Sports Mole

Chelsea are said to be interested in signing West Ham United attacker Mohammed Kudus despite Tottenham Hotspur also admiring the player.

The Blues have look set to be busy in the summer transfer window, with the likes of Jamie Gittens expected to join the club imminently.

Liam Delap has already been signed from Ipswich Town, with Enzo Maresca keen on strengthening in the forward line, while rivals Tottenham are reportedly in the market for a winger.

Spurs have been linked with a move for Brentford forward Bryan Mbeumo, but the attacker is said to be keen on a transfer to Manchester United.

Sky Sports News also claim that Tottenham could be beaten to the signature of West Ham's Kudus, who is attracting interest from Chelsea.

Kudus in profile

Kudus is able to operate across the forward line, with his speed, dribbling ability and strengthen making him an asset in most positions.

The 24-year-old operated on both the left and right flank last term, and no West Ham player attempted more take-ons (208) or made more successful take-ons (92).

However, the Ghanaian does not have a history of production in the final third, with the attacker having scored just 13 goals in 65 Premier League appearances.

Kudus in fact managed to score just twice in his final 21 games of the campaign in 2024-25, and he has only once registered more than three assists in any of his seven professional seasons.

The risks of Kudus' transfer

Moving to Chelsea could be risky for Kudus considering they have also agreed a deal to sign Brighton & Hove Albion striker Joao Pedro, while the Blues are also said to hold interest in other forwards such as Alejandro Garnacho.

Making the switch to Stamford Bridge could see the 24-year-old benched in favour of other stars, which may make a transfer to Tottenham more favourable.

However, Spurs must be wary of signing Kudus given his end product has been poor for West Ham, and the club cannot afford to make mistakes in the summer considering they finished 17th last term in the league.

Additionally, paying his reported £85m release clause would mean Tottenham would have to pay a club-record fee to secure his services, and fees in that range are typically reserved for the upper echelon of players.

After another masterful season at Crystal Palace, it is no surprise that Eberechi Eze is at the centre of more transfer rumours this summer.

Manchester City were the club linked most heavily with the England international a year ago, but after their intense transfer activity over the past six months, it is now North London rivals Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur who have been said to be interested in Eze’s services.

With 15 goals and 11 assists across all competitions for Palace last season, Eze also guided the club to their first-ever major honour, scoring the only goal in their FA Cup final win over Man City, consolidating his place in club folklore.

There are now talks that Arsenal are keeping tabs on Eze, even though adding a player in his position is not their top priority, while Spurs are waiting in the shadows and biding their time over a potential move.

Here, Sports Mole weighs up which move would be better for Eze at this point in his career, and what would be the best fit for the 27-year-old.

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Who needs Eze the most?

There are arguments in favour of both sides, as the two clubs must improve on last season’s performances, and Eze would provide that star quality that both lacked during the 2024-25 campaign.

A blunt attack is what saw Arsenal fall out of the title race with a bit of a whimper last season, with Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus not prolific scorers, and the issue was made even worse when they both suffered season-ending injuries.

Creativity was also a huge concern, especially during Bukayo Saka’s absence for a large portion of the season, so adding someone with the ball-carrying ability of Eze, who also has the intelligence to make the right decision in the final third, whether that be threading through a pass, or taking a shot at goal, would be a huge addition to the Arsenal XI.

For Spurs, under new manager Thomas Frank, improvement will be required all over the pitch, ignoring their Europa League success, because in the Premier League, very few players can hold their head up and say they were at their best last season.

Spurs still managed to score goals at will, but the majority of their squad only performed well in short spurts of form, with the likes of Brennan Johnson, James Maddison and Dejan Kulusevski enduring some low points after enjoying purple patches, so somebody with the consistency of Eze would be a great addition.

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Which club would be the best fit for Eze?

Both Arsenal and Spurs played a 4-3-3 last season, so most would assume there would not be much difference in where he goes in that regard, but with Frank coming in at Spurs, that could change, because the ex-Brentford boss often switched between a 4-2-3-1 and a 3-4-3 at the Gtech.

That 3-4-3 shape would be more familiar to Eze, as that is what Oliver Glasner has implemented at Selhurst Park, and Spurs have the players to efficiently play in that system, with attack-minded full-backs Pedro Porro and Destiny Udogie at their disposal.

Having wing-backs would allow Eze more freedom to drift inside from the left, as he so often did at Palace, whereas at Arsenal, it would be more than likely he would have to play as a traditional left-winger, or as a central midfielder with more defensive responsibility than he is used to.

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Arteta or Frank?

While Arsenal have become title challengers and Champions League regulars over the past few years, it is fair to say that most attacking players have not exactly flourished under Arteta at the Emirates, apart from Saka.

Conversely, Frank has had a huge impact on numerous different attackers at Brentford, setting them up for big moves elsewhere, such as Ollie Watkins, Said Benrahma and Ivan Toney, with Bryan Mbeumo and Yoane Wissa set to follow suit this summer.

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Where will Eze have more chance of success?

However, even though Frank may suit Eze’s game more as a manager, if Eze wants a move with a view of winning big trophies, Arsenal would be the best bet, even though Spurs are coming off the back of Europa League glory.

Eze is the type of player that can catapult the Gunners closer to a Premier League title that has been just out of reach in the past three seasons, and after also reaching the Champions League semi-finals, there is no reason why Arsenal cannot be competitive on the continent again next season.

Spurs on the other hand, finished 17th last season, and a remarkable turnaround will be required in a short space of time if they are to compete near the top under Frank next season.

Playing in the Champions League could also harm their prospects in the league, because the current Spurs squad is not at the required level to be able to compete on two hugely-competitive fronts, and being in a transitional era will likely do them no favours either.

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Where should Eze go this summer?

Given the talent Eze possesses, it is a surprise not to see even more clubs in for him, especially across Europe.

However, if the choice is between Arsenal and Spurs, then the Gunners will be fancied to get a deal done, given their higher stature, and better chance of winning the Premier League title.

Despite that though, the Palace midfielder could prioritise style of play, and a club where his talents will be allowed to flourish, and that may well be Spurs, especially under a manager like Frank, who has a track record of building attacking players up to reach their full potential, and that could be crucial to Eze breaking into the England squad ahead of next year’s World Cup.

For now though, it remains purely paper talk, and Eze is still a Palace player, and the Eagles will hope he sticks around to play a part in their first-ever European campaign next season.

Tottenham Hotspur are reportedly looking to sell struggling attacker Richarlison on a permanent deal this summer, and the Brazilian is expected to complete a switch to Galatasaray.

The injury-hit forward was usurped as Spurs' first-choice centre-forward by Dominic Solanke last season, where fitness issues continued to plague him once again.

Richarlison was blighted by hamstring and calf problems in the 2024-25 campaign and only struck five goals in 24 appearances in all competitions, starting a mere four games in the Premier League.

The 28-year-old's hopes of a renaissance in North London appear slim, as in addition to Solanke, Spurs have struck a deal to sign former loanee Mathys Tel on a permanent deal from Bayern Munich.

Richarlison is also now in the final two years of his deal with Spurs, who are more than happy to cut their losses on the attacker and offload him in the current window, The Sun claims.

Richarlison 'expected' to secure Galatasaray transfer

New head coach Thomas Frank has apparently approved Richarlison's prospective exit from the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, and a return to Everton was mooted at one stage.

However, Toffees boss David Moyes has allegedly rejected the opportunity to bring the Brazilian back to the blue half of Merseyside and are instead exploring a move for Newcastle United's Callum Wilson.

Instead, Richarlison is reportedly 'expected' to join Turkish giants Galatasaray in the summer transfer window, where the former Watford striker would fill Victor Osimhen's boots.

Napoli loanee Osimhen excelled in Galatasaray colours last season with 37 goals and eight assists from 41 games, but the Turkish Super Lig side were never expected to keep hold of the in-demand Nigeria international.

As a result, Gala have turned their attention to Richarlison, whom Spurs would prefer to sell on a permanent deal rather than loan him out for the penultimate year of his contract.

Tottenham willing to take £30m hit on Richarlison?

Tottenham wrote out a £50m cheque to Everton when they brought Richarlison to the club back in 2022, but barring a couple of purple patches, the striker has failed to make his mark in the capital.

The Brazil international has averaged a goal or assist every three games since joining the club, coming up with 30 direct contributions in 90 appearances, 20 of his own and 10 helpers.

Now, Spurs are apparently willing to accept bids of £20m for the 28-year-old, a £30m hit on the fee they paid for him three years ago, and that price is unlikely to rise save for a blistering 2025-26 season.

Despite his struggles in 2024-25, Richarlison was called up to the Brazil national team for June's World Cup 2026 qualifiers against Ecuador and Paraguay, playing 76 minutes across those two fixtures.

West Ham United attacker Mohammed Kudus has apparently emerged as a 'primary target' for Tottenham Hotspur, who are optimistic about concluding a deal with their capital counterparts.

New head coach Thomas Frank is yet to welcome a fresh face to the club since joining; Spurs' only deals so far have been converting Mathys Tel and Kevin Danso's loans into permanent moves.

However, the Lilywhites are seemingly now pressing ahead with their plans to sign a new attacker amid uncertainty over the future of Son Heung-min, whom Frank is supposedly open to letting go this summer.

The ex-Brentford boss was thought to have been keen on a reunion with Bryan Mbeumo at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, but Manchester United are at the head of the queue for the Cameroon international.

Furthermore, Spurs are rumoured to have taken a step back in their pursuit of Crystal Palace winger Eberechi Eze, potentially opening the door for Arsenal to swoop in and strike a £68m agreement.

Tottenham make Kudus 'primary target' for summer window

Moving on to another London-based target, The Telegraph suggests that Spurs are accelerating their efforts to sign West Ham's Kudus, who has been identified as a top target for the Europa League winners in the current window.

The 24-year-old immediately took the Premier League by storm following his 2023 arrival, directly contributing to 17 goals from 33 top-flight matches in his first season and also netting five times in the Europa League.

Kudus failed to hit the same heights last season, registering five goals and three assists from 32 Premier League appearances, but interest in the former Ajax man has supposedly not dwindled.

Kudus's contract with the Hammers runs for another three seasons, but the report adds that West Ham are willing to sell him for the right price in the current market to fund a summer rebuild.

Furthermore, the Ghana international is said to be open to making the switch from West Ham to Tottenham, which no senior men's player has done since Scott Parker back in 2011.

Tottenham 'hopeful' of driving down Kudus price

The Irons are under no real pressure to sell Kudus for less than his £85m release clause - which is apparently active for the first 10 days of July - thanks to his lengthy contract.

However, Spurs are supposedly optimistic that they can strike an agreement for 'well below' the 24-year-old's buyout option given West Ham's need to raise funds for their own improvements this summer.

Kudus is therefore viewed as Tottenham's 'most likely' offensive acquisition for the summer window, where Frank will endeavour to bolster his attack regardless of Son's future.

Chelsea reportedly expressed an interest in signing Kudus earlier this year too, but the Blues are instead closing in on deals for Jamie Bynoe-Gittens and Joao Pedro.

Tottenham Hotspur and Atletico Madrid have apparently not agreed a fee for Argentine defender Cristian Romero despite reports to the contrary.

The former Atalanta BC and Juventus man has been persistently linked with a switch to the Spanish capital for a number of months now, as Atletico boss Diego Simeone pushes to link up with his compatriot.

Romero has now entered the final two years of his Tottenham contract, but the Lilywhites have slapped a £60m price tag on his head and are refusing to compromise on it.

However, a report from DobleAmarilla on Sunday stated that Atletico and Tottenham had come to an agreement in principle over a deal for Romero, who would move to La Liga in a deal worth a potential €65m (£55.6m).

The fee would allegedly be made up of a fixed amount of €55m (£47m) plus another €10m (£8.6m) in performance-related add-ons, and a 'successful outcome' was anticipated for the coming week.

Tottenham, Atletico 'have not' agreed Romero fee

Sky Sports News journalist Michael Bridge disputes those claims, though, reporting that Spurs and their Spanish counterparts have not struck a deal for the World Cup winner.

The Europa League winners appear to still be standing firm on their £60m valuation of the defender and would ideally like to agree a new contract, thus easing the pressure on the club to sell him in the near future.

If Romero and his camp cannot find an agreement over a new deal with Spurs, there is an argument to sell him now while his stock is at its highest, but there is no desperate need to find a buyer yet.

Tottenham forked out £44.5m to sign Romero permanently in the summer of 2022, one year after he arrived on loan from Atalanta BC, and the 27-year-old has now registered seven goals and three assists in 124 matches for the North London giants.

Injuries restricted Romero to just 26 appearances in the 2024-25 campaign, including 18 in the Premier League, but he was fit enough to play the full 90 in the Europa League final win over Manchester United.

Can Spurs afford to lose Romero this summer?

For all of Romero's passion and dogged defending, the South American can let himself down with over-aggression and poorly-timed tackles, as both Spurs and rival fans know all too well.

However, when linking arms with Micky van de Ven in his trusty central partnership, Romero was a key component of Ange Postecoglou's Tottenham and will no doubt be firmly in Thomas Frank's plans for 2025-26 too.

Spurs have strengthened their defensive ranks with the permanent signing of Kevin Danso from Lens, but Romero's big-game experience and assertiveness will no doubt come in handy in the Champions League.

Therefore, unless Atletico submit a bid that is simply too good to be turned away, Spurs must do all in their power to keep Romero for the coming campaign before revisiting the situation in 2026 if need be.

Tottenham Hotspur prodigy Mikey Moore has been offered a new contract by the Lilywhites, and active discussions are ongoing to close the deal, according to a report.

The England Under-19 international penned his first professional deal with the North London giants upon turning 17 last year, and he is about to enter the final two seasons of that agreement.

As 17-year-olds cannot sign professional contracts over three years in length, Spurs could only tie Moore down until the end of the 2026-27 campaign, but his 18th birthday is fast approaching.

After earning his maiden first-team minutes in the 2023-24 season, Moore became a more prominent part of the Tottenham ranks in 2024-25, playing 19 games in all tournaments and registering one goal and two assists.

Moore struck his first goal for the North London giants in a 3-0 Europa League win over Elfsborg en route to the trophy, and he was also named in three Premier League starting lineups by Ange Postecoglou.

Tottenham 'negotiating final deal' with Moore after contract offer

The 17-year-old's campaign was blighted by a serious illness, which laid him low throughout most of the window, but the most recent season was nevertheless one of major progression for the attacker.

Keen to tie down their academy talent for the long term, Tottenham have now formally made the teenager an offer of a new contract, football.london has claimed.

The two parties are apparently in negotiations over a 'final deal' for Moore, who became Spurs' youngest Premier League player when he made his debut against Manchester City in May 2024.

There are seemingly few concerns about the prospect of Moore looking for a move away from Tottenham, whom he has represented since Under-9s level and has now played 21 times for in all tournaments.

What next for Moore following new Spurs contract?

Assuming Moore puts pen to paper on his new Tottenham contract as expected, Spurs boss Thomas Frank must decide whether there is a place for him in his first-team squad during the 2025-26 campaign.

The Englishman could earn regular minutes if captain Son Heung-min is sold, although the Europa League winners have already strengthened their wide ranks with the permanent signing of Mathys Tel from Bayern Munich.

As a result, a loan exit could prove useful for Moore's personal development, and it has been claimed that two Championship sides have taken an interest in a temporary transfer.

Other clubs in Europe - including Juventus - are reported to be monitoring the situation too and could even try to negotiate a permanent deal for the 2007-born talent if he does not make the grade at Tottenham.

However, Moore's home-grown status makes him a useful asset in Premier League and Champions League squads, so it is currently anybody's guess as to where he will be plying his trade in 2025-26.

Bournemouth 'increasingly believe' Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur target Antoine Semenyo will stay at the club this summer, according to a report.

The Ghana international lit up the Vitality Stadium with a sequence of stellar displays last season, registering 11 goals and six assists in 37 appearances in the Premier League.

Semenyo's 17 direct contributions played a major part in the Cherries achieving their best-ever points total in the competition and also making a play for the European spots before falling away towards the season's end.

The 25-year-old has naturally been linked with a switch to one of the Premier League's traditional 'Big Six' this summer, with Spurs and Man United said to have shown the keenest interest.

Newcastle United are also thought to have identified Semenyo as a potential target for the summer window, but the Cherries are under no pressure to sell given that his contract does not expire for another four years.

Man United, Spurs 'chased off' in Semenyo pursuit

Now, the i Paper claims that all interested parties have been 'chased off' by Bournemouth, and there is growing optimism on the South Coast that Semenyo will stay at the club for the upcoming campaign.

The former Bristol City and Sunderland man is apparently valued at £70m by the Cherries, who have been in consistent contact with Spurs following an initial enquiry from the Lilywhites.

However, Bournemouth are not fearing the prospect of Semenyo jumping ship for the Europa League winners, while Newcastle appear to have withdrawn from the race completely.

Semenyo only signed a new contract at the Vitality Stadium last year and has now come up with 22 goals and 10 assists in 89 games for Bournemouth since joining from Bristol City midway through the 2022-23 campaign.

How are Man Utd, Spurs progressing with Semenyo alternatives?

Man United appeared to resign themselves to defeat in the Semenyo race some time ago, as the Red Devils are making a concerted effort to strike a deal for Brentford's Bryan Mbeumo.

Ruben Amorim's side are yet to agree a fee with the Bees, who have reportedly rejected two offers from the 20-time English champions as they hold out for a £63.5m figure.

Nevertheless, Man United remain optimistic that they will get a deal over the line, so much so that they have allegedly provisionally booked in a medical for the Cameroonian attacker.

Meanwhile, Tottenham were believed to have been pursuing Crystal Palace's Eberechi Eze as their number one attacking target, having learned that Mbeumo was favouring a move to Old Trafford.

Tottenham Hotspur have reportedly taken a step back in their pursuit of Crystal Palace attacker Eberechi Eze, potentially opening the door for Arsenal to make a move.

New Lilywhites boss Thomas Frank is keen to reinforce his side's wide options ahead of the 2025-26 season, but a reunion with Brentford's Bryan Mbeumo is believed to be off the cards.

The Cameroon international is believed to have given his word to Manchester United, who recently saw a second bid rejected but remain in dialogue with Brentford in the hope of striking an imminent deal.

Palace wing wizard Eze is thought to have emerged as an ideal alternative to Mbeumo, and Tottenham are said to have received encouragement in their attempts to sign the England international earlier this week.

Spurs supposedly have reason to believe that Eze would be open to joining the club in the summer transfer window, where he can be signed for a reasonable £68m thanks to a release clause in his Selhurst Park contract.

Tottenham 'back off' in Eze transfer chase

However, according to journalist Ben Jacobs, Spurs have now cooled their interest in the former Queens Park Rangers youngster, although he nevertheless remains on their shortlist.

"My understanding is that Tottenham have actually backed off in the last few hours, and although the interest is genuine, it is nothing more than that," The Spurs Web quotes Jacobs as saying.

It is not clear why Tottenham have taken a step back in their pursuit of Eze, but the Lilywhites have already bolstered their attacking ranks this summer with the permanent signing of Mathys Tel from Bayern Munich.

The Frenchman can provide an alternative option on the left-hand side - as he did during the second half of last season - and may even succeed Son Heung-min if the Spurs skipper leaves this summer.

The South Korea international is only under contract for another 12 months, and new head coach Frank has apparently made a decision on whether he is prepared to sell his captain before the September 1 deadline.

Tottenham's loss, Arsenal's gain in Eze transfer race?

Tottenham are unsurprisingly not the only club heavily linked with a swoop for Eze in the summer market, as the 26-year-old is also believed to be of serious interest to North London rivals Arsenal.

The Gunners are searching for an upgrade on Gabriel Martinelli and Leandro Trossard on the left-hand side this summer, but their reported top target - Athletic Bilbao's Nico Williams - is bound for Barcelona.

However, with Tottenham reportedly cooling their pursuit of Eze, the door could swing open for Mikel Arteta to make his move for the attacker, who produced 14 goals and 11 assists in 43 matches during the 2024-25 campaign.

Eze's £68m release clause can supposedly be paid in three instalments, which will prove no problem for Arsenal, who remain fully compliant with Financial Fair Play and Profit and Sustainability regulations.

Manchester United have had a second bid rejected for Byran Mbeumo, but the winger has indicated that his preference is to join the Red Devils rather than Tottenham Hotspur.

After bringing in Matheus Cunha from Wolverhampton Wanderers, United boss Ruben Amorim will hope to be able to further transform his side's attack.

The club ranked as the division's fifth worst offensive side last term having scored just 44 goals in the league, leading to calls for an offensive revolution.

Strikers such as Viktor Gyokeres have been linked, as have other forward players such as Brentford attacker Mbeumo.

Sky Sports News claim that United have had a second bid for the Cameroonian worth £62.5m rejected, but the report also says that while he is intrigued by Tottenham's project under former boss Thomas Frank, he still prefers a move to Old Trafford.

The merits of United

It remains to be seen if United will be able to afford the addition of a striker alongside Mbeumo given their financial difficulties, but he proved in 2024-25 that he can excel without the presence of a traditional nine.

The prospect of playing alongside creative talents such as Bruno Fernandes and Cunha may be appealing to the 25-year-old, and he could be part of a dynamic front three.

However, joining the Red Devils would be risky considering they will arguably have to sign a number of other players in order to get back to competing for European football.

If Amorim is afforded the funds he needs to bring in a new goalkeeper, reinforcements in midfield and up front, perhaps the opportunity to lead the team's forward line would be too appealing to turn down.

The merits of Tottenham

Joining Tottenham would offer Mbeumo the chance to play in the Champions League, a competition that he may not be able to participate in for a number of seasons at United.

Additionally, considering Frank managed to get the best out of the winger during his time as Brentford boss, the Danish coach may be able to platform him at Spurs and put him in a position to excel.

Tottenham Hotspur have filed a lawsuit against Ineos, the multinational chemical company owned by Sir Jim Ratcliffe, co-owner of Manchester United. The legal dispute was filed on 13 June, and fresh details have now been revealed by The Telegraph.

Ineos, a British-based firm, initially partnered with Spurs in 2020 when they became the club's official hand sanitiser supplier during the Covid-19 pandemic.

The partnership was strengthened in 2022 with a new sponsorship deal focused on promoting the Ineos Grenadier, a 4x4 vehicle marketed as “the club’s 4x4” for a five-year period. According to The Telegraph, the deal was valued at £17.5m.

Spurs seek over £11m in lawsuit against Ineos

The relationship has since soured, with Ineos expressing a desire to exit the sponsorship arrangement by the end of 2024. Spurs responded by filing legal action, seeking £11m in damages for what they claim is a breach of the agreement.

The North London club allege Ineos failed to pay the latest annual instalment of over £5m, due in December 2023, as well as an additional £500,000 linked to inflation adjustments, which they say was owed in August.

Tottenham say they terminated the contract in March due to these outstanding payments, and they are now pursuing at least £5.2m in compensation, along with interest and other potential costs.

The original contract reportedly included annual payments starting at £2.1m, increasing to £4.6m by the fifth year.

Mounting problems for Ineos in the sports world

Ineos has denied wrongdoing, stating that the company has met all legal obligations. A spokesperson told The Telegraph: “Ineos Automotive has been a partner of Tottenham Hotspur since 2022, expanding a relationship established with the club in 2020.”

Ratcliffe’s group also claimed it is “perfectly normal to review partnerships” and decided the agreement with Spurs was no longer suitable. Tottenham have declined to comment publicly on the matter.

This is not the only high-profile sponsorship issue facing Ineos. In April, Ineos Britannia withdrew from the America’s Cup sailing competition following reported disagreements with sailor Sir Ben Ainslie regarding team ownership.

The New Zealand rugby union side, the All Blacks, are also reported to have launched legal action against Ineos for an alleged breach of their multi-year sponsorship deal, set to run until 2027.