Talk of possible point deductions is a frequent topic when it comes to Premier League clubs of late. Of course, there are some who believe Manchester City could be hit with a huge 60-point deduction should they be found guilty of alleged financial breaches.

Elsewhere, Everton has a 10-point deduction by the Premier League in 2023 after falling foul of regulations in the 2021/22 season. This led Burnley to sue for potential revenue lost as they were relegated, having stayed in line with financial rules, and the Toffees were ordered to pay out to the tune of £40 million.

Now, ahead of the 2026/27 Premier League season, another team could be hit with a points deduction due to profit and sustainability rules (PSR).

Premier League Side Must Raise Millions Before July

It was a remarkable achievement for Hull City to win the Championship play-offs, having finished sixth in the league, but managing to beat Millwall in the semi-finals and then Middlesbrough in the final. However, there has already been a bit of a setback for the club.

Indeed, as per BBC Sport, Hull have an overspend of about £6m on their profit and sustainability (PSR) calculation. Under English Football League rules, that could lead to a six-point penalty.

The breach was caused by promotion bonuses included in the players’ contracts, after they made it up into the Premier League from the Championship at the end of the 2024/25 season. Had the Tigers lost to either Middlesbrough or Millwall, they would not be in danger of exceeding the maximum losses of £39m for the past three seasons, and there would be no points penalty in the Championship.

With the club needing to raise £6m in player sales before 1 July to avoid punishment, Hull owner Acun Ilicali has frankly addressed the situation. He said:

Financial Expert Kieran Maguire Discusses Hull’s Money Issues

Speaking to BBC Sport, football finance expert Kieran Maguire claimed that Hull’s losses had actually been “relatively modest” in recent seasons. With the club earning significant fees from the sales of winger Jaden Philogene and defender Jacob Greaves, he explained how this has helped:

“They had some very successful player sales and they contribute towards covering those losses.

“The big challenge for Hull is that, as we saw with the Nottingham Forest charges and points deduction a couple of seasons ago, if a club pays promotion bonuses, those bonuses are included in the PSR calculations.

“Therefore it can unwittingly knock a club over the £39m limit.”

Maguire added that, in total, a squad’s promotion bonuses are worth between £10m and £15m.

It’s also reported that Kyle Joseph could help bring in much of the £6m, with several Championship clubs interested in the forward. Elsewhere, Hull seem open to selling David Akintola, Abu Kamara and Kasey Palmer for the right price.

Tottenham emerged, almost out of nowhere, in the race to sign Sandro Tonali from Newcastle this week.

The Italian looks likely to leave St James’ Park this summer as Newcastle aim to continue to comply with Financial Fair Play restrictions and the new Premier League Squad Cost Ratio rules coming into play.

The Magpies have already sold Anthony Gordon to Barcelona in a £69million deal, with the Magpies expected to let two big-name players leave this summer.

Roberto De Zerbi sees Tonali as the perfect midfield signing

Tonali has been the subject of much interest from the likes of Arsenal – who made a late bid to sign him in the January transfer window – Manchester United and Manchester City, with both Manchester clubs looking to strengthen in central midfield this summer.

But Spurs entered the race to sign the 26-year-old, with Roberto De Zerbi driving the move to sign the midfielder, as he looks to bolster an ailing Tottenham squad that has finished in 17th place in the Premier League in back-to-back seasons.

GIVEMESPORT understands that Tottenham are willing to pay between £80million and £85million to seal the deal, with potentially more in add-ons too and Tonali is reportedly keen on the move.

Tottenham want to make a statement signing for De Zerbi and prove they are willing to invest in the squad for the new head coach to turn around the club’s fortunes and bringing in Tonali would certainly be that. For starters, Tonali would be a club-record signing, beating the £65million spent on Dominic Solanke two seasons ago.

And it may well be that Spurs have already got the green light to secure a deal for Tonali, described by Football Italia as the “best midfielder in the country”, this summer.

As already mentioned, there are a number of other clubs who have been lin ked with a move for the Italian, but will they actually follow through with that interest?

Other clubs drop out of the race to sign Tonali

Manchester City’s top priority is Elliot Anderson, with the Citizens already having two bids of more than £100million rejected by Nottingham Forest. Will they really get up towards the three-figure mark for another central midfielder in this summer transfer window?

Manchester United have already dropped out of the race to sign Tonali, deeming the package for him too expensive to follow through with, as they turn their attention to other targets.

Meanwhile Arsenal have reportedly agreed a deal with Frenchman Manu Kone. If they complete that deal for a fee in the region of £40million, it would, like City, also be unlikely to see the Gunners splash out more money on another central midfielder.

Tonali’s preference, should he leave St James’ Park this summer, would be on a return to Italy to play in Serie A again, but GMS understands that the finances required to sign him would be out of the reach of the teams who have shown an interest in him.

De Zerbi wants a new central midfielder and Joao Palhinha had been linked with a return on a permanent basis following a successful loan spell last season, but Tonali would represent a significant upgrade on the Portuguese and is four years his junior too.

The Spurs hierarchy want to make a statement signing and the door is clearly open for the Lilywhites to get a deal done.

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

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.

Tottenham Move for Palestra Unexpected

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.