Sports
Southampton Legend on Still’s Start, Azaz and Fellows
Southampton legend Matthew Le Tissier has exclusively told GIVEMESPORT that he believes Saints manager Will Still is three weeks away from knowing his best team at St Mary’s after an up-and-down start to the season.
Saints picked up just their second league win of the season after beating Sheffield United 2-1 at Bramall Lane on Tuesday, with their previous victory coming against Wrexham on the opening day at St Mary’s.
Still Weeks Away from Knowing Best Southampton Side
Still began the campaign trusting in players such as Jack Stephens and Taylor Harwood-Bellis, who have represented the club at both Premier League and Championship level.
However, after the dismal 3-1 defeat against Hull City last month, Still made nine changes for the Carabao Cup trip to Liverpool and has since stuck with largely the same starting players in the following matches with Middlesbrough and Sheffield United.
Stephens and Harwood-Bellis have been two of the biggest victims of the changes, with Ronnie Edwards and Nathan Wood stepping up in their absence.
“I definitely think he’s still tinkering at the moment,” said Le Tissier, who was speaking exclusively to GIVEMESPORT via Midnite. “I think what happened at Liverpool probably gave him a few more questions in terms of the team that performed so well, which he probably didn’t think would be his first team.
“All of a sudden there were players who put in some good performances and rightly kept their place in the team. So that’s why I think it will probably be another three weeks or so before he realises what his best team is.
“When that happens, I think that’s when you’ll see the best of Southampton. So we’re kind of scratching away at the moment, just making sure we don’t get too adrift of the top six and those playoff places.”
Goalkeeper and Striker Already January Transfer Priorities
While Southampton and Still look to have brilliant strength in depth in multiple positions across the pitch, Le Tissier believes there are two areas of concern after watching the first few weeks of the season.
Goalkeepers Gavin Bazunu and Alex McCarthy have already shared the position in goal this season, with Le Tissier seemingly unconvinced by both, while Cameron Archer, Adam Armstrong, Damion Downs and Ross Stewart have all started in the centre-forward position.
Speaking prior to Stewart’s brace against Sheffield United on Tuesday, Le Tissier suggested those two positions should be on the agenda come January:
“I think if you were to say, come January, what do you think he’s looking at? I think the goalkeeper situation, I think the centre-forward situation. We haven’t got anybody who’s looking like they’re going to score at the moment, and that’s a big problem when you play so many games to try and get out this league. So those are the two positions for me that I think are most concerning.”
Azaz and Fellows Have Big Part to Play for Southampton
Finn Azaz and Tom Fellows were two high-profile signings for Saints at the end of the summer transfer window, with both featuring regularly since the September 1 deadline.
Neither are yet to really make their mark on the pitch yet for Still, who decided the substitute the duo off at half time at Bramall Lane on Tuesday.
Asked if they have a big part to play this season, Le Tissier said:
“I think they will. I think Azaz looks like he’s still trying to find his feet a little bit. I don’t think we’ve seen anywhere near the form that he’s shown for Middlesbrough in the past.
“I thought Fellows actually looked a bit livelier against Middlesbrough,” the Southampton icon added. “You know, there’s a few bright spots there, some lovely, mazy runs. I think we need to see more of that because that’s what the fans come to expect, and come to see somebody who can do something a little bit different. And I think Tom looks like he’s definitely got that in him.”
Le Tiss Among Southampton Icons on Away Trip
Le Tissier was joined by fellow Southampton legends Francis Benali and James Beattie on Tuesday as club sponsors Midnite provided free travel to a select number of fans for the Championship encounter against Sheffield United, and really enjoyed the experience.
“I loved it, to be honest,” said Le Tissier. “We had some quizzes on the coach. We had a little Q & A with some really good questions from all the passengers.
“The time just kind of flew by really. I’ve got a couple of mates on there and just chit-chatting away and reminiscing about old games, the time flies. So yeah, it’s great.”
Midnite, club sponsors for both Southampton and Sheffield United, put on luxurious coach travel – dubbed the Midnite Express – free of charge for Saints fans’ trip to Bramall Lane on Tuesday, September 30.
Sports
Man Utd Show Aggressive Interest in Signing Gilberto Mora
Manchester United are among the clubs showing a strong interest in Mexico sensation Gilberto Mora after his performances at the World Cup, according to TEAMtalk.
The Red Devils are keen to add to their midfield this summer after losing Casemiro at the end of his contract, while Manuel Ugarte has suffered a serious knee injury. Andrey Santos and Youri Tielemans have been brought in for a combined fee of £85m, but the club are now pushing for a third midfielder to complete the rebuild.
A number of names have been linked with a move to Old Trafford, but the club have now emerged as one of the teams taking a close look at the supremely talented teenager.
Man Utd Eyeing Gilberto Mora
Mora, who has been described as ‘fearless’ and compared to Barcelona star Pedri, shone for Mexico during the World Cup this summer despite being just 17, and has now attracted the attention of a number of Europe’s top clubs.
Man Utd are understood to have shown an aggressive early interest in a deal for the Tijuana central midfielder, but they have got strong competition for his signature.
Liverpool have made direct contact over a deal, while the likes of Real Madrid, Barcelona, Ajax, PSG, Bayern Munich, and AC Milan are also said to be monitoring the situation.
Mora is understood to prefer a move to Real Madrid as his dream scenario, but he is not pushing to leave the Mexican side, who value him at around £25m due to the growing interest around him.
It’s also stated that Tijuana have a structured release clause as part of his contract which is designed to protect their interests, while his current deal runs until 2029, meaning they are under no pressure to sell this summer.
Fees correct prior to summer 2026
All 10 found — excellent!
Mora is a Superstar in Waiting
Man Utd are in the market to strengthen their midfield options, but they are looking for players who can walk straight into the first-team and make an immediate impact.
While Mora is undoubtedly a superstar in the making, whether he could walk into the Premier League aged 17 and be someone who can affect games the way United need him to is a major question mark.
Should the club decide to proceed with a move for the teenager, it would likely be an extra deal, rather than the final midfield signing of the window. But they would have to put together a major pitch to convince him to join them over all the other interested clubs, which makes this a situation to watch in the coming weeks.
Sports
Liverpool Ready to ‘Demolish’ Transfer Record to Sign Bradley Barcola
Liverpool are now ready to smash the British transfer record again to sign a ‘world-class’ star for Andoni Iraola.
Liverpool chiefs are working overtime to strengthen Iraola’s squad ahead of the new season, with the only brand-new arrival so far this summer being Victor Munoz.
In a summer where the Reds have lost some key voices from the dressing room in Andy Robertson, Mohamed Salah and Ibrahima Konate, and off the back of a disappointing season, that is clearly not enough.
A freshen up of the squad is needed and one of the big priorities is bringing in a replacement for Salah, who has been such a key player for the Merseyside outfit for a number of years in terms of his quality and extraordinary record of goals and assists.
As well as needing a response in the Premier League after a miserable defence of their crown, Iraola will also want to perform better than they did last term in the Champions League too.
While the Reds have decent depth on the left flank in Munoz, Cody Gakpo and Rio Ngumoha, that depth is lacking on the opposite side, with Federico Chiesa and Jeremie Frimpong two of the main options available there.
Liverpool Ready to ‘Demolish’ Transfer Record for Bradley Barcola
According to TEAMtalk, Liverpool are now ready to ‘demolish’ their transfer record to sign Barcola this summer, after holding positive talks over a deal with the player’s representatives.
The Reds are now ready to make their move for the France international, with GIVEMESPORT sources revealing that their first bid is in the offing.
TEAMtalk report that the Merseyside outfit have been given fresh encouragement from the ‘world-class’ PSG winger’s camp over a move to Anfield, and while there is no agreement on personal terms yet, they aren’t expected to be an obstacle in any potential deal.
Liverpool are said to have made it clear they are willing to break the British transfer record again to bring the 23-year-old to the club, less than 12 months after they paid £125m to sign Alexander Isak from Newcastle United.
PSG value Barcola at around £145m, but that asking price seemingly hasn’t deterred the Reds, who believe that he is the ‘closest fit’ to Salah available anywhere in Europe.
Liverpool Make £85m Barcola Alternative ‘Dream’ Signing
According to GIVEMESPORT senior correspondent Ben Jacobs, reporting for talkSPORT, Liverpool have identified exciting Bournemouth winger Rayan as their ‘dream’ target should they fail to make progress on a move to prise Barcola away from the Parc des Princes.
The Brazilian teenager only joined the Cherries in January, but he made a big impression in the second-half of the 2025-26 campaign with five goals in 15 Premier League appearances, striking up a strong partnership with Eli Junior Kroupi to help the south coast outfit qualify for Europe for the first time in their history.
It’s unclear how much Bournemouth would demand to sell Rayan this summer, with a £85m release clause for clubs incoming for 2027 for a player who looks to have a huge future ahead of him.
Fees correct prior to summer 2026
All 10 found — excellent!
Sports
Arsenal Want to Complete Deal to Sign Bruno Guimaraes by Sunday
Arsenal believe that they can tie up a deal to sign Bruno Guimaraes from Newcastle United by the end of this week. That’s according to ESPN Brasil reporter Bruno Andrade.
The Gunners have been relatively quiet in the transfer market so far, with winger Christos Tzolis their one big signing so far, arriving from Club Brugge in a deal worth around £34million.
Goalkeeper Illan Meslier has also come in, arriving on a free transfer from Leeds United, with Jakub Kiwior completing a permanent move away after a season-long loan deal with Porto and Leandro Trossard leaving for Besiktas.
Vinicius Junior move signalled Arsenal’s intent in the transfer window
Arsenal remain in the hunt for a new midfielder and another forward, with Mikel Arteta keen to make a statement signing as the Gunners look to defend their Premier League crown in 2026/27.
They have been linked with a sensational move for Vinicius Junior from Real Madrid, although it has now been reported that the Brazilian will stay at the Santiago Bernabeu.
However, they are still in talks over a move to sign Guimaraes, one of Vinicius’ teammates from the World Cup, with a move seemingly edging ever closer to completion.
Arsenal had an initial £55million bid rejected by Newcastle, who have already lost Sandro Tonali and Anthony Gordon this summer, with the Magpies holding out for £80million if they are to sell their ‘world-class’ player – something they are reluctant to do.
It seems the Gunners are closing in on a fee that could reach £75million all in, which they believe will convince Newcastle to sell.
Guimaraes to Arsenal could be completed by Sunday
Speaking on ESPN Brasil, Nadrade said: “Arsenal have raised the offer for Bruno Guimares, now they are offering £75million, £70million fixed plus £5million in objectives, totalling £75million.
“Two or three weeks ago the first offer of £55million was rejected so an agreement is starting to take shape. Newcastle are still waiting for an £80million offer, but given that Arsenal have already reached £75million it is very likely negotiations will progress positively this week since Bruno Guimaraes is in Brazil and returns to England on Friday and needs to report back [to Newcastle for training] on Monday.
Fees correct prior to summer 2026
All 10 found — excellent!
“The idea is that this won’t even be necessary, that the deal with Arsenal will be closed. He has already sent a positive message to Arsenal that he is open to it, that he wants to negotiate. He hasn’t forced an exit but has already signalled, communicated his desire to be transferred, to take this step in the Premier League.”
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