Sports Mole

Roberto De Zerbi's comprehensive overhaul at Tottenham Hotspur is reportedly now targeting a World Cup 2026 star.

The North London side narrowly avoided relegation in the 2025-26 season, finishing 17th in the Premier League after a torrid campaign that saw three head coaches in the dugout.

The Italian tactician has primarily prioritised defensive and midfield acquisitions during the opening weeks of the window to shore up his unstable lines.

However, boardroom chiefs are now actively turning their attention toward reinforcing the squad's attacking options ahead of the upcoming Premier League campaign.

This structural shift follows the reported decision to reject a top-flight loan proposal from Ipswich Town for teenage forward Mikey Moore.

Spurs 'register interest' in Chelsea-linked winger

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According to Football Insider, Spurs have officially registered their interest in Benfica and Norway star Andreas Schjelderup.

The Lilywhites are one of several prominent Premier League clubs tracking the highly-rated 22-year-old winger this summer.

Chelsea-linked Schjelderup is reportedly reluctant to sign a new contract extension with the Primeira Liga giants, making a permanent departure highly probable.

De Zerbi is understood to be firmly in the market for a dynamic left-sided forward to inject unpredictability into his frontline.

The above source believes the versatile attacker perfectly ticks all the necessary tactical boxes required to thrive in the English top flight.

Winger shines for Norway during impressive World Cup campaign

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The talented playmaker thoroughly enjoyed a standout campaign for Benfica last term, registering 11 goals and six assists across 46 appearances.

Schjelderup subsequently translated that fine domestic form onto the international stage during a memorable World Cup run in North America.

The forward established himself as a regular starter for Norway, notably providing two crucial assists in a historic knockout victory over Brazil.

The wide attacker also found the back of the net against England before his nation suffered a heartbreaking quarter-final elimination.

With a current market valuation skyrocketing to around £43m, securing the Nordic prodigy would represent a major statement of intent for the North London outfit.

Tottenham Hotspur are wasting little time identifying their next attacking target after making significant progress elsewhere in the transfer market.

Roberto De Zerbi is keen to add more pace and creativity out wide, with Spurs continuing to explore several options ahead of the new season.

However, Fabrizio Romano has now made it clear who sits at the top of their wishlist.

Fabrizio Romano reveals Spurs top winger target

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Speaking on his YouTube channel, Fabrizio Romano dismissed speculation linking Tottenham with Napoli winger Antonio Vergara, insisting the Italian youngster has never been a genuine target.

Instead, Romano reaffirmed that Manchester City winger Savinho remains Spurs' priority.

"Don't forget that Tottenham want to sign Savinho. The player they want for the winger position is Savinho. So let's see what's gonna happen there."

The north Londoners attempted to sign the Brazil international last summer and were prepared to offer around £60 million, but City refused to sanction a sale before handing the 22-year-old a new six-year contract.

Romano has also previously reported that Savinho is Tottenham's next major transfer objective following the arrival of Sandro Tonali, with Spurs hoping a similar offer could prove successful this time around.

Savinho has already said yes to Tottenham transfer

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Perhaps the biggest encouragement for Spurs is that convincing the player does not appear to be the problem.

Savinho has already indicated he is willing to join Tottenham, believing he would play a far more prominent role in north London than he currently does at the Etihad Stadium.

That makes this transfer largely dependent on City's stance. If Enzo Maresca remains determined to keep the Brazilian, then Tottenham may once again find themselves frustrated despite having the player's approval.

From Spurs' perspective, though, the pursuit makes perfect sense. Savinho possesses the pace, dribbling ability and directness needed to thrive in De Zerbi's attacking system, while at 22, he still has plenty of room to develop.

The player has reportedly already said yes. Now Tottenham's challenge is persuading City to do the same.

If they can finally strike an agreement around the £60 million mark, Savinho would represent one of the standout signings of the Premier League summer window.

Arsenal continue to assess a number of elite attacking targets as Mikel Arteta looks to add another game-changing forward before the transfer window closes.

The Gunners are determined to build on last season's Premier League title triumph, with strengthening the frontline remaining one of the club's biggest priorities.

And rising AFC Bournemouth star Eli Junior Kroupi, who is also admired by Tottenham Hotspur, is still firmly on Arsenal's radar.

Arsenal remain keen on Eli Junior Kroupi

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According to transfer expert and journalist Ben Jacobs, the Cherries forward remains on Mikel Arteta's wishlist despite the Cherries hoping to keep the teenager for at least one more season.

Spurs are also understood to be in the race for the 19-year-old, while several other clubs across Europe are monitoring his progress following a remarkable breakthrough campaign.

Bournemouth are in a strong negotiating position and are believed to value Kroupi at around £100 million, making any move this summer extremely difficult.

The French youngster enhanced his growing reputation by becoming the first teenager since Robbie Keane in 1999/2000 to score 10 goals in his debut Premier League season, with former Bournemouth midfielder Joe Partington describing him as "one of the world's best teenage goalscorers."

He added: "He knows where the goal is. He's got an eye for it. He sniffs out chances. He's in the right place at the right time and he has the technique and conviction to take those chances."

The forward who makes the most sense for Arsenal right now

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Kroupi deserves to be on Arsenal's shortlist, but at £100 million and with Bournemouth determined to keep him for another year, he feels more like a target for 2027 than this summer.

The same applies, albeit for different reasons, to Julian Alvarez. Few strikers would improve Arsenal more, but his long-standing ambition to play for Barcelona makes a deal extremely complicated unless circumstances change dramatically.

Bradley Barcola would also be an outstanding addition, yet Paris Saint-Germain's valuation remains prohibitively high and shows little sign of softening.

That leaves Morgan Rogers as the standout candidate.

While arguably the most expensive option on the shortlist, the Aston Villa star offers Premier League experience, versatility across the front line and the physicality Arteta values so highly. And crucially, Villa's pursuit of Johan Manzambi could provide the Gunners with an opening if they decide to cash in on one of their biggest assets.

If Arsenal are prepared to push hard enough, Rogers feels like the most attainable elite signing of the four.

He would improve the first team immediately while still offering significant room for development, making him the transfer that arguably makes the most sense as Arteta looks to build a squad capable of retaining the Premier League title and challenging for the Champions League.

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Cast your votes for the 2026 World Cup awards; from player of the tournament and breakout star, to best attacker and biggest disappointment.

Voting will be open until 11pm UK time on Monday, July 20, and the winners announced on Tuesday, July 21!

Liverpool are continuing their search for a versatile defensive addition this summer, and according to Anfield Watch, Tottenham Hotspur's Djed Spence remains high on their list of targets.

The England international significantly enhanced his reputation during the World Cup, where he was a reliable and effective member of Thomas Tuchel's squad throughout the tournament.

His versatility and Premier League experience match the profile of player new boss Andoni Iraola is seeking to add this summer.

Liverpool's long-standing interest in Spence

© Imago / Uwe Kraft

The Reds' interest in Spence is not new. According to Anfield Watch, Liverpool scouts watched him in detail during his loan spell at Rennes in 2023. They had originally travelled to observe then-emerging talent Desire Doue, but were sufficiently impressed by Spence's performances to pay close attention.

The way Spence handled himself against one of French football's biggest young talents left a strong impression on the scouting team. Although no formal offer followed at the time, Liverpool never stopped monitoring him.

Spence caught the attention of major clubs with his World Cup performances, featuring in all six of England's matches on their run to the semi-finals, starting twice and coming off the bench on four occasions.

He delivered a particularly strong display in the 2-1 quarter-final win over Norway, once again demonstrating his ability in one-on-one defending situations and his contribution to attacking transitions.

His pace, physical readiness and capacity to play across multiple defensive positions made him one of Tuchel's key tactical options throughout the tournament.

Tottenham are in no hurry to sell

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A potential deal will not be straightforward for Liverpool. Spurs are under no pressure to sell, Spence signed a new long-term contract with the club in August 2025, significantly strengthening their negotiating position. His outstanding World Cup displays are only likely to push his market value higher.

The football case is compelling. Iraola is looking for defenders capable of covering multiple positions without requiring a change of system, and in that respect, Spence is one of the more interesting players available. Alongside his versatility, he brings pace, Premier League experience and minimal adaptation risk.

The question now is whether Liverpool consider Spence to still represent value for money, or whether his World Cup stock has pushed his price beyond what the Reds are willing to pay.

French powerhouse Paris Saint-Germain are reportedly keeping a realistic outlook on the future of highly rated winger Bradley Barcola.

The Liverpool Echo reports that the 23-year-old wide man is firmly in Liverpool's transfer sights as a prime alternative to Yan Diomande, who looks increasingly likely to join the Ligue 1 champions instead.

Barcola is understood to be highly receptive to a Premier League move after growing frustrated with a lack of regular starting opportunities in Paris.

Arsenal have also registered their interest in the French international, although the Gunners are currently prioritising a move for Aston Villa playmaker Morgan Rogers.

PSG would ideally prefer to retain the talented forward but could be tempted to sanction a sale if a club meets their substantial £130m valuation.

Wirtz urged to reunite with Alonso at Chelsea

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Former Liverpool striker Fernando Morientes has urged Florian Wirtz to consider a sensational summer move to Chelsea to reunite with Xabi Alonso.

The retired Spanish forward believes Wirtz has failed to find his best form at Anfield and would benefit enormously from an immediate change of scenery.

Morientes compared the situation to his own disappointing spell on Merseyside in 2005, where he struggled to adapt before reviving his career at Valencia.

"I quickly realised that maybe that wasn't the right place for me," Morientes said via The Liverpool Echo.

"I needed to find my best version, and I needed the team and the coach around me to suit my style too. I decided pretty quickly that I had to go and play for Valencia, because I felt that environment suited my characteristics better.

"And I wasn't wrong: I went to Valencia, started scoring again, felt comfortable, and even made it back into the national team."

Consequently, the former Spain striker believes the German international should quickly seek an exit if a suitable offer materialises.

Spurs 'reject' Ipswich Town loan offer for Moore

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Football Insider reports that Tottenham Hotspur have reportedly knocked back a formal loan approach from newly promoted Ipswich Town for teenage winger Mikey Moore.

The Tractor Boys submitted a season-long loan proposal for the 18-year-old starlet as they look to build a squad capable of surviving in the Premier League.

However, Spurs chiefs immediately rejected the offer as they do not want to send the highly rated forward to a side they expect to be embroiled in a relegation battle.

Despite the setback, North London remain fully committed to sanctioning another temporary departure for Moore to continue his developmental pathway this campaign.

Moore enjoyed an incredibly successful loan spell with Scottish giants Rangers last term, scoring seven goals and registering four assists across 47 appearances in all competitions.

The teenager's impressive underlying data in Glasgow is understood to have subsequently attracted concrete interest from Bundesliga heavyweights Borussia Dortmund and FC Koln, alongside Dutch powerhouse PSV Eindhoven.

The Eredivisie outfit are reportedly eager to insert an option to buy in any potential loan agreement, a condition that Spurs are highly unlikely to accept.

A return to Ibrox has also been touted throughout the summer, though a reunion with the Light Blues looks increasingly remote as the transfer window progresses.

Vote in the Sports Mole World Cup 2026 Readers’ Awards!

Cast your votes for the 2026 World Cup awards; from player of the tournament and breakout star, to best attacker and biggest disappointment.

Voting will be open until 11pm UK time on Monday, July 20, and the winners announced on Tuesday, July 21!

Manchester City have reportedly entered the race for Paris Saint-Germain winger Ibrahim Mbaye this summer.

The Citizens have signed four players since the departure of legendary manager Pep Guardiola and the arrival of new boss Enzo Maresca, including the club-record arrival of midfielder Elliot Anderson.

Young trio Jeremy Monga, Pierce Charles and Mathys Detourbet have also joined Man City, though the latter two have already departed on loan for the 2026-27 season.

Further reinforcements are expected at the Etihad Stadium and French news outlet Foot Mercato claims that Man City have added 18-year-old Mbaye to their shortlist of transfer targets.

The report adds that Tottenham Hotspur and Aston Villa have been tracking the winger for ‘several weeks’, while Bundesliga duo RB Leipzig and Borussia Dortmund have also been credited with an interest.

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Man City eyeing up transfer for PSG’s Mbaye

Mbaye has two years remaining on his contract at the Parc des Princes and is said to be ‘keen to leave the country’ in pursuit of a new challenge outside of France.

Born in Trappes, France, Mbaye joined PSG’s youth system at the age of 10 and made a notable impression at academy level before making his first-team debut under Luis Enrique in August 2024.

The youngster has since played 42 times for the Ligue 1 champions across all competitions, chipping in with four goals and four assists.

Mbaye became the youngest Frenchman to play in the FIFA Club World Cup and UEFA Super Cup in 2025, but the winger has since chosen to represent Senegal at international level.

He has been capped 15 times by the African nation since and including his debut in November 2025, and he featured in all four of their 2026 World Cup matches as Senegal reached the round of 32.

At the age of 18 and 142 days, Mbaye became the youngest African goalscorer in World Cup history with a strike against none other than France in a 3-1 group-stage loss last month.

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Mbaye in, Savinho or Marmoush out at Man City?

Man City’s interest in Mbaye comes at a time when speculation over the future of fellow winger Savinho is rife.

The Brazilian has been strongly linked with a move to Tottenham Hotspur this summer, but there has been no progress in recent weeks from the North London club regarding a potential £60m deal.

Tottenham Hotspur defender Cristian Romero has reportedly been offered to Italian giants Inter Milan.

Romero is currently representing Argentina at the 2026 World Cup as speculation about his club future bubbles away in the background.

As per Fabrizio Romano, Romero will leave Tottenham before the end of the summer transfer window.

A summer exit would see the defender leave the club after making 156 competitive appearances during a five-year stay in north London.

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Inter offered chance to sign Romero

The same update claims that Romero has been offered to Inter as part of recent talks between the two clubs over a transfer involving Djed Spence.

The England full-back has recently emerged as a potential target for Christian Chivu's side, although he has also been linked with a switch to Everton.

Inter are also said to be keen on a possible move for Romero, although the costs involved could prove to be a stumbling block.

Barcelona are another major European club who have been credited with an interest in the centre-back, who looks set to leave the Premier League, whether it be Italy or Spain.

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Are Spurs equipped to cope with Romero exit?

Crucially for Tottenham, their early transfer business has put the club in a strong position to contend with Romero's expected departure.

They have already recruited Marcos Senesi on a free transfer from Bournemouth and Jan Paul van Hecke in a £52m deal from Brighton & Hove Albion.

The two centre-backs arrive with plenty of Premier League experience, which means they will need little time to adapt to their new surroundings.

As it stands, Spurs can also call upon Micky van de Ven, Kota Takai, Ashley Phillips and Ben Davies as their central defensive options.

Tottenham Hotspur have reportedly missed out on the signing of Sporting Lisbon attacker Francisco Trincao this summer.

The 26-year-old has spent the majority of the break from club football on international duty with Portugal, who were dumped out of the World Cup at the last-16 stage by Spain on July 6 in the United States.

Roberto De Zerbi's side have made a number of high-profile signings this summer, with Liverpool legend Andrew Robertson arriving to bolster the the North Londoners' options at left-back.

However, there has been a significant sale at N17, with rising defender Luka Vuskovic departing the club, signing a bumper five-year contract at the South Coast base of Brighton & Hove Albion.

It is understood that Spurs are also aiming to improve their attacking ranks ahead of the 2026-27 season, with the former Europa League champions keen on a star of Norway's World Cup campaign.

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Tottenham miss out on Trincao signing?

According to Portuguese outlet Correio da Manha via Sports Witness, Tottenham have missed out on the signing of winger Trincao, who is edging towards a high-profile switch to the riches of the Saudi Pro League.

The report claims that the 26-year-old has agreed a four-year contract at the base of Saudi Arabia side Al-Ahli, with the player set to pocket around £10m per year from his basic salary in the Middle East.

It is understood that Sporting Lisbon will receive an initial £33m for Trincao, as well as potentially an extra £6m in add-ons, given that certain appearance and performance criteria are met.

The attacking midfielder has been extensively linked to the Premier League, namely Tottenham and Manchester City, with the latter supposedly eyeing up a replacement for Savinho if he had left the Etihad.

Trincao was expected back from Sporting Lisbon's pre-season training on July 17, however, he will now finalise his switch to Al-Ahli, who will be gunning for the Saudi Pro League title next season.

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Trincao's PL experience

A move to Tottenham and Manchester City would have seen Trincao return to the Premier League football a less-than-inspiring stint at Wolverhampton Wanderers during the 2021-22 season.

The Portuguese attacker provided just three goal contributions across 28 top-flight appearances for the Black Country club before signing for Sporting Lisbon from Barcelona in the summer of 2022.

Trincao's best times has been enjoyed at Estadio Jose Alvalade, with the former Old Gold man becoming a two-time Primeira Liga champion at one of Portugal's biggest football clubs.

Brighton & Hove Albion have announced the signing of teenage defender Luka Vuskovic from Tottenham Hotspur.

The 19-year-old has put pen to paper on a five-year contract at the Amex Stadium, with an option for a further year.

Vuskovic is understood to have joined the Seagulls in a deal worth up to £50m, broken up into a guaranteed £46m payment plus £4m in achievable add-ons.

This therefore represents a club-record deal for Brighton, surpassing the £40m spent on forward Georginio Rutter from Leeds United in 2024.

Sky Sports News claims that Spurs have included a 20% sell-on clause and matching rights as part of the deal, giving the North London club the opportunity to potentially re-sign the defender in the future.

Hurzeler insists Vuskovic “needs time to adjust” at Brighton

“Luka has enjoyed a fantastic start to his career - it’s one we’ve followed closely,” head coach Fabian Hurzeler told Brighton’s official website.

“Last season he demonstrated he can play at a very high level and we want to help him build on that within our environment.

“There’s been a lot of external noise about Luka joining us, but he is still a young guy who will need time to adjust to the demands of playing for Brighton and the Premier League. We are confident that he will take this in his stride though.”

Vuskovic leaves Tottenham without making a single senior appearance for the club since his £12m arrival from Hajduk Split in 2025.

Instead, Vuskovic enhanced his reputation and developed his game out on loan at Bundesliga club Hamburger SV, scoring six goals in 28 league appearances last season.

Vuskovic “ready” to shine for Brighton after club-record arrival

“It was always Brighton,” Vuskovic told the club’s official media channels. Like Hamburg, Brighton is a unique city, a place that I am excited to call home.

“After speaking to Fabian, I could tell this club was special. I can’t wait to be part of this journey.”

“Everyone across the world knows what Brighton stands for. The way the team plays. The vision. The ambition. I’m ready. See you soon.”

The 6ft 4in centre-back was identified as a primary target by Brighton following the £52m sale of Jan Paul van Hecke to Spurs and departure of Adam Webster on a free transfer.

Spurs were not able to guarantee Vuskovic regular first-team football, having signed both Van Hecke and Marcos Senesi the summer, adding to their current defensive options of Cristian Romero, Micky van de Ven and Kevin Danso.

Vuskovic will hope to cement his place in Hurzeler’s starting lineup and could make his Premier League debut for Brighton when they begin the 2026-27 season at home to Aston Villa on August 23.

Tottenham Hotspur have reportedly turned down three approaches for young forward Will Lankshear.

The striker spent time in the youth system at Arsenal and Sheffield United before he joined Tottenham in 2022.

Lankshear, who has made three appearances for Tottenham's first team, spent time out on loan at West Bromwich Albion in the second half of the 2024-25 season and at Oxford for the entirety of the 2025-26 campaign.

The 21-year-old netted 12 goals in 47 competitive appearances for the U's, including 11 goals and four assists in 44 Championship matches.

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Tottenham turn down three Lankshear approaches

While he could not keep Oxford in the second tier, Lankshear's impressive performances saw him named the club's Young Player of the Season.

According to football.london, Tottenham have already received plenty of interest in Lankshear this summer.

The report claims that the north London club have turned down approaches from the Championship duo of Wolverhampton Wanderers and Southampton, as well as Portuguese giants Sporting Lisbon.

The offers were said to be worth eight figures either as a permanent transfer or a loan with an obligation to buy.

Tottenham are yet to make a decision over Lankshear's future, but it would take a significant fee to sanction his exit.

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De Zerbi to make Lankshear decision

Spurs boss Roberto De Zerbi is expected to have a major say in whether Lankshear remains with the club beyond the end of the summer transfer window.

Lanskhear has returned to Spurs for pre-season training, giving De Zerbi the chance to assess him before making a final decision, which could happen before the squad heads to New Zealand and Australia for their pre-season tour next week.

As it stands, Lankshear may struggle for minutes on the pitch if he stays put, with Spurs looking to add a centre-forward to their current options of Dominic Solanke and Richarlison.