Sports Mole

Tottenham Hotspur have confirmed that James Maddison is set to undergo surgery for an anterior cruciate ligament rupture, which could rule him out for the entire 2025-26 season.

The 28-year-old sustained the devastating problem in the weekend's 1-1 friendly draw with Newcastle United in South Korea, a few months after recovering from another injury to the same knee.

Maddison awkwardly jarred his knee just 11 minutes after coming on as a substitute and quickly went down, signalling to the bench that he needed to come off as he grimaced in pain on the Seoul World Cup Stadium turf.

Spurs fans and players - including the departing Son Heung-min - expressed serious concern for the former Leicester City man, who was stretchered off the field soon after.

Sports Mole exclusively reported at the time that Maddison had hurt his ACL, potentially putting him out of contention for the whole of this season, and Spurs' worst fears have now come true.

Maddison ACL injury confirmed as Tottenham release statement

In a club statement on Thursday, the Lilywhites announced that the playmaker would go under the knife in the coming days, although they did not put a timeframe on his recovery.

"We can confirm that James Maddison will undergo surgery for a ruptured Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) in his right knee," a statement read. "The 28-year-old midfielder suffered the injury during our pre-season friendly against Newcastle United on Sunday in Seoul.

"His surgery will take place in the coming days and, following that, James will then begin his rehabilitation with our medical team. Everyone at Tottenham Hotspur wishes James a full and speedy recovery. We will be supporting him every step of the way."

Head coach Thomas Frank confirmed at his post-game press conference that Maddison had injured the same knee he damaged last season, which ruled him out of the Europa League final triumph against Manchester United, although he could not give more details at the time.

The England international's lengthy absence is a hammer blow for Tottenham, whom Maddison scored 12 goals and provided 11 assists for in 45 appearances across all competitions last season, including nine Premier League goals.

How can Spurs replace Maddison after ACL injury?

Losing two influential attackers in the space of one week, Maddison's ACL issue happened the day after Son announced he was leaving, and the South Korean's switch to Los Angeles FC was announced on Wednesday evening.

The Lilywhites will almost certainly have to look to the transfer market to address their attacking deficiencies, and Sports Mole understands that they put in an immediate enquiry for Manchester City's Jack Grealish over the weekend.

The England international would be an alternative to Morgan Gibbs-White following the Nottingham Forest man's contract extension, but Everton are also vying for his signature.

As Arsenal's move for Eberechi Eze appears to have stalled, Spurs could do worse than reignite their interest in the Crystal Palace man too, and Frank may well consider keeping Alfie Devine, who was originally expected to go out on loan this summer.

Son Heung-min is reportedly set to join Los Angeles FC on a league 'record fee' from Tottenham Hotspur.Â

The 33-year-old played his final match in last Sunday's 1-1 friendly draw with Newcastle United in South Korea, where he was given a guard of honour.Â

The South Korean winger has reportedly reached a verbal agreement to join the MLS outfit, and he will soon become one of the highest-paid players in the league, above Sergio Busquets but behind Lionel Messi.Â

According to The Athletic, the transfer has been finalised, where LAFC will pay Tottenham in the region of $26.5m (£20m) for the winger - a new MLS record.Â

Son leaves Tottenham as a club legendÂ

The South Korean announced last week that he would be leaving the north London club after 10 years of outstanding service, and the Europa League winners respected his decision.Â

Son leaves behind a massive legacy, becoming the fifth-highest scorer and highest non-English scorer in Tottenham's history. The attacker finished with 173 goals in all competitions for Spurs and played more Premier League matches than any other Tottenham player.Â

The former Bayer Leverkusen forward scored 127 Premier League goals and added 71 assists, and he is one of the seven players ranking in the top 20 in both categories.Â

Huge commercial pull for LAFCÂ

According to a report from the The Guardian, Son attended LAFC’s home Leagues Cup win against Tigres on Tuesday, and he will officially be introduced on Wednesday.Â

His impact at LAFC is expected to go beyond footballing contributions, with the club likely to be reaping profits commercially from his presence.Â

Many South Korean fans regularly fly to London to watch Son in action, and needless to say, they will flock in numbers to watch him in the MLS, as Los Angeles is home to the largest Korean population in the U.S.Â

Everton have reportedly opened talks with Manchester City over a loan deal for Jack Grealish.

The England international is free to leave Man City during this summer's transfer window, and there are believed to be a number of Premier League clubs interested in his signature.

Aston Villa have been linked with a move for their former playmaker, while West Ham United are believed to have made an ambitious attempt to sign him in recent weeks.

Sports Mole has exclusively reported that Tottenham Hotspur are also in the running, with Spurs making an immediate enquiry following James Maddison's injury blow against Newcastle United.

However, according to transfer expert David Ornstein, Everton are now in talks with Man City over the possibility of signing the attacker on loan for the 2025-26 campaign.

Everton 'open talks' with Man City over Grealish move

Ornstein claims that the deal is 'complicated', but there are currently discussions between the two clubs, with Grealish making it clear that he is open to a switch.

The 29-year-old needs a strong 2025-26 campaign if he is to be a part of the England squad at the 2026 World Cup, and playing time will have a big role in the final decision over his future.

Grealish scored 32 times and registered 43 assists in 213 appearances for Aston Villa before making a big-money move to Man City in the summer of 2022.

The attacker has only managed 17 goals and 23 assists in 157 appearances for the Citizens, though, and he struggled to make his mark for Pep Guardiola's side during the 2024-25 season.

Grealish only managed one goal and one assist in 20 Premier League appearances last term, and he is not in the plans of head coach Guardiola for the coming season.

Guardiola: 'I have no issue with Grealish'

At the end of June, Man City head coach Guardiola insisted that he had no problem with Grealish, claiming that the decision to leave him out of the Club World Cup squad was not a personal one.

"The only reason he [Grealish] didn't play minutes was me, not because he was incorrect or whatever," Guardiola told reporters at the time.

"He's a top player but the players have to compete with each other and last season [Jeremy] Doku was incredible in many games and Savinho made the step up for his first season.

"I want the best for Jack, his partner, his kids, his family. I don't know what's going to happen right now. have any doubts about the qualities of Jack. The quality has always been there, the year of the treble would have been impossible."

Tottenham Hotspur are allegedly yet to make an offer for Real Madrid attacker Rodrygo despite the recent reports.

The Brazil international's future is currently the subject of much speculation, with Los Blancos believed to be open to letting him leave for the right price during this summer's transfer window.

Arsenal had been heavily linked with the attacker, but the Gunners are no longer believed to be considering making for a move for him, with another North London club instead emerging as the favourites.

Recent reports in Spain have claimed that Spurs have made an offer for the South American, who is said to be keen to remain at Bernabeu and fight for his position in the starting side.

However, according to journalist Ben Jacobs, such suggestions are "wide of the mark", with Real Madrid yet to receive a bid for the 24-year-old, who has a contract at Bernabeu until June 2028.

Tottenham 'yet to make offer' for Real Madrid's Rodrygo

"Suggestions Spurs have placed a formal bid for Rodrygo are wide of the mark. As of Tuesday morning, Real Madrid have received no bids from any club," Jacobs posted on X.

"Real are still prepared to sell if Rodrygo informs them he wishes to leave. Player has now met Xabi Alonso and did not hand in a transfer request. Open situation, with Rodrygo being offered to several clubs in case he decides to exit."

Rodrygo made the move to Real Madrid from Santos in 2019, and he has represented his current side on 270 occasions, scoring 68 goals and registering 51 assists in the process.

Last season, the attacker found it difficult to make his mark in La Liga, only managing six goals and six assists, while he was given a reduced role by new head coach Xabi Alonso at the 2025 Club World Cup.

Will Rodrygo leave Real Madrid this summer?

Real Madrid are seemingly open to a sale, but it remains to be seen whether any of the interested clubs are prepared to pay the amount of money that Los Blancos are believed to be demanding.

Indeed, it is unlikely that Real Madrid would listen to offers of under £70m for Rodrygo considering the forward's age and experience, while he is proven at the highest level.

Tottenham are said to be accelerating their attempts to bring in a playmaker, as James Maddison is facing a long period on the sidelines with the seemingly serious injury that he suffered against Newcastle United last weekend.

Tottenham Hotspur are reportedly facing competition from Premier League rivals Everton to sign Jack Grealish in the summer window.Â

Spurs could be in the market to sign a new attacker after Son Heung-Min left the club to complete his £15m move to Los Angeles.Â

On top of that, the north London club could be without James Maddison for a lengthy spell on the sidelines after he picked up a nasty injury during a pre-season friendly game against Newcastle United.Â

Sports Mole exclusively reported that Tottenham have made contact over a move for the Man City attacker, who is likely to be sold in the summer window.Â

Spurs, however, could face competition from Everton, who could reignite their interest in the 29-year-old after struggling to reach an agreement for Tyler Dibling.Â

Everton eyeing a move for GrealishÂ

The Toffees reportedly submitted an improved bid in the region of £40m for the Southampton youngster, but the Saints have turned down the offer yet again.Â

According to a report from talkSPORT, the Championship club are demanding a £50m package for the winger, and a 25 per cent sell-on clause.Â

In response, the Toffees have turned their attention back to Grealish after they reportedly held talks with the former Aston Villa winger over a move this summer.Â

Grealish almost certain to leave...but who will sign him?Â

The England international scored three goals and provided five assists in 32 appearances across all competitions last season, and he has fallen down the pecking order at City.Â

The three-time Premier League winner is tipped to leave the club after he was omitted from Pep Guardiola's squad for the Club World Cup this summer, with a loan or permanent exit being mooted.Â

Getting a player of Grealish's calibre would be a massive boost for the Toffees, and they can look to strike a loan agreement with a view to a permanent deal to save funds for other signings.Â

Tottenham are long-term admirers of Grealish, and they can offer him Champions League football next season, something the England winger may find it hard to turn down straightaway. Â

Jack Grealish would be a "huge asset" for Tottenham Hotspur following the Lilywhites' enquiry for the out-of-favour Manchester City attacker, Sky Blues legend Richard Dunne has suggested.

Sports Mole understands that the Europa League winners submitted an immediate enquiry for Grealish after losing James Maddison to a severe-looking knee injury in the weekend's friendly against Newcastle United.

Maddison is feared to have suffered an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) problem, which could potentially threaten his entire 2025-26 campaign, and Spurs have now leapfrogged Napoli in the race for Grealish.

The 29-year-old has struggled to justify his £100m price tag since joining City from Aston Villa in 2021, and Pep Guardiola is expected to sanction his exit for the right price given the embarrassment of riches at his disposal in the final third.

Speaking exclusively to Sports Mole, Dunne expressed regret over Grealish's time at Man City but backed the attacker to thrive in North London, saying: “It’s a shame really. It’s just about being in form at the right time.

Grealish would be "huge asset" for Tottenham after transfer enquiry

"And when players had a bit of an off-season last year, it was an opportunity for Grealish to stand up and be the one that brought the goals and assists. But he never got the game time.

“It's difficult for him and that opportunity is gone. It's probably time for him to move on. As good as a player I think he's been, I don't think he'll get the chance at City any more.

"So, unfortunately, he will move on. But wherever he goes, he'll be a huge asset. Certainly, if he went to Tottenham, he'd be a fantastic player for them.”

Everton are also believed to have taken an interest in Grealish, who has been directly involved in 40 goals from 157 appearances for Man City in all tournaments, 17 of his own and 23 assists.

The England international managed just one goal and one helper from 20 Premier League matches in the 2024-25 campaign, though, before being left out of Guardiola's squad for the 2025 Club World Cup.

How Grealish could fit in at Tottenham under Thomas Frank

Maddison is not the only Spurs creator sidelined with a knee problem, as Dejan Kulusevski is working his way back from an issue in the same area and will not be ready in time for the start of the 2025-26 Premier League season.

Lucas Bergvall and Mohammed Kudus could function in that role, but City's immediate enquiry for Grealish suggests that Thomas Frank wants to deploy the Englishman in a central playmaking role, similar to the one Mikkel Damsgaard played for the Dane's Brentford side.

Despite playing almost predominantly from the left for Man City, Grealish is not a complete stranger to operating centrally or even in the right half-space; the attacker would most likely be happy with any position where he has complete freedom to express his creative talents.

The permanent exit of Son Heung-min and Mikey Moore's loan switch to Rangers also opens up the possibility of Grealish starting on the left wing once Kulusevski and/or Maddison return, offering Frank incredibly useful squad depth for the Champions League campaign.

Even if Grealish does make the switch to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, City still have Jeremy Doku, Savinho, Oscar Bobb, Omar Marmoush, Phil Foden and Rayan Cherki available to support talismanic number nine Erling Haaland, making the Englishman surplus to requirements at the Etihad.

Tottenham Hotspur will round off their pre-season preparations with a challenging test against Bundesliga champions Bayern Munich on Thursday at the Allianz Arena.

Bayern are only just getting back into the groove of things after competing in the Club World Cup over the summer, with their domestic season also starting a week later than the Premier League.

Match preview

It has been a month since Bayern were beaten in the quarter-finals of the Club World Cup by Paris Saint-Germain, on a day overshadowed by the awful injury suffered by Jamal Musiala.

Vincent Kompany’s men only returned to action for the new season at the weekend, beating Lyon 2-1 in their first friendly of preseason.

Spurs are up next, before feeder club Grasshoppers provide the final test for Kompany and his side ahead of the new season in Germany, where Bayern will play in the curtain-raiser: the Super Cup against Stuttgart.

Bayern begin their title defence with a tough test against RB Leipzig on August 22, but simply retaining the Bundesliga title might not be enough for Kompany this season, after they flattered to deceive in the Champions League last season.

Luis Diaz has also arrived for a very substantial fee, joining Harry Kane and Michael Olise as another high-profile signing from the Premier League in recent times, so that money spent must translate into better performances on the continent in particular.

Bayern will face Spurs again after the two met twice last summer, with the German giants winning on both occasions, but the most notable previous meeting is undoubtedly the 7-2 win the Bavarians enjoyed in North London in the Champions League in 2019.

It is a very different Spurs now, who have changed managers yet again this summer, appointing Thomas Frank to replace Ange Postecoglou, whose Europa League success was not enough to paper over a 17th-place finish.

With the UEFA Super Cup against PSG coming up next midweek, this is Spurs’ last friendly before the new season gets underway, and while they did beat Arsenal in Hong Kong, that is their only win in four, drawing with Wycombe Wanderers, Luton Town and Newcastle United.

Burnley await on the opening weekend, a few days after Spurs face PSG in Udine, and they will go into those games without captain Son Heung-min, who is leaving for LAFC after 10 years of service to the club.

Bayern Munich Preseason form:

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Tottenham Hotspur Preseason form:

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Team News

Musiala will be out long term after the devastating injury the Bayern man suffered in the defeat to PSG at the Club World Cup last month, with Hiroki Ito and Alphonso Davies also still sidelined.

New signing Diaz remains the only first-team recruit brought in by Bayern this summer, and the ex-Liverpool man got his first run out with his new teammates in their win over Lyon at the weekend.

It was another former Premier League winger who impressed though, as Olise came off the bench to score both Bayern goals in that 2-1 success, and the Frenchman is set to start in this one.

Joao Palhinha is set for his first appearance in a Spurs shirt, and it will come against the side he moved on loan from just a few days ago.

Mathys Tel has made his loan from Bayern to Spurs permanent this summer, and the young striker is also in line to make a swift return to the Allianz Arena in this friendly.

James Maddison will not be a part of the side though after the serious knee injury he picked up against Newcastle, meaning he will join Dejan Kulusevski and Radu Dragusin on the treatment table for the long term.

Bayern Munich possible starting lineup:

Neuer; Boey, Upamecano, Kim, Guerreiro; Kimmich, Goretzka, Bischof; Olise, Kane, Diaz

Tottenham Hotspur possible starting lineup:

Vicario; Pedro Porro, Romero, Van de Ven, Udogie; Bentancur, Bissouma, Sarr; Johnson, Tel, Kudus

We say: Bayern Munich 1-1 Tottenham Hotspur

Spurs are much more advanced in their pre-season preparations, having started almost a month earlier than Bayern, who were preoccupied with matters in the United States, but the hosts have got the sheer quality to still cause many problems, even if the fitness is not quite there yet.

For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.

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Joao Palhinha could make his debut in Tottenham Hotspur's final pre-season friendly against Bayern Munich just days after joining the Lilywhites on loan from the German champions.

The Portuguese holding midfielder's move to North London was confirmed on Monday, with Palhinha initially joining on a year-long loan deal, while Spurs will have the option to make the deal permanent for a reported £27m at the end of the 2025-26 campaign.

Palhinha bolsters a midfield that was recently struck by the injury of James Maddison, who looks set to be ruled out for the foreseeable future after having to be stretched off with a knee injury in their clash with Newcastle United last week.Â

Archie Gray has been particularly impressive at the base of midfield during pre-season, and the Englishman could join Palhinha on Thursday, while Pape Sarr should also reprise his role in the middle of the park.

Spurs legend Son Heung-min played his final match for Tottenham against Newcastle after announcing his decision to leave the club, meaning Brennan Johnson - who scored Tottenham's only goal in that 1-1 draw - is likely to start alongside Mohammed Kudus and the returning Dominic Solanke in the front three.

Solanke has been out of the side since their opening friendly fixture against Reading due to an ankle concern, but the striker is expected to be back in the squad for their final pre-season clash against the German champions.

At the other end of the pitch, Destiny Udogie and Radu Dragusin remain on the sidelines due to injury, meaning a defence of Pedro Porro, Cristian Romero, Micky van de Ven and Djed Spence should start.

Tottenham possible starting lineup:

Vicario; Porro, Romero, Van de Ven, Spence; Palhinha, Gray, Sarr; Kudus, Solanke, Johnson

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Tottenham Hotspur new boy Joao Palhinha has been bestowed with the number six shirt in North London following his arrival from Bayern Munich.

Spurs confirmed over the weekend that they had signed the former Fulham midfielder on loan with an option to buy, which totals €30m (£26.1m) through a €25m (£21.7m) fixed fee and €5m (£4.3m) in add-ons.

Palhinha was not immediately given a squad number by the Europa League winners, but the Portugal international is now confirmed to be sporting the number six shirt for the Lilywhites, the same jersey he has worn for Portugal since 2020.

The midfielder also sported the '6' during his two senior seasons at Sporting Lisbon, before donning the number 26 jersey for Fulham and the number 16 shirt in his first campaign with Bayern Munich.

Explaining his reasoning for usually choosing a jersey with a '6' on the back, Palhinha revealed that the number marked the date that he lost his grandfather, and the six therefore has a special place in the "superstitious" midfielder's heart.

Tottenham's Palhinha: 'Number six shirt has a special meaning to me'

"I try to choose always a number with a six – sometimes it’s not available but since I started my career, it was a number that I’ve had with me because of my family," Palhinha told the official Tottenham website.

"It means a lot for me because of my grandfather… it’s the day that he left our family and since my grandfather died, if I have a look, a lot of important things in my life have happened on this day, with the number six.

"I can remember my first goal... everything that has been important in my career – not just the career, but in other things as well – most of the days have the number six.

“I’m a bit superstitious and I believe always that this number has an important meaning for me and my family and this is why I want to keep, if possible, the number with me on the shirt."

Tottenham's new number six could make his debut for the club in Thursday's friendly with parent club Bayern in the Telekom Cup, before Thomas Frank's men take on Paris Saint-Germain in the UEFA Super Cup on August 13.

Which other Tottenham players have worn the number six shirt?

When Palhinha signed his contract as a new Tottenham player, the number six shirt was in the possession of Radu Dragusin, but the Romanian has switched to the number three to vacate the '6' for his new teammate.

Tottenham's number six shirt was perhaps most notably worn by Steve Perryman, who holds the record for the most appearances for the Lilywhites with a staggering 866 between 1969 and 1986.

Perryman is the only man to play more games for Spurs than Gary Mabbutt, who also sported the '6' during his time at White Hart Lane and sits second on the club's appearance list with 611.

In their final friendly before beginning their 2025–26 campaign with a UEFA Super Cup clash against Paris Saint-Germain, Tottenham Hotspur will take on Bayern Munich in a pre-season fixture on Thursday evening.

Spurs will be looking to continue their unbeaten run during pre-season, which includes two wins and three draws, while Bayern are set for just their second of three friendly fixtures following their Club World Cup involvement earlier this summer.

Here, Sports Mole provides all the information you need to know about how to tune into the event.

What time does Bayern Munich vs. Tottenham Hotspur kick off?

Bayern Munich's pre-season meeting with Tottenham Hotspur is set to kick off at 5.30pm in the UK.Â

Meanwhile, the game will begin at 6.30pm for viewers in Germany.

Where is Bayern Munich vs. Tottenham Hotspur being played?

Bayern Munich and Tottenham Hotspur will be locking horns at the home of the German champions, the Allianz Arena, where Spurs defeated Die Roten on penalties following a 2-2 draw in the Audi Cup final in July 2019.

Spurs have visited the Allianz Arena on two occasions since that victory, suffering a 3-1 defeat in the Champions League group stage in 2019 and a 2-1 defeat in a friendly match last summer.

How to watch Bayern Munich vs. Tottenham Hotspur in the UK

TV channels

Bayern Munich's clash with Tottenham Hotspur will not be shown live on TV in the UK.

Online streaming

Tottenham Hotspur will be streaming the match live on their official website - SPURSPLAY - which provides pre-season coverage, match replays, highlights and other video documentaries.Â

The service costs £45 per year or a discounted £35 per year for members and season ticket holders.

Highlights

Tottenham Hotspur and Bayern Munich are expected to upload match highlights to their official websites and YouTube channels shortly after the full-time whistle has been blown.

Furthermore, the two clubs' social media accounts will likely post goals and other notable snippets during the game.

What is at stake for Bayern Munich and Tottenham Hotspur?

Bayern Munich will be looking to build upon their 2-1 victory over Lyon in their opening friendly match last week following a period of rest and recovery after their Club World Cup involvement, where they suffered a quarterfinal elimination against Paris Saint-Germain.Â

As for Tottenham, Thomas Frank's side are unbeaten across their five friendly matches with two wins and three draws, including a 1-0 triumph over fierce rivals Arsenal, and the new manager will be hopeful of maintaining their undefeated streak going into the UEFA Super Cup meeting with Paris Saint-Germain later this month.

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