Tottenham could still allow some high-profile players to leave the club this summer as they look to at least partly balance their spending. It has been a record summer already for Spurs, who have spent more than they ever have in a single window, splashing out more than £230million. That’s a total that was most recently added to by the signing of Sandro Tonali for £100million.

Roberto De Zerbi is being given new weapons aplenty in the hope of Tottenham becoming European football candidates again next season, and the spending is expected to continue. Both financially and in terms of Profit and Sustainability rules, Tottenham can afford to spend big this summer, having been incredibly balanced in their spending for the vast majority of years, all while being one of the most profitable clubs in the world.

But to prevent being restricted in future windows, it would be a good idea for them to commission a couple of big sales this summer, and we have already seen Luka Vuskovic head to Brighton for £46million. Cristian Romero could be the next to follow.

Romero still keen on Tottenham exit

Even with some tasty off-the-field comments about the club’s board, Romero has served Tottenham with an admirable commitment that will likely see him depart with a handshake and a slap on the back. At this stage, the Argentine wants a new challenge, and Spurs are happy to give him one, already preparing for his likely exit this summer.

According to Fabrizio Romano, LaLiga remains Romero’s destination of choice. “Cristian ‘Cuti’ Romero, at the moment, from Tottenham Hotspur, the view is clear, they have Van de Ven, Van Hecke, Senesi, they have plenty of centre-backs,” Romero said on his YouTube channel.

“Also, not playing European football this season, the idea of parting ways with Cuti Romero is still a serious possibility. So, there is still a strong chances for Romero to leave Tottenham this summer. Despite rumours from Italy that keep arriving with Romero, my understanding is that Romero would really like to have a new experience in LaLiga. So, Cuti Romero would like to have a new experience in LaLiga if the right opportunity arrives for him and for Tottenham.

“That could be an option for Barcelona, it could be an option for Atletico Madrid, we will see, but Romero would like to go to LaLiga and try an experience in Spain. We will see what arrives for Romero because he signed a contract only a year ago, the season was not easy, but at the same time, there could be movement also because Tottenham already signed several centre-backs, and they feel well-covered in that situation, so it’s going to be a situation to watch.”

De Zerbi knows Romero is a ‘big player’

De Zerbi hasn’t had much chance to work with Romero due to the defender’s injury issues at the end of last season. But the Italian did say: “He is a big player, but he is an amazing guy because he has been a great captain in my time. Even though he didn’t play, we were talking by phone when he stayed here. Every morning he came in my office.”

Thomas Frank, who started last season as Spurs boss, said after one performance: “Praising Cuti, I think he deserves that. A top performance defending. On the ball: coolness, calmness, duels, then get up there and score two goals.

“I think the bicycle kick will most likely get a little more praise but I think the header is more exceptional, the way he does that is better than many strikers.”

World Cup 2026 could witness a generational changing of the guard at the very top of football.

The era of the beautiful game defined by Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo‘s epic rivalry passed its peak many years ago, but the current rendition of the World Cup in North America could well provide the final chapter.

Nothing is impossible when it comes to arguably the two greatest footballers of all time, yet it seems almost certain that this will be Messi and Ronaldo’s final chapter on football’s grandest stage.

In theory, Erling Haaland and Kylian Mbappe are the standout candidates to succeed them as the new rivalry at the beautiful game’s pinnacle.

And yet there is a chance that both players, despite enjoying their peak years, will be overtaken by a much younger challenger, bypassing the Mbappe-Haaland generation to dominate football unilaterally.

That is what Ronaldo himself hinted at two years ago when he discussed one of Portugal’s World Cup Round of 16 opponents – Spain’s Lamine Yamal.

Cristiano Ronaldo’s Lamine Yamal Prediction

Heiko Becker Via Reuters

Speaking to former Manchester United team-mate Rio Ferdinand on his Youtube channel, Ronaldo tipped Lamal to become the best player of his generation.

Massive praise from not only someone who was arguably the biggest talent of his own era, but also someone who is so strongly associated with Barcelona’s bitter rivals, Real Madrid. It’s not often players praise so generously when crossing the Clasico divide. He said:

Watch the full video below:

Winslow Townson-USA TODAY Sports via REUTERS

There was a 15-year stretch in which Ronaldo and Messi won 13 Ballon d’Ors between them, with only Luka Modric in 2018 and Karim Benzema in 2022 able to postpone their duopoly. But since Messi’s penultimate gong in 2023, the battle over the current best footballer in the world has felt a lot more open.

Tellingly, in the last four Ballon d’Or contests, we have seen four different Ballon d’Or winners, three of them clinching the award for the first time, but we have also seen 12 different names feature across the podiums. In other words, the last four Ballon d’Or awards have seen twelve unique players rank within the top three.

With no individuals being in a league of their own, on-pitch success has been a key factor in recent Ballon d’Or races. Three Ballon d’Ors immediately followed a Champions League win, while Messi’s most recent triumph in 2023 was a consequence of Argentina winning the 2022 World Cup.

Now in another World Cup year, whichever nation lifts the trophy will see their star players immediately shoot up the list of favourites to win the Ballon d’Or. Spain are certainly among the top nations at the tournament and Yamal will be central to any success they have.

Whether team and individual prizes alone define who the best footballer in the world truly is can be strongly debated. But at just 18 years of age and already in the discussion, Yamal is clearly head and shoulders above his generational peers right now.

Tottenham Hotspur have confirmed the signing of Sandro Tonali in a club-record transfer.

The Lilywhites agreed a fee worth a reported £92.5m plus an additional £7.5m for the Italy international with Newcastle United, and the midfielder has now completed a medical and put pen to paper on a six-year contract in N17 to become the club’s sixth signing of the summer transfer window.

Roberto De Zerbi has already added Andy Robertson, Marcos Senesi, Martin Dubravka, Jan Paul van Hecke, and Mateus Fernandes to his squad following their 17th-place finish in the Premier League last season, and now they are ready to push up the table by making a splash in the transfer market.

Tonali: De Zerbi Was Key to Move

After the move was announced by Spurs, Tonali spoke their official website to share his thoughts on the deal.

“I’m very happy to be here,” he said. “When I arrived at the Club today, it felt fantastic. People said about there being four or five clubs – there was only one.

“I spoke to the Head Coach for close to two hours about the Club, the fans, the stadium and our football. It was like magic because I knew immediately that I had to sign for Tottenham.

“I’ve played against Tottenham a few times and always found a great atmosphere made by great fans. I can’t wait to start the season.”

Tonali has signed a six-year deal, running until 2032, and becomes the club’s record signing, exceeding the £85m Spurs paid earlier in the window for Fernandes from West Ham.

Sporting director Johan Lange also spoke about the deal, praising the former AC Milan star as one of the best midfielders in Europe.

“Sandro is one of the best midfielders in Europe and we are delighted to welcome him to the Club,” he said.

“He has outstanding technical quality to go with real football intelligence, and has the character to thrive in a demanding, high-pressure environment. Sandro brings valuable experience at the highest level, both domestically and in European competition and I know our supporters will love his energy and commitment on the pitch.

“We are all excited to see him pull on our famous Lilywhite shirt for the first time.”

De Zerbi Delighted by Tonali Signing

De Zerbi has been making a huge push to add his own stamp on the squad in north London following his arrival at the end of last season, and he has now praised the club for getting a deal to bring Tonali in done.

“Sandro is a special player and a great signing for our Club,” he said.

“I have followed him for a long time, as he came through the youth system at my hometown club, Brescia, and I’m so happy to be working with him now.

“Given his qualities, there was a lot of interest in Sandro this summer. However, he was very clear in his desire to join Tottenham, and I know our fans will love what he brings to the team.”