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Newcastle United have splashed the cash under PIF in recent years, welcoming a number of European stars to St James’ Park. The spending spree has also worked, with the Magpies qualifying for the Champions League back in 2023 and again in 2025, while also winning the EFL Cup.

Football FanCast takes a look at the most expensive transfers of all time for Newcastle.

Newcastle United’s most expensive signings of all time
Rank	Player	Fee	Signed from	Year
1	Nick Woltemade	£69m	Stuttgart	2025
2	Alexander Isak	£60m	Real Sociedad	2022
=3	Sandro Tonali	£55m	AC Milan	2023
=3	Anthony Elanga	£55m	Nottingham Forest	2025
=3	Yoane Wissa	£55m	Brentford	2025
6	Anthony Gordon	£45m	Everton	2023
7	Jacob Ramsey	£43m	Aston Villa	2025
=8	Joelinton	£40m	Hoffenheim	2019
=8	Bruno Guimaraes	£40m	Lyon	2022
10	Harvey Barnes	£38m	Leicester City	2023
=11	Sven Botman	£32m	Lille	2022
=11	Tino Livramento	£32m	Southampton	2023
13	Malick Thiaw	£30m	AC Milan	2025
14	Lewis Hall	£28m	Chelsea	2024
=15	Chris Wood	£25m	Burnley	2022
=15	Joe Willock	£25m	Arsenal	2022
17	Miguel Almiron	£21m	Atlanta United	2019
=18	Callum Wilson	£20m	Bournemouth	2020
=18	Odysseas Vlachodimos	£20m	Nottingham Forest	2024
20	Michael Owen	£17m	Real Madrid	2005

Detailed look at Newcastle's 10 most expensive signings…

10

Harvey Barnes

£38m from Leicester City

Winger Harvey Barnes was a long-term target for the Magpies, who eventually signed him from Leicester City for £38m after the Foxes were relegated from the Premier League in 2023.

Barnes had a brilliant individual campaign but couldn’t keep the club in the top-flight, instead signing a five-year St James’ Park deal. The Englishman arrived at the club with plenty of Premier League experience during his time with Leicester and has gone on to star in black and white.

9

Bruno Guimaraes

£40m from Lyon

What a signing. Sky Sports has Bruno Guimaraes’ fee at £40m in January 2022, and he was so good in his initial six month-spell that Newcastle could have sold him for double that last summer, with reports suggesting champions Manchester City could have been plotting a player-plus-cash deal to bring the midfielder to the Etihad Stadium.

Instead, they held onto the Brazilian, and that was certainly the right move. Bruno looks like one of the best midfielders in the Premier League right now and Newcastle will do well to find a better signing anytime soon.

8

Joelinton

£40m from Hoffenheim

Joelinton arrived for a club-record fee from Hoffenheim as the answer to Newcastle’s goalscoring woes in the summer of 2019. The £40m they paid, per The Guardian, always looked strange as the Brazilian had only scored seven times the previous season, while the most he’d ever managed was eight.

Thus, many joked about Joelinton during his early days on Tyneside, and it appeared Newcastle had made the wrong transfer as he finished his first campaign with two goals. However, it turned out they were just using him in the wrong position. After switching to a midfield role, the player looked transformed and now that £40m fee looks like a very good deal.

7

Jacob Ramsey

£43m from Aston Villa

Jacob Ramsey

6

Anthony Gordon

£45m from Everton

Sky Sports say Newcastle paid £45m for Anthony Gordon, which sounded like a lot at the time. However, the winger has now justified that fee and is one of the first names on the teamsheet.

In fact, Gordon’s displays during his first full season with the Magpies resulted in him being linked with a move away from the club. Instead of leaving, though, the Englishman signed a fresh long-term Newcastle deal towards the end of 2024.

5

Yoane Wissa

£55m from Brentford

On what was a dramatic deadline day in the summer of 2025, Yoane Wissa signed for Newcastle with 30 seconds to spare before the window slammed shut.

A long-term Newcastle target, Wissa pushed for a move to the Magpies from Brentford, costing £55m and taking the number 9 shirt at St James’ Park.

4

Anthony Elanga

£55m from Nottingham Forest

Newcastle’s early summer signing in 2025 was Anthony Elanga, who cost £55m after an impressive few years at Nottingham Forest.

The pacey right-winger contributed to four goals in five games against the Magpies for Nottingham Forest, which may have caught PIF’s eye.

3

Sandro Tonali

£55m from AC Milan

Sandro Tonali arrived in a high-profile transfer from AC Milan in 2023, however, months after Newcastle splashed the cash, the Italy international was suspended for ten months following illegal betting charges.

The midfielder returned in 2024, and since then, Magpies supporters have seen why the club were willing to spend £55m on his signature, with Tonali a regular in the starting lineup.

2

Alexander Isak

£60m from Real Soceidad

The arrival of Alexander Isak was a coup for Newcastle and a true statement that they wanted to sit at the top table. The Swedish striker was one of the top young strikers on the planet and few questioned the £60m fee in 2022, as reported by the BBC.

However, the summer of 2025 changed everything between Isak and Newcastle, with the forward going on strike, looking to sign for Liverpool. He got his wish, with the Magpies recieveing a British record £125m fee for Isak from Liverpool.

1

Nick Woltemade

£69m from Stuttgart

Prior to Isak’s departure, Newcastle broke their transfer record by signing young German forward Nick Woltemade from Stuttgart.

After starring at the U21 European Championships, Woltemade was linked with the likes of Bayern Munich but instead moved to St James’ Park in a deal worth £69m.

Even after winning four games from four in the Premier League, there’s still a number of problems that Liverpool have to solve and one star has just clapped back at fans with one issue that he has.

Liverpool unbeaten but unconvincing

Some will say it’s the sign of champions, others will claim that it’s unsustainable. Arne Slot’s verdict will be that the best is yet to come from his side, who have needed four late winners to keep the only 100% record still going in the Premier League.

It was unexpected heroes Federico Chiesa and Rio Ngumoha against Bournemouth and Newcastle United and then it was Dominik Szoboszlai’s spectacular free-kick which sealed all three points against title rivals Arsenal. The trip to Burnley, meanwhile, was billed as routine before proving to be anything but. This time it was Mohamed Salah who stepped up to score late on from the spot.

Whilst the Reds struggled to break Burnley down going forward, there’s no denying that they were once again imperious defensively. Although the Clarets handed them a simple job, both Virgil van Dijk and Ibrahima Konate deserve praise for how they took full control.

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Konate, in particular, has been back to his best in recent displays following a tough opening to the campaign. It’s the type of form that may quiet down any talk about his contract and he’s now hit back at fans with the “problem” that he has.

Konate hits back at Liverpool fans after recent form

With his poor form coinciding with his contract saga in games against Bournemouth and Newcastle, Konate received his fair share of criticism. Since then, however, he has been as dominant as ever and has earned praise as a result.

Feeling how quickly the mood of fans can change, Konate hit back on social media, responding to a Liverpool fan page by saying: “The problem is some of you forget to quick. Only after 2 games.”

Dubbed “tremendous” by Micah Richards last season, there’s no debate that Konate is one of the best defenders in the Premier League and someone that Liverpool must do everything to keep.

As things stand, with less than 12 months remaining on his current deal, the Reds are facing a Trent Alexander-Arnold repeat as Real Madrid continue to sniff around. The last thing that Anfield chiefs need is for another star man to jump ship on a free deal.

Mason Greenwood's Marseille have been dealt a massive blow as Roberto De Zerbi was slapped with a ban after his red card against Paris Saint-Germain. The Italian boss saw red deep into stoppage time when his protests over a foul crossed the line. Initially shown a yellow card, De Zerbi’s refusal to let the matter drop and his decision to step onto the pitch pushed the referee to escalate matters. Moments later, the 46-year-old was walking down the tunnel, leaving the Velodrome in a frenzy.

• Marseille's historic victory overshadowed

  Greenwood and his teammates had battled fiercely to secure a first home victory over PSG in 14 long years, a result that electrified the city and reignited belief in their project. But while the roar of the Velodrome still echoed, the fallout from De Zerbi’s dismissal quickly stole headlines, casting a shadow over what should have been an unblemished celebration.

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  The hammer comes down

  France’s LFP Disciplinary Committee wasted little time in reaching a verdict. Their decision was clear: a one-match ban for De Zerbi, with an additional game suspended. The punishment bars him not only from the dugout but also from entering referees’ areas or carrying out official match duties during his enforced absence. The statement read:  "One match suspension and one match suspended from the bench, referees' locker room and all official duties."

• Defiance from De Zerbi

  Despite the red card, De Zerbi was in no mood to dwell on criticism. Instead, he turned the spotlight firmly on his squad’s display.

  "It’s one of the best days since my arrival,” he said after the game. I came here for the Velodrome and to beat PSG, the team that represents power, that has been winning unrivalled for years, which I don't accept in my philosophy. But we haven't done anything so far. The most important thing is Friday in Strasbourg to take another step towards building a great team."

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  Crucial fixtures on the horizon

  Marseille travel to Strasbourg on Friday, before facing Ajax at home in a huge Champions League clash on September 30. Days later, they head to Metz in Ligue 1. De Zerbi will be back on the bench for the European night against Ajax, but he will miss both domestic fixtures against Strasbourg and Metz, matches that could prove vital in shaping Marseille’s league campaign.

With transfer deadline day less than two weeks away, West Ham United are now reportedly in talks to sign an international star with an illustrious career.

West Ham still need attacking additions

Take Jarrod Bowen out of this West Ham attack and things suddenly look incredibly concerning for Graham Potter’s side. The 28-year-old remains their beacon of hope going forward and arguably their only reliable goalscorer despite spending big last year and in years prior. And that was exposed for all to see against Sunderland. The Hammers were blunt whilst the Black Cats put them to the sword on the opening day to secure a stunning 3-0 victory.

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Whilst there’s still an incredibly long way to go in the Premier League campaign, that opening day defeat should have sparked plenty of concerns for everyone involved at the London Stadium, who still desperately need attacking additions before the transfer window slams shut.

Just where West Ham go from that opening day humiliation is the big question. Names such as Jamie Vardy have been mentioned among a number of targets as of late and it’s clear that the Hammers are targeting experience. Alongside the former Leicester City forward, a serial-winning attacker has also emerged as a late option for Potter’s side.

West Ham hold talks to sign Raheem Sterling

According to former Premier League scout Mick Brown, West Ham have now held talks to sign Raheem Sterling from Chelsea this summer. The experienced England international spent last season on loan without ever truly making his mark and is now back at Stamford Bridge among the players in desperate need of a late move.

Brown told Football Insider: “His agent has been speaking to a few clubs, in England and abroad, and I believe West Ham are one they have spoken to.

“That move would make sense because he’s worked with the manager before and they’ve got that relationship there already. I expect he will look and think he can still get the best out of him.”

At 30 years old, Sterling still arguably has plenty left to offer even after struggling at Arsenal last season. In a West Ham attack which desperately lacks quality, the former Manchester City man could take charge to finally offer Potter another reliable outlet alongside Bowen.

Appearances

659

Goals

194

Assists

151

Whilst his reported £325,000-a-week salary is an undeniable hurdle for West Ham to negotiate their way past, Sterling represents the attacking upgrade that they should push to sign before the deadline arrives.

England's schedule for the remainder of 2025 has been confirmed, with the Lionesses to host Brazil, Australia and Ghana before the year is out.

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• Inspired by retro sportswear and Lioness kits of the past
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• England confirm final matches of 2025
• Lionesses to face Brazil in next fixture
• Australia, China & Ghana also to visit

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• WHAT HAPPENED?

  England had already confirmed a date at Wembley to face China in November and another trio of home friendlies now forms what is being branded as their 'homecoming series', as the Lionesses hit four different venues around the country to celebrate their European Championship triumph this past summer with as many fans as possible.

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  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  Brazil will be the first team to take on Sarina Wiegman's side after they clinched their second successive European title by beating Spain on penalties back in July, with the Selecao coming off the back of their own triumph at Copa America. The two will meet at the Etihad Stadium, home of Manchester City, on Saturday October 25. England's second fixture of that international break will take place three days later, when they face Australia at Derby County's Pride Park. The Matildas will be led by a familiar face, after former Arsenal boss Joe Montemurro took over the side back in June.

• AND WHAT'S MORE

  The Lionesses' final international break of the year will also feature two non-European opponents, starting with China at Wembley on Saturday November 29. More than 60,000 tickets have already been sold for that fixture, which was announced at the end of July. Three days later, a clash with Ghana will follow, at St Mary's in Southampton. It will be England's first-ever meeting with the Black Queens, who finished third at this summer's Africa Cup of Nations.

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• WHAT WIEGMAN SAID

  "It is great that we can return to action after our incredible summer with four exciting fixtures at home," Wiegman said. "Each opponent will challenge us in different ways, which is exactly what we need with World Cup qualification beginning early next year. It’s very nice to begin against Brazil and it is also special for us to be able to play again for our fans in Manchester for the first time since Euro 2022. We know from the Finalissima in 2023 that they will be very tough opponents.

  “We love taking the team around the country, so to also play Australia in Derby and Ghana in Southampton as well as the China fixture at Wembley gives us a lovely way to say thank you for the incredible support we have had this year and before."

Tottenham Hotspur won the Europa League last season, in case you didn’t know.

It saved Ange Postecoglou’s season, if not his job, and ensured that Tottenham will compete in the new term’s Champions League.

The baton has been passed to Thomas Frank, who has done such fine work in west London with Brentford. The Danish manager has overseen the £55m signing of Mohammed Kudus from West Ham United.

With Joao Palhinha set to arrive imminently from Bayern Munich, things are starting to take shape down N17, but more might be needed in the attacking department.

Especially as captain Heung-min Son has announced that he will be leaving the club this summer.

Why Son is leaving Spurs

Son has been at Tottenham for a decade, joining from Bayer Leverkusen for £22m in 2015.

Across his 454 appearances at the club, the South Korean forward has scored 173 goals and has provided 101 assists.

To have won the Europa League in his final competitive month at the club, ending 17 years of searching for silverware at Spurs, marks a wonderful sense of poetic justice. Son is one of the finest wingers of his generation, after all.

But the 33-year-old has deteriorated over the past couple of years. Still a winger of high quality, he has made the decision to close this door amid talks with LAFC over the pond.

And he’s earned the right to make such a call. But if Son does leave, Frank and Daniel Levy must come together to sign a successor in the next month, even having already landed Kudus.

Spurs getting confident about signing Son heir

As per Spanish sources, Tottenham’s chances of signing Rodrygo this summer are growing, with the Real Madrid forward anticipated to join a new club this summer.

Arsenal, Liverpool and Paris Saint-Germain have been named as suitors in recent months, but it’s understood that such clubs’ intrigue is cool, whereas Levy is engaged in promising talks with the Brazilian’s entourage.

Rodrygo, 24, has fallen out of favour in the Spanish capital, but he remains one of the most talented forwards in world football, and Los Blancos know it. He carries the weight of a £69m initial price tag.

Why Spurs should sign Rodrygo

The 2024/25 campaign left something to be desired for Rodrygo, no doubt. However, this shouldn’t dissuade the Tottenham faithful: he is “the most gifted and the most talented player” at Real Madrid, says Jude Bellingham.

Furthermore, Rodrygo has spent more time with the Spaniards on the right flank than on the left, which, as a goalscoring right-footer, is his preferred wing.

As you can see below, his return of six goals and six assists from just 12 matches as a left winger in 2024/25 illustrates his potential. Vinicius Junior’s presence precludes him from playing there with regularity.

Rodrygo – Real Madrid Stats by Position (24/25)

Position

Apps

Goals

Assists

Right winger

31

8

5

Left winger

12

6

6

Centre-forward

10

–

–

Data via Transfermarkt

At times, Rodrygo’s goalscoring numbers leave something to be desired, but he’s a prolific player all the same, having missed just one big chance in La Liga last season, as per Sofascore. Albeit he scored just six goals.

In this way, the Brazil international could be the perfect replacement for a player like Son, who, according to xG (expected goals), has been the most clinical finisher in the world since 2014.

Kudus, conversely, lacks composure and accuracy with his ball striking.

Described by former teammate Luka Modric as being a “world-class” and versatile forward, Tottenham must surely throw the kitchen sink at signing Rodrygo, if they truly wish to turn a corner and challenge at the forefront of domestic and European football with consistency.

Looking at how the South American compares to Son over the past year (having routinely been fielded out of position), you begin to see why he’s so highly coveted, balanced in his output, strong on the ball, electric when charging forward.

Rodrygo vs Heung-min Son (past 365 days)

Stats (per 90)

Rodrygo

Son

Goals

0.35

0.32

Assists

0.22

0.32

Shots taken

2.54

2.46

Shot-creating actions

4.56

4.89

Pass completion

85.7%

78%

Touches (att pen)

5.84

4.70

Progressive passes

4.69

4.28

Progressive carries

5.07

5.41

Successful take-ons

2.15

1.59

Data via FBref

Rodrygo carries himself in a similar tactical fashion to Spurs’ soon-to-depart skipper, and it’s interesting to note that he still chalked up 14 goals and 11 assists across all competitions last year in spite of his woes, going 17 La Liga matches before the close of play without a single goal involvement.

But he’s also crisper and more athletic than the ageing great, understandably so. Aged 24, Rodrygo’s best years are surely ahead of him, and given what the two-time Champions League winner has accomplished thus far, it’s an exciting thought to think he could don a new shade of white over the coming years.

Moreover, Rodrygo’s pedigree in the Champions League speaks for itself, and what finer way to take strong steps back onto Europe’s elite stage than by signing one of its superstars?

With Dominic Solanke leading a frontline that does have its range of quality, adding a player like Rodrygo feels like it could complete the set.

An industrious and, as Bellingham says, ‘gifted’ winger with an eye for goal, the pieces could come together with this one, to be sure.

This might be the end of the line for a Tottenham great, but Frank has his wits about him and could ensure that an exciting upgrade is signed if Levy is convinced to go all out for Real Madrid’s Rodrygo.

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Posts ByEthan Lamb Aug 2, 2025

Newcastle United’s summer transfer window is kicking into life, all right, with Eddie Howe determined to package a squad with enough quality to challenge across the Premier League and Champions League campaigns.

Last season was one of staggering success for the Magpies, who deservedly beat Liverpool at Wembley in March to lift the Carabao Cup, so ending 70 years adrift from that matchless trophy-winning feeling.

On the last day of the top-flight term, the Toon also secured their place in next year’s elite European tournament after finishing fifth in the league.

However, Newcastle’s 2024 summer window still lingers in the minds of all affiliated. It’s something of a miracle that Howe led his troops to glory in spite of the market setbacks.

The new campaign is a little over a month away, and United are planning to make a series of signings despite their slow start to the window.

That slow start has started to gather some pace, in fairness, but more is needed if Howe’s to piece together Newcastle’s dream squad for the 2025/26 season.

The goalkeepers

James Trafford becomes the new No. 1

Newcastle have maintained a vested interest in Burnley shot-stopper James Trafford for a while now, and though Howe has been bruised by a number of setbacks in the market, this one looks like it will glide through to the finish line in a potential £30m deal.

Hailed as a “world-class keeper” by Clarets boss Scott Parker, the Englishman will jockey for a regular starting berth with Nick Pope, who has been a staple of the Howe era but missed ten Premier League matches last year due to injury.

Newcastle, for sure, aren’t strapped for options between the sticks. Martin Dubravka, Odysseas Vlachodimos, John Ruddy and Mark Gillespie all form a bloated chunk of the St. James’ Park first-team squad.

Profit and Sustainability technicalities have played heavily into the unique situation, but there’s no question that Trafford would sit atop the pile if signed this summer.

Full list of goalkeepers: James Trafford, Nick Pope, Martin Dubravka, Odysseas Vlachodimos, John Ruddy, Mark Gillespie

The defence

Howe finally lands a new centre-back

Amid the long list of rejections this summer is likely to be Crystal Palace’s Marc Guehi, who was the subject of four failed bids from the Tynesiders in 2024 and has entered Newcastle’s sights once more this year.

But Liverpool appear to hold the lead in the race, and Newcastle have thus swivelled their attention to Atalanta’s Giorgio Scalvini, who, aged 22, is valued in excess of £50m.

The dynamic defender will complete a backline already replete with depth and quality. A fully-fit Sven Botman could provide the right-footer with a formidable partner, while Fabian Schar and Dan Burn offer high-level competition that will be vital across a multi-front campaign.

And Howe’s diligence and planning over the past few years has also limited the attention required on the flanks. Tino Livramento and Lewis Hall make for one of the most exciting young partnerships in the game, while Matt Targett and Kieran Trippier bring leadership to the fold.

Full list of centre-backs: Fabian Schar, Giorgio Scalvini, Jamal Lascelles, Sven Botman, Dan Burn

Full list of right-backs: Tino Livramento, Kieran Trippier, Emil Krafth

Full list of left-backs: Lewis Hall, Matt Targett

The midfield

Magpie midfielders remain the essence of Howe's system

Newcastle’s defence is in pretty good nick, but not so much as the midfield, which has been pieced together masterfully over the past few years. When Sandro Tonali gelled with Bruno Guimaraes after last winter’s blip, United reached new levels, establishing the form that would lead to silver-tinted glory.

Ipswich Town captain Sam Morsy has certainly sung their praises, saying of the midfield: “One of the best in the league. Probably just behind Liverpool’s or maybe even on par with Liverpool’s. They’ve got a blend of everything and incredible players. I think they’ve got some of the best players in the world in that position.”

Tonali’s redefinition as a number six promoted the ball-playing focus of Howe’s game and allowed Guimaraes to operate in a more advanced, fluid role. Joelinton’s undying energy was magnified but Sean Longstaff, who has been linked with a summer sale could exit to please PSR. Leeds United have already tabled an offer.

In his stead, Newcastle have been named suitors for Atletico Madrid’s Conor Gallagher, with the England international valued at £50m. His completeness and athleticism would be the perfect counterpoint to a midfield already rich with contrasting quality.

Newcastle would likely look to whittle down Atletico’s asking price, but it’s an exciting time for the Toon, who already are so strong in the centre, with Joe Willock and the young Lewis Miley looking to play their part too.

Full list of central midfielders: Sandro Tonali, Bruno Guimaraes, Joelinton, Conor Gallagher, Joe Willock, Lewis Miley

The forwards

Sweeping changes built around Alexander Isak

Alexander Isak remains Newcastle’s talisman, and PIF’s £200m price tag for the Sweden star should keep him at St. James’ Park for at least one more year.

He does need competition though, since Callum Wilson has packed up and left at the end of his contract. There have been a few blows in that regard so far, but Brentford’s Yoane Wissa has recently been lined up. The sticking point, of course, is that the Bees want £50m.

And despite signing Anthony Elanga from Nottingham Forest in a £55m deal, more is needed, to be sure. Anthony Gordon and Harvey Barnes hold down the fort pretty well on the left flank, but Newcastle are still interested in signing another name to enrich the ranks.

And that would be Manchester City’s Jack Grealish, who is set to leave the Etihad Stadium this summer. His £40m price tag might put the Magpies off, for this would take their spending over £200m after having bagged Elanga already.

Instead, a loan move looks like it could be the order of the day, one which would provide creative relief and allow a deal for someone like Wissa to be pursued too.

Yoane Wissa – Brentford Stats by Position (all comps)
Position	Apps	Goals	Assists
Centre-forward	86	34	8
Left winger	28	6	4
Right winger	7	4	0
Attacking midfield	3	1	0
Data via Transfermarkt

The recent rumours surrounding Eintracht Frankfurt’s Hugo Ekitike make for compelling reading, but it’s just hard to envisage a world where Newcastle win the race for the £85m-rated centre-forward while keeping Isak on the books too.

And Isak is staying. Thus, a more pragmatic, but still impressive, deal for a Premier League-proven and positionally dynamic player in Wissa could prove the order of the day for Newcastle as they look to polish off this remarkable squad of Magpies.

Full list of right wingers: Anthony Elanga, Jacob Murphy

Full list of left wingers: Anthony Gordon, Harvey Barnes, Jack Grealish

Full list of strikers: Alexander Isak, Yoane Wissa, William Osula

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1

By
Angus Sinclair

Jul 12, 2025

Tottenham Hotspur boss Thomas Frank is already making his mark when it comes to his new club’s summer recruitment drive, starting with their £30 million permanent deal for Mathys Tel.

In the build up to Sunday morning’s announcement that the Frenchman is now an indefinite Spurs player, reports claimed that Frank personally advocated for Tel to remain in north London.

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Spurs are in the running for his services.

1

By
Emilio Galantini

Jun 17, 2025

The 51-year-old’s wish was ultimately granted by chairman Daniel Levy, with Frank set to utilise the now-former Bayern Munich sensation throughout his debut season in the Lilywhites dugout and beyond.

Tottenham’s best-performing regulars in the Premier League – 2024/2025	Average match rating
Son Heung-min	7.00
James Maddison	6.98
Pedro Porro	6.95
Dominic Solanke	6.84
Dejan Kulusevski	6.83
via WhoScored

However, their pursuit of new wingers won’t end with Tel’s signature, as Spurs are believed to be in the market for a Timo Werner replacement on the opposing flank as well (Ben Jacobs).

Links to Southampton starlet Tyler Dibling have re-emerged this week, following reports that Bournemouth’s Antoine Semenyo and Brentford’s Bryan Mbeumo are both top targets for Spurs as well.

While Mbeumo currently prefers a move to Man United as things stand, the Cameroonian is still intrigued by a move to Tottenham (Sky Sports), while other media sources claim Spurs have reached out to Semenyo’s representatives.

Another intriguing wide option for Frank comes in the form of £300,000-per-week Man City star Jack Grealish.

The England international was a key member of City’s treble-winning side of 2023, but he’s since struggled to establish himself as a firm fixture in Pep Guardiola’s starting eleven since that famed campaign.

Guardiola addressed his future in a Club World Cup press conference this week, stating that the 29-year-old needs to showcase his true quality on a weekly basis.

“Jack is an exceptional player. The only reason why he didn’t play last season is, of course, my decisions,” said the City boss.

“And we decided he has to play, and the club was honest, he’s honest. He’s incredibly respected and loved by the team, and we decided the best is for him to stay [behind] and have a place he feels he can play and come back to being the player that was in the year of the Treble or all his career at Aston Villa.

“Without him it wouldn’t have been possible, it would’ve been more difficult to get what we achieved in the Treble season. But the fact is, the last two seasons, he didn’t play much, and he has to come back to play and have the butterflies in his stomach that he can play every three days and show again the quality he has.”

Thomas Frank holds talks with Tottenham about signing Jack Grealish

With Werner leaving and a summer exit for Son Heung-min on the cards, amid interest from Saudi Arabia, there is every possibility that the ex-Aston Villa star could be a mainstay under Frank next season.

According to Football Transfers, the Dane is already taking a keen interest in Grealish, who’s come up regularly in “extensive” conversations about recruitment between Frank and the Tottenham hierarchy.

During these internal talks, Frank was keen to discover the state of play regarding Spurs’ talks with Grealish’s representatives, and it has emerged that the winger is actually open to joining them before deadline day on September 1.

However, Grealish’s hefty salary is posing a real issue, so Tottenham will need to find middle ground there.

Other reports claim Grealish could leave Eastlands on loan, but if Levy wishes to strike a permanent deal, the price is around £50 million.

Tamim questions team selection and calls for better batting surfaces to be produced back home

Mohammad Isam22-Jun-20240:54

Tamim: Bangladesh’s approach in the chase was disappointing

Bangladesh’s two most high-profile cricketers, Shakib Al Hasan and Tamim Iqbal, were left disappointed with the team’s lack of intent against India in their T20 World Cup 2024 Super Eight game in Antigua.Shakib made 11 off seven balls having arrived at the crease in the 12th over with Bangladesh needing 121 runs at 14.23 per over. He rued the team’s lack of fight in the business end of the tournament as they made below-par scores of 140 for 8 and 146 for 8 against Australia and India respectively. The Bangladesh top order’s continued poor form hasn’t improved even on the Antigua pitches where batting is seemingly easier than on most surfaces in this tournament. Shakib said that they couldn’t even show their intent of wanting chasing India’s 196 runs in this game.”We have a 50 percent win rate in this World Cup but if we had fought against India and Australia the way we fought against South Africa, we could have called it a good World Cup campaign,” Shakib said. “We are short of runs as a batting unit. We made 140 in the last game, 146 today. We should have done better today since we had a target in front of us. We couldn’t even show it to people that we were trying [to chase the target] today. I don’t think the confidence was there. We have lacked in this area throughout the World Cup.Related

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“You have to bring your A-game against teams like Australia and India. I think we lacked in skill and strength. We couldn’t do the basics for longer periods to create pressure. Throughout this World Cup, I don’t think we justified ourselves as a batting unit. We are capable of scoring big runs. We were well short of par scores like 175-185 in the last two games, both played on good wickets. Maybe India scored 20 more runs today but we have to show the intent from the start of the innings. I don’t think it was there.”Tamim, in his capacity as an expert for ESPNcricinfo, said after the match that Bangladesh’s lack of intent with the bat surprised him against India. “[Najmul Hossain Shanto, Bangladesh’s captain] said that he should have finished the game but Bangladesh never got close in this contest. I didn’t understand why he would say that. Bangladesh’s batting has disappointed in this whole tournament. The think-tank really needs to think about how they will go from here on.”When your batters are scoring runs, you are confident that your batting line-up can chase down a total like 160 or 170. When you know that your batting is struggling, it surprised me that [Bangladesh] decided to bowl first. Couple of their decisions have surprised me in this game. Fingers will be pointed.”Tamim added that the Bangladesh team management’s decision to leave out Taskin Ahmed against India, bringing in the extra batter in Jaker Ali, left him surprised. Taskin had gone for some runs against Australia, but he is the team’s vice-captain, and someone looked upon as the bowling attack leader.”I was very surprised why Taskin didn’t play. Both the spinners went for plenty of runs. There was a time when India were in a bit of bother losing back-to-back wickets to Tanzim [Hasan Sakib]. If Taskin was there as an extra fast bowler, Bangladesh could have attacked India more. We know about Shivam Dube’s short-ball weakness. Taskin had the pace to use those tactics against him.”Mustafizur Rahman had an off-day with the ball•Associated PressTamim also felt that not giving the new ball to Mustafizur Rahman was a missed opportunity to take on Rohit Sharma’s talked-about weakness against left-arm pace, while he also felt that Tanzim could have been allowed to continue with the new ball because he was handling it well in the previous matches.”Everyone is talking about Rohit Sharma having a little weakness against left-arm fast bowling. It plays on the player’s mind when he is taking on a similar bowler in the game. Bangladesh had an opportunity to start with the left-arm seamer, just to have a look. India might have scored 196, but Rohit’s start was very important for India. That’s how momentum comes.”Tanzim did well with the new ball in the previous matches. He didn’t get the new ball today. Why do you have to change the whole setup for somebody else and even when someone is doing exceptionally well?”Dropping Taskin was mainly to boost the flagging batting line-up. It has been problematic for a long time, but since coming to North America last month, the top-order has caved against most bowling attacks. Shakib said that Bangladesh has a general batting tendency to do better on tricky wickets rather than on good batting pitches.”We don’t really do well when we play on flat wickets that produce 180-200 runs,” Shakib said. “We play better on wickets that produce 130-150 runs. That’s what we are familiar with. Apart from one game in BPL this year, our local batters haven’t really chased big runs. It remains our weakness.”Tamim further explained that the Bangladesh batters aren’t used to good batting wickets for many years. He said that they play on slow and low surfaces back home where they play most of their cricket, so when they encounter good ones in ICC tournaments, they get caught out not knowing what to do.”Bangladesh [usually] play in difficult wicket for batters. They also can’t start scoring runs freely when you put them in a very good wicket. You need to know how to score runs even on a good wicket. You need to know your limitations on which shots to play. I think there should be a long-term plan where Bangladesh should play on good wickets. They don’t get it in Mirpur.”Tamim said that even their marquee T20 tournament, the Bangladesh Premier League, failed to produce exciting cricket due to the nature of the pitches in the country. He said that the win-first (at home) nature of Bangladesh cricket has left the batters in the lurch.He suggested being patient with better pitches so that the batters can improve while the bowlers also pick up how to bowl on good batting surfaces.”BPL is a fantastic tournament but we couldn’t get wickets that excited the crowds. The last two years, scores have been higher. Teams are chasing 170-180, but we are so result-oriented in Bangladesh. If we have a very good wicket in the first game, the moment we lose that game, people are trying to make a spin-friendly track. I think not only players and coaches, the board also has to come out of that mentality. Let us lose for another six months, but let’s prepare wickets where bowlers and batters can learn. I think this is the only way forward for Bangladesh cricket.”

Milos Kerkez could well be on his way to Liverpool this summer, but Michael Edwards and Richard Hughes are said to be eyeing another left-back, too.

Kerkez in talks with Liverpool

A new left-back has been seen as a priority position to strengthen in this summer, with Andy Robertson no longer the force of old, and Kostas Tsimikas arguably not at the level required to be a regular starter for the Reds.

Bournemouth ace Kerkez has emerged as the leading option for Liverpool at left-back, with the Hungarian reportedly set to agree personal terms and holding talks with the Premier League champions over a summer move to Anfield.

The 21-year-old has the potential to be a superb signing for the Reds, having shone for the Cherries all season long, even making it into Gary Neville’s Team of the Season on Monday Night Football.

Meanwhile, Robertson has discussed his future at Liverpool with Jamie Carragher, saying: “I have only got a year left. So I hope all you guys (the fans) can help me with making the same noise around a new contract as you did with Mo and Virgil’s! Maybe you (Carragher) can stop linking the club with other left-backs as well! No look, I’ve had eight wonderful years so far and I have a year left. I am not as young as I once was but I love this club and I have had some great memories here, so let’s see what the future holds.”

Liverpool working on another left-back signing with Kerkez

Now, according to ILovePalermoCalcio [via Sport Witness], Liverpool are working to sign young Palermo left-back Gioacchino Barranca this summer, as Edwards continues to not mess around this summer, as he continues to try and get a deal for Kerkez over the line.

The Reds are believed to be “moving in the background” with regards to the 17-year-old, looking to pounce during the summer transfer window ahead of Atalanta and Torino.

Even the most ardent Liverpool supporter would struggle to claim to be an expert on Barranca, given his age and the fact that he is yet to represent Palermo at senior level.

The left-back has made a combined 50 appearances for their Under-17s and Under-19s, though, and the fact that a club of the Reds’ stature are tracking him speaks volumes about his long-term potential.

Barranca could come in as a future star at Liverpool, initially going into the academy setup or even being sent out on loan to aid his development, being seen as the eventual understudy to Kerkez once Robertson and Tsimikas move on.

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It is always vital for the Reds to plan for the future, ensuring the club continues to be in a good place for many years to come, and the Palermo teenager would be an astute addition in that respect.