Sports Mole

Juventus have confirmed the arrival of Tottenham Hotspur goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario on an initial loan deal with an option to buy.

The Italy international had long been linked with a transfer away to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, and a return to his homeland was seen as the most viable solution.

Vicario was filmed arriving in Turin on Monday ahead of his switch to Juventus, who stepped up their interest in the former Empoli man after ending their pursuit of Aston Villa's Emiliano Martinez.

Now, the Bianconeri have officially announced Vicario's signing, saying in a statement: "There’s another new Bianconero in Turin - Guglielmo Vicario has joined the Club on a season-long loan from Tottenham Hotspur that will run until 30 June, 2027.

"He joined Tottenham in 2023, and went on to play 117 times for the North London side. He also helped the English side to silverware when they won the Europa League in 2024/25. Now, he’s ready to defend our goal. Welcome to Juventus, Guglielmo!"

How much will Tottenham receive for Guglielmo Vicario?

Juventus also confirmed that the fee for any permanent Vicario deal could eventually reach €10m (£8.6m), made up of a firm €8m (£6.8m) fee and up to €2m (£1.7m) in performance-related add-ons.

Should Juventus trigger their option to keep Vicario in Turin, Tottenham will receive the £6.8m fee across a three-year period, banking just under £2.3m per summer.

Nevertheless, the Lilywhites stand to make a significant loss on the £15.8m they paid to sign Vicario in 2023, since when the Italy international has kept 29 clean sheets in 117 appearances across all competitions.

Vicario played every minute of the 2024-25 Europa League knockout phase en route to the trophy and began the 2025-26 season as Spurs' number one, before losing his spot to Antonin Kinsky after undergoing hernia surgery.

Kinsky recently signed a new five-year contract with Tottenham and is expected to start the season as Roberto De Zerbi's first choice, making Vicario surplus to requirements.

Will Tottenham sign a replacement for Guglielmo Vicario?

© Iconsport / MB Media

With Vicario now back in his country of birth, Tottenham's goalkeeping ranks have been reduced to Kinsky, new arrival Martin Dubravka and the recently-signed Brandon Austin.

The latter is yet to make his senior breakthrough at 27, but represents a valuable club-trained option, while 37-year-old Dubravka is in the twilight of his career but is Premier League-proven regardless.

In Kinsky and Dubravka, De Zerbi already has a strong goalkeeping core, but Tottenham have been linked with a shock move for Villa's Martinez as a potential replacement for Vicario.

The ex-Arsenal man will be allowed to leave Villa Park for the right price, but Kinsky has demonstrated his number one qualities in recent months, so Tottenham can instead prioritise much-needed attacking reinforcements between now and September 1.

Tottenham Hotspur have reportedly decided to sell Lucas Bergvall if the club's valuation of the player is met this summer.

The 20-year-old is heading towards a campaign of being a second-choice option in the middle of the park in North London following the big-money arrivals of Sandro Tonali and Mateus Fernandes ahead of the new term.

Bergvall is understood to be concerned about his game time in the upcoming 2026-27 season, with the Swede supposedly handing in a transfer request at the beginning of the summer as he seeks a move away.

There are said to be plenty of potential suitors for the midfielder, with Europa League-bound Sunderland believed to be admirers of the player who featured at the 2026 World Cup this summer in North America.

However, according to Football Insider, it is Newcastle United who are leading the race for the signature of Bergvall, with the North-East giants targeting major reinforcements following the departures of Bruno Guimaraes and Tonali.

The Magpies have already seen an initial £46m bid rejected by Tottenham for Bergvall, although it is claimed that Spurs are willing to sanction an exit for the 14-time international should their £60m valuation be offered.

As well as Newcastle, it is said that Oliver Glasner's Nottingham Forest are also in the race for the 20-year-old, however, the Tricky Trees face an uphill battle to beat Newcastle to the midfielder.

© Imago / Focus Images

Newcastle complete Dedic signing

Focusing fully on St James' Park for the moment, Newcastle have announced their sixth senior arrival of the summer transfer window, as they look to rebuild following the recent exit of former head coach Eddie Howe.

The Magpies have sealed the signature of right-back Amar Dedic on a permanent deal from Benfica, with the Bosnian putting pen to paper on a five-year contract in the North-East until the summer of 2031.

The 24-year-old is clearly an addition sanctioned and supported by the new head coach Matthias Jaissle, who has previously worked with the defender during spells at FC Liefering and Red Bull Salzburg in Austria.

Speaking to Newcastle's in-house media following confirmation of the move, Dedic said: "It is a special feeling and a really big honour for me to join Newcastle United. I am really happy to be here and cannot wait to start playing for the club and the amazing fans.

"Working with Matthias again was a big factor for me. We know each other well, he knows what I can bring on the pitch and I am really happy to be playing for him again.

"Playing Premier League football at St James' Park is going to be really special. Every game feels like a big occasion, with an amazing atmosphere. I am really excited to get started."

Dedic's first appearance for Newcastle could arrive on home soil against Liverpool in the Premier League on Sunday afternoon.

© Iconsport / Belga

Witsel close to joining French club?

Finishing off in France, Axel Witsel could be playing in Ligue 1 for the first time in his commendable career this season following his exit from Spanish side Girona at the conclusion of 2025-26.

According to French republication L'Equipe, the 37-year-old is moving towards a switch to Nice, who are looking for midfield reinforcements following a recent injury to one of their star players.

It is understood that initial discussions are based around a one-year contract for Witsel, with the potential for an extra 12 months depending on how the Belgium international performs in 2026-27.

The former Borussia Dortmund man played a bit-part role for the Belgian Red Devils on their way to the World Cup quarter-finals this summer, managing just 31 minutes of action across two appearances.

Chelsea have reportedly set a new £100m asking price for Pedro Neto amid heavy interest from Manchester City, Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur.

The 26-year-old winger has made 103 appearances since arriving at Stamford Bridge from Wolverhampton Wanderers in a £54m deal in 2024.

The Blues are now extremely willing to sanction his departure before the summer transfer window closes if their revised financial demands are met.

Chelsea have already heavily bolstered their attacking options this summer by recruiting Morgan Rogers, Geovany Quenda and Emmanuel Emegha, even if Pedro Neto has appeared to be favoured by Xabi Alonso in recent weeks as a right winger, right wing-back hybrid.

Nonetheless, the Portugal international could be sacrificed to raise funds ahead of the fast-approaching deadline.

Chelsea 'demand £100m fee' for Pedro Neto transfer

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According to Metro Sport, the Stamford Bridge hierarchy initially valued the versatile forward at approximately £70m earlier this summer.

However, they drastically increased their valuation after the player was heavily linked with a lucrative switch to Saudi Pro League side Al-Hilal.

Rumours have even suggested that the Middle Eastern outfit had already successfully agreed personal terms with the highly rated attacker.

However, Chelsea bosses firmly believe their prized asset is worth significantly more after seeing Yan Diomande join Real Madrid for £120m.

They are also acutely aware that Paris Saint-Germain recently quoted a staggering £145m fee to part ways with promising winger Bradley Barcola.

Pedro Neto: Could Chelsea winger swap Stamford Bridge for Man City or Arsenal?

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Man City remain incredibly keen on securing his signature as newly appointed manager Enzo Maresca seeks a reunion with his former player.

The Italian tactician publicly urged his superiors to strengthen the squad following a humbling Community Shield defeat against domestic rivals Arsenal.

Mikel Arteta and his recruitment team are also closely monitoring the situation after failing in their audacious bid to sign Brazil winger Vinicius Junior.

Meanwhile, Spurs have reportedly made a formal approach as they continue their impressive spending spree under new head coach Roberto De Zerbi.

If Neto ultimately remains in the capital, he is widely expected to feature in their upcoming Premier League opener against Fulham under Alonso.

Tottenham Hotspur defender Destiny Udogie has reportedly emerged as a primary transfer target for Italian heavyweights Roma.

The 23-year-old left-back has established himself as a key figure in North London and recently played a crucial role in helping the club avoid relegation.

However, his overall progress has been slightly disrupted by recurring injury issues over the past two seasons.

Sport Witness reports that the highly rated defender is extremely open to the prospect of returning to his homeland.

It is claimed that constant contact has already taken place and the player would immediately say yes if an agreement is reached.

Spurs have reportedly slapped a €25m (£21.4m) valuation on the Italy international, but remain incredibly reluctant to sanction a straight loan exit.

Despite that firm stance, Roma firmly believe they can bypass this obstacle by proposing an initial loan deal containing a strict obligation to buy.

Udogie has supposedly informed Roberto De Zerbi that he will only force a departure if the prospective destination feels absolutely perfect.

Nevertheless, the above source states that a permanent departure for the talented youngster seems highly unlikely given his current contractual situation at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

The former Udinese prospect recently signed a lucrative long-term extension, securing his place at the Premier League side until the summer of 2030 and giving the London club all the leverage in negotiations with any club.

Dortmund agree deal for PSV superstar

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Borussia Dortmund have officially agreed a permanent deal to sign Joey Veerman from PSV Eindhoven this summer.

The Bundesliga outfit have successfully triggered the release clause in his current contract to secure the 27-year-old for an initial €21.5m (£18.4m) fee.

The Netherlands international is scheduled to undergo a comprehensive medical examination imminently ahead of signing a lucrative five-year contract at the Westfalenstadion.

This impending arrival represents another massive statement of intent from the German outfit as they desperately attempt to bolster their midfield options before the deadline.

Fabrizio Romano reports that all relevant parties have successfully finalised the complex financial details required to sanction the imminent departure.

The respected journalist confirmed that the player is now fully prepared to leave the Eredivisie champions to embark on a fresh challenge in Germany.

The anticipated acquisition of Veerman will immediately provide Borussia Dortmund with a genuine tempo-setter capable of dictating possession from deep central areas.

The 27-year-old possesses an exceptional passing range and excellent vision that will allow his new attacking teammates to make penetrating forward runs.

Veerman's proven ability to unlock stubborn defensive blocks was on full display last season, when he was part of the PSV group that won the Eredivisie title, assisting 14 goals in the 2025-26 campaign.

Braga agree 'lucrative fee' for Barca teenager

Braga are reportedly closing in on the permanent signing of promising Barcelona midfielder Tommy Marques.

The 19-year-old defensive specialist has enjoyed a steady rise through the prestigious La Masia academy.

However, fierce competition for places under the current managerial regime has severely restricted his pathway into the starting lineup at Camp Nou.

According to transfer expert Fabrizio Romano, the two clubs are currently engaged in direct talks to iron out the final details.

Romano suggests that the total package is worth an initial €10m (£8.6m) with a further €2m (£1.7m) structured as performance-related add-ons.

Barcelona have surprisingly accepted the substantial financial proposal as they desperately look to raise funds and ease their ongoing economic constraints.

The highly rated teenager has already indicated his desire to join the Portuguese side despite attracting concrete interest from two unnamed German clubs.

Both clubs are now said to be simply waiting for a final green light from the player's camp before the deal is officially sanctioned.

Cody Gakpo has reportedly been persuaded by Roberto De Zerbi's vision at Tottenham Hotspur.

The Spurs boss has promised the Liverpool winger a key role in his attack, with the Dutchman now understood to be fully on board with a move to north London.

A deal could cost around £65 million, with Tottenham prepared to meet Liverpool's asking price.

Cody Gakpo convinced by Tottenham project under Roberto De Zerbi

© Iconsport / Paul Marriott, Alamy Live News

Tottenham have made significant progress in their pursuit of Gakpo after De Zerbi personally 'convinced' the Netherlands international that he would be central to his plans.

The 27-year-old signed a new contract with Liverpool last summer but endured a difficult 2025/26 campaign, while the Reds' push to sign Bradley Barcola could push him further down the pecking order.

According to TEAMtalk, it is believed that De Zerbi has told Gakpo's camp that he would be an important figure in his Tottenham attack, with his ability to operate from the left or through the middle particularly appealing.

Gakpo is reportedly now fully convinced that joining Spurs would represent the right next step in his career, with personal terms also understood to have been agreed.

Liverpool, meanwhile, are willing to sell but will not allow Gakpo to leave cheaply. The Reds value him between £60 and £70 million, while a compromise package in the middle could be enough to get the deal done.

Cody Gakpo is a considerably better option than Savinho

© Imago

If Tottenham really are choosing between Gakpo and Savinho at roughly the same price, this should be a straightforward decision.

Gakpo has already proven himself at the highest level, registering 73 goal contributions in 180 appearances for Liverpool. Savinho, meanwhile, has managed just two Premier League goals since joining Manchester City.

That is not to say the Brazilian lacks potential, but Spurs need more certainty if De Zerbi is serious about transforming the attack.

Gakpo can play wide or centrally, brings Premier League experience and has already demonstrated that he can consistently contribute goals and assists. At around £65 million, he would therefore look like a far safer investment than Savinho.

If De Zerbi can convince Gakpo to make the move, Tottenham should be doing everything possible to get the deal over the line.

Tottenham Hotspur's 2025-26 Premier League campaign was one of the most turbulent in the club's recent history, as three managers, a deepening injury crisis and an inability to convert Champions League momentum into domestic stability conspired to leave the club clinging to 17th place for the second consecutive season.

The appointment of Roberto De Zerbi in April 2026 changed the atmosphere if not quite the points column in the short term, and with a full pre-season and more than £237m in gross summer spending behind him, the expectation is that 2026-27 should mark the beginning of a genuine upward trajectory rather than another white-knuckle survival bid.

The club's single biggest summer statement has been the £100m capture of Sandro Tonali from Newcastle United, a signing that transforms Tottenham's midfield from a position of concern into one of the most technically accomplished units in the division.

Here, Sports Mole previews Tottenham Hotspur's 2026-27 Premier League season, including fixtures, squad depth and the expectations for their campaign.

Tottenham Hotspur 2026-27 Premier League fixtures

Tottenham open away at Brentford on August 22 in a 17:30 kickoff before hosting Newcastle the following week, a fixture that carries an unmistakable subplot given Tonali's switch from Tyneside, and the two opening gameweeks set the tone for a September run that also includes trips to Nottingham Forest and home encounters with Everton and Europa League winners Aston Villa.

The stand-out early fixture is undoubtedly the gameweek five home game against Aston Villa, who bring continental silverware to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium for a 12:30 Saturday kickoff on September 19, while the October run of four games in 22 days, including the derby trip to Stamford Bridge against Chelsea on October 24, offers the first real examination of De Zerbi's squad depth.

With no European competition to manage in 2026-27, Tottenham can direct their full resource toward the FA Cup and EFL Cup alongside the league, and the absence of Thursday night fixtures removes a significant scheduling burden that disrupted multiple opponents in De Zerbi's opening seven league games in charge at the end of 2025-26.

Tottenham summer 2026 transfer activity

Tottenham's 2026 summer window has been one of the most ambitious in recent memory, with the club committing a gross total of £237m to reshape the squad in a manner that reflects De Zerbi's specific requirements in midfield and central defence.

The marquee arrival is Tonali, now one of the most expensive central midfielders in Premier League history and representing the most pointed signal yet that the club intend to accelerate their recovery from consecutive 17th-placed finishes.

The departure of Cristian Romero to Atletico Madrid for £34.2m is offset by the arrivals of Jan Paul van Hecke from Brighton & Hove Albion (£52m) and Marcos Senesi on a free transfer from AFC Bournemouth, while Djed Spence's £30m sale to Inter Milan and Luka Vuskovic's £46m move to Brighton & Hove Albion contribute to an overall summer income of £99m.

Guglielmo Vicario is seemingly edging closer to joining Juventus, and his potential departure would hand Antonin Kinsky the first-choice role on a more permanent basis heading into a season that will demand consistency between the posts.

> Click here for a full list of Tottenham's ins and outs for 2026

Tottenham Hotspur 2026-27 squad

Tottenham head into 2026-27 with approximately 32 senior players, a squad that has been substantially reshaped from the one that spent most of last season in the bottom three, with six summer arrivals adding tangible quality rather than speculative depth.

The midfield is now the squad's most compelling area, with Tonali bringing range, physicality and a proven ability to dictate tempo, and Mateus Fernandes arriving as one of the Premier League's most complete young midfielders after a standout 2025-26 season at West Ham United.

The striker department remains a concern, with Richarlison and Dominic Solanke representing the senior options and neither player having demonstrated the fitness consistency to warrant full confidence as a season-long solution; aspecialist No. 9 is also yet to be added in this window despite the outlay elsewhere.

Xavi Simons, who had impressed under De Zerbi before suffering an ACL injury late in 2025-26, remains on the books but is unlikely to be available until the new year at the earliest, leaving a significant creative hole that the wider forward group will need to fill collectively in his absence.

Tottenham Hotspur 2026-27 predicted starting XI

De Zerbi is expected to deploy a 4-3-3, with Tonali as the defensive midfielder anchoring the unit and James Maddison and Mateus Fernandes providing the two more progressive roles on either side, a configuration that should give Tottenham the physical and technical balance to compete across a demanding fixture list.

In defence, Micky van de Ven and Jan Paul Van Hecke are the first-choice central defensive pair, offering pace and ball-playing composure in roughly equal measure, while Pedro Porro on the right and Andrew Robertson on the left provide attacking width, with Antonin Kinsky confirmed as De Zerbi's No. 1 between the posts after signing a new long-term deal.

Up front, Dominic Solanke leads the attack, with Richarlison operating on the right and Mathys Tel on the left as the first-choice wide options, though Dejan Kulusevski and Wilson Odobert will press for minutes when fit.

Predicted XI (opening day)

Tottenham Hotspur

Tel

Solanke

Richarlison

Fernandes

Tonali

Maddison

Robertson

Van de Ven

Van Hecke

Porro

Kinsky

LW

Mathys Tel

ST

Richarlison

RW

Mohammed Kudus

CM

Mateus Fernandes

DM

Joao Palhinha

CM

Sandro Tonali

LB

Andrew Robertson

CB

Micky van de Ven

CB

Jan Paul van Hecke

RB

Pedro Porro

GK

Antonin Kinsky

Tottenham Hotspur 2026-27 squad depth

Behind Kinsky, Martin Dubravka provides reliable senior cover after joining on a free transfer from Burnley, with Brandon Austin retained as third choice in a goalkeeping group that could yet be reduced further if Vicario departs.

Archie Gray is the natural right-back cover behind Porro, having played the position regularly in 2025-26 and shown the versatility to operate across several areas of the back line, while Kevin Danso and Marcos Senesi are both capable of slotting into the central defensive partnership alongside Van de Ven or Van Hecke in the event of injury, with Ben Davies offering an experienced fallback option at left-back if Destiny Udogie is absent.

The midfield depth is the most reassuring area of the squad, with Rodrigo Bentancur and Conor Gallagher both able to step into the three with minimal disruption, and Lucas Bergvall continuing his development as a long-term first-team option at box-to-box midfielder; Pape Sarr - if he stays - adds additional cover.

Injuries to Simons, Odobert, Kudus and Richarlison have significantly hampered Tottenham's attacking squad depth for the time being, while Mikey Moore's expected loan move to Koln will further weaken an already-ravaged offensive setup.

Roberto De Zerbi: Manager profile

De Zerbi was appointed Tottenham Hotspur head coach in April, taking charge of a side sitting 16th in the Premier League table and a genuine risk of the club suffering an unthinkable demotion.

The Italian had been out of management since departing Marseille in February, and his willingness to commit to a long-term project at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium even with the theoretical prospect of Championship football was cited by the club as a defining factor in the appointment.

De Zerbi's results in those final seven league games were mixed on paper but decisive in outcome: three wins, two draws and two defeats, with the 1-0 home win over Everton on the final day the moment that secured survival and, in retrospect, may prove the most consequential result in the club's recent history.

The Italian operates a possession-dominant 4-3-3, built around intelligent positional play, high pressing triggers and overlapping full-backs who stretch play wide, and the summer additions of Tonali and Fernandes suggest the squad is being deliberately rebuilt to match those demands.

Sandro Tonali: Tottenham's star player

Tonali's arrival gives De Zerbi a player whose profile maps almost exactly onto the engine-room role the Italian most values in his system.

The 2025-26 Premier League season at Newcastle saw Tonali produce two assists and zero goals across 35 appearances and 2,543 minutes, which understates his contribution: Tonali ranked among the top midfielders in the division for defensive contributions and successful passing percentage, and his physical and tactical consistency was central to Newcastle's campaign despite the club's eventual failure to retain their Champions League status.

Tonali brings Premier League experience accumulated across three seasons and a proven ability to perform under pressure, with the EFL Cup winner's medal he collected with Newcastle in 2024-25 his most recent piece of domestic silverware and a reminder that he has already won at the highest level with AC Milan in Serie A.

Mateus Fernandes: Tottenham's one to watch

Arriving for a little less than his new midfield partner, £85m man Fernandes's statistical profile from 2025-26 suggests the fee is not as surprising as the headline figure implies.

Last season at West Ham, Fernandes registered three goals and four assists from 35 starts and 3,024 Premier League minutes, while also ranking highly for chances created and successful dribbles, a combination that explains why clubs far beyond Spurs were tracking his availability when West Ham's relegation was confirmed.

In De Zerbi's 4-3-3, Fernandes is expected to operate as the left-sided central midfielder in the three, a role that will ask him to press intensely when out of possession, drive forward into the half-space in transition and switch the play from deep positions.

At 22 and under contract until 2031, Fernandes is arguably the most significant piece of the long-term rebuild at Tottenham, and a spectacular goal on his friendly debut against MK Dons immediately set tongues wagging.

Tottenham strengths and weaknesses

Tottenham pre-season results

Tottenham completed seven pre-season fixtures with four wins and two draws, scoring 10 goals and conceding three across a schedule that took in a behind-closed-doors opener against MK Dons, a tour of New Zealand and a two-match visit to Sydney for the Sydney Super Cup before returning to North London for home games against Getafe and Hoffenheim.

The most striking result was the 2-1 victory over Chelsea on August 1 in Sydney, when Tottenham held on with 10 men to complete a win that carried a psychological edge given the context of last season's struggle; the 3-0 home success over Hoffenheim on August 15 was also notable for a double from the fledgling Moore.

Tottenham Hotspur 2026-27 season prediction

The opening five gameweeks offer a genuine early test against opponents of varying quality, but De Zerbi's squad is deeper and better organised than the one that stumbled through the equivalent stretch last season, and a haul of eight to 10 points from the first five games would represent a reasonable baseline from which to build.

The December fixtures are where the season could take shape or fracture: four league games in 28 days including the home North London derby against Arsenal on December 5, a trip to Anfield on December 19 and back-to-back home games against Bournemouth and Brighton across the festive period make that run as demanding as any comparable stretch in the fixture list, and Tottenham's squad management across that period will say much about the progress of De Zerbi's project.

The factor most likely to determine the final outcome is the fitness of Richarlison, who has repeatedly promised more than he has delivered at the club, and how quickly the new midfield three of Tonali, Maddison and Fernandes builds the collective automaticity that De Zerbi's system demands; a settled midfield reduces the burden on a forward line that carries legitimate questions about its depth.

A ninth-placed Premier League finish feels like the most realistic projection, representing a substantial improvement on consecutive 17th-placed seasons and a genuine signal of progress, with the top seven not beyond Tottenham if the key players remain fit and the system beds in at pace across the first third of the campaign.

Tottenham Hotspur midfielder Pape Sarr is reportedly being eyed for a summer transfer by Premier League rivals Everton.

The former Metz youngster experienced a disrupted 2025-26 season, in which he started just 13 Premier League games for the Lilywhites under Roberto De Zerbi, Thomas Frank and Igor Tudor.

Sarr was absent from club duty for a month due to the Africa Cup of Nations, but he struggled to regain first-choice status over the likes of Rodrigo Bentancur, Conor Gallagher and Archie Gray.

The 23-year-old also did not feature for Tottenham in pre-season until August 16, when he played 87 minutes of a 2-2 draw with Hoffenheim behind closed doors.

Sarr provided an assist for Luca Williams-Barnett in that friendly, but the Senegal international's long-term future is not yet set in stone.

Everton want Pape Sarr as Idrissa Gueye replacement?

© Iconsport / ActionPlus / Icon Sport

Now, Afrik Foot claims that Everton have earmarked Sarr as a potential successor for compatriot Idrissa Gueye, who recently ended his second spell on Merseyside to join Saudi Pro League club Al-Diriyah.

Sarr is said to be at a 'crossroads' in his career due to the recent arrivals of Sandro Tonali and Mateus Fernandes, which will harm his prospects of midfield starts at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium further.

The Senegalese will not be short of options if he does opt to further his career elsewhere, as Nottingham Forest, Brentford, Galatasaray, Aston Villa and Al-Ahli are also in the running for his services.

Even though Gueye is no longer at Everton, Sarr would find a familiar face in Iliman Ndiaye, his Senegalese compatriot who remains on the books at the Hill Dickinson Stadium for now.

Ndiaye had been heavily linked with a £75m move to the Saudi Pro League, but he ultimately decided against making the lucrative switch due to his desire to stay in the Premier League.

How much do Tottenham want for Pape Sarr?

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As Sarr is contracted to Tottenham until 2030, having signed a lengthy extension in early 2024, Tottenham are under no immediate pressure to let the midfielder depart.

However, if Spurs were to receive an offer of £21.4m for Sarr - not including add-ons - the Lilywhites would supposedly not stand in his way of an exit.

Tottenham paid Metz a modest £14.4m to sign Sarr in the summer of 2021, although the midfielder remained with Les Grenats on loan for one more season before being integrated into the Spurs squad.

Sarr has since scored 11 goals and set up 11 more in 141 appearances for Tottenham, whom he played the full 90 for in their Europa League final win over Manchester United two seasons ago.

Tottenham Hotspur continued their preparations for the 2026-27 campaign with a 3-0 victory over German outfit Hoffenheim at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

Richarlison opened the scoring in the first half of the contest, before Mikey Moore came up with a second-half double for the North London outfit.

The two teams will meet again in another friendly on Sunday afternoon.

SPORTS MOLE'S VERDICT

© Iconsport / Action Plus

Is Moore leaving Tottenham on loan?

The 19-year-old has been heavily linked with a loan departure this summer, but he made his point to head coach Roberto De Zerbi with a brace on Saturday afternoon.

Moore could yet leave on loan if Spurs manage to further boost their attack, but the North London club could be made to regret it if he does leave for the 2026-27 campaign.

The attacker scored seven times for Rangers during a loan spell last season, and he was Tottenham's star man in the team's penultimate friendly of the summer.

Another player linked with the exit this summer is Richarlison, who was also on the scoresheet in what was a very positive match for the capital outfit.

TOTTENHAM VS. HOFFENHEIM HIGHLIGHTS

Tottenham make the breakthrough in the 35th minute of the match, as Richarlison fires a cross from Andrew Robertson into the back of the net.

Tottenham double their lead just before the hour, with Moore converting a cross from Mathys Tel, with the latter doing brilliantly to find a ball into the box.

Moore has his second of the match, and it is another assist from Tel. That is a smart finish from Moore, who carefully finds the bottom corner under serious pressure.

MAN OF THE MATCH - MIKEY MOORE

Moore continues to be heavily linked with a loan departure, but as it stands, the attacker is staying, and he came up with a brace on Saturday afternoon.

Hoffenheim found it difficult to deal with the teenager's movement and trickery.

TOTTENHAM VS. HOFFENHEIM MATCH STATS

Possession: Tottenham 52%-48% Hoffenheim

Shots: Tottenham 10-10 Hoffenheim

Shots on target: Tottenham 5-3 Hoffenheim

Corners: Tottenham 2-4 Hoffenheim

Fouls: Tottenham 6-13 Hoffenheim

WHAT NEXT?

Tottenham and Hoffenheim, as mentioned, will meet again on Sunday afternoon for another match, as the two teams round off their pre-season campaigns.

Spurs will begin their 2026-27 Premier League season against Brentford on August 22, while Hoffenheim's first competitive game of the new campaign comes against Aue in the DFB Pokal on the same afternoon.

Tottenham Hotspur have reportedly taken a significant step towards securing the signature of Liverpool attacker Cody Gakpo this summer.

The 27-year-old Netherlands international has enjoyed three and a half successful seasons on Merseyside since his arrival during the winter transfer window in 2023.

Roberto De Zerbi has supposedly identified the versatile forward as a priority target ahead of his first full season in North London.

As such, Spurs have subsequently intensified their pursuit by making direct contact with their Premier League rivals.

Gakpo agrees 'in principle' to join Tottenham

© Imago

According to Voetbal International, the player has now successfully reached an 'agreement in principle' regarding personal terms with the capital club.

Widespread conviction is reportedly growing among all involved parties that a permanent transfer to North London is extremely realistic.

De Zerbi is supposedly determined to integrate the Dutchman into his attacking setup even if the club also manages to secure Manchester City's Savinho.

Liverpool remain under no immediate financial pressure to sell their prized asset because his current contract is scheduled to run until the summer of 2030.

Reports suggest the Merseyside heavyweights could still be persuaded to sanction his departure if a formal proposal matching their £60m valuation is eventually received.

The Reds could then look to replace the Dutchman strategically during the closing fortnight of the summer window if the deal progresses.

Will Liverpool secure a suitable replacement this summer?

© Iconsport / Johnny Fidelin/Icon Sport

The impending departure of such a prominent attacker would undoubtedly force Liverpool back into the transfer market before the fast-approaching deadline.

The Reds are currently pursuing multiple wide options and remain heavily linked with an ambitious move for Paris Saint-Germain winger Bradley Barcola.

Cashing in on Gakpo would instantly provide the necessary funds to facilitate a lucrative package for the highly rated Frenchman.

Tottenham must now decide whether to formalise their concrete interest and match the substantial asking price demanded by their domestic rivals.

With the Premier League campaign kicking off next week, Tottenham Hotspur will welcome Bundesliga side Hoffenheim to Hotspur Way Training Centre for a behind-closed-doors friendly on Sunday.

The Lilywhites are hoping to finish their pre-season strongly, but Die Kraichgauer are looking for a sixth win in seven games this weekend.

Match preview

Tottenham struggled throughout the 2026-27 season, and after helping the club narrowly avoid relegation, manager Roberto De Zerbi will be hoping to compete at the opposite end of the table this time around.

With that goal in mind, Spurs have been one of the most active sides in the summer transfer window, signing the likes of Sandro Tonali and Mateus Fernandes in big-money deals that are sure to be transformative.

The Lilywhites have also enjoyed a fruitful pre-season schedule, winning four and drawing one of their five friendlies so far.

Last time out, De Zerbi's men followed up a 2-1 victory over bitter rivals Chelsea with a 1-1 stalemate against Getafe on August 8, coming from behind in the 70-minute encounter thanks to a late effort from Conor Gallagher.

Rounding off their summer action this weekend, Spurs are set to face Hoffenheim on both Saturday and Sunday, with the first game in front of a crowd at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, and the second at the Londoners' training ground.

Two friendlies in two days is sure to be a test of endurance for the Lilywhites, who are playing their final matches before their Premier League opener against Brentford on August 22.

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Meanwhile, Christian Ilzer's Hoffenheim were the surprise contenders for European football in the Bundesliga last term, and despite missing out on Champions League qualification, they are preparing for a season that will see them return to continental action.

Die Kraichgauer closed out the 2025-26 top-flight campaign with a disappointing 4-0 beating by Borussia Monchengladbach, but they kicked off the summer by stringing together a run of five consecutive victories, including a 21-0 triumph over SV Massenbachhausen on July 22.

However, Ilzer's side came crashing back down to Earth last Friday, when they were thrashed 4-1 by Gladbach.

That defeat saw Bambase Conte give Hoffenheim the lead a little over half an hour into the friendly, before a flurry of goals from the hour mark turned the match on its head.

Keen to bounce back ahead of their DFB-Pokal showdown against Aue on August 22 - the curtain-raiser for Die Kraichgauer's competitive campaign - Sunday's visitors will be out to prove that their loss against Die Fohlen was a one-off, bolstered by the fact they have won all five of their other friendlies so far.

Tottenham Hotspur friendlies form:

Hoffenheim friendlies form:

Team News

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Tottenham will be without Cristian Romero after the centre-back agreed to join Atletico Madrid, so expect to see Marcos Senesi and Kevin Danso pick up some minutes at the heart of defence, flanked by Pedro Porro and Souza.

In terms of injuries, Spurs have a number of doubts in attack ahead of this weekend's friendly, with James Madison and Mohammed Kudus dealing with respective hip and muscle injuries, while Dejan Kulusevski is close to a return from his 15-month layoff.

If none of the four are available, then Richarlison could continue up top, supported from out wide by Mathys Tel and Mikey Moore, and platformed by a midfield featuring Lucas Bergvall and Conor Gallagher alongside Sandro Tonali.

As for Hoffenheim, they are missing talismanic forward Andrej Kramaric, who is recovering from a groin injury that is likely to keep him out until later this month.

In his absence, versatile midfielder Nathan De Cat could start in the number 10 role, joining Adam Daghim and Patrick Wimmer behind striker 20-year-old Max Moerstedt.

Tottenham Hotspur possible starting lineup:

Dubravka; Porro, Danso, Senesi, Souza; Bergvall, Tonali, Gallagher; Moore, Richarlison, Tel

Hoffenheim possible starting lineup:

Philipp; Hranac, Chaves, Spranger, Bernardo; Geiger, Avdullahu; Daghim, Cat, Wimmer; Moerstedt

We say: Tottenham Hotspur 1-1 Hoffenheim

Tottenham are dealing with a number of fitness doubts this weekend, and it would not be surprising if their squad for this second friendly was unable to get the better of their Bundesliga opponents.

Hoffenheim have enjoyed a strong pre-season, but they were unable to hold out against Gladbach, and it would be a surprise to see them come out on top on Sunday.