Sports
Arsenal Must Cash in on Gabriel Martinelli After Como
Arsenal must find a new home for Gabriel Martinelli in the coming weeks to create squad space for a dynamic new left-winger, particularly after what the Brazilian produced in Wednesday evening’s friendly against Como.
The Gunners were held to a draw by Cesc Fabregas’ outfit, with Myles Lewis-Skelly’s 33rd-minute strike cancelled out by Martin Baturina’s sensational effort on the stroke of half-time. The result meant that Mikel Arteta’s side claimed just one win across their four pre-season matches – not the form the Spanish boss would’ve hoped for heading into the new campaign.
While all eyes were on Bruno Guimaraes as he made his debut after signing from Newcastle United last week, Martinelli’s subdued display has also sparked conversation.
Galatasaray reportedly submitted a £38 million bid for the 25-year-old winger this week, and thus, this showing at the Emirates may have been his last in a red and white shirt.
Gabriel Martinelli Fails to Impress in Arsenal’s Friendly vs Como
Martinelli has a year left on his contract at Arsenal, and while there’s an option to extend his deal by another 12 months, many assumed last season would be his final in N5.
However, after returning to training at the beginning of last week, following his involvement with Brazil at the World Cup, and after Arsenal failed to secure a deal for Vinicius Junior, many speculated that Martinelli might be granted one final year at the Emirates.
The left-wing options on the market for the Gunners are uninspiring, and thus, fans have been arguing that there is, in fact, a case to keep Martinelli.
However, after his muted outing against Como and the proposal from Galatasaray, discourse has rightly swayed back in the other direction.
Handed his first start of pre-season, Martinelli was deployed alongside Gabriel Jesus and Max Dowman in the front three, and he made little to no impact on the game. Stationed in a more central role, Arteta tried to extract some of the exciting qualities the former Ituano man showed at the World Cup, but he saw very little of these eye-catching attributes.
|
Gabriel Martinelli’s Stats vs Como |
|
|
Minutes Played |
61 |
|
Touches |
35 |
|
Accurate Passes |
22/27 (81%) |
|
Chances Created |
1 |
|
Shots |
1 |
|
Touches in Opposition Box |
5 |
|
Accurate Crosses |
0/1 (0%) |
Aside from an exquisite bit of play in the middle of the park, which saw him keep possession despite being surrounded by three or four Como players, Martinelli produced very little.
Creating just one chance and taking just one shot, the wide man was hooked on the hour mark, in place of new signing Christos Tzolis. He certainly didn’t grab this opportunity to show Arteta why he shouldn’t be sold, with his performance described as ‘poor‘ by the Standard in their player ratings.
Fees correct prior to summer 2026
All 10 found — excellent!
Arsenal Must Sell Gabriel Martinelli in Coming Weeks
Galatasaray’s offer might fall short of Arsenal’s idealistic valuation of Martinelli, but they may have to fold and accept the offer regardless. If the player doesn’t leave this summer, the Gunners risk losing him for free in 12 months, or for a significantly smaller fee if the option to extend by a year is taken.
Another year on the periphery of Arteta’s squad is likely to see his stock decline, and thus, now is the optimal time to sell.
Myles Lewis-Skelly has been heavily linked with a departure this week, but the Hale End graduate shouldn’t be anywhere near the exit door when Arsenal still have players like Martinelli on their books. The former is a developing youngster excelling in midfield, while the latter is a senior player on hefty wages who simply isn’t justifying this salary with his performances.
Even if the left wing candidates, such as Nico Williams and Kenan Yildiz, have questions marks around them, Arsenal ought to take the risk and try something different, rather than roll out Martinelli for yet another season.
With the Galatasaray offer on the table, the ball is in the Gunners’ court.
All Statistics via FotMob – correct as of 13/08/2026.
Sports
Tottenham Considering Matias Fernandez-Pardo Move Amid Savinho Wait
Tottenham are considering making a move for Lille forward Matias Fernandez-Pardo, according to TEAMtalk.
The north London club have been incredibly active in the transfer market this summer but things have slowed down in terms of incomings since Sandro Tonali joined the club in early July.
Tottenham are in desperate need of adding to their attack over the coming weeks as Roberto De Zerbi looks to get his team challenging for the top four once again.
Goals were a real problem for Spurs last term and the addition of a new attacker who can either play centrally or out wide could prove huge come May when it comes to the club achieving their goals or not.
Fernandez-Pardo, who can play as a centre-forward or on either wing, is the latest name to be linked with a switch to Tottenham Hotspur Stadium after wowing in Ligue 1 for Lille over the past two seasons.
Tottenham are also being linked with attackers too, including:
Tottenham certainly won’t have it all their own way if they do indeed move for Fernandez-Pardo.
According to TEAMtalk, Atletico Madrid have launched a £30m move for the versatile 21-year-old.
The Belgian is believed to be open to a move to the Spanish capital as Diego Simeone’s team look to boost their attacking options amid question marks over what happens with Julian Alvarez.
“He needs to realise just how talented he is because there aren’t many players like him.” – Thomas Meunier on Mathias Fernandez-Pardo
TEAMtalk report that Fernandez-Pardo is now an alternative attacking option for Tottenham, with Savinho’s potential move from Manchester City dragging on.
City themselves are interested in Fernandez-Pardo, who finished last season with eight goals and seven assists in 41 games for Lille in all competitions.
What Tottenham can expect from Fernandez-Pardo
Fernandez-Pardo looks destined to secure a big move away from Lille at some point in the not too distant future.
Right-back Thomas Meunier knows his fellow countryman very well after playing alongside him for Lille and Belgium over the past two years.
Speaking back in April, the 34-year-old, who joined Sunderland this summer, waxed lyrical about the youngster and outlined just how talented he is.
“Compared to the start of the season, when he’d sometimes play on the left, on the right, as a number 9, or even come off the bench, you can tell he’s taken his game to the next level,” said Meunier.
“Matias has an incredible array of skills: he can play in support, get behind defenders, dribble…he needs to realise just how talented he is because there aren’t many players like him. When you have a player with that kind of potential, you have to set even higher standards for him.”
Tottenham defender Micky van de Ven is the current fastest recorded player in Premier League, after reaching speeds of 37.38km/h, but it is nothing compared to Fernandez-Pardo, who is regarded as one of the fastest players in Europe.
His Belgian teammates have claimed the 21-year-old has reached speeds of 39km/h in sprint tests, although the player himself claimed it was more like 38.5km/h.
Sports
Diallo Sends Clear Message To Carrick Ahead of Season Opener
Michael Carrick will have some big decisions to make when it comes to naming his first starting XI of the new 2026/27 Premier League season.
Carrick was installed as the permanent manager at Old Trafford following an impressive spell as caretaker boss in the second half of last season when taking over from the sacked Ruben Amorim.
He guided United to third in the table and qualification for this season’s UEFA Champions League, with the Red Devils actually enjoying the best record of any team in the calendar year of 2026, outperforming champions Arsenal by one point.
Marcus Rashford could make things difficult for Amad Diallo
Heading into the 2026/27 campaign, expectations are high and Carrick will have a job of managing his players through domestic and European campaigns this time around.
Carrick may welcome Marcus Rashford back into the fold this season, having been frozen out by Amorim before him and being sent out on loan to Barcelona.
The Spanish giants failed to complete a permanent deal for the 28-year-old, however, and he is back in training with his United teammates now in pre-season, following England’s run to the semi-finals of the World Cup.
He’s our player, you know, and he’s come back great. He’s just like any other player. I’ve known Marcus a long time and, you know, he gives us something a little bit different. And he’s been in great spirits since he’s been back.
Carrick is keen to integrate Rashford back into the squad and give him just as much of a chance as anyone else, and that could impact Amad Diallo’s game time.
Diallo had to compete with Bruno Fernandes, Matheus Cunha, Bryan Mbeumo and Benjamin Sesko for a place in the frontline of Carrick’s side last season and throwing Rashford into the mix could make things even more difficult for the Ivorian.
Much was made of the front three of new signings Mbeumo, Cunha and Sesko all reaching double figures for goals in their first season in the Premier League, something which had not been done since 2012/13.
Diallo has a big role to play under Michael Carrick
Diallo was well utilised by Carrick, however, playing 17 games under the Englishman, although he only managed one assist during that time, that coming on the final day of the season against Brighton. But Carrick has admitted he is a “big fan” saying the forward has “so much talent” and his “attitude is fantastic”.
The 24-year-old has also started each of United’s last three pre-season friendlies against Atletico Madrid, Paris Saint-Germain and Leeds United, showing he is trusted by Carrick.
Diallo’s stats under Carrick
|
Appearances |
17 |
|
Starts |
13 |
|
Goals |
0 |
|
Assists |
1 |
|
Minutes played |
1,140 |
|
Positions played |
RW, LW, AM |
Against Leeds, the Manchester Evening News gave him a seven out of ten rating, saying: “Quicksilver feet on a couple of occasions and could have scored after good work from Zirkzee. Has made an impact since his return from the World Cup.”
He was also handed a seven in the Sun’s ratings, who said: “Has got better with each of his three starts. Nearly matched Bryan Mbeumo for directness as he gave Leeds youngster Rhys Chadwick a grilling. Seems well-placed to start the season.”
Joshua Zirkzee, who has been linked with an exit from the club, may have taken the plaudits for scoring the goal in the 1-1 draw with Leeds that United won 5-4 on penalties, but Diallo has quietly shown he should be challenging Mbeumo, Cunha, Sesko, Fernandes and Rashford for a starting spot in the team.
Sports
Tottenham Would Finally Replace Harry Kane After Victor Osimhen Move
Tottenham Hotspur have lacked a prolific centre-forward since losing Harry Kane to Bayern Munich in the summer of 2023, but this painful wait for a serious replacement may finally be close to coming to an end.
The Lilywhites have gone big this summer in an attempt to resurrect their broken squad and provide Roberto De Zerbi with the tools to commence a full-scale rebuild. Sandro Tonali has arrived for £100 million as the marquee addition, and the Italian has been accompanied by Mateus Fernandes, Jan Paul van Hecke, Andy Robertson and Marcos Senesi in a statement window.
That said, Spurs are yet to address their highly flawed attacking unit. They continue to be linked with Savinho and Cody Gakpo as wide options, but there is an acknowledgement that a striker is also needed to propel De Zerbi’s side towards the European places.
The void left by Kane is still keenly felt in N17, although the divisive Victor Osimhen could be on the verge of filling that void.
Tottenham Haven’t Adequately Replaced Harry Kane
Kane was the centrepiece of Spurs’ side for a decade, leading the North London club to punch above their weight. Netting 20 goals or more in nine consecutive seasons, the Englishman carried Tottenham through a golden era in which they were unfortunate to emerge with no silverware.
|
Harry Kane’s record for Spurs |
||
|---|---|---|
|
Season |
Goals |
Assists |
|
2013/14 |
4 |
2 |
|
2014/15 |
31 |
5 |
|
2015/16 |
28 |
2 |
|
2016/17 |
35 |
7 |
|
2017/18 |
41 |
4 |
|
2018/19 |
24 |
6 |
|
2019/20 |
24 |
2 |
|
2020/21 |
33 |
17 |
|
2021/22 |
27 |
10 |
|
2022/23 |
32 |
5 |
In 2023, Spurs allowed their greatest ever player to leave the club so that he could play at the highest level for a side competing for the Champions League. Bayern Munich swooped in, landing the then-30-year-old for around £82 million.
Since then, Tottenham have tried and failed to source a replacement. Richarlison was initially identified as the man to succeed Kane, but the Brazilian managed just 12 goals in the 2023/24 season — his first as the number nine in the England international’s absence.
Then, Dominic Solanke was acquired for £55 million in the summer of 2024. The former Bournemouth star enjoyed a relatively productive debut campaign for the Lilywhites, netting 16 goals and registering eight assists across all competitions, but an injury-plagued second season has seen his Spurs career slip by the wayside.
Tottenham are now seeking a new potential solution in this position.
Fees correct prior to summer 2026
All 10 found — excellent!
Victor Osimhen Could Be the Answer For Tottenham
Spurs have reportedly been offered the chance to sign Osimhen this summer. The Nigerian has spent the last two years plying his trade in Istanbul for Galatasaray, but is reportedly eager to return to a top-five league this summer.
While his wage package might be astronomical, this is certainly a deal Spurs should be doing everything in their power to pull off. Like Kane, Osimhen has enjoyed fruitful season after fruitful season in front of goal, and would therefore finally provide the Lilywhites with a dependable frontman again.
|
Victor Osimhen’s goal-scoring record |
||
|---|---|---|
|
Season |
Club |
Goals |
|
2018/19 |
Sporting Charleroi |
20 |
|
2019/20 |
Lille |
18 |
|
2020/21 |
Napoli |
10 |
|
2021/22 |
Napoli |
18 |
|
2022/23 |
Napoli |
31 |
|
2023/24 |
Napoli |
17 |
|
2024/25 |
Galatasaray |
37 |
|
2025/26 |
Galatasaray |
22 |
The 27-year-old may not be capable of replicating some of Kane’s playmaking skills. He’s not renowned for dropping into the midfield and spraying passes to on-rushing wide players, or being involved in neat combination play in and around the box.
However, he is extremely effective at getting on the end of moves inside the box. His physicality and intelligent movement allows him to create separation from defenders, meaning he doesn’t need elite service to still find the back of the net on a regular basis.
Spurs are never going to be able to truly replace Kane. The Leytonstone-born man is a generational talent – a unique profile who cannot simply be unearthed in a new player every ten years.
However, the Lilywhites can find a player who will score goals at a similar rate, who can operate in a slightly different way to Kane. Osimhen is the best option on the market for the North London club, and De Zerbi ought to be pushing his board to make the deal happen.
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