Sports
Newcastle Considering Move to Sign Carlos Baleba for Matthias Jaissle
Brighton & Hove Albion ace Carlos Baleba is on Newcastle United’s list of targets this summer, according to the Daily Mail.
It has been a summer of change on Tyneside with three high-profile player exits from the football club and Matthias Jaissle replacing Eddie Howe as head coach.
In terms of the playing squad, the Magpies have cashed in on Anthony Gordon, Sandro Tonali and Bruno Guimaraes following their respective transfers to Barcelona, Tottenham and Arsenal.
Players have come in through the door, though, but Jaissle looks to have quite the task on his hands as Newcastle bid to make a fast start to the season.
Newcastle were in pre-season friendly action on Wednesday evening, losing 3-1 to Everton at Murrayfield Stadium in Edinburgh.
A defeat which has raised plenty of questions so close to the new season, Newcastle certainly need to do more in the transfer market ahead of their Premier League opener against Liverpool on Sunday, August 23.
Newcastle United’s summer signings so far:
- Ewen Jaouen (Goalkeeper)
- Lukas Hornicek (Goalkeeper)
- Sean Steur (Midfielder)
- Aladji Bamba (Midfielder)
- Bazoumana Toure (Left-winger)
Newcastle have added to their midfield with the additions of Steur and Bamba this summer but the loss of Tonali and Guimaraes could prove huge given what they contributed to the team.
Further quality in the middle of the park is needed, with a statement signing in midfield something that would go down incredibly well considering the outgoings ahead of the new term.
“If he plays his position really, really smart, no one can really outplay him or win duels against him. And I think if he concentrates on that and shows his ability then after, on the ball or driving with the ball, it’s frightening what he can do.” – Pascal Gross on Carlos Baleba
According to the Daily Mail, Baleba of Brighton is among those Jaissle admires and the club have him on their list of targets.
Sources have told the Daily Mail that the 22-year-old is one to keep an eye on as the window progresses as he is currently nursing an ankle injury, but he is viewed as an ‘ambitious’ target.
What Baleba would add to Newcastle’s midfield
Baleba has earned rave reviews since joining Brighton from Ligue 1 side Lille in 2023.
The Cameroon international’s powerful performances have alerted a number of clubs in the process, with Manchester United linked with the midfielder on a couple of occasions.
Baleba is such a talented midfielder that very few players can outplay him, with Brighton teammate Pascal Gross pointing to his ‘wow’ factor and stating that “it’s frightening what he can do”.
“I think Carlos is so talented, he gives so much to the team. I always think when he’s in good positions he can show his physicality. When he’s not in good positions, sometimes you can’t affect it anymore,” Gross told Brighton & Hove Albion’s official website.
“So if he plays his position really, really smart, no one can really outplay him or win duels against him. And I think if he concentrates on that and shows his ability then after, on the ball or driving with the ball, it’s frightening what he can do.
“I think it’s focus and concentration and keeping it simple then you will see actions where the whole stadium goes ‘Wow’. As a holding midfielder, it’s about reliable consistency and we’re working with him on that.
“Carlos is a top guy and a top player. He did really well against Chelsea. I’m happy for him.”
Sports
Man Utd Confident of Beating Arsenal to Sign ‘Fantastic’ Midfield Talent
Ben Jacobs has given an update on Manchester United‘s transfer battle with Arsenal for Leicester City youngster Louis Page who looks increasingly likely to arrive in the Premier League this summer.
Michael Carrick insisted this week that United needed more signings following the first-team arrivals of Youri Tielemans, Andrey Santos, and Karl Darlow. With just over a week until the new season, the Old Trafford faithful have grown frustrated by the lack of business from INEOS since July.
Midfield had been the priority heading into the summer following Casemiro’s departure. While the Red Devils haven’t quite replaced him with a similar profile, they have moved for two exciting options and all signs have pointed to a third midfield signing.
Man Utd Lead Arsenal in Louis Page Race
High-profile names such as Real Madrid’s Aurelien Tchouameni and AS Roma’s Manu Koné were on United’s shortlist. But neither looks set to join the club; instead, the next arrival could be one of English football’s top midfield prospects.
Jacobs, though, has revealed that Old Trafford bosses are confident of landing Leicester’s teenage starlet Page, despite interest from Arsenal. He said on the latest episode of GIVEMESPORT’s Market Madness podcast:
The youngster (Louis) Page from Leicester City, that’s heading in a positive direction for Man United. It’s Man United versus Arsenal, but United are growing in confidence there. So even though it feels like it’s been a quiet few weeks and a disappointing few weeks, no doubt, for Man United fans. I still expect them to pull out a couple of signings between now and the end of the window.
Page, dubbed “fantastic,” is one of the most highly-rated teenagers who has only made 22 senior appearances for Leicester but has already caught the eye of two of the Premier League’s biggest clubs. Likened to Jude Bellingham, the left-footed central midfielder has earned glowing reviews following his performances in the EFL Championship last season.
The 18-year-old won the Championship Apprentice of the Season award at the 2026 EFL Awards earlier this year. His former Foxes boss Marti Cifuentes tipped the Lutterworth-born midfielder for a bright future:
“I’m sure I said from day one that Louis [Page] will be an important player for this Club.”
Page mostly operates as a number eight and he possesses incredible vision along with clever movement. He has three caps for England U19’s to his name and many believe he can become a top talent in the Premier League.
Fees correct prior to summer 2026
All 10 found — excellent!
Man Utd Youth Focus Could Pay Off
United have focused on building for the future during this window, and should they win the race for Page, he’d be the latest youngster to arrive at Old Trafford. INEOS’ strategy has already proven successful, as evidenced by Ayden Heaven’s impressive start to his career with the Red Devils after arriving from Arsenal in February 2025.
One of the biggest academy arrivals this summer has been Tynan Thompson, who joined from Tottenham Hotspur. The club agreed on an £8m package deal for the 18-year-old, who is held in similar regard to Page.
Welsh goalkeeper Kit Margetson has also joined Darren Fletcher’s youth squad, arriving on a free after the 20-year-old left Swansea City. And the latest is 18-year-old Colombian attacking gem Cristian Orozco, who has headed to Old Trafford from Colombian Categoria Primera A side Fortaleza CEIF.
United fans feel Carrick deserves more backing and are eager for INEOS to add more proven names to his squad. But they are also enthused by a clear strategy to secure long-term success by trusting in youth.
Sports
Tottenham Add Newcastle Target Amar Dedic to Transfer Shortlist
Tottenham Hotspur have added Newcastle United transfer target Amar Dedic to their shortlist of Djed Spence replacements, according to GIVEMESPORT senior correspondent Ben Jacobs.
Tottenham have already signed six new players for Roberto De Zerbi this summer, and they are working on two more deals for Savinho and Cody Gakpo of Manchester City and Liverpool respectively.
With so many players coming to Spurs, it is inevitable that some first-team players will be on their way too, with Spence and Cristian Romero set to join Inter Milan and Atletico Madrid in the coming hours and days.
While Tottenham are well-stocked at left-back, it is a different story on the opposite flank where World Cup winner Pedro Porro is the undoubted first-choice right-back after signing a new long-term deal this summer, but he has little specialist competition for his spot.
|
Tottenham’s Left-Back Options |
|---|
|
Andy Robertson |
|
Ben Davies |
|
Destiny Udogie |
|
Souza |
|
Micky van de Ven |
Archie Gray can play there but his main position is in midfield, meaning it is no surprise that the north London outfit are likely to bring in a replacement for Spence before the September 1 deadline.
Fabrizio Romano has reported in recent days that Newcastle are closing in on an agreement with Benfica to sign Dedic, who has agreed personal terms on a move to St James’ Park.
He is a player of interest to Spurs too as they consider their right-back options too, according to Jacobs, speaking on the Last Word on Spurs live stream late on Wednesday night.
He said: “Another hotly sought-after fullback that I believe is capable of playing both sides is Amar Dedic, who is at Benfica, a player that Matthias Jaissle knows very well, and it’s Newcastle moving at the moment, and they’ve got confidence.
But he’s made the Tottenham shortlist as one possibility as well. I’m not aware of any kind of formal approach yet to the player side or to Benfica, but it just shows you that they’re starting to shortlist names now.
“I feel they’ll be better prepared because they will have known for quite some time that there was a concrete possibility that Spence could go.”
Tottenham Need to Make Fast Move to Land Dedic
As mentioned, Newcastle appear to be close to wrapping up a deal for the Bosnia and Herzegovina international, meaning it would need a last-gasp Tottenham transfer hijack to land the 23-year-old from under their noses.
The Magpies will be more than wary of that happening though, given they have already lost out on deals for Victor Munoz and Johan Manzambi this summer.
Dedic is only one of the names on Spurs’ shortlist, with further links to Neco Williams of Nottingham Forest and Daniel Munoz of Crystal Palace.
De Zerbi’s preference for players with Premier League experience is no secret given all six confirmed arrivals this summer have it, along with Savinho and Gakpo.
That could mean that while there is clearly an appreciation for Dedic, other targets could be prioritised given the player appears to be moving closer to joining Newcastle.
Sports
Celtic Set to Table Bid Imminently to Sign ‘Outstanding’ Arne Engels Replacement
Celtic have reignited their interest in versatile Canadian defensive midfielder Niko Sigur following Arne Engels move to West Ham United.
Engels is headed to the Hammers in a £22 million deal, leaving the Bhoys after two years with the Scottish Premiership champions. The Belgian was an important player under Martin O’Neill but the money on offer was too much to turn down.
Celtic already swooped for a central midfielder earlier this summer, bringing German Mika Baur to Scotland. They could now swoop for a holding midfielder and a move for Sigur is back on after failing to sign him back in January.
Celtic Set To Make Sigur Offer
Celtic were handed a setback when Alistair Johnston suffered an injury and he is a doubt to face LASK in the Champions League play-offs next week. His absence follows Engels’ departure and the Scots are set to address the situation.
According to Croatian outlet tportal, the Hoops are showing serious interest in Sigur and could make a concrete move for the Hadjuk Split midfielder in the coming days. They have been tracking the 22-year-old for a long time and could swoop in before the transfer window closes on September 3rd.
A £2.5 million offer is under consideration and may hand the Canadian a transfer that looked likely last January. The Scottish club pulled the plug on a deal at the time but they have remained interested.
Sigur caught the eye with Canada at the World Cup and he has plenty of qualities that O’Neill will like. While he is a defensive midfielder by trade, he can also play at full-back and in central midfield.
Sigur Tipped To Become Top Talent
Sigur could be an ideal addition to O’Neill’s squad and he’s still young with time to develop into one of the Scottish Premiership’s top talents. His national team manager Jesse Marsch is certainly tipping him for a bright future, having spoken glowingly before the World Cup:
Outstanding… We have a big player for the future.
|
Niko Sigur (2025-26) |
Apps |
Goals |
Assists |
Yellow Cards |
Red Cards |
|
SuperSport HNL |
29 |
1 |
2 |
4 |
1 |
|
Croatian Cup |
2 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
UEFA Conference League |
4 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
Total |
35 |
1 |
2 |
4 |
1 |
Celtic have made four signings so far this summer as they look to build on a memorable title victory last season. Kasper Hogh is the biggest name to arrive, joining from Bodo/Glimt in a £11m deal plus add-ons.
O’Neill’s midfield has been an area of focus, especially with Engels linked with a move away throughout the window. West Ham finally met the club’s valuation of the Belgian, and now all eyes will be on how the team fares without him.
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