Aluko, a former England international and now TV pundit, took legal action against Barton in 2024. That was as a result of two X (formerly Twitter) posts the retired Premier League player made about her.
Barton was unable to attend the court hearing on Tuesday as he ‘was arrested yesterday and is currently being held in custody’. The High Court heard the case had been stayed, with Barton required to pay ‘substantial’ damages, while also covering Aluko’s legal fees.
Joey Barton to Pay £300,000 Over X Posts
One of the social media posts in question saw Barton edit Aluko’s face onto a picture of serial killer Rose West. Gervase de Wilde, for Aluko, explained in court:
“The campaign amounted to an attack on multiple aspects of her life and personality.
“Mr Barton’s campaign caused Ms Aluko enormous distress. When she sought to defend herself against Mr Barton’s conduct, and that of his followers, he criticised and attacked her for doing so.”
Tottenham are reportedly in advanced talks to sign Newcastle United midfielder Sandro Tonali, although if the prospective deal for the Italian proves too expensive, the Lilywhites may be forced to pivot to alternative targets.
Tonali enjoyed an outstanding 2025/26 campaign for the Magpies, scoring three goals and providing six assists in 53 appearances across all competitions. This form has sparked interest from a host of clubs, including Spurs and Arsenal.
That said, this doesn’t mean Tonali’s move to North London is a done deal. According to various reports, Newcastle could hold out for around £100million, which would surely prompt Spurs to at least consider other options.
Thus, GIVEMESPORT have identified five alternative targets Tottenham could look at if they are ultimately unable to secure the services of Tonali.
Angelo Stiller
Age: 25
Club: Stuttgart
Tottenham’s most pressing midfield issue last season was arguably the lack of ball progression. The likes of Conor Gallagher, Joao Palhinha and Rodrigo Bentancur have desirable attributes, but getting the ball up the pitch through passing isn’t part of their repertoire.
Tonali also doesn’t excel in this aspect of the game, but Stuttgart’s Angelo Stiller does. Stiller is renowned for his exceptional range of passing, and this is reflected in his impressive ball progression statistics.
The 25-year-old has been on the market for a couple of windows now and is yet to be snapped up by a big club, despite enjoying two outstanding seasons in the Bundesliga. He reportedly has a £35 million release clause in his contract, and Spurs should leap at this opportunity if the move for Tonali falls flat.
Adam Wharton
via Reuters
Age: 22
Club: Crystal Palace
If Spurs are on the hunt for a pure midfield passer, then they should look no further than Adam Wharton. While Crystal Palace aren’t likely to sanction a deal for a fee that doesn’t closely resemble the asking price for Tonali, investing in a younger player with higher upside might make more sense regardless.
Spurs have already been linked with Wharton, and while the likes of Chelsea and Manchester United are also said to be in the race, Roberto De Zerbi may be able to offer the Englishman more certainty and more of a defined role at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
Wharton would fit the former Brighton manager’s style like a glove. De Zerbi’s build-up patterns are all about drawing the press in before playing round it with smart and incisive passes. Wharton’s best attribute is his forward passing in between the lines.
Mateus Fernandes
via Reuters
Age: 21
Club: West Ham United
Like Wharton, Mateus Fernandes would represent a smart long-term acquisition for Tottenham. The North London side aren’t likely to win a major honour in the next two or three years, and thus, signing a younger player who can develop with De Zerbi’s project makes more sense than going big on a player in his prime in Tonali.
The West Ham midfielder thrived in a disjointed Hammers side last season, displaying his defensive tenacity, invention in possession and physical prowess. In a more settled system under De Zerbi, he could easily reach another level.
Manu Kone
via Reuters
Age: 25
Club: Roma
Currently impressing for France at the World Cup, Manu Kone is looking for a new club this summer. He’s been linked with Arsenal, although he may ultimately make more sense for Spurs.
While reports indicate that Kone has given the Gunners priority over Tottenham, De Zerbi should have the ability to seduce the Frenchman. The likes of Declan Rice and Martin Zubimendi would block Kone’s minutes at the Emirates, while at Tottenham, his robust style could see him become the main man in the middle of the park in N17.
Given that he’d be arriving from overseas and with significantly less pedigree than the likes of Tonali, Wharton and Fernandes, Kone could cost considerably less, and thus preserve funds for other transfers.
Ayyoub Bouaddi
via Reuters
Age: 18
Club: Lille
If Tottenham really want to build for the long-term, then they should consider signing one of the hottest midfield prospects in Europe. Ayyoub Bouaddi is the subject of intense interest from the likes of Arsenal and Paris Saint-Germain, but once again, Tottenham could sell a more enticing project to the youngster.
At the Emirates or the Parc des Princes, Bouaddi’s minutes are likely to be somewhat limited, particularly in the short-term. This could stall his development, while at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, he would play regularly from the outset.
He boasts similar attributes to Tonali in his ability to cover ground and carry out defensive work, making him an excellent alternative.
Arsenal could finally land a player they’ve been courting for more than five years this summer, as Mikel Arteta looks to bolster the squad that delivered the Premier League title to the Emirates Stadium last season.
Reports emerged on Thursday evening indicating that the Gunners have been in contact with Newcastle United midfielder Bruno Guimaraes and the Brazilian’s representatives over a prospective transfer. Fabrizio Romano confirmed on Friday morning that Arsenal have already launched a £55million move for the Magpies’ captain.
While Newcastle are reportedly not keen on selling their talismanic midfielder, the North Londoners may well return with an improved offer.
Arsenal’s priority this summer may be to strengthen in the attacking areas, but sporting director Andrea Berta evidently feels as though an upgrade in midfield is equally as important, with the likes of Alex Scott, Ayyoub Bouaddi and Sandro Tonali also said to be on the Italian’s radar.
Arsenal Considering Bruno Guimaraes deal this summer
via Reuters
A shock transfer report emerged on Friday evening, as Newcastle correspondent Craig Hope revealed that Arsenal are planning an audacious move for Guimaraes.
The journalist claimed that the Gunners have already held talks with the 28-year-old’s camp, with a view to making a move later this summer.
However, it seems as though Arsenal are indeed willing to try their luck. Speaking on his YouTube channel on Thursday, Romano revealed that he’s aware of the Premier League Champions’ approach for Guimaraes.
“I can confirm the information going around England, reported by Craig Hope about Newcastle, about Arsenal’s interest in Bruno Guimaraes,” the transfer guru said.
“It’s true that Arsenal made an approach for Bruno Guimaraes. It was a direct approach on player side and club side with Newcastle, so Arsenal have reached out for Bruno Guimaraes. My understanding is that their intention was to try to approach for a deal around £55million, but Newcastle are not selling the player for that fee.
“Newcastle closed the doors to this approach from Arsenal. Now we will see if Arsenal return, if there is anything moving at the moment. Bruno Guimaraes is leaving everything in the hands of Newcastle, and he is respecting Newcastle.”
While Romano’s update suggests that Newcastle may be stubborn in their stance regarding Guimaraes, Arsenal won’t give up without trying.
Berta has developed a reputation for not backing down without a fight in transfer negotiations, and he’ll likely do everything in his power to land the former Lyon man if he feels he is the right candidate.
Guimaraes enjoyed another excellent season for Newcastle in 2025/26, despite Howe’s side’s troubles.
He scored nine goals and registered seven assists across 41 appearances, and this form has seemingly sparked interest from top clubs once again.
Martin Zubimendi suffered in the back half of last season for Arsenal, explaining why Berta and Arteta may feel the acquisition of Guimaraes to be necessary.
Arsenal Tried to Sign Bruno Guimaraes in 2021
Ricardo Moraes via Reuters
Arsenal have long held an interest in Guimaraes. Back in the summer of 2021, the Gunners were heavily linked with the Brazil international, who was then plying his trade at Lyon in France.
He’d just enjoyed a breakout season in Ligue 1, six months after making the move from Brazilian club Athletico Paranaense.
A deal ultimately couldn’t be agreed, and the Gunners instead went on to add the likes of Martin Odegaard and Albert Sambi Lokonga to their squad that summer.
The Magpies took the midfield maestro away from the North Londoners, signing him in a £40million deal.
Arsenal have been mooted as a potential suitor for Guimaraes in subsequent windows, but few concrete reports have actually surfaced on this front until this week.
Now, after years of monitoring him, he could finally be Emirates-bound, and for a cut-price fee, although it is clear they will have to improve on the initial £55million offer. Arsenal are understood to be readying a second bid and reports have suggested an offer of £60million could get a deal done.
Alan Shearer has described Guimaraes as ‘brilliant‘ in the recent past, and this legendary figure’s endorsement is a clear indication of just how important he is to the Magpies.
Everything runs through Guimaraes in Howe’s team, and thus, Arsenal would be landing the services of one of the most influential midfielders in the Premier League if they can get a deal over the line.
A US reporter has come under significant fire for ‘pathetic’ comments she made ahead of the Stars and Stripes’ World Cup Last 32 Match vs Bosnia and Herzegovina on Wednesday night. Mauricio Pochettino’s side continue to make waves this summer, with their wins over Paraguay and Australia marking their first back-to-back wins at the showpiece tournament since 1930.
Of course, a 3-2 loss against Turkiye in their final match – which granted the latter an unusual ‘Unofficial World Champions’ title – proved a humbling reminder that the Americans may face far more complications against more traditional football powerhouses. But with a lot of rotation considering they had qualified for the knockout stages early, the bigger picture remains promising.
It looks as though the USA have a rather straightforward route to the semi-finals this summer, should they continue to perform and meet on-paper expectations. However, it would seem one reporter has got carried away.
There’s a stereotype that Americans aren’t too clued-up on geography, with TikTok compilations made in the past to highlight the idea many can’t pinpoint major European nations on the map. Of course, Bosnia is a far lesser-known country, having only gained independence from Yugoslavia in 1992.
Even still, Abigail Velez from ABC News did her and her own nation no favours in a recent segment about USA’s upcoming Round of 32 tie with Edin Dzeko and co. Admitting she has no knowledge of Bosnia, she then appears to imply the Stars and Stripes will find no issues with progressing on Wednesday. She said (Watch the full segment below):
“In the next round, USA will play Bosnia – and one thing about Bosnia, I could not point out where it is on a map! I don’t know the first thing about Bosnia, and I don’t wanna know, that’s because Team USA will be back and better than ever. That’s next Wednesday, be prepared Bosnia, because you don’t want it. You don’t want it like that.”
Criticism has come thick and fast for the reporter, as one confused viewer wrote: “Pathetic and insulting to the Bosnian community in the east bay, who may have quite literally built the house she lives in,” as another remarked: “Damn, crazy that this is live TV,” and a fourth continued: “What a terrible look.”
Another user said it “disgusted” them, while a sixth concluded: “Imagine being a journalist and speaking like that. Literally zero professionalism.”
USA’s Chances of Beating Bosnia in Round of 32
The two teams have met on three occasions, all of them in international friendlies. In their most recent encounter in December 2021, the USA edged Bosnia and Herzegovina 1-0 thanks to a goal from Cole Bassett. The sides also drew 0-0 in January 2018, while the Americans recorded a 4-3 victory in August 2013, with Jozy Altidore scoring a hat-trick.
While Iran has remained respectful throughout the tournament, their captain couldn’t bottle up his real feelings for much longer.
On paper, that record gives the USA reason for confidence. However, some of the reporter’s overexcited tone suggests that early tournament optimism may be getting ahead of itself, overlooking the reality that no opponent is straightforward in the World Cup knockout stages. Bosnia, in particular, could prove a banana skin for sections of the US fanbase expecting a comfortable passage.
Edin Dzeko, the former Manchester City striker, remains capable of decisive moments, while Kerim Alajbegovic is an emerging talent whose recent move to Bayer Leverkusen highlights the country’s growing pool of quality players.
