Tottenham have been linked with a potential striker addition in the transfer market, ahead of a huge summer rebuild for head coach Roberto De Zerbi.

Spurs have already made quick work of bolstering their options, with Andy Robertson joining the club ahead of the impending signing of Marcos Senesi.

A recently rejected bid for Jan Paul van Hecke certainly suggests that the defence is a key area of focus, but that may soon switch to the forward ranks.

Tottenham only scored 48 goals last season, with just seven teams scoring fewer in the division, which was compounded by a poor defensive record.

It means options for the strikeforce could be on the cards, with one striker now seemingly linked with a move to North London.

Tottenham Linked With Moise Kean

According to a report from Italian outlet Firenzeviola, Tottenham are a possible destination for Moise Kean this summer, as the ‘killer’ striker has been linked with an exit.

The 26-year-old is claimed to be available after La Viola battled against relegation in Serie A but eventually survived last season, with his eight goals helping the side avoid an unthinkable drop into the second tier.

Kean has a €62 million (£53.5 million) release clause in his deal that activates in early July, but interested parties are claimed to be eyeing a lower fee through negotiations.

The man they will have to deal with is Fabio Paratici, the former Tottenham sporting director who had two stints at the club where he was in charge of transfer dealings.

The latest stint ended earlier this season with his move to Fiorentina, but Spurs could raid his new club with a move for Kean in the coming weeks.

It’s stated that Tottenham chiefs will be waiting for the green light from De Zerbi over any move, particularly one for the Italian international, but the club are willing to invest €40 million (£34.5 million) in an attacking addition.

It remains to be seen whether Kean will be the priority target, although previous Italian reports have suggested that De Zerbi wants Kean.

Tottenham Must Consider Striker Situation

In the post-Kane era, Tottenham have struggled to find goals from their strikers, as well as the all-round play that would allow them to click in the forward areas.

Spurs have leaned on Richarlison, Dominic Solanke, and Randal Kolo Muani over the past season as their centre-forward options, but none of them have stood out as quality options.

Both Richarlison and Solanke have struggled for fitness at different points, and while there have been glimmers of their quality, it hasn’t been consistent.

That could change under De Zerbi, of course, but if there are specific attributes that the manager needs to keep his team ticking, then Tottenham must consider entering the market.

The issue is that almost every area will be under consideration, which could result in priorities shifting elsewhere as the window progresses.

Ahead of the 2026 World Cup starting this June, there is no better time to reflect on those who have lifted football’s most prestigious trophy in the past. Brazil stand alone as the most successful nation, with five triumphs at the summit of the beautiful game, while Germany, Italy and Argentina are not far behind, having all won it more recently.

Indeed, the likes of England and Spain have also enjoyed their moments of glory. Alan Shearer and Micah Richards – both part of unsuccessful Three Lions squads themselves – went head-to-head in a BBC Match of the Day segment back in November 2022, ranking the 10 greatest nations to have ever won it all.

The timing of that discussion means Lionel Messi’s most recent triumph does not feature in their list, but their selections still make for fascinating reading. In particular, their differing takes on England’s 1966 side, as well as their contrasting views on Spain’s iconic 2010 team, stand out.

Micah Richards’ 10 Greatest World Cup Winning Teams

The Beeb’s segment began with an early disagreement between Richards and Shearer, which appeared to set the tone for the entire programme. The first of several debates centred on whether France’s 2018 triumph was the weakest of the top nations put forward, or whether Argentina’s 1978 side deserved the 10th spot instead.

Richards placed France’s most recent win in 10th. They went unbeaten throughout the tournament and famously beat Argentina 4-3 in the last 16, in one of the World Cup’s greatest matches, but the former Manchester City defender justified his ranking by pointing to the presence of Steven Nzonzi, then a Stoke City player, in the squad – a factor he felt prevented it from ranking any higher.

The duo agreed on Italy 1982 coming in at eighth, with 40-year-old goalkeeper Dino Zoff becoming the oldest player to win the tournament, while Paolo Rossi took the Golden Boot as the Azzurri overcame both Brazil and Argentina on their way to the final.

However, ranking Spain’s tiki-taka side of 2010 in seventh would have raised eyebrows among Shearer and many viewers alike, as would Richards’ decision to place Brazil’s 2002 side just one place higher. Richards did, however, align with his colleague on West Germany’s 1990 team being placed fifth, despite what is often considered one of the least memorable finals in history, with them needing an Andreas Brehme penalty to edge past Argentina.

He ranked France’s first triumph in 1998 in third, above England’s sole World Cup win, though he was quick to pay tribute to the latter: “It is just the story of it and being at Wembley. It is the immortality of the whole thing and the players.” The pair were unanimous, however, in placing Brazil 1970 at the top, with “Maradona’s team” taking second place in Richard’s books.

Alan Shearer’s 10 Greatest World Cup Winning Teams

After picking Argentina’s 1978 squad in 10th – a side that defeated Johan Cruyff’s Netherlands 3-1 after extra time in the final – Gary Lineker interjected Shearer’s decision, saying: “I loved this team, I remember Kempes winning the Golden Boot and cheering all the goals against Peru because I went with the host nation. It was a decent final, because that Dutch team were very strong.”

That didn’t stop him from placing them below France’s 2018 triumph, as Kylian Mbappé announced his talent to the globe, nor did it shift his stance on putting Italy’s greatest win in eighth. While Richards had Argentina’s 1986 side in second, Shearer explained his decision to rank them seventh, saying:

France’s first World Cup triumph comes in at sixth, while West Germany are placed fifth. In fourth, he said of Brazil 2002: “Ronaldo, Rivaldo, Ronaldinho. Brilliant team, they also had Carlos and Cafu. That Ronaldinho goal against England was a fluke though.”

But despite Scolari’s side winning seven games en route to gold, he still felt Spain 2010 were better. Richards argued the side’s constant 1-0 wins were too dull to rank that highly, but Shearer placed them inside the medal positions, just below England’s 1966 triumph.

Then, on naming Brazil 1970 top, he explained: “One of the easiest decisions even though I never saw them. The way people eulogise about them and the names they had, it had to be them.”

Celtic are planning a huge summer transfer window to help bolster the squad, with French outlet Footmercato claiming that a fast striker is on the club’s radar for the coming market.

It comes as the Hoops plan for some change, following an inconsistent season that saw the side change manager several times before Martin O’Neill narrowly guided the team to the Scottish Premiership title.

Following the revival under the 74-year-old, Celtic are set to offer a one-year contract to keep the iconic manager in position for the upcoming campaign.

It means the veteran could help pick up where he left off with the side, especially with an important Champions League campaign coming up.

That also means some improvement is needed in the squad, and the options in wide areas are already being assessed.

Celtic Want Tairyk Arconte

As Celtic look to bolster O’Neill’s squad for the coming season, the club’s hierarchy are already sounding out possible recruits to be the first signing of the new era.

The report from Footmercato claims that Tairyk Arconte, a winger who plays for Ligue 2 side Rodez AF, has emerged as a top candidate for the Hoops.

The 22-year-old plays as a centre-forward, where he scored 14 goals and assisted four times across all competitions, underlining a successful campaign.

His playing style has been described as ‘explosive’ and quick, which could be the sort of characteristic O’Neill needs in his team for next season.

Celtic aren’t alone in their interest, however, as English Championship side Millwall are in the mix for Arconte’s signature, along with AJ Auxerre.

It remains to be seen whether the Scottish champions can make a move for the striker, but it underlines the quick nature with which they are looking to move in the market.

Celtic Need To Organise Quickly

Time is of the essence at Celtic, as work is needed to ensure that chaos away from the pitch doesn’t spill onto it in the same way that it did during last season.

Some changes in the managerial department led to uncertainty throughout the season, which heavily threatened to impact the campaign, almost resulting in the Scottish Premiership being out of reach.

With a quick appointment of O’Neill, the work must then begin on assembling a squad that is capable of challenging across multiple competitions at the highest levels.

Decisions have to be made on loanees returning to their parent club, as well as some concerns over the contracts of key stars that are starting to run down.

These are decisions that can’t be left too long, otherwise Celtic run the risk of being in for another chaotic campaign that may not end quite as well as the last.