Talk of possible point deductions is a frequent topic when it comes to Premier League clubs of late. Of course, there are some who believe Manchester City could be hit with a huge 60-point deduction should they be found guilty of alleged financial breaches.

Elsewhere, Everton has a 10-point deduction by the Premier League in 2023 after falling foul of regulations in the 2021/22 season. This led Burnley to sue for potential revenue lost as they were relegated, having stayed in line with financial rules, and the Toffees were ordered to pay out to the tune of £40 million.

Now, ahead of the 2026/27 Premier League season, another team could be hit with a points deduction due to profit and sustainability rules (PSR).

Premier League Side Must Raise Millions Before July

It was a remarkable achievement for Hull City to win the Championship play-offs, having finished sixth in the league, but managing to beat Millwall in the semi-finals and then Middlesbrough in the final. However, there has already been a bit of a setback for the club.

Indeed, as per BBC Sport, Hull have an overspend of about £6m on their profit and sustainability (PSR) calculation. Under English Football League rules, that could lead to a six-point penalty.

The breach was caused by promotion bonuses included in the players’ contracts, after they made it up into the Premier League from the Championship at the end of the 2024/25 season. Had the Tigers lost to either Middlesbrough or Millwall, they would not be in danger of exceeding the maximum losses of £39m for the past three seasons, and there would be no points penalty in the Championship.

With the club needing to raise £6m in player sales before 1 July to avoid punishment, Hull owner Acun Ilicali has frankly addressed the situation. He said:

Financial Expert Kieran Maguire Discusses Hull’s Money Issues

Speaking to BBC Sport, football finance expert Kieran Maguire claimed that Hull’s losses had actually been “relatively modest” in recent seasons. With the club earning significant fees from the sales of winger Jaden Philogene and defender Jacob Greaves, he explained how this has helped:

“They had some very successful player sales and they contribute towards covering those losses.

“The big challenge for Hull is that, as we saw with the Nottingham Forest charges and points deduction a couple of seasons ago, if a club pays promotion bonuses, those bonuses are included in the PSR calculations.

“Therefore it can unwittingly knock a club over the £39m limit.”

Maguire added that, in total, a squad’s promotion bonuses are worth between £10m and £15m.

It’s also reported that Kyle Joseph could help bring in much of the £6m, with several Championship clubs interested in the forward. Elsewhere, Hull seem open to selling David Akintola, Abu Kamara and Kasey Palmer for the right price.

Tottenham emerged, almost out of nowhere, in the race to sign Sandro Tonali from Newcastle this week.

The Italian looks likely to leave St James’ Park this summer as Newcastle aim to continue to comply with Financial Fair Play restrictions and the new Premier League Squad Cost Ratio rules coming into play.

The Magpies have already sold Anthony Gordon to Barcelona in a £69million deal, with the Magpies expected to let two big-name players leave this summer.

Roberto De Zerbi sees Tonali as the perfect midfield signing

Tonali has been the subject of much interest from the likes of Arsenal – who made a late bid to sign him in the January transfer window – Manchester United and Manchester City, with both Manchester clubs looking to strengthen in central midfield this summer.

But Spurs entered the race to sign the 26-year-old, with Roberto De Zerbi driving the move to sign the midfielder, as he looks to bolster an ailing Tottenham squad that has finished in 17th place in the Premier League in back-to-back seasons.

GIVEMESPORT understands that Tottenham are willing to pay between £80million and £85million to seal the deal, with potentially more in add-ons too and Tonali is reportedly keen on the move.

Tottenham want to make a statement signing for De Zerbi and prove they are willing to invest in the squad for the new head coach to turn around the club’s fortunes and bringing in Tonali would certainly be that. For starters, Tonali would be a club-record signing, beating the £65million spent on Dominic Solanke two seasons ago.

And it may well be that Spurs have already got the green light to secure a deal for Tonali, described by Football Italia as the “best midfielder in the country”, this summer.

As already mentioned, there are a number of other clubs who have been lin ked with a move for the Italian, but will they actually follow through with that interest?

Other clubs drop out of the race to sign Tonali

Manchester City’s top priority is Elliot Anderson, with the Citizens already having two bids of more than £100million rejected by Nottingham Forest. Will they really get up towards the three-figure mark for another central midfielder in this summer transfer window?

Manchester United have already dropped out of the race to sign Tonali, deeming the package for him too expensive to follow through with, as they turn their attention to other targets.

Meanwhile Arsenal have reportedly agreed a deal with Frenchman Manu Kone. If they complete that deal for a fee in the region of £40million, it would, like City, also be unlikely to see the Gunners splash out more money on another central midfielder.

Tonali’s preference, should he leave St James’ Park this summer, would be on a return to Italy to play in Serie A again, but GMS understands that the finances required to sign him would be out of the reach of the teams who have shown an interest in him.

De Zerbi wants a new central midfielder and Joao Palhinha had been linked with a return on a permanent basis following a successful loan spell last season, but Tonali would represent a significant upgrade on the Portuguese and is four years his junior too.

The Spurs hierarchy want to make a statement signing and the door is clearly open for the Lilywhites to get a deal done.

Conor McGregor has revealed the ‘atrocious’ UFC fighter he wants to face after his comeback fight against Max Holloway in July.

‘The Notorious’ will make his long-awaited return to the Octagon next month in which he will face Holloway – 13 years after their first meeting, which McGregor won by decision.

The Irish superstar is coming off the back of a five-year hiatus, with his last bout in 2021 against Dustin Poirier leaving the Irishman with a broken leg, as well as a second loss to the American on his UFC record.

McGregor vs Holloway 2 Explored

Holloway also comes into UFC 329 following a defeat, having lost a one-sided decision against Charles Oliveira back in March at UFC 326.

Alongside McGregor, Max is considered one of the greatest featherweights of all time, having also had success at lightweight, although this fight with McGregor will take place at welterweight, where the Irishman has experience and Holloway does not.

McGregor is by far the UFC’s most successful commercial selling superstar, due to his outlandish antics and the amount of records his career has shattered.

Speaking earlier this month, UFC CEO Dana White hailed McGregor’s extraordinary drawing power, despite not having fought for so long.

Dana explained: “Listen, Conor, you guys know as well as I do. I mean, he’s a powerhouse, man.

“When he’s involved, I mean, tickets, as soon as they went on sale, you know, went flying. This should break the gate [ticket sales] record.”

Conor McGregor Eyes Fight With Reigning UFC Champion After Facing Holloway

Many have expressed doubts over whether McGregor will still be able to deliver in the Octagon after such a long absence, but the 37-year-old is so confident of victory that he has already started targetting his next opponent.

During a recent appearance on The Ariel Helwani Show, McGregor claimed one of the UFC’s newest champions had shown themselves to be “atrocious” at times and back himself to “tee off” on the current titleholder.

Justin Gaethje pulled off one of the greatest UFC upsets in recent memory at UFC Freedom 250 on Sunday night, as he defeated Ilia Topuria by corner stoppage to hand the adopted Spaniard the first loss of his stellar career.

Gaethje now reigns as the undisputed UFC Lightweight Champion, but McGregor is confident of defeating ‘The Highlight’.

“When Gaethje is on, he’s good, he’s okay. But when he’s off, he’s atrocious,” McGregor said about the American. “I fancy him, handily. I fancy teeing off on Gaethje.”

McGregor Slams “Ridiculous” UFC Schedule

While McGregor is happy with how the landscape looks in terms of potential opposition for the final two fights on his current UFC deal, he is less happy about the timing of his second bout.

According to the man himself, his next fight after Holloway at UFC 329 isn’t set to take place for the best part of a year.

“Right now I am contracted and I have both dates. I have both dates for my fights. I have July 11 – when would you think they would put me back in, when would you think?” McGregor asked Helwani.

“April 2027. It’s almost a year later. That’s ridiculous to me. This is the way the contract was done.”

McGregor clearly has a strong desire to fight sooner following his bout with Holloway, with him and Helwani agreeing that a date like January 2027 would make more sense.

“I’m like, huh? Just give me the f***ing contract, it gets to that stage. I have July 11, it’s only around the corner.”

“Bring it on, baby. The Mac is back and I’m going to put on a show here in this fight.”