Liverpool have reportedly set their sights on a Tottenham Hotspur star who could be available for £40 million this summer.

The Reds aren’t splashing as much cash as they did last summer when they spent a record £446m. Alexander Isak and Florian Wirtz became Liverpool‘s two most expensive signings in history and they were expected to successfully defend their Premier League title.

That didn’t happen and a fourth-placed finish saw Arne Slot dismissed a year after delivering top-flight glory. With Andoni Iraola now in charge, the Reds’ transfer chiefs are tasked with ensuring he has a squad that can compete on all fronts.

Liverpool ‘Seriously Looking’ at Djed Spence

Brett Davis via Action Images via Reuters

Iraola has been keen to add a new left-back to his squad following Andy Robertson’s departure. The Scot headed to Tottenham after his contract expired.

With Robertson heading to Spurs, there are serious doubts over Djed Spence’s future with the Lilywhites. He enjoyed a stellar World Cup campaign but Roberto De Zerbi is thought to be open to selling him.

Journalist Dave Davis has now claimed that Liverpool are huge admirers of the 25-year-old. He told the Anfield Index YouTube channel: “We went digging on this and Djed Spence is absolutely a player that Liverpool are looking at. That’s our info now. Liverpool absolutely are having a serious look at Djed Spence.”

Spence was a standout performer for England during the World Cup, growing as the tournament progressed and displacing Nico O’Reilly. His versatility allows him to operate at right-back and left-back and this is something that the Reds appreciate.

Davis added: “He can play right-back and left-back at the same time, which means you just wonder, you know, you sell [Kostas] Tsimikas, and then you’ve got right-back and left-back cover there in Djed Spence.”

Spence has failed to become a regular starter at Spurs and Robertson’s arrival has only further jeopardised his chances of game time. Inter Milan have been showing interest in the defender and have reportedly been in talks with his entourage.

Liverpool Need to Decide if Price is Right

IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters/Brett Davis

Davis mentioned the likelihood of Spence costing £40 million following his exploits at the World Cup. That fee has been mentioned before, and while it isn’t exactly cheap, it is understandable given his age and qualities.

Konstantinos Tsimikas’ situation will be factored in as speculation grows over the Greek left-back departing. Interest in Spence could be stepped up if that occurs, and he’d be a perfect option to challenge Milos Kerkez for a starting berth.

The price might be an issue for the Reds given he might not be viewed as a guaranteed starter. But in today’s market, for a player who enjoyed somewhat of a breakout World Cup campaign, it could be worth it.

The White House responded to Ferran Torres’ ‘Make Spain Great Again’ hat, which he was pictured wearing at Spain’s 2026 World Cup parade.

Torres was the hero as he netted an extra-time winner against Argentina in the final at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey. As a result, La Roja will now don two stars on their crest after adding to the 2010 World Cup triumph.

Spain were welcomed home by over two million people in Madrid on Monday night following the dramatic win. The players and staff then boarded a bus to parade through the capital city to celebrate the success.

White House Respond to Ferran Torres’ Cap

REUTERS/Ana Beltran

Donald Trump greeted the Spanish players as they made their way to the stage to lift the World Cup on Sunday evening, with the United States of America President handing out the medals.

Only 24 hours after the triumph, Torres was spotted wearing a hat which had the four-word message ‘Make Spain Great Again’ written across it. There are two ways of looking at it. Either the 26-year-old was endorsing Trump or mocking his ‘Make America Great Again’ slogan.

Images and videos quickly went viral of the Barcelona forward, who kept the cap on throughout the majority of the celebrations. Everyone has had their own take on the statement Torres was trying to make. Spain has famously had political tensions with Trump since his return to the Oval Office.

Now, the White House’s official X account has responded to Torres. It was clearly taken as a compliment in the American capital, as they stated: “Everyone wants in on the movement.”

Torres has yet to publicly comment on his choice of cap, although he is likely to be asked in the near future, given how viral the images and videos went.

Fans Convinced Torres Was ‘Mocking’ Trump

Reuters/Mark J Rebilas

Fans weren’t as sure Torres was showing support for MAGA. Instead, they responded to the White House’s post by letting them know they believe he was ‘mocking’ them.

“That joke went above your head to retweet this,” one X user said. Another echoed that sentiment, claiming: “I’m pretty sure he’s mocking y’all.”

Others were on the same page, with one fan responding: “You realise he’s mocking MAGA, right? Of course not…” and another pointing out: “He is trolling you MAGA.”

“Y’all really can’t tell that someone mocks and makes fun of you, can ya? I’m not surprised.”

Southampton are optimistic about the punishment that Tonda Eckert will receive after being charged by the FA for three breaches of bringing the game into disrepute, according to the Athletic.

Southampton were expelled from the playoff final back in May after being found guilty by the EFL after they admitted spying on training sessions for Middlesbrough, Ipswich Town and Oxford United during last season.

Saints will also begin the new Championship season on minus four points after the EFL came down heavily on them, with the FA carrying out their own investigation since.

Despite their failure to go up, the south coast outfit have so far managed to keep hold of all of their key players, although striker Ross Stewart did leave on the expiry of his contract.

Owner Dragan Solak promised he would give supporters a team to be proud of for next term after the disappointment in May, with the club also adding Lewis Dobbin to their squad in a deal worth around £9m from Aston Villa.

Dobbin and his Saints teammates will now be hoping that Eckert is in charge for the beginning of the campaign, which gets underway against Watford at Vicarage Road on August 16.

Athletic: Southampton Expect Eckert to Escape Ban

According to the Athletic, despite Eckert being found guilty of three breaches of Rule E 3.1, in relation to misconduct and bringing the game into disrepute, ‘sources close to Southampton’ expect the German to avoid a ban that would see him banned and prohibit him from coaching.

That would be the worst-case scenario for Eckert and the club, who have put their full backing behind the 33-year-old despite the disappointing outcome of the 2025-26 season.

Despite the Spygate scandal, Saints impressed during the second half of the campaign, and they are still unbeaten in the Championship since January, which is a record they will look to continue at the start of next term.

Southampton Could Still Lose Players

Southampton would have been fearing losing the likes of Taylor Harwood-Bellis, Leo Scienza, Caspar Jander and Shea Charles this summer following the failure to win promotion, but the quartet currently all remain at St Mary’s.

The majority of interest has come around the player with the least time remaining on his contract in Charles, with Leeds United launching multiple bids for his services in recent weeks.

Fellow Premier League duo Crystal Palace and Fulham are also said to be interested in the Northern Ireland international, but links around the likes of Harwood-Bellis and Scienza have so far been quiet.

Saints can definitely be more confident of finishing in the playoff positions at the minimum next season if they retain the majority of the aforementioned stars, as the players look to put right the wrongs of the club last season.

Southampton have been touted to look at re-signing Ross Stewart, who is still yet to find a new club after leaving the club at the expiry of his contract at the end of June.