Tottenham are now said to have identified a new forward target as they contemplate strengthening at the top end of the pitch. Spurs are now concentrating on attacking recruits after taking care of their defence and midfield with a club-record spending bill of £237million.

Roberto De Zerbi is backed like no other Spurs boss before him, with the club hoping to go from back-to-back bottom-half finishes to European qualification. Big squad changes are required, and the board is sticking to their word by splashing hundreds of millions in a bid to achieve their objective.

A winger looks to be next for Spurs, but a striker may also be signed, perhaps depending on whether Dominic Solanke or Richarlison leave.

Spurs now considering Mikautadze transfer

According to journalist Paul O’Keefe, Tottenham are considering a deal to sign Villarreal forward Georges Mikautadze. He posted on X: “Georges Mikautadze among the names attracting interest from Tottenham as they look to strengthen their attack.”

Mikautadze cost Villarreal up to €36million (£30,8m) last summer, arriving from Olympique Lyon, and he scored 12 times in La Liga in his first season with the club. The forward is under a long-term deal and his release clause is unclear at this stage, but it’s likely it is around €50million or more.

“We can’t maintain this level of spending and effort every year. We have to balance the accounts for the 2026–27 season and, even while playing in the Champions League, we may have to make a sale.” – Fernando Roig, Villarreal owner

Villarreal owner Fernando Roig has said the club will likely sell one player this summer to keep their finances ticking over, even after securing back-to-back qualification for the Champions League for the first time in their history. But Mikautadze will not be under consideration to be sold, with the Yellow Submarine likely to allow Pape Gueye to move on amid Premier League interest.

Mikautadze was seen as a statement signing following Champions League qualification last summer, and as the club’s main striker, a sale is unlikely.

Strikers linked with Tottenham this summer

• Omar Marmoush
• Victor Osimhen
• Benjamin Sesko
• Folarin Balogun
• Nicolas Jackson
• Georges Mikautadze

What kind of player is Georges Mikautadze?

Mikautadze has an extraordinary technical ability. That’s not to say he is one of the best players in the world, which would be too strong, but his technical ability is at an elite level. He is the sort of player who has that something special, and like any player of that mould, it doesn’t always come off.

But Mikautadze is a confident finisher. He loves to chip the goalkeeper when it’s on, and you’ll often seen deft finishes from the Georgia international, rather than powerful strikes. He can play a fox in the box type of role, but he also likes to drift elsewhere to pick up the ball on the edge of the box and attempt curlers from a little further out.

What he is not is a dominant striker who is going to hold the ball up or win headers consistently. Mikautadze needs the ball at his feet to succeed. Like many of those sorts of players, he can go missing in a more direct game, but if he is given the ball to feet or in behind, he has rapid pace and can damage teams quickly with his technical ability. He has quick feet and trickery, and at 25 years of age, he is starting to really polish that, with his first LaLiga season seeing him become a little more disciplined with how he uses the ball.

Marcelino, who was in charge of Villarreal last season, said of the forward: “He’s a little anarchic, intuitive, intelligent, a great finisher with both feet.”

He added in October of last year: “Georges is a player who is still adapting. He’s showing his qualities. He has countless resources and can finish against top-class goalkeepers. He can give us an outstanding performance and help us achieve our objectives.”

The son of WWE legend Scott Steiner and cousin Raw Superstar of Bron Breakker, Brock Rechsteiner, was hit with a six-game suspension from the NFL on Thursday evening.

No official reason was provided at the time of the announcement, but the news is a huge blow to the 23-year-old wide receiver’s hopes of making the New Orleans Saints’ 53-man roster for the upcoming NFL season.

Much like his famous family members, Rechsteiner is an impressive athlete. He stands at 6ft 2in and weighs in at 101 kg.

His college career was spent at Jacksonville State University and last year he ended the season with 36 receptions for 383 yards and five touchdowns. During this year’s NFL Draft, he was unselected. However, his performance at the Saints’ rookie mini-camp was enough to land him a shot at making the team.

Why Brock Rechsteiner Was Suspended By the NFL

His dreams of becoming an NFL star, though, may now be over after the real reason behind his ban emerged. Per a tweet from Saints insider Ayre Pulli, Rechsteiner was suspended “for violating the NFL-NFLPA performance-enhancing substances policy.”

Normally, a first-time offense like this would equal to a four-game ban, so Rechsteiner receiving a six-game ban suggests that not only was he caught with performance-enhancing substances, but there is also the implication that there was an attempt made to manipulate the test results, which is what would create that extra two game suspension.

In view of his suspension, most pundits now believe that his chances of making the Saints’ roster this year are minimal. He will still be able to take part in pre-season training and games, but would be ineligible for more than a third of the team’s regular season schedule once the six-game ban kicks in at the start of the season.

With his hopes of making the team all but over, Rechsteiner at least has a back-up plan; professional wrestling.

Vowing to follow his family members into the ring, Brock has previously stated: “I want to pursue football as long as I can, play as long as I can, but once I’m done, I’ll get into wrestling, too.”

Bron Breakker, the older cousin of Rechsteiner, also attempted to make a name for himself in the NFL before heading into WWE. In 2020, Breakker signed with the Baltimore Ravens but did not make the roster, so he jumped straight into a wrestling career, where he has carved out a highly-lucrative career since. The 28-year-old currently reigns as one half of the World Tag Team Champions on WWE Raw.

Arsenal will now turn their attention to signing a winger after confirming the arrival of Bruno Guimaraes from Newcastle United, and Everton star Iliman Ndiaye is one of the widemen being considered. The Gunners paid a £75million fixed fee to sign Guimaraes, meeting Newcastle in the middle to address their need for an elite number eight.

Mikel Arteta came into this window needing to address two key areas, and as well as the number 8 spot, the Spaniard has not hidden the fact he wants an elite left-winger.

Leandro Trossard, who has since left, did a good job on the left last season, while Gabriel Martinelli also contributed, but Arsenal need more if they are going to regularly compete with the best teams in the world.

Arsenal have considered Ndiaye transfer

According to The Independent, Arsenal have considered a deal for Everton star Ndiaye in their search for a left-winger. Julian Alvarez, who usually plays more centrally, is close to the top of the club’s list, while PSG’s Bradley Barcola is also being considered, but both players will cost huge money, likely somewhere above £130million.

Real Madrid superstar Vinicius Jr was option number one, but the Gunners always knew that would be conditional on the winger rejecting a new contract at Real Madrid, and an agreement has now been reached.

Ndiaye would be a slightly more cost-effective option, and he has Premier League experience with Everton, scoring six and assisting three last season, while he scored nine from out wide during the previous campaign.

“Ili has hugely impressed me with how he’s played. He’s gone from the left side to the right side. He can play either side.” – Everton boss David Moyes

There have been reports that Everton could ask for as much as £100million for Ndiaye this summer, but even at that price, he would be cheaper than the likes of Barcola and Alvarez, albeit he is not anywhere near as proven at the very top level.

At this stage, the report claims Ndiaye has only been considered by Arsenal, and the interest has not gone beyond that, but the Gunners are now expected to ramp up their winger search after the signing of Guimaraes.

Arsenal’s current winger options

• Bukayo Saka
• Gabriel Martinelli
• Christos Tzolis
• Noni Madueke
• Ethan Nwaneri
• Reiss Nelson
• Eberechi Eze

What Moyes has said about Ndiaye

via Reuters

Ndiaye has been praised by Everton boss David Moyes for his versatility, but the veteran boss has wanted more consistency from the winger. He said last season: “Ili has hugely impressed me with how he’s played. He’s gone from the left side to the right side. He can play either side. I think he’s been better there. He’s been so good. We’re getting goals from him as well. He’s a great lad to work with. He’s shown some brilliant moments, especially in the first half against Manchester City, but we just want him to be like that in all the games.”

Arsenal confirm Guimaraes transfer

Action Images via Reuters/Lee Smith

In the meantime, Arsenal have confirmed the signing of Guimaraes from Newcastle. Sporting director Andra Berta said: “We are delighted to welcome Bruno Guimaraes to our club. Bruno is a player with a great mentality and great quality, who will bring strong leadership to our squad.

“With Bruno joining us, we are further strengthening the heart of our team. As we have all seen, Bruno can play as a defensive midfielder and as a box-to-box player. He combines quality with quantity, and has provided goals and assists for his team every year. Bruno will allow Mikel to further develop our playing style and will also increase our internal competitiveness, which is essential for maintaining the standards required when we are aiming to win major trophies.”