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Tottenham are expected to be one of the busier Premier League sides during the final few weeks of this summer transfer window, and technical director Johan Lange will have multiple plates spinning behind-the-scenes.

Lange is known to operate in secrecy when it comes to his transfer planning, with Spurs showing a tendency to agree out-of-nowhere deals since the Dane took over from ex-managing director Fabio Paratici.

The Lilywhites’ move for Wilson Odobert last summer took everyone by surprise, while their botched deal for Morgan Gibbs-White accelerated in similar fashion with very few leaks to the press – until the transfer was very close to being done.

Unfortunately for Lange, he ended up missing out on Gibbs-White in what was a very bizarre transfer saga.

After losing club legend Son Heung-min to the MLS, and now James Maddison for the majority of the season, it is absolutely imperative that Tottenham’s technical director brings in a fresh, proven attacking alternative before the deadline on September 1.

Maddison will undergo surgery on an ACL rupture, Spurs confirmed today, with the 28-year-old set for a lengthy spell on the sidelines.

Tottenham called Man City over Jack Grealish in the last few days, according to Fabrizio Romano, but face stiff competition from Everton, who have now opened formal talks over a loan deal for the 29-year-old.

Elsewhere, Liverpool sensation Harvey Elliott has been mooted as a potential target for Spurs after his exceptional Euro Under-21 Championships with England.

However, Bundesliga sides like RB Leipzig are offering Elliott the chance to further his development abroad, with sides across Europe now clamoring to reinforce their squad as we reach the final phase of this window.

Daniel Levy is dealing with a major headache when it comes to their pursuit of an attacker, and that botched deal for Gibbs-White is now looking all the more significant after Maddison’s injury.

According to Alasdair Gold, the most reliable Spurs source you could ask for, Levy and Lange have other items on their transfer agenda too – namely signing another new centre-back.

The club triggered Kevin Danso’s obligation to buy clause from RC Lens earlier this summer, and already boast the likes of Cristian Romero, Micky van de Ven and Radu Dragusin among their crop of central defensive options.

Dragusin was recently handed Sergio Reguilon’s number 3 jersey, whilst Romero’s links to Atlético Madrid have practically died after Diego Simeone sealed a deal for David Hancko – so none of the quartet appear likely to be going anywhere this summer.

Tottenham ready to meet asking price for Bournemouth defender Illia Zabarnyi

Regardless, Spurs are apparently in the market for another central defender, and they’re still contenders for Bournemouth star Illia Zabarnyi.

According to French newspaper L’Équipe, as translated by Sport Witness, the Ukranian’s switch to PSG is advanced, but Luis Enrique’s side are currently haggling over a few million.

PSG made a recent written offer to the Cherries for Zabarnyi – £52m whilst covering FIFA’s solidarity payment.

Bournemouth are prepared to accept this bid, if PSG include a further £3m in bonuses, which the Ligue 1 giants are currently refusing to do.

This has handed Levy an opportunity to hijack the deal, with L’Équipe reporting that Tottenham are ready to meet Bournemouth’s demands for Zabarnyi ‘immediately’ and are ‘pushing’ to sign the 22-year-old.

Spurs were actually in the mix for his former Bournemouth teammate, Dean Huijsen, before he chose a move to Real Madrid (Fabrizio Romano).

Now, Frank could win the race for another Bournemouth defender instead, but they’ll first have to convince Zabarnyi himself, who’s been chasing a move to Paris for quite some time.

Midfielder Michael Carrick will go down as one of the best signings in Manchester United history, racking up over 450 appearances for the club over a 12-year period at Old Trafford.

The Englishman joined the Red Devils back in 2006, costing £13m from Tottenham Hotspur – a fee that would prove to be a bargain given his time in the North West.

During his time as a player, he won five Premier League titles, one Europa League and one Champions League, along with 11 other trophies, being a consistent presence during the success endured under Sir Alex Ferguson.

However, the club are currently lacking a player of the Englishman’s quality at the heart of the side, with Ruben Amorim undoubtedly wanting to rectify such a situation before the end of the summer window.

It’s not through a lack of trying, with numerous players appearing on their radar, but no deals have yet been completed despite continued work on another target in recent days.

Man Utd preparing move for the new Michael Carrick

In a quest to land a new midfielder this summer, United and Amorim have been hunting far and wide to land a new sensation at the heart of the side, but so far, to no avail.

The likes of Carlos Baleba, Angelo Stiller and Morten Hjulmand have all been touted as options, with the latter seemingly wanting a move to rejoin Amorim after playing under him at Sporting CP.

However, the hierarchy have seemingly moved on to another talent, with Crystal Palace star Adam Wharton the latest player to be linked, according to one Spanish outlet.

They claim that the Red Devils have been closely monitoring the 21-year-old, who made 20 Premier League appearances, whilst also helping the Eagles win the FA Cup for the first time ever.

It also states that Amorim’s side are preparing a €100m (£86m) offer to land the England international, as part of the big overhaul of the current first-team squad.

Why United’s £86m target would be their next Carrick

As previously mentioned, Carrick will go down as a club legend at United, showcasing that bargain transfers can still have a huge impact on various levels of success in the modern game.

However, that hasn’t yet been the case in the Red Devils’ activity within the transfer market to date, splashing over £200m on just three senior additions this summer.

Benjamin Sesko, Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo have been added to the side, with all three of the talents making their debut in the opening-day defeat against Arsenal.

Despite the mammoth money already forked out by the hierarchy, their heavy spending looks set to continue, especially if they are to land Wharton over the next couple of weeks.

A deal for the youngster would cost nearly eight times more than that of Carrick, but it would be one with glaring similarities to the one they made 19 years ago.

The club would be taking a risk on a player who has just two years of experience in England’s top-flight, but it’s one that has huge potential to be a success, as seen with their deal to land the 23-year-old.

His stats from the recent season at Selhurst Park highlight the talent he possesses despite his tender age, able to finally end the club’s hunt for a new midfielder in the process.

Wharton, who’s been labelled “phenomenal” by HLTCO, ranked in the 93rd percentile for progressive passes (7.3) and 86th percentile for passes into the final third (5.3) – highlighting the talent he possesses with the ball at his feet.

Carrick was also known for his ball-playing ability, as seen by his tally of 21 assists during his Premier League career at United, with Wharton evidently able to provide such levels of quality.

However, out of possession, the youngster was just as impressive last campaign, winning 2.3 tackles per 90, whilst ranking in the 93rd percentile for ball recoveries made per 90 (6.9).

A ball-winner is evidently what the club have been hunting for to help bolster their midfield, with the 21-year-old able to fill such a void with his big-money transfer.

It may seem to be a hefty investment on such a young and inexperienced talent, but he’s already demonstrated his star qualities despite his tender age.

If he can make the move and match or surpass the levels achieved by Carrick, it would be a sensational addition and one that could catapult the side to glory in the near future.

It's not Baleba: INEOS begin move to sign £100m Ugarte upgrade for Man Utd

Manchester United Target Crystal Palace Star in Ambitious Midfield Upgrade

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By
Will Miller

Aug 18, 2025

Benfica manager Jose Mourinho has cheekily admitted he is “happy” Cole Palmer will be absent when he makes an emotional return to his former club Chelsea next week. The Special One heads back to his old stomping ground when he takes the Portuguese giants to Stamford Bridge in the Champions League on Tuesday evening.

• Palmer to miss Benfica clash as groin struggles continue

  Palmer will miss Chelsea’s next three games in all competitions against Brighton, Benfica and Liverpool in an attempt to recover from the groin injury which has plagued his 2025-26 season. Manager Enzo Maresca confirmed earlier in the week that the Blues have decided to rest their star man after his groin complaint – which previously saw him miss Premier League games against West Ham and Fulham – flared up in his side’s 2-1 defeat against Manchester United last weekend.

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• Maresca plans to carefully manage Palmer's fitness

  Speaking ahead of Chelsea’s clash against Brighton on Saturday, Maresca said: "Yes, we decided to protect a little bit Cole, in terms of not letting his injury get worse. We decided to rest him for two to three weeks until the international break to see if with that rest he can recover 100 per cent and to be fit after the international break. I don't think he needs surgery but it is just to manage the pain in his groin. We have decided to be a little bit conservative with him.”

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  Mourinho cheekily admits he is 'happy' Palmer will miss out

  One man who is relieved Palmer will spend a short period on the sidelines is Mourinho, who is due to return to Chelsea with his new side Benfica. The 62-year-old, who was appointed by the Estadio da Luz club on September 18 following the dismissal of compatriot Bruno Lage, managed Chelsea between 2004 and 2007 and again between 2013 and 2015, winning eight major honours including three Premier League titles.

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• What Mourinho said about Palmer's spell on the sidelines

  In quotes carried by Portuguese publication A Bola, Mourinho said of Palmer’s absence: “I'm happy. My Chelsea team was a winning machine, with a big investment, but a lot of ambition. Then they seemed to lose some direction, and it was tough for those who love the club. Enzo Maresca [Chelsea manager] arrived, and the puzzle is being completed piece by piece, and they won the Conference League. Now I think they have a good, good team, and if Cole Palmer isn't a problem for Chelsea [through injury], that's a big problem for me. If [Heorhiy] Sudakov or [Vangelis] Pavlidis don't play, that's a big problem for me.”

Rasmus Hojlund thanked his team-mate Kevin De Bruyne after the 34-year-old Belgian provided assists for both of his goals as Napoli beat Sporting CP on Wednesday. The Danish striker scored a match-winning brace in the 2-1 victory in the Champions League, their first in the competition this season having lost 2-0 to Manchester City two weeks ago.

• Hojlund brace sinks Sporting CP

  Hojlund put an end to a run of three goalless games on Wednesday evening, as his goals in the 36th and 79th minute of the game helped Napoli beat Sporting CP 2-1 on the second matchday of the league phase of the Champions League. It was an important brace for the 22-year-old forward, who hadn't found the back of the net since scoring on his Napoli debut three weeks ago.

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• Hojlund's double De Bruyne delight

  "It was a fantastic evening and I thank my teammates for that," Hojlund told while reflecting on the win. "We've earned our first points in the Champions League, but the road is long and we need to keep going. Later, we'll also face my brother Oscar's Eintracht Frankfurt and I can't wait." 

  Regarding the double assist provided by De Bruyne, he said:"I thanked him. Kevin is a legend of this sport and when he has the ball I know that with his quality he will always put it to me in the best possible way."

  He later wrote on Instagram: "'Hojlund scores twice in the Champions League after two assists from Kevin De Bruyne' was not on my 2025 bingo card."

• De Bruyne joins elite company

  De Bruyne became only the sixth player in Champions League history to bag two assists on five or more occasions. In the process, he joined the elite company of Angel Di Maria, Ryan Giggs, David Beckham, Lionel Mess, and Zinedine Zidane to achieve the feat.

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  Genoa challenge awaits Napoli

  Having started their Serie A title defence with four consecutive wins, the Partenopei's run was halted last weekend thanks to a 2-1 defeat against AC Milan. They will aim to bounce back from the loss when they welcome 19th-placed Genoa on Sunday.

Leeds United are looking to bolster their options at the top end of the pitch before the transfer window officially slams shut for another year this evening.

The Whites were reportedly looking to sign Facundo Buonanotte on loan from Brighton & Hove Albion earlier this week to add to their attacking midfield ranks, after he spent last season on loan at Leicester City.

Unfortunately, Chelsea decided to pursue a loan move for the Argentine playmaker and are now closing in on a deal to add him to their squad at Stamford Bridge.

Leeds were, of course, unable to compete with the Champions League football that Enzo Maresca’s side have on offer, and look set to miss out on Buonanotte.

Leeds have playmaker on their radar

The Championship champions are still in need of another option in the frontline after missing out on the Brighton youngster, and are reportedly looking further afield for an alternative.

Transfer Focus

Mega money deals, controversial moves and big-name flops. This is the home of transfer news and opinion across Football FanCast.

According to LeedsLive, Krasnodar attacking midfielder Eduard Spertsyan has emerged as a potential option for Leeds United on deadline day, as they could make a last-gasp move for the star.

The report claims that the Armenia international is one of a number of playmakers on the club’s radar as they look to bolster their options in that position before the window slams shut.

It adds that Bilal El Khannouss, Dilane Bakwa, and Manor Solomon are also being looked at by the Whites, as they look at traditional number tens and natural wingers on both sides.

Daniel Farke, though, worked with Spertsyan, who was linked with an £11m move to Southampton earlier this summer, and he may be a shrewd addition to the squad.

Why Leeds should sign Eduard Spertsyan

The West Yorkshire outfit should look to pursue a deadline day deal for the Armenian star because he could be an even better option than Buonanotte as an attacking midfielder.

Spertsyan has not experienced English football before, so it would be a risk in that respect, but his form for Krasnodar suggests that he has the potential to be an incredibly exciting addition to the squad.

The 25-year-old star, who was described as an “elegant” player by U23 scout Antonio Mango, is heading into the prime years of his career and could offer a huge threat at the top end of the pitch if he can adapt to the Premier League.

As you can see in the table above, Spertsyan has delivered 15 goals and 14 assists in his last 35 appearances in the Russian Premier League, including eight assists in seven games this season.

These statistics show that the £11m-rated star is an incredibly creative player who looks to play key passes constantly each match, whilst he can also provide a significant threat as a goalscorer.

Meanwhile, Buonanotte has produced eight goals and three assists in 58 outings in the English Premier League in the last two seasons for Leicester and Brighton combined, per Sofascore.

This suggests that Spertsyan would be an even better signing for Leeds if they can get him to translate his performances for Krasnodar over to English football this season.

It would be a risky addition, given his lack of experience in England, but his immense form in Russia suggests that it could be worth the risk as an alternative to Buonanotte, who has not delivered consistently in the final third in his career to date.

James upgrade: Leeds are in late talks to seal "remarkable" £20m signing

Leeds United are reportedly in talks to sign a star who could be an upgrade on Dan James.

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By
Dan Emery

Aug 31, 2025

Alexander Isak has revealed his first impression of Liverpool following his deadline-day move. The Sweden international departed Newcastle for the Premier League champions as a long-running summer saga finally came to an end on deadline day. And while he has struggled for form since his move to Anfield, the club and city have already made a positive impact on the former Magpies hitman.

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  Isak struggled in opening weeks

  Isak completed his British-record move to Liverpool on deadline day, having gone on strike to secure a switch to the Premier League champions. As such, the Swede was unable to take part in pre-season training for Newcastle, and he's been playing catch-up in the weeks since. 

  As a result, the 26-year-old, who scored 23 league goals last season, has only made three league appearances for the Reds, starting twice. In addition, Isak has only scored one goal, that coming in a 2-1 EFL Cup win over Championship outfit Southampton last month, a game marred by Giovanni Leoni's season-ending ACL injury. 

  Despite a lack of match fitness, Isak was called up to Sweden's national squad for upcoming World Cup qualification meetings with Switzerland and Kosovo as the Blue and Yellow look to put their first win on the board having failed to win their opening two World Cup qualifying matches, following up a 2-2 draw with Slovenia with a 2-0 loss to Kosovo.

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• 'A great team and a city'

  Isak has kept a low profile following his move to Liverpool, instead focusing his efforts on getting up to speed with his new team. Indeed, the striker skipped Sweden media duties in the September international break as he looked to avoid the spotlight.

  However, Isak has since broken his silence ahead of Sweden's meeting with Switzerland on Friday, 10th October, and when asked about Liverpool as both a team and a city, he's quoted by Sport Witness as saying: "Great so far. A great team and a city where the team has a good relationship with the fans. It’s been great so far."  

  The striker's comments will sit well with the Liverpool faithful, who have thrown their full backing behind their big-money summer signing, despite having scored just one goal in his opening six appearances for Arne Slot's men.

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  'I feel in a much better position now'

  And Isak's comments on his shape and fitness will sit well with Sweden and Liverpool fans. Isak is yet to play the full 90 minutes for club or country this season, having been subbed off in all four of his Liverpool starts to date. 

  However, Isak insists he feels as though he is able to play a full match having spent time building up his fitness, stating ahead of Friday's game against Switzerland: "Tomorrow I’m ready for 90 minutes if needed.  

  "It’s been a month now. I’ve gotten a lot more playing time, and things have calmed down. I feel in a much better position now than last time."      

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• Liverpool looking to get back on track

  Liverpool fans will be hoping Isak can get his season up and running for Sweden over the coming days as the Reds look to get their season back on track. Slot's side sacrificed top spot before the international break as they fell to a 2-1 loss at Chelsea last weekend. 

  Defeat at Stamford Bridge means Liverpool have now lost their last three matches, having conceded late on in a 2-1 defeat at Crystal Palace and succumbed to a 1-0 reverse at Galatasaray in the Champions League.  

  The loss to Galatasaray came at a cost, too, with Alisson ruled out until after the November international break owing to a hamstring issue. The Brazilian's absence means Giorgi Mamardashvili will continue between the sticks when domestic duties resume next weekend.  

  Liverpool return to Premier League action with the welcome of rivals Manchester United. United headed into the break on a high, having defeated Sunderland 2-0 at Old Trafford as Ruben Amorim seeks to secure back-to-back league wins for the first time since taking over from Erik ten Hag last November.  

All is not well at Celtic right now.

On the pitch, the Hoops were ignominiously dumped out of Champions League qualifying by Kairat, ousted on penalties in Almaty after over three and a half hours of drab, goalless football, before the most dull Old Firm derby in history at Ibrox last Sunday.

Supporters would argue that this is the metaphorical chickens coming home to roost, concerned all summer long about the Celts’ lack of attacking quality, given that Kyōgo Furuhashi, Nicolas Kühn and Matt O’Riley have not been sufficiently replaced.

So, following protests at a charity match against Manchester United legends on Saturday, the club issued an official statement that did nothing to quell dissenting voices, with the names of no individuals attached to the rambling statement, taking no accountability or responsibility for a transfer window many believe to be the club’s worst in modern times.

Thus, Brendan Rodgers has been left massively short ahead of a Europa League campaign that begins against Crvena zvezda in Belgrade later this month, so how he must wish the Hoops hadn’t sold Celtic’s “god of goals” for just £4m.

Celtic's catastrophic striker situation

On deadline day, having failed to replace Kyōgo, who departed in January, Celtic sold their only remaining centre-forward Adam Idah to Swansea City for around £7m, representing a £2.5m loss on the Irishman in just 12 months, but they actually did well to recoup such a large amount, following an underwhelming campaign.

As reports of this sale emerged, supporters thought that the Celtic hierarchy must have a replacement lined up, or at least that’s what one would assume.

The Hoops number one target was Kasper Dolberg but, after haggling over the price, Anderlecht instead sold him to Ajax for a reported fee of €10m (around £8.7m), with the Denmark international re-joining the Amsterdam-based giants.

The window then duly slammed shut, and Celtic did not have a striker, meaning they had 24 hours to secure a free agent, if they were to be included in their UEFA squad.

Emmanuel Dennis and Patrick Bamford were among the underwhelming names mentioned, but they instead secured Kelechi Iheanacho, albeit only after Sevilla had terminated his contract to facilitate the move, emphasising how wanted he was in Southern Spain.

The Nigerian actually scored against Celtic for Manchester City back in December 2016, as the pair drew 1-1 in the Champions League.

Once highly rated, Iheanacho’s career has essentially fallen off a cliff in recent years, scoring just 26 goals across the last four seasons, having netted 19 times during the 2020/21 campaign prior to this decline.

So, how Celtic supporters must wish they still had the forgotten goal machine from the Postecoglou era.

Celtic's "god of goals"

Giorgos Giakoumakis was not at Celtic for a long time, but he certainly made his mark in Glasgow.

In just 57 appearances in hoops, the Greece international scored 26 goals, averaging a goal every 97 minutes, winning the Premiership golden boot during his only full season at Parkhead.

However, unable to secure a regular starting spot due to Kyōgo’s presence, imagine having depth like that now, he was sold to Atlanta United for around £4m in March 2023.

Since then, Giakoumakis has become something of a globe-trotter, leaving Atlanta after less than 18 months in MLS, sold to Cruz Azul for $10m (around £7.4m), albeit he did not live up to expectations in Mexico City, returning to his homeland this summer by signing for PAOK on loan.

Where Are They Now

Your star player or biggest flop has left the club but what are they doing in the present day? This article is part of Football FanCast’s Where Are They Now series.

Well, he has made an immediate impact in Thessaloniki, on target off the bench during a 5-0 victory over HNK Rijeka last month, a victory at Toumba Stadium that secured PAOK’s place in the Europa League.

Following Giakoumakis’ arrival in Major League Soccer, Jaime Uribarri labelled him the “Greek God of goals”, while Tom Bogert simply noted that, wherever he goes, the striker “just scores goals”, a useful skillset for a centre-forward to possess.

So, let’s assess how his recent seasons compare to Celtic’s latest centre-forward Iheanacho.

As the table documents, across the last five seasons, and the start of this one, Giakoumakis has scored almost twice as many goals as Iheanacho, who hasn’t reached double figures in a single campaign since lockdown when he was at Leicester.

More recently, the Nigerian international endured a miserable loan spell at Middlesbrough this time last year, before scoring just three goals for Sevilla, all of which came in the Copa del Rey, bagging a brace against fifth-tier Las Rozas, before also scoring against UE Olot of the fourth division, but bagging no goals in La Liga.

Having worked with him before, Rodgers will believe he can resurrect Iheanacho’s form and confidence, but this is certainly a gamble, while Giakoumakis guarantees goals, so what a difference the Greek striker would make to this current Celtic side.

Celtic can unearth their own Dolberg in 18-year-old who's "some talent"

Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers may unearth his own version of Kasper Dolberg with this academy talent.

By
Dan Emery

Sep 7, 2025

A Manchester United star could now “reconsider” his future amid interest from Saudi Arabia, a journalist has revealed.

Man Utd star could change his stance on leaving

Ruben Amorim appears to be under serious pressure after Man United’s poor start to the Premier League campaign, with Wayne Rooney suggesting the manager hasn’t been able to make any improvements since the departure of Erik ten Hag.

Rooney said: “I want to be as supportive and positive as I can. But it is very difficult to sit here and say we are seeing progression. We’re seeing none of that, and it is very difficult. I think if the manager is honest with himself, it has got worse.”

Issues are also mounting in midfield, with Kobbie Mainoo pushing for an exit during the January transfer window, after falling down the pecking order under Amorim, most recently only featuring as a second-half substitute against Manchester City.

Amorim wanted his own Donnarumma & Haaland but Man Utd got Altay & Sesko instead

It’s been yet another poor start to a Premier League season for Manchester United.

By
Angus Sinclair

Sep 16, 2025

Manuel Ugarte and Bruno Fernandes were given the nod in central midfield instead, with the Portugal international featuring slightly deeper than he is suited to, given that Amorim is uncompromising about playing a 3-4-1-2 system.

There were some suggestions that Fernandes could have left during the summer transfer window, amid interest from the Saudi Pro League, and there has now been a new update on the Portugal international’s Old Trafford future.

Football Insider journalist Pete O’Rourke said: “I would fully expect that Saudi interest to continue. It hasn’t really gone away. There was talks held with his agent and everything else, but Fernandes decided to stay at Manchester United.

“He is happy at United right now, but I think a lot will depend on how Man United do this season. If they were to endure another struggle in the Premier League and everything else, then Fernandes could reconsider his position at the end of the season and move on.”

Man Utd letting Fernandes leave would be major gamble

Very few Man United signings in the post-Sir Alex Ferguson era have worked out, but the 31-year-old is one of the only exceptions, recording 38 goal contributions in all competitions over the course of the 2024-25 campaign.

That said, there are doubts over whether the £300k-a-week Portugal international fits into Amorim’s system, with Paul Scholes saying: “He is the most creative player on the team, he should be playing as the No 10, there is no doubt about that. But he is being asked to do something different.”

Consequently, if Amorim remains at Old Trafford, it may be best for all parties if Fernandes moves on, but it would be a huge gamble, and the 40-year-old will need to improve results soon, with United collecting just four points from their opening four games.

Nottingham Forest have reportedly made a decision on Ange Postecoglou's future ahead of the club's clash with Chelsea this weekend. The Australian is staring down the barrel after seven matches without a single victory. His side’s dismal start has left supporters restless and whispers growing louder that a managerial change is on the horizon unless a miracle turnaround begins against the Blues.

• Winless and wobbling, Postecoglou on the brink

  Postecoglou’s arrival was supposed to herald a new era of attacking football at the City Ground. But what was once billed as bold and brave has quickly looked reckless and naïve. Forest’s adventurous setup, a complete departure from last season’s compact counter-attacking formula, has left their backline vulnerable on multiple occasions. Supporters made their frustrations clear during the 3-2 Europa League home defeat to Midtjylland earlier this month, booing the team off. Just days later, a 2-0 loss to Newcastle compounded the gloom, with Forest noticeably more cautious, and still second best. While there have been flashes of fluid attacking play, their inability to defend set-pieces, maintain shape, or withstand pressure has cost them dearly. Forest’s gaping spaces in transition have become a feeding ground for opponents, and patience among fans is rapidly running out.

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  Marinakis reluctant but ready to swing his axe

  Evangelos Marinakis, a man not known for his patience, is treading a delicate line. The Greek tycoon knows sacking another manager so early in the season could damage both the club’s reputation and finances, yet he’s equally aware of the growing discontent swirling around the terraces. Forest’s revolving managerial door has already seen Nuno Espirito Santo shown the exit barely three games into the new Premier League campaign. Postecoglou was supposed to be the reset. Instead, he’s teetering on the edge of becoming the latest casualty of Marinakis’s ruthless pursuit of results. For now, the owner remains cautious, but those close to the situation suggest Marinakis likes to have a successor ready, just in case. And with the Australian’s stock sinking fast, that “just in case” could soon turn into “when.” A list is being prepared in the boardroom, with more "pragmatic" candidates being favoured for the rescue job, as revealed by

• Sean Dyche in frame

  Should the hammer fall, former Everton boss Sean Dyche is being tipped as the frontrunner to replace Postecoglou. The 54-year-old has been out of work since leaving Goodison Park in January, but has quietly made it known he’s ready for the right project, and Nottingham Forest ticks several boxes. Crucially, Dyche is available without a compensation fee, an attractive proposition for a club still smarting from recent payout costs. Adding to the appeal, Dyche’s trusted lieutenants Ian Woan and Steve Stone are both former Forest players who know the club inside out, having served under him during his managerial stints at Burnley and Everton.

  Another name admired by Forest’s leadership is Marco Silva, whose work at Fulham has impressed across the Premier League. However, his massive release clause is seen as a major stumbling block. Silva’s current contract runs until the end of the season, and prising him away mid-campaign would likely prove too costly for Marinakis’s liking.

  As if the turmoil on the touchline wasn’t enough, Forest could soon face upheaval behind the scenes too. Head of recruitment Pedro Ferreira, who only joined in June after a 17-year spell at Benfica, might be heading back to Portugal depending on the outcome of Benfica’s upcoming presidential elections. One of the frontrunners, Noronha Lopes, has vowed to make Ferreira his director of football if elected. Losing Ferreira would be another body blow for Forest’s structure, especially after chief football officer Ross Wilson left for Newcastle just last week. 

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  The clock is ticking for Postecoglou

  Time is no longer Postecoglou’s friend. His fate may be sealed by the next three fixtures, a brutal run that could define his tenure. First up is Chelsea at home on October 18, a match that now feels like a last stand. Then comes a tricky Europa League clash with Porto, followed by a potentially treacherous trip to Bournemouth. Anything less than a string of positive results, and the calls for his head will become impossible to ignore.

Over the last couple of years, Tottenham Hotspur have shifted their recruitment focus to landing young talents who can develop and become key members of the first-team squad.

Lucas Bergvall joined the Lilywhites in a £8.5m deal from Djurgarden as an 18-year-old, but has been catapulted into the deep end due to the injury crisis endured throughout 2024/25.

The Swede has since racked up over 50 appearances for the club, arguably being one of their most important players – as seen by his goal against West Ham United last weekend.

He’s also been joined in the squad by Xavi Simons over recent weeks, after the Dutchman completed his own £52m transfer to North London in an attempt to further reinforce Thomas Frank’s ranks.

At just 22, he’s already a somewhat experienced option, racking up over 160 senior appearances, but still having the potential to grow into an elite-level talent in the near future.

Both players will be hoping to follow in the footsteps of one player who made a huge impact at the club over a short period of time, subsequently capturing the hearts of the fanbase.

Dele Alli’s time at Tottenham Hotspur

Dele Alli was seen as a youngster with huge talent at Spurs, but despite his early success at the club, he struggled to maintain his top-level performances.

The Englishman joined the Lilywhites in a £5m deal from MK Dons back in the summer of 2015, taking the Premier League by storm in his first couple of seasons.

He managed to register 46 goals and 35 appearances in his first 146 appearances for the club, with his first best spell in the capital coming early on in his stint.

Such form allowed the attacking midfielder to claim the PFA Young Player of the Year award twice, but his time with the Lilywhites would rapidly deteriorate over the following years.

José Mourinho’s appointment as boss saw the former Chelsea man question the players’ work ethic, which resulted in the star often being in minutes off the bench to make any form of impact.

Attitude issues also floated beneath the surface, before leaving on a free transfer to join Everton in January 2022 – bringing a sad end to what was once a promising start to his career at the club.

Other off-the-field issues have since reared their head, with the player now without a club after being released by Como at the end of the 2024/25 campaign.

The player who is Frank’s own version of Alli

Given the huge investment into the first-team squad over recent years, it’s no surprise to see current boss Frank being the beneficiary of the talent currently on the books of Spurs.

The likes of Bergvall and Simons currently provide the goods within the midfield department, with such an area set for many years to come, given their tender ages.

Such a duo will likely hold the keys to any future success during the Dane’s tenure – especially if the first couple of games in the current season are anything to go by.

Djed Spence is another player who could play a huge part in the first-team squad, enduring a rapid rise to stardom in North London as a result of their recent injury crisis.

After three unsuccessful loan spells with Rennes, Leeds United and Genoa, it appeared as though his career with the Lilywhites would be over – but he’s since secured his place in the first-team squad.

Such a crisis in Ange Postecoglou’s side last year led to the 25-year-old getting a regular role in the first-team squad – racking up a total of 35 appearances across all competitions.

Frank’s arrival has only strengthened the full-back’s grip on a starting role, being named as a starter in each of the Dane’s five competitive games in the Premier League and Champions League.

While he operates in a different role to former fan-favourite Alli, Spence, who’s been labelled “world-class” by one analyst, does possess some similarities to those of his compatriot.

Both joined the Lilywhites from EFL clubs, after the full-back joined from Middlesbrough, but also had question marks around their attitudes as the years have gone by.

The 25-year-old has been known to have had a feud with former boss Neil Warnock, with the player himself previously posting messages directed to his former boss on social media.

However, the biggest underlying comparison is the natural talent the duo have shown in the Spurs first team, helping them achieve all sorts of achievements along the way.

Whilst Dele failed to maintain his early success, Spence will be hoping he can go one better and play a vital role in Frank’s hunt to bring more trophies to North London in the near future.

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