Tottenham Hotspur have been one of Europe’s most active clubs in the early weeks of the summer as Roberto De Zerbi looks to put his stamp on the squad he inherited.

The Italian arrived at Spurs at the end of March and guided the north London side to Premier League survival, overseeing a 1-0 win over Everton on the final day of the season.

Following back-to-back 17th place finishes in the Premier League, Tottenham fans will rightly be expecting much improved fortunes this season, especially without European football in the calendar.

The Lilywhites have already signed defenders Andy Robertson and Marcos Senesi on free transfers while Pedro Porro has committed his future to the club despite interest from Real Madrid, signing a new deal until 2031.

Meanwhile, Spurs have seen two bids for Brighton and Hove Albion centre-back Jan Paul van Hecke rejected and it had looked as though progress was being made regarding a deal for Manchester City winger Savinho but they may be forced to seek alternative options if an agreement can’t be reached.

Tottenham identify Frankfurt star as Savinho alternative

According to The Athletic’s deal sheet, Tottenham have been “in contact” with the representatives of Eintracht Frankfurt winger Jean-Matteo Bahoya who they have identified as a possible alternative to Savinho.

The 21-year-old produced four goals and four assists in 37 appearances last season for the German side and has a total of seven goals and eight assists in 78 games since joining from French second division side Angers in January 2024.

Described as ‘unbelievably fast’, Bahoya is known for his dribbling and pace, setting a Bundesliga record for the fastest speed ever recorded in a match when clocking 23.09mph in a match against Bochum in March 2025.

It is believed that the Bundesliga side value the France Under-21s winger at around £60m, with his deal at Frankfurt running until 2029.

Spurs need more exciting forwards

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With Xavi Simons expected to be sidelined for a significant period after suffering a ruptured ACL injury towards the end of last season, as well as Mohamed Kudus still being on the treatment table, Tottenham are very clearly short of flair players in attack.

Over half of their Premier League rivals scored more goals than their 48, with nearly a quarter netted by Richarlison alone.

De Zerbi needs reinforcements all over the pitch, but reestablishing an identity in the final third is certainly a priority as supporters look to get excited by their team once again.

Although his goal output perhaps isn’t the most encouraging, having just turned 21 there is plenty to like about Bahoya and it looks as though he will be one of Europe’s most in-demand players this summer.

Football fans are still getting used to the new pre-match ceremony before every 2026 World Cup fixture.

FIFA confirmed days before this summer’s tournament began that a new ‘fan-centric’ ceremony had been designed “to deepen the connection between players and fans while elevating a moment already rich with anticipation.”

The new ceremony sees giant flags of the two featured national teams unfurled onto the pitch, while each team’s entire 26-man squad stand on each side of the centre circle for the national anthems.

Both squads then shake hands before the flags are packed away and kick-off eventually commences.

Many 2026 World Cup games have kicked off late as a direct result of the new pre-match ceremony. Brazil vs Morocco was delayed by four minutes and 27 seconds; Haiti vs Scotland kicked off two minutes and 42 seconds late, while the opening fixture between Mexico and South Africa kicked off at 8:06pm BST instead of 8pm.

Why Saudi Arabia’s Flag is Held Up

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Eagle-eyed fans noticed how Saudi Arabia’s flag was lifted off the ground before their opening World Cup fixture against Uruguay on Monday night.

According to broadcaster Stadium Astro, Saudi Arabia’s flag is the only flag of the 48 competing World Cup nations that is not allowed to touch the ground.

Uruguay’s flag was also lifted off the ground to provide balance during the ceremony.

Strict prohibitions are in place regarding the use of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s flag.

It is forbidden to display a Saudi Arabia flag that is “faded in colour or in poor condition”, according to a Gulf News article from 2024.

Flags that are old or unfit for display must be destroyed by the person or people responsible, ensuring they are never reused or disrespected.

The same article says it is ‘strictly forbidden’ to lower the Kingdom’s national flag or the flag of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques ‘in a manner that would allow them to touch the ground, water, or any surface below’.

While the national flags of other 2026 World Cup nations have been spread across the floor, Saudi Arabia’s flag will be held above ground-level every time they compete.

Saudi Arabia drew 1-1 with Uruguay in their opening Group H fixture. Al Nassr’s Abdulelah Al-Amri gave Saudi the lead shortly before half-time, but Georgios Donis’ side were denied two precious points when Maxi Araujo equalised late on.

Saudi Arabia face pre-tournament favourites Spain in their next match on June 21 before going head-to-head with Cape Verde, who held La Roja to an unexpected goalless draw on Monday, five days later.

New audio from Ilia Topuria has surfaced after his defeat at the hands of Justin Gaethje for the lightweight title at UFC Freedom 250 on Sunday night.

The showpiece event on the White House’s South Lawn to celebrate the United States’ 250th birthday saw stoppages in all seven bouts, but none more brutal or bloody than the stoppage of the previously-dominant Georgian-Spanish champion.

The champion and challenger traded blows in the first rounds, with the Matador looking well-placed in the fight. However, in the third round, American Gaethje pulled ahead, landing heavy shots that bloodied up the face of Topuria and leaving significant swelling around both eyes.

When he entered the corner after the third, discussions about his ability to see were picked up by the broadcast, which eventually resulted in the doctor being called in to assess Topuria’s ability to proceed.

After tests, the doctor could be audibly heard saying that Topuria shouldn’t continue, but he was overruled by referee Marc Goddard and the fight continued.

Amber Searls via Imagn Images

At the end of the fourth, however, it has since emerged that cage-side microphones heard Topuria saying to his brother in Spanish “no mas”, meaning that’s enough, and to call the fight. His brother informed referee Goddard, who then waved it off.

Topuria was then helped to leave the Octagon straight after the fight without giving an interview to commentator Joe Rogan.

Ilia Topuria’s Medical Update After UFC Freedom 250

At the post-fight press conference, Dana White said that Topuria had been taken directly to hospital for treatment, adding that he suspected the fighter had suffered a broken orbital bone. However, new reports surfaced overnight revealing he suffered no broken bones and no serious injuries.

“Ilia’s in the hospital. He’s busted up. I’m not a doctor, but his eye looked like he probably has a broken orbital. I don’t know that. That’s not a fact. I’m just assuming,” White said.

Amber Searls via Imagn Images

Elsewhere on the card, fan-favourite and face of the UFC Alex “Poatan” Pereira was knocked out by France’s Ciryl Gane in the second round of the co-main event for the interim heavyweight title.

The Brazilian came up short in his bid to become the first three-division champion and, therefore, putting any superfight with England’s Tom Aspinall on hold for the time being.