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It is unlikely that Tottenham Hotspur will compete with Manchester City for the Premier League title next season.

While Tottenham won the UEFA Europa League last season, they also finished in 17th place in the Premier League while City secured a third-place finish despite enduring their most difficult campaign in years.

Thomas Frank could do wonders at Spurs but Pep Guardiola is a serial winner already and next season, he will be hoping to get his hands on the league title.

Ilkay Gundogan believes Manchester City will bounce back as the German revealed that there is a feeling of optimism within the dressing room.

Man City should make a move for Tottenham target Mohammed Kudus

A player Manchester City should sign to boost their chances of winning the league title is Mohammed Kudus, who Tottenham are in advanced talks to bring in, as per The Telegraph.

Tottenham believe there is a strong possibility that they could sign Kudus for less than his £85 million release clause and West Ham United are keen to offload him.

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While Pep Guardiola believes in Savinho’s potential, the Ghanaian international could be a player to compete with the 21-year-old, who the Catalan admitted still has a way to go to become the finished article.

Kudus is a player who fits Manchester City’s system to a tee as he is terrific technically, incredible at carrying the ball over long distances and extremely industrious.

Furthermore, the 24-year-old can play in a variety of positions, which Pep Guardiola is known to appreciate judging by how several tactically flexible players have become fulcrums in his side, from Philipp Lahm to Bernardo.

From being a central midfielder to doing a job up front, Kudus has done it all and he could be Guardiola’s go-to man across multiple roles if Manchester City were to beat Tottenham to his signature.

In case Rayan Cherki has a tough debut season and Phil Foden struggles to return to his best, Kudus could operate as City’s number 10 while also being able to be the technically gifted and brilliant athlete to partner Rodri apart from Tijjani Reijnders.

Manchester City could make more signings after the FIFA Club World Cup and considering the former Ajax technician has the experience of not just playing Premier League football but in the Champions League as well as the Africa Cup of Nations, his addition would be a no-brainer.

Pep Guardiola has already given his seal of approval to Mohammed Kudus

However, as things stand, it does not seem like Manchester City are set to battle with Tottenham to sign Kudus.

In May last year, Pep Guardiola described the Spurs target as “exceptional” via Manchester City’s official website: “Kudus is an exceptional player. Bowen for many years and [Michail] Antonio, when he’s fit, is unbelievable. [Lucas] Paqueta is a top-class player in that he can do many things.”

Guardiola concluded: “That’s why. All four from nothing they can do something unique and special. That is my only concern right now.”

Manchester City have a star-studded squad that has become even better over the past six months.

After a busy winter on the transfer front, Manchester City have been one of the busiest teams in the early stages of the summer window.

The likes of Omar Marmoush, Abdukodir Khusanov, Nico Gonzalez, Tijjani Reijnders, Rayan Ait-Nouri and Rayan Cherki have strengthened an already-strong squad.

Now, an exciting young player who City bid for in 2023 has spoken highly of a Citizens star who he can now count among his international teammates.

Luka Vuskovic raves about ‘animal’ Josko Gvardiol

Back in 2023, it was reported that City made a bid for Croatian prodigy Luka Vuskovic, as per The Athletic.

However, Tottenham Hotspur won the race for Vuskovic, and he is set to arrive at Spurs this summer.

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The Hajduk Split defender – who has been on loan at Belgian side Westerlo – has already been capped for Croatia at senior international level.

Vuskovic came on as a late substitute in the recent World Cup qualifying win over Czechia, where he played alongside Josko Gvardiol.

And the Spurs-bound talent couldn’t help but sing Gvardiol’s praises as he spoke to Croatian outlet 24 Sata.

“My defensive role model is Josko Gvardiol,” said Vuskovic. “He’s an animal, I’ve never seen that in my life, he’s like an alien.

“We have similarities, but when you see him, you’re shocked at how good he is. We work well together, he solves problems, and I help, ha ha.”

What Pep Guardiola has in mind for Josko Gvardiol next season

Man City fans called for Gvardiol to play at centre-back ahead of the Manchester Derby at the start of April.

Although Gvardiol has played both at centre-back and at left-back between then and the end of the season, there’s a good chance he could continue in the middle.

According to the Manchester Evening News’ Simon Bajkowski, Guardiola could well keep Gvardiol and Ruben Dias in the centre.

“There is undeniably a quality to the Gvardiol-Dias partnership that may be hard to beat with any other combination,” Bajkowski wrote.

“Guardiola likes his defenders to be fluid, able to play multiple positions so that he can adapt for whatever opposition they face.

“At the same time, he has not been averse to sticking with the same central partnership if he thinks it is what the team needs.

“Akanji is already back in the matchday squads and the others will look to follow, so there is a good chance the partnership gets broken up before the end of the season.

“What City will have to work out is whether Gvardiol could yet oust his teammates and keep the centre-back role that he looks most comfortable in.”

Manchester City have every reason to be satisfied with their summer business so far, with Rayan Cherki, Tijjani Reijnders and Rayan Ait-Nouri all addressing priority positions in their squad.

Reijnders revealed his conversation with Manchester City centered around the Sky Blues needing to sign a brand-new eight, a position he will now likely play for them next season.

Similarly, Cherki is set to replace Kevin De Bruyne, even if City do not view the Frenchman as the sole successor to the Napoli superstar.

With Manchester City lacking a natural left-back in their ranks, Ait-Nouri’s addition could prove to be an excellent one next season.

But City still need to sign a right-back to replace the outgoing Kyle Walker but Tino Livramento is happy at Newcastle United and has shown no willingness to play his football elsewhere despite their interest.

Man City should make a move for Tottenham star Djed Spence

While Manchester City hold Livramento in high esteem, if he ends up staying at Newcastle, Djed Spence could be an excellent alternative for Pep Guardiola’s men for a number of reasons.

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Firstly, at the backend of last season, Guardiola played two high-flying full-backs in Matheus Nunes and Nico O’Reilly, a role that would suit Spence as he first came to prominence as a right wing-back at Nottingham Forest.

The Catalan tactician might have to stick with such a setup in the following campaign as well if he intends to play both Omar Marmoush and Phil Foden in the same side as Cherki, with the pair potentially deployed as a pair of inside forwards.

Spence’s crossing, ability to carry the ball over large distances and direct approach first came to light when Forest beat Arsenal 1-0 in the FA Cup in 2022, traits he still has in abundance.

Ait-Nouri could be tasked to hug the touchline on the left flank and the £20 million (BBC Sport) man could perform the same role on the right-hand side.

Secondly, the Tottenham Hotspur man is brilliant defensively as well, blessed with searing pace, a knack for timing his challenges perfectly and balancing aggression and a calculative approach in one-v-one situations.

Furthermore, Spence is equally comfortable playing on both flanks and Pep Guardiola has a history of fancying versatile players, from Philipp Lahm to Joao Cancelo.

While Manchester City are interested in signing Wesley Franca as well, it might be safer to sign a Premier League-proven right-back instead who can deliver in the here and now.

Pep Guardiola gave Djed Spence an important piece of advice

After Manchester City’s 1-0 victory against Tottenham last season, Guardiola revealed he gave Spence some advice.

Pep Guardiola said via talkSPORT: “Why do you run too much? You should be more calm.”

“[Destiny] Udogie is quite similar, the pace of this team is difficult to… Maybe Liverpool, but they are unbelievable, unbearable, and every time they have the ball and run, they’re unstoppable; Spence, Pedro Porro, Udogie, [Dejan] Kulusevski, Son [Heung-min].”

Perhaps Guardiola might instruct Spence to be calmer on the whole if he were to ever sign for Manchester City.

However, with Thomas Frank now Spurs’ manager, perhaps the Englishman would like to prove his worth under the Dane instead of looking for an exit.

It seems like the bulk of Manchester City’s summer transfer business has been completed with the additions of Rayan Ait-Nouri, Tijjani Reijnders and Rayan Cherki.

Manchester City are interested in signing Tino Livramento but Newcastle United’s priority is to keep the Englishman in the summer.

Morgan Gibbs-White was on City’s radar and at one point, it looked like the Nottingham Forest midfielder was set to be a key part of their squad rebuild.

Gibbs-White was considered Kevin De Bruyne’s replacement by the Sky Blues at one point.

Man City do not need to sign Tottenham target Morgan Gibbs-White

But now that Manchester City are unlikely to sign Gibbs-White, the Daily Mail have reported that Tottenham Hotspur’s interest in the England international is worth looking out for.

Considering City have already bolstered their midfield by signing Reijnders and Cherki, they should give Tottenham a free run at signing the 25-year-old.

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It goes without saying that Manchester City should not go out of their way not to sign the former Wolves midfielder to lend Spurs a helping hand of any kind.

However, Manchester City believe Reijnders fits their system as a player tailor-made to play in the number eight role, a position Gibbs-White could have played if he made the move to the Etihad Stadium.

Manchester City admired Gibbs-White’s energy and the bite that he could bring to their central midfield department as perhaps their plan was to play him as a number eight.

Cherki is one of Europe’s best up-and-coming creators and City also have the likes of Phil Foden and Oscar Bobb on their books, who are world-class attacking midfielders in the making.

Pep Guardiola spoke to Gibbs-White after Manchester City’s 2-0 win against Nottingham Forest in the FA Cup semi-final last season as it seemed like the Catalan was a huge admirer of the Englishman.

But Gibbs-White, who is valued at £70 million is no longer needed by City and if Tottenham do end up signing him, it should not be a worry for the Sky Blues as they had 33 more points than them in the league during the previous campaign.

Why Man City pulled out of the race to sign Morgan Gibbs-White

Fabrizio Romano revealed Thomas Frank is set to become the Lilywhites’ new head coach and he would be hoping to be backed in the summer transfer window.

Manchester City consider Gibbs-White too expensive and as a result, their interest in the now-Tottenham target has cooled.

Jack Grealish’s Manchester City career is coming to an end.

The 2024/25 campaign has been the toughest for the winger since moving to the Etihad Stadium in 2021, and this week, the Englishman was handed a huge blow, as Man City do not plan to take Grealish with them to the FIFA Club World Cup this summer.

It has been reported in the aftermath of this that Grealish has accepted that his Man City career is over, with the 29-year-old now set to leave the Manchester club over the coming weeks in search of regular minutes next season.

Thomas Tuchel has stated that this is essential for Grealish, if he has hopes of going to the World Cup with England and with several clubs interested in the City star, the winger has one destination down as a last resort for the new season.

Saudi Arabia is a last resort for Jack Grealish

The BBC are reporting that Grealish wants a clean break from Man City this summer and a permanent new home, as the winger has seen what has happened with Marcus Rashford and Jadon Sancho over the last year.

City would prefer to sell the 29-year-old this summer, but are open to a loan move, as the player’s high wages are going to be a problem for many of the interested parties.

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Grealish is open to staying in the Premier League, with Tottenham Hotspur, Newcastle, Everton, and his former club Aston Villa all keen on him; however, Spurs are one club who are put off signing the Man City star due to the finances involved, but that may change.

Napoli seem to be the leading contenders for Grealish ahead of the 2025/26 campaign, which is an option that might attract the winger, as the report states that the 29-year-old is keen to still play in the Champions League, which Newcastle and Spurs can provide from an English point of view.

The report states that the last resort for the Englishman would be a transfer to Saudi Arabia, as that move would lead to many suggesting his career is on the decline and could severely damage his future hopes of playing for England.

Jack Grealish’s record vs Tottenham

It can be assumed that in an ideal world, Grealish would like to remain in the Premier League and out of all the interested clubs mentioned in the report, Tottenham seem like the most realistic option for the winger as the London club ticks a lot of boxes.

A move to Spurs would be a good one for the Man City star, especially from the point of view that the Englishman would not have to play against them anymore, as the 29-year-old has an awful record.

Grealish has played against Tottenham on 12 occasions and has only won four of them, drawing one and losing the remaining seven.

The winger has only one goal and one assist against the North London club, with the Man City star netting in the 3-3 draw between the Manchester club and Spurs at the Etihad Stadium during the 23/24 season.

It remains to be seen if a move to Tottenham can be completed for the 29-year-old this summer, but what is certain is that Grealish will not be a Man City player when the new season begins in August.

Jack Grealish looks set to leave Manchester City in the summer and the good news for the England international is that plenty of clubs are interested in signing him.

Tottenham Hotspur are keen on signing Grealish — a club the Englishman almost signed for in 2018 during his time at Aston Villa.

Grealish is on Newcastle and Aston Villa’s radar as well ahead of next season.

The 29-year-old will be hoping that sooner rather than later, his future is finalised.

Man City star Jack Grealish’s wages are a problem for Tottenham

Jack Grealish will be aware that unless he becomes a regular starter next season, his chances of being named in England’s squad for the 2026 World Cup could be remote.

Recently, Pep Guardiola suggested Grealish could leave as well.

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However, Football Transfers have reported that while Grealish is “open” to the idea of signing for Tottenham, especially after they secured Champions League qualification by winning the Europa League.

Spurs’ technical director Johan Lange, who was previously at Aston Villa and masterminded Grealish’s £100 million move to Manchester City still shares a strong bond with the player.

However, the three-time Premier League winner’s weekly wages of £300,000 could make negotiations complex between City and Tottenham — considering the report mentions that their highest earner, Heung-min Son banks £190,000-a-week.

Furthermore, Manchester City are open to letting the decorated winger leave for a fee in the region of £38 million to £43 million.

Grealish is more likely to sign for another club over Tottenham

Grealish might have to take a pay cut if he is well and truly keen on moving to Tottenham.

However, AC Milan could sign Grealish instead of Tottenham.

Journalist Dean Jones revealed: “Meanwhile, Jack Grealish has been linked [to Tottenham] but that feels far-fetched given his price tag. AC Milan are a more realistic suitor. If there’s a gap in their squad, they’re interested.”

“And for Grealish, it might actually be the perfect time to test himself abroad. He could thrive in Serie A’s rhythm.”

Considering Manchester City struck a loan deal with AC Milan in January to offload Kyle Walker, perhaps they could do the same by letting them have a stab at signing Grealish.

Jack Grealish has a huge decision to make this summer.

The 29-year-old’s £100m move to Man City in 2021 has not worked out for the winger, and that has been evident this year as the Englishman has fallen down the pecking order at the Etihad Stadium, with Pep Guardiola handing him only one start in the Manchester club’s last 21 Premier League games.

That is not enough for a player of Grealish’s stature, and it has resulted in Ally McCoist urging the winger to leave Man City this summer in search of more minutes.

The 29-year-old will have ambitions to represent England at the 2026 World Cup, and should he sit on the bench for another year in Manchester, the former Aston Villa star will not find himself in Thomas Tuchel’s squad.

Several clubs are having a look at Grealish, but one is more realistic than the others, and they are trying to find a way to sign the City star this summer.

AC Milan is a realistic destination for Jack Grealish

AC Milan have shown interest in Grealish for months, and the Man City star could be an option for the Serie A club to replace Rafael Leao should the Portuguese star leave the San Siro ahead of next season.

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Speaking on the Transfers From Paradise Podcast, Dean Jones has stated that Milan are a realistic option for Grealish to continue his career next season, with the transfer journalist finding it hard to see the winger moving to Tottenham.

“Meanwhile, Jack Grealish has been linked (to Tottenham), but that feels far-fetched given his price tag,” Jones said about the Englishman’s future.

“AC Milan are a more realistic suitor. If there’s a gap in their squad, they’re interested. And for Grealish, it might actually be the perfect time to test himself abroad. He could thrive in Serie A’s rhythm.”

Grealish is happy at Man City, but he will know by now that he needs to move to save his career and hopes of playing at the 2026 World Cup.

Milan would be an exciting club for the Man City star to continue his story, and if he goes down this route, the 29-year-old would have taken to the advice of Gary Neville.

Gary Neville encourages Jack Grealish to leave the Premier League

Speaking on Stick To Football last week, Neville told Grealish that he should consider a move abroad this summer as it would keep the winger out of the spotlight of the English media, which is something Trent Alexander-Arnold seems keen to do with his move to Real Madrid.

Serie A would suit the Man City star’s game as it is slower than the Premier League and is more tactical, which would allow AC Milan’s manager to use the 29-year-old in many ways.

From a trophy point of view, things could not have gone better for Grealish at Man City; however, individually, the winger has struggled to showcase all of his ability on a consistent basis.

The 2025/26 season is very likely to see the Englishman start a new chapter in his career, but it remains to be seen where that will be.

Manchester City have been linked with Tottenham Hotspur star Destiny Udogie in recent months.

Fabrizio Romano reported in April that City are looking for a new full-back and Udogie is a target.

Romano claimed that Manchester City director Hugo Viana “appreciates” the Tottenham star and has been tracking him since his time at Udinese.

Now, Udogie has been directly asked about the transfer speculation involving him and City, and he has given his response.

Manchester City target Destiny Udogie says he’s just ‘trying to help’ Tottenham

Destiny Udogie has spoken to the media ahead of Tottenham’s Europa League final with Manchester United next week.

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Hayters TV told Udogie that he has had an “excellent season” and wondered whether links between him and City are a “nice thing to hear”.

The Tottenham ace responded by saying he feels he’s had a “tough season” but that his goal is to help “his team and that’s it”.

Udogie said: “No, I think personally it’s been a tough season with injuries and everything catching up with the form.

“At the same time we’re trying to finish the season strongly, so I’m trying to help my team and that’s it.”

Admittedly, City will find it difficult to sign the Spurs ace this summer, even though Udogie is a player who has impressed Pep Guardiola.

Sky Germany’s Florian Plettenberg has reported that Spurs want to keep Udogie next season and that he remains a key player for the London outfit.

This is why Tottenham have not set a price for the Italian star, added Plettenberg.

This will be a blow for Pep Guardiola, even though it’s not all that surprising. However, City appear to have alternatives.

City have shown long-term interest in Juventus full-back Andrea Cambiaso, while Eintracht Frankfurt’s Nathaniel Brown is also liked by City.

The Athletic’s Sam Lee recently spoke about Man City’s plans for the summer transfer window.

Lee, speaking on the Athletic FC Podcast, said City are looking to make a further “four or five signings” to go with the busy January transfer window they had.