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Aston Villa Preparing Bid to Sign Leeds Star Pascal Struijk

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Aston Villa are preparing to make an offer to sign Leeds United star Pascal Struijk this summer to strengthen their defence, according to Sports Boom.

The Villans are pushing to return to the Champions League next season and currently sit fourth in the Premier League, six points clear of a struggling Chelsea side with just seven games remaining in the campaign.

That has seen the club begin to start formulating plans for the new season, and central defence has emerged as a position that Unai Emery is keen to bolster with a busy European schedule to come once again.

Aston Villa Plot Struijk Bid

Pascal Struijk

Struijk, who has been described as one of Daniel Farke’s most important players, has enjoyed a fantastic campaign so far for Leeds, starting 27 times in the top-flight to help the Whites move away from a relegation scrap.

But the Dutch defender’s performances, which have seen him described as ‘majestic’, have seen him capture the attention of a number of clubs who are more established in the Premier League, and Aston Villa are understood to be ready to make a serious push to bring him to the Midlands.

The 26-year-old is under contract at Elland Road until 2027, and Unai Emery is understood to be a big fan of his ball-playing abilities from the back, while the fact he is left-footed is also seen as a positive with Pau Torres and Tyrone Mings’ futures unclear.

Leeds are understood to be open to a sale for what they deem to be an ‘astronomical’ price, although they don’t want to lose him, and value him at around £30m. Villa, however, are understood to be readying an offer worth around £20m, as they look to ensure they have the squad to cope with a busy schedule next season.

Struijk Ready to Step Up

Aston Villa manager Unai Emery looks on

Villa have made a habit of bringing players in at the perfect time of their career trajectory to improve them and step up a level in recent years, and a deal for Struijk would represent a similar type of move.

Defensively he is very assured. He is quick, great in the air and physically capable of battling against the better strikers around, while his on-the-ball attributes make him stand out in the bottom tier of the division. A move up the league, and playing at a higher level, would likely see him improve greatly too, which could make the transfer fee a bargain.

GIVEMESPORT asked ChatGPT to compare Struijk to Torres and Mings, and this was its response:

  • Pau Torres

    • Elite ball-playing CB; progressive passing suits Emery system
    • Composed, intelligent positioning
    • Weakness: aerial duels, physical battles
  • Tyrone Mings

    • Strong leader, organiser; aggressive defender
    • Better in duels/tackling %
    • Weakness: passing/ball progression, occasional errors
  • Pascal Struijk

    • Versatile, aerially strong, physically imposing
    • Solid all-rounder, can play multiple roles
    • Weakness: less elite on ball than Torres, lower ceiling than both
Unai Emery


Aston Villa Eyeing Deal to Sign One of Europe’s Fastest Defenders, He Wants Champions League Football

Aston Villa are eyeing a deal to sign one of Europe’s fastest defenders this summer, and he is keen on Champions League football.

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Tottenham Open Club-to-Club Talks to Sign Marco Palestra

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Tottenham Hotspur have opened club-to-club talks to sign the fastest player in Serie A alongside Sandro Tonali, according to journalist Damiano Er Faina.

Tottenham chiefs are on a roll in the transfer market as they look to significantly strengthen a side that has underperformed massively in the last two seasons.

Spurs were facing relegation to the Championship on the final days of the Premier League campaign, and ENIC know they cannot afford to repeat it and now is the time they must surge back up the standings under Roberto De Zerbi.

They are already backing the Italian in a big way, with deals already announced for Andy Robertson and Marcos Senesi to join the north Londoners on free transfers.

Tottenham have also reached a full agreement to sign Brighton and Hove Albion centre-back Jan Paul van Hecke, who De Zerbi worked with during his time at the south coast side, as Spurs aim to completely transform a defence that simply hasn’t been good enough for years now.

Spurs officials are looking at other positions too, with Fabrizio Romano confirming that the club is working on two midfield deals in Joao Palhinha and Sandro Tonali, while they are also in talks to sign Manchester City winger Savinho.

Tottenham Swoop for Marco Palestra

Marco Palestra via Reuters

Tottenham are currently working on deals to sign Palhinha, Tonali and Savinho, but Damiano Er Faina has added another name to the list in Atalanta’s Marco Palestra.

Posting on X, Er Faina claims that Spurs are in talks with both the player and his club over a summer move.

The 21-year-old is in demand following a successful season-long loan spell with Cagliari in Serie A, with champions Inter Milan heavily linked with a move for the right-back.

Palestra established himself as one of the most reliable in his position in Italy last season, registering four assists and one goal in 37 league games.

The youngster was also recorded as the fastest player in Serie A in 2025-26, clocking an average sprint speed of 27.96km/h.

World Cup History Quiz

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Tottenham Move for Palestra Unexpected

Porro vs Fulham via Reuters

Tottenham do have some clear weaknesses in their squad as things stand, but right-back certainly isn’t one of them.

Pedro Porro has only just penned a new long-term deal to remain at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, and he is a player who looks set to excel under De Zerbi’s leadership.

The Spaniard also has strong competition for the right side too in Djed Spence, who is currently away with England at the 206 World Cup.

Spence is also able to play at left-back, where he will compete with Robertson and Destiny Udogie for minutes.

The presence of Porro and Spence would therefore make a move for the highly-rated Palestra strange, even if he is emerging as an exciting young player.

Palestra and Porro would be able to play further forward if required, but you’d imagine that De Zerbi will use the players he has to fill the right wing slot, or bring in a specialist player for the role.

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Michael Owen Names 3 Subs England Should Make Every World Cup Game

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England get their 2026 World Cup campaign up and running on Wednesday night, one of the last nations to take to the field for their first game in Mexico, Canada and the United States of America.

It has been a thrilling start to the biggest tournament in history and the Three Lions will look to make their mark after impressive performances on Tuesday night and early Wednesday morning by two of the favourites to win the tournament – France and Argentina.

Now, Thomas Tuchel will be looking on his side to follow suit as they aim to end 60 years of hurt by lifting the trophy for only the second time come July 19.

Four England stars were left at home

Phil Foden playing for England vs Albania

Tuchel has already made some bold calls in the build-up to the tournament, leaving some big-name players at home when naming his 26-man squad.

Phil Foden, Cole Palmer, Harry Maguire and Trent Alexander-Arnold were all left to watch the tournament at home as the German head coach made some ruthless decisions. And it will be interesting to see what starting lineup he chooses for the Three Lions’ opener against Croatia on Wednesday night, with some key decisions to be made. The biggest talking points would appear to be in the three spots behind captain and striker Harry Kane.

Former England striker Michael Owen has suggested the decisions facing Tuchel are not as thought-provoking as people may think, because he should “play them all” in the three spots behind Kane to help England lift the trophy.

Speaking in his Daily Mail World Cup column, Owen said: “This may sound radical, but here is my plan for England to win the World Cup – change the three attacking players behind Harry Kane at half-time.

“We know conditions are going to be limiting and we have seen that already with the temperatures in North America and Mexico. Thomas Tuchel has also warned about matches being slow and potentially won by his ‘special teams’ from the bench late in the game. I agree with him – this World Cup will be won by attacking players who are fresh.

Owen think Tuchel’s selection dilemma is not an issue

Fans Claim Thomas Tuchel Has Mistake With One England Player After 1-0 Win vs New Zealand

“So why not quicken things up and play to our strengths? There is so much debate as to who should play on the left, who should play in the middle, who should play on the right. It is because we have brilliant options in all of those positions.

“My solution – play them all! If it is Anthony Gordon who starts on the left, tell him: ‘forget about conserving energy, you’ve got 45 minutes, give it everything you’ve got, empty the tank’. Then, at half-time, on comes Marcus Rashford. Make one player from two. This rotation also means they can go again a few days later.

England World Cup Quiz

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“It can be the same at No 10. Be it Jude Bellingham or Morgan Rogers who starts, send them out with the same message – don’t pace yourself, run yourself into the ground and get us ahead.”

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Food and Drink Prices at Shinnecock Hills

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The food and drink prices at this year’s US Open have drawn widespread criticism after they emerged on social media.

Some have even compared the costs to the sky-high charges being levied on fans at the ongoing 2026 football World Cup, which will run alongside the major.

The price of concessions at big sporting events and concerts is frequently discussed in modern times, with the surprisingly cheap fare on offer at The Masters each year being the exception to an increasingly more expensive rule.

Journalist Josh Carpenter posted a series of photos on social media which revealed the prices. The images have been met with cries of “robbery” and “yikes” and “bring back The Masters!”

Food and Drink Prices at the 2026 US Open Golf

US Open trophy

Every alcoholic beverage, including beer, will run into double digits (in local currency) at Shinnecock Hills Golf Club in New York this week.

The official beer of the Open is Corona Premium, and enjoying one of those will be $12.95 (£9.65), as will the alternatives Modelo and Coors Light.

Don’t fancy a beer? In that case, canned cocktails and canned wine come in at $14.45 (£10.77), and basic cocktails like Jack Daniel’s and a mixer are going to hit the attendees at $15.95 (£11.89) a piece.

Soft drinks are slightly more reasonable, but still pricey compared to their typical cost.

A bottle of water will apparently set you back $6.45 (£4.81), while soft drinks like Sprite and Coca-Cola will cost $3.79 (£2.83) for a single can.

It is the same story with the food being served at the event; snacks like Kind Bars will be $3.69 (£2.75), and if spectators want to indulge in a single pretzel, that will be $7.49 (£5.58). If you were after something a bit more fulfilling than that, a Caesar salad will be $10.95 (£8.16) and adding chicken will be a dollar. A turkey sandwich will be $12.59 (£9.39), and a foot-long hot dog is going to cost almost $20! (£15).

How Do The US Open Food and Drink Prices Compare With The 2026 World Cup?

World Cup Luis Cortes via Reuters

These prices are obviously ridiculous, but they do seem very aligned with what is being seen across the USA, Canada and Mexico during the World Cup. Prices for tickets were already something of a concern going into the tournament, with backlash coming from all angles during the build-up.

Photos circulating on X showcase the prices for concessions at multiple host stadiums, such as MetLife; a bottle of water is $5, and a soft drink is $6. Beers are priced at $16, and canned cocktails and seltzers will set back fans $19 (£14.16).

Food is no better with a chicken-tenders and fries combo meal with a Coca-Cola, which is priced at $19. If you visit the SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles, you can expect to pay $20 (£15) for a match-day pizza or $24 (£18) for a meatball sub!

Considering the prices for tickets are already emptying spectators’ pockets, they will be disappointed looking at the price boards if they fancy some refreshments.

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