Tottenham Hotspur are already lining up their next blockbuster signing after Mateus Fernandes and Sandro Tonali, according to Fabrizio Romano.

Tottenham and ENIC have gone into overdrive in the summer transfer window and have shocked their fans and Premier League opponents with the aggression they are showing in the market.

Having wrapped up bargain free transfer moves for Andy Robertson, Marcos Senesi and Martin Dubravka within the first couple of weeks of the window opening, Spurs have now started spending big money.

Jan Paul van Hecke cost just over £50m from Brighton and Hove Albion, while the north Londoners have just spent £185m combined on the double midfield swoop for Fernandes and Tonali.

Those two moving to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium means that a deal to sign Joao Palhinha on a permanent basis is now off, with the Portugal international saying his goodbyes on social media on Friday afternoon.

With the goalkeeping, defensive and midfield positions coming together nicely, attention is now expected to turn to strengthening De Zerbi’s attack as Tottenham look to make a huge impact next season.

Tottenham have been linked with Manchester City star Savinho, but now they have their eye on a Premier League winner too.

Romano: Tottenham Want Cody Gakpo

Annegret Hilse via Reuters

Tottenham have been linked with many left-sided attackers, including Savinho, Rafael Leao and West Ham’s Crysencio Summerville in recent weeks, but now they are said to have an interest in 2025 Premier League champion Cody Gakpo.

Rumours suggested that the £250,000-a-week Netherlands international was considering his future at Anfield following the dismissal of Arne Slot, but Romano claims that Liverpool have no intention of selling and hints it may take a big proposal to change their stance.

Issuing an update on his latest YouTube video, the Italian journalist said:

“Keep an eye on Tottenham for Cody Gakpo, because Tottenham have interest in the player. Then I can tell you that Liverpool, as of today, the beginning of July, are not opening doors to an exit. So, at the moment, Liverpool are not telling Gakpo, ‘Okay, you can leave’, they are not telling Tottenham, ‘Okay, let’s negotiate’. This is not happening now.

“So, at the moment, the door is closed from Liverpool, but we have to see later on this summer, in case Tottenham really open talks by sending a proposal. At the moment, it is interest. If they send a proposal, we have to see what’s going to happen there. So it’s a story to keep an eye on.”

Tottenham Can Sign Gakpo Alternative for £51m

via Reuters

Gakpo is likely to cost Tottenham big money with Liverpool unlikely to want to sell to a Premier League rival for a smaller fee, but Spurs have been told they can sign an alternative to the Dutchman and Savinho for just over £50m.

According to Sky Sports journalist Gianluca Di Marzio, AC Milan could be willing to sell Rafael Leao for as little as €60m (£51m) this summer.

The player has already publicly confirmed his desire to move on from the San Siro this summer for a new opportunity, with suggestions that the Premier League would be his dream move.

Manchester United, Arsenal and Tottenham are all in the market for a left-sided forward, so it will be interesting to see who makes their move.

For fans outside of the United States, Canada, and Mexico, the timing of games has been one issue to contend with when watching certain World Cup fixtures. This will be very apparant for those who want to watch England take on Mexico in their upcoming Round of 16 match, with the game set to kick off at 1am (GMT).

Having finished top of Group L, Thomas Tuchel’s men met DR Congo in the next round but struggled against their underdog opposition, falling behind to a fine effort from Brian Cipenga in the 7th minute. It took until the 75th minute before Harry Kane found a leveller and then won the game with four minutes to play.

As a result, England will take on Mexico at the Azteca Stadium in Mexico City. The tournament co-hosts beat Ecuador 2-0 in their previous outing, having also finished top of their group (A).

More Than Just Altitude Could Cause Chaos During England vs Mexico

REUTERS/Carlos Perez Gallardo via Action Images

Much has been made about the altitude difficulties England will face during the fixture, which takes place at 6pm local time. This is because Estadio Azteca sits at 2,200 metres (7,218 ft) above sea level, making it the highest altitude stadium in North America.

Mexico have lost just twice in 89 competitive matches at the stadium, with it widely believed that the altitude hinders opposition teams when visiting. Tuchel’s men will have to deal with less oxygen in every breath, while there is also less resistance on the ball, causing it to move faster, which could catch out players unfamiliar with the conditions.

With all this to worry about, there is one more key issue that could impact the occasion, as thunderstorms are expected that evening in Mexico City. According to the Met Office forecast, they tempestuous weather is expected to begin an hour before kick-off.

The report notes that the thunderstorms are forecast between 17:00 and 19:00 local time. As such, the game could be delayed, as was seen when poor conditions halted France’s 3-0 win over Iraq in Philadelphia by two hours. England also faced weather delays in the US ahead of their pre-World Cup friendly against Costa Rica.

Any major storms could prove disastrous for England fans hoping to watch the Mexico game in UK pubs. Prime Minister Keir Starmer has made sure that the venues will be allowed to stay open until 5am on Monday morning, but things could get tight if the game is delayed.

Monday’s match in Mexico is not expected to finish until at least 03:00, but if the game is delayed, fans might be forced out before the full-time whistle is blown. What’s more, if injury time and penalties are required, it will make timing towards the end of the match even tighter.

US Have Strict Rules Over Lightening Near Sport Stadiums

REUTERS/Peter Cziborra

According to US rules, via TalkSport, play must be stopped if a lightning strike is detected within eight miles of a stadium. A match can only resume after 30 minutes have passed since the last lightning strike, and that countdown resets if more bad weather arrives.

Fox Weather meteorologist Stephen Morgan has explained:

Speaking on all the issues his team could face against Mexico, England boss Tuchel accepted their World Cup rivals have a ‘huge advantage’ due to the altitude, adding: “The ball will fly differently [at altitude]. It will fly maybe five yards more. It’s just difficult. We just need the experience.”

Even so, he insisted his players won’t be looking for excuses. “Bring it on,” he said, before noting: “It’s a very beautiful and exciting fixture. There will be lots of obstacles, but this team will be ready, whatever it takes.”

Tottenham Hotspur have been offered the chance to sign AC Milan forward Rafael Leao by super-agent Jorge Mendes, according to reports in Italy, via Sport Witness.

Spurs have been incredibly busy in the window so far, breaking their club record to sign Matheus Fernandes in an £85m deal from West Ham, while they have also agreed a £100m deal to sign Sandro Tonali, having already completed deals for Andy Robertson, Marcos Senesi, Martin Dubravka, and Jan Paul van Hecke.

But the club are now looking at options to strengthen their attack for Roberto De Zerbi, and they’ve been given the opportunity to complete another mega deal.

Tottenham Offered Rafael Leao

Pedro Nunes Via Reuters

Leao, who has been described as a ‘superstar’, looks certain to leave AC Milan this summer as he enters the final two years of his contract at the San Siro, after the club failed to reach the Champions League for next season.

The Portugal international is currently representing his country at the World Cup, but has publicly spoken about his desire for a new challenge this summer, with a move to England understood to be at the top of his wishlist.

Mendes helped to broker the deal that took Fernandes to Spurs, and it’s understood that he is likely to have made the offer of taking Leao to the club during those talks.

Milan want around €60m (£51.4m) to let Leao leave, but with limited interest currently it’s reported that they would be open to a loan deal with an obligation to buy too, which could help Spurs as they prepare for a hugely impactful summer of spending to bolster their squad.

Currently there has only been concrete interest in the 27-year-old from Turkey, but he isn’t interested in moving there at this stage of his career, and Spurs could be an ideal landing spot for him later in the window.

Leao Would Be Game-Changer for Spurs

Tottenham need attacking reinforcements as a priority now, having addressed their defence and midfield areas nice and early.

Dejan Kulusevski missed the entirety of last season due to injury and there is no update on his return, while Mohammed Kudus missed a large chunk, and both Xavi Simons and Wilson Odobert are recovering from ACL tears.

Leao would bring the ability to win a game on his own, and De Zerbi’s system tends to make the wingers the most important components, isolating defenders to get them one-on-one regularly. That’s where Leao thrives, and a loan being an option means this is a deal to keep a close eye on as the summer goes on.