and the arrival of Antoine Semenyo means that’s unlikely to change in the 2026/27 campaign.

Recent transfer rumours suggest Spurs are ready to reignite their interest in the 22-year-old, who is said to be valued at around £60m. He’s capable of playing on either flank, and would give Tottenham some much needed depth and quality on the wings. However, if incoming manager Enzo Maresca takes a shine to the 13-cap Brazil international, Spurs may well struggle to sign him.

The latest Premier League transfer news involving Spurs, West Ham, Leeds and more

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It all comes down to this. After months of twists and turns, the Premier League’s relegation battle finally comes to a close this weekend, as Tottenham and West Ham look to avoid falling into the Championship. For Spurs, it’s simple: don’t lose to Everton and they’re safe. West Ham, however, must beat Leeds United and also hope the Toffees do them a big favour.

While the odds are firmly stacked in Tottenham’s favour, it will be an anxious atmosphere at their home stadium on Sunday afternoon, and fans will be frantically checking their phones to hear of developments down the road at the London Stadium. Everton, however, have had a real downturn in form of late, and have little to play for in their final match of the campaign.

We start today’s rumours round-up at Tottenham, where the club are still pulling together their summer transfer plan with the hope of staying up and being able to embark upon a major squad rebuild. A fresh report from Caught Offside claims Spurs have been given a bit of a boost, with Liverpool apparently willing to sell rumoured Tottenham target Curtis Jones.

The six-cap England international has, according to the report, made no progress in contract negotiations with last season’s Premier League champions, and the Reds could now look to sell him to avoid losing him for nothing once his contract expires next summer. It’s suggested he could be let go for around £35m, amid additional interest from Inter.

The 3AM Verdict: This would be a win-win for both Liverpool and Spurs. The former avoid losing a player for nothing and get a serious PSR boost by selling a former academy player in a ‘pure profit’ sale. Tottenham get a top quality midfielder for a reasonable price, and boost their own homegrown quota at the same time. Lovely stuff all round, it must be said.

West Ham eye Southampton star defender

Over to the equally nervy London Stadium next, where West Ham are also doing a bit of transfer planning behind the scenes. Team Talk suggest that Everton, Crystal Palace and West Ham all hold an interest in Southampton defender Taylor Harwood-Bellis, who could be available for around £20m this summer.

The Saints, of course, missed out on the Championship play-off final after being thrown out of the mini competition for spying on a Middlesbrough’s training session before their semi-final - a game in which Harwood-Bellis produced a deeply embarrassing ‘binoculars’ gesture to taunt an opposition player. He’s still keen to head to the Premier League this summer, and could push for an exit.

The 3AM Verdict: A bit of pub quiz trivia for you: Harwood-Bellis is one of four players this century to have one cap and one goal for England, along with David Nugent, Francis Jeffers and Steven Caulker. In terms of West Ham’s interest, it’s pretty simple: if they go down, they’ve got no chance of signing him - he’ll join Everton or Crystal Palace instead.

Leeds United ‘strongly interested’ in Bundesliga forward

Rounding this off, let’s swing by Elland Road, where Leeds United are still in a celebratory mood after avoiding the drop with plenty of time to spare. Daniel Farke’s side will need to strengthen over the summer, however, with a new striker likely to be their top priority. The man to do the job? Stuttgart striker Ermedin Demirovic, according to Italian reports relayed by Sport Witness.

They say that the 12-goal Bosnia international is of interest to Serie A side Lazio, but they are unlikely to have the financial muscle required to seal his signature. Leeds however, do, and could get their hands on the in-demand forward with a bid in the region of £26m, which should be well within their budget as a Premier League side.

The 3AM Verdict: Leeds recruited really well last summer, bringing in some great signings like Anton Stach and Jaka Bijol. The Whites will find better bargains in Europe than they would signing directly from the Premier League, and would do well to continue that strategy going forward. Demirovic has been banging in the goals over the past three seasons in Germany, and looks well worth a punt.

The latest Premier League transfer news including Spurs, Liverpool and Leeds United

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The warm weather is here at last, but it’s not just the heat that’s got us tossing and turning at night, unable to sleep a wink - it’s those pesky summer transfer window rumours. Where on earth will Jarrod Bowen end up if West Ham go down? Who will win the epic battle to sign Nottingham Forest’s Elliot Anderson? And just how many wonderkids is too many wonderkids for Chelsea?

These questions and many more will all be answered this summer, and we can’t wait for that transfer window to fly open come June 15th. Until then, we’re still scratching our head over Thomas Tuchel’s baffling World Cup squad announcement, which saw the likes of Harry Maguire, Cole Palmer and Phil Foden all left crestfallen on the runway.

Let’s begin today’s transfer round-up in the capital, where Spurs fans are sticking their fingers in their ears to block out the endless choruses of ‘North London Forever’ in the streets, as their local rivals Arsenal continue to celebrate their first Premier League title in 22 years. For Spurs, things are far less rosy, with their relegation battle finale rapidly approaching.

Should Tottenham stay up, which they really should, they’ll be ready to launch a major squad overhaul this summer. High on their wish list, according to Football Insider, is Roma gem Paulo Dybala. Their report notes that he’s set to become a free agent this summer, and that Spurs will be “on alert” as they look to finally sign their long-term transfer target.

The 3AM Verdict: Spurs are already said to be preparing to signing Andy Robertson and Marcos Senesi on free transfers, so you’d think they could spend a bob or two strengthening other areas of the squad. At 32-years-old, Dybala is well past his best, not to mention injury-prone. Tottenham would do well to get their chequebook out and spend some decent money on a better alternative who won’t join their already jampacked treatment room.

Liverpool close in on first summer signing

Let’s dart over to Anfield, where transfer guru Fabrizio Romano has dropped one his trademark ‘Here we go’ social media posts, announcing that Liverpool are closing in on their latest transfer deal. The reporter posted on X: “Liverpool agree deal to sign Samuel Martínez from Atletico Nacional, here we go! Deal in place for 17 year old Colombian talent to join in 2027, as soon as he turns 18... Agreement closed.”

It appears that the Reds have beaten both Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund in the race to sign the highly-rated wonderkid, who is a towering attacking midfielder also able to play in a less advanced role. He’s picked up plenty of youth caps for his country, and is widely tipped as a real ‘one-to-watch’ for the future.

The 3AM Verdict: Signing and then flipping talented young footballers is a good way to make some money. He’ll cost Liverpool less than £1 million, so you’d expect them to receive significantly more than that if they opt to move him on in a few years time. Given all the hype surrounding the player, this seems like a bit of a no-brainer and an excellent piece of recruitment from the Reds.

Leeds United linked with bargain free agent

Lastly, we’ll hop on a budget flight to Germany, to find out what on earth is going on at Union Berlin. Just yesterday, we reported on one of their defenders preparing to leave the club at the end of the season as a free agent, with Everton interested. Now it appears another of their back line could be about to do exactly the same thing.

In this case, Leeds United are in the mix - according to Team Talk. They bring word that the Whites are ready to battle Borussia Dortmund for Danilho Doekhi - a centre-back who’s played every league game for his side over the past couple of seasons. The report states that Whites boss Daniel Farke is a “long-term admirer” of the player and sees him as an ideal fit for his back line.

The 3AM verdict: The story goes on to list a whole bunch of other clubs who want to sign the 27-year-old Dutchman, including the likes of Aston Villa and some other, unnamed European sides who could also offer Champions League football. If that’s the case, a move to Leeds won’t seem so attractive - we don’t fancy their chances of getting this deal done at all.

The latest Spurs injury news and expected return dates ahead of their crunch Premier League clash with Chelsea.

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Tottenham Hotspur head into Tuesday night’s match against Chelsea knowing that a win will mathematically guarantee them Premier League football for another season and offer some relief at the end of a dire season – but Roberto De Zerbi’s preparations for a massive match have once again been hampered by injury issues.

The Spurs head coach is likely to be sweating once again over the fitness of Dominic Solanke and first-choice goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario, who are among eight first-team players expected to be out or doubts for the game at Stamford Bridge. There will also be speculation about whether James Maddison might start after coming off the bench against Leeds to mark his comeback from a ruptured ACL.

With kick-off for what could prove to be a decisive match fast approaching, we’ve collected all of the latest Spurs injury news below along with the absent players’ likely return dates when available.

Will Dominic Solanke & Guglielmo Vicario be fit to face Chelsea?

Striker Dominic Solanke’s season has been badly affected by injuries from start to finish, and he has missed the recent games against Aston Villa and Leeds with a hamstring injury – but ahead of last week’s match, De Zerbi told the media that he had “hope” that Solanke would be back in time to face Chelsea - who will not, incidentally, be managed by incoming head coach Xabi Alonso, with the Spaniard taking the reins in July.

The Italian also said that Solanke was “improving very quickly,” although it has yet to be confirmed that the 28-year-old was able to return to full training by the end of last week as had been hoped.

Solanke is likely to face a late fitness test on Monday evening to determine his availability, but there is a strong chance that he is back in the squad and able to feature in some capacity. If the Chelsea game does come too soon, he should be ready to play against Everton on the final day of the season.

First-choice goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario, meanwhile, is also a doubt as he continues his heavily-delayed recovery from hernia surgery. He has returned to training for the first time since March, but his exact condition and match readiness remains unclear.

With back-up Anton Kinský in fine form, there is no guarantee that Vicario would retake his place between the sticks even if the Italian does return in time for Tuesday night’s game at Stamford Bridge.

James Maddison latest with six out for Spurs

The best news Spurs supporters have received over the last few weeks (save perhaps for news of West Ham’s 3-1 defeat to Newcastle on Sunday) was that attacking midfielder James Maddison is once again available after missing nearly the entirety of the 2025/26 season with an ACL injury.

The England international came off the bench towards the end of the 1-1 draw with Leeds, playing his first football since last August, and looked sharp – and there will no doubt be calls for him to start against Chelsea given the lack of creative quality in midfield as it stands.

De Zerbi has not yet given any indications as to whether Maddison will be able to play for a longer period of time after his cameo last week, but has told the media that he hopes the 29-year-old would play a “crucial” role in the run-in. A start against Chelsea seems unlikely, but an extended second-half appearance could be on the cards.

Some Spurs fans have also wondered about the odds that Cristian Romero might play again this season after he was seen in the Spurs dugout last week, free from his leg brace and running down the touchline in celebration after Mathys Tel’s goal – but all indications are that the Argentine will not recover from his knee injury in time to be involved again before the end of the season, and that he still faces a race against time to be fit for his country’s opening fixture of the World Cup on Algeria on 17 June.

Joining Romero on the touchline are Mohammed Kudus (quadriceps) and Dejan Kulusevski (knee), both of whom will hopefully return during pre-season – the long-injured Swedish winger is now back with the club to continue his seemingly endless rehab – along with Wilson Odobert and Xavi Simons (both ACL). Odobert will be targeting a winter return, with Simons likely out until February 2027, although it is too early for specific target dates to be set. Ben Davies (ankle) is also out, with no indications that he will play again before his contract expires in June.

Will new Chelsea head coach Xabi Alonso take charge before the end of the season? And will he have control over transfers?

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After weeks of speculation, Chelsea have formally announced their new head coach: Xabi Alonso, the former Real Madrid and Bayer Leverkusen manager, will take over in the wake of Liam Rosenior’s sacking.

Alonso was among the world’s most in-demand coaches, his reputation largely unaffected by a disappointingly brief spell in the Spanish capital which saw him sacked after less than eight months in charge of a chaotic Real Madrid side. Chelsea appear to have achieved something of a coup in appointing a coach who was also strongly linked with a return to Liverpool, the club he represented with distinction as a player. But when does Alonso start his reign at Stamford Bridge?

Will Xabi Alonso manage Chelsea vs Spurs?

While Chelsea have confirmed that Alonso will be their new permanent head coach, he isn’t set to take over immediately – instead, current interim coach Calum McFarlane will continue to take charge for the final two matches of the Premier League season.

That means that Alonso won’t be on the touchline for the midweek match at home to Tottenham Hotspur, nor against Sunderland at the Stadium of Light on the final day of the season this coming Sunday.

Instead, the Spaniard will officially start his tenure as Chelsea head coach on 1 July, a date which will mark the beginning of a four-year contract. Alonso’s first game in charge is currently scheduled to take place in Sydney, against A-League outfit Western Syndey Wanderers on 31 July in a pre-season friendly.

Alonso’s arrival coincides with the end of a frustrating campaign which started with considerable promise before descending into chaos following the departure of Enzo Maresca. The Italian’s successor, Rosenior, lasted just 23 games, with the club sinking out of the race for Champions League qualification after he took charge.

Chelsea now face an uphill battle to qualify for European football of any form – ahead of the match against relegation-threatened Spurs, the club lie in 10th position, three points below Brentford, the team who currently occupy eighth place, which would make them the lowest-placed team in continental competition next season. Alonso will be wholly reliant on McFarlane’s efforts to ensure that he is managing the Blues in Europe during his first campaign as head coach.

Will Alonso have control over transfers at Chelsea?

When stories about negotiations to bring Alonso to Stamford Bridge first surfaced, there had been some reports which suggested that he might be given the title of manager, implying direct control over recruitment and transfers as well as training and tactical decisions – but Alonso has, instead, been named as head coach.

While that would typically mean that incoming and outgoing transfers were handled by a separate recruitment team, The Evening Standard report that sources state that Alonso will have a higher degree of control over the club’s dealings that his predecessors, although precisely how much control he might have remains unclear.

Alonso has not yet given an introductory press conference at which such questions might be addressed, and didn’t provide any information about the specifics of his role behind the scenes in a brief statement provided after the announcement of his new job.

"Chelsea is one of the biggest clubs in world football and it fills me with immense pride to become manager of this great club," Alonso said.

"From my conversations with the ownership group and sporting leadership, it is clear we share the same ambition. We want to build a team capable of competing consistently at the highest level and fighting for trophies.

"There is great talent in the squad and huge potential at this football club and it will be my great honour to lead it. Now the focus is on hard work, building the right culture and winning trophies."

A look at the players Spurs need to sell this summer - even if they avoid relegation from the Premier League.

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Whatever division Tottenham Hotspur find themselves in next season, it’s fair to assume that their squad will look rather different. Even if they avoid the drop, they have too many underperforming players (and too many wanted by other sides) to avoid a major rebuild over the course of the summer transfer window.

Some players could leave whether Spurs want them to or not, such as centre-backs Cristian Romero and Micky van de Ven, but there are others in the squad who are more of a drain on the wage bill than a benefit to the team’s chances of getting back to their best – so we’ve picked out five players that Spurs should actively shop around in the coming months if they want to improve.

Mathys Tel

Tel arrived in North London with plenty of (perfectly justified) hype, having demonstrated himself to be an immense talent in the Bundesliga with Bayern Munich – but has failed to live up to either his billing or his £30m price tag. It may be best for Spurs to find a buyer while he still commands a substantial fee.

There are certainly moments when Tel has looked like the potential world-beater he was sold as when he first arrived, but he gets lost in games too often, makes too many questionable decisions and a return of four goals in 29 Premier League appearances hasn’t really cut the mustard. If Spurs can get their money back for a player who was actively pushing for a loan move away back in January, they might be wise to take that deal.

He’ll still have his suitors as it stands and may well be worth more than his wages one day, but Spurs need immediate results more than they need future potential and his sale would help them to spend more over the summer.

Radu Dragusin

In truth, the Romanian centre-back didn’t really look good enough for the Premier League even before an ACL injury sidelined him for much of the past year – this is a player who doesn’t quite do anything well enough for the top level of the game.

There appears to be interest from Serie A, with Inter Milan and AS Roma among a number of Italian teams tentatively linked with a bid, and if that interest crystalises into a firm offer then it’s hard to imagine that Spurs will turn it down – it’s worth noting that some reports suggested that a loan-to-buy deal had been agreed with Roma in January before it collapsed.

There are no particular indications that Roberto De Zerbi holds Drăgușin in much higher regard than his predecessors, and even if Romero and Van de Ven were to leave it’s hard to imagine Spurs working too hard to hold on to a player who has simply struggled to make the grade in England.

Guglielmo Vicario

Vicario made a promising start to his Spurs career but has been somewhat subpar over the last two seasons – not necessarily a remarkably bad goalkeeper, but one who makes too many mistakes, struggles too much with high balls and set pieces, and whose distribution isn’t quite strong enough to mark him down as the long-term answer at the back.

He’s a solid shot stopper, by any standards, but there’s more to being a goalkeeper and Vicario ends up being too close to the middle of the pack to justify working too keep him on board – especially when he seems to be angling for a transfer anyway.

Several Italian sides have been linked with a move to bring him back to his home country and there are plenty of signs to suggest that he’ll get his wish to go back to Serie A. Spurs are likely to go shopping for a new number one in a couple of months’ time, and that may not be such a bad thing. They can do better.

Manor Solomon

The Israeli winger never really broke into the first-team with any kind of conviction after he was signed from Shakhtar Donetsk back in 2023 and has spent the entirety of the last two years out on loan, most recently with Fiorentina. It’s probably high time that Spurs find him a permanent home.

Fiorentina do have a purchase option worth a reported £8.7m in their loan deal, which offers a likely and perhaps probable solution, but there have been few reports definitively stating that they will trigger it – Solomon has started eight league games since joining La Viola, scoring twice and playing reasonably well, so it seems plausible that it’s a move which will be made permanent.

Should Fiorentina decide to leave him be, however, Spurs will be back in the hunt for a buyer. His £60,000 per week wages aren’t too extortionate for the kind of teams who could offer him a home, so hopefully it’s a situation that will be resolved satisfactorily before the end of the window.

Pape Matar Sarr

Of the five players we’ve picked out, selling Sarr is certainly the least urgent. He’s still 23, still has time to blossom into the all-action player that he promised to be when he first arrived at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, and still has an impressive work ethic to back his natural ability up. The problem is that he simply hasn’t levelled up as swiftly as might have been hoped.

Sarr certainly puts the hard yards in but there’s a worry that he’s turning into a jack of all trades and master of none. Neither his defensive work nor his passing game have stood out and he’s endured a rather mediocre season in which he’s started just 13 Premier League games. There’s a growing sensation that Spurs simply have better midfielders, and with Conor Gallagher, Rodrigo Bentancur, Lucas Bergvall and perhaps João Palhinha on the books for next season (relegation notwithstanding) it’s hard to say that Spurs really need the Senegalese midfielder.

Turkish sides Galatasaray and Fenerbahçe have both come up as potential suitors on the rumour mill, so there could well be willing buyers – and if Spurs could get a substantial sum, then selling him to raise the funds required to strengthen other parts of the squad makes rather a lot of sense.

Spurs & Fulham are both alleged to be interested in a dazzling young Brazilian with a gift for dribbling - but who will win the race when the transfer window opens?

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While Tottenham Hotspur may not yet know which division they’ll be playing in next season, their scouts have still been busy – and they seem to have spent some time in South America watching a gifted young winger who’s creating plenty of excitement in the Brazilian top flight.

They aren’t alone. Reports suggest that both Spurs and Fulham are keen on Coritiba winger Lucas Ronier, a 21-year-old whose dazzling dribbling displays have also attracted interest from Saudi Arabia – but just how good is Lucas Ronier, and what will it take to bring him to Europe this summer?

Lucas Ronier – the fleet-footed Brazilian wanted by Spurs & Fulham

Lucas Ronier is already in his third season as a regular starter for Coritiba but the 2026 Brasileirão campaign is his first in the top flight – his seven goals in all competitions last year helped to earn his team promotion as Série B champions, and now he’s getting to showcase his skills on a bigger stage.

The jump up has hurt his end product somewhat – in 15 league games so far he’s managed two assists and just one goal – but his lightning-fast feet have impressed nonetheless. The youngster has a gift for dribbling which will inevitably earn him a big move sooner or later.

A naturally left-footed winger who typically looks to come inside from the right but who is also comfortable on his weaker foot, Lucas Ronier’s standout trait is undoubtedly his ball control and his breathtakingly fast feet. A superb ball-carrier who can turn defenders inside out and who is just as comfortable cutting in as he is speeding round full-backs on the outside, he’s already proven to be a severe headache for defenders in Brazil’s top tier.

Short at around 5’5”, he knows how to use his low centre of gravity to turn quickly, often in a flurry of stepovers that can dazzle defenders – and draw a considerable number of fouls.

He’s also a very willing runner and effective in a high press, forcing an encouraging number of high turnovers and making a consistent nuisance of himself off the ball – while his work rate in training has also drawn praise in Brazil.

His end product needs to be polished and both his finishing and final ball need to improve before he’d be ready for the Premier League, but his preternatural technique seems to have attracted Spurs and Fulham’s interest nonetheless. According to Sport Witness, both sides are monitoring the winger’s progress ahead of potential bids.

Lucas Ronier would likely start life in England as a developmental prospect rather than an immediate starter, but he has the raw skillset and physical traits to thrive – but will either side make a move when the transfer window opens?

Will Spurs or Fulham bid for Lucas Ronier this summer?

Sport Witness’ report stops short of suggesting that negotiations are inevitable, but if either Spurs or Fulham do want to make a move they may be compelled to do it soon – they aren’t the only teams keen on Lucas Ronier.

Saudi Pro League side Neom allegedly saw a bid of £9.4m rejected in 2024 and he continues to be a subject of interest – likely with a rather higher price tag this time around. The player himself was said to be more interested in a move to Europe, however, which could give his Premier League suitors an edge.

All we can say with confidence is that any bid for Lucas Ronier would have to exceed eight figures, although the price may not spiral to unaffordable levels – the player has just 18 months left on his contract, which will encourage Coritiba to listen to offers sooner rather than later.

His club’s form may also be a factor. After a strong start (which included a 2-0 win away to Corinthians in which Lucas Ronier scored) Coritiba have struggled in recent weeks, picking up just one win in their last nine matches. They are in mid-table as it stands, but should they be sliding towards the relegation zone by the time the transfer window opens, they may be incentivised to work hard to keep hold of perhaps their most naturally gifted player.

It’s not clear just how big the battle for Lucas Ronier’s signature might be – whether Spurs and Fulham will have a clear path to a deal, or whether other sides will be in the mix as well. Certainly, with his talent, it’s hard to imagine that other European sides haven’t been paying attention too. If he does move to the Premier League this summer, it should be fun to watch.

The latest Premier League transfer news including Spurs, Man United, Aston Villa and more

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A mere six weeks now stand between us and the summer transfer window’s grand opening. Six weeks for sporting directors to get their transfer lists primed and polished. Six weeks for players to put themselves in the shop window in hope of a big summer move. And six weeks for transfer news titan Fabrizio Romano to fully defrost himself, oils his joints and get ready for action.

We begin today’s rumours round-up at Tottenham, where Spurs are positively giddy after winning two Premier League matches on the trot. They stormed past a second string Aston Villa side who exuded an unquestionable ‘let’s not waste our precious time on a game so insignificant when the Europa League semi-final second-leg is next week’ vibe.

But credit to Spurs, they got the job done, and now Premier League survival is back in their hands. With that would come a significantly more appealing transfer window than if they were to be relegated, and their latest target is said to be Brighton defender Jan Paul van Hecke, according to Team Talk.

The report says that Spurs won’t be put off by interest from Liverpool and everyone’s favourite luxury circus troupe, Chelsea, and are ready to make their move for the 25-year-old if they stay up. He’s previously been said to be valued at around £50m, and manager Roberto De Zerbi’s time managing him at Brighton could well work in Tottenham’s favour.

The 3AM Verdict: Spurs are going to have a serious squad overhaul, regardless of whether they’re relegated or not. We know they’re likely to sign Marcos Senesi on a free transfer from Bournemouth, which would leave some funds to land Van Hecke. Signing them both may well be necessary, with both Cristian Romero and Micky van de Ven potentially leaving the club this summer.

Premier League trio keen on Kalulu

Next up, we’re off to Turin, where Juventus star Pierre Kalulu is said to have drawn significant interest from several Premier League sides. Caught Offside say that Liverpool are monitoring the 25-year-old closely, and consider him to be one of their “top defensive targets” heading into the summer window.

Aston Villa and Manchester United are also both namechecked as potential suitors, but Juventus are said to be unwilling to sell the centre-back, and view him as an integral part of the side going forward. What follows next is a bit of a classic from this outlet - you’ll never believe it, but their sources reckon Juventus are willing to sell him for the right price.

The 3AM Verdict: This does feel like one of those stories where a club are perhaps putting the word out there that they’re looking to cash in on a player - to the tune of around £35m, according to the report. Pure speculation on our part, of course. He’s a top player, so the Premier League interest makes sense, but the idea that Juve are desperate to keep him doesn’t pass muster with us.

Leeds United hold the key to Aston Villa transfer hopes

They say that the submission of AI queries uses millions of litres of water per day, as cooling systems frantically try to soothe the relentlessly whirring servers whose sole purpose is to let Barbara from Montrose know whether it’s a good idea to do cheese on toast with blowtorch, or provide Clive from Toulouse with a bombproof list of reasons that could excuse him from his loathed uncle’s second wedding.

A similar strain was put on the internet at large at around this time last year, when approximately 1.2 million articles were written on then soon-to-be free agent Jonathan David. Every elite club in Europe was seemingly after the Canadian forward, and football fans across the globe were transfixed by the saga concerning who would sign the free agent bargain of the century. Forget Brat Summer - this was our David Spring.

He ended up at Juventus, promptly flopped, and now they’re looking to get rid of him. Aston Villa are said to be after him, but Football Insider claim they’ll only be in luck if Leeds United can’t sign Juve’s Lois Openda. Basically, the former Serie A serial winners don’t want to lose both players, given that striker Dusan Vlahovic looks to be heading out the door too.

The 3AM Verdict: Now Leeds have all but avoided relegation, they’ll be ready to spend big this summer. They could well nab Openda on a loan-to-buy deal, which would probably dash Villa’s hopes of bagging David. Plot twist: why don’t the Villans save themselves a few million quid and sign free agent Vlahovic instead? We just might have another transfer saga on our hands...