Tottenham are ready to make a move to hijack Newcastle United’s move to sign Abde Ezzalzouli this summer, according to Sport.

Spurs are looking to bolster their squad in the upcoming window having narrowly avoided relegation on the final day of the season thanks to a 1-0 win over Everton, with Roberto De Zerbi’s arrivcal with seven games remaining sparking a decent spell of form.

But the Italian is now pushing to strengthen his squad ahead of the new season, and a new forward is understood to be among the priorities in the transfer window.

Ezzalzouli, who has been described as a ‘superstar’, has been strongly linked with a move to Newcastle United as the Magpies look to replace Anthony Gordon, who has joined Barcelona in a deal worth around £70m.

But it’s now understood that Tottenham Hotspur have also made contact with Real Betis about a move for the Morocco international, with the La Liga club needing to raise funds before June 30th despite reaching the Champions League.

Ezzalzouli is set to star for Morocco at the World Cup, and Betis are hopeful that could help to raise his value. But his release clause is currently set at €60m (£52m), and it’s understood that is appealing to several clubs.

The 24-year-old starred for Betis this season, registering 14 goals and nine assists in all competitions, and it’s reported that Spurs have initiated contact about a potential deal to bring him to north London, ahead of Newcastle, who have made him a top target to replace Anthony Gordon following his move to Barcelona.

Manuel Pellegrini is hopeful of keeping hold of the 24-year-old for next season, but with the club’s need to raise funds, an exit now looks inevitable.

Tottenham Ready to Go Big

Tottenham are well aware that they need to make big improvements to their squad this summer, and as a result, they know they need signings.

Roberto De Zerbi has already brought in Andy Robertson and Marcos Senesi to bolster his defence, but the attack grossly underperformed this season and new options are needed, which has led to interest in Ezzalzouli, who would be a major upgrade on current options.

He has the quality to add more dynamism to the squad, and has shown he has an eye for goals and assists, and under De Zerbi, he could potentially reach a new level, which makes him a very exciting signing.

Former referees have given their verdict on several flash points in the Champions League final between Arsenal and PSG, as match official Daniel Siebert was kept on his toes in a tense encounter in Budapest.

Arsenal took the lead early on in the game when Kai Havertz went through on goal, smashing an effort from close-range into the back of the PSG net.

The Ligue 1 outfit dominated possession and eventually made it count in the second half, when Khvicha Kvaratskhelia was fouled in the box by Cristhian Mosquera, as the referee Daniel Siebert pointed to the spot.

Ousmane Dembele converted the penalty, and with just under 30 minutes to go in regulation time, there were opportunities for both teams to take the win.

Neither team did find that goal before the full-time whistle went, however, sending the match to extra time for the first time in the Champions League final since 2014.

There were controversial decisions made in that additional 30 minutes, but the game stayed at a stalemate until penalties were needed to separate the two teams, with PSG emerging victorious.

After such a tense match that went all the way, former referees have given their thoughts on the key moments of the match.

Ex-Referees On Noni Madueke Penalty

Perhaps the most controversial call from the match referee came in extra time, when Noni Madueke got in a tangle with PSG defender Nuno Mendes.

The winger managed to get in behind the backline, and while the pair grappled, the Arsenal man went to ground, creating some almighty appeals from the Gunners.

Declan Rice was booked for his protests, along with manager Mikel Arteta, but both the referee and the VAR waved away the claims for a spot kick.

While those in the TNT commentary team believe it to be enough for a penalty, former referees are not quite as sure, with Graham Scott among those to back Siebert’s call.

He told The Athletic: “There will be plenty of comments along the line of ‘I’ve seen them given’, and I doubt a VAR would have seen enough to overturn a penalty had one been awarded.

“But ultimately I would rather defend the referee for keeping out of this one than try to build a defence had he succumbed to pressure and pointed to the spot.”

Another former Premier League referee, Mark Halsey, believes that there wasn’t enough for the VAR to overturn the decision when speaking to The Sun.

“Arsenal had a big shout for a penalty in the first half of extra time where Madueke’s gone down under a challenge from PSG’s Mendes,” he said.

“Now, in real time, I thought it was absolutely narrowed on penalty, but when you see the replay, you can see Madueke is holding Mendes’ arm.

“So, not sure how the referee’s seen that, but is it a clearing office error for VAR to get involved? Not in my opinion. The same as had the referee given it, VAR still wouldn’t have got involved because of the clear and obvious error.

“So, it’s one of those, some will say yes, some will say no, so it’s subjective. So that’s why VAR didn’t get involved.”

In the end, the decision didn’t go in Arsenal’s favour, but it wasn’t the only one that Siebert had to make some huge calls on in the Champions League final.

Mark Clattenberg On Arsenal Decisions

Former Premier League referee Mark Clattenburg has also given his thoughts on some crucial decisions made in the match between Arsenal and PSG.

The first of which was a potential handball shout against Bukayo Saka, as the ball ricocheted from his left hand to his right in the box during the first half.

The match officials and VAR decided against giving a penalty, a decision Clattenburg agrees with, as he told Arsenal Insider: “The ball does touch the arm of Bukayo Saka inside his own penalty area, but it would have been extremely harsh if this was awarded as he tries to play the ball with his leg before touching his chest and then onto his arm, which was close to the body.

“We have seen so many controversial handballs given in this season’s competition, and this always creates doubt when the ball touches the arm or hand.

“I am pleased this one was not awarded, especially when a player is trying to play the ball with his body.”

The second big call then came in the second half around the hour mark, when Mosquera fouled Kvaratskhelia, prompting the match referee to point to the spot.

While there was debate over whether it was a spot kick, there were also questions over whether the Arsenal defender should’ve received a second yellow card.

“The penalty kick awarded to PSG for a challenge by Christhian Mosquera on Khvicha Kvaratskhelia was a correct one by referee Daniel Siebert,” Clattenburg added.

“Any contact on the ball by the defender was after catching the leg of the attacker from behind so the referee was right to award.

“Some will argue that Mosquera should have been issued a second yellow card but not every foul is a yellow card and as the challenge was a careless one, the law states that a yellow card should not be issued for a careless foul.”

In the end, it seems as though Siebert may have got all the big calls right.

Aston Villa are preparing for another season in the Champions League next season, and are ready to trigger the release clause of a Bundesliga star to bolster their squad.

Unai Emery’s side claimed a spot in the top competition in Europe by winning the Europa League final against Freiburg, while they also finished fourth in the Premier League in a fine campaign.

But the club are now preparing for the new season and are anticipating a potential change of goalkeeper being necessary amid question marks over the future of Emiliano Martinez, and a target has been identified.

Aston Villa Open Talks for Nicolas

According to a report by TEAMtalk, Aston Villa have now opened talks with Borussia Moenchengladbach over a deal to sign Moritz Nicolas.

Nicolas, who has been described as ‘exceptional’, enjoyed a phenomenal Bundesliga campaign this season with 13 clean sheets in 34 appearances, more than anyone else except for Borussia Dortmund star Gregor Kobel.

But Villa are anticipating more interest in current number one Martinez, who was heavily linked with a move to Man Utd last summer, and that has seen them begin the process to replace him.

Emery is keen to add a younger, ambitious goalkeeper to the squad to compete with him even if he stays, and Nicolas is considered to be a top target.

The 28-year-old has a £13m release clause in his contract, but Villa are understood to be willing to pay it as they consider him to be worth even more than that with his top-flight experience. It’s also noted that Nicolas is open to making the move to Villa Park, despite interest from elsewhere too.

Aston Villa Planning for Change

Aston Villa have had a terrific campaign this year, and they want to carry that momentum into next season, despite the uncertainty around several members of their first-team squad.

Martinez is one of the first names on their team sheet, and while his exit would be a big blow, it’s something they’re likely to have been preparing for for several transfer windows considering the speculation around his future.

Nicolas would be a top signing considering the fee and his experience in the top-flight, and Villa’s hierarchy are ready to make it happen.