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Spurs fans have been left wowed by Fabrizio Romano's report that Tottenham Hotspur are not settling for simply a deal to sell Giovani Lo Celso ahead of Friday's transfer deadline.

Tottenham transfer news

The Lilywhites have endured a solid summer of business, clearing any deadwood out of Ange Postecoglou's squad and welcoming the likes of Dominic Solanke and, most recently, Wilson Odobert from Burnley. The two attacking additions should help to add much-needed depth to the current Spurs side, who will undoubtedly be in pursuit of Champions League qualification for the first time under their Australian boss.

Tottenham fancy signing £60 million star alongside Joao Gomes – journalist

Ange Postecoglou could add a new midfielder to their ranks before the transfer cut-off.

ByEmilio Galantini Aug 29, 2024

Their clear-out, meanwhile, is set to continue with the sale of Lo Celso. The midfielder looks set to finally complete a permanent move away from North London following previous loan spells at the likes of Villarreal. In the end, things never worked out for the Argentine at Spurs, no matter the manager. Clearly a talented midfielder given how he performed in Spain, Lo Celso will join a lengthy list of players begging the question of what might have been.

The Lilywhites are at least set to benefit from the deal, however. According to Fabrizio Romano, Tottenham have reached an agreement to sell Lo Celso to Real Betis but have also secured a first priority deal to sign Johnny Cardoso from the Spanish outfit if they want to in the future. Not only that, Spurs will get a percentage on any future sale of the United States defensive midfielder even if they choose not to pursue him themselves.

Reacting to the news, podcaster Ben Bowman praised Spurs, stating "now that is ambition" in response to Romano's tweet. Although there's certainly complications in the deal, and it remains to be seen whether Cardoso one day becomes a Spurs player, those in North London have seemingly got themselves a win-win scenario.

If Cardoso progresses, then Spurs will automatically be at the front of the queue for his signature with a deal all but wrapped up already. If they decide against signing the American, then they will still benefit financially from Real Betis' sale.

Tottenham would be wise to revisit "solid" Cardoso

Whilst it looks as though Cardoso will remain a Real Betis player at this moment in time, he's a player that Spurs should certainly revisit in January or next summer, using their place in pole position to their advantage.

Just 22 years old, the defensive midfielder has earned plenty of plaudits, including from analyst Ben Mattinson, who described Cardoso as a "solid dueller" and "calm under pressure" in two traits that all high-level midfielders should have in abundance.

A midfield duo for the future of Archie Gray and Cardoso is a mouth-watering enough prospect for all Spurs fans, including Bowman it seems.

While Saturday's defeat has put a slight downer on the return of the Premier League for Manchester United fans, the transfer window can give them something to be excited about.

So far, Sir Jim Ratcliffe and Co have signed a plethora of talented players to strengthen Erik ten Hag's squad, including Leny Yoro, Matthijs de Ligt, Joshua Zirkzee and Noussair Mazraoui.

However, while that would be more than enough for most clubs, the Red Devils now look set to welcome another potential star who could be the club's new Roy Keane.

Manchester United transfer news

According to a recent report from transfers expert Fabrizio Romano, United are now incredibly close to securing the services of Paris Saint-Germain midfielder Manuel Ugarte.

The Italian journalist has revealed that, as long as Scott McTominay's transfer to Napoli goes as planned, the Red Devils will complete the signing of the Uruguayan ace on a permanent transfer.

Romano does not mention a potential price in his update, but reports throughout the summer have consistently claimed any deal would require the three-time European Champions to pay £51m for the £101k-per-week 23-year-old.

It's not a cheap transfer, but adding the tough tackling international into the heart of Ten Hag's midfield should make the team a far more imposing proposition to the opposition, and the player could be the Dutchman's own Keane.

Why Ugarte could be Ten Hag's Keane

Okay, so when you think of Keane, what are the first things that tend to come to mind?

For most fans, it will probably be an image of a stereotypical 'hardman.' The type of midfielder who intimidated his opponents before the game had even started and then clattered into them as soon as possible to let them know he meant business.

However, while that would certainly be an apt description for part of the Irishman's game, he was also far more technical than people often give him credit for. After all, you don't thrive at Old Trafford simply because you're great at smashing into opposing midfielders.

That said, one of the characteristics that Ugarte shares with the former United great is his toughness, as, like the Cork-born icon, he's not afraid to make a tackle.

In fact, according to FBref, which compares players in similar positions across Europe's top five leagues, the Champions League and Europa League, the former Sporting CP ace sits in the top 1% of midfielders for tackles and dribblers tackled and the top 2% for interceptions, ball recoveries and tackles won per 90.

Tackles

4.19

Top 1%

Dribblers Tackled

1.85

Top 1%

Medium Pass Completion %

95.1 %

Top 1%

Ball Recoveries

7.81

Top 2%

Tackles Won

2.34

Top 2%

Long Pass Completion %

83.1%

Top 2%

Interceptions

1.97

Top 2%

Pass Completion %

90.9%

Top 4%

However, also like the player he'll hope to emulate, he's no slouch with the ball at his feet, sitting in the top 1% for his medium pass completion percentage, the top 2% of midfielders for long pass completion percentage and the top 4% for his overall pass completion percentage.

The last thing the 23-year-old "defensive monster", as Statman Dave dubbed him, shares with the midfield legend is his tendency to pick up a yellow card.

In fact, his tally of 47 yellow cards in 200 appearances to date means he's averaging one every 4.25 games, whereas the former Nottingham Forest ace picked up 99 in 612 appearances, or one every 6.18 games.

Ultimately, there won't ever be another Keane, but if Ten Hag wants to secure the services of the next best thing, then bringing Ugarte to Old Trafford this summer would be a great start.

Man Utd hit gold on "monster" Ten Hag signing who's worth more than Ugarte

He’ll be hoping to make a significant impact this year…

1 ByAngus Sinclair Aug 24, 2024

Newcastle United are continuing to battle Liverpool for the signing of RB Leipzig midfielder Dominik Szoboszlai this summer, according to journalist Chris Bascombe.

*David Ornstein claimed shortly after this article was published that Newcastle are dropping out of the race to sign the Hungary international.

Who's in the race to sign Szoboszlai?

The 22-year-old looks increasingly likely to leave Leipzig during the summer transfer window, potentially feeling that now is the best time for him to move on to the next stage in his career.

Szoboszlai has been linked with a move to Newcastle numerous times in recent weeks, as Eddie Howe looks to conduct some serious business before the 2023/23 Premier League season gets underway.

The Magpies aren't going to have it all their own way in their quest to sign the highly-rated Hungarian, however, with Liverpool seemingly providing the sternest competition.

What's the latest on Szoboszlai to Newcastle?

Providing an update, The Telegraph's Chris Bascombe said that Newcastle remain in the hunt to sign Szoboszlai alongside the Reds this summer, with his £60m release clause now expiring on Friday and changing the situation:

"Both Premier League clubs have been considering the merits of a move for the 22-year-old attacking midfielder, but the valuation of the Hungary international is likely to increase after June 30. That means if the two clubs are tempted to make an official move, it is decision time and they would be wiser to do so sooner rather than later.

"Newcastle are seeking alternatives to James Maddison, who signed for Tottenham Hotspur in midweek having earlier spoken to the Tynesiders’. Liverpool have held talks with Szoboszlai’s representatives, but have thus far played down the extent of their interest given the overall cost."

It does feel increasingly likely that this will be a straight shootout between Newcastle and Liverpool, although the former should feel confident of pipping their rivals for two key reasons.

Firstly, they are in a stronger financial position this summer, in terms of being willing to go big on players, meaning they could simply end up overpowering the Reds, whose owners, FSG, are known for their frugal nature.

Newcastle also having Champions League football to offer Szoboszlai while Liverpool are only in the Europa League, and the Leipzig man could be keen to remain in the competition.

If the Magpies could get a deal over the line it could be hugely significant – he has been called an "artist" by football talent scout Jacek Kulig – snapping him up as a strong James Maddison alternative and providing a mix of creativity and hard work in attacking midfield.

Burnley have been given some good news in their pursuit of Jack Clarke, with reliable journalist Alan Nixon reporting that only the Clarets are bidding for the player despite interest from elsewhere.

How many goals has Jack Clarke scored for Sunderland?

The winger finally managed to get regular first-team football after his move to Sunderland, and played in nearly every single Championship game over the course of last season.

Having struggled to start games with Leeds and then had to make do with loan spells after being snatched up by Tottenham, his permanent switch to the Stadium of Light has led to a lot more minutes. That, in turn, has led to an increased output. Playing 45 times for them in the second tier – the first time he has ever managed more than 25 games in a season – he bagged nine goals and a further eleven assists.

It meant that Clarke led the entire league for assists and he also ranked eighth for his goal contribution tally – and when you consider who else plays in that league and the fact it is his first real season in the first-team, it makes for impressive reading.

Are Burnley signing Jack Clarke?

Those performances have now led to interest from elsewhere, with Burnley keen to take him into the Premier League with them ahead of the next campaign. Everton are amongst the other clubs that have also been linked with a deal for the player but it appears that the Clarets are firmly in pole position – and have a great chance to land the winger.

That's because according to a report from reliable journalist Alan Nixon, Burnley are the only team that are making actual bids to bring Clarke to Turf Moor.

No other interested side – such Crystal Palace, Brentford or the Toffees – have launched a concrete offer and that means Burnley are currently clear to bid as they please for him. They've already seen two bids rejected though – the latest being for £10m – and it appears as though the Black Cats won't budge until there is more on the table for the player.

The forward may only have really bagged regular first-team action for the first time in 2022/23, but he is already drawing high praise from those who have watched him. Football journalist and SAFC supporter Josh Bunting for example stated that Clarke was "excellent" for Sunderland this season because of his goals and consistency.

Burnley then would be a good next step for the player – but as yet, they are yet to convince the Black Cats to part ways with the youngster.

Newcastle United manager Eddie Howe has reportedly made his move for Juventus midfielder Adrien Rabiot, whose contract with the Serie A outfit is up for expiry this month.

What's the latest on Adrien Rabiot to Newcastle?

That's following recent news from prominent Italian outlet Corriere dello Sport (via Sport Witness), who claim that the Magpies have indeed commenced an approach for the France international ahead of his contractual conclusion with the Old Lady.

The 28-year-old is a robust and imposing midfielder and would be a shrewd addition to the Newcastle ranks ahead of Champions League competition next year.

Manchester United have maintained an interest in Rabiot after failing in their pursuit one year ago, but the Tyneside club are headed towards a deal for the ace and will now look to ramp up the gas and bring him to St. James' Park.

How would Adrien Rabiot perform at Newcastle?

Quirkily described as a "wardrobe" for his imposing physicality by Gianluigi Buffon, the 6 foot 2 machine would enter a robust Newcastle midfield and bring his distinctive set of skills to enrich the dynamism on Tyneside, playing to the favour of the likes of midfield conductor Bruno Guimaraes.

The Brazilian signed for the Toon for £40m from Lyon in January 2022 and has arguably been the centrepiece of the club's blistering success over the past 18 months after making 57 appearances and registering 16 direct contributions.

The £120k-per-week Magpie has been heralded as "magnificent" by his manager, and has succeeded resoundingly as the orchestrator of Howe's system, recording an average rating of 7.17 – as per Sofascore – completing 85% of his passes, making 1.3 key passes, 2.4 tackles and 1.1 interceptions per match and succeeding with 63% of his dribbles and 57% of his duels.

The all-engulfing nature of his work as the nucleus would provide Rabiot with the perfect partner to exhibit the full scale of his skill set, with the industrious colossus having scored 11 times this term and ranking among the top 4% of midfielders across Europe's top five leagues over the past year for non-penalty goals, and the top 16% for progressive carries, clearances and aerials won per 90, as per FBref.

Praised as the "complete midfielder" himself by France manager Didier Deschamps, Rabiot is noted as a 'similar player' as per FBref, to Newcastle's box-crashing ace Joelinton, which further illustrates the suitability for Howe's system, and given the increase in competition next year, the Toon manager will want to make signings who can adapt to the system and maintain the cohesive equipoise.

Rabiot would be a fantastic addition to a burgeoning outfit, and while he may be on £148k-per-week with the Old Lady, the fact that Newcastle can bypass paying a transfer fee by snapping him up in less than two weeks suggests that it could be an auspicious move indeed, enhancing the centre and leaving ample room to make further swoops and continue the ascent to the very top.

Celtic lost Australian boss Ange Postecoglou earlier this month and majority shareholder Dermot Desmond must now find his replacement ahead of the 2023/24 campaign.

The 57-year-old gaffer completed a move from Parkhead to the Premier League but the Hoops are now quickly identifying candidates to take his place.

It was recently reported that former Chelsea head coach Graham Potter was approached by the club about potentially taking the job but the Englishman is now allegedly out of the race to take on the role.

He is said to be eyeing up another Premier League move after departing Stamford Bridge, following on from his spell in the English top-flight with Brighton, and this has prevented Celtic from being able to tempt him into joining them.

The Daily Record has claimed that Bodo/Glimt boss Kjetil Knutsen, whose style has been described as "kamikaze" by the club's captain, Ulrick Saltnes, is one of the managers on the club's radar this month.

Would Kjetil Knutsen be a good appointment for Celtic?

Desmond could strike gold by appointing the Norwegian tactician as the 54-year-old could be an excellent coach for the club and a better one than Potter would have been.

The Bodo/Glimt tinkerer has enjoyed a terrific spell in his home country and has a proven track record of leading a team to glory domestically, whilst also showing signs of being able to produce results in Europe.

Knutsen has won two titles in the last three seasons in the top-tier of Norwegian football and his team are currently ten points clear at the top of the table with ten wins out of 11 games in 2023, which means that he is on course for a third title in four years if his side can maintain that form.

He also led his men to the quarter-finals of the Europa Conference League and won seven out of 11 matches in the competition in the 2021/22 campaign.

Potter, on the other hand, has never won a title outside of the third division of Swedish football and has only finished higher than fifth once in any division since 2013. This means that he would have arrived at Celtic with no experience of winning titles at the top level, something that is surely a requirement for a team who have just won the treble.

The 48-year-old did win five of his seven Champions League matches in charge of Chelsea but has only managed 21 games in European competitions, in comparison to Knutsen's 37.

Taking all of this into consideration, the Bodo/Glimt boss could be an excellent and better alternative to Potter as the attack-minded manager, who plays a 4-3-3 system, boasts a proven track record of winning titles and dominating a league, which is what Celtic will be hoping to carry on doing after back-to-back Scottish Premiership titles under Postecoglou.

Chelsea are expected to have another busy transfer window, as Mauricio Pochettino prepares for his first summer in charge of the Blues.

After spending a figure over £500m in the two transfer windows last season, things failed to click at Stamford Bridge, leaving the Argentinian with a clean-up operation ahead of the next campaign.

The latest drop of transfer news suggests that Chelsea could consider a move for two Premier League aces, with one in particular that could benefit Pochettino’s midfield.

What’s the latest on Moises Caicedo to Chelsea?

As reported by 90min on Thursday, Brighton & Hove Albion midfielder Moises Caicedo is a wanted man in west London.

The report suggests that Chelsea could consider a ‘double swoop’ for the services of Declan Rice and Caicedo.

A separate report from The Telegraph states that the Seagulls will demand a price that could exceed the £70m mark for the Ecuadorian this summer.

What could Moises Caicedo bring to Chelsea?

Lauded as a “monster” by sports scientist Dr Rajpal Brar, the 21-year-old is a player wanted by a host of clubs after an impeccable season on the south coast.

The Brighton ace won an average of 58% of his total duels this season, averaging a monstrous 5.9 per game and asserting himself as one of the league’s best defensive midfielders, via Sofascore.

His presence could be crucial to Chelsea’s midfield, which requires some structure from Pochettino to fully utilise the talents of British record signing Enzo Fernandez, who joined the club in January for £106.8m.

While the talent of Fernandez is undoubted, the Blues are yet to see his full potential, which could be unlocked by having a partner such as Caicedo, who is an engine in midfield.

As per FBref, the two are extremely similar in their capabilities, however, Enzo prevails as a slightly better ball-player than the 21-year-old, averaging a huge 9.25 progressive passes per 90 to Caicedo's 6.28.

A pattern is followed in the Brighton gem’s favour in terms of defensive attributes, averaging more interceptions & tackles per 90 than the Argentinian and a significantly better outlet of aerial protection, with 1.06 aerials won to Enzo’s 0.47 per 90.

Chelsea picked up the ex-Benfica ace for good reason, with the midfielder forming a deadly partnership in Portugal with former teammate Florentino Luiz, lauded as the Eagles’ “anchor”.

Pochettino could therefore get the best out of the 22-year-old by signing Caicedo, who could act as a dominant defensive partner for the World Cup winner in a similar system to how he played at the Amex beside the likes of Alexis Mac Allister and Billy Gilmour.

But with Arsenal chasing the Ecuadorian in a saga ongoing from January, Chelsea will have to act fast in their efforts to capture the youngster’s signature.

Liverpool are looking for new additions this summer who can improve upon their performances seen this season and now a new update has emerged on one of the club's top targets.

What's the latest on Liverpool's interest in Kouadio Kone?

According to Football Transfers, Liverpool are in talks to sign Borussia Mönchengladbach midfielder Kouadio "Manu" Kone this summer.

As per the report, discussions have been held with Kone and his representatives in the club's pursuit to identify players who can be part of Jurgen Klopp's midfield rebuild at Anfield.

It is claimed that the Bundesliga club are commanding a transfer fee of up to €40m (£34m) to part ways with their talented player and will need to compete with Newcastle United for his signature.

Would Kone be a good signing for Liverpool?

The German coach has made no secret of his desire and intentions to improve the squad this summer after an incredibly disappointing campaign both in the Premier League and Champions League this season, which has ultimately led to the club falling into the Europa League next season.

One of the key areas of concern is the midfield with not only a number of players either out of contract or reaching the latter stages of their careers at this point but the output in the centre of the pitch has lacked energy and dominance over the last 12 months.

As a result, the signing of Kone is a great place to start for the Merseysiders with the Bundesliga sensation potentially the perfect alternative to former transfer target Moises Caicedo for a fraction of the Brighton star's £90m asking price.

The 22-year-old Frenchman – hailed as "monstrous" and a "warrior" by Jacek Kulig – is an extremely talented midfielder with Caicedo coincidentally named as one of his most comparable positional peers – as per FBref – and it's not hard to see why.

When comparing the midfield pair's outputs this season they share many similarities in key attributes including pass completion rate (86.2% v 88.5%), tackles and interceptions completed (106 v 106), take-on success (48.3% v 51.9%), ball recoveries (221 v 248) and goal-creating actions per 90 (0.17 v 0.14).

Not only that, the former Toulouse talent ranks ninth for tackles and tenth for progressive passes, passes into the final third and shots on target in the entire Bundesliga this season, which is a testament to his strong box-to-box abilities allowing him to be a huge presence in both attacking play and defensive transition.

These comparable traits will be of huge interest to the Liverpool hierarchy after interest in the Seagulls midfielder, as the potential to bring in a young midfielder who possesses a very similar profile without the need to spend heavily will certainly capture the attention of the well-renowned tight-spending club owners this summer.

With that being said, it would be a no-brainer to snap up the services of Kone if Liverpool remain keen to bring in a player who can offer the qualities needed to improve ball retention and the performances in midfield next season.

Indeed, at such a young age he can be moulded to become a superstar under Klopp's guidance like many before him.

Aston Villa have missed out on signing Real Madrid ace Marco Asensio, however the Villans are reportedly in the mix to capture another star from the Spanish capital.

Unai Emery has given the club a significant pull ahead of the summer transfer window, both on the pitch in sealing European football and off it with his individual accolades in his lucrative managerial career.

Villa shouldn’t feel discouraged by Asensio’s decision to join Paris Saint-Germain, with another option suggesting a new candidate to join Villa Park.

What’s the latest on Joao Felix to Aston Villa?

As reported by Spanish publication Mundo Deportivo, Aston Villa have emerged as one of the options for Portuguese ace Joao Felix to relocate this summer.

The report states that Emery would be “delighted” to sign the 23-year-old, speaking in a press conference earlier this season regarding Felix’s move to Chelsea.

At the time, the Spaniard suggested the youngster was “better” than Villa, however with the club securing European football next campaign, the tides could change this summer.

What could Joao Felix bring to Aston Villa?

Lauded by Jose Mourinho as being an “incredible talent”, the forward has an impressive array of experience in European football behind him, despite being just 23.

The youngster has contributed to a total of 107 goals in his budding career, scoring 72 and assisting 35 playing at Benfica, Atletico Madrid and Chelsea – as per Transfermarkt.

After having disagreements with Diego Simeone, Felix has been searching for a new home, with Chelsea declining the option to sign the player permanently after a loan deal that came at a tough time for the Blues.

Despite playing in a disjointed Stamford Bridge squad, the forward showed his worth, scoring four goals in 11 starts in his debut season in the Premier League.

The attributes that the forward could offer Villa are endless, especially as Philippe Coutinho looks likely to depart this summer, with the Atletico gem being the perfect upgrade to the underachieving Brazilian.

When comparing the two, the Portuguese starlet gives a glimpse of what Coutinho could have been at Villa, and what he could give the club should he opt to join Emery’s project.

The £195k-per-week ace averages a mammoth 0.35 goals per 90, as well as being a live wire in the final third, as shown through his average of 4.04 shots on goal per 90 – as per FBref.

The former Liverpool magician falls short in both areas, averaging 0.11 goals per 90 and 2.40 shots per 90, showing that Felix would be a firm upgrade in the advanced areas.

A similar pattern is highlighted in the duo’s progressive play, with Coutinho averaging 2.06 progressive carries to the former Chelsea forwards’ 3.11 per 90, communicating his desire to get forward which is integral in Emery’s set-up.

Hailed as being “special” by the Villa coach himself, Felix could thrive in the Spaniard’s project at Villa, becoming one of the club’s star players and having an area to enjoy his football under a manager that can accommodate his playing style.

Chelsea are reportedly interested in signing Napoli centre-back Kim Min-jae this summer – and the South Korean could replace £60m flop Marc Cucurella at Stamford Bridge.

Would Kim Min-Jae be a good signing for Chelsea?

According to 90min, Napoli could be forced to sell the powerful centre-back this summer, with Chelsea among those interested in bringing him to the Premier League.

Manchester United, Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur are all also thought to be in the running, while Chelsea are said to have sent scouts to watch the 26-year-old play this month – and could bring him to Stamford Bridge for as little as €45m (£39m) due to a release clause in his contract, which is only eligible in the first two weeks of the upcoming transfer window.

Since joining from Fenerbahce last summer, the six foot three defender has gone on to make 34 appearances in Serie A for Luciano Spalletti's side, contributing two goals and two assists with a superb 7.10 rating from WhoScored for his performances.

Reece James is currently ranked as the top performer at Stamford Bridge with a 7.07 average rating, which emphasises just how impressive Kim has been in his first season in Italy.

He also averaged a 7.20 rating in the Champions League as Napoli reached the quarter-finals, so clearly has what it takes to play at the very top level.

Former Manchester United man Park Ji-sung was full of praise for his compatriot earlier in the campaign, saying:

"Extraordinary, what a talent. He took the right step by going to play in Turkey and showed himself ready to take a step forward. He didn't come directly to Italy but step by step, so he grew up and there is no doubt that he is doing extraordinary things, as a technical leader and personality in Naples".

Teammate Khvicha Kvaratskhelia also dubbed him as an "iron barrel" and described him as one of the best in the world, so he could certainly be a quality addition to Chelsea's squad this summer if he can live up to that praise.

Could Kim Min-Jae replace Cucurella at Chelsea?

One concern for Todd Boehly is the number of defensive options already at Stamford Bridge but if he were able to complete a deal for the former Beijing Guoan star, perhaps it could see Cucurella moved on.

The Spanish defender joined from Brighton last summer but has endured a difficult first season in west London, with WhoScored ranking him as the 15th-best performer in Chelsea's squad.

Often utilised as a left-sided centre-back, Cucurella hasn't looked comfortable at all in recent months and his lack of defensive awareness was cruelly exposed in the Champions League defeat against Real Madrid.

Given the competition for places at Chelsea and Boehly's demands for a better 2023/24 season, the 24-year-old is surely a prime candidate to be moved on this summer, especially if it can fund a move for Kim.

The South Korean has averaged far more interceptions, clearances and blocks per game than Cucurella so far this term, so would be a far more natural centre-back for Mauricio Pochettino to have at Stamford Bridge, making him a fine target Boehly should definitely try to sign.