Sports
Crystal Palace Eyeing Jonathan Burkardt in £39m Deal to Replace Mateta
Crystal Palace may have splashed a club-record amount on a deal to sign Jorgen Strand Larsen in January, but they are already eyeing more changes to their forward line for the upcoming summer window.
The Eagles have moved away from a relegation battle in recent weeks and currently sit 10 points above West Ham in the relegation zone, while they also earned a spot in the Conference League quarter-finals last week with an extra-time win over AEK Larnaca.
But the club are already preparing for major changes at Selhurst Park with Oliver Glasner set to depart at the end of his contract, while Jean-Philippe Mateta is also expected to move on after his January move to AC Milan collapsed, and now a target to replace him in the squad has emerged.
Crystal Palace Eyeing Jonathan Burkardt
Palace brought in Larsen during the January window, and the Norway international has netted three goals in ten appearances for the club. He has been regularly selected ahead of Eddie Nketiah too, who has been suffering with a number of injuries since moving from Arsenal, and the south London club are now planning to add another forward to the squad.
According to Sports Boom, Eintracht Frankfurt star Jonathan Burkardt has emerged as a target for Premier League clubs, including Palace, as they look to add more firepower to the squad.
Burkardt, who has been described as ‘clinical’, has netted 11 goals in 22 appearances for the Bundesliga side this season, playing in a more advanced forward position rather than his usual attacking midfield role.
Frankfurt don’t want to lose the 25-year-old German this summer, but they accept that he isn’t ‘untouchable’ in their squad, and an offer worth around €45m (£39m) would be enough to convince them to sell.
Crystal Palace have already made contact with his representatives to gauge interest in a deal, and it’s understood that they are preparing a concrete bid to try and bring him to the Premier League.
Would Burkardt Fit In at Crystal Palace?
Burkardt has got top-level experience and is at an age where he is likely ready and willing to make the step up to a higher level, which Palace could provide him with.
GIVEMESPORT asked ChatGPT if Burkardt would be a good fit for the Eagles, and what his strengths and weaknesses are, and this was its response:
Strengths
- Clinical finisher; strong xG + goals output among Bundesliga strikers
- Intelligent movement, creates space and links play well
- High work rate; presses aggressively from the front
- Versatile (lone striker or in a pair)
Weaknesses
- Injury history (serious knee issues, missed long spells)
- Not dominant aerially
- Shot consistency can fluctuate
Verdict
- Strong tactical fit for Palace’s pressing style; risk lies in durability.
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Sports
Man City Enter Liverpool and Arsenal Race for Ayyoub Bouaddi
Manchester City have now entered the race to beat Liverpool and Arsenal to a signing in the summer transfer window.
It’s already looking like a summer transfer window where the top clubs in the Premier League are all competing for similar targets.
The midfield market is going crazy at the moment, and it seems every top-six side in the Premier League is pushing to add another body in the middle of the park.
Clubs will always be fearful when a side like Manchester City enters the race, as they certainly aren’t afraid to splash the cash in the market.
Man City are already pushing to bring in a new midfielder, with reports confirming that they have now agreed a deal to sign Nottingham Forest star Elliot Anderson.
City are preparing for life under a new manager, with GIVEMESPORT sources confirming that Enzo Maresca will replace Pep Guardiola, although his appointment is yet to be confirmed.
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Man City Enter Liverpool and Arsenal Race
According to Fabrizio Romano on YouTube, Manchester City have entered the race to sign Lille midfielder Ayyoub Bouaddi.
“Manchester City have a genuine interest in Bouaddi. He’s one of the players being considered by Manchester City, eventually for summer 2027. The starting idea, then lets see how conversations develop, could be to go for the player in 2027.”
The Premier League side want to sign the Moroccan international in 2027 rather than now, and they face competition from both Arsenal and Liverpool.
“Arsenal and Liverpool had meetings before the World Cup for this boy. Both clubs were already tracking him. Manchester City are in the conversation for 2027.”
Whether Manchester City not being keen until 2027 impacts Bouaddi’s future remains to be seen, as Arsenal or Liverpool could make a move in the summer of 2026.
Another season playing regularly in Ligue 1 might not be bad for Bouaddi’s development before making the move to Man City next summer.
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Man City Could Miss Out on Bouaddi
Manchester City could miss out on the signing of Bouaddi, described as a ridiculous talent, in the summer of 2027, as there’s a strong chance that Arsenal or Liverpool make a move this year.
If Liverpool and Arsenal know that Man City have an interest, they might want to make a move quickly in order to get ahead in the race.
Bouaddi is already enjoying a strong World Cup for Morocco, so there is every chance that another club enters the race to secure his signature.
This could make it difficult for City to beat the likes of Liverpool and Arsenal for his signature, especially if he is keen on making a move in the coming weeks and months.
Sports
Tottenham Eyeing Man City Forward Omar Marmoush
Tottenham are showing an interest in signing a new forward in the summer transfer window as an alternative to Liverpool’s Cody Gakpo.
After solving their defensive issues earlier in the window, attention for Tottenham can now turn to strengthening in other positions.
Marcos Senesi, Andy Robertson and Jan-Paul Van Hecke have all arrived through the door at the back, while they have also been focusing on midfield additions.
Reports have claimed that Spurs have submitted a £100m bid to sign Newcastle United’s Sandro Tonali. The North London club are also in the race to sign West Ham United midfielder Mateus Fernandes, though they face competition from fellow Premier League side Manchester United.
Alongside the defensive and midfield signings, they could also look to strengthen in the final third.
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Tottenham Eyeing Premier League Forward
According to reports, Tottenham are interested in signing Liverpool forward Gakpo in the summer transfer window, but they also have an alternative target.
It’s claimed that Manchester City forward Omar Marmoush is also an option for Spurs, despite him having a sky-high asking price.
The Egyptian international could also cost a lot in terms of wages, with Sky Sports reporter Florian Plettenberg claiming that he earns around £280,000 a week at the Etihad Stadium.
Marmoush, described as ‘world-class’ by Flashscore journalist Anton Latuska, has struggled to cement himself as a guaranteed starter for Manchester City of late. That may change now Pep Guardiola has gone, but he started just eight Premier League games for City last season.
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Marmoush Could be Smart Signing for Tottenham
The signing of Marmoush could be a smart one for Tottenham in the summer transfer window.
The Manchester City forward is a versatile option in the final third, capable of playing as a centre forward, as a number ten, or even out wide.
It will be interesting to see where De Zerbi plans on playing the Egyptian international if he does make the move, but his versatility alone could be crucial.
It is clear that Tottenham are targeting a particular profile of forward in the summer, given the links to Liverpool’s Cody Gakpo, who can also play all across the front line.
Sports
Five Players Tottenham Can Sign Instead Of Sandro Tonali
Tottenham are reportedly in advanced talks to sign Newcastle United midfielder Sandro Tonali, although if the prospective deal for the Italian proves too expensive, the Lilywhites may be forced to pivot to alternative targets.
Tonali enjoyed an outstanding 2025/26 campaign for the Magpies, scoring three goals and providing six assists in 53 appearances across all competitions. This form has sparked interest from a host of clubs, including Spurs and Arsenal.
Despite this interest from the Premier League champions, Tottenham seemingly lead the way for the 26-year-old and have reportedly offered him a mouth-watering £275,000-a-week contract.
That said, this doesn’t mean Tonali’s move to North London is a done deal. According to various reports, Newcastle could hold out for around £100million, which would surely prompt Spurs to at least consider other options.
Thus, GIVEMESPORT have identified five alternative targets Tottenham could look at if they are ultimately unable to secure the services of Tonali.
Angelo Stiller
Age: 25
Club: Stuttgart
Tottenham’s most pressing midfield issue last season was arguably the lack of ball progression. The likes of Conor Gallagher, Joao Palhinha and Rodrigo Bentancur have desirable attributes, but getting the ball up the pitch through passing isn’t part of their repertoire.
Tonali also doesn’t excel in this aspect of the game, but Stuttgart’s Angelo Stiller does. Stiller is renowned for his exceptional range of passing, and this is reflected in his impressive ball progression statistics.
The 25-year-old has been on the market for a couple of windows now and is yet to be snapped up by a big club, despite enjoying two outstanding seasons in the Bundesliga. He reportedly has a £35 million release clause in his contract, and Spurs should leap at this opportunity if the move for Tonali falls flat.
Adam Wharton
Age: 22
Club: Crystal Palace
If Spurs are on the hunt for a pure midfield passer, then they should look no further than Adam Wharton. While Crystal Palace aren’t likely to sanction a deal for a fee that doesn’t closely resemble the asking price for Tonali, investing in a younger player with higher upside might make more sense regardless.
Spurs have already been linked with Wharton, and while the likes of Chelsea and Manchester United are also said to be in the race, Roberto De Zerbi may be able to offer the Englishman more certainty and more of a defined role at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
Wharton would fit the former Brighton manager’s style like a glove. De Zerbi’s build-up patterns are all about drawing the press in before playing round it with smart and incisive passes. Wharton’s best attribute is his forward passing in between the lines.
Mateus Fernandes
Age: 21
Club: West Ham United
Like Wharton, Mateus Fernandes would represent a smart long-term acquisition for Tottenham. The North London side aren’t likely to win a major honour in the next two or three years, and thus, signing a younger player who can develop with De Zerbi’s project makes more sense than going big on a player in his prime in Tonali.
Spurs have reportedly been given the ‘green light’ to sign Fernandes, and there are suggestions that he could be added alongside the Newcastle man. Whether or not this is plausible financially remains to be seen, but Fernandes alone would suffice.
The West Ham midfielder thrived in a disjointed Hammers side last season, displaying his defensive tenacity, invention in possession and physical prowess. In a more settled system under De Zerbi, he could easily reach another level.
Manu Kone
Age: 25
Club: Roma
Currently impressing for France at the World Cup, Manu Kone is looking for a new club this summer. He’s been linked with Arsenal, although he may ultimately make more sense for Spurs.
While reports indicate that Kone has given the Gunners priority over Tottenham, De Zerbi should have the ability to seduce the Frenchman. The likes of Declan Rice and Martin Zubimendi would block Kone’s minutes at the Emirates, while at Tottenham, his robust style could see him become the main man in the middle of the park in N17.
Given that he’d be arriving from overseas and with significantly less pedigree than the likes of Tonali, Wharton and Fernandes, Kone could cost considerably less, and thus preserve funds for other transfers.
Ayyoub Bouaddi
Age: 18
Club: Lille
If Tottenham really want to build for the long-term, then they should consider signing one of the hottest midfield prospects in Europe. Ayyoub Bouaddi is the subject of intense interest from the likes of Arsenal and Paris Saint-Germain, but once again, Tottenham could sell a more enticing project to the youngster.
At the Emirates or the Parc des Princes, Bouaddi’s minutes are likely to be somewhat limited, particularly in the short-term. This could stall his development, while at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, he would play regularly from the outset.
He boasts similar attributes to Tonali in his ability to cover ground and carry out defensive work, making him an excellent alternative.
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