Tottenham Hotspur manager Roberto De Zerbi has reportedly told the club that Newcastle United midfielder Bruno Guimaraes is his ‘dream’ midfield signing this summer.

Tottenham and Newcastle both endured disappointing Premier League seasons, finishing 17th and 12th in the table respectively despite both teams competing in the Champions League.

Neither Spurs nor the Magpies have any European football next term, and they will surely be looking at Manchester United’s recent third-place finish with no European distractions as the benchmark for the 2026-27 campaign.

What is clear in Tottenham’s case are that changes are needed to the squad, not only for the reason they have finished 17th in successive Premier League seasons, but also that they need a team that is tailored to De Zerbi’s tactical needs.

Spurs have quite a few options in central midfield as things stand, with the Italian boss preferring the experience of Conor Gallagher, Rodrigo Bentancur and Joao Palhinha in the closing weeks of the campaign as they battled for top flight survival.

De Zerbi appears to be looking for upgrades in the position though to take the club back up the Premier League table, with Guimaraes catching his eye.

De Zerbi Identifies Bruno Guimaraes as ‘Dream’ Target

According to a reliable Tottenham account on X, via Sports View, De Zerbi is said to have put forward the name of Newcastle United star Bruno Guimaraes to club chiefs ahead of the summer window opening on June 15.

The Italian manager is said to view the Brazil international as a ‘dream’ target for Spurs, although it will be ‘tough’ to prise him away from St James’ Park.

It has been widely reported that Newcastle need to recoup money this summer for PSR reasons, although Anthony Gordon has already left for Barcelona in a big-money switch.

Sandro Tonali, Lewis Hall and Tino Livramento have also been heavily linked with exits, but speculation around Guimaraes has been quiet so far.

There is no doubt that signing the 28-year-old would be a huge statement of intent, given he is Newcastle captain and has been described as ‘one of the best midfielders in the world’ by Arsenal forward Gabriel Martinelli.

Joao Palhinha Giving Priority to Tottenham

De Zerbi made it clear in the final weeks of the season that he wants to sign Bayern Munich loanee Joao Palhinha on a permanent basis this summer.

There have been mixed reports on Palhinha’s stance on signing for Spurs on a full-time basis however, with reports in his homeland suggesting that Tottenham have pulled out of a deal as he wanted to join Sporting Lisbon instead of remaining in London.

However, in recent days, Fabrizio Romano has reported that the 30-year-old is giving priority to remaining at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, given his strong relationship with De Zerbi.

Should Spurs fail to reach a deal with Bayern Munich, Romano says that Sporting are ready to act and bring the Portugal international back to Lisbon.

As well as his defensive midfield duties, Palhinha popped up with two crucial goals in the north London outfit’s battle against relegation, scoring in wins against Wolves and Everton.

Manchester United and other top Premier League clubs have been rocked after a West Ham United star they were targeting decided the club he wants to play for next season.

Man United have already completed their first signing of the summer in Atalanta midfielder Ederson after a full agreement was reached, with the Brazilian due to finalise the move at the beginning of July.

Ederson isn’t the only midfielder set to arrive at Old Trafford next month though, with Colombian youngster Cristian Orozco also set to seal his switch when he turns 18 on July 13.

The Red Devils could still add two more midfielders to their squad after Ederson, should Manuel Ugarte follow Casemiro through the exit door in the summer transfer window.

Reports earlier in the summer suggested that Sir Jim Ratcliffe is keen to cash in on the Uruguay international following an underwhelming two-year spell at the club.

United are said to be looking at many options, including Premier League-based quartet Mateus Fernandes, Elliot Anderson, Sandro Tonali and Carlos Baleba, as well as Aurelien Tchouameni of Real Madrid.

While a central midfield rebuild is the priority for United chiefs and Michael Carrick, they are likely to look at strengthening other positions too.

Man United Target Jarrod Bowen Wants West Ham Stay

According to the Sun, Manchester United, along with Premier League rivals Chelsea and Newcastle United, are all keen on West Ham’s England international Jarrod Bowen following the club’s relegation to the Championship.

There have not been any formal approaches yet for the 29-year-old, but it appears that it might be a waste of time after the player’s stance on a move away emerged.

The report adds that the forward has stated his desire to remain at the London Stadium to help the club make an immediate return to the Premier League.

The Irons have told interested suitors that they intend to keep their captain at the club this summer, despite the fact that they do need to raise money through player sales.

While many of his teammates suffered a 50% pay cut after relegation, Bowen will remain on his same £100,000-a-week-plus wages in the second tier.

United Seriously Pushing to Sign ‘Future Ballon d’Or Contender’

While a move for Bowen looks to be off the cards, it seems clear that United are considering adding a player out wide given the number of players they are being linked with for the position.

Aston Villa’s Morgan Rogers and AC Milan’s Rafael Leao are just two of the names heavily mentioned in recent weeks, while a new report has claimed that the Red Devils are ‘seriously pushing’ to sign Bazoumana Toure from Hoffenheim.

Newcastle have already made a move for the Ivory Coast international, although United are said to be trying to do everything to bring him to Old Trafford instead.

If Carrick wants to add some pace and directness to his attack, you can understand a move for Toure, who has established himself as one of the fastest players in the Bundesliga and in Europe in recent seasons.

Liverpool appear to be wasting no time in their bid to back new manager Andoni Iraola in the transfer market this summer.

Liverpool confirmed the appointment of the Spaniard as Arne Slot’s replacement on a two-year deal on Thursday evening, and work off the pitch to give him a stronger squad next season is well underway.

After losing Andy Robertson, Mohamed Salah and Ibrahima Konate for free, club chiefs know they need to bring in new players to boost a squad that ended this season by finishing fifth in the Premier League standings.

The Merseyside outfit are already working on one major deal as they look to secure a successor to Salah, with David Ornstein confirming that they are now in contact with RB Leipzig over a deal to sign teenage winger Yan Diomande.

While the Bundesliga outfit are determined not to sell and ready to demand £112m for the Ivory Coast international if they do change their mind, Liverpool are said to be ahead of Paris Saint-Germain in the race to land the 19-year-old after an incredible breakthrough campaign.

The Merseysiders are in the strongest position player side, having been attracted to an exciting winger who scored 13 goals and registered 10 assists in his first proper full season in senior football.

Liverpool Hold New Talks to Sign Kennet Eichhorn

As well as Diomande, Liverpool are also chasing the signature of another sensation based in Germany in Hertha Berlin’s Kennet Eichhorn.

Sky Sports journalist Florian Plettenberg reported on Thursday that the Reds had held new talks in the last 48 hours as they push hard to seal the signature of the 16-year-old wonderkid.

The teenager could be on the move this summer after Hertha failed to secure promotion back to the Bundesliga, with Bayer Leverkusen and Borussia Dortmund also suitors alongside Liverpool.

As Plettenberg says, the teenager is open to all options at this stage of the summer, but the Premier League club are clearly pushing to convince him to move to England.

Eichhorn is Even More Exciting Than Diomande

Diomande is clearly a huge attacking talent who looks like he will have a huge future in the game, but Eichhorn is arguably even more exciting.

The Germany Under 17 international doesn’t celebrate his 17th birthday until next month, but he has already made 19 senior appearances at the age of 16 for Hertha, showing just how highly he is rated.

Had he not suffered an ankle injury and a red-card suspension towards the end of this season, it would likely have been a lot more.

Tall, composed and technically assured, Eichhorn is showing maturity well beyond his years after being promoted to Hertha’s first team in recent months.

The 16-year-old has been scouted by the likes of Liverpool, Manchester United, Paris Saint-Germain, Real Madrid and Barcelona already, and it remains to be seen if those clubs get involved in the race for his signature this summer.

Hertha captain Fabian Reese has described him as “an incredible, exceptional talent”, while he has been likened to Toni Kroos in his homeland – quite the comparison.

Even better for Liverpool is that the wonderkid is said to have a release clause worth €9m for clubs in the Champions League, although the player’s entourage want a deal worth a total of €19m.